A New World, A Fresh Start

by drnkntst


Chapter 3

Chapter 6

Rick dove to the floor, dodging the blue pony’s attack. “Damn she’s fast.” Rick rolled and faced the new pony again. “I didn’t do anything! Twilight left to see Applejack just a minute ago!”
“A likely story!” The blue pony was not listening. “I know all about how you tried to ponynap Applebloom! How you threw her around like a plaything! I’m not going to let you hurt my friends!” The pony dove again at Rick. Rick wasn’t fast enough this time. The blow sent him barreling backwards into the wall. The pony flew up to the ceiling preparing to attack again. She put one hoof out and tucked the other, tucked her wings in to reduce wind resistance and…

“HEY TWILIGHT! We’re back with the cupcakes!” The outburst was sufficient enough to throw off the blue pony’s attack so she collided with the bookshelf instead of Rick. Of course, the books falling off the shelf hit him anyway, but it was better than taking a high speed kick the chest.

“Pinkie! Stay back! This creature is dangerous!” the blue pony dart in front of Pinkie to act as a shield.

“Ha! No he isn’t! Rick is a human and he’s waaay too scared to hurt anypony! Plus, he’s waaay too injured from that Timberwolf attack earlier!”

“What! You know this… thing!?”

“I sure do! He asked me to help him find answers, so I brought him here to Twilight’s! He actually fainted when he saw Spike!” Pinkie was bouncing and laughing at her recollection of the events from earlier.

“He was scared of Spike?” Rick felt something on his back, something that wasn’t right. Something wet.

“Excuse me, uh, ponies, but could one of you find Twilight and get her here right now? I don’t fell so…” The blackness was starting to be a little too familiar to Rick by now. He slumped forward onto the floor as his earlier wounds, which barely had time to heal at all, had opened and started to flow.

“…c’mon Rick. You have to drive us to the airport. Long term parking is just way too expensive.” A sweet, familiar feminine voice spoke to him. “We’ll only be gone one week. We’ll be back before you kno…”

“…Rick! Rick! Please wake up.” Once again, a purple blob appeared in Rick’s vision. Once again, it became Twilight. Rick was in pain, but at least this time, he could blame someone else.
“Twilight? It happened again didn’t it?” Rick was lying face down and didn’t even try to sit up, he knew it wouldn’t be possible. Plus, he really didn’t want to right now. The floor was actually pretty comfy.

“Yes, you passed out because your wounds opened again and you had too much blood loss. You must have lost a lot of blood the first time, because you certainly didn’t bleed enough here to cause that.” Twilight’s face was starting to show signs of a smile and less worry, that comforted Rick… a little.

“Who was it that tried to kill me? She said your name and Applebloom. I assume you know her.”

“Yes, that was my friend Rainbow Dash. She thought you were some monster.”

“Believe me, I completely understand. After I ran from the farm, I came across Fluttershy. She hardly said five words to me and I panicked and ran.” Rick started to chuckle, then the pain kicked him in the ribs and he stopped.

“Fluttershy? She’s a good friend of mine too. If you like, I can introduce you to my friends right now. They are all waiting outside.” Twilight started toward the door as Rick agreed.

First came in Pinkie Pie, being that Rick was already familiar with her, she would place the least stress on his already fragile mind. Next came another unicorn, she was all white and had a very stylized purple mane the Rick couldn’t help but think of as beautiful, her name was Rarity. The third pony was Fluttershy, only now did Rick notice the wings. Then came the orange pony from the farm, still wearing her hat, she was introduced as Applejack.

“And this is Rainbow Dash. Rainbow, don’t you have something to say?” Twilight addressed Rainbow with a slight scowl.

“Alright, I’m sorry I hit you.” Rainbow apologized to Rick reluctantly.

Rick chuckled again, winced again and stopped laughing again. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. You were trying to protect your friend and here was this creature you’ve never seen before. I understand completely. Frankly, I wish I had friends so loyal.” Rainbow beamed a little at this statement. She was also relieved at the prospect of not facing Twilights wrath.

“That’s partly ma fault. When you showed up on the farm we didn’t know what to make of ya. Ah told Rainbow Dash about ya picking up ma sister and how we thought you were tryin’ ta take her.” Applejack said.

“Again, no need to say anything. To be honest, I thought your sister must have been someone’s pet when I first saw her in the woods. Where I’m from, there are no talking animals of any kind, oh, except for parrots who can only mimic speech.” Rick clarified.

“What about dragons?” Rick jumped a little at the new unseen voice. But quickly calmed down

“No, little guy, we don’t have dragons. There are creatures called dragons, but they aren’t intelligent, don’t breathe fire and they certainly don’t talk. It’s Spike right?” Spike nodded. “No you are way cooler than any reptile were I came from. The only dragons like you we have are in legends and fairy tales, nothing real. Actually, there are legends of unicorns and pegasi too, but again, nothing real. Ponies and horses aplenty though. Heck, there’s even a car called a Mustang because it’s supposed to make you feel wild and free.”

A confused look fell over the group. “Car? What’s a car?” Twilight asked.

“Like my truck, only smaller, more streamlined and faster too.” Another confused look. “That big metal thing a left at Applejack’s farm.”

“Is that whut that is? We didn’t know whut ta make of it. Granny thought it was some kind uh monster and warned us not ta go near it.”

“You didn’t touch it did you?” Rick asked getting up a little then quickly falling back down. The floor really was comfy.

“No. Is it dangerous?” Applejack asked with growing concern.

“No, Applejack, it isn’t dangerous. The only way it could be of any risk is if its brakes were somehow let out and it rolled downhill. I’ll move it if you like as soon as I can. I just don’t know where I could move it to that it won’t scare someone.”

“You can leave it on the farm if ya like, I just need moved from in front of the barn is all.” Applejack said in relief.

“Thank you, I will do so as soon as I can.”

The group sat in talked for a few hours. Rick answered many questions about Earth and asked many about Equestria. More and more, Rick was beginning to like it here.

Chapter 7

The group of ponies, plus one dragon, was amazed at the lack of magic on Earth. They couldn’t seem to grasp the idea of a world where everything had to be done by hand. Rick was more than a little surprised over the fact that weather had to be manufactured here. He thought that was much better than having to hope and pray the hurricane misses your town, or the rain doesn’t know out the dam and help you relocate twenty miles downstream without ever packing.

The night had progressed quickly, far quicker than any present had realized. It was time to sleep. Suddenly, it became apparent there was going to be an issue. Where would Rick stay?

“Well, I would let him stay with me, but I don’t know how the little animals would respond.” Fluttershy said.

“He can’t stay with me. He would fall right through the clouds and smack into the ground.” Rick didn’t quite understand what Rainbow Dash was talking about, but he agreed, that would be a bad thing.

“Well I certainly don’t want to put the poor fellow out on the street, but I simply have now room.” Rarity stated sadly.

“Same with me! There isn’t any room!” Rick was silently relieved that Pinkie said that.

I suppose he can stay in the barn. After all, he did save my little sister. Ah figure ah owe ‘em at least that much.” Applejack said with a grin.

“That could work, I’ve slept in worse places than a clean, warm barn.” Rick said, truly grateful to get any form of a roof over his head.

“No, absolutely not.” Both Applejack and Rick were caught off guard by Twilights outburst. “Rick, you are still injured. You shouldn’t walk that far tonight and you certainly shouldn’t sleep in the dust before you wounds have time to heal. You’ll just have to stay here.”

“Well, doctor’s orders.” Rick said to Applejack with a grin. “I really do appreciate the offer though, thank you Applejack.”

“Not at all Sugarcube, you let me know ifen you ever need anything.

Rick was definitely liking it here. “Thank you Applejack.”

After the other ponies left, Twilight brought Rick a pillow and blanket. Both agreed that Rick should sleep on the first floor instead of trying to climb stairs, besides, she only had one bedroom and Rick had only been in Ponyville one day.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay down here?” Twilight asked as she headed to the stairs.

“Absolutely, I’ve slept in worse places than this before.” Rick answered with a reassuring smile. “Goodnight Twilight, goodnight Spike.”

“Goodnight Rick,” came the reply from both. Once they were at the top of the stairs, the lights were turned out and Rick was left alone and darkness and silence. He slipped quickly into sleep, it had been a long day.

Chapter 8

“…c’mon Rick, we have to hurry. We’ll miss or flight.” Rick heard his wife, Hanna, tell him as they headed out the door.

“I’m comin’. I really can’t say I’m on a hurry to have the house all to myself though.” Rick replied.

“It’ll be OK, Daddy. We’ll be home in a week.”

“I know Annie. I just don’t want to be without my two favorite ladies for a single minute.” Rick told his daughter as he buckled her into the back seat of his pick-up.

“I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you too my precious angel.” Rick told Annie before kissing her on the forehead.

“Got one for me too?” Hanna asked her husband. Rick leaned over, closed his eyes and planted a tender kiss on his wife’s lips. He sat back, opening his eyes to look into the face of… Twilight Sparkle?!

“…Rick! Wake up! Rick!” She was shaking him, pleading him to come back to the real world.
“Unngh, what? What’s wrong?” Rick asked sitting up.

“You were screaming in your sleep. You were calling out Hanna and Annie. You were begging them not to go. I think you were even crying. Rick, please tell me, what does all that mean?” Twilight was on the verge of tears herself, she couldn’t bear to see her new friend in so much pain. She felt so helpless, powerless, she didn’t want to feel like that, ever.

“Twilight, thank you for your concern,” Rick said wiping the tears off his face, “but I really don’t want to talk about it. I’m sorry I scared you, but please, just drop it.”

Twilight could tell whatever it was that Rick was dreaming about was hurting him badly, but she didn’t want to add to his pain. “Okay Rick, I’ll drop it. Just know that if you ever want to talk about it, I’ll be here for you.”

“Thank you, it means a lot that you trust me with this, Twilight.” Rick said patting her on the back and hoping they could both pretend the previous exchange never happened. He stood up and stretched and then his back reminded him why that was a bad idea. He cringed a little.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, I actually feel a lot better than yesterday.” Rick noticed the sun was starting to rise. “Well, since its morning, what do you say to some breakfast?”

“Sounds good. What would you like?” Twilight asked. She was still worried, and it showed.

“Normally I would say bacon and eggs, but something tells me that would be a horrible suggestion.”

“I can understand eggs, although you won’t be able to get them here, ponies are herbivores, but what is ‘bacon’?” Twilight tilted her head a little on confusion.

“It’s probably better I not say. Twilight, You should know that humans are… omnivores.” Rick tried not to look at Twilight in case she had been sacred by the new fact. “As I’ve said before, in my world, animals aren’t as intelligent as they are here. There’s no way I could ever go back to that diet now, but at the same time, I can’t live on the same as the rest of you. My body needs protein.”
“Well, I can’t say I’m pleased to hear this, but as you say, your world is different.” Rick was relieved; Twilight had taken the new information and analyzed it like he had hoped. “Though, it might be best if we keep that between us for now. Spike! Are you going to join us?”

“Be right there!” came the response.

“Thank you, I knew I could trust you.” Rick opened the door for Twilight and Spike, leaned down himself to fit through the door and then he froze on the other side. He forgot about the other citizens. He was about to panic and duck back into the library but stopped when he realized there was no reason. None of the ponies he saw were freaking out, there were no screams, no yells, not even a single stampede at the sight of this new monster in their town.

“Morning, Twilight. Who’s your friend?” said a lavender pony with a pink mane.

“Good morning Cheerilee. This is Rick. He is new to Equestria. He is a human.” Twilight told her friend.

Rick got down on one knee so as to be at a closer level to Cheerilee’s eye-level. “Good morning, Cheerilee. I hope you will welcome me to your town.” Rick said as he held out a hand and shook her hoof.
“Oh, why of course.” Cheerilee said with a grin and was on her way with a nod. As she left, Rick couldn’t help but notice something new.

“Twilight, why does Cheerilee have three smiling flowers on her… back end?” As soon as Rick asked the question, he wished he hadn’t. After all, it was on her butt. Thankfully, Twilight didn’t seem to treat the question as awkward at all.

“Oh, that’s her cutie mark. Everypony gets one eventually and each for a different reason. They represent our special talent. As you can see, mine is a set of stars because of my magic.” Rick took a quick glance just to humor her.

“I see. I heard you were good at magic.” Rick said looking straight ahead.

“Are you kidding? Twilight’s the best.” Spike chimed in. Rick had to grin a little at the dragon’s boasting.

The group soon reached a café in the town square and sat at a table. Although there were hay bales to sit on, Rick found he still had to sit on the ground just so the table would be the right height for him.

The group finished their pancakes topped with fruit and whipped cream. Rick looked at his watch, explained what it was to Twilight and Spike and then decided that, since it was so early and he was feeling alright, he would go over to Applejack’s and move his truck, maybe fix the fence too.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you opening your wounds again.” Twilight’s concern for her new friend was obvious.

“I promise not to do anything too strenuous.” Rick reassured her. “If you like, why don’t you come along?”

“I think I will. Somepony needs to keep an eye on you.”

“Not me. I’m gonna go back to the library and get started on my chores.” Spike said as he got up from the table.

The pair waved to their friend and started down the long road to Applejack’s farm.