The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and students have returned from their weekend vacation, returning to school so that they could all catch up and do their work, even if they are not to happy with it. Still, Cheerilee, the school teacher of Ponyville Elementary, always has a warm, kind smile to lift the spirits of both colts and fillies whenever they come to class tired or bored. She loves her job, and she cares for her students with the same amount of love as a mother would. So when she senses something amiss, she is usually the first pony in the school to settle things correctly, no matter how complicated the situation can be.

"Alright class, I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend," Cheerilee said, smiling in front of all her students. In response, they all groaned, making Cheerilee chuckle.

"Now don't be like that, I'm sure time will fly by if you don't even care about it." This made the class groan even louder. Cheerilee smiled, pulling out the attendance sheet and a pencil.

"When I call out your name, please raise your hoof. The attendance is not in order, so please listen. Sweetie Belle?"

"Here!"

"Snips?"

"Here!"

"Snails?"

"Here!"

"Diamond Tiara and Silver spoon?"

"Here!" They said in unison.

"Scootaloo?"

"Here!"

"Applebloom?"

"Here!"

"Rumble-"

"Um, Ms. Cheerilee?"

Cheerilee looked up from her attendance sheet, looking around for who ever called her name. She then layed her eyes on Sweetie Belle, whose hoof was still in the air. Cheerilee smiled at her student, who in return, smiled back. "Yes, Sweetie Belle?"

"I was wondering, if it would be okay if we could open up a window, it's a little hot in here." Though it was only 8:00 A.M, Cheerilee did notice how stuffy it was in her classroom, and said room being a small room, she decided that it would be best to open a window, for she knew the temperature will eventually rise. She smiled at Sweetie Belle, trotted over to a nearby window and opened it.

"Is that better, everypony?"

"Yes, Miss Cheerilee." The class said in unison. Cheerilee nodded, glad that her students were feeling quite comfortable in her class. She trotted back to her desk, opening the drawers that hid, her binder, filled with lesson plans, ideas for after school activities, and the usual homework assignments she gives to her students at the end of the day.

"Lets see," She mumbled, trying to find the classes morning problems, usually involving Math, English Language Arts, and a reading question to challenge the students on their reading abilities.

"They all have passed multiplication and division without any major problems, that's good. Maybe I can give them an early access to fractions and decimals, they are smart colts and fillies. Hmm...What if I-"

Cheerilee suddenly felt a rush of cold air brush right through her. She shivered, surprised that a small gust of wind caused her to grow cold in not even a minute. She looked outside the opened window.

"That's strange," She trotted over to the window, but stopped to look at her class.

They were not shivering, they were just writing down their daily agenda without the slightest of notice of how cold it had suddenly gotten. She was confused, but Cheerilee decided not to question anything, she just continued her way to the opened window. When she arrived, she felt the sudden warmth of the sun, no wind, no cold temperature, nothing. Just the feeling of the sun, shining down into the class.

"There's no wind. Not even the trees are swaying..." She mumbled to herself.

Cheerilee backed away from the window, still confused and cold on the sudden temperature drop when she turned away from the sun. She looked down at her students. "Is anypony..,cold?"

They all shook their heads. Cheerilee noticed that Rumble, a grey pegasus with a slick-backed spiky mane, had a look of worry on his face. "Is everything alright, Rumble?"

Rumble, shook his head. "Yes, teacher. But, are you okay? We can see your breath, and you're shivering a little bit." Cheerilee was, again, surprised, She knew that when it reaches a certain temperature, breath can bee seen like a small, puff of smoke. Yet, she asked herself, if the class can see her breath, why can't she see theirs?

"I'm fine, Rumble, but thank you for caring." Cheerilee said, trotting back to the front of the class. She figured that the temperature would rise later on, and she would feel warm instead of cold. Deciding to go along with it for the time being, she smiled at the class, trying to not let the cold in the way of her teaching.

"Alright eveypony, open your books to page 225, today, we're going to be learning about fractions!"

The students groaned loudly, but Cheerilee didn't mind. As long as the cold goes away, she could get through the day with ease.

It did not leave. It is already 3:50 P.M, and the cold is still wrapped around Cheerilee, as if she was the only adult in the classroom to experience it. Throughout the whole day, she also noticed how much talking here students were doing. She kept hearing about how cold it felt, to her at least, and she could hear the children say something about a new friend Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo recently met. She kept hearing about how cool he is, as Scootaloo would say, and how he quickly he became friends with every colt and filly in town! At one point, Cheerilee could not believe her ears, it was almost as if this new friend is like another Pinkie Pie!

But, Cheerilee had not yet seen this new pony, or even heard of him until just now. She looked at the clock, a bit happy that it was already 3:53 P.M. Just one more minute, and she could trot outside again, to feel the warmth of the sun beam down on her.

And to watch the children trot to their parents, of course.

"Ah'm telling you Diamond, we did find him at mah farm!" Cheerilee looked away from the clock, seeing all of her students gather around a desk.

An empty desk.

"Yea, and he can do cool tricks, like go through walls and stuff!" Cheerilee heard Scootaloo sound very excited, and even though she didn't like being nosy, Cheerilee couldn't help but to listen.

"He doesn't remember his name though. All he remembers is his family...nothing else." Sweetie Belle sounded sad, but she piped up when she looked at Cheerilee. "Miss Cheerilee, could you come over here for a few minutes?" Cheerilee looked at the clock, sighing that it was only 3:57.

She got up from her chair and trotted over to her students. Applebloom was smiling. "Miss Cheerilee, we would like ya to meet...um...our friend! We just met him yesterday."

Normally, Cheerilee would be happy to see a new face in her classroom. There was just one problem.

"Who's your new friend, Applebloom? I'm afraid I can't see him." She was baffled. First, it got cold only for her, then she noticed the class talk about this new friend. And now, they want her to meet this said friend, only for her to look at nothing but an empty desk.

And feel even colder.

Then, the bell rang, and everypony was startled. Everypony, but the new friend. The class, without warning ran outside of the school building, screaming happily that the day was over. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Applebloom were still around the empty desk, this time with their school supplies strapped on to their backs.

"Ready to go, mister?" Applebloom said, pulling out the chair,

Cheerilee said nothing. She only observed the three, thinking that the quest for their cutie marks had brought their imagination to a whole new level.

"Bye Miss Cheerilee!"

Cheerilee was snapped out of her thinking, and brought back to reality. She looked at the C.M.C., smiling at them. "Goodbye girls, have a great day!" They all walked out the classroom, one by one, until Applebloom stood in the doorway.

"Miss Cheerilee, Ah just wanna know...Can you really not see him?"

"I'm sorry Applebloom, but I really can't. If I could, I would love to meet him." She noticed how Applebloom looked behind her, at Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

"Oh, okay. See ya tomorrow Miss Cheerilee!" She watched Applebloom trot away to her friends, and watched them leave. She trotted up to the door, wanting to close it. "I wonder why this new colt is-"

Cheerilee did not even reach the door. She stood only a few feet away from it, stuck in fear and shock. She could not see it clearly, for it appeared and re-appeared, moving in place. It was tall, and she could not see it's body, nor its face, but only a smile. It closed the door quickly, but did not make a noise. It was gone.

Cheerilee was still petrified, what she saw scared and confused her. She could not think of what it could be, she only knows one thing as soon as it left.

The room was finally warm.

When I was young, no more than a five year old, I would ask questions. Some simple, answered by an obvious answer, and some that would require me or any other person to do some critical thinking. Keeping in mind, I was just a child then. If you were to ask me what would I like to be when I grow up, I would respond with stereotypical answers, such as a fireman, a policeman, or the answer that captures the "Awe"s and "Oh"s of people:I would say, I wanna be just like you.

Time then passes, and just like the human body, our minds advances and acts differentially as well. Kids are no longer as childish as they were, and some seemed to out grow their friends from the past. They would make new friends, or stay home and go on the internet daily, surfing the web for anything to past the time. Still, we are asked questions, and some might know the answer, but most of us guess and hope for the best. Just like when we were kids, we would still be asked "What are you going to do, when you leave high school?" or, some question that is similar to "What do you want to be when you grow up?". Now, this time we actually think of what we want to do with our lives. Some would like to go to collage, study more subjects in order to get a bachelors or masters degree. Others would like to have a simple job, such as an accountant or a something that pays good money for a family of four.

Then there's me. Well, there's people like me, not sure what wanting to do with their lives. Some would work at a dead-end job, like a factory or a fast food restaurant, making enough money to feed yourself and live in an apartment. And yet, even though some of us do have a family, a job, a roof over our heads, we are still asked a question, much similar to what was asked when we were younger.

"Is this what you really want to do with your life?"

This still bothers me. Even though I'm a healthy man, one who actually cares about his future and loves his mother and father with all of his heart, I am still mentally attacked by the frustration and fear of change.

But today is different. Today is the day I start my new, first job since I was sixteen. Yes, it does pay eight dollars an hour, and yes I am moving into a cheap apartment in about a month, but at least I am happy that I, much like a new chapter, am beginning my life as an adult.

But life doesn't always go as you plan it, much like how I planned mine. Let me explain.

As I drive downtown to start my day at my new job, my fathers old car decided it would be better for me to walk in the cold than to drive there safely. It's early March, a month I was expecting to have a bit of sunshine, but this cold wind says otherwise.

"Damn." I say, unbuckling my seatbelt so I would be able to move. "It's too dark to walk in this cold." My job started at 7:30 P.M., and ended around 7:00 o'clock in the morning. I knew it was going to be a problem with my sleeping pattern, but I figured that I can get use to it. Besides, I'm only a couple of blocks away, I know I can make it on time.

I called a pickup truck before I left, and the man called back, saying that he brought the car back to my parents house. He knew my father, and though I never really talked to him, he gladly took the car without a problem. Now, all I had to worry about is making it on time, and yes, I could've took a shortcut and go through the alley's, but I don't want to get mugged.

I finally made it to my new job, happy that I made it without a scratch on me.

Tired, I am very tired. I guess I was right about my sleeping pattern, I need to change it if I want to come to work up and awake. Today was more of a training course than me starting my actual job. I chuckle . "Mondays..."

Walking here wasn't the problem, since my dads car stopped only a few blocks away. But I lived with my parents, for the time being, in their cozy little home about a mile away in the city. By car, it's only a fifteen minute drive, but if I walk, it'll take me a full hour. I decided it would be best for me to take the bus, I don't want to get mugged this early in the morning.

I walked over to the nearest bus stop, where I find myself standing between an old women, possibly in her mid 60's, and a child, hand being held by a monther who appeared to be in her early 30's. I look down at the child. He was bit small, a first grader at the most. He was wearing a heavy coat and a scarf, hopping around near a small puddle. I smiled at him, remembering when I use to be that small, doing the same thing he's doing when I would wait for the school bus. I've seen this women and her child a few times around this bus stop, letting me know that they take the city bus instead of the school bus.

I turned to my left, where I saw the old women standing around in a large, cozy jacket. She closed her eyes, and I could hear her humming a soft tone, a song I once heard before, when my father would take out and old cassette and play it.I smiled at this, I didn't know why, but I just did. It could be because she lived a happy life, with a family that loved her, and she was just thankful for that.

"Momma? Who's that man?"

The women stopped humming. Her eyes opened, and I could see that she was terrified, like she wanted to run away and never come back. Her face became very pale, and I could see her wrinkles through the make up she wore. I started to feel worried for her, she looked like she's seen a ghost!

"Ma'm? Ma'm are you okay?" I didn't want to startle her, so I only nudged her with my elbow. When she didn't talk, or even move, I was worried that she is having a stroke, and is in so much pain to even talk. I walked in front of her, placing both of my hands on her shoulder. "Is everything okay?!" She still didn't move, but I could see her mouth moving, as if she was screaming for help, wanting anybody to bring her out of her stroke. I acted quickly and dialed 9-1-1, talking quickly but calmly. "Yes, this woman is having a stroke! She's standing near me and a mother with her child. We are at the Old Goldy Train Station, please send the paramedics as fast as you can!" I hang up the phone, talking to the old women. She doesn't seem to hear me, but her eyes widened when another woman screamed, and a child, most likely the one next to me, spoke.

"Momma look! The man with the stick is coming over here!"

I tried sitting the old woman on the bench, but she didn't bend her knees. She started to walk, pushing me out of the way. I tried to get her attention to come back, but she didn't stop walking, she was still going at the slow pace she was. I then started to see people gather around, also shouting for her to stop. The kid next to me started to cry, and I looked down at him.

"I don't like the man, mommy! His eyes scare me!"

What man? I looked at the general direction the boy was pointing at, but all I could see was the old woman walking to the center of the street, and-

Everything that made noise stopped. I could feel my heart jumping up and down in my chest, every thump I felt made me feel like I was being punched in my chest repeatedly. I looked down the street, and my eyes widened in fear. The city bus was moving too fast then it should be, and it was heading straight down the road. The old woman would be flattened like a pancake. Everyone around her screamed, and I could see tears running down her face, only because the street light was on her.

"Momma! Make the bad man go away!"

The bus was getting faster, and people only gathered around, some shouting, wanting to get her attention in order to move, and others stayed quiet, wanting to see what would happen. The bus was only 30 feet away.

"Make him go away!"

20 feet...

"Wait, was is that person doing!?"

10 feet...

I close my eyes, wanting anything to happen.

5 feet...

Everything went dark. I could hear noises, muffled but understandable, some sounded like high pitched sirens, while others sounded like people screaming and yelling. I felt pain all over my body, and I found it very difficult to breath under the mass of pain I was enduring. I tried and tried to open my eyes, but whenever I opened them, I would see some form of light. Not knowing what it was, I closed my eyes tightly, afraid of what was behind said light. The more I would try to breath, I was stopped every time by shards of broken ribs puncturing not only my lungs, but I could also feel bone slightly rasping my heart. I knew it wasn't the best time to laugh, but I couldn't help it.

'How ironic,' I felt my lips moving into a crooked smile, despite the fact that my mouth was filled with blood. 'The thing that is suppose to protect my organs is slowly killing me...' It hurts when I would laugh, but it was worth it. Being able to laugh when I'm about to die proves that I am a strong person. Well, that, or it could mean I'm slightly insane. Ha-Ow!

Still, I could feel all of the warmth in my body slowly leave me, leaving me to feel nothing but the skin-shivering cold on both the inside of my body, and the temperature of this weather. I could feel my organs bleeding, all of them shutting down one by one until I could just feel my beating heart and my punctured, but still working lungs. The noise around me grew faint, and all I could hear, and feel, was my brain swelling up like a sponge. I could no longer move my legs, arms, toes, feet...nothing. Yet somehow, I could still feel pain.

I felt someone touch my chest with something cold, feeling it move on my skin smoothly. My groaning warned the person that I needed some form of medical attention. Medicine, casts, oxygen, anything to keep me alive. I wanted them to do something, but how could they? If they tried to carry me, I would feel everything in my body quiver in terrible pain. But if they don't do something, I would surely die on the street, or wherever the bus left me-

(A.N: This is where you lose your memories. Not your death...)

'Where-Where am I? What's going on-AUGH!!!'

I-I couldn't remember anything, just the final memory of me saving someone. I can't even remember what my mother and father looked like. I can't remember who I am, what I use to do and-and...Just who hell was I?

The pain, it's getting alot worse. I clench my teeth, tasting the blood in the back of my throat and feeling it seep through the tiny spaces between my teeth. I breathed heavily, making feel even more agony then what I was all ready going through. Who did I save from death? Why did I do it, what man? What was that little kid crying about? He didn't get hit by a damn bus!

...I have to calm down, I have know reason to be furious with someone who is not responsible for what just happened. I will not...leave on bad terms. My heart, I can feel it slowing down, at speeds it normally should not go. My eyes feel hot...Am I crying?

I guess I am. Shit, I really am going to die, huh? I don't know who I was, who I loved, loss, who my parents were. I don't even remember how old I am. All I remember is that I saved someone, and some kid kept talking about a man with scary eyes. Who is this man? The bus driver? Dam it! The more I try to think, it hurts. Was I going to have kids? Did I have a wife? Why did I sacrifice my life for somebody I didn't even know?! Damn it! The pain!

This is hell. Why am I still breathing, I should be dead! And why won't anybody help me...What did I do to deserve this?

The tears are flowing. I can feel them...I could also feel someone grabbing me. Not my hoodie or my shirt, but I feel like someone is trying to rip my soul out of my body. It-It doesn't hurt. It just feels cold.

Time feels like it's slowing down. I feel calm, even though I am seconds away from death. Though I do not remember who I was, or what was to become of me, I feel like I've done something good with my life. Saving one is a great example. I actually feel...happy, and I'm not sure why. I am no longer feeling the immense pain I was once in, like nothing ever happened. I slowly open my eyes, and I am bombarded with faces I don't even know. One man was talking to another, something about grabbing a bag. There was also this aged women, and she started to cry. I didn't like seeing that, so I tried to smile myself, but the tears in her eyes said otherwise.I believe she is the women I saved.

Then I heard crying. It was not loud, but I could still hear it from where it was coming from. I heard a child, most likely that boy I noticed before the crash. He said something about a man, the same man with "scary" eyes standing right above me. I looked with my eyes, moving them slowly. I still could not locate where he is...Maybe the kid saw a shadow?

Whatever it may be, I don't have to worry about it. Not where I'm going, hopefully.

I close my eyes and take one final deep breath. This time it didn't even hurt. At least I died smiling...

Suddenly, I felt myself being grabbed and pulled away. I didn't even go against it, I just went with it. I opened my eyes, looking around for who pulled me up. I turn around, and I see people crowding around one area, and the ambulance truck parked right next to a street light. I looked down the street, and my eyes went wide when I saw the front of the bus-it was not even dented! There was blood, a big stain of it splattered on the bus. I looked back to at the crowded area, gulping. Slowly, I walked closer and closer. I didn't have to ask them to leave- I just went right through them. I saw the boy and his mother, an old women crying, the paramedics...and me.

"My god..." I was disgusted at how my body was now formed. The bus hit hard enough to twist my legs, crack my skull open and mangle my arms. And I died smiling. I looked at up and saw that a paramedic was holding a big, grey plastic bag, most likely a body bag. One of the paramedics told the people to back away, said something about giving them room to place the body- my body - in the bag.I had to admit, even though this was my body, I was uncomfortable seeing my body being scraped off the street. I just stood next to my body, now on a stretcher, asking myself even more questions.

"Momma look! It's the man in the bag!"

Only to bee stopped by the child talking. I turned around, looking straight at the boy, who pointed at me. The mother held his hand while she was talking to a police officer. The child pointed at me, trying to get his mothers attention. "Momma look!" The mother had enough and picked him up, scolding him about point at strangers. Or in her case, thin air, since nobody here can see me. After she finished talking to the officer, the mother walked away with the kid in her arms. The young one waved his hand at me. "By mister!"

I smiled. I didn't know why. I also waved back at him. I turned back around, noticing that everybody was gone, and that I was left alone on the street. Which was strange, normally a street like this in the city would be busy, but I guess they have to close down the street. Nobody wants to see blood on the pavement.

" I see you are good with children."

That voice. It sounded old, very old. It was echoing through the street, loud enough to cause a riot to cease its behavior. Yet, it sounded friendly, like the person who was behind the voice wanted to talk. Just talk. I felt nervous to turn around, I was afraid of who it might be.

"Are you just going to stand there? It is too cold to be standing around in the middle of the street."

I turned around slowly. My heart, if it was still beating, would have jumped out of my chest, due to the reaction I did. He wore a long, black cloak, with his hood shadowing his face. He was holding some sort of tool, a blade curved to the sharpest tip, and the handle was as tall as him. When I saw him move his fingers, I saw nothing but bone.

Now, I would have been scared enough to turn around and run, but the longer I stood across from him, the more curious I grew, wanting to see who was behind the hood.

The street light flickered above him, and the light shined bright enough to light up the darkness in his hood. He had no skin. No lips, no nose, not even any ears. All I could see was the pale, dusted white color of a skull. His skull.

But what frightened me the most was his eyes-He did not have any. All I saw was pitch black darkness in his eye sockets. Now I know what that kid ment by "scary eyes".

"Who-who are you?" I was scared, so scared I could not move. He didn't talk back, he just stood his ground. So I asked again. "Who are you? Why...Why did I go through these people? I-I no I am dead but...What happened?"

This time, he moved closer to me. I started to feel cold, really cold. I still couldn't move, and by the time he got near me, I could see a bluish line come out of his mouth. I could not see his face, but...I think he is trying to tell me something. And he did.

He then grabbed me, pulling me closer to him. He began to whisper.

The words of Death himself echoed throughout my head. It felt as if time was at a standstill, like the process of his words seemed to be taking its own time on entering my head. I stared him, and he did just the same. I could see little flames in his eyes, blue ones, staring directly into my soul, filling my heart with such grief and sorrow,

"What...What the hell do you mean?" I felt...angry. I didn't know why, nor did I care, but I just felt like screaming, yelling at the top of my lugs at Death. The hell did he mean? Was I not suppose to die? If not me, then who? Matter of fact...Just what the hell is going on!? "Let go of me!" I slapped Death's bony hand away from me, backing away a couple of feet. I saw him look down at his bony hand. His face was shadowed, and he sighed, slowly turning his hand into a fist.

"So...You're in Anger? Strange, that's not usually how it works with the dead."

He looked up at me. "You see, every man, women, and child has a time of their own. That women you saved? It was her time. That's why she was walking towards the other side of the street. I caused her to do it." Then, instantaneously, he warped towards me, meeting me eye to eye. Again, his face was shadowed, but I could still see blue breaths coming out of his mouth, and see the dim blue lights where his eyes are suppose to be. "You sacrificing your life for hers was a fluke. Your time was still yet to come."

Before I could speak, he warped away from me. I looked around for him, and I found him standing under a street light. I walked over to him, wondering what he was doing. As I touched his shoulder, I couldn't help but to look down, as he was doing the same. He was staring down at a chalk line, where, surrounded by blood, stood out perfectly under the street light. I took my hand off of him, leaving my arm to swing lazily.

"The young die fast, nowadays, yes?" His sudden burst of speech nearly gave me a heart attack-not that it would matter, since I'm...you know. I looked at him again, wondering what he men't buy that statement. This time, due to the light of his "eyes", and the street light barely dimming it's way into his hood, I could see a faint color of his white jaw, revealing his teeth and detail of his aged skull. Yes, it was white, but at the same time, I could see little patches of dirt on his teeth and lower jaw, while everything but his "eyes" were shadowed. He sighed again, looking up towards me. "You still had a long way to go, young one. But choosing to sacrifice over your own life for a woman you do not even know. Clearly, you were foolish."

"Foolish? What the hell do you mean? Didn't I get ran over by that guy driving the bus?" I said, angrily. Death nodded.
Then why was I the foolish one?" Who warped again away from me, and as I turned around, I could feel something touch my forehead. I looked down from my forehead, and found Death placing his bony finger on me. "The hell are you-"

Suddenly, I felt...warm. Then, these weird images entered my brain, slowly playing like an old time sepia movie. I could see these people next to me, a little boy, his mother...and an elderly women. Then, I could see her happy face turning into one of pure fear. She slowly started walking towards the other street, and I tried to stop her, but it was futile to keep her from walking. Then...I heard a bus coming down the road, completely unaware of the woman.

Then...I remember pushing her out the way, and being hit by something really hard. I could barely breathe, and my entire body was filled with so much pain. I could see a man with a blue shirt, the mother and son, and that women. She was crying.

Was...was this the women I saved?

I felt my self falling back into reality, looking around for the voice. No doubt about it, it was The Grimm Reaper himself. I looked back at the chalk line, now realizing that it was I who saved that woman...even though she was suppose to die. But why in such a gruesome way? Why not naturally? Does he not care of how much pain people feel?

"I remember a child, the mother, and an elderly woman...the one I saved, up until I saw her face again from the street floor." Even though I couldn't see his emotions, let alone his face, I could feel some strange tension in the air. Was he worried?

"I see...Tell me, do you remember your name? Or, anything else from earlier today?"

"No...Just my death and those three people. Nothing else."

Now, I could feel some weird vibe coming from him. Why was he asking for my name? Doesn't he already know it? What is my name, anyways?

"Your memories should have returned easily. Hold still..."

As scary as it was, he touched me with the very tip of his scythe. Again, I felt a warm feeling embrace me, but I didn't see anything but The Grimm Reapers "eyes" glow a little bit brighter than the last time I looked. He took his scythe away from me, grunting. "Hm. That bus must have hit you harder than I expected. Your memories should return in due time. Now...Come."

"Where...Where are we going?"

He looked at me, than lifted his scythe above his head. He brought it down so quick, I could hear the air rip in two, feeling the force of the air as it hit me. At first, nothing happened, and I thought that all he did was just practice a swing or something.

"What are you-"

Then, a loud, gust of air echoed in front of him. I could see wind swirling slowly, than forming a large circle in front of him. It was like looking into a giant whirl pool of white. Again, there's that same feeling again! Warmth. Yet...I didn't feel comfortable when I felt it. I mean, yes it felt nice, but...

He turned around towards me, and I could see his skull. He nodded, and outstretched his hand towards me, signaling me. He wants me to go with him. I stepped a few feet away, and he lowered his hand. He didn't seem mad, but almost as if he expected this to happen...And so did eye.

"But...I...I-"

"What is it young one?"

All the warmth in my body that I felt vanished as soon as I realized what Death wanted me to do. He...he wanted me to leave. I mean, I don't remember who I am, was, or even if I know anybody, but surely I had some things in my future that I was suppose to accomplish, right? Like-like getting married, o-or owning a successful business...

No...I-I can't leave. I don't even know where the heck I'm going to go if I enter that...that thing! I look at Death, and though he has no face...I could see-no, feel that he was sad about this. What...what does he know? He's never had a life! He doesn't know death! HE DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING!

AH! Okay...calm yourself. Breath. Oh yea, I can't, I'm freaking dead! Just...just calm down...calm down...calm...down.

I looked him directly in his eyeless sockets, and with all the courage I could muster, I spoke. "I...I don't wanna go. I-I can't!" Still, he stayed silent. I decided to speak again. "P-please, I can't leave, I didn't do anything wrong! Please, bring me back to life, I'll...I'll change! I'll do good things! Just please! give me a second chance!"

Death looked at me, then looked at the swerving light behind him. He sighed. I saw him close the portal with his tool as I hear the slicing of the air close right back up. Is...Is he giving me a second chance?

The next thing I know, he appeared in front of me yet again, as if he warped without a moments notice. This time, I did not jump back, mainly because I believed he would appear in front of me with ease again. But, what did he mean by that last word? Bargaining?

I backed away from him slowly, attempting to run away. As I started to run, he warped in front of me again, this time scaring me. He sighed again, and his flames in his eyes appeared to be shining a lot less. They were getting dim. I backed away, and tried to run away again, but just as the last time, he warped in front of me. This time, I was getting angry, and I began to shout. "Leave me alone! I was never suppose to die in the first place!"

Chronological-The heck is he talking about? I started to get angrier and angrier each second, and I couldn't control my self. "Chronological order? Stages? What do you mean!? TELL ME!!!"

Then the Reaper looked up at me, giving me a stare that sent a chill down my.... transparent spine. He then backed away a couple of feet away from me, placing his tool right next to him.

"The...The what?" I say, confused at Deaths' words. What...What is he talking about? He looks at me again, this time grabbing his tool. He slams the ground with the bottom of the stick, and small images of people pop up around me. Then, one image appeared in front of me.

It was me, talking to Death not moments ago.

"The Seven Stages of Grief, also can be defined for a man or woman not in a relationship, are seven stages of a man or woman who is going through a crisis. Such as death."

The image starts to play slowly, and I can hear my self talking and talking to myself. Telling myself that everything is going to be okay.

"This is one of the stages. Shock and Denial. You do your best to tell yourself that everything is going to be fine, that everything is going to be okay...When you know it's not."

This...seemed to make sense. It...It just does, but I want to know more! Are look away from the image, and find myself surrounded by patches of white, almost screen-like clouds. "Why aren't there images here? Why is it blank?"

He then destroyed the screens, turning them into a puff of smoke. They floated away in the wind, and I could see Death walking towards me.

"These other stages are to be revealed when you have experience them. Currently, your stages are out of wack, and you are currently in Anger and Bargaining. For you to experience these, you need to go through them."

He then looks at the chalk outline of my body.

"Unfortunately, your body is too...unstable to put your soul back in. I am very sorry young one, but perhaps you can witness these stages in Purgatory as you wait to be judged."

"No...I am not going anywhere! You can't-"

"Do you not understand!"

The street lights began to flicker, and I could feel more chills being sent down my spine. This is the first time I heard him yell...And it was frightful, Yet, I kept my ground, and I responded. "No, I don't understand! Aren't you able to revert things back to the way they once were? Before I was hit by the bus!?"

"That is impossible for me to do. I can only harvest the souls of the dead, and nothing more. Besides, if I could do such a thing, would you still want to save that old women? Watch her die in front of your own very eyes, living the rest of your life, knowing you did save her, but would rather revert time for your own selfish needs!?"

I was silent. He was right. What kind of person would do such a thing. A monster, that's who. The tension in the air began to thaw, and I could feel more comfortable than before. I look up at The Grim Reaper, and he sighed once more.

"Humanity is hard to judge alone. I do not decide why they die, or even how, I only know when. This is the life of a reaper. Between judgment and favor, I must choose the right one and not go with the one I believe is a good choice. This is life. This is death."

I still stared at him, but I could feel my heart sinking with each cold sentence he would say.

"I am sorry, I truly am."

This is it. I guess I am going. I'm not angry. Or sad. I- I feel nothing. Like all the emotion I once had was sucked out of me, spat out onto the cement ground. Shit, I don't even know who I am. I fall to my knees, thinking hard. Why...why is Death so cruel...

"...However..."

I look up from the ground, shocked at what he said. Could...could there still be a possible chance of me living? I got up from the ground, body shaking and mouth going dry. "However? What, there's a way for me to-"

"Yes...But it comes with a price. Since your body is too mangled up to be used, I'm afraid you'll have to remain as what you are now. A ghost. You will be able to roam around, but not socialize with anyone there that you would want to talk to. Only a certain group of beings."

A ghost. Which means that nobody could talk to me, and I could not talk to them either. I look down at my hands, and I could see how they began to fade slowly. I look back up nodding. "I...I accept."

He nodded at me, tearing a giant whole into the air. I could see a field of green, a town and a large barn. It appeared cartoonish, yet very real at the same time. He looks at me again. "Another warning. If you enter this world, you will forget everything. That is including this conversation, but not your death. You will see it as an act of saving an elderly women, and entering a light. That is all."

I nodded. I know I might not know who I once was, but at least I'll be living a new life. Even if nobody can see me. I gulped, slowly walking to the portal. Before I entered, I asked Death about this world. I swear, I saw him smile under that dark hood.

For a being who does nothing but harvest souls, he has both a dark and beautiful view of my world and this new, foreign one. I nod once more and enter the portal. I could here Deaths' voice as my vision is filled with bright light.

"What is he doing?!"

"Somebody Stop them!"

"The bus is going too fast!"

"Somebody, anybody, call a freaking ambulance!"

Instantly, I wake up from a terrible nightmare. I...can't remember much, but I believe I got hit by a bus. Wow, crazy dream. I'd be more comfortable if I wasn't sleeping outside. Wait, outside?

The wider my eyes get, I get blinded by the sun. Using my right hand to cover my face, I get up slowly by sitting up, using my left leg to get up, and lift my body. I rub my eyes, seeing a mixture of random colors. I open my eyes, and I couldn't believe where I was.

All around me, I could trees. Not just any trees, apple trees. Thing is, these trees looked, what's the word...cartoony. Come to think of it, the sky, the ground, nearby bushes, and even the clouds look like they were drawn! Yet, they all look so very real. I can see leaves swaying in the wind, the clouds moving slowly across the great blue sky, and the brightness of the sun shined down upon me. The strange thing is...I feel cold. Which isn't normal, because I'm standing outside, and the sun is just blasting this forest-like area of apple trees with sunshine.

But back to the matter at hands, why was I sleeping outside? Didn't I go home last night? Come to think of it, where did I go? Hopefully I wasn't out drinking, people would think I look ridiculous sleeping outside of a...farm, I think? Well, whatever, might as well find somebody to help me. Don't know where I'll be heading, might as well just fallow this dirt path until I find somebody.

Hopefully I find a person before I get hungry. These apples look good, but I don't want to take any...yet.

Every step I take, I feel as if I'm one hundred times lighter than I'm suppose to be. I feel like I've been walking down this dirt path for at least five minutes already, and I still haven't spotted a person. All I see is apple trees and the dirt road. While looking cartoony, everything here looks realistic! I'm sure I said it before, but I just can't ignore it. Was it ever this nice where I live? Where do I live...Hopefully not the city, this place seems so peaceful and happy. I like it.

As I walk down this dirty road, I spotted a big, red barn all the way at the end of this road. Satisfied that I found a barn, I quickened my pace. Hopefully there's a house nearby, or at least a farmer there. I'm sure he'll think I'm trespassing and kick me out, but it won't hurt to try, right?

I walk to the front of the barn, and to my surprise, the door was wide open! I looked all around if anybody was there, and couldn't find a soul. So, I decided to enter it, as any person would if they needed help. At least that's what I think. Anyways, I go inside, and all I see are the basic farm equipment. Pitchforks hanged on the wall, along with other tools, haystacks were neatly stacked on top of each other, and I could see animal's in there stalls.

These pigs, and chickens look...different. Just like the trees, the ground, the grass and the sky, they too looked cartoonish, yet very real. I could see a row of pigs eating in a trough, chickens pecking the ground eating some food, and I could see...a dog sleeping on a pile of hay. Think is, I think that dog is a girl, because I could see eyelashes curling out easily. Yet, she still looked like an animated dog.

I walk deeper into the barn, hoping that I could find a farmer. "Hello?" I say. My voice echoes around me as I walk deeper in the barn. The pigs looked up at me, then looked away. Guess I'm not a bother to them. Same thing with the chickens, they just looked up at me, and continued to peck the ground. "Is anybody there? I hope you don't think I'm a crazy or anything, but I woke up in your...Orchard? Yea, I woke up in your apple orchard somehow. I hope you don't mind if you can help me out somehow? Let me check my pockets, I think I have my wallet on-"

I stopped. Mainly for two reasons. One, I don't even remember owning a pocket, let alone if I have one on my right now. And two, I could here some growling. I turn around, and I could see that female dog growling at me, like she doesn't want me here. I raise my hands up in front of me, trying to calm down the angered dog. "E-easy now, girl. I'm just looking for the farmer. I don't want any-"

The next thing I know, she starts to bark at me, scaring me a bit. Eventually, the pigs and chickens start to make noise as well, causing a loud ruckus inside the barn. I tried to calm them down, but the more I talked, even if I moved, that dog would fallow my movements and bark even louder. I back away to the back of the barn, where another small door was let open.

"Who's in there!?" A gruff, booming voice yelled. Panicked, I ran out the door, to afraid to confront the farmer.

As I run deeper into the orchards, I could here the farmer call the dog, "Winona." I'll remember that. Hopefully, the next time I see her, she won't try to rip me to bits.

Interesting. I have been running for quite a while now, and I don't feel tired. Not even sweating. Maybe it's because I'm fast? No, that's not it...It could be possible that the weather is actually colder than it looks, which would explain why I feel cold. I should stop running, I think I'm out of the apple orchards already.

Looking around, I noticed that there are fewer apple trees around the area I am currently standing on. At first, this area looked lonesome, like barely anyone or anything come here. It's sad...

Anyway, I was going to some small town I spotted in the distance, but I noticed a big tree, firmly rooted to the ground. The soon started to bother me, so I might as well get some shade. To be honest, the heat from the sun, which I am suppose to feel, isn't bothering me, it's the light.

As I step closer to the large tree, I could see some large structure placed on the branches, which was covered by the leaves. The closer I got, I could see a window, a ladder, and a door. I gotta admit, for a tree house, it's pretty well built. Still, it looks so much like a cartoon come to life, but a lot more realistic. Ha, architectures nowadays.

"Alright, we tried rope climbing, pet sitting, dragon training, and nothing worked!"

"Cheer up! Maybe we can get them in ghost hunting?"

"There ain't no such things as ghosts!"

As I approach the tree house, I suddenly hear voices. They were young voices, maybe ten years old each. One sounded a bit high pitched, but sweet and innocent. The other had a more scratchy voice, but sounded more lively and daring. The final one had more of a country accent, but she spoke quite fluently, and sounded really smart.

"Maybe these girls can help me out somehow..." I whisper to myself. I thought about climbing up there, but then realized that I would look like a creep. So, I stepped back a couple of feet from the tree, and faced the door.

"Um, excuse me!" I say, cupping my hands and placing them around my mouth. "Do you girls know where I can find a phone-booth? Or, somebody that can help me home. I look down. "Where ever I live." Suddenly, all their talking stopped. I was afraid that I might have scared them, but then again, wouldn't any little girl be if you called for them, when they don't even know you? "I'm not gonna hurt anybody, I just need some directions. Or at least a map."

More silence. Thinking I scared them, I started to walk away, disappointed that I couldn't get any help. Just then, I heard the door creak, and I quickly turned around. I couldn't see them, but I could here there voices.

"What's a phone-booth?"

"What's a "somebody"?

"Who are you?"

Well...maybe they are a little too young, since they don't know what a phone-booth is. Though, what did she mean by, "What's a somebody?" Well, I ignored those flaws, and just decided to ask more questions.

"Tell ya what, I'll tell you my name if you tell me yours, okay?"

More silence. Then, I heard some loud whispering, and then an okay. These little ones seem friendly. I wonder if-

"My names Scootaloo!"

"And I'm Sweetie Belle!"

"And I'm Applebloom, and we're, the..."

This...is not normal. At all. I was expecting some energetic girls, but no, Instead, I get three little horses. All colored differently. I thought that this was a prank. That somebody was playing a joke on me. Yea, that's it, just a friendly joke. But no, these were actually technicolor little horses speaking.

I had no words. None at all, I was speechless, to say. Thing is...they weren't. I could see their eyes grow wide, see a horrified look on their faces. That's when I knew it would be a good idea to run.

Monster...I was called a monster.

Well, in their defense, I was a stranger that does not look like one of them. Nonetheless, being called a monster actually hurt me a bit. I mean, I didn’t want to freak them out, hell, I didn’t even know that they were horses...

Ha, there’s no freaking way that they were little horses. This is just my imagination, playing some tricks on me. Waking up in a cartoonish looking world, running without fatigue and talking, colorful horses? Heh, I guess I went into a little coma-

Wait. Am I in a coma?

I stop running and look back, satisfied that I was far away from the orchards than I was before. At least the figment of my imagination’s creation didn’t follow me. Those little horses seemed a little too scared to chase after the ‘monster.’ Hopefully these, I guess kids, live by the ‘stranger danger rule’.

I look around at where I stopped, and noticed a small town in the distance, not that far away from me. I could go there, and hope that somebody knows me, where I live and such. But..If there is a slight possibility that those little horses I saw were real, then could that possibly mean that there are more?

Curiosity got the best of me as I walk a little closer to the town. I looked at some of the buildings as I walked closer, and, unsurprisingly, they too look like they were drawn into reality, just with bright colors and darker outlines. Before I even got close to the entrance, I noticed a small little cottage in the outskirts of this small town. Behind it, was a large forest, with a small sign that I couldn’t much see the name from this far of a distance.

Now, I had two options, and both were a little risky. I could enter this small town, and, just like those small horses...they could also be afraid of me. Now, if I went to the cottage, I could ask whoever is there for help. But, that person...yes, person, could think I’m trying to rob them...

Nodding my head, I decided to walk towards the cottage, feeling myself getting farther away from the town an the apple orchards. As I walk closer to this cottage, I noticed the odd number of bird houses hanging around in branches. Coming to mind, the cottage itself looks like it was built inside of a large tree trunk, though I believe that is unlikely.

The dirt path was curved awkwardly, like a large squiggly line, leading up to the cottage that, upon further inspection, appeared to be on top of a small hill. It boggles my mind actually, but hey, if certain tribes can actually build large tree houses on pencil-thin logs, then I shouldn't be able to question this logic.

Even if it appears as if I’m in a realistic cartoon.

Anyways, I am at the front of the door, and just as I was about to knock on it, I hear a click, see the door knob turn, and noticed the door fully opened right before my eyes. Now, I was expecting somebody, even one of those talking horses, but instead, I am introduced to nothing.

At first.

“Uh...hello?” I say, peeking my head into the door. Again, I noticed more birdhouses, a couple of bowls, a couch, wooden stairs, like, actually built from the wood itself, and other regular house accessories. It wasn’t long until I heard a gruff cough, coming from the ground. I look down, and began to question my sanity a bit.

A fluffy tale, long ears, big feet, whiskers, and large black eyes. I was staring at a bunny. This one looks...I’ve said it too much. Anyways, it looks like that it has emotions, because as soon as I looked into his eyes, I could see...fear and...Bravery? If, that is an emotion.

And then he, at least, I think it’s a he, proceeded to throw stuff at me. He threw pots, dirt, a carrot, another carrot. He was about to throw one more, took a bite out of it, and then threw it at me. That bunny must have had some terrible aiming, because I was point blank from all the objects he threw, and I didn’t feel anything. I guess I didn’t need to close my eyes.

“Angel? Is somepony at the door?

Then, I heard a voice. She sounded very timid, a very quiet person. She sounded a little older than those imaginary talking horses I saw, sixteen to twenty at the most.

“Somepony?” I ignored what I heard, thinking it was also just my imagination. “Yes, I was hoping that you could have a telephone I could use? I would want to call somebody I...”

That’s when I choked a bit. Did...did I even know anybody here, or at least in a different part of this state? I thought for awhile, but nobody came to mind. Not even my mother or father...

Swallowing the bit of panic I had in my voice, I spoke again. “You know what? Could you just point me to the closest motel? I need a place to sleep, and I-”

Without realizing, I entered the women’s house. I noticed it only because that bunny, “Angel”, if I remember correctly, started to back away in fear. I looked down at him, doing my best to calm him down. He looked like he was about to have a stroke, so I knelt down to try to calm him.

“Hey, hey, hey,” I said, whispering loudly. “I didn’t mean to enter your home uninvited. I just want to talk to your owner real quick.”

And just like that, his fear turned into curiosity, to shock, and finally, anger. He started to thump his foot loudly, and he dashed right pass me. I was actually a little scared. Sure, he’s a small critter, but he can understand what I’m saying, and he has clear emotions. I just hope his owner throws a little fit.

I follow his little footsteps, and I soon enter a small kitchen. Come to think of it, my head nearly touches the ceiling. Either I got taller, or this is an overgrown dollhouse.

I look around for the bunny. “Excuse me, but I’m looking for some help-”

Then I saw her. Or, more specifically, it. It was yet again another little horse, but this one looked bigger than the three I saw before.

And she was flying.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. I could even see the fine detail of her wings, how large they are and the color of her coat and...mane? Yes, I think that’s the name of hair for horses. She has a buttery yellow coat color, and her mane and tail are a light shade of pink, long enough to pass by her yellow hooves. Her eyes were very large, about the size of dinner plates:Literally. They're an aqua blue color, and I could see her pupils were very large. Her face was a bit rounded, looking nothing like a real horse.

She was cleaning some dishes with her...hooves. I...I don’t even know how that works.

“Is something wrong, Angel?” She said, looking behind her at the bunny. Angel was stomping his feet loudly, and pointed towards me. The yellow pony looked towards me, and I could only stare in shock. But that wasn’t the only problem.

“Um...Angel. I don’t see anything.”

Both my heart and the expression of the little bunny dropped. What did she mean by nothing was there? I’m right here for gods sake!

Angel seemed like he took it harder than I did. He hopped up to me, stared at me, then tried to kick me. Again, little guy probably has bad aiming, because I didn’t feel anything. He was shocked, and then, he whistled. How that’s even possible is beyond me, but I guess my imagination is into some crazy stuff.

Then, at least twenty kinds of animals came behind Angel. Cats, Birds, hell, even a freaking bear. And that bear looked more scared of me than I am of him. That’s when the yellow horse spoke.

“Oh my...Um, is everything okay, Angel? I remember feeding you all...seconds maybe?”

Wow. The yellow pony seems completely clueless to my presence. Except for the animals, she’s the only one that doesn’t even seem threatened.

“Oh, it’s a little cold in here. Is anypony else cold?”

So she’s cold too...Strange, she has fur on her, she should be warmer than me! I walk closer to the pony, trying to get her attention. “Excuse me, but I think I’m lost. Very lost. So very lost. I know it may seem strange, bit can you-”

Then, all the animals in the room started to make a whole bunch of noise. The loudest was the bear, because when he roared, my ears began to ring. I heard buzzing, humming, stomping, growls, a whole bunch of animal noises. The little horse seemed more confused and afraid than I was.

“Please, calm down! Is there something wrong Angel? What’s wrong?”

I couldn’t handle it anymore, the noise was too much for me to handle. I ran outside of the cottage, hearing the door shut behind me even though I didn’t even close it. I looked around panicked, trying to find somewhere to wrap my head around this whole strange situation.

So many questions filled my skull so quick, I felt like I had millions of bells rapidly being struck into such a loud unrhythmically fashion. I needed to find peace, somewhere quiet so I could gather my thoughts and figure what the hell is going on.

My prayers were answered very soon, as I look behind the cottage to spot a large area of trees. Basicly a forest. I noticed that this talking horses’ back yard was filled with other animals, so I decided to go around the pen. Luckily, there was a fence, so they would not be able to attack me.

But that didn’t stop them from noticing me.

As soon as I began running, I could hear more humming, buzzing, growls, screeches, the flapping of wings, roars and more! I eventually reached the forest, and read a small sign I saw from before out loud.

“The Everfree Forest.”

Without a second thought, I ran head first into the sea of green, not looking back at the bizarre cottage filled with animals, and one herself owning them.

Before I entered, I could have sworn I heard three familiar voices, but I ignored them and entered the Everfree Forest.

At least here I can actually be able to collect my thoughts and collect any form of information I have of this...certain area of my imagination.

After what I believe five minutes had passed by, I found myself journeying deeper into the “Everfree Forest.” I’m not sure If I have ever been in a forest before, let alone actually seen one, but something tells me that they should be more noisy, like hearing the sounds of an owl hooting or hissing of snakes. But no, the less I quicken my step, I am only being greeted with the sound of silence-not even my footsteps are echoing throughout the forest. I could only hear the soft crunches of leaves under my shoes. Yet, very, very silent. Almost too silent.

Eventually, I stopped myself at the sight of an open field, with limited trees and mostly sunlight shining down on a small stump. Though I didn’t feel tired, I just wanted to sit down and gather my thoughts on the events that had recently took place. I walk over to the tiny stump, still not able to feel the warmth of the sunlight. I sat on the said stump, hands on my knee caps and sighing deeply.

“My mind reminds me like I’m living in a five year old’s dream land. A very...realistic dream land.” I said, placing my left hand under my chin, supporting the weight of my head. “Tiny horses are not supposed to talk, let alone have horns or wings and detailed facial expressions. And those big eyes...I’d hate to be judged by those.” I looked around at the environment, actually feeling calm with all the silence and the sounds of a light breeze passing by. Even if I am in a coma, my brain can simulate reality very specifically. Trees swaying, wind blowing, the sound of growling...

“Growling?”

Doing a complete 180, I was staring at a pair of glowing, yellow eyes hiding in a large bush, at least 20 feet away. The stump I was sitting on isn’t that far from the area I entered from, which could give me the opportunity to run as fast as I can away from this creature. But to where, is the problem I need to solve. That would have to come later, right now, I need to run away from this animal.

Staring at those vicious eyes gave me the adrenaline I needed to stand up slowly, backing even farther away to get a head start on running. The figure, however, wasn’t one to wait patiently, because he backed away into the bushes. I was no longer able to so those eyes, but I did not complain and ran away from the open field, thankful that that beast did not attack me.

I guess that getting lost in the forest is better than...wait, what was that noise?

As foolish as this sounds, I decided to go back to the general direction where I once came from...which was where I started. Though, I believe it is going to take a while before I get back, because I ran too deep into this forest. Reasons why I am going back, are simple: I heard screams, and I have no idea where the end of the forest could lead me to.

While walking down the tree-covered path, I began to question where I heard those screams from before. They sounded awfully familiar, but I decided to check out the problem and see if I could help.

Though the probability of me finding the multiple voices in such a large forest feel low at this point, because the sun is beginning to set.

Not wanting to be too late to the cries of help, I started to run. But how am I suppose to help? I know nothing of the wilderness, let alone have some sort of tool to hack and slash through these large leaves!

Eventually, I suppose I reached the area of where the screams came from, but I couldn’t see anybody, or thing, needing help. Looking around, I noticed how there are bits and small chunks of wood just laying around a big red bow. I walk up to it and knelt down, picking it up. I examined it and tried my best to remember if I have seen this bow anywhere else. It could have some connections to the person...or thing, that I could have known or just met.

That’s when it hit me.

“That one baby horse, she had a big bow the last time I saw her.” I said, holding the bow in one hand. It look as big as a basketball, but soft and not as heavy as one. Looking up from the bow, I noticed that a trail of twigs was leading behind a bush, leading into an unknown area. “I might as well go check it out, there could be more clues to where that little horse went. I walked behind the bush, shocked completely.

I was back at the small field with the stump in the center. This means, I was walking around in a complete circle! I was a bit upset, but I was later filled with worry when I looked closer at a tree just a few meters away from the stump.

Behind under the tree, were three baby horses, one of them being the owner of the red bow in my hand. I walked closer to them, but their eyes were fixed on a bush...the same bush I was staring at when those eyes were staring at me.

And there was something coming out of the bush.

I put the bow in my pocket. Despite it’s large size, it was pretty easy for me to shove it into my pocket. I then began to look around for something to protect the horses, and I suddenly found a loose branch on a tree. I sprinted towards and I used the strength I had left, even though I felt no fatigue, to pull the branch from the tree.

“This should do some damage.” I said, swinging the branch. Looking towards the tree where the three horses are at, I could see a shadowed figure coming closer to them, and the same eyes glowed in hunger. The three began to scream, and without a second thought, I charged at the beast, swinging like a madman.

“Hey! Hey! Get away from them!” I shouted as I swung the branch straight to the face of the shadowed figure. I heard a sickening crack as the branch connected with creature, and he was knocked back into the bush. I heard a loud bark from where he was knocked back, and I could see only one eye coming from the bush. “Stay back!”

“M-monster! It’s the monster!”

Turning around to the sound of the high pitched voice, I looked down at the little horses who were staring up at me with those big eyes. Getting a closer look, I noticed in full detail on how they looked, but I was not worried about that now. Currently, I just want to make sure that these little ones are okay.

Backing next to them, but still staring at the bush with the one glowing eye, I knelt down and raised my hands to my chest, waving them slowly and speaking softly. “Hey, hey. Listen, I’m not going to hurt you! I promise!” Still, they backed up against the tree, as if I was a repulsive figure to them. I sighed, knowing that they were not going to calm down.

Then I remembered about the bow. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the bow, showing it to them. “I found this red bow over there by the bushes. Do any of you own this?”

“I-it’s mine.” The one in the middle said. I handed it to her and she grabbed it with her maw, then snapping back quickly. “Thanks, monster.”

“You’re welcome.”

I turned around, glaring at the real monster, gripping the broken branch in my hand. “Stay back.” I said, standing up slowly. I won’t lie, but I was really scared at that thing. The noises it made sent chills down my spine, and the way that eye glowed and stared at me made me feel very nervous. But I kept my ground, making sure that that thing wouldn’t go near these little ones.

Even though I knew it was getting dark, and fast, I didn’t want these horses getting hurt. I looked at them again, and they seemed more calm than before, yet I could still hear their teeth chattering. “On the count of three, I want you three to run all the way to the stump and stay there until I get close enough. Then we could all leave this place, got it?” They nodded their head simultaneously, letting small whimpers escape. I nodded back. “1...2...3!”

As soon as I talked above a whisper, I could hear their hoof steps move quickly to the stump. At the same time, the thing that was trying to hurt them jumped out of the bushed and ran towards them. “Hell no!”

It happened so fast. One minute, I was behind the tree, then the next, It felt like I was flying towards the animal at an incredible rate! As soon as it was near the tree, I kicked it in the side of the head, hearing the skull of the monster crack right before me. It fell to the ground, appearing dead.

Dead as a log, to be cryptic.

I slowly walked towards it, and noticed that it appeared to be a wolf made out of wood, mostly twigs and a few leaves. I was so amazed and struck in awe, that I forgot about the three I told to run towards the stump.

*Sniff* *Sniff* *Sniff*

“Are the three of you...crying?” I was surprised. I mean, I know animals can cry, but I can clearly see the emotion and tears coming out of these baby horses. That’s when the orange one and the one with the bow spoke.

“We ain’t cryin’! We just got somethin’ in our eye!” The red mane horse said. “Right Scootaloo?”

“Yea!” The one named Scootaloo said. Her mane was more of an indigo color, and her mane was more messier than the other one. “Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and I aren't crying! Right Sweetie Belle?”

The one name Sweetie Belle remained silent. Her mane had two colors, pink and a really light purple. She had a...horn sticking out of her forehead, unlike Scootaloo, who has wings. She had the most of tears coming out, and something tells me she isn’t comfortable with the situation at hand.

“Aww jeez.” I said, kneeling down to their eye level. Scootaloo and Applebloom backed away, but Sweetie Belle was busy wiping her tears away with her hoof. “Look, I’m sorry if I scared you three. I just didn’t want that wolf,” I pointed towards the wooden wolf, who was still on the ground looking very much dead. “Attacking you three. Would a monster really help those in need?”

They still didn’t believe me. “Look, how about I take you three back to the cottage? Would it make you all better?”

They all nodded their heads, pouting sadly. God damn, that’s pretty cute.

“Then come on, let’s go before it get’s really dark.”

I began to stand up, but was stop by the white horse. “Um, excuse me, Mr. Monster?”

“Yes?” I look down at her, and she was sticking her hoof out. I looked closer, and smiled a bit. “Oh...you got a splinter? In your hoof?”

“Yea..” She said in a quiet voice. “It’s going to hurt when I walk. Can you...?”

“Carry you? Well...sure, no problem.” I said, lifting her up. At first, she was nervous to hop into my hands, as if she never saw them before. At first, as before, I felt like my hands went right through her. In the broad daylight.

I shook it off as my imagination, and tried again. Again, I miss. One more try, and I was finally able to grab her and carried her, as if she were a baby in my hands. The other two kept a close eye on me, as if I was about to eat her.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.”

From the stump to the opposite side of the bush and the grassy path we were currently walking on, it had been nothing but silence and the soft crunching under my feet and their little hooves. Applebloom and Scootaloo kept a fair distance away from me, only walking a few feet in front of Sweetie Belle and I. I told them that they shouldn’t venture off away from me, God only knows what the hell is in this out of whack forest.

I could see and hear Applebloom and Scootaloo whispering something to each other, occasionally turning their heads and looking at me, squinting their eyes. They were signaling me that they were keeping a close look on me, and I only smiled, though my friendly smile didn’t matter to them. A smile wouldn’t help the small amount of fear they had inside.

I would look down at Sweetie Belle from time to time, catching her wipe her own cheeks with her hoof, making sure to dry up the wet fur so nobody...or should I say horse? Or, what are those little horses called...ponies? Yea, I believe that’s what they are, ponies. Anyway, she wipes her cheeks because she doesn’t want anypony to see her tear stained fur.

Eventually, Applebloom and Scootaloo turned down a path that seemed familiar to them, because where they were walking, I noticed how they were trying their best to walk away from some strange blue flower. I didn’t question it, because you can never really tell what’s in forests like these.

“Shouldn’t we visit Zecora? I mean, she might know what this thing is.” I looked down at Scootaloo, who was too busy talking to Applebloom about this ‘Zecora’. Scootaloo looked at me, then turned back to Applebloom. “Besides, it’s getting really dark, the moon’s almost out, and we can barely see a darn thing!”

“Ah know Scootaloo, but look, the path we’re walk’n on doesn’t have that many tree’s blocking our way. Plus,” She got closer to Scootaloo after turning her neck to look at me. “Ah don’t know if Zecora would take too kindly with a two legged, no fur having creatures like him in her home. Or her, I can’t tell what it is.” She looked over to me. “Excuse me Mons-er, I mean creature, are you a mare or a stallion?”

Taking my best guess that a stallion is a male and a mare is a female, I used my best judgement. “Stallion.”

She nodded. “Thank ya kindly.” Turning around, she continued to talk to Scootaloo. “Him. Besides, I can see Fluttershy’s cottage right over there. Problem solved.”

“Okay, fine. But what will we do about him? We saw what happened when he ran by Fluttershy’s backyard, and all those animals went crazy! How do we know if they won’t go berserk again? We don’t know who he is, and it’s bad enough that he’s carrying Sweetie Belle! He could eat her for all we know!” I could tell that Scootaloo didn’t trust me, and I couldn’t blame her. If I saw some creature that I never once saw before in my life offered to carry my friend to the nearest home, and say he’s not going to do anything suspicious, I’ll, well, be suspicious.
Apparently, Sweetie Belle, the pony in my arms, seemed to want speak and joined in the conversation. Only, she didn’t say what I thought she would say.

“I don’t think he’s going to eat me!” I looked down at her, completely shocked at her choice of words. She was defending me, a person she just met. These ponies are friendlier than they first appeared. “I mean, he looks like a nice pony!”

“Person. I’m a person.” I corrected her. Sweetie Belle, including Applebloom and Scootaloo looked up at me, as if I was speaking gibberish. I stopped walking, afraid that I said something that I wasn't suppose to say around children. “Was it something I said?”

“Yea. What does, ‘person’ mean?” Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle said simultaneously. I smiled at their little fuss about who said the last sentence first. Though, I had no idea how to explain a ‘person’, but I used my guess to enlighten their minds.

“Well...a ‘person’ is like me. You know, nose, ears, eyes, legs, arms, hands,” I stopped for a second, making sure they were paying attention. All three had that ‘learners look’, the face you see when somebody is really interested in what is being taught to them.

“Organs, bones, nerves, and all of that stuff. Well, actually, I just explained what a human was. I’m sorry, I got out of school a while back, so my information is a bit blurry, even if it’s a simple question to answer. But I guess a ‘person’ means just one human. You know, like, the only thing here or there?”

“...Ah think I get it.” Applebloom said. Sweetie Belle hopped out of my arms and right between her friends. Wait, didn’t she have a splinter in her hoof?

“You do?” Scootaloo and Applebloom both say as they lean on close to their big bowed friend, wanting to know. It’s actually pretty funny and a little cute, especially because this whole part of my brain looks cartoony, except me.

“Yea. It sounds like how we single out a pony, like, the word somepony.” Somepony? Come to think of it, I heard this word before, over at the cottage I ran away from. ‘Somepony’ sounds like ‘somebody’, and if I’m right, a stallion means a male, and a mare means a female. Knowing this, there could be other similarities between their words and mine. This world...it’s a special one.

“Well, that could explain things. Shouldn’t we get going-?” Just as I said that, Scootaloo rose her hoof, like she was in school or something. “Um, yes, Scootaloo?”

“You said you used to go to school, right?” I nodded. “Woah, how old are you dude?”

“I’m...I don’t know.” I stayed quiet for a little bit. How can I not remember my own age?

I looked down at the three, and they appeared to be more concentrated than ever. “I think I forgot how old I am. I honestly don’t remember...sorry.” I felt a little sad, as if everything I knew was forgotten with ease. Well, I didn’t worry about it, and I needed to change the subject fast before these three start to ask anymore questions. “Hey, Sweetie Belle, I thought you had a splinter in your-”

That’s when my head started to hurt really bad. So bad, I fell on both my knees, grasping my head, like it was just ready to blow up and I was trying to keep it from doing so. I could hear hooves rushing towards me, and my ears felt deaf when they tried to talk to me. I closed my eyes, feeling the cold grass touch my forehead and multiple pokes coming from what I suspected were these three.

“Happy birthday!”

I found myself sitting at a table, surrounded with party decorations and a banner revealing a name. I could not see the name, because it was far away from my vision. I could see many shadowed faces around the table, and only the light of birthday candles showed a cake. Not a big cake, not a small cake, just an average, circular mass of what I guess was chocolate. I counted the candles.

I counted up to ten candles before the rest were blown away by me, even though I had no control of myself.

Then the next thing I know, the candle lights were blown away and I could feel myself falling backwards as bright white surrounded my vision.

How...How old am I?

I opened my eyes, noticing that my field of vision was mostly grass. I looked up from the ground, and found that all three of the little ponies had a very worried look on their faces. Their mouths were moving, and soon enough my hearing returned. I was no longer hearing a high pitch noise, but the sound of wind blowing and three voices rambling quite loudly.

“Mister, are ya okay? Why did ya have ta freak him out, Scootaloo?” Applebloom was scolding her friend, but Scootaloo had a look of shock over her face, than a look of annoyance.

“I didn’t freak him out, I just asked him how old he was, and he just fell down! Geez, it’s not my fault!” I turn my head towards Scootaloo, and she grew worried once more. “Are you okay, mister? I didn’t do anything. Right?”

“No no, of course you didn’t.” I said, trying to calm the three down. I grunted at I got on one knee and pushed myself off of the ground. “I just had a weird headache. That’s all.”

“Are you sure? Because that headache made you look like your head was going to pop!” Sweetie Belle said as she stood right next to me. Scootaloo nodded, taking the space right next to my other side. Applebloom chose to stand in front of me.

“I assure you that I am going to be okay.” I gave them a warm smile, but they didn’t buy it. “Let me just get you three to the cottage, we have spent too much time in this forest.”

To our luck, we were right at the entrance of The Everfree Forest, and I gave a grin of relief. I can get these three to that yellow ponies home, which I’m guessing her name was Fluttershy, and I can...go nowhere.

It has come to my attention that I have nowhere, to sleep, and taking my chances with the forest was a bad idea. I couldn’t just leave these three alone to walk past nature carer’s backyard, they could probably get eaten or something equally bad.

“Okay, the cottage is just over there. I could take you three around the back yard and right at the foot of Fluttershy’s door. Does that sit right with you three?” They all nodded, but Applebloom did not seem to like that idea.

“But mister, where are you going?”

I knelt down and petted her mane. “Don’t worry about me. What kind of monster would attack another monster like me?” I chuckled, and they had a guilty face on all of them. “It’s fine, you three thought I was a monster, even though now you know I am not. Water under the bridge. Now come on, let’s get you all inside before something crazy happens.”

The time it took me to get them around the backyard took no time at all. I was right about the animals being asleep, and even though there were nocturnal animals looking at me and the ponies, they did not intervene. I think they knew I was bringing them inside Fluttershy’s cottage, so seeing that must have made them trust me. For the time being. By the looks of an owl’s eyes coming out of the darkness and looking at me, I would have to say that it was making sure I wasn’t going to do anything that will harm the children.

We made it to the front of the cottage, and I knelt down to say goodbye. “Well, this is as far as I can go. Tell Ms.Fluttershy that you got lost and needed a place to stay.” As I turned around to leave, I felt three hooves grab my left leg. I regret ever looking down, because Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and Scootaloo were giving me puppy dog eyes, and these seemed to work. Mostly because their eyes were huge, and they glistened in the moonlight. They all opened their mouths to speak.

“Don’t go.”

Well...that hit me harder than I wanted it to. Unfortunately, I had to tell them straight up. “I’m sorry girls, but the last time I came in here, the animals freaked out and forced me into the forest. The owner didn’t even notice me, even though I was right in front of her face.”

“We can ask Fluttershy if you can stay, she’ll say yes, we swear!” Scootaloo tried her best to convince me, and I acknowledge her for her persistence to get me to stay along with the other two, but I didn’t want to cause anymore trouble than I already did. But dammit all, I will not return to that forest. Not even if it was daytime again.

“Okay, if she says yes, I’ll stay. Otherwise I’ll have to go.” As soon as I said that, the three gave me a hug.

And I felt warm.

This actually surprised me. Since I first came here, I felt nothing but coldness, even though the suns rays were shining down on me.

With that being said, the three knocked on the door, calling for Fluttershy’s name. The door opened, and this time, I was hoping Fluttershy would open the door, happy to help these three and hopefully able to let me in.

I was very wrong.

The last time I checked, Fluttershy did not have long white ears, whiskers, big feet and black eyes. The bunny looked at the three ponies in front of me, and he had no problem with them. In fact, he was really glad that they were there for some reason. Then the bunny looked at me.

And he was not happy.

From what Angel did to me before, I was guessing that he would throw various of objects at me, even if he had terrible aiming. Instead however, he just stared at me angrily, not ever taking his eyes off of me. I stared back, looking for the reason why angry at me. That’s when I remembered that Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and Scootaloo were still in front of me.

I cleared my throat. “Angel, could you please let these three in? I know that what happened earlier today wasn’t on normal meeting circumstances, and I apologize for whatever I did wasn’t towards your liking,” His eyes soften a bit, but I know he knows that I am referring to causing an uproar in his owner's house, and entering without permission. “But you don’t have to let me in. I just want these three right here,” I pointed downwards at the ponies at my feet, who looked up at me with big glistening eyes.”To find a place to sleep for the night. It is fine with you and Fluttershy, I would greatly appreciate it.” I smiled at the end, wanting to let him know that I mean no harm.

He started rubbing those large whiskers of his, scanning me up and down. He then looked at Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle. He smiled, nodding to himself and stepped out of the way for them to come inside. I nodded at Angel, giving him my thanks, as did he so aswell. I turned around to take my leave, but I was stopped abruptly by the sound of three certain ponies whimpering.

“Ain’t you coming inside with us mister?”

“Yea, it’s too dangerous to be out here!”

“Come with us inside, Angel won’t mind.”

I turned around to look at the three, who were giving me those sad puppy dog eyes. I couldn’t let their cuteness get the better of me this time, so I stood my ground. “I’m sorry girls, but I can just enter other people’s-er, ponies home without permission. Even if Angel let me in, what would Fluttershy-”

That’s right. When I came face-to-face with that winged pony, she was completely oblivious to the tall, bipedal no hair having creature in front of her, me. That got me wondering, why couldn’t she notice me? All the other animals noticed, even these three ponies, but how come she didn’t notice me?

I was snapped back into concentration after one of the three ponies poked me. I looked at them, shaking my head. “I’m fine. But anyways, I can’t enter the house. I’m sorry.” As I began walking away, I heard a loud whistle coming from behind me. I turned around, and I saw Angel smiling at me, waving me over to come inside. I was honestly shocked. Have I made friends with this bunny?

“See? We told ya he wouldn’t mind!” Applebloom said, smiling at me. “Now come on, it’s getting too dark out here!”

I smiled at them, including Angel Bunny. As I let Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle inside first, I knelt down to personally that Angel. I rubbed his head. “Thanks for letting me stay little guy. I just hope Fluttershy and Whatever else is living in here don’t mind me staying for one night.”

He pushed my hand away from his head, clearly annoyed. I nervously smiled at him as he pointed two fingers at his eyes, then two fingers to mine. “Heh, sorry.” He smiled back, letting me in and shutting the door. Maybe tonight I can get some peace and quiet, despite sleeping by loud animals-

“Applebloom! Where in tarnation have ya been!?”

“Sweetie Belle, don’t you know it is past your curfew!?”

“Scoots, where were ya?!”

Well...So much for peace and quiet.

Fluttershy was sitting on the couch, hiding behind her mane while three other brightly colored ponies were standing in front of Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and Scootaloo. I looked down at Angel Bunny, wondering what in the hell was going on. He shrugged his shoulders, if bunny’s have any, and hopped away towards Fluttershy, trying to comfort her. Clearly, neither of us three know what is going on.

“Applebloom, we’ve been looking for you three for hours! What do ya have to say for yourself?” The one who said that was a orange coated pony, with a blond tail and mane. Ironically enough, her mane was in a ponytail. Her eyes were olive green, and she had freckles on her cheeks. She wore a stetson hat, and her accent sounded southern-like, almost like Applebloom, but with more of a cowgirl mix into it. Or in this case, a cowpony.

“Indeed! Sweetie, I’ve been worried sick about you! I was afraid we would have to have a town search party and-Gasp! Look at you, you look so dirty! When we get home you are taking a long bath!” This pony sounded very...pompous. Her mane and tail were indigo,of not, a dark purple color and were both swirled up to look very fashionable. To her liking, anyway. She had an almost pure white colored coat. You come can come close to even saying a marshmallow coat. Her eyes were of a dark blue color, and she also had a horn like Sweetie Belle, unlike Applebloom and this orange cowpony.

“Scoots! You’re suppose to be with Applebloom at their home by now! Where did all three of you go?” The last one had a cyan colored coat, almost as blue as the daytime sky. Her mane and tail were messy, like they were barely groomed properly, but it seems like she isn’t a total slob. I guess having both your tail and mane rainbow colored makes up for that. Her eyes were a magenta colored, and something tells me she’s the type to race. It could explain why her mane and tail are so messy, but I digress. Both her and Scootaloo had wings, and if I remember correctly from greek mythology...there are three races of horses and or ponies. I can’t remember for now, but my best guess is that these two are pegasi, like Fluttershy over there.

These three looked and sounded too young to be mothers, so they might somehow be related to Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Applebloom. They could all be cousins, sisters even. I’ll have to ask them, but for now, I have to calm all three of them down. “Excuse me, ladies? Please don’t yell at them, they just got lost in that forest. I brought them here to sleep for the night until somepony takes them to their right homes. It’s all just a big misunderstanding is all.”

“Don’t scare us like that ever again!”

“Ya know better than this, Applebloom! What if a Timberwolf got to you and Ah wasn’t there? Do ya know how torn that would leave me?”

“Don’t do anything crazy like that again, Scoots!”

Unbelievable. They..they didn’t notice me either! Let alone even heard a word I said! It;s just like before, when Fluttershy didn’t even notice me...

“We’re sorry.” Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said. I looked at them, and they all had a sad look on their faces as they looked at the floor.

I was expecting more scolding from the three, but instead, they all gave the three little ones a big group hug. I smiled at that, happy because they were all safe together.

Still, it bothers me plenty. Why couldn’t those thier sisters see me, but Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo can?

“Alright, enough of this gushy stuff. I need to get some sleep.” The rainbow maned one hovered in air, stretching. “I’ll see you all tomorrow. Bye Scoots.”

“Bye Rainbow Dash!” I got out of the way before she could have rammed into me, and she opened the door and flew out, leaving it wide open. Rainbow Dash, huh?

“That Rainbow Dash, always in a hurry.” The fancy pony said, giggling. “Come on Sweetie Belle, we need to get you in a bathtub ASAP.”

Sweetie Belle groaned. “Coming Rarity. By Crusaders!” She gave her friends a hug, then walking away. She came up to me, smiling. “By mister!” She gave me a hug. I hugged back, feeling even warmer than before. I smiled happily.

The one called ‘Rarity” raised a brow, but said nothing. She just waved goodbye to the other ponies and closed the door. Then there were just Fluttershy, who got up from her couch and walked next to Angel, who was right next to me without my notice, Applebloom, and her sister. I’m confident she is her sister.

“Well, Ah reckon we go back to Sweet Apple Acres Applebloom and Scootaloo. Thanks for try’n ta help out Fluttershy, Ah’m mighty thankful.” The orange pony said, tilting her stetson hat. Fluttershy nodded, smiling.

“Applejack, can we take our friend with us? Ah promise he’ll be good.” Applebloom said, pointing towards me. Applejack looked at my direction, raising a brow and squinting soon after. I smiled at her, waving.

“Uh...sure?”

As soon as she said that, Applebloom and Scootaloo ran up to me giving me a hug. I hugged them back, looking up at Applejack. “Thanks, I won’t be a burden.”

“Applebloom. Scootaloo. What are you two doing?” Applejack said, clearly confused.

“He says he’s mighty thankful, sis. He ain’t going to be a burden, promise.” Applebloom said, letting Applejack know what I said. I petted her mane. “Thanks Applebloom.”

We walked outside, and I closed the door behind us after they all waved goodbye to Fluttershy. Applejack jumped back a bit, and I don’t know why. I closed the door, quietly but quickly, so there wasn’t a loud noise to be heard.

We walked for a bit until we reached the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres, entering it.

“Alright, Granny Smith and Big Mac are asleep, so be very quiet when ya go upstairs, you two. Er, that goes for your friend as well, okay Applebloom?” Applejack said as she closed the door. Applebloom and Scootaloo nodded, rushing upstairs quietly.

Me however, I studied the house around me. Everything in here seemed so cozy and comfortable. There was a couch, some family pictures and so much more. I looked at Applejack, who was busy fixing herself something to eat in the kitchen.

“You probably can’t hear me, and for what felt like the millionth time. But I just want to say thank you for letting me into your home, Applejack.” She turned around, looking at me, or, not me, at something else. Her ears were twitching as she looked around the room.

“Huh. Ah could’ve sworn somepony said mah name.”

I sighed, giving up on getting her attention. Instead, I walk upstairs to a hallway where a room’s door was wide open as light shined out of said room.

I entered was greeted with two little pony’s smiling at me. They pointed behind them, and I looked over their heads, shocked at what I saw.

There were four blankets stacked on top of each other to resemble a twin bed, and a pillow was sitting right on top of it. I looked down at them. “Is this..for me?”

“Of course it is, we’re not going to let you sleep on the cold wooden floor!” Scootaloo said, pushing me towards the blanket-bed on the floor. Technically it was still on the floor, but blankets made it seem like it was above the floor. Still the act of this kindness made me smile.

“Well, we gotta get some rest for tomorra, it’s our Cutie Mark Crusading meeting.” Applebloom said, yawning. “Night mister!”

“Yea, you can come crusading with tomorrow if you would like to.” Scootaloo said as she got into the fairly large bed next to Applebloom. Their young, so this is a friendly act. Applebloom turned of the light, and almost instantly, they fell right to sleep. There was only one problem.

I was not tired. At all.

I was surprised too. After what all went down, I’m shocked that I haven’t passed out before we went to Fluttershy’s cottage.

I put my hands behind my head and decided to recall on my memory of what happened earlier today.

‘Okay, I still have no idea if This is all just a dream or a coma I am currently in. I guess I’ll find out sooner or later.’ I said in my thoughts. ‘Today I met three little ponies, Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle. At first, they thought I was a monster and panicked. After that, I ran away into a cottage, where the animals went crazy and forced me out of there and into The Everfree Forest.’

‘That’s when I met the Cutie Mark Crusaders, if that’s what they call themselves, being attacked by a wooden wolf. Applejack called them a Timberwolf, so I guess that’s what is was. I saved them from the wolf, and brought them to Fluttershy’s cottage, where I later made friends with Angel and where Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle siblings were waiting. I think Rainbow Dash isn’t related to Scootaloo, since she left without her.’

‘Then Applejack let me into her home, and here I am.’

There were just a lot of things that happened throughout this day that still bothered me. Like, why couldn’t Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, or even Rainbow Dash see me, but the animals and the Cutie Mark Crusaders could? Why couldn’t I pick up Sweetie Belle the first time, but then I was able to after the many failures?

What is a Cutie Mark Crusader, and what do they do? What were those strange markings on the older ponies flank, and why didn’t these little ponies have them?

But most of all...who were those people that were in my head, and what was that memory of a bus before I woke up?

Many thoughts were racing through my mind at once, and I couldn’t even keep up with one. I decided it would be best to find out what was going on later in the future.

I closed my eyes, doing my best to sleep. I could feel myself grow tired. For now, I will try to sleep and find out what is going on later. Whether this is a dream induced coma or not, one thing is certain.

I have no idea who I am.

“Is he awake?”

“Ah don’t know, maybe?”

“I got an idea. Quick, get me a feather from one of your pillow’s ASAP!”

I couldn’t fall asleep at all. The thoughts of yesterdays events still roamed freely around my mind, and even though I closed my eyes, it didn’t help. In fact, I don’t feel tired, and as much as I want to sleep, to rest, anything, I simply can’t. I thought that closing my eyes would help me sleep, even if I tightened my eyelids, but that didn’t help either. So, all I did was kept my eyes shut and just listened to every noise around me. Sometimes I would hear creaks in the floorboards, random shuffling in other rooms, and later I heard a rooster caw, almost waking up everypony in this household in such earliness.

“Are you even ticklin’ him?”

“Yea! Well, I think I am, the feather just brushes over him.”

Well, save for these two. They’ve been awake long after the rooster crowed and all the other residents left the house. I’m guessing that they were going to do work in these fields, and decided to leave the kids to themselves. They tried “waking me up” with a feather, and by the sounds of their frustration, the feather doesn’t seem to do any work. I find this actually amusing, because I believe this has been going on for five minutes now. I guess it’s time for me to wake up.

“Morning girls,” I say so suddenly, opening my eyes. I heard those two squeal, mostly because they didn’t expect me to wake up without a hesitation. I sat up, looking around the room, faking a yawn and wiping my eyes as if I was actually tired. “I see the feather trick didn’t come out as you planned it, now did it?”

“You were awake the whole time?” Scootaloo said as she walked closer to me. She had a look of disbelief, then a look of annoyance. “That’s not cool. I was hoping I could have woken you up with the feather.”

“Whole time?” I thought back to how I couldn’t sleep, then shrugged. “More or less.” I stood up and stretched my bones, even though I didn’t have the urge. I guess it’s just a regular thing, and I didn’t ignore it. I looked around the room and found Applebloom near a mirror, adjusting a big bow right on top of her head. “You have more of those?”

“A whole bunch!” She said, walking over towards me. “Applejack gave it to me when I was a lot younger, and Ah’ve been using it ever since.” She smiled happily, then walked over to me and nudged my forearm with her maw. “Now get up! We’re gonna go somewhere!”

Doing as I was told, I stood up and stretched again, only my legs. Though I was curious. “Where are we going, Applebloom?” Both Scootaloo and Applebloom turned their heads towards each other, smiling, then turned towards me.

“Cutie Mark Crusading!”

We left the house after Applebloom went to go say goodbye to her grandmother, Granny Smith, who I have yet to meet myself. After she did that, we walked down the rows and rows of apple trees, making me feel like I was walking in a never ending maze. I have yet to walk into that orange pony again, Applejack, and hear that male voice I heard when I was in the barn. Applebloom and Scootaloo were each on one side of my leg, almost as if we were a trio. But what about Sweetie Belle?

After what seemed like six hours, we finally reached the end of the orchard, at least, one side of the orchard. The plain was just like how I remembered it, flat, clean cut grass, some trees and one large treehouse. It was a lot more advance than I last got a good look at it. The stairs were built flat like, blue and yellow with a few steps built into it. The door and window shutters were a dark peach color, with see-through cut out hearts on all of them. The walks on the outside were a peach color, and the roof was a brown color with a large tree branch sticking out of it with some apples in the mix. The house had a porch, and a fence.

For three little girls, they sure have a lot of skill when it comes to handycraft. Or is it hoofcraft? The similarities in this place has me all confused.

“Wow, for a treehouse, it looks pretty nice.” I say in awe. Scootaloo and Applebloom nodded in satisfaction, then began pulling my left and right pants leg. They wanted me to step inside, and I just couldn’t say no to those cute little faces. I was hesitant, because I wasn’t so sure if I could fit inside. But, I climbed up the steps anyway, giving it a chance.

As soon as I went inside the treehouse, I was amazed. For one, I was shocked that I could fit inside, the house was pretty big. Second, the whole colors and objects in this place popped out.

The windows had neat curtains, the walls were a nice dark yellow, little chairs were scattered around here and there, painting utensils were all over a small table, and a blue ladder was connected to the roof. This house even had a second story! These little kids know their way around the hammer.

“Alright, let’s start the meeting!”

I turned around to see little Applebloom standing on her hind legs right behind a those kind of stands you see when somebody important is giving a speech. Scootaloo pulled my pants leg and signaled me to sit down right next to her, on a little chair. At first, I was fine with just standing, but I accepted it anyway out of just being polite.

“Okay everypony!” Applebloom looked at me, then coughed. “Whoops, Ah mean, okay everypony and human! Today is a new day for all of us!” Again, she looked towards me and pointed her little hoof at me. “Yesterday, we met a new friend! At first, we thought he was just a monster, but after he saved us from that Timberwolf, Ah think he’s actually a good pony-er, colt. Colt?” I nodded. “Yea, colt!”

“Um...thank you?” I wasn’t too sure what they were both doing, greetings maybe, but I let her continue her little speech.

“Ah here by declare our new friend a member of our club. Mister,” I felt a tug behind me, and as I turned around, I noticed Sweetie Belle pop up out from behind Scootaloo, who was smiling. They both presented a large handkerchief, but in their eyes, I’m sure it was a cape. On the inside, it had a gold-like thread, and on the outside, it was a dark red with an emblem stitched on quite nicely like, but it still pretty good. The emblem was a small pony, also wearing a cape. “Welcome to the Cutie Mark Crusaders!”

“Wow, this is really nice. Except, there’s one problem.” I looked up at Applebloom, who was right between both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. All three of them had a sad face.

“You...you don’t like it?” Sweetie Belle said in such a quivering tone.

“I do like it! I really do!” I said, trying to calm her down. “It’s just that...I don’t know what a Cutie Mark is, let alone what A Cutie Mark Crusader does.”

That’s when I heard all three of them gasp simultaneously. One by one, they rushed up to me with questioning and knowledgeable eyes.

“You don’t know what a cutie mark is?” Applebloom said, walking around me. She had a hoof under her chin, trying to think of a way to explain. “How can Ah put this? A cutie mark is sorta kinda mark on your flank. You get it when you discover your natural talent.”

“Yea, like, how my sister has one.” Sweetie Belle chimed in. “She has three blue diamonds on her flank. Her talent is...well, I don’t really know what is. She’s good with fashion, I can tell you that!”

“Oh, so like Applejack has one, right?” I said, now fully intrigued into the subject. “Well if she has one, do you have them too?”

“That’s why we made the club, the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” Scootaloo said, turning around. I noticed how she and the other two didn’t have a mark either. “We don’t have ours yet, but the reason why we made the club is because we can help ourselves and other blank flanks find their special talent!” Her wings buzzed, almost as fast as a hummingbird's wings.

“Oh...I don’t have a cutie mark.”

As soon as I said that, all three of them ran around the house and grabbed various of objects. Sweetie Belle has a map, Applebloom grabbed a hardhat, and Scootaloo brought a checklist. “Um, what is all of this?”

They all smiled widely, and I knew where this was heading.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders Human Helpers!”

We traveled around the apple orchards trying to get my cutie mark, even though I’m sure humans don’t get them. But no matter how many times I told them, they just wouldn’t drop it so easily. First, they thought I was good at picking apples, but I couldn’t reach the apples even after I jumped. Next, they thought I was good at plowing the fields, but it appeared that I was too weak to plow.

We tried everything barn and apple related, but nothing happened. I didn’t feel any different, just the same as when I first got here.

Cold.

“I’m sorry girls, but it seems like this isn’t working. Honestly, I don’t think humans can get cutie marks.” I said to all three of them, who were just about to set up a trampoline. What they wanted to do I had know idea, but I’m glad I stopped it. “Plus, with these things you're all doing, one of you could get hurt bad. If not, somebody else, and by somebody, I mean me.”

“Ah guess you’re right,” Applebloom said, taking off the hardhat. “Ah think we should take a little break. Right Crusaders?”

“Yea. Besides, we tried everything on the list, and none of them didn’t do a thing.” Scootaloo said, throwing the checklist on the ground, then sighing. “Trying to earn a cutie mark is hard.”

“Hey, don’t look so down Scootaloo.” I spoke, walking over to her and petting her mane. She seemed to like like it, because she smiled, but then quickly wiped away that smile and moved my hand off of her, trying to look like tough pony. I chuckled at that. “Things take time to grow. I’m sure you, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom will get your marks in due time. It’s,” I stopped myself from talking, trying my best to think of a metaphor. I walked over to an apple tree and pointed to an apple, making sure the Cutie Mark Crusaders, or to shortened it, C.M.C, were paying attention. “It’s similar to a nice, juicy apple. You have to give it time for the apple to grow from the seeds. You can’t just rush it, it all takes time. You get what I am saying, right?” I looked at all of their faces, and all had a different point of view.

Sweetie Belle had a more understanding look, while Applebloom was still processing the little life lesson. Scootaloo was-

“Uh...ya lost me.”

“Sweetie Belle! Applebloom! Scootaloo!” I look behind me to see a hard working Applejack walk towards us, pulling a large cart filled with both green and red apples. She stopped right next to me, and right in front of the C.M.C. “Ah need ya’ll to do me a favor.”

“Sure sis, whatta ya need?” Applebloom said ever so cheerly.

“Ah need ya to go to Twilight’s house and see if Spike ain’t busy. As much as Ah hate to say it, but we need some help.” She finished her sentence with a gulp, like it’s a bad thing to get this Spike fellow. I wonder if he’s been here before?

“Sure thing sis, we’ll be back here in no time!” Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo saluted Applejack, which in returned, she smiled. She walked away from us and continued her work in the orchards, again completely oblivious to me.

“So...Where does this ‘Spike’ live?” I said, looking around but only seeing trees.

“Spike lives with Twilight Sparkle, the librarian at the Golden Oaks Library.” Sweetie Belle said, rolling up the map and placing it behind her-Wait, do ponies even have pockets?

“Yea, they both live in a tree house.” Scootaloo chimed, picking up the checklist.

“Like yours?” I said, curiously. All three of them giggled. “What?”

“They don’t live in a tree house like ours, silly.” Sweetie Belle replied. “Their house is a tree. You’ll get it when we get there.”

“We?” I repeated, pointing a finger at myself.

“Yup. Who knows, maybe Twilight has a book or something you might find interesting.” Commented Scootaloo. “We should probably get going now-we don’t want to keep Applejack waiting.”

“Alright Crusaders and mister, let’s get going!” Applebloom walking right between her other two friends.

These ponies...For some reason, I feel attached to them. Like, if I want to leave, I can’t and I wouldn’t want to. These little ones got such a vivid imagination, trying to find their cutie marks, going on crazy adventures, and just having fun at the same time.

I smile, walking behind them. Even though whatever they do seems like childs play, I still have fun with these three. I mean, I barely know them, but...

Anyhow, we began our walk to Golden Oaks Library, Ponyville, where we are going to meet Spike and Twilight Sparkle.

What kind of name is ‘Spike’ and ‘Twilight Sparkle’ anyway?

Ponies. Everywhere I would walk with the C.M.C, they would wave hi to a ton of other ponies. Thing is, when I tried waving my hand at some ponies, they didn’t wave back. I don’t think they even noticed me, and just walked away when I would keep waving my hand.

It wasn’t until after what seemed like a couple minutes I was able to wave hi to a pony, two actually. Both were just children though, maybe about the same age as the C.M.C. Only way I could have told they were boy and girl was because the girl had long eyelashes, while the other didn’t.

But when I waved hi to them, they looked scared out of there skin, and were just about to scream until Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom ran up to the two and calmed them down. I was just standing a couple of feet away from them, trying to keep my distance because I didn’t want to scare them in any other way.

“We swear Rumble, he’s a good guy! Guy means colt, or stallion, by the way.” I heard Scootaloo said to the little colt in a gray coat, and spiky, black mane, also now known as Rumble. “We’ll be honest;we thought he was a monster too, but when you get to know ‘em, he’s actually pretty cool.” She turned around, smiling sheepishly. “Sorry mister!”

“But what are those things on his hooves? They look creepy!” A filly in a grey coat and blond mane said. I look down at my hands, and automatically knew she was talking about my fingers.

“They’re called ‘fingers’. They help him grip and pick up stuff.” Sweetie Belle chimed in as she pointed to her on hoof. “He doesn’t use his mouth though. I guess it’s because he has no maw.”

“Believe us Dinky and Rumble, he ain’t gonna hurt nopony.” Apple Bloom turned her head towards me and waved her hoof at me, letting me know to come closer. “Watch, he’s a nice.”

I walked over to Dinky and Rumble, towering over them. They looked up at me with huge eyes, scared but curious at the same time. I knelt down so they could get a better look at me from a better angle. “Hi. I promise you, I’m not gonna hurt anypony.”

Dinky and Rumble gave each other suspicious looks, then Rumble looked towards me. “We don’t know. You promise?”

“I promise.”

“Pinkie Promise?” I honestly didn’t know how they would have a pinkie promise here, but I didn’t promise. I held out my pinkie. However, they looked at it strangely. “That’s not a Pinkie Promise!”

“Um, okay? Then what is a Pinkie Promise?” I say, clearly confused. That’s when Rumble held up his right hoof, and nodded at me. I did the same and followed the colts orders.

“Repeat after me. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” He crossed the center of his chest, closed his left eye, and placed his hoof above said closed eye.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, Stick a cupcake in my eye.” after crossing my heart and placing and putting my palm on my closed left eye, a smile crept slowly on Rumble’s face. Dinky smiled too, and so did the C.M.C. I don’t know why, but I smiled as well.

Again I felt warm, but for a brief moment. After that, I felt cold yet again. Why is that?

“Rumble, I have to go home. My mom will get worried, and I don’t want Mr.Whooves getting worried either.” Dinky said as she nudged Rumble’s shoulder.

“Alright. Well, I guess we’ll see you three at school tomorrow. We’ll see ya laters, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle.” Rumble looked towards me, and help out his hoof.

“You want a fist bump?”

“A what? No, it’s called a ‘hoof bump’.” Rumble began to pound his hoof into his other hoof, but stood up on his hind legs and balanced himself long enough to demonstrate. “See, what you do it bump your hoof and mine, like this. Got it?”

Even though I already knew how it would go, I played along. I guess there are way more similarities between my world and this one, which I have yet to know the name of this land. Ponyville doesn’t count, since it’s a town.

After bumping his hoof, Rumble smiled. “Nice. Can’t wait to tell my bro Thunderlane that I hoof bumped with a pony with fingers!”

As they walked away, I couldn’t help but smile at the two walking away, talking with each other and laughing. I also noticed a few adult ponies were looking at them weirdly, but I payed no mind.

“Looks like you made some new friends, mister!” I stood up from my kneeling position and looked down towards Sweetie Belle, who was smiling cheerfully, along with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. I petted all of their heads, then began walking away with them.

“Yea, it looks like I did.”

As we ventured further into Ponyville, we were finally able to locate the Golden Oaks Library

“Wow. This is a big tree, Sweetie Belle.”

“Told you!”

Sweetie Belle wasn’t exaggerating, Spike and Twilight Sparkles’ house is not just a library, but a giant tree as well! My mouth went agape when I stood under the colossal tree, noticing how there was a porch high up top with furniture and some books. Something told me one of the two love reading books.

“So are we just gonna stand out here and admire this house, or are we gonna go inside and get Spike?” Scootaloo said as she pulled my pants leg. “I’ll go knock on the door.”

As she did that, I needed to ask Scootaloo an important question. “Hey, Sweetie? By any chance, could their be a book with maps here? Or just maps in general?”

Sweetie Belle pondered for a second, but then nodded. ”Mhmm! Twilight has tons of books! I’m sure she’ll have a lot on Equestria.”

The name she just said rang like chimes in my head. “Equestria? Is that the name of-”

“I’m coming! Sheesh, ponies these days.” I looked up from Sweetie Belle and looked towards the door Scootaloo was pounding on. She kept pounding the door until a boy’s voice responded yet again. “I’m coming! Geez, can’t ponies wait?”

Just to annoy the colt behind the door, Scootaloo stopped. Then pounded the door once more, making not just Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom to laugh, but me as well. The door opened, and to my surprise, there, standing was a scaley, purple and green reptilian creature. I would say I was scared out of my wits, but like I said before, this world is too cartoonish to be scared of. I was just shocked is all.

“Oh, it’s just you three.” The little dragon said, Spike, said. His eyes slowly crept up to me. “And who are...you?”

I smiled, trying my best to look friendly. “Hi.”

“AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

He slammed the door shut, and I could hear his little footsteps scurry away.

“...Well, that went well.” Apple Bloom commented, clearly sarcastic. “Spike! Open this door!”

“No! Not until that thing leaves!”

“Ouch.” I said, not really hurt. However, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle didn’t take too kindly to that.

“He isn’t a thing, he’s a human!” Scootaloo barked. “Come on girls, let’s open this door!”

“I really think that isn’t so much of a good idea.” I said as I tried to calm down the C.M.C. I stepped in front of the door. “Look, how about I go away and you can bring him back to Sweet Apple Acres?” I thought carefully at what I said, and decided to go a different route. I don’t want these ponies hurting a dragon, if that is possible. “Scratch that, let’s try later.”

“But he called ya ‘thing’! That ain’t nice, Spike!” Apple Bloom said as she tried to sneak by me. I gently pushed her back, not wanting her to do something she’ll probably regret. He is a dragon after all.

“Spike? Who’s at the door?” All four of us heard a feminine voice come from inside the house, and I stepped away from the door. “Are there ponies out there? I told you, we’re open!”

“Yea but, there’s this tall creature out there with the Crusaders! and It has weird claws, like mine but they’re not sharp, and it’s standing on its hind legs, and-”

“What?! Is it hurting the Crusaders?” The voice sounded serious for a second, I began to worry. But the Crusaders just started giggling, raising a brow from me.

“Well, no. In fact, I think it;s friends with them, but-”

“Spike, remember what I told you? Never judge a book by it’s cover!”

“Yea but!”

“I'm opening the door, spike.”

“Nono wait-”

The door began to glow a purple and pink colored aura, and the doorknob slowly churned until I heard a click. The door creaked open, and behind it was a unicorn with a glowing horn, a light purple coat and dark purple mane with a pink highlight, and a cutie mark of a six point star, surrounded with other little stars.

“Spike! Why would you close the door on the Crusaders! I also don’t see a strange creature. I swear, you need to stop staying up later than your bedtime, you're seeing things.” She stepped away from the entrance, and smiled at the C.M.C. “Hi girls. Do you need something?”

“Applejack was wonder’n if we can borrow Spike for a bit, she needs help out in the farm.” Apple Bloom said as she stuck her tongue out at Spike, who was too busy trying to comprehend everything that just happened.

Twilight Sparkle gave a mischievous smile, and turned her head towards the baffled dragon. “Tell Applejack he’ll be on his way. Now, I have to go get some groceries.” She walked towards the door, and I entered the house before she could knock right into me. “Spike, lock the door when you leave, okay?”

Spike couldn’t argue with Twilight, as she closed the door with her magic. I could have sworn I heard her laugh, but I digress. The real problem here, is how close the C.M.C were to Spike.

“So, ‘thing’ huh?” The C.M.C said simultaneously.

“Look, I didn’t mean it I swear!” Spike chuckled nervously as he was backed into a corner. As much as this was sort of fun to watch, I had to stop it.

“Alright, eveypony just calm down. He doesn’t know what I am, so it’s okay.” I walked behind the three ponies and carried them away before they could harm the quivering dragon.I placed the ponies behind me, and knelt down to look at Spike. I brought out a fist, hoping he wanted to fist bump. “Hey Spike. I’m not gonna hurt you. If it makes you feel better, I made a Pinkie Promise with two other kid ponies.”

Spike looked down at my fist, then brought out his claws. He closed them to make a fist, then pounded mine, still wary of me. “So, you're not gonna eat me?”

“Of course not. If anything, you could eat me, little tough guy.” I said, lightly punching his arm. He winced and rubbed it, but then smiled.

“Yea, I guess you’re right. Sorry I called you a ‘thing’ by the way.” Spike hung his head low, feeling sorry. I patted his back, knocking him forward a bit.

“It’s cool, the C.M.C thought I was a monster when they first met me.” That brought Spike’s head up high. He peaked beside me, lightly glaring at the C.M.C. I turned around to see them blushing, and I chuckled. “Haha, yea, they were scared of me more than you actually.”

“Pssh, what? I was just exercising my lungs.” Scootaloo said as she looked away.

“Yeah, us too!” Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom said, doing the same. Spike and I laughed at that, and I stood up, towering over him.

“So, can you trust me?” I said to Spike as I walked over to a bookshelf. I heard him say yes, and I nodded. “Say Spike? Do you know if there’s any books involving maps in here?”

Turning around to look at another bookshelf, Spike had a book with the cover of a map on it. “Well, that was fast.”

“Yea, I know this place inside and out! So, are we going to Sweet Apple Acres or what?” I nodded, and looked towards the C.M.C, who were already outside the house waiting for us. Spike nodded, and wobble his way outside of the house, waiting for me. “Come on dude, I don’t wanna lock you in here with boring old books!”

“I’m on my way.” I said as I checked out a book. I hope the C.M.C don’t mind if I used their names, trying to remember mine if still a little fuzzy. Before I walked outside, I found an old, dusty book on top of a desk. I walked over to it, and dusted it off. I read the book title out loud to myself.

For some reason, the book caught my attention more than I expected it to. I figured if I borrowed this big as well, it will let me know of other residents in this place, along with some interesting facts that can help me along the way. I sign another book with me, and quickly rushed out the house, letting Spike lock the door.

Maybe now I can get some information on this place.

Spike offered to carry the two books I was holding, and though I was fine with carrying them both, he insisted that he carried them for me.

We were walking away from the Royal Oaks Library after Spike had locked the door, making our way towards the dirt road that led to Sweet Apple Acres. I wasn’t surprised that Spike already started asking questions, he is a kid after all.

I answered the basic questions, such as what I am, how the girls found me and such. I’m surprised that he didn’t ask about who I am, because I still don’t know. Which is strange itself, because I thought would overreact and go emotional.

Hopefully, that doesn’t happen.

Anyways, Spike started asking more harder questions, such as why older ponies can’t see me, yet little fillies and colts can.

“To be honest Spike, I don’t even know why the adults don’t notice me. It’s been like that since yesterday.” I said as he and I separated from the C.M.C. Not too far, but just enough to talk with Spike and watch over them. Can’t have any of these kids leave my line of sight. “It’s almost as if I’m a ghost, you know?”

“Ha! A ghost, as if those are real.” Spike laughed at my statement, patting my left right leg. I smiled at that as well, but something in the back of my head told me I should be more wary of what I said. I don’t know why, but sent a bad vibe to me. “Hey, where’d the girls go?”

“Huh? Oh they’re right there..Oh no.”

This is bad. They were right in front of us the whole time Spike and I were conversing, and when I look up, they’re gone! Maybe they already ran towards Sweet Apple Acres and left us in the dust. Rude, but at least that’s where I hope they’ll be. “Alright, \we’re going on a little hunt, Spike.”

“Hunt? We’re gonna eat the C.M.C!?”

“Eat? No, it’s a metaphor. We’re gonna look for the girls, not eat them!”

Spike tilted his head, towards a large, gingerbread building. I would be shocked, but if cartoon ponies can talk, fly, and use telekinesis, than there is no point in even faking. “I think I know where they’re going.” Spike pointed his finger towards the door of the large gingerbread house, where I saw Scootaloo’s tail scurry in there very quickly.

“Well then, let’s get in there.” I was walking towards the the door of the house, but Spike whistled loudly, causing me to turn around and look at him. “Something’s up?”

“Well...there’s this pink pony in there.” Spike said, twiddling his claw thumbs, if that is the right way to put it. “And...well, she talks. A lot.”

I know this sounds kind of mean, but I need some fun too. I smiled at the purple dragon, mischievously. “Oh, I see...You like her, huh?”

Spike, just as expected, gasped. “What!? No! She’s just a friend! Besides, I have like another pony.” He humphed, sticking his nose in the air.

After chuckling, I walked back to him, petting the tall green spike he had on his head, which felt more blunt than sharp. “Say no more, Spike. Come on, let’s go get those ponies. I mean, how talkative can this pink pony be?”

Spike grinned, patting my leg. “You are new around here. You don’t know Pinkie Pie until you have a few words with her. And by few, I mean a whole thick covered book, recited front to back.”

He walked ahead of me, entering the cookie sweet covered building. After rethinking my choice of entering, I walked inside anyway.

This “Pinkie Pie” can’t be so bad, right?

Entering the building, the first thing I noticed was how every corner of the store was shelved and stocked with all kinds of sweets. Heck, there was enough sweets in here to fill up a dentists wallet forever.

At the back of the store, were two older looking ponies. One was yellow, who wore a hat and an apron, and scrawnier than the pony beside him. She, on the other hand, was more plump, and her coat was a cyan color, with her mane and tail were a mixture of hot pink and normal pink.

I swear, sometimes I think these ponies mane and tail colors were dyed another color from their original. But hey, I’m still in a coma, right?

Those two weren’t the only ponies I saw behind the counter. There was also a kitchen, and standing at the doorway, was a pink-everything pony, balancing a metal tray of cupcakes on the tip of her maw. How that was possible, I don’t even know, I just didn’t question it.

“So, tell my why you girls are here again?”

Across from me, I could see the C.M.C and Spike walking towards the counter where the more older ponies were. They didn’t seem to notice me, so I just followed them from behind not really caring if they did hear me or not.

“Well, we’ve also noticed that a lot of the adults don’t notice him. So we came up with the idea of Pinkie trying to talk to him.” Sweetie Belle said as they walked closer to the counter.

“I thought it was a bad idea,” Scootaloo said as she rolled her eyes. “We all know how Pinkie could get when she meets a new friend. Always throwing parties and stuff.”

“Exactly.” Apple Bloom cut in. “If Pinkie Pie can see him, then we’ll know that we ain’t the only ones that can see him! Including you and Rumble and Dinky, Spike.”

Hi girls! Hi Spike, how are you all doing!” Said Pinkie Pie, who shoved all the cupcakes under the display shelf of the counter. “I’ll take care of this, Mr. and Mrs. Cakes, you two can go check on the twins.”

“Thanks Pinkie, we’ll be back soon.” Mrs. Cake said as she opened the door to leave th counter. Mr. Cake followed behind, shivering. “Did it get cold in here?”

As soon as they went upstairs, Apple Bloom began to speak to Pinkie Pie about a new friend her and the rest of the C.M.C made. She only told her about how I’m new to this town, which made Pinkie Pie’s smile grew wider. That’s when Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Spike pushed me towards the counter without me even noticing that they were behind me.

“I’d love to meet your new friend!” Pinkie Pie said with such excitement. I was just standing there, looking at here eye to until she starting looking around. She even checked under the counter. “So, where is he?”

At this point, I just raised my hand and wagged it in front of her, hoping she would notice that. Big surprise! She didn’t.

“Are you kidding me?” Scootaloo said, rubbing the side of her head with hoof. “You too, Pinkie?” She turned around. “I...I can’t. I’ll be waiting outside.”

“Woah, what’s wrong with Scoots?” Pinkie Pie said, raising a brow. I wasn’t really worried, because I just know that she’s just frustrated that nopony else can see me. “Is everything okay?”

Apple Bloom sighed, looking up at me. “Yea, it’s just that our new friend is right here, and nopony can notice him, other than us and other colts and fillies.”

“Well, maybe your friend can only be seen by colts and fillies, ever thought about that?” Pinkie said as she placed a dozen of cupcakes in a bag.

“I have.” I said, looking down at Spike, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. “Though, I don’t know why.”

“Hm..Well, thanks for trying at least, Pinkie Pie.” Spike said, turning to me, shrugging.

“No problemo. Oh! Before you go, take a free bag of cupcakes with you guys, complements from Sugar Cube Corner!” Pinkie said, turning around. “I got to get back to the kitchen and cook a new batch of sweets, tell Applejack, Big Mac and Granny Smith I said hi!” With that, she returned to the kitchen, where I could hear a whole bunch of cooking noises.

“Welp, we better get back to Sweet Apple Acres. You ready to work, Spike?” Apple Bloom said, chuckling.

“Hardly.” Spike replied, very boringly. We all shared a laugh, walking towards the door. That’’s when I realized the bag full of cupcakes was still on the counter. I turned around to run and grab it before anypony stole it.

I reached my hand to grab the bag, but it just went right through. I looked at my hand, wondering what just happened. I tried again, but my hand went right through the bag. This time, I was getting frustrated.

The lights started flickering, but I payed no mind. I just wanted to grab that damn bag. After one more try, I grabbed the bag, smiling at my success.

“Got ya.” I said, taking the bag with me. I looked up to see Pinkie Pie staring at the back with wide eyes. “Yes, it’s a pretty bag.” I chuckled, turning around . I closed the door after I left, not wanting any flies or something to enter the store.

*CLICK*

“I got to get back to the kitchen and cook a new batch of sweets, tell Applejack, Big Mac and Granny Smith I said hi!”

Pinkie Pie did as she said, and quickly returned to the kitchen to make some delicious cupcakes. She rummaged through the fridge, pulling out some ingredients she needed for the cupcakes she was about to make. She had everything: frosting, metal tray, sprinkles, and the doh.

It only took her 15 seconds to create the cupcakes. That stove does work, doesn’t it? All that’s missing is the little paper wrapping you put under the cupcakes. Fortunately for her, said wrapping was behind the counter, in the drawers.

She walked towards the counter, smiling happily and humming a song she sang not to long ago.

“Smile, smile...smile?”

Pinkie noticed something strange. She looked at the bag on the counter, which was left by the C.M.C and Spike. But, that wasn’t what bothered her. What did bother her, was the sudden chill she felt in the store, especially how it surrounded the bag. She knew the store got cold before, but every second that passed by ever since the children left the store, everything got colder and colder.

Suddenly, the bag that was filled with cupcakes began to move slowly. Pinkie wanted to stop it from moving, but the lights started flickering above her, distracting her from the thought of picking up the bag. She could only stare at it, as the lights flickered on and off.

The bag started floating towards the door, and Pinkie Pie was too confused and shocked to focus on what was going on. There was no aura around the bag, so how could it be floating?

Pinkie Pie got her answer. When the store door closed, she could she a strange hoof leave before the door was shut completely. It had claws, but more meat and less hair. None at all.

When the door was fully shut, all the lights stopped flickering, and the whole store began to warm up to it’s normal temperature. Pinkie Pie did not scream, however, she just sighed from what left her store.

“What in the name of Celestia was that?”

“You guys really like Pinkie Pie’s cupcakes, huh?”

“Well yea! They’re like, the best in Ponyville! Maybe even Equestria!”

“And that gave you the reason to snatch the bag out of my hand, Scootaloo?”

“Hm...Yea pretty much!”

After closing the door, Scootaloo saw the bag of cupcakes and just started digging in. I told her that she should have only one because the others have to eat too. She inspected the cupcakes she was eating, and gave each of the other kids their own. She held one out, a chocolate coated cupcake with sprinkles on top, and asked me if I wanted it. I told her I was not hungry at the moment, and that she should save that cupcake for somepony else later, or me if I do get hungry.

“Alright then, I’ll just leave it in the bag for you.” Scootaloo said as she placed the cupcake in the bag and held it in her mouth. She tried to speak, but the bag in her mouth mumbled out some hard to hear words. “Leff geff goin’!”
Even though the words were muffled everypony understood her, heck even the dragon did! But when I turned to look at Spike, he had such a mischievous smile.

He looked towards Scootaloo with a confused expression and a claw pressed next to his green, scaly ear. “What was that again?”

“I fed, leff geff goin!” repeated Scootaloo, with less enthusiasm than before but a little louder. This got a little giggle from Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, and even gave me a little smile.

Spike’s ‘confused expression’, so to say, was revealing a sly grin instead of a dumbstruck, mouth agape look. “Sorry, couldn’t quite catch that, Scoots. Mind repeating it?”

“I FED, LEFF GEFF GOIN’!” This time, Scootaloo sounded more frustrated, which got a laugh from Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Spike. I chuckled because of how frustrated the little orange Pegasus was, making her frustration turn into annoyance.

She spat out the bag, hitting Spike in the face with it and knocking him down on his tail as he held on the books he was carrying like they were his children. Scootaloo’s annoyed straight lips curved into a small smile. She closed her eyes, and spoke with a happy tone. “There. Now, let’s get going.”

Spike stood back up from the ground, both books in one hand and the cupcakes bag in the other. Spike didn’t get mad though, instead, he just laughed. He laughed along with the C.M.C, making me smile at these little kids hijinks.

“Alright, we should probably get you fillies,” Spike said in a disappointed tone. “And colt, back to Sweet Apple Acres. I don’t want Applejack ringing my neck.” I said, jokingly.

Jokingly. Yea.

I knew we were getting closer to Sweet Apple Acres, because we were walking on a dirt path with a one sided fence, and over that fence I could see rows upon rows of apple trees. I stopped for just a second, leaning over the fence and just to stare at the scenery in front of me. Some apple trees were swaying in the wind, while others looked like they were being kicked hardly to get the hanging apples off of the tree.

Staring at the scenery is giving me a bad feeling in pit of my stomach. Everything here so far looks peaceful, so why do I feel bad? Now that I think about it, why am I here? Is this really just a dream, a deep sleep or am I even in a coma? The more I look around, the more everything seems more real than fake. The wind swishing the trees, the crunching of grass underneath the hooves of ponies, talking ponies nonetheless; and yet everything seems so real.

I...I just don’t know.

“Big Mac and Applejack seem mighty busy today.” I look down at my right side to see Apple Bloom right beside me, but also looking at the trees in the acre. I looked around for Spike, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, but had no luck in spotting them. I was about to ask where they were at, but Apple Bloom already spoke up. “Don’t worry mister. They’re walkin’ back to the farm. Ah just told them they could go ahead without me.” She looked away from the trees and looked up at me. “Ah stayed ‘cause you looked kinda sad. Is everything okay, mister?”

I raised an eyebrow, confused at the question. “I’m not sad, Apple Bloom.”

“Are ya sure?” She asked, “You sure do look sad.”

I knelt down to get an even eye level with Apple Bloom, and petted her mane at the same time. “I’m not sad, Apple Bloom, honestly. I’m, what’s the word...confused.” I said, getting back up. “Come on, let’s get back to Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Well, what are you confused about, mister?” Apple Bloom said as we began our walk back the farm. I look down to my left side to her pulling out some sad eyes, big ones.

I sighed, still walking alongside her. I look down at her and thought it would be a better idea to fake a smile, than to just tell her the reason, because… I don’t even know why, and explaining it to her would confuse both of us. “You little ponies ask a lotta questions, huh?”

“Hey, Ah’m a big pony!” Apple Bloom replied, pouting. “Ah just ain’t as tall as mah sister.” She stuck her maw in the air, like she was really offended.

“Awe come on,” I chuckled, poking her belly, causing her to giggle. “I’m just kidding.”
“You better be bub.”

I smiled at the little one. Even though I have no full information on who I am, these ponies are kind of warming me up a bit.
Warmth. Why do I feel that all of a sudden? It’s already happened at least, what, twice now? Counting this one, that’s three. This land has weird weather patterns-

“I just remembered something. Come on, Apple Bloom, I need to read that book!” I said quickly as I began to run.

“What for?” Apple Bloom said, catching up to me. In fact, she’s passing me. Ponies are fast, aren’t they?

“Well, for one, your sister could be worried about you, and two,” We were already at the entrance of the farm, where in the distance I could see Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo enter the house. Spike had a broom in his claws, so I’m guessing he was already put to work. “There is a book I need to read, two books actually.”

We began to walk into the farm, calmly. Since we are already here, there is no need to rush. As we walked by Spike, I noticed a large, big red pony. There was no doubt that he was male, just the simple line he spoke said it all,

“Hey, Big Mac, Are mah friends inside the house?” Apple Bloom said, walking up to Big Mac...

“Eyup.”

She walked right back next to me, beginning our walk back into the house. “They’re inside.”

I raised my brows, surprised that she wasn’t scared of that pony. “Who was that?”

“Mah brother.” Apple Bloom responded, proudly, “Now come on, don’t you want to read your books?”

We entered the house, looking around for Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. That’s when I spotted them sitting in the living room, drinking some water.

“Thanks for the water, Granny Smith!” Sweetie Belle said, gulping up the whole glass.

“Yea, thanks.” Scootaloo repeated, also drinking the water. She then turned her head towards me, waving a hoof at me. I walked up to her, with Apple Bloom following behind. “Good, you’re here. Granny Smith, meet our new friend?”

I looked to my right to see an old, female pony standing under the door frame. She had a lime green coat, with a white mane and tail. The mane was tied up into a bundy, if that’s the right word.

I sighed, looking at Scootaloo. “Scoots, I don’t think Granny Smith can hear or even see me. Watch.” I walked up to her waving my hand. She did nothing, just stare straight on. I turned back around to face the three, shrugging. “See? She can’t-”

“Don’t talk to ya elders like that youngster!” An old, southern accent said.

I turned back around, wide eyed. Granny Smith was smiling and looking at me straight in the eye. I was shocked. Nopony else other than the colts and fillies could see me!

I backed away slowly, letting the old mare pass.

“Thought this ol’ coot can’t hear or see well, now did ya?”

I was completely, undeniably shocked. The last time I checked, only the children can see me, not the adults, and now the elderly are able to see me? Just what is going on here? I stared at the old pony, who in returned stared back.

“Ya know, it ain’t nice to stare, darlin’.” Granny Smith said. The girls laughed at my surprised look, and I reverted back to just a smile. Granny Smith walked up closer, squinting. “Well, he sure ain’t no pony, I’ll tell ya what.”

“I’m sorry, Granny Smith. It’s just that recently only children have been able to see me. The adults don’t see me for squat, yet you can? I just can’t comprehend that.” I say as I looked around the house, trying to not make eye contact with her.

“Awe, pish posh. Don’t you worry none about that sort of thing, sonny.” Granny Smith commented as she walked towards the front door. “Girls, how about ya’ll go play outside, Ah need to get the table set for dinner.”

“But Granny, it’s only four o’clock,” Apple Bloom whined. “And-”

“And, buts, none of that, little missy!” Granny Smith pushed all three of the C.M.C out the living room, leaving them on the porch, “Go on! Git.”

“But what about our friend?” I heard Sweetie Belle complain as she tried to enter the house. “He’s going to help us get our cutie marks!”

“Some other time, youngster. He’s gonna help me cook.” Granny said as she was shutting the door. Both the C.M.C and I spoke simultaneously.

“I am?”

“He is?”

“Of course he is! Everypony gots to help out somehow!” Granny Smith turned around to face me, smiling. “Right, boy?”

“Uh, yes ma'am.” I said, agreeing with the mare. “Sorry girls, I have to help with whatever Granny Smith needs. I’ll play with you all when I’m done, okay?”

“But-” Was all they could say before Granny shut the door on them. I had to admit, that was a little bit funny, but kinda cruel just shutting the door like that. Whatever Granny Smith needs, I doubt it’ll have anything to do with dinner.

“So, Granny, what is it that you need help with?” I asked politely, not wanting to sound rude in front of her. She seemed like the type that would smack my lip if I didn’t watch my attitude.

“Follow me, sweetie.” She began walking to the kitchen, walking towards the back door. I did not question it, and followed anyway. I closed the door behind me, making sure nopony else would enter the house, other than the front.

We walked away farther from the house and to another dirt path, with rows and rows of apple trees on both sides. Granny Smith was on my right side, and for an old mare, she walks pretty fast.

I can always enjoy the scenery around me. Everything about just seems so calm, so collect. It sorta makes me feel, alive, even though I know I already am. Though it is an expression commonly used, it just felt right saying it in my head. I mean, the sun is shining down brightly, and the wind is creating such a nice breeze, making the leaves in the trees sway beautifully. I wouldn’t mind living in the country, actually. Everything here just seems so great.

Then I realized that both the lime green colored pony and I were still walking through down the dirt path, with the sun being blocked out by the tall trees’ leaves. It only allowed sunlight that would pass by the gaps left but the leaves, but other than that I wasn’t really bothered by it.

We've been walking for what seemed like half an hour and I think it is about time I ask her where we were going.

“Granny Smith? Not to sound rude or anything, but we’ve been walking for quite a long time, mind telling me where we are going?” I asked politely, hoping she would respond back.

That’s when Granny stopped in front of an apple tree, looking at a big, juicy apple. “Ya see that apple there?” She said, pointing at it with a hoof, “That there, is a nice one, Ah tell ya.”

“Well, I’ll admit it is a pretty tasty looking apple, but what does that have to do with anything?” I asked, still staring at the apple, “Sorry if I sounded demanding or anything.”

Granny Smith turned away from the apple and looked at me, smiling. “Trust me, sonny. Anythin’ has to deal with everythin’.” I had a confused expression on my face, so Granny Smith explained more. “Ya see, we’re all put here fer a reason. What that reason is, we don’t know until it’s either too late, or until ya find that reason yerself. Ya know what Ah’m tryin’ to say, right?”

‘What in the heck are you talking about?’ is what I wanted to say, because I still had no idea what she was talking about. “I’m sorry, Granny Smith. What exactly are you trying to say?”

She sighed, disapprovingly. “Youngsters these days ain’t that bright.” She walked behind the apple tree, pulling out two chairs from behind the tree, and what appeared to be a scrap book. “Sit down, sonny, I gotta show you somethin’.”
I did what I was told, and sat right next to the old mare, who sat on her haunches on the chair. She held the book in her mouth mere seconds before she threw it my way. I barely had any reaction time, but I was able to catch the book before it was about to hit the dirt ground.

I held the book in my hand and read the front cover out loud. “Apple Family Photo Album?” I looked at Granny Smith with a puzzled expression. “Why do you have two chairs and a photo album here? Wouldn’t it be better to keep them in the house?”

She smiled at me, pointing a hoof at the book. “Just open the book! An’ Ah’ll tel ya why these here chairs and photo album are here later.”

I opened the book, and the first thing I was introduced to was a picture Apple Bloom, wearing her red bow as usual. However, in this picture she was just a baby.

“That there’s little Apple Bloom when she first got here bow, cute little feller ain’t she?” Granny Smith said as she pointed at the picture. “Yes sir, she was always a little more hyper than her big sister. A lot louder than Big Mac, actually. Why, he was the quietest one of them all, still is!”

“Wow Granny, you really do care for your children.” I say as I flip through some pages. I found some pictures of Applejack when she was but a baby too, and the same thing with Big Mac. I journeyed deeper into the photo album, finding pictures of other relatives and family portraits in the book. It wasn’t until I reached the end of the book where I found an older yet still younger Applejack and Big Mac. both looking between the ages from 5 to 8, while Granny Smith looked just a bit younger.

Applejack and Big Mac were in front of Granny Smith, who was behind them, smiling. However, there were two other ponies I have n’t seen on this farm, much like the other Apple family members.

On Granny Smith’s right side, there was a young mare, older looking than the Applejack now. She too had a mane and tail like Applejack, but they were the colors of a cherry red. Her coat was more of an autumn leave orange, while her eyes were a normal green. She wore a red bow on her head.

On the left side of Granny Smith, there was stallion that resembled Big Mac in almost every way. The mane and tail were brown, but darker and messy. His coat was a light brown color, while his eyes were the same color as Apple Bloom. He wore a Stetson hat and the same object around his neck just like Apple Bloom’s big brother.
However, I couldn’t find Apple Bloom in the picture.

They were standing behind a large tree, the only one in the picture. I pointed at the two ponies hoping to find out who they were from Granny Smith.

“Say, Granny Smith?”

“Yes?”

“Who are these two ponies? I never saw them in the other family pictures; just this one.” I say as I pointed at the picture. I look at her for just a brief second, and I felt bad for ever asking the question.

“Those two...they were Applejack, Big Mac and Apple Bloom’s parents.” I looked into her eyes, and all I could see was sadness. I felt immediately bad for ever asking, so I closed the book hoping that would help. “It’s okay, sonny. Ah’ve cried a bit in mah time, this ain’t a thing. That picture is the reason Ah’ve been meanin’ to talk to ya about,”

Granny Smith got up from the chair and placed it back behind the tree. I got up, and placed it there as well, as the same with the photo album. She began walking back the way where we first came from, and I followed. I walked by her on her right side, remaining silent.

“Ya see, them two were always happy. The happiest in Equestria, maybe. No matter how bad the weather got in the winter, or how many apples we didn’t sell, they would always smile.” I looked down at the mare, which was busy smiling with tears in her eyes. “Yes sir, the happiest bunch they were. You know that tree we were sittin’ under?” She asked.

“Yes?”

“Well, they would go under that tree and watch the sunset an’ the sunrise together. A little mushy, if ya ask me, but that’s love for ya. Also, that was the tree where that photo was taken.”
“Really?” I say, looking back at the tree that shrunk as we walked away. “It looks so different now that there are more trees.”

“Yea, thems apple trees fer ya. Always growin’ quickly and what not. Just like little Apple Bloom, growin’ mighty fast, she is.”

“Anyways, the reason I wanted to talk to ya was so that you could see that life goes by fast.” She stops in her tracks, looking up at me. “Poor Big Mac and Applejack were the only ones to really know their parents. That day we took that Picture was when the mother was six months. Only we three had to deal with the pain, Apple Bloom was just born. Her mother died giving birth.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry so sorry to hear that, Granny.” I patted her back as she wiped a tear from her eye. It didn’t help, because the tears began to flow quickly.

“Darn eyes gettin’ all watery again. After she passed away, the husban’ couldn’t handle it. It was as if all his strength in his body just leaked out, leavin’ him depressed. One day he was usin’ the plow, and his back gave out. Pain was so unbearable he just dropped dead. Never had I seen Applejack and Big Mac look so sad, not since their mother's death. Big Mac had it worse. That stallion taught Big Mac everythin’ he knew. Poor Mac was so sad he rarely talks, now.”

The mare was so sad at this point, I just had to hug her. I don’t quite know how it feels to lose a loved one, but two?
She was crying on my shoulder, but the sniffling began to decrease. I let go of her as she took a breather.

“Thank ya sonny, I haven’t cried like that in a while. Feels mighty nice to let it all out.” She said as she looked at me. “Now, the point of me showin’ you them pictures were that family is important and it seems like little Apple Bloom and the rest of them Crusaders and that little dragon seem to take a likin’ to ya. Protect them sonny, because family is important.”

“I will, Granny Smith. You can count on me.” I say as we began walking again. It was all silent until she spoke again.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

“Yes, Granny?”

She looked up at me, looking me deep in the eye.

“We’re all put on this here planet fer a reason. You just gotta find that reason on yer own.”

Alright you guys, I didn't wanted to do this because I thought I was going to be able to update this even on a school-week filled bases. But, 10th grade is important to me, and I simply cannot screw this up like I did in Freshmen year. Keep in mind, I did pass all of my classed from the pass year, but just by the skin of my teeth, and I cannot let the same happen this year.

The story you are currently reading is going to go on Hiatus, just like the title says. I just told you the first reason why this is true, and here is the second.

About a year ago, I started a zombie fic that did well, but I never had the spark to work on it since. Now,since October is just around the corner, I can feel that flame rise as each day passes. I am going to be working on that for that month, and maybe even through December. I don't know how it's all going to go down, but the story itself will be long, and it will face another Hiatus until I get the full story developed. Hopefully it won't be long Hiatus for that story. If you are interested in reading it, then by all means go ahead. I warn you though: The chapters edited poorly. I will find an editor for that story when the time comes.

Out Of All The Worlds... is the name of this story. Have fun checking it out!

Don't worry, this story and the others will still be worked on,just very slowly. I hope you all understand my feelings towards this pause.

Because I am NOT going to spend the rest of my life working at a dead-end job.

This same message will be posted on my other stories.

Until then, peace out.

The whole day, I spent time with the C.M.C and Spike, helping them out a bit on the barn. Big Mac and Applejack didn’t notice my work, unsurprisingly. I helped them feed the farm animals, picked some apples, and cleaned around a bit. We all went inside the house when the sun began to go down. We had some laughs and some fun in there, while Granny Smith would occasionally glance a smile my way, and I’d do the same.

I felt kinda sad because Sweetie Belle was picked up by her sister, Rarity, and so was Scootaloo. Well, Rainbow Dash is not blood related, but I could see some sisterly love going on there. But, not only did I feel sad, I also felt a bit weak. I stumbled around the house, making a few noises, but other than that I was feeling just fine.

Spike was picked up by Twilight Sparkle. He bumped my fist right before leaving. Twilight looked confused, but as consolation I earned his friendship.

It was already time for Apple Bloom to go to bed, and she told me she would just usually complain about how she didn’t need a curfew, but decided to go to bed. “I have school tomorrow anyway” she said. I figured I’d go upstairs and “sleep” too. Or I could read that book I borrowed from the Golden Oaks Library, whatever comes first.

Apple Bloom hopped into her little bed, and I just knelt down and lay on the blankets on the hard floor. The lights were turned off, and I was about to close my eyes, when I felt a little tug on my shoulder. I looked up to see Applebloom with those puppy dog eyes. The moon shining down on her face helped a lot too, especially since I am a sucker for cute things, apparently.

“Can ya tuck me in? Please?” She said. I felt tired, but I just couldn’t say no to those big eyes. I slowly got up from the creaky floor, using my left knee to help. I heard her get all giddy when I reached for the blanket. I fluffed the pillow first, then lifted her head and placed it neatly on the pillow. I pulled the blanket over her small body and tucked each side of the blanket under the mattress. She forgot to take off her bow, so I took it off for her and placed it on the dresser.

“Good night.” I said, slowly laying down on my blanket-bed. “I’ll see you when you come back home from school.”
Apple Bloom yawns. “Good night.” I can hear her turn another direction. “Oh, and yer comin’ with me.”
I quickly turn around. “I’m sorry, what?”

She then started to snore. She was faking it, obviously. But I didn’t disagree. I hadn’t been to school since... yea, I didn’t even remember.

“Alright then.” I said, turning around on my side. I grinned. “But I’m not doing your classwork.”

“Darn!”

“Hey? Hey, ya up yet? Come on, Ah know yer awake.”

I groaned. “Yea, I am awake. But I don’t wanna get up.”

“Why? Don’t ya wanna get up and see Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and meet some new friends?”

“Well, sure I have no problem with that. It’s just that today is-”

`“Monday. I know, I hate em’ too. But come one! Let’s get goin!”

“Ugh, fine. See, this is what you sound like.”

“No Ah don’t!”

“See?”

“Just get up!”

I stand up slowly, stretching my body out of instinct. I look down to see an annoyed Apple Bloom. I smiled at her, and even chuckled at her little facial expression. Her nose was scrunched up, and her eyes were fixed on me. I began to walk towards the door. “Well? Let’s go learn about math!”

“Ya actually excited about school?” She says.

“Nah, I’m not the one that’s going to be doing classwork. I’m going to be that cool guy wearing sun glasses in the corner of the room, looking cool.” I laughed at that, but she just tilted her head. “I’m kidding. Not about the “me not doing classwork” part but- you get what I’m trying to say, right?”

“Nope!” She says, smiling. “Now come on, let’s get us some breakfast!”

We walked downstairs and into the living room. Before we entered the kitchen, I told Apple Bloom I wasn’t hungry.

“Suite yerself. Granny Smith makes the best pancakes!”

We entered the kitchen, where I saw Big Mac and Applejack already sitting at the table while Granny Smith was cooking some pancakes with a spatula in her mouth. Applejack was eating some tarts and orange juice, while Big Mac was eating some cereal, pancakes, orange juice, tarts, and fried toast with some rainbow jam. Granny Smith noticed me and smiled, and I waved back.

“Mornin’, sweetie.” Granny Smith says to Apple Bloom as she went and sat on a chair. “Ya ready fer school and pancakes?”

“Yes ma’m!” She says as Granny gives her a plateful of breakfast. She got pancakes, milk, some orange juice, and syrup. She took a big bite out of the stack of pancakes and rushed to drink the milk.

Applejack had a look of confusion. “Ya alright there, Apple Bloom? I ain’t seen ya eat yer food like that in a while.”

“M-hmm!” She chuged down her orange juice with no struggle. “Yup! I’m hurryin’ because I wanna’ go to school!” She didn’t even have time to explain it; she just galloped out the house, like she was expecting me to run already.
Granny Smith looked at me and laughed heartily. “Ain’t she in an adventurous’ mood.”

I left without responding, which was pretty rude, but Big Mac said what was on my mind.

“Eeyup.”

We decided to take a shortcut to the school. Last time I checked, their school is nearby their own tree house, so the walk wouldn't be too long. I looked up at the sky, taking in the scenery. The sun had a red-orange look to it, with the sky itself looking like a nice, summer yellow farther into the distance, and a little bit of blue. It is early in the morning after all.

There weren't that many trees around us, but the nice breeze I couldn’t feel made the close ones sway back and forth rhythmically.

While we were walking closer the school, I noticed how much of a cartoony look it had, just like everything here. The giant bell, the red bricks, double doors; it all looked pretty fun to be in, actually. A lot of kids were already making their way into the small building, but Apple Bloom noticed her friends waiting outside the doors for her. She rushed up to them to join in their conversation, while I just walked with no haste, enjoying the environment around me.

By the time I reached them, they had finished talking and looked up at me, and I looked down at them. “Yes?”

“So, we all decided that yer goin’ inside the school with us.” Apple Bloom said. I tried protesting, but she interrupted me. “Look, we know nopony other than us, some other kids, and Granny Smith can see ya, right? So that means you can be with us without an adult botherin’ you!”

“True,” I said. “But here’s the problem: The chance of finding a desk my size is pretty small. In fact, I even think your teacher’s desk wouldn’t fit me.” They gave me the puppy eyes. I was a sucker for that, especially for these three. “Fine, I’ll go inside. Come on, you all don’t want to be late.” I opened the door for them, and I was the last one inside.

“Or you can just stand, you know?”

“Let’s just get to class, Scoots.”

The door was already wide open, and the C.M.C all walked in before I did. I peaked in and saw a whole bunch of kids, laughing, playing around and talking. I looked around for the teacher, but I couldn’t find him or her, even though the classroom was pretty small in my eyes.

As soon as I walked in, the classroom went quiet. Everypony in the room had wide eyes, except for the C.M.C, and those two ponies I had met the other day. I think they went by Rumble and Dinky?

“Everypony, this is... well, he really doesn’t have a name, and we just can’t give him one like he’s some kind of pet, and we’re hoping he’ll remember it soon, but yea! We met him over the weekend!” Sweetie Belle said, pointing at me. All the little kids looked at me in awe.

“He ain’t gonna’ bite,” Apple Bloom said. “Trust us, he’s a nice Human!”

“Human?”

And then the questions came rolling in. How tall am I? What am I? What are those little chubby things on your hooves? Do you like trains? I swear, kids have too many questions. I did answer all that I could have, though. I wasn’t just going to leave them wondering like that.

The next thing I did was... pretty silly. When the door opened, I saw a pony with a cherry blossom colored mane and tail enter the room, with a happy look on her face until she looked in my general direction. I sort of panicked, and headed towards the window. I was going to open it, until a young colt with a spinner-hat and joystick cutie mark open the window from the outside. We both looked at each other for a quick second, but quickly went opposite ways before either of us spoke. He shut the window, and the C.M.C looked at me in confusion. I shrugged and said, “I panicked, sorry”. They all laughed, including the other classmates.

“Now what is so funny?” I heard the teacher say. She sounded a bit mumbly, but I was outside the building.

“Nothing, Ms. Cheerilee.” The class responded, and they all went into their bags and pulled out their school supplies. I was about to go in through the front door and somehow make my way inside without making any noise, but while Ms. Cheerilee was taking attendance, Sweetie Belle interrupted her.

“Yes, Sweetie Belle?”

“I was wondering if it would be okay if we could open up a window. It’s a little hot in here.”

Ms. Cheerilee walked towards the window, lifted it open, and said “Is that better, everypony?” They all said yes in unison, and the teacher walked back towards her desk. I crawled in through the window, nodding my head to Sweetie Belle. In return, she smiled. I wanted to just stand, but I saw a ball of paper on the ground and decided to just throw it away. I picked it up and walked by the teacher.

She gave a sharp inhale and I heard her walking towards something. I wasn’t paying attention at the time because I was throwing away the paper ball, but I heard her say,

“That’s strange. There’s no wind. Not even the trees are swaying.”

Really? I thought. When I was walking here with the C.M.C, there was wind blowing the trees slightly… I didn’t worry about though, since it felt like more of a common thing here. Maybe the teacher is new?

I lingered in the back of the classroom, and just walked around looking at everything. I felt like a student-teacher walking around and helping children, minus the helping part.

I then hear her tell the class to open their math book to page 225. They all groaned in unison. I understand their pain, fractions are annoying.

The teacher still looked a bit cold, but hopefully the cool air will dissipate when the heat of the sun comes in through the window.

Hell, maybe I’ll start feeling something too.