Strange New World

Chapters

Premonitions
A Mystery Attacker
To the big city...
It Begins...
Answers...sort of...
Indication
Destination Everfree
Onward To Dodge
Delays of the Explosive Variety
The Accused
Marshall Law
Odd Arrivals in Ponyville
New Town, New Ponies, New Struggles

Premonitions

Strange New World
Chapter Two: Premonitions

Chris stood outside Fluttershy's house and gazed off in all directions, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that all this was really happening. He turned his head in various directions and saw all the iconic places he had come to be familiar with from his television.

Everything was in the exact places they should have been, there wasn’t even a hair out of place it was then Chris knew that all this had to be real. He took an eager step forward but since he wasn’t accustomed to the type of movement a pony would be, he stumbled and nearly fell with a concerned Twilight staring at him.

“Uh, you ok Chris?” Twilight asked with slight concern.
“Oh, right, yeah I’m fine, just adjusting y'know?” Chris replied in a satisfied voice.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure your legs will be fine.” Twilight added, “Come on, we got a lot to see.” Twilight stated eagerly as she walked towards town with Chris and Spike following behind her. The three remained quiet until Spike asked Chris something.

“So, what was Manehattan like?” Spike wondered.
“Oh, nothing special really, it was good living but I just didn’t enjoy it that much, so I moved.” Chris replied, almost making everything up on the spot.

“What about the food? Any good?” Spike asked eagerly. Chris thought of an answer that would take Spike’s mind off the subject as to not give any suspicion as to his actual origins.
“Not really, all they had was those old fashioned restaurants that only served vintage gems. Good but not really my thing.” Chris answered cleverly.
“Did you say vintage gems?!” Spike asked as his mouth began to water.

“Oh yeah, tonnes. Ruby's, emeralds, sapphires and what was the other one.....oh yeah, diamonds.” Chris was just playing with Spike now.
“D-d-d-d-d....DIAMONDS!” Spike yelled as he rushed over to Twilight, “Twilight, did you he-”
“No Spike, we are not going to Manehattan.” Twilight interrupted, Spike’s eagerness turned to disappointment as he hunched over. Finally the three reached the square.

Chris had become slightly more accustomed to the town at this point, even though it was all new for him he felt strangely at home but that was more than likely due to his excessive knowledge of Equestria and minimal knowledge of his own world.

“Well, here we are, Chris.” Twilight stated with a smile as she made a hoof gesture, almost presenting the town as if she had an audience watching. “See anywhere of interest?” Twilight asked, ready to answer any questions. Chris stood confused as where to start, he turned his head in a few directions but nothing seemed to catch his eye as he had seen it all before. Not wanting to sound rude and not answer at all Chris once again thought of something on the spot, he turned to a nearby fountain before he responded.

“Uh...how about that fountain over there?” Chris said as Twilight and Spike both looked at him with almost identical confused faces. Spike was the first to break the silence.

“Really? A foun-” Spike was cut off by Twilight zapping him with a slight spark from her horn, “Sure, let’s go have a look.” Twilight stated quickly in hopes that she had covered up Spike’s rudeness. As the three walked towards said fountain, Chris mumbled something under his breath whilst giving himself a ‘face-hoof’

"A fountain? Really Chris? Ugh...just roll with it.” Chris whispered to himself as the three approached the fountain's edge. Twilight was the first to speak, spouting what she hoped was ‘interesting information’.

“Well, let me see...oh yes, now I remember.” Twilight spouted as a memory clicked in her head, "This is a ‘wishing fountain’. I've seen ponies pass by this each day and throw bits into it; go ahead, try it.” Twilight said as she lightly nudged Spike who reluctantly pulled out a single bit which he then tossed to Chris. The stallion managed to actually catch the bit between his hooves and wondered if he was really getting accustomed to to this new life-style as he approached the water’s edge.

He stared into the clear pool seeing that it was laced with money at the bottom, Chris looked around even though he had nothing to fear and muttered to himself as he closed his eyes.

“I wish....that this isn’t a dream.” Chris said as he dropped the coin in and opened his eyes. When he did though he didn’t see the clear pool as it was before, instead he saw black murky water with two red eyes staring back at him and in his mind he heard these words from a voice that wasn’t his own.
“This is my dream....and soon....your nightmare!” The voice stated as it left Chris’ mind with a maniacal laughter.

Chris sprung away from the fountain to find Twilight and Spike perplexed at his sudden jump, he recovered himself and quickly responded to the pair's faces,

“I, uh....think I may have cracked something.” Chris said as he hoped that this excuse was good enough.
“Well something's cracked alright.” Spike stated before he was promptly shocked once again by Twilight.
“Spike!” Twilight said in a disapproving tone, “Don’t mind him Chris, he’s just hungry is all.” Twilight said as she hoped that excuse was good enough.
“Hungry?.....Well now that you mention it Twilight I am a bit peckish.” Spike exclaimed cleverly, taking advantage of the situation, “How about we go to that nice place with those grass fries” Spike requested.

“I thought you hated that place since they didn’t serve gemstones?” Twilight asked in an equally as clever tone as Spike's.
“Food is food though right?” Spike said, almost begging at this point as the entire argument had been turned on him.
“Food is food, but I think we should go somewhere closer....like Sugarcube Corner.” Twilight stated eagerly, “We could get some food and keep the tour going.” Twilight said as she trotted lightly away.

Chris didn't object and followed eagerly, still going over in his head why he keeps seeing those mysterious red eyes and what connection they might have to his current situation.

When the three arrived at Sugarcube Corner Chris had a mental recap of all the times he had ever saw the confectioneries establishment, but to be this close amazed Chris in a way he couldn’t even describe, but he was feeling a lot like that today. Twilight took the first move and casually opened the door for Chris and Spike.
“Well, in we go.” The unicorn stated, trying to sound as competent as a tour guide could be.

Chris walked slowly into the store and lightly nodded at at Twilight whilst lightly smiling to show his thanks. When Chris looked around however he didn’t see what he was usually used to seeing. The store was partly covered in a black dust and a distinct smell of smoke filled Chris’ nostrils, he wondered why the store was in such a state until he remembered why Pinkie had to leave when he first met her. Chris walked cautiously through the store, less he be met with anymore ‘surprises’.

“Uh....Pinkie? You in here?” Spike said as he walked cautiously alongside Chris. Seemingly out of nowhere, Pinkie hopped over a counter and landed right in front of Chris.
“Hey there Chris!” Pinkie said with a soot covered face. Chris nearly cannoned out his new pony skin at the shock of the randomly appearing pink pony, but at this point he should have come to expect that. Twilight walked over to Chris and put her hoof on his back as a way of reassuring him.
“Chris....it’s just Pinkie.” Twilight said with a straight gaze and a slight smile.

“Oh, right...hehe...sorry.” Chris said as he tried to hide his red face, but as he turned his head to do so he found Pinkie who seemingly ‘teleported’ to where he was looking, “How did she do that?” Chris thought as he was addressed by the pink earth pony.
“Yeah it’s just me silly! And guess what?! I made cupcakes!.”
“Cupcakes?” Chris said as his mind recalled a rather ‘horrifying’ form of literature he had ‘reluctantly’ read in the past
“Uh..sure, I’d love one actually!” Chris said with a reassured smile.

“Great! Here, try a Rainbow Dash cupcake!” Pinkie said as she pulled out a blue frosted cupcake and upon further inspection Chris noticed a Rainbow Dash cutie mark on it. Chris bit his lip as he backed away in terror and hit his head against a nearby wall.
“Chris are you alright?” Twilight asked with a concerned tone.
“Alright?! She made a Rainbow Dash cupcake!” Chris stated in a panicky tone.

“Well, duh! I made cupcakes for everypony.” The pink pony replied as she pulled out a baking tray, all with cupcakes that were colour coordinated to each of the mane six and upon closer inspection Chris noticed that the cutie marks on each were in fact frosting.
“Uh...well....sorry, my mistake.” Chris said as he rubbed the back of his head, both from embarrassment and from pain.

When Chris composed himself he tried to come up with a coherent answer to explain his earlier behaviour as it seems everypony...and Spike, was awaiting his answer. Chris stuttered slightly as he forced his explanation out, “I uh......thought I saw a bug.” Chris said whilst he mentally ‘face-hoofed’
“Then why’d you say she made a Rainbow Dash cupcake?” Spike asked as he walked closer and jutted his eye out at Chris, the newly formed pony had to think fast, and he did just that.

“Well yeah, but you didn’t let me finish. I was gonna say that she made a Rainbow Dash cupcake..and I thought I saw a bug on it.” Chris stated as he tried to compose himself once again.
“Wait....so your scared of bugs?” Twilight interjected with a smile.
“Well no...it was more of a spur of the moment type thing y'know?” Chris stated as a meager excuse and he knew it.
“It’s okay Chris....I used to be scared of bugs too.” Twilight said as she once again placed her hoof on Chris’ back.

“You guys are such babies.” Spike stated with a disapproving but slightly jokey tone in the young dragon’s voice, but then something odd happened. Chris and Twilight both went to say the obvious and ended up saying the exact same thing.
“I’m pretty sure you’re the only baby here Spike.” The two stated as they looked at each other confused but they both soon let off a pleasant chuckle.

“Great minds think alike I suppose.” Twilight stated as she began to walk out the door, but was soon interrupted by an intruding Pinkie Pie.
“Wait can you guys do me a favour? I need to stay here and make this mess go away so could you guys deliver my cupcakes?" Chris turned to respond but as he did he felt a sharp ringing in his ear, strangely enough it sounded like,
“....Static?” Chris asked himself as Pinkie Pie butted in once again, seemingly breaking away all the static.

“What?” Pinkie questioned with a confused look as did Twilight and Spike. Chris quickly responded as to not arouse any suspicion.
“Uh, I said uh...ecstatic, I’d be ecstatic to help.” Chris said as he, once again, mentally face-hoofed.

After the three left Sugarcube Corner Chris needed sometime to actually process what was going on, he couldn’t think of a reason why but it seemed he never really took some time to think about his current situation. He needed time to think so he tried to excuse himself from the tour for the moment, “Uh..excuse me Twilight I just...gotta go to the bathroom.” Chris stated as he trotted away whilst kicking himself for such a stupid excuse.

“Well okay, don’t take too long.” Twilight yelled to the departing pony. Chris wasn’t heading to the bathroom at all, instead he turned a sharp corner into a nearby alleyway.

Chris put his back up against a wall and sighed heavily, he started to think over all the information he had at this point and try to come to a rational conclusion but then he realized something.

“I’m a pony.....in a cartoon world...there is no rational conclusion.” Chris stated, confident that nopony was around to hear him. He continued to pace back and forth in the rather foul smelling alleyway, he had pretty much came to the conclusion that there were two conclusions he could come to.

One option he thought was that all this was actually real and he was actually a pony, the other option was that he’d gone certifiably insane which would probably explain the strange visions and odd occurrences he had been experiencing. He thought further on the subject of these strange events.

About a million questions faced him at this point but the one was certainly at the centre of his mind, “What the hell is going on?” He said out loud as he didn’t really expect an answer, but surprisingly he got on. Seemingly out of nowhere a hooded mare appeared behind Chris, it took him a few moments to realize but when he did he was certifiably scared out of his wits. Chris composed himself slightly though when the mare began to speak.

“I know who that is before my eyes, you are a human, perhaps in disguise?” The mare said as she lowered her hood even more to conceal her identity. Chris was dumb founded by the mysterious mares accusation, he tried to play the idiot and act like he didn’t know what she was talking about.

“A...human? I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Chris stated clearly as to avoid confusion.
“I don’t believe a word you say, we both know what happened today.” The mare stated as if she was leading into a larger statement, which she was, “Dark times ahead for this dreamy land, it will become corrupted by evil's hand. I know that you have seen it too, the horrid red eyes that follow you. The wheels of fate have started to turn, and without you this land will burn. So make head of this one fact, when the time comes...you must act!” The mare said with a straight tone whilst she was facing the ground.

Chris stuttered slightly before responding, astounded at how much this mare seemed to know. Chris then realized something however, during this entire conversation he failed to notice one thing until now.
“Wait a second....you were rhyming every sentence just there.” Chris said as his eyes widened at his realization of who this mare was, “Wait......Zecor-” Chris was cut off by a shout from the other side of the alleyway.

“Chris! You back here?” Twilight shouted as Chris turned to face the rather concerned unicorn and dragon. When he turned back though the mysterious figure who he assumed was Zecora had vanished.

Chris looked around the alley for any sign of the zebra but sadly he came up dry. He looked to find Twilight and Spike staring slightly confused as they had been before, and as always Chris thought of a cover-up although it was a rather shoddy one.
“Oh hey guys uh...I thought I saw.....a dog...” Chris said as he realized what a pathetic answer that was as all his other ones were.

“A dog?” Spike asked with an unamused face. Twilight luckily interjected though, seemingly saving Chris’ hide.
“Yeah you know, those little adorable things with four legs and a tail, and they’re always so loving and friendly.” Twilight said in a jokey manner.

“So...like Rarity then?” Spike said with hearts in his eyes, Chris saw this as an opportunity to get Spike’s mind off the subject of his previous behaviour. Chris walked casually on by and uttered to the dragon.
“Good one...I’ll have to tell Rarity you said that she’s a dog...I’m sure she’ll be flattered.” Chris stated with a cocky smile and a hopeful attitude.

“Wait...what?! You wouldn’t do that?! …..Er, forget I said anything....” Spike stated in an almost defeated tone.
“Oh relax Spike, Chris is only joking.” Twilight said as she patted Spike on the head and smiled at Chris.
“Yeah...I wouldn’t do that too you Spike.” Chris said as he continued to walk on to continue the tour under the guise that nothing had gone wrong, when really his mind was moving a mile a minute.

After some general sight-seeing around the town Twilight looked up into the sky and observed as the sun seemed to be making a steady descent, she turned to Spike and Chris who were engaging in pleasant conversation and voiced her concern.

“Guys...I think it’s getting a tad late, don’t you?” Twilight asked as the two ground to a halt. They both tilted their heads up to confirm what Twilight was saying as fact and then responded. Chris was more that happy to turn in for the day as it would give him a chance to think things over.
“Yeah...I guess you’re right. We should probably hit the hay.” Chris said as he realized how literal that was in this world.

Spike on the other hand, or hoof in this world's case, didn’t want to end the tour so soon; he got on his knees and literally begged to Twilight and Chris.
“Oh come on....Can’t we stay out just a little longer? Please?” Spike pleaded as he dragged out the please. Chris and Twilight looked at each other the same way a mother and father would ask each other about a misbehaving child. Twilight was the first to speak up on the matter though, she patted Spike on the head and told him straight up.

“Spike, you know it’s nearly past your bedtime and Chris probably has his own residence to get too.” Twilight said as Chris nodded along but stopped on the last part.

Chris interjected to correct Twilight on her earlier assumption, he gulped nervously before he spoke.
“Actually Twilight......I don’t...” Chris said as he thought he should be honest with the unicorn. Twilight looked flustered and confused.
“What do you mean, didn’t you book something? You said you moved here from Manehatten right?” Twilight asked as she tilted her head in slight confusion.

“Well....in retrospect I probably should have planned my move better.” Chris said as he rubbed the back of his head, “It was just very, abrupt and unexpected.” Chris stated as he thought that they didn’t even know the half of it.

Twilight then interjected with something rather unexpected.
“Well....you could stay with us.” Twilight said as Chris’ eyes widened at this response. He wondered if part of him had unintentionally insinuated staying with Twilight.
“Uh...you sure, I don’t wanna impose or anything.” Chris said with still wide eyes, to which the unicorn almost right away responded.

“No not at all Chris, I’m your tour guide so you're my responsibility.” Twilight stated clearly in a voice that imitated dominance but had a slight jokey tone to it. Chris thought it over and came to the conclusion that ‘No’ wasn’t really an option at this point but he just wanted to reiterate to make sure no brash decisions were made.

“Okay...but are you absolutely sure?” Chris stated in a clear tone to once again avoid confusion.
“Of course I’m sure.” Twilight stated in an equally as clear but also friendly tone, “We have a spare room ready, it’s a bit messy in there but I’m sure if I brought an old bed out of the store room it would feel just like home.” Twilight said eagerly as she led Chris to her house.

When the three all arrived at the library slash residence they all felt a sense of familiarity, however Chris’ familiarity was more strange. He had never actually been inside the library, well except when he went screeching through it earlier today but that was beside the point. When Twilight politely opened the door Spike rather rudely ran ahead of Chris, he turned to Twilight who was annoyed at the dragon and shrugged.

Chris observed the inside of the library fully, he had always seen it and knew every nook and cranny inside and out, but to actually be here and able to feel the ground below his newly acquired hooves was simply breathtaking.

Twilight snapped Chris out of his so called ‘trance’ however when she directed him to his room. As Chris entered the room that was littered with old book and tomes that seemed to be older than the building, but Chris had come to expect that of Twilight at this point.

He watched a Spike trotted up the stairs to his bed and as Twilight both got an old bed from the basement and clear a space only using her magic. It was the first display of magic Chris had ever seen playing out in front of and, as he expected, it was still breathtaking.

When Twilight was finished with the moving she made one last final inspection before turning to speak to Chris.
“Well there you go Chris.” The unicorn stated with a smile, “Sorry we weren’t able to finish the tour today...I’ll have to show you some more important places tomorrow.” She said as she was about to close the door before Chris interjected once more.

“Uh wait Twilight.....” Chris said as it seemed to have grabbed the unicorn's attention, “I just wanna say, thanks....this was a pretty daunting day for me and I just wanna say thanks for helping me get through it.” The newly made pony said with a smile, knowing he just told Twilight the truth but not all the details.

“Your welcome, anytime Chris.” Twilight stated as she slowly closed the door, “Sleep well.” She said as she closed the door and as a result put an end to Chris’ adventures for the day.....Or so he thought. He turned his head to find none other than Pinkie Pie staring at him through a nearby window with a disapproving look. Chris was initially shocked but then he realized this was the norm for Pinkie so he opened the window.
“Hey Pinkie..What’s u-” Chris was cut off by Pinkie leaning forward with an angry look.

“What’s up?! I’ll tell you what is up!....The sky! And you didn’t deliver my cupcakes!” She shouted as Chris realized his blunder and tried to fix the mess.
“Well....we could give them out tomorrow if you want...” Chris stated sheepishly as he and Pinkie took part in what could only be described as a ‘Battle of glares’.

“.........Okay!” The earth pony said as her attitude completely changed and she slipped away as quickly as she came. Chris closed the window again and said out loud.
“.....What just happened?” Chris asked himself as he chuckled slightly before leaping on to the bed Applejack style.

He still had a lot of information to process, some of which conflicted with what he already knew and frustrated him to think about it so he just decided go to sleep and just hope he didn’t wake up in his own world the next day.

As Chris slept though he experienced a rather odd nightmare, it seemed as though he was seeing through the eyes of some strange creature. In the nightmare his vision was tinted as red as blood and even though he had no idea whose vision he was intruding on he did know one thing.

It was big....it was bloodthirsty.....and it was on a set course...to Ponyville........

A Mystery Attacker

Strange New World
Chapter three: A Mystery Attacker....

Chris awoke the next morning to be greeted by pleasant sounds ringing through the charming streets of Ponyville, a small ray of sunlight shot through a crack in his curtains and gleamed on the newly transformed ponies eyeballs. He sat up and stretched his hooves up into the air and gave a slight grunt. Even after all his horrid visions during the night Chris had felt like this was the best sleep he had had in a very long time.

He disembarked from the comfortable guest bed and surveyed his surroundings as he had done many times, both in amazement; and in reassurance that this was all real. He walked lazily over to the nearby window and parted the curtains to look out into the early morning streets of the charming little hamlet. He could not wait any longer, he just had to experience it first hand; as yesterday got off to a rather odd start leaving Chris very little time to take in this new environment.

He was about to exit his guest room but he noticed something he had failed to before, there was a small slip of paper on a nearby cabinet near the door to Chris’ temporary room. The pony picked it up carefully, still not accustomed to using hooves over hands and read it into his head.

“Dear Chris...” The letter read, obviously being from Twilight, “Didn’t want to wake you, but just wanted to let you know that Spike and I are doing some errands today. If you want to join us, head to the town square, you’ll probably run into us. Hope you feel better after yesterday, sincerely ~ Twilight.” Chris put the letter safely back on the simple wooden cabinet and departed from the library in hopes of finding the town square.

He had gotten rather used to having to walk on all fours, although it wasn’t entirely his own doing; Fluttershy’s brace had helped in the healing and learning process. He continued walking through the emotionally soothing streets of Ponyville, giving a wave to the occasional passer by.

But then something popped into his head, one of the events that had occurred yesterday; the mysterious hooded mare in the alleyway. Although Chris had a suspicion on who it was given the illusive characters choice of words, he couldn’t determine anything since he was never given a chance to unmask her. As Chris thought on this though, he wondered about the words that the mare gave to him, they sounded like a warning; a warning of a terrible event, and it had something to do with Chris.

He continued to contemplate these odd occurrences and try and make sense of them, but before he could come to a solution that sounded rational enough to be true he was interrupted by a small object landing and seemingly exploding in front of him.

He recoiled in shock and stumbled slightly before falling on his flank, it was only after this embarrassing public display he realized that what was dropped in front of him wasn’t anything dangerous; it was a red plant pot filled with dirt that had shattered upon impact and left earth traces over the surrounding radius of it.

Chris got up and composed himself, dusting himself off from his stumble. He lowered his head slightly as a small gathering of ponies watched his slip up and tried to stifle their collective laughs in hopes of not looking rude or jerk-like. Chris didn’t buy it though, he just continued hobbling off towards the town square and hoped that everypony would one day forget all about this shameful reaction. As he did though he heard a laugh being stifled from a different direction and oddly enough, that direction was up.

He caught a glimpse of multicoloured lock of mane fly just out of sight, covered by the cloud; Chris could still hear the attempts to suppress laughter though so he knew who it was straight away. He scrunched his face slightly in displeasure and spoke up to the hiding pegasus.

“....Rainbow....I know that’s you up there...” Chris said with a serious tone of voice. Rainbow Dash slid across the cloud until her head was leaning over the side, she tried to play the innocent pony as she spoke.
“Oh, hey Chris.....what’s up?.....You sound upset.” The pegasus stated as she continued to chuckle in between her words. Chris responded with a raised eyebrow and a disapproving look.
“You dropped that pot in front of me didn’t you?” He said with an all knowing tone of phrase.

“No......I got her to do it.” Rainbow said with a smile as she pointed to another nearby pegasus listening to Chris and Rainbow's conversation from afar; Chris looked over and saw that a single feature about that pony was distinct, she had something up with her eye orientation. Chris then sighed, feeling slightly defeated and responded to Rainbow.
“Of course it was her...” He conceded as Rainbow floated down next to him and put her hoof around his neck and onto his far shoulder.
“Ah don’t worry about it, I was just having a bit of fun.” Rainbow said as he gave Chris a small rustle of his mane.

“No I’m not worried Rainbow, I know you were just joking, I gotta get going to meet Twilight and Spike anyway.” Chris indicated with a smile back at the pegasus. Rainbow answered with an equally as pleasant smile and floated back up to her perch on the cloud and waved to Chris.
“Alright, see ya later, try and have fun.” Rainbow said, referring to Twilight’s ‘stick in the mud’ attitude. And with that Chris headed off.

When he had finally reached the town square he had almost completely lost his train of thought on the subject of yesterday’s strange events, and last night’s even stranger dream. The dream in particular stumped Chris as he just kept wondering why he would see through the eyes of some gigantic beast heading towards the town, and why the dream seemed so real.

He was once again interrupted in his thoughts by the familiar voice of an equally as familiar pony; he looked across the square and saw Twilight and Spike waving him over. He smiled, waved back and began trotting towards them. As he proceeded to though, a thought entered his mind like a bullet, he had never noticed this before. In his dream he saw through the eyes of a beast, but it wasn’t at night in his dream; it was in broad daylight. This was a mundane detail at best but it stood out in Chris’ head for some reason.

Regardless though, he walked up to Twilight and Spike and exchanged greetings to each other.
“Hey Chris...so, you feeling any better?” Twilight said with a cute and friendly smile, at the same time with a concerned tone in her voice. Chris wanted to dispel any concerns as he was generally feeling much better after he had some time to rest over his slight injury.

“Yeah actually, I feel great.” Chris said as he turned his head to further observe his surroundings then turning back to the unicorn.
“That’s great, I’m glad that you’re back in good shape.” Twilight said as her inevitable smile towards Chris was cut off by Spike interjecting.

“Chris, thank goodness you got here. Twilight didn’t want to start lunch without you.” Spike stated as he clung to Chris’ leg in happiness. Chris gave an awkward look back to Twilight who simply shrugged her shoulders and blushed slightly for Spike’s behaviour. Chris then shook Spike off and spoke to Twilight again.
“Well judging by how Spike is acting, we should probably g-” Chris was cut off by a large booming sound. It shook the earth beneath his feet; and then there was another, and another, each getting progressively closer.

Chris felt a sudden head ache, all he could see was what he saw in his dream the previous night, only now the vision of the beast was in the town; and the places it passed look very familiar to Chris. And that’s when he realized that the beasts vision was passing all the places he had took to reach the town square. He snapped out of his headache to see a enormous, ferocious, blood thirsty; Ursa Minor standing right in front of him.

Chris backed up slightly only to bump into Twilight, who was staring at the Ursa with a terrified look on her face, Spike also had a similar expression, along with a crowd of ponies who were standing behind Chris. The stallion stood and watched the almost motionless Ursa growl and drool as he whispered a few words of desperation to Twilight, “Twilight.....what do we do?” Chris asked, trying to stay quiet.

“I might be able to stop it using my magic. Just as long as nopony makes any sudden mov-” Twilight was cut off by two screams coming from the back of the crowd. The group turned slowly around to see who had screamed, and to everypony's surprise, or lack there of; it was Snips and Snails.
“Oh of course you two would be the one’s to do this.” Spike stated, displeased as the Ursa let out a gigantic roar and readied itself to cause havoc.

“Run!” Twilight yelled as everypony collectively screamed and began to scatter. Chris was almost lost in all the chaos, he was nearly knocked over a couple of times before he managed to escape the madness with Twilight. The two rounded a corner and pressed themselves up against a nearby wall and took long, panicked breaths. Then Chris realized something.

“Uh...where’s Spike?” Chris’ question was quickly answered by a loud scream coming from around the corner, he looked and saw Spike cornered by the Ursa.

Before Twilight did anything Chris stood in front of her and shouted to the big blue monster, “Hey!” Chris said as the Ursa turned towards him and roared, allowing Spike to escape. But now the beast was billowing towards Chris and Twilight, “Well that was incredibly stupid.....Run!” Chris said to Twilight as the two ducked into a nearby alleyway, just evading the grasp of the Ursa. The beast tried to reach them but the two flew out the other side of the alleyway as the beast decided to follow them the quickest way; by trampling a few small buildings.

The two kept running with the Ursa close on their tails, Chris looked for a solution and then he remembered a particular ability he had seen Twilight use before, teleportation.
“Twilight, can’t you just poof us out of here with your magic or something?” Chris asked as he hoped Twilight would respond positively.
“We don’t need to, I have a plan....why do you think we’ve been leading this thing around?” Twilight said with a hopeful but still slightly scared look on her face.

“That’s what we’ve been doing....leading?.......Where we leading it to?” Chris asked, not sure what Twilight’s scheme was.
“Well, we need a place where it’s not crowded with ponies, and it needs to be somewhere far enough away from Ponyville so it doesn’t come back...I was thinking Froggy Bottom Bog.” Twilight said with a bashful shrug to Chris.
“You’re kidding me?!” Chris retorted as he looked ahead and realised they were heading straight for the bog.

The two had to traverse some steep slopes, with the Ursa still right behind until they were properly considered in the bog. As the Ursa was busy trying not to stumble on these steep slopes, Chris and Twilight ducked around another corner and Chris asked Twilight about her plan, “Okay...we’re here...what do we do now..?” Chris said whilst breathing heavily.

“I’m going to cast a short term memory wipe and a sleep inducing spell on it...” Twilight said as she hoped that Chris would twig on, but luckily he did.
“Oh...so when he wakes up he’ll just go back where he came from...I gotcha...” Chris said as he fully understood the situation now.
“But...the spell is a gradual process....so you need to distract it whilst I cast it.” Twilight said with small cringe.

“Wait what?....How am I supposed to do that?!” Chris said with a whispered frustrated tone.
“I don’t know, insult it...throw a rock at it...I only just thought of this plan!” Twilight stated in a desperate tone of voice.
“Okay okay........I’ll do it.....Ready?” Chris said as he poised himself for this.
“Yeah.....one.....” Twilight stated
“Two......” Chris retorted.
“.....Three!” The pair said as they broke off in opposite directions to try and confuse the Ursa momentarily before it picked a target.

The Ursa barreled towards Twilight as she was readying her spell and was closing in on her fast. Chris responded by lifting up a large rock next to him and hitting the Ursa in the back, causing it to slowly turn it’s attention to him. Chris spouted an insult as he threw an even bigger rock at the Ursa, leaving a massive mark on the beasts face.
“Over here! You bear in the big blue skin freak!” Chris shouted as the beast came steaming towards him.

Chris braced himself for impact but just as he thought he was surely dead, but the Ursa had turned it’s attention back to Twilight who’s horn was practically radiating magic at this point. However, the beast was moving more sluggishly as it seems Twilight’s spells was taking effect. Chris ran over beside Twilight as she was bringing down the big blue monster.

But, just when things seemed calm Chris had another splitting pain in his head, he didn’t see anything this time; instead he heard something. He heard a deep foreboding voice in his head, and it said.

“Intervention is needed.” Chris then looked up at the Ursa, the beasts eyes glowed and shone a bright red, Twilight’s spell seemed to have no effect anymore; although Twilight didn’t notice as she was to busy casting it to no avail.

The newly powerful Ursa swiped at a formation of rocks above Chris and Twilight and sent them plummeting down towards the two of them, Chris was the only one to notice this though as he turned quickly to the distracted unicorn, “Twilight! Move!” Chris said as he pushed Twilight out of the way of the incoming boulders and fell backwards to avoid them himself. After this rock wall was created, keeping the two ponies from reaching each other, the Ursa climbed over and started chasing Chris.

The earth pony speeded in the other direction, with the Ursa in hot pursuit and no Twilight in sight, his situation wasn’t getting any better. Chris ducked into a narrow passage and started squeezing his way through. As he did the Ursa tried to reach in and grab him, when it did this Chris got a sudden headache and he once again had a vision. In it he saw a dark figure with red eyes, making the exact same motions as the beast that was chasing him.

The headache went away though. When Chris emerged from the narrow passage he found himself on a unstable cliff face overlooking a deep, bubbling tar pit. Chris sighed.
“Oh no.” The situation only got worse when the Ursa finally broke through the narrow passage and got ever closer to Chris, “Oh no, no!” Chris said as he was forced to back up and almost fall into the black pit of certain death below him, “Oh no, no, no!” Chris said as the Ursa backed up and readied it’s charge.

Chris looked around frantically and at the other end of the chasm below he saw a ledge that was connected to solid ground, it was a rather far distance away though, and was unlikely that Chris would make the jump. He didn’t have time to contemplate this though as the Ursa began it’s charge. The ground literally crumbled underneath Chris as he jumped for the other side.

Time seemed to slow down as Chris flew through the air, with the Ursa in midair about to take a swipe at him, but it speeded up when Chris hit the side of the rock face. He scrambled for a place to hold on and luckily grabbed onto a root protruding out of the cliff face from a nearby tree. The Ursa collided with the cliff side and scrambled to take Chris down with it but scraped it’s claws just below Chris and plunged into the black pit of tar below.

The Ursa flailed and roared frantically as it struggled to stay afloat but it was to no avail, the dark fingers of the tar pit began to close around the beast as it progressively sank further and further into oblivion. And as Chris looked back one last time, he could have sworn that he saw the glowing redness leave the animal’s eyes as it took it’s final breath. Chris flopped onto solid ground and rendered himself unconscious from exhaustion, and relief. But as he did he heard the same harrowing voice he had heard before, and it said.
“I know....who you really are....”

As Chris slumbered on the hard outside ground, he began to see visions in his dreams once again. In these visions he saw brief flashes of images, some depicting burning cities, slaughtered ponies, and a great rift opening in the sky. His vision became more stable and he saw himself in the middle of all this chaos and off in the distance he could see a dark figure, with red eyes, revelling in the destruction as it pointed at Chris and spoke only a few words. “You will fail, and all will suffer, because of you!”

Chris’ head was filled with horrifying images, as well as the screams of the dead and damned. But just as it seemed the entire world was collapsing around him he heard a much softer voice in his head; one he had not heard before.
“Wake up...” The voice stated in a gentle tone.

After it did, Chris awoke on the hard ground, still beside the chasm where the Ursa had met it’s doom; popping back up with a series of panicked breaths followed by a long exhale he stood up and looked around. Things back in reality eased him of all the horrors he encountered in his intense dream, he exhaled once more and began to look for a way around the chasm, in hopes of finding Twilight or any other signs of life after the attack.

After some traversing, Chris found himself back on the other side of the chasm, he ducked and pushed his way through various rock formations; all the while still remembering the Ursa who chased him through this route not so long ago. He broke through a few small piles of rubble before he began to recognise his surroundings as the place he had last seen Twilight. He looked about before calling out for the unicorn.

“Twilight!....You there?!....Anyb-...Anypony?!” Chris said, still not getting used to that phrase. He heard some faint rustling behind the rocks the Ursa had nearly dropped on him earlier before hearing a response.
“....Chris?!....Is that you?” Twilight asked, still looking about, but not bothering to look behind the massive pile of rocks.

Chris climbed over the pile and gently slid down, but still managing to stumble and fall on his flank on the way down.
“Uh....Hey.” Chris stated to the unicorn with a smile. Twilight immediately gave the pony a hug, but Chris was unsure as to why, “Uh....why the hug?” Chris asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Well....I thought you were dead.” The unicorn said as she released Chris and took a step back.
“Well....I’m not....I guess.” Chris said as he rubbed the back of his head and darted looking in another direction.

“But, what happened then?” Twilight demanded, she wanted to know if there was any immediate threat. Chris was still sore from the chase and the following vision, and he needed some time before he could recount the events of what happened.
“I’ll tell you later...But first I need a bit of a rest...” Chris said as he began to hobble back towards town with Twilight closely following.

When the two began to get closer to Ponyville, Chris could make out a few figures on the horizon quickly approaching. As they got closer Chris could make them out as the remaining of the mane six along with Spike.
“Oh goodness my dear, are you alright?!” Rarity asked, slightly out of breath.
“Yeah, tell us what happened!” Rainbow demanded rather angrily.
“Uh...if that’s okay....” Fluttershy retorted in response to Rainbow’s outburst.
“Come on man, just spill the beans!” Spike also demanded, only adding his voice to the uproar.
“Now y’all, he’s probably not up for talking...right Chris?” Applejack stated, wanting to give Chris a chance to respond.

“Yeah uh...I think I need to lie down for a second. Wait....where’s Pink-” Chris was cut off but none other than Pinkie appearing behind him, and promptly startling everypony.
“Here I am! Did I scare you guys?!” Pinkie asked, only to be met with unamused faces from everypony.

“Yeah....you kinda did...” Chris said he continued to look unamused.
“Well I was only having a bit of fun, you guys should learn to have more fun, you guys don’t wanna be like rock farmer’s right? Now that I mention it, did I ever tell you guys about my parents? Or my grandparents? Or my great, great, great, great-” Pinkie said at an ever increasing velocity.

“Pinkie!” Everypony shouted in unison.
“Oh Chris! I didn’t know you were a blank flank!” Pinkie stated as everypony’s eyes widened as well as Chris’

“What?!....I d-” Chris said as he looked back to inspect his flank to find that there was a tear in his jeans he had brought with him from Earth, revealing his definite blank flank; and while he was at it he noticed a few more rips in his clothes. It had seemed the Ursa had beaten Chris up more than he had thought; he chalked that up to adrenaline but was just happy to be alive.

“Uh...Oh my....those clothes simply won’t do....Uh...I must fix them post haste.” Rarity directed, trying to steer the conversation away from this rather awkward revelation. But sadly that was to no avail, as Chris felt embarrassed over something he had literally no notion of up until this point; but then something hit him.

“Wait...Twilight....you were walking behind me the whole time.” Chris stated as he waited for the unicorn to respond.
“Well...uh....I didn’t want to mention it?” Twilight stated with a shrug, a nervous smile, and a small voice crack.
“...It doesn’t matter....Let’s just go...” Chris said as he hung his head in shame and began to walk back to town. Pinkie then walked beside him to state something.

“Don’t worry Chris...I know a few fillies that could help you out.” The pink pony said with a smile. Chris knowing exactly who she was talking about as he let out a disgruntled sigh.

When Chris and the others reached the library it was still only past midday as the sun had just moved from the centre of the sky, and yet Chris was extremely tired. Spike held the door open for the rest and everypony nodded to give thanks to the dragon and as Rarity entered last Spike lovingly puckered his lips; only to be met with a brief pat on the head.

They all sat down but Rarity, who immediately walked over to Chris. She stood there for a second, and in one swift motion from the unicorn, Chris had found his tattered clothes were no longer on his newly blue body, “......How did you do that?” Chris said with a slightly worried tone in his voice.
“Art of the dress my dear.” Rarity said as she put the clothes to one side and sat down with the rest if them.

“Right....should of guessed.” Chris stated, trying not to have a brony moment when Rarity said that.
“Well....We’re all sitting down now. Tell us what happened!” Rainbow stated in the same demanding tone as earlier, to which Fluttershy replied pretty much the same.

“Uh....if that’s still okay with you Chris.” She answered sheepishly.
“Fine....Here’s what happened...” Chris said as he led off into the events that transpired, but he was still hesitant due to the fact he was now naked in front of these girls; but so were they in a sense so he continued on to tell them what happened.

“....So.....you actually jumped?” Rainbow asked, still with her eyes widened along with everypony else.
“Uh.....yes...” Chris said, not knowing how to respond to that.
“But....you don’t have wings...or magic....you could’ve went down with that Ursa!” She retorted, still surprised at Chris’ actions.
“Well....I guess I wasn’t really thinking at the time...I just wanted to get out of there.” He said with a shrug. There was silence before Pinkie burst into the conversation.

“Wow! I mean wow! That’s....wow!” She said whilst bouncing up and down.
“Pinkie...what are you so happy about?” Chris asked, confused at Pinkie’s sudden outburst.
“Well duh...We have somepony else who can take care of an Ursa if Twilight’s too busy studying!” The pink pony said, still bouncing up and down.
“....Are you joking Pinkie?” Chris said, again not sure how to respond.
“Not gonna tell ya, that’s the joke!” Pinkie said as he poked Chris’ nose returned to her seating position, still with a big smile on her face.
“Right....Uh...Well then what happened after that Chris? You were gone a good ten minutes before I saw you again...” Twilight asked as she wanted to fill in that time gap.

“Well...after the Ursa fell into the tar pit...I passed out for a while....and....I saw....This may make me sound crazy but....”
“Well go on Sugarcube...spit it out.” Applejack said, trying to ease the information out of him.
“Okay.....I had these weird....visions....” Chris stated as he was met with a chorus of silence and strange looks; only to have Spike enter the conversation.
“Yeah....you do sound crazy.” Spike said as Twilight kicked him slightly for saying that.

“Well....what were these ‘visions’ of Chris....What did you see exactly?” Twilight asked, curious as to what the answer would be.
“Well....I’m not sure what I saw exactly....destruction....death.....none of it was really clear....except for one thing...” Chris said as he looked to see interested faces before continuing his explanation.

“There was this...horrible figure...with red eyes...and...it was just horrible...” Chris said as he looked down. But when he looked back up he noticed a distinct lack of somepony, “Uh.....where’s Fluttershy?” He asked.
“Up....h-h-h-h-here...” Fluttershy stated as everypony looked up to find he clinging to the ceiling, upside down and shivering.

“Ah....” Chris said as he couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow; he completely expected that to happen but not that quickly. Fluttershy continued to stay on the ceiling as the conversation continued.
“Well....I guess everypony better get ready then....” Twilight said as she was met with confused faces from everypony.
“Ready for what?” They all asked in unison.
“Well we need to report all of what’s happened to the Princess don’t we?” She asked rhetorically.

“Couldn’t we just send a letter?” Spike asked, probably because it would take less effort.
“No...she’d want to meet Chris face to face anyway. Besides, she might be able to explain his visions.” Twilight said as she opened the door for everypony, “Okay, you guys do what you need to and meet back here later.” She said as everypony walked out, except Fluttershy who sort of slid out along the ceiling.

“Wait Rarity, what about my clothes?” Chris asked, rather concerned about walking about naked, and with a blank flank.
“Oh right, heh, excuse me.” Rarity said as she levitated Chris’ tattered clothes in a neatly folded pile above her horn, “I’ll have these all ready and pressed when we need to leave dear.” She stated confidently as she left fully and Twilight closed the door behind her.

“We should probably get ready as well.” Twilight stated, referring to Spike and herself, “You have anything you want to do before we leave Chris?” Twilight asked as she began to go upstairs.
“No, I’m good..” Chris stated as he sat on a chair next to an open window.
“Okay.....Let me know if you need anything.” She said as she went into another room with Spike, still trying to sound like a gracious host.

Chris sat looking at the sky through the window and pondered a few things, mostly in particular the reoccurring appearance of these red eyes, and the seemingly shadowy figure that had these eyes. He looked up into the sky and pose a question out loud, but whispering it “...Who are you?” Referring to the figure with red eyes.

After he posed that question though he heard a small sound to his right; and a familiar one at that.
“Who?” Said a very peculiar owl next to him.
“Oh goodness....not you...” Chris said as he gave the bird an unamused look.
“Who?” The bird repeated.
“You...” Chris stated, still unamused.

To the big city...

Strange New World
Chapter Four: To the big city...

A few hours later everypony was almost finished with their preparations for the journey to the gilded city of Canterlot. All the while though, Chris was still sitting next to that open window, thinking over his entire situation. His transformation, his appearance in Equestria, his visions, the recent attack of an Ursa Minor, the figure with the red eyes; he pondered over what this could all mean.

“.....I just don’t get it....Nothing seems to make sense here....Well.....no duh Chris, you’re in a cartoon world...” He said with a whispered tone, less he set off a certain owl right next to him and be caught in an infinite loop of ‘Who’s’. No matter how much he tried, Chris couldn’t wrap his head around the situation; he had hoped for more time to answer this question but his attention was grabbed by Twilight’s abrupt emergence from her room. With Spike carrying a suitcase down for her.

“Suitcase?” Twilight asked as she levitated a small clipboard and quill pen in front of her, ticking various boxes as she continued her conversation with the dragon.
“Check.” Spike retorted, whilst grunting over the weight of the suitcase.
“Notice sent to the Princess?” Twilight continued.
“Sent...so check...” The dragon retorted once again.
“Backup notice sent?” Twilight asked.
“Check....” Spike said, getting a tad tired of this.
“Backup notice in case that backup notice fails?” Twilight said, looking back at the dragon. Chris couldn’t help but smirk and chuckle slightly.
“Chec-….No actually...” Spike said, a bit surprised at himself.

Twilight looked shocked, as did Chris. The unicorn took a second to think things over before coming to a conclusion.
“Well....we’ll have to write another one...but with an apology for not sending it in the first place....that should take about....two extra pages.” Twilight said with a beaming grin to Spike. Chris was about to burst out laughing at this point.
“Y’know what?” Spike said, “....You guys go on ahead and I’ll work on that letter here...Now go on, you don’t wanna keep the Princess waiting, right?” Spike said as he began to push Twilight towards the door, all the while the mare’s hooves dragging across the hard wood floor.

“Well...I guess not...But will you be okay on your own, Spike?” Twilight asked, with a hint of concern as Chris began to make his way to the door.
“Yeah I’ll be fine...besides, I’m not alone, I’ve got Owloysius to keep me company.” He stated with an ever quickening pace as he opened the door and proceeded to push both Twilight and her suitcase out of the library. Chris was about to follow the purple unicorn but he remembered something.

“Wait a second...I can’t go out there!” Chris said, with a slight panic in his voice.
“Why?” Spike asked, as he just wanted him to leave as soon as possible.
“...Well....I’m a blank flank remember?....And Rarity isn’t back with my clothes yet...” He said as he leaned in closer to the dragon and gave a slight opening of his eyes, “That’s why...” He stated once again. But luckily for Chris, good fortune was about to strike his blank flank.

Who other than Pinkie appeared behind him and yelped a statement that nearly made everyone in the immediate area have an immediate hear attack.
“Hi guys! Guess what I found! Can you guess...can you, can you, can you?” Pinkie asked as she had a beaming smile plastered across her face. Before anyone had a chance to respond she blurted out the answer, “I found these!” Pinkie said as she proudly held Chris’ newly repaired clothes above her head.

“....Pinkie how did you get those?” Everyone seemed to ask in unison.
“Well...this big Ursa came to town and it was stomping around going boom, roar, boom, roar, boom, roar, bo-” Pinkie said as she was abruptly cut off by Chris.
“Pinkie!” Chris shouted to get the earth pony’s attention.
“Yes, Chris?” Pinkie said as she leaned towards him and fluttered her eyelashes at him.
“Uh....could I have my clothes back please?” Chris requested, whilst holding out his hoof.
“Sure! These aren’t my style anyway. Party time in Canterlot everypony!” Pinkie exclaimed as she joyfully hopped out the door. Chris then headed back to his room to get changed.

When Chris emerged from the library he found all of his travelling companions awaiting him outside, along with a carriage with a few work ponies at the front ready to escort them. Chris walked up to his group of newly made friends and stood ready. Applejack was the first to say something to him.
“Hey there Sugarcube....You ready and raring to go?” She asked.
“Well...now I am. Thanks Rarity for fixing these clothes up...I really appreciate it ‘cause...Y’know..” He stated rather bashfully.
“Think nothing of it darling, I was happy to help and you were in a bit of a bind.” The swirly haired unicorn stated with a smile.

“Oh! Speaking of that Chris!” Pinkie proclaimed as she eagerly bounced up and down, “I found some ponies to help with that itty bitty problem you got!” Pinkie said as she joyfully hopped out of the way; to reveal three familiar looking fillies standing right there.
“Howdy Chris! I’m Apple Bloom.” She proclaimed.
“Hi Chris, I’m Sweetie Belle, Rarity’s sister. Pinkie Pie said you have a little pr-”
“Scratch that, a HUGE problem! I’m Scootaloo. And we’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders! We all have a problem just like you, and we’re here to help!” She exclaimed as all three of them put a hoof in the air and shouted in unison.
“Cutie Mark Crusaders Honorary Initiation!” The all yelped as they waited for Chris to add his hoof to the mix.

He did so without hesitation and letting off a slight smile, as he whispered to himself.
“Heh...the first brohoof I get here is from the CMC.....not bad.” He stated with a slight chuckle as he turned back to the girls.
“Okay, well first we need to find something you’re good at!.....Ever tried bowling?” Scootaloo asked.

Before Chris had a chance to respond he felt a slight tap on his shoulder, he turned to find Fluttershy staring back at him.
“Uh...Chris....I know you and the girls are having lots of fun but...all the others are waiting in the carriage and...We were wondering if you could possibly...maybe you could-” Fluttershy was cut off by Rainbow in the carriage shouting at Chris.

“Just hurry it up will ya!” Rainbow demanded as she stuck both her hooves in the air whilst leaning out the carriage window.
“Uh....if that isn’t too much trouble...” Fluttershy added.
“Yeah...I’m coming now. We’ll talk about this when I get back, okay girls?” Chris said as he began to walk to the carriage with he timid Pegasus.
“Cutie Mark Crusaders won’t forget!” All three of them saluted as Chris couldn’t help but smile as he climbed into the carriage.

“Alright y’all, we’re all set to go!” Applejack explained to the stallions pulling the carriage as it began to roll off to it’s destination. Pinkie stuck her head out of the carriage, along with the whole upper portion of her pink body and began waving to everypony the carriage passed.

“Bye everypony, we’ll be back soon! Bye Mr and Mrs Cake, bye Pound and Pumpkin, bye Snips, bye Snails, bye Pipsqueak, bye Miss Mayor, bye Filthy Rich, bye Diamond Tiara, bye Cheerilee, bye Cranky.” Pinkie stopped to take a deep breath, then continued

“Bye Gummy, bye Granny Smith, bye Big Macintosh, bye Winona-” Pinkie was cut off yet again, but by Applejack this time.
“Whoa, simmer down there Pinkie...It’s not like we’ll be gone for long.” Applejack stated.
“Well yeah...but I just want everypony to know how much I’ll miss them.” Pinkie stated with her trademark constant smile still plastered on her face. Chris just sat back and listened, strangely resembling how he would treat the show back in his world as the carriage crossed out of Ponyville and was incing ever more closer to the regal and marvelous capital city.

As the carriage rolled ever onwards Chris found himself looking out the side rather than keeping his attention on the ponies in the his immediate vicinity. He marvelled at the lush Equestrian landscape, he had seen it almost a hundred times over but to actually be here to experience it first hoof was too astounding for words. Chris was almost lost in such a sight until he heard a rather timid voice behind him.
“Uh...Chris, are you alright? You haven’t really said anything the entire trip...” Fluttershy stated as she nervously shuffled her hooves.

“Oh right uh, sorry about that Fluttershy....Just enjoying the landscape. I don’t usually see that sort of sight back home.” He said, as thoughts of his own world began to enter his head; but he was quickly snapped out of it when Rainbow retorted a question.
“What? Manehattan doesn’t have anything like that?” The pegasus asked.
“Well, trust both of us...It certainly doesn’t.” Applejack stated as she answered for both her and Chris.

“Well, that’s one of the reasons you’ll love living in Ponyville! It’s one of the happiest places in Equestria!” Pinkie added rather proudly.
“Trust me, I am definitely loving it here.” Chris responded with a genuine smile.
“Well, I’m sure Ponyville is loving you too Chris.” Twilight added with a similar smile.
“Uh huh.” Everypony but Twilight and Chris retorted simultaneously. Chris couldn’t help but be slightly bashful, he thought that life in Equestria wouldn’t be that bad.

But as he thought that, Chris suddenly had another splitting headache as his ears rang with the a familiar, almost demonic voice.
“Calm before the storm human!” The voice exclaimed as Chris pressed his hooves against his head and grunted in agony. Everypony was shocked by this sudden change of attitude.
“Chris! You okay?!” Applejack yelped, rather concerned for Chris’ well being.
“Ah....yeah I’m fine....just....been having really bad headaches lately...Y’know with those visions I mentioned before.” Chris said as he felt the voice leave once again and regained his composure.

“Well dear, that’s quite a bad headache there.” Rarity added, stating the obvious because she couldn’t think of anything else to say to this situation.
“Yeah...if the Princess can’t explain your visions, I think we have to take you to a doctor.” Twilight retorted, concerned with what these visions were about and how they were affected Chris’ well being.
“I’m sure the Princess will make some sense of this...hopefully...” Chris stated, with a slight tone of pessimism in his voice.

“Well, until then...” Rainbow lead into as she reached for her suitcase and pulled out a book entitled ‘Daring-Do and the Great Voyage of the Equestrian sea’ and began to read. Everypony just glared at her to which she responded, “What?.....It’s a good book....You guys should read more y’know.” Chris almost couldn’t contain the unbelievable irony in that statement, but he restrained himself for the moment.

A few hours had passed and Chris had come to a realization, he hadn’t eaten a thing today; all the events that transpired must have distracted him from that. He felt almost unimaginable hunger, he would have said something but he noticed they were pulling into the city.
“Oh thank Celestia...” Chris said as he got off the carriage and awaited the no doubt regal and fancy dinner that would be prepared at the castle. But almost out of nowhere a messenger pony ran up to the group

“Uh excuse me Ma’am, Twilight Sparkle party of eight?” The pony stated in a rather rushed and out of breath tone
“Uh yes...Well...party of seven, Spike isn’t h-” Twilight was cut off by the pony shoving a scroll into her hooves and quickly running the other way.
“Sorry Ma’am, have more deliveries to make!”
“Uh...okay then.” Applejack stated with a raised brow.

Twilight began to open and read the scroll aloud to everypony.
“To my faithful student Twilight Sparkle, sadly it seems you and your friends will not be able to stay at the castle tonight...”
“What?!” Chris asked, rather worried.
“It seems I am having sudden unexpected guests over, so there is no room for accommodation for you and your friends. I hope you understand and forgive me for this sudden change of plans. Sincerely, Princess Celestia.”

“Well...what do we do now then?” Rainbow asked, as Chris observed Rarity almost having a panic attack over the whole situation.
“...I guess we better find another place to spend the night. As a matter of fact, I know a nice inn not far from here.” Twilight remembered as she led everypony. Pinkie then turned her head to Chris as she merrily skipped along.
“Y’know, Twilight used to live here! That’s why she’s such a smarty pants!” Pinkie stated.
“Really? I never would have guessed.” Chris answered with a slight smirk.
“That’s why I’m here! Friends of Pinkie Pie never have to guess!” The earth pony added with a beaming smile as she continued to hop along.

Not long after, the seven of them arrived at a modest inn with a sign saying ‘The Tattered Saddle’ hanging proudly over the door. Chris wondered at the name before following everypony inside; to be greeted by a old pony behind the counter.
“Welcome to The Tattered Saddle, I’m Near, what can I get you ladies?” The pony asked as he adjusted his obviously broken glasses. Needless to say, Chris wasn’t amused.

“Hello, I’m Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Chris. We were wondering if we could get a room for the seven of us...and possibly some food?” The unicorn asked, demonstrating her Canterlot etiquette.
“Sure, we got a free six bed room, but we got a couch in there. And we got plenty of food.” Near stated as he cleaned a glass with an old rag, “And...if you don’t mind me saying...Chris is an odd name for a mare like yourself Ma’am.”

“Uh....that’s because I’m a guy.” Chris stated in a straight and direct tone.
“Oh uh...sorry buddy, I’m a tad uh....what’s the phrase?” Near asked himself.
“Near Sighted?” Rainbow stated.
“Hey....how did you know my full name?” Near asked.
“I guessed.” Rainbow retorted with a slight chuckle.

“Well, either way, I’ll get you all set up. I’ll just need the bits upfront I’m afraid...” Near stated in a straight, almost business pony type of dialect.
“Of course, here you go.” Twilight said as she slung a large bag of bits onto the counter
“.....She always does come prepared...” Applejack stated whilst both her and Chris eyes were widened by this.
“Right, I didn’t even tell you how much you needed though...” Near said, rather confused.
“I saw a sign on way in on your prices, I just calculated what we needed and gave you the correct amount.

“Yep...always prepared.” Chris added with a slight chuckle as he probably should have expected this. However he quickly got over it as Near left to go and get their food prepared. A few minutes later he emerged from the kitchen, still shining that glass.
“Well...the cook is making the biggest special we got for you guys.” Near said as he returned to his position behind the counter.

Chris now needed something to do whilst he waited for his food, so he figured he would shoot the breeze with Near. He sat on a stool next to the counter and began his conversation whilst everypony went on with their own business.
“So Near...if you don’t mind me saying, you don’t seem like you’re from around here...” Chris stated, hoping he hadn’t offended the old timer.
“You got some good senses on ya Chris, I ain’t. Me and the Mrs used to hail from around Hoffington, we had an inn like this here one...But sadly we didn’t get much business there so we moved our operation all around Equestria. But now were sitting comfortably here in Canterlot.”

Chris hailed over a waitress and got a glass of water before continuing his conversation.
“So, you’ve been to lots of places in Equestria then?” Chris asked, genuinely interested in the response.
“Yep, tonnes o’ places, nowhere as nice as Canterlot though...” He continued, still shining that same glass.
“Well, having to move your operation all the time, I heard there are some pretty nasty monsters out there. Wasn’t it dangerous to constantly move like that?” Chris responded, taking a swig of his water.

“Well yes it was, but Chris, I’m going to be straight up with you son.....Equestria is a beautiful place, it’s got so many wonderful things in it.....But everything has a dark side...Everything has a tinge of darkness lingering somewhere. But it’s how you deal with that darkness that determines who you’ll become. Nopony knows or expects what they’ll become, but when the time comes they’ll have a choice....Do what they were put in this world to do...or run and hide from destiny. That’s how I got where I am today...” Near said rather calmly as he continued to clean that glass.

“Wow Near...that was definitely insightful...” Chris said as he thought deeply over the old timers words. He wondered why he was put in Equestria, what purpose he would serve, why was he plunged into this world. He would have pondered on this more but he heard a door swing open into the dining room of the inn, with a chef standing there proudly holding the door for them.
“Well, soups on everypony!” Applejack stated as everypony entered the dining room.

Chris followed everypony as they entered the surprisingly simple yet elegant dining area. He sat down in a seat between Pinkie Pie and Rarity as Near entered along with a few waiters and waitresses. Near took a seat at the end of the table and awaited as his wife, a yellow tinted earth pony with spectacles similar to her husband’s sat down, before addressing the group.
“Honoured guests, Mrs Sighted and myself are proud to present...The Canterlot special!” Near stated as the various employees sprung into action.

They almost glided across the ground with such grace, some more literally as it seemed a few of them were pegasi. They slid various silver dishes adorned with food across the polished table, each one landing in what seemed like a preplanned formation of deliciousness. Each dish was unique, some holding various snack foods and starters, whilst others held full course servings and delectable deserts, “Well....Dig in everypony!” Near stated as everypony did just so.

Chris reveled in the chance to finally fill his newly transformed stomach, he took a few bites of what appeared to be a daisy and cucumber sandwich; he couldn’t care less as to the contents to be honest. He looked around and saw that everypony was enjoying themselves. He took note of Rarity’s careful and elegant consumption of her food, whereas Pinkie was swishing her own face in what appeared to be mashed potatoes.

Chris decided since he had spent time getting to know Near that it would be nice to learn more about Mrs Sighted. He wiped some residual daisies from his mouth before addressing her.
“Near, Mrs Sighted, this is delicious!” He stated, as he hoped it would be a good ice breaker. Luckily it was.
“Why thank you dear, and please don’t call me Mrs Sighted. Being called that makes me feel rather old you understand..” The old mare retorted with a smile.

“Oh okay, no problem uh...What is your name then?” Twilight added to the conversation.
“Far dearie.” The mare retorted once again.
“Far Sighted?....I never would have guessed.” Rainbow stated, holding back tears of laughter.
“Well I think it’s a delightful and fitting name, Far.” Rarity added as she nudged Rainbow angrily.

“Well thank you dears, it’s rare we get such nice guests in this city. We usually get the old snooty Canterlot typical, but it’s nice to see an exception.” The old mare stated as everypony continued their meals.

Sometime later all the plates had finally be picked clean and many ponies lay back and rubbed their now bloated stomachs, including Chris. He wondered why cartoons such as himself now always got a massive stomach bulge after a meal, then it always goes away soon after. He shrugged off that strange bit of logic and continued to take in the amount he had just ate.

This brief moment of rest was halted when Near once again addressed his guests.
“Well, we hope you all enjoyed your ‘Royal Feast’ but me and the Mrs are gonna retire to our room for the night, I suggest you all do the same.” The old pony said as he gently passed the key to their room to Twilight, and with that the group departed to their temporary accommodation.

After some traversing up the stairs the group reached their designated room. As Twilight maneuvered the key into the lock Rarity brought up a point.
“Well they are certainly a pleasant couple.” She stated about the old ponies who owned this establishment, “But I didn’t understand why Far didn’t like being called Mrs. Sighted...As if being called Mrs could make somepony feel old.” She stated with a slight laugh.

Twilight opened the door and as everypony walked in Applejack addressed Rarity’s previous statement.
“Yeah yeah, you coming or what Mrs Rarity?” The earth pony asked with a slight chuckle.
“Yes of cou- beg your pardon?” Rarity stated with a scowled expression.
“Nothing.” Chris added as he walked in, covering for the fact that Applejack was a terrible liar.

Chris observed the room as he entered, he was surprised at how lush the place actually was. It had a rustic look about it but everything was surprisingly elegant. There was a simple fireplace with a couch parallel to it with a small coffee table between the two. Along one side of the room were six well made beds next to a balcony entrance, all capable of housing one pony. That’s when it hit Chris. He almost scrambled to get a bed but it seemed as he was observing the room that all the beds were taken.

“You gotta be kidding me right?” Chris said with a raised brow, only to be met with everypony relaxing in their respective beds, all expect Fluttershy.
“I’m really sorry Chris.....um...I hope you don’t hate me for taking a bed...” Fluttershy stated, on the verge or regretful tears. Chris couldn’t be mad at that, no matter how much he wanted to be.

“It’s okay Fluttershy...There’s a couch right there...and I’m sure there’s a spare blanket here somewhere..” Chris stated as he rummaged in a nearby closet and pulled out a crude but effective blanket. “See? No problem...and I’m right next to the fire anyway, so I’ll be good....Just please don’t cry!” He stated rather suddenly, he couldn’t help but let the circumstances trigger a brony like response.

He flopped down on the couch and covered himself with the blanket as he prepared for his second night in Equestria. He nearly dozed off completely before he heard Twilight making a statement.

“Well if you’re next to the fire then you should reap the benefits.” The unicorn stated as she gave a slight flash of her horn and ignited the fireplace. Chris lazily peeked his head over the couch.
“Thanks Twilight....” He said with a smile that was partially concealed by the couch.

“No problem.” Twilight stated as she tucked herself in before giving off a small yawn, “Goodnight everypony...” Twilight said lazily as she drifted off. Instantly followed by a chorus of ponies saying the same thing.
“Goodnight everypony....” Chris said proudly as he finally got accustomed to saying that. He closed his eyes and began to dream once more.

But strangely enough, Chris’ dreams didn’t hold any haunting images. However he heard a familiar dark voice speaking to him in his slumber. He felt the same feeling of dread as the voice spoke to him.
“Awaken Chris....Awaken and see this world’s fate....” The voice demanded as Chris almost promptly opened his eyes. He sat up and stared forward, only seeing the lit fireplace. But that’s when he began to see more.

The same demonic eyes he had seen before had once again appeared, but in the flames themselves, giving the fiery substance shape and a voice, it spoke to him, “That’s right Chris...this is the future of Equestria.....Flames! Death! Destruction! All will perish at the hands of my flames! And you...will be first!” The voice stated as the flames erupted from the fireplace towards Chris. And just as it seemed the world was scorched around him, Chris opened his eyes once more to find a dark room, and an unlit fireplace.

He ran his hooves down his face after he sat up once again, having experienced another vision he was slightly shaken. He sat there for a few moments, his head hanging low and his breathing more pronounced. He needed a breath of fresh air so he got up and proceeded out onto the balcony.

He rested over the railing and took a few moments to gather his thoughts. He was still breathing heavily as he did so. He thought he would get a few moments of peace but he was alarmed when he heard yet another familiar voice behind him.
“Chris...are you alright?” Twilight asked as she stepped out onto the balcony to check on the pony.
“You kinda startled me there Twilight uh....What are you doing up?” Chris asked.
“I could ask you the same question.....I heard you get up and came to check on you....Did your visions get any worse?” Twilight retorted.

Chris didn’t fell the need to sugarcoat the situation so he was upfront with the unicorn on this.
“Well yeah, but it’s not just that.....” He lead into whilst he looked back over the balcony. “I just have the sense of looming evil.....Like something horrible is about to happen, and the worse these visions get the more I’m certain of that...” He stated, not sure how Twilight would respond.

“I can understand Chris...” Twilight said as she joined him in leaning on the railing, “I can understand that you are under a lot of pressure, with your big move, these visions and that freak Ursa attack....But when we see the Princess I’m sure she’ll help.” The unicorn stated with a smile as she began to lead Chris back inside.
“Yeah...you’re right Twilight...” Chris said as he followed her and whispered under his breath.

“You always are the sensible one...” He stated.
“What Chris?” Twilight asked, as it seemed Chris needed to practice his whispering.
“Nothing......except in Lesson Zero.” Chris stated once again under his breath.
“Huh?” Twilight retorted, Chris really needed to work on his whispering.
“Nothing.” Chris stated as he followed the unicorn inside as the both returned to their respective slumbers.

It Begins...

Strange New World
Chapter Five: It begins...

Chris awoke the next morning, rather surprised at the fact he hadn’t experienced any more visions; however he opened his eyes to be met with a splitting headache. The pony clung onto his head and grunted in agony. He sat there pressing his head on either side with his hooves until finally the pain subsided.

He lifted his head slightly, composed himself and managed to get off of the couch and on to all fours once again. He shook his head about to try and regain perspective as the pain lingered still in his head. He started walking to the bathroom when he heard some slight rustling on another side of the room. He turned quickly to find Fluttershy lifting her head gently from her pillow and opening her eyes.

“Oh I’m sorry Chris...did I startle you?” The pegasus mare asked with a hint of pity for Chris.
“No Fluttershy...you’re okay, you didn’t scare I’m just...a bit jumpy lately.” He stated as he rubbed the back of his head.

“Well, okay...Well I hope the Princess can help you with that...” The pegasus retorted followed with a pleasant smile. Chris returned a similar smile as he continued to the bathroom.
“Thanks....so do I...” He said under his breath as he went to splash some water on his face.

After Chris took a few moments to regain his composure he exited the bathroom to find somepony’s suddenly awake. He smiled as the morning sun came streaming through the balcony window, causing him to cover his eyes for a brief moment. He reorientated his vision to face newly awakened ponies. Rarity was the first to say anything.

“Morning everypony, how did you all sleep?” The unicorn asked as she brushed her mane to see if she had developed a bedhead. Everypony responded positively except Chris and Rainbow who both gave slight grunts as Rainbow covered one side of her head with a pillow.

“So...What’s first on the agenda?” Rarity asked, wanting to know what they were in for today.
“Well, I was thinking we could go see the Princess and get something to eat. Then we’ll see if she can explain what has been going on.” Twilight stated with confidence in her plan. Applejack took a moment to put her hat back on before responding.
“Sounds like a plan.” She stated as Pinkie jutted out of nowhere to add to Applejack’s declaration.
“Yeah! And free fancy food! I am so there!” The pink pony stated as she gave off yet another beaming smile.

Chris followed the group downstairs as they prepared to leave, but as he was about to walk out he noticed Near walking around and wanted to thank him properly for their accommodation.

“Uh you guys go on, I’ll catch up...” He said as he approached the old pony, “Morning Near, just wanted to thank you for letting us stay here.” He stated with a smile.
“Well you’re very welcome son, we were glad to have ya.” Near retorted as he adjusted his glasses and cleaned a glass yet again. “But if you don’t mind me asking, Chris...why won’t you be staying with us any longer?” The old pony asked as he ran the same glass over with a tattered rag.

“Well me and those guys have some very important business to take care of here...We were actually going to stay at the castle last night...But the Princess sent us a letter saying she was full. And so we came here.” Chris stated as he rubbed the back of his head again. Near gave off a hearty laugh before continuing.
“Well, regardless son, I hope you get that ‘business’ of yours sorted out.” He stated as he shook the ponies hoof as a goodbye.

“Thanks Near, I will!” Chris said as he ran out the door in an attempt to catch up to his friends. He could see them on the horizon and waved them to his presence.

But as he did he accidentally knocked into somepony he never expected, nor wanted to see. None other than Prince Blueblood.
“Ugh! I say, please watch were you are going!” The arrogant Prince demanded before speaking again, not allowing Chris to get a word off, “It isn’t enough that my own family could not harbour me last night but I bump into a commoner on my daily morning walk. The nerve!” The white stallion stated before turning up his nose and walking away.

Chris watched with extreme hatred as the Prince departed before getting to his hooves and following his friends.
“....Jackass.” He stated as he walked past a now very confused donkey, “Not you buddy....Sorry...” Chris said as he rejoined his companions and made for the castle.

The group of seven slowly approached the castle as it’s amazingly regal towers came into view. They approached a duo of the castle guards to request entry.
“Excuse us, Twilight Sparkle, party of seven. Here to see the Princess.” The purple unicorn stated with a smile.
“Sorry Miss Sparkle, the Princess is away on business with her sister for a few days. Sadly she won’t be back for a while!” The guards stated in unison.

“What? That doesn’t make any sense, she sent us this letter!” Twilight retorted whilst showing them said letter. Suddenly Chris felt a massive pain in his head. He fell to the ground in agony as his world spun and his ears rang. His friends crowded around him with great concern.

“Chris! Chris! What’s wrong?!” Rainbow asked desperately as Chris’ ears kept ringing. Suddenly the ringing stopped and Chris heard the same demonic voice he had heard so many times.

“MY TIME.....IS NOOOOOOOOOW!” Chris heard as he looked up in the air and screamed in agony before finally falling to the ground.

“What in Celestia’s name is that?!” A pony from a nearby crowd yelled as she pointed to the sky. Everypony looked as the impossible seemed to be unfolding. The sky above the gilded city seemed to split open and create a massive rift in the clouds. The skies darkened as everypony wondered what was going on.

Then suddenly a large object emerged from the rift, it could only be distinguished as a dark cloud; blacker than night. The cloud flew across the sky and landed in the castle grounds. The cloud spread across the grounds and broke its way through the gate not too far from Chris.

Everything and everypony was silent for a time. Chris was dragged back into the crowd gathering around the gate by his friends as the observed what would happen next. All that could be heard was a few steps that got louder and louder until finally, a dark figure emerged from the broken gate. Chris looked up and saw a defining factor in the figure, it’s red eyes. The being came into form and was recognizable as a wolf, a black coated wolf that was much larger in size than anypony in the crowd.

The figure looked around with it’s demonic red eyes before finally addressed the crowd.

“......Citizens....of Equestria!” The wolf stated with his voice being surprisingly monotone and sophisticated, but with still a hint of darkness to it. Chris got a familiar chill down his spine as the figure began to speak, “...I...am Shade....And I am here to assume the role...as presiding ruler....and God...of Equestria.” The demonic wolf stated whilst still keeping his calm and direct tone.

“Now that we have that business out of the way, I have but one simple demand.....Give him to me!” Shade demanded as the royal guards stood there shivering whilst trying to stand their ground. Shade stood there for a few moments as he was met with silence. “....Defiance?.....Very well then...” Shade stated as his red eyes began to glow. One of the guards was lifted into the air and appeared to be getting strangled. The guard was thrown and made impact with a nearby building, sending him through it.

“Now! Where is he?!” Shade demanded once more as he showed his razor like teeth and began to radiate what appeared to be concentrated darkness from his back. Shade was once again met with silence, “Defy me again?!” Shade yelled as he levitated another pony. But this time, it was a filly.

“Now....On the count of three...if you don’t comply...She dies!” He stated as he lifted his paw to reveal a magically charged, razor sharp set of claws. “One........Two.......Th-” Shade was cut off by an unexpected yell from the crowd, but it was from Chris.

“Stop! Leave her alone!” Chris demanded as he got to his hooves and shakily stared down the wolf. Shade dropped the filly as the young pony ran under Chris’ hooves to her mother. The crowd cleared so Chris and Shade were staring at each other straight on.

“So....you are him then....Nopony else would have answered that call of heroism....To be honest, I expected more. Look at you! You can barely stand on your own hooves! What a joke!” Shade said with a demonic chuckle and a pleased grin. Chris still wasn’t backing down, despite barely being able to keep his balance.

“But....this makes my job much easier now...I have need of you Chris....but for now....sleep!” Shade stated as he lifted his paw and slammed it on the ground, sending a massive, magical shock wave that rendered everypony in the immediate vicinity unconscious; Chris included. All the pony could make out was everypony lying on the ground and Shade addressing a few more dark figures, “Bring him to the throne room, we have need of him...He may be pathetic but he is necessary.” The wolf stated as Chris finally blanked out whilst being dragged.

Some time later Chris began to awaken, he lazily opened his eyes. He grunted in pain from his earlier experience and was met with a few muffled voices.
“....He’s waking up...” Chris heard as his hearing was muffled and his ears rang once again, “...Keep him focused!” Chris heard faintly as a dark figure approached and smacked him across the face. Chris felt reoriented as his vision began to come back to him.

“Oh good, you are awake.....Nox, stand down...Prepare the elements.” Chris heard as one wolf walked out of view and another stepped in, this time it was Shade.
“...You...” Chris said, grunting from his pain.
“Yes Chris...it’s me, now...I have need of you for a matter of great concern.” Shade stated as he paced back and forth.

Chris looked at the wolf as he walked and as he did he noticed that he was being bound by his hooves on what appeared to be an old artifact. He tried to break loose but it appeared he was being bound by chains infused with dark magic of some kind.

“There’s no use struggling Chris....I have you right where I want you.” Shade said as he stopped to face Chris head on.
“...What do you need me for?...What are you talking about?” Chris stated as he snarled at the wolf.
“You honestly don’t know? Well I would explain it further but there’s no need to be honest...All you need to know is that I’m after one thing...” Shade lead into as he lunged for Chris and placed his paw around his neck, “I want the Element!” He said with a snarl and a growl.

“What...are you talking about?!” Chris said as Shade released his grip.
“It does not matter now! You have served your purpose by bringing yourself to me! Nox! The elements!” Shade yelled at the other wolf with fire in his gaze.

“Yes Lord Shade!.....Enjoy your last breaths human...” Nox stated as he approached his master and handed him some strange artifacts. Upon further inspection Chris could see that these were none other than the Elements of Harmony themselves.

Shade levitated the Elements in an aura of dark energy and floated them in front of Chris. With a flash from his eyes and a demonic smile Shade began to send sparks of energy through the Elements. Chris didn’t know why but he suddenly experienced great agony. He screamed in pain as it felt like his life was being extracted from him forcibly.

“....It’s working.....it’s working!” Shade yelled as he continued his ritual. Chris looked up through all his pain and even as dark energy shot through him he saw what was happening to the Elements. There was a dark floating trail leading from each of them, all the trails leading into one entity, Shade.

“I can feel it! The universe will be mine to command! To contro-” Shade was cut off however when his general, Nox who was standing right next to him, was blasted by a beam of light from across the room. “Wha-” Shade was cut off yet again as a similar beam of light hit him, stopping his progress and sending the Elements to the the ground, along with Chris.

Chris regained his vision and movement of his own body as he looked up to see the source of these beams. To his surprise, it was none other than the Princesses, Luna and Celestia. Chris got up to make a break for it but noticed his hoof hitting something, the Elements; but something was wrong. Chris looked at the necklaces and crown and saw that all of the lacked any colour, Chris had seen this before and knew this wasn’t good at all.

“Well well, look who finally arrived. The paragon pony and the problem child!” Shade stated with a growl as he began to walk towards the Princesses before stopping a few feet away from them. The Princesses made no response and instead Shade continued the conversation on his own.

“Nothing then? Speechless? I’m hardly surprised....I’m betting I was the last thing you expected to see....” As Shade continued Chris heard another voice in his head. But to his surprise, it was the voice of Celestia.

“Listen to me....Take the Elements and seek answers......” Chris heard as he began to carefully pick up the Elements and keeping one of his hooves under the,, hoping he wouldn’t drop them. He did so carefully as to not attract attention from Shade, who was still talking to the Princesses. When all of a sudden a sound came from one side of the room.

“Lord Shade! He has the Elements!” Nox stated as he charged for Chris.
“Run!” Celestia exclaimed as Chris scrambled for the nearest exit. Shade broke away and charged for him also. The Princesses charged towards Shade and Nox as the all met beside a giant, stained glass. When all the beings met in their pursuit of their respective targets it caused an explosion that sent Chris flying through the window.

As Chris fell he still held all the elements and looked up as the room he was just in erupted in a fiery explosion. When Chris turned his attention back to the ground he saw he was heading towards a few trees. He bounced and cracked against the branches and logs as he lost his hold on the elements; him and them fell into a pool of water in the castle grounds.

Chris awoke once again to find himself at the edge of the pool, surprised to be alive. He looked up to the room he fell from again but something else entered his mind, the sky had reddened and as he looked towards the city to find it, in flames. He stood wide eyed as he realized something. He wasn’t holding the Elements anymore.

He scrambled in the pool in an attempt to find them. Thankfully after a few minutes he emerged from the crystal water with the Elements intact. When he got out of the pool he looked around for an easier way to carry the artifacts, luckily he found a nearby royal guard saddlebag, along with a set of empty armor; Chris didn’t want to know how that got there. When he equipped the bag and placed the elements inside he looked up again and watched in horror, as fireballs began to rain from above.

The pony ran as fast as his hooves could carry him to get to safety. As he sprinted through the streets he saw other ponies like himself, scrambling for an escape. He narrowly dodged buildings as they collapsed and evaded fire balls that exploded on impact with the ground. He couldn’t tell which way was up but he just kept running in hopes of getting to safety.

Chris rounded a corner and ran down a long street, but as he did, a fireball shot down and hit a wreckage he ran next to; sending him the other way into a nearby flaming building. Chris scrambled to his hooves and regained his composure before looking for a way out. He nudged his hoof against something though, he looked and saw that it was a sign saying ‘The Tattered Saddle' After this realization Chris noticed something next to a nearby pile of rubble.

He noticed two things, a broken glass, and a broken pair of what appeared to be bloodstained spectacles. Chris recoiled slightly as he looked closer at the rubble and saw something horrifying, a lifeless, old hoof protruding out of the wreckage.

The pony took a few steps back as his breath quickened and the objective of looking for a way out looked even more important. He broke though a door close by and looked back once more as the structure behind him collapsed. Chris looked for a moment, still heavily breathing before proceeding in his sprint.

As he ran onwards he stopped in his tracks and took a few moments to access the situation. He looked all around at the burning city and wondered where he would go next. When his back was turned however he failed to notice something, a fireball was heading right for him.

The fiery projectile exploded only a few feet away from Chris and sent him catapulting a few yards before losing consciousness on the ground.

All Chris could see in his slumber was Canterlot burning, the image was engraved into his mind as voices began to echo in his head, however one stuck out in, a voice he had heard before but not in his head.
“Without you this land will burn....” Echoed in his mind as he has a sudden realization. He remembered the Princesses words to him.
“Seek answers....” He put two and two together and fell out of his dream world.

His eyes opened promptly as he shouted out.
“Zecora!” He yelled, but then he noticed he wasn’t in the city or staring up at red skies anymore. He was staring up at all his friends.

“Chris! You’re awake! Are you okay?!” Twilight asked with great concern as she placed her hooves on his shoulders and shook him about.
“Yeah I’m fine Twilight, just a bit shook up....How’d I get here? The last thing I remember was Canterlot burning...” He said as he had hoped none of it had really happened.

“We found you when we’re patrolling with the royal guards, we were trying to save everypony we could.” Rainbow stated as she lifted Chris’ head up slightly, “As for Canterlot though....look...” Rainbow added whilst pointing towards Canterlot off in the distance. The city was still in flames and fireballs continued to rain down on it, Chris was horrified, but also just happy to be a safe distance away.

“And Chris, we found these in your saddlebags...” Twilight stated as each of them held up their respective Elements of Harmony.
“How’d you get these? And what’s wrong with them, they look....off...” Applejack stated as she further examined her Element. Chris sighed as he knew he was going to tell them everything that happened.

“Okay....well after everypony was kno-” Chris was cut off by a certain pony walking up to him with a displeased look, and it was none other than Prince Blueblood.

“Excuse me, but I can see you are wearing part of the royal guard uniform, correct? Then I’ll assume you were part of the rescue team then....I would like to voice a complaint.” The white stallion said as he was met by unamused and offended expressions from everypony there.

“You would like to what now?” Applejack asked whilst scowling at the Prince and helping Chris to his hooves.
“Excuse me ‘Pardner’ but I don’t recall asking you a thing!” He stated as Chris stood there gritting his teeth.

“Now...I would like to say that I have a problem with your pace...You see I take time to do everything in my normal day life, and escaping a burning city is no exception!” The Prince added as Chris and everypony gritted their teeth, and Pinkie even growled.

“So I am quite frankly shocked and appalled that you and your ‘rescue team’ members didn’t give me enough time to fetch my things!” Chris was about to lose it here, “I mean honestly if you spent as much time saving my things rather than the common riff-raff then this wouldn’t be a problem now would it?”

Chris stood there for a second and just stared angrily at the royal pain, “...I expect a formal apology...in writing preferably.” the Prince stated.

Chris had wanted to do this ever since he was introduced to the Prince in his world, and their run in earlier only solidified that fact. Chris raised his hoof and gave the Prince a right hook across the mouth, breaking a few of his precious white teeth along with his nose. Chris walked off and headed towards his next destination, Zecora.

“Chris, where are you going?” Twilight asked as she began to follow, carrying her respective Element.
“We need to head to Ponyville, I’ll tell you on the way but for now you have to trust me.” He stated as everypony nodded and began to follow.

“Wait! Get back here! What about my nose, my beautiful royal nose, and what about my teeth?! Miss Rarity, I remember you, please give me aid!” The Prince stated as Rarity walked over the him. The unicorn also punched him right in the jaw and proceeded to follow her friends to their next destination, Ponyville.

Answers...sort of...

Strange New World
Chapter Six: Answers...sort of...

Chris had left the outskirts of the now destroyed city of Canterlot, leaving only a burning wreckage and a now broken-nosed Prince Blueblood. He marched onwards to Ponyville, his next destination and where he would hopefully find answers as to what was going on. The entire time he walked with his six friends following, all he could think about was the strange entity he remembered as ‘Shade’.

A few things raced through his mind, all relating back to the demonic wolf. A few previous questions were answered and yet more were raised, however one thing was certain in his mind; that figure with the red eyes that spoke to him and was present in his visions...was Shade.

Chris kept his eyes forward, hardly looking back at all to see if the rest of his party was following. Luckily all six of them were, still carrying their individual Elements of Harmony. They continued walking over the steep, verdant hills outside of Canterlot before somepony, being Twilight, actually said something.

“Chris, just slow down for a second please!” Twilight pleaded as she sped ahead and stopping Chris in his tracks, “Now you said you’d explain what happened back in Canterlot, now is the time to explain.” She stated as she stepped from side to side, trying to block off Chris at every angle.

“Twilight you don’t understand, we need to get to Ponyville, we need to find Zecora!” Chris pleaded with the unicorn, desperate to get the answers he needed. But unluckily for him the mare wasn’t budging.

“Well if I don’t understand, then now’s the time to make me understand.” The unicorn stated with a stern expression and an authoritative stance. Chris knew he had to explain.

“Alright alright...I’ll tell you guys what happened. But we can’t laze around, I’ll tell you as we’re walking.” Chris stated as he walked past an accepting Twilight. He collected his thoughts and started to recall the events, “Okay, so after everypony was knocked out by Shade...” Chris lead into, hoping everypony remembered who Shade was.

“Anyway, after that I woke up inside the castle, it was in some room very high up, I never got my bearings. Shade and one of his lackeys...Nox I think his name was, had me tied up in this weird relic or something, I couldn’t get out.” Chris continued as he looked back to gauge everypony’s reaction; sufficed to say there was a lot of jaws located below the knee.

“And Shade was doing something really strange with the Elements, he was using me as a sort of conductor when he made the Elements like they are right now, apparently he was after “The Element” which didn’t make much sense to me. This went on for a bit until...until the Princesses showed up.” Chris said as Twilight’s eyes literally widened beyond normal means.

“What?! The Princesses were there?! What happened?! Were they hurt?! Did they make it out okay?! Chris, answer me!” Twilight stated with desperation.
“Okay! I...I don’t know...the two of them freed me and told me to ‘Seek answers’...” Chris led into.

“And the Princesses!?” Twilight stated with near tears in her eyes as she held Chris’ face.
“...After they freed me I grabbed the Elements and ran for it...I don’t know what happened, Shade ran for me, the Princesses ran for Shade...there was an explosion and I went out the window...I don’t know if they made it or not...” Chris stated, as he was met with a tearful unicorn.

Twilight lashed out at Chris, hitting him with her hooves with tears streaming down her face. Chris wasn’t phased by the violence and simply allowed her to let it all out.
“Why didn’t you do something?...You could have....you could have done something!” The unicorn stated as he ended up crying on the stallion’s shoulder. Chris patted her on the back in hopes it would comfort her as the others gave their attempts to relax the unicorn.

“Now Sugarcube, don’t y’all be getting depressed on me now. This is all tragic but this is a time when we should be pulling together, not getting all teared up.” Applejack stated directly.

“Yeah! Besides, if that ‘Shade’ or whatever his name is did anything to the Princesses we’ll give him the old Equestrian style butt whooping.” Rainbow stated as she hovered and punched the air.

“Yes dear, as Rainbow stated, that brute will get what’s coming to him if I have any say in the matter.” Rarity stated rather proudly.

“And we’re with you every step of the way Twilight....we’d never let one of our friends down.” Fluttershy stated, without a hint of hesitation or cowardice in her dialect.

“Aaaaaaaand! Like Chris said, the Princesses could still be alright. We don’t know for abso-posit-ertainly!” Pinkie stated, still happy despite the current events. Chris couldn’t help but smile at all his friends lending their support to the mare crying on his shoulder, he wanted to say something as well.

“Yeah Twilight, like Pinkie said, they could still be alr-” Chris was interrupted as he gasped and another vision entered his mind. In it there was Shade, standing in flames, holding two alicorn skeletons. The wolf looked at Chris straight on.

“Don’t be so certain Chris!” Shade stated as he slammed the skeletons on the ground. As their skulls broke Chris was taken back to his present situation, with everypony looking at him inquisitively.

“Did you have another vision?! Was it about the Princesses?!” Twilight asked, once again on the verge of tears. Before Chris could respond he heard Celestia’s message in his head again.

“Seek answers...” Chris remembered as he looked to Twilight. He lifted her head and told her straight to her face.

“Twilight listen to me...This is a tragic time but for now we need to get to Ponyville and find out what’s going on...okay?” The pony said as Twilight wiped tears from her eyes and looked at Chris straight on.
“...Okay...” She said as he hugged Chris as a way of thanking him, whether it was for staying alive or helping her calm down, Chris didn’t have the foggiest notion. Regardless Twilight joined the others as they all trotted at full speed to Ponyville.

However, back in the still burning city of Canterlot, Shade was pacing back and forth in the room where he had previously held Chris. The wolf kept pacing until he stared out the destroyed window to witness the destruction he had brought upon Equestria. He would normally revel in such devastation but he just stared, breathing heavily as he did.

Nox approached him slowly, trying not to upset his master. However Shade knew he was there.
“Yes Nox...what is it?” Shade demanded as he wanted to know why he was being interrupted.
“Lord Shade, the preparations have been made...” Nox stated, keeping his tone direct.

“Good...so how soon can we have a party out there to bring him back to us?” Shade asked once again, not making eye contact with his subordinate.
“....Sunset, Lord Shade.” Nox stated. Shade turned like a flash and lunged for the other wolf’s throat, enclosing it in his claws.
“Sunset?! Do you know how much he could get done in that time?! Answer me, worm!” Shade demanded as Nox gasped for air.

“Shade, put him down this instant!” Another voice boomed from across the room, and with it stepped out another wolf, this one was undoubtedly female. Shade dropped Nox and turned his attention to her.
“You would do right to remember your place, my love!” Shade said as he snarled at the female.

“And you would do right not to address your mistress in such a manner! You know as well as I do that the creatures you want to go after him can’t survive this world’s natural sun!” She stated. Shade raised a claw to her and snarled once again.

“.....Very well...You win this round Ruby...But so help me if you ever question me again, you will not need the sun to die!” He said as he lowered his claw and returned to looking out the window. “....Both of you...come here...” Shade requested as his subordinate and his mistress answered the call.

“....This..is the dawn of a new age...A new age of power, of destruction...it will be...” Shade led into as he turned and slashed at both of his subordinates, sending them to the ground. He continued on, “My age...and if either of you go out of line again...I will not hesitate to cut off the loose ends...” Shade said as he snarled at the two with a magically charged paw pointed at them.

“Y-yes Lord Shade!” The two of them stated as they ran to their assigned duties. Shade looked out the window again and began speaking once more.

“Wherever you are Chris...I will find you....You cannot run from me forever....I am Shade. I am eternal. I am absolute. I AM DEATH!”

After that, Chris and his party of friends were nearing the scenic town of Ponyville, and as they got closer and closer Chris wondered how he would explain this situation; not just about Shade but of where he actually came from and about earth and humans and all things relating to that. He hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

As the seven of them entered the town they were met with varying degrees of looks from ponies. The seven all proceeded to Twilight’s home once again, to get their bearings and to check on a few friends, namely Spike. Before Chris had a chance to open the library door Spike flung it open in the pony’s face, Chris recoiled and rubbed his nose as he gave Spike an unamused expression.

“...Sorry.” The dragon stated as he made way for everypony to enter. When everypony was inside Spike shut the door with haste, almost as if the seven of them were being followed. The dragon turned back to the group and began the conversation, “What happened?! We saw it all from here! What happened to Canterlot?! What’s going on?!” Spike asked with a great sense of urgency and desperation in his voice. Before anypony could respond with a coherent explanation Chris stepped forward.

“One of these guys can tell you, right now I need to find Zecora.” Chris said as he walked towards the door, only to be stopped in his tracks once again by Twilight.

“Chris why is it so vitally important that you talk to Zecora? This disaster happens and you instantly want to see her. What’s going on?” Twilight demanded as Chris recoiled from the mare leaning towards him with flaming eyes.

“Okay Twilight, just calm down. When we have time I promise I’ll explain everything but for now I really need to see Zecora, she might have some answers to this okay?” Chris said as he was met with silence...until Pinkie spoke up.

“Pinkie Promise?” She asked inquisitively.
“Yes, I Pinkie Promise. Now we need t-” Chris was cut off once more.
“Do the actual Pinkie Promise.” The pink mare insisted. Chris sighed and obliged.
“Ugh...Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my ey- Oh geez!” Chris said as he managed to mess up the most vital step of a Pinkie Promise.

“Okay, now we can leave everypony! We gots answers to get.” Pinkie stated happily as she hopped out the door. As everypony and Spike followed suit, the dragon asked Chris a question.
“How did you know how to do a Pinkie Promise?” The dragon asked curiously.
“....I heard horror stories of ponies who broke Pinkie Promises.” Chris stated as he watched Applejack look away as that topic was brought up. Chris shrugged and followed.

Back in the burning capital city, Shade still stood looking outside through the broken window as Nox and Ruby went about their assigned duties and reported back in every now and again. Shade continued to stare as the sun got ever more closer to passing the horizon. He just stood there, awaiting the night, until he was interrupted by Ruby. Who brushed up against his side as Shade didn’t seemed phased at all by this.

“Are you alright my Lord? You look rather stressed...” Ruby said in an attempt to comfort the demonic wolf. Shade merely grunted as Ruby continued, “Well soon my love, soon he will be back with us...and then nothing will be able to stand against us...” She stated as she continued to brush up against Shade.

“She’s correct Lord Shade, by sunset we will have all we need to fi-” Nox was cut off by Shade’s booming voice.
“Still your tongue Nox...leave us...” The dark conqueror ordered as Nox sheepishly obeyed the command and left.

“Did you have something private to discuss dear?” Ruby said as she looked up at Shade.
“.....In a manner of speaking...” Shade said as he looked back down at his mistress, “I have a question for you, Ruby...when the human escaped...where were you?” Shade said as he was met with a confused look.

“Wha-” Ruby was cut off as Shade’s eyes sparked red and his gritted teeth gleamed white. Before Ruby knew it she was being held by the throat by Shade, dangling outside the newly broken window.

“You were in the city were you not?!” Shade said as he tightened his grip, “You were mopping up any resistance were you not?! And yet you still couldn’t find him?!” Shade exclaimed as his expression became more fierce with anger.

“Please....my love.....I was alone...he could have easily....slipped away...” Ruby struggled to speak as Shade threw her back inside and sent her to the ground. Shade walked over and raised his claw and prepared his sharp claws.

“You mopped up every pitiful pony in that city, and the one you let escape was the most important to our plans?!” Shade said as he prepared his strike even more.

“Not every last one of them my Lord....there were some...some who escaped...” Ruby admitted as she tried to get back up, but Shade slashed and promptly sent her back down.
“....Today isn’t a good day for you my love...you only live because I care for you as much as I do...but like I said, my dear...” Shade said as he leaned down and whispered in her ear.
“Loose....ends!” Shade said as he trailed her across the ground and threw her into a nearby pillar, breathing heavily afterwards.

Shade looked out onto the horizon and saw that the sun had nearly reached the edge of the horizon. The wolf grinned and chuckled slightly, “Nox! Prepare the raiders!”

Several miles away, back in Ponyville, Chris and company were entering the boundaries of The Everfree Forest in their search for Zecora, with the eight of them wandering as the moonlight streamed through the trees. Chris kept his eyes forward, not even asking for directions from everypony else and he knew where he was going and what he was looking for.

Twilight approached Chris once again with a question.
“Uh Chris....how do you know Zecora?” She asked as everypony and dragon looked at Chris skeptically. Chris’ vacant, almost systematic expression locked up to make a rather melted face.

“Uh....” Chris started as couldn’t help letting out a cliched gulp, he saw no point in holding back, “Well....this may sound hard to believe but...I think Zecora gave me a warning about all of this...” Chris led into as he was met with raised brows all around.

“Let me explain. When me and Twilight were going through Ponyville the first time, I ran into a zebra...at least I think...she gave me some sort of dark premonition...the only zebra I’ve ever heard of around here was Zecora.” Chris concluded as he was met with still more strange looks.

“Well....now that we done got that mess settled, let’s go get us an answer of two.” Applejack stated as everypony followed her lead.

Not long after, the group had reached the rhyming alchemist’s hut. Chris stood as everypony walked in with him following shortly after; however the hut seemed noticeably empty.
“Uh.....hello? …..Zecora?” Rarity asked as elegantly as possible, whilst trying to avoid certain chemicals spilt on the floor. The eight of them continued to search until Chris decided to lift up a tarp that was hanging over a table. Almost right away the pony was met with a bright flash and some odd smoke that caused him to cough. He was then met with a Zebra in his face.

“Have you gone ma-.....who are you?” Zecora asked as Chris stood there confused.
“Who am I? We’ve already me-” Chris was cut off by Zecora shoving a hoof in his mouth.
“Can you not hear the whispers of the night? Do not centre us in their sights!” Zecora said as she scrambled about to collect various things.

“Zecora, what are you talking ab-” Twilight asked as she was also cut off when a bag off beads was placed in her mouth.
“I speak of the demons that plague our land, the issue you seem not to understand!” Zecora stated as the zebra breathed heavily.

“I think she’s talking about what happened in Canterlot.” Rarity said as Zecora kept whizzing around the room.
“Yes, it’s true, that horrific raid! Cut through the city as fine as a blade!” The zebra said in an ever increasing tone.
“Listen just calm down, why are you in such a rush?!” Chris said as the zebra stopped and faced him.

“Why am I in a rush, is that what you ask? Well perhaps if you would stay on task! Our capital city has been ravaged and burned, and your only concern right now is to learn! Learn about why I’m in such a hurry?! Well I’ll tell you once child, your vision be blurry! To obscure your eyes to such a threat, you do not know anything I’d bet!” The zebra stated to Chris, blowing off steam.

“Well no, that’s why we came to you....we thought you would have some answers!” Chris stated, as he felt he was going away empty hoofed.
“What is that of which you speak? I have the answers that you seek?” Zecora asked as she pointed to herself.

“Well yes, I would think so....you were the one who warned me about Shade and all of th-” Chris was cut off by Zecora gasping and her eyes widening.
“......Did you just say Shade? In your head it must've been made!” Zecora said as she ran to her bookshelf and pulled out an old dusty tome. She flicked through the pages and began to read.

“It was foretold from the very start, since the first beat of the new world’s heart. That one day all the land will be enslaved, then an ancient debt repaid. On that day when a Shade arrives, the countdown begins for Equestrian lives. And the only hope for this world to live, is the arrival of one-” Zecora said as she stopped mid sentence.

“And that’s where it ends....” Chris said, as he was following along the whole time. Everypony turned to him surprised.
“Wait....was Zecora talking about y-” Applejack led into as all of them heard roaring and screeching from Ponyville. They all rushed towards town, including Zecora who took the book with her.

After some sprinting and vigorous flying all nine of them entered the town, only to find one thing; everypony in town was standing there, dumbfounded at what they were seeing. Chris joined their gaze to see a large pack of what appeared to be, demonic monsters, with skin as black as coal, and eyes that shared the same colour as blood. Aside from that there was no defining features, all looked the same and all looked deadly.

Chris stood there with an open mouth and breathing heavily, as he could have sworn all of these beasts were staring at him. Chris got a sudden pain in his head and all he could hear was Shade shouting.
“Charge!” As all the beasts did just that and began to break for the town square, towards Chris and his friends.

Chris and all the other ponies began to make haste in the opposite direction. Out of his peripheral vision Chris could see ponies being pounced on by the rampaging monsters, all screaming out in agony as those same screams were quickly cut short; Chris could only imagine as to why. As Chris and company ran they were cut off as it seemed these beasts were coming at the from all angles.

Everypony sprinted in various directions, and before Chris knew it he was separated from his friends, not wanting to turn back as a sizable group of monsters were chasing him. Chris ducked into a nearby alleyway to avoid the sight of the monsters. As he scurried down the alleyway he heard some rustling in a nearby corner. He looked and saw a small door covering a window to a small crawlspace. Chris approached it slowly, reached for it and pulled it away, expecting the worst.

Instead he was met with three familiar, albeit terrified faces. Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo all were hiding in this small crawlspace and looked up at Chris with hopeful, yet tearful expressions.
“Chris!” Sweetie Belle chimed off with.
“Y’all came back!” Apple Bloom added as she held back more tears.
“We knew you wouldn’t forget about us! Cutie Mark Crusaders never forge-” Scootaloo retorted as she was quickly cut off by Chris.

“Girls, shhhh! You’ll get their attention!” Chris stated whilst keeping his voice at a whisper.
“What are those things Chris?!” Sweetie Belle asked with a look of concern in her face.
“I dunno Sweetie I dunno...the important thing is that we keep quie-” Chris was cut off by all three of the girls screaming and pointing behind Chris. On the building above was one of those beasts. It leaped down and smacked Chris out of the way, instead reaching for the girls. Chris gasped and reached for the nearest thing he could find, a rusty lead pipe somepony had thrown into this alley. Chris let loose with a massive swing, clobbering the monster on the head as it shed blood.

The beast turned and lunged for Chris, the pony keeping him at a reasonable distance with the pipe. As Chris struggled he looked to the girls and yelled to them.
“Go! Get out of here! Find somepony! Find anypony! Just go!” Chris said as the girls did just that. Once they were clear of the alleyway Chris broke his guard and swung for the beast’s head again, once again connecting.

The beast was stunned by this swipe, giving Chris a chance to dart for an escape. He made a sharp turn as he exited the alley, only to find Ponyville on the verge of ruin.

Buildings burned, ponies ran and screamed, monsters rampaged. Chris took this all in for a moment before he was tapped on the shoulder and was given some words.
“Chris! Chris! Wake up! Can you not see what’s going on?!” Rainbow Dash yelled at him as the stallion turned to her.

“Look it doesn’t matter, I’m air lifting ponies out of here with some other pegasi so come on!” She stated as she lifted the stallion into the air and began to fly.

“Chris....you’re a lot heavier than I thoug-” Rainbow stated as she was cut off by Chris exclaiming.
“Rainbow look out!” Chris yelled as a monster pounced on the rainbow pegasus from a nearby roof. Rainbow managed to shake it off but in the process had dropped Chris...right into the library.

Chris peeled himself off the hard wooden floor of the establishment and saw that was alone here. He observed the outside and saw all the chaos unfold, he wondered why this was happening, then it hit him. He was responsible. Shade said he was necessary and then Chris put two and two together in his head.

“They’re after me.....they’re after me!” Chris stated as he turned to see a rather confused Rainbow Dash floating there.

“Chris...you’re saying those...things out there came for y-” The mare’s sentence was cut short as Chris had developed a plan, he opened a closet filled with magical supplies and alchemy reagents. Rainbow looked rather confused as the stallion began to take hooffuls of beakers, placed them on the floor and filled them each with any random chemical he could find.

Chris then rushed and looked about until he found what he needed, a fuse, and a rather lengthy one at that. He placed one end of the fuse in a bottle of liquid with a skull and an explosive symbol on it. He gave Rainbow the other end and instructed her.
“Listen Rainbow, I don’t have time to explain. I need you to take this fuse a safe distance away from the library and when I give the signal, light it!” Chris stated with confidence in his plan.

“Uh...okay....I don’t know where you’re going and this doesn’t look safe at all....I like it!” She stated as she whizzed outside. Chris then began the next phase of his plan. The pony scaled the rest of the tree-house and came out on the top of it, carrying a bottle labelled ‘Custom chemical: Pinkie Party Starter’. Chris threw the bottle on the ground near him and it erupted in a shower of light, some funky music, and several strands of confetti.

All the beasts attacking suddenly turned their attention to Chris. The pony gulped and started yelling.
“Come on! Over here! I’m the one you’re looking for! I’m the one who made your ‘master’ Shade look like an idiot! So come on, I’m right here!” Chris stated as he closed his eyes and accepted what was to come.

All the beasts that were present in the town began storming for Chris. He was about to conclude his plan and carefully scale down the tree, but a monster had jumped from another rooftop, tacking Chris and sending him back down into the library. Chris was crowded by the beasts as they clawed in a mad frenzy towards him. Chris clawed his way out back to the roof, still with monsters trying to pull him back.

“Rainbow! Light the fuse!” Chris stated as he was pulled back into the frenzy. Rainbow had heard the signal. She had to improvise so she grabbed the nearest unicorn, being Twilight. The pegasus conked her on the horn and held the fuse to it, a spark igniting it and sending it towards the library.

Chris scrambled to get free from the beasts, he used them as stepping stones as he jumped to the roof. He saw the fuse that was unexpectedly close. He ran for the edge and jumped. The chemicals ignited in a chain reaction, causing a massive explosion that rocked the town, burned the library and sending Chris flying, landing not so far from Rainbow, Twilight and the others.

The stallion composed himself and stared at the burning wreckage of the library as the town was silent for a few seconds. That silence subsided though when Chris took a few steps forward, turned around and addressed everypony that was still alive. “Okay everypony listen! We are all in grave danger right now! We can’t stay here...if we do, we die!” Chris said rather bluntly before continuing.

“Everypony needs to scatter away from here...and away from Canterlot! The only way any of you will be safe is if you are as far away from here and Canterlot as possible!” Chris stated as everypony looked at him with questionable eyes.

“He’s right, y’all need to save yourselves! And this is the only way right now...take whatever you can carry that belongs to ya and hightail it!” Applejack added to Chris’ point as the two of them nodded to each other. “Well...you heard the stallion? Move it! The sooner y’all get out of here, the better.” Applejack said as she went to help the survivors salvage and prepare, the earth pony was assisted by Pinkie, Rarity and Rainbow.

Chris walked past Fluttershy, Twilight and Spike but was stopped in his tracks when he saw a purple hoof extended out in front of him.
“Chris....what...what do we do?” Twilight asked, with her eyes brimming with tears. Chris looked around and saw Fluttershy and Spike making the same faces, trying to hold back their grief.

Chris put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder and addressed her concern.
“I don’t know, what happened here is tragic, what happened in Canterlot was tragic...but we have to focus on one thing at a time. We need to figure out what’s going on and how we can stop it.” He stated firmly as Twilight rested her head on his shoulder again.
“We need....we need to stop Shade...” Twilight stated as she shivered whilst holding back tears.

Chris gently lifted the unicorn’s head up and nodded to her face. Then let her go so she could help however she could along with Fluttershy and Spike. Chris continued walking before he was stopped yet again by three small fillies, one’s who he had saved. All three of them looked up at him with tearful eyes as they all hugged his legs. Chris knelt down and addressed them.

“Girls, girls....It’ll be okay...” Chris stated as he attempted to comfort them.
“Cutie...Mark...Crusaders.....never forget Chris...” The three of them stated whilst snivelling.
“Yeah, never forget....Now you all need to go and find your families...” He said as he sent them on their way.

Chris then walked past Zecora and addressed the zebra, “Zecora....I need to see that book again.” He stated.
“Why? Where are we going?” The zebra retorted.
“I don’t know..that’s why I need the book. I think it has some answers” Chris stated directly.

Indication

Strange New World
Chapter Seven: Indication

Chris and his friends were still in the recently ravaged town of Ponyville, him and a few others wanted to leave the town as soon as possible, as it was inevitable that Shade would send more troops; which in Ponyville’s current condition would spell nothing but total destruction for the once charming town.

Chris continued to pace through the smoking streets and looked around to see how everypony reacted to the destruction. Sufficed to say, this wasn’t a pleasant sight. He saw nothing but depression, young ponies looking for their parents, but the tragedy was that they might not see them again, the old and injured struggling to walk, complete chaos and madness.

The pony approached the wreckage of the recently destroyed library, he ran his hoof over the smouldering remains and sighed with great discontent. He still saw all this as his doing. Shade was obviously after him and if he had never escaped, Shade wouldn’t have sent these monsters after him. Chris felt no relief, no positive thought crossed his mind, he only felt guilt.

As he continued to look over the rubble he noticed Twilight, walking beside him and looking over the wreckage herself. Chris gave a passing glance to her, seeing that she was still upset. Chris couldn’t blame her, so much had happened in such a small space of time, she needed time to process this during this momentary silence.

“......I’m sorry.” Chris said as he looked at the ground in disgrace.
“Sorry? What for?” Twilight asked as she turned her attention to the pony, rather than the wreckage.
“Everything. If I had never came here you guys would have carried on as normal, and none of this would have happened...Shade sent those things after me...all this destruction is because of me.” Chris stated as he slammed part of the wreckage with his hoof.

“What are you talking about? If you weren’t here these monsters would have probably still been destroying the town...And Shade would still be here, if anything you’ve given us a fighting chance now.” Twilight retorted as she placed a hoof on his shoulder.

“Yeah, you gave those meanies a good whooping!” Pinkie added as she also walked towards the wreckage.
“You shouldn’t beat yourself up over this, Darling.” Rarity retorted, following Pinkie.
“Yeah man, besides....That was awesome!” Spike interjected as he was walking alongside Rarity.

Chris took the unicorn’s hoof off his shoulder and responded to his friend’s encouragement.
“No you guys don’t understand! I think Shade is here ‘cause I’m here!” Chris exclaimed as he was met with confused pony faces.
“What do you mean?” Twilight asked with a genuine want to know the answer.
“Because Shade showed up when I did!” Chris explained.
“Well yeah, when you showed up in Ponyville...But you’re from Manehattan, you make it sound like you both just came out of thin air!” Spike retorted as everypony looked back at Chris once again.

“Uh...well...there’s actually somethi-” Chris led into as he was interrupted by a slight tapping on his head, he looked up to see rain pouring down on him and his friends. Applejack came up to the group along with Rainbow Dash.

“Alright y’all, we got ourselves a problem.” Applejack stated. “We got injured ponies and this weather ain’t helping none, they need someplace to hunker down if they gonna get treated.” The earth pony stated as she looked around to see the wreckages everywhere.

“Yeah! And the shelter they need, they ain’t gonna find it here!” Rainbow added in a rushed, panicked tone. Chris and all his friends began to ponder over their next move.
“Well they certainly can’t stay here, poor dears will catch their death of cold.” Rarity started.
“Yeah but not before more of those monsters come and catch them first!” Pinkie stated as she panicked.
“These guys can’t stay here, that’s for certain.” Spike added.
“Yeah, just like Chris said. The further they’re away from Canterlot, the better.” Twilight retorted.

“I will do what I can to help the hurt and sick, but if they are to live, they must leave quick.” Zecora added as she walked towards a group of hurt ponies.
“....She’s right, okay guys, do as we were doing before. Get everypony on their hooves, get them as much supplies as they can carry and get them out of here. We got our own places to go...Speaking of which, Zecora I need to see that book again.” Chris stated as he and the zebra went to retrieve it.

Back in the decimated city of Canterlot, high in the castle, Shade was waiting for a report on the current situation. He paced back and forth as minions similar to the ones that raided Ponyville were busy with construction and other such duties.

“Uh....Lord Shade. I have a report on the human situation.” Nox said as he entered cautiously.
“Nox, I’d rather have the details of the report than your declaration of having one...Get over here.” Shade said as he turned to his second in command. Nox paced slowly to his leader. “Hurry up!” Shade ordered as Nox recoiled and picked up the pace.

“Yes Lord Shade!” Nox stated. “I have the results of the attack, Lord Shade.” Nox added.
“Well? Out with it!” Shade demanded as Nox recoiled once again.
“Yes Lord Shade....The human...the raiders weren’t able to capture him.” Nox stated as he expected the worse.
“Hmm...well did they at least recover the body? I’d hate to send them to do scavenging.” Shade retorted as he walked to the throne and sat down upon it.

“Uh...My Lord I believe there’s some miscommunication here...” Nox answered.
“What? Are you saying he’s alive?” Shade stated as gritted his teeth at Nox.
“...Yes Lord Shade.” Nox stated as he braced for the worst, but what he got was surprising.
“Well I’m sure he won’t make it far, those were some of the best raiders I could scrape together, they’ll hunt him to the ends of the world.” Shade stated as he grinned in victory.

“Uh....My Lord...they can’t follow him...” Nox stated.
“What? And why is that Nox?” Shade said as he got off the throne and paced towards Nox, the second backing away as the superior got closer.
“Lord Shade....they’re dead.” Nox stated as Shade glared hatefully for a few moments.
“Nox...it’s not a good idea to play tricks on me...Those were my finest raiders....No possible way the human could kill them....I despise jokes, Nox!” Shade said as he lifted a razor sharp claw to Nox.

“My love...it is true...the raiders have perished.” Ruby interrupted as she walked into the throne room under construction.
“Lies! Prove it to me, give me access to the human’s mind again!” Shade demanded as Ruby did just that. She placed a magically lined paw on Shade’s head. The wolf could see into Chris’ mind and he saw all the past events unfold concerning the attack on Ponyville.

“......Nox.....Ruby....leave me for now....I need to reevaluate...Enter before I say and you can leave the same way the human did...but there’ll be no water for you at the bottom.” Shade stated directly as his subordinates did just that.

When Ruby and Nox exited via the same door they turned to each other to converse.
“It seems we’ve underestimated the human, Mistress Ruby.” Nox stated to the female wolf.
“Yes, it would appear so, Nox...But there’s is always chaos to wreak. Even though the human isn’t with us I saw the destruction the attack caused, it was quite invigorating to say the least.” Ruby retorted with a devious grin, showing her white teeth.

“Yes, we must look at the positives in these situations, Mistress Ruby...And I suppose I should extend my gratitude to you.” Nox stated.
“What ever for?” Ruby asked with a raised brow.
“For entering when you did, I would have much rather avoided the treatment Lord Shade was going to give me.” Nox stated directly, showing not very much emotion.
“My pleasure Nox, I would much rather you didn’t get hurt either, you are a valuable asset to Lord Shade.” Ruby added.

“Thank you Mistress Ruby.” Nox stated as he kept a stance similar to a military line up.
“You may choose to call me simply Ruby, Nox.” Ruby retorted.
“Yes of course....Mistress Ruby. But if you’ll excuse me I need to prepare a replacement raider party.” The wolf stated as he walked off to do just that, leaving Ruby and several sounds of Shade venting his rage in the throne room, or rather on it.

Back in the smoldering village of Ponyville, Chris was flicking through the pages of Zecora’s ancient tome. However no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t comprehend the meaning of the texts. Even with the help of his friends he couldn’t make sense of it.

Chris continued thinking for a good hour and made little to no progress.
“Maybe if....No that doesn’t make sense...But what does make sense here?! Ah!” Chris exclaimed to himself in desperation as he ran his hooves through his hair in contemplation. But as he did he was approached by Applejack.

“You doing alright, bud’?” The mare asked with a hopeless expression on her face.
“No Applejack, I’m not...This book more than likely could tell us what to do next...And I can’t figure it out!” Chris exclaimed as he pounded a frustrated hoof on a piece of rubble. Applejack walked closer and put a hoof on the stallion’s back.

“Don’t fret none, Sugarcube. You’ll figure it out...And if you can’t, we got Equestria’s brainiest unicorn with us....I ain’t talking ‘bout Rarity.” Applejack stated with a slight chuckle and Chris returned one. “But...I came to tell ya we’re ready to clear out o’ here.” Applejack retorted as her expression sunk.

“Everypony’s ready to leave?” Chris asked, with his expression also sinking.
“Yup...ready as they’ll ever be...Nothing can prepare ya for what happened...I know you’re hurtin’ over what happened Sugarcube but we gotta look ahead don’t we?” The blonde earth pony stated.
“Yeah...you’re right Applejack...” Chris stated.
“Yup, ‘course I am, I never lie.” Applejack retorted as she was about to walk with Chris. But that one line made Chris remember something.

“You guys still got the Elements?” Chris asked with slight concern.
“Yup! Don’t worry none...We’ve had our dim moments but we won’t lose track of ‘em now.” The mare proudly retorted as the two of them walked towards the crowd of ponies gathering at what was left at the townhall. And surprisingly, the mayor has survived and was addressing the crowd.

“Now now everypony! This is a delicate situation but we mus-” The mayor led into before she was cut off by a rather irate, Cranky Doodle Donkey.
“Delicate?! We’ve lost our homes, our possessions and some of us even our loved ones! What do you know?! The town hall looks untouched!” The donkey stated before he was calmed by the female donkey beside him. But his rage had started off the crowd.

“Yeah! You were locked up all safe in there while the rest of us suffer-” An angry spectator was cut off as Twilight stood in.
“Now everypony just relax! What could the mayor have done?! It was complete chaos!” Twilight interjected as she was backed up by all her friends, minus Chris and Applejack.
“Well then, get us somepony who did do something!” The spectator demanded before the crowd cheered him on.

“We have, he’s right here!” Applejack retorted as both her and Chris walked on stage. Chris took the smoldering stand after the mayor backed away.
“Twilight’s right! Don’t blame the mayor!” Chris demanded.
“Well then who are we gonna blame?! Tell us that! I say we blame you! You’re new here, when you showed up all this bad stuff started happening! Why should we listen to you?!” Various members of the crowd demanded.

“Because I have seen this evil up close! I’ve looked into it’s soulless red eyes! I know what it’s like and I know it won’t stop! It will send more monsters and more ponies will die if we don’t leave now!” Chris stated authoritatively.
“We’ll die if we stay anywhere near you! We all heard what you said before the explosion! You’re who they want! You’d have to be stupid to go along with your plan! You’re a bad omen!” Several other enraged ponies stated. Chris just stuttered, no able to get a word out. But the crowd’s outbursts were silenced when a faint voice spoke up.

“Well then I guess I’m stupid!” Sweetie Belle stated as she walked away from the crowd and towards Chris. She was quickly joined by the other Cutie Mark Crusaders.
“Yeah! Me too!” Scootaloo added.
“Me three!” Apple Bloom retorted. Suddenly Chris was gaining support, all his friends stood behind him and stood proud in defense, even Spike.

Various ponies Chris recognized came out of the crowd and to his side; Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, Mr and Mrs Cake, their babies, Cranky, Matilda and even the mayor just to name a few.
“You don’t wanna follow me? You think I’m a bad omen? Fine, stay as far away from me as possible! Get out of here and find somewhere safer! We’re leaving Ponyville now!” Chris stated as the crowd dissipated and ponies started doing just that.

Chris turned to his friends and all the ponies who came to his side, his three little filly friends in particular. “Girls...Thank you, that was a brave thing you did.” Chris stated to the three fillies.
“No problem! It’s nothing compared to what you did anyway. Cutie Mark Crusaders look out for each other!” Scootaloo stated proudly, “So...when we leaving?” The small pegasus asked. Chris looked back to his group of friends, one zebra and a dragon.
“Girls....You can’t come with us...It’s too dangerous.” Chris stated as he saw the fillies’ hearts sink.

“I’m sorry but you all got to run along with your families...Just get as far away from Canterlot as you can okay?” Chris asked as he was met with tearful nods. Chris turned towards his group but looked back for one last message, “Girls...Cutie Mark Crusaders for life...Stay safe.” Chris added as the three of them left. The stallion walked over to his friends with his head hung low. Rainbow Dash put her hoof on his shoulder as she hovered a few feet above the ground.
“Come on...Let’s g- Wait....where’s Rarity?” Twilight asked as the group looked about for the unicorn who had vanished.

The group heard creaking and rattling behind them, they all turned with wide-eyed expressions.
“More of those things?!” Spike asked as he hid behind Twilight. Over a nearby hill came Rarity, towing along a large carriage filled with dresses and other ‘beauty supplies’ as the cart was labelled.

“Okay everypony, let’s be of- ...Must I?” Rarity asked as everypony glared.
“You must!” Everypony and zebra stated, Spike not getting into this. Rarity let off a distressed moan before kicking off her harness and joining her friends as they walked out of the town.

“If it makes you feel any better, Rarity, you don’t need all those things to look beautiful.” Spike stated.
“Why thank you Spike-Wikey.” Rarity said as she pinched the dragon’s cheeks, “But all that wasn’t for me...” Rarity led into as she was met with a raised dragon eyebrow. “I even had a little hero outfit for you, perfect for adventur-” Rarity was cut off as Spike interjected.
“I’m sure the next group of monsters will find more use of those anyway.” The dragon stated as the group exited Ponyville.

A few hours later the group had travelled a large distance from Ponyville, all the while with Chris flicking through the pages of Zecora’s book. Despite his best efforts, he still couldn’t make any sense of it.

The group had no idea where they were going, they had left most of the town walking away from Canterlot, but in a different direction than them. The group just wanted to be far, far away from Canterlot.

Not long after the town had become a simple dot in the distance, had everypony began to feel fatigued. They had done a lot of walking today and needed a place to rest. They found a small clearing at the bottom of a hill and near a small lake to set up camp. After some minor assembly all of them had a place to sleep for the night.

“So what do we do now?” Twilight asked the group.
“Well some of us need to get some shut eye, but somepony’s gonna need to stay up and keep watch...maybe two...I volunteer.” Applejack stated.
“Yeah, I’ll stay up too.” Rainbow retorted.
“Oh! Can I stay up?! Can I, can I?! Please, please please!” Pinkie begged.
“We only need two ponies, Sugarcube.” Applejack argued.
“Yeah! But I’m super duper hyper right now!” Pinkie debated.

“Go to bed Pinkie!” Spike yelled from underneath his tent, almost dozed off already. The pink earth pony admitted defeat and headed towards her stylised tent.
“Yeah you guys go ahead and do that, I need to look over this book again.” Chris stated as only Twilight turned around.

“Chris I think you should get some sleep too, you’ve had it rough today...Way more than the rest of us.” Twilight pleaded as Chris continued to look through the book.
“Twilight I’m fine, I just need to figure this out...” Chris said, not even lifting his head.
“Chris look at me, you need sleep!” Twilight debated.
“I’m fine!” Chris said, snapping at the unicorn. The entire camp went silent.

“.....Okay....Well if you want to accept your limitations and actually think about things....You know where to find the sensible ponies.” Twilight stated as she walked towards her tent.
“Fine...” Chris answered as he lifted the book and walked away from the campsite, to a small tree on top of the hill.

Chris marched up the hill with great discontent and rested against the tree, making an effort to face in the opposite direction of the camp and began reading through the book. As usual, Chris couldn’t make any sense of it. He continued in this cycle of hopelessness until he heard a faint rustling behind him. He turned quickly to see Twilight standing there with a nervous face and twiddling her hooves. Chris didn’t say anything and merely turned his attention back to the book.

Twilight rested on the other side of the tree and was facing the camp. The two ponies didn’t make eye contact but Twilight sparked up a conversation.
“What you reading?” Twilight asked.
“This book.” Chris answered.
“Find anything?” Twilight continued as she carefully began shuffling around the tree towards Chris.
“No.” Chris stated directly.

Twilight kept shuffling around until she sat right beside Chris, however the stallion showed almost no reaction not counting a passing glance from the stallion to the mare.
“Need any help?” Twilight asked gingerly.
“No, I’m fine.” Chris retorted as he didn’t take his eyes off the pages. That was until Twilight placed a hoof on the text, getting the stallion’s attention.

“Chris...Listen to me....I’m sorry.” Twilight stated as she hung her head in disgrace. Chris didn’t say sorry back, instead he just moved the mare’s hoof and continued reading. “Chris listen to m-” Twilight led into before she was cut off by Chris.
“No Twilight, you listen! I need to figure out what this book means and I need to do this alone!” Chris stated.
“Why? Why can’t you let somepony help?!” Twilight demanded to know.

“Because this is all my fault! All those ponies died and lost everything they owned because of me! It’s my responsibility to figure this out...but...I just can’t do it!” Chris said as he slammed down on the book and sunk his head into it.
“Chris......It’s okay....I understa-” Twilight said as she was cut off both in her sentence and placing a hoof on Chris’ shoulder.
“No...You don’t Twilight.” Chris stated as he closed the book and walked off, Twilight following to try and reason with him.

Chris didn’t respond to Twilight’s insisting attitude to help, and before long the two had reached a new location, the edge of a lake. “Chris come on! Will you please listen to me?” Twilight pleaded. Chris sat on the shore and opened the book again, trying to hide his face in it. Twilight sat down next to him.
“Chris please just say something!” Twilight begged. Chris looked up and saw how teary eyed the unicorn had become. He gritted his teeth and grunted in defeat before putting the book in his lap.

“....Twilight, please don’t cry over this.” Chris pleaded.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said what I did....I must have made you feel terrible.” Twilight sobbed. Chris finally put the book to one side and faced the unicorn.
“Twilight, I started this and I shouldn’t have snapped at you...” Chris added.
“No it’s my fault...I should have known how you felt, you’ve been through so much more than anypo-” Twilight said before she was cut off by Chris putting a hoof on her shoulder.

“.....I’m sorry.” Chris stated before hugging the teary unicorn. After he did however the two of them were stunned by a bright flash coming from the lake. The pair covered their eyes as it came into view that two figures were stepping out of the lake and standing in front of them. The figures, were Luna and Celestia.

“Princess! Oh I knew you were okay!” Twilight exclaimed with a large smile before running up to the Princesses. But when Twilight went to hug the sun Princess, she passed right through, like she wasn’t even there. Upon further inspection Twilight and Chris could see the Princesses both shared a seemingly, translucent figure, likely ethereal.

When the two of them realised, Twilight’s heart sank and her eyes widened. Then the realization hit her. “No....you....you can’t be dead....NO!” Twilight said as she ran for the Princesses again, passed through and landed beside Chris. She would have done it again but Chris held her back. The two ponies looked at the ghostly alicorns with open eyed expressions. Soon after, one of the Princesses spoke, Celestia.

“Birthplace...” Celestia started.
“Harmony...” Luna added.
“Make haste...” Celestia continued.
“Shade....Death.” Luna concluded.

“What? What’s that supposed to mean?” Twilight asked the royal, ghostly figures. They said nothing, and began to walk back into the lake.
“No! Please! Don’t leave! We need you! I need you!” Twilight desperately exclaimed as she tried to break free of Chris’ grasp, but the unicorn couldn’t manage it. Once the Princesses had descended into the lake, Twilight gave up her struggle and instead turned to Chris. She leaned on the stallion and began bawling her eyes out.

Chris held her close and took the flailing hooves she batted against his chest before finally calming down, “....I’m sorry....Please, please don’t hate me.” Twilight begged.
“I don’t hate you Twilight....You’ve lost love ones...I haven’t...You have every right to be sad or angry.” Chris said as he hugged the unicorn in an attempt to comfort her.

Then something clicked in Chris’ head, relating to what the Princesses had said. “...The book!” Chris said as he reached over and grabbed the book again and flicked to a specific section entitled ‘The Birthplaces of Harmony’. Chris scanned the section until he found a particular piece of text. “Twilight, look.” Chris said as he pointed to a verse for Twilight to read aloud.

“It is said that when the darkest tide descends on Equestria that the blessed Elements of Harmony will become as corrupt as the night’s cold embrace. For life to be returned to Equestria, life must return to the Elements. Return them to the place they were born, and watch them light as evil’s scorn.” Twilight read before slowly turning to Chris and smiling.

“You think?” Twilight asked.
“Why else would the Princesses tell us about it?” Chris stated sarcastically with a smile. The unicorn wrapped her hooves around the stallion’s neck and pulled him in for a hug. The two of them then headed to the camp to inform everypony else.
“Chris....Thank you.” Twilight stated.
“For what?” Chris asked with a raised eyebrow.
“For everything, for saving us, for staying alive, for finding this out...Just thank you.” The mare remarked with a smile.
“....No problem.” Chris retorted with an equally as pleasant smile.

Destination Everfree

Strange New World
Chapter Eight: Destination Everfree

Not long after Chris and Twilight’s run-in with the ghostly apparitions of Luna and Celestia had they got back to their camp to inform everyone on what they had witnessed. After some convincing and a few conks to the head to test his sanity, Chris and the others had gathered in the middle of their camp to assess the situation.

“I still can’t believe it...The Princesses...you saw ‘em?” Applejack asked to confirm her suspicions. It wasn’t like her to be sceptical of her friends but the circumstances called for some hesitation on everyone’s part.

“Yes, we saw them...I’m sure of it...” Twilight answered, “They gave us some help, right Chris?” The unicorn started for Chris so he could explain; Twilight had a hard time coming to terms with all this but she kept a brave face for her own and possibly everypony’s sake.

“Yeah...” Chris said as he set down Zecora’s tome, “They gave us a hint on where we need to go...I looked it up in here and the places we need to go to are right here...” Chris stated as he pointed to a specific paragraph, “The birthplaces of harmony.” He finished.

“Oooooooohhhhh” Pinkie stated. Everypony turned to her and glared, some confused and some just plain unamused. “....What?” The pink pony shrugged, not realizing that she had interrupted the flow of Chris’ explanation.

“Anyway...me and Chris were talking it over...and we think that if we bring the elements to these ‘birthplaces’ then maybe they can be turned back to normal.” Twilight explained her theory, hoping it would hold up.

“Pardon me, but didn’t that ruffian Discord do the same to the elements before? Made them that hideous shade of grey?” Rarity debated, wanting to get the full story and not an objective she didn’t comprehend.

“Yes, but when he did it he corrupted all six of us as well. That’s what made the elements almost powerless last time...But we’re completely fine and the elements are still like this.” Twilight retorted, pointing to a box in which the group had stored the elements. “So it must be something different this time...Hence why we thought the birthplaces would be a good option.”

“Um...excuse me...but, do we know where these birthplaces are?...Are they somewhere dangerous...are there monsters there?” Fluttershy asked timidly as she shuffled to hide behind Zecora.

“Well...no...Fluttershy...there isn’t a map or anything in this section, or any section. The only thing we haven’t been able to figure out are these weird symbols, here.” Chris stated before putting his hoof over a series of seven horizontal lines; each made up of odd symbols.

“Wait! Those markings I have seen before, during my studies of Equestrian lore...” Zecora stated as she tilted her head down to read the symbols up close. “Time to put my skills to the test...”

“Can you decode it?” Chris asked hopefully.

“I will try my best.” Zecora answered; Chris standing there, realizing he had just helped lead Zecora into rhyme. The brony shrugged it off and listened to Zecora as she deciphered.

“Hmmm... They say... Lifeless... Desolate... Betrayal... Hatred... Vanity... Revelation... Realization... Awaken... Honesty...Key.” Immediately, all eyes turned to Applejack.

“What y’all lookin’ at me like that for? I ain’t got a clue what that means...Other than my element, I gots no clue as to what that there book’s getting at....Zecora...can y’all read anymore to try and make sense of it?” Applejack asked, begging for an explanation.

“Sadly, child, I cannot, you see...These other symbols are unknown to me...The first line is all I could break...the rest will not be a piece of cake.” The zebra stated, mildly disappointed in herself.

“So...it’s gibberish?” Spike asked, wanting to have some input into this conversation.

“No...These symbols make sense...but not to me. Hard to explain, it can be. You see, these symbols do make words, but these words have yet to be heard.” Zecora added, trying to explain this as best she could in rhyme.

“So...what you’re saying is...these do make words...but nopony knows what words. They know they mean something but don’t know what?” Rainbow asked. The pegasus was honestly not quite sure and just hazarding a guess.

“Yes.” Zecora retorted. “What I said, was an outright fact. I can certainly be sure of that.” She continued.

“So...what do the words we do know...um...mean?” Fluttershy asked rather shakily. She was more than out of her element of tending to cute and fuzzy animals on this excursion so she was naturally timid.

“Borders between the words there are...grouping them near and far.” Zecora added.

“That wasn’t even a good rhyme.” Chris thought inwardly, less he make the wrong zebra angry, “Grouped? Like...certain groups of words indicate different things?” Chris asked, hoping he hadn’t fallen behind.

“That is in fact, what I say...and these two words show the way.” Zecora answered once again as she pointed to two words, ‘Lifeless’ and ‘Desolate’ , “In those words a clue there be, we crack the code and the location we’ll see.”

“Yes...I concur.” Pinkie stated whilst blowing into a novelty bubble pipe. “...I didn’t have time to bring my detective hat, so I brought this!” She stated with a smile before blowing bubbles again. Chris felt like knocking the pipe right out of her hooves, but decided against it. He didn’t want to anger the wrath that was Pinkie Pie.

“Lifeless...Desolate...that means a location...but where?....Do we have to go somewhere lifeless and desolate?...Lifeless and my mane do not mix.” Rarity stated, but then instantly took it back, “...I can handle desolate though...” She admitted sheepishly. Chris wondering how lifeless could affect anypony’s mane.

“...Wait! I got it!” Twilight yelped enthusiastically before running to her tent, motioning for everyone to follow.

Inside Twilight’s tent there was a table and on said table was a map of Equestria. “Always handy to bring a map...and there’s more in the corner if you all want to grab one.” Twilight exclaimed as she began smoothing out the map on the table.

“Sugarcube? What’s this ‘ere all ‘bout?” Applejack asked, rather confused.

“It’s simple! What place do we know that’s lifeless...and desolate?” The purple unicorn asked, expecting anyone to have a guess.

“Everfree Forest! An outhouse! Chris’ blank flank!” Spike guessed randomly.

“Hey!” Chris exclaimed, rather annoyed at that last assumption.

“Uh...no...no...and...no.” Twilight retorted as she placed a hoof on a location on the map. It was at this point that everybody got it. She pointed to a large desert encased by mountains, “...The San Palomino Desert!” Twilight stated, rather proud of herself.

There was a collective ‘Ohhh’ from everyone other than Twilight. It all seemed to make sense, well, at least the location.

“That ain’t far from ‘ere. We just head south, follow this here river, cut through the bottom of the Everfree Forest, come out the other side at Dodge City, then catch a train to Applelossa. Once we’re there, I’m sure family I got there’ll help!” Applejack stated, also proud of herself.

“Doesn’t sound like too bad of a plan...Good job, Twi.” Chris beamed. Twilight merely nodded and rolled up her map.

“Before we do that though...I think everypony needs some rest.” Twilight insisted before yawning loudly. Everyone began to leave Twilight’s tent until she spoke up. “Uh...Chris? Can I tell you something?” The unicorn requested rather sheepishly.

“Uh, sure.” Chris retorted after stopping in his tracks and turning to face the unicorn once again. “What’s up?” He enquired.

“Well...I think you’re too attached to Zecora’s tome there.” She answered whilst pointing to said book that Chris had instinctively brought with him. “I don’t want you losing anymore sleep over it...It’s just not smart. I know you feel guilty but I was wondering if I could hold onto it for tonight...so you don’t torture yourself with it.” She explained, seemingly countering Chris’ arguments before he even said anything.

“Well...she does have a point...maybe I have become too attached. No, wait...this is my responsibility and I need to spend as much time as I ca-” Chris cut his thoughts off when he saw how concerned Twilight was. Her eyes showing great concern. Chris couldn’t say no to those eyes. He never could and he still can’t. He sighed and relinquished the book.

“...Here...just...look after it, please?” He requested. Twilight nodded and Chris began heading out of her tent to his own, or, his own and Spike’s; considering he didn’t have his own and Spike took up the least space.

As Chris made his way to the tent he wondered. Twilight looked very concerned about something; something she hadn’t made known yet. As he thought on this however he was interrupted by a familiar noise.

“....Who?” Stated a rather familiar owl, perched on a nearby low branch.

“Oh hey. You survived!” Chris remarked with a wide smile on his face, happy that Twilight’s avian friend had returned.

“Who?” The owl retorted once again, tilting it’s head to one side.

“Yo- Oh wait...nope...No you’re not getting me caught in that infinite loop again.” Chris smirked proudly before continuing his small walk to his tent.

“Who?” It remarked once again, hovering closely behind the brony.

“Me. I won’t be caught out agai-...Dang it.” Chris stated as he was met with another ‘Who?’, “I’m done with you.” Chris retorted, not even turning around. Another ‘Who?’ was uttered, “Shut up!” Chris stated as got into the tent he was going to share with Spike, closed over the entrance, flopped down and finally got some rest.

The stallion twitched in his dreams as he was yet experiencing, another nightmare. This time in his own little world, Chris found himself back in Canterlot, the throne room specifically. He surveyed his surroundings, and oddly enough, he knew he was in a dream. He kept looking around until his eyes turned to the throne. Shade was seated upon it.

“...Shade.” Chris stated rather distantly, trying to stand firm, confident in the fact that his dreams couldn’t hurt him, aside from a mild headache. Shade did nothing but stare horrid red daggers at Chris and uttered a few words.

“Chris...the human...the great savior...however you want to put it makes no difference to me.” The wolf snarled before getting to his paws and pacing towards the stallion, “You’ve haven’t even been in Equestria a week and already you’ve become an unneeded complication in my plans...Do you know I do to those who are, unneeded?” Shade asked rhetorically before stopping a good two or three feet in front of Chris.

“I don’t know where you came from...Or what you’re plan is...but we will stop you.” Chris stated, aware of how cliched and overly dramatic that sentence was, and apparently, Shade thought the same.

“Oh please...You think you’re so special? You think that you being brought here was to fulfill some divine prophecy...Don’t believe what your ‘friends’ have told you, or what the ‘signs’ indicated...The fact of the matter is that you are a mistake! An imperfection! A fault in the system! You are nothing...and your presence means NOTHING!” The wolf snapped as he suddenly appeared behind Chris, swiping upwards and sending Chris to the ethereal ground.

“Look at you!” Shade grinned, “See? Nothing!” Shade laughed maniacally as he went over closed a paw around Chris’ frontal lobe, squeezing tightly, “Listen to me very carefully...No matter how hard you try...no matter how long you fight...it will always end the same way!” Shade bellowed as a great fire ignited in the centre of the room. The wolf hastily forced the stallion’s vision towards the event as images started to appear in the flames, Shade commenting on them all.

“Do you see?! Look! Death! Destruction! Slavery! The end of this world and the blessed dawn of mine! You may try to fight, but ultimately, I will prevail! Shade will prevail! Shade is absolute! Shade is eternal! I AM DEATH!” Shade wailed as the fire consumed Chris.

The stallion awoke with wide eyes, a slight sweat and panting heavily; scared out of his mind. His friends came rushing in, Pinkie going so far as to pop her head out of the ground below him.

“Y’all alright, Sugarcube? We heard you wake up ‘n it sounded like ya was having a heart attack!” Applejack said in a rushed fashion as everypony grew increasingly more worried.

Chris eased said worries though when he got up from his horizontal position and took a deep breath before collecting himself and replying, “Yeah...I’m fine just...a nightmare.” He retorted, wondering if he should inform his friends about what just happened or whether or not he should just leave it at that. For the moment, he decided to leave it.

“So...Everypony ready to head out...?” Chris asked rather skittishly, hoping his friends would forget about his little episode. Luckily for him, everyone in the group shrugged and went about their business, some nodding and picking up their saddlebags in response to Chris’ earlier inquiry.

It didn’t take long for everypony to get their things together and since Chris lacked any possessions to speak of in Equestria other than his clothes, he was set either way. He walked all the way through the camp, checking on everypony before making his way to Twilight’s tent to retrieve Zecora’s tome for further inspection.

“Hey Twi, you still got that bo-” To Chris’ discontent, he saw Twilight sulking on her bed. He walked in and waved a hoof in front of her, “Twilight?” He asked cautiously as the unicorn didn’t even look up at his gesture. Chris sighed before taking the tome that was sitting next to Twilight. He went to pat her on the back but she waved him away.

“Chris, I’m fine...I’m all ready and I’ll be there in a minute...I just need a little time...” The unicorn directed whilst trying to hold back tears. Chris nodded and headed out of the tent, the fresh morning sun on his face feeling slightly less warm and comforting now.

“She ready yet? Come on...we gotta go.” Rainbow asked and stated as she hovered over beside Chris; She didn’t really taking care of what she said, unaware that she might upset a certain unicorn even more than she already was.

“Rainbow will you be quiet. Twilight needs a minute, okay?” Chris retorted as Rainbow took a step back and narrowed her gaze at the brony, slightly unamused.

“Hey we’re all stressed out here...I was just asking a question, no need to get all snappy.” Dash stated as her gaze narrowed even more, forcing Chris to take a step back.

“Okay, I know, sorry.” Chris said in an attempted rush to defuse the situation, only some of his words being actually genuine. “Twilight just needs a minute...She’s probably still worked up about the Princesses.” He continued, keeping his voice low on his last word.

Rainbow shook her head and responded promptly, “Nope, that’s not what’s eating her.” She stated as Chris just turned to her with a confused look, practically begging for an explanation with his facial orientation. “Let me explain. After you went to sleep, we all started talking...Y’know, the six of us...We were all pretty bummed out ‘cause we were talking about all the things we left behind...Fluttershy’s animals, Rarity’s fru fru stuff...Applejack’s land and her family and...when it got centered around family...Twi just sort of got a little down.” Dash finished as Chris nodded in understanding.

“So she thinks her family in Canterlot’s...?” Chris asked, leaving out the last part mostly for his own sake.

“Well...I think the fact that she has no idea is tearing her up more than anything...Leaves her mind open to assume the worst, y’know?” Rainbow asked, Chris once again nodding in understanding.

The brony sighed before going to look at the floor, “This is all just so messed u- Pinkie?!” Chris exclaimed, as when his eyes went down he didn’t see hard brown dirt, he saw a pair of blue eyes staring back with a flurry of pink surrounding them.

“Roadtrip! Wooooohooooo!” Pinkie shouted as she jumped up in the air, knocking Chris backwards to land in a conveniently placed wagon that Pinkie almost immediately started wheeling away with him on it. Chris just stared blankly, unamused.

“Pinkie, I have hooves for a rea-” Chris led into before being cut off by Pinkie putting a hoof over his face.

“There there, just let your auntie Pinkie Pie take care of it.” The party prone pony stated proudly.

“Pinkie, I’m pretty sure I’m older than you...What age are yo-” Chris’ words were once again cut off by a peculiar sound, of thunder.

Everypony turned and ran up the hill out of curiosity to see something truly terrifying. They could make out the shape of Ponyville in the distance and above the charming little town a storm cloud was forming. At first it just seemed ominous and not very threatening. However as the group continued to look they saw that the cloud, had began to drift, towards them.

“...We have to move...Now!” Chris exclaimed as he and everypony else, along with their dragon and zebra companions, and owl, to Chris’ discontent grabbed much as they could and ran with their literal tails between their legs towards their next destination, the southernmost part of the Everfree Forest.

“Hehe...I have them on the run now...” Shade stated as he looked out the still shattered castle window, “Soon...they’ll have nowhere to run...” He continued as Ruby came over and ran her side along his, closing her eyes and rubbing cheeks with him

“And thank you Ruby...you truly have redeemed yourself...You dived into the human’s mind and found a weakness...one I intend to exploit...” He ended as he turned to Ruby.

“Yes...he seems to have an aversion to fire...It made him lose loved ones...and now...it will be his undoing...” The female wolf stated in her same sultry voice, happy that she had pleased Shade.

“It won’t be long...Equestria will burn...The human will be driven before me on his knees...and then Equestria will bow to her destruction...and her new king...and queen.” The red eyed wolf stated as he continued to look out into the destroyed city and dark horizon. Nox, having not been heard entering, exhaled deeply and left as quickly as he came.

The company of impromptu heroes were already heading directly west to cut through the southernmost part of the Everfree Forest to hopefully find the river that would take them out of said area.

After about a hour or so of traversing through the thicket, the group took a moment to assess the situation. They would have just stopped to take a quick breath and headed out again but something held them up to a further degree.

“Everypony...Look...” Fluttershy stated as he pointed through a gap in the treeline, and through that gap everypony could see none other than, the Moon Palace; The same place in which Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow discovered their elements and defeated their first adversary, Nightmare Moon...

There was no words from anypony, even Chris knew the significance of this place, unbenounced to his friends of course, so he kept quiet as to not disturb everypony’s reminiscing. After a few minutes, the six mares all looked at each other, and hugged, a few of them teared up.

“C’mon y’all...we’ve faced everything together...and we’ll face this together...right?” Applejack stated, to which every one of the mares nodded. Chris was trying not to get teared up whereas Spike had let it all out, and his shoulder, or in this case, side to cry on was Chris’.

Chris merely patted the dragon on the back a few times, watching himself around the pointy scales. The brony found it amazing, that these six mares, despite all that has happened in such a short time span were still at each other’s sides and ready to take on anything; Chris has seen this type of tenacity from all of them whenever he would watch the show, but now the difference was that Chris was with them, he smiled at that fact.

All the mares smiled at Chris, Spike and Zecora, still packed in a tight group hug and waved the others over. As Chris took a step forward to join said hug he accidentally stood on a twig protruding out of a nearby bush. Chris wouldn’t have cared if a loud howl hadn’t followed his stepping on the twig, further followed by a loud rustle of the bushes and trees next to him.

Everypony stared for a moment as the rustling subsided, but as quickly as it left, it came back louder than before. It was then that Chris and everypony else started putting the pieces together. What confirmed their suspicions was when they saw numerous pairs of yellow eyes staring at them hungrily.

“...Applejack...Please tell me it’s just Zap Apple season...” Rarity pleaded quietly and skittishly.

“...Nope.” Applejack replied meekly. As she stated that, a pack of Timber Wolves jumped out of the thicket and towards everypony. Chris was the first to be mauled as one of the beasts tackled him and was about to sink it’s splintered jaws into the brony’s neck.

Just as Chris closed his eyes, believing this to be the end, he heard a whine similar to that of a freshly disciplined dog. He opened his eyes to find the wolf on the ground and Applejack offering him a hoof up. He took it promptly and stood up. He surveyed the area and saw that they were surrounded by the wooden abominations, so there was only one option, to fight their way out.

Everypony sprung into action, Chris included. Brutally brawling with the beasts. One headed for Rainbow and she simply backflipped and quickly kicked it in a fashion similar to a field goal, to which the pegasus raised her front hooves in that air and shouted, “It’s good!”

Pinkie and Twilight were pinned up against each other’s backs as they were being circled by a horde of the ravenous inhabitants of the forest. The unicorn and earth pony held each other’s hooves and Pinkie began spinning Twilight around, using her as a makeshift polearm, promptly knocking away all opposition.

Chris was sprinting away from a trio of the beasts. He saw a rather slim tree and remembered back to how he entered this world in the first place, he grinned and tackled the trunk, pulling it back. When the Timber Wolves pounced for him he released his grip, the tree swung back and pounded the monsters into the ground, leaving only their heads above ground, “Awww yeah!” Chris stated proudly before turning to see a bunch of other wolves glaring right at him, “...It was fun while it lasted.” He groaned before heading back to the group with a small army of rather angry magical beings after him.

“Somepony, throw me something!” Chris yelled before running up to Rarity who promptly gave him a large bulky stick, in a club like shape.

As soon as he got said stick he was pounced by another wolf, Chris held the small log sideways in the creature’s mouth. It bit down on said stick and opened it’s mouth with newly longer and sharper teeth, leaving a collection of holes in the small log. Chris’ eyes widened at that sudden event before knocking the beast off him and cracking it around the head with the impromptu club.

Applejack and Rarity were beating away their attackers with relative ease, the blonde earth pony beating them down with her applebucking technique and Rarity with various kicks that bared a remarkable resemblance to that of a martial artist.

Zecora and Spike stood to the side, the zebra having to occasionally beat back an attacker, “It’s awesome when they do this, right?” Spike asked the alchemist.

And Fluttershy, she was petting one, “Aww who’s a good boy, who’s a good boyyyy? You are!” She stated happily as one of the beasts sat wagging it’s tail happily. This ‘touching’ display was cut short though when Chris took a step back and stood on said wolf’s tail, it turned and growled at him; Chris looked at what he just stepped on and saw two hoof marks on it.

“Oh...so that was you.” Chris stated before bonking the monster on the head and it subsequently fleeing. It was soon followed by the remaining pack of beasts who howled and whined and retreated into the forest as quickly as they had come.

Everything was silent for a time, the only sound being the wind, the retreating monsters and everypony gasping for breath, “...Well that was good.” Chris stated.

“Hmm...Perhaps there is more of a threat to them than I thought...” Shade grimaced as he paced back and forth in the throne room.

“My Lord...if I may?...They were merely Timber Wol-” Nox was cut off by a straight smack across the face by his master.

“Shut up, Nox.”

Onward To Dodge

Strange New World
Chapter Nine: Onward to Dodge

Our heroes stood in the clearing where they had just fended off the fearsome pack of Timber Wolves, practically speechless at what just happened.

“...Aww yeah!” Rainbow exclaimed as everypony else smiled widely and reveled in their first real victory as a unit. Rainbow started mimicking her own actions during the fight in mid air just showing off the maneuvers she had pulled. Naturally, she was feeling pretty good about herself.

Everypony gathered around and began congratulating each other, there were many hoof bumps had and backs patted encouragingly, Chris’ included; not to mention many hugs. Spike and Zecora rejoined the group and smiled along with everypony and joined in the fun.

Chris felt particularly accomplished at what he just did, he honestly never thought he had it in him; he took a step back and watched everypony celebrate and couldn’t help but smile widely. However, when Chris spotted the map that had ended up on the floor, reality hit him. He made an expression of disappointment and picked up the map and got everypony’s attention.

“Guys? Guys!” He exclaimed as everybody turned with interest, Owlowiscious doing that weird head rotating thing that left Chris shivering slightly; he didn’t know why, that just always freaked him out. “Um...I hate to break all this up but...I think we gotta go...We don’t want to draw more attention to ourselves and we can celebrate when we get to Dodge City...” He said as he nervously rubbed one of his front legs with the other.

“...Yeah, he’s right...C’mon...” Twilight stated with a frown as she motioned for Chris to lead on. The unicorn had her priorities the right way around but she just found herself having to frown when her celebration had to be cut short, she sighed and followed anyway.

“Aw don’t worry none, Sugarcube, we got friends in Dodge, they’ll make us feel right at home.” Applejack stated enthusiastically as everypony started to lighten up and even smile lightly. AJ was glad she could have helped in some emotional regard, she wasn’t exactly sure of the whole situation herself but she wanted to be a strong pony that her friends could turn to.

As Chris examined the map he attempted to figure everything out. The group never packed a compass regrettably so there was a lot of guesswork involved. The stallion knew they were looking for a river and that if they followed the stream, they would eventually get out of the Everfree Forest.

After a few more minutes of walking, Chris heard a welcome sound, running water. He began trotting faster and faster as everybody else did in turn until finally they had reached the river bank. Sadly, there was one issue; it looked like the river was actually more dangerous than the map suggested. The stallion spotted some rapids and a few sharp rocks as well as reefs that wouldn’t bode well for anypony wanting a swim.

The brony sighed, he had hoped he would get a rest and he would let a gentle river take him to his next destination, then the outright stupidity of that plan hit him and he began walked alongside the river, thinking over how they would eventually cross. Everybody followed, being careful around the banks.

“Oh dear...This river wouldn’t do any wonders for my mane...Now that I mention it, this entire situation isn’t doing well for my mane.” Rarity worried as she started fixing her hair. Spike trying as hard as he could to assist, even though he could hardly reach.

“Um, Chris?” Fluttershy stated, hoping she didn’t interrupt anything. The stallion turned and responded promptly.

“Yeah, Fluttershy?” He answered, wondering if she was going to suggest anything that would help them out in any respect.

“Um, not that your plan isn’t a good plan, it’s a very good plan but...Couldn’t Rainbow and me...or just Rainbow...fly everypony over the river so we’d be on the right side coming out of the forest and not have to worry about crossing?” Fluttershy asked, making a very valid point as everypony stopped and turned to Chris.

“...Uh...Yeah.” Chris nodded as he felt like the biggest idiot in the forest, which in a sense, he was. As Rainbow and Fluttershy, mostly Rainbow started lifting everypony to the other side Chris mumbled a few words under his breath, “Well sorry if I don’t usually fly over rivers.” He grumbled as he saw he was the last to be lifted.

Fluttershy picked him up by his front legs and started weakly hovering him over. He was relaxed for about two seconds before he heard something, another howl. He quickly turned his vision back to the bank he was just on and saw none other than a Timber Wolf, with red eyes, pouncing at him whilst he was being carried.

“FLUTTERSH-” Chris was cut off as the wolf clawed into him and pulled him out of the pegasus’ grasp and into the river. Everypony immediately panicked, trying to think of a way to get Chris out.

The stallion and beast continued rolling down the river as everypony else tried as hard as they could to help. Twilight tried to levitate Chris out but only fished out some rocks and an old boot strangely enough. Rainbow tried to fly over head and grab Chris but the rapids made it near impossible to see him.

Chris was trapped wrangling with the wolf underwater, he stared into it’s red eyes and grimaced angrily, knowing who had played a part in this attack.

“What do we do?! What do we do?!” Twilight exclaimed as she kept following the river with everybody else. Chris kept poking his head up for air but was almost immediately brought back down by the wolf as it clawed and bit away at him, making the stallion shed some blood from a cut across his chest.

This went on for a few more minutes before the group on the ground could see that they were coming out of the forest, just as the map had said. They knew that if they couldn’t get Chris here, he would be tore up across the Saddleveil Plains and dumped into the ocean.

As they were nearing the end of the forest, Applejack spotted something useful, a rather beat up tree next to a beaver dam, the mare rushed ahead and instructed Rainbow and anypony else to follow.

“C’mon y’all! We gotta stop him somehow!” AJ stated as everypony had no time to argue and began pushing the tree, snapping the bark and tipping it towards the river. Twilight jutted in worryingly.

“He’ll just slam into the tree though, won’t that hurt?” The unicorn stated as she began using her magic to help move the tree.

“Yup, but it’s better than drowning!” Applejack retorted as she helped pull the tree down with her lasso. Eventually the group was successful and the tree flopped down and blocked that part of the river. There were some irate beavers but it was for the greater good.

As Chris and the wolf flew down the river, the stallion had started to lose his strength, he was almost ready to give in before he poked his head up for air and saw the log. His eyes widened as he pulled the wolf in front of him like a safety cushion and prepared for impact.

The two of them slammed against the log with great force, the beast taking the most of it. Chris finally had an upper hoof in this situation, and as he regained his senses he saw that he was pinning the wolf to the log with the help of the rapids.

The stallion wasted no time, he dug into the wolf’s face with a flurry of punches upon punches upon punches, breaking it’s features like various twigs. Chris looked directly into it’s red eyes, knowing who was watching and continued harder until there was no redness left in the wolf’s eyes and it lay there, a motionless, beaten down, broken bundle of sticks.

“...Guys!” Chris exclaimed as he just wanted to get out of there as everypony made an effort to pull him out, and they eventually did. Chris took a deep breath and looked up at the sky as everybody gathered around and looked him over, asking if he was okay.

The stallion replied promptly, “Yeah...I’m...I’m okay...” Chris stated before wincing in pain and putting a hoof one one of the places the wolf had made him shed blood, his chest. The group went into a worried uproar as Twilight started looking over the wound; and as she did, Chris lost consciousness.

What followed was a mad frenzy of panicked ponies, dragon, Zebra and owl. Well, Owlowliscious wasn’t too worried and just randomly spun his head around. “Oh Celestia, he’s hurt bad! He’s bleeding bad too!” Rainbow stated as she pointed to the large cut across Chris’ chest.

“Thanks Rainbow, we can see that!” Applejack responded as she kept Chris’ limp head up. The mare hadn’t even thought a situation like this would arise, and yet here she was, trying to keep her friend from bleeding out. “Somepony got anything to help?!” The blonde pony demanded as she could feel Chris slipping away as his skin got more and more cold.

“Yes, move aside!” Zecora stated as she reached into her mojo bag for a lack of a better phrase and pulled out some bandages. She struggled to pull them out until Twilight and Rarity assisted with their given gift of magic and started bandaging up Chris’ more minor cuts.

The large cut across his chest still remained however and still very much spurting a steady stream of the brony’s blood. The group got out a cloth from Rarity’s bag and kept pressure on the wound to stop as much bleeding as they could. Chris still wasn’t moving a muscle.

Not long after they held down the cloth and threw it towards a now pouty Rarity; she would have complained about having such a piece of fabric reduced to a bloody rag, but it didn’t seem like the right time. Twilight levitated a needle and thread out of Rarity’s bag, and with a slight cringe and a near gagging motion, the unicorn carefully began to suture the gash.

With every stitch she made she could feel herself making more tense. With every pull and tug everypony around them started to grit their teeth and breath faster. Twilight did the best she could to zone it all out and focus.

And finally, just as quick as the impromptu first aid had started, the group had finished. AJ and Rainbow helped lift Chris’ hooves as the final bandages were applied and then gently set him down.

The whole group was silent for a few moments before Twilight puts an ear to Chris’ chest, she had noticed Chris had stopped breathing. She gasped and quickly ignited her horn and put it to Chris’ chest, creating a small shock. The brony jutted up into the air chest first and resumed normal breathing, but was still out cold.

Everybody breathed a sigh of relief. The group looked around at each other, Twilight with a complete look of hopelessness on her face. The same could be said for Zecora, Spike, Rainbow, AJ, even Pinkie. Rarity was a few feet away, nearly being sick over a poor tree. And Fluttershy was also a few feet away, curled up under a tree and bawling her eyes out.

It had looked like, during all this commotion, everybody failed to notice the pegasus in her emotional state. Naturally, Fluttershy’s friends went to comfort her but she quickly batted them away. “No, go away...I...I dropped him...This is all my...all my fault.” She started as she continued crying into her hooves.

“Now Sugarcube...Y-Y’all can’t be beating yourself up ‘bout this...None of us here saw that varmint coming...You had no way to know...” Applejack responded, hoping to be a voice of reason to her friend.

“Yeah...I mean, c’mon...He’s okay now so...no harm done, right?” Rainbow stated sheepishly as she rubbed the back of her own head and darted her eyes to one side.

“He doesn’t look okay to me...Like he’s just out of a h-h-h-hospital...and, and...I bet if you were carrying him, Rainbow...you wouldn’t have dropped him...Y-y-you would have got him across in no time!” Fluttershy continued as her weeping grew louder.

“Well...he...he uh....” Pinkie attempted before lowering her own head and walking away from the conversation for a moment.

“...Fluttershy...These things...happen and there’s...nothing we can do about it...He’s okay now...Chris is fine...and I’m sure he’ll forgive you when he wakes up...” Twilight added, nearly bursting into tears herself.

“You...you...” Fluttershy started before sniffling and calming herself down, “You think he will?” The pegasus continued with a new look of hope in her now glassy, moist, blue eyes.

“Yes, of course...As soon as he wakes up.” Twilight added. “Dodge isn’t far and I’m sure he’ll wake up by then. Then you two can talk this out and he’ll say he forgives you.” Twilight finished with a light smile, barely even managing that.

“O-....Okay.” Fluttershy retorted before getting to her hooves and hugging her purple friend. After that, everybody got to moving. Twilight took the lead with the map levitated diligently in front of her.

Rarity and Pinkie Pie remained at the back of the group, the unicorn feeling still a tad queasy and the pink mare starting to cheer up a bit. Applejack and Rainbow remained in the middle, carrying the majority of Chris on their backs, and Spike, Zecora and Owlowliscious stayed upfront with Twilight.

However, all the while, Chris was facing his own struggle, in his own head.

In the ethereal valley of Chris’ dreams he had found himself in a forest, an eerily familiar forest.

He spent a while pacing through the seemingly never ending and deserted woodland. He felt his heart ache and gripped at his chest as he continued walking. Usually, Chris would have expected the sound of birds or crickets chirping, or even the wind, but he was met with absolutely nothing.

The brony trotted on, as he did he noticed that a very dense grey fog started descending over him and the majority of the forest. The fog never passed higher than Chris’ knees however.

He gulped and took a deep breath inwards and then exclaimed as he breathed outwards, “Shade! I know you have something to do with this!...I saw that wolf’s eyes!” The brony awaited a response but was met with nothing for a few moments.

“...Always ruining those little moments for me, aren’t you?” Chris heard as his heart raced and he stood ready for anything, even though he didn’t believe he was ready for anything. The fog started clearing from around the brony’s legs and in it’s place, a stench filled the air.

Chris took a sniff and recoiled at the horrid smell and then tried to identify it. He thought for a moment before whispering in an attempt to hide his discovery, “...Burning.” He stated with wide eyes and a slight sweat.

Almost right after Chris stated his assumption, he heard a sound similar to a spark to his left. He promptly turned and looked for the source of the noise. He saw a dim light in the distance, a dim flickering light.

Chris’ breathing increased as he took a step or two back away from the light. The light continued beckoning, the forest even seemed to start to part so the fire would be the only thing in sight. The brony kept backing away with a light sweat and an increasing heart rate. He put a hoof to his chest again, and when he took it away, he noticed something; blood.

At this point, Chris was like a cornered animal, but he was debating whether he was going to act like a cornered fox, or possum at this point.

“What’s the matter Chris? You humans like fire, do you not? It gives your race warmth, it helps cook your food, warm your water...So many uses...You like fire, don’t you Chris?” A distant, menacing voice echoed through the grove.

“N-n-no...get t-that away from me!” Chris exclaimed as his backing away had transitioned into a brisk trot in the other direction. His quick breathing escalated to a near cry for help and he noticed he was dripping blood from his chest as he attempted to escape.

“Oh, no use in trying to run now, Chris. You got yourself knee deep into all of this, and now, the flames will come for you first! You’re dying in Equestria, and now you will die in your own mind!” The voice bellowed as the small flame grew exponentially fast into a raging inferno.

Chris turned to see that the mass of fire had started taking a shape, it split and grew into various demonic figures; similar to the creatures that attacked Ponyville.

Chris’ eyes widened and he kept looking at the flames. One large wisp started expanding and growing and formed a shape Chris had seen before, an Ursa Minor.

The brony sprinted as fast as his hooves could carry him. He saw the glow from the raging mob of fire beasts pursuing him reach out just in front of him. He could also see several small cuts and the wound across his chest getting larger and more blood dripping from them.

Chris started losing energy and ended up slowing down a great deal until he came to a complete stop. He turned, seeing the beasts all pounce at him in unison, and closed his eyes.

Everything was black in Chris’ vision for a moment, he couldn’t even hear himself breath. Then a few seconds later he heard a sound familiar to him. He heard the distinct sound of a defibrillator being revved up and then a shock.

Back in Canterlot Castle, Shade came out of his latest session of interfering with Chris’ thoughts with a loud scream of agony and a questionable look towards Ruby, “What happened?! Why did I lose control!? What was that?!” Shade demanded as he gripped Ruby around the neck once again.

“I-I-I don’t know, my Lord! He, couldn’t have broken the link. He isn’t, strong enough! And I can’t re-establish the link, something’s keeping me back!” She retorted, hoping for mercy.

When the shock hit him, Chris’ vision came back to him. He looked around and saw a blank nothingness. Everywhere he looked he saw just white; at this point he wasn’t sure whether this was a dream or whether he had really, passed on.

His conundrum remained unanswered until he heard something yet again. He turned quickly to see what this sound was, and he was met with...Nothing. He raised an eyebrow before turning back around; only to be met with a muzzle in his face and an exclamation, “HUMAN!”

“Ahhh!” Chris screamed as he fell backwards, he looked up over his chest to see a rather sight for sore eyes looking right back at him, Princess Luna, and naturally, Celestia right next to her.

The brony’s eyes widened as he got up onto his hooves and stood promptly at attention. It had dawned on him that this would be his first real conversation with the royalty; if he wasn’t just hallucinating due to blood loss.

“Uh...Princesses...Nice to um...finally meet you...I mean, one on one like this...or one on two or...er...What are you two doing here?” He asked, beating himself up mentally for that horrid display of introductions.

“WE, HUMAN, ARE HERE TO INFORM YOU OF YOUR ROLE IN THE GRAND SCH-” Luna started before Celestia extended a wing in front of her sister’s face, signalling her to stop. Chris thought to himself as his eardrums throbbed, “So that’s how loud it really is...”

“Hello, Chris. We know you know who we are and we know who you are so introductions aren’t really necessary right now. So we should explain why we’re here first of all.” The white alicorn stated.

“WE ARE HE-” Luna cutting herself off for a moment, “...We are here because we have severed the hold Shade has over your mind. Before, he could step in at anytime with the help of his mistress, Ruby. We have destroyed the link and have placed our presences into your mind as a shield to stop him from entering again.” Luna explained as Chris nodded.

“Thank you...And...Ruby?...There’s three of them?” Chris’ eyes widened as Celestia nodded, “Oh sweet...You...this is not good...I mean, you two got beat by three of them...So they’re like...three you’s...Wait...wait wait, you two are dead...How are you speaking to me?” He enquired.

“As you have seen, at the lake near your camp, me and my sister still are bound to this world and we can add influence and images, just not in our bodies.” The sun ruler stated.

“Ohh...I’m sorry, I’m just used to people when they die...Y’know...staying dead...No offense, I’m really glad things can go this way...So how did you...break the link?” Chris wanted to know.

“Well, we needed a brief moment when Shade had given up influence and, whilst you were knocked out...You stopped breathing. We jumped in when Shade began to slip out and your friends revived you.” Luna retorted.

“So I actually am still alive? This isn’t heaven or the...pony equivalent?” The brony asked with ever growing interest.

“Yes, your friends are taking you to Dodge City on their backs as we speak.” Celestia answered.

“Rainbow, y’all are tipping ‘em!” AJ complained to Rainbow as she lifted her back up and kept walking.

“Hey! Am not, your moving too fast!” Rainbow stated as she evened out her back and admitted defeat, mostly to just make her point and to shut AJ up.

“I’ve uh...got soo many questions...Are they alright?” Chris asked worryingly.

“Yes, they’re all fine. Though Miss Fluttershy is taking her dropping of you fairly badly.” Luna explained as Chris frowned a little and continued asking questions.

“So, when am I going to wake up?”

“Your friends have entered into Dodge City and Applejack’s family there have agreed to take care of you, you should be waking up soon, hopefully.” Celestia nodded with a smile.

“We have little time so I’ll explain. Shade is a powerful being, but even now he is not at his full strength, you must keep the elements away from him at all costs. We are entrusting you as a chosen human to keep the elements, their wielders, and this land and it’s residents safe. The fate of Equestria, is in your hands, human.” The Princess finished as her and Luna began fading away.

“Wait, wait?! What am I supposed to do?! How do I contact you two again?! Where is the birthplaces of harmon-” Chris was cut off as his eyes widened and he awakened, in a bed, in Dodge City.

He looked around and out the window to see ponies going about their business as usual, then he turned to see if any of his friends were there.

Twilight, Applejack and Rainbow sat around him and cheered with happiness as he woke up. Chris just sat there with a slight twitch in his eye and a little question in his mind, “Did...did I....just get trolled?”

Delays of the Explosive Variety

Strange New World
Chapter Eleven: Delays of the Explosive Variety

Chris and the others had made their way back to the hotel to get settled in for the night. Applejack and Rarity sat on their beds, Twilight lay herself next to a nearby lit fireplace reading through Zecora’s tome; Spike and Zecora were taking inventory of their supplies, Fluttershy was in the bathroom and Chris and Rainbow were practicing some basic fighting moves; more so Chris than Rainbow though.

“Sure you wanna stay in there, Fluttershy? I may actually land a hit, it could be cool.” Chris exclaimed in hopes Fluttershy would come out and see. Inside the bathroom the mare merely shook her head.

“No thank you. I don’t like the violence and somepony could get hurt.” Fluttershy yelled through the rustic wooden door of the lavatory. Chris shook his head in disappointment and retorted back to her.

“C’mon, I may have bandages but I’m not gonna get hurt anymore than I already ha-Ow!” Chris yelped after receiving a conk on the head from Rainbow. Chris rubbed his head where she had hit and raged, “What was that fo- Ow!” Chris spoke before receiving another blow.

“You were getting distracted!” Rainbow explained as Chris scrunched his nose in disapproval. The stallion gritted his teeth in that instant. He would have went into a full blown argument with the mare but figured the best solution would be to cover his head and continue practising.

“Now, you gotta keep a good stance and be ready for anything. Your reflexes need to be as sharp as a knife!” Rainbow explained further as she hovered around Chris who was in stance as she instructed.

“Easy for you to say, you can fly.” Chris thought before Rainbow jutted her head close to his; Chris’ eyes widened and he wondered if she had just read his mind.

“That clear?” The blue mare questioned as she hovered inches away from Chris with an angry glare in her eyes. The stallion nodded.

“Yes Ma’am, Miss Rainbow, Si-er Ma’am!” Chris yelped rather nervously, with a tiny trickle of sweat dripping from his mane.

“Good. Now...” Rainbow led into as she landed in front of Chris and got into a stance as well. “I’m going to pelt you in the jaw and you have to stop it, okay?” She asked as Chris looked around, as if to gain clarification from everypony else. Rarity, Twi and AJ nodded uneasily, which in turn made Chris nod.

“Rainbow, you sure he’s okay for this?” Twi asked with a hint of concern in her tone, Rarity following soon after.

“Yes, I think he should have time to heal his injuries first.” The purple maned mare added.

“Well if he gets in a fight with one of those monsters again he won’t exactly have any healing time.” Rainbow explained as she readied herself, as did everypony else and Chris. Even Fluttershy winced a little.

Rainbow dashed towards Chris with a hoof raised, Chris went to lift his but as he did he noticed something. Rainbow pulling back one of her hind legs, like it was going to ping forward. The stallion reacted to this by jumping. And sure enough, Rainbow attempted a leg sweep and failed. Everypony’s, even Chris’ eyes widened at that point. The stallion landed and almost instinctively his hoof went straight for Rainbow. Luckily the mare blocked, leaving a slightly out of breath stallion.

“How did you even...?” Rainbow asked with a slight look of bewilderment on her face as she released the stallion’s hoof.

“Well...I saw you...pulling your leg back and...Wow...jumping is a lot harder without wings...” Chris retorted, out of breath.

Rarity and Twi answered this by giving a small applause from their places of seating, smiling widely. Chris smiled back, relaxing his breathing again. Rainbow answered this by putting a hoof around Chris and giving him a congratulatory pat on his far shoulder.

“Training with Rainbow Dash...Couldn’t have gone wrong.” Chris thought as he returned the shoulder pat to Rainbow. Chris then grinned and did a few kicks into the air whilst standing on his hind legs.

“Bring it then, Shade, let’s see what trick ya pull ne-” Chris led into before being interrupted by a thundering noise from outside. The room shook and the lights flickered as everybody tried to find out what the source of that noise was. In the commotion Chris had fallen right on his flank, “What was that?!” He shouted.

Everyone was drawn to a nearby window, well apart from Fluttershy. Out of the the window they could see a large orange cloud of fire lifting and dissipating off the ground, lighting up the whole town for a brief few moments.

“My Celestia...” Rarity said absentmindedly as everybody continued looking. Chris then broke away and said essentially, the obvious.

“Well we gotta go check that out, let’s go!” Chris signaled as everyone in the room started heading outside to see what had happened. AJ stopped and realized something, which she pointed out to Chris.

“Wha’ ‘bout Fluttershy?!” The concerned earth pony asked. Chris nodded reassuringly and turned AJ to face the door again.

“I need to get some clothes on anyway, I’ll get her outside.” Chris explained as AJ nodded and headed out. The brony quickly got together his new outfit and slipped it on in a few minutes. He readjusted his bootstraps and reoriented his vest before dusting off his shoulders. He knocked on the bathroom door.

“Fluttershy, c’mon! We gotta to go!” Chris exclaimed, to hear no response. He knocked again with more force this time, “Fluttershy!” He yelled. Again, met with no response. “Fluttersh-...Wait this isn’t even locked!” Chris realized as he opened the door and marched in.

A few seconds later he emerged with a shaken, speechless Fluttershy clinging to his back and around his neck. The stallion trotted out with the mare clinging and making a few scared meeps and squeals with wide eyes, “Yeah yeah, I know” Chris stated.

“Well...This is just grand, isn’t it, Nox?...The Princesses are still around...Even though I disposed of their remains...And they’re keeping me out of his head...Out of their heads...” Shade explained as he sat on a newly redesigned throne, his head resting in his paw.

“Yes Sire, it is most unfortunate. Progress will be halted or at least...Slowed.” Nox sighed.

“Hm...There’s always a way around, Nox...Surely you must have learned something like that by now.” Shade retorted as he got off of his throne and walked absentmindedly around, “We’ve halted their progress as well...” Shade remarked as he put a paw on his newly repaired window. “And that will buy us the time we need...”

“What for, Sire?” Nox questioned as Shade turned with a grin and a red glow coming from his eye. He paced towards his inferior and explained as he walked.

“We’ve injured him...We’ve stranded him...And now we do what we are best at...We fulfill our purpose...” Shade stated as he paced back up to his throne, “Fear...anarchy...death...”

Chris rushed to the source of the blast, following quickly in the hoofprints of his friends and with Fluttershy still on his back. When they arrived they were met with a rather unpleasant sight. There had been an explosion on the train tracks, leading to Appleloosa.

Chris gasped in awe as did Fluttershy. The yellow mare got to her hooves and rushed over to her friends who were already there looking over the crater the blast had made. Chris followed closely behind and as he got closer he made out the images of two more familiar figures, Cherry and the apparent, Marshall.

These two were also looking in awe at the blast, however Twi looked to be arguing with the marshall. Chris wondered what this was about until he got somewhat of a hint from what happened next.

“You! Yooou!” Marshall yelled towards Chris as he paced closer to the stallion. Chris gulped slightly as the large statuesque figure of the marshall stood over him, and proceeded to grab him by his collar. “I warned ya to not ‘cause no trouble! I warned ya! Now you don gone and blew up this here track! Admit it!” Marshall demanded as Chris merely glared and struggled.

“Now, Marshall you put him down! His filly friend is right! He dun did nothing to nopony!” Cherry pleaded as Marshall continued holding and everypony stood in uneasiness, Dash having to be held back by the others for fear of causing more harm.

“Well he didn’t hurt nopony but her sure hurt the track!” Marshall continued, not breaking eye contact with Chris for a second as the area around them was lit up slightly by floating embers during the pale moonlight. “I told ya Cherry, I didn’t trust this varmint. Didn’t trust any of ‘em...My instincts never failed me before.” He continued as Chris thought in his head what he could do.

The stallion would have looked to the two ethereal alicorns inside his head for help, but right now he didn’t think those would help. So Chris continued struggling before sneakily raising a front hoof and smashing Marshall on the side of the head with a blow of moderate power, but enough to get him to release his grip.

“Why you no good little-!” Marshall stated as he recentered himself. As he was about to lunge for Chris, a purple aura enveloped the two stallions. Neither of them could manage to move their hooves enough to swing a punch. Chris darted his eyes to his friends and saw Twilight’s horn ignited.

“Now listen! Okay? Chris was with us here the entire time when the blast went off, it couldn’t have been him that did it! And Chris you could have told Marshall this but instead you knocked him right on the head! Now everypony just calm down, and apologize for starters!” Twi stated with authority and a quick gasping for breath afterwards.

“...Sorry.” Both stallions stated as Twi released her grip on the two of them. The stallions stretched for a moment before Marshall spoke up again, “But listen here, little lady. The fact of the matter is, y’all showed up and this happened. Now I ain’t saying you’re guilty, but right now all I gotta go on is my gut...And that does condemn you all. So we’re good for now, but I got both eyes on all you...Him especially.” Marshall started as Chris glared with a heavy breath.

“Now there’re only two ponies I trust here, Cherry and Slim. Cherry and Slim were both with me when whatever happened happened...So you all watch yourselves.” Marshall stated as he walked away with Cherry following shortly behind.

Chris sighed and finally recentered himself to see a rather disappointed looking Twilight standing over him. Twi proceeded back to the crater and Chris followed sluggishly behind. Everyone in the group looked into the small hole in the ground and each took it in a different way. Chris sighed once again and spoke up, “...I don’t like that Marshall guy.”

“Eeyup.” AJ added as everybody continued gaping into the hole.

“...We have a mystery on our hooves...Don’t we?” Pinkie implied as she slowly started lifting up a pipe, which was quickly snatched away by Zecora, who merely glared at the slightly confused pink pony, “...Fine, I have more anyways.” Pinkie retorted.

Later that same night, the group had made it back to their hotel rooms. Chris stood to one side and held the main door for his friends. As Twilight walked past, Chris lowered his head slightly. When everyone was in, the stallion closed the door.

“A’ight y’all, best we be getting some shut eye. Celestia knows what’s going on but we got some work to do tomorrow that’s fer sure.” Applejack stated as everybody nodded and headed to their respective sleeping arrangements. It was then Chris had realized, yet again, he wasn’t in these sleeping arrangements, he sighed and looked at a vacant couch, as if it was calling to him as everypony went to their rooms and headed to bed.

As Chris walked towards the couch he caught a glimpse of Twilight walking into her room, the two of them met eyes for a moment before both frowning and Twi heading into her room with Pinkie. Chris turned his head to see Rainbow and Fluttershy heading into their rooms; the rainbow mare merely shrugged and headed on in.

“Are you okay, Chris?” The stallion heard as he turned around to see Rarity lying in bed with a concerned look on her white, beautified face, “You look worried. More so than the rest of us. Come, sit over here, we have to discuss it if something’s bothering you.” The unicorn almost ordered as she continued lying in bed but patted a spot on the side. Chris sighed and sat down as prompted.

“Now, what exactly is bothering you?” Rarity inquired, getting out from under the covers to reveal she had managed to bring along a familiar bed robe. Chris would have chuckled if he wasn’t so concerned.

“Just...I don’t know...figured I could have handled things down there better...With Marshall I mean...I don’t know why I hit him I just...didn’t know what else to do...” He said sulkily as Rarity nodded along before motioning for him to continue.

“And...I feel really disappointed in myself...I mean you guys never really seen me like that, I mean hitting another pony...’Cept for Blueblood though...” He relived as Rarity chuckled slightly before responding.

“Well, nopony was against you in that decision, darling. Now I think you’re caring far too much about what other ponies think of you. We are your friends, as you know and we can forgive and forget. Even Twilight. I saw how she looked at you after that...She’s upset now of course but she is as reasonable as she is intelligent, she won’t remain that way for long.” Rarity nodded reassuringly.

“Yeah...Yeah you’re probably right...Guess I should have more confidence in you guys...” Chris admitted as Rarity placed a hoof on the stallion’s shoulder nearest to her. She grinned pleasingly and patted her hoof a few times against him.

“Yes, Chris. We all have to have confidence in each other, darling. We had the confidence to leave some of our family to be mature and responsible enough to look after themselves, and even our pets, darling. I had to leave my little Opal with Sweetie Belle and Applejack had to leave Winona with Apple Bloom. Same with most of us. You just have to have confidence in ponies you trust, friends and family.” She finished.

“Yeah...yeah those two really are important...” Chris started before turning to Rarity and smiling lightly, “...Thanks.” He finished happily.

“Think nothing of it, Chrissy. It’s what friends are for.” Rarity also finished with a wider smile than Chris’ as she went back under the covers, leaving Chris to his own devices. The stallion went and headed into the bathroom.

When he entered he looked at himself in the mirror, he sighed once again and looked down at the sink below said mirror. When he looked back up again though he noticed something off about his face. Being that it wasn’t his face anymore, but Princess Luna’s.

The stallion jumped slightly before the Luna in the mirror spoke, “My apologies for startling you, Chris.” The alicorn stated as she stepped out of the mirror and stood in front of the brown haired stallion. Chris could only watch with disbelief.

“I have gone crazy, haven’t I?” Chris asked, to which the ethereal Moon Princess shook her head.

“No, you are of mental soundness. This is just how me and big sister communicate with you when you’re not asleep.” She clarified with a slight nod.

“By coming through a mirror, Grudge-style?” Chris thought into himself.

“I beg your pardon?” Luna questioned as Chris’ eyes widened then closed upon a rather obvious realization.

“Oh yeah...In my head and all that...” The stallion admitted awkwardly, “So...what did you want to talk about, Princess?” Chris inquired as Luna answered promptly.

“Well I saw your conversation with Miss Rarity, and I thought I’d tell you-” Luna was cut off at this point by the clothed equine.

“You can listen to my conversations?” He asked.

“All the time. Now, I wanted to say that me and Celestia both approved of the realization you came to after said conversation. You realized that friendship is of vital importance, especially here. Sister and I have only seen mentions of your world, and at times it can be...Not too friendly, to be honest.” The Princess finished.

“Yeah, I know.” Chris admitted. “And...thanks...I suppose I would have realized it sooner or later but...Thanks all the same.” He admitted with a grin.

“My pleasure, Chris.” Luna smiled back as she went to hop back through the mirror.

“Wait! Uh...could you see about maybe not listening in on every conversation or thought I have?...Kinda creepy...” The stallion asked sheepishly.

“...Maybe.” Luna quickly answered as she hopped into the mirror and out of sight. Chris sighed and spoke to himself.

“Well...great.” He said with sarcasm. Then he heard a small voice ring in his head.

“Indeed.”

“You’re learning from Celestia, aren’t you?” Chris asked.

“Indeed.”

The brony sighed, smirking a little and exiting the bathroom. He went to go and lie on the nearby couch; however, as he got closer he had noticed something; or rather somepony. Rarity had hopped out of her bed and went to sleep on the couch. Chris wondered what the reasoning behind this could be, then he remembered.

“Generosity...Right.” He thought, almost expecting another ‘indeed’. The stallion smiled at the sleeping unicorn before heading to the previously occupied bed and gently laying himself in it. With a quick pull over of the covers and a resting of his head upon a pillow, Chris had drifted off to sleep.

Roughly eight hours later, Chris and everyone else started to wake up. The stallion sat up in his bed, yawned loudly and rubbed his eyes with a hoof. He looked in a slight slumber induced haze as his friends starting waking and exiting their respective adjacent rooms one by one.

AJ sat up in her bed which was across from Chris’, rubbed her eyes in a similar fashion and opened her mouth, “‘Morning, y’a-” Applejack was starting to say before the door to the room swung open and in the doorway stood Cherry.

“Morning, y'all! How’d we all sleep?” The seemingly excited mare asked as she was met with a series of grunts and meh’s. “Well hope y'all don’t stay that way for too long, after what happened last night, I’m thinking we got a busy day ahead of us all...” She stated as everypony accepted that truth as well, Chris included.

“Well come on, I got y’all some breakfast waiting downstairs, I’ll give ya’s time to freshen up if ya need it.” She continued as she turned to walk back downstairs, before turning her head back to add something else, “Oh! And Chris, son, Marshall said he wants you helping investigate what happened last night. You’ll be helping him and Slim out until he says you’re ‘Okay’. Guess he wants to keep an eye on ya.” The wavy haired mare finished as she left for downstairs, everyone looking at Chris then the stallion sighing.

“Well...Guess all I can do is appease him. I don’t think he’d listen to reason very well.” Chris stated as almost everypony nodded. Applejack kept her head motionless before speaking up.

“Ah, you’ll be okay. Marshall may not like ya but Slim don’t mind ya, I think. Slim ain’t the type o’ pony to assume the worst, y’know.” The earth pony made a point of as she got out of bed. Everyone merely stared with confused expressions, Spike being the first to speak up.

“And you know this, how?” The little dragon inquired, AJ suddenly looked a lot more nervous than she previously did, he lips almost scrunched up but she responded promptly.

“Ah...well, Slim and me go way back...I been to Dodge a few times and me and ‘im are just...Uh...Old friends...” She stated with a rather loud and obvious gulp. Everyone continued staring, some with slight smirks, “...What?” AJ asked, beads of sweat dripping from her mane.

“Nothing, nothing.” Chris stated as he looked at Rainbow Dash, both of them near in tears about not saying anything. The stallion cleared his throat and stated, “Well, uh...Breakfast then, eh?” As the stallion bolted down stairs just to have a little chuckle.

After everything was said and done in the hotel, Chris split away from his friends and headed outside; the hot air of the town coming at him a large wave, enveloping him in the town’s atmosphere. He began heading towards the marshal's office, but fate had different plans it would seem.

“Hey! Chris! Over here!” Shouted Slim as he waved to the passing brony. Chris made a turn towards the other stallion and headed in that direction. When he arrived the two exchanged in a hoof shake and then some words.

“Hey, Slim. Any idea where Marshall is?” The brony inquired, wondering if he should even want or care about the answer.

“Yeah, he’s at that there crater from last night. That thing is huge, buddy! I wish I coulda seen it when it were still fresh, Marshall had me going round telling ponies not to panic.” Slim answered with a sigh, “He sent me to find ya, come on.” Slim added as he led the way back to the crater.

When the two arrived they saw Marshall down in said crater, examining the ground. The pony turned to see Chris and Slim had arrived. “Ah good, new boy you get down here.” Marshall almost ordered as Chris did just that, sliding down into the crevice.

“Thanks for getting ‘em, Slim, now I want you to keep an eye on his friends.” Marshall directed with a raised eyebrow from Chris and Slim.

“Aww Marshal-” Slim was cut off by Marshall, who didn’t even turn around to interrupt the stallion.

“Slim I’m good ‘er, now get! I don’t want them left unattended...Besides, you’re sweet on one of ‘em, ain’t ya?” Marshall questioned.

“Ay- I....Yes sir.” Slim replied with a sigh as he headed back to the hotel. Chris didn’t dare say a word, less he agitate the law figure more than he already had. Though he had to ask the obvious, since he was there to help in a sense.

“Soo...Found anything?” Chris asked carefully. He got a response, but with no direct eye contact.

“Nothing yet...Only thing in this crater is dirt. Don’t even look like somepony blew it up...Strange...” Marshall wondered as Chris wondered similarly.

“What you mean?” Chris asked with great interest.

“Well usually in a blast like dis, ya get somethin’ left behind. Like magical residue, or gunpowder or something that could cause a big boom...But this been picked clean...Only dirt and a few embers to go on...” The stallion continued as he gave his search a bit more effort. Chris also started looking around for anything to go on.

“Did you ask anypony if they knew anything?” Chris inquired once again.

“Nah not yet, I’ll get Slim on it later. I gotta keep looking, there’s gotta be somethin’ here...Like a clue...Actually just a clue would be great right about now.” The jacket wearing stallion replied to the brony.

After a while of searching and a fair bit of silence, Chris wiped a bit of sweat from his brow and sighed with discontent. Marshall heard his sigh and snorted almost with disgust, “Well, if we can’t find anything with our hooves we best get some equipment from the office. Let’s go! Outta the hole!” Marshall demanded yet again as Chris rolled his eyes and crawled out. However, as he did he noticed something. One of his hooves was deeper in the ground than the others.

He would have let it pass right by him but he felt compelled to check, he lifted his hoof out of the ground and examined it. He looked on the flat of his hoof and saw the usual expected grains of sand, though on his blue skin he noticed something; a few small, black grains of a substance.

“What you got there?” Marshall wondered as she saw Chris staring at his hoof, he walked closer and almost instantly his nostrils flared up, “Gunpowder...” He stated as he noticed the grains on Chris’ hooves. He immediately grabbed Chris by the collar again, “I knew it! Ya dang mania-” Marshall was cut off by Chris pulling himself away.

“Before you jump to anything, look!” Chris stated as he pointed to where his hoof had been. In his hoofprint there were more and more grains of gunpowder mixed with the sand. The pair eyeballed the surrounding area and noticed there was an inconsistency with some of the land. It appeared that there was a line of raised dirt and sand, leading away from the crater. It was then that the brony and pony came to essentially the same conclusion.

Just to be sure, Marshall checked under a part of this line of raised dirt, and sure enough, noticed more gunpowder. It was clear now, somepony had carelessly left gunpowder leading away from the crater, and was attempting to cover it up. Right then and there Chris and Marshall started following the line of raised earth.

The line took them through the town center, through various alleys and finally to a door; the door to an old mining operations building. The sign on the building read, ‘Pickings Mining Limited.’ Marshall’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped, “No...” He stated in disbelief. Chris was fairly sure him and Marshall had the same thought.

The stallions tried opening the door but it was sadly locked. So instead the stuck each of their shoulders into it. The door flung open to reveal a most intriguing, all be it disturbing sight.

“My dear, Celestia.....” Marshall stated as both his and Chris’ jaws hung open. The room they were in was a large open rectangle, and in the middle of said room was a fairly large pile of dynamite, some even under the floorboards. And on the wall, there was a crude drawing. A drawing of two large, red demonic eyes. And crude text underneath, saying one thing.

“The red eyes tell me to do it.”

The Accused

Strange New World
Chapter Twelve: The Accused

Chris and Marshall stood with gaping jaws at the sight in front of them. The two stallions never really cared for one another but in this instance all that prejudice and misplaced hate vanished and the two stood as one, both in bewilderment and sudden realization.

“...You don’t think...Slim?” Chris asked as he turned his head towards the imposing figure of Marshall. The pony of the law sighed as he relieved himself from the sight before them. He looked to the ground with a slight frown before turning towards Chris to give his reply.

“...Seems likely...I...don’t wanna believe it but...I dun see anypony having access to this place ‘cept Slim...and the door wasn’t busted...from what I see that’s the only way in here too...” Marshall didn’t even finish as he looked at the ground once more.

Chris looked at the wall again and saw the crude drawing of the red eyes almost stare into his very soul as he recoiled in discomfort; the stallion knew who had put their claw into this situation.

“Listen, Marshall, maybe there’s more to this...Slim probably isn’t feeling himself...I mean he’s acting normal now, he went to hang out with the gi-” Chris stopped himself as Marshall took his gaze away from the floor and looked right at Chris with wide eyes, Chris returned the glare. “The girls...” Chris stated as the two of them rushed for the door.

They exited the rusty old building and made a mad dash towards the center of town again, “Where did they go?!” Chris asked hectically as Marshall breathed heavily and responded.

“I ain’t got no idea! Slim likes to hang around at the saloon but he checks in on Cherry in the hotel every hour or so! I can’t see ‘em being anywhere else!” Marshall stated as he began breaking off towards the hotel, “Split up! Find ‘im! He’s gotta have answers!” The law figure retorted as he ran one way and Chris ran the other.

Marshall nearly broke down the door of the hotel as he rushed in, as he did he saw Cherry at the front desk, “Cherry! Have ya seen Slim?! And where are those girls?!” Marshall demanded to know.

“Well they’re upstairs relaxing in their room, all of ‘em. Saw ‘em myself” Cherry started as she took a slightly hefty breath inward, “Twilight, Rarity, Spike, Zecora, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie!” She stated with a grin. Marshall’s eyes were wide with concern as he asked another question.

“What about that mare Slim is sweet on? The one with the hat?!” He once again demanded to know. Cherry looked perplexed as she realized she had miscounted.

“Oh cherry apples, I forgot, Applejack’s out with Slim. They are mighty cute together, huh?” Cherry questioned as Marshal was noticeably sweating.

“Where, Cherry?!” Marshall exploded.

Chris slammed through the flapping doors of the Saloon and looked about frantically for any sign of Slim. His eyes turned to the bar of the establishment and saw two ponies, Slim and Applejack.

Slim had a hoof on the mare’s cheek, and another in one of his pockets. Chris gasped as he bolted straight for the earth pony stallion, jumping in the air and tackling Slim over the counter of the bar; shattering a few bottles and leaving a certain mare bewildered.

“Ack! What’s the deal, buddy?!” Slim exclaimed as he wriggled and squirmed underneath Chris. Applejack looked over with concern and attempted to lift Chris off of the deputy pony.

“Chris, ‘av you gone nuts?!” She asked as she continued pulling at Chris’ jacket and back area. Applejack managed to remove Chris off of Slim just as the brony belted out his explanation.

“AJ! We found explosives in a place Slim had access to! We think he blew the track!” Chris stated as he wrestled out of the mare’s grip. Slim sat up a few feet away and responded nervously.

“What?! This is crazy talk!” The deputy exclaimed as AJ looked at him with wide eyes and slightly open mouth.

“Slim is this...is this true?” Applejack asked, hardly believing the situation herself, “You...why would you...I thought you...we...” She stammered.

“Look! I didn’t do nothing to no track with no dynamite!” Slim retorted as he got to his hooves and stood back.

Applejack’s gaze narrowed as he eyes became slightly wet, “...Chris never said, dynamite...” AJ answered as Slim got more and more nervous, he backed up into a counter and knocked his hat off to reveal sweat on his brow. Chris got up and took a step forward towards the backing up pony.

“...Look this is crazy! I can’t listen to this, I’m gettin’ outta here!” Slim shouted as he leaped over the counter and made a beeline for a nearby door, Chris went to give chase but it would seem he didn’t have to.

Before Slim made it to the door the wooden barrier was already swung open, by Marshall. Chris remained still, Applejack stepped forward slightly, Marshall looked down at Slim and the deputy stepped back and looked up, “...No you’re not going anywhere right now, Slim...We need to ask you a few things...Okay?” Marshall asked as Chris literally felt a lump in his throat as he waited for the response.

“O...o-okay Marshall...I...I didn’t do nothing...I...didn’t mea-” Slim stuttered before he was cut off by his superior.

“I know I know, Slim...just a formality is all...” Marshall stated as he looked at Chris, “Just a formality...Chris could you come see us later?” Marshall asked as Chris nodded in response.

The large law stallion nudged his head towards Slim’s hat, now on the floor. Chris went to pick it up but as he did, AJ did instead. The mare went over to Slim and placed it on his head carefully, her eyes not wanting to face him but tearing up all the same.

“Right...come on, boy...” Marshall stated with discontent as he led Slim out of the saloon, keeping a hoof on him at all times. AJ took a step back and kept her head down. Chris walked over and patted the mare’s shoulder.

“It’ll be okay, Appleja-” Chris was cut off by the mare walking over to the bar and sitting in the stool she previously occupied and sulking her head on the counter. Chris heard a faint sobbing from the mare as AJ raised a hoof at the bartender, who was visibly stunned by the situation.

“One please...” She asked nicely with a hint of sobbing in her dialect. Chris sighed and didn’t know what to do. He reached into his pockets and contemplated. As he did though he felt something in his jacket, he removed his hoof and saw nothing less than a few bits.

“Thanks Rarity.” The stallion thought as he sat on a stool next to Applejack’s. The mare looked over at him, still crying and sniffling slightly before wiping her eyes and nose area. The brony patted her shoulder once again and turned to the bartender, “One for me too, please...sorry about the bottles, I’ll make a tab.” The stallion ended.

Chris and Applejack sat in the same positions for a good ten minutes or so until the hatted mare put a few bits on the bar and walked out, not saying a word to our hero but instead a slight nod as she sauntered outside. Chris however remained and continued drinking from a half empty glass. The stallion looked around, seeing various ponies doing the same thing he was doing.

The brony sighed as he took another sip from the glass. Chris had no clue as to the contents of the drink but he had assumed it was somewhat alcoholic in nature which gave Chris the prime ingredients to mull over his entire situation in general, and how things weren’t exactly getting any better.

As the seated stallion took another sip he began to hear whispers inside his head, familiar ones, Royal ones. Chris looked up from the counter to see that the bartender had gone to other end of the bar and simply left Chris a bottle. In the previously occupied place stood yet another ethereal pony, in the shape of Celestia. Chris didn’t say a word and simply turned his head back to the counter.

“You’re upset, aren’t you?” Celestia asked, knowing fine rightly what the answer was. Chris sighed and simply nodded. The Princess spoke up again, “I would advise not talking very loudly in response to what I’m saying, it might look odd to others in the bar.” She advised, Chris nodding once more.

“You’re upset because you don’t know what you’re doing, why you’re doing it or why you’re here. Correct?” She questioned again, being followed by another nod from the brony. Chris couldn’t just sit there and nod away though. He looked around before muttering under his breath.

“Yeah...this whole situation is just messed up...I-I don’t know why I’m here and what purpose I have. All I seem to bring to ponies is bad news. I feel out of place here, I know I don’t belong, I don’t know why I’m here, I don’t know why I’ve been put into this situation...and I don’t even know how I’m holding this glass...it’s just...frustrating.” Chris replied as his head faced the counter again.

The sun Princess nodded in response and bent her neck down to get more face-to-face with our hero, “Sometimes in life we don’t understand where we are, or why we’re there or what we must do...but it’s how we act ourselves that shapes our future and our own happiness.” She started as Chris merely sighed.

“You are naturally frustrated, any sane po-...person would be...but Chris, a dark time is coming...a dark time is already here...it is up to Equestria to stand on it’s own four hooves now and to fight to preserve our land and what we stand for...but Equestria can’t do it alone.” Celestia continued as she paced back and forth.

“You, Chris. You may or may not know it yet but you are going to play a key role in Equestria’s future...you were taken here when nobody else was, you were given a form that nobody has ever had. You were given these for a reason, and you too must fight and prevail for Equestria, as everypony you see will have to. Like I said, it’s how we act that defines our futures, and if you continue sulking then your’s won’t have a positive outcome...nopony’s will.” She finished as she put a hoof between Chris and his glass.

The brony sighed and looked up at the large alicorn. He didn’t say a word, he simply looked her directly in the eyes, nodded and stood up, “You’re biggest strength, Chris, is that you are never alone.” Celestia concluded as her ghostly figure faded. Chris turned tail and made his way to Marshall’s office.

The stallion swung open the door to find Marshall staring directly at Chris from behind his desk, frowning slightly, “Hey...your...friends came by to see what was what...” He motioned towards all of Chris’ companions sitting on a nearby bench.

Chris nodded in appreciation and went over to the group. They were mostly silent and unmoving, that was until Chris stood forward. Applejack stood up and walked right over to him, hugging him lightly.

“Thanks...” AJ put just as lightly. The stallion patted her shoulder yet again, nodding and hugging back slightly before releasing her.

“Marshall told us what happened, he said you two suspect Slim of blowing the tracks. With that settled the work crews are already outside working to get it repaired, they’re being cautious though.” Twilight put in an organised manner.

“Yeah, we found dynamite in a place Slim had access to. Some mining company Slim’s family had, we found a trail leading from the crater. We looked for him and I found him in the saloon with Applejack...” Chris stated as he patted the hatted mare’s shoulder once again.

“AJ told us you totally took him over the counter in some mad charge.” Rainbow stated as her and Spike were both visibly approving of that little bit of information.

“I do hope nopony was hurt, must have been quite a sight I must admit though.” Rarity interjected as Pinkie jutted her head into the conversation.

“Was probably a waste of good cider though, did anything break?” She asked, Chris merely nodded and the poofy haired, pink pony made an audible, “Aww, what a waste.” statement.

“W-well, was anypony actually hurt?” Fluttershy asked in her typical timid style as Chris turned to her to respond.

“I don’t think so. Though Slim’s pride was probably hurt a bit, seeing as Marshall took him in himself.” The brony answered, keeping to what he saw at the time.

“Such drama on this noon, down in that saloon.” Zecora added, everypony nodding in unison.

“Hey uh...if you guys are all caught up...I was wondering if Chris would like to have a word with Slim...given that he helped catch him and all.” Marshall stated as Chris looked to his friends for clarification. They all shrugged slightly, not knowing what to think. The brony remembered Celestia’s words and responded to Marshall.

“Yeah I’ll see what I can do. Wish me luck, guys.” Chris stated as everypony nodded, some of them consisting of Twilight, AJ and Fluttershy giving him encouraging hugs. Marshall got up from his desk and lead the way over to a large metal door with a simple lock system. The law figure opened up said door and held it open for Chris.

The brony entered to see a small hallway with a single cell on one side, and a windowless wall on the other. The cell of course containing the accused, Slim Pickings.

Marshall kept minimal eye contact with the detained as he pulled a chair over for Chris. The brony nodded and sat a good few feet away from the bars of Slim’s cell; Marshall nodded also and proceeded to shut the door he came in as he left.

Chris and Slim were silent for a time, they were both making eye contact but neither of them said a word. Finally Chris broke this tension, “...Not looking too good for you, Slim.” Chris stated blankly.

“I know...but I have to ask you to trust me here...it wasn’t my fault...I dun have any reason to be blowing up no train tracks...ask anypony, they’ll tell you I’m alright. A bit rough around the edges they may say but I’m still a pony who wouldn’t do nothing like this! It’s complete horse apples!” Slim stated rather angrily.

“Slim, calm down.” Chris stated blankly once again.

“I know! Marshall told me the same thing. Well how can I be calm when everypony thinks I did it?...I didn’t do it, Chris...I swear it wasn’t me...Slim Pickings wouldn’t do that...” He replied to the brony behind the bars.

Chris thought for a second and came to a conclusion and a new question, “...Maybe Slim Pickings didn’t...” he thought. He then looked back over at the accused and uttered the next words with every amount of seriousness he had, keeping his eyes fixated on Slim’s at all times.

“Slim...I don’t know if you did or didn’t blow up the tracks...I don’t know if this evidence adds up, but I do know I have one question for you and one question only...” Chris started as he braced even himself for this, “What are the red eyes?” Chris asked.

Almost immediately, Slim visibly gulped and seemed a lot more on edge than before. During that one instance of Slim’s guard being down, Chris noticed something. That Slim’s iris’, flashed red for a second or two before reverting to normal.

“...I don’t know what you’re talking about...Marshall never asked me this...” Slim stated as Chris got all he had came to get. The brony stood up, knocked the door and was let out by Marshall.

“Thanks, Celestia, I may have some answers now.” The brony thought in silent triumph.

Chris paced over to his friends and Marshall and nodded slightly, “I think I got what I needed, me and the guys’ll just head on. That alright with everybody?” Chris asked, met with nods from everybody in his party, except one, “...AJ?” Chris wondered.

“Yeah...I’ll be fine...eventually. Let’s just go.” The hatted earth pony stated as she got to her hooves and was the first out the door, quickly followed by the rest of the group. As they exited the office, Chris tapped Rainbow Dash on the shoulder and asked directly.

“Any chance of more training tonight?” The brony asked eagerly, to which the rainbow haired mare puzzled over before nodding.

“No question, always time to brush up.” She stated with great vigor as they all made their way back to their respective hotel rooms. As they walked through the sandy streets of Dodge though, one of them, being Twilight, had to pose a question to our hero.

“Chris...you said back there that you got what you needed...what does that mean? What did Slim say?” The purple unicorn inquired. Everybody soon stopped and wondered the same thing before turning towards the stallion. Chris decided he might as well let them know since they would have a vague idea.

“...He didn’t say anything. I asked him about a message me and Marshall found in the same place we found the dynamite. It was a drawing that said ‘The red eyes tell me to do it’ or something like that. When I asked him that...his eyes flashed red. We all can guess what that means, right?” He asked, waiting for a response.

“Shade...” They all answered, except Fluttershy who let out a light meep. Chris then continued walking, nodding to everybody’s conclusion.

“Wait...can we see this message?” Spike wondered, wanting to see such a sight with his own two reptilian eyes.

“Uhh...sure, I suppose.” Chris stated as he began to lead everypony to the old mining building.

When they arrived, Twilight tilted her head slightly. Chris managed to spot this as they were about to enter, “What’s the matter?” He asked inquisitively.

“Nothing, just...this place feels wrong...probably because you told us what was in here.” She shrugged, still puzzling though.

Chris pressed a hoof against the door and opened it slowly, when he did however, he noticed something. Something that phased only him and him alone. The message was still on the wall, but the dynamite, was gone. Completely.

The brony stepped back and started breathing heavily, “Chris, what’s wrong?” Rarity asked with a concerned tone. The stallion looked back at the group and the now empty building, wide eyed and uttered a response.

“I need to check something...now!” Chris exclaimed as he rushed back to Marshall’s office.

“Hehehehe...hehehe...hehehaha. HAHAhahaha!” A loud laughter was heard from the throne room of Canterlot castle. Shade, sat on his stolen throne, feeling actually pleased about current events. He continued laughing as a particular female wolf entered the room, standing next to him.

“Something funny, my Lord?” Ruby asked with a sly smirk. Shade grinned back at his mistress and began pacing down the throne’s stairs, being followed every step.

“Oh yes, my love. Indeed there is. The human, this, Chris has proved himself to be a rather cooperative little pawn. I may be out of his head for now but I can still find a way to get to him! Oh it’s so satisfying watching them prance around with their tails between their legs, thinking they’re making a difference.” Shade grimaced as he approached the large stained glass window.

“That human, and those pitiful ponies think they know it all. They think they’ve figured me out and know what it takes to defeat me...well...let them think. I will do some thinking of my own. And then, when the time is right, we strike...” Shade stated as he walked over to a set of old royal guard armor that was strewn across the ground, pressing a claw against the helmet.

The large black wolf grasped the helmet in his front right paw, lifting it off the ground and slowly making a fist with his claws. The helmet began to compact and crush under the force of Shade’s grip, until it became a small clump of metal. Shade opened his paw to reveal the small clump of metal ignited by a blue flame as it slowly turned to dust in his grasp, before Shade bursted into another foray of maniacal laughter.

Chris dashed back to Marshall’s office with great haste as everybody else in his party followed closely behind. He slammed his way through the office door, spotting Marshall instantly at his desk and asked frantically and out of breath, “The dynamite! Did you...did you bring it back here?!” He demanded to know.

“What? No. I was gonna go get it soon though...why do ya as-...no. You saying-” Marshall was cut off as Chris made a beeline for what he guessed was the place where evidence was kept. He opened the door to find, nothing. No dynamite whatsoever.

“Oh this is bad. This is very very bad.” Chris stated as he pressed a hoof against his head in frustration, “The dynamite’s gone if you couldn’t tell!” He emphasised to Marshall as all of Chris’ friends burst in.

“No kidding! We got a pile of dynamite big enough to cause some serious damage and it’s missing! For Celestia’s sake, how did we not notice that?!” Marshall belted out angrily as everybody who entered started understanding the severity of the situation.

“This isn’t good...” Spike added with a grim look on his face. AJ’s eyes widened as she realized something and had to voice it immediately.

“Wait! Slim’s locked up ‘ere, how did this happen?!” She too belted out frantically. Everypony started rattling their brains to see if they could come to a logical conclusion. Marshall came to his own and instantly made it known.

“Well either Slim’s got some insane magical powers or there’s somepony else doing this...” He suggested as Chris thought about it for a second and nodded in approval of the idea.

“If anypony would know about anypony else involved, it’d be Slim...he’s the only suspect anyway.” The brony added as everybody nodded in approval. Marshall made his way to the cell hallway door. He quickly unlocked it and slammed the door open.

“Slim! We need to ask you somethi- What the Tartarus?!” Marshall shouted as Chris poked his head in. What he saw was rather unexpected. Slim’s cell door was open. His cell was empty. Chris’ eyes widened as he could feel his whole perception of reality, or whatever was considered reality falling apart.

“How did he get out?! Where is he?!” Chris demanded to know. As he did though he heard a loud slamming noise behind him. Him and everybody turned around to see the door to Marshall’s office lying wide open.

Chris’ and Marshall’s eyes widened as the brony made a dash for the open doorway with great haste, turning to his friends and calling to them for help, “C’mon! We can’t let him get away!” our hero emphasised as he and his friends started their pursuit.

“This is really not good...” Fluttershy stated the obvious as she ran with everybody else.

Marshall Law

Strange New World
Chapter Thirteen: Marshall Law

Chris stood outside of Marshall’s building, panting heavily. He scanned the town laid out before him and felt the dark night looming overhead, as everything was tinted black, and small droplets of rain started to fall.

The brony’s friends stood behind him, also scanning the area, noticing very little. Twilight walked up to stand beside Chris and muttered in his direction, “What do we do now?” Chris racked his brains, deciding what was the best course of action.

“I’m not sure...there’s possibly a mind controlled pony on the loose, a missing stash of dynamite, and it’s pouring down out here...I need to think...” Chris stated as he struggled to come up with anything that could seem like a rational thought. Twilight however puzzled calmly over their next course of action, despite the situation.

The mare came to a conclusion while the stallion was still thinking hard over what to do. The purple unicorn turned around to face her friends and announced her plan, “Rarity. Applejack. You two go check on the elements back at the hotel, we need to make sure those are safe.” She ordered as she pointed to each mare. They both nodded and started trotting heavily back to the hotel as the rain worsened, showing signs of there being some thunder in the air.

“Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie. Zecora. You three go and see if you can find that dynamite. We need to have it secured.” Twilight commanded once again as the pegasus, earth pony and zebra saluted and got to searching, lightning cracking as they did. Twilight had to shout her next directions.

“Chris! You and Rainbow try and find Slim! Rainbow! Take the air! Chris! Take the land!” She demanded as Chris stopped thinking and simply nodded. Rainbow Dash rocketed into the air and Chris started sprinting away. “Spike! You’re with me! C’mon!” Twilight directed as her and the little dragon made their way into town, passing Chris on the way, “Good luck!” She shouted. The rain began to worsen.

Rainbow hovered above the town, struggling to stay up in the stormy weather. It was making spotting very difficult. However she kept her eyes trained on Chris and the town.

Chris trotted vigorously through the town, having no idea of where he should be going or where Slim could had gone. In this weather the stallion was lucky if he could see his own muzzle.

Rarity and Applejack burst into the hotel, running past Cherry Jubilee at the front desk, “Oh girls! Good news! That work team on the tracks got done before the storm! Y’all can leave in the mor-” She was cut off as the two mares slammed their room door and didn’t pay any mind to her words, “...-ning.”

Twilight and Spike ran their way into the town hall, bolting towards the front desk to meet a rather generic mare with a noticeably nervous look about her, “Excuse me, may we have a look at your records for Dodge, please? It’s very important!” Twilight said urgently. The mare simply reached into a drawer and gave the unicorn a key.

“See for yourself, ma’am. I’m getting home before this storm gets any worse, s’making my skin crawl.” The receptionist stated as she bolted out the front door. The unicorn and dragon looked at each other, shrugged slightly and made their way into the records room.

Fluttershy, Zecora and Pinkie Pie were busy turning up every stone and leaving no nooks and crannies unchecked in the whole town. They rushed from building to building, home to home, and even barn to barn in an effort to find the missing explosives. Sufficed to say, their search wasn't turning anything up.

The brony and pegasus continued searching the town for any signs of the escaped Slim. Rainbow was scanning from above whilst Chris looked in every alleyway and building he came across. He thought he would have had luck in the saloon but sadly, no Slim.

They continued their search and the weather wasn’t letting up at all. Rainbow held a hoof above her eyes as she struggled to keep them open. She glanced left to right, directly above Chris. As she did, she spotted something. In an alleyway to Chris’ right, a strange darkened figure, no real defining features. She continued focusing on the figure, and then it looked up, revealing its face and distinct red eyes.

Rainbow’s eyes widened as the figure looked directly at her. She looked down and shouted with all of her lung power down to the brony, “Chris! Alleyway! Slim!” She belted out as Chris looked up to see the rainbow mare pointing to his right. He quickly turned and also saw the red eyed figure, recognizing it as Slim. Slim gasped, and dashed behind a building, trying to make an escape. The brony scraped a hoof against the ground and started his pursuit.

“Stay on him, Rainbow!” Chris shouted upwards as the pegasus nodded and kept the escapee stallion in her sights, directing Chris as he went.

The brony matched Slim turn for turn. Direction change for direction change. Gaining fast. Rainbow was still overhead, “Slim! Stop running! It’s only making things worse!” Chris shouted over the storm.

“Forget you, Chris! I know more than you ‘n I’m getting outta ‘ere if it kills me!” Slim exclaimed back as he threw various objects in our hero’s way that were strewn about the alleyway. Garbage cans, miscellaneous trash and the like. Chris continued pursuing but tripped over some of the items, due to the storm restricting his vision.

Back in the records room, Twilight and Spike were looking through said records, digging frantically. They knew time was of the essence. “What are we looking for, exactly?” Spike asked, neck deep in paper envelopes.

“We need to find something relation to that building where the dynamite was, look for anything having to do with Slim’s family and mining!” Twilight answered as she continually searched, “Come on, come on! Who organised these files?!” She asked angrily.

Back in the streets and alleyways, Chris was still in hot pursuit. He signalled up to Rainbow and shouted, “Head him off! I can’t catch up with him!” He stated as the rainbow haired mare nodded and flew to nearby turn off on the alleyway Slim was running up.

The mare poised herself, ready to strike when Slim came along. However, the fleeing stallion heard Chris’ plan beforehand. When he approached the turn off he reached over and grabbed a nearby garbage can. Rainbow went to take him down but instead had a cylinder of metal thrown in her face.

Slim looked back, panting, and saw Chris catching up. The stallion looked around frantically, picking up the recently used garbage can off a dazed Rainbow Dash. He tossed it a nearby window to a building and hopped in after it. Chris stopped for a second to check on Rainbow.

“Rainbow! You okay?” He exclaimed as the mare merely nodded and pointed towards the recently broken window.

“Yeah I’ll be fine. Get after him!” She almost ordered, “I just need a minute, I’ll catch up!” She stated, shaking her head slightly. Chris nodded slightly and made his way into the vacant building through the window, being careful not to cut himself on the broken glass. He looked around to see the building looking strangely dark and empty.

“Slim!...You can’t keep running! We need you to tell us where the dynamite is and then come with us! You’re only making it worse on yourself...” Chris stated as he stepped carefully through what looked like a closed restaurant, walking between tables and stacked chairs.

“No, Chris.” A voice was heard from the darkness, no doubt Slim’s, “No you don’t understand, you wouldn’t understand, I just need ta get outta ‘ere. I don’t want no part in this anymore.” He pleaded.

“You can’t just run, Slim...we can help...I know what the red eyes are...I can help you get through whatever’s going on in your head.” Chris argued as he continued looking around for any sign of the stallion.

“You...you do...?...No...no you’re just saying that...nopony’ll ever understand...he told me...the, eyes told me nopony would understand...I thought...Applejack...she would, but...only pony I can help now is myself...and I’m gettin outta Dodge! Far away!” Slim stated, emerging from the shadows, behind Chris. He was holding a chair up.

The brony turned around and caught a glimpse of the red eyes of Slim before attempting to block as Slim swung the chair. The block wasn’t very effective, and as Chris got the chair smashed across his head and he fell to the ground, Slim made a beeline for a staircase, climbing to what was presumably, the roof. Chris got back on his hooves a few seconds later and ran right after him.

“Honesty? Kindness? Magic?” Rarity asked back in the hotel room as Applejack finished checking and packing away the elements into a small bag.

“Yup, yup and yup.” AJ answered as she checked to see if the bag had all six elements in it, depowered as they may be, “And generosity, laughter and loyalty. All safe!” She stated with a grin as she put the bag around herself, via a strap, for safe keeping.

The two mares looked out onto the horrid night weather and looked at each other concerningly, “I do hope everybody is okay, like my Spikey Wikey or poor Chrissy out in this cold. He’s been so wonderful and I would hate to see him hurt, Chris I mean.” She stated as she frowned at the weather.

“Yeah...yeah Chris ‘as been great...Celestia knows where he came from but he’s been one huge help this whole way...shame he’s getting all caught up in this. These are our elements, but...he seems to be okay with things.” AJ retorted as she too looked out at the weather.

“He said he was from Manehattan though...” Rarity replied, having a confused look on her face as she turned to Applejack.

“He doesn’t seem like the Manehattan type...I don’t buy it...maybe I’m wrong but...there’s something else ‘bout that boy...” AJ mused.

Spike and Twilight continued looking frantically over any records they could find, sadly not turning up anything, “Ugh! Twilight! We’re wasting our time here! There isn’t anything here about Slim’s family owning a mining business, or that building!” Spike stated clearly.

“I know I know! But it has to be here, we saw it ourselves!” Twilight reiterated, the small dragon turning his back on the whole thing.

“For all these records tell us, it’s like the building or that business ever existed.” Spike replied. Twilight was noticeable phased by that statement.

“Wait...never existed...then...Spike! Give me that copy of the town law charter!” She demanded as the small creature did just that. Twilight read over the document and slowly but surely, a light came on in her head. “That’s it!...We’ve got to find Chris and the others!” Twilight stated as she grabbed Spike and bolted outside.

Chris climbed the before mentioned staircase and made his way onto the roof to see Slim not too far away. The rain was pouring down like arrows, and while lightning and thunder raged in the sky, “Slim! Stop running! This ends right here, right now! You’re coming back and you’re going to help us fix what mess you caused!” Chris demanded.

“No! Okay?! Just no! I didn’t cause any mess!...I’ll admit, I blew the train tracks, but I had no choice!” Slim responded as he backed away slightly from the brony.

“You had a choice! You had a choice to not blow up any tracks! You didn’t have to pretend! You could have turned yourself in! Had some sense, for Celestia’s sake!” Chris stated over the storm, still not quite used to that last part.

“I had no say in the matter, Chris! Like I said, you don’t understand and you never will! He would have killed y’all if I didn’t do it! He woulda killed Applejack!” Slim pleaded.

“It doesn't matter! Shade’s got into your head and now he’s driving you nuts!” Chris shouted out.

“...Shade?” Slim asked with a raised eyebrow of his now practically glowing red pupils. Chris was rather confused at the response. As he was about to ask further though, Rainbow Dash floated up onto the roof behind Chris, with a large grimace on her face.

“Let’s see if a hoof hurts more than a garbage can.” The rainbow haired mare stated as she stared Slim down. Chris wondered why Slim looked confused upon Shade’s name being dropped. He didn’t have much time to contemplate though as Rainbow made a dash towards Slim.

The deputy panicked and began to run across the roof, Chris too starting to sprint after the evading stallion. Slim quickly realized he was running out of roof though. When the stallion reached the edge of the small building he didn’t even hesitate, making a great leap off of the wet roof tiles.

As Slim was in mid fall however, Rainbow intervened. The pegasus had flown forward and grabbed Slim from under his front hooves, dangling the stallion over the small, but now ominous, alleyway between the restaurant and Slim’s intended jump destination.

Rainbow struggled to keep the stallion still though as Slim began wriggling in her grip, even reaching up with a free hoof to strike the mare in hopes of getting free. Chris watched this and knew he had to act quickly. The brony braced himself, took a deep breath in and leapt from the rooftop.

Chris quickly reached out his hooves to grab Slim mid fall Rainbow just lost her grip. The blue stallion and the deputy fell onto the next building’s roof, Slim slamming down hard with his back against the tiled roof and Chris keeping the deputy down. Finally, the chase was over.

Chris gave Slim a quick hook across the muzzle to subdue the currently immobilized stallion. The brony raised his voice over the storm and demanded with his next words, “Where’s the dynamite?!” the blue stallion stated before giving Slim another hook on the jaw, “Where is it?! Tell me, now!” Chris exclaimed.

“Okay okay! You got me, just please don’t take me back! Please! I planted that dynamite, I blew up the tracks! I’ll help you find the dynamite, but please don’t take me back!” Slim pleaded as he stared up frightened at Chris, “I won’t run! Just don’t let that red-eyed freak have me again!” Slim almost sobbed.

“How do you know Shade?! When did he contact you?! What did he tell you to do?!” Chris requested roughly, Rainbow hovering beside the two stallions.

“Who or what in all of Equestria is Shade?! I don’t know what you’re talking ‘bout! I just wanna get outta here, just let me go!” Slim continued to beg. Chris was now more confused than ever.

Twilight ran through the storm riddled streets of Dodge until she spotted her friends on the roof, she ran over and shouted up to the brony and pegasus, “Chris! I have something to tell you! Slim’s family never owned a mining business! That building never belonged to any mining company!”

Chris turned his head to the mare on the street, the storm making it difficult to hear what she’d said “What?!” He shouted down to her. Twilight sighed, focused herself and teleported her and Spike up to the roof next to Chris and the downed Slim.

“Slim’s family never owned that building. Slim never had access to it. That building was decommissioned ages ago, Slim couldn't have planted that dynamite there on his own.” She paused to take a breath, “Nopony in town has permission to enter buildings like that, except for one.”

Everybody’s eyes widened at that point, except Slim’s. Chris could scarcely believe the outcome himself.

Upon this realization, everybody was still stunned, except Slim. The pinned stallion shook a hoof free and gave Chris a large and powerful swipe across the skull, sending the blue stallion to the side and nearly slipping off the building.

Rainbow Dash stopped Chris from falling, Twilight attempted to subdue Slim but the deputy had got to his hooves and broke everybody’s line of sight as he hopped down into a nearby alleyway. Rainbow made sure Chris was secure before taking a short break to ask what was happening.

“Twi, did you mean what I think you meant back there?” The pegasus inquired. The unicorn nodded in response.

“I think so.” The purple magical mare replied. Chris took a second before responding, rubbing his jaw from the recent hit.

“Then we need to get to Marshall’s office, now!” Chris stated as everybody nodded. The rainbow pegasus picked up the brony and fluttered him safely back to ground level. Twilight and Spike traveled via teleporting, then all four of them sprinted for Marshall’s office.

Rainbow Dash burst through the office’s door, staring down an imposing figure of Marshall sitting behind his desk with a grin. Chris, Twilight and Spike soon followed. Twilight was the first to speak.

“Marshall, we know the truth.” The unicorn stated plainly but with great authority.

“Heh...do ya now? Huh, I didn’t think you ponies had it in ya.” Marshall stated as he stood up from his desk, Chris practically feeling his spine tingling. “I knew y’all were trouble the second you stepped foot in this town but I never took ya for being soo slow.” The stallion continued.

“Who you calling slow you no good, two bit, bomber maniac?” Rainbow retorted.

“Oh I’m far from a maniac ya feathered freak! I’m the type of law this town needs, that’s what I am! I’m doing what I’m doing to keep this town alive! To make sure we have a town to go back to after all this! I’m just seeing who the winning side is and playing on their team!” Marshall replied.

“By blowing up tracks and panicking everypony?” Spike questioned angrily.

“Look I did what I had to do...I know y’all came from Canterlot, I know what you seen, what happened there. I don’t want that happening in my town. I make the tough choices and do the deals that need to be done!” Marshall replied once again.

“So you blew up the train tracks to keep us here, to stall us so Shade could figure out some plan to get us? Is that it? You’re just a pathetic little puppet?!” Chris questioned rather angrily, honestly not knowing where this sudden strength had come from.

“How dare you you little insignificant pile of cow pat! I’ve kept this town safe and I will keep it safe! By Celestia I will do what I need to in these troubled times! Even if that means a few explosions here and there!” The law pony exclaimed as he came from behind his desk.

“So you knew what Shade did and you were scared for yourself, he got into your head and you struck a deal, you do what you can to stall us by getting Slim to do your dirty work to take suspicion off yourself. You’re not just pathetic, you’re a coward.” Twilight stated as Marshall finally lifted his head to reveal a sight most expected; his now red, glowing eyes.

“HOW DARE YOU speak to me like that you horned little wretch!” Marshall shouted whilst grimacing.

“You took dynamite from your evidence locker or some place and told Slim to blow up the tracks. He looked up to you, and feared you now so you could easily manipulate him. He blew up the tracks for you and you framed him by storing a bunch of dynamite in an old commissioned building only you had access to, forged a sign for it and left a trail from the crater so me and you would find it and arrest Slim. Slim refused to do anymore of your dirty work and left us a message to get our help, the message in the old building...” Twilight started, as Chris finished.

“The red eyes weren't Shade...they were you, Marshall, under Shade’s influence!” Chris finished off as he pointed a hoof at the newly accused. Everybody was quiet for a moment, Marshall included. The law figure looked down at the ground, and then broke the silence with a progressive laugh.

“Hehe...hehehehehe....ehehehehehe, ahaahahahaha, ahhhHAhaHAhaHAhaaHA!” The law pony exclaimed as he raised his head more and more with each chuckle before setting his head back down and looking right at Chris and his friends with his piercing red eyes.

“Ohh well played, my little ponies, well played.” Marshall stated as he gave a slow clap with his two front hooves, “I must admire your deductive skills, I think I have given you all too little credit bravo, bravo indeed.” He continued.

“Bravo?” Rainbow questioned.

“I don’t think this is Marshall anymore...” Twilight stated.

“Correct you are once again, Miss Sparkle. Like teacher like pupil...only you’re not dead yet..” The stallion grinned.

“You...” Chris stated blankly with a hint of hatred.

“Yes, me, Chris! Shade! Speaking to you from this, repulsive and equine form, I don’t intend to make a habit out of this...Either way, congratulations, you found out what was really going on. It took you some time but, yes, Marshall has fallen under my influence. Progressively but most definitely. He was so pathetic and easy. He ‘only wanted to protect his town’...well I’m a fair ruler, I give my subjects what they want...Well, except freedom” The ominous figure stated, everybody standing firmly against it.

“First, the deputy. Such an easy scapegoat. He caused some general panic upon him blowing up the tracks, stalling you all was just a bonus. I was never really for protecting this place to be honest. I’d rather see it go the way of Canterlot. However my influence doesn't spread far enough that I can merely pick towns off of the map. So I had an inside pony, doing my plans for me.” The figure grinned.

“What plans...?” Spike asked cautiously.

“I’m glad you asked...remember those creatures that attacked Ponyville? I like to call them ‘ravagers’...however ravagers don’t come easy and require quite a bit of work on my end. It involves myself getting into a creature’s head, as I tried to do with you and your friends, Chris before some old ghosts poked their horns in.” Shade’s speaker continued

“Once I’m in their head, I need only one thing to slowly corrupt them into ravagers from the inside out...fear. They must be afraid, they must be panicked. Now I ask you, what would happen if I say, hopped into pony upon pony heads through Marshall here and used a dubious amount of dynamite to instill some havoc on a stormy night such as this...ponies would be, afraid, wouldn’t they?” The figure once again grinned as he reached into Marshall’s jacket pocket and pulled out a small device with a button on it.

“This town is a minefield...as we speak there are near as one hundred sticks of dynamite buried under the ground for maximum spread of destruction...and I hold the detonator...” The possessed Marshall stated with an even wider grin.

“Think about what you’re doing here, Shade...” Twilight retorted hesitantly.

“Believe me, I have.” The possessed stallion stated as he placed a hoof on the button and slowly pressed it.

Author's note: This chapter was generously proofread by a good friend of mine, and I urge all you people out there to check out his stuff. It's very much worth your time ^_^

Don't forget to like him, favorite and subscribe, the guy deserves it.

Thanks for reading, see you all next week

~ Conor Colton

Odd Arrivals in Ponyville

Strange New World
Chapter One: Odd arrivals in Ponyville

There are dark times ahead, for the land of Equestria, some know it, and some don’t. Most who know this block it out of their minds due to fear. Some have accepted this as fate and await their inevitable demise. However, some do fight back, but these ones know that they can’t win this fight alone, and that they need help. Their world’s forces aren’t enough so they must reach out for help, in the world....beyond their own.

Strangely enough however, our story does not start in this whimsical land, instead our story begins in the most unlikely of places, the pink isle, in a Toys'R'Us.

Here we join our hero Chris. Chris is a 20 year old man who enjoys the small things in life. Whether it be his student lifestyle. Or just sitting on his old musty couch to watch the latest episode of My little Pony, and in his spare time he likes to watch old cartoons and movies on his Computer. However things have not been going well for Chris at this present time. Although he had a promising college career ahead of him, his parents death a few months ago had put him in a deep depression.

And to make matters worse, Chris 'was' a closet brony. He always did keep the show a secret from his friends, but Chris thought that they would understand his differing opinion. They didn’t. When he finally, got the courage to confess it to his ‘friends’ what did they do? They just left, left him there alone, wallowing in self-pity and tears (and what ever else bronies wallow in).

It didn’t take long before this circulated around the college and everywhere Chris went, he was mocked. This combined with his depression made Chris’ grades fall drastically and eventually, he became a drop-out. Chris could only find comfort in the pink isle, where he felt most at home; and where nobody else was, except the occasional little girl with either a sibling or parent with them.

He had frequently visited the aisle a few times each day as he could not honestly think of anywhere else to spend his free time; as Chris scanned each side of the isle, looking for anything remotely new, he was interrupted by the manager.

"Can i help you sir?" The manager asked.

"No, that's okay, but uh...thanks" Chris said in a soft, and slightly startled tone. The manager just stood there looking rather perplexed. Chris had been in this situation before. He knew what was coming.

"If you don't mind me asking sir, who are these, uh ponies for?"
Chris would usually say it was for a sister, or a girlfriend or some other generic excuse. But he didn't feel any need to hold back due to his recent public disgrace, so he just let it all out.
"I'm buying them for myself" Chris stated in a clear straight voice.

"Oh....Well let me know if you need... anything... else" the manager implied, chuckling during his pauses. Now Chris felt even more disgraced, even though he was a total stranger to him he hated the idea that the manager would just tell everyone he met through out the day about what Chris had said, but Chris knew that everyone had some good in them, or he hoped at least, or maybe that was his compulsion to ‘love and tolerate’.

Regardless he picked up what he came for, a mane six figurine collection and paid at the checkout and left.

On his way home Chris wondered what he would do about his current situation as he walked through the cold, deserted shopping district. He could try and become an active member of the brony community, but would that exclude him even more from society? Chris was really unsure. With this he headed to a nearby park to ponder his next move.

He looked around the park and saw children playing, this reminded him of himself when he was young. All the things he worries about now were mere niggling doubts at that age. And at the end of the day, back then the only six things mattered to him. Honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, loyalty and even childhood had a sort of ‘magic’ to it strangely enough. But as Chris grew he started losing sight of those values. Maybe that's why he loved the show. Maybe it brought back his childhood in some way.

As Chris pondered this however he only just noticed something, the Applejack figurine he had bought had no cutie mark, a mundane detail but Chris wasn't in the mood to just deal with it. He stood up and proceeded backwards. On the way back he contemplated to himself.

"Wait, did I even think this through, what will I say? What will THEY say? More than likely they'll ask what a cutie mark is!"

As Chris' thoughts drifted he failed to notice a rather deep puddle of rain. Chris’s front foot fell into the puddle and he dropped the figurine set and his receipt. The figurines dropped like stones and shattered the innocent looking ponies inside, and the receipt floated away like a feather. Chris salvaged the remaining bits of pony into his pocket and ran for the paper that was getting away ever so slightly.

Without even realising Chris had chased it a fair distance, far enough to end up right on the center of the woods that were beside the park. And his unintentional ignorance also led him to forget to zip up his pocket, strewing bits of pony along the ground.

For a piece of paper, it put up quite a chase and when Chris finally captured it like a fly in his hands, he looked back and realised the mistake he had made. So now he was lost, and he felt stupid. Very, very stupid. With all his pent up emotions he finally let it all out, he fell to his knees and looked up.

"ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGG!" Chris screamed at the top of his lungs. "How could this get any worse?! I'm a social reject! I’ve nobody to go to and now I'm lost in some stupid woods with bits of pony EVERYWHERE!" He tilted his head down and and took short heavy breaths; collecting his thoughts. Chris was so tired at this point. He put his back to a tree and relaxed.

Something was strange about this forest it felt, calming, serene, like all Chris's problems would just melt away. The serenity took over and he dozed off.

Chris dreamed of better times. His childhood, his playful attitude, his old friends, his old house. But when Chris's dream started to focus on his parents the sky began to darken. It was a strange darkness, one that he had not seen in his dreams before. The wave of darkness sped through his dreams, corrupting everything like a cancer. Cherished memories wiped clean by the diabolical cloud. It looked as if it was chasing the younger generations of Chris until finally it came for him.

Holding his arms up like a feared child, Chris was helpless. He’d had similar nightmares before and they always ended the same, with Chris being almost devoured by the dark cloud. That was until now. This time in the dream the darkness’ assault was halted by six figures. One with a crown and five with necklaces. This had never happened in his dreams before and he was shocked by it. The figures glowed and sparkled with calming white light almost eradicating the dark cloud, almost anyway. The light was soon darkened and the figures fell.

All seemed lost until that is, a seventh figure stood in. It did nothing but run to Chris. With it's eyes lit up so bright Chris couldn’t even see his own nose. Then the light got brighter and brighter, seemingly cradling Chris in it’s vibrancy; but then as quick as it came, it vanished. Leaving Chris falling towards the hard ground below.

Chris awoke screaming with a cold sweat, feeling the rain on his forehead. Wondering how he would just doze off in the middle of a forest, especially during the rain. He looked up and saw the full moon staring down at him, and then he wondered how long he was asleep for. Regardless, he composed himself and started walking home. He only took a few steps however before he heard something; what could only be described as singing.

Chris opened his ears to the sound, it was a bird tweeting the My Little Pony opening, how peculiar. He pinched himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming, and again and again. However the bird remained there, just staring at him. It took off and Chris had a strong feeling that he should follow it; he didn't know why though, maybe he finally lost it, he followed anyway.

Chris was getting tired of chasing small things through a forest but he pressed on none the less (or wiser), until finally the bird had led him to a clearing, with a single oak tree standing alone. The birds manner of song had changed and was only singing the second part of the iconic opening tune. Chris wondered why, until he heard someone else, a girl, he could hear a girl singing the first part of the tune. The girl had a soft, serene voice; one that he had heard before and it was coming from a single point, the oak tree.

"No.....no." Chris stated, "This can't be happening, I must have gone nuts. That has to be it, I've gone over the deep end, it took a lot longer than I expected but now, this is it, I'm crazy, no doubt about it." he said as he paced back and forth, waving his arms around frantically. Until he stopped, and looked at the oak tree. Letting out a huge sigh he said to himself.

"Well if I am crazy...then i guess there’s no harm looking." he reassured as he stood ever close to the tree, until he stood in front of it. He turned to the bird and said sarcastically, "What now?" The bird then turned it's head towards the tree he was perched on and pecked the bark three times. Chris looked at it with an unamused face, "Okaaaaay, but I'm using my hands, I'm rather against nose surgery, when I can't afford it."

He reached out and tapped the tree three times,".............Well?" he asked as he turned to the bird, "What now?" The bird did nothing and simply flew way. "Hey, wait! We’re not done here!" Chris shouted as he slapped himself in the face, "Look at me, I'm shouting at birds, how old am I anyway?.......Nevermind."

Then there was a creak behind him,"Huh!?" Chris stuttered as he turned towards the tree. But nothing was there, "Huh.......stupid tree .....well you and this entire forest, can kiss my a-"

Chris was cut off as he turned. The dark cloud from his dream was floating a few feet away from his face. The dark cloud floated ever more closer. Forcing Chris to back up against the tree. Then there was a brief pause as Chris realized something about the cloud that he never noticed before, it had red eyes. Dark. Soulless. Red eyes. The cloud reached closer to Chris. Nearly engulfing him.

That was until, fate intervened. The oak tree began to glow with a heavenly white light. The cloud was repulsed at the sight, backing away trying to shield it’s eyes. Chris had no idea what was happening. The heavenly glow of the tree began to engulf him too. He was pulled with tremendous force into a small hole that opened on the tree bark until he was fully inside the tree.

Inside the tree he began to change. He was shook like a rag doll about the hollowed out log and as he did the change had begun. His skin turned from fleshy white to light blue. His arms and legs shortened and his hands and feet became hooves. His body shape began to change. He grew smaller. His neck got longer and his vertebrae made the shape of a horse. His hair retracted and then burst out into a short mane of brown hair. His clothes shrunk and fitted to his new shape. And his (insert your own dirty joke here) grew into a tail. The impossible had become possible. Chris had become, a pony.

He didn't have much time to access the situation, as he was launched from the tree. He caught a glimpse of the new world he had entered, he saw blurred images of a town that looked to be very familiar to him, as if he had seen it before. Gravity however set in. Chris landed on a hill and tumbled down. He kept rolling for what seemed like an eternity until he hit a tree, he expected a few broken bones. However this wasn't Chris' world, it didn’t follow the same physics.

The tree slingshoted him towards the town, screaming all the way as he flew towards what looked like a massive tree and inside was Twilight Sparkle; sorting through her many books, being assisted by Rarity.

"Spike? Spike? Did you find them yet?" Twilight inquired.
"Right here!" Spike said as he handed Twilight a book entitled ‘Reference: A reference guide to reference guides etc.’ and Twilight left the room to go catalogue it, "And for the lovely lady..." Spike flirtatiously stated as he handed Rarity a large tome like book entitled ‘Fancy Smanchy: Known gem hot spots’.

"Why thank you Spike!" Rarity added, "You're such a wonderful helper, I think you deserve a present." Spike gushed as he braced himself for a kiss by perking his lips and closing his eyes, but all Rarity shoved in Spike’s was a small green gem. Spiked just looked in despair.

"Oh come on....do you guys hear...screami-" Spike was cut off by Chris making a straight shot through two open windows but knocking Spike through a door. With this shock Rarity collapsed. Twilight walked in to find a passed out Rarity and a dragon shaped hole in her door.
"Uh.....what did you guys do?" Twilight inquired to the unconscious pair.

Chris had not lost a bit of momentum . He flew through the air, soaring over the sky, arching over the town like a rainbow; speaking of which. Rainbow Dash opened her cloudy door to find a stack of letters waiting for her. She didn’t pay them much mind.

That is however, until she saw that it was addressed and I quote: To Miss Rainbow Dash, and below it the only words were ‘Wonderbolt’s application’. Dash leaped up into the air, holding the letter proudly above her head; and as she did she let out a victorious cheer.

“Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-” Dash was interrupted by Chris and as he flew by and caught the pegasus' letter in his mouth, literally snatching it out of her triumphant pose. “What just happened?” Rainbow said, still in her triumphant pose but with a slightly more confused look on her face.

Over at Sweet Apple Acres, Big Macintosh was helping Applejack with some apple bucking.
"You doing ok there, Big Mac?" Applejack questioned in a competitive tone.
"Eeyu-", Big Mac was interrupted when Chris flew by. Taking out the tops of some trees along with a few apple filled baskets and flying through the barn.
"Uh....Big Mac?" Applejack asked.
"Eeyup?" the stallion retorted.
"Do you know what just happened?" the sister asked again.
"Nope."

Chris was losing speed now. With the letter still in his mouth all he could see ahead was what looked like a bunch of animals, something pink, and something cream.

"And I was waiting for like, ever, and then the mail pony said your package got lost and I was all like what do you mean my package was lost, it was a letter! How could you lose one itty bitty letter!?" Fluttershy didn't pay much mind to Pinkie as she was snuggling some woodland creatures. That was, until Chris arrived. He landed face first, creating a small crater; and the two ponies, along with the creature's hairs stood on end. Chris was out for the count, gently moved his head in various directions.

"Oh my, are you ok?" Fluttershy asked carefully, but he didn’t respond.

"Oh my goodness, we need to help him!" Fluttershy said in a panicked voice whilst hoisting Chris onto her back, "Pinkie,
could you maybe, please help me?"
"Okey dokey, let me just-" Pinkie said before letting out a huge gasp similar to the one when she first met Twilight.
"What is it?" Fluttershy asked as she hunkered down waiting for something bad to happen.

"I think.....that's my letter! Yippee!" Pinkie squealed as she took Rainbow's previously pilfered letter from the crater. Pinkie was delighted but Fluttershy just glared, to which Pinkie replied, ".....What? Oh riiiight, sorry.” Pinkie said as she skipped towards Chris, “Is this your letter sir? No? Thank you!” Pinkie cheered as she helped move Chris towards Fluttershy’s house.

Chris, being carried by Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie finally reached Fluttershy’s house. They wasted no time. They put him on the couch and quickly ran off to get medical supplies. In his slumber however he began to dream once more. But this time, his dream did not turn into a nightmare.

He walked freely around his old memories completely untarnished, his old friends all still there playing happily with not a care in the world. His old family home still standing as if it were brand new, and standing in the open front door was his parents.

Chris quickly rushed over to them, like a runaway returning home. He got ever more closer to them but as he did, the world started to dim around him and when he finally arrived, his parents closed the door in his face. He was confused at this and began to look around for an answer. And then he looked down. Staring back up at him through a puddle, was a pony.

Chris looked up and saw that the scenery had changed. All he saw was a dark room and at the end of that room, was a throne, with a dark hooded figure sat upon it. Chris walked up to the throne and began to examine the figure, it was hunched over with a dark green hood, resembling an old man.
“Excuse me? Are you ok?” Chris asked as he put his hand on the figure’s shoulder. The figure shook him off and replied.
“Ok? I’m fantastic! Well I am now. Now that I know that your here with us....Chris!” The figure growled as it lifted it’s head and showed it’s demonic, red eyes. The same eyes as the dark clouds.

Chris sprung off the couch screaming and landed on the floor, cushioned by a soft rug. He lifted his head up and surveyed his surroundings; things looked a lot more, colourful thank usual.

“No...could this..no..” he reached back and scratched his head “!” That’s when it hit him. He looked at were his hands once were and saw only hooves with blue skin. He felt his mane, turned and saw his tail.

“Oh my....CELESTIA! WAIT WHAT!? WHY DID I JUST SAY THAT!?” Chris asked himself why he couldn’t say ‘oh my god’. He hobbled quickly over to a mirror and looked at himself. He just sat there. Mouth wide open, with a twitch in his eye, still going over all this in his head.

”What...I....huh...” he then slapped himself across the nose, “Wake up Chris, it’s only a dream, wake up Chris, wake up!” Chris constantly smacked himself, pinched himself, hit his head on the wall a few times before he heard a voice other than his own, Fluttershy’s.

“Um, are you ok sir?” Chris snapped his head around and looked at the pony talking to him. He stared at her for a few more seconds before he replied.
“I...uh..I don’t know, um. Could you give me a minute please?”

“Of course, I'll just go get my doctor’s bag.” the pegasus stated.
“Wait, one more thing, um, what’s your name?” Chris asked inquisitively.
“Oh, I’m Fluttershy.” she replied nervously.
“Oh, ok then...” Chris stated as he collapsed once again of shock.

When he awoke he saw Fluttershy staring down at him.
“Oh good, you’re up!” Fluttershy said as she left for more medical equipment, ”Could you guy’s look after him please?” Chris thought, what guy’s was she talking about, that was until she got her reply.

“Sure, we’ll make sure he’s okay.” said Twilight Sparkle. After that Chris sprung up and looked around. All around the room he saw all the familiar faces. Twilight sitting on the rug. Applejack looking out the window. Pinkie skipping in place. Rarity admiring herself in the mirror. Rainbow Dash sitting on an armchair and Spike admiring Rarity whilst she’s admiring herself.

All eyes turned to Chris as he looked straight back at them, they all held positions for a few seconds. You could cut the tension with a butter knife. Until Twilight spoke up, “Hi there.” Twilight started as she walked towards the couch, ”My name’s Twilight Sparkle, it’s nice to meet you, what’s your name?” Twilight inquired.

“Um...Chris, my name’s Chris.” he stuttered, still processing all this.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Chris.” Applejack started as she waltzed over, holding out a hoof. Chris reached over and shook the mare's friendly hoof. “I’m Applejack. By the way, do you got any idea who wrecked all them there tree’s over at my orchard?” Applejack remarked sarcastically.

“Uh....nope...no idea.” Chris said in a secretive tone, trying to hide the truth.
“Really then how did them dere leaves get in your mane?” Applejack smirked.
“Uhhhhh those those were uh....” Applejack stared at Chris with an unamused face. ”......I’m sorry.” Chris replied in a innocent, disgraced voice.
“Ah don’t worry none sugar cube. I was only having fun with ye.” Applejack remarked as she let out a small chuckle, then Rainbow Dash spoke up.

“Hey there! Name’s Rainbow Dash. Fastest flyer in Equestria and future WonderBolt!” Dash stated whilst striking a victorious pose a few feet off the ground.
“You don’t say?” Chris said in a smart, informed tone.
“Yeah! My application just arrived this morning but I had a bit of trouble reading it.” Dash retorted cleverly as she held up a torn and mangled letter.
“Ohhhhh. That was yours, oh, sorry.” Chris said in an apologetic tone, feeling like he would have to apologize to everyone at some point.

“Meh it’s cool. It was just some 'better luck next time' trash anyway. I get better mail from my frequent flyer’s bonus anyway.” Chris felt like stating the obvious but didn’t as he was sure that these ponies wouldn’t get it. Dash then continued, ”But you gotta tell me, how did you fly that fast?!” the pegasus asked as she grabbed Chris’s head. Chris examined himself and found no wings, so he had no idea how. Then he remembered. The hill and then the tree.

“I think it was a tree......yeah.” he stated.
“Tree huh? Thanks for the tip.” Dash said as she sped out the door.
“Tip?” Chris asked in a confused tone as he shrugged it off. Rarity finally interjected.

“Oh don’t mind her darling. She’s always looking for a hoof up in the competition.”
“I would have never had guessed.” Chris replied. Rarity then continued.
“Either way. I am Rarity, pleased to make your acquaintance.” the unicorn said as she held out her manicured hoof.
“Thank you.” Chris added as he shook Rarity’s hoof “So...what do I have to apologize to you about Rarity?” Chris asked in a perceiving dialect.

“Oh nothing dear, just a slight scare is all.” Rarity stated as she gave a nonchalant flick of her mane. “Scare or no scare though, it’s always nice meeting somepony new.” Next up was Spike.

“Hey! I’m Spike, most helpful assistant and the most handsome-est and toughest dragon in all of Equestria. Right Rarity?” Spike said in a flirtatious tone, to which Rarity replied.
“Oh Spike. For a baby dragon you have such an imagination.” The unicorn retorted whilst pinching Spike’s cheek; the dragon just stood there in bliss, doing that weird thing that cartoon characters could do when their pupils turn to hearts. Completely unaware that he just got shot down, well ignorance is bliss.

Chris sat there perplexed. Even after all the pleasantries, he was still confused on what was going on. Until he looked around and saw a distinct lack of pink. That was until Pinkie Pie popped up from behind the couch, nearly petrifying everyone.

“Hey there! I’m Pinkie Pie! How’s your day been?!” Pinkie said in a loud, fast voice.
“Uh....well...um-” Before Chris could even breath, Pinkie interrupted once again.
“Oh yeah! You went flying over the whole town! That must of been amazing! You gotta tell me what it was like! Like when you flew through Twilight’s windows! I bet your glad it wasn’t raining or you would have got a face full of glass. Oh and when you snatched away Rainbow’s letter, how did you do that?!" Pinkie then stopped for a very loud inhale.

"And then and then you flew through all those tree’s and that barn that must of hurt. And then you landed and we were all like peaceful and stuff and then you were just like BOOOOOOM and you were like KASPLOOSH and then you were all li-” Pinkie couldn’t finish her sentence before being cut off by Twilight.

“Anyway, then!” Twilight said in a loud authoritative voice. Then she calmed down and continued, ”So, I’ve been wondering are you new to Ponyville? I haven’t seen you around before.”
“Uh...yeah, you could say that.” Chris said in a quiet tone.
“So how did you end up here?” Twilight asked as all the others waited for a response.

This was it. Chris had to think of something fast. I mean what else was he going to tell them? That he was from another world of sentient beings that these ponies didn’t know about. But then again I guess the same could be said for humans, go figure.

His thoughts raced in and out like a factory assembly line, picking the ones that sounded most believable until he had a convincing story.
“I’m from Manehattan, I wanted to move away from the city as soon as possible and move to somewhere quieter. Like Ponyville.”
“Oh, I know that feeling.” Applejack said as she walked towards the couch. “Didn't like all them dere, ‘high class’ folk?” Applejack asked as she knew from personal experience.
“No way. Too uptight.” Chris stated directly.

“Oh well. I guess high society isn’t for everypony.” Rarity stated cleverly as Chris raised his eyebrow.
“Don’t mind her, she’s always like that.” Applejack reassured him.
“No problem, now where was I? Oh right! Now, after I left, I must have gotten lost or something; because I ended up in the middle of the everfree forest.”

“Wow, tough break.” Spike added.
“I know. But then, as I just got on the outskirts. I tripped and tumbled down a hill.”
“And then you hit the tree?” Twilight inquired as it seemed she was hanging on every word.
“Exactly! And well, you know the rest. Again can I please say that I’m really sorry for anything I messed up. I’ll try to fix it. I promise.” Chris pleaded.

“Don’t worry about it, you can help if you want. But first you gotta know were to go. Spike and I could give you a tour if you want, right Spike?” Twilight asked.
“Yeah, why not. It’ll be fun.” Spike added.
“You sure Spike?” Chris questioned
“Sure, we’re sure” Said Spike, ”We wouldn’t have asked otherwise."

“Good point.” replied Chris,” You sure Twilight?”
“Of course! I used to be the new pony in town before you. I'd love to help out.” Twilight pleaded.
“Ok then, uh.. thanks!” Chris said happily as both he and Twilight smiled.

“Well I best get going. Dem apple’s ain’t gonna buck ‘emselves.” Applejack said as she left.
“Yes, well, I really need to get back to my boutique before I get another scare. I can just feel my hair falling out, have a pleasant recovery.” Rarity added as she strutted out. And then almost on queue, Pinkie had to leave.

“Wait, did I leave the oven on...?” Pinkie asked herself.
“Don’t be silly, why would you leave the oven o-” Twilight was interrupted by sirens in the distance.
“YEP!” Pinkie yelped, dashing out the door. Spike, Twilight and Chris all looked at each other and Spike just shrugged
“So? You ready to go?” Asked Spike.

“Sure, just let me...” Chris stated as he hoisted himself down off the couch. But Chris had never walked as a pony before. He tried to stand on all fours and just fell clean on his face.
“You seem to be doing that a lot huh?” Twilight conked Spike on the head after that comment.
“Are you hurt?” Twilight asked in a concerned tone.
“No I’m good, just a bit shaken from the crash.” Chris was now partly telling the truth, and partly lying at the same time. Fluttershy finally entered carrying her doctor's bag, and dropped it in front of Chris.

“Uh..I think you need a bandage” Fluttershy insisted.
“Oh...right, I guess that would help huh?” Chris said as he let out an embarrassed chuckle. Fluttershy quickly bandaged both of Chris’ front legs. And even though he was still limping, he was able to both stand, and walk as a pony. And with that; Chris, Twilight and Spike set off for Chris’ grand tour of Ponyville.

“Try to stay away from trees okay?” Fluttershy said in a worried voice.
“I’ll try!” Shouted Chris as the three set off but as they did, a few question’s popped into his head, which he kept hidden to make a good impression on the ponies. How could this have happened? Was any of this real? What would he do now? Who was that dark figure with the red eyes in his nightmares? And most importantly; How would he manage to walk on four legs?!

New Town, New Ponies, New Struggles

Strange New World
Chapter Ten: New Town, New Ponies, New Struggles

Having just awoke in a simple, yet comfortable bed in the farming community of Dodge Junction, Chris was being swarmed by his friends in a frenzy of thankfulness, seeing as Chris hadn’t slept for longer; or even worse, not woke up at all.

Chris on the other hoof had more questions than ever plaguing his mind; all of them brought up and yet unanswered by the ethereal apparitions of the two late Princesses, which left him to ponder all the possible meanings of their words. He found it hard to focus though when all he could hear was ponies cheering around him.

“Y’all okay, Sugarcube? Nothin’ hurtin’ too bad?” Applejack asked with a hint of concern in her voice. She knew that Chris had survived the journey to Dodge but it never hurt to double check.

“Yeah, yeah I think so...My chest just hurts a little...” Chris stated as he went to put a hoof to said area, as he did he felt the cold lining of the bandages that had been wrapped around him.

He took a moment to realize what had happened back in the Everfree forest. He remembered all the pain and anger going over him as he fought with the raging timberwolf, then took a sigh of relief; happy to be alive.

“We really thought we lost you when Fluttershy dropped you and that wolf dragged you down river...What happened after we stopped you? We didn’t see anything in those rapids...” Twilight asked as Chris began to recollect.

Images flashed in his head of the red eyes the wolf possessed, “Shade had something to do with it...Timberwolves don’t have red eyes...By the time we had hit that log, it had cut me up bad...And when I gained the upper ha-...Hoof I just, beat it down right there, like to a bunch of snapped twigs.” He stated as he was met with silence for a moment.

“............That is soo awesome!” Rainbow stated as she was visibly pumped from just hearing that, “You gave it a real Equestrian beatdown! Just like I said we would...well...it wasn’t exactly Shade but, he must have felt that!” Rainbow said as she vigorously patted Chris on the back, to be met with an unamused and slightly in pain look, “...Sorry.”

“Anyway...Everybody else okay?” Chris asked worryingly, since the last time he had seen his friends he was near death himself.

“Yeah. Spike and Zecora are out buying some things, Pinkie’s just enjoying herself, Rarity’s trying what she calls, ‘the outdoor look’ and Fluttershy is...well...she’s...” Twilight led into before turning to a nearby door, motioning for everypony to be quiet. All that could be heard was a faint cry coming from the next room.

Chris could put this puzzle in his head together rather easily. He sighed and stood up, taking care as he did. He paced towards the door and knocked lightly, “...Uh...Fluttershy?...You in there?” He asked as everypony went silent and stiff as a board.

“Y-y-yes...” The pink haired pegasus stated from the other side of the door as she held back more tears.

“What’s up with her?” Chris asked Twilight in a faint whisper.

“She feels really bad about dropping you...She was a wreck after we fished you out...I told her that you’d forgive her when you woke up to calm her down...and she just had a relapse I suppose...” The unicorn replied with a frown and slight shrug.

“Well of course I forgive her...I mean she couldn’t have know, right?” The brony retorted rhetorically.

“Not us ya gotta say that to, Sugarcube...” AJ stated as everypony apart from Chris nodded. The brony nodded shortly afterwards and put his attention back to the door.

“Can I come in?” He asked carefully, having to shout slightly to get his voice across.

“Okay...” They all heard faintly as Chris tried to keep his heart from exploding; he opened the door, and proceeded to walk in.

The brony was met with a sight he almost couldn’t handle, in this world and his own; A crying Fluttershy, a Fluttercry or CryShy, sitting on a bed. He took a deep breath and did the best he could to keep himself together.

He seated himself down next to her and wondered which one of them should speak first. The brony stammered a few words out, “I uh...Um...I don’t...hate you...Fluttershy...”

“I...I know...” Fluttershy stated before wiping another tear from her eye, “I-I-I’m...sorry...sorry for drop-dropping you...Chris...” She stated as she bawled openly but still very quietly. Chris was close to breaking down himself, he had hardly never been able to cope with the mare crying though his television set, so right now, that natural instinct to feel sad for her was increased tenfold, or more likely twentyfold.

The brony calmed himself though and placed a hoof carefully on the mare’s back and patted carefully, “I don’t really think you have anything to be sorry for...I mean...you couldn’t have known that that wolf would have done that...and normally it wouldn’t have...so it’s not your fault...” Chris sighed as Fluttershy turned to face him, her gentle blue eyes left glassy from all the tears.

Chris sighed once again and said the three words Fluttershy really wanted to hear from him, “...I....forgive you.” He nodded as he sat and waited, hoping the pegasus would start to cheer up. Eventually, she did.

She still had some tears resting on her bottom eyelids but she smiled as she lifted Chris’ hoof off of her and gave the brony a big hug.

In that one instance, Chris felt the most relaxed he had ever been since he had arrived in Equestria, all his worries and inhibitions seemed to drift away as the yellow coated mare embraced him. He hugged back for a second, smiling as well. It seemed like a perfect moment for him; until the pain due to his recent injuries set it.

“Ow, ow...owwww...!” He stated as he pulled out of the hug and put a hoof on his shoulder. He looked back at Fluttershy, seeing her start to tear up yet again at the thought of actually hurting the brony, “Oh for goodness-” Chris stated as he hugged Fluttershy again, this time keeping his moans of pain to himself as to not upset her anymore.

A few moments later, the pair emerged from the room with smiles on both their faces; Fluttershy more than Chris given his current physical state. Everypony turned and grinned similarly before going over to hug them both. Chris backed away from most of the hugs since, well fool him three times, shame on him.

A knock was then heard on the door as it slowly began to open. When it did, yet another familiar pony stood in the doorway, none other than Cherry Jubilee. “Hello everyp- Oh! You’re up!” She stated as she went over to Chris and extended a hoof, “I’m Cherry Jubilee, pleasure to finally meet you properly.” The swirly haired mare exclaimed with a grin and a southern accent.

“Eh, Chris...Charmed.” Chris stated as he promptly shook the invited hoof, wondering why of all the things he could have said he said, ‘Charmed’. Dodge wasn’t really the place for formal language such as that, he wondered how anypony that spoke like that could find solace here...Then he remembered Rarity was just out shopping.

“Well I’m glad to see you’re up and about, let alone still kicking. Applejack, y’all owe me 10 bits now.” She stated as Chris turned with a really unamused look on his face to AJ, “Pfft, I’m kidding, I’m kidding.” Cherry chortled as Chris gingerly chuckled with her. “Now, I must show y’all around, come on.” The mare exclaimed once more as she was almost literally pushing Chris out the door, with everypony following.

“...So did you actually be-” Rainbow was asking before being cut off by Applejack, “No!”.

As Chris and the others took a step outside and had the blistering sun meet their face, they covered their eyes so they could readjust. As the stallion took another step however, he was met with a high pitched squeal, a cluster of pink and a unique smell of cotton candy. Who caused this goes without saying.

“HI! Felling any bet-” Pinkie was saying before Chris interjected abruptly.

“Pinkie! Pleeeaaassseee! Stop startling me like that....Could have popped a stitch!” Chris stated as he proceeded to cover his mouth with a hoof, realizing he had just yelled at Pinkie Pie. “....I am soo....sooooo sorry...” He commented as he could only just watch.

Pinkie’s brow narrowed and her cheerful wide-eyeness was quickly turning into a glare of pure malice, she inched her face closer and closer to Chris’ as the stallion’s knees started giving way and he was slowly but surely backing down.

The pink mare leaned in closer and closer until finally, she spoke, “..........Okie dokie lokie!” Pinkie exclaimed as her grin and cheerful demeanor came back and she happily hopped around to the back of the group with a slight squee.

Chris just stared forward, his rump resting on the ground as he had to take a few moments to process what just happened. He got to his hooves, remained silent and continued following Cherry.

The group continued through the settlement as Cherry gave them a rough ‘tour’. Meaning she pointed at things and said some other things. This continued for about ten minutes and Chris’ eyes were wide with boredom as he thought to himself, “If I wanted this type of torture I would have stayed home and watched Newborn Cuties.” He said mentally before turning around, seeing Pinkie and shivering, “Okay...let’s not think things we can’t take back, Chris.” He thought.

The tour finally came to a close however when Cherry had brought them to their final destination, “And here we have the Marshal’s office, this where the Marshal and his deputy spend most of their time. In fact I think they might be ‘er, hold mn. SLIM! SLIM YOU ‘ER?!” Cherry shouted as the front door swung open to reveal a stallion who was, presumably, Slim.

The stallion had a rough and yet composed look about him, he was sporting a generic cowboy hat, some boots, a swirly brown mane and a creamy yellow coat, and a cutie mark that resembles a empty gun holster. He trotted over to the group and promptly responded to his call, “You called for me Cherry, what is it? Diamond Dogs? Bandits?” He stated with a hint of excitement in his voice strangely enough.

“Nah, you wouldn’t be soo lucky. I’m just showing my friends here around, introduce yourself. Folks this is Slim Pickings, our deputy marshal!” Cherry stated with a grin as she sauntered off to Celestia knows where. Slim went towards the group of mares and stallion and introduced himself as ordered.

“Howdy. Like she said, I’m Slim. Nice to meet y’all.” He stated as he shook everypony’s hooves, ending with Applejack. However neither of them let go for a few seconds before releasing. Chris wondered exactly, “What’s going on there?” He knew AJ had been to Dodge before but, “...Huh.”

“Anyway, I doubt y’all wanna stay out here and cook on the ground. C’mon in, I’ll show ya around.” Slim remarked as he led everypony inside the Marshal’s office, which was pretty empty.

“So...Marshal not here?” Chris asked as he nonchalantly looked around and ran a hoof over what he guessed was the Marshal’s desk. Slim seemed a tad more attentive when Chris did that.

“Yeah...yeah he’s out investigating some things...Hear there was an attack on Ponyville?” Slim asked as he realized who exactly he was talking to, “Oh...right...guess y’all would know that...Well Marshal’s looking into anypony who made it out okay...” The stallion finished as Chris continued to look over the Marshal’s desk.

“Why would he be investigating that?” Twilight asked of Slim, wondering what the reasons behind the investigation was.

“Did y’all not see what happened at Canterlot, and then Ponyville, all those monsters and them big ol’ smoke clouds? Marshal’s just trying to see how it happened so it don’t happen here I’m guessing.” Slim answered as Chris went away from the Marshal’s desk.

Suddenly the door was slowly opened and everypony turned to see who was entering. It was another pony Chris had never seen before. It was another earth pony stallion, with a denim blue coat, an outfit similar to Slim’s, short blue hair, grey skin and a cutie mark in the shape of a sheriff's badge.

“Slim, who are these mares?” The pony asked as Chris thought to himself, “Guy right here, dingus...or are you just gonna be ‘that’ guy?”

“Oh, Marshal! These are some of mah friends that just rolled into town, they came all the way here from Ponyville.” Slim stated as it clicked in Chris’ head that this new character was the marshal, so he wondered, “Why is his cutie mark a sheriff’s badge?...Promotion?”.

“Ah, good. Be meaning to meet y’all, I’m Marshal.” The stallion said as everypony just stared blankly except Slim. Rainbow had to say something at that point.

“Marshal......Marshal...?” The pegasus pony tried to get an answer, and she eventually did.

“Just Marshal.” The stallion stated blankly as Chris tried to hold back a chuckle and luckily succeeded.

“Hehehahah, you have a funny name. It’s your job and your name, hehehahaha!” Pinkie stated as she made no effort to contain her laughter.

“Yeah it’s very funny, that ain’t my name actually...I just prefer ponies t’call me Marshal...Problem with that?” He wondered as everypony shook their heads from side to side, Slim included.

“Slim I got somethin’ I wanna talk with you about, s’bout the whole Ponyville mess.” The stallion stated as he remained standing next to the door. Slim nodded and began leading everypony out the way they came. As Chris was the last to leave, the Marshal tapped him on the shoulder, put a hoof around him and said a few words.

“Listen son, I know y’all came from that town and...Well you and your friends are the only survivors we have on record, the rest are either long gone or didn’t survive...Now I got a question for you...What do you get when a town and city’s been attacked, and you and your friends made it out scott free?...Well almost..” He started as he pointed to the bandage around Chris’ chest.

“Suspicion is what you get...Now you seem alright to me but just watch yourself out there...I got ponies to protect...” The Marshal finished as he shoved Chris out the door to his friends and promptly closed it.

“...Yeah well your name’s stupid...and your cutie mark’s wrong.” Chris stated mentally once again before getting to his hooves and following his friends further into the town.

The group wandered idly as they tried to reach a consensus as to what they would do next. Twilight spoke up with her question, “Well, what do you think we should do next?” She wondered since she didn’t know as much of the town as she would have liked.

“Well the best bet’d be to get to Appleoosa’s soon as we can. Might as well check in at the train station. Though maybe we should get everyone else together, the train might be leaving pretty soon.” She stated as everypony nodded in agreement.

“Okay. That seems easy enough. Rainbow Dash. You, Chris and Fluttershy can go get the others, we’ll go have a look at the train times.” Twilight nodded with a grin as she hoped the plan had all come together. Luckily for her it did as everypony nodded in agreement and set off.

As Chris, Rainbow and Fluttershy went to find their wandering friends, a thought entered Chris’ mind. With all the drama going on around them, Chris never really had time to get to know his new friends through normal means such as conversation. He figured now would be a better time to start than never.

“So...You two ever been here before?” He asked. The irony being he knew the answer and circumstance behind the answer already, but it couldn’t hurt.

“Yeah. AJ was here a while back after she entered some contest. She didn’t come back to Ponyville so we went to get her here.” Rainbow stated as she hovered absentmindedly next to Chris.

“Really? She do bad in the contest or something?” Chris asked, once again knowing the incoming answer.

“Not really. She didn’t win the way she wanted to win and she sorta flipped out and started working for Cherry here. Like she was never going to go back.” Rainbow answered with a slight stretch of her hooves.

“Wow...heavy stuff...So, you guys doing okay? I mean, a lot’s happened recently and just...wondering.” He enquired.

“Well...uh...we can manage...I suppose...” Fluttershy stated rather promptly as Rainbow continued for her.

“Yeah...I mean we’ve faced down some pretty nasty things but, nothing like this has ever happened before. We got some work ahead of us to get things back to normal.” The blue pegasus stated.

“Yeah...tell me about it...I hope I’m not holding you guys back or anything. Last thing I’d want to be is a liability.” Chris retorted with a slight frown.

“Well...you haven’t done anything to give us a reason not to have you here...If that’s okay with you?” Fluttershy stated as she kept to her usual reserved stance.

“Well of course I don’t mind being here. It’s just I don’t know if I’m being of any use and if I’m just being dead weight really.” Chris added, frowning on one side of his mouth.

“You kidding me? Did you not see what you did with that Ursa? And how you got away from Shade? Or how you saved most of Ponyville? Sure you blew up the library but nopony ever took out books from there anyway...Kind of weird now that I think about it.” Rainbow pondered as Chris wondered the same thing.

“Anyway. And how you helped with those timber wolves? And just, everything? You may not be the most tactical or calm pony but that doesn’t mean you haven’t done some awesome things. And coming from me, that’s awesome in itself.” Rainbow finished as Fluttershy nodded in agreement.

A slight smile came onto Chris’ face as he returned back to his normal self; or how normal he could be considered in this current form, “Wow...some pep talk there Rainbow...thanks.” He stated as his trot got a little more vigor to it.

“No problem. With any luck you could be able to do some of my moves...maybe I could teach you some. I’m a black belt y’know.” Rainbow stated proudly, bringing the spotlight back where she liked it; herself.

Chris pondered the proposition. He thought for a few seconds on the prospect until he realised something, “It’s training...with Rainbow Dash...” He didn’t waste a second after that, “Sure!” He stated with some visible over enthusiasm; given that his ears perked up past his hair.

“Awesome! I’m sure we’ll find time on the train, or back at the hotel if we gotta wait another day.” Rainbow retorted as the three continued on.

“Um...If you two do do that...can I be in a different cart...or room?” Fluttershy asked with a slight squeak at the end of her request.

“Fluttershy, what are you talking about? Twi told us about that one time with that bear. You should teach Chris some of that!” Rainbow remarked, almost as excited as Chris. The yellow pegasus blushed slightly and responded.

“That was...therapy...” She retorted whilst looking away and continued walking, getting the message across that she’d rather not talk about that one scene. Rainbow and Chris continued following behind her as Chris whispered something to Dash.

“Thank Celestia I didn’t hurt my back.” He chuckled as Rainbow followed in suit. Chris smiled at the fact he had actually got to have a conversation about something normal with these ponies; or as normal as things could get.

The mares and stallion walked past a nearby store and spotted a little purple and green fellow standing inside. With some pleasant grins they walked in and saw that the little dragon was still accompanied by Zecora. Chris looked around the establishment and saw that this was clearly some form of alchemist’s or alchemical supply store; honestly he didn’t expect to see one here of all places.

Rainbow and Fluttershy began conversing with the zebra and dragon, which gave Chris a chance to look around and observe his surroundings more carefully. Sufficed to say, there were some nasty things in those jars. Chris saw what appeared to be something he could only describe as ‘Not fresh’ and gagged a little, much to the discontent of the store owner.

After that rather odd sight seeing excursion, Zecora had payed for what she had came for and handed Spike her things. Chris looked and saw that the dragon was carrying a lot of bags with him. The brony wasn’t surprised though, the dragon did live to serve but he just wondered what was inside those bags.

He inquired about it as the newly grown group exited the store, “So...what did you guys buy out here?” The stallion pondered. He expected Zecora to answer but Spike instead took the helm so to speak, “Just some supplies. A bit of food, some medical stuff, adventuring gear and stuff like that.”

Chris wondered what that would entail before realizing something, “Wait. How did you guys get money for that? I don’t remember there being mention of much money...” The brony wondered as Zecora went on to ease his worries.

“Spices and herbs from the forest you see, a hefty price to go for they be.” She answered in her usual way but with a slight grin.

“Ohh...I guess stuff like that from such a dangerous place is worth quite a bit. You guys get those when I was out cold?” Chris asked as the zebra nodded in response, as did the stallion. “So you guys were out getting supplies, you two, Twi and AJ were looking after me. What did Rarity do?” Chris posed the question.

Rainbow paused and rubbed the back of her head, “Well...it’s kinda obvious...She uh...” Rainbow stopped as she attempted to figure out how to finish her sentence. She didn’t need to in the end.

“She went to get you new clothes.” Spike interjected. Right then and there the sudden realization fell upon Chris...that he was naked, and still very much, a blank flank. The brony’s face melted into a frown and his eyes widened as he jumped, instinctively covering himself with his hooves.

“I can’t believe I’m naked out here! In public!” Chris exclaimed. Everypony looked rather confused as Chris had yet another realization and knew right away what the immediate response to his statement would be.

“...We’re all naked.” Rainbow stated rather bluntly as Chris scrambled for an excuse for his outburst. Luckily she spotted a convenient excuse on his flank, or lack there of.

“Well are you guys all blank flanks? Rainbow and Fluttershy?” Chris asked, saving himself at the end there.

“We didn’t think you noticed by now. You were fine up until now!” Rainbow retorted aggressively.

“I didn’t feel like I was naked though with all the bandages on! It just felt sorta...natural...huh.” Chris stated as his mind drifted for a bit on how much he may or may not have become immersed in this world.

“Well we don’t want ponies pointing at you flank and your clothes were all wrecked so Rarity kindly volunteered to get you some threads.” Spike finished as Chris began to calm down and return to his normal stance.

“Yeah...I mean...hardly anypony’s noticed the flank...right?” Chris stated as his friends all nodded. Right after that, a faint ‘Ha’ was heard from somewhere in town. Chris’ ears merely drooped as he turned to go find Rarity, luckily, she had found them.

The white coated mare stood there with a rather large grin on her face as Chris got slightly startled by the sudden appearance. “You. Are going to love. What I found for you, Chrissy!” Rarity stated exuberantly.

“Chrissy?” Chris whispered to Rainbow, “She has pet names that she makes when she’s happy.” Rainbow replied, “Ohhhh.” The stallion retorted as he stood there waiting for Rarity.

“I took the liberty of buying you two of the same strapping outfits, one for now and one for an emergency.” The purple maned unicorn stated as she reached into her bags and pulled out something that made everybody’s eyes widen, and some chuckle.

Rarity had levitated above her head, three items. A pair of brown pants, a white shirt and a small brown overshirt. However, there was obviously more to that. It appeared that some things were stitched onto the rather simple outfit. Some tassels, jewels, sequins, embroidered edging and various other fancy editions. Chris just stared blankly and didn’t blink.

“I made a few additions. Sadly though, I wasn’t able to do the same thing to the emergency outfit in the time I ha-” Chris cut her off right there and proposed his idea.

“Would I be able to just wear the emergency outfit then? Uh...I mean...look at me. All bandaged up and stuff...I think that’s enough of an emergency...right?” Chris inquired as Rarity tilted her head and tapped her chin to Chris’ reasoning.

“...I suppose that’s fair. I wouldn’t want blood on this wonderful outfit either.” Rarity replied as Chris breathed a sigh of relief and motioned for everypony to follow him as they started heading back to everypony else with all their supplies.

“Hey Spike...I need a favor...” Chris asked.

“Yeah?” The dragon responded.

“You eat jewels yeah? How about cloth?...Sequins?...Leather?” Chris hoped.

“Yes, no, no and nope.” Spike responded.

“Dang it.” Chris grumbled.

Later that night, after the group had settled in in their hotel rooms, a brisk storm had fallen over the settlement. Thunder and lightning struck the place as everypony lay quiet in their homes and businesses. One in particular was the train station...It was abnormally quiet.

A shadowy figure stood on the train tracks leading out of town, and was strapping several things to the tracks. The figure muttered to itself, “Not leaving...not just yet..” The figure stated as it finished strapping what it needed to to the rails, the figure lit a fuse, and proceeded to run away...leaving a sizzling fuse inching towards several sticks of dynamite...