Jax was feeling… Alive. Again. Was this a reoccurring event, where he would die and resurrect each time? This time he was lying in what felt like a bed, with a nagging pain in his right shoulder. He remembered the lionscorpion with wings stung him in the right shoulder with its dying breath. That motherfucker just couldn’t go alone, had to drag him along, and he’d been doing so well! His abstinences had almost vanished, he had built a lot of muscle from the physical activities, and he even hadn’t gotten injured in like a week. Fucking Scorlion…
He took a deep breath, smelling that same earthly smell he had gotten used to in the forest. It didn’t feel like he was still in the forest though.
He finally opened his eyes, taking in his surroundings. He was in a small room, resting on a bed that was too small for him, beside a small window. His bandages had been replaced with real bandages, which felt nice and clean. He was sure his wounds had been cleaned as well. Some of them had started to fester, but he could do nothing about it at the time.
Except his shoulder, he felt pretty damn good. But… The last time he had died, his wound had completely disappeared. He still had all his wounds, also the one that caused his death. Maybe he didn’t die after all?
‘Thinking back, there was a talking pegasus there at the end. Such a small and frail creature… and this house is kind of small. So, following that logic, she somehow transported me back to her house, gave me an antidote for the scorlion venom, and treated all of my wounds… How did she even lift me?’ Jax let the subject go, maybe she was stronger than she looked or something… No use speculating.
There was a soft knock on the door. So soft in fact, that he wasn’t sure whether it was a knock or not.
“Come… in?” He answered hesitantly. The door opened all the same, and before him stood the same small, yellowish coated, pink maned pegasus as before, this time with a tray in her mouth which had a bowl of apples and a glass of water on it. She came in slowly, almost nervously, but managed to go over and put the tray on the nightstand, before taking a few steps back. What Jax found impressive was that she didn’t spill a single drop of water. He turned his attention back towards her as she spoke:
“I… I didn’t know what you can eat, so I just brought you apples because you were going to eat one when we met, so I know you can eat them, and water because every creature needs water… Umm… but if-“She stopped as Jax raised his hand. He had a smile on his face, as he spoke.
“Thank you. I do like apples, I’ve been eating way too many fish lately.” His voice was hoarse. He reached out and took the water. “You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find an apple tree in that forest.” He laughed a little as he drank the entire glass and continued:
“But I take it you are the one that saved me from my imminent doom?” She nodded shyly.
“Then you have my sincere thanks miss…?”
The little pegasus looked a little surprised. “Oh, I’m sorry, I haven’t even introduced myself… My name is Fluttershy, erm no need for formalities, unless you really want to of course. And I wasn’t alone in helping you. Mr. Bear was the one who carried you here after all”
Jax smiled. This was by far the cutest thing he had seen in his life. She was even hiding behind her hair like a shy schoolgirl.
“Well Fluttershy, that was really kind of you and… Mr. Bear? I appreciate it. Really, you even cleaned my wounds and changed my bandages. My name is Jax. I hate to ask more of you but you see… I need to ask you some questions.”
Fluttershy looked happy as she answered:
“Oh no, Mr. Jax, it was no problem at all, I’m just happy to help a poor inno-“ Her smile disappeared as if she realized something, a sad smile taking its place as she changed her sentence:
“I’m just happy to help.” As if she regretted the last part.
‘She doesn’t think I’m poor and innocent? I guess I’m not as innocent as she seems to be, but I haven’t done anything atrocious. The only thing she knows about me though is that I killed that scorlion… Oh fuck I hope it’s not a sacred animal or something. But would she help me if it was?’ Suddenly Jax felt like sighing, a habit he had thought he was over. How to ask something like that? He decided to proceed with caution:
“That scor… that creature that… hmm.” He had trouble forming his question. He decided to just get out with it, Fluttershy looked confused enough as it was.
“Is the scorlion a sacred animal here? Did I offend you by killing it? I was just exploring the area when it appeared out of the blue and attacked me, I wouldn’t even fight it I had a choice… believe me.” He said as he rubbed his right shoulder.
That sad smile returned as she answered:
“You mean the manticore? No… It’s nothing like that. It’s because… Well… umm… I understand that you defended yourself. But… I don’t like… Death… And that manticore was pregnant, so you didn’t just kill her, you killed her unborn cub as well. Female manticores get more aggressive as their pregnancy comes to an end, that’s why she attacked you… probably. That’s why I’m… not happy. Not that I blame you for wanting to survive of course.”
Jax looked at her, amazed. He wasn’t even able to tell that the scorl… manticore was female, much less that it was pregnant. He felt a pang of guilt as he realized what he had done. But… he didn’t have a choice at the time… He couldn’t have known. Why did it even bother him so much? He sighed again. The blood of the innocent was never good to have on your hands.
***
Fluttershy was happy to see Jax didn’t just shrug the information off, but actually seemed to regret his action. Not that she liked to see him in pain, and she wouldn't have held it against him if he didn't, but she felt like he couldn't be bad if he felt guilt over something many ponies wouldn’t. That reminded her…
“Umm… Mr. Jax… what are you?” She quickly realized that the question could offend him and added, “If you don’t mind me asking.”
***
Jax, who was still mulling over his actions and how he wish he could have avoided it, returned his attention at the small pegasus in front of him. He couldn't help but wonder if the manticore had been sapient as well. That only made him feel worse though, so he tried to shake it off.
“We both have a lot of questions I’d wager. I’m a human, and no need to be formal with me either. Honestly, I don’t belong in this world, and by that I mean I came from… a different world. I don’t know how, or why, or even when: the days melted together in the forest. I don’t want to talk about my old world so please don’t ask, I’m not going back there. Other information you could find useful: I’m 20 years old, have no useful skills except my stubbornness and ability to survive in a forest for a time… but that’s not much of a skill.”
Fluttershy shook her head. “Not many ponies can survive in the Everfree for very long, certainly not as long as you seem to have done….”
Jax smiled at that, but Fluttershy continued talking:
“I’m also 20 years old, my only useful skill is to take care of animals. I certainly wouldn’t be able to survive in the Everfree for very long… It’s scary being in there in the day, I can’t even imagine how terrified I would be during the night….”
“So it’s called the Everfree? Well the night is the best part, when the stars come out at least, although I must admit that the first night was pretty damn terrifying… but I adapted. Now… where the-… Can you please tell me where I am?” He was just about to curse, but decided against it. Fluttershy seemed too innocent to curse in front of. It was a bad habit he hadn’t gotten rid of, seeing that he was alone in a forest he had no reason to. Quite the contrary, cursing helped him vent some anger when he got hurt, which was quite often, or when a pack of branchwolves appeared out of nowhere as they always did. He turned his attention back on Fluttershy who was giving her answer.
“Well… umm… You’re in Equastria. It’s… Hard to explain. Well I’m not very good at explaining… Twillight is go-“ Jax held up his hand as he exclaimed, “No! Please don’t involve anyone else. I’m not ready to meet more pegasi just yet… If that’s okay?”
Fluttershy looked conflicted. “Well… umm… I don’t like keeping secrets, but I can understand if it’s a bit too much for you. You are taking this really well if you really came from another world… I mean, not that I don't believe you….”
Jax smiled at the timid pegasus. She was really easy to be around. Normally he didn’t like meeting new people, but it just seemed like she accepted him on the spot. Even though he was a stranger from another world.
“Yeah well, after all that time in a forest where branches try to eat you, you learn to not doubt things. I have become really open-minded about the creatures in this world, and absolutely nothing will surprise me anymore. You’re taking this quite well yourself. So do you promise not to tell anyone about me yet? I’m sure I’ll be ready to meet your friends, one at a time in a controlled environment, soon.”
“Oh yes, I understand. I prom-“ She started answering before being cut off by a pink pony who smashed the door to the room open and quickly exclaimed, “Hey Fluttershy there you are, I was looking all oooooooo-“ spotting Jax sitting on the bed, she gasped like she’d seen a ghost, and ran away at the speed of light, or close to, before Jax could even register what had happened.
“That… Did kinda surprised me.” He stated, after finally figuring out what the hell just happened… Not that he entirely understood it. Looking out of the small window he could see a trail of dust leading to the small town close by.
“Well there goes that plan….”