Everfree Guardian

*skkrt-...*

*ccchhh-...*

The sound of dirt being ruptured by a shovel clapped through the small yard as Nate drove a spade into the ground, taking up a bit of dirt and tossing it aside. Using his foot, he scooted some vegetable seeds under the hole, placing the dirt he dug up back over it as he moved onto the next spot.

A few days have passed since that incident with the Timberwolves and the cows. Nate's arm has healed, but the bite had left a small scar. Nothing that Nate cared about, but Granny Smith was insistent on checking it over multiple times for any severe damage. Thankfully, the bite missed any nerves and neglected to dislocate or break any of his bones. All it really did was take a small chunk out of him, which was something he was naturally able to heal from easily.

Coming back to work this morning after a weekend's rest, the Apple Family put him to work. Applejack herself had him doing what he usually does in the morning, then Big Mac had him pulling the plow over the fields beyond what he was working on now. Coming the early evening, Nate was instructed by Granny Smith to sort out and replant some vegetables near the back of their gardens.

With the last hole dug and the remaining seeds slid in, he covered it up and patted down the dirt. Stabbing the spade into the dirt, he reached over and grabbed the hose, turning the stream of water towards the freshly-planted crops. After giving them a healthy drink, he rung the hose back to the barn's left outer wall, and turned the water off. Turning back to the garden, he nodded to himself in satisfaction as he held the shovel at his side.

"That's some mighty fine work there, Mr. Schmidt."

Nate turned to his left, seeing Big Mac walking up to him.

"Some pretty efficient work, too, if I might add. Y'all were able to pick up apple baskets, plow the fields, and plant some new seeds in our garden; all before supper time."

The uncharacteristically-chatty stallion gave Nate a nod as he patted his shoulder.

"You've certainly proven your use as a Rancher, Mr. Schmidt."

Nate nodded back as the two turned to the gardens, feeling the cooling breeze of dusk blow by as the orange hue of sunset began to settle in the horizon. Looking up at it, Nate found this to be a perfect time to call it for today. He's gotten a lot done, and if Big Mac, of all Ponies, was voicing this himself, then that damn well means something.

Walking into the side entrance to the barn, Nate moved to the corner that had all the racks and equipment lockers. Lifting the spade up, he clipped it onto its hook, tugging on the shovel lightly before letting it sway on the hook gently. Stepping away and making his way out, he exited the barn through its main door and stared out towards the afternoon sun.

This really was a beautiful orchard. With miles upon miles of greenery and the fresh riches of nature such as apples, Nate was almost thankful that technology hadn't advanced to an industrial level yet. It sucks he can't use a fucking phone, but at the same time, there's no clouds of smoke polluting the atmosphere like humans did in the past... and in the present.

'We really are a shitty species, aren't we...?'

He shook his head of those thoughts, sighing as he began to work his way back to Sweet Apple Acres' entrance. With all his work done, he was able to leave early, and he wasn't keen on sticking around for supper again. There's only so many times he can eat with the Apple Family before he starts thinking he's mooching off of them, employment or otherwise.

Nate Schmidt was NOT a dependent person. He had survived things that no Pony or creature on this harmonic planet would even DREAM to experience. Hell, he's done things that...

...

No...

No. What happened in the past can't be undone. His shame remains as a constant reminder of his sins, of his mistakes, and the so-called "family" he burned along with the rest. There's no point in thinking about it.

'Heh... Easier said than done, Schmidt...'

He shook his head as he opened the gate to the orchard, walking out after locking it shut. Aimlessly wandering down the path towards the Everfree Forest, Nate was planning on stopping by Fluttershy's to see what she's up to. It's been a few days since they last spoke, mainly because Fluttershy has had a bit more on her plate than usual, so he was hoping to catch up with one of his only friends here on Equus.

As he moved to the intersection leading to Fluttershy's cottage and the Everfree, he saw from there that the door was shut, and the lights were out. Fluttershy wasn't home, and judging from the lack of animals wandering about, she hadn't been home for quite some time.

'She must've gotten up earlier than usual for something...'

Nate shrugged it off, still making his way towards the shy mare's home. Instead of going inside, he went over to the chicken coop, leaning on the small house as he watched the flightless birds do their thing. Fluttershy really does a good job keeping them together and happy. Just the mere fact that these animals show and feel more emotion than their instinctual counterparts on Earth baffles Nate, but at the same time, it's endearing. Everything has a personality, even that big motherfucking bear that he was initially frightening and defensive towards had a soft side. Most of it was reserved for Fluttershy, but after spending so much time here, all the animals grew used to him being around.

Nate let a grin etch onto his face as the chickens approached him, one brushing up against him before tending to her eggs. With them all returning to their young, the human looked out towards Ponyville.

What was Fluttershy doing that was taking up most of her days? He'd almost never seen her this busy before. Then again, he's only been in Equestria for a little under five weeks. He doesn't know the ins and outs of this world like a Pony does. Still, though, that doesn't keep the twenty-one year old from trying.

His eyes trailed over Ponyville, his teeth gentle grazing over his bottom lip. Fluttershy had wanted him to come to Ponyville at least once while he stayed here. While he didn't fancy the town very much, and the fact that he wanted to keep himself concealed in the case that they don't take kindly to "aliens", he wasn't one to turn down those he cared about. Fluttershy had done right by him a lot more than he had her. He owed her a favor or two at least, and besides, he said he'd consider a visit into town not too long ago. He might as well make due with his promises and make her happy.

Pulling out his work gloves, Nate hid his hands with them, ensuring that he wouldn't expose his bare skin to the populace. There may be tan Ponies roaming in Ponyville, but one look at his tan skin and black hairs on his arm, and they'll know immediately that Nate is different from them. He hopes that the media with his sighting has also died away as well. The notoriety he had in those days was staggering. Every now and again, one brave and stupid fool would come into the forest looking for him. If he hadn't swept their path up of Timberwolves and other deadly traps, they would have never been alive long enough to be scared back into Ponyville.

But with all that fading, and the rumor now just believed to be another Pony just wandering near the treeline of the forest, the resident human was somewhat in the clear. He can never be too careful.

Ensuring the gloves were snug, and that he still had his Smith & Wesson holstered at his side, he pushed off the chicken coop and took the other way of the intersection for the first time of his new life here. The walk itself was quiet. The calm breeze of nature seemed to soothe his anxiety, though the latter only continued to rise, regardless, as he came closer and closer to town. When he found the sign welcoming people to Ponyville, he stopped. Eyeing the sign intently, he glanced back the way he came, then turned forward. There was no going back now that he's come this far from home. I mean, it wasn't FAR far, but it would look odd if he just walked away with Ponies looking his way. Taking his first steps into town, he paced himself in order to get a look at everything. The houses around Ponyville were as simple as expected. Given that this place was more a large village with a central Town Hall than any form of small city or open-bordered state town, it made sense for the houses to be simple.

It was homey, and inviting for newcomers.

Walking down one street, then turning off onto another, Nate pressed on more and more, earning glances from stallions and mares every now and again. He did find a few familiar faces. That teacher, Cheerilee, was by one of the stores he passed by. She gave him a smile and a wave, to which he returned with a curt nod and a wave of his own. Other than that, all the faces around here were roughly new to him, and vice versa for the Ponies. The rumors of the "Monkey with a Boomstick" came up again, causing Nate's nerves to tense, but they quickly faded as some other Ponies cast off those beliefs as they accused Nate of being a Pony, just like them.

On and on, this village went. If it weren't for the fact that it was sizable from the hills of the Everfree, Nate would assume Ponyville was much bigger than it was, but after ten minutes or so, he found himself in the shopping district near Town Hall. Walking up to one of the empty tables set off to the side for Ponies to rest at, he leaned against the edge with his arm resting on the corner. He watched as the Ponies went about their day, the bustling village being a stark contrast the serene and quiet Sweet Apple Acres.

His moment of peace was severed as he heard laughter from above. Turning his head upwards, he eyed through his hood at two individuals flying by. One of them was a cyan Pegasus while the other was some odd hybrid between a cat and an eagle. She, like every other female he's known, had a body girls back home would KILL for.

'Are all creatures on this planet this unrealistic...?'

He shook his head as the two swerved around the houses, landing nearby.

"Haha! That was sweet! Anyways, I gotta go take care of few weather jobs around here. It shouldn't take long. Just, uh, hang around in town and I'll come find ya!"

"That's cool, I guess. I'm gonna go chow down!"

"Later!~"

The blue Pegasus flew off, leaving the hybrid behind as Nate got a better look at her. Upon closer inspection, he'd be hardpressed to NOT know what this new creature was. Anyone worth their salt in mythology would identify her as a Griffon; head of an eagle and the body of a lion, and boy fucking howdy, this weird land of anthropomorphics definitely blessed her with good looks. She was one of those kinds of girls who would call you "tiger" as a flirt. Think Mary Jane Watson, but with a personality that... "puts out" more.

You get what I mean.

Anyways, Nate stayed at his table, watching the Griffon with interest, and the more he observed her, the more he began to see just how different Griffons are to Ponies.

Having spotted a vegetable stand nearby, the Griffon made her way over, sneaking by the vendor and sticking her tail out the front through the products. Nate didn't see it before, but Granny Smith was in town as well, most likely to pick up something she wasn't growing at the farm. When she saw the Griffon's tail, she shrieked and backpedaled.

"EEEK!!! A RADDLER!!! IT'S A RADDLER!!! RUN FER THE HILLS!!! EVERYPONY FER THEMSELVES!!!"

Nate watched as Granny Smith "sprinted for the hills" back down the street she came from. Narrowing his eyes, he leaned off the table, keeping his hand on it as the Griffon lingered at the cart, that same tail drawing a potato from the stand. She ate away at it as she moved on, making it clear she wasn't intending on paying for what she just snagged. Nate flexed his fingers, drumming the table as he turned his head away. It's hard enough to keep his head down with the rumors of his sightings. The last thing he needs is to get involved with this woman.

"Alright, little ones. This way, now..."

Nate recognized the voice of Fluttershy almost immediately. Turning back to the street, he could see that she was returning from a trip, but had also decided to spare the time to help some ducklings get through the crowded paths of Ponyville. A grin etched onto the incognito human's face, but it quickly faded when he saw Fluttershy backing towards that Griffon's path.

'Oh, shit...'

Nate stepped away from the table, walking forward to go intercept Fluttershy, but even if he was as fast as his bullets, he wouldn't have made it in time before Fluttershy bumped into the Griffon.

"Hey!"

The yellow Pegasus looked up at the feathered hybrid, blinking as she stepped back.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't looking-"

"I'm walking here, pal! What's your problem?!"

Fluttershy, intimidated by the larger figure, especially with her wings flared out, backed away from the Griffon.

"I-I'm sorry. I was just leading the little ones along and-"

"I don't give a flying FUCK what you were doing! Why don't you just watch where the hell you're going, you tan-furred whore?!"

Nate's hand twitched as his eyes immediately glinted with hate and anger, a rush that he was very much familiar with. The one-sided shouting match continued between the two as he walked towards them, his steeled nature surfacing as he knew the only response people like this Griffon would understand...

was violence.

Plus, there's a bit of an unspoken rule here in Ponyville.

*CRACK*

*SMASH*

Nobody yells at, or makes Fluttershy cry.

The Griffon staggered as Nate's fist had connected with her beaked jaw, the lanky, yet sexy figure smashing into another vendor stand and sending all the merchandise onto the ground. Fluttershy, no longer on the verge of tears, was wide-eyed in surprise as she found her human here, smack dab in the middle of the town he's avoided for weeks on end.

Everypony else was stunned silent, nopony doing anything as the Griffon recuperated from that hit. Once the pain went away, she was only met with a hand wrapping around her throat. Pushed past the stand, she was forced up against the wall by the faceless human, clutching his arm with her talons.

It surprised everypony to see what they presumed to be another Pony handling the Griffon as he was, but to Nate, this wasn't nearly so. He knew the physiology of the creatures here in Equestria. The common ones, anyway. He knew who were strong, who were smart, who were cunning, and who were aces in the air or on the ground.

Nate never got into a fight he couldn't win when concerning a Pony. Hell, they're HORSES, for Christ's sake! Different world or not, they still had two-thousand pounds of force per square inch packed in a single kick, and Earth Ponies like Applejack can hit with TWICE that. Ponies were tough fighters, but Griffons?

They're not even close.

"G-Get your fu-fucking hands off me!"

The Griffon looked down at the human, seeing through the shadows of his hood and finding pure white eyes glaring back at her.

Nate said nothing as he looked up at her, the defiant stare she gave returned with his own. Glancing to the side, he let the Griffon down-

*SHATTER*

-only to shatter a window shutter upside her head. Splinters and small fragments of wood sprayed everywhere as Nate swung the shutter out from its hinge, a small portion being the only thing that remained after it hit the Griffon. Grabbing the feathered fiend by her head, Nate turned and shoved her to the ground, head first. Before she could react and respond to his aggressiveness, her head was curb stomped into the mud she was laying in. Bubbles and small splashes of murky dirt displaced as she delved deeper into the puddle, gurgling and gasping for air.

Stepping away from the Griffon, Nate glared down at her as she hacked and coughed, unable to fling another insult towards the human as she was spitting wet dirt and grass out of her broken beak.

A moment of still silence passed throughout the whole district before Nate turned and walked away, flicking the blood off his gloved hands. Looking around after leaving the Griffon alone, he couldn't spot Fluttershy. She must've gone home when the commotion got heated. Looking down at the ducks she left behind, he knelt down to them, reaching out his hand to mama and papa. With slight hesitation, they leered their heads forward, pecking at his fingers lightly before the ducklings approached thereafter. Nate lowered the same hand to them, watching at one of them climbed into his palm. The antics of the babies would bring a smile to anyone.

"Better bring you guys to Fluttershy's cottage..."

He placed the duckling down next to its parents and stood back up. The feathered creatures looked up at him, as if expecting him to lead the way. Sighing, he turned and began making his way back down the path he took into the shopping district. Glancing over his shoulder every now and again, he found the little ones tailing him, the parents following suit. He rolled his eyes as he put his hands in his pockets.

"I am not ready for kids..."

To say Fluttershy was in a bad mood was an understatement. She had just returned home from a trip out to Las Pegasus for an animal shelter that required her attention and nursery, only to be given the worst welcome home she's ever had.

Helping out those ducklings and their parents make their way through Ponyville wasn't a hassle or a bore at all. Fluttershy always loved hanging out with animals, and helping them when they need it. It's her talent, it's her style, and it's what she does for a living. She enjoys it, and would trade everything she could to keep doing it.

No, her day got bad as soon as she actually got into Ponyville. She didn't know why, but Ponies just seemed nastier today. Pinkie Pie had been hard at work setting up parties, and she assumed that she was setting up so many at the same time, and the town hadn't had any fun for a good while. Hopefully, that changes soon, because Fluttershy was put into a bad mood the second something unnecessary was said to her by another mare.

Then, to top that off, some Griffon began yelling at her for a mistake, an accident. Had it not have been for her human friend, things would have escalated to a point where she couldn't get away from. The taller, well-built creature would have wiped the dirt with her face, and shamed her to the whole town. She was grateful to Nathan Schmidt, though shocked to find him in town. It was a welcome change to see him, but Fluttershy wagered this was his introduction to the town.

The first time there, and most likely his last...

Now, the yellow Pegasus is back at home, on the verge of crying once again. In her haste to get away, she left behind the ducks she was escorting, leaving them at the mercy of whatever would come across them. She was a horrible caretaker for leaving them behind, and was trying to get the resolve and courage to go back.

As soon as she stood up from her couch, however, a noise at her door snapped her from her stupor.

*knock-knock-knock*

The three knocks, a triple pattern that she recognized. Rushing to the door, she swiftly unlocked and opened it. There, at her front door, was the Everfree human himself. Cradled in his arms were about a dozen ducklings with the mother and father standing on his shoulders.

"N-Nate?"

"Are these ones yours?"

The little ones began honking away with their tiny voices as the mother bit at the side of Nate's hood. Giggling softly, and brought up in slightly better spirits, Fluttershy let Nate in, ushering him to let the family of ducks down in the living room. Depositing them onto the carpet, they crowded towards their parents as they jumped off Nate's shoulders. Standing back up, the human watched as other birds and animals came from different parts of Fluttershy's cottage, greeting them with curiosity and intrigue. Nate huffed at the interaction, then turned to Fluttershy as she seemed to be covering her face slightly with her mane. He knew exactly why.

"Flutters... You alright?"

"..."

Nate's frown deepened as he was only greeted with silence by the mare. He didn't blame her. With what just happened in Ponyville, that was likely the first time she, or any other Pony in the town witnessed violence of that level of ferocity. The human wasn't stupid. He knew this land of harmony has its occasional discordance. Fights break out, and even war was a thing a few times here, if the history books were correct.

But for civil disputes, he wagered nopony would expect it to escalate to the point where blood was drawn.

Taking another glance at Fluttershy, his already prevalent shame intensified as he turned and made for the door. That is, until Fluttershy stopped him, taking his hand into hers.

Turning around to her, he found her staring at the floor, a look of conflict on her face as her eyes shifted slightly every now and again. Looking up at her human friend, she saw only the darkness of the shadows cast by his hood staring back at her. After another long silence, Nate gave her hand a squeeze.

"Sorry you had to see all that... That was... Well, that WAS me. It's what I'm used to, especially in situations like that with the kind of people that could compare to that Griffon."

He faced her as he softened his grip on her hand.

"I didn't mean to scare you."

"I-I know, and it's okay. I know I really shouldn't be saying this, but... she did kind of deserve it."

Nate rose an eyebrow as he eyed the shy and good-natured Pegasus.

"Huh... You? Of all Ponies, YOU thought she deserved it?"

"She was mean and foul-mouthed, Nate. Not only that, but if you hadn't shown up, she would have hurt me, and probably others, too. Even Ponies have limits..."

The human gave her that. Even the friendliest and quietest have fuses, and with Fluttershy, he didn't want to imagine what she'd look like if her fuse had lit, and she exploded.

God forbid if that ever happened.

He watched her as she let him go, turning and taking off her coat. Hanging it up on the coat rack, she looked back at Nate as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well, you stay safe, Fluttershy. I should probably stick to the Everfree for a while. No doubt this'll get Ponies talking again..."

He backed up towards the door.

"If you need anything, lemme know. I'll be close by."

Fluttershy looked towards him as she slipped on her trademark green sweater. Perking up as he was at the door, she raced after him.

"W-Wait, Nate...!"

He turned back to her as she caught up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"C-Can I ask you for a favor? I know you were just in town, but I don't want you to think what happened represented our town. Not for a first-timer like you."

She reached into her pocket and handed an invitation to him.

"There's a party going on later tonight. Will you please come? I promise, it will be a much more pleasant experience than what you and I have been through already."

Nate stared at her for a good minute before shifting his attention down to the invite. Pursing his lips as he flipped it over, he fought with his brain and his heart, arguing back and forth with either side of his subconscious to make a decision. On one side, he didn't want to expose himself further, even if it is something festive like a party. He doesn't trust Ponies, or any species, on this planet, save for Fluttershy and the Apples. This part of him wanted to return to the solitude of his home in the forest and stay there for the next few weeks.

However, the part of him that fought back with equal strength in his mind was a part motioning him to take the invitation and go. It was the optimism in him that's slowly returned in the prior weeks he's been in Equestria. Slowly, he's been warming up to the idea of meeting others again, though even this side of him wanted to keep his guns and weapons close by, even in a situation like that.

Stuck at a crossroad, he did a mental coin flip, and sighed as he gradually nodded.

"Yeah... Yeah, sure..."

Fluttershy was taken aback, fully expecting some sort of resistance from him.

"A-Are you sure? I don't want you to do anything you're completely uncomfortable with. It was just a question. There's no pressure."

Nate shook his head as he pocketed the invitation.

"Fluttershy, I've been living on the outside of Ponyville for God knows how long, and I don't know how much longer things will stay that way. I'll have to come out of the Everfree sooner or later. Be it a party, or another fight..."

He turned away, putting his hands back into his pockets.

"Might as well rip the bandage off quick than slowly peel it away..."

Fluttershy smiled for what felt like the first time today. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her isolated friend was finally warming up to the idea of making friends! There was still hope for him after all! She made a silent "squee" to herself as Nate began to walk off her steps and onto the dirt. Watching him go, Fluttershy wrung her hands together, twiddling her thumbs as she bit her lip. After thinking to herself intently, she went after Nate a second time.

"W-Wait a second! One more thing, Nate!"

The human turned to her again as she stopped in front of him, grabbing him by both shoulders as he faced her.

"T-Thank you. I really do mean that."

"You're welcome, Fluttersh- MMPH!!?!?"

Nate was caught off-guard as the yellow Pegasus got really bold all of a sudden. Her lips had connected with his, locking them together as Fluttershy engaged them in a surprisingly passionate kiss. This wasn't like a lip on lip sweet kiss. Fluttershy was showing gratitude in one of the most sensual experiences Nate has ever felt, and with her tongue ravaging all the nerves in his mouth, he could barely feel his body, much less stop her. What felt like an hour-long make-out was actually just a few seconds. As soon as Fluttershy was satisfied, she parted her lips with a small "pop", leaving Nate with his mouth agape.

Giggling, the Pegasus turned back to her door, walking inside and waving to him as she leaned on her door.

"Bye-bye, Mr. Schmidt!~ I'll see you at the party!"

She closed the door before Nate could respond or react, leaving him to process all that had happened in the span of a few seconds. Honest to god, his face could become a meme from how long he stood there like that, but he soon snapped himself out of it, and slowly drifted towards the road leading back to his home.

Still holding the invitation, he brought his hand up to his lips. Despite being a Pony, Fluttershy's lips, the way she kissed; she was, indeed, human in the more intimate aspects of affection. That was for DAMN sure, but he still didn't know how to feel about it. Fluttershy was a kind and sweet woman, a caring individual that has a hard time with crowds. He respected her for going above and beyond, even conquering her fears, for the lives of others. Those lives were often animals, but what difference did that make? He knew she'd do the same if he was in peril.

Yet, when looking at it from the eyes of a human, and JUST a human, wasn't this bestiality? She had the figure and personality of a person, but she was still a horse, an animal where he came from. He didn't know what laws to abide by, and to top it all off, he was... confused. There was a warmth in his chest he hadn't felt for a long time. A warmth he wanted to keep. It faded the further and further he got from Fluttershy's cottage. He didn't know why, but it felt like... home. Before it all went to hell, that's what the cottage represented.

Home...

Stopping by the treeline of the forest, Nate looked back at Fluttershy's property, seeing the ducklings chasing Angel bunny as he hopped along. Giving a small grin, he pressed his lips together in thought before retreating into the Everfree, disappearing for another few hours.

"Welcome!~"

A cheerful voice echoed throughout the sugary diner as a pink Earth Pony mare was ushering in guests from all over town. There wasn't a single morsel in town who didn't know that the infamous Party Pony: Pinkie Pie was housing another party.

Seriously, you live in this town, and the second the idea pops in her head, you already have a letter on your doorstep.

Anyways, Ponies of various colors, races, and genders mingled in the main area, occasionally wandering over for another sweet at the counter near the kitchen. Among those who attended was Fluttershy, Applejack, and their closest friends. This party was in celebration of a new face, which so happened to be the Griffon that Rainbow Dash, another friend of Fluttershy's, mentioned was arriving hours earlier.

Now that Fluttershy had seen Gilda the Griffon up close, she didn't know if the creature deserved a welcome, especially with what she was about to do when she had the yellow Pegasus at her mercy. Who knows what could have happened if...

No. Things are better, and Fluttershy has a lingering feeling of hope in her chest. She's pleading, begging for the mother of Celestia to please send her human friend this way. Fluttershy may be timid, but she wasn't a fool, and she knew that Nate's shell was breaking. All he needed was a small push to interact with others around town. The trouble earlier today had certainly got Ponies talking, so striking while the iron was dangerously hot was the final stretch.

That is, if he was coming to the party.

A little ways away from her, Applejack was conversing with a white-furred Unicorn, a fashionista that ran a Boutique in town. Confusion laced the farm girl's expression, and by the look of her friend: Rarity, it seemed she wasn't the only one who was uninformed about Rainbow Dash's old pal.

"Who's this Gilda Ah've heard nothin' about?"

Rarity shrugged, fanning herself lightly before walking with her polar opposite of a friend to a nearby table.

"I hear she's an old friend of Rainbow Dash, and that she's something as rare as a Griffon."

Fluttershy fidgeted upon overhearing their talk, glancing to her side when she noticed the resident bookworm coming to speak with her. After a short greeting, Twilight Sparkle was quick to the point with her questions.

"You've met Gilda, right? What's she like?"

Fluttershy could only respond with shy stuttering. She didn't want to give anything away that would effectively make her or Gilda a bad Pony. The Griffon may be nasty, and Ponies have lines that they don't cross, but Fluttershy was a kind-hearted individual. She would see the most twisted of individuals and grant them the pity and kindness they needed to turn their lives around.

I mean, if she's able to simmer down a mentally-unstable psychotic with weapons of mass murder, she could find good in just about anyone.

"I'll... tell you later, Twilight..."

She turned back forward to avoid the topic, her ears shooting up as she noticed a familiar hooded figure in the audience, sitting near the back. With a smile, the caretaker approached the "Monkey with a Boomstick".

"Nate! You actually came...!"

The hooded human nodded, shrugging as he took a sip of the punch being offered here.

"I figured it was time. You did your part in opening me up a bit. If there are more like you around this town, then I wouldn't mind meeting them."

Fluttershy blushed at the flattery, but didn't hide herself like she normally would. Instead, she stayed by the table, chatting and having fun with her human as the evening progressed. Applejack, seeing Nate was here as well, didn't find the surprise of his appearance unwelcome. If anything, the farm mare gave him a bone-crushing hug that she squeezed his face into her cleavage a bit TOO much out of pride.

Applejack's hugs are the most dangerous...

After calming down, the three enjoyed themselves, sharing stories about their day after they parted from one another. Some of which didn't have anything interesting. Fluttershy was the opposite, having returned from her trip before the whole fight in Ponyville broke out. Nate listened and learned more about this world's creatures simply by Fluttershy's depictions of her trip, and Applejack, being humble and honest, didn't stop her shy friend from opening up herself, and enjoying herself the same way everypony else was.

That all quickly changed when the guest of honor arrived.

"Gilda!~ Welcome! I'm so honored to throw you one of my signature Pinkie Pie parties, and I really, truly, sincerely hope you feel welcome among us here Pony folk."

Gilda rose an eyebrow at Pinkie Pie, whom Nate had a better look at now. She kept herself simple, but favored bright colors in her appearance. She was as every bit of a model as Applejack and Fluttershy were, but... he swore her ass was bigger. It was hard to tell from this angle, but the simple clothing she wore hugged her body like a snug blanket.

'Good to see the realism's still shot in this damn reality. Fucking Ponies...'

He shook his head as Gilda got zapped with a buzzer wrapped around Pinkie's hand. A little practical joke to set them on good terms. Pinkie believed it to have worked, but Nate, after observing the ticks and subtle nature of the Griffon, thought otherwise. Despite this, Pinkie Pie introduced Gilda, allowing Nate to finally put a name to a face. Crossing his arms as he sat there, he observed with a steady stream of animosity and heated ire pointed straight at the Griffon. it was a silent promise for her to tread lightly, or else.

On and on, the party went. Various games were played, Gilda got pranked a few more times (some of which Nate actually chuckled at), and the music kept beating to the theme of the party. It was a nice change of pace to the silent bliss Nate was accustomed to, and it seemed Fluttershy was enjoying his positivism as well.

After a while, however, Nate had found himself drinking too much, and he was in need of a restroom. Excusing himself, he made his way through the crowd of dancing Ponies, pushing open the door to the male restroom. Unbeknownst to him, a pair of eyes watched him as he entered, and followed him towards it.

Upon entering the bathroom, Nate could definitely see whoever runs this place keeps it clean with passion. There was no smell, no sights, or any sounds that were undesirable. In fact, it smells like someone took scented candles of all types and laid them everywhere.

If this kind of dedication is also provided in their food, then Nate is definitely coming back here more often if this all works out.

Relieving himself at one of the urinals, Nate couldn't help but feel this odd tingling sensation in the back of his mind. An old thought, a sense, that was raising red flags, and all for the sole reason that had been the only thing that bothered him about this bathroom.

It's too quiet. Usually, you'd hear the sounds of partying for chatting diners outside the bathroom, but there wasn't a single sound to be heard here. It was... creepy, in a sense.

When Nate had approached the mirror in the bathroom, things began to seem over more off. His instincts were screaming that something was wrong, and with only his pistol, he was left unprepared to deal with the close quarters of the bathroom stalls and tight spaces beyond the urinals.

Washing his hands as he pretended to not notice, it seemed his would-be attacker had no intentions of hiding themselves well.

*SLAM-SLAM-SLAM-SLAM*

All of the stalls slammed shut behind him via a gust of wind, and a figure flew past him with elegance and speed he didn't know one could possess. Looking back at the stalls, Nate's eyes narrowed as he tossed the paper towels in the sink with a huff. Approaching the stalls one after another, he kicked them open, slamming them against the walls of the inside while trying to find the one messing with him.

It wasn't long before the trap was sprung.

*BASH*

Upon kicking open the last stall, Nate let in a sharp breath as a figure came down from above, slamming both of their feet into his chest. Flying back to the wall, Nate grimaced as he looked up, seeing the one person he didn't want to encounter standing in front of him.

"Hey there, punk. I think you owe me a few bones for what you did to my beak..."

With the party still going on outside, a few Ponies were confused by the sudden disappearance of the guest of honor. Just a few moments ago, Gilda was right there beside Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, having what they assumed to be the time of her life, but as they turned away for one second, she was gone the next. Rainbow assumed she headed off towards the restrooms, as she saw one of the doors closing when she peeked over the crowd, but now that she thought about it...

Didn't she go into the male bathroom?

As for Fluttershy, she, too, grew worried. Her human wasn't back yet, and it certainly had been too long since he left to use the facilities. What was taking him so long?

Ponies began to ask questions about Gilda as they were awaiting her return, and as time ticked away, the Ponies closest to both patrons grew more and more concerned. Then, finally, one of them appeared.

Nathan Schmidt exited the bathroom, panting and huffing as his clothing was torn asunder. Claw marks and scuffs on his legs were the extent of his wounds, but what patrons didn't bother to notice during their fun was the amount of red that was blotched all over him. Sprayed across the lower half of his abdomen and completely coating his left leg, Nate was practically dripping with fresh blood, both his and someone else's. Closing the door to the bathrooms behind him gently, he let out a strained wheeze as he stood there, leaning against the door. Glancing at the Ponies, his opinion of these creatures in their entirely went down by a hell of a lot. If creatures like Gilda, who were selfish enough to try what she did, then who's to say these Ponies are any different.

In some way, they're all humans, and Gilda had done what any human with "carnal desires" would do when having "prey" cornered.

Trudging through the crowd slowly, no one seemed to care or recognize Nate's wounds, or the state he was in. They just kept dancing and laughing like all was well with the world.

Fluttershy, on the other hand, had her worries wash away when she spotted Nate heading for the door. Tailing after him, she sped up her pace as she approached him, but stopped when she took him in. Horror set on her muzzle as she shoved aside Rainbow Dash and Rarity, the former growing defensive immediately.

"Hey! Watch it, pa-..."

Rainbow Dash's words were slowly rendered mute as she got a good look at his back, which had one giant gash running down the back, which exposed enough flesh to let his spine poke out into the open. Rainbow's eyes widened as Rarity cringed in the same horror as Fluttershy did moments prior.

"W-Whoa... Buddy? You okay...?"

"Goodness gracious, darling! What happened to you?!"

The entirety of the party silenced in seconds when they heard those voices show anything but joy and positivity. With all eyes on Nate, he didn't even bother to stop or slow himself. He kept trudging, not bothering to answer anypony as he shoved the doors to Sugarcube Corner open, and walked out. Fluttershy trotted to the door after him, looking outside as he kept moving, still dripping and drying with dark crimson fluids.

Rainbow hovered up next to her, looking after him before turning to the direction he came from. Flying towards the bathrooms, she approached the male door she assumed Gilda walked into. Opening up the restroom door, she was greeted to a horrific sight.

Gilda was on the floor, her head crushed up against the urinal. Blood was pooled and splattered around her, cracks and holes in the walls along with a damaged mirror above the sink. It looked as if there was a struggle, and Gilda lost, badly. Yet, even so, she was still alive, choking and gagging as she tried to breathe through her shattered jaw as it hung over the edge of the urinal.

Seeing her old friend like this, Rainbow Dash could only do what anypony else would do when seeing their friend like this...

She screamed.