Magic Mike

A loud yawn escapes my lips as I wake up to preparing for school. Oh, why did Monday have to come right after Sunday? Couldn't I just go back in time to Saturday? But I know I have to get out of bed or Dad will kick my butt for being late to school.

It's not that I hate school, in fact, I love it and enjoy the opportunities I earn but...I just need a long break. Winter Vacation is three months away and the only day we get for break is Veteran's Day! They took Election Day off as a holiday and Labor Day was two weeks ago! Ugh! I hate this!

At least I get to go to the sweet New Technologies School. We've got brand spanking new computers that run like Forrest Gump on steroids! And, as a bonus, they've actually given us the laptops! Free laptops! Provided by the district! Maybe it's because they raised taxes slightly...or it was the bill passed by Congress that stated ten percent more of nationwide taxes would be put forth into the schools...but that's probably why taxes raised...

I wipe the sleep from my eyes and look about my barren bedroom. Other than the four walls and door, not much is in here. My bed is on the wall across from the door, parallel to it. Since the door is shifted to the right, I have my dresser on the left with my clothes in it. I also keep a trunk under my bed in case I visit my Uncle in Russia.

By the way, I suck at Russian. All I can do is talk with the accent and pretend to be drunk off my ass. Stereotypical, yes, but funny as hell to the kids at school.

Also, I forgot to mention we have small dress code rules. All must wear a polo shirt. Jeans are allowed, but not to be caught by the Superintendent. This school's LAX on rules, but the others aren't. Polo shirts in navy blue, black or white. Slacks and/or dress pants in navy blue, black or khaki. No stripes or writing whatsoever. No sagging. No inappropriate belts. Even worse is the no tech policy. Other than devices used to further learning, no type of technology is allowed on grounds. If they catch you with it, they take it and give you five days out-of-school suspension or ten days in “The Hole”, as the students have come to call it.

The Hole is a classroom where delinquents go and have to write the whole day. Same sentence over and over. I will not break the rules. I will not break the rules. I will not break the rules... It gives kids hand cramps and makes them regret being smart asses and asking for The Hole. Most kids that go in there come back out completely changed. Kinda like a little prison in the middle of a high school....

High school...it rules. Grade ten, baby. Sophomore. Kids say I'm “ahead of my time” but, in all honesty, I just get bored and look ahead, fiddling around until I learn it myself. I carry a Calculus book around and a Physics book for when I'm bored at home or happen to go to the library to meet up friends.

Thing is, most of my friends are just like me; into books and accelerate past everyone else. We get bored easy and actually created this weird code. Double encrypted too.

I glance at my bedside clock. Oh, thank goodness. It's not even six thirty! I woke up early! Might as well take a nice little shower and contemplate silly things.

The blanket and all its heavy cotton and wool get thrown off my bed as I get up. I straighten out the sheets and replace the blanket, folding it back slightly so it doesn't cover my pillows.

Alright...what next...

I grab a pair of M. Gordon jeans from my dresser and dig around for one of three things: a black polo, a purple one or the one with a shield over the chest. It's got, like, this small twinkle on it. I guess it's supposed to be shining armor or something.

I yank out and...YES! SHINING ARMOR SHIRT! It's not my fave, but it's one the kids at school really like, so I try to wear it often. I open up another drawer and take out socks and underwear. It's only out my door and one door to the right that I meet the bathroom. Mom and Dad sleep across from me and my little brother across from the bathroom.

I slip quietly inside, closing the door behind me without a sound. It's a quick strip since only my boxers are on. “Oh, Mike, if they ever knew you got tattoos...” I mutter to myself, staring at the markings.

First I stare at the one encircling my right bicep. The muscle beneath makes the letters more pronounced. Magic Mike it reads. It's a nickname I picked up back in elementary when I did my magic acts, making things disappear or cutting things in half before restoring them. I flex it, spreading the letters out a little, making them go from black to gray.

I flex like someone showing off and catch the largest single tattoo on my body; the tiger on my chest. It is by far the most amazing piece of art I have ever had put on my body. Its powerful maw holds my bleeding heart, its claws ripping through the flesh of my chest, paws breaking through my ribcage. The awesome orange stands out, as does the red of the blood dripping all over me. On my tan skin, it is a perfect look.

I do more poses, being silly. I do a pose like a batter about to swing a ball clear out of the park when I see the side of my back tattoo...or one of my back tattoos. It depends on how you see it. I got them at the same time, but they aren't connected. On my right side is an angel's wind, white feathers looking almost real. One other side – I twist the opposite way to see it – is a demon wing; the dark brown leather looking like it's actually there.

“So awesome...sucks that Dad can't see them or I'd die.”

Oh well, beggars can't be choosers. I grab a towel out of the closet above the toilet and hop into the shower. It's not more than five minutes later when I've covered my body in soap and then rinsed it off. I throw my clothes on and look around downstairs for my book bag.

We really are rarely downstairs. The kitchen is about the only place anybody ever goes. Yeah, there's a flat screen in the den with cable hook-up, but there's not really ever anything interesting on. Plus, I've got my computer to watch TV. And yeah, we've got video game systems, but I only play those when the gamers come over.

I guess you can say I'm privileged, but I'm not. The only thing in the house I really care for, other than my family, is my computer. It's pretty much where I keep all my vital things. I manage my bank account, check the stocks, write papers, research experiments, keep in contact with over-seas friends and friends close by, I also write short horror stories and make lyrics and beats on it. It's basically my whole reputation. If I lost that, I'd be screwed on everything. But I'm careful and will never lose it. I even have a solar charger in case the battery dies and there's no plug nearby. If I leave that charger in the sun for five hours, I can get three days of energy. It's a little something me and my friends created that we're going to market for eighty-five dollars. It actually only cost us twenty bucks to make, since we get our parts from the junkyard on the outskirts of town, but we need enough of a margin for when it blows up and pieces have to be mass-produced and the cost of production goes up.

“There you are!” I hiss at the bag. I find it hanging on the back of a chair, the same I usually leave it on. I unzip and check for the laptop and two books as well as my charger. Seeing them all, I look upstairs one last time, making sure I left no lights on.

Hah, never even turned one on down here. Hilarious. I snatch my hoodie and go out the front door and try to decide if I should ride my bike or catch the bus. I know the bus isn't coming for another half hour and I don't feel like waiting...I have to bike uphill and I that sounds like a good workout for my already strong legs. I flip up the kickstand and sit down, shifting the gears to six for the rear and one for the front.

The simple twenty-one speed gets me where I need to be no problem and I hop off, propping it up against the school. You probably think Lock it up before it gets stolen! But I don't need to. Why? Nobody around here is like that. It's a very friendly area and, unless somebody from somewhere evil moves in, there has never been a crime committed here.

I swing open the door and say hello to the secretary, who smiles and waves in return. For some reason, the halls are empty and devoid of all signs of life. Usually there are kids shuffling through the halls, conversing lightly, talking about their weekends and whether or not they wish they were still on break at the moment.

Where could they be? Each floor contains very few rooms, eight to be precise. The five core classes – Maths, Language Art, Science, History and Spanish – and three extras – Art, Home Economics and Music. The bottom floor, the one I'm on, is for ninth graders. I'm a tenth grader and go up one floor for my classes. Eleventh on the third and twelfth of the fourth. The basement is the cafeteria and the kitchen as well as the bathrooms and auditorium. I can understand no reason why nobody is around.

For me, I have Spanish first so I climb the center stairs to get there quickest. The straps on my bag suddenly feel like they're tearing thought my skin and I have to slip it off, holding it by the handle with one hand.

“What the heck?” I mumble, seeing the second floor empty as well. I continue to Spanish and see the light is off, but the door wide open. “Hm...that's weird. There can't be an assembly...was today called off? Oh, I'll be so mad...” I growl at myself.

I set my bag down just inside the room and reach with my right hand to turn on the light. I scratch my head with my left and I flip the switch.

“SURPRISE!” a thousand voices yell in unison.

I fall back, scared half to death by the sudden yelling.

“What the heck is wro-”

I fall silent, seeing balloons, streamers, a piñata and stacks of presents, all surrounding every kid and teacher in the school. I smile wide, reading the giant banner saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL! Wow...I did not expect this. I didn't even think they knew today was my birthday. Heck, I actually forgot! How do you forget your own birthday?

From the mass of people, my closest friend Giza appears. His long Afro bobbing with his head in laughter. “Oh, man, you shoulda seen your face!” he squeals. His pouty lips stick out more with his mouth wide in a goofy grin. “Oh, wait! Hey! Muhammad! Bring the camera!” he calls in his thick African accent.

His dark skin seems to absorb the light, but reflect it back too. His skin glistens as he grabs the camera from Muhammad's more pale plaored hand. “Now, where is the beautiful reaction?” he grunts, rewinding the tape to when I got scared.

“How about you help me up first?” I hiss in distaste and joke. He reaches down a soft and that I squeeze as he lifts me up with his bulging muscles. People say he's almost like a darker version of me. Not even close! He's got that large Afro, I've got my long, straight hair combed down, covering my left eye completely. I stand above him by a full ten inches and my shoes are three sizes bigger than his. Not only that, but I can bench one hundred pounds more than him and am on the track team, whereas he plays basketball.

But, I guess, we are alike in personality. We both are fun-loving guys who are serious about our schoolwork. We love computers with a passion and are the highest members in math. We have great senses of humor and make me yuk it up just about every day.

I remember the first day of school, we had a “Talent Talk” which is a talent show, but with lots of conversation between people after we show off. Helps us knew better what happened over break and see what's changed about people.

Giza and I got together and performed a bit we called “Oh no!” Together, we go the school laughing so hard that two kids actually wet themselves and a teacher threw up. Boy...that was wonderful. People ask us where we get it from and our response is “It just comes to us.”

I lift my back pack over my shoulders again and start hugging people for the good surprise. “You guys rule,” I say to people over and over. Most of the girls are being normal, teasing me playfully, but there's one girl who's hiding behind everyone else. People start talking amongst themselves and I walk over to talk with her.

“Hey, are you okay?” I whisper. I can't seem to place her name, but she looks so familiar and just so cute that I just must know her. I repeat the question and she shakes her head in response. “Well, would you mind telling me why?” The only thing I get is a squeak. Hmm...

“Do you have name? A girl as cute as you just has to have a name just as beautiful.”

Her cheeks become tomatoes as she opens her lips, stuttering an answer. “I-I-I d-do...it's Fluttershy,” she squeaks.

“Fluttershy? That's an odd name don't you think? I like it though. Fluttershy...Fluttershy....” I repeat the name, getting a feel for it. So odd...yet so beautiful. I swear I've seen her before and that I know her from somewhere, but I can't think of what.

She stares at me from a soft, teal eye. Her pink hair hangs down, covering her right eye, but I want to see both. I reach up and brush her hair out of the way, revealing her other beautiful eye. She blushed more, looking down.

“Hey, what's the matter?” When she refuses to answer, I press more. “Come on, you can tell me Fluttershy. Here, whisper it in my ear. I promise I'll keep it a secret.” I turn my head and put my ear almost right against her lips, feeling her soft breath tickling the inside.

“I don't know where I am and I can't find any of my friends...” she whimpers. “I'm scared...but don't tell...”

I pull back with a small frown. “No, don't be scared. Just stick with me and you'll be alright. I promise, I'll protect you and I'll make sure you're okay. Now, why don't you enjoy the party? No school for the rest of the day since it's a birthday.”

That's another thing; they give us the day off school if it's someone's birthday. Most kids' birthdays are during the summer or breaks, so they let us take a break if it's someone's birthday if school is supposed to be in session. Mine was on a Saturday last year, so mine was only celebrated at home.

OH! THERE'S GONNA BE A SURPRISE PARTY! I JUST KNOW IT! Here he is, Michael Jackson, turning sixteen years old! I can drive with a licensed driver in the car! But, knowing the police around here, they won't enforce that law! HELL YEAH BOY!

I feel a hand clasp mine. I look down and follow the arm to its owner, Fluttershy I smile at her and pull her next to me. “Stay close,” I joke. “These teens are ruthless. They'll devour the cake and tear open your presents if you don't first!”

She giggles lightly. “You're funny, mister.”

I beam more. “Please, call me Michael, Mike, or Magic Mike. All in your preference,” I insist to her.

“Oh, okay. I'll call you Mike.” I nod and she smiles, gripping my hand very tight, but then loosening. “Sorry about that. I was a little excited.”

“No, it's okay.” I bend down a little, getting my face next to hers. There might be a two, three inch difference between us. I think I'm about six feet exactly, so she's about five foot eight, five foot nine. I give her a soft peck on the cheek and her whole face turns into a beat. I pull back, slightly worried I crossed the line. “I'm sorry,” I say. “Did that bother you?”

She reaches up and touches the cheek I kissed. She giggles again. “No, Mike, I kinda liked it.”

Wow, wasn't really trying to put the moves on her, just being friendly. Looks like she believes it was more than just friendly...

“Come on Fluttershy, let's get some cake and maybe pop open a few of my presents before these vandals get into them.”

“Okay,” she returns, giggling again.

Giggly little girl...we walk over to where a fold-up table has been set up and the cake sits. “No, you guys didn't!” I exclaim, seeing my favorite thing sitting on top of the cake, made of frosting.

“E-yup! Sure did! Ah knew ya liked doin' that there hocus pocus and had it special made!” my friend, Catherine, howls.

On top of the cake is a hand holding a deck of cards, all aces of spades. I cannot believe she did this for me! “So what do I owe you now?” I growl, knowing she's cooking up something especially evil.

“I've been thinkin' 'bout it an' Ah've decided you have to kiss me! An' this ain't no cheek kiss, Mike!” she hoots.

Everyone starts oohing and whopping at my predicament. “Oh, why are you so mean Cat?” I ask. “Can't you be nice for once?” It's not like this is the first time a girl's done this to me, especially her. The girls here know I'm not really looking for a girlfriend, so they tease me by making me give them strong kisses. No tongue has ever been used, thank God, but I'm pretty sure Cat's about to change that.

“Because you don' like girls! Now get over here!” she belches.

The teachers enjoy watching me squirm and wiggle in irritation, embarrassment and pleasure. They all know I like kissing the girls, but that I don't want them to ask me to be their boyfriend. I guess you could call this school one big happy family.

“Fine,” I groan. I bend down to her five foot six frame and put my lips on hers. She smiles through it and smacks my ass hard before pushing me back, wiping her mouth off.

“Ah think that's enough for now...” she purrs.

It seems people are just noticing Fluttershy gripping my hand tightly and start asking questions that I just ignore as they're the same old things they always toss. “That your girlfriend?” “Mike really is magic!” “Finally he gets lucky...” Just stupid teasing things. I'm too friendly and it's what happens.

“Alright, knock it off guys. Let's cut up this cake and get devouring!” I bellow.

They fall into an uproar, slicing the cake into three inch cubes. As there are so many people, several cakes, as well as cheese pizza, were bought by students and teachers alike. It gets dished out and I give Fluttershy a specially larger piece of cake that was actually reserved for me.

“Here I hope you enjoy.” I hand her a fork and she lifts a bite into her mouth.

“Mm!” she moans. “That's really good!” Before long, it's been destroyed and I hand her two slices of pizza, which she eats slightly slower.

I walk her to a desk that's somehow able to fit in the room and sit her down in it. “Be right back,” I tell her. I grab a glass of punch for both of us and a few napkins before returning to her. “Here,” I say, setting the glass in front of her.

She swallows and smiles. “Thank you Mike. You've really made me feel comfortable. I...um...is that...that girl you kissed...is..is she your-”

“Girlfriend? No, she's not. More like an annoying sister that makes me kiss her all the time since I'm not really going after girls like most athletes do. No, I want you to talk to me a little. Where are you from? I've never seen you around here before, but you seem just so familiar...”

“Oh, okay. If she was, I wouldn't have had a chance getting you I mean uh...okay. I was just wondering.” I let her little slip-up go unnoticed. “I really don't remember. I remember waking up last night and knew I had some friends, but I can't remember their names. And I knew mine name...but I don't remember anything else really. I saw all these other kids and kinda just followed them.”

I eye her clothes, skinny jeans and a yellow polo. “Where'd you get those clothes? They're pretty nice on you...”

The blush that had, at last, left her face, returned. “I woke up wearing it...” She covered her eyes with her hair and I chuckled lightly at it.

“You're name rings true; you are quite shy.” I push it back again and lift her face to look into my eyes. “Hey, Fluttershy. I want you to know that I'm your friend. In case you never find your old ones again, I'm right here, okay?”

“Alright Mike.” She sips the punch and wipes her lips. I don't know what it is, but I seem to have some type of draw to her, like she's here for some other reason than she woke up without much memory. She tilts her head down, but keeps her glittering eyes pointed at me.

“So, um, Mike? Do...do you know...if...if there's a house where I can stay? I...I don't know where I live or...or anything...” Watching tears well up breaks my heart. I wipe the tears from her face and rub her cheek.

“You can stay with me. My parents won't mind. Unfortunately, you'll have to share a bed with either me, my little brother or one of my parents. I'd pick me, but it's up to you and them really. Now, let's move to happier thoughts. Let's go open up some gifts.”

I grab her hand and lift her from the seat. We glide over to a humongous stack of presents and I have to think which one to pick first. “Hm...” I turn to the girl and say, “You pick the first one.”

She points to herself. “M-m-me?” People start to gather as I nod my head in reply. She looks at every box before picking one that's wrapped in orange paper and tied up with a yellow bow. “That one,” she says with a point at the petite box.

“Alright!” I say, lifting it cautiously.

“Hey! He's opening his first one!” some kid calls, causing more people to gather.

I pull the bow and it falls away. I slowly undo the wrap and open up the lid. Inside is a necklace. It's shaped like an apple and has an orange hue to it. “Huh...” I can't find a label. “Who gave me this?” I ask, but no one claims it.

I sift through other boxes, finding software for my computer, fake love letters, a teddy bear, assorted candies and trinkets as well. But four boxes are like the orange one, but with different necklaces. One is shaped like a diamond with a purple gemstone, another is a pink butterfly, and the third is a blue balloon, the fourth a lightning bolt colored red.

But there's one last package found beneath all the rest. A purple box. It has a lighter purple bow on it. I pick it up and slip its bow off, pulling away the paper and revealing its contents: a crown with a lavender, six-pointed star.

I turn to Fluttershy and raise it up. “I know deem thee, Queen Fluttershy!” I bark jokingly. I lower it onto her head and everybody claps, taking a bow to the new queen. I'm about to mock when it starts glowing. The five necklaces levitate into the air and circle me and Fluttershy.

Fear builds in me, but I can't show it for her sake. Nobody sees what's happening. The necklaces light up and start charging up. Before I can block it, a blinding light burns my eyes and I'm blinded, left reaching out for Fluttershy.

I feel her hand and grab it tightly, feeling it vibrating vigorously. I have no idea what's going on as I float into the air, my eyes unable to see. I try to speak, but I can't move my body. What's happening? What's happening? All I can ask myself is what's happening?

Suddenly, I drop to the ground. I'm still blind and can't tell what's going on. I fall to my knees, feeling myself slipping away. I groan weakly as my body numbs. It starts from my toes and goes up, reaching my head and forcing me to tilt forward. I can't stop myself as I hit dirt and pass out.

I wake up with a thick headache and eyes closed. I can smell flowers and earth....something else...not sure what. I try to crack a lid, but it's too painful so I leave it shut. Where am I? My throbbing head doesn't help me in the least as I open my ears to my surroundings.

I can hear  soft voice muttering my name. “Mike...Mike...oh, Mike...” it calls. It sounds so familiar...I swear I've heard that voice before. I feel something shaking my body. “Mike....oh, Mike!” it squeals. I weakly groan in response, letting whoever it is know that I'm up.

“Mike!” it squeaks. “You're okay! I just knew you'd be okay!” I feel my body lifted up and grabbed into a tight hug. “Oh, I’m sorry for what happened! It won’t happen again, I swear!”

I groan, head pounding harder at her squeaks. “Oh...please quiet down...my head...oh...” I feel nauseated, sick to my stomach. “Jeez...what happened?”

“Oh, I don’t know! One minute I’m wherever we were and the next we’re back here outside my house!” Finally, I recognize the voice: Fluttershy. It’s still hard to open my eyes, so I let them stay shut. I grope around and play with her hair, running my fingers through the smooth silk.

“Where are we?” I rasp. “I can’t see anything...ooh...” I can’t even open my eyes, but I can feel the world spinning as I slip from her grip. I collapse on the floor in a heap, not able to move. I can feel acid burning my throat and I start to crawl, looking for a window or door. “Oh...I’m gonna be sick...”

I feel my body lifted up and carried swiftly outside. No sooner than I hit the ground do I start throwing up the food that I had in my stomach. It burns as it flies out of my mouth, stomach juices combined with pizza sauce and cake frosting in a disgusting concoction of horrible flavors.

By the time I’m done, I’m sure my stomach has nothing left inside. I dry heave one time before I stand up and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. I wipe the spittle on my jeans and try to steady myself, placing my hand on a fuzzy...thing.

“Oh...Fluttershy...where are you?” I grunt. I crack my eyes at last, able to see a forest sitting in front of me, dark and terrifying in the opinion of small children. To a teen like me, it’s like a new place to check out, look for any fun places to relax. There's also the air of night around us, bright stars dotting the sky and creating shapes I don't recognize.

“I’m right here,” she calls from beside me somewhere.

I look the right, trying to find her through my squint. “I don’t see you...” I mumble. “Where are you, Fluttershy?”

“Right here,” she says. “Look down. Your hand is on me.”

I look down and see a horse. Short, maybe four feet tall, yellow fur with a pink mane covering her eyes and a pink tail held close to her butt. It looks up at me, big eyes shining back. Maybe I’m hallucinating, but I could swear it smiles at me.

I wipe my eyes and try to understand what’s going on. Okay, Cat slipped something in the punch and now I’m tripping. I have got to kick her butt now. What the heck kind of stuff did she give me? Is this some new kind of rohipnol?

“Fluttershy? Where are you? This isn’t funny.”

I’m right here!” the horse squawks.

“Gah!” I jump a foot into the air and fall backward. “Okay, whatever you put in my drink, good job, now get me out of this Catherine!” I squeal.

“Mike? Are you okay? Nopony put anything in your drink...I think.” She places a hoof on my chest and looks at me. “Please calm down, Mike. There’s nothing wrong. I promise I won’t hurt you if that’s what you’re scared about.”

“Horses don’t talk!” I yelp.

“Um...I...I’m not a horse, Mike. I’m a pony...it’s me, Mike, it’s Fluttershy. Please calm down...I...I...I’m sorry...” She starts tearing up and I regret everything I said.

“No...shhh....shhh....” I hush. Oh, what is going on? This can't be real but...she sounds just like her and the hair...yellow polo shirt is the fur. “Don't cry Flutter, I'm sorry. It's just...well...I've never seen an animal talk...”

She wipes the tears away with a hoof connected to a surprisingly flexible leg. “No...it's okay. I...I won't talk anymore...”

No, that’s not what I meant! I slide my hand up her neck and gently rub the back of her head. “No, keep talking. I love your voice. If you ever stop talking, I don't want to hear anything anymore.” She giggles and blushes deeply.

“You always know what to say Mike. You can say only a few words and I cheer right back up. Can...can you come lower?” I crouch down, trill running my hand over her neck fur. She leans over and gives me cheek a small kiss. “You're the sweetest thing I know...please stay sweet.” She rests her head on my shoulder and I stop petting her.

“Just...help me out here. You're a pony. You can talk. You can understand me and I can understand you?” She nods. “You said you had friends, are they ponies too?” She nods again. “Do you know what those necklaces and tiara had to do with this?”

She gasps. “Oh my goodness! Those were the Elements of Harmony!” I knew they looked familiar!” She dashes into the house and comes back out with the necklaces and tiara. “We have to go see Twilight right now!” She nudges me and I stand up, grabbing the necklaces from her teeth and the tiara from her head. I carry all six item with my arm through their loops, waiting for Fluttershy to show me where “Twilight” lives.

“It's down the road! Come on!” she whines. I watch her walk quickly, trying to get there without seeming to be suspicious, just a pony that got stuck and is making her way home.

I follow suit, watching her legs shift quickly. I can't help but notice something pink on her flank and call for her. “Fluttershy. Wait up.” She stops and I walk up next to her.

“What is it?” she asks, turning around.

I kneel by her butt, looking at three butterflies. I put my hand on them and say, “What are these? Were these drawn on?” She reaches back and pulls my hand off her, blushing brightly. “Oops. Sorry about touching you like that.”

“It's my Cutie Mark. It tells me, and everypony else, what my special talent is. My special talent is taking care of animals. I can understand them, but none of my friends can. It's something I've done ever since I came here.”

“Cutie Mark...do all ponies have them?” She nods and smiles wide. “Why are they on your butt? Isn't it, I don't know, a little...dirty...to stare at a pony's butt? Even if it is to see their special talent? And what if their talent was...mature? It would be displayed for all to see.”

“You know...I really don't know,” she admits. “It's just how it works. Do you have one?”

“No, we don't get those. And we rarely find our special talents. Truth is, there are too few talents to distribute one to every person on Earth.” I look at her and then back at her mark. I look at the necklaces and back to the mark. I put on hand on her flank...again, and use the other to grab the pink butterfly necklace off my arm, placing it to the side.

“It's a match. Fluttershy, this is yours.” I reach over and give it to her, my hand still on her. She has some muscles, I'll say that, but she probably has walked everywhere since birth. I don't see cars or even carriages. Heck, there aren't even paved roads.

“C-c-can you p-p-please take your hand off M-M-Mike? It's m-making me unc-c-comfortable...” she whispers shakily.

I pull my hand away. “Sorry it's just...I was kind of fascinated by your Cutie Mark. I'm sorry...I won't ever try to hurt you or anything, if that's what you were afraid of.” Something clicks in my head; my hand on her rear made her uncomfortable. “Fluttershy, I would never ever do that to you.”

I stroke her mane and tap her nose. “Come on, let's get to Twilight's house. I want to get all of this straightened out.” I start running and she does the same, staying behind me.

“She lives at the library!” she calls out. “It's in a big tree!”

It feels like I've run for ten miles when a dark, hulking mass appears on the horizon. As we draw closer, branches poke out of the dark, leaves grow from shadows and  windows appear from the sky.

“That's it, right there!” she says. We come to a slow halt in front of the door. All lights are off in the humble tree house/library. I let Fluttershy knock on the door and call out “Twilight! It's me! Open up!”

No sooner have the words left her mouth, the door swings open an a purple pony with a horn on its head grabs her and pulls her in. “Hold up!” I exclaim, quickly going in after the pair. “Let her go!”

“No, it's okay!” Fluttershy quips, smiling at me while being held tight by her friend..Twilight I suppose...who is...a Unicorn? Wait a second, Unicorns are not real. I  know I'm tripping now. “This is Twilight, Mike!” She taps on Twilight's back and adds, “Twilight, this is Mike.”

She lets go of her friend and eyes me with intensity. I do the same to her, studying her body and implanting her image in my brain. Her neatly combed mane that hangs over forehead, her horn poking out somewhere in the center.

“Where did you find that?” she asks sideways to Fluttershy.

I can see her face turn dark. “It is a he and I didn't find him, he found me.” I can hear the thick emphasis on giving me gender and defending my position as her small-time hero. A smile crosses my face as the Unicorn's head twist slowly to look at Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy? Are you okay? You seem a little...tense...” she says hesitantly.

“Yes, I am tense. I'm tense because you're being rude to my friend. If it hadn't been for Mike, I don't know what I would have done. If it wasn't for him, I'd be back...wherever I was...now stop being mean to him.”

Twilight's gaze comes back to me. “What did you do to her?” I look at her in confusion. Her horn glows in a purple aura and one of the same color envelopes me, lifting me into the air. “I asked you a question, now ANSWER ME!” she bellows.

“Put him down!” Fluttershy shrieks, tackling Twilight. “He didn't do anything except maybe save my life!”

I fall to the ground, the spell broken. I land on my feet and pull the two apart, restraining a fight Fluttershy would easily lose. “Calm down, Fluttershy, she has every right to be afraid of me.” I can hear her snort, but I ignore it and continue. “Please just calm down so we can talk like the intelligent and civilized beings we are.”

The lavender Unicorn stands up and walks away, eying me closely still. Fluttershy lets me pick her up and carry her to a nearby sofa. I sit down slowly, still holding her in my arms. “Are you okay with me holding you like this?”

“Mmm-hmm. It's fine. It's actually more comfortable than sitting down like I normally would have to. Those cushions don't provide much...cushion.” We giggle and I look down at her.

“Hey, think you could flip onto your belly? It'd be a little bit easier for me, and for you, if you did.” She nods and rolls over, resting her stomach on her curled up legs. “There, now you're like a lap dog.” We giggle again and I start petting her mane. “Wow, this feels so...right. It's like something I'd do back at home if I ever had a dog...”

“Oh, you didn't have any pets?” she whimpers. “I have lots of animals. I'm sure one of them is bound to like you.” Her voice lowers, like she's talking to herself. “I know it wasn't hard for me to...” She looks back at me and I just smile. “I'm sure I can find you a pet that you'll love and loves you.”

“How about you be my pet?” I chuckle and pat her head. “I'm just kidding Fluttershy, I'm just playing. Now, it's Twilight, right?”

“It's Twilight Sparkle,” she hisses, emphasizing the last name. “I want to know who you are and what you've done to Fluttershy. She was never like this. She was quiet and gentle and never did the things she did tonight.”

“Well, let's see. I walked into my surprise birthday party, saw a girl with pink hair and yellow shirt on hiding in a corner. I went over to her, talked and did my best to make her comfortable. She got accustomed to me easily and clung to me like words in a book. Then we found five necklaces and a tiara the teleported us here. I went unconscious and woke up to a pony that seemed to be the girl I met at the party, who decided to bring me to her friend's house,” I return with thick sarcasm in my voice.

It seems she's not amused and stomps a hoof. “Don't mock me!” she howls.

I sigh and stop petting Fluttershy. “I didn't do anything Twilight Sparkle. She was alone and afraid and I did my best to comfort her. She warmed up to me and is just trying to protect me because of what I did for her. I'm sure you would have done the same.”

I can hear a soft whisper. “Can you keep petting me? I kinda like it.” I can't resist her desire and start slipping my fingers through her soft hair.

“True...I would...hmm...what are you? I've never seen a creature like you before in my life,” the Unicorn demands bluntly.

“Thanks for sparing my feelings Twilight Sparkle.” Adding the hint of cruelty makes me feel better, so I continue. “I'm a human. Adolescent to be exact. I'm now sixteen...if today is still the same day it was when I appeared...”

“It is,” Fluttershy interjects.

“So, today's my birthday and I'm here, sitting in a library with a talking Unicorn and Fluttershy.” Speaking her name, I look down and notice wings on her back. Wait up, a Pegasus? Okay, I think I'm insane. Forget the roofie, I'm crazy. “I didn't know you were a Pegasus. How come you never used you wings?”

“I don't fly much...you didn't know I had them? I thought you knew...well, you know now.” She gives me a bright smile before laying her head down and breathing slowly.

“Wait, are you going to sleep on my lap?” I ask.

“Yes...if you don't mind. I had to make sure you were okay before I could go to sleep...and your hand is...” She yawns loudly and smacks her lips. “It feels real nice...soothing...”

“Well, go to sleep. I'll try to be quiet.” I lick my lips and start to sing a lullaby. “Hush now, quiet now it's time to go to bed. Hush no-”

“How do you know that song?” she asks, lifting her head and looking right into my eyes.

“It...it just came to me...I never heard it before but the lyrics just instantly popped into my head...odd...very odd...” How did I know that song?

“Well...can you finish signing it, please? I'm really tired...” She rest her head again, slowing her breathing down. To put her to sleep, I finish the song. By the last word, she's snoring softly.

“See, Twilight Sparkle? I'm not doing anything to hurt her or change her. I'm just trying to make her happy and keep her comfortable, even though I'm pretty sure I'm stuck in an insane nightmare at the moment...” I admit.

She rolls her eyes at me and speaks. “Whatever. What are you planning to do now that you're stuck in Ponyville? You're the only human I've ever seen so I doubt any of your kinds live anywhere near. What are humans? Herbivores? Herd animals? Loners?”

Such a blunt girl... “It depends on the person. Some are vegan, some are omnivorous. Some people are loners, others run in packs. It's all in the personality. Well, I should get going. Fluttershy needs to get in a proper bed. Have fun, Twilight Sparkle.”

I lift Fluttershy up and hang her head over my shoulder, carrying her by her lower body. Without paying any attention to the librarian, I walk out the front door and shut is swiftly behind me. As I start the walk back, I hear footsteps following me. I stop and they do, too. Oh, great, more drama.

“I know you're following me Twilight so just come out.” I groan, stopping completely.

The steps crunch up, but it's not the Unicorn. In fact, it's this orange pony, a normal one, with a blond mane and tail. He...or she's got both styled, ironically, in pony tails. “Well, howdy! I ain't never seen nothin' like you before!”

“I could say the same for you...” I mutter.

“Whatcha say? Never mind. Whatcha doin with mah friend there?” he/she spits.

“I'm taking her home. She fell asleep at Twilight's and now I'm taking her back. Not to sound rude but um...are you a female or a male?” A small blush hits my face that I hope he/she doesn't see.

The pony chuckles a little in its Southern accent. “Ah'm a mare, just like Fluttershy and Twilight. Just look at a pony's nose and you can tell. See how we've got little curve in ours? That's a mare. Them stallions got it going straight or bulgin' out a little, not dippin' in.”

“Thanks for clearing that up. My name's Michael, but you can call me Mike. What's yours?”

“Applejack, but you can call me AJ if ya like...and, not to be rude, but what are you? I really ain't never seen nothin' like you in my life,” she asks softly.

“I'm a human, AJ. And I'm a boy, by the way...you know, you should wear a hat. It really would fit you.” I smile.

“Well, Ah got one, but I left it at the farm.” She yawns. “Well, I best get goin'. You be kind to her, ya hear me? And don' try nothing or I'll buck you into an apple tree from here.” With that threat, she trots away in a direction somewhat to the left of me.

I return to my walk and arrive at the place where the Pegasus lives. I enter and take her to the room I crawled from. I see the bed vaguely in the moonlight. I pull back the covers before laying her on her back and sitting down beside her. I kick off my track shoes and yank my socks off, slipping the blanket over me and her. I roll onto my side and scoot close to her. I put a protective arm on her soft body and let dreams take me away.

I wake up with yet another yawn, expecting to be either at home in bed or passed out on the classroom floor, but I'm not. Instead, I'm in bed with the Pegasus I carried back last night. I look out the window and see a rising sun painting the sky beautiful colors. The reds and oranges and violets all blending together in a beautiful array of colors that mesmerizes me.

“You up, Fluttershy?” I whisper. Nope, still out cold. I give her a gentle peck on the cheek, not knowing why but doing in anyway.

I get out of bed and walk across the cold floor, trying to think about making her something to eat when I am grabbed from behind. I turn around calmly, looking at the hovering body of the mare. “Sorry for doing that...thank you for staying here and watching over me. That's the first time I've slept with anypony in a long time.” I smile and she starts stammering.

“N-n-not l-like that! I-I-I-”

“It's okay, I know what you mean. Just calm down.” I grasp her and hold her in my arms like I'm carrying an infant. “So, what do you want to do today? I have no idea about life here in Ponyville, so I need you to guide me.”

“Well, um...I...I really just...don't do much...I take care of animals that ponies bring to me and feed them and stuff...I'm not really that useful...”

“Now don't talk like that. Everyone is useful. You shouldn't put yourself down like that. Stand up, stand up tall. I won't let you degrade yourself like that. Now, tell me what you want and I'll try to fulfill it,” I respond.

Instead of answering my question, she asks another one with a shaky voice. “A-a-are you b-being nice to me s-so you can t-trick me?”

I would never! “Fluttershy! I would not do anything to hurt you. I stayed here overnight and watched over you. I won't let you get hurt. Now tell me what you want to do today.”

“Maybe we could visit Twilight...I'm sorry she was rude like that...she's just...trying to learn...and she was worried about me. You did change me a little...I've never done any of that before...oh, Mike? Can you put me down so I can take a shower?” She sniffs herself and pulls back a little. “I don't know why I smell...I haven't worked hard lately...or done anything else...”

“Maybe it was last night's run...think I could shower, too? I don't want to smell either...” I sniff myself and, even though I smell nice, I think I should shower.

“You don't need one! I gave you one while you were sleeping!” she replies. When she realizes what she said, she covers her mouth. “I...I'm sorry...I...I shouldn't have done that without your permission...”

“Shh, it's okay. I am slightly weirded out by the fact you took my clothes off and bathed me but...” I let the sentence hang. I start a new one saying, “You haven't crossed any boundaries. You were just treating me good, like any wonderful hostess would....oh, I'll have to figure out how to build a shelter...I guess I could make a small shack in that forest...”

“No! You can't go in the Everfree Forest! It's dangerous!” She grabs me tight and doesn't let me move. “Stay here with me, just don't go in there. There's things in there and you could get hurt. It'd be my fault if you got hurt..don't put that on me...”

“Calm down, calm down, I won't. I'll stay here but you have to promise me one thing.” She gazes into my eyes. “You have to promise to tell me what you want to do every day, every night, anytime. Okay?” She nods and I bend down, letting her stand up on her own.

“Oh, thank you for holding me and petting me. I felt so content.” She giggles. Such a giggly mare... “You're a nice stallion...please just stick here with me so I'm not alone.”

“I promise. Now, take your shower and hurry back so you can tell me what you want to do today.”

She hurries off and I'm left alone in the main room. There's really nothing to do, so I follow the sound of water to the bathroom. I knock softly and the door swings slightly open. I guess she's not used to company...

“Um...Fluttershy?” She can't hear me over the water. Crap. Just...I push open the door slowly, taking a step in. Oh, shoot, no shower curtain. I shut my eyes and stutter, “F-F-Fluttershy?”

“Yes? Oh, you can open your eyes...it's not like we wear clothes...” I peek and see her looking at me with a smile. “Come on, it won't bother me. I mean, didn't you notice I wasn't wearing anything? And Twilight wasn't either?”

“Well...that's true...” I open my eyes wide and find myself staring at her wet mane, clinging to her body. Why am I staring at her? I aim my face to hers, trying to control myself. “Do you know where my bag is? I was hoping to rummage through it...”

“Oh...yes. It's by the bed. But you really should get cleaned up. You should really just hop in with me...I take long...” She blushes and tries to take back what she said, but I stop her.

“Fluttershy, do you like me? Not as a friend, but as something more?” She nods. “I'm nice like that to every girl, Fluttershy. It wouldn't have mattered, I would have said the same things to any girl in the same situation.”

Her head drops. “Oh...I'm sorry...it's just...no stallion ever treated me like that...I guess I jumped to conclusions...stupid Fluttershy....can't ever do anything right...”

“Hey, don't do that.” I walk over and put my hand in the water to stroke her scalp. “You've never been in this situation before. It's difficult to deal with. I've done it so much it's routine. I'm just too nice sometimes...”

She looks up at me. “That's what I always say about myself...that I'm too kind sometimes...I'd do just about anything if somepony asked me to...because I'm trying to be nice to them...”

“That's why I do what I do. I want everyone to be happy so I try to be kind. Truth is, everyone in my neighborhood is friendly, but I'm the friendliest. I'm an athlete so I'm need to be kind, but those girls back home are ruthless...they want me but I just really am not that into girls. I mean, I'm not gay, I just never wanted a girlfriend,” I admit.

“Do you want to know a secret?” she asks quickly. Before I answer, she spits out a response. “I've never seen a...thing...until I saw yours. I never went after stallions. I was...kind of afraid.”

“Really? Wow...I mean, I've never, you know, had sex but...I've seen a girl's...body.”  I move my gaze away, trying not to be rude by staring. I feel her touch my hand and her tongue runs across it.

“I don’t mind, Mike. Please just look at me,” she whimpers. I can’t deny what she wants and turn back. I stare at her face, watching her hold my hand. “I’ll let you. I’ll let you, Mike. Please, come in the shower with me.”

With a puppy dog stare, I have to agree. “Okay, I’ll get in with you.” She beams as I start talking my clothes off slowly. Before I forget, I shut the door and climb in behind her. “I just feel so weird doing this…”

“Don’t. Just do it, no matter what your head is telling you. I’ve never listened to my heart, but I’m going to start right now. My head is telling me to get you out of the shower. It wants me to throw you back in the room. But my heart…my heart wants something else.”

“What does your heart want?” I ask.

She doesn’t answer me. She puts a hoof on my leg. “Sit down, Mike,” she orders. I obey and slowly sit down, stretching my legs out in front of me. She leans down and presses her lips to mine. I don’t know what to do but sit there and let her.

She presses down on my leg with her soft hooves, a slight suction pulling on my skin. She moves it up and down my thigh, sending shocks through my body. Oh, God, what is she doing to me? She pulls back with a blush.

“So that-“

She cuts me off with another kiss, this one more passionate than the last, deeper, and more intimate. I can’t control my body’s reaction of blood flowing down, lower and to where a place it should not be going at the moment.

No, don’t…I can’t be getting an erection from a dang pony! Come on Fluttershy, pull back and stop this before we do something we both regret! Curse my inability to say no!

As if hearing my thoughts, she pulls back. “I’ve wanted this for a long time…I’m sorry but…I need it…the perfect stallion comes along and…I just can’t pass up this chance…”

I thought she was done with me, but I watch in horror as her head goes down, taking my tip into her mouth. She starts to suckle and I let a groan escape my throat. “No…stop…I’m only sixteen…” I beg.

She pulls up. “I’m seventeen,” she states. “All of us are still kids. Twilight’s the youngest and she’s only fifteen. I’m the oldest, Mike. I’m the oldest. I know what I’m doing, I know what I want. I’m doing what I’ve wanted to do for several years now, but have been waiting for the right one. You…you’re so nice to me…so kind…but I know you will protect me and won’t ever let me get hurt.

“You’re brave. You talked to Twilight like that and didn’t even flinch when she attacked you. You’re calm. You didn’t freak out…much. And you’re attractive. And you’re strong. I’m sure you could work on AJ’s farm and wouldn’t even break a sweat. You’re funny and you make me laugh. And you’re gentle. You pet me and rubbing my hair…it felt so right to me…like it was destiny…” she explains.

“I…I…Fluttershy…we’re two different races…this isn’t right.” I’m hoping she’ll stop, but, at the same time, unable to wait for her to continue. “You’re a pony, I’m a human. We can’t be together.”

“Yes we can. We’re both sentient beings. We can choose what we want to do. Sentient beings can love whoever they want to. They can hug whoever they want. They can kiss whoever they want. I’m choosing you…” she counters.

She stands up and tilts the showerhead down slightly, taking the water to a point by my feet. She grasps my ankles and slides my body closer to her, forcing me to lay down. “What are you doing?” I ask.

I realize, with unknown emotions that she want to have sex with me. She climbs over my body and gives me one last kiss. I can only stare as her back end lowers. “I need you Mike. You watched over me when I was lost. You saved me from who knows what.”

We gasp simultaneously as my head starts to enter her. All of my resistance melts as she slides further and further down. She bites her lip and I mock her, not wanting to admit how good I’m feeling. She starts wiggling side to side, letting another moans leave her.

It’s taking so long for her to get to the bottom of my shaft. I resist the urge to grab her and slam her down on me, placing my hands on my thighs to prevent it. I can feel something against my head and look at her. She stops and looks back at me.

“You really never had sex,” I say with disbelief. “I thought you were exaggerating…I thought you were just…you know…saying you don’t have much experience…”

She shakes her head. “Never, Mike, never. Not with a stallion, now with a mare, not with a toy, not with my hoof. I’ve been waiting for the right one and then you showed up and made me happy. I’m sorry for doing this to you but...I just…”

She falls silent. She lefts up a few inches and slams down, puncturing herself with a gasp and tear. She pulls off me all the way and I see a trickle of blood coming from her…area. These a small sliver on me that I wipe off.

“That hurt a little…” She takes a deep breath and starts putting me back into her. It’s almost impossible not to moan, but I hold back. She slides back and forth, letting my length slip slowly into her. She keeps going until she’s finally resting on my groin.

“You’re big Mike…really big…” she moans. “Thick and…and long…” She blushes heavily, as do I. Never expected to hear someone tell me that…

I only have one question to ask her. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

She nods, committing herself to the act. With a wet sound, she starts to slowly ride me, moans jumping out of both of our throats uncontrollably. “Oh Sweet Celestia…” whimpers, staring to go faster. I can’t even form words, just animalistic grunts of pleasure.

Up, down, up, down, up, down. Over and over again. Not knowing what else to do, I start to kiss her deeply, running my tongue inside her mouth and rubbing her heavy, wet mane. Our tongues wrestle with ferocity, neither of us willing to let the other be dominant.

Her thick tongue is hard to fight, but I’m an athlete and won’t be beaten by a girl on my first time. I slam hers down, running mine across her flat teeth, moaning into her mouth all the while.

I can hear a knock coming from the front door, but I am so lost in bliss that I don’t even care. Apparently, she doesn’t and keeps riding me. The pounds are drowned out by the running water and the sound of our wet sex.

She pumps my penis into her over and over again, slapping my scrotum with momentous force. If it weren’t for the water, an audible what whap whap would have been emitting from our nethers. She pulls back from me and screams loudly. I feel her walls starting to spasm and I can hold back the orgasm for maybe a second before I release as well.

My semen starts to shoot out into her, turning her insides white. I hear her yelping, “It’s hot! It’s really hot!” She stops moving and moans as I continue ejaculating, filling her slowly with me sperm cells. I feel her climax juices running over my ball sack, obviously different from the shower water pouring over me.

She collapses, not able to hold herself up anymore. I can feel her weakness, the energy ebbing from me swiftly. I can hear her muttering something just loud enough for me to hear.

“I love you…I love you so much…I love you so much Mike…”

I lift her head and give her one last kiss on the lips. “I love you, too, Fluttershy. I love you, too.”

She lays her head down on my chest. I scoot back and sit up slightly, elevating her head and mine. I rest my head on the cool wall behind me, my silky black hair transferring the cold straight to my skull. I moan from pleasure one last time before pecking Fluttershy’s cheek. I can hear her soft snores and feel the steady breathing that relaxes me. Before I can stop it, my eyes close and I fall in deep. Deep into a wonderful dream about me and her getting married and adopting kids. Gonna have two Pegasi – a girl and a boy- and a Unicorn – a boy.