Seeing Yellow, The Return

I woke up, Fluttershy still in my arms. I missed waking up with her next to me. Just as I thought this, she stirred and opened her eyes. We looked at each other. My green eyes meeting her aqua ones.

"Morning." I said.

"Morning." she replied.

Then, suddenly, we both spoke together.

"It certainly is!"

We gazed at each other for a couple of seconds. Then we started laughing. Great minds really do think alike.

"I really miss waking up next to you." said Fluttershy, tightening her hold on me.

"Same here."

"I... I started to cry every time I woke up and you weren't next to me. It just felt wrong." Fluttershy said, voice brimming with sadness.

"So did I." I held the yellow pony close to me. "I wish I had never sent you back. We have obviously both suffered enough in the other's absence."

"I wish you could live with me in Equestria. Forever..."

"I want that too. But Celestia... she wouldn't approve."

"Yeah..."

We seemed to get back into that well worn routine that we did, day after day while she was here the first time. But, unlike many routines, this one wasn't monotonous. It was always interesting. Today however, Fluttershy deviated from the usual routine. After the walk to the tree on the hill, she held up Supernatural Season 1.

"Can I watch this?" she asked.

I wasn't sure. But hey, Supernatural was R16. She was 23. She was legally allowed to watch it.

"Sure. I'll come watch it too."

The next few hours were spent watching Season 1. Then we started watching Season 2. She seemed to instantly become a fanpony while watching it. She loved everything about it. The jump-scares, the characters, the plot, etcetera. She lent up against me, placing a foreleg around me and placing her head on my side as she watched. I started stroking her coat. I wasn't really watching, just like last night. My mind was too busy focusing on Fluttershy.

Disk 5 of Season 2 had ended, so I got up and went to change the disk. Before I had taken 2 steps, light flared in front of me. I stepped back, and looked at Fluttershy. She looked as confused as I felt. We both watched as a figure galloped out of the light. A purple pony. More specifically, an alicorn. I instantly recognised her. It was Twilight Sparkle. She looked at Fluttershy, completely ignoring me.

"Fluttershy! You need to get back to Equestria! Now!"

"What? What happened?" she asked.

"Yes." I spoke up. "Why? She was allowed two weeks here with me."

Twilight seemed to notice me for the first time.

"You must be Michael, correct?" she asked. "Fluttershy's lover?"

"Yes. That's me."

She trotted around me, examining me from every angle. She was staring at me so intently that I got a little uncomfortable. "Before you leave with Fluttershy, I would like to speak with you."

She looked at me with her large eyes, similar to Fluttershy's. "Yes?"

I knelt down so I was looking straight at her.

"I would just like to thank you for getting Fluttershy back to me. And for finding out how to send letters to me. And for standing up to Princess Celestia when she tried to wipe Fluttershy's memory. I just can't thank you enough."

"Thank you for that. We must talk more later, because Fluttershy, as the Element of Kindness, is needed to protect Equestria."

"From what?" Fluttershy and I spoke simultaneously.

"Queen Chrysalis has returned. With an army. Creatures from all over Equestria. It's large. Massive, in fact."

This was huge. War was brimming in Equestria. I turned to Fluttershy, and I grabbed her shoulder.

"Fluttershy." I spoke, very seriously. "I was looking forward to these 2 weeks with you. But your world is on the brink of war. You are needed."

She hugged me.

"It just seems cruel. How we just got back together, only to be ripped apart." she said.

"I know. Just, come back to me when you're done? Okay? So these 2 weeks can be lived out together. I can't live without you Fluttershy. Don't die."

"I won't. I promise."

I released her and looked at Twilight Sparkle. She was blinking back a few tears. I looked at Fluttershy. She nodded and joined Twilight. Together, they moved into the light, and the light was gone. I looked at the place where they disappeared. The fates really were cruel. I sat back on the couch. 2 weeks together had turned into less than a day. However, Fluttershy really was needed. I could make peace with fact. I continued watching Supernatural, now focusing on it intently, so I didn't have to think about Fluttershy.

A day had passed, and I had started watching Supernatural again. It had barely started, when light once more appeared in front of me. Can I not watch Supernatural without getting interrupted? I laughed, and looked at the light. Fluttershy galloped out of it.

"Hey! Did you solve the problem that quick?" I asked.

She didn't answer. She started to drag me towards the portal.

"Fluttershy? What are you doing?"

She released me, and then looked at me.

"We need your help."

"My help? Why?"

"I'll explain later. Just come on!"

"No. I'm not going without good reason."

"Fine. You were always difficult." she said.

"You know it!" I answered.

That made her laugh slightly.

"Queen Chrysalis's army contains humans." she said.

"Humans?"

"Yeah. We ponies can't touch them for some reason. Plus, the Elements of Harmony are missing."

"That's a good enough reason. I'm going."

I turned off the TV, and walked through the portal, Fluttershy right behind me.

It was the most strangest feeling. I was falling through light and shadow. My body seemed to be melting and reforming. I couldn't speak. I couldn't breathe. Then I landed on grass. I sat up, took a few deep breaths, and looked around. Fluttershy was next to me, smiling. Twilight Sparkle was looking at me with a small smile. Every other member of the mane 6 was there. Rainbow Dash was flying around above me, looking for any sign of weakness. Applejack was staring at me, her head slightly cocked to one side. Rarity was looking at my clothes, obviously looking for something to critique. Only Pinkie Pie seemed happy at my arrival. She was jumping up and down, smiling. When I looked at her, she jumped over to me and hugged me. I was confused, but hugged her back.

"So, this is what a human looks like! So weird!" Pinkie said, releasing me and jumping around me. "Wait! This is your first time in Ponyville!" She rose off the ground, about to launch herself towards Ponyville. I knew she about to start a party for me, even when a war was about to begin. I grabbed her out the air.

"Pinkie. Now is not the time for partying. We can party all you want later. But now we have a crisis on our hands. And in your case, hooves." I said, maybe a little more firmly than I wanted to.

Her hair deflated. "No party?" she said sadly.

"No party right now. Big party later." I said, in a more caring voice.

Her hair instantly poofed back into shape, God, she really was random.

"Okay doky loky!" she said. I placed her back on the ground.

I stood up. Everypony, apart from Fluttershy, stepped back a little. Even Pinkie couldn't help but move away. They were all scared of me. Why wouldn't they be? I was a totally different creature, from a totally different world. Plus, I was taller than anypony else there. I looked around. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadence and Shining Armour were all watching me. I walked over to them, and knelt down, bowing my head. I was in the presence of royalty, so time to be formal.

"Princess Celestia. Princess Luna. Princess Cadence. Shining Armour. I am at your service. Ready to do your bidding."

I felt somepony approach me. I looked up, and saw Celestia, looking straight down at me. Her gaze was not warm or welcoming. It was cold. She was trying to intimidate me, I could just feel it. I would not be so easily scared. I met her gaze with my own. She seemed intent on proving to me that she was the boss around here. Hadn't I already proven that I was ready to follow her?

"Rise." she commanded.

I stood back up. Everypony was gazing at me and Celestia, at our battle of intimidation.

"Human." she said simply.

"Princess." I replied sharply.

I knew that Princess Celestia didn't want me here. But I couldn't show any weakness in front of her. This was the leader of all Equestria I was speaking to. She was trying to scare me. I accepted her challenge. Let her try.

"You know why you are here?"

"Partly. I need some explanation."

"Humans from your world have joined the army of Queen Chrysalis. I believe you have something to do with this."

She was accusing me? Of helping the enemy? This could be a test, so I kept my voice level and my face impassive.

"Why do you think that? Haven't I already proved that I am loyal to you, Princess? I would never send anyone into Equestria. I cannot conjure up a portal like your student can. I cannot send anything into your world."

"Really?" she said. Then my mind was assaulted. I fell to one knee in pain. She had forced herself into my memories. She was trying to find evidence against me. I knew I had done nothing, but the way she had tried to prove it was objectionable. I knew how to fight back against this. I fought back mentally, slowly pushing her out of my mind, worming my way into hers. Finally, I had gained access to her mind. I spoke, and my voice seemed magnified.

"You should ask before entering the depths of one's mind."

I cut the mental connection between us. I opened my eyes. I was standing over Celestia. She was on the ground. She rose back to her hooves. She gave me a small smile, the first one I had received from her.

"You are stronger than you appear, human. You have passed my test." She turned around and started to converse with the other princesses and the single captain. I turned around. Everypony, even Fluttershy this time, stepped away from me. I probably was even more scary now. I had bested Celestia, the most powerful pony in Equestria. I smiled and sat down on the grass. Fluttershy galloped over to me and hugged me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know she would do that." she said.

"It's fine Fluttershy. I could handle it."

The mane 6 moved closer to me. I didn't know how to quell their fears of me. I then got an idea. I moved so I was kneeling and moved over to Twilight Sparkle. I held out my hand and she took it. We shook, hand to hoof. I moved over to Applejack and held out my hand. She stepped backwards slightly but extended her hoof. I took it and slowly we shook hand and hoof.

"My name is Michael. I'm sure you have heard about me."

"Err, yeah. From Fluttershy. My name is Applejack."

I moved around the rest of the mane 6, introducing myself and asking how their respective lives are. I sensed that they were warming up to me. I moved back in front of Twilight Sparkle.

"Twilight. I need some explanation of why I'm here."

"It's simple really. Queen Chrysalis's army is massing. Humans have joined Queen Chrysalis's side. Not only that, we can't touch them physically or magically. They can attack us, but our attacks get us nowhere. Our magic can't harm them or anything else in her army. We think Chrysalis has performed a very ancient spell, nullifying any pony magic. And, even worse, the Elements of Harmony have been stolen."

"I see. So, you decided to get my help... why?"

"You are the only friendly human we know. Plus, you can use magic. I hope you will help us."

"Of course I'll help you. Who is fighting on our side? The..." I counted quickly, "11 of us won't be able to do much. This is war, and we need fighters."

"We've evacuated all of Ponyville and Canterlot. We can't place anypony in harm's way."

"I see."

I looked out at the army massing around 70 meters away. Ponies of all breeds were there. Humans were there also. Creatures of all kinds were there as well. It didn't look good. We only had 10 ponies. 6 of them representing the Elements of Harmony, but without the actual Elements. 2 god ponies and 1 captain of the Royal Guard and his wife. And then there was me. A single human who everypony expected to be a saviour. We did need help.

"Twilight. We need the help of the ponies from Canterlot and Ponyville, and beyond. We can't do this alone." I said.

"I'm afraid that's out of the question." said a voice from behind me. I turned. Celestia was looking me. "I will not put my little ponies in danger. They must remain behind."

"Celestia." I stood up. "I do not doubt or question your intentions of keeping ponies safe. However, you cannot deny that you need help. Your magic is useless. I believe I am the only one who can touch the other humans, so you can't do anything about them. Chrysalis is more powerful than ever. Face it. You need help."

"No. I will not allow anypony to be injured or placed into trouble,"

"And if we lose? They will be enslaved or killed. Your protection and caring will not stop that."

Celestia turned and stalked off. I had made her mad. I turned back to the group of ponies.

"We must fight. We have to win." I said.

Another voice came from behind me. This time, a male's. Shining Armor. "Everypony over here."

The ponies moved over to him, but I held Fluttershy back.

"Fluttershy. When all seems lost, I want you to gather the ponies that have evacuated. We need their help."

"I got it."

"Fluttershy."

"Yeah?"

I brushed my lips against her own. "Don't die, okay?"

"I won't."

We went over to Shining Armor, who was discussing battle tactics.

"I have a plan. Human, you have to take on the other humans, and find and disable the spell Queen Chrysalis is using. Get the Elements of Harmony back as well. After that, it should be fine. If we can't use magic, we are doomed."

"That's putting it nicely." I said sarcastically. "So, alone, I need to fight my way through the humans, ponies and the other creatures, find Queen Chrysalis, disable the magic barrier and return the Elements of Harmony, while you all sit here and watch?"

"U-U- Umm..." said Shining Armor. "Yeah."

I face palmed. "No deal. I've got a better plan. I want you to hold a line. That's all. Leave the rest to me, and all of you, stay back. You will know when to attack. When you do attack, don't kill the humans or the ponies. They are being controlled. Knock them out or something like that."

"What are you going to do?" asked Fluttershy.

"Win this thing. Hopefully."