Twilight issued the others to sit down while Carter began to tell them the truth about his past. They all stared at him with an engaged look in their eyes. They wanted to know everything that he needed them to know.

“Do you want the little ones to leave for a moment?” Rarity asked, pointing to the three fillies.

“No, keep them here. They need to know the truth just as much as you do.” Carter said. He looked down at the ground and inhaled. With a deep sigh escaping his lungs, he was ready to tell them the truth. With a stoic look ever present upon his face, he began.

“Carter, do not feel like you owe us this. It’s okay to hide some things from your friends. We won’t judge you.” Applejack said, trying to calm the stallion's emotions.

“No. You must be informed on what I am going to tell you.” Carter insisted.

“Very well.” Twilight said.

“We are all ears.” Rarity said, nodding her head.

“First of all, you must know me. I am not a pony.”

“What are you saying?” Fluttershy inquired.

“You look like one to the rest of us?” Rainbow Dash rested her head on her front hooves.

“I know, and that is something that I cannot explain. But the real me is not a pony.” Carter took a nervous breath before continuing. “I am… I am a human.”

“What!?” Every pony in the room was shocked by what they just heard.

“That can’t be! Those are just legends!” Twilight shouted.

“Maybe in this world. But from where I come from, not so much.”

“This world?” Rarity couldn’t understand what he was trying to explain.

“Explain yourself.” Applejack insisted.

“I am from a place called Earth. I lived in the country of the United States of America. Before I came to Equestria, I was in the middle of a very important mission. It was my job to keep my squad safe and away from harm. But, without getting too detailed, I failed. They died because of my foolishness, and in the process, I lost my life as well.

During the brief moment that I was passing between life and death, I was met with a spirit that I had never seen before. It told me that if I were to die that day, I would be put in a place where I would receive nothing but never ending misery. This is because I left Earth as someone who pushed away friendships and lost all sense of what is morally good.”

“If what you say is true, then why did you become who you are?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“If you noticed during the short time that I have been here, you’d know that I have a tendency to go insane. I will become enraged very quickly, and resort to violence at its most extreme: pain and death.” Carter turned to look at Fluttershy. His body shivered intensely for a slight second. “I know that you saw it happen during the timberwolves’ attack. If it weren’t for your kind and forgiving nature rubbing off on me, then I fear that those wolves would have lost their lives.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened in horror. Carter knew exactly what she felt the day she saw him almost take the life of the timberwolf. It was fear. It was a fear that one feels when they look upon the one thing that scares them more than anything else they have seen before. Carter raised his hooves and stared down upon them, disgusted by the man he knew that he became.

“But why?” Fluttershy asked. The tears in her eyes mixed with the fear in her voice was enough to make Carter lose his calm composure.

“That is another story.” Carter placed his hooves back on the ground. “The day before I was to leave my home and get stationed at my military base, I was getting packed. I heard a knock at the front door coming from downstairs. I was going to open it, but I heard my Mom do it instead.” Carter’s lips quivered, and his tears increased enough to where they would fall out of his eyes.

“What happened?” Pinkie Pie inquired. The others looked at Carter with anxious looks on their faces… all but Applejack. She sensed a familiar emotion arise in Carter’s spirit; it was one that she personally knew all too well.

“The thing that came next was a loud blast. I ran downstairs to check on my mom, but was instead greeted by a soldier with a gun, and my mom’s lifeless corpse laying across the floor.”

The ponies all gasped in horror, feeling sudden sympathy for the pony-looking human. Applejack stared at the ground in pain. Her heart was filled with nothing but dark memories and painful recollections of her past. She took off her hat and placed it over her chest. Tears poured from her eyes, though she managed to stay silent.

“My dad came running over with a knife in his hand, trying to take down the enemy. But in a futile effort, the next bullet left the chamber and drove itself directly through his head. As blood sprayed across the room, my father also lost his life in mere seconds. With an extreme desire for vengeance, I tackled the enemy to the ground, striking his body with punches of all sorts.

“I had never felt this feeling before that moment, and I was scared of it. It took me over like a caustic disease. Before I could take the man’s life, I jumped away from him, taking his gun with me so that he could in no way attack me from that distance. I was absolutely appalled by what I had just done to that man. It was to defend myself, sure, but I was horrified nonetheless.

“That’s when I realized that the mental pain was far from over. The man looked at me with a bloody grin and pressed a button on his jacket. It erupted into a fiery explosion, consuming my house within seconds.”

“No.” Rainbow Dash was beginning to tremble in her spot, feeling just as scared as the others.

“And to top it all off, I can still remember the screams that came from my siblings. They were burned alive in the explosion.”

The three fillies all silently cried their eyes out, trying desperately to not begin bawling. The tears that fell from their eyes were enough to make Carter aware of their uncomfort. Carter looked at them with his tear filled eyes, gesturing towards the exit. They nodded and began to leave the tent. While that took place, the others were in tears all the same. What seemed to be a simple truth telling friendship meeting instead proved to be more than what they were all ready for.

“It wasn’t until I made it to the military when I felt nearly ready to get back into the swing of things. I aimed towards becoming a medic, as I felt that saving lives would bring enough happiness to relinquish the fear and hate that I still kept in my soul. It was not to be. I was instead put into the front lines, forced to kill whoever the target was. I did things I still regret to this day. I killed people of all kinds... parents, adults, children, brothers, sisters, even infants. With each and every life I took, my fear for myself only grew, enlarging to massive proportions.

“With one last chance at redemption, I accepted a job to watch over the daughter of one of my friends. He was a great guy who changed his life from doing the dirty work of gangs to instead working as a provider for the needy. I loved him like a brother, and promised myself that I would protect him and his family like I was their guardian angel.

“I watched little Sophia for about two hours by then, until I heard the front door open. I watched two soldiers file in with both my friend, and his wife, at gunpoint. I told Sophia to run, but she refused to do so, yelling out their names as fear filled her innocent soul.

“In a flash, their lives were taken from them, right in front of their daughter, as the gun’s familiar blast echoed throughout the room. Their lifeless bodies fell to the floor as Sophia screamed out in fear. She ran over to one of the soldiers, punching him in the leg. I was careless and didn’t stop her, and the gun came right down to her face. There it was again; the familiar boom of a gun. I stood there, watching lives being taken from the innocent in nothing but a minute of my life.

“As the soldier pointed the gun to my head next, something filled my body. It was the same toxin that corrupted me the day of my family’s death: anger. I did not hold back this time, and I made it very clear that I would not let them live. Several minutes passed, and the two soldiers fell to the floor, void of life.

“The anger in my soul was venomous, seeping out like a plague. But it did not last forever, as I stared down at my hands, which were covered in the blood… the blood of another man.

“I couldn’t live with my sins, and I was too afraid to accept the things I did. I ran away, damning myself from ever having anymore friends in my life ever again, as I felt as though the IFRE were always ready to eliminate anyone and everyone I loved. I did not want to chance the possibility of their lives being snatched away by someone else… or worse, by my own hands, if my anger were to ever rise beyond uncontrollable levels. I hid myself from friendship and made a vow to never hurt another soul, so that I may one day become the man that I saw myself fit to be. But even after all that, my life has only spiraled downward.”

The mares looked at him with extreme distraught. Carter had nothing more to say, and merely drooped his head in shame. Everypony was trying to process everything that had just been discussed. Fluttershy looked over at Carter, who was in the middle of extreme depression. She stood up and slowly walked over to him. Carter noticed her presence and turned away from her.

“I am so sorry for lying to you, Fluttershy... to all of you. I was pretending to be someone that you’d considered a friend… but even that could not have stayed.” The cream colored pegasus looked down upon the saddened pony and sat down beside him. She placed her left hoof upon his shoulder. Carter did not respond in any way, continuing his self loathing.

“Carter.” Fluttershy’s soft tone rang in Carter’s ear. It went straight to his heart, filling his soul with a familiar feeling that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He looked up and into her eyes. “We all make mistakes. That’s just part of growing up.”

Carter looked around himself and found all the other ponies gathered around him. He wiped his tears with his hoof and looked each one in the eyes with an apologetic look.

“Fluttershy is right.” Twilight said. “I could never imagine how hard it has been for you to live by yourself and struggle through all of the hardships that you’ve faced. But this part of why friendship is so important.”

“It is important to have special ponies in your life to help you get through those hard times and lift your spirits.” Pinkie Pie explained, nuzzling against Carter’s right shoulder.

“Do not be afraid to accept your wrongs, but do not ever hide from friendships.” Rarity said, patting his back.

“Ya only hurt’n yerself.”

Carter could do nothing but get the last bit of emotions out of himself, crying out tears of compressed sadness out of his soul. The others knew that this built up emotion had stayed with him for years upon, and that it was important for him to finally have someone to talk to.

“Thank you, girls. It would appear that I am more emotionally destroyed than I admit to be.” Carter said, as a small laughter arose from the joy and happiness that their presence brought to him.

“We are always here for you, Carter. No matter how scary or how threatening things may get, we will be by your side during the whole journey.” Twilight said, nodding her head to him.

“Don’t ever think that you’re alone. We got your back.” Rainbow Dash said, wiping away the last bit of tears in her eyes.

“This is stupid. I was supposed to get a great ol’ party, but I instead turned it into some crazy therapy session.” Carter said, continuing to laugh to himself.

“No, silly. The party has yet to begin.” Pinkie Pie shouted.

“It’s not too late?” Carter inquired.

“Like hay it's too late!” Applejack said, putting her hat back over her head.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s get things started!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, flying around the air.

The ponies all began to finish the final touches to Carter’s party before things would begin. Carter looked over at Twilight, who was watching over the others with a list in her hand, making sure everything was going according to plan.

“Your majesty,” Carter began.

“Yes, Carter?” The lavender alicorn turned her focus towards him.

"Why are you here in Ponyville?"

"Oh, I took the day off for your party. Things got pretty hectic back in Canterlot, and it was apparently very evident that I was exhausted, so Spike gave me some time off, making sure that he would take over for me."

“I see. At any rate, thank you so much for helping me. I know that I have proven to be nothing more than an emotional rollercoaster, but I can assure you that I have matured very much since you and your friends have been teaching me about friendship. I just wanted to tell you that I am grateful for everything that you have done for me, and that none of it has been for nothing.”

“Carter, I am so glad that you feel that way. It is my pride and joy to help ponies like you learn the truth about friendship. Although, I guess you aren’t really a pony.” Twilight giggled to herself.

“You can call me pony for the time being, as I don't think that calling me a human is at all correct based on my current looks.”

“Yeah, it would seem that way.” Twilight looked down at her list and marked off another box. “You have taught me a lot about stuff, too, Carter.”

“Have I?”

“Yes. You have taught me the importance of forgiveness and acceptance with friends. Not everyone seems like they are the right ponies to befriend, but they only stay that way until we come together and make things right, through forgiveness and acceptance.”

“You really are learning. More than me, it would seem.”

“We all learn at our own pace, so it doesn’t really mean anything.”

“Thank you again, your majesty.” Carter said, bowing down to her.

“Of course. My pleasure.” Twilight bowed in return.

“What are you ponies waiting for? The party has started!” Pinkie Pie shouted, letting off another loud blast of confetti from her party cannon.

“Well, we shouldn't be late.” Twilight said.

“No, we shouldn’t.” Carter and the princess jumped down and began their fun as the party began.

~

Twilight’s horn glowed with her usual pink aura. The sun slowly fell below the horizon and replaced its position with the moon. The party was over and everypony began to make their way back to their homes. Carter, though quiet for most of the time, was having a fun time being part of his friends’ company.

“Thanks for the party, Pinkie Pie. I enjoyed that quite a bit.” Carter said, raising his eyebrow at the pink earth pony.

“I’m glad. I usually like to go all out, but I was so busy that I just had to throw something together before you arrived.” Pinkie Pie admitted.

“You're telling me that party was only a small bit of your usuals?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Of course. You of all ponies would know that. One of these days, I should show you a real party.”

“At any rate, it was a pleasure to see you, Carter.” Twilight said, turning over her shoulder and winking at the red stallion.

“I once again apologize for the emotional evening. Yet, I must confess that getting all of those pent up emotions off my conscience was quite helpful.” Carter said.

“Think nothing of it, Carter. These things happen to all of us at some point, and more than once.” Applejack said, patting him on his back.

“I will be sure to record these lessons that I have learned in my journal, your majesty. I must say that I already feel more mature after just these couple days of studying. Never thought I’d legitimately feel smarter after studying.”

“That’s good. I hope that you report your learnings to me very soon.” Twilight said.

“I will.”

“So… you are a human?” Apple Bloom asked. “Is that like a changeling?”

“Pardon?” Carter asked. 'Changeling' did not click in his mind.

“It would make sense, considering you look like a pony.”

“Carter is not a changeling. A human is something much different than that.” Fluttershy explained.

“Then what is a human?” Sweetie Belle inquired.

“A human is a tall bipedal creature.” Twilight informed. “In Equestrian history, they're mentioned only once, and that is in the book of history before Celestia. It is said that an Earth pony saw a vision of a human, and nothing more. This is why humans are so overlooked."

"Then why are you a pony?" Scootaloo asked.

"No one knows. One thing is for sure, though, these things don't just happen. There must be some answers out there." Applejack said.

“Carter, if you don’t mind me asking,-” Rainbow Dash began. “-why don’t you and the IFRE exactly get along in your world?”

“That’s because…” Carter thought that the answer would appear in his head seamlessly, but that was not the case. While searching for the answer to the sky blue mare’s question, Carter felt as if there was a part of him that was taken. It was as if part of his memories were gone. “I don’t actually know. Perhaps it is all just coincidence.”

“I must say, darling. While I can safely say that letting your emotions take control of you is asking for nothing but trouble, I would probably be in the same mess as you if I found myself under the same circumstances.” Rarity said. Her words comforted the red stallion. They could all tell that Carter was still a little shaken up after confronting his past.

“Indeed. I don’t think that I could ever forgive myself if I became that.” Fluttershy said. Carter shifted his focus over to her.

“Yet you would forgive me.” Carter’s eyes darted towards the ground. His mind raced around as a question appeared in his mind. “All of you were really quick to befriend me. I understand that it is your job to spread the ‘magic of friendship,’ but why me? Why so quick to choose?”

“We could all tell that ya were not exactly in the right mind.” Applejack said.

“You were very timid and cautious around us.” Twilight added. “It was easy to see that you were hiding something from us, but we had no clue what it could’ve been.”

"We don't judge ponies by the cover, we judge them based on character." Rarity said.

"We knew that under all of that uncertainty and timidness that a very nice pony was hiding behind it all, just waiting to be revealed." Fluttershy said.

“Hah! Yeah. Took enough time to bring me back to myself, but I appreciate your help nonetheless.” Carter said.

The mares all looked at Carter and nodded. The stallion felt glad to have ponies he could talk to when things were tough. He was glad to have friends. Their travels lasted a couple moments longer before the pink party pony looked over her shoulder.

“Is this your house, Carter?” Pinkie Pie pointed her front hoof towards the familiar beige structure.

"That is indeed my house. Good eye, Pinkie. I can't believe that I almost missed it." Carter shook his head as he parted ways from the others. He made his way down the concrete path, waiving to the others before he came to the front door. The other ponies waved back, Fluttershy winking at him and Rainbow Dash holding out her hoof. Carter lifted his front hoof and jabbed at the air, gesturing a distant hoof bump in return for the prismatic mane'd Pegasus.

Once the others went out of his sight, Carter entered his house and immediately made his way to his bed. He was tired after all the recent events and decided that it was only right to calm his mind with a long slumber. Carter laid back and fell into the soft sheets behind him. He had no care to get positioned correctly in his bed, so he just closed his eyes and let his body shut down for the time being. It was maybe a minute or two before his mind left him and traveled to the dream world.

~

Carter found himself once again floating in the middle of nothing. Empty mass surrounded the stallion as a familiar vision appeared before him. The blue blur from before was in the middle of his focus, while the pink blur stayed in his peripheral. Unlike the last time he had this dream, the splotches of color appeared to be less blurry than before; it wasn’t enough for Carter to get a clear look at them, however.

The red stallion tried to walk over to the almost visible creatures, but the dream held him in place once more, forcing him to do nothing but watch as the scene took place. He knew it was futile to try and fight it, so he put all of his focus on the images presented before him, trying to find any hints or clues that could help him with deciphering this malevolent vision.

The familiar sound of a buzzsaw powering itself came into the area, piercing Carter’s ears. He wanted to cover his ears to prevent the screams that followed from entering his mind, but he kept his hooves down and tried his best to keep on listening. He gritted his teeth and endured through the sharp pain.

As the sound of metal cutting through flesh filled the empty void, Carter’s face began to grow pale. He was still unsure as to what the vision was trying to fully present to him, but it was the screams that came from it that caused the stallion to be filled with fear. As he focused his hearing on the bloodcurdling cries, he quickly recognized its source. His eyes looked upon the blue splotch of color that loomed in the distance, nervously shaking as the screams faded into sporadic grunts and moans. Carter knew not what would happen, but he now knew the victim.

Rainbow Dash!

Author's Note

The truth is out. Done and done. One thing is for sure, though, something big is coming.

For all of you pony fans out there, a special reference may or may not appear in the next chapters to come.