One-Eyed Reaper

by Skettch


Episode- 1 -Faded

Life for Twilight Sparkle couldn't have been better, she had a whole groups of friends, Equestria was faced with massive dangers less and less each day, and she was, like always, Celestia's favorite student. She couldn't help it, she was giddy. Mostly. Something had been nagging at her for ages, it wasn't like she could put her hoof on it though. She often sat attempting to figure it out, but currently, she was having her favorite sandwich, a slightly toasted dandelion and tomato sandwich.

The crunch of the dandelions filled her mouth along with the slight tang of the tomato, and she looked out over the buildings of Ponyville with somewhat of a sigh. It was a typical day, and various ponies wandered the town, stopping at stalls or the stores. She looked up at the weather pegasi who were clearing the skies for the day. It looked like it'd be another summer day, although a slightly troubled one for the lavender mare. She frowned as she took another bite.

Something felt quite off, and she knew what. Off in the distance, a figure was leaping into the air and disappearing before reappearing several yards ahead in the direction it jumped. No one else had noticed, largely because it was still very small, and also because they weren't as focused as Twilight. She jumped up with a start and almost knocked over the table. After a quick apology to the waiter, she leapt out of her seat and went galloping towards the slowly approaching figure. It looked like it was coming from the Everfree towards Fluttershy's cottage.

She raced past the bend and almost bowled over her shy Pegasus friend, apologizing as she ran past the cottage before finally stopping near the figure. A large ape-like stature without any hair except that atop its head, the figure looked directly at her with one eye. On its body it wore dark clothes, ones that might have infuriated Rarity if she saw them, and a red article adorned its chest. It stopped and looked at her, murmuring to itself, "There are more here, but... What are they?"

She stopped, she didn't quite understand it, not because of its language, but what it was referring to. It had spoken to her, quite the opposite, it was clearly talking to itself. A brief glow of yellow from its eyes and Twilight stumbled back, she had blanked out and ended up in a complete different standing position. The figure looked frustrated. "No..." it muttered.

Twilight blinked, why was it speaking in such a broken way? It was clearly capable of thought and communication. Maybe something was wrong with it? That had to be it! She let out a small squeal of delight. That was what had been missing, science, and a challenge! Twilight finally stopped and tapped the figure with her hoof and motioned for him, she was guessing it was male, to follow her.

"Its this way," she said, motioning a hoof again. The figure paused and squinted at her with a frown. Twilight's breath hitched. She couldn't be sure he would follow. After a moment or two, he nodded and started following her. With a relaxed sign she turned around and made towards the library, having him follow behind her. The ponies in town would likely accept as normal, considering what Ponyville faced here and there.

She was right, no one said anything as she was followed by the figure up to her library. She opened the door and immediately made towards her roll of parchment on a podium of sorts. Spike was out for the day, so it was up to here to wrote the letter to the princesses about the new arrival. The real question she had for herself was how to describe the figure to the princesses without a picture. She could send one, but the princesses needed to see this in person. It was very curious, at least in her opinion.

Dear Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,
Today I encountered a bipedal creature, much like a Minotaur but not as muscular nor broad, if anything it looks like it could be a primate of some sort, but not one that I know of. I know they're not in Wild Green's Encyclopedia of the Natural Animals of Equus, because I've read it over many times. No whatever they are either went extinct long, long ago. I would like you to come see this creature at your first chance.

Forever your student,
Twilight Sparkle

She sent it off to the princesses, looking around the room for the creature. It seemed to be looking at the books and its body was glowing an odd color. It wasn't inherently odd, considering unicorns and magic, but she was still confused. Other than teleportation, it hadn't show other magical abilities. Hopefully going unnoticed, she cast a spell, one intended to analyze the creature's magical abilities. After a second or two of her horn glowing faintly, she stumbled backwards in shock.

The creature had no magic, not anywhere in its body. There was a literal 100% lack of magic in its body, which would have been impossible. Star Swirl and various other ponies had proved that a living thing needed magic, no matter how small an amount, to survive! She cast the spell again, and again. No matter how many times she cast it, the result were the same. This creature wasn't even alive by her world's standards, but here it was, moving around as if it were actually alive! Even if it were dead, magic would have been present.

Twilight was forced to reevaluate the existence of life and magic as connected. This creature disproved what had long been considered magical fact in her world! She immediately felt both completely euphoric and terrified. Euphoric, because here was something new and unknown! Terrified, because, well, it disproved half of her world's previous sciences. Oh, she'd give it that, it was going to help them make significant advances just by existing. However, she'd be forced to rewrite many of her idols theories and experiments!

"How can you even exist?" she shouted at the creature, her mane starting to look frazzled, "You completely upset the laws of this world! Nothing about our world suits you as far as I can see!" Twilight shouted, yes, she could be overreacting, but if her suspicions were correct, her entire scientific field would be put into question.

The creature looked at her quietly, not fully registering her, before suddenly reaching into it's pocket and pulling out something wrapped in a small white-colored bag. Without a word, it pulled it out revealing some sort of food. It chomped down on one of the balls on the stick. She watched still frazzled as it ate the rest silently before putting it in the bag and looking back towards the books, that odd glow returning to its face.

"Do you even understand me!?" Twilight shouted. The creature remained motionless, but its head dipped momentarily. Twilight's eyes widened, it did understand but something else was wrong here. After a few more moments, during which Twilight had successfully calmed herself enough to not go full on fire-rage unicorn, the creature grabbed a book and looked at something in it.

"A map of Equus?" she muttered. The creature's original glow disappeared and it looked down at the map intently before setting it on a nearby table and starting towards the door.

A moment of hesitation before Twilight blocked it, "You're not leaving until I figure you out!"

The figure stopped and looked at her with a glare, noting her obvious determination, before finally turning around and sitting down on the floor, pulling another bit of food from its pocket in silence and starting to eat. She looked at it in curiosity, "How did you even get here?"