Beginning of a Legend: Baldric Gareth

Chapters

Prologue of Baldric Gareth
Chapter 1: A Strange New Land
Chapter 2: A New Town
Chapter 3: Fitting In
Chapter 4: The Party
Chapter 5: New Friends
Chapter 6: Tale of the Present & Past

Prologue of Baldric Gareth

Prologue of Baldric Gareth

There lived a Nordic boy born into a simple home with loving parents and a loving family. You see at this time, one had to be strong in order to survive and little Baldrics father was just that.

In order to provide food for his family his father would leave to hunt in the nearby forest. All the while his mother would stay home tending to his siblings and the farm. Of course he helped as well, cleaning or gathering wood for the fire which in turn would help cook the meat his father would bring home.

Still being young, Baldric didn’t realize the harshness of reality until he became older and war arose in his small village and every able bodied man was called to arms. Baldric, still being too young, was left at home while his older brothers and father left to fight and defend their homes.

“You be good Baldric, help your mother and become strong enough to help us!” Baldrics father exclaims proudly as he turns from the house, and walks off into the distance with his two oldest sons.

That was the last little Baldric ever saw his father and older brothers…

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A few years pass and Baldric took his father’s words to heart, he trained every day, his little frame became large and muscular. Since his father’s death his mother had become heartbroken and dejected leaving him to take over most of the work around the house. From hunting to cooking Baldric did everything to keep his younger brother and 2 sisters well fed.

Late one evening a man riding upon a horse came to their small house and handed him a paper.

“It’s a call to arms Baldric, this time it’s your turn to bravely defend the village.” states the man as he nods to Baldric and heads to the next home.

Baldric shakes his head and tells his family he’ll be back.

“Brother! You better come back!” squeaks his younger sister as tears roll down her cheek. He simply leans down and kisses her on her forehead saying

“Of course I will, how could I abandon such a cute little sister?”

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Baldric, now 17 years of age, finds out his calling in life had turned out to be warfare, his body was built for it. Standing a foot taller than the rest of the men in his platoon, and much stronger than any other, it seemed he belonged to the front lines. He had signed up to become a mercenary and would send almost his entire salary home to help support his family.

These wars however, were not wars against other men, they were wars against fearsome creatures such as gargoyles, manicores, goblins, minotaurs, dragons, and other such monstrosities that threatened them.

Most were controlled by dark wizards and sorcerers leading the hoards into battle against cities. Dark wizards and sorcerers would summon more creatures for the war prolonging battles until the casters themselves were slain. As such Baldric had to have immense bravery and strength to defeat such monsters and reach the evil summoners.

Baldric eventually became a captain of his own Platoon; seeing as how he was able to single handily defeat even the fiercest of creatures with his bare hands alone. He was a threat to all enemies on the battlefield. He could instill fear into them just with his presence…

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It started as every other battle normally does, told where to go by the general and then marching for a few days to reach the destination. Except this battle was different, he knew where a dark wizard was camped and the higher ups had decided to attack them while they were resting, the plan was perfect.

“CHARGE!” yells Baldric as he and his 50 best men rush at the camp site.

The fierce battle begins and Baldric is in front, hacking away at the goblins and gnolls as they scramble to defend the large tent in the center of the camp.

Baldric and his men finally reach the tent and Baldric crashes through the tent flaps and sees the dark wizard preparing a spell.

“Don’t come any Closer fool! Another step and I will send you to the void!” growls the dark wizard.

“Do your worst you evil bastard! I won't let you kill any more Innocents!” Yells Baldric in response

Baldric rushes the dark wizard blade drawn.

The dark wizard unleashes the spell he had been preparing before Baldric entered. Baldric takes the brunt of the spell, but he feels no pain, instead he sees his hands have started to become transparent. Not his armor or weapons, just his body.

Baldric quickly delivers a finishing blow to the wizard and in one swipe beheads him. Baldric proceeds to exit the tent and sees his men standing outside and looks at his men, then to the sky.

“ Men it seems my time here is done, the spell the wizard cast upon me seems to be taking effect, tell the General the Dark wizard Malory is dead, and our lands should be safe for a time…” as a tear rolls down his cheek he says “Oh yeah, tell the General to send my…” His words get cut short as his body completely disappears and his armor and weapons fall to the ground.

Chapter 1: A Strange New Land

Chapter 1: A Strange New Land

“Where in the nine hells am I” says Baldric aloud.

Looking around he realizes he’s in a forest of some kind surrounded by thick trees full of dark green leaves. Sunlight cuts through the branches allowing enough sunlight to allow him some visuals.

“This doesn’t seem like some Void to me, that stupid dark wizard musta messed up his banishment spell.”

After a moment he realizes he’s completely naked in the middle of a thick dark forest, no cloths and no weapons, completely vulnerable.

He quickly decides to make some makeshift clothing from some of the nearby large leaves and rips a large tree branch off to use a club, after all some kind of weapon is better than no weapon right?

After affixing his makeshift clothes together he swings his new club over his shoulder and begins to head out.

Wait a minute, I don’t even know where I’m right now, I best climb a tree and try to get some bearings. I'll bet that blasted wizard just sent me to some random forest. Hopefully a town is close enough to where I can just walk outta here and get back home. Bet the guys are sad thinking I died. Heh, can’t wait to see the look on their faces when I get back.

He climbs the nearest tree using his long arms and easily reaches the top. Looking up he notices that the sun is starting to go down, suggesting its late, and decides to head northwest because the forest seems to end in that direction. Climbing back down the tree he notices a bird nest with a few eggs in it.

"Well it’s been a while since I last ate and raw eggs were always a nice treat." He reaches to grab an egg and realizes its bright yellow and orange all over, but the orange was in a pattern, it almost looked like a flame, speaking of flame. The egg itself was actually quite warm; could the parents have just left?

He shrugs and while still in the tree next to the nest cracks the egg open and gulps the yolk N all down.

“Whoa! A Spicy Egg? Not just that it’s making my belly feel warm, almost hot. What an odd egg. I wonder what kind of bird makes these?” says Baldric out loud

A sudden “SCREECH!” comes from above.

Our hero looks to see a large yellow and fire red colored bird in the sky making a nose dive while continuing to screech at him.

“Oh shit, looks like seconds are canceled mama's home” he slides down the tree only to be followed by the bird.

Baldric yells “Go away ya dumb bird!” he throws the empty broken egg shell at it.

Seeing the broken shell of one of its babies the fire red bird creates and even louder screeching noise, speeds up, then bursts into flames charging at him.

“What in the nine hells?! What kinda bird can burst into flames like that?!” He breaks off into a sprint hoping to elude the bird, after all, how well could a WOODEN club work on a FIERY bird?

Dodging trees left and right he quickly swivels around another couple trees and ducks behind a nearby bush while some trees block him from sight. Soon he watches as the bird flies by him and continues forward.

“Whew, that was a close one. Now I’m even more confused, I didn’t know we had those kinda birds. What strange forest was I dumped in? I’m I even still in my own country?” as Baldric ponders his situation he continues onward toward his northwest destination.

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After some time passes it begins to get dark and Baldric realizes he needs to find or make a shelter. In the distance he can see a light. Unsure if it was just a small clearing or maybe even someone’s home, he didn’t care. If it was shelter he could always ask for some help and even if they didn’t help he could always try begging, after all he never liked conflict with intelligent beings if it could be avoided.

As he gets closer he sees a hut, a small hut to be exact, like it could be home to some kind of dwarf. However this house was different then what a dwarf would make, it wasn’t made of wood and stone, instead it was made of clay or mud and straw that were woven together.

After a few moments Baldric realizes he should just knock and hope they speak the same language as him so he could receive some help. As he walks to the hut he realizes how much bigger he is next to it, hell he could almost see over the house. So he crouches down and knocks upon the door.

“A knock? This late upon my door? What trouble could the pony folk be in?”

Baldric begins to frown and realizes he didn’t understand a thing the woman on the other side of the door said.

“Great” he grumbles to himself “how am I going to communicate with her when I don’t understand a word of what she says.”

The door opens and to Baldrics surprise, it’s no dwarf, or a human, or any manner of humanoid that opens the door to the hut. It’s a tiny horse or a pony as he would call it.

The little animal had the most peculiar black and white stripes running down the length of its body. Around its neck it had some golden rings and a few smaller ones around the middle of its left leg. This little Pony even had Earrings on!

A little shocked the striped animal looks at the creature in front of her door, even kneeling down it was huge and appeared to walk upon two legs, and it only had some long fur on the top of its head.

She begins to speak “Creature, what are you?”

“Umm, Hello I was wondering if you could help me out a bit? You see I’m lost and its getting dark I was hoping you could let me stay in… or outside near your home?” Baldric says with a big smile on his face hoping the little creature understood him.

“Speak our language you don’t it would seem, give me a moment and I will mix a brew that will allow you to speak and understand all for a time.” She turns around leaving the door open and begins to mix things into her pot.

Hmm it would seem she has understood me, and is making me some soup? Well that’s good, that egg from before is still burning up in my belly.

Baldric sits down in front of the door as he fears going inside would cause some problems as there didn’t appear to be much room inside the house. After a while the little striped animal comes out with a bowl of some green liquid held in her mouth.

“Thanks” says Baldric as he smells the soup she handed him and then gulps it down, while not fond of the flavor he just wanted to cover up that spicy egg he had before.

After he finishes the bowl he exclaims “Well it wasn’t the best soup I’ve had, but it hit the spot.”

“Brew it for the flavor I did not, but so we could talk” Baldric jumps a little at the fact that he just understood what the little striped pony said.

“Did you make this soup so that we could understand each other little pony?”

“A pony I am not, A Zebra is what I am, but enough with me, Why is a creature as strange as you in this forest? Fearsome and scary you are not, the Everfree Forest isn’t a place for such as yourself.”

Not fearsome? Not scary? What? Standing more than 7 feet tall every man and creature feared him and having the strength to lift even boulders in battle and hurl them as makeshift weapons and able to spear several men from across the battlefield, he was legendary and everyone that knew of him feared him and his power. “Little Zebra do I not frighten you? Such a huge man as myself covered with thick muscle, does it not intimidate you?” said Baldric a little curious.

“Seen much worse in my day, living in this forest is no play, and what is Man? Is a Man what you are?” said the Zebra, raising an eyebrow in question to the strange two legged creature in front of her home.

“Well I guess you could call me a man yes, but my name is Baldric Gareth a human, just call me Baldric, but what should I call you…little Zebra?”

“Zecora is my name, to town we shall head in the morrow, get you some better clothes, I know just the pony to do so.”

“Oh great clothes, these leaves are rather itchy, but wait, you don’t know what I am? You’ve never seen anything else like me before?” hoping to find out some answer that would make it seem like he was still in his own world…

“Like you? No you’re the first of your kind I have ever seen.” Said Zecora as she trotted back into her hut.

“Wait a moment, too big for my home you are, but I have some spare blankets you can use to keep warm.” She returns a few moments later with 2 blankets and tosses them to Baldric.

“Thank you for your kindness to one such as myself, without you even knowing who I am, let alone what I am.”

With that Baldric curls up near the house and does his best to cover up with his borrowed blankets.” Good night Zecora hopefully when we get to town we can also figure out how to get me home from here.”

“Goodnight Baldric the human man, tomorrow begins a new adventure for you” Zecora walks back into her home leaving the door propped part way open and leaving the light on in the window that Baldric was sleeping under.

What an odd place I have stumbled upon. This small creature doesn’t fear me, and even more shocking she helps me not knowing who or what I am exactly and she didn’t ask for anything in return… Baldric thinks for a minute, and then smiles

She’s even going to lead me to a town where I can get some real clothes… why I haven’t met anyone this nice since my family. Baldric closes his eyes and snuggles under the now warm blankets.

“I wonder if everyone here is this nice…”

Chapter 2: A New Town

Chapter 2: A New Town

Baldric awakes due to a light shining through the trees above him and onto his scruffy face.

“Oh man what a crazy dream, talking mini zebras and birds made of fire…”

He looks around scratching his head and realizes it was not a dream; he’s still next to that same mud hut and out walks that same zebra from yesterday carrying a bag on her back and another in her mouth.

Zecora drops the bag in her mouth at Baldrics feet and states “This is for you, that brew I made for you won’t last. Take a sip when words you cannot grasp.”

“Ooh, more of that magic soup? Thank you, but before we head out can I get something to eat?” says Baldric as he gives her a big smile.

“Ha, food we can get in Ponyville, but till then, take this carrot to tie you down” She pulls a carrot out of her bag with her mouth and hands it to him.

A little discouraged because now it has some zebra spit on it Baldric says “Thanks I’ll make it last till we get to the town then.”

They set off toward the edge of the forest toward what was known as Ponyville. Ponyville Baldric thought? What crazy world did that blasted dark wizard send me too? Where ponies or… zebras can talk? Not just that but a town named after ponies? The people there must really like ponies. Things were starting to get a little weird here. Never the less he carried on and left with Zecora toward this new town.

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After walking for what seemed like forever on an empty stomach, he hears a shriek in the distance.

“Did you hear that Zecora? Sounded like a little girl! Quickly! We have to go help her!”

Baldric rushes off into the distance, maneuvering through some trees while following the screams for help. Baldric enters a small clearing and sees creatures that resembled large wolves, but they were not made of flesh and fur, no they were made of wood and had somewhat of a magical glow in their eyes.

They surrounded 3 small creatures, same shape as Zecora, but one had yellow fur with a bow in its reddish mane. Next to the little creature were 2 other small ones, to the right, orange fur with purplish pink hair and what seemed to be wings on her back and to the left side was a white one with a horn on her head along with a light purple and pink mane.

“I told you we shouldn’t of taken that shortcut through the trees to Zecora’s house!” Squeaked the white one.

“How was I supposed to know this was Timberwolf territory?!” shouted the orange one

“Ah don’t wanna die yet! We Need Heeelp!” said the yellow one almost crying.

At that moment Zecora jumped out from the trees and shouted” Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle! Hold on young ones!”

At that moment Baldric knew what he had to do, fight the creatures, the monsters. It’s what he had always done, and just because these ones were made of wood made it no different than any other time.

“STAND BACK LITTLE ONES!” shouts Baldric as he rushes at the nearest Timberwolf and smashes down on it with his makeshift club, crushing it into the ground, and with a yelp it stops moving.

All the Timberwolves turn their attention upon Baldric, seeing him as a threat now.

“Zecora! Take the young ones to safety, I’ll follow you when I’m done here!” He Picks his club back up and runs at another, raising his club into the air then bringing it down with a crash on top of another Timberwolf's head.

At that moment Zecora jumps between the spaces and covers the three little fillies leading them back toward the main road.

A Timberwolf runs at Zecora and the three fillies snarling.

“AHHH! It’s chasing us!” Screams the white one, as the Timberwolf lunges at the ponies a large rock slams into it.

With a high pitched whine, the Timberwolf crashes into a nearby tree.

“I said Run!” Shouts Baldric as two Timberwolves lunge at him from both sides.

He quickly steps back and grabs both Timberwolves mid lunge in each hand by their neck, and proceeds to smash their heads together. The Timberwolves went limp in his hands.

“For being made of wood you sure are frail” He throws the two limp Timberwolves at the pack and gets into a low stance, arms out wide and hands open.

After witnessing five of their brethren fall in a fight against this huge strange two legged creature, the timberwolves decide it’s not worth it and retreat back into the forest to avoid any more casualties; they would just have to find food elsewhere.

Baldric emerges from the trees back to the road where he meets Zecora and the three smaller ponies near her. “Well are you three young ones ok? Are you zebras like Zecora?”

“Yes we are fine, but zebras? No were just simple ponies here, but here is a question for you, what are you?” says the orange one

“Now thas a rude question to ask somepony who just saved our lives don’t ya think Scootaloo?” states the yellow one.

“Ha-ha, its fine little orange one, well I’m a human, and it seems I’m somewhat of a rare species around these parts, um, Scootaloo was it?”

Wait, did she just say somepony? Must be something they created themselves.

“Yeah, my names Scootaloo, this here’s Apple Bloom, and she’s Sweetie Belle. Thanks for saving us.”

“No problem little ponies.” Baldrics stomach suddenly grumbles loudly.

“Oh ya sound hungry! Why not follow us’n come visit my apple farm! We have loads a apples and I’m sure Applejack will be happy to feed you as payment for saving us!”

“Ahem" Zecora doesn’t look too happy

“What were you three fillies doing wandering this forest? Were you searching for me?” Zecora glares at them for a time.

“Well uh, we were hoping you could maybe probably help us, by making a magic brew that would help us discover our cutie marks?” Sweetie Belle nervously squeaks.

“Nonsense little ones, told you before that a cutie mark is earned through time and age. Now let us head back and get you three to safety.” Zecora ushers the three little fillies in front and gets them to start walking.

Well maybe now I can get something to eat, can’t wait to get some meat… wait, do ponies eat meat? Baldric thinks for a minute and wonders if the only thing for him to eat would be apples…

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Before long they reach the edge of the forest, and Baldric sees a nice little village across the stream.

“Is that the town you spoke of Ms. Zecora?” Baldric points in the town’s direction “The Ponyville?”

“Ponyville it is indeed Baldric. First we must head to a pony by the name of Rarity to see about getting you some new clothes.”

“Don’t you Worry Zecora, I’m sure my big sis will help him out once she hears what he did for us!”

“Yeah! You can head back Zecora we can handle it from here!”

“Visit Twilight Sparkle, before I head home I must.” Zecora heads out leaving Baldric with the three little ponies that barely came up to his knees.

“Well I guess we should visit this Rarity person to get my new cloths ordered before I go get something to eat at your farm little yellow one”

“Ma names Apple Bloom, and don’t ya worry none. I’am sure she can make you something faster than you can even blink!”

“Yeah my sis is the best at making dresses and outfits! And they’re so beautiful and elegant for any occasion”

“Oh? Sounds like she might have her work cut out for her, when she’s making something for me”

A fearsome warrior wearing a beautiful dress? Hopefully this Rarity knows how to make some pants. These leaves feel like they’re giving me a rash.

They head out and cross the bridge and enter the town. After some time Baldric notices that he doesn’t see anything that looks human like, as a matter of fact he doesn’t see any living thing in the town. The only thing he sees are houses with closed doors and closed windows, not even a single door mat was visible in front of the homes.

“Hey is it just me, or is this a ghost town?” asks Baldric

“That’s just cause everyponys scared, they ant ever seen something as big as you walk around on two legs before”

Apple Bloom takes a deep breath “Don’t Worry everypony! He’s a nice stallion that helped us in the Everfree Forest!”

As if a wave of fear lifts from the village, doors and windows open and heads poke out.

“Is everyone that lives here also a Pony as well?” Baldric says with a troubled look on his face.

“No, not everyone, there’s also 2 donkeys and of course pets. Oh and there’s Spike as well, he’s a baby dragon.”

“A Dragon?!” Baldric gasped at the thought of a dragon living in this town filled with ponies.

“You mean a real dragon that breathes fire and could kill 100s with a single breath?!”

“Spike? HAHA!” All three fillies laugh and Scootaloo rolls around on the floor a bit.

“Spike's nothing like that, although I’m sure other dragons are capable of such things.” Scootaloo shudders at the thought.

“It’s a good thing adult dragons tend to keep to themselves instead of attacking towns.”

With that thought in mind they head over to the shop where Baldric can get some clothes.

Chapter 3: Fitting In

Chapter 3: Fitting In

They reach Rarities shop and Sweetie Belle knocks upon the shop's door.

“Sis!” squeaks Sweetie Belle “I got a Favor to ask you!”

The door flies open “Sweetie Belle what have I told you, Oh My Gosh!” The elegant looking white pony looks up in horror at Baldric “Who or what is this dreadfully huge thing behind you?! And why is it wearing leaves in place of wondrous cloth?!”

“Well uh, you see Ms. Rarity…” Baldric is cut off by Rarity

“It speaks too?!”

Baldric raise’s an eyebrow and continues “…I woke up in the middle of what you call the Everfree Forest naked. So I quickly patched together some leaves to give me some cover.”

“Well, that would explain your horrid excuse for clothing darling, but that doesn’t explain why my little sister is with you.”

“Well, on my way out of the forest with a Zebra named Zecora, I happened across these three little ones being attacked by…”

“Timberwolves! And then he saved us sis! You should of seen him in action!” Sweetie Belle does some kicking and hitting motions with her little hooves “It was soo cool!”

“Yeah that’s basically the gist of it, and Zecora told me that you could probably get me something decent to wear.” Baldric put on a big smile

“Well, it seems I will have to make you something decent and of course fashionable to wear. Making it better than your current…” Rarity quickly looks him over “…attire shouldn’t be much of a problem dear.”

The snow white pony tosses her brilliant purple mane to the side and stares at Sweetie Belle “I won’t charge you anything this time around as a way of saying thanks for saving my little Sister, but she’s going to have to stay with me for the time being so I can…” Rarity pauses for a moment “discipline her for entering the forest, again.”

Rarity turns and faces Baldric “It shouldn’t take me too long dear, drop by later today and it should be finished.”

“Gee, thanks Rarity, if you’ll excuse me this little one, Apple Bloom, said we should visit her farm for some apples.”

“Just a moment darling let me get some measurements, I’ve never done anything for somepony quite as large as you, let alone…” she looks Baldric over again in disbelief “as oddly shaped as you are standing on two… feet? That is what those are called correct?”

“Ha! Yes they are indeed called feet Ms. Rarity. Also it’s not a problem I can understand that, I’ve always had to get cloths special made.”

Baldric ponders for a moment. I wonder how she’s going to measure me. She doesn’t have hands let alone fingers, so how does that work?

Suddenly a bluish glow begins to emit from the ponies horn, and then a measuring tape also surrounded by the bluish glow comes from inside the building. Quickly the measuring tape begins to, well; take measurements. Extending out then retracting, then floating back to the snow white pony who would take note of it, then back it floated to take more measurements, until finally it snapped closed.

“Well that should do it, come back in an hour or so and I'll have something for you to wear besides those dreadful leaves dear.” Sweetie Belle gets dragged inside and the door quickly closes behind her.

“Well that was interesting, what was that blue glow I saw?”

“Oh that was just her Magic, all unicorns can use magic related to their unique talent!”

“Magic?! Was she a Sorcerer?” Baldric thinks for a moment, there may be a way for me to get back after all.

“What’s a Sorcerer? I’ve never heard of any pony being one of those, but magic isn’t anything outta the ordinary around here.” Scootaloo thinks for a moment, and then shrugs.

“Anyway let’s just get to Apple acres; I’m getting hungry as well.”

“Good idea” states Baldric

“Yeah! We av the best apples in all of Equestria! Just wait till you get a taste a one, and with a glass of our best cider to wash it down. ” Scootaloos’ mouth drops open, and she runs over to Apple Bloom.

“You still have some cider?! It’s not even in season yet!”

“oohh yeah, I guess we don’t have any. Oh well” Apple Bloom shrugs whilst Scootaloo grumbles in disappointment.

The three head off toward the famous apple farm, and as they travel through the town, Baldric begins to notice how small everything around him was. The young ponies barely came up to his knees; the adult ponies aren’t much bigger, only coming up to his waist. Was he even bigger in this world than his own?

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After much stomach growling they reach the edge of the farm. Apple trees to the left, apple trees to the right and as far as the eye could see. Hell, even the mountains nearby seemed to be covered in apple trees.

“Wow, I’ve never seen so many apple trees before” Baldrics mouth begins to water at the sight of so many shiny red apples.

“Yup” Apple Bloom puffs her little chest up “biggest apple farm in all of Equestria, Ah’m sure of it” Apple Bloom beams with a huge toothy grin on her face.

“Applejack, Big Macintosh, Ah’m back!” Apple Bloom runs over to the farm, while Scootaloo and Baldric continue their walking pace.

By the time Baldric and Scootaloo catch up to Apple Bloom, she’s being scolded by a big red pony wearing a wooden thing on his neck and another orange pony with a high-crowned, wide-brimmed hat on.

Hmm it’s probably because she told them she was in the Everfree forest thought Baldric.

Hoping to defuse the situation a little, Baldric speaks up “Hello pony folk!” shouts Baldric “I hope you aren’t being too hard on the little miss, everything turned out just fine after I showed up.” Baldric smiles at them.

“It’s a good thing ya showed up when ya did stranger. Seems the Cutie mark crusaders haven’t learned what danger is yet, especially in the Everfree forest.”

“So uhh…” Baldric Stomach grumbles loudly.

Applejack lets out a little laugh “Ah’m guessing you want some apples then? Since you saved Apple Bloom, and she promised you apples, it seems only fair that you can eat to your fill.” Applejack points with her right hoof “just take as many apples as ya want from the nearby trees, seeing as how uh, tall you are, it shouldn’t be much of a problem.”

“Oh thank you, I haven’t had a good meal in forever it seems.” As Baldric walks over the tree he noticed that the red pony seemed to be a bit bigger than the others. Good he thought, maybe there are taller ponies. Then again, I couldn’t even ride a horse back home. None of them were strong enough; I had to work my legs hard enough to keep up with my men on horseback when we traveled.

An hour and 2 apple trees later Baldric had his fill of apples and walks over to where the pony Applejack was. “Thank you kindly for the apples, but do you have anything to drink? Maybe some milk?”

“Milk huh? Yeah we should have some milk stored from our cows, let me get you a uh…” apple jack thinks for a moment

“Let me just bring out one of the jugs.” She walks into the house and quickly brings out a decent sized jug

“Here ya go”

“Oh thank you.” Bladric drinks the entire jug in 4 gulps “Ahh that hit the spot. Thanks again, but do you mind if I ask a quick question or two?”

“Sure ask away stranger, but I wanna ask you some as well when yer through”

After a quick conversation he realizes he should go visit a purple pony named Twilight Sparkle, because apparently she’s the smartest pony in town, and should be able to help him figure out what’s going on.

“Express Delivery!” Shouts a Gray winged pony with a bright blonde mane. “I have a letter for Applejack here! Its from Pinkie Pie!” She hands over the letter to Applejack and looks at Baldric. “What a strange pony you are, say, why did you shave all yer fur off like that?”

Baldric lets out a big laugh “HAHA! I didn’t shave my fur off; I’m a human so I don’t have fur.”

“Oh, well I have to go now; I’ve still got some more Express Mail to deliver! See you later human!” The blonde pony flies off into the distance back toward the town.

“Knowing pinkie pie it must be a party of some kind.” Applejack reads the letter then exclaims “Why, this is a Party to celebrate a new arrival in town…2 legs… I think the parties for you.”

“Me? Why would I get a party I don’t know anyone here except you and a few others. Why would you give a party to a stranger?”

“Well that’s just Pinkie Pie for you. Don’t worry; you’ll get to meet the whole gang and everyone in town. Twilight should be there and maybe she can help you and answer some questions.”

“Oh that’s good, saves me the trouble of looking. Where’s the party supposed to be? Walking around the town it didn’t seem like I would fit inside any of the buildings here.”

“It says Town hall, so Ah’m guessing in front of the building.” Applejack makes a shrugging motion “you two should head over I’ve got a few things to prep before I head over.”

“Yeah! Let’s go Baldric! Pinkie Pie always throws the best parties!” Shouts Scootaloo as she jumps around Baldrics legs.

“Ha, alright Scootaloo lets walk on over to the town hall, oh we should visit that Rarity pony first and see if she put something together for me yet.”

“Yeah good idea! We can’t go to your welcoming party with you wearing leaves!” Scootaloo giggles at the thought.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They arrive at Rarities shop and Scootaloo knocks upon the door. “ Heellloooo” she says in a mocking high pitched voice.

The door flies open “Oh just perfect your back! Just in time for me give you the new outfit I made for you. I had gotten a letter from Pinkie Pie inviting me to a party about a 2 legged pony so I’m sure that was all about you darling. Anyway try it on and let’s see how it looks on you.” Rarity floats the neatly folded outfit over to Baldric.

“Thanks Rarity, uhh where can I go change? “ Baldric looks around for a place to hide behind so he isn’t nude out in the open.

“Don’t worry about that darling I had this giant curtain set up because, well I pay attention all details.”

As she finished her sentence a large curtain tall enough to cover Baldric appears and magically encircles him. “You see? It’s just like your own private outdoor room”

“I guess it is, thanks” Baldric quickly tosses off the leaves and dons his new outfit “oh wow it fits really well, better than I thought it would” He looks over himself for a minute… “Are these REAL JEWELS?!”

The curtain drops revealing Baldric wearing a White short sleeved shirt with an embroidered collar and a Shield pattern made from gemstones of all different types. The ends of the sleeves even had detailed embroidery of shields on it. The pants were just as fancy as well; they had some lace at the waistline and at the end of each pant leg. The same shield pattern with gems was on both thighs on the side near his buttocks or his “flank” as they would call it.

“Of course those are real gems dear. I don’t skip any details and spare no expense when creating beauty and grace for a friend, except on some occasions”

Friend? No Baldric thought, must have been a slip of the tongue on her part.

Rarity looks over Baldric examining the cloths she had put together for him “I think it could of used a bit more lace… or maybe some feathers”

Baldric quickly interrupts her train of thought “No no its fine the way it is. I've never worn anything so… extravagant before. In all honesty I never in my life thought I would ever own a jewel of any kind in my life.” Baldric begins to stoke the jewels on his shirt. “However, I must admit I’m not really fond of this frilly stuff, on my pants and shirt, but I guess it goes well with gems, I don’t know anything about grace or beauty, so I’ll trust your judgment.” Baldric Gives Rarity a big smile and says with a tear in his eye

“Thank you so much for an outfit that is too good for a simple brute like me.”

Rarity is a bit shocked at Baldric “Why my dear, are gems so rare where you’re from?”

“Well I don’t know if they are rare, but all I do know is I never would be able to afford them, only the richest of the rich that never see war get to wear gems where I live.”

“War? What is war? Oh my Look at the time! Tell me about this war while we travel to the party darling. Come Scootaloo we mustn’t be late.”

As they travel Baldric tells rarity about his home and what war is in his own view.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“A fight that can last for years, between two different kinds or simply because they don’t agree? That’s…” Rarity thinks for a moment

"I can’t believe you came from such a sad world,” she picks her head up at the sight of the town hall “Oh but we mustn’t think sad thoughts, we’re at the party now! So cheer up.”

“Your right let’s just have fun now” says Scootaloo, who Baldric had placed upon his shoulder so they could travel a little faster to the party, as such everything she said was really loud…

“So Baldric we should go meet Pinkie Pie first don’t ya think? After all she did throw this incredible party for you.” Scootaloo smiles at him staring him straight into the eyes.

“Ha yeah, I’ll catch up with you later Rarity, were gonna go find this Pinkie pie.”

“Oh don’t worry dear, it shouldn’t be too hard to find her…”

Baldric looks around and sees all types of ponies, eating food and drinking while talking together with happy faces. The only thing Baldric could think of at the time was I wonder what this party of mine is going to look like…

Chapter 4: The Party

Chapter 4: The Party

Baldric looked around and saw that the entire area seemed to be set up just so someone of his height would have no problems. The area surrounding the town hall had been covered in a huge open air tent. Massive wooden poles held the tarp up high enough so Baldric could get under without any trouble. The tarp provided just enough shade so that being outside wasn’t uncomfortable at all. He looked around and saw that a whole bunch of foods he had never seen before were laid out upon the tables. Among the tables, one that stood out the most had a large crystal clear bowel on it. Inside the bowl was a strange pink fluid and a metal ladle, with cups around the bowel.

As Baldric continued to look around he put Scootaloo down and started walking around feeling a bit uncomfortable not really knowing anyone. At that moment a flash of pink appeared in front of his face.

“Hi I’m Pinkie Pie! You must be that strange new pony that everyone’s been talking about, can’t say I’ve seen a furless pony walk around on two legs before! But then why would any pony shave his fur off? But then I heard you saved the cutie mark crusaders from certain doom! So you can’t be all that of a baddy waddy daddy right? I mean if you were a baddy waddy daddy you wouldn’t of bothered to savey wavy avy them.” Pinkie continued to look Baldric in the eye and ramble upside down at him

At that moment Baldric realized this Pinkie Pie had been holding on to the back of his head and stretched herself out to appear upside down in front of him.

He interrupts her ramble “Why you certainly are a lively one. To answer your questions, no I’m not a baddy waddy daddy, and no I’m not a pony. I’m what you would call a human.”

Baldric attempts the grab the pink pony off his head only to have her disappear and appear in front of him. “Well you're aren't quite fast aren’t you?”

“Fast? I’m not fast, if you wanna see fast you need to see Rainbow Dash. She can make a Sonic Rainboom!”

“What’s a Sonic Rainboom” Baldric asked puzzled

Pinkie Pie gasps “You’ve never seen, let alone heard of the Sonic Rainboom?! A Sonic Rainboom is when a Pony goes so fast they break the sound and the color barrier causing a big boom of colors of all sorts…well it’s kind of hard to explain it would be better to just show you.”

Pinkie pie takes a Deep breath “DASHY! THE NEW PONY DOESN’T KNOW WHAT A SONIC RAINBOOM IS!”

In a flash of 7 colors a pony with a cyan fur coat and a mane of 7 colors appears “What?! Some pony doesn’t know of my awesomeness yet?”

Baldric surprised at her speed and brightly vivid colored hair stammers “ uh well uh, you see Ms. Rainbow, umm, where I come from such a thing doesn’t seem possible.”

“Not Possible!? I’ll Show you what isn’t possible!” Rainbow Dash blasts off into the distance and heads straight up.

“Where did she go? What’s she gonna do?” Baldric looks into the distance a little puzzled

“Just wait for it! You won’t even wanna blink!” Pinkie sits watching as her friend starts to descend.

Baldric watches as the little cyan pony descends faster and faster, the colorful trail behind getting longer until…BOOM! A large circle with the same colors as the pony's mane make a vivid color display, that wave of color extends out and an even more vivid rainbow appears behind the nearly invisible cyan pony.

“And there you have it, that’s a sonic rainboom.” Pinkie looks over at the wide eyed, mouth dropped Baldric.

“That was Incredible! I've never seen anything like it!” as Baldric finishes his sentence the cyan pony with the rainbow colored mane comes back.

“Well, still think it’s not possible?” she gives him a prideful grin while puffing out her chest.

“No, ha-ha, that was simply amazing and might I say beautiful as well. I’ve never seen anything quite as spectacular as that.” Baldric throws her a big grin. “I am grateful to see such a thing of beauty”

“Ha, don’t sweat it man, there’s plenty more radical tricks I’ve got stashed away. Just in case the Wonderbolts show up, you know, to impress them.” To think that her most radical trick was called beautiful, the cyan pony was beaming with pride along with a little embarrassment. “By the way my names Rainbow Dash, what’s your name?”

Baldric fumbles to his feet, still in shock over the sonic rainboom. “Oh, my names Baldric Gareth, You can just call me Baldric though. All of you can just call me Baldric no need to be formal I don’t mind.”

“Enough chit chat! It’s Time to PAAARRRTTAA!” The Pink pony had pulled out some odd looking machines and twisted some knobs that released the loudest noise he had ever heard.

“What is this noise?!” Baldric exclaims to Rainbow Dash.

“It’s called music, duh, just listen to it for a while. I’ll get Pinkie Pie to turn it down a bit, she always makes it too loud at the start.” She bolts over to the strange contraptions Pinkie Pie had pulled out and gets the so called music lowered.

After the volume goes down a bit the noise starts to become entrancing and inviting. Baldric starts to bob his head and tap his feet.

“You see? You like the music too no reason to be shy. Speaking of shy I wonder where Fluttershy went.” Rainbow looks around “I’m gonna go find her. I’ll be back.” Rainbow dash trots off in search of the one she calls Fluttershy.

Baldric looks around for a moment and walks over to Pinkie Pie “excuse me, but what kind of food is on the tables over there? I’ve never seen food with so many bright colors, is it really edible? “

“You’ve never seen a cake before?! Not even a cupcake or a cookie?! A doughnut?! WHAT ABOUT SUGER?!”

Pinkie pie has a look of utter horror on her face as Baldric explains that the sweetest thing he’s ever had was a fruit.

“What kind of cruel terrible world did you live in?!” Pinkie pie rushes over to the table and grabbing a hoof full of cake shoves it into Baldrics Face.

“Eat it! You must!” shouts the pink pony with a look of utter shock.

Baldric begins to chew and the taste of sweet overwhelmed him. “Oh my god it tastes like I’m eating 1,000 apples all at once! This is simply divine!” He begins to grab more of the sweets off of the nearest table and chows down.

Pinkie rushes by with a small glass of the pink fluid Baldric had seen before. “Quick wash it down with this!”

“What’s this pink stuff?” Baldric pauses for a moment looking at the strange pink fluid.

“No time to explain just drink it!” Pinkie Pie puts a hoof on the bottom of Baldrics jaw forcing his mouth open and dumps the pink liquid down into his mouth. “Drink! Drink for all that is sweet!”

Baldric's taste buds light up again to the sweet flavor of the pink drink. “Oh My! What is this?! It tastes like a thousand strawberries and apples!”

“It’s my super special punch that I made, just for your party!” Pinkie Pie seems satisfied now that Baldric had a taste of pretty much everything on the tables.

“Ugh, I don’t feel too well I think I ate too fast. I’m a take a short break. Thanks for showing me the wonders of cake and punch Pinkie Pie.” Baldric waves as he walks a short ways away to a nearby stool.

“Okey dokie Lokey!” Pinkie Pie giggles to herself “he is such an amateur at eating cake.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After chilling on a few stools for a while Baldric felt much better and decides to mingle again. I wonder if this Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy are here. Actually, where was that party I was told about. As far as he could tell, this was a simple gathering of friends. Baldric thought to himself for a moment before he saw some familiar faces with 2 others he hadn’t seen before, naturally he went over to greet them.

“Hello Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash” Baldric puts on a bit of an awkward smile and kneels down to be a little closer and make it easier to listen to them despite the music. He looks over at the two new ponies, one of them had purple fur with a dark purple mane and a streak of pink in it, also a horn on her head, a unicorn. The other was yellow with wings on her back, a Pegasus, and she had a long flowing pink mane that covered part of her face.

“Well hey sugercube you can just call me AJ for short." Applejack points over to the two new ponies. “This filly here’s called Twilight Sparkle and the one shying away is Fluttershy.” Pinkie Pie gets behind Fluttershy and pushes her forward.

“Don’t be shy Fluttershy! He’s a nice Stallion!” Pinkie Pie gives Fluttershy a big grin and ushers her toward baldric.

“Um… hi my name is…” she gets into a low voice that is scarcely heard over the music “fluttershy…” her voice increases in volume again after she says her name “ but you know…well umm…” she obviously becomes flustered and looks to the ground.

Baldric smiles, thinking how cute she looked. She was acting just like my older sister when she meets new people.

“You can call me Baldric, Fluttershy. It’s nice to meet you. If I may ask, why do you hide a face as cute as yours behind your mane? It seems a shame to keep it hidden.”

“Cute? Wha,” flustered after being called cute by a stranger, she gingerly continues “oh, well um, I’m not sure; my mane is usually… like this…I mean, no one’s ever told me that…before…” She turns her face away and starts to brush her mane out of her face.

“That’s better Fluttershy, there’s no need to be so shy around me” Baldric smiles and says “I’m a nice guy so there’s no reason to be scared of me." Baldrics voice begins to crumble a bit "even though I am big and scary looking…”

“Oh no you’re not scary Baldric, it’s just… I’m better with animals is all… it’s not your fault.” Fluttershy turns to face Baldric and smiles weakly.

“Thanks Fluttershy you're as kind as everyone else I’ve met around here. Excuse me for a moment, but I think I should speak to Twilight Sparkle for a bit.” Baldric nods to Fluttershy and turns to face Twilight.

“Twilight, Zecora said you might know how to get me home, or at least explain a few things.”

Twilight thinks for a moment then responds “ah yes, When I meet with Zecora today she told me about you, a bit confusing but I got the gist of it. You seems you were transported here due to a failed magical spell that was supposed to send you someplace. My guess would be a teleportation spell?”

“Actually, a dark wizard named Malroy cast a banishment spell upon me, but I got sent here instead of the Void he yelled to me about before launching the spell.”

“Banishment?! But, that must mean you were sent through a wormhole of some kind. This place is probably an alternate universe or even a different plane of existence…” Twilight thinks for a moment “I would have to go back to the library to find an exact reference. But I do remember reading about a strange N powerful magical artifact. Apparently it helped a powerful wizard commune with creatures of other planes of existence. That might be a good place to look.”

“You mean I may be able to go home after all?"

“Why would you want to go back darling? After what you told me about how it was with the wars it doesn’t sound like a very fun place”

“Yeah! You didn’t even know what the cake was! What an awful place!”

Baldric shook his head “I must return, I told my little sister that I would return. I can’t break that promise. Besides it’s been a while since I saw my family last. Being here with all of you, I feel a bit homesick now.” Baldric thinks for a moment and says “oh yeah, I wonder how my old friends are doing…”

“Friends and family, Ah can see why you wanna go back now sugercube.”

“Well I’ll still need to look for that book about the artifact, so until then let’s just have fun at your party Baldric. And by the way, the outfit rarity made for you seems to fit quite well.” Twilight giggles to herself, seeing the huge muscular man wearing clothes that were almost skin tight and adorned with bright jewels and frills.

“So until then, Let's PARTY!” Shouts Pinkie Pie.

Baldric looks over to Pinkie pie and asks “What’s a party anyway?”

Pinkie Pie looks at baldric with a look of extreme confusion, then her face transforms into that of shock. “Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of a party! A Celebration?! A Quinceneera?! A Theme Party, Dinner party?! Maybe a weird holiday party?!” Pinkie pie takes a deep breath and continues her list “Food and Drink Party, apparel party, housewarming party, international party!? A Costume Party?! Not even a Tea Party?!”

“Uh well In my village we don’t do these types of things.”

“Then it's time you learned how to live! Learned how to smile! With the help of loads of cake and sweets to make you smile even more!”

“I look forward to what you have to show me then Pinkie.” Baldric smiles at the little pink mare.

“Just you wait I’ll direct you to all the goods we have around here and show you how to play the best party games!” Pinkie Pie jumps up and lands on top of baldric.

Sitting on his shoulders she shouts as loud as possible. “High hoe Baldricky! Away!” Pinkie Pie points her hoof in front of Baldric's face in an attempt to usher him forward.

Baldric lets out a roar of a laugh. “Bawhahaha! Alright Pinkie Pie lets party!”

"Pony Style!" Pinkie adds

Chapter 5: New Friends

Chapter 5: New Friends

Baldric awakes from his slumber in the morning after a long night of partying, pony style, as the pink one had called it. He sees Scootaloo asleep on his chest, and around him he sees other ponies asleep under the open air tent that was made for his party.

“Hey wake up Scootaloo” Baldric strokes her mane, they way you would pet a dog. “I need to get up and find that Twilight Sparkle pony” Scootaloo opens her eyes and looks at Baldric a bit shocked

“Hey! I’m not a pet!” Scootaloo jumps off him and blushes “Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean you can pet me you know!” she exclaims.

Friend? When did I say we were friends?

“Ha-ha, sorry Scootaloo, just needed to get up is all. Won’t happen again I promise. But if you’ll excuse me I gotta go find twilight.”

“Alright then Baldric, I’m gonna go find Fluttershy, maybe she has something a human can eat. Also knowing Twilight she’s gonna be at the town Library, being a bookworm and all.” Scootaloo points to the left with her right hoof.

“Food? Tell her I eat meat and vegetables and I'll drink anything. Thanks Scootaloo I’ll see you later.” Baldric waves to Scootaloo and walks off in the direction she pointed in for the Library. Baldric wonders to himself after awhile What’s a Library?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Baldric arrives at a huge tree, huge even to him. The tree was filled with windows and was made up to look like a house.

Well let’s see, I sure as hell can’t read this pony language… actually I can’t read at all. The sign in front of the door had a picture of what looked like a big book. Well I sure as hell aren’t the smartest, but I’m sure this is a place that sells books. Scootaloo did say Twilight was a bookworm, maybe they would know more.

Thinking a place that sells books must be a place a bookworm would hang out, Baldric walks over to the door and knocks.

Baldric hears a sudden rushing to the door “Just a minute!” yells a young male voice from behind the door “can’t believe twilight makes me clean up her messes and answer the door…” the male voice seemed to be stressed.

The door opens and Baldric sees a small purple and green lizard creature “Umm, Hello little lizard I’m looking for one called Twilight Sparkle.”

“Little Lizard?! I’ll have you know I’m a fire breathing dragon!” the little dragon is clearly upset at the little lizard comment. “My name's Spike, Spike the Dragon, and what are you supposed to be? Some mutant hairless pony?”

Baldric is taken aback, was this little dragon the one that he heard about the day before? “My apologies young dragon Spike, I didn’t know, but you wouldn’t happen to know where Twilight Sparkle is would you?” Baldric gives him his classic big grin.

“Yeah she’s inside, let me go get her.” Spike walks back grumbling to himself and returns a few moments later with twilight. “If you need me, I will be upstairs cleaning up again…”

Twilight looks at Baldric with some excitement “Oh I found that book Baldric! I was up all night researching it and I found out everything we would need to know. And from my reading we should be able to send you back once we get it and I run some tests!”

“That’s great! But uh, about that dragon Spike, I seem to have upset him, I didn’t mean to. I called him a little lizard and I guess I hurt his feeling.” Baldric says with a sad note in his tone.

“Oh Spike? Don’t worry about him; he’s just cranky because he’s been up all night helping me.” Twilight looks back to where Spike went. “I guess I should let him get some sleep now since I found everything I needed.”

Cheered up that it wasn’t entirely his fault for the dragon's anger he asks Twilight “By the way I have a question for you.”

“Yes what’s your question Baldric?”

“What’s a Library?”

Twilight gets a confused look on her face. “You’ve NEVER heard of the Library? It’s one of the most wonderful places ever! There’s so much knowledge contained within a book that can tell you of adventure, romance, and even history. It’s how I found out about that magic artifact after all. The library is a place filled with books that anypony can read.”

“Wow, that sounds amazing, I wish I could read.”

Twilight gasps at this statement “You. Can't. Read?! I’ll have to teach you to read at least a little so you can at least figure your way around town by reading the signs.” Twilight’s horn glows for a minute and a large table N chair appears along with a big book. “Now I’ll show you the basic’s for a bit…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After some time Scootaloo comes along with Fluttershy and sees Baldric sitting at a huge table with Twilight on top of the table reading things out of a book to him.

“What do ya suppose is going on over there Fluttershy?”

“Umm, I have no idea, but it looks like Twilights reading him a story.”

They approach and hear Twilight say “now repeat after me, the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.”

Baldric runs his finger across the page repeating “the quick…brown fox jumped…over the lazy…dog.”

“Good Good! You're getting the hang of it!” Twilight looks over and sees Scootaloo and Fluttershy. Behind them was a wagon filled with some boxes and 2 jugs. “What do you have in the wagon girls? I’m just teaching Baldric how to read a bit of our language is all.”

Scootaloo jumps forward “We just brought some breakfast for Baldric, we weren't sure what humans eat exactly so we brought a bunch of stuff for him to try.”

Twilight levitates all of the items up onto the table “Perfect! I can teach him what the symbols on the boxes and jugs mean! While he eats!”

“Umm, I’m sorry Baldric, we don’t um, carry meat…please don’t be mad…” Fluttershy starts to shake while looking at the ground

Baldric sees her begin to shake and a feeling he hasn’t felt before deep down wells up. A bit flustered he says “Oh, Don’t worry about that Fluttershy! I’m sure what you brought will be delicious! Don’t be sad! Thank you for bringing the food all the way here for me!”

Baldric rips the top off one of the boxes and pours it into his mouth, chews and swallows it. “Yum that was good, I can’t wait to try the others” Baldric’s left eye closes a bit as he winces from the aftertaste, he looks at the box and sees a picture of a bunny on the front.

“That box you just ate was rabbit food Baldric, was it really that good?” Twilight gives Baldric a funny glare.

“Yeah, it’s really good; since two cute ponies took the trouble to bring it here for me.”

"Cute?!" Fluttershy and Scootaloo blush slightly.

Baldric grabs another box that was slightly bigger than the others and looks at the cover. “Hey Twilight what’s this animal on the box?”

“Hmm, that’s a bear, it says bear chow, keep your bear's coat nice and shiny” Twilight make's a funny face “Bligh, bear food, are you really going to eat that?”

“Of course! I’ll try anything once!” Baldric tears the top off and grabs a handful and shoves it into his mouth, surprisingly, its better then the rabbit food, and has a bit of a meaty texture to it. “Mmm, this one is really good, what’s in the jugs?”

“It's water!” shouts Scootaloo from under the table.

“Ah good, life giving water” Baldric samples the rest of the foods and drinks from the water jugs.

“Well since you’re eating and trying out things you like, I’ll tell you more about the artifact were going to look for.”

So as Baldric eats the random assortment of different pet foods, twilight tells him about the artifact and its last known location.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Hmmm” Baldric eats the last bits of food from the box marked alligator chucks. “Well it sounds like I’m gonna have to make a trip to these Crystal Mountains then.”

“Yes, and when we get there we can search for the old pony Minotaur city hidden in the mountains! I wonder what old historic things we will find” Twilights enthusiasm along with her tone get higher “Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to see what a city that housed both ponies and the Minotaur’s looks like!”

Baldric raises an eyebrow “What makes you think you’re coming with me? This sounds dangerous; I couldn’t risk taking you with me.” Baldric stands up and crosses his arms.

“Mister, you don’t even know where the crystal mountains are, let alone what you’re looking for exactly, I would have to come along with you, and the rest of us are going to go as well just for good measure. After all we are the elements of harmony, and nothing can stop us when we’re together.”

“All of us? Who’s this all of us?” Baldric uncrosses his arms.

“Why the Mane six! First me, Twilight Sparkle, then there’s Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity and Rainbow Dash.” Twilight looks Baldric in the eyes. “There’s no way we would let a new friend go on a dangerous mission alone.”

There’s that word again, friend. Had they already considered me a friend?

“Friend?” Baldric pauses for a moment then speaks “Even more reason I can’t let you go with me, I… I don’t want to lose any more friends. You can’t go with me! Just give me a map and I’ll do it myself.” Baldric looks Twilight in the eyes “I don’t want to see you and your amazing friends get hurt.”

“Pish posh darling” says a voice from behind in a regal manner. “Besides, I even went through the trouble of making you a new outfit for the journey”

Baldric turns around and sees Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash “You guys…” Baldric says in a low tone.

“I need to see how this fits you, and its durability has been doubled as well, I used a new method I picked up in Canterlot awhile back. Actually the method involved magically embroidering gold with the thread, but I used steel in hopes of making it stronger, so it’s not only fashionable darling, it’s also like flexible Armor!” Rarity Beams at the thought of making something so useful for such an occasion.

“Oh, you gotta try it on! I bet it looks simply Amazing!” shouts a pink pony sitting on top of Baldrics head. “I bet this new adventure will test out Rarities handy dandy mandy work!”

Baldric takes the new outfit from Rarity “You guys…Fine, come along, but at the first sign of trouble, I want you guys to run and hide…ok? I don’t think I can handle losing such good friends.”

“Don’t you worry bout us none Baldric, we can handle ourselves just fine.” Applejack stomps the ground causing small cracks to appear “We have seen our fair share of battles, fighting ain't nothing new to us.”

“Yeah! And besides, I’m so radical the bad guys will be too awed to even fight back properly!” Proudly shouts Rainbow Dash.

“Well, alright then. Let’s get things settled here; I want to leave as soon as possible.” Baldric walks behind the big tree and changes into his new outfit. Surprisingly, it’s a shiny steel color and cold to the touch, however, it was silky smooth and felt just like the T-shirt he was just wearing. The pants as well felt just like the fancy pants and were silky smooth. They also had the same jewel shield pattern embroidered on them. Baldric walks back out from behind the tree with his old outfit crudely folded in his arms.

“Thanks Rarity for making me two outfits. And might I add, this doesn’t even feel like armor at all, it feels like I’m wearing those fancy clothes I had before.”

“Well of course darling, just because you want protection doesn’t mean you should suffer with uncomfortable clothing that looks horrid.” Rarity flips her purple mane back “besides I am the most beautiful here in Ponyville, and as such I make the most beautiful.”

“Now get ready to leave girls, we're going to have to take a train to a town called Hollow Shades before we head towards the mountains.” Says Twilight.

With that the mane six and their newest friend Baldric set up to leave for an adventure. Making sure everything will be ok for when they arrive back to town.

The next day Baldric and his six new friends ride in a train, well except for Baldric who had to ride in an open air transport car, northward to a little town called Hollow Shades to begin their journey to the crystal mountains to find an old town in hopes of finding some clues on how to return Baldric back to his homeland.

Home huh…I do want to get home, but if it means my new friends would get hurt. I’d rather stay here, besides I’m pretty sure they all think I’m dead anyway. Baldric continues to ponder on his current situation as the train travels toward its destination.

Chapter 6: Tale of the Present & Past

Chapter 6: Tale of the Present & Past

After an hour or so ride in the train, they arrive at the town of Hollow shades. Baldric jumps off the train and walks over to the station platform where his new friends were to get off.

“Hey guys!” Baldric waves to the mane 6 and runs over to them. “So Twilight what are we doing here again?”

“Simple my dear Baldric, to get some information, this town was a trading hub of that old city I told you about. Maybe someone in town still knows where we can find it.” Twilight looks around for a moment then speaks “we should visit one of the shops to pick up a few supplies and ask if they know anything.”

Everyone agrees with Twilights statement and so they head off in search of the nearest town shop. Looking around the gang notice’s that the town seems to be encircled by a forest. The train station and a dirt path seemed to be the only way out of town.

“This town…” Baldric says while looking around “it seems they only have 2 ways outta town here, the train and that dirt road on the west side. I don’t like it; this place seems a little creepy.”

“Oh I know what you mean darling, but I’m sure everypony here is just as nice as they are in Ponyville.”

They soon come to a building that has a sign above the door that Baldric recognized as a general merchant, thanks to Twilight's reading lessons.

“You six should try in here and see if they know anything about that old town.”

“Alright, but what about you Baldric, um, did you want anything?” Asks Fluttershy

“No thanks. I’ll be ok with the stuff you brought for me.”

The mane 6 head inside while Baldric sits outside the shop looking around. He notices that many of the homes look a little dejected and run down. Many of the ponies in town seemed to avoid eye contact with Baldric and would hurry past him or turn around and walk away when they saw him.

“Seems they don’t much like strangers here” Baldric says to himself.

“We’re back Baldricky!” shouts Pinkie Pie “and we got the location of the towny wowny we were looking for!”

“Yes the Elderly shop keeper was kind enough to tell us where we could find the town. It seems his shop had been doing business with them since before he was even born, well until trade stopped some 300 years ago… He’s still waiting for a reply his Great great great great great grandfather sent to the town…”

“300 years?” questions Baldric “doesn’t that seem a little… odd to you?”

“Well yeah, but at least we know where the town is now, he happily marked it on our map and asked if we could visit and see what happened. He said something about having to pass through a short tunnel before we reach the town.”

“Hmm, seems simple enough. Well I’m ready to leave when you guys are.”

“Let’s go guys! I got my winter coat packed!” Pinkie pie happily cheers

“Ah, yes, I brought my fashionable coat with me, as well as others as I’m sure some of you didn’t realize how cold it will be when we get there.” Rarity grabs 3 coats from her bag.

“One for Baldric because I know you didn’t have one to begin with darling and I brought one for Rainbow Dash. Because seeing as how she didn’t even bring her saddle bag with her, she was expecting a fast trip.” Rarity looks over to Rainbow Dash

“Well duh I’m the fastest Pegasus around, why would I bother to slow down? Besides it looked like you guys had everything covered, and it looks like I was right.”

“Um Baldric, I remembered how much you said you liked the bear and alligator foods, so um, I brought some for you to bring along for the trip…but if you don’t want it…I can understand it’s ok…”

“Thank you for remembering what I liked Fluttershy. I look forward to eating it.” Baldric throws Fluttershy a smile

“An don’t you worry none, I brought along plenty of apples for everyone. Assuming this trip doesn’t take longer than a week that is.”

Twilight shakes her head. “No, now that we have an exact location it shouldn’t take more than a few days to reach the old town. Now if everyone is ready we will set off for the Crystal Mountain town.”

“Let’s go!” everyone cheered

They set off on the only road out of town while following Twilight, as she has the map and seemed to be the only one that knew exactly where they were headed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After crossing a shallow river they travel along it banks, heading north, and reach a small lake at the base of the Crystal Mountains.

“This looks like a good place to set up camp” Declares Twilight “Just give me a minute here and I’ll set up a tent we can all use.”

Her horn begins to glow and after a big grunt, a tent large enough for everyone including Baldric appears near the water’s edge.

Baldric mouth drops open. “You can use your magic to create huge structures?”

“Well I can use my magic for a lot of stuff, my special talent is magic itself, so my magical power can be directed into whatever I choose, however, because I don’t have a focus it takes me some time to perform spells because I haven’t specialized into anything.”

“Well it sounds to me like your talent is a very unique one that would fit many situations.”

“Yes that’s true, but I also have to prepare spells before hand and I can’t just make things up, I have to study them and learn how to cast new spells. Unicorns like Rarity who have that specialty can easily use it to create things like that reinforced outfit you’re wearing right now.”

“Ah I see, that makes sense, even though you have greater power and versatility, the drawback is it takes more time and you can’t master any area of expertise.”

“Oh Twilight you must give yourself more credit than that!” exclaims Rarity “I mean yes I can create fabulous works of fashion using my magic, but at times I wish I had the versatility of your magic.”

“Thanks Rarity.” Twilight gives her a hug

“ Well I guess I’ll go look for some wood to get a fire going, you six ponies set up the camp how you want, I’ll be back later.”

“Alright Baldric don’t you wander off too far now, don’t want you getting lost.” says Twilight

“Yeah and by the time you get back we're going to have another Party!” cheers Pinkie Pie.

“Ha-ha, alright Ill hurry back.” Baldric runs off toward a group of nearby trees.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Hmm these trees gotta have some dead branches laying around here someplace…” Baldric looks around and spots a fallen tree that had splintered into several pieces.

“Perfect! Hopefully it’s dry enough to burn” Baldric picks up several of the large logs and begins to head back but he hears a chuckling sound.

“Who’s there?” Baldric looks around but he doesn’t see anyone or anything.

“The town you seek has been cursed!” shouts a voice from above

“Cursed? What do you mean?!” Baldric begins to get a little agitated at not knowing where the voice was coming from.

“I suggest you turn back if you value your lives, the inhabitants' minds are all twisted from the dark magic they attempted so long ago.” With the last phrase a hooded figure walking upon four legs jumps down from one of the trees.

“Another Pony? I should have guessed, but what’s with the threat?”

“It’s not a threat, it’s a warning, Go if you wish, but you should watch yourselves.” The hooded pony then jumps back into the trees and disappears again

“This world has alota crazy things…” Baldric shakes his head.

“Whatever it is, I won’t lose my new friends.” Baldric grits his teeth “Never again…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Baldric reaches the camp and drops the wood he gathered in front of the tent Twilight had created. From outside the tent he could clearly hear the music and cheers of his new unlikely friends as they partied inside.

“Hehe, it seems like they have no idea of how dangerous it could be…” Baldric shrugs “oh well, I’m sure they know what they’re doing.” He walks into the tent and is greeted warmly.

“Hey Baldricky” shouts the pink pony “We were waiting for you! Now the real party can START!”

The music becomes louder and Pinkie Pie rolls a big cake from nowhere with a bunch of candles on it.

“What in tarnation girl? Why did ya bring a birthday cake? Let alone where did you keep it all it this time?”

“Oh don’t be silly Applejack, there’s always room for cake in my bags!” Pinkie Pie giggles and shouts over to Baldric

“Blow out the Candles! I didn’t know how old you were or when your birthday was so I decided for you!”

“Birthday? What’s that?”

All the ponies gasp is unison and the music stops. A look of horror appears on to pinkie pies face

“You Don’t know What a Birthday is?! I do remember you telling me you never had a party before, But really?! Never a Birthday Party?! How do you know how old you are!? Or even getting Presents?! How could you not know what a birthday party is?! I can’t even imagine what it’s like to never have a party. Just how bad was your world Baldric?!” Pinkie pie gets a look on her face of sorrow along with the other ponies.

Baldric sighs “alright I’ll tell you about my world, besides you’re already out here helping me without even knowing anything about me.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"In my home I’m a Nordic warrior. I was a captain of my own little platoon. We fought against fearsome monsters and beasts to save our homes and families. I lost my father and 2 older brothers to the wars before I even understood what death was.

All the things you’ve shown me in your world, I’m sure it’s all common place here, all the friendly people, the peace, when I was talking to Rarity, she didn’t even know what war was. Such a peaceful land you seem to have here. The clothes I received were the most beautiful thing I have ever worn. Most of my clothes back home would look like rags compared to Rarities workmanship.

We didn’t have the time or the luxury to celebrate or party. The only times of peace we had were between battles. Many people were too tired to even think of celebrating, or they had to use the time to find food for their families.

Of course we have a type of currency. I signed up to be a Mercenary so I could send money home. I became a leader and a symbol of hope on the battlefield for my fellow men.

It wasn’t always easy; when I first started I made a friend, my first best friend. His name was Dillon Shields and he always had my back. We were inseparable in the battlefield. We did everything together on and off the battlefield. He told me about his family and the girl back home he was saving money for, he had so many things planned out.

One day on the field of battle we were fighting against a manicore for the first time. I was scared, I had never seen anything like it before. The body of a Lion with bat wings and a scorpion’s tail. The manicore had just finished killing some of our fellow men at arms, so Dillon and I took it upon ourselves to try and stop it. Dillon was on my left with his shield and axe, he was trying to distract it. I was going to run in an attempt to run my sword through its head. I…I wasn’t fast enough; the manciore dodged my swing and hit me aside with his massive claw. It then brought its tail up and lashed its tail at me while I was on the ground.

I, I… I thought I was going to die at that moment, But somehow Dillon jumped between me and the manicores tail. He blocked the manicores attack, but the spine went through his shield and into his arm."

“Stand up!” shouted Dillon “I can’t beat this thing alone! I need your strength!”

"With his words echoing through my mind I gritted my teeth and jumped up, I grabbed the manicores tail that was stuck in Dillon’s shield and tore the stinger off. The manicore howeled in anger and pain.

It smacked me with its paw again knocking me down and then lunged at Dillon who just stood there. It grabbed him in its massive jaws and that’s when Dillon cried out. Not in pain, but with more encouraging words."

“Do it Now! While I have it Distracted!” he smiled at me as blood trickled out of his mouth

"I grabbed a nearby sword and plunged its blade under the manicores jaw up into its brain. The manicores last dying instinct was to clamp its jaw even tighter. I saw Dillon cough up a large amount of blood, he was my best friend. He was dying in front of me and I couldn’t do a thing to save him. At that moment my eyes became watery"

“Hey the winner doesn’t cry Baldric, we got the mani…” Dillon coughs up some blood “core.”

"I looked at him through tear stained eyes and the only thought running through my head was, If only I had been stronger, faster, he wouldn’t of had to die… I felt so weak it was unbearable. He died in that manicores mouth with a smile on his face.

Some time passed and I did become stronger and faster. My speed rivaled those on horseback and my strength was unmatched by any monster. So I never had time to learn how to read, party, wear fancy clothes, and I decided not to lose any more friends on the battlefield.

I became a captain because of my combat experience and skill. I was always on the front lines protecting my men, because try as hard as I could, I still became friends with them. The thought of losing any of them… I don’t think I could handle something like that."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You lost your best friend?!” They shouted in unison with tears in their eyes.

"Yeah I did, and because I lost him I became who I am today. But enough about me, tell me about you guys and then let's continue the party that Pinkie had planned for me."

For the rest of the night the ponies told stories of their past and how they got their cutie marks and what they mean. Fluttershy being little filly Pegisus that couldn't fly, but later learned how to from butterflies and learning she can communicate with animals. Rainbow Dash and her sonic rainboom during a race. Applejack when she moved away from home to learn about herself, then becoming homesick and seeing a rainbow leading back to home. Rarity who's horn leads her to a rock filled with gems that split after a colorful explosion. Pinkie pie told how after she saw a rainbow and its colors inspired her to make ponies happy, because smiling is one of the best things. And Twilight becomes a student of princess Celestia and learning how to harness all of her raw magical talent.

These ponies are connected on a level deeper than friendship. They act like one big family, and it seems they added me to it. Bladric smiles as he looks over to his new best friends and joins them for the night