Falling for a Star

by CCpone


Chapter five - Climbing Mt. Foal

Anon's POV:


Mornings... Mornings were never your favorite when you were a child. You always hated getting up early. However, once you joined the Air Force it seemed to grow on you. Soon the thought of getting up at five or six in the morning was routine, but now you can feel your old self climbing back from the grave you thought had been long lost.

Your eyes lids slowly open up as you take in a large amount of air. As 10th grade physics thought you so well 'what goes up must come down'. With that thought in mind you sigh heavily. The air was warm this morning for a change, a nice change that you didn't argue with. You slowly lift up your heavy arms and rub the sleep crud from your eyes.

The boulders were still in place like gentle giant guardians protecting you from the harsh winds. The winds that later on would surly put your survival skills to the test. Just by listening you could hear the wind whip by whistling as it went through the cracks between the boulders.

Looking up towards the sky you can see that the stars are fading away, making room for the sun yo come. As on cue the sun peaks out from the horizon and into view. This place truly is beautiful... You know you keep saying that, but it's true each color in Equestria seemed to be amplified in bight colored hues. You could get use to waking up like this every morning.

After taking in the wonderful scenery you get your lazy ass up and working. You do have a long day ahead of you. You plan to climb this mountain and get a good view of the area around it. There is no doubt that if there's some form of civilization on this planet, you would see it from the peak.

Thinking about what you had just thought about, you raise some very good counter points. Like how you don't know anything about rock climbing, let alone mountain climbing. How're you going to get food up there and fire wood? You have watched some people on the television do it with ease, so how hard can it be?

Nevertheless you toss thous questions for later as you commence stretch time. You're satisfied as you hear multiple pops and cracks from the bones and muscles that you elongated. Nothing better than a nice stretch in the morning to get the blood flowing you always thought.

As you stretch you notice something in your lower leg pocket poking at you. Finishing up your stretch you bend over and undo the pant pocket zipper. With the pocket now open you reach your hand in and pull out your cell phone.

Say what? You think to yourself as you hold your phone in your hand flabbergasted on why it's here. You don't remember putting your phone in there, quite the opposite actually, you remember putting your phone in your locker. Then again who're you to argue with this anomaly, you have your fucking phone back! A smile creeps its way onto your face as you realize the possibilities you can do with it. Which sadly is not much; play music, play games, take pictures... ect.

Meh, at least it's something. Your phone is a Samsung galaxy, it's colored black with a silver edge. You bought this special water proof case to make sure if you did drop it in the water it would still work fine. Oh how you're loving your past-self at this moment.

Pressing and holding the power button on the side of the phone. You're greeted with a small vibration. Yes it still had some juice in it. You say in your mind as you wait for it to start up. If anyone was watching you at this moment, they would say your excitement is identical to a child on Christmas morning.

The screen finally lights up and you're met with a familiar lock screen. Pressing your index finger on the screen you make the pattern of a hour glass. The phone unlocks and as expected all your songs are still there on the phone.

The best thing about you was that you never deleted old songs that got old. Saying this your phone was quite literally filled to the brim with songs. You would say over three thousand songs. Oh how you loved music, you don't know what would of happened if you didn't find it.

Alas you look at the battery and see that it's indeed dying on you. Got a good two hours before its gone. You wonder if these ponies have electricity, you hope for your phones sake they do. With that in mind you turn off the phone and stick it back into your pant pocket.

Getting your mind back on track you walk over to your backpack and empty the contents onto the ground. You place the items in a neat pile and cover them with a rag. With the bag now completely empty you turn to and walk to the entrance of the U shaped camp.

Looking outside the entrance of your camp you can spot a tree line up ahead, a good twenty minute walk from the camp. Since most, if not all of your supplies could be easily found there you start the walk.

Glancing back at the camp you can see Rainbow Dash still sleeping away. With your luck you should be back before she wakes up, hopefully. Turning your head back around you set your sights on the forest and continue walking.

20minutes later...


The walk to the forest was pretty uneventful, however you got to see the sun fully rise into the sky from the horizon, as well as see every single star fade out of view. So you have that going for you. What made the trip less painful was the wind pushing you along, nevertheless you think it's going to be a bitch on the way back. With this all going through your mind you manage to enter the forest.

This forest itself had a nice atmosphere to it, that the other two seemed to lack. The trees looked new and healthy as there leaves blew in the wind. There were rays of light that cut though the canopy of the forest, illuminating small pockets in the interior.

As kind as the atmosphere may be here, you're still on edge about the wild life. So with that information flowing freely within your mind you make your way passed the tree line and start your little scavenger hunt.

You could already tell this was going to be a fast search, mostly because all the items that you want were common entities in a forest. Picking up all sizes of sticks you eventually come across a small little pond. There were two ducks that sat in the middle of the pond flouting carelessly. Hearing you come they took a look over to you, looked at each other, then gracefully headed the opposite way. Probably thinking you were going to kill them. Sadly you would be lying if you said that though didn't go through your head.

Nonetheless hitting this pond was a stroke of pure luck. Now you can fish and fill your canteen at the same time! Your mood at this moment does a complete 180 and continues to climb as you fill your two canteens to the brim. Both of which you drop a few tablets within them to make sure their safe to drink.

Fishing on the other hand was proving to be much harder in this pond, as the fish didn't want anything to do with you. Being a clever guy you take one of your rather large sticks and sharpen the end of it with your knife. With a now make-shift spear you head back into the water.

The fish come near but not close enough so you can grab them. They think they are so clever, they thought they out witted you, little do they know you have a spear. Seconds later you lunge the spear into the water, which in turn makes a splash scaring the remaining fish away.

You can see where the spear lay sticking out of the water, a crimson red color starting to pool on the surface confirming your kill. You then take the spear out of the water with the fish attached to the end of it still flapping about. Taking the fish off the redden spear tip you place it in your backpack. Sure your backpack will be blood stained from now on, but at least its better then having the insects get at it.

Slowly but surely you catch enough fish that you think will be more the enough to feed you and Dash during the climb. You gut each fish by the pond and slide the guts and scales into the water. With the now prepared fish done you slide them all back into your backpack and make your way back to the tree line.

As you walk to the tree line you notice that the backpack you currently have on is stuffed full and you still have the supplies back at camp. You try to think of ways you can carry the items you left at the camp site as well as Rainbow Dash. With only one option in mind you have to take it.

Reaching the edge of the forest you look up once again at the sky. The sun this time was nearing its zenith you would assume it was around 10:00 (10:00 AM). Was I really gathering supplies that long? You question yourself. Pushing that question aside as a yes, you continue your way to the camp.

20minutes later...


Arriving at the camp you're greeted by an awoken Dash trotting up to you. The look on her face is somewhere between mad and relieved. Guess you should of left a note or something, well she's a strong pony she can handle it. You think to yourself.

"Where the buck did you go?!" Rainbow states, her tone cementing your guesses. Her mane is all messed up, no doubt from sleeping on the dirt floor. "I thought you full on ditched me!" She continues, her emotions taking a hard turn when you see that shes no longer angry or mad, but a bit sad.

"I went to get some supplies for the hike up the mountain." You quickly reply as you take off your backpack to show her the supplies you have spent the better part of this morning collecting. "I would never ditch someo- pony in this situation. That would be like sentencing them to their deaths, not saying that you wouldn't survive without me."

"Well you could of told me." Dash says as she walks back to her backpack head down. "How am I supposed to know what you would or wouldn't do." She takes a large breath. "I just met you a couple of days ago."

"I'm sorry Rainbow Dash." You reply "I really am sorry, trust me I am." You try to make it as clear as possible you didn't want her to take it this way. You really hated saying this last part but you had to say it "And Rainbow Dash I need your backpack for the other supplies." You point at the medical and survival kits covered in the tarp.

Dash lets out an annoyed groan and turns away from the backpack and faces away from you. She has a depressed look in her eyes as she sits down on her flank. You can tell that you're not the only one that dislikes mornings. Nevertheless it's time to start the climb and you can't do it with a pissed off Pegasus.

You walk over to the cyan blue Pegasus and sit right next to her. "Once again Rainbow Dash I'm sorry I full on left without telling you or leaving a note." You say with a calm tone. "But I promise that it'll never happen again and I'll make it up to you somehow."

Rainbow Dash seems to relax and slowly turns her head to look at you. "I know you're sorry, you left for the right reasons so I don't see how I can stay mad at you." She says with a smile creeping up upon her face.

With a now somewhat happy Rainbow Dash you turn your attention to the mountain before you. "It's going to be a rough climb." You state with a low tone just above a whisper. "But I know we will make it, especially if I got Equestria's fastest flyer with me." You say louder while getting up and ruffling her mane.

"Hay watch it buddy." She bats your hand away and gets up herself with a smirk on her face. "You better not slow me down Anon." She then proceeds to walk passed the small pile that you have left. "Better hurry up packing. If you hope to beat me up the mountain."

"Since when was this a race?" You ask as you walk over to the pile and start packing up the various kits.

"Since I met you." She states with a smirk and a wink. It was then that she heads off to the base of the mountain.

Once you're all packed up you make a quick jog to catch up with Rainbow Dash. She was sitting at the bottom of the mountain with a look of confusion. "Having trouble finding where to start?" You boast looking at the mountain finding a shallow slope to the East.

The slope went around the mountain a few times before stopping a good 2'000 feet up. After that it looked like there was a ninety degree cliff, then the slop continues at the top. At least you were right about one thing, this was going to be a rough climb to the top and if Rainbow Dash really wanted to race good luck getting up that cliff with no wings.

"No! I'm just giving you a head start." She snaps back smiling. "That's if you want it." She turns her attention back to the mountain, but you know for a fact she's weighing the chances of winning this race.

"Don't have to ask me twice." You say as you walk towards the shallow slop. You turn your head to Rainbow Dash that is now standing in a pre-race position. "Hay Rainbow Dash?" You ask as you continue your walk up the shallow slop.

"Yeah Anon?" She replies.

"Why don't you show me what the Dash in your name means." You comment back to her with a smile plastered upon your face.

Without any warning Rainbow Dash bolts up the same slop kicking up dirt and gravel on her assent. You quietly walk up the same path smiling all the way. The clip-clop of the hooves soon gets out of ear shot and you're left alone with the sound of gravel under your feet.

1hour later...


It was quite peaceful hiking, you need to remember when or if you get back to earth to do it more often. The feeling of June air is calming, but the sun is relentless with it's rays of pure demonic hatred burning you to a crisp. Should of brought some sunscreen, you think to yourself snickering.

The path was fairly decent, the gravel and dirt were pretty smoothed out and the slop was not as bad as one would think. However you could do without all these bugs trying to bite you. Their non-stop harassment is what was making this climb hell.

45minutes later...


Reaching the 2'000 feet mark you can spot Rainbow Dash sitting in the shade of the cliff crossing her front hooves. It was quite a adorable sight Rainbow being all mad and tired at the same time. "Having fun without me I see." You say as you finally reached the cliff.

"Buck you Anon!" she exclaims "You knew this cliff was here and didn't tell me." She starts to glare daggers at you, but all you do in return is keep a smile.

"Sure did Rainbow Dash." You reply keeping you laughter under control. "However I never said that it was going to be a fair race." A devilish smile comes across your face. "You see humans are really good at being sneaky and tricky."

Rainbow Dash just sat there jaw hanging lose at your sudden change in personality, hehe what can you say you were a completely different person when you were in a competition. You tilt your head up at the cliff that spanned a good 50 feet. Not that bad of a climb for a animal with opposable thumbs. "So it looks like you ran into a problem here Rainbow Dash." You say smiling.

You get right next to the wall and get your footing to begin the climb. "See you at the top Rainbow Dash." You say as you blow a raspberry. Turning your attention back to climbing a large weight is suddenly felt along your back. You think nothing of it and continue the climb. Must be the wood shuffling in the bag.

At the top you turn around to gloat about your opposable thumbs to Rainbow Dash at the bottom. To your surprise Rainbow Dash was not at the bottom of the cliff nor climbing it.

"Looking for me big fella" You turn around to see Rainbow Dash behind you. "If you won't play fair I won't either." She smirks turning back to the path.

"You jumped on my back while I was climbing?" You say out of breath from the climb. "I see you're a fast learner Rainbow Dash." You smile and walk up next to her "But you see, you didn't look over the mountain like I did." Her expression goes to one of confusion.

"So what if I didn't look over the mountain like you did." Rainbow Dash claims as she gets ready for another run. "I'm still going to beat you." She states confidently.

"Are you now Rainbow Dash?" You say in high-class accent, which is rewarded by Rainbow Dash's giggling. "Let's put your money were your mouth is?" You say as you look down at Rainbow Dash beside you.

"Are you making a bet at who'll make it to the top first?" She looks taken back and shocked. "You really think you can beat the Dash?" She grows a devilish grin. All you do in response is nod, "then I'll be happy to take your money Anon." She states as she turns back to the dirt road ahead of her.

"And I'll be happy to take yours to Rainbow Dash." You state as you go into a full on sprint down the road leaving Rainbow Dash in the dust. You can't remember the last time you ran this fast. It was a welcome feeling of pushing yourself harder.

As you run down the dirt path you picture the mountain again from when you last saw it at the bottom. You can remember the slope continuing all the way to the top. However you also remember that there was another path that was a bit steeper and would require more effort. This was your only chance at beating Rainbow Dash so you quickly took the hidden path.

You could hear Rainbow Dash pass the hidden path as you continue up the 45 degree slope. Your muscles demanded that you stop and take a breath, but you continued up the mountain path restlessly. You know if you took even a slight brake then Rainbow Dash would surly win.

The farther up you climbed the colder and colder it got. You didn't argue though, in fact this was a welcoming event as it enabled you to push harder.

While this is a race, it didn't mean that you couldn't enjoy it. The hidden path was at the edge of the mountain giving you a really nice view of the surrounding mountains and the valley bellow. I wonder if I'll ever get used to how amazing this world looks. You comment as you continue to jog forwards. Looking ahead you can spot the path leveling out. This'll give you a chance to do a quick walk to regain some lost energy that is in dying need of being replaced.

Man I really need to get back into shape, I used to do this all the time back in training. You recall as you start to feel the burning sensation in your muscles, however after the burning comes the best part.

Arriving at the nearly level path you slowdown to a fast-walk never breaking eye contact with the scenery. You really didn't want to lose to Rainbow Dash, but this view was breath taking and if it meant losing the race so be it. After a couple of minutes of walking you turn back to try hard mode.

2hours later...


OK now you're starting to get worried, this mountain is way bigger then you expected. You have been running up this mountain for a good four hours and a half and you're just now seeing the top of it. You really hope Rainbow Dash is keeping to the plan and heading to the peak still.

The sun was now passed its zenith and falling out of the sky towards the horizon. If You could estimate how long it'll take to get to the top you would say another three or four hours. Not the best thought in the world, but still at least the light at the end of the tunnel is showing itself.

With your attention back on the path you kept climbing this wretched mountain. Why did you even consider climbing this thing let alone race up it. It's way beyond your skills and is it just you or is it getting harder to breath? You push that thought out of your head and keep to the task at hand.

Not too much later your path reconnects to the main path that Rainbow Dash was on. You have no doubt she is way ahead of you because you stopped to look at the scenery earlier. Not that it mattered it just meant you were going to have to pay her with something. This got you thinking, how're you going to pay Rainbow Dash back. It's not likely she's going to accept earth money. Would this mean you'll have to get a job? A job for the soul purpose of paying Rainbow back. You laughed at that thought, you Anon working among pony folk.

It can't be that bad, can it? Then again if their work is anything like how ponies were worked back on earth you're doomed for. While thinking of Earth you mind dwindles back to Lorin. You really want to know if he's alive or not. Not knowing is going to kill you. You would rather see the body then not just so you can put his memories to rest.

You'll remember Lorin and miss him, but if you don't see him soon you're going to consider him KIA. Which you really didn't want to do, he was one of your best friend's. In fact he was the one that paid for your motor bike back in the USA. He always was generous.

Lorin's POV:


You awake in a wired structure made out of what looks to be sandstone and a slimy black and green goo. Mind you it kind of reminded you of your own home and how it looked just before you left to go to United Arab Emirates with Anon.

Pealing your face of the ground the green goo stayed attached to your face. You pull your head away faster and the green goo brakes away from your face and rejoins the rest of the green goo on the floor of the structure.

This place was pretty filthy, but the inside architecture looked so beautiful. It was a tower like cylinder with one large spire going up the middle. Along the walls were pods of this green goo and inside were black figures looking like insects.

The place also had a sinister feel to it, all dark and gloomy the only lights were the green glow from this green goo. The black goo seemed to be the 'bricks' of the building while the green goo seemed to be the 'cement'.

"Sorry about the mess." A voice comes from behind you causing you to quickly turn to see what was talking to you. "My children are a bit feisty when they haven't eaten." You get full view of a large black insect thing that somewhat resembles a horse. The black insect had blue hair that draped over her body. Her hooves had holes in them that went straight though her. Her back was a dark green and her tail was the same blue as her hair. Even her tail had a few holes in it.

"Who the fuck are you and why can you talk!" Is all that you can manage to say as she comes closer to you. She gets a sly smile on her face as she circles you.

"I am Chrysalis!" She says with a shout that shook the entire building that you're in. "I'm queen of the changelings." She gets a devilish grin on her face. "I took you in from the badlands, You should be thanking me Mr -"

"Lorin, my name is Lorin" You interrupted her. "And I am grateful that you took me in." you say as you gain your footing and stand up. Her eyes go wide to see you standing a good heads height taller than her. "Now I want no trouble so could you please point me to the exit and I will be out of your way"

Again with that devilish smile on her "It's right there." she points to a corridor that leads to a black door. "However if you leave you're sure to die. There's no civilization in walking distance for days."

You turn back to face her."So I'm stuck here?" you ask as you look around the Gothic looking building. "And where are these children you're talking about?" You add with a bit of worry seeping into your voice.

"Yes you're stuck here." She replies with a smile and spreads her wings. "And as for my children." She takes off to the middle of the spire. "You are already looking at them." She finishes with an assumed to be evil laugh.

"Why are you called Changelings?" Chrysalis gets a confused look. "I mean where did it come from. Most names have a origin." She smiles and her horn starts to glow a bright green, so bright that you have to look away from it.

When the lights fade the you turn to see Chrysalis floating there with a smug expression on her face. "Umm, what was that for?" You state as you point to her. "What did you do, because from what I see, nothing happened."

Chrysalis confident demeanor gets changed into a confused one. "Am I not in a different form?" She looks over her body then back at you with a wondering smirk. The smirk soon turns into a frown. "Do you speak the truth?"

"Well in less you changed forms into yourself, I see no difference." You start to laugh looking at the frustrated equine bug.

"What is so funny!" She exclaims with a load roar that once again shakes the eternity of the building. "You know it's rude to laugh at royalty! In fact you could be executed for doing such!" She states as she lands with a big Thump.

"You're magic is just so deceiving." You say on the floor laughing to your heart's content. "I mean I would never expect a changeling to change into themselves." You wipe the tears from your eyes. "Man I haven't laughed like this in a long time."

You can see a red color start to engulf her face in anger. "I HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR LAST LAUGH!" She states as she stomps one of her front hooves on the ground. "CHILDREN DINNER IS READY!"

Looking up you can see the green goo bubbles pop open like zits on some ones face. Okay that was a bit to descriptive even for your standards. Out of each green bubble a black figure comes out looking the same as Chrysalis without the height and the hair. This must be her children.

Taking in your current standings you feel a slight uneasy as hundreds of these little buggers fly down and land around Chrysalis. Weighing the odds you know for a fact you can't beat every single one. You think fast and come up with a plan that might be stupid enough to save your sorry ass.

You pat your body and realize that you had your pistol with you. Oh your trusted Berretta M-9 how you have missed it. "You know Chrysalis I really thought we could of been friend's." You state with a hint of fake sadness present in your voice. "But since you don't want me living I guess our friendship is over."

With that you pull out your pistol and shoot the two heavily armored changelings on each side of her, right in the face. Blue liquid what you assume to be their blood comes splattering out all over her. The two Changelings fall to the ground with the sound of metal on stone.

The rest of the changelings look to their queen in horror and then back to you with hatred in their eyes. You give them a devilish smile and say "You really thought I would give up without a fight?" You say with a pout "I'm shocked." You say as you put your arm to your head, acting like you are going to faint.

"Well it looks like I miss interpreted your skill Lorin." She steps passed the two dead changelings and smiles. "I apologies for my rude behavior. I have the feeling you'll be very useful to me." She states as she comes closer. "You're filled with hatred and violence." She stops just inches away "and that's just what I need."

Her horn glows green and the M-9 you're currently holding starts to glow the same color. You try to pull the M-9 back, but it feels as if someone is pulling against you. Soon you are overwhelmed by the force and the pistol is forced out of your hands.

"Don't worry Lorin, now that I have a purpose for you" She smiles as she lifts the gun far away out of reach. "I don't have to kill you." She then looks back to the changelings. "Back to your slumber children." As loyal solders they obey and fly back to the green pods.

"So Lorin here is my offer." She turns back to you and uses her wings to hover slightly above you as if to show her dominance. "You will live if you help me rule these lands. Your knowledge is very precious, but is also replaceable." She smiles and continues "So what is your choice Lorin die a pitiful death or help a queen regain her lost land?"

Anon's POV:
Six hours later...


The sun was just reaching the horizon as the peak starts to level out. You're starting to regret giving your helmet to Rainbow Dash you can really use it right about now as the sun sets and the darkness soon follows, creeping up ever so slowly.

Like ying and yang, when darkness comes so does the chilling air. Well it was pretty chilly already, but it didn't bothered you. You were pushing yourself so hard it doesn't really matter how cold it got, it was like a furnace working at full capacity inside of you.

You take the last turn up to the peak, but to your dismay you can see a cyan Pegasus pony lying down in the middle of the snow covered path. Your helmet still strapped to her head glimmering in the now moonlight. She looked so peaceful so still... wait still!

Instincts kick in as you run over to Rainbow Dash to see if she is alright. The peak was just another couple of feet away and you'll be damned if she doesn't make it there. She needs to be alive, she just needs to be you think to yourself. Reaching Rainbow Dash you can see that she's still breathing, but very slowly. To you it looks like she's unconscious.

You look her over making sure that she has no serious injuries or cuts that may lead to death or infections later on. Once you're confident she has no injuries you proceed to pick her up in your arms. Her soft feathered wings draping over your arms.

Now since you're carrying both packs and Rainbow Dash this last couple of feet is going to kill you. With your new found adrenaline you push on towards the peak of the mountain. Each step you take strikes pain in your back and legs. Thoughts of giving up run though your head as you keep climbing, as soon as those solutions enter your mind you push the out.

You're so tired and all you want is rest, but rest will be your rewarded when you reach the top. The dirt ground was long ago replaced with snow and ice as the elevation you were at was fitting. The temperatures were below zero by now.

The sound of compacting snow and whirling wind is all you hear as you step thought the deep snow. Soon even the sound of the wind and snow fade and all you can hear is silence. The sound that frightened you the most, the sound of nothing.

You finally make the last steps to the peak your feet knee deep in snow while your breath leaves you behind. Placing Rainbow Dash down you quickly huddle next to her to preserve both of your remaining body heat.

As you lay there with Rainbow Dash huddled up in a ball you notice how soft her fur is. It's funny, really, the times you think of these things. When you're so sure you're going to die your mind just focuses on the positive things.


“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it.” ― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan