//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: How This All Came To Be 
// by ThrakurzaudCR 
//------------------------------//

I stood there; the manticore’s teeth marks were evident to the six ponies in front of me. I couldn't move. The puncture wounds were deep and significant. I could feel the blood flowing, and the excruciating pain I was feeling. The coppery smell wafted up to my nose. After Twilight used her magic to pry the manticore’s teeth from my side, she threw it to who knows where, and they sat in shocked silence. Even the ever-so-carefree Pinkie Pie had nearly turned white from her previous bright pink. The whole spectacle caused Rainbow Dash to land, and Rarity already threw up in the bushes with Spike, while Fluttershy sobbed quietly, and uncontrollably. Applejack took off her hat and looked away, and Twilight just sat on her haunches, staring in wide-eyed horror. I've been here in the land of Equestria for about a month now. I've only met these ponies and baby dragon three weeks ago, a week after they brought me here. I became so attached to these ponies in such a short amount of time that I felt obligated to at least try to cheer them up. 
In a weak voice, hacking up blood as I did, I croaked, “Hey guys… don't cry...I’m sure…I can…make it through…this.” I could taste the thick metallic taste of my blood. I smiled as best as I could through the pain, not showing any of my blood-stained teeth. After that, all the strength in my body faded at once. I dropped into the pool of blood that I created while I was standing up. 
"Caleb!" I heard the yells of the ponies as the world around me numbed and faded to black. 
I open my eyes to see a tall, white ceiling that I recognized. It was the ceiling of the castle in Canterlot. How did I get to Canterlot? How long was I unconscious? I didn't know the answers, but I was there, and it was night. I looked down to see that I woke up in a hospital bed. At the same time, I realized that my bed was slightly unbalanced on my right. I looked over to see the deflated pink face of Pinkie Pie, sleeping. I smiled and tried to sit up, but I found that it hurt too much to move. I sat back slowly, letting out small grunts of pain, and thought of the events that led up to this — a month. I knew I had terrible luck, but this was crazy. I closed my eyes, remembering the Monday it all happened.