I'm so tired...she was asking question after question. I eventually got to ask a few of my own, mainly because I wondered what the society was like and about their ruling princesses. What I found out sounded cult-like. The princesses supposedly lived for over a few thousand years, and they raised the sun and moon. So now I'm worried about how I act in front of them. If they made themselves religious symbols on top of ruling a country, they might be dangerous dictators. I didn't mention my disbelief because she seemed to hold Celestia in high regard. So I better watch what I say about their So-called living goddesses. I can accept magic, but being honest, not immortal beings that can move celestial bodies. That's too ridiculous and honestly impossible. After a few of my questions, I could see she was getting tired too, so I convinced her that her being so tired may affect her ability to rationalize her questions and put them on paper. Thankfully for my sanity, that worked, and she agreed that she didn't want to make mistakes on the information she was gathering accidentally, so she told me good night and went to bed. I, on the other hand, took a while to get to sleep.

The following day came. I felt like shit, but nothing I'm not used to with being a college student. Late-night studies and coffee were my day-to-day. I looked at them all as they slept. Daylight was slowly rising, so I got up from my spot next to the wall on the other side of the room from the ponies. I look at where the blood was on the wall, which has been cleaned up already. Zecora must have cleaned it sometime when I finally fell asleep last night.

I force myself to get up. I go to the door, ready to sneak out while they slept. I had to take care of that thing I killed last night. Meat probably won't taste good since I didn't bleed it or hang it up. Not really something I could do after getting fucked up by it last night. As I reach for the doorknob, I hear Zecora's voice "Where do you think you are going? You are still slightly injured. Are you mad? Are you going to leave before having breakfast and leave me sad?" Zecora gave me a look that made me ashamed to leave without a word. "I'll be fine. It's not nighttime, and I have to...take care of something. I'd rather do it alone." I didn't want them to see what I did to that lion. These ponies wouldn't be able to handle it if seeing me bloodied left them horrified.

Zecora wasn't having any of it though. "you are still in no shape to go out on your own. At least have breakfast with us there are many things to be known." I look at the door and then at her over my shoulder. With a sigh, I step back from the door and turn to her. "okay, I guess it can wait till after breakfast." I followed her to the table I was at with Twilight last night. Sitting on my legs, Zecora brings me tea and then gets started on making pancakes. The delicious smell wafts through the house. It ends up waking the others. I watch them all slowly trot into the kitchen yawning, except Applejack and Pinkie Pie. They looked bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I wish I had that kind of energy in the morning.

Four of the six ponies take a seat at the table. The other two, Twilight and Flutershy, help Zecora make pancakes and set things up at the table. applejack is the first to break the silence. "Hey partner, I wanted ta say something for about a week now ta the fella that saved my sis...thank ya...if ya weren't there I be without a sis right now and...well, family means a lot to us apples more then anythin so if ya need a favor or anythin us apples can do for ya let us know." She says with deep sincerity in her voice. I look at her "well I'm glad they got home safe I know there were two others with her did they get home safe too?" I ask them with my one good eye, looking at their faces. "Why yes, my Sweetie Belle got home safe because of you, and like Applejack, I'm full of gratitude for what you did." Rarity says before lifting her tea in a blue aura to her lips and sipping the warm drink. "Yeah, and though Scootaloo isn't my actual sister, she...feels like the sister I never had, so you know, thanks and all that for saving her."

Rainbow means it, I can tell, but guess she has problems showing it in front of others. As I look at them, I can honestly see they are avoiding looking into my white eye. I guess flashes of it missing and my injuries pop into their heads. "I'm sorry if my eye might disturb yall. I'll find something to cover it when I get back to my camp." they try all at once to say it doesn't, but then Pinkie is on the table in my face. "Oh oh don't worry, auntie pinkie has got what you need!" I was about to say something but then watched as she just zoomed to the other side of the room, reached a hoof into a hanging pot, and pulled out an eye patch. I blinked, perplexed; before I knew it, she was in my face and put the eye patch on me.

I look at the pot, Pinkie, and others."I uhh...how wait why is there..I dont." I stutter over my words, trying to make sense of what the fuck just happened. Pinkie giggles. "oh I keep emergency eye patches all over in case of eye patch emergencies; this seems like a eye patch moment." The pink mare says as if that's normal. "I have a headache." I say, putting a hand to my face not sure how to process this. "oh if that's the case I also have emergency-" Pinkie was about to finish that sentence, but Applejack shoved a hoof in her mouth. "Pinkie I think the fella needs time ta get used too how things work around here and partner again word of advice don't think too hard on it or ya might drive yerself crazy like twi did." Applejack takes her hoof away from Pinkie's mouth and wipes it on her side. "Okay, I'll just blame magic then." after saying that, Twilight floats in the food, and Fluttershy Zecora and Twilight take a seat. this was a pretty big table guess Zecora planned ahead for group company maybe?

I used the fork and knife Twilight brought to me when she plated the pancakes, and I started to eat honestly, these were pretty good pancakes. "Thank you for the food Zecora." I say others also thanking her. i take another bite. "You are welcome it's not every day I get to host for more than one guest. Did all of you get a good rest?." She says before taking a bite of her pancake. I notice Rarity staring at me. "Is something wrong?" I asked her. "I-im sorry darling it's just your um clothes. They're still covered in...blood." she says, a slightly disgusted look on her face. I look down, and it's torn where my scars are. Blood had soaked through most of my white shirt, pretty much making it mostly red now, and my blue jeans were also torn up. "I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable but these are the only clothes I own I'll try to wash out the stains as best I can later." I take another bite of my food and a drink of the glass of orange juice.

"N-no, no, it's not that I'm uncomfortable, darling are you really wearing the only clothes you own?" I nod to her before I drink my orange juice. "Well this simply will not do such a lack of a wardrobe for a species that always wears clothes is a crime! Darling as soon as breakfast is done, please disrobe so I can take some measurements!" At that last part I spit take my orange juice luckily away from the mares and cough. "-cough- I'm sorry -cough- what?" Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked as if they were about to burst out laughing. "What is wrong I'm only asking you if you can remove your clothes?" Rarity says, looking at me with confusion. "Rarity, what you just asked is kinda intimate. Humans don't walk around without clothes, not just because clothes keep us warm but also to hide our genitals, which are constantly exposed." I say as I notice a blush on her face starts.

"S-so what I asked you was-" I nod, trying not to laugh now myself. "like if you told a stallion to show you his genitals, yes." after saying that, Rainbow and Applejack burst out laughing while Twilight is taking notes again it seems the others just giving soft chuckles while Rarity seems mortified "it's fine ya didn't know but yes rather keep my clothes on or at least my underwear, but you don't need to make me clothes I don't have anything to trade or pay with." I say, takeing a napkin to wipe off the bit of orange juice on my side of the table.

"O-oh no darling you don't need to pay me I just want to help. Nopony should go without something in their wardrobe double so for a species that are so... dependent on them." She says, a bit embarrassed still. I look at her I was confused as to why she wanted to help me, including with no payment. "You want to help? Why? you wouldn't be benefitting at all." I say first it was Zecora helping me, a strange creature to them from a strange place, now this unicorn too. "Well, being the element of generosity, I can't just let you walk around in at this point rags, now can I? No, I will not take a no for an answer you must let me take your measurements as soon as possible!" Rarity says this with bravado. She seems very passionate. "Jeez okay okay just as long as I keep my underwear on." I say; the mare then nods, satisfied, and returns to eating her meal, gently rubbing her mouth with a napkin if there's one thing I'd describe Rarity, it's high society. I stop before taking a bite, considering what she said. "wait, what do you mean your element is generosity? I may not have been the best at chemistry, but a personality trait isn't an element." I hear Twilight's snort and laugh, looking over at her with a confused look.

"sorry, I enjoy a good chemistry joke, haha. 'personality trait isn't an element.' That's a good one." Twilight gives one last chuckle. "Ah, that was funny, but no, what she's referring to is one of the elements of harmony. Rarity is the element of generosity, Fluttershy is kindness, Rainbow Dash is loyalty, applejack honesty, and Pinkie Pie embodies the element of laughter." She pointed a hoof to each of them as she listed who was which element. "And finally, I'm the element of magic, and with the combined power, we make the most powerful magic, the magic of friendship!." She says proudly. I sat there for a second or two, then I couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing. "Pffft hahaha ha! O-oh okay, I didn't expect that, haha!" I calmed down, but when I looked, no one else was laughing, which only made me more confused now. "that was a joke, right? I mean, seriously, that sounds like I'm in a little girl's Saturday morning cartoon." still no laughter from them, and now starting to feel like a dick. "I don't see why that's so funny. I mean, doesn't your world have friendship? I know we didn't get too deep into your worlds history." I rub the bridge of my nose. Yep definitely was being a dick without realizing the cultural difference.

"Look, sorry, I laughed. Just if someone said that to me in public, well, most would think they were joking or might be a nut job. Yes, we have friends, but friendships aren't magical or anything special, just people you hang out with. Maybe get a drink with every so often." Twilight looks at her friends, who look at each other, then back to me. "It's okay. I just wasnt expecting you to laugh...so even the magic of friendship doesn't exist in your world? How do your people keep your world safe or keep chaos from taking over?" Twilight gave me a look as if she had heard my world had fallen to evil or something. "no, there is no such thing as magic in my world. As for keeping the world safe well mutually assured destruction usually keeps most countries' hands away from their nukes." Applejack immediately cuts into the conversation.

"Now hold on here what yall two mean his world? And mutually assured destruction?! What kinda world ya come from?!" Applejack was full of questions, so I decided just to give them the quick rundown. "to start, some kind of magic pulled me into y'alls world. I'm not from your world hell could even be universe at this point. Still, either way, weird magic shit now stranded on yalls world till Twilight here is able to find a way to send me back." I quickly get out, and most of them are just staring at me now, except for Zecora and Twilight. Then Pinkie slams her front hooves on the table. "Whhhaaat!! Are you telling me that your from another world slash universe slash planet?!?!" She says in one breath. "yeeeaaah..." I say hesitantly. I feel like she's about to explode or something into confetti. "You know what this means!!" Pinkie asks us all. "This is the biggest discovery in equus history!" Twilight said excitedly. "No, not that it means I need to make the biggest! Welcome to our universe slash equus slash ponyville party ever!!!" She yelled excited.

She looked as if she was vibrating almost too. She was about to tackle me, but Applejack grabbed her by the tail, stopping her mid-air before hitting the table. face landing into a stack of pancakes. "Whoa, there, I think maybe give poor fella a while before ya go throwing any parties." After Applejack says that, Pinkie Pie sits up, licks the pancake off her face, and eats it. "I dwont semph whph noph." she says with her mouth full of pancakes. Applejack rolls her eyes. "because sugercube isaiah here needs time ta get settled inta Ponyville. Maybe hold off on the whole party till after." Pinkie Pie pouts at that but reluctantly agrees. "Fiiiine guess that gives me time to make all the preparations and learn all your favorite things!" I had to backtrack that conversation between them. "I'm sorry, but what do you mean settle into Ponyville?" They all look at each other, then me like I'm crazy. "darling, I don't mean to say that you didn't make a, um lovely...home." Rarity says with hesitancy on the home part. "but you-" Rainbow Dash cuts in. "you almost died dude! Why the hay would you want to stay here?!"

Fluttershy nods. "She's right, those injuries you got...it was so terrifying to see...I don't know any creature that is so violent. most creatures in the everyfree except for the timberwolves attack only when they feel threatened..." Fluttershy says Shyly, remembering all the blood. Twilight pats her back with a wing to try and comfort her. "what even attacked you in the first place?" Twilight asked with a sense of fear on her face, probably also thinking of all the blood last night. "I don't really know, but it was a lion with bat-like wings and a scorpion tail." I say, trying to remember the easiest details since the situation happened so fast and it was dark. That's when Applejack slams her front hooves on the table, standing on her back hooves in her chair. "a manticore nearly killed ya?!" She shouts, and Fluttershy joins in the shock. "o-oh dear, I know manticores can be territorial, but I never heard of one being this violent..." Rarity chimes in next with a question. "Oh my Celestia, how did you get away from such a beast with your injuries? you must have been in more pain than we thought, you poor dear..." My hand unconsciously rubs the area where I got cut open on my chest. Memories of what I did to that monster last night go through my mind.

It was the most brutal thing I've seen. My hand on the table shakes a bit. Do I tell them? What if I'm labeled a monster myself and thrown in some cell or driven deeper into these woods? As these questions go through my head, I feel Zecoras hoof on my hand. She smiled at me as if things be okay. I guess she is the only friend or ally I have here. at least she probably still understand what I did was the only reason I'm alive now. Zecora took her hoof off my hand, and I decided to just tell them they will probably see the body anyway. "I didn't get away....I killed it..." There was silence for a good minute or two, so quiet I could hear muffled insects outside the tree home.

Surprisingly, it was Fluttershy who spoke first. "W-was there really no other way..." she says, sad but I feel in her eyes that there's maybe a bit of understanding for my situation. "It had tooken my eye when it attacked me then I watched the thing eat it right in front of me. After that, I ran, but it caught up quickly. It toyed with me ya know, and the thing that bothered me was the intelligence I felt in its eyes. Maybe it was the blood loss, but I swear it was grinning at me. Guess with the poison and my desperation to live. I beat it to death..." I watch the others look at Fluttershy as if expecting her to do something, maybe cry? "I'm glad your okay...I know things work differently in the everfree, and it's in most animals nature to eat meat. You kinda remind me of Harry but not as hairy." she jokes, trying to calm the tension "I'm not blind to how the cycle of nature works, but I like to think with my home its a safe place where prey and predators can rest and not worry about the harshness of nature for a little while. Every creature needs a break, and isaiah...I honestly think you do too. You have been through so much in such a short amount of time its not healthy for your mind. I hope you take some time to feel at home soon, even if it may not be your home."

I stare at Fluttershy and so is everyone else in the room. I did not expect this shy little pony to hit me with such a supportive and thought-out understanding of what I had done and been through. She saw us all looking at her and quickly returned to her shy namesake. "Uh..i-if that's okay..." Twilight looks to me with what I assume is sympathy. "I don't know if I be mentally able to push myself as far as you did to take the life of a creature...isaiah, I'd like you to meet the princesses. They can help you get a home outside the everfree you can live in Ponyvil-" I cut her off already with a firm answer. "no, I'm not going to live in Ponyville. I'm willing to meet your princesses, but I'm staying in the everfree." Rainbow dash Flys up into my face. "What, why not? This place is dangerous. Did you not see what it did to you?!" I stand up quickly at my full highest, looking down at them. I see a glint of fear when they look at me and my scars.

Wings flared out, ears lowered, or a horn pointed at me. "Because of the reaction you all have to me, the only one here that didnt flinch or hair raise at the sight of me is Zecora. I can tell y'all see me right now as a looming predator. It's not your fault. It's a survival instinct to be cautious or fear something you aren't sure isn't a threat. You have that fear deep down just as humans fear the unknown." Applejack shakes off that reaction. "t-that only because ya caught us off guard when ya stood up. Besides, ponies in Ponyville are good folk. They wouldn't go heading for the hills or run ya out!" She says, there was passion in her voice for the ponies that made up their town.

"Ya know, Zecora told me about how they feared her. She's more equine and like yall, but y'all still feared her because she was something you didn't understand. How do you think they would act seeing a being like me walk out of the everfree, which, as far as I have been told, is avoided at all costs." I rebuttal, which was a bit of a gut punch to applejacks argument. I retook a seat Rarity is next to put in her two cents."yes it is true, but it's only because of rumors spreading, but I swear to you darling if you accompany us we will make sure that Ponyville knows your no monster but a hero who saved the life of three fillies. Please just give Ponyville a chance. They might be cautious at first, but they will come around." I rub the bridge of my nose, trying to think this over. I look at Zecora. She nods to me, and I sigh. "Fine, I'll give it a chance, but I have a few conditions. I'm staying in the everfree. I'm not living in Ponyville if and only if things are safe and I'm accepted, I'll set up my camp at the edge of Ponyville and the everfree. Second, your princesses, if they want to meet, they need to come to me." I'd rather have them meet me in my territory where I'll have a chance to get away if they are some kind of dictators or religious icons, but I know that's probably not gonna happen. The best I'll get is in town. Twilight perks up to what I say. I guess she feels she's got a hoof in the door now. "okay! I can work with that. Don't worry, you will love Ponyville. It just maybe take a bit till everypony gets used to you." She says it with a look that has a more positive outlook than I'm feeling. "For my sake, let's hope so." I try to pull this conversation in a different direction now. "So, I'm done eating. Let's get this whole measurements thing done since I can tell ya won't take no for an answer." I get up and go to the main living area. Turning my back to them, I start to remove my torn, blood-stained shirt and pants. After I had taken off my socks and shoes, one looking more torn up than the other, I left my underwear on. When I turned around, I saw them looking at me. I looked down at my very apparent scars. "Yeah, I guess they look pretty bad, don't they." they look away, mainly Twilight.

I can still see a hint of guilt behind her eyes. Zecora, though, is the only one who isn't as upset. She seemed more disappointed I didn't take the scar treatment she offered last night. After getting ahold of her gaze, Rarity floated a measuring tape out of her saddle bag to me. "Kinda strange to keep a measuring tape with you in a bag, isn't it?" I say to Rarity, trying to lighten the mood. She chuckles. "Arms up darling." she says, wrapping the measuring tape around my waist and mumbling a number to herself before finally answering back. "when you are in the fashion business, it's good to always keep your profession close at hoof." I straightened out my arms in a t-pose so she could get the necessary measurements. It felt weird being in front of these mares in my boxers. I look over at Twilight, which seems to be sketching something.

"What are you doing?" I asked with a look of puzzlement. Her ears flick, then she looks up and sees me looking at her. "Oh, I'm just documenting your anatomy now that most of your clothing is gone. These will be a great addition to the notes I gathered so far! Ooo, I can't wait to write a whole study on your species and culture!" Twilight's wings fluttered a bit in her excitement while I was worried I was going to end up getting asked a hundred more questions. "Yeah, maybe we can save the whole studying me thing till after I meet your princesses." Twilight then gasps. "oh my Celestia you're right! I need to prepare everything and send them a letter about the situation. Pinkie, Rarity, can you both help me set the library up for when they arrive they will probably head to Ponyville as soon as they get my letter!" She says in what I'd call a panicked prance in place.

Pinkie pokes her head out of one the masks on the wall and pops out and then stands on her hind legs doing a salute. "Oki doki! Operation princess twilights princesse's princess arrival party is a go!" She marches up to Twilight's side. Rarity gets one more measurement. "there, that should do for now. Thank you, I feel inspiration welling inside me." She says, flicking her mane as she trots next to Twilight.

I get my clothes on quickly but then turn to Twilight after I do. "Wait, you want me to meet your princesses tonight? Don't you think that's a bit short notice for rulers?" A bit of discomfort built up inside, and I hoped I had more time to get a better idea of how these princesses were. Twilight, though, has noticed my uncomfort. "Don't worry isaiah, things will be alright. We will come and get you when everything is set this afternoon." She says, giving me a smile the others around me agreeing.

"Okay, guess I'll be seeing them this afternoon then, though might want to tell them about well." waves a hand over my face, gesturing to it. "This situation so I don't go scareing anyone." Twilight coughs into her hoof. "Um, i-ill uh mention it to them yes...well why don't you and the girls learn from each other and each other's culture? A great learning experience I'm sure. let's go, come on, Pinkie, Rarity, we got an arrival and meeting to set up for the princesses and our new friend." She trots out pinkie pie giving me a wave before I watch her tail shut the door behind them. I look over at the others "why did she call me a new friend we barely know each other." I say now i see them giveing me a look like I talked backwards.

Applejack rubbed the back of her neck, and her stetson slightly moved up and down with a look of befuddlement. "What ya mean partner? I'd say we all are friends now, including after ya know what happened with ya last night." She stated it as if it was a done deal and that we are somehow friends now. "I'm sorry, but why does that make us friends?" Rainbow Dash Flys up to be eye level with me. "what, how does that not? What happened to you was pretty messed up, and I mean, after what you been through. out of anypony, you would need a friend the most!" She says her muzzle scrunched in frustration. Fluttershy lightly taps my leg I look down at her. I kneel down so I'm not towering over her, which seems to help. "um, isaiah, do humans not become friends easily in your world? I know what you described about how humans see friends, but well, in a way, there is still some kind of mutual friendship." She says, having that look of concern for me. "No, we do. Look, I'm not sure how it works for yall, but most humans don't just become friends with others at the drop of a hat. It takes a bit, too Uh, how do I put this? Make sure the other person doesn't have alteriar motives. Or at least that's personally how I pick and choose friends." I see them look between each other.

"seems mighty strange. I mean, I know not everypony is always trustworthy like them flim flam brothers, but everypony should have a chance. Do ya species really have trouble trustin others?" Applejack says to me as confusion on her muzzle is apperient. I wasn't sure how Applejack and the others didn't quite understand this. How innocent are the ponies also? Who the fuck names their kids Flim and Flam? "I'm not sure how everything works, but seeing as Twilights told me about your societies years of peace. Peace doesn't last that long in my world, and there are bad people that do some bad things. I'll leave it at that. Now I have to go and take care of that Manticore." I stand fully and head to the door.

Rainbow, on the other hand, flies right in my way again. "whoa there buster, you can't just go out there on your own you're still hurt." Rainbow says, one forehoof on hip and the other pointed at me. I hear the other two trot up behind me, and Zecora speaks up. "it would be wise to rest and fully heal even though you are full of zeal." I look at them and then Rainbow. "I just want to make sure that Manticore didn't die for nothing. I have a firm belief that what one hunts, they use every part of it, and though it was self-defense that I killed it, I still will not waste them." I see Rainbow Dash cringe a bit at the thought that I'm gonna dismantle every part of the Manticore. "Then I'll go with you." We all turn to Fluttershy honestly, I didn't think this little pony could be so bold. "Really?" I asked, and she nods. Applejack steps up next to me. "Seein' yer as serious as a starvin fruit bat swarm, I reckon we better go with ya ta make sure ya stay outta trouble. besides, Twilight did ask us ta get ta know ya and yer culture."

Rainbow puts a foreleg around my neck. "aaaand you get to hang out with the fastest flyer in Equestria. I can tell you about the best flyers, the wonderbolts!" I look at her, then slowly remove her foreleg from around my neck. "That's great, but how about ya keep from giving me unwanted touching, including around my neck." I say, letting go of her for leg once it's not around my neck. Rainbow just gives me a weird look. "why is it a culture thing I don't see the big deal ponies touch and get close all the time." I scratch the back of my neck "it's not a culture thing it's just a me thing alright but let's save the questions for after I get that manticore back to my camp." I say, heading to the door hearing the clopping of hooves behind me and the flapping of wings, I tell Zecora goodbye so do the three mares. I promised Zecora I'd return for a check-up with her in the next few days to ensure I'm doing alright. I lead the way to the corpse. The mares were talking casually for most of the way id answer some basic things for fluttershy though her questions like normal body temperature and where certain organs were made me think I was being questioned by a doctor or would she be a veterinarian? When the corpse was in view, I stopped as I saw the Manticore's body.

The mares went completely quite at the site it's face was almost completely stripped of flesh, an eye hanging out of its socket the other already had flys around it. the smell wasn't pleasant either. The chest was caved in a bit where I kicked it. The wound on the paw i threw my hatchet into was deep in the bone. The singer still pierced in its jugular. I approached it, but the mares didn't even take a step near. I first grip the hatchet handle, and a crack of bone is heard as I rip it out of the leg. I hear hurls behind me, looking over my shoulder. I see Rainbow Dash throwing up in a bush and Applejack looking slightly green. Fluttershy was the only one who wasn't looking ill. Still, I could see the sadness in her eyes at the state that the Manticore was in. The worst part about killing this Manticore is that it felt wrong. I let my anger control me, acting on emotion, something i promised myself I would never do again. Maybe there might have been another way, but I'm alive. I guess that's all that matters now. I looked at the hatchet in my hands, my reflection in the blade, the handle stained in dried blood. that moment I took its life, I became just as monstrous, if not worse, and when I killed it, a part of me died with it too. As I put the hatchet into my vine belt loop, grabbed its midsection, and threw it over my shoulder, I was determined to use every bit of this creature. I grab my mask and hand it to Rainbow after she's gotten a hold of her stomach.

"Can you hold on to this for me I'm gonna need both arms to carry this back to camp." She looks at me then the Manticore and finally her eyes look at the mask she takes it between her front hooves. Fluttershy trots next to me. I look down at her "I'm sorry you had to do such a thing...it's one thing for a animal to kill for food and another to kill to survive...it never really happens except in the everfree most ponies don't understand that there's laws to nature that aren't very nice but is needed...I wish it could of gone different between you and the Manticore..." I keep my eyes ahead looking around for movement as I have been for the past week I been in this forest. "I do too..." Applejack I notice mainly averting her eyes from the corpse and my hatchet. Honestly, I feel maybe I should have done this alone but it's their fault for insisting to come with me. We finally get back to my camp; everything is sorta where it should be except that pot I broke in my anger. I drop the corpse next to a tree and grab some spare rope I made. Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy take a seat on the ground by my cold campfire. I started to make a smoker using long sticks in a tipi pattern and cordage to make a rack in the middle with enough spacing for smoke to get through. I tie down ferns as a canopy to the small tipi, which I set up over my fire place. Rainbow finally was confused enough to ask about my little project. "What the hay are you even makeing?" I look at her with an excited grin on my face. "A makeshift smoker it's been a week since I've had anything but fish and if I dry out the meat, it'll last longer, though not sure if the meat is still good, but I'm willing to take the risk." I noticed fluttershy wanting to say something so I let her. she was quite for a seconed as if not used to being allowed to speak up or something?

"W-well um that shouldn't be a problem since manticore venom not only paralyzes its pray but helps it preserve the flesh of its pray so that way it can store food so it doesn't have to go and hunt every day." Fluttershy explains with a certainty of a Profesional I just grin to myself at the convince "well glad something is going my way this week I guess thank you for letting me know. wanna help be properly dismantle this Manticore?" I joked to the mare the other two looked more green when I said that. "O-oh well I can help by pointing you where to cut to help get the most out of them." She says in a helpful manner that Rainbow Dash and Applejack seem taken aback by it.

"Fluttershy how in tarnation do ya know how ta do that?" She asked her shy friend in a weary sense as if she was talking to a serial killer which I thought was amusing as the three chatted.

"Oh well remember that mantacore with the thorn in its paw we met while looking for the elements? He would visit and learn a lot from him to help care for him. He once got in a very bad territorial fight with a meaner manticore...I had to help patch him up reset ribs and dislocated joints." Rainbow was looking at her long-time friend as if she was told a secret that they were not who they were. "Whhhaaat?! Are you telling me you do like surgery and stuff on animals? No wonder your so calm seeing..." she glances over at me with my knife as I use a rope to hoist the Manticore up with rope a tree limb to hang so I can skin it easier. She catches her vomit in her mouth and hard swallows Applejack, averting her gaze towards my direction." ugh...that."

"Hey I have feelings too you know." Rainbow rolls her eyes in annoyance to my quick jest."not you!" Fluttershy seemed embarrassed with all this new attention from her friends. "W-well yes... there are not many ponies in Ponyville who can help animals with life threatening injuries, I learned over many years, and sadly, not all animals I was able to save...but I guess I just never really thought it was much of a thing you girls really want to hear about since it can get kinda messy."

Applejack looked at fluttershy as she sits on one the logs next to the fireplace. "Well sugercube sure might not be uh pretty." I see her glance over her shoulder as I make the first incision at the gut, gliding my knife down careful not to puncture the stomach. After seeing that out the coner of her eye she quickly goes eyes front looking back at her friends trying hard to ignore the sound of flesh being cut and hide being peeled off. "B-but it don't mean we don't want ta learn more about ya now ah know if Winona gets hurt badly ah got a reliable friend ta help." Fluttershy smiles at Applejack and Rainbow as they then hug. It was a little mushy for me, so I just kept focusing on my skinning till I heard Rainbow Dash holler at me from the camp fireplace. "hey big guy where ya get this mask anyway did ya carve it or something? Looks exactly like a timberwolf pretty sweet you could make a living if you're this talented at carving." She says looking at it between her front hooves as she sits on a log across from the other two. I chuckle at the thought of being that good at carving wood. "No its not a carving. It's the face of the timber wolf that pounced at the fillies. Lets say i made a trophy out of them."

Rainbow fumbles with the mask. "T-timberwolf?!" She drops it on the ground after a second or three. She pokes it, but seeing it not move, she glances over and notices Applejack smirk. I couldn't help but laugh, and so did Applejack. "Don't worry, it's not going to bite well not like it can without its bottom jaw." I say as I finish skinning the Manticore. I see Rainbow Dash, her face scrunched in annoyance. "Hey, I didn't know timber wolves could ya know be actually destroyed." Rainbow crosses her front hooves, and Applejack goes over to give them a light, hoof punch? On their forelegs shoulder "heh heh don't worry dash ah won't tell yer fan club." Applejack teased as she sits with Rainbow and fluttershy helps me dismantle the Manticore by pointing where to cut to get the most meat. After I strip it down, I get started on cutting the meat into strips and getting them ready to be smoked, hopeing this will work out and that it be done by this afternoon before I meet the princesses. That I wasn't really looking forward to it. The thought of a whole town's eyes on me makes me get anxious.

Im useing a flint flake with jagged edge in a downward bend to strip the meat from the hide. it's been a few hours now, and my tannins should be ready by the time I strip the meat off to make sure it doesn't rot during the drying phase. I noticed that the girls seemed well a bit bored, except for Fluttershy who watched me work. I cleared my throat I decided to try and make conversation it's been a bit since I talked to anyone other than Zecora. "Do you girls know why I make sure to use every part of the animal I kill? And there is a cultural thing to it, but there are a lot of humans who don't use everything." I say as I continue to scrape the manticore hide of bits of fleshy membrane. Applejack and Rainbow Dash look at me now a bit more attentively; it seems they have gotten used to seeing me doing this. They don't seem as literally green in the face as they were. More questions to ask Twilight later I continue to my pony audience. "The reason I do it is becouse of what my dad taught me a lesson in. When I was around nine, I got a bb gun for my birthday." Rainbow Dash had a look as if I said something in French. "what the hay is a bb gun?" I guess they might not have guns here. Probably a good thing in a sense actually I try to explain it best I can. " A little hard to explain here. I'll draw a shape of it in the dirt." I grab a stick and draw a crude drawing of a BB gun in the dirt. " it's a long metal tube with a wooden stock, and it shoots little metal pellets with a spring or compressed air, depending on the type." Applejack scratches her head, looking at the crude drawing in the dirt. they all were around me like some kind of story time for kids it was kinda cute as they look up at me while I sit on my stump. "An they gave that ta ya when ya were a colt? Seems mighty fine way to lose an eye or get hurt." The southern mare says, disapproving of my parent's gift choice. "If you're not careful, yeah, it can be dangerous. My dad taught me how to properly use it, but there are more dangerous weapons than that that I'm not going to go over anyway. Now that you girls know what it is, let's get back on track."

I pick back up the hide and continue my work as I tell them more. "I was excited when I got it. Most kids my age wanted a BB gun by that time, and well I couldn't wait tto use it so after my dad showed me how to load it and proper safety he let me go out and shoot some can targets. While I was shooting, I saw a squirrel on a tree and thought it would be funny to scare it. unfortunately, my shot was off and instead of shooting next to it I shot it right in the head, killing it." Fluttershy gasps from that as if it was a horrible accident that took the lives of a whole family. "oh...that poor squirrel and their family..." she looked ready to cry, thankfully rainbow dash had already started comforting her "yeah I thought the same thing too I was bawling my eyes out. I took the squirrel to my dad and told him what happened. That's when he reminded me of one the rules he told me never point a gun at anything you don't intend to kill. As a punishment, he made me use every part of that squirrel so that its death wasn't in vain. We used the meat in biscuit gravy for gravy and biscuits. The hide we turned into a sheath for my knife my dad got me my last birthday and the organs we minced up and fed to the cat. We ground the bones and put in the soil for my mom's flowers.

That day, I gained a new appreciation for the things that die and to make the most out of their death since they can no longer with life." As I finished up my little life experience, Fluttershy seemed to be at least happy that the poor squirrel didn't just rot where it lay. Applejack looked as if she had a thought then made it known "that's nice I guess? But uh what's biscuits and gravy? I know what a biscuit is, one of them fancy things rarity eats, right?" After hearing what she said, I stopped scraping and slowly turned my head to her. "I'm sorry, but what did ya say?" I ask her. Looking at her intensely, she looked a bit nervous now. "I mean, uh, just wondered what gravy is heh..." she gulps. I'm now looming over Applejack. I put my hands on her shoulders. "You have a southern accent and look as southern as a pony probably can, and you don't know what biscuits and gravy is?...." I say, looking her in the eyes. She let's out a soft "n-no." I take my hands off her shoulders and I stand up. "as soon as I have the ingredients and a kitchen I am going to make you biscuits and gravy just like my momma used to for me and you will eat every bite.

I know a vegan recipe my mom sometimes makes for vegetarian friends I had that substitutes lard with coconut oil. it won't be the exact same, but the experience is the same." Applejack nodded. "Okay partner." she says, a little shaken. She probably thought she insulted my mother or culture.
Rainbow Dash just shrugs off my weird behavior and takes a nap. Applejack goes into telling me a story about her past as we all pass the time together.she told me about how she lived with an extended part of the family called the oranges, who were very high class, and she realized what she really wanted after a rainbow lead her back to the apple farm. Seemed like a bit of a fairy tale story, but I didn't say that. I was at this point done with the hide and was setting the skull of the Manticore down, but it took a long time to strip it mostly clean of flesh. I put it in a large clay pot, gonna fill it with insets later to eat the flesh I couldn't get to. I'm sure zecora might have some in a jar or know where to get some.

I put the hide in the pot full of the tannins water to soak through it. The organs I put in a pot to rot and become fertilizer mixed with the smaller bones I crushed into powder. I'll maybe see if I can get some seeds from Zecora later as well. The larger bones I'm going to make into tools and maybe a club from one of its leg bones. I stretch and pop my back. It looked to be about late afternoon. I gather up the smoked meat and put that in a pot next to my bed, which I tie up with rope to make sure the lid doesn't easily come off don't want anything intruding on my base while away. I kick dirt onto the barely alive fire and wake up the girls. "Okay, time to wake up. Think y'all loitered in my camp long enough." They wake up a bit groggy, mainly Rainbow Dash. I was going to say that she looked like shit, but that's when I heard the call of Twilight just outside my camp before the three mares trot in. "There you all are. Zecora told us that you girls left with isaiah. Is every pony alright, isaiah you didn't get attacked again, right?" She says with worry and a hint of impatience in her voice. "I'm fine, so I guess it's time then to meet your princesses. All right, let's get this over with." I say, but I am stopping by Rarity who's mane looked a bit messier, and she had a pencil in her hair as well.

"oooh, no no, you are not meeting the princesses in those disheveled clothes! It took every part of me to get these done in the limited time we had but I think I outdid myself." she pulled out an outfit from her saddle bag that was casual and classy, I'd put it. It was a blue vest, a white dress shirt, sleek black dress pants, and, to top it off, a red bow tie. "I made you an outfit that would fit that hat of yours and tie the whole thing together perfectly. I made it a bit loose-fitting since I wanted to make sure it fits comfortably for you. Seeing as your normal clothes seem slightly bigger, I assumed you liked them to be not as restricting." Rarity may look a bit of a mess but she did a great job. But do I really need to wear such fancy duds?. "Wow, um, thank you rarity, but I'm not sure I should wea-" Before I can finish, she stomps her hooves and looks at me with a psychotic expression. "Wear it!!" She screams at me, her eye twitching. Her sudden scream at me makes me jump a bit. "Ah, Jesus fuck okay!" startled a bit by her outburst and the crazy look in her eyes. I quickly go behind the other side of the camps wall to change out of view of the ponies. As I'm down to my underwear, I hear a sound behind me and see Twilight in a bush with a scroll and quill being to obvious. she gives a sheepish smile as I give her a glare. I pick her up and place her down at the entrance of my camp. Slowly, I slid her back into the camp with one leg. "Oh, come on, it's for science!" She yells in defense as I give her a annoyed look. i go back to the other side of the wall, quickly changing into the new clothes before twipeeper can look.

I will have to say these clothes were very comfy, even for how classy they looked. I thought it was going to be suffocating. I step back into camp. They give some ooo's at the outfit rarity clapping her front hooves. I go and put my hat on, and Rarity gives me a mirror. I look like an Irish man who's been in a fight with a bear. "Wow, well, thank you rarity. You really know how to make some comfy clothes." She smiled at me, and she started combing her hair with a brush she got out of her saddle bag." oh, you're welcome, darling. I enjoyed the challenge and the new body type. It's just what I need from the day-to-day design". Rarity had that look of pride in her work, which she should. "Well, I guess it's time to head out lead the way." I say apprehensive about being seen in town. Pinkie pie jumps onto my back and pats me on the head "don't you worry auntie pinkie here to help ponies see how much of a nice big softie you are!" I slowly take her off me and put her on the ground "pinkie please don't touch me unless I'm okay with it." Pinkie gives a smile up at me "okie dokie lokie!" She bounces to lead the way which strangely made a noise with each bounce I'm going to lose my fucking mind within the month I just know it. Twilight looks up at me and trys to give me some encouragement. "Don't worry isaiah. I promise it may take a bit, but the ponies of ponyville will get used to you in no time." she says optimistically, but my gut says otherwise. "Let's hope you're right, and I'm just being paranoid."

30-minute hike later

We finally reached the edge of the forest, and as we left, the sun was on the horizon and I see a sight that took my breath from me. It was a huge town in the far distance. Its homes had mainly straw roofs, but some buildings were a bit different here and there. A stream from the forest passed under a bridge leading to the town. the sun set really helped tie it all together like a fantasy. Applejack, I saw me looking at the town with a held breath. she had a huge grin on her muzzle. "Welcome, ta Ponyville sugercube that there yonder bunch of impressive apple trees is the edge of sweet apple acres where my farm is." She says with her head held up in pride. As we walk closer towards the town, Fluttershy points at a little hobbit home as we pass by. "That's my home where I take care of all the animals that need a home. You can stop by any time you like too we can chat and have some tea. Oh, I should introduce you to Discord sometime." Twilight gives a nervous look. "Uh heh um fluttershy maybe best we wait to do that." she says. I found her unwilling Ness to meet them concerning. Fluttershy gets a bit embarrassed, and her ears fold down." O-oh, well, I guess that's fair. Discord is very unique." I just decided to ignore this for now and continue our walk. As we go through a field just outside of Ponyville, Rainbow Dash taps my shoulder. "hey, big guy, if ya look up you will see my house. It's pretty amazing, I know." I looked up and saw a strange cloud, but I couldn't really see its details, especially how high it was.

"I'll take your word for it. I can't really see it that well from here doesn't help. I'm nearsighted and currently blind in one eye." Now that I think about it, my nearsightedness has improved over the last week I've been here, which is another thing I'll need to figure out later. Rainbow throws her hooves up. "What, oh come on! fine then I'll just have to give you the full tour twilight can use a cloud walking spell on you or something." She seemed a bit upset I couldn't see her house, and probably inflate her ego further. Twilight cuts into the conversation. "actually, I'm not sure if that is possible. We have no idea if spells work on him, including with isaiah being from another world where there isn't magic, which reminds me, any chance I could do some tests sometime?" She says, looking at me with eyes full of curiosity. "maybe I have been wondering what's happening to me." I may regret that because I saw an almost scary look on her excited face. I mean, I'm not gonna get cut open, I'm sure, but still.

"Yes, don't you worry. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's science and magic!" She says a bit more pep in her trot now. As we went into town, what I was scared of happening was blatant. There was no one in the streets, all doors and shutters closed I noticed a mother quickly pulling their filly and colt inside the home. "Girls gonna just say I feel like an outlaw that just walked into town in an old western movie." Pinkie jumps around me and then points at a home that looks like a huge gingerbread house. "Oo oo oo, that's where I live and bake tasty cupcakes and cakes. You should meet Mr and Mrs's cake! Oh, I bet you are a chocolate kinda human or maybe a chocolate and vanilla best of both classics. Oh, and you should meet Gummi! They love to meet new friends!" She kept going for the next few blocks, and I quickly tuned her out, lost in my thoughts, mainly with the looks of the ponies I saw peeking out the shutters of their homes. As soon as we locked eyes, it's been the same. Fear or caution some with what felt like anger but mainly fear. It doesn't help that I look like a James Bond villain. I came back to the present when I noticed a building that looked like it was a kinda fancy pink circus tent. It was very different from most places in the town, with its own personality, like Pinkies home. "Huh, this is a pretty unique building." It really catches one's eye.

"Oh, why thank you, it's really eye-catching, isn't it? This is my home and store, the Carousel Boutique. You should come in sometime tomorrow. I'll make you more casual clothes for your day-to-day." I felt Rarity would go out of business if she was too generous. " I'm not sure I'd want to be given any more handouts. How about I work for you or do a favor in exchange since I don't have any money." Rarity didn't seem to like this, her nose up in the air. "I'm sorry darling, but I simply will not ask for payment or make you work for me. Please let me help. At least see it as a gift, and if you insist, you can pay for the next pair." she seemed as stubborn as a mule, which probably shouldn't say that it might be a slur here. "Ugh, fine, I don't think you're going to take no for an answer." she gives a satisfied hmph and soon we get to the meeting place.

"Here we are, the princesses are inside waiting." I saw a large oak tree that was similar to Zecoras's home, and the design was very pleasing to the eye. It looked more vibrant with its leaves and even had a balcony. It's good to know the drop wasn't that far down. It's a good place to leap out of to escape if these princesses do turn out to be dictators. I noticed a golden chariot and two white ponies in golden armor standing at the door, holding spears as well. We locked eyes, and I noticed them quickly pointing their spears at me. My hand goes immediately to my side for my hatchet. "Halt monster don't you dare come near!" One on the right screams at me. I glare at them, but Twilight gets between us before anything else can happen. "I-it's ok, he's with us. This is Isaiah, the one the princesses are here to meet." the two slowly bring their spears away from me. "Enter." he says. They watched me like a hawk as I passed by them and ducked under the door to get inside. It was a more roomy space. I guess it had to be large, doubling as a library. I first saw two larger ponies, one white and the other dark blue. Both had wings and horns and crazy wavy manes and tails. The white pony had a colorful mane with pink, aquamarine, and a bit of blue, and the blue pony all I could say was it looked like a night sky full of stars.

I think Twilight called them alicorns. I might have been staring at the blue one for a bit, something...something about her seemed familiar, a part of me telling me to run for some reason. I hear the white alicorn giggle. "I know we both look beautiful, but it's rude to stare." I blink and shake my head. "Sorry, I'm just still getting used to seeing sapient beings other than humans. It's a pleasure to meet you. Twilight has said a lot of... impressive things about you two. It's almost hard to believe." I say to them. I take a seat in front of them on the decent-sized couch. The girls I notice bow to their rulers, and Twilight gives me a look as if I should be bowing to guess it is time to test these princesses. I look back at the two rulers. "I apologize if I don't bow, but where I'm from, we bow to no one, not even to those who are in charge of the country. We beholden to no one." I already looked for escape routes as we walked in case these two were dictators and threatened my life. The white one chuckles. "oh, interesting, you will have to tell us more about your home world later. honestly, we wish Twilight and her friends would stop bowing so much; they might hurt their backs. It's kind of a bad habit of theirs. I told them last time we met that they didn't have to bow to us, including in private, but I guess old habits die hard, huh?" they giggle behind a wing. I look over at the girls who have embarrassed or sheepish looks. I wondered if she was putting on an act, but she was a lot harder to read than the smaller ponies' expressions.

"you probably already know my name, Twilight I noticed seems to like to be very informative. I'm sure she's already shown you those drawings she did of me this morning while I was almost bare." I joked at Twilight's expense, who, out of the corner of my eye, was embarrassed. Both alicorns giggled at this. "Yes, there is quite a lot of information that Twilight has provided on thee. We felt as if studying for an exam." the blue one said; her voice sounded very familiar to me. "Oh, I'm so sorry. We know you, but we haven't properly introduced ourselves. My name is Celestia, and this is my sister, Luna. We would like to officially welcome you to equestria." her face takes on a more sorrowful look quickly. "we are sorry for what has happen to you...twilight told us of your...struggles." I rub the back of my neck as Celestia says that I should have known Twilight would tell them. I was hoping she would only explain my injuries. "So guess you know what I did then?" I say I'd be living if I didn't feel nervous including now that im not sure if these two are actually dictators or just really good at hiding it. "We understand that thou is nervous, but we are not going to throw you in a dungeon. It's not something that happens now in these times but back then your actions would of been sung and praised to slaying such a vicious beast." Luna says though her way of speaking was very old-fashioned. Celestia though gives me a firm look "do you plan to hurt my little ponies? Or as far as take a life?"

The question came out of left field not expecting it. Including how light-hearted things started off as I give a firm look back. "no, I don't plan to hurt or kill anyone. Still, if they threaten my life or try to take it, I will show just as much cruelty. I plan to get home alive even if I'm not the same. I would hope that it's not only the lives of your ponies that question applies to." I was determined to get home. If this alicorn has some preference for her ponies over others, then I already know it was a bad idea to come here. Celestia gives me a deep look as I give one back the girls probably holding their breaths. But then Celestia burst out laughing which kinda threw me off a bit, giving a confused look at her. "Oh my, haha you are very different then my little ponies or most of the diplomats that I have to see on a daily basis. You are quite determined one I can see that you have a good heart, though your words and exterior give off a different story." She laughed a bit more. Luna was also chuckling a bit before both controlled themselves. "that was quite refreshing you know I have never had any creature look back at me with such a determination when I have given them that look most fold like a colt who got caught with their hoof in the cookie jar. it's nice to be seen and talked to, not as a ruler but as nothing more than just another pony.

I want to say I appreciate more than you think." I was trying to rationalize what she said there for a second. "wait, hold on..what?" Luna laughs behind a silver-slippered forehoof. "Oh my Tia, I think thou may have confused our guest." I was now getting a bit embarrassed. This whole thought of these two being dictators was starting to dissolve. "Heh yeah I uh guess that's pretty reasonable including when your ponies think you both can move the sun and moon guess getting put on that high of a pedestal makes it hard to brake those delusions huh?" I laughed, but they didn't laugh with me. I notice that they both float a tea cup over and take a sip, a sly grin on their muzzles. "But we can, though sometimes we wish we could step away from such responsibilities." Celestia sips her tea. I blink now, even more confused. "I'm sorry, but that's a joke, right? you can't move something that massive; that's just not scientifically possible. I don't care if magic is real here. That's just too ridiculous." Twilight was now quickly at my side. " ahhaha! That's a joke. He's joking, of course!" She leans in, whispering to me. "what are you doing?! You can't say that the literal princesses of the sun and moon are not scientifically possible; are you crazy?!" She was rather close and uncomfortable, so she looked like she was about to have a panic attack.

"Why don't we show thou an example then?" Luna suggested, about as smug-looking as Celestia. "that is a great idea lulu. Why don't we go to the balcony and show him." I saw they were thinking maybe I was gullible they will just make it look like they did I bet with a little light show. "You know what that sounds like a great idea let's see this in action." I say, the girls getting anxious it looked, but right now, I want to see these two try their parlor trick. Celestia got up with her sister "splendid you know this is a rare occasion to see only during the summer sun celebration do ponies get to see us raise and lower the sun and moon." She gave me a wink as she passes by me and I was now determined to call them on their bullshit don't care if I might go to jail I don't think they kill me over it now. We go upstairs the girls following closely behind Twilight; giving me a look, I could feel it boring a hole through the back of my head.

Once we are on the balcony, the two alicorn get into a majestic pose. "are you ready sister?" She says to her with a smirk. "Yes, lulu let's begin let's show our guest a sight to see." After that, I watch as both their horns glow, the sun slowly lowers, and the moon rises as day becomes night. I failed impressment. "wow, that's amazing. Hard to believe such a power to move celestial bodies exists." I say, but they may have noticed my lack of belief. "Oh, Tia I think we may of been off with the position of the moon we should try again." I look, wondering what she's trying to do it's at this point rather fruitless to do anything. What is she gonna do, move the moon a inch more in the sky? "Your right lulu we should try again so sorry this usually doesn't happen." I grin. "no no go ahead. It's not a bother at all. Not every day, get to see a sunset twice." I may of said in a condescending way, but she smiled. "you are quite right." Celestia and Luna started doing their magic again, but I completely froze. when i See the sun come back up over the horizon, I watch in disbelief "now now don't stare at the sun it could hurt what little vision you have left." giving me a shit-eating grin. The sun lowers, and the moon comes back but shifts out of its place to the right, and I notice the stars change shape and, like a painting, make beautiful patterns in the night sky. My jaw was hanging open before Pinkie slowly closed it for me and pats my cheek I honestly wasn't able to focus on the personal space violation because my mind was racing at what I saw "h-how wait that...you can't hold...I...what! How that...that completely defies the laws of gravity and physics!" I say I think I'm about to have a panic attack. I hear Rainbow laugh behind me "pfft I think he's about to have a twilight moment." I turn and point a finger at Rainbow. "you be quiet!" I turn to the alicorns. "you two explain?!" Celestia gives a fake surprised look. "oh my well we could do it again if you li-" I cut her off. "No no I can only handle so much in one day!" I try to breathe. "oooh, what the fuck ugh my head hurts." if I needed any more proof, I wasn't in the same universe. There it was.. I take another breath trying not to let myself faint. "I think I need to sit down." I say as I go back downstairs. I get to the couch and sit. I grab the teacup that was sitting there for me but now Luke warm I drink it in one go Wishing it was whiskey or something strong something I need right now is to get fucked up. They all came back downstairs and took their seats the girls on some pillows on the floor.

" we hope we didn't scare you we only wanted to play a jest on thee to see thous reaction." Though it did scare the shit out of me a bit, not like I could really get mad over it its how their world works. Though now I know I'm pretty much talking to two living gods in a technical sense. "Ugh, it's fine. I just wish something here was at least somewhat normal what next? going to say the weather needs to be controlled too?." I hear Rainbow Dash pipe up with a raised hoof. "Uh, actual-" Suddenly, there's a zipper over their mouth. I was not expecting that, but I looked to see Twilight giving Rainbow Dash what I call a wide-eyed, shut-up face. Celestia gives a cough into her hoof. "But anyway, um, I'd like to talk to you about a specific matter. Twilight has told me in her letters that you come from another world. I know everything is a shock to you with how our world works, but please try to keep an open mind. It may help lessen the blow to your sanity. Now I have a group of talented ponies working on the way to help send you back home to your loved ones, but I'm not sure how long or even if we can..." She says that last part as if there was personal pain behind not just hers but Luna's eyes too. "But if any pony can find out if there's a way it be Twilight, she's the most talented student I have ever had." Twilight I look over who gets a bit of pink on her cheeks. "t-thank you prince- I mean Celestia, heh." She says sheepish. these ponies have their cute moments.

"Another thing I wanted to ask about is that your absolutely sure you want to stay in the everfree? I know my little ponies can be.. skittish and...suspicious of those they don't understand, including with a unique creature such as yourself, but please forgive them. They don't usually see many different species this close to equestrias capital." She says, picking her words carefully in describing them, but I already got an idea when I went through town, so it's no news to me. "I'll keep that in mind and yes I think it's best I stay in the everfree till the town's pea-ponies get used to me." I was very sure that some bad rumors will crop up soon I rather not be in town in case one of them starts throwing stones. herd mentalities can be dangerous when one believes it the rest soon follow. "it has been quite the experience to meet you isaiah, but we must tend to our nightly duties." Luna says, and Celestia follows up. "yes, it has been nice to know you won't hurt my little ponies. I leave you in twilights, and her friends care. hopefully, you can tell us more about your world and yourself next time we meet." I shake the two outstretched hooves of both the alicorn mares, and at the same time, I feel a strange numbing tingling go through my hands. their manes stop flowing. I feel a burning sensation in my head, and I see a flash of images and voices. It's them but they are being released from these huge thorny black vines next to a crystal tree, and bright light emits from it. It ends suddenly when I feel a sharp pain to my head. I blinked my vision clearing. I was looking up at the ceiling now. "what...I...what happen?..." I was dazed. I sat up and looked to see the two princesses looking worried, and so did the girls. I felt a trickle of something wet land on the back of my hand and looked down to see blood I reached to my face and felt more wetness.

Pulling my hand away there was more blood on my fingers. my nose is bleeding. I was still a bit in a daze, trying to figure out what I saw. Twilight had to shake me to get my attention. "a-are you ok y-you scared us.. as soon as you took the princess hooves in a hoof shake, I noticed that their magic was being drained, and your eyes rolled back. It was horrifying...the way you twitched and started saying something in a language we didn't know. I had to push you away from them with my magic." She described the whole thing to me, but I felt like I was still in a daze. "I uhh...i thought you said magic doesn't work on me?" Fluttershy gives me some tissues and helps me clean my bloody nose and blood on my hands. I didnt dare wipe the blood on my shirt or pants i can feel the tension comeing off Rarity.

"W-well, It didn't before you met the princesses... oh I'm so sorry I should of looked more into how your body reacts to magic before setting up this meeting." Twilight was in a panic, but the two princesses were calm as if it wasn't an inconvenience to them. "Twilight, please do not blame thyself everypony is fine as for you, Isaiah we hope you are not injured." I was still stuck on what I saw, but I tried to forget it for now. "N-no im fine just didn't expect a simple han-hoof shake would do that to me." I stuff the cotton balls into my nose that Fluttershy gave me to stop my bleeding. "I'm sorry we should have taken more precautions and looked into you more. Twilight did mention your resistance to magic. alicorns have much larger magical cores than most species on Equus." She explains I'm only half listening but then looks to her. "I uh don't know what most that is, but right now, I think we should avoid physical contact until what's going on with me is figured out." I say a bit unsettled by this magic shit affecting me now. "Thou is right. Best we get back to Canterlot, and Twilight should come with us we have to get ready for the summer sun celebration." Luna says I notice their manes start to slowly flow again. Celestia takes Twilight under her wing, seeing a bit of sadness in Twilight's eyes. "Do not worry Twilight. All of your friends will be in Canterlot in the morning to help with a few preparations. I would hope you as well isaiah?" I wasn't sure I wanted to go all the way to Canterlot; besides, something in my gut said I needed to stay here in the everfree. "I'd rather not go to the capital when I'm not even sure I wanna be in a village of ponies. Doesn't sound like a good idea to me." I didn't want to leave the comfort of the everfree.

"That is a shame, but I understand you will need someplace to stay till morning. It would be best if you didn't lose your other eye." she chuckles. I grin didn't think this monarch could make morbid jokes. "Yeah, not sure want to go through that again, so I guess I'll need to stay with one of you." Pinkie jumps up and down rapidly. "oo oo oo me me me! Stay at sugercube corner! It will be like an awesome sleepover. We play games, and you can tell me all your favorite things. -gasp- we can tell ghost stories ooooooo!" she says, flickering a flashlight under her for effect." Um, Pinkie, where did you get that flashlight?" I ask, very perplexed I didn't even see her get it. "oh well i stash flashlights all over for spooky occasions and normal occasions!" I was trying very hard not to think about it. "right, how could I forget? uh look Pinkie don't think your landowners would approve of me. besides was thinking more outside Ponyville so ya know ponies don't have to feel like they have to hide." I state blatantly that I know they weren't blind to why none of the townsfolk were out. "O-Oh I uh guess you're right, but don't worry as soon as everypony gets used to you we can have a super awesomerific sleepover!" She was bummed at the first bit of that but quickly switched gears back into a bubbly mood. Applejack steps up. "why don't ya stay with me and my kin least ah can do, includin since I still owe ya for savin Apple Bloom." I thought about it for a second, seem reasonable and I know what the feeling of being indebted to someone was like. I usually want to pay that debt as quickly as possible, and if she is anything like me might help get a load off her barrel. "Sure sounds fine by me your farm might feel a little more homely anyway." I notice Applejack ears perk up a bit.

"Were ya a farmer back on your world?" She asked with genuine curiosity; the princesses and Twilight and others all looking to me with interest, i guess, towards new info about me. "well, sometimes. my uncle Donald owned a farm and I'd help him out with it during the summer with my job on top to get extra money wouldn't say it was my career, but I say I'm a bit of a jack of all trades." I learned a lot of different things since I was a teenager from my dad and family from basic repairs to plumbing, even some of my side hobbies for which I had a lot. There was metal detecting, drawing, and some blacksmithing, which I learned from my Uncle Donald and my bushcraft survival skills. I learned a lot of different things but never truly mastered any of them. "Well now, if ya really got experience with so many different things ah'd say ya won't have hard time finding some honest work heck if ya need some bits ya can help out on the farm there's always somethin needing fixin." I smile to her offer Applejack seemed far more honest then most I met guess she really deserves that element thing or whatever."ya know I think I'd like that thank you. Though think going to need me some proper working attire don't think wanna wear this while working." Rarity makes her opinion quickly know "oh you will certainly not mister I'll have something more day to day and that's more resilient for you tomorrow I'll drop it off at applejacks when we all come to meet up before we all take a train to canterlot." applejack ears perk with a look of realization "oh that's right will a be ok ta get back to the everfree on your own?"

I could see applejacks and the girls concern written on their face. "I can handle myself. Timberwolves aren't as bad as a manticore." they give me a nod trusting ill be able to handle any trouble I run into now that I'm back to being my healthy self, well with a shit ton of scares but at least not dead. "Well sugercube we best get goin ah like ta get up pretty early. See yall tomorrow in canterlot." She says to the princesses and Twilight. We all leave the building, the guards still eyeing me as they strap up to the chariot. I wave goodbye to all of them as we all go our separate ways, watching the princesses and Twilight take the chariot into the air. "I'm not sure I'm going to get used to seeing ponies pulling ponies on a chariot. Kinda ironic." Fluttershy giggles at that as she trots down the road since her home is in the same direction. Rainbow, though, zoomed off ahead, talking about catching up on all the naps she missed out on all day.

"How else would ponies get other ponies to places?" I was about to say cars, but stop remembering that they don't quite have the technology that my world does. "Huh ok point taken." Soon fluttershy waves goodbye telling me to take care of myself and visit anytime. It was now just me and Applejack. As we walked, we chit-chatted about this and that, just small talk, till we got to her orchard of apple trees. I had never seen apples this big and red. Soon, the farm comes into view, and I see a large red pony on the porch. He was pretty bigger than most of the ponies I've seen, not quite my size like the princesses, but definitely could hurt if I get bucked by him. Applejack shouts out to him as she trots ahead of me. "Big Mac, I'm home tell granny to set up another spot at the table!" she shouted. When he looked in our direction, I saw panic grow on his face before it switched to anger with a snort; he was already charging at me. "Look out, Applejack behind ya!" He yells in a deep voice I couldn't react as he spins in front of me on his front legs and bucks me in the chest I flinch but was shocked when the huge guy was shakeing like he hit metal before falling on his face. "That...wasn't expected thought I'd be going flying is your brother sick or something?" I ask now just confused. "Big Mac what in tarnation do ya think yer doing?! this is isaiah the human fella I told yall about the one who saved Apple Bloom might I remind ya!" She said, looking bit pissed at her brother. Big Mac gets up, shaking his head a bit to get his eyes to stop spinning. "S-sorry applejack" he says shortly before getting fully up. Applejack looks at me past her brother.

"ya alright sugercube? Getting full on buck from Mac here is somethin even fella yer size would cringe in pain from." She asked as she looks me over i pat myself down. Don't even think I got a bruise it didn't even hurt actually. "Strangely...that didn't hurt at all." They both look at each other and then back to me. "that is mighty odd. Might need ta have Twilight figure ya out. first magic don't affect ya now it does then ya can take a hit from big Mac here like it were nothin don't sound normal ta me." Applejack states with big mac following it with an. "eeyup" I rub my temple. "yeah, nothing about me has been normal since I got here." I said with slight annoyance that I got no clue what the fuck is happening to me and I'll probably have to wait a day or two till Twilight could have a look or plain experiment on me. Applejack chuckles. " sugarcube, nothing around here in Ponyville usually is so just keep that in mind." She trots towards the farmhouse and I follow both of them inside. She hollers out to the rest of the family
"Granny Smith! apple bloom! We got some company let's get a spot set up at the table for our guest!" We go further into the house luckly this house was just big enough for me to fit a bit comfortablely. I see a green old mare with gray mane and tail was at the stove and that same filly I saved in the forest was setting the table she drops the spoons she had in her mouth at the sight of me. I could see a bit of fear in her eyes but that quickly changed to that of surprise then... joy?. "Is that you mister?! What happen to yer face?!" She blurts out. Applejack glares at her. "apple bloom that's rude ya don't just say that!" Apple Bloom looks at my face then back at her sister and points a hoof at me. "I mean somethin must of happen his face wasn't like that last I saw him." she says tilting her head not seeing why pointing out my ugly mug is rude she then gasps as a realization comes to her ears, folding down. "Oh no!...d-did the timberwolves do that ta ya..." she says guilt displayed in her face.

i chuckle and kneel down to not be towering over them. "No no those were very easy to handle i got these scares from a manticore. Another good reason not to be out in the everfree." I explained her eyes were wide with wonder. "Wow mister, you fought a manticore I gotta tell my friends at school tomorrow that ya came ta visit!" She was jumping around giddy but Granny Smith finally turned to us. She squinted at me. "so yer the one who saved our apple bloom well sonny imma make ya an apple family feast ya won't be goin hungry for a week!" She declares in elderly vigor. I take a seat at the table. Though the chair was small it supported my weight well enough. The one that was helping granny Smith cook was Big Mac. Applejack and Apple Bloom sat across from me. Apple Bloom looks at me and still has a big grin on her face. "this is so excitin. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle will be so jealous." She giggles to herself before she then looks at me with appreciation. "and thank ya for savin me and my friends we uh...should of listen and not go inta the everfree by ourselves.." ears drooping, I guess realization of what could happen must have been playing in her head over and over guess it's true some need to learn the hard way. "It's no problem I'm just glad you three were able to get out safe." She beams an adorable smile. I never really enjoyed being around kids but she seems alright, not a snot-nosed brat like most are. Applejack looks to me with a kind smile. "partner I hope ya like granny's cookin because she wasn't joking about the feast ya getting she's been prepping for days ah was gonna invite ya over ta the farm but seems everything worked out."

I look past Applejack and see Granny Smith cooking up a storm. Big Mac is barely able to keep up she might be old but she sure as hell got the energy. "Yeah not sure my guts big enough for all that even as leftovers." I lean back a bit in the chair it creeks a bit from my weight but holds whoever made this chair made sure it would last it seems. "So do you all really take care this whole orchard by yourselves?" I Ask wanting to clarify. its hard to belive that this many trees taken care of only mainly two ponies even if Big Mac looks strong. "Ya darn tootin we do! It's family that keeps this orchard here goin though there was a harvest when big Mac broke his leg and left with just me doin the apple bucking that season. I may of been a bit too stubborn and took on more than I could handle. When Big Mac said I couldn't do the whole orchard on my own, I admit my pride got the best of me and caused problems for folks of Ponyville, but I learned that friends help each other, including in times of need. Ya shouldn't deny the help they offer." She seemed quite happy to share this most people wouldn't see the important lesson in this and would probably focus more on their hurt pride. "Heh so guess ya had to learn the hard way that a job like that isn't just for one pers-pony. Sometimes, it's hard to swallow one's pride and admit they need help. Now just one thing what did you mean by caused problems for the town? Not enough apples to sell?" I asked that last part curious how her not accepting help caused others problems maybe for her and the family but the whole town?

Apple Bloom then starts to giggle a bit. "Sis wasn't just hooffling the orchard. She was also helping her friends around town she may of given everypony food poisoning when she made muffins with pinkie pie and caused a stampede of baby bunnies to go wild in town and eat up all the vegetables when she was helping Fluttershy. Then there was that stunt Rainbow Dash was tryin ta do but sis catapulted her across Ponyville right into Twilight's window on her balcony. Also-" she was cut off by Applejack saying her name loudly with a bit of embarrassment her cheeks pink. "Apple Bloom! Ah, think he gets it!" Apple Bloom gives a chuckle and apologetic smile. "H-heh whoops sorry sis." She smiles sheepishly, making a squee noise. I wasn't sure how they did. so many things to ask about later, but at the moment I just laughed a bit at the absurdity of all those things going wrong. "Hahaha embarrassed not laughing at you but kinda funny how not accepting help prevented you from also helping your friends kinda ironic." Applejack started to laugh a bit herself "heh heh yeah guess that's true." Soon after she said that Granny Smith and Big Mac brought a large amount of food to the table on trays laying them on the table it was mainly apple dishes about anything that could be made with apples was laid out on the dining room table. "Alright sonny dig in while it's still hot!" The old mare says before taking a seat in her cushioned chair. I wasn't sure what to even start with the apple pie? the apple fritters? Apple cobbler jeez they really like their apples here there was a dish that wasn't apples at least. it was a salad. Having something that isn't apple related might have been made specifically for me since I saw them mainly take food that had apples in it. I take the salad, and a plate of the various foods granny slaved over the stove for it be rude not to try at least a bit of everything. Before I start to eat, I look to Granny Smith and Big Mac.

"thank you two for the food this is honestly the first meal I've had that I didn't have to catch myself or forage for." Granny nods to me as she watches me take my first bit. "well thank ya youngin I always say food taste better with company, ifen it be friends or family." big Mac chimed in with. "eeyup" I grinned after swallowing my food with a gulp of apple juice. "Wise words from a wise mare." Granny Smith chuckles and we all continue to eat and chat.

Applejack then asks me a question. "so I been meanin ta ask ya about what ya said back at zecora's about yer world and the whole uh...mutually assured destruction. What's that about ya kinda skipped it when ya talked about how ya ended up here." I really didn't want to explain what nukes are to a farm pony. Besides, it is probably not best thing to talk about with a child present. "That's something I think be best to talk about later it's not really easy to explain and it's very involved with history in my world." Apple Bloom looks at Applejack and me confused. "what ya mean by world sis?? Doesnt isaiah live in the everfree?" She asked I could see the curiosity behind her large eyes and interest in Big Macs and granny smith's so I go into explaining to the family how I ended up in this world and the week I had though I did leave out the part about killing the manticore and just left it as I got away leaving out the gory details of my injuries as well with Apple Bloom being present pretty sure Applejack might kick my ass if I gave her little sister nightmares. The night with the apple family was warm and inviting I had thought maybe her family be scared of me. thankfully they were the opposite even if the first interaction with Big Mac wasn't the best it's good I didn't get my chest caved in.

With all our bellies full and it being late, the Apple family turned in for the night they lead me to the couch, and Applejack apologized to me about not having the guest room cleaned and the bed set up since me staying over was last minute. I looked at the couch; it was short for me but it would work. "Don't worry about it Applejack. Besides, it's better then a moss bed I'm sure." I say, trying to alienate her guilt with humor, which seems to work since she gave a light chuckle. "heh yeah, guess a couch I'd an upgrade ya sleep tight sugercube I'll probably be gone by the mornin since gotta catch the first train ta Canterlot to meet up with Twilight ready for the summer sun celebration. Ya sure ya don't want ta come ta Canterlot with us? It's mighty pretty place ta see includin when ya see it for first time it's breath taken ill admit, even though I prefer the coziness of Ponyville." she's trying to convince me to go, probably trying to get me to interact with more ponies but my gut tells me that it just be a bad idea. "No, as much as I'm sure it is, I rather stay in the everfree for now thank you." I see her ears fold down. "if ya say so just...be careful alright, I honestly don't want ta see ya like ya were last night." I can see her fur standing at her neck before she shakes her head. "A-anyway ya have a goodnight sugercube see ya tomorrow afternoon if ya decide ta stay for another night." she says before going up the stares and I'm left on looking up at the ceiling I try to sleep as I fiddle with my necklace arrowhead in my hand. "Under a roof that isn't my home and stars overhead that roof also aren't the stars I know. I'm not in Georgia anymore, am I Winona?" I say to the tired dog next to the couch. She was cautious of me at first during dinner but warmed up to me quickly. She reminded me a bit of my dog when i was younger. She always got friendly quickly with people. i pet her softly. She yawns already going to sleep and soon I do too.

Author's Note

Hello I hope everyone who's been reading so far has been enjoying the story I'm sorry my chapters are slow I have my bf visiting and my collage classes comeing up soon but I been writing a lot already have chaper 5 finished just need to edit it and working on chaper 6 currently so again if yall have any suggestions or advice I'm always open for it hope yall enjoy this chapter. ^0^