Impossible

by Neiha

Chapter 2: What They Say About Hindsight

It was normal.

I'm not sure what else to say about it really. You get used to day to day things and I had lived here my whole life. I knew the house, street, even the town to a tee, but if I was asked to describe them all, I'd just say "normal" or "average". I guess that's how I'll start then.

I had been at home on break for almost two weeks. I had moved back in and taken up residence in the basement of the house. Yes, yes, to say I was a basement-dweller would be unfortunately accurate but in the time I had been gone my old room had been transformed into to an office and the desk didn't make for a comfortable bed. The basement had already been made into a guest room years prior to this so me staying there was only natural. Being home again brought with me feelings of nostalgia. I missed this place and it was good to be back. I'd fixed myself into a rhythm before even two days had passed and by the end of the week it was like I had never left.

My parents were good and caring people. Having me back home was really a load off their chest. They never liked the idea of me being out on my own. Coming from a family of four boys, I was hardly ever alone. I was closest in age to Evan, he was my younger brother. I loved him and all but his antics grated on me quickly. We got along well besides that with our shared in-jokes and hobbies. He was my little bro and I was at his back. Dan and Chris raised me just as much as my parents did. They weren't too much older than I was but they were always there when I needed them. Dan was always always very reflective and would ask the oddest questions about the most random things. Chris was a daredevil that never denied a challenge and never backed down from a challenge. Both of them had a penchant for mischief that I never saw the end of but they always meant the best. Their pranks were harmless and, in hindsight, were fun to recall together. Well... for the most part.

It was almost two years since it happened. As I thought about the incident my right leg cried a phantom pain. It was healed now but every so often it would act up; a cruel reminder of a dark time in my life.

But that is a different memory.

In this one, I had time to relax after finals and I was taking advantage of that opportunity. Lounging around, hanging with friends, and taking leisurely strolls to the neighborhood park had become my day to day. I was always outdoorsy and I enjoyed taking time to soak up that summer sunshine. I had made plans for that day however. Not the most official or formal type of thing but it was important, at least to me. That day I had decided to make a visit to our old family hangout.

I cleared the crest of a hill just large enough to conceal the place. It was an abandoned baseball field and it was probably older than anything else in the neighborhood. The backstop was so rusted that we were always anticipating it collapsing down on us. The outfield had become overgrown to the point that you could hide a body there and no one would ever find it. There was a solitary tree off to the side of the backstop that had been dried out and barren for years. A creek flowed silently behind the ball field, establishing a further disconnect between it and the neighborhood. It's other boundary was a forest of pine, oak, and maple trees that backed up all the way to the local lake, which was a good two or three miles out.

That forest was actually how we found this place. We were the only ones who hung out in the woods. There weren't many other kids in the neighborhood and most preferred the comfort of their houses. When we were all playing hide n' seek Evan was the one to find it. It was down an old path hidden by a couple downed pine trees. Eventually another old tree blocked off the path but by then we knew at least twelve other ways through. It would from then on be our place. Funny enough, we never played baseball, but every time we met up it was here, this time was no different.

I was early, always was to these meetups but I was always late everywhere else. I sat up against the old tree carcass for a spot in the shade while I waited. I knew Dan would take his sweet time and Chris already said he'd run late. I looked at the blue-tinged sky with as I brought myself back to time gone by. I closed my eyes and took in the soft heat of the sun that was just about at it's peak for the day.

Relaxation wasn't even a word in my vocabulary these past few moths and I just eased into the feeling. So much so that I must have nodded off. Passing figures and words came in and out of my head tin my little nap before I was awoken by a voice.

"Hmmmmm, took ya long enough guys," I yawned stretching my arms over my head. "Seriously, I was gettin' some nice z's." I opened my eyes and the field as I had come to know it faded into view...with one exception.

There was a figure in front of me and it was cloaked.

"Bit hot for that kinda prank, huh bro?" I said dismissing it. Dan always was dramatic.

"Leave," was all I heard before everything went black.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Rainbow, I think you broke him," uttered what I suspected was a pink pony.

I shook my head softly to bring myself back. I wondered how long that took. I hope these blackouts aren't a new habit. "No...no I'm fine. Sorry just...thinking." I assured.

"Well then?" demanded Rainbow Dash. I tried to recall the question.

"Uh...I...don't know," I released. She didn't seem to like that answer.

She flew right up to my face and continued her interrogation, "Whaddaya mean you don't know? Don't lie to me. I can tell when people lie and I hate it. Now you got to the count of three before I-"

"Rainbow, please!' cried out Twilight, "Give him some space I'm sure he'll explain."

I was still a bit fuzzy so my first thought just sort of wondered out of my mouth, "I don't mind. You actually look pretty cute this close up." It was true. I her tousled mane and fur seemed added to the determined and resilient look she was giving me. She had all of her features standing out to accent her a mean face of a serious nature. I found it adorable.

Rainbow cut her gaze immediately and stammered "I...I...just answer me already." Rainbow was embarrassed? Absolutely adorable.

However on topic, "I already did. I have no idea why I'm here. I just woke up in the woods one day."

Rainbow jumped right back into suspicion, "How do I know you're tellin' the truth?"

I thought about that for a bit before I shrugged, "You don't. But if you doubt everything I say we're gonna go in circles. You're gonna have to give me the benefit of the doubt on all this. Most of it probly won't sound like the truth but it is. I got have no reason to lie to you."

She glared at me furiously before saying, "Fine, but I'm still watchin' you." She lifted her hoof to her eyes before pointing at me and landing back on the ground. I don't know why she had such a bone to pick with me but it was unfortunate for her that I found it so cute.

"If I may," asked Twilight. "How is it that you are speaking? I've never heard of talking monkeys before."

She's asking genuinely. She doesn't know any better, chill. I took a deep sigh before I answered. "I'm not a monkey. I told you I was a human. We can all talk, but not all of us speak English."

"But you're speaking Equestrian and you look so similar to a primate. Are you sure-" Twilight began.

I cut her off before I could get angry. "Yes, Twilight I'm sure." God this is backwards, in any other situation I'd be asking them if they weren't really horses. "I speak English and I'm a human, it's just a coincidence that it sounds the same. Some people think we're related to primates but it's a bit of a hot topic. We don't exactly love the comparison."

Twilight caught the cue, "Oh...I'm sorry," She caught another cue as well though. "Wait! how do you know my name? And earlier you mentioned the Elements, how do you know about that?"

I was gonna have to explain sooner or later, "I actually know all of you. Applejack the Element of Honesty, Fluttershy the Element of Kindnes, Rarity the Element of Generosity, Rainbow Dash the Element of Loyalty, Pinkamina Diane Pie, or rather Pinkie Pie, the Element of Laughter, and Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic and student to Celestia, the ruler of all Equestria."

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Besides a mild amount of surprise from each, the only real reaction was Pinkie getting more excited. Didn't even think that was possible.

"Oooooooo! Areyoupsychicorsomethingorisitjustthatyou'reaspyandknowalotaboutalotofthingsormaybeyou'rejustLyraindisgu-"

I tried to stop her before she accelerated her speech to light-speed. "No, none of that. I know all this for a simple reason," I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and hoped I wasn't about to rend the fabric of this universe. No pressure. "First of all I'm not from this world. I'm from a place called Earth. There is a show back home, called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. It features all of you as the main characters, or Mane Six as fans call you. It's all about you guys and you're adventures all throughout the land of Equestria as well as the lessons you all learn in friendship." I paused, and slowly opened my eyes.

They were still there so the world hadn't exploded. One giant worry off my chest. As I looked at the ponies though I was probably more alarmed than any of them, even Fluttershy if you can imagine that.

I was able to mumble out, "Huh, you guys are taking that better than I thought you would."

"Well, duh silly!" piped up Pinkie Pie. "It's superdy-duperdy great! I just hope I make them smile."

"I....I guess that makes sense...but the rest of you-" I tried.

"Wait wait wait! Do you mean a whole bunch of ponies get to see my coolness in action?!" asked Rainbow.

You have NO idea. "Humans, but yes" I nodded.

Her mouth agape, she uttered "So.......AWESOME!" Who knew this would get rid of her suspicion of me.

"Surely such folks would take care to notice my elegant designs?" inquired the elegant as always Rarity.

I nodded again.

She gasped with delight, "Well then they must have decidedly good taste," Debatable

Applejack simply shrugged "I don' see why anypony would wanna watch what Ah do, If'n they learn somethin' I ain't gonna complain 'bout it."

Twilight had her eyes snapped open and her gaze fixed on mine. "If that's true then I have a whole set of questions: How many of you are there? Where do you settle? What kind of eating habits do you-" I figured that would be a good point to stop her.

"Twilight, as I said I don't mind questions but I can't answer that fast. Slow it down a bit." I urged her.

She didn't slow down,"But there's so much to learn, so much to report, so much to-" REPORT!?

I needed a bit of clarification. "Hold on! You're gonna report me to the Princess?"

She tilted her head to the side as if to say 'Well duh,' before saying, "Well duh," called it "If you know about the lessons we learn you should know I file a report for each and every one. You said there's another world that I don't know about. I'm going to make sure to rectify that as soon as possible. In that I must also report this finding to the Princess. I'm sure she'd like to be informed." I became both excited and frightened at the prospect of me becoming an item of importance for the being whom controls the sun.

Finding words to use suddenly became very difficult, "Twilight...I...you...can't," I took a break, resumed breathing, and started again. "I don't know if that's a great idea....but if you really have to then let me help with it." This was my kind way of saying that I don't want Celestia to be informed of an (semi)intelligent carnivore with a recent history of impulsive sadism.

Twilight was beaming at the prospect, "OH! Of course! I'm going to need your help with this all throughout and it will have to be extensive!"

I'm sure. I cringed a bit as I thought of the interrogation that was to come.

I turned to look at Fluttershy. I was absolutely amazed by her reaction to all this. In fact, she looked like it hadn't fazed her in the slightest. "What about you, Fluttershy? I would think the prospect of so many people watching you would be a scary thought."

Her response was simple and yet I'm still not sure I understand it. She told me evenly, "You're the only human I've ever seen and I'm not scared of you, Jayson."

That's a terrible way to think about it! She doesn't know what we're capable of. The slaughter, the self-mutilation, the atrocities committed every day, hell even most humans fear other humans. If she even knew what I- She did and she still wasn't afraid. Was this really the same Fluttershy I thought I knew?

As if in answer to my query Rainbow had given her a soft nudge saying only, "Atta girl, Fluttershy." This proved enough to propel her to the ceiling and back, while causing her coat to stand up on end. I couldn't help but giggle and the others couldn't either. She was the same Fluttershy, but something about her was starkly different.

I was still unsure as to why I had the privilege of bearing such trust from Fluttershy but I chose to drop the matter. Best not to break things for the sake of fixing them. I heaved a sigh of relief at the small success. At least now I knew I could tell them things without threat of global or personal meltdown as a reaction. I still wasn't to keen on what I would have to answer but I got over it.

"Alright, Twilight, and Rainbow have had a turn so who's next?" I invited.

Pinkie Pie then began jumping up and down with her hoof raised in the air saying, "Oooo! Me! Me! Please pick me!"

I couldn't help but grin, "Yes, Pinkie?"

She immediately stood straight, looked me dead in the eyes, and asked her questions in a deadpan and serious manner, "Do you like cake, do you like parties, and when is your birthday?"

I would've laughed but her expression was one of the utmost serious. I answered completely, " In order: Greatly, usually, and January 6th." She simply nodded in reply as she brought her big beaming smile back to her face. That made it harder to continue "Although, I don't think any of that will be necessary. I have to get back home, remember? I don't anticipate staying very much longer."

Pinkie giggled and replied, "Oh, silly! You can just pop on back when your birthday comes. No friend of mine will go Pinkie-partyless on their birthday! Especially not my first human friend."

What she said was so kind and genuine that I almost didn't correct her. Unfortunately I did, "Pinkie, I can't come back after I go. Getting here was a fluke and I'm still not even sure what caused it. Hell, there isn't even magic where I'm from."

Every pony's jaw hit the floor on that one.

"NO MAGIC?!" Twilight was the first to respond, "How is that even possible? How do you raise food? How do you write? How do you control the weather? How....how...how do you do anything?"

I sighed, cursing myself again for dropping a culture shock bomb. "Nothing in our world needs magic," I began "Humans use ingenuity, tools, and willpower to work through their necessities. We've made things that seem like magic, but they all have a firm and tangible basis. Besides, look at me, Twilight. I don't have a horn. I couldn't use magic if I tried."

Twilight was still incredulous, "So no other humans have horns or wings?"

"Nope," I answered plainly.

Before she could continue, Pinkie chimed in, "So...you're just gonna leave us...forever?"

This pony was incredible. I had no sooner met her than she began to call me her friend. She didn't hold even an ounce of suspicion towards me at all. To top it off, she knew just how to dig into my soft spots. It didn't change the facts though. "I'm sorry, Pinkie, but I need to go home. What if you were torn from Ponyville and put into a place that was strange and foreign to you and the only way to get back was a one way ticket? Even if you made new friends, would you abandon you're true place of belonging?" I stopped myself to think. My life was nothing special back home but I knew I could never belong here. At the end of the day I'd always be the odd one out, no matter how well I was accepted. As fantastical as this all was, I belonged on Earth.

All the looks in the room had turned dour. It wrenched at my soul to have brought on those looks. I wanted to fix that. I didn't want to leave on that note. A thought popped into my head so I gave it a voice. "I promised Twilight that I'd help her report so I won't be leaving right away. Besides, you don't have The Elements on you and I haven't had time to rest for a while. I tell tell you what, I'll stay for a week longer. In the meantime, Pinkie, you can prep me the best sendoff anypony's ever had while me and Twilight do Q 'n' A."

Pinkie's beaming face rose to meet mine as I witnessed the success of my words, "Okie-dokie-lokie! It's gonna be one KA-Razy party!" Of that I was sure.

Spirits restored, I stated, "With that, I believe we're down to Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy."

Rarity stepped forward, "Pardon me darling but, those, er, 'clothes' you're wearing, are they the fashion where you come from?"

I looked down at myself to once again realize I was dressed solely in the tattered remains of my denim blue-jeans. I couldn't keep the laughs from flowing out when I imagined people casually going about their day, clad my attire. "Ha, ha. No no, no," I tried to steady myself with a bit of success, "These rags aren't typically what I wear. My wardrobe since I've got here has been limited to what I had on me and unfortunately the forest wan't kind to them."

Rarity gasped as if I said something abhorrent, "Why, in Celestia's name, would you wear your clothes through such harsh living? Don't you take proper care of your garments?"

Another speed bump, great. Well here I go. "Actually, Rarity, humans almost always wear clothes. Some of us choose to "go without" but they're a large minority. We do so for a multitude of reasons ranging from warmth to modesty." Don't ask about modesty, don't ask about modesty. I wasn't so lucky.

"Modesty?" Rarity asked with genuine curiosity.

I could feel my cheeks redden. I really didn't want to tread this path at all but I promised them answers. I took a deep breath before I tried to answer. "Well...humans...are...like...sometimes," I stopped, focused, took several calming breaths and tried again. "Humans have a tendency to find naked bodies arousing. Wearing clothes helps to prevent any...uncomfortable situations."

I wasn't the only one blushing after I was finished. Each pony seemed to look away from me for a bit. "Oh," muttered Rarity.

After a pause that felt like an eternity, I found myself craving a change in topic. "So, Applejack, Do you have anything you wanna ask?" It's not gonna get worse than that. Thank GOD I was right for once.

"Oh! Uh, sure. Uh, well, when was the last time ya had a bite ta eat?" Applejack was able to stammer.

It was a good question. I had no idea really but I knew what my stomach was telling me. "Man I'm so hungry, I could eat a-" Let's not be that stupid. "Whole buffet." I was going to have to watch my choice in turns of phrase. That was very close to disaster.

"Well then, Ah hope ya like apples," Applejack replied with a grin. "We got the finest in all of Equestria down on Sweet Apple Acres. Ah'll be sure ta cook up somethin' real nice for ya." The prospect of a real meal was enough to make my mouth water almost to spilling point.

I wasn't sure what had changed these ponies attitudes so fast. AJ wasn't very keen on my presence just a few hours earlier. Rainbow was at my throat right out of the gate but somehow they had warmed up to me seemingly at the drop of a hat. I had never, in my entire life, seen anyone or anything drop their suspicion so quickly. Ironically it made me a bit suspicious. Why all the trust? I was no one special. In my current state I was someone whom I myself would have suspected or, at the very least, shunned. I didn't really want to press my luck though so I just continued as normal.

"Sounds great! Haven't had a home cooked meal in ages," I answered truthfully "However, I have one last pony that I owe her questions." I turned to face my rescuer, "Well, Fluttershy?"

She thought for a moment before she inquired,"Where are you going to stay during the week you're here?"

I was caught off-guard for that. These ponies really had a knack for that. "Oh, uh, I hadn't thought about that. I have a hut in the forest I've been using but I'm not sure I could make it back from here. I don't think I can stay in Ponyville either."

Fluttershy looked downcast at that statement. "Why not?" She asked.

"I'm not sure having me wandering around Ponyville would be a good idea. I'm not sure the whole town would be quite as receptive to me as you all have been," I explained. I gave a brief grin to Rainbow and was slightly entertained to see her huff in reaction. I knew she didn't mean anything by it but if her initial reaction was to be repeated in a more public setting, I'm not sure I could properly defend myself from suspicion.

Fluttershy then suggested her alternative, "Why don't you stay here then?"

She couldn't be serious,"Oh...no...I couldn't possibly ask more of you. You've already helped so much-"

"Really, it's no trouble. I don't live in the town so you won't startle anyone. There's also plenty of room, you won't be a bother at all."

"I....I......" I was at a loss for words. Why the hell did these ponies care so goddamn much? "I really don't know if-"

"Please? I wouldn't feel right if you didn't have a proper place to sleep." She pleaded as she looked into my eyes with the most innocent and adorable puppy-dog eyes.

Fuck me. Why can't I say no to cute? "...fine, but only if you're sure I won't be a bother. I'm also gonna earn my keep. Whatever you need done, I'll do it. I'm no freeloader."

Her expression broke into a vision of joy (seriously, what was with these candy-colored ponies?) as she excitedly replied, "Good, good! I'll go make sure the bed is prepared."

"And Ah'll get ta bringin' ya'll somethin ta eat," said Applejack.

"Oh and I absolutely must do something about you're wardrobe," chimed in Rarity as she readied her measuring tape. I still have no clue if she had brought it with her or if she magicked it from nowhere. She took a few quick measurements and was off in a flash, "Ah, but don't worry, darling, no charge. It's the least I could do to help you back on your feet."

Before I could stop her, Twilight piped up saying, "I should prep my supplies. Oh! Do I have enough Quills? I should ready a check list, I'll need quills, parchment, ink, and I should probably..." she trailed off getting more and more distracted by her prospects. She then quickly bid farewell and rushed out off the cottage.

"I have a party to plan! Dashie, you're with me. I'm gonna need speed to make a through a KA-RAZY PARTAY in only a week!" Pinkie then grabbed Rainbow's tail in her mouth, bringing them both outside before Rainbow could object.

I was left dumbfounded at the speed of their exit. I didn't even realize my mouth was agape until Fluttershy had returned from upstairs.

"Everything is set. I just need to make sure all the little animals are settled in for the night, then I'll be right back. OK?" Fluttershy told me in a slow and caring tone.

I nodded and before I could speak she trotted lightly out of the rear door.

I was once again alone in a cottage and instead of any dread or anticipation, I was left with confusion. Why were these ponies so fixated on helping me? My brain had decided it had worked hard enough as a wave of exhaustion hit me hard. I decided to make my way upstairs to try out that bed I heard so much about.

Despite my unconsciousness and my blackouts I still found myself tremendously tired as I went up the wooden staircase to the top floor. I had been so wound up about how they all might react that I had worn myself out completely. I plopped down on the first bed I saw and told myself I would just take a brief nap before Applejack returned with something for me to eat.

I closed my eyes slowly as I thought of how well things had gone. I hadn't scared anyone, or rather, anypony away. I seemed to have actually invited the care and friendship of these mares and I had not the foggiest clue how I had managed it. I would muse on that later however as the soft down comforter sucked me into a trance.

I had survived the woods and was now in a safe place with those who genuinely seemed to care about what happened to me. That was enough to ease my mind from it's troubles. As I felt my consciousness slip once again into darkness I had just two thoughts left to me. The first was a bright reminder that, within a week, I would be home. The last was a shot to the gut; how would I say goodbye?

It was on this grim note that my mind dove into it's subconscious.

The nightmares it made for me, washed away my good cheer.

Author's Note:

Thank you again for reading. I hope you enjoy what's to come!

Comments

[FicusCat]

"Well, duh silly!" piped up Pinkie Pie. "It's superdy-duperdy great! I just hope I make them smile."

Yup, it make us smile when you all have some mental breakdown, or when Twilight got buried under some anvil or when you all suffer because of the poison Joke ( wich we have created, exactly like you ). In fact WE the scenarist decide when you're going to have a breakdown, it's so much fun.

"Wait wait wait! Do you mean a whole bunch of ponies get to see my coolness in action?!" asked Rainbow.

Her mouth agape, she uttered "So.......AWESOME!" Who knew this would get rid of her suspicion of me.

So awesome to crush your dream of hanging out with Spitfire, or so awesome to Watch you lose your shit in the Young flyer competition, because my people take a lot of joy to make you suffer like this :)

"Surely such folks would take care to notice my elegant designs?" inquired the elegant as always Rarity.

I nodded again.

She gasped with delight, "Well then they must have decidedly good taste," Debatable

But that's why it's so fun to crush your dream too. After all, you saved the world two time, but we the scenarist make you struggle to have any recognition for that or your design. It's better for our entertainement that you never achieve recognition.

Applejack simply shrugged "I don' see why anypony would wanna watch what Ah do, If'n they learn somethin' I ain't gonna complain 'bout it."

You don't even want to learn why you're an orphan ? It was fun to kill your parents and make you live without them, it add to the entertainement value of the show. But it's true, you're not alive, so you don't care about not having parents, right AJ ?

Wow, why no author point these fact when the cat is out of the bag ? Telling outright to the characters that they're not alive, they are fictionnal, and all their suffering are only plot device for the entertainement of the child of an alien race ?

Maybe because you cannot do it realisticaly ? And that's why the whole Brony in Equestria don't work, it raise too much questions, and no authors can deal with it, instead they sweep everything under the rug, and the story suffer from this.

[Neiha]

2837475

I'm gonna guess you didn't enjoy the chapter then?

[FicusCat]

2837499

The story could be good, except for the whole Brony nonsense inside.

Being a Brony remove a lot of interractions and character construction from the story, because the MC " Know " everything. He didn't have to observe or interract with the ponies, because he already know their personnality and lives.
There is no sentiment of awe from him, being a Brony mean he's not surprised by talking mythical creatures. There's no discovery of a whole new culture of talking ponies, because he already " know " that culture.

And as I said, being a Brony add a whole level of creepy in the story. How are YOU going to react to an alien landing in your backyard, and telling you that you're in a show for their children and that he know everything about you ? I know I'm not going to be ok with this.
Add the fact that for the MC, they are all FICTIONNAL ! Yes the show make us laugh, BUT everything bad happening to the ponies are plot device of scenarist.
AJ parents are dead because the aliens have decided that she need to be an orphan for the story. It's really creepy to learn that somewhere, an alien race has modeled your entire life, and that you're not even aware of it.

Where is the limit of the fiction ?

[Neiha]

2837553

I'm not quite constrained to that line of thought but think I understand what you mean and I thank you for pointing that out. Reaction to reaction has always been a weak point of mine and you seem to have pointed out a self-crippling facet of my work. I will strive to mend what I can and make the character interaction more believable.

Thank you for your advice and for voicing your concern.