Humani Victoria

Chapter 9- Fear

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

                                                         -Franklin D. Roosevelt

Goldenoaks Library, Ponyville, Equestria, Wednesday 3rd of April, 6:05 am, 2205 AC

The golden light of Celestia's choice star shined through Twilights lavender curtains, the curtains themselves doing absolutely nothing to keep the light at bay. Rather they proceeded to aim the worst of the beams right into the slumbering Unicorns closed eyelids, said eyelids being as effective as the curtains.

Twilights face grimaced and she held a hoof in front of her face, trying to block the sun. Slowly she sat up, her mane frazzled and her eyes still closed, she was still at least half asleep. For a moment the Unicorn forgot the events of the day before, being content to just remain in the bliss that is the limbo between sleeping and awake, before the memories and events rushed back into her head, and manifested themselves into a single thought; a name.

Jason

Launching herself out of bed, Twilight ran over to the door that lead to Jason's room, finding it to be empty except for the nightstand, the candle, and the bed which had been freshly made. Panicking slightly the lavender equine galloped down the stairs and into the main library, where she found Jason, standing before the shelves, apparently studying the titles of the texts that took residence there.

"Good morning Miss Sparkle," he said, not turning around "Have a good sleep?" He asked. Twilight smiled.

"Yes, did you?" She asked, Jason shrugged.

"Not one for sleeping, I prefer using the time to think. But it was good anyway." Jason looked back at the books. "Quite the collection 'ya got here" Twilight nodded.

"Yep, it's rivalled only by the Canterlot Archives themselves," a little bit a pride entered into her voice "Does anything catch your eye?"

"Well... No, seeing as I can't read any of the titles."

"Wait, what?" Twilight asked bewildered "You can't read?" Jason shook his head.

"Oh no no no no, I can read. It's just it's in some sort of text that I'm not familiar with." Twilight still looked confused.

"But your speaking Equestrian, why can't you read it?" Jason held up a hand.

"Hold on, I have an idea. Do you have a piece of paper and a... quill?" The Unicorn nodded, activating her magic and levitating the items over to Jason along with an ink bottle. The Human stared at the objects before hesitantly grabbing them, bracing for anything, but he felt nothing at all. In fact the moment his hands entered the purple aura it disappeared, only Jason's quick reflexes kept them from falling. Twilight looked even more confused.

"That's... odd", she said.

"What is?" Jason asked.

"Nothing, it's just I didn't deactivate my magic, it just.... turned off," Jason shrugged.

"Anyway," he said, quickly dipping the quill in the ink and writing down a sentence before showing it to Twilight "Can you read this?" The Unicorn stared at the English lettering before shaking her head. Jason answered with a nod.

"I thought as much. It seems our Languages share spoken word, with the exception of a few words, but not the written word." Twilight rubbed her hooves together.

"This is very interesting! I can't wait to find more contrasts between your people and Ponies!" Jason held up his hand again.

"Perhaps first we should have breakfast?" Twilight giggled in response.

"Good idea," she lead Jason into the kitchen, inside was a simple wooden table and a few cupboards, containing what Jason could only guess was food items. His thought were confirmed as Twilight began floating out an array of fruits and vegetables, and small bundles of hay. The Unicorn paused for a moment, the intended meal floating in the air as a thought came to her.

"Actually... what is the average human diet? What do you eat?" Jason bit his to his tongue, he had been wondering when this would come up.

"Well... are you familiar with the term 'Omnivore'?" Twilight nodded.

"Of course. Omnivores are animals who can consume both plants and..." The Unicorns eyes widened as what Jason was implying hit her. "...meat." Twilight looked back up at Jason, here eyes filled with the fear of being eaten, Jason grinned at her.

"Don't worry, I don't eat Pony, they don't taste too good." He meant it as a joke, and while Twilight visibly relaxed, she still had that caution in here eyes and it stung a little bit to see that. The lavender Unicorn cleared her throat as she split a few apples into wedges, put them on a plate and levitated them over to where Jason was sitting.

"It's just.." She said "I don't understand how you could eat another creature, it seems horrible..." Twilight sat down with a bowl of hay, Jason shrugged, swallowing a chewed apple wedge.

"It's the natural process," he said "The big predators eat the small prey, lest the prey become to numerous and eat all the plants. It may not be pretty, or nice, but it's they way things are." Twilight didn't respond to this, and the two lapsed into a semi-awkward silence Jason contently munched on the apple wedges, and Twilight couldn't help but notice the sharp canines that showed whenever he opened his mouth, the same ones that Applejack herself had noticed the day before.

It only took about twenty minutes, but not long after Jason had finished his apples and Twilight had neared the end of her hay, there was a knock at the door. Twilight stood up and trotted out of the kitchen. Jason heard the door open and Twilight exchange a greeting with whomever was outside (He couldn't make out the newcomers voice clearly) before the door closed and the sound of two sets of hooves approached before Twilight and Fluttershy came into the kitchen.

Jason nodded towards the Pegasus "Good morning Miss Fluttershy, what brings you 'round?" The butter-coloured winged equine mumbled something unintelligible and the Human cocked his head.

"Say again?" He asked and Fluttershy whispered a bit louder.

"Um... Sebastian is waiting for us at the edge of the forest, I mean, if you still want to go... and Twilights okay with it..." Jason stared at the Pegasus.

"Oh... you were serious about that. Sure. I'm not doing anything important today." Twilight spoke up.

"This will give you a chance to get familiar with Ponyville. Why don't you drop in at Applejacks Farm? Or Rarity's Boutique while your at it?" Jason nodded.

Quest Started: Planet of the Ponies

-Apologize to Sebastian the Manticore

-(Optional) Visit Applejack's Farm

-(Optional) Visit Rarity's Boutique

"Lead the way Miss Fluttershy," Jason said standing up. Fluttershy kept the majority of her face hidden behind her mane as she lead Jason out of the kitchen and outside. As they exited Twilights library Jason was temporarily blinded by the sun, for the past couple of hours he had been inside or unconscious, so his eyes were accustomed to the dim light.

As the solar-level lens-flare faded (Damn you JJ Abrams) Jason was able to get his first real look at Ponyville; the houses were small in nature and rural in design, being made of fine lumber with what looked like completely useless hay roofs, but it was pleasant enough to look at. There were few Ponies outside at this time of day and Jason wondered how they would handle his appearance when he passed. His question being answered as he and Fluttershy began walking down the dirt road.

As the pair walked through Ponyville proper, they came closer to the early risers of the town and the only Ponies Jason had witnessed besides the Mane Six and Celestia. The first was a cream coloured mare with a pleasantly red-coloured mane and tail, her flank-mark as Jason called them; was the image of a perfect single red rose. Jason made a mental note to ask Twilight about the flank-mark's next chance he got.

Currently the mare was tending to the same flowers that adorned her flank, holding a watering-can in her mouth, delicately tilting it as to sprinkle the contents onto the awaiting plants below. As the mare placed down the watering-can she looked up to the road to see Fluttershy, she raised her hoof to greet her Equine sister but stopped as she noticed Jason.

The mares reaction was instantaneous, her mouth dropped open dropping the watering can with a slight thud and spilling the contents. Her eyes widened; emptying of the content of just a moment ago and re-filling with pure fear and terror. The mare suppressed a scream with her hoof and hurriedly ran into the building behind her, which supposedly was her home, moments later windows were closed and curtains pulled tight.

Jason sighed a bit and looked away from the scene in front of him. It was clear that Fluttershy had noticed, and she turned back to say something to her Human companion, but something in his eyes told her to leave it be, so she remained quite. The pair continued through the town, meeting similar reactions from the awake residence as they did from the Rose mare, until they reached what Jason assumed was the edge of the town; a small stone bridge that spanned a decently deep river, on the other side the road became more rough and split into a fork; one path leading into the dark forest that we all know and love, the other turning sharply to the left.

"Sebastian is waiting near my cottage," Fluttershy said, turning towards the left fork and bringing Jason down it. After another minute or two and half a kilometre of walking a small cottage came into sight. The building, if it could be called that, reminded Jason of a Hobbit-hole. It was built out of a light coloured wood and it seemed the rest of the tree was as well. The roof was apparently made of leafs and branches, the entire cottage was dotted with bird houses and surrounded by various artificial animal habitats, large penned-off areas with various small animals and a chicken-coop off to the side. Fluttershy lead Jason to where the road connected to a small bridge that was all together unnecessary, as it spanned a mighty two centimetre wide stream. Jason's winged companion turned towards the forest and it was then that the Humans keen eyes made out the large form of his Manticore, lying in the shadow of the thick tree cover.

Fluttershy gestured for Jason to wait and she trotted over to were Sebastian was waiting.

"It's okay," she said soothingly to the beast. "He's here to say sorry, he won't hurt you." Slowly, centimetre by centimetre, she goaded the Manticore into approaching Jason. As it entered the light Jason could see the wounds he had inflicted all over the monsters face, both deep and shallow cuts criss-crossed its lion face. All of them had healed to some degree and weren't bleeding, but from the looks of the thin tissue covering the wounds, too much exertion would get the blood flowing again.

That Manticore slowly came up to Jason. The Human was tensed, expecting the beast to be hostile and possibly attack, but instead the Manticore had his head low and the anger in his eyes only thinly veiled the fear past it that filled it's eyes as it looked at Jason. Fluttershy came up besides Sebastian, brushing her side against him to grab his attention. The Manticore looked at the Pegasus to see her smile.

"Now, what do you say to Jason?" Sebastian looked back at the Human and let loose a string of what sounded to be apologetic mews. Jason looked at Fluttershy who nodded in confirmation and Jason looked back at Sebastian.

"I'm terribly sorry for attacking you," he said sincerely "I was frightened and I felt threatened, I acted rashly, it was my fault. Please forgive me." The Manticore just stared at Jason for a moment before walking up to him. The human braced himself for a mauling before he felt a rough yet slimy thing crawl up his front, as the Manticore had licked him and was now smiling friendly at Jason. After a moment or two of shock Jason smiled back and the feeling of masculine, testosterone based, mutually respecting, male friendship could be sensed between to two apex predators.

After Sebastian had bid them farewell, Fluttershy turned to Jason.

"We could still go see Applejack and Rarity... I mean if you want to..."

Completed: Apologize to Sebastian the Manticore

Reward: Sebastian the Manticore is now available as an ally

New Objective: Return to Twilights Library Or Visit Applejack and Rarity

"I'll go see Applejack and then Rarity," Jason decided "It'll give me more of a chance to see more of Ponyville and I would be most gracious if you would lead the way again Miss Fluttershy." The Pegasus blushed and nodded behind her pink locks. But eventually came out of her shell and smiled at Jason before leading him back into town. Fluttershy had warmed up to Jason considerably since he had made peace with Sebastian.

Note: Gain animals trust, you gain Fluttershy's trust he filed the information away for later as the pair re-entered Ponyville. The walk back through the town was uneventful, the streets were empty of Ponies and quite a few curtains were pulled hurriedly as they walked past. Jason had a feeling that he was the storm that brought the fearful atmosphere. Eventually Fluttershy lead her Human companion back out of town into a more flat and clear landscape of grass, which soon became filled with Apple trees. Apple trees, apple trees everywhere; as far as the eye could see in every direction, it seemed endless until they crested a hill and a large red barn next to a modest farming house came into view.

As they approached the two buildings it appeared that no one was around, until Jason and Fluttershy crested yet another hill and the Human spotted a Pony coming out of the apple orchard. Now, to call his stallion a 'Pony' seemed unfair, he was easily the size of Celestia herself but with less curves and more muscle, his coat was a solid red, easily matching the barn almost exactly, the stallions mane was a light orange. Around his neck was a work horse collar, which was currently attached to a cart full of the shiny red pickings of the orchard.

Fluttershy approached the stallion "Hello Big Mac, is... Um.... Is Applejack around?" Big Mac as he was apparently called, nodded his head.

"Eyup," he said in a voice so deep it would put Liam Neeson to shame. He nudged his head back towards the orchard, not half a kilometre in the orange farm pony could be seen, kicking the trunk of an Apple tree furiously so that the fruit fell from the sky and landed into small baskets on the ground, somehow perfectly piling as to not miss a single apple.

Applejack had just finished another tree, the reaped fruit defying all intergalactic laws and regulations by landing perfectly when Fluttershy and Jason approached.

Applejack noticed her friend and smiled. "Hey there Fluttershy, what brings you here?" It was then that she noticed Jason. "...and why'd you bring him?" She said in a lower tone. Fluttershy returned the smile.

"Twilight thought it would be a good idea to let Jason walk around and get more familiar with Ponyville, so I've been showing him around." It was then that Jason walked up.

"Hello again Miss Applejack," he said pleasantly, "'See that harvest is going well." The farm pony nodded.

" 'Suppose it is," she replied un-conversationally and Jason nodded.

" 'Tis a nice farm 'ya got here." Subconsciously Jason was slipping into his Scotian accent, but that's not important and you don't care about that. Anyway, Fluttershy looked between the two, sensing the slight tension between the two and tried to nip it at the bud in the best way we can.

"Um... I guess we'll just go then..." The Pegasus made a move to walk back towards Ponyville but Jason held up a hand to stop her.

"One second Miss Fluttershy.." The Human turned back to Applejack "While I'm here, I would like it if you could return my knife please." The farm pony glared at Jason.

"And why in Celestia's name would I do that?" She asked angrily "So you can hurt Twilight with?" Jason frowned.

"No, because that knife is important to me. I got it from... a friend and it's my last token from home, but I understand if you want to rob me of that." Applejacks expression softened slightly and an internal moral and emotional battle raged inside her head. It wouldn't be right to take something of such importance and sentimental value from somepony. On the other hoof, if the Human was lying, and if one of her friends got hurt, Applejack would never be able to forgive herself.

The orange mare sighed in frustration. "Wait here," she said before trotting towards the farm house. She entered the house and didn't come out again for another minute. Applejack trotted back over to the pair, as she came back into focus Jason noticed that the farm pony was holding his sheathed knife in her mouth, kept there delicately by her blunt teeth.

Applejack placed the weapon in Jason's outstretched hand, the leather sheath strangely absent of equine spittle. The Human half-drew the blade, it was just as he left it, sharp and deadly. Sheathing the weapon and strapping it to his side he nodded towards Applejack.

"Thank you Miss Applejack, I appreciate it." The mare scuffed her hoof on the ground slightly.

"Don't mention it," she said neutrally. "Now, ah need to get back to work, these apples ain't gonna buck themselves," as the farm pony re-entered the tree line Jason called out to her.

"If you ever need help don't hesitate to ask!" Applejack just gave a backwards wave.

"I'll be sure to remember that!" She called back before Jason lost sight of her. The Human turned to Fluttershy, who had helplessly watched the banter between her companion and Applejack. Jason smiled at the Pegasus.

Completed: Visit Applejacks Farm

Reward: Jason's Combat Knife

-Visit Rarity's Boutique or return to Twilights Library

"That went rather well," Jason said. "Now there was something about seeing a Miss Rarity in her boutique?" Fluttershy snapped out of her frozen form an stuttered.

"Um... Yes, her place is back this way..." The Pegasus lead Jason back through town. Despite it being well into midday now, it seemed that paranoia and fear of new things was tenant in Pony society. Eventually the pair turned a corner and what came into view was one of the most ornate buildings that Jason's eyes had locked on to and successfully sent the signal to Jason's brain thus identifying said image as containing an ornate building.

The pair approached the building and Fluttershy knocked on the front door lightly. After a moment or two it swung open revealing a marshmallow pony wearing red glasses.

"Oh! Fluttershy! What brings you here?" Rarity asked with a smile.

"Um.. I've been showing Jason around town," Fluttershy said, gesturing to her companion. Rarity opened the door farther to reveal the Human to her eyes.

"Ah! Of course! Come in! Come in!" The marshmallow beckoned them into her layer, and they unwittingly entered. Inside was just as ornate as the out, placed around the main room were several equine shaped mannequins, with some of the most beautiful (and only) Pony dresses that Jason had ever seen.

"Did you design these dresses Miss Rarity?" He asked. The Unicorn nodded.

"Indeed I did Mr. Miller, do you like them?"

"They're fantastic," Jason replied honestly. "Far past anything from home." A slight taint of red hit Rarity's cheeks at his praise.

Flattery works on you eh?

"Well if you current clothing is anything to go by, I don't have to work hard." Jason chuckled, looking down at his green shirt and cargo pants.

"Well these don't have fashion in mind as much as function, it's just what I was wearing at the time." Rarity put a polished hoof to her mouth and hummed, looking the Human up and down. Before Jason could ask why she was checking him out the Unicorn stomped her hoof back on the ground in a manner that suggested it was the Equine equivalent of snapping her fingers.

"I-deee-aaa!" Rarity sang, before manifesting her blue coloured powers and levitating a sketchbook and charcoal over to her. The Unicorn quickly sketched something on the paper, before giving it a quick once-over.

"What do you think..." She said "About this?" She presented the sketchbook to Jason. On it was a rough picture of a Human figure, next to it was presumably the outfit that the cloths-designer had in mind, a snug vest, straight pants, and to top it off; a long overcoat. There were also other aspects that Jason noticed that were interesting; a pair of gauntlets that covered his hands and forearms, and a pair of boots that seemed orientated for comfort and flexibility rather than protection like his Combats.

"It looks great," the Human said. "But... I'm the first Human 'ya've met, how are you familiar with making cloths for my body type?" Rarity giggled.

"I've designed cloths for Minotaurs, and while you're decisively smaller and thinner than the average Minotaur, you have the same body type." Jason blank-faced.

"Minotaurs." He stated, the white Unicorn nodded "Yes, Minotaurs." She said. Jason sighed but didn't respond further, Rarity had already moved over to her desk and was grabbing a measuring tape with her magic.

"Now, if you would keep still for a moment darling. I need to get your measurements." Jason nodded and stood in place as the ghostly measuring implement floated around his body, taking the measurements of his legs, arms, and waist.

"It awfully kind of 'ya to make cloths for me Miss Rarity." The Equine in question giggled.

"Generosity is my element Mr. Miller," she said. "And I must say, you accent is rather exotic if I am to be so bold. I've never heard anything like it."

"Aye, I probably sound like a right Scotian. The place where I was born is rather far in the north and near the sea, almost an island, and thus we have our own vocabulary." Rarity nodded.

"Understandable, often different cities in Equestria have different accents, namely Trottingham or Canterlot. I suppose if you're a 'Scotian' then your homeland must be called 'Scotia' yes?"

"Close, Nova Scotia is the name of the province, Canada is the name of the country." Rarity giggled yet again.

"Your people seem to make such interesting and exotic names for things." Jason cringed slightly.

Exotic for you perhaps, normal for me.

"There! Finished!" The magical tape floated away from Jason and Rarity frowned for a moment.

"Mmm... Now what material should I use... I know! SPIKE DARLING!" There was the sound of pattering feet on stairs and what could only be described as a baby Godzilla came running down the stairs.

"Yeah Rarity? What do you need?" The lizard said as Jason's brain went out for lunch.

"Be a dear and grab me the silk? I think I'll line the vest with it.."

"Of course Rarity!" The Child of the Fire Lords ran away to serve his Unicorn mistress and Jason raised a weak finger as the thing ran away.

"Was that...  A Dragon?" The Human asked. Rarity nodded.

"Yes, his name is Spike. Why?" Jason's palm came under the effect of extreme gravitational pull towards his face with an impact that would have made his race proud. The pattering of feet came again and the Spawn of Akatosh revealed itself yet again, carrying a carefully folded pile of silver silk in its claws.

"Here you go Rarity!" The Drake said cheerfully. Rarity levitated the silk over to her, not paying her lizard slave the piece of mind to look at him as she spread the silk on her work table and brought a pair of red work glasses over to her snout with her magic.

"Thank you Spike darling," the white Unicorn said absently. "Oh, and this is Jason. Jason; meet Spike." The two members of two ancient races looked at each other, grey eyes met yellow ones and they gawked at each other.

Spike felt something, a sort of shiver in his spines, some sort of instinct. The small Dragon had heard that all Dragons shared knowledge through the ages, and right now he was feeling a fear that was bred through thousands of years of warfare.

"Um.. Hi there," Jason said. "I'm Jason."

"I'm Spike." the two lapsed into a silence again before Jason cleared his throat.

"So... You're a Dragon eh?" Spike nodded.

"Yeah, but what are you?"

"I'm what's called a Human." Yet another awkward silence. Behind Jason, Fluttershy turned to her default setting and just stood and watched the proceedings unfold.

"So... Do you live here with Rarity?" The Dovah shook his head.

"No, I was just here helping out for the day. I usually live at Twilight Sparkles Library as her personal assistant."

"Well, that's a coincidence, because I'm staying with Twilight as well. She offered to house me as I... Get my bearings.." Spike just looked confused at that, but before he could speak Rarity called out.

"Perhaps you should head back to Twilights library? I'll have your outfit done in about a week. You won't be disappointed." Jason nodded.

"I'm sure I'll be impressed, see you later Miss Rarity." The Unicorn smiled.

"Just call me Rarity darling. Oh and Spike? You can head back with Jason, I need to be alone to concentrate." The Dragon nodded.

"Alright Rarity." Rarity gave them a final wave and the three exited the Boutique. Outside the sun was well into its afternoon position. Once they had made it outside Fluttershy turned to Jason.

"Um... I need to head back to my cottage, the critters will be hungry." Jason nodded.

"That's fine, me and Spike can find our way back to the library. Thanks for showing me around Miss Fluttershy, it was really kind of you." The faintest of blushes graced the winged equine's cheeks and she mumbled a farewell, before taking off and gliding towards her cottage and out of sight.

Completed: Visit Rarity's Boutique

Reward: In a week days Jason will receive 'Carousel Boutique Human Outfit'

-Return to Twilights Library

Jason turned to his scaley companion. "You should lead the way, I'm still not completely familiar with Ponyville yet." The Dragon nodded and the two lapsed into silence as they walked through the town, the small journey was uneventful and they met no one as the reached the giant tree.

Jason approached the door and pulled it open, letting Spike go in before him then entering himself.

As soon as he cleared the door frame, it slammed behind him from some unseen force. The library inside was pitch dark and the Humans eyes had long since adjusted to daylight. Suddenly a malevolent voice came forth from the dark void in front of him.

"We've been expecting you Jason.." It said slowly, as Jason's hand reached towards his combat knife. Suddenly their was a flash of light and a mini star illuminated the room, blinding Jason with intense white light.

Completed: Return to Twilights Library

"SURPRISE!" a hyper active voice said and as the light faded, the white was replaced by Pink as the bane of the fourth wall shoved her furry face right into Jason's normal one.

"Were you surprised? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? I made this party! Just for you to! Bonus! It's your Welcome-the-future-and-to-Equestria/Ponyville-party! And look! I invited everyone in Ponyville!" Pinkie Pie stepped back and swooped her hoof behind her to reveal a large crowd of Ponies, including the rose mare that Jason had passed earlier that day, and the rest if the Mane Six, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack getting there before Jason (somehow). Around the library, several round tables had been set up with bottles of questionable liquid placed on them.

"Go on! Mingle!" The Pink menace said as she cartwheeled away. For the most part, the Ponies present ignored Jason, besides the occasional glance of caution or hidden fear, they were enjoying the Party. What Jason focused on though was the rose mares refusal to meet his gaze.

Jason approached the mare, sitting down at the table she was at, making himself comfortable on the cushion and putting on his best smile.

"I think we got of on the wrong... Hoof, when we first met." The mare rubbed her front hooves together.

"Yeah I guess so, I'm sorry it's just I never saw anything like you before and you frightened me."

"I understand, I would've ran too if I saw my ugly face walking down the street." The mare giggled in spite of herself, and Jason grinned charmingly.

"Let's start over shall we? I'm Jason."

"Roseluck." Jason nodded.

"Roseluck eh? So you work with Roses?..."

As Jason and Roseluck conversed, the Main Six watched them from afar at their own table.

"So what do you girls make of him?" Twilight asked the others. Applejack grunted.

"Ah don't know, he seems decent enough but ah can't help but feel as if he's hiding something."

"Come now Applejack," Rarity said with a wave of her hoof "I am sure if you simply got to know Jason you would like him. When he was with me he was the perfect gentlecolt! Very polite."

"Um... He was really nice, and he apologized to Sebastian he said he liked him..." Fluttershy mumbled.

"He likes the party! Look! He's making friends with Roseluck! That's enough for me!" Pinkie Pie said happily munching down on a cupcake from nowhere.

"I don't know yet, I haven't got a chance to talk to him at all." Rainbow Dash said.

"Perhaps you should tomorrow darling? I'm sure you'll hit it right off with him." Rarity cut in.

"I guess... So Twi, what do you think of him?" The lavender Unicorn put a hoof to her chin.

"I don't know either. It's like Rarity said, he's polite but I feel as if he hasn't let on as much as he could.." Twilight stared over at Jason and Roseluck, the Human had made a joke and the mare was laughing heartily causing the Unicorn to smile as well.

"I'm sure you are all just paranoid. Jason is a gentlecolt and we will all be good friends with him."

"Yeah..." Twilight said "Good friends..."

Completed: Planet of the Ponies

                                                                   ~~*~~

North Tower, Canterlot Castle, Equestria, Wednesday 3rd of April, 8:30pm, 2205 AC

Celestia landed on the balcony with a sigh. The whole trip the Alicorn had been thinking over how she was going to tell Luna the news, she was hoping she could of had a moment or two

by herself to think it over, alas the Universe gave her no quarter.

"Well met sister." The Nightmare Child appeared from the shadows. She walked up to Celestia and gave her a warm nuzzle. "I trust your trip was well?" The Sun Goddess smiled.

"It was certainly... Interesting.." Luna looked up at her sister.

"Did you find something?" She asked, Celestia's smile dropped.

"Well... Yes. But I need you to not panic sister."

"Tia, I'm four thousand years old, I can keep my reserve." Celestia smirked briefly before becoming serious again.

"Remember in the old days? When the magic field's were new and weak? And things would come from other worlds?" Luna nodded.

"Yes, I still remember the day that the Dragons arrived, never will forget it." The Sun Alicorn nodded.

"Yes, it happened again... In a way." The Moon Princess raised her eyebrows.

"What is it this time? Should we be worried?" Celestia bit her lip.

"Maybe, I don't know, because what came through... It was a Human." Luna stared at Celestia for about a minute, before the weight of her sisters words hit her. The Princesses eyes widened, suddenly filled with fear and in her mind, hell rained supreme; images flashed in her vision; fire raining from the sky, the earth shaking violently, waves that claimed the land, invisible gas that burned flesh, changed minds, and rotted organs. Things that would have made Vietnam veterans cry.

"No," Luna said "They're dead... Gone, there can't be one left... Please." Celestia embraced her sister as she started shaking and tearing up.

"Please... Don't let them come back... They're dead... He killed them..."