Across the Ages

Chapter 11

Tommy stomped through the fields surrounding Ponyville after his encounter with Rainbow Dash. He didn’t know or care where he was going. Even if he wasn’t fuming, nearly to the point of seeing red, he would still not really know where he was headed. Instead, all he could think about was how angry he was.

“For people with such a hard-on for friendship, they really fuckin’ suck at it,” he growled to himself.

Without paying attention to where he was going, Tommy skirted around the Everfree Forrest. As he grumbled to himself, he wandered into a clearing. He didn’t notice the birds, squirrels, frogs, or, more importantly, the grizzly bear he walked into.

“Unh, sorry ‘bout that. I wasn’t-” Tommy started to apologize, but froze in terror.

For its part, the bear stared into Tommy’s eyes. It leaned down and sniffed his face before stretching out its huge arms. Tommy could only watch in pants wetting horror as those huge arms quickly wrapped themselves around his considerably smaller body and… hugged him. This was the third time since He was brought to this bizarre time period that he had been carelessly and effortlessly immobilized. Worse, he had only just retained his bladder control both times.

Tommy could only squeeze his eyes shut and await his painful demise.

…and wait…

…and wait…

…and wait was taking so long?!

Tommy couldn’t help but wonder why this bear hadn’t tried to ingest him yet. Instead, this giant teddy seemed to be humming softly to himself while cradling the human. In fact, the huge grizzly was even rocking gently. For his part, Tommy couldn’t help but feel… safer. After the day he had had, Tommy’s energy was starting to drain and this fluffy fur rug and the sun’s gentle warmth was lulling him into a slumber.

While falling into the grips of Morpheus, Tommy could feel the pressures and ire of the day slipping away. The anger brought on by Rainbow’s accusations, soothed. The hatred towards Rarity’s bondage play, forgotten. His displeasure with Celestia, dulled. Who knew that a bear hug could make you happy to just be alive again?

It was some time before he realized someone was talking to him. In fact, if it wasn’t for the smell of fresh cookies, he might not have been rousted before morning. He slowly opened his eyes to find a familiar butter colored pegasus holding a tray of cookies and patiently waiting with a look of concern on her face.

“I’m so sorry to disturb you, but it seems like you could use some moral support,” Fluttershy said.

“And just what makes you say that?” Tommy asked from within his fur shroud. At this point, he wasn’t entirely certain he hadn’t been killed by the bear, or, at the very least, that his mind hadn’t tuned out the real world and was providing the sight of a yellow mini-angel instead of his entrails being flung across the grass.

“Well, Hairy is really good at knowing when somepony is feeling down and his hugs are great for making you feel better. He told me you just wandered up the pathway looking sad. Do you want to talk about it?”

Tommy looked up at the bear’s face to see a friendly looking grin rather than a toothy snarl that he had expected. It seemed that not only was this bear soft and warm, but also very kind and considerate. This was just one more thing that he would have to get used to.

Tommy reluctantly released himself from the bear’s hug and stood before Fluttershy. He reached down and plucked a cookie from the tray. “Thank you, but no.”

“But, you’ll feel better.”

“That may be true, but I’m not a sharer.”

“How come?”

Her soft eyes did make it tempting to tell her everything. “Look, where I’m from, any sign of weakness could get you killed, or make you simply wish you had been. I know things are different now, but it’ll be a while before I’m ready to allow myself to be vulnerable.” He reached down, plucked another cookie, and walked over to a birdhouse, peering into the small hole at the tiny chicks and their proud mother.

“Oh, my,” Fluttershy seemed to shiver at the thought. “How horrible. It sounds like the way the dragons live. I could never stand to live like that.”

Tommy looked down at the pony-human hybrid with pity in his eyes. She was right, this tiny, furry, stacked, ball of sweetness would not have survived in his time. She would have been dragged behind the nearest bush, bathroom stall, or dumpster in an alley, and been defiled. Relentlessly. Repeatedly. Ruthlessly. Worse yet, she would have received no sympathy from anyone and the ones responsible would have felt nothing but pleasure from the release, and impact from the high fives. Tommy nearly wretched at the mental image of this kind girl in tattered rags, soiled in unmentionable… things, and broken in ways too innumerable to count.

“With any luck, you’ll never have to test that theory.” Tommy hid his discomfort at more images by munching on another cookie. “Anyway, what are you up to? I mean, from the looks of things, you’re building your own menagerie here.”

“Oh, no,” she replied, placing a hand on her chest in exasperation. “Menageries are cruel. I mean, zoos care for the critters and protect them, but menageries only collect them for a single pony to enjoy. These critters are free to come and go as they please. I only provide them with a safe place to stay and any sort of help I can offer.” For emphasis, she held out an arm and a cardinal alighted upon her hand. She brought it in and nuzzled the colorful creature.

Tommy watched and listened to what she had said. “Wow. That’s incredible, Fluttershy. I wish people in my time were more like you. Maybe it wouldn’t have been in such bad shape.”

Fluttershy blushed at his compliment. “Th-thank you, but I’m nothing special. I still need help and there are other ponies out there that care for critters just as much as I do.”

“Well, I got nothing else going on right now, and I could use something to take my mind off things. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Fluttershy was all too happy to have the help. Along with help from Harry, Tommy was able to shift around large bags of feed and firewood. He got treated to all manner of animals chattering at him with no idea what they were trying to tell him, but at least they didn’t seem upset with him. And best of all, Fluttershy kept supplying him with fresh cookies and rather delicious iced tea. It was all making Tommy wish she wasn’t child sized and so very innocent. Sadly, all these ponies were so childlike that Tommy was starting to wonder how they hadn’t died out from lack of procreation.

Shaking the thought from his mind, Tommy stood after emptying the last bag of feed into its hopper. “Fluttershy, thanks for letting me do this stuff. It really helped me get out of my own head.”

The buttery Pegasus looked at Tommy with a cocked head. “What do you mean? What happened?”

Tommy stood to his full height, closed his eyes, and turned his face to the sky, letting the rays from the sun warm it. He stood like that for a few seconds before looking down at the winged pony girl. “Nothing you need to worry about. Rarity didn’t know what was going to happen to me when she held me down like that. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still pissed off about it and kinda think she’s a bitch, but that’s between her and me.”

“Wait, she held you down? How? She’s so much smaller than you.” Fluttershy gasped, “She didn’t use magic on you, did she?!”

Tommy nodded and shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah, just like Celestia did. At least Marshmallow didn’t suspend me a hundred feet in the air over the palace.” Tommy finally noticed Fluttershy’s expression. “Hey, something wrong?”

Fluttershy groaned sourly, “Every pony knows you shouldn’t hold somepony against their will, especially with magic. It’s just not right. It can cause all kinds of problems if you’re not careful. A pony can get hurt.”

Under his breath, Tommy said, “You’re telling me,” as his hand covered his scar.

“What was that?”

“Hmm? Nothing, forget it. Listen, thanks again. Harry,” he high-fived the brown bear as he headed for the pathway back to town, “don’t be a stranger, buddy.” Reluctantly, Tommy left the small paradise and headed back for town. Sunset wasn’t far off and he was getting tired.

After several minutes of nearly knowing the correct path, Tommy finally made it back to the castle. However, since he was so focused on watching the sky for any rainbow themed nuisances, he didn’t notice the pair of guards in his path until they literally blocked it by crossing their halberds in front of the doorway. The two large stallions with gunmetal armor, vampire fangs, bat wings, and seriously dark sunglasses standing on either side of the door seemed to not only be no-nonsense, but also not eager to give Tommy the time of day.

Tommy took a few steps back from the door and stared at it for a moment. He leaned over and said, “Uh, open sesame?” The guards neither responded nor moved. “C’mon, asshole, let me in. I’m tired, I’m hungry, and I need a beer. Since one of these things seem to not exist here, I can at least get a sandwich and a nap.” The guards repeated their earlier statement.

Losing his patience but not wanting to test how sharp the edges of their weapons might be, Tommy stepped back into the street. “Hey, Spike! Get down here and tell these guys to fuck off!”

He watched a shadow appear in the window, but it wasn’t draconic. The shadow soon disappeared and the front door opened a few moments later. Without even looking over their shoulders, both guards withdrew their halberds to make way for their princess. “While I may not use such crass language, I can at least tell my personal guard to step aside.” She looked over her shoulder and dipped her chin, the guards stepped further to the sides of the doorway to make way for the large human.

“Thanks for that, Luna.” A growl came from the guard on the left. “Oh, bite me, Dracula. I ain’t dissing your Night Queen. It’s the other one that sucks.”

Tommy followed Luna inside, not seeing the tiny smirk she wore. He did notice the sway of her hips, though. He may not have a particular attraction to her, but she was the first adult sized female he’d seen in a while. Plus, she was very female.

Luna led Tommy into the throne room, where Twilight, Spike, and Rarity sat around the table while Rainbow hovered above it. Tommy’s head began to swim a little. On one hand, Tommy felt anger at the unicorn for holding him against his will, going so far as to make him beg for release. On the other, he felt terror at what she might do to him. That fear was nothing new to him, and was not one he could overlook.

Tommy turned around and started heading out of the throne room with a growled, “Nope.”

He was fully intent on ignoring any argument thrown his way, but it was impossible to ignore a sky-blue terror that blocked his way. “Hang on a minute, dude.”

Before Rainbow Dash could react, Tommy had reached up, grabbed her hooves, and pushed her up toward the ceiling. He then continued upon his way. Unfortunately, before he could get out the door, there was a snap from Luna’s fingers, a wordless command to the experienced guards to block his path.

Tommy stopped, took a deep breath, and turned back to the other occupants of the room. “Let me go, or I’ll do something that will get me thrown in a cell… another cell.”

“You will be free to leave, Tommy, when we have finished speaking here,” Luna told him.

Tommy looked back over his shoulder at the armed guards. He may have been bigger than them, but there was two of them, and that was just at this doorway. He folded his arms in front of him and stood like a statue. “Fine.”

“Come, have a seat with the rest of us,” Twilight told him.

The rumble in his voice could be felt across the room. “No.”

“Very well,” Luna said. “We are here to speak and heal, not to threaten. Now, Rarity, you wish to say something?”

“Tommy, I’m so very sorry,” she said slowly and sincerely. “I had no idea that you had suffered such an attack in your past and-”

“Who the fuck told you about… YOU!” Tommy turned on Rainbow and stormed up to her. “What gives you the right!” In one motion, he tore his shirt from his chest, the scars barely visible in the magical light. He pointed to them, “This is my business! Mine! You had no right to tell anyone about it!”

Rainbow wanted to curl into a ball, but at the same time she wanted to lash out against an imminent threat in self-defense. She could not get the words in her mind to align in a way that would allow her to speak.

Tommy felt a magical grasp on his hand pulling gently. It sent a shiver down his spine, but it was outweighed by rage. He spun again, ready to strike, but was met with the understanding gaze of Princess Luna.

“Tommy, please, calm yourself. Everypony in this room is your friend. We all only wish to help you.”

Tommy took a deep breath. One by one, he pointed at each mare he was talking to. “I don’t want your help. Don’t tell people my private business. Don’t you ever touch me again. Tell your troopers to let me pass or I swear I will cram their fucking spears up their asses.”

As he stormed out of the room, he heard Luna tell her guards to stand down. He also heard, but did not register the weeping coming from the white unicorn. He didn’t stop. He stomped through the halls and up to his room. The door slammed shut behind him as he grabbed the nearest object to him and smashed it against the wall. The collectors, limited edition, miniature replica of the Crystal Castle, complete with Crystal Heart, made from genuine Crystal Empire crystal, fell to the floor in in a starburst pattern.

The destruction made him feel better, but not enough. He roared, “FUCK!” loud enough that it left his throat sore. “Gawddamnit, I need a drink!”

There was knock at his door. Tommy walked swiftly to his door, grabbed the handle, and wrenched it open. “What!?”

He had expected to find Twilight, Spike, or maybe even Starlight. Instead, he was staring at blue cleavage. “May I enter?” the voice attached to the cleavage asked.

He stood back from the door and gestured with an outstretched arm. “You’re the princess.”

“Thank you.” Luna walked past him and sat in one of the chairs at a small table. Her horn lit up and a pair of crystal tumblers and a bottle of amber liquid appeared on the table. “I wish to talk and have brought a peace offering.”

“I knew there was a reason I liked you,” Tommy walked over, feeling much better than before, and sat down across from her. After Luna poured a couple fingers into his glass, Tommy picked it up and downed it one mouthful. The burn was sharp, but not enough to overpower the familiar flavor Sweet Apple Acres apples. “Awohmagawd! That’s the best hooch I’ve ever had. I mean, Country down on E-block made some pretty damn good buck from his apples and a couple slices of bread, but… holy fuck.”

“Would you like another?” Luna asked after finishing her own glass, barely showing any sign of a grimace before going back to a smirk.

His tumbler hit the table, “Yes, please.” His glass was filled, and enjoyed much more patiently. “Ahh… Now, what did you want to talk about? And it better be good, because you only have until this bottle is done.”

Luna nodded, “Very well.” Her horn lit up again and another bottle appeared, “And this one can be simply for enjoyment.”

Tommy held his hand out over the table, Luna hesitated for a moment before responding to the high five. “There ya go. Now,” he took another drink, “what do you wanna know?”

The sky grew dark and the moon clumsily rose. Tommy had told Luna of his scars, what they meant and why he was so angry with Rainbow for telling anypony about them. He told her more about the world he came from, omitting the fact that it was also her world, just a different time. He even opened up about why being held down caused him to shut down. And all that was before they finished off the first bottle.

By the time they were halfway through the second bottle, it had been time for Luna to share. She opened up, albeit slurring while doing so, about her centuries of fighting with Celestia and the jealousy that bred within her. She told him about Nightmare Moon, even going so far as to transform to show him what she looked like, though the tears softened the effect. Eventually, Luna passed out, helmet still in place, crooked, but in place.

Tommy laid her on the bed before going back to trying to empty the second bottle of what he was told was Sweet Apple Select, or Sass as it was commonly known. Shortly after, he got up, wobbled into the bathroom, and spent an hour feeding the fish. His mission completed, Tommy returned to the room, ready to spend the night on the rug. He was not expecting to find a familiar blue child sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Um… H-*hic* hello.”

“Greetings… strange... creature. Where are we and where is mine sister?”

“Oh, well, you’re in a town called Ponyville. More specifically, Twilight Sparkle’s Castle of Friendship. As for your sister,” Tommy looked to the empty bed, “I got no idea.”

“Hmm… Ponyville. We are unfamiliar with this settlement. Is it near the village of Everfree?”

“Uh, yeah. I think so. By the way, my name is Tommy Fairday. What’s yours?”

The girl stood, and Tommy could see that she was bigger than the other kids he’s seen around town. Also, he could tell that this girl was an alicorn.

She lifted the hem of her beautiful gown slightly as she curtsied a little. “Apologies. We are used to ponies knowing our name before we meet. My name is Princess Lunae.”