A True Peace

Chapters

Quis es tu qui non noverunt tua historia?
Corpus enim, quod confractum est quiescendum
Novam Vitam Pro Milite
Fuga Ulixem
Crepusculum Micant
Affectus, crudelis tu daemonium.

Quis es tu qui non noverunt tua historia?

A True Peace

Chapter 1

"Who are you, who do not know your own history?"

They told me that I should keep a journal, I agree mostly, but I don’t like to think of the past. What I once was, was what many would call a "feral" or a "tribal", I prefer the latter.

My name is Ulysses, not my given name but close enough; I was born after the summer solstice in the year 2253. My tribe was known as the Twisted Hairs, for the way we braided our hair. We settled in what was formerly known as Flagstaff, Arizona before the Great Fire. October 23, 2077 the day our tribe called "The day the Earth burned". The United Commonwealths of North America, the former USA and currently annexed Canada, had a full scale nuclear exchange with what was Communist China, effectively leveling every major city in both nations, while the rest of the world was ravaged by nuclear winter and radiation.

It's been over 200 years since the Earth Burned.

In the year 2247 my tribe allied with small but powerful tribe led by a man who called himself Caesar, the self appointed, military leader, tribe leader, and demi god, of his tribe. Caesars’ Legion. The Legion recruited our hunters and scouts to become their advance scouts in Arizona. Little did we know that we were soon to become the Legions next target. When the tribes finally conquered the land of Arizona, the Legion turned on the Twisted Hairs tribe. The powerful Legion drove the Twisted Hairs to the land known as Dry Wells on the banks of the Colorado River. One of the greatest of Caesars’ Frumentari, Vulpes Inculta, laid waste to the now weakened tribe.

I was born of the remnants of my tribe, taken into the Legion as Legionaries, common foot soldiers, and our identity taken from us. Our hair and tattoos cut and burned from our bodies. My tribe now only lives in me.

At the age of 18 I had become a very adept scout and warrior, only to take a bullet in my left knee effectively rendering me useless to the legion as a Legionary. Vulpes, seeing the potential in my now handicapped self, brought me into the ranks of the Frumentari. I then became an ambassador to the Legion and Caesar bringing messages to more tribes bringing offers to join the Legion. I brought them messages of the Legion and the almighty Caesar, the son of Mars, the roman god of war, offering them the chance to join the Legion if they proved themselves worthy of Caesars time and patience.

My objective was to rendezvous with the leader of a fledgling tribe of degenerates from the Great Salt Lake of Utah, the White-Legs, led by a butcher named Salt-Upon Wounds.

The White-Legs knew nothing of surviving, medicine, hunting, or farming. They were nothing more than degenerate raiders, scavenging and pillaging to survive in the barren deserts of Utah. I taught them the workings of guns, of chamber and powder. We broke into an armory at Spanish Fork, taking these large .45 caliber Submachine guns from the armory.

Showed them how to care for their guns and taught them small unit tactics of war. They called me Flag-Bearer, for the flag I painted on the back of my jacket, the one of America. I learned their weapons as a means of respect, when it came time for them to return the respect the past came rushing back. At the campfire that night they showed how they had changed themselves, how they now wore their hair. It was like the dead of my tribe staring back at me across the fire. Their teeth and eyes glowing red from the flames. I lost myself trying to read the braids until I realized that they put no meaning in them.

I left them no message; I left that same night after I witnessed their atrocities against my tribe. I had to leave for I was about to kill off these backwards savages. I bottled my anger deep within my mind and walked south into the Mojave Wasteland, traveling the old I-15 south to New Vegas, the rebuilt ruins of Las Vegas. I was looking for a place to set my flag, a place I could call home.

Upon my arrival in the Mojave I heard a passing NCR, New Californian Republic, troopers on patrol talking about the great battle for Hover Dam. The Hover Dam relatively intact despite the bombing from the Great War was being assaulted by the bulk of the Legions warriors against the garrisoned NCR troopers attempting to repair the dam to working condition despite the damage. My former brothers of war pushed along the top of the dam forcing the NCR to retreat into Boulder City. What the legion didn’t know was that the NCR had planned this retreat placing C4 and TNT along the route and in the old city detonating the charges, destroying the pursuing Legionaries to less than 10% of their original force.

The Legion retreated back across the damn to Fortification Hill on the east side of the dam where they remained waiting to assault the dam once again.

When I arrived in New Vegas my first stop was to the New Vegas branch of the Gun Runners, gunsmiths and armor smiths. I sold them my Machete Gladius, my Legionary armor, some .45 Auto Pistols and SMGs I had taken from the White-legs, and all of my .45 ammo. In exchange they gave me two weapons, ammo, and a radiation filter mask: A .50 Caliber BMG Anti-Material Rifle, a Sawn-off Double Barrel 12 Gauge Pistol, 150 rounds of .50 caliber ammo and assorted boxes of shotgun shells, and the mask I use to cover my facial scars from my Legionary training.

I had hoped that I could forget my past with the Legion, but no amount of whiskey could let me forget those horrors. The vices of Vegas, the corruption, these weak minded tribal’s throwing away their identity to run the casinos and taverns for the man who calls himself Mr. House. I heard in my travels of the wealth of the NCR and their prosperity I walked west again following the I-15 into south California seeking again a place I could call my home.

I was stopped multiple times by over inquisitive border guards concerning why I wanted to travel on Californian soil, I told them that I was a courier looking for work they believed me and sent me on my way, only after a heavy “tax” for new immigrants. My hatred continued to grow after each stop for this nation. So much corruption among even these mere border guards. I only stopped after reaching the capital city of Shady Sands. I saw the poor lining the streets begging me for change, it sickened me how these men and women living in squalor could be left this way while the livestock barons lived comfortable lives in their mansions. Even in this remnant of America I couldn’t stay in this nation. Not if I wanted to stay sane. I turned around and walked north east towards Nevada.

I ran out of Legion coin on my way into California. Just down to myself and my guns. I took to becoming a bounty hunter, hunting many well known criminals in the town of Aradesh. I was asked by the chieftain of a local tribe asked me to deliver a package and a message to Primm just south of New Vegas on the old 15. It was a small broken robot: spherical shape with many antennas pointing back from the front with a small laser mounted on bottom, it had an Illinois license plate on its side most likely a patch job, the message read that the robot had killed a little girl in Aradesh the chieftain wanted taken to Primm to be sold for money.

On my trip to Primm I spotted another courier walking down an abandoned highway heading into the Rocky Mountains. Being curious what he was doing I followed at a distance watching where he was going. He was carrying a small box nothing special as far as I could tell. We walked miles and miles he didn’t stop to make camp at all just laid down under trees or against building to sleep. 2 day into his steady march east he spotted me in the distance and started running faster to outpace me. I lost him once after that during a wind storm but I managed to track him down in the middle of a pre war military installation called Hopeville according to the signs near the road. I found small groups of people living in the old building and saw the flames of the community fires. They seemed peaceful enough I asked if I could join them they told me I could stay as long as I wanted. The man who told me this handed a piece of dried deer meat he said that I looked hungry. I merely took it and eat removing my mask for the first time in front of others. For the first time in so many years I felt at home.

The other courier left his package in the town these people called the Divide. The courier continued to travel east. It made me curious as to why he kept going even though he started in the west and stopped here he kept walking. I followed him all the way to Primm and finished my delivery leaving the small robot on the counter at the couriers’ office. I turned and returned to the Divide to finally stop traveling and make a home for myself. I arrived in the Divide to find a crowd of people standing around the small package. It was speaking in a strange mechanical voice it said, “Big Mountain access code: Ulysses: Navarro”.

The Earth started shaking violently as the nuclear missiles stored at Hopeville detonated below the surface cracking the earth and blasting tons of dirt and debris in the air among waves of gamma radiation from the cracks effectively destroying the divide.

I should have died there among the others but machines appeared from the wreckage not unlike the one I delivered to Primm. With medical symbols on their bodies they took me into the still functioning facility and healed me. I think they thought I was of the old America because of the flag on my back, if that was the case history saved my life.

Corpus enim, quod confractum est quiescendum

Chapter 2

I walked east and never truly stopped walking. I couldn't stop, I just walked.

By the road signs I read I was apparently passing through Abilene, Texas. I had walked more than a thousand miles searching for a home, and wasn't stopping any time soon. I was a mess: my jacket had long since fallen apart only the flag remained folded in my bag, I had sold my rifle for food and water, I was running low on ammunition for my shotgun only 7 shells of Buckshot and 3 Steel Slugs, I replaced my jacket with an old style motorcycle jacket torn and ragged I took the left shoulder off some old sports gear, my mask filter had long since stopped working I threw it aside in Denver and replaced it with a black bandanna, my dreads had grown much longer in the last year I now had it pony tailed, my leg brace from my wound as a Legionary broke I now walked with a slight limp always in pain. I wasn't doing too well. I was out of food and down to my last canteen of water.

On my through Abilene I found a boarded up biker shop. I smashed in the door with my good leg. I grabbed another black bandanna, black head rap, large laced boots and some finger less gloves. When I walked outside after my little raid I heard a soft whimper coming from underneath a torched car. I leaned over gun at the ready. Only to find a tiny German shepherd pup horribly scarred of me. I slowly reached under the car lightly picking up the dog. I felt her small ribs on my hands showing how little she had eaten. I took a hub cap off the car and filled it with water from my canteen a forth of what I had left and some small dried mountain lion meat I had killed a week before. The pup drank almost all the water and ate all the meat and started wagging her tail at me yipping happily. As I turned to keep walking, loosening daylight, I noticed the dog trotting behind me just as happy as could be. I couldn't help but smile at the little orange and black German shepherd. I set my pack down and used a too small sweater of mine to make a small little nest on my pack so she could ride while I walked. I set her down on my pack and continued walking. I felt something pulling on my dreads I turned and the little just yipped and smiled at me.

I walked over 150 miles with the dog. I stopped twice a day to feed her and give her some water. This dog was the only thing keeping me going any more, but I wasn't going to last much longer. Lung cancer was my best bet. I had been coughing for the last 2 months and only recently did I start coughing up blood. The dog always whimpered when I was in pain. She could just tell. I loved that little dog.

I reached the outskirts of Fort Worth, Texas. I wasn't going to make it any farther I could barely breathe at night with it getting so cold in the winter. I stopped by an old oak tree still growing strong had to be over 100 years old, It was huge. I sat down back to the tree with Twilight; she never slept during the night always keeping watch, in my lap whimpering softly. She was too intelligent for her own good I said to myself. I hated that she was so dependent on me I made me feel responsible if I couldn't feed her or take care of her. She was the only thing I had in this world. Feeling that this night was my last I laid out my gear around me doing a last survey leaving out all my food and water for Twilight I tied the old flag around her neck. I softly laid my head against the old oak. All my torment and horrors of my past finally letting me rest in a place I never thought I would call home. I never got the answer to where my home was but it didn't matter now.

The past has truly forsaken me. I lived as a minion to others, murderer of the innocent and guilty, a courier, a hunter, a scout, a tribal, a wanderer, a liar, a betrayer, a leader, a failure, a warrior, a slave, a foot servant, a fool, betrayed. All in all a true man if there was ever one. Being that all this is what made me who I am.

My name was never given to me, just “slave” or “boy” by my handlers. That is why I gave myself a new name, Ulysses. Ulysses Grant, the man was a pre-war General. Bull stubborn, one hell of a leader. His country was split under 2 flags, one of unity and one of liberty. He walked a hard rode but led his army to victory and brought these flags together under the dark fog of war.

I truly wished to create a better place, a home, a place I could set my flag. Begin again, live the lost American dream. I felt something pulling on my braids. I opened my heavy eyes to see Twilight playfully swatting and nibbling on them. I couldn’t help but smile, tears forming in my sunken brown eyes. She was growing up so fast only 2 months and she had already become too heavy to carry on my back. She took to just quietly following me, occasionally running off to chase squirrels bringing them back more often than naught. She was learning to live for herself. I truly wished that I could see her grow up. Maybe start her own family, build her own home. The thought of a much larger Twilight with a bunch of pups bouncing around brought tears of happiness to my already swollen eyes.

I finally closed my eyes the cold air grabbing harder and harder at my lungs. I closed my eyes resting them for the last time. Feeling Twilight lie down in my lap and slow her breathing indicating she was asleep for the first time at night I could ever remember. I couldn’t help but cry like a new born child. I prayed to the God of the old world. Maybe just maybe this God could bring me to a place I could sleep and not worry of tomorrow or of if I might die. I realized that I was there under this old oak. I hoped there was another side to this place, a place where I might find a true peace. I slept.

Novam Vitam Pro Milite

Chapter 3

My eyes burned when I woke up starring into these bright fluorescent lights. My head ached from the intensity. I looked around; the room had pale white walls with small flower like designs. I couldn’t move my arms. I was lying down on a table with an IV hangout of my left arm. I felt cold realizing that I wasn’t wearing any clothes, just a small thin gown only covering my front tied in the back. I felt my face, my hands brushing against the breathing mask on my face very similar to my old radiation mask, minus the tube hanging from it connected to a machine matching my breath in unison. Something felt strange about my breathing. It was smooth and steady, no coughing, no wheezing. It felt amazing. I slowly removed the straps holding to my face. The machine shut down quietly once the mask was removed. I breathed an extremely refreshing breath of cool air. I slowly removed the IV from my arm using a bit of the rubber tubing to tourniquet my arm at the bicep, stopping the bleeding from the open wound. I slipped over to the side of the bed trying to stand up; it felt much easier than I was used to. I looked to my knee and saw a small black bandage wrapped around it with a small crescent moon in white on the side. It was almost magical in its effectiveness.

I stood up looking around I saw my clothes lying on the ground next to the bed. I slid on my black cargo pants noticing all the rips and tears had been repaired. I decided to leave my jacket off. It was getting warmer without the IV for some reason, just my gray shirt and my fingerless glove. I couldn’t find my weapons, tools, or my duffel bag. I drank the glass of water that was sitting on the nightstand. It never tasted so good or so refreshing.

I walked out of the room quietly shutting the door. I walked down the brightly lit hallway, taking my first right and ran in to… well… a 5ft 6in pony. I fell flat on my ass, while knocking the poor creature on its back. “Watch where thou are walking you ignorant pony!” the pony pronounced loudly with her eyes closed rubbing her forehead. I couldn’t speak. I mean a large Midnight blue pony, with large dark flowing hair, with a horn and wings wearing jewelry is yelling at me. “Oh my goodness!” she shouted, “Thou art awake, are thou alright?” I stammered out something to the affirmative then this large pony pulled me upright and walked me down to a waiting room were a much larger pony at least 6 ft tall my 6ft 4in frame just barely surpassing her height. She indicated for me to sit down in a chair across from her while the smaller darker pony stood beside her.

She started off “My name is Princess Celestia, I am co ruler of Equestria, keeper of the day and the sun”

“And I am Princess Luna, younger sister of Celestia, and keeper of the night and the Moon” “Well please tell me about yourself, what is your name?”

Slightly intimidated by the Princesses “My name is Ulysses, but can I ask you a couple questions first?” I asked politely.

“But of course.” She replied.

“Where am I? How did I get here? What happened to me? Where are my things? And why am I here?”

She looked over at me with a caring sort of voice, “You are in the land of Equestria, home of ponies, unicorns, pegasi, and many other creatures. My sister brought you here when she saw you dying under that old oak tree; she brought you to our planet to heal you and to make contact with your planet. You were dying from a lung disease and were badly beaten up, our fine doctors and Luna herself tended to your wounds.”

“Thank you” I interrupted to Luna startling the younger princess. Celestia continued,

“Your possessions, minus your weapons, are in your bag waiting outside, the weapons will be given back when I have deemed you safe to have them. And like I said before we have been looking to make contact with your species for a time but the recent war made us cautious. The only reason you’re here now is that Luna believes you to be trustworthy the way you behaved with that dog.

At the mention of the dog I remembered Twilight. “Is my dog ok? Where is she?” I asked a little worry in my voice. Celestia said with a smile

“Your dog is perfectly healthy, a personal friend who I trust is watching her while you recovered. Luna will take you to see her in awhile. But for now I need you to promise me that you will do no harm to my subjects or I’ll deal with you myself” she said with power behind her voice.

“I am honored you would take me into your land and I will show it and your subjects the respect they deserve” I said respectfully, my words as truthful as they could ever be.

Celestia left Luna to escort me to Ponyville to meet a pegasi named Fluttershy and a unicorn named Twilight Sparkle. Fluttershy was watching my Twilight. And Twilight was to learn as much from me as possible. I found it interesting all the different ponies we passed on the way out of the castle. When we stepped out of the castle she laid down next to me. I myself confused she told me to hop on, I leaned over her and she stood up knocking me forward causing me to grab now spread wings for balance when my fingers grasped she let out a strange moaning noise. “Please let go of my wings” she said quietly “that is very inappropriate” she said with a blush. I let go with surprise. She told me to wrap my arms around her neck. I reached around and before I could grasp my hand she took off at a very fast pace almost sliding off her back. Equestria was extremely beautiful nothing like the hell I was taken from. Green grass, tall trees, fields of what l looked like apple trees. Ponyville was a small town but nowhere near tiny, it was a quaint and beautiful place.

Fuga Ulixem

Chapter 4

Luna landed on a dirt road outside of Ponyville. She looked and tiredly said, “You’re too heavy for thou to continue flying”.

“I apologize,” I said still cold from the high altitude.

We walked down the peaceful road, I spoke up trying to break the awkward silence, I spoke quietly, “Thank you Ms. Luna”, she stopped and looked at me slightly confused, I continued, “If it wasn’t for you I would have died under that old oak tree and my friend would have surely died on her own. You didn’t have to save but you did and I am eternally be indebted to you, thank you.” She smiled at me still walking. I continued, “I am also grateful you fixing my leg and healing wounds.”

“The bandage is just a quick fix for now, we didn’t want to perform surgery on an already “on the edge” patient. Instead I fixed up your clothes but I couldn’t figure out what to do with your coat. After a thousand years you learn some valuable skills.”

. “I still can’t believe you are over a thousand years old, you look so young. I mean in my world the only creatures that live even close to that are super mutants and ghouls but they only live 200-300 years at best.”

She looked at me kind of confused, “What are super mutants and ghouls? They sound horrible.”

“Basically the same thing that caused my lung problems can also create ghouls and super mutants, except that instead of only slightly like me, the mutants and ghoul are affected severely and quickly changing their physique and intelligence.” I explained.

We arrived at the small cottage near the Everfree forest. Luna knocked on the door gently with her hoof. The door opened slowly revealing a small white rabbit holding the door. “Hello Angel, Where is Fluttershy?” Luna politely asked. He hopped outside with us and led us around the house opening a small fence gate that only came up to my knees. I looked around the corner to see three small ponies: yellow pony with red hair, a white unicorn with pink and purple hair, and an orange pegasi with purple hair, playing with twilight while a light yellow pony waved at us to come over.

“Is this your dog sir?” Fluttershy asked kind of excited, “I’ve never seen a dog like that before, and she’s so big.”

I explained, “She’s a German shepherd, and she’s only a couple months old, she will get much bigger. Her name is Twilight by the way. I found her not to long after she was born.”

She looked at me in surprise. “Oh my goodness, she’s already as big as the other dogs I’ve seen and she’s so friendly.”

I leaned over to Twilight and scratched her behind her ears she started panting happily. The three little ponies from before looked at me amazed, the yellow one spoke up in a slightly country accent, “Umm, who are you and what exactly?”

“My name is Ulysses and I am a human from Earth another planet in your universe.” I said smiling and don’t worry I’m friendly.” I crouched down, holding out my hand “And your names?”

She got excited and stated loudly, “My name is Apple Bloom, the white one is Sweetie Bell, and the poudy one is Scootaloo, and we are the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” Scootaloo Shouted “Hey!” I couldn’t help but smile at the girls. So innocent in nature they seemed.

“Well we must be on our way.” Luna spoke softly but sternly. Fluttershy and the girls seemed sad but still smiling.

“Oh well, come on girls we need to go Applejack needs our help at the farm.” Apple Bloom spoke up.

“Well goodbye Ulysses, if you need any help with Twilight let me know.” Fluttershy said happily. She walked back into her house.

Luna and I walked outside of the yard. “I’m going to put a special spell on you that Celestia and myself developed that can turn any creatures temporarily into a pony. I believe that it will make your visit here a lot easier till you and the ponies are comfortable with each other. Are you ready?” Luna explained.

“I suppose, so what kind of pony will I be?” I asked.

“It will depend on your personality.” Luna explained. “Ready?”

“Yes”

Luna’s horn glowed brightly and I felt a wave of cold air surround my body. My clothes disappeared from my body. I had fallen on my knees then down on all fours. I felt a sharp pain in my forehead, like a nail piercing my skull. The pain was paired with a splitting pain on top of both my shoulder blades. They burned just like my forehead like the bones were splitting. I passed out from the pain.

I woke up lying on my side I tried to stand up like the human I was used to and fell on my back. I shook my head and stood up. I saw Luna staring at me with a look of awe on her face. On all fours, I rubbed my forehead to see a bright white hoof bump into my head. I moved it up higher to where the pain was earlier and felt a sharp horn protruding from my head. I still had feeling in my hands, I mean hooves, my braids were still there but much shorter pulled back.

“Can I have a mirror?” I asked quietly still not believing what happened. Luna used her magic to produce a large full body mirror. I looked in the mirror expecting to see myself saw a fairly large bright white Unicorn with large wings; my braids were now black instead of brown and pulled back. My eyes, bright green. My muzzle was grey.

Luna spoke up “I’ve never seen the spell produce an Allicorn, this is very strange but also very interesting I will tell the princess of this. Go ahead and try to fly, it is not as hard as it looks.” I looked at my sides and spread my white wings. I started flapping them and before I thought I had enough lift I pushed myself high into the air above the tree canopy. Surprised at how light I felt, I saw Luna take off and start flying toward Ponyville. I took off after her never feeling so powerful in my life.

Crepusculum Micant

Chapter 5

My flight was nothing short of incredible. The cold air of the sky didn’t seem to bother me, but what did was how Luna reacted to my transformation. I wasn’t even expecting it to work I mean seriously a pony? The flight didn’t last as long as I had wanted it to. We landed in Ponyville outside of what looked like a house carved into a giant tree. Luna landed gracefully while a second later I crashed into the sign outside of the front door effectively sticking my horn like a nail through the old wood. With a little magical help from Luna, who couldn’t help but laugh at my blunder. Rubbing my still aching, “you could have told me I needed to slow down.” I thought to myself not trying to insult the princess.

“Thanks for the consideration of my feelings, but I can read your true thoughts.” Luna’s voice echoed through my head like the echo of a cave.

“Could you warn somebody that you can read their minds Ms. Luna? You might not like what you see.” I stated out loud.

“Just call me Luna; you make it sound like a royal meeting all the time. And I don’t mind knowing the truth. I believe it’s better than being left to your own thoughts on something you may never know.” Luna spoke clearly in her soft voice.

“Very well, Luna, I guess we should go in…” I said holding my foreleg out. “Oh, I nearly forgot Twilight she is stilled tied to the tree outside Fluttershy’s house!” I spoke in panic.

Luna held up her front hoof, “Calm yourself Ulysses. I can teleport lesser creatures with ease.” Luna’s started glowing like when she transformed me. I involuntarily twitched at the sight. And a small flash of light and Twilight was sitting there looking bewildered. Her leash cut from the tree by her magic she ran over to me and started sniffing me wildly. I looked down to see her having what looked like white cloth saddle bags tied to her body they had a black crescent moon stitched to them. I looked at Luna confused.

She just smiled at me. “I made those bags for your dog when you were unconscious. They hold all your personal possessions. Only you, Celestia and myself, and anyone you deem trustworthy to open them. It is also bottomless so you can store everything, but they do not weigh a thing when in the bags so it doesn’t hurt Twilight. Speaking of which.” She turned to the two part door which the top was now open revealing a lavender unicorn with dark purple hair brushed in straight lines with pink and light purple highlights. Her eyes were a beautiful shade of violet.

“Did somepony call my name? Oh my gosh, what happened to my sign?!” she questioned loudly pushing open the door which crashed into my leg almost bringing tears to my eyes. “Oh my goodness I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed trying to cover her mouth with her hooves. Luna couldn’t help but laugh at us.

“I’m okay, just be careful next time.” I said still in a little pain. “I’m sorry about your sign I had a bit of a crash landing and hit your sign. Ill fix it I swear.”

“It’s quite alright; I’ll take care of it.” Twilight’s horn started shining a brilliant shade of magenta which surrounded the sign in the same shade. The hole in the sign seemed to reverse in time until it was back to the way it was before I blundered into it. I couldn’t help but stare at the beautiful magic before me.

She looked back at me kind of strange, “What haven’t seen magic before?” almost jokingly.

“I haven’t seen a lot just from Luna and Celestia.” I stammered out, still in awe.

“Oh, you’re the new pony from another planet right? I’m Twilight Sparkle. It is so nice to meet you. I have some many questions about you.” Her eyes were almost glowing the way she looked at me.

Luna spoke up, myself almost forgetting that she was waiting patiently for us. “Well I’ll leave you two kids to it. By the way Ulysses. If you want to change between your human self and your Allicorn self just think hard in your mind what you want to look like. Be careful of your clothes.” she winked at me spreading her wings to fly again.

“Thank you so much Luna. Will see I you again?” I asked.

“Of course fell free to visit at the castle the guards will let you in as my guest. Goodbye Ulysses.” She took off winking at me.

“Goodbye Luna” I said.

Twilight spoke up “Well come on in.”

When I walked in I finally realized that this place was a library to my stupidity I should have realized this when I was starring at the sign outside. It smelled nice like it had just been cleaned. The room kind of smelled like some boot polish from the store in Abilene. Anyway, she started giving me a tour of the place.

Twilight spoke up “This is the library; I oversee it during the day. It is also my home. The library is open to the public.” She walked over to an opening that led to a decent sized kitchen. It was sparkling clean from what looked like tedious labor.

“This is the kitchen. Nothing special, I read here a lot.” We walked across the library to a set of stairs that circled above some bookcases and up to the second floor. “To your left is my assistant, Spike’s room. After that is where you will be staying.” She opened the next door with magic revealing a sparsely decorated room full of boxes of what I thought was books. A small mattress lay on the floor with a sheet covering it. “Sorry I couldn’t get a better bed, Spike already took my spare.” It looked surprisingly comfortable compared to the old moldy ones I was used to and my old bedroll.

“It’s perfect thank you Twilight Sparkle.” I said

“Just call me Twilight” she smiled.

“Alright, Twilight, if you don’t mind I’ll lay down for some sleep. I’m extremely worn out.”

“Too bad I was hoping to ask some questions but if you’re tired you should get some sleep. My room is just down the hall if you need me.” She smiled trotting off looking happy.

“Thank you” I said as the door closed.

I looked down at little Twilight she looked at me kind of funny but I rubbed my hoof on her head and her tail started wagging. I opened Twilight's bags and started unpacking all my gear. Looking at all my weapons, tools, and supplies I realized in a place like this I may longer need them I thought to myself. Almost unconsciously I tried to grab my pistol but only ended up moving it with my hoof. I picked up the whole gun belt with my teeth setting it near the head of my bed. I pulled out my duffel bag out of the saddle bag it still full of my supplies surprising me that it could fit in the small bag. I stacked up my supplies in the corner next to some boxes. I kept all my clothes in the bag so I could use it as a pillow. I laid down awkwardly not used to my pony self. I laid on my side laying my head in the bag. Letting sleep take me for the first time since I was under that oak tree outside Fort Worth, Texas.

Affectus, crudelis tu daemonium.

Chapter 6

“What is he exactly Twi?” a girlish voice broke out in my head.

“He is a human from another planet in our galaxy” I heard Twilight’s voice speak intelligently.

“Do they all look like that?” The other voice asked.

“I don’t know. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him yesterday. He has been asleep for over fourteen hours. I’m worried that something is wrong.” Twilight said with some worry in her voice.

It took me a moment to realize that I wasn’t wearing any clothes. I pulled a pair of pants over my crotch, blushing bright red. Apparently I changed back to my human form in my sleep.

“What’s going on?” I asked almost fully nude in front of these girls.

“Oh nothing, just showing my friend Pinkie my new house guest.” She said a little concerned and embarrassed.

“Mind telling me next time?” I asked laughing a little but still clutching the pants in embarrassment.

“Uh sure” she said looking embarrassed.

“Well no harm done I guess” I said pulling the pants on behind a stack of boxes, “So who are you?” I asked the Pink pony.

“My name is Pinkamena Diane Pie, but you can call me Pinkie. And I love to party!” she said with a poof of colorful confetti.

“Party?” I asked “What is that?” pulling on a white undershirt.

“YOU DON”T KNOW WHAT A PARTY IS!!?” She yelled the question at me “You’re right Twi he is extremely different from us. Oh well I'll catch you later Twi I got a party to plan.” Pinkie bounced off and out of the room.

“So what’s your plan for the day?” I asked.

“I was hoping to ask some questions and maybe perform some experiments if you feel up to it.”

“I guess we will start with the questions.” I said

We walked outside of the room into the library. Where two purple plush pillows sat on the floor. Twilight indicated for me to sit. I sat down crossing my legs. She sat down across from me a tea kettle in between us with two very frilly cups.

“Tea?” She asked kindly.

“Sure” I said as her magic filled the cup close to me and scribbling something on a floating clipboard.

“So where were you born?”

“Hold on ill go grab something.” I stood up going to my room grabbing my map of the new world America and my map of the old world. I sat down moving the cups and kettle out of the way laying out the US map on the bottom with the world map on top. “This is a map of my entire planet before our most recent world war. “The land I am from is in the ruins of this area here.” I pointed to the southwest US. She continued her scribbling looking very interested. I continued “And this...” I pulled off the world map and showed he the map I had been working on since I left the Mojave. On the map I had indicated: the NCR, the Legion, White-Leg territory, New Vegas, Brotherhood of Steel and Circle of Steel Bunkers, all Military Bases from an old map I had found in the ruins of the Mariposa Military Base, The no man’s land in the remnants of Tornado Alley, the east coast Brotherhood of Steel, Washington D.C., the Commonwealth. I was very proud of my creation.

“I was born somewhere around here.” I indicated to the area around Flagstaff, Arizona.

“Wow, these maps are very detailed. Do you think I could copy these maps?” Twilight asked excitedly.

“Of course” I replied. She smiled a little bigger.

“Why did your people make such detailed maps?” She asked.

“Long ago before we started living in set areas we were very nomadic. Mostly scavenging and gathering as we could. Later on we developed better farming techniques. After that it wasn’t until our last war that we returned to mostly scavenging.”

“Last war?” she asked as her pencil kept scribbling away appearing to keep up with the conversation. “What happened?”

“Just for reference it was the year 2287 on earth when I came here. In the years leading up to 2077 my world's resources were getting dangerously low. The world’s biggest consumers of the resources was America and the land last known as China. These two lands went to war over the remaining resources in what was known as the Resource war, later called the Great War. The conflict kept escalating until one of the nations, no one knows who first launched, launched their doomsday weapons against the other and the other nation retaliated with similar weapons. Effectively leveling every major city in both nations and plaguing the rest of the Earth in dark impenetrable clouds and radiation. The clouds blanketed the Earth bringing a forced winter that didn’t leave for many years. The radiation caused forms of cancer and mutations among the survivors.” I explained as clearly as I could not sure what ponies knew about radiation and nuclear winter.

Twilight continued her scribbling with her magic thinking very hard. “What is radiation?” she asked.

“Well from what I know it comes from those weapons that the two nations used. Those weapons are created by splitting what we call atoms. Atoms are the smallest particles in our world. The book I read about them said that when they are split they release huge amounts of energy including radiation. Radiation changes our body at the level just above atomic. Changing our DNA, the blueprints of our bodies.” “Got all that?” I asked.

“I think so. Do you still have that book? If you don’t mind I'd love to read it.”

“Sure I'll go get it.” I replied. I got up and walked to my room. I grabbed my entire bag bringing it back down to the library. I set it beside my seat. I pulled out all my books: The Big Book of Science, Nikola Tesla and You, and Dean's Electronics. "These should cover most of my knowledge of science and machines." I said smiling holding out the books.

"Oh wow thank you!" She said with a glow about her. "I promise I'll take care of them and return them to you." She promised.

"Keep them, I have no use for them" Her face lit up like I had never seen before. "If it helps think of it as a gift."

She grabbed me in a strong hug "Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!" She said not letting go.

"Your welcome Twilight. But please let me go it's hard to breathe." I said in a slight struggle.

"Sorry" She let go, "You're a great friend." She looked at the books skimming through them. “It's too bad Princess Celestia didn’t make contact with your planet sooner. It’s sad we couldn’t help.” She said with a very sad look on her face.

“Don’t worry Twilight, the past is the past. I had hoped that somebody would learn from our mistakes in the end.” I said putting my hand on her shoulder feeling her soft fur under my hand.

She smiled “Don’t worry about me it’s just a sad thought is all. Why don’t we change the subject?”

“That might be a good idea.” I replied.

“So why do you wear clothes all the time? We only wear ours when it is cold or when we a dressing for a specific occasion.” She asked.

“It is a taboo in my society to not be clothed. It is considered very inappropriate to go in public in the nude. We also use it as a form of expression in our society; it might indicate your wealth, heritage, affiliations, or just about anything that could possible distinguishes us from each other.” I explained.

“Interesting, so are you uncomfortable with the fact that almost all of us are nude?” she asked.

"Personally im not bothered, I still tend to think of ponies like animals back on earth." I explained.

“Ok, what kind of animals do you have on Earth?" She asked her magic pencil fling across her paper.

"I've seen different kinds but certainly not all of them. I've only travelled in the south and southwest of America. Personally I've seen Bighorner, Horses, Brahmin, Coyotes, Rats, Squirrels, Dogs, Night stalkers, Yao Guai, Mole Rats, and a few cyber dogs." I explained curious if she had any idea what radiation did to these animals or even what they may look like.

"Great, Princess Luna can show me her memories of viewing your world. I'll see about cataloging some of the wildlife." She smiled. Weird these things they can do with magic.

“So do your people ever use magic? She asked trying to continue her study.

“Not that I am aware of.” I replied. Her pencil began scribbling again on her clipboard. I drank my now cold tea it was surprisingly delicious. I asked if I could have some more. While scribbling away her magic created a small blue fire underneath the tea pot heating it up without burning the wood floor beneath us. She poured more tea in my glass and I drank it down happily, it was so delicious. It felt like it was warming my soul.

“Thank you” I said after finishing my cup. Trying to be polite, I haven't sat with another person in years just my Twi.

“No, thank you. I’ve been running out of projects to work on and books to read. You are my new project and should keep me busy for quite awhile.” She smiled. You’re going to go down in history as proof that intelligent life exists outside our planet“.” She said in an excited voice.

“I’m glad to help.” I smiled “So why don’t you tell me about yourself?” I asked. Again trying to be polite, which is very difficult.

“Well, I have been Princess Celestia’s protégé for few years now since I was old enough to learn magic. Since I left Canterlot I have been learning about the magic of friendship and still am to this day.” She smiled at me.

“That’s very interesting.” I said truly interested in how things like this are top priority in this world. Not worrying about if you’re going to have food to eat tomorrow or what radioactive animal wants you to be its lunch. “Do you have any family?” I asked.

“Of course; both my parents and my brother Shining Armor. He’s the captain of Celestia’s Royal Guard.” She said with pride in her brother’s title.

“That’s very cool” I said very interested.

“How about you?” she asked

“How about me what?” I replied uncomfortably shifting back on my pillow.

“Do you have any family?” she asked more precisely.

“I don’t really know. I was taken from my parents at birth. I only know of the tribe of people I came from. I was raised to be a slave then later a soldier for the tribe that had almost destroyed my own. I never questioned it until I separated myself from the Legion.” I said sadness cloaked by indifference in my voice.

In a blur of purple Twilight had wrapped her forelegs around me in a tight hug. “I’m so sorry Ulysses. I didn’t know.” She said with a sad quiver in her voice. Confused I started hugging her back, feeling her soft fur again. Her warm breath on my neck and the occasional cold tear. “It’s ok. I understand you didn’t know." I patted her back gently. I pulled back; “Thank you for caring so much about how I felt.” I stood up leaving the maps, books, and cup behind. “I’ll be back in a while; I need to walk a bit.” She nodded her head still holding her cheek.

"Why did I do that?" I asked myself multiple times as I left town. Why did I tell her? I've never told anyone about my past. it made me vulnerable I had only ever had just a blind drive for survival, anybody who asked me things like this got either no answer or a lie. I could never trust the Legion with my feelings, I would appear weak. My head was a blur with these thoughts. I walked out of Ponyville on the dirt road toward Fluttershy’s cottage. It was already dark out, the cold air nipping at my arms and face. Why? Why would she be any different? I mean she is extremely nice. But I don’t trust anyone. But her… I have never needed these trains of thought before, should I start thinking of them now? This world seems so unattached to war and violence like home. They have time to care about each other and even experience love. Even friendship was hard to come by in the wasteland.

I continued walking down the path. I reached Fluttershy’s Cottage not much later. I turned around at the gate to her path way and started walking back towards Ponyville. I heard rustling behind me. I turned on the spot pulling my seven inch Bowie style knife from my belt. I was never separated from my knife. Its high carbon steel blade shining in the night air like polished silver, I stood ready to strike like the viper I was trained to fight like. Looking ahead down the path I had just taken I noticed that nothing was there. I looked down to see a purple tail sticking out of a bush.

Walking over, my blade now facing down in my left hand, I called out “Come on out I know your following me.” There was a slight hesitation before the three little ponies from earlier stepped out of the brush. They were all wearing camouflage paint on their faces. I holstered my knife back in the leather sheath on my belt.

“Why are you girls following me at this time of night?” I asked.

Applebloom I think her name was stepped forward “Sorry Ulysses we were just curious what you were doing. And we figured we might get our cutie marks in hunting.” She replied with a smile. The other ponies nodding their heads.

“Just be careful who you’re sneaking up on. I don’t want to accidentally hurt you.” I said tapping the holstered knife on my belt. “Do you want me to walk you home? It’s kind of late.” Again out of politeness.

“Sure” Applebloom said with a smile. She pulled out a map from her saddle bag that was white with a large red apple on the side. She held it out for me to grab. I took it and unrolled it. It was almost comical how it looked only a couple places which were drawn on it. She told me to follow it to this spot. She pointed at what looked like a farm house and barn.

“Could you just lead the way? I don’t know the area very well.” I asked politely rolling up the map. Freaking kids couldn’t draw a readable map to save their lives I joked to myself.

“Sure I guess. You can keep that map if you want.” She replied with a smile. I put the rolled up map in the pocket of my black cargo pants.

During the walk to the farm, Sweet Apple Acres is what they called it; they invited me to join their club even though I probably couldn’t get a cutie mark. I was now supposed to meet with them every weekend. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself about these little girls. Not a care in the world that I am an alien on their planet. When we reached the gate Applebloom trotted off to the farm house waving good bye to us all as we walked back towards town.

“So where am I taking you two?” I asked

“To my sister’s place. Scootaloo is staying with us tonight.” Sweetie Bell answered smiling. Strange I thought to myself, shouldn’t she have a home?

We walked all the way into town stopping at the Carousel Boutique. The two girls trotted over to the door knocking very loudly. The door’s top half swung open revealing a very beautiful bright white unicorn. Her hair was tied back in a pony tail. She looked very sleepy.

“You’re late Sweetie Bell.” She said rubbing her eyes with her hooves. Her voice had a very regal tone to it. She looked up from her sister and her friend to see me standing there with my hands in my pockets trying to stand out of the way.

“Oh my goodness!” She exclaimed. “What happened to your clothes?!” She shoved the door open running out side trying to get a better look at me. She started pushing me into the store. The whole time I was continually reaching for my knife in a defense reflex. I had to stop myself from pulling it. Once we got inside and the girls followed us in. The unicorn used magic to start measuring my body against my will my body held still by her magic.

“Who are you and what are you doing?” I asked slightly panicking, my muscles tensing horribly trying to shake the magic.

“My name is Rarity and I am measuring you for new clothes.” She replied sounding very concentrated.

“Why?” I said her magic now holding my arms out straight.

“I simply can’t let anypony walk around in such dreadful clothes.” She replied a little agitated. Still confused but not in danger I let her do her measurements.

“Can you stop for a second please?” I asked her magic almost strangling me with the measuring tape. She released here magical grasp from my throat.

I rubbed my throat. “Can you warn a guy next time.” I said myself remembering how close I was to stabbing her.

“Oh I’m sorry. I just can’t stand to see someone wearing such dirty torn clothes. I was going to make you new ones.” She said rubbing the back of her head with her hoof smiling.

“It’s ok but I can’t pay you. I don’t have any money.” I said politely trying to get away.

“It’s perfectly ok. No charge, just don’t let me catch you like that again.” She said with a smile.

“Alright well can we do this another time? My friend is waiting for me.” I asked politely my hand on the door.

“Of course how about next weekend?” she asked clipboard at the ready.

“That should work.” I replied with a smile. “Got to go, goodbye girls” I waved politely at the girls. “Goodbye Rarity, nice to meet you.” I said waving as I walked out.” They all waved back as I stepped outside heading towards Twilight’s home.

When I arrived at the library opening the door to see Twilight copying my map of the old world she turned to me smiled and continued copying. I sat down next to her “I’m sorry Twilight. Im sorry about leaving like that."

"All you had to do was tell me it was a sore subject." She smiled. "But you were emotional I don’t blame you". Twilight said as she stood up and stretched.

"Im tired." She yawned. My watch read 10:24 but was probably off count now.

"How does time work here?" I asked

"Similar to your human years, we have 4 seasons separated into 3 months each. each month as 4 weeks. each week has 7 days. Each day is split by night and day controlled by Celestia and Luna. They are about 12 hours long, each cycle. Right now it is 2:23 After Midnight."

"Really?, We use the same am and pm terminology." I noted.

"Your small clock should still work by my guess." She nodded as she walked up the stairs, a trail of magically controlled items floating behind her.

"Good Night Ulysses." She called from the top of the stairs. "Take care of yourself our worlds are very different.

I couldn’t help but agree. "Night Twilight, thank you." Her door closed revealing the silence of the night and the library. I wonder when Spike is coming home? We still need to meet.

I stand up grabbing my now unhooked Weapon belt and walk to bed. When I enter my room a large full bodied mirror is hung on the wall with a note attached.

This is for you, Ulysses. With regards Princess Luna

I looked in the mirror seeing that my natural skin tone has begun returning from my illness, and my muscles are gaining definition. I stripped of my clothes down to my shorts. Fed Twi her late dinner. And fell asleep for the second time in Ponyville.