Birth of a Guardian

I woke up the next morning the regular sight of the wooden rafters of the barn’s ceiling. My eyes slowly creaked open before I was instantly hammered with the memories of last night. At first I thought that it may have possibly been a dream. The sting of pain in the ribs and shoulders snuffed those thoughts out instantly. I put a hand to my bandaged ribs instinctively and I looked around. My tattered hooded top lay beside me, torn, faded, missing half a sleeve and even had a few burn marks dotted over it. The white t-shirt and jeans I wore were not as bad but still rough. The bandages wrapped around my chest and folded up around my left shoulder were I gotten a few scratches.

Pulling myself into a sitting position the memories of their origin still played heavily in my mind.  I don’t know how most people would feel after fighting a small pack of timberwolves but I guessed it would be different than what I felt. Despite the dulling pain from the injuries I had I felt strangely amazing. I don’t know if it was the excitement or the lingering rush of adrenaline but it felt great.

Thinking back to the moment when I faced against the last timberwolf. Staring into the glowing green eyes as it circled me. The desperate struggle against it when it finally attacked me. Lying against the grass and looking up at this world’s beautiful night sky when it was all over.

Meh it was probably just the rush of the moment…

My thoughts were silenced by the barn door creaking open. It was Applejack and a pure white pony with a soft pink mane carrying a white box blazoned with a red cross. Now I admit that intelligence or perception were not my finer traits but it didn’t take Sherlock Holmes to work out who she was and why she was here.

“Mornin’ David. How’re ya feeling? This here is Nurse Redheart. She’s come to make sure ya’ll are ok.” Applejack explained with a cheerful smile as the nurse trotted over to me and popped open the medical box.

Well… this was proving to be a very uncomfortable morning. After removing the bandages the pony nurse descended me into a flurry of what she called “a few standard medical tests”. An unnecessary poke jabbed me in my damaged ribs to check them and a stinging spray to my shoulder from a disinfectant ended the standard part of that. Being pushed back into a lying position I was descended into a blur of I don’t even know what anymore. Lights from torches were flashed in my eyes, metallic tools were poked around in my mouth, blood pressure bands were pumped around my arm, freezing cold stethoscopes jabbed my chest and joints were bent and moved in directions I didn’t even know were possible.

All amid a barrage of curious ‘mhmms’ and ‘uhhuhs’. After fresh bandages were tightened around my chest I got a rough hoof rub to my scalp like a dog

"There, that wasn't so bad now was it?" the nurse picked up her case and trotted out pausing shortly to tell Applejack,

“He will be just fine.” Oh no I wouldn't lady… “His healing process will take longer due to our magical bandages having no effect on him though”

“Thanks doc” Applejack responded as the crazy nurse left.

“What the hell was that about? Are you sure she was even a doctor Applejack?” I groaned as I pulled my even more battered body up. I was quickly beginning to understand why some people do not like doctors.

“Why of course she’s a doctor silly” She answered with a chuckle “So how’re ya feelin?”

“Not too bad before that crazy nurse showed up” I complained as I rubbed the sore ache on my side.

“Heheh well don’t ya worry none about helpin’ out on the farm today. Ya’ll can take it nice n’ easy till ya get fixed up. It’s the least ah could do to repay ya’ll for savin’ ma sister.” Applejack smiled warmly as she put a bowl of oatmeal next to me for my breakfast. My thoughts idly wandered to thoughts of how weird it felt to eat cartoon food for a moment.

“How are they?” I asked as I remembered about the three mischievous little fillies.

“Well aside from owin’ ya an apology for makin’ ya risk yer hide, they’re doin’ just fine.” She huffed in annoyance, “Thanks fer doin’ that by the way, we all appreciate what y’all did.” Applejack gave me a sincere smile before turning to head out of the barn and leave me to my breakfast.

Creaking open the large wooden door I was hit with the bright embrace of the morning sun. Unlike when I had first arrived here it was not that garish blaze that stung my eyes but more of a peaceful glow. Birds chirped merrily in the apple trees near me as took in a deep breath. The air was fresh and crisp on that morning, a lot like every other morning here but this was different.

Call me crazy but I was slowly beginning to like this place. I enjoyed the peaceful and happy atmosphere that this world had. Of course it was nowhere near perfect or without its faults, my injuries from fighting evil enchanted bloodthirsty creatures were testament to that. It reminded me of my childhood years when things were simpler and I would spend hours watching cartoons. Obviously thoughts about my old life still played heavily on my mind, especially my family. I was beginning to miss them deeply now. I couldn’t help but wonder how much time had passed between our two worlds. Things were going to be different when I got home that’s for sure. At least I would have a good excuse for missing work...

Snapping out of my reverie I retreated back into the ban to the open barrel of water. Splashing some of the cool water across my face a few times I enjoyed the relaxing freshness of it. Standing straight I looked into the small dirty mirror that hung from the wooden beam behind the barrel. Damn had I forgotten what I looked like. I realised I hadn't looked in a mirror since my arrival here. The lack of shaving for three weeks had left me with a noticeable stubble and my hair unkempt and rough. Coupled with the clothing I wore I was beginning to look like some kind of tramp.

Scrubbing the water in my face once more I tried to neaten myself out a bit. Turning to pick up the soft towel to dry myself I stopped momentarily when I noticed a broom perched up against the wall beside it. Once again my thoughts delved into those of last night. Smirking lightly I slowly grabbed the end of the brooms handle. Holding up the simple tool I looked at it for a moment, giving it a few experimental lazy swings I chuckled to myself.

Dropping into a sort of mock fighting stance I had seen in films back home, I held the broom out before my before swinging it around like a sword. Grinning at my own actions I pretended to swing my imaginary 'sword' around like some knight of yore. So engrossed in my performance I failed to hear the creak of the barn door opening. I did however manage to catch the muffled snickering and the failed attempts at stifled laughs. Dropping the broom in shock I spun around to by greeted with the giggling forms of the resident librarian Twilight and her snickering purple dragon Spike. The wooden broom uncomfortably clattered against the ground noisily.

I wanted to dig a hole in the ground and hide myself in it from the embarrassment...

“Well, nice to see it isn't going to your head then.” Twilight chuckled as she wiped a tear of laughter away. My face flushed red with embarrassment as the two companions continued giggling.

“I err I-I was c-cleaning!” I stammered. Damn... did I actually just say that? Did I actually try to use that as an excuse?

This only made the pair renew their laughter. Finally after a few uncomfortable and crushingly awkward moments Twilight pulled herself up from the ground. Wiping another laughter tear from her eyes, she cleared her throat before explaining.

“Heheh oh that was good. We came here to check up on you to see if you were doing ok but it looks like there's no need for worry here.” she explained as she stifled another rebellious giggle. “I see you're feeling pretty good about it?” she continued teasingly.

“Yeah, well, you know” I half answered as I picked up the broom and put it back against the wall. Sitting down on the bale of hay I was joined by the pair settling down beside me.

“Rarity is still dying to thank you you know” Twilight stated as she levitated an apple towards each of us. “She says she is eternally indebted to you for saving her sister” I simply chuckled at this as she took a bite from her apple.

“Bit over dramatic don't you think?” I asked rhetorically, knowing of the white pony's penchant for dramatics.

“What was it like?” Spike asked as he beamed up at me, “Fighting off a pair of evil, sharp toothed timberwolves single-handed!” He rushed out in one breath. “I never heard anything like it!” he cheered excitedly. “You're a hero!”

I smiled back at the young dragon at he talked, not really knowing how to respond to the praise. I mean, what do you say to something like that?

“He's quite right David” Twilight interjected “It certainly was quite the feat and most of the Ponyville residents have heard of your exploits” Damn... I had gone from feared monster to celebrated hero in the course of a few weeks? This was getting a little much.

“I was quite surprised myself when I heard it but really given your form it explains a lot” the purple unicorn mused as she ate her apple. My form? What did she mean by that?

“Huh? What does that mean?” I asked as I looked over to her, Spike also following my gaze with a shared look of confusion.

“Well from a scientific viewpoint the shape and configuration of your body, coupled with the omnivorous traits and high ability to use tools, would make your species a much better natural fighter than us ponies.” she explained to us. I began to feel like she had been analysing me in her observations a bit too closely. “I mean, we saw how you handled the broom as a mock weapon before there, its obvious that humans are a lot more dexterous in using tools, and by extension weapons, than a pony ever could without being a unicorn. With your ability to wield tools, high sentience, aptitude for technology and natural ability to fight its no wonder that your race has managed to expand and advance so much on your world.”

I listened as she went on about what she had managed to gleam from a few weeks of observation, surprising me greatly at what she had managed to put together. She delved into her explanations with enthusiasm, pleased at her own knowledge.

“Huh...” was all I could muster at this as I sat there dumbstruck. If she had gotten all this from me then what could she get if she met someone like a top class scientist or something. And honestly I was was getting a little freaked out. Both at how Twilight was playing scientist on safari again and at how I and I alone was representing the whole human race here.

“Wait a minute, what about Spike? Wouldn't all of that apply to him as well?” I asked as I looked down at the purple dragon. “I mean, if dragons are roughly humanoid shape with all the traits you described, plus the ability to grow to a colossal size, natural armour and fire breathing then shouldn't they be the dominant species here?” Spike looked at us both, a clear mix of both surprise and wonder on his reptilian face.

“Well sure, that would be the case but not all dragons are as educated as Spike. Plus dragons are naturally solitary and only care for themselves, err no offence Spike” Twilight easily answered as if she herself had been pondering the issue of the similarities.

“None taken” the dragon instantly replied brushing it off.

“But anyway we came to check up about how you're doing. I have to write to the princesses about it.” Twilight broke off the topic as she tried to get us back on track “We are technically responsible for you you know” she continued with a smirk.

“Well aside from the visit from the good doctor this morning I'm feeling pretty good about it. Not too roughed up, just a few scratches really” I brushed off as I remembered that weird feeling of contentedness and excitement I had felt this morning as it came back.

“That’s good. We're glad you didn’t get too injured doing what you did, and Applejack told me the doctor's report on your condition.” the unicorn smiled as her assistant scribbled down everything that they needed. “What we needed to find out is how you're feeling about it. You don't feel in shock or anything do you?”

"Actually I feel pretty great!" I smiled back at them.

"Really? Well I guess we should of expected as much from what we saw earlier" she answered with a grin creeping onto her face as she brought up my past embarrassment again. "Why do you feel great though? We thought you would of been pretty shook up about it."

"I...I don't really know. I guessed it was probably the excitement of it all but I don't know. It just felt kinda...right you know?" I pondered on what I was saying as I said it. It had given me a sense of right when I thought back to how I felt in the situation that night.

"Huh, curious..." was Twilight's only response as she rubbed a hoof against her chin.

"What is it?" Spike turned to ask his carer

"Hmm? Oh nothing just surprised at how positive an impact it had." she answered as she got up.

"Maybe you'll get a cutie mark in it" the little dragon chuckled and we both shared his laugh.

"Well I think we should head off now, we really need to get that report sent off to the princess" Twilight continued as she levitated the scroll Spike had been writing on into her saddlebag. "We're really glad you're okay David but maybe you should try to get a bit more rest."

"Yeah I guess. Thanks for stopping by though." I replied as I waved them off. "Actually hang on a sec" I called before they left the door. "I don't suppose you have a piece of paper and a pen?" luckily the librarian obliged and levitated an empty scroll and quill out of her saddlebags and over to me. I thanked them and made our goodbyes before they left.

It was beginning to get dark. I had lit a lantern beside me as I worked, the scratching of the quill and flickering of the lantern flame permeated the still silence of the barn. Applejack had stopped by a few times to check up on me and bring me some food. Along with a home made "remedy" that Granny Smith had made me. Tasted frankly quite horrible and made my throat burn but had a kick behind it that had gave me a boost and over a short time it had dulled the pain from my injuries.

Applejack was curious as to what I was up to but I simply explained it as "Just a little project I'm working on, something to keep me busy and focused while I wait." which she accepted.

I was not sure of the time when I finished but it was well into the still night. I lifted up the scroll I had been scratching at for the past few hours. The wavering light from the lantern behind it shone through the parchment, making the black ink markings defined.

Before me, centred in the surrounding writing of things Twilight had said, random thoughts and information... was a drawing of me clad in armour...