> My Shy Little Friend - Living in Equestria > by ChromeRegios > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue - New Life. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Shy Little Friend, Season 1 (Equestria Tour) It’s been two years since my arrival to Equestria, and I still not used to their customs yet. Rob, the father of Rainbow Dash seemed to be already accustomed to the local’s customs… I wished I was fast of learning it as well… I laid on my bed in a room me and Fluttershy built five months ago, since I hated sleeping on a tiny couch every night. It was a bright and sunny say, and there were no clouds in sight. The time however, is 10:03 AM. And I was supposed to buy the groceries this time… I dragged my lazy self out of bed and went down stairs only to see Fluttershy cooking… Unfortunately, it was her 25th time to cook… and it was only for breakfast! She was trying so hard, but can’t actually quite get it right at all… All those years living with me back at my home world and helped her to cook never paid off… it was downright silly. I smiled upon her mistakes and just could not stand here and watch her suffer any longer; her last attempt on cooking a simple egg was really awkward and just went over to her to help the poor thing. “Shy-shy, let me take care of the cooking… is that okay?” I asked her as he turns to face me. “Uhm, it’s alright daddy… I can handle it…” She said solemnly to me, but I can see through her eyes that she had been doing this the entire morning, and I just can’t let her humiliate herself for trying something she can’t do well. I need to tell her this in a way she won’t think she’s useless or something. “Uhh… Shy, cooking is not about trying so hard… It’s about how you make it; you’ll just have to believe in yourself that you can cook the very best and delicious thing that only you can make…” I said to her, trying to motivate her instead of discouraging her. Fluttershy nods and starts from scratch… but after fifteen times and hours later… she destroyed all the ingredients she could get her hooves on… even Angel is disappointed, after seeing her making water explode… How can she even do that? Fluttershy breaks down crying and kneels before the table. “I-I can’t do anything right!” She sobs as she flies to me for an embrace... As I comfort her on her “tragic” failure. “Come on, Shy. Don’t worry, I’ll teach you everything I know about cooking… the same thing that my father used to tech me every time I’m in my barrio.” I reassuringly said to her as she wipes her eyes with her hooves. “R-really?” She sobbingly asked. “Of course, after all… my father is the best cook I know of!” I said to her; bringing off my father’s reputation as the best cook in my family when he was still alive. “C-can I ask a question, daddy?” She asked. “Sure thing…” I said as I put her down at the floor. “What’s a “barrio”?” She asked while tilting her head… I gave myself a face palm for forgetting that she doesn’t live in Philippines at all, let alone learn the language of “Tagalog” Or “Ilocano”. So, I gave her a very discreet but very long discussion about my barrio and my entire family history that she didn’t know of… Along the way of my conversation with her I thought her how to speak my own language each has its own meaning and use… from the simplest words to the most hardest word on which such as her won’t even know what it means unless you have learned them all together. I knew by bringing this up it will take me a LOT of effort for her to learn it. It was already past noon when I realized, I spent nearly half of the day teaching her my literature that I forgot to make breakfast for me and hers nor even had the time to make lunch! “Alright Shy-shy, let’s take a break for now. Why don’t you tend to your animals for a while and I’ll go out to buy some food for both of us, okay?” I asked her kindly, which she simply nods and smiles back to me. As she went out, my mind begins to wander out. Ever since I left my world, I keep wondering what my dear sister is doing right now… I was two years in this world already, if what they all say is true about the time lapse from here to my world, it might have been over fifty years there or more… She’s probably as old as my uncle Milo is when he was fifty… I shook my head and tried to put that thought behind me for a while as I go on a much important matter at hand… Buying some food… I grabbed some bits with me and went out of Fluttershy’s cottage, outside I saw her pet rabbit Angel sitting on a tree and eating an apple. “Hello there, Angel!” I called out to him, he took a glance and waves back then he returns his focus on eating that apple… I never thought he was this so carefree, nothing to worry in the world at all… Shy must have made his head bigger and bigger which made him so spoiled. But if I ever see him pick on my Shy-Shy, he’s gonna get such a yelling… not a typical forgiveful Fluttershy attitude, no, but some old fashioned Philippine verbal assault. As I walked over to town, I saw Rob was going out of Sugar Cube Corner, finishing up his grocery shopping. “Hey, Rob!” I called out to him. “Are there any cupcakes left?” “Sorry Chris. But I just bought the whole thing…” He replied while looking back at the shop. “Aw man, I was hoping to eat something sweet today… Just my luck…” I said with a groan. “I’ll share my cupcakes if you like…” He said offering me some of his, but because of my self asteem, I refused his offer. “That’s okay, Rob. I’ll just buy some muffins instead.” “Well you better hurry… you know how Derpy is when it comes to muffins…” He said with a chuckle. “Yeah, her eyes might be wrong… but her heart and appetite is in the right place…” I laugh along with him. After the conversation, we parted ways as I enter the shop. Pinkie was tending with two customers and was quite fast on her service… the two soon leaves as it was finally my turn. “Hi, Chrissy!” She greeted. “Hi Pinkie… I thought I told you not to call me Chrissy, it’s a girl’s name.” I said with a funny look on my face. “Aww, but it sounds cute!” She claims as she gave me a sweet smile. I sighed at this, knowing she’s hard to come by and will just call me by that nickname every now and then… “Any way, still got some muffins left?” I asked the jittery pink pony. “You’re in luck!” She said while going down the counter top. “We just baked a whole new batch!” Pinkie grabbed a bag real quick like, and puts in a dozen of them. “That’ll be five bits!” “There you go…” I handed over to her the said amount and took the bag. “So Crissy… How’s your time with Shy? Are things going well?” She asked. “Its fine I guess… Some rough times in the past, but I think I managed to overcome those…” “Oh, that’s good to hear…” She said, as she cleans the counter top. Ever since I explained to her about the show and the fact that they were being watched by people like me back in my world… she seems to accept that fact. And for some reason she’s slightly not random and aren’t breaking the barriers of the fourth wall anymore. I think I’m afraid that I changed her personality a bit which the fans of the show might hate me for it… I just hope that the she’s not changed in that show or I really am in a heap of trouble. “Well, I better get going. I need to drop by the quill and sofa shop… Shy’s quill is almost worn out.” I said to Pinkie. “Okay, take care Chrissy!” Pinkie waves goodbye as I left the store. After having receiving greetings with the ponies getting all necessary things. I finally went to my last task at hand… getting apples on Applejacks farm. As I was heading towards the barn, my mind soon wanders again. When I first announced my stay at Ponyville, Celestia at first refused for me to stay… She said about balance and order, but I never really listened. Shy begged for me to stay, while Rob and Dash did the same… With much deliberation, she decided to let me stay… I never forgot that time when I was announced as the new resident of Ponyville… It was the happiest moment of both Fluttershy and me. Without noticing, I was already at Applejack’s barn door… I almost went face first on the door, stopping merely an inch before my face connects with the huge red door. I backed up a bit to give myself space and knocked at the door… Big Mac soon answers my knock. “Oh, hello Big Mac. Is Applejack here?” I asked him politely. “Eeeyup.” He simply said. He never changed a bit… still a man, or should I say a Stallion of few words… “Can you call her for me?” I asked him again. “Eeeyup.” He responded and went back inside. I was wondering how he would call her sister… Is he gonna “Eeeyup” her to answer the door? Thinking that made me laugh on that awkward imagination. “Is there somethin’ funny sugar cube?” Applejack said I she was nearly none to nose with me. I jerked back startled by her unknown presence falling back first on the ground. I accidentally tossed up the bought muffins and the quill to the air. Without thinking I immediately stood up and catches the bag of muffins and the quill before it even hit the ground and maintaining a stance like the one “Dante Sparda” did when he was catching something. Watching too much of anime, and games made me almost feel free to do those movements here. “Woah, that’s som’ fancy foot work ya got there, Christian.” Applejack remarks at my actions. “Uhh… thanks I think…” Was the only thing I said in response on her comment. “So anyway, what brings ya here ta good ol’ Sweet Apple Acres, Christian?” She asked curiously. “Oh, yes. I’m here for Fluttershy’s Apples…” I answered. “Well wha’ didn’t ya say so earlier… Ah got it right here!” She soon brings out a crate of red luscious Apples. “Great… how much do I owe you?” I asked as I reached in for my bag of bits. “Just give me ‘bout ten bits fer the apples, Chris.” She said smilingly. I gave the said amount to her. “Much obliged and thank you Chris.” “You know… your prices here are all… well… cheaper than back in my world.” I said to her, striking a conversation with her as well… “Really? How much is a crate of apples in yer world, if ah may ask?” “Well basically, a crate there cost nearly three hundred pesos, or so.” I replied. “Tha’ much?!” She asked surprisingly. “Yeah, basically the people back there are all greedy… they don’t care the well being of others and just care about themselves… the prices there are horrible… like… A muffin or cupcake there cost seven pesos for just one. If you buy a dozen, just multiply the amount of one cupcake to seven…” “Eighty four?” She said even more surprised. “Yeah, that’s how greedy we can get…” I said, speaking the horrid truth back home… “Compared here, this place is more peaceful and harmonious… rather than my world filled with war and corruption.” I said, nearly crying on that fact and the thought that I left my sister there alone. “Ahm sorry ta here that sugar cube…” She said, feeling sad for my history in my own world. “I’m sorry to say those to you of all ponies…” I said to her picking up the crate and the bag of muffins. “It’s okay, its good ta tell me the truth…” Applejack said smilingly, as I smiled at her in return. “Thanks… for accepting the likes of me here…” I said to her with my mind at ease for the time being. “No problem… now ya better run along now, don’t want Fluttershy ta get worried now…” She said with a nudge on my shoulder. “Alright, take care AJ!” I said to her and left. “Y’all take care too, Chris!” She yelled and waved at me goodbye. It was late afternoon when I got back to the cottage… I would have gone earlier that day, but because I woke up and teached Shy about my language, and went to buy stuff in 1:49 in the afternoon it won’t surprise me if I got home late… I sighed and went inside. “Shy-shy! I’m home!” I called out, as she tackle hugs me to the ground. I managed to put the stuff down before she did that, or else it would have been a mess. “Where have you been, Dad? I was so worried!” She said as she hugged me tight. “I just went to buy some stuff… you know. Uhh… I bought some muffins…” I said to her as she breaks the hug. “I thought you left me…” She said while looking through my eyes. “No, no… why would I do that? I’m here and always will be… forever.” I said to her assuring that I will be with her till the end of time. “Now, how about we have an early dinner, shall we?” I said to her which she responded with a nod… After our dinner, I immediately sent Fluttershy to bed, knowing she had been working hard all afternoon… Besides the failed attempts on making breakfast. She complies and went straight to bed, while I was left to deal with the dishes… That night, as I laid in bed images from the past slowly comes back to haunt my visions. Those bad dreams, my sister... my home... my parents. Hatefully as I admit it, but I'm starting to miss it all... A part of my mind said that I should have never left home... While my other thoughts said it's best to that I have left that cursed world of mine... These thoughts kept coming back every night, that I can no longer bare it. I screamed on the top of my lungs, accidentally woke up the sleeping Fluttershy, she ran across her room and went to check up on me. "Dad! Whats wrong, what happened?!" She said in a worried state. I looked at her face and saw that she was panting and sweating... I didn't know ponies could sweat just like what I was seeing... then again, this is an another world. "It's fine Shy... I just~ just had a bad dream that's all..." I lied. "O-oh okay~ uhm... c-can I sleep with you dad?" She asked, still quite shaken from my shout earlier. I smiled and gave a nod. She floats over me and goes into my covers... then made her way to my side as she cuddles with me. It was a comforting moment for me and Shy. But beneath this feeling lies the nightmares and thoughts of my days back on earth. I need to forget them... I need to move on... But the question is... How? > Chapter 1 - To teach a pony, new tricks. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As I was sleeping peacefully that night, I was woken up by a whimper beside me… I lazily opened my eyes and looked to the source of the sound, only to find Fluttershy was the one who’s making that sound. She seems to be having a nightmare based on her body movements. I held her hoof in an attempt to calm her down, which apparently worked for some reason. By that time I couldn’t sleep anymore. It was already 4:56, nearly 5:00 AM in the morning. It was still a bit dark, but dawn soon came around. Celestia woke up earlier as usual to tend to her duties as a princess ruler of her land. By looking at the sun slowly rising, it made me wonder of something logical. I know for a fact that the sun is not being moved by an entity or Celestia in that matter, but the world was rotating itself instead of the sun, in retro spec the sun is impossible to move, the moon might have a chance of being moved by, but the sun is literally in the realm of fantasy when it comes to moving it. Then again, I kept telling myself I’m in another world so if I tell this to the princess it might become an offence which she might do something unpleasant to me. I need to stop observing things that way I used to here… It’s giving me a head ache. I watched Fluttershy slept through the remaining hours of her slumber until she woke up at around 7:30 as usual. “Good morning, sunshine.” I greeted her, she smiled at me as she stretched herself and gave me a hug. “Good morning, dad.” She greeted back. “How was your sleep?” “Let’s just say, I kept watch on you half way through…” I said to her jokingly. She laughed a bit then got up from bed. “I’ll make breakfast now…” She said which made me get up as quick as she could earlier. “Uhh… I think I should do it, shy. After all you’re still learning.” I said to her, hoping she would reconsider. “Please, dad. I want to cook for you… please?” She begged at me while doing the “puppy dog eyes”. I tried to resist the sheer cuteness of her, but I failed miserably… I can’t believe for the first time in my life I was bested by those eyes, yet back in my world if my sister did that I would just shunned her out. “Alright… just don’t make a mess, okay?” I said to her, giving her permission to cook. She smiled with glee and went down with much anticipation. Thinking she might do right this time, I stayed at the bed room and made our bed and cleaned the room after forgetting to do so yesterday. After some time, I was lifting some make shift weights that I made a week earlier. I may be living in a girl-like fantasy world, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have to work out every once in a while. I was nearly at 25 when Rob called out to me from outside. I stopped what I was doing and looked out to say hello. “Yo, sup Rob!” I yelled out. “Chris! Me and Dashie are going to Twilight’s library for her birthday! Maybe you and Shy would like to come!” Rob invited, while Dash was nodding at me, hoping I would say yes to them. “Alright, but I need to wait until Shy finish cooking breakfast!” I said to the two. “Breakfast? It’s already 10 in the morning; you mean to tell me you haven’t eaten your breakfast yet?” He chuckled. “Yeah, well she insisted… I couldn’t say no to her now can I?” I said to them sheepishly. “Shy? Cook? This I gotta see!” Dash said wanting to see how Shy had improved her cooking skills lately. “Sure, I’ll be down in a minute…” I said to them as I put my clothes on and went down to meet the two. It’s a miracle that Rarity made me clothes which she never made one for a human such as Rob and me, but she is the greatest tailor in town, so I should be thankful that she was able to make such clothes for us, and not like those posh like dresses she use to wear with the girl ponies… As I went down the flight of stairs, my nose soon smells an aroma that I have never smelled before… it’s kind of heavenly but at the same time, different. Then I asked myself ‘Is she cooking meat or something?’ if she is, why? I thought ponies never ate meat. I was gonna find out anyway, so I just went to the door and let the father and daughter in. “Sorry for intruding!” Dash said as she flies off to the kitchen where Shy is in. Rob then went in as well. “Sorry about Dash, you know how she is about stuff that she wants to see then believe later…” Rob said with a smile on his face. “You and I both, Rob. Besides that’s how Fluttershy is as well…” I said breaking on a laughter as well. “So, is Shy really cooking? No offence but after last time she cooked, your house nearly got burned, right?” Rob said, reminding me of that near death experience 6 months ago. “Yeah, no kidding…” I said smuggingly. “What is she cooking anyway?” Rob asked further. “I dunno, maybe meat, or~” “Meat? You know ponies never kill and eat meat remember?” “I know, I already thought of that… but just smell the air, isn’t it like the smell of meat to you?” Rob then took a whiff, and sure enough it is smelled like meat. “Holy smokes, your right!” Rob and I exchanged gazes and then thought that she may be cooking meat! Then we both went silent for a bit. “Awkwaaaaard~” I said, breaking the silence. Just as I said that, Shy called out to us. “Dad! Uncle Rob! Lunch is ready!” Shy called us. Both me and him looked at each other then back at the kitchen. “Shall we?” I asked. “Lead the way~” Rob replied, as I went to the kitchen first. What I saw was nearly stunning and amazing at the same time… There in the middle of the table was a pot filled with different kind of vegetables mixed with Okra, Eggplants, Beans and other stuff. In our world, we call it “Pinakbet” or Mixed Gumbo… It was like a blast from the past as I barely remember eating this with my parents. “How… how did you know how to cook this, Fluttershy?” I asked, wanting to know how she made it in the first place. “W-well, when I was at your house, I read some of your fathers cooking books… I saw this dish and well I just thought I make it for you~” She said, as she blushed and hides under her wings… “It’s~ It’s wonderful, Shy… thank you…” I said to her, spreading my arms for a hug. She immediately went through my embrace, hugging her tightly as she reminded me what my father used to cook for me and my mother when I was a young kid. “Well what are we waiting for? LET’S DIG IN!” Dash said excitingly. “Okay, alright… let’s eat then…” I said to them. “Oh, I need to feed the animals first… Just go on and eat without me…” She said, knowing that her animals were her first priority I just nodded and puts her down to do her duties… Fluttershy went to get some bag of food for her animals and went outside. “Well guys… help your selves…” I said to them then the three of us took a seat, got some rice, and puts in the gumbo along with the rice. As we smell the sweet aroma one last time, the three of use sank out teeth to the sweet smelling food and chewed… At that very moment, the room became silenced… the three of us sat there motionless, unblinking and stunned… “I never thought, my life would end this way…” I said to myself… “This was a day not to remember…” Rob said to his mind. “My gut, is gonna blow…” Dash said to herself. The three of us, with one last breath entered our noses… we spit out the horrible taste in our mouths. “HOLY JEEBUZZ!! WHAT THE HAY IS THAT TASTE!!! IT BURNS!!!” I said fire nearly blowing out of my mouth. “That~ that feeling! IT’S HORRIBLE!!!” Dash said flying around with her mouth wide open. “I’M GONNA DIE! I’M GONNA DIE!!” Rob said holding his throat while rolling on the floor gasping for air. I gathered my strength and took a bucket of water and shoved my head to it! Dash and Rob soon joined me in the dunk. I was the first one to pop my head out for a gasp of air. “The buck was that?! How could something smell so good and look so delicious that has a taste to kill an elephant!” I asked nearly an impossible question on how this dish became so deadly. Rob looked up to the counter and spots jars of the ingredients used on the dish lined at the table. “Hey, look at these!” Rob said as he went to the jars, I followed later as did Dash. “What in the hay are these?!” I said in shock as I read the label on each jar. “Oregano, pepper, salt, dish washer, hot sauce, powdered sugar, fertilizer?!” I nearly puked all what I have ate in the past 5 weeks upon reading those. But my thoughts soon went on Fluttershy… if she finds this out that she made a horrible, killing, mystery food X, she’ll be saddened by this and might break her fragile innocent heart… My mind is now working faster than ever, how I can save Fluttershy’s feelings by just simply making this edible… Then it just hit me… I’ll remake the dish myself before she comes back from her errands. “Dash, keep Fluttershy busy outside, can you do that?” I asked her which she complies immediately. Rob spots my facial expression. “I know that look… what are you planning Chris?” He asked me with a curious thought… “I’m gonna save her feelings, that’s what!” I said to him, with much determination. “I quickly asked him to get the necessary ingredients. Such as okras, tomatoes, eggplants, string beans, and spices. I quickly got to work, as my hands were fast as lightning chopping and stirring the soup and the vegetables all together. Rob watched me in amazement, never seen me cook in person. I may not be a boastful one… but when it comes to cooking, my father’s blood runs through my veins which also makes me part of his legacy. Dash tries all the excuses on the book to distract Fluttershy from entering the house, but after 50 attempts later, Fluttershy finally went inside the house. Dash gave a whistle to indicate she’s already inside the house. I quickly finished the final part of the gumbo, and set it on the table… I quickly carried the pot of the Mystery Food X outside and jumped it on a pit. It hurst me inside to do this thing on something Fluttershy did with all her heart, but this was really not edible for both human and equines…In went back inside just in time as Fluttershy entered the kitchen. “Sorry I’m late… the animals were so happy that they got their belly’s filled…” She smiled on her deed, which she was proud of. “Oh, I thought you already started eating?” Shy said, wondering why we haven’t started eating, which she said earlier that we should start without her. I quickly made a simple excuse. “Well, you see… we wanted you to join us on our meal… Filipinos eat together and stays together remember?” I reminded her, which she nodded understanding what I have said. “So… Shall we eat then?” Fluttershy floats to a chair, and sits beside me while Dash did the same to her father. Without further wait we all started to eat. But this time… the reaction was different, it was satisfying… and quickly erased the taste from earlier. Shy could barely believe herself; she thinks she did a good job on what she made. We all praised her for a job well done. But the three of us know the truth, that we dumped the food she made and made another instead of hers to be eaten. I felt really bad about lying on Fluttershy… but what else could I do? I’m sure Rob would do that same if Rainbow Dash could not cook this well… By the time we finished, it was almost party time… but all of us were already full. “Ohh~ Celestia… I can’t move!” Dash said, as she slumps on the chair. “It’s your fault! You ate all the okras, and the eggplants!” Rob said to her teasingly. “But it was so good!!” She yelled. “Well, as full as we all are… we can’t let the birthday girl waiting now can we?” I said to them as they all nodded in agreement with me. “Shy, you go ahead and go with them; I need to clean up first…” I said to her, as I took the plates and put them on the sink. “Alright, daddy.” She said with a smile as the three of them walked out of the door and to Twilight’s Library. Now, I stood there alone… thinking what I just done. Lying to her was something I solemnly did ever since I hid her from public back in my world. But what else could I do? I can’t just let her eat the food she made which the three of us nearly got poisoned! I had no choice, it was the right thing! But why am I so guilty? Why this feeling of guilt eating me alive?! Is it because she’s kind and innocent, or is it because she never lied to me once? Either way, I don’t remember what’s making me feel this way on lying to her. “No! She must never know of this…” I said to myself, nearly sounding like I killed someone. Fluttershy is just too good for me to hurt her feelings… if someone is going to hurt her feelings it’s not going to be me… I just want her to be happy every now and then. But I wonder… is this becoming an obsession on my affections towards my daughter? I hope I don’t regret this lie I made upon doing so… > Chapter 2 - A good day turned very bad. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After cleaning up the dishes I went for a quick shower put on fresh clothes and went on to Twilight’s. It was 3 in the afternoon, the sun is still up but the air is cool enough for a nap on the grassy fields. As I near the town, ponies greeted me as I walk pass them, I waved back at them in return for their greetings. But this wasn’t always like this… back when I was new in Ponyville, they treated me as a monster, so did Rob when I first met him. We were both cast away from the locals… But after some hard work and a little luck, it was just a matter of time before I’m discovered as not a threat to them… rather just another person looking for new friends. It took me nearly half a year to build up my reputation, teaching kids my own language, which is highly impossible for them to understand me. Teaching culture to them and showing then new kinds of foods in which case they never seen or taste before. I also helped Rob to be accepted in the herd as we both now new members of the pony society. I returned to reality as I already spots Twilight’s library, I heard music coming from inside, so I assume the party started. I opened the door and peeked in, only to be face to face with Pinkie Pie. I immediately jerked back, but only to be dragged back in by her. And before I knew it, I was doing the limbo… “Come on! Let’s play pin-the-tail-on-the-pony!” Pinkie announced, in which case, Twilight was all giddy. “I’m glad that you came to my party Chris… It’s really fun when you’re around…” Twilight said to me, while pouring me some Apple Cider. “Well, thanks I~” “After you introduced some new games to Pinkie, she had been ultimately happy.” Twilight claimed. “You see, I~” “When you told her about the game Charades, Hang men, Scrabble, and that…uhm… what’s it called? Par-tin-terra?” “It’s Patintero… It’s more like kick the can, but you use your horse shoes…” I explained. “My gosh, your culture is very different from Rob’s culture…” Rarity said, hearing our conversation. “Well, we live on different countries… so we have different beliefs.” I said to Rarity. “Oh I see… It’s like a blue dress different on a purple dress.” Rarity said which I hardly understand why she compared us in dresses. “Yeeeeeeah, let’s go with that…” I said nearly on a sarcastic tone. “Though I must thank you for showing me, and giving me the opportunity to make such unique brand of clothes for humans…” Rarity said with sparkles on her eyes. I predicted that whenever her eyes sparkles, she will go on a non-stop fashion talk. Twilight notices this and asked Rarity for us to be excused. But just to make her not feel bad on leaving her alone as she wants to tell us her ideas. I have prepared a paper with some new designs of clothes for her to make, which made her even more inspired. After dealing with Rarity… Twilight navigated me around the crowded library where Fluttershy is at. Shy was on the other side of the room, talking to Dash. “Hi, Dash~” I promptly said while going near them. “Oh, hey uncle Mist!” Dash called out. I kept telling her not to call me “Mist” every time I’m with her. Even Rob told her so, but she sometimes still call me that. She got that nickname from the “M” in my last name “Mariano” and the “ist” in my “Christian” which made it “Mist”. I don’t know how she ever makes those names out of her mind, but it is Rainbow Dash after all… she likes things 20% cooler… but I don’t know if my name turned to be cooler in ways I can’t see but in some cases she can see the coolness in it… “Come on, Dashie. That’s not my dad’s name…” Shy said for me. “Fluttershy, lighten up~ it’s a cool nick name for him… Right, Mist?” Dash looked at me for a response. I nearly twitched and gave a fake smile. I tried to ignore it, but this pony seems to have an effect to my heart and can’t just say no easily… I gave in and gave my reply to her. “Yes, it is.” I said simply. “See, he likes it!” Dash said gloatingly. “One does not simply make his name cooler, I make them 20% cooler.” Oh great, their doing meme’s now… What have she been watching in the internet when she’s in our world… “Hey guys! It’s almost time for games~ Again!” Pinkie yelled out, calling the attention of all the ponies, and humans then goes to the living room. “As the birthday mare, Twilight should pick the first game we should play…” Rarity claimed, then turns to Twilight for her decision. “Alright, first game is~” Twilight starts to think, giving off a long silence until finally~ “AHA! Lets play…” I leaned over, waiting for her decision… a bit excited that she might pick a game from my world that originated to my land. “Sharpshooter!” I literally fell face first on the floor, unaware of her decision at all… “WHAT?!” I asked in astonishment... Never in my life she would be interested to play "SharpShooter" (Originally called Sak-Bang in Philippine Children Game) or maybe she simply doesn't know the mechanics of that... “Yeah, Sharpshooter!” Twilight repeats. All the ponies gawk at her,not knowing the game she announced… only I knew what it meant… Twilight sighed, and then looks at me, expecting me to explain what the game is just as what I explained it to her… I sighed as well and told the ponies the mechanics of the game. “Alright, the object of the game is more like of Hide-and-Seek… but with a twist. Whoever is “IT” Must count to fifty to give the others a chance to hide… then once he/she finished to count, She has to seek each and every one of those who are hiding, BUT, once she sees a player she has to say “Bang!” followed by the name of that said player… then she has to repeat the process… BUT, here’s the twist… The hiding players can have a chance to ambush whoever is “IT” but they have to be stealthy in order for the one who is “IT” won’t see them… once the hiding person is near “IT” all she has to do is say… “STAB” then poke her on the back, making the whole game over and will restart with the same person still “IT”. This applies even when “IT” sees you but can’t tell your name, you have a second to react and “Stab” her/him before she/he says your name… The game will end when “IT” is stabbed… or all the ponies have been “Shot”, the next “IT” is indicated who ever had been shot first… remember, you can’t use your magic to shoot other ponies, or use sharp objects to stab… only use your hooves in the game… understand?” After the long but detailed explanation… the ponies gawk at me, then all of them nodded in approval as they understood my explanation,they cheered all together. “Since you explained the rules, we think you should be “IT”!” A pony shouts. All of them then starts to chant “IT”! Rob, laughed in the background while Dash laughed even more. “Do I have a choice?” I said to myself. “ALRIGHT! START HIDING!!!” All of them cheered and starts to hide as I turned and counted to fifty… then I thought to myself, “This library is literally small; it would be easy to find them…” I said to myself, with a sense of victory already. A few seconds passed and I yelled “READY OR NOT! HERE I COME!” I shouted, as I roam the hallways with all of my senses on high alert… It’s like the game “Left4dead” I’m the infected, and their the survivors… I know this reference I made is far from what we’re doing, but it’s the only thing that came to mind. Sometimes I just imagine being that for now… As I venture further down the seemingly eerie hallway of the library, which is oddly enough became silent… Earlier it was filled with partying ponies, but now… it turned to like a ghost house. “Hello?!” I asked as my voice echoes throughout the place. “This is certainly creeping me out on high levels that I cannot comprehend right now…” I said to myself, and frankly I sounded like Rarity just now. As I slowly crept through the first room, I quickly sensed a presence inside the room. My eyes quickly looked everywhere, but I could only see nothing… Then in my mind, something clicked… this is just like that Hidden Object game I played for 3 years, being a master of hidden objects game I could easily find them hands down… I just need to focus. As I sweep the room with my sight, I carefully examined the place hoping to see who was hiding here… Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw something moved. I diverted my attention to that small movement and saw a slight flash of the color Yellow near the shelves… as I went near it, I saw a tail of a pony, not just a tail, but a braided tail along with the scent of apples. “Bang! Applejack!” I yelled, as she pops her head out of her hiding spot. “Dang nab bit~!” She frowned a bit, but then turned to a smile. “Okay, okay~ y’all got me…” She said as she goes completely out of her hiding spot. “Okay, Applejack. Go to the living room now and wait till I find the others…” I said to her as I moved on. “Ah hope y’all can find them!” She said to me, and then lets a slight giggle as she went to the living room. This time I went to the kitchen, this area has a lot of spaces for ponies to hide… I cautiously entered the kitchen, looking at the back of the door for good measure… as my back was turned away from the kitchen something leaped across me, nearly touching my chin. “Sta~whoops!” It said then hits the wall hard. It was no other that Scootaloo herself. “Oww~” She groaned. “Scootaloo, he was right in front of you! How can you not hit him?” Another voice said, which apparently the voice of Sweetie belle. “Ya really know how ta hit a guy Scoots!” Apple Bloom said in dismay. “Hey! Well excuse me Princesses!” Scootaloo said sarcastically. “Don’t worry! He’s there now! Get ‘em!” Apple Bloom said, as they surround me… But one thing they have forgotten is that they should have hid themselves from me if they’re going to stab me… so I did the obvious thing… “Bang! Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle…” The three of them simultaneously fell down the mat… “Aww man!” they said in unison. I laughed a bit on their silly actions. “Don’t worry girls, you nearly got me…” I said, hoping to raise their spirits and try again next time. “You bet! We almost did, didn’t we girls?” Apple Bloom said, then the her friends cheered in agreement. “Well, better luck next time girls… Now go to the living room with Applejack. I’ll see if I can find the others…” I said to them… “Thanks! Oh and one more thing~” Scootaloo said, as she turns and face me. “Some other ponies are not hiding inside the Library…” She said then went to the living room. “I knew it…” I said to myself. “I knew they all can never fit to hide in this house.” I continued along from room to room, to find some of the others who are hiding in the house … within a matter of minutes, The living room is almost full, as I found Rarity hiding on Twilight’s closet of dresses. Well that’s it for the inside of the house… I still can’t believe that they could hide in that0 lab where Twilight did her experiments and fit into that tiny space all at once… “Now, all I need to find is, Rob, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie…” I announced to the other ponies in the room, but they all suddenly giggled at me… why? “Okay~… so, I’m going outside to look for them, just have fun while I’m looking for them…” I said to the other ponies… They all nodded to me and continued the party. As I walked out the door, I quickly glanced up on the clouds hoping to find any trace of Rainbow Dash…but to no luck. “Damn, how hard can you find a rainbow maned pony around this parts?” I said to my self, while my eyes wander around the streets… “Did I forget to say to them that you can’t go out of the playing field?” At the corner of my eye, I saw movement on one of the clouds… I stopped for am minute and observed the clouds, but they all stood still… I shruged that thought and moved on, then all of a sudden it moved again… At first I thought it was just the wind, but at my second thought… Only Pegasi can move the clouds here. I pretended I didn’t notice this and just walked aimlessly around the block, seemingly oblivious about the cloud moving out and about. I headed to an alley way and hid my self out of the clouds view hoping it will go pass me, and sure enough, the cloud hovers on top of a house… with a rainbow tail sticking out of it’s base. “well whadd’ya know…” I said in already a victorious tone. As I was about to call her name, I heard a slight commotion nearby. “C’mon, Fluttershy hang out with us~” Said a male voice. “Yeah, we’ll have a good time together!” Said another male voice. “N-no, please… I need to get back to~” Fluttershy’s voice was cut off… then I heard a squeak. I averted my attention on the cloud to where I heard Fluttershy’s voice. “If you don’t come, we’ll be forced to hurt your animals! Now you won’t want THAT to happen now, would you?” Said the first male voice. As I walked out the alley, I saw Fluttershy with two Pegasi Colts, flirting with her. “P-please, I said no!” Fluttershy pleaded. The two colts were obviously pissed off at her, as they didn’t get what Fluttershy want them to do… The brown colt lets her hoof go then pushed her back, making Fluttershy fall on a puddle of mud, then the two jerks laughed at her… Fluttershy cried under her dirtied face. That triggered my anger, and then showed my self out of the alley to confront them. “Hey, Bastards! Lay off my Daughter you piece of trash!” The two looked at me, raising their brow on me. “And tho are you suppose to be?” The brown Pegasi asked. “I’m her Dad! What of it Punk!?” I said in a furious voice. “Her, Dad?!” he two of them said in unison, then laughed at me. “Whats so funny? And why did you hurt her, huh?!” I asked the two laughing idiots. “It’s none of your business, pops!” The brown colt shooed at me “Yeah, go back to your cave, hairless ape!” The other Pegasi said, then laughed even more loudly. This got me riled up, and went closer to confront them face to face. But when I got close enough, one of them kicked me on the gut, as I stumble hear Fluttershy. “Dad, are you okay? Lets just go…” She pleaded at me, but it was too late… The Rage I was hoping I would never be able to show had been set ablaze… The Anger that I was suppressing years ago was about to be unleashed… and I was going to hurt another… My sight became black… Without a second thought, I charged at the two Pegasi Colts and grabbed its neck, with one incredible burst of strength I tossed it down on the ground hard… like in some sort of Hulk, my mind was going full throttle and my body was acting on it’s own. “Dad, Stop! Please!” Fluttershy said, but I didn’t listened. I continued to assault the colt who kicked me ultil he was bloodied… His friend was speechless, and doesn’t know how to react… When I was finished with the pathetic colt, I looked over to the other one who pushed Fluttershy to the mud puddle… The colt was about to fly off when I grabbed his hind leg and slammed him to the ground the same I did to his friend. I pounded him without any remorse with a stone, until he was beaten up, then as a final act of retribution, I took out a knife that I was keeping for self defense, and was about to use it for Murder… “P-p-please… h-h-have m-m-mercy…” The colt begged for his life, his already beaten up state, can't barely move at all. “Mercy?...” I said in a demonic like voice. “You don’t deserve mercy, coward!” That being said, I plunged the knife, heading towards the colt… As his fate was sealed within my hands… > Chapter 3 - Hard Work to Dust. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Dad!” Fluttershy rushed towards me as I was about to plunge the knife through the colts and hugged me from behind, stopping me from making a very terrible mistake. I slowly regained my consciousness, and my sight returned… I looked around to witnessed what I have done… then looked at my own hand only to see that I was holding a knife and was about to kill a pony. My eyes narrowed to a size of a pea as I dropped the knife and fell back away from the two colts… One managed to get up and helped its friend up then manages to fly away back to their homes… I stood there, not believing of what just happened, or what I did for that matter… Fluttershy held me tight and crying… frightened of what she just witnessed. The sky turned dark, as rain poured down on the town, Dash flew down above us, and then Rob ran down across the street towards us… “Chris! Chris, what happened?!” He asked in concern, but I was mute and can’t say anything at that time. “Fluttershy, what happened?” Dash said as she leans over to her friend, but Shy just looked at her with raindrops falling down on her cheeks, hiding the tears that are already falling on her eyes. “Come on, we’ve got to get these two back to their home… we don’t want them to get sick now, do we Dashie?” Rob said as he helped me up and escorted me to Shy’s cottage… Dash did the same to her as she carried Shy on her back. The rest of the afternoon was literally silent, neither I nor Shy uttered a single word after that. That night, I didn’t sleep for quite a bit… It was around 2:00 in the morning, and I still haven’t got a wink of sleep… I could still vividly remember what I have just done that afternoon and the past event when I was still at my own home, it was like a bad record that keeps playing that image over and over and over again, remembering that bloody dog, and my mutilated chicken… Which is almost as the same as I did to those two Pegasi… when I was finally got a stroke of sleep, the nightmares returned and haunt me for the rest of the night… That morning, I wasn’t feeling well… My head was spinning and bumping out of control, my body keeps on jolting and shaking every now and then, and my eyes kept on wandering around… Fluttershy was worried that I may not be well for a job that I was suppose to do at the Town Hall, where I suppose to be repairing the bell tower after a freak lightning storm where a stray lightning bolt struck the bell creating a slight crack on its side… Which is quite funny since I remembered something like that in the history of the United States, a.k.a the Liberty Bell… were it had a crack similar to the bell on City Hall. “What a load of crap…” I told myself, not saying the proper thing since my mind is jumbled off course. Fluttershy entered my room, with a worried look on her face. “D-dad?” “WHAT?!” I said in frustration. “B-breakfast is r-ready…” She said nearly shaking in fear. I sighed then responded to her. “No, I’m fine… just go and eat by yourself.” I said to her while shooing her off my door, I really don’t want to be bothered for now… or any other distractions for that matter. “B-but, you need to eat, dad…” She said solemnly. “I said, no…” I told her again, my voice slightly loud. “But~” Before she could continue… I snapped. “I SAID NO! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY FOR IT TO GO TO YOUR THICK SCULL, I DON’T WANT TO EAT, ALRIGHT?!” She looked at me while tears ran down her cheeks… then ran out of my room… In my mind I knew it was a horrible thing to do that to her… then again, it wasn’t right to do that to her… but I just wanted to be alone for now. I was expecting any minute now, guards from the castle will come and arrest me for almost killing two Equines yesterday. This was insane… what was I thinking!? I mean the worst personality I have got for almost half of my life time that I have got chained and locked up deep inside my subconscious … and it escaped… “She watched me as I beat up two colts that was almost my size, and nearly killed them in cold blood… But I was protecting her… Is that so wrong? To protect the one you love, even if you have to kill in order to do so? No… I knew that the two colts did to Shy was wrong, and I understand that… but I wasn’t suppose to beat the crap out of those two and nearly killed one of them. Shy could have defended herself, by using the “Stare” on them, but why didn’t she? I could have asked the two colts why are they doing that to Shy kindly… Yet they kicked me." “Chris!” “It was self defense; I just defended myself, no big deal…” “Chris?!” “Yeah, that’s right… they started it, I didn’t do anything wrong…” “Chris!!!” I looked out my window, to see who was calling my name. “WHAT?!” I shouted back, and saw Rob standing there looking at me. “Come down here, I need to talk to you!” Rob gestures for me to go down and talk to him. “Look, Rob~ I don’t need…” “Just come down… you need to see this…” Rob walked off to the edge of the road, and waited for me. My curiosity aroused itself as I was wondering what he could mean by “You need to see this”. I thought about what he could mean, until my darn curiosity took the best of me. I jumped off my bed and got out of my room. As I was going out the hall way, I could faintly hear Fluttershy crying from somewhere. In my heart I wanted to apologize, but my mind wants to know what Rob means by his last sentence. I went down to the living room, determined to know Rob’s knowledge that I wanted to know… just then, Angel blocked my way and starts pointing to the other room… “What do you want runt?” I said with a gurgling voice. Then he slapped my feet and continued to point to the other room. “Look I have no time, I need to go somewhere.” Just as I was about to go out, Angel slammed the door in front of me. “What the buck~?! Open the door you freaking rabbit!” I yelled over the darn rabbit to open the door. But Angel refused. “Open the door or else!” I threatened, but he refused to budge. I sighed and simply kicked the door open, with one burst kick I flew the door open and sends Angel flying towards the pond, making a huge splash. “That’s what you get for crossing my path, Ingrate!” I shouted. With that being dealt, I headed to where Rob was. Rob was sitting on the shade of a tree at the edge of a small cliff overlooking the town below, then glances over when he saw me running over. “Well, this better be good.” I said to him. “Chris, look over there…” Rob pointed to the town, where ponies were gathered at Town Hall, discussing about something. “So, they’re probably in a meeting… what’s so important about that?” I asked with a smug. Rob then gave me a telescope to look at them closer, I reluctantly took the telescope and looked closer to the town. There on the side, I saw the two colts wrapped in bandages and hardly able to move at all, with the Mayor talking to the other ponies about something while pointing every now and then to the two colts… Twilight seems to be reasoning to the Mayor but she just shook her head on Twilight… Applejack and Rainbow Dash did the same but to no avail… “They seemed to be talking about yesterday, of what you just did.” Rob said, as I continue to watch the ponies. The Mayor kept on talking to the townsfolk as she was getting the ponies all pumped. Just as I was about to leave, one of the Unicorns spotted me watching them from a cliff and yelled to the other ponies as they turned their attention to where I was. “The fuck did she know I was here?!” I asked myself as I continued to watch them; they all looked over then started to walk towards me! “Go, before they come close…” Rob said, as I glanced at him. “What?!” “They’re probably upset about what you did to their kind. Go, I’ll try to stall them.” Rob said… My mind was yet again racing at full throttle, as I ran towards Fluttershy’s cottage without any second thought. I ran as fast as I can, heading back to the house, but I was blocked by a closed door on the way. “Open up, Shy!” I asked, but to no response… Just then Angel peeked through the window. “Angel! Open the door you silly rabbit!” I asked, but he just closed the window and blocked it with curtains. “Fuck, ANGEL!!! YOU BETTER OPEN THIS YOU STINKING ANIMAL!” I yelled, but no answer. “That’s it…” I said losing all my patience at once… I prepared one fatal kick again as I rammed the door with my feet, only to be rebounded back to my body. I cringed in pain, as I failed to notice a steel blockade enforcing the door in front of me. “How did that get there?!” I asked in astonishment. Just then I heard voiced from behind, as the towns folk was getting closer. I had no choice, but to go to the forest for refuge… I ran across the entrance of the forest, as the light from the sun fades away from me. Not looking back to the once comfortable feeling of the happy and prosperous place I once loved… Now they are hunting me for almost killing two colts, a crime I committed on the dream world I once wanted to live with my loving daughter… All those years of hard work, and the reputation I gruelingly gained… gone to waste. Just because of a demonic blind rage I carelessly unleashed without my own consent… “I’m sorry, Fluttershy…” Were the only words I said, before disappearing through the darkness ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was around, 12:23 in the afternoon and I was starving to death. I haven’t eaten since this morning and all that running made me even hungrier… I soon found myself in a clearing at the probable center of the forest… With my slight knowledge of the outdoors, I checked my surroundings for any edible fruits or mushrooms that I cloud eat… Sadly, this was Equestria… and it had many, and I mean MANY odd looking shrubs, animals and other various things… It was a pathetic attempt to forage some food in this forest… The only things are edible to eat was if it was grown on Ponyville. I tried to walk it off but my stomach says no either way… “I lived for three days without food and I can do it again!” I said to myself, hoping I can get a little motivation for myself… hold on… Water! If I had water, I can survive… even without food as long as I get myself hydrated I can live… but only one problem… I was in a muddy forest… “Shit…” I cussed… I was about to head back to where I came from, but when I looked back… the way completely changed! “Hey, hold on… Isn’t there suppose to be a path way here just a second ago?” I asked my self… But I just went through the trees, only to be blocked by a thorny bush… I yelped and jerked back by the prickly thorns of the bush… “Where did I come from…” I scrathed my arm as those thorns did a little damage on my skin… I turned back to the other way, but just like the other way… it changed… I was lost. “Hello!?” I yelled, hoping someone, anyone could hear me… “Helloooo!?” Just then I heard a slight rustling nearby… “Whos there?!” I called out… Silence… “Hey! Answer me damn it!” Instead a reply, I heard a distinct growl of some animal… With my brain again at full throttle, I picked up a large wood staff and prepared to defend myself… “Come on, come on! You want some of this, huh?!” I swigged the large stick wildly, due to the dark surroundings, I can’t pin point or see clearly where the growl is coming from… “Damn it, if only I can see better~” Before I can even continue my sentence, something jumped on me… as it was about to (or at least I think so…) bite me, I jammed the stick to his mouth, which it bit immediately… I struggled to keep it at bay… With one burst of strength, I lifted him up and tossed it to a nearby tree… as if by reaction, I jammed the whole length of the stick down to its throat, killing it on the spot. Gasping, and out of breath… I let go of the stick, and knelt down as my heart was racing at almost six miles per hour… I haven’t even gotten my breath back when I start to hear more growling around me… “Well, fuck…” I cussed… I sat down the mucky wilderness and observed the dark surroundings, waiting for whatever was growling in the dark… time seemed to slow down as I hear the growl getting nearer and nearer. “Come on, you sick bastards! COME AT ME!” I yelled out loud to my hunter, as I hear the leaves on the ground suddenly rustled followed by the sudden feeling of something leaping at me… I slowly closed my eyes, and awaited my sealed fate. Just then, as if by cue… My vision turned to white. > Chapter 4 - Two Perspectives > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Ugh…” I moaned slightly, feeling my back had just been trampled by a bull… I opened my eyes, thinking of what just happened… “Oh, right…” I vividly remember I was defending myself on an assault of a wolf like creature, and killed one of them… and then… I was cornered and thought I was dead for sure, and then a flash of light suddenly appeared out of nowhere… I quickly looked over my surroundings and noticed, I’m no longer in the forest rather I’m resting in a pile of hay. The smell of herbs suddenly flowed through the air, and the sound of something popping was heard nearby… I groggily got up and started to explore. The room, is quite small, so I needed to bent down a bit just to move around… beyond the door way I saw flasks, and tubes stacked to one table and another, with a huge cauldron in the middle… this was something I expected from Twilight’s lab, but not like slightly primitive such as this… on the walls, were masks and trinkets to which Africans as I recall having them in their tribal houses. “Where the heck, am I?” Was my first thought giving off my feeling of dizziness even more restless… As I venture further closer to the table I heard a couple of hoof steps coming from outside the place, I didn’t mind it at first, as I tried to remember who owns this place… the word was on the tip of my tongue but I can’t seem to get it out… As I stood there pondering at this very thought, I felt a slight nudge behind me… Startled, I spun around quickly to see a hooded figure standing at the doorway. I jerked back, and literally fell back first to the table, spilling some of the concoctions on to the floor… “Holy Sh*t!” I cussed, as I grovel on to my knees, In front of me was the Grim Reaper! “No, please! I don’t want to die yet! Forgive me!” I pleaded and cried to the lord of death, hoping he’d spare my loathing and pathetic soul to remain on earth… but to my surprise… the hooded figure patted me? “Fear not, my young one… for what you think I am not… I am merely, a simple pony who saved you in majority~” That voice… those rhymes… this isn’t the grim reaper… It was Zecora! “Zecora?” I opened one eye, to confirm my suspicion, and I was right… the hooded figure was one of the humble and kindest pony, or rather zebra I met through the show… Zecora, or should I say, the witch doctor. “Yes, that is my name, and what is yours, for what I mean is your name…” “Right… Name’s Christian… just call me Chris…” I said formally… though I don’t get the rhyming much… at least I can understand her… “Ah, you are that one, who helped with the ponies on their daily routes…” She said, looking at my face as she took her hood off… “Really? Thanks, but… right now… I’m a fugitive…” I said to her, then something popped into my head… a question I needed to ask her for now.“By the way, may I ask how’d you found me in the forest?” I asked directly to the point… which I hope she can tell me. “Yes… for it is a fact, not fiction…” “You do realize that doest rhyme…” I said jokingly. “I know…” She said simply… “Can you speak straight Engli~ I mean Equestrian instead? I’m not used to the rhyming often…” She nodded and did me the favor. “Very well… but tell me, why you had not liked my rhyming?” She asked curiously. “You see, back in my world, rhyming is considered a Rapping or a Rappers language…” I said, remembering those rap music I used to listen back then. “Rap? What is that?” Zecora tilted her head; clearly she doesn’t know what I was talking about. “Long story… but please, can you tell me what happened in the forest earlier?” I reminded her; she quickly returns her focus to this question and starts her story… “You see, I know what happened yesterday, and I saw it with my very eyes… I was invited by Twilight herself to her birthday, I was no mood for games, so I left before it even started… then I went to find me some herbs… after that I took the alley way as a shortcut back to my hut, then I saw you sneaking out and about… I followed you in curiosity, wondering what were you doing, when I was about to turn the corner, I saw you behind some trash bins, looking over to Fluttershy with those two colts… I could clearly see they were hurting her… I recently heard that you were her father, well step-father for what I heard… that aside, I knew you only did that to protect her from those who were bullying her. There is nothing wrong about that…” I sat down and punched at the floor, slightly making a crater on the ground, I’m not that strong but I managed to do so. “I know that, but do they even understand how a parent feels if they’re child is being treated like that?!” “It’s not your fault… but by what those two said, they were lying, and they just wanted to save their own flanks… but to do that~” “They need someone to be blamed in their place…” I continued. “Indeed…” “But, you’re a witness… shouldn’t you help me clear my name? Please, Zecora! I need your help!” I asked, but she refused… “I am sorry… true I saw the truth, but that doesn’t mean I need to spread it…” “What? Why!?” “You see… truth is not gained though another’s eyes… it’s gained by one’s eyes… and information. Though this isn’t that big of a case to be related on to the court, but it’s merely a matter of protecting some pony you love… not by aggression made on purpose.” “I don’t get it…” I said to her. “I have nothing to do with family affairs… rather, seek help to the one who really did saw what happened. And you know who I mean, Chris.” I looked down, reminiscing through my thoughts… I knew who she meant, but do I dare to return despite what happened and what I did to her? What if those mob, get to me first? What will I do if they capture with, and don’t give me any chance to explain? “What is wrong?” She asked like she doesn’t know what she just said to me. “You said you won’t help me, then what am I suppose to do? I mean, look at me! Do I LOOK like an Equine? Do I have authority to claim my own innocence to those peopl~ I mean ponies without any sufficient witnesses to back me up..” I said, getting a little frustrated to her mind games. “In simple terms you can understand… there is another who saw what you really did at that time… and I’m perfectly sure you know who I’m referring to…” Zecora then turned to her broken flask and cleans them up… “Now, for you to have answers to your other lingering questions in your mind… which you may or may not have… search it elsewhere instead of feeling sorry for yourself… noting is accomplished when you sit and cry in a corner…” She said while picking up the glass fragments on the floor. I stood there thinking what to do next… but since she seems to make sense, I decided to leave her hut and try to find these “answers” she told me about… “Alright… thanks Zecora, though I don’t understand some of what you just said… I think it helped me a little…” Zecora simply nodded… “Now go, time is off the essence… your daughter might need help…” I turned to the door and bolted out back to the woods… “That’s strange…” I said to myself… “I could have sworn she said that Shy needed help... but what?” I kept on running with only one thing on my mind for now… to apologize to the towns folk and try to prove my innocence… at least, that’s what, I think Zecora told me… “Stupid damn, Short Term Memory Loss…” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Fluttershy’s Perspective) “Where is he?” I paced back and forth awaiting for my father for almost all afternoon. But no matter how much I waited he didn’t come that afternoon… “Oh, I hope he’s alright…” Angel tugged me a bit, and told me something in gesture… “I know Angel… He should not have done that~ but he looks a bit stressed about what happened yesterday… I should have left him alone earlier when he asked me too… Then he wouldn’t have said those mean things… I’m sorry angel, for what he did to you…” I petted Angel, which he seemed to like it so. “Now, how about some dinner while we’re waiting for my dad…” I offered him, but he shook his head. “Uhm… some carrots perhaps?” I offered but he still refused… “What about that thing you showed me at the magazine?” I asked which he nodded in agreement… “Alright, just this once…” I said as I headed to the kitchen and made him some. Right as I was making the food, Twilight showed up out of nowhere… it made me, uhm… jumped and clutched at the ceiling… ridiculously enough just like a cat would do… “Fluttershy!” Twilight seemed worried about something… I glided down to the ground. “What’s wrong, Twilight?” I asked, wondering what made her so worked up about. “It’s your dad! He’s at Canterlot dungeon!” “W-what?!” I nearly stumbled back on what Twilight told me… My dad… was in prison. Before I could react further, Twilight grabbed my hoof and teleported us to her library… Once we got there, my eyes literally swirl out of control… I was not used on teleporting much. When I regained my composure, I saw my friends waiting in Twilight’s Library. “Good timing… we’re about to go at Canterlot to see your father…” Rarity said, while she put on her scarf. “Yeah, we’re going to have a Night Twip!!! I mean, Trip!” Pinkie bounced, she seems in a good spirit tonight… “Girls, why did my father get sent to the dungeons? What did he do?” I asked worriedly. “We don’t know… but ah thought you would, since y’all his daughter… right?” Applejack, who was coming out of the kitchen, said to me. “I…I don’t know…” I said to them, I really don’t remember what happened yesterday… “Shy,” Rainbow started. “Remember that time, me and my dad found you two near the ally?” the next 10 minutes, Rainbow Dash told me what happened earlier that day, which my vivid memory has a little recollection on that event… I was shocked… but dad was just helping me… he’s just trying not to get me hurt by those colts. “You remember now?” Dash asked as I only gave her a nod “Dad headed out to Canterlot earlier to see how, uncle Chris is doing…” Dash told me, but I couldn’t help shedding a tear… for my father was sent to the prison for no reason… “Maybe they just misunderstood what happened!” I said to my friends. “That’s what we thought too, but those colts made something up to save their own skins~” Twilight said in a slightly frustrated tone. “What should we do then? We can’t just sit here and see Fluttershy’s father being punished for no particular reason… he was just trying to protect Fluttershy… right?” Twilight said, as she looks over to me… I stood there thinking of what should I do next… until one answer pops out of my mind… “Lets go see him…” I said to them, which they all agreed in unison… We headed to Canterlot even if it was dark… we can’t waste anymore time… > Chapter 5 - Worth A Shot. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Christian* I don’t believe this. I said to my self. Pacing back and forth inside a prison cell that smells like manure. It’s very cramped and the bars are all small and rusted. I could easily break it down and escape, but it’ll just make things worse. I surrendered myself, and was brought to the Canterlot Dungeons. Not the most welcoming bunch that I used to know, but it’s probably for the best. Instead of sticking around back at Zecora’s house doing nothing. But what does she mean? What does she mean by ‘Fluttershy needs help’? Help on proving me not guilty? How the hell do I do that?! At that moment, like on cue, the main door for the chamber opened with a loud creak and two guards came in escorting another pony into a cell block. They but him inside and locked the door behind him as the guards retreated back upstairs. I looked at the other prisoner, he looks like he’s been into a fight, with the bruises and black eyes and everything. “Hey,” I called out. “What are you in for?” “Rabble Rousing” He immediately replied as he sits down across the cobblestoned floor. “What about you?” he asked back. “I was just defending my daughter, then I was convicted on the spot like some sort of… killer or something… I don’t know, I think?” I said uncertainly. The other guy looks at me wide eyed and leans closer at the cell bars. “Wait, are you the guy who almost killed two ponies back at Ponyville?” He said, with curiosity in his voice. “What’s it to you?” I asked. “Dude, I SAW you that day!” he said, “I told at the tavern what I saw, no one believed me, they thought I was lying. But I know the truth… they made a fool out of me, so I delivered justice.” “Justice?” I looked at him closely, and as I did his coat wasn’t brown, it was orange, he’s just wearing a jacket with what it appears to be, a town guard’s crest. “So… you’re a town guard?” “Sure am.” He said, looking over his crest. “Well, I used to be.” “How come?” “I was involved in a deep sheet of paper… and I might have caused it.” He looks up at the ceiling, “I was about to break the conspiracy behind ponyville.” He looks at me. “That the mayor is actually a…” He paused for dramatic effect. “A what?” I asked impatiently. “A changeling.” He said finally. That is the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard in my life. “A changeling? Really?” “Think about it. She’s spying… waiting for the moment to strike. It’s like a drone of some kind. But not the Queen.” “Queen? You mean like, bees?” “NO! Not bees, changelings!” He insisted. I raised my eyebrows and just thought this guy’s NUTS! And just shook my head. “Right, so what’s this got to do with my predicament.” “I’m sure… there’s something.” He said, as he turns and heads towards his cot. “Something tells me, you’re innocent.” With that, he completely slipped into a deep sleep. “Great, just great.” I said, while sitting down at the ridiculously small bed under me. “First my falsely convicted crime, now a Changeling Conspiracy? What the heck is a changeling anyway?” Since I haven’t even finished the show itself or if there is even a further season of the series, I didn’t know what the heck Changelings are, nor I want to. All I need to do for now is find a way to leave this place, other wise I’ll end up like this dude. I tried to pick the lock of the cell door with a small metal wire, to no avail. Looks like playing Skyrim and having one hundred max lock picking skill wasn't gonna cut it here. "Worth a shot." I said to myself then just sat there, slowly falling into sleep. *Fluttershy* We went towards the castle that evening to at least have a talk with my dad, but we arrived a little late. The guards weren’t allowing any more visitors that time since it was already late evening. I was so… frustrated that I let out a scream! W-well… not much of a scream since it only came out as a hushed yell. “Fluttershy, it’s alright.” Rainbow Dash pats my back gently. “My dad will find a way to help your dad. He's doing all he could back in town investigating with the guards there. I promise it’ll be okay.” The way she said that made me feel a bit alright, smiling weakly at her. “Thanks Rainbow Dash…” I said to her, “But it would have been nice to just… talk to dad in there. I’m… I’m not sure if he’ll be alright in there.” “Trust me, if my dad is tough, so is your dad! He defended you against a couple of large ponies to protect you remember?” Rainbow Dash floats up and salutes. “If that doesn’t take huge horse apples, then by darn it what else would it be?” “Rainbow Dash!” Applejack yelled. “Language!” “But it’s true!” Rainbow Dash snaps back. “Alright, alright, we all know they both have… that… but we still need to help Chris out! We can’t just stand here and do, nothing!” Twilight said, as she heads to one of the guards. After a short discussion with them, they reluctantly allowed us inside the Dungeons. Twilight smirked and beckons us further down the damp looking, creepy looking place… ever. As we enter the dungeons, a rancid smell immediately attacked my nose, forcing me to cover my face tightly with my wings. “Eww! Smells like rotten eggs!” Pinkie gags. “Auugh! What a horrible stench! Did something die in this place?” Rarity grimaces, as Twilight covered us with a protective bubble. “Good thinking, Twilight.” Rarity smiles at this as they continued on. “Somepony should really clean this place up, It’s a pig stein here.” “I used to know that they regularly maintain this place, I wonder why they haven’t cleaned it.” Twilight wondered as we go deeper in. Just as we were about to enter another door, A green fire flashed in front of us which made me screech out loud, startled, as a scroll pops out of it. “Calm down… it’s just Spike’s message.” Twilight picks up the scroll and reads it immediately. “What’s it say, Twi?” Applejack asked curiously. “Spike said… the mayor can’t help.” We all gasped. “But… but why?” I asked worriedly. “She said that it’s out of her hoof, and that Rob is gonna go solo with this. He’ll try to convince the Princesses himself that Chris didn’t do nothing wrong, it’s just self-defense.”Twilight looks at me. “You should be there to give a second statement.” “O-okay… I’ll do what I can.” I said reluctantly. Being in front of a court is something I don’t ever want to do, not that I don’t want to do it, but… I must. For dad. As we enter the door to continue on, we ended up on a chamber with prison cells. “This must be it.” Twilight looks around, casting her light wider. “Turn off that LIGHT!” somepony called out somewhere, startling all of us and making twilight lose focus on her light. “Dad! Is that you?” I called out. “Who’s dad?” The voice asked out loud. I hesitated for a moment before answering back. “I’m looking for my dad! A human?” “You’re ‘Her’?” The voice called back. “They took him away! Said they’re gonna transfer him!” “Transfer? Where?!” Twilight called out. “I don’t know,” He replied. “All I know is, they took him into the castle.” “The castle, huh?” Twilight sighs. “It’s getting late… we can’t go in the castle at this time. Let’s continue tomorrow and wait for Rob.” “Right, the sooner we get out of this wretched place the better. I feel sorry for whoever that is staying here smelling this foul aroma.” Rarity turns around and heads off the opposite direction with her own bubble. “Uhm, thanks!” I said to the pony in the shadows, but he didn’t reply anymore. As we turn to leave, I took one last look over my shoulder towards the dark cell room… and left, closing the door behind me. > Chapter 6 - A Conspiracy Suspicion. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Fluttershy* By the time we came back at the castle, Dashie’s dad already started the testimony of his investigation over the crime of my dad. He tried so hard and even brought in witness accounts. But those ponies earlier kept their stories and didn’t want my dad to go. Rob didn’t give up, he told everyone of self-defense and once he saw me, he called me towards them. He told Celestia how a dad would react f he saw his daughter being treated as such. The colts didn’t respond. In the end, Celestia gave a pardon to my dad and ordered her guards to set him free. We waited for several minutes until the guards escorted him out. With fast reflex like Dashie’s I went straight into his arms and gave out the biggest hug I’ve ever given. “Dad!” I called out while crying in relief. “Hey, kiddo…” He said, stroking my mane gently. “Missed me?” I nodded, and kissed him on the cheek. “I thought you’re never coming back.” “Well, I wouldn’t say that.” He replied, kissing me back at my forehead. “Well, there goes all my resources.” Rob said, walking towards us. “I’ve used all of my connections, my informants and my money just to set things right. I hope I wasn’t late.” “Nah, man. You came in at a good time. I think I want to talk to you all about something… Let’s go somewhere private. That means all of you too.” Dad said, a serious look plastered on his face as he looks to Rob and my friends. Rob nodded then leads us out the castle and into a restaurant. We bought ourselves some food while Dad and Rob just got pastries as we sat at the far end table of the place. “I want to know something.” Dad started as we all listened closely. “I forgot to get drinks.” Our jaws drop in unison. “Daaaad!” I said annoyingly. “Alright,” He grins mischievously then clears his throat. “I heard a disturbing intel about something called… a changeling?” He said, as he looks around if anypony can answer. “Changelings?” Twilight spoke first. “I’ve heard about them, but I don’t know for sure if they’d come this far south. I mean, I’ve read about them when they tried to attack Canterlot once, why’d you asked?” “A guy from a prison cell told me he witnessed the time I beat up those colts. They said they might have been changelings, trying to cover themselves into pony society. He also said, that your mayor is one of them. Although these conspiracy theories about these… things, isn’t helping much in my case earlier, well, until you saved my ass back there, but none of those matters now, right?” Dad said, as all of us looked at Twilight for her response. “If… it’s that serious I mean.” Twilight shook her head. “It’s probably nothing. Maybe that guy was just imagining things or making up stories. Why’s Grub in the dungeon locked up with you anyway?” Dad shrugged. “I don’t know he just said-“ Then he stopped and looks at Twilight. “Hmm? Is there something in my teeth?” “There’s… a piece of celery between your front teeth.” Dad points out as Twilight licks her teeth, trying to get it off. But, I didn’t see anything on her teeth nor anything in her mouth. “You got it.” He told her, as he looks out the window. “You were saying?” Twilight continued. “What? Oh, I forgot what he said… Other than what he said earlier, I kind of dozed off and can’t seem to recall any of it anymore.” He scratches his head. “Well, I guess that’s it. If there’s not really any changelings, then there’s no problem.” “W-wha… but you said.” I stammered, but he stopped me. “Look, it’s been a long night sweetie, I need some sleep. Let’s go back to Ponyville and rest up. Heck, I might sleep on the way there anyway.” He chuckles as he caresses my mane. “Why don’t you have a sleep over tonight, Rob? You, me, Dashie and Shy…” He suggested. “Yeah… sounds good.” He nodded. As soon as the meeting was over, they all stood up, payed for the food, and left for the station.z *Christian* Later that evening, we arrived at Fluttershy’s cottage and prepared dinner for our two guests. As I was setting the table, Rob strides over to me. “So, did you notice?” he started. “About that? Yeah, I did.” I said in a whisper. “What do you suppose Twilight is doing right now?” “I may need to dig around some more. But for now, we need to stay low. We don’t want to attract any unwanted attention.” He said in a hushed tone. "It may just be me, but a conspiracy suspicion on one of their friends is... not good." “But what about the others?” I asked. “What if they’re…” “I’ll check it out further. Just not now. Not after earlier.” Rob looks behind us as the girls came back from the shower. “We’ll talk about this later.” He turns and goes to dry off Dash, I did the same with Fluttershy. “How’s the bath?” I asked the two. “Meh, cold as always.” Dash replied as she was being smothered by a towel. “Fluttershy might need to call a local plumber. The pipes aren’t what they used to be.” “I’ll try to call Mr. Swivel, I just hope he’s back from his vacation.” Fluttershy said, while I wipe off her mane. “Took his time away, huh?” I took the towel off her. “Ready for dinner?” “Actually… dad, there’s something I- we… wanna tell you first.” She said looking over at Dash. “Hmm?” I raised an eyebrow, looking at Rob. He seems to look curious as well. “What is it?” She paused for a bit, before letting out a sigh… and said. “We know.”