Author's Note

I don't usually like to ramble or put my thoughts on paper whatever, but I feel like I need to address the growing hatred of this story.

Soooooo it's been a bit, hasn't it? And you might be wondering why that is. So, I will be straight forward and honest with those who actually enjoy my story.

During the first initial release of this story, there's been major backlash. I have had this idea in my head for the past few years and I was finally motivated enough to write it down and publish it to the world.

Sadly, there has been very bad reception towards it. I don't typically like to say that I wrote it solely for the likes and views, I couldn't care less if the story got popular. It's simply the fact that a large chunk of people simply don't like the story. I know I said that I didn't write it for the likes, but I personally don't see a reason in writing a story and publishing it if people just don't like it in general. The dislikes just don't make me feel confident as a writer and I really feel inadequate right now.

If you don't like the story, please DM me your reasons as to why and let me try to improve, cause that's all I ask for. I want to be a better writer and I want to be a storyteller. The issue is that I can't do that if I'm not being told what I'm doing wrong.

I'm sorry to any of those that I may upset with this story. I apologize that it did not live up to your standards.

Sorry about the rant, please tell me what you think of this chapter in the comments below.

Chapter 6: Out of The Hospital

Matthew was sitting in his room again, but instead of being bored out of his mind, he actually had something to entertain himself. A Daring Do book so ever generously given by Rainbow Dash herself. And while he was very appreciative of having something to do, there was one major issue

It was getting hard to read the damn thing.

The words in the book resembled English to some extent but they were too close together, practically mashing into each other. Matthew figured he’d have to learn how to read this different language, but didn’t think that their current one would reflect his own so closely.

“Feels like I’m in first grade again,” Matthew said to himself as he brought the book even closer to his face. While he was attempting to decode the language, the door to the room opened up and three mares walked right in. Matthew pulled his gaze away from the book and looked up to the three mares.

“Oh… Uh… Hi guys,” Matthew said as he looked at Applejack, Rarity and Twilight.

“Hey there partner, how ya feeling right now?” Applejack said.

“Uh… Never better I guess. Though I think any condition where I’m not burnt to a crisp is better,” Twilight then trotted up to his bed.

“I think you look a lot better now, are you fully okay though? Just want to make sure before they release you from the hospital.”

“They’re releasing me?”

“Why yes, you’re fine now… I think. Is this what humans usually look like?”

“Uhh, I mean, sorta, I am fine, I just... Guess I’m not used to how fast it healed. Something like that would’ve taken months or years and my skin looks fine. Doesn’t even look like I was burned,” Matthew said as he rubbed his arms.

“That’d be due to that magic them unicorn doctors used on ya. Why, I remember when I broke my leg during one Applebucking season as it managed to heal within a few days,” Applejack said as she rubbed her hoof in remembrance.

“A few days?! It would take actual months to heal on Earth!” Matthew said with a look of shock. Rarity then decided to poke her own head in.

“Well magic does have its uses, darling.”

“You’re telling me…”

“Anyways though, I believe a doctor’s going to come in here soon to release you, I’m so excited!” Twilight said

“Why are you excited?” Matthew said with some confusion.

“Well, the rest of the girls and I talked about your living situation and it's been decided that you’ll be staying with me for the time being!”

“Really? No one else would take me in? Not that I’m complaining, just wondering I guess,” At that Applejack looked away a little sheepishly.

“Well… to be frank, sugarcube, you don’t got the strength for farming! Rarity has her little sister living with her and there ain’t no room in that boutique. Ya’ll already said no to Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie lives with Mr and Mrs Cake already. Twilight’s really the only choice ya got,” Applejack said as she pointed towards Twilight, whose smile only seemed to grow.

“Alright, I’m fine with that, won’t be for long anyways… I think,” At the mention of that Twilight’s smile dropped a bit and she looked a little uneasy.

“Uh About that. There’s uh… A bit of an issue with trying to send you back… I uhh… I don’t know how to send you back,” Twilight said with her face looking down at the ground.

“... What?”

“I… I’m sorry Matthew, I looked up everything in the books about interdimensional portals and whatnot, but I couldn’t find anything! Not even in Starswirl the Bearded’s books!”

“... Oh…” Matthew looked lost. He didn’t know what to say. Anything that came to mind seemed to slip off and away from his thoughts. Rarity and Applejack looked towards each other with a slightly concerned look before Applejack stepped forward.

“Look, sugarcube, I bet my whole harvest that Twilight will do everything she can to try and send you back home. She’s a smart pony, she’ll figure something out,” Twilight, upon hearing that, looked a little more away from the conversation.

“I… I’ll try whatever I can, but I don’t know if it’ll be possible right away. I’m so sorry Matthew,” She then backed away from the bed and awaited the human’s response.

“I… I guess it’s the best I can ask for, ya know? If you were in my shoes, there wouldn’t have been anyway to get you guys back to your home… So it’s… fine,” Matthew said, trying to calm himself down as his emotions seemed rather conflicted. Applejack forced on a smile and approached Matthew.

“It’s gonna be okay, I swear,” Matthew looked down at Applejack, her smile causing the human to put on one of his own. The moment didn’t last too long as a doctor stormed right inside of the room, looking at his notes that he brought along with him as a wheel chair rolled in behind him.

“Uhh… Matthew, it seems like your whole body has healed from the massive burns altogether! Excellent progress! I’d say you are fit to leave the hospital now!”

“Uh… about that doc, where’s my clothes? I’d get out of bed, but I’m pretty sure I’m naked underneath the sheets,” Matthew said, looking around a little bit trying to find his own pair of clothes. The doctor pony looked a little apprehensive at that.

“Ah, about that, well, we had to cut them off to perform some basic surgery on you, removing some burns that were too damaged to heal properly, and… well we tossed them. There was barley anything on you… They’re… ruined to say the least,” At hearing that, Matthew pulled the sheets up to cover most of his body up even more.

“I’m not getting out of this bed,” Twilight looked up in confusion at Matthew.

“Uh, why not? It should be fine, right?”

“Well, I guess we never covered that topic during our conversations. BUT, my… privates kinda just dangle out and I’m not going to walk through town with my sausage bouncing around.” Rarity put a hoof over her mouth in shock at hearing that.

“How improper use of language!”

“It’s true though and I’m not leaving this bed without some sort of clothing!” The ponies looked to one another, wondering what to do. Suddenly Rarity seemed to have this idea spark in her head.

“Oh! I have an idea, it’ll have to do for now, but I can let you use ”a roll of cloth from my boutique!"

“You’d do that?”

“Well of course, daring! You need it now more than anypony else, it’s the least I can do! Twilight, would you be a dear and go get it? It's in my room!”

“Yes, of course, I’ll be back in a jiffy,” Twilight said as she teleported out of the room, presumably to Rarity’s Boutique.

“I can’t thank you enough, really. I didn’t expect something so… generous,” Rarity couldn’t help but smile at hearing that.

“Well, it’s to be expected seeing as I’m the Element of Generosity!” Rarity said, with a small bit of pride in her voice. Though, her words only seemed to confuse Matthew.

“... Element of Generosity?” Before Rarity could answer, Twilight came back with a dress, it was mainly purple but the ends were dyed with some reddish color, all of it being held together by a vest piece. As well as the cloak seemed to just be a random cloak with little to no design.

“Will thus do, Rarity?” Twilight said as she floated the long piece of fabric over to Rarity. Rarity in turn, enveloped this dark brown fabric in her own magic and looked over it.

“Yes, I believe this is it! Hmm, what do you think dear?” Rarity said as she lifted up the cloth for Matthew to see.

“Uh… how am I supposed to wear it?”

“Oh, you let me worry about that deary! Do you like it?”

“I… guess?”

“Excellent!” With that, Rarity’s magic went to work. Out of nowhere scissors were flown high into the sky as well as a tape measure and a sewing needle.

Right in front of Matthew’s own eyes, he could see a cloak being made right in front of him. A couple snips here and a few bits of sewing there and before Matthew could even comprehend what was happening right in front of him, there was a brand new cloak, brown cloak that had Rarity’s cutie mark upon it.

Matthew could only gape at what he saw.

“That right there is what I call some magic!” Applejack said as Rarity levitated the newly made garment right into Matthew’s hands.

“I did what I could, but I hope it’s to your liking! I’ll be sure to make something far more comfortable down the line.”

“No, it’s fine, I’m just… shocked,” Matthew said as his mouth still hung agape. Twilight, seeing his bewildered expression, walked forward.

“At what?

“Well, I’ve never seen that before.”

“Magic? Well, we talked about that already and-”

“I mean the whole… Never mind,” Matthew then wrapped the cloak around himself, comfortable to at least cover up some of his dignity. Just as he was about to throw the sheets off, he couldn’t help but notice the prying eyes on him.

"... Uh… can I get some privacy?" The ponies that stared at Matthew were shaken out of their daze with blushes ever present on their faces. Without saying many words, the three mares excused themselves and trotted out of the room. The only pony remaining was the doctor that came in earlier.

“Ah, I think you forgot I was here, huh?”

“A little… I’d still like some privacy.”

“... That… won’t happen.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well, for one, your body has gone under great stress healing the wounds it procured during your little… fire incident. I’m just staying to make sure you’re able to trot.”

“... I… I mean you’re right… I just-”

“Come now, I’m a professional, I’ve seen plenty. The only thing I want to see is if you can stand, are you okay to do that?”

“... Yeah, I’ll sure as shit try,” Matthew swung his legs over the bed, shame and pride pushed aside for the moment, and he attempted to stand. It was a little shaky at first, but Matthew seemed to be able to keep his balance for a bit.

And then he started walking.

The literal second that Matthew lifted one of his feet off the ground, he felt a sharp bolt of pain shoot up his leg. He started falling immediately. Thankfully a certain pony doctor caught Matthew in his magic before he was about to fall too far.

“Woah, woah there! You alright? See it’s a good thing I was here,” The doctor said as he put Matthew back on the bed.

“Dammit… I thought I-”

“Don’t beat yourself up over it. You’re still recovering, we’re just gonna have to put you in a wheelchair for the time being. Just try to move your legs every now and then, that combined with magic, and you’ll be just fine,” The dark pony said as he pulled over the wheelchair from earlier and pulled it out in front of Matthew.

“Alright, when can we do that? I’d rather be able to walk on my own again.”

“Don’t worry about that now, you’ll probably be able to walk later today, we should get you out of the hospital for now,” As Matthe was getting hauled to the door, he wrapped the cloak around his waist, making sure to cover up whatever was left of his pride.

“Uhh… Okay. I don’t see why we’re rushing, but I guess this is fine,” As soon as he was done, he was quickly lifted and put onto the wheelchair that was a bit too big for him.

“Uh… how do you guys have something like this in storage? … Do you guys have giant ponies to take care of?”

“What? No! Well sometimes. But this wheelchair’s for a minotaur, we just repurposed it for your use,” The doctor said as he was making sure the wheelchair was good enough for Matthew’s use.

“Oh… Hmm… You know for a guy who’s been doing all this stuff for me, kinda surprising I haven’t gotten your name by now.”

“Doctor Greymane, at your service!” At hearing his name, Matthew grabbed at his forehead and whispered to himself.

“Greymane, Ponyville- What’s with all the stupid horse puns?”

“What was that?”

“Nothing, don’t worry about it,” Greymane shrugged his shoulders and started pushing Mathew out of the room. When the doors opened, Matthew could hear the three mares giggling to themselves.

“What’s so funny?” The mares immediately quieted their giggling and looked towards Matthew with a smile.

“Oh, nothing, just girl things!” Twilight said. Applejack trotted up next and looked at Matthew’s new clothes. Nopony noticing Doctor Greymane slinking away from the group.

“Eh… I mean… I’ve seen worse, Rarity...” Applejack said with a forced on smile as she looked towards Rarity.

“Oh PUHlease! This was incredibly last minute! I will be sure to remedy this, and make proper attire, after the par-” Suddenly, Applejack closed her hooves over Rarity’s mouth, looking at Matthew with a giant smile.

“After the uhh… Uhm…” Applejack then looked over at Twilight, worry and help screaming from her eyes.

“Uhh!...After the… package!”

“... Package?” Twilight said as her eyes darted around the room.

“Yes! I am… getting a package from Celestia and… It has… Uhh-”

“If you don’t want to tell me, it’s fine, you don’t have to make this bullshit of a lie,” Matthew said as he stopped Twilight from embarrassing herself more.

“Uhh… Sorry, it’s a bit of a secret and we didn’t want to spoil anything.”

“Spoil what?” Matthew said with a smile. Twilight was not amused though, showing a rather flat face towards the joke.

“Okay, sorry, let’s just get out of here,” Twilight said as she gripped Matthew’s wheelchair and started pushing him down the halls of the hospital, Applejack and Rarity following in tow.

The walk was rather silent, occasionally the girls would talk about this or that, but it was nothing of real interest. What was interesting, at least to Matthew, was the lack of… well anybody else. As they continued walking down the halls, and even past the front desk, there wasn’t a single soul in sight. It frightened Matthew, but he bit his tongue and didn’t say anything.

It wasn’t until they exited the hospital that Matthew started to get concerned. Instead of the bustling town that he was told Ponyville was, he was greeted by nothing. No noise, no random chats to hear. There was just nothing.

“Uhh… Where is everybody?” Matthew said, drawing the girls' attention away from their random conversation. The mares looked at each other for a second before Twilight started speaking.

“Uhm… well… you’ll just have to wait for it!” She said, still pushing Matthew’s wheelchair.

“Does this have to do with that thing you guys were talking about earlier?”

“Whaaaaaat? Noooooooo, don’t be silly, we’re just going to my library,” Not even letting Matthew get a retort in, they continued moving forward, further into the dead town. The shops that littered were barred shut, like they were closed last minute, and the stands that lined the streets were empty of stock. Matthew didn’t know what to say or think, but it clearly had something to do with what the girls were talking about earlier. Was it some special holiday? A religion maybe? Matthew wasn’t quite certain which one to pick, or if any of them were correct, but the girls would more than likely tell him afterwards.

“Before we get going back to the library, would ya like a treat, Sugarcube?” Applejack said as they approached a building in the middle of the street. Said building looked like an upscaled gingerbread house with a cupcake at the top. This place certainly had its interesting landmarks.

“Uhh… What is this thing?”

“This here is Sugarcube Corner, it’s got some of the best deserts in all of Ponyville!” Applejack said as she trotted up the steps.

“You sure this place is open? The windows are blocked off like the rest of the stores,” Applejack was about to stumble over her words, but Twilight came by Matthew's side rather quickly.

“We know the owners! They sometimes give us some deserts for free, I’m quite certain they wouldn’t mind this time. Especially since they’ll be getting a new customer soon!”

“I myself spend tons of bits here! I can never get enough of their creme brulee, it’s quite delicious!” Rarity said, taking up next to Twilight.

“I… Alright, I’ll bite, could use a blueberry muffin or something.”

“That’s the spirit!” Twilight said, before lifting Matthew’s chair up with her magic and floating it inside of the store. Once inside though, it was dark, all the lights were off. And try as he might, Matthew could barley see in front of himself, the only light being produced being the light coming in through the door. It was just enough light for him to make out some decorations though… Welcome To Ponyville.

“SURPRISE!”

In a split second, the darkness went away and Matthew was surrounded by what must’ve been a hundred pony’s or so, there were far too many to count. Regardless, Matthew was lowered down and everypony was able to get a good look of him.

The cheers around the room seemed to stop instantly once the ponies started to get a good look at Matthew. Many of them stared in wonder while others looked confused. All Matthew could do was watch as the ponies started to gather around him in wonder.

“Ohhhh!”

“Is this that ‘human’ thing Pinkie was talking about?!?”

“What’s he wearing?!”

“He looks weird!”

“Was he really one fire?”

All the talking in the room was starting to become too much for Matthew to handle, it was getting to the point that the voices seemed to just meld together in one loud noise. It was almost getting to the point of overstimulation before Twilight looked over at Matthew and saw his uncomfortable face.

“Everypony! Let’s all just calm down for a second!” The ponies in the room silenced themselves at hearing Twilight words.

“This here is Matthew, I’m sure Pinkie Pie’s told you all about him, and I know he looks different then… well… everything, but please treat him like he’s one of us! He’s just a human who’s looking to make friends! So why don’t we all just throw him the greatest party ever!”

The ponies in the room let out a loud cheer and started going about their way with the festivities of the party. Twilight, then stepped away from the crowd and approached Matthew.

“Are you okay?”

“Uh… yeah, just a lot of… talking,” Rarity then walked up to Matthew and sat next to him.

“Oh Matthew, dear, it’s quite alright, Pinkie Pie’s parties can definitely be something,” Just then a party horn was blown right into Matthew’s ear. Without even thinking, or even moving his limbs, the party horn darted past Matthew’s ear and to the other side of the room.

“Wowie Zowie! I didn’t know I could blow my party horn that hard!” Pinkie said as she hoped in place with a party hat of her own. “Welcome to Ponyville Matty!” she said as she then wrapped her hooves around Matthew’s shoulders and gave him a bone crushing hug.

Matthew found himself with no oxygen in his lungs. Thankfully Applejack took mercy on him.

“Uh, Pinkie Pie, I don’t know if that’s such a good idea since he just got out of the hospital.”

“Well, of course it is silly! He needs a big ol’ hug to get him in the party spirit!” Pinkie said as she somehow managed to increase the strength of the hug, making Matthew feel like his eyeballs were about to shoot out of their socket. It all suddenly let up with a pop of magic and Matthew found himself able to breathe again, taking in long gasps of air as he did so. Twilight was rather quick with her magic thankfully.

“Pinkie Pie… ”

“Oh, you know I’m just having fun! Twily!”

“Don’t… do that… again…” Matthew said, still taking in long gasps of breath.

“Okay! But no promises!” Pinkie Pie said before zipping on into the party

“The fuck do you not understand by ‘don’t’?!” Rarity, though seeing Matthew almost die, had her own eyes glued to the human with confusion.

“You… say that word a lot.”

“What word?”

“Uhh… the word ‘fuck’… What does that word mean?”

“... I… I… I don’t even know how to start describing that… Uh-” before Matthew could explain the basic fundamentals of curse words to Rarity, a certain blue pegasus made her way to the group.

“Ey yo! Glad to see bandages got out of bed for once. How you liking the- What in the world are you wearing?!” Rainbow Dash said as she stopped right in the air.

“Oh you know, the latest fashion trend from Gucci, thought I’d splurge a little on myself.”

“... Gucci?” Rainbow Dash said in confusion.

“I’m the only person that’s going to get these jokes…”

“Oooookaaaay… Guess I won’t ask. How you liking the party?” Rainbow Dash asked, depseratley trying to change the subject.

“Uhh… I don’t really like parties…” Nothing was said, there was no warning, no sign of what was to come. The music in the party house screeched to a halt and all the ponies there snapped their heads to Matthew in shock and horror. No one dared say anything as they themselves were still processing what he had just uttered.

“Uhh… Did I say something wrong?” Matthew didn’t see it, but a certain party pony had turned her head towards Matthew slowly, her genuine smile being replaced with a frown as her hair seemingly started to deflate.

“You… You don’t like my parties?”

“... What? I didn’t say that I just-” Rainbow Dash then wrapped one of her hooves around Matthew, cutting him off, and looked directly at Pinkie PIe.

“He means he doesn’t like the parties back in his world! RIGHT MATTHEW?!” She said while giving Matthew a tight squeeze. Matthew picked up on what she was saying.

“Uh… Yeah… the parties back at my world sucked,” Like flipping a switch, the pink ponies mane turned back into a curley mess and her smile came back tenfold.

“Then I will make this the bestest party ever! I’m going to make you love parties!” The pink pony said as she zipped off somewhere else in the room. The music came back on and all the ponies there resumed their activities as though nothing happened.

“... Maybe this is a cult thing,” Rainbow Dash, still having her hoof around Matthew, turned him to fully face her.

“Are you insane?! Why would you say something like that here?!”

“Uhh… What?”

“You don’t say those words when at a Pinkie Pie party! What are you stupid?!” Rainbow Dash was quickly pulled back by Twilight’s magic, and forced to sit, as Twilight stood next to Matthew.

“Sorry about that, but you really shouldn’t say that about Pinkie’s parties, it’s kinda her whole thing.”

“... But I wasn’t really lying.”

“Well neither does Applejack, but even she wouldn’t be as stupid to say that!”

“I just don’t like lying.”

“Why don’t you like parties?” When the words left her mouth, she noticed Matthew’s face turned sour as he grabbed his arm.

“I’d rather not talk about it… Can you guys just shove me in a corner and I’ll keep to myself.”

“You know what, I’ll join you! Why don’t the rest of you girls have fun?” Twilight said as she turned to the rest of her friends.

“You sure, dear? I would hate to leave the guests of honor to just sulk in a corner,” Rarity said.

“Oh yes, I do have a bunch of questions for Matthew still.”

“Fun…”

“Welp, good luck with that, wraps,” Rainbow Dash said as she dashed off to another part of the party somewhere else entirely. Everypony else followed suit as they went off to their own little part of the parties and enjoyed themselves. After the two were alone, Twilight simply pushed Matthew’s wheelchair to a more reserved and quiet part of the party. Once Matthew was parked in place, right next to a table, Twilight pulled up a chair next to him and sat.

“I hope you’re enjoying yourself, Pinkie Pie puts a lot of work into her parties!”

“Yeah, I can tell,” Matthew said as he looked at the seven decker cake in the middle of the table.

“So Matthew, I didn’t want to concern you or anything, but did I ever leave my journal or notes at the hospital?"

"I don't think so, why?"

"Drat! I thought it would have been there! Auuughgghhhh!" She said as she buried her face in the table.

"Am I missing something?"

"I…lost it."

"How? You seem like the kind of person to keep everything organized."

"That's the thing! I don't know! I left it on the table one day to go to sleep and when I woke up it was just gone! I looked everywhere for it but it's like it just sprouted some legs and ran away!"

"Oh, uh I'm sorry… Don’t you have some magic you could use?”

“What? No, why would you think that? Magic doesn’t solve everything.”

“... Aquio horcrux…”

“Horcrux?”

“Agh, don’t worry about it.”

“... Okay? But I’m going to have to rewrite everything from that book!”

“I mean, I’m still here if you have questions, it’s really of no-”

“No, no, no, I memorized it! I just didn’t want to rewrite the whole thing if I didn’t have to.”

“I’m sorry, you memorized the whole thing?” Twilight found her face flushed red.

“I uhh, well I… maybe read it a few times…”

“...”

“... Okay, maybe more than a few times

“Was about to say.”

“It’s not like I can’t rewrite it though I am so excited to learn more about your culture!”

“Yeah? Well, there’s a lot of stuff I don’t think you’d like.”

“Like what?”

“... Dictators, supremacists, racists, etcetera.”

“Uh… huh… Okay, that’s a lot to take in.”

“Yeah, I’ll only tell you about those ones if I have to.”

“Okay! Let’s start off with something small! Like the dots on your arms!” The smile on Matthew’s face dropped like a dead fly.

“What?”

“Oh, uh, Nurse Redheart told me you said that the dots on human’s arms are important or something. So I was just wondering if-”

“No,” Twilight was caught off guard by Mathew’s tone, he turned from being friendly to being angry within a second.

“Uh.. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you-”

“It’s fine,” The tension between the two was thick after that, neither of them looking at each other as they sat there in silence.

“Welp, I’ll go do some party things, I’ll see you around Matthew,” Twilight said, not letting Matthew get a word in as she stood up and walked back into the party pit. Matthew though, was covering his track marks, memories beginning to flood in again. He wasn’t able to dwell on his thoughts for long, before him the cekes decorative frosting morphed in front of him, changing their very design, to create a draconequus. Said draconequus was riding on top of a book that seemed to grow legs.

“Why hello there Matt, how goes the party?” Discord asked, grabbing a piece of himself and eating it.

“... What the fuck are-”

“Magic Matt, do you really need an explanation for that?”

“I… What are-”

“Might I add, it was rather hilarious that you got Rarity to say that word, given its meaning and such!”

“What do you want?”

“Oh please, Matthew, I don’t want anything more than to enjoy this little festivity here and check up on my new… ‘friend’.”

“We just met.”

“Oh, you wound me Matt! I thought we were already the greatest of chums!” Discord said as false frosting tears seemed to fall from his face.

“I don’t know what you’re doing here! Why are-”

“Quiet now Matt, you’ll look insane talking to a cake.”

“Can you stop calling me Matt?!”

“Ooooooh, did I strike a nerve there? Why should I stop, Matt? Something in your past life you don’t want to mention?” Discord said as he poked his claw out of the cake and pointed towards Matthew’s arm. Matthew swatted his hand away and Discord simply let out a laugh before retracting his hand back into the cake.

“Don't call me that!"

"Fine Matthew, have it your way. But I have a couple questions."

"Such as?" Discord then grabbed the book he was riding and pulled it in front of himself.

"Well, you see, there's a lot of information in this book, see? I was only wondering if there’s anything more I should know about your little world and how it’s progressed.”

“What?... Wait… Is that-”

“Yes, the very one! I just couldn’t help myself and read it! So many interesting inventions and so many wondrous things that are held within this book! But please tell me Matthew, what has happened since I was last there?”

“... Last time… Wait, you’ve been there?!”

“Yes Matthew, of course I have! When I was there though, you humans lived in tall castles and I believe fighting off some plague… Gonna be honest, I thought all of humanity would have died after that.”

“I… I need you to send me back. I want to-”

“Before you even finish that sentence, I want you to know that I’ve lost the ability to go there.”

“... Bullshit.”

“Oh but I’m not ‘bullshitting’ you, I am telling you the truth! I haven’t gone back there in over a thousand years and I can’t remember the spell for the life of me.”

“What the fuck do you really want then? You want to just rub it in my face that you were there or-”

“I already told you, I simply wish to learn more about your little world! Tell me, what’s one of the bigger weapons your world has? Last time I was there, the most advanced thing was a cannon, so please do update me on that, would you?”

“Why should I?”

“Oh Matthew, remember our deal, you help me and I’ll help you… Do you want to go back on it already?” Matthew looked at Discord with hate and regret in his eyes, wanting nothing more than to punt Discord across the room. But he wanted something else moreso, to be able to control his abilities.

“I don’t know… a nuke?”

“Nuke? Pray tell, what would that be?”

“A bomb so powerful that it can wipe out entire cities within seconds.”

“oooOOooooo… How are you humans alive?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, good to know, I’ll keep that little ‘bomb’ thing in mind.”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Don’t worry about it, for now you should enjoy yourself!”

“I think I’ll tell Twilight and her friends about the bullshit you’re doing.”

“Do it.”

“What?”

“Do it! I’d really love to see who they’d believe more! Me, who’s been there closest confidant for the longest of times, or you… somebody they know nothing about and is ever so friendly with others… Twilight will surely take your word…”

“... I-”

“Now, now, this conversation is starting to bore me. I think you should enjoy your party, I’ll go do some light reading about your human history! Goodbye for now, Matt,” Discord snapped his fingers and disappeared off the cake, leaving Matthew to stare at the cake in anger. The cake suddenly started to tip over away from Matthew.

The second the cake started to tip, Matthew's anger dissipated and the cake then came back towards Matthew. It wobbled back and forth, tempting to fall off of the table or towards Matthew as it tipped back and forth. Before it eventually settled back down at the table.

“... I guess it’s rage then… Shit, that’s gonna be hard to control,” Matthew said as he started rubbing the back of his head in frustration. “Yeah, that took long enough to figure out, dumbass. Goddamn…” As Matthew was about to berate himself even more, three little fillies slowly approached him.

“Whatcha think he’s gonna do?”

“He looks scary…”

“He doesn’t look that scary! Rainbow Dash said he’s pretty cool!”

“I don’t got a good feeling about-”

“Is that your attempt at whispering? I can hear you from here!” Matthew shouted out, causing the three little fillies to stiffen up at his voice. The one with a red mane spoke first.

“You… you could hear us?”

“... No shi-... Yeah, I could hear you. Who are you guys?”

“Oh, I’m Applebloom, and Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo!”

“Uh nice to meet you, do you need something?”

“We were just wondering what it’s like to be human with those… fleshy limb thingies, Scootaloo said, pointing towards Matthew’s hands. Matthew looked down at his hand with a confused look.

“... My fingers?”

“Yeaaaaah!” They all said in unison.

“... I hate kids.”

While Matthew was being bombarded with questions galore, Twilight and Rarity were having a conversation of their own. After getting out of that conversation with Matthew, Twilight seemed out some comfort.

"I don't know what I did wrong! I guess it's part of the culture, but I don't know now that. Nurse Red Heart just said that it was a human thing! I… I don't-"

"Breath, darling," Twilight stopped her alight panicking and took a couple deep breathes. "What he did was a bit rude, but he didn't yell at you, did he dear?"

"No, it's just that this is an important assignment, Celestia told me to make sure he feels welcomed and-"

"Sorry dear, 'assignment?'"

"Well, Celestia told us to be Matthew's friend and we-"

"Twilight, dear, I'm not sure I'd classify that as an assignment."

"What do you mean?"

"Well… I feel like it's more of a… nudge to be his friend. I mean, was it an assignment to be my friend?"

"What? No, of course not."

"Exactly. We don't have to be friends with dear Matthew, we can really just check up on him, though I'd rather actually be his friend, he seems like a good stallion."

"I… guess you're right."

"Still on about the aggression thing?'

"Yeah."

"Well… we can theorize what those dot things mean if you want."

"What could they be to cause him to be angry."

"Well… what if it's the amount of marefriends he's had … or coltfriends, and each one is how many times his heart has been broken! I can picture it now! Matthew plans the perfect date, has flowers a reserved table at an expensive fine dining restaurant and in a pocket a ring! He was planning to propose!! And when his date arrives, they look so upset and unhappy! And then-"

"I get it Rarity,".Twilight said amused at Rarity’s romantic story telling. Rarity’s face was shaded a slight pink as she realized what she was doing.

"Apologies, I may have gone a little overboard."

"Well, I got the point… maybe though. That's not a bad theory, I'll be sure to write it down, I just don't want to make him upset again."

"...I don't know what to tell you, Twilight. Maybe just don't ask about it?"

"That's really the only option, huh?"

"Afraid so, dear."

"I just wanted to know more about his culture though…"

"And we will eventually. Until then, I can't wait to tell you about all the designs I have in mind for him! I have so many ideas just stirring around!" Rarity said, pulling out a sketchbook and showing off the many designs she's crafted for Matthew. None of this seemed to interest Twilight though, her mind was still on the dots on Matthew's arm.

What could they mean?

Celestia sat at a fine dining table. It was lunch time now and she was having a simple daisy sandwich with a, for herl, small side of cake. Currently she was listening to the rest of her schedule coming from her secretary.

"And at 6'oclock sharp, you're going to a little party with Fancy Pants and his guests about funding with other schools!" The secretary said, putting down her little clipboard and looking at Celetsia with a smile.

"I see… tell me, can we set up any meetings with the guards from Manehatten? I heard there's been an increase in organized crime."

"Uh… I don't know if we can fit it in today, it'd rather late and-"

"I meant on another day, Raven," Ravens white fur didn't help to hide the extreme blush she had on her face at her mistake.

"I-I-I'm so sorry my princess! I must've misunderstood! I'm so terribly sorry-"

"There's no need to apologize, I understand the confusion. Just try to set up an appointment with the mayor and the head guard at Manehatten, preferably by the end of the week," Raven then started to write down a letter in her notepad and started scurring her way out of the room.

"Right away princess! I'll do my best!" Raven said as she opened the door, then freaking out when she laid her eyes on a very disgruntled, half awake, Luna. The difference however was that, this time, Luna had makeup on… Though it looked rather haphazardly put on and and though an ameteaur applied it. Raven let out a small scream before clamping her hooves over her mouth.

"I am so sorry, Princess Luna! I didn't know you were there! I thought-" Luna then picked up the mare in her magic and moved her past the door, not giving her a chance to speak before slamming it behind her. Celestia, seeing her sister in her usual mood, couldn't help.but let out a smile.

"Goodafternoon, sister."

"Morning…" Luna replied, not even waiting before she started making herself a small brew of coffee.

"Do tell, why are you awake at this time? Not usual for you to be here unless something's disturbing you," Luna turned her head to Celestia, the bags under her eyes showing just how little sleep the Alicorn got last night. Luna shook her head a little and stared at the guards stationed in the room.

"Leave us," The guards did so without word. The moment they were gone, Celestias smile grew.

"So, what's got you so wound up?"

"That human, thing…"

"What about him sister?" Celestia said, picking up a piece of cake and nibbling on it.

"This whole time I thought he'd be a danger, a potentially threatening force for Equestria! But nooooo, he's the exact opposite!"

"Does this have to do with that rat costume thing again?"

"No. This time, his dreams were laid with some female."

"Female you say?"

"Yes! She had the parts for one!"

"Agh, one of those dreams. So, I take it that he has nothing to hide?"

"I have found nothing… All that's left is the human himself and how he got here."

"Twilight still hasn't gotten that answer."

"How has she not?! It's been well over a week! What have they been talking about, the clothes his species wears?!"

"From her letters I've been sent, she's been trying to get to know him in general."

"Oh yes, that seems quite important…"

"Luna, this may be a lesson for Twilight, but it's also a lesson for us."

"Really now? Us? You can't be serious."

"I am not joking, sister."

"... Prey tell, what do we, the Princess' have to learn?"

"Embracing the lost."

"The lost? Go on, do explain."

"Matthew is a po-... human who was thrown out of his world and into ours. What we must do, as good ponies, is to show him compassion, kindness and gentle-"

"Yes, yes, yes, I get that, but why do you want to relearn all of this? I'm quite certain you've more than mastered that aspect of politics," Celestia gaze and smile fell off of Luna as she took a deep breath.

"Because if the compassion, kindness and gentleness don't work… then we'll need to take action…"

"Action? Don't tell me you believe that whole power talk he babbled on about."

"..."

"... You can't be serious."

"I am at the moment."

"We've had no proof whatsoever that he has this random power he talked about. What makes you think he-"

"Discord."

"... What haven't you told me?" Celestia looked at Luna for a few seconds, her mind trying to make up excuses as to try and disguise what she was to say. She soon stood up and trotted over to a window, looking over her land.

"... A couple days ago, he visited me in the middle of court… and he was interested in Matthew," Luna's face filled with shock at hearing that, the mad titan himself was interested in one lowly human.

"He's… interested… in the human…"

"My thoughts exactly."

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"

"... I don't know why I told you at all… You wanted answers…"

"...What did Discord say exactly?"

"In exchange for letting him train Matthew with his new power, he'll grant us a piece of technology from the human world."

"You know what trickery he's bound to pull?"

"Of course I do, but this gives him a distraction and gives Matthew the ability to control whatever power he spoke of."

"I suppose you're right but… you said if kindness and gentleness doesn't work, we'll take action… Do tell me why we're arming him then?"

"A show of faith."

"Faith? What if your suspicions of him turn true, what will we do?"

"Luna… we both know what we'll do… if it comes to that," The room was silent, neither of the Alicorn Princess' dare speak a word as the tension in the room felt thicker than stone.

"I suppose we do…"

"If that's all though sister, I believe I'll finish my lunch," Celestia said as she turned back around and sat down at the table again. "I'm not certain what you'll do, but I suggest some sleep, I doubt you'll be able to perform your nightly duties at this rate."

"I'll be fine, Tia. I wanted to get up early anyways, I have to do some important research," Luna said as she turned around and started to walk out of the room.

"Research? Sounds to me like somepony has a date," Luna stopped in her tracks and whirled her head over to her sister.

"I- I- I- I don't know what you're talking about! I'm researching about… uhhhh-"

"Luna… we both know I'm the one better at politics, you've seldom been good at lying."

"... How did you know?"

"Well, for one, you don't like reading."

"... Drats."

"And two, you have makeup on."

"So?!"

"... You only wear it when it’s important, you don't care what a couple guards think about you… Unless there's one certain guardspony who-"

"Quiet!" Luna said as she quickly ran out of the room and slammed the door shut behind her. And though Luna was flushed red, she didn't see the smile on Celestia's face.

"I'm happy for you."