Chapter Seven
“The Only Easy Day Was… I Have No Idea”
‘Wake up, Buttercup.’
My eyes snapped open, or I think they did all I could see was solid black. No, they were open, I could see my nose.
I sat straight up and looked around. I was laying on something that looked like stained glass which appeared to be radiating light that was surrounded by impenetrable darkness… or maybe the sky was just black, I don’t know.
“Great, just freakin’ great.” I said, exasperated “Is this how it’s gonna work out now, like in goddamn Quantum Leap? I’m gonna fall asleep in one place and wake up in another, wearing someone else’s face perhaps?
‘Hmm, lemme think about that.’ A voice replied, making me jump a little bit ’No, on all counts. Your body is still back in Anthro-Equestria, asleep in your bed. Or is it his bed? Whatever, it doesn’t really matter.’
For some strange reason, I didn’t like this voice. It was snarky, and only I got to be the snarky one around here.
“Alright, then, where am I? And who are you?” I asked at nothing in particular.
‘Jeez, for someone who gets pissy about snarky voices, your own snark meter seems to be running on fumes, ain’t it?’ It replied, in an almost bored fashion.
“Sorry, bub, but my Jews are out for lunch right now and I suck at writing my own material.” I retorted “Can you answer my damn questions now?”
‘I could.’ The voice replied ‘But you’ll probably figure it out yourself if you just looked around and thought about it. Now go on and use that whip-smart brain of yours, and don’t you dare quote that freakin’ meme to me.’
Jerk.
“Alright, let’s see here…” I murmured, turning my attention to the floor and walking around it. Then my jaw dropped.
It was a circular platform, with a design on the floor that was extremely similar to stained glass. What made my jaw drop was that it was patterned to look like Anthro-Twilight Sparkle from the side while she’s holding her hands out and her eyes cast downward with a sorrowful expression on her face. Just above her cupped hands were a bunch of pink shards which I realized were in a vague heart formation.
My jaw closed when I put it together, and I felt a pang in my own heart. But I turned my attention away from the mural and looked around at the darkness.
“Are you kidding me, a ‘Dive into the Heart’?” I said incredulously “So what, I’m gonna get a damn keyblade now, is that it?” I put a hand up to my chin in sudden consideration “Actually, that’d be pretty bad-ass.”
‘Yes, no, and stay focused, will ya, this is pretty damn important!’ the voice replied ‘This isn’t a Dive, per se, it’s… a little more complicated than that. Y’know what, I’m gonna tell you face-to-face because the concept will be hard enough to understand without it coming from a disembodied voice.’
I heard a strange crystalline sound come from behind me and when I turned, there was a pool of light on the ground with a column rising out of the floor. It wasn’t very tall, maybe four or five feet, but there was someone sitting casually on top of it in a fairly feminine manner.
Once the pillar stopped rising and the light vanished, the person jumped down off the pillar and approached me.
I came to the conclusion that this person was, indeed, female as she was almost a full head shorter than me, though her face was obscured by a black hood, and the black cloak she was wearing fit snugly enough to hint at slight feminine curves, her boots narrow with small heels. She stopped a few feet away from me and crossed her arms over her chest. Being that I was not amused, I mimicked her action.
“Now that you’re here…” I said tersely “Who are you and where am I?”
“Well, we’re inside your head; this room is a mental projection of you at a spiritual level. You’re asleep right now, which is the only reason you’re even here.” She retorted irritably.
“Oh, really? Then where’s Luna?” I countered. The girl shrugged.
“Not here, that’s for sure.”
“Okay, then. You still haven’t told me who you are.” I said, jabbing a finger at her, which she slapped away.
“Does it freakin’ matter?! This is your mind, you twit!” She snapped.
“I suppose not.” I replied coldly “I guess I’ll just wake up now and start my day.”
I turned around, looking for an exit and I hear a sigh come from behind me.
“Fine. If you absolutely must call me something…” She said in resignation. I turned back to see her with a hand held up to her hood in thought, then she snapped her fingers.
“Perfect!” She exclaimed “You can call me the ‘Enigmatic Girl’!”
I gave her a deadpan stare.
“What?” She asked quizzically “You don’t like it?”
I burst into laughter and she stiffened in indignation.
“Y’know what, you’re the one who has to call me something, so that’s the name you’re going to use!” She snapped angrily.
“I’m sorry, it’s just…” I said as my laughter subsided “That’s seriously the best you could come up with; that I could come up with?”
“Well, considering your dream is taking the form of a ‘Dive into the Heart’ and I’m dressed like a member of the Organization XIII…” She said as she crossed her arms over her chest again “’If the shoe fits’ as they say.” I gave a sigh and looked at her seriously.
“Alright, funny stuff aside, what’s going on here?” I asked her.
“You’re having a reaction to the ambient magic of this world, along with the energy you were exposed to in the Void and from your constant contact with Terra who, if you remember, is a half-blood descendant of powerfully magical entities.” EG stated matter-of-factly, which caused my blood to run cold.
“I’m not causing a disturbance in the Waking World, am I?” I asked her, panic rising in my voice.
“Nope, at least, not anything physical.” She replied “Magically perceptive individuals might notice something, but otherwise it’s a calm night outside.”
I breathed a sigh of relief, but it turned to worry once more and I looked at EG.
“If that’s the case, we should probably wrap whatever this is up and fast. Terra’s most definitely noticed and she’s probably worried sick about me.” I said which garnered a nod from EG.
“So.” I said, clapping my hands together “What’s the reason I’ having this… reaction, as you put it?”
“Well, it comes from the fact that the magic in your world is pretty much dead; the absence of any form of magical creatures can sorta do that to a world. That’s not to say it’s gone; it’s kinda like a vampire in that regard. Because your body is capable of magic, yet the magic of your world is, again, dead your body has started trying to draw in magical energy to activate your abilities.” EG replied casually “What kind of magical abilities you’ll have will depend on several factors, but if I had to say anything you’ll most likely have a knack for Terra’s Evocation with some natural Equestrian magic thrown in. You may also have something you brought with you from the Void, but that’s just speculation.”
I stared thoughtfully at EG.
“If this is all in my head, and you’re here explaining all this…” I said, putting the pieces together “You must be an aspect of my subconscious and you’re telling me stuff I technically already know but haven’t had time to think about yet, or hadn’t thought to think of.” When I said this, she clapped her hands for me… slowly.
“And he finally figures it out!” EG exclaimed “Ladies and Gentlemen, our Intrepid Hero!” She finished gesturing to me.
Bitch.
“I heard that.”
I groaned and face-palmed.
“Am I gonna have to put up with you on a daily basis?” I asked her, exasperated.
“Not really, no.” EG replied with a shrug “Hell, you might not even see or hear from me ever again.”
At that, I felt a small pang in my heart. Despite the frustration I felt towards this… ‘Enigmatic Girl’, she was actually kind of fun to be around.
“Look… I’m a part of you, Leon.” She said gently, pointing at my head “I’ll always be right here if you ever want to talk to me; all you have to do is ask.”
I smiled at her and held out my hand, which she shook.
“You’re a pain in my ass, EG, but then again…” I said, giving her a wide grin “Who isn’t their own biggest nuisance?”
“That’s the spirit, Leon!” EG replied and I could hear the smile in her voice, but then she took a few steps away from me.
“However… It’s time to wake up, now. Your friends are becoming very worried about you and Luna’s been trying to enter your dream for the last half-hour.” She said, sadly.
“Alright.” I said, taking a deep breath. Then I remembered a question that’s been picking at the back of my mind ever since the revelation of other Leon.
“Wait, why do the Elements of Harmony and the Princesses all know who I am, but none of the other ponies do? Surely the other guy would’ve made friends with several of the ponies around town.”
“That one’s easy. The Mane Six recognize you because they shared a magical connection to the other guy that went beyond the normal rules of friendship, especially since he and the Element of freakin’ Magic were an item.” EG replied with a chuckle “As for the Princesses… I’d think that one is fairly obvious, considering they’re the Matron Goddesses of a land full of colorful anthro-ponies.”
“Right.” I dead-panned, but then gave her a small smile “Well, I guess this is it. I’ll see ya on the far side, EG.” And I gave her a two-finger salute.
She waved back at me, and then the ‘Dive’ ended… but not before I took one last look at the mural on the floor.
As my sleep-addled mind began to awaken, I could hear voices around me.
“It’s been too long; we should get him to a hospital!”
“No, he’ll wake up soon… It’s going to be okay.”
“Princess, have you heard from your sister yet?”
“Not yet, my faithful student. She said she was encountering some kind of interference that was preventing her from entering his dream.”
“Somepony needs to do something! I can’t lose him again… I just can’t…”
“You promised me ‘no more tears’, Twilight…” I murmured. There were several gasps of surprise and suddenly I was being smothered in a hug.
“Leon, you’re okay!” Three voices said in unison and I immediately identified them as the CMC.
“Air!” I gasped as I struggled to get out from the pile of fillies.
They moved off of me with a series of embarrassed apologies, but I gave them a warm smile as I sat up. Then I was assaulted by Terra, who’d held back when the CMC jumped on me.
“Thank goodness you’re awake!” She exclaimed “I was so worried about you…”
I patted her back and she moved off as Twilight approached me, her eyes glittering like she’d been on the verge of crying. Despite that, I felt somewhat happy that she was there.
“I’m glad you’re alright, Leon. I was concerned when the Cutie Mark Crusaders burst into the library and told me you weren’t waking up. Of course, I could also feel the build-up of magical energy all the way out there.” Her face grew serious “What was that, though? I’ve never felt a magical pressure like that before and all attempts to wake you were met with failure.”
I looked at the ponies gathered in the room.
“Go downstairs. I’m gonna get dressed and meet you in the living room, where I’ll explain what just happened.” I said, then turned to the CMC with sad smile “Sorry, girls. I didn’t mean to ruin your sleep-over.”
The three fillies all shook their heads vigorously and gave me big smiles.
“Are ya kiddin’?!” Applebloom exclaimed (by the way, Applebloom is weapons-grade adorable when she smiles) “This is the best sleep-over ever!” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both nodded their heads in agreement.
I gave them a weary smile and moved to get up. Terra ushered the fillies off the bed and out the door. Twilight lingered a moment beside my bed, before she turned away and left, pausing briefly at the door to glance back at me. Celestia remained where she was for the time being.
“She wasn’t the only pony who felt the disturbance.” She said, her voice solemn “I imagine most of the unicorns in Equestria are awake right now wondering what it was they just felt.”
“Who all is here, Princess?” I asked, to which she gave me a motherly smile.
“Apart from the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Terra, Twilight Sparkle and myself? The rest of the Elements are here as well as my sister, who has been casting her spell from the living area.” She replied calmly.
I nodded, and Celestia took it as her que to leave. Once she was gone, I went over to the drawer beside my bed and pulled out my new shirt and pants, which I put on (Wow, they fit better than the ones I came here with! I don’t even think I need to wear a belt with these pants) and exited the room.
Once I got to the living room, I was bombarded with questions, which I silenced by holding up my hand. I put my other hand on the recliner and looked at Rainbow Dash, who was sitting in it with her knees on the seat looking at me over the back.
“Please vacate the recliner, Dash, or I’ll tell the rest of the girls what happened at the boutique.” I said, giving her a sly grin. The cyan pegasus’ face turned slightly pink and she floated out of the chair, which I promptly took and shifted contently in “Ah, nice and toasty. Thank you, Dash.”
Rainbow glared at me irritably while everypony else (and Terra) laughed at the embarrassed pegasus.
“Okay, all joking aside, here’s what happened.”
After I recounted what I’d been told, the girls (mares, fillies and Terra) were silent.
“I imagine you will require training now, Leon.” Celestia said after a moment and I nodded.
“Probably, but I’m going to need to figure how my magic works before we get to that point.” I replied, my expression serious “Like I said, it’ll probably end up being closer to Terra’s than anything considering I’ve been consistently in direct contact with her, whereas my exposure to Equestrian magic has been kept mostly to the ambient magic.”
“What about your exposure to the Void?” Luna spoke up “Should we be concerned about the effect it shall have on you?”
I shrugged “I’m not gonna worry about that until I have reason to. I’ve got plenty enough on my plate as is without fretting over something that may or may not happen.”
Luna stood up “Do not be so flippant about this; we cannot ignore the issues present with such exposure!”
“I am not ignoring it, Princess!” I snapped angrily and she recoiled like she’d been slapped “I will deal with it if and when it should become a problem, but until such time I am going to focus on the more pressing matters at hand!”
Luna bit down on her lower lip in frustration, but did not respond and instead sat back down. I sighed and ran a hand over my face.
“I’m sorry, Princess. I know that you’re worried, that you’re just trying to help and I appreciate it, I really do.” I said gently “But we need to deal with the problems we already have rather than create new ones over something that may or may not become an issue at an undetermined point in time.”
Luna looked at me with worry in her eyes.
“You are right, Leon, it’s just… I do not think you should treat this issue so casually.”
I stood from the recliner, walked over to Luna and knelt down in front of her, taking her hands in mine and holding them gently.
“I assure you, I’m not being casual about it; I’m just prioritizing everything I have to deal with.” I said reassuringly.
“Have faith in him, Princess.” Terra said, a gentle smile on her face “If anybody can deal with the problem, he can. All we need to do is believe.”
Dammit, I really hate when she says that kind of stuff. She makes me seem like some kind of great hero.
‘Maybe it’s because, to her, you are a great hero. You know she worships the ground you walk on.’
Luna looks from me, to Terra, then back before letting out a sigh of resignation and giving Terra a weary smile.
“Yes, of course. You are correct.” She said, and then looked back at me “I shall trust your judgment on this matter, Leon, and I shall lend what aid I am able. You need but ask and it shall be yours.”
I smiled and gave her hands a gentle squeeze.
“Thank you, Princess.” I said and turned to Terra “And thank you, Terra, for continuing to believe in me. I truly appreciate it.”
Terra nodded and gave me a gentle smile (the only kind of heart that wouldn’t melt in the presence of one of Terra’s smiles is one that is not there). I stood and returned to the recliner, leaning back because I was suddenly very exhausted. I wonder what time it was…
“Leon, my sister is not the only pony who shall lend her aid if you ask.” Celestia said, with a warm smile on her beautiful face “I, too, will help in whatever way I can.”
“Aw, shucks, ya know we got yer back, Sugarcube.” Applejack chimed in, which caused all of the other ponies in the room to nod in agreement, with Rainbow Dash flashing me a winning smile and a thumbs up.
I nodded appreciatively at all of them, but then noticed that Twilight hadn’t said anything and was, in fact, looking away, her expression conflicted.
Damn, I really wanted to say something to her, but I wasn’t sure there were words that could help her with how she was feeling. I instead ran a hand across my face to try and wipe the sleep from it.
“Does anyone know what time it is?” I asked, both tired and curious.
“It is early morning, I shall be raising the Sun in an hour’s time.” Celestia replied, and then extended her hand toward Luna, who stood and walked over to take it “Again, Leon. If you are ever in need, just let us know and we shall do what we can for you.”
I gave them a tired but appreciative smile, before they teleported back to Canterlot.
“Well…” I said, speaking to the ponies gathered before me “You all should head on home, it’s been a very eventful night and I’m sure most of you would like to get what little rest you can before your day starts.”
As each pony left, they let me know that I had their support if I needed it, which I was grateful for, and I made sure to properly introduce myself to Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy (who, by the way, didn’t say anything in passing but gave me a gentle hug to let me know she cared, which was touching to say the least. She proceeded to hurry out the door in an attempt to hide her cherry-red face) even though all three of them knew who I was.
The CMC were crestfallen for a second, until I asked them where they were going. When they told me I probably didn’t want a bunch of little fillies hanging around, I responded by saying that they were being silly and to go back upstairs and finish their sleep-over. The three of them hugged me and dragged Terra away, but not before she also hugged me and let me know she’d always believe in me, no matter what.
Applejack and Rarity, seeing they didn’t need to wait for their siblings, wished me luck and departed.
Which left me alone in the living room… with Twilight Sparkle, who hadn’t moved throughout the whole thing.
I looked at her sadly, while she kept glancing at me, her mouth moving as though she wanted to say something.
I sighed and stood up to go to the kitchen to get some food. I paused as I passed Twilight.
“If you’re tired, you’re welcome to go sleep in the master bedroom.” I said, turning to look at her.
“Don’t you mean ‘your’ room?” She said with an indignant huff. I sighed and continued to the kitchen.
“He didn’t make this house for me, Twilight. He made it because he was planning on settling down here.” I said as I pulled eggs, milk and cheese out of the fridge “I only call the house ‘mine’ to keep up appearances because, for all intents and purposes, it actually is mine now. However, I don’t really consider anything in it mine because I wasn’t supposed to be living here.”
Twilight came into the dining room, glaring darkly at me.
“You say that, yet you seem to be quite at home here.” She replied with an edge to her voice.
“That’s because I’m doing the best I can with the hand I’ve been dealt.” I retorted, her attitude starting to piss me off “I would’ve preferred to earn my keep by working for it, but I’m not gonna question whatever divine providence has allowed me to stay here.”
“So that’s your attitude, is it?” She spat “You’re dragged across the Void and it’s ‘I needed a break from my world anyway’, you have an extreme reaction to magical energy and it’s ‘I’ll deal with it when I have to’. Tell me, Leon, do you take anything seriously?! What if that girl you brought with you died-” and her rant was interrupted by me throwing the bowl with my scrambled eggs in it on the ground, which shattered into a million pieces.
“Don’t you dare think for one second that I am not treating my situation with the seriousness it deserves, and don’t you dare think I’ll allow anything to happen to Terra!” I snarled at her, my patience thoroughly expended “My reaction to problems is how I deal with them. Anyone else from my world would’ve lost their minds with fear because back home we raise our kids to be afraid, Twilight, to submit!” I yelled as I slammed a fist onto the counter.
Her expression went from anger to shame and she opened her mouth to say something, but I silenced her by holding up my hand.
“A man breaks into your home and takes your possessions, what are you expected to do about it? Let them take your stuff and then call the police once they’re gone. You’re held at gunpoint and robbed, what are you expected to do about it? Hand over your stuff and call the damn police!”
I saw Terra and the CMC appear in the dining room, but the flood gates were open and there was no stopping me.
“A girl is jumped by members of a street gang, savagely beaten and left to die, what are you expected to do about it?” I said, my voice quieting down as tears began falling down my cheek “Call the police… and do not help in any way.”
Twilight was holding her hands up to her mouth in horror while Terra and the CMC stared at me, also horrified.
“That was my home, Twilight… my world.” I said, my voice trembling “That’s the true reason I refuse to return to it.”
“Oh, Leon… I had no idea.” Twilight whispered, but I walked past her (taking care as I left the kitchen so that I didn’t cut my feet on stray glass).
“Save it, Twilight.” I snapped, going to the door and putting my hat and shoes on. I opened the door and walked out, slamming the door behind me before any of them could protest. I was angry and I needed to be alone.
‘You could’ve told Twilight to leave. The house is legally yours, after all.’
Legally, maybe, but not spiritually. If anything, she had more right to it than I, because there’s only one reason why a dimension-hopping hero would build a house like that… and that reason is what made living there so hard.
I stumbled across a park and plopped down on a bench, my head in my hands as my anger faded and left behind a familiar emptiness, my rant having reopened an old wound which had never healed properly to begin with.
I don’t know how long I sat there, struggling to ease the pain in my heart, but eventually I felt I could stand to walk back into the house and face whoever happened to still be there.
I returned home and saw Twilight, Terra and the CMC sitting at the table finishing up their breakfast. I saw a plate set in front of an empty chair, and logically assumed it was mine. I sat in the chair, but did not start eating, instead opting to hold my head in between my hands.
The CMC finished their food and took their dishes to the kitchen (apparently, one of the girls cleaned up the egg spill and broken glass on the floor), after which Twilight asked them to go upstairs so that we could have a moment of privacy, which they agreed to only after giving me a concerned look.
Once Twilight was sure the CMC had indeed left, she looked back at me, her expression ashamed.
“I’m sorry, Leon. I’d had no idea your world was so…” She hesitated, obviously not wanting to offend me more than she had.
“Go ahead and speak your mind, Twilight. There’s nothing you can say about my world that I don’t already think about it.” I said without looking at her.
“Cruel.” She finished quietly.
We sat in silence for a moment before Terra spoke up.
“That last one… about the girl. Was she important to you?”
“Yeah…” I sighed, but didn’t look up “She was my best friend.”
“What happened to her?” Twilight asked, which caused me to tremble visibly and she looked away embarrassed “Oh, I’m sorry. If you don’t want to talk about it…”
“She died.” I replied flatly “We were walking home from school one day when we got attacked by a bunch of gangbangers. A couple of them pinned me to the ground while the rest of them went at her with everything from their fists to lead pipes. Even though she put up a decent fight, she never stood a chance.”
I felt fresh tears begin to slide down my face at the memory, while Twilight and Terra both covered their mouths in horror at the sheer brutality.
“Even when she was down, they just kept hitting her and hitting her, until eventually they wandered off, but not before taking everything we had and knocking me out.” I said, my voice shaking “When I came to, I stumbled over to her but… there was so much blood and she was barely breathing. I screamed and pleaded for help, but everyone just kept on walking. One or two would glance at me, but then just hurry on their way.”
My whole body was shaking with rage and sorrow at this point as I vividly recalled what had happened that day.
“After a few minutes, someone finally called the police for us because our own phones had been taken.” I looked up at them and placed my balled fists on the table “You wanna know how long it took police and paramedics to get there? Just over an hour. You wanna know how long she lasted before she eventually succumbed to her wounds? Thirty minutes.”
Both Twilight and Terra wept as I shared my most painful memory with them.
“By the time the police arrived, all they found was a broken kid holding a battered corpse that at one point might’ve looked like a girl.” I finished, my voice low and filled with hate.
There was silence in the dining room, broken only by the girls’ sobs.
“You wanna hear the best part?” I said, venomously “Those fuckers didn’t even get charged for her death because of ‘Insubstantial Evidence Due to Lack of Witness Testimony’; whenever the detectives asked about the incident, all anyone ever told them was they ‘didn’t see anything’ or they ‘heard a commotion and remained inside for safety reasons’.”
“All of those people… And no one saw anything?” Terra asked, disbelief in her voice “Absolutely no one?”
“That and the investigators didn’t really try.” I spat “We were pretty much nobodies and the incident was handled as such, with her death being chalked up to ‘gang-related violence’ despite the fact that she stayed well away from the gangs.”
“Did she at least get a funeral?” Terra asked sullenly.
“Yeah… But the only people who showed up were her immediate family and myself.” I replied dully.
“What?!” Twilight gasped “Didn’t she have other friends besides you?”
“She did…” I replied with an edge to my voice “But they denied any sort of association outside of familiarity… none of them wanted to be affiliated with a supposed gang member. Hell, my own family had attempted to keep me from going to her funeral.”
Twilight and Terra were quiet again as they processed everything I’d told them.
“What did you do afterward?” Twilight asked.
“Soon as I was old enough, I left. I ran as far and as fast as I could from that hellhole and never looked back. I started a new life in some podunk little town out in the middle of nowhere and that’s where I was when you yanked me out here.” I replied flatly.
“Did you have any other friends in your world, Leon?” Terra asked me, to which I shook my head.
“After what happened, I’d lost faith that there was any good left in my world.” I replied, sighing heavily “Don’t get the wrong idea, there were still good people there, but they were becoming rarer and rarer with every passing year. I didn’t care, though, because I didn’t trust anyone anymore.”
Terra looked at me confused “If that was true, why were you so quick to help me in the Void?”
“Because you remind me of her, Terra. She was kind and gentle as well, with a quiet strength to her.”
Twilight looked at me, a sudden realization in her eyes.
“So when you told me that I needed to move on… you were speaking from experience?” She asked me, to which I nodded.
“Yep. I’d spent a couple of years raging against and hating my world for the cruelty inflicted upon her… and upon me. But then I came to the conclusion that she wouldn’t have wanted me to lose myself to the pain.”
At this, I took a deep breath, and began to eat my breakfast. Twilight and Terra said nothing, and only stared at me as I ate. Once I finished, I spoke to them.
“Eventually I began to joke and smile, but that was just to cover up the seething hatred I still felt deep inside. I also trained in the use of guns and knives, and received melee training for close-quarters engagements.” I said, giving my full attention to Twilight “I always carry a weapon with me wherever I go and probably always will because I refuse to get caught in a similar situation ever again.”
Terra and Twilight were silent as I took my dishes to the kitchen and rinsed them off before setting them on a rack to be cleaned later. I turned back to the dining room and was met with a hug from Terra, who buried her head in my chest.
“I’m so sorry, Leon.” She said quietly “You’re hurting so much and there’s nothing I can do to ease the pain…”
I smiled and returned the hug.
“It’s alright, Terra, it’s an old wound. Maybe not well-healed, but old nonetheless. Seeing a smile on your face will be more than enough comfort for me, sweetheart.” I replied gently. She broke the hug, wiped at her face and then gave me her sweetest smile, to which I patted her gently on the head before moving past her into the dining room.
Twilight had risen from her chair and was looking at the ground in shame.
“Leon… I’m so sorry for the comment I made about-” She began, but I interrupted her.
“Don’t worry about it. However, there is something important I want you both to know.” I said, then crossed my arms over my chest “I may not be a hero, but I will die a thousand times over in the most painful ways imaginable before I ever let something bad happen to Terra. The same goes for you and the other girls as well, Twilight.”
Twilight gave me a small smile, before nodding and teleporting home. I went to go down the hallway, but was intercepted by the CMC, who nearly knocked me over in a massive group hug.
“Oh, hey girls. Sorry for all the drama, I hadn’t quite expected all this junk to happen in the span of a single night.” I told them with an embarrassed smile “If you never wanna have another sleep-over here ever again, I’d completely understand.” But the girls only shook their heads and looked up at me with puffy red eyes.
‘Goddammit…’
“You heard my story, didn’t you?” I asked them, to which they all nodded and I sighed “Don’t you worry about me, girls, that’s ancient history now.”
“Mah big sis says that sometimes when ponies are hurtin’ the same way, they find each other in order ta stop hurtin’!” Applebloom exclaimed with a big smile “Does that mean you an’ Twilight are gonna be ‘Special Someponies’?” The other two fillies gave me expectant smiles and I heard Terra giggle behind me.
‘Applejack, I am gonna kick your sorry-flank to Appleloosa and back before kicking it straight to the Moon, I swear to God.’
“Applebloom, why don’t you and your friends get your stuff packed and ready to go?” I said in an attempt to change the topic, though I could feel my face burning “Terra, would you mind helping them?”
Terra gave another giggle “Okay, Leon!” She said and walked past me down the hallway, taking the three eavesdropping fillies with her, though Scootaloo gave me an odd look before going.
I decided I was gonna head out and look for a job, cause the kitchen ain’t gonna keep itself stocked. Besides, this place needed some life in it. Sure, it was furnished with nearly everything I need, but it still needed a personal touch. What I really needed was a camera so that I could start taking pictures of me and Terra and the rest of the girls. Speaking of which…
I ran up to the master bedroom and retrieved my phone from where I’d left it, noticing I had about twenty texts from Pinkie Pie and five missed calls from Rarity and Applejack each.
‘I’ll call them back later, but for now…’ I walked out of the bedroom and saw Terra looking at me curiously.
“Hey, Terra. When you and the girls are done packing, meet me in the living room. I wanna do something special to remember tonight.”
She smiled and nodded before ducking her head back into her room.
After about ten minutes, Terra and the CMC came into the living room lugging some suitcases with them. I told them to leave their luggage by the door and come into the living room, which they did while giving me curious looks.
I told Terra to sit on the floor and the CMC to gather around her. Terra still looked confused, but the fillies caught on to what I was doing immediately and took appropriate positions. Once they were ready, I pressed the button on the side of my phone and took a picture of them.
It was just precious. Terra was sitting on the floor with a shy smile on her face while Applebloom and Sweetie Belle embraced her from either side and Scootaloo was leaning over her right shoulder with her arms draped over Terra’s neck, all three of the CMC had huge smiles on their faces.
I set the picture to my phone’s background, and then sent it in a text to both Rarity and Applejack with a message that went as follows:
From: Leon
The girls are alright and had a blast. We’re taking them home now. See you all soon.