Chapter 7

“Hey you, you......... whatever you are!” The blue pegasus mare yells, “I asked you a question! Who or what are you?!?”

I can tell by the tone of her voice and her face, along with the other mares behind her, that she wasn’t too pleased with what she was seeing. I suppose I can understand from her point of view. A strange creature coming out of nowhere carrying three young foals? Hell even I would want to know what’s going on. Not wanting to provoke anypony or give them any excuse to dub me as some dangerous beast, I slowly but surely kneel down and sit on my knees. I glance at the fillies on me with a serious expression.

“You girls should get off of me now, wouldn’t want to give off a bad impression than I probably already have…” I say reluctantly.

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were hesitant at first because they knew I wasn’t as dangerous as I was being accused. But when I glanced at them again, giving them a more stern look they surrendered and slowly climbed off. I was expecting them to return to the others right away but surprisingly they stood right in front of me, while Apple Bloom was leaning on my shoulder for support due to her injury.

“We won’t let you hurt our friend!” Sweetie Belle shouts.

“Yeah! If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t be standing here right now so lay off!” Scootaloo defends.

Apple Bloom then points her at the group, “Are y’all seriously doin’ the same thing ya did back when Zecora first showed up? I thought y’all learned that lesson by now!” She lectures them.

The mares, myself included, were shocked at their defense for me. I smiled with a feeling of gratefulness in my chest that they’d stand up for me in such a way.

The white mare steps forward and speaks, “Sweete Belle, darling, whatever do you mean? Didn’t this ruffian foalnap you and the others?” She asks. Given how her fur is a similar color to Sweetie Belle’s I can only assume she’s her “dramatic” sister.

“No he didn’t, Rarity! He saved our lives!” She says.

The mares now have more confused and shocked expressions. The orange pony with the stetson steps forward, “Apple Bloom, why’re y’all leanin’ on him like that? And Whut do ya mean he saved y’alls lives?” She questions. Her southern accent is just as thick as Apple Blooms so I could already tell they’re siblings.

“Yeah! How did you even hurt yourself in the first place? Did he do it?!?” The blue pegasus accuses.

“NO HE DIDN’T RAINBOW DASH! MR. SABER SAVED US ALL FROM A MANTICORE AND APPLE BLOOM HURT HERSELF WHILE WE WERE TRYING TO RUNNING AWAY FROM IT!!!” Scootaloo screams. I rubbed my ear due to the slight ringing from her voice.

All the mares then gasp at what has just been said. Apple Bloom the limps slightly to her sister and looks up at her. She turns and looks at me looking slightly anxious but I can tell what’s going on in her mind. I nod to her and she nods back before looking back up to her sister.

“It’s true, Applejack. Me, Sweetie Belle, n’ Scootaloo went to the Everfree forest again to try and find new ways to get our cutie marks.” Another set of gasps fills the area. “We were walkn’ along the path when a huge manticore showed up outta nowhere. We ran as fast as we could but I tripped and hurt mah ankle.” She says, showing her slightly red and swollen injury. “We thought we were goners for sure. But Mr. Saber showed up in the nick of time and drove tha manticore off by himself.” She explains.

The mares then go wide eyed and look towards me. I can only shrug my shoulders and say, “It’s true, had I not showed up when I did you and the others would be short a little sister.”

The mare who’s name is assumably Applejack walks over to where I’m sitting. I’m still sitting on my knees while she’s standing over me. She then proceeds to bend down and stare right into my eyes, like she’s trying to look at my very soul or try and intimidate me though I highly doubt she could. After what seems like a full minute of just staring at each other, Applejack then blinks and stands up she then turns around towards Apple Bloom and proceeds to bonk her on the head.

“Dagnabbit, sugarcube! How many times have Mac, Granny, and Ah told ya and the others never to go into the Everfree forest by yourselves?!?” She lectures.

Apple Bloom rubs her head while wincing in pain from her sisters strike and frowns guiltily.

“Wait, wait, wait a minute AJ, are you saying they’re telling the truth?” The mare named Rainbow Dash asks.

Applejack looks at her and nods in confirmation. The white mare named Rarity then stomps over to Sweetie Belle in a huff.

“Sweetie Belle! I thought you knew better than to go into such a dangerously dreadful place such as that! Look at the state of your attire, it will take me all night to get the stains out!” She yells.

Rainbow Dash walks up to Scootaloo with a serious expression, “Dangit squirt, I know I’m awesome and you wanna be just as awesome as me but it’s not worth risking your safety for.” She reprimands.

All three foals have their heads hung low and ears drooped to their sides. This type of reaction is to be expected from their families. I was expecting them to continue ranting to the foals about how irresponsible they were but instead they each knelt down and gave them each a hug.

“Ahm just glad you’re back safe and sound, sugar cube.” Says AppleJack.

“Indeed,” Rarity adds, “though I am still a little upset with you, I appreciate you being honest with us.”

“I can never stay mad at you Scootaloo, just promise you won’t do it again.” Rainbow Dash says.

The three fillies were shocked at what was happening. They all looked back at me and I smiled while giving them the I told you so look.

After a moment of quiet forgiveness, the purple unicorn mare steps forward. “So, does this mean we were all scared for nothing?” She says with a hint of annoyance. She’s looking straight at Rainbow Dash with a slight glare who then sheepishly smiles while rubbing the back of her head. “Ok, maaaaaaaayby I over exaggerated bit…”

“A bit? A bit?!? My flank “a bit”! You said that an extremely dangerous monster appeared and has foalnapped Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo! Do you realize how close I was to sending a letter to the princess and telling her to send the elements?!? How do you think it would look if she found out she sent them to us over a false alarm?!? She’d probably never trust me with the elements again!!!” She shrieks.

Rainbow Dash holds her hands up defensively. “Jeez take it easy Twilight, at least I was wrong about the dangerous monster.” She then looks at me with a serious and worried expression. “Or at least I hope I am.” She says.

I decide it’s finally time for me to say something so I clear my throat load enough to gain everyone’s attention. Although as I do that, the pink maned pony squeaks and hides behind her mane which I found to be kinda cute for some reason.

“I understand you all are wondering who I am and I’m more than happy to answer any questions you have for me.” I inform them. I then place a hand on my heart. “Rest assured I mean you nor anyone else in this town any harm. I give you my word and would rather suffer whatever consequences there may be than harm any innocents or cause any serious trouble.” I tell them.

Like the foals did before back in Everfree, my words seem to get them to all relax considerably. Applejack then walks over to me again and looks down at me with a smile.

“Well, since ya did save mah sister you’re already ok in mah book. Thank you very kindly partner, mah name’s Applejack.” She tells me while extending her hand.

I smile back and take her hand giving it a firm shake to which she returns. “It’s nice to meet you to, Applejack. My name is William Saber or Will for short.”

She nods in understanding and then says, “Ah think it’s about time ya stand up now, partner. We’d like ta get a proper gander at ya.”

I look down realize I’m still sitting on my knees. Look back up to her and nod. I then bring my right leg up and plant on the ground and begin to rise. As I’m doing so, Applejack backs up a bit while her smile starts to turn into shock. I then bring my other leg forward and plant it next to my right and I stand up straight to my full height. I see that I’m now over a foot taller than all the other mares, to the point where they all only come up to the middle of my chest. I look down at them still smiling and see that they’ve got pretty shocked expressions. Although I could swear some of them have light red tinted cheeks but I brush it off as just my imagination.

“Golly Will, y’all sure are a tall feller!” Applejack says in awe.

I guess I’ll have to get used to arguably being the tallest being here, I inform myself.

The white mare then walks and looks up at me with what appears to be a look of admiration and fondness.

“Well you certainly look the part of a gentle giant. My name is Rarity, darling. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Saber.” She says in a posh attitude. She then holds her hand out waiting for me to grasp it.

So she’s one of those proud types huh? Alright, I’ll play along.

I lean down and gently take her hand and bow my head slightly while smiling, “The pleasure is all mine, Miss Rarity,” I tell her, “and please, call me Will.” I bring her hand forward and lightly kiss it.

This causes her to blush while she takes her hand back and starts fanning herself. “Oh my~, such a gentlestallion.” She coos.

I smirk at her enamored state and see the yellow pegasus pony nervously make her way towards me. She’s still hiding her face behind her mane a bit. She then stops a few feet away from me while looking more nervous than before.

Aw, poor thing must be as shy as a lamb. I’ll have to speak my words as calm and gentle as possible, I say to myself.

I take a small step towards her, causing her to “eep!” cutely and hide behind her mane even more. I smile reassuringly and bend down on my knee. She’s glancing at me every so often trying to look at me but can’t seem to keep eye contact.

“Hello there, it’s nice to meet you.” I say gently, “My name’s William Saber. What’s yours?” I ask.

“…um, h-h-hello, m-my name’s Fluttershy…”, she says as softly as possible.

I can barely make out what she’s saying but I somehow manage to hear her name at least.

“So your name is Fluttershy?” I ask. She flinches and nods slightly. I keep my warm smile fixated on her, “Well it’s very nice to meet you, Fluttershy. I must say you have a very cute name for a very cute mare such as yourself,” I tell her.

She then stares at me for a brief moment and blushes heavily at my compliment. But thanks to that she comes more out of her shell, or in this case from behind her mane, and gives a small yet nervous smile.

“O-oh u-um, t-thank you,” she says a bit louder than before while still blushing.

I nod and bring myself back up to my full height. I’m then met with a pair of magenta eyes staring at me.

“You know, if it weren’t for Applejack confirming it, along with your tallness, I’d say the whole you taking on a manticore and driving it off thing would be a bunch of horse apples.” She says. “But, since you did save Scootaloo and the others I guess I’ll believe it. You certainly do look like you can take on a manticore or two, which is pretty awesome. Well, of course, not as awesome as me.” She boasts. “The name’s Rainbow Dash by the way, fastest flyer in Ponyville!” She states proudly.

I chuckle at her declaration and offer her a handshake, “I’ll certainly take your word for it Rainbow Dash, and it’s nice to meet you to.” I tell her. She then takes my hand and gives it a firm shake like Applejack and floats back down.

Before I could say or do anything, my vision becomes entrapped in nothing pink. A pair of sky blue eyes open up and I notice they’re very close to mine, almost too close.

“HII’MPINKIEPIEANDILIKEPARTIESDOYOULIKEPARTIESWHATKINDOFCAKEDOYOULIKEWHATKINDOFSWEETSDOYOULIKEYOUAREREALLYTALLWHATDOYOUEATWH-“ she was then cut off when Applejack pulls her away from my stunned face.

“Pinkie Pie, what’d we say about greeting everypony like that? One of these days you’re gonna bite yer tongue if you keep talkin’ that fast.” AppleJack sternly lecturers.

Pinkie Pie then looks at Applejack and then back at me and smiles a bit sheepishly, “Oopsie, sorry about that. I just get really really REALLY excited when I meet sompony new for the first time.” She says with a bubbly tone.

I’m brought out of my stunned faze and look down at her. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at her antics. “You know, I’ve had my fair share of strange and interesting greetings, but yours was by far the most interesting and entertaining greeting I’ve ever received. It’s a real pleasure to meet you, Pinkie Pie.” I say.

This cause her smile to become more wider than before and she then jumps on me and wraps her arms and legs around my frame into a big bear hug.

“It’s a super duper pleasure to meet you to, Willy! GASP, IJUSTREMEMBEREDIHAVETOTHROWYOUAWELCOMETOPONYVILLEPARTYIGOTTAGOSEYOULATER!!!” She says, and then literally zips away to who knows where leaving a pink cloud behind her. I’m once again stunned by her actions and look towards the others hoping they could explain what just happened. The last of the group the purple mare named Twilight, walks up to me.

“Don’t try to think about it, that’s just Pinkie being Pinkie. Trust me, you’ll feel better about it later. My name is Twilight Sparkle, it’s nice to meet you.” She tells me with a polite bow.

I can only nod in acceptance, “I’ll try to remember that. It’s nice to meet you to Twilight.” I said

She smiles and then grows a curious expression, “If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask something that’s been bugging me since you showed up.” She tells me.

“And what would that be.” I ask.

“What exactly are you?” She asks.

This question gains everyponys, except the foals, attention. I look around and see them all eagerly waiting for what I’m about to say. I just cross my arms and smirk.

“Well, I’m a human.” I bluntly tell them.

Author's Note

Ooh boy, my longest chapter yet! I feel like there’ll more chapters like this but hopefully not as long. Not that I’m complaining because I’m just getting started with this!