The chugging train hisses to a stop on the Canterlot Train Station just before noon. The trains’ occupants file out of the machine, but once I-the only human occupant-steps out, holding onto a bag of muffins on one hand while a small book on the other, everyone goes quiet and either averted their eyes or gawked at me like I’m some exotic creature.

Few whispers could be heard in the still air, as well as a couple of kids asking whom the strange creature was. I looked around the crowded platform, expecting someone to be waiting there for me, but sadly, I couldn’t see any familiar faces, not even a Royal Guard holding onto a piece of paper with my name on it, waiting like a maid or a butler. I was positive Celestia received my letter, Spike himself sent it after all. Shrugging my shoulders and ignoring the wary glances, but I smiled a small, kind smile at the curious younglings, as I made my way off the platform. The few bipedal, technicolor equines that were in my way splitting off to make the path.

“Might as well make a surprise entrance.” I said to myself and casually made my way towards the castle through a road cutting straight through the capital.

But as I made my way, the pull in my being strengthened; beckoning me to go faster, so I complied as I started speed walking like a late businessman.

There wasn’t much that interested me about the city I hadn’t already seen; the snobby nobles giving me glares and sneers was expected, the buildings were regal as usual, and the sky clear like I remembered.

I honestly didn’t like the fact that these biped-ponies could control the weather, as well as the celestial beings themselves, but I knew better than to start questioning their way of life, it worked for them, I was just wasn’t comfortable with the idea of total control. But I was somewhat happy that they couldn’t take control over the Everfree Forest. Yes, it was filled with dangerous creatures and strange plants that can literally morph your body just for laughs, but I was already used to that to some degree. Living most of your life in a cabin for the weekends as well as in the holidays can do that to you.

What intrigued me, though, was that I saw a few more guards patrolling the city streets with hawk like stares, nearly all of them giving me second glances.

Specist bastards.

Once I saw the gates to the castle guarded by four guards, instead of the usual two, it intrigued me a little more. It seemed Celestia listened to me to forty the castle, but with her absence from the train station, it seemed she might be a little busy with a few things important enough to actually forget about me. She and Luna were always kind to me, even joking around sometimes when we get bored going around the castle.

I walked up to the stone faced sentinels, only managing to reach up to their chins made them a little foreboding in my part, but I digress.

“Halt!” two spears cross over one another to block my way, while the other two to their sides quickly pointed their sharpened arrowheads right at my face. It might have surprised me, if only I hadn’t expected it. “State your business!”

“I am Noble Cristah, and I came here to speak with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna about something of importance.” I stated as asked.

“You cannot enter the castle grounds. It is under lock down, and no one can enter or leave the vicinity.” he spoke gruffly.

“Okay, now that’s just over doing it.” I thought to myself, but smiled at the four, “I understand. I’ll come over in another time.” I finished with a little bow and turned around. I walked down the intersections and turned to the nearest alley, but not before quickly checking for eavesdroppers.

I took a quick look around once more to make sure no one was looking, closed my eyes in concentration with slow calming breathes to reach into my being. As I did so, everything around me and on the planet slowed down like a robot running out of power, voices became muffled until, ultimately, every single thing on the planet was frozen in place.

I open my eyes with a huff of breathe and a small groan escaped my mouth, “Doesn’t get any easier.” I mumbled and rubbed my head as a small migraine started forming in the center of my brain. I turned back and walked into the street; the residents frozen in mid step, or sitting with another with an open mouth. I turned back towards the gate and saw the guards once again standing like statues.

I bet if I painted them grey now, nobody would know the difference between a real statue and them. Maybe another time.

I ran over, trying to ignore the growing headache the best I could and reached the entrance. I carefully went past the guards by squeezing through between them and looked up and down the large and daunting gate. I put the bag of muffins and book down and started pushing on the massive double doors with all my might, but to no avail. I knew I could still move and interact with objects regularly, but sense the doors couldn’t budge, it was possible something was blocking the gates from the other side, or I needed to work out more. Probably the latter, yes, definitely the latter.

I was smart, but this is the only other way I knew of to get in the castle. There’s no tree high enough, or even close to the castle walls for that matter to get over the walls, no vines to climb up from, or any known, secret way in, not that I would know any. Suddenly, a spike of pain strikes my head like someone just jabbed a needle in, making me groan a little louder as the migraine slowly increases. I needed to get over to the other side before-

“Need a little help there, brother from another Universe?” the rather annoying, and taunting voice spoke out from behind me.

I looked back as the serpentine, mish-mash of animal parts appeared in front of me, resting his slender body on the guards’ armored heads and shoulders, while taking bites out of a blueberry muffin and reading the small book Fluttershy gave me.

It was strange to see Discord being rather relaxed and not annoying me for once, but with a shock of needle like pain, I quickly answered the question, gently nodded my head while trying to balance myself as well.

“Y-yes please, Discord. That would be very helpful.” I rubbed my aching head with a hiss.

With a snap of Discords’ talon claws, we were flashed into one of the castles’ restrooms. Then and there, I released my hold and everything went back to normal, muffled voices and hoof steps could be heard just outside the room. I collapsed on the floor on my hands and knees, panting as I felt my head throbbing in sync with my heartbeat. Discord floated down on the floor and levitated the book down beside me as he threw in what was left of the muffin into his snaggletoothed mouth.

“You might want to get that headache checked out, Noble. It’s not natural to be about to control time like that.” he snickers and started floating around the little room, checking in on the empty stalls as hopping little stars appeared out of nowhere to make circles around my head, giggling annoyingly.

I slowly got myself back up while grabbing onto the book and the bag with one hand and stumbled over to the counter. I twisted the blue striped knob of the small sink with a little squeak and splashed my face with cold water. With a sigh of relief, I washed my face a little more to cool off before looking at myself in the mirror. My eyes were a little bloodshot, but other than a wet face, nothing more was wrong… well, except for the stars that are still hopping around my head, giggling. I gently waved them away in annoyance as I reached over to grab a dry towel, and quickly wiped my face.

“You know, Noble, it’s not nice to use your friends as a rag when they just helped you break into the castle.” Discords’ voice rang into my ears, freezing me in place. Slowly, I pulled back to see the flattened draconiquis starring back at him with a toothy grin. I groaned and tossed him over my shoulder.

“Discord, please, not now.” I said before grabbing another towel, checking before wiping my face again, “I’m here on business… but thanks for getting me in.” I turned to see my companion sitting in mid air with a tuxedo on, a monocle over his right eye, a black, well combed mustache under his nose, a top hat atop his head and sipping on some tea. I started cleaning my glasses with the towel before he started speaking.

“Pff!” he waved his Lion paw at me as green bobbles escape his lips like a smokers breath, “You just want to hit on the pretty girls.” he grabbed his glass eyepiece and took bites, glass crunching away in his mouth like a push noble.

“Yes, Celestia and Luna are beautiful, but I don’t think of them that way. I’m here to investigate why something’s pulling me here.” I pushed my glasses up the ridge of my nose.

“I didn’t say Celestia or Luna.” he gave a big, triumphant, shit-eating grin at me, making me groan once more in annoyance as I dropped the towel on the counter. Discord burst into a fit of laughter, holding unto his side as he floated around randomly.

As my companion continued laughing, I finally noticed the distinct lack of urinals in the room, and that’s when it dawned on me when the voices of mares started to get closer to the door. I looked back to yell at my friend, but Discord was nowhere to be found.

“Have fun with the girls, Noble, but not too much! One of them is a little feisty!” Discords’ voice echoed around the air with his laughter before the door to the restroom creaked opened.

There was a long pause as the castle Maids and Waitresses went silent, as well as I. I slowly turned my head towards them with an awkward smile before giving them a small, hesitant wave of my hand.

“G-good day, … ladies…” I chuckled weakly.

The maids and waitresses suddenly shrieked at me, and a second later, everything froze once more. I quickly manoeuvred through them, making sure I didn’t touch any of their… assets, ran to the nearest curtain and hid behind it. The world once again starts back up when I released my hold, the screaming mares abruptly stops their wailing in confusion.

“Where… w-where did it go?” one of them asked as the small group entered in.

“Maybe… it was a Ghost!?” one yelled dramatically with a gasp.

“Doubt it.”

“Than how did we all see the same thing than, huh!?”

As the mares continued their back and forth questioning about the strange thing that just appeared and disappeared, I quietly sneaked out of the curtain, checking the ajar door before quietly tip-toeing away like an old time cartoon character.

After looking around the castle to find my two Alicorn friends for some time, while trying to evade being spotted by the castle staff and the now abundant guards, I find a guest room door being guarded by two soldiers stationed right outside, stony as ever. Expecting one of the Princesses being in their before checking their bedchambers, I stopped time the third time that day and quickly jogged over from my hiding place and opened the door to take a quick look inside.

What I saw shocked me to a point where I myself froze in place like the guards behind me. Sitting on the bed were two beings, one being the tall, sun Alicorn, and a girl… a Human girl sitting right beside the Princess, listening intently at Celestia, and a little anxiously if holding onto her elbows and staring at Celestia with nervous eyes is any of indication.

I stared at the girl for a few more moments before gently closing the door behind me, forgetting about the throbbing pain in my head. I put the bag and the book on the counter of the drawer, smoothed out my clothing, took a few breathes to calm down before releasing my grip.

Like nothing had happened, Celestia continued speaking like I wasn’t there.

“I assure you, your friend is okay.” she finishes.

With that done, I casually cleared my throat, making the newcomer squeak in surprise and nearly curled up like a frightened hedgehog. Celestia jumps a little as well at my sudden appearance, but once she saw me she beamed brightly.

“Noble!” she stands up, and just before she spreads her arms for a hug, her face contorts into pure guilt, “Oh, Noble… I’m so sorry, I forgot to go and get you from the train station.” she looks down at the floor and caressed her left elbow with a saddened expression.

I chuckled, stepped forward and hugged the tall mare anyways, my face firmly planted against her soft pillows. She was at least a head taller than me, I have no choice okay, and besides, she seems not to mind the close contact.

“Celestia, it’s okay. You were busy and I found my way here easily.” The Alicorn smiled and returned the favor in kind, nuzzling the top of my head with a hum.

“It’s good to see you’re okay, Noble.” She says before both of us separate. Celestia clears her throat and presents the new arrival happily, “Noble, this is Marry. Marry, meet my good friend, Noble.” she introduces us.

I smiled at the now calm girl, stepped forward and brought out my hand, “It’s good to meet you, Marry. I am Noble Cristah, or just Noble is fine with me.”

She slowly grabs my hand with her own and gently shakes it, “Nice to meet you too, Noble… You can just call me Marry.” she replied and slightly hides part of her face behind her dark, long hair as a small, shy smile spreads across her lips.

I just knew she could become good friends with certain, timid mare I know of.

“You do not know how good it feels to finally meet another human in this world, Marry. I’m sure Samantha would be very happy to see you as well.” I said again. With a small spark of realization, I turned my head to Celestia, “What did you mean by ‘your friend is okay.’?” I questioned.

“Oh, yes. Marry and another girl fell in my court room at the same time. The silver haired girl, Silvia was it?” she looked at Marry, she nodded, “Yes, Silvia is in another locked room at the moment, resting.”

“Locked?” I questioned once again, now a little curious.

“Yes. She killed nine of my guards with their own spears’ arrowheads.”

The room goes quiet for a good minute before I looked at Marry, “Any idea why she was motivated to kill?” I asked gently.

“Probably because Celestias’ guards surrounded us, and that I just broke her out of a facility.” she started twiddling with her fingers, looking a little ashamed.

I raised a brow in interest, grabbed a chair from its place under the desk and sat down, “Facility?” Celestia goes over and sits on the bed with Marry.

Before she could explain away, the door behind me swings open to reveal a bloody, beaten and battered guard. Her armor was littered with scratches and dents, a few pieces clinging on with single straps or just missing entirely.

“Princess! The Human with the chains is awake and rampaging throughout the castle!” she yelled urgently, and as she finishes a raging yell could be heard echoing out through the hall.

“WHERE DID YOU TAKE HER!?”

Marry bolts from her spot on the bed and ran out the door, shoving the guard to the side and sprinted down a hall. I and Celestia ran after her as the injured guard collapse down to rest in the empty room.

I knew I could try and stop time to find the second human girl on my own, but who knew how long that could take and I’d rather have a clear mind when we find the ‘human with chains’ than have a throbbing pain distracting me.

It was obvious to me the second girl was different like me; killing nine guards with their own weapons, and if this ‘facility’ Marry mentioned is the same one I knew of, I’ll have to be prepared to feel intense pain once more.

When we finally found the rampaging girl, the entrance to the castle itself were ripped off their hinges, revealing a courtyard full of both dead and struggling guards clinging to life, most of their limbs missing and bloody. The dirt and grass were over turned, a couple trees were hacked down with scorch marks and the fountain was utterly destroyed as water continued to spew out the pipes and onto the yard. The cause of all the destruction was standing toe to hoof with the Princess of the Night standing on what remind of the fountain itself.

The blood lustful girls’ red hot chains were boiling and steaming under the few inches of water as they slowly slithered back up to coil around her arms, her chest heaving like an angry bull ready for another charge. The young Princess was standing tall like the ruler she was, but the look in her eyes told me she was downright scared shitless.

Just as the girl with the chains raised her arm for a strike with a red-hot dagger, I grabbed Marrys’ hand and slowed down time but not stopping it completely. I could see the girl slowly throwing out her arm forward as the chain shot out like a spiralling spring. Before Marry could ask me how I was doing this I dragged her towards where Luna was in a quick pace.

“This all can be prevented.” I said as the darted chain reached half way point.

I stand myself between the red hot chain dart and Luna and positioned myself so it’ll hit my heart directly. The faces of Luna, Celestia and the new bloody girl slowly started contorting into shocked expressions. I looked at the Marry in the eyes.

“I’ve done this before and I’ll do it again the future, Marry, don’t worry. This’ll all be prevented when we wake back up in the recent past, and we’ll fix this before it happens. But if it all fails, please take care of Samantha for me.” at that point I smiled, I released my grip on time and the sudden burning sensation in my chest struck me as the dart entered with a strong punch, throwing me back against the shocked form of Luna, catching me in her arms but I still held onto Marrys’ hand. Dust thrown up into their air and a light wind went past us from where we came.

I’ve done this before, and I know what I’m doing, but damn does it hurt every single time.

The dart quickly yanks out of my chest, the smell of burnt flesh entering my nose as blood start bushing out my open wound and mouth with a gurgled cough. Luna cradles me in her arms as she gently kneeled down, holding my upper body off the ground and onto her lap.

“Thou stupid moron, Noble! Why did thou do this!?” the teary mare yelled at me as I felt my limbs getting cold and numb, but I kept my hold on Marrys’ hand as I checked just in case because it was getting pretty cold very fast.

“Y-your sister… w-will neh… nee-” I coughed violently as blood started filling in my punctured lung. I took a few quick breathes, “Y-your sister needs you, Luna… She doesn’t deserve eternity of so-solitude… You… you have a g-good life ahead of you.” I coughed out more blood as I heard blurring, running hoof steps. I looked up at Marrys’ shocked face and smiled at her, “We’ll… we’ll fix… fix… thi…” as my last breathe left me, I could see my whole life flashing before my eyes once more. I made sure I smiled before I couldn’t feel anything.

Its been a while sense I last ‘died’ in this world, even longer since from my own world, but it feels so good to remember her bright, smiling face, beautiful sapphire blue eyes, wavy, dark hair and her soft touch and lips once again. I thought I would stop dying when I was thrown into this strange world, but I guess I was corrected on that when that crazy mare knew of my existence. It was a good run while it lasted; now I just hope I still held onto Marry before I died. It’ll help a lot to have her with me to work this out because I don’t want to die again or face that girl alone and possibly get stabbed again and don’t die.

When I felt like waking up from a restful sleep, I opened my eyes to see I was back in the guest room at the door, with Celestia and Marry sitting at the bed. I could see the sudden confusion in Marrys’ eyes as she quickly started looking around with wide eyes, making the Alicorn look at her questioningly.

“Wh… what… where?” she begin to babble.

I cleared my voice, catching their attention once more like last time. Marry squeaked once more in surprise, but this time when she saw me, she was more surprised than frightened. Celestia jumps a little at my sudden appearance, but once she saw me she beamed brightly.

“Noble!” she stands up, and just before she spreads her arms for a hug, her face contorts into pure guilt, “Oh, Noble… I’m so sorry I forgot to go and get you from the train station.” she looks down at the floor and caressed her left elbow with a saddened expression.

I chuckled, stepped forward and hugged the tall mare once more, with her busts pressed against the side of my head once more. “Celestia, it’s okay. You were busy and I found my way here easily.” The Alicorn smiled back and returned the favor in kind, nuzzling the top of my head with a hum.

“It’s good to see you’re okay, Noble.” She says before we both separated. Celestia clears her throat and presents the new, confused arrival happily, “Noble, this is Marry. Marry, meet my good friend, Noble.” she introduces us.

I smiled at her, stepped forward and brought out my hand like last time, “It’s good to meet you, Marry. I am Noble Cristah, or just Noble is fine with me.” I winked my eye at her.

She seemed to calm down a little once she knew I knew what was happening as well and gently shook my hand with a smile. “Nice to meet you, Noble.” she greeted as she played along as well.

I looked back at Celestia, “Where’s the other? If you don’t mind at least.” I asked politely.

She blinked a couple times, a little surprised I knew there was another human in the castle, but she shrugged it off. She knew I had a habit of finding this out before they’re presented to me, for better or for worse.

She waved for us with a small smile, “Follow me.” she said as she turned to the door and opened it. I and Marry followed after her. Before we got out I grabbed my bag of muffins and Fluttershys’ book.

When we got out into the hall, the two guards by the door were a little surprised at my presents, but both quickly caught up to their Princess and marched by her sides. I and Marry lagged behind a few paces back because she seemed to want to ask a few questions.

“Just to make things a little easier,” I whispered to her and gave her a muffin with a small smile, “I’m a little different like your friend.”

After going back and forth with answering and questioning with one another, I learned Marry was also ‘different’. That left little Samantha the only human in this world to be normal. I hope she was doing okay with Fluttershy and Pinkie; she needed girl-time with other genders other than me.

A few more twists and turns later, we reached a guarded door; it had five guards pointing their spears at the door and seemed a little uneasy with the shouting that’s happening in the other side of that door. At the face of the door was some stallion with a glowing horn, maybe trying to communicate and calm down the enraged girl; he also seemed a little uneasy with the situation as well.

“Where is she!? Where did you take her!?” Marrys’ friend yelled in rage and a few banging of furniture could be heard.

Hearing that, Marry ran past Celestia in a hurry, pushes aside the stallion and barges in through the door.

“Silvia! I’m here, I’m okay!” she said, ran in and hugged her friend whom was standing in the middle of the destroyed guest room.

The room was a mess; furniture around the room were hacked apart with scorch marks, the bed, its sheets and pillows were either cut open or thrown aside, smoking hot utensils were embedded in the wall beside the door and the window was shattered open, letting in the cool breeze from outside.

As both girls greeted one another like close sisters, I looked up at Celestia, “So…” she looked down at me with a questioning look, “What’s for lunch?” my stomach growled, making the tall mare giggle and pulled me in on her side with one arm.

“I prepared something special for, you.” she replied.

Author's Note

Chapter 2, Done!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, though, the next one might take a little longer to post sense I haven't wrote it down just yet, but hey! At least the first chapter of a new story, "Oliver the Traveler", will be out when I get internet connection again. A less dark story, and is a little more down to Earth. A little like "Lovely Rarity" if you've already read it before, if you haven't just go to my profile, click on my lists of stories and it should be there. Plenty of content to read, though, it is on 'Hold' at the moment.

"Oliver the Traveler" is about two guys gets thrown into Equestria, filled with nudists, anthropomorphic, intimate ponies whom wants to get to know both young adults a little more than they're comfortable with. So yeah, look forward to that.

This is all I have to post till next month, July. Will be a little busy with the NYA (Northern Youth Abroad) International Program, down in Ottawa. I won't have internet connect for about a week or two because I'll be in a Campus somewhere near the city, but far from civilization.

Depending on how much time I have and the inspiration to write, the third chapter of "We Are" might not come in a while, or any other chapters for other stories for that matter, but I'll try. I don't trust myself with deadlines.

Oh, and here's what Silvia looks like in her heat retardant suite.

And here's her chains.

Here's her Bio if you want to read.

So till next time, have a nice day/night and good reading, everyone!