CADANCE POV

I haven't told anyone this yet, but I have secretly taken an interest in Noire (I know, it’s pretty obvious I do). There is so much about him I still don't know his family, his dreams, his morals. Shining, on the other hand, has no problem telling everyone, including myself, how much he hates Noire. I saw him yelling at the poor soul about how I had him stay up all night guarding him in the medical ward. I thought he would be able to handle it, being the captain and all that. However, I can understand where his anger is coming from. You've had a healthy relationship with your wife for several years and suddenly an individual from a thought-to-be-dead species drops in and gets pampered in less than a day while you get pushed to the side. Maybe I should treat him to some "candy" sometime. Back to what I was saying, Noire is a very interesting fellow, but I see something in him, a darkness. Not an 'I'm an evil tyrant' darkness but more of a 'Don't come close or I'll freeze you solid' darkness. I wonder if it has something to do with planet he spoke to me about, Earth. I'm going to have to ask him about it when he's comfortable enough around me. I must also get him an actual room, I feel that if I don't, he'll go deaf from listening to Curdle ramble about pony anatomy.

Closing my diary shut, I looked out into the bright moon, shining through my window. I wonder if Noire would answer all my questions tomorrow.

NOIRE POV

It's 10:00 P.M and I'm still here in pony wonderland, the land where all bronies want to go to escape their mediocre lives. It was a funny thought; the person who least wanted to go to the land where ponies could beat people to death with their feelings and seizure-inducing rainbow beams is the guy who gets to go there. Yes, I wanted to start a new life, but Equestria was the last place I thought about escaping to. Possibly a place where I didn't have to worry about my depressing life gaining the attention of princesses. Someplace where I could pursue my dreams of exploring the world. A place of true freedom. To escape the terrible world, I stood on. I can still remember my last day on Earth fresh in my mind.

FLASHBACK

The sun was at its highest and people were enjoying it's hot, summer rays like it was the last time they would see it again. It was always like this in Florida; bright, sunny and cheerful all day and all night. Then there was me. The young man who could stay cold even in the hottest of summers. People who knew refer to me as 'Blank Face' as my expression rarely ever changed from a flat face. There was nothing to read on it, like a blank piece of paper. My eyes were very, very dark brown, almost black. Due to this, people rarely spoke to me and prioritized keeping their distance. The handful who did muster the strength found me monotonous, dull, and stopped talking to me in less than a week. That meant there wasn't much to do in terms of entertainment except for playing videogames, watching TV and walking aimlessly to locations I may or may not have seen before then walk back to my apartment. I just laid there on the bed before the realm of dreams started to take me "I wonder what nothingness I shall dream of tonight" I whispered before my eyes completely shut. Darkness.

…

"Hello there, young one" called a voice from... somewhere. I still couldn't see or feel or anything of that sort. All I could do was listen "I have watched you for many years, young one. I can tell your life has not been easy and with the way this world is, I can see no salvation for you while you remain here," that didn't shock me at all. I knew that no hope awaited me here "However, there is still a chance for you; transcend this world and save another one from an evil only you can defeat, find friends, family and a new life. A new opportunity lies with your choice. Will you accept?"

I thought to myself "Is this even a choice?" The opportunity to restart and live life differently, to escape this hopeless world filled with nothing but hurt? Who wouldn't agree? My thoughts were interrupted by a chuckle from the disembodied voice.

"I see that this information has interested you. A fresh, new start would appeal to anyone who's had an unfortunate life such as yours; cursed with heartache. Do not fret, young one, for I shall gift you with an escape from this world". The thought of freedom from this world made me hum in delight. "However, the scars you bear will not fade easily. You must befriend many people and embrace their strengths and weaknesses as well as your own before you can complete your rehabilitation and can be truly become free". Before I could even think the words "thank you", I was embraced by a feeling. A feeling of falling. I was on my way to a new possibility.

I woke up and looked outside at the bright sun through the window. I must have dozed off in my reminiscing of days gone past. I wondered; is it really possible to go back to my shitty life. In my shitty apartment, eating shitty ramen while listening to the shitty news of how my world is so shitty. I hoped not.

"Excuse me, mister human," said an unknown voice. I turned around and found an alabaster earth pony in a maid's outfit. My god... I never really understood the appeal of females being in maid outfits until then because GODDAMN! THIS MARE SO CUTE!!! The mare was now looking at me worried. Maybe my freak out must have worried her. I shook off my shocked stare and recomposed myself. I stood up to my full height and apologised for my impolite behaviour. Her worried stare became a soft smile "Don't worry about its mister human I get that all the time from the guards" she replied, "Anyway, I'm here to tell you that you're expected downstairs for breakfast". Nodding, I went to the bathroom to freshen up; brushing my teeth and combing my hair before leaving my room, and when I say 'room' I mean the medical ward and heading to the dining room. I really need to talk to Cadence about getting an ACTUAL room because SWEET LORD does Curdle like to ramble. Especially about my anatomy. However, on the bright side, I know I have several bone fractures in my leg.

Then my foot hit a corner...

...

CADANCE POV

Shining Armour and I were already in our seats when Noire came in with a pair of crutches and an embarrassed looking Doctor Curdle. "What in Tartarus happened to you? You look like you just got stabbed," said Shining, showing almost legitimate concern in his voice.

Sighing, Noire said in a bemused voice "Actually I did get stabbed. In the leg. With Cadence's horn. I must have forgotten to tell you. Anyway, I only realised the pain until my foot hit a wall. Hurt like a bitch."

I look at him inquisitively, she asked "Wait a minute. That was two days ago. How are you only feeling the pain now?" Noire sighs again and limps over to a seat and sits down. I stare at him very suspiciously and Shining looked at him like he was some kind of spy/traitor/space pirate.

Noire looking at the curious couple "Back on Earth, I was diagnosed with a lot of illnesses as a child, and I had to take a lot of medicine to keep me stable. However, they came with lots of side-effects like a delayed synaptic transmission. A delayed reaction to pain and slow movement in my limbs. I did manage to improve it over time, but the pain was the only thing that was going to stay the same. This made life very difficult for me and especially my parents. Probably the reason for..." He stopped himself for a moment as if he was trying to decide how much to tell "...Never mind, it's not that important". At that moment, I began to understand Noire a little more. I went over to his side and placed my hand on his shoulder.

"I don't completely know what it's like to be human and go through the stuff that you did but maybe if you stayed here in the castle, maybe even work here, we could come to understand you better and find a way to help. Does that sound okay?" I said, embracing him tightly. Noire was silent for a few seconds before embracing her back.

"I would be honoured to stay here and learn about you and your people. However, you're gonna have to stop depriving me of oxygen before we do any of that," Noire said in a raspy voice. I glanced up and saw that he was started to look blue in his cheeks and was struggling to breathe. I quickly let go and repeatedly apologised. We were so distracted by their conversation that they never noticed Shining Armour walking out the hall.

SHINING ARMOUR POV

As I walked down the halls, I felt my fists shake until they suddenly flew at a wall, causing a painting to fall and break. I didn't care. All I cared about was getting that human out of our castle and empire and into a jail cell as soon as possible.

LIES!!! LIES!!! ALL OF THEM, LIES!!! Who would believe such bullshit! That human must be up to something. No-one just appears out of nowhere and just has an immortal princess instantly cares for without any sort of confirmation on who he is! This has gone on long enough! I remember when she told me about her encounter with the human. How he knew a large amount about their lives when he was only in Equestria for less than an hour. He even knew about my own WEDDING, FOR FAUST'S SAKE!!!

Wait ...our wedding...that must be it. HE'S A DAMN CHANGELING!!! It makes so much sense. Why he looks like and claims to be a species that died out 10,000 years ago. Why he knew about our wedding even though he wasn't there. Why he has been with Cadance so much! It has to be it! there's no other explanation!

If I am correct, then the princesses have to know about him immediately. I ran to my office and got a scroll and quill from my drawer. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll save you" I said to myself, determined to see it through.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Author's Note

Ahhhhh! Another crappy chapter is done. Sorry I didn't get this out sooner. With school starting up soon and me heading to college, I didn't have much time to write.
Anyway, enough excuses, please comment your opinions and criticism in the comment section and buckle up 'cause next chapter will be a dramatic one (HAHAHAHA!!!!!! I WISH!!!!)

22/09/18-Edited for pacing reasons.