//-------------------------------------------------------// Unusual Circumstances -by FlutterMEDIC1- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// A Rip in the Fabric //-------------------------------------------------------// A Rip in the Fabric As it might be, it just began as a normal February day, snow everywhere as I do live in the North, running a checklist through my head to remind myself if I got all the equipment I needed for this weekend's Boy Scout camp out. The night before I managed to scrape up the required items for winter camping, being as lazy as I am. Be it as it may, I was at my house checking Equestria Daily for any new updates and watching Bronystate for some time, completely sure of myself that I was completely prepared, all the stuff beside me while I waited. For some time that day, I kept thinking of the weird disturbances in the atmosphere, but ignored it for I did have to wear glasses, and light being reflected from frozen snow tends to do that. Some time later, when the clock rolled around to 5:15 PM, I turned the computer off and grabbed my stuff, ignoring the fact that the anomaly in the atmosphere has increased in intensity. Moving right along, I checked my room, making sure my Fluttershy plushie was safe in my room, and rounded the corner to the stairs when I saw it. At the bottom of the stairs was a hole......a large hole, that seemed to emanate the anomaly around me. I just stared at it for what seemed like an eternity, trying to figure out what the hell I was looking at, and whether I was hallucinating/dreaming. Unbeknownst to me, my feet started moving by themselves, almost as if my body wanted to physically touch the portal. I was about halfway down the stairs when my brain snapped back to attention and told me to head back up the stairs as fast as I can. I proceeded to do so; easily at first, but as the seconds ticked by, it became harder to do so, for the portal started sucking only ME in, instead of everything else. Grabbing on to the railing, I held on for dear life, hoping the portal will disappear before I fall in. Alas, my stamina ran out, my arms flailing feebly as I fell into the void with my camping gear. In the said void, I could feel nothing, let alone SEE anything at all. I COULD feel the pack on my back and my body being contorted as I was flung across multiple dimensions, but nothing else. Strange as it be, the void felt............calming...soothing my frazzled nerves from schoolwork and obligations at my home. It got to the point where I pretty much fell into a deep slumber, coma-esque if you ask me at the present time. From what I gathered, let alone know, I drifted in that void for days, as multiple dimensions flew by me, until landing upon one, the one that all Bronies as myself want to live in......Equestria. I awoke slowly on the first day in this new world, first of being incredibly drowsy, the second the feeling of intense pain surrounding my body. As I lifted myself to my feet, I gathered what I could from my surroundings. Forest......deep, dark, omnipresent forest everywhere I looked. Of course, I had NO idea where I was, let alone what time it was from how dark it was, even if I saw the slits of sunlight poking through the canvas of leaves. After looking around, I then tried to figure out how I exactly came here, fully well knowing that I came here by a portal. Looking up, I saw a sizable hole in the leaves and branches, surmising I must have fell through those trees and slamming into the ground upon my entry. Without wasting any time, I climbed up the tallest tree I could find in the immediate vicinity, attempting to see if there was , if any, signs of civilization nearby. Climbing up the tree, I finally took notice of how brightly colored everything was, bringing home the thought of it being......cartoony. I initially dismissed this thought, and continued climbing. Reaching the top, I looked in all directions to discover anything that belonged to a civilized culture. I first looked to the north, seeing a silhouette of what appeared to be a castle attached to a mountain. "Well, that solves that problem," I mused to myself. Looking in a clockwise direction, I saw the mountain range to the east, the one that the castle was attached to, lots more forest to the south, DEFINITELY a direction I didn't want to go, and to the west what appeared to be a village, an inhabited one of that. "That being settled, might as well start heading in that direction.............I hope the creatures there are friendly.....if not....I'm as good as dead," grimacing to myself at the thought of dying in a foreign land. Taking track of time, I quickly climbed back down and headed out westward towards civilization. About a quarter into the trek, I realized I ate nothing when I was back in my own home, in the dimension I belong in. I never really ate anything before a camp out other than the Subway I have for dinner, but that's beside the point: I was getting hungry, and I could see absolutely no edible vegetation in sight. Taking advantage of the solitude, I promptly found a location I surmised to be 'safe' from any and all predators, if they decided to attack me. Sitting down, I took my pack off and rummaged through it, hoping to find something to eat inside the cluttered mess of gear. Luck being on my side, I found three granola bars, five fruit snacks, and a full water bottle. I proceeded to eat one of the granola bars, two of the fruit snacks, and a fifth of the water to stay my hunger for a time. Repacking everything into my backpack, I rose to my feet, regained my bearings, and set off again. A minute or so into the journey, I heard a low rustling in some bushes behind me. Cliche as it is, it did happen, so I did what any person would've done: turn around and try to figure out what was there. Even more cliche, I could see nothing that could have made the sound. Knowing fully well of the consequences of going towards the noise (mostly from several movies and video games in general), I turned back around and started moving again. At this point, my thoughts were frantically trying to figure out what was there, who or what the civilized creatures would be, and whether I would survive here. Above all, I wondered about my family.....my disappearance would worry them to no end. They would spend so much fruitless time trying to find their son in a world that he isn't even a part of, it gave me great pains. Removing all those thoughts from my head, I pressed on, not knowing what I would find ahead of me. Completing the entry to my e-journal, as it shall be from now on, I shut down the laptop, leaned back in my chair and evaluated how I'm doing. Currently, Fluttershy is letting me stay in her cottage, as a human in Equestria would freak some ponies out; Lyra would be the opposite, considering how she is completely nuts about hands. Back to the point, Fluttershy is allowing me to sleep on the couch (after a fair bit of negotiation with Angel, f***ing bunny), complete with a pillow and some blankets no less. She also allowed me to use the desk she had in storage for some reason to type these journals. Straightening out, I finished the dinner Fluttershy cooked for me, a good cook I might add; a basic salad, but in a land full of equines, there's no meat anywhere, so I had to adapt. Standing up, I took the plate to the kitchen to wash the plate, noticing that the time was 10:15 PM. Entering the kitchen, I was surprised to see Fluttershy sitting at the table, like she was waiting for me. ".....Fluttershy?" I awkwardly asked, stopping inside the doorway. Fluttershy's ears perked up at my voice, and turned her attention to me, saying, "O-oh....hi Duncan." Duly noting that she is still a bit shy from her namesake and me being new, I slowly struck up the conversation, "Ummm....what are you....doing up so late?" Fluttershy shifted nervously in her seat, obviously wanting to ask something....personal....that or, as said, is just nervous. "W-well....y-you s-see I.....wanted t-to...ask you s-some questions." Fluttershy stuttered out. It's a wonder that I haven't died of diabeetus yet. Before answering, I started washing my dish, then replied, "That's fine Fluttershy. Ask me anything." "R-really? O-ok, well, what was your....world like?" Fluttershy timidly asked. I can certainly feel the diabeetus running through my veins, but not to the point of being deadly. "My world, huh? Well, it's certainly different from yours, mainly being that there are no pegasi, unicorns, or talking ponies recorded in its history...maybe. Humans are the dominant species....We have common animals like rabbits and bears....no mythological creatures....everything operates on its own..." Fluttershy's eyes widened in wonder at the last fact, since EVERYTHING in Equestria is handled by ponies except for the Everfree Forest. "What else.....there are no all-powerful princesses or princes controlling everything...a lot more advanced technology...sociology...economy *pause* that's all the positives I can think of right now." I finish, letting Flutters piece everything together. After a couple of minutes, Fluttershy responded, "W-well, does everypo...I mean, everyone there...cooperate....with each other?" Fearing the worst I reply, "Sadly, no. My world is full of corrupt, malevolent, greedy people, all wanting things for their own gain, usually hurting others in the process. War. Famine. Prosecution. Hate. Disease. We've got it all. All the ponies in this world are lucky they aren't afflicted by these atrocities." While speaking, I stopped washing the dish and gripped the counter, tightly, trying to push out all the malicious memories out of my brain once again. "O-oh....my.." Fluttershy said, her ears cowering at the thought of all this evil. "Are there....people.....that do care?" "Yes, but there is just so little to do, since each country's government bickers with each other and just can't seem to agree with each other anymore. Inside each government, especially in the one I used to live in, is just a train wreck of lives." Noticing Fluttershy getting really squeamish about the topic, I quickly change gears, "But other than those things, most of our lives are fulfilling, most of us getting to be what we want when we grow of age, and...." Continuing on for sometime into the night, I told Fluttershy of the several wonders of the human civilization, from our earliest history to the present, and how we contributed to the good of humanity. I just wish my family was here though......... Author's Note My first fan-fic EVER. Criticism is greatly appreciated, as I'm looking to expanding upon this story for a great while. //-------------------------------------------------------// From Survival to Civilization //-------------------------------------------------------// From Survival to Civilization Waking up in the morning, realizing that I woke up WAY before any ponies would be awaking, I thought I should cook for myself this morning. Getting up from the plush couch, I narrowly miss Angel's head by a few inches (don't know if it should have closer TO hit, but what can you do) and proceeded to the kitchen. Fluttershy was still asleep at the dinner table, passing out soon after finishing your rambling about the human world last night. Taking extra caution, I decided that I should just make some eggs with toast, nothing special. Skillfully snatching the eggs from the fridge and bread from the cupboard, I oiled a frying pan and started cooking my eggs and toast. Some people find toast tastier when cooked on a pan, mind you. As I was cooking, I began thinking to myself about various things, namely of where to go with my life now. "Well, I could enroll in a nearby college or university, but that would end up with me in an examination table with my entrails pulled out if I go reveal myself too soon. I could try to show myself to the townsfolk, knowing that this town is never normal; however, they could force me back into the forest if I do show up. Guess I'll just work my identity up gradually unt-" stopping mid sentence when I feel a light tapping on my back. My thoughts on their own tangent, I never noticed Fluttershy waking up behind me and slowly watching me cook the eggs and toast. She eventually walked over behind me to ask what I was doing, although being wrapped in your own thoughts tend to send you off to another place entirely. Flutters then started tapping my back, softly at first, to see if she could get a reaction. Failing to do so, she started tapping harder and harder until it was pretty much a jab in the back. Turning around, I saw Flutters cowering in fear, muttering, "I-I'm s-sorry...i-if...I-I....h-hurt y-you. *squeak*" The diabeetus levels are just off the charts at this point, even if there were ones. Paying no mind to the aching soreness in my lower back, I knelt down and said, "Fluttershy, I know you won't EVER hurt any creature in the world, even if they are from a different one entirely. All you need to know, is that, no matter what you do, you won't ever hurt my feelings." Finishing the sentence, I grabbed a plate and placed an egg with toast on it, offering it to Flutters for breakfast. Breaking her stance, she hesitantly accepted the breakfast I made and sat down in the same chair she slept in for the night. Filling my own plate, I took some butter, jam, salt, and pepper, and brought it to the table for us to share. Midway into my own meal, Fluttershy finished her own with a small smile. "It was delicious, Duncan. And I mean that honestly. Not that I would've said it was bad, if that's ok...." Fluttershy complemented.....maybe. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go feed all the other little creatures their own breakfasts'." Fluttershy stood up and placed her plate next to the sink, heading outside to go feed the variety of animals that step up to her for care and comfort. "If only every person in my own world was like her." thinking to myself. "Then our world wouldn't be a complete piece of s*** that it is." Finishing my own meal, I proceeded to wash the dishes and take a shower afterwards, removing anymore Everfree forest from my skin that I could possibly see...or smell. Wearing a fresh pair of clothes and with a full stomach, I decided to add the second entry to my diary. As I continued the walking through what at that point was unknown forest, I started seeing more and more familiar characteristics about it. Blue flowers were everywhere and in large patches; the trees looked like the ones you find in a Halloween-themed yard ornament store (except being a bit more creepy); vines were everywhere; I was running around in circles. The last part took me a long time to figure out, as going once or twice through the same area is as difficult to differentiate as it is from one Call of Duty to another. After eventually figuring it out, I climbed another tree to regain my bearings, only to find it was nighttime, and the forest became extremely dark. Ending the first day, I decided it was safer to sleep in the trees than it was on the ground, for little did I know of the predators down there. Creating a makeshift mattress of leaves on the most supported part of the tree, I laid out my sleeping bag and pillow, sleeping after eating one more granola and fruit snack for dinner. Faintly remembering what I dreamed that night, bringing in the consideration that I possess the ability to predict my future through my dreams accurately, I saw myself in a large throne room, in front of two monarchs who bear the voices of the nine muses from Greek mythology, speaking to me. I was, however, unable to tell who or what they were, as there was foggy haze surrounding everything; probably because of how faint the memory is. Who knows. Waking up, I proceeded to empty my bowels as soon as possible, ate one more of the bars and snacks, along with a two-fifths of the water to wash it down, climbed back down, and proceeded on. Unbeknownst to me, I was indeed being followed by not one, but three beasts of the forest, who decided to wait until I stopped for whatever reason to attack. At what I can guess was noon, I stopped just in front of the exit to the forest, thinking that I should be rested and rejuvenated before introducing myself to whatever civilization lies in front of me. Taking out another granola bar and fruit snack, I froze in place upon hearing a low growl; not from my stomach, but from behind me. Looking behind me, I saw one of the most spectacular yet horrifying sights I've ever laid eyes on: Timberwolves, three of them, all looking at me as their morsel for lunch. Seconds later, I recovered from my paralyzed state and shot off towards the edge of the forest, hoping I can escape before they can get to me. As Fate would have it, one of the timberwolves howled, letting everything in a ten mile radius know that it was attacking something. Fate also decided that instead of escaping, that I would be near death upon said escape. One of the wolves reached me, slashing my back, opening three large tears in my back where the claws connected. I kept sprinting, ignoring the searing pain in my back as my thoughts were only thinking of one thing: civilization. One of the other wolves caught up, both of which were now tearing my body apart. Several gashes were applied to my limbs. A large wound inflicted on the back of my head, not deep enough to penetrate the skull, thankfully. Finally exiting the godforsaken forest, the timberwolves retreated, knowing full well that they would be beaten by the sentient beings that live outside the borders. Turning around, I taunted in pure deliriousness from loss of blood, eventually turning back around to black out. Upon blacking out, I noticed six odd shapes in front of me. Two had wings, another set having something on their forehead, and the last two bearing no remarkable traits, except one wore a hat. The last thing I noticed was the bright colors that adorned them, each color blending with each other until everything went black. Waking up with a gasp for air, I shot up immediately, to find myself laid out in a bed in some house. The bed had adorning itself a red-and-white checkered pattern with butterflies in each square. Immediately, I thought of my favorite pony, but dismissed it, thinking that any sentient creature could have one. As I stood up out of the bed, I immediately conked myself on the roof, it being lower the I thought. "Ow." I mumbled, rubbing my head to soothe the slight pain. Seconds later, I heard some movement from downstairs, indicating that someone or something is there. Reaching for my pack, I found it nowhere on my body. Thinking logically, I facepalmed at the fact that the creatures must have taken it away to examine what I have. Composing myself, I reasoned that these beings must be benevolent, due to how they rehabilitated all my injuries, even to the point where there were no scars, which I found weird, but ignored. Slowly making my way down the narrow stairs, the movement came to a stop, most likely being that they heard me, and were waiting for me to come down the steps. Taking caution then, I steeled myself for anything to happen, thoughts whizzing past of the several possible outcomes of this venture. Reaching the last step, I closed my eyes and turned around, opening them to find an amazing sight. A small, yellow colored pegasus, with a pink mane and tail, and light blue eyes, standing there. "H-hello?" said Fluttershy, my brain quickly deciphering what world I was in. Meanwhile, in my skull: Dude.....we're in Equestria.... Yes, I kind of realized that.... ... .....what now? ....faint from diabeetus? Good plan. On three? Make that now. I quickly felt myself passing out from the sheer amount of diabeetus entering my bloodstream. Slamming my face on the floor, the only words that came tumbling out of my mouth were "So......adorable......." before completely shutting down. From what they've told me Fluttershy just stood there, staring at my unconscious body, not knowing what to make of what happened. Neither did any other of the Mane Six, who came out of hiding to figure out what I was and where I came from. Ultimately, the six mares decided upon waiting for me to wake up from my coma and ask me questions then. Applejack and RD, being the strongest of the bunch, dragged me upstairs to Fluttershy's bed, not like she had a choice in the matter, as Angel would've booted me off the couch. From that point, they told that I slept for a full week, feeding and caring for my body all the while, most of it coming from Fluttershy though. So, I managed to wind up in Fluttershy's cottage after nearly DYING from a timberwolf attack. Not a bad trade I must say, but I just wish my folks knew where I was. Taking notice of the time, it being 10:45 AM, I shut down the laptop and got ready to go see Applejack, as I've promised her that I would help with harvesting the apples. At this point, Big Mac, Granny Smith, Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Spike, and the princesses know about me, and all agree to keep me a secret until other ponies take withstand the shock of a different sentient being among them. Taking my coat and bag, I began walking towards Sweet Apple Acres, going the most secretive way possible, to avoid any unwanted publicity. Author's Note TL;DR Escaped from forest, blacked out from blood loss from Timberwolf attack, awoke in Fluttershy's cottage. Criticism greatly appreciated. I like where this is going so far. Certainly different from some stories.