The Man in the Shadows

Consciousness slowly returned to Derrinus. As he opened his eyes, he saw he was in laying down in a bed in an all white room. The whole place smelled and looked absolutely clean, as if filth had never touched it. He tried to sit up, only to find he couldn't. Looking down, Derrinus saw that he was strapped to the bed. He tried to remove the straps by force, but he simply wasn't strong enough. He tried to Shadow Lunge, but was immediately met with a splitting headache. Someone was blocking his magic. Seeing as he couldn't wiggle out, he did the only thing he could. He waited for whoever blocked his spell to arrive, no doubt alerted of his consciousness by his escape attempt.

After a few minutes of waiting, he heard clopping outside his door. All he could do is wait until he could find a way to get free.

Soon, he heard the sound of hooves outside the door; as well as muffled voices. Derrinus tried to flex his way out of the binds one last time, failing again.

The door opened and Applejack entered the room, with that damned purple unicorn as well. "Just a sec." Applejack said as she adjusted  the bed into a sitting position. "Are ya comfortable?" Derrinus nodded as he watched the purple librarian sit in a chair in front of him.

The two stared in silence until Applejack broke it. "Twilight, what do you have to say to Derrinus?"

Twilight stared at Derrinus until she sighed, "I'm am truly sorry for my actions, Derrinus. I was just scared that Nightmare Moon left something behind as a fail-safe; and once I sensed your dark aura, I over reacted because I was scared for my friends and myself. Could you forgive me?"

Derrinus was silent for a second, then he smirked. "I have to admit, I haven't had my sorry arse beat like that in a long time. You put up a good fight, and did it for a good reason too. I forgive you, just remind me not to anger you."

Twilight, seeing Derrinus not having any hard feelings, smiled. "Thank you."

"I'm sure you have your questions, but before we continue, can I get untied and something to eat?" Derrinus said as he shifted uncomfortably in his bed, the straps starting to chafe.

Twilight responded. "Oh, right, sorry about that. It was a bit of a precaution in case, you know." She began undoing the straps and once she was done, she walked over and pressed a red next to the bed. Shortly after, a nurse entered the room, bearing a tray of various fruits and grasses.

Twilight took the tray from her and laid it onto the bed, allowing Derrinus to eat before they start asking their questions. He ate the fruits, but left the grasses untouched. "Ya should really eat tha rest of your food, it's for your health." Applejack said as she motioned for him to continue to eat.

Derrinus looked at the 'meal' They must be herbivores. "I'm sorry, but I can't eat grass." He then looked at them and asked, "Can I tell you something without you girls freaking out?" He received two nods in response. "I'm an omnivore, I can eat fruits, vegetables, and baked goods; but I also have to have a source of protein somewhere in my diet. Namely meat."  As he said this he saw Applejack with a surprised look on her face, but Twilight had a twinkle of curiosity in her eyes. He also saw her recording his diet. "I'm guessing it's rare to see an omnivore?"

Twilight looked up from her notes and responded. "It's borderline impossible. All of the intelligent races are either herbivores or carnivores. As far as I know, your the only omnivore on Terra."

Derrinus considered what she just said. That would have to mean I'm the only human here. That also means most of the races I know don't exist here either. I'm going to have to learn about the world I'm in from the ground up. "I have an idea, you have your questions and I have mine. So, how about a bit of a game? I'll ask a question, then Applejack, then Twilight. Each question should be answered with complete honesty. After that, the cycle continues until our questions are answered. Deal?" The two ponies nodded, signalling their agreement to participate. "I will go first. What is the name of the kingdom I'm in?" Derrinus asked.

Applejack responded. "You are in tha diarchy of Equestria." Then she asked, "Not to offend ya, but what exactly are ya? There are no smart omnivores on Terra. At least, there wasn't 'til you came along."

Derrinus responded, "I am what is known as a human. We are a proud race of thinkers and warriors alike. Humans also don't really excel at any one thing, much to the annoyance of the elves. Given time, a human can master anything, and we can master it quickly. Unfortunately, this is due to humans having the shortest lifespan of all of the races, only living to be a little under one hundred. I'm only twenty."

Now it was Twilight's turn. "Before you knocked me out, I heard you yell 'I will not die again' or something along those lines, it's still kind of fuzzy." Twilight said as she held her head where Derrinus hit her. "What did you mean by that? I don't detect necrotic magic on you, so you're not undead."

Applejack remembered that night. "Ah thought Ah was hearing things when Ah heard him yell that."

Derrinus shifted a little uncomfortably in his seat. "Well, I was apart of an adventuring party that was delving into a cairn in search of a key that our employer was wanting. He wanted a key to activate something called a 'Spelljammer' or something like that. I thought he was insane. A ship that can fly in space? What was that mad mage thinking? Anyway, I was killed when we were fighting a mummified king. He kicked me, knocking me off balance. Then he used my lack of balance to grind me to bits with a sandstorm. The bastard pulled a cheap shot."

Applejack felt that there was something off about the story. "Ya said earlier that ya were a jeweler. But jewelers don't go adventuring into cairns and do mercenary work. Did you lie to me? What are you, really?"

Derrinus stared at her, then he looked down and sighed. "This will require a bit of history, a story if you will." It might do me some good if I confided in another. To share my sins with them. To confess. "I didn't lie at all, I just didn't tell the whole story. I grew up in a city called Boro in the kingdom of Yairm. My family were jewelers, and we were pretty well off." He said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the charred family picture. Looking at it, he continued. "That was, until the economy sank for some unknown reason. It was then that we began struggling to get through day to day life. Some nights, there was no dinner, couldn't afford it. Us common citizens were struggling while those nobles did nothing but laugh at us 'lowborn swines' So, after a few months of this, I turned to thievery. I didn't steal from the common citizen, they had enough problems without me adding to them. No, I stole from those dirty, black hearted nobles. No trap could keep me out and no lock was impossible. Anyway, on one of my raids, my identity was found out by one of the nobles. They didn't report me to the guards, no, they did much worse. The bastard sent men to burn my home to the ground, along with my family who was within. After that, I just stopped. I could barely continue living. After a while, pennyless and homeless, I decided that it was my fault that my family suffered due to my actions. Rather than suicide however, I sought redemption. So I became an adventurer, seeking my redemption. I was willing to pay any price to be redeemed. But I couldn't do it alone, however. I met a psion on my travels that needed someone of my skills. I joined him, along with his adventuring group. It was almost like having a family again. Then we took that contract from that damned arch-mage. In that mission, death tore me away from my new family." As Derrius told the story, he was starting to get angry. "Do the fates believe that I am to have no family, is that it?" Then, he took a deep breath, then let it out. "So there you go. I was thief born out of desperation that is apparently hated by fate." Then Derrinus turned his head toward Twilight. "That is why I forgave you so easily, Twilight. You did something that you would have felt was wrong, but you did it for those you cared for." He then shifted his gaze to the both of them. "I hope this doesn't hurt your thoughts about me."

Applejack had a seat in a chair she retrieved from the corner about have way through his story. "Well, Ah don't think you're a bad pon... er person. But, it does upset me still that ya had ta steal for your family's survival."

Twilight on the other hand, looked appalled. "I don't think badly of you, but how can any creature that calls themselves a noble do that?"

"If there is one thing I've learned from my adventures, Twilight, it's that what they did wasn't the tip of the evil iceberg." Derrinus replied glumly. "OK, just one last question each, then we should end this game. I'm beginning to grow weary of this."

Applejack took this opportunity to ask the most important question. "Are all humans that short?"

Derrinus wasn't expecting this question. Getting riled up quickly, he responded, "What!? I'm not short! I just have a small frame." The two girls were giggling at him while he grumbled. He had to admit, though, he was kind of happy that Applejack lightened the mood a bit. "To answer the question, no, humans are not often very short. The adventuring group I was apart of had a paladin that almost rivals your size Applejack, and his armor would actually make him bigger. He was also quick for his size, or he would be if he didn't lug around the beast of a shield and huge sword that he did." Applejack looked flustered at the image of a knight in shining armor that was bigger than her, her cheeks taking a more rosy color.

Twilight decided to use her final turn wisely. "You didn't bring up your shadow magic in your story. That leads me to believe that you gained them somehow. What I want to know is, how?"

Derrinus tried to remember. What could have caused this magic to manifest? Then, it hit him. "I remember when I was floating in some kind of void after I was cheap-shoted by that mummy. Then a tendril of pure shadow and undeath latched onto me. It tried to pull me into the Shadow Plane."

"The Shadow Plane?" Twilight asked curiously.

"It's a realm of darkness and necromancy. Everything that dwells there is dead and pure evil. It is worse than the nine planes of hell." Derrinus responded with disgust evident in his voice. "Anyway, this tendril was trying to pull me in when your plane of existence tore it apart, leaving the end wrapped around me. It bled all of its necrotic magic as I entered your realm, leaving an empty husk of shadows around me."

"The shadows must have fused with you when you entered, causing that magical surge I felt a few nights ago." Twilight finished.

Derrinus stared at her, then himself. "That thing is apart of me now? Now I feel dirty. Like, eww."

"Relax, the evil didn't enter with it. I can detect that." Twilight said while scanning Derrinus with her magic. "Now it's your turn to ask."

"Ok, who is the King, Queen, Emperor, Empress, or whatever of Equestria?" Derrinus asked, wishing to know whose law he will have to obey or answer to.

"That would be Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, Bringers of the sun and moon." Twilight responded with admiration in her voice.

Derrinus was surprised. "So your gods actually take a physical form here? In my world, they rule from the heavens. Though the world moves around the sun, it is by the sun god, Pelor, that the sun still burns. It is by Selene's grace that moons move around the world."

Twilight was taken aback by this response. "Oh, no, they aren't gods. They are actually alicorns. Ponies who are near immortal and have the abilities of all three tribes. They are often linked to aspects of the world around us. Celestia is the sun, Luna is the moon, and Cadence is love. Celestia has told me many times that she is not a god and she doesn't want ponies to worship her; but her worship is still commonplace."

Just as she finished, a nurse entered the room and spoke. "Sir, I am happy to inform you that you may now be released from the hospital. I will escort you out."

Derrinus, Twilight, and Applejack walked out of the hospital. "This, is a new start for me." Derrinus said as he stepped out in the open. Once he did, he saw Rarity, and Fluttershy walking over with Rainbow Dash hovering next to them. He also saw Pinkie Pie already with her arms around him hoisting him up in the air. "Derrinus! I'm sosososoooooo glad you're safe!"

"Pinkie, I require air!" Derrinus grunted out, struggling in her grip.

"Pinkie, darling, could you please put him down? He does require breathing, which you are inhibiting." Rarity politely requested.

Pinkie dropped him. "Sorry Derrinus, I'm just happy to see you're alright." Derrinus was trying to regain his breath from the pink one's vicious assault.

Once he regained his posture, Derrinus turned towards everyone. "I'm sorry that I tricked you all into thinking I was a colt, but I was afraid   that you ponies might be xenophobic and might of tried to run me out. Thank you for not doing so, by the way."

"Don't sweat it, you had a reason to do so, and it didn't hurt anyone." Rainbow said, patting Derrinus on the back. The others nodded in agreement.

"What are you going to do, now that you are no longer hospitalized?" Fluttershy asked quietly.

"Well," Derrinus began, "I was thinking about returning to my cave."

"Cave?! No, that simply will not do. You are a stranger in a strange land. I will allow you to stay in my guest room, if you choose to of course." Rarity offered generously.

Derrinus was startled by her offer. She is willing to offer me a room without asking for anything in return? I've never seen such a level of generosity. "I will accept your offer, but I will not take advantage of your generosity. I will extend my skills as a jeweler to you in exchange. Is this acceptable?"

Rarity thought it over before quickly agreeing. "I must return to the shop however. My break is almost over and I don't like to keep clients waiting."

"Well, I have to retrieve my belongings from my cave anyway. I left most of them there to keep them safe." Derrinus replied.

"Ok, just be sure to be out of that dreadful forest before nightfall. The forest is at it's worst then." Rarity warned him.

Everyone left for similar reasons. Though, Derrinus wondered what a 'weather factory' was. Rainbow left in a rush before he could ask, as she was late to getting back to work. Shrugging at the thought, he resolved to ask later. With that last thought he began his trek into the woods.

The journey back to his cave was mostly uneventful. He got to the cave safely and retrieved the rest of his belongings, leaving the Topaz Locator stone behind in case he ever wanted to return.

On his way back to Ponyville, he found his way back to the site where he landed here. Something was off, however, there is only supposed to be one crater; not two. Something must have followed him in, a large, humanoid something. He had to tell the others about this as soon as he gets back.

"No sudden movements. Put your hands up." Called a low, monotone voice, in perfect elvish, from behind him. Derrinus chose to obey, putting his hands up slowly. "Turn around so I can see your face." Derrinus slowly turned around and came face to face with one of the rarest oddities known to Yaven. Standing at a little over six and a half feet in height, a purple and gray warforged stood before Derrinus. Judging be the arcane tome hovering in front it, and the three orbs of pure magical force floating around it, this was not one of the work variants. It was either a soldier, or guardian class warforge mage. Looking at the symbol magically imprinted on its chest, Derrinus assumed the latter.

"Who are you, and where am I?" It called out. It chose to keep it's eyes unlit to hide it's emotions. Smart.

"I am Derrinus Gottrun, and you are in the land of Equestria. May I ask your name?" Derrinus slowly put his arms down as the warforged powered down his spells, snatching the tome out of the air.

"I... have no name, I was a guardian unit created and was to be given to Princess Tiana for her fifth birthday. I must find my way back to Kalast so that I may guard the princess." The warforged spoke with conviction.

Princess Tiana? Kalast? Queen Tiana and the warrior kingdom of Kalast died out three thousand years ago. "That may be an issue. You see, you'll be a little late to the party. About three thousand and sixty years late to the party. And we aren't even on Yaven anymore." Derrinus told the construct.

The warforged stood stock still for a second. Then it quickly opened it's tome and casted a spell to scan the magic around it. There was a much higher concentration of magic here than there was anywhere on Yaven. What Derrinus said was true, it was a long way from home. And if the time difference was correct as well... The warforge's eyes lit up, but they were a dim purple. It was experiencing sadness. "I see."

Derrinus approached the machine and patted its back. "I'm sorry you couldn't fulfill your purpose, but if it means anything, Queen Tiana grew up to be one of the greatest warriors to ever live. It was even said that she almost became a warrior goddess."

The warforged looked at him, it's eyes taking a more yellow tint. "It warms my core to hear that. Thank you, Derrinus. But what do I do now? The reason for my existence is realms away and long dead."

"You continue to 'live' and come with me. You are your own machine now and can make your own choices, but I suggest you follow me because I know the way to the nearest settlement. What should I call you, I can't keep calling you warforged." Derrinus inquired.

The warforged began to think. He always wanted a name, just as all warforge do, but what name would be fitting of a Kalastian mage such as himself? "Tamral. Tamral shall be my name. And I have a male chassis, so don't call me it." He tried to make it sound menacing, but he couldn't. His eyes were glowing like little yellow and deep blue suns. He had a name and he was overflowing with joy and pride.

"Let's get a move on. The forest is dangerous at night. The sun is already setting." Derrinus said as he turned around to start walking. "By the way, how are you speaking in the elven tongue? Kalastians didn't speak elven."

Tamral looked at Derrinus as they walked, his footsteps thundering as they stomped into the ground. "I used a spell to allow me to speak elven. It's the only language spell I know and I'm lucky that it seemed to be the correct one."

The rest of the walk was uneventful, until they got to Rarity's house. Everypony else had retreated back into their home, due to the time. In fact, they haven't seen anypony since they entered town. "What are the inhabitants of this village? The signs are in elven, yet they have human architecture, and dwarven machinery."

Derrinus grinned mischievously. "you'll see~." He said as the approached Rarity's home and shop, the Carousel Boutique. Knocking on the door, Derrinus heard Rarity yell, "Coming!"

Rarity opened the door to see Derrinus standing there. "Derrinus, where have you been? You said you would be back before nightfall." Rarity asked, her voice full of concern.

"Sorry, I ran into something unexpected, meet Tamral. Tamral, this Rarity. She is a pony." Derrinus said as he stepped to the side.

Rarity rarely had to look up to talk to somepony, except maybe Applejack everyone looked up at her. She had never actually talked to a machine before. "Uh...."

Tamral snapped out of it first. "Hello Miss Rarity, I am Tamral. Kalastian warforged mage unit." He offered a handshake to Rarity.

Rarity slowly took his hand and shook it. "Why don't you two come in and make yourselves comfortable. I'll go get some tea."

Derrinus and Tamral walked to the shop. The main area of the shop was also the main area of the house during closing hours. There was a couch with a table in front of it and two chairs on the other side. Derrinus took a seat in a chair, while Tamral stood next to the table. Rarity returned with a tray with three teacups and a teapot. "I am terribly sorry Tamral for my rudeness. I was just surprised to see a machine that could talk and think."

Tamral waved it off. "It's fine, no need to apologies. I was equally surprised to see an equine biped. I don't think they exist on Yaven."

"Yaven? You are from the same place as Derrinus?" Rarity asked, surprised.

Derrinus cut in. "Kind of. We are from the same realm, but there is a few thousand year difference. When I entered this realm, I must of made an opening that Tamral here somehow entered. I think. Realm hopping is weird like that, I'd imagine."

Rarity let out a yawn. "I am terribly sorry, darlings, I would like to stay and chat, but it is late and I need my beauty sleep. Let me show you your room, I guess Tamral can bunk up with you until we work something out."

"Thank you, Rarity. You didn't have to offer me a home, but you did and I am in your debt." Derrinus said as they walked to the room.

"Nonsense, darling, no one should live in a cave. Not while I can do something about it. Here's your room. If you need anything, I'm just down the hall." Rarity said as she walked to her room. "Good night."

"Good night." Tamral and Derrinus called out as she closed her door. Then they entered their room.

The room had a window above a two person bed (Three if your Derrinus' size). The walls and ceiling was mostly white with lavender floorboards (Like most of the house).  It had a dresser at the foot of the bed and a closet. In the corner, there was a writing desk. All in all, just a basic bedroom. Just as Derrinus entered the room, Tamral moved passed him. "I call the closet." is all Tamral said before he practically threw himself in the closet and closed the door. Chuckling, Derrinus stripped down to his undergarments and climbed into the bed, falling asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.