The Prophecy

CHAPTER I

I was walking home, as everyday. I finished my work, and everything I wanted at the moment was some sleep. Fortunately, tomorrow I had a day off, so I could sleep as long as I wished. I lived alone since my girlfriend left me. In addition, my flat, or apartment, or whatever you call it, was located in one of worst districts in the town. I needed to stay unnoticed, taking back streets and dark alleys in order to avoid being mugged. Police never gave a shit about this, so I just stayed alert. Finally, I got to my staircase, ran up to the second floor and opened door. Familiar sight welcomed me. Old, wooden wardrobe on the left, small separate toilet to the right. Farther kitchen, and big living room, and a bedroom too. I hanged my coat on wire hanger in wardrobe and left the anteroom. I left all my things in living room. Old carpet still felt soft under my feet. I did not even look at state my living space was in: wallpapers detaching from walls, paint dirty somewhere, and crushed elsewhere, some light bulbs not working. I just wanted sleep. I just fell onto bed with hope for better tomorrow, and fell asleep.

Falling of bed woke me up from a beautiful dream. I did not remember it, though I knew it was beautiful. It felt strange. I did not fall of bed ever before. I closed my eyes trying to imagine ending of my dream. Then I noticed something out of place. Under my back there was no soft carpet. It was solid wood. I opened my eyes and blinked. I was no longer in my bedroom. It seemed like my bed disappeared. Some of my things though were scattered around. Then I saw some jewels on floor that glew dim purple and emited minor sparks. I looked around. My current location was dark shed made of oak wood, or something that reminded of oak. There was doorway leading outside, but the rain was falling there. I stood up and immediately was knocked down by something flying into the shed, or wherever I was, at very high speed. There was no doubt it was living creature. The unlikely thing was that it was blue. It ignored my presence and rushed towards a purple shape which I did not notice before. The blue one touched lavender one with a... hoof.

'Twilight?' It spoke. 'You alright?'

Then sudden realization struck me. It was some sort of equine, although it was clearly talking and it was colorful, pretty much. Rainbow colored mane and tail, cyan body.

I thought I could feel my brain leaking out of my ear. My thought were racing and crashing into each other. At first place, I thought I was still dreaming. I tried to wake up, but it did not have a chance to succeed. I had thousands of ideas what could have just happened, but none seemed probable. Maybe... I died? Or it was some kind of illusion?The cyan horse or whatever it was looked at me.

'What... Who are you?' It spoke.

I tried to get up again. They could speak for sure, so there was some hope someone would explain to me what is going on. Suddenly, rainbow maned equine struck me with her hoof.

'Don't move, you hairless ape!' It shouted. It's voice was rather feminine, so I took as a fact that the thing I was looking at was female. 'You have exactly ten seconds to explain yourself, and two have already passed!'

'Are you trying to scare me?' I replied lacking any better response. I tried to look courageous, but actually I was scared pretty well. I pretty much could ask you the same!' I shouted. 'I am a human! And I thought I was normal, until now. What variation of equine are you?'

'How comes you don't know ME?' She said 'I am the best flayer to ever come out of Cloudsdale! Rain-bow-Dash is my name.'

Well, that made sense. Her multi-coloured mane and tail really maintained the order of a rainbow.

'Hey, Rain-bow-Dash! You care to explain what in the world happened here? I should not be here, how is it possible I am?'

'That you need to ask Twilight. Speaking of who, you need to help her.' Cyan creature pointed her hoof at her lavender acquitance. 'She doesn't seem to be able to get up on her own'

'Give me a sec.' I got up in meantime. 'What is going on out there?'

'Nothing important. Just a massive, magical storm. Deadly. But I, as greatest flayer, can take care of it for you.'

I walked towards equine which Rainbow called “Twilight”. She was bleeding from nose and mouth, but there was nothing serious what I could notice in first place. Also, she was not too big, same size as Rainbow, who standing reached little above my waist. I thought I could lift her.

'Now, when you finally get to go, just follow the path until you reach large wooden building. There somepony will be waiting for you.' Rainbow said and left at extreme speed.

'Pony, eh?' I said to myself. I noticed that one serious thing varied between Rainbow Dash and Twilight. The first had wings, like mythical pegasi, and the other had horn on her forehead. But this was not time for philosophical overthoughts. I lifted purple unicorn from wooden floor and carried her towards the door. She was not too heavy.

Outside it looked at least strangely. Visible distance was very tiny, because of fog. Sometimes at not very large distance light purple lightning struck. And of course rain was falling, wetting everything around to the skin. Muddy path leaded far between two parts of field, orchard of some kind. As I travelled farther, I started to see some of trees which grew here. Apple trees. LOTS of apple trees. Sudden realization struck me: this could be enough to feed entire town of ponies, or even more.

Way was long and tiring. Twilight's lifeless body slipped from my hands constantly and I tried to keep grip on her. Most importantly, she was still alive, and this is what counted.

Executing herculean efforts I managed to get to the end of muddy path. The storm started to die down. I could see farther already. I noticed another pony standing under wooden roof which was probably meant for wood. This one did not have wings nor horn. I assumed it was a she as well. She was brightly coloured as well: orange coat with blonde mane and tail. Her hair brought fresh hay to ones mind. She was wearing leather cowboy hat, a Stetson. I came nearer.

'Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres' She said with characteristic southern accent. 'Mah name is Applejack.'

She trotted towards the door leading inside large wooden building minded earlier by Rainbow.

'Come on inside' Applejack said.

I did as I was told to, still carrying lavender unicorn.

'Go on' Orange pony hustled me. 'Lay her down on the couch in living room. '

I walked into mentioned lodging. It was warm and cosily inside. Wood happily burned in the fireplace. I placed my live carriage on red couch. Applejack trotted towards me and gave me her hoof. I shook it, assuming it was polite form of greeting.

'Thank you for taking care of my friend.' She said 'Now, who in tarnation are you?'

Her tone was less friendly now.

'Wait, calm down, calm down!' I said 'I am harmless. I am a human, and I have no idea how I got here. I think your unicorn friend scamped something with whatever she was doing, almost killing herself and bringing me here.'

'Fair enough' Orange pony was back to normal attitude.

I noticed another pony in the room. She was sleeping in a rocking chair and looked very, very old. I stood in absolute silence, and so did Applejack. Unexpectingly, Rainbow Dash busted inside. Her coat was slightly charred in one place, but she seemed fine about that.

'What's happening, everypony?' She said.

“Wow” I thought “She IS damn fast. She managed to deliver a message AND take care of storm.”

'Redheart will be here in a moment' Rainbow finished.

'What is Redheart?' I asked.

'Not what' Applejack answered 'But who. She is our town nurse'

Next minute, smaller pony ran into room, followed by one larger than others, undoubtly male. I could know that because she looked other way, had other shape of face. And he did not have feminine attitude.

'Apple Bloom, Big Mac, meet mr. Human' Orange pony introduced me. 'Mr. Human, this is my lil' sister Apple Bloom and my brother Big Macintosh'

'Eeyup' Large red pony said.

'What's up, mr. Human?' Apple Bloom almost shouted happily bouncing towards me. She was light yellow with red mane and tail.

'Good day to you all' I replied.

Apple Bloom jumped up onto my lap. She was much more expressive than a simple “Eeyup”. It was not hard to carry her, as she was smaller and lighter even than Twilight.

'Apple Bloom' Her brother said 'Get off our guest, don't be rude'

'No, no. It is fine' I said 'She can stay, if she wants to'

I don't even know why I said that.

'You are a real human?' Little filly asked.

'Bone and blood', I replied.

'You are not evil are you?' Apple Bloom asked. 'One human from granny's tales was evil'

'No, I think not. I never considered myself evil.'

'Show me your hoof!' foal demanded.

I drew my hand from my pocket and placed it next to Apple Bloom. She watched it, amazed.

'We call them “Hands”' I explained 'And the smaller ones are “fingers”'

She took a good while tickling my hand and checking how do I react with her muzzle and hoof.

'I hope everything is right with Twilight' Applejack said. 'She doesn't seem very well'

I took a closer look on blonde-maned pony. Her eyes caught my eye, as stupid as it sounds it was true. They were clear green, green as a bottom of a bottle of beer. They looked honest to the core, unable to lie even if tried. She truly was concerned, and so was I, even though I did not know why. I didn't know anyone of them before.

It was quiet until nurse Redheart arrived. She knocked on the door soon, and went right in. Definite pony, she was, she went right to the job. She checked on Twilight's life signs, cleaned her face of remains of blood. Then she checked if every bone was in place, and then I don't really know what she did. I am not a doctor. Soon lavender pony regained consciousness.

'Twilight!' Applejack said. 'I am so happy you are all right!'

Everyone around smiled. Only Rainbow Dash tried to keep on her poker face, but everyone knew she was relieved too.

Unicorn looked around until she noticed me.

'Gee' She said weakly 'I thought humans were only old ponytale'

I took a while until I understood that she was talking about “tale” not a “tail”. Then I realized another thing. Someone had to call nurse. And it could be only Rainbow Dash. Now I believed she was really fastest flyer.

'As you see,' Nurse spoke, 'She will be all right in no-time. My job here is done. Good-bye!' She left without haste.

When the door closed, Twilight took more comfortable pose.

'Twilight' Applejack said 'Can you walk?'

'Yes, of course. Why couldn't I?'

“Maybe because you almost died” I thought.

'I don't want to pry' I said 'But can any...pony explain what is going on here?'

'Yes.' Unicorn answered 'I do. Walk me home, will you? I will get you in details on the way.'

She stood up and tried to walk. She performed steps with no problem, so without further slowing herself she said proper goodbyes to everyone and left. I looked around. Everyones eyes were on me. I simply said “Goodbye” and tried to leave, but Apple Bloom stepped in my way.

'Wait' She said 'Promise you will come back one day. Granny always told me tales about humans, and other things. I always wanted to meet one like you!'

'Okay, Apple Bloom' I said 'If I will be able to, I will meet you again. I promise.' I don't even know why I gave her such a stupid word. I didn't want to stay here, though I declared I will meet this kid. Thinking about it, I left the room and followed Twilight outside.

'Let me introduce myself' She said when I caught up with her 'My name is Twilight Sparkle, and I am, or I was princess Celestia's personal student.'

I followed her as she trotted towards nearby town.

'You landed here as a side effect of my failed spell' She continued 'I had no intention in bringing you here'

This did not seem exactly true, judging by look on her face, but I accepted it lacking anything better.

'I think I can send you back, but I will have to work on it for a while'

'You think? You mean it is not sure?'

'To be honest, I have no idea'

Rest of the way passed in silence. Soon we arrived at large tree, which was empty inside. It had door and some windows, even a balcony.

'This is where I live' unicorn said 'As of you... I suppose there where you landed, also were some of things that were around you? Perhaps your personal items? You might want to collect them. Primo, they may be useful for you, secundo, it is not nice to throw trash on someones orchard. I suppose you know the way? When you come back, my assistant will be waiting for you.'

She opened door, trotted inside and before I could ask any question closed them behind herself. I had no better idea than actually going to get my things.

The way seemed much shorter than before, maybe because it was no longer raining and instead I could see a beautiful sunset. Not much time passed when I reached my destiny. I looked around the shed. It looked much more friendly now, when no lightnings danced around. My things were scattered inside in mess, which was rather familiar. I never kept my items tidy. I selected a few of them and picked them up: a lighter, my old backpack, a jean jacket and few other, as much as I could carry without being overencumbered. Having nothing more to do here, I turned back and hit the road back to library.

When I finally got there, a surprise was awaiting me, and it was not a nice surprise. Four ponies who had soldiers attitude were waiting for me in front of the tree. When I approached them, they barred my way.

'Human?' One of them asked.

I nodded.

'You are arrested in the name of Her Highness Princess Celestia of Equestria!' The one who was in charge exclaimed 'Come on, dungeons of Canterlot await. And you know, I am sorry for you.'

I could see that resistance was not the best idea. I just submitted.

'Can you at least tell me why am I arrested?'

'We would like to, but we don't know. We just received orders'

I gave this time to sink in. I walked towards nearby stagecoach with barred windows which I was ordered to go to.

'Her Highness Celestia will hear you in ten days' said the capitan of guards and shut the door behind me.

I lost all hope. Now I know that sometimes you are jailed for innocence.