//------------------------------// // Chapter 4. The Problem With Being Me // Story: Tales Of An Outcast // by PrismStrike //------------------------------// It's been about two days now since I killed that stallion and protected that filly. Nothing really came of it no major uproar or anything save for a very stern lecture from Twilight about why its not ok under any circumstance to ever kill a pony. She had gone on as well to congratulate me for having protected the filly but I didn't hear it my mind focusing on the fact that I had done something wrong. Things quickly returned to normal though and Twilight wasted no time in starting me on doing math. I kinda hate it the numbers make my head hurt but the way I feel when she tells me I got something right makes me press on that is until that second day after the incident. So as it is I'm in Twilight's throne room sitting in Pinkies chair who has graciously said I could use it during study time with Twilight. "Whats the answer to this one" Twilight says to me pointing to one of the math problems in the textbook. "Uhhhhhhh" I say looking at the math problem closely which for most ponies who would be around my age would be nothing but has kept me staring blankly at the page for the last few minutes a crease furrowed into my brow from concentration. I stare at the problem Five plus two equals before finally saying "five and two is" I quickly count up using my clawed fingers my ability to use words improving on almost a daily basis. "It 7" Twilight looks at me smiling "That is correct good work" Every time she says that to me, my entire body is filled with warmth and happiness like a foal who has just impressed their parents with something. Sadly it doesn't last my powerful senses picking up the scents and sounds of no less than ninety ponies approaching the castle. Twilight of course sees the change in my body language immediately "Whats wrong Prism" she asks with concern seeing me tense up. Before I can answer though the room fills with a blinding flash of light leaving me temporarily unable to see as spots flood my vision. When my vision returns to me I can see that I'm currently surrounded by ponies. All of them white from snout to wingtips all of them in shiny looking shirts pointing shiny things with nasty looking points at every intersection of my scales the only places that I could easily be hurt. Behind them stands a mare as tall as I am her coat of the purest of whites, her long multicolored mane and tail flowing softly in a breeze that all my senses say does't exist. I can easily see this ponies wings and horn though and I can feel the power she has radiating from her body. Twilight has since gotten up from her chair and is addressing the much larger mare. "Celestia what are you doing here and why have your guards surrounded him?" I can hear Twilight ask the larger mare. "I have had reports of a strange creature being sighted around Ponyville. Its description matched a type of creature that has continued to plague Equestria since long before my rule ever started. Seeing as its true I believe the actions I have taken necessary to protect this land" The one called Celestia replies to Twilight her tone almost cold and emotionless despite the smile upon her face. "But but but hes not like the ones who have come before him hes nothing like the ones in the books" Twilight cries out The larger one stops for a moment seeming to study Twilight as if looking for any hint of trickery. After studying Twilight's pained expression for a few moments she raises a hoof and the ponies surrounding me all move back lowering their weapons but looking as if they could strike at a single moment. She then turns to me her face showing nothing and then she speaks. "It is possible that what you say is true Twilight but you have yet to live through an attack by one of his kind. They are vile creatures who feed upon our kind without regard. Many in the past having taken great joy in both killing and eating ponies." After a moment to collect herself from the shock of Celestia's words Twilight manages to speak "He's not like that though. Hes been here almost 10 days now and has shown no hint of aggression or violence towards me or any other pony in Ponyville" Twilight says desperately trying to save me from what she knows will happen as the book she had read about my kind had stated quite clearly in big bold all capitol letters 'DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPROACH. HIGHLY DANGEROUS. INFORM LOCAL GUARD OF SIGHTING SO THAT APPROPRIATE ACTIONS MAY BE TAKEN' "You say he has done nothing aggressive or violent" the big mare almost seems shocked Finally I speak up replying for twilight. "Me good. No hurt pony. Me friend" I say putting a smile on my face as I take a step forward extending out a clawed hand to her like a foal would, slow and sheepishly only to be met with the metal tips of the weapons that the white, winged ponies are holding. One of them speaking up "You will not approach the Princess creature" the pony says with a commanding tone to which I shrink back putting my arm back at my side a look like a colt caught in a disobedient act. I look to the big mare in the room it being fairly obvious that she is the one in charge here what I see though is strange. The big mare has her mouth open and a look of utter shock upon her face as if the very act of me speaking had been far outside of what she expected which her words only prove to me "It can talk" She says disbelievingly looking between me and Twilight. "Yes HE can talk. I've been teaching him to read, to speak Equestrian and only just yesterday I started teaching him math" Twilight says looking quite proud of herself to me "You should have informed me about this right away Twilight. His kind can be VERY dangerous to ponies" The big mare says her stoic look back upon her face all emotion once more hidden. "I..I'm sorry Celestia" Twilight says in return "I was going to when he had learned to talk properly when he could show himself to not be the monster his kind is depicted as. You haven't seen him these last few days though. He might be as tall as you but he is still very much like a colt mentally. He is learning fast and I promise I will take full responsibility for him and his actions. I am the Princess of Friendship and as such it is MY duty to bring its magic to all corners of Equestria." Twilight then points at me with a hoof. "If I am to do that though I must be allowed to bring it to ALL of its citizens especially to those in need and from what I can tell he DOES need it. From what I have learned from him he has been alone for most of his life, living in a forest fending for himself without ANYpony to love, care for or guide him. Through all of that though he has managed to not become a monster like all those before him. I've actually done quite a bit of research into the area where he was found and I have not been able to find a single reported death in that area for over fifty years." Twilight finishes her speech with a smile and flick of her wings a great big smile on my face not from her words as I only understood half of what she said but from the tone of her voice, somepony was sticking up for me was standing up to another far more powerful without moving a hoof in retreat and for reasons I never end up fully understanding I start to cry. Only a few tears at first but then quickly builds until I'm blubbering like a foal on the floor. This display bringing me the full attention of all in the room who simply just stare at this large vicious looking creature curled up and crying on the crystal floor like a young colt. I don't even realize that anypony has moved until I feel a hoof on my back softly rubbing my scales. "Shhhh Shhhhh it is alright Prism" Twilight's soft voice reaches my ears and I slowly uncurl myself looking up into her big purple eyes a few sobs and sniffles still escaping from me and Twilight pulls me into a hug which I return. Once I have calmed Twilight looks to the other mare and says "As I said his mind is barely that of a colt hes not a danger to anypony" I now look to the big white mare whose gaze has softened considerably a warm smile now adorning her face but sadness in her eyes. "Alright Twilight I will entrust you with his care, teaching and instruction in our ways and laws. but know that if he should become a threat to Equestria he will not be given a second chance" the big mare says almost matronly but the undertone of the threat doesn't slip past either my or Twilight's notice. "I understand and I won't let you or him down" Twilight says looking from the mare to me with a smile which I return happily. Shortly after the big white mare and all of the white, winged ponies that were with her are gone leaving just me and Twilight in the room. I look to her and before I can say anything she says "Well at least now that wont be happening again' With a sigh and a look around "Why don't we take a break for lunch huh?" Twilight says to me her smile having not yet left her face. I nod and happily follow her to the kitchen for a meal.