After another boring day of lonliness I get struck by a 'stray' bolt of lightning. Next thing I know I wake up in a colorful world full of talking horses. It's weird cause I swear I've seen them before...
You know, I wasn't a particularly special person. Had a mind on me that got plenty of compliments, but always had a problem with putting ideas into action. I wasn't super strong either, only went to workout occasionally. What I was, apparently, was the one guy who could get hit by a lightning bolt in the middle of fucking New- Goddam- York, city of skyscrapers.
Now I'm in the land of the ponies, along with all my mental bullshit clogging up my brain. These people, or ponies as they prefer, are helping, but dude, I gotta tell you, this place... oof. It's something else. I suppose a nice and quiet life was too much to ask for, huh?
Strangest thing is that I swear I've seen all this before... somewhere.
Ah, who cares? Not like it's important or anything, probably just Deja vu or something.
Good Morning! So, this is gonna be my attempt at a shameless self insert story. Gonna base the reactions to how I would probably react. Reasonably, I can't accurately say how I'd respond during every situation, but oh well, I'll try my best. That being said, I don't own nothin' but myself and my own ideas. If I owned Hasbro or anything related to it, I'd definitely fuck it up. Not on purpose either, just cause I don't know shit about business. P.S: I'm trying out the PoV system. Tell me if you like it!
(1st Person)
Nearly midnight... just that much closer to the start of a new year
I thought this as I traveled the snow covered streets of... where was I? I think it might be New York, but it doesn't seem nearly busy enough. Oh well, point is, I got to walk around again in the snow. By myself. On new years eve. That didn't matter though. Being from Texas, snow wasn't very common, so the chance to experience it when it was in full blast was a once in a lifetime experience for me, and boy, was it wonderful.
Makes you wonder how Canadians feel every day...
The thought made me chuckle. The smile that graced my face however, was soon replaced by a mask of indifference. This wasn't the first time I was alone on New Years and it wouldn't be the last. It wasn't completely out of my hands though, as more than a few times I had chosen solitude over family company. I never had any bad feelings towards them, in fact, I loved my family dearly, but as the years go by and everyone goes there separate ways, eventually you come to find yourself alone.
Still... not even a call. No texts asking me how I'm doing, no check up, nothin'.
"Wouldn't blame 'em though, heh... recluse of the family indeed." I muttered, squinting up at the dark sky. The snow stopped falling not too long ago, but there were storm clouds on the horizon.
"Whelp, best get home. Don't want to be caught in the rain and snow. That'd be a sucky situation."
Lazily I pulled my phone from my pocket, turning it on and staring at the home screen for a moment. It was of something special to me. The moon, full and bright. I had managed to snag this particular picture when... when I was at the observatory with Ms. Rebecca. No matter how old I got I will always refer to her as Ms.. Don't really know why, just stuck with me. On this night a few years ago, after the weather cleared up, she promised to take me to an observatory, something I had been dying to do.
I felt my heart twinge at the thought of her. She had left this earthy prison and joined the stars, free to be whatever she wanted to be. At least, that's how I saw it. It helped to bring some peace into my life knowing she was there, watching me every night, along with the nights eternal guardian, the Moon. I had no definite beliefs in religion, too many inconsistencies and contradictions for me, but one thing I always enjoyed was pretending the moon to be alive. It helped on the dark and lonely days.
Too bad I can't see her now...
I looked up at the sky, wondering if fate would grant me a look, only to see the storm clouds from before moving inwards... alarmingly fast. Confused, I watched as the sky began to light up in flashes of purple, lightning become an increasingly apparent member of the atmosphere. I was almost entranced as I followed the clouds, which looked to be converging on one position. Feeling dread weigh down in my gut I looked up...
... only to find the convergence point was directly above me.
My eyes widened. The wind picked up, tossing around papers and other assorted trash. People were starting to voice their concerns when suddenly, lightning struck one of the taller buildings, sending the people into a panic. I could hear their footsteps around me, but I didn't dare move. My gaze was fixated on the point of no return, the center of a swirling mass of rage taken form. It groaned with thunder, never ending. For the longest time my eyes dared not to blink.
Blink
I looked into the abyss.
BOOM
It looked back.
Suddenly, my world was white.
(3rd Person)
In the land of Equestria all was calm. As calm as it could be, considering the recent events; Something about a lost princess and eternal night, yadda yadda. That's not important. What was important was the massive build up of clouds over the Everfree forest. The clouds were wild, winds forcing trees to sway in the wind, the thunder of lightning strikes overpowering any noise the creatures that lived there would make. This place was full of danger normally, but now? Now it was a surefire deathtrap.
As a gigantic mass of clouds dominated the skies the lightning bolts it rained down began to exponentially get more and more frequent, to the point where it was impossible hear anything else. Then, as all the bolts converged into the center of the mass, a single massive and impossibly bright bolt of pure energy struck the forest, decimating the area around the impact zone and leaving in its place a massive patch of scorched earth. If one were to look closely, after rubbing the light out of their eyes, they would see a shape in this crater.
If one were to even closer they would see the shape, now appearing to be a body, begin to spasm before letting out a large gasp, followed by many hoarse coughs. After the fit was over, leaving the creature with still burning lungs, the eyes of said creature opened slowly. As it sat up, slowly as to not disorientate itself, and as its vision began to clear, it began to vocalize its concern.
"Fuck man. W-What happened?"
(1st Person)
My head was killing me.
Seriously, what the hell just happened?
After a few moments of blinking the sleep out of my eyes, which helped adjust to the near dawn-like-ness of the sky, I shakily stood up. I was surrounded by scorched dirt. Jesus, it looked like someone dropped a dam Fat Man here! Even the trees were pushed away by some invisible force. Whatever happened here, its was powerful, and I somehow got put in the middle of it.
"Shit, man. What's going on? Where am I? A fucking forest?"
As if to answer my question, a breeze flew by me, where I heard various animals noises. Eye's widening I quickly patted down my pockets, only to find my cell and wallet. Strange, I don't remember putting my phone away. In fact, as I continued to look at my body, I noticed something even stranger; specifically, my lack of damage. My clothes were completely fine! It seemed impossible compared to my surroundings, but it seemed fate was on my side for once.
"Well... that's useful. Now, where the hell is the exit of this dam place?" I asked to no one in particular.
A quick scan of my surroundings provided me with a conveniently large opening between two trees, which led to what I could only assume was a path. As I walked to the path I stopped for a moment. Was that... talking? I waited some more and- there it was again! Yes indeed, there were other living beings here. A smile came to my face as I quickened my pace to arrive at the place where the voices were based. Like that? I did.
As I grew nearer to the voice I started to hear the differences in tone. From the sound of it, their was more than one and they were all female. Or really feminine men. I don't judge, nor do I care. All I cared about was finding some people and getting the hell out of dodge! I've only been in this dam forest ten minutes or so and I already don't like it. It had this aura about it. Like it knew things about me I didn't. Or that it knew what I never told.
That night in Maui will never escape these lips, no matter how hard you try!
The trees shuddered in anticipation of what was to come. One day, this puny human would learn. It could not keep its secrets for ever.
Baskin Robins always finds out
AHEM.
ANYWAYS.
I reached a few thin branches that separated me from this group. My approach could have used more tact it seem, as when I was walking I made too much noise and the talking stopped. In return, I stopped. I could not see them from this side, and they could not see me, so naturally, I began to anticipate the worst.
What if, one the other side of these branches, there was a bunch of female slavers who enslaved the males of species to do their horrible and pain inducing manual labor?
This thought of course was followed by;
What if they were just a bunch of imp people who were really keen on keeping their feet clean?
"Girls... did you hear that?" Said one of the voices, causing my eyes to widen in surprise.
"Ah' heard it. Sounds like there might be somethin' out here with us." Spoke another voice, this one with a distinctly southern drawl. A fellow Texan perhaps?
I hope so. Hell knows I've spent too much time around northerners.
"Well whatever it is, it's gonna get a beat down if tries anything!" This voice sounded very... tomboyish, I suppose would be the right term. Very confident, arrogant even.
"I certainly hope it's at least clean. It would be the first thing in here." This voice spoke in a very eloquent manner, kinda like a stereotypical rich girl you see on those stupid drama shows. Hmm.
"OOH, maybe it's a creature from another universe! And now its trying to figure out what's going on behind those tree branches over there!" Wait, what?
"U-Um, excuse me mister or missus creature, it's okay to come out now. W-we wont do anything." That last voice was undoubtedly the most and least assuring.
Okay seriously, what the hell did that one say?
I grew tired of waiting and pushed through the brush, having to duck a little as to avoid getting smacked in the face, and raised to my full height on the other side.
OH... aliens. She actually meant aliens.
(3rd Person)
The tension in the air was thick enough to be cut with a smooth stick. Both parties stood stock still, attempting to gauge the other. On one side sat six of the native species of the land, ponies. Two Pegasus, two unicorns, and two earth ponies. Each with their own special talent, each with their own destiny, and each with different thoughts on the situation. Most noticeably though, was that underneath each and every layer these ponies had, there was an instinctual feeling. The urge to flee.
Their foe, a singular alien creature native only to one planet Earth, was much different in regards to physical appearance. This beast, looking like a mostly bald Minotaur with severe legs injuries, stood much taller than the ponies, and even higher than one Rainbow Dash's gliding height, which often equaled the height of the princess's. It wielded no weapon and its skin matched what was underneath the fur of any pony. Still, in regards to ponies, this was obviously a predator species. The way it stood on two legs, without any mean of balance other than ingenious genetic evolution, established its height and in turn proved to be an intimidating force. It's eyes were smaller, but more focused, able to see things much father and with more clarity than a pony.
A collective shiver went down the spines of the ponies when they realized those very eyes were darting from one pony to another, scanning them and searching for weakness's.
Any minute now It would attack and unleash a chaotic concoction of cataclysmic carnage.
Heyo! I'm back! JK, this chapter will have come out the same time as the first, so whatever. I don't own jack shit besides my own characters and ideas. Gazinga.
(1st Person)
These horse's are very loud.
This was my first and immediate thought when they started screaming. My second was;
"WOULD YOU KINDLY SHUT THE FUCK UP AND BE QUIET?!"
My voice echoed off into the distance. Then, as if by a switch, everything became quiet. The horses stopped screaming and froze, their mouths closed tighter than a piglits- anyway. They almost seemed to actually freeze in place, as some were contoured in strange positions, and I'm pretty sure one of them was floating.
What the hell did I walk up on, and how is that one floating?
Deciding to ignore my inner monologue I addressed the situation. I was breathing heavier than I should have been 'cause I was angry and I had hunched down at some point, glaring at the horse things in front of me. Probably not the best way to calm down a situation, but I couldn't give less of a fuck right now, they made me mad. My ears are sensitive.
"All right! Now that we're calm and orderly, how about we talk to each other like civilized people,hmmm?" I asked, placing extra emphasis on certain parts.
All I got back were stares. Blank stares. Almost like they didn't understand me.
Don't be pullin' that bullshit now, I heard yall talkin'!
"Oh yeah? We doin' this now? The no talkin' thing? Are we? Cause I know you were all talking up a storm before I got here! Huh?!"
"Y-You can talk?!" I didn't really catch who said that, but I gave my opinion anyway.
"Of course I can fucking talk you imbeciles! How are you talking?!" I asked, straining to keep my sanity.
"Hey! That there is no way to talk to somepony jus' cause they was askin' a question!" This time It was clear that the orange horse had talked, her fearful stare having been replaced by an angry glare.
"Well excuuuuuse me sweetheart, this kinda thing just aint fuckin natural!"
"Sweetheart?! OH you don did it now-"
"Applejack! Stop!"
As the orange one, now know as 'Applejack', was making her way towards me she had suddenly sprouted a purple-ish aura that pulled her away from me. I stared on in bewilderment and followed a sound being made nearby, only to find the purple horse, whom was a Unicorn, had a matching aura glow around her horn. Before I could ponder on this literal feat of magic more, she turned towards me and leveled me with a wavering stare.
I looked around and huffed before meeting her stare with a glare. Seems everybody was on edge right now, though it seemed to me that they had some special particular reason to be so scared. Of course I didn't know what that reason was, but I knew it was there. Maybe.
"Listen, um, w-whoever you are! We don't want any trouble! J-just let us pass and we'll be on our way!" She said her speech starting strong, but her eyes started to dart around and when they met mine she stuttered.
"Excuse me?" I asked condescendingly. Probably didn't help.
I'm not even in front of them. They could easily pass me by.
"Um, please?"
"Wait a minute Twilight! It could be a minion of Nightmare Moon!" Spoke the Rainbow one, glaring at me as she hovered.
"Well fuck you too."
*Collective gasp*
"Oh come on!" I practically shouted, throwing my hands in the air. "It's not like you've never heard a curse before! I just yelled at you, like, a minute ago! Also, totally don't know who you're talking about." This served only for the Rainbow one to fly a little closer to me, while still being a ways away.
"Oh yeah? Prove it!" She said smugly, crossing her arms, or, I guess they would be forelimbs, against her chest, still hovering.
"How am I supposed to prove that I don't know who you're talking about?"
"Hmm..." She hummed, rubbing a hoof against her chin, while I stood there unamused.
Is she serious?
"I... got nothin'. But I'm sure you're lying!" She accused, pointing a hoof at me.
"Yeah, get back to me on that would ya? Anyways, since it's clear I have no idea who we're talking about, not to mention I don't know who you guys are, can we agree to disagree and go our separate ways? Because as soon as you point me to some populated area, I will gladly leave y'all alone."
"Woah there critter-"
Critter?
"- now ahm' afraid we can't do that. We don't know wat' ya are, and you haven't been the nicest fella since we met, so there's no way we're gonna lead ya to Ponyville. Heck, we don't even know your name!"
"Well, I don't know yours either, so that's a negative on both our parts. Hell, you know what?" I asked, giving a huff and throwing my hands in the air. "I feel like we got off on the wrong foot here guys. Ya see, I'm not from around here. I don't even know where here is. I just need some help gettin' back home and then I'll be out of your hair. Okay?" I asked, resigning to sit down cross legged and lean my head on my hands, and sighing.
The atmosphere changed with my admission. What was once terse and tense turned to cautionary curiosity. We collectively didn't say anything for a good minute, just standing there. I'll admit, it was getting kind of awkward. After a few more minutes of awkward silence, the purple one, whom was still yet to be named, spoke up.
"I'm sorry to hear about your story, sir. I really am. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and right now I'm on a mission with my friends to stop an evil mare named Nightmare Moon from cursing the world with eternal night. I need to know if you're going to try and stop us or not." She said, with a surprising amount of conviction.
Well she's certainly changed. Took about a minute too. Not bad Sparkly, not bad.
"Well, you don't have to worry about me doing anything to ya. I'm just here out of coincidence really. I don't know where I am or how there's talking horses here, but honestly, I don't really care about that. I just need to find a way to get home. Oh, and my name is Patrick. Patrick J McNally. I would say it's nice to meet you, but I think we're a little past that stage, huh?" I said, offering her a weak smile.
She smiled in return and said "I guess so. Now, these are my friends Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy. We're ponies by the way, not horses." For each name she gestured towards the specific person, or rather pony, letting me learn their names.
"Yes, yes, it's wonderful that we all know each other, but must I remind you all that we have a job to do?" Spoke Rarity, gesturing towards one end of the path.
"Ahm afraid she's right sugarcube. We best git' goin' if we want to reach the elements first." Agreed Applejack, offering me a sympathetic look.
The elements? Wait, sugarcube?
"Uh, what are these elements you speak of?"
"They're the elements of harmony. They are the only weapon we can use against Nightmare Moon, and are what originally banished her to the moon in the first place."
"The Moon?"
"I'm sorry Patrick, but we have to go. Come on girls!"
"Wait!" I shouted, causing them to turn back to me.
"What is it?"
"Uh... mind if I join you?"
"Why? So you can spy on us?" Said Rainbow, narrowing her eyes.
"Well, no. I just- I don't really know what's going on and you guys are the first people I've met today, so I figured, if there's any chance at surviving then why not ...stick together?" I offered weakly, shrugging my shoulders.
Plus I'm half sure this is a dream anyway.
"Does that mean you'd be willing to fight Nightmare Moon with us?"
"Uh, sure. I aint got much to lose, so why not?"
"Ok, then lets get moving!"
And they were off, living up to their horse genes as they sprinted away from me. I got caught off guard so I lagged behind, but I was just fast enough to see them constantly. Seriously though, they just sprinted off like dam rockets! At least it helps reassure their seriousness about the situation. I just hoped we could have a little bit of smooth sailing.
I was wrong to hope. Oh so wrong.
We encountered a... Manticore, I think? Let me tell ya, that thing, uh, kinda scared the shit out of me.
"... and once Pinkie and Rarity were safe, whoosh! Me and Fluttershy loop-de-loop around and WHAM. Caught her right in the nick of time." The Rainbow one, Rainbow, bragged on. I didn't really know what to believe about the scenario she described, but the others seemed to know exactly what she boasted about.
"That... is an interesting story. Seems we have you to thank for, uh, Twilights continued existence." I say, my paranoia getting the best of me, forcing me to constantly look around.
"Heh, yeah. I am pretty awesome." She continued, head probably held up high or whatever.
"You're something Rainbow. You're somethin'."
I could have sworn I just saw some moving purple mist right there.
"Wait, what does that-"
*Collective Gasp!*
Huh?
"A Manticore!" I hear Twilight scream, my body being turned around at this point.
"I'm sorry, a what?" I ask, walking back to the group and turning only to find...
"Holy fuck that's a big ass cat." I whispered, the massive mammal mere feet away from us.
*RAWR*
"HOO, fuck that!""
I'll be the first to admit, I acted cowardly. I immediately set off behind a tree and pushed my back against it. I could hear them fighting the beast behind me, or at least hoping they fought. After all, a battle is between two sides that can actually fight each other. If not, then...
Then they just invited themselves to a massacre.
"And I ran away. God... dammit."
I closed my eyes tightly and tried to block out the noises. I think at some point some screamed and then everything got quiet. After getting my breathing back in order I forced away the ringing in my ears, managing to hear my name being called out.
"Patrick! Where are you? Everything fine, you can come out!"
Oh, but I couldn't. I couldn't be such a coward and face them. I mean, they're fucking multi-color ponies for crying out loud! Fucking ponies! And you managed to be a coward compared to them. Great. Fucking. Jo-
"He's over here!" I heard Rainbow call out, finding her hovering a few feet away from me. "Not cool dude."
"What?" I whispered, staring at her with what was undoubtedly a stupid look on my face.
"You just leave us hanging when a Manticore attacks? Who does that?!" She cried out, swinging her forelegs around in exasperation.
"I do, apparently."
"Yeah, I can tell." She huffed, flying away to her group of friends. The Manticore, previously attacking, was licking both its paw and Fluttershy, who seemed to be consoling the creature.
"Uh..." As I spoke all eyes turned towards me, causing me to fidget. "Sorry about that. The whole, uh, running away thing. Where I'm from we don't really, uh, see things like that. Like, ever. A bit of a shock."
"Have you ever even heard of a Manticore?" Asked Twilight, trotting closer to me with a concerned look on her face.
Thanks for caring. Don't know if I deserve it, but it's appreciated anyways.
"Well, yeah! It's just, they were never supposed to exists, ya know? Where I'm from, pretty much everything currently around me are supposed to be myths. Unicorns, Pegasai, talking animals, all that isn't supposed to be real… ya know?" After my little outburst I stood there awkwardly, hoping someone would speak up. I really didn't like awkward silences.
"It's ahlright' that you were scared, Mr. Patrick."
"Huh?" I saw Applejack had been the next to approach me, taking off her hat as she spoke.
"Tha' Everfree aint no place for tha' faint of heart, especially fer' somepony who never heard of what's inside. You don't have to feel bad cause ya ran. It's all you could do an' you shouldn't feel sorry fer' followin' yer' instincts. Celestia knows I follow mine too much sometimes too." She finished, smiling up at me. During her speech the others gathered round, all giving me reassuring smiles, except for Rainbow, who leveled me with a concerned-friend stare.
"That's... thanks. I think I needed that. I'm really sorry, but I kinda forgot ya name."
"Oh shucks, aint no thang! It's Applejack! Now, lets get back on track girls, we got elements to find!" Wow, you could really hear the country in that one huh? Suppose I might spend some more time around this Applejack. She just might do me some good.
As long as she's honest. Although, for some reason, I can't help but feel that won't be a problem.
As the group continued on I paused for a second, looking towards the trees. It was there, just now. I saw it whish just out of view.
You're watching me aren't you?
I'd have to deal with that later. Currently, my new friends were rushing ahead to meet even more dangers as I stood still. Now was the times for movement. For change. For action.
I'm not gonna be that coward again.
"Never again." I whispered as I sprinted, hoping to catch up in time.
Unfortunately, sayin' something is much easier than doing it. I could only hope that when it came down to it, I could stand up for them.
Maybe, just maybe, I could be a hero.
One day.
? POV
Hmm. How very interesting. First I must deal with these foals, and now an unknown creature that has the body of a predator but the mind of a coward? I do hope it stays consistent.
Back again with the third part of the introduction chapters. Let's hope any quality I proposed earlier stays with me.
I caught up with the group fairly quickly. My chest heaved laborious breathes of an out of shape man in his early twenties going out for a run, but I made it. Noticing the silence, I decided to try my hand at idle conversation.
"So hey... how far is our destination exactly?" I asked, gesturing with my hands to the path we were on. "Because at this rate it seems like it's some distance away."
"Well, the castle itself is supposed to be near the center of the Everfree. Judging by how far we are already, I'd say it shouldn't take too long." Replied Twilight.
"I do hope we get there soon. My eyes could certainly take a break from all this muck." Rarity complained, earning a snort from me.
"Kinda unfortunate you guys don't wear shoes. I'd imagine they'd be beneficial in these sort of circumstances." I said, Rarity's ears perking up as she turned towards me whilst continuing to trot forward.
"Speaking of, darling, you absolutely must let me take a look at your garbs. They're quite unlike any clothing I've ever seen!"
"Uh, sure... hey, anyone else notice how dark it just got?" I asked, noticing I could now barely see in front of my face.
How did I not see that before?
"Oof!"
"Sorry!"
"Ow!"
"Ah shit, my bad."
"Language!"
"Oh come on-"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"AH, Jesus! Scream right in my ears why don't you?!"
"What happened?!"
"Hell if I know!" I exclaim, finally blinking some of the darkness away. I found someone, I'm thinking it was Fluttershy, sitting stock-still in front of a tree for some reason.
"Hey, I can finally see again. Now, why are you over here screaming... like... that."
Wow... that's actually pretty fucking creepy.
"What's so scary? It's just mud." Applejack says, unaware of what I just noticed surrounded us.
"Check behind you."
Now that I could see again, albeit with some difficulty, I could tell she was confused. She did turn around, but when she saw the disturbingly defined and grotesque faces on the tree's, she turned right back around and bolted away from them. As she did the others took notice of their surroundings and did the same. Except for one, apparently.
"Pinkie, what are you doing? Run!" Twilight practically screamed.
"Run from the tree's?"
Also, why you always gotta scream Sparkly? Ya loud.
"Oh girls, don't you see?" Asked Pinkie, a tune starting around us.
"What the- is that music?"
~When I was a little filly and the sun was going down~
"Tell me she's not..." Asked Twilight, wondering the same thing.
~The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown~
"She is." Answered Rarity, sounding used to it.
"Wait, does she do this oft-"
~I'd hide under my pillow, from what I thought I saw~
~But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way to deal with fears at all~
"Then what is?" asked Rainbow.
"So this is norm-"
~She said, Pinkie, you've got to stand up tall, learn to face your fears~
~You'll see that they can't hurt you, just laugh and make them disappear~
Pinkie, being herself apparently, bounced over to a tree and laughed at it. This resulted in a poof of pink smoke around the face, which revealed a normal tree underneath. Collectively the girls gasped while I raised my eyebrows as far as possible.
Did that actually work?
~So, giggle at the ghosty~
~Guffaw at the grossly~
~Crack up at the creepy~
~Whoop it up with the weepy~
~Chortle at the kooky~
~Snortle at the spooky~
~And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone andifhethinkshecanscareyouhe'sgotanotherthingcomingandtheveryideaofsuchathingmakesyouwanna... hehehe,hahahahha *snort*...~
~Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!~
After her singing episode, where even I got a little laugh in, the tree's were all normal and the ponies were laughing their assess off. Even now I could barely contain myself.
Ah, what the hell...
"Hehehe... hehehe... hahahahahahahahahahaha!"
That was fun.
Once we all gathered ourselves, still snickering here and then, we continued on with our adventure, our spirits higher than ever. With my case of pessimism, that wasn't to last. Even in my happy state of mind thoughts of doubt began to pop up. Things like, 'What's going on', 'How am I going to get home', and 'Am I still alive' swirled around in my head.
Ah, whatever. Even if this all turns out to be some fever dream induced by hypothermia I'm still glad I had it. Now, let's forget all about that. Hmmmm.... yup, there we go. Right in the vault.
Coming back into focus, I noticed we were approaching a river. In fact, it was a rather large river. A violent one too.
"How are we gonna cross this?" Asked Pinkie, the other gathered behind her.
"Hmmm... well, we can't swim across. The waters probably too deep and rough for that. Wait a minute, can't you guys fly-"
"Huh?"
"-Or you could just ignore me and walk away, that's fine too."
Like it was stated above, the girls kind of went off further down the river, totally ignoring me and my suggestions. After grumbling to myself I followed suite, finding a large serpent-type creature... crying? It was kind of hard to tell. I mean, the sounds and mannerisms were there, but it could also be a fucking war cry for all I know, so whatever.
"Excuse me sir. Why are you crying?" Asked Twilight. The monstrously tall beast turned to face us, revealing a surprising amount of hair adoring its scaled face.
"How does that thing have a moustache?"
"Well, I don't know." He said, a much less menacing voice coming out than I expected. "I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke whisked past me and tore half of my beloved moustache clean off, and now I look simply horrid!" He exclaimed dramatically, falling back into the river and causing a large splash of water to soak us all to the bone.
"Cool. Now I'm wet. Awesome."
"Oh, gimme a break." Rainbow complained, giving the sea creature a glare.
"That's what all this fuss is about?" Asked Applejack, incredulous.
"Why, of course it is!" Cut in Rarity, giving us all looks of disbelief. "How can you be so insensitive?"
"Maybe because it'll just grow back if he gives it time?" I replied, giving the creature my own set of angry eyeballs, shaking my arms to get the water off of them.
Man, I'm getting tired, I'm wet, it's cold, and now I'm confused on why something with scales has hair. Fucking. Hell. And to think, not too long ago I was happy as can be. Of fucking course that didn't last long, nothing good ever does...
...
I think I need a therapist.
"Oh, just look at him." Rarity continued. "Such lovely luminescent scales-"
"I know." The serpent sniffed out.
"And your expertly coiffed mane-"
"Oh, I know, I know!"
"your fabulous manicure-"
"*Gasp* It's so true!"
"All ruined without your beautiful moustache!" She finished.
"It's true, I'm hideous!" He cried, hiding his face.
"I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected!" Rarity declared.
"Fabulosity?" I mouthed, my eyebrows creased in confusion.
With no warning whatsoever, not even asking, she grabbed hold of a scale on the serpent and ripped it off. Rather cleanly, I might add. He cried out in pain at the abrupt violence upon his body.
"Woah!"
"Ow! What did you do that for?"
Instead of an answer, she raised the scale, which reflected the moon off of it, high into the air with her mouth.
"Rarity, what are you-" Twilight tried to ask, only to be interrupted as Rarity sliced off her own tail. This sent the serpent into some form of hysteria, where he 'fainted' onto the ground. Grabbing her tail nonchalantly wither her magic, Rarity connected what was previously her tail hair and the stump on the serpents face, making a new mustache. Once he had noticed it, he practically leapt for joy.
"Oh-hohohoho! My mustache! How wonderful!" He marveled at his newest addition of facial hair.
"You look smashing." Rarity commented with a smile.
"Oh Rarity, your tail..." Twilight moaned out to her friend.
"Oh, it's fine my dear. Short tails are in the season. Besides, it'll grow back." Rarity replied, her voice a less confident near the end.
"So would-"
"- the mustache."
Rainbow and I look at each other for a moment. Then, without saying a word, we both smirked and turned away.
That was nice.
"We can cross now!" Stated Twilight, letting me notice that, Indeed, she was right. The previously rapid river was now calm and still. She started forwards, only to be lifted up into the air. The serpent from just seconds ago appeared, extending his body across the river.
"Allow me."
Thanks to that serpent, we crossed rather easily. Something I hadn't noticed at the time was a disturbance in the shrubbery. It bristled for a moment and then quickly flew away.
We were on our way to the castle, which was personally something I was looking forward to. I never got to see an actual castle up close before, so this would be a first. However, that brought an important thought to the forefront of my thought's.
"Hey guys, you mind if I ask you something?" I asked
"You just did silly!" Giggled Pinkie, making me roll my eyes.
"Well you mind if I ask two things?"
"Go ahead Patrick." Said Twilight, not turning back towards me.
"When we met up with that serpent guy, whatever he was, he mentioned a purple mist. Have any of you seen something similar around here?"
"Actually, now that you mention it, I saw something in the sky just above the tree's just after Nightmare Moon left." Said Rainbow.
"And I saw something in the woods... I think." Said Fluttershy, although very quietly.
"Yeah, I thought so. I saw something like that myself just after that Manticore showed up. I feel like that should be concerning."
"It's Nightmare Moon. I bet she's the one who's been causing all these problems!" Twilight declared, still moving forwards.
"So, besides that little revelation, can we actually do anything about it?"
"Well, Ah'd reckon we just get to the elements first." Applejack spoke, scanning her surroundings.
"That seems like the best-"
"There it is! The ruins that holds the Elements of Harmony! We made it!" Twilight cried out, a huge smile adorning her face. Hmm, wait, I think it's called a muzzle.
"Twilight, wait for us!" Shouted Applejack to the now sprinting form of Twilight.
"Fucking hell!" I cursed before sprinting after her, managing to catch her right as she almost fell into a chasm.
"You know Twilight, I get your excited, but a little more caution than that would be appreciated." I scolded her, getting rewarded with an embarrassed look. I gently placed her down, noticing the rest of the gang next to us.
"What's with you and falling off cliffs today?" Asked Rainbow teasingly.
"Seriously."
I stood up to my max height, looking around the massive splinter in the earth for some sign of another bridge, to no avail.
"It doesn't look like there's any other way across."
"Uh, hello? Remember these?" Spoke Rainbow, flying in front of me and showing off her wings.
"In all honesty, I forgot you could fly."
"Well don't you girls worry, I got this!" She quickly dove down into the mist flooding the canyon and returned with a rope in her mouth, carrying the bridge with her.
"Did I just get excluded?"
"I'm sure she didn't mean to Patrick."
"Yeah, well, I still feel slightly offended. Hey, what's that?" I asked, pointing to where Rainbow was on the other side.
"What? Did you see something?" Asked Twilight, trying to see for herself.
"It kinda looked like... a mist of some sort. Yeah, definitely that mist we were just talking about."
"The mist?!"
"Yup, and there are definitely people over there now. Hold, I got it." I said, taking a deep breath.
"OI RAINBOW!" I shouted, causing both the girls next to me and Rainbow to jump.
"WATCH OUT OVER THERE! WE THINK THERE MIGHT BE SOME SHADY SHIT GOING DOWN!"
Without warning the fog around us closed in between the two side of the bridge. Just for a brief moment though, I could have sworn I saw something looking at me. It kinda looked like a... glare.
"Huh. Hope she's okay. Ah, what am I sayin', she'll be fine."
"It must be Nightmare Moon! She's trying to stop Rainbow from fixing the bridge!" Twilight shouted in fear.
"Uh-huh, sounds about right."
The girls continued to chatter amongst themselves, while I zoned out of the conversation. They were worrying over Rainbow and her well being, but honestly, I'm pretty sure she was fine. I mean, nothing else that's happened so far has ended badly. It's not like hers was gonna be the first.
Then, who to come through the fog but the main mare herself, Rainbow Dash. See, what'd I tell ya? Nothing gonna go wrong today.
"See? I'd never leave my friends hangin'." She proudly stated as we walked along the old bridge.
"Even me?" I asked, a half-smirk on my face.
"Even you big guy. Thanks for the warning by the way." She replied, flying over and lightly smacking my shoulder.
"Oh, sure, no problem." I said.
We continued onwards to the castle, though along the way I saw multiple sightings of the purple mist. The thing is, it wasn't hiding. At least, not from me. It didn't seem to like when I incurred about the background of Nightmare Moon either.
Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if that was the big baddy herself.
Thanks to Twilight, I now know the story behind our villain. She was the sister to some lady who brought out the sun, only about a thousand years ago she turned evil because no one appreciated her work or something. I mean, don't get me wrong, if I stayed up all night just to watch over people and bring them the best night I could, then yeah, I'd be pretty pissed if no one appreciated me. But evil? I don't know. I'd probably just leave them to their own devices and see how they like it. A strange feeling did come about when she went over the story however. Something about felt... familiar.
Backing up into reality, we were at the entrance to a chamber of some sorts. We had just arrived and for some reason, kinda froze. I decided to take up the reigns of the awkwardness.
"Well guys... we did it. We survived this asshole of a forest, and I wasn't even there for half of it. I've gotta say, so far, its been pretty interesting and I can't say in confidence that it was good or bad. What I can say, is that I wouldn't rather possibly almost die with any other group of people. Now, who's ready to stop some eternal night, eh?" In response to my little speech they cheered, much more than I expected them to.
God, I wish I had friends like these guys.
Turing around, I grasped the two handles and pushed forward, moving the heavy doors our of the way and revealing a chamber, spartan except for a pedestal in the middle, holding up multiple orbs. We walked in with smiles on our faces, but...
"Uh... what do we do now?" I asked awkwardly, gesturing with my hands.
"The Elements of Harmony! We found them!"
"Oh, that's what they were."
They all quickly removed their own ball from the pedestal, but there was something wrong... well, apparently there was. I didn't really remember how many elements there were.
"One, Two, Three, Four... there's only Five!" Pointed out Pinkie.
"I'm assuming there's supposed to be six?" I asked, looking towards Twilight.
"The book said: When the Five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed."
"What in the hay is that supposed to mean?"
As the girls talked amongst themselves I got a look at these 'Elements' that were so important. Honestly, they looked like a bunch of really old spherical rocks. There were some symbols on them that I assumed meant something, but other than that they looked pretty plain.
"Kind of anticlimactic, really. Just seems to be a bunch of dusty old balls. Heh. I'm immature."
Jesus, really? I thought that was funny? Fucking hell, my sense of humor has fallen.
Unbeknownst to me the rest of the girls had left the room, meaning I was alone in the room with Twilight. Taking a glance at her, noting her concentrated face, I noticed a swarm of very familiar mist.
"Uh, hey Twilight? Is that you doing this?" I asked, gesturing to the now floating orbs surrounded by a small vortex.
"Huh?" She opened her eyes, then gasped in surprise. "The Elements!" Then, she jumped into the Damm vortex herself. I, trying to save what was left of my man card after that Manticore incident, leapt after her.
"Twilight!"
*VOOSH*
*VOOSH*
"OOF"
"OW, Shit!"
I, somehow, landed on my back after...that.
Seriously, whatever that was can go fuck itself and then bleach the hole.
Opening my eyes I noticed that we weren't where we were two seconds ago. Taking noticed of our surroundings, I noticed Twilight was right next to me as well as another presence in the room, except that one was laughing. I stood up, albeit on some shaky legs, and grabbed the wall for whatever support it could give me. That's when I noticed... her.
"So, Twilight... I'm assuming this is-?"
"N-Nightmare Moon." She finished for me, glancing fearfully at the mare before us.
"Awesome." I sighed heavily, keeping an eye on her advancing form.
"Indeed I am. But what Interests me, is who and what you are, you delectable creature." Said Nightmare Moon, her much-more-intimidating-than-some-purple-smoke form sauntering over to us with grace.
This mare was dark as the night we were in, with a mane as brilliant and vibrant as the stars in the sky. Ornate Armor covered her, though not nearly enough to be useful. What was most eye catching about her, though, was her face. It bore a confident smirk that showed off her fangs with chilling reptile-like eyes and a horn that would undoubtedly be able to skewer me like a goddam pig. Or fish.
"My, my, hasn't anypony told you it's rude to stare?" She said, her horn glowing. Before I knew what was happening I was being pulled towards her, until I was only inches away from her face. She looked all around my body with her piercing eyes.
"Quite interesting. Obviously a mammal of some sorts, possibly related to minotaur's. A deformed minotaur perhaps? Maybe. It would explain the lack of fur." She continued to examine me, speaking to herself as she paced around me.
"You know," I spoke up, catching her attention. "You could just ask. Now whether that's asking my name or if you could hold even tighter, well, that's up to you." I finished, sending a wink her way, along with (what I hoped was) a charming smile. Judging from her face, it seemed to work.
"Oh my, Nopony has said such things to me in a millennia. Please, continue."
Holy hell, this is actually working?! Why didn't this shit work at home?!
"Uh... well, for starters, you have beautiful eyes. I mean, I could look at them all throughout the day."
"Oh? And why not the night?" She stopped pacing for a moment, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye.
"Because then I would miss all of your hard work in the sky." I said, hoping that shot in the dark wouldn't kill me.
"Yes!" She screamed, which would have made me jump if I wasn't stuck in mid air. "Finally, somepony get's it! I put all this effort and loving devotion into it, and what do they do? They sleep through it! Why can't they sleep through the day?! It's even longer! It's not like one would miss much anyways! Why, I can name a thousand activities that are much more enjoyable at night! For starters-"
While she was on her rant, I noticed Twilight had sneaked away. Possibly to gather the others and such.
Good. I don't know how long she'll have interest in me. I tuned back in, just to make sure I knew where she was at.
"... and spelunking! That has always been more daring and adventurous at night! Another-"
"Uh, Miss Moon?" I asked as polite as possible, already grimacing for her reaction.
"WHAT?!" She rounded on me, shouting very loudly right in my face.
"I'm sorry for interrupting, but I must ask you something. If you'd allow." I asked kindly, watching her wind down from her rant.
"My... sincerest apologies, my dear. I did not mean to scare you. It's just... it's been difficult. Seeing other ponies again. Being reminded of why I had not been there to rule them for a thousand years." She let go of her magical hold on me and walked a few steps away, not looking at me.
Seems I can't even ask a question. Also, my dear?
"Yes, I've heard of the tale. I must say I'm... sad to hear about it." I said, sincerely. I wondered if they ever thought to talk it out.
"Yes, it is a sorrowful tale... but you!" She turned around, quickly closing the gap between up. "You remind me of why I do this. Of why I fight against Celestia's tyrannical reign! She holds the power of the sun within her and forces it unto her precious ponies. They deem it necessary to worship her as a god for it, else they be smitten by her wrath. But that is not how I shall rule!"
"Wait, you plan to have eternal night, correct?" I asked, gears turning in my head.
"Yes. It is what this world needs!" She answered, flinging her hoof out towards the stars.
"Just night time every hour of every day?"
She nodded in confirmation.
"Then, and please don't take this the wrong way, but... how is that any different than what Celestia is doing?"
She was silent for a moment, facing away from me. Then, with her head raised and her horn glowing, she turned towards me. Her face was... glowing. Her eyes specifically. And she was crying.
Oh boy. This is not good.
"Why... why would you ever make that comparison?!" She screamed at me, her voice amplified and now showing anguish across her face.
"Uh..."
"Well?! Do you have nothing to say?!" She screamed again, this time forcing me back first into a wall.
"Ah! Fuck!" She closed the gap between us again, slowly inching her face closer to mine.
"I thought I could trust in you! I thought I could confide In you! I thought you had seen my ways, but clearly I was wrong! I thought... I thought..." She said, her voice growing weaker with every statement.
"You...ungh...thought... what?" I managed to get out, struggling to breathe.
"I... I thought I could love you." She finished quietly, her tear stricken eyes staring into mine.
What the fuck is going on right now?! She literally just met me! Wait! Wait! Maybe... maybe I can save myself with this!
I thought quickly about my response, weighing my options, before deciding to go with the easiest and most likely to save my ass.
"You... you can."
"How?! How can I love you if you don't even support my ideals?! If you don't even support me?!" She asked intensely, yet again staring into my soul.
"I do, I do! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. It was wrong of me to think that." I struggled to get out, her magic hold lessening on me.
"You... you're sorry?" She asked hesitantly.
"Yes. I am very, very sorry. I won't ever bring her up again."
"You won't?"
"No."
"Hmmph. *Sniff* Very well. I'm sorry I had to do that my dearest, but... some things should not be said. Might you forgive me?" She asked, giving what was without a doubt some of the most disturbingly adorable puppy eyes.
"Yeah. Absolutely. Can I get down now?" I asked, being very uncomfortable not being on my own two feet.
"Oh yes. Sorry." She giggled, which did sound adorable. It didn't help that she was literally holding me against a wall and forcing me to proclaim my love for her though. That made it less adorable and more psychotic. Still a bit attractive though, and I say that because of my low standards.
"Hehe. It's fine." I said, rubbing my throat.
Good fucking Christ, this chick's insane.
"Good. Now, let us get down to business! We have a world to save!"
"Not so fast, Nightmare Moon!"
Oh good, the cavalry's here.
Twilight and friends were at a raised platform, where the Element balls were put by Moony over here. They were all standing outside of the circle the balls made, and despite their importance, I don't think Nightmare noticed.
"Oh.. it's you. Attempting a daring rescue for your friend, or attempting to defeat me? Both are laughably misguided and bound to fail." Nightmare taunted, a smug smile on her lips.
Instead of saying anything, Twilight simply lit up her horn and surrounded all the balls. Noticing, Nightmare quickly turned into a smoke tornado or some shit like that and dove directly at the girls. They noticed, thankfully, and got out of the way. However, something happened. Or should I say, a lack of something happened.
"But... where's the sixth element?!" Cried Twilight, watching in fear as Nightmare Moon smashed her hooves into the ground, shattering the orbs into crystals (?).
How's that work? Were they made of crystal or stone? Was there crystal inside them? This place makes no dammed sense!
"You little foals! Thinking you could defeat me? Now you will never see your Princess, or your sun ever again! The night, will last, forever!" She let loose some maniacal laughter after that. Just, letting loose.
Shit. Am I supposed to laugh too, or is that just her thing?
"Well my dear? This your victory too. Come, laugh. Laugh at the pathetic display they have put on for us!" The girls, hearing this, all turn to me with shock and awe apparent on their faces.
Ah shit. Don't hate me for this guys. Time to put my acting skills to use.
"I'm afraid she's right, ponies." I started, standing as tall as I could and fixing them with a judgmental stare. "This meaningless display has done nothing but embarrass you! Now, for the sake of your own selves, do not attempt to repeat it!" I thought my performance wasn't too bad. Judging by their faces, it was good enough.
"B-but..."
"But what? Surely you didn't think this going to work, did you? Even if you did somehow manage to find the Sixth Element, I doubt it would do you much good, because from what I'm seeing, you all lack the will to use them!"
I think I laid it on a bit too thick...
Making sure Nightmare couldn't see my face, I stole a glance at Twilight and gave her devastated face a wink and an eyebrow raise, looking to the rest of the girls for reference. She seemed very confused.
Gods above, below, and in between, please get the fucking message Twilight!
"Precisely, now, let us get on with-"
"You're wrong!" Cried Twilight, standing up. I could see little tear marks on her fur.
Aw, man... now I feel like even more of an asshole...
"Oh?" Nightmare said, turning to face them. "Am I now?"
"Yes, you are! If you think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that, then your wrong! Because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony... are right here!" As she said that the crystals remnants of the Orbs floated upwards, all in different colors.
"What?!" Nightmare Moon asked in shock. I was right there with her, shock across my face.
Twilight then went on to list each of the girls and how they represented specific elements. Applejack was Honesty, Fluttershy was kindness, Pinkie Pie was laughter, Rarity was generosity, and Rainbow dash was loyalty. Then...
"The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us!"
"You-You still don't have the sixth Element!" Nightmare spoke, her eyes going to and fro. "The Spark didn't work!"
"But it did. A different kind of spark!" She turned to face her friends who each had crystals floating around them. "I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you. How much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends!" Then, just like magic, a spark appeared in the air and revealed what I hoped to be the sixth Element. It floated down until it hovered over where Twilight was. The light it brought was enough to cause both Nightmare and I to shield our faces.
I really hope I didn't kick myself out of that friend group she was talking about
"You see Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the, uh, the Spark that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element. The element of... Magic!"
A blinding ball of light appeared around them, which led to a massive rainbow getting shot out of it and heading straight for Moon and I. I knew I couldn't evade or escape this and so did Nightmare. We both looked to each other. Then, she stood up slightly on her hind legs and wrapped her front hooves around my neck. Then, she looked me dead in the eyes and said...
"I love you."
"I know."
Then, as our faces mashed together, the rainbow engulfed us. The light was blinding and before long, I was out.
This has got to be the most emotionally confusing day of my life. But, it's one I'm proud to say I'll keep in my memories. Till death do us part, I suppose.
I really hope this was all a dream. I have no idea what's gonna happen if it isn't, and honestly, that scares the everlasting fuck out of me.
Nummer fünf. Here we go.' Just about done with the beginning episodes.
I haven't the slightest clue as to how long I was out. It didn't feel very long, but a persons body clock can get real messed up in times like these.
Times like these... What does that even mean anymore?
I felt something assaulting my eyelids. It was bright and very annoying... but for some reason I was alright with that. In fact, I was so ok with everything that I opened my eyes-
"Gah! Jesus, that smarts!"
I rubbed at my eyes vigorously until I felt they were recovered enough. When the cleansing was complete I opened my eyes to find the same battered roof overhead.
"I'm still here?" I spoke, barely above a whisper.
"Yes, thou ist still beside us." I heard whispered into my ear. Turning to find the owner of the voice, I found a blue mare lying beside me, her forelegs and wings wrapped around me.
"Uh..."
"Tis alright if thou dost not recall. There shall be time given to thee for the act."
"O.k. Sooooo... are you, uh, still that crazy lady from before by any chance, or...?"
"No. Nightmare Moon ist gone. She shall burden the world no longer. We are Luna, our true self."
"Ah. So, quick question; how much of the, say, past twenty to thirty minutes do you remember?" She blushed, moving her small forelimbs to cover her face.
"Much."
"Ah. So, is there anything in particular you... uh. Why are you looking at me like that?" Her gaze was forlorn, like she just got over the death of her pet squid or something.
"It is not you that she is looking at." I heard spoken behind me, and by a very regal and slightly intimidating voice I might add. So, I turned onto my back again to find a literal pale horse standing above me with a very neutral face. She had flowing rainbow hair and some horse jewelry on, and to top it all off, I felt her stare dig into my soul.
"Hey...you, uh, surprised me." I said, awkwardly making finger-guns towards her.
"Hello stranger. I have been watching you." She said, not moving an inch.
"Oh yeah... hehehe... how much did you see?" I asked, wringing my hands together.
"Quite enough, I'm sure. If you wouldn't mind, could you give me a moment alone with my sister?"
"Oh yeah, sure thing." I turned back around facing Luna, only to find her desperately clinging to me. I tried to pry her off but dam, that mare had some strength!
"Hey Luna." I whispered to her, feeling her muffled speech against my chest. "I know how you're feeling right now. You feel vulnerable, like you could break at any moment. I understand. I got it. But you need to talk to your sister, especially if all those stories are true." That only served to make her grip me tighter, which was actually starting to hurt.
Bad choice of words man
"Alright then. Would you do it if I was here with you?" I asked, seeing her ears perk up. She raised her head slightly, just enough so that I could hear her.
"Perhaps."
"Ok then. I'll stay right where I am." I told her, returning her hug. I turned my gaze towards her much larger sister, noticing an incredibly sad expression. I mean, lip quivering, watery eyes, the whole shebang. Personally, I felt I was intruding on something very important.
"Oh Luna." Celestia cried out, falling to the floor and scaring the living daylights out of me. "This is all my fault. I've hurt you so much that you cant even look at me! W-What kind of a sister a-am I?" Oh gods, she stuttering now.
Fuck. This getting emotional. I am definitely in the middle of something I shouldn't be...
"Sister..." Luna called out softly, leaning forward to embrace her sister. Unfortunately, I was caught along for the ride, so now I was squished between two emotionally unstable Princess's who haven't talked to each other for a thousand years. I mean, not really complaining cause they're really soft, but it's still generally uncomfortable. Oh well.
Why do I accept that so easily? Wait a minute... I kissed an one thousand year old?!
...
You know what, not bad..
As the sisters emptied their hearts out to one another I spotted the others nearby with similar faces. When I desperately gestured for their assistance they simply huddled together and balled their eyes out.
So much for friendship
"P-Perhaps we should release our friend." I heard Luna shakily whisper.
"Yes, that *Sniff* would be best."
So they did, and almost immediately, I fell on my ass.
"I'm fine."
Everyone had a good chuckle at my failure against gravity and it really helped ease up the atmosphere.
"Hey! You know what this calls for?!" Screamed Pinkie, yet again scaring me. Possibly scarring me as well. My ears will never be the same.
"What's that Pinks?" I asked from my position on the floor, giving a lazy smile. At that point laying down on the floor was pretty comfortable.
I sure do feel good right now
"A- *GASP* OHMYGOSHYOUJUSTGAVEMEANICKNAMEBEFOREICOULDGIVEYOUONE!" She cut herself off, colliding with my body at the speed of sound in a hug.
"You're welcome." I replied, somehow hearing all that and managing to ward off dying of asphyxiation due to her steel trap of an embrace.
"Anyway, what I was going to say was that this calls for a PARTY!"
"A Party?" Everyone in the room questioned, sans me.
I could go for a party. Might be sleeping for most of it, but I'd be down.
"Well, duh! We just saved Equestria AND brought back a Princess! What's not to celebrate?" Pinkie exclaimed excitedly, bouncing around from place to place.
"I certainly wouldn't mind some festivities... however, I wouldn't want to put my sister through any more stress for the evening. Perhaps at a later date." Spoke Celestia, nodding down towards her sister who practically glued herself to her side.
I wonder if they have glue here... what would they make it out of? Actually, what is glue made out of?
Luna glanced around for a moment before her eyes met mine. I gave her a hopefully encouraging smile and two thumbs up. She smiled back and nodded to her sister, giving Celestia a massive smile on her face.
"Yes, perhaps some rest shall do us well. Tis been a tiring night for all."
"Aw, but what about the party? I was gonna make moon shaped cakes and everything!" Exclaimed Pinkie, gesturing with her hooves around in a circle.
"Some other time Pinkie, like the princess said." Gently urged Twilight, laying a hoof onto Pinkie Pies shoulder.
The princess spoken of giggled at the exchange, her sister giving a small smile. I was still on the floor, as I had found it's cool temperature and surprisingly comfortable flooring to be a great resting spot, when I spoke up.
"You know, that doesn't mean we can't have a party." I heard the Pink hug monster give a gasp, along with what I am assuming was jumping up in the air.
"You're totally right Patty!"
"Patty?" I questioned, sitting up a little and glancing at Pinkie who had turned to face me with her ever present smile on her face.
"Yeah, it's my nickname for you! Do you like it?" She asked
"Eh." I gave her the 50-50 hand, rotating it in place. She seemed disheartened by this, so I quickly added: "But you can call me Pat if you like. I don't mind that one."
"Okie-Dokie-Loki!" She said, continuing to jump around without a care in the world. I gave one last confused glance at her before I noticed the others amused smiles, which I returned.
Standing up on my surprisingly shaky legs almost led me to fall, if not for the help of my newly acquired friends. Before I even registered my angle of descent I already had two bodies keeping me upright. One was Applejack, allowing me to lean on her, and the other was Rainbow Dash, pulling me upwards with the flaps of her wings. I chuckled and gave them a smirk.
"I guess I'm more tired than I thought." The statement alone brought along a wave of yawns from the ponies and a mixture of flushed faces, including the princess's.
She sure is cute when she does that...
I blinked owlishly at my thought. That was certainly out of nowhere. Trying to ignore that mental comment, I noticed I was still dependent upon my friends with the way I was slouching. Standing up straight, allowing me to see that I was about on par with the tip of Celestia's horn, I thanked my supports for their help and began the somewhat tedious but always fruitful act of 'cracking' my bones, twisting my back to and fro. From the looks I received I assumed that the amount of sound coming from the action was more than usual. I wasn't surprised, as I tended to have more pops than most people I knew.
"Don't worry about that, it's just something that happens when I don't crack my joints every once in a while. So, we good to go?" I asked, gesturing towards the exit. Any answers I may have gained from the six girls were interrupted by the largest in the room.
"Actually, since we are all soon to retire for the morning, I must inquire where you might be sleeping?"
"Oh. Uh, I hadn't thought of that yet. Hmm."
The truth was, I had thought of that. I just didn't want to ask anyone. After all, I had just met most of them a few hours ago, with the princess's being met possibly not even an hour before. I had been raised in a household of respect, and that was something I carried around proudly, though I have a feeling that most would be surprised with how lax I could be. I had just learned not to take everything in life so seriously, while retaining the necessity of respect in situations that demanded it. After having this brief moment of thought, I had come to a conclusion that would require someone to offer their home to me, and while these were certainly some of the nicest people in the world, I couldn't expect them to just-
"Well, from what I can remember we have room at the library."
For what seemed to be an increasing amount of times now, I blinked... and the blinked again. Then, I turned towards the source of the offer and, lo and behold, it was Twilight.
"Uh..."
"And ifin' that don't work, we always got room at the barn. Course, you'd have to work for it too, but its available." That came from Applejack, who was giving me a once over, probably wondering if I could be of any use on a farm.
"Ooh, ooh, or you could stay with me at the cakes! I mean, ponies might be a little weirded out by you at first but eventually they'll get used to ya!" Came the joyous cry from Pinkie Pie, waving a hoof in the air like she was a school girl desperate to answer a question. I turned towards the last few, a shocked look on my face.
"Well, it'd certainly give ma an opportunity to look at those clothes of yours! A-And give me a chance to get to know you, of course!" Spoke Rarity, a blush forming from her stumble.
"W-Well, I'm not sure how the other animals might react to you, but my cottage is always open." Fluttershy spoke softly, chancing me a glimpse behind her normally shy and introverted exterior.
"I'd offer too, but I get the feeling you can't walk on clouds." Rainbow Dash explained, giving me a shrug of her shoulders.
I took a look at all the offers laid down before me, a bewildered expression on my face. I wasn't entirely certain I was hearing or interpreting their offers correctly, because inviting someone you don't know, a possible alien at that, just didn't seem to make sense. At that moment though, a change in perception came to me. As I shifted my gaze between each of the individuals, a group of people I could dare call friends even after only knowing them for a short amount of time, I could tell of their sincerity. Each set of eyes I bored into held the truth, and that shocked me beyond belief.
"You guys would just... let me inside your homes? Me, a total stranger who you only met a few hours ago?" I asked incredulously, motioning with my hands towards them.
"Feller', I've got a mighty keen eye and I can tell you with all the honesty in me that you ain't a bad apple." Applejack said, tilting her hat to me.
"Wow. That's, uh, really surprising to be honest. I kinda just expected… I dunno, something not so openly trusting?" I shrugged, my hands finding their ways into me pockets.
"What more could they offer one they trust?" Asked a certain porcelain horse-sized pony, rhetorically.
"Shit man. I don't know what to say guys."
"A thank you usually suffices, darling." Said Rarity, giving me a playful smirk.
"Thanks then. I uh, don't really know who to choose to be honest."
"Might I suggest you stay with Twilight then?" Spoke Celestia, grabbing both mine and the girls attention.
I've just been candidly calling them that every time I think of them , haven't I? Odd.
"Well, sure, it works for me I suppose. Any reason for the preference?" I asked, curious as to why she would want me there. Before she could even open her mouth, though, a pink blur had sped right next to me, sufficiently scaring the be-jeepers out of me.
"Oh, I get it! She wants you to stay at Twilights house because, since Twilight it new here too, you two can get used to Ponyville together while learning about friendship along the way!" She rattled on, giving the both of us a wide grin by the end.
"My thoughts exactly." Celestia smiled down at her subject, who continued to happily bonce up and down in place.
"Okay then. Twilight, do you mind If I crash with you for a bit?"
"Not at all Patrick! Anything for a friend."
"Thanks Sparkles." She blushed at the nickname.
"While I am beyond proud of you all for your actions of both returning the day to Equestria and my sister to me, I'm afraid we must be on our way. The events of today have been rather taxing and I'm certain we would all like some rest." Spoke Celestia, standing tall and flexing out her massive and majestic wings on full display. I almost had the urge to try and run my fingers through her feathers, but decided to not for obvious reasons. She leaned her head towards her little sister, whispering what was most likely words of encouragement in her ear before standing tall again. Luna stood shakily, keeping close to her sister as she fixed me with a smile.
"Goodbye my little ponies, and know that I owe you all a debt I can never repay. You as well, Patrick." After such a simple few sentences, a flash was made along with a pop and they disappeared, leaving us there in a moment of silence.
…
"I think I almost got excluded again."
"At least she included you last second?"
"Whatever. Let's just get outta here, I'm tired as all hell."
With a satisfying conclusion to an, admittedly very stressful and hectic, adventure we headed home. Well, everyone else's home that is. Seeing as I was to stay with Twilight for the foreseeable future, it was more like returning to an Airbnb than anything. Nevertheless, we trekked onwards through the forest. The girls, all traveling ahead of me, were talking about the events that had transpired. They talked of how the morning went, with Twilight giving her recounts on meeting each of the ponies beside her, and how quickly things went downhill from there. To be honest I was barely paying attention, just walking along in silence. What was going on in my head had most of my attention, which was doing some similar recounting. For me though it was about how my day was before appearing in this weird and magical land of talking horses. Er, ponies.
Gotta remember that.
As my thoughts focused around the beginning of my day I took a deep breath and released, feeling the world around me slow. It felt as though it was years ago and still only a few ours before at the same time...
My day had started... uneventful. Nothing surprising there. My alarm went off, which forced me to stumble out of my nice, warm, and inviting bed and go to the restroom. I relieved my self of pent up fluids, proceeding to turn on the shower as I brushed my teeth. Geez, looking back on it I looked fucking terrible. My eyes had a retail stores worth of bags underneath them, with my eyeballs feeling sunk-in. My hair, normally not a problem, was sticking out in odd places. I honestly looked like I had spent a week trying to cover up a murder or something, and it showed.
Once I was finished with me business, spending more time than necessary enjoying the warm water of my shower, I headed off to explore the outside world. Of course, the first thing that hit me was the freezing cold. I, having anticipated this, was ready for the onslaught and walked right through the immense temperature change. It helped that I had on my jacket, which was actually pretty thin all things considered. Hmm. Maybe it was just my will that got me through it. Who knows?
The world of New York was... busy. Having been from the south myself, being in such a busy city with everyone having somewhere to go felt like I was constantly late for a meeting I never had. It drove me insane sometimes, nearly giving me panic attacks at others, but it was something I dealt with. I was going to be here for a few more days so I wasn't concerned with how the place worked. It just meant that for however longer I was here I could enjoy it. The best part about all this?
I was on vacation.
It didn't feel like one, I'll tell ya that. It felt like a business trip more than anything, but it was a way to finally get away from it all. To get away from my boring life before. I suppose it didn't really work, seeing as I was using an alarm during a vacation, but it did allow me to see sites I would never have imagined. I had seen some tall buildings in Texas, but Christ, they were nothing. The towers here were massive, some tall enough that I had to move practically a block down just to set it to scale! It was different, and that is why I chose it. Of course, things in Houston were more homely, if you could call it that. It never felt like you were in a bustling city, though I may have some bias. I did grow up there after all.
Fast forward to me standing around in the freezing snow, just having a grand ol' time. Walking often helped clear my head whenever I felt up to it, and it could lead me out into blistering heat or freezing cold. My body never seemed to care as much when I got to just thinking. Thinking kept me walking and walking kept me thinking. It just works. Though, as I continued to recall my own memories, I couldn't help but feel something strange. It wasn't as cold anymore. By now it was practically a simulation rather than a memory, so I looked around and saw something weird. There were lights. Lights that weren't there before, lights that couldn't be there. But, defying all explanation, my memory had changed and added in some glowing lights. The snow around my feet, which was pretty sizeable, had shrunken down to less than an inch.
I was confused. This wasn't how it was supposed to be, and the more I thought about it the more I was dragged in. At this point it felt real, unlike a memory at all. Every motion I made felt as if I was back in New York, waving my arms in the weirdly warm weather. It made me frown. Deeply. I just didn't get it...
A sharp poke in my arm woke me from my memory trip, startling me. I gave a small gasp, eyes darting around frantically in search what was once familiar surroundings. Now it was just the old forest I found myself walking through, though the walking had stopped. I was now stopped, along with my merry gang of misfits, trying to slow down my heavy breathing. Taking a gander at the gals surrounding me I was met with concerned faces, revealing the administer of the poke to be one flying Rainbow haired pony. She just looked confused.
"You okay there big guy?" She asked, her forelegs kept to her chest.
"U-uh, yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little tired is all." I stammered out, my mind unfocused.
"I bet. You were walking like a zompony back here." She said, gesturing with her hooves how zombies- zomponys, walked.
Zomponys. Aint that somethin'.
"You sure your alright?" Asked Applejack, her gaze boring into mine. I fought the urge to look away.
"Yeah, I just need some rest is all. It's been one hell of a day."
"I'll say." Spoke Twilight, the rest of the girls chiming in shortly after. This was a thankful drop to the topic, with all of us continuing to move onwards.
While the distance was long it hadn't taken us nearly as long as I thought it would to get to the little town of Ponyville. As we crested the edge of the forest, with a few buildings in sight, Twilight had stopped at the entrance, turning to me.
"I need to warn you Patrick, ponies can be a little... jumpy towards things they don't understand. They don't mean any harm in it, but they can't help themselves either, so we might get some stares on the way. D-Don't worry though, I'm sure they'll get used to you eventually." She said, her hasty reassurance doing little to reassure me. However, I knew there was no going around this.
"That's fine with me." I said.
"Really?" She blurted out, giving me a confused glance and an adorable tilt of the head.
Oh these guys are gonna give me a heart attack one day, I swear.
"Yeah. I mean, I'm not really concerned to be honest. I kinda expected this. I'm pretty much an alien to you guys."
"Ok then. Just don't say I didn't warn you."
"Hmm. Hey, didn't they just leave?"
My gaze, which my compatriots soon mirrored, was aimed at an incoming form. Wait, forms. There were two, and if my color memory was right it was the princess's we had just spoken to. They were quickly approaching, both flying with their massive and majestic wings, before they landed before us. They both fixed us with a smile, but that served to only enhance our confusion.
"My apologies for interrupting dearest ponies, but in the midst of all the chaos I had forgotten my role to play in Ponyville." Celestia explained, her wing held protectively around her sister.
Hell, if I had just regained a sibling that was lost for a thousand years I'd be protective of them too.
"Your role? What do you mean princess?" Asked Twilight, standing at the head of the group.
"I must introduce you six as the elements of harmony, as well as reassure the ponies there of my safety, dear Patrick's innocence, and of course to introduce Luna into the modern world." She answered, her wing hold Luna squeezing a bit. Luna didn't seem to mind.
"Oh, well now I'm really glad you came back."
"Indeed. Our ponies have always been frightful of the unknown, so a creature such as yourself may pause many." Spoke Luna, her timid voice louder than earlier.
"Well, what are we waiting for then?!" I asked, getting several shocked looks for my outburst. "What? I'm tired, I wanna sleep."
My attempt at a joke, even though I was being somewhat serious, paid off in that it got a good giggle out of those present, including the princess's. Unanimously we headed to the town, a crowd beginning to form as ponies noticed us. I could see their shocked and awed faces, and the closer we got the more eyes landed on me. I wasn't lying earlier when I said it didn't really bother me, but there was always an eerie feeling you can get when you have so many eyes on you. As it turns out however, my presence was not nearly important enough to most ponies to warrant staring at me rather than their Princess, who was walking with another individual they most likely didn't know that was also an Alicorn. Compared to that spectacle, I was like some sulfur next to gold.
As the crowd neared its max capacity, Celestia addressed her citizens. She went on to a speech about each individual detail she had described earlier, having the six mares step closer to her in order to officially welcome them as the new element bearers, which received a well round of applause. Then she introduced Luna, stating how she was her sister and all that, talking about how she herself was safe as well. Then it came down to me, which was signaled by her waving me over.
"The last topic I wish to discuss with you, my dear ponies, is who this individual is." Said Celestia, my person being stood awkwardly next to her. "His name is Patrick. He assisted the element bearers in defeating Nightmare Moon and reuniting me with my sister, showing his bravery and courage. All I can ask is that you give him a chance." She finished off her speech with a wave to me, signaling me to speak.
"Oh, uh, hi! I'm Patrick, as you know. You uh, don't have to worry about me all that much, really. Trust me, I don't bite." I said, giving them a smile, which may not have been the best decision because more than a few gasps came out of me showing my teeth. "Uh, so yeah. Honestly, I'm actually a really nice guy if you get to know me, ya just gotta get past all the weirdness is all. Like she said, the only thing I ask is that you give me a chance." I finished, giving them a closed mouth smile.
A curious thing happened after that. A moment of silence hung in the air, leaving an awkward and tense atmosphere, before a single hoof was raised. I eyed the hoof warily, wondering just what they were up to, before realizing something. They were trying to ask a question.
"Uh, yes, you with the hand raised-er hoof raised. Do you have a question."
"Yes. What are you?" This question startled, both from how innocently it was asked and how blunt the question was.
"Well, I'm a Human." After answering I heard a sharp gasp from somewhere in the back of the crowd, but it was overshadowed by the murmurs that went through the crowd at my answer.
"What's a human?" A different mare asked, her foreleg in the air.
"It's... me, I suppose. I mean, there are a lot of varieties in Humanity, but your looking at some basics right here. Like, for instance, we all have hands." I answered again, showing off my fingers by wiggling them around, capturing more than a few stares in the process.
"Are you gonna eat us?" That question really threw me for a loop, causing many to widen their eyes at the idea of me being a pony eating monster. Well, that was probably what they were thinking anyway. As I looked around I noticed that no one had fessed up to asking the question, until I heard the voice again.
"Down here mister." I blinked, looking down at a smaller version of the pony's around me. A filly, if what I knew was right.
"Am I going to eat you?" I asked incredulously, my hands on my hips.
"Yeah." The filly answered, looking up at me with bulging eyes, her innocence pure as the sun.
"Of course not." This got me a few sighs of relief. "Your too crunchy." That one got a whole lost riled up, some looking like they were about to panic. "Joke! A joke, my bad, bad taste, its a joke!" I said, frantically crossing my arms. "I don't eat ponies, at all. Yall are too adorable anyhow."
"See, my little ponies? He is just as normal as any pony, so long as you give him a chance. Though you may have to get used to his humor." Added Celestia with a mirthful smile.
"Exactly. To be honest guys, you probably won't even realize I'm here."
At least once this dream is over anyway
After having some more healthy conversation with the dispersing crowd, ponies only leaving after the royalty left for Canterlot, it was time to retire. I followed Twilight, saying goodbye's to the rest of the ponies, which led us to a giant tree. I wasn't entirely sure how the logistics of it worked, not to mention the questionable ethics of having a library inside a tree of all places, but it hardly mattered to my rapidly tiring mind. When we got to the door, which was opened by a green and purple scaly creature resembling a young drake the introductions were made on autopilot. Fearing I may fall right then and there, I asked Twilight where there was a place for me to sleep.
"Uhm, maybe the couch? I'm sorry, it's the only other place that isn't filled with boxes right now."
"Eh, is fine."
After that riveting conversation I spied the couch and promptly fell onto it, laying belly down. I could hear muffled talking for a good bit, having a suspicion that a few questions were thrown at me, before I felt something being laid upon my back. From the feel of it, I could only assume it was a blanket. I heard Twilight say something, so I just grunted in response, which got a giggle out of her. Before long, the demanding parts of my brain vying for sleep won and all went black.