//------------------------------//
// Chapter 41: Pondering 
// Story: Le Retour 
// by k12314 
//------------------------------//


CHAPTER 41







I stuffed my hands in my pocket, and looked around at the cloud buildings surrounding me. "Ah, Cloudsdale... It's much nicer when you're not investigating a murder."


Hoops chuckled, and nodded. "Yeah. It feels good to be out of that Detention Center. It was freezing in there..."


For some reason, I felt like I was being watched. I shrugged the feeling off as paranoia, and hummed the theme song. You know what I'm talking about. Everypony always hummed it, so I knew it wouldn't be weird.


"So... Kyle... What exactly was your home planet like?"


I shrugged. "Earth... Eh, it's not that bad. I mean, sure, people killed each other, and there was crime, but what world doesn't have that? Really, it was a nice place. Beautiful landscapes, nice people... I was just one of the unlucky saps who was born and raised in one of the more not-so-favorable places there, with a load of bad people and stuff like that. But if I had a choice between Earth and Equestria, I'd choose Equestria. This is just where I belong, y'know? Even though I was born on Earth, I just never fit in. I didn't feel like I was supposed to be there. Apparently I was right. Look at what I have here! A family, a good job making music, and I've even gotten to use my skills in law here and there. It's wonderful here... I wouldn't trade my life here for anything."


Hoops just stared up at me. "That's, uh... Pretty deep."


I chuckled a bit. "Sorry about that. But when it comes to the topic of my life here, or Equestria in general, I'm pretty passionate about it."


He cocked his eyebrow. "Uh-huh... So, how much do you know about Equestria, exactly?"


I started rubbing my chin, trying to think of all the facts I knew. "Well, I know that it was founded by Celestia and Luna a really long time ago, and that their first castle was in the Everfree Forest, where The Elements of Harmony had their standoff with her. I also know that Equestria was terrorized by Discord a while back, he was turned to stone, but some chaos, caused by three fillies who won't be named, released him, but The Elements banished him to his stone prison again. And that's your history lesson for the day."


Hoops just stared at me. "And... You know all this from ponies telling you and books?"


I ended up looking to the side on impulse. "Yeah..."


Hoops nodded, but it was in a suspicious manner. "Alright then..."


"Dammit. Why do I have to be such a show-off?"


"Hey, what's wrong?" I'd been hanging my head the entire time we spoke, so I guess I looked a bit depressed.


"Nothing, I'm fine... Just something that's been eating at me, is all. I'll get over it."


He looked back in front of himself, and I could tell he was focusing on walking to try and not look worried. "Alright, if you say so."


"I've gotta stop letting this get to me... Ugh. It's just a court case, Kyle. You did the right thing... Or... Dammit. I just can't get over this."


Hoops waved goodbye, and headed off to his home, and I was left in Cloudsdale, alone, with nothing but my thoughts.


"Ah, Kyle. So we speak again."


... And Torrentican. Of course.


"Torrie... Please, just go away. I'm not in the mood..."


"Oh, but you are. How does it feel, knowing you've killed? Albeit was inadvertent, but you've still killed. You have blood on your hands now."


I put my hands on the back of my head, and let out a long, stressed sigh. "Just fuck off. Seriously."


His evil laughter echoed through my mind. "Quite the angry one today, aren't we? What, can't handle a little death? And here I thought you were the big, bad hero! Oh, you've got me shaking in my boots, you do! I bet you couldn't even kill me if you wanted to."


I scoffed, and I felt my frown deepen. "I could. You're not even a person, Torrie. You're just a monster. I've got no problem with killing monsters."


"Sure you don't. Face it, you'd hesitate. All you do-gooders always hesitate before you kill something, as if to pay them final respects or something. You can't just kill for the sake of killing. It goes against human nature!"


I facepalmed, and slowly shook my head. "Torrie, you just don't understand. To overcome those instincts of murder and killing is a great feat, and I'm proud to say I've managed it. Sure, I'm still a little bloodthirsty, but isn't everyone every once in a while? I mean, look at Sean. He's good, yet he's gotten urges like that before, I'm sure of it. Now would you bugger off, or would you like to lose at another game of logic chess?"


"Oh? Well, I've got a little plan for you... But not now. I'll just let you wallow in guilt and regret for a little while longer... Have fun with your life. You've only got a little bit of it left."


I spat on the ground, and glared ahead of me. I knew he could see it. "Fuck you, Torrentican. I'm not dealing with any of your shit. Whatever you have to throw at me... Bring it on."


"Ha! Oh, you won't be so confident when you first see what it is... But I have to go. Preparations and all that..."


I felt the mental connection sever, and I noticed that my arms were shaking, my fists were clenched, and I was gritting my teeth. I was about to go into a blind rage. I controlled my breathing, and tried to calm down.


"OK..." Thankfully, the voice in my head was my own. "Calm down, Kyle... Don't freak out... Alright... But what is it that he's planning? I know I could probably beat it, but... I can't even imagine what he'd try. It's worrying, really... He'd better stay away from my family, or my killing him will be the best way out on his part..."


I spent the rest of the day wondering just what exactly Torrie was planning, but I couldn't think of anything at all. I was worried, and I felt my paranoia creeping up on me. I was already stressed out enough by the fact that I'd had a pony killed, but to top it off, a crazy villain decided to try and pull something on me. Again. And all I could do was lay in wait until he sprung his trap...