Fluttershy

Its like one of those old war movies. The soldier is in a war torn city that is also the battlefield between his forces and the enemy, he enters an old and destroyed building and investigates the first room, only to find a picture of the previous occupants. The husband, wife, child and/or baby, immortalized in photo. Then he hears a noise behind him, and drops the picture, whipping around and almost kills the source only to find that it was his squad-mate checking on him.

The only differences between this scenario and that was: This was not World War 2, none of my squad-mates were at the door, I was naked and was not holding a photo, rather a pair of boxers, and my intruder was not human. But instead a Pegasus half my size. Was this a shock to me? Yeah. How big of a shock? Well, i'd be lying if I said not by much. I mean, I brushed off the unicorn as a dream earlier and I still feel a bit dazed. I'm in pain, and I felt drained of energy.

I stared down at the Pegasus, and she (it had the same body structure as the unicorn and had a feminine voice. I was ninety-nine percent sure it was a she.) returned my look. But, hers was a look of fear, while mine was a look of readiness. Seconds passed as we stared at each others. Truth be told, I should've calmed down after realizing who, and what, it was but... well.... I felt naked (figuratively, despite actually being naked), I felt like I was in unfamiliar territory. I mean, not because its a wood house. My parents and I, when I was young, lived in a cabin out in the woods for a good bit, so its not the wood. I guess its mostly because of the transition from desert to grass, and dream-state to real life.

Either way, the pony looked fearful. And it was understandable, after all. I would be fearful if I encountered a creature that, supposedly, is unknown to me and its waving a weapon in my face. When a Marine is pissed at you, then you made a deadly enemy. But, in a small way, I saw that she was slowly calming herself. Her breathing was more regulated than it was when she entered as she had gasped when she saw me up and about -- probably wondering how a creature in my condition is moving, or because a potential feral predator is loose in her house and she has no means to defend herself. Finally, after a few moments, she opened her mouth to speak.

"Uhm... Well, uh-uh h-hello there Mister... I-I-I-I assume, your a mister, of course! Judging from your uhh, your...p-penis..." She said, with the last part under her breath. "But uhhh... Hello, Mister Sergeant. I-I see your up and about now, ehehehe. I, uhh, thought that, well, with the extent of your wounds and... well.. I-I thought you wouldn't be up for a few weeks at most. But, this is... well... this is a nice surprise. Hah. So, errr, how are you feeling?" She said, breaking out of her fearful gaze and strolling towards me. Slowly. She had a slight blush when she mentioned my dick but it went away after she got to the "Sergeant" part. To be honest, I was sorta surprised but now that I know the dream last night was real ( you don't dream that kind of pain. You can feel pain in dreams, but never in that level of pain. I'd be lying as well if I said I wouldn't have nightmares for days to come). I lowered my rifle as she approached.

"Uhhh..." Is all I mustered out. She looked up at me with a cocked head.

"What's wrong? Minuette, she, uhh, said you could speak."

"I-I can. Its just... Who are you?" I assume that's the correct thing to say.

"Oh! How wonderful, you can speak! I mean, I already knew that after you spoke to me earlier in the bathroom, but I kinda started thinking that's all you knew." She said smiling. It was kinda of a cute smile, if i'm being honest. "Well, since you asked. I'm Fluttershy. Uhh, nice to, err, formally meet you Sergeant." She said. I half-expected her to hold a hoof out to shake my hand but she did not. I assume its sorta of an alien thing in this world, or maybe it didn't apply here. Either way, I smiled back, throwing aside my rifle and watched as it landed on the couch behind me. She looked at it, confused. But she didn't press the matter on what it is. Instead, she looked up at me, avoiding letting her eyes even land upon my manhood. Hehe, I couldn't help but laugh mentally at that. I took a knee as to avoid keeping it in her face, but I was met with intense pain. I ignored it. As with Minuette, she was at waist level and it wouldn't be proper to make her look at my dick while looking up at me. She backed away at my movement, tensed.

"Its OK, its OK. I'm not gonna hurt you." I said, with a calming voice. Of course, I couldn't exactly tell if she was calm or not. She didn't ease up any, or if she did then I did not notice it. "Look, i'm... I don't know where I am right now. Or how long its been since, uh, since this." I said, gesturing to my wounds. "If you could tell me exactly where I am, and how long its been then I'd be in dept." I said. I gave her my best smile, the kind of smile you would give your friends. Its really the only smile I could give, as being away in war hardened me. I really had no warm smile, like a smile you would give a baby. It was gone. Fluttershy eased up with my words and my smile, visibly too.

"Well...My name is Fluttershy, and your in my home. I mean, my home is your home, of course! But, technically it is my home. And its been at least three days since your wounding. But, no worries. I've worked with animals ever since I left Cloudsdale and I delt with things similar to what you had so I knew what I was doing. You might still feel pain for a few days and sore for a few weeks after, but you'll be alright if you don't put too much strain on your muscles." She said. Cloudsdale?

One thing at a time, Crouse. Thank her and press her more. Ask for other things later, your survival is top priority.

"I certainly thought, with the extent of your wounds, that you would not walk for a while. But, whatever you are, your kind must have great strength to walk after all that." She added.

"Yeah... Well, thanks.. I guess. I owe you my life, but I still am unfamiliar with my surroundings. Where exactly am I? What nation, I mean? The United States?" I asked. I honestly wanted to know where I was. Minuette called this place "Equestria" and... well confirmation is always a good thing.

"The United States? What's that? Oh no, dear no this is Equestria. Where else would you be?" She asked.

"Home." I mumbled under my breath. If she noticed any despair that I was feeling at her answer, she did not say a word. Instead, she looked back at the door, before back at me.

"Well, I would love to stay, Mister Sergeant, but I have to finish what I was doing outside or my daisies will die. I only came inside to check on your tea. I left it brewing, but it seems that it is not yet ready. But, if you can walk, maybe you would like to help me?" She asked. Was she really oblivious to my feelings right now? Or can she not sense them?

"Equestria, you said?"

"Yes. Equestria." She affirmed. I huffed in response, thinking on this. That is what Minuette said. I thought back to her supposed help with my wounds and decided helping her would allow me to ask her more questions, but I hurt reeeeeaaaalllly bad right now.... On the other hand, I haven't been outside in three days. I could also ask about Minuette and where she is.

"Yeah, Ill help you." I said, standing up. She averted her eyes, but looked happy none-the-less.

"Thank you. If your OK to walk, I mean.. But, if-if-if your OK. Then lets go." She said, turning and starting for the door. I stopped her.

"Hold on. Let me get dressed."

"What do you mean?" She said, stopping to look at me with a hint of confusion.

"Uhm... Uhhh, well. With my kind, its not decent to walk around with your, errr, thing hanging out." I said, deciding not to use a word she may feel uncomfortable with. It might be funny with her embarrassment when mentioning it or looking at it, but I'm sensitive to it. Kinda reminds me back to basic. I was fine getting naked in front of other guys, but most of the other recruits weren't like that. I can't tell you how many times I had to encourage the recruits, make them feel like it was normal (it was normal in the military, but we were recruits in basic. It felt alien to them) and eventually they were comfortable with it. The COs liked how I took charge with that situation and gave me a commendation. Not a medal, just praise for my leadership.... I digress so much. "Just, let me get my extremities covered and Ill join you." I said, she gave an affirmed nod and left me alone with my clothes. I looked back out the door to see she forgot to close it.

But that might be for the best.

<><><>

I stepped out the door, my boots, while damaged, was not as damaged as my BDU. My backup BDU only lacked the body armor, but still retained my ranks. I was not wearing my helmet (couldn't find it), my blouse or my tan t-shirt. The reason behind the latter was that I seemed to not have packed a backup. I guess I assumed I was going to be fine in that market but I was wrong. So all I was wearing was my boots, back-up trousers and belt, and my blousing garters cuffing the bottom of the legs of my trousers. I thought it would be hot out, as I forgot what the weather was like before I got mauled, but I was wrong. It was cool. The sight of green instead of tan greeted me with confusion. I was of course really confused by all of this, but I long ago decided to stop worrying about life and go with the flow.

The reason I was so calm about all this is because I have high hopes that finding my way home will be as simple as turning a TV on.

My wounds still hurt, but Fluttershy popped in while I was dressing and told me to get some morphine for my wounds should I need it. Of course, the pain was tremendous. But my adrenaline was still kicked in and I decided to use morphine regardless. So the pain isn't as bad but I still know its there. I looked over, my eyes scanning for Fluttershy. I spotted her not far from the house, tending to her garden. I started towards her, but a little bunny approached me. I looked down at it and remembered that it was the same one I saw in the pictures. It didn't seem to recognize me, nor did it seem happy to see me. It gave me a glare (I shit you not. It actually glared at me. It made an angry face at me. Almost human-like). I bent down, ignoring the small stabs of pain.

"Hey there, fella." I said, reaching to pet it. Its face turned to fear and scampered away from me towards Fluttershy. Typical. When the bunny reached Fluttershy, it tugged on her tail. She turned to see what was going on, but saw me and knew instantly why the rabbit was bothering her. She smiled.

"Hey Sergeant. What took you so long?" She said. The rabbit gave a look of confusion, glancing at me.

"I told you. I had to dress." I said, approaching her. The rabbit backed up, but Fluttershy reassured it.

By speaking to it.

"Its OK Angel, its just Sergeant. He is a... guest? Yeah, a guest. He is a guest." She said. I gave a look of doubt.

"Does it even understand you?" I asked, scoffing.

"Of course Angel understands me. Why wouldn't he?" She asked, glancing at my choice of attire but not questioning it. I mentally rolled my eyes before kneeling next to her. Angel scurried away from me, opting to keep a good distance away from me. I ignored this and decided to focus on helping Fluttershy. "Well, i'm glad your gonna help me. I could use some strong paws to carry some mulch and help me take care of my flower. Winters coming, and I gotta make sure the flowers are healthy before the snow. Or else they wont survive. Harry's out grazing, so that's why I asked you." She said sheepishly. Who is Harry?

"Harry?"

"Oh right! Harry. He is a good friend of mine, i'm sure you'll love him." She said, I grunted in response. I didn't really care to meet another animal right now. Animals is what almost killed me. I spent the better part of the day moving things. Mulch, fertilizer, pots and water the occasional plant. The tea was ready by, what, five? I'm not even sure what time, but sometime before dusk. Fluttershy claimed it took so long because it was imported tea from a place called "Griffonstone" (Note to self: Press her for information on Griffonstone) and it takes a while to brew to perfection, to where the taste is better than sunflower tea (The fuck?). Occasionally, my gauze would need to be replaced, as it turned out that I was still bleeding. And my bandages to be re-wrapped around said gauze. Fluttershy said it would be like this for awhile. Possibly weeks.

Every now and again I would ask her a question, such as "What is Equestria?" or "How did you carry me here?" and she would respond with "Equestria is my home. Your home too, if i'm sure." and "Harry carried you. He is such a sweetheart.". I would ask who Harry was (he sounded human) but she did say earlier that he was grazing in a field somewhere, and judging from my knowledge that humans don't bend over and eat like a cow or a deer, I determined he was not human, but perhaps another sentient and possibly intelligent creature like Fluttershy or Minuette. I actually wanted to meet him and shake his han-paw. Hoof?

We talked over tea, and she never did question my origins as she must've assumed I was a rare creature native to the Everfree. She also warned me of the horrors of that forest, as she also assumed I knew not of them. That few dare enter, and those that do never return. She told me of the dangers that lurk constantly in the forest, and at night, the danger spreads to the outskirts. She then asked how I survived in there to grow tall, but I never did answer that question as I had no answer. Right after that she told me of a town nearby called "Ponyville", which was built originally as a small community of farmers. But soon became prosperous due to the fertile soil. It was all very fascinating, to the say the least. Despite being all...unknowledgeable about this place. I wanted to know more, but she told me that's all she knew. She told me that if I wanted to know more, then I should go visit the local librarian. But of course, that's outta the question. I already know how ponies would react to my presence (think back to Minuette and her initial reaction), and she was female (what were they called? Mares, I think.) ! I got lucky with Fluttershy, because she, in her own words, is an animal lover and therefore not too afraid of me. But, think of how others would treat me? Especially a male!

My legs would regret it.

Soon, I asked her how much she knew about me. My kind. Not too surprising, she said "Not that much. I don't even know what you are.". I told her what I was, and she seemed happy to know. But she still backed up her original statement by saying "Still don't know. Are there others of your kind?" and I would reply with a "I don't know anymore.". Of course, deep down. I knew the answer was truly no. But I refused to accept that. I didn't want to believe I was the only one. But I doubt there were others. If there were, I would've seen them. I mean, i'm not native here. Whatever brought me here, it brought me and me alone. Of course, I had no intention to tell Minuette or Fluttershy that I had come from another world....yet.

It was getting late, and our garden work finished hours ago. Fluttershy decided to show me to my room, and bid me goodnight.

<><><>

I stared at the floor boards, my mind racing. It was dark out, and Fluttershy was fast asleep. Angel was with her. Minuette had not come to say hi, but that might be for the best. Fluttershy had provided me a bed and a room, but it was still small. Standing made my head graze the ceiling, and when I sat down my head was halfway to the ceiling. The bed was big enough for me, but my legs would hang off the end if I lie down. I hate it when friends see me in a state like this. My cheeks were wet, as tears had fallen.

Another tear streamed from my eye as a thought that plagued my mind came back to me. A thought that I was scared of, but a thought that is undeniably true. Fluttershy had said that I am the first human she has seen, and said I closely resemble the monkeys that inhabit the Undiscovered West. According to her, expeditions sent there came back and had knowledge about apes and monkeys, but not humans. After being told this, I had suffered a fear that isn't like the fear of being mauled, or shot. Its a fear you could feel if you felt alone. Endangered. The fear went away after she said "apes" because I believed maybe there were more humans, but then she said that they had no reports of hairless apes. I asked her how she knew this, and she said she was present when the expedition returned. The realization hit me hard. I mean, how would you feel if you were told you were probably the only human in existence in this world? No reproduction capabilities, no fellow humans, just you. Your memories, and your tokens of a world passed. You would feel how I felt. Alone. But only, not only did I feel solus.

I was alone.

Author's Note

While I was writing this chapter, the Live Reader Count thingy showed that I was not the only one viewing this chapter before it was even published, and I gave no one a link or a password to get on this chapter.

Any explanation would be great.

I think it may be a site admin or something.