//------------------------------// // Y-5 // Story: Pony bound // by Shortcourt //------------------------------// Dad stared at Kaise like she was on crack after she unveiled her ‘disease’ or problem in better words. All of his initial fear turned into skepticism judging by his facial expression. “…What do you mean it burns when you pee? Why didn’t you tell your parents?”  “Because I if I tell them they would ask me to show them, and if I tell them and show them it would be show-and tell.” He glazed at the unicorn for the longest until his eyes eventually darted toward mine. “Anyways, how do you have stomach cancer, Shawn? Is that even real.” I arched an eyebrow. Of course he was gonna ask that, but I’m very versed when it comes to cancer and other infections so I’m good. “Um, of course it is. Cancer could happen anywhere in your body. It’s just cells multiplying… and we have cells in every part of our bodies,” I explained, striking the man with astonishment. “Wow, I didn’t even know that,” he squawked, “but how do you know you have it?” “Easy, I just felt the need to… uh… I don’t know, but my stomach hurts very badly and-“ “Shut up! You’re the worst liar I ever seen in my first, second, and third lives!” Kaise broke in exasperatedly. My right eye twitched.  At least my lies had him rushing out the door!  “Oh, and claiming it burns when you pee is so much better, right? Pshhh, catch a frank.” “Both of you stop!” Dad commanded in an authoritative tone while crossing his arms. “What I want to know is why you want to go to  hospital. I thought you hated hospitals, Shawn.” “I did, but not anymore. Like they say, new day new preference, right?” I grinned in a goofy fashion. Did I say goofy? Yup, I totally screwed up my last chance. “Just tell me why you want to go. Does your stomach really hurt or you’re lying? Tell me.” I sighed. “Never mind…” He scowled. “What do you mean never mind? Shawn, as your father, I am demanding you to tell me what you’re trying to do!” I blinked and took a couple sets back.  Maybe I should say less for now because Dad is asking too much right now. Before I could respond, Kaise stepped in, “And Mr.Hopkins, as Shawn’s best friend, I can say nothing is poppin at all!” My body started sliding across the floor involuntarily. I turned my head around and saw Kaise pushing me towards the steps.  Geez, I could walk myself. “What are you gonna do upstairs?” Dad called out, in which we blatantly ignored. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Well, we’re back in my sister’s room after all that hot talk! And it’s all because Kaise was playing  games! Since she thinks it’s a game, I think the perfect terminology would be we reset in Katie’s room.  “I hate you…” I muttered while resting my forehead on my knees.    “Why?” Kaise asked, trying to play innocent. I jerked my head from my knees and went back on all fours. “Because you had to go and say ‘It burns when I pee!’ Like, couldn’t you pull something better outta your ass?”  “Woah woah woah, move with that blame game shit! By the way, I wasn’t lying when I said that, shithead! At least I wasn’t making up some next shit like stomach cancer!” she retorted. “That was the whole point, to get him to rush us to the hospital. It wasn’t about being honest. And quite frankly, that isn’t hospital worthy at all. It just means you don’t know how to masturbate properly.” I could see the embarrassment in Kaise’s face as her cheeks turned a deep shade of red. “… Is that why it hurts so bad? How did you know?” I snickered. “If you have a sister going through puberty in your house, you would automatically know…”  “Well shit… Anyways, your plan wasn’t all that to be real. Even if ya pops did take us, we won’t be able to do anything because he would be there the whole time. This whole shit sounds dayroom to me.” That means when we press for information, HE would most likely be there unless we dump him off, which is unlikely.   No, maybe my plan isn’t as good as I thought.  “You’re right, Kaise,” I sighed, “sorry, I’m just surprised on how this turned out. Now what do we do?” “Hmm…” Kaise hummed while stroking her chin. I guess you brush extra thoughts into your head by doing that… “If you don’t know, it’s alright because I’m-“ “No, I got an idea. How do kids hang out with they friends on weekdays?” Well, to be frank, there are three ways: One, they cry and whine because their parents made them spoiled monsters. That’s out of the question because no amount of crying will make Dad drive us to the hospital. Two, they lie and tell their parents they’re going somewhere else, like there aunt’s house for example. For obvious reasons I can’t do that, especially because my aunt lives in a different borough. “Sneaking out the house?” I tried. She nodded. “Exactly. First we’re gonna jump out the window, then we’re gonna take the bus to the hospi, you heard?” Never in my life did I hear anyone refer to a hospital as a hospi.  “…Jump out the window? I don’t know about that…” The sound of the pony’s teeth clenching was heard as she rolled her eyes. “C’mon Shawn, it’s not that bad. I did it before and can tell ya it’s not that much of a jump.” I deadpanned. “Yeah, but you’re like three feet shorter now.” “Fine! Since you’re such a baby, I’ll jump first and catch you when you jump. You with it?” “Sure.” Kaise nodded and approached the windows. She got on her backhooves and pushed the frame open. “Damn it’s cold,” she said while climbing on the window frame, dropped down from the ledges. I flinched. Oh wow, hesitation at all. Maybe it‘s easier than I thought. I stuck my head out the window, seeing if she landed safely. Kaise did land perfectly after all, but that doesn’t mean it was a short fall. But, it definitely wasn’t a long one either.  Kaise walked closer towards the house and held her hooves out. I guess that’s my signal to jump… Alright Hopkins, you can do it! I closed my eyes and felt my  hooves remove itself from the floor, initiating my jump out the window. The moment I jumped I literally felt the altitude decrease, which surprisingly felt pretty good. I tightened my body and locked my legs so I was light enough for Kasie to catch me. “Shit!” I felt something catch me in mid- air, stopping my fall. I opened my eyes and saw that I was cradled into Kaise’s arms, receiving a look that had strain galore.  Before I can thank her, I was thrown on the floor. “Hey!” I grunted. “You mook! Why did you close your eyes? You do know you weren’t gonna even fall in my hooves, right?  Oh yeah, you’re supposed to drop down not jump!” she chided.  “Look, none of us got hurt, that’s all that matters. Next time I know what to do,” I snorted, holding my hooves out in front of me. “No one got hurt? I almost did! Even though you’re a girl you’re heavy as hell, b.” I paused.  “Are you trying to say I’m fat?” “I’m not trying to say that, I am saying it,” she quipped. “Shut up! It’s not my fault you don’t have any muscle tone of any sorts you saber-tooth headed celery stick.” “Celery stick? That’s cute. You act like you have any muscle.” I smirked and said, “Trust me, I gotta a lot.” I held my head up and noticed the window was still open. Hmm, we should really close that. “Hey Kaise, you think you can close the window?” I asked.  “Ya, I can do anything…” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. At the hospital hallway  “Damn, this place is dirty!” Kaise sneered.  I deadpanned. “It’s just the hallway; it actually doesn’t look so bad when you get inside. Didn’t you go in here before?” “If I did I must have forgot. I’m too healthy to go to hospitals!” she grinned.  “You know what it is with me, right?” “Mhmm… you’re right.” Of course I didn’t believe that, but I don’t feel like arguing right now. When I stepped in to the lobby, my head bobbed around reflectively. I’ve been in here many times, but let me take a few seconds to remember how much of a crazy experience I had last time. That was the day when I first became a pony... the day where I jumped into a mirror. Haha, man…  “Follow me,” I said.  “Ight.” Good thing it isn’t as crowded as last time. When Kaise and I need to run just in case any security guards appear, we’ll be good. But, the smaller crowd is also a deficit on our end because this means it’s easier for people to notice trouble. It’s a 50/50 risk, but I won’t mess it up. I swear to my daughter and I don’t even have one.   I beckoned Kaise towards the receptionist desk. Looking at it, I can see the woman from last time is still there. Ugh, oh well, her distinctive voice is gonna make the man we’re looking for pop out, which makes our job easier. Funny thing is, if you look at it from a different perspective ,she was actually trying to save me.  I know it sounds ridiculous, but this is a hospital ran by aliens: Why would an alien try to prevent me from entering their death trap?  Exactly, I judged her too quickly that day, but I wasn’t thinking right anyways. I had my shallow feminist brain arguing with  my fascist dickless male brain. I looked up at the person behind the desk, smirking the moment our eyes met. “Hello robot.” “Animals are not allowed,” she said in the exact same stoic tone a week ago. Kaise blinked like three times before responding. “What did you say?” “No… animals… allowed…” she uttered slower, stressing every syllable. Kaise’s eyes broadened. “Who are you calling an animal? I ain’t no animal!”  “You are a pony… so therefore you’re an animal…” “Fuck you!” She rose to two feet and attempted to climb the desk, but I reacted quickly and gripped her tail with my mouth. “Calm down...” I grunted. “Nah, she tryna disrespect me. I can’t let that rock.” “You will have to this time,” I calmly stated. I then turned my attention back to the cyborg and rose on two feet. “Where is he?” I brusquely asked. She blinked.  “Who is he?” “The man with the 3-d glasses, wild fashion, childish voice… ” “Describe wild fashion…” Wow, there is actually more script implanted in her I thought. “C’mon, you know who I’m talking about. The one who looks like he buys his clothes from toys r us…” “I’m here!” another voice exclaimed. I glanced at the new arrival in the room and checked his attire before anything else.  Let’ see, a bright jacket, 3-d glasses, messy afro, and some other accessories I can’t even describe. Yup, that’s definitely him. “Who is this?” Kaise whispered in my ear.  “The one I was talking about,” I responded, keeping my eyes drawn on the man. “The alien?” I didn’t respond to that for obvious reasons. Like I said, we are gonna find out who is real and who is not very soon. Like they say, innocent until proven guilty.  “There seems to be a problem here!“ he chirped. “I don’t know why we can’t just work it out like nice human beings! It’s such a nice day outside and-oh, you’re not human anymore! Sorry, but you know what I mean by-“  “I think I have an appointment with you,” I broke in.  His whole happy agenda shattered in the matter of seconds. “Uh… you do? What’s your name?” I shook my head. “My name isn’t on there because it was changed recently. I gotta show you on your computer. Please just let me come with you…” “How about her?” he said while pointing at Kaise. “Has an appointment with you as well. I should really show you.” “Why can’t you just tell me your name?” “Because there is like a million people with the same names as us!” Kaise snapped. I sighed. “Not really. You know how retarded Kevin Bacon’s name is? There is someone else I know with his name; it’s possible.” “How about you just give me your insurance card and then we can resolve the little inconsistency with my schedule?” I blinked. Damn, if I knew his personality would've change so quickly I would have made a list of excuses!  I’m going to run out of things to say very soon.  “I don’t have it with me,” I muttered, trying my best to seem unfazed by his sudden awareness. “Oh, then there is nothing I can do. Just bring your card next time you’re here and I’ll promise to resolve it.” Son of a bitch! I accosted the man in front of me. I don’t wanna cause a scene or anything, but if I have to do it… then oh well! I ran between his legs and breezed into the open doorway that led to the hallway. I didn’t dwell on being fancy and entered the closest room next to me. Having them see what room I enter is my intent after all because I’m not trying to have the hospital form a search group for me. The room was empty, which gives me plenty of mobility when they arrive in the room. The only thing missing is a definite plan. I mean, obviously asking nicely won’t make him tell us anything, but being hostile isn’t so much better. I mean, I can try to ask him nicely at first but like I said, it’s unlikely since he kept it clandestine all the way till now. I saw his body run inside the room. “Hey, what are you doing! You can’t be in here!” he exclaimed after spotting me. I defiantly stayed in my spot, not considering a single word he uttered. He balled his hands into fist and walked closer towards me.  Geez, where the hell is Kaise when you need an idiot to- “Freeze sucka!” Kaise exclaimed while jumping inside the room. Well well well, speaking of the devil cooking devil eggs in hell kitchen, there she goes! Now I don’t have to get into an unnecessary fight. The doctor turned around and placed a hand on his chest. “Huh? You’re talking to me?” “SHUT THE DOOR, KAISE!” Erupted a commanding shout from me. Kaise obliged, using her magic to close the door gently, locking it in the process. See, magic makes it so much easier. “What the fuck is going on!?” the man quacked. I snickered. “Oh, so you’re cursing now, huh? Finally showing your true colors?” “What are you talking about? What do you want from me?” Kaise trotted closer to him. “First of all, why do you act like such a retard? Does your mami allow you to leave the house like this? And I’m saying your mami because no grown ass man with a house would-“ “Shut up, Kaise! I’ll do the questioning!” I chided while closing my eyes in annoyance. I took a deep breath and glanced at the man in questioning. “Look buddy, we aren’t trying to hurt you or anything, okay? We just want answers, so tell us all you know and stop acting naïve.” “About what?” he hissed. “Are you an alien or not!” Kaise shouted. “Hell no! I’m a human being, I swear to God!” He did the holy cross ritual shortly after. “Damn, I didn’t know aliens had time for religion,” Kaise sneered, posing me to nudge her in the shoulder. “Alien? Alien?” he repeated, evidently offended. “You think I’m an alien?” “No, we don’t. Well, I don’t… but I know you’re aware about the aliens in this hospital, no?”  “…” “You do, don’t you?” “…” I rolled my eyes once again. We don’t condone violence, but some things are inevitable. “Kaise, show him what we do in the hood, because I’m not from there so I wouldn’t know.” Kaise nodded and walked even closer to the hostage, propelling him to revert into a fighting stance. “I’m not gonna hit you, boy.” Her horn lit up once again and lifted a random box off the cabinet. She soon dispelled the magic and allowed the box to drop dead on the steel ground. The sound that erupted when the box dropped caused the man and me to shudder equally.  “See that? If you don’t talk you might feel that!” He sighed. “Okay you gremlins, I’ll tell you what is what. Yes, there are aliens running around here-” “And you didn’t tell anybody, huh?” I cut in. “Don’t you know they are trying to kill the ponies? Why did you keep it secret for?” “…Because-“ “Because what?” I asked through gritted teeth. “Also, why did you butt in last week when the woman told me no ponies allowed? You could have just kept your mouth shut, but you insisted on following orders, right? Why? Why? Tell me! Is your job so important that can allow innocent lives to be taken?” “Because my brother is an alien you douche! If they found out I told somebody they would have killed him!” My eyes broadened. “Ouch…” “Yeah… sucks right?”  He pulled his glasses off and wiped his eyes. Kaise and I exchanged a look in bewilderment. I know Kaise must feel real stupid right now. I should slap her, but nah. But still, now I understand why he didn’t tell anybody. Hell, now I know why nobody in the hospital said anything yet: They could be in a similar predicament! This is where everything becomes more complicated I guess. The moment you realize these aliens are actually sharing an innocent beings body. Even if they do die, it’s at the risk of somebody’s life. This is why it’s critical we get  as much information as possible so we can figure out how to free the humans from the aliens possession. My face scrunched up. “Um, look bro, they won’t kill him okay? That’s why you must tell us or else we can’t help you… at all. ” I hope. His face depicted hesitance, but he ultimately nodded in cooperation. “Okay. You see…” ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. “And this is the room where he stays at,” he explained. I looked at  the door frame and read Y-5. Makes sense the ‘boss’ would be at the last section of the hospital. I can’t believe I didn’t think of doing this earlier! So simple if you think about it. All I did was ask a question to set him off track, run between his legs, and slam the door while threatening him lightly. I got what I wanted, and he will soon get what he wants. That reminds me, I got something important to ask him. “Are you going to come in with us? You know, in case something goes wrong.” He shook his head. “Nah, I won’t need to. Besides, I don’t want him to know it was me because my brother can be killed any second. He’s alone in the room, just do your thing.” I nodded. “Alrighty, c’mon Kaise.” Kaise smiled. “Thank you!”   “No problem. Be safe you two.” After he left, Kaise and I was alone in the hallway, mindlessly staring at the door. I should feel very apprehensive right now, but I actually feel excited. If things go as expected, we can find the main antagonist’s home base and get to the bottom of this bullshit. But if it doesn’t, then we will die as warriors. I’m not afraid of death though, so whatever happens happen. “…So, are we going in? This door isn’t gonna open itself,” I said sheepishly. She grinned. “Let’s get it!” “That’s what I like to see!” I slapped her across the butt, expressing my approval even further in a more sportsman way. “Hey!” she yelped while backing away from me, “Dubb that! Don’t ever touch me like that again! I don’t want Jessica getting jealous, feel me?” My smile flattened immediately. “You’re annoying…”  “You know you love me, haha! Now step back…” Kaise’s horn lit up, making my eyes literally scintillate. I don’t know if it’s from astonishment or the bright lights damaging my retina. When the door opened, we walked inside slowly so our footsteps wouldn’t be pervaded. The room was dim, dark, and illuminated by underpowered yellow lightning. It was average in size but looked extremely big due to the lack of objects neighboring the room. The room had no type of signature smell to it, attributing to the empty vibe it gave. Finally, it had no decorations of any type. Even the hospital bed had no sheets on it! It gave you the perfect impression of a villain territory. When Kaise shuts the door, my fur spiked up. Damn, that was way too loud for my liking. “Hmm? Who’s there?”  A husky voice traveled across the room. The source seemed to be coming from a chair that was turned in the opposite direction from Kaise and I. I looked at Kaise for a good two seconds before winking. That was the wink that let her know I was about to do something superfluous. I put my hoof to my mouth and feigned a cough.  “Lunch is here, sir…” I said in a tone so low that it almost matched my male one. Funny, if I play around with my voice long enough I can probably sound like my old self, but that will include a lot of coughing and diaphragm training. The chair spun around instantly. “Oh, already? Great, you know how much I love that pizza stuff and-” he stared blankly, “-oh, I was expecting lunch, not two ponies…unless ya’ll are my lunch?” “You’re nosty! Why would you eat ponies?” Kaise grimaced. That’s what I was thinking. Maybe the aliens can only feed off ponies or something? He quickly got off his seat and sighed. “Calm down, it was just a small joke.” Judging the man by his appearance, he looks like a perfectly normal middle aged man. He looked really tall, too. If you want a template of how he looks, imagine George Clooney in the 6’4-6’5 range with bigger eyes.   When I looked at his hospital jacket I felt a pinching sensation in my stomach. It makes me sick seeing people like him claim to be such respectful people like doctors! “Anyways, why are you two in here for? I didn’t call you in here to be checked up on. In fact, I don’t even check up on anyone when-“ “Shut your whore mouth!” I pointed an accusatory hoof at the devil behind doctor skin. “I already know who you are!” His brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?” “You know what we’re talking bout!” Kaise speaks this time. “Might as well take off that mask because we know it doesn't belong to you!” He slithered across the room. Yes, not walk but slither because he’s a snake in my eyes. “…You’re right. Impressive… impressive… I am indeed an alien, a Verbeniri to be specific. How did you girls find out?” “Don’t worry about that; just know what time it is.” “And what time would that be, my dear?”  “Can we kill him already? I don’t like his atty.” Kaise grunted while shooting me a jagged eye. I shook my head. “Nah, not yet. “Haha, you kill me? I can kill both of you in this weak human body with just one blow!” “That’s a lot of shit talk,” I snorted dismissively, “but that’s just talk. Anyways, you got two options: One, tell us everything you know and we’ll give you a silent death, or two, we’ll get your ass deported back to mars.” He clasped his hands and shook his head, trying to radiate his superiority. “Uh huh… two of those options aren’t happening. Now, let me make a compromise: You turn around and I’ll bless you into my pony crew, or you die with broken bones.  How does it sound, lasses?” “How this sound: Shut the fuck up and throw your hands!” Kaise bellowed while charging towards the man! My eyebrows jumped in surprise. Hey, this wasn’t a part of the plan! Before Kaise can even reach his leg, the man extended his already long leg out and kicke- no punted Kaise right in the head. I watched in astonishment as Kaise flew across the room and swatted on the walls, sliding down like a ant whose been killed. “Kaise!” I cried out. I started to run for her but was halted shortly after when a large hand pressed against my face. “Deme jo fuu phucker!” I muffled while trying to pull the hand off my face… but I just remembered I have no fingers.  I couldn’t make out what was going on, but I knew I was being lifted because my the ground became invisible. I frailed my legs and hooves helplessly, but it was to no avast. “This is what you wanted, right?” the man grunted while tightening his grip around my muzzle, causing my teeth to grind against each other. Next thing I knew I was swung across the room. I kept my eyes close while praying I wouldn’t hit the wall too hard. *Bam* I opened my eyes and saw the white wall that was used exclusively for my face. I licked my lips and cringed at the dusty taste.  Hell, maybe my mouth was used exclusively for it too. I put a hoof on my head while shuffling my body around.  From across the room I saw the man with his ostentatious smirk in all of its glory. Only one response came to mind. "I thought you said you would kill me with one blow?" ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………