Previous Chapters Next
Close
Stranded1,785 words
Story Time2,906 words
The Calm Before The Storm10,878 words
Eclipsed3,768 words
The Morning After1,462 words

The Calm Before The Storm

As we made our way to the train platforms she looked at me with a hint of worry in her eyes.

“How am i going to go with you? I don't have any money for a ticket…” she asked while looking at me.

“Well, how much does one cost?” i responded glancing down at the little filly trotting beside me.

“i think it’s just 5 bits… wait, you're not going to buy me one are you?” she asked with barely concealed shock.

“Well, why not? You are going to be my adopted daughter after all… why should i leave you behind when i meet with the Princess?” i answered with a slight smile.

As i finished talking we arrived, i found that i had to kneel to see the stallion behind the ticket booth window. He was a grey stallion about half as big as Big Mac, with a black mane and tail with a white stripe in it. Upon seeing me his eyes widened faster than Scoots did. He started stammering until i pulled my train pass and he calmed enough to talk without stuttering.

“Hello, i see you are heading to Canterlot, though if you have that train pass why are you here at my booth?” he asked with a confused look.

“Well i was under the impression that tickets to Canterlot cost five bits, and i need one for this youngster here.” i said motioning to Scootaloo beside me.

“Oh, i’m sorry i forgot to mention the new rule… foals ride the train for free now.” he said with a small chuckle.

As soon as the sound reached her ears and it clicked, she started hopping around me and giggling.

I turn back to the ticket booth stallion. “When is the next train to Canterlot then?”

He looks at the clock behind him, which read quarter till seven. “Fifteen minutes sir, also if i may… what are you?”

“Ah, i guess you’ve never seen something like me before… well to put it simply i’m a human.” i said while trying to read the face of the stallion in front of me. “And i think i can safely tell you this but you can't let it get out, i'm not from this dimension… thanks for the help sir.”

As we waited for the train to pull in i decided to search through my pockets a little to see what had made the dimension jump with me. In my left was my phone and keys, i didn't really need the latter anymore since i couldn't go back to earth. On the right were my wallet and a picture of my family. The picture contained me, my mom, my brother, my niece and nephew, and my girlfriend. We had gotten this taken not even a week ago now, and now… i would never see any of them again. Upon looking closer at my phone i noticed something rather bizarre, it was a maximum charge and was still charging. Then i thought about it for a second, magic was basically pure energy waiting to be utilized, it would make sense for it to be drawn into something that needed energy to run like my phone. i read the clock and it had just clicked over to say seven on the dot. right after this i heard the distant sound of a steam whistle, i look to the horizon and the train came into view. now, any other man would’ve lost his man card just for looking at this thing. it was mostly pink with heart shaped windows… i mean come on universe this is so cliche it hurts.

As it pulled up and the doors slid open, the ponies started filing out, once no more were coming out i picked scoots up and went to board, showing my train pass to the stallion at the doors he waved me in. within a few minutes the train pulled away from the station and picked up speed, one pleasant thing this train pass gave me was a private coach, presumably reserved for the princess herself when she chose to take the train anywhere. when we get inside we take a seat close to the doors, soon though i noticed scoots fall asleep on the bench next to me, guess she doesn't sleep well. to pass the time i decided to check my phone and see how else it was being affected by the ambient magic in the atmosphere, but when i did my jaw almost fell off my face. i somehow had a full internet connection when i shouldn't have had any, thank the gods for this. i then wanted to test it, logging into my phone with my facial recognition, i started up my web browser, and just then my messages exploded, i had several from everyone at my house, like my mom and my brother… then there was christy. my girlfriend sent no less than forty text messages asking where i was, and although this went against everything i thought… i took a selfie with scoots next to me and sent it to her. not even five minutes later my phone went off.

The message was from her and it read as follows:

WHAT?? is that who i think it is?! and how the hell are you next to her, please answer with more than a text message this time honey.

-Chrissy

So i did something better, i called her hoping it would work. luck was on my side yet again as the call went through.

“WHERE ARE YOU?!” screamed a voice over the phone.

“I think you know that already chrissy.” i said with a slight smirk on my face. “now about your other questions, yes that is really scootaloo, but for your other OTHER question you won't like the answer.”

“Why not? you’re not in trouble again are you?” she asked with a hint of accusation in her voice.

“Well. yes… and no, this is really hard to say to you honey. so i'm not going to sugar coat it for you… i died.” i finished and waited for the shitstorm to come.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DIED?! WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO YOU?” aaaannd there it is.

So i started explaining what happened from the time i finished the timesheets at my office to the missile hitting my truck, then moved on to my chat with Celly and then i got to where we were now.

“Can i talk to her?” was all i heard from the other side.

“Well if i can wake her up you sure can, but over skype honey she can't hold a phone remember? hooves and all that jazz.” i replied, i then turned to scoots and nudged her.

“Hey there kiddo, you need to wake up there's someone here that wants to meet you.” as i said this her eyes started to open. then she remembered where we were. “Have a nice nap hun?”

“It was too short, why’d ya wake me up dad?” she asked rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“i said i have someone that wants to meet you kiddo.” i ruffle her mane a bit as i spoke.

“Cool!” she looked around and asked “where are they?”

i just chuckle as i start skype and call my girlfriend again. “right here kiddo.”

As soon as she picked up she turned her camera on so we could see her, so i did the same. then she started talking a mile a minute. the only thing i could understand was ‘this is so awesome’ and ‘you are so cute’.

“woah woah honey slow down, you’re scaring the poor filly.” i said, this quieted her down and scoots looked up at me.

“dad, who is that?” she asked.

“wait wait wait, did she just call you dad honey?! what’s the deal with that?” chrissy said looking at me funny.

“well i kinda adopted her, unofficially as of right now, but i plan on making it official after my meeting with celly today, then i need to prepare for tomorrow. as we both knew what that meant there wasn't any reason to talk about it.

“So chrissy i would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about this ok? i don't need my phone going off all the time, especially not in front of the princess. her guards are kinda edgy around me as it is, imagine if my pocket suddenly makes loud noises, i’d have a spear in the butt in a heartbeat.” i said with a chuckle.

“Alright, but you make sure to call me when you’re done. i wanna talk to scoots more later since i'm technically her mom now. Bye hun, love you.” she said before signing off skype.

Just then the conductor spoke over the intercom. “We’ll be arriving in Canterlot in a few minutes, gather personal belongings and prepare to disembark.”

“Well that’s us scoots. let's get going.” i say as we get up and head to wait by the doors.

as we get off the train it hit me… I DON'T KNOW MY WAY AROUND CANTERLOT!! so we just walked around, hoping to get lucky… and lucky we got. in the distance i saw the one pony i respected here aside from the princesses, i recognized his trademark suit top and monocle. i quickly caught up to him and got his attention, he seemed a little surprised at first. after he composed himself he turned to me and spoke.

“Can i help you?” he said with a slight accent i couldn't place.

“Actually yes, me and my daughter are looking for the castle, see we have an appointment with the princess but this is our first time to Canterlot.” i replied

“Ah, not a problem my boy… i was actually headed there myself. you can come along if you want to.” he suggested.

“Okay, it’s good to know that at least there is one good noble in this forsaken city, the rest i’ve seen today look like pompous tools. no offense.” i responded.

“None taken my boy, i actually share your views. i’ve been trying to make them see the error of their ways, but it’s just so difficult sometimes.” he commented.

“”oh, where are my manners? my name is Reznov Schuchex, nice to met you mr…?” i said, knowing his name all too well.

“Fancy Pants, my boy. might i ask why you are seeing the princess?” he replied casually.

This was the part i dreaded, however i trust him to be discreet if i ask him to keep quiet.

“If i tell you, Fancy, you can't tell anyone else because if it were to get out there would be mass hysteria.” i said with a glance at him.

“You have my word good sir.” he replied

“Well, the truth is Fancy, i’m not from this dimension. i’ve only recently appeared in Equestria, specifically two days ago. Celestia asked me to come here today to discuss what my future in this world will be, since i have knowledge that could prove useful to this land, and since i can no longer go home… i will serve the princess without hesitation.” i explained while we walked.

“Well that explains your strange appearance, i for one would like to thank you for caring about our land after only a few days of living in it, even if it has it’s bad spots here and there.” he said with a smile.

This entire time scootaloo was riding my shoulder, not paying attention to our conversation at all and looking around us in wonder.

after about ten minutes of walking we arrived at the castle, the guards were every bit as stoic as i thought they would be. when i went to enter after Fancy Pants they crossed their spears in front of me and kept me from entering. i look down at them and calmly back away a few steps.

“I am here for an appointment with the princess, my name is Reznov i believe she might have told you i was arriving this morning from Ponyville.” i said with a calm tone of voice so as to not set them off.

their eyes widened and they moved aside to allow me to enter the castle, Fancy had gone on ahead. i turned to the nearest guard and asked for directions to the throne room, assuming thats where Celestia would most likely be at this time. the guard proceeded to escort me there, which took around five minutes… damn this place is HUGE.

Once we were outside the room the guard turned and left. i look over my left shoulder and say, “scoots if you stay quiet and don't interrupt my meeting with the princess i’ll get you some ice cream before we go home, ok?”

“Sure!” she said with a huge grin.

I then opened the doors, which were heavy as hell. i walk in and the guard swarm me demanding to know who i was, it was then that the princess told them to stand down, and that she was expecting me to arrive. which they did promptly.

“It’s good to see you again my friend!” she said with a smile, wrapping me in a one legged hug.

“Likewise Celly, you might recognize the little one here, i agreed to adopt her this morning.” i said with a beaming smile. “However there is something i would like to confess about Celly, i wasn't entirely truthful to you when i said what i was. i am human yes, but not entirely. i didn't want to alarm you or anything before i knew this world wouldn't judge me like mine did in the past. you see my kind were hunted for just existing, what i’m saying is that… i’m a vampire.” i started, expecting to get shot in the face with magic any second.

“Oh Rez i don't care what you are, vampire or not. i know the real you and i trust you, one question i have however is this, will you harm my subjects?” she asked with narrowed eyes.

“Absolutely not, i refuse to take lives unless it is unavoidable. even then i hate myself for it, for all life is sacred, even my cursed one. However i am not a full vampire… no one is anymore, because our blood is so diluted. the only fullblood is in his tomb in my dimension Celly. he was called the king of vampires, his name was Alucard.” i began, still uneasy with all the guards looking at us. “ i would appreciate it if your guards would stop staring though, it’s very uncomfortable to say the least.” several had heard me and looked away for fear of me attacking them, i was in no hurry to start a very one sided and short war however. so i left them alone instead i turned back to Celly, “i do have one request though, since i live here now i believe i should contribute to the safety of the people who live here.”

“What do you mean Rez?” she asked looking at me quizzically.

“I wish to be placed as the personal guard for Twilight Sparkle while she is in Ponyville, wait have you sent her there yet?” i asked, a little worried i was too late.

“No i have not, also just before you arrived she sent me a letter concerning the information you told me yesterday. it seems your information was accurate. very well i shall allow you to assist my student in her tasks.” she replied with a smile.

“I have another request as well Princess, i will need a replacement for my uniform i had on earth, the one i used while i was in my vampiric form.” i stated, hoping she would agree, then i remembered the amulet i was wearing. “I also have something to show you, hey scoots can you hop down for a few minutes, i need to get under my shirt for something.” After she hopped down i reached up and took the amulet off, as soon as it cleared my shirt collar, Celly’s eyes nearly popped out in surprize.

“Where did you get that?!” she asked glancing back and forth between me and the necklace.

“Well after you left yesterday i searched my truck for a pillow and blanket i keep in there, and this was wrapped up in the blanket. i’ve never seen it before then so i figured i would ask you about it. do you know what this is?” i ask knowing she knew something based on her reaction.

“That amulet once belonged to my mother, after she passed it disappeared completely.” she said dryly.

I immediately knelt and placed it around her neck, “well Celly, it’s yours now. i have no need for jewelry, so i want you to have it. now um, what about my uniform? i kind of need it to do my job but i don't have the funds to get it made on such short notice, i do know who can do it however.”

“Anything you need Rez, i can't thank you enough for this. i never thought i would see this again, but here it is out of nowhere.” she said with a genuine smile on her face.

“Ok, Celly i’ll need to head back to Ponyville to commission my uniform then. i’ll wait there for Twilight to arrive, when will i be expecting her?” i ask.

“Tomorrow around noon should be fine, good luck Rez.” she said with concern in her eyes.

“I will Celly.” i reply before scooping scoots up and making my way back to the train station to wait for the next train back to Ponyville, but stopping to get her some ice cream like i promised i would.

The train ride was quite uneventful, although i did call Chrissy back and let her talk to scoots, she asked questions like if i was nice to her and if she liked having a dad around. in all honesty i think they get along quite well.

When we got back to Ponyville i had scoots direct me towards the Carousel Boutique. it took around 5 minutes to get there at a leisurely pace, when i went to enter the shop however i completely forgot to duck, and promptly slammed my forehead on the top of the door casing.

“AH! sunova… ugh i kinda deserved that.” i grumbled to no one in general.

“Coming, darling!” came the familiar voice from one of the side rooms. then i stark white unicorn with a purple mane walked into the main room and nearly fell over at the sight of me, that is until she saw scots on my shoulder. “Scootaloo! get down from there right now, it could hurt you!”

i looked her straight in the eyes and said, “i don't take kindly to ponies talking like that to my daughter, miss rarity.”

“Yea, leave dad alone rarity, he’s going to adopt me. i finally have a family now!.” said the filly clinging to my shoulder.

“Well i’m truly sorry for being rude, darling. now, did you need something sir?” asked the white unicorn in front of me.

“well i need a custom order, i’m assigned to protect Princess Celestia’s student from harm and my uniform was lost while i traveled, i was hoping you could replicate it for me with the most durable materials you have.” i replied calmly.

“well if you have a picture or a description of the uniform in question, i can begin right now.” she said with a gleam in her eyes.

“thank you, i do have a picture of it.” i pulled my phone out of my pocket and google searched the uniform design, i wanted a replica of Alucard's battle uniform, but instead of blood red fabric i would have her make it black. “this is what i need minus the glasses, unless you can design them too?”

“Why of course, are they cosmetic or corrective lenses?” she asked looking at the picture.

“cosmetic, oh and could i get Celestia’s cutie mark on the right glove and a crescent moon on the other?” i ask before she started pushing me over to the measuring station.

“Why of course you can, now when do you need them finished?” she replied while levitating the measuring tape around me taking my measurements at a blinding speed.

“As soon as possible, Celestia’s student arrives in Ponyville at around noon tomorrow but i won't need the uniform until tomorrow night. so how much will it cost to have it ready by then?” i ask wondering how much to ask the Princess for later.

“Oh don't worry darling, i must say i would enjoy the challenge of designing this for someone of your build, it will be free of charge.” she said without looking away from the picture i showed her.

“Thanks a million rarity. i’ll be sure to tell everyone i meet about your shop then as a sort of payment.” i said with a smile, this was awesome i got my uniform set up in no time at all. now i have the rest of the day to spend with Scoots.

“I appreciate it darling, now if you don't mind i need to start on your uniform.” she said as she shooed me towards the door.

The rest of the morning went by fast, me and scoots got breakfast at the local cafe. then she wanted me to meet her friends, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. so she pointed towards what i assume was Sweet Apple Acres, sure they would be at the clubhouse. as we got close i set scoots down.

“hey i wanna surprize em scoots, don't tell them about me i have an idea.” i say to her in a hushed tone so the other two couldn't hear us. i then went to stand under the treehouse and wait for scoots to lure them outside.

“...right out here girls, maybe we can get our monster catching cutie marks!” scoots… you’re a genius kiddo.

When they got to the bottom of the ramp i jumped out and growled, announcing my presence.

“AAAHHH it’s here!” screamed Sweetie Belle

“Wait girls, don't hurt him!” Scoots yelled as they went to attack me at the shins.

“WHY?! it’s a monster scootaloo!” said Sweetie as she turned to face Scoots.

“No he isn't, that's gonna be my dad in a few days. he’s gonna adopt me girls, i'm gonna have a family now!” she said with the huge grin returning to her face.

“Is that true mister?” Apple Bloom said looking at me.

“Yup Scoots here is going to be my daughter once we get the papers filled out, but i can't right now. i have a job to do for the Princess before i can sit down and finalize all this.” i replied, then suddenly i felt a shift.. no this can't be happening right now.

“Scoots i need to go, you stay here with your friends. there's trouble coming and it’s my job to protect Ponyville while i’m here.” i said while concentrating, moments later black ethereal wings sprouted from my back.

I then took to the skies with a mighty flap of my wings, quickly i saw what was happening, at the edge of the forest i saw several figures moving towards the town. even from this distance i could smell them, the fetid stench of the timberwolves was unmistakable. i quickly dove down to intercept them only to find that another pony was already there, upon closer inspection i knew who it was… Big Mac.

“BIG MAC!” i bellowed to him causing him to look around. i then landed beside him, “looks like i made it just in time, want some help with these?”

“Eeeyup” heh guess he really doesn't talk much then.

“well then let's get to work.” i said, letting my wings dissipate.

Then the first timberwolf lunged at me, i deftly sidestepped and grabbed its hind legs and lifted it above me. once it hit its apex, i used the momentum to slam it into the ground, instantly shattering it. Big Mac was dealing with a lone wolf a ways away while there were two more for me to deal with. the two that remained stayed back for a few seconds before both of them lunged like the first did, this time i didn't move. i simply brought both of my fists up then down on their heads dazing them for a few seconds. i grabbed the first one’s head and wrenched it free from the rest of its body, making the rest of it fall to the ground in a pile of firewood. the second one had recovered and was preparing to lunge me again, only it feinted and scored a hit on my left side. it looked at me with what i could only describe as a smirk on its face. by now Mac had destroyed his and was coming to help me with mine. i turned back to my opponent, and it charged me, assuming i was too injured to fight back now… fool. i straightened up at the last minute and brought my booted foot against it’s head, punting it a good forty feet away.

With the crisis averted i turned my attention to my side, i could see bones. that bastard exposed my ribcage, gotta hand it to them though. when Mac was close enough to notice he told me to wait here while he went to get help. after he left i focused on my regeneration ability, almost right away i felt a warm sensation spread from my wound, looking down i smiled to see that it was being repaired, though i would need to do something about the blood i lost. maybe there was a blood bank i could go to to get some. after about five minutes my side was completely healed, just then a group of ponies with medical equipment arrived. i waved them off and told them i used my powers to heal myself. i then called my wings and started flying toward the place i would be staying tonight, the Golden Oaks Library near the town hall. on the way i saw my truck and i decided to drive it there so i could have it on hand, i started to glide gently to it. once i landed i got in and started it up, within a few minutes i parked it beside the library and i went inside, remembering to duck this time.

i spent the rest of the day inside, i didn't want to scare the town’s ponies with me covered in blood. so i went up to the loft with a few books and started reading. i must have fallen asleep because i awoke to find it dark outside. since i had just got sleep i decided to patrol the edge of town to make sure nothing else attacked during the night. fortunately nothing happened, so when dawn came i decided to take a walk in the park until about nine, i then went over to rarity's to check on my uniform.

When i arrived i remembered to duck into the door so as to not hit my head again. “Rarity are you here?”

“I‘m in here darling!” she called from a side room.

i enter the room and i just start grinning. “so i take it my order is finished?”

“Indeed it is darling, i think i got everything right… what happened to you? there's blood on you!” she said with a look of concern.

“Oh i got into a fight with a group of timberwolves that were heading towards the town, me and Big Mac drove them off.” i said, leaving my injury out.

“Well you should change into your new uniform then, you did say you were on a job right?”

“Yea i did, um would it be too much to ask if i could use your shower though? i still have blood on me from yesterday.” i ask sheepishly.

“Of course you can use it, i was just about to suggest it myself actually.” she said looking positively pleased that she could finish the uniform for me on time.

After i took a shower i got dressed in my new uniform, the black hat with the orange tinted glasses and a black cloak jacket to match, it looked perfect.. i thanked rarity for making it for me and i headed back to the library to wait for trilight, but on my way there i saw her arrive so i jogged over to her.

“Hello there Miss Sparkle, the Princess has assigned me to be your personal guard for a while.” i said as i walked up to her and spike. “And you must be spike, glad to meet the both of you. however i need to drop these off at the library, if you would come with me we can go there together to drop you stuff off as well.” i added as i showed them my bloody clothes. “oh the blood is not a problem, some timberwolves were trying to sneak into town and i took care of them.”

we made our way to the library, but on the way we ran into pinkie… dear lord i feel bad for Twi, but it has to happen. once we get there i accompany them to sweet apple acres, where we get swarmed with food. then we ran into Rainbow Dash, i got to see Rarity at the town hall again, then we met the one i thought we would have the most trouble with… Fluttershy. to make things simple i picked spike up and showed him to her, as expected she opened right up to him.
after that we headed back to the library, i knew what was going to happen of course so i let her go first. once she was inside the lights lit up and everyone from town screamed ‘SURPRIZE’. i couldn't stop laughing at it though. once introductions were out of the way, i decided to go upstairs, i was never one for parties so i stayed up there until Twi joined me.

“Why aren't you down there with the rest of them?” she asked me from across the room.

“Because no one needs to know more about me, i'm a stranger in this land. the only reason i'm here in Equestria is from a freak accident. i'm from another dimension miss sparkle.” i stated flatly.

“You’re from another dimension?!” she exclaimed, me and my big mouth.

“Yes, but can the questions wait? we have a difficult task ahead of us… Nightmare Moon is returning and we must stop her.” i replied before she could shoot off a million questions.

“How do you know about Nightmare Moon if you’re from another dimension?” she asked, getting kind of suspicious.

“Why tell you when i can show you instead?” i said pulling my phone out, i load up the season one pilot on netflix and show her the episode up until where we were. so as to not spoil anything for her and mess up the timeline further than i already have.

“now you know how i know all about you, i know everything about the future Twi, i can't go home to my dimension for one reason. i don't have a body to go back to, it was destroyed by an explosion, so i’m staying here and i'm going to protect this world from harm. i actually have a plan to defeat Nightmare Moon Twi but you have to trust me completely, ok?”

At that point it was time to head to the town hall for the festival.

Author's Note - I’m trying a new strategy, after the last chapter i think that sitting down and typing it all up at once was a little too much pressure for me. So i plan on writing a little each day, accounting for work ofcourse. Well enough of my problems, time for the chapter.

As me and Scootaloo made our way to the train platforms she looked at me with a hint of worry in her eyes.