> A New Begining
>  by Emeris Moonglade
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Contact
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 1: Contact

Wind, all he felt was wind. He opened his eyes and immediately streams of tears began making their way up his cheek, but adjusted to the rush of wind. His eyes widened as the realization hit him—he was falling. Falling with the weight of a boulder, the human flailed his limbs frantically in the abandoned hope of grasping something that could in some way save his life. 
The thoughts of death flashed through his mind, he was unable to decipher what he had needed to finish before he died. Then the thought hit him just as he crashed through the rickety support beams of an old barn. The beams exploded in a cacophonic array of splinters and large chunks of wood. Thousand of cobwebs entangle the bruised figure as he smashed into the dirt ground bellow, leaving a small crater where he lay. He bled from multiple wounds caused by the support beams and clung  to consciousness as he lay moaning and groaning.
The sound of hoofs reverberated in the distance and shook the ground more violently as they got closer. A smile threatened to escape his lips just as he fell into unctuousness. He was once again alone in a dark, dead world.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The human awoke to the fragrant smell of laundry detergent. His eyes slightly opened to the scene of darkness. He could faintly see the glimmering outlining of objects in the distance. He tried sitting up in bed and to his surprise, he was able to. Although an effort for his weak bandaged limbs, the human managed to prop himself up onto his elbow so he could better view his surroundings.
As his eyes began to focus, his brow furrowed in confusion. The many outlines seemed to be some sort of horse stall—only it was furnished to look like a bedroom. There was a separate smaller room in the far corner where a brown, tattered cowboy hat hung and several ropes were coiled. On the other side of the room there were the outlines of picture frames hanging on the walls—it was still to gloomy to see the painting though.
His eyes swept over the room with interest, taking in the faint colors and the sweat smells. His sight then fell on a round nightstand next to the bed where a small picture frame set, along with a lamp and his clothes—they were neatly folded up. He slowly and painfully slipped out of bed. Out from underneath the covers the cold lay resting on his bare skin, causing a wave of goose bumps to cover his bruised form.
Carefully putting on his tattered wranglers and black turtleneck—as not to aggravate his injuries—the human then began to panic. He felt around under the bed and around the nightstand but couldn’t find what he was looking for. If anyone or anything were to get a hold of those items, anything could happen.
A quiet humming flowed through a crack in the door. The soft light of a candle brightened as its handler made her way to the door. The human’s eyes shot like daggers at the door. Slowly and carefully he sunk down into a crouching position and—one step at a time—made his way around the corner of the bed.
The humming stopped. He peered around the corner just as the door slowly opened with a squeak as the hinges rubbed against each other. The room flooded with the serene glow of the candle.
“Oh my gosh!” A soft, small voice gasped, the clomping of hooves echoed in the room. The human recoiled from the sudden outburst. “Where is he?”
The equine creature set the candle on the nightstand, then slowly made its way around the bed. “That’s right, just a little closer.” He thought. It was almost turning the corner he was hiding behind. “A little more...Now!” He grabbed it, slamming it to the closest wall available. Dust drifted down from the rafters as the creature hung by its neck, her hooves trying to grab at an unknown force. He found its eyes, the small flame of the candle reflected off of them. He saw only kindness. 
The creature had a sun-yellow coat and a frosting-pink pink mane and matching tail. The only alien feature, was that it sported a pair of feather wings, they trembled and shook with fear.
His grip loosened, then finally he let go. He dropped to his knees in shock. Tears began to form in his eyes, then flowed uncontrollably. 
The creature appeared to be about four feet tall. It was cowering mere feet from where the human had dropped. Its eyes were wide in both fear and wonder, the two legged figure that had attacked her was now falling apart altogether. It seemed to be attacking and the pegasus began struggling until she realized, she wasn’t being attacked, she was being hugged. 
The mixture of emotion in those few minutes was something out of a movie. Nobody really ever experienced it.
“There there. It’s alright.” It cooed, voice slightly trembling. “Here, how about you come downstairs with me and I’ll fix you something to eat. You must be absolutely starving.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Moments later, the human sat alone on a plush leather couch in the main room of the house. A single fire illuminated the room, its lights dancing on the walls, giving the room a tranquil feeling considering the events that had occurred upstairs.
Five other equine figures surrounded him. An orange one even slept on the other side of the couch he was on. It rested it head on the arm of the couch, its breathing slow and peaceful. As for the other horse-like creatures, they slept in their own part of the room, their breathing slow just like the first.
Mare painting hung throughout the room. Though the dancing lights lit up the room slightly, it still wasn’t enough to get a clear look at them. A thin blanket of dust blanketed many of the bookshelves beside the fireplace. He could only bake out a few of the titles, such as; A Ponies Guide to Apple Harvesting; When to Buck Your Apples; An Apple’s Life for Me. 
“These folk must be pretty into apples.” He breathed, making sure not to wake the ‘Ponies’ in the room with him. He was in the a book of fantasy. How could pegusi, unicorns, and ponies exist when he’s traversed the whole world and hasn’t come across any. Who would have thought they could talk either. 
The one next to him stirred. He froze and slowly looked at her. It seemed to him it was starting to wake up. Its breathing quickened and it began to moan somewhat. His head snapped back forward he stared at the space in front of him. Hopping, preying it didn’t wake up. His prayers were not answered. The wingless and hornless creature sat up and rubbed both eyes with its hooves. 
“Woo wee!” She said, stretching her hooves high in the air. “That accident yesterday left me durn tired. Fluttershy? Are ya still up?” She began looking around the room and her gaze stopped on the human. She just sat there and stared. He then finally got the guts to look back and what he saw was pure terror. The orange pony shrank back and continued stared at him.
“Uh...howdy.” He began. He gulped then continued. “Mah name is John. What’s yers?” He stuck out his hand, the orange pony looked at it and slowly raised her hoof to it, shaking it slowly. 
“M-Mah name is A-Applejack.” She stuttered and gulped. Dropping her hoof to the cushion in front of her.
“Mighty fine. Pleasure meatin’ yer acquaintance Miss Applejack.” He smiled sincerely to her.
“AJ is just fine.” She insisted, “That’s what the rest of mah friends call me anyway.” He nodded and turned toward the kitchen entry way where a pale yellow light shone through. The yellow pegasus walked through with a tray of food grasped between her teeth. She set the trey down on the coffee table.
“Oh, I see you’ve met my friend Applejack.” She said blushing. “Oh silly me, where are my manners. I forgot to introduce myself.” She giggled “My name is Fluttershy. What’s your name...um, if you don’t mind me asking?”
He stuck out his hand in the same manner as he did for AJ. “Pleasant meetin’ ya. Mah name’s John. So, hehehe, ah don’t suppose ya know who owned that barn ah put a hole in?” His gaze switched between the two of them. Shredded with guilt he looked at his bandaged arms.
“That’ll be mah barn.” AJ answered, “and it’s no trouble. It was just an accident ah’m assumin’.” She was still looking at him with interest. She had never seen a creature like this. Nor a creature that could survive a fall like that, and have nearly recovered from yesterdays injuries. It just wasn’t natural. She needed to keep an eye on this thing. 
“Oh, oh ah’m so sorry.” He clutching his hands together. His stomach churned with regret. “Ah can’t say ah rightfully know how ah got up there. But, like ya said, it was an accident.” And with that he stood up and started pacing. He was in deep thought.
“John, are you all right? You seem awfully troubled.” Fluttershy trotted over to him. Placing a gentle hoof on his hand. The contact caused a tingly feeling to rush up his arm and into his neck. He twitched. He sighed.
“No, no ah’m not alright. Ah just need to know how the heck ah got here.” he turned and walked back to the couch. Plopping down on it. A cloud of dust puffed up on contact. He fanned it away with his hand. “Ah need to know how ah got here so ah know how ta get back.” 
“Whatever do you mean?” she asked him, hoof still on his hand as she sat next to him. 
“There is no possible way ah’m from this planet or dimension.” He answered, he made tight fists, his knuckles turning white. 
“How do ya figure?”
“Well for starters, ah was miles underground in a dusty cavern, than ah’m suddenly fallin’ from the sky.” He stuck up a finger, and then a second one when he said. “Second, ya’ll have fresh food and wood to burn a fire. Plus it’s safe to breath this air. And third,” he stuck up a third finger. “You two exist.”
“What is yer world like!” AJ shouted, causing the other ponies to stir, then in a quieter tone she asked. “Ah mean, ya’ll don’t have air ta breath and food ta eat where yer from?”
“Ah can tell ya one thing an one thing only, where ah come from is the one place ya would not want to go.” His voice got low and serious as he added. “Otherwise, it’s none of yer concern about mah world or what ah do there. But now that ah know of this place—when ah leave ah’ll be sure to come back.”
AJ sighed. “Ok, ye’re almost more random than Pinkie Pie.” She said.
“What? Whose Pinkie Pie?”
“Ah said yer almost more random than Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie is the pink one on the couch right there.” She pointed with her hoof to the pink fuzz headed pony on the couch across from him. “And if ya can get more random than her, ah say ya two are goin’ to be the best of friends.”
“What makes ya think ah’m random.” His voice was still low and gravely.
“Yer random cause ya keep on spoutin’ out random stuff in no specific order. That’s why.”
“Well sorry. First thing ah’ve had ta talk to in over twelve years and its tellin’ me not ta talk. Ah tend ta have a lot on mah mind right now, sorry fer wantin’ ta talk.”
AJ’s head fell, her eyes fixed on her hooves. “Sorry.” was all she had to say.
“Oh John, we didn’t know, please forgive us.” Fluttershy pleaded. She scooted closer to him, wrapping her forelimbs around his arm. A sharp pain ran up his arm, but he ignored it.
“It’s alright, ah just am a little overwhelmed and confused, that’s all.” He rested a hand on her hoof to reassure her.
“AJ, who are you talking to.” A blue pegasus rose from under her quilted blanket. Her eyes were still full of sleep when she looked at him. All she did was blink, and blink, and blink. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes grew wide. Then in a rainbow blur she disappeared, then reappeared right in front of him, hovering above his lap.
“What in Celestia’s name are you?” She pointed an accusing hoof only inches away from his face. He kept a steady face and just stared back with an emotionless gaze. The pegusi hoof began to shake until she backed down and landed on the floor next to Applejack.
“I-I’m Rainbow dash,”—she gulped—“Fastest flier in all Equestria.” Her hooves shuffled back and forth.
“Mah name’s John.” He said, a small smile curving at his lips. “Best engineer on earth.” An awkward grin appeared on Rainbow’s face when he finished.
“You know, you sound a lot like AJ.” She said, standing taller and prouder. “I haven’t seen anypony that wasn’t related to Applejack with that accent.”
“So it seems.” He sat back with a groan he stretched his whole upper torso. His back arched in a way nopony had ever witnessed. The ponies watched in horror, as if he might be broken. Bones popped in his back and joints, and with a sigh of relief he fell back down onto the couch.
“What in tarnations was that?” AJ asked. “Ya looked like ya would have snapped like a twig.”
“Ah was stretchin’.” He answered. “Ah’ve been sleepin’ and then came right to this couch and sat down. Mah back was achin’.”
“That’s how your kind stretches?” Fluttershy asked, awestricken. “I mean...It looked like you were in pain.”
“Well...everyone stretches different, and...wait...what do ya mean by mah kind?” Fluttershy shied back behind AJ, peeking over her back. One eye hidden by her pink mane.
“S-Sorry, I-I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.”
“No, It’s ok. Just kinda funny, that’s all.” His eyes dropped to his hands again and he sighed heavily. “No harm done.” They all looked at him, AJ still unsure about this creature. It did seem nice enough, but she wasn’t going to take her chances. This thing could still be faking.
“Um...just wonderin’. Did you happen ta find a duffel bag and the stuff that was attached to mah belt?” He gestured to his belt, lifting his shirt up to show them the decorative leather belt. “Cause...well....it wouldn’t be too good if something or someone got a hold of’m.”
“Why? Are they dangerous?” AJ was in his face now, eyes locked on a dead stare with his.
“They certainly ain’t toys. But yes.” He pushed the pony away with a finger and she backed away, still not taking her eyes away from his. “Don’t worry, they’re useless unless whoever usin’ them knows how ta use them.”
“Um...AJ, can’t you leave your guest alone?” Rainbow asked, her hoof on her shoulder. “It’s not like he did anything wrong other than crash into your barn, which I have done on many occasions.”
“She’s right dear.” Rarity said, which gave her an unfriendly glare from Rainbow. “He hasn’t harmed anypony so far.” She added, not even noticing Rainbow.
“And he seemed pretty shaken up when he woke up, I doubt he could do much harm...um, if you know what I mean.” Fluttershy hid behind her mane.
“Um...don’t mean ta be rude and all...but ah’m kinda in the room too. It’s not like ah can’t hear.” John folded his arms and looked at the three of them accusingly. Tapping his foot on the hardwood floor he added, “Now...back to mah question...does any of ya know where mah stuff is?” His eyebrow shot up as Rainbow hesitated an answer. “Ya have somethin’ ta say Miss Dash?” Dash eyed the ground, and slowly raised her eyes to look at him.
“Um...I may have happened to be in the skies when you fell,” she paused and licked her lips, “and another object was falling further away, and right after you hit the ground your stuff fell in the Everfree.” All the ponies gasped, their eyes widened in fear.
“Not the Everfree!”
“Nopony ever goes in there.”
“Why sugar, yer stuff is as good as lost.”
A confused look hung from John’s face. His eyes left Rainbow’s and returned to AJ’s. “What’s so terrible ‘bout a name? Now...what exactly is this Everfree that’s happens to be so dangerous?”
“Well,” Fluttershy began, “the Everfree is a vast forest full of creatures. The plants grow by themselves, the animals take care of themselves, and...”
“And worst of all,” Rainbow butted in, “the weather happens all by itself.” Her eyes were wide in fear. 
“Wow, all the bad in yer world sounds like all the normal in mah world.” He scratched the scruff on his face. “Ya know, weather, animals, and plants are suppose ta take care of themselves. Ever hear of the natural order?” Another gasp, this time from their newly awaken guest.
“Oh, Twilight dear, meet our guest.” Rarity ushered the purple unicorn to an empty spot next to John. “He was just telling us how his world is exactly like the Everfree.”
“His world?”
“Long story.”
The purple unicorn eyed him intently, she almost seemed to be examining him. He shifted uncomfortably and turned his back slightly to Twilight. “So mah stuff landed in a forest that is exactly like the place ah was born and raised in. Doesn’t sound too hard.”
That earned an unwelcome stare from Applejack and a confused one from Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash seemed excited with the idea. Twilight’s expression hadn’t changed, but he didn’t dare turn toward her. “It’s almost mornin’, when the sun rises ah can head on out and start searchin’. If Miss Rainbow here would so kindly show me the direction, ah should be back before sundown.”
They gasped, this time Twilight joined them. “OK, OK. Stop with the gaspin’. It’s not that bad. Just cause ah’m in bandages doesn’t mean ah can’t take care of mahself. Ya can decide whether or not ya want me ta return before ah leave, but ah need ta get that stuff soon.” They exchanged worried looks. John stood up and started walking into the other room.
“John, wait.” It was Twilight. “We’ll go with you. If it’s true your from another world, than you know nothing about Equestria.”
“Ah thought ya were scared of the Everfree.”
“Not when all of us are together.”
“Fine, we’ll leave in a couple hours. Ah suggest ya get some more sleep.

> The Search
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2: The Search

Sorry if it's not as good as expected. There may be a few slip ups with Johns accent and sorry if his mood changed all of a sudden. Although that will come later in the story. But don't sew me, I'm only 14.

Gentle rays of sunlight drifted through the glass window. The air was thick with the early morning chill. Small wicks of the fire still flickered as a small breeze whipped by. John sat up abruptly, raking his hands through his hair and rubbing his eyes. He had fallen asleep sitting up, but something was off. A strange weight was on his legs. It moved too. He looked down to see a lump under the cover of his wool blanket. 
He knew who it was. Small bands of pink cascaded over the arm of the couch. He sighed, these ponies must really trust him, especially this one. The look in her eyes every time she saw him was of pure kindness. Kind of made him think of his mother. He shook his head, grabbing at his hair. He couldn’t think of her—or them for that matter. 
His gut churned, an acidy feeling rose up into his throat. Calm down, calm down. Deep breaths. Ah just need to stop thinkin’ ‘bout them, that’s all. He breathed deeply through his nose and out of his mouth. His stomach began to feel normal and the tension in the back of his neck began to loosen. 
He let out one last breath, this time funneling it out of his nose. The breath sent the pink hair stirring, then its owner began to move. She shifted her position and was on her back with her hooves in the air.
John pulled the blanket of to reveal Fluttershy. Her eyes twitched and she let out a long deep breath. “Um, Miss Fluttershy.” John placed his hand on her shoulder and shook her a bit. She moaned and eventually opened her eyes. Sleep still lingered in her vision but she realized what was going on.
“Oh my!” She gasped, her eyes wide, and a deep red blush rose to her cheeks. “I’m so, so, so sorry. It was getting cold and you were the one with the only blanket, so I thought I would get a little teeny bit warm and then get out. I guess I must have fallen asleep. Oh I’m so sorry.” She began to hyperventilate. Her lips trembling and tears coming to her eyes. “Please don’t hate me.”
“Fluttershy, it’s alright.” He stroked her mane gently. “It’s no bother at all. Ya don’t need ta get yerself all worked up.” She shook, trying to keep back the tears. “Yer pretty sensitive ain’t ya? Haven’t seen anyone quite like yerself in a while.”
“Well,” she began, settling down some. “I-I’ve always been like this. One reason I was named Fluttershy, I’m shy and extra sensitive.”
“Ah understand, but ya don’t have ta feel bad ‘bout hurtin’ mah feelings.” He scratched his head. “The only thing you can do ta me is tick me off, and ah’ve only met one person who’s pulled that off.”
“Who?”
“Um...let’s get ready for the trip shall we, if yer still comin’ with.” Fluttershy hopped down on to the floor with a clomp. When she touched down her other friends started waking up. First it was Twilight, then Rarity, Rainbow, Applejack, and finally the pink one. The pink one rubbed her eyes, then glanced over at John with a dull stare, but the most unexpected thing happened.
“OhmygoshareyouthewierdmonsterthatcrashedthroughApplejacksbarnandwassleepinginherbed?” she pounced on him. In one swift a fluent move, John stood up and caught the flying pony, twisting her around the other side of him he threw her onto an arm chair. 
Eyes in a death-stare, the human stood there, knees bend and hands up, ready to defend himself. “Pinkie!” AJ was running to her side. “Are ya alright?”
“Ya, but a little dizzy.” Her eyes rotated in their sockets.
“You, why’d ya do that?” Her eyes pierced into his very being. “Ah want some answers now. Or ah swear, ah buckin’ you out personally.”
“Instinct.”
“What?”
“It’s called instinct.” He folded his arms as he leaned against the couch. “And ah have no control over it.” AJ continued staring until the pink one came over with a bubbly smile on her face.
“Oh Applejack.” She started bouncing up and down, her puffy hair flopping everywhere. “there’s no need to be a tatter-hater, it was really, really fun.” AJ blew steam through her nostrils and stormed off into the other room.
John stared blankly in the direction she went, then at the others in the room. “What’s yer name?” He didn’t look at her, but everypony knew who he was talking too.
“Ooh, ooh, ooh, my name is Pinkie Pie. But my friends just call me Pinkie Pie.” A smile stretched to both ears, literally, as she answered.
“Well, ah’m sorry Miss Pie. But one thing ya need ta remember. Don’t do anythin’ like that again.” And with that he walked through the front door into the chilly morning air. Fluttershy fallowed.
“There are so many things wrong with his attire I don’t even know where to begin.” Rarity fussed. “I’ve been wanting to tell since last night if I could make him something, but I didn’t want to bother him with any of that since he had just woken up.”
“Well I guess we better get ready.” Twilight said, completely ignoring Rarities comment. “I’ll go talk to Applejack and see if I can’t resolve this conflict.”
“I can see why AJ wouldn’t trust him.” Rainbow butted in. “I mean, he did crash through her barn and throw Pinkie Pie into the couch.” She was hovering, and crossed her arms. 
“Well I trust him one hundred percent, just like Fluttershy.” Pinkie Pie was still bouncing, she resembled more of a kangaroo than a pony.
“I still think I should make him something less dreadful to wear. I mean, just look at his shirt, it’s covered in mud and red stains. And his pants have more holes than Swiss cheese.”
The ponies dispersed leaving Rarity to her fashion-fit. “Wait, girls.”

~*~*~*~*~

John leaned up against the wooden railing of the Apple Family home. There was a heavy chill in the air, his hair swayed with it. Considering the biting cold, the human didn’t budge, he didn’t even shiver. Fluttershy on the other hand had to huddle up against his leg.
“J-John, what’s t-the matter?” Her teeth chattered, she looked up to his face, but his expression didn’t change. 
He sighed “Seeing this, I’m guessing you guys are really peaceful. Ah don’t exactly fit in, the way ah grew up—what ah had ta do ta survive. It’s not meant fer yer world, ah’m really goin’ ta need ta get it under control.”
“What did you need to do to survive?”
“It’s...complicated.” The front door slammed behind them, causing Fluttershy to yelp and cling to his leg. Behind the stood Fluttershy’s five friends, AJ still eyed him like he was some kind of monster. Which according to them he was. 
Twilight apologized to Fluttershy then turned toward Rainbow. “Can you show us which direction John’s stuff fell?”
“Sure can do Twi.” She saluted and flew off in the direction of the Everfree. “I’ll be back in like, ten seconds flat.”
“Reason why she saluted?” John asked, gazing across the rainbow trail Rainbow left behind. “Ya gals don’t seem like the military type.” 
“And how would ya know what the military type was?” AJ voice was low and accusing. “Unless you were in the military.” Her eyes never left his.
“Ah was fer a short amount of time. Then ah suppose ah was fired.”
“Why, because ya attacked yer comrades?”
“Ya know what, conversation over.” His voice was low, his face emotionless, his body shook trying to hold back rage.
“No, ah wanna know why ya were fired.”
“FINE!” he roared, shaking the awning above them. The ponies squealed and backed away. “You want ta know why ah was fired. Because they all were killed, every last one of them. Kinda hard ta keep a job when the people payin’ ya are dead and all yer comrades are dead. There ya happy.”
Every pony shook where they were, except Applejack, the hate in her eyes lessened, until they dropped all together. “Sorry.” She looked back up to the human. Hoping he would forgive her. She was wrong.
“No sorry ‘bout it. You gals  ready?” They all nodded their heads. “Well let’s get goin’.” He started off in the direction Rainbow Dash had gone, the ponies fallowed suite. No words were spoken on the long trip to the Everfree. Not even Pinkie Pie.

~*~*~*~*~

The evergreen leaves jostled in the noonday breezes. Small rocks of numerous colors and sizes dotted the thin dirt path leading through the forest. It wasn’t marked on any known map of the area, but it was a path non-the-less. Grass and shrubs laid heavily on the forest floor. 
In a single file line, the human and ponies marched along the worn path. Rarity complained about the humidity ruining her hair, which was in a tattered mess. Strands of hair stuck out and matted her forehead. Twilight never took her eye off of him, accept to watch her step. It almost seemed like she was studying him.  Applejack kept her head low, lost in her own thoughts. She was probably thinking about the fight they had earlier. Pinkie Pie on the other hand, was the only pony that had spoken a word since the fight at AJ’s house. She constantly asked John question, which like he had done for hours now, ignored her completely, not even glancing her direction. 
Rarity trotted up next to them. “Pinkie Pie, dear. Would you  mind leaving John alone, It would do us all a big favor.”
“But it’s so much fun.” She started bouncing up and down wildly. “Plus, he still hasn’t told me when his birthday is, or his favorite color or pastime. I don’t even know who he’s married too.”
“What makes you say he’s married?”
“Well du, the ring on his finger, you know he doesn’t have a horn to put it on right?” She crossed her eyes at her and went to talk to Applejack, who resided at the back of the group. Rarity just shook her head, Pinkie just didn’t know when to stop. She looked up at John, his features wore no emotion or expression of any kind. He kept his eyes forward.
“Do you think Rainbow’s alright?” She asked him, hoping to have better chance of striking up a conversation than Pinkie. He shook his head, but didn’t say a word. Hopes diminished she tried from a different angle. “Well, I make dresses for a living. What did you do before you came here?” He opened his mouth to speak, but closed right after. He turned his head down toward her, never losing the pace he had then at all day. “Ya probably wouldn’t be as comfortable talkin’ with me if ya knew. Although, me sayin’ that would make you think twice.”
“Oh come on. Please.” She started whining. “Oh please, please, please.”
“No!”
“Just a hint.”
He stopped dead in his tracks, then crouched down until he was eye level with the whining pony. He glared at her which made her think twice of her decision. He spoke in a threatening tone. “Ah’ll tell ya when ah’m ready ta tell ya. No sooner, ya got that.” She nodded and quickly stepped backward, then retreated to the back with Fluttershy.
John stood up and scanned as much of the sky that wasn’t covered in thick green leaves. A bright rainbow trail appeared in the sky. Then circled around toward them, Rainbow was coming in to land.
“Hey guys. Johns stuff is just a little further up. Should be there in no time.”
“Thank ya Miss Dash.” Despite his words John’s voice seemed emotionless and empty.
“Your welcome.” She leaned in closer. “Have ya made it up with AJ, she seems pretty upset?” He gave her a flat look. He looked into her eyes and she could only guess at what his answer was. No. But sometime, she hoped he would at least start talking. He had hardly talked since the trip started, or that’s what Rarity said. “Oh, ok. Well, I’m going to go talk with Twilight.” The flew off behind him and landed next to Twilight. He began walking again. The same pace as before only this time there was chatter in the background as the ponies had their discussions.
A low deep growl and heavy footsteps pierced the silence. All the ponies instantly quit their conversations and slowly looked in the direction of the threatening noise. Wind flapped at John clothes.
“Twilight.” She trotted up to him. “Ah want you and the others to make for the clearin’, ah’m goin’ ta check out what that noise was.” He started off until an orange limb stretched out to stop him.
“Oh no ya don’t, yer stayin’ where ah can see ya.” A loud snap came from nearby, and an even louder roar. 
“MOVE NOW!” She stared at him in horror. He didn’t know whether she was afraid of the monster or him. “AH SAID MOVE!!” She abided, catching up with the others as they made their way to their destination. “Alright you. Come out and fight!”

~*~*~*~*~

Moment later, the six managed to trip and stumble their way to the clearing Rainbow had told them about. In the middle laid a strange looking bag, but they ignored it and ran to the cover of bushes on the other side. Panting heavily they slide and hid inside. The echoes of battle cries and roars rang through their ears. But suddenly stopped. Each of them began to panic. Fluttershy most of all who had curled up into a ball and began rocking herself back and forth.
The pounding of footsteps could be heard and the ponies worry only increased. Then from behind the line of tree leading into the clearing stood a manticore. It looked like a lion with batwings and a scorpion tail, which swung menacingly back and forth. It opened its jaws, showing off its razor sharp teeth. The manticore kept its head low, slowly advancing toward the bush the ponies resided in.
Fluttershy let out another whimper as she watched through a gap in the bush. The others gasped and the manticore turned around. Standing just opposite of the clearing was John. His clothes were even more tattered than before, and blood dripped through fresh wounds under his bandages.
“Hey!” he held a wooden club. “Ya can’t have them until you’ve finished me off.” With that, the manticore, exiting its low crouch, charged at the human. With ease, John dodged the fatal blow by mere inches, then brought the heavy club down on it skull. It cried out in pain, but kept on attacking.
“Let’s finish this fast,  alright. Ah wanna be home in time for dinner.” He dashed for his bag of supplies. The manticore just stood there confused as the human pulled out a black, metallic object, and pointed it at him. “Ok, ya have two choices. Choice one; ya run away and don’t bother any of us at all. Choice two; ya come and attack me and ah give ya a new hole to breathe through.” As expected, the beast charged at John. 
All ponies gasped, they thought John was surely going to die. But they were wrong. Before the manticore could get halfway to him, a loud bang filled the air, forcing the ponies to cover their ears. The manticore recoiled as a bullet buried itself in its skull. It shrieked in pain, drops of fresh blood splattered onto the ground. 
BANG-BANG
He let two more rounds leave the chamber, double tapping the beast. His weapon ejected two cylinders scarcely five feet away.  The manticore dropped in a heap, lying frozen in a lifeless slump. 
Slowly, equine figure began to filter out into the clearing. They never took their eyes from the beast. They circled around it. Twilight was the first one to speak.
“Well, I suppose that solved that dilemma.” She turned around to find that John was taking varieas items out of his bag. First out came a leather device that strapped to his thigh—he place the weapon he used on the manticore in it. Second he pulled out a longer object, it was slightly like the other one, with a barrel and a telescope on top. But what fascinated her the most was the sword he pulled out. Handling it with no more care than the other weapons, he placed it on his left—opposite of the small cannon.
“What are those thing?” she asked, causing the other ponies to turn around and see what she was talking about. “I mean...you didn’t even touch it, and you still killed it.”
“It’s called a gun.” He picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder, which contained many other items. “Ah suggest we get goin’ before another beast decides to join his friend her.” He began the same pace as before. Ignoring his injuries and not stopping to make sure the others fallowed. Not wanting to be left behind, Fluttershy fluttered beside him, keeping pace as the others trotted after. AJ looked up at Celestia’s  sun. 
“Ah guess we won’t be makin’ it home fer dinner.”


> A Startling Surprise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 3: A Startling Surprise

“Ya know what? Ah’m tired of yer attitude.” Applejack fallowed John in through the front door to the Apple family home. “Ya hardly talk, and what ya did back there, killin’ that manticore without touchin’ it. That just doesn’t happen.” She stamped her hoof, shaking dust off the ceiling. “Look at me when ah’m talking ta ya. Ah said look at me.” She rushed over to him, but before she could lay a hoof on him Fluttershy bared her way. “What the hay Fluttershy, out of the way.” She leaned in close and whispered something into her ear. AJ’s ears dropped. 
“He seems very upset.” She whispered, she gently tugged at John’s pants. “John, are you alright. Is something wrong.” He turned around clutching an old wooden picture frame. “John?”
“Ah thought ah’d lost this fer good.” He breathed heavily and handed the object to her. To her surprise, the photo revealed more creatures like John, all huddled together under an oak tree. John was in it, but looked younger than he did now. An older man with scruff on his chin and a cowboy hat stood next to him with his arm on John’s shoulder. A woman, not much younger than the man, wore something similar to what the father wore, only without the cowboy hat. There were two younger children, no older than ten spins tugging at each other’s hair. “That’ s mah family, ‘bout a month before they...” he gulped “died.” 
“Oh my, how did they die? Do you know?” she gave the picture back to him
“Um...how are ya able ta hold stuff in yer hooves, ya don’t have fingers like me?” she looked at him confused, then answered.
“Uh, ya. You know how unicorns use magic to move stuff.” He nodded his head. “Well, other ponies such as pegusi and earth ponies, each have a little magic themselves. They use that to hold objects such as pictures and books.”
“Whoa, whoa, off subject here.” AJ butted in. “Ah wanna know how ya took down that manticore. And how were ya able ta survive all of that?” Everypony stared at the cuts, fresh blood still oozed from several of the open wounds. “No pony survives that unless there some kind of goddess.”
“Oh, I should go get bandages.” Fluttershy sped upstairs to fetch medical  supplies, leaving him alone with all the other ponies. The only one that seemed to completely trust him and actually liked him left him alone.
“Well, ya didn’t answer mah question. How did ya do it?” She tapped her hoof impatiently. 
“Ya know, even if ya kick me out don’t mean ah’m gonna tell ya anythin’.” He gave her his blank stare. “Ya can torture me and burn me, but don’t expect me ta talk. Ah’ll say when ah’m ready ta say, and that ain’t now.” He crossed the room and set his bag on the coffee table. “However, ah will tell ya how ah killed it, if that’ll make ya happy.” He removed the weapons on his person and set them out on the table. “Now, these here are guns. They can fire a piece of metal thousands of feet per second in to just ‘bout anythin’, includin’ flesh. Weapons built fer war and meant ta kill. There are hundreds of different kinds and millions more of each.” He lifted up the smaller one so they could see more easily. “This one is called a nine caliber, it’s fer close range, not as accurate as a rifle but just as deadly.” He set that down and lifted up the larger, longer gun. “This one, mah favorite one, is a sniper rifle. With this scope and long barrel, ah can hit one of yer apples on the farthest corner of yer apple orchard.” All the ponies gaped at the weapons, then slowly backed away. Pinkie Pie was the only one unaffected. 
“Ooh, ooh, can you show us how they work.” She was bouncing now. “It would be so cool if you could show us.”
“No.” She stopped bouncing. “If ya don’t know what guns are than ya obviously don’t make them. So that means ah should probably save mah bullets and stick with mah sword.” 
“You know, I wouldn’t mind seeing your sword.” Twilight trotted over to him, eying the black gauze covered hilt. All that showed of the hilt was the gauze. “May I see it?” She reached a hoof out to grab it, but John was quick and moved it away from her. “What’s wrong?”
“Mah stuff...is kinda...personal.” she gave him an even stare, and AJ scoffed. “Well, it’s almost sundown, so ah’m hittin’ the hay, and with the look Miss Applejack is givin’ me, ah’ll be in the barn.” He repacked his bag and headed for the door when Fluttershy came dashing down the stairs.
“AJ, you’re out of bandages, that’s not good at all, what if someone gets...” she stared blankly at John at the door. “John, where are you going?” He turned around and gave her a smile that never quite reached his eyes.
“Ah’ll be sleepin’ in the barn tonight. So ah’m gonna go get a bed ready.” He reached for the door handle, but a purple hue engulfed it and wouldn’t budge when he tried to open it.
“Now wait right there. He’s our guest.” Twilights horn glowed with the same hue as the door. “John, would you mind staying with me at the library, I have extra beds?”
He looked back at her, meeting her commanding gaze. She seemed like the leader of the group with how she held herself and her tone of voice. “Ya, sure. When do we leave?” He dropped his bags on the floor with a heavy thump.
“Right now if that’s ok with you?”
“Sure.” He re-grabbed his stuff and gave his farewells in nods to each pony. “Ah’ll wait outside.” The purple vanished and he opened the door and stepped outside.
“AJ,” Twilight turned toward her. “why can’t you get along with him? He hasn’t done anything to harm us, actually the complete opposite, he saved us from the manticore.”
“Ya, maybe he’s just playin’ ya.” She scoffed, “For all we know he’s in league with those gangs raidin’ the towns.”
“AJ! How could you say that?” Fluttershy walked in on the conversation. “He’s not what you think. He’s really sweat and kind.’
“Well, ya can believe what ya want ta believe, ah don’t trust him.”
“AJ’s right.” Rainbow said, “We can’t just go trusting any creature that falls out of the sky. Plus, those weapons he has, they took down a manticore, and those gashes on his chest, no pony could survive that, let alone walk away and fight some more.”
“Well, while you debate on whether he’s evil or not, ah’m going to take him home.” Twilight exited leaving Pinkie Pie, Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack. 
“I bid you farewell until tomorrow. Goodnight.” Rarity left. Pinkie Pie fallowed and Rainbow.
AJ was alone, she sighed, “Ah don’t care what they think of him,” she muttered, “ah don’t trust him one bit.” She skulked away upstairs.

~*~*~*~*~

The night was cold, though John appeared to not feel it. They walked silently down the dirt path leaving little trail as to their passing. In fact, everything was silent, not a bird chirped or squirrel scurried. All was peaceful. The moon glowed like a beacon out on the ocean. Very little could escape it radiant glow.
“You know, a funny thing happened to me yesterday.” Twilight, hopping to break the silence, she peered up into his eyes, but his expression didn’t change. It was the same as on the trip. “Well, my mentor, Princess Celestia,” she put stress on the name, hoping to grab his attention. “came down for my birthday.” She waited for an answer. Then he spoke.
“Happy birthday.” It was all that he spoke. She muttered something under her breath.
“Thank you. When’s your birthday?” There was silence, and this time there was no answer afterward. “Come on, I know you have a birthday.” She nudged his leg with her shoulder.
“February fifth.” He looked down at her. “Why do ya want ta know everything ‘bout me. Maybe ah’m keepin’ things a secret fer yer own good.” He stopped, around them was an empty field of grass, there were no sounds, but John heard otherwise. Reaching for his sword he unsheathed it, an intricate design of strange symbols marked the silver blade, then he crouched down telling Twilight to do the same.
“What’s going on?” She asked in a hushed voice.
“Somethin’s comin.” Just as he said the words the ground in front of them erupted. Pieces of dirt and rock showered on them as they fell back. The dust settled and there, standing in front of them were...dogs. There were five of them, each wearing clothes and drooling on the ground. They stood almost as tall as him.
“Diamond dogs.” John gave her a questioning stare. “We had a bit of trouble with them a while back. Kidnapped Rarity so she could search for diamonds for them.”
“Ya, so why are they here now?” He got back to his feet, he pointed his sword at them. Twilight shrugged and backed away behind him. He removed his bag from his shoulders and placed it on the ground beside him. “Ah suggest ya leave before this get really ugly.” Moments after he said the words a tall, slim dog walked out from the middle of the grouping. Standing at sword point he eyed him curiously and began speaking.
“This pony, along with her friends, stole our only way to find diamond.” He glanced at the pony behind him. 
“Ya, and what way was that? Rarity?” asked John, his voice low and threatening. “Well, ah don’t see her anywhere around. Do you?”
“No, but quite frankly we came for the purple one.” A slight smile stretched across his face as he heard Twilight whimper behind her.
“What, is this some sort of act for revenge.”
“In a way, you see, the only other pony within miles of here who can use magic to find diamonds are either your friend there or the white one. But don’t worry about her, I’m sure she’s bagged and all ready on her way to our den.” John scowled at them. “Now, if you don’t mind, we’d like that pony now.”
“Ah don’t think so.” 
“Your one strange creature.” He chuckled, then launched himself at John, the other dogs followed behind. In one swift and fluent move, John spun around and sliced through the first dogs chest, leaving a large, bleeding gash. John leaped backward. The dog fell to the ground and the others jumped over him, baring their teeth and darting around them. One on each corner, no hope of escape. Twilight whimpered, curled up next to him, staring in horror at the bloodied diamond dog. 
“Common ya coward, the first one wasn’t that hard.” The dogs began circling them, snarling and growling, their yellow eyes penetrating the darkness. He didn’t want to kill any more of them. He was hoping to start fresh, and this wasn’t helping. I suppose if I use... NO! What am I thinking? I will not use it, I refuse. One of the dogs dashed toward them, John whipped his blade through the air and knocked it out with the flat of his blade. “Twilight!” She was being drug of by one to the hole they came through. He tried to get to her but was cut off by the fourth dog. Though this one had an ax. He slung it from off his back now, showing off with it as he swung it around.
“Common. You’re not afraid are you?” His voice was gruff and reminded him of gravel on concrete. He charged toward him, swinging his ax mercifully over his head. A slow target. With lightning speed, John darted around the beast, leaving him staring at the spot he had been. He turned around and found the hilt of a sword come pounding down upon his cranium. The diamond dog slumped lifelessly in a lump of fur and armor.
“Twilight!” He gasped and turned around, he barely saw the tip of her tail at the entrance to the tunnle. “Twiligh!” He sprinted for the hole, but before he could get to it it filled up with dirt. In shock, he sank to his knees upon the mound. I should have used it, I should have used it. NO! I will save her without it. I swore never to use it again, but only on him. John jumped up onto his feet, sheathing his sword in a flash he ran back to AJ’s house, hopefully she’ll know what to do. And if she won’t help me, hopefully she’ll help Twilight. Tree’s whizzed by, he kicked up dirt, he would get her back, he had let to many down before, he wouldn’t bake the same mistake twice. 

> The Hunt is on
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 4: The Hunt is on

Applejack paced back and forth across her front porch. She was still unsure about John, but she still thought about what Twilight had said earlier. She stopped pacing and began staring off into the night. Maybe she was right, maybe she was just worrying about nothing. Ah mean, Zecora wasn’t evil. Everypony thought she was somethin’ she wasn’t. She continued her pacing. “Ma, Pa, what do ah do?”
A twig snapped, Applejack gazed into the blanket of darkness. Then began to hear the faint trumpeting of hooves on the road, coming closer and closer. Her look of curiosity turned into one of confusion. It was Fluttershy, her golden coat glistened in the soft moonlight rays. She had the look of worry and fear painted in her features. She was panting heavily when she skidded to a halt, kicking up dust.
“Fluttershy?” AJ trotted down to her. “What wrong sugar?” 
“I-It’s Rarity.” She collapsed, strands of hair stuck to her forehead. “T-There were d-diamond dogs. The same ones.”
“Oh no.” she gaped at the at the blackness, hopping Rarity would come trotting up, saying she was alright. “Common, let’s get inside.” She helped Fluttershy up to her hooves, it was a struggle, but she managed, and led her inside. 
“I-I couldn’t help her.” She stammered. “There were s-so many. She told me t-to go get h-help. I h-hope Twilight and J-John are ok.” She stumbled into the main room and laid down on the leather couch. She began sobbing. “I should have stayed.”
“It wasn’t yer fault sugar. Ah’ll go get ya a drink.” Before she made it halfway to the kitchen the front door burst open, and standing in the doorway was John. Fluttershy jumped and hid behind the couch and AJ, startled began to get furious. But then she noticed the look on his face. It was the same as Fluttershy’s.
“What’s goin’ on?” she said slowly, “And where’s Twi?” He dropped to his knees and for the first time she notice blood staining his shirt. “You didn’t.” She backed away.
“Twilight was taken, by some things that call themselves diamond dogs.” He looked up at her, and saw the horror in her eyes. “Ah took down one of them, but...” his voice trailed off.
“But what?” she eyed him intently. 
“But they got away, ah tried ta follow, knock a couple more out in the process. But before ah could get to her they filled up their hole.” He got up, his fatigue instantly gone. How does he do that? She thought to herself. “Ah came back ta see if Rarity was gone too. Though seein’ she ain’t here, ah’m guessin’ they got her too.” He strode across the room to the coffee table and set his bag down. He put his guns down too but kept his sword. “Ah’m gonna track them down. If ah get lucky ah should be back in a couple days. Don’t let anyone touch mah stuff ya here.” And as soon as he came he left, shutting the door behind him.
“I hope he finds them.” Said Fluttershy as she sat back down on the couch. 
“You trust him?” AJ asked, her voice almost as emotionless as John’s. 
“Yes I trust him. He’s our new friend, he may not be yours but that doesn’t mean I can’t be his friend.” She sighed, “But what I don’t understand is why you don’t trust him. In the day he’s been here he has saved our lives and is about to save more. I just don’t understand.” AJ stared at her hooves, then at the door. Ya don’t know nothin’ ‘bout him.

~*~*~*~*~

The small mound of dirt still remained from when they were attacked. John crouched down, searching for some sort of clue that could lead him to them. His eyes scanned over the ground, but there was nothing that could tell him where they had gone. Ah suppose if ah used just a little ah could... What am ah thinkin’? Ah made a promise, an oath, not to ever use it again. But Twilight... He gave in, just a little wouldn’t hurt. He began slowly reaching for the ground but hesitated. Ah can’t do this. But you must. He place his palm on the cold ground, then it started. A trickle of black emanated from his skin, engulfing a small area of dirt around him. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Moments passed, and the inky blackness subsided. He opened his eyes, smiled, and uttered, “Ah’m commin’ fer ya.”

~*~*~*~*~

The iron bars clanked as the cell door closed on them. The cell was dank and wet, the splashes of dripping water echoed throughout the hollow room. Twilight and Rarity were underground, by the looks of it, under guard by two diamond dogs, one wearing pure golden breastplate and helmet, the other wearing nothing but wielding a spear.
“Excuse me...sir.” Rarity made her way toward the cell door. “But, are we going to go through this again. You know, I escaped once I can escape again, oh, with you, of course Twilight.” 
“You’re not getting out little pony.” Said the guard in the golden bordered armor. “This cavern is deep within’ the Everfree, and protected by ancient enchantments. And if that doesn’t stop them, we’ve got a couple hundred dogs down here. All from different parts of Equestria.” 
“But ancient spell and enchantments are banned, who knows what they’ll do.”
“Like what pretty pony, they’ll protect us.”
“You’re not going to get away with us. We already have one friend who”—she gulped—“killed, one of your dogs.”
“Oh, so that’s who killed Dirugby. You know, he was formally in charge, but since his death we had to rely on second in command. Berug.” Twilight scowled at him, then a radiant purple glow encompassed her horn and the lock on the door. 
The other dog chuckled, “You’re not going to break out. Remember, the enchantments.” He laughed again, it sent chills down both ponies spines. “First thing in the morning we go rock collecting, so you better rest up.” Rarity and Twilight scooted over to the far corner, they curled up into balls.
“It’s ok Twilight, they’ll get us out.” Rarity nudged Twilight with her snout.
“How could they, no one is able to undo the ancient spells. There’re even older the Princess Celestia herself, and the other gals aren’t unicorns, and posses no knowledge of spell or incantations.”
“They’ll try, and if they can’t break us out, we can’t blame them.” They scooted closer together, trying to contain body heat. “They’ll try their hardest to get us out.”

~*~*~*~*~

There was a sharp rap at the door. “Coming.” Called out Fluttershy’s harmonic voice. She trotted over to the door, then slowly opened it. It was John standing there, he looked just as tattered and dirty as yesterday. But this time he was smiling, it was only the barest of smiles but it was still a smile.
“Ah know where they are.” He walked inside and Fluttershy closed the door. “Ah’m gonna need some food, it’s at least a 2 day journey.”
“Where ever is this...um...if you don’t mind me asking?” she hid behind her mane.
“The Everfree.” She gasped and stared at him. “Where’s AJ? What, don’t tell, ah don’t wanna know.” Fluttershy gave him a confused look.
“Do you want us to come with you?” she asked eagerly, “I mean, for the company, and so we can help you.”
“Miss Fluttershy,” he said slowly, “do you know how ta fight? And are ya willin’ ta kill ta save yer friends?” he crouched down so he was eye level with her. “There are nearly two hundred diamond dogs in there, probably not willin’ to give up their prizes that easily. Their den is enchanted so nothing can get out unless given permission.” He sighed and stood back up. “Unless yer a master swordsman, than there’s no need fer ya ta go.” She began to whimper, “It’s alright, ah’ll get them back, ya can’t count on tomorrow, but ya can count on them comin’ back. If ya want ya can tell Applejack the situation, after ah’ve left.” 
He went to the kitchen for a few moment, then came out with a hand full of food, mainly apples though. After dumping the contents of his bag which was still sitting on the coffee table, out on to couch. He then began carefully placing the food in as so not to bruise the apples. When he was finished his slung his bag over his shoulder, then headed for the door, but paused before opening.
“Don’t worry Fluttershy, ah’ll get them back.” And he left, leaving her alone in the empty room. She fell back to her haunches. 
“I have faith.” Was all she said.
The path that they took yesterday to the Everfree seemed different in the dark. It had one of those qualities that unnerved people, or ponies, either one. The leaves whipped around with the sharp breeze that passed by. It seemed unnatural in a way. He had experienced something like that before, but he couldn’t remember when, all he knew was that there was going to be more, that was all he knew.
He kept an even pace, he jogged briskly, kicking up little dust and giving off little noise. He was a shadow in the night. Though he was cautious, he always kept his hand close to the hilt of his sword, you couldn’t be too careful. 
Several hours had gone by since he departed. The Everfree brier engulfed him in its depths. Ignoring the unseen dangers he pressed on. His feet were sore, and he thought they were blistering, but he ignored the pain. He would keep running until it was almost dark out. He had to get to the diamond dog’s lair as soon as possible. Beads of sweat coated his face, his shirt was drenched in both the humidity and the and sweat. It was just barely first light, he still had all day to go.
He stopped, “It never easy is it?” Before him stood a large canyon, a good twenty paces across, and deep, very deep. How was he going to make it across? Ah suppose if ah use it again ah could get across. No! Ah already used to much as it is. He searched his surrounding, looking for some way that he could cross. His sight then rested on a large tree. It was dead almost falling as it is. He walked over to it, examining it. There were few cracks in it, but it should hold his weight. No normal human could knock the tree over, yet he wasn’t normal. There were no ponies around to see him, it was safe. Just as long as ah don’t use it. 
He circled around behind it, so as the canyon was on the opposite side. He planted both feet firmly on the ground, bent his knees, then place both hands on the trunk. He did some practice breaths, than with the might of thirty men, he pushed. Some snaps and pops came from the base of the tree, but it held true. The tree began leaning further and further towards its destination, till finally, the old roots gave way and the entire thing fell, making a bridge across the gorge. Honestly, he didn’t think it would reach all the way to the other side.
There was a rustling in the trees. He ignored it, proceeding to cross the bridge he had just made. The rustling continued. He turned around and looked about, but nothing moved. Everything was still. “Ah better get across before mah curiosity gets the better of me.” Doing just that he advanced across the unstable log. Carefully placing his foot, he stepped onto he log. It creaked under his weight, but it would hold.
He was nearly across when he heard the rustling again. He knew there must be something in the trees.  No, he needed to focus, one wrong step and he would plummet, or be forced to use “it”. He kept his gaze on the log, he was almost across and it wouldn’t do make a slip up yet. Just a few more steps. He was across, he hopped down onto the ground. 
Ignoring what had just happened, he continued on to his unbearable pace. Still the rustling continued, following him through the trees. He’d have to take care of it later, right now he needed to get to Twilight and Rarity.
He had kept up the grueling pace just as before, he only ever stopped to eat and sleep. He had been running for days, but he still wouldn’t quit. The rustling continued to follow him, it was actually starting to annoy him. Though he kept on ignoring it. Nothing would stop him, he stopped.
He crouched down low and hid behind some underbrush. He had found it. The den of the damned creatures that had taken his friends. A few of them stood guard at the entrance, which was just an opening in the side of a cliff face. He had only one opportunity to get past the guards and break the enchantment. Thank goodness the others weren’t here to see. He would only use “it” one last time. Only once more, then ah’m done fer good. 
He stepped out from behind the bush, the diamond dogs spotted him, lowering their weapons at him. “Halt, you’re not allowed here. If you won’t leave, were just going to have to chop you into little pieces.” His eyes went wide. “Wait, you’re the one who killed Dirugby. He was the best of us.” They backed away slowly, their weapons shook in their grasp. “We won’t let you past.” His voice wavered a little. John unsheathed his sword and held it at his side.
“Yer gonna pay, at least in blood that is.” In one quick move he closed the distance between them and himself, flashing his sword across their torso. The sword pierced their armor with ease. Each fell within a second of each other, clutching their wounds to stop the bleeding. They lay on their sides, breathing heavily, they tried to form words but the blood filling their mouth prevented them from doing so. “Wait, what was that.” John leaned down closer to the diamond dogs mouth. “Please repeat that.”
He chuckled, then moaned. “You can’t get past the enchantment.” He coughed blood on the ground beside him. “Not even the Princess herself can break a spell like that.”
“Oh is that so?” John stood up and walked to the entrance of the den. He reshiethed his sword, he tried to walk through it, but a wave of red shot out waves, pushing him backward. “So it is protected.” He place both his hands on the surface of the barrier. One last time, that’s it. He sighed, then closed his eyes. Black tendrils of darkness shot out of his finger tips, encompassing the entrance of the den in an inky blackness. The barrier started to give way. It was a tough one, but it seemed almost familiar. Losing his concentration the barrier took control and knocked him backward, he landed on his back. He was confused, he had it, if only he would have stayed concentrated. But what was it about the barrier. He had seen, or at least felt it before.
Unfortunately he didn’t have time to take the barrier down quietly. Looking within himself he looked for the power he had used earlier. Black flames formed in the palms of his hands. Blackness crept up his arms and black wisps of smoke emanated from his person. He smiled, it felt good to use the power again, but he couldn’t he still made that promise to never use it again. Clapping his hands together, joining the two flames, a ray of pure dark energy shot out toward the barrier. Upon contact, barrier faded and sent debris high in the sky. It showered on him, but at least the barrier was now broken. He heard the faint shouts of hundreds of diamond dogs below. He walked through the entrance and into the caverns below.

> The Escape
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 5: The Escape

The caverns shook with ferocity. Loose rocks and dirt fell from the ceiling, landing in wave after wave across the ground. Diamond dogs ran around like pigs in a pen, fleeing for their lives. Screams of agony and horror echoed throughout the torch lit halls, pleading for their lives. Another explosion rung out, more destructive than the last one. Some tunnels caved in on themselves, some on the diamond dogs escaping through them.
Rarity and Twilight shook at the unknown horror taking place beyond their cell. At times they would see a diamond dog running by, fear clung to their face as a burial shroud to it owner. None of them gave them a second glance, all caught up in their own fear. At least they had somewhere to go, Twilight and Rarity were trapped. Vulnerable to whatever that was out there. Still out there, killing, causing cold blood killers and thieves to shake in their boots.
“Oh Twilight dear. Whatever shall we do?” Rarity asked, her voice quaking, though she tried to hide it. “It’s worse than when Nightmare Moon came. It’s...I don’t know how else to explain it.” They stared at each other for a long moment until yet another explosion reverberated throughout the cavern. Only, this time, it sent so much force as to break the bars that held them captive. A large chunk of iron bars snapped and fell with a loud clank to the ground. The two ponies stared at each other in growing relief, their luck was finally taking a turn.
“Hurry, let’s get out of here.” Twilight shouted over the rumbling chaos. She trotted toward the opening and peered out. “It’s clear.” Rarity followed. They looked both directions and spotted a stair well off to their right. “Over here.” Taking a second look to make sure no diamond dogs approached, they started under way.
The halls were covered with patches of blood here and there. Around every corner there lay a deceased diamond dog, clutching his wounds in contorted throes of death, eyes still wide open from fear. It was strange, they had never heard of anything that could do something like this. Killing was something ponies rarely knew about here in Equestria. Murder, suicide, it was more story than an actuality.
They rounded another corner and came face to face with John. Their eyes bulged with surprise as they confronted their friend. John stood there, staring back at them, sword drawn and ready to lunge.
“John! You came for us!” Rarity squealed with excitement. She ran to him and hugged his legs. John sheathed his sword seeing there was no threat and gave Twilight a confused look.
“Rarity, are ya alright?” he asked, not sure how to act in this sort of situation.
Twilight walked over to him. “Let’s just say Rarity has problems being around dirt and anything filthy.”
“Well she’s gonna love bein’ ‘round me.” Rarity looked up at him. Peering into his eyes, and there she saw a hint of amusement in them.
“Ah ran here fer nearly two days straight. Don’t think ah didn’t sweat any.” She backed away from him, wiping her white coat with her hooves.
“Yuck. We may have a proper hug after you’ve had a bath. Until then I suggest we find a way out of here.”
“John,” Twilight was worried, she almost sounded afraid of him. “How did you get in here? The diamond dogs said they had the old spells protecting them. Nothing can break them. Princess Celestia even tried once.”
“Ah guess they were lyin’.” He pointed down one of the dimly lit halls. “That’s the way outta here.” He strode on ahead of them. Twilight soon followed once he was not in hearing distance.
“I don’t think the diamond dogs were lying. And besides, how would he be able to get through all of those diamond dogs by himself?” Rarity just shrugged her shoulders and kept walking. John looked to see if they were following, content that they were he picked up the pace. Further down the hallway he came to a stop. “John? What’s wrong?” He began groaning and clutched his head, he doubled over, as if to vomit, then fell to the ground. Rarity and Twilight didn’t know what was going on, and didn’t know how to help.
“John!” Rarity yelled and rushed over to him. Twilight just stood there and watched as he writhed in agony. “Common, get up.” He was grabbing his head more so until his knuckles turned white. She turned toward Twilight. “What’s happening to him?” Twilight just stood there, dazed and confused, though her ears were twitching wildly. Rarity saw this action, then began to listen carefully. Someone was coming this way, and it wasn’t a diamond dog. The heat in the narrow hall rose tremendously, sweat formed on both ponies brows. 
“He’s coming.” John spoke through clenched teeth. He struggled to his feet. “Hurry.” He staggered down on of the hallways. Both ponies looked at each other, neither of them knew what just happened or what was going on, but they followed. The further down the hall they got the cooler the air was. Johns features were contorted with pain and fear. They were both alien expressions on him.
“John, what’s going on, what was in the hallway with us?” Twilight demanded. 
“Ah’ll tell you if we live through this.” His voice was still coated with pain, though the headache looked as if it had lessened. He turned down a few more hallways and up a couple flight of stairs. The air wasn’t as musky as before, and that was all Rarity and Twilight had to go on as to how close to the surface they were. “Almost there.” John’s voice was back to normal, but the fear was still evident. 
They turned the next corner and they came to a halting stop. In front of them was a pile of rubble, and a hole on top leading to the surface. The serene glow of the moon washed over them, and each of the two ponies soaked it in. John began climbing the rubble, and  turned to look at the equine figures just standing there.
“Can ya climb?” The two ponies looked at each other, then nodded their heads. “So climb then!” He snapped, the ponies whimpered but did as they were told. Their hooves slipped often but they made progress. They were nearly halfway up when the air began to boil. “Hurry!” No matter how hard they tried they couldn’t climb up the loose rubble any faster. They looked up at him, worry masked their faces. He slide down to them, wrapping his an arm around each of their torso’s he picked them up. They felt weird being lifted up like that, but they weren’t complaining. He trudged up the loose rocks and stones. He was climbing faster than the ponies thanks to his longer legs. Whatever that was after them was getting closer. Sweat coated the ponies bodies, making it harder to keep hold of them. A few more steps and they were out, just a few more steps.
They made it. The moon shown like a beacon, filling them with relief. They were finally out. With shaking limbs, not from fatigue, but from fear, he set the ponies down. Two corpses lay by the entrance, Rarity yelped at the sight. John walked over to her. “We’re not out yet.” The air was getting warmer still. “AJ’s is that way.” He pointed east, across the a large expanse of the Everfree briar. The wind seemed to whip through as he pointed. She studied his hand more than the direction he had indicated. “Ya ok?” He looked at her, her face was masked in confusion.
“W-what? Oh yes fine deary. Well, we better get moving then.” She trotted over to Twilight. She kept her voice low so John wasn’t able to hear. 
“Ah guess we leave.” He began walking in the direction he had pointed, the ponies followed suite, but they kept well enough behind them. Their conversation was hard to make out, but that didn’t matter, just as long as the air was getting cooler, they were safe. The branches rustled, but not from the wind. It was bouncing from tree to tree. Twilight and Rarity didn’t seem to notice, but he did, he kept his eye on the trees, hoping to catch a glimpse of what was following them, or him.
Something shot from the trees, in a rainbow blur it crashed into Twilight. It spoke. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. You guys are alright.” She embraced both of them. It was Rainbow, John’s stomach churned, she was the one who was following him. That means, she saw what he did to get in to the den. After the family reunion, Rainbow turned to him. “And you.” He gulped, she must have seen him, she was right behind him when it happened. “What did you don back there?” Rarity and Twilight looked at each other, than back to John. “That black stuff that was all over you arms, and that explosion. What are you?” He turned away, but ignored her question. 
“Do ya know how ta get back?” He asked in a low voice.
“Ya, but you didn’t answer my question. Wait, what are you doing!?” He ran away, lost in the thickets of the Everfree. Breaking branches could be heard in the direction he ran. The ponies were left there, their mouths wide open. “Where is he going?”
“Rainbow,” it was Twilight, “what did you see?”
“Of John? Well first off...”

~*~*~*~*~

Ah should have been more careful, ah should have made sure no one was there. God! He ran, he didn’t know where he was going. Just as long as he was away from them. From what he could tell he was headed south east. The night sky was covered with the Everfree leaves and branches. Where was he going to go. He was stuck in a messed up world with talking horses, well, not like it was worse than where he had come from, but still.
He feet pounded heavily on the ground, and with his sword he cut a new path, far away from Rainbow and the others. There were many sound all around him. There were the chirps of birds, the skittering of smaller animals and the roars of monsters. Though he ignored it all, he had to get away. Nothing was going to stop him. He had ruined the life he had hoped to start over. He couldn’t explain who he was, what reaction was he suppose to expect from peace loving ponies.
He tripped and came to an abrupt stop on his face. That was unusual, he never tripped. Standing up he groaned, he spit out a mouthful of dirt and grass and wiped his face off. His nose was bleeding, but he had been through worse. Sword in his grip he looked around, but what he saw was something not to be expected in the most feared place in Equestria.
Standing before him were the ruins of a castle. Sections of the roof and walls were missing, probably collapsed over the years, and there were many shattered windows. Vines grew up the side of the black structure, appearing to try to ensnare it. A single bridge led to the castle, held over a gorge with ancient ropes, tied to rotten stakes on either side. Many of the boards running along it were missing, but it looked easy enough to cross.
All of his past problems faded away the longer he stared at the grand monument. Sheathing his sword he made his way to the bridge. Looking down he saw nothing but an endless fog covering the unknown. It seemed to go on forever. The bridge creaked as he took his first step, causing him to hurriedly take his foot off. He tried again, this time applying all his weight. Surprisingly the board didn’t snap. He exhaled heavily. 
“So far so good ah guess.” He took his next step, still it did not break. Feeling a bit more confident, he quickened his pace. Not by much, but he was making faster progress than before. Step by step, creak by creak, he made it across. He fell to his knees on the other side. Sweat dripped form his forehead. He let go of his breath, not realizing he was holding it in the first place. “Well, that was fun.”
He looked all around, taking in the everything there was to see right there. Before him stood the castle entrance, two old cracked double doors stood on rusty hinges. The one on the right hung at an awkward angle while the other one, in no better condition, stood slightly agar. Just enough room for him to squeeze through.
On the other side was darkness but enough light filtered through the stained glass windows lining each side of the room. The air was thick with dust, so much in fact that John breaths turned into wheezes. He walked forward, leaving footprints in the blanket of dust on the ground. Hand on hilt he crept further into the castle.
He glanced at the stained window, each one seemed to depict a story. The first one he saw was of two alicorns circling each there. One was the colors of night, the other, the colors of day. Residing between them were the sun and moon.
The one beside it showed the two unicorns in combat. Though, the moon alicorn looked different. She was wearing some sort of helmet, and was much larger than before. The sun alicorn appeared to be sticking the dark one in the moon. Johns brows furrowed. That didn’t make sense. Ah thought ponies were suppose ta be all peace lovin’ and stuff. These one’s are fightin’. He couldn’t make out any of the others. The rest were either too faded away, or broken. 
A cold feeling washed over him, it was more and actuality than a feeling. He exhaled, breathing out vapor. The temperature had dropped tremendously. What could have caused that? He rubbed his hands together and pressed on. The room was quit large. It could have been an audience hall, though placing it at the entrance didn’t make sense. Frost covered the windows that were still intact. He unsheathed his sword. The blade was still stained with blood. He turned around slowly, searching every corner of the room, but nothing was there, it was an empty room and he was the only one there. He kept his sword out but continued down to the doorway on the opposite side of the room. There may not have been anyone there, but it felt like something was there.
He traversed down the dark hallway. Unlit torches lined both sides. Looking up at them, he sighed. “Ah guess there’s no reason ta hide it no more.” He raised his hand and the torches lit, giving the hall warmth, though it was still extremely cold. “Ah know yer there.” He muttered to himself. “Come out and play.”
The wind whipped around him, it knocked his sword from his hand, sending it clattering across the floor. Smoke oozed up out of the cracks in the floor, white frost spread across the ground like a wildfire. It swirled around and around, forming the shape of something, someone, better yet, somepony. Before him stood the princess of the night, Princess Luna.

> Unraveling the Mystery
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 6: Unraveling the Mystery

“What?” Twilight asked in disbelief, “You actually saw him do that?” They were walking down the dirt road. Twilight stared straight ahead, looking at nothing in particular. “H-He was able to break the old spells?” She couldn’t fathom the fact there was a being, superior to her mentor in the art of magic. The power it would take, to not only disable, but to destroy altogether was incomprehensible.
“Ya, that’s what I saw.” Rainbow said annoyed. “That’s what I’ve been telling you. He blew up the enchantment thingy with black magic type stuff. He looked a lot like Nightmare Moon with all the blackness and stuff.” Twilight didn’t seem to be listening, she was too caught up in her own thoughts to hear, or care about anything Rainbow was saying. “Twilight!” She jumped, Rarity even looked back to see what all the commotion was about.
“W-What?” Twilight looked around startled. “Oh, Rainbow. Sorry, I was just thinking about...” she trailed off. Rainbow face-hoofed herself. Get Twilight caught up in a mystery, she’s bound to try to solve it.
“I wonder...” Rarity began, “what else he can do?” she slowed down so she was next to Twilight. “If his powers rival those of the princess herself, he could very well match to powers of the Elements, or surpass them as well. He is from a different world. Twilight dear?” Twilight was still deep in thought.
“I swear there was something like this, but I just can’t remember where.” Twilight seemed to be talking to herself. 
“Well, you’re not going to remember out here. We still have a day’s journey ahead of us.” Rarity trotted to the head of the group. “So I suggest we pick up the pace if we’re to go get clean.”

~*~*~*~*~

“Who are you!?” John demanded, his stance displaying he was ready for whatever this newcomer had in store for him. “Hey, ah asked you a question.” He held his sword ready. “Now!”
“Thou dares challenge me!?” the alicorns voice boomed across the empty halls, knocking loose mortar and a few torches. “It is me who should be asking thee such questions, and demanding thee answer!” John covered his ears, he hadn’t expected that. 
“So, ya wanna play loud?” The alicorn looked at him confused. “Well, HOW’S THIS!!?” His voice overpowered the alicorns. It sent her sprawling across the ground from the sheer force. Part of the ceiling collapsed. She stood up, dust and dirt drifted from of her midnight blue coat.
“Thou is not allowed to use the Canterlotian voice!!” she stared at him, eyes flaring in rage. “Only royalty has the right to use it!” 
“Well, maybe ah am royalty.” He said mockingly. 
“Oh, are thou now? Well, thou doesn’t look like an alicorn to me.” She grimaced, “In fact, thou doesn’t look like any creature I have set eyes on. Tell me, what creature is thou?” Her rage waned as curiosity grew stronger.
“Human.” Was all John said. His eyes shifted over toward an exit to his right. A small opening leading to another room. The alicorn tapped her chin with a hoof thoughtfully. Though the strange being may have let her guard down, John wasn’t about to do the same.
“A human?” She sounded surprised. Her eyes widened and she stared at him as if she never had before. “Thou is a human?” 
“Ya, ah’m a human.” He answered, “Now, enough with the ‘thees’ and ‘thous’ already, talk normal.” 
“Thou  dares to command me?” she was offended, her horn glowed with renewed rage. “Thou shall suffer for what thou has done!” she said brusquely in her stentorian voice. Her horn grew brighter and brighter, filling the room with a violet hue, the color dancing across the grey, cracked stone walls of the hallway. The serene violet hues were strange against the rage in the alicorns eye’s. It must have been something I said. 
Finding that his sword was useless, he sheathed it. It made a metallic zing as it slid into place. He was going to have to fight fire with fire, or darkness with darkness. He really hadn’t classified his abilities yet, he was too busy trying to deny them. The same inky blackness had appeared before crept up his arms again, it spread until his body was covered. This was as far as he had let it go since that day.	.
The area around him seemed to distort, pulling in all the darkness around him. Wispy black tendrils of smoke drifted off his being like a blown out candle. His ebony eyes reflected little light. It felt so good, the power. It permeated him, it made him feel alive. He wanted more, but there was still some part of himself that remembered, remembered what had happened the last time.
“NO!” he yelled, “NO!!” he wouldn’t let it consume him again, he had to fight it. Though the energy that had already passed into him could not be sent back, it had to be let out. By now, the alicorn was  backing away from him, she had realized through her indignation just what was going on. She stared at him, eyes wide with fear. She was muttering something inaudible to herself. 
“Must...release.” he spoke through clenched teeth. At that moment the ground began to shake ferociously, several loose bricks and doors clattered to the ground, lightning struck blazed across the clear blue sky. He had never gone this far before. “Ya need ta...get out.” He spoke, his throat felt like charcoal. Like he hadn’t drank water in years.
A ring of fire circled the castle, almost instantly the glass began to melt into nothing, however the extreme heat wasn’t bothering the alicorn. He had to release the energy faster, so as not to cause more destruction, and not to take another life. A single tear trickled down his cheek as he glanced at the frightened being, cowering in the corner.

~*~*~*~*~

“What in tarnations!” Applejack was sitting on her balcony. The sun was high in the sky, not a cloud in sight, yet, why was there thunder? She looked around and saw flashes of lights coming from above the Everfree, and that’s when it hit. The ground began to shake. It knocked Applejack to the ground. “What the hay!” 
“Applejack?” called a worried voice from inside. “W-What’s goin’ on?”
“Stay inside sugar, get under somethin’ so ya don’t get hurt. The tremors turned into full on quakes, splitting the apple orchard clean in half. Lightning and thunder echoed more loudly as they got closer and closer. Applejack glanced at the Everfree. “Oh Twi, stay alive.”

~*~*~*~*~

“Woohoo!” Pinkie shouted. She was hopping around Sugar Cube Corner while Mr. and Mrs. Cake were huddled with their two fouls under the table. Several boxes of desserts splattered to the floor. Many of the windows were broken and the store was a wreck. “Party!”
“Pinkie!” yelled Mrs. Cake, “Get under here now!” her face was a mixture of worry and anger. The town seemed as if it were going to fall apart over them and Pinkie was acting as if it was Hearths Warming Eve. She ignored them and continued bouncing around. All Mrs. Cake could hope was that Pinkie didn’t get to badly hurt.

~*~*~*~*~

“Angle bunny!” A mellifluous voice called out no louder than a loud whisper.  “Angle bunny, where are you?” Fluttershy frantically searched throughout her cottage. “Eeeeek!” she screamed, hiding under a table as another bolt of lightning arched across the sky. The deafening thunder shook her home, sending many pictures crashing to the floor. “Oh my, oh my. Angle bunny!” 
The couch flipped over as another bolt of lightning struck, this time not far from her house. There, sitting where the couch had been, was a small white rabbit. It clutched a half eaten carrot. “Oh, Angle!” Fluttershy darted from her hiding spot and scooped up her furry friend. “We need to get somewhere safe.” Angle just rolled his eyes at her as if she were over reacting. She galloped to brown wooden door then opened it using her free hoof, revealing a flight of stairs leading down a dark passageway. Without hesitation, she rushed down the stairs and stayed.

~*~*~*~*~

The trio galloped as fast as they could down the narrow path. “Com’on, we need to get out of here!” Rainbow shouted as she led the way. An abundance of trees had fallen, leaving many obstacles for the ponies to either hop over or detour around.
“Do you think it might be John!” Twilight shouted over the booming thunder. Her hair was a matted mess as was Rarity’s, who, considering the situation, fussed about it as they ran for their lives.
“Let’s figure that out after we get back to AJ’s, ok?” Rainbow said. Twilight nodded, wiping away the strands of hair sticking to her forehead. “Now, we take this path all the way to Froggy Bottom Bog, then it’s easy sailin’ from there on out.” 
Another bolt of lightning flamed over their heads. It had to be something magical, there were no clouds in the sky and the sun still shone high in the sky. It doesn’t make sense. Reluctantly Twilight pressed on, they needed to get out of here. From what she could tell, the epicenter of the chaos was not far from where they were. Only a few more hours of this pace and they should be at the bog. Just a little further.

> Old Secrets Revealed
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 7: Old Secrets Revealed

The dust was still thick in the air though the chaos had subsided. Everything lay in ruins, or, as ruined as ruins can get. One of the thick stone walls was missing, several of the stones that had composed it lay scattered throughout the forest. The stained glass windows were missing. Below their frames was the multi-colored mound of a steaming crystal like rock.
The alicorn stared at the stilled being lying in a small crater on the rough stone floor. He breathed heavily while the darkness soaked back into his skin. But he was conscious, staring at the domed ceiling, his eyes wondered from corner to corner as if he was looking at a grand spectacle. He must have been in a daze. The amount of power a being that size was able to muster was extraordinary, physically impossible, but this, this was something else entirely. She’d need to take him to Celestia.
The human groaned as he heaved himself up to his feet. His legs wobbled some but he was able to manage a little balance, just enough to keep him from toppling over. He seemed exhausted, of course, who wouldn’t be? He gazed over the destruction he had caused, he eyes reflected that of sorrow. What other things had he done in that outburst? 
His eyes widened when they came over the alicorn. Recovering what was left of her composure, she too got back on her hooves. She eyed him warily, unsure of what he might do next. If a human could do that, there was no telling what else it could do.
“Is thou...are thee... bah!” Her tongue felt twisted and unnatural, but she kept trying. “Are...you...alright?” she asked, smiling in triumph at her success. John only gave her a blank stare. “Human?” his eye twitched.
“Mah name isn’t human, mah name is John.” His deep melancholic voice sent a chill running down her spine. She shivered.  “Ah’m so stupid, damn.” he muttered to himself. “Ah let it get too far again, fuck me.” The alicorn raised a brow.
“John, what happened?” she said slowly. She was worried, whether for him or of him, she didn’t know.  A slight tremor ran up her body as he glared at her, but his eyes softened, which made her feel uneasy. “Don’t worry, you can trust me.”
“Can ah?” he asked. It was more directed to himself than to her. “Can ah trust others when ah can barely trust mahself? It isn’t fair. Why’d it have ta happen ta me?”
“What isn’t fair, what did you do?” she made her voice as friendly and kind as possible. She had to get him to talk. If he is capable of killing her sister, she had to know what she was dealing with, and hopefully, how to stop it.
“Like ah said, ah can’t trust anyone. Plus yer the one who started it. Damn it, damn it. Why’d ya have ta go and do that.” He began pacing, hand behind his back. “That was as far as ah have ever taken’ it since then.” He was talking to himself again. “Seven years.” 
“Seven years since what?” she asked, it was almost a plea. She leaned in closer so she could hear every word. John looked as if he was about to speak, but instead: “No.” he said firm and commanding. “Ah’ll tell someone ah trust, and that ain’t you.” He walked away leaving the alicorn dumbfounded. “If ah’m ta tell anyone, or anypony, it’ll be the main six.”
“B-But...” 
“No buts’. What’s yer name? Ah’m tired of thinkin’ of ya as alicorn.” He was about ready to leave when he turned toward her.
“My name is Luna, Princess Luna if titles are important.” 
“Thank ya.” And he left. The princess looked at the destroyed castle. What is he? 

~*~*~*~*~

“Crazy pony.” John stated as he trudged through the underbrush. He looked up at the sun and changed his direction east. “Ah mean, what kinda pony says she’s a princess without guards ta protect her. Ah almost killed her.” He shook his head  and continued on. He was about four hours out since he had left behind Luna. That was the alicorn he must have seen in the stained glass window. The princess of the night, or goddess, according to Twilight. So that castle must have been the Moon Castle. The dwelling of the two alicorn sisters before Canterlot was founded. 
He came across a stream, it wasn’t very deep, though it was very wide. You could walk right through and you would only get wet to the top of your boots. 
“Not much of a river if ya ask me. More like a movin’ puddle.” He rolled up his pants and advanced across the river. It didn’t really matter whether or not his boots got wet, they were old and beat up anyhow. Soon on the other side he unrolled his pants and began walking again. His boots squeaked with every step he took and he groaned.
“Oh if ah would have known they were gonna make that obnoxious noise ah would a taken’m off.” He shook his feet to get any access water off. “Fuck, now ah gotta listen ta ya all day now.”
He continued on, trying his hardest to ignore the awful noise under him. He winced every step he took. He’d been through enough that day, every unfortunate mishap that happened was beginning to get on his nerves. It was almost tempting to blow up again.
“Ah’m just tired and hungry, don’t need ta destroy the world because ah’m upset.” He muttered. He kicked a rock into a tree, it made a hollow thump. Excellent choice. “What the fuck!” he turned around but didn’t see anyone. It wouldn’t be wise to destroy Equestria before your little friend does first. “Ok, really funny Luna. Now knock it off!” Tsk tsk, so sad, you think this is the work of that simpleton. I am far more superior than that whelp. Guess again. Oh and I suggest you keep walking before nightfall comes. You don’t want to be here after dark. She chuckled quietly 
“Are ya Celestia?” he asked as he continued down the path, his eyes darting every which way. Now, I find that as an insult, though, I’m more in-between. Oh com’on, you heard about me from Twilight, and you saw what I can do to a being in the Moon castle. John took a few seconds to think, then his eyes widened in realization, he drew his sword, but never quit walking. “Nightmare Moon.” Cheers, though, I don’t think  that sword is going to do any good. 
“Oh it can’t can it?” He brought his sword up to shoulder height. Nope, in fact, after my little probing in your head while you were down in the diamond dog’s den, I can put what I am into a little more sense for you. “That was you that was you that made me drop ta the floor?” Yes, it was so much fun watching you shake in agony. Oh, and might I say, your world is very interesting. All the destruction and chaos, then eventually nothing, leaving only you. 
“Shut up ‘bout that and just tell me what ya are?” Oh ok, if you insist. Think of me as, well, the Lucifer of this world. The king of hell, the king of everything evil and wicked in this so called peaceful land. I am Celestia’s opposite, she brings goodness and happiness, I bring torment and death. Kind of like what your world went through. In fact, it’s a lot like what our world went through many thousands of years ago. “Ok, time fer ya ta go.”
“If you say so.” A vile chuckle echoed through the trees, sending wave after wave of chills running down his back. 
“That wasn’t creepy at all.” John said sarcastically. He swung experimentally through the air as he walked and began chuckling to himself. “Damn. Ah must be more crazy than ah thought. Ok, should only be ‘bout half a day out. Then it’s either ta Ponyville or AJ’s place. Probably Ponyville.”

~*~*~*~*~

Branches snapped and cracked behind John as he stormed through the forest. A little while ago he ran into a hydra. A nasty creature with slime blanketing its thick, lime green scales. You could almost see its putrid breath. And since then John had been running for his life. He had already made the mistake twice. He wasn’t about to make it again. Using his power to harm, felt too good and it was dangerous. The only chance he had was to run.
It had been about twenty minutes of dodging heads and clawed feet. His lungs burned with the same ferocity as his legs. They were about to give out. Since his pace was greatly increased, he estimated the time it would take him to reach the edge of the Everfree would take about another ten minutes. If he could last that much longer. There had been only a few other occasions where he was forced into this much activity. He didn’t want to think of them. It was too painful.
His breaths began to became harder and sounded more and more like a wheeze. How he had lasted this long was beyond him. Maybe it was the mood the forest had. The need to get out was superior to the need to rest. 
The pounding still echoed behind him. He looked behind him, peering into the yellow slit eyes of the hydra. Their long pink snake like tongues stuck out of their scaly lips. He turned back quickly, whether it was to watch where he was going or to shun away from those grotesque faces, he didn’t know. All he knew was he needed to get away.
He thought of using his sword, but he knew it was utterly useless. He once went up against one of these before. It may have been smaller, but his sword just bounce harmlessly off their thick armor. Damn it, damn it, damn it. Its gainin’ up on me. Holy shit, it’s the tree line! 
John burst through the tree line, the sunlight glistened off the dew covered grass. He was out; though, the only problem was, will the hydra fallow me out. If so, he was still screwed. Several hundred meters out he stopped and glance at the thickets of the Everfree. The hydra’s head were plainly visible above the tree tops. Each of the three heads were hissing and snapping their maws in frustration. Apparently he had made it out.
With one last venomous hiss, the hydra turned its scaly back to its prey and headed back into the forest. John breathed a heaving sigh of relief and flopped onto the ground, his chest rising and falling rapidly with panted breaths. He began laughing, laughing so hard his gut hurt, then curled up into a ball and began a hacking cough.
“Wow man, that was a close one.” He struggled to his feet. “Hehehehe. Well ah guess ah should go find the others.” He paused, “Wait a minute.” His gaze landed on a crack splitting the ground to the left of him. Many trees had fallen or were disfigured into odd shapes. Black billows of smoke drifted from a couple. He ground his teeth. “Ah really did it this time.” He clutched a handful of his sweaty black hair. “Damn.” He looked up and down the crevice, then sniffed the air. “What now?” It wasn’t trees burning that he could smell, it almost smelled like apples. That was it; it was the appalling smell of burning apples. 
John froze in fear. What had he done? Applejack had said her farm was the only one for miles around, and he couldn’t be that far away from Ponyville, so that meant... “Oh no.” His eyes widened to the size of saucers, then he bolted. He ran north, almost as fast and as hard as he had from the hydra. Will this day ever end?

~*~*~*~*~

“Big Mac!’ Applejacks shouted over the roar of the fire. “Fetch a pail of water and get yer flank over her and help me!” AJ fought furiously with the flames that overtook her barn. Trying to pat them out with an old wool blanket. It was doing good with the smaller flames, but with the monstrous one looming before her, there was no chance. All she could hope to do was keep it contained. Sweet Apple Acers was all she and her family had, she wasn’t about to let it go up in flame.
“Ah’m commin’ sis!” Big Mac yelled. He didn’t shout hardly ever, but when he did, it could nearly match that of the Royal Canterlotian Voice. His hooves pounded heavily against the grassy ground. He carried an old wooden bucket, as he ran water sloshed around, some of it spilling, but the majority of it still resided. “Here!” He passed the bucket to AJ, who ran over to side of the barn where fire started spreading along the ground, then tossed the bucket back to him. 
“Go get some more!” She started kicking dirt over the fire. It helped some, but the massive flames wouldn’t give up, they still trailed along the ground. “Big Mac! Somepony!” 
“Applejack!” shouted a voice from far off. But she dismissed it, continuing with her false hope of smothering the flames. “Applejack!” she heard it again, this time more clearly and louder. 
“John?!” She turned around to find the human, standing behind her, panting and dripping sweat. “What the hay are ya doin’ here? And where is Twilight and Rarity?”
“Let’s get the barn out first!” he shouted, grabbing a bucket that was sitting next to the house. “C’mon.” Bucket in hand, John did laps from the barn to the well. With Applejacks help they were able to keep the fire contained until finally, the barn collapsed, sending sparks soaring high in the air.
“We did it!” AJ threw up her hat and caught it. “The flame shouldn’t spread anymore. Thank you so much John, ah thought the farm was a goner.” Her excitement was cut short after realizing Twilight and Rarity were still nowhere to be seen. “Where are the others?”
John sat down on the steps of the porch and answered. “Rainbow is leading them home.”
“Rainbow was with them too?”
“Ya she allowed me to the den.” He raked his hands through his sweat matted, ash covered hair, loose flakes drifted off his head. After a few minutes of Applejack fretting, pacing on the porch, John stood up. “Ah’ll go find them if it’ll make ya feel better. Ooof!” A rainbow blur slammed into him, knocking him flat on his back. 
“Rainbow Dash, deary, will you please learn how to land. That’s the second time you’ve done that.” It was Rarity and Twilight. They trotted over to where John lay on the ground. He didn’t bother getting up; he just laid there, hoping nopony would notice him. 
“Wow, what happened to your barn?” Rainbow hovered in the air so she could get a better look at the scene.
“A bolt of lightning just shot straight out of the clear blue sky and hit mah barn.” She was rather irritated. 
“Oh yes, John.” Twilight chimed in. “About your breaking and entering, Rainbow told us all about it.”
“Ah kinda figured she would. So what about it?” 
“Are you the one who caused the phenomena a little bit ago?” John just lay there staring off into the clouds. His stomach churned with guilt or the fact he hadn’t eaten in days. All he could manage was a nod of his head.

> Preparations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 8: Preparations

“WHAT!” Applejack screamed. “Yer the reason mah barns a pile of ash?” She was on his chest, keeping him from getting up, though he didn’t mind. He deserved it; he deserved everything that was coming to him. “Ya almost burned down mah entire farm, and ya split it clean down the middle. Who do ya think ya are?”
“Someone who doesn’t deserve ta live,” he answered.
“Now what do you mean by that?” asked Rainbow as she flew over beside AJ.
“Ya wouldn’t understand even if ah could tell ya.” His voice was filled with sorrow and guilt, pain and longing. “You’d have ta have been there.”
“We’d have to have been there?” Twilight chimed in. “Well, why not?”
“Twilight dear, please just tell us in a way we can all understand.” Rarity complained. She was sitting in the shade of the porch with a glass of apple juice. “We’re not you, therefore we have no clue what you are talking about.”
“Oh, sorry Rarity.” She cleared her throat. “Well, me and Princess Celestia have been talking about dream walking, it’s when you enter other ponies dreams and see what they’re dreaming about. I suppose it could work for memories as well.” John’s eyes widened at that.
“Is it safe?” AJ hopped off of John’s chest.
“Well, it’s never been tested if that’s what you mean?”
“Ok.” AJ said slowly. “Want somepony ta get Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie?”
“I’ll get them!” announced Rainbow, and she took off before anypony could object. John stared after her, still lying on the ground. He sighed then got up onto his feet.
“I’ll write to the Princess so she knows we’re coming.” She left then too. Rarity saw the opportunity.
“John, when your done here would you mind meeting me at my boutique.” She was holding back excitement. “I have a little surprise for you.”
“Ya really think ah deserve it?” his voice was emotionless, which Rarity still hadn’t gotten quit used to yet.
“Of course deary, and don’t worry, all you have to do is ask around if you can’t find me.” She left him alone with Applejack, who was still furious with her barn being destroyed. She didn’t even want to look at him. All she did was stare at the scattering ashes of her barn.
“Why’d ya do it?” she asked. “What caused ya ta go and destroy half of Equestria?” John gulped.
“Ah was attacked by someone called Luna.” He sat down on the steps of the porch. “Ah was defendin’ mahself and it got a little out of control.”
“A little!” she stamped her hoof. “Does this look like a ‘little’ ta ya?”
“Ha, well ya haven’t seen the half of it.” his voice was mocking, but he believed what he said, and that told Applejack otherwise.
“So what exactly are ya?” she asked, coming over to sit beside him. “Ah mean, from what little ya told us of humans, ya never mentioned this.”
“Ah don’t know.” He sighed. “Ah only know what ah’m capable of, and ah guess that’s all ah need ta know.” He started rubbing his palms with his thumbs. “Ah...ah just don’t know anymore. Ah tried ta hide it, tried ta keep mahself from usin’ it, but it always finds me. Even here.” Dark sparks danced above his hands, then winked out as suddenly as they had appeared. AJ’s eyes widened in amazement. She had not seen a creature other than a unicorn who could work magic.	
“What was that ya were doin’ right there?” 
“That was the actual magic, ah just made it visible fer ya ta see.” This time he flicked his finger and a spark of pure darkness shot from it, then exploded in the air like a firework.
“That’s pretty nifty. Pinkie Pie’s gonna start askin’ ya ta help with parties when she sees that.” She looked over to her barn then back at him and asked hopefully. “Do ya have anythin’ that’ll help with this mess?” With that the wind started blowing, the black ash slowly sliding away with it until there was nothing left, then the ground shook and the deep crevice marking the land closed up as if there was nothing there. “Wow.”
“Yup, though sometimes it gets out of control, kinda like what ya experienced a while back.” He tried to smile but it didn’t come. She looked at him differently. He wasn’t evil; he was just as scared as if he was new to it too. “Do ya...um...do ya wanna come into town with me? Since yer needin’ ta go anyways.” John looked at her and smiled.
“Sure, why not?” AJ rushed into the house to tell his brother that she was leaving and grabbed bed her saddle bag. Then, together, they headed off toward Ponyville.

~*~*~*~*~

Hooves and boots clomped along the stone bridge leading to Ponyville. A small, shallow stream, housing some frogs, fish, and dragonflies loomed beneath it. The sun beams glistened off its smooth surface. The only thing disturbing the quiet at that moment was the laughter of AJ and John.
“Ah don’t get it.” AJ wheezed between a laugh. “What’s so funny.”
“Ya aught ta know, yer laughin’ too.” He held his stomach.
“Ah’m only laughin’ because yer laughin’. Ah was only talkin’ ‘bout buckin’ apple trees.” John laughed even harder.
“Ya also said ya were gonna buck them all night.” He collapsed to the stony ground below. “Oh my gosh. Hahaha.” 
“Oh, yer so immature.”
“And yer the one who just barely got it.” After one last laughing fit he got up and dusted his pants off. “Now ah needed that, ah haven’t laughed in years. Well, which way ta Rarity’s boutique?” Applejack took the lead, she lead them down the main street, straight toward the center of town. Along the sides of the street, ponies bustled with activity. Shops were set up under colorful awning, ponies of all ages, color, and sizes were scuffling between each. More than once ponies had stopped dead in their tracks to point and stare at him, but none screamed or ran in panic. That, most of all surprised John. He would have thought for sure he would have started a riot.
Further on accompanied by staring and inaudible comments, they came upon a large, decorated building. Miniature spires kept the awning from crashing down, window circled the marvel on every floor. A purple and white dome topped of the building, giving it the look of a palace.
“This is the place.” AJ said. “Ah’ll be at the market if ya need me.” She turned and trotted off into the crowd. He entered through the glass, double-doors.
“Who is it!” shouted Rarity from the other end of the shop.
“It’s me!” John shouted back and in an instant, Rarity was standing in front of him, a wide smile beaming across his face. That smile worried him.
“Oh, you’re just in time. Follow me.” He followed and she lead him to a platform in the middle of the building, surrounded with mirrors and sewing materials. “Please stand on here.”
“Shit.” John knew what this was, and he didn’t like it.
“Ok John, you could use some new garments and you can’t go and meet royalty looking like that.” She pointed at the torn, bloodstained clothes he was wearing. “I’m going to make you something magnificent, something that’ll make the goddesses awestruck.”
“Hopefully nothin’ too fancy, close ta what ah’m wearin’ now.” Rarity was in shock. “All ah really need are these clothes fixed up.”
“Y-You mean, you don’t want anything spectacular?” she squeaked. “You don’t want to look nice when you meet the Princesses?” she fell to her haunches.
“To me, this is considered acceptable wear, well without the rips and stuff. Plus ah’ve been in the company of some pretty powerful people lookin’ the way ah do.” 
“Well, ok, I guess I can make you look fancy with what your wearing now.” She paced around him. “Now let’s see.” The pacing lasted several minutes until finally. “Idea!” she sang, and in an instant she was gone. Then she was back, with many different materials grasped in her magical hold. “Now John, this shouldn’t take too long, so hang tight.” He took a deep breath, then sighed. This gave him some time to process everything that had been going on for the past few days. The sudden appearance of ponies, the Everfree, the diamond dogs, him using his powers, the princess of the night in an abandoned castle. There was so much that had happened. He eventually closed his eyes and drifted off into thought, leaving Rarity to cut and sew his new clothes.

~*~*~*~*~

“Done!” the sudden outburst from Rarity jolted John to awaken immediately. He was still standing, surprisingly, and he was wearing new clothes. “Tada. How do you like them?” He was wearing black leather lace up boot tucked underneath dark blue jean pants. On his upper half he wore a solid black turtle neck, which was quit soft and warm, with a leather jacket, it looked like something out of a magazine.
“Wow, where’d ya find the ideas ta make these? It’s just like what humans used to wear.” Rarity’s cheeks turned a deep crimson as she replied.
“I may have snooped through your things while AJ had you pined. You had a magazine in your bag, and I had a little look.” She blushed even more deeply.
“Well, thank ya one fer tellin’ the truth, and two, fer makin’ me some new clothes. They really are quit somethin’.” Rarity gave him a sidewise look.
“But darling, they’re magnificent.” She put emphasis on the sentence.
“They’re that too Rarity, it’s just ah wasn’t expectin’ this. Ya truly surprised me with this one.” He hopped down off of the platform. The clothes were certainly comfortable enough. There was absolutely nothing wrong with them. He hopped down off the platform. “Ah don’t know how ta thank ya.” 
“There is no need to thank me darling. They’re a gift. Now, I suggest you get your flank over to Twilight’s so you know what’s going on with your visit to the Princess.” She ushered him out the door into the crowd outside. “I’ll be seeing you soon ok.” She waved her hoof and he waved back. The crowd of ponies around him stared with awe at him. It was a little overwhelming at first, being surrounded by so many ponies, but soon they got used to him, and he got used to them. He was part of the crowd, more or less. They went back to doing whatever they were doing at the time and left him alone.
It was a beautiful day, the sun shone like a crystal sphere in the sky. Ponies everywhere basked in its warm radiant glow. Fillies laughed and played. It was strange being in a town where everything was alright. There wasn’t any bad except for line cutting and teasing on occasion. He was walking in the perfect town, in a perfect world.
Walking where there were other living breathing creatures around was just what he needed. Strolling down the cobblestone street while work ponies repaired roofs and pegasus cleared the sky of any clouds. It was amazing. The fresh air was a great stress relief too. Never had he breathed air so clear and clean. Especially after being used to breathing smog and ash all year round.
His brow rose after his gaze swept across a large tree growing in the middle of town. Though, it didn’t only seem to be a tree, it had windows, flower boxes, a door, and balcony. He strode across the empty court yard leading to the building. He rapped on the purple door. It seemed in excellent condition and was just a little shorter than he was. Pony sized. 
“Who is it?” called a voice from the other side, followed by a crashing of something heavy.
“It’s me.” The door glowed with purple and opened inward, revealing to him the hollowed out center of the tree. Books lined every shelf, and many were scattered along the ground. John peeked his head in, then the rest of his body followed. The door closed behind him and the purple hue was gone. “Hello, Twi?” he called, his voice seemed to echo throughout the place as if it were a cavern.
“Be there in a minute John, just finishing up a few thing.” Twilight sounded as if she were struggling.
“Do ya need any help?”
“No...it’s just...” there was another crash. “...yes please...” John followed the noise up a flight of stairs leading to what looked to him like an inside balcony. There was two of them, and wooden railings made sure you wouldn’t fall to the ground below. 
“So, what do ya need mah help with?” his eyes bulged, nearly out of their sockets. “That is a big telescope.” 
“Ya, you think. I need some help assembling it.” Twilight popped out of a pile of parts lying next to a large cardboard box. “It’s just too heavy for me to lift, even with magic.”
“Well, what do ya need lifted.” She pointed to a round, cylindrical tube with lenses on both sides.
“I need you to lift this on to the platform while I screw in the braces. Think you can do that.” He nodded his head then walked over the telescope. Wrapping his arms around the body of it, he lifted with his legs. With the telescope in muscular arms, John carefully placed it onto the platform and held it steady, while Twilight added a few braces and many screws. “Ok, that should be it. Thank you a whole bunch.”
“No prob.” He examined the telescope, it was large, and heavy. But, why would a librarian need such a contraption? He dismissed the thought. “So, not ta be a bother or anythin’, but have ya contacted the Princess yet?”
“Oh, yes. She wants to meet you tomorrow. She’ll send a carriage at noon.” She trotted over the her telescope and pressed her eye against the lens, and a smile spread across her face. “This is perfect. It’s not even dark and I can see Ursa Major and Minor.” She hopped around with excitement. “Oh, excuse me, it’s just that I’ve been waiting for this package for a long time.”
“It’s not a problem, go ahead and be excited. It’s yer home anyways.” He walked over and set down on a small bench against the wall. “So, tomorrow. Um, ya said ya had and extra room right?”
“Oh yes, just through that door over there.” He looked at where her hoof was pointing beside him. It was yet again, another purple door. Well, ah can see why she would like purple considerin’ she is purple. 
“May ah?”
“Of course, it’s your room until Princess Celestia can come up with something else.” He would have tipped his hat if he had it, so instead he tipped his head showing his thanks.
“Well, see ya tomorrow. It’s time fer me ta hit the hay and catch up on days of sleep ah missed.” He opened the door and paused. “Goodnight.” And he left, not to be seen again until the next day.
> The Meeting
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 9: The Meeting

“Wha-what?” Johns eyes shot open. “What the hell are ya doin’ in here?!” Surrounding the bed he slept in were the six ponies that he had spent the past three days with.
“Oh, darling, you slept forever. We thought something was wrong.” She trotted over beside him and gave him a worried look. “There is nothing wrong with you, right?”
“No, ah was just tired, that’s all.” He was still tired, though it wasn’t the first time he had to stay up. Oh and how he regretted it. “What time is it?” His eyes were blurred, but he could still make out which pony was which by their colors.
“It’s almost noon. We came to get you because the carriage is bound to arrive at any minute.” Twilight answered. She too was worried.
“Ok, um, would ya’ll please go out so ah can get ready” They all gave him a confused look. “Ya know, humans like privacy. It’s become sort of a necessity. So, would ya please.” Reluctantly each of them left one by one. As soon as they did, John slipped out of bed and got dressed slowly. His muscles ached. Stretching his back showed him that he was stiff as well. Groggily he exited the room and descended the stairs leading to the main area of the library.
“Well it’s ‘bout time ya got down here.” AJ sounded annoyed as well as worried. “Take yer sweet time gettin’ dressed, which ah see no point to, and scufflin’ down the stairs like yer not keepin’ royalty waitin’.” John eyed the orange work pony, then the friends standing behind her.
“Well, next time ah need ta see a princess, ah won’t save ya and save mah strength so ah’m not late.” He pressed his fingers against his temples and groaned. He had a headache, much like the one in the diamond dogs lair, but not as extreme. Applejack shuffled her hooves and looked guiltily at each of her friends.
“Sorry John, so, ya really didn’t get any sleep?” 
“Not since after ah put a hole in yer roof.” His gaze drifted to a table in the far corner, his bag of things was resting on its polished surface. “Ah see ya brought mah stuff, thank ya.” He walked over to the table and began going through the items. First off he began to equip his fire arms, the pistol with extra clips, then the sniper slung across his back. His sword was already hanging from his left hip, so that was no problem. Ah’m surprised their not stoppin’ me. Ah’m loadin’ all mah guns right before ah go and see their princess. When he was through, he zipped up his bag and stuck in on a high, empty shelf. “Well, let’s get to it.” Dark circles were still evident under his eyes.
“Are you sure your ok John...if you don’t mind me asking.” Fluttershy asked, hiding behind her mane. “It’s just, you don’t look well. You haven’t been yourself, well, as much of yourself that I know, since you got back from the Everfree.”
“Did that retched forest do something to you darling?” She was the one who caught his eye. She was wearing a stunning dress. It was blue with a golden trim and intricate designs embroidered along the edge. Upon her back sat a saddle girth and inlaid on it was a sun designs. Her hair was pulled back in many twists and fold, sitting high on her head. She noticed him looking at her dress. “Do you like it? I made it myself.”
“Rarity, don’t you think that’s a little much, even for the Princess?” Rainbow was hovering above her.
“Rainbow! Nothing is too much for royalty, and besides, this is new and I would like to see what Canterlotians think of it.” She stormed off and as she did so she said, “I will be waiting for the carriage.” And out she was, leaving the remaining five ponies and human in shocked silence.
“I still think it’s too much.” Rainbow muttered to herself as she folded her forelegs.
“Well, with that out of the way, I think we have enough time for a coffee.” Twilight said. “We don’t need you falling asleep while in the presence of Princess Celestia now do we?”
“Maybe that’s exactly what ah need.” John began. “She’s goin’ ta be pokin’ around in mah dreams, maybe it’s best that ah’m asleep fer that.”
“Ooh, ooh, ooh. We’re going to see John’s dreams. I’m going to throw the biggest party in that noggin of yours.” She noogied him, messing his hair up even more. 
“It does make sense.” AJ put in, “Ah mean, wouldn’t he need ta be asleep for us ta get in there and all?”
“Yes, I suppose he would, but we still don’t know if Celestia can do it at all.” Twilight began pacing. 
“Ok, ah give up. Ah’ll have a cup of coffee.” His voice sounded tired and worn out, which made Twilight frown. What is wrong with him? She thought. He’s getting worse and worse by the minute.
“Do you want to come with me, or stay here?” she asked. He took a little while to think, and soon answered.
“Ya, ah’ll come. Might as well see some of the town.” He began walking toward the door. His legs were stiff and he had the look of pain etched across his face. “Besides, it’s not like everypony is goin’ ta stare at me anymore. Got that out of the way yesterday.” Twilight was confused but decided not to pursue the matter.
“Alright then, follow me. You gals wanna come too?” Each one of them shook their head except for AJ, who followed behind John silently. “Here we go.” Twilight once again used her magic to open the purple wooden door that lead to the outside. She was the first one out, then AJ and soon after, still stiff legged, John. He winced as the noon sun bathed him in a yellow glow. Being inside sleeping for a day could do that to you. Rarity sat silently on a green wooden bench beside the small garden of tulips and roses. She searched the sky impatiently, waiting for the coach that she thought should have arrived by now. Noticing them leaving, she got up and trotted over.
“Where are you all going?” she asked, it seemed that the frustration from her small argument had worn off already. “The coach still isn’t here yet.” She again looked up to the sky, shading her eyes with a white foreleg.
“Ah need a cup of Joe. Ah really don’t know why AJ’s commin’.” Rarity smiled when she saw AJ blushing slightly, though John didn’t notice, and he just thought Rarity came up with a new design for clothes. 
“I can’t imagine why. Well, I guess I’ll come and get you when the coach arrives.” She returned to the bench to continue searching for the coach. 
“See ya later Rarity.” AJ called. She struggled to keep her face from turning a deep red, which made Rarity laugh. AJ stormed off past Twilight and John and made both of them raise their brow and look back at Rarity. She only shrugged and smiled at them. 
“No, that wasn’t weird at all.” John said with much sarcasm. “Ah guess we better catch up with AJ.” And together, leaving Rarity to keep her secrets, followed AJ down the wide cobblestone streets.
“This is quite the town ya’ll got here.” John said. “It’s very...colorful.” And it was too. There was no color of the rainbow left out. There were pink, purple, and yellow shingled roofs. Many of the wall were those colors or more. You could hide the town in front of a rainbow and never see it.
“It’s nice isn’t it?” Twilight asked. “What are your towns like?”
John puffed his cheeks out. “Well, let’s see if ah can remember. Um, well, the town ah was from there was a lot of drunkards and people on drugs. There was violence and killing. The cops were there all the time makin’ arrests. Though, not all of them are like that. The last town ah remember livin’ in, the neighbors were awesome. They would do anythin’ ta help. Just a nice small town such as this one.” 
“I see.” She said slowly. “I’ll leave it to the dreams to explain the rest. Oh, here we are. Joe’s Coffee Shop.” It was a small shop, there was the counter that you could get to while staying outside. There was a yellow and green awning that shaded the area in front of the shop, where a few tables and pony sized chairs. The stallion eyed John with a keen eye while still serving other ponies coffee.
“How may I help you?” he asked. 
“Three cups of coffee please.” Twilight asked. 
“Oh, Twilight Sparkle, sorry, didn’t see you there.” He said rather cheerful. “Whose your friend here?” he was resting his elbows on the counter while he examined John.
“His name’s John, and he’s new around here. Had a rough night’s sleep and needs to be awake for when he meets the Princess.” She giggle softly and placed two gold bits on the counter. “Please, three coffees.” Reluctantly Joe took the bits and placed three coffees out in front of them. The glasses were small, compared to what he was used to drinking out of, but, he didn’t need much.
“Enjoy, and you,” he pointed a hoof at John. “stay out of trouble.” He was threatening, and John didn’t take kindly to it. But, he had every right too. This was their town and John was a visitor.
“Thank ya.” John nodded his head. Taking the small glass of coffee, he left before the other two ponies could even grab theirs. They exchanged worried looks as he strode back to the library. Then, coffee in hoof, or magic, they followed briskly to keep up. Dang, they at least stopped the crowdin’. But it’s gonna take a while ta earn their trust. Ya, like that’s gonna happen. Ho, now that’s a carriage. Parked in front of the library, was a large, ornamental, purple and golden carriage. Thick golden lines were weaved along the body and tires of it. In front were four stallions pegusi, each wearing golden armor. They seemed like statues, motionless and expressionless. When John walked by they didn’t look twice, they never even looked once.
“Hey Rarity, the carriage is here.” There was no answer “Rarity?” he could hear murmurs coming from within’ the carriage. Opening the door revealed the four ponies. 
“Oh, hello John.” Fluttershy said timidly. “We were waiting for you. How was your coffee?” she gestured toward the empty cup in his hand. He stared at it. He hadn’t remembered drinking it. Yet he could taste the creamy after taste. “John?”
“Ya.” he asked.
“Are you alright?” they all gave him the same look that they gave when he woke up.
“Ya Fluttershy, ah’m alright. I don’t know why ya keep askin’ me that.” He smiled slightly and got in with them. Twilight and Applejack arrived shortly after and got in with him.
“Ok gentle colts, we’re ready.” Rarity told the stallions pulling the carriage. With only a snort of their nostrils in acknowledgment, they took off. It wasn’t what John thought it would be. The stallions flapped their wings and they carried the carriage in the air.
“Well, ah suppose this will shorten the time it’ll take ta get there.” He stared out the window toward the shrinking town below. “Didn’t think we’d be flyin’ there.”
“Hehehe. Ya ever flown before John?” AJ asked, a grin spread wide across her face.
“Oh ya, plenty.” He answered.
“How do humans fly.” Twilight was curious and leaned in close so as not to miss a word.
“Ya, I bet they can’t do a Sonic Rainboom.” Rainbow bragged.
“Well, we don’t do a Sonic Rainboom, but, as of late, we do sonic booms on a daily basis.” Rainbows jaw dropped nearly to the floor, then realizing it was open she closed it with a snap. “Ya, ah mean, we build machines ta help us fly. Like airliners. Huge planes that can carry hundreds of people from one place to another. Fighter jets that we use to shoot and bomb other people. Helicopters if we need ta take off in a small area.”
Twilight was shocked herself, she had not heard of such a thing. “So humans are really advanced aren’t they?” she asked.
“Yup. We have cures too diseases, weapons of mass destruction, internet.” 
“Internet?” her brow rose.
“Ya, ya type in what ya wanna know and it’ll give ya the information. Think of it as a library, only easier and with all the information in the world, all contained in a little box.” This time, Twilight’s jaw dropped, but she never noticed and left it hanging.
“What!” she squeaked. “You guys invented that.” Her voice was getting higher and higher in pitch.
“Yup.” He told her like it was nothing. “And more. But, other people build and invent that stuff, ah just use it.” Twilight was speechless, she had no comment to what he had just said. It was impossible, nopony had even dreamed of something as sophisticated as what John was describing. She just sat back trying to contemplate the information. For the rest of their Journey they sat in silence.

~*~*~*~*~

“John. Wake up.” The voices sounded distant and faded away. They tickled his mind, but he couldn’t hear where it was coming from, nor did he care. He was in a field of rolling grassy hills. Each one speckled with daisies and daffodils. A small breeze wafted the fragrant smell of evergreens in his face. He inhaled it; a smile was spread wide across his face. Oh how he missed this. It had been too long since he felt this. Though it also felt alien, like he didn’t belong here.
“John!” The voices were getting louder. It was no longer a pleasant feeling but was instead pain. It jolted at his mind, struggling to get in. “JOHN!” That did it. The piercing blow shattered the world around him like the world was made of glass. Each shard falling to reveal blackness behind until there was nothing left. He reached out to grab what little there was left, but his hopes were in vain. “John, John, John.” He tried to muffle the voice. His skin burned and he clawed at the air, but he touched nothing. Skin and clothes ripped by some invisible force. Blood dripped from his wounds; dripping into a black void of nothing. He pounded on the invisible wall now surrounding him, and getting smaller. Then he screamed. 
“NOOOOOO...”

~*~*~*~*~

“...OOOOO!” he was awake, surrounded by ponies. He clutched his head in his hand, nearly pulling his shaggy hair out. Sweet dripped off his forehead. Where was he? The six ponies from before weren’t the only ones staring at him with both frightened and worried looks. There was also another. She was at least twice as tall as the other ponies, and she also had a horn and wings just like Luna. Her shiny white coat blinded him as the afternoon sun reflected off of it. Her wavy multi-colored hair waved as if there were breeze, which there wasn’t. Her feature bore no sign of any emotion accept curiosity and worry, but no fear like the others.
“Oh John your ok!” Twilight breathed as she hugged him. The rest followed, giving him a group hug. “What happened? You fell asleep on the way here and you wouldn’t wake up.”
“Ah was...ah was dreamin’.” He answered slowly, he didn’t know what happened either.
“Dreamin’?! What kinda dream doesn’t let ya wake up?” AJ demanded. 
John stared at her and gave the smallest hint of smiling. “A really good one.” AJ cocked her head then shook it and walked away.
“Hello John.” The tall, elegant pony spoke. Her voice was soothing and kind. “I am Princess Celestia. You had us worried there for a moment.”
“More like twenty minutes.” AJ muttered, sitting on her haunches with her back turned to them.
“What were you dreaming about?” Rarity asked. AJ’s ears perked up; she too was curious.
“Just dreamin’ ‘bout life.” AJ’s ears flattened a her frown deepened. “Ya’ll understand after we get this fricken dream walkin’ crap over with.” He struggled to he feet. “So, when do we start?”
“Right now if you wish.” Celestia replied. “If you would come to one of the bedroom, we may proceed.” She began walking off, not bothering to look back and see if they were following.
“Do we follow her?” John asked.
“Yes, but...never mind. Let’s just go.” Twilight said. John was the first to follow Celestia across the court yard, then the six ponies. The castle was also, like Ponyville, very colorful. Though many of the colors matched that of the sun goddess in front of him. The halls they traversed were clean. There wasn’t a speck of dust to be seen along the floor and walls. John looked all around. Even though it was only an empty torch lit hall, it still was amazing. How could anypony keep it so clean? Fricken figures. They’ve got magic that they can use. Oh how their lives must be easy. Celestia looked back at him as if she had read his thoughts. Her features completely serene. Well, if she can walk in yer dreams. Who’s ta say she can’t read yer mind too? 
“So John,” Celestia began. “how are you liking Equestria?” John snorted and laughed. Twilight glared at him, but he ignored her.
“Well, so far ah fell through AJ’s barn, got mah ass kicked by a manticore. Had ta save Twi and Rarity from diamond dogs. Almost got mah ass handed to me by yer sister, and was chased across the Everfree by a hydra. Oh ya, ah also helped put out the fire on AJ’s barn. It’s been absolutely wonderful.” Celestia winced at the part about her sister Luna.
“Well, I’m happy you think so.” She replied a little shocked.
“Smart-ass.” John muttered under his breath, which earned him another glare from Twilight.
“Can you show a little respect. It’s not like she did anything to you.” Twilight whispered to him.
“Ah’m kinda in a bad mood, as ya can see.” He strides got larger so he could get away from the group. What is up with him? Twilight thought. Ever since he woke up he’s been someone completely different almost. I hope his memories have the answers. The group came up to a pair of large wooden double doors. Two lit torches were place on both sides, giving off plenty of light to see. With a magical push from Celestia, the doors opened. Behind was a very well kept-up-on room. In the far wall, opposite of the door, was a queens size bed fitted with pink covers and plush purple pillows. The was a glass door leading to a balcony beside the bed.
“John, I would like you to lay down on the bed. The rest of us will sit in a circle around you.” John hesitated, but reluctantly he obeyed, and laid down on the mattress. Soon after the six ponies sat around him, with Celestia at the foot of the bed. “John, I want you to relax, you too girls.” Her horn began to glow pink, along with John, who slowly rose up in the air. His breaths were slow and even. He was asleep. Each of the equines closed their eyes and lowered their heads to the ground. “It is time to begin.” Celestia’s eyes burned a bright pink then each and every one of their minds, were sucked out of reality.

> Past Horrors
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 10: Past Horrors

"W-What?" Applejack exclaimed. She, and he five friends were standing at a cliffs edge, looking down upon a small town. Trees lined both sides leaving a small clearing. A faint breeze blew through her mane, bringing with it the sweet smells of apple pie. AJ’s mouth watered, but she soon forgot the irresistible temptation when her gaze drifted to her right. Parked there looked to be a humongous black carriage. It had four doors and the back of it was empty, leaving room to place large items in it. The wheels were made of thick black rubber. But what really caught her attention were two humans laying on the front of it, staring up into the clear blue sky. The boy was John, but the other one AJ didn’t recognize. 
"John, why do you have to move?" Her mellow voice was filled with sorrow; her eyes reflected it too. "It’s not fair, it’s not your dad’s fault he can’t get a job. It’s just not fair." She sighed and gripped Johns hand in hers.
"Ah know, but..." he sighed too. "Ah’ll stay in touch, no matter what."
"I know you will, just, come back to me. Please." She rested her head on his chest, her blond hair cascaded down his chest. "I’ll miss you."  
"Ah’ll miss ya too." He wrapped his arms around her, and together they sat, staring off into the empty sky. A flash of light streaked across the sky, followed by a roar of booming thunder. The two humans whipped their heads in the direction of the noise, and listening intently for any other noise.
"John, what was that?" she hopped off the front of the black carriage along with John.
"Get in the truck Elizabeth." She objected at first, but after another crack of thunder she hurriedly climbed in the passenger seat. John strode over to the edge of the cliff and peered out towards where the flash of light had come from. The earth shifted under his feet, knocking him off balance. Raging fires consumed the forests and towns nearby. Meteorites crashed down and destroyed anything the fires could not reach. 
John ran for the truck and climbed in beside Elizabeth. The truck roared to life and sped away, then another meteorite crashed right in front of them. It sent them flying backward with the truck upside down in the dirt.
"Elizabeth!" John screamed with horror. "No, no, no, no, no." A large jagged piece of the windshield was protruding from her chest and trickles of blood ran down her face. She weakly turned her head to face his and smiled at him.
"Go get them tiger." She whispered; then her breathing faded to nothing. John screamed a menacing roar. The door to the truck blew off and clattered across the torn earth. He stepped out, rage burned in his heart and soul. Darkness consumed him until he was pitch black. He let out one more scream, louder than the last. The darkness shot straight up and tore the land around him. 
"YOU WILL DIE ARAK’ARAHM!! AAAAH!!" 
Applejack blinked, she was no longer on the cliff side with younger John. Instead she was in a black void, standing on nothing. "That was...um...different." Twilight couldn’t find the right words.
"Ya, I wonder what happened." Rainbow muttered to herself.
Pinkie Pie’s hair had deflated and she seemed to have lost her color. "John lost the love of his life; that’s not fair."
"Now, before we proceed, do any of ya have any question?" Everypony turned around to see where the voice was coming from. It was John and like always, his features were emotionless and dull. "Now ya know what happened ta mah race."
"What does any of that have to do with you not wanting to use your power?" Twilight asked as everypony nodded their head in agreement.
"Mah power..." he paused, "is the reason Arak’arahm came in the first place. He wanted mah power." He folded his arms. "Any other questions?" The ponies shook their heads. "Ok then, let’s go."
AJ blinked, they had gone somewhere else again. This time, it wasn’t as cheery. It was dark, very dark, but faint light from the moon made it easier slightly easier to see. There was a blizzard, though strangely enough Applejack couldn’t feel the biting cold she thought she would have. She looked around, her right were towering mountains, to her left, were millions of lifeless trees. It didn’t feel right to her; it felt dead. There was a noise in the trees. AJ crouched so she would not be seen, though what would do her little good. Emerging  from the forest was a man, as John had called them, wrapped tightly in coats and clothes. Strapped across his back was the long weapon John had shown them this morning, along with his sword on his hip. There was also a canister and a tube running to his mouth. He wore a pair of goggles that he often wiped clean of ash and snow. The human paused as he stared off into the mountains. A puff of white steam shot out of his face mask and dissipated in the wind.
The human cocked his head from side to side and unstrapped his "gun" from his back. He held it ready as he strode into the depths of the mountain. AJ followed, still crouching for some odd reason. Then she stood up the rest of the way and trotted in after him. The mountains were like nothing she had ever seen. On each side towering cliffs rose of her, piled high with ash and snow. In a few places, the skeleton of an animal was hangin off a ledge or right in front of her. She let out a yelp that echoed throughout the canyon. She would have thought for sure the human would have heard, but he kept on his way as if nothing had happened.
They were further in now; AJ estimated about an hour since they had entered. The man crouched behind a rock and brought the scope to his eye. He lowered the gun and pulled out a black cylinder which he screwed on to the end of his gun. Aiming his gun again the human took a deep breath, then pulled the trigger. He pulled it again and again, and soon after each shot an unearthly scream would echo. The human stood up and trotted over to where the screams had come from.
AJ followed, trying to keep up with the humans long legs. It was a far shot he had just preformed, because it had taken at least ten minutes of running until he finally stopped. Lying before them, were the corpses of—AJ gulped—laying right there on the ground was a manticore. No doubt it looked different from the ones they had in Equestria, but it was still a manticore nevertheless. She pulled her eyes from the body, back at the human. He had his sword drawn now, and he was slowly advancing toward a crevice in the mountain. It was then she looked back for the comfort of her friends, but they weren’t there. A blizzard and mountain was all that remained. She gulped again and followed closely behind. 
It was pitch black in the depths of the rocky prison. The one source of sanctuary was the small flashlight held in the humans gloved hands, its beam, lighting the path before them. Again the humans mask puffed out white fog, which could be heard echoing throughout the cavern. Otherwise it was quiet; it was an unnerving silence that engulfed them. Further off in the distance, through unnatural opening in the cave wall, shone the yellow light of torches. AJ felt a feeling of comfort from the fires; but not when the human crouched lower and walked slowly toward it. The clomping if her hooves reverberated off the walls, she winced even though she knew no one could hear her.
The human pressed his back against one of the pillars making up the entrance. He removed his mask and set it down, along with the tank, on the ground. Taking a deep, foggy breath, he continued through the archway. AJ peered around the edge then followed after him. It was a room they had walked into. Torches lit every corner of the room. Old books and relics lined the shelves along with rickety old furniture in the middle of the room. A deep throaty chuckle came from the far corner. The figure turned around, showing himself to be a human too. Though plainly older than AJ by many years, the old man walked with graceful strides toward a wooden table.
"So, Soulslayer. You’ve come at last." His voice was deep and marked him as powerful.
"Don’t call me that." The other human threatened. "Mah name is John." AJ’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. She had been with John this entire time. Walking across the room, AJ sat to view what happened next.
"Oh yes, that’s right, you think you have a say in what you are. How pleasant." John eyes turned black. Sparks of black lightning ran up and down the blade of his sword. 
"Now it’s time ah take you down." John stated as he rushed to the man. In an instant, the man pulled a potion out from his thick blue cloak and threw it at the ground. With that a swirling portal grew out of the stone floor, sucking John in. "AH WILL GET YOU YET ARAK’ARAHM!! YOU JUST WAIT."
"I plan on it Soulslayer." He chuckled menacingly as the portal closed. "And you." He pointed a gnarled old finger at Applejack. She looked around confused, wondering who he was talking to. "Applejack," he said slowly. "I see you’re doing a little dream walking yourself." He laughed again. "Please tell John when you wake up that, I’m back." 
With a scream AJ woke up, writhing on the floor of the bedroom. Her five friends were staring at her in horror. She struggled up to her hooves and saw John still lying on the bed. Celestia gave her a questioning look.
"AJ, what in Equestria happened to you?" Twilight asked. "After John’s apocalypse, we all woke up, but you. You wouldn’t wake up. What happened in there?" AJ stared at John, her vision getting blurry, until she finally collapsed on the floor. Rarity gasped and the five friends looked at their princess for assistance. She just looked at them, unsure of the events that had taken place herself. 
"Um..." she began. "Lay Applejack on the bed beside John. I’ll have one of the servants come in and take care of them." She strode toward the door. "Until they awaken, I suggest you five get some sleep yourselves. Good evening." Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow followed her out the door. Twilight stayed a moment longer, then left herself. What happened in there? She wondered. She closed the door and left the two alone to rest.

> The Elements of Harmony
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 11: The Elements of Harmony

Sunlight filtered in through AJ’s eyelids. She covered her face with her foreleg and moaned, then eventually rolled out of bed. Staggering a little, she made her way to a mirror hanging on the wall. Her vision was blurry but, she could still see to walk. She looked in the mirror and was shocked to see her hair was a mess.
“How long was ah asleep?” she asked no one in particular. She glanced at the bed and saw John there. Her brow arched in curiosity. “John?” she strode over to his side of the bed. “John.” He didn’t move. This time she shoved him, but he still did not wake. Her bottom lip started to quiver and her limbs started shaking. “John wake up!” she shouted as she pounded on his chest. “Com’on, wake up please.” Tears were streaming down her cheeks now. They created small dark circles in the dust covering the floor. She sank to her haunches and covered her eyes with her hooves. She wiped the tears away then struggled to her hooves. “Don’t worry, ah’ll go get Princess Celestia. She’ll know what ta do.” She trotted to the thick doubled doors on the opposite end of the room. “Ah’ll be back.” She whispered, then exited the room.
On her way to the throne room AJ nearly toppled over several servant mares. Whenever she bumped into one, she would receive a very unfriendly comment afterwards. She ignored all the rude ponies. Her goal right then was to find Celestia, and help John. Everything else was lost to mind. Applejack stormed around a corner, only to come face to face with Twilight. The two collided into each other and books scattered across the hallway. Twilight rubbed her head and groaned. 
“Applejack? What’s going on?” she asked, but when she looked around, she was the only one there. 
AJ felt bad about running into Twilight, and she would have to apologize later. But she was still on an urgent mission. She rounded a few more corners and climbed a few flight of stairs. She knew she was getting closer to the throne room because there were more servants. Com’on. Just a little further. There! 
She skidded to a halt in front of a pair of grand double doors. Panting hard she shoved the two doors open with her shoulder. “Princess Celestia...” she took a deep breath, “There’s somethin’ wrong with John. He won’t wake up.” It wasn’t Celestia she was talking to though. Instead it was Princess Luna who was sitting there. “Where’s Celestia?” she asked desperately.
“She’s gone Applejack.” Luna spoke; she wasn’t using her normal Canterlotian voice this time, but AJ dismissed the thought. 
“Gone where?” AJ demanded.
“She had an important meeting in Manehattan to attend to. Is there any way I may be of assistance to you?” Luna had that unwavering look of command, but it seemed as if she was trying to act normally.
“Yes ya can. It’s John. He won’t wake up.” She tried not to rush but the words just flowed out; she was panicking. “Please ya have ta help him.” She pleaded. Luna took a minute to decide.
“Where is he?”

~*~*~*~*~

AJ and Luna strode into the room where John slept. Though standing right there next to the bed was the other five ponies. Twilight stood there and padded John’s temple with a damp rag. Fluttershy sat in the corner whimpering to herself with Pinkie Pie trying to comfort her. Rainbow Dash flew in circles above the bed while Rarity paced across the room.
“Twi!” AJ shouted. “Do ya know what’s wrong?” Twilight shook her head and continued to pat John’s cranium.  AJ looked to each pony in the room, and every one of them gave the same answer. She almost began to cry until she noticed Luna walking to the bedside. 
“Twilight Sparkle,” she began, “would you please step aside.” Twilight hesitated a moment and gave Luna a confused look then went to stand beside Applejack. “I will try all that I can. But I can make no promises.” He horn began to glow a deep blue, it was almost black. The same hue danced across John’s face. Luna’s eyes twitched as she probed his mind—she looked as if she was in pain. Twilight and AJ glanced at each other. “Aaaaaaaah!” Luna screamed and was shot backward, slamming against the wall.
“Ugh.” The sound came from the bed. Slowly John sat up, clutching his head with bloody hands. Rainbow crashed into him and squeezed the breath from his lungs. “Rainbow? What’s the matter?” he asked. She released him and right after she did Applejack was hugging him. Her tears were streaming down her face and soaking his shirt. “Better yet, AJ are ya alright?” She was shaking and her grip was getting tighter and tighter. Everypony was staring at them, including Luna who had just recovered from her crash. She still rubbed her head. John slowly embraced AJ back and together they sat there in silence—John unsure of exactly what was going on.
“Would somepony like ta fill me in?” He asked. He looked at each pony until his sights finally fell on Luna. He glared at her a moment then went back to Fluttershy.	
“Um...you were asleep for a very long time.” She said timidly.
“Ya, for about three days you’ve been out.” Rainbow flew over and sat beside him. AJ had finally let go of John but she wouldn’t get off his lap.
“What happened?” Twilight asked. “I mean, we woke up and you and AJ were still sleeping and wouldn’t wake up.”
“Oh mah gosh!” AJ blurted out. “John, ah almost forgot. Arak’arahm told me ta tell you he’s back.” John eyes widened in fear. He stood up quickly, knocking AJ off his lap. 
“Now what in Celestia’s name does that mean?” Rarity asked. Playing with a lock of her mane with her hoof. “John?”
“It means yer planet and race is as good as gone.” He answered. All seven ponies gasped; Rarity nearly fainted. “Unless ah do somethin’ ‘bout it.” He turned toward Luna. “Luna, do ya have anythin’ that we can use as a weapon of some sort?” She thought about the question for a little while, but eventually came through with an answer.	
“The only thing I can think of are The Elements of Harmony.” The six other ponies gasped again. “The Elements have been used to defeat evil more than once.”
“Good! Where are they?” John asked urgently. “We’ll need everythin’ ya got ta take this fucker down.”
“Now John.” Luna began. “Why the sudden the rush to defeat this Arak’arahm?”
“’Cause ah’ve seen what he can do.” He tightly clenched his fists. “He killed mah whole race, leavin’ only me. He blocked out our sun and left mah world a cold, lifeless wasteland. He killed mah family, mah friends, and Elizabeth. Ah will take him here and now if ah have ta. He will not take more lives.” He relaxed a little. “Now take me ta these elements.” He demanded. Cold hard rage plainly visible in his features. That look startled the ponies.
“Not just anypony can use them. They can only be wielded by the ponies whose personalities match that of the elements. And those ponies happen to me in this room.” She gestured toward Fluttershy. “The spirit of kindness.” Rainbow Dash, “The spirit of loyalty.” Pinkie Pie, “The spirit of laughter.” Rarity, “The spirit of generosity.” Applejack, “The spirit of honesty.” Then finally Twilight, “The spirit of magic.”
“Well let’s hop to it.” John was unfazed by the fact his only friends were the wielders of the only weapon in Equestria. “Arak’arahm ain’t gonna kill himself. Ah wish he would, but he’s not.” Pinkie Pie giggled. The six ponies exchanged worried glances.
“Ok, let’s get a move on already before ah drag ya’ll down there by yer ears.” He rushed out the door. Glancing each other’s way one last time, they followed him out the door.

~*~*~*~*~

“So, where’s the vault?” John asked as his sight swept the room. “All ah see are walls.” Luna walked up to one of the walls and inserted her horn into a hole in the wall. For a brief second her horn glowed, then a section in the wall began to open. Inside was a medium sized jewelry box. “Are ya sure that’s gonna stop Arak’arahm? ‘Cause those look kinda small.”
“Remember John, magic.” Luna tapped her horn with her hoof. “Now girls, are you ready to wield the elements once more, and partner up with John to defeat this common foe?” All six ponies nodded their heads. “I present to you the Elements.” As Luna opened the box there was a bright flash of light. Everypony winced and covered their face with their forelegs. “This isn’t right!” Luna exclaimed. John slowly backed away and the Elements slowly dimmed to nothing. 
Everypony stared at the Elements in wonderment, then at John. Luna gawked at John in bewilderment. She knew more about the Elements than anypony in Equestria, other than Celestia, and nothing like this has ever happened before.
“What was that?” Twilight asked. Her eyes wide as saucers. “It felt...I don’t know what it felt like, but it was as if the Elements were trying to escape.” She glanced over to Luna, questions bubbling up inside her.
“Maybe that’s something you should ask John here.” She looked at John, but he was just as surprised as she was. 
“Ah suggest we just leave those in the box until we actually need them.” He advised. “Don’t want them breakin’ before we need them.” All six of them nodded their heads. Luna stared at the Elements and back at John before she closed the box. She had an idea, or at least a theory.
“John?” Luna asked, “Would you please carry this for me?” she levitated the box over to him.
He backed away, “Ah don’t think that’s a good idea.” He backed farther away.
“You’re more qualified for the job.”
“Other than a goddess?”
“Yes.” She shoved the box at his chest, causing him to grunt. He grabbed it, holding it as if it were going to bite him. “Now, take good care of those Elements until the time is right.” She glared at him and he glared back.
“Yes mam.” he ground his teeth. His grip on the box grew tighter and tighter until it began creaking. He looked over to the ponies. “So, where do ya wanna go hang out today?”


> Waiting
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 12: Waiting

The sun shone brilliantly through the coffee shop windows. Everypony bustled around with leisure; they had no clue what was coming. Neither did the seven friends want them to spend what might be the rest of their days worrying. The seven of them sat around a slick, shiny round table. John thrummed his fingers on the lid of the box, while the remaining six stared down into their coco. The silence was unbearable. They may die any moment now and they were sitting around moping. He may not deserve the pleasure of life, but that doesn’t mean these ponies didn’t. His other hand squeezed his cup of coffee. His knuckles turned white. AJ looked up at him and rose her brow. Then the glass shattered, steaming hot coffee spilled everywhere. As the steaming substance spread across the table the ponies jumped in fright.
John stood up, glared at every one of the six ponies, then stormed off out the door with the jewelry box in hand. All the costumers gawked at him, then after he closed door, they looked at the mane six. Slowly everypony continued on with what they were doing. Applejack and Fluttershy exchanged worried glances. One by one the six of them filed out of the cafe.
“What was that?” Rainbow blurted out as she looked around for John. “And that look he gave us, what was that for?”
“Now where in Celestia’s name did he run off to?” Rarity asked as she too searched for him.
“Something isn’t right.” Twilight stated, “First he’s sucked into a completely different world, then he’s forced to reveal the secrets he tried so hard to keep. And to top it all off, his enemy is here to either kill him or us.”
“It does sound rather...depressing.” said Fluttershy. She fluttered over their heads, looking for John.
“Let’s split up and see if we can find him.” AJ took off down one of the pony filled streets. The others headed off in their own directions. Rainbow and Fluttershy took to the skies. Rarity and Twilight galloped opposite directions. Finally Pinkie, she did what she did best.
“Yay!” she shouted, drawing attention from a few ponies walking by. “First one to find John wins.” She laughed hysterically then bounced off down one of the streets.

~*~*~*~*~

Somethin’ must be up. AJ rounded a corner, her eyes darted everywhere; searching for her tall friend. Ah mean, he wasn’t like this before. Now all of a sudden he’s all emotional. She turned another corner, this time nearly toppling over a mare with her shopping basket. Com’on John, where’d ya go? One last turn lead Applejack to the palace gardens. Two of the royal guards stood watch on either side of the massive iron gate. They stood firm  and steady, never taking their eyes off of the unseen object in front of them.
“Did ya happen ta see a feller on two legs pass by?” she asked them. The pegasus on the left, his golden armor gleaming in the noonday sun, pointed with his wing inside the garden. “Thank ya.” She tipped her hat and sped through the gate. Why in the wide world of Equestria, would John come here?  

~*~*~*~*~

“Fluttershy!” Rainbow shouted, “Do see him?” Sweat dripped from her forehead. The two of them had flown all over the city, but still no sign of John.
“No, I’m sorry.” Fluttershy tipped her head down toward the ground in disappointment. “Wait, where’s AJ going?” She pointed a yellow hoof down at the palace gardens. Rainbow flew up beside her. 
“Well, she’s not going to get to him before me. Fluttershy, you go find the others and tell them to meet us at the gardens.” She bolted off in the direction AJ was heading.
“Oh dear.” Fluttershy said, and she too, fluttered off to look for her friends.

~*~*~*~*~

Where is he, where is he? There! AJ spotted John sitting on one of the garden benches. His eyes were closed; he seemed to be enjoying himself. A peaceful smile rested on his lip, he was drowned in the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves. The jewelry box sat atop his lap, unopened and undisturbed. 
AJ slowed down, her hooves clomped softy on the cobblestone path. She walked up to him then stood there and stared at him. He hadn’t moved or even acknowledged her yet. She cleared her throat, then his smile vanished.
“Yes Applejack?” he opened his eyes, and stared back. There was a moment of silence, then Applejack spoke.
“Why’d ya storm off like that?” she sat down in front of him. “We were just enjoyin’ a cup of coffee. What happened?” John shifted in his seat.
“Ya weren’t enjoyin’ yer coco. Ya’ll were mopin’ and just sat there.” He said. “Ah’d rather ya’ll go and enjoy the rest of yer time. Go...visit loved one. Go enjoy yerselves.” AJ smacked a small stone with her hoof and watched it skid and hit a tree. “Don’t worry, ah’ll come get ya when ah think it’s time.”
“Ya, and what ‘bout ya?” she stood up, “Here ya are talkin’ ‘bout bein’ happy, and ya won’t go out and enjoy yerself.” AJ became very cold. Memories of her visiting John’s past popped into her head. She sank to her haunches. “Oh, ya can’t can ya?” he shook his head. “Ya don’t have a family ta spend yer time with.” Her head dropped and she stared at her hooves. “Well, how ‘bout ya come down ta the farm and spend some time with mah family.” John’s brow ached. “Ya, we’ll take a carriage right now and head on down ta Sweat Apple Acres.” 
“Are ya sure?” he asked.
“Ya ah’m sure, com’on.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him up. “Ya can’t spend the rest of yer life by yerself.” John smiled.
“Ya know, ah was enjoyin’ mahself.” AJ stopped pulling on John.
“Run that by me again.”
“Ah’ve spent ten years living in a world without color or life. This is actually the only time ah’ve been able to stop and enjoy it.” He sighed. “Ah never thought ah’d see it again.” They sat there, engulfed in silence, until they were disturbed by a loud crack, a thump and an “Ow!!” They looked over to see where the noise had come from. Sitting there, rubbing her temple, was Rainbow Dash. Then following soon after was a panting Fluttershy. 
“Rainbow, I found them. They’re on their way.” She spoke, “Oh dear, Rainbow, are you ok?”
“Ya, I’m fine.” She groaned and hopped up to her hooves.  She gawked at Applejack. “You beat me to him? I was suppose to get to him first.” She reared up her hind legs then bucked the tree in frustration, then a shower of leaves fell to the ground.
“Well sorry Rainbow, I didn’t know we were racin’. And if ah would have known that, ah would have actually tried ta beat ya.” She chuckled and Rainbow frowned and looked away. “Now, if ya don’t mind, me and John are enjoyin’ the time we have left.” Rainbow raised a brow in complete confusion. 
“Your just going to sit here and enjoy yourselves, when the world is going to end?” The two of them nodded their heads. 
“Rainbow,” John explained. “we have all that we know of to fight Arak’arahm. The most we can do now is enjoy the time we have left.” He sat back down on the small wooden bench and watched a Blue Jay fly by. He smiled. 
“Oh! Here come Twilight and Rarity!” Fluttershy shouted, or as much as a shout as she could manage. She scooted out of the path to let the two unicorns through. They panted heavily from their long run.
“We were...clear on the...other side of the...city.” Twilight said between breaths of air. “Pinkie Pie saw a party and decided it would be fun to join. So, that should keep her occupied.” Applejack grimaced and glanced over to John. Seeing this action, Rarity stepped forward.
“Is there something you would like to share with us you two?” She tried to keep the anger from her voice. Running all over Canterlot was tiring, and she wasn’t in the mood for pettish games.
“Well, Pinkies happy. Ah guess that’s three down.”
“Whatever to you mean AJ?” She wiped a strand of purple mane from her forehead.  “I’m extremely exhausted and would like a cup of tea. So if you don’t mind explaining.”	
“What’s the point of mopin’ fer what might be yer last hours when ya can enjoy them instead?” John stated smoothly. His fingers caressed the imprinted design on the jewelry box. The look of confusion was plain as day on the two unicorns’ faces. John chuckled deeply at their looks. He stared back up to the sky, then frowned. Flocks of birds flew overhead like a streaking rainbow. The squawks were deafening.
“Rainbow, go get Pinkie Pie. Drag her here if ya have ta.” Rainbow Dash dashed off through the trees toward the city. John glared at the direction the birds were coming from. His frown turned into a scowl and his teeth lengthened and sharpened in an instant.
“John, what’s goin’ on?” AJ asked, though she already knew the answer.
“Woohoo!!” came a shout that overpowered the squawks above. Rainbow came barreling over the trees, bearing Pinkie Pie on her back.
“Found her!” She shouted, “Wasn’t that hard to find. All you had to do was look for the biggest and loudest party.” Her grin was nearly as wide as Pinkie’s, but vanished as soon as it had appeared. “Is it time?” Pinkie hopped off her back and Rainbow came to hover next to John. There was a flash of light beside the group, and standing in the middle was Princess Luna.
“John!” she spoke. “There something going on North of here.” Looking closer showed her that he in fact knew exactly what was going on. “Is it time?” she asked. She shifted from side to side with nervousness. The ground shook violently underneath them, causing the ponies to fall down. Except for John, he stood stalk still, never moving. He was the prey no longer. He was now...the hunter.


> Unfinished Business
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 13: Unfinished Business

Fire streaked the sky, in parallel strokes. It was like a giant claw had ripped the heavens, leaving fire in its wake. The air began to broil. Thick heavy sweat rolled down the brows of Equestria’s only defenders. The seven of them were now standing at the city edge, looking out over the expanse of burning vegetation.
“Bearers of the Elements. Are thou ready?” Each of the six friends nodded their heads nervously, as if they were reconsidering their choice to be a part of this. “John, the Elements please.” John obeyed and handed the box to her; her magic gripping it. John stood well away while she opened the box. Inside gleamed the golden jewelry. The ponies picked their Elements and put them on.
Twilight’s element was a golden tiara with a purple gem in the shape of a six pointed star. Fluttershy’s was a necklace with a pink butterfly at its center. Rarity’s was also a necklace with a purple diamond shaped gem. Rainbow’s was a red lightning bolt. Pinkie’s was a blue balloon. And finally, Applejack’s was an orange apple. Each of their gems matched their cutie marks. A sense of relief washed over them as they put them on, but also something else, something wrong. The ponies frowned as they each noticed.
“Somethin’ doesn’t feel right.” AJ stated.
“Your right, something is different.” Pinkie put in. “I feel all tingly.” She giggled.
“What do you suppose it is?” asked Fluttershy.
“In this final battle,” Luna shouted, snaring the attention of the confused ponies. “the bearer will proceed first. This is however our land, our world. And we will be the first ones to fight for it if necessary.” She turned to look at John, who was still standing well away from the group. “It is nothing against you. You have your customs, we have ours.” He nodded his head in understanding. “Ok then, when he comes, it’s up to us to finish him. Good luck my little ponies.” The ponies held ready. Each one by each other’s side, no pony moved, they just stared straight ahead, waiting for death itself. A black aura surrounded John, slowly getting thicker and thicker.
“He’s here.” He said and soon after followed a deep throaty chuckle.
“That’s right John,” spoke an unseen voice. A swirling vortex of fire scorched the land behind them. They all turned around, and standing there, not fifty yards away, was Arak’arahm. “So I see you made some friends. Why do you bother, you know they’re going to die anyways.” He grinned, showing off his rows of razor sharp teeth. “So, I’m just guessing your here to fight me, and in hope to defeat me. How thoughtful to give me a challenge, however small. John, tell me, why are you clear over there and not with your friends? I would have thought...” he was distracted by a flash of rainbow colors coming from the ponies. Floating mere feet off the ground were the six ponies. Their eyes burned a fiery white. They smiled as a wide rainbow arched from them to Arak’arahm. Reaching its target the rainbow swirled around the beast. There was a bright flash of light, but the ponies were knocked back. “Hehehehe. That tickled.” He scoffed.
“APPLEJACK!!” John shouted as he ran by her side. Arak’arahm smiled deeply. 
“See what happens when you make friends John? They eventually die, by me.” He laughed.
The ponies were still breathing, but they were unconscious. But what caught his attention was the glowing elements around the ponies’ necks. Each one grew brighter and brighter. Arak’arahm was still laughing, spinning around so he could take a good look at the world he would destroy next. Anger boiled inside John; he drew his sword. The intense brightness emanating from the Element finally caught Arak’arahm’s attention. 
“What is this?” he asked. He was unsure what was going on, and backed away a step. Then he smiled once more. “Finally a challenge.” Lights of pink, purple, orange, and red beamed out of the Elements. They swirled around overhead, creating a whirlpool of color. Luna watched in awe. The spinning became faster and faster. It soon became a narrow column right above John’s head. It absorbed itself within John and he screamed in pain. There was another flash of light and then there was nothing. The light had vanished and the once vivid color the Elements possessed faded to black. John stood there, arms hanging to the ground, head bent down toward the ground with his long black hair draping over his face. He stood up straight, and with one hand, pushing aside the hair that obscured his vision. It was John’s turn to smile. And that smile sent chills running down Arak’arahm back.
John’s sword lengthened and glowed a magnificent white. So intense that you wouldn’t have even known it was a sword, then eventually faded to a faint glow. John opened his eyes, and behind those pale eyelids was pure magical rage. His eyes seemed to have been replaced with glowing white orbs. Magic streamed off of them into the air. Arak’arahm was surprised at this turn of events. He wielded his own magical sword. 
John uttered only one thing. “You should have made friends.” With raging fury, Arak’arahm lunged himself at John, sword sweeping in for an uppercut. John dodged it with ease and planted a few strokes himself. Arak deflected these blows, sending sparks of red and white in the air. The battle felt like ages. He barely notice his friends sprawled along the ground. Right now he was one on one with his lifelong enemy. Luna watched as they danced across the courtyard, each move as graceful as if it were a ballet. 	
“I’m getting tired of playing with knives John. Let’s bring it up to where I’m most superior.”  His sword vanished in a furry of flames, leaving his hands free. John however, kept his. A ring of fire appeared around Arak, flames licked the ends of his robe and crawled up his arms. He threw the massive fiery missiles at John, but they vanished before they could reach him. Arak was getting tired of this game.
“Com’on John.” He spoke venomously. “Let’s see what you’ve got.” Arak stood there, the ring of fire still remained. John firmly planted his feet, he glanced over to the ponies laying there to the right of him. They were awake, their eyes glowed in wonder and eagerness, considering the situation they were in; they were in awe. Arak’arahm let loose a roar in a bid to intimidate him, but all it was doing was readying John for the next inevitable step. Arak reached for the sky to call forth lightning. It struck his palm and the land around him. John concentrated on his new power and he felt righteous indignation against Arak’s destruction. His fury over everything he had lost rose in tandem with the Elements power. He could feel it blaze through him. This is it, this is the time to end this once and for all! This mindless destruction must end! 
Arak’arahm laughed as lighting struck around the ponies, causing them to squeal in fear. That did it. “THEIR LIFE,” he felt his entire being rush through him and into his sword, “IS NOT YOURS TO TAKE!!”
As Arak’arahm let loose another blood-curdling roar, John weapon burst into a corona of magnificent glory. It screamed through the air as his power flowed into a deadly force of revenge. It pierce Arak and unleash wrath upon him. Thunder boomed, not from Arak’s lightning, but from the force the power had. Bone and tissue fell from the might unleashed in the concentrated arc, before detonating into a tremendous force which knocked back the body had dared to try to ignore John’s decree.
The forces subsided, John felt his power waning. He weakly sheathed his weapon, then collapsed to the ground. So tired. Unconscious overtook him, and John drifted off into a dark dead world.
~*~*~*~*~

“Look, he’s coming to.” Spoke a muffled voice. It echoed in his mind. He thought he remembered the voice, but he was unsure. He tried to sit up but failed. Every muscle burned and ached. “John, stay lying down, you’ll hurt yourself even more.” He turned his head to face the mellifluous voice. It was Fluttershy, she looked at him worriedly. “Come on, lay down.” She repeated. She chuckled softly to herself. “There you go again. You’re healing very quickly again.” She touched his forehead, and the look she gave was satisfactory.
“Hey Fluttershy.” John said weakly. “Did we win?” he smile; and she smiled back. 
“Yes,” Rarity walked in through the large double doors leading to his room. “And might I say, that you’ve completely ruined the Elements of Harmony. According to Celestia, they now reside in you.” She grinned as the remaining four friends walked in through the door. It was nice to see them all okay. It gave him a warm feeling, something he hadn’t felt in a long while.
“Nice ta see yer awake John.” AJ said. “Had us worried there fer a bit.” John tried once more to sit up. Fluttershy’s eyes widened with surprise at his success. “Um..should ya be doin’ that? It was only yesterday ya had that tussle with Araka...whatever his name was.”
“Yup, ah’m fine.” He grunted. “This is the second time ah’ve woken up in somebody else’s bed.” He smirked as he recollected memories. “So, where is he?” The six of them gave him blank stares. “Arak’arahm, kinda wanna know if he’s actually dead.”
“Oh ya.” Pinkie Pie chirped. “He’s in a bunch of itty-bitty pieces all over the palace gardens.” She laughed. “I bet we won’t be seeing him for a while.”
“Hopefully not ever.” Added Twilight as she paced over to him. “I’m curious however. What happened with the Elements? Celestia says they’re within you now. How can that be? It doesn’t say anything like this in the books.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I might have to do some research on that.” She walked away, giving AJ room to walk up to him. 
“How ya feelin’?” she asked quietly. 
“Fine, how ‘bout you?’
“Dandy. Now, if ya ever need a place ta stay, ya come over to the farm. Ok.” She gave him a level stare. “Don’t try doin’ it all on yer own.” She trotted off, leaving John to gawk at her. What the hell was that? He thought to himself. He almost didn’t see Rarity walk up.
“Here, I made this for you.” She handed him a black cowboy hat. It nearly resembled AJ’s. “Take good care of that hat. Especially around Applejack.” She smiled and gave room for Pinkie Pie, who bounced. 
“When we get back to Ponyville, I’m going to throw you the biggest party ever!” she squealed. “Ooh, ooh, I’m going to need streamers, and balloons, and...” she bounced off excitedly while naming off party supplies. It was Rainbow turn. She fluttered over to him.
“One of these days you’re going to have to grow wings and race me.” She stated. “If you can pull that off, who’s to say you can’t have wings?” she gave him a light punch on the shoulder. “Get well.”
“Ok Everypony, it’s time to leave so John can get more rest.” She said but her friends weren’t looking at her; they were looking at something behind her. She turned around to find that John was standing, and getting dressed too. “Oh...what’s the point of me being here?”
John bent over and patted Fluttershy’s shoulder. “It’s fine Fluttershy. Ah bet it’s because of you that ah’m even able to walk right now.” 
“Ya, well, I guess so.” She flew off next to Rainbow. Together the six friends stood side by side, all looking back at John. They all smiled at one another.
“So what’s next John?” asked Twilight. “Are you going to try to find a way back to your world?” John thought about the question for a while. He smirked when he came up with his answer.
“Really no point.” He answered. “My world is dead. Can’t even breath there without an oxygen tank. I might just stay here.” The six ponies cheered and Pinkie bounced everywhere. John couldn’t help but laugh. After so many years he now has a home, a family, and friends. He finally could stop worrying and enjoy the rest of his life. 
“Let’s go home.”