> This ugly yet beautiful world > by finesthour > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Dawn is the Separation of Light and Darkness > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is said that no less than 4 million species of animals and plants currently exist on Earth. However it is estimated that somewhere between 5 and 50 billion species have lived here at some point since the planet came into being. In other words, 99.9% of species have not escaped the fate of extinction. Organisms on Earth had undergone 6 mass extinctions. But the reason behind all of them, remains unclear... “Say, I’ve been thinking... Even if I don’t do anything, the world will progress on its own. A war is going on somewhere far away... No one tries to stop it, as usual. There will always be crimes... There are unpleasant men everywhere you go. No matter what I do, this world won’t get any better or worse.” The boy in the chair slowly said this into the recording device he had brought with me to the pool for my summer job. He had chosen to take this job thinking it would be easy cash, and he could actually check out some hot girls if he had the chance. But alas... all there is to do is work. He was a nice enough looking boy with brown hair and brown eyes, so why did girls not go for him... “Is that why you’re lying down? Because you said you can’t do anything?” He opened his closed eyes to see two girls standing at the door to the shack I was hiding in. The one on the left was a brunette named Ashleigh, the other a green haired girl named Saki. Ashleigh and Saki were in white T-shirts and bikini bottoms, which made him laugh. Both girls were from his high school, and both had a strong dislike for him, even though they still hanged out with him. Whenever he found out that he would be working with them for the summer, he almost turned it down. They were both flat chested, and that was a major turn off for him. “Is that why you’re neglecting your work?” Saki said while she walked over to where he sat. “Hey, get up!” Ashleigh said, pushing him out of his chair. He fell to the floor, banging his head on the wall as he went. Grabbing the spot that he had bonked on the wall he said, “What the hell did you do that for?” This was all he could muster out of his pain filled head, feeling foolish for such a simple saying. “Things like society don’t matter, Gary.” Ashleigh said to him, handing him the brush that was used to clean the pool. “Your current responsibility is to clean the pool.” “I know, I’ll do it when I get around to it!” Gary said, still holding his head. “Damn right, you’ll do it. We aren’t going to be screwed because you decided to skip out on your job.” Both Ashleigh and Saki laughed as they said this, their girlish laughter forcing a small amount of blood to rush to his cheeks. “Fine, I’ll go clean that sanitizer sink there...” Gary said this non-chalantly, looking at the woman's dressing room, a devious smile wanting to show. “That’s the changing room...” Saki said, mocking him. “You’re just looking for a way out of your job, you lazy asshole!” Ashleigh said, the anger growing in her voice. Sticking his tongue out, he mocked her voice in a ignorant tone. As he did this, a boy with jet black hair and light blue eyes walked up behind him and looked at the girls. “I’ll do Gary’s share if he wants.” He said this in his usual friendly tone, making Gary’s smile stretch across his face. Both girls said in a fangirlish tone, “Ryou... you’re here!” Ryou smiled at both of them and said, “Since it was me who originally asked him to help out, because there weren’t enough members, it just seems fair for him to take the job off.” Ashleigh seemed to not to hear a word he said, getting close to his face, her arms wrapped around her wait. She said in a dreamy tone once more, “Ryou... you’re so kind! So different from Gary” She said Gary’s name with disgust, and it made Gary laugh. “But it’s strange. You two are always together.” Saki said this with obvious jealousy in her voice, wanting to be in Gary’s place. “That’s it! I thought it was strange too!” Ashleigh agreed with Saki, turning her evil glare towards Gary. The glare made Gary’s spine tingle, the passion in her eyes disturbing him. “That’s because I like Gary.” Ryou said, his voice still as kind as could be. “What!?” Both girls screamed, their hopes of being the future wife of Ryou fading away. “Of course, you and Saki as well!” The kindness in his voice blanketed the words he was saying, yet Gary knew that they were thinking he was gay. “Really!?” Both of their faces turned bright red, their fantasies with Ryou igniting with a fiery passion. “Then there is everyone in the swimming club...” Ryou whispered, naming down the people who were his friends. Obviously taking it the wrong way, Ashleigh and Saki turned around and started to giggle towards each other. “Did you hear that, Saki? Ryou said that he likes me!” She held her face while she said this, the blood rushing to her face. “Of course there is everyone in the soccer club... Keibu and Tama too...” The two girls were no longer listening to Ryou, their girly fantasies running wild in their minds. “Though it’s too bad that he’s of the same league as someone like Gary.” Saki said, saying Gary’s name with disguest like Ashleigh did. “That’s too bad.” Gary said, putting his arm around his best friend Ryou. “Ryou isn’t discriminatory in who he likes. Ryou, turned his face toward Gary,confusion shown on his face, not knowing what he had done to make the girls go wild. “What? Is that so?” He said confusingly. “To say something like that when someones feeling good...” Saki said, staring at Gary with evil eyes. “You idiot!” Ashleigh screamed at Gary, kicking him on the waist,causing him to fumble backwords. Catching himself, he grabbed the nearby water hose that was placed on the wall of the pool. Turning on the faucet, he said, “All right! Want to play like that? Let’s get wet then.” The water hose nozzle began to spray water at an alarming speed hitting both of the girls. They began to scream, their white T-shirts becoming soaked. Gary started to laugh, closing his eyes as he did so. Both of the girls stopped screaming at yelled at Gary. “Why, you! You just keep on coming back!” Saki said, trying to cover her wet T-shirt. Ashleigh ran over to the wall and grabbed a water hose that was placed near them, and started to spray Gary as well. The woman who ran the workers was in the pool helping the teenagers with their jobs, and looked up at the ruckus that was happening outside the pool. The brunette woman said, “Ashleigh, Saki, and Gary! Stop screwing around!” Everyone outside the pool started to laugh, and Gary looked over at Ryou. He was staring up at the sky, with a look of awe on his face. Gary turned his gaze towards the sky, and saw something he did not expect to see. The water vapor that came from the hose was shining in the sky, making a beautiful rainbow. out in the distance of the sky, Gary thought he said a star falling, but before he could make out what it was, the owner of the pool picked up a waterhose of her own and sprayed Gary with the biggest water hose they had. The force of the water sent Gary flying back, landing a few feet away from where he was sitting. Chapter 1- Dawn is the Seperation of Light and Darkness “I’m home.” Gary said out loud as he walked up to his aunt who was gardening her flowers at the front of the house. She was a small woman, not much taller than Gary’s 5’’11 stature. She had short brown hair, always curled at the ends. “Welcome home, Gary.” She said turning her smile to him. “Oh, you brought Ryou as well. That is wonderful! I’ll be sure to make your favorite meal Ryou!” Ryou laughed and rubbed the back of his head out of embarrassment. “That won’t be necessary ma’am. I already ate!” Before she could answer, Gary’s Uncle opened the glass sliding door and smiled at Gary. He was a very muscular man, a veteran in the old wars. He always had a smile on his face, and kept his hair as spikey as he could. “Oh, you’re back already? It’s hardly closing time now, don’t you think?” He said this while laughing, the smell of alcohol emitting from his body. “Uncle... have you been drinking again?” Gary said, now embarrassed for his friend to see his family like this. “It’s alright son... One drink in the afternoon is my happiness!” He stuck his fist in the air as he said this, fumbling around by the door. “Jeez... That’s why the shop doesn't prosper.” Gary said, looking back at the Delivery bike they owned. “Would you like a drink as well?” He said,ignoring Gary’s last statement. “Darling...” Gary’s Aunt said with annoyance, grabbing his ear and dragging him into the house as he screamed like a small child. Ryou laughed heartily and looked over at Gary. “I love your family so much. They are so weird!” Gary looked away from him, trying not to laugh himself. He guessed that his family could be considered weird, but he did not know if it was a good thing. “I’m going to go get my laundry, so go on to my room, I’ll catch up in a second.” Gary said this to Ryou,and began to walk down the hallway. “Ok, thank you.” Ryou said kindly. Gary opened the door to the laundry room, and his mouth opened up to an O shape. In the laundry room was his little cousin, a small 14 year old girl with Green hair and a perfect body, putting her bra on in the mirror. She stared back at him, her hands still trying to latch on to the bra. Her faced turned completely red, and she screamed. “Mari, I’m sorry!” Gary screamed. Gary’s Aunt called out to where Gary walked and said, “Oh, in case you want to go get your laundry, Mari is taking a bath right now!” “Too late.” Gary’s Uncle bluntly said, sitting at the table. *** Mari screamed at Gary’s door as both he and Ryou sat on the floor. “This is why I don’t like house guests! They are so freaking insensitive!” She screamed. “I didn't know you were in there!” He replied, trying to get her to go away. She slammed her arms on the door and gritted her teeth. “Of course I would be taking a shower when it’s this hot!” She screamed again. Gary sat on the floor beside Ryou, a large red mark where Mari had slapped him stood out on his face. “You shouldn’t change your clothes there.” He replied while Ryou softly chuckled. “Idiot!” She screamed while hitting the door again. “More importantly... Ashleigh and Saki called you earlier.” “What?” He said with confusion in his voice. Why had they called him? He thought they hated him! “You were supposed to help clean the pool, but you played around with the water.” Gary laid down on the ground and said, “That’s because... cleaning is boring.” “You’re desperately trying to do useless things! Use that energy to do something actually productive! Since your my cousin, complaints come to me, too! Ryou, you should tell him too!” Ryou jumped up out of his chair and said,, “Yes, I forgot!” Mari started to walk away from the door and said, “I’m leaving your laundry outside,okay?” She then walked away,her footsteps trailing away from the door. “The storm has finally passed...” Gary said, laughing at his own joke. “You should be glad she did your laundry for you.” Ryou softly said, grabbing the laundry that Mari placed outside his door. “It’s a big loss for me! I got slapped just for seeing her undressed!” “I wonder if that was it?” Ryou said, a clever smile on his lips. Gary seemed to ignore what Ryou was implying, and looked up at his ceiling. Gary soon seemed melancholy as he said, “Desperately doing useless things, huh?” “What?” Ryou replied, sitting down beside him. “Everything ends up like that... I have a feeling I should be doing something, but...” Ryou interrupted him saying, “You don’t know where those feelings are being directed?” Gary laughed and said, “Oh, you’re talking about the same thing again?” “You’re really... a serious guy, Gary.” Taking this as an amusing joke, Gary said sarcastically, “I am?” Mari suddenly appeared at the door of my room and said, “Gary! Your bag is in the hallway! Hurry up and take care of it!” Opening up the window in his room, Gary fell back against the railing of the window and let the breeze go through his hair, ignoring Mari. “All the girls around me are just loud and annoying.” He said, looking down at Ryou. “Really?” He replied, laughing. “They’re all good girls.” “Is that so?” Gary replied, now taking interest in our conversation. “Then, what kind of girl do you like Gary?” Riyu said. “Where did that question come from Ryou?” Gary said. “Me?” He replied questionably. “Idiot!” Gary said, laughing again. “For example, someone with silkier hair than Saki... And who has bigger breasts than Ashleigh... Not someone annoying like Mari...” “That kind of girl would be difficult to come by.” Ryou said, without a joke in his voice. “What are you doing?” Gary asked, seeing what was in Ryou’s hands. “Drawing.” He replied, sketching away at his notebook. Gary peeked down at what he was drawing, and blood rushed to his face. Ryou was drawing a pony version of the girl of Gary’s dreams! Gary quickly ran from the window and snatched away the sketchbook and said, “Stop it! It’s embarrassing!” “How is it?” Ryou asked, knowing it was good. Gary stared at it for a moment, and started to laugh. “You’re really good at drawing, man.” Suddenly, Gary’s Aunt called from the garden below the window. “Gary! Can you come down for a minute?” Gary looked outside the window and saw his Aunt, and he said, “Sure, I’ll be down in a second.” *** “From Hayakawa-san of Susiki University to Yamada Print shop by 5pm, okay? The voucher is in the bag. I’m sorry about this, Gary.” Gary nodded his head and smiled. “I do get paid for my job, so this is a good thing for me. If I do my best, and the store becomes much better, it’s something to look forward to!” Gary’s Uncle smiled and said, “Even if you say that, don’t speed. We can’t afford another ticket.” “Speed, you say... I still haven’t... not on this old thing at least.” Gary said this while laughing, showing that this bike was as old as could be. “That’s why I said don’t speed. I don’t think this piece of crap can handle anything over 80!” Gary’s Uncle began to laugh as hard as he could, his laughter making Gary smile. Ryou walked out of the house with his helmet on, and got on the back of the motorcycle with me. “Sorry to keep you waiting.” He said. Gary looked back at him, feeling extremely uncomfortable. His best friend was on the back of the bike, so it must of looked weird to anyone who would see them. But why did he get on the bike in the first place? “You’re going to Kyuudou, right? Give me a ride on your way back.” “You are such a burden man...” I said while laughing, and I started up the bike. Mari looked at Gary and smiled while saying, “Gary, please be careful.” Gary smiled at her and gave her a thumbs up. “Of course!” Leaving his family, Gary pressed the pedal down on the bike, and they started their drive. *** Gary stopped at the Print Shop he was taking the package to. Gary walked inside, while Ryou stayed near the bike to make sure no one would steal it. Inside the shop, Gary gave the package to the store owner. “Yes, you always seem to get here on time Gary. That’s pretty weird, considering your reputation.” “Well, I’ll take that as a complement. See you later.” Gary said this while he opened the door, walking back to Ryou and the bike. *** The sun was beginning to set over our little town of Tokyo, so I sped my bike up faster so we could reach Ryou’s house before dark. Gary and Ryou started to have small conversations. “Really...” Ryou said as I was explaining my family. “Uncle dosen’t have any ambitions.” Gary said, laughing as he did so. “If everything’s good enough now, then there’s no need to strive hard, is there?” He said, looking out at the forest that was zipping past us. “I think it’s fine.” “I don’t know... If he really wanted to, he could do it...” My sentence trailed off as I thought I could see the same star falling from the sky, like the one by the pool. “Simplly trying to improve every day isn’t always the right answer. But that is what I like about you, Gary.” Ryou’s voice seemed to slip right past my ears as he stared at the star that was falling from the sky. Gary was sure that he was seeing this, and that he was not crazy. “Hey, look! That light...” He said, looking up at the sky. The star that seemed to be falling suddenly jerked swiftly to the right, and jerked to the left. As if it was heading straight for Ryou and Gary, it did a nosedive towards the road. The strange light now was a burning ball of fire, heading straight towards both of them! Before it could hit them, it curved up, heading back towards the sky. Gary started to swerve on the bike, trying to keep his balance. “What the hell was that?” Gary said as the light now trailed off the road beside them. “It’s coming back.” Ryou said calmy, which recked my nerves more than if he was not scared. The ball of fire seemed to have life of it’s own, being ale to choose it’s own course. It started to trail beside us again, going the same speed we were. “I wonder if it’s a shooting star?” Ryou softly said. Out of his panic, I replied, “What a fucking shooting star chase us like this?” The moment he said this, the ball of fire changed directions again, and was now above their bike. “Damnit!” Gary called out as he started to swerve the bike again to avoid the ball of fire. Once again, it retracted away from us, shrinking backwards, like it was going in reverse. “What on Earth is that thing?” Gary called out. “But... it’s pretty...” Ryou softly said. The ball of fire shot even faster now, heading for away from them. For a split second, Gary hoped that it was gone. Realizing how wrong he was, the ball of fire appeared again and struck the road, light shining around it. The entire mass around them was surrounded in white light, both of them staring at it. As they stared, they both saw the small rainbow that was made from the vapor from the pool again, which confused Gary greatly. Why was such a large light creating rainbows? Once again shooting into the sky, the ball of light disappeared, leaving behind a trail into the sky. The trails of smoke seemed to intersect, creating a loop. The two lights then broke away, going into two different directions across the forest, leaving Gary and Ryou alone on the road. *** It was now night in Tokyo, but Gary and Ryou still stood where the ball of light left them. They were both shocked from the incident that had just occured. “Ryou... you saw those lights too... right?” Gary said, making sure he was not insane. “Yeah, it was incredible!” Ryou said happily. Gary picked up the visor of his helmet and looked out into the forest. “It felt like it moved something inside of my head...” He said, when suddenly the burst of light was back again. Gary fought the urge to scream as the light came shooting down in front of them, landing in a clearing of trees. Ryou slowly took off his helmet, and stared into the forest, a long with Gary. Both stood in silence for a moment, until Ryou broke with, “Should... should we check it out?” “Y-Yeah.” Gary said, not sure of what he was getting himself into. *** They could not believe what they are looking at. It was like nothing they had ever seen before. In front of where they stood, the flash of light that hit the ground was now inside a split tree, and it seemed like it was pulsating with something inside of it. Gary and Ryou had their eyes locked on the light, not being able to move. The light seemed to grow brighter as time passed, pulsating faster and faster. The light made a sound like a bell as Gary took a step closer. “This... this is the light from earlier?” Gary said this slowly, not believing his eyes. As soon as he said these words, a figure appeared inside of the light. Gary jumped back as far as he could, while Ryou continued to stare. Inside of the light seemed to be... “It’s... a pony!” Ryou said, awe sounded in his voice for the first time we were out here. Without thinking, Gary started to run towards the split tree that had the light within it. Ryou called out Gary’s name as he ran, but Gary did not care to listen. He had to see if what he was looking at was what he thought it was. With every step Gary took, the sound of bells started to ring louder. Ryou stared on as this was happening, now knowing what to do. Hearing a sound, Ryou turned around, seeing what had followed them. As Gary began to walk closer to the light, smaller lights started to trail off of it, and they each had the look of feathers. The scenery was beautiful, but Gary did not care for it. He had to make sure what he was looking at was real. Taking a few steps, Gary crept closer and closer to the pony inside the light. The pony seemed to be asleep inside of the light, resting. Gary jumped back when he heard a quiet voice whisper, “Pinkie... I am... Pinkie...” The ponie’s eyes opened, and stared blankly at Gary. She seemed to look confused, and Gary almost feel to the ground in complete shock. This pony... was the pony that Ryou had drawn in his sketchbook! Pink curly hair and all! The second these thoughts came to mind, the light around the pony began to fade, and she fell out of the tree into Gary’s arms. Ryou walked up behind Gary and said, “It’s... a pony!” As he said these words, a loud sound rang throughout the forest. Cutting staight through a tree in front of them, something that resembled a scorpions tail went straight towrds Gary. Gary held on to the Pink pony as he jumped out of the way of the tail, falling to the ground. The tail wrapped around the tree that the Pink pony had appeared from, crushing the base to splinters. The tree slowly fell down, revealing the monster that had come out of the forest. It seemed to be as tall as the monster Godzilla from the movies Gary used to watch when he was a kid, towering over them. It resembled a scorpion, which explained the tail that had attacked them. The monster had large red eyes that seemed to glow, it’s head moving constantly. Gary stared up at the monster with the pink pony in his arms and said, “What the hell is that thing?” The monster lowered it’s head to the ground, and started to dash toward Gary and the pink pony, it’s pincers snapping. It shot it’s tail out at them, and Gary jumped out of the way with the pink pony in his arms, leaving a hole in the ground where they stood. Gary started to run deeper into the forest with the pony in his arms, trying to get away from the monster. Out of the forest, Gary heard his motorycle’s engine rev, and saw Ryou riding on it, screaming what sounded like a battle cry. Driving straight towards the monster, Gary screamed after him. The monster turned it’s large head towards Ryou, and he jumped off the bike. The bike continued to speed towards the monster, hitting in directly on the temple. The monster screamed in what they hoped was agony, falling backwards from the speeding motorcycle. Gary stood on the ground with the pony in his arms, amazed at what Ryou had just done. He had just risked his life to save us! “That chased it away... somehow.” Ryou said, panting on the ground. Gary looked at him and said, “When something needs to be done, you do it...” His sentence trailed away as the pony moved her cheek closer to Gary’s touching them. Gary jumped back, and remembered he was carrying the pony the entire time. *** Ryou looked at the destroyed bike and said, “Uncle is going to be upset about this...” Ignoring Ryou, Gary took off his jacket and put it over the pony. “You seem cold... Wait, did I just put a coat on a pony?” The pink pony looked up at me and back at the jacket I put on it. She seemed to make a quiet nose as she looked at what it was wearing. Ryou looked at me with a blank face and said, “You do realize you just clothed a pony, right?” Gary laughed at looked down at her. “It happened so suddenly, I guess I can’t help myself.” The pink pony started to smell the jacket, and sneezed. “Don’t smell it!” Gary said to her with annoyance. “We don’t know if that thing from earlier will come again. Let’s hurry up and get away.” Ryou looked down at the pony and said, “Speaking of which, what are we going to do with this... pony?” Gary looked down at the pink pony, and the pony smiled up at me with the cutest smile I had ever seen. He was taken back for a second and said, “I was thinking about it... this pony... isn’t she like the one you drew?” “You mean my joke picture? No... she’s different.” Ryou said. “How so?” Gary said. “Yes, she’s different. I drew it according to what you said. Your ideal girl.” He replied. *** “Is your name Pinkie Pie?” Ryou asked the pony that was riding on my back. Pinkie Pie shook her head up and down and said, “Yes! I am Pinkie Pie!” Gary almost dropped the pony as he heard it speak. While Gary freaked out, Ryou was as calm as ever. “Earlier, we saw a light on the road and I wondered if it was you.” Ryou spoke without panic at all,and it was scaring Gary. “You sure can talk naturally like that, after everything that just happened. A pony came from the sky, it can talk, and a monster attacked us. Is that all a normal day for you?” He said this sarcastically, but was afraid of the answer. “Don’t you want to know about Pinkie Pie?” He said, ignoring my statement. Gary was close to saying how do you talk to a pony, but could only stutter out, “W-Well...” “You were the one who gave Pinkie Pie her name. When you said it back there.” Gary stared at him and said, “I didn't say anything out there... I just heard a voice in my head...” “Really? It’s a nice name. You have to be prepared, Gary.” “Prepared, you say? What do you mean?” “Who knows? It depends on you to find the answer to that. That monster from earlier is undoubtedly after this pony. If you don’t want to cause unnecessary trouble, it’s not like there’s any other choice but to make preparations...” While he spoke, something scattered around in the forest, and Pinkie Pie screamed. She grabbed on tighter to Gary’s neck, and nuzzled her nose on his shoulder. Pinkie started to shiver out of fear, and his heart started to melt. He softly said, “It’s all right... There’s nothing to be afraid of.” Pinkie Pie was trembling on him, and it started to tug at the cords of his heart. “Pinkie... Pinkie... I am Gary. Gary Takemoko.” Gary softly said this, smiling at the Pink Pony. “Ga... Gary?” Pinkie managed to say. “Don’t worry. I will definitely protect you.” Gary smiled at her as he said this, and she smiled at him with her eyes gleaming. Gary looked back at her, and he began to blush. Turning his head back to the road, he continued to walk. As quick as an arrow being realsed from the bow, his entire body felt light. Gary dropped to his knees, gasping for breath. “Gary...?” Pinkie said quietly. Gary started to hold his hear, like he was having a heart attack. “What’s wrong, Gary?” Ryou said worryingly. Gary started to cough out a small amount of blood, sweat puring out from his glands. His eyes started to close, and he whispered, “What is this... My heart feels like it’s going to jump out!” Ryou looked out into the forest and said, “The sound on the insects has disappeared.” As if that saying was cursed, the tail of the monster crashed out of the forest. The tail slammed itself on the ground in front of Ryou, causing him to fly backwards. Gary jumped off the ground, ignoring the pain in his heart, and yelled for his friend. What he did not notice was that a small portion of the tail was curling around Pinkie Pie’s leg, and without a scream, the monster lifted her up. Gary turned around in time to see her fly up, and Pinkie Pie scream, “Gary!” Gary felt a wave of addrenaline pass through him, and he jumped up to grab onto the tail. Trying to pry it open he said, “Let go of Pinkie Pie!” This was to no avail, and the monster lifted both of them up to it’s massive head. The monster started to flail it’s tail, trying to fling the small human that had grabed on to it. Gary screamed out, “You! Let go of her!” The monster swung out it’s tail and slammed both Pinkie and Gary into a tree, causing both Gary and Pinkie to fall. As Gary lay on the ground in pain, Pinkie said with worry, “Gary! Gary!” Gary slowly looked up at Pinkie Pie, who looked like she was about to cry. She quietly said again, “Gary...” and the monster screamed out in annoyance, looking for it’s prey that it had found. Gary lay on the ground in pain and said, “Run away, Pinkie!” Pinkie put her hoof under Gary’s neck, and lifted his head up. Gary said, “I can’t move my body. If only you...” Pinkie Pie shook her head quickly, shaking her mane. “No! Gary!” “Idiot! Hurry up and escape!” “No!” Pinkie Pie was on the verge of tears, shaking her head furiously. The tail of the monster found Pinkie however, and started to drag her away. The monster started to squeeze Pinkie with all of it’s force, forcing Pinkie to cough up blood and scream. Gary tried to move his body, but it would not respond. Gary screamed out, “Damn it!” . ..I told her that I would protect her... Is there nothing I can do? Damn it! DAMN IT! Gary’s face shot out with pain again, his heart feeling the pain it had earlier. He began to gasp for breath once more, sweating profusely on the ground. The blood that Pinkie coughed up shot towards him like a projectile, hitting him on the face. The blood began to spread around his body, causing him to scream louder. The blood reached his hair, shooting spikes out of his head. His arms turned into demon arms, stretching out a few feet. His voice was now being transformed, screaming out Pinkie’s name. His shirt shredded to pieces, and his new body emerged. A large P appeared on his chest, and it began to glow. The life was now being squeezed out of Pinkie, her breaths becoming short and raspy. She tried to scream for Gary again, but could not find the breath. Suddenly, a figure popped out of the forest and sped towards the monster, ripping off one the tail that held Pinkie. Gary held Pinkie as he was in the sky, his formal self now deep within him. Pinkie looked up at Gary, and Gary said, “Pinkie...” And they landed on the ground, creating a crater. Gary put her down in the crater and said, “Wait for me.” Pinkie quietly said, “Gary...” But Gary jumped off into the sky, ready to fight the monster. *** What on earth has happened to me... It feels as if I am about to burst out of my body... What is this power? Gary stuck out his leg, hitting the monster directly on the middle of the forehead. Reacting quickly, Gary spun around and kicked it on the head again, the monster flying backwards. The tail grabbed Gary as he was in the air, attempting to squeeze the life out of him. “So that’s how it’s supposed to be...” Gary said while smiling. Without force, Gary used his arms to shred straight through it’s tail, causing the monster to scream in agony. Grabbing the part of the tail that was still attached to the monster, Gary pulled it closer to him. Gary let go of the tail as the monster came flying at him, and punched it on the forehead, going straight through the skull. Jumping up towards the head again, Gary punched down directly the top of the head, sraight into it’s brain, splashing blue blood in every direction. The monster fell to the ground, and let out a small whimper of pain. Enjoying himself, Gary began to mercilessly beat the life out of the monster, tearing it apart. Laughing as he did so, he cut away at every limb of the monster. The monster began to whimper again, it’s eyes looking straight into Gary’s. Gary stumbled back for a moment, looking at what he had done. Around him was a crater of the fight that had happened, and he felt sick to his stomach. What on earth have I done... Gary looked into the eye of the monster, and saw the reflection of what Gary looked like now.I became this figure... I used this power... I did horrible things... This is enough... This is enough... The figure of Gary turned to normal within a second, leaving him on the ground. *** The monsters body fell over the edge of the mountain, landing in the crater Pinkie Pie was in. Once the dust from the fall disappeared, Pinkie looked at the sad creature. Pinkie Pie started to laugh very silently, standing up on her two legs. Her hair began to turn straight, losing it’s poofy stature. “You like this smell, don’t you? Yes. You will die.” Pinkie’s face now looked extremely serious, her hair now straight as a board. She started to giggle slowly, looking the creature in the eyes. *** “Pinkie! Ryou!” Gary stood near a tree, panting. “Damn it...” Gary looked up suddenly, hearing a sound. “Ryou!” He said. “Takeru.” Ryou responded. *** “Pinkie...Pinkie...” Pinkie Pie’s eyes slowly opened, showing her beautiful eyes. Her hair was in a poof around her, and she said, “Gary?” “Pinkie... I’m so glad-” He could not finish his sentence, as Pinkie screamed his name and embraced him in a hug, crying. “I was so... scared.” she started to tremble in his arms, and his heart exploded. “It’s all right... I will protect you.” Gary looked at what had happened in the crater. The monster that he had left close to death was now spread everywhere. Blue guts were across the ground and the walls. Pieces of the monster were in random places, massive holes inside some. “But... What on earth happened here?” Ryou said. Gary and Pinkie held on to each other as they looked at the guts of the monster across the ground of the crater. I defended the light from the monster on that day. I was able to Protect Pinkie... On the night of the full moon. Everything... began. > You are the first > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mari looked down at the sleeping body of Gary. She was worried that she had found her big cousin sleeping in the hallway in front of his door. She stopped herself from trying to fool with him, and kicked his side saying, “Gary! Hey, Gary!” Groggily opening his eyes, Gary rolled over to see Mari in her school uniform. “Mari?” “Gary, why are you sleeping in the hallway...?” Mari was trying not to laugh, and Gary could tell. Gary closed his eyes and sighed. “Why, you say... Well...” *** Earlier that night, Pinkie Pie was sleeping on Gary’s bed with him. She had rolled over, facing Gary’s body, and put her hoof around him. She started to breathe on Gary’s neck, and he awoke with a jolt. He felt his face turn as red as it could go, and sat in silence. Gary threw her hoof off of him and said, “N-Not over here! You sleep over there!” Gary pointed at the bed he had set up for her in the back of the room. Pinkie put her head on her hoof and said, “Why? I want to be with you!” Pinkie had the saddest look on her face, and Gary immediately felt bad. He saw the cuts and bruises that she had gotten from the monster earlier, and his shame rose. While he was thinking about this, Pinkie Pie started to crawl towards him, ready to head back to sleep with him. Gary looked down towards her again and felt panicked, reaching for the knob on his door. Opening it quickly, Gary sped out of the room and closed it behind him. He sat down on the side of the door and said, “I-I’m going to sleep out here. Good night” Pinkie stared at the door, tears forming in her beautiful eyes. She continued to stare at the door until the sweet embrace of sleep overtook her. *** Where am I...? I see nothing... Nothing at all. Complete darkness. Where... am I? The Earth seemed to stop for a moment, a new force reaching it’s atmoshphere. As quick as a comet, a flash of light sped towards the country of Japan. On it rode Gary, looking down at the planet Earth. Gary could see all the memories of the past day, from Mari’s breasts to the beast who attacked Pinkie. The world around him felt silent, and he continued to stare at the memories that passed through him. Suddenly, the comet stopped. A single memory took it’s place. I am Gary. Gary Takemoto. *** “Gary...” Pinkie Pie whispered as she woke up, scanning the room. Gary had left the room, and he was talking outside. Pinkie could see the shadow of him outside, and it made her smile. “N-nothing. It was just a little hot in there last night, like I said...” Pinkie could hear Gary said this, and she tilted her head in confusion. What was he talking about? “Is there something in there that you’re trying to hide?” Mari asked, reaching out for the door handle. Gary grabbed her hand and threw it back at her and laughed. “What’s this all of a sudden?” “You probably picked up perverted books again, and-” Pinkie Pie slightly opened the door and put her head outside. Pinkie saw the girl with green hair, and smiled at her. Pinkie looked over at Gary and said, “Um... Good morning Gary!” Gary sat laid his back on the wall, sweating forming on his brow. He quickly tried to calm his cousin by saying, “Mari, it’s not what it looks like!” Mari stared at the pony in front of her, and screamed at the top of her lungs. *** The scientists at the mysterious crater that had appeared last night had outlined the gore that had been left by the monster they had found. The scientist at the back of the crater said, “In other words, what are you saying?” “It means that this is no longer our concern.” The scientist at the right of him said. The police were now putting up warning signs around the crater to keep civilians out, and crowded around the are. “What are they?” One of the policemen asked. “Who knows.” The other responded. The police chief took a cigarette out of his shirt pocket and lit it up, forming smoke around them. “Even so... What a smell.” A woman stood at the center of the crater, letting the wind blow in her long blonde hair. The man who stood behind her had a gas mask on, and handed one towards her. The woman shook her head and said, “I don’t need one.” The man still held it out towards her and said, “But chief-” “I like these kinds of smell captain.” The woman picked up her head, and sniffed the rancid smell of death. *** Thrusting the door open, a boy with green hair and an orange shirt screamed, “Is it true that Gary raped someone last night!?” From behind him, a chubby kid with large glasses screamed, “Is it true he’s eloping with some one's wife!?” Once again, they were both pushed out of the way by Saki. She sighed softly and said, “He needs financial support from us because he’s having a child?” Gary stared as yet another guest pushed them out of the way. This time, it was Ashleigh. She screamed as loud as she could towards him and said, “Gary, you fucking pervert!” Gary sighed and looked over at his little cousain. “Mari, what the hell have you been telling people?” Mari laughed and put up her nose, ignoring him. Gary’s door opened again as his Aunt and Uncle stood at the door. His Aunt smiled and said, “Planning on telling us your story too, Gary?” Gary now sighed deeply, looking at the people Mari had dragged to the room. Gary’s Uncle closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. He slowly said, “My bike is a pile of parts in the garage, and you haven’t come to report in about the delivery. What the hell did you do last night?” Gary looked down at the floor and quickly said, “Oh yeah! I’m sorry! Many things happened last night. It all started when...” *** Gary took a breath after finishing his story. Gary looked around the room,hoping they believed his story. God knew he barely understood it either. Gary’s uncle was the first to speak. “I really don’t understand it at all.” Gary’s aunt said, “Really...” Suddenly, Ryou stood at the door as well. “But, we aren’t lying.” Gary turned his head to the door and smiled. “Ryou! Thank god you’re here, you could explain this so much better!” As Gary said this, Ashleigh and Saki crowded around Ryou. “Ryou, no one said you were going to be here!” Gary’s uncle stared at the teenagers in the room, and started to rub his head in annoyance. He stood up and said, “I’ll listen to the rest of your story after dinner!” Both he and his aunt left, leaving Gary in the room with the confused teenagers. Everyone turned their gaze towards Pinkie Pie, who was sittng on a cushion at the center of the room. “So what you are saying is... She transformed from a mysterious light to a pony? Wait... she could be an alien!” The chubby kid said. “But are aliens this cute?” Ashleigh said, observing the pony. “Well, aliens look like greee octopus... or are small and grey...” Saki slowly said. “What are you saying? Aliens are like those ogre girls wearing tiger print bikinis!” The chubby kid looked at the pony while he said this, and imagined the pony as such. “There’s also the Pink haired, glasses-waring, candy-eating teacher who is the wife of a high school student...” The green haired boy looked over at Pinkie Pie, and devious thoughts popped into his mind. “Moron...” Saki said. Pinkie Pie closed her eyes and said, “I was...” Everyone turned their attention to Pinkie Pie, who slowly started to talk again. “I was wandering. Among stars that do not glitter. Just vast... and silent... and without anything... I didn’t even realize that I had a body until now. I don’t remember anything before last night...” “Then instead of being an alien, it’s more like you were never even a... pony, right?” When Mari said this, Pinkie Pie opened her eyes and looked at her. “I suppose you are right.” “Then, before anything, you can communicate with us naturally... no one else find this weird at all?” Saki said this last part looking around the room, which came with no response. “Additionally, this pony knew my name the first time she saw my face.” Mari suddenly realised that Gary must of told her, and glared over at him. Gary jumped back and said, “I didn’t tell her anything!” Pinkie Pie suddenly clapped her hooves together and smiled. “As far as that goes, it’s not just Mari! I know everyone here!” She pointed at Ryou and said, “Ryu.” She started to name the people across the room one by one. “Saki and Ashleigh.” She poitned at the chubby kid and said, “Your name is Tommy!” She then pointed at the kid with the orange shirt and green hair. ‘’And yours is Jack!” Pinkie turned to face the group. “The two people from earlier were Icchou and Sumie.” Pinkie Pie clapped her hooves again, and smiled at everyone around the room. Gary stared at her intently and said, “Y-You could not talk this much last night.” Pinkie Pie’s smiled drifted away, and she looked down at the floor. “I suppose you are right... Why I know... I don’t understand.” “You don’t know about yourself?” Mari asked. Ryou looked at Mari and said, “It can’t be helped. It’s not Pinkie’s fault.” “But... But... Do you remember why you came?” Ashleigh asked. “Yes... I... don’t know how to say it... I...” “Oh? She’s troubled.” Saki said. “She’s trying to put the mysteries of the universe into words...” Ashleigh said. Once again, everyone turned their gaze to Pinkie and stared. Pinkie Pie looked back at all of them and smiled. “I guess I was lonely!” Suddenly, Gary’s eyes went blank as she said this. *** I see it again. The toy car in the darkness fell again. *** Everyone but Ryou questioned what Pinkie Pie said with, “What!?” Ryou smiled at Pinkie as said, “You’re not lonely now that you’ve met Gary, right?” Pinkie Pie nodded quickly and smiled. “Yes. Gary called me Pinkie Pie, and hugged me!” From around the room, the gaze was turned to Gary. The girls were laughing, while Tommy and Jack glared with envy. Gary jumped back again, and his face turned red. Pinkie smiled and looked at the ground while rapping her hooves together. “Gary spoke very gently to me. And, right now, inside of me... That is the only thing that’s certain. Gary is the most important person in the world to me. Pinkie closed her eyes and smiled, while the girls faces were completely red, along with Gary. Ryou smiled at Pinkie, and titled his head. “You like him, don’t you?” “Yes! I like him so very much!” Pinkie said happily. “Well, I guess space doesn't matter. But seriously, does no one else find this weird?” “I think it is so lovely...” Ashleigh said. Tommy and Jack both jumped in front of Gary and screamed his name with anger on their faces. “How the hell did you get so lucky!?” They both screamed. *** The chief of the scientists sat under her umbrella, enjoying the rays of the sun hitting her skin. She was wearing black, skin tight shorts, something scientists never did. She had her eyes closed while a man in front of her started to read his clipboard. “Based on the data, we can conclude that the structure of the exterior was very primitive, with features like those of the large arthropods of ancient times. It seems quite similar...” “Well, that’s also mysterious, but...” The woman said. “What is it ma’am?” He responded. “How do we explain the situation here?” The woman pointed to the crater, the gore still in tact. “If this is the aftermath of a barbecue, it seems like their manners were terrible, don’t you think?” *** Pinkie Pie stared at the live fish that was on the cutting board in front of her. Sumi and Mari were cooking on the burner next to Pinkie, and Sumi looked over at her. “It’s okay if you don’t help out. You’re a guest, Pinkie Pie. I wouldn’t expect a pony to cut a fish, or even to hold a knife!” Sumi started to laugh, but covered her mouth for fear of being rude. Pinkie Pie slammed her hoof on the table and said, “Please let me help! I will make something delicious for Gary to eat!” Pinkie picked up the knife near her with her mouth, holding it over the fish. “Here I go!” She mumbled with the knife in her mouth. *** “So, you transformed and fought to protect Pinkie? Sounds like a load of bullshit Gary. But seeing everything that has happened so far Gary, I could believe anything right now.” Saki said. “Let’s see you change.” Asleigh said, challenging Gary. Gary grew agitated and started to yell at Saki. “You say transform, but I was completely messed up when it happened!” Tommy and Jack sat in the corner of the room, as glum as could be. Tommy said, “It dosen’t matter if you transformed at all.” Jack nodded his head and said, “That’s right. But if Pinkie did it....” Both of the boys pictured Pinkie Pie in a sailer moon outfit, and they both screamed, “Awesome!!!” Both Saki and Asleigh said, “Idiots...” *** When Pinkie brought down the knife on the fish, Sumi watched her. To her it looked like Pinkie’s hair turned... straight when she cut into the fish. Her eyes seemed to change... like she was a completely different... pony. Pinkie Pie mutilated the fish, cutting it to pieces. Pinkie Pie started to giggle loudly, and everyone came into the kitchen to see what was going on. Pinkie smiled at them and said, “Fish is ready.” *** Once everyone had finished eating, the empty plates crowded the table, and everyone was sprawled out on the floor. Saki looked over at Gary and said, “You should really find something for Pinkie to wear. She seems to love that jacket you gave her. She still hasn’t taken it off.” Ashleigh nodded and said, “That’s right. She can’t always wear that little jacket. But finding clothes for a pony... that doesn't really sound easy.” Pinkie Pie looked down at Gary’s jacket that she was wearing, and smelled it softly. “I think it’s fine...” Saki and Ashleigh both got in Pinkies face and said, “No! You’re a girl, even if you’re a pony, or even from space!” Saki put her foot on the table in front of her to prove her point, and ashleigh followed. “It’s very important to be fashinoable Pinkie!” Sumi stuck her head from out of the kitchen and said, “Mari has many things that I’ve made. Can you lend some clothes to Pinkie for a while Mari?” “My clothes...?” Mari slowly said. Icchou stuck his head out from behind Sumi and said, “That is a perfect idea! Even though we made them especially for you Mari, there are many you don’t wear, right?” “No. She is a pony. She does not even wear clothes!” Mari slammed her hands on the table, and looked at Pinkie. Saki sat back down and said, “Then, we’ll make something for her that fits!” Ashleigh smiled at Saki sand said, “Nice, Saki!” Gary looked over at Mari and whispered, “Why are you so angry?” Mari lowered her head and slowly said, “I’m not angry!” “Then, shall we hurry up and get started?” Saki said. *** “Here, Pinkie. Stand up... on your back hooves.” Ashleigh said, putting a tape measure around her. “Okey dokey lokey!” Pinkie said without meaning to. Mari slammed her feet on the ground and said, “Hold on! Don’t do this in my room!” *** Icchou and Sumi stood by each other looking at Ryou and Gary. “We need you to do this. Understand?” Gary nodded his head and said, “Yes.” Ryou smiled at them and said happily, “I’ll come, too!” *** The group of girls were moving from Mari’s room to another, when they saw Ryou and Gary leaving. Pinkie quietly whispered, “Gary...?” Ashleigh silenced her and said, “Good luck you two!” Saki sighed and said, “Guess they just have to do it now.” *** Putting the tape measure around Pinkie’s body, they found out her size. As they measured her body, Ashleigh said, “You must be the beauty of the universe! I’ve never seen a pony look like you!” “Is that so?” Pinkie said. Mari had jealousy flash on her face, and she squeezed the tape measure around Pinkie’s body tightly. *** Outside the door, Jack and Tommy sat by the door, fighting the urge to open it. Tommy started to grovel while saying, “Please let us in! We’ll be good!” *** “Is this good?” Saki said. “Let’s use this for the skirt.” Ashleigh replied. “More grey or silver. She’s from space, after all.” Saki said. “It’s fine now!” Mari yelled. “After all, her hair and eyes are bright pink.” Ashleigh said. Pinkie Pie sat by the window, watching the world move. She wanted to be near Gary with all of her heart, but could only watch. “Well I guess so...” Mari said. *** Gary and Ryou opened the door to where Jack and Tommy laid asleep. Pinkie Pie jumped off the window-ceil as she saw Gary, but stood in place. Saki said, “Oh, the problem child has returned.” “How’d it go?” Mari said. “You guys are still here?” Gary said. Saki nodded and replied, “We want it finished by tonight.” “You should call home.” Gary said. “I’m going home. My younger sister is waiting for me” Ryou said. Pinkie continued to stand in her position, wishing Gary would come over to her. “Ryou, no!” Saki and Ashleigh said. Ryou started to walk outside the door, and turned around. He waved at Pinkie and said, “See you, Pinkie!” Pinkie smiled at him and waved back. Gary stared at Pinkie and whispered, “Pinkie...” But as he said this, Jack and Tommy grabbed him and Tommy said, “Now, Gary... It’s our turn to talk!” “Let’s have a nice chat together.” Jack said. Pinkie could hear Gary yell, “Give me a break!” With Gary no longer in the room, Pinkie sat back on the window ceil, watching the three girls work. *** Ryou was walking home on the road that they had both seen Pinkie crash in the light. Looking out at the forest, Ryou just stared. *** Pinkie Pie spun around on her back hooves, showing off her new dress. It was blue with an orange outline, with frillings around the cuff links. Around her waist, it turned to a skirt, which was as big and beautiful as her eyes. Pinkie was now wearing a blue hat, which brought out the Pink in her eyes. She was giggling as hard as could be, loving her new dress. “This is mine to keep, right Gary?” Pinke asked. Gary stared at Pinkie, a small amount of blood rushing to his face. Pinkie spread out her arms and said, “How does it look? Does it look good?” Around Gary, the group, excluding Mari, stared at him, waiting for his answer. Gary stuck his head in the air and screamed, “Be quiet! I don’t know anything about clothes!” Mari opened the door to the room, and saw the group of people inside. She slowly asked, “Everyone,what are you doing in here? If you don’t hurry, you’re all going to be late!” Everyone from the room started to panic, remembering that they had school today. “Hah, I brought my school uniform and bag!” Saki said. “What? Jack and I never left! We still need to go home!” Tommy said. “My house is next door, you can get ready there.” Ashleigh said. “Come on Gary,we have to go!” Mari said. Leaving Pinkie in his room, they all ran out of his house with their school uniforms on. While they were running, Ashleigh got close to Gary and said, “You have to say it looks good on her.” “Or she’ll lose her affection for you.” Saki said. “Shut up you two!” Gary yelled. Pinkie Pie looked out the window at them running, and watched them disappear after the next block. *** Pinkie walked over to a nearby mirror in the room, and stood up on her back hooves. She outstretched her arms to get a good luck at her new dress. She started to giggle and she spun around, enjoying how her skirt flowed in the wind. She jumped as she heard the doorbell ring to the front of the house. The doorbell constantly rang every few seconds, so Pinkie opened the door to Gary’s room and carefully looked out into the hallway. The scientist from the crater started to talk to herself. “It’s so hot! Japan must be tropical!” Pinkie Pie opened the door and said in a quiet voice, “Good day.” The woman stared at the pony in front of her and smiled. Instead of pointing out the obvious, she decided to go with this. “That’s a really nice outfit. Is that fashionable around here?” The woman asked. “Everyone here made it for me, because I told them I came from space!” Pinkie said happily, feeling more comfortable with the woman from the compliment. The woman’s head titled as she said, “Space?” Pinkie nodded and said, “Are there not many ponies that come from space?” The woman laughed and said, “You have a very mysterious scent.” Pinkie sniffed her dress and said, “Do I smell that bad?” The woman grabbed Pinkie’s arm and said, “Come on. Let’s go take a shower. I’m very knowledgeable about living things. I’ll see if you really are an alien.” The woman was now very close to Pinkie, and she sniffed her. That scent... I have smelled this before... What was it? *** “Let’s see what we got here, Pinkie, was it?” The woman said. Pinkie and the woman were now both in the shower, the woman surprised with how human like the pony looked. She looked nothing like a pony on earth did. “You have wonderful proportions, Pinkie. Almost as good as mine!” “Is that so?” Pinkie said. The woman nodded and said, “You don’t seem much different from a normal person. No matter how I look at you, I just see a normal girl. Besides the fur, at least.” Pinkie looked down, as if she was dissapointed. “Is that so?” The woman raised her eyebrow and said, “Oh? Did I say something wrong?” Pinkie looked as if she was trembling and said, “I don’t know...” The woman hugged Pinkie and said, “You’re troubled,aren’t you? You may look the same, but you are a different being.” “I am here... But I don’t even know about myself. That’s why I can’t get close to anyone. I can’t be separated from them, either. It would have been better if I were completely different!” Pinkie had started to cry, the water taking away her tears. “If you could be open like this with everyone... Well, that’s impossible, right?” *** The group of teenagers had returned from school to see a young woman drinking beer on Gary’s front porch. She was in a towel only, showing her body. Jack and Tommy were both smiling at each other, enjoying this woman already. The woman started to laugh when she saw the teenagers and said drunkingly, “Incredible, Pinkie! Beer has transformed you again!” Jack threw his arms up in the air and said, “A blonde-haired American with big breasts...” Ashleigh and Saki both shook their heads saying, “No way...” The blonde woman looked at them and said, “What’s with you people? It’s rude to stare at someone.” When she finished saying this, she took another gulp of beer. She tossed her head back and said, “That pony named Pinkie left earlier.” Gary jumped up and said quickly, “Left!? What do you mean, left!? Where did she go?” The woman shrugged her shoulders and said, “Who knows? I don’t know that.” Mari slapped her fist on her palm and said, “Oh, I know! You must be the American who is staying ar our lodge!” The woman smiled and said, “Yes, Jennifer Portman. Nice to meet you.” Jack turned to face Gary and said, “We have to go look for Pinkie!” When they turned towards him, they saw that he was not there. “Oh? He’s not here... Ryou left too!” Ashleigh looked over at Mari and said, “Mari, we’ll go too.” Saki nodded her head in agreement. Mari stared at them blankly and said without emotion, “I have to show this person around.” Ashleigh stomped her foot and said, “Pinkie was so happy with that dress!” Mari ignored her and looked at Jennifer. “This way, ma’am. But before that, please put on some clothes.” Ashleigh stomped her foot again and said, “We’re going, okay?” *** Jennifer put her foot over the doorway to stop Mari. Mari looked at her and said, “What is it?” Jennifer stared at her and said, “This is my hypothesis. You have feelings of jealousy, don’t you?” Mari smiled and said, “Jealousy, you say... What do you mean?” “Towards that girl who suddenly showed up and called herself an alien. She’s cute, and even though she is a pony, liked as well. Furthermore,she directly and honestly told him her feelings, whereas you could not. She’s certainly a fearsome rival.” Mari looked down and said, “Even though you say those are my feelings, Gary is my cousin. I didn’t even know myself that I liked him. I didn’t know what to do.” “That’s why you were mean to her?” Mari had started to cry, and violently shook her head. “No! I’m not that kind of girl!” “If you really think that, go tell him. Love triangles are more fun that way.” Mari jumped back, and stared at her. “I can’t! That’s...embarrassing.” “You are not taking full control of yourself. There aren’t many that can assert what kind of people they really are.” “I don’t want to think what I’m doing is wrong... But!”Jennifer smiled and said, “I’m sorry... for meddling in.” Mari screamed and ran away from her, bursting through the front door. *** I see the toy car again. I am just playing with it in the darkness. Pushing it without a care. Mommy opened the door. I’m sorry, Gary. Wait, mommy! Why are you sorry! Your mom was lonely... Mommy, don’t close the door! Don’t let the darkness get me! I dropped the toy car again. The sound rattled around in the darkness. I opened the door to follow her. I saw mommy’s car drive away. I saw the car fade in the fog. I tried to scream, but the only sound that came was muffled. *** “Mother...” “Gary!” Ryou said, opening Gary’s door. Gary was sitting in the room by himself, staring outside the window, tears falling down his cheeks. “Gary, we need to go!” Ryou tried to touch him, but Gary started to scream. “Go, you say... Where on earth can we go!?” In the end... I didn’t understand anything about Pinkie! Is... is she going to to leave me too? Mari pushed past Ryou, and started to scream at Gary. “What are you doing giving up so easily, Gary!? You’re the only one she has! If you don’t understand her first, who else could?” Gary sat up, and looked outside the window again. *** Running as fast as his feet could carry him, Gary sprinted past the ongoing traffic of night. Pinkie... Pinkie came to Earth because she was lonely. She’s on her own... She came to Earth on her own. And she can’t even remember her own past. And she doesn't know anyone. Even though she’s unimaginably lonely. I could only think of myself. Even though I said I would protect her! *** Pinkie was sitting on the edge of the road of where she crashed. Holding herself while shivering, she whispered, “It’s cold.” Bolting her head up, she heard a voice say, “Pinkie!” Gary stood across the road from her, panting from loss of breath. Pinkie stared at him and said, “Gary?” “I’m glad. Pinkie.” “Um... I thought I’d take a walk... But this was the only place I knew...” Gary grabbed her shoulders and said, “Didn’t you just come to Earth!? Here... My house... Where else would you have gone!?” Pinkie looked up at him and quietly said, “Gary...” “You are Pinkie! That is the name that I gave you! It’s not just a name. You are Pinkie. Isn’t that good enough? I’ll always be by your side. Even if you call be a bother. I won’t care!” Gary started to cry, and he hugged her as tight as he could. “It’s okay if I stay here, then? It’s okay if I am Pinkie, right?” “That’s right! You are Pinkie!” Pinkie started to cry as well, and hugged him tighter. “I’m so happy! I love you. Gary, and everyone, too. I love you all!” The group of teenagers were now behind Gary and Pinkie Pie. Jack started to say, “She’s not an alien... she is Pinkie.” “Yes.” Tommy said. Mari stared at the two of them hugging. What am I doing...? *** In the end, my Aunt and Uncle agreed to let Pinkie live in my house, two rooms down from mine. Also, that Jennifer, or how should I put it, that strange woman, now lives next door. I heard she claims herself to be a great professor... But we will never know... *** The little orange pony who was hiding in the trees sneezed, causing the birds to fly.