Dwindling Light

Dwindling Light

Chapter 2 - Explanations

July 24th 2014,  6:22 P.M.

Outskirts of Ponyville, Equestria

Twilight stared at me in silence and nodded her head a few times as she jotted down notes. Halfway through my events she stopped writing, I had no clue why but didn’t ask as I continued. When I was finished the sun was starting to set on the horizon over the forest.

“This can’t be coincidence, but you look nothing like those other creatures.” I heard Twilight say silently. I raised an eyebrow to her silently asking what she meant. “It’s just that in our myths it clearly says your race walked on all fours, just as us, that you had fur that covers your entire body, and you were barely taller than a full grown colt. You have fingers and toes just as the myths state but even your language is explicitly Equestrian!”

I started to laugh as I walked into the sunlight behind her. “Sounds to me like you’ve got our spitting image there, at least over twenty millennia ago that would’ve been more accurate. The race you describe would be primates, or at least it sounds like primates. Even then it would be hard to pinpoint the exact species of primate.” I finished with a cocky smile. For the first time in a long time evolution has helped me out.

Both Twilight and Dr. Hooves were both staring at me in awe. “What?” I asked, starting to get uneasy with their stare.

Twilight shook her head and broke the awkward silence that had fell upon the hill after I asked my question. “It’s just, I didn’t expect that.” She fumbled over her words for a second, eliciting another chuckle from me.

“Princess Twilight, I may not seem smart on the outside but it’s quite the contrary. I love learning, no matter the form it takes on. Books, Plays, Nature, Internet, or even learning by simply  observing. Although the theory of evolution is something simple learned in History, and Science classes I never had expected it to come in use since everybody knows about it. Also the language you call Equestrian is English on my world, so it’s not too surprising.” I finished with an elated smile present on my face as facts, that seemed arbitrary at the time of learning them, flooded back to me.

I turned towards the sun as the last hints of it faded over the horizon, leaving the sky tinted a sunset red that faded into a deep bluish purple and eventually into black with the lights of stars casting their white glow dimly against the black depths of space. I turned around to find the first rays of moonlight casting their dim glow o’er the town below that was lit up by the lights of homes and streetlamps.

The moon was a full one. The dim glow only beautified the Equestrian lands even further. The cool night air passed through the leaves of the tree above us causing my smile to grow even wider. “How could it be that one would sleep through the night, especially one as beautiful as this.” I said silently as I continued to marvel at the sight.

Twilight was standing on my left now, and Dr. Hooves on my right. We stood there for a few minutes before Dr. Hooves broke the silence with a drawn out yawn. “It’s late, I should be getting home.” He said as he finished yawning.

I smiled down at him and nodded. “Goodnight Doctor, I hope to be seeing you again soon.” I stated as I held a hand out to him, he placed his hoof in my hand and I shook it firmly before letting it go. He nodded to me and then to Twilight, then proceeded to make his way down the path towards Ponyville.

“I suppose I should be doing the same Robert, it was a pleasure meeting you and I’ll send word to the princesses about your situation tomorrow morning.” She smiled at me and held her hoof out this time. I shook it and then sat against the tree pulling off my sweater to use as a blanket again.

She was still standing there, this time looking at me confused. “What? I’ve no where to go as it stands right now, my homes a universe away, you and the Doctor are the only two I even remotely know here.” I said solemnly as I curled into a ball under my jacket. Always the optimist eh? I thought to myself sarcastically.

“Besides, I was a boy scout a couple years back. I know how to survive properly in the wilderness, if push comes to shove,” I looked over to the everfree forest, “ I can always live in there until I find a way to get back home or not, either way I’ll survive another night out here Princess Twilight. Don’t you worry about me.” I beamed at her, more so trying to reassure myself than her.

When I opened my eyes she was glaring at me. “Don’t even think about going to the Everfree Forest, it’s extremely dangerous in there not to mention scary.” She visibly shuddered at the thought. “I have a guest room back at the library in which you can stay until everything is sorted out.” Her glare changed to a welcoming smile. I shook my head.

“Princess-” I was cut off by her holding a hoof up.

“Please stop calling me Princess, it’s just Twilight, and you don’t have a choice in this.” She stated flatly.

I shook my head again. “Twilight, what if somebody sees me and thinks, ‘oh hey, what’s that! A creature I’ve never seen/studied before?! I must see it!’, that would end badly for me. Mostly because one of two, no, five things would happen. One they would kidnap me and find out everything they could about me, including dissecting me to see how I tick. Two I would probably attack them if they tried to kidnap me and it would put me in a bad position and they would consider me a monster. Three they would just ask me a series of questions and try to be friendly with me, which honestly isn’t a real bad thing but it would bring more trouble as word got around of a friendly never before seen creature.”

“Four it would create mass hysteria among the townsfolk causing them to either attack me for fear of the unknown or cower away from me because I’m unknown. Five they would relate me to the humans in your myths and legends, ultimately causing unneeded stress as word got out of a human among you that speaks fluent ‘Equestrian’. Think about how many reporters would be outside your front door if that was the case.” I finished, finally breathing from my small rant.

“That’s why we could get you in easily.” She chuckled as she tapped her horn. I facepalmed as I remembered they could do magic. I’m an idiot. I sighed loudly as I let my hand slide down my face.

“I forget I’m in a land where everything I know more than likely doesn’t apply and that there are new rules that I must adapt to.” Irritated by my own incompetence I stood up and put my jacket back on. Twilight giggled, causing me to turn red from embarrassment. “Hey, when you get sent to another dimension where everything is topsy-turvy, you tell me how you adapt.” I said as I put my hood over my head to cover my face.

“One question though, how did you come up with those theories?” Twilight asked as she placed her saddlebags onto her back and fastened them.

“Reading lots of books and watching lots of television. Not to mention the high school I go to, well went to to be more precise, if you were different they’d outcast ya. Call you an idiot, stupid,  or other derogatory terms meant to offend you just because you were different than them. Ignorance and arrogance is a prime export of our worlds youth, I won’t claim that I’m not ignorant or arrogant but I accept it as who I am. I won’t change myself for them. Each of the theories have truth to them and I know you know that.” I replied, irritation heavy in my voice.

Twilight smiled and nodded. “Well, I don’t think they’d try to dissect you or anything like that. Maybe act scared or interested, but never do I think they would foalnap you. There hasn’t been a foalnapping in over a century.” She beamed reassuringly. I found her smile comforting and welcoming. “Enough of that, put your…hand…on my shoulder.” She stated as her horn started to glow.

I complied, placing my hand on her shoulder. Her magic flooded over my body, it was a warm and tingly feeling. My hair stood on edge, eyebrows, hair, mustache, the hair on my arms and legs. This is probably going to sting. I thought to myself as I closed my eyes tightly.

The world around me flashed away in an instant and appeared not a millisecond later, but the pain that surged through my body was enormous. Enough to bring me to my knees, dry heaving as I tried to catch my breath and endure the shock on my body. “F### THAT HURT!” I yelled as I started regaining the rest of my senses.

Twilight was standing over me with a worried expression. “What’s wrong?! Did I do the spell wrong?!” She asked worriedly as she dashed into the kitchen, coming back out with a glass of water. When she returned I greedily snatched it from her magic field and drank it without hesitation.

My throat was dry and a headache plagued me now, my body was recovering from the shock of the spell and by god did it hurt. I expected only a slight shock, not this. I was shaking my head to try and reassure Twilight. “I-It’s f-fine, I just n-never teleported before. We don’t h-have magic where I’m from, but I didn’t expect such an adverse affect on me. You did the spell right from what I can tell, it’s just my body.” I stated through pained breathing as it started to slow down and steady out.

Twilight was still frantic in apologizing so I lifted a hand up and placed it on her head causing her to stop immediately. “Listen Twilight, I’ll be fine. I’ve had worse happen to me. I just need some rest for now.” I smiled to her as I tried to stand up. As soon as I put pressure on my left leg, it gave out causing me to slam my head against the wall. “Ow…” I managed to say as I held my hand to my head where I had hit it.

I tried to move my leg only to find that it wouldn't respond to my commands. Crap, that shock must’ve damaged my nervous system bad for that to happen. “Twilight sorry to ask but I need one more favor, could you help me up to that guest room of yours?” I asked awkwardly. I've never had to have help walking before, at least as far as I can remember, so this was a first for me and it was just as weird as all other firsts of situations.

She nodded fervently as she enveloped me in a field of magic, the slight tingling sensation returning to my body as she did so causing my hair to stand on edge again. She started levitating me up the stairs of the library and towards a door that was located at the end of the hall on the left side. She opened it up and levitated me inside and placed me on the bed.

I smiled at her. “Thank you Ms. Twilight for letting me stay here and helping me up into the room after that.” I said awkwardly as I pushed myself into a sitting position with my back against the backboard of the bed. I pulled out my phone and ear-buds from my pocket and unlocked the phone.

Twilight was standing at the door still. “It’s no problem and I’m sorry for that I didn’t know that it would hurt you.” She stated solemnly. I chuckled.

“There was no way you could’ve known Ms. Twilight, new creatures new rules. Have to learn them somehow.” I joked with her causing her to laugh a little before saying her farewell for the night. I turned my attention back to the phone and looked at the battery percentage in the upper left-hand corner of the phone. 82% battery left, not bad.

I put my headphones in and let my head fall quietly against the backboard as Beautiful Night by Evening Star started playing, lulling me to sleep.

February 22nd 2013,  3:12 P.M.

Camp Pendleton, California

I knew this was coming…I knew that I was going to hurt…I knew that I would never get to see her again…I am nothing but a fool that has wished and wanted it to all be but a lie. Since I knew it was coming, shouldn’t it hurt less than it does? No of course not, it only hurts more that I wasn’t there when she passed away.

My laptop lay a mere 3 inches in front of me bearing that horrid message sent to me by her father and mother, telling me she had finally passed away losing her fight with the cancer she had endured since she was diagnosed in 2012. I lay here crying into my pillow, hoping for the horrid truth to turn its ugly head and for an even worse lie to take it’s place that she was still alive.

I’m so sorry Jazmine, I’m so so so sorry. I should’ve been there for you in your final moments. I always promised I would be there for you when you needed me most, and I failed you. I slammed the laptop shut and continued to mourn her through my ever-flowing tears.

I barely heard the door to my room open up as my sisters face popped into the room. “Hey Bubby I’m-” she stopped as she realized my eyes were stained with tears. She walked over and sat next to me, “What’s wrong Bubby?” she asked concerned. I didn’t reply to her immediately.

“Jazmine…she…she died today…” I choked on the words, still trying to grasp the idea of her dying. “It hurts Alisa…it hurts a lot…I…I should’ve been there for her…I promised her…” I sobbed. I was no stranger to loss of friends, but it never got any easier for me. Hers was more painful for me not because she was an amazing friend, but because I had liked her and she liked me back.

We had for a long time and planned to start going out later this year when I got to North Carolina. We knew each other on Okinawa and we were friends with Zachary, when he died I fell back on her and she helped get me through that rough patch. We teased each other when we were there, but neither of us wanted to admit we liked each other because we didn’t know how the other would react, but despite our efforts to avoid saying as such one day I accidently slipped and I said something I shouldn’t have.

I told her I loved her. I knew in the back of my mind that I should never of said that, mostly because I didn’t know if it was completely true or not. If it was just puppy love of a young and dimwitted teenager just going through the phases of life or if it was true love. What surprised me was that she told me those same words back.

We didn’t want to commit to a relationship though, mostly because we were on opposite sides of the country when it happened. So we decided that if I moved to North Carolina, we would start dating and go from there. When our family got orders there, I was a mixture of emotions mostly happy though. I told her the news the next day and she was elated beyond compare.

A mere two weeks later, she was diagnosed with cancer. We skyped all night that night, she just wanted somebody to be there for her so I did exactly that despite me being states away. From that night on we skyped every night, some nights I wouldn’t get any sleep so that I could soothe her worries. Eventually this was ended when she died.

Her parents sent me an email with their best regards. Even with that I was still broken.

My sister cradled me as I cried into my pillow that she placed on her lap, stroking my head as I did so. Cooing softly that it would be okay, that I’d get through this. I knew I would get through it, just as I had every other death that I endured, but I knew I wouldn’t be okay.

July 25th 2014,  8:02 A.M.

Ponyville, Equestria

As my eyes fluttered open from the grasp of a sleepless night I quickly felt the first rays of sunlight on my chest from the open window to my left. Of course I would have that dream. I thought to myself idly. I removed my earbuds and turned my phone off to conserve the battery I have left on it.

I replaced my jacket onto myself and proceeded to slide to the edge of the bed closest to the window to get a good view of the day. The sky was dotted with a few pegasi as they put some clouds here and there for a partially cloudy day. Luckily they had not noticed me standing in the window watching them with envy.

I stood there for about half an hour before my attention swayed to the pain in my leg. I had regained use of the appendage but the pain that plagued my body last night was present in it while the rest of my body was at ease. It’ll go away if I just keep moving, at least I hope so. I made my way towards the door of the room before looking at the bed that still had my imprint on it’s rustled blankets.

I sighed and shook my head as I let go of the doorknob and walked over to the bed proceeding to fix it to it’s former pristine state. I had opted not to use the blankets or sheets last night due to the warm night and my jacket being able to keep me warm enough. After I finished fixing the bed I made my way towards the door realizing only now that it was almost full foot shorter than me, only reaching the base of my neck.

I waved off the slight irritance and opened the door, crouching while I did so so that I could get through it. I closed the door with a soft click and made my way down the hallway. The smell of tea and oatmeal were made apparent to me as soon as I reached the top of the stairwell. “I await your swift response, your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.” I heard Twilight say.

She must be writing that letter to Celestia she promised yesterday. Today was already turning out to be a good day. I slowly made my way to the bottom of the stairwell as I listened to Twilight and another voice speaking back and forth to each other.

“So you mean to tell me you found a human Twilight?” The voice belonged to a certain purple and green drake, Spike.

“Yes and no, I wasn’t the one to find it but I did meet it yesterday after Dr. Hooves came to the library telling me to come see something he couldn’t explain.” Twilight replied with enthusiasm.

“I’m not saying you’re lying or you’re telling the truth Twilight, but what if that things dangerous?” Spike asked cautiously. At this I opened the kitchen door and crouched in behind him as quietly as possible. Twilight saw me but didn’t say anything as she went back to her meal.

“If I was dangerous Ms. Twilight wouldn’t have come home unscathed last night.” I whispered in his ear, causing him to tumble out of his chair and scramble towards Twilight in fear. He held a claw over his chest as he breathed hysterically as Twilight laughed at the sight.

“Good morning Robert, I take it you slept well?” Twilight asked while motioning to an empty seat.

I sat in the seat and immediately regretted the idea as my knees were at chest level as I sat down. I pushed the seat back and chose to sit indian style. “I wish I slept well, nightmares plagued me all last night.” I stated regretfully. Twilight hovered over a cup to me and a teapot then a bowl of oatmeal.

“Here, I know you must be hungry.” Twilight offered.

“Thank you for the tea, but I don’t eat oatmeal Ma’am. I could drink tea all day and night but oatmeal is another story.” I took the teapot and poured it into the cup provided and proceeded to drink it as is. I recognized the taste of the tea as green tea, the bitter but pleasant taste was easily recognizable as I felt my body calm itself with the warm liquid.

“Don’t you want any sugar?” Spike asked as he sat back down, closer to Twilight this time.

I put the cup down and poured myself some more before answering. “I like bitter things such as unsweetened tea and black coffee. As for sugary sweet food and drinks, I’m not much of a fan anymore due to a cavity in my left top molar. Get sugar in that part of my mouth even by accident and my day takes a turn for the worse.” I looked into the steaming green tea below me and breathed the aroma in deeply and letting it out with an elongated breath.

“Is all of your kind weird like that?” Spike asked, causing Twilight to give a resounding thwack of her hoof against the back of his head. I gave a light chuckle.

“What is your name?” I asked as I sipped my tea again. I knew his name already but if I said it I may of needed to explain how I did as Twilight hasn’t said it.

Spike stopped massaging the back of his head. “My name’s Spike, Twilights number 1 assistant.” He beamed with pride at his title.

“A pleasure Spike. My name is Robert. As to if my kind is weird, it differs on many levels. We all have taste buds but they are not all the same. Some like bitter foods and drinks while others could despise it and choose to sweeten them up with sugar or other sweeteners.” I informed the young drake, peaking his curiosity further, as well as Twilights.

I proceeded to answer their questions about humans to the best of my capabilities. Most questions were about what our populace and how we differentiated from one another. Much to my surprise they thought we all looked the same, acted the same, and overall exactly the same. These ‘facts’ stemmed from their myths and legends of humans.

“So, your kind doesn’t wear the same kind of clothing?” Spike asked. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose with my thumb and index finger.

“Were you not listening to anything I just said Spike? It’s both a yes and a no. The attire that we choose to wear isn’t always a unique piece of garment meant explicitly for one person. The rare clothing that is, you have to design it yourself with a creative idea that someone else hadn’t thought of before.” I answered with anger. He was about to speak again when he belched fire, and along with it came a scroll bound by a red ribbon and golden seal that depicted a horseshoe.

I ducked a little as some of the flames made their way to the spot my head was previously but dissipated quickly. Twilight picked the scroll up in a field of magic. “Looks like the Princess got our message.” She stated happily. I stared at her blankly as she proceeded to unfold it and begin reading aloud.

Dear Princess Twilight,

This is indeed quite the predicament. A human in our midst could cause some trouble if not dealt with properly. We shall arrive at noon to take it off your hooves and deal with it properly. If you haven’t already, I request that you sedate the creature and lock him somewhere in your home until we arrive.

Your mentor,

Princess Celestia

I kept staring at Twilight with a flat expression. “You didn’t tell her anything about me did you?” I asked flatly.

Twilights cheeks turned red as she rubbed the back of her head with her hoof. “I-I didn’t think about it at the time.” She gave a sheepish laugh. I face-palmed and let my hand slide down my face, turning towards the clock on the wall to see the time. 11:22 A.M. I only have 38 minutes to live, great.

“When you tell somebody about another sentient race from mythology appearing in your midst that was described as an evil creature of malevolent descent I think it might be a little important to tell them its name and a little about it to allay any fears one may have of it so that it WON’T GET KILLED!” I was a mix of angry and scared now. Scared because I was already dead once, and I didn’t want to die twice. Angry because of Twilight's lack of thought put into her letter.

Twilight shrunk down into her seat. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know this would happen.” She apologized. I shook my head.

“It’s fine I suppose.” I sighed. Calm yourself Robert, everybody makes mistakes. I thought to myself. “Hopefully when she arrives she won’t just blast me on the spot and at least give us the chance to speak.” I said hopefully as I stood up from my sitting position and stretching my back.

Twilight was about to say something before a knocking at the front door stopped her. She looked around worriedly. “We gotta hide you!” She exclaimed as she started pushing me out the door to the central room of the library.

“Twilight, I can just go to the guest room or upstairs whilst you speak with whomever this is. It’s not like they’ll go upstairs right?” I questioned her. She nodded fervently as I walked up the stairs and made my way to the guest bedroom. As I reached the door I heard Twilight open the door.

“Hel- Princess Luna?” Twilight said surprised. Oh crap… “I thought you and Princess Celestia were coming at noon?” Twilight questioned as I heard the clopping of hooves on the wooden floor of the library. “Why do you have the Lunar guard here?” Twilight asked again.

“We were sent ahead of Celestia to make sure the creature were sedated as per her instructions. Where may it be?” She asked as I poked my head around the corner of the stairs.

Standing in the foyer were 4 bat winged pegasi clad in obsidian armor. At the front of the guards was Princess Luna, her ethereal mane and tail flowing behind her as she stood in front of Twilight. She was wearing no armor, other than her normal regal attire that was composed of her crown, horseshoes, and necklace.

“Hold on for one second while I go get him.” Twilight stated as she ran towards the steps stopping at the bottom as she saw me.

“Why are you hesitating Twilight? Might you need escort to gather the creature?” Luna asked.

“Princess Luna, she doesn't need any help gathering me. I’m perfectly capable of walking down a flight of stairs myself.” I said cockily as I started my descent down the stairs, startling the guards and Luna into a fighting position. “Easy there Princess, I’m friendly!” I exclaimed throwing my hands up in front of my face half expecting somepony to hit me.

“Stay bac- Wait a minute, did this creature just speak Equestrian?” One of Luna's guards asked surprised. I chuckled.

“Yes and no, where I come from this is called English. Princess Luna, my name is Robert Kenneth Rucker. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” I stated happily as I knelt down in front of her and bowed slightly, then proceeding to stand up once more. Her horn reached the top of my head so her eyes were right at mouth level.

“Twilight, surely you jested us when you said this creature were human?” Luna asked leaning over to glare at Twilight.

I held a hand in front of her face causing her to look back at me. “Your myths and legends are several millennia old Princess Luna. Albeit, I’m not of this world.” I was about to continue when I felt something heavy hit me over the head.