You know how things go: a person magically and suddenly appears in Equestria. Same ol' same ol' cliche. Right?
Mason Nova, blind, but not defenseless. On the contrary, many people feared his martial abilities which he learned from his mother before she passed away. Mason Nova, human, but gets teleported to an unknown land. Not only does he still not have his eyesight, but his limbs are taken from him. Mason Nova, cripple, and very defenseless. Will he be strong enough to continue on living, with an added handicap and without his twin brother? Geoffrey Tarsus, disowned son of a disowned princess. Geoffrey Tarsus broken son. Geoffrey Tarsus, horribly burned, ever so hopelessly optimistic where will his new life go?
Thanks goes out to priteeboy for the wonderful picture.
Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Does the alarm blare. I awaken from my slumber at the empty world I stare. Sighing, I toss off my thin cotton covers. The infernal machine still beckons me awake. With a push of a button, the machination abomination lays silent. I sit on my bed, feet touching cold, stone floor. My eyes are closed. Why bother to open them? Will I have gained my sight? Will I finally be accepted by society? Will my mother wake me up with a kiss?
No. No. No.
Some may call me cynical I am just indifferent. My brother, ever the optimist. Probably because he can not hear their words. I envy him: Able to see the world, Able to ignore the negativity, Able to see...
What I would not give to see!
I loathe the world. I loathe whatever/whichever god(s) created me. I loathe how people try to baby me. I loathe, loathe, loathe, Hate, Hate, Hate!
A fist of mine connects with the solid maple headboard. A bone or five of mine crack. A girlish cry may or may not have escaped those lungs of mine.
"Temper, temper, Mason," I calm myself. I try to soothe the burning, pulsating, flaring, pain in my hand.
Ice. Ice. Ice. ...Baby.
The door opens from across the room. Most likely, my brother's worried brown eyes looking up at me. Ice cubes knocked around in his hands.
"I didn't mean to wake you, Jason," I chuckled nervously at him. He does not say anything. He does not speak. How could he? How would he?
I hear him shuffle to me. I hold out my hand. He begins to wrap my hand with a towel and the ice.
Aahhhhhhhhhh.... Such wonderfully cold comfort.
Unexpectedly, Jason wraps his arms around me in a hug. He rubs my back. I sigh. I whimper. I sob. I cry. I wail.
I want to die. I want to die. Die. Die. Die. Die. Die. Die. So many times have I try. So many times has my brother saved me. Why? I am just holding him back... Is he holding me back?
No. No. No. No. No. NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jason hums softly. Rocks me gently. His vibrations calming me. "I'm so sorry. I love you. We have to look out for each other," I say. "Thank you. Thank you for everything. I owe you everything, Jason. I love you, brother."
I do not deserve such a wonderful brother. I obviously did not deserve a wonderful mother. I obviously did not deserve a father. Wherever he may be. Screw him. FUCK! Him.
Inside a dark laboratory where the only light emitted from arcing generators and various colored lights from control panels of cluttered machines. A white mare unicorn with patches of tan, brown, and khaki, connected and tightened cords wildly to a metal platform. Six pillars curved and radiated outward from the center of the platform.
"Soon they will see! Then who will be mad?!" the mare cackled maniacally.
Canterlot
"Dear sister," Princess Luna addressed the elder diarch, "Was it truly necessary to say such things to her?"
"Absolutely," Princess Celestia stated confidently. She stretched her alabaster limbs on her royal bed. "Factual Theory needed to be put in her place. She continually fails in her experiments and I will not waste tax pony money on her endeavors anymore."
"As you say, sister," Luna makes her way to the door to leave, "But what if she is right? What if there are other worlds out there with different sapient organisms?"
"Lulu," Celestia sighed, "As fantastical as that is, it is all science fiction. Now, good night."
"Good night, sister," Luna bade downcast.
Unknown Location - Factual Theory's laboratory
The mad mare meticulously checked the wires on her delicate machine and her equally delicate calculations. Clothed in her white lab coat, she strapped on her black goggles with her gold magic. Her hoof rested on the switch to turn on the machine. A few thoughts ran through her mind: What will happen if her experiment succeeds? How will it change the world? Will it change the world? Will it succeed?
"Or will it just blow up in my face again?" she thought aloud. "No!" She shook her head, "It will work!"
And she flipped the switch.
Earth, United States, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh - 2018 A.D.
"After President Trump's State of the Union address," a male anchor spoke, "emotions flare from the new border being built and the distrust between Mexican and Hispanic-"
Mason turns off the TV with a huff. He heard his brother getting ready in the other room, "What a wonderful time and age to be born," he thought contemptuously. The footsteps on the stairs told him his brother was ready to leave for school. He grabbed his cane and backpack and headed for the front door. He suddenly felt tingly all over and he could hear an electrical buzzing. He heard his brother scream.
"Jason!" He cried out and he felt electricity coursing through his body, which caused him to cry and scream in pain.
Worthless, failure, mistake… just a few words heard all too often from his mother. Why did she say such things? Why did she neglect him? Geoffrey could not begin to understand why this woman who gave birth to him treated him worse than a stain on a shirt. His father, on the other hand, loved him.
Geoffrey looked up to him, not only because he was nearly seven feet tall, but Willem Tarsus was a war hero. Captain Willem Tarsus of the Imperial Army led the final charge against the Iventry Republic which yield a treaty and new land for the Pillotan Empire. Geoffrey had inherited his jet black hair and golden eyes. In Geoffrey’s eyes, his father was the perfect man: strong, confident, compassionate, empathetic, loyal, and just; an overall wonderful man.
At one time, his mother thought the same about her husband. Vicky Castle, daughter of Lord Perigan Castle of the Kingdom of Allhz. Willem had been a lowly soldier, born of commoners, but his chivalry and valor raised him quickly to the rank of Knight. When Iventry seceded from the Empire, Willem patriotically signed up for the Army. The campaign lasted for four years and Willem emerged as a Captain and war hero. Two years later he married the love of his life, Vicky, and in two years his son was born, much to her chagrin.
Vicky always was a selfish and jealous woman, which only intensified when her husband’s love and affection waned from her and passed to the son Willem always wanted. She spent the two years after their holy matrimony praying to the Saints that she would not bear any children. She took all the contraceptives and followed all the rituals but she, unfortunately, found herself pregnant. While she enjoyed the attention he fawned over her during her nine months of torture, she truly loathed the child for putting her through eight hours of painful agony. Perhaps her nature towards children stemmed from the way her mother treated her and ignored her?
Vicky felt that Willem had a new mistress, his work, and while still being in her late twenties and prime of her life, she sought the affection and attention of other men, which she received every night, multiple times. Willem died suddenly during a training accident. Apparently, one of the new recruit’s gun was jammed and when Willem checked the rifle, the bolt fired back out of the gun and impaled him in his brain, instantly killing him. At the same time, Vicky’s infidelity was brought into light and was disowned by both families and forced to take the child with her out of the castle and into the urban area of Luk, a small city in the Kingdom of Fard, the kingdom furthest away from the capital where no one would know of Vicky’s business.
Geoffrey did not know why he had to leave the castle and the pristine cities of Capitol City and Vertrucian, but Geoffrey looked at life through a glass half full. He noticed how his mother became even more vicious and spiteful and he tried to stay on her good side, walking on eggshells around her and only bringing home A-pluses. No matter what he did, though, he always managed to receive her full wrath and anger. During one such time when his mother had locked him in a dark closet, a tiny voice spoke up to him.
“Never stop loving and caring for her,” the voice said to him.
The voice sounded a lot like his father’s but somehow more warm and comforting. Geoffrey was fourteen years old and he asked the voice, “Only if you can give me the strength to do so.”
“She acts only in the way she knows how; honor her and your father, and I will give you all the strength you need to overcome all obstacles.”
“Are you a Saint?”
“I am God.”
“Everyone says the Gods are bad.”
“I am not a god; I am the God. Do not be afraid to speak to me and call out to me. I will always be with you. Do not listen nor worship the Saints, they are false Gods and spout only lies.”
“Okay!” Grey chimed. He was happy to be talking with someone who did not act coldly toward him, “Are you my friend?”
“Yes. I am your friend and confidant, your protector and your teacher; I am the light and the way.”
The door to the closet swung open quickly, flooding the dark closet with blinding white light. His mother’s silhouette soon filled the door frame. Her violet eyes glared down at him.
“Who are you talking to?” she spat.
“God,” Geoffrey replied innocently.
She huffed annoyed, closed and locked the door.
“Many have forsaken and abandoned me, but I still love every one of my children.”
“I will not abandon you, God,” Geoffrey claimed.
“I know you will not. Nor will I abandon you—especially during troubled times.”
Geoffrey did not know how much time had passed but God had spoken to him again, after hours of silence.
“Wake up, Geoffrey! You need to leave!” the voice said in alarm.
“What?” Geoffrey asked groggily, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Smoke burned his nostrils and choked his throat. He suddenly jumped up and tried to open the door but the knob burned his hands. He began to pound on the door, “Mom!” he shouted. He did not hear a reply.
“Open the door,” God ordered.
“But the knob is hot!” Geoffrey protested.
“I said to open the door,” God replied sternly.
Geoffrey swallowed the lump in his throat and quickly opened the door. Much to his surprise the doorknob was no longer hot but thick gray smoke and orange flames roared before him. Fear paralyzed him.
“Go and walk outside now.”
“But the fire will burn me!”
“Did the knob not burn you? Trust me and you will not be burned.”
Geoffrey stared at the raging inferno, “O-okay, God.” He stepped out with hesitation and clenched eyes and began to slowly walk. After not feeling the heat of the flames, he opened his eyes and was amazed at the flames licking his body and feeling no pain. He continued his trek through the flames and reached the hallway to the front door.
“You can not look back not matter what, Geoffrey,” God instructed.
At that time, Geoffrey heard his mother call out to him, “Geoffrey! Come help me!”
Geoffrey hesitated. On one hand, God had told him to not look back on the other; God had said to honor her. God noticed his hesitation.
“You are almost out of the fire, Geoffrey, keep going and do not look back,” God spoke.
“Geoffrey!” he heard her blood curling scream and he looked back to her voice towards the kitchen. He was engulfed in flames and an explosion made him unconscious.
Canterlot Castle
Princess Celestia sat in court waiting ever so patiently for pompous stallion before to finish telling her how all her guards should be fired for not arresting the colt that "rambunctiously tackled him to the ground". She already read the reports: a young colt accidentally knocked into him and Uptight Knickers grossly exaggerated the hit.
A strong surge of magic grabbed her attention but before she could pinpoint it an explosion of magic erupted before her. A vortex of electrically charged magic rotated in an orb before her.
"Guards, get everyone out of here!" the princess ordered. She got to her hooves and cast a shielding spell around the vortex. It appeared to be a teleportation spell but it was unstable, so she used her magic to try and stabilize the field.
Once the courtroom was void of citizens the Royal Guard entered the chamber again waiting and ready for something to happen.
The blue electrical vortex collapsed on itself then exploded. Princess Celestia had closed her eyes, only opening when she heard a thud. She opened her fuchsia eyes to see a burnt creature sprawled out on her once immaculate marble floor. She levitated the crispy creature with her magic and galloped to the medical wing.
Factual Theory's Lair
"Yes!" she cackled, "Yes!" The machine had actually turned on and was working. She monitored the enchanted crystals which powered the machine to make sure they were holding up. A sapphire had a small crack but overall, the seven crystals were fine.
The blue electricity began to condense on the platform. She waited expectantly. Then she heard a horrible, piercing scream above the buzz of electricity. The ball of energy died down and a creature wailed in the center of the platform. She put on ear plugs and observed the creature from behind the protective glass.
It looked. . . like nothing she had ever seen before. That is to be expected, of course, since this is a creature from a different planet and/or plane of existence. A quick sleeping spell silenced the crying creature. She trotted over to it to examine it further.
"Hmm. . ." she held a quill and parchment with her magic and drew a quick illustration of the animal. To her, it appeared deformed: its four limbs were mere nubs and it only had hair on the top of its head, the rest of his body was bare. "Preliminary conclusion," she wrote, "Male, deformed, and traces of unknown magic within."
A brown hoof opened one of its eyes which was a milky blue. She opened the other eye with a white hoof and grunted curiously: milky green eye. "Heterochromia," she jotted down. She flashed a light in his eye but got no response, "Possibly blind. Will need to ask him if his deformations were due to birth, an accident, or the experiment."
She rolled up the parchment and levitated the creature with her magic. She placed him on a cot in a makeshift cell and locked the door.
Mason awoke upon hearing hoof steps on stone. Clip clop clip clop clip clop clip clop. He could not feel his toesor his fingersnor his arms or legs. Trying to touch his face only yielded in him touching his chin to his biceps. He started breathing rapidly and panicking. He tried touching his feet together but only his knees touched each other. He tried to clap his hands but only his elbows touched each other.
"Ahhhh!" he cried out. He began to thrash around and he fell out of the cot. The cold stone bit into his exposed flesh. Above his huffing, he heard a faint scratching noise and the clopping of hooves again. "Wh-who goes there?" he called out.
The clopping stop and a female voice spoke to him, "So, you are finally awake? And," her voice grew happier, "you can even speak our language! Fascinating!"
"Wh-what? Where am I? Who are you? What happened to me!" Mason questioned anxiously.
"Now, now," the woman spoke, "calm down. You are finefor now."
He crawled over to the voice and the approaching hoof steps but winced when his face met metal bars.
"So, you are blind," the voice noted and he heard the scratching noise again and figured out she was writing. "Were you born that way?"
"What happened to my arms and legs!?" Mason demanded, "Where is my brother? What did you do to him?!"
"I will take that as a 'yes' to the blind question and a 'no' for my second question."
"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!" Mason shouted in rage.
"The one who controls whether you live or die, so I suggest you be on your best behavior," the voice snapped.
"My brother was the good one," he snapped and began banging on the bars with the remnants of his arms, "come closer so I can kick your ass!"
The voice laughed, "Such fight and ferocity! I can tell we are going to have a lot of fun!"
Mason growled and crawled back to the cot. Instead of amusing his captor with his struggle he decided to roll under the cot and hide.
"Subject appears to be approximately twelve hooves tall, weighs about ninety pounds, average build," she began speaking as he heard He her walk around him, most likely around his cell, "blonde of hair, medium length, left eye green, right eye blue"
"What did you say?" he cut her off, "I am blonde and have different colored eyes?"
"Yes, but what use do you have for them? You are blind," she stopped her pacing, "Are you saying you were different where you are from?"
"Yes. For one, I had all my limbs," he snipped, "but I was blind from birth. My brother told me once that I had brown eyes and brown hair, like him. We are twins after all."
"Interesting," he heard her writing, "Did he have any handicaps?"
"Well. . . he was deaf."
"So disabilities are inherent within your bloodline?"
"Yes. My mother was deaf and my father had epilepsy. From what they told me, both sides of the family had health issues."
"What can you tell me of your world?" she inquired.
"Nothing," he said in defiance, "Not until you answer some of my questions."
"Hmm. Very well but answer me this first: what is your full name?"
"Mason. Mason Jethro Amadeus MacBradaigh. Capital M, lowercase A-C, capital B, lowercase R-A-D-A-I-G-H."
"Interesting," she said as she scribbled.
"What's yours?"
"I am Factual Theory,"
Mason chuckled, "Can I call you 'Theorem' then?"
"You may not," she shot.
"Where am I?"
"You are not in the world you once called home."
"What?" he asked confused.
"This is the world of Equus, the Kingdom of Equestria, and in my humble laboratory," Factual Theory explained.
Mason was dizzy. 'Not in the world you once called home'? What? "How did I get here?"
"I brought you here!" she elated, "I am a brilliant scientist! They all said I was 'mad' and 'crazy' but when I show you off to that damn princess she will be the fool!"
"Oh, yeah? If you are so fucking 'brilliant' why did I lose my GODDAMN ARMS AND LEGS!" he shouted.
"Meh, minor detail," she nonchalantly replied.
Mason nearly had an aneurism in his brain, "'Minor detail? MINOR DETAIL'?!" he exploded in anger. Not just in anger, his cell exploded in orange flames which incinerated his cot.
Factual Theory raised a golden magic shield in time to protect her from his combustion.
He huffed on the floor ignoring the smoke, "What the FUCK was that?"
"You are more dangerous than I first thought," Factual Theory stated and put Mason to sleep. "What a very interesting specimen I have collected!"
Canterlot Castle
A monotonous beep sounded in his ear. He felt parched and ached all over. A blinding light penetrated his eyes when he opened them. After a few blinks, his eyes got adjusted to the light and the new place he was in. Luckily, it was not on fire. He recognized it as a hospital by the monitors beside the bed. Although he could see, everything was slightly blurry. Then, he saw it enter the room.
A horse. A small horse. A small white horse. A small white horse with an old time nurses cap. A small white horse with an old time nurse cap and a pink heart with a red cross on the heart marking on its thigh. A small white horse with an old time nurse cap and a pink heart with a red cross on the heart marking on its thigh with blue eyes. A small white horse with an old time nurse cap and a red cross marking on its thigh with blue eyes heading towards him.
Then. It. Spoke.
"How are you feeling?" she spoke in a concerned tone.
"Ahhhh!" Geoffrey screamed in alarm which startled the nurse.
"Oh, dear!" she rushed to his side, "Is something wrong?"
The heart monitor started to beep rapidly. He breathed shallowly and began to start coughing.
"Please calm down!" the nurse tries to soothe him, "Just relax. Take deep breaths."
She gently yet sternly pushed him back down on his chest. "Can you understand me?"
He gazed at her light blue eyes, "Y-yeah," he answered hoarsely.
"Good," she got off the bed and retrieved a bottle he spotted earlier from off the bedside table. "Some water," she said and placed the straw between his lips.
He began drinking the water and his body started to feel rejuvenated. After his swig, he removed the straw from his mouth and said, "Thank you."
She smiled at him, "That is what I am here for. I am nurse Healing Comfort. I will leave and go get the princess. She wanted me to get her as soon as you had woken up."
"Okay," he replied. As soon as she left he examined himself closer. Bandages covered him from toes to head. He could imagine why. His skin felt taught and crispy but he was in no pain just slight discomfort. "Must be the drugs," he thought, "Or because this is a dream. Yeah. This has to be a dream."
He tried to think of what happened to him and only saw flashes of flames. He obviously was not on Pyae. He would ask this "princess" a few questions when she gets here. A few minutes later, he heard hoof steps approaching. Then she entered the room.
An ivory goddess. An ivory goddess with a multicolored ethereal, ever flowing mane. An ivory goddess with a multicolored ethereal, ever flowing mane, dressed in gold. An ivory goddess with a multicolored ethereal, ever flowing mane, dressed in gold, with a sun marking on her thigh. An ivory goddess with a multicolored ethereal, ever flowing mane, dressed in gold, with a sun marking on her thigh that was making her way to him.
"Greetings," she spoke warmly with a comforting smile.
"Salutations," he barely whispered as he swam in her beautiful poudretteite gems.
"I am Princess Celestia, co-ruler of Equestria," she introduced herself.
"My name is Geoffrey Anthony Tarsus, a pleasure to make your acquaintance, your majesty," he nodded, "I would bow but circumstances dictate otherwise."
"So it would seem," she chuckled. "I tried my best to heal you, but for some reason, my magic could not heal you," she spoke apologetically, "Neither could my sister nor our magic combined."
"At least you tried," he replied, "That is all anyone could do. Thank you."
"I am glad you are understanding. We believe our magic did not work on you is because you have a different magic within you," Princess Celestia explained.
"I see. I have never been able to do magic. Magic was a fairy tale in my world." His stomach growled loudly. "Ahem, excuse me."
Celestia smiled, "From what we were to learn from you while you were asleep we discovered you are a carnivore, sadly, we as herbivores, do not have any meat ready for you to eat. Would you mind eating fruits and vegetables?"
"Not at all, your majesty. Thank you," he smiled.
"Great," she turned to the nurse, "Please serve him a meal, nurse."
"At once, your highness!" the nurse bowed and quickly left the room.
"Now, if you will excuse me," she addressed Geoffrey, "I have some matters to attend to. I would like for us to talk some more after I have cleared my schedule. Only if you want to."
"Of course, your majesty. There are a great many things I wish to know."
She smiled, "Then I will take my leave." She got to the doorway and cast a glance back at him before leaving.
Rock-a-by baby On the tree top, When the wind blows The cradle will rock. When the bough breaks, The cradle will fall, And down will fall, baby Cradle and all.
His mother stood above him. Burnt to a crisp. Her voice raspy and deranged.
"And down will fall baby!" she cackled diabolically.
He sat up. Beeping ringing in his ear. He swallowed the lump in his throat. Soon his breath returned to him.
"Nightmare?" a regal female voice asked beside him.
He turned to see a royal blue mare with a dark starry mane and turquoise eyes. She resembled Princess Celestia by the fact she had a horn, wings, and a crown. "Sadly," he answered.
"How so?" she inquired.
"It was a nightmare about my mother," he sighed. "Are you Princess Celestia's sister?"
"Yes," she replied, "I am Princess Luna, princess of the night."
"Salutations, your majesty," Geoffrey placed his right hand over his heart and nodded, "I would bow if I could."
"Your gesture is quite enough, Geoffrey Anthony Tarsus."
Geoffrey coughed, his throat dry. He reached for the water bottle on the table. An aura a light blue enveloped it and it hovered towards him. He looked over to Princess Luna and saw he horn encased in a similar glow. He accepted the bottle in his hand. He felt stronger than when he first was awoken. Princess Luna waited patiently for Geoffrey to get a drink of water before questioning him.
The door opened in a golden aura of magic and Princess Celestia sauntered in. She saw her sister beside Geoffrey and noticed him drinking water.
"Greetings again, Geoffrey," she spoke.
"And to you, Princess Celestia," he placed his right hand over his chest and nodded to the solar princess. "Can I finally know where I am?"
"Certainly," Celestia answered, "You are on Equus, in our kingdom of Equestria, in the medical wing of the castle."
"Where I come from, I used to be a prince; that isuntil my mother got disowned by her parentsthe king and queen. It was a long time ago so I barely remember my grandparents."
"You had told me you had a nightmare about your mother and that it was sad. How come?" Princess Luna questioned.
"Because," he sighed, "I love my mother but she never loved me. Nothing I did would ever please her." He swallowed hard, "I remember seeing her burning before I was knocked unconscious."
The three of them sat in silence for a moment before Luna spoke up.
"What was your world like?"
Geoffrey smiled, "It was a beautiful place, full of wonderful cultures and people. A war had ended which reunited the land to become peaceful once again. We were enjoying bounty and prosperity."
"Were there. . . creatures like us over there?" Luna asked cautiously.
"Yes, but they were not sapient creatures. We used them as work animals. They were not as colorful as you all here nor did they possess magic. May I ask what exactly are you?"
"We," Celestia began, "are alicorns. Ponies that have the attributes of the other three pony species: earth, pegasus, and unicorn. Earth ponies are very strong physically with a high constitution, they can grow all sorts of plants with their magic. Pegasus ponies have wings that they use to fly in the air, they can manipulate the weather and clouds with their magic. Unicorns are the most magically inclined species and have horns which help them focus their magic and manipulate the world around them."
"Fascinating!" Geoffrey elated, "We have stories of ancient beings who could do all those things. I like to think they were real but everyone else says they were all make believe." He started squirming around, "I'm sorry but I'm really itchy. Can you call the nurse?"
"Of course," Princess Luna trotted off to fetch the nurse.
Princess Celestia edged closer to Geoffrey, "I truly am sorry you came into this world in your state. I wish I could have been of more use."
"At least I did not lose my legs or arms," he joked, "Do not worry, your majesty, I do not blame you for my injuries."
Nurse Comfort Healing entered the room, "I am sorry, your majesties, but you must leave while I change his bandages."
Factual Theory's Lair
"I did it before and I'm not afraid to do it again!" Mason challenged.
"Do it! I would supremely enjoy the sight of you crawling on your belly out of here!" Factual Theory taunted.
Mason huffed and sat on his butt, "I just want to know what happened to my brother."
"You were the only specimen to arrive. I would have enjoyed having a more. . . complete specimen, but I will make do with what I have."
Something metallic clattered before him. He could smell fruit. A glass clank sounded beside the metallic thing.
"Food and water," Factual Theory spoke, "Can't have you dying on me." A second, more hollow, metallic clang sounded, "Something for you to do your business in."
"What? No paper?" Mason remarked. A roll of toilet paper caught the back of his head, "Thanks."
An explosion rocked the laboratory and Mason clamped his hands over his ears. Then the reality of his situation hit him: he had no hands. He could hear shouting above the ringing in his ears. He could hear multiple hooves and metal scrapping. Then he heard his cell door creak open.
"Are you alright?" a gruff male voice asked.
"Well, I am teleported to a new world with no arms or legs, get locked up and treated like an experiment, and now you are here and interrupted my dinner," he paused, " So yeah, I'm just peachy. How are you, good sir?"
"I am Sergeant Vickers Ballista of the Royal Guard. We are here to rescue you and bring you to the princesses at once."
"Can I have some clothes or something? I am literally freezing my balls off," Mason complained.
“You have healed much faster than expected,” the nurse said in surprise, “You won’t be needing bandages anymore. Most of your skin is scar tissue. By how you are progressing, you should be completely healed by tomorrow.”
“Thank you, nurse,” he said as he dressed in the hospital gown. “I feel one hundred times better than when I first woke up.”
“Would you mind giving a blood sample? We would like to study it,” the nurse said with a syringe ready.
“Sure. I do not mind,” Geoffrey extended his arm and rolled up his right sleeve. The nurse tied a tourniquet around his arm and when his artery was ready; she stuck the needle in the vessel and drew out enough blood to fill the syringe. When she was done she left him alone with his thoughts.
He stared outside through the dark window at the starry night. Buildings and houses were lit up with small yellow squares. Every now and then one of the squares would turn off. He could not recognize any of the constellations in the sky. He truly was in an alien world. Magic. Magic? Was magic the reason he was healing faster than usual? He knew that whenever he got a bruise from one of his mother’s beatings, it took about two weeks for him to heal. He imagined that a burn, least of all a third-degree burn, would take months to heal, if ever.
He began to recall all the stories he read when his mother had left him locked in his room for days on end. One story, or rather series of stories, came to mind the most. This character had so many stories written about him throughout time, how could he not be real? Grey Whulphe, Leader of the Ancient Tribes of Massenda, God of Survival, Paragon of Crafting, Reaver of Spirits, Guardian of Nature, God Slayer, Devil-Slayer, and many many more titles. After his father passed away he began to look to Grey as a father figure and role model.
Grey was strong; he was undefeatable; Grey was intelligent; he created multiple inventions and stratagem; Grey was loyal; he stuck by his friends through thick and thin; Grey was courageous; he always was at the front to lead a charge and he never backed down from any enemy—no matter its size and power; Grey was noble; he believed in protecting the weak and treating everyone fairly; Grey was charming, he would not pass up a moment to lay with a beautiful woman; Grey was persevering: no matter what obstacles stood in his way, he would overcome them to complete his objective. Grey just wanted to spend eternity with Valkyrie and make amends with his daughter Shade; Grey just wanted everyone to get along with one another and help each other; Grey just wanted everyone to see past their small differences and look at all their vast similarities; Grey just wanted peace and happiness for all.
Grey was easily seduced by Valkyrie, which led to many problems; Grey often let his emotions get the better of him; Grey was vain at times; Grey often stretched himself too thin; Grey was often a martyr; Grey eventually sealed himself away. For what reason? No one knew. None of the books ever explained. None of the books tell where he went. It is funny. All the books he has read seem like autobiographies yet the Church and Saints say none of those things ever existed. Something inside him made him believe that Grey was real.
“What are you thinking about?” Princess Celestia asked which surprised him.
“Oh! Your majesty I did not hear you come in,” he sat himself up in the hospital bed.
“I noticed after the third time I called you,” she smiled.
“I… was just thinking about home and about all the stories I used to read. I guess I’m a little bored since I had nothing to occupy my time,” Geoffrey explained.
“What kind of stories did you use to read about?” she asked as she sat in a chair beside the bed.
"Adventure stories, mainly," Geoffrey admitted, "I. . . was not allowed outside a lot so stories about new places and new worlds really fascinate me."
"Why were you not allowed outside?" Princess Celestia questioned.
"As I have previously explained, my mother did not care much for me. She wanted my life to be as horrible as possible, I believe," he answered somberly.
He saw her deep in thought, then her eyes connected with his brown eyes, "As much as I would love for you to enjoy our world, you are a new species, there are precautions that have to be taken."
"I understand, your majesty," he replied with a small, understanding smile, "Would it be possible to stretch my legs in the hospital, at least?"
Unknown Location - Equestria?
Darkness. Cold, damp, darkness. My body aches. I blink my eyes yet I can not see. Have I gone blind? Where is Mason? I try to shout and I feel my vocal chords vibrate. The ground feels hard, cold, and wet. Is this a cave? I try standing but pain flares in my legs. My whole body feels numb. I felt my clothes sticking to me. Mason. . . Mason needs me. I can feel it. I need to protect him!
With all my strength, I push myself up and stand. . . if only for a moment. I stumble and crash against a wall. It had the same composition as the floor. I use it to hold me up while I regained feeling in my legs. It feels as if thousands of needles are stabbing my legs. I stand there, breathing hard, waiting to regain my strength. Mason needs me. . . and I need Mason. We are family, we are the only ones we have. If there is a God, I hope he is watching over him.
Light stabs my eyes and I fall on my butt.
"Ha! Those ponies think they could arrest me, Factual Theory!?" the scientific mare cackled in the darkness. She escaped with her teleportation spell to her back up laboratory, but the spell took a considerable toll on her mana and horn. "Why is it so bloody dark in here? Lights!" she clapped her forehooves together, which flickered the light to life.
She froze when she heard a groan. She quickly located the source of the pained sound: a creature, similar to the one from before!
"Th-The brother!" she concluded out loud and quickly covered her mouth with a hoof. The short, brown haired creature was sitting on the ground, rubbing its eyes. She cocked her head and addressed it, "You there!" Realization soon hit her as the memories of the night before flooded her mind. "Duh, he's deaf."
She cautiously walked over to it, "He was the 'good one', right?" she thought as she drew near, her horn aglow with a stun spell at the ready.
Arrghh! Where did that light come from? That's what happened the first time! After shielding my eyes for a moment, I opened them and found the light less perverse. Yup. I was in a cave of sorts, from preliminary examination. I had to chuckle to myself. I'm such a goof.
I found it easier to stand, thanks in part to the aid of the wall. I turned around and I saw it.
I did not to believe my eyes. It was a unicorn. A genuine unicorn. A pinto unicorn I think? It's horn had a goldish glow around it. I smiled warmly and waved "hello" to it.
Factual Theory cocked her head curiously at his gesture.
"Can you hear me?" A female voice boomed in my head. I clutched my head as her voice echoed and bounced off the inside of my skull.
Factual Theory noticed the agony on its face and another realization hit her: if he was born deaf then my normal volume would probably be deafening and new to him.
"I apologize," the voice whispered, "Was I too loud?"
"Yes," I nodded with a weak whimper. Tears rolled down my cheeks. It was the first time I had ever heard anything. How did she do it? I wondered looking at her in awe. Her green eyes watched me. . . studied me.
"Telepathy," she stated matter-of-factly.
Fascinating.
"It is not that hard to learn nor do," the pinto mare replied modestly. She noticed the creature draw close to her and she retreated a few steps which made him stop in his tracks. Even though they are twins and do look alike, this one was about twice the size of his brother. He stood about as tall as her royal sunbutt herself. Then again, the other one did have his legs cut off. . .
I-I won't hurt you. Can you tell me where I am?
Factual Theory thought for a moment. She paced around the creature. No matter how docile a creature seems, if backed into a corner, most will fight back, case in point for Mason. "What is your name?"
Jason. Jason Wolfgang Peter Wallace Nova. I answered with a smile and bow.
"Do you know magic?" she continued her interrogation.
No. I know self-defence and a few card tricks.
"What are you?"
Human. Homo sapiens sapiens, to be exact. We Humans come from a planet called Earth, in the Solar System, in the Milky way galaxy which is part of the Local Group, inside the Virgo Supercluster.
"I have no idea what that all means," Factual Theory stated after a moment's thought. She heard him laughing in his mind. He smiled up at her his brown eyes smiling, as well.
That's okay. All that matters is where my brother is and if he's okay.
Jason noticed the slight change in the unicorn's eyes. Factual Theory picked up on it and quickly turned away from him. With her able to read his thoughts, he decided to keep his thoughts to himself.
What is your name?
"Factual Theory," she provided curtly.
Could you tell me about your world?
"How intelligent are you?"
Jason scanned the room and saw metal strewn about the place. A set of steps led to a second level, which had blackboards with equations in white chalk, surrounding the pit he was in with the unicorn. He walked up to the blackboard the mare was looking at.
Intelligent enough to know you forgot to carry the one.
"That's preposterous!" Factual Theory snorted and begrudgingly looked to where he was pointing. "What?!" she shouted and ran up to the board, placing her hooves on it, and standing on her hind legs. She snapped her head at the beaming Human beside her and narrowed her eyes at him.
"At least I'm not naked," Mason mulled. He wiggled himself up on the pillows to find a more comfortable position. "They could have been a little more gentle."
Mason sat with his thoughts and the ambience of the hospital sounds surrounding him. The clopping of hooves will be his psychological undoing, he could feel it. He could feel the aneurysm growing at the top of his brain, he heaved a long, heavy sigh.
"Deep breaths, Mason," he tried calming himself, as he inhaled deeply through his nostrils. Antiseptic filled his nose and something else. . . horses? Taking in a few more explorative sniffs left him without a doubt in his mind. The air was filled with the same odor as the farm he once visited on a field trip with his school. "Norway. Norway. No possible way," he thought.
A chuckle tickled the back of his throat. He began to snicker which quickly crescendoed into a guffaw. His laughter stopped the nurses and doctors in the halls as they turned their heads towards the hysterical laughter.
"What is so funny?" a warm, regal feminine voice questioned curiously from the door.
"I. Have. Officially. Gone. Crazy," Mason accentuated his words. He ended his sentence with a snicker.
"How so?" the female wondered as she neared the bed.
"Clip clop! Clip clop!" Mason mimicked the hoof steps. "I am in a land of magical, talking horses! Oh, and the best part is," he began to laugh, "I'm a fucking quadrilateral!"
"'Quadrilateral'?" the female voice replied uncertainly.
"I believe he means 'quadriplegic', your highness," a male voice spoke up, he sounded about the same age as him. "Although, I would say you are more of a tetra-ameliac."
Mason stopped laughing and rested on the pillows, "I'll only talk if you're here to end my misery," he informed the pair grimly.
Princess Celestia shared a concerned glance with Geoffrey who wore a thin smile.
"Why would you want to die?" Princess Celestia finally questioned after chewing her thoughts.
"Is that a rhetorical question?" Mason snapped, "I can't do anything! All I can do is lay here and be pathetic!"
"Right now, yes," the ivory alicorn confirmed, "That is until you learn how to use and control your magic. Your potential is infinite!"
"I don't have magic," he huffed, "that was a fluke."
"You are thrown an obstacle and you just give up?" Geoffrey probed.
"You do not know what I have been through! The Hell I went through when I was blind on Earth!" Mason shouted. Princess Celestia felt the air around them heat up and sizzle faintly. "I have fought and fought. . . I have no more fight. No reason to."
Geoffrey walked up to the bed and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, "You keep on fighting to live. If not for your sake, then for the sake of others. Life is precious and valuable, friend."
Mason shrugged the stranger's cold hand off of him, "You're not a horse?"
"They are too small to be horses," Geoffrey chuckled. He turned to Princess Celestia who had a serious expression, "Right?"
"Oh, yes," Princess Celestia snapped out of her thoughts. She smiled at Geoffrey, "We are a race of sapient ponies."
"A horse by any other name," Mason stated dryly.
Princess Celestia smiled politely, "I only came to check in on you briefly. A long day at the court has left me exhausted. I will have my star pupil come in and help you both with any questions you may have."
Geoffrey bowed politely to the princess, "Thank you, your majesty."
When he heard her hoof steps disappear, Mason asked, "She pretty?"
"Absolutely," Geoffrey responded smitten.
"Freak," Mason jabbed.
Geoffrey straightened out his smock, "You should have shown the princess more respect."
"How was I supposed to know? It's not like I can fucking see. I didn't hear you introduce yourself either, or am I going deaf?" Mason retorted.
Geoffrey nodded his head and understood the handicapped boy's reasoning. "I am Geoffrey Anthony Tarsus," he greeted and held out his hand which he immediately withdrew.
"Did you seriously try to shake hands with a blind, armless person?" Mason sucked on his teeth annoyed, already used to it being blind, "Whatever. Call me Mason."
Geoffrey found a chair on the opposite side of the bed, near a window, and made his way there to sit. He sat with a tired groan. "So," he began after minutes of silence passing by, "how old are you?"
Mason heaved a strained sigh, "Leave."
"By what the princess said, her pupil would be coming to see us here," Geoffrey stated.
"She said her pupil will help us with any questions we have, that doesn't mean we have to be here together."
"It will be easier on the pupil if we were together and"
Mason cut him off with an irritated sighed, "Just shut up and stop breathing so loudly. How about you stop breathing altogether?"
Geoffrey rolled his eyes and fixed his attention to outside. "It's night time," he commented to the broken boy on the hospital bed.
"Yeah, typically only owls are active at night," Mason responded.
With the recent turn of events, the scientific mare watched the sleeping boy closely. The fact that he was keeping his mind sealed tight and empty kept her on edge. What was he plotting? She spent all afternoon creating a device that would allow him to share his thoughts with whoever he wanted. With the device, she did not need to waste precious energy on her telepathy spell, and made it easier for him to communicate with. He had been helpful with her calculations and even helped clean the place up a bit. He also knew how to brew the tea the way she wanted, but she kept a close guard around him. Especially, considering recent events. A happy humming voice interrupted her thoughts. She saw her assistant Cobalt Blossom sweeping the floor. Especially, considering recent events.
She walked over to the blue, young mare, who was dancing while sweeping the floor. "How convenient that you. . ." Factual Theory stopped when she noticed her assistant continue her dancing. Then she noticed the wires connected to her ears. The painted mare pulled the wires out with her golden magic.
Cobalt Blossom spun around on her back hooves and locked eyes with the crossed doctor. "D-Did you need s-something, Doctor?" she chuckled nervously as the older mare's green eyes pierced her.
"How convenient for you to suddenly have to 'help your mother' last night," Factual Theory continued, in a stern voice, "Cobalt Blossom."
"Y-Yeah. Lucky, right? Who would have guess having seven brothers and eight sisters would come in handy, huh?" Cobalt Blossom replied nervously, she swallowed the lump in her throat audibly.
"I found you on the streets, Cobalt Blossom," Factual Theory growled and glared daggers at the young mare. Her horn lit up and she readied the spell to blast her traitorous assistant away. "You don't have a family."
Cobalt Blossom's icy blue eyes shrank to the size of a grain of sand.
A hand clasped her horn, shorting out the spell. "What?" Factual Theory saw Jason standing beside her with his arm cocked back.
My apologies.
His fist connected with the side of her head and her world went dark.
Cobalt Blossom watched in horror as the big creature punched the doctor. He turned to her and smiled.
Are you okay?
"Y-Yes," Cobalt Blossom answered still in shock, "thank y-you. Plus one hundred points."
Do you know where my brother is? He looks exactly like me; we're twins.
"No, I'm sorry. Oh! I work as a maid in the castle during the day and I overheard Princess Celestia say there were two other creatures that look like you in the hospital wing of the castle. Although," she looked down at her hooves, "she said there was one that was disfigured." She scratched the concrete floor with a blue hoof. She peeked up at him from behind her light gray mane. The light haloed around him making him appear even more heroic in her eyes. He knelt down on one leg and smiled at her friendly.
Do you think you can take me to talk to Princess Celestia?
"Well, you would kind of stand out. . ." Cobalt Blossom began as she examined the tall creature before her. His chocolatey eyes seemed kind enough to her. "I can go see her sister, Princess Luna, now. They hold open court every day. They rule Equestria together."
I would appreciate that.
"It would be the least I could do," Cobalt Blossom returned his smile. She stopped herself before she left, "You should probably tie her up. She has a warrant for her arrest."
Aye, aye, Captain!
Canterlot
Geoffrey had to admit that Mason was one of the most vulgar teens he has ever met. Granted, Geoffrey would also have to admit that he has not met many people over the years. Minor detail, in his opinion. He sat in the white rocking chair perfectly still, barely breathing, and not staring at the invalid, per his request; while they both awaited the arrival of Princess Celestia's pupil.
Through perseverance and persistence, Geoffrey managed to learn a few facts about his new friend. He learned that Mason was fourteen, born and raised in a place called "Pennsylvania", he has a deaf twin brother, and both his parents are deceased. Geoffrey picked up on his bitterness and hate towards the world when they first met. He hoped he would be able to help change Mason's outlook.
Someone kill me now. Mason thought grimly. If only boredom could kill.
A nurse had drawn blood from Mason earlier, to "run tests on". For some reason, that made Mason feel uncomfortable. What if they found something they disliked? What if they had to imprison him? He decided to stop this train of thought. Choo choo!
One would think being lifted up by magical forces would be fun. . . they would be wrong. Being enveloped in magical energy felt like sticking your finger in an electrical outlet and the sudden moving, gave him crazy vertigo. He never wanted to experience that again. The mere thought of it gave him nausea. He would hold his bladder for as long as he could. Approaching hoof steps grabbed his attention. They stopped in the doorway of the room. He heard Geoffrey stand.
"Good evening," she spoke warmly.
Geoffrey walked over to the white unicorn mare with the pink and light purple mane, "Greetings," he bowed respectfully, "My name is Geoffrey Anthony Tarsus."
"Nice to meet you, Geoffrey Anthony Tarsus. My name is Sweetie Belle," she replied politely with a smile. She turned her attention to the young man on the bed. "Is he asleep?"
"Yes," Mason croaked.
Sweetie Belle giggled softly and went to the side of the bed, "And what's your name?
Mason sighed, "Jugemu Jugemu Gokō-no surikire Kaijarisuigyo-no Suigyōmatsu Unraimatsu Fūraimatsu Kuunerutokoro-ni Sumutokoro Yaburakōji-no burakōji Paipopaipo Paipo-no-shūringan Shūringan-no Gūrindai Gūrindai-no Ponpokopī-no Ponpokonā-no Chōkyūmei-no Chōsuke," he stated monotonously in one breath.
Both Sweetie Belle and Geoffrey wore shocked expressions, but it was Geoffrey that spoke up first. "That kidder," he chuckled, "His name is Mason."
"People have been known to call me by that moniker on occasion," Mason retorted flatly.
"I see," Sweetie Belle smiled, "Princess Celestia had asked me to come help you both with any questions you may have. What would you like to know?"
"Everything," Geoffrey input.
"Okay," Sweetie Belle pulled the rocking chair for Geoffrey closer to the bed and a chair for her from the corner with her light green magic, "This might take a while."
"And that's about it," Sweetie Belle stated matter-of-factly.
"So," Mason began, "Celestia and Luna believe they can control the sun and moon?"
"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna can and do control the sun and moon, respectfully," Sweetie Belle replied defensively.
"Yeah, I'll believe it when I see it," Mason remarked dryly.
"But you're blind," Geoffrey stated innocently.
Mason huffed, "My point, dipshit."
Geoffrey frowned.
"Hey, you don't need to be so rude!" Sweetie Belle spoke up.
"'Hay' is for horses," Mason snarked.
"It's fine," Geoffrey said sadly as he got up, "I think we overstayed our welcome. We should probably head over to my room, Sweetie Belle. Only if you have the time."
Sweetie Belle got up from sitting in the chair and cast a side glance at Mason in the bed, "I think I would like to learn about your home."
"Alright," he began as they walked out the door, "Well, for starters, our equines are not as sapient nor as beautiful as you all are here."
Mason heaved an aggravated sigh. The throbbing pain in his head would not dissipate and felt as if it was growing. If he did not receive any meds soon his brain would explode. His body heat rose and panting was all he could do to try to cool himself. Nurse.
"Jason. . ." he croaked quietly.
Factual Theory's Laboratory
Jason's search for food yielded an apple, a carrot, and two stalks of celery. What a feast. With the apple and celery already in his stomach, Jason had wanted to read the few books laying around, but he could not understand the writing. He walked around the laboratory while munching on the carrot and examined all the equipment absentmindedly.
He turned to check on his prisoner and saw her glaring at him. He walked over to her and offered her the half eaten carrot. Surprisingly, she accepted the offer. Unsurprisingly, she spat it out onto the floor. She gave him a smug grin of satisfaction.
Now, why did you do that for? That was the last of the food you had.
"Then how about you untie me so I can go buy groceries?" Factual Theory suggested with a smile.
How about I don't and say I did? He returned her smile.
Factual Theory's face grew hard, "Whatever that little traitor told you is a lie." Jason produced a wanted poster for her arrest from his pocket, "Okay. That's true. But not what is written! All I am guilty of is going against the social norms of science. Every other scientist deals with magic, not actual science! Through my various archeological digs, I unearthed new stories about lost civilizations of creatures that look like you! I wanted to build a time machine. I wanted to see them for myself."
Jason pointed angrily at the empty cages lined up at the far wall, You needed test subjects.
"So you want me to send ponies through unstable portals and have them end up like soup!" Factual Theory replied defensively. "Listen, with enough power and purer crystals, I can send you and your brother back" Factual Theory stopped herself and bit her tongue.
Where is my brother? Jason leaned close to her with his brown eyes intimidating her.
"Princess Celestia's guards raided my other lab and took him back to Canterlot. About the same time I found you here," Factual Theory informed willingly.
A small explosion dropped Jason to the floor. Glass shattered and wood splintered everywhere.
What was that? Jason asked alarmed.
"Nothing good," Factual Theory replied grimly. "That was a sample of your brother's blood. Preliminary examinations found he had a new kind of magic in him. Something akin to harmony and chaos magic, making him very unstable and volatile! He needs a way to release the energy at a constant, stable rate. Otherwise," Factual Theory turned her head to the explosion, "well, it won't be good for him nor anypony, anything near him."
Fear and concern flashed in Jason's eyes. He picked up the mare by her legs and heaved her over his shoulders. You are taking me to this Canterlot.
Before Factual Theory could object she found herself being jostled and jolted by the running Jason. Jason followed the mare's direction out of the lab. On a side note, he discovered that she was incredibly light considering her size. The last double doors came into view as he slid around a corner. He crashed the metallic doors with a kick.
He came face to face with a dark blue unicorn with a smokey, starry mane. Alarm registered on her face. Her teal eyes switched from him and to the mare on his back.
"P-Princess Luna!" Factual Theory piped up which broke the silence.
"Where's the fire, Jason?" Cobalt Blossom joked as she stepped from behind the princess.
Princess? So does that mean you know where my brother is? Mason is in trouble!
Princess Luna was surprised to hear a voice in her head. She saw the sincerity and gravity in the young man's face. "We will teleport us there, forthwith!"
Canterlot Castle
Alarms blared and red lights flashed. Healing Comfort tried to hold down the flopping body of Mason but he would buck her off every few seconds. An orderly unicorn stuck Mason's neck with a needle but he was flung to the wall by a mysterious force. His unconscious body slid down the wall and slumped to the ground. Mason writhed around in pain and agony. Healing Comfort could feel his body growing hotter and sweat began to cover his body. His back arched unnaturally back and he started to levitate. Healing Comfort slid off him and watched in horror as his body began to glow red and a red ball of energy expanded from him. The sphere of red energy started to rotate and pick up speed. A lime green aura of magic enveloped her and she found herself being pulled out of the room by Sweetie Belle.
"Evacuate everyone now!" Sweetie Belle ordered. The nurse sped away and Sweetie Belle turned her attention to Geoffrey, "You should probably leave, too."
"And miss all the action? No, thank you," Geoffrey joked, "Besides, I survived one explosion a second one might be good for the body."
"This is not a joke! He has unstable energy in him and he is about to explode!" Sweetie Belle voiced.
A pop grabbed both of their attention and before them, Princess Luna appeared along with another Human and two more ponies. The Human male, slightly taller and larger build than Geoffrey threw the chained up mare on his shoulders unceremoniously down on the ground. He neared the door and Sweetie Belle blocked the doorway.
"It is not safe for you to go in!"
Mason howled in pain and anger flared on Jason's face. He picked up the unicorn who dared to bar him from his brother and tossed her aside. Geoffrey quickly reacted and cushioned Sweetie Belle's crash with his own body. Jason ran to his brother, ignoring the heat and pain, and hugged him tightly. A blinding light flashed the onlookers and Princess Luna brought up a shield spell to protect everypony from the intense heat.
Mason! Mason! A voice called to him. It sounded far yet close at the same time. Mason! A voice he had never heard before. Who could it be? Mason!
"Fuck off! Can't you see I'm sleeping?" Mason barked in an annoyed tone. He felt a tender, warm embrace. A familiar embrace. "J-Jason?" he called out cautiously.
I'm here for you, brother.
Tears welled up in Mason's eyes and he tried to hug his brother but his arms didn't listen to him. In fact, he had no arms, a fact he remembered quickly. Mason sobbed loudly. "Look how fucking pitiful I have become!" he cried.
Jason held his quivering brother and rubbed his back and head gently. I can see you again and that's all that matters. I thought I lost you.
"'All that matters' to you!" Mason countered angrily.
Then I will chop off my arms and legs and I will remove my eyes.
Mason sniffled, "You can't," he choked on his tears, "who will hug me then?"
Mason, I swear on our mother's grave: I will find a way to give you back your limbs and sight.
"I could always count on you, Jason," Mason sniffled. "You always were the good one."
I had a reason to try my best.
He felt Jason squeeze him tenderly.
Now, do I need to wash out that potty mouth of yours?
Mason chuckled and laughed weakly. He felt Jason wipe away his tears and snot. "Yes, please," Mason croaked.
"So you do have a sweet side," a familiar regal voice said warmly.
"I thought I was dead," Mason huffed, "You mean to tell me I'm still trapped in this Hellhole?" A flick to the head caught him off guard.
Behave. Jason stated sternly.
"Yes, sir," Mason moped. Then something clicked in his head, "How can I hear you? How can you hear at all?!"
The same reason how we got here.
"You met that crazy bitch?!" a second flick to the head calmed him down.
Yes. She and the Princesses have agreed to help us return home. Jason informed his brother still in his arms. Now, thank the kind Princesses. Sincerely.
Mason huffed and spoke monotonously, "You have my thanks. Sincerely."
"We will try to help in any way we can," Princess Luna replied.
"It is partly our fault for this happening to the two of you," Princess Celestia admitted, "We will try to make up for our mistake."
The two rulers of Equestria said their farewells and Princess Celestia went to hold court while Princess Luna retired to her chambers to rest. Geoffrey stayed behind in the rocking chair to see how things went. Sweetie Belle also thought it would be a good idea to stay in the room with the brothers.
Doctor Factual Theory will assist me with making you your prosthetic limbs. I already have a few ideas on how to do it. And since we discovered you can use magic, there are ways you can utilize it to see!
Mason smiled faintly, "I love how you can say the most surprising things so casually."
Jason chuckled, I try. For your safety and the safety of others, you should get started on practicing magic.
"How come?"
Factual Theory theorized that since you have two different types of energy within you, they will react with one another and build up faster than normal. She also theorized that I must have the ability to absorb energy which is why you stopped your Exorcist routine before exploding. Oh! Jason turned to the white unicorn sitting along the wall. I apologize for kinda throwing you earlier.
Sweetie Belle smiled politely at him, "It is understandable. I forgive you."
"And you did kind of save us all from being incinerated," Sweetie Belle added.
A loud growl erupted from Mason's stomach which caught the attention of all in the room, "Man, I'm so hungry, I can eat a horse!"
Jason and Geoffrey laughed and Sweetie Belle chuckled nervously, the fact that the three males in the room had canines did not go past her unnoticed. She had no doubt that Mason's statement held truth.
Canterlot Caverns
Princess Celestia examined a small vial in its stand begin to boil.
"You see that? In only a matter of minutes, it has started such a strong reaction!" Factual Theory awed, "But look what happens when we introduce the presence of Jason's blood." Factual Theory levitated the second vial near the first. The second vial began to bubble slowly which soon escalated while the first vial simmered down. Within seconds, both vials stopped boiling completely and their heat dissipated.
"Fascinating," Princess Celestia replied curiously to the amazed expression the doctor wore, "What does this mean, though?"
"I have no idea," Factual Theory answered nonchalantly, "I guess it means the two of them need to stay within close proximity of each other for the time being."
"What about Geoffrey's blood?" Princess Celestia inquired.
"Equally as fascinating, I can assure you!" the painted mare trotted around the table and stopped in front of a second table which was littered with alembics, flasks, and tubes. Her hoof steps echoed in the stony, confined room. Machines cramped the already tiny space and Princess Celestia had to take precaution to not knock anything over or hit her head on the ceiling. "After numerous tests I have can say with certainty, despite their physical appearance, Geoffrey is a completely different species from the other two. He has forty-eight chromosomes, while the twins only have forty-two. Geoffrey is actually younger than the twins, the elevated oxygen levels in his blood means he comes from a planet with higher amounts of oxygen, giving life there the ability to grow bigger. Additionally, Geoffrey's blood is slightly orange, like a red-orange, due to an unknown protein in his blood. Geoffrey also doesn't have sweat glands. He also doesn't have adrenal glands, further proving to be a different species from the twins."
"Perhaps he will be able to shed a little light about his species when you talk with him," Princess Celestia commented, not knowing exactly what all the doctor said meant.
"I have also started designing prosthetic limbs for Mason," Factual Theory's ears splayed back, "I hope he can understand that I did not intend for him to be brought into this world that way."
"Despite Mason's. . . very verbal expressions, I am sure in time, he will come to forgive you," Princess Celestia said with a comforting smile.
Factual Theory huffed, "I'll pretend to be convinced. Now, Princess Celestia, I have a lot of work to do and data to analyze."
With her back to her, Princess Celestia could take the obvious hint, "Very well, Doctor. Just know that your work here barely scratches the surface of your punishment."
Factual Theory sighed inwardly. She heard the Princess lock the cell and her hoof steps increase in distance. "If science has taught me anything, it is patience, Princess," Factual Theory thought contemptuously.
