“...Ex” Came a voice softly. I didn’t know what it could be. “..Lex… Alex.” The noise became clearer. It was someone calling my name. “Alex, you should really get up.” Came the soft tone of the all too familiar yellow pegasus. I slowly sat up and Fluttershy stepped back a bit. I proceeded to stretch and was instantly greeted by the pain in my shoulder. “Damn that still hurts…” I half growled. I ran a hand through my now greasy hair from the past couple of days.
“I’m sorry for waking you, but it’s already late in the morning.” Fluttershy said. “Come on, we got to get you ready to make an appearance in ponyville today!” She gave me a silly grin that I could help but laugh at.
“I hope you know that I’m still going to bring my armor and weapons into town with me.” I stated. “I have traveled everywhere with that armor and weapons. I won’t go anywhere without them. For security reasons and because I wouldn’t feel right without them.”
“But…” She seemed a little disappointed at my unwillingness to leave my stuff behind. “You don’t want to scare everypony right? I mean you’re going to be here for a while, so you might as well not have the whole town scared of you, right?”
“Fluttershy.” I sighed heavily and brought a hand up to rub my still tired eyes. “Me going anywhere without that stuff is like asking you to get rid of your wings if they came off. It can be put back on, but it just doesn’t feel the same, right? Or it’s like asking you to get rid of your cutie mark for a while. It’ll still be there, but then you’re denying a part of who you are. That armor has gotten me through a lot of trouble and not wearing it seems like a foolish idea to me.” I said firmly.
She seemed really depressed after that. I didn’t understand why, that’s for sure. “I-I’m sorry. I d-didn’t think that stuff meant so much to you. I th-thought it was just for dangerous places, like the everfree that you came out of. If it m-means that much to you, I won’t try to convince you otherwise. I wouldn’t get rid of my cutie mark for a second.” She look at the mark on her flank and gently smiled before turning to look at me. “If I’m not willing to do that I won’t try to tell you otherwise.” I’m glad I was able to make her see things my way.
She went to the door and opened the upper part of it and sang a little tune. A small bird came flying in and landed on her back. She went over to a small table with a scroll and gave it to the bird, who took it in his beak. “Now I need you to take this to Twilight ok?” She said to the little bird. It gave a little chirp in acknowledgement and flew off out the door and into the town called Ponyville.
“Uhm…. What was that about?” I asked with a slightly confused look on my face.
“Well… Since there’s nothing like you in all of Equestria, I sent a letter to my friend Twilight Sparkle and she will contact Princess Celestia.” She said. “We should know what the Princess wants to do afterall. She will decide if you are to stay here or not….” She looked a bit worried at the last bit.
“Well I don’t mind at all. A leader should know about anything this weird to their land. But where is your bathroom? I should get cleaned up before going into town.” I said. “I don’t think I look the best right now. Haha.” I brought a hand to my chin and ran it lightly over the short beard that was growing. “Up the stairs and to the right.” She pointed to the stairs. “I’ll get you a clean towel to dry off with when you’re done.” She then flew off out the door, and out to the clothesline that was strung between two trees.
I grabbed my longsword before heading upstairs. I looked at myself for the first time in days. My face was a bit slimmer than last I remembered, but still retained some of the masculine look that I had grown proud of. Probably from the lack of red meat, or food in general, the past couple days. Not to mention the time that I was unconscious.
My eyes had dark rings around them from restless nights, both in this world and on Earth. They were still a wonder to look at though, one grey iris while the other was such a dark brown it looked black. My jet black hair had a greasy look to it and it was downright messy. It fell from my head and hung loosely around my shoulders. I glared at the unshaven beard that was starting to grow. I frowned at it slightly, but soon began to grin. ‘Damn! I never let it grow out this far. I look goood.’ I thought and laughed lightly at myself.
I slipped off my shirt and stood back a bit to get a good look at my body. I had a muscular build no doubt. But I didn’t exactly have abs to show off. I didn’t have that great of a diet before now. But the tone still showed. I started to strike different poses, flexing my arms and pecs and gave a satisfied grin. I went on to do poses, admiring my physique for the first time in a while. I was always proud of it. I stopped and froze in a pose when I heard a squeak from the doorway. I looked over at Fluttershy trying not to laugh at my antics by putting a hoof to her mouth as she hovering there with a towel. I quickly took a normal standing pose and looked at the floor. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as they turned a light shade of red.
“D-do you do that every time you get in front of a mirror?” She giggled a bit and set the towel down on the counter by the sink. I could tell she was trying to ask a semi serious question, but her muffled giggles told me she already knew the answer. My face probably got a couple shades darker. She turned around and hovered to the doorway. “I’ll leave you to get cleaned up now.” She giggled a bit again. “Just come outside when you’re done and we can be on our way.”
“Ok” was the only reply that I could manage after that. I always had my own personal bathroom back home and no one ever caught me doing that. I would have to be careful of what silly human things I do. I didn’t need stories spreading around of the things I do.
After a quick shower, I got dressed, threw my armor on and grabbed my weapons. I went outside to find Fluttershy. It wasn’t hard to find the timid pegasus due to her singing. I slowly and quietly sat a couple yards away without letting her know I was there. I just enjoyed her singing as she watered the flowers. The tune was unfamiliar, but it was soothing and relaxing. It made me glad to be in this place, that I was alive. It made me let go of the worry of being in a strange new world. It let me escape the trouble I encountered the past few days and the pain that came with it.
After a bit I got up, noise coming from my armor, and that made her jump a bit. I walked over to her. After helping her finish the watering we started to walk away from her house. Before we crossed the bridge the bird Fluttershy sent out came flying back with a scroll in its beak.
She took the scroll in her mouth and sat on her haunches. She took off the ribbon holding it closed and rolled it open it to read. After a minute or two she had a look of uncertainty plastered on her little pony face. “It seems both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna will be here in Ponyville to meet you today. I didn’t expect this. But I’m sure both of them will like you!” She gave a reassuring smile.
My face didn’t return the smile. It only showed shock and an utter lack for words. I didn’t think I would be meeting them so soon. Back where I was from, people didn’t command respect. Rather they earned it from each person in the small village. But I this was a completely new world. They hadn’t earned my respect, but what would happen if I didn’t show it? From what I knew, these princesses were a creature know as “Alicorns.” Having more powerful magic than an average unicorn, as well as being able to fly. I wasn’t sure I should disrespect them, yet my nature wouldn’t allow me to respect them right away.
As my thoughts continued to go a mile a minute, Fluttershy nudged my leg with her hoof. She made a motion for us to keep moving, so I followed her. ‘This is going to be an interesting day to be sure… I will see if the princesses will earn their respect from me. If they don’t like it, well I’ll be ready for a hostile creature that is more powerful than, what seems, a majority of the planet… Nothing to worry about.’ I thought to myself, as I followed the timid yellow pegasus into the town known as Ponyville. Cute name, right?
Well as we entered town the ponies gave me wary looks. As if I was going to attack at any moment. I suppose if I saw a towering monster with big pieces of metal on his body and carrying sharp blades, I would be pretty scared too. Not to mention that these ponies wore nothing, though a couple of them had a bow tie, saddle bags or other minor accessories. But some of these ponies has looks on their faces with as much curiosity as there was fear.
After reaching the large town square, Fluttershy finally was able to do what she wanted and shop. We went to various stalls with all sorts of fruits, nuts, vegetables, flowers and some sweets vendors. I was surprised to see the incredibly shy pegasus in such a public environment. She was still looking a bit awkward, but much better than I would have thought.
We went to a cherry stall that Fluttershy said she needed for that little bunny’s favorite meal…. What a spoiled thing. I was idly standing around, looking at the various and unique color schemes of the ponies, when I heard an argument going on at the stall. I couldn’t quite hear what was going on, but it sounded like the stallion running the stall was trying to be a bit too pushy. “10 bits, take it or leave it.” He practically scolded her.
“Can we work out an agreement this time? Your sign says 2 bits for one cherry.” Fluttershy replied quietly. Seems like this isn’t the first time this has happened. This wasn’t going to go on with me here. I walked over and crouched down and looked the stallion right in the eyes.
“Trying to cheat my friend here?” I said cooly. “I wouldn’t advise it. People who treat my friends poorly tend to end up in…. unfortunate situations.” I glared at him. He seemed a bit surprised at my appearance, but he didn’t seem to want to give in.
“Y-you listen here, this is my stall. What I s-say goes. No exceptions!” He forced out the last part in what I think was to be an attempt to get me to back off. Did it work? Nope.
“Well how about this, 2 bit for the cherry, and I’ll leave peacefully. She has housed me since I got to this world, taken me in, cared for my wounds and treated me with kindness. I think she deserves a fair price. But if you keep insisting on the 10 bits, it won’t be a pleasant day for you.” I hardened my stare, just like I did back in my home town when someone didn’t want to listen to what I had to say. He seemed to become a lot more frantic at this point, so he agreed and we went on our way.
With the final item bought, we were ready to start on the way to Twilight’s house where I was going to meet the bearers of what they called “The Elements of Harmony.” Whatever those were. Sounded like something that is used on evil was my guess. I wasn’t going to think too much on it.
After a couple minutes, I decided to break the silence. “You know, if anyone like that is ever giving you trouble, you can ask me for help,” I said to Fluttershy, she just looked at me and then back down at the ground.
“I-I didn’t want to bother you with my problems. It was my purchase and I should have taken care of it myself.” She said quietly. “Though I am grateful that you help me.” She looked at me and gave me a smile. I wondered how long it would take until this place killed me with the adorable things here. I gave her a smile back.
“You’ve taken care of me, fed me, and treated me with kindness since I’ve been here. You earned my respect and my gratitude.” I stopped on the empty road and gave her a small bow. I lifted my head and gave her probably the silliest grin I had ever given anyone. She stood there shocked for a second. After a bit she started to giggle.
I stood up straight and lifted her saddle bag off her back and put it over my shoulder. She protested for a bit that she had to carry it, but I ignored her and kept walking. She eventually let it go and didn’t try to convince me anymore. We reached the famous Twilight Sparkle’s house after a bit. It was a tree house. A tree that was a literally a house. How cute.
As Fluttershy knocked on the door we heard some faint voices coming from inside. I figured it must be the other element bearers. I wondered what they’ll be like. If they’re anything like Rainbow or Fluttershy we should get along just fine. After a few second the door opene. A lavender mare with a purple mane and a streak of a lighter purple and pink in it opened up the door. I noticed the horn on her head and realized she was a unicorn.
“Fluttershy, glad you could make it here so soon! And you must be Alex, the one Fluttershy mentioned in her letter.” She looked up at me with a curious look. I just nodded and she somehow got more confused. “Uhm, Fluttershy? Does it talk? Or is it another animal that you can communicate with?” Ok, that hurt a bit.
“Of course I can talk!” I said with a bit of shock. “You just go and assume a creature is below the intellectual level to communicate with you just because you’ve never seen it before? Not. Cool.” I crossed my arms and gave her a level expression. She looked a bit embarrassed before motioning for us to come into the tree. I barely got into the doorway when a pink pony seemed to appear right in front of me … upside down?
“Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie!” She said with too much energy. “You must be the new creature in town! Oooh! Do you like parties!? I love parties. They’re my special talent! But I also love cupcakes, cakes, pies, balloons, streamers, games, cookies, muffins, cid-” I put a finger up to her lips to stop her talking. I had only hoped it worked. Thankfully it did. I took a deep breath to try to recover from the excitement overload from this crazy pony.
“Ok, I’ll answer your questions another time, but for now would you mind not asking me too many things? Your answers will come in due time. But for now, please stop.” I gave her a small smile and she didn’t start talking my ear off when I took my finger away. She still had a ridiculously big grin on her face, but she got down from the doorframe and took a seat by the other ponies in the building.
There was the crazy pink one that called herself Pinkie Pie, upon closer inspection she has a mark of one yellow balloon and two blue ones. Another one was orange with a blonde tail and mane with a trio of apples as her mark, while wearing a hat that looked like something from a history book I saw. A “cowboy hat” not sure what it was actually called. Twilight was sitting there as well, still giving me a curious look. Almost as if analyzing me. Fluttershy took a seat with the rest of them. Another one was the purest white I’ve seen and had a stylish purple mane and tail. She had a mark of three brilliant blue diamonds. The last one to my surprise was none other than Rainbow Dash.
Upon seeing the rainbow maned mare I gave her a big grin and she flew over to me. After a short fist-to-hoof greeting that was common among the ponies, instead of the handshake I was used to, I took a seat on the floor in front of all of them. I sat there, waiting for one of them to break the silence.