Bliss in Darkness

Preparing Resistance

"How... could that be possible?" I said aloud to myself in the bathroom mirror. "No wonder I got so hammered last night... I don't even want to think about it."

I heard rustling in the room behind me and swiveled around just in time to see Rarity with bedhead that would rival Pinkie Pie. I shuddered when I thought of how upset she would be that I saw her like this. She looked like she had just woken up from a thirty year coma, the bags under her eyes so deep they could hold water. Her coat was ruffled in some places, and matted in others.

"Hey Rarity... I'm going to go... yeah..." I whispered as I left the bathroom. I shut the door just in time to save my ear drums from a piercing shriek. Funny, considering in a few short minutes I was going to tell her about something far more sinister than a bad case of bedhead. I gazed about the room, my eyes focusing on the pile of ponies on my bed. I stopped for a moment to think.

'So. More Humans coming to Equestria... I hope this world is ready for that.'

'I don't even think I'm ready for that.' I conversed with myself.

'If the U.S. Government makes its way through that rift, what will become of this place?'

'Well if they are as ruthless here as they were in dealing with us, the place will be reduced to cinders in mere weeks.'

My internal dialogue was cut off by the bathroom door opening, and my jaw nearly dropped at what I saw. A combed, clean, beautiful and perfect Rarity walked right out and greeted me. Surprised is not even the word for the emotion I was feeling. It was pure and utter confusion. I hadn't even heard the shower running. I shook off my shock and awe, and got back to business.

"Rarity, can I ask you a favor?" I said to the immaculate white unicorn.

"Yes darling, what is it?"

"I need you to gather the other Elements and bring them here as soon as possible. I think Rainbow, Pinkie and Twilight are still in Canterlot Memorial Park."

"Oh... Alright Charlie. What should I tell them? What is going on?" She said, her proper accent not wavering for a second, even with the massive wine hangover she must be experiencing.

"Tell them we need to get to Ponyville as soon as possible. I think it would be better if I explained it to all of you." I said, not wanting to have to explain this more than once.

"Is... is everything alright?"

"I don't know, just hurry!" I said, my patience wearing thin. That unicorn sure knew how to get on my nerves. I liked her well enough but that accent of hers made her seem... snobby. Just as I was about to lose my temper, she finally left the room to gather the other three elements.

I turned to my room and started packing my things for the long trip to Ponyville. It is a strange feeling when all of your belongings can be packed into one suitcase. It was relieving and made me think back to simpler times, but I would have to get myself a house at some point. I had no desire to live off others for the rest of my days in Equestria. This particular suitcase, I had found on the top shelf of my closet. I hoped nobody would mind if I took it, but then I figured I needed it more anyways.

I packed away my clothes, that I still felt bad not paying for, and my book of the night sky that my beloved alicorn friend had given me. I stopped to think about Luna for a brief second, realized that it was a bad idea, and then continued packing. I could not spare the time to feel melancholy in such a dire time. What I did in the next few weeks would determine my fate, as well as the fate of this entire land. If the government made its way here, they would not stop at me. They would capture me, and then "study" all of Equestria.

After I packed all my worldly belongings, I turned to the peaceful duo of ponies sleeping in my bed. Applejack looked a lot cuter with no hat on. It really brought out the color of her mane. Fluttershy looked like a cat on her back, waving her hooves as if to say "scratch my belly! Scratch it now!!" I looked at the sight peacefully, knowing I would likely not see such a thing for a long time.

I opened the curtains, and was met with a blinding light coming from sun slowly but surely lowering itself into the horizon. It was a beautiful sight made unfortunate by the fact that time was running out. I was glad however, traveling at night was much easier as I had more energy and could see better by the light of the moon. Luna's moon. I pushed the thought of Luna out of my head one last time as I heard the voices of the four Elements of Harmony drawing nearer. I opened the door in anticipation and was met with the sight of three very messy, very hungover ponies. I laughed silently to myself and shut the door after they all filed in. They sat in a semicircle around the room. Fluttershy and Applejack woke up in all the commotion and fell in line with the others, not even saying a word.

"I'm sure you are all  curious to know why I brought you here on such short notice..." I said to the five of them, excluding Twilight.

"Are we having another PARTY?!" Exclaimed the now bouncing pink earth pony.

"After last night I don't think I could ever have another party..." Replied a very hungover rainbow maned pegasus.

"Ahem... As I was saying... Last night Princess Celestia revealed to me a very important bit of information. As you all know, I am not from this world. I come from a very different place called Earth. What you don't know, is that there are people on Earth hunting me down." I paused for a moment to take a large breath, and noticed all six ponies were listening intently. Glad to have quelled further interruptions, I continued.

"There is a large group of people on Earth who want to use me for my unique... abilities. After I escaped them the first time, I ran far away and drank a memory erase potion to forget everything that happened. I wanted to try to live a normal life, and just forget the things they did to me."

"I-Is that where all those... those scars... on your body came from?" Interrupted a very timid Fluttershy.

"Yes it is. But enough about the past... The point is, after I took that memory potion I woke up in Equestria. I don't know how I got here, but I am thankful that I am able to stay."

"Excuse me, but Ah don't see the point'n this at all..." Interjected a rather frustrated Applejack.

"Well if you would all be quiet and let me explain!" I nearly shouted, my frustration running rather high. Everypony in the room shuddered at my sudden outburst and Fluttershy hid behind Applejack.

"I'm sorry... just listen. Whatever event caused me to appear overnight in the everfree... It's still happening. Celestia told me that items and beings from my world are appearing in the Everfree, and it's only a matter of time before the evil that I ran from catches on. None of you know what we are up against, and I do. Equestria as we know it could be on the verge of collapse, and the time we spend sitting here is time they could burst into this world and take everything from you. I'm not trying to scare you all, but this is serious and we need to take action as soon as possible."

"What he says is true," continued Twilight Sparkle, "I was there last night when Princess Celestia gave us this assignment. It was not until now that I knew how important it was. Everypony pack their things, we need to get home by the end of the night."

As everypony in the room recovered from the barrage of information, I returned to the window. The sun was only half visible beyond the horizon. I sighed as I turned to the ponies who were silently leaving to pack for the trip.

"Hey... one last thing," I started with my eyes half closed, "this isn't as hopeless as I made it out to be. I don't mean to scare you, I just wanted you all to know how serious this is. I'll do everything in my power to protect this land and its inhabitants, and together I'm sure we will prevail. No matter what happens, don't lose hope. I never did, and look at me now. I'm in the perfect world with six great friends. Nobody, man, or pony, can take this away from me without a fight. I'll meet you all at the city gates in an hour."

Authors Notes: Sorry for the late and short chapter. I've had a hell of a weekend, and my band has a show in an hour! Today has been hell and hopefully tomorrow everything will be sorted out. I want to write but I have no time! AHH!