”A girl. A girl! I frightened and hit a girl!” I raged at myself. I walked along along the direction out of the Everfree. The unconcious, and to my horror female, diamond dog on my back.

Why was I so mad at myself? The answer is complicated. Short answer: I just broke my solid personal code. I slapped and propably gave nightmares to a girl! The fact that I didn't realize it made me feel even worse. I've never hurt a girl or a woman in my life. Not after the first time. Granted, she was an unholy bitch who deserved it. But when......

You know what? I'm gonna need to tell you the whole story. Sit tight. This might take a little while.

You see, back in my home world, my version of earth, I lived a pretty normal life. Believe it or not. I was average at school, average grades, good behaviour, I didn't smoke or drink. I excelled in sports however. I don't quite know why, but I have always had an exceptionally great stamina. My speed was no joke either. When we were racing, I allways won with a landslide. I was a natural. Coach said that I was most likely the best athlete he would see in his lifetime. He even suggested that I try my skills in the olympics. I turned the offer down.

You see, even though I was far superior to anyone in sports, I was actually really modest. I never boasted with my achivements like a normal jock would. I was actually a bit antisocial. I had only a few people I could call friends. And they were as antisocial as I was, if not more. They were all quite unique. A little weird, but that was what I liked about them.

After I started taking martial arts classes, I was not that good at it. I was determined, however. I trained on my own. One day, I accidentally discovered my powerful palm attacks. I soon engineered a custom style out of it. Too bad I was banned from using it. As for my skill with the sword. Well, let's say it goes in the blood. Father basically shoved that information down my throat. He taught me to use a sword. It was some kind of 'from father to son' tradition. I always respected my father, even though he was a complete prick sometimes. Still loved me in his own little way. My mother died when I was young. Never knew her. From what I hear, she was like an angel on earth. A true saint.

Anyway, one day this girl comes up to me and confesses to me. She was one the most popular girls in the school. I panicked and responded by confessing in return. We started going out. I felt happy at first. A little ackward, but happy. If only I had known....

You see, it turns out that one of my closest friends, not much of a looker but all in all nice girl, had harbored a crush on me for a long time. When she saw me confess my feeling in my panicked state, she got extremely depressed. A few days later, I heard she was in a hospital because she poisoned herself. That same day I also heard the other girl speak of her. She knew the she liked me, and decided to break her heart. And used me to do it.

I don't know what exactly happened, but something in me snapped. That evening, when I knew she was walking to home, alone, I followed. Once we set foot on an rather unpopulated area, I jumped her. Knocked her on the head with an empty bottle, knocking her out cold. Then I threw her in a river. She was found two hours later with severe hypothermia. That same evening I heard devastating news. My friend had died. All because of me. I truly wished that bitch would have suffered a horrible death.

I don't know what divine force was interfering with my brain, but I talked to my father about what happened. I told him everything. I was honestly thinking he would hit me and yell at me about how stupid I was. To my suprise, he did something he hadn't done in a long time. He hugged me. He didn't say it, but I knew he understood. Before leaving me alone, he told me to think about my friend. What would she want?

I went to her funeral. It was sad. Many cried. I cried. I was the last to stay. Even after her parents had left and it started raining. I still stayed. I didn't even have an umbrella, so I was completely drenched. I had done my thinking, just as father told me. I knew she wouldn't have approved of my deed. I vowed in front of her grave, in her name, that I would never hurt a girl again. Not even if it kills me.

I was brought out of my little look to the past by a familiar voice yelling for me.

”Hey! Hollow, over here!”

I looked forward and saw that I was already out of the forest. I saw Mayfly waving at me from a little further away. Stone was looking very annoyed. I waved back in acknowledgment. Sooner than I knew, I was already by the cart.

Mayfly looked at me with a worried expression. ”Are you allright Hollow? I heard the timberwolves. They sounded like- What happened to your arm?”

I just looked at my at my arm and sleeve that were still covered in the goo. ”Timberwolf blood. Or sap. Which ever.” Her face was a mixture of disgust and horror. I really needed to wash this stuff off.

She then took notice of the diamond dog on my back. ”What about that one? Is it hurt? Where is the rope?”

I mentally slapped myself. I had left the remains of a rope in the forest. ”It got trashed.”, I said. It was only a little lie. ”As for the dog.” I looked back at the sleeping passanger on my back. Out like a light. ”She'll be fine.”

”She?”, Mayfly raised a brow. I just nodded. That seemed to suffise. ”Why is she.... you know.”

I started feeling very ashamed of myself again. ”Apparently I'm nightmare fuel to her.”, I said. She gave me a look. I sighed. ”And I might have carelesly intimidated her.”

She shook her head. ”I figured as much.”

I raised my finger to make a point. ”I really didn't meant it.”

She smiled. ”I know you didn't. Now let's put her somewhere.”

We moved and I slowly lowered the sleeping diamond dog at a makeshift bed that Mayfly had quickly put up. Stone shook his head disapprovingly.

Something seemed to catch Mayfly's eyes. ”Where did you get those?” She pointed at my swords. ”I'm pretty sure you didn't have them before.”

”I didn't.” I desided to be honest. ”They came a little late. I was supposed to get them when I arrived.”

I looked at my sleeve once more. ”I really need to get this stuff off.” Mayfly pointed at a nearby river. How had I missed that? ”Keep a close eye on her.” I gestured at the female diamond dog. She nodded with an earnest smile.

Now, time to see if this stuff comes off.

-Ten minutes later-

”Son of a....”, I curse under my breath. This stuff was stickier than superglue. I had gotten the most of the sap off, but not all. And it was somehow pissing me off. I don't usually get frustrated easily, so this must be something special.

-Five minutes later-

Okay, almost there.

….....

Got it. Completely clean. And it only took...... fifteen minutes.

Mental note: Never repeat that stunt. EVER! It's not worth it.

I got back to the cart. Mayfly is sitting on the edge of the cart, humming what sounded like a lullaby. I saw little Twinky sleeping. She is young after all. She needs her naps. I find myself join in on the humming, quickly memorizing the pattern. Our little duet soon comes to an end. Mayfly laughed softly.

”Got yourself cleaned it seems.”, She said quietly.

”It was not easy.” My thoughts exactly. Oh, wait...

”I can imagine. Must be like getting blueberry out of a table cloth. It just won't leave, no matter how much you scrub.”

I chuckled at the metaphore. ”That's suprisingly accurate.” I looked at the diamond dog. ”Is she allright?”

”Sleeping peacefully.”, she said.

”Good to hear.” I saw a city nearby. ”That must be.... what was it?”

”Trottingham.”, She filled me in. ”It's not that far away. A couple of hours at most.”

I nodded. I climbed on to the cart. ”Feel free to continue moving when you feel like it. I'll rest and meditate a bit.” I sat into a lotus position and closed my eyes. Soon, I was in a sleep like trance.

…........

I opened my eyes and found myself in the white realm again. The floor was no longer empty. A Nobody symbol with two swords crossed behind it had appeared on the blank floor.

”It is fitting, isn't it?”, I heard a familiar voice say behind me.

I took a breath and turned around. The first thing I said? ”You forgot my blades.”

Dagon chuckled ackwardly. ”I'm sorry for the mishap. You have to understand, even gods make mistakes sometimes. Especialy someone with as much responsibility as me.”

”A likely story.” Couldn't argue that it made sense. I was still bitter though.

Dagon sighed. ”I made a mistake, and I acknowledge that fact. I only noticed that it was missing when I saw your battle with the timberwolves.”

I felt myself raise an eyebrow. ”You were watching?”

”Yes. It was quite entertaining. That one with the heart squeeze was a bit overkill though.”

I looked away. ”I didn't like doing that.”

Dagon bowed down to my level. ”I didn't imply that you did. You were protecting someone. You did what you had to.”

True. Didn't make it any less wrong.

”Good thing that pack leader knew when to stop.”

”Indeed. Unlike what others believe, timberwolves are not just bloodthirsty savages. That leader cared for his pack. That is rare, but not unheard of.”

I looked at the floor. ”He threw his pride away to save his pack from further damage. That is true honor.”

Dagon looked at me for a good while. Then he started laughing. ”That is the talk of a true warrior. Noble and strong, yet kind.” He chuckled. ”Boy, you truly deserve that form.”

A samurai. A warrior who respects and fights with honor. I can see where he is getting at.

”So, how have you been? Has you stay been good?”

”Well, other than everything I feel is more like an echo now and me getting attacked a couple of times. Petty good.” I answered with no hesitation. Sure, I had a rocky start. But hey, I bet those other humans didn't get it any easier. And I already made some friendly acquintances. Well, I can quite safely leave Stone from that list. That guy doesn't like me. Then again, I don't think he likes anyone.

Then I remebered something. ”Hey Dagon. The leader timberwolf left me a weird object.” I pulled the pink ball out of my sleeve. ”Any idea what it is?”

Dagon crouched and looked at the sphere. He let out a low chuckle and straightened himself. ”Well, well. Seems he had the right idea giving it to you. That is a soul fragment.”

I blinked. ”You mean that's-”

”Yes. This it's a fragment of your soul. Of course they won't all look like that.”

I looked at the ball. ”So, what do I do with it?”

”Well, you could absorb it and make it aprt of you once more. But since I don't sense any hostility from this piece, I suggest you keep it for now.”

I gave him a weird look. ”I am not storing this in my sleeve all the time.”

”There is an alternative.” He said. ”You have a place to store items and other things.”

”I have no clue what you are talking about.”

Dagon laughed. ”Let's just say that that place is right where you are. You just need to zip it open.”

My vision begins to fade to black.

”It seems your visit is cut short this time. Goodbye for now, Hollow.”

…..........

I opened my eyes. I was again in the cart. I must have been dreaming.

”Hollow.”

Is that how he contacts me? Through my dreams? That seems like a thing a god would do.

”Hollow.”

And what did he mean by that the place to store stuff? It was where I was? I don't get this!

”HOLLOW!”

I flinch ever so slightly and turn to Mayfly. ”Oh, sorry. I was lost in thought.”

She just shakes her head. ”Just wanted to inform you that we've arrived to our destination.”

I looked and saw that we were very near the city now.

”I guess this is where we part ways.”, she said in a saddened tone.

”So it seems.” I looked at her. ”It was a pleasure to meet you, and your family, Mayfly.”

She gave me a warm smile. ”It was a pleasure to meet you too Hollow.”

I began to walk away. ”Hollow, wait!” I turned and saw Mayfly throw me a small bag. I caught it. It felt a bit heavy. ”That bag is filled with bits. It's our currency around here. Have it as a thank you for saving us and getting us here safe.”

I smile, even though they won't see it. ”Thank you. Goodbye.” I wave at them and start walking towards the city. I need to get certain things from there.

I start to wonder about what Dagon said. Right where I am? Zip it open? That almost sounded like a bad pun.....

He wouldn't..... No. Can't be. That would be just stupid...... But then again.....

I eye at the zippers on my chest. ”He couldn't possibly..... could he?” I moved and took the left zipper between my fingers. I pulled it down and, to my utter amazement, it moved. I opened it all the way down. I looked in and saw nothing but darkness.

”You just had to take all out of my name, didn't you?” I was empty inside. I was hollow. How dare that damn Dagon make my stupid name make even more sense!

Deciding not to think about this for now, I took out the pink orb and threw it in and closed the zipper. As annoying as this was, I did see some possibilities with this.

….....

I just may have hammerspace! That would be kind of cool. The fact that it was inside me made me feel weird for some reason.

I was just setting my foot into the city.

”STOP RIGHT THERE CRIMINAL SCUM!”, Someone shouted behind me.

I looked back and saw a stallion with impressive looking armor. Must have been a guard. ”Problem?”, I asked him politely.

”You are under arrest.”, He said. Excuse me, WHAT?!

I was confused. ”What for, if I may ask?”

”Two reasons. One, entering the city without paying the toll.” There was a toll? When?! ”Two, carrying a weapon inside the city walls.”

I tilted my head, more confused than a few seconds ago. ”But you have a sword.” I deadpanned.

”The law forbids only non-ponies from carrying weapons.”

….........

Who made these laws anyway? They must have been pretty damn racist.

”How about I just pay the toll and be on my way?”, I suggested.

”Trying to bribe your way out of this, huh?” I facepalmed. What the hell is it with this pony's reasoning. ”Not gonna happen! It's jail time for you.” He said with a smug smile. I wanted to knock him around a little, but my common sense told me that attacking a guard and going 'fuck teh pohlice' on them is a bad. Fucking. Idea. Even though I could do it.

I really need to think of a way to get out from this situation before I get into any more trouble.

-Twelve minutes later, Trottingham prison-

”How the hell did I get here?”, I asked myself, very, very, very confused.

Yes. I just gave Hollow hammerspace, made him meet with his not-GM again and got him arrested. All in the same day. Also a bit about his past, but who cares about that?

Yours truly

-Doctor D, the Eternal Soul Next Chapter: Jail time and promise making Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 3 Minutes