//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: The Light at the end of the Tunnel // by Silverwind9 //------------------------------// I woke up.Through my foggy eyes, I could see just a small, but white furball who was watching through me with its big eyes.I wasn’t sure why, but I had some strange feeling that it has been right next to me the whole time.Speaking of which, how did I even get here? Blurred scenes these last few hours of my life as a human being was taken away into oblivion.Now I am here a million miles away from home, in one abandoned shed.I still couldn’t move my body which drove me like crazy,and hopelessly tried to get myself up. Nothing. All my effort was a failure. I got frozen a little since the cold wind was going right through me, and could feel like something was pushing me off, putting its small, gentle paws on me. That was the same, old furball I was talking about before.It wanted to join me, but I have had no opinion since I couldn’t move a muscle of my almost frozen body. It was nice, but I prefer to know that I have at least one person, a creature beside me that I can count on in this cruel world.Taking no more than one move, that white thing has scratched me on my face.I was a little bit offended, but I wondered why. Why did it scratch me? But that was not a problem, as I was looking back to the darkest spots in this cage.What else to say? Trapped inside this cold shed, I was lying and thinking about all the things in life that I have not, nor will I achieve. I was wondering: Does it have any sense thinking about the things that destroyed us, and the human world is helpless for the force that is incoming? What about me? I am just a little dot in the whole world. Or…In the world that doesn’t even exist? I am completely confused now, but the thing that is confusing me more is this little furball around me.What is that and was that thing sent intentionally to follow me all the time, to try me ? What is it.... Who is behind all of this? Is this the fate that had to happen, or it is something else? All those questions were turning on and on by the time, trying to find the real truth out. I sighed. My last days of this damned life are passing by quietly, hoping there’s a way to get free of this parallel world. There must be a light at the end of the tunnel. Where to go? I’ve been trapped here for days and my body is still not ready to move a little.I was desperate. *tock, tock* Sound of raindrops disturbed me, while this poor roof leaked, falling right in the middle of the forehead. The impatience was killing me from the inside. … A strange light penetrated through the dark and dense foliage, caressing me in my wet face, while I was just watching this beautiful phenomenon as it was approaching. I could feel the warmth and the withdrawal of some unusual energy that gave me a completely different direction and review of the life.It seemed brighter, and all the things around me were more lively than before. With a slight movement, I got up from the bed, watching my feet lifted with a small crash created by long lying.I shook my head off and have had a much better sight of the place than before.The nature was prettier and the little furball has gotten its warmth and the brightness in its eyes.It was wonderful watching it for just a tiny bit of a peaceful moment I’ve ever had in this second life. But, then I realized the harsh reality.I am still a little gray Pegasus.There was no time for getting back, so I thought a long time about the time’s code that has happened to me just the other night when I was supposed to do something very important. It was very warm, around 4 pm, and I had to pay those bills that were my most important commitment of all the things.I thought to put them aside at least for a while, but I do it backfired.The time’s code has ruined it all.I don’t remember how it has happened, to be exact, but it was like a black hole had fallen on me and swallowed me out.Now I'm here, prisoned without anything but a pet.I haven’t had in mind anything but to keep asking myself how it has happened.. Over and over again.. The door had suddenly been opened, leaving my poor, pale face shocked of all that noise which was running up in the air. Something bugged me all of sudden; No one had been behind that door… I went forward with my determinate steps and nothing could have stopped me to find normality in this world, if it was all possible. But then I stopped. I could see nothing around me, but the darkness and a little furball that gave me sad, hopeless look in its bright blue eyes. It was injured of my sadness, I could feel its emotions from far away, as well as it could do the same. … Why, why do I have a bitter feeling that we are connected to the power that surrounds us?There must be something that could pull us away from this destiny…But what? I haven’t figured it out yet…. Something suddenly occurred to me. This portal, is it a trap? Should I trust this furball? … I smiled for a moment, but the brilliance of this unusual moment of absurdity extinguished ... like a flame on the last candle I’ve lit for my mom and dad like I’ll never see them again.My face became too serious even for this moment ... this moment of nothing. I stepped back carefully, picking up with me the only friend in this world, little Furball, carrying it on my back. I firmly nodded my head to the furry little beast and looked forward with the most beautiful smile I've been hiding so far. “It’s now or never….Choyice." While I was saying those deep words, my legs are automatically raised themselves and with some quick reflections are pushed me forward. The moment was wonderful. Hovering in the sky, with a friend who was there for me all the time, hugging me tight and uncomfortable licking me, it felt good, that moment was indescribable. We finally got out of the darkness, I thought ... But then, a sudden wind blew us away from our goal, carrying us to neverending place. After the hard hit we sensed on our skin, I stood up, barely get to move to an old crashed plane, and sat like a man.I missed something, and been searching for it for a moment, while I was losing a will for living. I must(I said it with a weary voice barely keeping me with enormous consequences after that brutal fall, getting huge injuries to the front and back legs, and a small part of wings.)… I must…I must find you Choy….. … A sudden loss of the only friend I had in this irreal world had almost destroyed my mentality and psychical stability; the will of drowning back down in this nightmare of sorrow. I had been wondering through the bushiest bushes for a long time and Choyice still did not appear.Getting more exhausted and hungrier by the time well spent by wondering and searching for the fluffball, I’ve found a small piece of rock, really oddly colored in gray-blue lines. The dusk was rising slowly, and still no appearance of little furball… I was shouting so loud, but the exhausted body couldn’t do anything else but to have a good rest, lowering its head to the ground. I was curled up dejected, next to this strange stone, and the dream absorbed me heavily, but gentle, while the quiet echo of the wind was blowing. Here, in this world, in this bloody world, the mornings were very fresh, not to say that I froze during the night. Looking drowsy around, not yet realizing that I lost a friend, I looked around to see if I can find something productive and something for eat. I kept on searching Choyice, but I’ve seen the cave near the rushed hill, just sparkling around. This cave caught my attention and that I was encased dilemma whether to go or not.I was curious to the fullest. The cave had a lot of sparkling gems all the different colors and it was a real beauty. My head had given me a sign not to enter the cave, saying it’s just an illusion while the heart was racing hard telling me the other way. Oh God… If this were only a little bit easier… And…It…It isn’t.. Left alone in this harsh dilemma, something has come right behind me trying to save me from a disaster. Blinded by the beauty of this illusion I barely snapped out of it and while I was turning around I saw one hell of a hot figure. That was another pony, black-haired and pale - tanned skinned girl and she looked amazing. I couldn’t get to myself on how beautiful she was….. She said her name was Areh, and she came from the other part of this giant wood and quickly said that she had never seen a pony looking similar to me. When I told her the whole story of who I am and how I was being trapped in that ugly smelling shed, she couldn’t believe at first. Well, why would she, anyway? I’d react the same way as her, tho. She rapidly waved with her silky, furry tail and winked at me. She surely had enchanted me… Areh whispered me briefly that I shouldn’t trust anyone who’s a stranger, not even the passengers I might see, especially not to the ones who are close to me… “NEVER TRUST….NEVER TRUST….NEVER TRUST…” … We went through a very narrow path that got us to some mountain.I could not believe that in this region, in this freaking wood, you can see ANY. Areh was slowly and deftly jumping from one stone to another, and waited impatiently for me, clumsy little pegasus, to come swiftly to her. She rolled her eyes and elicited a slick smile on her face, realizing that I had never done this before. Broken from all that effort with the damned rocks, I prayed to God that all of this is done properly, unaware of the dangers that can happen to us. There still was no sign of Choy yet .... Crossing the steep paths of jagged mountains, we both barely climbed to the top. I wished my wings had been working at that moment, but the fatal fall broke all the bones in these strong wings. We’ve arrived at the top of the mountain after some cracks while going through it… The sight was amazing: The snow-white blanket on top of the mountain was not as visible down in the woods, but now that I'm at the top, it was beautiful, more than beautiful that words cannot describe… The pure crystal-white color that no one has ever seen in life before… Besides Areh course. Speaking of Areh, she is one of those ponies, almost invisible, like a ninja. Agility and speed are her greatest strengths in these conditions, but in general also. She possessed a lot of knowledge, but she is not emphasized in this and to prove the knowledge to someone completely unknown.A little bit shy, but charming and tolerate pony.And she was really beautiful.Beautiful from the heart, just as much as from the outside too. … Areh could sense something right under her hoof. Digging ground as fast as she could, she curiously stared at little ice cube, and inside of it there was a little blob-like creature, but furry and frozen. It’s Choy! – I said it completely lost now, hoping that we could save him, doing anything I could to save little guardian of mine, who were caged with me the whole time. I grabbed little furball and put it on my back, carrying it while we’re sliding down the mountain from the other side of the mountain.Areh had lit a fire and warmed a little furball which was shivering of that coldness inside… Shortly after, this little guy is warmed and the first thing he saw was my bright green eyes. I smiled and I was very glad I saw it again.He still was the only friend who was with me trapped in the empty jungle-cage, all but hoping that the brighter days would come. Choy had a very big smile and he happened to hug me very tight but a little bit after it looked toward Areh, not knowing who it was and curiously stared at her while she was extracting a piece of fresh-cut grass from her backpack, which she deftly cut up while we were still on the mountain. Areh did not start eating while the furball was watching, and could not be selfish and she shared food with me and Choy. I blushed and quickly thanked and Choy jumped on her back, starting with the licking and happily bouncing.She didn’t mind Choy’s craziness. The night was very quiet and unusual for me, but it was typical for this place. Maybe something would creek in the woods, or the owl would be whooing while liking to be awake at night, but we have enjoyed in this beautiful, peaceful evening. What else to say but to express my feelings of how perfect that night was.Areh has put her head on my shoulder, while I was slowly stroking her silky hair, and Choy already fell asleep. I stepped aside by a giant rock and kept thinking. I had had a really deep inner conversation with myself. What does this mean? Is this really had to happen, or is it another illusion?What is this?Why did I fall in love with Areh, but she’s a pony and I am human?I mean, human in pony’s body?Have I missed something and life is reminding me now, but I have nothing to lose? Will I ever get an answer? …. Seems like I have a lot to find out, but the real answer lies somewhere deep hidden in this world. …… The sun was out and slowly began to expand its long rays emanating to our heads. I felt that Areh was kind of uncomfortable and began squirming and she wanted a little more sleep.I laughed loud enough to wake up Choy, who just pushed me a little bit to the other side telling me to stop by his inner senses. Areh was slowly rising and coming to herself. She admitted that she had never slept so well like this in her village before. I had to agree with that, encountering a small piece of rock fallen right next to me. To be worse, it’s not the only piece of rock that suddenly appeared right in front of us. And then a few small landslides fell near us with a powerful slam. Turning around as fast as lightning, we looked at right at the mountain we previously slid down.We had no idea why it is happening and Areh wondered since there were no known earthquakes in past 10 years. We did not know what was going on, but we were running like crazy. Areh, barely breathing said that this is a sacred place and that something like this should not suppose to happen. I wasn’t sure about this and all I could do at the moment was to nod, while kept on running until we got to the very edge of this mountain. There was no salvation, I thought as my heart is beating louder. All that moment seemed unreal to me, but I quickly silenced my thoughts, realizing that I actually am living in such world. We couldn’t reach any further. As these giant stones were approaching us, I noticed that Areh was barely holding herself up, stepping back next to me, trying to rise from the pain in her legs. She’s never been running like this fast in her life…I need to admit; I never have either. There was the only one thing I could think of….And I needed to do it. I unrolled the bandages with wings and tried to move them. There is still hope, I thought. I caught Areh and threw it on my back and started to fly. At first it seemed great, having confidence in myself and in my fragile wings, but I could not even move more than five feet in the air. Weakness in the wings dominated from that one bloody fall, so I was slowly falling to guaranteed death. What's worse, I had another life carrying with me…. In the moment of our fall, I closed my eyes and thought of all those beautiful moments that I lived in the real world, and here. Seeing that Areh was falling motionless, not letting out a sign, nor the voice, I was thinking of anything but good. The speed and the wheezing of the wind broke my ears and my back was hampered enough, but whatever happened, it seemed that all the things I had it good fell through .... Ruined…. It's over, I thought .... There is no hope .... But…Wait! Something's gotten into my head like a speed of light and told me to never give up, even in the worst situations, just like this one. Another dozen meter was, and I was able to turn around, catch Areh and pull the wings as much as I can. The pain was horrible.... Thinking that I succeeded, I was rocketed myself forward ... But no! I was slipping into one, and the other side and It was more difficult for me to coordinate with my own wings. I hit the ground, throwing a backpack and Areh next to me. Small, furball rolled up to a dry, giant tree. We lied still for a whole hour ... Chest pain was desperately high, and I couldn’t feel legs. My head was in good condition, but I have not worked too well .... As for Areh, I have not heard her voice since we were falling… Well, I will not even think that the worst! My backpack was full of some tools and some sort of paper, and I believe it's all gone and it became broken during the huge boom. It's no good ... It's all so…. so .... I felt that my brain slowly closes itself. I could barely keep my eyes open, but they were slowly betrayed me. Is this the end? What will happen to Choy, Areh? Is this really my fate, to be ended tragically? If so, then good-bye friends ... I was glad to meet you and guide you through the inside of this world ... I never dreamed I'd be an extreme, at least for a short period. Now, this all ends? I looked to the right blinking, I could see still not moving Areh, but there was no Choy.... And then I fell asleep. I fell asleep forever.