SCAR
Chapter III

I sighed, clearing the breach of my SCAR and inserting a fresh magazine. I racked a round into the chamber, maybe being a little rough with the charging handle as I took several deep breaths to try and calm myself.

I sat down on the hill, calming myself by making a mental map of the town while loading the now empty mag with fresh rounds. I placed the now full magazine in a chest pocket, squinting through the bright sunlight for a moment before remembering that I had a pair of sunglasses. . . somewhere. After a few minutes of digging through my backpack, I pulled out my final pair. My dad had worked for the railroad before the war, and he had ended up leaving several pairs around the house.

While rummaging through my pack, I discovered that I had one extra item with me. A book, hard cover, titled The Ever Lasting Man. I wasn't sure why it was in my pack instead of in its usual place in my tent, but there were some useful passages within that could come in handy if I were to try and explain humanity at some point.

Returning to my search for sun glasses, I don't know if my dad knew that I would snag a pair every once in a while, but I do know that the Nemesis safety glasses were roughly $7 on Amazon back then. I packed up my gear, being cautious with the loose ammo so I didn't accidentally set off a round by dropping it or something equally stupid.

Everything packed away, I put my backpack back on. My foot was killing me, so I began the arduous task of limping toward the town. After what felt like an eternity, I turned to glance at the hill, I'd made it about thirty yards. Great.

I started up some music on the newer of the two IPods, letting it play over the speakers. I wasn't quite sure how to feel, on one hand, I was finally going back to civilization. On the other, . . . that civilization was inhabited by ponies with eyes the size of my fist, in roughly the same sized head.

Thinking back on Alpha's memories, I realized that they actually looked fairly creepy if I thought about it, but I decided to hold judgment until I met them for myself.

Can I kill them?

My thoughts caught me off guard, it wasn't a new thought by any standard, but not one that I was expecting when reuniting with the civilized world. I decided against it if it could be avoided, better to live the life of an angry old hermit than behind prison bars.

Can I fuck them?

I snorted for a moment, probably not. I don't know how things work here yet, but I'm fairly sure they'd look at it as most people look at bestiality. Sure they were intelligent, but unless a human female appeared like I had, I was pretty much S.O.L. Not to mention, quadrupeds weren't really my thing.

I shook my head as I approached the edge of the town, only now noticing the figures in the street growing thinner and thinner. Some darted into buildings, others into the air, and some even disappeared in flashes of light. The first few of those startled me, as they were accompanied by a quiet pop that reminded me of distant gunfire. I figured I must look more alien to them than they do to me, with my small eyes and covered in bulky equipment and mud.

As I passed the first set of houses, a familiar guitar intro kicked in. I chuckled a bit, realizing how fitting the song was to myself and my situation.

I turned the volume up to maximum, allowing myself to at least jam out for once in the last four years. I sang along loudly, and could see a few curious eyes come my way as the lyrics reached them.

I'm waking up to ash and dust
I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust
I'm breathing in the chemicals

A tear rolled down my face, the number of times I'd actually woken up rolled over into a pile of dirt or the. . . remains of someone. The song had just started, and it had summed up my most recent four years of life pretty well.

I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus
This is it, the apocalypse
Whoa

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, I'm Radioactive, Radioactive
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, I'm Radioactive, Radioactive

I raise my flags, don my clothes

It's a revolution, I suppose

We're painted red to fit right in

Whoa

I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus

This is it, the apocalypse

Whoa

Yeah, damn right it is. Nukes everywhere, the sky burning orange as fire engulfs half a continent. If that wasn't it, I don't know what it could possibly be.

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones

Enough to make my systems blow

Welcome to the new age, to the new age

Welcome to the new age, to the new age

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, I'm Radioactive, Radioactive

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, I'm Radioactive, Radioactive

All systems go, the sun hasn't died

Deep in my bones, straight from inside

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones

Enough to make my systems blow

Welcome to the new age, to the new age

Welcome to the new age, to the new age

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, I'm Radioactive, Radioactive

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, I'm Radioactive, Radioactive!

I stood still for a moment as the song ended, shocked that I actually remembered how to sing. I'd done a little of it in school, but that was just talent show shenanigans. I'd had people say I had a good singing voice before, but I always brushed it off as them trying to make me feel better through false compliments.

For the first time in three years, I let myself cry. Not a sniffle, or a tear, but an actual cry. The last time was after making the trek all the way to Utah, to see if Salt Lake was still operational. When I got there, there was nothing but a crater. Or rather, three.

I ignored the memory, preferring to use it as a story later for whomever I would explain my situation to. I focused on the pain for a minute, feeling my shoulders heave with each sob as the ground beneath my feet was stained with tears. I berated myself for wasting water, but I couldn't bring myself to stop crying. I came to a halt about three blocks from where I'd began the song, a soft sound behind me catching my ear for a moment.

I didn't turn to face it or react in any way, I was feeling just lousy enough to let my guard drop and just go with whatever this world had planned for me. I heaved a shuddering sigh as I double checked the safety on my SCAR, pulling the strap over my head and resting the rifle across my back. I figured I didn't need the weapon right now, even if they turned out to be hostile, my pistol was easily within reach.

I tensed up as I felt something slide around my waist. Glancing down I noticed two light yellow appendages, ending in hard hooves. I lifted a hand, removing my sunglasses and turning them so they were backwards on my head. Then, I noticed another feeling. Whatever was wrapped around me was shaking gently. I wiped the remaining tears from my face, taking some mud with them and tugging uncomfortably on my scraggly facial hair.

The limbs detached from myself, and I turned around slowly. Behind me, there had to be at least twenty ponies, all different colors, and most looked to be female. Their gentler and more rounded muzzles the only way I could differentiate without getting a little personal.

I noticed a group of five, all staring at my knees, or towards them anyway, with more than a little fear in their eyes. Looking down, I saw the pony that had hugged me, huddled close to the ground under a light pink mane. Crouching down, I brought myself to eye level with the roughly 3' 6" pony, who was trying to simultaneously hide from my presence and provide comfort.

I lifted a hand slowly, making sure that there wasn't too much mud on my palm by wiping it on my pants. She shied away a bit, but then hummed softly as I scratched behind her ears a little. One of her eyes looked up at my face, the other hidden behind her hair, and I could see the tear stains on her cheek. I tilted my head to the side in confusion, "Why are you crying, little one, and what is your name?"

My tone took on one that my dad had used a few times, that 'I'm here to help and listen, talk when you are able' style that is both warm and comforting, while staying manly and in-charge. I decided to save the: 'I'm not mad, I'm disappointed' bullshit for a later date.

Her voice was so quiet I almost missed it, years of gun battles, explosions and loud music didn't help much either, but it was clear enough. "Your singing, it was so sad and lonely. A-and I'm Fluttershy."

Her voice descended to a whisper, but I was still able to pick it up. I returned her earlier hug, earning a little, "Eep," from her before I remembered I was still covered in mud.

"Well, Fluttershy. I appreciate it." I smiled warmly at her, or as much as I could. I winced a little from the tugging on my moustache hairs, still covered in mud. "There wouldn't happen to be somewhere I could wash up, would there? I want to get this mud off if I'm going to be meeting new people."

The five that I'd seen before stepped forward, and a purple unicorn spoke up for the group, "I have a washroom at my library if you'd like to freshen up, but if you don't mind me asking, why are you covered in mud in the first place?"

I laughed a bit, now that I was seeing the ponies up close, and not through someone else's eyes, they were actually pretty cute. Not physically attractive cute, but all 68 kinds of cuddly. "Actually, I just woke up in the forest over there yesterday," I said, pointing to the mass of trees behind the group. "I used the mud to protect from mosquitoes and other bugs."

The purple unicorn squinted her eyes a bit, looking suspicious all of a sudden, but apparently let it go. A white unicorn with them stepped up next to her, appearing as if she was going to say something before looking me over again, and vomiting in the middle of the street.

I facepalmed, sighing, "Thanks for the self esteem boost there ma'am," I chuckled again. Fluttershy went to help the white unicorn as the others headed off down another street. The purple one, I decided to call her sparks due to the little starburst on her butt, motioned for me to follow them.

Out of habit, I unslung my SCAR again, following her as a blue pegasus and orange earth pony flanked me on either side, eyeing me cautiously but holding their tongues for the moment.

I realized that I was sweeping the alleys and side streets with my rifle, while walking in a half crouch. Blushing under the mud, I decided to stow my SCAR again for the time being. They didn't appear to know what it was, but I knew, and I felt embarrassed for being so un trusting to ponies that were so peaceful.

The memories of the pack were constantly in my mind, filling in blanks where there was a lack of information with their memories. Like the species of each pony, as well as something called a cutie mark, that was the tattoo looking thing on everyone's butt. I was slowly beginning to meld those memories into my own, but keeping them compartmentalized to remain myself.

It was difficult, and catching me off guard when I'd look at a pony and immediately dissecting their race and mark in my mind without thinking about it. The memories also brought with them the education that they'd received, allowing me to infer the meanings of a few of their marks.

I settled for staring at the ground as I sorted through their thoughts, storing some things for later, pushing some aside as inconsequential to my current situation. I'd let them roam freely for too long already, though, and when I thought about my childhood for a moment and going to visit a ranch, I was suddenly offended that there had been horses kept in corrals. I shook my head, recalling that they weren't sapient back home, and that was the only way to keep them domesticated.

Lost in thought, I ran headlong into a door frame, clothes lining myself and falling on my ass. I heard a gasp from in front of me, and snickers behind me. "Are you alright!?" one of them asked, presumably sparks, with a hint of panic in her voice.

"Don't worry, my pride broke my fall," I replied sarcastically, rubbing my nose. A trickle of blood flowed from it, but I was going to take a shower soon anyway so I wasn't too concerned about it. My comment brought full on laughter from the two that were behind me, I didn't know where the other three went. Maybe to take the white one home. "Laugh it up, fuzz ball," I growled, leaning my head back to glare at the orange and blue ponies behind me, before grinning and chuckling myself.

On the inside, I was elated. After four years of basically being alone and stranded, to have someone to talk to was amazing. Even if they weren't large breasted women with wide hips dressed in skimpy bikinis, this was more than I could ever ask for.

Sparks spoke up again, "Well there's a shower up the stairs, first door on the right. I'll get things set up in here, and have Rainbow go find the girls while you get cleaned up." She spoke with authority, almost as if she'd planned my arrival before I got here. I just nodded, getting to my feet again and trudging up the stairs to the shower, keeping the door height in mind as I had to sink into a low crouch to get through the door.

I figured she meant the blue pegasus when she said Rainbow, seeing as her hair was dyed with every color of one. I don't know what caused her to do that, but I wasn't going to start asking personal questions until I'd at least met them somewhat.

Closing and locking the bathroom door, I shed my clothes and equipment, lining the weapons up on the counter and hanging my pistol's holster on the shower curtain rod just in case. I set up my IPod speakers again, playing a Green Day song: Basket Case, after I turned the water on and got it to the right temperature.

Stepping into the shower, I was almost giddy with the prospect of actually bathing after so long.

Downstairs, Twilight finished a letter to the Princess asking them to come to Ponyville to meet their new friend. She still didn't quite know what to think of him, he seemed to completely waltz across all shades of the emotional spectrum without pause, going from crying loneliness to hardened paranoia to relaxed and laughing al in the matter of a few minutes. Her curiosity was driving her up the wall, as she didn't know what could cause someone to behave so erratically.

As she woke Spike from his nap and had him send the letter, she heard singing coming from the bathroom along with some kind of instrument in the background.

"Do you have the time, to listen to me whine, about nothing and everything all at once?! I am one of those, melodramatic fools, neurotic to the bone no doubt about it!" There was a pause, as Twilight approached the door to listen to the music, tapping her hoof to the beat when a sudden scream made her jump back, terrified for a moment. It sounded to her like "GUHDGODHAWTWATAHH!"

"GOOD GOD HOT WATER! HOW I'VE MISSED YOU MY FRIEND!!" I screamed as the steamy liquid washed over my back and neck. Truly, it was the most amazing feeling of all time, I turned around in the shower, letting it wash over my chiseled chest and abs. I looked down, and damn was I hot. Fuck your ideas of humbleness, if you've got body image problems, spend four years on your own surviving in the wilderness and ruins of society. It's a decent workout. If it weren't for the road map of scars covering my left shoulder, arms and back, I'd say it was awesome.

I got all the mud off quickly, and even washed myself with the lavender scented shampoos and stuff in bottles around the edge of the tub. The shower was a bit short, but even having to crouch down couldn't bug me right now.

After showering for about 20 minutes, and running out of hot water, I got out of the shower and toweled off with one of the generic brown towels, figuring that the purple ones with the monograms were probably used regularly by sparks. I moved over to the IPod, putting it on shuffle to listen to some more random songs. The first one was a little off from what I'd normally listen to, but I didn't pay much attention to it and let it just fade into the background. I looked around the cupboards a bit, finally finding a razor in a first aid kit.

I began the arduous task of removing my overgrown neck beard, it was rugged looking, but I never really enjoyed having it stuck to my face.

Downstairs, there were now eight ponies present, Spike opting to sleep through the shenanigans and stay upstairs. The Princesses were eagerly awaiting their guest, Luna having told Celestia about the strange creature she'd seen in her dream realm. Luna stood by the stairs, bopping her head a bit with the music filtering through the library from the washroom. All eight suddenly froze as lyrics from the song suddenly caught their attention.

"Luna won't you cry for me? I'm as lonely as I've ever been, I am forced back into the start, is there any way to fix a broken heart?"

The royal sisters looked at each other, confused possibly more than the other ponies.

I finished shaving my face, taking a wash cloth and dampening it in the sink before putting on my only pair of pants and using the rag to ghetto-wash the dirt off of them. I opted to leave my boots off, and air out my feet now that they didn't smell like twelve different kinds of death. Although, they still looked the part.

I turned off the music and stored it away in my pack, throwing my SCAR over my shoulder and letting it dangle off to the side. I also reattached my holster to my belt, with the knife alongside it. I filled my boots with water again, leaving them to soak in the bottom of the bathtub to hopefully get rid of some of the stink and blood.

I stepped out of the bathroom with my vest in my hand, since I wasn't expecting a fight around here I didn't feel the need to have my ammo strapped to my chest. I turned and noticed all the ponies staring at me with confused faces. I gave a half hearted wave, "Yeah, sparks there let me use her shower, remember?"

They just got more confused. Although the white unicorn from before wasn't vomiting any more, and instead was groping my chest with her eyes. I suddenly felt like a woman getting eyed by a man, it felt awkward to have someone just staring at me with their tongue hanging out of the side of their mouth.

"Someone wanna wake her up?" I asked, raising my eyebrow at the white unicorn and taking a seat on the couch across the room from them. There was a cough from my side, to which I responded by popping up, spinning, dropping to a kneeling position, and bringing my SCAR to bear. I was met with a roughly six foot tall pony. The memories in my mind began screaming 'Princess Celestia' and I had to fight for control over my own body.

From behind her, stepped a blue form. I knew her from my dream the first night, and while the pack's memories started screaming again, some of them saying 'Princess Luna' and others crying 'Nightmare Moon'. I noticed that those calling her Nightmare were angry, livid that she would show her face. I made the connection on my own that these were the two that were fighting over the ancient city, but I was confused at how old they'd have to be.

All of the memories urged me to take action, some to bow and some to attack Nightmare. I began to sweat, trying to fight my way through the haze of memories. I could hear other voices, those of the ponies, asking what the problem was. I couldn't hear them clearly, I could barely hear myself think. I began to panic, losing myself.

'Shoot her'

"No."

'Bow to them'

"Not yet."

'Kill her before she strikes!'

"No threat, can't waste ammo. Just need to think. Need to. . . breathe, need to listen."

My hands were shaking so hard that my rifle fell from them, hanging to my side again. I could feel tears on my face, although they were a product of frustration rather than fear or sadness. I glanced around, seeing the fearful faces on all of the ponies as I mumbled to myself, shaking hard enough to void almost anything I tried. I got desperate, acting purely on instinct as I kept the pack's memories from driving my body.

"SHUT! UP!" I roared, ripping my knife from its holster and slamming it into the ground.

Through my left hand.

I screamed out in pain, but I could hear it now. The pain forced the thoughts out of my head, snapping me back to reality. In hindsight, I could've handled it better with a slap to the face or something, but I didn't really have the capacity to rationalize the situation.

I squeezed my eyes shut, panting as the shaking slowly receded. The library had gone silent. "A bandage would be great," I rasped, keeping my eyes shut to avoid triggering the cascade of memories again. I heard hooves clattering up the steps, and a moment later the thump of the first aid kit landing beside me. Leaving the ka bar where it was, I opened my eyes. I kept them diverted from the Princesses, fearing triggering the voices again. I hoped that they had a way to help me, but I wasn't going to count on it.

In silence, I opened the box with one hand and removed a roll of gauze. They also had some coban, the shriveled elastic stuff that doctors put on your arm after getting blood drawn. I used my teeth to get the end of the roll up, and got ready to remove the knife now that I had supplies. I wasn't worried about infection, as I regularly sterilized my knife and sheath with rubbing alcohol. I used it to cut my food after all.

I would worry about going to the doctor later. I gritted my teeth, wrapping my hand around the handle of the blade, and grunted fiercely as I yanked it from my palm. Acting quickly, I grabbed the gauze and rolled it around the hand, giving the wound a thick layer to bleed into. Holding it in place against my knee, I began wrapping the coban over the gauze to hold it in place and add pressure.

When it was all said and done, I was pleased with the dressing. I'd have to go to a doctor for stitches later, since there'd be no way in hell I was going to drag a needle through my skin, but I'd had worse for sure.

I grabbed some paper towels next to the kit to wipe up the blood from the floor, using the hydrogen peroxide in the kit to sterilize the floor. Afterward, I sat back on the couch, purposely avoiding looking at the Princesses again and staring directly at the six who were still huddled in the corner of the room. The silence dragged on for a full minute before I started feeling awkward. All six of the ponies that I met when I first arrived were looking at me like I was a crazed murderer, and thinking about it, I realized they weren't too far off the mark.

"Well that was. . . strange," I heard Celestia remark, still beside the base of the stairs.

"Yup," I nodded once, "I've had worse though. Just had to shut my brain up for a minute so I could think."

The purple unicorn, sparks, stepped forward. "What do you mean by that? You were just mumbling and shaking and pointing that weird box thing at Princess Luna."

"Box thing?" I mumbled, "Oh! You mean my SCAR. It's a rifle, not a box." I smiled at her, back up to full speed as the pain in my hand receded to a manageable level.

A younger voice spoke up from beside Celestia, "Does it serve a similar purpose to the small device on your hip that I saw in your dream?"

I had to resist looking in her direction, "Yeah, but with more range and power. It's my primary weapon."

"Weapon," Celestia spoke, "it's not like any weapon I have ever seen."

I scoffed, "What, do you guys still use swords and bows?"

Sparks nodded, "And magic!"

I deadpanned, "Awesome. I guess before we begin the discussion, I should introduce myself. My name's Geoff, four years ago my country was annihilated at the beginning of a global war."

The girls across from me gasped, a few of them moving their hooves to their mouths.

I threw my thumb at the Princesses next to me, "And I know you're Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Or is it Nightmare Moon?" I asked innocently, simply seeking clarification from my jumbled mess of information.

Celestia, however, didn't like that question at all. "Who do you think you are to bring up such painful memories!? She was returned to herself by the Elements of Harmony almost three years ago!"

I held up my hands defensively, "Hey, I'm sorry, alright? I've just got a lot of information in my head, and I don't know which is right. When I saw her, they all started screaming for me to either kill or bow, and I just wanted to know which I should've listened to."

The shocked stares I got from the six I could see told me that this wasn't something they were expecting. Sparks spoke up before the Princess could, "Well you already know Fluttershy," she motioned to the now crying yellow pegasus, "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends: Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie." She pointed to each of the group as she listed off their names.

I nodded at each one, unslinging my SCAR and placing it next to my backpack and vest at my feet. I must've looked fairly intimidating, because each of them stayed where they were.

"So to address your prior claim," came the motherly voice of Celestia, "What do you mean by the information in your head?"

I sighed, "Well I said I wouldn't tell anyone, but I suppose it's necessary. Twilight, could you six leave the room for a few while I talk with the princesses for a minute?"

She nodded, beckoning the other five with her into what I guessed was the kitchen.

After the door shut, I leaned back a bit. Crossing my arms, wincing slightly at the wound in my hand. "Truth is, I had a run in with a pack of timber wolves." I paused, scratching my chin for a moment. "What's the story behind them anyway?"

They paused for a moment before Celestia answered, "We assume that they're elementals. Spirits of the forest that have found homes within the wood there."

I nodded, "And where did the spirits come from?"

Luna answered this time, "We. . . do not know."

I sighed, "Really? Because they're very. . . aware of pony society for you to not know." They remained silent, and I chanced a glance over at them. They looked confused, and the memories in my mind picked up again. I flexed my injured hand, drawing a sharp burning sensation to keep my mind still. "I've seen their memories. Well not exactly seen, more like their memories were seared into my mind. They were ponies once. There was a battle, from the Alpha's point of view. He was only a child at the time, watched his own mother get crushed by burning debris."

I glanced over again, keeping my hand flexed. It seemed the pain kept the wolves' memories silent. Realization dawned on their faces, and a tear rolled down Luna's cheek. "Don't feel sorry for them, they've found purpose in their new forms. They keep out of pony society, due to their predatory nature now, and they protect the edge of the woods and keep more dangerous beasts contained."

"But ponies are occasionally attacked by the wolves. Why would they claim to protect us and then attack those that stray too far?" She searched my face for what I guess were signs of lying or betrayal.

I shrugged, "Not all of the wolves are of the same mindset, I suppose. The Alpha also said that once every year, new wolves awaken from the ruins of the old city. He said that the probuzení was coming in the next week, and to stay out of the forest until it's over."

Luna's eyes widened at the strange word, "Probuzení? So he knew old Equestrian?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. This world is new and strange to me. All I know is that the pack of wolves imbued me with their memories, and when I saw you two, they were all screaming for me to either bow or kill Luna."

Celestia's gaze turned hard, "And what are they saying now?"

I shrugged again, "Don't really know. As long as I'm in pain, the suggestions from them are more like whispers in the back of my head. Not screaming like before." They looked puzzled, scratching their own chins with their hooves and looking at each other. "Which reminds me, is there a way to keep them quiet unless I want to access them? It would be really annoying to have to stab myself any time I see you."

"No," Celestia shook her head, "meddling in the minds of others was outlawed long ago. After, well-"

"After I became Nightmare Moon." Luna lowered her head, staring at the floor, "I still watch over dreams and protect ponies from their fears, but there was one that I went too far with. I allowed his fear to become my own, and it consumed me until I went insane."

I raised my eyebrows, running my good hand down my face with a sigh. I leaned back into the couch, "That's a lot to digest, but why tell me that? We haven't even known each other that long."

Luna nodded, "In all honesty, that's barely a proper summary. The story goes much deeper, and is much more. . . sobering. Maybe one day I'll tell you, but it's something I've only told my sister of to this day."

I smiled sadly, "Well thank you for sharing, it makes sense I suppose." I sighed, "I suppose we'd better let the girls come back. Oh, and do not act on the information about the wolves. I told them I wouldn't say anything, but it was necessary. They're content with their current situation."

The princesses nodded, and Celestia trotted to the other door, pulling it open with her magic and allowing the six others to enter again. They weren't as scared of me this time, Fluttershy even came over and sat beside me.

She looked down at my hand, wrapped and clenched into a fist. "D-does it hurt?"

The question was so quiet I almost missed it, I looked down at my hand, then up to her. "Yeah, but I've had worse. The pain keeps my mind focused, and compared to a mutt bite, it's not that bad."

That drew a few looks, Applejack in particular looked especially upset, "What're ya talkin about? Ah've got a mutt at home an she's the most lovin thing I ever met!"

I deadpanned, "Applejack, a mutt is my term for the feral dogs back home. Everything there was exposed to massive amounts of radiation, and dogs that used to be happy family pets became bloodthirsty, homicidal monsters."

Fluttershy whimpered beside me, causing my protective instincts to perk up a bit. It was odd really, everything about her suggested that she needed protecting, and yet I could see a near bottomless pit of determination in her eyes. They were much less creepy when they weren't panicked, like in the pack's memories.

I put an arm around her shoulders, rubbing behind her ears to comfort her. She sighed contentedly, laying down with her head across my lap.

Luna hummed, "Well that certainly would explain your dream."

"That wasn't a dream, Luna," I sighed, shaking my head, "That actually happened, a few months after the war began and barely a day after I left my home to try and find other people. If you hadn't stopped time." I sighed, leaning forward and turning to show the two princesses my shoulder. They gasped and covered their own mouths, "You would've seen how I got these."

Celestia looked like she was going to be ill, "That's. . . that's. How?"

I looked at her, "They're mutts. They used to be dogs, which used to be wolves. They're predators at their core, and the radiation poisoning and lack of humans turned them back to their baser instincts. They hunt, and to them, I'm prey." I shrugged, brushing it off, "It happened almost four years ago, and I got out alright. I just try not to dwell on it too much."

She nodded silently, before a strange look crossed her face, "Wait. Did you say humans?"

I nodded, "Yeah, that's what I am. Why?"

She hung her head, depressed all of a sudden, "It's nothing, but now I owe one of the guards fifty bits."

I laughed at that, she didn't strike me as the betting type. "Well Princess, your wallet has my condolences."

All of the ponies laughed at that, except Luna. She was staring at me like I'd grown a second head.

"What?"

"How can you do that? After everything you say you've been through, how do you just go from acting as if your mind is broken, to depressed, to laughing in the space of just a few minutes?"

The room came to a dead stop, all of the ponies looking from Luna to me and back again. All of them waiting to see how I'd react to the blunt question.

"Luna," I began, choosing my words as I went, "At first, I cried constantly. All the death, all the destruction, it tore me apart. I don't know where my mom and dad are, or even if they're still alive. When things seemed at their worst, when I couldn't do anything but sit there numbly watching old recorded TV programs with the power grid failing at random times." I sighed, "I saw an old show about the War on Terror. I didn't really watch, just stared at the screen. A soldier was giving an interview and said: "Embrace the suck. You may be thousands of miles from friends and family in 120 degree weather, but crying and complaining about it isn't going to get the job done. So embrace the suck.

"That saying, 'Embrace the suck,' became a sort of motto for me. It was beyond my power to change what had happened, or even make much of a difference aside from helping those around me, but crying about it wasn't helping my chances of getting out of there alive," I stared into her eyes, making sure that she heard every word I said. "I know my behavior is erratic. . . hell, I've been on my own for four years, the last human contact I had was two years ago, and he was trying to kill me. I'm sorry if I seem strange, or difficult to understand, but I like to think that the best way to get back to normal would be to interact with people again. Wouldn't you?"

She looked to the ground again, frowning before she gives a small nod.

Celestia takes a moment to look out the window, "If you'll excuse us, we need to get the night started."

The ponies nodded, but I was confused. I followed the two out in front of the library, and watched, captivated, as Celestia's horn glowed. In the dying light of the sun, I could just barely see a shimmering strand shooting toward the sun. When she finished, Luna's horn began to glow with a royal blue light, in response to which the moon began to peek up from behind the horizon.

The whole process took several minutes, night came extremely suddenly. I just stared at the moon as it came up, its perfectly smooth surface still somewhat unsettling. I wasn't sure why, but I felt as if I'd lost an old friend. A few tears rolled down my cheeks as I stared at the ivory orb.

I heard Celestia whisper something to Luna, who nodded in the corner of my vision. Celestia went back inside.

I stood there in silence, watching the moon rise above the rooftops of the quiet village. I didn't even hear Luna approach as I sank to the ground, sitting with my legs stretched in front of me.

"Why are you sad, Geoff?" She asked quietly, almost whispering.

I never took my gaze off the moon, using the same quiet tone, "Everything here, is different. Before the war, I couldn't go outside at night without the background noise of the highways and trains. They added a silent roar to the night, but it fit for some reason. After the bombs fell and everyone left. . . the only thing the same about the night was the moon."

I felt a wing drape across my back, warming me substantially against the sudden chill. "There, the moon was scarred. Billions of years of asteroids impacting its surface left it cratered and rocky. It was the only constant, going through its phases, I used it to keep track of time. I used it for a lot of things, really. If I was ever lonely, or just feeling it, I would stare up at the moon, and memorize the contours. The different shades and shapes that the craters made. I would talk to it, confide in it really."

Luna sighed, causing me to glance at her. "You know, I've controlled the moon for thousands of years. I've always taken pride in her simple beauty but. . . The way you describe your moon, that tone of voice. This is honestly the first time that I've felt my night to be. . . inferior. Not to the day, or to any view on this earth, but to another night."

It was my turn to sigh. . . again. . . I've got to quit doing that, or I'm going to start noticing every time and it's going to get annoying. Back on track, I looked at her, noticing the sadness in her eyes, "Luna, please." She looked at me, and my voice turned slightly playful, "If you're jealous, I'm sure that I could arrange a play date for our moons. They could play checkers. Moon checkers, Luna!" I laughed, her gaze turned confused again.

"I still don't understand how you do that. You were crying not even a minute ago, and now you're laughing. You're more chaotic than Discord I swear!"

I poked her in the shoulder, "Hey, here's another soldier's saying for you. 'Take all the laughs you can, they'll keep you sane.' Besides, many humans believed that we are children of chaos itself."

She grew apprehensive, "You do not think that way, I hope?"

"Me? Nah. If you ask me, and I'm not saying that I'm a philosopher or anything, but if you ask me, I'd say we're creatures of balance. We tend to find the chaos in harmony, and vice versa. If we're all getting along, someone will come in and start a fight to get things interesting to them. When we're fighting, some other event comes along and pulls us all together as a country, or as a species." I poked her in the side, drawing a giggle out of her. She's ticklish, that'll be good to know later. "Besides that, what's the fun in total peace? If I had to do the same thing, all day, every day, I'd go crazy inside a week! Chaos is never a bad thing, it exists everywhere. Like when a bear comes along and steals your food, and because of your unexpected, forced scavenging trip, you find a chocolate bar and porn!"

I laughed for a second before rethinking what I'd said. My face went straight to default poker mode as Luna's cheeks burned red. We looked at each other for a moment, before I couldn't hold back my laughter any more. She simply sighed and facepalmed. . . facehoofed?

"Luna. Luna come on, don't be upset. It was a very lonely apocalypse and there were no females anywhere." She turned up her nose and 'humph'ed. I was on a roll though, I couldn't stop there. "C'mon Luna," an evil smirk crossed my face, "I'll share with you if you promise to keep it a secret!"

I fell over at that point, roaring with laughter with tears streaking down my face. Luna shook her head, before standing and heading toward the door. She was blushing like mad, and I found that hilarious. She stalked back into the house, apparently having difficulty with her wings for whatever reason as she had to force them down with a hoof and hold them there with her magic.

After a minute, I headed back inside. As I entered, I noticed Luna going through my backpack. Just before I asked what she was thinking, she brought out my magazine collection. "Oh. . . Well then, you were interested!"

Her blush heated up more, beginning to spread to her mane apparently. I watched with wonder as her navy blue reflection of the night sky turned into an almost pink color. Celestia looked more surprised than anyone, staring at me with a silent, 'What in my name did you do!?' She turned to Luna, "Sister, what in the world happened out there?"

Luna snorted, "Well we had a heart to heart. It was nice, and then his mind got to the topic of porn."

I facepalmed, ignoring the looks of shock from the ponies, "Well when you say it like that it sounds bad. But really, it just came out on accident, and you got embarrassed, and that was funny so I teased you one little tiny bit."

Twilight looked closely at one of the floating magazines, "These could actually provide useful anatomical insight into the human species, Princess."

Again, default poker face. "Twilight," I was going to give her a lecture about how I was a living reference book, but then again, I was on a roll. "If you wanted to hold on to one for your personal stash, you only had to ask."

That comment set the room aglow with red cheeks. I swear I was going to rupture something if this kept up. Pinkie Pie joined me on the ground, Celestia's mane had lost its rainbow-ness, and was now bright pink, as well as her face. Luna's mane managed to keep pace with her sister's as they both turned the same shade.

Luna glared at me, before smirking and sending a fireball into one of the truck magazines. It burnt to ash in seconds.

That shut me up quick.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry!" I pleaded, picking myself up quickly. "Just don't hurt the magazines, what did they ever do to you?" She smiled a little more, burning one of the gun catalogues. "Think of the trees, Luna! Think of all the trees that will have to die to replace that paper!"

Celestia sighed, taking the magazines in her magical grasp and returning them to my backpack. "Luna, I do believe that's quite enough. I think it would be best if we retire for the evening, I bid you all a good night."

Everyone nodded, murmurings of 'goodnight' were heard as Celestia and Luna vanished in a dazzling flash of light. I went back to the couch, collecting my equipment.

"What're you doing," I heard Fluttershy ask from beside me. She was still laying on the couch.

"Well I figure I'll go find somewhere to sleep. I've got enough time to find somewhere safe." In my mind, I was running through my checklist. A rooftop somewhere, since the weather was looking alright, and make sure it had a lock on the door leading up there. Somewhere with good lines of sight, so I could cover all approaches.

"Oh. . . Well, um. If you'd like, you could stay at my house tonight. I've got plenty of spare beds," she said bashfully. It was adorable, everything here was adorable.

I paused my thoughts, "Actually, that would be nice. It's been forever since I slept in a bed."

She smiled warmly, "Well let's get going, just follow me." She hopped off the couch, heading toward the door. I opted to leave my boots where they were, I wasn't too worried about them and they were full of water.

We said goodnight to everyone at the library, and I followed Fluttershy into the night. The ground was nice, alternating between smooth grass and soft dirt. I enjoyed the feeling while it lasted. We passed the trip in silence, arriving at Fluttershy's in just a few minutes. I placed my things by the door, leaving my pants on since I didn't have underwear. I also took my SCAR with me, placing it by the bed that she designated as mine.

"Are you sure that you'll be alright? The bed looks awfully small compared to your height, and I have a larger one in my room if you'd like to take it."

I smiled at her, "Fluttershy, this is perfect. You have no idea how inviting this looks to me after sleeping in a tent for so long."

She smiled back, "Well if you need anything, I'm right next door. Don't be afraid to ask for anything." She trotted out, closing the door behind her. I lied down on the small mattress, my lower legs hanging off, but I couldn't bring myself to care. I lay there for probably an hour before I noticed a problem.

My survival habits were kicking into overdrive, the only window looked out toward the forest, rather than the town. My heart rate began to pick up, and my hearing went into overdrive. Every little creak of the house was a mutt, or a raider, or a bandit. I found myself sweating. I zoned out for a while, coming back to my senses sitting in a corner, with my rifle aimed at the doorway to the room, hyperventilating.

I groaned in frustration, pushing myself off the ground and walking to Fluttershy's room. There was still a light on inside, so I knocked gently.

"Come in," I heard her call, though it was quiet. I opened the door cautiously, not sure if she was decent or. . . ponies. Naked 90% of the time, got it.

I entered the room, my body covered in a sheen of sweat and my rifle gripped in my shaking hands. "Fluttershy, I hate to ask, but do you think I could stay in here tonight?" I asked, scratching the back of my neck and doing my best to get rid of the shaking.

"Oh," she perked up, "I knew that bed was too small for you, I should've given you this one in the first place, I'm so sorry."

I looked over to the bed in question, it was literally a California King sized bed. It wasn't a big stretch of imagination to see six ponies laying in it comfortably. I stared, confused for a moment, before I saw Fluttershy beginning to edge toward the door.

"N-no Fluttershy, I mean. . . could I stay in here, with you."

Her cheeks turned red, and she began to sputter an answer before I cut her off to explain, "No, nonono that's not what I meant. I mean. . . I would feel. . . I don't know, being alone in the other room was making me more paranoid than I've felt in a very long time. I just. . ." I choked on it for a second, "I just don't want to be alone anymore."

She must've seen the desperation in my eyes, because she hopped up onto her bed. She laid down, facing me. She patted the bed next to her with a soft smile on her face. I climbed in, under the covers with her and my SCAR propped up against the night stand.

"Thanks Shy." I said, wondering why she was still facing me.

"S-sure, sleep tight," she stuttered, turning off the light with a wing.

A few minutes passed, I could hear her breathing. I could tell we were facing each other, but I didn't know how close she was. In my mind, her breathing slowly turned into panting, like a mutt was sitting right in front of my face. My trigger finger twitched, bringing my mind back to reality.

"H-hey Shy?"

"Yes?"

"Why are you. . . ya know, facing me?"

I heard a slight rustling and an annoyed sigh come from her, "I'm. . . well you know. . ."

"Know what?"

"A. . . a. . . uh. . . a virgin."

I heard it. . . oh boy did I hear it. My face heated up faster than an in-line water heater. "Shy. . . why would facing away from me change that?"

She sputtered, "W-w-w-w-e-l-l you kn-know. That's how stallions. . . um. . . gain acc-access."

I deadpanned in the dark, "Fluttershy, can I tell you something?"

"S-sure."

"So am I. I'm not going to do anything. I owe you too much for giving me a place to stay. Look at it like this: I'm not a pony, I'm human, I don't. . . work like that," I sighed. "Besides, I don't see female ponies the way stallions do, I think. You all look too cuddly to me, and I couldn't see myself doing anything like that with any of you. Especially on my first night among ponies."

She shifted under the covers, and I was slightly surprised to feel her back press up against my chest. It wasn't unwelcome, she felt like a life sized teddy bear. Her feathers were soft too, although I couldn't figure out why her wings weren't closed all the way. Nothing in my pack memories related to wings. I stored it away to ask someone later.

I was comfy, my own personal space heater snuggled against my chest and my arms wrapped around her in a hug. As I'd suspected, I actually felt safer when I could feel her. Though I could feel her shaking a little. I brought my hand up to that spot behind her ear again, and began scratching away. I did it gently and slowly, and soon enough her breathing evened out and I could hear a light snore coming from her. It was, again, adorable. I actually found myself fighting back an 'Awww' as I found my eyelids getting heavier.

Author's Note

INB4 sexyshy. Calm your tits. I'd imagine that after four years of isolation and survival, I'd need a teddyshy too. There be no Geoshy shipping in this department.

Also, is he random enough? I hope so. So many mood swings, you sluts should be jealous!

Also, embarrassed Luna is best Luna, she also likes burning magazines. Poor trees.

Remember their sacrifice.