//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: New Beginnings 
// Story: Friendship is Ancient 
// by Alexander Jack 
//------------------------------//

Twilight spoke first. "You mean, the only thing that could possibly tell us what happened, left..."

Fluttershy looked down for a moment. "Ye..Yes, but that's not all..." She then pulls out a card and a large pouch. "He left these too..."

Twilight slowly grabbed the small piece of paper, and looked over it. It was writing obviously, as Celestia, leaning over, confirmed. They had never seen such a language before, but before they could ponder what it was, the ink began moving. "Celestia, look, the words are re-writing themselves!"

As the ink dried in it's new position, Celestia read it aloud. "Thank you for housing me while I was unconscious, I am leaving a gift in return, I hope you use gold as a currency. As for me, I have not eaten in days, and I would not want to be rude and over-stay my welcome, so if you request my presence, I will be trying to find the market. Sincerely, Alexander."

Fluttershy seemed relieved, Celestia however, became troubled.

Then Twilight spoke. "Alexander...Quite an odd name, don't you think?"

"Yes my student, he's obviously not from here. Would you excuse me for a moment?" Celestia went outside and down the path a little, before she looked up and began whistling a tune. Shortly after stopping, a messenger Pegasai dressed in a light royal armor set flew fast from afar, and landed gently in front of her. They spoke very shortly, and the messenger left. Celestia walked back to the cottage. "I sent for some royal guards to retrieve him. In the meantime, Fluttershy, Would it be alright if we could rest here? We have been up all night."

"Of course you can princess, right this way." Fluttershy proceeded to lead Celestia up to her bedroom. Twilight simply walked to the couch and dropped to her side, falling asleep immediately.

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Meanwhile, at the market on top of a roof, was Alexander, observing ponies, studying them. He had been to many worlds, but never came across one that wasn't ruled by humanoids. This world was different, and he liked it, nothing to him is more boring than consistency. Alexander stood for another moment before he silently dropped into the alley next to him. He began to walk into the open market, a few heads turned as they took notice, but not too many, They were more confused than scared.

As long as he's lived, Alexander has never really liked attention, but that didn't mean he didn't get it anyways. He walked around a bit, already hearing some of the rumorous whispers going about, and found a nice vendor.

"Excuse me, how much would it be to purchase that fruit basket behind you?"

"Oh, uh...Twenty pieces." Alexander took out a large gold-pouch and counted you fifty pieces before handing it over. "Sir, it only costs Twenty."

"Keep the change." The mare confusingly took the money and gave him the basket. Alex bowed and said "May you have a good day miss."

Walking back to the alley, Alex noticed many more ponies staring at him, and he didn't feel comfortable keeping so much attention for any longer than he had. He then walked back into the alley he came out only minutes ago, and put his breakfast in his backpack. Looking up, he found an easy way to scale the wall again, by the windows. He had set his foot on the window sill and got a good jump up to the second floor's window, where he grabbed the ledge, set his foot and repeated for the roof. Then Alex had grabbed his fruit and set himself on the side of the building where no-one could see him from ground level. He removed his helmet, revealing dark hair that didn't even seem longer than half an inch, on semi-pale skin, and a beard that was shaved not two weeks ago.

Feeling like he was starving to death, Alex had removed all of the assorted fruits and began to feast. When he was finished, he had set his helmet back on and leaned over the edge to drop the remaining basket into a garbage bin below him. He could instantly feel the eyes of a few equine dressed in golden armor. He pulled his head back, in slight worry of what looked as the equivalent of police. To his suspicion, Three while Pegasai landed on the roof edge next to him.

"There you are, You're coming with me." Alex pulled back as the horse tried to grab him.

"Excuse me sir, but could you at least have the decency to explain why you need me removed from here?"

"We were ordered to locate and escort you to Twilight Sparkle's library, I wasn't told we would be given trouble." He tried to grab him again, evaded as last time.

"You could at least say please."

"We're not asking." The three expanded their wings to show folding blades lining the front edge.

Alex knew where this was going, all too well. Should he go peacefully, and maybe get sucked up into yet another problem that wasn't meant to be his? Or escape with the small chance that he IS the problem. The mare that helped him, couldn't possibly be with these colts, maybe he could refuge there.

"Sir, I won't say it ag.." But before he could finish, Alexander began running and already had jumped to the next roof. "Get Him!"

The three pursued, at first running, but soon took flight. With such speed, Alexander leaped from rooftop to rooftop, dodging a few failed attacks from the faster flying colts. One of them stayed steady behind him, perhaps to make him tired from endurance, but it won't work. He kept running, running to get away, but they're too fast, he will have to subdue them. Suddenly one of the colts was ahead and landed, blocking the way. This was his chance. He jumped onto the next house and fell into a power-slide, kicking the armored stomach of the soldier.

The colt had no time to react as he was sent backwards and hit his spine on the next roof's edge, but luckily fell into a pile of hay.

"That's one." Alex then dropped to the hard ground next to the dazed stallion to avoid the one flying overhead. He was still in the market, so there must be something useful. He ran out of the alley, and saw the other two ponies turning around and coming straight for him, so Alex burst into a full sprint. Dodging the crowds without stopping proved to be a bit of a challenge.

The soldiers smartened up, they flew above the crowd, trying to tire Alex to surrender. Since they couldn't be outrun by him, Alex paced himself, and began to think of a plan. He pulled out a pouch of gold, and kept running until he came back to the food area. Frantically, he found a baker and quickly swapped a pie for his pouch. 

Still dodging the alarmed crowd, Alexander noticed the T-shaped intersection coming up. At this point, the colts were only paying attention to two things, their target, and their altitude. "For you, defeat will never be so delicious." He turned and threw the pie, and before it could be dodged, It hit square in the face of a soldier. Blinded, he did not realize his surroundings and hit the red-brick wall head on.

"That's, Two." What Alex had just done only angered the remaining soldier, as he watched his comrades get knocked down so easily. Alex saw the rage in his eyes, and he knew what was coming, everything. Alex ran fast and hard, there wouldn't be any pacing with this one, alone. Alex had to dodge every ramming, evade every kick, and block all attempts to instill fear into him with his shear fury. To travel any slower than a full sprint would be a death-wish, This pony was out of his mind, Infuriated to the point of yelling what he'll do when he gets his hooves on Alexander. Alex knew this would only get worse if he didn't end it soon.

He began to search out for a traveling supplies vendor, It took him a few sections of the market to find one, but he did nonetheless. Hastily, he grabbed some rope and gave the mare a heavy pouch. He ran, now waiting for the perfect time to attack. The stallion swooped in from the right, and back again from the left, before doing a full charge from the front. Alex jumped and barely dodged it as he heard a wissing sound.

The soldier was coming in from the back now, this was his chance.

Alex jumped and threw out the middle of the rope to catch the pony by his neck and choke him back while landing on his back, legs over wings to keep him from flying. The two rolled against the ground hard, when they stopped rolling, Alex quickly lowered the rope and tied the stallion's front legs to his stomach, and put the poor pony on his back to keep him from flying.

That's three.

"What, ARE you?"

"Me?" Alex questioned, kneeling down. "Why, i'm a human, have you never seen a human before?"

"Never touched the stuff." The colt spat on the ground next to Alexander.

"Really? Well, this is rather interesting. But in any case, who is it you work for that wants me relocated?"

The pony gave him a confused look. "Who do you think, the royal family."

Alex face-palmed. "Royal family? Great, here for a couple days and a king already took notice, good job Alex, you were quite subtle this time."

"She's not a king, she's a princess. You're obviously new to these lands."

Alex mirrored the confused look from the pony. "Princess? No parents?"

"She and her sister are older than anyone I could name."

Before Alexander could question the soldier any more, another rainbow maned Pegasai landed next to him.

"What gives? We saved your skin and you start attacking the royal guards? Are you TRYING to get yourself killed?" Rainbow-dash was infuriated at the sight she now saw.

He stood. "'We' you say? So you're with the yellow one."

"Yes, but don't change the subject on me. I just watched you take down three royal guards! Why?"

Alexander looked at the guard. "Because they didn't bother to tell me why I was being relocated, nor who they were until just now." Some of the anger seen on the stallion's face had turned into regret.

"Well, everypony knows who the royal guards are."

Alex lowered himself to eye level. "Not to someone who's never been here before." Alex looked at the guard and pulled out a sword. "As for you..." He swipes to cut the rope, and helped him up. "Go help your comrades, they're surely in need of assistance."

The stallion stared at him, sighed, and looked at rainbow-dash. "Apparently you know him, just, don't let him hurt anypony." He flew off to assist his squad members.

"Knowing Fluttershy, she's probably worried sick about you."

He gave a slightly quizzical look. "Why do you say that?"

"She doesn't let animals go out immediately after unconsciousness, which means you left without her noticing. Se we should go see her."

Alex stared a moment.

RD:"Look, I may not be very smart, but I can add two and two."

He gave a low chuckle. "My apologies miss, I meant no offense."

She just began walking and he followed.

"Ma'am, may I ask as to what I should call you?"

"I'm Rainbow-dash."

"Rainbow-dash...You people,i mean, ponies have peculiar names."

She gave him a glance. "What do you mean 'Peculiar names'?"

"I mean, I have never come across anyone named Rainbow-dash, Fluttershy or Twilight Sparkle."

"And just how do you know Twilight?"

"The guard informed me that her library is the location I was to be transferred."

Dash pondered why he would need to be taken there, but found no answer. "So, if my name's weird, what's your name?"

"You can call me Alexander."

"Uh huh, that's not weird at all." Dash added sarcastically. She was silent the rest of the way, she couldn't help but get the feeling that Alex wasn't supposed to be here, but he was. They arrived.

Rainbow-dash knocked on the door, and after a moment was greeted by a happy yellow pony.

"Oh, hello rainbow-dash, and Alexander."

Alex removed his helmet and bowed. "Hello, M'Lady."

Fluttershy blushed. "Come on in, make yourselves at home."

Dash immediately bowed as she saw who was in the living room. Alex did the same, once it crossed his mind who it very well may be.

"Hello rainbow-dash." She looked at him. "Alexander." He gave a smile.

"So, I see my magic has yet to fail me. I assume you are the princess, it's an honor."

Celestia gave him a quizzical look as he sat across from her. "Since you're here, what of my soldiers?"

Alex gave a more serious look. "Two incapacitated and the third is reviving them."

"I assume you had a good reason?"

"They never said please. If you know what I mean."

Oh, Celestia knew what he meant, She knew the arrogance of Staff Sargent Dagger-Dash more than well. He always was one to think of orders as an excuse for impoliteness. "I apologize for anything that may have happened, please don't be angry for my choice."

He smiled once again. "I understand completely your majesty, I'm actually rather surprised, Most worlds try to kill me where I stand." If any of them weren't just staring at Alex, processing what he just said, they were now. They all sat there for a few minutes, questioning to themselves as to what the true meaning behind his words were, until Celestia got the nerve to break the silence.

"So, what you're telling me is that you're a-"

"Traveler among worlds, yes, but please, let us not dwell on me, tell me, what is your name?"

She stood. "I am Celestia, elder princess of Equestria."

Twilight stood beside her. "I am Twilight Sparkle, Student of Princess Celestia."

Rainbow-dash yawned as she lay on the couch to herself. "You already know me."

Fluttershy smiled and said softly, "I'm Fluttershy, and, I take care of all the animals."

He looked at Dash. "So, who all was it that brought me here?"

"Me, Twi, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie were all there when we found you."

"Well, I thank thee for doing so, It is comforting to wake in a soft couch instead of the smoldering ashes I am used to."

His voice trailed off, as if contemplating on something he had just said.

So was Celestia. 

She couldn't decide if she should trust him or not. He easily took out three of some of her best, although it was self-defense. If he decided he didn't like somepony at any point, There is no telling the damage that could be done. He seems to honor and respect ponies without basis, from the way he treated his host. Are his actions honest, or a deception? She should ask him of his past, and test him of his words. Yes, this would help her decide.

Before Celestia got a word in, Twilight spoke.

"Alexander, when we took you in, I became curious, why are you wearing armor?"

He was hesitant to speak. "This armor is a...favourite of mine, I earned it for becoming a paladin in another world."

"But, something's different, it seems like it's a part of you."

"It is. To be specific, it's my spirit armor."

Celestia knew of such a thing a long time ago, used to strike fear into the wearer's enemies, give strength to the wearer, and enhance all of their physical skill. "Would it be alright if when you go in public, that you take it off? It may frighten somepony if they saw it."

Alex stood up and closed his eyes. "Very well then." The armor began to disintegrate, and turn to dust. Rotting away from his body and disappearing from sight. Without the armor, he was just a bit shorter than Celestia standing. His swords had stayed, in the same kind of cheap worn cloth that now surrounded Alex's torso, and upper arms and legs.

"I...apologize, that you have to see me in this, but it would be better to not scare ponies."

Suddenly a bright pink pony burst through the door. "Fluttershy! Are you alright? Did anything hap..." She stopped, once she saw the princess and the mysterious guest. Fluttershy asked quietly.

"Pinkie Pike, how did you know to come?"

As a white furred mare entered along with an orange one in a hat, Pinkie stated: "My pinkie senses told me to bring Rarity and AJ here. I Thought you were in trouble." She popped up next to Fluttershy and looked at the guests again. "Are you?"

"Oh no, Alexander here is the one we helped out of the forest."

She took a third glance. "But, he's not Shiny!" Alex chuckled.

"If you're referring to my armor my dear, I had just taken it off."

Applejack spoke up. "Well, that explains why you were so heavy when we carried you here."

"Again, I thank you for doing so."

Rarity gave a disgusted face. "Eeew, if you were in that nice armor, why do you go around in these...rags?"

"Well apparently my armor scares ponies and I'm not going to run around naked."

The ponies all looked at themselves and each other, before returning to Alex. He realized that aside from Celestia's jewelry, he was the only one wearing anything. "I'm meaning no offense, I just don't like exposing myself"

After a moment of silence, Pinkie Pie spoke. "But, then we can't see your Cutie Mark."

Alex then showed a deep face of confusion. "My...what?"

"You know, a cutie mark! The thing that shows what makes you special."

Alex shrugged. "Never heard of it." Everypony gave a look of surprise, except Celestia, who saw this coming.

"So, how do you know what makes you special?" Alex became slightly depressed. "I'd prefer to think I'm ordinary. For me, being 'Special' is, uh...a tad bit overrated."

All of their jaws dropped, even Celestia didn't see that one coming. Pinkie Spazzed out. "What? What are you talking about? How could you say that? What in Equestria could possibly make you say that!" Twilight shoved her hoof in pinkie's mouth to silence her.

"I apologize for my friend, but, why?" Alexander looked down, and put a hand on his necklace piece.

"I have lived as a hero for too long, but if I didn't go out of my way to save people...my fear is no-one would."

Dash said in retort. "Yeah, kinda ironic we had to save you."

He looked directly at her. "But was it out of generosity, or curiosity?" She blew off the question.

Celestia still sat and thought to herself. As for no cutie mark, she expected as much, griffons only get it on very rare occasions, but they all knew what one WAS in the least. And did he call himself a hero? Either he is an ego-maniac, or more powerful than he looks. No, he isn't prideful of it, or else he would WANT to be a hero. He hates it, but does is anyway...He fears no-one else would. From what hell-bound world did he come from, to make him think they're no other heroes?

Was it...him?

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Fluttershy went and opened it to see two guards with an urgent look on their faces.

"Princess, a few of the guards are requesting to speak with you, negotiating early vacation. Should we confirm or deny?"

"I'll be out in a moment's notice gentlecolts." The colts went out and re-hitched the carriage. "I will have to be back at another time, good-bye ladies, and Alex." She exited.

This would be the perfect time for her to research him, make sure he's who she thinks he is. She went to the carriage and waved as she was flown off.

Alex stated, slightly concerned: "I hope I didn't hurt them too bad."

Applejack perked up. "That was you?" Alex nodded. "Should I be surprised?" He shook his head.

Pinkie Pie gave a worried look. "Well, that was kinda mean."

Alexander responded. "Do not get me wrong, I meant no harm, it was in self defense."

Rainbow-dash stared at Alex. "So let me get this straight, you come out of nowhere, falling fast enough to not be noticed by most of us, you can survive said fall, completely in tact, and you're scared of a few guards?"

Alex thought it through for a second, and decided it would be better to agree rather than spill the beans. "Yep, knives scare me when the sharps end's to me." Twilight gave a quizzical look while Rainbow-dash gave a suspicious one. They looked at each other and back to Alex.

Then Twilight spoke. "So, Alex, you said you know magic?" He nodded. "What kind of magic do you know?"

"All kinds, really. Is magic common here?"

"Yes, well, sort of, only unicorns can use it. Since you don't have a horn, how are you able to perform magic?"

"Where I first learned magic, along with most places that have magic I've been to, you didn't need a horn or anything to perform it."

When this information hit twilight, she had an idea. She still had a few friends back in Canterlot, earth ponies, who used to be made fun of for the lack of magical abilities. Although earth ponies were common, they weren't in that city. Mud-blood, muggle, dirt digger, you name it, they were called it.

"So, when you say all kinds of magic, does that include transformation spells?"

Alex tilted his head slightly and raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I do...but why?"

"No reason." She look at the clock. Ten-thirty. "You know, I should probably get going, if spike's awake he'll be freaking out cause I'm not there." She and most of the others got up.

AJ:"Aye, uh, need to get to apple buckin'."

Rarity:"My friend Silver thread is meeting with me at the spa today."

Pinkie Pie:"I, uh, need to go get more sugar for the shop."

RD:"Fyre-Flye invited me over today, so I better go."

The ponies then proceeded to leave, and closed the door on their way out, except for Fluttershy, who still sat there.

"Fluttershy, may I ask a question?"

"Ye...Yeah."

"Well, seeing as I don't have anywhere to stay...could I, perhaps, stay here, with you?"

Fluttershy smiled warmly. "Of course you can."

He smiled back. "Another thing."

"Yes?"

"I like to earn my keep, so If you have any jobs you need to get done, just tell me." She sat, and thought for a moment.

"Well, I guess I could use some help cleaning the chicken coop and some of the bird houses."

He smiled again. "Consider it done."

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That afternoon in Canterlot, Celestia was at her chambers' window.

A black unicorn walks in, he has a cataract and a scar leading up his neck. His cutie-mark consists of two masks, a happy one, and a sad one.

"When you told me of my banishment, I thought it'd be permanent." He then walked up next to her in the silence, and just as she, looked out over the city. "So, what is it you could possibly need from a criminal?"

She still stared over the open city, before saying something she's never had to say before. "I can offer you your freedom, in exchange for you talents, Two-Face." The words bit her and left a sour taste in her mouth, but she knew he is the only one with the skill set she needed.

"My freedom 'Eh? Sounds like I have no choice but to accept. What's the catch?"

She had to swallow any faith she had at this point. "I need to to test somepony, but he's not a pony."

He gave an intrigued look."What is he then?"

"A human, one of the things you learned of the forbidden book of myths you stole, years ago." She gave him a glance, but he was indifferent, a perfect poker face. "Or as you would better see it, my diary."

"You are assuming I actually read it after I stole it."

"Because if you didn't, you would have sold it to the highest bidder at the auction you visited the next day."

"Touche. But refresh me, what does this thing look like?"

"Trust me, you'll know him when you see him. Now go pack your things, we start tomorrow."

"Very well, tell Luna I said hello." The unicorn exited the room.

Celestia gave a heavy sigh, then a weak smile as she looked over the prospering city again. "By my father's grave, I hope Alexander is who I take him to be."