If the world threw a surprise your way and it is not a good one, you just have to quickly think of a way out of it because many times over you have to deal with the situations either by yourselves or with your friends. Sometimes we just have to find a way out of the many situations ourselves and without help. For that reason, it is why I said to never get your hopes up and be ready for anything. As it is the many times that situation has been thrown into me, I have to deal with them myself - Eric Angelo
Play this as opening theme
“Eric, I really think you should stop...”
“I know, I know. Don’t worry about it.....”
“HANDS UP! ALL OF YOU! DON’T TRY ANYTHING FUNNY!”
“Eric, run!”
“Stupid old bastard!”
“DAAAAAADDDDD!”
“I’LL KILL YOU! I’LL KILL YOU, YOU MURDERER!”
BANG!
Two pupilless eyes that belongs to Eric the Hydreigon shot open. For a moment there is silence as he stared off into the distance in a Thousand Yard-like Stare when in fact he was actually conscious. He just needed time to reboot his brains.
Eric gave off a sigh of weariness. “That dream again?” He rubbed his forehead unconsciously. “Dammit, why can’t I forget that?”
After rubbing his head, he stared into his arm heads again, as if they were...still carrying the same blood that had been spilled that day. “...Dad.” Eric uttered while staring off into the pinkish sky once more.
He remembered that he had fallen asleep while propped up to a tree last night during his nightly day dream. The Hydreigon just stared into the starless sky in an effort to clear his head after the nightmare he just had.Eric frowned quickly enough upon realizing something. “Wait...Starless pinkish sky?”
Then unexpectedly, a light glared into his eyes, causing him to snap both eyelids shut. He put an arm over his eyes as he slowly inspected what had caused such a glaring light. The reason slowly appeared , rising from the horizon in the distant lush green lands
“....Sunrise.” He muttered while squinting his eyes to look toward the impending orb of light that is starting to rise. Eric frowned. “Something seems...different.”
After a few seconds of adjusting his eyes, he could see that the sun was rising. But he sensed that it was...different from the one he had witnessed before. Everything under the sun seemed much clearer as birds glided gently throughout the skies with clouds billowing past unhindered. It’s clear to him now that the sunlight has revealed how...clear this area of the general polution.
He took a deep breath and exhaled. Feeling the clean air that goes into and out of his lungs. “..... beautiful. Never seen a landscape that clear before.” He muttered.
Stretching out his furry arms with a groan, he slowly beat his six wings and floated once more. “Alright, I just hope today would go better than yesterday....and maybe reverse my situation.”
After staring off into the distance for a few minutes, he sighed and floated toward Dawn’s house, intending to start day.
“WAIT!”
The shout echoed loud enough for him to hear it clearly. “Hmmm?” Glanced over his shoulder, he saw some familiar faces. “Those Ponytas from yesterday?”
“This might be interesting.” He mumbled and turned around, waiting for them to catch up with him.
“Sorry for bothering you this early. Can you still understand me?” She received a wordless nod in return. She found herself sighing in relief. “Thank Celestia, I thought the spell had worn off. ”
Eric raised an eyebrow upon the mare mentioning something or someone called Celestia, but he resolved to find out later after his own problems had been solved. “Is there something you wish of me, ma’am?”
“C’mon, you already rehearsed this yesterday.” The mare muttered to herself. “Uhm....how should I say this again? Uhhh, good....morning...to...you?”The mare said awkwardly, not really knowing how to start off a conversation with an intimidating creature.
“Good morning to you as well, ma’am.” He nodded to her in return.
Surprised by his lack of offense and politeness, the mare released a sigh of relief. “I thought you I had offended with you with the way I stutter and thing.”
“Ma’am, you haven’t offended me in anyway, so please, don’t worry about it.” Eric reassured.
“Anyway, I wanted to say something since I didn’t have the chance yesterday....” The mare took a deep breath to signify something is coming out from her mouth. “I wanted to thank you....”
Eric raised an eyebrow, remembering exactly why the mare thanked him for. Yet he decided to humor her just to be polite. “Yes, for what exactly?”
“For protecting my baby yesterday. That was a very brave thing for you to do.” Glancing beside her, she spotted her trembling son. “And my baby here wanted to say something. Isn’t that right, Book?” Crouching to level herself with her son beside herself, she nudged him forward with a foreleg. “Go on, say something Book.” The mare nudged her son from yesterday forward.
Now right in front of the tall and imposing Hydreigon, he stared up at his pupil-less eyes and he cowered back.
Seeing this, Eric quickly acted. “Hey, don’t be scared. I’m not going to hurt you.”
The foal didn't say anything, the only thing that is appearant is that he trembles before the towering creature. Noticing this, the mare attempted to calm her son. "Hey, Book, don't worry, he's not going to hurt you. Didn't you see that he's quite polite?"
"But...he's big and scary....." The foal whined. "I'm scared, mommy."
The mare frowned at her son. "No, buts, young stallion. This hydra protected you yesterday, so it's only fitting for any polite colt to say thank you." The mare reprimanded. "Now, go on, say thank you, Book."
The foal only trembles even more, that is until another soft nudge forced him to stutter out a sentence. “T-thank you, m-m-mister h-hydra...fo-for protecting m-me...” The foal couldn’t help it anymore, he quickly dashed behind his mommy before peeking out behind her hind legs.
Eric didn’t give any reaction whatsoever toward the scared foal. “It’s no problem, kid. I couldn’t bare watching a little one get hurt.”
Glancing at her scared son then back at the hydra, she gave a sheepish smile. “So sorry about that. Book is quite traumatized after yesterday’s event.”
“Any kid would be traumatized after any life-threatening even, so I’m not offended.”
“Still, I’m sorry about my son’s reaction. I just wanted him to say thank you, not like this.” The mare shakes her head with a sigh.
“Don’t worry about it, ma’am.” He stared up into the sky once more, seeing that the sun is up already, he glanced down back at the mare again. “So.....is there any particular reason for you to see me this early in the morning?” Eric had gone straight to the point seeing as he himself had some reasons to do something this morning.
The mare went wide-eyed with genuine surprise for a moment before regaining herself again. “How did you know about that?”
“Simple,” Glancing over her shoulder, he could see only a few ponies are up and about with only one or two just stared his way for a moment before going their merry way. “Not many Ponytas get up early in the morning, so either you have some business to attend to, or you wanted to catch me before I left town
The mare stared with an astonished look on her face. Politeness is one thing, but an observant mind? She sighed, no use for pleasantries anymore. “Well,” The mare reached her mouth into her shoulder bag or more like saddlebag that Eric had only noticed right now. After a few seconds fumbling with it, she quickly brought up her face again to Eric before spitting it out the object that she had held in her mouth to her right forehoof so Eric could see it clearly. “I wanted to repay you for your bravery yesterday. This charm might not be much, but it’s the least I can do to repay you.”
The thing in her hoof revealed itself to be some sort of shining golden winged-brooch with an encrusted jewel in the form of eight-point amethyst in the center. The whole thing is linked by a simple chain-link necklace that could be worn in anyone’s neck.
The Hydreigon stared at the charm for a while that the mare starting to get nervous and thought that she had angered the hydra or something. Eric reached out a head toward her, but before she could flinch back she instead felt a gentle touch on her hoof. “Ma’am, keep it, I don’t really need the reward.”
An arm head placed itself on her hoof where she held out the golden winged brooch-shaped charm. The mare frowned. “But....how could you just refuse?”
“Ma’am, anyone in my position would do the same. So please, don’t give me too much credit.” The Hydreigon said modestly.
“But.....” The mare didn’t know what to say anymore that the hydra had just refused a gift from her. But she wouldn’t have any of it as she shoved the charm into his chest. “Please just take it. I just wanted to repay you and this is the only thing I can do.” The mare is practically begging at this point as Eric had noticed.
Noticing the charm she had pushed against his chest, he noticed that the mare is determined to give him this. He sighed in acceptance. “Well, if that’s what you wish.” He gingerly took the charm by biting down with his right arm head on the chain link and brought it up to his face for a closer inspection. He found that the charms seems to glow a beautiful golden within the morning’s light. “Quite the beautiful charm here. Are you sure about this, ma’am?”
“Well, my husband had this odd fascination about charms for a while and since I insisted on repaying you somehow, I persuaded him.”
“What exactly does this charm do? And you should know that I’m not one who’s into charms and any other superstitions.” The Brutal Pokémon asked curtly.
“Oh no, it’s nothing like that. I figured that you are a creature that couldn’t speak our language properly since most hydras couldn’t, isn’t that right?” She received a nod in reply before continuing. “There’s a translator spell in there that is powered up constantly by our inner magic everyday. Considering that every creature has some sort of magic with them, it should last....well, forever as long as you haven’t exhausted your magic yet and get proper rest.”
“Ponytas with magic? How is that possible? Only Mismagius can enchant charms like that and only they should have magic.” Eric slightly shook his head. ”This is getting confusing and just plain ridiculous. Everything doesn’t add up with what I’ve learned.”
“Are you okay? You were shaking your head there for a moment.”
“I’m okay, don’t worry ma’am. And are you sure you want to give me this??” He held up the charm again to emphasize and to make sure she had made the right decision in giving him a.....magical charm.
The mare nodded without hesitation. “Yeah, consider it as a gift and repayment for saving, or at least trying to save my son.”
That made Eric stare at the charm in silence. A few seconds later, he made his decision. “Alright, I’ll take it. Thanks for this charm, ma’am.”
“Your welcome,” Feeling a poke on her left hind leg, she glanced at her rear to see that Book is the one prodding her. “Book, be patient.”
“But, mommy, I’m hungry....and we haven’t had breakfast.” The foal whined.
Upon realizing that she had forgotten to make breakfast before coming here, she stared over her shoulder to the sun, causing her to squint her eyes upon realizing that it’s getting higher and that means it’s also getting late. “How could I forget about that?” The mare rubbed her neck sheepishly before turning to face the Hydreigon again. “Sorry, but I have to cut our conversation short.”
“Don’t worry, ma’am. I also needed to do a few things fast, so I won’t be keeping you.”
“Thank you for understanding.” Turning to face her impatient son, she smiled down on him. “Let’s go home, Book. How about some nice pancakes to start off our morning, hmmm?” The mare teased.
“Yay, pancakes!” The foal can’t wait for his mommy’s pancakes to be served to him and he quickly went galloping from the way they came before turning around to face her mother who didn’t follow him. “C’mon, mommy, hurry! I wanna eat pancakes.”
“Be right there with you, my baby!” Turning to face the Hydreigon for one last time, she simply smiled before saying “Again, thank you. I can’t say it enough times.”
“To you as well, ma’am.”
The mare smiled before nodding as she left without another word. After trotting for a few steps, she glanced over her shoulder. “Please, give my regards to your other Dragon friend.” The mare trotted away with a smile, followed by her foal. They were gone into the early morning crowd that had developed when they had conversed.
Staring at the winged brooch shaped charm for a few seconds, he made a shrug. “Maybe I should take this to Dawn. She’s bound to know more about this than I do.” He muttered before floating back to the house.
Entering back into the house proper after spending the night outside, he found that his loyal Dragon Pokémon was still fast asleep, out cold on the carpet and softly snoring. Shaking his head, he mumbled “Still the same as always. Maybe I should let her sleep in for a while.”
Looking everywhere around the first floor from where he is, he couldn’t spot Dawn “She must still be asleep. I think it’s best not to disturb her while I work...
“Hmmm, the second floor is out of the question since Dawn headed up there yesterday, so it must be her bedroom. That leaves....” Glancing slightly to the right of the staircase from where he is, he witnessed a door leading to room still unknown to him.
“Might as well check it out.” He shrugged before floating toward it. Once outside the door, he turned the knob and peeked inside. Once seeing enough of the room, he opened it wide and floated inside, finally revealing the entirety of the room. “Should be more than enough.”
He pulled up his non-existent sleeves out of habit. “Alright, time to get to work.” And he floated toward the equipment needed to start his morning work.
“Hggggh!” A white Bat Pony mare groaned as she stretched her entire limbs to four directions. After the stretching, she rubbed her eyes to get rid of the blur. “Is it morning already?” She grunted out.
She uncovered the curtain which was right next to her bed and witnessed the sunlight that had stretched out to cover the city of Vanhoover from the east.Scratching her head out of habit, she muttered. “Some weird dream I had last night.”
Dawn remained sitting upright as her brain worked to wake itself up, staring off into the suburbs outside of her house. She remembered something critical, thanks to her currently growling stomach that demanded tributes in the form of food.
With a grunt, she hopped out of the bed before yawning again. “Should get some breakfast.” Without fixing her bed mane, she headed toward the door, opening it to reveal a staircase before heading downstairs.
After heading down two flight of stairs, she glanced around the first floor. Finding nothing that seemed to be out of order, she tried to make her way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She would if it weren’t for the fact that the Bat Pony noticed a large form curled up on the floor.
“What the?” She squinted her slitted eyes to see what it was that. ”What is that?” The mare trotted forward a little and leaned her head upward to glance over the sofa.
Her eyes turned to pinpricks upon witnessing a large, blue scaly form curled up on her carpet just in front of the sofa. Out of fear, she tried to sneak back up the stairs, then in her peripheral vision, she noticed something peculiar.
“The painting!” It was the ruined painting from the dream she had propped against the stand from the other side of the architect table. The one where it got splattered when the buckets containing the wet colors when....whatever her three-headed friend had unleashed on the jerks in her dream.
Only she realized that the ‘dream’ really happend. “So...it wasn’t a dream? Eric, Sally, the rhino-thing? It was all true.....”
She gave off a sigh. “Right, I remember now. Made a few....weird, but nice friends yesterday. How could I forget that?”
Her head perked up when she heard the Dragon made a contented sigh before going back into the slumber. She smiled at how....cute that reaction is if you can get past the fearsome appearance. “Glad she’s enjoying herself.”
Her stomach made another impatient growl. “Alright, alright, I get it. I need food.” Glancing left to the kitchen, she made a beeline toward it to prepare said food.
Inside the kitchen was a wooden table with four chairs on each side of the table for dining purposes, a fridge to the right, and a stove to the right of that..A door in the back of the kitchen stood tall and proud, leading to the backyardo the backyard
But what caught her attention was her three-headed friend is near the stove, holding a frying pan. “....Eric?” She stated with confusion etched into her face.
That caused the Brutal Pokémonh to glance to his right, causing him to notice the source of the voice. “Dawn?” Eric asked with an eyebrow raised. “You’re awake?”
“Yeah, I’m awake. Didn’t think somepony would wake up before me .” Quickly enough, she realized where they are right now. ”Wait, wait, wait... more importantly, what are you doing in my kitchen?”
Silence wafted throughout the kitchen. The mare slowly became uncomfortable, trying to say something, but Eric beat her to it. “I......sorry.”
“Huh, sorry? About what?” Dawn scratched her head in a questioning glance.
“What I mean is I’m sorry for borrowing your kitchen without permission. I’ve done this out of habit.” The Hydreigon looked apologetic.
“No, it’s okay. I don’t mi-“ She cut herself off and shakes her head. “Wait, wait, wait, how do you cook again? And for that matter, how do you know how to cook! You’re a....Hydreigon! I think I know enough that a....hy-,I mean, Hydreigon, Hydra, whatever is it aren't supposed to be able to cook.”
Eric shooked his head and let out a sigh. “Dawn, I told you yesterday that I was a human. As a human, I’m a fully intelligent creature, not a mindless beast. Even if I’m now a Hydreigon, my knowledge is still carried over. I’m still me, but...different.”
Dawn didn’t know what to say to that, but she felt regret when she told him he wasn’t supposed to know how to cook. She had accidentally compared her friend with a normal non-sapient hydra despite being told that he’s as intelligent as her. Her tufted ears splayed against her head. “Uh, sorry about that. It came out wrong.”
He gave off a nod of confirmation. “None taken, but if you still want to cook in my place, then it’s not my place to impose on you.”
Her face made a frown before waving a front hoof back and forth. “No, no, no, it’s okay. You already cooked while putting your mind into it, so I don’t see why I should stop you now.”
“Thanks, Dawn.” Without another word, Eric went back to cooking the breakfast. “It should be ready in a few minutes.”
“I figured you should know that I prepared breakfast for all three of us.”
“Three?” The mare frowned. But she realized what he meant by ‘three’. “No wait, never mind, I get it. For me, Sally and you?”
“Yeah....” He replied curtly.
While he was doing that, the smell from the breakfast that had been prepared by Eric wafted throughout the kitchen. Dawn took a deep breath, and was pleasantly surprised . ”Mmmmhh, the smell....” She said with a blank-like face while taking a deep breath, confirming that it was from Eric’s cooking. “So....what are you cooking?”
“Just three Cheese Omelettes with some salad in it.” Eric said while picking up another egg and cracked it on the frying pan before spilling the yellowish contents on the frying pan.
“Omelettes? For an omelette, it smells....delicious.” The mare scratched her head again.
Eric sighed before muttering. “Everyone always says that.”
“What was that?” The mare tilted her head in question.
“Why don’t you stay in the living room Dawn? It won’t take long. I’ll call you when the meals ready.” The Hydreigon suggested, avoiding the mare’s earlier question.
Dawn scratched her head with a questioning face. “Uh, won’t you need help?”
“I can take care of it. Like I said, why don’t you try to relax for a bit. You just woke up after all, so your mind might be a blurred for a while.”
“Alright, alright, if you say so. I’ll go wait back with Sally.” Dawn turned. “Come to think of it, she hasn’t woken up yet. Want me to wake her up?”
“No, let her sleep in for a while. She’ll wake up sooner or later.”
Dawn sighed. “Well, if you need help call me.”
“Alright....” Dawn left the kitchen without another word while Eric flipped the Omelette around. “Hmmmm...maybe I should add some more seasonings.”
Back in the living room, Dawn mov the ruined painting from yesterday to her collection of paintings near her architect table. Dawn gave off a sigh at the sight of the ruined painting, felt bad for something that she has finished has been ruined.
“Not like I can do anything to it now.” She mumbled.
Just then, a head stuck out the doorway into the kitchen. “Dawn, breakfast is ready. You can eat whenever you like.”
“Sure, I’ll be right there in a jiffy.” The Bat Pony trotted toward the kitchen door. “Wow, that sure was fast.” She remarked before disappearing into the kitchen.
Re-entering the kitchen, she noticed the smell coming from the plates beside the stove. It was more prominent now and she couldn’t help but take another smell of it. Judging from the smell, the food was going to be delicious.
Without saying anything, Eric put the plates on the tables in the kitchen, Dawn sitting down before putting one for himself on the other side of the table.
Looking over the food she noticed that it was indeed an omelette, though it was different. The omelette had a multitude of vegetables inside, likely from being mixed while the egg was cooking. Judging from the smell some cheese rubbed all over it.
“I’ll give this one to Sally first.” Eric lifted the last plate of the table. “You can eat without me if you like.”
“Uh, no, that’s not gonna happen. I’m not going to eat until you’re all properly seated.”
“Dawn, this is your house. You can eat whenever you like. I was supposed to be the one who should ask for your permission.”
The mare scratched her head. “Good point, but...it doesn’t feel right, you know? To eat before all is present.”
The Hydreigon sighed. “If you want, you could just wait for me. It’s just a few seconds, or you could eat right now.” He stated calmly.
Dawn sighed, feeling that any argument won’t be won when she’s still “Ugh, fine. Give her a good morning from me if she’s awake.”
“Alright, and don’t worry. I’ll be quick.” With that, he left to give his faithful Pokémon some well-needed breakfast.
“Let’s have a taste then.” Dawn picked up her fork and knife before slicing a small piece of the omelette. Bringing up a piece of the yellowish food up to her snout, she took a bite out of it.
Dawn’s taste buds nearly exploded from the delicacy within her mouth. Dawn smiled, savoring the omelette as much as she could..
At the same time, Eric just returned from the living room. “Alright, Sally’s awake and ready for her break-“ Eric was cut off when seeing Dawn slack-jawed expression.
Now he became worried for her. “What’s wrong? Did I do it right?” Eric questioned while raising an eyebrow.
“Do it right?” The mare glanced at the Hydreigon with an incredulous face. “Eric, I think do it right is an understatement. This....this, omelette is amazing!.”
Eric rubbed the back of his neck while carrying the same expression. “I think you put too much credit into my cooking. I didn’t really do anything besides some simple cooking and added some seasonings I found. Other than that, nothing really.”
“......you’re joking? You are joking, aren’t you? Even my own cooking wasn’t this good.”
“No. I’m not joking.” He replied curtly before he set himself down on the other side of Dawn. “Eat up, it won’t be good when it’s cold.”
The Bat Pony sighed. “You sure got a lot of surprises up your sleeve.”
“People have their own brand of tricks waiting to surprise someone. Even you have one Dawn.”
“And what is that? I don’t really have any surprises.” The mare asked with a condescending tone.
“You seems to be good at sketches and painting. I’ll bet that you’re good at it from what I saw yesterday.” Eric said simply before picking up his fork and knife within his respective arm heads. “Eat up, or else it’ll get cold soon.”
“Hey, Eric!” The familiar female voice called out from the direction of the doorway. A Salamence stuck her head in who had revealed herself to be awake. “I’m done with the breakfast. Can I do a fly-by?”
Eric raised an eyebrow, not entirely surprised that she finished the small breakfast quickly. He knew that he didn’t make the omelette thatbig. “Any particular reason, girl?”
“Well,” Sally stared at the ceiling, trying to think of any valid reason. “I think that a few fly-by’s will help us find some people to help. You know, just like when we enter a new city.”
The Brutal Pokémon put his arm head to his chin again in thought. “Come to think of it, I think a few fly-by’s won’t do any kind of harm, provided she doesnt act rashly. And she was right about trying to find out the general area of Vanhoover and try to find some humans while she’s at it.”
“Eric? You’re brooding again.” He shook his head at the voice. Briefly, losing himself in his self-indulgement once more.
Eric made his decision and glanced back at his Dragon Pokémon. “Alright, you can go.” Before Sally made her leave, Eric added. “But don’t cause any trouble Sally. Like you said, we already had enough trouble on our hands.”
“Got it! Be back soon.” She quickly pulled her head back before the sound of a door opening is heard. “And thanks for the breakfast!” Her voice is heard again, then followed by the sound of beating wings.
Dawn just stared at the spot where Sally had been. “For a dragon.....she’s....what’s the word? Uh, docile?”
“As long as you don’t do anything to anger her, she’s good.” Eric replied, knowing what an angry Salamence would do and that’s even if they’re trained.
Dawn couldn’t help but agree on that one. As long as you don’t do anything to anger a dragon, then you’re golden. Dragons are, after all, fearsome creatures that you shouldn’t cross, unless one had some sort of death wish.
With a shake of her head, she went back on her breakfast, intending to finish it. But she quickly noticed something is missing from her usual breakfast. “Huh?”
“Is there something wrong?” The Hydreigon asked.
The mare stared at Eric like he had grown another head to add a fourth one. “Where are the bananas?”
“What?” The Brutal Pokémon stared, confusion etched into his face.
“I need my bananas for dessert.“ Dawn deadpanned at Eric. “And I don’t eat without my bananas dessert.”
“Now that is just plain ridiculous.could’ve told me that earlier.” He muttered with a sigh. “So..where are they?” Eric was just about to leave the table when Dawn shouted.
“No!” Her shout caused her to cover her own mouth in surprise, but Eric hardly gotten surprised by her shout. “I mean, I’ll get it myself. You’ve been helping me around since like what, yesterday? And you’ve been helping me with breakfast. I think you’ve helped me enough. I just wanted to do things myself at least this morning.”
“Well, if that’s what you want. I’ll keep an eye on your food.” Eric offered.
Dawn gave an affirmative nod. “I would like that, thanks.” She left through the door on the other side of the kitchen into the backyard.
Just as she went outside, she took in a much needed clean sea air into her lungs. That’s one of the part she liked about Vanhoover, to be close to the sea itself is refreshing in the morning. That and some bananas for dessert every breakfast also helps start her day.
So with that in mind, she stared at the one banana tree on her backyard right in front of her. It looks just the same as any other medium-sized tree.Except about that fact that there was some sort of gray-ish bird jumping up and down while flapping his wings. “A bird?”
Eric just stayed quiet in the kitchen and ate his own breakfast. Dawn returned quickly enough, strangely without any bananas. That made Eric stare. “I thought you said you’re going to go get bananas?” When Dawn didn’t take up a respond, he frowned. “Is there any trouble out in the back?”
Dawn just stared between Eric and toward the direction to her back in nervousness. A fact that Eric notices. “Hey, Eric. I think I just noticed something in my backyard.”
The Hydreigon glanced up from his food to the mare. “Yeah, what did you notice? Is there something wrong?” Eric asked with a raised eyebrow. Waiting for the mare to finish her statement.
Dawn smiled sheepishly all the while scratching her head. Not knowing how to answer to that. “Uh, I think it’s better to show than tell.” Glancing over to her shoulder, she flicked her head toward Eric. “Come out, little guy.”
“Ruff?” Right on cue, a small, beaked head poked out the side of Dawn’s neck with curious eyes.
A large white plume of feathers covers the bird’s head and three tail feathers extend from its lower back. The feathery ruff extends down past its neck, covering the upper third of its body. Its face is blue with five pointed tips, resembling a mask and crown in contrast to the white feathers surrounding it. Extending from its forehead is a large feather, which is red on the lower half and white on the upper half. The split between the two colors on the feather resembles a zigzag pattern. The avian’s beak was short and wide, with large eyes on either side. Its yellow legs and feet are large in comparison to the body.. Eric instantly knew what it is just by scanning the features of the small avian.
Silence once again occurred through the kitchen as Eric stared at the Rufflet. Dawn glancing back and forth between the two. “Uh...aren’t you going to say something?” Dawn is one who is never comfortable with awkward silence.
“It’s a Rufflet?”
“Ruff-what?” Dawn scratched her head with confusion etched onto her features.
“A Rufflet. Basically, an avian Pokèmon with wings that lets them fly. Their beaks are known to be quite strong, capable of crushing even the hardest fruits.”
“Ruff...let? Did I get that right?” Eric answered with a nod. “Rufflet. That’s quite the cute name for a bird.”
“They are also known as the Eaglet Pokémon, and prone to provoke larger opponents as a way to measure it’s own strength and a way to become stronger. Though it also depends entirely on their personalities as well.” Eric continued.
“Uh, provoke? Yeah, I don’t see this little guy doing that thing anytime soon.” The Rufflet smiled at Dawn’s words. “And what’s a Pokémon?”
When her question hit home, it hardly surprised him anymore considering how many surprises got thrown into his face yesterday. “No humans,” he spoke, the words soft and hard for Dawn to hear. “I should’ve figured that Dawn wouldn’t understand what a Pokémon is. I thought this day is going to be a good one, but looks like I’m wrong again. ”
“Eric? Did you say something?” The mare frowned when he didn’t answer her question.
He shakes his head out of his constant self-indulgement. “Nothing, just thinking to myself. But enough of that, where did you get the Rufflet? I don’t remember seeing one around here. “ Eric quietly hoped that Dawn would just forget about the Pokémon subject as he felt it would take too long to explain in full detail.
“Uh, yeah, about that.” The mare scratched her head again coupled with a sheepish smile. “I found this little guy trying to reach up to the bananas stuck to the tree.“
The Rufflet blushed at that as he covered his face with a tiny wing. “Not cool man, not cool at all.“
Eric understood him perfectly, yet all Dawn heard is just the cute ‘Rufflet, ruff’ that made her have this urge to hug him. “So because this cute little guy was in trouble, I decided to help him get some bananas for him, isn’t that right?”
The Rufflet nodded excitedly. “It’s true. She’s so nice and cool.” The Rufflet rubbed his beak affectionately against her mane.
“Awww, you’re very affectionate, you know that? Now if only I could understand whatever it is you’re saying.”
The moment Dawn said that, Eric remembered what the mare had given him this morning. “Actually, I think I might have the solution for that.” He said as he stood up from the table and floated toward Dawn.
“Solution?” Eric didn’t reply with words only instead revealing the winged brooch that has been hanging off his wrist until now.
“This is the solution. And I’m giving this to you....in the lights of recent events, think of this as some sort of repayment for housing us in.”
“A winged brooch? You’re giving me this?” Eric nodded to her question in confirmation. “You know you don’t really have to repay me for housing you and Sally, right?”
“I don’t know, but do you remember the mare from yesterday?” Dawn nodded uncertainly, not sure where he was going with this. “Since I have no use for this, I was going to give it to you. Half from me not wanting to impose on you without any sort of repayment. This charm is imbued with the translator spell that might help you understand us that is powered with some type of...inner magic....at least, that’s what I thought.”
“I don’t even really know how spell even work. I have no interest in Mismagius magic.” Eric thought.
“Wait, wait, wait, let me get this straight. You said that this thing is powered by a pony’s inner magic?” Eric nodded. Dawn gaped. “Charms like this are quite hard to obtain and require some serious spellcasting on the level of Starswirl the Beared just to make them . You’re telling me a mare from yesterday gave you this?” Eric just nodded in response.
“And you’re OK just giving me this?”
The Hydreigon shrugged. “I don’t really know what to do with it. If I did keep it, then it won’t have any effect on me since I still could understand you. In other words, if you used it, you would understand us.”
Dawn is yet again surprised by his observant nature, a rare thing within ponies these days. “You sure are observant, Eric.”
“People always says that to me.” He mumbled. “Anyway, about the charm? Please, take it.”
“Uh, sure.” The Bat Pony gingerly took the charm before quickly looping it around her neck.
“Testing, testing.” Glancing at the Rufflet still perched on her back, she spoke. “Little guy, can you understand me? Oh, wait, I got that backward, can you try to speak to me?”
“Try to speak?” The Rufflet put one wing to rub his chin before replying. “You’re funny, and that’s cool enough in my book.”
“Huh, what do you know? The charm does works....maybe I’ll keep it. Along with this cute little guy.” The Rufflet smiled at her praise. Looking back at Eric, she smiled. “Thanks, Eric. For giving me this, that’s kind of you to do so.”
“No, it’s okay. I think we all just deciding what’s best during the heat of the moment. Like what you said earlier, not many would take in a Po....an unknown creature home. That’s actually quite kind of you.”
“Well,“ The mare scratched her head sheepishly. “This little guy seems to be having some sort of problem with taking things. Plus, he’s cute and that is a nice bonus.”
The Hydreigon decided he won’t question her decision any further. This was her house after all. “Fair enough. What will be his name then?”
“Name? What do you mean name?”
“You know, most people who take in….creatures as pets usually named them. Anyway, it was just a suggestion, so you don’t really have to follow it.”
“Name, huh?” Dawn scratched her head, thinking that maybe Eric had a point. Names are what used to identify ponies and make them have identities, it’s more fitting that way and she can easily differentiate others like the little guy later. “I think I’ll name him….Dominus. What do you think little guy?”
“Cool name! I like it! Dominus! Dominus! It sounds…..right!” The Rufflet, now named Dominus flared his wings in an attempt to look more intimidating, but only made the mare who’s back he’s perched on giggled at the cuteness.
As the conversations continued, they hardly noticed a frantic beating of wings in Dawn’s frontyard or a door being pushed open. Then a Salamence quickly trotted into the kitchen with a frantic look on her face. “Eric!” Sally yelled.
Everyone quickly noticed the Salamence, though Dawn’s reaction was to jump out of surprise and causing the avian on her back to flew off and roosted on the table. “Wow, don’t surprise me like that. You gonna give somepony a heart attack.”
Only noticing Dawn right now, the Salamence made an apology. “Sorry about that, Dawn, but this is an emergency that I think Eric should know about.”
“Huh? Who’s the Salamence?” The Rufflet said with a tilt of his head.
The emergency was forgotten when Sally heard a voice unrecognized by her memory. She turned to look at the source of the voice. “A Rufflet? Eric, what’s a Rufflet doing with Dawn?” The Dragon Pokémon questioned while giving off a stare that somehow slightly intimidated by the Dragon whose flames slightly licked her lips.
“Hey, be cool, Dragon. I’m not here to look for trouble.” The Rufflet waved his wings back and forth to dissuade the Salamence from turning him into a fried chicken which he didn’t want to become since he still had a life to fulfill his needs.
“As for your question,” Eric flicked his head toward the open door to the backyard. “She says that she found it...or him in the backyard, trying to get some bananas from her tree.”
Her caution went out the window at that as she eased up. Sally gave off a sigh of relief. “And I thought he’s just another wild-“. She shook her own head to get back on track. “Wait, no, that’s not important. But what’s important is this, I think I saw one our friends.”
“Friends?” Dawn questioned with a scratch of her head, while Eric instantly focused on her.
“It’s ‘him’, Eric. No way, I could be wrong about that.” Sally stated while putting some emphasis on the word ‘him’.
“Who’s ‘him’?” Though Eric seems to have a hint on who is this ‘him’ based on her dreaded tone.
“It’s...well.....”
“Oh great, I woke up in some meadow, Eric and Sally aren’t around, and now I get dumped by someone without the right brain cells in a Ponyta land instead of in a cage. What a brilliant situation for me to get in, now if only someone added some pinks then it would be a perfect view.” A Reuniclus stated with much sarcasm obvious within his tone.
To the passerby who just happen to be near the Reuniclus when he started his sarcastic rant, of course, they would hear only, ‘Reuniclus, Reuniclus’ over and over again. That is not one of the center of attention, however. The current center of attention is that the bubbly....thing is now floating off toward town with reckless abandon.
The crowds did what they did yesterday. Some just stared or some stopped dead in their tracks and dropped whatever they were carrying. Others gathered into small groups and conversed in whispers.
Noticing the staring, Will smirked. “Fantastic turn of events. Nnow the Ponytas deem me interesting enough to be stared at, as if I’m some kind of supermodel or something of that sort.”
And as if the universe is with him, a familiar voice called out to him from above. “Will!”
“Oh, did I hear that right or is my mind is just playing tricks on me now?” He put his bubbly arm right next to his non-existent ear in a mock gesture of ‘can’t hear you’
Just in time, a familiar Salamence quickly landed and dropping the cargo on her back, who happens to be Eric, and Dawn with her short ponytail now applied. “Will, what are you doing here?” Sally asked as the crowds become fully intent on watching how the Dragon from yesterday are going to deal with this situation.
“Yeah, lovely day to be seeing you here too, Sally.” Will, now noticed the Hydreigon right beside her who floated with a leveled look on his face. “So, who’s the handsome Dragon there beside you?”
Eric didn’t react at that, but Sally on the other hand, fought hard so she wouldn’t blush. After getting herself under control, she glanced at Eric for a moment, she quickly answered. “He’s Eric, believe it or not. I’m not sure how he does it yet.”
“Eric you say?” Will put a bubbly arm to his chin in a mock thought. “Mhhmm, I think if my brain works correctly this afternoon, I remembered that our tall, brooding and dark trainer is a pure-blooded human and not this fine specimen over there.”
That word struck a chord within Sally, slowly glancing to her right at the Hydreigon. To her surprise...her trainer does look dashing in his new Hydreigon form. Eric was already handsome even without him bothering to style his hair
A sarcastic clapping got her attention once more. “Oh, now the dragon girl has a crush? Frankly, I’m so surprised that it took you this long to notice. What too busy shoving someone’s head up their butt to realize this?”
A fierce blush crossed her face when she realized Will’s implication that she had been staring at Eric. “W-what, no! I-I wasn’t staring at him.” Sally denied, though she knew better than that.
“Oh, really, now? Then why were you staring at him for some time after I said something about ‘fine specimen’?”
This caused Sally to sputter more nonsense before eventually giving in and lowered her head so no one could see her blush. “Will, do me a favor....please, shut your mouth.”
“Oh, yeah, good idea, Sally. I’ll just stay here, look pretty and be quiet while you try to look part beautiful for that fine specimen over there.” Will grinned.
Her face nearly as red as tomato this time. “Will!” Sally yelled in embarrassment.
Eric sighed, resisting the urge to rub his forehead. He didn’t have any reaction whatsoever to Will pointing out Sally’s crush on him. “Oh, he’s our friend Will alright. No one could match that sarcasm of his.” He muttered.
Meanwhile, judging from how poor Dawn glancing back and forth between them, she couldn’t make heads or tails on what they were talking about here despite the translator charm she was wearing. “Hey, can anyone tell what in Celestia’s name is going on here and what are you guys even talking about? What’s this crush the....bubble thing has been saying?”
Eric quickly put up an arm head to stop her without glancing. “I’ll explain later, Dawn. For now, I need to see where this goes.”
“Hey, Will. It’s just like Sally says.” Eric spoke, hoping that his voice is a hint enough for the Multiplying Pokémon
“Huh, the Hydreigon just spoke with Eric’s voice and level tone. Now I’m pretty sure I’m losing my mind.” Will replied casually.
Sally had forgotten her embarrassment the moment Will made that remark. “And I told you before, this is Eric. Why do you think I didn’t attack him at first glance and why he even sitting on my back just now when I flew toward you?”
“If you still don’t believe her, you love to make fun of your opponent’s intelligence sometimes.” Eric added.
“Wow, I applaud you for making a good point, Sally. Though it came to no surprise for our real and not hallucination brooder trainer here. Guess my mind is still 100% intact.”
Sally facepawed. “You know what, I’m not going to reply or start any form of conversation with you here. Not with so many Ponytas around who could hear your sarcastic ramble.”
“Sally’s right, Will. Maybe we should talk somewhere a lot better? I have one place in mind if Dawn doesn’t mind.” Eric didn’t take notice to the mare’s failed attempt to follow with the conversation, only just hearing a certain part about ‘one place’.
“Thanks for the compliment. Really, I mean it.” Will said with a roll of his eyes while floating forward idly. Sally made another facepaw as Will climbed onto her and relaxed on her back.
Dawn scratched her head when she saw that Sally had allowed the newcomer to just climb onto her back like it was nothing after that show of extreme sarcasm. “Uh....what just happened?”
Sally sighed, she knew everyone always says that upon laying sight on Will. “Just get on my back, Dawn...”
“This day is getting more and more troublesome.....at least, Will’s back.” Eric sighed as he shakes his head before floating toward Sally again, ignoring anyone that stared at them. “I don’t know if I should even take that as a blessing or just a sign that another heap of trouble is coming my way.” He muttered as the Hydreigon climbed onto the Dragon’s back.
He didn’t know that he will proven to be correct on the latter soon enough.
“So,” Eric looked over everyone in the room, finding nothing seems to be out of place. “Everyone seems to be here.”
As soon as they returned to Dawn’s house, they all quickly finished breakfast with Eric having to make one more omlette for Will. Dawn finished her shower on the second floor quickly enough and they all reconvened on the living room with the two sofas so they could discuss what to do next as the day quickly approached noon sooner than expected is unnoticed by everyone in the room.
Dawn seated on the sofa that faced the window outside with the Rufflet now on top of her head watching everything intently as Eric seated across the table from her alongside Will. Sally decided to remain standing to the side of the table since the sofa and her physical body couldn’t permit her to sit down, just enough to be in the earshot of everyone.
“Yeah, that a fact?” Will raised an invisible eyebrow. “I don’t see any of our fantastical friends around here except Sally and you.”
Eric quickly understood what he implied. “We’ll get to that, but first you want to know something about our situation?”
Will scoffed with a roll of his eye. “Yeah, ask a stupid question.”
The Hydreigon ignored the sarcasm and just nodded. “Alright, I don’t want to take too long so I’ll try to keep this brief.”
“Best idea I’ve ever heard ever since arriving into magical Ponyta land.”
Dawn put a hoof to cover her voice as she whispered to Sally who stood beside the table. “Is he always like that?”
“Dawn, what you’ve seen isn’t worse of it. So trust me when I told you that you don’t want to find out.” Sally whispered back.
“I think I’ve seen enough, so I have no choice but to agree wholeheartedly.” Dawn whispered back.
“Oh, what are you two whispering about? Is it about little old me?” Will asked with sarcasm lacing his tone.
“Oh shut up, Will. We’re just two girls speaking with each other.” The Salamence rebuked. “Isn’t that right, Dawn?”
Dawn nodded too quickly. “Uh, yeah, I think you can see the point, uh....”
“Will the Reuniclus at your service, my madame. I believe we haven’t introduced ourselves earlier.”
Eric sighed while he chewed his lips. ”Dammit, can we just get on with this please? This day is already troublesome enough as it is.”
As if by magical cue, the day decided to get more interesting that it already is, the universe decided to prove them wrong by adding one more thing into the mix, which is happening now.
“Greetings citizens of Equus, both old and new.” An male ethereal-like voice echoed throughout their minds which bring them to a momentary shut down, except Eric who remained calm as ever.
“What the? Hey, did everyone just hear that?” Dawn glanced around the room, seeing that everyone is probably as bewildered as she is, except maybe Will who still acted casual and Eric who still maintained a straight face.
“Yeah, I hear it.” The Salamence also glanced around until her eyes laid on a certain Reuniclus. “....Will?” She asked with a condescending tone.
“Oh what a perfect answer, and I thought I was losing my mind there for a sec.” Will idly quipped before continuing. “Tell me again, is there some sort of perfectly reasonable excuse for you to accuse me Sally? You know that I’m not one to poke into someone’s head unless ordered to do so. Besides, that voice….isn’t mine.”
“Well.....” Sally couldn’t help but notice that Will is right about that. He is not one to read someone’s mind that needlessly.
“Sssh, be quiet. Let’s hear this out first.” Eric hissed, motioning them to be quiet with an arm head to the nose in an shushing gesture.
”I am Lord Arceus, creator of the creatures that you have seen over the past few days. You have no reason to fear me for I come in peace.”
“I am the one who brought the creatures you see to this world, they are known as Pokémon. I have my reasons for bringing them here. I will be holding a summit with the world's leaders so that they can help inform their citizens the best. For now I issue a warning; Even if some do not appear as such, the Pokémon are just as intelligent as any other creature that calls this world home. Since they are my subjects I will not tolerate their mistreatment or abuse. Treat them as you would your own neighbor.”
“Pokemon who have awoken in this new world, do not seek to harm the natives of this world. To the pokemon that experienced certain... changes... when you arrived; You are the ones who proved that not all of your kind deserved vengeful retribution, consider this your reward. To live new lives, free of the burdens of the old world, a chance to start anew. As sentient beings of varying intelligence, the laws of the respective countries you now reside in apply to you, and only those laws.”
“That is all for now, the Pokémon are not to be harmed simply out of spite. If you have any qualms with what I have done, I reside in a temple located within the Everfree forest and welcome all who would like to speak, or a pocket dimension outside of the space time continuum, so if any of you wish to face the sheer power of a god, feel free to come by.”
“Goodbye for now, though I doubt this will be the last you hear of me, and peace to you all.”
As soon as the god of their world finished his speech and announcement, silence had overtaken the room once more. No one seems to know what to say after hearing such announcement that the god of their world has thrown a bunch of Pokémons into an alien world.
Will quickly broke the silence. “Huh, the god almighty himself exists. What a big surprise.” Will quipped sarcastically while looking idle.
“Wow, so cool! Lord Arceus existed!” Everyone, except Eric quickly stared at the Eaglet Pokémon who quickly made a sheepish grin. “I mean, oh no… that’s not so good with that announcement. Boooooooooooooo?”
“Uh....soooo.....you guys are-“
“Yeah, we are Pokémon.” Eric finished for her, somehow remained calm which creeped her out.
“Okay, okay, okay, this is getting really confusing. Let me try to set a few things straight.” Dawn pointed to everyone in the room. “So if you’re all Pokémon, then why are you all seems different to each other? As far as I know a species is all nearly the same except some differences that can be found in male and female something like that.”
Eric sighed as he rubbed his forehead. “It’s one thing after another. Can we actually take a break from all these events?” He muttered wearily.
“Uh, what? Can you repeat that again?” Dawn scratched her head.
“Nothing that would matter to anyone here.” Eric had deliberately avoided the subject. “All I can say is that Pokemon is just the term applied to the entirety of every single species that is not human back in my world. Totalling….667 species and 57 legendaries, and that is not totalling the Pokemon out there that might be waiting to be discovered and introduced.”
“That many!?” Dawn nearly all, but shouted once she heard the number of species correctly.
“Right, and nearly everyone in the room beside you is one of those species. I’m a Hydreigon, Sally is a Salamence, and Will is a Reuniclus. I already explained about the Rufflet species Dominus is in.”
“Salamence, Hydreigon, Reuniclus and Rufflet….and there’s still many more?” Eric answered with a nod. ”Oh, this is getting confusing…..and what about this...legendaries? Are they Pokemon too?”
“Yeah, they are. The legendaries are beings that control the forces of nature. Some are large and some are small. Some are weaker than other legendaries, and some are much stronger. But make no mistake, as I said before, they control the forces of nature. For example, two control life and death, four control time, space, distortions and the creations of an entire world and the creator of our world is Arceus who spoke in our heads just now which is a myth until now. Others can control the seas and create life and species. That’s the general gist of the legendaries.”
“Now I think you’re pulling my leg.”
“No, I’m not joking about this. Most of it was proven true with extensive research and observation, the one I don’t really believe is Arceus. But I was wrong with the revelation he made. He exists.”
Dawn stared at the Hydreigon for a short while before sighing in submission. “Okay, I don’t know what to do anymore.” The mare just sat back and propped her head against the sofa’s headrest, earning a sorrowful look from Dominus.
“Aww, cheer up, Dawn. Don’t you think that it’s cool that many Pokemons are here right now? Isn’t that exciting?” Dominus attempted to cheer the mare up.
“Yeah, I think that can be exciting.” Dawn scratched the chin of Dominus, causing him to chirp in enjoyment.
“I admit, looks like the god almighty is not as smart as I think he is. I mean, it’s a brilliant and strategic plan he came up with? Who would’ve thought that his brain is so high on IQ that he thought it’s such a good idea to transport all of us here, majority of Pokémons and then turn some of those worthy humans like this brooder here into a Hydreigon. Real, brilliant plan, let’s give Arceus some sort of trophy to be hanged up on his wall. If he had a wall in the first place.”
Dawn, Dominus and Sally stared at the Reuniclus like he had grown a second head. “Not cool, man.” Dominus groaned with a facewing. “Who would bad mouth Lord Arceus like that?”
“The kind who realizes the brilliantness of the situation, kid. Read how that works in a sarcasm book.” Will replied with the usual off-handed manner that made Dawn and the Rufflet stare even more that screams, ‘Seriously?’
The Dragon of the group decided to intervene. “Will, shut up for a moment, you’re being a bad influence to the Rufflet kid.” Sally deadpanned.
The Multiplying Pokémon made a non-comittal shrug. “For what good it will do, I will shut my mouth tight for now.”
“Good....” Glancing at her trainer, she waited for him to response. For what seems like an eternity, he just stared upward into the ceiling, that is until she decided to bring him out of his daydream. “Eric?”
“Hmmm?”
“What should we do now? Give me the word and I’ll go see…..that stupid god about changing you back.”
“Wow, calm down! I don’t think we all wanted to go over to that scenario.” The Bat Pony said. "Why would you even suggest that kind of thing?"
“Why!?” Sally raised her voice before turning her head toward Dawn which in turn caused her to reel back because of a certain ‘intimidated’ feeling had returned. “He caused some sort of sick mass exodus! Turned Eric into this and stole most of his stuff in the process of doing so. And no one messes with Eric and gets away with it….not even a self-proclaimed god!”
Eric put his arm head to his chin in thought. “For now.....let’s just sit tight and wait.”
This caused everyone in the room to stare at Eric. “What!?.....Why? I thought you wanted to...to change back!”
“Let’s see where this is goes. If this is true about this ‘changes’ he spoke about, changes are there are other Pokemons around this planet that are former human like me. We can’t exactly check every single Pokemon to see if they’re once human. We have no choice, but wait.”
“As much as I wanted to rectify a certain god almighty, we can’t just go in charging in there and decided to blast everything into oblivions. Most excellent idea, indeed. Best case scenario is that we all die peacefully and worst case scenario is that we all get tortured to death.”
“Okay, I can officially say that he’s kinda nuts.” Dominus whispered so that only Dawn could hear. She couldn’t help but agree.
Sally gritted her teeth, knowing that Eric’s reasoning is sound. Coupled with the fact that she will never disobeys her trainer, she had no choice, but to comply and resisted the urge. “Fine….”
Eric replied to everyone present in the room. “And let’s hope everything will eventually blows over.” Thought Eric knew that it’s a small chance of that actually happening.
“If what Arceus or whatever he is says is true…..then…..what the hell happened to my family?”
Eric just hoped that everything would turn out to be the best. Though he knew from personal experience....that is unlikely.
Play this as closing theme
