Darkest Before Dawn - 1

>"Ahem.  Excuse me?  EXCUSE ME?  I'm pretty sure I said no ice."

 

>You grit your teeth and force a smile.

>"I'm sorry about that.  I'll be right back."

>You pick up the fucker's drink and push your way to the back.

>Son of a bitch DEFINITELY made a stink about wanting ice.  He's fucking with you.

>You get him a fresh, ice-free drink.

>A bell dings, and you look over to see Tim setting down a plate.

>Oh good.  The food is... almost ready.

>You grab the plate, apply a bit of spit, pick up the drink, and walk back out with a smile.

>"Sorry again.  Just let me know if you need anything, okay?"

 

>He squints at the drink.

>"Why is there no ice?"

 

>You smile as wide as you can.

>"I'll be right back," you hiss through your teeth.

>You turn around to head for the back again, and suddenly you hear Tom screaming.

>You smell smoke.

>There's a blinding light, and that's the last thing you remember.

 

-----

 

>Everything's dark.

>Your eyes are closed.

>Your whole body aches.

>You back screams like there are hundreds of knives stuck in it.

>You don't want to open your eyes.

>You just want to lie there until everything goes away.

 

>"No, it's definitely not dead.  See how its chest is moving?  It's still breathing."

 

>"That's great news!  That means we can throw it a welcome party!"

 

>"Hold on there, sugarcube.  We don't know if it's friendly or not, an' it's a mite unwise to try to throw a party for a hostile creature."

 

>None of the voices ring any bells, but you don't care.

>You roll over and curl up into a ball, eliciting gasps from the voices.

 

>You feel a something soft drape over you like a blanket.

>"I think the poor thing is hurt..."

 

>You slide your eyes open as slowly as you can.

>Are those... are those horses?

 

>"Careful, Fluttershy!  Applejack is right; we don't know if it's tame or not."

 

>You lock eyes with the yellow one standing over you.

>Its... no, her.  Definitely her.

>She radiates a motherly feeling.

>She doesn't falter.

>She smiles at you and you feel the blanket caressing you.

>Your eyes move to look and see that it's not a blanket at all...

>If you weren't in so much pain, you'd seriously consider flipping out right about now.

>You're surrounded by unnaturally colorful horses.

>That talk.

>And have WINGS.

 

>"We're not gonna hurt you," she cooes, stroking her wing over your torso.

>The effect is drastic.

>Your nerves mellow right the fuck out and your body relaxes noticeably.

>You blink at her, then swing your eyes around the room to get a look your surroundings.

>You're indoors, in a cozy little bedroom, lying in a small bed.

>Six of the little horses... or, ponies you guess...

>Six of them are standing around various parts of the room.

 

>The purple one is staring quietly at you.

>The orange one is eyeing you suspiciously.

>The white one is... looking at your pants?

>The pink one seems lost in thought.

>The blue one won't sit still.  Floating around the room.  Can't really get a read.

>Then yellow, quiet one...

 

>"Fluttershy?" you ask.

 

>Her eyes go wide.

>"You... you can talk?"

 

>The room erupts into a cacophony of shouting.

>You shut your eyes.

 

>"Girls!  You're scaring it!  Please, leave the room."

 

>"But Flutter-"

 

>"No buts!  Out!"

 

>The orange, blue, and white ones sulk their way out the door.

>The pink one smiles and skips.

>The purple one goes last and turns around at the last minute.

>"We'll be right here, if you need us."

 

>Fluttershy nods, and the purple one leaves.

>The door shuts with a soft click.

 

-----

 

>It's been a few days, but you're feeling much better.

>You can get up and walk around, but it's best if you rest as much as you can.

>Or at least, that's what Fluttershy tells you.

>You still sneak into the kitchen now and then to get some snacks.

>Pony food leaves you hungry.  You think your body wants meat, but there isn't any around.

>With all the animals she takes care of, you figure Fluttershy is a vegetarian.

>You'll live, though.

>You're a lot less... surly than you were, but maybe that's temporary while you recover and acclimate.

>You haven't left the house yet, but you're still learning a lot from the ponies who come to see you.

 

>Fluttershy is the kindest soul you've ever met.

>You're unspeakably thankful that this "Equestria" seems to be such a nice place, because you couldn't possibly bear the thought of anyone hurting her.

 

>Twilight Sparkle, the purple one, is unquenchably curious.  Wicked smart.  Back home, with resources like the internet at her disposal, she'd be the next Stephen Hawking, easy.

>Having magic sure doesn't hurt, though.

 

>Rarity, the white one, strikes you as kindof a stuck up bitch.  Her friends all seem to value her, though, so you're not ready to write her off just yet.

 

>Pinkie Pie, the pink (duh) one, overflows with enthusiasm for EVERYTHING.  If you didn't know better, you'd suspect drugs.

>She's frighteningly well-versed in the pop-culture you remember that none of the others know a thing about.

 

>Applejack, the orange one, is nice enough.  She's a pretty no-nonsense gal, always looking out for her friends.  You can respect that.

 

>Rainbow Dash, the blue one, is an unabashed tomboy.

>She's bold and brash and doesn't give two shits what you have to say about it because she's awesome and she KNOWS IT.

 

>Your thoughts are interrupted by the door creaking open.

 

>"Anon?"

 

>You look up to see Fluttershy leaning her head into the room.

 

>"Do you think... would you like to try going for a walk?"

 

>You glance out the window.

>It's an absolutely gorgeous day.

>You grin.

>"Sure."

 

>Fluttershy smiles softly at you.

 

>You swing your legs over the side of the bed and shove your feet into your shoes.

>You hoist yourself up.

>You wobble just a bit, but your legs are mostly okay and you successfully stand.

>Your shoulders and back still protest, but you bear it.

>You step over and pat Fluttershy on the head.

>"Where to?"

 

-----

 

>You sit down at the base of a nice, shady tree to rest.

>Fluttershy sets out a checkerboard cloth and basket you don't remember her carrying.

>You raise an eyebrow, and she flinches.

 

>"OH!  I'm sorry, Anon, I saw Applejack and her sister about to set up a picnic, and I... oh, I didn't even think to ask whether or not you WANTED a picnic!"

 

>"It's fine, Fluttershy.  I'd love a picnic."

 

>Applejack's little sister walks up to you with curious eyes and prodding hooves.

>"Wow!  He really DON'T have a coat!"

 

>"Apple Bloom!  Haven't I taught you better 'n that?  It's rude to go pokin' folks."

 

>The adorable little pony shrinks away from you and stares at the ground.

>"Sorry, Mr. Anonymous."

 

>"Anon is fine."

 

>She glances up at your face.

>"Can I ask ya a question?"

 

>"Sure."

 

>"Is that why you wear those funny lookin' clothes?  To keep warm, since your skin's all exposed?"

 

>You chuckle.

>"That's one reason."

 

>Applejack fixes you with a stern glare.

>"And it's the ONLY reason we need to discuss right now, isn't it?"

>She pauses, then smiles and ruffles her sister's mane.

>"Let's jes say that different creatures do things different ways, alright?"

 

>Applejack's sturdiness is refreshing.

>As blissfully pure as Fluttershy is, you almost feel trapped.

>You can't risk speaking your mind around her, lest you cause irreparable damage.

>And your meat cravings grow stronger by the hour, but that's just not gonna happen.

 

>You think...

>You think that you should consider living elsewhere.

>And not JUST for such selfish reasons, but because you've been enough of a burden to Fluttershy already.

>Applejack's a tough, hardworking pony.

>You wonder if she could help build you a house...

 

-----

 

>Six weeks later, a sparsely furnished wooden cabin sits on the outskirts of Ponyville, just for you.

>You can never thank Fluttershy enough, but you're happy to free her.  And yourself.

>Applejack was instrumental in getting your shack put together in so little time.

>She, too, deserves all the thanks you can lend her and more.

>Rarity may not have contributed as much, but you're grateful all the same for the clothing she's seen fit to provide you with.

>Twilight has practically tought you a course on Equestrian customs to help you fit in.

>Pinkie never fails to brighten up your day or provide a delicious (even if it isn't meat) morsel.

>Dash is... fun.  Yeah, fun is the right word.  Hanging out with Dash is almost like hanging with one of the guys back home.

 

>You've also managed to make certain... connections.

>You've got a secret compartment in your freezer, and access to meat.

>No, it's better not to ask questions.

>Besides, it's nostalgic in the way it breaks a taboo.

>It's like drinking when you're underage.

>Except OH DEAR GOD THE FLAVOR.

>YOU SWEAR THAT NOTHING IN THE WORLD HAS EVER TASTED AS GLORIOUS AS THAT FIRST BACON CHEESEBURGER.

>Ahem.

 

>Right, so you're happy with the new digs.

>Pinkie threw you a sweet little shindig to break the place in, and you got to see those mares drink.

>Well, sorta.  Rarity sipped casually and didn't change much.

>Twilight got pretty tipsy after just a few.

>Fluttershy had ONE drink and nearly passed out.

>Pinkie Pie shook her head and said something about staying sober.

>Apparently there was an incident involving copious quantities of cinnamon, and that's all she'll say on the matter.

>Applejack handled her liquor like a champ.  She got a bit rowdy, but stayed level-headed and even-hooved.

>Dash though... Dash surprised you.  With her lithe frame, you expected her to be a lightweight, but she almost drank you under the table.

>All in all, it was a fun party.

>Everything just started falling into place, and your whole life gelled.

 

>Except your damn back.

>The local doctors say they can't find anything wrong with you, but what do they know?  They've never dealt with humans before.

 

>Either way, things are good.

>All of these ponies are growing on you.  Even Rarity.

>Who you've managed to snag a job working with.  Fashion's not your first choice, but your dextrous hands help her get things done and she has a certain charm that makes working with her pleasant.

 

>You're kicking back doing nothing in particular on a lazy Sunday, when suddenly there's a knock at the door.

>You cock your head to one side.

>You stand up, rub your back, then step over to the door and pull it open.

 

>"Anon!  Come with me, right now!"

 

>"Dash?  What's wrong?"

 

>"Nothing!  Err... at least I hope so... seriously though, we gotta GO!"

 

>Your brow furrows.  Connoisseurs of literature everywhere wrinkle their noses in disgust at the cliche reaction.

>"And where exactly do we gotta go?"

 

>She's already behind you, pushing her head into your butt and scooting you out the door.

>"Fillydelphia."

 

>You jump to the side and stare at her.

>"What?  How the heck are we gonna get all the way out there?"

 

>She opens her mouth and raises a hoof, pauses, then closes her mouth and lowers the hoof right back down.

>Several seconds pass before she shakes her head.

>"Look, we'll figure something out.  I just know that you NEED to be there A.S.A.P."

 

>"What FOR?"

 

>"You'll see when we get there!" she shouts as she runs behind you, ducks between your legs, and leaps into the sky with you on her back.

 

>Your stomach flips its shit.

>Rollercoasters ain't got NOTHIN' on this girl.

>Somehow, you keep your lunch down as you scream (literally and figuratively) through the sky.

>You didn't know your lungs could hold that much air.

 

-----

 

>You feel something jab you in the ribs.

 

>"Anon, you can quit screaming like a little filly now.  We've landed."

 

>You throw yourself to your knees and slobber wet kisses all over the ground.

 

>Dash laughs nervously and takes a step back.

>"Come on, it wasn't THAT bad, was it?"

 

>You exhale and stand up.

>A dull ache rolls through your shoulders.

>"It was the most terrifying experience of my life.  And I've seen the Bill Cosby sex tape!"

 

>"Relax, Anon.  I've got your back.  I'd never let anything happen to you."

 

>You're glad Dash is such a bro.  Providin' rapid transport, NOT mocking your girlish screams, and even reassuring you after you were a total pussy.

>You silently wrap an arm around her neck and pull her into a quick hug.

>"Thanks."

 

>She offers a weak squeeze in return.

>"Heh... no problem," she says before pulling away.

>"But we're here for a reason!"

 

>Her face is a little flushed.

>Guess carrying you all that way was a little harder than she thought it'd be.

 

>She gestures at a nearby building.

>"Come on.  Inside!"

>She canters over to the door.

 

>You roll your eyes, still not sure what's so important and yet not worth explaining.

>You follow her through the door and into the little brick structure.

>Two screams, one somewhat girly and one incredibly girly, fill the air.

>Guess which one is you?

 

>Your jaw drops.

>Somehow, you're even more shocked by this than you were by arriving in a land of magical talking ponies in the first place.

>Dash is sporting a smug "I told you so" sort of grin.

>You point forward and stammer over a few almost words before managing to get one out.

 

>"How?"

 

>"I should ask you the same thing!"

>Standing on the other side of the room is another human.

>Another human in Equestria.

>And not just ANY human, but one you've met before.

>And not just ANYONE you've met before, but someone you thought you'd never see again.

 

>Pinkie Pie pops out from around a nearby corner, balancing a tray of cookies on her back.

>"Small world, isn't it?"

 

>Jennifer leaps over to you and tackle-hugs you to the floor.

>"It's sooo good to see you again after all these years!"

 

>You're completely speechless.

>When you moved away, you were confident that was the end.

>It was all the more awful that you had no friends at the start of high school.

>So you moved on with your life and did your best to meet new people.

>And she gradually faded into nothing but a memory.

>But here she is.

>Your first girlfriend.