[Visual] -5th Shadow-

[theytookmypants]

Hey Equestria...I got a question for you, mostly this is for the other outlanders like myself, but...anyone is free to weigh in here. I'd like the input.

How many of you use friendship, or similar bonds, as a source of strength for yourselves back home?

Some pretense to that...where I come from there are creatures called Digimon. I myself am half-digimon. Long story to that, but I won't bore you with the details right now. A digimon is a creature born of digital data, they are however highly receptive to emotions and can grow stronger as they grow closer to others, becoming stronger and stronger as those bonds mature and grow.

Emotions from those that we make friend with rub off on us, we can become stronger, or weaker because of it, or we can become too strong that we can't control ourselves.

[He rubs at his cheek with a hoof and sighs deeply.]

Not only digimon have exhibited this trait, though. There is another being called a Net Navi where I'm from, another digital life-form, this one artificially created by humans. There's an entire battle tournament surrounding them even. A Navi and their NetOp, when they have a strong enough bond, can create powerful combinations with battle chips. They can even fuse together, share the core of their beings with another, the NetNavi’s can even form friendships of their own that unlock hidden potentials...

[ He holds a hoof over his chest reflexively, almost like he was reassuring himself about something...]

The core of my question is how many of you have something similar back home? An undertone to that is how many of us have forgotten about that? That we've taken it for granted or just forgotten our own basics? This place works on its own rules. Just like those of NetNavis, or Digimon...working together, believing in one another...we’ve heard it a lot lately, and seen that here, it’s its own force to be reckoned with. Friendship. We’re all in this together, and if we're going to-

[He stops short and scoffs softly to himself.]

Sorry. Getting off track...Anyways...just something I’ve been thinking about lately. If anyone would rather speak with me in person or private, you’re always welcome to call on me at the commune or approach me while I’m on duty in the Night Market.

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[A switch in the pony's demeanor, show's he looks far more tired than he may have been letting on.]

Hey, Dante...Vergil...I may I need your guys help with something. I dunno if you can, but I'd rather it be the two of you than others. I'd uh...rather speak somewhere off scroll, about it though. If you can, meet me at the Decanter.

Comments

[terraburning]

"I am...half human as well. My father...was an Esper."

[theytookmypants]

Oh!

[From how she was saying that he guessed that wasn't exactly entirely common. Granted neither was his own but...it was common enough in his life that it didn't seem to phase him much anymore at this point.]

I...uh. I'm not too familiar with Espers unfortunately, what are they?

[terraburning]

Sadly, Terra doesn't really know herself yet.

"Espers are beings that...possess the power of magic. They can look like...many different things."

[theytookmypants]

Doesn't sound too far off from a Digimon really. 'Cept for the magic part, I'm not sure what they use, but it's...I don't think it's magic.

Though they can look like an assortment of things. I had a dragon-like other form back home.

[terraburning]

Terra nods.

"I can still transform, I just...don't look very different."

[theytookmypants]

I lost that in the transition apparently...though I still have access to most of my powers.

[He rubs at his cheek thoughtfully.]

You...don't meet many others like yourself, do you?

[terraburning]

A slow shake of her head.

"I am...the only one."

She looks at Crmsn, a hesitant smile spreading over her face.

"But it's...nice, knowing that there are others like me - children of two worlds."

[theytookmypants]

[Ouch...]

It can definitely be a comforting thought to know that there's others. I was lucky that I wasn't the only one back home.

My name's Crmsn, by the way. Like the color, sans the vowels. What's yours?

[terraburning]

"My name is...Terra Branford."

[theytookmypants]

Well, Terra, it's a pleasure to meet you. Are you adjusting alright to being a pony?

[terraburning]

"Princess Twilight said...I could choose to stop fighting."

...given her expression and the joyful wonder in her tone, that's...probably a 'yes'.

[theytookmypants]

Choose to...oh! Oh goodness..

[You could almost hear the heart breaking. How old was she even?]

Were forced into fighting often?

[terraburning]

For a few brief moments Terra considers what to say but decides to be direct.

"I...lost most of my memories in an accident, so...I don't know."

[theytookmypants]

O-oh....I'm so sorry. That can't be easy at all.

[He can almost piece together her story just f from that. Losing your memories, fighting, magical powers....probably used by someone...he shuddered a little at some unpleasant memories.]

I hope this place continues to be a welcome reprieve. It sounds like things have been rough fort you.

[terraburning]

Terra shrugs a little.

"It was...painful, sometimes, but...I didn't have anything to compare it to, so...I wouldn't know."

[theytookmypants]

[Double ouch.]

I know what it's like to get out of a dark situation like that...so I can understand a bit...

[He frowns a little before his face relaxes back into a rather easy going smile. Nothing was more uplifting than desserts ]

You know...you seem a little new to things still. You...ever had a good, old-fashioned, homemade apple pie before?

[terraburning]

Terra shakes her head.

"No."

[theytookmypants]

Well then, it's your lucky day!

[Pie is something universal, and should be shared....]

I happen to make a darn good apple pie. Since I'm a firm believer that no one should go without ever having tried one before, I think I'll just have to make one for you.

[He grins broadly.]

[terraburning]

"You...would do that?"

Well. She looks touched.

[theytookmypants]

Of course! I think it's something you might find you enjoy.

[He pauses thoughtfully.]

Considerate it a welcoming present.

[terraburning]

"I...thank you very much!"

[theytookmypants]

No thanks necessary. If you want you can come over if you'd like to help me make it.

[He smiles brightly.]

Sometimes that can make it taste all the better.

[terraburning]

Wide eyes.

"Really? May I?"

She seems so enthusiastic about this.

[theytookmypants]

Of course you may! I wouldn't have offered otherwise.

[He chuckles.]

I live in the Commune, d'ya know where that is?

[terraburning]

A slow nod.

"It's the place...that keeps burning down?"