Wasteland to Wonderland

Jason sighed as he turned into an alley between two shops after a few minutes of walking. When he and Dogmeat went into the rather nice space, Jason sat down as he reached around his Vault-Tec specialized bag.

"Real nice, huh, Dogmeat?" The Wanderer asked.

The dog in question merely titled his head at his master as Jason continued to rummage through his supplies.

"Spent all that time gathering useless ammo, pawning it, and marketing off all that tech to the Brotherhood and Outcasts, and now what do I end up with?"

Jason finally felt the lid to the re-purposed 5mm ammo crate and patted it with a chuckle.

"Yeah, that's 8,000 caps that'll never see the light of day again, huh?" He said with a shake of the head.

Dogmeat merely sat down next to him and looked up at his master as he panted.

"I just hope we can find some work or something. Who knows? Maybe we'll find some kind of bulletin board that puts out odd-jobs every now and then." Jason stated, withdrawing his foreleg from one of the bags.

He looked back at the flap to the bag with the two apples and decided he might as well try one. Jason adjusted himself so that the bag could rotate to the space in front of him, and with some effort, plopped it down between his legs. His appendages stretched into the bag and reached towards one of the red orbs inside. With a struggle of trying to not crush the food between his legs, the Wanderer slowly brought it up towards his face. When he looked at it, he nearly whistled at how it shined in the light, giving off a small reflection. Jason took a small look at himself in the small space of the apple and finally saw his own face since he came to this world.

There was a rather dull-pointed horn atop his forehead, sticking out just beneath the brim of the Stetson. His body was coated in a blue fur which, around his face, was trenched with scars. He saw the reflection of his eyes and noticed how absolutely massive they were. In all honesty, he was surprised they hadn't fallen out of his head yet. Much like every other pony he had come across.

After his quick examination, Jason breathed deeply before slowly moving the apple towards his mouth. Carefully, he bit into the skin of the fruit and tasted a euphoric juice spread across his tongue with a satisfying crunch when a piece of the orb had been cut into his mouth. He felt his senses take off as his eyes widened in shock. This was the greatest tasting thing he had ever eaten. As he slowly chewed, Jason brought the apple out a bit more and looked at it. Its insides were nearly white and leaking the delicious juice all over his arms. With the ferociousness of a wild animal, Jason lunged his mouth at the fruit as he brought it close to him once more.

\\\//////

Twilight watched with a gaped jaw as the Wanderer tore into his apple in a manner similar to his dog had. She just assumed that, at first, he was taken aback by how pure and fresh the Apple Family product was, but now... It looked as though this was the first time he had tasted anything edible, like he hadn't eaten in days. And with the way he described his homeland, it was a possibility that she didn't want to think about. Beside her, Spike was watching in astonishment as well, the sight reminding him of how some other dragons would tear into their prey or their own hoard in such a beastly fashion.

Just as the unicorn began to finish off the core of the apple, his dog turned his head towards the alicorn and dragon. Twilight and Spike stared at the animal for a second before it stood up and barked at them.

\\\//////

Jason turned his head up and away from the apple when Dogmeat started barking at the entrance to the alleyway. When he turned, he saw a purple head with dark hair that had a streak of pink in it, along with a horn sticking out like his own. Below that head, however, was a smaller purple shape. This one had green fins on its face, and had eyes like a snake, glowing with an emerald light. As these thoughts processed, Jason stood up, dropping the core of the fruit, and glared at them with a deadly stare.

"Who's there!?" He shouted.

Just as he had called out to them, the shapes darted behind the cover of the building. The Wanderer tried to move forwards, but nearly tripped on one of his bags. When he hit it, a bottle of Vodka and a Stimpack came out onto the dirt. Wary of who might find them, Jason ground one of his forelegs behind the objects, rushing them into the bag. As they came in, Jason flipped the bag onto his side and darted towards the entrance to the space.

The Wanderer turned the corner and rammed straight into a mass of purple before he was knocked back by the collision. Jason hit the ground rather softly (by comparison to previous) and rolled once onto his stomach. He quickly got up and shook himself for a second before he eyed whatever, or in this case, whoever he had run into. What he saw made him go wide-eyed yet again.

The pony before him was entirely purple, like he had seen earlier, with a colored horn that matched her body. She (he assumed by the frame, which was clear after wandering enough) had her hair completely straight and evenly cut, displaying a well-kept shape and tone for her streaked color. Like everyone else, except the smallest ones, she had a brand on her thigh that depicted... something. There was one large purple star atop a large white star, and both were surrounded by five small white stars. The last thing he noticed, however, was that she had wings, like Celestia had. This pony, however, was nowhere near that range in size. In fact, she was smaller than him overall, her only trump card being the length of her horn compared to his, which he also noticed.

Jason turned his gaze slightly as Dogmeat began to growl at another shape. The second shape was much smaller than a pony, about the size of the young ones. It was mostly purple, like the larger ones, but with great differences. It had two legs underneath most of its body, like a Human, and had a tale. Along its back, up to its head, were green plates that resembles blades that stuck out like broken bones. At either side of the torso were arms that each ended in four claws. This creature lacked any kind of marking, but was wild enough to be considered something dangerous by the Wanderer.

"What is that?" Jason asked to no-one in particular.

When he said that, the pony stood up slowly, holding a leg to her head as she spoke.

"Wha... hold on."

The small purple creature also began to stir, trying to sit up while holding its head.

"Sorry about that," The pony spoke, "I didn't mean to spy on you like that."

Jason huffed a bit before returning his gaze to the unknown creature.

"I'll ask again. What is that?"

\\\//////

Twilight shook her head one last time, trying to pull herself together from a Rainbow Dash-esque collision. As her eyes began to focus, she saw the unicorn standing before her. His gaze was locked, however, on something else. She turned her head and gaped at the sight of Spike sitting a few steps away from her, eye-to-eye with the pony's dog. Who, at the time, was growling with all razor-like teeth bared.

"Ma'am." The Wanderer stated, snapping Twilight out of her small trance.

She turned towards the pony and spoke.

"Oh, uh, that's Spike, my number one assistant. He's just a baby dragon, and-"

"Baby?" The Wanderer asked turned to her, to which she quickly nodded.

Before she could respond or question, the pony turned to his dog.

"Dogmeat! Down boy!" He called.

The canine then turned to its master before running over to his side, where a blue hoof began to pet the dog's ears.

"Good boy, always alert." The unicorn stated with a smile.

Twilight began to watch in awe as the ferocious animal that almost attacked Spike was now acting like any other domestic pet. As she watched, Spike stood up, carefully inching his way to Twilight's side as he watched the dog with caution. The unicorn eventually stopped and lost his smile as he turned to face the two that were admittedly watching him.

"So," He started, "care to explain why you two were watching me?"

The alicorn gulped uneasily as she tried to formulate a response.

"Well, you see... Mr. Wanderer, is it?" She asked with a raised hoof.

"Just Wanderer is fine." He deadpanned.

"Right." Twilight shifted a bit, trying to think back a ways. "We were... following you, after you met Applejack, and I just wanted to ask if you were the pony that Princess Celestia mentioned was coming to see me. Um, are you, by the way?" She added with a sheepish smile.

"So you're Twilight Sparkle, then." He stated.

At that, she beamed.

"Yes!" She exclaimed, shooting a hoof up.

Noticing the Wanderer's gaze, she laughed nervously as she settled down.

"Sorry, just a bit excited. I've never had the chance to study a pony from outside Equestria, and then Celestia says that I can also help you learn magic and-"

"Hold on there." The Wanderer interrupted, raising a hoof to her. "Study? What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, I just wanted to ask you some questions, take notes, maybe ask you about some differences between where you came from compared to Equestria, and what..." Twilight trailed off as she stared at the device on the stallion's left foreleg, "is... that?" She added, pointing to his foreleg.

\\\//////

Jason followed her foreleg and brought his gaze down to his Pip-Boy 3000.

"Oh, this ol' thing." The Wanderer said with a slight smile. "Pip-Boy 3000, standard for all citizens of Vault 101."

The pony before him gaped a bit and tilted her head at the response. The dragon, however, tried a different approach.

"Looks like a light." He calmly stated.

Twilight shot him a look.

"Spike! Don't insult his things!"

"It's fine." Jason waved off. "Wanna know what it does?"

Twilight then shot her head back up and looked around for a bit.

"Maybe later. Right now, I'd like to offer you something."

"And that would be?" Jason asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, since you don't have anywhere to go right now, and you need to be introduced to Equestrian customs, as well as magic, I think we may be able to help each other. I have a ton of spare rooms, and you need a place to sleep. You need to learn about magic and I happen to be an expert on the subject. I would like to learn about wherever you came from, and couldn't just let you go about without any clue as to what you're getting into with wandering around Equestria. If you'd like, you can stay with me while you learn about magic and Equestria overall, while I can learn about some things from you. It'll be like a trade! Information for information! What do you think?"

Jason tapped his chin in thought. No one in the Wasteland would be trusted in this sort of situation. You don't just offer food, shelter, and, most importantly, knowledge, to someone you don't know unless you plan to kill them in their sleep or use them as a slave after drugging one of their meals. But, then again, this wasn't the Wasteland. This was a new world where everyone seemed to trust each other. Even his greetings when he came to this world were so hospitable that anyone else in his position would have either been reduced to a puddle of praise to everyone around them, or have shot Celestia and moved on to kill some more.

Even more so, Jason wasn't one to shoot down pleads or praise. He wanted to try and find the best of people. He tried to be as open as he could with everyone he met in the Wastes, and even then, it had almost been the death of him. Several times. From disguised Raiders to slavers, all the way up to agents sent by the Enclave in Megaton. It had always saddened the Wanderer, but now, he saw hope in this situation. This pony was offering him so much, for so little. Or maybe it was the other way around, with her wanting to learn about the Wasteland, of all things.

With no valid currency, no sense of direction, and no way out without making at least one potential enemy, Jason decided what would be one of his most questionable choices by far.

"Miss Sparkle," He started, "I'd be honored to accept."

The pony before him made some weird sound that caused Dogmeat to tilt his head almost ninety degrees to the left as she began to bounce around.

"Oh! This is going to be great! I can't wait to document all of the things we can learn! I need quills and parchment for note taking, sending the Princess reports on your progress..."

As she trailed off about what would be, Jason focused a bit on what he had done. And secretly would have preferred stepping back into the Wasteland for the first time. At least then, it was empty, and only somewhat nightmare inducing. Jason raised a foreleg to stop her rambling.

"But," He stated, causing the pony to stop and turn to him, "on a few conditions. I want to look for some odd-jobs every now and then, because I like to get out. If I go, then Dogmeat goes too, no matter where it is you want me, or need me, to go. If you ask something that I don't think I should answer, I want you to stop pressing for it. Some matters about my past are sensitive, and I don't think you could stomach it. No offense, but I've seen what just the mentioning of some of the things I've been through does to others. Last of all, I want a place to keep my things, and I want the key to wherever it is. If I find out that you try to take or even touch anything, I'm gone, and you'll never see or hear of me ever again."

Twilight dropped her jaw, along with her dragon, as he finished his requirements. Jason sighed as he shook his head a bit before continuing.

"Look, I'm sorry if this seems pressing, but I've been shaped by the lands I'm from, and I need these rules allowed if you want me to adjust. If you don't want to agree with these terms, then I'll be on my way."

The pony looked at the ground for a bit as Jason waited. After about a minute, she looked up at him with determination.

"I accept these terms. And in time, I'll show you that there's no need to ever worry about any of that in Equestria. I promise that in time, you'll grow to trust us."

Jason looked at her gaze, then through her. He could see how sure she was that she would find a way to make a friend out of him, and while he wanted nothing less than that, he still had to make something clear to her.

"I don't doubt that. I'd like to be friends. You seem nice. But what I'm trying to be careful of is making sure that you can stay a trustworthy friend. Becoming my friend is easy. More than I'd like to admit, honestly. But proving that you're reliable is where most of my old friends turned tail and ran."

Twilight stepped back a bit in shock at his words. He wondered if he had just blown his only chance at having a good bed to sleep in tonight, or if he had made an enemy out of Celestia's recommendation already, and proved that he couldn't be trusted. His thoughts were dashed, however, when she nodded briefly and smiled.

"If that's the case, then I'll make sure that you see how reliable I am."

Jason smiled lightly at her sheer will, trying her damn best to prove herself to him. In all aspects, she seemed more than trustworthy for her to keep his name secret. But only time will tell if she can be truly respected enough to learn it.

"If you want, I can show you where you can stay for now. You could lock up your saddlebags and walk around town, if you'd like." She added.

The Wanderer nodded.

"That'd be nice, thanks."

With that, the two began to walk off towards the edge of the small town, unknowingly being followed by a light blue blur with a rainbow streak.

\\\//////

Celestia once again found herself wandering about Canterlot Castle's interior, contemplating the situation her kingdom was in. In the past few hours, she had gone through countless papers and letters, trying to get her to allow a Black-Hawks team to clear and secure any and all cave-like expanses in all areas around the mountainous area of Canterlot's boundaries. While they were indeed calm and collected in their discussion, their reasons for worry and justifications were far from meeting their composure.

"Dear sister, you must not take these problems to heart."

The Princess turned around and smiled at the sight of her little sister.

"Hello Luna. How are you doing?"

Luna smiled as she approached her older sibling.

"Fine, Tia. I just wanted to make sure that you're fine as well."

Celestia frowned as she drew in a large breath for a sigh. Luna watched her sister carefully as she noted the features that became ever more present on her sister's form.

"Sister, tell me what ails you." Luna demanded.

"Luna, you've heard about the Diamond Dog renegades that are attacking, right?" Celestia asked, turning towards Luna.

"Of course. Is that truly the reason for this stress, though? I know for a fact that even with this threat alone, you aren't nearly as overwhelmed as this. I remember back when the Griffons tried to take Equestria while the first tribes came together. They had massive advantages of almost every scale imaginable, and yet you weren't as pressed as you are now. And these renegades, as you so put it, should barely be considered a threat. My Night Guard patrols have already swept the cavernous areas around Canterlot, and have found no traces as to indicate any sort of disturbance."

Celestia chuckled lightly.

"I knew you would have figured me out first. Come with me." She said before teleporting away.

In a duo of flashes, Celestia and Luna were in a private meeting chamber that had been cleared out recently. Fortunately, it was void of any other Nobles so the sisters could talk.

"Lulu, I think I should let you know something. Something important that I found... recently."

Luna's expression went to concern as she moved towards her sister.

"What's wrong, Tia?"

Celestia sighed as she sat on her haunches. Luna followed suit as she wrapped a wing around her sister.

"Hopefully, it's nothing to worry about, but... I was in our old castle last night. I did some thinking and-"

"You decided to try and date like I told you to!?" Luna beamed.

"Wha- N-NO!" Celestia stated with a blush. "I meant that I was thinking when something happened!"

Luna's smile dropped. "Oh. Hehe... sorry."

"Anyways, while I was thinking, a light came up near me and something flew out of it, flying right into me. When I woke up, I saw a stallion lying next to me."

Luna gasped.

"Sister, were thou truly pillaged by some rogue stallion!?" She barked, her mane glowing with power. "I shall sicken unto him-"

"LUNA!" Celestia snapped. "Let. Me. Finish!"

The younger sister smiled sheepishly as Celestia cleared her throat.

"When I woke up, the stallion was unconscious, and I found out he wasn't alone. He had a rather large dog with him, which almost attacked me because I was too close, apparently."

"Wait, hold on," Luna interjected, "a dog almost attacked you because you were too close to its master? Did this stallion train it to attack anypony that got close or something?"

Celestia managed a smile.

"I believe it was because of how much it trusted its master. After he woke up, I spoke with him and found out how he got in the middle of the Everfree."

"Through that light you mentioned, right?"

Celestia nodded.

"Except I thought it was a spell. It turns out that it was a portal device. He told me that he was from another world."

Luna then stifled a laugh.

"Did you really believe that?"

"The stallion had no idea who I was and told me that he wasn't a subject that I could boss around."

Luna's gaze went stone-cold as Celestia continued.

"Besides that, he talked about the world he came from and how he got here. In the end, I thought it would have been the right thing to direct him to Ponyville, and have him meet with Twilight."

"Why? If he's truly from another world, how do you know what his intentions are?"

"That's why I'm stressed Luna. I'm still trying to figure out if letting him go was the right thing to do. But I looked into his eyes as we talked, and when he told me about where he was from, I saw every painful memory it brought to him."

Luna leaned in as she noticed a tear roll down her sister's cheek.

"His world... it was so grim. So horrifying. I only saw a fraction of what he saw and already it's clear to me that he's seen more violence than even we have, Lulu. And the pain... I could see his suffering, his guilt, his loss. And I understood it. I knew how he felt about that loss, the weight of the decisions, and I saw him... as somepony like me. I heard about his world, saw a small amount of the terror it held and what he was carrying. And I just let him go off into Equestria. I told him about Twilight and how she could teach him about this world he's in and just let him go."

"Sister," Luna started, "maybe you let him go because you saw a bit of yourself in him. Perhaps you saw something in him that meant you knew he could be trusted. Maybe he reminded you of a certain aspect that you had been longing for once, or because he's shared in your pain, as you put it. If you were to discuss this, I'm sure that the two of you would be able to see eye-to-eye on his terms of staying here."

Celestia sighed.

"I hope that I haven't made the wrong choice in letting him go to Ponyville. Maybe I should wait until Twilight sends me another letter."

"You asked her to look into this stallion?"

"Yes. I told her that he wishes to learn about magic and Equestrian society, being alien to it, and she wanted to ask him about his world and what it was like outside of Equestria."

"What if she goes digging too deep, sister? You said that he talked about how horrible his world is and how much pain it caused."

"I can only hope that he doesn't discuss that with her. But, if he does, I'm sure that Twilight can handle the words he gives her. She's handled plenty in her line of duty." Celestia finished with a smile.

Luna closely watched as her sister began to nuzzle her, and returned the gesture in that same instance.

"Thank you, Luna."

"Of course, dear sister."