After the Fact

by Pixel brony

Rating: teen
Tags: Other, Tragedy, Twilight Sparkle, Discord, Princess Celestia, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Human, Sad, Princess Luna
Length: 3994

The beginning of a tale is a very important part of a story. But its what happens after that matters.

The beginning of a tale is a very important part of a story, but its what happens after that matters.

After being brought to Equestria, Thomas has a tragic run of events. While resting in a guest room in Canterlot Castle, he reflects on what he can remember from the past few weeks.

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An idea I had while smoking a cigarette at 2am.

Published 2014-08-21 06:20:06 UTC
Last updated 2015-03-18 03:06:04 UTC

Remembering the before, discussing the after

I don’t want to be here.

I want to be at home, next to my wife, Rebecca, in bed. I want to eat my mom’s cooking. I want to yell at a customer for breaking something in my store. I want to clean out the damn gutters that my Mom and Rebecca have been telling me to clean for months now. I want to kiss my wife. I want to hug my Mom.

I want to go home.

I don’t hate where I am, though. This city is actually beautiful at night, if a bit rustic looking. All the houses closest to where I am are all made from cut stone, while the ones further away are made out of modern materials. They style at which they all done make the transition seamless. Although the circumstances suck, I can’t deny the view from here. The way the moon lights up the taller buildings with a nice underglow from the oil street lamps.

I lean back a bit from the railing of the balcony I’m currently standing on to reach into my coat pocket to pull out a crumpled pack of cigarettes. My last pack, seeing as they don’t have tobacco here, apparently. Flipping open the top reveals that I have exactly three bent cigarettes and one broke one. Kind of shows what I’ve been through these past few weeks, I guess. Bent in some ways, broken in others.

With a sigh through my nose I pull out one of the bent ones and put it betweens my lips. I put the pack back and pull out my lighter. As I light the cigarette and take the first drag, I can’t help but think back on how I got here.

I own and operate my father’s antique shop. Its located at the far end of town, where the main road first enters town. The building itself is a gigantic warehouse with a small office building turned store attached to the front. My father bought the place when he was in his early forties with no idea what he was going to do with it. He first just used it for storage for all the old ‘junk’ that he had collected over the years. While he was moving it all inside, a car drove past him and slammed on its brakes soon after. The car quickly turned around and pulled up along side my father's truck. A man stepped out and enthusiastically walked over to an old Coca-Cola sign my father had propped up on the tailgate of his truck. My father, the giant slab of muscle that he was, grabbed the man by the shoulder, rather firmly, and asked him what he was doing. The man quickly recovered and pointed at the sign.

‘I will pay you one hundred dollars for that sign right there. Cash,’ the man replied.

My father, a bit stunned from the offer, took a second to respond. Then, my father had an idea. My father said that he would sell the sign to him, on one condition. That he would look at the rest of the ‘junk’ that he had inside. Three hundred dollars, and few more sold items, and my father knew what he was going to do with the warehouse.

Collectors Antiques, open since 1979.

When my father passed, he left the store to me. Working there since I was seven allowed me to run it no problem. My mother and Rebecca kept me from just taking all the stuff I wanted home.

I was just finishing sweeping in front of the sign wall. Signs dating all the way back to the early 1800’s, and some recent ones that I hoped would eventually be worth a damn. As I turned to head towards the front, I saw my mom knelt down in front of the display case, that we also use as a front counter, wiping the glass with a rag while overly pregnant Rebecca looked on. I was about to make a snarky remark about the scene before me, when I felt my sense of balance disappear.

I fell to one knee and dropped the broom. I felt as if all of my weight had been forced into my chest. Looking at my hands, I saw that I was now glowing purple. A gasp made me look up. My mom and Rebecca were looking at me with a mix of worry or fear. I didn’t know what was about to happen, but I knew what I needed to say.

‘I love you.’

Then I disappeared.

The stone of the railing cracked a little where my hand was wrapped around it. Just another reminder of how I’ve been… changed, since I got here.

“Careful of what you break, I might have my sister make you pay for it.”

        `I don’t turn around. I know who it is. I was expecting her to show eventually. She has been bothering me every night since Princess Celestia gave me this room.

“At this point, I think me breaking inanimate objects isn’t a concern. Its the animate ones that I want to break are who you should be worried about, Princess.”

        The clip clop of hooves I’ve grown familiar with the populace here approach from my left as I ground out my cigarette. The wing that found itself lightly wrapping around my back was what was unfamiliar. I bristled at the touch, but it wasn’t unwelcome gesture after the past few weeks that I’ve had.

“I know that you are angry, rightfully so given the circumstances,” I feel her rub her head against my left shoulder, “My sister and I appreciate that you have shown restraint in light of these events.”

“Restraint?” I scoff, “Restraint doesn’t sound like a strong enough word… but you’re welcome, none the less.”

        We lapse into silence for a bit. After what feels like a few minutes, I turn to look at my visitor, the wing sliding off my shoulder. Her name is Princess Luna. The first person in this weird world that I would actually call a friend. She has done a lot for me in the past week, all unasked for. She’s looking at up at me with a gently, hesitant, smile. I offer a small genuine smile in return.

“I know I’ve said it a lot these past few days, but thank you. Your sister most likely would have killed me by now if you hadn’t.”

        She chuckles at the last bit.

“My sister is many things. A killer she is not. She prefers to imprison her enemies, in the hope that they can be helped later down the line,” she turns to look at the city beyond, “Besides, I am very glad that I did decide to help you. You are very good company.”

“At least I’m still good for something after what happened,” I replied sullenly, turning back to lean on the railing.

“Has your memory improved at all?” She asked, sensing which way the conversation is going.

        I take a deep breath, and run a hand through my hair.

“Of everything that has happened since I got here? Mostly. Before I got here? It comes and goes,” I sigh in frustration, “One moment I’ll remember something important, but whenever I try to think about it in detail, it just slips away.”

“The entity did a lot of damage while it was inside of you, physical and mental. It will take some time to figure out all of what it did, and how to fix it,” The wing returned, although with a firmer grasp, “We will help you as much as we can. I know that you want to go home, and hopefully you will be able to, but we need to figure out how to heal you first.”

        I know what she says is true. I don’t want it to be, but it is. I give a shallow nod, and look up at the sky. The stars twinkle about as the moon shines brightly in the sky.

“The sky looks beautiful tonight.”

“You can try to change the subject compliments,” She chuckles, “and it will work. Thank you.”

“Credit given where its due.”

        A loud yawn escapes me.

“I think it would be wise to go bed. You have been awake for two days now, and you will need your strength in the coming days.”

“I know, I know. Its just…”

“The nightmares?”

        I give a nod in response.

“I have tried to help you with them, and will continue to do so, but it is hard to ‘find’ you in all of the jumble that is your head at the moment,” she rubs her head against my shoulder again, “I know that the nightmares are horrible, but you must hold strong. You have made it this far, you can make it a bit further.”

        I don’t give a response in turn. Instead, I just reach out and give her a head rub. With another sigh, I retract my hand and push away from the railing, the wing removing itself again..

“Putting it off any longer won't make it any less worse, I guess.”

        As I am about to start the short walk inside, Luna lightly tackles me from the side and envelopes me in a hug with her forehooves and wings.

“I am so dreadfully sorry for what has happened to you. I know that I can’t change what has happened, or all of what that thing did to you, but I hope that won’t hate all of us for what happened.”

I can't see her face at the moment, but by the sound of her voice, there are more than a few tears in her eyes.

“I only hate those responsible,” I said, returning the hug, “Blaming all of you for the actions of a few is childish.”

        We stand there for a little while, me enjoying the comfort of a hug from a friend, her out of grief for what happened. I feel her grip loosen, and let go of mine. She drops back to all fours, a smile and a few tears adorning her face as she looks up at me.

“Goodnight, Luna.”

“Goodnight Thomas.”

        As Luna flies off into night, I reluctantly trudge towards the bed in my room, knowing what awaits me.

Gruesome Events Over Tea

        I like tea.

Especially Princess Celestia’s tea. Its always fresh and of high quality. I’ve asked several times what kind it is, and she tells me ‘its not the kind of tea it is. Its who you are sharing it with.’ It wasn’t until after I first went to Ponyville that I understood what that meant. Since then, all drinks shared with somepony close to me I really like.

        But the taste is sullied this time around. Because of one mistake, one miscalculation,  everything I love to do brings me no joy. My friends, books, good food, anything. One mistake.

        I look at my reflection in mirror table the tea cup is resting on. My mane is disheveled, my coat has hairs sticking up all over, theres bags under my eyes, and my eyes are bloodshot from lack of sleep. My nerves are shot from all that has happened to the point where I have yelled at Spike three times yesterday. I finally had to tell him that it would be best if he went to Rarity’s for a little while.

“Twilight?”

        The voice makes me jump, my head snapping upwards to look at who had spoke. Princess Celestia is looking at me with concern from across the table. I want to force a smile, to assure her everything is fine, but I just don’t have the energy.

“Sorry princess, where were we?” I asked tiredly.

“Its quite alright,” she responded with her usual serene voice. In the past, it made my heart soar to hear her speak. Now, It feels by just hearing her voice that I’m disgracing it. “We were almost to the point where Thomas first appeared.”

        The start of my sins.

“Right… well…

        I was practicing a new spell outside my castle, when my friends showed up to take spike and I out to lunch. I wanted to finish what I was doing before we left. They wanted to watch. It was a simple spell. Teleport an inanimate object, from a distance, to a predestined point in the room without touching or seeing said object, but knowing where it was. A bit complicated, I admit, but simple enough for me.

        Or so I thought.

        As I started to think about the object, I channeled the energy needed for the spell into my horn. Thats when it started to go wrong. After a few minutes, I thought I had done it wrong. I did it right, I just miscalculated the power needed. There was also a variable I hadn’t accounted for, but didn’t figure out till later. I’ll come back to that. Once I realized that the spell wasn’t working, I tried to cut off the power flow. But it wouldn’t stop. Its just kept draining more and more from me. If I was still a regular unicorn, I would have run of power with as much power was already put into it, and the spell would have fizzled out. But because I’m an alicorn now, my reserves run much deeper.

        Not even a few seconds after I realized that the power wouldn’t stop, there was a small ‘pop’, that usually accompanies a teleport, but followed by a much louder thud. Looking towards where the sounds had come from, I saw a being that I had never seen before. From first glance, I could tell he was huge. He must have arrived crouched, because he stood up almost right away. He was very tall. Almost, if not, taller than you. One of his forelegs were bent, and the claw at the end was grasping at his head. Then he let out a growl.

        Then everything got worse.

        Before I even could comprehend what had just happened, Rainbow Dash had flown over me in a charge at him. She let out a yell. His head jerked up at cry. He brought up his arm in defense. Then… a loud, terrifying, wet, snap resounded out.

H-he started to scream in pain. Then applejack ran at him, a rope in her mouth… she started to tie him up, his legs first… i-it m-made him fall… a-and… hit his head…”

        I’m crying now.

        Hot tears rush down my face as I hiccup, trying to reign it all in. Princess Celestia sits quietly as I compose myself.

“T-the fall knocked him out. Split open his forehead, too. Fluttershy started to yell at them all. She made Applejack untie him, and had Rainbow flip him over.

        I could see the bone poking out of his arm.

        Rarity gaged and ran out the room. Pinkie started helping Fluttershy stop the bleeding. Rainbow looked shocked at what she had done. Applejack looked remorseful at the sight of the blood streaming down his face. I did nothing.

        I. Did. Nothing.

        I accidentally summoned him from who-knows-where, and all I could do was stand there in shock. Shortly after that, Fluttershy coordinated the rest of the girls to get him to the hospital. After they had all left, I finally snapped out of it when a glint from the grass went across my eye. I walked over to it.

        It was a watch. A wind up watch on a golden chain. It was what I was trying to teleport. But it was different. This both had an eagle on it, but this one was sitting on top of a globe with an anchor behind the globe. It was old and worn. Identical, but not the same.

        Then it clicked.

        I was trying to teleport a watch with an eagle on it, he had a similar watch, and because I miscalculated the power, I brought him here.”

        I don’t say anything else. I don't know what to add.

“Is that exactly how he came to arrive here? By accident?”

        I nod yes.

“I need a vocal answer, Twilight.”

“Yes,” I croak out.

“Then thats all I need. Thank you Twilight.”

“What happens now?”

“Well, if all of your friends stories corroborate, then that is the story we shall go with, seeing as Thomas doesn’t remember exactly what happened,” she sighs, “and, if he decides to press charges, then Rainbow will most likely be charged with assault, along with Applejack, and you with kidnapping.”

        I simply nod my head yes. Knowing all of what happened to him since bringing him here, I know that is the least of what I deserve.

“I know I’m sounding harsh here, Twilight, I wish it didn’t have to be this way. With everything that has happened to him these past few weeks, and how public the events turned out to be, I have to be strict about this. A being has suffered greatly, almost died by my hooves. This is the way it has to be.”

“I know,” I whispered, “I know.”

Anger Changes

        I used to have blue eyes.

        Yellow. Thats what color they are now. Not bright cheerful yellow, that would be too much to ask. Sickly yellow. Like puss. My pupil is noticeably oval shaped, with the arch being horizontal. The veins in my eyes have been visible in the whites of my eyes for some time now. My face is very pale now, with no explanation for that. Thought it was just from the stress. My canines, including the rest of my teeth, are sharper than they once were. I’ve cut my cheek a couple times.

        About gave a maid a heart attack when I yawned.

        The doctor here gave me a once over after my first night. Took blood, hair, skin, saliva, all the stuff you could easily take a sample of, really. He said I was fine physically, as far as he could tell. Seeing as I’m an entirely new species to them, not to mention whatever changes I’ve gone through, I’ll just have to take his word on it.

        The door to the room opens. I set down the silver serving tray I was using as a mirror and look towards the door. Princess Celestia gives me a small smile as she walks towards the table I’m sitting at, a folder floating next to her side. She gracefully sits down at the couch across from my own, setting the folder down on the table between us.

“Good afternoon, Thomas. I hope your day is progressing well.”

“No worse than usual, ma’am. Hows yours?”

        Her ears twitch at my response.

“Despite today’s agenda, better than expected actually. Now then, lets get to why were here shall we?” she asks as she opens the folder and readies a quill over the paper inside.

“You want my statement on what happened after I got here.”

“Correct. I know your memory is a bit spotty, but tell me what you can please.”

“Alright.

        I don’t remember much about getting here, mostly just what I was doing before I was taken. All I do remember is a bright light, then getting the shit beaten out of me. After that, I woke up in a hospital bed with my head pounding like crazy and my right arm submerged up to my elbow in a bucket of blue goop. I pulled my arm out to see stitches on one side of my arm, running almost all the way down it.

        My first thought, was ‘how long have I been out?’ I’ve broken my arm before. Takes weeks, to months to heal. If it was to the point of almost being healed, seeing as it no longer hurt and there was no need for a cast, I was worried. Did I have a stroke, fall down and break my arm? Did someone hit me over the head with something, then break my arm? I didn’t know.

        Then the door to the hospital room opened up, and a brightly colored pony walked in.

        Then it talked.

        Then I panicked.

        Before I knew it, I was out the window and running full tilt down the road. I still had the clothes I last remember wearing, minus my coat, which should have raised some red flags, but I was in ‘fight or flight’ mode from being confronted with an unknown creature, and so adrenaline was pumping through my system like crazy. So I kept running down the road. I heard yelling from behind, so I ran faster. I heard something running behind me and gaining, so I veered off the road and into a field. The running went on for what seemed like an hour.

Then I ran into a forest.

The sound of my pursuers disappeared after a bit, so I stopped to rest. Sweat was dripping off of my face as my heart threatened to pop from the exertion. Knowing that staying in one place was a bad idea, I shrugged off the exhaustion till I was somewhere safe.

This is where my memory gets a bit… weird.”

“How do you mean?”

“It starts getting… best I know how to compare it to, is edited. Like that thing cut out bits and pieces from my memory, so that it doesn’t make sense.”

“You think the entity ‘edited’ you memory?”

“I don’t think. I know it did. It told me so.”

“Walking. Lots of walking. Then a cave. Then… pain. Lots, and lots of pain,” I started growling unintentionally, “Then that thing was in my head. Laughing at me. Torturing me. Putting me through nightmare after nightmare. Making me stay conscious as it altered my body. Pain. Just… pain.”

        I felt my anger build. My entire body felt hot. My hands hurt. My vision started going blurry.

“Thomas!” Princess Celestia yelled.

        The yell snapped out of it. I blinked.

I had stood up at some point. Looking around the room, I noticed that my vision had taken on a hint of yellow. I looked at my hands. Black veins had appeared under my skin. They no longer hurt, but it worried me.

“Thomas?” Princess Celestia asked quietly.

        I sat back down, letting out a long, shaky breath.

“Sorry,” I mumbled.

“Its alright. Although I think thats enough for now, I have what I need for now anyway,” she flipped through her folder for a moment, while I reached into my pocket for my pack of cigarettes, “One last thing, and I’ll leave you be for now.”

        I pulled out the pack as I motioned for her to continue.

“I know now might not be the best of times, but considering the circumstances, those that assaulted you when you first got here,” she held her breath for a moment as she looked at me critically, “Would you like charges filed against them?”

        I snorted.

“After everything that has happened? No.”

“What about the one who brought you here?”

        I paused.

        The one who brought me here… the one who caused all of these things to happen to me by bringing me here.

“Was it on purpose?”

“No.”

“Then… no.”

        She released a small breath that I didn’t know she had been holding.

“I would like to talk to them though.”

        Her ears shot straight up and her eyes locked onto mine.

“Why?” she asked critically.

        I lit the cigarette.

“Thats one of the questions I would like to ask.”

        She stared at me for awhile, seemingly contemplating the request. I just blew smoke rings into the air. Well, tried to at least. After about five minutes, she stood up from her position on the couch, taking the folder with her. When she opened the door, she looked back at me.

“I will ask them if they would like to speak with you.”

“Thats all I can ask.”

I don't blame you

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Beatings given

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