Seb had found a tree in the middle of what seemed to be a local park. He was sitting under it and shivering a little. He hated to admit it but he was terrified of being in a new place, especially one so strange. He was beginning to worry about how to get home or if he could get home. And if he couldn’t get home, could he survive? He thought about it for a while as he looked out over the strange little town he had been forced into.
“I bet they don’t even have security systems.” He muttered to himself. He then chuckled. He could probably steal easier in this rural town than in the big city.
He got up and began walking to the town. He knew It would be risky to try and steal in the daytime. However, if he couldn't do it then he wouldn't be able to do it at all. He moved to the back of the town and pressed his back up against a building. He looked up to find that the building he had chosen seemed to be a jewelry store. He put his head in his hand and started to laugh to himself.
“How cliche.” He thought shaking his head still chuckling. “ A thief stealing from a jewelry store.”
He slid to the back door and carefully opened it. The was no one in the backroom protecting the jewelry but Seb knew better; the more expensive jewelry was always in the front. He saw the pony who owned the store standing behind the front counter with a magazine. No one else was in the store. Normally, Seb would have waited until the owner left or closed up shop for the day, but Seb only needed to prove himself able to steal anything he wanted when he wanted. And he wanted a diamond necklace that was just next to the store owner. Seb waited just down the hall that led to the back store-room of the store but the owner wouldn’t move. Seb was actually starting to get annoyed but he was determined. He tried to wonder why he was doing this, but he was too focused on his prey. His fingernails scratched at the wall in anticipation and his breathing became light and slow. He remembered that feeling from the other times he began a job. He had a theory he actually didn’t even breath during the time of a job but now he could feel his breath leaving him then coming back in. Finally the store owner moved and began cleaning the other side of the store. It was Seb’s only chance. He ducked behind the counter while the owner dusted the other shelves with his back towards Seb. The glass door that protected the jewelry was unlocked so he easily slid it to the side. It made a slight noise but the owner didn’t seem to notice. Seb took the necklace and then dashed out of the store through the back. He hadn’t gotten far before he bumped into a body. He grunted and fell flat on his back; the necklace skidded through the dirt. He looked up and a first saw a bright flowing mane and a dazzling white coat. The brilliant white unicorn stood over him, her wings spread a little and one hoof raised. She looked down at him with confusion but with an understanding smile. The expression confused Seb.
“Well, hello there.” She said. She was just a bit taller than Seb and that made him feel a little uneasy.
“And who the hell are you?” Seb asked. He didn't really care what her name was, he just wanted to buy time to calculate an escape. He wouldn't be able to pick up his catch as well as escape so he picked a route and tried to ease towards it. The strange pony seemed shocked at first but then smiled.
“My name is Princess Celestia, Ruler of Equestria. These are my lands.” The pony replied. All of Seb’s plans to escape shattered.
“Princess?” He asked. Yep, he was in a little girl’s fairy tale
.
“Yes. And who might you be?” She asked. Seb turned his head and spat as he stood up.
“Why do you care?” He asked.
“I care about all who dwell in my realm.” Celestia said. He choked a little and felt his chest tighten. “Not now...” He thought to himself.
“I see, you just like to keep an eye on everyone.” Seb said. He tried to hold back a cough but it slipped through his lips. Celestia pretended not to notice.
“I just want everypony to be happy.” Celestia said. She looked him up and down. she noticed the speck of blood forming at the corner of his lips.
“Damnit don’t look weak. Don’t do it Seb don’t look weak.” Seb told himself over and over again. He was so focused on thinking he didn’t notice how coldly he was looking at Celestia.
“Are you alright?” She asked cautiously. Seb began to speak until the store owner ran out and yelled.
“Thief!” He yelled. Seb almost smiled.
“Is everything alright?” Celestia asked turning to the pony who was racing towards them.
The owner skidded to a stop and bowed quickly to the princess then turned to Seb. He was stunned by confusion when he saw him. Celestia cleared her throat a little and it snapped the pony back to her.
“This, uh....thing... stole from me!” The pony exclaimed. The princess turned her head towards the necklace that still lay on the ground. He horn glowed for a moment, then the necklace glowed and lifted into the air and over the to store owner. Seb watched in awe but tried to conceal it.
“No harm done.” The princess said. The store owner grumbled and turned back to his store. He was still unsure of Seb and didn’t trust him an inch; he merely wanted to get as far away from him as possible.
“Hey I found him!” A voice over head said. Seb and the Princess looked up just in time to see Rainbow Dash landing beside them, then jumping back in surprise and bowing.”Princess!” She called out quickly.
“Hello, Rainbow Dash. Do you happen to know where Twilight Sparkle is?” Celestia asked.
“She should be right behind me, Princess.” Rainbow Dash replied as she stood back up. She then glared at Seb.
Seb turned away from her and crossed his arms over his chest. He heard hoofbeats approaching and could hear Applejack talking about what she was going to do with Seb once she found him. Seb tried to choke back another cough in the process but a few drops of blood escaped his lips and ran down his chin. He quickly wiped it away.
“Princess Celestia!” Twilight Sparkle squeaked. She dashed behind Applejack.
“Ahh, Twilight. How lovely to see you again.” Celestia said walking up to her and Applejack as Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie showed up. Twilight slowly creeped out from behind Applejack.
“H-Hello Princess.” Twilight said. She was visibly shaking, nervous of what Celestia would say about Seb. Seb turned around. His heart jumped a little. He couldn’t explain it; the way he felt seeing that these strangers came looking for him. Was he happy? No, he couldn’t be. He hadn’t been happy to see anyone or anything since...her.
“I see you’ve made a new friend here.” Celestia said, winking to Twilight. Twilight grinned sheepishly.
“We’re not friends.” Seb said quickly. Applejack shook her head in annoyance.
“Oh? Then what are you?” Celestia asked.
“Leaving.” Seb replied and began to walk away but was stopped by Pinkie Pie.
“You can’t leave yet! I haven’t given you a party yet and you’re still sick and-” Pinkie Pie was cut off when Seb pushed her aside.
Twilight sighed and looked up at Celestia, who simply smiled at her.
“I’m so sorry Princess.” Twilight said.
“It’s quite alright Twilight.” Celestia replied. “What is he exactly?”
“He’s called a Human.” Twilight replied.
“I see. He doesn’t seem to be very trusting.” Celestia said. Twilight felt the princess was deliberately not telling her why she was there or why she had been talking to Seb.
“Uh, no I suppose not.” Twilight said, trying to find the right words
.
“I think he seems.... fascinating.... You should get to know him.” Celestia with a quick wink. Twilight caught it and smiled, nodding in return.
The princess walked away, then the group turned to Pinkie Pie who was still watching Seb walk away. Twilight walked up to her and put a consoling hoof on her shoulder.
“Don’t worry Pinkie Pie, he’ll come around.” Twilight said softly.
“I know he will.” Pinkie Pie said. Twilight looked confused for a moment.
“What?” Twilight asks looking at Pinkie Pie who was suddenly wearing fake glasses with an attached moustache. Twilight backed away in surprise. Pinkie Pie then ran off towards Seb leaving Twilight and the others to look on in confusion.
It took a while, but the group found Seb and Pinkie Pie. They were in a brightly colored bakery that Seb came to learn was called Sugar Cube Corner, and that Pinkie lived and worked there. Seb was propping his head up with his hand using the nearby counter as Pinkie Pie danced around him, going on about what she was going to do for the party. When Twilight and the others arrived, Rainbow Dash and Applejack couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“What kind of cake do you like?” Pinkie asked him, not noticing her friends were there. “My favorite is chocolate. No, vanilla! Oooo, I can’t decide. No wait, I know! All cake! I love all types of cake. Oooh maybe we can make a cake with a bunch of layers of all types of cake!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. Seb dropped his head on the counter and groaned. “Maybe we can make a chonilla cake.”
“Pinkie.” Twilight said. Pinkie Pie skidded to a stop from her bouncing around and turned to Twilight.
“Oh good, you guys are here.” She said happily. “I wanted to ask you guys what kind of punch I should make.”
“Can ya’ll make that punch from Gummy’s party?” Applejack asked.
“Applejack.” Twilight said, cutting the conversation short. She then returned her attention to Pinkie Pie. “Why don’t we let Seb rest for a bit.”
“Okay! I need to figure out how to make chonilla cake anyway.” Pinkie Pie replied, and trotted upstairs. Twilight shook her head then walked up to Seb.
“Is she always like that?” Seb groaned as he lifted his head up. They all nodded.
“Why were you and the princess behind that jewelry store?” Twilight asked.
“She caught me stealing.” Seb explained. “First one to do it too.” He added.
“You were stealing?” Rainbow Dash asked. She was beginning to get angry.
“What are you going to do about it if I was?” Seb asked.
“Whatever I feel like.” Rainbow replied, flying over to him to look him in the eyes. Seb stood up, grabbing his chair tightly to hold himself back
“And what would that be exactly?” He said calmly. His voice was so harsh and cold, Rainbow Dash briefly felt the hairs on her neck stand on end.
The sounds of something straining and cracking broke their focus but not before Seb’s hand had ripped off a piece of the back to the wooden chair he had been holding. He let go of the wood and let the splinters drop from his hand quickly. Rarity squealed dramatically while the others backed away from him. Seb stared at his hand and the broken chair for a moment.
“Why did I do that? I didn’t have to do that..” Seb thought to himself as Twilight cleared her throat.
“There isn’t any reason to get angry.” Twilight said sternly
.
Seb began to speak but as he opened his mouth only blood dribbled from his lips. This time, Seb couldn’t hold back his coughing as he clutched his chest. His chest tightened as he felt his lungs collapse and expand with each harsh cough and wheeze. His spine ached from the constant moving of his lungs as they seemed to push his heart into his throat. He leaned against a wall for support as he caught his breath and the coughing eased away. He began shivering as if he were cold and slid down to the floor, his legs too weak to hold him up any longer.
“Damn it.” Seb thought to himself. “They saw that. I’ll look weak to them now.”
“You alright there, sugar cube?” Applejack finally asked after a long pause of quiet.
“I’m fine.” Seb choked out. “How long will this one last?” He asked himself while the others gathered around him. Fluttershy went to his side and tried to tend to him but he shrugged her off.
“Can we get you anything?” Twilight asked.
“Just a place to relax for a bit.” Seb replied.
“I’ll see if Pinkie Pie has a place for him to rest.” Fluttershy said quickly and flew upstairs.
“Here, drink this.” Twilight said levitating a glass to a nearby sink and filling it with water, then handing it to Seb.
Seb took it and started drinking. As he did, some water spilled and mixed with his blood turning his skin a pink hue. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie came down the stairs and led him back back up to relax in her room while she set up the party.
Fluttershy stayed beside him.