Everfree Guardian

Five months. From just a single month to five, Nathan Schmidt was now fully integrated and accustomed to his new life in Equestria. With his four friends, three outside the Everfree and one within, he found himself living a lifestyle he never believed he would have had before. After all the action and danger with the first few weeks of his life in this world, things settled down and remained at the peaceful and harmonic level Rarity had mentioned in their talk after escaping the Diamond Dogs. Over that time, he had further cemented his friendship with the fashionista, taking the time and making an effort to visit her boutique to offer an extra hand in her work, or to just hang out and chat. Rarity loved doing the latter, especially if it included gossip.

Speaking of Rarity, the fashionista had been making new clothes for him. After coming back the second time, this time with the gems from the caves the two left behind, Rarity had finally discovered he was not a Pony after undressing him against his will to get measurements. Fluttershy, being there with him, explained the situation, and how he was not a "monkey", but a similar being known as a human. She had done so with her eyes closed, as when Rarity undressed him, she had undressed EVERYTHING, or attempted to. Nate had managed to keep his upper body from being fully unclothed, his hood staying over his head. His lower half, though, showed something different.

Both Rarity and Fluttershy were staring at two legs similar to a Pony's, but with the obvious lack of fur, and a certain "third leg" that hung in front of the fashionista's face. While not as impressive as a stallion's, Nate found it surprising that his natural size had seemingly... doubled. What was once a six-inch was now twelve or thirteen in length, and five centimeters in diameter, and this was all WITHOUT being erect!

What the fuck happened!? WHEN the fuck did this happen!? He looked at himself several days ago and saw normalcy! Now, after everything, he can actually call this thing a "magnum"! What did--...

Wait a minute... That incident with Zecora a while back. His adventures in the Everfree...

Oh shit... The Poison Joke.

The Poison Joke had affected him all along! No wonder he had felt strange after the introduction to Zecora! That damn plant doubled the length of his cock and widened it to a mare's standards! What the hell was the joke in...

...

...

Y'know what, I don't think anyone here or there needs to know what the punchline is.

Anyways, Rarity now understands what Nathan Schmidt really is, and why it was so important to him to stay hidden in the shadows. Having taken measurements, while teasing him, of course, Rarity had a full wardrobe of familiar casual clothing and formal wear custom made the next day. Each and every article of clothing that resembled something that goes over a shirt had a hood to accompany it. Even the formal attire had hoods large enough to hide his face! It was perfect!

That all happened shortly after his job with Rarity. Nowadays, he's gotten into the habit of helping all three mares, plus Zecora. His constant back-and-forth favors allowed him to learn something new every time. Whether it'd be something about Ponies, magic, or the world of Equus itself, it was never unwelcome in the ever-growing mind of the human.

Now, with the five month anniversary of his arrival passing, he was now given something akin to vacation. Applejack had notified him of her trip to Appleloosa, a western country town south of the Everfree, and that, for all of his hard work, she wanted him to take the next month off to prepare and brave through the coming of Winter.

Ugh... Winter. If there was one thing Nate hated in nature more than anything, it was Winter. Not because of the snow, but because of the batshit insane freezing temperatures. Nate had always grudged against the extreme temperatures of Summer and Winter, choosing Fall and Spring over either of them any time of the year. That being said, he still looked forward to the holidays that came with the frozen bastard of the seasons. Christmas and Valentines Day were still a thing here, only now they were bunched closer together, and called Hearth's Warming and Hearts and Hooves Day respectably.

Nate wasn't really expecting to be spending these holidays with anyone, really. I mean, what point is there to a holiday that resembles the gift of family when you have none at all? It depressed him, made him drink some of the Apple Cider his boss provided during the season; it made him think deeply upon times long passed.

Fate seemed to take exception to this, as somehow, someway, his three friends found themselves at his front porch, all wearing Christmas-themed outfits (some more revealing than others), and holding gifts. Seeing them smile and stand there in their Christmas cheer made Nate remember that he technically DID have a family, just not one bound by blood.

Friends are an extension of one's family, after all, and it wasn't like Nate didn't have gifts for them as well.

Inviting them in, he set out his table as the girls got a good look at the inside of his house for the first time ever. Considering the one-room concept, they definitely found it unique amongst the other homes they've come and gone to, but it made it all the more cozy. With no walls bordering each section of the house, they were always together, save for the bathroom, of course. To the quartet, that was enough.

Nate was initially worried that the three weren't going to spend their holidays with their actual families, but they all explained that they planned their festivities early for this specific reason. It's the whole reason they've made themselves scarce in the last month of their growing friendship. That touched Nate's heart in a way he was unfamiliar with. It was a gracious feeling he's long-since forgotten, but was happy to feel again.

On and on, the night went, the four spending time playing games, talking to each other, joking around, and eventually eating a dinner spread worthy of Hearth's Warming.

During dinner, the discussions varied in topics, mostly ranging from standard life to obscure gossips fresh on Ponyville's block.

However, one subject made Nate... pause.

Fluttershy finally asked why Nate still had the hood on, why he was so persistent in hiding himself away from the world, and from them. They loved him, saw him as one of their few closest friends. Did he not feel the same way?

His answer said otherwise.

"It's... not so easy or simple for me, Fluttershy. I've been living in isolation for more than seven years, and just recently, that turned to eight before I met all of you."

Nate sat down his fork as he stared at the food that lay in front of him, his preference in meat leaving him with a slice of ham with the common vegetables off to the side.

"I've got a LOT to regret. A lot of things I wish could have happened differently, but there's very few things I've done here that I think could have been done different."

He ushered to Rarity as all three of them were now listening, their attention solely on the Everfree Guardian as his heart began to bleed for them.

"The only thing I have regrets for is Rarity seeing me like... well, me. The true me. The brute made from bad experiences and blood. The one I try to hide behind a mask..."

He drifted that same hand up to the ring of his hood, tugging on it as he shuddered to himself.

"This hood... You guys often ask me why I still uphold the whole "secret identity" thing. Truth is, it was never like that. I don't have anything to hide from anyone, despite the obvious secrets I keep from you. Right now, that drive to hurt, to maim and kill; I know I would do what I did to the Diamond Dogs to anyone else who would take the freedom and innocence from people who don't deserve it. I would cause that bloodbath right now if I had the chance. That's just how things are for me, but... after doing it, after tearing people apart without remorse or second thoughts, and in front of those I hold close in this Kingdom now more than ever... After knowing what I've become in the past, I couldn't ever catch myself looking at the face that started it all. I don't want to chance it."

Bringing his hand away, he turned and stood up, walking to his fridge to get another bottle of Apple Cider. Figured if he was going to tell this story, he might as well be two percent drunker.

"When it all started out for me, the hood was meant to hide my fears, to keep my little sister from seeing that I was scared. If she ever saw me as anything other than the big and strong brother that can stand up to anything... Well, you get the picture. The hood now represents something different. I... don't want to relive the more horrifying details, but the hood is there to keep me from seeing the monster that I am. Seeing my own face would force me to confront the fact that, no matter how hard I try to bury it, it was still me that did those things in my youth. I'm using it to hide myself FROM me. I'm tricking my mind into thinking I'm still okay."

Popping off the cap, he took a swig as he leaned against the counter. Sighing as he let it down, he placed the Cider on the same counter as he took a breath.

"If I dwell on the things I've done, the hundreds of people I've killed, all when I was a fucking kid, no less, I worry I'll just turn into some soulless mockery of my former self."

Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy all saddened their expressions as he pressed his hands against the corner of the island between the kitchen and dining room, rubbing his fingers against the smooth stone.

"I've changed. I know I've changed. We all do in time, but even if I still do these things, know that I can't stop myself when the triggers are pulled, I still try my hardest to keep in mind that what I'm doing is wrong, even if it's for the right reasons. If I lose sight of my morals, then I'm no better than the evil I fought before coming to Equestria."

"B-But... You aren't..."

Nate shook his head, stopping Fluttershy from speaking as he continued.

"I will never justify what I do, Fluttershy. I can't ever look back and guess what would change if I did things differently. I have to live with what I do, and what I continue to be. I am not a human, or a Pony. Just a monster trying to do right by others... in the most gruesome way possible."

He ushered to them all, now, his eyes barely visible with the light outside and inside. They could faintly make out an uncertain expression, a look laced with fear for the uncertain and the unknown. A face they're all familiar with.

"Which is why... I don't know how to react to you, to the idea of US... Just thinking about it makes me scared..."

Fluttershy was almost in tears when he finished, both incredibly disheartened and gleeful. She was happy that her human friend was opening up to her. Sure, Nate had eluded to things about himself here and there, his insecurities and strengths, but never before had he been this thorough. He was practically pouring his very soul out in response to her one single question. This holiday was just what she needed to get him to open up and talk to her.

But at the same time, she felt so incredibly guilty for pushing him to do so. She knew that Nate's trauma came from past experiences. Those frenzies of anger and rage came from immense sadness, both mentally and emotionally. He was so unstable, and now here she was learning that he hides himself away to keep HIMSELF from seeing his face. It was a mark of great shame that lingered and stained his heart.

Applejack was appalled to hear about this, ANY of this, now. She wasn't the Element of Honesty for no reason. She knew Nate was always hiding something from her, but back then, she was so unfamiliar with him that it wasn't any of her business, but after growing close to her new favorite worker for the months that rolled by, after bonding through hard work, she'd expected him to be more honest with himself, too. Apples are nothing if not honest.

Rarity had no outwards reaction to Nate's monologue. Becoming who she was took a lot of sacrifice, a lot of things she felt ashamed for. Fashion was a gruelling business if you were not prepared for the blood, sweat, and mistakes that would lie ahead. Shame was forever welded into Rarity's own heart. However, she had plenty of things to bounce her back to shape. Many things, and one very huge safety net that Nate didn't have:

Parents, or siblings.

Standing up, Rarity was the first to approach Nate, bringing him into a silent hug as she leaned into him. There were no words, no hushed whispers. She just remained, coaxing him into embracing her back while Fluttershy floated over and joined the hug from above. Applejack grinned before doing the same, squeezing them all together firmly against her before softening her grip.

With his arms still around Rarity, he felt their warmth sink into his body, relaxing and melting him into their embrace. Eventually, Fluttershy pulled back and smiled down at him, her face saying everything there is for him to hear.

He has a family. After all this time, he does. It's small, but it's wholesome, and it's finally one he can accept and be a part of. Hugging all of the girls again, he was unaware of Fluttershy's smile turning wry. When he finally did notice, he rose an eyebrow. All she did was point up, and reveal a mistletoe just above them.

Needless to say, the fashionista and farm mare held him down while Fluttershy had her way with him. She showed a surprising amount of boldness that night, despite never actually getting sexual with the intimacy. The rest of the night was spent together, now more relaxed and slowly turning in for the night. Nate had slept on the floor, leaned up against his own bed while the girls took it for the night.

That night... That day, it was one of the most emotional and "magical" days of Nate's life. One with more purpose than flesh-tearing and life-saving.

All that, plus some uneventful days to come, led to today, where the Winter had passed, and Spring was coming in.

Nate had only wished he had graced Spring under better circumstances, especially now that he stood with Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity at the latter's favorite spa. The girls had finally managed to convince their human into coming here as a "friends' night out", whatever that meant. He knew what a trip here would come to. He'd have to reveal a bit of himself to those three, as well as the staff. Hopefully, he didn't have to undress in front of the latter.

God help them if they figured out he wasn't a Pony.

Oddly enough, Nate didn't have as big of an issue in revealing more of himself to the girls. After the night he confessed his fears, he was willing to expose more skin around them. He hadn't seen his own face for as long as he can remember. He had washed it, kept it as spic and span as he could, but he knew it was just as damaged as the rest of his body.

So long as he kept his face hidden from view, he was alright joining the girls in the bath, strange as that may be due to his customs clashing with Equestria's.

But that's neither here nor there.

Coming into the spa with the three, he was introduced to Lotus and Aloe, two Earth Pony twins that were definite sweethearts, but loved to tease and flirt when the air was light between them and their customers and known guests. Thankfully, they didn't try anything on Nate that would require them getting too close, and soon enough, he found himself before a jacuzzi with Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack all getting undressed beyond a curtain.

He didn't feel entirely uncomfortable revealing more skin to the girls. He trusted them, knew they wouldn't just run when seeing him in his full nude glory. If anything, they wouldn't even be paying attention to anything "inviting". No, he knew right from the moment they got into that jacuzzi with him several seconds later that they would be focused on something else.

Oh, dear lord...

Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity had finally, after several minutes of undoing and tossing clothing to the side, made it back to the spa's main bathhouse to join their human. They weren't expecting him to join them. With how guarded he is about showing anything underneath his clothes, they thought he'd be sitting off to the side, basking in the heat rolled over by the steam, relaxing in his own grace.

They found him inside the jacuzzi they rented out when they entered, finding it surprising that he was going so far. It warmed their hearts to know how much he trusted them, to let them see HIM, and not the darkness he hides himself in. With the exception of the towel wrapped around his head, his entire body was exposed to them.

Upon seeing it, though, that warmth was met with a chill when they saw his back, as he was facing away from them and resting his chin and arms on the edge of the tub. Fluttershy, out of all of them, knew they'd see a lot of damage on Nate's body. Given all he's went through, and the amount of injuries he's sustained, how could his body be smooth and clean?

She could, at least, say it was healthy. Despite its state of disrepair, the human had been taking extreme care to nurture what remains after those battles and trials in the Everfree Forest. What haunted her the most was the giant gash on his back. It had not healed as it should have. Whereas all other scars on his back shown as ugly grey and pink lines, the one he sustained from Gilda's assault stayed open. The flesh was no longer bleeding and appeared to be as healthy as the skin that once laid over it, but it was still out in the open, hardened by exposure to outside elements. What made the shy Pegasus sick the most was the little bit of spine still visible from the wound.

Applejack and Rarity saw the same thing, stopping in their tracks to see what Nate's own carnage wrought onto his mortal flesh.

"You all gonna stand there all day?"

The three blinked out of their funk when they heard him speak, seeing him tilting his head slightly to the side to glance back at them. Fluttershy was the first to dip in, sitting off towards Nate's left on the other side of the jacuzzi. Rarity and Applejack came in to his right and straight across from him respectable, all still having their eyes on him.

"I assume you all see my scars... and the wounds."

Fluttershy reached out, caressing one of the lesser scratches below his ribs.

"My goodness, Nate... Was... all of this... from Equestria?"

He rubbed a few with his right hand, which shared many of the scars and cuts up his forearm and bicep.

"No. Most of my scars came from before, back when I was on Earth. Lots of bad business, that was..."

He gently grabbed Fluttershy's hand, turning it so he was holding her fingers tenderly.

"I wanted you to see the back, first. To ease you into what you'll see. When I turn around, you'll know my other reason for keeping myself sealed away. Why I rarely let other people look at me. Are you ready for that? Will you... judge me if you see it?"

Fluttershy could feel his hand shake slightly at that last question, getting her heart to forget the fear for him and instead embrace kindness. She took his hand with both of her's, pressing it gently at the top of her breasts.

"Nate, we've known each other for five months. That may not seem like long for most Ponies, but we've grown so close to each other. I know you. No matter what you look like, I cherish you, and so does some of Ponyville."

Applejack nodded, setting her stetson hat off to the side.

"Ah'll second that, sugarcube. Y'all have been the biggest bunch of help with manpower on mah farm since ya showed up in our quiet little town. Ah can't think of ya any less if you look like somethin' that BELONGS in the Everfree."

Rarity smiled, chuckling as she fanned herself.

"Darling, I've seen parts of you no mare has ever seen before, and I think we both know what I mean."

Nate snorted as she softened her gaze.

"Be that as it may, you had risked yourself time and time again for all of us, dear. It doesn't matter what you look like to us, or even what you are. Here, in Ponyville, you are as every bit a stallion as the rest. Perhaps even one of the best I've known myself, and that's saying quite a lot."

The human shook his head at that comment, knowing from all of Rarity's stories and gossips that she fancies a lot of popular figures. One of which being this royal Prince known as Blueblood. Apparently, he is supposed to be this world's iteration of Prince Charming. Supposedly, Rarity has a lead on where she can meet him, and plans to court him. More power to her. They'll celebrate with drinks if she succeeds.

But, back to the present, Nate gives a slow breath as he leans up.

"Alright... If you're absolutely sure, then... Okay..."

He rises in the tub, standing so that the water is at his knees. Already, they can feel and see something wrong. Bits and pieces of him were hanging off his lower body's front. Nothing was in the actual water itself, but it was enough to make the mares' hearts sink. Turning towards them slowly, they now understood why he wore those clothes all the time.

Nate's body was a damn horror autopsy. To start, his body had retained the enormous gash and the two bullet wounds from when he first arrived in the Kingdom, but that was old news to them. What was new was everything else.

Nate's left forearm down was completely skinless, looking as if someone violently ripped off a few layers of it like scratchy duct tape. His fingernails remained, and some of that skin was loose, dangling from where it bordered at his elbow. His right bicep had a large indent in the side, likely from a bladed object, that was just as light-crimson as the slice on his back. The rest of his right arm was better than the left, but that wasn't saying much. It still retained all of its skin, but was no less scarred than the rest of him.

His calves held the same treatment as his right bicep, having parts of it removed and stabbed into, bullet wounds present here and there as well.

His chest and belly faced even worse treatment than his limbs. Several places were open, revealing protected organs and ribs. If they looked hard enough, they could see a very small glance of his beating heart.

But what freaked them out the most was his neck.

His neck had a ring of red going around it, as if he had worn an iron collar for years on end and it tore away at it before finally being taken off. It was stained with black blood that dried years ago, remaining as a smudge upon his natural tan.

Was this a result of some sort of slavery? Torture? The answers remained unclear, as the scar was too broad to give an accurate assumption.

Fluttershy was the first to respond, bringing her hands up to her mouth as Applejack's face had gone stone cold, paling to a brighter shade as she gazed upon his body in utter disbelief. She couldn't believe he's endured so much to become this. Hell, she couldn't believe he was even ALIVE.

Rarity was the only one to voice her thoughts, at first crying out in shock before spouting stuttering concerns for the human, reaching out and touching around his scars and dried up injuries. Nate only stood there, flexing his fingers gently before gruffly replying to their shock.

"Well... Here I am... This is what remains after everything I've been through..."

His head tilted downward, giving the impression of submission as his shoulders seemed to shiver.

"Are... Are you going to run...? Are you scared of me now that you see the real me underneath the clothes?"

Fluttershy lowered her hands from her mouth, realizing that her nature had made her reel back from the human. Coming to her senses quickly, she stood up to Nate's height, quickly giving his whitened cheek a reassuring kiss. The tormented Guardian blinked, surprised and completely thrown off that Fluttershy would still touch him after what she'd seen. Turning his head to look at her, Fluttershy smiled as she gazed into Nate's shadowed face

"Never. We meant what we said. It doesn't matter what you are. You still made life better for all of us."

She giggled as she pulled away, placing a hand on her heart.

"Why, I can't even think of the last time my own home had been so lively since you came along."

Rarity and Applejack agreed as Nate looked to them, feeling the presence of a familial warmth he'd long forgotten. Smiling, he could feel a wetness trickle down his face, drizzling onto the towel that obscured his face.

"Thank you... All of you... I... I can't remember the last time..."

He shook his head, hugging the shy Pegasus earnestly.

"Thank you..."

Fluttershy unfurled her wings, bringing them around her human as Rarity and Applejack joined the hug, the awkwardness forgotten in the wake of their bond as friends growing ever so closer. Releasing each other from their grasps, they stood apart, smiling and actually enjoying themselves for a change. They began to rest back into the water, Nate coming in last. As he found himself back in his spot, Applejack decided to lighten the mood with a bit of... humor.

"Ya know, yer bigger than most feller's 'round here.~"

"Shut up..."

Later that night, Nate had departed after his evening was spent in the company of his friends. After the hour-long rent of the spa, the four had left feeling more refreshed and clean than they'd ever felt before, the human especially. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so... fresh, so alive. With the many scars and holes on his body, he had always felt some semblance of pain or aches, but that spa not only flushed him out of the fluids that seeped from his pores and exposed inners, but relaxed the muscles he normally had guarded. He felt... peaceful.

After leaving the spa, the quartet went out for dinner, choosing a nice homey diner to continue relaxing in as they enjoyed a hot meal. In the time they were in that diner, Nate began to learn more about each of his three friends. Specifically, how they got their Cutie Marks, which apparently designates one's special talent and appears on their ass cheeks.

Kind of a weird place to put it, but whatever.

Applejack's Cutie Mark appeared via a journey to find herself. In her youth, she had no interest in being a farm pony, so she had tried to move in with her relatives in Manehattan and make it in the big city. After seeing how restrictive and polished the city life was like, especially one that resembled Earth's New York, Applejack realized where her place in life is meant to be. Upon returning to the farm, her Cutie Mark appeared, and her special talent was not only taking care of her farm, but readying it for the next Pony who was going to take care of it. It seemed the Apples were a family that prided themselves on successors and strong children. No wonder all of them were Earth Ponies.

Rarity's was a bit more comical. See, she was a fashionista her whole life. It was her aspiration, her dream. When most found her work to be average, and only just, she was distraught and fresh out of ideas on how to spruce up her dresses and costumes to make them really flair. Well, her horn had an idea, and dragged her halfway across the damn country just to present to her a rock. Sure enough, within that rock was layers upon layers of gemstones. Using them, her work improved, and her special talent in the fashionista business was unveiled to the world.

Fluttershy's was one that put two stallions on his shit list. While no names were dropped, it appeared Fluttershy's time in her home city, Cloudsdale wasn't a happy one. Her lack of speed and usual Pegasus grandeur came from a tough upbringing. Her shy nature and lack of confidence did little to help her pass Flight School, and after a subsequent fight engaged a race between her best friend, Rainbow Dash and the bullies, she was thrown off of Cloudsdale and plummeted right into the outskirts of Ponyville, which just so happened to be where she set up shop for her cottage. Ever since then, she remained as a caretaker for the critters, her Cutie Mark appearing several days after she uncovered her unique ability to communicate with them on levels other Ponies, and even Nate, can't attain.

Nate had shared a bit of his own past as well. Not anything sensitive, mind you. Rather, he shared details on Earth, and the particular region he was from.

He grew up in Manchester, England, and was born from an English mother and an American father. Later on, he had a sister right around when he turned five, and his bond with her grew more and more as the years passed. Sadly, that was the extent of the information he could give. Going further would plunge them into the darker veils of his past, how he'd gotten so many scars, and why he acts and suffers the way he does. He didn't want to ruin the mood they had going, and figured straying to the technological advancements Earth and humanity had made would be a better topic than personal tales. It seemed to work, as the more he told about computers and the internet, and even how humanity went to the moon, it captivated the girls entirely. Sometimes, the topic of humanity would stray to animals or fashion, to which Nate answered as best he could in those fields, but all in all, his world wasn't so different compared to Equestria aside from the obvious.

After they were done eating, they went their separate ways, bidding each other farewell and a good night. Nate returned to his hideout with little trouble. Nothing in the Everfree was stirring, nor were there any predators hunting for game. The night was old, and undoubtedly, the time was late as well.

Some well-earned sleep would do a great justice for the Guardian, especially after he'd unwound himself in the company of his friends.