Times Of Rainby ashes_fallChaptersI: A Cup of Coffee & A Rainy DayII: The Notes To HappinessIII: A Chance MeetingIV: Things UncommonI: A Cup of Coffee & A Rainy DayI The winter was a tad warmer then the Ponyville weather team had predicted, no longer needing a warm winter coat to get myself through. Instead, I resorted to my old thin sweatshirt, one of the few tokens that made the journey to Equestria with me. I strolled through Ponyville’s bustling streets, ponies trotting every which way going about their daily routines and business. Wearing scarves and little hats alike, I found their winter attire reminiscent of Earth’s wear, but much more minimalistic, given the fact that all ponies had fur, obviously. The shops were busy with their lines as I strolled through the town square, chuckling as a cool winter breeze blew through my longer than usual hair, tossing it to the side. “Hey, Jackson!” a smaller mare’s voice called out behind me. Chuckling, I knew almost instantly who it could be. Turning around I saw Fluttershy, carrying two saddlebags full of food and goods, wearing a cute purple scarf. She had a warm smile on her muzzle as she trotted toward me, her pink mane blowing the breeze. “Fluttershy, how have you been,” I asked to her, bending down to one knee to accept her hug. She felt so light & delicate in her frame; I often wondered where she mustered up the strength to compete with Rainbow Dash sometimes. "Oh, I've been doing just fine lately. And how have things for you been going?" she asked, curious. Fluttershy had always been the quiet one in our bunch, often times acting like she wasn’t even there. However, our other friends treated her like one of their own; them having known her for more than five times as long as I have. However, I could sense that she trusted me completely, which was always a nice feeling. "Things have been going smoothly," I replied, explaining my current status involving my job, relationship with Colgate and other things. She seemed relieved and delighted, for lack of a better word, to see that I was thriving in Equestria and had become fully adjusted to life here. Fluttershy had always been a pony I could talk to about a variety of things; comical and serious. She was a good listener, always sitting silently, waiting to give her honest opinion. She never swayed in her statement either, which I couldn't help but respect. She would always join us on our outing as well, whether it be a get together at Sugarcube Corner, or a celebration at Canterlot, even if her nervousness got the better of her sometimes. The yellow mare trotted along side with me, as we exchanged pleasantries, and I listened intently as she told of her adventures in Fillydelphia the past week at the Animal Care Takers Convention. She mentioned meeting some of the famous names in the animal industry, further making her mark on her passion. “Well Jackson, I hate to do this, but I have to get back to the cottage. Angel must be getting lonely,” she remarked with a slightly worried look on her muzzle. Shrugging slightly, I wished her goodbye for now, and she disappeared into the crowd. I continued to wander the streets of Ponyville, weaving in and out of crowds. I wasn't quite sure what my destination was, as I often was on these daily walks I took. I found solace in the fact that these helped alleviate any stress that had built up over the last few days. Along with getting fresh air, which was always helpful. It had been 9 months since the events of my operation had come to pass, and I had learned what it means to be truly happy. To be frank with myself, I was incredibly scared when I learned of my condition. My mind immediately went to my friends, how, if this operation failed, would my absence effect them. Especially Colgate & Pinkie. For the longest time, I thought love to a fallacy; an optional tool, an unneeded prerequisite to happiness. I can now call my past self an arrogant idiot. With Colgate at my side, I have never been happier. We lived together now, in a house just outside of Ponyville, next to Button Mash & just across the street from Rarity’s boutique. It was a quaint little thing, just big enough for me and Colgate to enjoy ourselves. I loved that mare with all my being and she did as well for me. Even though I didn’t know any magic, or couldn’t fly, she still loved me for who I was. She was at work currently, as I slid past her practice, and even though our schedules sometimes conflicted, we always made time for each other. I still, maintained my job at Sweet Apple Acres, plowing & tilling fields for the Apple Family. It was good money, but very, very hard work. With both Colgate & I working, we brought in enough bits every month to live comfortably, which is always a nice feeling to be able to accumulate a small amount of bits for say, a night on the town or something nice for a specific month anniversary. I continued my casual walk through Ponyville, stopping at the bridge that passed over a lake, just outside of the town. Gazing, out into the water furthered my feelings of solace and comfort, the giggling and care free fillies and colts playing to my left. I often wondered what it would be like to grow up in Equestria, and was curious how their educational system differed from ours back home. Tossing that thought aside, I shoved my hands into my sweatshirts pockets and continued on my way, strolling on the neatly maintained dirt path out of Ponyville. To my right were big, rolling green hills dotted by mountains in the distance, barely able to make out Canterlot at the edge of my vision. A gust of wind blew through my hair as I stopped for a brief moment, deciding on the next leg of my walk. Reluctantly heading back towards Ponyville, I fancied a cup of mid afternoon coffee to sooth any frayed nerves. Turning, I headed for Sugarcube Corner in no particular hurry, meandering through the still busy streets of Ponyville. I spotted Roseluck out of the corner of my left eye, humming as she tended to her vendor stand, happily oblivious to my presence. It's funny really: she and I spoke often about casual topics , and not only had she become a good listener, but a good friend as well. I knew as much, because I remember thinking when I first came to Equestria, being paranoid about how nice everyone was. Shaking my head and chuckling to myself, that silly memory faded into oblivion as a strolled through Ponyville, Twilight's magnificent castle behind me. To be fair, given the rustic nature of Ponyville, it was odd to see a crystal, spiky castle sitting outside of it, however the townsfolk had come to appreciate having a Princess living among them. I reached Sugarcube Corner withing ten minutes and slid open the slightly heavy wooden door, the interior's warmness hitting me with the inviting smells of cinnamon and cocoa being added. Ponies were busy chatting among themselves but a couple noticed me enter and acknowledged my presence with a simple head nod of a wave of the hoof. I spotted Lyra talking with a pony I didn't know, who simply made eye contact for a brief moment before returning her focus to her company. I made for my favorite seat in the establishment, a corner chair and table that had an excellent view of the outside. As I sat down and removed my sweatshirt, I caught a glimpse of a pegasus flashing through the skies above. Her cyan coat was unmistakable, and the spectrum she left behind her was trademark. Rainbow Dash flew through the sky with grace and precision, thundering off to who knows where, before pivoting right and disappearing from my view. She'd never been one for casual walking, as she normally would hover whenever our group got together. Turning my attention back outside, the sky began to turn a blackish grey as storm clouds lumbered through Ponyville's skies. Wind rustled the leaves falling around outside, sending them every way imaginable as ponies pondered the possible outcomes that this change in weather would produce. The clouds lumbered through the skies, clearly weighed down the immense amounts of moisture they were sure to bring. I caught motion out of the corner of my eye, as something darted from an adjacent table back towards the back of the store. It was an almost indistinguishable blur as it darted from table to table, a small ''whooshing'' sound accompanied it. "Hiya, pal!" the pink furball exclaimed as it slid to a halt in front of my table. Chuckling and looking up, Pinkie Pie stood in front of me, all smiles as usual, bouncing with joy to see me. Pinkie was, in a way, the most interesting pony I'd ever met. She could do things that not even Twilight could explain. It's just better not to question her shenanigans. Since Equestria had become fairly uneventful, Pinkie had calmed down quite a bit, even alternating between her usual poofy hair style and a new board straight style. I liked both, but the straight style made her look almost photogenic whenever a stray gust met her. Regardless, I ordered my cup of coffee and returned to gaze out the window, the heavy grey sky now becoming more so. I pawed behind me, making sure I brought my coat with me, being interrupted by Pinkie once again. However, this time she calmly trotted over to my table, slid me my coffee and joined me, smiling a kind, warm smile. We began chatting about random subjects, the rain now starting outside, how things in our lives had been going and other general small talk. For me, it was nice to assume a normal life for a while, aside from all the chaos, misery and other happenings around Equestria. "And then she just walked out the door and I've never seen her since," Pinkie commented on an old friend of hers from years past, finally making it in Manehattan. "So, you have no idea where she is now?" "Nope. Haven't heard a chirp from her in years!" "Weird. Maybe she's really busy?" I managed to take another sip of coffee while Pinkie went on to random topics. We would see each other practically every day as our paths would cross quite a bit. Half an hour of talking passed before I realized what time it was. Deciding I needed to get home, I stood and slid Pinkie a couple bits for the drink. "Well Pink, I would say I should get home before I get trapped here again," I said reluctantly. It was nice talking to Pinkie in depth. I found that beneath her outgoing and bouncy exterior, she was all business, which I couldn't help but admire. "Yeah, I should get home too. The Cake's need me to watch the babies again. I'll see you around Jackson?" I nodded my head. "Sure thing." We parted ways as I stepped out into the blustery, wet evening. I quickly trotted to the sidewalk, pulled my sweatshirt tight around my body and made for home. It was a small-ish house in Ponyville two blocks away from Rarity's boutique. I casually scanned the horizon and my surroundings as I meandered my way home, keeping pace. I wanted to get home before Colgate did, so I had enough time to shower and change. Even though she and I had become very intimate and close, I still preferred some privacy from time to time. And I know she did too. Reaching the front door, I slid the key in and turned the handle, greeted by the fresh scent of a clean house. Quickly closing the door behind me, I took my shoes off and made for the backroom shower and washroom. The house was quiet so I know she wasn't home yet. The wood floor was a custom deep red, accompanied by lush carpet and comfortable furniture. It wasn't as lavish as say Rainbow Dash's house or Rarity's boutique, but it was more then enough for me. Finally reaching the shower, I stripped and turned the water on, waiting for it to get hot. I glanced over at myself in the mirror and looked my figure over. Nothing much had changed from my time on Earth. My eyes had turned from brown to a vibrant grey-blue, which was the only odd change. However, scars aplenty littered my body. I shivered at what made me write those lines. Each scar is a story to be told, without them we wouldn't be unique. My necklace gleamed as I unlatched it from around my neck and placed it on the counter, it's waterproof silver and black accenting shining in the bathroom's light. I smiled and made for the shower, closing the curtain behind me, letting the water run over my body. I dipped my head under the shower head and let my hair flow over and cover my eyes. Things were peaceful. I mused silently to myself as I began washing, remembering days and months gone by and how coming to Equestria had changed my life for the better. As I hummed to myself, I heard the front door turn and close abruptly afterwards. Smiling, I continued to wash as I heard footsteps approach the bathroom and gently knock. Colgate entered, a warm smile on her wind blown muzzle as her shimmering blue eyes met mine. II: The Notes To HappinessII Her fur was always soft and irresistible to touch, but today was different. She was using a different type of shampoo, I could easily tell that. It ran through my fingers and glided back into place as our hug ended with a quick kiss on the nose before she silently stepped out, patiently waiting for me to end my shower. Normally, she would have asked to join me, however today she seemed tired, winded almost. I couldn't imagine what had gone on at her job today, she always surprised me with stories about customers every day she came home. I continued my shower, water streaming down my face and over my body as I washed, humming a little tune as I went about business. To my surprise I found my mind wandering aimlessly to random subjects as I faded in and out of focus, mindlessly washing. It flashed to first meeting Minuette, adjusting to Equestrian life, dealing with Pinkie's shenanigans and others. Not to mention the adventures and scares I had witnessed over the last nearly two years of living here. And not once have I had a thought about returning home to Earth. The shower heads squeaked as I stopped the water's flow and stepped out of the shower, towel in hand. I sauntered towards the window and began drying myself off, before stopping to have a good look. I was definitely muscular, that's for sure; but sleek and toned were better words. It dawned on me that I had everything I wanted in front of me right now; my breath starting as I remembered a scarce peach of parchment that I had taken with me from Earth. A list, from my mother. Given to me when I first reached 18, she had given me a few things that she believed would lead me to happiness, forever stained on that now slightly brown piece of parchment. I tucked the towel on the hanging rack and donned some fresh clothes left by Colgate before exiting the bathroom, a slight cloud of steam following me. I made for the living room, my bare feat thumping on the hard wood. "Boo!" a female voice called out behind me. Before I could react, I was tackled to the floor and enveloped in fuzzy blueness. "Hi to you to! How was your day, babe?" Colgate rolled her eyes jokingly and leaned down for another kiss before hopping off and trotting away. "It was all right I suppose. Nothing to special. What about yours?~" The last word of her sentence twanged off her lips with a sensual ring that I had to smile and chuckle at. She always knew how to make me laugh. Must have been taking lessons from Pinkie Pie. "Eh, I walked around town most of the day and hung out with Pinkie before hopping home." "Sounds fairly normal for you on a day off," she replied with a flip of her tail as she trotted around the kitchen. Sizzling and crackling filled the air as the blue mare happily hummed to herself, myself leaning in the entryway. "I'll be right back. Gotta get something from the room." Without responding, she waved a hoof and continued to set about her business. Snorting, I turned and began my march towards the bedroom. It was a quaint, comfy room with a bed big enough for the both of us, even though Colgate always hogged the sheets. Rarity had given me some style tips as the room was redecorated upon my moving in. I reached the dresser across from the bed and began pawing through the contents looking for one specific thing. After about 5 minutes of continuous pawing, I found what I was looking for: an old envelope, stained by time and unopened. Labeled with my name I held it in my hands, blowing gently to remove the thin layer of dust. The room fell silent as I tore the envelope open, gently holding the parchment, inscribed with my mothers hand writing. My mother had always been a music enthusiast, doodling little notes and bars around the letters contents, of which was a single phrase: Even without words, music can reach the darkest depths of the heart and soul. The proof is there, to make music that doesn't need words to express real feelings. That's because some feelings are indescribable. Happiness is, defined by the individual, not their choices. I smiled warmly as a lone tear streaked down my cheek. Mom always knew best. My reminiscing was interrupted by a knock at the door and a following squeak. Colgate entered, a slightly confused smile on her muzzle. She walked up next to me and peered at the note I was holding. "What'cha got there?", she said curiously, picking the note up with her magic. I knew Colgate wouldn't be able to read English, but it was worth a shot. "A letter my mother gave me when I was younger," I replied. She blankly scanned over the note, clearly not able to understand the writing. "C'mon babe. Dinner's ready." She motioned towards the door, her long two tone tail wrapping around me before releasing with a flick. I always loved it when she did that, apparently being a symbol of affection and love as well as intimacy in Equestria. I followed her out of the room, closing behind me with a small click. I padded downstairs, note tucked safely into my pocket. Music had always been a huge part of my life, helping me cope through some of the toughest moments, mental and physical. I mused silently as I meandered downstairs towards the kitchen, the smell of delicious food wafting about, tempting me. Smells of cooked greens and drinks filled my senses as I was met with a wandering blue mare, patiently waiting for me, a warm smile on her muzzle. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dinner was quiet and delicious as usual, we talked about things we saw in town, gossiped about random topics, including Twilight's freaking out about becoming an aunt. Colgate had often talked about foals, but seeing as how I am human and she a pony, I'm positive it wouldn't work out. I myself often wondered what it would be like to raise a son or daughter in Equestria. I've done a tiny bit of research into the schooling and educational systems in Equestria, and they aren't that different from Earth actually. My mind wandered to Twilight becoming an aunt. Would the foal be an alicorn due to her mother? Or a regular breed of pony like an earth pony, unicorn or pegasus. Everypony in town was talking about it, it being the biggest announcement since Twilight crowning and coronation. I myself was excited as well to see the new foal in the coming months. I panned around our tiny house, scanning the furniture and decorations, admiring the little niche corner I had created for myself in the new world. The blue mare across from me talked on about how work went that day, and the interesting patients she had. I like listening to her stories, even though I didn't care much for dentistry as a field of profession, I still liked to listen. A resounding crack and rumble of thunder broke our conversation as the sky turned dark almost instantly, rain pelting the ground. Shuffling towards the front window, ponies scattered and ran back to their respective homes, fillies and colts dashing around, protected by their mothers. Turning to my right, the blue mare had a warm smile on her muzzle as she cracked her neck and hopped down from the window. Glancing at the clock, she hummed to herself a little tune, its origins unknown to me. Colgate didn't have that much time to hang out with me or friends before she had to go to bed for the following work day, since she always worked mornings. "Hey babe," I called, hoping to catch her attention before she disappeared again. Almost immediately sensing a question in my voice, she half turned her head with that same warm smile on her face. "What's up?" "Just wondering if there's anything you wanna chat about or.." My words were cut short by the most adorable giggle ever. "It's nothing Jackson. Just a rather unique filly I met at work today." I raised an eyebrow at her comment. Minuette had always been very good with kids. "A filly?" "Yup. She actually comes in regularly." "Ah so you've met her mom too?" I asked quizzically. "No. Never seen that filly with a parent. Kinda worries me." I furrowed my brow, looking for a possible explanation. It wasn't my place to question a filly's place, but it did raise some curious thoughts. "I'm sure it's just an independent young thing. You should head to bed sweetie." Glancing at the clock almost in unison she eeped at realizing what the time was. Half bouncing, half trotting over to me she pulled me in for a huge kiss, her magic gently bringing me to my knees as her body fell against mine. I'll never understand how ponies keep their fur so soft. Her body was delicate as I ran my hands along her sides, wiggling under my touch. She reluctantly pulled away and sauntered up the steps, flitting her tail as she went. As I waved her goodnight, I took to my favorite window side chair and pulled up my old earth guitar. It was worn down but still delivered its sound beautifully as the rain pattered around the roof. I strummed and hummed a tune, closing my eyes and remembering memories long gone by. Minutes passed, opening my eyes to the dimly lit living room, the rain gently knocking at the glass windows. I set the old guitar down and stretched. Fancy a walk? I shuffled towards the door, grabbing my heavy winter coat and slid out the door, it closing behind me with a soft click. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The evening was chilly as the rain easily drenched my jacket, which kept me warm. I expected as much from a jacket of this quality. Ponies were still out surprisingly, seemingly not bothered by the slight drizzle, as Applejack called this type of rain. I strode through town on my usual stroll route, my gaze lazily wandering from pony to pony. I spotted some faces I knew, upon eye contact responding with a friend hello or a wave before carrying on about their duties. I could have sworn I heard a harmonica whistling thru the air as I padded through the small town. I had really come to admire and love Ponyville for what it is, not dreaming of the lavish, exotic nature that oozed from Canterlot. I enjoyed the country life more anyway, I guess that part of me I learned from my mother and Applejack. I had to stop myself from waxing lyrical about the early days of my life here in Equestria, chuckling as the rain continued to mat my hair down, layering the earth around me with a glistening coat of moisture, helping to nourish the ground. Ponyville was fairly quiet for this time of evening I turned towards the outskirts of town, before my ears caught a incredibly faint whimpering on the wind. Stiffening instantly, I tried my best to zero in and trace the sound to its origin. It led me further and further out of town, towards a bridge that crossed a small stream, whereupon it intensified. I wondered what the sounder might be: could it be a small animal trying to stay warm? Or perhaps it was simply my mind playing tricks on me. A small defensive yelp was heard as I hopped off the bridge and into the brown sludge surrounding it, my shoes becoming soaked. There, huddled in a little corner was a tiny pegasus filly with no cutie mark. Her coat was a vibrant sea foam blue, with a white mane and tail and brilliant red eyes. Her coat was dusted and dirty, wings folded tightly against her body. She looked up me, eyes locking instantly, filled with tears and emotion. She didn't react to me being of another species, but studied me at first, before huddling tighter again. I inched closer, cooing as to keep her attention on me, making her understand that I meant no harm to her. Before I could get a closer look at her, she lept at me, emotions fully taking over as my shirt was quickly doused in a mixture of tears and water. I then realized a horrible truth. She was freezing. I opened my jacket and brought her close to me, trying to make my body heat transfer to this tiny pony. "Everything will be ok, ok?" I said reassuringly as I trudged out of the mud and began trotting back towards town. The small ball of fur and feathers clung to me like a new born. I came to a decision to bring her home, since it was shorter and closer then the town hospital. The rain began to pick up as I walked briskly through town, making care to avoid ponies wandering eyes. I could feel the poor thing shivering against my chest as I walked hastily, weaving thru buildings. She didn't make a sound while I carried her and was greatly appreciative to the fact that she didn't discriminate based on species. I slipped out into the street again, wondering what would make a filly so tiny as her wander off, especially this time of night and in this weather. She couldn't have been more then 8, maybe 11 earth years old judging by her size. Seeing my little house in the distance, I quickened my pace again, feeling the rain pick up. I didn't want this young one to spend one more night alone out in the elements. I made it home, sliding inside and closing the door behind me with a louder then usual thud, making sure to remove my muddy shoes. Looking down at the filly I had brought in, she was shivering and needed warmth immediately. "Colgate! I need you down here now, honey!" As soon as the word honey was uttered, I heard a thud upstairs and the sound of hooves trotting the down the stairs. Looking to my left was a concerned and slightly annoyed blue mare. "Babe, I really need my sleep but what's so impor.." Her words cut off as her eyes met the shivering filly in my arms. III: A Chance MeetingIII The filly was shivering in my arms as Colgate materialized next to me with a very, very worried look on her muzzle. Motioning for me to give the poor thing to her, I conceded, her magic gently enveloping the tiny pegasus and pulling it close to her body. Now, in the warm light of our house I could finally get a good look at the child. She had a stock white coat, which I assumed would be absolutely stunning when it wasn’t dirty or matted in any way. Her mane was a single toned crimson red with a matching tail. At first, I thought her mane and tail to be soaked in blood, but a second more thorough look dismissed this thought. Meeting my marefriend’s worried gaze was followed by an eerie silence. I could tell that she had a barrage of questions coming for me: but now what not an appropriate time. What was priority now was getting this filly warm again. “Jackson, please start a fire,” Minuette said, finally breaking the now heavy silence. I looked over at her again: she was holding the filly close to her breast in between her forelegs, massaging her delicate frame. For a surreal moment, I pictured the blue mare not with a stray, but with our own child. She looked in control, knowing exactly what to do by instinct. I knew the possibility of Colgate bearing my child to be next to impossible, since me being human and not Equestrian native would most likely prohibit any chance of me and Colgate wanting to conceive. To be honest, I had never formally brought the topic to the attention of the Princesses, thinking it trivial and the answer obvious. But I couldn’t help but admit to a quiet hope that I had thought about what it would like to be a Father in Equestria. I had grown up as an only child and the only times I had played as a mentor figure was at work. I’m sure parenthood had its perks and downsides, just like everything else. But I had to say, I was curious. Silently standing from the sofa and leaving Minuette’s side, I strode quickly towards the back of the house, through the kitchen and out the back door towards the firewood pile that myself and Big Mac had created a few months ago for the coming winter. I knew I had more than enough to endure the cold months, and now had been the perfect time to start using it. I packed five logs in my arms and carefully made my way back towards the fireplace, meeting Colgate’s warm but still worried gaze once more, signaling for her to use a spell to start the fire once I had the proper kindling and wood in place. I shoved scraps of newspaper and stray wood chippings into the small hearth, placing the larger wood chunks on top, forming a rough pyramid. Right on cue, Colgate’s horn lit up with a soft blue glow and zapped the fireplace, a small but bright spark being the end result. I closed the fire guard door and began blowing, helping the small ember become a blaze of gentle flame. The room had warmed instantly around me, yes, but I could tell Colgate was in no way going to move the filly closer. It would take time for the fire to reach her, so with one final check, I returned to her side, my left arm reaching around her frame and landing just below her neck. “How is she?” “Cold. Very cold. Almost hypothermic actually. Where did you find her?” I paused. “Under the Ponyville bridge just outside of town. I was out for a walk just after you went to bed. Poor thing thought I was going to hurt her.” “So, she was awake when you found her?” I raised an eyebrow. “Very much so.” “It’s good you got her home this fast. Hearing how windy it is outside, I’m not sure she would have fared too well.” I shuddered at the thought of that. To see something so young, innocent and frail face the angel of death… Nopony this age should have to do that. Especially on their own. We sat in silence for a while longer, occasionally glancing at the clock sitting above the fireplace, accompanied by an older picture of myself and Colgate in the park. I remembered the day that picture was took. It was a warm, summer day in the afternoon. And there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The small filly finally shifted and fidgeted in Colgate’s forelegs, her eyes finally cracking open to reveal brilliant, sapphire blue eyes with a touch of white in them. They were absolutely stunning to behold. At first, she panicked, squirming around. However, the blue mare held the small filly tight, cooing her. The filly whimpered and backed towards Colgate’s breast once more, nestling its muzzle in her warm fur. She was clearly frightened, unfamiliar with her surroundings and resorted to the only thing that she probably knew what to do: find comfort in something you trust. I thought it quite touching that she trusted Colgate so quickly. “Hush now, darling. It’s all right. You’re safe.” Colgate’s voice was almost angelic now, even affecting me. I shuffled towards the window, checking outside. The rain had passed, now only left by an overcast sky. I had often heard the pegasi can lose control of storms and they can become monsters, even deadly. The last time a freak storm came through Ponyville, according to Twilight; three ponies had lost their lives by uprooted trees. It was a somewhat unnerving thought, that something as simple as wind and water can cause so much pain, misery and death. Hearing movement on the couch, I gazed over to see the small filly asleep in Colgate’s forelegs, her head tucked in with her small body, ushering a small smile from the mare. She looked over the filly’s body once more, checking for any bruises or broken bones before sighing and shifting her weight to where she was more comfortable. “She’s asleep,” Colgate chirped with a small chuckle. She laid her head down close to the filly, seeing the small thing’s chest rise and fall gently. I was still left in slight awe at how Colgate acted. She hadn’t lost her composure, nor yelled at me for getting her up, knowing that there were only a few hours left before she had to get up for work anyway. However, I’m sure this new development took priority. “Is she ok?,” I replied, curious. She nodded. “Yes, surprisingly. No cuts, bruises or breaks. Thank you for getting me up.” I raised another eyebrow again. Her gaze met mine, a soft smile on her muzzle. “But, your job..” “This takes priority over my job, Jackson. A filly’s health is second only to yours and mine now. But anyway, she needs her rest. Poor thing must have been through so much and who knows what else.” “I wonder if she’s an orphan.” Colgate narrowed her eyes slightly. “What makes you say that?” I shrugged. “Well, from what I know it’s not normal for a filly her age to be walking around Ponyville this time of night, let alone in a storm and under a bridge.” She nodded in agreement. “True.” “So, what do we do now?” I asked, stretching, a yawn escaping my mouth. Another silence fell over the room, Colgate resting her head against the couch. I thought about bringing up my previous thought and comment on her actions with the filly tonight. From what I saw tonight, Colgate was more than capable of being a mother. It was a shame I couldn’t provide that blessing for her. I decided to save it for another time, and with a quick glance at the clock, that cemented my choice. Moving as quietly as I could towards the couch, I sat back down. “I’m not sure to be frank. Not sure how we’re going to explain this either.” I stuck out my bottom lip in thought. “I don’t think we need to take her to the hospital either,” she added. Her voice tone had changed from soft and motherly to stern, almost worried. “So, should I grab Twilight in the morning?” “A... I really hate it when you take words out of my mouth, you know that?” Colgate retorted playfully with a wink. I smirked and stuck my tongue out at her. “Yes, given the time, I’d say sleep is needed. Can you come get her while we head upstairs? I think it best that she sleep with us tonight.” As I moved in front of Colgate, her horn glowed gently, enveloping the filly in a blue aurora. Her magic guided the filly to my arms, and vanished when I had a secure hold of her. She wiggled for a second, and then laid her head against my chest, a cute snore escaping her lips. Colgate sat there for a moment, eyeing me with the young filly in my arms, chuckling as she stood up and stretched. “You almost look like her father,” she mentioned, motioning me to follow her upstairs. I turned, following the mare upstairs and turning the corner towards our bedroom. The bed admittedly wasn’t the largest thing in Equestria, but it was more than comfortable enough for the two of us. In terms of Earth sizes, I would have to put it between a full size and a queen size bed, more towards queen. We had picked it up at a pawn shop for next to nothing, thanks partly to Twilight and partly to me socking money away like a rabid squirrel. Colgate’s magic covered the filly once more as I neared the bed, levitating the small filly towards her as she lay on the bed. I couldn’t help but smile. I could only dream of what the use of a horn or wing would be to me. Shuffling towards the dresser, I changed sloppily into my sleepwear, mainly just my white sleep shirt and underwear before heading back towards the bed only to be met by a devilishly playful grin from my marefriend. “Brush your teeth mister~” she said seductively as she pulled me in for a kiss, her tail brushing against my bare leg. The sensation was like being tickled with a feather, only much more consistent. “Goodnight sweetie,” I replied, padding out the bedroom, turning off the lamp at the bedside drawer. Celestia’s sun streamed through the cracks of the shades as I opened my eyes slowly. I lay there for a second, blinking a few times before shifting my weight, now sitting up. Colgate and the filly were still asleep, an adorable snore escaping from the mare’s muzzle. I stifled a chuckle as I slipped out of bed, slipping on a different shift, sweatpants and my usual black hooded sweatshirt. I fumbled around looking for something to leave a note for Colgate on, finally finding a stray note card. Great, I thought to myself. Now I have to remember where I put that pen. Sliding out the bedroom door, I took one last look at the pair of ponies, still fast asleep in the bed before walking gently down the stairs. Finally finding the damned thing between the couch cushions, I scribbled down a short note. Colgate, out for Twilight. Back soon. Love you -J I knew she would notice I was gone very shortly, she was the type of sleeper that loved body contact. Deciding that time was of the essence, I folded the note in half and left it in plain view of the bedroom. I made my way for the door, but not before checking the time. 10:49 Twilight should be home. The day was still the same hazy grey that yesterday had been, but a morning fog now held Ponyville in a peaceful silence, only disturbed by the occasional resident trotting down the street. I thought it odd that hardly anypony was out and about this time of day, not knowing fully what today was, in fact. Still, I continued on my towards the towering, jagged crystal castle on the other edge of town. Admittedly, it looked horribly out of place compared to the rest of Ponyville; however I was not one to judge things by their looks. Keeping a brisk pace, I passed by a number of shops and vendors that hadn’t opened yet, passing the boutique, Sugarcube Corner, the dentist’s office and a number of other things faster than I thought. The castle loomed in the distance as I crossed Ponyville Square, once again scarcely populated. Finally reaching the castle’s giant front doors, I knocked, sending reverberations through the structure. At first, I heard nothing, only the wind blowing in my ears. I glanced from left to right, looking for anything interesting, however my search was cut short by the sound of a deadbolt sliding open, and the left door creaking. Princess Twilight stood in the doorway, curious as to who would come knocking on her door at this hour. Although I hadn’t known the young alicorn before she had become one, I had come to accept her as one of my closest friends, a bond of trust formed between us months ago. “Jackson!? What a surprise, what brings you here?” she asked enthusiastically, batting her eyes twice before raising on eyebrow, almost instantly seeing my concerned expression. “Jackson, what’s wrong..?” Twilight’s posture changed, now fully stepping out of the castle, the heavy metal door swinging shut behind her. I sighed, explaining the situation and the events that led up to it. Twilight’s expression changed again, now more serious. She occasionally nodded, but only silently listened to what I said, absorbing every single word. Her eyes grew wide when I told her the location of where I found the small filly, sensing a spark of rage flash through her eyes. A good 10 minutes later, I took a breath waiting for her rebuttal. I could see her mental gears ticking as she processed the information, before coming to a conclusion. “Hold on.” I nodded, her horn lighting up, sparks flying from it. The glow became more and more vibrant, almost seeming to consume me, but before I could say another word we were apparently in front of my house. Oh no. Twilight had used a teleportation spell that instantly transported us back. I immediately became dizzy and disoriented and fell to my knees, my body unable to keep up with the insane speed of a teleportation spell. Back on Earth, humans didn’t have magic and teleportation was not possible, nor was travelling anywhere close to light speed. Twilight had explained to me that a teleportation spell is essentially that, travelling at light speed from once location to the next. I had, over coffee of course, explained that human’s bodies couldn’t stand that speed of travel for more than a few microseconds. “Ughgh, Twilight. I hate it when you do that,” I managed to spit out after regaining my composure. The alicorn grinned sheepishly, blushing slightly. “Oh shoot, I completely forgot. I’m sorry. However, this is way more important.” We entered my little house, the smell of cinnamon greeting me along with the warmth of last night’s fire. “Hang on; let me go see if she’s up.” Twilight only nodded, stretching before walking curiously up to the fireplace. I had lost sight of what she was admiring before I headed upstairs. The bedroom door was open; however the adjacent bathroom door was only cracked, hearing a slight hum coming from it. Checking the bedroom first, I noticed the bed to be empty. Somehow I knew she would be in here. Knocking on the door, I peered inside to see Colgate drying the little filly off. They must have cleaned themselves up; and by Celestia I was right about her coat. The young foal’s coat sparkled and shone with its impeccable whiteness now in full view. Her mane now gently flowed over her head, falling just enough to cover her right eye. Colgate’s ears perked and turned, a warm smile on her face. The filly simply watched, nervous. “She’s here,” I simply said to Colgate, resulting with a nod from her. She gathered the filly up, this time letting her crawl onto her back, not moving before the foal was comfortably on her back. She motioned for me to lead the way down the stairs, into the living room. The Princess of Friendship’s ears twitched towards us as we made our downstairs, turning towards us, her eyes immediately landing on Colgate and the small filly curled up on her back. Twilight and I waited patiently as Colgate shuffled towards the couch, the filly still glued to her back. I glanced over to Twilight, her eyes scanning over the filly, scrutinizing every detail. Once Colgate was comfortable, the filly scooted to her forelegs once more, just like last night, her brilliant eyes meeting the curious alicorn’s across the room. I saw fear; curiosity and embarrassment go through her eyes before burying herself against Colgate’s chest. This earned a sagely grin from the alicorn as she took a step closer, climbing into the other chair that sat opposite me. Twilight was the first to speak, inhaling then exhaling slowly. “Ok. Tell me how this all happened.” IV: Things UncommonSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
I: A Cup of Coffee & A Rainy DayI The winter was a tad warmer then the Ponyville weather team had predicted, no longer needing a warm winter coat to get myself through. Instead, I resorted to my old thin sweatshirt, one of the few tokens that made the journey to Equestria with me. I strolled through Ponyville’s bustling streets, ponies trotting every which way going about their daily routines and business. Wearing scarves and little hats alike, I found their winter attire reminiscent of Earth’s wear, but much more minimalistic, given the fact that all ponies had fur, obviously. The shops were busy with their lines as I strolled through the town square, chuckling as a cool winter breeze blew through my longer than usual hair, tossing it to the side. “Hey, Jackson!” a smaller mare’s voice called out behind me. Chuckling, I knew almost instantly who it could be. Turning around I saw Fluttershy, carrying two saddlebags full of food and goods, wearing a cute purple scarf. She had a warm smile on her muzzle as she trotted toward me, her pink mane blowing the breeze. “Fluttershy, how have you been,” I asked to her, bending down to one knee to accept her hug. She felt so light & delicate in her frame; I often wondered where she mustered up the strength to compete with Rainbow Dash sometimes. "Oh, I've been doing just fine lately. And how have things for you been going?" she asked, curious. Fluttershy had always been the quiet one in our bunch, often times acting like she wasn’t even there. However, our other friends treated her like one of their own; them having known her for more than five times as long as I have. However, I could sense that she trusted me completely, which was always a nice feeling. "Things have been going smoothly," I replied, explaining my current status involving my job, relationship with Colgate and other things. She seemed relieved and delighted, for lack of a better word, to see that I was thriving in Equestria and had become fully adjusted to life here. Fluttershy had always been a pony I could talk to about a variety of things; comical and serious. She was a good listener, always sitting silently, waiting to give her honest opinion. She never swayed in her statement either, which I couldn't help but respect. She would always join us on our outing as well, whether it be a get together at Sugarcube Corner, or a celebration at Canterlot, even if her nervousness got the better of her sometimes. The yellow mare trotted along side with me, as we exchanged pleasantries, and I listened intently as she told of her adventures in Fillydelphia the past week at the Animal Care Takers Convention. She mentioned meeting some of the famous names in the animal industry, further making her mark on her passion. “Well Jackson, I hate to do this, but I have to get back to the cottage. Angel must be getting lonely,” she remarked with a slightly worried look on her muzzle. Shrugging slightly, I wished her goodbye for now, and she disappeared into the crowd. I continued to wander the streets of Ponyville, weaving in and out of crowds. I wasn't quite sure what my destination was, as I often was on these daily walks I took. I found solace in the fact that these helped alleviate any stress that had built up over the last few days. Along with getting fresh air, which was always helpful. It had been 9 months since the events of my operation had come to pass, and I had learned what it means to be truly happy. To be frank with myself, I was incredibly scared when I learned of my condition. My mind immediately went to my friends, how, if this operation failed, would my absence effect them. Especially Colgate & Pinkie. For the longest time, I thought love to a fallacy; an optional tool, an unneeded prerequisite to happiness. I can now call my past self an arrogant idiot. With Colgate at my side, I have never been happier. We lived together now, in a house just outside of Ponyville, next to Button Mash & just across the street from Rarity’s boutique. It was a quaint little thing, just big enough for me and Colgate to enjoy ourselves. I loved that mare with all my being and she did as well for me. Even though I didn’t know any magic, or couldn’t fly, she still loved me for who I was. She was at work currently, as I slid past her practice, and even though our schedules sometimes conflicted, we always made time for each other. I still, maintained my job at Sweet Apple Acres, plowing & tilling fields for the Apple Family. It was good money, but very, very hard work. With both Colgate & I working, we brought in enough bits every month to live comfortably, which is always a nice feeling to be able to accumulate a small amount of bits for say, a night on the town or something nice for a specific month anniversary. I continued my casual walk through Ponyville, stopping at the bridge that passed over a lake, just outside of the town. Gazing, out into the water furthered my feelings of solace and comfort, the giggling and care free fillies and colts playing to my left. I often wondered what it would be like to grow up in Equestria, and was curious how their educational system differed from ours back home. Tossing that thought aside, I shoved my hands into my sweatshirts pockets and continued on my way, strolling on the neatly maintained dirt path out of Ponyville. To my right were big, rolling green hills dotted by mountains in the distance, barely able to make out Canterlot at the edge of my vision. A gust of wind blew through my hair as I stopped for a brief moment, deciding on the next leg of my walk. Reluctantly heading back towards Ponyville, I fancied a cup of mid afternoon coffee to sooth any frayed nerves. Turning, I headed for Sugarcube Corner in no particular hurry, meandering through the still busy streets of Ponyville. I spotted Roseluck out of the corner of my left eye, humming as she tended to her vendor stand, happily oblivious to my presence. It's funny really: she and I spoke often about casual topics , and not only had she become a good listener, but a good friend as well. I knew as much, because I remember thinking when I first came to Equestria, being paranoid about how nice everyone was. Shaking my head and chuckling to myself, that silly memory faded into oblivion as a strolled through Ponyville, Twilight's magnificent castle behind me. To be fair, given the rustic nature of Ponyville, it was odd to see a crystal, spiky castle sitting outside of it, however the townsfolk had come to appreciate having a Princess living among them. I reached Sugarcube Corner withing ten minutes and slid open the slightly heavy wooden door, the interior's warmness hitting me with the inviting smells of cinnamon and cocoa being added. Ponies were busy chatting among themselves but a couple noticed me enter and acknowledged my presence with a simple head nod of a wave of the hoof. I spotted Lyra talking with a pony I didn't know, who simply made eye contact for a brief moment before returning her focus to her company. I made for my favorite seat in the establishment, a corner chair and table that had an excellent view of the outside. As I sat down and removed my sweatshirt, I caught a glimpse of a pegasus flashing through the skies above. Her cyan coat was unmistakable, and the spectrum she left behind her was trademark. Rainbow Dash flew through the sky with grace and precision, thundering off to who knows where, before pivoting right and disappearing from my view. She'd never been one for casual walking, as she normally would hover whenever our group got together. Turning my attention back outside, the sky began to turn a blackish grey as storm clouds lumbered through Ponyville's skies. Wind rustled the leaves falling around outside, sending them every way imaginable as ponies pondered the possible outcomes that this change in weather would produce. The clouds lumbered through the skies, clearly weighed down the immense amounts of moisture they were sure to bring. I caught motion out of the corner of my eye, as something darted from an adjacent table back towards the back of the store. It was an almost indistinguishable blur as it darted from table to table, a small ''whooshing'' sound accompanied it. "Hiya, pal!" the pink furball exclaimed as it slid to a halt in front of my table. Chuckling and looking up, Pinkie Pie stood in front of me, all smiles as usual, bouncing with joy to see me. Pinkie was, in a way, the most interesting pony I'd ever met. She could do things that not even Twilight could explain. It's just better not to question her shenanigans. Since Equestria had become fairly uneventful, Pinkie had calmed down quite a bit, even alternating between her usual poofy hair style and a new board straight style. I liked both, but the straight style made her look almost photogenic whenever a stray gust met her. Regardless, I ordered my cup of coffee and returned to gaze out the window, the heavy grey sky now becoming more so. I pawed behind me, making sure I brought my coat with me, being interrupted by Pinkie once again. However, this time she calmly trotted over to my table, slid me my coffee and joined me, smiling a kind, warm smile. We began chatting about random subjects, the rain now starting outside, how things in our lives had been going and other general small talk. For me, it was nice to assume a normal life for a while, aside from all the chaos, misery and other happenings around Equestria. "And then she just walked out the door and I've never seen her since," Pinkie commented on an old friend of hers from years past, finally making it in Manehattan. "So, you have no idea where she is now?" "Nope. Haven't heard a chirp from her in years!" "Weird. Maybe she's really busy?" I managed to take another sip of coffee while Pinkie went on to random topics. We would see each other practically every day as our paths would cross quite a bit. Half an hour of talking passed before I realized what time it was. Deciding I needed to get home, I stood and slid Pinkie a couple bits for the drink. "Well Pink, I would say I should get home before I get trapped here again," I said reluctantly. It was nice talking to Pinkie in depth. I found that beneath her outgoing and bouncy exterior, she was all business, which I couldn't help but admire. "Yeah, I should get home too. The Cake's need me to watch the babies again. I'll see you around Jackson?" I nodded my head. "Sure thing." We parted ways as I stepped out into the blustery, wet evening. I quickly trotted to the sidewalk, pulled my sweatshirt tight around my body and made for home. It was a small-ish house in Ponyville two blocks away from Rarity's boutique. I casually scanned the horizon and my surroundings as I meandered my way home, keeping pace. I wanted to get home before Colgate did, so I had enough time to shower and change. Even though she and I had become very intimate and close, I still preferred some privacy from time to time. And I know she did too. Reaching the front door, I slid the key in and turned the handle, greeted by the fresh scent of a clean house. Quickly closing the door behind me, I took my shoes off and made for the backroom shower and washroom. The house was quiet so I know she wasn't home yet. The wood floor was a custom deep red, accompanied by lush carpet and comfortable furniture. It wasn't as lavish as say Rainbow Dash's house or Rarity's boutique, but it was more then enough for me. Finally reaching the shower, I stripped and turned the water on, waiting for it to get hot. I glanced over at myself in the mirror and looked my figure over. Nothing much had changed from my time on Earth. My eyes had turned from brown to a vibrant grey-blue, which was the only odd change. However, scars aplenty littered my body. I shivered at what made me write those lines. Each scar is a story to be told, without them we wouldn't be unique. My necklace gleamed as I unlatched it from around my neck and placed it on the counter, it's waterproof silver and black accenting shining in the bathroom's light. I smiled and made for the shower, closing the curtain behind me, letting the water run over my body. I dipped my head under the shower head and let my hair flow over and cover my eyes. Things were peaceful. I mused silently to myself as I began washing, remembering days and months gone by and how coming to Equestria had changed my life for the better. As I hummed to myself, I heard the front door turn and close abruptly afterwards. Smiling, I continued to wash as I heard footsteps approach the bathroom and gently knock. Colgate entered, a warm smile on her wind blown muzzle as her shimmering blue eyes met mine.
II: The Notes To HappinessII Her fur was always soft and irresistible to touch, but today was different. She was using a different type of shampoo, I could easily tell that. It ran through my fingers and glided back into place as our hug ended with a quick kiss on the nose before she silently stepped out, patiently waiting for me to end my shower. Normally, she would have asked to join me, however today she seemed tired, winded almost. I couldn't imagine what had gone on at her job today, she always surprised me with stories about customers every day she came home. I continued my shower, water streaming down my face and over my body as I washed, humming a little tune as I went about business. To my surprise I found my mind wandering aimlessly to random subjects as I faded in and out of focus, mindlessly washing. It flashed to first meeting Minuette, adjusting to Equestrian life, dealing with Pinkie's shenanigans and others. Not to mention the adventures and scares I had witnessed over the last nearly two years of living here. And not once have I had a thought about returning home to Earth. The shower heads squeaked as I stopped the water's flow and stepped out of the shower, towel in hand. I sauntered towards the window and began drying myself off, before stopping to have a good look. I was definitely muscular, that's for sure; but sleek and toned were better words. It dawned on me that I had everything I wanted in front of me right now; my breath starting as I remembered a scarce peach of parchment that I had taken with me from Earth. A list, from my mother. Given to me when I first reached 18, she had given me a few things that she believed would lead me to happiness, forever stained on that now slightly brown piece of parchment. I tucked the towel on the hanging rack and donned some fresh clothes left by Colgate before exiting the bathroom, a slight cloud of steam following me. I made for the living room, my bare feat thumping on the hard wood. "Boo!" a female voice called out behind me. Before I could react, I was tackled to the floor and enveloped in fuzzy blueness. "Hi to you to! How was your day, babe?" Colgate rolled her eyes jokingly and leaned down for another kiss before hopping off and trotting away. "It was all right I suppose. Nothing to special. What about yours?~" The last word of her sentence twanged off her lips with a sensual ring that I had to smile and chuckle at. She always knew how to make me laugh. Must have been taking lessons from Pinkie Pie. "Eh, I walked around town most of the day and hung out with Pinkie before hopping home." "Sounds fairly normal for you on a day off," she replied with a flip of her tail as she trotted around the kitchen. Sizzling and crackling filled the air as the blue mare happily hummed to herself, myself leaning in the entryway. "I'll be right back. Gotta get something from the room." Without responding, she waved a hoof and continued to set about her business. Snorting, I turned and began my march towards the bedroom. It was a quaint, comfy room with a bed big enough for the both of us, even though Colgate always hogged the sheets. Rarity had given me some style tips as the room was redecorated upon my moving in. I reached the dresser across from the bed and began pawing through the contents looking for one specific thing. After about 5 minutes of continuous pawing, I found what I was looking for: an old envelope, stained by time and unopened. Labeled with my name I held it in my hands, blowing gently to remove the thin layer of dust. The room fell silent as I tore the envelope open, gently holding the parchment, inscribed with my mothers hand writing. My mother had always been a music enthusiast, doodling little notes and bars around the letters contents, of which was a single phrase: Even without words, music can reach the darkest depths of the heart and soul. The proof is there, to make music that doesn't need words to express real feelings. That's because some feelings are indescribable. Happiness is, defined by the individual, not their choices. I smiled warmly as a lone tear streaked down my cheek. Mom always knew best. My reminiscing was interrupted by a knock at the door and a following squeak. Colgate entered, a slightly confused smile on her muzzle. She walked up next to me and peered at the note I was holding. "What'cha got there?", she said curiously, picking the note up with her magic. I knew Colgate wouldn't be able to read English, but it was worth a shot. "A letter my mother gave me when I was younger," I replied. She blankly scanned over the note, clearly not able to understand the writing. "C'mon babe. Dinner's ready." She motioned towards the door, her long two tone tail wrapping around me before releasing with a flick. I always loved it when she did that, apparently being a symbol of affection and love as well as intimacy in Equestria. I followed her out of the room, closing behind me with a small click. I padded downstairs, note tucked safely into my pocket. Music had always been a huge part of my life, helping me cope through some of the toughest moments, mental and physical. I mused silently as I meandered downstairs towards the kitchen, the smell of delicious food wafting about, tempting me. Smells of cooked greens and drinks filled my senses as I was met with a wandering blue mare, patiently waiting for me, a warm smile on her muzzle. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dinner was quiet and delicious as usual, we talked about things we saw in town, gossiped about random topics, including Twilight's freaking out about becoming an aunt. Colgate had often talked about foals, but seeing as how I am human and she a pony, I'm positive it wouldn't work out. I myself often wondered what it would be like to raise a son or daughter in Equestria. I've done a tiny bit of research into the schooling and educational systems in Equestria, and they aren't that different from Earth actually. My mind wandered to Twilight becoming an aunt. Would the foal be an alicorn due to her mother? Or a regular breed of pony like an earth pony, unicorn or pegasus. Everypony in town was talking about it, it being the biggest announcement since Twilight crowning and coronation. I myself was excited as well to see the new foal in the coming months. I panned around our tiny house, scanning the furniture and decorations, admiring the little niche corner I had created for myself in the new world. The blue mare across from me talked on about how work went that day, and the interesting patients she had. I like listening to her stories, even though I didn't care much for dentistry as a field of profession, I still liked to listen. A resounding crack and rumble of thunder broke our conversation as the sky turned dark almost instantly, rain pelting the ground. Shuffling towards the front window, ponies scattered and ran back to their respective homes, fillies and colts dashing around, protected by their mothers. Turning to my right, the blue mare had a warm smile on her muzzle as she cracked her neck and hopped down from the window. Glancing at the clock, she hummed to herself a little tune, its origins unknown to me. Colgate didn't have that much time to hang out with me or friends before she had to go to bed for the following work day, since she always worked mornings. "Hey babe," I called, hoping to catch her attention before she disappeared again. Almost immediately sensing a question in my voice, she half turned her head with that same warm smile on her face. "What's up?" "Just wondering if there's anything you wanna chat about or.." My words were cut short by the most adorable giggle ever. "It's nothing Jackson. Just a rather unique filly I met at work today." I raised an eyebrow at her comment. Minuette had always been very good with kids. "A filly?" "Yup. She actually comes in regularly." "Ah so you've met her mom too?" I asked quizzically. "No. Never seen that filly with a parent. Kinda worries me." I furrowed my brow, looking for a possible explanation. It wasn't my place to question a filly's place, but it did raise some curious thoughts. "I'm sure it's just an independent young thing. You should head to bed sweetie." Glancing at the clock almost in unison she eeped at realizing what the time was. Half bouncing, half trotting over to me she pulled me in for a huge kiss, her magic gently bringing me to my knees as her body fell against mine. I'll never understand how ponies keep their fur so soft. Her body was delicate as I ran my hands along her sides, wiggling under my touch. She reluctantly pulled away and sauntered up the steps, flitting her tail as she went. As I waved her goodnight, I took to my favorite window side chair and pulled up my old earth guitar. It was worn down but still delivered its sound beautifully as the rain pattered around the roof. I strummed and hummed a tune, closing my eyes and remembering memories long gone by. Minutes passed, opening my eyes to the dimly lit living room, the rain gently knocking at the glass windows. I set the old guitar down and stretched. Fancy a walk? I shuffled towards the door, grabbing my heavy winter coat and slid out the door, it closing behind me with a soft click. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The evening was chilly as the rain easily drenched my jacket, which kept me warm. I expected as much from a jacket of this quality. Ponies were still out surprisingly, seemingly not bothered by the slight drizzle, as Applejack called this type of rain. I strode through town on my usual stroll route, my gaze lazily wandering from pony to pony. I spotted some faces I knew, upon eye contact responding with a friend hello or a wave before carrying on about their duties. I could have sworn I heard a harmonica whistling thru the air as I padded through the small town. I had really come to admire and love Ponyville for what it is, not dreaming of the lavish, exotic nature that oozed from Canterlot. I enjoyed the country life more anyway, I guess that part of me I learned from my mother and Applejack. I had to stop myself from waxing lyrical about the early days of my life here in Equestria, chuckling as the rain continued to mat my hair down, layering the earth around me with a glistening coat of moisture, helping to nourish the ground. Ponyville was fairly quiet for this time of evening I turned towards the outskirts of town, before my ears caught a incredibly faint whimpering on the wind. Stiffening instantly, I tried my best to zero in and trace the sound to its origin. It led me further and further out of town, towards a bridge that crossed a small stream, whereupon it intensified. I wondered what the sounder might be: could it be a small animal trying to stay warm? Or perhaps it was simply my mind playing tricks on me. A small defensive yelp was heard as I hopped off the bridge and into the brown sludge surrounding it, my shoes becoming soaked. There, huddled in a little corner was a tiny pegasus filly with no cutie mark. Her coat was a vibrant sea foam blue, with a white mane and tail and brilliant red eyes. Her coat was dusted and dirty, wings folded tightly against her body. She looked up me, eyes locking instantly, filled with tears and emotion. She didn't react to me being of another species, but studied me at first, before huddling tighter again. I inched closer, cooing as to keep her attention on me, making her understand that I meant no harm to her. Before I could get a closer look at her, she lept at me, emotions fully taking over as my shirt was quickly doused in a mixture of tears and water. I then realized a horrible truth. She was freezing. I opened my jacket and brought her close to me, trying to make my body heat transfer to this tiny pony. "Everything will be ok, ok?" I said reassuringly as I trudged out of the mud and began trotting back towards town. The small ball of fur and feathers clung to me like a new born. I came to a decision to bring her home, since it was shorter and closer then the town hospital. The rain began to pick up as I walked briskly through town, making care to avoid ponies wandering eyes. I could feel the poor thing shivering against my chest as I walked hastily, weaving thru buildings. She didn't make a sound while I carried her and was greatly appreciative to the fact that she didn't discriminate based on species. I slipped out into the street again, wondering what would make a filly so tiny as her wander off, especially this time of night and in this weather. She couldn't have been more then 8, maybe 11 earth years old judging by her size. Seeing my little house in the distance, I quickened my pace again, feeling the rain pick up. I didn't want this young one to spend one more night alone out in the elements. I made it home, sliding inside and closing the door behind me with a louder then usual thud, making sure to remove my muddy shoes. Looking down at the filly I had brought in, she was shivering and needed warmth immediately. "Colgate! I need you down here now, honey!" As soon as the word honey was uttered, I heard a thud upstairs and the sound of hooves trotting the down the stairs. Looking to my left was a concerned and slightly annoyed blue mare. "Babe, I really need my sleep but what's so impor.." Her words cut off as her eyes met the shivering filly in my arms.
III: A Chance MeetingIII The filly was shivering in my arms as Colgate materialized next to me with a very, very worried look on her muzzle. Motioning for me to give the poor thing to her, I conceded, her magic gently enveloping the tiny pegasus and pulling it close to her body. Now, in the warm light of our house I could finally get a good look at the child. She had a stock white coat, which I assumed would be absolutely stunning when it wasn’t dirty or matted in any way. Her mane was a single toned crimson red with a matching tail. At first, I thought her mane and tail to be soaked in blood, but a second more thorough look dismissed this thought. Meeting my marefriend’s worried gaze was followed by an eerie silence. I could tell that she had a barrage of questions coming for me: but now what not an appropriate time. What was priority now was getting this filly warm again. “Jackson, please start a fire,” Minuette said, finally breaking the now heavy silence. I looked over at her again: she was holding the filly close to her breast in between her forelegs, massaging her delicate frame. For a surreal moment, I pictured the blue mare not with a stray, but with our own child. She looked in control, knowing exactly what to do by instinct. I knew the possibility of Colgate bearing my child to be next to impossible, since me being human and not Equestrian native would most likely prohibit any chance of me and Colgate wanting to conceive. To be honest, I had never formally brought the topic to the attention of the Princesses, thinking it trivial and the answer obvious. But I couldn’t help but admit to a quiet hope that I had thought about what it would like to be a Father in Equestria. I had grown up as an only child and the only times I had played as a mentor figure was at work. I’m sure parenthood had its perks and downsides, just like everything else. But I had to say, I was curious. Silently standing from the sofa and leaving Minuette’s side, I strode quickly towards the back of the house, through the kitchen and out the back door towards the firewood pile that myself and Big Mac had created a few months ago for the coming winter. I knew I had more than enough to endure the cold months, and now had been the perfect time to start using it. I packed five logs in my arms and carefully made my way back towards the fireplace, meeting Colgate’s warm but still worried gaze once more, signaling for her to use a spell to start the fire once I had the proper kindling and wood in place. I shoved scraps of newspaper and stray wood chippings into the small hearth, placing the larger wood chunks on top, forming a rough pyramid. Right on cue, Colgate’s horn lit up with a soft blue glow and zapped the fireplace, a small but bright spark being the end result. I closed the fire guard door and began blowing, helping the small ember become a blaze of gentle flame. The room had warmed instantly around me, yes, but I could tell Colgate was in no way going to move the filly closer. It would take time for the fire to reach her, so with one final check, I returned to her side, my left arm reaching around her frame and landing just below her neck. “How is she?” “Cold. Very cold. Almost hypothermic actually. Where did you find her?” I paused. “Under the Ponyville bridge just outside of town. I was out for a walk just after you went to bed. Poor thing thought I was going to hurt her.” “So, she was awake when you found her?” I raised an eyebrow. “Very much so.” “It’s good you got her home this fast. Hearing how windy it is outside, I’m not sure she would have fared too well.” I shuddered at the thought of that. To see something so young, innocent and frail face the angel of death… Nopony this age should have to do that. Especially on their own. We sat in silence for a while longer, occasionally glancing at the clock sitting above the fireplace, accompanied by an older picture of myself and Colgate in the park. I remembered the day that picture was took. It was a warm, summer day in the afternoon. And there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The small filly finally shifted and fidgeted in Colgate’s forelegs, her eyes finally cracking open to reveal brilliant, sapphire blue eyes with a touch of white in them. They were absolutely stunning to behold. At first, she panicked, squirming around. However, the blue mare held the small filly tight, cooing her. The filly whimpered and backed towards Colgate’s breast once more, nestling its muzzle in her warm fur. She was clearly frightened, unfamiliar with her surroundings and resorted to the only thing that she probably knew what to do: find comfort in something you trust. I thought it quite touching that she trusted Colgate so quickly. “Hush now, darling. It’s all right. You’re safe.” Colgate’s voice was almost angelic now, even affecting me. I shuffled towards the window, checking outside. The rain had passed, now only left by an overcast sky. I had often heard the pegasi can lose control of storms and they can become monsters, even deadly. The last time a freak storm came through Ponyville, according to Twilight; three ponies had lost their lives by uprooted trees. It was a somewhat unnerving thought, that something as simple as wind and water can cause so much pain, misery and death. Hearing movement on the couch, I gazed over to see the small filly asleep in Colgate’s forelegs, her head tucked in with her small body, ushering a small smile from the mare. She looked over the filly’s body once more, checking for any bruises or broken bones before sighing and shifting her weight to where she was more comfortable. “She’s asleep,” Colgate chirped with a small chuckle. She laid her head down close to the filly, seeing the small thing’s chest rise and fall gently. I was still left in slight awe at how Colgate acted. She hadn’t lost her composure, nor yelled at me for getting her up, knowing that there were only a few hours left before she had to get up for work anyway. However, I’m sure this new development took priority. “Is she ok?,” I replied, curious. She nodded. “Yes, surprisingly. No cuts, bruises or breaks. Thank you for getting me up.” I raised another eyebrow again. Her gaze met mine, a soft smile on her muzzle. “But, your job..” “This takes priority over my job, Jackson. A filly’s health is second only to yours and mine now. But anyway, she needs her rest. Poor thing must have been through so much and who knows what else.” “I wonder if she’s an orphan.” Colgate narrowed her eyes slightly. “What makes you say that?” I shrugged. “Well, from what I know it’s not normal for a filly her age to be walking around Ponyville this time of night, let alone in a storm and under a bridge.” She nodded in agreement. “True.” “So, what do we do now?” I asked, stretching, a yawn escaping my mouth. Another silence fell over the room, Colgate resting her head against the couch. I thought about bringing up my previous thought and comment on her actions with the filly tonight. From what I saw tonight, Colgate was more than capable of being a mother. It was a shame I couldn’t provide that blessing for her. I decided to save it for another time, and with a quick glance at the clock, that cemented my choice. Moving as quietly as I could towards the couch, I sat back down. “I’m not sure to be frank. Not sure how we’re going to explain this either.” I stuck out my bottom lip in thought. “I don’t think we need to take her to the hospital either,” she added. Her voice tone had changed from soft and motherly to stern, almost worried. “So, should I grab Twilight in the morning?” “A... I really hate it when you take words out of my mouth, you know that?” Colgate retorted playfully with a wink. I smirked and stuck my tongue out at her. “Yes, given the time, I’d say sleep is needed. Can you come get her while we head upstairs? I think it best that she sleep with us tonight.” As I moved in front of Colgate, her horn glowed gently, enveloping the filly in a blue aurora. Her magic guided the filly to my arms, and vanished when I had a secure hold of her. She wiggled for a second, and then laid her head against my chest, a cute snore escaping her lips. Colgate sat there for a moment, eyeing me with the young filly in my arms, chuckling as she stood up and stretched. “You almost look like her father,” she mentioned, motioning me to follow her upstairs. I turned, following the mare upstairs and turning the corner towards our bedroom. The bed admittedly wasn’t the largest thing in Equestria, but it was more than comfortable enough for the two of us. In terms of Earth sizes, I would have to put it between a full size and a queen size bed, more towards queen. We had picked it up at a pawn shop for next to nothing, thanks partly to Twilight and partly to me socking money away like a rabid squirrel. Colgate’s magic covered the filly once more as I neared the bed, levitating the small filly towards her as she lay on the bed. I couldn’t help but smile. I could only dream of what the use of a horn or wing would be to me. Shuffling towards the dresser, I changed sloppily into my sleepwear, mainly just my white sleep shirt and underwear before heading back towards the bed only to be met by a devilishly playful grin from my marefriend. “Brush your teeth mister~” she said seductively as she pulled me in for a kiss, her tail brushing against my bare leg. The sensation was like being tickled with a feather, only much more consistent. “Goodnight sweetie,” I replied, padding out the bedroom, turning off the lamp at the bedside drawer. Celestia’s sun streamed through the cracks of the shades as I opened my eyes slowly. I lay there for a second, blinking a few times before shifting my weight, now sitting up. Colgate and the filly were still asleep, an adorable snore escaping from the mare’s muzzle. I stifled a chuckle as I slipped out of bed, slipping on a different shift, sweatpants and my usual black hooded sweatshirt. I fumbled around looking for something to leave a note for Colgate on, finally finding a stray note card. Great, I thought to myself. Now I have to remember where I put that pen. Sliding out the bedroom door, I took one last look at the pair of ponies, still fast asleep in the bed before walking gently down the stairs. Finally finding the damned thing between the couch cushions, I scribbled down a short note. Colgate, out for Twilight. Back soon. Love you -J I knew she would notice I was gone very shortly, she was the type of sleeper that loved body contact. Deciding that time was of the essence, I folded the note in half and left it in plain view of the bedroom. I made my way for the door, but not before checking the time. 10:49 Twilight should be home. The day was still the same hazy grey that yesterday had been, but a morning fog now held Ponyville in a peaceful silence, only disturbed by the occasional resident trotting down the street. I thought it odd that hardly anypony was out and about this time of day, not knowing fully what today was, in fact. Still, I continued on my towards the towering, jagged crystal castle on the other edge of town. Admittedly, it looked horribly out of place compared to the rest of Ponyville; however I was not one to judge things by their looks. Keeping a brisk pace, I passed by a number of shops and vendors that hadn’t opened yet, passing the boutique, Sugarcube Corner, the dentist’s office and a number of other things faster than I thought. The castle loomed in the distance as I crossed Ponyville Square, once again scarcely populated. Finally reaching the castle’s giant front doors, I knocked, sending reverberations through the structure. At first, I heard nothing, only the wind blowing in my ears. I glanced from left to right, looking for anything interesting, however my search was cut short by the sound of a deadbolt sliding open, and the left door creaking. Princess Twilight stood in the doorway, curious as to who would come knocking on her door at this hour. Although I hadn’t known the young alicorn before she had become one, I had come to accept her as one of my closest friends, a bond of trust formed between us months ago. “Jackson!? What a surprise, what brings you here?” she asked enthusiastically, batting her eyes twice before raising on eyebrow, almost instantly seeing my concerned expression. “Jackson, what’s wrong..?” Twilight’s posture changed, now fully stepping out of the castle, the heavy metal door swinging shut behind her. I sighed, explaining the situation and the events that led up to it. Twilight’s expression changed again, now more serious. She occasionally nodded, but only silently listened to what I said, absorbing every single word. Her eyes grew wide when I told her the location of where I found the small filly, sensing a spark of rage flash through her eyes. A good 10 minutes later, I took a breath waiting for her rebuttal. I could see her mental gears ticking as she processed the information, before coming to a conclusion. “Hold on.” I nodded, her horn lighting up, sparks flying from it. The glow became more and more vibrant, almost seeming to consume me, but before I could say another word we were apparently in front of my house. Oh no. Twilight had used a teleportation spell that instantly transported us back. I immediately became dizzy and disoriented and fell to my knees, my body unable to keep up with the insane speed of a teleportation spell. Back on Earth, humans didn’t have magic and teleportation was not possible, nor was travelling anywhere close to light speed. Twilight had explained to me that a teleportation spell is essentially that, travelling at light speed from once location to the next. I had, over coffee of course, explained that human’s bodies couldn’t stand that speed of travel for more than a few microseconds. “Ughgh, Twilight. I hate it when you do that,” I managed to spit out after regaining my composure. The alicorn grinned sheepishly, blushing slightly. “Oh shoot, I completely forgot. I’m sorry. However, this is way more important.” We entered my little house, the smell of cinnamon greeting me along with the warmth of last night’s fire. “Hang on; let me go see if she’s up.” Twilight only nodded, stretching before walking curiously up to the fireplace. I had lost sight of what she was admiring before I headed upstairs. The bedroom door was open; however the adjacent bathroom door was only cracked, hearing a slight hum coming from it. Checking the bedroom first, I noticed the bed to be empty. Somehow I knew she would be in here. Knocking on the door, I peered inside to see Colgate drying the little filly off. They must have cleaned themselves up; and by Celestia I was right about her coat. The young foal’s coat sparkled and shone with its impeccable whiteness now in full view. Her mane now gently flowed over her head, falling just enough to cover her right eye. Colgate’s ears perked and turned, a warm smile on her face. The filly simply watched, nervous. “She’s here,” I simply said to Colgate, resulting with a nod from her. She gathered the filly up, this time letting her crawl onto her back, not moving before the foal was comfortably on her back. She motioned for me to lead the way down the stairs, into the living room. The Princess of Friendship’s ears twitched towards us as we made our downstairs, turning towards us, her eyes immediately landing on Colgate and the small filly curled up on her back. Twilight and I waited patiently as Colgate shuffled towards the couch, the filly still glued to her back. I glanced over to Twilight, her eyes scanning over the filly, scrutinizing every detail. Once Colgate was comfortable, the filly scooted to her forelegs once more, just like last night, her brilliant eyes meeting the curious alicorn’s across the room. I saw fear; curiosity and embarrassment go through her eyes before burying herself against Colgate’s chest. This earned a sagely grin from the alicorn as she took a step closer, climbing into the other chair that sat opposite me. Twilight was the first to speak, inhaling then exhaling slowly. “Ok. Tell me how this all happened.”
