Author's Note

There's four parts to this, and I wanted to get the shit done right. So sorry about the wait!

Well...Into the Everfree!

Sadly, this was my last week here in Ponyville, but I can tell already it won't be the last time I shall visit the place. I've come to know so much about this new world, things I haven't thought possible. Magic, it's real for this reality. Thoughts of insanity have popped in and out of my head several times, but were shaken off by the physical attacks by my self in the face with my hand. I've come to know my friends and enemies-there only being two so far.

AJ knows of my past, I only trust her to know it truly. I was abused for most of my life. I'm tired and the irremovable bags under my eyes show it. I explained much of why I think, and she-despite my thoughts of her being a conservative- understood and agreed to most of what I had to say. She didn't try to explain why she was right, she gave other ideas, and supported me. I don't believe I have ever felt this close to someone so quickly, but she reminds me of my mother, bless her soul. As it turns out, Applejack has lost her parents as well, so at least we have some sort of bond.

Then there was Pinkie Pie, a pony who's earned her own share of abuse, living on a quarry until she had just turned sixteen - and she's only twenty-four now. I am not one for childlabor, and kinda feel for her. However she makes it her mission, just like my own, to make sure that no one else has to feel like that. I make sure to tell her that it will always remain a noble cause in my eyes. She likes that.

Heh... Two weeks and I'm already friends of Celestia's "Elements of Harmony". It doesn't shock me in the least, seeing how they strive to solve the problems of others who are either in danger, or in danger of losing a good friend. Seeing others smile because they knew pain, that makes me smile. They are, whomever they may be, good people who's known pain and survived it.

BAH! Enough of pain, this is my last week, on to my new dressmaker, Rarity. She's a nice enough pony, bit of a social one, but also not a pushover. She's told me of a time where she was 'ponynapped' by a race called Diamond Dogs. They were a greedy folk who always looked for gems, much like Spike actually, but he had his greed mostly under control. Anywho- She totally knocked them around just by wining most of the time, which is fucking funny as shit. And Rarity seems to know her way around the bush a few times with her talent in dressmaking. She's already made me three tuxes- one red, black, and gray- and a week's set of extra clothes to add onto my three days of mix and match. As Rarity says "Variety is the Spice of Life", and it surely is in my own opinion.

On to my least favorite pony, Rainbow Dash. Arrogant little fuck she is, but as much as she barks, she has a bite or two. She strives for the best despite being a late bloomer, which meant she couldn't actually fly until she was eight years old instead of the norm of two or three. She proves her worth with loyalty, being born in August does that to you too, I know. To her, loyalty isn't just her element, but her way of life. Her friends and family come before anything else in the world. She even spoke of a time where she gave Fluttershy her lunch for two weeks while a few bullies threw her food onto the ground most of the time.

Ah that poor girl, Fluttershy. Being bullied sucks for anyone, and I know personally how that feels. Yet, I have this feeling of calmness whenever I come and help her. She even helped me get over a fear of dogs. When I was little I had a pet dog that attacked me. Ever since then I couldn't really trust any sort of dog, trained or not. Still though, she helped me understand them. And as it turns out, she is so connected to nature, many think the reason why she's a weak flier is because of being part earth pony. It isn't hard to believe it really, she can speak to animals. So we even got to talking that she was willing to help me find a pet. Of course I had to decline at first but she assured me that even squirrels were well trained. I ended up on getting a pet bird, a dark red robin I named, Robin.

I'm unsure if I had left anyone out, but one thing to note, I've been getting a strange white figure appearing in my dreams. I can't hear it, but I am left with this warm feeling as I wake up. It's like something gave me a hug. My dreams leave me to wonder if I am walking down the right path. I am befriending the very things I never really paid attention to. It makes me laugh at times, okay, a lot of the times. And lately, I've been believing a lot now. Magic is so real, and frankly, I can hardly believe all of this is happening. There wasn't a snow ball's chance in hell this could be some sort of dream. I would know, I'm a pretty vivid dreamer.

So while I was thinking, I had started walking through Ponyville. It was a quiet and quaint little town with mysteries around every corner.

"There it is!"

"It's a HE, Scootaloo!"

I turned my head to see a small trio of fillies. It was the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "You three looking for me?" I ask them, kneeling down to meet their eyes at level.

"Hay yeah! We were wondering if you could help us get our cutie marks?!" Scootaloo asks with a grand smile on her face.

I scratch the small stubble on my chin. "Depends...Is it dangerous?" Their ears fall back, smiling sheepishly. I sigh... "Alright, what is it?" I know I'm a sucker with kids, but these three are like the kids off of Halloween Town, always getting into trouble. I suppose I should help them, make it a little fun for me as well. I'm rather bored.

"Our plan was to go treasure hunting in the old castle in the Everfree Forest." Ah, that is why they were almost afraid to ask me. The Everfree was a vast forest spreading hundreds of acres in many directions. I almost said no...almost. I wanted to see this castle for myself as well. Perhaps there would be new books for me to study their culture.

I clap my hands together and round up a few bits from my pockets. "Alright! Let's get some stuff for the trip!"

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS TREASURE HUNTERS! YAY!" All I could do was chuckle as they ran off, presumably to grab stuff to go into the forest.

I however was going to take a more serious turn to this little trip. So I grabbed a few extra bits, and headed towards the nearest smith. I heard from Fluttershy that the forest was filled with dangerous monsters. Thankfully she informed me of the Manticore that was a 'softy' or the river monster named Steven Magnet. Most importantly, she told me of the type of monster known as a timber wolf, capable of reconstructing itself back to its original shape, or even combining with other fallen wolves.

I will be sure to make use of this information well. I may not know how to use a sword like a proper knight, but I used to run around with a small tree branch when I would go hiking as a kid. If it's anything like that, then I'm sure I'll be fine, and if not, then I can always do my best. As I walk to the smith, I try to keep myself optimistic, but it's rather hard to do. Although, I'm also sure that with the three charges I've picked up, will help me keep a keen eye out and my future blade sharp.

The smithy lived on the other side of town. A local guard I asked helped point me in the right direction. He even helped to bring me there, but I told him I could handle it. I'm a grown adult after all, directions aren't that hard.

*Dingleling!*

Stepping through the door to a massive burnt brick building, I am greeted to the sound of two maybe three hammers banging against anvils. However this was wrong to believe as I see a tall black stallion hammering along side a smaller ash-gray mare. The taller stallion had gray mane and sharp orange eyes. The mare on the other hand was his counter part, having a black mane and ice-blue eyes. Their cutie marks were almost the same with a single sword, but the stallions sword was pointing up while the mare's sword pointed down.

The stallion was the first to look up, his sharp eyes shooting cannon ball sized holes through my soul. "Visiter." He spoke harshly to the mare.

"Hm? Oh, yes, good job honey."

So they're married? "Am I interrupting?"

The mare shook her head, and nodded to the stallion. "Not at all." She answered as the stallion got back to work on what seemed to be a sword. "Welcome! My name is Ice Sword, that handsome stallion of a husband is Fire Sword." How creative? "We're not the best in Equestria, but earth pony weaponry is the best kind of weaponry." Her smile didn't seem to fade as she looked up at me.

"I'm surprised you haven't fainted yet."

"You're that human everypony keeps talking about right? Don't know why they seem to be afraid of you. You look cute enough to join our herd." She winked and giggled.

"No." The Fire Sword grunted through his teeth which still held the hammer in between.

"Too bad. So whattaya here for?"

"A sword. Going into the Everfree to find something."

She whistled as she looked around at the hanging swords all around the shop. "Fire? Can you get me the 'Unnamed' swords?"

"Okay." He set the sword into the water and walked to a wall with darker looking swords. His eyes seemed to scan for something, but didn't take long as he carried a very long sword. He set it on the counter. "Test it." Fire grunted before going back to the back.

"Man of a few words, isn't he?"

"I'm lucky he's talking at all." She sighed. "His throat was cut by a thief a few years ago."

"I didn't see a scar." I pointed out, picking up the sword, which I found to be very heavy.

"That's because he's a fluff ball!" Ice snickered. "Luckily he survived the attack long enough to get it fixed up, but most of his vocal cords were ruined, so he can't speak more than a few words. Five at once at most."

"I'm sorry that happened."

She waved a hoof with a long sigh. "So is the sword good?"

"Kinda heavy."

"Good! That means it likes you."

I raised a brow at her. "What do you mean?"

"All our swords speak! That's our talent together! We pour all our love into each sword, giving life to each of them. Since we can't have any foals, they're our children." She digs under the counter and pulls out a sheath. "That'll be twenty-four bits." I pull out a bag from my pocket and dig out the coins. While I do, she speaks more. "So how long have you stayed in Ponyville?"

"A couple weeks, but I'll be leaving in roughly a week to Canterlot."

"Not liking the country?"

I shook my head, a smile growing on my face. "Not at all. I grew up in the southern region of my home where all the farms were. I just have someon-pony up there."

"Is she cute?"

"You'd say she's on fire." I chuckle as the last coin is set on the counter, leaving me with ten bits left. "Alright, and thanks again for the sword you two."

"You're welcome." They both said at the same time.

I wave goodbye to the couple and set my eyes on the supermarket. I suppose something to eat before I go would be a good idea. I just hope I run into the Crusaders soon so they don't run off with out me.

I hope they don't, who knows what could happen to a couple of foals in that forest.