> A Human's Guide To Equestria > by Hidden_Blade_Attack > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Not Your Average Morning > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My eyes burst open at the sound of my ringing alarm clock. My mind is working fast to process what that means. I quickly hit the snooze. I remember it's reminding me to wake up for school. I force myself to sit upright. I could see my dog, Riley, laying at my feet looking at me with grumpy eyes asking me why did I do this to him. I sigh and rub my hands all over my face trying to wipe away the black whole of reality. I had the dream again, the dream where I'm a pony in Equestria and all is good. My silly dream that could never come true. But then I heard the bed calling my name to return to it, to sleep for just 5 more minutes. But knowing me, I would easily sleep in for another hour no problem. My body slowly falls back into the bed. It doesn't really matter, my dad will be yelling at me to wake up any second. Yes, any second he will yell his usual 'Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey.' I found it silly that he still does that. I felt my dog put his head back down meaning that he figured that he wants 5 more minutes as well. My mind starts emptying and my body begins powering down as my I drift back into sleep. 'How come my dad hasn't yelled yet?' I force myself up again. I then rethink my week, is today a day off, a weekend? No, yesterday was only Monday. Are my parents busy? No, they never really are. Then what's going on. Whatever it's probably just a rare occasion where they didn't wake. I force myself up again and sit at the end of my bed, I stretch and force a yawn. I look over to see Riley getting up as well. I guess I'll just go with the usual routine. I walk over to the washroom and splash water into my face to wake me up some more. The water feels super fresh and crisp... if that makes sense... The water trickles down my face and I feel pretty refreshed. I walk out and go downstairs for breakfast, I get the bowl and spoon and pour in some frosted flakes before adding the finishing touch, milk... which seems to gone. We must be out... of everything? I look around the fridge and notice that it's completely emptied. I look back at my bowl and see that I never poured anything in. Whoops, I guess we need to go shopping. I go over to the shelves and find a discarded granola bar. I shrug and eat it. Chocolate chips, baloney, this stuff doesn't taste good like chocolate at all! I go over to the couch and turn on the TV. Weird, nothing on, fricken dad never payed the cable bill, way to go! That is like the second time this year! I angrily throw the remote and finish the crap granola bar. I go back to my room and get dressed in a red hoodie and jeans. I look out my window to see that it's bright day out. Weird, it looks very different. I don't really recognize the landscape. I rub my eyes and see that it's still the same. I pick up my phone and try to text my friend, no reception. Did my dad seriously not pay the phone bill too?! Oh well, that's what facebook is for. I try out facebook. No internet signal... OKAY! I CAN HANDLE NO FOOD, NO TV, NO PHONE, AND EVEN A RANDOM LANDSCAPE I DON'T RECOGNIZE, BUT I WILL NOT STAND FOR NO INTERNET!!!! I march down the hallway and burst open my parents door to their room. My eyes widen with shock, there not there... no note, no nothing, there just gone... What is going on....is this some sort of dream or a joke. Then I hear a knock at my door. I slowly walk over to the door. Am I the only survivor of a zombie apocalypse? Oh crap. I slowly turn the knob and open the door. My jaw nearly hits the ground, it's no zombie but it's equally crazy. A grey pony is standing at the door. I instantly know who the mare is, it's Derpy from My Little Pony... but how. Before I can fully process what I see, the pony screams and flies off as fast as she can. I just watch as she becomes a little dot in the sky. I then redirect my eyes to in front of me. I'm staring into a town, Ponyville it looks like. My house is in the middle of Ponyville... Ponies begin noticing me and run away and screaming. I quickly shut the door as my heart thumps as fast as it can and my breathing becomes sharp. I'm freakin out!!!!!!! I walk over and sit on the couch. My mind begins racing. How do I get home? Is there even a way home? How'd I get here? Are ponies actually sexy? Wait a second. This is a dream come true! It's just like those fanfics I read! A human pops up in Equestria and befriends the main 6 and gets an awesome pony girlfriend and Spike is a bro. This is awesome. I should get a little more presentable, also the way they ran terrified. I should probably show them that I'm peaceful. How though... I don't care I just want to hang out with Rainbow Dash, learn from Twilight, have tea with Fluttershy, meet the princess. HOLY COW! I'M IN EQUESTRIA! I looked at my self. I think I look good enough for a first impression. I quickly run to my room to see Riley still asleep. "Wake up boy!" I yell. He slowly lifts his head. "Come on don't be like that. We're in Equestria! I don't care if I'm insane or dreaming we got to make the best of it!" I run back to the door as I put my phone is my pocket. I wait a second and still Riley isn't down. What a lazy dog. I whistle and call for him. He comes running down as he waits for me to open the door. "Let's do this!" I open the door to reveal Ponyville. My eyes practically popping out of my head as I see Twilight just a ways off with Spike beside her. I can barely contain myself as I walk up to her. She looks scared and steps back. "What is that?" Spike asked. "My name is Samual, I'm a human!" I say shaking with excitement. "It can talk?" Twilight says. "Yeah- Oh my god it's Rainbow Dash!" I yell as I see her land near by. I start running at her to see her but before I get there my legs wrap up and I trip. "Not so fast!" I hear a familiar southern voice say. I should have known not to do that. I sit up and see that my legs are wrapped in a rope. I then hear Riley start barking at Applejack see as though she tripped me. "Hey back off!" Applejack warns but Riley barks louder and advances. "Riley stop! Sit, come here! Roll over?!" My commands are not met and he continues barking. I get up balancing on my tied legs. This isn't going to plan, I need to make myself look peaceful but friggen Riley won't shut up. "It looks pretty dangerous!" Spike exclaimed. "Maybe it's a friendly creature though." I heard a soft voice say. I turn to see Fluttershy there. "I knew you'd come through Fluttershy!" I said happily. "How does it know my name?" Fluttershy asked backing away. Dang it! I finally get my legs free and start making my way to Riley. "Hey stay still until otherwise ordered!" Rainbow Dash yelled flying up to my face. I could hear Riley barking a bit more aggressively, I need to calm him down. "Not now!" I say as I push her aside. I heard an 'oof'. I didn't mean to push that hard, it's either I'm really strong or their light. I finally get to Riley who is barking non-stop at an agitated Applejack. But then I get hoof punched in the face. I fall flat on my back as my cheek begins to throb. "Not cool!" I yelled at Dash who was the one who hit me. "Enough!" I heard Twilight say. A purple aura surrounded Dash and she was pulled away and a force field surrounded me and Riley. "We have to do this in a peaceful way. The creature is obviously intelligent enough to talk to." She said as Dash calmed down. "Thank you Twi- pony. You got to understand that I am peaceful!" I say as I step forward. But I accidentally hit the force field and it disappears instantly. "Wait, what?" Twilight yelled. She tried another one but broke on contact on me. She tried again, and again. But the same result. "What is it Twilight?" Spike asked. "M-my magic has no effect on it, it's invulnerable to magic..." She said with a freaked out face. I never really thought of that. I guess it must be weird for them considering there world revolves around magic. I knew this was getting out of had fast. All of a sudden a rope wrapped around my neck and tightened with caused me to fall from the choke. "Now no more movin', or Ah'll pull!" I heard Applejack say. Now I heard Riley growl since I was hurt, he was very protective of me. I grabbed the rope around my neck and pulled on it trying to release the choking grasp. "Hey, what did she say?!" Rainbow Dash said getting in my face but she fell from her flight and ran back. "Don't get to close, it seems to disable any near by magic including pegasi!" Twilight warned. I tried to say something but the rope was too tight. I felt it grow tighter. Riley finally had enough and ran at Applejack. She quickly reacted by bucking Riley to the ground. That's it! I've had enough of this crap! I grabbed the rope with all my might and to my surprise ripped it from my neck. I took a deep breath of air before getting up. "Nobody, or pony hurts my dog!" I yelled at Applejack. "I'll get the authorities!" Rarity said running off. "Stay back!" Applejack warned. I only kept going, I wasn't sure the punishment, but I knew that wasn't right. She turned and bucked at me, but I caught her legs, and with surprisingly little effort, I threw her at least 7 metres. There was no way I could do that, maybe I'm like super man and have gained power from Equestrian sun. Probably not, but something close like that. Riley got up mostly unfazed thankfully. "Stay over there!" Twilight begged. I just ran off, I heard Riley do one last bark before following me. I ran to the house I barely got away from and slammed the door. I turned to see Riley sitting there panting. He was a golden retriever, he was smart,brave, and loyal. I'm glad he got to come with me. But this was all wrong! I am suppose to befriend them but instead I botched it up and now I'm seen as a huge threat. I think I still have a chance to turn this around. But for now I decided to practice my strength so I went over and tried lifting my couch, I did it with relative ease. I knew now that no matter what happened I would get through this. "Don't worry boy, we got this!" I told him and he barked in response. I could only imagined he said something like, "We got this bro!" > Nightmare Begins > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I slowly lift my head from the pillow. A slight accumulation of saliva has formed. I must have dozed off. I slowly get up, I feel very tired as I stretch my muscles, I was probably out for an hour or two. Riley was sitting at the door. Either he had to out or something was up... Or both. I slowly made my way over to the door. I took a deep breath. I had to make this right. I opened the door and froze, even Riley didn't bark. There were hundreds of soldiers with full golden armor. They all were armed spears and swords that I had no idea how they could use it. But they were all there with some serious and some scared faces. I saw the main six standing near. I now fully understood my mistake now. I slowly rub my eyes hoping to erase the scene but it stayed there. So I clapped my hands together and took a deep breath. "Well, hi, everybody, er pony. I um-*" I was interrupted by Twilight. "Come forward with your, uh, appendages up! And surrender!" She ordered. "No! Listen to me!" They readjusted their spears at me fully. "I am peaceful, I wish no harm onto any!" I yell for them to hear. "How can you be trusted?" Rainbow asked flying closer to me. "You flung me to the ground pretty easily." "We have to contain it, it's too dangerous with it's invulnerability to magic." I could tell Twilight was speaking to the guards but I had a say! "You can't just cage me like an animal!" I said astonished. My voice cracked a little near the end, I was getting kind of worked up. "Just accept your fate!" Dash yelled down at me. Those words echoed in my head. My fate? Was this truly my fate? Was I to be caged and locked away due to my differences like some alien? "I took you ponies for something else!" I yelled at them they back away still spears pointed. "But your no different from my kind, judging things on how they look. For shame!" I continue on. I walked closer to them and they backed away a bit more. "You think I'll just sit back and let this happen!?" I came right up to a terrified soldier who awkwardly pointed the spear at me. I took his spear and broke it on my knee. And then I walked back to my door way. "Come at me bro!" I yelled before slamming the door. It was hours, nothing had happened, I'm pretty sure they left guards surrounding my house. I wasn't going anywhere. I jumped into my bed and stared at my ceiling. I was getting hungry as it was past lunch time but there was no food for me to eat. I don't know what to do now. My greatest dream has turned into my worse nightmare. The rest of the day was mostly me sitting in my room, playing on DS with whatever power it had as there was no power in my house anymore. I don't know exactly how it works, there was power earlier, I don't care. I just want to go home. I had enough of this. Then Riley started getting uneasy and trotting back and forth. "What is it boy?" He responded by sniffing my hand. I then smelt something, something burning. I went down stairs only to see fire raging through out the living room and kitchen. Crap they're trying to burn me to death! I ran back upstairs and grabbed a back pack. I packed my laptop, some clothing, some books, and practically everything from my shelves. I started coughing from the fumes and Riley was whimpering. I wasn't dying so fast. I ripped open my windows and ordered Riley onto the roof, I jumped out onto the roof only to be bombarded by spears. They drove into the roof all around me with a 'twong'. It was night and I couldn't pinpoint there origin so I ran across the roof, how was I going to get down. I looked down to the ground, not that far- then I felt a shock of pain through my body. A spear was cutting through my leg. I quickly clenched my teeth and pulled it out, I screamed in pain and Riley began growling. "Stop! I'm good!" I yelled as blood began gushing from my leg. I sat down and fought back the tears from the pain as Riley sniffed my leg. "Surrender now!" I heard a voice call out. I heard a crack and the roof beneath me broke from the fire weakening it. I fell backwards into the hole and fell into the heat and scratches... All of a sudden I'm staring down on myself, except I'm 13 and I'm in a school yard. Two other people are pushing me around. This is when I revealed to people that I'm a brony. They punched me and laughed at me. But I never shook, I kept my passion. 'You idiot, no one likes you' one said. 'Yeah, you twit!' The other yelled 'At least I'm not two stupid morons with low self esteem!' I retorted. That made them real angry and begin beating me harder. How dare they do that to me because I'm different. That's a reason why I liked MLP, they are accepting and nice, well I thought so. It turns out there no different from those bullies, well like then I'm standing up for myself, but unlike then, I'll come out on top! > A Helping Hoof > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My eyes shoot open to Riley pulling at my pant leg. I try to scream but my voice is nowhere to be found. My mouth is filled with drying ash. Splinters fill my arms and legs and smoke suffocates my body as heat burns at my nerves. How am I alive? I must have super endurance! I try to get up but I am reminded of my bleeding ankle. Riley whimpers. That's when I notice the fire and all the surrounding dangerous elements are not effecting him. He must be like a super dog or something. I lean on him and he helps me up. He is truly man's best friend. I can feel my body begging for clean air and some fresh water and vomit threatens to release but I have to get out. I look all around me but only see fire. I clench my fists and hold my breath. I slam into the wall as hard as I can, the woods cracking and breaking on my weight. I fall onto the dying grass and Riley jumps out. I hear the call of guards alarmed of my survival. I get up with whatever energy my body possesses and run. It's too dark to know where but I don't care at this point. I hear Riley's paws behind me as we run through the fields and town and finally free of their grasp. I finally collapse. I kind of wish I don't wake up. I woke up sometime later. I instantly was forced to vomit. I guess I should examine myself. Let's see. I'm very dehydrated, several burns, scratches and splinters. Clothes are torn and battered. My backpack didn't make it but Riley is completely unharmed. "Just me and you boy, from now on!" I said to him. I think I am going crazy, but Riley barked in response which I'm taking as a YEAH! I guess from my surroundings that I'm near Fluttershy's cottage. Me and Riley begin walking around until I find a stream, we viciously consume the water. Riley's ears then perked up and he began sniffing the air. "What is it boy?" I ask him. Obviously no exact response, but I could tell there was a presence near by. I really hope it isn't guards, even though I have super strength, speed, endurance and resistance I think my body can't take much more. I look around but can't see much, just a grassy field, wait, there are some bushes and a tree. Riley was growling quietly to himself, i knew there was something in those bushes. I slowly get up and fight the dizziness my head provides. "Stay back boy." i order Riley as I begin making my way to the bush. Riley follows a ways back. I could see the bush rustle a bit. "alright come out I know your there!" I alarm the watcher. But no response. I take another step forward. "Wait! Don't hurt me!" A light blue, mint green maned mare says jumping from the bush. I instantly recognize the pony. 'Hey, your Lyra." I say. "How do you know my name?" "Uh... I just know things. okay?" She eyes me oddly before shaking it off. "Your a human correct?" "Yes" "A real life one?" "Yes." "Like, one that is real?" "I believe so." "A breathing one that is alive?" "I think breathing comes with living." "So-*" "I'm a living, real human okay!?" I interrupt her. "This. Is. Amazing!" I knew you humans were real!" Wow, just like the fanfics. "You were right! So... am I going to be turned in for death or am will you help me. Or the very least pretend I was never here!" "No way! I would never turn you in! Wait your wanted?" "Yeah, they didn't take well to me. Your the first pony willing to talk to me this close." She shakes her head "Yeah... I figured." She said. "So, just pretend I was never here." I ordered. "No! You kidding me?! This is a huge opportunity! I got to help you! Just come with me!" She said. "Really? Thanks!" I reply. At this point Riley came up beside me. "Oh, you got a pet dog?" She asked. "Ya, his name's Riley, he's very loyal and well trained." I told her. "Is he friendly?" I scratched my head. "Well, his experience with ponies haven't been the best, but as long as you don't attack me he should learn to live with you." "Okay good. Don't worry little guy, I'll make the other ponies not hurt you!" She said to Riley. Then her eyes went wide. "Did they do that to you?!" She said looking at the deep cut in my leg. "I told you they didn't take kindly to me. Also out of all my out of all the injuries I have you notice that one." I replied. "That could get infected, come with me." Lyra said walking ahead. "You know when I said it's just you and me?" I asked Riley. "Well, I trust Lyra so let's go!" Riley followed me along. "This my be an odd question but can i touch your hands?" Lyra asked fixated on them. "Uh, sure." I shrugged. Her hoof gripped on to my hand and played around with my fingers and knuckles. "There so soft, but so strong..." She said as she let go. "Ah!" She randomly said as her hoof shot up to her horn. "What?" I asked. "Just a head ache." She told me and we continue on. "Well, since you know me apparently, what is your name? And a little about your species." She asked. "My name is Samual Cronan, but you can just call me Sam." I reply. "That's an odd name, although you are human." She said. "I'm pretty sure your a boy but I'm not completely sure." She says. "I'm a boy, I guess you couldn't tell considering there is nothing to compare me to." "Well except for vague drawings in a book." "They have books about humans?" "Yeah, humans are myth and stuff, so there just mythology books." "I see." We walk for a little bit in silence, luckily we were on the outs and so the guards probably wouldn't find me easily. "How do you know me, just a question." "Well, like how you know me, except more detail on pony characteristics." "So, ponies, including me and I'm guessing others, are myth in your world?" "Kind of. Let's just say that so not to confuse you further." "So our worlds are connected in a way!" I looked at her confused but was about to explain. "Well, I'v done lots of research on different worlds trying to see if humans are real. And a theory is that there are infinite groups of dimensions and in one of those groups there is mine and yours, ours must be in the same group. Sometimes, dimensions can have a strong connections, ours must. The strong connections can cause displacement of objects and timelines that are very similar." Lyra explained. "Just like if you lose car keys, they must go through dimensions." I joked. "Yeah! Wait, what's a car?" "Never mind." We were silent and snook through a more populated zone, we ducked through bushes and in ally ways, guards still weren't seen but others could alert them. We finally got through unseen. "So, where do you live exactly?" I asked. "Up ahead." She pointed to a house a couple blocks down. "I'm not the richest pony ever so I share a house with my good friend BonBon! She should understand why your here. She should have seen it coming, she knew of my interest in humans." "I see, just like other fanfics..." I murmured to myself. "What?" She asked. "Are you and BonBon just friends?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. "What do you mean?" She asked eyeing me suspiciously. "Well, I'v heard... just rumors, but uh, you know... duh..." I didn't think I was doing myself any good. "Heard what?" She asked staring at me with a stern expression. But Riley was watching her carefully. "Um, you know, when two girls find themselves, liking each other more then usual and s- hey look we're here!" I interrupted myself gesturing to a house. "That's not my house, it's next door." She said. "Just let it go. Hey, did you know humans have an alteration to you ponies!" I redirected the conversation. "Really!?" I guess not all the fanfics are right... We got to the house and Lyra let me in. "Be on your best behavior, I just need to let Bon know your staying here for however long." She barely finished the sentence before we were attacked by noise. "LYRA WHAT IS THAT THING!?!?" > Free Health Care! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BonBon was freaked out at the sight of me. I am rather threatening looking I guess. I'm at least a foot taller than them and I look very different. "Oh, hi Bon. This is Sam, he's a human!" Lyra said introducing me. She was acting like it was normal to bring a creature from a different dimension home. "But-ah-er, I thought hoomans weren't real." The astonished mare sputtered out, I decided to stay quiet. "Well, I wouldn't want to say I told you so but, I told you so!" She exclaimed. "B-b-b, oh Celestia!" And with that she fainted. I looked over to Lyra who had a huge grin on her face. 'Neh, whatever, she'll be more willing to except your existence when she wakes, now help me get her to the couch." I went over and lifted her myself, she was pretty light, or I was still getting use to my super strength! "Wow, your pretty strong!" Lyra watched me in minor amazement as I lifted Bon over to the couch and layed her down. "I know, I seem to have gained abnormal strength ever since I got here." "That's pretty awesome!" She said. I looked over at Bon with concern. I hope this doesn't cause anything too bad. I'd hate to ruin anything here in Equestria but I think that may be too late. Riley went over and sat near the couch watching Bon as if expecting a surprise attack. "Anyways, I should help you with the cut." She said causing me to look at my beat up ankle. "It doesn't hurt or anything." "But it could get infected or maybe it is actually really serious! I just don't want the only human in Equestria to die!" Those words hit me harder than you would think. No humans in this whole world, I am literally alone, super isolated from anything remotely human. It kind of freaked me out. "Are you sure there hasn't been any humans here, ever." I asked. Lyra walked over to me with a rag and water floating from magic. "Not that I'v ever known of from my research. But I suspect that Celestia is hiding something." Lyra said, but once she got to close to me her magic dissipated and the pale of water fell to the ground luckily not spilling, along with the rag. "Ow! What the?" Lyra said rubbing her horn in pain. "Sorry Lyra. It's like I have an anti magic field around me." I explained. I went over and picked up the water and rag and put them on a coffee table and sat in a chair. "It's fine. No dream come true is perfect." Lyra said. I hope my anti magic thing didn't have any long term effects or something. "Although it is odd, nothing in Equestrian history has ever been 100% immune to magic." Lyra said walking over to me and picking up her items. "Although I don't think we get many visitors from other dimensions." She added getting the cloth wet. "Pass me your foot please." I did so she managed to grab it to hold still. I still have no idea how they can utilize their hooves so well, they're practically hands! "I'm still super thankful your so willing to help ME!" I yelled at the end as she put the wet cloth to my wound. She jolted her hoof back. "What are you allergic to water?" She asked with actual seriousness. "I should hope not, my body is 75% of it. It just stings." I said. She rolled her eyes. "Don't be such a foal, it's just water." She said moving her hoof back to my ankle, I clenched my teeth and prepared for the sting. Maybe I am being babyish but it friggen stings! It is a freakin hole in my leg. I felt the same stinging feeling as she pressed the rag to my wound. "Hey! Easy!" I said trying to not to kick her and run. I have no idea why I would do that. Is that a reflex or something? If it is that would make a great excuse in certain situations! "I need to clean it! It's like you were rolling around in mud and then jumped in a heap of trash!" She said scrubbing my ankle. I bit my tongue in attempt not to swear, luckily the more the water was there the less it hurt. "There. But if that stung this will for certainly sting," She said getting out a bottle of something. I think it's some kind of medical stuff that does... stuff. I never bothered to ask what it was, I just let my mom put it on my cuts and try not to scream like I'm being tortured. "Oh crap, just do it quickly." I said. I didn't even look, the next thing I knew is I felt the horrible sting and I held my breath so I couldn't do anything, finally I felt her hoof leave the spot. "Holy fudge nuggets! That mother truckin hurt like... nether!" I don't even know, I was just dodging cusses, I am pretty sure that isn't aloud in a world of a girl's show! Lyra just giggled at my interesting choice of words as I calmed down. "Does that mean something in your world?" She asked. "Heh, no, it doesn't make any sense, anywhere." I replied. She giggled again. "Now I just need to bandage it up and we're done." She said as she got out a rather big bandage. I started letting my mind wander as she began bandaging my wound. "What happens if the anchorites find out that your helping me?" I couldn't imagine any real punishment in a land of ponies but you never know. I saw her frown. "Well, it depends how much your wanted I guess. But I'm guessing you'll probably be taken from me and I would be fined or something." Not as bad as back home. I saw her expression sadden. "But they will never find out! Your too special. It'll be all okay, and we can live happily ever after and be awesome friends and learn all about our different worlds." She said as if trying to trick herself. I think we both knew that would be very hard and almost impossible. They seemed to really want me and I know they won't stop searching. Also, I want to go home. Sure it would be awesome to live here and maybe it would all work out... but I am already starting to miss my old life. But what did happen? How am I here, could Lyra's theory be right? Am I just a thing that got pulled through dimensions. "Lyra, do you think there is any way back?" I asked. She paused and looked at the floor. "I really wouldn't know. But why would you go back. It can be fine here. We can sort this out and it'll be all fine." She looked at me and gave a smile. We jumped when Riley barked. I looked over to him and as if he understood what we were talking about he gave me a stern expression. He then walked over and sat down beside my chair. "Lyra, I would like to go home. You got to understand, right?" I told her. She stood up and looked at me and nodded. "Okay, your right. You should go back, it's where you belong. I will help you anyway I can." She said. "Thanks. We can still have fun along the way and learn about each other's worlds." I reassured her. She smiled. "I'd like that." She had a thoughtful expression her face before saying "I think I need to stick it to Bon so she knows not to tell anypony else." I nodded. "This isn't going to be easy." It never is in the fanfics. And they seem to be true 50% of the time. "I'm up for the challenge." She said. Then she went up to me and hugged me. She hugged me pretty tight, she must be scared that I might randomly disappear or something. I hugged her back. "Don't worry I won't let them find you." She whispered in my ear. I noticed Riley eyeing her. "And what about BonBon?" "I'll take care of that." She replied. Giving me one last squeeze before breaking the hug. I'm not use to how... affectionate ponies are. Then she had a mischievous smile. "You know, that wasn't the only wound you have." She said scanning my body. I then realized what she meant. "Fuuuuu-!" > Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everywhere hurt, it was like getting pricked by 1000 needles all at once... okay maybe I'm over reacting, but the point is, it isn't very comfortable. I had loads of cuts and slivers all over my body and Lyra looked after all of them with that stingy stuff, well almost all of them. You know the less so nice ones... Anyways, after that I had a quick bath and I tried to clean up Riley but he never did like baths. He seems unscathed which makes me think he has better super powers... unfair. I tied a towel around my waste. Pony towels are a bit too small. But it gets the job done. I walk out of the bathroom and find Lyra sitting in the chair doing nothing in particular. "Hey, you look nicely refreshed." Lyra commented. I did feel better. "Yeah, it did help. Anyways where are my clothes?" Lyra gave me a confused look. "You mean those ratty looking rags? I was going to wash them for you but they're way beyond repair." She said with a smirk. I could feel my face go shocked. "But I need those clothes! I don't want to wear your towel around!" I exclaimed. She giggled. "No, silly. Just take it off." "You mean you want me naked?" "Is there a problem with that?" I could feel my face heat up. "Yes!" I said putting my hands on my towel, as if I am scared it'll disappear. "But I'm naked right now... is this bothering you?" She asked looking at herself. "No... it's different... your a pony..." She looked at me questioningly. "I'm confused...it isn't a big deal. Ponies are naked all the time. Trust me, no pony will care." She got up and went over to me, I backed up but hit a wall. "N-no. I-" "Stop being so weird, you can't just wear a towel, maybe I can get some clothes for you or something." She said. Without warning she grabbed the towel with her mouth and pulled it off. I could feel my face heat up much more. "See, was that so..." Her face contorted and looked away. "Uh... is it suppose to be... all... showing and there..." I could see her blush. I snatched back the towel and wrapped it quickly. "It's apart of my culture to wear clothes, trust me, mine will do." "R-right. I'll just go get them." She said quietly as she trotted off. I stood there trying to contain my blush but I was very embarrassed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I was back in my clothes and we were sitting in chairs around a fire place she had with Bon Bon laying on the couch close by. We knew she would wake up soon. We were't talking, I don't think it was from earlier, probably, like it wasn't too bad right? She just saw my stuff, not all bad. I think she was just thinking of what to say. the fire place wasn't lit, there was no need, I think it was kind of symbolic for a peaceful place to think. I was petting Riley who had camped just beside my chair, this must be stressful for him as for me. But it's good to know Lyra's got my back. I'm surprised she's not exploding with questions like in fanfics. Maybe I should stop using that as my 'guide'. Maybe the ponies are much different. Well they are, most fanfics are all happy and the human is friends with the main six and gets Rainbow Dash to fall for them or something. But, I guess fanfics are really just fiction, to a point, there are lucky guesses. Maybe I should make my own guide. 'A Human's Guide to Equestria'. Yeah, awesome name! And when I go back home I can post it on sites and spread the word, because if I can get here, others must be able to as well. I was just about to ask if I could use a book and quill to jot stuff in but Lyra beat me to the question. "You know... uh... Sam. You really are a dream come true." She said. I was actually quite flattered. "How?" "My whole life, I was fascinated by the myth of humans. I thought, knew, they existed but was always ridiculed for it. But now that your here... my whole life was not a waste and all the research and countless attempts to find one was not for nothing. But I was right all along." She said almost tearing up, for joy I would assume. I reached out and took her hoof in my hand. She smiled for a moment. "But now, there are ponies after you because they judge you too quickly and think you are a monster. It's not fair! They're trying to take you from me!" She said before beginning to sob. I didn't know I meant so much. I got up and went over to her. "It's okay Lyra, I'm here and you were right all along. Listen, nothing bad will happen to me, do not let me ruin your life. If they find out your helping me, it could be horrible." I explained. I didn't want her to put her life on the line for me. She looked me straight in the eyes. "But you are my life!" She dove into me and hugged my tight. "I've spent my whole life hoping to find a human... I don't want to lose you." She said before crying into my chest. I carried her to my chair and rested her in my lap. "Lyra, I won't allow you to do anything for me. You've already done lots. But if it comes to a point where protecting me can cost you everything... don't. I'm not worth it." I explained as she hugged me crying into my shoulder. She said something but it was muffled by my chest so I couldn't make it out. "Shhh. I'm not going anywhere right now. I'm here. And we will get through this." I promised. I patted her back and she squeezed harder, again, like she thought I could disappear. Riley was watching us, but didn't do anything, I guess he's learning to trust Lyra. It was unfair though, I was judged to fast, I couldn't prove myself. But when i think about it, humans are just like that. If an alien came to Earth we wouldn't give it a chance, the government would capture it and experiment on it.Or if it was in public, the military would probably kill it. It isn't fair. But even i judge people quickly too. That's a good note for my guide. Don't judge a book by it's cover, that is very true and now do I really realize what that means. Although unfortunately, my cover is an unknown threatening beast never seen before. But there is hope. Lyra gave me a chance, maybe other's will too. They just need to get to know me. Maybe Lyra will know a pony who can really help and won't judge. But she needs a good cry. We both have are dreams turned nightmares. Her human discovery is being hunted down and my brony paradise is trying to kill me! I look to Riley as Lyra continues to embrace me. I wonder if Riley's dream is to finally catch his tail which can never happen, then I guess it makes three of us. Although at least his tail isn't trying to kill him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm not sure when I dozed off, but at some point me and Lyra fell asleep in each other's embrace. I woke up to the sounds of hoof steps. Lyra is till peacefully sleeping on my lap. I look over to the origins of the sound and see Bon Bon had awoken and was eyeing me. "Uh, hi there, Bon Bon." I greeted awkwardly. She looked at me for a couple seconds in silence. "Er, hi. So, uh. Lyra was right about humans then?" She asked. I nodded. Bon was obviously taking it in. "Listen Bon. I mean no harm. I don't know how I got here, well, Lyra has a theory. And I just want to go home. I won't hurt you or anyone. But ponies are after me due to I'm unusual." I explained in a quieter tone that usual. "Okay." Bon said still taking it in. "I need to hide here for a bit until things get figured out and it would be amazing if you didn't anybody, please." "Okay, okay. So your going to stay here for a while?" Yes, if you don't mind." "And your being hunted but you didn't do anything bad." "Correct." "As long as Lyra takes care of you. I don't remember your name though." "Oh right. Makes sense, I'm Samual, but just call me Sam." She nodded. "I bet you've made Lyra very happy. I don't want to ruin that. But don't you dare make her do anything dumb!" "I won't. If worse comes to worse, I will turn myself in, and not lead anyone to believe Lyra was involved." She thought for a moment. "Deal." She said walking off. Hopefully that won't bite me in the butt. "You know there's a loop hole to that." I heard Lyra say, I never noticed she woke up and I don't think Bon did either. "What?" I asked looking down to a sleepy Lyra. "She never said I couldn't do something stupid without your influence." > Shadow > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Equestria is truly incredible. Just the beauty of the nature and just how peaceful it is, well, when it isn't trying to kill me. I was sitting on this little couch in Lyra's room looking out the window to the night sky. Bon Bon was nice enough to make dinner for Lyra and I. Even though it was just salad (I didn't try the daisy sandwiches) I found it alright. I couldn't dare bring up meat, it would be unheard of. Bon wanted to talk to Lyra in private which I understand. Lyra told me to wait in her room which I found pretty easily. I doubt Bon likes mint green as much. Riley joined me here as we watched the stars. I wonder how astronomy works here. If Celestia sets and rises the sun while Luna does the same for the night sky. Does nothing work without a magical force? If there even orbit or is the sun pure magic brightening the sky? I don't know. This universe has completely different principles and laws of physics. I shouldn't try to understand it. I wonder if they can use magic to find me, even though I'm immune. What if I'm like a shadow, like if they cast a huge spell to effect everything and I'm the one thing immune, couldn't they find me? Like light missing a spot... a shadow? "You know you shouldn't be so near the window. You could get seen." I turned to see Lyra standing there with a look of concern. "Right. Your right." I got up and away from the window while Riley did the same. "So what was that about?" I asked. "Oh I was just explaining what will be going on. She thought you might be controlling me but I dismissed that idea." She explained. Lyra jumped up on her bed and patted the spot beside her which I went and occupied. "What were you thinking about, you looked lost in thought." She asked. "Oh, nothing really. Just admiring the night sky. Where I come from, most artificial light blocks out the stars. So it's nice to see such a clear sky." I explained. "You have that much light? Why do you need so much?" I chuckled. "Well a city hosts thousands of humans, like a lot. So we need a lot of light to see. Like houses, apartments, hospitals, airports, stadiums and whatever. If it's a building it has light." I said. "Wow, how many humans are there?" "Around 7 billion." 'Holy! that many. I don't know exactly how many ponies there are but definitely not 7 billion!" "Yup there's lots of us." I said. As we sat there in silence for a bit. "I think I know who can help." Lyra said breaking the silence. "Who?" "Princess Celestia. She should be more accepting. She should if any pony know how to get you home." She said. "Yeah! That might work! But how would we get to her? I'm being hunted!" I asked. "Right. Well. We would have to be sneaky but I think I could get us there. I'v - oh" She said all of a sudden gripping her horn. "What's wrong?" I said turning to her. "My horn feels weird and I got a real bad headache now." "Need me to get anything?" I said getting up. "No, no it'll pass. It's already going away." She said rubbing her head. "But I feel very tired all of a sudden. I think I need to lay down." She said laying down on her bed. She then tucked herself in. She was cute when she was sleepy. "Where do I sleep?" I asked looking around the room for a spot to rest. "Right here." She said turning over and lifting the blanket away for me to get in. I felt my face heat up and heart race a little. Am I actually going to cuddle with a my little pony!? I could feel my brony... ness surface as my secret desire to snuggle with a pony was granted. I cuddled with her earlier but that was different, she was stressed,now it is for comfort. I didn't even argue or anything like it would have happened in the fanfics. I jumped right in and held her tight to me. I could feel her taken by surprise but loosen up and sigh in relief. "Your warm." She said cuddling into my chest. "Your not bad either." I said taking in the feeling of her soft fur. I didn't exactly want to fall asleep, I wanted to savior the moment. But Lyra had already passed out. I felt the bed move a bit as Riley got cozy at the foot of the bed. I felt my body rest and my mind draw blank as it set up for sleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I woke up to the Riley licking my ear. He must need to be taken out. How am I suppose to do that? What if I get seen if I try. Maybe I can just send Riley out, dogs are normal here. I looked at Lyra who was snuggled into my chest. She was snoring peacefully but slightly drooling onto my arm that layed under her, Riley made a little whimper noise and I reluctantly got up. Lyra not even waking up. "Alright, come on Riley." I said just above a whisper. I walked him to the door and let him out. He went off and did his business and came back. "Lyra still not up?" I heard Bon say behind me. I turned to see her sitting down in a chair with some toast. "No, not yet." "Weird. She's usually the early bird and a light sleeper." She said picking up a news paper. "I don't know. She had a headache last night so maybe it made her sleep better." I shrugged. Then I glanced at the paper Bon was reading and saw an interesting topic on the front page. "Wow. Sam, you've made the front page." She said showing me the page. 'Dangerous Creature Attacks the Elements of Harmony.' Read the title of the article. "I never attacked them, Applejack attacked Riley if anything! I was just trying to explain myself." "Well you left quite a first impression." 'Witnesses say the creature is about 7 hooves tall, has no fur except for the top of his head, wears clothes and looks like a giant money with no tail.' "You got to be careful. Lyra told me your hiding out here, but you promised if something happens that she would get in serious trouble for you would give yourself up and leave no trace of her... or me." She said. "I know, if I have to I'll hold true to that word. And I'm only hiding out here for so long, I'm going to see is Princess Celestia can help me." Bon rolled her eyes. "Good luck with that. Just don't take Lyra with you." I felt a little guilty. If she does come she will be in danger. Maybe me and Riley should only go. But she won't listen to that, she'll go no matter what. Then I noticed Bon looking at me suspiciously. I sighed. "I'll talk to her." She nodded. Then I rethought my theory. Maybe Bon will know anything about it. "Hey Bon Bon. How well do you know magic?" I asked. She thought for a moment. "Okay I guess, from Lyra telling me some stuff. But I'm no expert." "Well answer this as best you can." She nodded. "Okay. What would happen if Twilight used a wide range spell that did something to everypony, nothing big, but something and when it didn't effect me they would know where the lack of magic would be. Like a shadow. Is that possible?" I asked. "Like a shadow?" She asked. "Ya, you know like how when you flash light everywhere but here's one thing it can't go through you would get a shadow and then you would know where the object creating it would be." I explained. "So your saying your like the shadow. A shadow of magic?" She asked. "Ya. That's the best I got for explaining it." She thought for a moment. Before she could respond Lyra interrupted. "What are you guys talking about?" She asked with sleep still in her voice. "Finally your awake." Bon said. "I heard Sam explaining something. What were you saying?" Lyra asked. "I was asking if a unicorn used a wide range spell that effected everything and I would be the one thing it didn't effect, would they be able to locate me?" I replied. Lyra thought for a moment. "Like a shadow?" "Yes, exactly!" I answered happy that she had the same connection. Lyra thought for a while. Riley whimpered at me. "Again?" I went over and opened the door to let him out but then noticed activity next door. I could see guards in the neighbors house through the window visible. There were no doubt more guards, and they must be going door to door. I quickly grabbed Riley ad pulled him back and closed the door. "Actually I think that may work. But are you suggesting your a shadow... of magic?" Lyra asked. "Yes. But who cares anymore. I saw guards outside patrolling, looking for me no doubt and I think they might-" I was interrupted by a knock at the door. Too late.