I pushed my way passed the swinging doors of the tavern, and inspected the bar. I saw wet, broken bottle shards covering the floor, accompanying many shattered chairs within the building. I found that the bar keepers were cowering behind the bar, in fear. I looked over to the opposite side of the room, and saw a lone stranger sitting at a table; sloshed to all hell. I approach the drunk; sat down beside him, to give him some company.

"Hey bud, what seems to be the problem here?" I casually stared at the pony, as I inspected him further. He seemed to be an Alicorn. One I haven't seen; or met before. I've met almost all the royal family, but never seen this stranger, yet. He had a white coat; matched with a solid black mane. His mane seemed to simply spike out naturally. His wings were large, and one of them seemed to be clipped at the ending; at the very tip of his wing, as though through battle.

He looked at me; with half-lidded eyes,"There isn't a problem here, my good man; It was just some 'accidents', you see. I just lost control for a couple of moments, but everything seems to be back in hand now. So, how can I help you, John?" The drunken alicorn gave me a smirk, and looked back to the wall on the other side of the counter. He surprised me, as I hadn't heard anyone call me that name for nearly a month, and a half; and from a stranger, no less.

"How do you know that name? And another important question, who are you?" I asked.

"You haven't heard of me? Ha...You wouldn't be the first, sadly." He took his bottle, and swayed it in place on the table, looking at its movement. "My name is Archimedes. I hail from a world not of this, but it was much like yours. I came here on a 'ball of light', as many continued to say, for a while; but I actually crashed into this world, by accident."

Arc stopped rotating the bottle, and gently placed it back onto the countertop. He spoke,"I've been meaning to try to find my way out of this world; and back home to my family, but my past attempts have been fruitless, so far. As for the question of how I know your name is relatively easy. Basically, everyone already knows who the newest guardian is. He comes to a new world on purpose; to replace his father; Senior. He's attempting to fill the impossible shoes that his father 'left' behind. John was a friend of mine once; an aspiring upstanding guy. A 'good old' role model for little colts, and fillies everywhere. The glory, greed-envy of many trusting ponies. I knew exactly who you were; the moment I laid eyes on you walking through those doors." He lifted his bottle, and chugged the rest of his ale down.

Archimedes held the bottle, and seemed to be distracting himself by looking at the bottle labelling. "You walk with your fathers bearing; and you also carry his armor. Not with everything of his armor, but that's how he is. Always with his shitty riddles that are far too easy. I thought that Everypony was lying, at first. When I heard that John had left; I thought he'd comeback somehow, but now that I know this for certain; it almost breaks my heart. Left me. It's a new feeling, something different being on the opposite spectrum of being left behind, with no explanation." He took the bottle, and threw it to the opposite side of the tavern. It flew gracefully, and smashed on the ground; chiming throughout the room. "Since your here, and I know almost everyone around here, except you. Let's talk."

I looked to the barkeep, and used my eyebrows to gesture a 'sorry' expression; I then turned my attention back to the drunken alicorn, and said,"Alright, I'll answer anything you have any questions for; but you have to stop breaking stuff in here; and in town. There's private spots to vent your frustrations, not at someponies business. Please Archimedes, control yourself."

We sat around, and chatted for a bit; I learned much about my father, and his little 'secrets'. Archimedes told me that Senior hid things in spots around Equestria, spots that meant greatly to him. I managed to piece together the puzzle; and figured that this is what Senior wanted me to do. The old man wanted me to 'find' these places, and discover whatever secrets they held.

The night continued to pass; but faster than I thought. The shop was starting to close; I braced myself using the young alicorn like a crutch, as we walked out of the bar. I looked to the barkeep; matching Arc's eyes, all while Archimedes was drooling onto my shoulder,"Here; this shood pay for what heath broken, sew far. I'm thorry." I ripped my coin purse off, and tossed it to the bartender.

He caught it, and began looking through it,"With this much, I could start up a new bar! I can't take this!" The kind bartender tried to return the purse; but in my intoxication, I assured him that there was no need. "Thank you! Goddesses, bless you! I'll remember this!" He took his new gold, and ran up to his barmaid; who I assumed was his wife, and showed her the size of the coin purse.

Arc, and I exited the tavern; and as we reached the street, I could hear cheers from the two inside. It put a smile on my face, and I set my sights on home. I decided that since I didn't know where Archimedes lived, and didn't want to leave him to sleep in the streets; he might as well crash at my place, for the night.

I was in the process of making breakfast the next morning, for us; when I heard groaning echoing through the house, and the light clacking of hooves coming from down the hall. His familiar voice echoed from the distant hall,"Damn...son of a bitch, again with this?"

I turned to see Arc wobbling his way to the table, and he took security from the kitchen table chair, as he sat down. He looked around the house, and grabbed my newspaper from atop the table. A magical aura came off his horn, and a sudden steamy cup came into existence, out of nowhere. He took a sip, and winced slightly,"Ooh...Hot. That's nice."

He took his attention away from the newspaper, and finally saw me on the only open side of the kitchen, pouring pancake mixture into a container. As our eyes contacted, he took a sip of coffee again; puckering his lips after his cup was put on the table. "Oh, hello...umm... we didn't...Fun times, right?" He coughed into his hand, and then took another sip of coffee. His eyes made contact with mine again,"May I ask; last night, did we?" I was confused by what he meant, and shook my head furling my brow. "Oh, thank the goddesses." He continued to sip an endless bottomed coffee cup.

"What do you mea...Wait...Never mind, I don't have to know. I didn't ask. You also; didn't just hear me even try." I coughed to break the awkward silence forming between us. He got up from his chair, and looked to the coffee pot on the counter.

"Oh, sweet nectar of life. I really would like some, right now." He grabbed another cup from the cupboard, and poured into the new cup. He took a good long sip, and hummed in delight,"Ah, that's the stuff."

Dumbfounded, I asked,"So, Arc; how old are you, exactly? Last night, I tried asking you the same thing; but you were so blitzed, you weren't sure of it yourself. You gave a ridiculous answer that's even longer than three human lifespans; combined." I told the dark maned alicorn.

"That wasn't because of the booze; it's because, I just honestly don't know how long I've been alive. I came crashing into this world, from another, and another, so on, and so forth...for quite a while. With the constant changes in times, years, and universes; everything flies by. I was human at a time; for 'that' time, but something started happening during my adventures here in Equestria. It's always been a cellular problem, in general. I started growing fur, hooves, the whole nine yards. The change this time, at first was...'Strange'. After awhile, everything seemed normal, like usual; but I do miss some things about being a 'human'. It's for the best, in this spot; I suppose."

He took another few sips of his coffee, then he turned back to me,"Well, enough about me, what's on your agenda for today? Going to save some lonely town? A few damsels from towers? Come on, come on, enlighten me."

I stirred the pancake mix around, and poured it into the hot pan,"Today's going to be a pretty rough one; but not the worst, in the slightest. It's feeding day."

I explained to Archimedes about the deal, and why I was feeding the changlings, and why it would leave me drained when I returned home. After enjoying our company, and our breakfast, Arc took his leave; setting out for more of his wacky adventures, as I readied myself for the day's draining experience.

I flew towards the direction of the Hive, and I could feel a smile creep onto my face as I remembered that today, I'd be seeing Chrysalis again.

(Version 1.3(2022))
Minor fixes, misspelt words, etc. Storyline dusted.
Hope you've been entertained with the revamping, thus far. And; as always, I hope to see you in the next chapter.
Keep it cool, xXCondemnedSoulXx.