Wandering

Chapters

1 Author's Note

Only existing characters that will show are the alicorns because the time gap

1

I've walked into this world without realizing it at first had been doing my usual woods exploring when suddenly it had changed to what looked like a city. And a few moments later I saw what I thought was a pony and a gryphon? Walking and talking I quickly hid or at least tried to but slammed myself into what felt like a strangely alive wall.

After a moment the wall shifted into a dark blue pony with a teal mane, and a teal dragon tail with spikes matching its body. It had a suddenly panicked look. "What the tartarus are you?" It asked me

"I am a human where the hell am I?" I replied

"A human, one of you had appeared in the crystal empire a long time ago and died a while back. Oh, and you're in Manehattan. Would recommend you lie low I have to go." She suddenly reblended with the wall and ran off after the two I had seen her body rapidly shifting in color with what she ran besides.

I looked around wondering what the hell was happening taking the odd ponies advice and slinking into an alley going behind a dumpster and listening to the city's noises I heard something I mildly recognized sounded like something from an old Halo game. I decided to look for the source and stepped out into the street only a few creatures really noticed me most ignored me.

Typical city folk even in another world or dimension they ignore everything around em. So I'm not the first of my kind here. I started walking the same way as the crowd seeing some electric billboards advertising various things one had what looked like an old phone a relic everything's neral-links now.

I kept walking making sure everything I saw was being precisely recorded for if I ever get back home. Saving the video behind an attack barrier so no tampering happens to it. There tech is far behind but it pays to be cautious.

I noticed I was getting hungry after about an hour of walking. So I went into what looked to be a restaurant before I remembered I have no money in this world I started walking out when i was whacked in the leg by what felt like wood.

Suddenly the pony thing undisguised in front of my eyes. "I thought I told you to lie low!" She yell whispered at me.

"Why? None of the creatures here seem to really care that I’m here." I replied to her.

"Majority may not but a few groups have. Including the one I had been spying on when we met. They may try to nab you and sell you to the highest bidder." She whispered while looking around.

"Why should I trust you how do I know you're not trying to catch me yourself?" I replied to her.

"Because well I'm a royal/police spy. Since my talent is literally blending in." She said continuing to monitor the surroundings.

"Look if you want me to trust you I need a name." I said to her.

"My name is Texture, and yours?" She replied

"My names John, John Sierra to be complete." I answered.

She nodded and motioned her head for us to leave. "I can take you somewhere safe for the time being."

"No! I need food." I said to her.

"They won't have your kind of food here." She said showing off a canine tooth. "This is a purely herbivore restaurant. ," She continued and started walking.

I hesitantly followed her. Why and how the hell am I here exactly? "There must be some mystic tomfuckery happening." I accidentally said aloud.

Texture gave me a look of concern. "Are you having a mental breakdown? Cause this is a bad time for one despite it being reasonable."

I shook my head. "No no, well maybe kind of?"

She decided to stay beside me to ensure I didn't just breakdown guiding me by pushing on or tugging my pant leg. Eventually we arrived at what seemed like a government building not sure the kind but there were two guards in front of the doors both seemed rather surprised. "What is your reason for coming here ma'am?" One asked looking at Texture.

"Isn't it obvious? This guy needs asylum the mafia is already planning on grabbing him. Him being the second of his kind to come here and popping up in their territory and all." She said indicating to me.

I nodded and held up my hands still feeling kind of confused. The guard stared at me for a minute nodded at Texture and stepped aside for us to enter. I shivered from the sudden temperature change from going inside of the building.

Texture walked me up to the front desk and explained to the attendant. "Alright they'll take care of you from here. I have to get back to work." She said before starting to camouflage and running out the building spreading her wings.

The attendant asked me to sit while I waited. As I waited, I heard another old video game song think it was Jupiter's lightning. An odd choice of waiting room music. I thought. Despite living in the age of virtual cities back on earth i had been raised with an appreciation for older video games hence my name.

After about 15 minutes a dragon came up to me wearing a similar uniform to the two guards outside but with less plates. "Right this way sir, we've got a meal waiting for you and a secure space to wait till either Texture returns or a higher up comes." She said.

I followed her further into the building resuming recording as we walked she gave me a curious look. "What is up with your eyes?" She asked.

"My eyes are prosthetic, purely digital input." I replied.

"That's incredible far more advanced than anything here we just got the tech from the other of your species 30 years ago." She replied.

That techs about a hundred years old. I thought. Can't really imagine having to use a handheld for everything. I mentally continued. "Besides my neural link, and eyes I'm one hundred percent organic. Couldn't afford a prosthetic body." I replied to her.

"Neural link?" She asked.

"Basically a computer directly connected even intertwined with your brain on the higher end models." I answered.

She seemed further confused but decided not to ask anymore questions. "Here we are." She said indicating to an office room.

I looked around the large room it was connected to before going in. A lot of outdated tech computers most seeming to be modified for the non handed creatures. I looked inside the office and saw a computer and a meal tray which I went right over to and started eating. After I finished eating I pulled a wire from my links external connection port and hooked it to the computer curious what there was on the network.

It didn't even have an access barrier so i went right in and saw all their records. So this world has monarchy as the heads of the government, at least in this particular country. Not too much intel on the surrounding countries here. I heard the door click as it began opening and yanked myself sitting up properly to greet whoever it was.

"Are you certain the humans in here I sense no magic." I heard a voice say. A large horse? Walked in as the cord finished going back in its port. I sighed with relief she didn't seem to notice the cord. The horse had a thick blue and pinkish purple mane. It looked at me in surprise.

"Ah yes he is in here, sorry for questing you officer." She said looking out the door. She approached me. "Funny another human appearing exactly 30 years after my husbands death." She was staring at my eyes as she got closer. "Your eyes are strange, but unlike his."

"What is with everyone noticing my eyes today!" I yelled abruptly standing up.

Her horn glowed and my eyes went static for a second and I staggered while shaking my head. "What the fuck?!!" I yelled at her. It wasn't a hack but what the hell was that? I thought while yelling.

She stepped back. "That was unexpected and I am sorry for doing that?" She said bowing her head. "So what was the last thing you remember before appearing here? And what do you intend to do now that you're here?" She asked.

"I was taking my usual walk when I suddenly was in this city I’m not exactly sure what I intend to do but I know I'm not staying in this city." I replied. Rather irritated she messed with my eyes.

"Seeing as you seem to have no magic or any weapons. You will be free to do as you wish but let me give you a little bit of a head start." Her horn glowed again I prepared for static but instead a bag of coins appeared in front of me.

I grabbed it. "Thank you ma'am." This is the first time I’ve dealt with physical currency in a long time. I thought as I slid it in my jeans pocket.

She began walking out. "Oh and you should know that you'll always have security at any of our governments buildings. Being the only of your kind."

I nodded still feeling confused from the last few hours. Magic something I haven't really thought about since I was a kid. I thought as I walked out a minute after she did.

…………………
Swapping to Flurry for a moment

"Texture, I want you to keep an eye on him for a while, don't interfere unless he's in trouble." I said. Texture slid out of her camouflage nodded and saluted to me. As I got in my carage she re-blended awaiting the humans exit

2

Return to John's perspective.

I walked out of the building into the fading day. "Need to find somewhere for the coming night." I thought aloud. I walked around looking for something like a cheap hotel and ended up in what felt like a more shady portion of the city.

After a few minutes I found a cheap hotel cost me about 20 of my bits for the night. Once I was in the room i closed my eyes and started playing a video I had saved in my brain. Only things i had gotten to bring with me was what I had recorded and clothes. They didn't have wireless network's plus this place was too cheap for any of their computer tech.

I eventually fell asleep. When the morning came I left and i swear i saw a slight amount of movement follow behind me. I found somewhere to eat that was owned by a griffon i think. I got a few curious looks from the other patrons. A waitress came to me after I got seated and gave me a menu that she was levitating infront of her.
I grabbed it feeling a slight tug as I moved it to infront of myself.

No nanotech in play, must really be magic. My eyes got a small flash of static as I did this. Please don't start crapping out on me, no way to get repairs. I mentally begged my eyes. Even if they had the tech i wouldn't trust any of these creatures to do it, anyway.

I looked over the menu found something that looked good and waited on the waitress pony to return. She returned and i ordered a breakfast burger waited about 5 minutes during which i heard a commotion outside. A fight maybe? I mentally questioned.

I received my burger it had bacon and two fried eggs with their yolks pre popped on it. It wasn't much of a mess thanks to that. It came with a hash on the side, i got a flash of static when taking my plate from her. I ate in silence nothing that i can tell that would cause it. Should run diagnostics on them.

Swap to Texture

About ten minutes ago

There were a few gang members approaching the restaurant John was in so i moved to dispatch them. First went down before realizing what happened the next got a swing or two in before I knocked her legs from under her and stomped her face.

After the fight i drug them to a dumpster and contacted the local branch to collect them. After all that i spotted John leaving the restaurant and began to follow. He seemed to be heading out of the city.

Back to John

"So it's about 60 miles to the next town. On foot that should take a few days." I walked into a small store and got: a fire starter, a blanket, a bag, and some food items.

On the road i guess. I used to read a lot kind of picked it up from a semi sentient robot it had rather enjoyed reading physical books. One book I read was on basic survival. "Wonder how Walter's doing better remember to charge himself." I vocally thought.

I walked quietly looping a portion of a song that I could remember in my mind. May need to get one of those handhelds don't have the net to directly play the songs in my mind anymore. should have downloaded them. Maybe if I find a computer with them i can link and do just that. I've got about 30 tb of space free in my brain and I never got an expander. Can always overwrite memories.

Some reason this lonely walking reminded me of Lawrence from s&w. My feet began feeling sore so I found a nice spot in the grass beside the road. Sat ate and drank while resting. Spending time walking in the woods is kind of paying off today. Think i've made it about 10 miles so far.

Swap to Texture.

The fact he's gotten this far in such a short time amazes me. Minotaurs can't go this far in the period he's been walking and they have similar body shapes. Makes sense though, his species was endurance hunters out lasted their prey. At least that's what Kent had written. I thought watching John from the clouds. He'll likely reach the white woods before night if he keeps going. Won't be sleeping tonight if he does, reports say there are some form of feral winged ponies in there. He stood back up and started walking again after about half an hour.

Back to John.

It was back to walking after a period of rest. more i walk the less time this journey will take. after a few more hours of walking i reached what appeared to be a semi swampy woods. This wasn't on the map I saw. Really have no choice though. After another 40 minutes I reached the woods and began my trek through them sticking to what little that still remained of the road. Many tree roots popped up through the path and it was semi covered by leaves. I heard movements in the surrounding woods but nothing came for me. I remained alert anyway. Soon noticed it was darkening. Time to set up camp i guess. I made a small fire using large tree branches and leaves.

I heard movements again they were much closer this time. After a few moments a very fuzzy pony like being with leathery wings and diamond shaped pupils walked out of the surrounding brush. "Well isn't this a surprise first visitor we've had in a long time and it's a species we haven't seen." She said as more pony like things came out the brush some like her others looked like varying insects a few normal ponies as well. most were female. With about two or three males.

I quickly stood as they approached grabbing one of the branches and waving the burning end at them.

Swap to Texture

I flew in landing beside John taking an offensive stance counting how many of them there were.

Their leader stepped forward with a smile. "There's no need to be aggressive, we may be feral but we won't attack unless you do. Just curious about him mainly." She said.

"Your rather well spoken for a feral." I replied.

"You can thank William for that." She said nudging her head to a blue pony near the front of the group.

I slightly relaxed and John seemed to do the same putting the branch partially back in the fire. I looked back at him, his eyes pupils were doing an odd rotating thing seeming to try seeing everything and focus on the leader at the same time. They settled on the approaching leader after a few moments.

"So what exactly are you doing here big boy?" She asked continuing to approach John. I moved to stand between the two.

"That's close enough." I said to her.

She chuckled a little. "Rather protective aren't You?"

"I was ordered to be." I replied.

"Why?" John asked.

"Because princess Flurry Heart wanted to make sure you remain safe." I replied to him still watching the ferals.

The leader seemed surprised. "So in a way you are a big deal then?" She asked John.

He shrugged. "Not really i'm just a person who happened to appear in this world. Not the first either."

Back to John

As I said that, she smiled and nodded acknowledging what i said. "Well leave you be unless you want us to hang around." She said as she began walking back to her group.

"Actually I would like that, get to know different points of view and begin understanding where i am more." With me saying that one pony i assumed was part moth flew up to me Texture watched her untrustingly.

"Things seem to be fine so i'll leave and watch from a distance." Texture said as she camoed and slunk off. The feral leader seemed to be able to still see her to some degree.

"That's rather interesting she blends perfectly but her thermals stay the same." She said as I lightly touched the moth pony infront of me extremely soft. She squeaked a little and I withdrew my hand from her body worried I had hurt her.

After a moment the pony pushed herself back into my hand. "Sorry you just surprised me." She said.

I started petting her avoiding her wings knowing that real moth wings were rather delicate so it was most likely the same for her. Her antenne lightly tapped my arm. I noticed the other ferals had gotten closer and were lying around me and my fire. Well this is strangely cozy. I thought. The one I was petting had moved herself to partially lie on my lap. I noticed the leader was watching me her eyes seemed to glow with the fires reflection.

I looked at William. "So what made you join this bunch?" I said waving my arm to indicate to all the ferals.

He seemed surprised by my question. "Well really i had nothing left in the city so I was heading for the town your likely going to when i met them and decided to stay." He replied.

"Makes some sense I would consider it but I want to see this world." I said. with that the moth pony lifted her head to look at me with a curious/hopeful look."What's your name?" I asked her.

"I'm Diz." She replied

"That's an odd name."

"She gets dizzy rather easily." The leader explained.

'What's your name ma'am?" I asked the leader.

" i am Clear Sight." She answered relaxing.

After a while of petting and talking I found myself dozing off, and soon fell asleep

3 Author's Note

Incomplete chapter

3

The following morning when i woke up i found myself closely surrounded by the tribe the mothpony i had been petting was cuddled up to my side for some reason. I remained lying down waiting on some of the others to start moving.

Officially day two here in eques, and it's so far not too bad having a bodyguard may be part of that though. I thought as I lay there.

After around twenty minutes some members of the group started getting up including the mothpony i was laying beside. I sat up shortly after she got up. Several of them yawned as they woke up. I looked around at the trees and spotted texture she was uncamouflaged and still asleep.

As the tribe got up and moving i resumed conversing with them all. They decided to share breakfast with me and even invited texture down.

William handed me a bowl of some sort of gruel with his magic as I grabbed it my eyes lightly staticed again. Thats annoying is it me coming in contact with cast magic that causes it? "Need a large test pool to confirm." I thought aloud and got some looks from the members.

"Larger test pool for what?" Clear asked me with suspicion in her tone.

"My eyes have been going static when i come in contact with cast magic i think. Was meaning need more tests to confirm it."

"I noticed your eyes unnatural movement last night would that perhaps be the reason?" Clear asked and i nodded in reply.

"My eyes are machine." I said.

We all resumed conversation. Mainly diz, clear, and William spoke to me.

After a while i stood packed up my things said goodbye to them and resumed my journey. Diz followed me to the edge of the forest. She sadly said goodbye to me as i exited.

I looked to the sky knowing Texture was following me. Her camo was adaptive so i was watching for movements. It reminded me of the octocamo from mgs4 thinking about it. After about ten minutes of walking i stopped looking for her and focused on the path ahead. I ultimately wanted to reach a neighboring kingdom not sure which but ill keep going till i see more of non pony species than pony i guess.

Still need to find a computer with songs or find a live player and record it. Saving sound was much cheaper in terms of storage then visual and audio. The only reason i didn't really have any songs stored is that i'm an impulsive deleter feel a need for having as much storage open as possible. Though i wasent so bad that i've deleted motor control of limbs. Know a few people who accidentally have and had to have a lot of therapy or get a prosthetic body to fix it.

If people who have lived with the tech all their lives cant fully handle it. It scares me to think what would happen if these ponies got it. Have to make sure when i die it's in a way my neral link and eyes can't be recovered so basically crush my head.

The walking was quiet and lonely i wished Texture would walk with me rather than hide next i see her id have to ask her to. I walked till dusk and set up a small fire boiled some water and made a weak broth using some of my jerky. "Better than nothing i guess."

After half an hour, I heard a soft thud as something landed in the grass near me and an un camouflaged Texture walked out into my clearing. "Good evening feel free to join me." I said to her, she simply nodded and sat on the other side of the fire. I could see a portion of her flickering with the fire as she watched it with a smile.

"Fan of fire?" I asked And got a nod in reply. I offered a piece of jerky to her and she accepted grabbing it with her wing. What could be a good conversation starter with her; can't really ask how her day has been as she's just been following me.

"So what's your end destination?" She suddenly asked.

"Ive got no clue." I answered