//------------------------------// // Act 1 // Story: Wanted // by CaleMcManus21 //------------------------------// Airports. Some hate them, some don't. Me? I'm on the neutral side. I look at the ups and downs of the place. Sure it has long lines, delays, long wait times, it tends to get boring while waiting for your flight. However, the positive side of the negativity I have are the food courts and shops. Again, the negative side to this is the timing. When your flight is early in the morning, you get cranky when it's closed because you haven't had anything to eat prior to your arrival. Get tired of this kind of shit? I am. My point is, that's how airports go, and we just have to deal with it. I just happen to be one of the few people who go 'Meh, they're alright, though I kinda get bored while I'm there'. My name is not important right now. But I am a 21-year old college student who likes My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. I wear dark pants, white shoes, dark running shoes, a white long-sleeved shirt, with a black t-shirt on top of it. I have short brown hair, and light brown eyes. I went to my boarding gate: 14-A with my two hand carries. A backpack on my back, and a bag where I keep my laptop. My college in Los Angeles just released us for Spring Break and I'm currently heading back to my residential area in Baltimore to visit then I head back to my dorm back in L.A. I'm taking a class that I find boring as hell but I took it because my classmates are awesome. It's that one class you took or are taking in High School or college where you hate the class, but the people in the room is what lightens your mood. I looked out the window and saw that it was close to raining. Good thing I got here early. I leaned against the chair and inserted my earphones and switched on my iPhone. I went over to the music app and chose the 'Smile' song from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. A lot of my college friends watches this show and whenever I'm asked who my favorite pony is, I just show them the photo on my phone. Because once I turn it on, the first thing they'll see is Fluttershy. I closed my eyes and continued listening to the soundtrack. About 3 MLP related songs and about 5 Avenged Sevenfold songs later, it was time for me to board. I turned off m phone, pocketed it, gathered my belongings and lined up along with the other passengers. After getting my ticket, I went down the railway. The smell of the plane filled my nose as I made my way down the aisle and into the plane. The sound of the engine running as well as the airplane smell was a bit bothersome. I felt like my ears just popped because of the sound of the running engine. I continued to make my way down the aisle and approached my seat. I made my way over to the window seat and sat down. I looked out and watched as it started to drizzle. I sighed and leaned back against my seat, listening to the faint and quiet conversations. If there's one thing I hate on this plane, are the chips. God I hate those things. But I do like the takeoff. I turned on my phone and stared at the photo of Fluttershy. I glanced out the window and half thought about how amazing it will be if I saw her flying across the sky or sleeping on a cloud. "Ladies and gentlemen" a voice said. "Please turn off all e,wctronic devices, we'll be departing from Los Angeles very soon." I did what the pilot ordered and switched off my phone. Guess I won't be listening to music for quite some time. By the time I woke up, not only was the airplane in the air, but the passengers are now using their electronic devices. It was no longer drizzling outside. In fact, the clouds have parted and the sun is shining brightly. I pulled out my iPhone once again, turned it on and went back to the MLP Soundtrack. I turned on shuffle mode and picked a random song to start it off. I so happened to pick 'Find a Pet'. Go figure, my favorite pony is singing this song. Several hours later, I went through the same routine. Get off, go to the baggage claim, retrieve luggage, leave. Lucky me, my friend was waiting at the parking lot leaning against his car. A silver Acura with several MLP bumper stickers. He had short black hair and dark puppy dog-like eyes. He wore jeans, sneakers, and a white t-shirt. "Jason Spade" I greeted as I gave him a friendly hug. "Nice to see you return from L.A., Six" he said. I'm called 'Six' because I was involved in a life threatening gang fight and survived it with six bullet holes on my back. And that was during my High School years. Do I find it funny that even my family calls me 'Six'? Yes. I actually do. "Now come on, we gotta get you home and celebrate with beer" he said. After helping me load my stuff into the trunk, Jason and I both got into the car. Jason then drove out if the parking lot and down the street. "How does it feel to be back?" He asked. "Feels great" I said with a smile. "I can't wait to see everyone else again." "That's good to hear" Jason said. Throughout the ride, we talked college stuff, MLP: FIM and other stuff college kids like to discuss. Jason took a turn to a neighborhood and stopped in front of a house. "Here we are" he said. "Home sweet home" I said with relief. It was definitely good to be back. I got out of he car and gathered my belongings from the trunk. "Oh hey, are you up for tonight?" Jason asked. "What's tonight?" I asked. "Movie night, man" he said. "I don't know" I said as I walked up to my door. "I'm kinda tired right now." Jason shrugged. "That's ok. Just give me a call when you feel like you're willing to go." We both bid each other goodbye. As Jason pulled out from the driveway, I inserted my key into the lock, turned it, and opened the door. I lazily put my bags in the corner, walked over to my sofa and collapsed on it. After resting for a total of 30 seconds, I dragged myself out of the sofa and sauntered over to the kitchen. I went over to the phone and checked if I had any messages. There was one. I pressed a button and listened to it while I poured myself some orange juice. "Hi Six, its mom." I turned my attention to the phone. She sounded like she was crying. "I'm sorry to say that Raleigh has been killed while in Afghanistan. I know how you really wanted to see him when you got back from college. It's amazing how he shared everything he knew from military academy with you. On his will, he's giving his prized possession to you. It's in the safe in his room. You know the code. P.S., I don't know what to do next. I feel so hopeless without him. Bye honey." The receiver clicked. "End of message" a computerized voice said. I quickly gulped down my orange juice and headed for the stairs. But before I could climb up, there was a knock on the door. I walked over to the door and opened it. I didn't see anyone, but there was a box sitting in front of me. There were several holes on it. There was no address stating who it's for or where it came from. I carefully lifted the box and brought it inside, closing the door behind me. I placed the box on the floor, locked the door, then returned my attention to it. Assuming that whatever is inside is sleeping, I stood up and walked upstairs to my brother's room. I opened the door and entered. His room is decorated with military stuff. You name it, it's there. I walked over to the small safe and turned the combination dial. Once I dialed the code, I opened the safe and looked at the only content. A handgun and a mag. I heard a slight noise coming from downstairs. I closed the safe and eft the room, closing the door behind me. I made my way downstairs and approached the box. I opened it and gasped. Inside was a sleeping animal. But not just an animal. A fictional pony. And not just a pony! It's a full grown mare! A yellow coated pink-maned Pegasus mare was sleeping in this box! I reached out to see if my eyes were playing tricks on me. My heart skipped a beat when my hand brushed against her coat. I couldn't believe this is happening. Questions began to flow through my mind. 'How did she get here? Why is she here? Shouldn't she be back in Equestria? Who the hell placed her on my doorstep in the first place?' Just then, Fluttershy woke up and glanced at me. She let out a small whimper and curled up into a ball. "Don't worry" I said soothingly as I stroke her mane. "I'll keep an eye on you." Just then, my phone rang. The ringtone was 'Find the Music in You' from an episode in MLP I remember watching a week before my college was released for spring break. "Hello?" I asked when I answered the phone. "Hey Six" Jason said. "You're up for tonight, right?" He asked. I glanced down at Fluttershy. "Sorry man, I don't think I can make it." "That's ok. Because I was thinking we could bring the party to your house." I almost dropped the phone. "Wait... What?" I asked. "Yeah. Since its spring break, I was thinking I could bring the guys over to your house." Fluttershy looked up at me looking a little frightened. 'Shit, what am I going to do?' I asked myself. "Hello?" Jason asked, still waiting for my answer. "Uh... Yeah, sure. You can come over" I said. "Great! I'll see you tonight then." We both hung up. I looked down at Fluttershy. 'I can't let them know you're here' I thought to myself. 'What the hell am I going to do?' I paced the living room with Fluttershy peeking out from the box, watching me. 'I can't leave her alone in the dark, there is no way in hell am I going to put her in the basement, and I'm certainly not locking her in a room with the lights on.' I stopped pacing and pinched the bridge of my nose. 'Fuck' I thought to myself. There's got to be a way to do this. Just then, an idea popped into my head. I just hope Fluttershy is ok with it. That Night There was a knock on my door. I opened it and saw Jason standing outside with a Blu-Ray movie in his hands. Behind him were a few other of my friends and they had chips and soda. "When do we start?" He asked. "You could set up in the family room" I said. "I just need to check something real quick." I allowed the guests to enter. When the last entered, I closed the door, locked it, and went upstairs. I went over to my room and saw Fluttershy curled up on my bed. I wasn't so sure if she couldn't talk in this world. But I do know she could in hers. "I know you're probably not comfortable with crowds so you're going to have to stay here until they leave." I got up to leave, but I felt her hooves grasp my hand. I turned to her and saw her shaking her head, looking at me pleadingly. "Please don't leave me" she begged. My heart felt like it leapt out of my chest. 'Did she just speak?' "I don't want to be alone." 'Yeah she did.' "Hey Six! We're you at?" Jason called from downstairs. "Six?" She asked. "Yeah" I said sheepishly. "It's my name." "Come on, Six! What's taking you so long?!" Jason called again. "Hold it, Eager McBeaver!" I called back. I turned back to Fluttershy. "I have to keep you away from the people downstairs" I said. "They might hurt you and I don't want that. I want to keep you safe." She released her grip on my hand and hugged me. I returned the hug and kissed her on the top of her head. "Once they leave, I'll come up, and we'll talk." "Ok" she said. I smiled, got up, and left. I made my way downstairs and joined my three friends. The other two with Jason are Lloyd Sanders and Olson Choice. Both go to the same college as Jason and they always hang out after each class. "So what are we watching?" I asked as I made my way over to an armchair. "MLP: FIM, duh" Olson said as he popped in the Blu-Ray. I picked up the case and glanced at it. "Dude, this is not Friendship is Magic" I said. "It's the really old one" I said, showing them the cover. I was correct. It was a Blu-Ray copy of the very first MLP. Someone just scribbled FIM next to the title. Lloyd smacked Olson upside his head. . "Dumbass" he scolded. Soon an argument ensued in the room. I even found myself part of it. And then it hit me, somepony was sleeping upstairs. "Wait, guys, quiet" I said. Too late. A voice made us stopped. "Six? Can you keep it down, I'm trying to..." Fluttershy stopped when she saw my three friends. They stared at her shocked. "...sleep" she finished. The entire room became quiet. "Six... Is that...?" Jason asked. "Dude, it can't be" Olson added. Fluttershy began to back away slowly. "Six?" She asked nervously. I made my way and stood in the center, separating Fluttershy from my friends. "Alright guys... I guess an explanation is to be made." I told them everything that happened after I was dropped off by Jason. I even mentioned the death of my brother. All the while, I was cradling Fluttershy. "Dude, I'm sorry about your brother" Jason said. Lloyd and Olson both nodded in agreement. "So what happens now?" Lloyd asked. I looked at Fluttershy who was looking at me with wonder. "Now we take care of Fluttershy until her friends come by and pick her up to take her back to Equestria." I'm glad I have brony friends. "But Six, we don't know how long that'll be" Olson said. "True. Which is why I suggest we use all the time we have to get to know Fluttershy, play with her, etc. And whatever you guys do, don't mention her to anyone else. Keep this a secret between us. They nodded with agreement. The Next Day Well the night before turned into a slumber party which went well. Minus a fact where there was a slight arguement on who gets to watch Fluttershy but ca,e to a decision. Since I was the one whom she saw first, I watch her today. Then tomorrow it's Jason, then Olson, and lastly. Lloyd, then back to me. The pattern will then continue until Fluttershy has to go home. Lloyd entered the kitchen and saw me eating cereal. "Morning" he greeted. I gave him a nod due to my mouth being full with cereal. While I chewed, he asked another question. "Where's Fluttershy?" I pointed to the glass door behind me. Outside, Fluttershy was prancing around in the backyard, occasionally taking flights and hovers. 'There's music in the treetops, and there's music in the vale' we heard her sing. I swallowed quickly and got up. We both approached the door and crept outside, wanting to hear, but also, not wanting to disrupt her. 'And all around, the music fills the sky.' 'There's music by the river, and there's music in the grass,' 'And the music makes your heart soar in reply.' She then begun to vocalize as she flew around the yard. When she reached a really high note, finishing her song, Lloyd clapped loudly. "Right on!" He shouted. Fluttershy looked at us and landed. "Oh.." She said, ashamed. "You heard...?" "Yep. Six and I heard you and it was brilliant!" Fluttershy begun shivering. "Nice going" I said to him. I approached her. "So you're ashamed of your singing?" I asked. "So am I." "Well..." Fluttershy began, but Lloyd cut her off. "Are you kidding? Six, you're singing is great!" "Mm-hmm yeah sure" I said sarcastically. "Tell you what, since we walked in on you singing, you can walk in on us singing." "Perfect! I'll start" Lloyd said. "God, I need to get out of here." As I retreated back to the house, I heard Lloyd singing Safety Dance. Inside were Jason and Olson eating the chips that were brought last night. "You guys heard her sing, didn't you?" I asked as I grabbed another bowl to pour some chips in. "Yeah" Jason answered. "We wanted to congratulate her, but you know, being fans of the show, knowing the characters..." "I get it" I said. "Hey Six, we're not going to spend all day here are we?" Olson asked. "I can't bring Fluttershy out in the world" I said. "Not where the danger is" I said as I poured some chips into the bowl I grabbed. "But this is the safest neighborhood around" Olson said. "Doesn't matter. I want to keep Fluttershy safe." "Six, she'll want..." "Then what the hell do you think will happen if something happens to her?" I asked. "Lost? Kidnapped? Killed? Olson, if any of those things happens to her, I won't fucking forgive myself. And what's wore? What if any of those things happened to her and Princess Celestia arrives to take her home?" "Then we'll prevent that" Olson said. "How?" I asked. "Keep her close." "There are fucking criminals out there!" I yelled. "Say you're walking and you're cornered by armed gangsters and all you have is Fluttershy! What are you going to do?" He remained quiet. "Thought so" I said. "I'm guarding Fluttershy with my life in this house." "Six" Jason said. "You're sounding like you love..." "I do!" I shouted. The place remained quiet. I sighed. "I do... I do love her. Every time I see her, I just..." I turned my attention outside and saw Lloyd playing with Fluttershy. I'm surprised that they didn't hear everything that went on inside. "I love her. I really do... I just don't know if she feels the same way." I sat down and grasped my head. "Well, you did a good job of hiding your feelings." "Thanks" I laughed lightly. I turned back to the door and watched Fluttershy showing Lloyd all the nature related things in my yard. I didn't know I had hummingbirds. The next few days were eventful. Keeping to my word, Fluttershy remained with us in the house. I was close to questioning my friends about going back to their houses, but who am I kidding? We're college students. To my surprise, we had more fun enjoying the backyard more than anything. I've been living in this house for 21 years and there are some creatures in my yard I didn't know I had. Thank you Fluttershy for showing that there's more to the yard than I know. That night, I was in my room staring at the six bullet holes in my back from a mirror. I sighed at the memory of it and thought 'What would happen if I didn't survive that?' I walked over to my bed and laid down on it, staring at the ceiling. Although its true, I still couldn't get over the fact that my favorite pony from a show meant for little girls is in my house. Before I could go to sleep, I heard soft hoof steps out in the hall. After that, a light knock. I got out of bed and opened it. "I had a nightmare" Fluttershy said. "So did I" I lied. "Can I sleep here with you?" She asked. "Sure" I said, stepping aside, allowing her to enter. I closed the door and collapsed on my bed once again. As my eyes closed, I felt movement next to me. I opened one eye and saw Fluttershy huddled close to me. Another thought hit my mind. 'What of her friends from Equestria comes back to pick her up? What happens next? Shall I continue on with my life and forget that this never happened? Or will I slip slowly into a depression?' I decided to put those thoughts aside and went to sleep. The next morning, I awoke to some singing and it wasn't Fluttershy. "Oh my God, who's singing at this hour?" I asked myself. I hauled myself out of bed and opened the door. At least, I attempted to. I say that, because my door was already open. As I made my way downstairs, it was clear that Olson was the one singing. Well, more like vocalizing. I made my way to the living room and saw Fluttershy sitting next to him on the sofa. When he finished, he spotted me. "Oh, good morning Six" he said. "Um... Well this is embarrassing." "It sure is" I said. "Your singing woke me." "No I mean... Once I was done singing, it's your turn to sing to Fluttershy." "You're kidding me." "No I'm not" Olson said. Damn. "Come on Six, you gotta sing her something." "Maybe another time" I said. "Is that ok with you?" I asked. "Oh yes, very much so" Fluttershy said, nodding her head. "In the meantime, I gotta check on something real quick." I stopped by my brother's room and opened the door. I remained by the doorway, surveying everything. It w as all nice and clean. Even his bed was perfectly made. I walked over to the desk and looked at a picture of he and I. I remember that one. It was the day when he showed me how to carry wounded soldiers. I smiled at the picture as a small tear formed. I then left the room, closing the door behind me. I made my way back downstairs to join the others. I was shocked with what what I was seeing. Olson, Jason, and Lloyd were sitting on an armchair with Fluttershy on the latter's lap and they were watching a rerun episode of MLP: FIM. Fluttershy hovered to the screen and placed a hoof on it. Tears formed in her eyes when she saw images of her friends. "Do you know how you got here?" I asked. Fluttershy turned to me with tear filled eyes. "It's ok if you don't want to talk about it" I said. Fluttershy wrapped her hooves around me. "I want to go home" she cried. "I know you do" I whispered as I hugged her back. "But..." She glanced up at me. "At the same time... I don't want to leave you". She gripped me a little tightly as if she really didn't want to let me go. "Um... We met each other a few days ago, how are..." I was cut off when she flew up and kissed me on the lips. My eyes widened while she closed hers. "Well... Um..." Lloyd began. I shifted my eyes towards him and flipped him off. I quickly stopped the gesture just as Fluttershy opened her eyes. The way she looked at me told me that she loves me just as much as I love her. Just then, there was a knock on my door. "I'll go get it" I said. I approached the front door, unlocked it, and opened it. In front of me was a kid who was up to my waist. "Hello" I greeted. I know this kid, but I'm not sure if he knows me. He lives in the house three houses down the left of me. "Hi. Um..." He fidgeted nervously. Ok, so he doesn't know me. "Are you lost or something?" I asked. "No it's not that. It's just that... I left a box with several holes by this door. Do you know who might've taken it?"