Reed Ethans was an ordinary person who lived an ordinary life, but he had a condition. A condition that would forever follow him for the rest of his life.
It was an ordinary morning. It was time to get up, do something, and make life proud. The sun was glaring. The streets were crowded with chattering and noisy people, the highways were roaring and the air was still bearable and clean to breath in. This was the world he lived in, and it is the only home he had.
He was a hard-working employee in a company that made advertisements. His job was to make ideas, arrange the paperwork, and make presentations, that was all he did. He watched a cartoon called 'My Little Pony'. The characters of show were adorable to look at which was therapeutic for him, and story was full of interesting life lessons and morals, but he didn't tell any of his friend that he watched a little girl's cartoon.
They would just laugh and mock at him for watching something that was completely normal. Day by day, he struggled. He ate, worked and slept. Just like a normal human would do.
But there was something that had been bothering him throughout his entire life. He had this problem that he could not bear to live with. And that problem was, the interaction with the people he encountered everyday, with the exception for his friends. He sometimes thought and asked himself why this was a problem in his life. It was because the people he spoke with, was really not the problem, but himself.
He didn't know why this happened to him or why did it appear into his life. He wasn't able to speak a complete sentence without him, getting nervous and thinking negatively about the person speaking to him. The only thing he did was nod, utter a single word or make small gestures. His personality was like Fluttershy's. A pony who was shy around other ponies and couldn't speak a single word in front of many crowds. Unfortunately, there was no cure for his problem. One day, he was on his home working on a project, until his mind popped a question
Will this problem be a part of my life forever? he thought to himself.
He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. The weight that he cannot drop, for it will shatter him to pieces and fall into despair. It kept coming back like a rain with heavy thunderstorms. His brain had its own mindset. He couldn't control it as he was too weak to realize that it was just his imagination. He went to his bed and slept through the afternoon, exhausted and stressed.
Why am I like this? he thought to himself again.
One morning, while he was arranging his papers in his office. His boss requested him to make a presentation about a social campaign on how to improve one's self, and how to interact with other people to help a person cope with anxiety. And he imagined himself speaking in public, which scared him to the point his heart raced like a speeding train.
How can I remove a person's problem when I can't find my solution to my own problem? he thought to himself again and again.
He was going to speak in public, in front of many crowds explaining how to cope with anxiety. His mind blurted out negative thoughts that he couldn't stop thinking about.
What if I said the words incorrectly?
What if I get panic attacks during the presentation?
His brain was flooded with series of stressful thoughts, like when Twilight was anxious about her studies and she needed to find a friendship problem before it was sun down. For others, it was just an ordinary task but unforunately, for him, it meant the end of the world.
He had no idea what to do. He couldn't think of anything that could help his presentation. He asked his friends for some ideas and advices, but they couldn't think of anything too. He was trapped in a cage, full of suffering and negativity, but he still kept a positive side of him. He went outside to gather ideas and inspire himself without talking to other people.
He spent a few hours of strolling on the streets, but he still couldn't create any sort of ideas. The internet wasn't much of a help to him either. He was unable inspire himself with this kind of situation. He avoided several groups of people on the street that were raising awareness about social anixety, but he just smiled and nodded when they spoke to him. Earth was definitely a very hard place to fit and live in for person like him.
His heart was pumping so fast. His brain was flooded with thoughts. There was no escaping this. He needed to make the presentation on time. If he didn't, it might cost him his job. He couldn't quit his current job as it was the only job without an interview.
A few days passed, he showed an example of the presentation, and just as he expected, his boss was disappointed and there was a faint anger in his voice as if he was trying to control it. Ethans' body froze as his boss chided him. His eyes were glued on the floor. His mouth was trembling in fear. His debilitating anxiety made him very weak.
The boss started to calm down and sat on the desk chair, where he collected his thoughts.
"Fortunately, the campaign is postponed due to financial issues but it will get sorted out soon. Members of the campaign will take the postponement as a break and get the things done. I hope this will give you the time to finish the presentation for the campaign. I'm sorry if I got angry at you. People with anxiety and the company is depending on you. I know you can do it. Try asking people for opinions about anxiety, surely they can help you out. You can go home now." he said, in calm and composed tone.
When his boss was finished talking, Ethans was about to tell him his anxiety, but unfortunately, he left the office quickly and just went home. His presentation was really bad, let alone the idea.
He saw his home across the street. He felt like he was all alone again, his worries vanished, and there were no more negative thoughts. His body was filled with stress and sweat. It was nerve-wrecking. He laid on the bed, and he could feel his body relax and stretch as his brain and heart rest. But he still had work do to.
He wondered if living in Equestria was much better than Earth. He assumed that no one in Equestria will ever judge him on how he looked like, and he interacted with them. But to his despair, he faced the truth that Equestria doesn't exist. This was reality he was living in. It would take a huge miracle or some sort of magic in order for that to happen.
He believed that out there. Out there in the universe where he currently lives in. Equestria existed, where ponies lived together in harmony. He believed that there are also someone out there, who are just like him, that Equestria existed for them. He wished he could live in Equestria forever, and live a carefree life. Ethans had a habit of imagining strange things when stressed.
But, as the clock of fate turned, the hands of the clock struck and pointed at his direction.
As he was in his bedroom, something bizarre happened that he didn't expected to see with his own eyes.
His vision started swirling and was getting twisted. He could feel the world bend around him. He thought he was having a panic attack and it scared him very much. He turned his head to the side of the bed, to only see something amazing. He thought to himself:
Am I in myself right now? Is this real?!
His eyes were wide open. He couldn't believe what he had just saw. A portal appeared right next to his bed, where he was lying. He doesn't know if he was dreaming any of this, or if it was pure reality.
Can anyone see what I'm seeing right now? he thought to himself once more.
His mind was freaking out so badly. He knew for sure that this was not magic or the work of a supernatural being. Magic doesn't exist on Earth, as far as he knew.
As he approached the portal, it felt so unnatural. So unreal. It was an unbelievable experience. His eyes were the only ones to see it. It was like the universe was ripped open, and for some unknown reason, miraculously appeared on his bedroom. His mind was full of undecipherable thoughts.
But his anxiety started to get the best of him again. He thought he may never go back in this world again. He might meet death once he enters the portal. He tried to calm and reason with himself. He wouldn't know what lies behind the portal if he doesn't try to go through it. He entered the portal with the little bit of courage he had.
He was far beyond his imagination, he couldn't think that he reached the point of extreme levels of fantasy. He ventured into another universe where no one will see him and know that he ever existed in his universe.
He slowly opened his eyes. His vision was blurred. He felt dizzy and nauseous. He coudn't feel neither of his hands nor his feet. His body felt very strange and awkward. He doesn't know how long he was unconcious.
After gaining a little bit of strength, he was finally aware of his surroundings. And right before his eyes, he saw-
A pony?
His mind went full static. He was shocked and drew a blank stare. He was teleported a few miles away outside of Ponyville. He can see the pony in front of him, with his own eyes. The pony bravely stood before him and spoke.
"Oh! Hello there! Are you alright?"
He was speechless. He couldn't move his mouth. But he managed to speak that was audible enough for her to hear.
"I-I'm fine..."
"Oh good! I thought you had some sort of disability," said the pony. "Sorry for thinking like that!" she apologized, as she grinned at him.
After his eyes got a clear view of the pony. The moment he saw her, he knew who he was talking to. It was Lyra. They were both on the same height. He was nervous, filled with dread. She lifted him up with joy and said:
"Are you lost? Um...?"
"N-No, I'm not lost. I was teleported here by a portal, leading into your world." he replied.
"A portal? That's strange," said Lyra, "We've seen no portal here. Ever."
He was confused. Nopony saw any portals. He thought to himself that he might be the one who created the portal.
Am I the first one to be here in Equestria?
Did somepony created the portal?
Was it Twilight or Celestia's doing?
"Anyways, if you're new here, you should go to Ponyville, or if you want to move there, ask the Mayor Mare. I should be going now. See you later!" said the aquamarine mare.
Lyra left in a hurry. It was a strange conversation but he didn't mind it. He couldn't believe any of this. He was actually in Equestria. He talked to a pony who he already knew. He asked himself one more time:
Is this actually happening to me right now?
He cried in sheer joy. He was sure to enjoy and experience everything he wanted here in Equestria. But he doesn't know what was happening right now in his world, but he didn't care.
As he took his first step, he saw Lyra run towards him again.
"Um, on second thought, I wanna give you a tour around Ponyville. I've always wanted to do that to newcomers here. Can I?" said Lyra with glee on her face.
"Oh! Uh... um, it's o-okay. I already know my way around here." he replied. Lyra was saddened when she heard what he said, but she remained happy.
"Oh. Well, if you have any questions. Come visit me! My name's Lyra by the way, what's your name?"
"Uh. R-Reed Ethans."
"Reed Ethans. What a strange name." said Lyra with a scrutinizing face.
"R-Really?"
"Yeah, names around here in Ponyville are usually Bon-Bon, Roseluck, Carrot Top and other names like that."
"Well, what name will I have? Can you name one for me?"
"You want ME to name you?" She said with excitement.
"Well, y-yeah. Who else would it be? If I need to fit in here in Ponyville, I might need the name," he said as he smiled at her.
"Okay, okay. Let me think of something unique for your name. Hold on."
He stared and smiled at Lyra with content. He couldn't believe that she didn't question about his appearance. He was a human. It was oddly strange. But he didn't expect that the ponies around here were so friendly, especially Lyra. He was already having a good time.
"How... How about, Cold... Cold Aurora?"
"That will do. It's a nice name." he replied happily. She was so happy when he accepted her suggestion. But it was strange. She was not the Lyra he knew in the show.
"I'm glad that you liked the name! You should talk to Twilight, she knows everything here in Ponyville!" Lyra said as she grinned.
"I'll keep that in mind. Well, I need to be going now, Lyra. I'll see you soon. Thanks for the name!"
Lyra left with a big smile on her face. He knew that she was already a great mare when he first glanced at her.
Ethans then sauntered for several hours along the dirt path, and took the time to see the colorful and bright world of Equestria. He saw Ponyville in the distance. He was hoping for great greeting from the ponies but it was not as he was expecting. The Ponyville he knew changed a lot. He saw the decorations around Ponyville were bland. Everything seemed different from what he knew in the show.
As he started to make his way to Ponyville, his mind suddenly started asking questions without any reasons at all.
Why did the portal appeared before me?
Is it just coincidence?
He noticed that his anxiety still didn't left him. He doesn't know if he was gonna have a carefree life here, but he needed answers. He needed to find Twilight.
"Spike, have you seen my book? I can't seem to find it," Twilight asked.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll find it," Spike replied wearily as he rummaged around the Library, but ended up exhausting himself. Twilight then stood before him.
"Spike! Now's not the time to rest! I really need it. You just messed up the Library. Now, how am I going to find it?" Twilight said, with a scowl on her face.
"I'm gonna look outside. Who knows that you've dropped it outside the Library?" Spike replied.
"Just hurry up." she groaned.
Ethans saw Twilight's Library in the distance. Everypony he passed by were giving him a death glare. He tried to talk to one of them but they just ignored and snarled at him.
Is Lyra the only one happy here?
He didn't know what went wrong, but as far as what he can tell with their faces, he was sure he was not welcome here.
What is going on?
He saw Spike outside the Library sitting beside it, sleeping. He approached him with a little bit of confidence. His anxiety was about to kick into action again.
"Uh, h-hello?"
Spike didn't hear what he said. He tried to speak louder without alerting anypony.
"Um? SPIKE?"
He woke up with a staggered face. He didn't know what words he will speak and stumbled as he spoke, but he talked to Ethans like he was Twilight.
"I-I'm awake, Twilight! Still looking for that book! I was just taking a nap!" Spike shouted, "W-Wait, who are you? How do you know my name?" he said with a baffled look.
"My name's Cold Aurora. Sorry, I surprised you. I'm a hum-" Spike interrupted him quickly. He already knew what he was.
"You're a human, right?"
"What? Wait, how do you know I'm a human?" he replied with a scrutinizing face.
"I was reading a book explaining about humans. I found it near the river. I don't know why it was lying around there." said Spike. "I guess someone already read the book and threw it into the river, but I don't know why. What I know is that-" Twilight suddenly came out of the door. She was shocked when she saw him. And she didn't like what she saw.
"What the?! SPIKE! Get behind me!" Twilight exclaimed, drawing a staggered look.
Twilight teleported Spike behind her back. Her horn was instantly charged and was ready to smite him with lightning. He didn't know what to do, but he still managed to stop her from harming him.
"W-Wait! Wait! Hear me out!" he panicked.
"Speak. Now." Twilight replied with a scowl.
His anxiety kicked in very badly and was killing him already with fear. He couldn't speak, and he couldn't move a single muscle in his body.
Why was Twilight so angry?
It was certainly not her attitude and personality.
"She's the princess of friendship!"
"Why would she do this?"
He saw Spike whisper something to Twilight's ear.
"A human?" Twilight said.
"Yes, he's a human from another universe or world I think." Spike replied.
"Whatever that thing is, it is NOT friendly."
"Oh, come on Twilight. You don't know what a human is."
"Shut up, Spike. I studied and read many books about everything."
"But you don't know what a human is!" Spike exclaimed.
It was very strange. He knew Twilight was not like this. This was not what he expected about her. Equestria was very different from what he knew as an avid watcher.
"I think we should let him in the Library," Spike asked.
"Letting that THING in our Library? Are you out of your mind?!" Twilight shouted.
"We could cause an unwanted attention here outside, Twilight," Spike replied, "Give him a chance. He's friendly. Trust me."
"Alright, but here's a warning," Twilight said as she fixated her eyes on him, "If I ever saw this human doing anything that I didn't like in my Library. He IS gone. Here. Forever," she said with a grim expression.
His body sent him a shiver down his spine. He didn't know what was going on. His mind was so boggled and full of never-ending problems. Twilight went upstairs. He approached Spike with incertainty.
"Spike, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"What happened to Twilight? Why is her attitude like that?"
"What do you mean?" Spike replied cluelessly.
"I mean, I expected her as a happy, forgiving and knowledgeable pony," he explained.
"Well, you're right about one thing. She's knowledgeable."
"Does she have friends?" he asked.
"She once had, but her so-called friends weren't a friend at all."
"But I thought friendship is magic?"
"Well, friendship was magic."
"But why? What did they do to her?"
"That, I really don't know. Try asking Twilight, but I know she's gonna smack you." Spike giggled.
"Well, I'll need to wait for her to calm down or give her a little bit of time to think and realize what is going on right now." he replied as he scratched his head.
"Your choice. Well, I need some sleep. I'm kinda tired for what happened today."
"Okay, Spike. Have a good rest."
Spike went upstairs. Ethans stayed in the Library to ponder what was going on in Equestria. He heard hoofsteps coming from the stairs, and he knew it was Twilight. He behaved himself quickly. As she walked down the stairs, she instantly glared at him. His body sent another wave of shiver down his spine. He couldn't look at her straight in the eye. She could banish him anytime she wanted. His anxiety was really killing him, on the inside.
"So, you are a human?" Twilight asked with certainty.
"Y-Yes. Yes, I am," he stuttered.
"Does your kind have any sort of magic? Can you fly? Are you strong?"
"U-um, no. I d-don't have any s-sort of magic in me, I can't fly and I'm not strong. I-I'm just a normal human."
"You don't have anything special inside you? Like some sort of magic, or any kind of power?"
"N-Nothing."
"Well then, your kind is not accepted here." Twilight smirked.
"W-What?" he replied as he drew a staggered look.
This was not the Twilight he knew and loved. Something was off about her. She insulted his kind like it was nothing.
"Well, your kind doesn't have any sort of specialty. You, might as well, leave," Twilight said, spitefully, "This place is filled with unpredictable events that you cannot even see or comprehend. This is not your ordinary world where everything is filled with happiness or glee."
"W-Wha?...I...what?" I spluttered, "Twilight, this is not you!" he blurted.
"What?! What are you saying?!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Why are you like this? I thought you were forgiving and kind. Princess Celestia taught you! Why are you like this?!"
"H-how do you know my mentor's name? Speak." Twilight said, with a grim expression.
His mouth suddenly slipped. He couldn't take the heat and the words that she was throwing at him. He was in deep trouble, and his anxiety struck again, much to his dismay. His body froze like ice. He was sweating buckets.
"Do YOU want to me to smite you completely?" Twilight said as she daunted at me. Her horn sparked with magic. She approached him very closely and looked at him dead in the eye.
"N-N-No, no. Please don't. Please, I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry!"
"Then leave. Now. And never come back," Twilight said as she pointed her hoof towards the door.
He sprinted towards the door of the library without any hesitation. It was truly a terrifying experience for him. He didn't think twice before he said that to her, and it nearly costed him his life.
What was I thinking?
Is this really Equestria that I know?
What I'm gonna do now?
Something was not right. There is something deeper that he didn't know of yet. He needed to know more about the book that Spike read.
