//------------------------------//
// 4: Why does God make my life so interesting? 
// Story: Help! I'm not a changeling! 
// by Ashardu 
//------------------------------//


Help! I'm not a changeling!
Chapter 4: "Why does God make my life so interesting?"
Edited by ShadowBeat. Your moment to shine. 








.....

..... Am I awake? Hello? Anybody?

..... No answer.... well, since I'm in my room, I seriously doubt someone will answer me. I better get up. My escort may be here anytime now.

Opening my eyes, I discovered I was not in the guest room Chrysalis had allowed me to stay in. Instead, I was greeted by a large white wall... Oh, wait, that's the sky. 

Wait, the sky?

Waving a hoof in front of me, I managed to- WHAT THE HECK!? MY HAND!? SINCE WHEN DID I GOT BACK MY HAND!?

Getting up from my laying position, I inmediately felt different. Almost as if something had changed. And boy had things changed. Resisting the urge to gasp in shock, I admired in awe as I saw my old human body, just like I remembered. And apparently, the very same clothes I had before arriving to the badlands were the ones I was wearing right now. 

Ignoring my sub-conscious to supress a squeal, I got back to my loved, bipedal form stand up position and screamed in joy. Never have I felt so happy to see my birthday suit again. My mind had completely forgotten any concerned thoughts as I began to walk forward, and the walk slowly turned from walking to running to sprinting. I lost count of how long have I been sprinting, but I didn't care in the least. 

I was a human again. Instead of my pesty, odd changeling body. 

I could finally relax once more, letting my body be victim of the gravity. If there was any pain from my fall, I certainly didn't feel it. Perhaps my excitement was so intense that my neural system decided to call it quits on the pain stimulation. Not that I complain about it. 

As I said before, my body became a victim to the gravity's doing as it recoiled with the floor, not feeling pain during the moment of impact. I finally recovered what I remembered and hoped to become again the most.

Being human. 

This whole trip seemed like a bad experience from what I can tell. Black, sapient, pony shaped creatures called changelings that feed on love? Yeah, it was too weird to be true. Even if it was true, it was all a dream. A very interesting and annoying dream. But it's all over now. I finally got back what I yielded for, and I couldn't be happier.  There was one thing that was still bothering me.

The lifeless background of the place. I may have gotten what I wanted, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm standing in a non-background location where everything was covered in white. If I had to describe the whole place in one word, it would feel like this:

Nothing. Empty. Hollow. You name it.

Subconsciously grabbing my familiar brown hair with my right hand, I looked around and spotted the same color everywhere I turned. White, white, and more white. Wait, is that- No, that's more white.

I don't know how should I feel about this. Was it all a dream after all, or was imagining things? It appears like I arrived at a unknown universe, one where no being was supposed to know or come in contact in any form. I just don't where I am. Basic as that.

Perhaps I can find something if I run in a certain direction, and somewhere along the run, something might actually happen! But that wouldn't happen. I sprinted earlier, yet nothing occured. It would be the same result if I attempt that again. At least that is what I think it would happen. 

But my species didn't accomplish anything from standing around and waiting things to happen. Well, at least for most of us. If I plan to do something, or at least witness anything that can give me a clue to what is this place, I'm willing to take it. Besides, I'm not hungry nor tired. I should look for food or any shelter to protect myself from whatever this place holds meanwhile I still have the strength to do so. 

Hey, Discovery Channel was right! We do act on instinct! 

Shaking off my body with a sloppy mode, I started running once again to God-knows-where. I know the path, but where is my goal? This is how I feel right now. I just know that running is my objective for the moment. Run or die. Well, not really, but you get the message.

Well then. I guess I better start looking for something, eh?



.........

.........

.........

.........

.........

Nothing has happened to the moment. Have I done something wrong? I'm sure I haven't done something like that. Yet. 

Still running, I felt my legs burning up from the constant "Moving forward" plan. So far, I've encountered nothing of the sort that could give me a clue to what or where I'm standing. I mean, sure, I get to be a human again, but for what purpose? I'm not back home, that's for sure. 

.........

.........

.........

This is getting boring. What am I supposed to do? Keep running? 

Coming to a halt, I stopped a few meters ahead, allowing my arms to move as limps parts during my brake. Once I came to a full stop, I looked around using only my head. Still white. There is nothing new.

"... Maybe I am seeing things?" I said to myself, placing my hands on my hips, "Is this a test? I heard there is a time in everyone lives where you get stuck in one place just for the purpose of thinking. Is this one of those situations? Am I supposed to think?"

Letting go of my hips, I rudely sat down on the cold, unknown floor as I folded my legs at the end. Placing an elbow on top of one of my knees, I took advantage of the free hand from that very same arm and leaned on it. Maybe I needed to think after all....

.....

..... Hey, didn't I have glasses back home?

*POOF*

And just like that, my old glasses appear in front of me, slowly falling to the ground with a soft tap. Dumbstruck, I stared at my familiar set of glasses and held my mouth open in surprise. How did I do that? Ignoring any kind of possible danger from the sudden event, I extended my other arm and grabbed the glasses. I inspected them as I recognized whom it belonged to. 

They were, indeed, mine.

I couldn't grasp what I was witnessing. My glasses? The real ones? But it can't be! They appeared out of thin air! That makes no sense! Well, the white background also makes no sense, but this is different. How did this happen.... and why? My mind tried processing the logic behind this event, but it failed to create a possible hyphothesis. My glasses showed up after I thought of them, that is what I know so far.

To whoever knows why this happened, I think I don't care anymore. I merely shook my head and wore the nostalgic glasses from back home. I felt nice to wear this set once again, but alas, the scene was pretty much the same. White.

"Why am I not surprised?" I said to no one in particuliar, "But at least something happened,"

I dusted my lap and got back to my feet. Then I proceeded to dust my posterior as well. Jumping a little from my original position, I started walking again. Because, in the end, walking always helps clearing a troubled mind from any kind of thoughts.

Placing my right hand under my chin and the left one under the elbow, I began thinking again. If I think of an object, could it be.... How about we do a little experiment?

"C'mon... what can I think of?" I stated, focusing on any object that could prove my recently made hyphothesis, "Think of something small, something that it can't be hard to imagine.... think!"

*POOF*

And my hypothesis soon turned into a theory. My thought object appeared just like my glasses did. Crouching, I reached out for the newly created object and held in front of me while standing up again.

My elastic handband. It clearly said, "I LOVE MOM" on the perimeter.

Inspecting the object and confirming it was the same one I thought of, I came to a conclusion. "So... if I think of an object, I will appear in front of me, right?" Then another challenge came to my mind, "How about something a little bit.... harder?"

Thinking, I focused on the next object with ease.

*POOF*

"Hey, would you look at that!" I stated once again, "My Xbox!"

It was clearly my videogame console. The console was wearing a Halo custom outfit, with a couple of scratches next to the power button. On the sides, a pair of stickers from a promotional service held years ago were located. Finally, looking at the back, I recognized the singular white line a cousin of mine caused using his car key. 

There was no doubt. I could create things with my mind! Is this what God feels like? AM I GOD!? CAN I FINALLY HAVE THE RESULT TO ANY NUMBER DIVIDED BY ZERO!? 

But my soon-to-turn insanity moment came to a short end as a semi-big explosion appeared behind me, causing my whole body to fly a few feet foward. 

Staggering to a standing position, I grabbed my head as I tried to regain focus from the previous blast. Shaking my head a few times and picking up my glasses, I looked back at the cause of the explosion. I only found a burn mark, obviously with the center of the location untouched. A trail of smoke was leaving the same center I spoke about. 

"What the heck..." Ignoring any safety precautions to after-explosions-- I have read a thing or two about explosions, mind you--, I approached the center of the after blast and inspected the radius of the burnt area.  Judging the size and impact that I felt, I would have to say it was as powerful as a dynamite or a group of them combined. Approximately of course. 

But what could have caused this blast this big? I never thought of any dynamite or anything related to explosive tools. Not even a bomb!

*POOF*

"Huh?" What just appeare- "BENDITA MADRE! ES UNA PINCHE BOMBA! 'HOLY MOTHER! THAT IS A FREAKING BOMB!'"

I had little time to react as the bomb blasted in front of me, launching me even farther than before. My flight lasted more than 5 seconds in mid-air, whilst I waved my arms everywhere out of pure panic. I wasn't sure when I was going to hit the floor, but what I do know was something else.

It's going to hurt.

Embracing myself from the impact, I closed my eyes with might as I prepared to hit the white ground any moment. Any moment now....

.........

.........

.........

Is this going to be another episode of Life messing with my head again? Because it is clearly recording right now.

Opening my eyes once again, I found out that I wasn't falling down nor in midair. I was.... in the middle of a greenfield? Covered in several flowers? WHAT? 

I groaned in annoyance as I used my arms to push myself from the greenish and squishy floor. I looked everywhere from my sitting position and found myself in a field covered several kinds of plants. If I had to compare it with a similar scene, I would have to compare to the Majora's Mask last scene. You know, the one where Link is in a gigantic field with a huge tree in the middle of the place? Yeah, that one. I am in a very similar place. 

Hold on.... NO! I'm in that same place! WHY AM I IN A MAJORA'S MASK SCENE!?

I would have panicked for two hours straight from this sudden change, but something else caught my attention. Someone to be precise.

"Answer.... I... Hear...."

"A... voice?" 

Turning to the big tree, I saw someone standing below the mightyness of the tree's shadow. Even with my glasses on, I couldn't tell who was calling me. The voice could be easily mistaken for a guy or a girl. That is why I decided to approach the figure, despite knowing that it could be an object or being of possible danger.

Running towards the base of the tree, I witnessed the shadow doing the same thing. Curiosity became stronger than my instincts, so I didn't stop. Instead, I topped up a notch. 

Running faster than I have ran in my life, the other being did the same. But it was all in vain. The shadow was approaching me just recently slowly began to fade into a distant point  on the horizon, calling me out again. I tried to close the gap between me and the figure, but whatever force that was acting upon us did a really good job by keeping us apart, even if we resisted. I cried out for the unknown being at the distance, but it was futile in the end. The scenery was no longer the Majora's scene. But instead something else happened.

I opened my eyes. I was in Chrysalis's room. My guest room.

I woke up.

It was all a dream. I'm not a human anymore.... 

.... I'm still a changeling, right?

Scanning my body, I realized my assumptions were right. I was still a changeling in the end. This has to be a joke....

Sighing deeply after realizing this wasn't a dream like my other visions, I closed my eyes again and went into a deep thought mode.

Was that a dream? It certainly didn't feel like a dream. Then again, I'm not an expert in dreams. I'm just a regular guy with poor luck. VERY poor luck.

"Je, quien lo diria? Sabia que mi sueño era demasiado buena para ser realidad... 'Heh, who knew? I knew that dream was too good to be true...'"

Despite the lack of sleep, I managed to some of it after my encounter with Emerald. It wasn't that relaxing to say the least, but it appears I gained a new friend in the end of the day. Or night? I can't tell, I don't own a watch... or any technological device that could show me what time would it be. But perhaps it would be useless if this place holds a different time-zone from back home. Maybe that would be case.

But there is something really odd that happened during my short sleep. It was very faint, but I know I heard something during my rest. It may have slightly short and uncomprehensable, but I know I heard something for that shadow.

I'm sure I did.

Even though I've been through some pretty strange things for just one day, I know that thing I experienced can't be all fictional. Dreams can be weird sometimes. So are girls, but that's a different story.

But enough of that. Apparently, the sun has already risen and it appears my escort is already here.

"WAKE UP, MR. FIRE! WE ARE HERE TO ESCORT YOU!"

Yup, looks like they are here.

Checking if I could move-- unlike yesterday and earlier today--, I scanned my whole body for any kind of problems that my body could have sensed. I carefully moved every limb part of this changeling body and made sure no symthom of the sort affected my kinect system. So far so good. Next is the external organs.

Knowing I could see, I still decided to use my eyes again to make sure there wasn't any problem with them. Prying the right eye open, I kept it like that and looked everywhere my line of sight could have allowed. After realizing my right eye had no trouble at all, I promptly attempted the same exact thing with my left eye. Same results as before. Which is good.

My body scan was almost done, just one last thing was needed for me to get up and move along. 

A will to get up. 

I mean, after doing some thinking yesterday, I noticed the magic school would be, obviously, a school. And I'm definitively not good with schools. Ever. If I had trouble with getting up for work, imagine how was human school life for me. Yeah, it was quite a ride.

Also, after realizing this is going to be my life for now on, after finding out in that specific dream that my human self is gone for good, I can't help it but feel foreign. Naked. 

My one and only identity, a human, has been stolen from me, and it wasn't intentional. But it wasn't a dream either. I don't even know how I got here, or why, but I have no true identity. Even if I have a changeling body with my old mind and fond memories, it's not me..... Is there anything to gain by getting up and continue living a lie? ..... Perhaps not. But my parents didn't raise me to be spending my life complaining about the things that I got. I have to keep moving. As a former human, it is in my blood to keep moving forward.

Going to school once again probably doesn't help either.

But, hey, this time, I am actually going to learn something that would have an actual use in real life. I know, I know, school does have things that help us nowdays, but Drama lessons? Seriously? Was I going to be in Broadway in something? Or was school doing that in order to spite me? Geez. 

Anyhow, I'm curious about this whole magic thingy so I might get up as well. After all, I still want to impale something. GIVE ME SOMETHING TO IMPALE! 

.... Okay, snap out of it. That was completely unnecessary. But I wonder, what would happen I DON'T get up?

"If you don't leave the room Mr. Fire, we will burst in and drag you out by your tail while singing 'Crocodile Tears',"

.... Maybe getting up doesn't sound like a bad idea.

You think?

Oh, shush you. Well, like I was saying, I should be getting up. After all, today is going to be a long day....







During my escort trip inside Mrs. Queen Swiss Cheese legs's castle, I was pretty amazed by the arquitectic design the whole location holds. Marble pillars were placed in position where not even an earthquake would bring them down. Open windows crafted perfectly between a very approximate distance between each other, the amount of rooms each hallway had and last but not least, chinseled stone with changeling figures I never knew about-- maybe because I'm not from around here to begin with. However, as much as I enjoyed the view, there was a certain part of the castle that gave me goosebumps. It's hard to see, but it is there nevertheless. 

A long hallway decorated with chinseled black roses on the walls, a large row of small pillars where you could place a certain object and very disturbing gargoyle head with the figure of Chrysalis's head. However, the head itself looked like the queen I met earlier, but the similarities reached a limited amount. It was obviously a mare, and it looked like Chrysalis like I said previously, but it had an even darker atmosphere around it. The fangs of the gargoyle were sharper and with more curves, giving it a more deadly appearance. Chrysalis's ears were similar to ours, but that one had twisted ears, almost as if corruption took hold of her. Despite being a gargoyle and owning stone eyes, I shivered at the sight of those pupils. It looked like if red dots were glowing from the center of the stone eyes, which it was pretty creepy by itself. The hair style was the same though. And finally, the top of the head was nothing like the Queen's.

Instead of being a long, shapy horn with a selected number of holes in it, the horn was in form of an spiral, with small, yet notable thorns coming out of it. The tip was... unique as well. Having an already deformed horn by itself, the tip was crafted in such manner that it could split in several way, aiming nowhere in particuliar. If I can say something about it-- and I'll do it anyways--, the whole picture creeped me out. And trust me, I've seen a lot of disturbing things before, back when I was a human. You can thank the Internet for that. 

My curiosity was telling me to ignore the whole escort mission and head to the mysterious hallway. I don't know how to describe it either. The hallway itself was drawing my full pledge of attention, almost as if it was calling me. I would have probably followed my curiosity instinct if it weren't for a guard's call the moment I headed that way. I snapped out of any troubled thought that the walk had given me, and went back on track. However, just when we were getting away from the place, a sweet, mesmerizing voice was mumbling something. It sounded similar to my dream's occurrence, but in my dream, the voice sounded more gentle; smooth if I say so myself. The voice from the hallway sounded more commanding, almost as if it belonged to a fearsome leader...

"Hey," I called out, still looking back at the same hallway, "What is it laying in that particuliar hallway?"

"Sorry, it's classified information," one of the escorts, a mare to be precise, said, "Not allowed to tell,"

"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, "Why?"

"Didn't you hear? It's classified!" the other guard interjected, with a raging tone behind his voice, "Get that fact in your head, filly!"

And here we go, "Hey, what's with the attitude? I haven't done anything to you!"

"You better watch your mouth, colty," the same guard responded, "You don't want to get hurt!"

"Swift, knock it off! Give the poor changeling a break! Don't you know he is the one who got hurt from the incident?" the mare said to 'Swift', earning a death glare from the female changeling. Swift scoffed at her remark and looked away with anger.

"So what if he got hurt by a pitiful meteor!? I'm hungry! And we have now another mouth to feed? Good grief!"

I don't know how he is feeling right now, but that doesn't give him the right to treat me like a kiddo. Or yell at me like that. But I can't fight back even if I wanted to. The best solution to this would be to remain silent, at least towards him. The other guard seemed okay. Perhaps I can build some friendships during my stay to ease my situation. Just like I did with Ivy or Emerald! Although the latter case was an awkward one.

In any case, I may have avoided the temptation thanks to the guards' help. But what would happen to me if I found myself in that same place when no one is around? Would I give in to the voice's command? Or would I resist it? Only time will tell.

"Hey, new guy," called out the mare, who somehow got very near to me during my inner dialogue and was looking at my face, "You okay? You seemed distracted,"

Shaking my head, I responded with a forced smile. The mare didn't seem to take my answer quite well, for she had a sad expression written all over her rough face.

"C'mon, you and I know that is a lie," Well, busted, "You are worried about something, aren't you?"

A small frown appeared on my face as she pointed that out, "How did you know?"

"I have my particuliar set of skills. It's quite useful most of the times," she said, showing me a genuine smile. A troubled one, but genuine nevertheless, "Would you like to talk about it?"

"I... I think I need a little more time to adjust, no offense," I replied. The mare merely shook her head and giggled.... in a very mature way? Is that even possible?

"None taken. And hey, I'm sorry about my partner's behavior. He tends to be very..."

"Irritating?"

"I was going to say 'Stubborn', but that fits as well," she replied, looking ahead of her path, "With the whole food crisis going on, a lot of us are going through hard times. Swift just happens to be really angry about it. His brother's death doesn't help either,"

"He lost his brother at a time like this?" Ouch, that must be tough.

The female guard shook her head and looked down to the floor, "No, his older brother, Boulder, died during the Canterlot invasion. He was fighting in the front lines until a death spear came from the skies and pierced his chest. To make matters worse, Swift was standing behind him when that happened. Swift changed ever since then. Poor fella, I can't imagine what he must be going through right now..."

After hearing Swift's partial backstory, I expressed my sorrow with a twitch in my right eye, ".... Man, that sucks. But don't worry, I do understand his pain,"

This earned me a surprise stare from her, "Really? Why is that?"

With a nostalgic smirk of my part, I allowed several memories of Sebastian go through my head, helping me realize how lucky I am of a brother to have him, "Well, it's just that I have a brother of my own,"

"And did you lost him as well?"

"Not really," Once again, the surprise stare, "When I say I feel his pain, I mean that my brother thinks he lost me or something. I'm not so sure on details, but I think my older brother believes I'm dead,"

"I think I see the big picture. But just for the fun of it, illuminate me, how does that reliate with Swift?"

"Okay then," I knew she was trying to prove I actually comprehended his pain and I wasn't going to let her down, "It's connected due to the thought of losing my older brother. I wouldn't know what to do if he disappeared from one day to another," I finished, not before turning around and mumbling, "Although I actually went through that. I just don't care up to this point,"

"Did you say something?" she asked. I shook my head and showed her an apologetic smile. Hold it, how long is my smile? Let's see.... yup, it's connected from ear to ear. This feels weird.

"Nope! Just a bit of a cough," I placed a hoof in front of my mouth and let out of the most gruesome coughs I managed to perform. While the guard showed a bit concerned face, Swift simply scoffed at my cough. Busted or not, I didn't care. I'm proud of that cough.

"Bit?" she responded, smirking at my statement, "Oh, it's small alright,"

"Meh,"

"Anyways, I believe you, just for you to know," the guard said, inhaling deeply and closing her eyes, "Perhaps you are the solution to our problems,"

What. "Say what now?"

The guard looked at me with a playful face and giggled, "Honest and a comedian. Ha! I like you, child. You will fit here just fine," Did she think I was joking around? I think I'll play along for now.

"Eh... thanks! ... I guess," I responded, feeling the pressure of this rumor on me.

This place holds more things than it looks like. I have no clue what she meant by solution for their problems and I think it's not the food crisis she is talking about, but I'll see that later. Perhaps... if I stay here long enough....

"Anyhow, it appears we will be your guards for the time being, colt," she said, leaning her head sideway towards my direction. Not that close, but not far either, "I think you already introduced yourself to Swift,"

Swift turned around gave me a hard frown, his lips forming a very happy and cheerful upside down smile! Oh wait... oops, my mistake. He is not happy. He is angry, "Not a pleasure to me,"

"I like you too," I said, showing a deadpanned expression. Swift released an angry scoff and turned towards the main path. The guard rolled her eyes from what I could percieve and twisted her head towards me.

"Name's Gaia, pleased to see a new face,"

I was about to say my name, but I realized saying my ACTUAL name would bring trouble, so I used my newly adquired and hated nickname the queen so kindly gave me. Bowing my head to her, I briefly closed my eyes as I introduced myself again, "Pleased to meet you Gaia, my name is Fire,"

Gaia smiled and winked at me, "Oh, quite the gentlecolt. Mexicolt still has class by the looks of it," 

I closed my eyes and shrugged, "It comes in the blood, I guess,"

She dropped a small sigh and shook her head, "Not really, but you are okay. By the way, I already knew your name. We all do. After all, being the main news of the whole badlands can do that to you,"

What again. "I'm the main news?"

"Yeah," she added, "A changeling surviving a meteor crash, one that was coming to our land to help us in our love crisis. That's you right?"

I demonstrated a thoughtful face as she finished that phrase, "Well, yeah. I was involved with the meteor incident, so that must be me,"

Gaia looked perplexed, trying to understand what I just said, "... Uh, why are you doubting it was you?"

Gaia caught me red-handed as I looked towards her in shock. "Huh? Oh, right...", Thinking of a good comeback, I darted my eyes everywhere, hoping my lying skills wouldn't fail me,  "Apparently, when I was picked up from the crater, I had memory loss concusion. The mare-- Do you know this Ivy? Yeah, her-- explained me that my head impacted with the ground really hard,"

Gaia seemed interested by my point of view, "Oh?" Although it wasn't a lie, the rest of it is.

"They explained that my brain suffered a temporary trauma. They also explained I wouldn't be capable of remembering most things, even if it was the most of simple things,"

"And have you had today any certain event related to what you are telling me?"

I smirked at her question, knowing exactly what to use as example, "Well, if you ask, I couldn't remember that we fed on love,"

The female looked stunned at my previous situation, amazed by the effects of the impact, "Wow, that must have been quite the impact,"

"I know. They keep telling me that,"

The guard giggled at my statement and shook her head, "Still, it is a blessing you are unharmed or not having any bones out of their place,"

I hung my head low and frowned, letting out an irritated groan, "Yeah.... Lucky me,"

"But hey," she said, placing a hoof on my shoulder, "The past is in the past. Forget about it, it is not important now. What you should do is focusing on the relearning things again,"

I gazed at her with doubt, but shook off that same doubt as I filled it with new found hope, "Yeah, you are right,"

Gaia remained silent after that, leaving me and my thought to roam aimlessly. After a few more minutes, she sighed and gave me a determined gaze, "So, here is the thing. I'll try to help you out as long as I can, giving you advice whenever it is possible," she said, showing me a heartful smile, "But if you want my advice, you are going to ask for it. No subtle messages, no indirect hints, no nothing. Ask me directly and I'll see what I can do to help, okay?"

Taken back by the sudden long term aid, I smiled at her and thanked her for the help, "That is really considerated of you, thanks,"

"No problem, Fire," she said, not before she held her swiss cheese hoof on her stomach and grumbled, "Although, I could use a little love every now and then,"

Staring at the guard with a worried look, I thought she could use a hand as well, "You know, if I can get myself a bit of extra love, I'll make sure to give them to you, kay?"

Gaia seemed surprised by my proposal, thinking of whether accepting it or not, "Hey, Fire, you know you don't have to do that,"

"I know, but I will anyways,"

Gaia chuckled at my answer and nodded, "Okay then, I accept,"

"Good," I was slowly focusing on the main road again until a warm feeling was felt on my cheek.  Turning around with a small blush on my face, I noticed that Gaia had given me a small gift.

"That's... for being such a gentlecolt," she finished, showing a grateful and warm expression on her face. She walked faster until she was side to side with Swift. 

I don't know why, but my stay here may not be as bad as I thought it would be.



Not soon enough, I found myself in front of the magic school, thinking to myself of the possibilities and disadvantages it could held for me. I mean, magic school is almost the same like normal school, right?

"What's the matter, punk?" said Swift, holding a very mocking tone behind his voice, "Don't tell me you wanna back out now?"

As a matter of fact, I wanted to do that. But I needed to face my nostalgic horror once again if I planned on defending myself. Besides, Gaia was watching.

"O-Of course not... I'm just..."

"Nervous?" Gaia said, earning a nod from me, "Don't worry Fire, I'm sure you will do fine,"

"Hey, stop encouraging him! I want to see him struggle!" Yeah, real funny.

"Oh shush," Gaia answered, earning an annoyed glare from Swift, "You were doing worse the first time," Oh... now that is interesting.

"It was a one time! You know it!" Swift responded with a barely visible blush. The two of us chuckled at him, which only made him angrier. Now who is struggling?

"Hey, good morning Fire!" said a very familiar voice just at the end of the hall way. Turning my head to the incoming voice, I saw Ivy heading my way with that same beautiful smile of hers pasted on her lips. Inconsciously, I smiled back and waved at her. This seemed to please her a little, "Good to see you made it,"

"Thanks, although the road wasn't that dangerous, you know," I said, earning a poker face from Ivy. Unaware that I may have said something wrong, I smiled sheepishly, raising an eyebrow and lowering the other, "Did I said something wrong?"

"No, not at all, it's just.... nevermind," she said, picking the badge Chrysalis gave me from Gaia's magic grasp. She placed the badge on a.... bag? A saddlebag? I'm going to use one of those? But how- Oh. I see now. Twist your head 180 degrees without breaking your neck all the while. No biggie.

But I'm going to be honest with you. That thing she just did just made me more worried. Was something supposed to happen?

"Well, Fire, I guess we will see each other another time," said Gaia, motioning a moving sign to Swift. He didn't have any objections, and left the area inmediately, without saying goodbye. Somehow, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. I mean, I too would be devasted if I lost my brother right in front of my eyes. Just the thought of it makes me shiver. 

.... I wonder how did Sebastian handle this situation? After all, he is the big brother.

"In any case, I think you should enter," said Ivy, gaining both my attention and sight, "Remember, you don't have anything to worry about. We have your special protection unit watching you from afar,"

I tried answering back to her sentence, but there was no need for more words. I've said what I needed to said and that is that. There was one more thing to go through. Magic school.

Here we go again.

"Just remember, don't submit to their threats and everything will go dandy," Threats!?, "They like to mess with new recruits,"

I looked back at her and clearly showed how worried she made me feel about the threats. Ivy smiled once again and motioned me to walk. I sighed and tried to suppress my worried stage. Just before I entered the school, I felt a slightly heavy object placed on my long back, with a sound of a click at the end of it. Turning around my head only, I spotted the very same saddlebag Ivy was carrying moments ago. Confirming my assumptions true, I gave Ivy a questioning look. She merely grinned, leaning her head sideways.

"What? You thought you were going to carry everything with your mouth?" Oh right, the objects. I was so focused on the whole academic issue that I completely forgot my stuff, "Have the saddlebag. It's yours,"

"I... Thanks," I said, breaking the mystical barrier that kept me from talking, "Buena onda, 'That is quite kind of you,'"

"What? I don't speak Mexicolt," she said. Welp. That happened.

Sighing at my failed attempt to thank her, I shook my head, "Nothing, nothing. Just... thanks a lot,"

"You are welcomed," the female said, turning around and heading towards one of the doors, "If you need any help, or wish to find me, ask for help. They will help you somehow,"

"Thanks..." and with that, she dissapears from sight. From this point on out, I'm on my own. Geez, I haven't felt this nervous since I learned how to drive for the first time. Thankfully, I didn't crashed against anyone that day! 

.... Oh, I may have brought a lightpost down.... or two.

But that is a different story. Right now, school is my main objective. As ironic as it seems for me.

Why does God make my life so interesting?

I still wonder why....

But, there are roads that a man must go through. Mine seems to be repeating school all over again. Yeah!

*Sigh*