Everfree Courierby DVAN56ChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6 & EpilogueChapter 1Chapter1 I woke up in a dimly lit cavern. The ground and walls where dry and rocky. The air was cool, and I was moving. I was to groggy from waking up, but something was making my body move. When I did realize it I was freaking out in my head, thoughts scream as loud as thoughts can sound. My body however did not notice my mental thoughts let alone the stress and keep moving. It was as if someone cut my brain off from the rest of my body and I was now a passenger or my own body. I couldn't even move my mouth to scream or redirect my eyes. My body keep moving down the cavern. The dim light started to get brighter, I also noticed that the light also had a slight tint of green in it. The cavern led to a small patch of land that was the bottom of what I guessed was a crater of some sort. The ground was covered with a think but short layer of grass that only when up to my ankles. The crater itself wasn't that big around as it was steep. I would guess the it was maybe fifty yards in diametral but the crater walls where step and very high. I could only guess on how high it was. I just new that the crater walls went at lest as high as the clouds. In the center of the crater stood a huge Weeping Willow. It was a magnifican sight that almost made me forget the fact that I was not in control of my body. Almost anyway. I found that my body was walking a little faster and headed straight for the tree. I had tried to regain control of my body but nothing was working. A weird sense of fear came over me the closer we got to the tree. I don't know why but I was afraid of that tree. It was almost as if what was controlling my body was forcing fear into my head the closer I got to the tree. I was now right in front of the tree looking straight at it. What ever was controlling my body didn't give my a choice. I was screaming in my mind afraid of what the unknown had in store for me. Then the unexpected happened. I regained control of my body. It was sudden and a lost my balance. I fell to the ground screaming. My fears disappear as well. Something was messing with my mind. I heard a small chuckle come from above as I fell. Something was in the tree and it was laughing at me. I stood up and looked up into the tree. I found nothing but branches and leaves. If there was something up there it was good at hiding. However my attention was soon redirected. “HELLO” A voice boomed in my head. I grabbed my head with both hand and fell to my feet. I don't know if it was meaning to but the voice hurt like hell in my head. I almost blacked out. My vision was even distorted for the short time after it spoke, but I think that was from where my eyes where tearing up from the pain. “OH, UM IS THIS ANY BETTER” the voice boomed out again. Not as loud as the first time but it still hurt. I was able to keep my mind straight this time. “NO! Still way to load!” I shouted out in pain. “How about now. I think I finally got it right. I do apologies but its hard to calibrate my voice to a creature from another world.” the voice said. I was still a little out of it from the pain. It took me a few minute to registrar what she said to me. A creature from another world. That means that I’m not on earth anymore. Not what I wanted to wake up to....I started to freakout again, and it was real this time. My body shook with my mind as I fell the rest of the way to the ground laying down shacking. I think I was in some sort of shock. “I was afraid of this” The voice said again. It was clearly what ever it was talking was female. Her voice alone was soothing but it didn't stop me from shaking. Then I felt something embrace me. It was warm and comforting, almost like it was hugging me. When I looked around there was nothing there but glowing green light around me. My body was calming down but my mind was still in full gear. “Shhhhhhhhhh” was the last think I heard from the voice and I fell asleep. I awoke sometime later. I felt fully refreshed and oddly calm. I was still at the base of the willow tree. However my feelings of shock and fear where gone and replaced with a calm curiosity. “Ah your wake. How do you feel.” the voice said. Though I could not tell where the voice was coming from I could only guess it was somehow related to the tree. So I talked facing the tree thinking it was what was talking to me. I know it sounds crazy. “Good I guess” I replied “That's good. I do apologies for putting you though shock. It is a side effect of 'Plucking'” “Plucking?” I asked “Yes. It the term used when an entity, like me, pulls a creature from its world and put them in the entity's world.” she said acting like it was no big deal. I did not like where this was going. I had the feeling that I was going to be asked to do a task to save the world, or at lest a nation from some sort of evil. It happened in every cross dimensional stories of fiction I heard growing up. But I didn't have anything better to do so I played along a little more. “Ok so why did you bring me here? Better yet where is here?” I asked. “O this is the heart of my forest. I never did give it an official name but the creature both withing and out of it call it the Everfree. As for why you are here I needed someone to deliver a package for me-” Well that seams simple enough. “However all routes to the destination are cut off my the horde of Invaders that pillage the lands outside the forest-” I hate it when I’m right. “and my servant, the creatures of the forest, are not on good terms with the recipient of the package.” she finished. And now it sounds like 'll be going solo. Great. I just stood there dumbstruck. This entity pulled me, some one with no combat training, I mean I can shoot a gun but its not the same as actually combat, to go out and fight my why from point A to point B, just to deliver a package that she or her savants can't do them selves. Why did she grab me? Why not a solider? I decided to give her a piece of my mind. “What the hell! Why me! Why did you pick the one human that doesn’t know how to really fight!” I shouted. “Well...” she started talk again missing the anger in my voice. “Its because you where the only one I could pluck without upsetting the balance of your world. If it makes you feel better I brought you to a place where your actions will actual be useful to a world.” Did she just call me useless? Did she really just have the nerve to say that? Did she think I was some dumb creature? Or was she really that clueless about my situation? “Did you just call me useless?” “Only in your world. Here you can be quite useful and contribute to this world greatly” She said almost a little to happily. “......... Send me home” I demanded. There was a long moment of silence after that. “Well” I asked to break the silence. “I can't” she replied with a little sorrow in her voice. “What!” “I CAN'T!!” she yelled. “I only have enough power to pluck. I can't put you back” she said remorsefully. “But the Entity of the Sun and Moon maybe able to. You can ask them when you deliver the package to them!” she said excitedly. It was like her mood could change at will. “So where is this entity of the Sun and Moon at?” I asked “O it is in the Castle on the side of Mount Cantor. North west of here. You can't miss it. It's covered in a magical field to keep the Invaders out” she said. Wow she just told me where I could go to leave without agree to take the package. Well time for me to leave, or though I thought. Without saying a word I turned to face the cave entrance and started walking away from the tree. Was I really just talking to a tree. Anywho I soon realized she was a very powerful tree that tended to get what she wanted. I heard the leaves and the branches of the willow shack violently. I didn't turn back and changed my walk into a sprint. I was almost to the cave when I was cut off. What was in front of me now was both amazing and terrifying. I still don't know if I fell backward on my bum out of fear or amazement. In front of me was a creature that was easily the same size of a lion but clearly had the shape of a wolf. However where there should have been fur there was tree bark. It slowly crept up to me. With each move I could here the sound of wood creaking and cracking. Its eyes where solid yellow the where glowing, not brightly but just enough to know that they where emitting light. This wolf was made of wood. It got right in front of my face so close that o could feel its breath on my skin. Fear was defiantly starting to overcome me. I kicked out of panic hitting the wooden wolf right in its chest. It didn't even budge. But instead spoke. Not like the entity that sent its voice straight into my mind but with words coming out of his mouth. And he sounded pissed. “I believe you still have business with the mistress. I suggest you finish before leaving.” Chapter 2Chapter 2 Well it didn't take long for me to up and take the package for this Entity. She even managed to 'pluck' a few items from earth to help me out too, namely a backpack, a flashlight, and some food items. The package itself was strange. It was a plain rock formed into an egg like shape. I would have been questioning it but there was a giant wooden wolf behind me and I did not want to piss him off anymore. “There you go. Any questions?” the Entity asks, a little to cheerful for my liking. “Actually two. One you said there a horde of some sort attacking the lands beyond the forest. Can you also give me something to defend myself with. Two can I get a guide for getting out of the forest” I replied. “Hummm, the guide I can do. In-fact, Fang you are going to accompany him all the way to Cantorlot.” “WHAT!” yelled the wolf that was behind me. “As for a way to deal with the Invaders, humm. There may be old weapons and armor in the ruined castle but other then that I can not provide. Entities are not aloud to make or 'pluck' weapons of any kind.” she said ignoring the wolf's cry. “Alright then” I sighed “Lets get going.” -- The forest on the other side of the crater was different to say the lest. Where the crater had been bright and comforting, the forest itself was dark and gloomy. I also noticed that what wildlife I did see was that of Earth's. There where snakes, birds, bugs, and I even say a few rabbits. One of said rabbits found its way into Fangs mouth by the way. “So Fang, what kind of wolf are you anyway?” I asked trying to strike up conversation. “Is it tree-wolf, wooden-wolf, twi-” Fang interrupted me before I could finished. “Timberwolf. I'm a Timberwolf.” Fang replied coldly. “Ok ok. Just trying to strike up- WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!” my attention was now on a beast that was in front of us. It was a lion but much bigger but that was not what had me freaked out. It was the giant scorpion tail it and bat wings had. “What, that. That is a Manticore. Don't worry he won't eat you. In fact nothing hear will eat you. The Mistress won't let them. Now come on. We got a ways to go yet.” Fang said, he was clearly annoyed with me. The rest of the trip to the castle consisted of me being quite until another weird or mythical creature showed up. I would ask and Fang would answer despite the fact that it annoyed him. He also made a point of sounding annoyed too. We ran into a number of critters too before arriving at the castle. The castle was, as expected, a ruin. Vines growing on the walls and collapsed sections all over the place, cobwebs, dust, the works. As I started to enter the front gates I noticed Fang not entering. “You coming?” I asked “No.” he replied deadpanned. “Why not?” “I just can't. Honoring the past.” “Honoring the past?” I asked raising an eyebrow. “It doesn't concern you. Just hurry up. I want to to make it to the forest edge by tomorrow.” “Fine, fine I won't be long.” The castle was old and dusty. Its been at lest a hundred year since anyone or anything has been here. I explored much of the castle and found nothing of use. However I did find something interesting in one of the halls, scorch marks. What made the marks I don't know but I found it weird and a little unsettling that just the one hall had them. I finally found what I assumed was an armory. Most of the weapons and armor had been rusted away. However there was one sword, a katana, that was in surprisingly good condition. It wasn't pretty or anything but it looked like I could hack at stuff without it breaking on the first swing unlike the rest of the stuff in there. As I was heading out I came to the hall with the scorch marks again but it was different this time. It was new, as if the place was just build. The room was richly decorated. Gold and sliver used on all the light fixtures and frame trimming. However it was the creature inside that grabbed my attention. Ponies, technicolor coated ponies. Some wore armor as if they where guards, other wore fancy clothing while others wore nothing at all. None of them seemed to notice me. “Come All! Tonight we shall have rulers that can transcend time itself!” A black pony yelled from the center of the hall. Underneath the black pony I saw two young foals, I would say they where newborns by the look of them. One was white with a pink mane and tail. The other was dark blue, almost black, with a lighter blue mane and tail. Two guards came forth both had a crest of some kind in there mouth. I couldn't quit tell what they looked like though. They put the crests in front of the foals. Then there was a blinding light. Next thing I know I'm on the ground being drug by Fang out the front doors of the ruined castle. Its also night now. Which is odd, it was only mid afternoon when we got here. Luckily I still had a grasp on the sword. “What happened to you!” Fang shouted at me. “I don't know, one minute I’m in old castle next I'm in a new castle with a bunch of colored ponies talking about rulers transcending time. Then you dragging me.” I responded speaking faster then I should. But when my words left my mouth Fangs eyes went wide with fear. “Where there two foal, one white, one so blue it was almost black?” his voice a little shacked. I have no clue whats going on but to scare a lion sized Timberwolf had me a little nerves as well. “Yes” I replied. “We need to go. Now!” “Whats going --” “NOW!!!” he yelled. And so we where off to the forest edge. Chapter 3Chapter 3: “Welcome to Equestria” Fang said. We reached the forest edge that morning. The sight of the lands beyond stunned me for a moment. It was a battlefield, one giant battlefield from here to the mountain. I could see the shield around the mountain being hit by something. Small explosions could be seen flashing upon it. The sky is what really grabbed my attention however. I was looking up between the sky over the Everfree and the sky over Equestria. I wasn't believing what I was seeing but then again I’ve already seen a bunch of unbelievable stuff so far. The sky over Equestria was almost like stagnant water, still and unhealthy. It was as if the forces of nature did not work beyond the forest. “There is a ruin up ahead, you will sleep there. Day travel will get you killed and you look like you need a rest.” Fang said. “What about you?” I asked “Don't need it. One of the perks of being a Timberwolf is we don't need sleep and we don't tire.” As we entered the ruined town the devastation was clear. The roads were broken, the buildings collapsed in on themselves, all of them had burn marks on them. There were no bodies however, not even a skeleton. “What happened here?” I asked aloud not even realizing it. “The Invadors, they loot, destroy, capture. They eat the fallen and save the captured for a later meal. Then they take what they can to fuel their destruction, anything left they burn.” Fang replied, for the first time an emotion other then annoyance or anger was in his voice. It was sadness. I couldn't help but feel a little sad for a moment. There was one building that was still standing that would serve for the most part as a shelter. It looked more like a dead tree then anything. It was the inside that surprised me though. It was bigger on the inside. I doubled back outside to make sure I wasn't just going crazy......er. The inside was a mess. Half burnt books littered the floor, stairs to the upstairs were broken, and the walls where scorched. Based on the busted tables and shelves I was sure that this place was once a library. How was this building still standing. It was a tree filled with books, it should have burned all they way down for crying out loud. I soon no longer cared as I sat down in a corner of the room ready to go to sleep. Thoughts of why I was here started coming back to me and I pulled out the stone egg to stare at it. What was it really? Why did that forest entity need me to deliver it? How am I even going to survive this trip? What was with that vision at the castle ruin? Just too many questions going through my head. I ended up falling asleep with the stone in my hand, and awoke in the late afternoon. Fang was watching out the windows making sure noting was moving. He gave a nod signaling it was safe and we went to leave. We got to the door when we heard a sound coming from below. Both Fang and I froze at the sound. Loud thumps coming up from below us. They started getting louder and moving up-words as if on stairs. Our heads moved, following it. Fang quickly bumped me and we left the library with haste. He lead my through the town and we eventually came to a railroad. I was honestly surprised to see a railroad, everything up till now had looked medieval at best. Parts of the track were missing but the path it followed was clear. “This is the quickest way to Cantorlot. Should only take three to four -” Fang was cut off by the sounds of foot steps approaching. We turned back to look into the town. Again what I saw could only be a creature of myth. A small humanoid with greenish skin, a goblin. There were several of them and they where closing in on us fast. Not going to lie I was scared. Seeing the creature as a myth and seeing it in reality was different. They were fast and it was plain as day that they had murder on their mind. I instinctively ran and hid in a building that I could only assume was the train station. I never looked to see how Fang was doing in that fight. I could here the skirmish clearly though. The sound of Fang's claws and teeth ripping his attackers apart. The goblins blood curdiling screeches of terror as they fell chilled me to the bone. One of the goblins must of noticed I fled into the building. It was coming upon me and by the time I noticed there was nothing I could do to stop it. In a matter of seconds it leaped to pounce me, its clawed hands ready to tear into me. Just a moment before it made impact I was spared A large clawed hand swatted the goblin away with little to no effort. Severing the goblin in two in the process as well. This new creature in front of me was big, easily twice my size. It was a lizard of some sort, bipedal as well. Its scales were purple in color, and green spikes running down his back from the top of his head all the way down to his tail. I was shocked, and scared. Moments right before getting attacked, saved by a more horrifying looking creature. “They eat the fallen and save the captured for later” Fang's words echoed in my head. It was going to eat me, I knew it. I was too scared to move. I closed my eyes waiting for the end. The end never came though. After a few moments of silence I opened my eyes. The lizard monster was still there. It had a very confused look on its face as it spoke. It even tilted its head. “What are you?” Chapter 4The monster that had saved me was staring at me, his eyes full of curiosity. After he spoke my fear was sucked out of me, literally. I could feel it like a shock going through my body, it flowed to my back and was then ripped from me at a single point in by my spine. My fear was gone in seconds, and I now found myself looking back at the monstrous lizard with curiosity as well. Thinking of the question it asked me, I spoke first. “I'm a human” I said. This got his attention. Before I even finished saying my words his eyes went wide. “You...you can talk?” he asked “I can. Now what and who are you?” I asked “I'm a dragon, name is Spike” I looked at him a little stupefied. He looked nothing like a dragon, at least not the dragons in the stories back home. He didn't even have wings. I would of questioned him about it but Fang found his way into the ruined building. Fang's bark skin was covered in the blood of the goblins he had slain. From what I could tell he was uninjured. Fang's eyes were locked on Spike. Fang walked up cautiously, he didn't want to fight Spike but didn't want to be unprepared either. “What are you doing here dragon?” Fang asked, coldly “Saving this human from a Pip-Squeek,” Spike answered just as coldly. “Pip-Squeek? You mean the goblin over there.” I pointed at the severed creature that Spike killed just moments ago. They both go wide eyed looking at me, then the corpse then back at me. Fang was the first to speak. “Let me guess, your world has stories of goblins that are described as the Pip-Squeek there.” I gave a nod. “Heh, looks like some of your world's stories are off on some things. A goblin is a lot, bigger and deadlier” “Oh” “Wait, wait, other world. How did you get here, rift or plucked?” Spike asked me. “The Entity of the Everfree plucked me. Wants me to deliver a package to that place, Cantorlot she called it.” I said pointing up to the mountain. The sun was almost completely down at that point, and the moon started to rise into the sky. What I saw next made my heart sink a little. The shield over the city was disappearing. My first thought was the Invaders had cut off my only way home. I was staring to be filled with a sense of dread just thinking about not being able to see my family and home. “The shield...” is all I was able to mumble out. “What about it? It goes down every night” Spike said “What? What do you mean?” Spike let out a sigh before explaining. “You really are from another world. The Invaders can't be out in the moonlight, they burst into flames. Don't know why they burn in moonlight but it gives the Princesses and the ponies a chance to rest. What is really weird about them is that no one has been able to find where they hide to get away from the moon.” After that explanation my fear left me, again it was sucked out my back. It was a little more painful this time though. “Well we best get going.” Fang said The two of us started walking down the railroad tracks. Spike went back into the town, I guess he really did live in that ruined library. I looked up at the night sky as we traveled along the tracks, I couldn't help but notice the night sky. It was beautiful. There where so many stars and they shined with such radiance. I was a little sad that I couldn't find any familiar constellations, then again this is another world. About three hours into our trip we heard someone coming from behind. We looked back and lo and behold it was Spike. “I'm coming to Cantorlot with you. Its been awhile since I saw a friend of mine up there.” “No” Fang replied I was going to ask why not but Fang and Spike began talking again before I could voice my opinion. “Why not.” “NO! Its going to be hard enough for the human to actually get in the city let alone me. And your a Dragon.” “Trust me I can get us all in no problem.” “And how are you going to get us all in with no problems?” There was a pause for a moment, the silence broken by Spike. “My mother was Twilight Sparkle.” At that moment I saw an expression on Fangs face that I would never see again. It looked like he was scared. Of what I truly don't know. He even shook for a split second. I was more confused by the whole thing. The two just stood there staring at each other. Spike, a very serious look on his face and Fang, a dumbstruck, slightly scared look on his face. After a minute I broke the silence. “Anywho, I take it this Twilight is very strong and respected dragon?” “She was very strong and respected during her life, but she was no dragon. She was a pony, a unicorn to be exact.” Spike said. Unicorn. They had unicorns here too. I shouldn't of been surprised at this point by now, I really shouldn't have been, but I was. A dragon raised by a Unicorn, that is a new one. “Lets get going. The night will not last forever.” Spike said putting emphasis on “forever”. Fang had come out of his fear and gave a slight chuckle at Spike's words. I apparently missed something there. For the next two days we traveled by night. I was worried during the first days sunrise since we had no place to hide and rest. Fang however had a plan, dig a hole and hide. Not the best plan but it worked. He was a fast digger but Spike was way faster. Spike had a hole big enough for all three of us dug in under five. Spike said he use to dig a lot in his younger years and even learned some tips from creatures known as Diamond Dogs. We ended up sleeping in holes the whole way there because we couldn't find anything else that was safe to hide in. The nights of our travels mainly consisted of Spike and I swapping stories. He told me about the times before the Invaders. He made this place sound like a paradise. I also learned of a third kind of pony, pegasi. The pegasi apparently controlled the weather in Equestria. That explained the sickly sky now, no pegasi no weather. I learned that his mother, Twilight, died decades before the Invaders even came. From the stories he told she lived a good life and passed away happily one night from old age. Apparently the ponies had the same life span as human did but dragons, dragons could live for millennia. Spike was still considered young and he was 400 years old. I told them of earth and humanity. Spike was intrigued when I told him that the entire world was like the Everfree and nature took care of itself. However it was when I told them how diverse humans are that I got a few concerned looks from both Spike and Fang. I didn't sugar coat anything, I told them good, the bad, and the ugly. The third and final night of our travel we made it to the gates of Cantorlot, but not before meeting an interesting fellow on the way. Chapter 5Chapter 5: As we made our way that final night. I got to thinking how lucky we were on this trip. Though I have never yet encountered any of the Invaders except for the “Pip-Squeaks”, but if only half of what Fang and Spike have said was true I was happy I haven't. We were about an hour away from the gates of Cantorlot. Spike pulled a scroll out, where he was keeping it till this point I have no idea but I'm sure magic was involved. Then he breathed fire on it and the scroll was gone. I don't know what surprised me more at the moment, the fact that he randomly burned a scroll or that his fire was green. I was about to ask him what that was all about but I ran into something and it knocked me over. It was like running into a brick wall but when I looked around there was nothing there. I got back up and tried walking forward only to be stopped and pushed back again but I stayed standing this time. I stuck my hand out. Again as soon as it made contact with the invisible wall it was pushed back. What was odd though is that Fang and Spike where not affected by the wall. They where watching me in confusion at first. They even walked back and forth. Spike then got the idea to try and push me. That was a bad idea. When spike pushed me the wall gave an extra kick that didn't just push me back but sent me flying. Spike was unprepared for it as well and in the end I found myself five feet backwards laying on top of a dragon. Emotions of fear and confusion started to rise but were sucked from me as quickly as they came. Fear wasn't the only emotion I found being sucked out of me. Almost any emotion that I could feel was starting to leave the same way my fear was. All the same way like a small flow of electricity flowing though my body and out my back. I blame the magic of this world but Its nothing I was concerned about at the time. As I started to get up we could hear a snickering like laughter. At first I thought it was Fang but as I turned to him his face was full of anger and he was clearly not laughing. He was staring at me ready to pounce. “Easy now Fang. Whats got in-” I didn't get to finish “Boo” came a voice from behind. I jumped a little as I turned to face the source of the voice. What I saw, I thought was a man in a hooded robe. I got a little hopeful right then only to be ripped by what was actually there. It was humanoid in shape but that was it. What was under that robe I still don't know. Where a face should be was only smoking blackness with two glowing yellow eyes. The eyes actually looked more like a light source then actual eyes. If it had hands then they where covered by the sleeves of the robe. It was also hovering above the ground. The robe was at least two or three inches off the ground but there was nothing there where feet should be. “Now what are you?” The robed thing asked me. Its eyes changed shape to show emotion the best it could. Its voice was that of a Scotsman. “What am I. What are you?” “Not importa- wait you look human but are, oh this is fascinating!” the robed thing said happily. It then took a bow. “Allow me to introduce myself, I am Spirit, avatar of the Entity of Death.” “Death?” I asked a little worried. “Yes Death. Its my job to make sure souls get on their way and balance maintained between the other avatars.” “Ok. Ummm, got it. But none of us are dead....I hope.” I said as I turned around to look at Spike still laying on the ground. Spirit gave a chuckle. “No no, your fine no one is dead in this area at least. No I came to see why a being of no magic was doing in Equestria traveling with the Avatar of Nature.” “Wait slow down just a sec. What exactly is an Avatar of an Entity anyway?” I asked. “What!” he turned to Fang “Fang you have been traveling with a human and you failed to tell him what an avatar is. For shame Fang. I'm going to make sure Nature gives you less bones.” Spirit scolded, Fang just growled in return. “Well Human every Entity needs a physical form in Equestria. Mind you this is only in Equestria, you don't have to worry about any of this mumbo jumbo if you ever make it back to Earth. Anyway in short an Avatar is an ageless and powerful being chose by an Entity. Though an avatars power may seem godlike we are not. No where near in fact. Also the Entities ain’t gods either think of them more like something a human can refer too.” Spirit paused for a sec to think. “AH HA! Think of the Entities as Angles. Those not quite up there in the hierarch of things they are the closest thing I can think of that humans can relate to. Anyway getting off track. Back to the Avatar thing. Avatars still are ourselves for the most part however if something goes horribly out of balance in Equestria, Entities can possess their avatar and fix things that will put our world back into balance. This is rare as-” I put my hand up to interrupt him. “I get the gist of it.” “oh ok. Now back to my original intent of coming to you. Why are you out here?” “You could say I'm a drafted courier. My only chance at getting back home is to get a package delivered to that city over there to the Entities of the Sun and Moon. But now I'm guessing I'm actually heading to their avatars instead then.” I replied. “Ah, Celestia and Luna, they are a good lot. Well then my curiosity has been satisfied. I shall take my leave now.” With that, the Spirit vanished. “Well that was interesting.” I said aloud trying to get a response out of Fang. There was none but it wasn't unexpected. I tried to get Spike up but he was out cold. I tried to drag him which didn't go so well. In the end I was able to talk Fang into carrying the unconscious dragon on his back. The rest of the trip was quiet. Something about our encounter with Spirit got to Fang. He went from being cold and annoyed all the time to just, well just blank of any Emotion. It was a little creepy. We got to the gates right before sun rise. Two unicorns clad in armor were waiting for us, they looked a lot like the ponies I saw in my vision a few days back except, well, unicorns. The moment we were one the other side of the gate the hairs on my skin started to stain. I could feel something crawling all over me. Before I could react I fell to my knees vomiting. Then fell over onto my side. The next thing I saw was the shield going up then I blacked out. Damn magic. Author's Note Woot. Got this done a little(ok a lot) faster then I though. Chapter 6 & EpilogueChapter 6: I woke up in my bed. My bed! O joyous moment. I was home. That moment of joy was shot lived. I looked around my room. There was a desk with a computer, and a dress with pictures frames on the top of it. Everything there was, faded as if time went on with out me, but the stuff that was here was not my stuff. I went to turn on the light, flipped the switch and nothing happened. My heart dropped. No, this is not happening. I quickly scurry out of my apartment. The site of my surrounding was just, I don't know how to truly explain the horror I felt at what I saw. The building were wrecks, cars were flip. I was only gone four days, four day. This isn't real it can't be. I found a newspaper stand not far from my apartment building. I was lucky there where still papers in it. I pull one out and the date is the first thing that grabbed my attention, September 28, 2063. it was only January 2, 2013 last time I checked the date. Fifty years, it can't be, it just can't. I pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming. I feel the pain and the mental shock of knowing this isn't a dream hits me hard. I drop the paper right there. I walk back to my aparentment, every step heavier then the last. I lean back on a wall and sit down on the floor. I just cried, I don't know for how long but that is what I did. My family, friends, life as I knew it, gone. And for what, to delivery a package on another world that had nothing to do me. I still don't even know what the package was really other then a weird stone egg. I don't know how much time passed when I finally stopped crying but it was dark by then. I didn't move though. I just staid there, sitting on the ground, staring into space. I didn't sleep that night. When morning came I finally found the strength to get up and find out what actually happened. I went back to the newspaper stand. Surprisingly the wind didn't blow away the one I drop. I pick it up and start reading the front page. “Stag Flu Spreading at Alarming Rate! Millions Dead Over Night!” it said in bold letters on the top of the page. After reading on it turns out this “Stag Flu” was a modern day bubonic plague that killed a lot faster and spread like wild fire. I gave a depressed chuckle. “Looks like that I won't be alone for to long then. This “Stag Flu” will kill me off in no time.” I said out loud. I knew no one could hear me. There was no one to hear me. I crumple the rest of the paper in a ball and throw it aside. I start walking down the street. Start looking at the wreck building that where once a city. It was never a big city but it was home. It's clear to me now that its been more then fifty years. That paper was just the last time man could write down the date. After an hour of walking I hear something I though I would never hear again. My anger flared and for the first time since I found it I drew my sword. It was the sound of wood creaking that only comes from the movement of a Timberwolf. I turn around a see Fang behind me in the middle of the street but he was different, his eyes are glowing bright white instead of dim yellow. He just stares at me head hung low. Then I hear something that flared my anger even more. “I'm sorry, I didn't want this to happen to you.” It wasn't Fangs voice. It was Nature's voice in my god damn head! “Sorry, SORRY! You stole me for my world then drop me back when it's dead!” I shout. “I didn't know they whould drop you off in your future. I didn't know humanity died, I just, please just hear me out.” her voice was weak and on the verge of crying. My anger was starting to get the better of me, but a part of me also wanted to hear her out. So I decided to release a little anger. With a yell I swung the sword like a baseball bat into a nearby telephone poll. It goes half way through before stopping. “MAKE IT QUICK!” I yelled as I face Fang again. “I was desperate. Chaos, Death, Order, Moon, and Sun did not think and still did not view the Invaders as a threat to 'Their' balance of things. In a way its true, but the death and destruction they caused, I couldn't stand it any more and acted. I worked with the Entities Avatars that where willing to help. You know of Fang, Celestia, Luna, and Spirit. The two you don't know of are Discord and Titan. Discord went mad with power and was sealed away, Chaos still likes him though so he still lives. Titan disappeared ages ago and Order will not tell us where he went.” “Anyway we created a device that when completed would be the ultimate weapon to cleanse Equestria of the Invaders. There was a problem with it though. The magics the device used needed a unique fuel. One that you provided, emotions. When we started fueling the device we found a horrifying fact, it also ripped and pulled out a part of the soul that also produced the specific emotion being poured in. A ripped soul causes death within days on those who supplied.” “Not wanting to sacrifice anymore lives, we searched for decades trying to find a solution. A creature that was immune to the soul ripping effects was the only one we could find. After forty-seven years I found Earth, and humanity. A species that not only showed signs of being able to express every emotion know but was immune to the soul ripping. I plucked you out set the device up to gather any emotions you start to put off, and sent you on your way.” “When you got to Cantorlot we got Sun and Moon to send you home. They where not thrilled that I plucked you to begin with. As a way to get back at me they sent you back at the wrong time. I came to check on you and found that humanity was no more. That is where we are now. I honestly didn't think they would do this to you. I'm sorry” She finished talking and all was quiet for a moment. I was still angry but I was now seeing a little more of the bigger picture. They needed me to be a batter for a bomb. “Did the divice work?” I asked “Yes” A little more anger dissipated, it was nice feeling my emotions fade normally again. I was a hero to them, even if I was nothing more then a pawn. There was some odd comfort in that for me. “So what now?” “Well you can stay here in this dead world, or I can pluck you again. Its only been two days in Equestria. Its rebuilding has already begun, though it my take decades before it reaches its former glory. The Princesses also what to actually meet you and formally thank you for your part in ending the Invader threat.” The decision itself wasn't hard, going back in the end was the only way to truly have a life worth having now. It took me a minute before I could actually give Nature my answer. This time I was leaving Earth for good. Even though Humanity was gone the world was still their. When I said I was ready there was a quick flash. I was what I assumed was Cantorlot castle. In front of me was Spike, Celestia, and Luna. They gave a smile then Spike spoke “Welcome back.” Epilogue: I was given a hero's welcome on my return. I still have mixed feeling about it though, a hero I was in a way but I was also a pawn. I was being used by the true hero's. I finally did get to meet Celestia and Luna. Unfortunately our greeting there was also our last. It wasn't as if the left a bad impressing. In fact its quite the opposite and after my meeting with them it made me a little sad that I could not be in Cantorlot anymore. The Princesses power is a mix of unicorn magic and powers they received being Avatars of the Sun and Moon. It turns out that that mixture of magic has a very bad effect on humans. Its why I passed out when they raised the shield. They said I was lucky to survive that. Needless to say that during that meeting they didn't use any magic. Spike was going back to the ruined library. Said he was going to rebuild that town, he called it Ponyville. The name made my eyes roll but I figured I would go with him since I had to leave Cantorlot. Fang disappeared back into the Everfree for the most part. Every few months he would pop out and see are progress on rebuilding the town. But he never approached us, he just watched from the forest edge. I wish I could say that I lived the rest of my life here in peace. But others saw the usefulness in human diversity, and a pawn again I would be. But that is another story for another time. Author's Note Well that is the end of this story. It went way off course on what I had originally planed for it but in the end I am satisfied with it. I do have ideas for a sequel but that will not be happening for a long while, want to get my skills as a writer up first. I may also rewrite this once i become a better writer but again that won't happen anytime soon. Thank you for reading. Leave a comment, tell me what you think of this story. Be honest with me too.
Chapter 1Chapter1 I woke up in a dimly lit cavern. The ground and walls where dry and rocky. The air was cool, and I was moving. I was to groggy from waking up, but something was making my body move. When I did realize it I was freaking out in my head, thoughts scream as loud as thoughts can sound. My body however did not notice my mental thoughts let alone the stress and keep moving. It was as if someone cut my brain off from the rest of my body and I was now a passenger or my own body. I couldn't even move my mouth to scream or redirect my eyes. My body keep moving down the cavern. The dim light started to get brighter, I also noticed that the light also had a slight tint of green in it. The cavern led to a small patch of land that was the bottom of what I guessed was a crater of some sort. The ground was covered with a think but short layer of grass that only when up to my ankles. The crater itself wasn't that big around as it was steep. I would guess the it was maybe fifty yards in diametral but the crater walls where step and very high. I could only guess on how high it was. I just new that the crater walls went at lest as high as the clouds. In the center of the crater stood a huge Weeping Willow. It was a magnifican sight that almost made me forget the fact that I was not in control of my body. Almost anyway. I found that my body was walking a little faster and headed straight for the tree. I had tried to regain control of my body but nothing was working. A weird sense of fear came over me the closer we got to the tree. I don't know why but I was afraid of that tree. It was almost as if what was controlling my body was forcing fear into my head the closer I got to the tree. I was now right in front of the tree looking straight at it. What ever was controlling my body didn't give my a choice. I was screaming in my mind afraid of what the unknown had in store for me. Then the unexpected happened. I regained control of my body. It was sudden and a lost my balance. I fell to the ground screaming. My fears disappear as well. Something was messing with my mind. I heard a small chuckle come from above as I fell. Something was in the tree and it was laughing at me. I stood up and looked up into the tree. I found nothing but branches and leaves. If there was something up there it was good at hiding. However my attention was soon redirected. “HELLO” A voice boomed in my head. I grabbed my head with both hand and fell to my feet. I don't know if it was meaning to but the voice hurt like hell in my head. I almost blacked out. My vision was even distorted for the short time after it spoke, but I think that was from where my eyes where tearing up from the pain. “OH, UM IS THIS ANY BETTER” the voice boomed out again. Not as loud as the first time but it still hurt. I was able to keep my mind straight this time. “NO! Still way to load!” I shouted out in pain. “How about now. I think I finally got it right. I do apologies but its hard to calibrate my voice to a creature from another world.” the voice said. I was still a little out of it from the pain. It took me a few minute to registrar what she said to me. A creature from another world. That means that I’m not on earth anymore. Not what I wanted to wake up to....I started to freakout again, and it was real this time. My body shook with my mind as I fell the rest of the way to the ground laying down shacking. I think I was in some sort of shock. “I was afraid of this” The voice said again. It was clearly what ever it was talking was female. Her voice alone was soothing but it didn't stop me from shaking. Then I felt something embrace me. It was warm and comforting, almost like it was hugging me. When I looked around there was nothing there but glowing green light around me. My body was calming down but my mind was still in full gear. “Shhhhhhhhhh” was the last think I heard from the voice and I fell asleep. I awoke sometime later. I felt fully refreshed and oddly calm. I was still at the base of the willow tree. However my feelings of shock and fear where gone and replaced with a calm curiosity. “Ah your wake. How do you feel.” the voice said. Though I could not tell where the voice was coming from I could only guess it was somehow related to the tree. So I talked facing the tree thinking it was what was talking to me. I know it sounds crazy. “Good I guess” I replied “That's good. I do apologies for putting you though shock. It is a side effect of 'Plucking'” “Plucking?” I asked “Yes. It the term used when an entity, like me, pulls a creature from its world and put them in the entity's world.” she said acting like it was no big deal. I did not like where this was going. I had the feeling that I was going to be asked to do a task to save the world, or at lest a nation from some sort of evil. It happened in every cross dimensional stories of fiction I heard growing up. But I didn't have anything better to do so I played along a little more. “Ok so why did you bring me here? Better yet where is here?” I asked. “O this is the heart of my forest. I never did give it an official name but the creature both withing and out of it call it the Everfree. As for why you are here I needed someone to deliver a package for me-” Well that seams simple enough. “However all routes to the destination are cut off my the horde of Invaders that pillage the lands outside the forest-” I hate it when I’m right. “and my servant, the creatures of the forest, are not on good terms with the recipient of the package.” she finished. And now it sounds like 'll be going solo. Great. I just stood there dumbstruck. This entity pulled me, some one with no combat training, I mean I can shoot a gun but its not the same as actually combat, to go out and fight my why from point A to point B, just to deliver a package that she or her savants can't do them selves. Why did she grab me? Why not a solider? I decided to give her a piece of my mind. “What the hell! Why me! Why did you pick the one human that doesn’t know how to really fight!” I shouted. “Well...” she started talk again missing the anger in my voice. “Its because you where the only one I could pluck without upsetting the balance of your world. If it makes you feel better I brought you to a place where your actions will actual be useful to a world.” Did she just call me useless? Did she really just have the nerve to say that? Did she think I was some dumb creature? Or was she really that clueless about my situation? “Did you just call me useless?” “Only in your world. Here you can be quite useful and contribute to this world greatly” She said almost a little to happily. “......... Send me home” I demanded. There was a long moment of silence after that. “Well” I asked to break the silence. “I can't” she replied with a little sorrow in her voice. “What!” “I CAN'T!!” she yelled. “I only have enough power to pluck. I can't put you back” she said remorsefully. “But the Entity of the Sun and Moon maybe able to. You can ask them when you deliver the package to them!” she said excitedly. It was like her mood could change at will. “So where is this entity of the Sun and Moon at?” I asked “O it is in the Castle on the side of Mount Cantor. North west of here. You can't miss it. It's covered in a magical field to keep the Invaders out” she said. Wow she just told me where I could go to leave without agree to take the package. Well time for me to leave, or though I thought. Without saying a word I turned to face the cave entrance and started walking away from the tree. Was I really just talking to a tree. Anywho I soon realized she was a very powerful tree that tended to get what she wanted. I heard the leaves and the branches of the willow shack violently. I didn't turn back and changed my walk into a sprint. I was almost to the cave when I was cut off. What was in front of me now was both amazing and terrifying. I still don't know if I fell backward on my bum out of fear or amazement. In front of me was a creature that was easily the same size of a lion but clearly had the shape of a wolf. However where there should have been fur there was tree bark. It slowly crept up to me. With each move I could here the sound of wood creaking and cracking. Its eyes where solid yellow the where glowing, not brightly but just enough to know that they where emitting light. This wolf was made of wood. It got right in front of my face so close that o could feel its breath on my skin. Fear was defiantly starting to overcome me. I kicked out of panic hitting the wooden wolf right in its chest. It didn't even budge. But instead spoke. Not like the entity that sent its voice straight into my mind but with words coming out of his mouth. And he sounded pissed. “I believe you still have business with the mistress. I suggest you finish before leaving.”
Chapter 2Chapter 2 Well it didn't take long for me to up and take the package for this Entity. She even managed to 'pluck' a few items from earth to help me out too, namely a backpack, a flashlight, and some food items. The package itself was strange. It was a plain rock formed into an egg like shape. I would have been questioning it but there was a giant wooden wolf behind me and I did not want to piss him off anymore. “There you go. Any questions?” the Entity asks, a little to cheerful for my liking. “Actually two. One you said there a horde of some sort attacking the lands beyond the forest. Can you also give me something to defend myself with. Two can I get a guide for getting out of the forest” I replied. “Hummm, the guide I can do. In-fact, Fang you are going to accompany him all the way to Cantorlot.” “WHAT!” yelled the wolf that was behind me. “As for a way to deal with the Invaders, humm. There may be old weapons and armor in the ruined castle but other then that I can not provide. Entities are not aloud to make or 'pluck' weapons of any kind.” she said ignoring the wolf's cry. “Alright then” I sighed “Lets get going.” -- The forest on the other side of the crater was different to say the lest. Where the crater had been bright and comforting, the forest itself was dark and gloomy. I also noticed that what wildlife I did see was that of Earth's. There where snakes, birds, bugs, and I even say a few rabbits. One of said rabbits found its way into Fangs mouth by the way. “So Fang, what kind of wolf are you anyway?” I asked trying to strike up conversation. “Is it tree-wolf, wooden-wolf, twi-” Fang interrupted me before I could finished. “Timberwolf. I'm a Timberwolf.” Fang replied coldly. “Ok ok. Just trying to strike up- WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!” my attention was now on a beast that was in front of us. It was a lion but much bigger but that was not what had me freaked out. It was the giant scorpion tail it and bat wings had. “What, that. That is a Manticore. Don't worry he won't eat you. In fact nothing hear will eat you. The Mistress won't let them. Now come on. We got a ways to go yet.” Fang said, he was clearly annoyed with me. The rest of the trip to the castle consisted of me being quite until another weird or mythical creature showed up. I would ask and Fang would answer despite the fact that it annoyed him. He also made a point of sounding annoyed too. We ran into a number of critters too before arriving at the castle. The castle was, as expected, a ruin. Vines growing on the walls and collapsed sections all over the place, cobwebs, dust, the works. As I started to enter the front gates I noticed Fang not entering. “You coming?” I asked “No.” he replied deadpanned. “Why not?” “I just can't. Honoring the past.” “Honoring the past?” I asked raising an eyebrow. “It doesn't concern you. Just hurry up. I want to to make it to the forest edge by tomorrow.” “Fine, fine I won't be long.” The castle was old and dusty. Its been at lest a hundred year since anyone or anything has been here. I explored much of the castle and found nothing of use. However I did find something interesting in one of the halls, scorch marks. What made the marks I don't know but I found it weird and a little unsettling that just the one hall had them. I finally found what I assumed was an armory. Most of the weapons and armor had been rusted away. However there was one sword, a katana, that was in surprisingly good condition. It wasn't pretty or anything but it looked like I could hack at stuff without it breaking on the first swing unlike the rest of the stuff in there. As I was heading out I came to the hall with the scorch marks again but it was different this time. It was new, as if the place was just build. The room was richly decorated. Gold and sliver used on all the light fixtures and frame trimming. However it was the creature inside that grabbed my attention. Ponies, technicolor coated ponies. Some wore armor as if they where guards, other wore fancy clothing while others wore nothing at all. None of them seemed to notice me. “Come All! Tonight we shall have rulers that can transcend time itself!” A black pony yelled from the center of the hall. Underneath the black pony I saw two young foals, I would say they where newborns by the look of them. One was white with a pink mane and tail. The other was dark blue, almost black, with a lighter blue mane and tail. Two guards came forth both had a crest of some kind in there mouth. I couldn't quit tell what they looked like though. They put the crests in front of the foals. Then there was a blinding light. Next thing I know I'm on the ground being drug by Fang out the front doors of the ruined castle. Its also night now. Which is odd, it was only mid afternoon when we got here. Luckily I still had a grasp on the sword. “What happened to you!” Fang shouted at me. “I don't know, one minute I’m in old castle next I'm in a new castle with a bunch of colored ponies talking about rulers transcending time. Then you dragging me.” I responded speaking faster then I should. But when my words left my mouth Fangs eyes went wide with fear. “Where there two foal, one white, one so blue it was almost black?” his voice a little shacked. I have no clue whats going on but to scare a lion sized Timberwolf had me a little nerves as well. “Yes” I replied. “We need to go. Now!” “Whats going --” “NOW!!!” he yelled. And so we where off to the forest edge.
Chapter 3Chapter 3: “Welcome to Equestria” Fang said. We reached the forest edge that morning. The sight of the lands beyond stunned me for a moment. It was a battlefield, one giant battlefield from here to the mountain. I could see the shield around the mountain being hit by something. Small explosions could be seen flashing upon it. The sky is what really grabbed my attention however. I was looking up between the sky over the Everfree and the sky over Equestria. I wasn't believing what I was seeing but then again I’ve already seen a bunch of unbelievable stuff so far. The sky over Equestria was almost like stagnant water, still and unhealthy. It was as if the forces of nature did not work beyond the forest. “There is a ruin up ahead, you will sleep there. Day travel will get you killed and you look like you need a rest.” Fang said. “What about you?” I asked “Don't need it. One of the perks of being a Timberwolf is we don't need sleep and we don't tire.” As we entered the ruined town the devastation was clear. The roads were broken, the buildings collapsed in on themselves, all of them had burn marks on them. There were no bodies however, not even a skeleton. “What happened here?” I asked aloud not even realizing it. “The Invadors, they loot, destroy, capture. They eat the fallen and save the captured for a later meal. Then they take what they can to fuel their destruction, anything left they burn.” Fang replied, for the first time an emotion other then annoyance or anger was in his voice. It was sadness. I couldn't help but feel a little sad for a moment. There was one building that was still standing that would serve for the most part as a shelter. It looked more like a dead tree then anything. It was the inside that surprised me though. It was bigger on the inside. I doubled back outside to make sure I wasn't just going crazy......er. The inside was a mess. Half burnt books littered the floor, stairs to the upstairs were broken, and the walls where scorched. Based on the busted tables and shelves I was sure that this place was once a library. How was this building still standing. It was a tree filled with books, it should have burned all they way down for crying out loud. I soon no longer cared as I sat down in a corner of the room ready to go to sleep. Thoughts of why I was here started coming back to me and I pulled out the stone egg to stare at it. What was it really? Why did that forest entity need me to deliver it? How am I even going to survive this trip? What was with that vision at the castle ruin? Just too many questions going through my head. I ended up falling asleep with the stone in my hand, and awoke in the late afternoon. Fang was watching out the windows making sure noting was moving. He gave a nod signaling it was safe and we went to leave. We got to the door when we heard a sound coming from below. Both Fang and I froze at the sound. Loud thumps coming up from below us. They started getting louder and moving up-words as if on stairs. Our heads moved, following it. Fang quickly bumped me and we left the library with haste. He lead my through the town and we eventually came to a railroad. I was honestly surprised to see a railroad, everything up till now had looked medieval at best. Parts of the track were missing but the path it followed was clear. “This is the quickest way to Cantorlot. Should only take three to four -” Fang was cut off by the sounds of foot steps approaching. We turned back to look into the town. Again what I saw could only be a creature of myth. A small humanoid with greenish skin, a goblin. There were several of them and they where closing in on us fast. Not going to lie I was scared. Seeing the creature as a myth and seeing it in reality was different. They were fast and it was plain as day that they had murder on their mind. I instinctively ran and hid in a building that I could only assume was the train station. I never looked to see how Fang was doing in that fight. I could here the skirmish clearly though. The sound of Fang's claws and teeth ripping his attackers apart. The goblins blood curdiling screeches of terror as they fell chilled me to the bone. One of the goblins must of noticed I fled into the building. It was coming upon me and by the time I noticed there was nothing I could do to stop it. In a matter of seconds it leaped to pounce me, its clawed hands ready to tear into me. Just a moment before it made impact I was spared A large clawed hand swatted the goblin away with little to no effort. Severing the goblin in two in the process as well. This new creature in front of me was big, easily twice my size. It was a lizard of some sort, bipedal as well. Its scales were purple in color, and green spikes running down his back from the top of his head all the way down to his tail. I was shocked, and scared. Moments right before getting attacked, saved by a more horrifying looking creature. “They eat the fallen and save the captured for later” Fang's words echoed in my head. It was going to eat me, I knew it. I was too scared to move. I closed my eyes waiting for the end. The end never came though. After a few moments of silence I opened my eyes. The lizard monster was still there. It had a very confused look on its face as it spoke. It even tilted its head. “What are you?”
Chapter 4The monster that had saved me was staring at me, his eyes full of curiosity. After he spoke my fear was sucked out of me, literally. I could feel it like a shock going through my body, it flowed to my back and was then ripped from me at a single point in by my spine. My fear was gone in seconds, and I now found myself looking back at the monstrous lizard with curiosity as well. Thinking of the question it asked me, I spoke first. “I'm a human” I said. This got his attention. Before I even finished saying my words his eyes went wide. “You...you can talk?” he asked “I can. Now what and who are you?” I asked “I'm a dragon, name is Spike” I looked at him a little stupefied. He looked nothing like a dragon, at least not the dragons in the stories back home. He didn't even have wings. I would of questioned him about it but Fang found his way into the ruined building. Fang's bark skin was covered in the blood of the goblins he had slain. From what I could tell he was uninjured. Fang's eyes were locked on Spike. Fang walked up cautiously, he didn't want to fight Spike but didn't want to be unprepared either. “What are you doing here dragon?” Fang asked, coldly “Saving this human from a Pip-Squeek,” Spike answered just as coldly. “Pip-Squeek? You mean the goblin over there.” I pointed at the severed creature that Spike killed just moments ago. They both go wide eyed looking at me, then the corpse then back at me. Fang was the first to speak. “Let me guess, your world has stories of goblins that are described as the Pip-Squeek there.” I gave a nod. “Heh, looks like some of your world's stories are off on some things. A goblin is a lot, bigger and deadlier” “Oh” “Wait, wait, other world. How did you get here, rift or plucked?” Spike asked me. “The Entity of the Everfree plucked me. Wants me to deliver a package to that place, Cantorlot she called it.” I said pointing up to the mountain. The sun was almost completely down at that point, and the moon started to rise into the sky. What I saw next made my heart sink a little. The shield over the city was disappearing. My first thought was the Invaders had cut off my only way home. I was staring to be filled with a sense of dread just thinking about not being able to see my family and home. “The shield...” is all I was able to mumble out. “What about it? It goes down every night” Spike said “What? What do you mean?” Spike let out a sigh before explaining. “You really are from another world. The Invaders can't be out in the moonlight, they burst into flames. Don't know why they burn in moonlight but it gives the Princesses and the ponies a chance to rest. What is really weird about them is that no one has been able to find where they hide to get away from the moon.” After that explanation my fear left me, again it was sucked out my back. It was a little more painful this time though. “Well we best get going.” Fang said The two of us started walking down the railroad tracks. Spike went back into the town, I guess he really did live in that ruined library. I looked up at the night sky as we traveled along the tracks, I couldn't help but notice the night sky. It was beautiful. There where so many stars and they shined with such radiance. I was a little sad that I couldn't find any familiar constellations, then again this is another world. About three hours into our trip we heard someone coming from behind. We looked back and lo and behold it was Spike. “I'm coming to Cantorlot with you. Its been awhile since I saw a friend of mine up there.” “No” Fang replied I was going to ask why not but Fang and Spike began talking again before I could voice my opinion. “Why not.” “NO! Its going to be hard enough for the human to actually get in the city let alone me. And your a Dragon.” “Trust me I can get us all in no problem.” “And how are you going to get us all in with no problems?” There was a pause for a moment, the silence broken by Spike. “My mother was Twilight Sparkle.” At that moment I saw an expression on Fangs face that I would never see again. It looked like he was scared. Of what I truly don't know. He even shook for a split second. I was more confused by the whole thing. The two just stood there staring at each other. Spike, a very serious look on his face and Fang, a dumbstruck, slightly scared look on his face. After a minute I broke the silence. “Anywho, I take it this Twilight is very strong and respected dragon?” “She was very strong and respected during her life, but she was no dragon. She was a pony, a unicorn to be exact.” Spike said. Unicorn. They had unicorns here too. I shouldn't of been surprised at this point by now, I really shouldn't have been, but I was. A dragon raised by a Unicorn, that is a new one. “Lets get going. The night will not last forever.” Spike said putting emphasis on “forever”. Fang had come out of his fear and gave a slight chuckle at Spike's words. I apparently missed something there. For the next two days we traveled by night. I was worried during the first days sunrise since we had no place to hide and rest. Fang however had a plan, dig a hole and hide. Not the best plan but it worked. He was a fast digger but Spike was way faster. Spike had a hole big enough for all three of us dug in under five. Spike said he use to dig a lot in his younger years and even learned some tips from creatures known as Diamond Dogs. We ended up sleeping in holes the whole way there because we couldn't find anything else that was safe to hide in. The nights of our travels mainly consisted of Spike and I swapping stories. He told me about the times before the Invaders. He made this place sound like a paradise. I also learned of a third kind of pony, pegasi. The pegasi apparently controlled the weather in Equestria. That explained the sickly sky now, no pegasi no weather. I learned that his mother, Twilight, died decades before the Invaders even came. From the stories he told she lived a good life and passed away happily one night from old age. Apparently the ponies had the same life span as human did but dragons, dragons could live for millennia. Spike was still considered young and he was 400 years old. I told them of earth and humanity. Spike was intrigued when I told him that the entire world was like the Everfree and nature took care of itself. However it was when I told them how diverse humans are that I got a few concerned looks from both Spike and Fang. I didn't sugar coat anything, I told them good, the bad, and the ugly. The third and final night of our travel we made it to the gates of Cantorlot, but not before meeting an interesting fellow on the way.
Chapter 5Chapter 5: As we made our way that final night. I got to thinking how lucky we were on this trip. Though I have never yet encountered any of the Invaders except for the “Pip-Squeaks”, but if only half of what Fang and Spike have said was true I was happy I haven't. We were about an hour away from the gates of Cantorlot. Spike pulled a scroll out, where he was keeping it till this point I have no idea but I'm sure magic was involved. Then he breathed fire on it and the scroll was gone. I don't know what surprised me more at the moment, the fact that he randomly burned a scroll or that his fire was green. I was about to ask him what that was all about but I ran into something and it knocked me over. It was like running into a brick wall but when I looked around there was nothing there. I got back up and tried walking forward only to be stopped and pushed back again but I stayed standing this time. I stuck my hand out. Again as soon as it made contact with the invisible wall it was pushed back. What was odd though is that Fang and Spike where not affected by the wall. They where watching me in confusion at first. They even walked back and forth. Spike then got the idea to try and push me. That was a bad idea. When spike pushed me the wall gave an extra kick that didn't just push me back but sent me flying. Spike was unprepared for it as well and in the end I found myself five feet backwards laying on top of a dragon. Emotions of fear and confusion started to rise but were sucked from me as quickly as they came. Fear wasn't the only emotion I found being sucked out of me. Almost any emotion that I could feel was starting to leave the same way my fear was. All the same way like a small flow of electricity flowing though my body and out my back. I blame the magic of this world but Its nothing I was concerned about at the time. As I started to get up we could hear a snickering like laughter. At first I thought it was Fang but as I turned to him his face was full of anger and he was clearly not laughing. He was staring at me ready to pounce. “Easy now Fang. Whats got in-” I didn't get to finish “Boo” came a voice from behind. I jumped a little as I turned to face the source of the voice. What I saw, I thought was a man in a hooded robe. I got a little hopeful right then only to be ripped by what was actually there. It was humanoid in shape but that was it. What was under that robe I still don't know. Where a face should be was only smoking blackness with two glowing yellow eyes. The eyes actually looked more like a light source then actual eyes. If it had hands then they where covered by the sleeves of the robe. It was also hovering above the ground. The robe was at least two or three inches off the ground but there was nothing there where feet should be. “Now what are you?” The robed thing asked me. Its eyes changed shape to show emotion the best it could. Its voice was that of a Scotsman. “What am I. What are you?” “Not importa- wait you look human but are, oh this is fascinating!” the robed thing said happily. It then took a bow. “Allow me to introduce myself, I am Spirit, avatar of the Entity of Death.” “Death?” I asked a little worried. “Yes Death. Its my job to make sure souls get on their way and balance maintained between the other avatars.” “Ok. Ummm, got it. But none of us are dead....I hope.” I said as I turned around to look at Spike still laying on the ground. Spirit gave a chuckle. “No no, your fine no one is dead in this area at least. No I came to see why a being of no magic was doing in Equestria traveling with the Avatar of Nature.” “Wait slow down just a sec. What exactly is an Avatar of an Entity anyway?” I asked. “What!” he turned to Fang “Fang you have been traveling with a human and you failed to tell him what an avatar is. For shame Fang. I'm going to make sure Nature gives you less bones.” Spirit scolded, Fang just growled in return. “Well Human every Entity needs a physical form in Equestria. Mind you this is only in Equestria, you don't have to worry about any of this mumbo jumbo if you ever make it back to Earth. Anyway in short an Avatar is an ageless and powerful being chose by an Entity. Though an avatars power may seem godlike we are not. No where near in fact. Also the Entities ain’t gods either think of them more like something a human can refer too.” Spirit paused for a sec to think. “AH HA! Think of the Entities as Angles. Those not quite up there in the hierarch of things they are the closest thing I can think of that humans can relate to. Anyway getting off track. Back to the Avatar thing. Avatars still are ourselves for the most part however if something goes horribly out of balance in Equestria, Entities can possess their avatar and fix things that will put our world back into balance. This is rare as-” I put my hand up to interrupt him. “I get the gist of it.” “oh ok. Now back to my original intent of coming to you. Why are you out here?” “You could say I'm a drafted courier. My only chance at getting back home is to get a package delivered to that city over there to the Entities of the Sun and Moon. But now I'm guessing I'm actually heading to their avatars instead then.” I replied. “Ah, Celestia and Luna, they are a good lot. Well then my curiosity has been satisfied. I shall take my leave now.” With that, the Spirit vanished. “Well that was interesting.” I said aloud trying to get a response out of Fang. There was none but it wasn't unexpected. I tried to get Spike up but he was out cold. I tried to drag him which didn't go so well. In the end I was able to talk Fang into carrying the unconscious dragon on his back. The rest of the trip was quiet. Something about our encounter with Spirit got to Fang. He went from being cold and annoyed all the time to just, well just blank of any Emotion. It was a little creepy. We got to the gates right before sun rise. Two unicorns clad in armor were waiting for us, they looked a lot like the ponies I saw in my vision a few days back except, well, unicorns. The moment we were one the other side of the gate the hairs on my skin started to stain. I could feel something crawling all over me. Before I could react I fell to my knees vomiting. Then fell over onto my side. The next thing I saw was the shield going up then I blacked out. Damn magic. Author's Note Woot. Got this done a little(ok a lot) faster then I though.
Chapter 6 & EpilogueChapter 6: I woke up in my bed. My bed! O joyous moment. I was home. That moment of joy was shot lived. I looked around my room. There was a desk with a computer, and a dress with pictures frames on the top of it. Everything there was, faded as if time went on with out me, but the stuff that was here was not my stuff. I went to turn on the light, flipped the switch and nothing happened. My heart dropped. No, this is not happening. I quickly scurry out of my apartment. The site of my surrounding was just, I don't know how to truly explain the horror I felt at what I saw. The building were wrecks, cars were flip. I was only gone four days, four day. This isn't real it can't be. I found a newspaper stand not far from my apartment building. I was lucky there where still papers in it. I pull one out and the date is the first thing that grabbed my attention, September 28, 2063. it was only January 2, 2013 last time I checked the date. Fifty years, it can't be, it just can't. I pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming. I feel the pain and the mental shock of knowing this isn't a dream hits me hard. I drop the paper right there. I walk back to my aparentment, every step heavier then the last. I lean back on a wall and sit down on the floor. I just cried, I don't know for how long but that is what I did. My family, friends, life as I knew it, gone. And for what, to delivery a package on another world that had nothing to do me. I still don't even know what the package was really other then a weird stone egg. I don't know how much time passed when I finally stopped crying but it was dark by then. I didn't move though. I just staid there, sitting on the ground, staring into space. I didn't sleep that night. When morning came I finally found the strength to get up and find out what actually happened. I went back to the newspaper stand. Surprisingly the wind didn't blow away the one I drop. I pick it up and start reading the front page. “Stag Flu Spreading at Alarming Rate! Millions Dead Over Night!” it said in bold letters on the top of the page. After reading on it turns out this “Stag Flu” was a modern day bubonic plague that killed a lot faster and spread like wild fire. I gave a depressed chuckle. “Looks like that I won't be alone for to long then. This “Stag Flu” will kill me off in no time.” I said out loud. I knew no one could hear me. There was no one to hear me. I crumple the rest of the paper in a ball and throw it aside. I start walking down the street. Start looking at the wreck building that where once a city. It was never a big city but it was home. It's clear to me now that its been more then fifty years. That paper was just the last time man could write down the date. After an hour of walking I hear something I though I would never hear again. My anger flared and for the first time since I found it I drew my sword. It was the sound of wood creaking that only comes from the movement of a Timberwolf. I turn around a see Fang behind me in the middle of the street but he was different, his eyes are glowing bright white instead of dim yellow. He just stares at me head hung low. Then I hear something that flared my anger even more. “I'm sorry, I didn't want this to happen to you.” It wasn't Fangs voice. It was Nature's voice in my god damn head! “Sorry, SORRY! You stole me for my world then drop me back when it's dead!” I shout. “I didn't know they whould drop you off in your future. I didn't know humanity died, I just, please just hear me out.” her voice was weak and on the verge of crying. My anger was starting to get the better of me, but a part of me also wanted to hear her out. So I decided to release a little anger. With a yell I swung the sword like a baseball bat into a nearby telephone poll. It goes half way through before stopping. “MAKE IT QUICK!” I yelled as I face Fang again. “I was desperate. Chaos, Death, Order, Moon, and Sun did not think and still did not view the Invaders as a threat to 'Their' balance of things. In a way its true, but the death and destruction they caused, I couldn't stand it any more and acted. I worked with the Entities Avatars that where willing to help. You know of Fang, Celestia, Luna, and Spirit. The two you don't know of are Discord and Titan. Discord went mad with power and was sealed away, Chaos still likes him though so he still lives. Titan disappeared ages ago and Order will not tell us where he went.” “Anyway we created a device that when completed would be the ultimate weapon to cleanse Equestria of the Invaders. There was a problem with it though. The magics the device used needed a unique fuel. One that you provided, emotions. When we started fueling the device we found a horrifying fact, it also ripped and pulled out a part of the soul that also produced the specific emotion being poured in. A ripped soul causes death within days on those who supplied.” “Not wanting to sacrifice anymore lives, we searched for decades trying to find a solution. A creature that was immune to the soul ripping effects was the only one we could find. After forty-seven years I found Earth, and humanity. A species that not only showed signs of being able to express every emotion know but was immune to the soul ripping. I plucked you out set the device up to gather any emotions you start to put off, and sent you on your way.” “When you got to Cantorlot we got Sun and Moon to send you home. They where not thrilled that I plucked you to begin with. As a way to get back at me they sent you back at the wrong time. I came to check on you and found that humanity was no more. That is where we are now. I honestly didn't think they would do this to you. I'm sorry” She finished talking and all was quiet for a moment. I was still angry but I was now seeing a little more of the bigger picture. They needed me to be a batter for a bomb. “Did the divice work?” I asked “Yes” A little more anger dissipated, it was nice feeling my emotions fade normally again. I was a hero to them, even if I was nothing more then a pawn. There was some odd comfort in that for me. “So what now?” “Well you can stay here in this dead world, or I can pluck you again. Its only been two days in Equestria. Its rebuilding has already begun, though it my take decades before it reaches its former glory. The Princesses also what to actually meet you and formally thank you for your part in ending the Invader threat.” The decision itself wasn't hard, going back in the end was the only way to truly have a life worth having now. It took me a minute before I could actually give Nature my answer. This time I was leaving Earth for good. Even though Humanity was gone the world was still their. When I said I was ready there was a quick flash. I was what I assumed was Cantorlot castle. In front of me was Spike, Celestia, and Luna. They gave a smile then Spike spoke “Welcome back.” Epilogue: I was given a hero's welcome on my return. I still have mixed feeling about it though, a hero I was in a way but I was also a pawn. I was being used by the true hero's. I finally did get to meet Celestia and Luna. Unfortunately our greeting there was also our last. It wasn't as if the left a bad impressing. In fact its quite the opposite and after my meeting with them it made me a little sad that I could not be in Cantorlot anymore. The Princesses power is a mix of unicorn magic and powers they received being Avatars of the Sun and Moon. It turns out that that mixture of magic has a very bad effect on humans. Its why I passed out when they raised the shield. They said I was lucky to survive that. Needless to say that during that meeting they didn't use any magic. Spike was going back to the ruined library. Said he was going to rebuild that town, he called it Ponyville. The name made my eyes roll but I figured I would go with him since I had to leave Cantorlot. Fang disappeared back into the Everfree for the most part. Every few months he would pop out and see are progress on rebuilding the town. But he never approached us, he just watched from the forest edge. I wish I could say that I lived the rest of my life here in peace. But others saw the usefulness in human diversity, and a pawn again I would be. But that is another story for another time. Author's Note Well that is the end of this story. It went way off course on what I had originally planed for it but in the end I am satisfied with it. I do have ideas for a sequel but that will not be happening for a long while, want to get my skills as a writer up first. I may also rewrite this once i become a better writer but again that won't happen anytime soon. Thank you for reading. Leave a comment, tell me what you think of this story. Be honest with me too.
