Mister Crowley (Experimental)

Mister Crowley

By: Die Philosophen

- Note: General work is fictionalized, though certain elements may or may not be fiction. -

As a reminder, this is still just an experimental story, however it's starting to have some nice results. So I give thanks to my little unaware testers. If there's anymore approvals, I'll turn this into a writing project.

-Subnote: I'm not fully sure about the quality I wrote this chapter. I'd appreciate some feedback on it. -

-Additional Subnote: This chapter is shorter than normal because I've found that this particular one wasn't exactly the most enjoyable to write, but nonetheless was still a good one to my opinion.

- -

Following the fiasco a day ago, Julius was now fully rested and prepared for the new day ahead of him. The translation spell he's been under for the past few days had passed on, and the rough translations for Pony English and Written Pony were now lost until Twilight came to visit. She luckily states, though with difficulty, that she experimented for a longer-lasting translation spell, aswell bringing with her certain textbooks that'd assist him in at least starting a basic function of their language. Thanking Twilight, he started his way into studying, absorbing information while in the meantime utilizing his laptop for the very first time to copying down notes. Pooling in that session to at least four hours, Julius ended the session by checking the gifts he received the other night.

The first was by Twilight, which turned out be a rather hefty amount of books she chose personally from the library as gifts. Placing them aside for the next gift, Julius found a crudely written note, and from what the spell translated into his retinas, Applejack's gift was at the farm as she apparently forgot where it was last placed. He found Pinkie's already, a cake and assortments of other baked goods he's kept safe. There was a Rose lapel lying in his cabinet, and a note that was directly impossible for him to even comprehend, the hoofship extremely elegant and beautiful for his eyes. When he attempted to start himself lunch, he realized that there were significantly more cooking utensils in his drawers, but there wasn't anything to signal just who gave him it. Whoever it was, he was thankful for.

And finally there was a ticket to an apparent Wonderbolts show later this evening, and by deduction, this was by Rainbow Dash or the Hooves twins. Overall, they seemed to be nice gifts to his opinion. But today he'll attempt to walk on his own to Sweet Apple Acres, hoping he could landmark the best way to find it.

- -

Dressing himself in his best attire of the day in full black, a white tie, and pinning the rose to his lapel before checking himself over once again in the mirror. Subconsciously running his hand down the length of his hair before shaking his head slowly and slid out the Valknut pendant before turning. However, before he could even take a step towards the door, he felt his heart pulsating unevenly and his vision began to blur in and out. He grasped at his chest and leaning against the wall before staring up at the mirror before feeling a cold awash. Standing within the mirror was himself, except he could see that instead his body was mangled worse than before, his left elbow broken through the skin. Blood drenching his clothes as his reflection was cutting itself open, from the wrist to his shoulder with a sharpened rib. When he looked into his own face, he could see his left eyes pupil were shrunken and his right wasn't even there, in replacement was another one of his ribs. Faintly he could hear himself speaking something, but couldn't comprehend.

And then it stopped suddenly.

Julius slouched to the floor and watched in fear of the mirror, his reflection returning to normal as he felt a sudden sharp stab at his right eye and released a sudden string of curses before he realized that his own finger had poked him. Shaking his head, Julius slowly lifted himself up and took deep breaths as his watering eye slowly recovered itself. “What...the fuck...” Julius simply managed to get out before his body slowly recollected itself and he could move normally once again. Staring back at the mirror, and found that his right eye wasn't the normal gray. Instead, looking back towards him was a rust-colored iris, causing Julius some due alarm before he simply stood up and decided he should see someone about this sooner or later.

- -

After a quick return to strap his scabbard to his belt, Julius started on his way down the countryside path, keeping his left hand close by his saber while his other slowly adjusted the rose. His first landmark came when he found a crossroad and its sign, directing his immediate left to the Everfree Forest, the north towards Sweet Apple Acres, and east towards Ponyville. Following north, Julius slid his right hand into his pocket and watched the orchards, recalling the last time he saw the trees were for just maybe twenty minutes tops before he bled out enough for him to collapse. Even then, it was an amazing feat that he could even walk almost normally, considering he'd probably be lying in bed for the next couple of months while his body attempted to restore itself to its best ability. Those doctors knew just what to do, and did it quick.

However, he wasn't the only one out for the time being as he noticed an approaching figure in the distance, and closing in fast. Raising an eyebrow, Julius stared at the figure for a couple moments before it dawned on him that the figure wasn't galloping, and the figure was actually a foal riding a scooter. And then it came clear he wasn't going to be able to avoid this one, as the foal shouted she couldn't control the scooter. Bracing himself for impact, Julius gritted his teeth as the foal finally lost stabilization and was launched into the air, Julius doing his best to catch the pony before she got hurt. Grunting as he caught the foal, stumbling to the ground with a grunt.

Lifting himself up and slowly lowering the foal to the ground, she turned her attention towards Julius. Her gamboge coat was dirty, and from what he could see, was covered in scratches and grazing's. Her fuchsia mane was haphazardly made and covered by a purple helmet with twin white streaks, and her sheepish grin signaled something didn't go right. “Sorry, mister.” Julius simply nodded and lifted himself up before the foal realized just who he was. “Whoa...you're Julius, that human Rainbow talked about!” She said excitedly, eliciting a raised eyebrow and bushed himself off quickly.

The filly was about as tall as his kneecap, and was easily dwarfed as she stared in awe, “U-Uh...y-yeah?” He managed out as the filly quickly got her scooter back upright and looked back to Julius.

“She said you could use some thing to cut stuff in half, and that it looks awesome. Is it true?” Julius took note to make sure Rainbow Dash doesn't spread it enough to where he'd most likely get in trouble for even having the blade in the first place. Julius simply nodded and directed his hand towards the cloth hilt of the blade, the filly staring in awe of its intricate hilt, “Can I see it?” She asked excitedly, Julius sighing before grasping the hilt and drew the blade out and held it low enough for her to see, holding the underside of the blade gently in his open hand. The filly stared in awe as Julius then returned it to his scabbard.

“D-Don't t-t-t-tell a-anyone, i-i-i-it's s-supposed t-t-to be a-a s-s-secret.” He managed out, the filly rapidly nodding before she remounted her scooter and began trailing Julius as he started walking towards Sweet Apple Acres.

“So what're doing, Julius?” she asked, using her own wings to keep up with Julius as he returned to his casual walk.

“V-V-Visiting S-S-Sweet Apple A-Acres.” He simply stated as the filly continued at his side and stared up towards him in awe, “W-W-What i-is y-y-your n-name, a-anyhow?”

“Scootaloo!” She responded happily, Julius smiling at her for a moment before her next question came, quite literally, out of the haze when she noticed his eyes, “What's up your eyes, Julius?”

He put his hand up to his eye and slowly rubbed it before looking back down towards her, and clearly she could see that his left eye was a solid gray and the other she could see there was red patches around his iris, which itself had changed from its gray to an ominous rust red. “T-Trauma, I-I-I d-d-dunno w-why...” He gave his best attempt to a lie, Scootaloo still curious but stopped herself by asking the next question. He couldn't tell, but to his own guess when he saw it that he must've taken some trauma to it during his appearance in Equestria, not to mention he lost the feeling in his left arm for sometime now.

Their conversation dragged on for almost an entire hour, the questions almost never ending as Scootaloo learned a little bit about Julius' history and eventually asked him a rather serious, in her own opinion, question. “Hey Julius, do you think you could get Rainbow Dash to be, like, a teacher for me?” She asked, Julius raising his eyebrow before giving her his best smile and nodded.

“I-I-I'll s-s-see w-what I-I can d-do...” Scootaloo, suitably excited, gave Julius a farewell and stated she should practice attempting to fly before Rainbow Dash considered her offer. Julius smiled before he continued following the path onto Sweet Apple Acres, and finding himself pondering his new course of action. He knew that his body was deteriorating at this rate, especially his mind now considering what the saw just earlier today, and his mind was forcing itself to adjust. It all seemed alien that just a week ago he was running a pawnshop, still playing video games, and wondering what he'll do with his life at that rate, and now this? He needed to relax, and take his adjustments into consideration before something does on and he ends up either dead or worse.

- -

Sweet Apple Acres stood before him soon enough, the simplistic but beautifully designed buildings surrounding him left and right, two barns situated near each other, one used to his guess as their home while the other was for storage. Aswell the silo towered close by the background, and a slew of other minor buildings dotted around the farm, including what Julius could guess were shops for the apples. Overall, it was a simplistic but unique in architecture, Julius' architectural sense approving. However, his vision directed towards the familiar Stetson hat of Applejack. “'Ey there, sugarcube, welcome to Sweet Apple Acres!”

Julius smiled to her as she checked over his new suit with some minor distaste, “Looks like yah found Fluttershy's rose.” She said, Julius nodding as he adjusted his lapel before she remembered, “Sorry fer the delay, sugarcube, but I found the little thing hidden in the barn.” She presented him with another Stetson hat, this one however Julius could see that it it was rather old, and by the looks it's seen better days. Politely retrieving it from her grasp and tested it on his head, finding it a comfortable but rather tight fit, Applejack voicing her approval. “Anyhow, if you'd like to stick around fer a spell, I wantcha ta meet Apple Bloom.” Accepting, she proceeded to show him around the farm, meeting Granny Smith and a short hello with Big Macintosh.

It was only a couple of minutes after the tour, Julius and Applejack were greeted by a filly with a grayish olive coat, amaranth hair up in a pink bow, and gamboge irises. She stopped short of about to greet Applejack when she caught sight of Julius and stopped in awe of him, Julius tipping his hat in her direction out of respect. “Apple Bloom, this big old feller is Julius Crowley, Equestria's first ever real human.” Applejack introduced her to the suited individual, Apple Bloom simply staring in awe.

After Apple Bloom's shock subsided and their conversations subsided, Apple Bloom didn't make it unknown that she voiced her disapproval about a 'cute-ceañera' because she didn't have a cutie mark, which raised an eyebrow from Julius and a rather sour look. "It's just not fair!" Apple Bloom shouted once again, venting her frustration to Julius while pacing back and forth, who in turn was watching Applejack bucking the trees. "Everypony in my class is going to it, and I'm the only one who doesn't have a cutie mark!" Julius simply sighed before speaking up.

"A-A-Apple B-Bloom, c-c-c-come h-here a m-m-moment." He said, patting the grass next to him, the foal reluctantly taking a seat next to him, Julius jokingly putting his new hat ontop of her. "L-L-Look. C-Complaining w-won't h-h-help a-anypony,n-nor w-w-would it h-h-help y-you g-g-g-get...a-a c-c-cutie m-m-mark s-s-sooner. Y-Y-You're g-g-going t-to find i-i-it s-sooner o-o-or l-later, n-n-no m-m-matter w-what." He said, pointing at her flank, "J-J-Just f-f-find w-w-what y-you're b-b-b-best a-a-at, a-a-a-and y-you'll f-find i-i-it." Apple Bloom gave him a look of awe as he took his Stetson back from her and smiled, "N-N-Now g-go f-f-f-find i-i-it." Julius' bout of wisdom seemed to raise Apple Bloom's spirit suitably higher as she quickly began a crusade to find what her cutie mark was.

"Got a right way with words, dontcha Julius?" Applejack teased, Julius smiling back to her before taking a stand.

"T-T-Thanks f-for l-l-l-letting m-m-me w-watch, I-I n-need t-t-t-to g-go.." Taking his stand and about to leave, he was stopped short by Applejack.

"'Ey, sugarcube, Pinkie wanted me ta tell yah to be at Sugarcube Corner for the cute-ceañera." Julius sighed before nodding, and bade her farewell.

- Sometime Later -

After an uneventful encounter with Rarity and her younger sister, Sweetie Belle, Julius had returned home momentarily, steering clear of the mirror this time. After spending a good period of time clearing his facial hair, and masking his body odor, Julius had prepared himself atleast for being outside. Aswell, Julius finding the need subsided, he left his ballistics vest within his cabinet for the future as now showed his suit vest. Preparing for the party, only due to keeping his friendship with Pinkie high, was overall simple in view.

Final adjustments made, Julius caught up the Mane Six as they started on their way to the party, Derpy aswell joining them with Dizzy and Dinky. The group had started idle conversation, each ignoring certain looks from the various ponies while Dinky and Dizzy shared a confused glance while they then glanced at Julius, then to his hand resting on the hilt of his sabre as he stared around carefully. However, they began conversing with each other as they came upon Sugarcube Corner, Julius taking a deep breath as they entered, and the encounter with Apple Bloom became evident as some party goers realized he was there and quickly made way as the Mane Six quickly dispersed, however he took notice when Apple Bloom was moving directly towards him and noticed two other fillies coming towards him aswell.

"Julius, quick, hide me!" Apple Bloom said, and without a confirmation, she quickly hid herself behind his leg as the two others stopped and turned away, seemingly to avoid Julius' presence as he stared them down. "Thank..." Apple Bloom said exasperated as he gaver her a questioning look, then turned when there was a a rather obnoxious shout.

"Hey, look everypony, Apple Bloom's hiding behind the giant freak!" Julius snapped his head up towards the voice, finding it came from the same filly he deterred from harassing Apple Bloom. “Not to mention she's still a blank flank!” There was a small appeal to laughter as the Mane Six quickly moved to stop Julius when they noticed his shaking hand began wrapping around the hilt to his blade and forced him to relax, however, there was a retaliation just after the filly spoke up.

“Oh yeah, what do you have against blank flanks?!” The familiar voice of Scootaloo shouted out, Julius finding her alongside Sweetie Belle, aswell as Dinky and Dizzy. “Huh?!” Scootaloo shouted, pointing her hoof at the other filly.

Soon enough Julius' memory unveiled this particular scene from the show itself and watched as it almost canonically composed itself, and came to the realization that this wasn't even remotely right, it should at least diverge from what the original show was, by his memory, unless the divergence was...Dinky and Dizzy. He watched them huddle at one of the tables and began plotting down the name for their club, then he felt a sharp stabbing pain within his right eye and quickly put his hand up to it and felt something warm against his hand. Using his left eye, Julius then noticed there was blood, and almost let out a scream before he forced himself away, doing his best to avoid crashing into other ponies and disappeared, making his way to the hospital while tripping and falling when his balance became erratic.

- Epilogue -

Admitted to the hospital, Julius was put under almost instantly after he was brought into a surgery room. When he woke later in the day, surrounded once again by the Mane Six and the recently formed Cutie Mark Crusaders, he was told that his right eye was lost to a bacterial infection and required surgical removal. It came as a shock to him as he realized that he truly couldn't see out of his right eye. Closer inspection put it that his right eye was replaced by an eyepatch. Suitably upset, Julius was again kept overnight, released with a bitter attitude as he returned home alone and did his best to calm.

- End Note: Again, I'm not fully sure I'm doing a good job on this chapter, please voice opinions in a constructive manner. -