//-------------------------------------------------------// Am I nobody? Have I really lost my way? -by mysticxeno- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Strangers? //-------------------------------------------------------// Strangers? Big Macintosh was in the middle of preparing for a party with the family coming to visit! He and his sisters Apple Bloom and Apple Jack had awoken early that morning, to begin their preparations. Apple bloom was sent off to begin her trek over to sugarcube corner where she would wake up Pinkie Pie! They had been planning this party for a while since Spike was feeling really down as of recently since he essentially was officially a grown up by equestrian standards! Spike was not to know of his own surprise party; Of course having the apples working on it would mean that it would be done in good timing with their work having been taken care of the day prior. An elderly mare was rocking back and forth on her chair on the porch of the house nearby. Calling out she had a rather hoarse tone, "Hey Big Mac, Pinkie Pie and Apple Bloom have arrived!" She hollered out as loud as she could while the siblings worked in the barn. AppleJack walked out to see Pinkie Pie carrying Apple Bloom on her back with a big smile spread on their faces! This was going to be a day that Spike was going to remember! "Thats right!" -ahem- Anyways! The day resumed without any issues but during the preparations for the party there was a certain young drake that was heading out into the open world at the break of dawn. He seemed to be enjoying the brisk morning air at what he could tell was around 8am. He headed towards Rarity's Location due to prior engagements having been set the day prior and he knew Rarity was going to get onto him about being punctual if he didn't arrive in time. Inside the Carousel boutique, a white mare with a rather elegant looking mane and tail of purple hues swayed side to side preparing for Spikes arrival. Having set some tea in the kettle to boil, seeming to go off just as she heard the sound of a knock at her door. She attempted to pull out some muffins for breakfast only to find that she had burned them,"Oh my, note to self remember to take the muffins out of the oven BEFORE an hour passes?"She stated to herself taking the oven mitt off, taking the apron off and dusting herself down she rushed to the door to open it. "Hello Spikey Wikey, My handsome young helper! Are you ready to eat breakfast and prepare for a day of venturing into the Gem tunnels that I discovered?!" She seemed to have a twinkle in her eye showing just how excited she was to see how many gems she could gain from this venture. From what Rarity could see, Spike was wearing a purple jacket over top of a blue shirt and some long jeans that hung loose upon his legs with a tear in the knee. He had no shoes on though because from what he stated he never liked how they felt on his feet. From Spikes point of view however, he saw her wearing a tight fitting red knee length skirt with a slit on the side, some rather interesting black and white high heels, with a black denim jacket and ruffled buttoned down top. The top few buttons exposed revealing a decent amount of cleavage to the average joe who would be lucky enough to gaze upon her lucky enough on this day. "Yea Rarity, I think I will be fine today honestly though I would have preferred to stay home but Twilight kinda forced me out. She said that I am not allowed to be mopey when my birthday was only 2 days ago, maybe doing this would help get my mind off things huh? I don't know being of age was something I hoped wouldn't happen so that way you all could continue to see me as I was and I could continue to enjoy the attention I got for being the little guy!" He walked over towards the dining room smelling the burned muffins and the water as Rarity quickly headed back to begin pouring their tea. "Another baking attempt gone wrong Rarity?" He spoke teasing her which only got him a scoff, "Why I never! At least I tried to make you something since your doing this for me!" She gave a cute little pout in which Spike always enjoyed seeing. "Your right, I should be alot nicer about that thank you Rarity for making me breakfast, maybe I could try one and see how it tastes?" He started doing just that, raising one of the burnt muffins to his lips and taking a bite only to realize that the moment he did the interior tasted amazing! The exterior was burned but inside it looked like she tried to put butter in for a filling evening it out! "This is actually really good Rarity! I wasn't expecting butter in the middle! How did you do that without well you know what nevermind!" He continued eating the muffins, as Rarity got curious taking a bite only to begin eating a couple herself surprised by the looks being so deceiving. Well anyways, lets get going! Today is going to be a tough one the cave is nearby everfree so there might be some monsters inside! I hope you can protect me, Spikey Wikey.~" She spoke in a soft teasing tone, as she got up grabbing her bags before they both headed out. Leaving at least one muffin out onto the table that they couldn't finish. While Rarity was taking Spike out to excavate gems, Twilight and Fluttershy headed over to help prepare everything for the party for the apple family and Spike. Twilight was the first to speak up though, "Hey, Applejack? You sure your family is going to be alright with us throwing this party for Spike as well? Seems kinda rude doesn't it that we would kinda tie them in together? I mean Spike is down yea but why?" The stetson hat upon her long golden locks was removed as she used it to fan herself down. She was wearing a checkered pattern shirt that seemed to go above her navel, with some shorts that hugged snuggly against her ass accentuating her figure. "Ah'm certain Sugarcube, ah already talked to the family about it, seems they don't mind since Spike has done so much for all of us! Thank ya for askin' but my family will be comin' by in a few hours so we would need to hurry up! Pinkie Pie, how is the baked goods comin' along? Wearing only an apron, Pinkie Pie was using a cart she had brought from Sugarcube corner decked out with various mobile supplies and working oven and kitchenware. "Yup, yup, yup! The goodies are coming along great wanna try them! We got, cupcakes, cakes, tarts, sweet tarts, cherry changas! Even more are to come!" Blinking a bit at the hyperactive pony she seemed to be happy with her activities giving her a smile and a nod before getting back to work! Fluttershy was off outside, gathering up some critters to help with the decorations of the exterior, speeding things up considerably, Apple Jack was checking in on her, she would see that she was wearing snug Jeans and a light pinke shirt with some ruffles that Rarity had made. It was about as big and comfortable to her as her green sweatshirt, but Rarity insisted that she change her wardrobe a bit. She was talking with some of the birds, as they set up some thin thread with various colored flags, along between two firm poles. "Alright, be careful now we don't want the thread to fall too low, we want the guests to be able to enjoy their entry into the party.... T-thanks you Mr.Woodpecker, for getting the holes set up for us to place the thread and weave it into! Alright, Harry how are the logs being set up over by the campfire?" The bear looked over giving a wave as he set down another log giving a small grunt as if to say that it was going well. During the time of their preparation of the party, something else was going on in the waters of the everfree forest. A being shrouded in a cloak was running through the waters, seeming to have alot of scratches and tears on the fabrics. He seemed to have knowledge of this world since he had lasted this long, but how long is that? He had lost track ever since the sun raised in the sky. Maybe it was about a whole day now? He couldn't tell, he just wanted out. He finally seemed to have found a way to Zecoras hut. "It would seem that my eye of dragonewt is out, time to return to my route." She seemed to be covered in a similar cloak to his own, of pure brown upon leaving, he snuck behind her hiding among st the brush and trees as he let out a cough upon getting closer. Immediately, she had turned around. At this moment, he was caught like a deer in headlights. She slowly began her approach of this individual only for him to begin running in another direction, her words growing distant as she shouted. "Come back, you are running towards the pack!" She began to run after him, quickly gaining ground as he began to maneuver around the bushes and trees like he had been all day. After a few minutes, the cloak had flown off used as a shroud as it covered her view and he had seemingly disappeared. Sniffing the cloak she looked up into the sky, "This creature, has different features." She sighed shaking her head as she headed back towards ponyville words whispered to herself as she held the cloak. "Lets hope he is not consumed, for that route he may very well be doomed." -The shrouded figure- "That was fucclimb ouking close! What the hell was all that about? If I remember correctly, Zecora is kind of a mystery in the beginning of the series but when am I?! Judging by that cloak, I am guessing maybe sometime in season one when they first meet her?" He was lost in thought, as he ran only to hear a growl of something all too familiar sending shivers of fear through his body. The growls began to surround him, as the moon was rising in the sky, as he saw eyes of gold and green, "Oh no... Timberwolves..." His scream echoed into the sky as the party back at Sweet Apple Acres was beginning to swing into full motion. -Gem Mines Near Everfree- Rarity, was watching over the entirety of the operation of mining this cavern out. It would seem that her sources were correct and this place wasn't mined out even halfway! She was appalled that such gems would go to waste in here. "What happened in here that caused the miners to leave? This doesn't seem like a place that is really scary or dangerous." Spike declared as he took a small break, sitting down and looking back at Rarity. However the moment he sat down it would seem that the ground began to crack beneath his weight and he fell through, "Woah!" When he fell there was a loud thud, as Rarity instantly gasped and ran over to the hole looking in, "Spike are you okay!? What is down there?!" Rubbing his head as he slowly sat upright he looked up having fallen so he was laying flat on his stomache, his jaw slowly opened in awe. "Rarity... I think I found why this cavern was deserted! I think we may have a problem!" Rarity seeing his reaction shook her head, "Spike Climb out of there and lets head back, it is getting dark out. Maybe, you can tell me while we head back?" Spike doing as she said wiped himself down before he looked back at the hole, "Rarity that hole... Its very old... It has statues, and various items in there that don't seem to make any sense... On top of that there was a skeleton on a throne that I have never seen before!" Rarity, taking his words into consideration nodded while she placed her index finger to her chin in a contemplative and thinking motion. "We shall come back here with the others later, maybe Twilight would like to discover what this place has to offer..." -Sweet Apple Acres- As the sun was beginning to set, everypony in ponyville was gathering in the barn of Sweet Apple Acres, all discussing what they were going to do this evening. They all seemed to be really excited as this was a Pinkie Party thrown by the mane 6 so they were always a blast. However, Big mac was looking out into the sky, he had heard a scream from the everfree around 3 or 4 that just bothered him. After an hour and a half the sun was lowering making way for the moon and AppleJack looked up at the sky with Big Mac. "That scream still botherin' ya Big Mac?" Big Mac simply sighed as Zecora was coming over holding a cloak while wearing her own as she looked at the both of them. "Something strange is afoot, in the everfree there is a being who was cloaked. The timberwolves I fear he Provoked." With that Big Mac looked at AppleJack, "Eeyup!" Zecora looked at Big Mac and AppleJack as they all went inside. Big mac seemed to look back towards the ever free hoping that whoever it was managed to make it, noone should be in there this late let alone should ever have to feel the wrath of a pack of Timberwolves. All that Big Mac was, screamed at him as he shook his head and burst out of the barn towards the everfree while AppleJack screamed out. "BIG MAC!" -Everfree Forest- Panting heavily, he had been fighting these things for who knows how long! He had been so focused on staying alive that his adrenaline was beginning to wear thin as he had been bitten, scratched, and mauled in many ways. His clothes, mere scraps barely covering him to make him decent. He was holding a large branch of one of the Timberwolves, seeming to have defeated in and using it as a clawed club the Timberwolves simply began to regenerate once more. This time however he felt his legs beginning to shake as he fell to the ground losing feeling in his legs. One Timberwolf lunged form t he side while the other Lunged from the back, only for a loud *Thwack!* Could be hear both going flying into the others. He looked up to see a giant red stallion seeming to be fighting back against the wolves. With this, he felt his consciousness slowly fading until he hit the ground with a thud. The sound of hooves trotting towards him in the distance all he could hear while Big Mac fought. "What in tarnation?....." //-------------------------------------------------------// So what are you? //-------------------------------------------------------// So what are you? Sweet Apple Acres after the rescue Big Macintosh, had been doing the most fighting to ward of the timberwolves, when AppleJack had arrived she helped her brother out while Zecora watched over this beings unconscious body. Although she couldn't help but wonder what he was. She picked him up due to his smaller stature and ran off towards her hut with no warning to the apple siblings. AppleJack and Big Mac were too caught up with the fight that they didn't notice Zecora running off with this being. Once the battle was complete they simply looked at each other and sighed glad that they were out of harms way before AppleJack speaks up. "Hey there Big Bro, Ah am gonna head back towards the barn, party is starting soon and we need to be there for Spike. If'n ya want to go see what all this is about go ahead to Zecoras hut, ah know ya been there a few times so ya know your way." She encourages him with a smile and tip of her stetson hat before she headed back to the farm. Big Mac however, was going to take her hint and started his trek towards Zecoras Hut. Zecoras Hut She had carried him a good distance into the everfree, following her usual patterns. However upon her arrival at the hut he had slowly awoken from his slumber. The moment the door opened up, and the creak of the door was heard he kept silent scared for his life. He didn't bother to panic, he knew if he did perhaps this thing would pick up on the change in his breathing patterns and think he was awake. Thoughts ran through his head on just what exactly this thing was going to do to him! He felt something soft underneath him, he didn't know what it was but it seemed like a hammock? Maybe a makeshift bed of some sort? The sound of a boiling pot was causing him to begin to shake his fear betraying his "Sleeping" form. He opened one eye slowly and looked over there stood an anthromorphic zebra? He noticed a cloak nearby and figured it was the one he met in the forest. Looking down, he found that his cloak was removed, and he was left with torn pants and shirt from the earlier battle. Attempting to sit upright, to quickly run he noticed her back turned at just the right moment! Taking the initiative, he swiftly moved towards the door and... Big macintosh was standing on the other side of the door and gave a few knocks, opening it up to see him right there. However, this thing was too fast and swiftly moved passed him as Big Macintosh looked slackjawed then at Zecora who seemed to frown. "He got out while you were about?" All Big Macintosh could say in his stupor was, "Eeyup..." Everfree Forest "What the fuck are those things?! They looked almost human but not! Wait a minute..." His sprint through the forest slowed down to a stop. "Anthromorphic Zebra, giant red stallion..... Where am I? This isn't earth!" He stomped the ground in frustration only to grunt in pain from his previous injuries that have not healed. "You are in Equestria!" A deep voice came from behind, causing him to immediately turn around. The moment he did so, he was grabbed by the top of his head while he ran in place as he was lifted up off the ground by Big Macintosh. "Woah there, no need to be runnin' off again ya hear? Ah don't bite none not unless you mess around with mah family ya hear? So whats yer name?" He stated as he then began to slow down to not moving at all with a sigh he spoke out. "My name is Vex." Big Mac was happy he was finally getting through to Vex, setting him down it seemed he didn't attempt to run this time. He simply let his legs fall beneath him as Big Mac seemed to walk around and sit down in front of him in a cross legged position. "Now, we both have questions fer each other but ah am sure ya wanna figure out some things so you go ahead and ask first Vex." He had so many questions running through his head but one stook out more then any other. "Have you seen anything like me at all before?" Big Mac simply shook his head, "Can't say ah have really, yer the first one of your kind ah met and your kinda funny lookin' my turn. What is your species called?" A smile slowly crept upon his face, in this world he awoke in with nothing but terrors this was welcome in his eyes. "I am what you would call a human, and I originate from a planet called earth." This caused Big Macintosh eyes to raise, "A human? Ain't ever heard of them before and you say your from another planet? We may need to get you out of these here woods, Zecora that Zebra you ran from? Was trying to heal you but since ya ran off she couldn't leave mid way on her potion. So now ya gotta deal with it, so lets go Vex back to the hut." He grunted a bit, grumbling under his breathe as Big Mac seemed to help him up bit by bit. Zecoras hut as they are heading back Zecora was grabbing some herbs and other things in the back of her hut where she had her own garden of exotic plants. She had entered back into her hut with a frown across her face, she moved towards the book stationed beside the cauldron. "We can't have this human running off again, especially giving the pain hes in. I am sorry Big Macintosh, but this thing is awash in my mind." She sighed as she began to put some of the ingredients in the pot just before they had arrived. The cauldron bubbling more so a tint of slight red. There was a knock at the door as Zecora closed the book and opened it up allowing them in. Big Macintosh was the first to enter, and the thing behind him followed seeming to smile a bit. Big Macintosh had him sit back down where he was resting prior, and when he did so Zecora brought a small bowl made out of some coconut. "Here drink for the pain to dull, otherwise your body may give you an earful!" She gave a comforting smile, as he simply gave a skeptical look Vex still didn't trust Zecora and he didn't know why. However, with Big Macintosh giving him a nod of approval he just sighed and sipped of the concoction. Vex eyes opened wide as he dropped the bowl, and fell unconscious a look of betrayal in his eyes. "W-what?....." Big Macintosh and Zecora frowned as he fell to the world of sleep, and Big Macintosh picked him up. "I will inform Applejack but it won't be a simple task." Big macintosh sighed as he spoke out, "Eeyup, gonna take him straight to Twilight maybe she can help with understanding him?" With a wave, he left Zecoras Hut and as he walked forward into the everfree and through Sweet Apple Acres. "Ah am sorry Vex, but ah don't know what to think of ya, ya seem like a nice guy but we don't know if your a danger. Simply put, ah am sure yer gonna have quite a few choice words if'n ya ever see me again." Canterlot Castle (Throne Room) A knock echoed within the throne room, as if to signal Princess Celestia of a visitor. "Come in." On queue, the door slowly began to open as the guard called out, "A Sir Big Macintosh has come by, and uh he seems to have brought a strange creature draped over his shoulder?" This caught the Princesses attention, as she looked over at her sisters throne, to see it vacant and gave a nod. "See him in, but have guards position at the windows and doorway." The Guard saluted and moved back out, shortly after Big Macintosh entered. The doors slowly closed behind him, as he moved forward and when he got close he carefully laid Vex down on the ground in front of her. He gave a bow before speaking up towards her, "Princess Celestia, this creature was found in the Everfree forest but seems to come from another world as they have stated. They said their name is Vex and they come from another world called Earth, I managed to get him to trust me to go to Zecoras but after putting him to sleep..." He let out an audible sigh, "I don't think things are going to be easy for him here. He seems to be rather small compared to us, however he has some combat prowess as he managed to run and fight off some Timberwolves for who knows how long." He complimented at least to lighten the mood with a smile of his own. Princess Celestia was surprised by this information, slowly moved down from the throne a sway of her hips with each movement, the slit in her beautiful white dress that seemed to hug to her every curve that had an open top that let her beautiful bust be allowed to breathe and viewed by any who saw her contained behind the veil and straps that went to each shoulder. Her rainbow flowing mane moving with a nonexistent wind before she knelt down in front of him and lifted his chin. "Mr.Macintosh, you may stand, but why did you bring him to me?" This threw Big Mac off a bit before he spoke up, "Ah, uh well don't know if he may be a threat to equestria? Ah mean, better safe then sorry?" He responded seeming a little confused by her reaction. "Well then, if you think he may be a threat then I will see to it that he is put into a secured room where he will be visited by our finest doctors and nurses, we must ensure that anything we gather is not inaccurate if we are to determine if he is a threat." She called out to the guards who quickly entered, Big macintosh slowly standing up and moving aside with her permission. "Sir Light Chasm, please take this "human" To the doctors chambers and make sure he is confined to the bed, we don't want him escaping." With a nod and salute he picked him up with ease and ran off into the hallway, leaving Big Macintosh looking in sorrow before looking back to Princess Celestia. "Why the long face?" She stated before he responded. "Ah missed Spikes party, pretty sure he may be upset ah wasn't there?" He seemed to have a worried look on his face as Princess Celestia simply smiled. "No need to worry about that Big Macintosh, I am sure that he will understand once you explain to him the truth." He simply gave a nod before he looked back about to say something but was enveloped in a bright light and disappeared from the throne room before he could speak. "A human?.... From another world?... An alien so to speak? This is rather troublesome, for now I will have to keep him a secret and I am sure things won't get too hectic right?" She spoke out loud before she returned to her throne and continued her duties. Vex Dream World He had awoken in nothing but a dark void all surrounding him, laying in the middle of a white circle. He rubbed his head as he looked around, "Where am I?" His voice echoed into the darkness before a voice responded back, "You are inside your head, your dream world you could say, and it would seem that you don't really have any dreams going on right now. Perhaps it is because you are in another world?~" The voice seemed to echo back causing him to be paranoid, "Who are you?! Why am I asleep all I did was....." His face turned to that of shock, "Oh seems you finally realized it, yup you were drugged and put to sleep, seems that your new friend didn't know if you could be trusted!" The voice echoed back before he felt a hand touch his shoulder, "But that doesn't mean you have to let that get to you without a chance for revenge." The voice was alluring and feminine, sounded somewhat motherly as he turned around there he saw Nightmare Moon. https://camo.fimfiction.net/ynDYVORe5E7U8QHK5mtUBOeeChkVrb8Dxr-5JTo3fgg?url=https%3A%2F%2Fencrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcQNipAcFvYu830o4ldIeA4iPFTU4I0UW4c0JZmhV_nLMBr4yCKPVQ //-------------------------------------------------------// Uh Oh.... //-------------------------------------------------------// Uh Oh.... The Nightmare Realm "Nightmare moon? You make it sound like I actually know who you are! Look, if I am asleep and dreaming that means that it is now a lucid dream with which I could actually just make you disappear." He closed his eyes about to do just that before her voice came out in the Royal Canterlot Voice, "WAIT!" He flew back hoisted up into the air and knocked onto his butt before his eyes were forced open and surrounding him was an ancient ruins and she stood in the center with the moon illuminated behind her. "I can help you, it would be more ideal to your situation if you allow me a chance to aid you, although it will come at a price." She licked her lips at that looking him dead in the eyes with a serpent like gaze causing him to shiver. "What exactly am I going to be doing then? Why should I trust you? At least Big Macintosh decided to give me some rest after all that happened in the Everfree." He smirked confidently only for her to get an evil grin, "Oh really? Is that what you think? I guess gaining your trust is easier then I thought seeing as your so called Big Macintosh carried you all the way to canterlot to be put into the care of the royal canterlot archives in the insane asylum. You cannot escape where you are confined unless someone from the inside is sent, and I may have given such an order in secret prior to my arrival in your dream.~" He had a look of defeat on his face before he looked up at her, "For now... I will accept your proposal, only because I don't know if you are lying or not and I would rather not let an opportunity to escape go should I wake up and find you are right." He sighs as he stands up patting himself down. "All you have to do is to live and allow me to remain inside of your body like that of a retainer until I can gather the energy I need from others to regain my form. Once that has been done you will be allowed within the ranks of my army as my second in command for allowing me the chance to get my own revenge against those forsaken ponies!" He shakes his head before he walks up to her looking up at her, "What exactly did they do to you! Obviously you are one who has alot of power if you already got contact to someone else to get me out of there, combined with the fact that you are promising me a second in command? Your telling me you plan to overthrow the current ruler or rulers?" She corrected him, "Rulers, Princess Luna, the goddess of the night and Princess Celestia, the goddess of the sun. They raise and set them everyday for their lovely ponies and all of equestria so that life can be retained on the planet. However, its not just them we have the mane 6 to worry about as well! Pinkie Pie, the element of laughter. Fluttershy, the element of kindness. Rainbow Dash, the element of loyalty. Rarity, The element of generosity. AppleJack, the element of Honesty. Lastly the despised Twilight Sparkle who cast has the element of Magic on her side... The magic of friendship." She spat in disgust to the side before she looked down at him. "Its not going to be an easy adventure, but while I rest in your body I am sure you can think of what to do on your own! You have no magic within you, so it would be easy to keep me within you and no one would be any wiser as they won't be able to sense my presence." He contemplated for a moment, thinking about what she had to offer and who they were supposedly going to go up against. However, he had this gut feeling and usually he was one to follow it no matter the trouble it gave him. So he decided right then and there as he stepped forward with renewed confidence. "I will not allow you to remain in my body, and I will not allow you the opportunity to destroy this world I appeared in! Just because I was mistreated once doesn't mean it may happen again! It may just be because from what Big Macintosh was saying but it seems that humans have never been known in this world! If that is the case then I understand what they did and would only see it done the same on my own world! So with that out of the way, I will not aid you in your venture for revenge!" She went wide eyed before she spoke up, "No... Wait a minute I ca-" She was cut off as he shouted out, "NO! GET OUT!" Tears streaming down his cheek from the pain of this decision and with that she disappeared from his mind leaving him in his own darkness of his dream world once more. "I am not alone.... I have the bonds from home to remind me there is something to live for.... If I can find a way home then everything will have been worth it in the end..." He had the darkness open up to show his old life, He was living with his brother, and a few room mates. At times he felt like they didn't care about him, since they often times had plenty of food and he starved off ramen but he was happy to see them all happy. He knew the struggle of finances all too well and since he didn't have a job he understood that he couldn't complain for as much as he tried to find a job noone would hire him... They just kept getting taken up, and this only caused his stomache to rumble and tears continued to stream down his cheeks. "So long as I remember you guys then I can move on no matter the struggle...." He had images of his times on various social medias with his closest friends and he woke up with his eyes covered in tears. He looked around and saw he was in a padded room, with the only doorway seeming to be covered as well with a slot that opened up. "So it was true, what she said was true..." He sunk down before looking over as some food on a tray was pushed through a slot at the bottom. "Soups on." He heard before he moved forward beginning to eat without complain, "Best if I just see what I can do for now to make things better..." He finished his meal, and with that he had heard someone outside whisper into his cell, "Is this the cell of Ravenclaw?" It seemed like a feminine voice, as he whispered through seeing this as an opportunity to escape he figured what good could he do in here and answered. "Yes, it is and who am I speaking to?" The voice responded as the doorway opened up and he looked up in surprise at how tall she was, "The name is Hawk and I am here to rescue you!" He raised a brow remembering what nightmare moon said about having sent for help, was she the one who was sent? But if that were the case then why would she be after someone named Raven Claw?" He simply gave a nod as he reached a hand out, "Raven Claw." He smiled, as she eagerly shook his hand only to look him up and down. "Your kind of different looking for a Gryphon, a rare breed or one of a kind type of sort?" She asked as she attempted to look behind him, "White attire through and through at least your arms aren't restrained but you won't be hiding very well with white clothes so here take these!" She called out, before he found himself engulfed in clothes thrown at his face. Swiftly getting changed at the side of the door he came back out with black clothes and combat boots with a necklace that had a crescent moon. He looked back at her, "Alright I am ready lets get out of here!" She simply gave a nod as he hopped onto her back and she swiftly jumped out of the window, "Shame you don't have any wings flying is so liberating!" She called out as they fell, causing him to scream as they fell before her wings opened up. His scream alerted the guard as they all aligned the top of the wall and beams of magic and arrows shot through the sky. "Hold on!" He gripped tightly onto her feathers and fur he couldn't believe that he was riding on a gryphon! This whole thing was something he never could have imagined! As they began to evade various blasts, he shouted out with a cheer, "WOOHOO! This is awesome!" He began to laugh joy replaced his earlier sadness as she flew them off into the night. After what felt like a few hours, they had landed with her panting softly in the middle of a campground with a couple tents, the fire was going and it looked like there was someone else here but maybe they were off either getting food or... "Junto is off gathering the firewood, he already caught some fish so we have the food which is cooking right now but I don't know when he will be back. "No need to worry about when I will arrive for I just did, anyways so your Raven C-" He looked Vex up and down before he looked over at Hawk, "Uh Hawk who is this?" She simply looked at him confused before she looked at him, "Hes Raven Claw the one we were sent to get!" She retorted only for him to facehoof and sigh, "No this is not Raven Claw in fact Raven claw was supposed to be on death row and we have this flower that determines if he is alive or not! Right now if he was Raven Claw then he would be causing the flower to shine as bright as the su-" The flower began to shrink then die out as Junto glared at her causing her to give a sheepish smile. "Oops? Uh, but then who is this guy that I got, I did state that it was weird that he didn't have wings or anything!" Junto simply stared at the individual and sighed scratching the back of his head, "Look I don't know who you picked up here but we have to bring something back! Otherwise we would just be nothing more then common rebels on the land now. We need to get back to the Gryphon ambassador in order to see if we can secure travels back home." During his rambling, Hawk seemed to be zoning out as a bat was passing around above them only for her to look back at Junto. "Uh... I was listening!" However, Vex as the name he was going by was looking at the two, seeing that they were focused on their own world and as such he took the opportunity to slowly move out of sight. Moving into the bushes, and while he heard Hawk state she was listening he heard that Junto spoke out. "Where did he go!?" Hawk immediately could be heard taking to the skies, and all Vex could do was keep himself low to the ground enshrouded by the foliage. As he was proud of his achievement in having gotten away, little did he know that Hawk had spotted him from above and unfortunately as he entered into a circle clearing within the forest. There she sat on a stump with a playful grin, "Hiya! Where you going! We playing hide and seek now?!" She jumped back and forth picking him up by his shirt as he struggled, "Hey let me go!" She talked with her mouth full. "Ffrf fikt." As if to say your it and sat him down back and camp with Junto crossing his arms when she lands. "You going to try to escape again?" All Vex could do was shrug, he had been trapped with no way out at the moment and these 2 individuals had some unknown plans for him. What was in store for him with this gryphon ambassador? What would happen when they bring him instead of this Raven Claw, would he cause them grief? A sigh escaped his lips as he just shook his head, "No I have been nothing but caught up in a whirlwind since my arrival might as well continue to go with the flow; after all fighting it got me nowhere." //-------------------------------------------------------// The Escape that cost me... //-------------------------------------------------------// The Escape that cost me... The night was spent with Vex being put on a make shift leash, wish it was a lie but that was how they felt they could keep track of him. A rope wrapped around his neck, held by the gryphon named Hawk and she had a firm grip on it. What kind of strength did she have to be able to hold him while she slept? Thing is that no matter how much or how hard Vex struggled it didn't mean anything as breaking free was a pipe dream. That is until unfortunately, that night would be the night a certain visitor would be returning to his dreams. -dream world- Vex's dreams began again, in the midst of darkness. Heightened by his realization of where he was briefly he felt a sudden sensation. The feeling of being unable to move, as slowly the darkness rose around him, attempting to grapple him to the ground. Like tendrils, they slid along his legs, keeping him from moving bit by bit binding his body to the darkness he stood upon. Feeling like he was suffocated, things didn't seem right at all. Vex called out to the name, he believed to be the reason for this. "Nightmare moon, you do not have control here. You are not the one who owns my body, I am and you will never take it from me! You think my mind is weak, but I have gone through much turmoil and grief! Twisting around me and trying to keep me pinned will do you no justice! Now show yourself and lets talk like reasonable people!" What appeared before him, was not what he was expecting at all. https://img.youtube.com/vi/BGMv8dbIntE/mqdefault.jpg His eyes could not stop staring as the darkness all around him began to expand, and grow outwards as stars began to alight the sky and begin to paint an endless stream of the galaxy around him. The ground beneath him lost the tendrils and it felt like he began to float as he fell for but a brief moment then looked up as the beast before him didn't seem to have a form of normal origin. It.... Was made of the very stars it was surrounded be; Stunned into silence, he didn't know what to do. His voice caught in his throat as he attempted to speak but nothing came as if his throat was being held in a vicegrip. The large mass took one step forward, and immediately the floating sensation stopped causing him to fall on his ass. "So... You wish... to speak with me....." Lost for words Vex simply nodded to him, causing him to lean forward and grin as a sense of dread poured over him. "Then.... Speak... I am listening...." He took a brief moment to gather his thoughts before he slowly stood up wiping himself down of his dream body. "Well, first up are you the one who took on that form the other day? Or was that someone else entirely? I mean, you don't look anything like the mare I had seen and yet you came to the name instead." The being simply growled before responding, "I attempted the more peaceful route first, but you stopped my advances before I could do anything. It was frustrating to say the least, but yes that was I, and I won't let you get away this time. You may hold presidency over your mind, but eventually you will cave and lose the battle you so want to avoid. Just like I did with that damned Princess Luna." Venom coursed through her voice when she spoke her name. Having understood the implications of just how serious this situation was he spoke up again but more calm and collected, "Seeing as you have now taken on what I assume is your real form, how about we finally make a deal instead? Right now I am in a bind and don't wish to be taken hostage again like I was before." This caused the beast to raise a brow and sighed, "So you wish to have the ability to free yourself and be able to wander the lands of your own volition? You are more of a lone wolf then I had once thought. However, that does work out for me so I don't see why I can't help you especially if it means I can get something for myself, I am called the Tantabus I won't tell you what my powers entail, but for now I can free you from your bindings. Whenever I use my powers I will have to use your energy to do so, I must be able to regain my own original form and once that is done I will then leave you as was my original intention so I may fulfill my own ambitions." Knowing full well that with the dread he had felt from this thing since moment one that making this deal would set loose something horrible upon the land, what reigned more in his head was the chance to be free again and have a chance to fight back against this world he was in. So with baited breathe he simply moved forward and held out a hand, grinning the tantabus took it and spoke a few key words. "You have no idea what you have done...~" Before Vex's eyes widened and the tantabus began to move forward in a mist slithering into his mouth and down his throat as if taking residency within the dream body he had and confirming the deal to be true a very chilling laugh echoed into the night sky before it began to shatter bit by bit before he woke up in a cold sweat. -Equestria- He looked over at Hawk, she seemed to be slowly loosening her grip until she had finally let go and began to scratch at the air above her. Seeing this he quickly loosened up the knot around the noose and got himself free, for that moment he quickly fled into the forest. The same as before, but this time he didn't have any pursuers. Running as quick as he could into the forest, he managed to get deeper and deeper within as the night sky shone bright overhead. Panting softly, he looked around at his surroundings and found himself lost, ultimately deciding that this was better then where he was at the time he sat down against a tree and began to think. "Alright now think about this, they don't know your real name, the first supposed friend you attempted to make drugged you along with a zebra woman, everything here seems to be anthropomorphic in nature so far aside from those "Timberwolves." At least I managed to get away but for now I should probably use the knowledge I have to make a weapon." He stood upright and stretched his limbs before looking around, "So first thing I should do is try to find some good quality wood to make an axe." After about a few hours of traveling, the sun was beginning to rise into the sky and his mind wandered back to the 2 who had taken him captive. "Wonder what they might be thinking about since i got away?" A shrug was all he had before he finally found a sturdy tree that had seemed to be good enough to make something out of. A large boulder was nearby and thus he picked it up and began to tear apart the bark and tree branches. Making a contraption out of it, like a seesaw he placed the rock on one end before jumping on the other, launching the rock high into the sky before it slammed down onto the ground with an audible crack. He sighed softly that his work wasn't wasted and now he managed to get a sharp point to the rock out of it and tie it up with some vines along a branch creating a make shift spear. Happy with his efforts as the day was only just beginning he could only laugh a bit, he was finally free and was able to start up an axe and using some vines and small sticks made a small quiver to put on his back to place the axe into. Carrying the spear, he headed in a random direction into the forest once more with the intention to hunt for food. -Camp site.- The sun having fully risen into the sky above, Junto began to rise from his slumber, a hand moved to his eye to rub the sleep out of it. What could have possibly been the cause of such a dream? He didn't know what it was, but it certainly gave him shivers. With a stretch and a yawn, he grinned before he spoke up. "Alright Hawk, time to wake up lets get this gu-" With a turn of his head towards where their prisoner should have been he saw the empty and undone rope on the ground. He was stunned in surprise before he yelled out. "Hawk!!!!! Wake up! The prisoner is gone! Get out there quick and find him!" He quickly threw her out of the tent causing her to squawk and with sleep ridden eyes jumped into the sky in a panic attempting to look around. "Does he always have to be so rude just because someone leaves camp? Its not like the whole entirety of equestria is going to be on our asses if we....." She then went silent as her pupils turned to pinpricks and began to move faster then ever before attempting to find him below. Junto however, was immediately attempting to pick up the sticks they used for the fire and scatter them, while also undoing the tents and ensuring it didn't seem like there was anyone there. Once done, he sighed softly looking up into the sky to see there may be a storm in the forecast. With a growl, he saw her returning only to find her empty handed. "Great, no luck huh Hawk? We can't stay any longer, we already did our job to get them out even if it wasn't necessarily the one they wanted. Lets just hope they let us on the last ship out of here!" Hawk with a depressed look on her face simply nodded before taking her bedroll and tent heading along after him as they gave up their search. -in the everfree- The spear, and axe have been very handy as the sun was high in the sky now. However, he had constantly run into those damned timberwolves. The quantity of them were ridiculous, and he had dealt quite a bit of damage to each of them ensuring to keep himself moving. Thing is, He couldn't tell where he was anymore. He had been flown so far away from where they were originally, and judging by what Hawk was stating during the flight then he would be hours upon hours away from any close civilization. The only thing he may find would be the desert or wasteland that leads to appleloosa, The forest was alot more dense in this area. Suddenly as if the everfree was alive all along; his foot was ensnared in a vine, then his other and he began to fight back taking the axe off while throwing the spear aside he managed to break free. Only for his axe to be taken by the vines like that of a tendril, spooked by this he quickly ran the opposite way grabbing his spear out of the ground until he found himself out in the open expanse of dessert. Seeing train tracks, he shrugged and figured he would follow them if he was going to get anywhere. "Well, can't hurt to find out how close Appleloosa is, maybe they haven't heard of me yet? I don't know but one thing is for sure I need to get something to eat and my stomache is killing me." With a grumble of his stomache he strutted on along the traintracks. -Canterlot Castle shortly after Vex's escape- The day court had just ended as the sun had only just recently been set within the last prior hour. Yet as she was about to leave to get some rest, it would seem that would not be possible as the doorway to her throne room was burst open with a guard in a bit of a panic. He fixed himself up for a moment and gave a salute as sweat dripped from his forehead, Princess Celestia taking note of this knew that it wasn't good news and sighed. Slowly moving down the stairs she slowly approached him, before he knelt down on one knee in a bow and spoke out. "The human has escaped! On top of that it would seem that due to our carelessness, he was not put in a cell with a bed that could chain him down. They were all full, as such he was put in a room with a strait jacket! However with those preparations in check we still had someone infiltrate our ranks and break him out. We assume this because the hinges were busted open with claw marks that seem to belong to a gryphon." Princess Celestia was clearly taken aback by this information, she was not informed of the change of rooms? On top of that he was broken out? "This doesn't seem like it was a coincidence. Someone planned his escape, I would normally be informed of this beforehand and yet noone has? What is the reason for that." The guard gave an audible gulp before he spoke out again sweat dripping down his body, "W-well, w-we were informed from a stallion who was informed to have a higher position that he was to be changed to a different cell for containment after medical procedures your highness. On top of that their paperwork was good as far as we could tell, I apologize that I can't help offer more information." Princess Celestia sighed as she spoke out once more, "Raise please my young pony and get yourself rested for the night. We must find him tomorrow, I am sure that we can get him back without too much of a problem. First send the doctor in, I would like to know the progress on this human." The guard swiftly stood up in salute before stating "Your highness!" he swiftly moved out and closed the door behind him. Causing the princess to return to her throne for possibly the last time for this evening a smile creeping up on her face. "Oh now this is fun! Haven't had anyone break out in many many years! I wonder just who may be so bold as to break into the royal prison?" She heard the door open as she fixed her posture the doctor coming forward slowly with a clip board in hand. He seemed to be a brown stallion with dark brown hair and blue eyes, a brown shirt with a brown lab coat and black pants covering up his features. He knelt down at the bottom of the stairs before speaking up, "We have the update you are looking for your highness and we may have a problem." He looked up at her to see she had a scowl of discomfort as he spoke up once more, "T-this human has no magical capabilities at all! It seems, that his body may possibly reject any form of magic that comes into contact with him! Meaning tha-" She stood up abruptly immediately worry on her face, "He could risk death if any magic ever comes into contact with him?!" The doctor simply nodded as she looked out at the sky. "Summon Shining armor, and inform him that the guards must immediately be on the look out for this human named Vex. Bring him in without the use of magic, no matter what!" The doctor simply stood with a quick bow he rushed out as Princess Celestia whispered, "What on earth is this creature? A vessel incapable of magic or mana in a world completely filled to the brim with it? Not a single creature I know of is without magic... His words were true and yet we imprisoned him and experimented on him so eagerly.... Sometimes I wonder if advances in science is a good thing. I just hope this young one doesn't hate us for what has transpired?" A sigh escaped her lips as she headed to bed for the evening. Yet in the doorway to the throne room her sister watched as Celestia seemed concerned over what may be on her mind. She traversed forward and coughed to get her attention, "What seems to be thine problem dear sister?" With those words Princess Celestia began to explain what has been going on while she slept. -back to current time in the desert- His stomache grumbling at an immense tone he found his body dehydrating rapidly under the intense heat of the desert sun. He looked up ahead when he thought he heard something only to see what looked like a town. Somepony was rushing up towards him and with a sigh he relaxed and fell forward onto the ground. Falling unconscious to the very heat he wanted to avoid staying in for too long. Finally sleep took him once more, and this time he wondered what would be in store. Author's Note 1st picture belongs to Ambris, please check them out when you can. https://camo.fimfiction.net/bRxvHKZY2tbrpEwWXOaM0y-Tg9-qVCJ9IetfGvDSOR0?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2F49%2Ff5%2F97%2F49f597c6cab3a88a790475d359c8e91b.png the video belongs to its original creators.