I've been running for a few minutes when I looked over my shoulder to check if we were still being followed by timberwolves, but there was nothing, just the empty plains with the Everfree Forest far in the background. I slowed down and stopped near a tree, then I gently put Applejack down. "I think we... argh - I groaned as my left arm was twitching and shaking because of the pain - lost them." I walked over to the tree and sat down, leaning my back against it.
"Sugarcube, your arm!" said Applejack with a worried tone in her voice, while kneeling down next to me.
"Uhh... it's... all right, I'll be fine. I've been in worse conditions before." That was true. I almost died once when the gangs on the streets beat me up. I was in hospital for weeks. An arm, a leg, a nose, all broken. Not to mention the internal bleeding caused by the four shattered ribs. This was a scratch compared to that, but still, it hurt like hell.
Applejack frowned at me. "Don'cha be ridiculous! Ya need help. We have ta get ya ta da hospital, ya losin' too much blood." She hooked on to my right arm and helped me up. I slowly raised my hand and looked at it. It was bleeding heavily from wounds covering it, and as I stood there I noticed there was a little puddle of blood near my feet. Applejack was right, I was losing blood too quickly. I looked at Applejack, who was still holding onto me. My vison started getting blurry and my knees wobbled. "Applejack..."
"Yea?"
"You're right, I'll need help. Though... I don't think I'll make it to the hospital." I remained silent for a few seconds. "I just want to tell you, if I... don't make it, it was... great to meet you." After saying these words I didn't have any more strength left in me, the blood loss was getting the better of me. My legs crumbled and when my body started falling, I almost pulled down Applejack with me. I passed out.
"Oh no! Hang in there, ah won't let ya die! Ah'll get ya ta da hospital, we're not far from Ponyville."
Applejack could say anything, it didn't matter anymore, I couldn't hear her. Darkness. That was the only thing I could see. It was all around me. It felt like it the space around me was both full and empty at the same time. It was frightening, yet it seemed like it was tempting me to delve deeper into it. I closed my eyes and embraced the darkness around me, feeling every shadow, becoming one with it. Then I felt a strangely different, but familiar sensation. I felt my strength return to me, but this time it was much more intense. I felt energized, ready to burst, and the darkness around me seeped into my body, merging with me and my consciousness returned.
I opened my eyes and saw Applejack ripping her clothes. She was probably trying to make bandages out of it. I was leaned against the same tree I had sat down next to earlier. I stood up, and I felt a strange and dark power coursing through my body. Applejack was shocked to see that I was surrounded by an aura of dark energy, and my eyes were glowing greenish-black.
I raised my arm in front of me and I saw that the wounds were quickly healing, while they were reeking of the same dark energy that sourrounded me. After a few seconds the aura started to fade, and my eyes returned to their normal color of silver. I clenched my fist. The pain was gone. Could this be connected to my powers? I had to get answers to my questions, but that could wait a little longer.
Applejack just stood there with an open mouth, not moving a muscle.
"What... in da name Celestia are ya?"
She seemed frightened by what she saw, and honestly, I don't blame her. What just happened even scared me.
"I'd be happy if I could answer that question myself. Look, I said I'll lexplain everything but... now I need answers too. All I can tell you is how I got here."
"Well then, let's get goin'. Ya can explain everything on da way. Maybe Twilight can help ya find da answers ya want."
"Acutally, I was thinking the same."
We headed to Ponyville, and as I promised, I told her about what happened to me.
"Ah'm sorry ta hear what ya've been through, life must have been hard for ya."
"Don't be sorry, the past is the past. Anyway, I met someone last night. He was covered in a long black cloak, and he wouldn't state his name. He offered me a chance to travel to Equestria, and I accepted it. He performed some kind of ritual, but I still don't know what he did exactly. When he touched my forehead, I felt like some kind of energy ran through my body. Before he left, he told me not to be afraid of my newfound power but to be honest with you... I don't know if I can do that."
"Ah admit the sight of ya standin' up and healin' over just moments made a chill run down mah spine. It just seemed... unearthly."
As we were going, I slowed down a bit. I was starting to feel exhausted. My strength was fading as quickly as it had returned to me minutes ago. I was stumbling across the plains for a few seconds before I could no longer stand on my own and I fell to my knees. Applejack rushed to me to find out what's wrong.
"Are ya all right sugarcube?" she asked with a worried expression.
"Yeah... I'm fine. I'm just exhausted. I feel like all my strength had been drained from me. I don't know what's happening to me, but I'm sure it's connected to my quick recovery."
"Ah think so too. Can ya walk or should we just rest for a bit?"
"No need for it. I'll be all right"
"Here, hold onto me." She reached down and hooked her arm under mine and helped me to stand up. My legs were still wobbly, and I felt weak like never before.
I tried to put the puzzle together, but the pieces were missing. It was of no use.
"Ive changed my mind"
"Bout what?" asked Applejack curiously.
"About the treatment. I won't go to the hospital, not yet. Not until I have some answers. This could be far more than what normal medical care can cure." I remained silent for a few moments, staring at Ponyville as we got closer and closer to it. "Please, take me to the library! I have to meet Twilight as soon as I can."
Applejack sighed. "Well if that's what ya want..."
After about ten minutes of walking, we reached Ponyville. We could have been faster, but I was too tired to walk at my usual pace. As we went through the town, I recognised lot of places immediately. I was limping alongside Applejack, and if not for her, I would have tripped over several times already. Clearly, my arrival had drawn a lot of attention. The ponies on the streets who were talking or just passing by, all looked at me with a startled look on their faces. I guess that would be the normal reaction, since they probably have never seen a human in their entire life, nor will they besides me.
After a short time, we arrived at the library. It was much bigger than what I had expected. I looked at Applejack.
"Thank you for helping me to get here."
"Ah should be da one to thank ya, after all it was ya who saved me from da timberwolves."
"I just did what I felt right. Anyway, I'm sure you have chores to do around your farm, so I'll just take my leave and thanks again."
"All right sugarcube, ah'll check back later ta see how are ya. See ya later, Pardner!"
"Until then." I smiled at Applejack then limped to the door of the library. I knocked a few times on it and waited for someone, or rather for somepony to answer the door. After a few moments the door opened creakingly and I heard the bored voice of Spike as he opened the large wooden door.
"Yea, how can i hel- WHOA!"
Spike backed off a few steps and tripped over book laying on the floor. I must really be suprising for them, since every time the locals seem me, they are startled or frightened. Spike then proceeded to call Twilight.
"Twilight! I think you should really come down and see this!"
"Ahh, what is it again Spike?" Came Twilight's annoyed voice from the upper level of the library. "I have important research to do, I hope you have a good reason to- "
Her voice cracked when she saw me, but she didn't seem to be afraid, instead she was really curious. It was as much I had expected from her. Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia's student who lives for learning. Why wouldn't a pony like her be interested in an outsider from another world? She slowly walked towards me with her mouth open from amusement.
"Who are you? I've never seen something like you before."
"That's because I'm not from this world, Twilight."
The fact that I knew her name only increased her curiosity towards me.
"You know my name?" She asked astonished.
"Indeed, it's a long story. I can explain everything and answer your questions later. I came because I need your help."
Suddenly a shiver went through my body and I had to grab the stile of the door, else I would have dropped to the ground.
"I really don't want to be rude, but may I come in please? I can explain everything inside."
"Ahh, where are my manners? Come in. Spike, please tidy up a bit here, everything is a mess down here."
"Yes ma'am!"
Spike hurried to clear up the mess at full speed while we went inside. I still had a hard time to walk without falling over. We sat down at the table near the window, and Twilight brought some snacks and two mugs of coffee. I explained to her how I got here, how I met Applejack and what happened to me and my wounds.
After I told her everything we remained silent for a minute. All of my thougths were focused on one question: what caused my weakness? It was Twilight who finally broke the silence.
"This is greatly interesting. Your incerased strength, speed and agility must be in connection with magic, that's for sure. The problem is I don't know what kind of magic it is. Could it be... No, that can't be. Nopony has ever practised that kind magic since..."
I didn't say a word, but my expression must have gave away that I was a bit confused. What was she taling about? What type of magic? After a short pause she continued.
"I can't be certain in this matter, not yet. I have to do some research. Spike!"
Spike rushed to us to see what Twilight needs help with.
"I need you to search the library and gather the books I need. I'll need the following books..."
Twilights voice started to become muffled. My head was spinning like the clothes in a washing machine. It was really hard to focus on anything. I felt very dizzy and I almost fell off the chair I was sitting on. I grabbed the corner of the table to regain my balance and I accidentally knocked one of the mugs off the table. The mug broke to pieces with a loud bang, leaving a large puddle of coffee on the floor.
"I'm terribly sorry." I apologised. "I have no strength left in me, I really need to get some rest. Is there a tavern in town where I can stay for the night?"
"Oh you can stay here in the library if that's okay with you. I have a spare bed on the ground floor." She smiled at me and pointed at the large bed on the other side of the library..
"That would be great. I cannot express how thankful I am for both your help and the offered accomodation."
"No problem. I'll write a letter to Princess Celestia and ask for an audiance. I will still do some research on the matter, but she might know more than I do. She also needs to know about your arrival, because we have never seen your kind before and if what you say is true then I'm clueless about what I can do to help you."
"Thank you again, but the audiance with the princess will have to wait for now. The truth is I can barely stand. I have to get some rest, so if you'll excuse me I'll hit the sack."
"I think that would be best too, you look really beat-up. Go and have some rest, it will be good for you."
After the conversation, she turned back and took a bunch of books from spike and put them on her desk. I needed that sleep, BAD. I walked over to the bed and lied down. The bed was really warm and soft, and I fell asleep in seconds.
There was a knock on the door. Twilight went to answer the door to find Applejack standing outside the library.
"Howdy Twilight!"
"Hello Applejack. What can I do for you?
"Ah just came over ta see how our friends is. He seemed very exhausted when we got here."
"Yes he indeed was, he just went to bed."
"Ah think we should introduce him ta da others as well, after he wakes up."
"Yes, but let him rest for now. We'll have time for that later. I still have to write a letter to the princess and tell her about this."
"Ah bet'cha have a lot of work to do, so ah'll just let ya work. Ah'll return ta da farm and finish mah chores."
"All right Applejack, see you later then."
"See ya!"
I started hearing muffled voices. After a few moments my hearing cleared and I heard Twilight's voice and soon after that I realised the others were here as well. I was barely awake, and I tried to remember where exactly I was. My memories started coming together, and I remembered. Ponyville... the library... yes, Twilight offered me to stay at her place.
"Aww, come on Twilight, let's wake him up! I can't throw a welcoming party without the main guest!" said pinkie Pinkie in her usual, over-energetic state.
"Forget about it Pinkie, let him have his rest!" Twilight snapped at Pinkie. "I've already told you what happened to him when he saved AJ."
"But-"
"No buts Pinkie, you'll have to wait till he wakes up."
"There will be no need for that." I said while sitting up on the side of the bed. "I'm awake."
I stood up from the bed, nodding at the group of ponies, who probably gathered here to see me. I cracked my neck a few times and walked over to Twilight.
"How long have I been asleep for?"
Twilight went over to the table and levitated seven mugs of coffee and gave one to each of us.
"Three days."
Three days... What on earth happened to me?
"I hope I'm not bothering you with my stay Twilight."
"Not at all. While you were resting, I have gathered as much infomation as I could regarding your power."
"Did you manage to find something?"
"Not much, since books that contain information on the two most ancient types of magic, dark and light magic, are pretty rare to come by, if not impossible. I've only been able to deduce one thing. If what you said is true, then you must have a strong connection to dark magic and negative energies. Also the princess replied to my letter, and she would like to meet you, whenever you feel ready to do so."
"I see. Thank you very much. At least now I have some clues on what to expect."
I looked around the room and noticed that the other ponies were indeed here to see me. I smiled and took a sip of my coffee.
"Well then, I guess I should introduce myself to you guys as well. I know all of you but you don't know me yet. Well except Twilight and Applejack. My name is Jack and I came from a world very different from this one."
We sat down and I told them the story of my arrival, along with the incident about losing my strength. They all looked worried by hearing what happened.
"Wha'cha going to do now then?" Inquired Rainbow Dash. "Do ya plan on staying?"
"Ineed, I do." I answered with a smile. "I'll go meet Princess Celestia as soon as I can and maybe I'll be able to get some more answers."
Rarity stepped forward, and eyed me up and down.
"My dear, you can't go to meet with a pricess in such attire."
I looked at myself, and realised that my clothes were torn in many places, especially on my left arm. I hadn't paid much attention to it, but she was right, I couldn't show up at the castle in these 'rags'.
"I won't stand this, I will make you some new clothes, after all you have saved our dear Applejack so it's the least I can do."
"Thank you for the offer, but if it's not too much, I'd like to tell you in detail what clothes I'd need."
"Of course dear, come to my boutique and we'll get started."
"Very well. I shall see you guys later then."
I nodded at the ponies and followed Rarity through the door. We soon got to her shop. We went inside, and I was amazed by her designs. I saw them in the show, but they were a lot more beautiful in real life. I took time and described what I wanted the clothes to be like. Rarity looked a bit surprised, but nodded.
"This is a strange design for everyday clothing, but if this is what you really want then I will make it for you. Come to me tomorrow, it will be ready by then."
"So it shall be. I'll be back by tomorrow then, and thank you very much Rarity."
I smiled at Rarity, then I left her shop and headed back to the library. I had to get things arranged before tomorrow, and I still had a lot of things to discuss with Twilight regarding magic. Tomorrow is the day I'll meet the ruler of Equestria, Princess Celestia herself. A shiver went through me at the thought of it, I was both extremely excited and nervous. I wondered what her reaction will be when she gets to see me in person. I imagined my life in Equestria much easier than this, but it just seems life's nothing less than a challange for me, no matter where I go.
Tomorrow is the day I've been waiting for since my arrival. I hope my questions will be answered...