Prologue: A good night story
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a young man. This man was part of a small group of men who enjoyed a show about ponies and friendship.
The young man loved the show so much, that he looked into ways of trying to find that show's world. But magic didn't exist in his world, and it was dismissed by most as fantasy. That didn't stop him. The young man determined to find a way to this magical land.
One day, an old man approached the young man, claiming to know a way to get to the land of the ponies. The young man was wary, because he suspected this man was someone from the show, and a known trickster. Nevertheless, he agreed.
But the old man had a warning for the young man. 'Beware,' he said. 'The show only shows the good things about that world. There are bad things there, too. And once you go there, I can't bring you back.' The young man knew what he was saying, but agreed nonetheless.
After a brief but chaotic flash of light, the young man arrived! He was there, in the lands he so wanted to be in! He could see his idols from the show! Surely, they would welcome him as a friend!
Unfortunately, the first ponies he saw were less than welcoming. The very first ran away, calling him a monster. He tried to explain to other ponies that he wasn't a monster, but they were quicker to trust the mare that panicked at the sight of him. Where were the ponies from the show? His idols?
He didn't have time to ponder the question, as a mob formed, hurling things like rotten food and metal utensils at him. Distressed, the young man fled into the Everfree forest, knowing the ponies wouldn't follow him there.
The forest was dark and scary, but the young man wasn't afraid. He knew that he needed shelter, though, and using lessons he learned playing games on his world, he began to create and craft things that he could use to survive. He started with simple shelters and axes made from rocks and sticks, and then moved on to bigger and more complex creations.
The young man was very clever and smart, using lessons he learned over the years from various books, and applying what he knew. Within a few years, and given lots of practice, he started making things that the ponies couldn't make without magic. A log cabin, a refinery, iron tools and decorations...using the resources of the land, he created all these things.
The young man thrived in the Everfree forest, and avoided contact with ponies, while hunting and foraging for food. He learned that the old man's warnings were true as he discovered other residents of the Everfree. Timberwolves, ghoulish beings, and evil spirits really did inhabit the forest. In order to survive, he studied each of these things to determine the best way to fight against them, all the while upgrading his tools and weapons.
One day, as he was venturing close to the edge of the forest, he discovered a family of ponies on a camping trip. A stallion, a mare, a filly, a colt, and a foal. They seemed very happy, so the young man decided not to bother them. But just as he was gonna leave, Blanks, evil spirits of ponies lost in the forest, came out to attack them.
He watched as they tried to escape, and most of them made it. But the mare had forgot her foal. She wanted to try and fight them to get the foal back, but there were too many Blanks in between her and the foal. The young man decided to act, and began shooting at them with his rifle. He fought hard to get to the foal, and rescue her, but the family had left. With nothing else to do, he retreated to his home in the forest with the foal in his arms.
***
A young man, around the age of 19, looked down at the little red unicorn foal who had been listening to the story. She had now cuddled up to him, and was sucking on her hoof in her sleep. "The young man was very lonely, so he decided to keep the foal, raising it as if it were his own child. He protected her, and she gave him joy. And they lived happily ever after." He concluded, nuzzling her, before putting her down on the bed next to him. “Good night, Serenity.”
