Chapter 6- Can He Be Trusted?

“Status update on Subjects A-001 and A-002.”

“Subject A-001 is showing balanced growth. Capable of multitasking and remarkable control over their abilities. Subject is taking interest in their assigned task and leadership assignments.”
“And what of the other?”

The hesitation before the answer was of concern, “Subject 002 is showing growth as well, but something is off. I’m not sure what it is yet but subject is starting to show signs of underlying aggression. At the moment I believe it would be a good idea to indefinitely suspend any further production of Alpha series. Other series seem to be adapting rather well.”

“Very well, we will take your consideration to heart and discuss it at the next board meeting. Now then.. what of Subject D-1.”

He couldn’t help but cringe at the thought of this particular subject. “Silent so far, not a peep from it. The dampeners are smothering its abilities, not completely but enough to prevent it from destroying the whole project. The amplifiers did their job.” He nodded as an after thought.

“Excellent, continue with observation and mental therapy of the Alpha series. Inform us if any other changes occur in any of the other series as well. We will continue to monitor the dampeners for Subject D-1 from here and let you know of any other changes.” And with that, the screen went blank as Isaac leaned back with a soft sigh, rubbing his face. Reporting to the higher ups was never pleasant. Reaching across the panel he flicked a few switches to shut down the screens and computers for the night. It had been a long day, or at least it had felt that way. With a coffee mug in hand he stood and left the room, sipping at the drink as he strolled past a few of his co-workers, nodding to them politely but remaining quiet.

With each passing day it was becoming more difficult to ignore what he felt, and with each day she was becoming more and more difficult to talk to. The therapy sessions were becoming less effective. He was running out of logical reasons. Reasons why they couldn’t be together, professional life, personal life. Hell one time she nearly broke the door panel in a fit.

“Isaac-” He snapped his head up and looked around, confused, “Isaac-” There it was again-

“Isaac, hey pardner you ah’lright?” Applejack asked, nudging the zoned out male.

Isaac blinked a bit as he came around and looked over to Applejack. He turned his attention back to the edge of the chariot, his head cocked to the side slightly. How long had he been out of it. The landscape had changed by now. Gone was the snow covered ground of the Northern lands of Equestria, replaced now by lush, green mountains and farmland. He didn’t know where they were, and didn’t bother asking. Instead he turned his attention back to Applejack and with a smile responded to her.

“Yes, I’m fine thank you. I was just, lost in thought.” Speaking of lost in thought, what the hell had he been doing before he woke up? If he had to guess he was part of some science project. Then again maybe his mind was simply making things up to try and fill in the missing memories? Hell he didn’t know, either way that wandering thought had confused him. Applejack saw the furrowed brow upon the humans face. He wasn’t lying, at least not about being lost in thought. But she had a feeling he wasn’t ‘fine’ as he claimed.

“Well if’n ya say so. But don’t be scared ta say sumthin if it’s bother’n ya ah’lright?” She said with a nudge of her hoof to his shoulder. A smile came to her face though as Isaac nodded to her after a moment of thought. She left the human to his thoughts as she returned her attention to Twilight and Law. The poor guard pony had been getting questions asked, repeatedly, about the conversation with Isaac.

“So you were a criminal, with the name Law?” Twilight said, looking confused by this statement.

Amusing to Law the first time, not so much the second as he sighed and nodded to her. “Yes, I was a criminal, a thief sorta. Wait what does this have to do with Isaac?” He said, shaking his head and frowning at her. Twilight blushed and shook her head quickly.

“N-nothing just making sure I have all the facts straight, I don’t want any confusion or mixups when I report to the Princesses.” She said, clearing her throat and lifting her head up. Law leaned over to Rainbow Dash, who was sitting next to him and whispered to her. “Is she always so… so-” He moved his hoof slightly to try and help him search for a word.

“Irritating is the word I use sometimes,” Dash said with a smirk, earning a fiery glare from Twilight.

“I am NOT irritating, I just don’t want to leave anything out of my report!”

“Twilight, you asked the poor guy the same questions five times over, if not more! Why don’t you take a chill pill?”

A vein popped out on Twilight’s forehead, a sign of her impending rage. Rainbow Dash quickly brought her hooves up. “Twilight, I’m just messin’ with ya, calm down.” She said. The alicorn let out a slow breath, the vein disappearing after a second. Rainbow found it strange. Sure, Twilight had blown her lid before in the past and usually she could handle a bit of ribbing. But for some reason this time, she seemed to be so easily torqued. It actually concerned her. “Listen, Twilight I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hit a nerve if I did.” Dash said, looking around at her other friends, and even Isaac who had torn his gaze away from the landscape to stare at the two to see what was wrong.

Applejack leaned herself against Twilight gently, “Twi, are you alright?” She asked. Twilight quickly nodded to her and gave a sheepish smile. “I guess I’m just a bit on edge is all. It’s not every day you meet a completely alien species. I just don’t want to mess anything up is all.”

It was Rainbow’s turn to lean forward and wrap her hooves around Twilight, hugging her gently and patting her back. Perhaps this situation was more stressful than anypony was letting on.

Isaac was wondering how this had escalated so quickly. One second they were talking and the next it looked as if Twilight as ready to set the world on fire. Interesting, it seemed as if she was obsessed with making sure every detail was perfect. His fingers drummed on his knee while he watched the interaction of the group. He felt the urge to analyze all of them, and he wasn’t sure why. He wanted to sit each one of them down and talk to them. He pulled back from them slightly, his eyes flicking to each of the ponies before him.

Obsessive, prideful, hyper, shy, pompous… so many different issues they all had, and none of them really took notice in them. This was quite the group. Huh maybe he had been some kind of therapist in the past?

“There’s no reason to worry, Twilight! You’re the bestest ever when it comes to getting facts and stuff right!” Pinkie said with a massive grin that Isaac was worried would take the top of her head off if it got any bigger. Twilight nodded in return to her with a small smile of her own. Her friends never failed to make a bad situation good or at least make it better. Even after all these years of knowing the girls, being friends with them, learning to trust in other ponies she still had problems. Princess Celestia had talked with her once about it. Telling her that, while her organization skills were second to none, they often interfered with her social abilities. She knew the Princess was right, but without her organization, Twilight figured she’d be an utter mess.

“I appreciate it girls, and I’m s-”

“I apologize for interrupting Princess,” said one of the pegasus escorts as he flew close to the chariot, and with a tap, managed to get their attention. “But we’re about to land at Canterlot Castle. Princess Celestia wishes for you to head directly to the Day Court with the prisoner-”

“Guest,” Twilight corrected.

“Yes… guest,” the guard said. Though his expression was stoic as always, his voice betrayed that he saw Isaac as anything but a guest at the moment. He didn’t trust the creature, no matter how kind it seemed. “Please escort the… guest… to the Day Court as soon as we land.”

With that he pulled away and back into formation. Isaac had ignored his tone, if only because it would serve no help to him or the six females before him to try and convince the guard he wasn’t any harm. Instead he was watching out of his side of the chariot, seeing the castle coming into view out of the corner, eventually filling it as the pegasus escorts circled around once, twice, and then finally began to descend once it appeared they would be safe from accidentally running into any others.

They all bounced a bit as the chariot landed, the dull thud of the wheels tapping on stone and the drum of hooves clopping across the ground. After only a few feet the guards came to a stop to allow their occupants to disembark.

Twin lines of guards ponies trailed from where the chariot landed to the castle’s massive doors. The last to exit the chariot was Isaac, who glanced around at the area. Each guard held a spear, the heads glinting in the sunlight along with their armor. They held the spears at a slight angle, the heads pointed skyward but towards the center. He imagined an invisible line creating an arch above them as he walked under the spear heads, wary of the fact that most of them came close to being level with his throat with the size difference between him and the ponies. While he tried to mostly avoid eye contact with the guards, he did steal a couple of glances and saw caution in their eyes.

Once more he understood their lack of trust and need for such measures. To them he was neither friend or foe. He was a creature they had never seen before, caught stealing clothes from a pony’s home. Tall, almost sickly looking to them most likely due to his sunken in eye sockets and flesh that almost showed his ribs. Yes, he could quite understand their caution. He stretched his fingers and felt them pop before gripping them together. The bindings he had been put in were nothing more than rope and strips of cloth, the usual shackles wouldn’t fit his wrists or legs, but the wing bindings they used had fit well enough to keep him from stretching them out, and with the chains that ran from the wing clamps and around his chest then back made even trying to work kinks out of his back muscles impossible. The discomfort was not unnoticed by the girls or Law, but it was necessary for him to be bound as per their laws for criminals of any type.

He made short shuffling motions as he moved along, flanked by a pair of guards with Law behind him along with five of the six female ponies. Twilight walked ahead, nodding to the guards at the gate for them to open it. The saluted crisply before smacking the broad side of their spear heads against the door in a quick tap tap tap motion. The twin doors opened silently on well maintained hinges while they advanced forward and into the castle interior. While he walked, Isaac took note of the stained glass motifs that were spaced every nine meters on each side of the hallway, each one depicting a different period of history. One motif he saw caused him to pause for a moment. It showed six ponies standing in a formation that could be visualized as an X, each one smiling, eyes closed while what he could only assume was beams of light shot up towards another figure above them.

It wasn’t the ponies that had stopped him, he recognized them as the six females he had recently met. No it was the creature above them, the mixed parts of it, the look of shock on it’s face. When he looked at it, he felt a cold chill run through his body, his fingers tightening against each other while he stared up at it. He did not feel the chill because of the way it looked. He felt the chill because he recognized it from somewhere.
A poke of steel against his back caused him to jump and glance behind him.
“Keep moving, stop standing around,” a guard said.

Wordlessly Isaac complied, nodding his head and moving forward as was instructed. His head turned though to take one last look at the creature, eyes narrowed. He didn’t know why he remembered it, but it really, really bothered him.

“I-is everything uhm… okay?”

The soft voice barely registered in his mind. If it hadn’t been for Fluttershy’s wings brushing his leg, he might have just thought the question was a figment of his imagination.

“Yes.” Isaac said, before seeing the look on her face. “Well-” He looked back over his shoulder as if in thought, then returned his attention back to her. “-no. That… thing that was in that motif, I recognized it. But I don’t remember where from. Just looking at it sends chills through my body, then again maybe that’s just from how cold it was up north.” He said with a small smile.

Fluttershy tilted her head to the side before hanging her head low, mane falling into her face. “You know Discord?” She asked quietly.

Discord, where had he heard that name before?

“I… don’t know. At least I don’t think so. But I get a sense of recognition when I saw that. Maybe I do know him somehow? Or maybe I’m just crazy.” He shrugged and reached over to pat her on her head, only to have a pair of spear heads jab his throat. He saw a pair of guards, staring intently at him, daring him to make another move. He did the only thing he could think of and slowly brought his hands up into view. Fluttershy stared in surprise at the situation before she turned to the guards. Isaac didn’t know what the guards saw, but they immediately tensed up, appeared to swallow a comically noticeable lump and lower their weapons.

“There was no need for that.” Fluttershy said in a surprisingly stern, even voice.

“But Ma’am.. he was-”

They both went quiet at her look, lowering their heads.

“They were only doing their jobs Miss Fluttershy. It is okay.” Isaac said, lowering his hands back down so they hung before his groin. Fluttershy glanced up at him for a moment, then back to the guards and finally around them, noticing everyone had stopped to watch. With a soft meep she lowered her head and muttered an apology. Quick to protect a creature she doesn’t even know…. how odd. Perhaps it was some motherly instinct that caused her to do that?

The truth was, she didn’t like seeing how he was chained up like some kind of dangerous beast. He hadn’t shown any signs of aggression so far towards any of them. And the way his wings were chained up, that couldn’t be very comfortable. She had wanted to voice that thought quite a few times, but any attempt had been smothered by fear. Besides it seemed as if Isaac understood and was okay with it. Still she just didn’t like it.

Eventually the ponies and human began to move again, the trip to the Day Court made slow due to Isaac’s bound ankles, leaving him unable to do more than a slightly extended shuffle of his feet. The other motifs that he saw gained little attention or interest from him, save for one other that depicted a pair of ponies similar to Twilight Sparkle. One was a pure white, with a sun mark on its flank, the other a midnight blue color, a depiction of a crescent moon on its flank. While he didn’t pause this time he did tilt his head a bit. He felt a touch of recognition for both of them. They were… what did Law call them when they had talked?

Aluh-

No, Alahc-

Blast what was it. His brow furrowed as he thought about it. Had he just not been paying attention when she had mentioned it?

Alico-... Alicorn!

Yes that was it, Alicorn. Apparently a mixture of the pony species.

Wings and a Horn. The ability to fly, use magic and the strength of an Earth type pony. What an incredible creature. Such power they must have. And apparently they have been ruling this land for a very long time. Or at least one of them had, the other had apparently been banished for some reason or another. He would never admit it but he had zoned out a bit while Law had talked about Equestria and its history. It wasn’t from lack of interest, rather it was some mild exhaustion and anxiety at his situation. Something that the guard pony had taken notice of and had eventually switched subjects. Launching into his life for the most part. Though he had yet to tell Isaac how he had gotten the name Law what with his criminal history. It was his understanding that the names were given not too long after birth.

By now they had reached another pair of large doors, a pair of guards standing on each side of the door, staring straight ahead.

“We’re here to see Princess Celestia.” Twilight said as she came up to the guards.

They nodded to her and tapped the butt of their spears on the ground, the sound echoing through the large hallway. Silently the doors opened, and beyond it sat the Princess that Twilight had mentioned. He could feel the power radiating from her. The further he got into the room, the more he felt rejuvenated as if the very energy she gave off was making him stronger.

Celestia lifted her gaze from the paperwork and stared at Isaac. Her face betrayed nothing, but her eyes seemed to shine while she looked at him.

“Please, come in.” She said with a smile. Bringing a hoof up and make a sweeping motion to the chambers. Twilight nodded with a smile and trotted in, head held high. The others followed soon after with Isaac between the group.

“You may leave.” Celestia said to the guards, who looked at Isaac warily before bowing to her and leaving, the large doors closing behind them. Celestia stood and stepped off her throne and down the steps leading up to it. Isaac took a moment to take in his surroundings. Stained glass adorned the room, stretching from the floor clear up to the ceiling. The throne area reached to the ceiling itself, though the seat itself did not. The ground was a beautiful pearl like white, apparently waxed to the point to where one could literally see themselves in a reflection. He had no doubt you literally could eat off it.

His attention was returned to Celestia when a golden aura engulfed her horn, and then him. The bindings and chains on his body unwound themselves, falling to the red carpet with a dull thump. Immediately he stretched his wings out, his mouth falling open in a scratchy, painful sounding groan. Loud pops echoed throughout the area while he carefully twisted his body.

The group of ponies watching him cringed from the sound. It wasn’t uncommon for a pony to stretch and pop their muscles or joints. But that had been particularly loud and somewhat nasty sounding.

“You simply MUST have a massage at some point my dear. It sounds as if you’re breaking every bone and snapping every muscle in your body.” She shivered as Isaac looked at her with a blank stare. He felt perfectly fine, why would he need a massage?

Eventually he let out a sigh and crossed his arms, his wings relaxing and folding comfortably against his back.

“I apologize for the bindings on your body. I imagine it couldn’t be very comfortable.” Celestia said as she looked Isaac up and down. Isaac on the other hand was fixed on her oddly billowing mane and tail. He couldn’t help but lick his finger and hold it up in the air, testing it for some breeze he couldn’t feel. When he didn’t feel any part of the digit become cool he looked back at her.

She had an amused smile gracing her muzzle. How long had it been since she had seen that reaction? A soft click of her tongue seemed to catch his attention as he finally responded.

“No it wasn’t comfortable. But it was necessary to put your people’s minds at ease.” He said as he rubbed his wrists to keep himself from fidgeting. “I apologize Princess, but I feel as if I know you from somewhere. But that can’t be possible… can it?”

No memories, but it appeared as if somewhere in his subconscious he knew who she was. No doubt he saw the glass on the way here and more than likely had the same feelings when he saw herself and her sister upon those motifs. She was glad her little sister was currently sleeping. Right now she felt it best if Luna not meet him.

Rather than give him a definite yes or no, Celestia chose to remain silent and give him a small smile. If he had indeed lost all his memories she didn’t want to cause him any mental strain by leading him to overthinking.

Isaac raised an eyebrow at the lack of a response. What did she know? He was about to ask her that very question when his thoughts were interrupted by a sharp clack of her forehooves upon the ground, which lead to a pair of maids trotting in from an entrance to the left of the throne. One carrying a tray upon her back with tea cups and kettle. The other levitating a table and some cushions. The table was set down, the cushions positioned around it and the tray slid off the other’s back and onto the table in a fluid motion. The maids bowed without a word and took their leave as Celestia motioned for them to be seated.

“Now, Twilight Sparkle, if you could please give me a verbal report of your findings?” Celestia asked after pouring them all a cup and sipping gently at her own.

She forgot just how thorough her former student was. It had been nearly three hours since Twilight began to report. And Celestia had to stop her a couple of times to allow herself to digest and process the information being given to her. When she finally finished, Celestia sipped the rest of her tea before noticing the kettle was empty.

“Hmm… need more tea.” She muttered before clapping her hoof on the ground. The maid from earlier came in almost instantly.

“Yes, your highness?”

“Please brew some more tea. It appears we’ve run out again.” She said with a smile.

The maid nodded and took the kettle after it was placed on the tray and trotted off.

“Four times we’ve called them in, and not once did any of the maids that entered bat an eyelash or show surprise seeing me. I must say Princess they are very well trained to maintain their professionalism. You must have a lot of diplomats from other countries.” Isaac said, holding the cup in his hand. He was impressed, despite how the guards had acted, they too had been rather professional. Yes they had been wary but that was part of their job.

“Why thank you Isaac. I will let them know about your compliment. And yes we do get quite a few diplomats here from other countries of Equus.” Celestia looked back at Twilight, and then at Law, who had reported on his conversations and experiences over the past few hours with Isaac. They were both rather favorable of the human thus far, though for different reasons of course. Where Twilight was concerned about the scientific aspect of this meeting, Law seemed more than happy to consider Isaac a friend.

The other girls though, seemed less than favorable. The only other pony who seemed to, surprisingly, not be afraid was Fluttershy. While the others had seemed to take no notice, Celestia had watched as Fluttershy crept closer to Isaac. While the fact of her lack of fear had, as stated before, been surprising, the need to take care of what others would deem a creature was not.

“Princess, you seem lost in thought, something on your mind?” Isaac’s mental voice cut into her mind, causing her to blink and look at him with a small smile.

“Processing everything is more like it.” She paused a bit and looked at the girls, then to Isaac. “What I am about to tell you all does not leave this room. Due to Isaac’s unique situation I will keep it vague for the most part.”

“Why is that, Princess?” Twilight asked.

“Because with how his mind is, with how weak he is, I don’t want to overload him with too much at the moment.” The maid returned, sliding the platter of tea of her back and onto the table before them. Levitating the kettle and cups, Celestia poured them all a cup before sipping at her own. She noticed the expectant stares of the ponies and human, but did not immediately continue. Instead she took a moment to pick and chose her words carefully, her gaze wondering to one of the many stained glass windows. She knew her ponies could sometimes… react more to a situation than warranted. She knew that most of the girls held little trust for the human, being a creature they had never before seen. Law had spent the time alone to get to know and understand what little Isaac could give him. Twilight had an almost purely scientific interest in him and Fluttershy seemed more concerned about his health.

Rarity seemed to show neither distrust or trust. Applejack scrutinized him along with Rainbow Dash being the two most protective members of the group. What that meant in terms of how willing they were to treat him as an equal remained to be seen.

“Before my sister was banished, before she became Nightmare Moon, Isaac and his people were a part of our world.” Celestia said, earning surprised looks from the girls, Isaac and Law. Twilight was the first to speak up.

“But I’ve never come across any history books that even described one of his kind before, a Hyooman.”

“Human my dear Twilight… h-u-m-a-n.” Celestia corrected her with a smile.

Twilight blushed, “S-sorry. Human. Wouldn’t that have been something that would have been recorded? A whole species just doesn’t come around then leave without there being some kind of record of them.”

A soft sigh escaped Celestia as she sipped at her tea once more. She dropped her regal mannerism, a sad look upon her face. This was going to be hard to explain. Because it would determine how they looked at Isaac, if they feared him or hated him. Or would be willing to ignore the past and see him for who he is.

“There is nothing in the books about Isaac and his kind because when I banished my sister, I also had all records of Humanity erased from Equus. The reason Nightmare Moon came about was because of Humanity, or rather a specific human. And while it was an accident, something that was not meant to happen. If humanity were to return, as Isaac has, then there would be no place where he would possibly be safe.” Celestia looked at the group before her, a sad smile on her face.

Just as expected, they all glanced back at Isaac, who stared in confusion at Celestia. Eventually he put his elbows on the table, and his head in his hands, rubbing slowly at his temples with his mouth hanging open. He didn’t understand any of it. What did she mean his kind brought about Nightmare Moon? What human did it? His head hurt, every part of him hurt. He squinted his eyes closed as he felt sharp pains running through his skull, like a knife had been shoved into it and was being twisted back and forth to scramble his brains.

Applejack was the first to speak.

“D-do ya think we can trust ‘em?” She asked, looking at the others.

Rainbow Dash stared at Isaac for a moment, normally quick to comment and brash she instead shook her head. “I don’t-” She looked down in thought before bringing her gaze back up to him. “No, I don’t think we can.”

“How can you say that?”

All eyes turned to Fluttershy, who didn’t necessarily look angry, but more surprised by what her friend had said.

“We can’t assume he can’t be trusted because of what happened in the past. Y-yes… his kind may have helped bring about Nightmare Moon, but surely that wasn’t done to cause us harm.” She clicked her forehooves together, staring at the table. “Remember how Discord was. And look at how he is now.”

Twilight turned her attention to Rainbow Dash and Applejack before sighing. “We need to at least give him a chance girls. Allow himself to prove to all of us that he’s not some evil out to get us.” Law nodded in agreement to the situation.

“He seemed like a nice pon- er… man?” He glanced at Isaac, who nodded to him in confirmation. “Yes, man, to me.” Well at least he guessed right.

Celestia had remained quiet, allowing them to discuss the situation. Hopefully they would allow him to do just that. He knew Isaac wasn’t evil, and knew he wouldn’t harm any of her ponies. But the task now was for him to prove that.

“Fine, but ah want you to stay away from Applebloom until we decide yer not a threat.” Applejack said.

“And likewise stay away from Scootaloo.”

Rarity perked a delicate brow and looked at Isaac for a moment. A soft hum escaped her throat before he sipped at her tea and dabbed at her lips. “So long as one of the others is around I don’t mind you interacting with Sweetie Bell, darling. But know this, if you harm her I will make your life a living hell”

Everyone went quiet and stared at Rarity. Even Celestia was taken aback by her choice of words. Isaac looked her in the eyes. He wanted to be angry at them for showing such a lack of trust. But he knew they were acting like this for a reason.

“I understand.” He couldn’t think of anything else to say. He would have to earn their trust. It didn’t matter to him if he saw those children of theirs. But he didn’t want to have them believe he was some kind of monster that would hurt them either.

“Very well, Twilight Sparkle, I want you to take Isaac into your h-”

“I-I want to.”

Once more, the gazes of the ponies and Human turned to Fluttershy. Who shrank a bit from them before looking down, taking a breath and sitting up straight.

“I-I want to help him, Celestia. Twilight is always busy with her studies and now even more so as a Princess. So I want him to stay with me… i-if that’s alright with you I mean.” She looked down once more and circled her hoof on the table slightly.

Celestia couldn’t help but smile, and nod slightly. Perhaps it would be best if young Fluttershy took him in rather than Twilight. Celestia nodded in approval.

“Well then, that settles it. Fluttershy shall take Isaac into her home and keep watch over him. Twilight Sparkle, I want detailed reports each week on his progress as well as the progress of the others. Law, you are to live in Ponyville for the time being. It shall be your new post. Please assist Fluttershy and Isaac to the best of your abilities.”

Law bowed his head and nodded. “By your word, Princess.”

She barely managed to stop herself from rolling her eyes.

“Thank you, Law,” She said, “you are all dismissed, feel free to stay for the evening and rest up. Return to Ponyville tomorrow. The guards will escort you.” She motioned to the door with a hoof as they all stood up, Isaac locking eyes with her before turning away and following the others out. Once the doors closed, Celestia let her head thump onto the table with a sigh, blowing some of her mane out of her face.

“So it is him, I can’t let Luna know for now.” She muttered to herself, sitting up and looking at the table. “So many years have passed. Isaac I thought you were dead. Perhaps Luna can know in due time. You helped us both so much in the past. And yet...” She tapped her hoof on the ground, the maid returning to clean the table off as she made her way to her chambers. So much had happened, and her head was pounding. She had faith in Isaac, faith he would earn the trust of her ponies. And she knew Fluttershy would be the one to help prove it.

Isaac nodded to the girls as each one stopped before their chambers and then went inside, with Applejack and Rainbow Dash both narrowing their eyes. It felt like they were staring into his soul. Rarity gave him a curt nod, but before she went into her room she looked him up and down before tugging on the tattered clothes he wore.

“Tomorrow I want you to come with me to my boutique. You need proper clothes and I’ve got quite a few ideas for you.” She positively beamed as she said this. While she had not been as aggressive in stance as Applejack and Rainbow Dash, she clearly was being just as serious.

“Thank you Rarity. I appreciate the help.” He knelt down and held out a hand, which she stared at for a moment, then put her hoof into it.

“Don’t think I entirely trust you just yet Isaac. I may not be as rough as A.J. and Dash but I’ll be watching you just as they will.” She lowered her hoof and let out a soft sigh. “Don’t make me regret this.” Isaac nodded to her and watched her disappear into her room. Twilight had already said her good night, so it left him with Pinkie and Fluttershy.

Speaking of Pinkie, she hadn’t said anything during the discussion. Isaac turned to her when they reached her room.

“No thoughts, Miss Pie?” Isaac asked.

Pinkie smiled up at him with a large grin on her face. “Whatcha mean?”

“Do you think of me as… dangerous?” He put his hands behind his back, his head tilted to the side.

“Course not! If you were a Mr. McMeanie Pants you woulda tried to hurt us already wouldn’t cha?” She said, bouncing around him with a giggle. “I think you’re nice so far. So why wouldn’t I like ya?” She leaned against his leg before scrambling up to sit on his shoulders, leaning over his head, her pink mane and bright blue eyes filling his vision.

“I think the others just need to get to know ya better is all!” Suddenly she gasped, “Ohmygoshohmgosh! I have to plan a superduper spectacularific party for you when we get to Ponyville!” Her voice went up an octave, cracking slightly before she suddenly disappeared, the door to her guest chambers slamming shut. Isaac could do nothing but blink and shake his head.

“You’ll get used to her.” Fluttershy said with a smile, trotting beside him, a couple of feet away to give him some space. Isaac nodded as they came up to her room.

“Fluttershy,” He said before she went in, crouching down to get as close to eye level with her as he could. “Thank you for trusting me.”

She smiled and looked down, a tint on her face. “O-oh it was n-nothing. Everyone deserves a chance, Isaac. You’re no different.” She squeaked as he ruffled her mane gently and stood up. Then she turned and disappeared into her room. He saw what he assumed was his room not too far away, then had his attention grabbed by the guard he had forgotten about, who tapped his thigh with a hoof and motioned for him to continue. Isaac nodded and followed the guard to his room, where he was let inside.

“If you require anything, let me know, I shall be posted outside your room for the evening. Per the order of Princess Celestia you are not to leave the room. She doesn’t wish for you to be seen yet by the public on the off chance you wonder outside of the castle.”

Isaac found that a reasonable request, or order he supposed in this situation and nodded to the guard before the door closed. Sighing he walked over to the bed, but paused as he saw the bathroom. He needed to get clean, he just hoped that the showers weren’t too small for him.

He found it odd when he stepped into the shower and saw that it was just the right size for him, as was the toilet. Ponies surely wouldn’t need them to be this size. Then again perhaps there were other creatures his size on the planet, and if what Celestia said was true he figured that maybe a few humans lived here in the past? Shrugging his shoulders he decided he would ask at another time. For now he wanted to get clean.

An hour later he stepped out of the shower and made a face. He had honestly tried to clean as much of the muck that had sloughed off his body as he could. It wasn’t terrible but he felt sorry for the maid who had to scrub the tub tomorrow. The bed was nicely accommodating to his size as when he flopped down onto it, his now cleaned, but still ragged looking wings stretched out, he didn’t feel his legs come off the edge.

He didn’t expect this to be so at Fluttershy’s home when they arrived in… Ponyville was it? It became harder to think as he yawned wide, laying on his side after pulling the blankets up to his chin, hand under the pillow to support his head. Within moments, he was asleep.

Author's Note

So I went with a different format for paragraphs, lemme know if you prefer it double spaced and indented or if you you're fine with this. Figured double spacing and Indenting just didn't look right. Anyways here's the next chapter :D Enjoy everyone and feel free to comment on it.