Void was on his way home from meeting his new raven friend. And he was sure that Twilight was wondering where he could be right now. Especially since he had not told here that he even left or where he was going. It all started with going to his ship and making sure everything was getting repaired to making a new friend in the Everfree forest. Not that he was unsatisfied with it, not in the less. However, that run in with his doppelganger still had him a bit worried. He usually appears when an important choice is nearing in the future. At least, that’s how it has always happened. As he was walking back, he hears a bit of a commotion going on just down the way. He gets there to find a couple stallions surrounding a yellow pegasus mare with a pink mane and tail who had a small white rabbit with her.

“Come on, sweetheart. Come out with us. We promise it’ll be fun.”

“Um...thank you for the offer. But I am not really the tavern party kind of pony...now if you’d..please excuse me, I need to get home…”

She said as she tried to make her way past the two stallions. However, they weren’t going to take no for an answer. The other grabs her by the arm and pulls her back. Hard enough that it caused a bit of pain. She lets out a whimper and tries to pull away. The little rabbit with her hops down and starts kicking the larger stallion in the leg as hard as he could. But he is just a rabbit after all. The stallion looks down in annoyance.

“Get lost you little rodent.”

He said as he kicked Angel away, sending him into the air. Fluttershy’s eyes water as she saw her pet being kicked away and in pain.

“Angel!”

She cried out as she tried to pull away to get to him. Luckily, Void stood nearby and caught the rabbit in his hands before he could hit the ground. He gently laid him down on a tree stump that was nearby and shakes his head as he approached the group. Seeing the way that they were being so forceful with this mare when she clearly didn’t want to go with them brought back memories of when he watched his fellow tenno being dragged off by the people who experimented on their bodies. And seeing this had apparently triggered that memory. He decides to step in.

“Seriously? Just because she won’t go with you, you try and force her? If you are trying to pick up on an attractive female like that, it’s not going to get you anywhere. Let alone trying to take others when they already said no.”

The stallion turn to look at Void and see that he is well armed. But apparently, that didn’t stop them from talking up a big game. They let go of Fluttershy. And start approaching him as they drew out knives. That was their first mistake.

“Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do about it? And for that matter. What the hell are you supposed to be? Some kind of freak of nature. How about you go back to wherever it is you came from and stay out of other ponies business?”

“I could tell you to do the same thing. But it looks like you two are more muscle heads than anything. So your minds could not comprehend the meaning of ‘No, go away I am not interested.’. I thought unicorns were the more intelligent species of your kind here, but you two must be the exception since you think knives will help you in this situation. And in case you didn’t understand what I am saying. You are morons.”

“Morons huh? Try saying that when you are face down eating dirt!”

Said the first one who lunged at him and plunged the knife directly into Void’s chest, or tried to at least. Once the blade made contact with Hydroid’s metal structure, the blade broke right off the knife’s handle. The size of the knife let alone the type of steel it was made of was not going to break through Hydroid. Fluttershy scurried over to Angel and scooped her up into his arms and hid behind Void. He just chuckled lightly and grabbed the hilt of his sword and pushed it up into the gut of the stallion who tried to stab him. The stallion exhales hard as his eyes widen as the air was knocked from him. He collapses and nearly falls to the ground but not before Void catches him by the shirt and tosses him towards his friend sending them both to the ground.

“Now, I suggest that you take your friend and leave. You will not be leaving with her,” he said as he scooped up the mare in his arms and chuckled lightly. She blinks a few times in surprise at this and squirms a bit.

“She is coming with me~.”

“W-wait!”

“Nope, you are coming with me, sweetheart.”

After he gets done carrying her away. He can’t help but chuckle and set her down once she was safely away. There were a bit further down the road now, conveniently close to her home even.

“I was just kidding. Just wanted to get them away from you. Sorry if I frightened you.”

When he sat her down and spoke those words, the mare was relieved to see that it was just a little joke. She also appreciated that he came to her aid when he did. However, his appearance frightened her quite a bit and made her back away from him.

“N-not that I am ungrateful for your help...but, you are rather scary to look at. Please don’t be upset…”

Void suddenly steps out of his warframe in a bright snow blue light. This makes Fluttershy cover her eyes, but when she gazes upon Void, her gaze goes from frightened to absolute joy when she saw the tenno before her. She didn’t waste any time in rushing to him and wrapping her arms around him in a warm hug, even nuzzling into his cheek. This surprised him, however. But she felt so warm and soft. And she smelled very nice. Like honey and springtime flowers.

“Oh, I am so happy you are up and about Void! When did you get out of the hospital? I have been worried…”

Void blinks and suddenly remembers who she is. He brings his arms around her in a hug to return the gesture and chuckles lightly. He can’t help but press into her soft warmth as well. She just...felt so nice.

“I just got out a few days ago. Hasn’t twilight told you yet? It seems to be that way for all of her friends.”

“Oh no, she hasn’t told me. But this is a wonderful surprise! Please let me make you some tea and snacks back at my cottage. Both as thanks for a friendly treat.”

“I don’t know, Fluttershy. Twilight may be wondering where I am and I am not sure if she will be happy with me when I return. Best to get it over with…”

She gives him a sad and disappointed look. Which coming from her started to tug at his heartstrings a bit. Her cyan blue eyes looking at him as if they were on the verge of shedding tears. He definitely couldn’t say no to her now. Twilight was just going to have to wait a bit longer it seemed. He smiles at her and steps back into Hydroid.

“But you know what? She can wait. Lead the way Fluttershy. I would be happy to come and visit with you.”

Her saddened expression quickly vanished when he said that. He grabs his hand completely overlooking the fact that he was back in hydroid. Now that she knew who was inside it, her fear had completely subsided.

“Yaaaay.”

She said in the most adorable way ever. Void felt that one hit him hard.

So...cute…

Was all he thought to himself before he let Fluttershy lead the way. Little did Void know he was in for a long rainy night. Clouds started to hover over the once sun-filled sky. The rain was coming and soon.

--Fluttershy’s Cottage--

The sound of a fire crackling in the fireplace echoed as Void sat on the couch waiting for Fluttershy to bring out the tea and cookies. Void sat there quietly as he listened to her hum in that soft and beautiful voice of hers. The way the home smelled, and the sound of the fire and her humming. It reminded him of his own home when he was a child. Far before the Zariman. Before this who tenno thing began. He looked over at Hydroid who stood there motionless by the fire against the wall. He turns his gaze to the floor in front of him. His mind wasn’t really focused on anything in particular of his last thought. But He hears Fluttershy walking into the room with the plate of cookies and the tray of tea. She noticed his distant gaze and carefully sets the things on the coffee table. She sits across from him in the chair and starts pouring the tea.

“Is something bothering you, Void? You seem to be daydreaming.”

His gaze comes up to Fluttershy and he gives a slight shrug and a soft smile. He takes the cup of tea and sips on it lightly. Green tea, his favorite.

“Just memories of my childhood home is all. The sounds and smells seem to bring me back to that time before...well I became what I am today. But enough about my past. I am sure a pony like you doesn’t want to hear about the gory details. You seem like the kind of mare who doesn’t like fighting or anything like that.”

Fluttershy sips some of her tea and shakes her head. He was right about her. But she didn’t want to know about those parts of his past But she did want to know about him. Though there wasn’t much to tell. Nor did he seem willing to. However, she felt it would be a good conversation starter to ask what his plans were for the future in this world.

“So...I am curious and you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. But I am curious as to what you will do in this world you have found yourself in now. Do you feel...well...alone?”

Void thought on it for a moment. While he was the only tenno let alone human in this world. He didn’t really feel lonely. Twilight and the others have been kind to him, a complete stranger with the ability to cause harm to others and the weapons to boot. But in all this, they seemed fit to trust him to let him wander around free. That was truly something different in his eyes.

“Well, with you and your friends being so nice to me, I really don’t have a worry that involves me being alone. As for my future here however, I don’t really know. I don’t know where I’d fit in with my abilities, or my knowledge for that matter. After all, my world revolves around blood and steel. While also just trying to survive and living an immortal life, forever stuck in this young form. Before my awakening, I just thought I was a machine for killing that lived over a thousand years until I found out I was controlling that machine while in a pod slumbering in a stasis-like slumber. Will my body ever start aging again? I don’t know. But I will need to find a purpose here in this world should I be able to survive. I don’t want to impose on Twilight forever.”

Just then he heard the sound of thunder shake the little cottage along with the sound of rain pounding against the rooftop. Fluttershy nearly jumped out of her fur when she heard the clap of thunder. Void gets up and walks over to the window. He gazes at the sudden rush of rain falling hard He lets out a sigh of annoyance and turns to Fluttershy. He wasn’t annoyed at her, not in the least, but the storm itself. And the fact that he was going to have to walk home in this. He walks over to Fluttershy who seemed to be shaking slightly. Though she quickly regains her composure. Void walks over to Hydroid and places a hand on his chest.

“I should get going, Fluttershy. I wish I could stay here with you a little longer, but if I don’t get home before this worsens, it’s gonna be bad.”

Another loud clap of thunder roared out. This time making Fluttershy let out a yelp of fear and she quickly made her way over to Void to wrap herself around him. She was shaking hard. Enough so that Void could see her wings shaking as well. He knew right then what the issue was. He sighed lightly and looked down at her as she huddled close to him on her knees.

“You have a fear of thunder and lightning huh?”

“Please...just stay with me till the storm is over. Normally I would just hide under my blanket and pillow until it’s all over. But with somepony else here...I feel safer. So please…”

Void looked down at Fluttershy as she gazed up at him hopefully, almost pleading. He couldn’t say no to that. After all, he has fears of his own. And if they came around, he would want someone to stay with him too. He gave her a nod and gently took her hand in his as he reassured her he wasn’t going to leave until the storm was gone. She gave a joyful smile and stood up. She took his hand and lead him to the bedroom upstairs. She wasted no time in pulling him onto the bed and snuggling up close to him. It felt wonderful to her to have somepony with her in times like this. However, Void was feeling a bit strange. A large blush formed on his face as Fluttershy pressed herself against him with her arms around his sides.

“Thank you for staying with me Void. I am sorry if this is rather...uncomfortable for you. But sometimes just having Angel with me here isn’t enough when these bad storms roll in.”

Void felt his heart getting ready to explode. He has been around way too many beautiful mares in the past couple of days who have either tackled, smothered or suffocated him with their affections. Well, except the green one who only seemed interested in him because he is a human. But this was too much. At least with Fluttershy, she was a bit more gentle though. All he could do was just look at her with a gentle smile. He sighs softly and calms down.

“It’s no trouble. Just...don’t tell Twilight about this. The last thing she needs to find out about is that I am laying in bed with one of her closest friends. She may take that the wrong way. Then I may be out of a home.”

Fluttershy blushed lightly and hid her face in his chest. A gesture that only made Void find her even more adorable. But he kept it in check.

“Well, you are always welcomed to come stay here should you need a place. You could be with me more when the weather gets like this.”

Void chuckled softly.

“That is a sweet offer. But I wouldn’t want to impose. But I will definitely come by and visit you should I have the time again.”

For the rest of the night, Fluttershy spent her time clinging to Void. They both eventually fell asleep. The storm would continue on till the next morning. It was going to be snuggles the whole night long for these two. And if Twilight ever found out about this, Void could only imagine the trouble he’d be in.

Author's Note

What is going on here? Void just doesn't understand why they are all so nice to him. Could it be a test? Or even some kind of trap? or is he just on edge because of this new behavior he has encountered by these mares? We shall find out.

May the darkness grant you peace.