To Greener Pastures

The bed was extremely comfortable, like the bed was truly made with clouds. If anything, they could actually be made of clouds.

Regardless, Ashton finally begins to wake up from a well rested sleep. How he got so lucky to get a room like this was pretty outstanding. If the whole dramatic expedition with his parents would go any differently then he probably wouldn't have the standard that he does now.

He sits up with a groggy look on his face but he felt like he shouldn't even get up at this time.

Speaking of the time, he began looking at his clock and saw that it was 9:32AM, he had slept in but since he didn't really have any job to go to anymore, he may as well make the most of it.

He yawns and stretches after examining the clock and thought it would be a good idea to brush his teeth, get a shower and get ready for the day ahead.

Hopping out of bed and landing on his feet with a grin, he couldn't believe his own strength yesterday. Even with the nice and gentle talk with Princess Luna it seemed like his mind always went to that route no matter how much he internally changed the subject.

Apparently he can lift a stallion over his head like a bodybuilder would lift up some giant weights... And that guy was indeed heavy!

He wondered what other kinds of neat little powers he has up in his sleeve, assuming Discord wasn't fucking around with him.

As he pondered this, he opened the door to the bathroom, got in and closed the door behind him and began to strip down.

Don't want any sneak-peekers.

Now fully unclothed, he walks into the strangely-perfect shape of the shower and closed the curtains which had a moon and a sun pattern respectively.

They aren't vain at all...

As he turns the shower handles, he got a sudden shock of hot down his chest. "Yah!" He recoils but quickly sets the shower to set the warm, panting from that he remembered last night how he was able to survive scalding hot cocoa... What was different now?

Was it because he expected it and thus he subconsciously made the energy protect him? Was it the adrenaline and the energy co-existing? How does this work!?

He meditates in the shower for a few minutes as he was trying to rattle his brain and figure out how this works.

Was Discord actually fucking around with him? No, he said he was seeing him 'progress'... So Discord could be watching at any moment.

... He wondered.

"HEY DISCORD, STOP BEING A PERVERT! I KNOW I'M HUNG BUT COME ON! THIS IS LOW EVEN FOR YOU!" He said hoping to entice Discord out of hiding... He wasn't there.

Ashton snorts and shook his head. "Guess not..."

"U-uhm..."

... Oh no...

Ashton slowly pokes his head out of the shower curtain and there she was, the maid pony, a face full of red and her snout was bleeding from one of her horsey nostrils.

"A... Are you really hung?" She asked.

"Y-you're married!" Ashton said with a flush.

She wipes her muzzle and shook her head. "N-no... The stallion to my child left when he figured out I was pregnant..."

["Wow... Even in a utopia like this, shit is still messed up in the love department sometimes..."] He said in his head.

"Well, look... Uhm... I can't show you... Privacy and the like... You ponies have fur and can HIDE your genitalia... Plus I'm not really ready, I was just yelling out random stuff for no reason! It's a human thing!" He said lying his way out of it.

"O-oh... Well, in that case, I'll leave you to it." She looked relieved, but he could tell curiosity was at an all time high with this one.

He smiles. "In any case, were you trying to wake me up?"

She nods. "You have a meeting with the princess at 10:00... So you have plenty of time to have breakfast, it's just outside." She blushed a bit and was about to head out but stopped and looked back.

"...I know it was a test... But I still thank you that you would risk your life to save mine... It was really sweet." She blushed even harder and quickly trots out of there.

Ash smiles and puts a hand on his cheek. "...You're welcome." He said silently.

He went back to showering and got some shampoo, there was 'sunny radiance', 'moon beauty', 'Cherry Top'.

Cherry Top it is.

He fuckin' loves the smell, taste of cherries. He starts applying some of it, rubbing his hair till it all foamed and was practically lathered into the hair.

After a few minutes of lather, he puts his head under the shower head and washes his hair.

... Wait.

After all shampoo was washed off, he puts a hand on his forehead.

["Wh-where did the bandage go!? And where's my wound for that matter?"]

["... Did someone go into my room during the night and tried to change my bandage? If so, they probably thought the wound healed and left it at that."] He puts a finger on his chin, deep in thought.

After the shower was finally done, and his mental meditation was complete, it was time to brush his teeth.

The minute Ash looked in the mirror, there was no difference... except for one little detail.

His eyes were in a more bright sea blue, it was a gorgeous colour, was that what Luna was staring at? If so, I may have unironically and unintentionally wooed a princess.

This isn't good.

Not good at all.

["First day {Atleast fully awake} here in Equestria and I already unintentionally made moves on the moon princess! Oh man, this is bad."]

Wait... Maybe she was toying with you. Celestia had a sense of humour... So should she, right?

... He questioned the validity of the choice of rulers in this place.

Regardless, they were benevolent. So, he just smiled and went with the brushing.

After confirming the wounds were completely gone, no scars neither, then it was safe to say that he had some regenerative abilities on top of that.

Other than that, the brushing wasn't eventful.

He emerges from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, his slim and slender-ish body was visible to the world!...

... Well... Only if the world walks in on him.

Regardless of that, he walks to the tray.

His eyes dart around the table as there was bagels with soft cheese, some fruit, trail mix and ... Soda.

He smiled as the maid probably considered that her thanks to him... He gladly accepts.

But what he didn't expect was that there fresh clothes on the table, neatly folded. This perplexes him.

It was the same clothes he took off in the bathroom, but they looked a bit bigger than the ones he took off in the bathroom.

Oh well... The baggier the better is what he always says.

He gets dressed, dries his hair by rubbing the towel on it and finally get some breakfast.

Bagels with soft cheese, an apple and a few nuts from the trail mix was the perfect amount for him to get started on within the day.

Drinking some of the newer soda, it turns out this was a grape-tasting soda that reminded him of the British made drink: Vimto. But it had a lot more going for it.

He looked very content with all of this as he finishes his breakfast in record time.

He takes a look at the clock, it was 9:52AM.

... Time to get to work.

Remembering the path to the throne room, Ash was wondering who he'd be meeting and why? Could it be the Mane Six? Most likely... If it was other ambassadors then surely he would have seen the doors beside him open a few times.

So... He's gonna meet the pony who got under a lot of jimmies since her 'ascension' to princess-hood.

He had always thought that being an Alicorn meant you had to be BORN an Alicorn. Guess that was proven wrong.

["Wow.. I have more knowledge about this show than I thou--"] He stopped his thoughts dead on and had the look of pure shock and panic.

["...I'm in a TV show... And these ponies have NO idea they're in a TV show..."] He looked around for any cameras or anything, once again with a panicked look on his face.

He starts to run down the hallway, his eyes darting from left to right constantly as he tries to find cameras.

Eventually, he makes it to the throne room and Princess Celestia smiles. "Ah, how nice to see you aw--" She noticed he was looking around frantically. "Is... Everything okay?"

Ashton looks at Celestia with a feign 'everything is good!' look on his face. "Fine! Just... I think I forgot something! I'll be right back!" He said as he went the opposite direction.

Celestia just had a look of concern written on her face but she let it be, perhaps he was just getting used to the castle?

Ashton kept running down the hallway to find any cameras or anything out of the ordinary... Not that he would KNOW what would be out of the ordinary.

Captain Silver Spear grinned as she saw him sprint down the hall. "What's wrong, kid? Lost something? Like a--"

"STUFF IT UP YOUR ASS!" Ashton said as he ran past and kept looking around frantically.

Silver Spear was a little taken aback by this behaviour... Even a little bit concerned, was he going crazy?

Or maybe...

She grinned, this was HER time to finally prove to the princesses that he is under Discord's control. Her grin went wide as she then shouts. "Halt in the name of Celestia! You are under arrest, Discorded scum!"

He looks around, not paying any attention to her.

"H-hey! Look at me when I'm ta--" She demanded but before she can get close, he sprints off.

"HEY!!" She gallops after him.

It didn't take long for Ash to feel the burning pain in his chest as had made it back to the throne room, putting his hands on his knees and bent over, getting that precious o2.

Celestia looks at him a bit concerned. "...Are you okay? Did you get that out of your system?" She didn't know how to continue with this.

Ashton sighs. "Y-yeah... I think we're good!" He puts a thumbs up. "No need to th--"

*Whomp!*

Silver Spear tackled Ashton to the ground with her pinning her weight against his with the victorious grin on her face. "You are under arrest, bucko! I knew I shouldn't--"

"Captain Silver Spear, unhoof him this minute!" Celestia demanded.

Silver Spear looked at Celestia. "B-but your majest--"

"No buts! Get off of him, he did nothing wrong." She said to her.

"He told me to stick my spear up a donkey!" She said trying to prove a point.

Celestia facehoof'd and sighed. "And you could have just ignored him, correct?"

Silver Spear looked a bit defeated. "W-well yeah..."

Celestia shook her head. "In any case, please get off of him..."

Ashton grunts. "Yeah... PLEASE get off."

Silver Spear huffed and gets off from Ashton, looking away from him. "Dumb Monkey." she whispered.

"Racist bitch." He whispered back before they stood at full attention for Celestia.

After a brief ..... Briefing, Ashton had learned that it was INDEED the Mane Six he was going to be meeting, and since Captain Racist was here already, she was standing beside him, she wanted a reason to jail him so badly... Everything was screaming 'WRONG' about this guy.

Even though Ashton didn't really care for it, he could probably understand why she was so alert when it comes to his actions, so like the guard before... He decided not to press anything.

And they say that Ashton wasn't a fair guy...

... Okay, No one really said that.

As it turns out however, the Mane Six had arrived to Canterlot by 9:50. They must have waken up early to meet the new 'HUMAN'. So did nearly all of Equestria as the guards had mentioned that there was a crowd going on in the streets.

Ash was scared, like... Genuinely scared, he didn't like the idea of so many eyes watching him at once or even watching him at that moment.

Silver Spear occasionally looked at Ash, and the more she saw this side of him... She was actually UNSURE of whether or not he actually WAS a threat or not. She starts to develop a lot of conflicted emotions, but kept on alert in case this was an elaborate ruse.

Celestia smiled as she waited for those double doors to open. She was incredibly patient, plus a visit from her student must be really nice to her.

Ash just sighed and repositions himself... He didn't like standing but he could at least tolerate it.

And at last... The doors open as six silhouettes enter.

As they stepped into proper lighting...

There they are...

The Mane Six themselves, heroes of Equestria, the Elements of Harmony and masters of glorious friendship!

Twilight Sparkle, the name definitely fit the cutie mark and the fur colour of a sky in it's transition from sunset to night... A twilight as it were...

Snrk...

Rainbow Dash, again, the name fits so well. Rainbow mane, loyal, fast and cyan coloured... Don't know what the loyalty and cyan coloured fur had anything to do with it but... oh well?

Fluttershy, she looked like a meek little thing. Cute as all hell and as the name implies shy and no doubt flutters in the air... If she were to fly, she'd remind me of a flying stick of butter.

Pinkie Pie, Don't know any name similarities in her traits.... She makes pies?

"Yup, yup!" She enthusiastically states out loud.

... Gonna ignore that.

Rarity, a beautiful and elegant mare with extraordinary tastes in gem-stones? Yeah, that sounds about right... But if he remembered correctly she did... Dresses?

He remembers odd things...

Last but not least...

Applejack, a hard working pony who grows apples and buck the apple trees... Again, he remembers tid bits.

Also, she's strong as hell, remind him not to piss her off or get into a fight with her.

Twilight smiled as she looks at her mentor and fellow princess. "Princess Celestia, we came as soon as we got your letter."

Celestia giggles a bit. "Twilight, you're a princess... How many times do I have to tell you, you don't have to call me by my title anymore... We're practically close now."

Twilight looked sheepish and turns his head away. "S-sorry... Still getting used to it." Her eyes were finally laying on Ashton, to whom had his eyes closed and was trying his hardest not to freak out.

He didn't know WHY he was freaking out, there was something about these mares that troubled him.

Oh wait, he DOES know.

How they beaten Tirek was pretty much enough for him to get scared, if word got out for Ashton to have chaotic energy inside of him then Twilight and her gang could trap him into stone.

That would be a terrible way of banishment.

"Mr. Devora?" Celestia said out loud, which made Ashton open his eyes.

He slowly looks at Celestia. "Y-yes?"

The mares were looking at each other, some were very excited, but a couple of them was very cautious.

Celestia then smiled, assuring him it was okay. "Please. Don't be nervous, introduce yourself." She said with the same motherly smile from yesterday, though it held a 'I know you lied to me' tone to it as well.

Hoo boy...

Ashton clears his throat and steps forward and gives a dignified bow. "Good morning to you all, I hope we can be good friends."

Oh dear GOD he hopes...

Twilight was the first to trot up to Ashton, circling him as she examined him from head to toe.

"No tail... But can stand with perfect balance on two legs..." She said out loud, Ashton just lets her get on with it.

This was a little embarrassing.

She took note of the hands. "Claws... 5 appendages on each..."

He demonstrates his 'claw' and balls it up in a fist and moves his shoulder around while using his other hand to hold the base of his shoulder.

"Dexterous claws..." She said pretty impressed.

"Hands." Ashton corrected softly.

She giggles a bit. "Alright then... Hands."

Twilight now looked into his eyes. "...Beautiful eyes. A bright sea blue." She then looks at the top of his head. "Mane, spiked... bangs in front, ends at the back of neck."

He was getting VERY uncomfortable now.

She puts a hoof on his leg. "Clothing, implied lack of fur." She then gets back a little bit, Ashton is now in her full vision. "Yep... You are a myth!"

The other girls were confused as hell, but Celestia was giggling from all of this.

"E-excuse me? But I'm right here!" Ashton retorted.

Twilight held a hoof up to which made Ashton stop.

["D-Wh-.. Why would she...] He was panicking in his head.

"Yes, you ARE standing right in front of me. BUT your kind was once considered a myth... And now there's documented evidence, I see a HUMAN right in front of me." She said with a bit of a smug attitude.

Rainbow Dash sighed. "Oh come on, Twi. Did Lyra's obsession get to you as well? How can you tell that is a human? To me, it looks like a monkey!"

Ashton's face grew an irritated look. ["Fuckin' walking gay pride parade..."] He said in his mind before confirming. "She is correct... I am a human."

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow as she floats up and gets close to Ashton. ".... I don't trust ya... You a SPY?"

"Oh no.... you caught meeee... aahhhh.." Ashton said in a half-assed way, he was showing that she was being a bit over-dramatic.

"SO YOU ADMIT IT!" She exclaimed while poking a hoof at his neck and butting heads with him.

"H-hey! It was joke! Lighten up!" He looked very uncomfortable, and he was ready to punt a rainbow haired runt.

One of them, Rarity scoffed. "Rainbow Dash, darling... Perhaps you should give the poor stallion some space.

Rainbow Dash looked at Rarity and sighed as she backs away, putting a hoof at her eyes and then points the hoof at Ashton before being with the rest of the group.

Rarity smiled. "I am Rarity... Or LADY Rarity, if you so like."

Ashton smiles as he figured he'd be more courteous to his saviour, he bows and offers a hand to which she accepts with her hoof and Ashton kisses it gently. "Lady Rarity, it is an honour."

Rainbow's jaw dropped while Rarity giggled like a flushing school girl, revelling her hoof back embarrassingly. "Oh, stop...~ A-Anyways... The girl before me was Rainbow Dash."

The aforementioned 'Skittles' had her front hooves crossed and let out a huff.

"The one who examined you was--" Twilight had interrupted Rarity. "Twilight Sparkle, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Ashton nodded. "A pleasure..." He then noticed something was off, where was Pinkie Pie...? "Uhm... Where did the pink one go?" Ashton said out loud.

Twilight chuckled. "Don't worry about Pinkie Pie, she's just being Pinkie Pie. She'll no doubt introduce herself to you in her own time. And uh... Don't question ANYTHING she does... I tried."

Ashton blinks and looks to the side. "Ok..."

Applejack was now next. "Howdy part'ner! Mah name's Applejack! Proud owner of the Sweet Apple Acres." She goes for a hoofshake to which he agrees and places his hand on her hoof.

... He will now regret that decision.

Applejack without any problems shook him violently and when she noticed she made the poor guy shake, she blushed. "G-golly... Ah don't even know mah own strength!"

Ashton chuckles. "N-no problem..." His eyes then went to Fluttershy. "..." He was waiting for her to introduce herself but she looked very unsure, and no doubt scared.

Twilight smiled. "It's okay, Fluttershy... He can't hurt you."

["Couldn't even if I wanted to... You guys are just adorable!"] He said in his own mind.

Fluttershy got that spark of encouragement. "...I'm... F-..." The rest of her speech was inaudible.

"...Fluttershy, huh?" Ashton got out of that.

She was a bit surprised, but nodded meekly.

"Well... I am Ashton Devora... Our families ancestry went into Blacksmithing... And writing..." He said while that was NOT untrue.

He had remembered his family tree as it did go back to Blacksmithing way back when.

"Oh, that's interesting! Are you able to blacksm--" Twilight tilts her head a bit.

While the sudden head motion was cute, he had to know what was going on in that cranium of hers. "...What?"

"You don't look like you could hold a sword very well... U-uh.. No offense..." She blushed out of embarrassment.

Here lies Ashton's muscles, hopes and dreams.

Oh well, no matter what he tried he couldn't even gain muscle.

The doctors blamed it on metabolism... But now he wasn't so sure.

Celestia finally clears her throat, giving everyone their attention to the super mare on the throne. "Now that introductions are somewhat out of the way, perhaps it is finally time to explain the situation."

Ashton gulps. ["She knows I'm full of chaotic energy... She's gonna--"]

"Due to reasons unknown, the appearance of this human has been remained a mystery within the 4 days of investigation... However, young Ashton gave us the explanation... A mad scientist by the name of Hououin Kyouma." She said with the same smile.

Ashton reeled back. ["Wh-what?! She's... Going with that story? Why!? She knows I made that up!"]

Celestia looked at Ashton. "And we hope that you, Elements of Harmony would re-evaluate his sense of friendship and make him a valuable citizen of Equestria."

Twilight smiles and her wings unfurl. "You can count on us, Princ-- Err, Celestia!" She said with sparkling eyes, another friend to add to the list.

Ashton was shocked to say the least, but then he counted the dots. ["She doesn't want her ponies to think I'm a monster or something... Tia..."] He then smiles at Celestia and bows. "I WILL DO MY BEST!" He said loud and proud as tears of joy began streaming down his face.

["Is this what true happiness and friendship feels like...?"] He said in his mind.

From this point on, he would forever give Celestia his thanks.

His cynicism was starting to degrade into hope that he could finally feel like he belongs somewhere.

Maybe he really WILL like it here after all.

{End of Chapter 5 -- TO BE CONTINUED}