//------------------------------// // 2: Where are you going? // Story: Dawn of The Ice King // by KingdomBrony16 //------------------------------// When Chris awoke the sun was already pretty far up into the sky, not noon high, but almost there. He sat up groggily and waited for his mind to wake up with the rest of him. When it finally did, he noticed a sheet of paper on the table. Dear Chris, If you are reading this then I’m out gathering supplies, I advise that you head to Ponyville, the town you ran through, as soon as you finish reading this letter. Oh, I also advise that you wear the cloak that’s hanging by the door as to not scare the townsfolk anymore than you did last night. One more thing, follow the path and only the path do not wander from it at all for any reason. Love, your friend, Zecora Chris turned the sheet of paper over before writing a simple thank you and left it on the table. He stood up and stretched, popping several joints before walking over to the door and slipping on the cloak. He left the little tree hut and began the walk towards Ponyville. It took roughly 20 minutes before he started to see the town, only then did he realize that he didn’t have the hood up when he quickly pulled it up and over his head, the shadows hiding his face completely. As he walked through town, he gained a few looks but nothing that would cause too much of a commotion. He realized that he didn’t know where this Twilight Sparkle Zecora mentioned other than that she lived in a tree as well so he stopped and asked a gray pony with a blonde mane and tail, wearing what looked like a mail person’s uniform, where he could find where she lived. She turned around and he saw something that surprised him a little, he eyes were a bit wonky, but, again for some reason it made her look really freaking cute. “Oh, Twilight’s? Uhm… it’s down this street and to the left, you can’t miss it.” She said. “Thank you miss, sorry for disturbing you.” Chris said before bowing a bit and walking off leaving the mare confused. “…He wasn’t put off by my eyes… I wonder who he was? Seemed nice too.” She shrugged and continued on her business of delivering mail. Chris continued his walk until he came across literally the only tree in the entire town and sure enough it had a door, a window, and a balcony higher up. He went to knock on the door before hearing a bit of murmuring coming from inside. “Listen Twi, we looked all over town and even in the Everfree a mite, iffin’ the creature was still around its mighty sneaky.” Said a voice with a thick accent. “I’m afraid I have to agree with Applejack on this one darling, if the dreadful thing was still around it is hiding rather well or it simply might not be around at all. And truthfully I hope it’s gone all together, from what pinkie told us he acted rather rudely” Said another voice this time with a posh accent. “It was really fast, I couldn’t catch it and I wanted to throw it a party too.” Said an all too familiar voice. “Well I know if I had been chasing it, it wouldn’t have gotten away I AM the faster flyer in all of Equestria after all.” Said a rough but feminine voice. “I don’t know girls, it could still be around, I mean Pinkie did say it ran off towards the Everfree and that is really close to Fluttershy’s cottage.” Said a new voice. “Uh… Well, I wasn’t home until much later that night so I didn’t see anything run by… sorry.” Said an incredibly, almost inaudible voice. Chris sat and thought, listening to them talk whether or not it would be a good idea to knock on the door, but they didn’t seem to want to harm him only find him, so against a little voice in his head saying otherwise he knocked on the door and waited. A few moments later the door was answered by a 4 foot purple and green lizard… actually he looked like a small dragon. “May I help you?” He asked, obviously annoyed. Chris blinked, not that he could see it, “Uh, right, does Twilight Sparkle live here?” He leaned back and shouted into the house, “Twilight, there’s some weirdo in a cloak here asking for you.” He looked back with a smirk, “She’ll be right with you.” He sighed and rubbed his nose in annoyance, “Brat.” “Uhm, may I help you?” A voice said. Chris opened his eyes to see an average height pony human (fuck it I’m calling them satyrs, yes I know what satyrs are I’m just lazy) with purple fur, dark purple hair and tail with a purple and pink stripe going through them, she was wearing a light blue shirt and a dark purple miniskirt. “Uh, I’m guessing you’re Twilight Sparkle? Well I found that creature you all were looking for.” He said with a slight mocking tone that she obviously didn’t pick up on. Her eyes lit up like stars in the night sky, “Really?! I... Uh I mean, really? Would you lead me and my friends to him?” “I don’t think there will be any need for that Ms. Twilight.” Chris said raising his hands to his hood. “Why is that Mr.…?” Chris pulled his hood back causing her to gasp, “It’s Chris McGrath and why? Because I am that creature, pleased to meet ya.” He held out a hand not really expecting her to shake it. What he didn’t expect was her to grab his arm and pull him inside and close the door quickly. “Whoa, a bit forward aren’t we Ms. Twilight?” Chris joked but ultimately ended up being ignored. She looked up the stairs that were in the back of the… library… her home was a library, alright. She looked up the stairs and yelled, “Spike come here and bring a quill and some paper.” Then she looked back to him and just stared intently. “Yeah Twili-WOAH… is that the creature? I was right it was a weirdo at the door.” Spike said stunned. “Well you ain’t much of a looker either shortcake.” Chris said sticking out his tongue. Twilight snapped her fingers, “Enough, Spike, send a letter to Celestia saying we have the creature. Also, girls, I have the creature.” She said towards a side room. When she said that 5 more ponies came out and one was very VERY familiar to him. “Whoa nelly, that’s the creature? Looks a mite weird if ya ask me.” Said the orange one with the country accent, blonde pony tail, and… pony… tail… and what looked like cowgirl clothes hat and all. “Eh, he doesn’t look that fast at all pinkie, I don’t know what you were smoking to think that he was fast.” Said that one with the scratchy voice and rainbow hair and tail… also she seemed to be wearing a baggy t-shirt and some shorts, talk about not caring what you look like. Also wings… wait… oh huh Pegasus satyr. “I don’t know Dashie he ran pretty fast, I bet he could play some dancing games really well, if he stopped acting like a Meanie mean pants so I could ask him.” She hmphed while still keeping a really wide smile. She was wearing a shirt that simply said cupcakes and a vest over it with some jeans. Probably the most normal one so far in terms of clothes. “Well I can’t attest for how tough he looks like Applejack over there but I am curious as to why he decided to wear that outfit, I mean that cloak really, it would make me faint if I never saw what Rainbow Dash wore every day.” The White one with swirly purple hair and tail and a horn… unicorn satyr. Actually Twilight was one as well, huh. Anyway the White one was wearing… a dress? A light purple casual dress that still looked fancy as all hell. Alright. The last one, a yellow Pegasus with flowing pink hair and tail. She was wearing a hugging sweater and some jean shorts decided to speak up, “Rarity that wasn’t very nice to either Rainbow or Mr. Creature here. I mean he looks a bit nervous, also that scratch on his forehead looks really bad… I should look at it… i-if he doesn’t mind that is.” “Uh…. No I wouldn’t mind, it’s actually been bugging me for quite some time.” Chris replied. Fluttershy ‘eeped’ and hid behind apple jack and the rest of them excluding pinkie, Twilight, and Spike stepped back in surprise. “What?” “Uhm… we didn’t know you could talk dear.” Rarity said. “Well that’s silly, I even told you guys he could talk, remember?” Pinkie said. “Uhm… Right ya did Pinks; I don’t quite reckon how we forgot.” Applejack said. “Most likely form the shock of having a new creature here, anyway you weren’t exactly expecting me to know your language which as far as I can tell is pretty much exactly like English, though I doubt you call it that here.” Chris said with a wave of his hand. “Anyway...” He turned to Twilight, “I heard you might be able to send me home?” Twilight blinked in surprise. “Me? Well yes I suppose I could but, if you don’t mind can we wait till my mentor gets here?” “Sure no problem, I’m cool with relaxing, the walk here was pretty long.” Chris said, stretching. “Uhm if you don’t mind answering a few questions, I’d like to ask some. Until then but first let me introduce you to my friends. You’ve already met my number one assistant, Spike; he’s a baby dragon and like all children can be a bit rowdy.” She said pointing to the small dragon. “Hey I understand that very well, oh and sorry about the short comment Spike, just retaliation to being called weird.” Chris held out a hand to shake and Spike shook it. “S’cool dude. Hey Twi, Imma be taking a nap if you need me.” He said before walking back upstairs. Twilight sighed, “He’s always sleeping, anyway this Applejack.” She pointed to the orange pony. “Howdy” she said with a nod and tip of her hat. Chris just waved with a small smile. “The one in the dress is Rarity.” She pointed to the white one. “Hello, darling.” She held out a hand. “Pleasure is all mine my lady.” He bowed and took her hand kissing it She blushed, “Oh my, isn’t he quite the gentlecolt.” Twilight shook her head and moved on, “Well you’ve already met Pinkie Pie.” “Hiya again Me. Meanie pants.” She said with a bounce. “Hello, oh and sorry for freaking out earlier Ms. Pie, I was just a bit startled is all, didn’t mean to be rude or anything.” Chris said rubbing the back of his head. “That’s ok, as long as you come to my welcome party for you ill forgive you. OH! And just call me Pinkie, all my friends do.” She said with the widest smile anyone has ever seen ever. Twilight smiled, “The brash one over there is Rainbow Dash.” She pointed to the Rainbow one, duh. “Sup, I’m Rainbow Dash, The Dash, fastest flyer in all of Equestria if not the world.” She said with a puffed out chest and brazen smile. Chris’ smile instantly faded and he just said a simple, “Yo.” “Hey why’d your smile disappear when I said something?” Chris shook his head, “Oh, sorry, I was just… thinking.” Twilight gave a nervous laugh, “Anyway, the last one and the one who is hiding behind AJ is Fluttershy.” She said pointing to the yellow and pink hiding behind Applejack. “Is she always this shy around new people?” Chris asked. “People? Uhm well yes she’s like this around new ponies.” Twilight confirmed. Chris looked to Applejack, “Uhm, Ms. Applejack would you mind moving so I may talk to Ms. Fluttershy? I promise not to hurt her or anything.” Applejack gave him a hard stare, “Alright, I believe ya partner, but you do one thing to Shy here and…” “I know, I know… trust me I understand protecting your friends very well.” He said that last part in a near whisper. And applejack moved aside, startling Fluttershy making her look for a new place to hide. Chris, got on one knee and put a hand on her shoulder, “Hey Ms. Fluttershy, I’m not going to hurt you or any of your friends I promise.” Fluttershy looked up at him, “Oh… I-I know I’m just really scared and nervous, and honestly I’m always like this around new ponies.” “Hmmmm well two things, one I’m not a pony. And I’m like that too, all the time with new people or ponies.” Her eyes widened, “You are? How’d you get over that fear?” Chris chuckled, “I’ll tell you a secret, I haven’t, I’m actually terrified right now to be talking to some many people-er… ponies at once and I want to curl up in a ball too but, I’m pushing it back. So since I’m doing that, can you do that for me too?” She nodded, “I- I can try.” Chris smiled and stood back up, “That’s all I ask is for you, to try.” He held out a hand which she took and stood up. He turned around to see everyone with slacked jaws. “What?” he asked. “I… uh… How did you get Fluttershy to come out of her shell so fast?” Twilight asked. “It took me to have Spike say something.” “Eh, I’m just like her honestly, when it comes to meeting new… uh ponies. I’m usually incredibly shy and I stick off to a corner and panic a bit whenever someone talks to me. So I knew what to say.” Chris said with a shrug. “Well you seem to be doing alright for someone who’s supposed to be so shy. Are you sure you aren’t lying?” Rainbow questioned. Chris nodded. “I’m sucking up my shyness because it would cause me not to talk and I would halt my progress getting home. Oh and I haven’t introduced myself yet.” ‘oh I always wanted to do this’ He thought while grabbing the shoulder of the cloak and pulling it off and throwing it in one swift motion, striking a pose, “The name’s Chris, Chris McGrath but everyone just calls me Chris.” He got nothing but crickets as a response. “Yeah that came off as a lot cooler in my head.” He said with a sigh, though pinkie did giggle and the rest did smile a bit. “Well now that that’s out of the way, about those questions?” Twilight asked. “Ah right, ask away. Uh… actually do you mind if I sit on the floor? My legs are killing me.” She shook her head and took a seat on one of the large pillows across the room pulling out a quill, some ink, and some paper. “Ok first question, what are you?” “Straight to the most obvious huh? Alright, well I’m a human, scientific name, Homo sapien. Male of African, Irish, British, and Swedish decent, though I live in the country of United States of America.” She blinked and proceeded to write, “So what were all those things you said you are a descendent from?” “Ah you see, well… hmmm oh, so you see how you have the different races of ponies? Pegasus, Unicorn, and Normal, I’m assuming that’s all.” She nodded, “Well, normal ponies like pinkie or Applejack are called earth ponies and there is one more species but only 3 exist. They are known as the Alicorns and the members of that group are Princess Celestia, my mentor, her sister Princess Luna, and my old foal sitter Princes Cadence.” “Oh… ok, cool. Right, now seeing as you have 4 known races of pony, humans have hundreds of races spanning across our planet, which is called Earth by the way, and I’m just what came out of a few of those coming together a few times in the past.” He said while gesturing to himself. “Wow, your planet must be very big to have so many…” she stopped looking confused until you told her people. “Right, people, on it.” Chris sunk in to the wall a bit more, “Sadly not big enough, you see while our planet may be big like any other planet, save a few that are bigger or smaller, there are billions of us on it and us humans we don’t really understand how to not use up everything our planet gives us and while we may not be on the verge of killing our planet in the next year I have a feeling its going to happen within the next… thousand or so years, unless something major happens.” She cocked her head to the side, “Something major?” “Ah, well I meant, like, if we realize that shit is going south really fast we might be able to save ourselves… if not, then probably the next great extinction.” Twilight’s eyes widened, “The next great extinction? There were ones already?” He nodded, “Yeah, the first major one was when a meteor the size of our largest mountain crashed into our planet millions of years ago and wiped out the dominant species then, known as the dinosaurs. The next one, depending on who you ask, was the Ice Age where a good chunk of our planet froze over wiping out quite a few animals but not as much as the meteor which wiped about 95% of all life on Earth. But yeah other than that nothing has happened major to kill things on our planet unless you count wars.” At that everyone’s head turned and Fluttershy stammered, “Y-you have wars where you’re from?” Chris blinked, ‘Do they not have wars here? Or any sort of fighting at all?’ he thought before answering, “Uhm… yeah, yeah we do. I’ve never been part of any of them personally, members of my family have but I haven’t. I actually don’t like violence and avoid it if I can. I’ve been in a few scraps as a kid but that’s just how humans are as children, we generally grow out of it.” “Do you mind telling how your wars are?” Twilight asked. He thought about it for a second, “If I must, well our wars are fought over really anything, but mainly who wants this part of another countries land or whatever. Sure there are other reasons but the main ones are those. Sometimes they’re bloody, sometimes they aren’t, and sometimes they are down right unspeakable. I’d say the worst atrocity ever committed in war, in my opinion because some would disagree, is that an entire race/culture was almost wiped out in one part of our world within the span of 6 years.” “S-somepony did what?” Applejack asked. Chris head a serious look, “A man on our planet, 69-75 years ago, almost committed genocide, the total or near total destruction of a group of people for who they are.” Fluttershy had a few tears in her eyes, “Why would anypony do that?” Pinkie was oddly solemn too, “He sounds like a real jerk.” Chris nodded, “Sounded, is more like it, he is dead now actually he died a year before the war actually ended. But he did it because they didn’t fit into his perfect human vision.” “Perfect human vision?” Twilight asked. “Yeah, he saw white humans with blonde hair and blue eyes to be the perfect race of humans.” Chris said with distain in his voice. “But, if he got away with it, you wouldn’t be alive would you darling?” Rarity asked. “No… no I wouldn’t…” “That’s just evil; if I would’ve been there I would’ve kicked his flank from the moon and back.” Rainbow said. “Believe me we would’ve but getting to leaders is really difficult. Though, my country ain’t the holiest of saints either. During the same war, we caused it to end in a horrible way, but it was the only way the leaders of the country at the time saw that it would’ve ended the war. Actually may I ask you a question? You obviously have a princess, 3 actually so they have to have guards and a military, what’s the strongest weapon that’s known to pony kind?” He asked. “Uh… I guess they would be the elements of harmony. They turn anypony that’s evil to stone or good if the evil can be pushed out.” Twilight said. Chris raised an eyebrow, “Hmmm, interesting, but I’m guessing it can only affect one person at a time?” Twilight nodded in response. “Ok so now imagine an explosion so powerful that it can devastate an entire city and kill millions in one go.” They gasped, “Now imagine dropping two of those bombs in two different cities in the same country”. “That’s down right awful.” Applejack said. “Why would anything that could hurt so many innocent ponies be created?” Fluttershy asked. Chris gave out a heavy sigh and a dry chuckle, “The irony of it all is that it was created to maintain peace, but yes that’s what my country did, but we knew it was the worst thing, but we did it because, like I said, it was the only option they saw at the time. We helped the country out to rebuild and house and feed and take care of the people who survived but… still. I’m not proud of my country’s history but things have gotten much more peaceful after that, we have skirmishes with other countries and people die yes but… not as much as that, and hopefully never again.” “No… no offense, but your world sounds really dangerous.” Twilight said. Chris just gave a small smile, “It is, but it isn’t. It depends on where you go. But enough of the talk of wars and death and such…. Uhm how about a happy question?” Twilight nodded in agreement, “Uh… how old are you?” “I am 20 years old, turn 21 on February 24th, and I know you aren’t supposed to ask a… mare her age but how old are you all?” “21” Twilight said. “As am I darling.” Said Rarity. “Pinkie and I are 22, though I’m a bit older by a few months.” AJ said “Looks like me and you are the youngest, I’m 20 too.” Rainbow said. “I’m… I’m the oldest at 23.” Fluttershy said with a blush. Chris whistled, “Well, I’m the youngest in the group for once, awesome I’m usually the oldest.” “Oh oh oh I have a question, pick me next, pick me next.” Pinkie said bouncing up and down. “Pinkie, I’m going to ask once and only once, would please stop bouncing up and down? And also what’s your question?” She smiled and stopped bouncing, “Sorry hehehe, Uh, do you like parties?” Chris shook his head, “Honestly, not really, but…” He held up a hand before pinkie could cut him off, “… but, I don’t mind going to them as long as I have friends there.” She pouted, “Aw phooey… Well, I bet you’d like my parties.” Chris chuckled, “We’ll see if I’m here long enough.” “How fast are you?” came the question out of nowhere from Rainbow. “As a black man, faster than average the average human. Kidding, I’m not too fast I believe, though when I want to book it I can for a short time.” “Boring.” Chris just growled in return, “Anyway Rarity did you have a question?” “Only to what you’re wearing darling.” She simply said. “Oh… huh, I’m still in my sleeping clothes… I completely forgot about that.” He said looking at himself; he was wearing white and blue shorts and a light blue shirt “Ah I see, sorry if it seemed like I was saying anything bad.” She said looking him over. “Its fine, anyone else?” he asked, looking around. “I’d like to ask something, if you don’t mind.” You nodded and motioned Fluttershy to continue, “Well, do you like animals and did you have any pets?” Chris’ eyes lit up at that, “I love animals, and animals seem to love me no matter what. And I’ve had a few pets, yes. Though, not since I’ve lived on my own.” Fluttershy just smiled and nodded. “Well, I want to know about yer family, seeing as all we’ve heard was about yerself” She said with crossed arms. Chris’ eyes darkened and most of the ponies in the room noticed, “If it’s all right with you, I’d rather not.” His voice had a mixture of pain, sorrow, and regret flowing through it. “Right, sorry ‘bout that sugar cube. I shouldn’t have asked.” Apple jack said hanging her head. Chris waved it off, “Its fine, not like you knew. Anyway I have a question. Sooo, when you were sitting down Twilight, and I didn’t mean to look but, something caught my eye when you fixed your skirt. Actually it looks like it’s the same thing that’s on the right shoulder of your shirt. What was it? It looks too natural to be a tattoo or anything.” She raised an eyebrow thinking for a second, “My right shoulder…. Oh you mean my cutie mark. I’m guessing humans don’t have cutie marks?” He shook his head, “Well, a cutie mark lets us ponies know what our special talent is and such, mine is a sparkle or a flash or magic meaning my special talent is magic. Rarity’s are gems, meaning she’s good at finding gems and incorporating them into anything. Rainbow’s is a cloud and rainbow lightning bolt meaning that she is very fast. Applejack is well… apples meaning she’s good with apples of any kind. Pinkie’s are balloons which mean she’s good at throwing parties. And Fluttershy’s are butterflies showing that’s she’s good with animals.” “Huh… well that’s useful, we just have to try our luck at everything and see what hits the bulls eye.” He scratched his chin thinking what his cutie mark would be. “Well Princess Celestia should be here soon and I have on last question for you. Are all human’s eyes like that?” She asked. “Wait… what’s wrong with my-“ He was interrupted by a knock at the door. Twilight stood up quickly, “Oh, she’s here a lot earlier than I thought. Are you ready to meet the Princess?” The rest of the ponies and Chris stood up, “As ready as I’ll ever be.” And so Twilight opened the door.