Chapter 1
It's like a dream that I'm living. I wander this endless landscape, searching for any sign that I'm not the only one walking til my feet bleed. But there was never anything to find. I roamed for countless years trying to prove I wasn't alone. And then it happened.
I saw them along the edge of the ocean, tracks of some sort left in the sand. They were small, yet distinct. I followed them as far as I could until I came upon the edge of an immense stretch of trees, the tracks continued passed the tree line and were lost in the dense foliage.
I knew there was no way I'd be able to find whatever left those tracks in the sand, but I ventured into the forest all the same. It was dark, the top of the trees nowhere to be found as I wandered aimlessly through the brush. The sound of branches crunching beneath my feet was the only noise to pierce my ears as I amble through the trees in my search for what could be the first living creature I've ever seen. But as I ventured further and further forward, my eyes became increasingly heavy, so much so that I had to stop and sit against a large tree.
What was going on? I've never felt like this before. My eye lids were weighed down as a shiver ran up my spine and pins and needles shot through my limbs. Something was wrong. I tried my best to get to my feet but it was of no use as everything went dark.
I've seen it countless times before. Death, that is. I know by now it shouldn't bother me but you know? It still hits me hard when I watch another race die. A whole species lost to the fleeting moments in time that I dare not look back on. Every time a species comes to extinction and a new race takes it's place as the most intelligent beings on the planet, I go into a slumber of sorts. As if I'm hibernating, only to wake up when the new rulers arrive.
When I finally wake up and get my barrings again, everything has changed. The landscapes are vastly different and the reigning races are always new. This time is no different as I stare out at the bright colors of the land. The grass is far greener than any I've seen before as I look out onto the horizon. Bright blues taking over the sky and crisp reds and yellows taking over the trees.
This time hurts the most though. They were like me, physically speaking anyways. Tall, bipedal creatures with hair on the tops of their heads and small patches scattered throughout the rest of their bodies. They called themselves 'Humans', a title that I've grown quite fond of myself and they were one of the most intelligent species I had ever seen in all my years.
I had seen the dinosaurs come and go, the age of ice as the warm blooded creatures took over the land and called it their own... And I was there when there was nothing. As far as I knew I was the very first living thing with sentience on this planet, and yet no other creature could see me. I was all alone in this expansive world. Left to watch from the shadows and species after species lived out their lives and died before my eyes.
Every species had a beginning and every species had their own extinction and with the end of life on the planet, a new ruling species would take over, be it the great lizards, the wooly beasts, or the intelligent humans, they all had a beginning and sadly they all came to a tragic end.
But every time it was the same routine. With the extinction and birth of every new race. I would go into a deep slumber and awake to a whole new world of wonders for me to explore.
With the death of the humans, I could feel the darkness creeping further and further into my mind as I found a place to rest my head. It could be a millenia or more before I finally awoke to a new world and I couldn't be more scared. It always scared me when this happened. After growing accustomed to one type of being roaming the planet, I never knew what I would wake up to next. This time was no different as darkness finally took over.
The first sense to return to me when I awoke was sound. It was subtle at first but unmistakable as it became clearer. The sound of birds in the distance was the first thing to caress my thoughts before my sense of touch took over. The softest grass I had ever felt rested beneath me as I felt my new surroundings. Curiosity getting the best of me, I slowly sat up and cracked open my eyes. Instantly I reeled back as sunlight assaulted my eyes for the first time in I don't know how long.
Giving them a second to adjust, I tried to open my eyes again, much slower this time. The landscape around me was vibrant and alive with color as I scoured my surroundings. Everywhere I looked, color was there to greet me. Bright greens, vivid blues and yellows of every hue.
Slowly getting to my feet I stretched out my limbs, hearing a satisfying pop as my joints finally moved for the first time in ages. With a sigh of relief I took hold of my surroundings and headed in the first direction I looked in. With a nervous skip in my step, I wandered the new forest I awoke in as I walked towards an opening in the treeline just off in the distance.
Keeping my eyes on the opening I ducked and weaved through this new world in search for civilization. Everything from the plants, animals, and even the insects here were different from anything I'd seen in my ages. Even the air felt fresher than ever before.
Taking in a deep breath I crossed the tree line and had to shield my eyes once again as the brightness of the morning sun hit me full force. Lowering my hand I scanned the landscape and my jaw hung slack as I took in the area around me.
Birds were soaring through the sky, chirping happily as the raced through the air. Squirrels and other little critters were frolicking through the grass, chasing each other and wrestling in the warm rays basking down on them.
It all seemed so peaceful. Much more so than when the Humans were around. There wasn't the sounds of cars or planes or really anything mechanical anywhere that I could see. It was just nature to it's full extent. Except for the dirt path to my right that I saw out of the corner of my eye.
Taking that as a sign of intelligence, I chose to follow the road to where ever it would lead me. With the morning rays beaming down on me I felt a sense of peace and calmness wash over me. When the Humans were around there was always something going on, one conflict or another, but this place, this time. It all felt so... so quiet. And I loved it.
Whistling a jaunty tune to myself, hand held behind my head I saw what looked like a small cottage. Bird houses and animal burrows were everywhere as I took in the sight before me.
"I wonder who... or what lives here?" I thought to myself as I walked closer to the small home. Walking over to the side of the house I peered in through one of the many windows only to be greeted with darkness. Taking that as a hint that no one was home, I turned tail and headed back to the path I was on and followed it further away from the forest I woke up in.
It wasn't long before I was left standing on the outskirts of a quaint little village. The roofs were all made of straw as far as I could tell, and the buildings themselves seemed to be made of wood and stone. There was a sign just off to the side of the road that I couldn't quite make out. Walking towards it I began to make out the what was said.
"Welcome to Ponyville". Hmm... Ponyville... Ponys? Wasn't that like, a small horse? What a weird name for a village.
Figuring I wouldn't figure out anything else just standing there I ventured forth into the little town of Ponyville. The dirt path gradually turned to cobblestone the closer I got and soon enough there was no trace of the dirt path I once followed to be found.
That was when I saw them. Bright, pastel coloured ponies everywhere I looked going about there daily business. There were a few chatting at what I assumed to be a cafe of sorts, as well as a handful of ponies standing behind carts selling various goods to the townsfolk.
Given my past interactions with various species, be them intelligent or wild. None of them have been able to see or feel my presence. As if I were a ghost to everything around me. For all I knew I could very well be.
Walking through the small crowds of ponies I could see how calm and pleasant they were. Smiles were on every face I could see and laughter could be heard in any direction.
That was when I felt a gentle nudge on the side of my knee and heard a faint squeak to my left.
"Oh my goodness I'm so sorry! I wasn't loo- eep!"
Looking down I saw a butter yellow pony with long light pink hair that hung down to her hooves staring wide eyed up at me. It wasn't until I took a better look that I saw the wings clinging tightly to her sides.
"A pegasus?" I thought as we continued to stare at each other. I don't think she was breathing though as she hadn't moved a muscle in a few seconds now.
"Uh... Hello?" I said tentatively, not knowing entirely what was going on. Usually things just phase through me without a single glance in my direction.
With a scream that could break ear drums, the little pegasus took off running up the street, ponies from all over watching her as she made it to the dirt path and kept going towards what looked like the cottage.
The amount of confusion was palpable as I just stared at where the little yellow pegasus had been. I could hear murmurs around me but no other pony was looking in my direction. "None of them could see me. So what made this yellow one so special?" I thought as I slowly made my way towards the cottage.