Cold
Raven Damien Berglund was cold standing outside inside the con. The temperatures were sweltering outside but when he was inside, his lightweight Blackwatch Genji costume didn't keep him warm, specifically the left side of his chest. His left nipple had gained the ability to cut glass. He cursed Jeff Kaplans left nipple fetish silently. He could only sigh as fellow cosplayers hustled around him, holding their loot, taking pictures and talking with other cosplayers, and of course standing in lines. Raven had thought being around his fellow nerds would be therapeutic, but instead his head was filled with the memory of his best friends disappearance. Nicholas Devin Taylor had disappeared at a con three years ago today, a fact Raven resented. The Genji cosplayer shook his head, Nick wouldn't want him to be down while he was surrounded by all these people, he'd want him to be happy. To honor his friends probable wishes, Raven perked up and resumed wandering around the comic con.
It wasn't long until Raven was conversing with a small girl cosplaying as D.Va, the two laughing like hyenas at some of their unfortunate mishaps in Videogames. After snapping a picture together, the D.Va cosplayer left to meet her friends. Raven smiled under his mask, watching the girl happily stroll off when suddenly something tapped him on the shoulder. He spun around startled, and was faced with an almost surreal looking Merchant cosplay from the Resident Evil Series staring him down with a piercing but curious gaze. Raven stood staring for a moment, neither attendee speaking until Raven broke the ice.
"Can I help you?" Raven asked slowly, confused. Another moment of silence fell upon the two before the merchant opened his jacket like he were dealing drugs. Instead of Meth-Amphetamine or Crack-Cocaine, laid an impossible number of props for the size of the jacket. Raven was instantly intrigued. The Merchant finally spoke after a chuckle.
"I was simply here to see if you may be interested in my wares? Yes?" The man said, in a low tone smooth voice. Ravens eyes darted around the jacket until they landed on the jackpot. Three Genji throwing stars, to scale, and for specifically a Blackwatch Genji cosplay.
"How much for those Blackwatch Genji throwing stars? I didn't have enough time before the con to get my hands on some...." Raven said moving his gaze back to the merchant, who closed his eyes for a second and smiled under his mask (which Raven couldn't see).
"300$." The man said confidently, holding his hand out, his eyes still closed, waiting for a nice cash prize.
"Fuck no!" Pierced his ears a second later, which caused the merchants eyes to fire open. He was stunned for a second, almost in disbelief.
"I'm sorry what?" The Merchant asked dumbfounded, which elicited a mumble under Ravens breath.
"What do you think I am? An ATM? Those shurikans are nice, and look great, and I get you're trying to make a profit but who the actual fuck do you think is going buy something they can find online for less than half that price?" Raven ranted to the Merchant, who frowned and rolled his eyes.
"115?" The merchant offered, a hint of frustration in his voice, as he had never had to OFFER a lower price to anyone, nor had he ever been ranted on. Raven looked like he was about to slap a bitch. The Genji cosplayer took a deep breath, but instead of exploding he let out a deep sigh and replied,
"Fuck it, 115 it is." Before forking over the cash, and being handed a nice set of Nihon throwing stars. Raven admired them for a second but when he went to look back at the Merchant to say something, the man was already gone. "Douchebag..." Raven muttered before slipping the shurikans into their regular gameplay positions, as Raven was finally ready to conquer the comic con. "Shit... I'm not feeling too well..." Raven said, as a cold sweat enveloped him and his legs grew weak. Raven stumbled his way over to a wall, and tried to lean on it. But in return his eyelids became heavy and his legs gave out, and he lost all control in his arms. With nothing to break his fall Raven hit his head hard, and fell unconscious.
Ravens eyes opened, and he was greeted with text surrounding his vision, and a red tint to the world around him as he was stuck on his back looking up at the sky. Raven seemed to try to focus on the text for what seemed like hours, but he could only assume his eyes were dilated, as that was the only other time something like this had occurred. Raven then realized he wasn't at the con anymore, instead in the wilderness if the trees looming over him said anything, and then the worst thing of all hit him. Raven couldn't feel his arms or legs. Panicking Raven started flailing around, but the sight of his arms and legs only panicked him more. They were entirely robotic except for one, left arm. His right arm had large scars running along its length, and that's when it suddenly occurred to Raven he couldn't feel because his limbs were cybernetic because he had been placed in Genji's position. Raven had a complete meltdown, and between cries of desperation and falling over everytime he got up he could only feel helpless. In an instant he had been stripped of 90% of his humanity and flung into a place he did not recognize.
It was too much for the poor nerd to bear and after toppling over for at least the thirteenth time, attempted to curl into a ball to cry as hard as possible. It seemed like the poor con attendee turned cyborg cried for hours, the sun rays between the trees forming a circle around him. Even after the crying stopped, Raven sat there for a long while, his head spinning, trying to wrap around the fact he was now mostly robotic and far from any place he knew. After an unknown amount of time passed, Raven finally made a calm focused attempt to stand and walk with his new limbs. After nearly falling a few times the ex-pure human fell into a comfortable rhythm moving forwards and didn't stop for anything.
Raven seemed to block out all sound around him, and became a driven force. If the cyborg was being honest, he felt alive. Adrenaline rushed through what he could only assume were artificial veins as he began to "feel" his new limbs. He did not tire of walking and dared to make it a sprint, yet he did not tire, he could not tire his artificial limbs. And then he broke into a run, and the reality of the situation left his mind. He could "feel" the wind hit him, as he ran faster than Usain Bolt and nothing would slow him down.
"WOOOOHOOOOO!" Raven cried out stopping suddenly when he realized he had made it to the exit of the forest, and his euphoric state shattered when reality and right back down on him. A town lingered in the distance, but unlike any Raven had seen in person. Thatched roofs, the wood and all it's saw marks put together, and nothing electronic that Raven could see.
"Jag är så knullad..." Raven said in Swedish. His family was from Sweden and could be traced back to the Scandinavian Viking age, and he had made an attempt to learn it, but failed miserably and ended up only knowing a select few phrases he deemed necessary. Raven began to scan around his environment, and spotted a large cabin in the distance. It was covered in leaves almost looking like a tree with a bridge that went over a small groove in the ground with a tiny stream. Raven froze, his famous inability to choose what to do taking hold. Should he stay where he way? Should he go to the town? Should he go to the cottage? Raven pondered on this for a hot minute before deciding the cottage would be his best course of action. He stalked slowly over to it, and noticed a growing crowd of small animals watching him. Ignoring the feeling in his gut he approached the door which got smaller as he got closer to the point he had to crouch to knock.
"Hello? Who's there?" Came a faint feminine voice from the other side of the door. Raven pondered this for a moment, quickly whipping up a half truth.
"I'm an adventurer, and I'm lost... could you help me?" He asked waiting for a response, swiveling his head nervously from side to side. Suddenly the clicking of hooves came from inside and the door opened revealing a small butter colored pegasus with a soft pink Mane who looked up at Ravens red eyes and intimidating stature freezing instantly. "No don't be afraid I won't hurt-" Raven was cut off as she let out a very loud EEP! Hiding behind her mane and suddenly much to Ravens Shock heard a bear growl from his left as it came barreling around the side of the cottage and lunged at Raven. Raven raised his arms to cover himself as the Bear toppled him over and began howling and trying to maul him. Not knowing his own strength Raven put a foot on the apex predators belly and pushed with all his might sending the bear flying nearly seven feet in the air in a wide arc. It landed with a splash in the stream below in the groove, and Raven got up to brush himself off. The little butter colored pegasus looked at him horrified, and suddenly before he could say anything a moving living rainbow came firing from the sky and hammered him so hard in the chest he went crashing through the wall of the cottage.
"Okay..." he wheezed, attempting to get up but falling down again, "I felt that..."
"Fluttershy! Are you okay? Did that freak hurt you?" A raspy voice that was female but could pass for male sounded out. It was followed by silence then something faint Raven couldn't make out. Silence overtook the area as Raven shakily stood, looking to see another pegasus with a cyan coat and rainbow mane. He realized they were distracted, and knowing he would be attacked again if he tried to talk to them, his stressed and panicked mind kicked into survival mode and he ran. It wasn't long until the Rainbow pegasus caught on and said something to her friend before taking off after Raven and gaining scarily fast. Raven panicked even more and since he wasn't looking tripped over a rock and down a steep hill as the rainbow pegasus flew right through where he had been just a second ago, while he was now instead rolling down a hill at high velocity hitting the ground hard. Not willing to be caught so easily Raven scampered to his feet, and continued his mad dash away. Had he not been granted the new cybernetic body he would've been mauled to death by the bear or K.O'd or even killed when he was slammed through the wall. Raven finally made it to the cover of an apple tree orchard, taking cover behind a tree saying all his prayers as his mind raced 1,000 miles a minute. Raven slumped down against the tree and let out a sharp breath in a land that was not his own, with only his own wit and his new body to sustain him.
With a cracking voice he spoke softly,
"I'm so fucked...."
Applejack wiped some sweat from her brow with a hoof, flicking it away as she contently watched the apples fall into the two baskets neatly. It was always a nice treat when no apples decided to fall out of the basket the farm mare thought to herself. It was nearly time for her to take a break and get some food.
"Maybe ah' could get ah' bite to eat with the gurls..." Applejack said to herself quietly, as it had been a long time since she'd gone to a restaurant to eat or hang out with her friends in general. It was then the farm mare heard a faint noise coming from her left. Looking in the direction something white was sprinting in the distance, and didn't seem to see her so she ducked behind a tree peeking out to monitor its position. Upon getting a good look at the creature Applejack was taken aback, it was slender but built with what seemed to be dark black skin with hints of silver and even tan, with red glowing eyes. As the element of honesty she had no regret in saying it looked straight from Tartarus. As it approached she stepped out from behind ye tree and said sternly "Ah'm gonna have ta' ask you ta' stop right there whatever yu' are."
Following the command it stopped and slid to a halt. The thing began staring her down, which was making her nervous, but she managed to keep up a tough facade. But then much to her surprise it spoke, with worry in its voice.
"Are you going to attack me too?" It asked, gaining some sympathy from AJ that she brushed away quickly.
'Can't trust this thing just yet Applejack' She thought to herself, before responding calmly.
"Nah I won't, naht unless ya' attack me." The Farm mares eyes stayed locked on the creature as it seemed to relax, "Now ah, if ya don't mind me asking what are ya' and why are you in my family's orchard?"
"Can we talk somewhere more secluded? There's a rainbow pegasus hunting me right now..."
"Rainbow Dash? What'd you do to get her to attack you? Then again... it don't take much..." Applejack replied, shaking her head as memories flooded it of brawls the two had in the past. The creature checked the skies again before replying.
Raven was lucky that the orange pony hadn't attacked on sight, but he knew he would have to keep moving in order to not get caught by the rainbow pegasus, who he had just found out was named Rainbow Dash.
"I can only assume she assumed I was attacking a pony named... Fluttershy... I was only asking for help and the she freaked out and then a bear attacked me and I defended myself and then 'Rainbow Dash' attacked me, and I ran... that's why I'm here... but seriously I need shelter." Raven said again nervously checking the skies... again. He watched the orange pony ponder it for a few moments before looking at him with her big green eyes, reminding Raven of his mother with the way she looked at him.
"Yeah let's get you ta' the barn, ah'll get all my friends and let them know yer friendly. By the way, the names Applejack and to answer your question yer in Ponyville, in Equestria." Applejack said beckoning for Raven to follow her. He did so cautiously, looking around every now and then.
"Uh... my names Raven, I'm not-" Raven couldn't finish.
"From around here? Ah could tell, just by the way ya' looked. Never seen anything like ya, Twilights gonna have a field day with that... Anyways if ya ain't from round these parts then... where are ya from?" Applejack asked as a house next to a barn came into view not to far up ahead. Raven let out a deep breath as the two entered the barn.
"Have you ever heard of a place called Earth?"
"Ah'm afraid I haven't."
Raven cringed at this notion.
"Well... I'm from a place called Earth, probably a completely different planet... I live in the United States of America in a state called Massachusetts." The cyborg said, tapping his foot. Applejacks brow raised as gears began turning in her head.
"Massatusitts? Massachasaats? Masachosoots?" AJ said, spectacularly failing at saying Massachusetts, clearly getting frustrated before giving up and saying, "Alright, ah'm gonna go get mah friends. Wait. Here. Do NOT go anywhere. Got me?"
Raven gave a quick nod, knowing the farm pony meant business if he stepped a foot out of the barn. He intently watched her as she stepped out, and then silence inside the massive structure. He stood there for several minutes making random noises with his arms crossed, before looking up.
"I wonder..."
Applejack knocked again at Twilights castle door, a frustrated looking Rainbow Dash and scared Fluttershy behind her.
"Twilight! Open up! It's Applejack!" AJ shouted, letting out a huff as she waited for the princess to hurry up and get to the door. Rainbow went to say something but never got the chance to, "Dash if ah' hear another word about beating him up because he's 'obviously an evil monster' ah'm going to beat YOU up." AJ said giving Dash a sideways glance which caused Dash to shrink down and give an awkward smile. Applejack looked back up as Twilight finally answered the door.
"Sorry girls, still working on getting across the castle fast... anyways what did you need me for?" Twilight asked, un frazzling her mane. Rainbow Dash attempted to speak before Applejack.
"There's this freaky aggressive monster-"
"DASH! What did ah' say?" Applejack snapped at Rainbow, giving her a dirty look. Dash rolled her eyes.
"A monster? Girls what are you talking about?" Twilight asked confused, "Did it hurt anypony?"
"No Twi, it didn't. It was jus' a big misunderstanding, and it's not a monster, it's just ta' foreign creature." Applejack said looking at the alicorn, "Its back at the barn, ah'm gathering all the girls to introduce them to him. But SOMEPONY won't let go of the idea that he's an evil monster here to destroy Ponyville" Finished Applejack, frowning.
"Foreign creature? Are you sure you don't know what it is? Fluttershy, have you ever seen something like it before?" Twilight asked grabbing a quill, ink, and paper before closing the door behind her as the group headed for Sugar Cube Corner.
"No Twilight... I-I haven't... Never... I haven't even s-seen something of its size with such strength or speed..." The anxiety riddled pegasus replied.
"Wait strength? What did happen?" Twilight inquired, looking at Fluttershy, instead Rainbow Dash speaking up.
"It beat up Harry the Bear and was about to beat up Fluttershy if I hadn't shown up!" The fastest pegasus in Equestria said confidently. Applejack looked like she was about to explode.
"Dash ya' need to clean up yer preconceived notion that HE. Yes it is a HE. Not an IT. Was going to attack Fluttershy. He showed no aggression toward me, when he easily coulda' beat me up while we were alone in the orchard. He only displayed self defense when Harry attacked him, not malice." AJ ranted, as the group finally made it to Sugar Cube Corner. As AJ raised her hoof to open the door a voice rang out behind them.
"HEY GUYS! Whatcha doing here?" Pinkie shouted springing up behind the group startling them all. She gave a big white smile towards the group, waiting for a response.
"Ya got a new... friend ta meet, we all do." Applejack explained, "He's back at ta' barn. We just need Rarity and y'all can meet him. There was a bit of a misunderstanding, but that's all resolved now, right Rainbow?" The farm mare finished, turning to face Dash.
"Yeah I guess..." muttered Rainbow, frowning and crossing her hooves as she hovered in place. A loud gasp broke the silence.
"A NEW FRIEND?! I NEED TO GET A WELCOME TO PONYVILLE PARTY READY-"
"Later Pinkie, we need ya ta meet him first." Applejack spoke with a chuckle at her eccentric friends usual antics. Pinkie deflated for a second, before poof-ing right back up.
"Okie Dokie Lokie!" The Pinkie party pony responded excitedly, bouncing on her tail rather than walking while the group started the trek to the Carousel Boutique. Not much was said between the group as they approached their second to last destination.
Raven had finally done it, finally after many failed attempts and falls, he had made it onto one of the support bars toward the roof of the barn. Raven sighed in relief, relishing in his success. His newfound cyber mobility helped him a great deal. Even his human arm acted like a cybernetic one, without the ability to tire out or slow down. The Cyber ninja began to close his eyes when suddenly the barn door opened, revealing a large built red stallion who dumped something off his back before going towards an unknown destination. Thinking for a second Raven decided that his work would have to go to waste, and he hopped down to greet the new pony, whom he could only assume had some sort of attachment to Applejack.
"Hello! don't freak out I won't attack-"
"AHHH!" The red stallion cried out bucking Raven in the chest sending him tumbling into a bale of hay, before Raven could get up he looked up only to see the red pony charging him.
"WAIT NO NO NO NO-"
"YAHHHHHHH!"
"Darling this better be important, I was so close to finishing up a new dress. The critics are going to go crazy!" Rarity said confidently, as the group hasn't said a word to Rarity after they picked her up. Pinkie was stuck in deep thought, probably about what cakes she was going to make for the party. Applejack responded quickly, as the six approached the barn.
"We have a, a foreign guest who we may be harboring for ah while. So ya know, try to be friendly." AJ explained briefly, to which Rarity responded with a confused face. "What in tarnation is that dang noise?" Applejack asked herself stopping. It was the sound of a commotion, drowning out cries for help... coming from the barn. Rainbow Dash shot away from the group rocketing towards the barn and slamming the doors open revealing Big Mac attacking Raven. Not a second later Dash tackled Raven and hit him hard in the face.
"Alright creep! I knew you were a monster from the moment-" Dash could finish as she was yanked away by a lasso around her tail.
"DASH! He wasn't attackin' Big Mac! And Big Mac calm down! There was no need to attack him! He's friendly!" Applejack vouched for the stunned human, who was still collecting himself.
"But he was totally attacking Big Macintosh!" Dash shouted angrily! Scowling at AJ. Applejack spun to her , but then turned to face Big Mac.
"Big Mac, did he attack you?" Applejack asked her brother. Big Mac looked around nervously, before looking down playing with the dirt.
"No..." He spoke up, swallowing some saliva awkwardly. Applejack looked back at Dash who huffed, and shook her head looking away. Meanwhile Pinkie had already jumped on introductions.
"HiweirdlookingthingmynamesPinkiePieWhatsyours?Whatsyourfavoritecolor?whatsyourbirthday?!Ohsillymewherearemymannerswhatsyourname??!" The pink pony blurted out getting in Ravens face. Raven backed up putting his hands out.
"Slowwwww down! I didn't understand a word you said!" Raven responded looking at Pinkie uneasily looking to Applejack for help.
"Don't mind her, she's just a bit eccentric." Applejack said reassuringly. Twilight approached Raven slowly, staring at him intensely doing something on the paper. She began to circle him before speaking.
"What are you? If you don't mind me asking of course!" Twilight said stopping at a spot she deemed a good view. Raven looked down at her bewildered before looking back at Applejack once more pleadingly.
"Now Y'all have some respect, the poor sap has had a rough day! Twilight take it slow, it's time for introductions, not interrogation!" Applejack said catching Ravens pleading gaze. Twilight quickly apologized and the six all prepared their introductions, as Mac slipped out back towards the house. "You already know me Raven, so Dash why don't you go first considering you two have... some history." Applejack said looking at the angry rainbow pegasus.
"Fine..." Dash muttered, "Im Rainbow Dash, fastest Mare in Equestria, and element of Loyalty." She mumbled all the way. Rarity was next.
"Oh my Darling, you need some clothing to cover yourself! But, ahem. I am Rarity darling, element of generosity at your service~" Rarity said, staring at Ravens cyborg body and tightly outlined muscles intently.
"Hi! My name is Pinkamina Diane Pie! But you can just call me Pinkie! All my friends do! I really love parties and I'm gonna make a welcome to Ponyville party for you! Oh yea also I'm the element of laughter!" Pinkie blurted out once more giggling at the end.
"I-I'm Fluttershy..." Fluttershy said almost inaudible.
"I'm sorry what? I couldn't hear you." Raven said listening closer.
"It's Fluttershy..."She said again, slowly retracting behind her mane. Raven sighed.
"One more time please?" He said desperately.
"FLUTTERSHY!"She said, quivering behind her mane fully. Raven went to say something but shook his head, finally remembering her name anyways.
"And I, am Twilight Sparkle. Princess of Friendship and element of Friendship. Together, me and my friends are what are known as the Elements of Harmony. As a princess I formerly welcome you to Equestria," Twilight said trailing off looking at Raven waiting for a name.
"Raven, Raven Damien Berglund. From Boston Massachusetts USA, on Earth."
