Homecoming

Whole New World
Chapter 8
Homecoming

Dano felt something shaking him as he regained consciousness. He reflexively rolled over and mumbled something like ‘five more minutes’. Dano had forgotten where he was sleeping, and rolled off of the log he called a bed for the night. He face planted into something wet, and tried to breath. Nothing entered his lungs. Dano’s body tried it’s best to save itself, but all it could do was flail around wildly. After a few milliseconds Dano eventually lifted himself out of the muck he was drowning in. He pulled his lower half under him and sat as he wiped his eyes. When they were clear Dano opened his eyelids to see an amused Echo and a concerned Fluttershy.

Dano looked around, the world was grey and wet. It had started raining during the night and continued into the morning. Fluttershy and Echo had tried to get Dano inside before he got sick, but Dano had the suspicion that they were too late.

“I’m sorry for waking you up…” Fluttershy tried to apologize before Dano raised a hand to stop her.

“It’s ok Fluttershy, it looks like I needed to get up anyway.” Dano managed a small smile as he stood.

Echo barked and grinned. Dano didn’t need words to understand that Echo had just made a joke. He shot the wolf a look, but it didn’t do anything to Echo except make him laugh.

“We should get inside, I really don’t want to get any wetter.” Dano said as he tried to gauge how soaked his clothes were.

Echo nodded and began to walk to the open cabin door, and Fluttershy tried to follow. She was having trouble keeping her pants up, and the boots on her feet were too large and were threatening to fall off. Dano moved behind her, picked her up and cradled the woman. Fluttershy began to freak out, and started to squirm. Her boots fell off as she tried to wriggle her way out of Dano’s arms. Fluttershy finally realized that Dano was carrying her, and calmed a bit. She buried her face behind he hair, and Dano chuckled as a small blush graced her cheeks.

The couple entered the cabin under the scrutinizing gaze of Echo, who looked a little confused. Dano ignored the wolf as he crossed the room, and sat Fluttershy on the bed. Her eyes immediately darted to the floor, and Dano decided to give her some space. He moved to the trunk at the foot of his bed and pulled out a towel so he could dry off. Dano wasn’t about to get undressed in front of Fluttershy, so a quick rub down would have to suffice. Luckily the synthetic cloth that made up his jacket and pants didn’t hold water well, and they dried off quickly. Dano’s cotton underwear, socks and t-shirt didn’t fare so well.

Once Dano finished he threw the towel into his dirty laundry pile, and sat on the trunk. The room was filled with an awkward silence until Dano decided to talk. He turned on the trunk and faced Fluttershy.

“How did you get out in the woods anyway Fluttershy?”

Echo perked his ears, he was just as curious as Dano. Fluttershy’s eyes never left the ground when she responded.

“Well, um… I was out in the woods with my friends, and uh… we got separated.”

Dano nodded as his mind produced more questions.

“Where are your friends now?”

Fluttershy shook her head, she didn’t know. Dano pondered some more.

“Where do you live Fluttershy?”

“I um… live in Ponyville.”

Dano stifled a laugh. Ponyville? He couldn’t believe the situation he was in. Dano sighed, he had accepted that his life was going to be weird. He stood, grabbed his pack and began shoving essentials into it. Fluttershy looked confused at Dano’s actions, so he explained.

“We got to get you home, I bet your friends are worried.”

“Oh my… You don’t have to do that…”

Dano chuckled at Fluttershy’s attempt to be polite, and continued to pack while he responded.

“We both know it will be a lot safer if I came along, and I bet Echo would love to meet some other people.”

Dano looked over at Echo who was sitting by the gun case and smirked. Echo looked absolutely exited to go see Ponyville.

“Well… if you want to.”

Dano looked over at Fluttershy and gave her a toothy smile. She returned the large grin with a small smile of her own.

It didn’t take long for Dano to pack. He only brought a couple MREs, medical supplies, his binoculars, extra ammunition and water. Dano put on his armor and vest, as well as his Magnum and M9. Fluttershy looked nervous when Dano looked over his weapons, making sure they were loaded and working. Dano smiled at her, trying to relive her anxiety.

The rain stopped after a couple hours, and the sun broke through the clouds. A rainbow graced the sky to the left of the cabin, and birds sang out from the forest. The world was humid as the rain began to evaporate.

Dano dried off the quad bike’s seat with another towel before he and Fluttershy got on. Dano had given Fluttershy a belt and taught her how to tie up boots, so she wouldn’t struggle with the clothing. He also gave her a jacket to help keep her warmer in the early fall weather.

Dano started up the quad, and Fluttershy ‘eeped’ as she wrapped her arms around Dano. He chuckled at the easily startled woman then turned to Echo.

“You don’t think you could track her trail?”

Echo shook his head, even if it hadn’t rained he probably couldn’t follow Fluttershy’s scent home. Apparently wolves had great hearing and night vision, but their smelling abilities were just like your average dog.

Dano cursed as he pressed the accelerator. As the quad pushed up to the edge of the clearing that Dano had originally brought Fluttershy out of he checked his watch. The compass said they were going south east. Dano eased the quad bike through the undergrowth as Echo trotted alongside. Dano had no idea where to go, but he had to try to get Fluttershy home.

The trek through the forest was frustrating and long. After the group reached the small clearing they found Fluttershy in Dano asked Echo to see if he could find tracks or anything else to find their way. Luckily Echo had found small footprints that weren’t destroyed by the rain. The group entered the woods again, hoping that they could make it before the sun set.

The going was slow and tedious. Occasionally Echo would lose the trail and have to double back, so Dano had to wait for the wolf to find the foot prints again. After hours of tracking the forest abruptly ended and opened up into a field. Dano scanned the horizon for any sign of life, but the field was made up of rolling hills making his position ineffective.

Dano moved up the tallest hill he could find and scanned again. He caught a glint of light in the distance. Dano reached into his fanny pack, which startled Fluttershy, and pulled out his binoculars. Through the lenses the glint transformed into the roof of a building adorned with solar panels. Dano’s heart jumped for joy, he had found civilization.

After telling Echo to get on the quad and Fluttershy to hold on Dano took off. The quad opened up in the open field, cruising at over forty miles per hour. Echo was laughing the entire time, and Fluttershy was squeezing Dano so hard he could barely breathe. It didn’t take long for the bike to cross the large field and reach the village.

Dano slowed when the group hit the outskirts of town. The place was colorful, with flower pots on every window sill. The buildings were all wooden and painted, but in a variety of colors. It was as if someone took the entire rainbow and splashed it over the area. Fluttershy lead Dano through the town toward, where she said, her friends were.

The village of Ponyville was pretty empty compared to the amount of housing. Dano noticed that the people he did pass had strange hair, a whole range of pastels and colors adorned their heads. Also that there was mostly women and children, and the occasional man. Dano chalked it up to the fact that the men were probably working.

The citizens of Ponyville watched Dano with a mixture of curiosity and fear. He was well armed, armored and covered in dirty clothing. Dano couldn’t blame them, if a man walked into his home armed with three different weapons and in full combat armor he would probably react the same.

After a few minutes of cruising the group pulled up to a large tree with a door in its trunk. Dano should have been surprised by the sight of a living tree that was a house, but he had acclimated to the strangeness of the post-apocalypse world.

Dano dismounted from the quad and helped Fluttershy. Echo hopped of and barked excitedly, he was looking around with a happy look in his eyes. The three approached the dark wooden door of the tree house, and Dano knocked loudly.

“Can you get that Spike?” A feminine voice asked behind the door.

“I got it Twi.” Responded a boy’s voice, Dano guessed young teens.

The door opened to reveal what Dano had guessed, a teenager. He was only about fifteen and was wearing a purple, zip up sweatshirt over a green t-shirt. His lower body was covered in baggy jeans, and his feet were adorned with skater shoes that were purple with green laces. The teen’s hair was green, and shaved into a spiked mohawk.

The boy looked Dano over before turning his head into the abode and yelling.

“There is a man here, and he doesn’t look very nice.”

Dano made an annoyed couch at the teen’s assumption. The kid just gave Dano a look that he knew too well. The ‘I don’t give a shit’ look. Dano had given it to teachers, classmates and his father plenty of times.

“Tell him the library is closed.” The feminine voice was louder now.

Fluttershy, who had been obscured behind Dano, peaked her head around her escort. The teen turned his head back to the interior and shouted with enthusiasm.

“You got to see this Twilight.”

A woman entered the threshold. She was a little shorter than Fluttershy and wore a purple sweater vest with a white dress shirt underneath it. Her bottom half was covered with blue jean capris and she wore white sneakers. Her hair was navy blue with a purple highlight, and almost long as Fluttershy’s. She looked over Dano with a mixture of curiosity and nervousness, but eventually extended a hand. Dano took it as she introduced herself.

“Hello, my name is Twilight Sparkle.”

Dano shook the woman’s hand and smiled.

“My name is Daniel, but please call me Dano.”

Twilight smiled, released Dano’s hand and took a step back allowing Dano to enter the building. The first thing that Dano noticed when he walked into the tree was the amount of space. The tree looked smaller from the outside, but the interior was spacious and welcoming. The walls were covered in large bookshelves that were all filled. There was a threshold to the left that ran into, what Dano could see, a kitchen. A small door rested on the far wall of the hallway, and probably lead to a basement. On the right side of the room was a staircase that lead to the upper stories. Standing in the middle of the room was four other women, each strikingly different.

Twilight had greeted Fluttershy at the door and walked past Dano to introduce everyone after she told the group who Dano was. She indicated a woman with short, rainbow hair and said her name was Rainbow Dash. She was wearing a leather flight jacket over a white tank top, and tight blue jeans. On her feet were running sneakers, and Dano could tell by her sleek and thin figure that she was a runner. Her brilliant rose eyes scanned Dano in a way another man would, trying to size Dano up as a possible threat or competition. Dano recognized the patch that adorned the right shoulder as the Blue Angels crest. He made a mental note to ask her about it later.

Next came a woman that was named Applejack. She was very tan and wore a stetson hat over her long blond hair. White freckles were on her cheeks, and her green eyes screamed honesty. As if they were peering into Dano’s soul and detecting any lies. She wore an orange short sleeved button up work shirt that was covered in dirt and grass stains. Her legs were incased in old dirty jeans that were a little loose, but still showed off her form. Dusty cowboy boots covered her feet and the bottom of her jeans were tucked into them. Dano could see some muscle definition in her arms, and he assumed she was a hard working farm girl.

After Applejack came a woman with poufy hot pink hair that was called Pinkie Pie. A massive smile adorned her face and her bright blue eyes seemed to be filled with endless energy. She wore a pink t-shirt with three multi-colored balloons on the front. Hot pink shorts covered the top half of her thighs, and long multi pastel colored socks rose from her feet to below her knees. Pink and white Convers shoes were on her feet, and she looked like she was bouncing a bit. Dano was worried that she would jump him and try to get him to give her a hug.

The final woman in the room was named Rarity, and Dano immediately picked up a vibe from her. Her deep blue eyes were taking Dano in, and he could feel the woman judge him. It put Dano off a bit, but he didn’t show it. Her deep purple hair was curly and obviously stylized, and she wore a very well made white button up dress shirt that was tucked into deep blue jeans. A thick black belt was wrapped around her waist and the gold belt buckle shined in the light like it was just polished. On her feet she wore fashionable black boots, and she stood with the confidence of a woman who was used to being in charge and getting her way.

Dano waved awkwardly at the group as Fluttershy moved around him with Echo right behind her. The four women descended onto Fluttershy all talking at once about how they were worried, what she wearing, where Dano came from, and a bunch of other things that Dano ignored. Echo had taken a seat next Dano, and Dano had gotten into a comfortable stance. His right hand was resting on his M9, and his left thumb was under his rifle strap while the rest of his hand sat on his shoulder.

After a few minutes of endless chatter the women finally turned their attention to the survivor and wolf standing a few steps into the door. Twilight was the first to speak.

“Thank you for taking care of Fluttershy, we were all worried sick.”

Dano smiled and waved his right hand in the air dismissively.

“It wasn’t a problem at all.”

Twilight smiled, and the room settled into an awkward silence. It was interrupted by the teenager from before entering the room, a bowl of chips in his hand. Twilight’s face was one of shock, she had forgotten someone.

“This is Spike.” She said as she made a sheepish smile.

“Sup bro.” Spike looked like he didn’t care, and Dano had the urge to take him down a peg.

“I’m not your bro, man.”

Spike eyed Dano.

“I’m not your man, dude.”

Dano returned the gaze.

“I’m not your dude, son.”

Spike’s face contorted into a scowl.

“I’m not your son…”

Spike was at a loss for words, and Dano grinned devilishly. Spike stared at Dano like he was going to kill him before he turned and walked upstairs with his chips. The girls were giggling as the teenager walked away.

“Why did you do that?” Twilight asked when she was done laughing, a smile across her face.

Dano shrugged. “It’s how I was taught to respect people.”

The girls giggled again before the questions started, Rainbow went first.

“What were you doing with Fluttershy?” Rainbow’s voice was a little deeper that most girls, and very tomboyish.

Dano shrugged again.

“I found her lost in the woods, so I offered her food and shelter. It only seemed right to bring her home.”

Rainbow eyed Dano for the umpteenth time before Pinkie excitedly began speaking.

“Ooo, so you're some mountain man?” Pinkies voice was filled with excitement and joy, like a child’s.

Dano laughed deeply, and nodded.

“Yeah, just call me Mountain Man Dan.”

Everybody in the room laughed along. Once the laughter died down Rarity launched her question.

“Where did you find these horrid outfits?” Dano expected her to sound the way she did, a little snobbish with an upper-class accent.

Dano looked down at himself, and saw shades of brown and grey stare back. He was dirty and his clothes weren’t the most fashionable. Dano heard Echo laughing at him, and shot the wolf a look. The girls looked a little shocked at the sound that escaped Echo’s throat. Before Echo started a panic Dano got his answer out.

“It’s practical, and I don’t really need something fashionable.”

Rarity didn’t look like she accepted the answer.

“Darling, fashion is practical” A though entered her mind. “Oh, we could go to the spa! You definitely need it.”

Before Dano could refuse Rarity had grabbed him by the back of his collar and dragged him out the door, and into the street. Dano could hear Echo laughing, and Applejack yelling.

“But I didn’t get to ask mah questions.” Dano was a little surprised to hear her have a thick southern accent this far north.

Rarity ignored her and continued toward the spa. Dano was shocked that she could drag him around, and after a few minutes of struggling he finally let Rarity have her way. Dano crossed his arms and tried to take in as much of Ponyville as he could while Rarity went along. It looked the same as the road on the way in, just different colors. Dano liked the color, it was pleasant to look at.

It took a couple more minutes for Rarity and her hostage to get to the spa. From Dano’s point of view he didn’t see much of the building, except light yellow exterior walls and a purple shingled roof. Rarity threw the door open, and the sound of a bell reached Dano’s ears. As Rarity talked with someone she let go of Dano, and he promptly fell to the floor with a thud. Dano closed his eyes and braced before he hit the ground, and when he opened them again his field of vision was filled with two women Dano didn’t recognize. The one on the left spoke first.

“Oh, so this is the new man Carrot Top was talking about.” Her voice was thick with a Swedish accent.

Dano sat up and looked over the two women. They were definitely identical twins, with matching deep azure eyes, but their hair and clothes were opposites of each other’s. The one on the left had pink hair like Fluttershy’s, but was shorter. She wore a white apron over a short sleeved, cyan dress shirt and a short, cyan skirt. The right twin had cyan hair, and the same white apron over matching clothes, except they were pink. Dano stood and introduced himself. The two twins smiled and spoke in their thick northern European accents.

“I am Aloe.” Said the one with the cyan hair.

“And I am Lotus.” Finished the pink haired twin.

“Alright girls,” Rarity said as she flicked her hair and began to leave, “give him the usual.”

Dano tried to protest, but before he could speak Lotus and Aloe were upon him. They poked and prodded, trying to get him through an interior door. Dano tried to resist, but the harder he resisted the more forceful the two spa employees became. Dano eventually gave up and entered the room they wanted him to go in.

“Take off your clothes, and put on the towel. When you are ready go out that door.” Aloe said as she pointed to a white towel hanging on a hook on the wall, and then a door behind Dano. Aloe closed the door they came in, and Dano sighed. The things I get myself into…

The room that Dano was stripping in was small, and had three white painted, wooden doors. Dano assumed that the places was just a stop before he hit the spa proper. The walls were blue and the floor spotless white tile. The place was well kept and clean, and it reminded Dano of the hospital. He shuddered at the thought then got undressed.

Dano exited the door Aloe had told him to with the towel wrapped around his waist snuggly. The two twins were waiting for him, and when Dano exited the changing room they looked him over. Their eyes widened a tad as they scanned his body, and when they finished they looked at each other and giggled. Dano felt a huge confidence boost. He had worked hard for the last three months, and apparently it showed.

The twins led Dano to a large bath tub and told him to get in. Dano waited for them to exit the bath room before removing his towel and stepping into the hot water. Dano let out a content sigh as the water loosened his muscles. He hadn’t had a hot bath since before he woke up in his tank, and that was over twenty years ago. Dano chuckled, he was actually thirty eight years old, but was still in an eighteen year old body. Dano rested his head on the side of the porcelain tub and examined his surroundings, only to find the same decor as the waiting room and the changing room. Dano closed his eyes and let the bath do its job, and he soon dozed off.

Dano was awakened by Lotus, and was told to get out of the tub. He complied after Lotus turned the other way, and put on his towel. Lotus led Dano through another door that looked the same as the others and down a small hallway. There were two doors on each wall, and at the end of the hall. Dano followed Lotus to the far right door and let him in. Dano walked in and looked around, and soon put together that it was a steam room. He took a seat on the long wooden benches that took up half of the three walls. The rest of the walls were covered in wood paneling, as well as the ceiling.

Lotus poured water on the rocks that sat in the middle of the room, and steam began to spread throughout the area. Dano relaxed as the spa employee continued to pour water onto the hot rocks until the room was full of the grey steam, and then left Dano alone. The humidity was oppressive, but strangely soothing. Dano felt a smile creep across his face, and he mentally thanked Rarity for this relaxing day.

After the steam room Dano was sent to a cool bath were both Lotus and Aloe scrubbed his hair. Months of neglect left his hair unconditioned and tough. The two twins commented on it immensely, but Dano ignored them and concentrated on the soothing feeling of the two girls massaging his scalp. When they were done Dano got out of the pool and sent into the changing room through the third door where some clothes were waiting for him.

They weren’t his old military clothing, but actual nice civilian duds. Dano put on a pair of boxer briefs, loose cut grey jeans, a beige turtle neck, a black front zip vest, a pair of black socks and a pair of low cut black boots. Dano left the small room after he was dressed wondering where his things went. The door exited into the waiting room, and there was Rarity, sitting with Dano’s equipment.

She was distracted by the jacket when Dano exited the dressing room. When she heard the door close Rarity looked up and smiled.

“You look fabulous Daniel.”

Dano looked at himself and smiled.

“I guess I do, and call me Dano.”

Rarity chuckled.

“Dano is such an improper name, but Daniel is just fantastic.”

Dano gave her a look, and she sighed.

“Fine, I will call you Dano.”

Rarity didn’t look happy, but Dano didn’t really care. He was more concerned with what to do next.

“So now what?”

Rarity smiled and stood.

“We are going back to Twilight’s, she was very interested in you.”

Dano swallowed, he didn’t like the sound of that, but it was his only option. Rarity stood and walked to the door, leaving Dano’s things behind.

“What about my stuff?” Dano asked.

“Aloe and Lotus will send it to the drycleaners. They are filthy.”

Dano sighed and followed Rarity out the door. Aloe and Lotus were standing in the threshold calling to the couple as they walked away.

“Come back any time Daniel!”

Dano chuckled, and Rarity smiled.

“They must fancy you.” Rarity raised an eyebrow as she looked at Dano.

Dano chuckled again.

“Lucky me.”

well, the mane 6 are in the picture
yes they are
hopefully people enjoy the way i clothed and portrait them
i think you did well
wha...? logic you never say things like that
it was the logical thing to say to make you feel better
aww your such a nice vulcan
*sage nod*
say it
say what
you know what
no
cmon
no
do it or your becoming pinkie pie
but she is so illogical
do it or i will
fine. live long and prosper
swag

there it is mares and gentlecolts
the mane 6
and like i promised
you get another pic
here it is:

don't forget to comment
that is all
kthanxbai