Chapter VI
Chapter VI
I was alone, running through the smothering darkness, hoping against hope that I could reach my destination unhindered. I needed to reach her, but I knew this wouldn't be the case as the hoof steps behind me increased in volume, letting me know that my capture and death were only seconds behind me.
Without warning, the hoof steps stopped, only to be replaced by the sound of skittering insects. I doubled my speed, hoping that I could put some distance between myself and...Them.
I didn't know what to call Them. They haunted my dreams, filled me with a nameless dread so profound that it transcended terror and became something new entirely.
Then everything changed. I was lying on some sort of hard metal surface, above me was a plethora of metal arms, each holding a blade or needle of some kind. A face appeared in front of me, and I tried to ward it off, but my arms seemed to be missing. I tried to kick, only to find that They had taken those too. I heard voices somewhere, but what They said was beyond my understanding.
I had to escape, but I knew that there was no way out. I watched in horror as one of those blades slowly made its way towards me, inching ever closer to my paralyzed eye. Then, without any warning, it lunged downward, impaling my cornea on its cold, metallic edge.
As I screamed in pain and horror, I felt the world around me change again. I was in some sort of tank, floating in a viscous goo with something metal over my mouth and nose. They were there again, watching me while They took notes on Their devices. I could see other tanks behind Them, ones with humans in them, others with monsters, and some with something in-between the two. I hammered at the tank walls, begging Them to let me go, pleading with Them to have some compassion.
As one of Them came closer, the world shifted once again, and I was alone in the darkness again. Or at least I thought I was alone. A sound behind me caused me to whip around, only to be confronted with a nightmare.
It was similar to what They had turned me into, only far larger and more grotesque. Its claws dripped with a vile ichor, and its maw was open, eager to swallow me whole. I started to run, well aware of the ponderous footsteps behind me, coming closer with each passing second.
“Please! Somebody! Anybody!” I screamed as it finally caught me in its claws. I could hear it laughing, its monstrous voice tinged with insanity as it turned me in its huge hands to look me in the face.
“Why are you doing this to me?” I shouted at it, hoping that I could stall it for a few seconds longer.
It just looked at me, then continued to laugh. “I'm not the one doing this, monster,” it said.
The world around me changed again. I looked around, trying to figure out where I was. I heard a voice somewhere close by, but I could not understand it. I looked down, and noticed the mangled corpse that lay at my feet. I lifted my hands, only to see that they were no longer hands, but claws.
They were covered in blood.
“Why would you make me do this? I'm not a monster!” I screamed in horror.
“You are now,” I heard the beast say in my ear.
I shook my head in disbelief and fell to my knees as the darkness started to close around me. Despair kicked in, and I heard voices all around me. Ones I knew, others that I didn't, but they all said the same thing.
“Monster.”
“Monster.”
“Monster.”
“enough.”
“Murderer.”
“Evil Beast.”
“Thing.”
“enough!”
“This is only the beginning you know.”
“You will continue to kill everything around you.”
“You are our plaything, now.”
"Why don't we have some fun? Maybe have you kill everyone you know and love?”
“ENOUGH!”
A bright light pierced the darkness behind me, silencing the voices that surrounded me. I turned towards the light, dreading what new terror was in store for me.
I saw a moon, far larger and more beautiful then any moon I had ever seen. As I watched, the moon started to move closer, Its light filled me with a feeling that I didn't have a name for. It was an alien feeling, but it was one that I was sure that I had felt before. As the moon got closer, I was finally able to place a name to the glorious feeling.
Peace.
Slowly a shadow formed on the face of the moon, its figure distinctly equine in shape. It got closer, leaving the moon behind to stand next to me. As it got closer, the shadows fell away from around it to reveal something familiar, yet alien.
She was a pony, but far more regal and graceful then any I had seen before. If you included the horn, she was almost as tall as I was, standing nearly at five and a half feet. Her midnight blue coat and wings seemed to glow with some unearthly light, while her ethereal star field mane and tail fluttered and waved in a wind that I could not feel. On her flank I could make out a dark blotch, upon which a crescent moon hung, suspended as if in the night sky. Her hooves were shod in silver, while at her neck was some kind of black jewelry with a silver moon which was identical to the one on her flank. On her head I could see she wore a tiara made from the same black material, and on her face I could see a look of profound sadness.
“Who are you?” I asked, strangely unafraid of this new arrival.
She didn't answer at first. Instead she just looked at me, her teal eyes filled with compassion and sorrow as the world around us changed once again.
This time I was at home, in my bed. I felt safe as my comforter was pulled up around my neck. “Shhhh...” I heard a female voice say nearby. “There will be time for that later. For now, sleep. Sleep the sleep of the dreamless, and finally rest from your cares. Take comfort in knowing that you are safe now.”
Her voice had a strange, musical quality to it. I could also tell that she wasn't speaking in my language, but somehow I could understand the meaning behind those words. How the heck does that work? I thought to myself as my eyes got heavier.
I could hear her nearby, her voice humming softly as my mind started to slip off. Before I knew it, I had fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep.
* * *
“It's experiencing extreme hypothermia, but I think we managed to catch it in time before its heart failed,” Sergeant Fair Weather said as he saluted smartly.
“Him.”
“What?”
“The creature, it is a him, not an it. He is a living, thinking, sapient individual that has experienced far too many horrors for one as young as he is,” Luna reprimanded the guard sadly.
“Yes Your Highness,” Sergeant Fair Weather said with a bow of his head.
“Did you get a name, Your Highness?” Captain Seeker asked.
“Not yet. He has been through so much, has seen so many horrors, that I thought it better to let him sleep peacefully tonight,” Princess Luna answered, her voice filled with compassion.
“Did you find out what he is though? Or why he was so dead set on avoiding capture that he'd risk his own life?” Captain Seeker asked as he sat down by the shivering biped.
“Yes, and yes. Some things I must speak with my sister about first, but I will tell you this much. His form is not his own. He was turned into this shape by creatures of unfathomable cruelty, forced to do a great many horrors in their name, only to finally awaken and see the horror that he had become,” Princess Luna said, shivering a little as she spoke. “He is not a monster, but he sees himself as one, and he fled from us because he assumed that we would treat him as nothing but. He thought that any encounter with ponies would result in his death and dissection, so he has made it a point to avoid all contact with us.”
Captain Seeker nodded in understanding at this, compassion in his eyes. “How long has he been alone?”
“Six months.”
Captain Seeker blanched at this, his eyes filled with worry. “I'm surprised he hasn't gone mad by this point!”
“He is incredibly strong willed, this much is true,” Princess Luna said as she sat down on the cool grass that lined the riverbank.
“So...what do we do with him? Take him back to Canterlot?” Sergeant Fair Weather asked a little awkwardly.
Princess Luna thought about this for a few seconds, then shook her head. “He doesn't trust us, nor can I blame him after the horrors that he has gone through. It would be unwise to take him back to Canterlot directly, so instead we shall take him back to his cave. We shall come back later with my sister to attempt to communicate once more with him, but for now, he should be fine if left to his own devices.”
A couple of the younger guards looked uneasy about that, but they did not say anything. Captain Seeker saluted, however, then stopped as a thought struck him. “Princess, I think I understand what you meant earlier when you said he was trying to survive. His bare skin seems very susceptible to the cold, and I doubt that he would survive for very long if the weather were to turn foul. I think it would be prudent if we left a few things with him when we go to drop him off, as well as some form of note, letting him know that we will be back in a few days.”
Luna nodded in agreement as she stood up from where she was sitting. “He has had a rough time of things, let's see if we can improve the quality of his life a little.”
* * *
I woke with a start, my head pounding and my limbs exhausted. Why am I still alive? I thought as I sat up from where I was lying.
I nearly jumped out of my skin, though, when a nice, thick blanket slid off of me as I became upright. I looked down in confusion, noting the patchwork pattern of the cloth in utter disbelief. A...what? I thought intelligently as I stared down at the impossible cloth.
My sense of smell, tired of being ignored for so long, burst down the door of my consciousness and slapped a status report on my brain's desk. My brain took a good, long look at it before finally handing it over to me in confusion.
I smelled fish fillet.
Not just any fillet, either. This was salmon, rubbed down with a mixture of salt and rosemary, then fried gently over a slow flame. I turned my head towards the heavenly scent, only to see something that I refused to believe.
I got up and went to the entrance of my cave, just to make sure that it was really my cave. Yup, there's the tree and... a ladder? I thought in disbelief. There, standing braced against the cliff face, was a fifteen foot tall ladder. I could tell right off the bat that it would allow me easier access to my lair, though I was still confused as to why it was there in the first place.
I looked back inside the cave, my mind reeling with confusion. There, sitting over my fire pit was a professional-looking cooking spit and grill. Next to the fire pit I could see a wide assortment of cooking utensils, pots, pans, and spices.
More importantly, however, was the fish fillet that sat on a metal plate next to the fire. It was a simple meal, sure, but as I picked it up along with the silverware that sat on the mat next to it, I felt that it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
As I picked up my new plate, I noticed a note that had been placed underneath it. It showed a picture of a sun, a moon, then a sun, as well as two winged unicorns and a rough caricature of myself. Our arms were raised, and it appeared that I was shaking the hoof of the larger one.
A drop of water suddenly landed on the page, and I looked up, confused about where it came from. When I couldn't see anything, I looked back down at the page, then carefully put it down.
Think about that later, I thought as I brought my attention back to the fish in my lap. I gently cut into it with the provided knife, then took a bite, taking special care not to shear through the metal fork with my razor-sharp fangs.
As the flavor exploded in my mouth, I broke down completely, weeping at the kindness that I was shown.
I'm gonna give that freaking tree a medal.
Sometimes you're right. Sometimes everyone really is out to get you. Sometimes the whole world is trying to stomp you into the dirt, trying its best to kill you, trying to break you, turn you into something not worth saving.
Sometimes you're wrong.
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:3 Awesome resolution to that situation.
That tree is exactly what Fluttershy wants to be.
Featured again: 9/17/2014
how? its a tree. its bigger than your entire body! and isn't it the same one that knocked out that mare? If so, wouldn't you give it an "ass whooping" then give it a medal?
Tree: Huzzah! How many points do we receive? [royal (insert tree pun here)lot voice]
Also; I applaud your Luna. A lovely balance of care, authority, wisdom and concern.
5017588 all my yes... ALL OF IT!
For once I'm actually conflicted if I Want a story to continue or not. This would make such a lovely ending but I'm also wanting more... Have you had any thoughts of setting this as complete and instead making a sequel?
He will give it a metal because if he didn't have to carry her back, Luna never would of found him
I agree with the previous posters. This chapter was spectacular. I think Luna handled this very well! As usual, thanks for another great chapter and always looking forward to the next one! :D
Is the Captain's view skewed of just how...what's the word...isolated, I guess, of how our protagonist lasted as long as he did? Ponies are a herd species, is isolation so surprising to them? I'm genuinely curious. I suppose that's part of the reason Twilight's friends were suspicious of Zecora in 'Bridle Gossip'?
Finally! A Ruler that doesn't decide to take him to the city and instead just leave him be for now! And given him things to give him the benefit of doubt to others!
Hey guys, let's see if we can make the author eat his words by spamming this story with likes and faves!
IT'S BEING FEATURED!! AGAIN!! YES
I can't be the only one thinking of this...
This story merits further updates!
Wenever u have time that is. 
Cross my heart. Hope to die.
Stick a needle in your eye.
Alright I am loving this please continue good sir and I totally wont stalk you until your next chapter post.
There's not many points in a story where you could just never update it again, and nothing would be missing. This is one of those rare moments. A wonderfully written chapter!
Hopefully though, our unnamed creature isn't done with his story yet. Eagerly awaiting more!
5017765 I still sometimes get nightmares about that game... AND I HAVEN'T EVEN PLAYED IT!!!
5017625 Hang it on a branch after snapping off another
5017853 Thanks for the catch!
I keep thinking hes a Deathclaw from Fallout
600 likes and over 3000 views.
...How in the world...
I fucking loved this!
Well. I'll be honest. It's quite refreshing to see these guys actually go through with the "love and tolerance" spiel they seem to preach so much instead of just demonizing anything different than them.
I'm gonna give you a freaking medal, ace writing right there ... Keep it up, loving it so far
5017982
You earned it with how you've done this story so far. I didn't know what to think of it at first, and I still can't quite visualize in my mind what the protagonist looks like (my problem, should probably reread he first chapters), but I have been completely drawn in with the way you've written things. It's also always nice to see stories dealing with language barriers as well as characters that don't come from a universe with MLP in it.
5018098 I actually prefer it if the HIE characters come from a place that is completely ignorant of MLP. It lends a certain something that is just lost otherwise.
PUT THAT ON A SHIRT!
I'm falling head over heels over this story!
Sometimes you find a boring fic, a fic that's so cliche that it's incredibly annoying and you've seen it all done before. Sometimes, you find a fic which has a decent premise but bad grammar or bad story writing makes you turn it away.
Sometimes you find a fic that goes beyond what you were expecting and draws you in wonderfully, somehow making something so strange as aliens work well. (Just in case it wasn't clear, this is your fic)
5018112 Agreed. It makes things feel more real.
Wow, this chapter was amazing. More, please
4872249
So wait, does that mean he is a Satanist?
Those guys were my favorite religion from David Weber´s March Upcountry.
5018718
can i just interject here?
Satanist, as in LeVay Satanism and similar, is not devil worship. in satanism you are your own god, you are the highest authority in your life and you treat everyone else as if they too are their own god. Devil worship is the worship of the christian Devil as a god and conforming to his ideals, including sadism. Satanism has more in common with many eastern religions and beliefs while Devil worship is just fubar. Just felt the need to correct you on the whole sadist thing. 
5018098 for some reason i keep seeing him as a Deathclaw with retractable claws.
These chapters are too short!
I get an update notification and I'm like
"AN UPDATE!"
I read it and I'm done in two minutes.
FRUIT STRIPE GUM LASTS LONGER THAN THAT!!!
5019476 sorry bout that.
I try, but I really can think of only so much to fit into a chapter before I decide that its done.
5019264
can i just interject here?
Because this;
Has nothing to do with my fucking comment.
Let's look at the part of my comment that referenced sadism. And by that I mean the entire comment chain.
1)The character says he is not a Satanist. He is confirmed as not being a Satanist.
2)Knight says that was a mistake and the character meant to say he is not a sadist. He is confirmed as not being a sadist. However he is no longer saying he is not a Satanist so he might in fact be a Satanist.
3)Here enters the joke asking if this means the MC is a Satanist but not a sadist, or, if he is neither.
4)This is the part where you butt in with an explanation of Satanism that has nothing to do with the third point I raised... in fact your 'correction' only confirmed that it is possible to be both a Satanist and a non-sadist.
Now lets look at the other part that you -might- be referring to.
What the hell does LeVay Satanism have to do with the fictional religion created by highly successful Military SciFi writers David Weber and John Ringo in their collaborative series Empire of Man and first introduced in book one March Upcountry by the Satanist priestess Sergeant Major Eva Kosutic? You know, the one I said was my favorite religion from that book.
5019483
Then just write two or more chapters and stick them together.
5019495 apologies, i read that wrong then.
5019510 It doesn't quite work like that, sorry. The story works a lot better with these shorter chapters then with, say the last two chapters, crammed together.
5019519
...Really?
People are still going to read chapter 6 after chapter 5. There wouldn't have been any significant difference had you held off on submitting chapter 5 until 6 was done and then cut & pasted 6 to the bottom of 5.
All you'd be doing is removing the need to click the Next button to get to the next chapter.
But whatever, it's your fanfic. I already gave it a thumbs up, favorited it, and bookmarked it. I'd give you another thumbs up if I could, but I can't, so here have a mustache.
5019560 thanks for understanding
I was gonna comment saying I like how your doing a different formula than most people. You always see authors writing about an average character that then progresses to rock bottom. Here, we are already at rock bottom when the fic starts. I was gonna say that we have nowhere to go but up.
I was gonna say that, but then I realized that the alien ship was probably in orbit over Equestria's world for a reason. Regardless of where you take the fic, I'm looking forward to the flames and torment... or lack thereof.
5019513 Well, alright then.
While part of me wants more I have to acknowledge that anything past this point is the real test. HiE stories tend to fall into a sort of bland sameness once the initial shock has worn off. One thing I suggest strongly is to make sure people keep freaking out. The moment everyone in equestria accepts a human, they stop being "different" or " an alien" and turn into a "special little snowflake."
I liked this chapter very much.
This was such a wonderful chapter, I loved every word of it
5017588 Maybe it was Fluttershy in disguise how tried to observe this "new creature" in White Tail Woods?
Awesome chapter! I demand more! NOW!
Luna knows great kindness in these situatons.
MUST HAVE MORE!
This is a pretty neat story i can't wait for the next chapter. I really want to see how the protagonist and ponies interact with each other