Evergreen Manor
Paradox threw another beanbag onto the already formidable file of cushions, pillows, blankets and doona's that sat strewn in the middle of his 'Stallion Cave' in front of the impressive, self constructed monolithic Frankenstein that was his entertainment system. Satisfied with his improvised fortress of comfort, he walked to a shelf next to the TV and pulled out his DVD/Game collection... Which comprised of a Two Terra-byte portable harddrive, having learnt long ago that it was way easier to use one of these rather than fragile disks with hooves.
As he carefully jimmied the cord into the PC that sat in the core of the construction, Walter came in, carrying a cardboard-box overladen with various unhealthy things, guaranteed to earn the disapproval of 8 out-of 10 mothers, and stated spreading them out in an orderly fashion next to the pile of assorted comforts.
"You got everything?" Asked Paradox, fiddling with the PA that controlled his sound system.
"Everything you requested Sir," Walter replied, moving over too the fridge and placing a tub of ice-cream and a few soft drinks into the mini-fridge.
"You're the best Walter," Paradox said, looking over and giving him a grin.
"I do my best, Sir," Walter stated, returned Paradox's grin with a small smile of his own.
"Are you sure you don't want to join in?" Paradox asked, though he probably already knew the answer.
Walter gave a look of mock surprise "Goodness no Sir. Your taste in entertainment, is rather 'Refined' as it were," He said, giving a chuckle "No I'll just retire to the sitting-room and get some reading done. Give me a call if you need anything."
"I'll keep that in mind, thanks Walter." Paradox, also chuckling.
"Any-time Sir," he said, leaving.
After waiting a minute, Paradox ran from his position next to the TV and dived onto the pillow pile, grabbed his Extra Large Remote, and with a few Button presses, the Monster entertainment system hummed to life, as well as killing all the lights, leaving the screen as the only source of illumination in the room.
Cycling through his massive collection on screen, he pondered his next course of action.
"So many choices, so little time." He thought, he settled on one folder.
"This one will do." He said, pressing the start button.
He then sat back and emptied a pack of chips into a bowl the Theme Song for one of his favourite shows started playing. At least, he mentally corrected himself, it was one of favorite shows back when it was good, and before Michael Bay and Nickelodeon got there hands on it...
Shaking his head to get rid himself of such dark thoughts, he lay down in front of his bowl and just enjoyed it.
'I'll just watch a few episodes, then I'll do something else,' He thought, 'After all, I've got all night...'
Later...
... He Walked alone through the endless Labyrinthine tunnels, placing torches as he went. Scanning the walls, he searched for treasure hidden within. He could hear the clinking of bones and the moans of the walking dead, he tightened his grip on his sword.
Suddenly he spotted something, illuminated, by a pool of Lava, traces of blue could be seen in the wall.
"JACKPOT!" He cheered. before sprinting across the room, putting away his sword and brandishing his pickaxe.
He set to work on the rocky wall, chipping away, unveiling the diamonds inside.
Suddenly a hiss was heard. It was faint,but there none the less.
He stopped working and looked around nervously, when no further sound was heard, he continued to mine, albeit warily.
The Hiss was heard again, this time closer. He spun around, brandishing his bow, scanning the cave once again. No sign.
He turned to the wall again, before hearing another hiss, this time very close.
He spun on the spot, there it was, right next to him, hissing ominously. He took a step back, drawing his bow...
... and promptly fell into the lava pool, the explosion finished him off.
"OH COME ON!" Cried Paradox, as the words 'You died' appeared on the screen.
All of his hard earned diamond, incinerated. it was enough to make you cry, it really was.
"Bloody creepers." He muttered, as he pressed the exit button, having lost the will to play.
But before exiting the game entirely, his cursor hovered over the 'Multiplayer' button.
'It would be nice to have someone to play with from time to time,' He thought, before closing Minecraft entirely. 'Well, other than my sister anyway.'
Well that was fun while it lasted, but what now?
He got up and walked over to the fridge, pulling out a tub of Ice-cream.
'I could watch Plan 9 from outer space... Nah, badly made horror films are only funny in company.' He thought, chuckling at his memories of the awful film.
'Maybe some singing... Nope, done that already' still thinking, scooping up a generous portion of ice cream.
'I guess could... No need more people' sucking on the spoon.
'Then how about... No I'm not that desperate' he shuddered at the thought, helping himself to yet another scoop.
With his spare hoof he fiddled with a Remote, looking once again though his video Library, 'I guess I could watch something else... but what?'
He looked down into the tub of Ice-cream, it was half empty.
'Wow, maybe I should go easy on this stuff, I don't want to get a stomach ache... Nah, I'll leave that problem for future me.' He thought, chuckling at the joke.
And then it hit him, there's something he could watch. He rapidly started flicking though his Library, trying to find the letter 'M'.
It has been a while since he last watched it, But it still meant as much as did to him as it did the first time.
He could go on for hours on why he liked it, from the compelling characters, to the fun story writing. lots of people could say the same. He'd seen every episode multiple times, but it didn't spoil the magic, for you see, it was more than just a fun show to him. It was special, in a special place, with special values...
...the show with very special people...
...ponies, like him.
He had no idea how, or why, but he bore a remarkable resemblance to the ponies on the show, and this fact alone, is why, whenever the show played, it helped him feel a little less lonely.
For he was lonely, no doubt about that. And though it might sound melodramatic, his little life, which consisted of a small manor, three loving family members, a loyal butler and friend, and a world that wouldn't understand him, often felt hollow and empty. A little pony in a big human world, and as far as he knew, he was the only one. When He was with his family, he was able to ignore it, but when alone, the full weight of being a one-of-kind came to rest on his shoulders. It isn't easy being different, and he was as different as they come. His whole world was this manor, and it was unlikely to change.
But the show, it gave him a new world to visit, the world where he belonged, where there where the Ponies lived, laughed and loved. Where he learns about friendship, its ups and downs, its lessons and the magic of it all. Not to mention the Ponies themselves, with all their little quirks, diverse personalities and characters, they all seemed so real to him, more real than any shady politician or vague celebrity he had seem on TV, and the main character, who went on a journey from friendless introvert to becoming the epicenter of a group of friends so close that they could face any threat the world threw at them, as long as they had each other by their sides. Despite it being a cartoon, he felt more at home in there than he ever could here.
So he began to watch, and watch, and watch, until he could barely keep his eyes open. So he stopped, and drifted into a deep sleep...
...And dreamed of Equestria.