It was well past midnight when Gustav finished the paperwork. He stood with a ragged sigh, stretching his tired.frame,popping his back with a roll of his broad shoulders. He picked up his briefcase, threw his torn jacket over himself, and loosened his tie. He ascended the stairs into the empty office, pausing to look over the rows of cubicles in the moonlight as music from the jazz club across the street filled the air.

Briefly, he wondered what it was like, to be one of them. A normal pony, going to work everyday, getting older. Not having to bear the weight of uncountable sins on their backs. He thought back to his first day in this world, how everything seemed so innocent.
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A thousand years ago

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Gustav Hendriksson sighed, stretching as he stood, looking out of the window of his corner office. It was late, as it always was when he left. One didn't become an executive in the largest high-rise outside of new york without effort. He knew a lot about effort. Watching his dad try and build a life as an immigrant in the 30's and 40's, struggling to survive as he stumbled from job to job, and bar to bar, taught him what rock bottom was. Lying about his age to enlist in january of '42? Taught him how to be a man. Charging up a beach in France at 17 years old, taught him about loss and regret, as well as perseverance and determination. Catching a bullet in the knee taught him his most important lesson. He wasn't immortal.

Gustav sighed again, locking up his office, greeting the night guard. He didn't know why he bothered working so late anymore. For awhile, he did it so his wife and son could live the life he never had. He and his wife split up after 13 years, because he was never home. It was a civil divorce, and they stayed in contact, but there was no love there. His boy had grown distant, and ran off to california in a van smelling of reefer and patchouli oil.

"I guess it gives me something to do. Some way to feel useful" he mumbled aloud, lost in his thoughts as he stepped outside. He was greeted by a foul stench and a body slamming into him.

"Oh, I'm s-so sorry *Hic* pal..., tryin' ta get home, bu' I gots a couple of drinksss in me *Burp*" his attacker Mumbled, grinning stupidly as he tried to focus his eyes. He was a big man, hairy, dressed in ratty clothes. quite obviously homeless.

"Its fine. No harm done, Good night" Gustav said, Ever polite. He knew just how easy it was for a man to fall into the bottle. He'd watched it happen to his dad, and several buddies from the army. He turned to walk towards his car when the big mans hand stopped him.

"H-hey *hic* Buddy. You believe i-i-in magic?" the homeless man surred, swaying as he grinned, revealing rotten teeth.

Gustav pushed the guys hand off his shoulder. "No, and I think you should go, before I call security" Gustav said, his hand reaching for the hidden .45 he kept on his person. It was entirely legal, he had permits. He'd only ever had to draw it to end a fight maybe once, so he only carried on magazine.

"Jeez pal..I just wanted to show you a magic trick" The big man slurred, raising his hands to show he meant no harm. "S-see, I found something when I was in Europe back durin' the war. Something that got me a section 8 when I tried to tell my LT about it." He said, pulling out what looked like some kind of tattered book. The swastika and eagle barely visible against the stained, worn leather.

"I'm not interested, especially in anything those crazy krauts had something to do with." Gustav growled, turning around. "Hey, Dimitri! Could you 'escort' this drunk off the property? I'll get you a bonus."

he man had flipped open the book, and began chanting in horribly accented German. A toxic looking green mist billowed from the book as gustav turned back around.

"What the fuck?!" he hissed, drawing his gun as the security guard arrived.

"Cyka Blyat!" the security guard breathed, crossing himself. "Mister Hendriksson! We must go! I not being paid enough for this!"

Gustav looked at the large russian, a man who had often told stories of his time in the red army, and had stood up against three armed robbers in the past and saw fear. "Agreed, Run!" he shouted, Squeezing off a shot at the homeless man, who was now rising in the air, light and green smoke pouring from him as he chanted and laughed insanely. The bullet slammed into the man's chest, knocking him to the ground, interrupting whatever spell he was preparing. There was a bright flash, and dimitri turned to see gustav trip. Before he could help the other man though, there was an explosion of sound and blinding smoke and fire, leaving only scorch marks and a confused looking homeless man and security guard.

Gustav felt as though he were being torn apart as everyting blurred and rushed around him. He saw that which cannot, nor should not ever be, that which may come, and a million horrible truths. These were promptly forgotten as madness took hold, and that was forgotten as well, as sanity returned. Soon, Gustav found himself in a meadow, surrounded by plains on all sides. Everything hurt, he was hungry, exhausted, and confused. all he had was his dirty suit, his gun, and his wallet. As he looked around, he soon found himself staring at what looked like a marching column of troops...but all of them were small technicolored pony-looking things. Behind them, thousands of wagons, being drawn by similar creatures. Others flew by on massive wings, towing clouds. as he stared in awe, he felt something sharp dig into his back.

"Claws in the air creature, else things get rough. Turn around slowly"

Gustav swallowed, raising his arms above him, with his hands open. Turning slowly, he found himself staring at a pair of the creatures, one with a white coat and pink mane, and broad wins, pointing a spear at him, and a darker blue one with just a horn, which was glowing menacingly. Both were well armored.

"Um, hello. I don't suppose you know the way to get to Fayetteville?" Gustav asked, trying to wrap his head around this. He was either dreaming, or the homeless man had drugged him. Maybe both. It was only this thought that kept him from a complete breakdown. Things were finally getting interesting.

Present

Gustav smiled slightly as he walked down the darkened canterlot streets, heading towards his apartment. Morning dew was right, he needed a break. He was getting sentimental in his old age.

Author's Note

Listened to green in blue by miles davis while writing this. You now have an approximate age and time period for Gustav. See if you can guess his age.