I. Chapter 6: Ponyville - Part 1

I was already on the stairs, I took one step and then I stopped. What if it's a trap? What if I'm still dreaming? I returned to the room in which I slept, then ran to the window, which was opened. It was a beautiful day. The birds sing, the residents were busy with their daily affairs, one of them even was looking at me. It was a mare. Her fur was mint in color, the mane was white and blue, on the right side of the rump she had a tattoo depicting the harp, I know, this is cutie marks, but naming it tattoos is simply more convenient for me. Her eyes were colored orange, judging by the horn on her head, I inferred that she was a unicorn.

The mare looked at me for a short moment, with the expression of her face. Then she smiled and turned and started running. I also heard that she someone calling, but couldn't identify, who - "So I'm not sleeping" - I said to myself. I turned to the opened door leading to the stairs, I went over to them, and then began to descend. I was halfway down, I hid behind the wall on the stairs. I recognized Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy right away, but apart from them, there were two other mares downstairs. The first one had orange fur, her hair was blond and her eyes were green and I could see a few freckles on her face, and she was a tattoo of apples on the rump. I noticed a hat on her head. She looked like a typical village girl.

The other mare, was eyes blue eyes, Her fur was pink, and the mane was dark pink, and frankly, she was very much like cotton candy, and she had a tattoo of balloons on her rump.

After a moment Twilight noticed me on the stairs

"Come on, Colin. Don't be shy" - She said, smiling at me

I went down, slowly, taking care of every step not to fall over. After a while, I stood opposite Twilight, the remaining mares stood behind her. Twilight smiled warmly at me.

"Colin, I'd like you to meet someone" - She said after a moment

"Who?" - I asked

Twilight looked behind me - "Her" - I turned around and then I saw her. It was Alicorn, she was much taller than me, her fur was white and her eyes were purple, the mane was constantly waving and very much like a rainbow with a bit faded colors. She was dressed in gold jewelry, I also noticed a pair of wings and a horn on her head, on which was a crown. Then I asked myself one question. Is there an angel standing in front of me?

"So, Twilight. This is that Human, which you told me about?" - She said

Immediately she began to approach me, I admit that I was a little afraid of her. I took a few steps back, and then I came across a table that stood behind me. Twilight looked at me slightly worried, just as the alicorn.

"Easy, Colin. She will not hurt you" - Twilight said, smiling

I was confused, I didn't know what to do, I just stood there and stared at the alicorn standing in front of me.

"Well... Can you introduce yourself?" - Alicorn said

"M-my name is Colin, is nice to meet you..." - I said

"That's a beautiful name. I'm Celestia, it's nice to meet you too" - She said smiling to me and reaching out for me a hoof, which I shook

I looked at Twilight and the other mares, all looked at me anxiously. After a moment one of them came up to me, it was this pink one.

"Hi! How are you?" - She asked vigorously

"G-good... I guess" - I said

"I'm Pinkie Pie! Do you like parties? Because I love it! Do you like cakes? Because I love it! Do you like to laugh? because I mmmmph - She didn't finish, because the orange mare, covered her mouth

"Calm down, girl. Don't stress him" - She said, then she came up to me - "Howdy Pardner! I'm Applejack" - She said, reaching out a hoof to me, which I then shook

"Nice to meet you too" - I said, smiling

"Wow, I've never seen anything like you before" - Applejack said, studying me

"Wait... And this is not about him, your younger sister was saying?" - Pinkie asked, and Applejack looked at me even more accurately

"Actually, Apple Bloom mentioned him, big height, black hair, everything suits well, but... I don't see any blood on him" - Applejack said, scratching chin

"Maybe because I have bandages" - I said

"Oh! Of course! Colin, it's time to change the bandages. These ones are already dirty" - Twilight said - "Sit on the table, I'll be right back" - she said and then left the room

"Okay" - I said, then sat on the table

I sat there for a moment, then Celestia spoke to me.

"So... how are you feeling here in Equestria?" - She asked, looking at me

"Good" - I answered uncertainly

"Really? I heard that you were attacked by the Ponyville residents and... Black manticore" - She said

"Yes" - I answered uneasily, wondering why she was so inquisitive

I looked at Celestia's face, I saw fear in her eyes, she tried to hide it but it was visible. The other mares seemed to notice it, they also seemed restless.

"So... Have you slept well tonight?" - Fluttershy asked, coming up to me, I loved her voice, it was so gentle, calm and relaxing

"Yeah, it's okay" - I said, smiling at her

"Didn't you have any nightmare?" - Rainbow Dash asked, also approaching me

"Well... maybe a little bit, but everything is okay" - I answered, I didn't want to bother them

"Colin, if something has happened, you can tell us about it. Again the same, am I right?" - Rainbow asked

I lowered my head down, I did not want to talk about it, I did not want to cause unpleasant memories.

"Is everything ok?" - Twilight asked, entering the room with new bandages, then she immediately came to us - "Make some space. I need to change his bandages"

"I'll help you" - Celestia said

"No, you don't have to. I can do it" - Twilight said

Twilight began to unwrap my bandages. Celestia stood behind me, I felt pain then, but I tried not to show it. When the bandages were completely removed from my torso, I heard a deep breath, which belonged to all the mares in the room. I looked at all of them, each of them was shocked, even Pinkie Pie became serious.

"Mother of me..." - Celestia said with fear, which stood all the time behind me

After a moment, Twilight began to unwrap the bandages from my hands and legs, and again the same... I heard everyone in the room sigh in shock, Celestia was afraid to look at me from the front, but eventually, she do it. As soon as she stood in front of me, she took a deep breath, immediately moved away from me, she covered mouth with hoofs, while sitting at the same time, then tears flowed from her eyes.

"My child, how can you move at all?!" Celestia asked, crying

"I..."

"I'm begging you, do not tell me you're accustomed to it!" - She said, still crying - "To this... You cannot get accustomed, do you understand?"

Then the other mares, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkie Pie approached me, all looked at me terrified, and Fluttershy even began to sob softly. Then I looked at myself, what I saw made my breathing and heartbeat accelerate. From my right arm, diagonally, a claw mark ran, ending up on my stomach, to my right side of the chest, showing tooth marks, and more, scratches, bruises and scars. My wounds were almost all over my body, I grabbed my head, I just realized that I was wrong, I can't get accustomed to it! Tears began to flow from my eyes, I don't know how long I sat there, but when I looked at each other again, there were new bandages on my body. All mares stood in front of me, they looked at me with concern.

"What happened?" - I asked, slightly confused

"You looked at... Your wounds and... You caught your head and you started to cry, you sat there for quite a long time" - Rainbow Dash said

I felt then, as something embraced me. it was a wing. A large, white, wing whose owner was Celestia herself. It was quite an awkward situation, she just sat and embracing me.

"You all right, my child?" - Celestia asked

"Y-yes... I guess..." - I answered - "Uhm, are you okay too, your highness?" - I asked

"Please, call me by my name. We're friends" - Celestia said

"Okay, thanks" - I said, smiling

"Well umm... Colin, you wouldn't like maybe, I don't know... Explore Ponyville a bit?" - Celestia asked, taking the wing

"Why not?" - I said

"Alright then" - Celestia said - "Twilight, can we talk in private?" - Celestia said

"Something happened?" - Twilight asked

"It's very important" - Celestia replied shortly, looking at Twilight with slightly frowned eyebrows

"Oh... I understand" - Twilight said, after a moment she came over to me - "Colin, maybe you will go to Rarity, with my friends? I'll join you later, okay?"

"Who?" - I asked

"To our friend. You don't have any clothes, and she knows how to sew" - Twilight answered

"Okay..." - I said

"Great! Girls, take him to her, oh! And something else. Be careful that nothing happens to him, okay?"

"Alright!" - Rainbow said

I got up from the table. Pinkie Pie opened the door when I passed her, she still looked at me slightly confused, she did not know whether to smile or continue to be serious. When I was outside, the last time I looked at Celestia, who was smiling at me reassuringly. After a while Pinkie came out of the library, closing the door.

I stood there for such a short while, looking at the door, Fluttershy pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Uhmm... Colin?"

"Oh... Sorry. I'm coming" - I said, after which I started following the mares

Fluttershy walked right next to me, on the left, Rainbow Dash was slowly flying. Pinkie Pie was slowly following me, still looking at me with confused eyes, and in front of me was Applejack. I was walking through Ponyville, again the same... The residents looked at me, some looked at me with delight, others with sadness and others looked at me with contempt and disgust, in other words... Mixed feelings, I felt uncomfortable. Walking, I covered my face with my hand, I was just ashamed and scared.

"So... How did you get here?" - Asked AJ

"I don't know, I have no idea" - I answered truthfully, I seriously did not know how it happened, one day I run away from... I don't know what and later, I get to the land, with talking horses - "Sorry, I don't want to talk about it"

"Ooh, come on! Tell us!" - Pinkie said cheerfully

"Listen to me... No... I really don't want to talk about it" - I said, a bit angrily

"Whyyyyyyy?" - Pinkie asked annoyingly

"Pinkie, enough! This isn't funny" - Rainbow Dash said angrily, Pinkie was started to be serious, we all stopped

"B-but..." - She didn't finish. Rainbow Dash immediately drew Pinkie to herself, then she whispered something in her ear - "Oh... I understand, I'm sorry" - Pinkie said, after a moment - "Sorry, Colin. I didn't know"

"Nothing has happened... Can we go now?"

"Sure, let's go" - AJ said, then we moved forward

We walked through Ponyville a few minutes, all this time I felt observed, and not even by the ponies, and actually by something that was hidden in the shadow. out of the corner of my eye, I could see a dark figure that disappeared every time I wanted to look at it. I decided to ignore it, but it didn't work out, It's something that watched me, did not want to be ignored, I know, strange...

After a short time, we managed to get to... If I heard well... Carousel Boutique. It just looked like a huge tent, with many decorations, I noticed around it, a few smaller tents.

"Here we are!" - AJ said

"So... Is this where Rarity lives?" - I asked

"Exactly" - AJ said, going to the door and then opening it - "Come in, pardner. Don't be shy"

"Oh... Maybe you will go ahead?" - I proposed

"Why?" - Rainbow asked

"Because... It's good to give way to a lady" - I said gallantly, throwing a slight smile

"Well, we have a gentleman. Rarity will surely like you! She loves cult people!" - Pinkie said

"Okay, enough. Let's go" - Rainbow said, flying inside, followed by the remaining mares and in the end I

When I went inside, I started to look around. There were mannequins, hangers and mirrors everywhere, and the interior design was extremely elegant, to be honest, it looked very much like a palace, the interior was really impressive.

"Wow" - I said, looking around

I approached one of the mannequins, snorted lightly, giving him a sting on the nose, I could not help it.

"Hiya, Rarity! How are you?" - I heard Pinkie's voice

I turned around, and then I saw her and she saw me, it was another unicorn. She was white, the mane was purple and it was elegantly combed, there was a tattoo on the side showing three diamonds, or something similar.

"Woah, what is this?" - Rarity asked

"Rarity, this is Colin. He is a Human" - said AJ

"Hey" - I said uncertainly, waving my hand lightly

She approached me close enough that our eyes met with each other, and I remind that every pony was lower than I was by at least ten centimeters, except for Celestia who was much higher than me. Rarity looked at me very closely, slightly confused and surprised, I took two steps back because I felt insecure.

"Where did these bandages come from? Did something happen to you?" - Rarity asked

"I had... an accident" - I said

"No! He was attacked!" - Pinkie Pie screamed I admit that I was a bit nervous

"Pinkie! Stop!" - Rainbow Dash said

"But it's true! He was attacked by Manti... mmmmph"

"Pinkie, please. I think we talked about it?" - Rainbow said, covering her mouth, she just hushed up and nodded in understanding

"What attacked you?" - Rarity asked

"It doesn't matter. We came here because Colin doesn't have any clothes and we wanted..." - Rainbow didn't finish

"I understand, I understand. I will do just a few measurements" - Rarity said, bringing the measure, she was quick - "Colin, darling, spread your hands and try not to move, I'll do just a few measurements, okay?

"Okay" - I said, doing what she says

"Wait!" - Fluttershy said, who has not spoken up to now

"What happened?" - Rarity asked

"Watch out for his ribs, there's... Damaged" - She said

"Oh... Okay. Thanks for the warning" - Rarity said, carefully wrapping the measure around my waist. I smiled slightly at Fluttershy, which she blushed a little - "You're so emaciated" - Rarity said after a moment

"I know... Actually, I have not eaten anything for a long time" - I said

"Don't worry, kid. When everything will be ready, we'll go to the cafe for some breakfast" - Rainbow said, when my stomach rumbled, all the mares in the room laughed lightly, which made me blush a little

"Okay" - I said, also chuckling slightly

When Rarity finished her measurements, she immediately starts to work. She sat down at the machine and began to sew.

"Give me a second, your clothes will be ready soon" - Rarity said, sewing

"Alright" - I said, sitting down and watching what Rarity was doing

When I was sitting, I thought about that, what Celestia wanted to say to Twilight? I knew that it was about me, but what could they talk about?

A few minutes earlier...

When the door from my house slammed, I could talk to Celestia alone, I was curious what he had to say.

"So... What did you want to talk about?" - I asked

"You know it very well, about what" - Celestia said

"It's about Colin, right?"

"Yes. I'm worried about him, These wounds... These were terrible, but I'm worried that he is so... distrustful of others. You and Rainbow Dash talked with him?" - Celestia asked, which I nodded - "You don't know why is it so... introverted?"

"He... He didn't have an easy life, as I mentioned earlier" - I said, to which Celestia nodded

"He was a victim of abuse, I know, but what exactly did he say?" - Celestia asked

Then I told her everything that Colin told me. How he met this beast, and what happened to him and his mother. I didn't really know, what happened to his mother, I could only make guesses, or she killed herself, or Colin's father did it, so many questions and no answer. When I told her everything I know, I looked at Celestia, she was shocked by what she just heard.

"Uhmm... Are you okay?" - I asked, no answer - "Princess Celestia?" - I asked again

"I don't want to believe it, did it really happen to him?" - Celestia asked, still in shock

"Wounds on his body, they speak for themselves" - I stated - "Only, I am still wondering why the residents attacked him, Rainbow Dash said..." - I hesitated with the answer

"What?" Celestia asked

"The residents screamed that... They wanted to kill him" - I said, at this point, Celestia sat on the floor and covered mouth with hoofs

"They... Wanted to kill him? But... Twilight, tell me how many clients you had in the library last week?" - This question surprised me

"Last week? Well... Quite a lot, but... Why are you asking about it?" - I asked, confused

"I read your letter, you wrote in it that humans were eating meat, right?" - She asked - "But... There was something else, I'm right? Are you hiding something from me?"

"Well... Actually..."

"Can you show me this book in which you read about humans?" - Celestia asked

That's what I was most afraid of. I remember that, when I was reading about the fact that, humans feed on meat, but... That's not the point. When I read about it, in the book was written that a human is a merciless, aggressive beast that kills for pleasure that killer instinct appears in immediately after birth, he has no remorse, no feelings or pity, he will not stop at anything to kill. I knew it was different when I saw Colin, he didn't look as if he wanted to hurt someone. One thing was certain... He certainly had feelings, something was wrong. I gave Celestia a book about the title 'Mythological Creatures'.

"Page 119..." - I said - "Everything is written there"

Celestia turned over to this page. I watched her reading, the longer she read, the more her eyes showed her rage, I swear that I had never seen her so angry.

"What is this bullshit!?" - She asked furiously, throwing the book to the floor. I moved back slightly - "Merciless beast?! Killer instinct soon after birth?! No feelings and pity?! -" She asked furiously, coming up to me - "Who wrote this nonsense?!"

"I-I don't know! In the book, there is no author!" - I said, already scared

"Twilight, forget what you've read about. That's all, it's a nonsense" - Celestia said, already calmed down - "I've seen humans with my own eyes! They're not like that!"

"Wait... Humans were lived in Equestria?!" - I asked surprised, at that moment Celestia was silent, and her face was embarrassed - "Have you seen them?"

"Y-yes... I saw them. They lived 1000 years ago if you want to know" - Celestia said, sadly

"They lived?... What happened to them?" - I asked

"Eh... Alright then... I'll tell you, sit down" - I sat down - "The Great War... Is it tell you something?"

"Yes, from that what I heard, three races inhabiting Equestria, Dragons, Griffons, and Ponies, quarreled with each other and the war broke out" - I said

"Oh no... The war broke out, it's true, but... It was not a war between the Dragons, Griffons, and Ponies" - Celestia said

"So how was that?" - I asked

Celestia told me what really happened, I was shocked by what I heard. Humans came from another world, hides from other races for five years in the city they built. About the fact that humans were noble and valiant, that there were even marriages between humans and ponies and that Celestia met the ruler of humans and his wife. When I wanted to ask what was the name of the ruler of the humans and his wife, Celestia made a sour face and said that she didn't remember, but I knew that it was not so. She lied. It was seen in her eyes. Celestia also told me about the demon and the army of darkness, and about the exact course of the war, about the ruler of a humans being equipped with a sword through which he defeated the demon, and about the ruler of the humans, who was the chosen one. When the war was over, humans were completely extinct, only fifteen left. Among them was the ruler of the humans, and his wife, who was pregnant. Celestia received a sword from the ruler of the humans, which was used in the fight against the demon. And as for the demon, I asked about his appearance, at this moment, Celestia hesitated, but she broke off and said that the Demon looked like a Manticore... Big Black Manticore. I was terrified because I just realized that it was most likely the same monster that hurt Colin.

"Wow. All of this... Really was happened?" - I asked in disbelief

"Yes" - Celestia said

"What about that sword? Do you still have it?" - I asked

"Yes, but it's useless. Only chosen one could use it, if someone tried to lift it, the sword would become heavy and very bulky. What if? Hmm... no"

"What?" - I asked

"Nothing... Really"

"Princess Celestia" - I said a bit angrily - "What is going on?"

"Twilight, I suspect that the beast that harasses Colin is the same demon, who killed all humans" - Celestia said

"No, that's impossible, though... That would explain a lot, Oh no... Celestia, what if he is the next chosen one?" - I asked

"I don't even want to think about it. It's still a child! He is not ready for it!" - Celestia said - "Twilight... Promise me one thing, do not tell Colin, about it. Okay?"

"But... He should know that! He..." I didn't finish

"Twilight... Please. He is not ready, we should wait to reveal it to him"

"But..." - I wanted to say something, but then I thought about it all, Celestia was right

"Colin is not ready... To be the chosen one and to fight the demon, he must go a long way, which is not easy. First, he must know the name of the sword used by the ruler of the humans. Unfortunately, nobody knows this name. On the sword, there are runes, which are probably his name, but the only ones who could read them have long ago dead"

"In that case, what to do?" - I asked

"Let's not tell him about it, let's give him time," - Celestia said - "Besides, I think he should be rehabilitated, Colin is very restless and distrustful of others, he's also afraid of Ponyville residents, he needs some peaceful place. A distance from them"

"Maybe he should live with Fluttershy?" - I suggested

"Bingo!... Fluttershy's house is out of Ponyville, it's quiet and peaceful, it's just the perfect place" - Celestia said

"In that case, I'll tell her that Colin will live with her. She told me that, she like him, so I think it should be good" - I said

"Alright, by the way, I would also like Colin to come to Canterlot. I would like to meet him with my sister, and welcome him more... Officially, you know... Well, I have to go now, duties are calling" - Celestia said, getting up, then she went to the door and opened it - "See you later, Twilight, oh! And something else... That conversation was not. Never. Right?

"Well, but what if..." - I didn't finish, I heard only the crack of the door - "Yes, I understand..."

I stood up and took a few steps, then I stopped. The book about mythological creatures was laying on the floor. I took it and threw it in the trash, from what I remember, many customers borrowed this book, everything began to put together... that's why Colin was attacked, the inhabitants thought he was dangerous, and this is not true... I knew from the beginning that it was different.

I was sitting on a small chair and talked with the mares, waiting for new clothes. In total... I was curious to see how Rarity could deal with it. I don't think that she would ever meet any human.

"When's your birthday?" - Pinkie asked, surprising me at the same time

"What?" - I asked

"When is your birthday?" - She asked again

"Hmm... I think, on June twelve, but... Why do you ask?" - Pinkie Pie has held a notebook and wrote everything in it

"What kind of cake do you like?" - Pinkie asked

"Uhmm... Actually..." - I said scratching my head

"Actually, what?" - Pinkie asked

"Never in my life, I didn' not eat the cake, I don't even know what it would look like" - I said truthfully, I never celebrated my birthday, I looked at Pinkie, whose face was shocked - "Uhmm... Are you okay?" - I asked, waving her hand in front of her eyes

"How is it?!... Never in your life, did you eat the cake?!" - Pinkie asked, shocked - "I can't imagine my life without a cake!"

"Okay... It's getting weird" - I said, slightly worried when Rarity suddenly entered the room, with my new clothes. It was a gray shorts that had pockets on the right and left, a light blue t-shirt and a pair of socks

"All right, darling. Your clothes are ready" - Rarity said, handing me my clothes

"Thank you, can I try them on?" - I asked

"Of course, follow me" - She said, coming up to the dressing room, unveiling the curtains, then nodding to give me a sign to go inside, of course, I did it - "If you need something, tell me"

"Okay" - I said

In the first place, I took off my old shorts, which were already torn. Then dressed the ones Rarity did for me, then I dressed up socks. And finally I dressed in a t-shirt, I admit that the clothes were quite comfortable.

"Okay, I'm ready" - I said as I left the changing room

The eyes of all mares focused on me, the most delighted was Rarity, who was looking at me with shining eyes and a beaming smile.

"You look really cute, darling" - Rarity said

"Thanks" - I said, smiling and blushing a little bit

"Do the clothes fit you well, nothing hurts you... Well, because you know... I sew clothes for the first time, for a creature like you"

"It's okay. The clothes are really comfortable and they look cool" - I replied

"I'm glad to hear that" - Rarity said, giggling - "I don't have time right now, but later I'll do some more clothes for you"

"So... Are we going to eat something?" - Rainbow asked

"Sure" - I said

I said goodbye to Rarity, then went outside, closed my eyes and inhaled with fresh air, exhaled, opened my eyes, then heard something like... A rustle of paper? I turned to the source of the sound, stood by the tent, the same mare of the mint color that I saw this morning, she carried a notebook and a pencil, when our eyes met, she took a quick sigh and then ran away, leaving her notebook and pencil.

"Wait! You left your..." - I didn't finish my sentence

I took a notebook and a pencil in my hand, I looked through the pages and that what I saw, surprised me. Almost on every page, there were drawings depicting me - "What the hell is that?" - I said, browsing the notebook - "Oh shit..." - After a moment I heard my friends steps behind me, I immediately put a notebook and pencil into my pocket, then turned to them.

"Damn, umm... Hey, girls. What's up?" - I asked, trying to hide the stress

"Rarity talked a bit to us, what about you? Is everything alright?" - Asked Rainbow Dash

"Yes, it's okay. Look what a beautiful day we have!" - I said, trying to sound relaxed

"Uhmm... Did something happen?" - Fluttershy asked

"No, everything is alright, so... We go to this cafe?" - I asked

"Actually... We talked about it and there was a change of plans" - AJ said - "We're going to eat breakfast, to me. I'd like to meet you with my family"

"Okay, umm... That's good for me" - Fluttershy said

"Well, let's go then" - I said

We went ahead. Applejack was going first, and me and the rest of the mares right behind her. On the way, I was thinking, what did this mint mare want from me? Why did she follow me? To these questions, I was to receive an answer soon.

To be continued...