ch. 16 UNICORN I choose you!

Dec 25 1985 - Christmas Day

I woke up early. Stretch out a bit then sat down on my bed in a lotus position. I closed my eyes, took a deep breathe in and out, and enter my mindscape.

I see it had changed quite a lot. There is still that small plot of land with the Spring as the center. It now has a crystal statue of a unicorn that has its front legs raised up.

The unicorn statue had its back on the Spring and is facing the new area. The small plot of land is now connected to a forest full of giant trees ferns and tall grasses. There is a lake in it too. There are patches of open areas here and there and an irregular cobblestone pathway that run along it like a racetrack. The pathway actually don't feel or look artificial. It was like naturally formed and just coincidentally look like a road.

My projected self search for my new companion. Then I saw her. A small unicorn with a foot long spiral crystal horn protruding on her head. She has light golden mane and tail. They sway gracefully as she gallops towards me.

"Hi girl. Merry Christmas. Would you like to come out and greet Nana?" I said as i stroke her white coat.

"Brrr.. nneighh. rrr!" She said.

"Ok Let's go." With my right index I trace a imaginary vertival line in the air. A thick white smoke appeared escaping the line. Then a slit in space opened and me and my unicorn walked in.

My physical body did the same and a smoky entrance forms, and out came my unicorn in all her glory. When she passed through I opened my eyes and the entance slowly dissipate into the air. A scent of burning incense lingers but immediately vanished.

I check my body to feel for any discomfort but I am fine. I release a sigh of relief, 'Good! the world's will is not bitchy about my contracted beast. They are originally of this world so even with awakened bloodline, it still recognize them as its own. No toll fee needed.'

"Hey girl, can you change back to your pony form. Your horn might poke someone's eyes out." I jokingly requested while pointing at the pointy 12 inch crystal horn. I questioned Nana about it and she reminded me that my Beast Space and Spring of Purity came from a different world. It might not even be from my old world and might be from a world with higher beings and stronger magic, so changes will appear.

"Neighhh...brrrr". She protested a little but complied. She glowed bright gold snd when the light disappeared she returned into a white pony, the same when I first saw her.

'Heh'. I let out a soft laugh remembering what happened that night .

~flashback ~

Dec. 23rd Town hall backstage area.

Jeanne and Kyle returned with the lamb and and saw a weird scene. I'm hugging the white pony saying, "Who's a good boy?!"...Luke was frantically patting MeiMei's back while she cry her lungs out.

"What happened?" Asked Jeanne with the runaway lamb.

"Waaaaaa.... it's unfair. Marshall can get a horse but I can't even take home a stupid lamb!!!" MeiMei yelled.

Luke immediately said, "Marshall is just being silly. You know he likes to joke around. Right 'mate?" He leer at me motioning to not make thing worst.

Seeing his glare, I let a sigh, "Yes Mei, I'm just kidding ok. Now, get up and let's get back our things. Our folks are waiting for us." I motioned them back to the changing room. As we are walking back, I rack my mind on how to get the pony home.

When I was lost in my own thoughts, a gust of wind passed by, accompanied by a familiar scent of burning wood. As I realize what's happening, A smile appeared on my face and just continued walking along with my friends.

The rest of the night was pretty normal. We met with Nana and thier parents. Had a little chat and bid our goodbyes. I sneakily asked MeiMei's parents if she can have pets? They told me they used to have one before and that she tends to 'love' them too much so they have to give it away before it got hurt. I nodded and made my mind to never give her pets as gifts.

When we got back home. Nana and I had some late light dinner and I went straight to bed.

The morning after, someone was nudging me. When I opened my eyes to see who it was, I saw a white long face. I was so happy and reached out, "Hello boy."

*tak*tak*"Neighhh!!!!" It stumped and let out an angry sound.

"Sorry ! Sorry! Girl.. girl... ok.!" I apologized. I really need to check first. I said in a soft voice," Do you want to form a contract with me. You'll have your own place to roam free and you can drink your fill of this.." I raised my right index finger near her lips and a drop of Spring of Purity appear.

She sniffed it and took a lick. Her eyes showed an expression of surprised and happily nodded.

I traced an imaginary line in the air. I done this before with seeds, small plants and insects. I was expected the usual ripple that shows a distorted space but smoke started to appear as well.

There was a smell of something burning in the air. It was not the signature burning wood scent like Nana or the burnt leaf from Francis from that one time. The smell reminded me of some occasions in church. Then it clicked, it was incense.

As the slit open big enough for my first contractual beast to enter, she happily trotted in. Then I searched my mindscape to find her standing on top of the spring. She slowly submerge down.

When I can't see her anymore, I panicked. But the very moment I took a step forward, she emerged in all her new found glory.

I was amazed by the changes. Specially the crystal horn.

Then I felt my mindscape trembled and a crystal replica of her emerged by the side of the Spring facing outward. At the direction it was facing, a forest with towering trees and a lake emerged. I exclaimed, "F*ck! Jurassic Park?!"

After roaming in the new forest area for sometime, I experimented if she can return back outside. And thankfully there was no resistance.

I presented her to Nana that day. When I mentioned the scent of incense she smile because it was a sign that I'm related to her. Nana even figured out my unicorn can change back to her pony form.

I already knew that Nana LEGALLY bought the pony back then. I already figured things out. I'm pretty sure Nana has knowledge of animals with sleeping bloodlines. She just let DESTINY takes its course naturally and waited for me to make a choice. I actually could have denied the unicorn or just pick any of the many candidates that I encountered earlier. At the end of the day It's my CHOICE to make.

And by letting things happened as they did. I got to do the things I loved. I even formed a choir and strengthen my relationships with my friends. Maximum profit with no losses.

~end of flashback ~

In the living room. Christmas morning.

Me, Nana and the pony are watching tv. We already exchanged gifts. I gifted Nana with a small glass vial of pure Spring water of Purity. Nana gave me a black knitted scarf with yellow lines. Surprisingly it has thermal regulating function. She knows I hate wearing red clothes.

"Do you have a name for her yet, Dear?" Pointing the pony that raised her head hearing the question.

I honestly was thinking of just using UNICORN like in P*kemon. I realized the writers of the show are either very smart(for making things conviently easy for the young audiences) or just lazy.

But I already came up with a first and last name for my new friend. I thought back on the scene regarding what I called her that night we met and the new area in my mindscape. I said, "GRACE PARK".

~end chapter ~

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A bit of explanation. Grace is a girls name meaning gift or present.