New Dawn

A relatively famous diner. A small place nestled in the corner of two streets with no sign except one to tell ponies when it was open or closed. A place folks used for small gatherings or to get some quiet time it was well loved and known in the city. Whether it was full of rowdy guards coming down from a shift or a bunch of school mates celebrating a test the atmosphere was always cozy and welcoming, but for once the place felt different to the folks walking by. The sign was switched to closed even though there should have been a few more hours till it closed and a group of six friends sat at a table near the center of the diner.

The air in the diner seemed thick, almost oppressive. Behind the counter the owner rubbed down a teacup nervously. His eyes constantly flicked over to his oddly quiet patrons every few moments. As he set the small cup down next to the others he had cleaned on a tray the tink seemed to echo and he flinched. His throat bobbed as he stepped from behind the counter and approached the table. “Evening ladies. Here’s some tea on the house.” He slid the tray gently into the center of the table. “Would you care for some donuts?” Silence greeted him so he turned away and went back behind the counter.

Meanwhile Twilight took hold of the teapot with her magic and poured a cup of tea for herself. After a brief pause she picked up the cup and took a gentle sniff and a smile touched her lips. “Good old Joe, he makes the best jasmine tea.” The silence settled back over the table as she sipped at the cup of tea.

Fluttershy on her left chewed her lip as she reached for the pot and a glass. “Do you mind?” Twilight nodded no and helped Fluttershy pour a cup. “Thank you Twilight.” She took a sip and settled back into her chair, the cup cradled in her fetlocks.

For several minutes no one said anything, the friends just sat under the oppressive cloud of silence and tension that had followed them from the hospital as they mulled over the story they had heard. Finally Applejack smacked a hoof on the table and growled a little. “I don’t like it. He seems so nice but, how could he do any of that. He’s lying about it, he has to be.”

Everyone stared at the small crack in the table in front of Applejacks hoof startled before Rarity reached out and placed her hoof over it. “Calm down Applejack. I, well I don’t understand how you feel but I do agree. This story isn’t the Jerrod we thought we met but it doesn’t mean he’s lying.” Rarity pulled her hoof back. “And this isn’t that whole story, it’s just the beginning.”

Applejack ground her teeth together. “How could anyone do any of that though. He said he enjoyed murdering them. ENJOYED IT. A family, daughter then mother, it’s despicable.” She closed her eyes and took a long deep breath through her teeth. A second deep breath and her muscles relaxed. “But it’s not him now. I... how could he?”

Rainbow looked down at her hoofs and curled them up and down a few times. “Because he didn’t have a choice.” Her eyes flicked over to Fluttershy. “Sometimes when a pony is shoved into a corner they do things they regret later, even if what comes of it isn’t that bad.” Fluttershy smiled at Rainbow and nodded reassuringly. “I know it hits closer to home for you than the rest of us Applejack but I really don’t think we should judge him to harshly.”

Applejack shook her head. “I just can’t Rainbow. He might have been like a rabid dog but you saw him when that satyr attacked, he went right back to being a rabid dog. He lost himself a long time ago and he ain’t found himself yet.”

Pinkie tapped her hoof gently on the table. “I lost myself once but then I started baking these awesome cupcakes and I lost the spoon. Then while I was looking for the spoon I found a spatula I had lost and then I found this old spring from the first party cannon I made that exploded. But I hadn’t found the spoon so I kept looking then I met Twilight while I was sluething for the spoon in town. I never did find that spoon sadly but I keep finding new things the longer I look for it and I never stop to mourn the loss of the spoon because I keep finding cooler things.”

Twilight smiled. “Pinkie’s right.” She paused for a moment and shook her head. “In her own way. Jerrod lost himself but he’s worked hard to find himself and he found something else instead. I kind of understand what you’re talking about Applejack. When I first read about the Isle and what happened I thought pretty horribly of whoever did it but now hearing why, I only find myself feeling sorry for everyone involved.”

Applejack scowled. “I don’t like it, he’s keeping to many secrets. Can we really trust someone with a past gnarlier than an old apple tree. It ain’t right and I for one need more time to think it over.” Applejack stood up. “I know you really want us to like him Twilight but I just don’t know.” She lifted her hat and pulled out the bag with the seed Jerrod had given her. “I think I’m gonna take a walk, clear my head. I’ll give ya my decision tomorrow.”

With that said Applejack walked out of the diner leaving her friends to consider her words. “I, I need to go plan the party for when he’s better. See you guys later.” Pinkie jumped up and gave each of them a hug. “See you all tomorrow for the rest of the story.” She bounced out of the diner slightly less cheery than normal.

Rarity sighed and took one of the cups and the teapot. “I can understand where she’s coming from. She might even be right but he has the support of three princesses and the dragon queen.” Rarity watched the tea pour out of the pot with rapt attention, the swirling leaves reflected in her eyes. “He’s had it pretty hard and there’s a lot I think he’s not telling us but maybe it’s because he doesn’t want to hurt us.”

Twilight sighed. “We should respect it but it’’s hard.” She lifted her cup and looked into it, staring at the empty cup for a second before dropping it on the table. “I have known for a while something was haunting him but to think he was a part of one of the bloodiest conflicts in recent history.” Her head shook and shoulders slumped. “I don’t know if I feel bad for him or afraid.”

Fluttershy patted Twilight’s back. “It’s okay to feel both. Jerrod’s scary but he’s also in a lot of pain. When I first saw him it was terrifying but then I noticed he limped a little. He was trying to cover it and he was doing really good but it was still there. He also jumps ever so slightly whenever someone approaches him on the right, like he can’t really see them until they speak up or touch him. He also favors his left hand, like he’s not really used to it or it hurts.” She smiled gently. “Even though Jerrod’s really scary he’s also really sad and lonely and just a little afraid.”

Rainbow nodded. “He is really cool to. Sure he’s got a crazy past but we know plenty who do. Heck Fluttershy lives with one of the scariest guys we have ever fought and we don’t bat an eye at it. The fact is, out of all the villains we have given a second chance to he probably deserves it the most. No offense to Princess Luna but Jerrod has made real strides towards redemption and he doesn’t have as long to redeem himself as Princess Luna does.”

Rarity sipped her tea thoughtfully. “I fully agree with Rainbow, regardless of his past he deserves a chance. He has done nothing to deserve our ire so I for one, alongside Rainbow and Fluttershy, wish to give him a chance.”

Twilight let her head drop to the table and rested her chin against the cool wooden surface. “You’re all right but so is Applejack.”

Fluttershy opened her mouth to speak but Rainbow interrupted her. “Look Twi, you were the first one to find him. He was a miserable drunk when you did but you liked him, heck you slept with him. Of all of us I would think you were the most gung ho to give him a shot.”

Everyone nodded and Twilight huffed.”You’re right, I’m letting this get to me. His past isn’t important. Well it is but not as important as who he has been since I met him.” She lifted her head and waved to the diner’s owner. “I need to stop overthinking this, he’s Jerrod and that’s what matters. A lovable fool with personal space issues and a fondness for raunchy jokes.”

“That’s the spirit dear. It’s about who he is not was.” Rarity smiled and the atmosphere in the diner lightened up as the topics changed and the friends ordered their donuts. Donut Joe discreetly flipped his sign to open with a relieved sigh and watched as patrons began filing in.

~ ~ ~

High above the city nestled into the side of Canterhorn Mountain a lone creature slowly flew in a circle. Her mind running around in circles much like the one she flew. At the center of both stood one thing, the man she had come to love and then nearly killed. The day before she had been invited to hear his story and though they hadn’t covered more than the beginning it was more than enough to throw her mind into disarray.

Everything she thought she had known was twisted under this new understanding she had been given and to her it only made things worse. Long ago she could remember turning on him with a vengeance, granted she had had good reason but knowing what she knew now made it almost inexcusable in her mind. Round and round her thoughts went over the mistakes she had made with him. No answers came though and all she could do was slowly circle over the building he now lounged on the roof of.

Far below her on the roof of the hospital Jerrod rested, watching her circle overhead. A small part of him was worried but it did little to dampen his mood. From his left a dark blue mare landed on the roof. “Should you be out and about yet Jerrod?”

Jerrod shrugged and looked over to his guest. “Of course, it’s not like I’ll have many chances to do this again Luna. So what brings you over to my corner of the roof?”

Luna frowned. “Well in a few hours my sister, her student and her student’s friends will return to hear you continue your story. I thought I might come and see how you feel.”

Jerrod turned back to stare at the dragon circling overhead. “Honestly, I feel amazing.” Jerrod paused for a moment, tapping a finger against the back of his head as a smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “It’s like, I feel lighter than ever. I feel like a weight I never knew I had has been taken from and now I am almost free. The worst part of my life, the worst parts of me, they have been seen. I know they won’t all come back but just the fact Amadiel is flying overhead and you came to see me, it means the world to me.” Jerrod took a long deep breath with his eyes closed. “I have never truly told anyone that story.” His opened slowly. “And now, after having told it I still have at least one good friend. I’ve never had someone look at me the same way after that and here you are now, the same concern and worry in your eyes for my health you had before the story.”

Luna crossed the distance between her and Jerrod with a gentle flap of her wings and settled on the roof next to him “You have more than one good friend. My sister, she still isn’t sure what to make of you but I think she wants to call you a friend. Rainbow and Fluttershy I can tell you right won’t leave. Twilight might get confused, she read about the isle in the papers after it happened and it shook her badly but now she knows why it happened so she will be confused but she’ll accept you.” Luna paused and snickered. “And Pinkie Pie, she is Pinkie Pie. She’s going to do whatever she wants and that’s going to include a party. The other two, Rarity and Applejack, I cannot say how they will react.”

Jerrod laid an arm over Luna’s withers. “That’s more than I ever would have imagined. So many times in my past has someone connected me to the isle and ran off in fear. I don’t know what was worse, feeling condemned to loneliness or that I had hope torn away from me so many times. The thing is though, when I look back on it now, it doesn’t hurt like it used to.” Jerrod smiled contently and gripped Luna a little harder. “Things feel so much more now. I am free finally from that part of my life and I have loved ones and friends I can go to when it feels heavy again. I have someone to talk to about it and I don’t have to fear they will run away.” A tear rolled down Jerrod’s cheek and he sighed happily. “The worst of me has been exposed and I’m not alone even though it’s been exposed.”

Luna leaned over and nuzzled Jerrod. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

They both smiled and leaned back. Jerrod looked around. “It’s about time to head back to my room. The nurses are probably frantic looking for me by now.” Jerrod stood up slowly and stumbled a little before he was caught. “Thanks Luna.” He looked over and froze.

To his right stood a lithe diamond dog with a goofy smile. “I’m not Luna but no problem Jerrod.”

Jerrod opened and closed his mouth and looked over to Luna who shrugged. He looked back to the diamond dog. “Do I know you?”

The diamond dog laughed. “Of course you do Jerrod.” She paused and looked herself over. “Well maybe not like this but you used to.”

Jerrod raised and eyebrow and pulled his arm from hers. “Okay, please elaborate.”

The diamond dog smiled proudly and thumped her chest. “I am Long Fang, previously Lau Fei, leader of the badlands dog pack.”

Jerrod stared at her slack jawed for several moments before reaching up and pinching his cheek. “WHAT THE FUCK? Lau Fei? But your...” Jerrod lifted his arm to just below his chest. “This tall and definitely not that furry. Who are you seriously?”

Lau Fei chuckled and slapped Jerrod on the back causing him to stumble. “You’re still dense. I am Lau Fei, now Long Fang, and I and now a diamond dog. It happened a few years ago. I was with badlands dog pack after passing out from lack of water when this funny voice in my head told me I had a week to make a decision, go home or stay here on Equus. Well a week passed and then there was this really horrible sickness. I slipped into a coma for a few days and I woke up like this. I didn’t mind so much, made me taller and stockier. Plus the dogs welcomed me wholeheartedly. It was an adjustment but I don’t mind.”

Jerrod turned pale and stared slack jawed at Long Fang. Luna stepped up. “Jerrod? Are you okay?” She turned to Long Fang. “Are you saying you used to be like Jerrod?” Long Fang nodded. “And then a voice offered you a choice to go home or stay and then you became a diamond dog without being given the option of going home?” Long Fang nodded again. “I see...”

Jerrod reached out and poked Long Fang. “This...it’s...It’s incredible! Are there others who changed?”

Long Fang tapped her chin. “I think so. It’s not like you can spot them easily and I don’t go asking random folks on the street if they were a human once. I met a minotaur and a bison who claim they once were. Maybe I should start a club or something to see if it happened to everyone.”

Jerrod smiled wider. “No need, I know what happened to them all now. I’m the only one with a human body. This changes everything though. I need to talk to the doctor. Luna help me out I need to talk to the doctor before everyone gets here.” Luna furrowed her brow as Jerrod hobbled towards the roof exit. He paused and turned back. “It’s great to see you again Lau Fei. After I get out I hope we can catch up a little.” He smiled warmly and resumed hobbling to the door.