Finding Freedom

To understand what happens next more fully, I would like to tell you a few things about myself. Number one would be that I am a little but insane. Have to be If I'm willing to accept that I'm currently in Equestria right? Next is that I'm extremely suspicious of everything. I may have a care-free outlook on life, but I still think everyone is out to get me, you're not paranoid if their out to get you right? So my suspicious nature along with my not so stable sanity, can often give me some odd conclusions about things. I often tend to read more into things when it's not needed, and overlook anything extremely important.

Anyways, me and Fluttershy walked towards Ponyville in silence. It wasn't awkward, there was just nothing to say. As we neared the outer circle of the small town Fluttershy came closer to me. She lifted one wing and brushed my own with it. An odd sensation flooded through me, it wasn't sensual, or painful. I nearly stopped moving, why would she do that? I calmed myself, telling myself that it must be the equivalent of a reassuring pat on the shoulder. I mean this was Fluttershy, she would never do anything forward, especially when we had just met.

Ya, I was just overreacting again. I needed to chill, maybe something cool to drink. Fluttershy looking down embarrassed didn't help though. We nearly got to a food place without incident, but before we could make it to wherever we were going, Pinkie decided to spring from a nearby bush. In classic Fluttershy fashion, Fluttershy jumped behind me letting out a squeak.

"Oh, hi Pinkie Pie, I think you gave Fluttershy a shock."

"Oh HI Silver, glad to see your not still sleeping! Anyway I was just thinking about how to celebrate Lunar's new job. And then I was like 'WE COULD THROW A PARTY' (Really? That's surprising!), but then I realized I don't know a lot about him so I was wondering if you could come by and help me plan this super awesome delicious 'congrats on the new job' party!."

"Uh…" Before I could get myself in even more trouble Fluttershy spoke up.

"Um.. Actually Pinkie we were about to get something to eat."

Her sticking up for my food didn't bother me. I have no problem with a women sacrificing themselves for me or my well being (if they want to, why stop them?). What did bother me is that while talking she walked besides me and placed a wing over me. It was a good thing I wasn't walking this time, because I would have stopped and stood in place.

It took me awhile to figure this one out, but eventually I told myself that it was the equivalent of holding hands. Then I thought about how when you're talking to a girl that's just your friend their boyfriend comes in and will grab her hand to remind you. If you know what I'm talking about then what do you do? Punch them for being an idiot, or face palm from their stupidity? Was Fluttershy trying to tell Pinkie that I was hers, or was it just coincidental?

I tried to ignore the signals my body was sending me, like the softness of her wing or the heat coming off of her body. Eventually I overpowered my mind and managed to compose myself.

I looked up at Pinkie, who had deflated a little, "Sorry, maybe some other time."

With these words she sprung back up and began bouncing away "Okie Dokie Loki!" (God of Fire!)"

We continued to walk towards our destination, but Fluttershy didn't remove her wing. I didn't have the heart to tell her to remove it. Who could hurt Fluttershy like that? Even I don't have a heart that hard. We walked up to a small place, with a little patio outside. At least she hadn't brought me someplace expensive.

We took seats at a table for two, and Fluttershy finally separated from me. My body cried out at the loss of contact, but my mind simply informed my body that it was stupid. I looked over the menu, but I had no idea what anything was. Even the drinks sounded funny (If you ever come here, prepare to give up caffeine, I don't think it even exists here!). The waiter came by and Fluttershy ordered something that I didn't catch. The waiter turned to me and just raise his eyebrow.

"I'll have whatever she's having."

The waiter turned around and walked away. I simply sat on the chair, and looked down at the table. I was never good with the whole relationship thing, it seemed to just complicate everything, I was currently ignoring the fact that sitting down should be uncomfortable for a pony, but it was actually quite refreshing.

"So.. um.. How are you liking Ponyville so far?"

Ah ha! That must be why she's acting so weird. She must want to make sure that I feel like I fit in. She's just being nice to the new guy. I knew all my worries were unfounded.

"This place is great, the forest is nearly tranquil during the day, and I could spend hours looking up at the sky."

"Well… um how do you like us? I mean the people here in Ponyville."

Well that theory went out the window. This was another test, she wanted to see if I had feelings for anyone else. I am a hard guy to read, but I couldn't play with Fluttershy like I could Rarity, or even Applejack. I really didn't want to hurt her feelings, but hadn't I told myself to be completely honest?

"I have only been here one day, but from what I've seen everyone here seems happy. AJ is hardworking, so much that she has to be told to relax. Rarity pursues perfection in all things, even if it takes her forever to do it. Pinkie Pie is… well… um… Pinkie Pie."

I avoided the question while answering it, I'm good. I will find a way to describe Pinkie Pie even if it takes me 100 years. Fluttershy wasn't to be deterred though.

"What about the others.. and me?" Her voice had become almost silent towards the end of that question.

I sighed, I had no idea how to answer that question, "I haven't really been around them long enough to judge Rainbow Dash or Twilight, I haven't been here long enough to judge anything really."

I hoped this would have satisfied her, but she continued to look expectantly.

"I don't know what to say to you. Your obviously very kind, and you have some obvious quirks. You get scared easily, and would never ask someone to do something they don't want to unless it's important. Honestly I think anyone could fall for you, your just that likable. Whoever ends up with you would be extremely lucky."

I stopped talking, I hadn't mentioned anything about my own feelings, and I hoped she would be to content with the praise to notice.

"Well.. do you um.. think you would fall for me?"

She was determined I'll give her that, and determination is one of my favorite things.

"I do, I can see myself falling for you very easily actually, but I don't want to rush into anything. I don't want a relationship based off of lust or false feelings." I didn't really want a relationship in the first place. It's so much easier to have friends, but I couldn't say no to her.

Before I could do anything else, like eat the food that had finally come out, Fluttershy acted. She leaned across the table and kissed me. It was just a chaste kill on the lips, but it had just set off a series of conflicting thoughts.

The first was that I had just been kissed by a pony. My human side wanted to run and throw up somewhere, but then again I wasn't human anymore so why listen to that part of me. Secondly this action had confirmed my suspicions. This either wasn't Fluttershy or something was influencing her. Thirdly was the taste that had been left. It was between strawberry and apple. While those two flavors don't really mix, that's the only way I could describe it.

Fluttershy sat back down and looked extremely nervous. She could never have pulled up the courage to do that by herself, if she even wanted too. I think that's what hurt the most, is that all of this could be a lie. She could actually hate me for all I know, but I knew that however much I wanted it to be, this was not how Fluttershy would act.

This time it was me who stumbled over my words, "Well… That was.. uh.. amazing?" I was really asking myself what it was.
Her eyes brightened at my confused statement, but she said nothing. I looked down to realize that my food was still there. I needed a way to get out of this without it looking like I was trying to get away. That would either alert the fake Fluttershy that I knew what was going on, or hurt a love-induced Fluttershy's emotions.

I stuffed the food in my mouth without even looking at it, which is how I got the napkin in my mouth as well. Fluttershy laughed at my action and started on her food. After what was probably the most awkward dinner of my existence, I finally got away.

"I know we had planned to do those lessons, but I'm really tired right now. I think I'll lay down for awhile."

Fluttershy looked disappointed, "Oh I was… um… hoping we could.. um…….never mind."

I wasn't even going to entertain thoughts on what she had been going to ask, "Ya sorry, but I'm just exhausted. I'll see you later then?

Her smile came back, "Oh yes."

I walked away from her towards the library. From the position of the sun I would say that it was nearing 5. The sun glared off that strange tower, and I knew where I was going tomorrow. Before I could get inside however a voice called out to me.

"Oh why hello darling, or should I say Mr. Silver." Rarity's voice dropped when she said my name in a way that made me shudder. My wings tried to move of their own accord, but I kept them down.

"Uh..NO! No you shouldn't."

Rarity laughed, "Well then Mr. Silver, would you like to come into my boutique and check out my…. selection."

What was with these ponies? I mean I know I'm awesome in everything, but come on! Something was seriously wrong here, and I'm willing to bet it has something to do with that tower.

"Uh… maybe later, I'm really tired right now."

With that I closed the door of the library and let out a sigh.

"Long day?" Twilight asked from her position on the floor.

I looked at Twilight for a long time just to make sure she wasn't going to try and hug me or anything. After she looked up at me and raised an eyebrow at me I was confident that she wasn't going to try anything…yet.

"You have no idea."

"Tell me about it."

Uh oh. How do I tell a girl I barely know that half of her best friends can barely keep their hooves off of me. I'm supposed to be the one who is clueless about others feelings.

"Well, it's hard to explain…"

"Not for you, surely. Is hard even in your vocabulary?" Oh the sexual jokes to be made right there, but now was not a time for them.

"Alright then, Both Fluttershy and Rarity can't keep their hooves off of me, and I think it won't be much longer until Applejack and Pinkie are doing the same thing."

Twilight looked at me, trying to see if I was being serious. After she could see that I was she said, "What do you mean?"

I told her about my entire day starting from Rarity's place until I got back to the library.

"It sounds like you were egging them on."

"I didn't think they were being serious! I thought it was all in good fun."

"Well tomorrow I think you should go to them and tell them how you really feel."

"Do you how hard it would be to tell Fluttershy that I don't feel that strongly for her, besides I've already got a plan."

"And just what is that?" Her voice implied that I had no idea what was going on. Good to see that she for one doesn't love me. Although she could have more faith in me.

"Don't worry about it, I've got this one."

"I have to worry about it, these are my friends after all."

"Look I'm the guy who is supposed to run in without thinking. I'm the one who is supposed to be clueless about everyone's feelings. I'm the one who is supposed to charge in, sword swinging wildly laughing like a maniac."

"It sounds like your just afraid of commitment."

"It's been one day! Besides I need to handle this my own way."

Twilight finally relented and sighed, "Alright, but if after tomorrow you haven't done anything, then I will."

"Don't worry, like I said, I got this one."

"By the way I made Spike put together a make shift bed on the balcony, so you don’t have to sleep on the couch."

I thanked her, but I wasn't really tired yet, so I started looking over the books she had. Some of them were quite similar, the one that stood out most was a black book that just had three words for a title and nothing else. It read "The Brothers Grimm". I wouldn't be surprised if these tales were across the entire universe.

I didn't really feel like reading either so I just walked up to the balcony planning to lay down and mull over my thoughts. I wasn't alone in that idea, Lunar (Martin remember?) was laying down already.

I laid down next to him and said, "This is one strange place, eh?"

He didn't look at me, but asked, "How so?"

I looked up at the sky, "Look how everything is working out for us. I could easily live here forever and still be happy. It's as if the world itself is bent on making everyone here happy. There's no war, famine, conquest, none of that."

Lunar laughed, "You missed death"

I now turned to look at him "I don't think even Equestria has managed to conquer death, but hey were immortal souls, you and I, we can always come back if we want."

Lunar now had a frown on his face, "That's just the thing, what if we can't? What if this is all a dream? What if I'm in a comma and years later I wake up? I'm scared that this isn't real Silver."

Figures, "Look Martin…"

"Please just call me Lunar, I want to be able to pretend as long as possible."

"Look you have to let go of that fear. You’re here now, so what does it matter? Even if I were to wake up tomorrow, I wouldn't worry. I would just try again, and again. No matter how many times it takes. You have to be brave, be ready to face whatever comes at you. Should this world end tomorrow, you have to be brave. Do whatever you do to the max. Don't hold back, give it your all. Were immortal spirits, we don't have to take life's bullshit anymore, because we'll beat it back to wherever it came from."

"You keep saying that, immortal spirits. How can you be so sure? Maybe we just got lucky and some deity placed us here."
"I'm so sure because it's how I work. I always go 100% behind whatever I'm doing. I make it seem like what I say is truth because I have that much faith in it. All you have to do is remember this, I'll defend the universe, even if there isn't a universe to defend! Look I can't tell you to have faith in me, you need to tell yourself what to have faith in. If you're not 100% behind yourself, then you're doing it wrong. Look at me, nearly preaching to you. All you have to do is never give up, keep fighting, even when you can't win, don't give up. Fight the good fight, even if by fighting you have to hide. Just never give up alright?"

Lunar didn't look very convinced, I never was a good speech giver, "I guess…"

"Just sleep on it alright, and one more thing.. Why Silver?"

Lunar finally smiled, "Because, you're like the lights in the sky that never die, like you said, you never give up."

Now I was the confused one, did that make sense to anyone? The sun was setting, but it still wasn't dark out.

"So tell me about this job you got."

Lunar smiled even bigger, "Oh it's great! I'm a mailpony! I start tomorrow, I can't wait! I'll be learning the ropes from Derpy… I mean Ditzy Doo."

Ah that was her name. Lunar walked out when I didn't say anything back to him. I could see that Tower in the distance as the sun gave its final rays. I like having a set plan, when the enemy is visible. As I mulled over my thoughts, I thought back on what I said. Maybe the world is actually trying to make everyone happy, I mean they all seemed willing to accept us, didn't even really show hostility to us. I wondered if Twilight had ever sent Princess Celestia a letter about the new arrivals. Eventually I managed to fall asleep, and let myself go to oblivion.

Again I woke up facing space, the earth floating before me. Except this time the Earth wasn't green and blue, more of a brown. Before I could really think on this a large space ship flew in front of me. Even with my knowledge of future spacecrafts (None), I was able to tell that this one was badly damaged. Smoke poured off of it, obscuring most of it from view.

There was a transparent part where the front of the ship was located. I looked through this to see a middle-aged looking man holding a steering wheel, like an actual ships, He was making erratic motions and he was shouting at other people on the ship. He suddenly turned and looked at me. His eyes were a bright silver, they almost hurt to look at. He winked at me even as his ship started to hurtle towards the earth.

I woke up with a start. The sun was barely out and thankfully not in my eyes. It did however shine on a tower far away and that let off a mean glare. I wasn't going to get anymore sleep, so I might as well get going. I left a short note on the table in the main room of the library, and headed off.

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An well that's doubled in size. Next chapter will focus more on martin and the citizens of Ponyville, in fact I don't know if Silver is really going to be a major character after this. He fades out for awhile, at least according to how the story looks in my head.