Of Gods And Men
Pain Of The Universe

Canterlot Airship Station

Being human I had seen things like planes, jets, helicopters, and other aviation wonders, but the airships ponies used were stunning. The hull was made from wood most likely Oak, the deck had one large cabin area that led into the belly of the ship, the top looked like a zeppelin attached to a house, but what impressed me the most were the engines, four solid gold engine holding a sort of blue energy acted as turbines and i could feel a warm energy coming of of them. had it not been for the shield on my back I would have fallen over.

"Impressive Isn't it?" Twilight asked.

I had forgotten she was by my side. "Yes, even with the things I have seen this is a really something." I said, as we got aboard the ship it felt like i was simply on a large fishing boat not a magic powered airship. The flight crew was standing before us the stallion I amused to be the captain was talking to Princess Celestia, as we walked closer the two went silent. The captain walked towards me and looked me over. "Well, I've done my share of flight jobs and seen many things but you,re right princess this is a new one on me." His accent reminded me of a man I meet when I was at the east coast fishing docks, he put his hoof forward. "Name's Captain Jet Stream of The Aurora and it's crew." It took his hoof and shook it, deciding to have a bit if fun I said. "My name is Niko I'm a Hunter." He looked me over again.

He looked back to Celestia. "Well princess, I think ya got landed with a find new guard stallion." Celestia walked over to me. "Niko, the captain has agreed to take you to Ponyville. When you arrive a few of my guards stationed there will escort you to the town hall, then an official introduction to the public will be given." As she turned to leave, she looked back one more time. "I almost forgot, when Twilight and her friends found you in the forest this was laying next to you." She levitated a small silver coin over to me.

I took it from her grasp and look at the markings that covered it. On one side there was what looked like knot work, they were Celtic, the other side was the same but the markings appeared to have sharper more jagged angles, why the hell was it near me is the only question I wanted to know. "No, it's not mine but its defiantly from my world." I put the silver piece in my pocket, and with that Celestia left.

"Well then, Ms Sparkle and Mr Niko allow me to show you to your quarters." Jet said.

Me and Twilight followed him into the lower decks of The Aurora, the ship itself had a welcoming and interesting feel to it. the wooden floors covered by the soft rug, and the sound of wind blowing outside it was very peaceful. The captain stopped in front of a single room, he took out a ring of keys and opened the door. "This is you room, the journey will take about 10 hours max unless any unforeseen weather is encountered. A crew hand will be here to alert you when dinner is ready and when we have arrived at our destination. you may wander the ship if you like but please do not interfere with and of the workers. If you have any questions later on I will be in my chambers. For now I must see to other things, farewell." With a small wave me and Twilight began to settle in for the ride.

4 Hours later Aurora deck

The ship itself was fairly large, it had dinning room, a room for each of the crew members and captain, a engine room were a few unicorns were working on the engines and other mechanical equipment. Surprisingly there was also a proper bathroom. At the end of my wandering I found my self on the bow of the ship. I leaned over the railing and was studying the coin Celestia gave me. The markings were Celtic Knot Work, they were beautifully crafted and I could not see a single flaw in the metal work. I had many questions, did this coin have something to do with me being here, why Celtic of all things, why did I have it, did the markings had a significant meaning, and many more. The coin looked brand new as if it was just made and polished. Putting the coin away I looked at the scenery around me.

Tall mountains surrounded Canterlot, the city a beacon of power in the mist the shrouded most of the areas around it. bellow us was currently a large plane of grass, a few trees, and not much else. To the east was a large and dense forest, I could feel a shiver go up my spine as I looked at it. I could not see much to the west but I could barely make out what appeared to a city made from clouds. No, my minds just messing with me. I thought shaking my head. The over all landscape was stunning it was far from anything on earth. I heard the sound of hooves behind me, turning around I saw Twilight carrying two apples. "Here I thought you might be hungry." I took one of the apples. "Thanks." I turned back to the view Twilight joining me.

"If you look closely you can see Ponyville in the distance." She pointed a hoof to a small shape in the distance. Focusing i could almost make out the shape of a town only able to see a few tall buildings. "I can't wait for you to meet my friends, I think you would like them." She said, taking a bit from her apple. "After living in hell for a short time, talking to someone who doesn't want to kill me, is a nice change." I said, she flinched remembering my story. We spent the next half hour talking about small things we did in our free time, I talked about what I did before the dead came. I had a few jobs back on earth mainly I help with repairing machinery or operating it, I had many friends even some in other countries. My life was pretty good, I had planned to get a job as a specialty engineer. Twilight told me about her time in Ponyville and all the outlandish adventures she and her friends been through. To think a small purple unicorn with a star on it's flank had saved the world on numerous occasions was something I had never .

"Twilight, the princess said you found me with this." I showed her the Celtic coin.

"Yes we did, we thought it may have belonged to you." She said, taking it into her magical grasp.

"Well, I've never seen that coin, but I think I know about where it came from." I said.

I took the coin, looking once more at the markings. I had seen many Celtic designs in books and pictures, but they all had smooth curves and points, like the first side. The other side had a similar design, but the edges and points were more jagged and coarse. "Well, where do you think i came from." Twilight asked. "Well the designs you see are a Celtic, an eastern culture in my world. I don't know what these if the markings specifically mean something, they could be nothing, but something tells me that's not true." I twirled the coin in my fingers. "Hey you two!" Me and Twilight looked back to see one of the crew hands walking towards us. "Dinner is being served bellow decks." He said, he wore a lose tan shirt his coat a light brown his mane darker, i couldn't see his cutie mark but I guessed it had to do with sailing. We followed him below decks, the halls were empty most of the crew being at dinner. as we entered the small room we saw the rest of the crew talking, singing, and laughing.

The atmosphere was welcome, we sat at a table in the corner of the ship. "Twi, when we get to Ponyville you mentioned you had friends, what do you think they will think of me?" She had already told me her friends personalities and various jobs, but not their thoughts towards aliens. "Well I know Pinkie Pie will be glad to have a new friend, Fluttershy will either find you fascinating or run away, Rainbow Dash would probably get along with you, but i don't know how Rarity or Applejack will take you." She said, a young mare brought a two bowls of salad and left. "You say Rainbow Dash and me will get along, so I take it she is energetic, tough, and will be cautious of me at first." I said with a grin, Twilight laughed. "Yes she will be cautious but you would be to right." We began to eat, the food here tasted so much cleaner compared to the genetically modified stuff back home... Home

--Later 1 hour until arrival--

I lay in bed my mind taking time to think about what was happening. First off I was on my roof injured from the walker, I looked at the wound it was no more than a scar. Second I'm rescued by Twilight and her friends and end up fighting them, who I have to thank and apologize to when I meet them. Third I'm brought to Canterlot and meet three godlike princesses, still having trouble believing that. Finally, I am given residence with Twilight and pick up from there, what could ever go wrong now. I got up and walked over to the cabin window. I could see Ponyville, it was a fairly sized town, a story high stone wall surrounded it one gate visible from this side. I could vaguely make out the forms of guard ponies standing near towers. `I though this place was suppose to be a quite little country town. I looked over at Twilight, she was snoring softly as she slept. I lay back down on my bed and found my self twirling the coin again, it had become a habit pretty quickly.

I closed my eyes and began to slowly drift off to sleep.

--...---

"Heads of State who ride and wrangle,
Who look at your face from more than one angle,
Can cut you from their bloated budgets
Like sharpened knives through Chicken McNuggets."

I happily sung as I walked through city park. It was a call Saturday afternoon, Nina was talking with her friends a little ways ahead. I continued singing, enjoying a calm sun on my face. Many people passed by on Fly Boards, a common thing among teenagers. I saw Mr. G sitting on his usual bench feeding birds, Mrs. Foster selling her handcrafted jewelry, and even Luna sitting near the pond waving to me. Wait Luna? I rubbed my eyes, sure enough Princess Luna was sitting under a tree waving me over. I took my side next to her beneath the tree. "Good afternoon Niko." She said, using her magic she handed me a glass of lemonade. I took the glass, looking around I saw Nina playing with her friends and no one else even seemed to notice Luna. I simply stared at her, she looked at me with a warm smile. "What is it, is there something in my mane." She stroked her mane trying to free the nonexistent object. "No...it's just...what are you doing here?" I asked taking a sip of the drink.

"Well as you know I rule the night, as a result I am able to enter your dreams as well as those of my subjects." She said so nonchalantly as if it were common knowledge. "Right, a dream." I said blankly. "Yes, a dream do you not believe me.?" She said, giving a fake pout. "Well, a little bit. It all seems to real." I said, the sun shined above, the birds flew above us as they always did. "Many dreams do seem real until you awake." She said, a small black raven flew down and landed next to her. "Right, well say this is a dream why are you hear and what do you need of me?" I asked, i looked around seeing everything like it had always been. "Well, I came here to ask you about the coin my sister had given you." She said, I took the coin from my pocket. "Yeah what about it?" I twirled it in my fingers again. "Well I studied that coin before Tia gave it you, I had seen those markings somewhere before but could not remember where. So after a bit of searching in the Royal Archives I came across an old tome. as it turns out they are from..." As she was about to tell me, but I felt a tug on my arm and fell back into darkness.

--Airship Cabin destination reached--

"Niko wake up!"

I shot up out of bed knocking Twilight over in the process. I looked around, I was once again in the Aurora. I looked down to see Twilight on her back, a clear few of many things given as a result, glaring at me she said. "If, you tell anyone i will destroy you." I looked away quickly and helped her up. "Come on, we're just arriving." she said. I quickly got out of bed and hurried after her. As we reached the deck I saw the Cpt talking to a middle aged mare. The two looked at us, the captain smiled and the mare simply gave me a once over look. "This here is the stallion i was talkin' about." The mare walked closer and reached her hoof out. "Mayor Mare, sir I am told you will be a resident here for a while." She said, in a polite tone. "Yes Ms. Mare, my name is Nikolai or Niko for short." I shook her hoof. "Well then, if you are to be staying here for a while I should run a few things by you. I'm sure you do not need to be told that volatile behavior is not smiled upon, second because of recent raids the city has a midnight curfew that lasts until 5 AM, second certain areas such as the guard pony stations are off limits to civilians if you are to leave of enter the town you must be scanned to insure you are you." As she said this she looked as if she remembered something and beckoned a unicorn guard over.

"Now just hold still for the scan." She nodded and the guards horn lit up. I felt the spark of magic crackle over me and then it was over. The process was repeated for the Captain and Twilight.

We said goodbye to the mayor and captain and Twilight lead me to her house/library. As we got closer I looked at the many windows and the balcony. "Ah, home sweet home." Twilight said, she stopped in front of the door and turned to me. "Now I sent a letter ahead telling all my friends to meet me hear so be ready." She said, I nodded and got ready to bring my zombie shield out. As she opened the door I saw five other ponies talking. As soon as we walked in all talking stopped, and all eyes were on me. Well this is gonna be good. Twilight tugged on my shirt and pointed to a small couch. "I'l be right back I have to wake up Spike." She trotted up stairs.

I looked back to the staring ponies, they were as quite and still as statues. I walked over to a small couch, placing my shield I sat down and put my feet up. Thus began the longest staring contest in Equestria, I noticed that a very pink pony a.k.a Pinkie Pie was looking rather hatefully at me. I find this strange because Twilight described Pinkie as a happy caring figure head. Another ivory pony, Rarity, was looking me over most likely at my choice of cloths. Camouflage pants, black long sleeve shirt, and steel toed boots. My black hair was hanging messily around my shoulders. A few minutes later Twilight came back down the stairs, a small purple and green dragon, Spike, flowing her. Spike looked at me with a skeptical look. "I thought he'd be taller, from what your letter said." He obviously had no fear or just didn't give half a fuck.

I gave a light chuckle. "Well I could say the same for you, from what Twilight said." Twilight gave me a glare before turning to the other five ponies. "Everypony I would like you to meet my new roommate Niko." She said happily, the first to step up was a tan colored earth pony. "Well howdy Niko, ahm' Applejack, Element of Honesty and I run Sweet Apple Acres, feel free to drop by any time." She said, holding out a hoof I shook it, next. "Welcome darling, I am Rarity Element of Generosity. I run the Carousel Boutique, please be sure you stop by so I can make you some more...um suiting cloths." She stepped back, I gave myself a quick look over. My pants had a few tears from walker scratches and so did my shirt and jacket. Rainbow Dash stepped up next. "The names Rainbow Dash, fastest flyer in Equestria and bearer of the Element of Loyalty." I could tell Twilight had been mistaken in her statement of me and her getting along, I generally am a silent person around most people/ponies unless I know them.

Next was Pinkie Pie, instead of an explosive welcome she nearly put a hoof up. "Pinkie Pie, Element of Laughter." I shook her hoof and she stepped back. Twilight gave Pinkie a confused look before motioning for another pony. This pony was flutter shy, she had her face hidden behind her mane. "This is Fluttershy, she is the Element of Kindness." I got up from the couch and knelt before the two. Fluttershy tried to hide more of her face. I brushed her hair away and looked into her eyes. "Fluttershy whether you believe me or not is your choice, but I mean you no harm nor does anypony hear." I took my place back on the couch, the rest of the ponies simply stared in surprise. There was another silence, seemed i was good at making those.

"Well anyways, let me show you you room." Twilight eventually spoke up. I picked my shield back up and followed her upstairs, I could hear the other ponies whispering to each other. Twilight stopped in front of a small door, for reason I am still unsure of the door had a doorknob even though ponies had hooves instead of hands. "This is you room for as long as you need it." The room itself was pretty nice, a desk and mirror, one small drawer, a okay sized bed, and two other doors one a closet the other the bathroom. "Thank you Twilight." I said setting my shield and new pack Celestia had given me down. "Well, while you unpack I'll be waiting for you down stairs." She said, after the door had closed i opened the bag.

Inside, I had a small bag of coins (100 bits), a special seal she had given me as proof of citizenship, a small canister used for holding water, surprisingly a few roles of duct tape, last a few ejection lades for my wrist band. I put the seal and the coin on top of the drawer, the coins on my belt loop, and left the rest in the bag. As i turned to leave I looked back, my shield propped against the wall. If I want them to trust me I have to trust them. I turned and left the room.

As I descended the stairs I saw the girls talking, it was mostly unimportant things. Twilight saw me and motioned me over. "Okay Niko me and the girl are going to ask you a few questions and you can ask us whatever you like." Twilight said, I nodded. "First off we were all were wondering what was your world like, before you know." She said that last bit nervously. I thought about telling her of the good first or the bad, I'm gonna go with bad.

"Well first off, I was very lucky as to the location I lived in. I am from the nation call the United States of America. We were one of the worlds super powers at the time, we had vast amounts of power over some of the smaller countries . But alas where there is power there will always be a want for it, and that leads to war and war never changes. Whole country sides could be stained with the blood of soldier and civilian alike. Famine and illness were common in lesser economically evolved countries." I paused a moment, their faces all showed disgust and repulsion.

"All the while domestic problems like police brutality, rape, theft, murder, corruption in the government. The list goes on, but it's not specifically all humans that are bad. Most people are usually manipulated by fear, money, etc. In my world we don't have a kind ruler to guide and help us, we have rich assholes that just want money and power." I paused again, the expressions on their faces worsened.

"While rich people and evil people control most of us, some still try. While there is a list of people who are pure evil, there are also those who try and show my cruel worlds brighter colors. One man long before I was born his name was Martin Luther King Jr, he began a movement for people of colored skin, because at that time many colored people were hated by Americans. But this man began a movement so large and so powerful he got people to see every man and women no matter their race were equal and so it was named the Civil Rights Movement. There were many men who tried to bring peace to a violent world, Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Dalai Lama, and many more. These people brought out the good in my world and helped keep the evil in balance. Does that answer your question Twilight?" Twilight was on the verge of crying. "Y-yes." She said her voice shaky and unsure.

"I already know about most of the workings of this world from what you told me aboard the Aurora. So I guess the only things I want to ask is what is the outside wall for? I thought you said this was a peaceful place?" Twilight looked even more uneasy. "Well it was, everything started a few months ago. First strange noises were a common things in thick areas of forest like the Everfree. Then ponies started disappearing, some came back but they just kept rambling about that darkness and the end." I could see Rainbow looking down shaking in fear or anger I couldn't tell. "Then the raids began, hoards of these strange creatures began attacking. They looked liked ponies, until you got close." Twilight didn't continue, she just looked at her hooves as did we all. "I think we should pick this up tomorrow." I stood and helped Twilight up. "Goodnight everypony." As I lead Twilight to her room I could hear the others leaving.

"Goodnight Twilight, if you need me you know where I am." I said as I left her room, she gave no response. I walked into the room I had been given. Luckily the bed was big enough for me. I lay down, closing my eyes I saw my shield the last true relic from my world. I let sleep take me and the darkness encase my mind

Author's Note

To you the Readers, I want to say I know that my grammar, spelling, etc is pretty bad. I will try to fix it as best as I can. If you have any tips as how I can do that leave a comment, also if you think I should add anything or anyone.

Songs:Cake-Nugget