--Chapter 3--
Meeting
“Laaaaaaaauuugh!”
All girls burst into laughter after Pinkie’s song. She was known for making things like that all around Ponyville, but Twilight didn’t know her before and that just made her reaction to pink pony’s antic even more powerful than it was for the other mares.
The unicorn was never a pony to make friends, being Princess's personal student comes with a lot of responsibility and expectations, she just could not fail her teacher by not taking her studies serious enough. Friends would take the time she could spend on studying new spells. And what would her parents think? They put so much effort into making sure she'll get to Princess's school. There is simply no way in the world for her to make friends.
And yet, somehow around those 5 girls, she felt deferent. She couldn't put a hoof on it, but she had that feeling she felt only when Spike and her brother were around. The feeling that she's not alone. That there's somepony who cared…
It took them a while to gather themselves and tame their laughter. They were just about to move on and continue their mission when they heard someone calling from behind the tree. "Um, hello?"
Everypony turned their heads to the source of the sound. "Who's there?" Said Rainbow Dash.
Who can be here? Doesn’t he know how dangerous that place is? Twilight thought and cast a simple scanning spell. To her surprise, only living beings there were bugs. What?! Impossible! Somepony has to be there, but why can’t I sense him? This spell should have pointed out any magical being in the range of 20 meters. To hide from it, you had to hide the very essence of your magic. Something commonly considered to be impossible.
After a moment of hesitation, Revan answered. "Em, let’s say I’m someone who got terribly lost and is looking for a way back home.”
“Ok sugar cube, we can give you directions to the closest town, but care to explain why are ya hiding behind a tree?" Revan heard one of the girls behind the tree saying, she had a country accent.
“Well… ok, this may sound a bit weird but, are you ponies?” He asked to make sure book he found wasn’t just some kind of joke or something like that. And besides who said that those ponies are the only sapient beings around?
"Of course darling, what else could we be? The only village around is Ponyville, and I don't recall any non-pony residents." Said rather classy voice.
"You see, when I said that I got lost, I didn't really mean that I got lost In a woods… ok, that too, but what I meant by that, was getting lost in completely different dimension or planet."
All girls stood there for a moment with puzzled looks printed on their muzzles (except for Pinkie, she’s beyond that).
“And furthermore, I’m also not a pony and I don’t know how you will react to seeing me since I don’t know does my kind exist here, so I’m hiding because I don’t want to scare away my possibly only chance to get some help” He finished.
"Is that some kind of poor joke?" Asked tomboyish voice. "If it is then that you're really bad at that kind of stuff. Now come on, get out of there or I'll get you out myself."
Revan sighed. “Very well, but before I’ll do that, I want to assure all of you that I am not a threat and will not try to harm any of you.”
“Heh, you couldn’t harm me no matter how hard you’d tr-WOAH!” Rainbow’s statement was cut off by the huge biped coming out from behind the tree.
This time all ponies (again, except for Pinkie; she was thinking of all new kinds of parties she can throw now) stood there with their mouths hanging wide open. Fluttershy hid behind Rainbow and curled up into a ball.
Revan couldn’t say that he’d expected those ponies to be so… well, colorful. Another point for you Warren. He knew the basic build of their bodies from the book he found in the castle, but there was simply no word about what colors their coats can take. Maybe that's just some kind of fashion here or something like that. Shit if I know I know as much about fashion as my boot does.
While Revan didn't have all that much to take -thanks to the anatomy book he'd found- girls had much more to cope with. First of all, he was huge, two times their size at least. Next were his eyes, they were incredibly small; almost as small as a newborn foal. There was practically no hair on his body, except the top of his head and there was also a bit of it on his arms, he also wore some kind of dark clothing. He was completely wet too.
Rest of girls didn't pick that up, but Rarity's expert eyes quickly noticed that it wasn't either casual nor formal clothing. More like a uniform.
Creature's body was built very similarly to the minotaur. But not nearly as bulky and with the flat face instead of a long muzzle. Anything else was quite hard to spot since the clothes he wore were covering most of his body.
They just stood there and stared at themselves for some time. And probably still would, if not for Mischief who stepped out from behind the tree.
Fluttershy peeked from behind her long mane. “AH! A DOG!” She screamed and rushed straight to Mischief startling everyone in the process. Rainbow Dash, who happened to at the wrong place at the wrong time got pressed into the ground.
“Oh, aren’t you just the cutest oversized dog I’ve ever seen?” Yellow pony said while petting Mischief’s head. The dog didn’t seem to care at all. If anything, he was annoyed.
All eyes were set on Fluttershy, and she just realized she is right next to the mysterious, high and scary creature she had never seen before.
She slowly looked up and she lowered herself. “P-please don’t hurt me!!!”
“Eee… I won’t…”
“Please don’t eat me!!!”
“I won’t do that either.”
“Please Mr. Big Monster, I don’t want to die!!!” Fluttershy cried out. Mischief was looking at her completely unmoved by the whole situation and simply sat on his hunches.
“My name is not ‘Big Monster’, it’s Revan, and I assure you that I don’t have any bad intentions towards any of you. I just need some help, that’s all.”
“S-so… you’re not going to harm me?”
“No.”
“Oh, I’m sorry for being afraid of you Mr. Revan, I thought you were some kind of a monster, there’s a lot of them in that forest.”
“Don’t worry, If I’d see some unknown creature twice larger than me in the dark forest, I’d probably by scared too.”
"So…" Began Twilight. "You're saying you're from a different dimension? How did you get here then? It was multiple times proven impossible to travel between dimensions! Even Starswirl the Bearded had proven that the magical radiation that would be created by opening the portal would kill anything around!"
He shrugged ."Beats me, all I know Is that I fell into some kind of portal because a certain dog couldn't sit in place." He said giving Mischief angry look. "And the next thing I know I'm waking up in some ruined castle in the middle of that forest."
“You mean ‘Castle of Two Sisters’?” Asked Twilight.
“Unless there is some other ruined castle around, yes. That’d probably be it.”
"Could you please lead us there? We're currently dealing with a great crisis and our only hope of dealing with it is most likely hidden somewhere in those ruins. After that, we'll help you get back home." Twilight began to grin like she had never grinned before. "Obviously you'll also be answering my questions along the way and let me examine you! I'm not giving away that opportunity!"
“Fair enough I guess. But I think I’ll have some questions to you too. First of all, can I get your names?”
"OH! But you are absolutely right darling! I must apologize for our lack of manners, we were simply…stunned, by your sudden appearance. My name is Rarity, I'm the finest fashion designer in Ponyville." Said marshmallow colored pony. Her mane was deep purple and very stylized.
He could also see a lot of make-up on her face… or muzzle. It was also clear that she’d used a LOT of perfumes, he couldn’t even imagine how much of a torture it was for Mischief.
She surely pays a lot of attention to her look. Revan thought. "Pleasure to meet," He said with a slight bow.
“My, such manners!” Replayed Rarity.
“Am Applejack. Proud owner of ‘Sweet Apple Acers’, the biggest apple orchard in all of Equestria.” Proudly said orange country-pony with yellow mane combined in a ponytail.
“Nice to meet you… Oh fuck… ” Revan facepalmed. “Nawet w innym wymiarze… ((Even in another dimension))”
“What do ya mean?” asked confused Applejack.
“Your hat… “
“What about it?”
He let out a sigh. "Nothing, just wherever I go I see that kind of hats. In school, bus, job, on street… and apparently in another dimension too… heh, that’s kinda funny actually. When I was a kid I thought this was a conspiracy to turn me into a cowboy.”
Revan still remembered the first time he encountered stetson hat. It happened during his first day in kindergarten. One of the kids there wore that hat and was arguing with the teacher who was trying to make him take that hat off. Eventually, the kid got pissed and slapped the teacher with an open hand. As a result, he got expelled. Those things are hunting me, I’m sure of it…
“Anyway, let’s continue introductions, ok?” He said and turned his attention to the lavender unicorn.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle, I’m studying under aid of princess Celestia”
“Your names are really strange… anyways, It’s a pleasure to meet.”
“What did you mean by that?” Twilight asked curiously.
"It's just that your names sound more like nicknames by my standards. But then again I really doubt that my standards are anywhere near yours." Revan explained and turned to yellow pegasus with long pink mane who broke an awkward silence before. She was currently examining Mischief. "And you are?" He tapped her on her back.
“AAAAH!” She screamed (if one can call that a scream) surprised and hid behind the dog. Mischief in response got up and walked to Revan’s other side.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.” He apologized.
"It's ok, I always was easily frightened… anyways, I'm Fluttershy, I'm an animal caretaker in Ponyville." She looked at Mischief and asked. "What's his name?"
“Mischief, and don’t worry if he’ll be ignoring you. He’ll warm up to you with time. Just try not to act like a kid around him.”
"Okay… but why?" She asked, a bit surprised since all of her animal friends absolutely loved playing with little foals (even Angel though he will never admit it).
"He doesn't like them. Most of the kids he met were… let's say quite annoying." Revan didn't like most of the kids either; especially those in ages 4-7. Most of them were horribly irritating and that was before they met Mischief. When they encountered the dog and were refused to pet him or climb on him, they tended to scream/cry/go to their parents or all at once.
There was even a time when Mischief started quite aggressively barking at one kid who started tugging him by the tail in the middle of a park, even despite Revan telling him to stop and go away; he was following them for a few minutes, tugging Mischief from time to time.
After that kid’s parents came and started arguing with Revan about how aggressive his dog is and that he should put him down.
He wasn’t angry at Mischief for that incident; opposite actually, he was close to snapping at the kid himself.
Now he turned to the pink pony with curly hair that kinda looked like cotton candy. "Ok, now your turn, What's your name?"
“Hmm… I could answer that, but there’s far more important question.” Pink pony said looking at him suspiciously. “Are you a party-pooper?”
Revan blinked. “Um… I don’t think I am. I mean, I’m not even sure what it is…”
“Prove it.” Demanded pink pony.
“How?”
“Hmm… let’s think…oh, that’s it! Tell us a joke!”
“Eeee… ok, but what kind of joke?” Revan was really confused.
“Duh… a funny one.”
“Eh, ok here it goes.” He cleared his throat and begun.
“In school kids were ordered to bring items related to medicine.
Mia brought syringe, Adam bandage, and Emma stethoscope.
‘And what did you bring?’ Teacher asks John
‘Breathing Apparatus’
‘And how did you get it?’
‘From Grandpa’
‘And what did he say about it?”
*Choking noise* ”
The pink pony burst into laughter. She was laughing so hard it made Revan wonder about a number of air ponies can hold in their lungs. Rest of her friends also gave their fair bit of laugh. Fluttershy and Rarity gave only a small chuckle, Twilight gave a small laugh, Applejack and the rainbow-maned, blue Pegasus who's name, surpassed Revan's mind gave laugh that almost equaled that of pink pony's (of course within limits of their lungs).
“Hehehehe… Ok, you've passed. My name's Pinkie Pie, number one party planner in all of Equestria! And you just proved to be worth of getting your own ‘Welcome to Ponyville party!' " She said with enthusiasm that could be equaled only to someone who… actually, no, it couldn't be equaled by anyone.
”But wait! You-were-not-in-Ponyville-and-you-must-go-there-so-it-could-be-a-welcome-to-Ponyville-party!-Maybe-it-will-be-welcome-to-Equestraia-party?-Oh-I-know-you-will-get-to-Ponyville-and-then-I-will-throw-welcome-to-Ponyville-and-Equestria-party-and-that-will-be-so-cool-because…” She kept talking after that for a fair bit longer.
“Eeee… just ignore her. She tends to do that from time to time." Said blue Pegasus. "Anyways, I'm Rainbow Dash, fastest flier Equestria had ever seen and a future Wonderbolt!”
“Glad to meet. I’m guessing those ‘Wonderbolts’ are some kind of air acrobatic team, right?”
“…and-than-we-would-make-a-giant-cake- with-chocolate-pieces-inside…
"They sure are! They're the best of bests among flyers! And soon I'm going to join them!" Rainbow said with confidence. This was the moment when Revan took an interest in her hair… or mane rather. It had all colors of the rainbow. Guess the name’s fitting. Nonetheless, it doesn’t look natural at all. But again that’s only by my standards. Can be perfectly normal for them.
“Could you answer one question for me?”
“Shoot”
“…on-second-thought-walking-on-hot-coal-doesn’t-sound-all-that-fun…”
“Is your hair natural or is it painted?”
“It’s natural. That’s pretty funny story actually. Before my dad was born, and my granny was pregnant, certain ‘brilliant’ doctor gave her a liquid rainbow instead of a vaccine. That made my dad’s hair get all rainbow and I just got that from him.” She explained.
“Hehe, sound's like the story of my life…"
“What do you mean by that?” Asked Twilight. Sweet Celestia, questioning him is going to be so interesting!
"…and-I-will-teach-you-and-everypony-else-how to-open-locks-in-doors-because-I-know-how…"
"If it would be brighter here, you'd-" He was cut off by Twilight's horn starting to glow with purple light. He got startled a bit but quickly shook it off with a single through – Magic.
Before Revan could continue, Mischief started to take interest in Unicorn’s glowing horn. He got up and run straight to Twilight. His leash was unattached because holding it made it harder for Revan to swim. She took few steps back but Mischief got closer and started sniffing her horn.
“Mischief, get back here!” Ordered Revan.
The dog turned to Revan and before going back to him gave Twilight a lick in the face. She tried to get her face away but dog hit his target anyways.
“…after-that-she-will-get-mad-and-throw-you-out-of-her-house…”
"Well, it seems that for some reason he likes you," Revan said with a smile on his face, while Twilight was trying to get her face cleaned up. "Anyway, like I was saying. My right eye-" he was again interrupted. This time it was Fluttershy's doing.
*Gasp* "Oh my! Your eye!" She flew to him and caught his face in her hooves. "It's whole red. Does it hurt? Do you need help? Is that infectious?" Revan couldn't notice how soft her hooves were. They were still harder than a hand but much softer than hooves of ponies he's used to.
"I was getting to that. Some doctor swapped syringes and gave my mom a blood sample of some guy with albinism when she was pregnant. That made my eye to turn red and hair white, I'm also paler than I should be." He explained.
“…with-the-sound-of-newest-summer-hits…”
“Oh, so you’re not hurt or anything?” He nodded. “Ok, I’m sorry”
When Fluttershy got out of a view rest of ponies could see Revan’s eye.
“I must say it looks pretty cool.” Said Rainbow.
"Yes, it does look quite nice. I think I might have few ideas for clothes based on that concept." Added Rarity.
“Ok, so I guess we have introductions out of the way, now let’s get to that castle, ok? They all nodded.
All except one.
"Wait! You haven't introduced yourself yet! Well, you kind of said your name, but that doesn't count!" Said Pinkie Pie who despite talking all the time since she introduced herself (not wasting time on such unimportant things like breathing) knew exactly what was happening around.
“Very well then. My name is Revan Spicer, I’m a human and work as a police dog handler.”
"What's that ‘Police'?" Asked Applejack.
“Yes, I’ve never heard of it.” Added Twilight.
“Listen, we’ve got half an hour of walking before we get to the castle. How about we’ll answer each other’s questions on our way there?” Suggested Revan.
“Sounds reasonable enough. Lead the way then.” Replayed Twilight.
Revan nodded and turned back to where he came from and began walking. He turned his head back to make sure ponies follow; which they did (Rainbow flew, and Pinkie was jumping around). He sighed and focused back on walking. What have I gotten myself into…
Meanwhile, Nightmare Moon watched from the cover of the shadows. She hoped to use tales about unnatural creatures living in the Everfree forest to her advantage and scare those ponies off. Unfortunately, that didn't work. "Now that I think about it, that wasn't all that great of an idea in the first place."
But the fact that those ponies didn’t run away wasn’t what bothered her at the moment. It was the creatures she found at the castle. They somehow escaped from her magic prison.
That shouldn't be possible, the spell she cast was supposed to hold them both in stasis. Yet somehow they got away. That could mean only one thing – That Revan must be an extremely powerful mage (like she assumed before, that dog was his pet). Not many could resist stasis spell, powerful unicorns like Star Swirl the Bearded certainly could do so, magic accumulated in their bodies would protect them. But she could not feel any magic from him.
To get out of stasis field combined with the magic shield was one thing. But to hide one's magical presence? That was on a completely different level. She and her ‘sister' were the only ones who could accomplish that. And still that was a hard feat for both of them.
Yet this 'human' doesn't even seem to give any effort to accomplish that. She didn't know how powerful he was, but she knew one thing. He was a threat to her plans and thus had to be eliminated.
She turned into a dark shroud of smoke and flew ahead of the group. She needed some time to prepare her trap so she began to look for something that would stop them for long enough.
And there it was. In the nearby river, dragon-serpent was stylizing his mustache. She could clearly see Hairspray in his hair (a LOT of it). Nightmare was thousands of years old, and despite 1000 years spent on the moon, she still knew how to read other creatures. And this one's obsession in terms of his look she could feel from miles away (he used strong perfumes).
She flew in front of him and cut off half of his mustache. Like she suspected, serpent began to mourn about his lost facial hair while Nightmare flew deeper into the forest, preparing the trap for those who dared to stand in her way.