What if....

It was dusk in Ponyville, the light of Celestia’s sun fading fast. Some ponies were preparing supper for their families, while others preferring to go out to eat. Overall it was a time to wind down, especially when the day was ending, however, it seemed that one certain pony’s day was just beginning.

Twilight Sparkle had emerged out of her library home thirty minutes early. She took in a deep breath and exhaled. She had finished her review and wanted to get an early start on her plan. She turned around and pulled out the list, a check board and pencil out of her saddle bag.

“Alright, review about invisibility before nightfall. Check, and with extra time too! Next thing on the list is to visit Zecora and ask her for some of those shoes.” Twilight looked up in the direction of the Everfree Forest. “Well looks like I better start walking over to… the Everfree Forest.” She said in fear. Twilight shook her head. “Come on Twilight, your more prepared for this… I’ll be fine.” She began to trot in the direction of the forest.

She arrived in front of one of the entrances to the forest. This entrance happened to be in front of a certain location that had major prominence in her plan.

“Fluttershy’s cottage.” Twilight said as she gazed in the direction of the cottage. “The last destination in my plan. I could just go in there without those shoes, but they would probably hear my hoofsteps. “Twilight felt the curiosity biting at her, but she knew she had to wait. She took once quick glance at the sky and noticed the sun had disappeared over the horizon. “Well, looks like I better get ready for this... journey.” Twilight opened her saddlebags and pulled out an item with her magic.

“One way mirror goggles! These will certainly protect me from any cockatrices that decide to give me trouble.” Twilight strapped the goggles on and looked around in them to test them.

“A bit dark… but nothing a little bit of light can’t fix.” Twilight’s horn lit up, slowly illuminating the area around her.  She then proceeded into the forest.

Twilight walked slowly through the forest, listening carefully for anything out of the ordinary, but she already knew that the forest itself was out of the ordinary. She decided that humming a small tune would help pass time. She stopped, however, when she heard something that gave her a scare.

I hear hoofsteps… somepony is following me. She picked up her pace, scared of what was following her, until she heard something else.

“Twilight!”

Twilight stopped, looking in the direction of whoever called her. She was relieved, though when she saw a light and a familiar face walk up to her.

“Zecora!” Twilight smiled and gave a hug to her zebra friend.

“Twilight, my dear. What has you running in such fear?”

“Oh, nothing, it..it’s just that I’m kinda scared of the forest. You never know what can try and make me its next meal.” Twilight replied.  She looked at Zecora, who was clad in her cloak and had a lantern next to her.

“Do not worry Twilight, I understand. This is an eerie and dangerous land.” Zecora picked up her lantern and motioned with her head for Twilight to follow her. Twilight followed, knowing she was in the safety of her forest dwelling friend.

They arrived at Zecora’s home in a short time. Twilight walked up to fire, embracing its warmth. She heard Zecora walk up next to her.

“Twilight, why do you walk in the forest at night? I could see it clearly gave you a fright.” Zecora took off her cloak and slung it over her back.

“I actually came here to see you as I needed to ask you a question, more of a favor.” Zecora’s ears perked up and she nodded for Twilight to continue. “I needed to ask if you had anymore of those shoes that would make my hoofsteps more silent.”

Zecora nodded and answered back. “Yes I do have these shoes in my possession, but may I ask you a different question?”

Twilight smiled and nodded. “Sure, ask away.”

Zecora cleared her throat, and then gave Twilight a suspicious look. “Why?”

“Oh, I was um, working on a project, and I needed to… watch some wild animals from a distance without them knowing.” Twilight lied.

Zecora still gave Twilight a disbelieving look, and then turned around and walked over to a closet. She placed her cloak in it and took out two pairs of the shoes. She walked over to Twilight, who took them with her magic and placed them in her saddlebags.

“Though your intentions I am most unsure, I still give these shoes so you will be most secure.”

Twilight smiled once more and gave Zecora one more hug. “Thank you Zecora, I knew you would have some!”

Zecora smiled, “It is no problem Twilight Sparkle.” She broke the hug, and then glanced out the window.

“Twilight Sparkle, is it safe for you to walk here at night? I do not mind walking you home, for I have a lantern that burns bright.” Zecora motioned towards the lantern, which sat at the entrance of the house.

Twilight shook her head, “it’s alright Zecora, I have a light too. Besides, you already gave me the shoes. I don’t want to impose.” Twilight said as she walked towards the door. Zecora, however, had already another thing in mind. She walked over to her counter and pulled out a vial. She eyed it, then took it in hoof and walked over to Twilight. “Here Twilight, take this. It will keep the animals away, and, it tastes like pure bliss.” Twilight took the vial and eyed it skeptically. It was a blood red color, but if Zecora said it was fine, then she was pretty sure it wouldn’t harm her. Twilight popped the cap and took a big swig of the red liquid. As the cold red drink went into her mouth and down her throat she sighed in content; the drink was as Zecora said very delicious. Twilight took the last drink and gave the vial back to Zecora. “Wow Zecora that was delicious, thank you.”

Zecora smiled “You are welcome Twilight Sparkle.” Almost immediately her smile turned into a frown, “but Twilight Sparkle, heed these words I do say, do not drink this drink too much, for I had to learn this the hard way.”

Twilight nodded, “I understand Zecora.” She opened the door and lit up her horn. “Oh, and thanks for everything!”

“You are very welcome!” Twilight left Zecora’s home, although without a companion to walk with. She began her walk to Ponyville, though this time with a bit more confidence instilled in her by her friend’s special drink.

After Twilight had departed Zecora left the door and walked up to the fire.

“My dear Twilight, why do you lie to me. Your friends told me of your birthday party, so your true intentions are something I can clearly see.”

For a few minutes Twilight listened to the ambience of the forest, various crickets, frogs, and wind to top it off. It seemed to calm Twilight, but when the animals stopped Twilight began to worry. She continued to walk, hoping it was nothing, but her hopes were crushed.

Craack!

Twilight immediately stopped, her heart pounding in her chest.

I hope that was just a falling branch. Twilight turned around and lifted up her goggles. It appeared that nothing was there, but then again it was very dark, with only Luna’s moon and the stars for an alternative light source.

I have an idea, but I’m kinda scared of what I’ll see. Twilight thought. She placed a hoof on her forehead for a minute, and then decided to follow through with her idea.

“Well, here goes nothing…” Twilight felt anxiety pit in her stomach as her horn began to slowly light up more of the surrounding area. At first nothing came up, but as more land was exposed, the broken branch appeared… along with something else. Twilight watched as a figure stood in her light, seemingly staring at her. It was cloaked, but Twilight could tell it was facing her. It stood at least 30 feet away from her, and it was just standing there. Twilight wanted to leave, feeling fear that this creature was some kind of predator. She moved one hoof back, keeping her eyes on the creature, but it was the wrong move. It began to approach her, slowly but surely. She stood still, frozen in fear as the creature finally arrived right in front of her.  It stood at least five feet tall, and it bent down to stand face to face with Twilight. Twilight couldn’t see its face, as it was cloaked, but she could hear its breathing. She also quickly noted that when she smelled her senses were filled with an absolute horrid smell. It stood there, striking fear in Twilight’s heart. It felt like ages, but finally she heard it inhaling loudly. She heard it stop breathing, and it finally said something in a gruff male voice.

“Boo!”

That sent Twilight over edge. She turned and ran for it. She watched the path ahead of her, not paying attention to laughing coming from behind her. She turned a fork in the path without thought. She also didn’t pay attention to the sudden disappearance of trees in front of her. Twilight ran, no longer paying attention to the road in front of her. The consequences of not paying attention soon caught up to her, however. After running for a few seconds she no longer felt ground under her hooves. Twilight felt air rushing around her and she let a shrill scream. Twilight felt after seconds the slap of tree branches and leaves that lessened her fall. That didn’t stop the inevitable, however, and soon she met the ground. She felt pain encapsulate her body and she wanted to yell, but she was unable to because of the feeling of darkness also coming over her. Twilight blacked out.

“Huh, where am I?” Twilight Sparkle awoke with a slight headache. She leaned up and put a hoof on her head. A light seemed to be coming from something in front of her, but something was blocking the light. Memories came back to Twilight’s head as she recognized the shape of the figure. Memories filled with one prominent emotion… fear.

“Welcome Twilight...”

“AHHH! Somepony help me, I’ve been kidnapped by some random creep!” Twilight got up despite the soreness on her body and jumped. She was unprepared, though, when she got entangled in a bunch of bed sheets and fell onto the floor. She began to panic and scrambled to get out of the sheets. Twilight kept scrambling for a few seconds, but a touch on her back stopped her for a minute. She turned around and saw a cloaked… face, looking at her. Twilight again felt panic envelope her, and the urge to yell built up inside her. She let loose only 10 seconds after she stopped struggling.

“AHH! I have to get out of here!” Twilight began struggling once more.

“Twilight…”

“Please, somepony help me!”

“Twilight.”

“Can anypony even hear me!?”

“Twilight Sparkle!!!”

Twilight stopped struggling and turned to face her captor. She stared at his face, or where she thought it was, and gave him an annoyed look.

“You! Where and why have you taken me!?”

“I have taken you to my home because I would never leave anypony to die out in the Everfree Forest!” Twilight’s captor answered in a raised voice. Twilight gave her captor a skeptical look, and then asked another question.

“Die in the Everfree Forest… from what?”

He shook his head and placed a… hand, on his cloaked forehead. “You fell Twilight, from a very high cliff. I watched the whole thing happen myself, from the bottom.”

Twilight senses were invaded by the memory of the fall, the feeling of no ground underneath her hooves, of cold air rushing around her, and the ghost of pain when she hit the trees and finally the ground. Twilight’s recollection of the fall came with a consequence though. She was hit by a sudden wave of stinging pain and she fell on the ground with a shout. Twilight’s captor noticed her pain and walked over to a dark area of the room. He returned with a syringe in one hand and a small bottle in the other. He drew a clear liquid from the bottle and leaned down to Twilight. He grabbed Twilight’s forearm and administered the shot. Twilight felt a small numbness over her body, then the pain went away. She stood up with a struggle and faced her captor. She blushed, though, because she realized that this stranger had helped her and she never thanked him back.

“Thank you, sir.”

The stranger shook it off with a wave of his hand. “It’s no problem Twilight. Anypony would have done it.”

Twilight shook her head. “I know, but I gave you lots of trouble, and you still helped me. Not many would have helped me with the trouble I was giving you. So once again, thanks.”

A small silence overcame the room they were sitting in, but the helpful stranger broke it.

“Oh, I almost forgot. I never finished the pleasantries. Ehem, welcome Twilight Sparkle, to my humble abode. I am Charles, but my friends call me Charlie… if I had any.” He sniffled. Twilight noticed his mood was beginning to dampen and limped over to him.

“Hey, it’s alright Charlie. I’ll be your friend, but first, can you answer some of my questions.” Charlie nodded, so Twilight continued.

“Alright, first off, what are you?”

Charlie sniffled once more, and then continued. “Oh, I’m sorry, I never told you. Hold on.” He began to take off his hood, revealing his face. Twilight noticed in the dim lighting that he had no coat; he was bare skin on his face, save for his eyebrows. She also noticed that his eyes were noticeably smaller than a pony’s. His eyes were a striking set of blue, and his skin was pale white. He continued after Twilight’s quick examination.

“I am a species of bipedal creatures named humans. A species that was wiped out long ago.”

Twilight’s curiosity peaked from his revelation, and a new flurry of questions entered her mind.

“Wait, wiped out, from what? What caused the extinction? And how long ago was ‘long ago’?”

Charlie held up a hand to stop Twilight, and then continued.

“All that I will tell you later, now what was the next question?”

“But…”

“Don’t worry Twilight, I will tell you later.”

Twilight let out a sigh of resignation, then asked her next question.

“Alright, last question. Why did you scare me?”

Charlie let out a sigh. “I didn’t.”

Twilight raised her eyebrows. “Wait, what do you mean you didn’t? If you didn’t then who did?”

“Well let’s just say I did, but I didn’t.” Charlie walked over to the light, which turned out to be a large lantern, Twilight following suite. “Years ago, I was scavenging for food. Now, keep in mind that back then, I wasn’t very nice. I used to steal food and other items and I was angered very easily, my actions even reminded me of his actions. But, anyways, I was scavenging for food in the forest when I heard a loud boom. A large array of colors filled the sky and I was pushed back.”

“Wait,” Twilight interrupted. “That sounds a lot like Rainbow’s Sonic Rainboom. Tell me, did the rainbow spread out in the shape of a circle?”

Charlie put a hand on his chin. “Yeah, now that you mention it, it did look like a circle.”

Twilight let out a small laugh of success. “Well, now I know that the Sonic Rainboom affected someone else. Maybe it affected others too!” Twilight glanced back up at Charlie, who was looking at her expectantly.

“Alright, continue on.” She said

“Where was I… oh yeah. I landed at least a few feet from where I was originally, but something felt different. I felt different inside. I felt happier, but at the same time I felt lonelier. Something behind me caught my attention, though. I noticed a shadow moving, but the shadow had the figure of a human. It turned around, but when I saw its face I was shocked. It was me, I was looking at myself. It ran into the bushes, but I saw it again later. I returned here, and went to sleep. I woke up a few hours later and noticed that he was sitting on a chair with a load of food and drinks next to him. I immediately knew that he stole it, but I never returned it because I was too scared to do so. I don’t think that the ponies would be very fond of me.” Twilight nodded.

“Yeah, maybe it would take a while to integrate you into society. You kinda scared me, in fact… no offense.”

Charlie let out a small chuckle. “None taken, but anyways. He would steal food every week and spy on the ponies, but he never left the Everfree Forest or Ponyville.”

“Wait, did you say he steal’s food.” Twilight once again interrupted.

Charlie nodded “Yeah, he does steal food from the nearby town. He just recently stole a bunch of baked goods from the town, but he said it wasn’t very clean of him though.”

“So he stole the food from the Cakes! I’m sorry Charlie, but we’re going to have to turn him in.”

Charlie smirked, “Good luck doing that, he isn’t exactly very easy to catch. He’s like a shadow, and catching shadows isn’t easy.”

“Oh don’t worry, I can catch him. But when I do, you’re going to have to go with me.”

“Are you sure, I mean the ponies won’t accept me,” Charlie said nervously.

“Don’t worry Charlie, trust me on this.” Twilight said confidently.

Charlie smiled. “Thanks Twilight, you’re truly a great friend. One I haven’t had in a very long time.”

Twilight’s ears perked up once she heard this and curiosity began to build in her.

“So Charlie, you said you were going to tell me about your species. Can you tell me?”

Charlie nodded, “Yes Twilight, but I will tell you tomorrow.”

“Oh, but why not now?” Twilight whined.

Charlie shook his head. “You may have only gotten bruises, scratches and a few sprains, but you need your rest.”

“Oh fine.” Twilight gave up, but still had one more question. “But from what will you tell me this history from?”

Charlie smiled, and then reached into his cloak. “From this.”

Charlie pulled out a book and gave it to Twilight, who took it from him with her magic. Twilight glanced over the book, and immediately recognized it, a brown book with no title. She opened to the first page as memories flooded her mind. “Foreign writing of which I didn’t recognize,” Twilight said in disbelief. She to the next page slowly with one eye closed.

“No way…”