//------------------------------// // Inconsistencies // Story: A Stranger to the World // by Perceptive Key //------------------------------// Chapter Fourteen Inconsistencies Alex and Hart walked through the halls of Canterlot Castle in silence, quickly navigating their way back to Witt’s tower. The sounds of their footfalls -and hooffalls- sent muted echoes throughout the corridors, a steady rhythm of beats appearing to follow them as they walked. It was the only sound aside from Alex’s new sneakers they had given him which would, occasionally, squeaking quietly         “How long was I out?” Alex asked Hart.         “Approximately two hours,” he replied frankly.         ‘Not as bad as last time,’ Alex thought. Considering that the past… two days, right… were, basically, his consciousness coming and going intermittently. It was a bit detrimental to his internal clock, as well, throwing off his normal sleep schedule and edging it more toward the nocturnal hours. Not that it really mattered, of course.         “When we get back,” Hart’s voice cut into Alex’s thoughts, “you’ll have to get ready for the move. I assume that Celestia would want you to get out of here, ASAP, considering the run in you had with Luna, last night.”         “Oh,” Alex’s face  immediately lost any hint of emotion at the mention of the encounter. He figured that Luna would tell Celestia about that, anyway, but, like his scheduling, it didn’t matter. The sooner he would be away from her, the better.         “What exactly happened, last night?” Hart’s query cut into Alex’s train of thought, briefly derailing it.         Alex shook his head dismissively. “She said something rude, so I returned the favor.”         “And you made verbal threats against a ‘Devilin?’” Hart asked, giving Alex a sideways glance.         “What Devilin?” Alex asked back. ‘The hell is wrong with me?!’          “The Devilin that you said was trying to drive you insane,” Hart clarified.         “I can’t say that I know him.”         “Can you?” a familiar voice questioned. Alex turned and found Devilin, suit and all, walking beside him, right where Hart was standing. The grey stallion had been replaced by the suited executive.         “The hell?!”         “Cardiovascular is fine,” Devilin waved.         “His name’s Hart,” Alex growled.         “Quite frankly, I don’t care,” he dismissed him blatantly. Alex scowled back at him. “I’d really enjoy punching you in the face, right now,” he hissed, clenching a fist and holding it up for the man to see. Devilin chuckled, and removed a stray hair from his jacket. “If you wanted to, then you would have already.” Alex turned away, focusing back on the hallway he had unconsciously continued walking down. “What are you here for? How many times do you need to appear and disappear before you’ll do the second part for good?” “Oh, don’t worry about that, Mister Harper,” he waved the teen off with a grin. “I’m just finalizing a few details here and there. Soon, I’ll be out of your way for a good week or so.” “I’d prefer you staying away for much longer. Preferably forever.” Devilin gave Alex a small smile as his only response before turning off down a separate hallway. “Hey!” Alex shouted, “Where are you going?” “Ha! I thought you wanted my away from you?” Devilin laughed. “You seem to be conflicted. Do you need psychiatric assistance? I hear that Witt fellow is quite a helper!” “I... You’re a bastard!” Alex cursed after him. He looked back down the hallway, but was met with a white abyss. “What the...?” Alex tried to comprehend the sight before him, looking back to where Devilin had just disappeared to, but… it was just a white abyss. White abyss? Oh, great. “Aaaallllllllllllllleeeeeeeexxxxx…” “Wha…?” he grabbed his head with both hands, cupping them over his eyes. “What’s happening?” He felt dazed, a sort of blurry field surrounding him. “Aaalllllllllleeeeexxx...!” “Who’s... there…?” Alex asked out into the mesh of white and bits of black that had appeared. “You need to get up…!” “What do you want?” he asked again. “Get up, Alex!” It sounded much closer, now. Alex pulled his hands away from his head and felt as though he was now lying on the ground, or what could be considered the ground in an infinite sea of shadeless purity. “Here.” Alex froze. A man’s voice could be heard behind him, but not one that he recognized. “Hello?” he called out hoarsely. The slight tap of shoes making contact with a floor began, slowly making their way around him. Alex watched as a pair of black sneakers stopped in front of him. They shifted slightly as the wearer crouched down in front of him. Alex couldn’t see the person’s face, but their perfectly pressed slacks were clearly visible. It was another moment before they spoke. “I think you need some help, friend.” “What?” Alex’s eyes widened in recognition of the voice. It was his own. “Of course it’s you,” the voice replied, reading his thoughts. Alex was speechless, lying on the blank floor of the abyss in silence. “Stand up, Alex,” the voice commanded, “or I’ll do it.” With a quick breath, Alex stretched out his arms and placed his palms on the surface beneath him. With a quick push, he was on his knees, still looking down at the shoes before him. “A little more.” The voice sounded more impatient, now, rather than it’s previous, neutral tone. Alex lifted himself to his feet in mere seconds after that instruction. A firm grasp on his arm was felt as the stranger pulled him the rest of the way up. Alex felt him standing to his side, but didn’t look to him. Instead, he found himself in a field, staring up at the Canterlot skyline and all of it’s renown splendor. He looked to the marble pillars that appeared to glow in the midday sunlight, the twisting spires whose yellow and violet reached upward in swirling majesty, and the sparkling mist from the infinite waterfalls that cascaded down the mountain, bathing the area in a faint rainbow. He was struck by the city’s sheer size and scope, hanging off the mountainside to overlook the fields below it. It was amazing, to say the least. “Are we outside?” “We’re not,” his voice answered. “Then where am I?” It was now that Alex spun to face the person beside him, but there was nothing. A slight breeze came from behind him. “Do not look upon me, Alex.” “Why?” he asked. The response was almost immediate, “If you do, then you’ll wake up.” “What do you mean?” “You are still within your mind, Alex. And looking upon me will only end this construction.” He was still dreaming? “Who are you?” he ventured, though refraining from looking back. “I mean, you’re obviously not me. I don’t know anything that you’re trying to explain. Hell!” he shouted, “I don’t even know half of the words you’re saying. I’m kidding about that last bit. I understand the words but needed to make my point clear.” There was a light chuckle, “I understand. And you’re right, I’m not you.” Alex was exasperated, “Then… why bother impersonating me?! It seems kind of ridiculous!” “It was merely just a test of your natural perception of any abnormal inconsistencies, in the event that your mind was invaded by a certain individual,” was his reply. “You failed.” “Well, I kind of understand how I failed. I didn’t even know I was dreaming until the hallway turned white,” Alex deadpanned. He heard a sigh come from behind him. “Alright then.” A brief pause followed. “Seeing as how this charade has become a tad tedious, I’ll reveal myself. You can turn around now.” Alex slowly turned, uncertain of what would be revealed to him. “If you’re going to try and jump-scare me then I’ll do my best to-” Alex stopped. He had looked in the direction where his doppelganger supposedly was, but there was nothing once again. “Oh, come on!” “Ehem,” someone cleared their throat from his left. Alex spun to face them, but was now met with a pony garbed in the armor of the Lunar guards. Their face was covered by what looked like a metal gas mask. A bronze pendant was around their neck, the symbol of an eight pointed star engraved upon it, catching the light. “Alex Harper,” a deep voice came from the figure. He was taken aback, “Whoa! Who the hell are you now?” “A guardian. One of many, as you will come to know,” they replied, walking toward him. “Guardian of what?” “This place. This city. This world.” They looked out upon the rich landscape beyond the palace, as if surveying it. “We are few and far between, but we are strong.” “What? You’re not Legion or something?” he smirked. In an instant, his neck was touching the cold, steel blade of a sword, the pony mere inches from his face. He was too shocked and afraid to dare move. “You are foolish. Unlearned in the ways of this world. You see care and friendship, but know not of what lies beneath some of those facades,” they whispered harshly. “You are callous and a flaw. Death is no escape for you, but life is.” Slowly, they lowered the sword, sheathing it with the soft grind of metal on metal. Taking a step back, they spoke again, “I know not why you were chosen, but it will be revealed in due time.” Alex breathed heavily, fearing this mysterious stranger with a new degree of terror. He dared not speak for fear of provoking them again. “I leave you now,” they nodded curtly. “May the builders grant you fortune.” He was then blinded by a brilliant burst of light, and, when his vision cleared, he was left alone in the field.