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                    What is Friendship?                    
                     -by ExtraCheese-                      
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                      C1: The Arrival                      
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C1: The Arrival
Chapter One: The Arrival
https://camo.derpicdn.net/dfda7493d9c336ef189e03517f761eb1a73602e1?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvignette4.wikia.nocookie.net%2Fmlp%2Fimages%2F1%2F15%2FPonyville_as_seen_from_Twilight_and_Spike%27s_chariot_S1E01.png%2Frevision%2Flatest%3Fcb%3D20120904164855
The sun rose over the golden hills of Pyromania. As the sun slowly ascended, it cast its first rays of orange light upon the high castle watching over the inner city. As the sun rose higher, the citizens began to awake and move about to reach their soon to be bustling businesses. Market stands in public squares were being stocked to open for business as more citizens awakened. An hour passes and the city streets are packed with people traveling about their day in all directions, purchasing public goods and services for their families.
On the right wing of the high castle, within one of the many dormitories, Kane stood behind a window overlooking the inner city. He was observing the people moving about their day. As Kane observed the people below, he began to reflect on how long he had protected this city and its people. It had been almost sixteen years after he had been assigned as the General of the Pyromanian Army by Baal himself after serving only a mere 3 months as a soldier in the Holy War. Kane had come to claim such a high rank so quickly due to his extensive knowledge of the enemy's strategy and behaviors in battle. But that did not mean this enemy could be dealt with swiftly with said knowledge, it would take more than brains to overthrow this enemy. When Kane was promoted to General by Baal, many of the civilians opposed this decision made by Baal, but he would have none of it. Baal had complete trust in Kane, despite the people having little to no trust for him. But Kane knew the people's reaction was justifiable by all means.
Kane could remember almost every battle that he had been a part of as if it were yesterday. He was remembering how the war was by far the most brutal effort that Pyromania had to go through in its long history, and how much of a toll it took on everything that resided within its walls. Many had died during that tragic war, and many parts of Pyromania that had fallen has since then been rebuilt. During the war the worst famine had struck the nation, leaving thousands to starve. But the worst of all the casualties in the war was the merciless torture conducted by the enemy onto the people. Many soldiers had fallen and suffered to this fate much like the civilians. The only difference between the two was that the civilians were helpless being weakened from hunger, and were slaughtered like cattle. After the war was finally over, leaving Pyromania as the victor thanks to the efforts of Kane, the nation had healed within two years. An astounding effort performed by the people who had praised Baal for giving them the strength and wisdom to rebuild more than half of their society.
But despite the nation healing so well, this did not mean that many were grateful towards Kane afterwards. The nation had just faced the worst war it had ever seen in its lifetime, and the reason as to why it started in the first place was because of the previous efforts made by Kane himself. Many people found it hard to forgive Kane after the war despite how he much he had participated in pushing the enemy back. He had started it after all, and he did not for one second blame them for how they had felt about him. Many had died because of him. It wasn't just the blood of soldiers Kane had on his hands, it was also the spilled blood of the weakened and tortured innocent people. And that was something he could not, and never could forgive himself for. This would be a matter that the people would not, and could never forget. He may have saved thousands of lives but he had also been a big part of the reason why thousands were also killed.
Despite this, Kane has been trying to remain focused on his job as the General, believe that this is the only thing he can do to hopefully appease the distrustful citizens he protects. And he was only able to do this with the job he has thanks to Baal's forgiveness and willingness to help him become a better person than he was before. And because of what Baal has done for him, Kane believed he is indebted to Baal, and he was content with this. But despite what he thinks Baal sees in him, he does not believe he could ever become a good person. While he is content with Baal for forgiving his past sins, he could not get over how the citizens refused to forgive him. Because of this he can never forgive himself. This job is all he is and all he ever will be in his life. And there is nothing that could change that.
“Knock-knock.”
"You may enter." Said Kane.
A Pyromanian Castle Guard entered, donning golden armor with Maroon lining underneath, saluting Kane before speaking. "General, Lord Baal requests your presence in the throne room immediately."
Kane glances to the soldier, then looks back to the window waving the soldier off with his left arm in acknowledgement. The soldier salutes once more and promptly exits the room. Kane took one last look out of the window, then turned and walked to the door, leaving his dormitory and making his way to the throne room.
Kane approached the two tall red iron doors to the throne room that both bore the symbol of Baal, The Mystical Sun. Kane stepped forward and pushed the doors open revealing a large room decorated in red and gold banners, some of which also bore The Mystical Sun symbol. Kane saw Baal, sitting in his throne with no one else present besides the two armored guards equipped with tall shields and golden spears. Baal’s appearance was absolutely breathtaking to anyone who had never seen a god before. Baal appeared as a massive, glowing yellow entity with no face, and was taller than even Kane, who was already taller than the most of everyone that resided in Pyromania. A sight that would leave anyone in awe, and slight confusion to see chandeliers and lanterns in a room that would glow bright enough to fill the room alone.
"Ah, there you are Kane." Baal said, delighted to see Kane. Kane entered the throne room, closing the iron doors behind him and approached the throne, bowing before Baal, kneeling on his right knee resting his right arm onto it and planting his left hand flat onto the floor, lowering his head. Kane raised his head and asked:
“You have called for me, Father?” Asked Kane, still bowing.
“Yes, Kane. You may rise." Said Baal, raising his right hand, gesturing Kane to stand, and Kane stood.
"Do you know why I have called you here today?" Baal asked gently.
"I would presume this is about my adjustment, Father?" Kane assumed.
"And how have you had been adjusting, Kane?" Baal asked with concern.
“…I…” Kane fumbles his words, as he could not directly answer that question.
"I presume your adjustment remained as null as always, Kane?" Asked Baal, while Kane remained silent. Baal sighed in disappointment. "I had thought as much... You haven't changed one bit ever since I've given you that position, Kane."
Kane, while still silent, continued to try find the words to explain himself.
"You do not need to speak any further. There was no need to anyhow." Baal said, disappointed. "I know it's been very difficult for you to adjust given the circumstances, Kane. And I'm sorry to admit this, but I'm afraid I no longer know what to do to help better yourself."
Baal wanted Kane to be happy and to move on from what happened in the past. Baal believes that what Kane had lacked was a friend. Never knowing loyalty and empathy, he would need someone to simply listen to and understand Kane for his experiences in his life. Baal has tried multiple times to introduce Kane to people who could relate to Kane's actions and share their experiences with him. But Kane would refuse to speak to or acknowledge these people, pushing them away out of fear and guilt and remain silent. Baal has even stressed that despite what the people see in Kane, Baal sees him more for what Kane thinks of himself and has emphasized repeatedly that he is a good person. But it never gets through to Kane.
Ever since the war had ended Baal has been summoning Kane to personally speak to him about how Kane has been developing himself mentally. Baal understood that because the many citizens of Pyromania resented his choice to appoint Kane as the General of the Pyromanian Army, it had been taking an emotional toll onto Kane despite how little Kane would show or speak this. Baal believes that because Kane refuses to forgive himself for his past actions, Kane could wear his mentality to the point where he could possibly take his path to self-destruction down a darker road than the one he had been on before.
“I’ve done everything that I can do for you here, Kane… I can no longer create any more solutions to help you better yourself. You've been determined to keep to yourself, disregarding everything I do for you to better yourself. I'm afraid that there is no solution here that can help you anymore." Baal said in disappointment.
"Do you remember the agreement that we have agreed to in order to allow you to remain in your Position, Kane?"
"... I do." Kane grudgingly admitted, lowering his head in shame knowing what was about to happen. Kane and Baal were silent for a moment.
"I have done all I can for you here, Kane. I'm sorry it has come to this." Baal stood from his throne, descending down the throne steps and stepped left. Stopping just ahead to Kane's right. "I am no longer able to do anything more for you here. But, that does not mean I am not able to do anything more for you someplace other than here." Baal said, facing away from Kane hands behind his back. Kane looked back up to Baal, confused.
"Kane, I wish to ask you one thing. And I will ask you only this once. Listen closely if you wish to." Baal said in a soft calming, but stern voice, turning back to Kane.
"Are you truly willing to change, Kane? Are you willing to change not for my people, and not for your own sake. But are you willing to change for me, your Father?" Baal asked in a stern but calm voice.
“Father, you know that I would do anything for you and your kind service.” Says Kane.
“And you mean in that in full sincerity, Kane?” Asked Baal, in the same voice.
"Of course, father.” Replied Kane. Baal is silent for a moment, then speaks once more.
“Kane, for the many years that you’ve been serving me I’ve noticed one thing about you while you have sulked. I’ve always seen you distancing yourself from everyone in the palace. Remaining silent when people attempt to talk with you. You’re always alone. Never speaking to anyone, always distancing yourself from everybody. Even ones that I’ve tried to have you talk to. You never speak to or listen to anyone’s words except for my own.” Baal paces to the left, stopping again.
“The reason why you’re like this has been obvious to me after watching you over the years. You’ve never had a friend. You’ve never had anyone to talk to, nobody to stand by your side through the most difficult times in your life. You have faced life all by yourself with no one helping you, believing that nobody would ever be there for you in your struggles of life. And that is one of the most emotionally damaging things that could happen to anybody.” Says Baal, while Kane listens intently but disingenuously. “To go through life without anyone there to assist you, will make you feel alone, Kane, and ultimately result in you shutting out all people who try to enter your life. And having nobody to share yourself with believing you’re the only person that has the pain that you bear is the most loneliest feeling in the world, my son. And not only can that burden hurt you, it can also kill you.”
Kane, having no words to refute this, remains silent.
“I obviously cannot help you here in this world, Kane. No matter how much I’ve pushed you to reach with people you could relate to. And no matter how many times I try to talk to you about this subject, it never seems to get through to you. And you continue to make no effort in bettering yourself. I know you think putting your job before everything else is your only purpose in life, Kane. But I promise you that there’s more to your life than just paying back your sins of the past that have already been forgiven. But you have never have forgiven yourself, and continue to do so by remaining here.” Baal, still looking towards Kane, is silent again for a moment, then speaks again.
“For the past three years, Kane, I have left this world for hours every day to search for a new world that you could start anew in. A world that could help you in your self-inflicting dilemma, and finally help you find peace in your life.” Said Baal. Kane tilted his head in confusion.
“You’ve left this world before? You're saying that there are more worlds out there?” Kane asked, bewildered. “And you say you are even able to travel to these... ‘other’ worlds?" Kane asked.
“Yes. I am indeed capable of such a process. How do you think I am able to reach paradise? There are billions of worlds that are far, far away from this one. And there are still more being created to this day. And I have searched very far and wide to find a world for you to be sent to, so that you can find someone that will share in your experiences, and accept you for who you are, Kane.” Says Baal as he turns from Kane and begins to excrete a green, plasmic energy from his right hand, thrusting it forward in front of him, creating a tall, green, circulating portal. "And after searching for quite some time, I have come across a world that I believe is a perfect fit for you. I believe this world can change you in ways that I and many others have not been able to." Baal said with enthusiasm
“But I will only send you to this world I have found for you, Kane, if, and only if you are absolutely willing to go and are willing to change not just for your people or for your own sake, but for me.” Baal says once more in a serious manner
Kane didn’t know what to think. Or even what to say for that matter. He has never expected an opportunity like this before. It had completely thrown him off guard. Kane knew Baal would do anything to try and help Kane. But Kane never imagine Baal doing something like this just to help him overcome his guilt. Kane has been the general for this nation for almost sixteen years now. Never once complained and never once regretted his choice to join. He has strong feelings for what he has done in his past, but chooses to internalize his emotions instead of confronting them. Nothing could stop him from hiding his pain from everyone, and continue to try over, over, and over again to redeem himself for the sins of his past, knowing no matter what he did he would never feel true forgiveness. But here he was, about to lose his position as General with the only redemption for his actions standing in front of him. A swirling turquoise portal waiting to take him to wherever it was Baal had picked out for him.
But why would Kane want something like this? He may not like the person that he is, but that didn't mean it had to matter what he thought. His job, above all else, was the most important thing in the world to him. It was his purpose. And Kane knew if he had throw himself away for the betterment of this nation. Even if it meant that he had to step down. And once he stepped down, his life would no longer have a purpose. Even if he were to accept this offer Baal has generously given him, his absence meant that he would no longer be the general of the Pyromanian Army. Kane knew that this plan Baal had laid out for him would not work, much like his previous plans from before. Either way, it was step down and lose all purpose in life, rotting away outside of Pyromania. Or leave this world to attempt, and ultimately fail in trying to change himself once more, leading him to come back home and lose his purpose, or be left in that world banished from his own world. It would be less of a waste of time if he had just told Baal that he would not go through with this pointless offer.
But the more Kane thought about where he has been for the past sixteen years, the more he realized that Baal is the only reason why he has purpose. Baal did not have to forgive Kane of his past. Baal could have cast Kane out, and left him to be fed to the enemy that he had been running from. Kane owes Baal his life, and this chance for that matter. Rejecting this offer that Baal had worked so hard for to give Kane a new chance. And is turning your own god down not the greatest sin to commit? To reject an offer so generously given to you by your god that has put so much faith in you? You wouldn't just be ruining yourself, you'd be ruining your god's plan. There was only one answer to this situation. One choice. It was very obvious. And after thinking long and hard, Kane finally reached his answer. He had stopped pacing and turned back to Baal
"I will do this. I will do this task for you, Father.” Said Kane.
And for the first time in years, Baal was surprised by what Kane had just said. He had not for one moment expected to see Kane accept something like this. An overwhelming sense of joy and relief rushed over Baal as he strode over to Kane and put his glowing hands on Kane’s shoulders.
“I can’t believe what I had just heard.” Said Baal, overwhelmed with joy. “Kane,I am so proud of you. I am so very proud. I can promise you that what you are doing here in this moment, my son, is going to be the biggest moment in your life. You are going to be very surprised by how much this choice will have changed you. You are taking the biggest step towards turning yourself into a better person. And I couldn't be more proud.” Baal said proudly.
Baal turned away, and outstretched his right arm, releasing a turquoise gaseous energy from the palm of its hand. The gas began to produce static, increasing the size of the bolt of the shocks with each strike it produced. Baal flicked his right hand forward, throwing the turquoise gas onto the ground which created a tall, turquoise spiraling portal in the throne room, with illuminating light rivaling Baal's own. Baal turned back to Kane putting his hands back on his shoulders.
“I cannot express how much faith you have made me put back into you, my son.” Baal said proudly. Baal took his hands off of Kane and pointed at the portal. “This portal here will take you to your new destination, Kane. And I promise you that it will change your life for the better.” Baal said excitedly.
Kane stepped toward the portal, stopping just in front of the large turquoise spiraling vortex. Before Kane stepped through, Baal had stopped him to offer one last bit of advice
“Wait, before you leave, Kane…” Baal had put his hand on Kane’s shoulder. “I want you to know this one thing before you begin your new adventure.”
“What is it, father?” Kane asked.
“This is important to remember so listen closely, Kane.” Said Baal. “I will not leave you entirely on your own in this journey. I will be watching over you in the form of the next world’s sun. I will not be there at all times as Pyromania still needs me to lead them. But I will be there watching over you as much as I can. And if you ever need to talk to me, just look towards the sun and I will be there.”
“I will, father…” Replied Kane.
Baal hugged Kane one last time, telling him: “Good luck, my son.” And released Kane from the hug.
Kane turned toward the portal, took a deep breath. "Time to start a whole new journey..." And stepped through the portal. Kane walked inside the portal and stopped to establish the environment. It was as if he was underneath a lake-bed with turquoise colored water with dancing lights all around, as if the sun were shining over the bottom of a lake. Kane continued to walk in awe of such a breathtaking sight. He continued to walk forward. As he walked farther and farther, he began to notice a small dot of light ahead of him that was growing bigger the farther he walked toward it. The bigger it became, the more intense the light had become. When Kane was close enough, the portal was the size of a cave entrance with the light blinding Kane. Kane covered his eyes with his right arm continuing forward as the light became more intense. And still, the light grew, and grew making Kane's effort to shield his eyes from the intensity. Still he pressed onward until the light had encased him entirely, blinding him for a short while.
Within that short while, Kane could not move until he noticed the light began to slowly fade. As it continued to fade, Kane felt his hair move to his right shoulder... as if there was... "wind." He could feel it flowing through his hair. The light has completely faded now, revealing in front of Kane a grassy field with dandelions scattered among the field. A little farther ahead was what appeared to be a cliff with a tree on the right edge. And peaking slightly above the cliff were the bushes of more trees ahead. To Kane's left and right was a forest filled with trees that bore a striking resemblance to the trees that were back home. "And there's the first sign. I'm no longer at home." Nothing left to do now except to investigate what's over the cliff across from him.
As Kane attempted to take his first step, he had immediately lost his balance and collapsed.
“What the hell…?” Kane thought to himself, wondering how in the world he could have possibly tripped. In fact, the way he had fell had felt… off. His arms could not catch him properly and felt… out of place? Kane lifted his head and looked down to his… his...
"What in the name of Baal am I looking at?" Kane thought, off-put by his sudden... 'change' in nature. His arms were no longer his arms at all. They seemed to resemble… fore-legs? Like the legs of a horse. He looked down to his other pair of legs. They too were no longer his ordinary legs, but were now hind legs. He had noticed that his fur was a dark red, too. Maroon colored to be precise. He looked further down his body. He was still wearing his normal attire, but it had morphed to fit his new body. And at the end of his body, he noticed hair coming off of his rear end. Was… was this his… tail?
"If this is some form of a joke to Baal, I am going to be absolutely livid..." Kane angrily thought.
He moved over to his belly and had attempted to stand.
PLOP.
He had immediately fell again. Kane's anger was beginning to build. If he was really going to be forced to remain in this for, he was definitely going to need to take some practice getting used to walking on four legs. He attempted to stand once more, lifting himself. He was trembling as he rose trying to balance himself, and fell once more. This new requiried balance was unbelievably hard to control. After several attempts of trying to get up and failing, he had finally managed to stand successfully. Now came the next step... walking. He felt like an annoyed infant trying to open a baby-proof doorknob with its feet.
He took a careful step forward and...
PLOP.
He fell again. After continued multiple attempts to stand and walk properly, he was able to manage to take a few steps. He took a three steps forward without managing to fall. So far so good. Kane then began to walk very carefully towards the edge of the cliff. As he walked, row of trees full of strange red circles began to come into view. Once Kane had successfully approached the cliff, he stood at the edge to scan the rest of his surroundings. Just below the small edge was a dirt road leading to a small town near with a bridge crossing over a nearby river. The color of the town was certainly strange. He has never seen a town with white and pink colors before. Ahead of him was a farm, containing more of the trees that bore more of the strange fruits.
"Is this where Baal wants me to go?" Kane curiously thought, looking towards the small town. There was only one way to find out. But before he could continue, he would need to overcome his next great challenge. Getting down from the cliff. Oh boy...
Kane walked around the cliff, and attempted to slowly make his way down the side, making sure not to trip once more. He took one small step with his right leg, er… hoof, and had mis-stepped, causing him to fall forward and roll down the small steep hill onto the dirt road. Kane growled out of pure, raw annoyance. This was not for one second entertaining to him.
"I swear on the cursed children of this world, if I fall in this ridiculous form one more time..." Kane angrily thought as he grunted from picking himself up again. Kane then made his way down the dirt road towards the strange town to see if that was the place Baal had intended Kane to go. If so, what would Kane even find in there? Hopefully nothing too out of the ordinary. As Kane crossed the bridge rising over the small river, he noticed a sign that read 'Welcome to Ponyville!'
"Ponyville...?" Kane looked towards the town, and noticed multiple multi-colored horses walking to and fro, moving about their day through stores and vendors. A look of pure confusion swept over Kane underneath his mask. Seeing this certainly would explain why he was a horse in the first place, but thinking about this setting is what really baffled him. Did these strange horses actually build this town? And if so, how in the world did they do this. Kane then noticed a few shadows passing the ground ahead with no sign of the source on the ground. He looked up and noticed two horses flying away in different directions.
"Are... are those what I think they are...?" Kane had thought to himself, becoming more bewildered by the minute.
"This world is becoming stranger by the second..." Kane thought agitatedly.
Kane walked past the sign and into this strange new town, not knowing what else to expect from this strange yet ridiculous world
---  
It was a partly cloudy and busy afternoon in Ponyville and all the ponies were setting up decorations and vending stands around town to celebrate the big parade that is going to be taking place tomorrow. Twilight Sparkle was inside the Golden Oak Library preparing to leave and make the final preparations and do one last check-up on the decorations around Ponyville. Noticing that her assistant, Spike, was once again taking his time, she called out to him so that they could both leave on time.
“Spiiike! Hurry up, we’re going to be late for the our final inspections for the big parade!” Twilight said, calling out to Spike
“I’m coming, I’m coming! Sheesh.” Said Spike, walking down the stairs of the library as he notices Twilights new dangerously overstuffed saddle-packs full of notes and blueprints for the parade.
“Wait you got another saddle-pack? It’s not gonna explode like last time, is it?” Spike worriedly said
“Not this time, Spike. I made extra special sure that these ones wouldn’t break on me this time. Rarity made these ones to take extra baggage with a special new lining to ensure that they hold all of the blueprints!” Twilight said with confidence. Before Twilight opened the door, she noticed one more scroll containing blueprints for the Town Hall's decorations.
"Oh! I almost forgot this one!" Twilight used her magic to grab one more scroll off her desk, opened the latch to her saddle-pack and the papers inside went flying everywhere. Spike groaned knowing that he would have to clean these up as soon as he and Twilight got home.
“Ugh, there you go overdoing it again Twilight.” Groaned Spike.
“Hee… sorry Spike.” Said Twilight as she lifted the papers with her magic and attempted to shove them into her saddle-packs with no success.
"Aargh! It's no use, I don't have time to re-organize these, we're going to be late at this rate."
“Why do you need all of these papers anyway? Most of Ponyville has been decorated, and you've already triple checked every corner yesterday.” Spike mentions, as he hops onto Twilight’s back.
“Princess Celestia is going to be attending the parade this year, Spike. We’ve got to make sure everything is perfect when she arrives!” Twilight exclaims as she and Spike leave the library.
“But what’s the big deal? Everything already looks great, why would you want to keep worrying about how these silly decorations look? Spike asks.
“They’re not silly Spike, they’re necessary. And not just because Princess Celestia is coming to Ponyville. There are going to be reporters coming in from all over Equestria to follow Princess Celestia. And because of that, we'll want to make Ponyville look as spectacular as possible so that everypony in Equestria visits.” Twilight explains.
“Okay I get that, but all of this just so that more ponies visit this place? Sheesh.” Spike exhales. “But wait, isn’t Ponyville already crowded as it is? I mean this place has already gotten as big as it is ever since we’ve defeated Discord. I don’t know why anypony would want to live here after that big ruckus.”
“It’s also more than just that. Ponyville's economy-”
“HEEEEEY TWILIIIIGHT!” Exclaims Pinkie jumping out from a nearby bush startling Twilight and Spike, causing Spike to fall off of Twilight.
“Oh! Pinkie! You startled me!” Said Twilight.
“Oops! Hee hee! Sorry about that Twilight, I’m just sooo excited for the big parade tomorrow!” Says Pinkie Pie excitedly.
“Really? I couldn’t tell. Oof…” Says Spike sarcastically, getting off from the ground back onto Twilight’s back.
“You couldn’t?!” Exclaimed Pinkie, immediately appearing in front of Spike’s face. “How could you not tell, Spike? Everything’s going so wonderfully with the decorations and Ponyville looks sooo partyrific with all the decorations, and the bridges are looking so bspectacularly spectacular with all the pink and purple balloons…” Said Pinkie Pie, bouncing around excitedly.
“AndthefountaincouldntbeanymoredecoratedwithcandystandsandapplestandsandhasApplejack toldyouabouthtenewapplefrittersandapplecidersshe’sputtingoutfortheparadetomorrowthey’re superduperyummyand-…”
“Okay, okay Pinkie! One at a time!” Said Twilight, giggling at Pinkie’s usual energetic ways.
The two ponies then wandered off towards the town hall to make one last check on the decorations being put up there, all the while Pinkie Pie continued to excitedly and rapidly talk about how amazingly amazing the last decorations being put up for the parade was going.
Kane continued to walk through the many streets of Ponyville flabbergasted by how these horses not only knew how to put up decorations on their own buildings and let alone build a town, but they also knew how to speak in his language. And much to his surprise, there were not only just the ordinary horses and pegasi trotting about. There were also unicorns. While this world still had seem ridiculous to him, he was still fascinated that these creatures had actually existed. Back in Pyromania, they were mere fabrications in fairy tales, but to actually see that these creatures not only existed, but they also collaborated with each other and learned to construct this town. It was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Were the more town's like this in this world?
But Kane wasn’t the only one ogling these strange creatures. The moment that he had entered town, he had seen these horses, pegasi, and unicorns look at him strangely. And some, fearfully. Most note-ably the smaller horses. The foals. The most noticeable difference between Kane and these creatures was that he was bigger than most of these ponies. These horse’s heights reached up to Kane’s lower neck, but no taller. He was one of the biggest horses to have entered the town. Not to mention his uniform made him stand out among all the other horses. Especially his mask Kane’s red and black uniform and his red mask was nothing short of a frightening sight. It’s no wonder these horses were looking at him with estranged and frightful faces. He looked like a monster. He even made some of the foals cry once they had looked at him. Especially the ones that had come across his glance up close. His left eye being a gorgeous blue, while his right was missing its iris, leaving only the pupil.
After half an hour of walking through this small town with many of these horses looking at Kane with fear and suspicion, he eventually came across the middle of the town where the town hall resided. Kane stood and looked at the building from a distance, observing the pegasi and earth ponies decorate the town hall. It continued to fascinate Kane that these creatures knew how to construct buildings, and even decorate for that matter. With nothing better to do, Kane walked closer to the building, then began to pace around the building, observing the details in the building. A fascinating sight. These horses had a good idea of architecture, that's for certain.
“Welp, I need to go back to Sugarcube Corner and bake more cupcakes for the parade tomorrow! See ya later Twilight!” Said Pinkie Pie excitedly as she bounced off to Sugarcube Corner.
“Goodbye Pinkie!” Said Twilight waving goodbye to Pinkie Pie.
“Alright, only one last thing to check, then we can head to the fountain to make one last checkup. Then we’ll be done and ready for the parade tomorrow!” Said Twilight estatically.
“Yawn… finally. We’ve been out here for hours.” Said Spike, stretching and exhausted from being bored to absolute boringly deathly deathliness.
“Mmhm… mhm…. Aaand check! That’s everything for the town hall! Now for the rest of the town.” Said Twilight trotting away from the Town Hall, quadruple checking her checklist.
“Could we stop by somewhere and grab some gems? I’m getting pretty hungry…”
“OOF!” Twilight said as she bumped into somepony
“Wooah! Woooaah!” Spike yelled as he fell off of Twilight's back. “Auughh! This is the fourth time today!” Spike groaned in annoyance.
“Ouch! Could you please watch where you’re-…” Said Twilight, looking up to see a huge red colt standing before her, with a frightening mask. Twilight gulped.
“W-…woah… who is that?” Said Spike whispering frighteningly to Twilight.
“Uuhh… h-hello, m-mister…” Said Twilight stuttering from fear. The large colt didn’t reply. He continued to stare unintentionally coldly at Twilight.
“Uhh… I don’t think he’s from around here Twilight… have you seen this pony before?” Spike whispered to Twilight, still frightened by the appearance of this giant colt.
“N-no, I sure haven’t…” Twilight whispered to Spike, who too was also frightened.
Twilight cleared her throat “Um… h-hi! My name is… uh… Twilight Sparkle! A-and this is my assistant, Spike.” Said Twilight hesitantly while standing up straight.
“What are you doing?! Don’t introduce him to me! What if he tries to kill me?!” Whispers Spike.
“Don’t be rude, Spike! I don’t like the looks of this guy either but we don’t want to make him angry and then have him kill us, right?!” Whispered Twilight. The big, red pony continued to stare silently at Twilight and Spike.
“S-so! Are you from around here mister…?” Twilight asked hoping to get this scary colt’s name. The colt continued to stare silently.
“Yeesh! What’s with this pony’s eye?! It’s all white and stuff!” Whispered Spike, as he got back onto Twilight’s back.
“Quiet, Spike! You’re not helping!” Twilight whispered harshly.
“W-well! I uh… have to… keep checking on the uh… decorations and whatnot mister…” Said Twilight nervously. “Sooooo… I’m gonna… keep doing that. You uh… keep doing whatever it is that you were doing before. Um… goodbye, mister! Hehehee…” Said Twilight as she trotted away nervously.
“These creatures are ponies? That explains their small stature. That… pony... said her name was Twilight Sparkle? These creatures have strange, simple names. I can’t believe this is where Baal wanted me to go…” Kane thought to himself.
“Sheesh! What’s with that guy?! And why is he all… scary lookin’? He creeps me out.” Said Spike.
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen that pony around here before. And his appearance is rather… disturbing. I hope he doesn’t mean any trouble.” Said Twilight concerningly.
"And did you see how tall he was?! He's almost as big as Princess Celestia! ... Hey, o you think it’s weird that he’s showed up a day before Princess Celestia comes to Ponyville, Twi?” Asked Spike.
“That’s a good point, Spike… I don’t know who are what that pony is, but he could be trouble. Maybe I should write to Princess Celestia about this, or at least ask other ponies about wether they've seen this pony first.” Said Twilight.
“I don’t care if that pony has been around for one minute. I’d sure tell the princess about him. He’s all kinds of creepy and suspicious. He didn’t even say a word! And what was with that costume he was wearing? What kind of pony dresses like that? That’s bound to leave some alarm bells ringing with anypony!” Said Spike.
“You’re right. I’ll go around town and ask any of the other ponies if they’ve seen him before.” Said Twilight. "Hm... but there are ponies here from all over Equestria today. It's very possible that he's just here for the parade... Add that to the fact that I haven't even seen any ponies that dressed like him..." Twilight said aloud, pondering about the strange colt. While Twilight was thinking, Spike notices some rain clouds in the distance coming towards Ponyville.
“Uh oh. I think Ponyville might get a little wet before the parade tomorrow, Twi.” Says Spike.
“What?! Of all times?! Ugh, I hope it doesn’t rain too hard, then. It might ruin the decorations we have set up…” Said Twilight. Twilight continued to walk to around Ponyville to begin asking questions about the strange, new colt in town.
Author's Note
Re-edited and saved on March 10th, 2017
Twilight finishes the finalizations of tomorrow’s parade without any setbacks. But with a strange, new scary looking pony in town she becomes concerned about where this pony is from and why he's here. Next time in Chapter Two, Twilight asks around ponyville asking everypony if they've seen the red pony around before in Chapter Two: A Strange, New Masked Face.
Well, there you have it. First chapter. Re-edited. Hope you still somewhat enjoyed it. And if you still didn’t, well I'll have a reason to furiously cry and cut myself in the corner of my room! And it's totally not just because I want my story to get attention!
A joke, people. It's a joke. See you next time in Chapter 2.