//------------------------------// // chapter 4.5 a man of the past // Story: the thing in the dark // by nallokthecat //------------------------------// "So ..." Sam started as he and Applejack started back to camp. "Just out of curiosity how did you all find me? I mean I've taken great steps to make sure my camp was hidden from any of you ponies. "Applejack looked at him as they continued walking. "Well Twilight used a spell to teleport us ta where ya were once we found this tube thing that we thought might be yours." "Tube thing?" the human asked then he stopped dead in his tracks realization ringing like a bell in his head "The shell casing..." "The what now?" Applejack said as she stopped and tilted her head in confusion. "Excuse me for just a moment" he said as he made his way over to a tree taking his helmet off and putting it on the ground letting Applejack see his messy black hair. Then he began to bang his head against the tree all the while saying "STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID!!!!" After about five minutes he finally stopped and turned around letting Applejack see his face. It had a slightly long beard and a red spot on his forehead, which was obviously from his most recent activity and of course there was his eyes. His strange aluring eyes. But what really drew her attention were the 3 claw marks that dragged down the side of his face. "What the hay happend to ya?" Applejack said slight alarm ringing true in her voice. At first he seemed confused by her statement but then he saw where she was looking and understood. "Well hunting involves some inhernt risks. particularly when you're young and stupid." he said as he started walking while dawning his helmet once again. "For example lets say a young male is out hunting bears with his father for the first time. Eager to impress his dad he trys to shoot the first bear he sees but just grazes it and that pisses the bear off quite a lot. So the bear desides hes gonna get some payback and slashes the poor kids face open, even ripping the eye right out and crushing it. Luckly the boys father is there and blasts the head clean off and gets his boy to the hospital so he'll live. Heck he even manages to get an eye transplant to replace the one he lost doing his dumbass stunt." Sam pants a bit while he finshed the story, having been getting angry at his past mistake all the way through, then he stared back at Applejack who looked a bit scared. "Y-ya mean ya eat meat?" he was a bit surprised that that was the part she lached onto. "Only when I'm hunting and I only hunt things that have just as much chance at taking me down as I do them. I think it makes it fair; the rest of the time I just eat fruits and vegtables." he said. This made applejack relax. "Actually I'd be eating alot more fruits n' veggies if I could find any that are safe for me to eat around here. It's like every freaking plant in here has some kind of gimmick." At this Applejack smiled. He guessed because she thought he hunted more out of necessity than plesure. "Well sugercube ya'll should come down to ma farm. I grow the best dang apples you ever tasted." then Sam stopped again. "Did.. did you say apples?" "Ya" Applejack said "Why do ya ask?" Then out of the blue, Sam hugged her tight. "OH GOD THANK YOU I HAVN'T HAD ONE IN SOO LONG AND THEY'RE MY FAVORITE." he nearly screamed as he hugged her tighter. Applejack smiled after their little hug session. They continued to walk, Sam nearly talking Applejacks ear off about how much he adored apples until finaly they reached the campsite. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I'm honestly suprised you want to stay the night here." Sam said as he rolled out his cot. "Ya dont seem the type to stay with a total stranger." He was still disbelieving that Fluttershy the pony, who had shyed away from him when he and Applejack first got back, not only said she wanted to spend the night with him; but also had managed to convince both her friends and him that she should before shooing them back home "Oh, umm, well I just would like to get to know you. Umm if that's okay with you." Sam smiled. He had thought all the ponys where cute, but this one was especially adoreable. It was as if someone had taken everything that was cute, and made it into one creature. "Of course it's okay. But just so you know, you're not changing my mind about this. I'm not going to this 'Canterlot' place." On that Sam was firm. "Umm why not though?" Fluttershy asked. "Uhh weren't you listening the first time? I dont wanna be at a disadvantage. Besides, even if that wasn't the case... well lets just say me and those in power never really clicked. Even with my kind." "Umm what exactly is your kind? If you don't mind telling me that is." Sam smiled "I'd be happy to. I'm a human." "A hyuuman?" Fluttershy trying to say it made her sound even cuter "I see...umm can I ask a question?" "Sure" Sam said happily "ask away." "Why are you scared to go?" Fluttershy asked begining to gain a bit of confidence. Sam looked confused. "Scared? I'm not scared of a bunch of ponies." "Then why wont you go?" Fluttershy said a bit louder than before. "Well I..just don't like the odds." "But you said you wern't scared." Fluttershy said, gaining momentum. This wasnt her normal self but her feelings told her that he needed this. "I'm not!" "Then you should go!" "I wont!" "Why not?" Finally Sam broke. "BECAUSE THATS HOW MY DAD DIED." Flutteshy stood there in silence as he continued "DAD WASN'T AFRAID SO HE CHARGED BACK INTO THE ARMY WHEN THE WAR STARTED UP. WHEN HE KNEW THAT THE ODDS WERE AGAINST HIM AND HE DIED BECAUSE HE GOT STUPID AND CARELESS." sam started to cry and seemed to forget Fluttershy was there as he began to ramble to himself. "Why.. why you stupid bastard? Why did you have to go in there? You knew you were too old you knew that you probably whern't going to make it back...why did you have to go and fight?" Fluttershy flew over gently and hugged him as he cryed into her mane for what seemed like hours. Once he finally calmed down Fluttershy asked "Do you feel better?" Sam sniffled "Y-yes I think I'm better now." Sam straightened up a bit "I really think I needed that...hey Fluttershy?" "Yes?" Fluttershy said in a sympathetic tone "I think as long as you and Applejack go with me, I'll go there but only if you promise." Sam felt a bit like a child talking this way, but his break down combined with the warmth and caring of this pony had made him shaky and he desperatly needed some assurance. Fluttershy smiled and said "I promise." as she nuzzled him and laid down to go to sleep. Sam smiled and lied down to only manageing to say two words before he fell asleep. "Thank you"