Fate Of The Spirited

Chapter 3 “Just Another Day”

************

The day began to break and the room was slowly beginning to light up as Celestia’s sun rose into it’s throne. Ryder laid on the couch of Twilight’s living room, surrounded by cases of books and knowledge. Slowly opening his eyes and stretching, Ryder let out a groan of displeasure. The light of day breaking through the curtains and piercing his eyes.

Just awake enough to form coherent words he yawned “Aahh...fuckin starving.” muttered Ryder to himself, clearing his nose.

He rolled off the couch, slipping on his attire and looking in the mirror to squeeze a few whiteheads off of his face. Popping the two on his face, he cheekily grinned in the mirror at himself. “Like a fine wine I get better with age” Ryder gave a light chuckle. He wiped his face of grime and proceeding upstairs to use the pony's bathroom. The bathrooms were a lot more smaller than the ones he knew from back home. They held an almost child’s play house feel. In the end it was no matter for Ryder as he didn't really have a choice. It felt weird to think of where he was and he even felt as if he had lost track of time. He stared off into thought as the water ran through his hair and dribbled down his toned but not exactly built body. The technicolor of the room and each piece of surrounding was still something his sight and mind was trying to adapt to.

After drying himself, climbing back into his filthy clothes and FINALLY scoffing down the food Twilight had made for him. He jumped up out of his chair, still chewing the last piece of his food. “Catch you later Twi!”

“Wait! Where you heading off to so quickly? It’s only 7 o’clock.”

Ryder gave her a slight one armed hug and a pat on the head as he spun around heading for the door. “Just got a shit ton to do today! Plus I promised Dash I’d knock about with her and I’m not going to show up late.” Especially being late for Rainbow Dash, she would without a doubt give him crap for it throughout the day.

After a quick but tiring sprint across Ponyville, Ryder finally reached The Carousel Boutique. Panting and trying to regain his breath, Ryder leaned on a nearby post and wiped the sweat from his brow. “Next time I think I’ll just take the shit! Where is she anyways?” Ryder looked up just as he finished his question and saw Dash racing through the air. Doing a few cool little tricks before gliding down to her hooves.

“Hey! Look who decided to actually be here before me!”

“Let’s be honest, you’d give me a shit ton of abuse for being late!” Ryder regained his posture and stood with his arms folded and a slight smirk on his face.

Dash jabbed a hoof into his arm playfully and only joining him in the smirk “So what are we doing here?” said Dash, raising an eye and nodding towards Rarity’s shop.

“We’re here because I’m dressed in clothes that...let’s be blunt! Are a pile of wank!”

“Wank?” Once again Dash raised an eye before hovering beside of him.

“I-it doesn't matter! It just means bad where I’m from.” Ryder scratched the back of his head realizing that the ponies aren't use to his words. They both continued inside of Rarity’s boutique, the bell rung followed by the wooden click of the door closing behind them.

Before Ryder could even call out the white unicorns name, she appeared out of nowhere “Oh! Hello Ryder! Ready for your measurements?” Said Rarity, levitating a tape measure in front of her as she smiled behind her work glasses.

Ryder took off his jacket and tossed it to the ground “Sure! Let’s get this sorted then.”

Rarity blushed up for a moment and hesitated before opening her mouth. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to get out of those clothes first if I am to take a good proper measurement of you.” Ryder didn’t quite catch what she meant at first but after an awkward silence that lingered through the pony mannequin filled boutique, Ryder finally got it.

“Oh...oooooh...you want me to...” He glanced at Dash who was already laughing on her back in mid air her wings fluttering as if it was no effort at all to keep her there.

“You know what? Fuck it. It won’t bother me.” Ryder there and then stripped off, right down to his boxers and stood there with a bit of jokey like vanity in a heroic pose. Dash had already gone bright red and Rarity herself was a bit embarrassed at measuring the human’s body. trying to mind his 'horn'.

“I’ll see what I can do whilst making your clothes. I understand I have to cater for that bulge you have down there.” Right then and there Ryder just shook his head and tried ever hard not to laugh.

Placing his old rags back on himself he turned to Rarity “Thanks for taking my measurements Rarity. I hope it won’t be too hard to make my stuff for me.”

“It’s really no problem darling! I am Generosity after all. Now go on. You and Rainbow Dash go and give me a few hours to make them.”

“Alright then...I’ll catch you in a bit then.”

Just as Ryder was about to continue, Rainbow swooped in front of him “C’mon! Let’s just get going! I have the PERFECT place to take you.” Dash grabbed hold of Ryder’s hand with both her hoofs and began to drag him out the door. It seemed wherever she wanted to go it was something she was excited about. The birds were singing loud and the day still held the sun high in the sky. Ryder and Dash were already walking through the green fields not too far from AJ’s place.

“So...you got me to yourself now.” Ryder said, turning to her with a little wink and a grin. Dash just leaned away with an embarrassed look. “So what do you like...for fun around here?”

Suddenly she perked up “I just love to fly and practice my techniques.”

“What do you practice for?”

“I’m going to become a Wonderbolt!” She exclaimed raising a hoof to her chest with pride.

“Wonderbolt? What’s all that about?”

Rainbow's face dropped suddenly, “WHAT!? The Wonderbolts are THE most AWEsomest and greatest flyers in the whole of Equestria! Only the best of the best are chosen and everypony want’s to be one.”

Ryder loved seeing her enthusiasm, the shine in her magenta eyes and the happy little vain look she had on her face.

“Well I’m sure you’ll do just fine in becoming one of them.” Ryder looked her in the eye with a reassuring look on his face.

Her wings began to slow in flight slightly as she turned to face him “W-Well of course I’ll become one! Isn’t it obvious?”  Rainbow stuttered at Ryder's honesty and unique look he gave her. The two of them finally decide to sit underneath an apple tree that was located right to their left. They sat there, looking down across the meadows towards Ponyville and leaned back against the bark of the tree.

Ryder felt what he wanted to say return to him as he rolled his head to look at Dash who was sitting comfortably on her haunches.

“Your right Dash...it is obvious. But I honestly mean what I say...vanity aside.” Ryder said, smirking as he bared the cigarette between his lips and sparked it up. The cyan pegasus began to stare with curious eyes at what the human was blazing up in his mouth.

“What are you doing? And why are you setting fire to that thing in your mouth?” She waved the smoke away from her face with a foreleg.

“This is a cigarette, it’s not exactly good for me but I take drags of it into my lungs to help relax me and keep me calm.” Taking a drag just as he finished his sentence.

“Then why the hay do it if it’s bad for you?!” Cried Dash.

Ryder chuckled for a moment, breathing out the fumes before he lent his head back “Us humans do a lot of things that are bad for us. I suppose we all subconsciously have a death wish or something.” Rainbow dash placed a hoof on Ryder’s shoulder, leaning her head against him.

She had almost a sad distant look in her eye just as Ryder did “Why though? I know things must suck in your world...but...but...-”

Before dash could continue Ryder butted in “With my world. It has it’s ups and downs. But to truly see the hell of it all, you’d have to be there...fuck you might even have to be human in general to understand! Haha.”

She looked up at him with those cute eyes that drew him in every time he fell into their gaze. “Do you ever hope to go back home?” She asked.

“Home? I never really had a home. I’ll never probably go back to where I came from. And I couldn’t care. What matters Dash is that I’m here and this is my home now.”

Ryder then placed an arm around her, pulling her close to him as he ran his fingers through her mane “Like that?” he said with a smirk on his face.

"Yeah." Said Dash quietly as she blushed ever so slightly She let her eyes fall closed and laid into him. “I’m glad I met you Ryder.” Said Dash softly and calmly.

Ryder looked quite sharply to his right down at her he gave her a squeeze before replying “I’m glad I met you Dash. You and all the rest of your friends have done nothing but treat me like I actually mean something here.”

“Because you do mean something here, you’re our friend and we think you're worth caring about!” A tear drifted to Ryder’s eye for a brief moment, which he wiped away before she could notice.

Stubbing the cigarette out on the tree, Ryder thought he’d change the conversation a bit “So you're quite athletic then?” Dash looked up at him noticing the sudden change of topic but decided to roll with it.

“Yeah! I guess you could say I’m pretty competitive! Haha!” She itched the back of her neck with a hoof “What about you? Have I got myself a worthy opponent to pit my awesomeness against?” Dash said with a playful nudge. Ryder thought back to the past. Something he hadn’t done for a while since he had been there. He looked off into the distance for a moment as the wind blew.

He turned his head and nudged back with a smile “Guess you could say I am! Though most of my competitiveness was in combat.”

“You mean fighting?” Dash said, with a bit of concern in her voice.

“Yeah...but play fighting isn’t bad though.” Ryder said with a little chuckle, putting a small playful fist to Dash’s side. Dash simply jabbed back at him and before she could be prepared Ryder had grabbed hold of her and began mercilessly tickling her. Rainbow only rolled around uselessly against the tree before making an attempt to fly off from Ryder’s grasp but he was too quick and strong.

He eventually stopped, allowing her let out a little sigh of relief and joy “Rarity should be done with your clothes by now. We should probably get going before she whines about how late we left it.” Dash quickly swooped back into the air, taking Ryder’s hand and pulling him up. The two of them strolled across the planes and back to the boutique. The sun had just crawled across the sky and was just sitting next to the amazing city of Cloudsdale that harbored the pegasi.

The door swung open and in strolled Ryder and Dash after a fun filled morning “Ryder dear! It took me a bit longer than my usual but I finally have for you a set of clothes I think you would look marvelous in!” Rarity levitated up a full set of clothes. The t-shirt was just a plain white slim fitted shirt, the trousers were simply jet black combats and as for socks and boxers they was just white. Ryder walked up to the floating attire, having it gently lowered down into his hands in a folded fashion.

“Wow...you mean you made these in just under an hour or so?”

“Why of course dear! Fashion is what I am best known for in Equestria.”

“Well you've done a bloody decent job I must say! I just hope the boxers fit.”

“Oh they will. I made sure they accommodate for everything you humans have.”

Dash flew over to Ryder who was still inspecting his clothes and began to hover as she herself inspected them “Psh! Why wear something so boring? I know it’s kinda exciting since it’s human clothes and all but it just feels like you probably didn’t have much of a fashion sense back home.”

“Oi! Watch yourself, you know what I’m capable of.” Ryder simply gave a wink before removing his shirt to place on the brand new one Rarity had made for him.

“Besides...you’re right really I wasn't that fashionable back home. I’m what you would call a punk. So what you’d usually see me wearing would be whatever looked outrageous and annoyed people. Slashed up shirts, safety pins...you name it.”

Rarity placed a hoof to her chin, pondering on what Ryder had said about his fashion status back in his old society. “Hmm that’s actually quite interesting really. So your fashion was simply to oppose what was expected and what was popular?”

“Yeah pretty much! Individualism. That’s what it all comes down to and it’s one of your last forms of freedom back where I came from.”

Right before either Rarity or Dash could reply, Ryder had began to take his trousers off and prepare his combats and boxers “Wait!”  Rainbow Dash swooped through the air and began to push Ryder along towards the nearby bathroom “Get changed in here. Makes things kinda less...awkward heh!”

*********

Meanwhile in Canterlot castle...

Celestia stood staring off into the far distance as she had found herself doing it so often recently. The double set of doors behind her slowly swung open and in trotted her sister and ruler of the night, Princess Luna. “My sister I am hear to talk of this human that hath been walking our world.” Celestia turned to to face Luna, curious and yet expecting of what the Night alicorn had to say.

“What is it my sister? What issue with our Alien guest do you have?”

“There isn’t an Issue. I simply must ask of thou...is there really no connection between his arrival and the recent growing darkness in the lands?” Celestia turned away with a pained look on her face. She started to pace up and down the stain glassed hall in thought. Delaying her reply.

“Alright Luna. There is a connection. I am not sure weather it is something that is either a threat to him or a greater threat to my ponies.”

Luna took a few steps forward and raised a hoof before she spoke. “But sister. He is with the Elements of Harmony. Surely they will be able to keep him safe or even deal with him if he is to be the problem.”

“Perhaps Luna...perhaps...all we know is that something is coming and we have to be ready.”

*******

“Christ! For a bunch of naked creatures they sure still have a strong belief in modesty!” After the door had closed behind me I carried on getting changed, slipping on the boxers which actually fitted PERFECTLY! ...In all the right places *Cough*. Straight after that it was the combats and then lacing my boots back up. I rushed them before Dash started to get impatient with how long I was taking in here. On opening the door I wasn’t surprised to see Dash already fluttering in front of me with a slightly pissed off look on her face and both her forelegs crossed.

“What took you so long!? No one takes that long in a bathroom Ryder!”

“Hey! Do you have any idea how long it takes to lace up these boots?” I pointed down at the many eyelets the boots bared.

Without anymore said she just simply sighed followed by “Whatever, let’s just go and enjoy the rest of the day before you have your little ceremony.” I simply nodded and headed off towards the door next to the cyan pegasus.

But before I could leave Rarity spoke up “Oh and don’t forget dear! Applejack said she needs you at her ranch after the ceremony.” I responded with another simple non-verbal answer by sticking my thumb up.

Later on after leaving Rarity’s place we just did little but fun things since I can’t fly so I wasn’t much of a competition for Dash’s competitiveness. We went into Ponyville and got something to eat and once again I was fussy. Well wouldn’t you be if someone...I mean somepony stuck a sandwich in front of you with dandelions in? Luckily for me I managed to get myself something I could enjoy. Just lots and lots of cookies. Me and Dash kept on having back and forth bits of what I could only call banter. She was a funny little thing and I couldn’t wrap my head around what made her so great to be around. Was it her vanity? Was it how accepting her and the others were? Whatever it is she just made me feel as if I could for once in my life enjoy myself. I do worry sometimes that maybe I’m not that fun to be around when it comes to what she thinks. But then again why would she invite me out otherwise? Guess I’m just a silly sod sometimes.

We were walking down the highstreet of Ponyville to where someone called the Mayor Mare was. It was only about 15 minutes before my speech to the town and I was a little bit nervous I have to say.

"Hey...hey! Are you listening?”

“Huh!?” I snapped out of my daydream for a moment to catch what Dash was trying to say.

“I said, have you enjoyed yourself today? I mean like with just me and you chillin.” She itched the back of her neck with her hoof and rolled her eyes back slightly as if to look away while asking.

“Well of course I enjoyed myself. It's been pretty cool so far.” Dashes eyes widened on my reply.

“REALLY!?” She flew right in my face holding her hooves together and grinning a wide smile.

“Yeah really! Now cool it will ya!?” I said placing my hands on her shoulders.

“Hehe sorry. I know you had fun anyways! You were with me and nothing says a cool day then being with the coolest mare in Equestria.”

I just smiled and gently patted my hand on her shoulder “Yeah just don’t get too cocky Dash! haha!”

Before I knew it the time had already flown by and there was masses of different colored ponies forming around the foot of the stage.

“Knock 'em dead Ryder!” Said Rainbow as I glanced back behind me.

The mayor approached the podium and began to speak loudly to her ponies “Hello Ponyville! I am proud to present to you Equestria’s newest addition. A human being! Come on up! And tell all of us about yourself!” Right then the air stood silent as I approached the podium after the mayor backed off.

The small faces that stood below me in shock and waited on my word “Um...hello there. My name is Ryder and...as you can see I am indeed a human being. I won’t hurt any of you. If there’s anything I couldn’t stress more it’s that. Please give me a chance. And I promise you won’t be disappointed by my efforts. I don’t know how long I’m going to be here for and to be honest I don’t think I will be leaving at all. But if you should have any questi-...” Right there tonnes of hooves shot up and I had to skim through the sea of questions.

“Ah yes you right there!” I said, pointing down to a mint green pony with a lyre on her flank.

Her face lit up as she nudged her way to the front “What’s it like to be here compared to your world?”

“Well my world isn’t exactly anything you lot need to ever see for yourselves. It’s the kind of place that can break your spirit before it destroys you.” at my rather mood killing words the crowd lowered their heads a bit in what they heard. All except the mint pony. “I’m sorry if that’s not what you expected to hear my little friend.” I leaned down showing signs of regret on my face.

“It’s alright. I kind of expected you to say that to be honest.” Said the mint pony.

I leaned back up and just gave her a reassuring smile “Anyone else?”

Once again the sea of hooves returned and I had chosen what looked to be a unicorn with awesome blue hair and purple shades “What kinda music do you humans like? If you have music that is...” She finished that last bit with a big grin. I thought for a little bit and remembered that I had my Ipod on me. Not sure if they would like my music but here goes.

I pulled out my Ipod “Anywhere I could hook this up maybe?” After a minute or so of hooking it up to what tech they had for speakers, I soon rolled through the songs I had and chose one I thought was pretty good.

Youtube Video

Soon after it played for a few seconds, The ponies all looked amazed by something so different and aggressive. To think they wouldn't imagine music like that here. I stopped the music after a bit and then continued to talk to the white unicorn “So...what do you think?”

She kept on smiling and nodded “Pretty hardcore!” I was surprised she liked it really but hey! I’m not complaining! Good taste my small friend.

“Well that’s great, you like my music and I love your mane!” I followed with a cheeky wink and jig before returning to the podium. The prat I make of myself at times haha.

A good two hours or so passed and I answered every question I could. Even ones I had answered already here. Some made their faces go to shock and even questions about human anatomies and sex really and I mean REALLY made their faces go red. Even after the hours had passed there was still a constant stream questions being hurled at me.

The mayor luckily stepped in and ended the ceremony. “Okay that’s enough everypony! If you wish to know anything else ask him in your own time.” Thank god for that.

*****

Ryder walked across the stage and exited out the back, allowing the mayor to finish off talking to the ponies that gathered. “So how was I?” Asked Ryder.

“Well...you definitely knocked them dead.” Said Dash with a blush, referencing back to the sexual questions he had to answer “But otherwise! You did great!”

“You really think so Dash?” They both began to head for AJ’s house, Rainbow Dash hovered beside him all the way there.

“I know so! Look I may be the coolest pony in Equestria. But you’re the coolest human.” She smiled at him with slightly narrowed eyes, bumping his shoulder with her hoof.

“Dash, I’m the ONLY human here haha.”

“That still doesn't change what I believe Ryder.” Dash spoke that time in a gentle voice. Ryder noticed the off tone he wasn't use to hearing from the pegasus and came to a halt.

“Are you alright Dash?” Spoke Ryder himself in a more calmer but concerned tone.

“Yeah...look let’s just go to AJ’s! You’re going to love what she has for you!” Dash pushed behind him towards the direction of Applejack's home as she flapped her wings.

They soon made it to AJ’s home, making their way through the apple orchids. Dash nudged Ryder to head on in first. The door was already slightly open and he could already sense something wasn’t right. As he pushed open the door slowly and stepped into the darkness he was then blinded.

*CLICK*

“SURPRISE!!!”

He was greeted by a room full of ponies. Twilight and even spike the dragon was there. Of course AJ was there but he was more alerted of Pinkie Pie's presence after being hit in the face with her party cannon. He climbed to his feet still smiling after being hit with the cannon.

“Is this for me?” Said Ryder, his mouth hung open at what was going on.

Pinkie had already jumped in his face and bombarded him with her answer “YEP! Since you’re new here and a new friend we thought we would throw you...A...PAAARRTY!!!”

“Cool it Pinkie!” Shouted Dash at the loud pink and hyper pony.

Twilight and spike then approached Ryder giving him a piece of cake and a glass of punch. “Hope you enjoy the party Mr!” cheered spike.

“Haha just call me Ryder. You don’t need to be formal with me.” Spike just smiled sheepishly before running off to where Rarity was (Obvious reasons) “And you Twilight...you knew all along didn't you?” Ryder smirked and folded his arms at her.

She just blushed a bit and bared a smug little smile “Of course! It was my Idea to do something for you in the first place...well Pinkie’s too...okay it was everypony's!”

“Well thanks a bunch Twilight, I really appreciate it.” Ryder smiled and took a swig of the punch which tasted beautiful. He loved sweet drinks in general so a drink like that was orgasmic for him.

“Well enjoy the party Ryder!” Just as Twilight finished a record player’s pin dropped and music started to play. The night went on and everyone danced, drank, ate and laughed. Ryder never had so much fun in his whole life. And it completely blew every party he had put up with at home out the window.

Eventually the night began to slow. Ponies had either gone home or if you were Pinkie Pie you were asleep on the floor of AJ’s living room. Ryder and Dash were sitting on the porch outside in the star lit night. Luna’s moon sat bright in the sky and drowned the apple orchids in a silver glow. Then AJ herself came outside “Well! I’m off tuh bed now. You and Rainbow Dash just make yerselves at home you hear! Let me know if ya’ll need anything.”

“Thanks AJ! Have a good night.” Said Ryder smiling warmly at her from the steps.

“You too sugar cube.” She then headed off to bed leaving the human and the pegasus alone in the night.

“So you had a good time Dash?” Said Ryder, stretching his arms and back.

“Yeah, best party I've been to in a while. Pinkie sure knows how to throw 'em.”

They both gave weak laughs before just sitting in silence and gawking at the nights sky. Ryder reached his arm out as slowly as he could, hoping not to spook Dash and began to run his fingers through her mane and down her neck. She let out a little wince as if she was going to ask what he was doing. But she silenced herself and allowed her magenta eyes to sink shut and enjoy the pleasure of the humans extremities “Why do you do this?” Uttered Dash.

“Because I know you like it. And if I can make you happy, or nearly as happy as you have made me feel. Then I will.” His hand came to rest on her back as she opened her eyes and smiled at him with wide eyes. He just returned the smile. “So what’s it like to live in Cloudsdale?”

“Huh? Oh! It’s alright, where most pegasi live for their young lives. It also holds the weather patrol headquarters.”

“Would be an awesome sight to see I’m sure.” Said Ryder removing his hand and adjusting his position.

“Would be great if you could come to my home sometime but...”

“But...?” Ryder became puzzled at her quick halt.

Before he could ask if she was alright she snapped out of it and blurted out “I have to go Ryder, I’m going to have another surprise for you tomorrow!” She quickly nuzzled him with a hug and took off leaving nothing but a gust of wind behind her. Ryder just laid back on the porch. Confused and in thought about what she was even on about. But I guess all he would have to do is wait until tomorrow.

*****

Later that night I was awoken by a strange voice. It whispered to me calling me to come closer and closer. As I sat up to look for what it was all I could see was a thick cloud of mist that coated the orchid. “Hello!?” I climbed to my feet and began to follow the voice. I followed it for what felt like hours. The night was still around me and the mist still was thick. That was until I found myself in the Everfree forest. The mist cleared slightly to reveal a large ruin that laid in front of me. It was...familiar. Where could I have seen this before? Then it hit me. “The old man.” I mumbled to myself. I headed for the entrance of the moss coated ruin. There were so many carvings on the walls. But I couldn't make out what was carvings or what was cracks. The voices still danced gently through the air. I could only press onward down the halls of the ruin. Further and further into the darkness until I found myself in a large dim room. Right in front of me was a stand...an alter almost. The moonlight shone through a hole in the ceiling as if to light it up purposely.

I walked up the the altar and what I found on it was the very items the old man told me about. I swept my hand over it and uncovered the artifacts from the dust. What laid before me was the armor. A jumpsuit like outfit that was clad in well placed plates of dark red steel. I began to suit myself up in it. To try it on and see if it would fit and oddly enough...it fit me like a glove...like it was made for me. What laid next to where the armor laid was a full faced helmet as well. It bared a visor that almost resembled the Mandolorian T and even that slipped over my head perfectly. I could see out of it just fine and even itself was unique. It was black and red and on the top of the helmet it had the Trojan Mohawk which I remembered seeing in those films at home. Moving my body around in what felt like a second skin to me I finally noticed one final thing that was stuck in a stone slot between where both parts of the armor laid. It was a hilt, and with a two handed grip on it I yanked it straight from the altar.

What slept in my hand now was a long sword that sported a silver blade engraved with glowing cyan blue patterns. Even the long swords blade gave off a hum. I then sheathed the blade in it’s rightful place at my side before I heard the voice again. This time it was louder and I could hear it.

“Take this skin, take this blade. Fight for those whose memory shan't fade. Born and chosen from beyond the stars. Born in pain and lived in shame, Only you can break the chains.”

The voice finally began to fade and I was still left confused. The words repeating themselves in my head like a bad song. But grabbing my gear I thought it would be best to head back to AJ’s and just get some sleep.