Adaptation (original draft)

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6

Chapter 1

Editor/Proofreader:Roran Dreamon

For the third time this week he had left his appartment in a huff, the third time in as many days he had stomped out his appartment, frustriated and stressed. "Why can't we focus on the positive?" he thought. "Is this all the human race can do? focus on the negative? Aren't we better than this?" As he walked his doubts tormented him. "We are the most highly evolved species on the planet, the sole sentient race on Earth, and that's it? Bad news, more corruption, more violence, more hate?" He wondered why this was the case. "Damn it we're better than this I know we are." he said to no one in particular he stood there lost in his moment....

As he stood there suddenly lost an thick blanket of fog, he shifted around nervously wondering what had happened. "Where did this fog come from?" He thought as he struggled to remain calm and looked for a sign of where he was, but saw nothing. No streetlights, no headlights from passing cars, nothing. He closed his eyes to focus on listening, but heard only an unnerving silence. Panicking he turned to run and greeted by nothing but a thick wall of grey, but still he ran forward thinking that he would eventually find something or someone to help him.

All throughout Ponyville everypony was confused by the strange weather as the weather team hadn't scheduled any rain for that night and fog was unheard of outside of the Everfree forest. In the Golden Oaks library Twilight was looking at the out the window with a very puzzled expression on her face. "SPIIIIKE." she shouted.

"Yeah Twilight." he grumbled as he made his way down the stairs and into the main room.

"Oh there you are Spike, I need you to get me a copy of Equestrian Historical Weather Almanac please." she said as she started to levitate parchment, quills, and inkwells with her magic.

"What do need that dusty old thing for?" Spike asked .

"Well," Twilight began "there's a dense fog outside tonight and I was wondering about it." Twilight chirped.

"I don't see why you're so happy Twilight it's just some freak weather, that's all." Spike huffed.

Twilight gasped "It's not just some odd weather, Spike it's a chance to observe something that maybe hasn't been cataloged in hundreds of years." she said as she placed her supplies on her desk.

"Yeah, yeah." Spike replied as he climbed the ladder and began his search. "Lets see The Equestrian Historcal Weather Almanac." Spike said thoughtfully. "Ah-Ha!" the dragon exclaimed as he found the requested tome. "Here you go Twilight, the Equestrian Historical Weather thingy you asked for." he said as he handed her the book. She took the book from him with her magic

"Thanks Spike now I can catalog the details and cross-refernce them with the historical records." she beamed happily.

"Yeah, yeah I'm gonna go take bath now." Spike grumbled as he ascended the stairs.

Outside however Ponyville's strange weather had brought with it a strange creature as well. Stopping he looked around still not seeing anything.

"Damn it!" he growled in frustration.

"Where the hell am I?" he snarled in annoyance. Then he heard something that made his blood turn to ice, a low predatory growl. Freezing on the spot he turns towards the sound and sees a pair of glowing yellow eyes.

"What now?" He thought as he stood there and saw the creature that made the sound as it slowly stalked out the dense fog. There it stood glaring at him a wolf or that's what it looked like, except that it appeared to be constructed rather than having been born it was comprised what looked like wood, but was clearly supposed to be a wolf.

"By the goddess." he whispered fearfully. The wolf crouched low and sprang at him, but by shifting his weight and leaning slightly backwards while sliding his right leg to the side he was able to evade the wolf's lunge, mostly.

"AHHH." he looked at his chest as a searing pain passed though his body and realised that he was bleeding. Without a moments hesitation he bolted as wolf landed on its feet and was forced to turn around after its failed strike. He ran faster than he thought possible as he heard the wolf emit a bloodcurdling howl and began to chase him through the fog.

The wolf continued to chase of its prey which somehow managed to remain frustratingly out of reach. He however started to notice that there were lights not far in the distance, his lungs burned with the need for oxygen but he pressed on determined to survive.

It was then that Twilight noticed the sound of howling. "Is that a timberwolf? What's it doing in town?" Twilight said to nopony in particular, as she trotted over to her door opening it with her magic and stepping outside. Upon exiting the library what she saw confused her. It was a minotaur or something close to it, it stood on two legs like a minotaur but lacked horns, fur,and hooves.

Seeing her in front of him he called out to her "Help me please." he called out in his disinctly male voice. Twilight knew that he was in trouble when she heard this and the growls of the timberwolf she charged her horn and her wings flared to life as she took off closing the distance between them.

"Get down I'll help you!" she shouted, and he complied by tripping on a rock and falling to the ground as the wolf lunged at him once more only to be blasted to bits by Twilight's spell. Her hooves touched the ground and she turned to face her rescuee. He rose to his hands and knees panting heavily his limbs shaking from exhaustion he managed to sit up and turned to face her. What he then saw was litterally out of a fantasy novel, she stood four feet tall and was covered in Lavender fur having wings and a horn and was looking at him with large Amethyst colored eyes that were clearly showing concern, she spoke in a gentle yet powerful voice.

"Oh my gosh you're not hurt are you?" she asked.

"It got me a little." he replied with pain in evident in his voice. He started to shake with fear from his ordeal Twilight placed a hoof on his shoulder.

"Hey you're going to be okay all right." she said comfortingly.

He gave a weak smile and said "It figures I'd be rescued by an Alicorn, I'd like to chat but I'm in shock." he said shakily.

"I promise that you'll be fine." Twilight said reassuringly.

"Thank you." he responded weakly before fainting.

"Hey! hey come on wake up!" Twilight said frantically trying to shake him awake, but to no avail. She picked him up with her magic and brought him inside. Twilight called for spike while placing him the on the couch.

"Spiiiike I need you bring me the first aid kit." confused Spike came down the stairs while complaining bitterly.

"What do you need th-." the question died in his mouth as he saw the being on the couch "Twilight what the heck is that THING?!" he exclaimed as he leapt down from the stairs as he rushed defensively between her and the creature.

"Spike he can't hurt us he's not even awake!" Twilight huffed in annoyance.

"Well you can never be to careful with a freaky mutant minotaur Twilight." he retorted.

"Just get the first aid kit Spike, he's hurt." Twilight said flatly.

"Allright." Spike said while retreiving the kit from the kitchen."Here you go Twilight." he said handing her the kit. She took the kit in her magic while retrieving a wash cloth and wetting it from the kitchen and bringing it over to clean the wound. She looked at the injury and noticed that it was actually little more than a sractch.

"How did he manage to avoid a more serious injury?" she mused as she cleaned the wound.

"I don't know Twilight maybe he just got lucky." Spike said while observing the injury.

"Maybe," Twilight said "but I don't think so, I can't help but wonder if there's something more going on here." she said thoughtfully.

"Oh come on Twi, it's not like he use magic or anything so don't worry about it." he mused.

"We don't know that Spike, we're dealing with an entirely new species here." she spoke as went about cleaning, disinfecting and then bandaging the wound.

"Spike we need to send a letter to the princesses about him." Twilight stated matter-of-factly.

"Right." Spike replyed. Spike grabbed a quill and some paper and after readying the quill with ink he began taking down Twilight's letter to the princesses.

Dear Princess Celestia I've a matter of the utmost importance to bring to you and Princess Luna's attention I have discovered a new kind of species in Ponyville although I don't yet know what he is exactly I do know that he is a male and who was in danger when I found him during an unusual weather event in Ponyville what I can tell you at the moment is that he is tall (maybe as tall as you princess) and bipedal like a minotaur but he is clearly not a minotaur as he lacks any horns, fur, or hooves. I will send further details when I have them. Your faithful student Twilight Sparkle.

"All right Spike send it right away." Twilight said. Spike raised up the scroll and breathed out a green flame sending the letter on its way.

"Now all we have to do is wait for the princess to reply." Twilight said as she looked over their mystery guest.

"Then I'm going to go bed." Spike said drowsily as he re-ascended the stairs.

"Goodnight Spike." Twilight responded.

In Canterlot Princess Luna sat at her desk while examining anomalus weather reports that had come in from Cloudsdale and a few other weather administrations across Equestria, when Twilight's letter came to her desk.

"How strange." Luna mused "A letter from Tia's student at this hour." She took the letter in her magic and proceeded to read the letter's contents, as she looked over the letter she gasped "Tia must be told right away." she thought. Luna immedately galloped towards her sister's room. Rushing past her sister's guard she burst though the doors waking Celestia instantly.

"Lulu what could possibly merit bursting into my room at this hour I need to sleep!" Celestia groaned sleepily.

"I am very sorry sister but your student has sent a rather alarming letter." Luna stated.

"A letter, at this hour? What does it say?" Celestia asked.

"Well Tia you'll need to read it, the news is shocking." she said panting slightly as she passed the letter to her sister with her magic. The sun princess took the letter and began to read it thoughtfully and then gasped.

"Luna this news is very shocking indeed,but we'll need to leave this Twilight for the time being. I actually think that this will be an excellent opportunity for her to expand her friendship studies as well."Celestia mused in a thoughtful fashion.

"Sister what if this new species is dangerous?" Luna questioned.

"Luna, we must trust that Twilight will exercise the proper judgment, and we must not make the mistake of assuming that this creature is a threat." She cautioned gently.

"We will give her some time to gather the relevant information and make our judgement then.I will not repeat the mistakes our mother made when she ruled Equestria."Celestia said sternly.

Luna recoiled slightly "Of course not sister we not are not our mother!" the night princess replied with some bitterness.

Celestia smiled weakly "I know sister we will continue to rule fairly and justly." she soothed. "Now sister I must rest so that I will be able to preform my duties." she yawned.

"Yes sister good night." Luna said.

"Good night Luna." she replied as Luna left the room.

Chapter 2 Author's Note

I'm changing perspective in this chapter from 3rd to 1st person because chapter 1 feels rigid to me no farther shifts are likely to happen though.

Chapter 2

Editor/Proofreader:Roran Dreamon

I awoke to noises coming from the what I presumed to be the kitchen.

"Come on Spike we need to make sure that everything is ready." that female voice again" I wonder who she is" I thought as I continued to listen.

"Oh come on Twilight we don't even know what that thing eats, and why gonna feed it anyway isn't that just stupid?"

"Spike! First of all he's not a thing, and secondly he needs our help!" Twilight fumed. Before this "Spike" could speak again I decided to interject.

"Um I'm not sure I like being called a thing and I most certainly don't appreciate being treated like I am a threat just because I'm different." I stated flatly.

"You see Spike it's never a good idea to make a snap judgment." she said turning to face me. "Hello I'm Twilight Sparkle and the grump in the kitchen is my number one assistant Spike."

I replied as I sat up from the couch "I'm Bryan and I'm human, so you are an Alicorn I thought I might have been dreaming last night." stretching as I stood I noticed Twilight looking me over intently. "Like what you see?" I quipped prompting a cute little blush form the lavender equine.

"Oh." she said looking at the floor for moment "It's just that you're not like anything else in Equestria is all."

I cocked my head and asked "Equestria? Is that the name of the nation or the planet?"

"Oh no Equestria is the country you're in it's ruled by the princesses Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, as for the planet it's just called Equis."

My jaw dropped at this "Wow really? You mean to tell me that your world is called Equis? That's something I can't say I've heard before." I sat back down shaking slightly from yet another shock.

"Um yes." she said. "So" Twilight started " where is it that you're from? I can't say that I've heard of your race before."

"Well," I began. "the planet I come from is called Earth. I don't think you've heard of it before."

Twilight looked like she was going to say something but then the "grump in the kitchen" decied to interject.

That's when a cough interrupted us "That's interesting and all but breakfast is ready."

When I saw him I finally freaked out "Goddess of Oceans you're a DRAGON." the little lavender and green Wyrmling looked satisfied by my response.

"Yes I'm a Dragon so don't go making trouble for Twilight or getting any funny ideas or you'll have to deal with me got it." he puffed out his chest trying to look intimidating.

"Spiiiiiike THAT'S ENOUGH!!" Twilight fumed, as I simply stood to reveal my six foot height.

Spike recoiled a bit and said "I'm sorry Twilight."

But before she could speak I chose to interject once again "It's alright Twilight, he's a dragon they are notoriously defensive with their families and have strong territorial instincts, so that's a normal behavior." "Also could I get my shirt back please?" I asked hoping to defuse the situation.

"Oh" she said "um we can't give your shirt back just yet it's not dry."

"Oh, ok then I'll wait." feeling releived that the disaster was averted.

As we walked/trortted into the kitchen Twilight spoke up "Um what do you eat by the way?"

"Well as long it dosen't have grass, hay, or flowers I"m fine I actually like oatmeal quite a bit, espeacially with blue berries or apples and cinnamon that's when it's best."

As we entered the kitchen and sat down to breakfast Spike looked up at me with his allready large green eyes even wider "So you know a lot about dragons?" he asked excitedly.

"Well yes sort of, I don't really know how accurate it is in your case but I'm seeing some things that I recognize in your behavior." I replied as I lifted up a slightly to small spoon and examined it.

"Sorry is it to small?" Twilight asked.

"A little, but I'll deal with it." I said as I started in the oatmeal that had been placed in front of me.

"Thank you Spike."

"You're welcome, so what can you tell me about Dragons?" he asked entusiastically. I ate a bite of what had to be the best oatmeal in history as I thought, and swallowed before responding with my own question.

"Twilight, Spike how is it that neither of you know anything about dragons?" Twilight spat out some her tea in classic spit take, unfortunately for poor Spike he was in the line of fire.

"Nice one Twi." he deadpanned while toweling off. Twilight laughed nervously and said.

"Well ponies don't normally go near dragons because they're to scary and rare, to even see one is really unusual. We tried doing research once but there's not really anything we could use, and Spike tried learning from other dragons, but it did'nt end well."

I sat back taking it all in "I see, that's not surprising actually."

"So you'll tell me then?" Spike asked with even more enthusiasm than before.

"I'll tell what I can Spike, but I'm gonna need to learn about where I am first, it's to important for me to not understand that information." I said.

"Oh ok." he replied slightly crestfallen.

Twilight nuzzled Spike and said "Hey Spike he said he'd help you he just needs time to learn about Equestria first." Spike brightened up a bit.

"You're right! Hey Bryan I'm sorry I threatened you earlier."

"No worries Spike I doubt I'd have done differently in your place, besides I'm not one carry a grudge ordinarily because I perfer to be diplomatic rather than being cofrontational. Such behavior is a waste anyway, and I'm not here make enemies, I'd prefer to be friends." I said smiling.

"Oh how wonderful, I can make a new friend and study a whole species at the same time." she squealed while clopping her front hooves together.

Spike and I burst out laughing. "She's a regular egghead isn't she Spike?"

"Oh big time, you have no idea Bryan." he continued to until he suddenly belched out green flame that then turned into a scroll.

"Oh crap!" I exclaimed while grabbing the table's edge to avoid falling backwards in the all to small in chair I was sitting in.

"Are you alright?" Spike asked as I righted myself.

"That just startled me is all." I said as Twilight took the scroll in her magic and began to read its contents.

My faithful student Twilight Sparkle

We are currently investigating the occurences of fog around Ponyville and other places in Equestria and so far your story about finding an unusual creature is the only one.

On that note Luna and I will be coming to Ponyville to meet you and see this discovery for ourselves, so please keep "him" in and away from everypony else for the time please understand that this is for "his" safety and everypony else's we do not yet know how everypony will react to "him" and even if "he" is not dangerous to anypony somepony may be dangerous to "him".

We will be coming in three days so make sure to some information ready for us and the doctors that we will be bringing with us to examine "him".

I assure you that "he" has nothing to fear from our visit please make sure that "he" understands that we mean "him" no harm.
Princess Celestia.

"Well I'm not sure how to take this exactly." Twilight spoke thoughtfully. "I mean the princesses are coming to see you for themselves and they're going to bring some doctors from Canterlot to examine you." she said to Spike and I. "Oh and she wants me to keep you in the library for the time being because she thinks that somepony might try to hurt you, but I can't understand that why would anypony try to hurt you they don't even know you and you are clearly not dangerous at all Bryan!" she stomped her hoof in the ground for emphasis.

I reached down and stroked Twilight's mane to get her attention. "Twilight, we can't presume that the princess asked you to keep me inside because she wants limit me in some way. I can tell you from experience that Humans can do really stupid things based on fear and shock. Ponies may not be predatory by nature like Humans. But sentient beings are sentient beings and make mistakes as well as occasionally do things that are out of character, there's no point in getting upset about it." I said appreciatively "Though that gives me bit an issue, I can't very well meet the princess dressed like this I have nothing to wear while these clothes are drying and they definitely have to cleaned and my shirt needs to fixed." I stated flatly.

Twilight looked up at me with a curious expression and asked a question that honestly I should have seen coming. "Why are you even worrying about your clothes at all?" she said. "I mean really ponies aren't clothed all of the time, we only wear them on certain occasions." she looked slightly disappointed as I withdrew my hand from her mane and face palmed, hard.

I rubbed my face to try to stop the stinging sensation I'd caused myself to feel. "Twilight Humans are largely hairless, we have no coat to keep us shielded from the weather. Additionally for me it's a personal preference, I simply despise the idea of being exposed to all of Equestria and I've no scales to protect me from injury like Spikey here." I said annoyed (though only slightly). "I mean I just can't go showing about with my umm, how to put this delicately, AH, my stallion parts hanging out for everypony to see." I defended.

"So you're embarrased." Twilight giggled as she spoke, while Spike grumbled a littlle.

"Don't call me Spikey. Only Rarity can do that." he said as he started to go about his daily work routine.

"I'm sooo glad that my discomfort is a source of amusement for you, Twily." I smirked at her slack-jawed reaction for a moment then realized I done something I shouldn't have earlier. "Uh, Twilight."

She snapped of of her reverie and said "Yes, Bryan?"

"I'm sorry about the mane thing earlier I know I shouldn't have done that without your ok first, truly I am sorry."

"Oh no worries, Bryan but you do need to be more careful about that in the future somepony could be really upset by that. But don't worry I'll teach you everything I can about pony culture, and after your meeting with the doctors and princesses my friends can help you too." she tapped her chin with her hoof in a thoughtful and adorable gesture.

"Now the princesses need some information about you Bryan, let's see where shall we start?" she thought for a moment "Ah let's start with your diet, ok what do humans eat?"

I gulped and answered honestly "We're omnivores." I relpied (slightly) dreading her reaction.

She gasped "You eat meat?"

I nodded "Yeah, if we don't humans are vulnerable to sickness and injury without the protein we don't recover as quickly and our general health will start to fail, but don't worry Twilight I would never eat a pony or any sentient for that matter." Twilight looked visibly relieved at my assurance.

"Ok" she continued "so you can also eat plants and eggs?" I nodded "So what about gemstones?" I was stunned only Dragons can do that as far as I know.

"Uh, no Twilight humans can't eat gemstones anymore that we can eat flowers, grass, and hay."

She had turned partially towards me showing me her side for the first time, that was when I noticed a tattoo? As she continued to think I studdied the mark intently, it was large pink starburst surrounded by five smaller white stars. Then I saw her looking at me I instantly turned away my face red and hot.

"Why are you looking at my flank?" she shouted.

"Nice one idiot." I muttered under my breath. "I was being rude I know but I caught up in wondering what was the deal with the stars on your flank, but I just wound up being lewd, I make no excuses, I'm very sorry Twilight." I lowered my head as I sat down on the couch. She trotted up to me and placed her hoof on the side of my face and raised my face up to look her in the eyes. Her face softened as she spoke.

"It's alright Bryan we all make mistakes." she giggled "You're very awkward aren't you?" I simply nodded. Twilight smiled "I'll tell what it is ok?"

To my surprise she nuzzled my cheek and told me "You'll be allright I promise." I smiled at her appreciatively.

"Thank you Twilight." I said weakly.

"Ok" she said "now this is a Cutie Mark." she pointed at her flank with a hoof "It siginfies a pony's special talent, something that they excel at in my case it's magic." Twilight lowered her hoof and turned back to her notes. "Now Bryan we have a lot more ground to cover before lunch, so let's get back on track shall we?" I sighed.

"Right, Twilight." I said, it was going to be a long three days, but I'm going to get through this I told my self. "Adapt" my mind told me that's what Humans do best after all.

Chapter 3

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 4 Author's Note

A big thanks to my editor/proofreader Roran Dreamon for helping me make sense of this fromer rat's nest of over eleven thousand words.

Chapter 4

Editor/Proofreader:Roran Dreamon

"Well," Spike said "since you're going to take some time to get ready then, we might as well have lunch."

"That's a great idea Spike, then I can tell Bryan a little more about our friends." Twilight beamed.

"Allright, then I'll get right on that." Spike said as he dashed into the kitchen.

I however laughed a bit at this interaction. "The two of you are a confusing mix of brother and sister and mother and son, I've never seen the like in all my days, it's crazy." "It's simply darling sometimes." I continued to laugh until I started coughing.

Twilight jumped up and trotted over to me and delivered a swift, sharp, smack between my shoulders.

*THWACK*

"Better?" she asked.

"OWWWW, yeah, that stings like heck though." I said painfully.

Twilight looked at worriedly "I'm so sorry did I do it to hard?"

I started snickering a little. "You should really word that better Twilight, you kind of sound like you're saying something, oh how shall I put it this? It sounds like you're making a more shall we say naughty statement." I said.

Once again Twilight blushed adoreably. "Aha ha ha ha, you're just teasing me, aren't you?" she kept blushing.

I stopped laughing. "Sorry about that Twily it's just that I'm not the only one here whose awkward, and if I'm honest you're awfully cute when you blush." I smilled at her as she sat down on the couch with me. "So what about these friends fo yours that I'll be meeting."

We talked had tea and then ate lunch. As we left the library I noted how beautiful the day was and the town Ponyville was a wonderful sight, of course the other ponies were stareing at the strange new creature in their midst. Honestly, I don't blame them I to was stareing in wonderment at the sights and ponies around me, they were naturally cautious of me, and really as nervous as I was I didn't take offense, I wouldn't that's not me and I won't give who I am. It was then I caught a flash of Pink and moved to intercept it before it collided with Twilight.

"Twilly watch it!" I shouted as I stepped in front of her (or maybe I teleported?) and the Pink blur slammed into me, as it happened I automatically braced myself by stepping backwards as it hit me me and when I opened my eyes I saw a face, the face of a pony a very Pink pony.

She spoke to me as I held her up in my arms. "Wow you're goood." she giggled. "Hi my name is Pinkie Pie what's your name?"

I couldn't help but smile at her antics. "My name is Bryan, Twilight told me that were unpredictable, but wow you came out of noware that was amazing!" I looked into her big Baby Blue eyes and turned away blushing when I noticed that she was beautiful.

Pinkie just giggled. "Awwww, you're so cute, you kinda remind me of Fluttershy when you do that." "So now that I look at you, I've realized that I've never seen you before, if I've never seen you before then you must be new, and if you're new then must not have any friends, and if you don't have have any friends then you must be lonely, and if you're lonely then you must be so sad....."

I placed a finger on her mouth and she stopped her rant (if you can call it a rant anyway) "Pinkie I actually have made two friends Twilight and Spike." I was still smilling and blushing. "Would you like to be my third new friend?"

Pinkie produced a face splitting grin that was slightly creepy and said to me. "Would I ever! I'll throw you best Welcome to Ponyville party EVER!, you'll love it! There will be candy, cakes, and punch there'll definately be punch, is there any thing you like specifically?" she asked with a cute little eye flutter.

I thought for a moment. "Well please consider that I don't do well in large crowds, and that my hearing is quite sensitive so I can't stand a lot of noise so it will need to be quiter than other parties and I really think that the cake should be chocolate, oh and red velvet cake too it's really good cake." I paused for amoment to think. "Muffins there sould also be muffins, I like blue berry a lot.".

Pinkie had some how produced a pencil and notepad from her poofy Hot Pink mane and took notes. "Ok I gottcha smaller, quiter, and two cakes and blueberry muffins. Oh you'll love it Bry Bry I give you my Pinkie Pie Party Promise, ok I've got to go now so I can plan this out for you, and when I'm done you'll have lots and lots of new friends." she went to leave but I stopped her for moment.

"Pinkie." I said still holding her.

"Yeah Bry Bry?" she asked.

"I can allready tell that we're going to be the closest of friends." I said kissing her lightly on the nose.

*Squee* she replied and took off at a dazzling speed.

"Bryan, I told you that I really liked Red Velvet cake."

"Oh that's right, I just now remembered that." I was smilling still.

"By the way I'm kinda jealous of you, I mean I've known Pinkie for over a year now, and I can't handle her as easilly as you do, how'd you even do that?" Twilight asked.

"Really?" I said. "I honestly don't find her to that difficult to deal with, I mean yeah she's kinda bombastic, but you've got to roll with it."

As we walked to the Carousel Boutique Twilight turned the dicussion towards my openess to the idea of dateing ponies.

"So Bryan have thought about what kind of mare you're looking for?"

I looked at Twilight a little confused. "What do you mean exactly, that was a little vague."

She looked at me unsure of my meaning for a moment and then the metaphorical light bulb went off over her head. "Oh! What I ment was whether or not you knew what type of mare you were looking for?"

I thought about it for a moment. "Well that's more specific, well I have your context now anyway. Hmmm, well that is a somewhat broad question with a broad answer."

"It is?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, yes it is, what I mean is this, I could date a varity of mares in truth, I happen to have a bit of a range, a smart mare like you for example has no problem garnering my attention, but a happy go lucky sweetheart like Pinkie is also in the running, I could also date a soft quite sweetheart, an elegant, artisitc, and passionate mare a sleek sexy athletic type, or a dedicated down to earth mare with a high degree of common sense, it all depends."

Twilight stopped her hoof tracks while blushing furiously. "Bryan you just described me and all of my friends. I mean that doesn't make any sense."

I smiled and said. "With the way you've taken care of me so far did you think that you weren't going to be in there someware? And besides it's a little odd that you and your friends just happned to fall with in my range of prospects, provided you're not all seeing somepony else allready anyway."

"Oh I'm not seeing anypony at the moment, my studdies take up alot of my time, and Applejack and Rarity have been together for about two years now, they were together before I even came to Ponyville. And as for Pinkie well she doesn't have anypony that I know of, Rainbow Dash is a little too agressive for a lot of stallions, I think she might be into mares though, but I never asked, as for Fluttershy she's really sweet, but she's really shy so I doubt she seeing anypony either."

I processed what she had said to me. "HA! Talk about opposites attracting, with what you've told me those two sound like a perfect couple actually, I bet they still have their moments though."

Twilight smiled a little remembering some moments they'd had around her and the girls. "They sure do. But you're right they're really perfect for each other, and I don't care what some of those wealthy Canterlot ponies says about Filly-Foolers it's not wrong to love somepony who's the same gender as you."

It was my turn to stop dead in my tracks. "Twilight, why would you use such a derisive term to describe your friends. I mean really Filly-Fooler that's easily one of the most prejudiced things I've ever heard, and many in my race have a mastery over such things."

She just looked at me confused. "Bryan that's just what mares like that are called, I don't see what you're on about."

It was then that I realized almost nopony fully realized just how hateful that term really was. "You must have heard that all of your life huh Twilight?" she nodded. "Twily that term is extremly hateful, it's clearly ment to be an insult and not an apt description of their preferences."

Twilight looked shocked as she realized that my obsrevation was in fact accurate. "I-I-I never thought about it before I just, everypony has always said that and it never occured to me that it was wrong!" she was now in tears.

I bent down to look her in the eyes while pushing down my instinctive disgust for such intolerance and hugged her. "Twilight, we simply need to use a more sensative term that's all, it's not like you were trying to be hateful, I can tell that you're not that closed minded."

Twilight sniffled as she sobbed a little, she looked up at me and asked "What do we do then?" her Amethyst still wet with tears.

"Well for one thing we stop using that term," I thought for a moment " and we use this one, we call them Mare-Lovers cause that's more accurate and much less hateful, now why don't you dry those beautiful eyes of yours so go and meet with Rarity, Ok."

She sniffled a bit more and stopped crying "Ok Bryan thanks a lot, for helping me." she was blushing again, it was hard not fall for her on the spot.

"Hey," I said smilling "friends help each other, besides for me I can do no less for you than what you've done for me, it's just who I am, and no matter what I'll always stand beside you Twilight Sparkle."

"Why are you being so loyal when you barely even know me Bryan?"

"Their are two reasons. One: It's who I am, you saved my life I won't just overlook that. Two: It kinda has something to do with something I heard once before, A true princess rules not by forcing others to bow before her, but by inspiring others to stand with her, and you've inspired me to stand with you now and forever, so I say on the graves of my ancestors." I knew it was a somewhat dramatic statement, but I honestly ment it.

She laughed at my dramatics (I was not offended, it was a little corny) "Silly I'm not a princess."

"You are to me." I stood up "Shall we go now, Twily?"

"Y-Yeah." she said as we resumed our trek.

We finally arrived at our destination which was a large purple building with elegent white accents, and looked loked a carousel with a large number of tents in the area for some reason.

As we approached the door Twilight stopped me. "Ummm, Bryan I've got to ask, why did you say that I'm a princess to you?"

"Well Twily, a princess is leader first and foremost, she protects her people and when it is needed anyone who is in need of help, I'm not a pony but you protected me without a thought you've taken me into your home and you're taking care of me. If those are not the actions of a true princess, then I don't know what are."

As we entered the boutique I was awe struck by the decor it was as beautiful and elegent on the inside as it was on the outside I didn't even notice the small silver bell that was hanging over the door when it rang, nor did I immediately notice the small white Unicorn sitting on the floor coloring and humming to herself, it did not last.

"Hi Twilight, what the hey is that!!" the little Unicorn squeaked out, I turned my head to see her, a little white unicorn with pale green eyes, a two-tone purple and pink mane and tail, and oddly enough no "Cutie Mark", I had to forciably restrian myself however, becuase of her epic level cuteness.

"Sweetie Belle," Twilight said sharply "you need to show better manners then that! This is Bryan he is a human being, Bryan this is Sweetie Bell she's Rarity's little sister." she looked me and noticed that I seemed to be straining a little. "Bryan what's wrong?"

Unable to hold back any longer "She is soooo cute!!" I burst out. "I just wanna hug her untill she squeaks!"

Sweetie Belle gave a bright toothy (cheesy) grin. "Oh so you like cute things, do you?" she said in an adoreable voice. "Well my friend Applebloom is also really cute, and if you like cute you'll love Applebloom too."

I placed my hand on my chest mimicking pain and groaned. "Oh too much cute must talk like this." Sweetie simply laughed at my over the top antics.

Twilight rolled her eyes "Sweetie where's Rarity? Bryan needs his shirt fixed, and he needs some new clothes."

Sweetie cocked her head to the side "Clothes? What does he need clothes for?"

Twilight facehoofed. "His species needs to ware clothes to shield them from the weather and from injuries, he dosen't have a coat or scales Sweetie, he also needs shoes and socks because he doesn't have any hooves. So you see if we want him to stay healthy he needs your sister's talents." she spoke with the air of a teacher giving a lecture, as I nodded in aggreement.

"Oh." Sweetie said. "That makes sense." then an impossibly loud noise erupted from the diminutive unicorn "RARITY TWILIGHT IS HEAR WITH SOMEPONY WHO NEEDS NEW CLOTHES VERY BADLY." her voice actually shook the building.

"Sweetie Belle! I specifically told you not to yell in my boutique!" came an elegant voice from the stairs. As she descended the stairs I was floored (almost litterally) by her beauty, she was a snow white unicorn with a an Amethyst colored mane and tail, large Sapphire blue eyes and a trio of Blue Diamonds for her Cutie Mark, Once again my cheeks flushed a deep red and turned my head to avoid staring.

She gave a silvery laugh and spoke to me. "Oh my you're taken aback by my shear beauty aren't you darling?" she said while bouncing her curly mane with a hoof.

I nodded vigorously and Twilight had to speak for me. "Well yes Rarity, he needs you to fix his shirt for him, he also needs new clothes, will you help him Rairty?"

Rarity examined my shirt carefully and exclaimed "Darling ware ever did you get that nasty rip in your shirt, and are wearing bandages underneath? What in Equestria happened to you, you poor thing."

I swallowed hard and faced the compassionate unicorn "I was attacked by a Timberwolf during my first night here," I started to tear up again "if i-it hadn't b-b-been for T-T-Twilight I'd have d-d-died." I said trying not to crack again.

"What?" Sweetie screeched.

"Oh you poor dear." Rarity soothed "Would you like some tea while I fix your shirt, and then we can take your measurements for your new clothes, is that all right with you darling?"

"A-all right thank you Rarity I appreciate you for helping me."

"Oh think nothing of it darling, Twilight would you be a dear and go into the kitchen and start the tea for all of us please?"

"Sure thing Rarity, Sweetie would you like to come with me?" Twilight queried while trotting to the kitchen.

"Ok Twilight, hey Bryan you're going to be fine cause we'll take care of you ok." I nodded and Sweetie followed Twilight while beaming brightly.

"Now darling dry those tears and let Rarity make you feel fabulous."

I took of my shirt and handed it to her, she took the shirt in her magic and went over to her worktable. I sniffled once more. "Your little sister lives up to her name doesn't she?"

Rarity smilled as she placed a pair of redish-orange glasses on her nose and went to work. "Yes dear Sweetie, is real jewel is she not, a little enthusiastic sometimes but a gem none the less.

After a while Twilight and Sweetie Belle came out of the kitchen, Twily was levitating the tea pot and some teacups and saucers in her Lavender aura, I still marveled at this as I Rarity was finishing up the work my shirt. Rarity levitated my shirt back to me and took up her tea after adding some suger and taking a sip. "Well darling how is it?" she asked.

I stared in amazment as I examined it. "You can't even tell it was ever ripped, you're amazing Rarity, I'm impressed."

"suger?" Sweetie asked.

"Yeah three please." I said as I put my shirt on and Sweetie deposited three suger cubes into the teacup and stirred the tea.

Twilight sat on a cushion drank her tea she looked at me thoughtfully again as I sat down.

"Here you go." Sweetie said as hoofed me the tea.

"Thank you Sweetie." I said taking my tea and taking a sip, as I did Rarity spoke up.

"So Bryan what kind of clothes will you be needing?"

"Just casual for the most part, but sturdy so they don't get tore up form any work I'm doing helping anypony out, oh and I'll need the kind that's formal enough for my bussiness in Canterlot for when I have to see the princesses."

"I'm sorry darling did you say bussiness with the princesses?"

"Yes." Twilight chirped. "The princesses made him their advisor for if any other humans happen to show up in Equestria."

"Pardon me Bryan, but why would the princesses want you as an advisor, I'm not questioning their judgment mind you, I simply fail to see how that helps exactly."

"Well I can understand that Rarity, it's just as the only human in Equestria I am by default the only recognizeable expert on my race, its behaviors, needs, and reactions. Princess Celestia said that she wants to deal with any other humans in sensitive and cautious fashion so that we have a lesser chance of misunderstandings and violenece, as my race is quite prone to violent behavior, and we don't need anypony or person hurt beacuase somepony or person reacts without thinking things through."

Rarity almost spits out her tea, swallowing she asks me "Your people are violent?"

Sighing I replied "Yes, unfortunatly we evolved to be predatory to avoid exectinction, so our fighting instincts are very strong as are our territorial instincts, and many humans chose to be arbitrarlly violent fighting quite literally over nothing in some cases. So there is a need to be able to try to prevent needless violence, and I'm it."

Rarity placed her hoof on my shoulder and said to me "I think that it's positively dreadful that you should have to deal with such a burden simply becuase you're the only human here darling, that just seems so uncountable! But enough of weighty thoughts let us get your measurements so I craft for you the finest ensembles you will have ever owned, now I need you to undress so I can get accurate measurements dear."

My face caught fire (that's how it felt anyway) "I-I-I can't do that in front of Twily and Sweetie is there somewere you can do it a little more, well privately."

"Oh certainly darling I wouldn't do anything to embarrass you now follow me upstairs so we can get your measurements done and I shall set to work straight away."

"O-ok." I said following her up the stairs to her workroom. Once there she had me undress and began to take my measurements, no detail was spared and I mean no detail was spared, I can't fault her for being thorough, but it was embarrassing all the same. It took about an hour before she had everything she needed and we bid goodbye to the sisters and started on our way back to the library.

Chapter 5

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 6

I awoke to the feeling of being in Twilight's embrace still, I looked at her in the moonlight and saw a mare who looked surprisingly happy and content, I still felt the gentle pressure of her strong, warm alicorn grasp on me. I was certain she would have been more worried, but she was instead smiling, like she had accomplished something, perhaps she had. As I laid my head back down on the pillow we shared by necessity I couldn't help but think about things a little. I closed my eyes and went back to sleep, I would need to rested for the inevitable barrage of questions she'd ask me in the morning as well as the meeting with Fluttershy that same day.

The sun had risen and seemed to park itself in a posistion in the sky ment to annoy me awake, My eyes opened and I instantly began grumbling, Twilight however was facing away from the sunlight so she was uneffected, but awoke when she heard my complaining. "Ahhh, freakin sun shining in my face from twelve feet away, how rude!"

Twilight giggled "Looks like somepony isn't a morning pony." Twilight squeezed me once more and nuzzled me. She started to get out of bed as Spike opened his eyes while yawning and stretching.

I sat up in the bed the sound of popping as my joints released the stiffness that had built up. I laughed as Twilight and Spike winced at the sound. "What's the matter you two not used to that sound?"

"Dude doesn't that hurt?" Spike queried.

"A little, sometimes, but not always." I replied.

Twilight looked at me and said "Bryan what caused that to happen?"

"Well the next time I'm in the bath and offer to help me by washing my hair for me, I'm gonna take you up in it Twily. My back got a little stiff from doing it my self, and sitting of that hard wooden balcony last night didn't help." I said getting out of bed and stretched.

Spike looked up at me wide eyed. "Just how tall are you Bryan?"

"Six feet tall." I responded.

Twilight whistled "So you're as tall as Princess Celestia, wow Bryan."

"Twilight I know you have many questions about me personally, but they can wait until after breakfast while we're on our way to meet Fluttershy." she looked slightly down "If you get started asking me now we'll never make it."

Twilight blushed "You're right Bryan, it's just that I want to know you better, so we can be closer friends, that's all."

I smilled "I know Twily, and we will be, but there's no need to do it all once."

Spike laughed "I've been telling her that for years now."

"Spiiiiiike!" Twilight shouted, we were bolth laughing to hard to notice her anoyance.

Breakfast passed quitely without any real hiccups, although Spike said he wanted to meet the Cutie Mark Crusaders after they were done at school so he could help them with ideas to earn their cutie marks, which lead me to ask. "Wait, you mean that ponies have to earn their cutie marks?"

"Oh yes." Twilight replied "You see when a pony discovers what they are best at, they get their cutie mark."

"Huh, that's interesting." I said 'Well thanks for making breakfast Spike, you really make some very good oatmeal."

"Thanks alot Bryan, I appeciate that." he said as he started his work for the day.

Twilight and I finished getting ready and were out the door, as we stepped into the Equestrian summer I noticed that it was comparatively mild to the desert summers that I was used to, but it was probably still about sixty-eight degrees or so, not bad for eleven in the morning. I noticed that a number of ponies were still looking at me, but it was not the bewildered stares it had been. I smilled when a few ponies actually smiled and waved at me, I of course returned the gesture and was amazed that were allready begining to accept me.

A familiar sensation overtook me me as instictively stepped in front of Twilight and caught a very pink blur once again. "Well hello there Pinkie Pie, if you don't mind my asking what are you doing here?"

She grabbed me in fierce hug and started talking to me "Oh Bry Bry it was terrible, I had a Pinkie Sense combo that told me that were you really really sad and rushed right over to help you." she said sniffling.

I hugged Pinkie and asked "Pinkie sense? And how did you know that was hurting Pinkie?"

"Well," she said still sniffling her eyes now wet with tears "I had a tail twich, ear flops, and my eyes fluttered, that's my Pinkie sense combo for when one of my friends is really really sad and needs a hug to cheer them up, so that's why I rushed right over to you, I don't want you to sad, I want you to happy." she was now in tears and her normally poofy mane and tail were flat and straight.

Needless to I did not like this at all. So I just held Pinkie for a good few moments letting her cry into my shoulder before finally speaking to her. "I'm really sorry that my fears gave you so much trouble Pinkie, and I'm feeling better now. I am very happy to have somepony who cares so much about me." hugging her tighter I shed a few tears of my own. "I'll be fine Pinkie, I just know it."

She sniffled a few more time her tears dried and she looked at me as her mane and tail returned to their poofy state. "Are you sure Bryan? I mean I don't want you to be all saddy waddy, cuz I love to see my friends smile." she gasped when she she saw my face. Squealing she chirped out "Oh Bry Bry you are smiling," gasping she continued "that means you're happy, oh I'm so glad, I thought you might be sad forever!"

"Of course, Pinkie with friends like you, how could be otherwise? But there are going to be rough patches and I'm going to need you and everyponies help to get through it, so can I count on you Pinkie?"

"Always Bryan we're friends and Pinkie Pie never leaves anypony she cares about with a frown. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." she said as she made what I presumed were that appropiate gestures while I was still holding her. "Well I gotta go now," she giggled "I've gotta get over to Sugercube Corner, so see you later Bry Bry." she kissed me lightly on the nose and took of in a flash of Pink.

I couldn't help but laugh at this. "She's just too sweet, I love it."

Twilight looked up at me "You and pinkie sure are close Bryan, it's like you always know just how to respond to her."

"Twilight, for an empath like me Pinkie is a great friend to have, when she is being cheerful, which is normal I assume?"

Twilight nodded.

"I thought as much, when she is being like that it is very helpful, for me to be around her. You see we empaths are effected by the emotions of those around us, so an intrinsically positive outlook like Pinkie's is very helpful to be around. By the way I forgot to ask what kind of pony is Pinkie anyway?"

"Well Pinkie is an earth pony, which is a pony that has neither a horn nor wings, they often times do intense physical labor, but they also hold many other posistions in pony society are often well respected by the other tribes."

"I see so the three tribes of your race are earth pony, pegasus, and unicorn ponies. Huh that's interesting."

"Ok Bryan now let's get to those questions."

I nodded.

"Ok, I've got to ask Bryan how did you that I was an alicorn and that Spike was a dragon?"

"Well," started "both dragons and alicorns are fixtures in human mythology, as are unicorns and pegasi."

"Really? How much do you know about them?"

"A lot and a little, dragons are very common in human myths, alicorns however are rather unusual and I only have very limited knowledge of them, I pretty easily recognize an alicorn, but that's about all. Dragons though are very well known, but Spike seems diferent than any mythical dragons so I really can't say, beyond the recognition."

"Ok." Twilight said "These are diferent circumstances after all. So what are your interests?"

I smilled "I could have teased you there, but I'm not not gonna. In all seriousness I like to read, I've done some creative writing, stories poetry, that kind of thing. I'm pretty well informed on the matter of mythology, though that seems to only help with recognizing the beings around me. I've played many RPGs and video games, and watched a number of movies, but I'm not big on them."

Twilight hummed thoughtfully "You don't sound very social Bryan."

"Honestly, I'm not. I don't like being in large crouds, or standing out, now I have no choice but to stand out though, I can't exactly blend in with the ponies around me, so it's a big adjustment to say the least, not that I mind." I trailed off a bit. "By the way I'm a little confused by something that has repeatedly passed between us."

"Oh, what's that?" Twilight said curiously

"I've been very forward with you, many many times, and that's unlike me. I'm not one to be so forward with anypony, it's just not me."

"I don't know what to say to you about that Bryan, I've been a little foward myself, it's just not normal for me either, I'm sorry if I did anything to offend you." Twilight replied.

"I'm not hurt by anything you've done Twilight, if anything I should appologise for my behavior it was not right for me to do those things without your permission." I hung my head a little.

Twilight, for her part took it well she looked at me and said "Bryan we're bolth making adjustments here, I'd be surprised if we didn't make mistakes every so often, so let's just put it behind us, ok?"

"Alright Twily, it's all we can do. I mean I guess we could make it more awkward, but I don't think we want that."

Twilight beamed at me "So I noticed that you were uncomfortable when the doctors took you in for the examination, do you not like doctors?"

I winced a little "It's not that I dislike doctors, I'm just uncomfortable around them. I don't typically take medicine when I'm sick, I'll only do that if absolutely have to, other than that I won't."

"Wow, Bryan you sound like you're a little stubborn."

I chuckled weakly "More than a little sometimes Twily, I freely admit to having that flaw."

"Speaking of adjustments." I said as I watched some ponies nuzzling each other. "I'm still trying to adjust to just how openly affectionate your species is."

Twilight looked at me confused and asked "Bryan I thought that you weren't having any problems there, I mean you've handled Pinkie and I being affectionate with you, so what's wrong."

"Oh nothing's wrong per se, it's just that pony culture is clearly more openly affectionate than human culture is, so I need to adjust. you see in human society and culture those who are friends generally aren't that affectionate with each other or in the ways I'm noticeing around here, but there are exceptions like with anything. You and Pinkie are different for example, with Pinkie I've had to make allowances for her nature and character, I'm not uncomfortable with the way she is I accept it. You are very impotant to me already not only because you saved my life, for which I'll always be grateful, but because you've seen my moments of weakness and hepled me through them, you've earned my trust." I said.

"What about Rarity and Sweetie Bell then?" Twilight asked

"Rarity is just like that, isn't she?" I replied

"As long as I've known her Bryan." Twilight said

"And as far as Sweetie Belle goes, she's like what eight years old? I kinda expect that from her especially considering she is sooooooo adoreable." I squeaked and then blushed.

Twilight giggled "So you have a weakness for cute things huh? Awww that's so sweet of you Bryan"

"I also have a weakness for smart mares Twilight, so watch out! You know I can appreciate the need to ask questions to get answers, but you're not going to learn all about me simply by asking me about myself, you need to experience things first hoof too."

Twilight looked at me sheepishly "You're right Bryan, it's just that you're so interesting that I got a little carried away, that's all."

"Now Twilight while we go on our way why don't you tell me some stuff about pony society so I don't make a supermassive faux pas." I asked curiously.

As we walked towards Fluttershy's cottage Twilight proceded to tell me the things I needed to know so I didn't make an ass out of myself. Like how you had to watch where you patted a pony on the back, otherwise it's like saying that you want to mount them, that would be unbelievablely embarasing to do in public, or front of the mare's family.

As we walked through Ponyville I took notice of all of the details, the sky was a bright blue, and very clear, the air was fresh and clean making me wobble a little causeing Twilight to laugh at me a bit. I took note of the simplicity of Ponyville's buildings as well, they were really strudy and functional, we walked/trotted along the road which didn't bother my feet like the hard asfault and concrete we had back on Earth. Twilight continued to tell me things that I needed to know about pony society and culture.

Such as how you needed to avoid touching a pegasus or alicorns' wings, unless given permission. Turns out, they're really sensitive.

We contiued to move towards our destination untill we left Ponyvile proper and moved towards a forest at the edge of town. I asked Twilight about it, as I got a very bad feeling from it.

"Oh that's the Everfree Forest, it's where my frineds and faced the first Nightmare in the old ruins. It was corrupted along time ago, though nopony really knows how exactly."

"I don't want to go in that place, I can sense the corruption from here. It's greatest amount of negative energy I've ever sensed in my life." I shuddered involuntarily, as if cold.

"Bryan, are you ok? You don't look so good."

"I'm allright Twily, it's just that place is unsettleing to me is all. Hey is that the place?" I asked after having seen a very homey looking building.

"Yep." Twilight said. "That's the place, allright really nice isn't it?"

"Yeah." I said I looked over the place it was a very nice home indeed. It was a strudy looking two story structure set across a small bridge that crossed a small river. The cottage was surrounded by a lot of bird houses, some set into the house, others hanging from trees. The cottage it self was yellow in color with a roof that was done up in green grass, it exuded a calm feeling.

I froze when I heard, birdsong? Birdsong and.... something more, singing, somepony was singing! I stood listening intently to the soothing voice that was singing along with the birds. It sounded like it was comeing from the backyard, I followed the sound almost in a trance. When I saw the pony who was singing I was captivated, she was beautiful, her coat was butter yellow, with a long pastel pink mane and tail, I could see that her cutie mark was three butterflies.

She turned and saw me standing there enraptured be her singing. she spoke to me in a soft soothing voice. "Oh! Well hello there, who are you? I've never seen anypony like you before." She said as she fluttered towards me.

I flushed slightly and looked at her "I'm Bryan, and I'm not surprised you haven't seen anypony like me before, cause I'm human. And from what Twilight has told humans aren't native to Equestria."

She giggled into her hoof. "Well Bryan it's nice to meet you, I'm Fluttershy. So Twilight how did you meet our new friend here?"

Twilight spoke up. "Do you remeber that really strange fog we had last week?" Fluttershy nodded "Well I'm not sure how it happened but Bryan here showed up during that event."

She looked upon me with her large Teal eyes. "Oh! You poor thing, I hope it wasn't to scary for you."

I laughed unesasily "It was a little scary." I rubbed my chest reflexively remebering the pain of my now healed wound.

Twilight spoke up "Actually Bryan was chased by a timberwolf, that injured him. I saved him though." Twilight said triumphantly.

"Oh my, you must have been so scared." Fluttershy hugged me unexpectantly. "I hope that hasn't made it to unpleasent for you. I want to think that like it here."

I smilled (again) and returned the gesture and said. "It's ok Fluttershy, I know that there's no such thing as total safety, still thank you for being so kind."

She broke the hug "Oh I know Bryan, but still I want you to be happy here, Equstria is wonderful place full of wonderful ponies."

"That's great Fluttershy, I'm going to live here for the rest of my days so I really appreciate ponies like you who want to help."

"Oh that's so wonderful Bryan, we can be friends then. Bryan do you like animals?"

"Yes Fluttershy I do. Although I must say I expected you to be different."

"How so?" she asked.

"Well Twilight here warned me that you're very shy, but I haven't seen that from you this whole time."

Fluttershy giggled cutely "Normally I am, but you're different. I feel like there's something about you that's like me."

I looked at her in shock. She was right I felt a pulsation between us, and realised what she was. "You're an empath, aren't you Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy looked at Twilight and I confused. "Twilight what is an empath?"

Twilight mulled it over for a moment. "Well it's a pony who can sense other ponies emotions, they are often very kind as a result. As it happens Bryan here is an empath too, it seems to go beyond merely being able to put yourself in somepony elses' place though. It's like you actually feel the emotions of others Fluttershy."

I laughed "Twilight we empaths do exactly that. Right now I sense that you're confused, excited, and intensely curious. It almost feels like you've had a similar experience somehow."

Twilight nervously scrapped her hoof along the ground. Fluttershy giggled into her hoof.

"Well you see Bryan, Twilight once tried to measure Pikies' Pinkie sense, we got into a lot of trouble that day." Fluttershy's tone was calm and even, Twilight however looked like she was trying meld into the ground.

I looked at her incredulously. "Wait, wait, wait, you actually tried to measure a form of precongnition? That's batty Twily. What kind of trouble by the way?" the moment I asked I knew that I would regret the answer.

Twilight responded in a small voice "The kind that involves a four headed hydra."

My mouth opened and closed several times but the only word to come out was "WHAT!"

"Oh my yes, it was quite the situation, but everypony came through it ok."

I couldn't respond because my vision went black as I feinted. I never even felt myself hit the ground.

"Oh my gosh, Twilight I need you to help me get him inside so we can see if he's hurt." Fluttershy exclaimed.

"I've got him." Twilight said as she started to levitate him towards Fluttershy's cottage.

Author's Note

For those of you wondering what happened just then, the other shoe has just dropped. Bryan's trauma has finaly set in, and he will soon realize just how vulnerable he is. In the next chapter he will begin to deal with these issues and some more are on the way. So yeah I'm a bastard, but he's going through the wringer, Pinkie's welcome party will help though.