Twilight yawned, rubbing her eye with her hoof. She had only slept a total of four hours because of the incident and she wouldn't miss breakfast with the princesses for anything. She had her strict schedule to follow, and straying away from her plans for the day was just unthinkable. The purple unicorn groaned as she sat up in bed, the rays of Celestia's sun peaking through her window.
Twilight rolled off the bed and onto her feet with a bit of a stumble. The events of the previous night had given her extreme exhaustion and she even found it somewhat difficult to think straight. She had been thinking about the human all night and even brainstormed questions that she wanted to ask him. Logan was a mystery, and she was determined to find out what made him tick.
She gave her bed-mane a light and unfocused brushing before she turned to the large bookshelf located on one of the walls in her room.
She spotted a familiar large book with a purple binding and levitated it off of the shelf. The book slowly drifted through the air before it dropped softly onto her desk and opened up. Twilight seated herself, a quill-pen floating in the air as it dipped into a small bottle of ink.
"Day sixteen, " Twilight said outloud, her pen scribbling into the journal, "The human, now that it is finally awake, is held under constant surveillance by the guards and the princesses. The subject, known as Logan or Wolverine, is currently located in one of the castle's guest rooms." She paused for a moment as she tapped her hoof on her chin in thought.
"Today, I plan to find out more about the human's physical traits along with its psychological behavior. The human stands much taller than any normal pony and is nearly as tall as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. The human is strong and was able to overwhelm the highly trained royal guards with ease, but was able to be held stiff by the magic of Princess Luna. However, I noticed that it took immense magical strength to withhold him. Perhaps if he had struggled continuously for a few more moments, Luna's hold would have been broken." There was a knocking on the door, but Twilight was too involved with her journal to notice.
"The human shows aggression and becomes flustered easily. However, the subject acts much differently from when it was first released from the crystal. The subject no longer acts in a mindless state, and it somehow knows the Equestrian language. I plan to find answers for this later as well, but the subject's behavior makes it difficult to make conversation. The human trusts nopony as of now, and much time is needed to make progress-
"Twilight!" A familiar southern accent called from the door, "Y'all in there? It's almost time for breakfast!"
"Coming!" Twilight replied, quickly shutting her book and setting it back onto the shelf. She brushed her mane a bit more before opening the door and walking out.
"Morning, Twi, " Applejack smiled before noticing the heavy bags underneath her friend's eyes, "Sweet molasses! What's got you all tuckered out?!"
"I'll explain later... " Twilight yawned, rubbing her eyes again, "It's probably best to tell everypony together... "
Applejack's eyes narrowed slightly, "Well... Alright. We better hurry, though. Everypony is already down there waitin' fer us."
"Right... " Twilight nodded, "Let's get to it, then."
The two mares made their way down the grand hallways and staircases. They both noticed a lack of royal guards that were usually posted near the windows and doorways, but only Twilight really knew the reason. A few of the guards had bandages wrapped around their limbs, and they gave Twilight a respectful glance when she passed them by.
"Gee, what happened to them?... " Applejack asked, "It's almost like they all went gator wrestling..."
"Well... Something like that... " Twilight muttered under her breath. They finally arrived at the dining room, Twilight's magic slowly opening the door.
The dining room was, of course, gigantic. A huge table that could seat dozens of guests sat in the center of the room. Twilight's friends were crowded around one of the edges along with the Princess. Princess Cadence was also present.
"Mornin' y'all!" Applejack smiled, waving, "I got her!"
"Hello, Twilight!" Cadence smiled brightly, bearing a few bags underneath her eyes as well. It was no doubt in Twilight's mind that Shining Armor had nearly worried her to death.
"Hello!" Twilight smiled, taking a seat beside Princess Celestia and Rainbow Dash. Cadence was seated at the edge of the table, and her friends were all facing each other.
"Did you have trouble sleeping, Twilight?" Celestia asked, "I can understand why. Last night must have been so stressful for you like it was for us all."
"Okay!" Rainbow exclaimed as she waved her hoof around, "Can anypony PLEASE explain to me what happened last night? The throne room is locked, the guards look like they got into a fight with a manticore, and an entire wing of the castle is sealed off!"
"It is suspicious... " Rarity nodded, looking at Twilight. "Darling, would you please tell us what is going on?"
"If it's not too much trouble... I would like to know too... " Fluttershy squeaked, her volume low as usual. Princess Celestia looked at Twilight, her eyes being as gentle as they always had been. She knew that it was best for Twilight to tell her friends. The purple unicorn took a deep breath.
"Well... The human woke up last night..."
"WHAT?!"
Twilight then began to explain the events of the previous night. She included every detail: Her capture, the human's speech, his attack on the royal guards and his current placement. Her friends listened carefully with shocked expressions.
"... And I finally learned his name, " Twilight finished, "His name is Logan... But he also calls himself 'Wolverine'. "
"Wolverine... " Fluttershy repeated. "Like... the animal?... "
"Sounds like a very rude and disrespectful... thing... , " Rarity sighed, "I cannot believe him! Are all humans like him?"
"I don't think so... " Twilight answered, "He did say that he was the only human with those metal claws... "
"How he can heal so fast is what bugs me, " Applejack stated, "Like when his arm grew back...Ugh, I'm gonna be sick again!"
"I have to admit... " Rainbow muttered, "Beating down all of Celestia's guards was mean and uncool!... But kinda cool at the same time?... "
"Girls!" Pinkie exclaimed, a grin forming on her face, "You know what we should do?!"
"NO!" The five mares yelled simultaneously, "NO PARTY!"
"No, you silly geese!" Pinkie giggled, "I was going to say eat breakfast!"
"Oh... " Her friends breathed a sigh of relief.
"AND THEN WE THROW A PARTY!"
"PINKIE!"
"... What the hell am I doing?... "
Logan could hardly suppress his anger towards himself. Here he was being captured and held as a captive by ponies... ponies that could talk. His pride had taken a huge blow, and he couldn't help but let out a strong murderous intent. If there was a chance of escape he would take it... But that would also mean the entire castle would crack down on him. They could never hurt him or kill him, but he didn't know the full extent of their abilities. He would never underestimate an opponent.
Wolverine was sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands in magical shackles that rested in his lap. His wrists weren't bent so he could still use his claws... But what if he did? He didn't know the landscape and he wouldn't know where to go. He would need to familiarize himself with his surroundings first. He took in a deep breath and gazed toward the window.
He had to admit... The view was amazing. He was high up in the castle which meant he had a great view of the city below. The streets were bustling and seemed to be completely clean and pleasant. There was no pollution and no littering... And there probably was no crime either. This world was peaceful and it seemed... perfect.
"But not for me... " Wolverine snarled, pulling on his shackles. He was still shirtless, his muscles in plain view along with the hair that was scattered on his chest and arms. Being half naked in a world with completely naked ponies was just... awkward.
There was a knock on his door and a familiar violet pony stepped in. Wolverine's eyes watched her as she shut the door quietly behind her.
"Good Morning, Logan. " She smiled.
"Good bye, Sparky." He grunted. Like hell he would give her answers today.
Twilight cleared her throat as she seated herself on the couch, "Logan, I have an important question to ask-
"Just shut up." Logan snapped, "You aren't getting anything from me so just stop trying. There is no way in hell that I'm going to trust you and no way in hell that I'm going to ever cooperate with you. So you better stop trying while you still can, bub."
"Oh?... " Twilight's voice had a cocky tone to it, "I was just going to ask what humans ate so I could serve you breakfast... But if you don't want anything I understand." Logan blinked, his eyes shifting to the smiling form of the purple unicorn.
"Dammit, " Wolverine grunted, "You're playing a dangerous game with me, Sparky."
"I'm not playing anything, " Twilight stated, "Do you want breakfast or not?... " There was a silence that was interrupted by a grotesque rumbling occurring within Logan's stomach.
"Fine... " He grumbled, "You win."
Twilight clapped her hooves in victory and smiled, "So... we ponies are strict herbivores. We don't eat meat at all. But I couldn't help but notice you have canines... which means that you eat meat... "
"Humans are omnivores." Logan answered, "I prefer meat, but I can eat most things you can."
"Omnivores... That's interesting!" Twilight's eyes brightened. "So most things we eat... like hay?" Logan stared at her before sighing loudly, smacking his hand against his forehead.
"No, " He said bluntly, "We don't eat hay. We don't eat grass and we don't eat flowers."
"So... " Twilight continued to ask him questions about the human diet with Logan regrettably answering them. His hunger was immense, and he couldn't believe that he was practically being blackmailed by this little pony. The questions seemed to go on for hours until she finally got off of the couch.
"Okay, " Twilight smiled, "I'll be back. Princess Celestia refused to let you out of the room still." Twilight shut the door behind her quietly before practically skipping her way to the kitchen. Her exhaustion had been replaced by excitement. She was getting answers! They may not have been important... but he was at least talking with her even if she had to try to force them out.
"Hmmm... " Twilight thought to herself, "We don't have any meat here... but fruits should be okay. I really doubt that Fluttershy's going to like his diet very much.... "
"What won't I like?"
"Gah!" Twilight jumped in surprise, turning her head to see her five friends staring back at her. There were twinkles of curiosity in their eyes, and Twilight knew what they were planning on doing.
"Twilight, aren't you going to introduce us to this human?" Rarity asked, "He may be uncouth and repulsive... but when a lady is curious she has to make demands!"
"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash nodded eagerly, "The whole metal claws shooting out from his skin and healing right away sounds awesome! And when Rainbow Dash is there you know that you can't get better protection!" Her chest swelled up with her pride.
"Um... If it's okay... I would like to know what he knows about animals... " Fluttershy spoke quietly, "I hope that's not too much trouble... "
"And I want to know what kinds of parties he likes!" Pinkie grinned as she bounded up and down, "Oh, and I want to know why he hit me too!"
"Face it, Twi. " Applejack chuckled, "We want to meet him. And we just don't feel safe with you being along with a thing like him."
"Girls..." Twilight bit her lip as she looked into their eyes. She trusted them completely and she really wanted them to meet him. But how would he react to them? He could possibly hurt them and she couldn't bear that thought. Besides, Princess Celestia might not want any other pony to converse with the human.
"I'm sorry, girls... " Twilight said sadly, "But... It's just not safe."
"Exactly!" Rainbow exclaimed, "It's not safe but you're going in there!"
"I... I need to take it up with Princess Celestia." Twilight answered, her ears flattening against her head, "But girls... I would feel much better with you guys with me. " She answered honestly, sharing the smiles with her friends.
Wolverine was on his back on the bed when he heard the door opening. Sighing, he sat up to greet who he guessed was Sparky.
He was surprised to see one of the Princess ponies standing before him instead. It was the darker pony, and just the sight of her was already making his blood boil. She had been the one to stop him.
The door closed behind her, Luna's eyes burrowing hard into Logan's.
"So... " Luna began, cocking her head with a slight smile, "Our sister's pupil has discovered that your name is Logan, is it not?"
"So what's it to you?" Logan shot back, "You expect me to talk to you?"
"Yes, " Luna replied, "I do. I understand that we want answers... And I understand that you want some yourself. "
Wolverine answered her with a silent stare, making the Alicorn chuckle, "You wish to know how you came here. You wish to know how we found you. You wish to know what this world is. And all I wish to know..." Luna walked forward, taking a few steps towards Wolverine.
"You want to know who and what I am, right?" Logan answered back, "That's something that only I need to know. "
Luna smiled sadly, "Logan, we only wish to help you. Why do you continue to push us away?"
"Because, Princess... " Logan stood up, his eyes interlocking with hers, "I keep a policy. You know what that policy is?"
"Indulge us. " Luna replied.
"I trust nobody." Wolverine growled, "And if you DARE correct me by saying nopony I'm going to kill you right here and now... " Luna couldn't help but chuckle a little. Talking to this human was somewhat amusing to her, but she had to admit that the display of his earlier fighting prowess was incredible and scary at the same time.
"Logan, I admit that your existence here is troublesome. But you are an interesting character... because of the words of Twilight Sparkle you did not harm any of the guards... Not even when Shining Armor angered you did your actions cause the deaths of any of them."
"Just... get out. " Wolverine dismissed, turning his head away, "I don't want to talk with you right now."
"Wolverine." Luna spoke, catching Logan's attention once again, "You and me... we are not that different."
"I'm nothing like one of you horses... " Logan growled. "Get out before I make you leave... " His threats seemed petty because of the situation but Luna didn't want to risk that. She had yet to see his full potential.
"Very well. " Luna sighed, spinning around, "It is not me that you will open up to... " The door shut behind her, leaving Logan deep in thought and as angry as ever.
Princess Celestia had her hooves tied up at the moment. The Canterlot public had still not forgotten the incident, and the media were beginning to get out of hand. She could spy reporters running around outside of the castle and she dared not risk them discovering the human. Not yet anyway. She had a speech to deliver in the afternoon on the strange event, and she couldn't bring herself to lie to her citizens. She didn't want to keep them in the dark, but she also wanted to keep them safe.
Logan was also on her thoughts. Even though he was under constant surveillance she was incredibly worried about her faithful student. Twilight was still young and naive but she was also brilliant and mature. She had saved Equestria three times, and she was one of the most gifted unicorns Celestia had ever seen. But to have her in a room with that human? Celestia could only think of the bad things that could happen.
She paced around in her private quarters before moving to her balcony. The crystal shards had been cleaned up and the room had been fixed up in a day. It looked like nothing had ever happened as it was supposed to. Letting out a quiet sigh, the princess watched the ponies of Canterlot go about their day.
"Princess Celestia. " A new recruit opened up the door, "The Elements of Harmony request an audience... "
Celestia looked back and laughed, "Ah! Arrow, you don't have to tell me whenever they would like to see me. It's just fine to let them in."
"Y-Yes Princess Celestia. " The guard nodded nervously as he retreated out the room. A few seconds later her doors opened and she was met with six familiar mares.
"I'm sorry if the new guard gave you any trouble, " Celestia smiled, "He's new because we're a bit... understaffed at the moment."
"That's fine Princess!" Twilight smiled as she took a bow along with her friends, "I understand."
Celestia watched as they rose from the floor, "Is there anything you need, Twilight?"
The purple unicorn shifted nervously as she cleared her throat, "Erm, yes... it's about Logan."
Celestia smile faltered a bit, "What's wrong? Has the human hurt you?... "
"No!" Twilight shook her head, "It's... It's not that. It's..."
"Princess Celestia, " Applejack spoke out as she placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "We were all wondering if it was okay for all of us to meet with the human."
Celestia blinked before shaking her head, "I'm sorry, Applejack. I know you're all curious but it is very dangerous. "
"Which is why we wanna be with Twilight!" Pinkie hopped, "We can't just let her go in there! Friends have to stick together! Please Princess!"
"Yeah! What Pinkie said!" Rainbow agreed.
"As long as it's okay... " Fluttershy added.
Celestia took a moment to really appreciate how much Twilight's friends really cared about her. It was dangerous for them to be with the human... but with Twilight's friends by her side they had proven time and time again that they could do the impossible together. Perhaps this time they could do the impossible once again.
"Very well, " Celestia smiled, "It is permitted." The friends all cheered hoof bumping each other in happiness.
"Thank you so much!" Twilight exclaimed, eagerly running up to her teacher and warmly embracing her. Celestia hugged her back before letting her go, watching her leave with her friends.
"Okay... I think I'm going to grab some apples to start with. He must be starving by now!"
"Why not hay?! Everypony loves hay!"
"Pinkie, he said humans don't eat hay!"
"Has he tried? Has he? Has he?"
"Well... we could try to give him hay... "
"Or maybe a daisy sandwich!"
"He's probably so dirty by now... He probably needs to bathe and clean himself up. I wonder if there is a make over that needs to be done?"
Celestia suddenly became very nervous.
Wolverine was quietly pacing the room when the knocks had started on the door. Sitting down doing nothing was something that he absolutely hated... but he didn't want to admit that he would rather talk to the ponies than sit alone by himself in the room waiting for his food to be delivered.
"You don't have to knock. " He growled, "This room is my holding cell, isn't it?" He heard the door open, and he shifted his eyes over to see who was coming in.
He was expecting Twilight Sparkle. He was not expecting a mob of more technicolor ponies.
"What the hell?!" Wolverine blinked as he sat up, "This isn't a goddamn stable!"
"Whoa... " Applejack gasped, "He really can speak Equestrian... " Like all her friends (With the exception of Twilight) she couldn't believe her eyes. Strange creatures were not uncommon in Equestria but for a creature that has been deemed mythical and ancient was still surprising.
"Oh my... " Fluttershy took a small step back, "He's... scary... "
"Logan, " Twilight smiled, lifting a hoof to point at the mares, "These are my friends!"
"Howdy! My name's Applejack!" The cowpony smiled as she tilted her hat "Nice to meet you, uh, Logan."
"Wish I could say the same, " Logan stared, "Ponies are one thing... hick ponies are another. Get back in your cereal box, Dolly Parton."
"Hey! We don't even know what that means!" A unicorn with a clean white coat and carefully curled purple mane interjected as she looked him up and down, "You brute... you shouldn't talk down to us while you look like... that!"
"What?" He asked as he raised an eyebrow, "What are you supposed to be anyway? A Madonna wanna be?"
"Rarity, " Twilight chuckled nervously, "Her name is Rarity." She leaned over to whisper in her friend's ear, "I told you that he's a bit... unsocial.. "
The blue pegasus stomped fearlessly up to Wolverine. She looked at him head to toe before smirking in his face.
"So THIS is what a human looks like, huh?" She smiled, "I'm not too impressed!"
"Yeah?" Wolverine snorted, "Powder blue pegasus with a rainbow mop on her head? Not too intimidating."
"Hey!" She flushed, "It's a COOL blue and a COOL rainbow mane!"
"Go back to the gay community where you came from, bub." Wolverine replied.
"Heheh... " Twilight smiled nervously as she quiet pushed her angered friend aside, "Um... This is Rainbow Dash. Sorry if she comes on a little too strong... " Logan shook his head with a sigh before he noticed a shivering little yellow thing in the corner of the room.
"Oh come on..." Wolverine sighed, "Don't piss on the floor... it'll smell."
"I... I... uh... " The yellow pegasus shivered as she hid behind her mane.
"Hey! Don't pick on Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash growled as her wings beat the air. She was soon hovering above Wolverine with her fore-hooves crossed.
"At least she doesn't annoy me." Wolverine snarled, "This room just got much more crowded... And I hate crowds."
"Hey... Where's Pinkie?" Twilight asked, looking around the room.
"Would you like a cupcake?... " A creepy, quiet whisper breezed into Wolverine's ear from behind.
"What the fuck?!" Logan turned around, seeing nothing on the bed behind him. Blinking, he sniffed the air before turning forward-
A pink, grinning pony face was just inches away from his own.
"Hi!" She greeted, "I'm Pinkie Pie!"
Wolverine stared back, an angry vein ready to burst out from his forehead. These ponies were only increasing his urge to kill.
"Alright, " Wolverine sighed, "What do you all want?... "
"They just wanted to meet you, " Twilight smiled, "These are my best friends in the world. Oh! I almost forgot!" Twilight had been wearing a saddlebag with a noticeable bulge in it. She quickly moved over to the table and placed a bright white dinner plate onto it. Digging back into the bag she pulled out an apple, a hoof-full of hay and a bottle of water.
"There!" Twilight smiled, "I'm sorry about the hay... Pinkie kept insisting that you try it."
Wolverine stared at the plate before sighing, "Okay, thanks. You can all leave now."
"What? But we only just met!" Pinkie gasped, "There's so many things we need to talk about! Like your claw things, your weird healing thing, and why you hit me!"
"Wait what?" Logan blinked, "I hit you? I've never even seen you before."
"What do you mean?" Applejack asked, "Hitting Pinkie was the first thing you did when we broke you out of that crystal."
"Broke me out of a crystal?... What are you saying?" Logan inquired, his eyes narrowing.
"You mean Twilight didn't tell you?... " Rarity asked, examining her hoof, "You were found trapped in a crystal on some sort of expedition. Apparently, you've been there for hundreds or thousands of years."
"Girls!" Twilight gasped, "You weren't supposed to... oh no... "
Wolverine fists tightened, his teeth gritting. He had been trapped in a crystal for hundreds or thousands of years... That meant that he wasn't in a different world. His world had just changed. Did this also mean that he was the last human in existence? The last survivor?
"I see... so I'm just some museum piece, aren't I?" Wolverine snarled, "I'm just some creature that all of you just want to gawk at?!"
"No! Logan! That's not it!" Twilight cried out, "That's not it at all!"
"How do I know?... " Logan stood up and towered over the ponies, "My world is done for. There is no place for me anymore... Get out."
"But Logan-
"GET. OUT."
"What's wrong with you?!" Rainbow Dash asked angrily, "We broke you out of that crystal! Shouldn't you appreciate it?!"
"Appreciate?... " Logan displayed his canines, "You didn't free me... You just threw me into a shithole of a world that's laughing at me like some fucking joke!"
"Nopony's laughing, Logan!" Twilight stomped, "We didn't want anything like this to happen to you, Logan! We didn't know!"
"Just SHUT UP. LEAVE ME ALONE!" Wolverine snarled, "I'LL FUCKING KILL-
"Stop!" A squeaky, scared voice called from across the room. All eyes turned to the pink maned pegasus who was shivering from the yelling. No longer hiding behind her mane, her big eyes were on Logan's. Wolverine was panting, his face flushed with anger and his veins ready to burst.
Hesitantly, the yellow mare began to walk over to the human. She stopped right before his feet, her eyes never leaving his.
"Get away... " Wolverine snarled, "I'll hurt you... "
Fluttershy bit her lip before shaking her head , "N-No... "
"Get. Back." Wolverine's fist tightened, "I won't say it again." Logan was ready to send out his claws. But a sudden gleam in her eyes stopped him. His thoughts suddenly all disappeared, his anger suddenly dissipating right into the air. He tried to speak but nothing came out, and he couldn't look away from her eyes. It was like he was in a strange trance.
"Logan... " She began, "Please don't be mad at us... we never tried to hurt you. We're only trying to be friends with you and to understand you. So please, would you accept us?... I mean, if it's not too much trouble... " She slowly lifted her front hoof and gently placed it on his thigh. Her gleam suddenly vanished and he regained full control. He blinked and rubbing his temples, trying to register what just happened.
"Just... give me some time to myself. " He said, Fluttershy's hoof coming off of his leg as he sat down onto the bed. The ponies all looked at each other before nodding, heading right for the door.
"Oh... " Twilight smiled, "I... almost forgot." She dug back into her saddlebag and produced a large blue book. She placed it beside the dinner plate on the table before walking out from the room.
Logan sat on the edge of the bed for a few moments before moving over to sit on the couch to get at the table. He lifted up the book, examining it before reading the title.
"Guide to Equestria. " He read aloud before setting it back down. His hand began to reach over to the apple before he spotted the hay. Thinking for a second, he picked up a single piece and brought it to his nose. He sniffed it before placing it into his mouth.
"Hm... " he said. "Still tastes like shit."
Happy Halloween, Everypony! And thanks again to Goodmoney for making this fic possible! Couldn't have done it without you!