Chapter 5

Setting aside the last box, I stood back stretched out my arms. Letting out a yawn, I reached into my pocket out of force of habit; I took out my phone to check the time. Looking at the clock mounted on the far side of the room for clarification, I realized mine is two hours off. “Figures,” I snorted. Placing the phone back into my pocket, I looked over at my new room with satisfaction. Everything was cleared out and equally spaced. All the boxes sat on the right side of the room while my bed and nightstand sat on the left; I also found an old dresser which sat up against the wall under a basement window that had been shattered due to the shock wave caused by the exploding fertilizer. I smiled at the thought of the explosion

Glancing over at my bed, I frowned. It was still dusty as all Hell, but that was an easy fix. Grabbing the sides, I flipped the mattress over only to be greeted by an unexpected site. A large hole sat in the middle of bed, with stuffing was jutting out of the bottom. One spot had a spring popping out of it. “Fantastic.” I muttered to myself. Taking a deep breath, I decided to test the bed.

As I slowly sat down, the bed creaked in protest. But once I released my full weight upon it, I found that it was rather comfortable, despite the large hole and that one spring which I sure as Hell knew would cause problems later on when trying to sleep. That this wasn’t half bad, flinging my legs onto the bed I sat back against the headboard.

Grabbing my laptop bag, that sat right next to my bed; along with my shoulder bag, which still had all my textbooks in it. I sighed, remembering earlier when I was down here working. Twilight came down shortly after Spike left, when she noticed my bags she got curious. Even though I told her not to touch my bags, she decided to do it anyways. Probably did it to get back at me for touching her obnoxiously exploding fertilizer. I was afraid that if she found those textbooks she would take them away from me for... I don’t know, research I guess.

I don’t even know why I’m still holding onto them; I have no use for them anymore. Possibly because it’s the only type of human literature I still have... Well, Kurt still has his textbooks, but I haven’t spoken to him since the explosion. Maybe I have them for, I don’t know... A little piece of home I guess.

I opened my laptop bag, taking my laptop out I turned it on. When the blue windows screen came on, I noticed the small white text bubble in the corner of my screen, notifying me that I only had fifty percent of my battery life left. Out of force of habit I reached into the bag to retrieve my charger cord, only to freeze up and realize that... There is no electricity in this world.

Aggravated, I turned my laptop off and closed the lid. Placing it back in my bag I sat it on the nightstand, flinging my legs back over the bed. I rested my head in the palms of my hands, taking a deep breath I said, “This is going to be the longest month of my entire life...” I trailed off; I heard the door to the basement open up.

“Lee-”

“Go away!” I yelled up to Twilight,

“Come on Lee,”

“I’m not telling you what’s in those bags. Now could you please go away? I’m not in the mood for talking.” I explained,

“I’m not here to ask you about those bags, you have a visitor.”

The corner of my lips dropped into a frown. Who in the right mind would want to visit me? “Well... Who is it?” I asked, for a second Twilight didn’t respond. But when she did I froze,

“It’s Rarity...” I sat there in silence, “Lee-”

“No! I’m not talking to her, just please leave me be.”

Twilight sat in silence for a moment, above me I could hear faint murmurs coming from the libraries main room.“Lee, Rarity says she’s sorry.” I waved my hand in the air not caring, laying back on my bed I said,

“Alright cool.”

“Oh that’s great, so are you going to come up?”

“No.” I said pulling out my history textbook, I flipped to the first page and began to read.

“Come on, Lee, you’re acting like a child.”

I smirked, deciding to be a smart ass I said,“How do you know what human children act like? For all you know, they could be far more mature than us adults.” I said.

Again Twilight sat in silence,“Are they?” She asked,

“NO!” I shouted,

“Please, Lee, it’ll only be for a second. After that we’ll leave you alone for the rest of the night, okay?” I glanced up from my book.

Looking over at the staircase, I submitted to defeat.“Fine I’ll come up for a second, but I swear to God, if any of you two, freeze me, put me to sleep, or even tie me to some freaking table. I’ll smother both of you in your sleep...” I closed my book and sat it on the nightstand along with my laptop.

I made my way up the steps I looked up at Twilight who had a slightly disgusted expression.“That is disturbing on so many levels...” She said, taking a step back so I can get past her.

“Well, it’s true.” Once I stepped into the main room, I turned my head over to Rarity who sat by the door. I saw that she was wearing a saddlebag that was completely filled with papers, in her magic I saw that she was holding three already. “So, you aren’t here to kidnap me are you?” I asked,

“No darling, I came here simply to present you these designs I made for your new clothing.” I raised an eyebrow. Glancing down at myself I realized that I was still only wearing my shoes, jeans, and black jacket. Which was open and allowed everypony...? Goddammit! Now they got me saying it!

That allowed everybody to see my bare naked chest. “Heh, that’s right... So what have you got for me?” I asked. Rarity nodded her head. Smiling she levitated three drawings of three T-shirts that also came with ties. Each shirt was blank in color, but each one was labeled.

The first shirt was your common white polo with a black tie. Looking add it I shrugged, it’s a possibility but I don’t need anything fancy, I thought. Setting that page to the side I looked at the next, the shirt was the same except for a that this one was a blue polo with a red tie. Again I shrugged, flipping the page to the next I grinned, just like my original it was a white polo with a red tie. Looking up at Rarity, I saw that she looked extremely nervous. I mean seriously, the look on her face! Her eyes were large and glassy and the way her bottom lip was jutting out, I swear it looked as if she was on the verge of tears. I smiled, handing her the papers I said,

“I like them,”

Rarity’s face lit up with joy,“You do?” I nodded,

“Yes, I like all of them.” I said, this comment seemed to make Rarity almost faint.

After she recovered she nodded,“Thank you, darling, this really means a lot to me. Now which one do you want me to make for you?”

Smiling I said,“The third one; with the white shirt, and red tie,” I said.

Nodding her head Rarity said,“I’ll get down to it, you should have it by tomorrow morning.” She said,

I raised an eyebrow, “There’s no need to over work yourself,” I said, “you’ve probably been working on those drawings almost all day.” I said pointing at all the ones in her bag, which probably had a hundred pictures of the same shirt but with different color combinations.

Rarity shook her head in objection,“I’m sorry, dear, but it’s the only way that I can redeem myself for what I did to you.” She said.

I shrugged,“Okay then,” I said, “by the way thanks for the free shirt.”

Rarity waved her hoof at me,“Don’t worry about it, darling, it’s the least I can do for you. Now I must be going now, it’s getting late and Sweetie Belle should be getting home soon.” She said, turning to the door. After Rarity left I turned to head downstairs.

“Hey, Lee,” Twilight said.

I stopped, turning to face her I said,“Yeah?”

Twilight smiled,“That was nice of you say back there. You really made Rarity feel good about herself.”

I grinned,“Do you honestly believe I’m jerk all the time? Yeah I’m still angry at her, but meh... Got get it over it at some point. And hey, at least I’m getting free clothes out of this.” I said.

As I began to descend into the basement; I was again stopped by Twilight, “Hey, Lee,”

I stopped again, turning to face her I asked, “What?”

“Could you please tell me what’s in that ba-”

“No!” I snapped, grabbing the door I slammed it shut.

:[-]:

The vibration from the bass reverberated throughout my entire body, the music gliding in and out my ears. I sat back my head resting against the seat my eyes closed, my foot tapping with the beat of the music. Opening my eyes I saw Kurt in over on the dance floor dancing with Hillarie Roberson, getting up I took one last swig of my beer and began stumbling my way over to him. Pushing my way through people, I almost tripped over one man who was passed out on the floor.

“Whoa, sorry man...” I mumble while looking back at the man, “I didn’t mean to step on your face...” I turned my head back over to Kurt. “H-hey, man,” I beamed, placing my hand on Kurt’s shoulder I smiled at him. “H-how’s it goin?” Kurt stopped dancing looking at Hillarie she nodded her head in understanding. Turning away from us she made her way over to the bar, Kurt turned to me his face growing serious.

“What the Hell was that man? You saw I was in the zone!” He said, glancing over back at her, seeing that she was still over at the bar he looked back at me. I chuckled,

“I-I’m s-sooorry. Ahahaha.” I laughed for no reason at all, stumbling back I almost fell. Kurt grabbed me by the arm.

“Lee, how many beers have you had?” He asked, raising my hand I counted.

“Three.” I said even though I held up five fingers. Kurt sighed,

“Lee, go home. You’re obviously drunk.” I shook my head no, taking a few shambling steps forward I wrapped my arm around Kurt’s neck and brought him in close so I can whisper in his ear.

“Come on brah... You knowzz I can’t do that... I’m gonna get in trouble...” I burped in Kurt’s face. Kurt recoiled back,

“Jesus Christ man!” Reaching into his pocket of his jacket, he pulled out a packet of gum, taking out a strip he handed it to me. “Here take this, good God!” He said waving his hand in front of his nose. Taking the gum, I popped it in my mouth. The mint flavor mixed with the taste of beer didn’t really go well together, but I decided to chew it anyways,

“Sooo... I was gonna assk youu, If you cann take me home?” I slurred my words. Kurt shook his head,

“Yeah sure, whatever man. Come on, the exit’s this way.” He said taking me by the wrist. Kurt guided me through the crowd of young adults; when we reached the exit, Kurt opened the door and I was blinded by flash of white light. Followed by the noises of twisting screeching metal, screams and the sound of something landing in water...

My eyes flung open, and I was gasping for air. Sweat poured down my face, the smell of fresh flowers reaching my nostrils. Closing my eyes I relaxed, reaching to my right I grabbed my laptop. Pushing myself up in bed I opened my eyes, looking around I remembered where I was. Letting out disappointing sigh, I moved my text book over and I opened my laptop and started it up, when the screen came to life I instinctively hovered my cursor over Google chrome only to remember there is no internet here.

Letting out another breath, not wanting to play Don’t Starve I just opened up Mine Sweeper. After a few rounds of trial and error, I was finally able to beat one game. Looking over at the clock on the wall I noticed I’ve been playing for over an hour. Checking my battery life revealed that I had used up at least three percent of it. Not wanting to waste it all playing games, I closed the lid and placed it back over on my bag which rested on the nightstand.

Stepping off the bed, I slowly made my way through the dimly lit basement. Climbing up the steps, my right foot caught one of the steps and I slipped. Trying to catch myself my head cracked against the door. Cursing at the door, I slowly climbed back onto my feet; grabbing the door knob I opened the it and stumbled into the library cradling my head. Looking around, I saw Twilight in a chair that sat in the corner of the room reading a book to her right laid a bunch of wooden planks, beams, and other building material. Looking up at me she said,

“Good Afternoon.” She said with soft smile,

Looking over the materials, I raised an eyebrow. “Wh-what’s all... this stuff for?” I mumbled, still not fully wake. God I would kill for a cup of coffee.

Twilight grinned, “You’re going to be fixing my home today.”

My eyes narrowed, “Wait, what?” Twilight nodded,

closing her book she sat on the end table. “Yeah, you heard me. You’re going to fix my home, you even agreed to it yourself.”

I pointed my finger at her. “When the heck did I ever agree to...” Flashbacks of last night came into play. Okay, we’ll fix the house... “Oh… yeah, that’s right I did say that.” Twilight nodded her head again, scratching the back of my neck I made my way over towards the couch. Sitting down I looked over at her, folding my hands I said, “Well just letting you know, I know little to nothing about construction.” I said, “But I do know how to draw and animate... But that’s about it... So, where’s Kurt?” I asked,

Twilight picked her book back up. Opening it she began reading, “He’s over at Fluttershy’s, he’s supposed to be arriving in half hour or so.” Twilight once again took her attention away from her book; looking over at me she said, “You know, we still never had that talk about your world.”

I raised an eyebrow, “What are you talking about?” I asked,

“Yesterday before you went into Rarity's Boutique; you promised to tell me about your world.”

I nodded my head, Dammit Lee, stop making promises you know you won’t keep! I scolded myself on the inside. I let out a shaky breath, “Well... Where would you like to start?” I asked.

Twilight tilted her head; tapping the bottom of her chin with her hoof she began thinking. After about a minute of this she turned her head back to me, “Hold on for a second okay.” She said while getting up she made her way upstairs. I sat back on the couch, scratching the back of my head. I heard something fall from upstairs and Twilight saying something I couldn’t quite make out. Looking over at the stairs I saw a blank scroll roll down the steps only to stop right at my feet. Raising an eyebrow in confusion I tilted my head towards the stairs again. Only to see Twilight attempting to make her way down the stairs, while carrying a large pile of papers, ink pots, and quills.

“Are all those necessary?” I asked the stumbling unicorn,

“Probably not,” She said stepping down onto ground level, “But there must be a lot of interesting things in your world, that I might want to write down.” Making her way over to her chair, she sat the scrolls and note books to the side. Sitting down she levitated a piece of parchment into the air along with a quill and an ink pot.

I stared at Twilight for a second but then just shrugged it off. “Okay then. So where would you like to start?” I asked

Twilight again, for a second sat there thinking then she said, “Tell me about you.”

I clapped my hands together and rested my back up against the chair. “Well bring up a chair lad because this is going to be a long story.”

Twilight tilted her head in confusion. “But I’m already in a chair.” She said,

I rolled my eyes, “It’s a figure of speech, but anywho. Obviously you my name is Lee James Harrison, I was born in Paterson New Jersey in the year 1990. I attended school at the age of...” I sat there telling Twilight my entire life story. She sat there listening closely, soaking up everything I had to say. Every now and again she would stop me and ask me a question, like what’s a car? Or what’s a Television? I would then tell her; and she would write it all down onto a piece of paper. Occasionally nodding her head and mumbling to herself, I would then continue on with my story.

We sat there for over a half an hour talking, “On September 11, of the year 2001. I was now a eleven years old, and on that day my country America was attacked.”

Twilight gasped and covered her hoof with her mouth, “What happened?” She asked, I glanced over at her.

“Remember, those two really big buildings I told you where my Uncle Johnny worked at?” Twilight nodded her head, “Well, it so turns out these group of terrorists hijacked these airplanes and flew them into the towers. Causing them to blow up and destroy them.”

Twilight gasped, “That’s horrible who could do such a thing?” I shrugged, “Well was your Uncle okay.” I nodded my head slightly.

“His job called him that day telling him, that he wasn’t needed that day. And he could, have the day off.” Twilight nodded, leaning over her paper she wrote a few more things down. A knock came at the front door, glancing over at the door I saw a silhouette standing behind it. “That must be Kurt.” I said, getting up from the couch I began making my way towards the door. Grasping my hand over the knob of the door I opened, in front of me stood Kurt and behind him was a small yellow pegasus.

Looking up at Kurt I notice something was different about him, a dark rim out lined his right eyes which was barely even open due to swelling. “Holy crap man what happened to you?” I asked,

Kurt raised an eyebrow at me, “What no warm welcoming?” He asked,

I grinned, “Sorry but,” I gestured toward my own right eye and sarcastically asked, “What’s with all the makeup?”

Kurt let out an irritated sigh, “Last night I got into a fight.” He said,

I stood back stunned. “Really with who, was it pony? Did you kick its ass?” I began bombarding Kurt with questions.

Raising a hand he silenced me, “No, it wasn’t a pony. And no, I lost.”

I frowned cracking my knuckles I said, “Alright who is it? What is it? Come on man I got your back; let’s go kick its ass!”

Kurt raised his hand again to silence me. “Its name is Angel, its bunny rabbit. And trust me Lee; it’s no angel... It’s the spawn of Satan himself.”

I stood there for a second in shock; the yellow pegasus behind Kurt gave him a disapproving glare. I stood there letting everything Kurt has told me sink in, once it finally did. I began laughing hysterically, “Wh-haha-di-ha-did you just say-hahaha-Y-y-you got your ass kicked-hahaha-by a rabbit!” I stumbled back clutching my now aching gut due to me laughing so hard.

“Go ahead, laugh, laugh all you want. But you go and try to fight that white fuzz ball, go over there and tell me you can win a fight against that thing. I’ll bet you twenty-bucks you can’t beat that thing!”

Regaining my composure I looked over at him, “Bet you twenty-bucks I-”

I felt something grab hold of my right ear and tug really hard. Eliciting pain from it, “Nopony is going to go beat up Fluttershy’s Angel, now can you two please come in here and have a seat so we can begin.” Said Twilight,

while dragging me back inside, “Ah! Crap... Let go... That hurts dammit!” I complained while Twilight dragged me back inside. Shortly after Kurt and Fluttershy came in slightly behind me, forcing me back onto the couch Twilight released her grip on my ear. Cupping a hand around my ear I winced, “Was that really necessary?” I asked looking over at Twilight.

Twilight shrugged, “How else was I going to stop you from getting yourself into more trouble?” She said raising an eyebrow at me.

“Hey come on now its no-”

Kurt placed a hand on my shoulder, “Come on man just let it go okay.”

I sighed, “Fine.”

Kurt turned his attention towards Twilight, “So when do you want us to start?” he asked.

“Right now would be great, but if you two have any trouble. Feel free to ask and I’ll see what me and the girls can do to help.”

“Like we’re going to need any help from you guys,” I snorted, my over confidence was starting to get the better of me.

Twilight glanced over at Fluttershy, “Well if you say so. I’ll help run the tools up stairs for you.”

After about twenty minutes of getting everything sorted out, Kurt and I now stood on the ledge of what use to be Twilights Laboratory. Looking over the day old wreckage I took a shaky breath, “So... Do you have any idea what we’re supposed to do?” I asked looking over at him.

Kurt stared blankly at the wreckage; after a few moments of letting my question sink in he too took a deep breath. “Well, I took two years of construction back in High School... What about you?”

I chuckled shaking my head I said, “Nope-” picking a hammer up off the ground, “-I have no idea what I’m doing!”

Kurt chortle he too lifting a hammer in one hand, and a two by four in the other, “Let’s get started shall we?” He asked,

Gesturing towards the wreckage I said, “After you.” Kurt nodded, as he went past me we and got to work.