Humani Victoria

Chapter 8- Paradise

"It is better to have your head in the clouds, and know where you are... than to breathe the clearer atmosphere below them, and think that you are in paradise."

                                                                                         -Henry David Thoreau

Goldenoaks Library, Ponyville, Equestria, Tuesday, 2nd of April, 3:05 pm, 2205 AC

Celestia took a moment to recover from Jason's sudden arrival, before smiling, ignoring the Humans slight rudeness.

"I was just about to come get you," The Sun Alicorn said "Now, Jason. Meet Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie," Celestia pointed to each of them in turn "And girls, meet Jason"

Each of them saw something different. Jason saw a little girls dream, six brightly coloured small equines stood before him. He also noticed that two them had horns, two had wings (And one was flying at the moment) and two appeared to be normal Ponies, besides the fact that one was pink and the other was wearing what looked to be a Stetson. But at this point Jason wasn't going to be surprised about anything.

Each of the girls saw the Human differently as well, Twilight saw a tall, bipedal, creature. It resembled a Minotaur perhaps a young Dragon. He had long legs and a rather small body, at the end of his long arms were what looked like claws, but were rounded and soft-looking at the end. The Unicorn also noticed that the 'Humans' head seemed large, suggesting a large brain and supporting the high intelligence that Celestia had spoke off.

Fluttershy saw and noticed things similar to what Twilight did, but what she focused on was Jason's expression. The yellow Pegasus had dealt with Diamond Dogs before, and even Monkeys. So she could tell that currently, Jason was not in the best of spirits, he was unhappy, grumpy, and a bit angry. Fluttershy searched the Humans eyes, they were small, more beady than Pony eyes. They were a silvery grey colour, like clouds before rainfall, and as far as Fluttershy could see, there was nothing in them. Most creatures she met had what she called 'The Spark' in their eye, a sort of light that signifies life, sentience, and the subtle magic that every living thing shared. This Human didn't have it.

Rainbow Dash just saw a weird creature that resembled a Minotaur, so she assumed he was at least similar to one. Going off of that the speedster could tell that this Human was at least somewhat strong, the muscles on his armed were prominent, but the rest of him was covered so she couldn't tell. Apart from that, every bit of Jason was alien to Rainbow Dash, his face didn't seem to work, small nose, small eyes, flat face, sharp jaw. It was all confusing to look at.

Applejack saw nothing past what the Princess had said. Like Rainbow Dash she noticed the muscles around the things arms, but ever since it had come upstairs Applejack had noticed more and more concerning things about the creature. Every time it breathed you could see into its mouth, revealing a pair of sharp teeth, placed next to deceptively blunt ones. Applejack could always tell about Ponies, but this thing, was a mystery, she couldn't feel anything besides distrust and danger coming from this creature.

Rarity simply saw yet another odd creature to come out of this world, at this point she wasn't going to be surprised by yet another strange thing, no, what she noticed was the drably coloured cloths that he wore, the lower half was patterned with greens, greys, and browns. The upper was just solid green. Immediately Rarity's fashion orientated mind began thinking of 'improvements' she could make.

I would explain exactly what was going on inside Pinkie Pies mind, but It would require knowledge of the Multiverse as a whole and several levels of psychosis to understand even the relevant parts of it.

Jason cleared his throat

"Well, it's nice to meet you all," Twilight snapped out of observation mode and smiled.

"And it's good to meet you. It's not everyday that you meet somepony like you, I mean, you are a rather rare creature, so I hope you don't mind if I ask you a few questions?" Twilight looked up hopefully at Jason, exited at the possibility of acquiring knowledge about a new species. Jason picked up on this and immediately he began filing information.

An intellectual, moved by knowledge and the thrill of discovery, probably at least slightly socially awkward, due to long nights of study and reading, probably naive about the world as a whole, sees things as facts and numbers. Wether she retains morals and ethics is yet to be seen. She'll probably be persuaded by the promise of more knowledge

"I guess that would be okay. You ask a question and then I do, so we can both learn," The purple Unicorn nodded excitedly and beckoned to him. They all moved into the study area of the library, where there was a few sitting cushions. The Mane Six and the Princess folded their legs under them and Jason awkwardly folded his legs and sat down.

Once again Twilights horn lite up and her parchment and quill floated into the study room from where she had dropped it, bringing them over to her. Jason's eyes widened slightly and he stared at the gravity-defying objects, but before he could ask, Twilight began talking

"Now, first question," she said, looking at her notes "Princess Celestia told us that your race is known as 'Humans' is that an official name? Are there others?"

"Ugh..." Jason stopped staring at the ghost-paper for a moment to answer "'Humans' is the most commonly used name, and it is official. We've also been called 'The Human Race' and 'Humanity' to refer to us as a whole, and 'Homo sapiens' is our scientific name," the bookworm scribbled the knowledge down with her magical quill.

"Now what's a question you have?" She asked looking up, Jason coughed.

"Ah, well. How.." He said lifting his finger dramatically "...Are you doing that?" He pointed at the floating parchment and quill.

"I'm using my Magic of course," Twilight said.

"There's no such thing as Magic," Jason said automatically. Twilight gave him a bewildered look, but before she could speak the Princess interjected.

"One moment Twilight. Jason, what year was it by Human Calendar when you were... transported." The Human raised an eyebrow.

"2013 AD," he said, and The Sun Alicorn nodded "I thought as much.." She said.

"Princess?" Twilight inquired "What does that mean?" Celestia shook her head.

"You see... you never knew this but The Equestrian Calendar is an extension of The Human Calendar. From what Jason is telling us.... he comes from a time before magic.." Twilights jaw obey'd gravity while her brain went out for lunch. After a moment she spluttered out a question.

"B-before magic?" She asked "There was a time before magic?"

"Of course," Celestia said nonchalantly, "Magic has not existed forever Twilight."

Twilight just stood there, processing the revolutionary information that had just been dumped

on to her. Eventually her gaze shifted to Jason and a new round of questions began.

"How did your species survive without Magic?"

"Superior intelligence, technology, and a lot of luck. Are Ponies the only sentient species?"

"No, there are others, like Gryphons, Dragons, and Minotaurs. Why don't you think Magic exists?"

"It's like Celestia said. Magic never existed in the past, and most of Humanity was under the impression that it didn't exist. What sort of things can you do with 'Magic'?"

"Things like levitation, teleportation, and other more complicated things. What was the Human population at the time when you left?"

"About seven billion. What is the current state of the world?" Twilight looked up from her notes.

"State of the world? What do you mean?"

"You know, who are the current superpowers? Who's threatening who? Who's at war?" The Mane Six just stared at Jason, before Twilight spoke.

"War? Nopony is at war, nopony is threatening anyone. The world is in a state of harmony."

"....No wars? Nothing? Nothing at all? Roadside bandits? Kidnapping? Smuggling? No crime?" Twilight shook her head.

"No, crime in Equestria is low, almost nonexistent," Jason just stared in disbelief as Twilight continued.

"Food is in a surplus, most Ponies live in luxury or at least in a comfortable situation. We live in Harmony," the weight of what this unicorn was telling him struck Jason.

"Paradise.." He said "It sounds like paradise.." The Humans face darkened "I don't buy it, what your describing is a perfect world. There's no such thing as a perfect world." After a session of worried looks, Twilight cleared her throat.

"Well that's all I have for now, does anypony else have a question?" Rainbow Dash raised a hoof. "Yes Rainbow Dash?"

"Why did you attack that Manticore? And how did you almost win?! He was three times your size!" Jason thought for a moment.

"Well... you see when a Human is put into a threatening situation, and I mean life and death here, our brains automatically do what is called the 'Fight or Flight' effect. And what is does is in it's name, it boils the situation down to to options: Fight or Run-the-fuck-away. With the Manticore, I figured I would never outrun it, so I decided to attack it. And it worked out rather well," The Human paused.

"As for how I beat it, I just stabbed it in the face," Jason suddenly felt at his side, were his knife usually was.

"Speaking of which, where's my knife anyway?" This was met with avoided eyes, except from Applejack, who just glared before speaking.

"Ah put it somewhere so you couldn't find it. No offence but I don't rightly trust you yet, so I think it's best that we keep your... hands, empty of weapons." Jason raised an eyebrow, and actually smiled a bit.

"Understandable," he said "It's Applejack isn't it?"

"Tha's right."

"Right, tell me Miss Applejack, do you have a question for me?"

"Actually, ah do. What do you plan plan on doing here exactly?" Jason internally cringed at the southern accent the orange mare possessed, but retained his manners.

"Well for now I wish to learn about this place, learn the history, culture, and such that comes with living here. Past that I'm not sure," Applejack seemed satisfied with the answer, but still had that distrustful look in her eyes.

I'll have to earn her trust Jason thought.

"Anypony else?" Twilight asked, and Pinkie Pies hoof launched into the air. The Unicorn nodded.

The pink mare cleared her throat and spoke civilly "I would like to inquire as to the following..." A gigantic smile spread over her face "DO YOU LIKE PARTIES!?" Pinkie Pie's face suddenly filled Jason's vision, her muzzle pressing into his nose. It was only after Jason's heart restarted that he replied.

"I... guess so?" He said, the mare squealed in delight, rambling something about a 'Welcome-to-Equestria-in-the-future-party' and sped off at the speed of light, leaving a very confused Human in her wake.

"O-Kaaay..." Note: Acquire sedatives to use on Pink coloured equine in emergency situations "Anyone else have a question?" And Fluttershy raised her hoof.

"Yes Miss Fluttershy?" Jason asked, nodding in her direction.

"Um... could you apologize to Sebastian? I mean, if that's okay with you.."

"Who's Sebastian?" It was Applejack who answered.

"That would be the Manticore you darn nearly killed," Jason raised an eyebrow.

"Why would I apologize to a wild animal?" he asked confused, and Fluttershy spoke a little more loudly.

"Because he had feeling to, it's the right thing to do," Jason sighed a little bit.

"Fine, if it makes you happy, we can do it tomorrow," the clock on the wall struck 10 and the bell let them know.

"Well, it has certainly been an exciting day," Celestia said "But I think it is time for everypony to retire, and for me to return to Canterlot." A thought came to the Princess "Actually... who would be willing to house Jason? He needs a place to sleep." None of the mares seemed overly excited about that fact, besides Twilight.

"I will!" She said "It will give me more opportunities to learn from him! He can take the spare bed!" The Unicorn stood up, dropping her notes "Come on, I'll show you were it is." The purple mare beckoned him over to the stairs. Jason got up, gave a little wave to the rest of them before following her upstairs.

Twilight lead him to what he could only assume was her room, and through a door to the side of it. Inside was a small simple bed with a nightstand and a candle on top of it.

"I hope you'll be comfortable here," she said and Jason actually smiled.

"It's fine, thank you." The mare smiled, bid him goodnight and left. Jason immediately dropped his smile when she left, he sat down on the tiny bed with a sigh. He unlaced his boots and placed them at the foot of the bed, he then pulled the blanket over him, curled into a ball. And tried to figure out what the fuck happened and what the hell he was going to do.