“Very good Reiver,” said Cheerilee. “Your hoofwriting is much better than when we started.”
Reiver put down the pencil as he stared at the Equestrian script. Despite his tutoring they still looked like squiggly lines, although now he could partially understand them. The exercise he had just completed was one that helped develop his hoof control, reading and writing abilities. It was thanks to these lessons that he could now pick up and hold objects firmly, as well as read, albeit with a little difficulty.
It undoubtedly helped that he had been gaining strength since being put back onto solid foods. His gluten intolerance still kept him from eating everything, but thanks to the Apple Family, and Pinkie Pie, he no longer looked like one of the walking dead, although he was still skinny.
He looked up at Cheerilee as the mare inspected his efforts, he had been incredibly nervous around her when they started, it was also somewhat humiliating for him to have to learn these basic skills all over again. Thankfully, Cheerilee had been both patient and understanding during as she taught, patiently explaining the Equestrian language to the colt. He could see why the Ponyville foals loved her so much.
“It's still not neat,” he replied, a little disappointed.
“Maybe it isn't neat, but it is clear and readable,” she replied. “Remember, I’m going to be continuing these lessons after you join my class on Monday.”
Reiver inwardly groaned, school had been difficult enough the first time around, plus there was the fact he hadn’t really left the farmhouse ever since his arrival, in truth he was a little scared of going out into Ponyville. His time in the Everfree Forest had left some mental scars that weren't healing as easily as his body. The nightmares had thankfully subsided, but he had never left the house because he was still afraid of being attacked by something.
Thankfully he wasn't going in blind, or alone. Cheerilee had also been tutoring him on the basics of the Equestria curriculum, Reiver was grateful for that because at least he wouldn't look like a fool if called on to answer a question. Furthermore, the Cutie Mark Crusaders would be joining him in school, something that made him feel a bit better about the whole thing.
“I think thats enough for today,” she continued. “I’ll leave some supplies so Applejack doesn't have to go hunting for schoolbooks over the weekend.”
Reiver began to tidy up his desk, it had been a broken down old thing that Big Mac fixed up for him, beautifully restoring the woodwork to its original lustre. When he saw it, the foal was amazed at the skill and effort the stallion had put into it, no one had done something so generous for him in a long time.
The desk wasn't the only addition to the Apples guest room, which had effectively become Reivers room. The walls were now adorned with hoof drawn pictures, a result of his hoof practice. Cheerilee had suggested it as a way to track his progress and there was a definite improvement between the first and most recent image in the sequence, although they were a long way from classical painting.
Gathering up her teaching aids, Cheerilee set aside a exercise book.
“What's in there?” asked Reiver.
“Something to help neaten up your hoofwriting in your spare time,” she replied with a smile.
“Thank you,” said Reiver, returning the smile.
“You are welcome, I look forward to seeing you in class on Monday.”
As she left with a wave, Reiver glanced at the clock. It was late on a Friday afternoon and they had been working for hours. Deciding to leave the workbook until tomorrow, he set it aside and pulled out a diary from the desk drawer.
He hadn't kept a diary back on earth, however Twilight had suggested he do something to help pass the time as he recovered, presenting him with a beautiful, leather bound notebook and pencil set. Since then, Reiver had been using it to keep track of his own thoughts, alongside theories he and the Crusaders had on Bedlam.
The strange entity was one of the more confusing aspects of his time in Equestria thus far. He had been appearing more frequently and Reiver suspected it was because he had got stronger. What was unknown to him, was that Bedlams new abilities had also been growing, and the entity had been experimenting with them in private.
They had not resulted in anything major thus far, but Bedlam felt that with each twist he made, to what he realised was the very fabric of the universe, something would happen elsewhere. He suspected that with enough practice, time and space would be like putty in his hooves.
As Reiver finished his entry about today, he was interrupted by the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
"Hey guys," he greeted.
"Hi Reiver," replied Apple Bloom. "You done yet? Only, we saw Cheerilee leaving."
"Yeah," he replied. “I’m done for now, she gave me some hoofwriting books so I can practice for Monday.”
“Oh yeah, you’re in our class aren't you?” chimed Sweetie Belle. “Which means, we can all hang out afterwards.”
Despite his apprehension, Reiver smiled a little at the thought.
“Then we can go out Crusading!” said Scootaloo.
“Speaking of which, have you seen Bedlam today?” asked Apple Bloom
“No,” he replied. “He’s been unusually quiet.”
“Maybe he’s just taking a break,” replied Scootaloo. “We’ve been bothering him with so many it might be wearing him down.”
“Possibly, but I worry about him sometimes” said Reiver. “The way he behaves...I feel like he’s something I’ve seen before, something that I should remember…”
“Dude, you’re spending too much time thinking,” she replied. “We’ve been at this forever and no one is closer to finding what he is? Maybe we should just stop for now.”
“Yeah,” said Apple Bloom. “Sometimes walking away from a problem can help find the solution. Its helped us with Crusading.”
“Although not that much,” muttered Scootaloo.
Reiver looked back at the diary, before gently closing it.
“I guess you’re right, I have been obsessing a little...maybe I should take a break.”
“That's the spirit! So what do you want to do?”
Reiver thought for a moment, they could play some board games, he happened to know Big Mac had some RPG games hidden under his bed. However, his gaze came to settle on the sleeve of his threadbare jacket. He had been wearing it ever since his arrival in Equestria as it was apparently the only piece of clothing to survive his transformation.
He hadn’t taken up Rarity on her offer to fix it because he had been scared, the garment had been a gift from his mother and her death had caused him to wear it wherever he went. As a result, it was already worn when he fell into Equestria, but since then it was on the verge of collapse.
He sighed.
“Do you think Rarity will still be willing to fix my jacket?” he asked Sweetie Belle. “Only...I think if it might fall apart if I don't do something.”
“I’m sure she will,” replied the unicorn. “Let's go and see what she’s up to.”
As the Crusaders made their way outside and along the road towards Ponyville, Reiver stuck as close to them as he could, nervously eyeing every shadow they passed.
“Are you alright?” asked Apple Bloom after he bumped into her for the fourth time.
“Sorry,” he replied. “Just a little nervous, shadows aren't so forgiving in the Everfree forest.”
“Well, then it's a good thing we’re in Ponyville,” said Sweetie Belle as they approached to doors of Carousel Boutique.
“Because you don’t have anything to worry about here,” muttered Reiver, sarcastically.
Entering caused the door chime to signal their arrival, causing Rarity to appear a moment later.
“Hi Rarity.”
“Oh Sweetie Belle it's lovely to see you,” said the alabaster unicorn. “I see you’ve brought your friends as well.”
She spied Reiver, timidly sticking close to Apple Bloom.
“Reiver, you’re looking so much better than when I first saw you.”
“Thanks Rarity,” he replied. “Umm, I came over because I wanted to ask if your offer to fix my jacket was still open.”
“Of course it is sweetie,” she replied, running her eyes over the threadbare garment. “It might take a few days though.”
“Just...be gentle with it, please.”
The unicorn smiled.
“I remember how important you said it is to you. You have my word I will treat it with the utmost care.”
Cautiously, Reiver removed his jacket, passing it off to the unicorn who gently folded it in her magic. The colt shivered as its warm embrace left him.
“Could you have it ready before Monday, please, I’d like to wear it to school.”
“Certainly darling, I shall have it looking like new,” she declared.
Thanking Rarity for her generosity and kindness, the group headed back out into town. Passing the town hall, they saw that a large notice had been posted on its message board and it was attracting a crowd. Moving to investigate, they saw that it bore the Equestrian crest.
Official Notice
Recent magical and weather monitoring indicates a build up of wild magic.
Princess Celestia’s student has confirmed that a Storm of Magic is imminent.
Supplies to arrive this month.
All ponies to attend Town meeting on how to prepare.
Reiver turned to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who wore concerned looks.
“A Storm of Magic is bad isn't it?” he asked..
“Really bad,” replied Apple Bloom. “Granny said they had one when she was young and the town was nearly destroyed. We need to get back to farm and warn everypony!”
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At Ponyville General, Nurse Redheart was doing her rounds. Checking each room she ensured that each patient was comfortable and enquired about their needs, although her business-like manner made a few wonder if she was interrogating them. As she went about her duties, the nurse-mare was mentally noting who would be able enough to move and who would need to be moved by the staff before the storm hit.
Having worked her way around the hospital, she reached the last room on her list. It belonged to the ‘John doe' stallion. He had been in their care for close to two months and, thanks to some magical medicines and supplements, his vitals had been slowly improving.
Entering the room, Redheart looked him over. He didn't look as starved as he had been, but any weight he had put on was minimal. Supplements did not effectively substitute real food and while they ensured he lived, they did not make him look less like a sunken eyed wrath.
Moving to the bedside, Redheart checked the stallions chart before moving to check his pulse. Machines were good for most, but sometimes she just had to be sure. Her gaze wandered to the stallion's chest and she watched as it slowly rose and fell in time with his pulse.
The hoof she held suddenly jerked in its restraint. Looking at the stallion's face, she saw one of his eyes had snapped open.
“I see you’re awake,” she said calmly.
“Get the hell off me!”
The aggressive, and raspy, declaration was punctuated by a round of struggling from the bound stallion. Redheart sighed, she had dealt with enough patients to remain calm in the face of a frantic pony.
“My name is Nurse Redheart.”
The stallion just glared at her as he continued to aggressively test his bonds.
“That won't work,” continued Redheart. “Those bonds are magically reinforced, I’m sorry we had to do it but you did attack several members of staff.
He ignored her, continuing his efforts to break free. However, Redheart knew his weakened state would eventually catch up to him and sure enough, after a minute of attempted escape, he fell back with exhaustion.
"I see you've worn yourself out, don't do that in future if you want to recover swiftly.”
The stallion glared at her in resignation as he huffed and panted on the mattress.
"Where...where am I?" He asked.
“Ponyville General,” she replied. “You have been in our care for a while now.”
She watched as he slowly looked around the room, his position sinking in.
“Might I ask your name?” she said. “It would help in contacting any family.”
“My...name?” he replied, his brain struggling as it came down from the adrenaline rush.
“It’s Scott...Scott Reiver.”
[Insert obligatory comment expressing glee at the continued persistence of your vital functions]
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.giphy.com%2Fmedia%2F2MMB4JT8lokbS%2Fgiphy.gif&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fgiphy.com%2Fgifs%2Fhappy-fathers-day-fathersday-2MMB4JT8lokbS&docid=gIeRWgmJlrSP4M&tbnid=5cU_neRPngWhEM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwi3-viQwJPUAhXFTSYKHV9BDC0QMwg1KAUwBQ..i&w=500&h=370&client=ms-android-metropcs-us&bih=295&biw=528&q=it%27s%20alive%20meme%201mb&ved=0ahUKEwi3-viQwJPUAhXFTSYKHV9BDC0QMwg1KAUwBQ&iact=mrc&uact=8
Great chapter! Nice to see how Riever is growing to trust more ponies. It does make me wonder what his first name is then? Now let's see if Redheart make the connection and tries to get them back together.
The only issue I found was in the fourth sentence it has a word that doesn't work, I think you want is tutoring not tuition.
Yoooooo, this fool alive! He's fucking alive!
Reiver's dad, perhaps? Maybe an older brother?
8195028
8195034
8195224
Perhaps I should have call the Chapter 'Still Alive."
8195061 Guess you'll have to wait and see, I also corrected the spelling error, thanks for pointing it out.
8195321 Guess You'll have to wait and see.
It good to see an other chapter of this story again, waiting for so long. Well, it is interesting to see Reaver finally getting out of the Apples house and venture into Ponyville again. I wonder How is first day at school. I think it's safe to say that it was no surprise that the pony in the hospital is Reave's father and I am pretty sure he is still not on friendly terms with each other. I would be interesting to see that the tables has turn on them now and Reaver would has the balance of power in his favor this time around. I guy is already viewed as hysteric and dangerous to himself and others, and I don't think he know anything about MLP lore so he can't pass for a native or anything that would sound normal to the ponies so no one would be incline to trust or believe him unless Reaver confirms the truth. Seeing that Reaver seems to hat him and has no more sympathy left for him, and I am also guessing that the old man attacked him too just before he arrived in Equestria, which doesn't help his case either. Reaver only has to deny or play ignorant about that he says and they would ship him to that happy hotel for the rest of his life, for being a raving lunatic a fitting vengeance for Reaver. I understand that Reaver also had a stay at a mental hospital and I think he might be afraid of being sent there as well so he would still be taking a big risk if he was actually confirms things to the hospital. My guess would be that AJ is going to know if he lies or that the apples and social works would want to encourage Reaver to be back with his father again, and really don't realized the level a animosity they have for each other. Can't wait to see the next chapter.
8195347
I doubt they would send him back to his father. So far Reiver has informed several adults, including Twilight, of his relationship with his father and they will protect him. So he is safe, it will be if Redheart will believe his story when she hears it is the question.
I can't wait for the inevitable confrontation. I'm hoping Big Mac or Applejack buck the dad for daring to threaten the little colt.
Noooo!
I ran out of chapters.
----
Anyway, I'm enjoying the fic so far, there are quite a few misc. mistakes, but other then that, it's a good read.
------------------
Till next time,
May the wolves guide thine steps, and the owl impart its wisdom into thee.
~ Eric Longtooth
Editor, Artist, Procrastinator.
Good to see an update. Now we wait for the abusive fool to get his. Unless I'm wrong, which is possible, but I'm feeling pretty confident. What I really want to see though is when the truth comes out about our young friend.
nnnnooooooooooooooo at least I believe that was my reaction last time, I only remember I had a bad feeling about what is going to happen next but I don't remember what it was.
It is a nice story even if I get the feeling it has slowly turned into a different direction then I hoped at the start.
ohboy
Sorry, Ponyville! Shitstorm struck here first!
I think there are a couple of words missing in the dialogue between Reiver and the CMC.
A magical storm caused by an excessive buildup of wild magic and a John Doe case who awoke and identified himself with name shared in part by a foal Redheart has dealt with personally... this is going to end in very messily.
Saw this from a mile away, and I can see most of the outcomes of this as well.
TBH, it was a straight road of a plot point. In the great plains. In a place with mostly grass. There aren't even that many forks in the road; that's how much of a straight shot it was to predict pretty much the entirety of this part of the plot. I don't know which way you will go at each fork, but It's still a thin choice.
In the end, this is one of the most tried and true ways to introduce a character into a plot slowly but surely, so I can't fault you for that. I'm just a tidbit disapointed that I saw it a mile away and this comment is my output for it.
8197234 Ouch. Yet accurate. Sometimes using a tried and true method is just fine though. I am not terribly disappointed about it myself either.
8197498 My disappointment is null and void to those whom don't acknowledge it.
Those whome don't acknowledge it include myself, so disappointment is null and void as a whole.
Honestly, I probably just speculated too much in the end, but who can truly ever speculate too much?
[cricket chirps]
That line was ridiculously cliché for what it was.
8197515 lol. It is cool. Opinions and feelings are what they are.
I am sure counter examples could be found on a case by case basis but I completely agree in spirit if not for this discussion.
I like exploring just about everything and think it would be better if more people tried to question everything ( to a point of course but that didn't really happen here... I just thought that had a sting is all.).
Without a questioning discussion where would we be? Better yet where would the authors be if they only heard praise?
Keep commenting on yo!
8197649
Comments are love, Comments are life.
Oh no
Yay, Reiver is getting better with his lessons! Always nice to see progress.
That storm of magic... for some reason, I have a feeling it's linked to Bedlam.
And Scott's up. Uh-oh. That won't be pretty.
8198173
Well Now hat Nurse Redheart heard Scott Reiver's name it won't take long to make a connection to the colt i.e. instantly.
8205810 Correct, my family are actually descended from the Border Reivers that roamed the lands between England and Scotland.
oh my god I love this story. I love the HiE where the protag ends up a child and this one is really good. Dear author a) MOAR! b) if you know other fics like this one point them out to me i’m out of reading material...
Oh fizzle schnapps.
I had an idea just now, Bedlam is part of Revier's adult personality mainly his negative aspects. I think the issues with his father are far worse then we or he realizes and they somehow split off from him. That is why Reiver seems to flip between child and adult, he is missing part of who he is.
Well sir, your parenting skills have damaged the fabric of the very universe and possibly doomed this town and/or world to the chaos of a malevolent outsider. I would admonish you for that, but frankly I'm kind of impressed. I've known foals who ran away from home, but none who bored a hole into another reality to get away from you.
8223922
That's...actually pretty close to what Bedlam is.
8213965
Thanks for the enthusiasm.
If you like this one, the story that inspired it is called 'Oh to be Old Again' by Minalkra. I consider it to be slightly more mature than this one, but it's still a good read. I don't think its finished yet though.
update on the next chapter?
;-;
Just when it's getting good
8276519
I'm focusing on my Zootopia fic for the monment, that's nearing completion and I will resume work on Family when that's done. I realised I had overextended myself so I'm reducing the workload so I can devote more time to this and the Warhammer fic I started.
what a twist!
And I've once again caught up. d
NOOOOOOO I NEED MORE OF THIS STORY
more story please.
You know, when he started cooperating I hoped we WOULDN'T have a stupid supervillain thing.
Oh hey the actual plot is continuing
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG
Do we even know if he's still allergic? He's in an entirely new body now.
Interesting. Our Reiver is going by his last name, but why would he do that? With his... strained... relationship with his dad, I'd expect him to hate the name. Is his first name embarrassing? Why not adopt his mother's maiden name? Maybe people go by their last name where he's from, but Scott Reiver introducing himself first name first makes that less likely. That he goes by his father's name must mean something, but I don't know what or how important it is.
8213965
If you're still looking for more, check these out:
- MLP: FiM
- Drama
- Slice of Life
Rainbow Dash finds a maimed, unconscious young colt on the edge of Ponyville and rushes him to the hospital, but nopony knows who he is and something about him seems off...- MLP: FiM
- Drama
- Slice of Life
When I agreed to be sent to Equestria I didn't read the fine print. I'm the wrong age, the wrong gender, and lost in the wilderness.