Birds chirping
It was birds chirping that awoke Twilight that late morning. Her eyes parted open slowly as Celestia’s sun took no delay in their solar onslaught. She shifted her body away from the window. Her back sunk in the soft bed, and her legs snuggled in the soft, star covered blankets. She buried her face in her pillow, hoping to silence the bird’s songs. But sleep would not return. Even through the pillow, the cheeps and squeaks still pounded softly at her ear. The light from the high sun flanked around her bed and started illuminating the entire room.
After fighting the losing battle for a few minutes, Twilight’s stomach decided to join the fight against her with a loud growl. She finally admitted defeat, and lifted the blankets from her body. She wiped her face with a fore hoof, and got up from her soft bed.
She stepped over the mess of parchment and quills that littered the floor. The result of another study session that lasted loner than it should’ve. More concerned not to harm the paper rather than her own hoof, she stepped over the mess and made her way to the bedroom door. Twilight made a mental note to clean the mess. Normally she could do it in mere seconds, but right now, breakfast was more important.
She lazily stepped down the hall and into the kitchen. There she was greeted with the amazing aroma of a bowl of oatmeal, cooking and warming to perfection in the claws of a small purple dragon.
Standing on a stepstool in front of the stove, Spike turned around and waved his free claw, “Mornin’, Twilight. Sleep in again?”
“Morning, Spike.” Twilight slowly dragged her body to her usual spot by the table. In one swift motion, she plopped her rear on the wooden cushion, and lost grip on her own head, slamming it onto the table. Twilight didn’t mind. In fact, she was ready to fall asleep once again, if a bowl of delicious oatmeal didn’t suddenly appear inches from her face.
“Here you go, with cinnamon, just the way you like it.”
Twilight lifted her head. Her droopy eyes were unable to focus on anything except the food. “Mmm, this looks so good.” She levitated the spoon that’d been conveniently stuck into her bowl. “You’re a lifesaver.” Twilight took a large scoop of her oats, filling her cheeks and slathering her tongue in the lovely flavor. “Mmm.” She swished the bite to one side of her mouth so she could speak. “Sometimes, I don’t know what I’d do without you, Spike.”
Spike swallowed his own jaw full of food. “Starve?”
Twilight rolled her eyes. She swallowed what was in her cheeks and took another bite. It’s too bad she could never get oatmeal this good when she cooked.
Twilight ate her breakfast in silence like most mornings. When she became thirsty, a jug of orange juice floated out of the fridge and pored itself into a floating cup, and topped of with a floating straw, and flying to the table. With breakfast done, and her stomach now full, Twilight wiped of the table with a rag and dumped the dishes in the sink. Spike had already finished his breakfast and gone off doing who knows what.
Awake, alert and full of energy, Twilight marched out of the kitchen with her muzzle held high. There was much to do today, but first this was first, the bedroom needed to be cleaned up.
With the soft glow of magic, Twilight pushed the door open to her bedroom. She focused on the clutter that covered the floor, taking a quick mental account of everything, and lifted them all in there own glow off the ground. Small ink bottles flew across the room. A choice few managed to find there place aligned in a neat row on top of Twilight’s desk, but most simply returned to the wooden drawer marked with a respective picture.
Quills sped around in the air almost as fast as there former flying owners. Twilight’s favorite feathers, a bronze and black one from pet owl, Owlowiscious, a silver, white, and brown one from a beautiful eagle, and a crimson and gold quill from a phoenix. They found there spots inside the “favorite quill” cup, while all the others flew into another desk drawer.
The books took flight around the room. Twilight quickly scanned each book for their title. Without even looking towards the main library, the books all floated away into the correct, alphabetical spot. Having organized this library so many times, Twilight had long ago memorized the location of very book in her small library.
And finally there were all the papers, notes, crude drawing, and other bits of information so illegible, it might as well be in a language exclusive to the writer. There was a reason spike wrote all her letters to the princess. The paper floated in the air, and quickly fell in formation, ready to be read, organized, stacked, and probably reorganized later.
Some soft voice spoke. It seemed like a scream in the distance, a call for help. Twilight likely wouldn’t have heard it at all if it wasn’t calling her name.
She perked up. Her eyes scanned the room for anything that moved. Her ears erected and twitched around, hopping to catch the sound again. Twilight twisted her head around, getting a clear visual scan of her surroundings…nothing. Twilight spoke to herself, as she often does when thinking alone, “What was that. I know somepony called my name. Was it Spike? No, no, it was definitely feminine. Could I have just heard it? Was it just –“
“Twilight!”
Twilight dropped all of her papers and turned to her large bedroom window. Her eyes and ears focused forward, ready for whatever came this way. “Ok, now I know somepony is calling my name.”
Twilight stepped over towards the window to get a better look outside. What was calling her name? Before she could but a hoof the handle it happened again.
“TWILIGHT!”
Now loud and clear, Twilight could recognize the screams for her name.
"Fluttershy?"
BOOM!!
The window nearly exploded open, with a yellow and pink blur, tackling Twilight and launching her airborne across the room. Instincts took over, and her wings bolted open like a wound up spring. For the split second she was airborne, the wings provided stability and drag. If it weren’t for them, impact on her small, private study desk might of lead to a concussion rather than a minor bruise at worst. Twilight lay on her back, head up against her desk, rubbing a hoof between her ears. “Oww.”
Twilight’s concern for her own well being evaporated when she realized the once projectile mare was weeping heavily onto her chest.
“Fluttershy, what’s wrong?” It had to be something very bad; few things brought her to such heavy tears. She even began to wet Twilight’s coat, but that didn’t matter right now.
Fluttershy’s only explanation came in muffled between soft screams and sobs.
Twilight put her hoof under Fluttershy’s chin and lifted her up. “Fluttershy, please tell me, what’s wrong, what happened?”
Her face was an absolute wreck. Her yellow cheeks were now completely damp from the endless flow of tears. Her eyes were puffy and irritated. Her mane was tangled and uncombed. She gasped in and out several rapid, partial breaths, before throwing herself forward. She wrapped her hooves around Twilight’s shoulders and cried some more, this times her voice unmuffled and loud.
Twilight retuned the hug, bringing her own hooves around the shivering pegasus. She made a gentle squeeze and stroked her backside, playing the loving mother, “Shh, shh, it’s ok, Fluttershy, I’m here.” This seemed to work. Almost instantly, her shivering stopped and her breathing became more regular. Twilight continued, “It’s ok, it’s ok, I’ll help make it all better, I promise.”
After a few seconds more of comfort, and hugging, Twilight brought her hooves back around to Fluttershy’s front, pushing her back, but just enough to see her devastated face. “I promise, I will help you make it all better. But you got to calm down and tell me what’s wrong, ok.” Fluttershy franticly nodded her head.
Twilight gave her a few seconds to compile her thoughts. Fluttershy rapidly drew in and exhaled incomplete breaths, speaking right now would be difficult, especially with emotions flying everywhere like they are. “W-well…I-It’s Rainbow Dash…a-and R-Rarity… and they...they…” Her breathing became rapid as ever, almost hyperventilating.
“Ok, what about Rainbow Dash and Rarity?”
Rainbow Dash and Rarity?! What could they have possibly done to cause this? And to Fluttershy no less.
“T-they…they’re….” Fluttershy drew in a big breath, “THEY’RE A BUNCH OF BIG STUPID MEANYS!!” Fluttershy collapsed unto Twilight again, sobbing louder than ever. Though uncomfortable it was, Twilight continued to hold and support her friend. She would be here for hours, and that’s if this was quick. The papers, the window, and her spine; everything could be fixed latter, but right now, Fluttershy needed her full attention. But still one thing wouldn’t leave her thoughts alone…
What did Rainbow Dash and Rarity do?
====
Bird’s chirping
It was bird’s chirping that woke me up that early morning…
…and it brought shivers to my bones.
Not the familiar rhythm of a bugle, or the scolding of a commander. Not the ringing of sirens, or the rapid thumbing of dozens of boots to the ground. Not the whistle of artillery or the bangs of a dozen bullets. Not the screams of bleeding comrades or my very instincts mentally beating me awake with adrenaline and rage. It was birds chirping... I can’t even remember the last time that happened, it’s been so long.
I got up, peeling the soft blanket from my body. I sat up, and threw my legs off the edge. I put by elbows atop my knees and rested my face on the palms of my hands, rubbing it awake. My hands were cold. I lifted my head and unsealed my eyes, looking down. My hands were bare; leaving the pale skin and faded scars clearly visible. Where are my gloves?
As every second went by, my head became clearer and more alert. The focus of my vision broadened, and I could see my shin guards were gone as well. My eyes widened as panic began to invade. I franticly checked my entire body. Arm guards, shoulder pads, my vest, my helmet, bandana, shades, even my jacket and undershirt were gone. I wasn’t wearing anything except my camo fatigues, a belt, and my black combat boots. Well, that and the large roll of blood stained metical rap around my waist.
I took a deep breath and calmed myself before truly panicking. Panicking was never a good thing; it’s what gets you killed. Before looking for my missing armor plates, I took a good view of my surroundings. Odd, to say the least.
I was in some kind of simple wooden room, a cabin it looks like. The floor was wooden and bare, but sanded down and soft. I wasn’t going to get a splinter on that anytime soon. Directly in front of me was a small dresser table. Not just small, it seemed child size. The seat wasn’t even a seat at all; it was a cushion on the floor. The desk part of it literally knee high and the mirror only reached about four feet into the air. I wonder if I really was in a child’s bedroom.
Next to the dresser table, to my left, was a window. It was obviously morning, an early morning. The cool amber sunlight only recently peeked over the horizon and was seeping its way into the room, illuminating it.
I got up from the bed to look around some. To my surprise, the bed was also child size. Next to the small bed was a nightstand. What surprised me this time wasn’t the small size, but rather, it was the candlestick on top. And from the looks of it, it’s been used before, and is ready to be used again.
Odd, I thought again. Now that I thought about it, I don’t think I’ve ever used a candlestick before in my life. There was always lighting or a flashlight handy. Curiosity struck me, and I looked up. There was nothing on the ceiling. No fans, no lights, no smoke detectors, nothing, it was just plane wood. I looked around again and didn’t find a single electrical appliance or device, not even a wall outlet. This house, or at least this room, wasn’t wired for electricity at all. Very odd.
The room was filled with bits and nick-nacks of all kinds. One of those old decorated clocks that could chip when it was noon hung on the wall. There was a small bookcase filled with various books, big and small. Above that bookcase, a wall shelf only head high displayed various expenssive and private looking items. One piece at the end really caught my eyes, though.
I took it off the shelf to get a closer look. It was a small white statue. It showed a large horse-like creature with pegusus wings and a unicorn horn. Its head was turned to face downward at three baby horses. Its wide wings seemed to cover and shield the young ones. It reminded me of a mother. I noticed the baby horses where not like the mother figure. One of them was had just small wings at its side, spread awkwardly like it didn’t know how to use them yet, as it playfully ran from another baby. One of the babies was a unicorn with a small, immature horn on its head. This one did not have wings likes its sibling or its mother. The last baby horse was just that, a baby horse. It didn’t have a horn or a pair of wings like the rest, but it playfully stood with the rest of its siblings.
I put the statue back where I found it on the shelf. It was surely amazing, and the artistry invested in it seemed immeasurable, but I wasn’t going to steal it, not from here.
During my quick search, I noticed a door in the wall opposite of the window. I made my way towards it. Whoever lived here, I had to thank for letting me stay the night. Within a single step, I struck something with my boot. I looked down to see what obstructed my path. A smile spread across my face to see my armor. Granted, it was haphazardly piled at the foot of the bed, but at least it was there.
I thought about putting the shades back on, but then again, somebody did give me a place to sleep; I didn’t want to be rude. I still put on my gray undershirt, and the jacket. It was kind of chilly in here.
Now dressed in a little more presentable manner, I made my way to the door. It too, seemed small. It was only about as tall as I was. I didn’t have much difficulty turning the knob and getting though, but it still seemed odd. Most doors were a foot or so taller than the people that go through it.
I stepped into the hallway. This area, too, was made entirely of smooth, sanded wood planks; confirming my suspicions that his was indeed a log cabin. To my right was another door parallel to the one I just left. To my left, the hallway ended and corned around in a staircase. In front of me, a large section of the wall was made of glass. It was large set of windows and a glass door, giving me view to see a wooden balcony, clear morning skies, and a forest over the hill, only a mile or so away.
I focused more on the stairs, and down it, I found a living room. A large carpet dominated most of the wooden floor. A nice red couch stood at the side, next to a small convenient bookshelf. Another wall held a wooden door, and two tall, narrows windows next to it on either side. Looking out the window, I could tell this was the main door, and I was now on the ground floor.
I ducked! A small group of birds rapidly flew by, nearly smacking themselves into myself, and heading back up the stairs. I took a second to look for any more birds. The cabin surprised me once again. Hanging from the ceiling were multiple small bird cages. Maybe whoever lived here was an animal caretaker, but still odd nonetheless.
Up ahead was another room though a doorless archway. Through it, I could hear the shuffling and soft banding of various forms of metal and wood. I assumed this was the kitchen, and the person inside it must be whoever helped me.
Stepping forward, the room was indeed a kitchen. And inside it was-
Auugh!! ... a... pony?
It all came back to me, like a hammer to the head during a hangover. I found myself leaning against the archway, holding my head and squinting my eyes shut at the sudden and strong migraine.
But I remember now, all of it. How I got here, what I did afterwards. How I passed out and ended up in that bed. How I finally met the… the ponies that helped me, even after what I did. And this one was… flutter…Fluttershy, right?
A soft, feminine, voice spoke to me. “Oh my, are you ok?”
I opened my eyes. There, inches from my face, was the yellow pony I tried to hold hostage not too long ago, and then saved my life after I failed. I couldn’t help but smile at her. She hovered in the air, wearing a motherly smile. Her eyes were filled with care and genuine concern. Her whole presence just irradiated warm feelings.
I righted myself up, rubbing the side of my head. “Yeah, I’m fine, just a headache.”
“Feww, that’s a relief.” Her warm smile grew even wider. “Say, did you want something to eat? I was actually about to bring it to you.”
I rubbed the back of my head, almost embarrassed to be asked, “Umm, sure.”
“Well, just have a seat,” she motioned to the room to my left, under another archway. “I’m almost done.”
I did as I was asked, and made my way towards what I’m pretty sure was the dining room. There was a small table, very small. It was wide and long enough; it’s just that the thing was only a foot or so off the ground. The chairs weren’t chairs at all, rather just cushions on the floor. I took my seat, or pillow it felt more like, crossing my legs so as to fit them under the table.
I didn’t have to wait for long for Fluttershy to bring the food. She slowly flew into the room, balancing a bowl on top of each of her forelegs. She took a seat opposite of me, placing one of the bowls in front of me, and keeping the other for herself.
It was a salad, a plain old salad with lettuce, cucumber, chopped bell peppers and baby carrots. Needless to say, I was overjoyed. For years now, everything I’ve been given to eat had either been though the blender a few times, or came with lots and lots of rice. I never had a problem with rice, and I understand why they always served it. But damn it, you’re a machine if you don’t get sick of it sooner or later. Today, I was simply ecstatic.
I couldn’t believe it. I was given medical aid, a place to sleep, a friendly face, and a meal. This was too good to be true. And you know what, it is. I really couldn’t believe it. Why would anyone or anything do this, especially after what I did first?
My smile faded at the realization. I looked up at Fluttershy, who was already chewing on her first bite. I had to ask, “Why are you doing this.”
She swallowed what she had in her cheeks, “What do you mean?”
“Why are you helping me so much? Even after what I did, after what I did to you?”
“You were hurt, why wouldn’t I help you?”
“Exactly, I was hurt. I was vulnerable. You had all the right to just leave me there to die. To just throw my body away, and continue on as if nothing ever happened. Yet you spend time and energy helping not only a stranger, but someone who held a knife to your throat and threatened to end your life. Why?”
Fluttershy’s face turned to a mix of fear and concern. “Because you were hurt, and you needed help. If somepony needs help, then somepony should help them, right?”
I had no response. I just stared at her, eyes focused, trying to understand the logic behind her reasoning. Killing them with kindness was one thing, but this unheard of. “Are ponies just nice to be nice?”
“Aren’t humans like that?”
I slowly shook my head, and continued to stare at her in silence.
Her expression dropped even further, “Dave, is that really how things work in your world. Are humans really like that?”
World. Your world. My eyes lost focus on the table in front of me, and my brows tensed in thought. I was in a different world, wasn’t I? In a different world, principles and ideas could be completely different. Maybe, just maybe, this world could be completely different from my own. What’s normal to one can be strange to another. Unheard of Acts of kindness and forgiveness back home could be normal here. It could all be different.
Truth be told, I had my doubts, but I did what most would do in my situation, I went along with it all and hoped for the best.
“Yeah, I guess we kinda are. But your right, that was my world, and this is yours. Maybe things aren’t the same.” I looked back down at my salad, and back up towards Fluttershy, I smiled. “Thanks for the food.”
Her smile returned, and we both enjoyed our leafy breakfasts.
===
I was laying in that small bed again, daydreaming to myself, and fighting another losing battle against the greatest nemeses I ever faced…boredom.
It was still morning, only about two hours since I woke up, according to the clock in the room. After breakfast, Fluttershy took another look and my wound. It was big, but at least it’ll make one helleva scar when it heals up. She wrapped new bandages around me and ordered me to rest.
I noticed that she really was an animal caretaker. Her backyard was filled with various animals, like birds, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, and even a coup of chickens. She declined my help in the morning feeding, insisting on me resting. I felt bad leaving her to do the work, especially after all she did for me, but I couldn’t just argue with her.
So here I stand, or at least lay, daydreaming. I thought about what happened at the barn. Could I have done it differently? No, no, I couldn’t have; even considering what the end result was. I had no idea if those ponies where friendly or hostile. I had to assume the worse. In the condition I was, I couldn’t run, and I couldn’t fight. What I did was by the book, and I would do it again if put in the same scenario.
Thinking of those ponies, I aught to find them sooner or later and apologize. I do feel bad for-
Thump!-Thump!-Thump!
I drew in a deep rapid breath, gasping in surprise. My first thought was an attack; that someone was trying to break inside. In a second, logic swam though my head and directed my thoughts, calming me down. This isn’t the barracks, no one is attacking. Is it someone at the door?
I got up from the bed and waked over towards the small window. From this angle, I couldn’t tell if anyone was at the door. I brushed off the idea, Fluttershy’s got this, and there was no need for me to get involved.
Crash!
Or so I thought…
I could hear the sudden skitter of dozens of tiny rodent feet, and wings of many birds as the rushed through the sky, screaming tiny tweets of warning and concern to one another. If the atmosphere of danger was any thicker, I’d start to choke on it.
“DAAVE!! RUUNN!!”
Fluttershy’s voice was loud and almost unrecognizable without its silky tone. This was an attack, and Fluttershy was being targeted.
I was quick to act. In an instant, I twisted on my feet, and sprinted towards the door. In the small hallway, I ran across the hall towards the glass door, and onto the balcony. I made my way to the wooden railing, leaning on it with one arm, and throwing the rest of my body up and off the edge. A ten foot drop? Piece of cake.
My boots landed on the ground with a dense ‘thump!’ My legs bend under the force, but resisted and slowed the rest of my body. My sides hurt from the impact, but it didn’t matter right now. Before I even regained my balance, I already threw myself head forward in a heavy sprint, around the cottage. Entering a fight head on was never a good idea, flanking is always better.
I rushed towards the front door; it was still ajar. I charged in, ready to fight tooth and nail. Immediately, I found the invader, in the living room. It was a pony, and he had Fluttershy under his hoof, forcing her face helplessly to the ground. Onefore hoof kept on her face to the floor, the other pinned her wing.
The assaulting pony was a grey with dark brown mane and tail. He wore a cheap gray helmet strapped around his head. He also wore some kind of gray vest, and a large white undershirt that covered his entire back and his thigh. The shirt obscured his tatoo and replaced it with the picture of a metal kite shield. Strung around his back was a smooth metal mace.
They didn’t seem to have noticed me. “Please ma’am, stop resisting so the search may go as smoothly as possible.”
“Uungh…get… off me!”
“Ma’am, if you do not stop resisting, I’ll have not choice but to-“
SMASH!! ... Thump! ...
The armored pony didn’t get time to finish what he was saying, not when my fist sent him flying. His body slammed into the nearby bookshelf, knocking off many of its contents.
I did not give him time to recover. As he was trying to recollect his breath and stand on his hooves again, I sprinted to him and stomped him back to the ground. I lifted my leg again, and listened in delight as his ribs cracked under my heavy boot. I stomped at him again and again, ready and willing to do so till his death and then some. Even as he started to cough out blood, I kept brutally stomping this piss-poor excuse for a horse.
“What’s going on here?!”
I stopped from my onslaught. This wasn’t Fluttershy. The pitch was lower; the voice seemed older and more masculine. There was another invader.
I twisted my body around to face the adversary. His coat was cream color, and his mane was a rusty red. He wore the same uniform as the other invader. Faint bags under his eyes gave further evidence to his older age. Unlike the other pony, this one had wings like Fluttershy. He hovered over the base of the staircase, and rushed towards me at the sight of his fallen comrade.
He stuck both of his front hoofs out, ready to strike me at the face. His attack was open, childish, and easy to counter. At the last second, I stepped my entire body to the right while throwing my arm towards the left. I smacked the living projectile at the side of his head, sending him tumbling towards the ground. Now grounded, I rushed towards him to make sure he stays grounded.
I threw my body atop his; my left knee in his face and the other on his side. With my left hand, I grabbed his wing and forced it outward, extending it and exposing all of its joints. I balled my right hand into a fist, and swung my entire arm, smashing into the joint. With a successful snap, I could see and hear the tendons rip. The wing was bent in the wrong direction, and forced into an unnatural angle. Tears built up at the eyes of the once hovering pony, but any scream was forced away and unvoiced.
I pulled back from the incapacitated pony, and stomped him in the head, making sure was unconscious. I stood back up in the center of the room with my fists raised, ready for another fight. I slowly turned my body around while rapidly twisting my head left and right, looking for any more of those home invaders.
Pt-Tssssssss…
A green vapor filled the room from a can at my feet. I jumped back, but I knew it was already too late. Within seconds I was heavily coughing. My sense of balance was fading, and vision was following.
Damnit! A gas attack!
I noticed two more ponies where walking through the door. They looked familiar, but as they got closer and clearer in my failing vision, I realized I knew these ponies. They were two of them from the incident at the barn.
One of them was the white pony with the violet mane. She walked in with her chin held high, like some high-class snob. She acted as if she was better than everybody. The simple gesture would normally make me sick, but the gas was already doing that. “Hmp, such a vile creature you are!”
The other was that blue one with a bunch of colors in her mane. She constantly hovered above the ground with her wings. She beat her front hooves together, ready for a fight. “Payback time!”
Even with the effects of the gas becoming stronger with every second, I still stood defiant. If I had the strength to stand, then I had the strength to fight. I will never give in.
Like a complete drunk, I charged at them, nearly tripping over my own feet. I aimed at the blue one first. I reached out with my hands, and gripped against its multicolored mane. I tried to throw her to the ground, but I ended up falling with her and landing right on top of her side. I switched grip, now reaching across and holding her down by the neck, and lifted my right arm upward. It felt like it was covered a layer of sand. I brought it down and punched the pony in her head as hard as I could.
I lifted my arm again, this time it felt like I was lifting a bag full of bricks as well. I smashed the heavy knuckles at her face again. Even with my failing vision, I could still see the deep red blur emanating from the side of the blue one. I was drawing blood.
I lifted my fist to the sky again. It felt as heavy as lead. Once again, I punched the pony as hard as I could. But by now, my body felt like it was holding an entire house on its back. I couldn’t lift again to strike.
Rage could only do so much to keep you awake. My entire body blacked out and fell atop the blue pony. Well, I hope she chokes on my weight.
Heh, at least I went down kicking and screaming.