//------------------------------// // Familiar Faces // Story: Crestfallen Soldier // by Dishonor20 //------------------------------// Familiar Faces After a restless night of going over mathematical equations, mostly Pythagorean theorem. The sun came up over the horizon and took it's place in the center of the sky. I looked at the clock it was six in the morning. I decided to set my Rig's clock to the current time. I opened up my Rig's menu, Twilight looked at it memorized. “How does it work?” she asked. “To be honest with you I don't know.” I replied. She looked a little disappointed by the fact. I decided to change the subject “So are you going to my welcoming party?” I asked. “Of course.” she replied. “So do you know who else is going?” I asked. “I know Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy are definitely coming to the party, but I think everypony is welcome to come.” she said. I was kind of hoping for a small party, but this will allow me to meet more people. I needed to get ready for the party. First off I needed a way to clean myself off. The shower in Twilight's house was to small, but my options were very limited. I also would have to change my bandages, but if I couldn't bathe I might as well put on clean bandages. “Twilight do you have any bandages I could use?” I asked. “Are you going to bathe?” she asked. “I might as well change my bandages ya know, but I would like to bathe, but your shower is to small.” I said. “I thought as much. There is a chemical shower in the basement you could use.” she said. “Really?” I asked. She nodded as she levitated some soap, and bandages my way. “Thanks Twilight your a saint.” I said as I walked into the basement. I took off my armor, it was cold down here. I saw the shower over in the far right corner almost out of view. Took off my clothes and got underneath the shower. The water was freezing cold, but its not like I hadn't taken cold shower before. I washed my body with a cherry smelling soap. Once I was done I let the cool air dry me off. I put on my new bandages, and then put on my clothes and armor again. Once I was done I took a look around the basement. There were a lot of strange machines around the room. Some chemicals lying on the shelf. I couldn't tell what they were, I would have to ask Twilight later. I decided it was time to head up stairs. I opened the door to the ground floor. Twilight was there putting the equations I taught her in a book. I looked a my Rig's clock it was 6:32 I decided to ask Twilight about the the people that were going to the party. A few hours later me and Twilight were walking to the party. From what she told me about her friends; Rarity was highly civilized and hated unclean things good thing I showered, and she was the element of generosity what ever that means. Also she told me that she owned a clothing store in town, she would be the one to talk to about getting new clothes. She also told me about Fluttershy, she was very timid, and loved animals Twilight called here the element of kindness. Then there was Applejack she and her family owned the Apple orchard outside of town. Twilight told me she had a bit of an accent, and she also called her the element of honesty I wondered why she called them elements. She also told me about her friends Rainbow Dash she was apparently very athletic, and Twilight called her the element of loyalty I'm noticing that she calls her friends elements maybe it was something they do here. We arrived at Sugar Cube Corner. I looked at my Rig's clock it was 11:50, we were a few minutes early. I knocked on the door, and Pinkie answered the door. “Hi Pinkie.” Twilight and I both said at the same time. “Hi Twilight hi Austin.” Pinkie said with the same joyful demeanor from yesterday. She also still had that wide smile from yesterday. “Come in you two. You two are the first to arrive.” she said. I walked inside the building, and there was a banner that said “Welcome Austin.” didn't I only tell her my name yesterday. Besides that the party looked great there was punch on the table, as well as some snacks. This was really kind of her, or maybe she is going to charge me for the party. I didn't know the answer yet, but I would just have to find out. “So Austin how do like your party so far?” Pinkie asked with her bright blue eyes on me, waiting for my response. “This is amazing Pinkie I never got a welcoming party like this before” I said. I was telling the truth I have never got a welcoming party like this because I've never got one. I didn't think it possible but Pinkie's smile got larger and I mean a lot larger. The next thing I knew I was on the ground with a pink pony bouncing on my chest. “How the...” in football I was trained to take and return a tackle from 300 plus pound person, but this pony got me to the ground in less then a second. “Dose that make us friends?” she asked with hopeful eyes. “Sure.” I said trying to get her off my chest. She stopped bouncing and started to shake. “Are you are alright?” I asked a little surprised by the thing happening on my chest. She took off like a rocket straight through the ceiling. “ WHAT THE HELL!” I said absolutely dumbfounded by what just happened. Twilight was just looking at me with a smile on her face. “Does that happen often?” I asked pointing to the hole in the ceiling. “Actually not as much as you'd think.” She said trying not to laugh. Another good question is how she going to land she wasn't a pegasus. Then I saw a little pink speck coming back down. I stood up and put my arms out to catch her. She landed right in my arms I almost fell on her but I fell to right of her. She was on her hooves before I was able to even put one foot on the ground, and how come I didn't have a dislocated shoulder or something. How did she land like it was nothing; a better question is how she does any of this. I got back on my feet the, and Pink pony still bouncing around. I saw Twilight's horn glow and next thing I knew the hole in the ceiling was patched up good as new. I have to admit that it was pretty impressive. There was a knock at the door. Pinkie was at the door before I could blink. How did she do any of the things she was currently doing is still a mystery to me. When she opened the door there where four ponies there; two pegasus, one normal one, and a unicorn. One of the pegasus was trying to hide behind the other ponies, but being bipedal gives you pretty good visibility. The one hiding behind the others had a pink mane and yellow fur. This pegasus matched the description Twilight gave me of Fluttershy. Also her behavior fit description as well. In fact they all matched the descriptions of Twilight's friends. The cyan pegasus with a rainbow colored mane was hoovering above the others. I think her name was Rainbow Dash. The white unicorn matched the description of Rarity. The orange colored one was wearing what looked to be a cowboy hat. She matched the description of Applejack. So these where Twilight's friends. They all looked oddly familiar. I sure I've seen them before, but where. They were all staring at me. Rainbow Dash looked like she was sizing me up as if I was a potential threat. Rarity was looking over my armor with fascination. Applejack seemed to be looking at me the same way Rainbow Dash was. Fluttershy wasn't looking at me she was hiding behind her mane. They all looked familiar I just couldn't place my finger on it. Rainbow Dash flew over to me, and started to circle me. “So Twilight what kind of creature was this again?” Rainbow Dash asked still circling me. “A human.” Twilight responded. “Is it friendly?” Applejack asked staring at me. “He sure is.” Pinkie said while standing on her two hind hoofs with a hoof wrapped around my torso. She was just standing by the door how did she get from there to here so quickly. “Pinkie you think everyone is friendly.” Rainbow Dash said now directly in front of my face. “So are you friendly.” Rainbow Dash said still in my face. “I'm friendly I assure you.” I said trying to convince her I was in fact friendly. “Do you Pinkie Promise?” Applejack asked looking at me questionably. What am I five again, but if it will gain there trust. They didn't even have fingers so how was this going to work. Might as well do the oath. I put my right hand over my heart and raised my left hand as if I was taking an oath. “Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.” As I said that they all looked at me shocked. “What?” I asked looking between them. “That's not a Pinkie promise.” Twilight said. “Then what is?” I asked looking between them again. “ Alrighty Austin it goes like this. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Pinkie said going through the motions, and she literally stuck a cupcake in her eye. “And that's it.” She said pulling the cupcake off her eye. This was worse than before this is even more childish then the my version. I was almost 21 for crying out loud, but if it will help gain there trust. “Do I have to go through the motions to?” I asked feeling defeated. They all nodded “Fine. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” I said going through the motions as a did. Why can't I see out my left, and why does it hurt. I pulled my hand away and there was a cupcake in my hand. How the hell did that get there. My eye was burning with pain. The white unicorn levitated me a napkin. I wiped away the frosting from my eye. “Thank you ma’am” I said looking around the room for a trashcan. The rest of them were trying to hold in there laugh. Except for Rainbow Dash who was rolling on the floor laughing. “My and he has good manners.” The white unicorn said in a heavy accent. It reminded me of... George. Everything around me started to fade away. I was back in the prison on Scorpio 6. ---- “Austin?” Pinkie asked tapping him in the stomach. He didn't move all emotion had left his face. Austin's eyes started to dilate much to the surprise of the ponies around him. “Hey buddy are you alright?” Rainbow Dash asked waving her hoof in front of his face. His vision never faltered from the unknown object he was staring at. He almost looked like he was staring at an object that was a 1,000 yards away. “Austin?” Twilight asked fear rising in her voice. “I think he just needs to sit down.” Rarity said trying to reassure the others and herself. “Is he alright?” Fluttershy asked saying her first words since she got here. “I don't know sugar cube.” Applejack said waiting for something to happen. Austin stood standing while the ponies where trying to figure out what to do. “Has he ever done this before Twilight?” Fluttershy asked looking into Austin's emotionless eyes. “No never.” Twilight said fear becoming ever more clear in her voice. She saw Austin as a friend, and she never wanted to lose a friend. “Fluttershy try using the stare on him.” Rainbow Dash said trying to find emotion in his emotionless eyes. “Okay, but only if you think it will help.” Fluttershy said flying in front of his face. She started to give him the stare; it worked on manticores and dragons so why wouldn't it work on him. His facial expression never changed, and he was still looking at the invisible object the others could not see. For the thing he was staring at could only be seen by those who have survived the horrors he's survived. Fluttershy landed looking distressed as if she has seen some unbelievable horror. “He's scared.” she said landing in front of him almost in tears . “How can you be so sure.” Twilight asked looking into Austin's eyes. Twilight noticed if you looked deep into his eyes you could make out one thing... Fear. “Its alright Fluttershy I'm sure he's fine.” Pinkie said wrapping a hoof around her friends neck. “What should we do now?” Rainbow Dash asked sounding concerned now. “Should we bring him to the hospital?” Rarity asked looking at her friends for any conformation. “He doesn't look hurt.” Applejack said circling him looking for any signs of injury. Little did Applejack know it was the injuries she couldn't see that were hurting him the worst. “I think we should inform the princess.” Twilight said looking at the rest of the girls. Most of them nodded in agreement. “Where am I.” Austin said looking at his hands. ----- I had another flashback, I hate when happens. The flashback went up to the point when I got here to Equestria, but now I know where I've seen these ponies before. I would always be confused after an episode. Most people would tell me I would stare off into the distance when I had a flashback. It scared a lot of people back home. I began rubbing my eyes to get moisture back in them. I looked around the room and remembered where I was. I looked down to see all of the ponies from before staring at me intently. “Are you alright?” The orange one asked me. “I'm fine.” I said looking at the ponies in front of me. The yellow one from before was crying. What happened to her I wondered. “Are you sure?” Twilight asked with extreme concern in her voice. “I'm fine it was just a little flashback.” I said trying to dull what just happened, but in truth the fist few times I had a flashback I broke down. I was silent for days, and emotionless, but after a awhile I just learned to accept them. The doctors called it different names PTSD, shell shock, and combat fatigue. All I knew is that when it hit, it would hit hard. I learned to cope with it however. “But you looked so scared.” the yellow pony said a tear falling from her eye. This was the first time I heard her speak. “I wasn't scared.” I said, but in all truth I was scared, seeing everything again isn't easy. “Don't lie to me mister.” The yellow pony said giving me a look like something bad was about to happen. “Honest I wasn't scared.” I said giving her my best poker face. “In fact Pinkie lets get this party started.” I said looking at the pink pony who was all to happy to comply. She brought out a record player that played awful music, but it would work. The rest of the ponies were just looking at me shocked. “What. Lets not let one incident get in the way of the party.” I said. To be honest I didn't want them wondering why I had a flashback. Twilight gave me one of those you've got to be kidding me looks. Fluttershy looked at me with a look of disbelief. Applejack and Rainbow Dash just shrugged it off and continued as if nothing happened. I was going to like those two. Rarity looked at me with a bit of concern in her eyes. I went over an poured three glasses of punch. I walked over to the three of them. I handed one glass of punch to each of them. I didn't know how Fluttershy was holding it, but I was getting side-tracked. “See I'm fine honestly.” I said pouring myself a glass of punch. Twilight and Fluttershy didn't look happy with my answer. Rarity accepted my answer and walked over to join her other friends, It was only Fluttershy and Twilight left, it was time to play diplomat. “Listen is there anything I can do to convince you to that I'm telling the truth.” I looked at both of them with a smile. They both looked at each other thinking of something I could do. “Tell us what caused it to happen.” Twilight said looking at me. “It just happens randomly.” I said. They looked at each other and shook there heads. “Come on I'm telling the truth.” I said almost pleading with them. “Alright, but if it happens again we want to know the truth.” Twilight said. This was only a temporary solution it seemed. Oh well it bought me some time. The party went on until the sun went down. No one else showed up to the party. Which was fine by me because I didn't want to meet to many people or ponies as there called. “Its time for the party games.” Pinkie said Pulling out a bunch of random objects form out of nowhere. “So what game should we play first.” she asked looking at everybody. “I say we play truth or dare.” Twilight said looking directly at me. I knew exactly why she wanted to play truth or dare. She wanted to ask me about the flashback. It didn't matter what I picked she would either dare me to do it or make me tell the truth. Then again I could just bluff my way out of the question or dare. The rest of the ponies nodded in agreement with Twilight. “I'll start off.” Twilight said still looking at me. “Austin Truth or Dare?” she asked grinning at me. “I never said I was playing.” I said standing over by the food table. “Are you chicken?” Rainbow Dash asked giving me a sly smile. “That's it” I said sarcastic still standing by the food table. “Come on don't be a coward.” Rainbow Dash said. The others nodded in agreement all except Fluttershy. She finally nodded a little, or maybe it was just a sneeze “Et tu, Fluttershy?” I said looking at her with a smirk. “What does that mean?” Twilight asked generally interested. “Why don't you ask, and by the way I pick truth.” I said giving her a smile. I knew she couldn't resist the temptation of knowledge. She knew what Im was doing, and she didn't like it. “What was that thing that happened earlier?” she asked returning my smile with her own. Cleaver girl “It was just a medical condition.” I said telling the truth. “But what caused it?” she asked. “Sorry Twilight, but that's another question all together.” I said retuning the smile again. I turned to Pinkie “Truth or Dare?” I asked smiling. “Dare.” She said bouncing. “I dare you to change the game.” I said smile growing even wider. All the others gave me a deadpan look. “You can't do that.” Twilight said displeasure in her voice. “Sorry Twilight, but a dare is a dare.” Pinkie said looking through her pile of random assorted objects. She pulled out a bottle. I knew where this was going and I didn't like it one bit. “So the next game were going to play is spin the bottle.” Pinkie said placing the bottle on the floor. I let out a deep yawn “Sorry girls it looks like I'm too tired to play.” I said stretching to add emphasis. “SO you are a chicken.” Rainbow Dash said . “Yes, and now I'll be heading out.” I said walking towards the door. “You know Spike will be asleep and the door is locked.” Twilight said giving me a sly smile. “Then it looks like its a night out on the town for me.” I said reaching for the door handle. “Fine, Pinkie lets find something else to play since Austin here is being a coward.” Rainbow Dash said. “Right on target.” I said turning around. It didn't matter what they called me I've been called worse by my own species. “How about we play some real games.” Rainbow Dash said smiling. “Like?” I asked. “You would be to scared to play them anyway.” she said looking at me with a smirk. “Games like hoof wrestling.” Rainbow Dash said trying to look menacing; It failed miserably. If I could take a guess at what hoof wrestling was I would guess it was similar to arm wrestling. My suspensions were confirmed when Rainbow Dash and Applejack wrapped there hooves together, and began to struggle for control. Rainbow Dash started to push Applejack's hoof to the table. It looked like Rainbow Dash was going to win this one. Rainbow Dash was smiling with confidence. Applejack's suddenly got a wide grin. There hooves began to move to the other side of the table. Rainbow Dash's smile of confidence began to fade as her hoof got closer and closer to the tables surface. Rainbow Dash's hoof slammed against the tables surface with a loud thud. She looked shocked to say the least. “Sorry sugar cube, but I learned a few tricks since our last game.” Applejack said giving her friend a pat on the back. “So am I up next.” I said walking up to the table. Applejack and Rainbow Dash both let out a loud laugh. “So you think you can beat me?” Rainbow Dash asked hoovering at my eye level. “I don't know maybe.” I said. I didn't know how strong they where, but if they were like Pinkie I would be in trouble. “All right then lets make this interesting.” Rainbow Dash said giving me sly grin. I only raised my eye brow in response. “If I win you'll do what ever I say for a whole day.”She said confidence in her voice. “And if I win?” I asked. “You get the same deal, although you won't win.” she said placing her hoof on the table ready for the match. “Deal.” I said placing my elbow on the table and grabbing her hoof with my hands. She looked a little surprised. Weather it was my hand wrapped around her hoof, or the fact I accepted the challenge I did not know. “Ready.” she said. “Set.” she said as I tensed my muscles for the struggle. “Go!” she said as she started pushing down on my hand. I didn't let her have any ground. I kept my hand in the middle. My tactic was to wear her out then claim victory. Our hoof and hand stayed in the middle. She started to sweat a little. “Guess your not a weak as you look.” she said trying to push down on my hand, but I wasn't about to give her any inkling of victory. I started to push back with more force then she was applying. Her hoof slowly began to move closer to the surface of the table. She had a look of horror on her face. She was not expecting to lose. I used all my strength and slammed her hoof on the table. Once her hoof landed on the table she had a look of complete shock on her face. I knew she was thinking, how could I lose. I gave her a pat on the hoof. “You put up a good fight.” I said giving her a caring smile. “Ya you too.” she said never taking her eyes off the table. “So I guess I'm up next.” Applejack said walking over to the table. “Suppose so.” I said giving the table a pat. Rainbow Dash moved out of the way to let Applejack sit. I saw Rainbow Dash watching with extreme intent. I wrapped my hand around Applejack's hoof. “Ready.” I said preparing my muscles for the next struggle. “Set.” I said as I saw her do the same thing. “Go!” I said pushing down on her hoof. She was already losing. Wait she pulled a trick on Rainbow Dash I was going to have to finish this fast. I started to apply less pressure. Her concentrated face turned into a smile I knew what she was going to do next. She was going to put all her strength into it, and she did just as I hoped. As I fleet her put more strength into it I did the same. I halted her advance. She only gained about an inch before I stopped her advance. She would wait for the opponent to use there strength then use her own. It was an effective tactic, but it only worked if the opponent was not expecting it. So I started to apply more and more pressure on her hoof. Her started to move closer to the surface. It was time to end this I used all my remaining strength and slammed her hoof on the table. “Good Game.” I said giving the table a pat. “You too.” she said nodding. Rainbow Dash was looking at me with awe now. “I can't believe you beat both of us.” she said looking me over with new found respect. “You both put up a valiant effort.” I said giving them both a smile. “Also Rainbow Dash don't worry about being my servant for the day. You don't have to do it.” I said feeling good about myself. “You know I wouldn't be letting you of so easy right?” She said smiling at me now. “I know but there was a saying where I came from. Be the bigger person.” I said. “Person?” she asked confused. “Human terminology.” I said weaving off the question. I looked at my RIG's clock I was nearing midnight. All the ponies in the room were looking at the holographic display with awe. This would get annoying after awhile. “What is that.” Rarity asked. God her voice reminded too me much of George's. “This is a RIG.” I said messing around with the display. After I showed them all the features of the RIG they were impressed to say the least. The grandfather clock in the room started to go off. It was midnight already? “Well I should be heading back home.” Rarity said walking towards the door. I talked to her during the party about getting some new clothes. She said she would do it, and do it for free. I was going to head to her place tomorrow to get measured. I wasn't looking forward to it, but it was a necessary evil. Rainbow Dash and Applejack decided to head out as well. Me and Twilight were about to head, when Fluttershy approached us. She whispered something into Twilight's ear. “Austin where going to have to run by Fluttershy's house.” Twilight said looking at me. Fluttershy kind of looked like a softy despite her previous tone. “Fine by me.” I said walking towards the door. “Are you guy coming to the party tomorrow?” Pinkie asked giving us her world famous smile. “A party for what?” I asked. “To celebrate this party of course silly.”she said bouncing up and down. “We'll have to see Pinkie.” Twilight said opening the door with her magic. “It starts at one.” Pinkie said as we walked out the door. I thought that that pink pony was pretty weird I wondered if that was just me. The walk to and from Fluttershy's house was pretty uneventful. We arrived back at the library around one a clock. “I'm going to bed Austin see you in the morning.” She said walking up a flight of stairs. I wasn't tired yet the cake and punch saw to that. I literally ate so much cake Pinkie was impressed. Then again I hadn't eaten much before the party. I guess I was just going to be another long lonely night for me. Authors notes Sorry it took me so long to get another chapter out. Anyways I'm leaving it up to you guys to decide if he should or shouldn't go to Pinkie's second party. I would like to see what you guys think.