//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: To Be Free // by OverthoughtName //------------------------------// I felt nothing, neither my limbs nor my mind were willing to cooperate with me after I blacked out. Was this what it felt like to be dead? Just floating in your own personal limbo for this eternity and the next? The only thing I hoped for was that Nirvana got out alive, hopefully finding someone who would take her in. She never understood why I had been so open and welcoming with her, but I did. She and I lived very similar lives up to a point. I knew how hurt she was and how lonely she felt in this vast world. I was there once, and it has haunted me for years. Sure, I wear a strong face around others and never show such weakness, but it’s because I always felt my inner demons were my battle, and my battle alone. I’ve changed since then, but truly could never break out of my shell, not until now… I was only a foal when it happened, no older than five. My parents and I were on a trip to Griffonica, a heavily mountainous region inhabited by the griffons. It wasn’t a great tourist spot for travelers, and the griffons knew it as well. As we passed through the exotic land, the griffons began to circle overhead, in search of prey. Little did we know that the prey were my parents. They dived down with bloodthirsty eyes, my parents tried to protect themselves with what they had at hoof, but to no acclaim. The attackers pecked and lunged at my mother and father, leaving me to watch the gruesome act. Moment by moment, they were torn limb for limb, until all that was left were their empty husks. All I could do was stand there with the look of disgust and mortification upon my face. I didn’t even notice the two griffons that had air lifted me to the mountains. Why was I spared? My imagination was soon met with reality as they planned to work me to near death. For eight years I laboured for them. I moved slag, I poached dinner for the griffons, and did what I could to survive in that Tartarus of a place. I scrounged for food, which had gotten me beat on many the occasion. I had submitted to their command and could no longer find the will to live. I wished they had just killed me when they had the chance, I was lonely, I felt a deep depression over the years, and by the end of it all, I was filled with unsatisfied malicious intent upon my captors. I had given up hope, until the night I would never forget… The griffons had just fallen asleep, all except for one I knew quite well. The griffon in question was named Gilda. She always managed to smuggle extra food to me, and was overall the only one I could trust. She explained to me a way to get back to Equestria the griffons often use. Being a pegasus colt myself, I couldn’t pass on the opportunity. I felt may things for Gilda that night, happiness, confusion of why she helped me, and also a feeling which I couldn't exactly place, but gave me the drive to escape. This was my only chance I was going to take it. Off into the night sky I went, never to see Gilda or the griffons again. In less than three days I found myself in the city of Canterlot. I was homeless and hungry, with me begin unable to manage to quell either problem. I resorted to panhandling to earn money for food, which ended in less than hoped for results. It was then when a pony by the name of Atom Split who offered me a job in the field of experimental physics. I worked with Atom for five years and earned my way in way in life. I was really interested in the subject and the sciences in general, and thus my cutie mark came in the shape of a flaming molecule. I was sixteen when I decided to move to Ponyville. Atom tried to convince me to stay and continue aiding his research, but I made my decision and boarded the train. I moved into Ponyville and bought the house I had lived in for the past two years. I found work with a local florist in the market with my boss, Roseluck. I had gotten acquainted to the country life, but still, my past haunted me and still does…. I didn’t know what to do from here. I was stuck in my dreamscape for what felt like a century. Slow though, I could feel a white light shining down upon me. Was the almighty one sending me to the land after death? I opened my eyes wearily and with slight pain. As my eyes focused I could now see the pure white ceiling overhead and the bright lamp in front of my face. I rose from what seemed to be a bed, and looked around the room. It was fairly empty other than the trio of beds around it, one of which I was occupying at the moment. There seemed to be another pony in here, a young one at that. All I could see was a teal mane, and then it hit me. Where was Nirvana? I snapped my head around the room in a hurry, hoping to find any sign of her, but to no avail. ‘Try to remember something about changelings you twit’ I thought. ‘It’s in the name Dust. CHANGElings’. C’mon Dust, remember her appearance, maybe you can guess who she is. Let’s see, short stature, teal mane and eyes… wait teal mane? I look to the filly again. She has the exact mane colour and cut as Nirvana did. Then it dawned on me. That filly was Nirvana disguised as a pony. I got out of the bed and walked towards her. She looked so peaceful as she slept, I just couldn’t bring myself to wake her. I still didn’t know where we were, but at least she seemed okay. “Oh, mister Dust, you finally woke.” Said the robed pony walking up to me. “We had been worried that neither you or this filly would have survived the fire that took place at your house. You don’t need to worry though, both your house and the filly here are fine, just a few burns but nothing to worry about.” The pony said. “Where are we exactly? I blacked out and can’t remember a thing about being sent here.” I said to the pony. I had no idea where we were. The beige walls and white floor left nothing in the terms of guessing my position. “You are in Ponyville general hospital. You have been for about three days now. I am nurse Redheart.” She introduced herself as. “Mister Dust, may I ask who exactly this filly is? She was found unconscious atop of you, and we could find no records of her at City Hall. Might she be family of yours?” She asked. I had to think quickly. Nirvana could be exposed if I don’t. “Umm…yes! Yes, she is family. She is my niece out from Canterlot. She came to visit for the first time and we somehow got into this mess.” I blatantly lied, only to protect Nirvana. “But are you sure she is okay?” “Well, she could use some proper food for her system, but other than that, she is fine. Now that we know both of you are fine and awake, we can release you from the hospital.” Nurse Redheart responded. Wait…both awake? I look behind me to see the timid face of Nirvana, slightly shivering in her bed. Nurse Redheart took her leave as she could see that we might need a moment, as I slowly approached the little changeling/unicorn. < Nirvana’s POV > “D-Dust? Where are w-we? What h-happened?” I asked to Dust. I had many things on my mind, but only one needed answering at this time. I just wanted to know where we were, even though I already had an idea. “We’re at the hospital, Nirvana. After the fire, we got sent here. It’s been about three days. I’m just so overjoyed we both survived. ” Dust said with joy in his words. Now that the setting was placed, I was ready to ask him where that joy for me came from. No beating around the bush, just going to have to be direct. “That’s great Dusk.” I put on a half smile. Survival was something to be slightly happy about. “I just wanted to ask you something though… Why?” “Why what, Nirvana?” He asked back, but his face could tell what I was going to ask him. “Why have you been so welcoming to me? You don’t treat me like a slave, but as an equal. You let me eat food, or at least you tried to do that for me. I’m not a thing to you, I’m someone in your eyes… But why do you see like that? No one else has, so why you?” I finally let it slip. It had to be asked of him. Nopony I ever knew had treated me like he did, even if it was only for less than a day at this point. He opened his mouth to speak, trying to pick his words and form a complete sentence. Finally, he closed his eyes, and said to me “I see you as someone because I understand what you’ve been through and would never want to see anyone else like that. Let me tell you a story…”