"[Cancelled] (FR) A Test of Faith - Part 4"
By FlutterPriest (https://pastebin.com/u/FlutterPriest)

URL: https://pastebin.com/wW21FpXc
Created on: Wednesday 18th of June 2014 11:47:04 AM CDT
Retrieved on: Wednesday 28 of October 2020 08:41:08 AM UTC


>You scan the horizon from the inside of the cramped passenger train car.
>Twilight sits quietly, reviewing the bible that you passed to her.
>A part of you wonders to yourself if she sees it as a history book or a piece of fiction.
>You've got to start spreading the word somewhere... and she seems bright enough to see the lies that Celestia is perpetuating.
>Now that you are on the run though, what is your next step?
>When this train stops, you will be in Ponyville.
>Stuck.
>With no real way of going back home... that you know of.
>All you can do is pray every day for your swift and safe arrival back to Earth.
>In the meantime, you can spread the word of God.
>Yeah.
>That sounds good.
>Yet, how are you going to take the word and adapt it to what they think, feel and believe.
>Rubbing your forehead, you notice the tiny town approaching off in the distance.
>Perhaps, the best thing to do first is to learn more about them.
>Figure out what makes them tick.
>If you can do that... maybe you can put it in terms they understand.
>Was this what it was like for the missionaries of old?
>Who would travel to far away lands to pass along the teachings of Christ?
>Hmm... not likely.
>They were usually met with hostility... as well as attempts to break their faith.
>Actually.
>Never mind.
>This is exactly the same.
>You sigh to yourself, realizing the predicament you are in.
>On the run from the law.
>Enemy of the ruler of Equestria, who sees herself as a goddess.
>With no real way to escape or get back home.
>What are you going to do, Father?

>The train gently slows to a stop and Twilight closes the book.
>"It's so... interesting to read all of the areas they talk about horses in this book."
>Your attention snaps to Twilight, bringing you out of your reverie.
"Really? I suppose the differences are quite staggering."
>"Uh, yeah! They don't even talk for one, and the saddles! Sheesh! Some things should just stay in the bedroom."
>You decide not to press on that one too hard.
>There are some things you would simply rather not know.
>"There is a lot of weird things in this book, Father."
"Yeah... that's what a lot of people say. I suppose ponies wouldn't be much different."
>With a big stretch, you rise to your feet, which still results in you slightly crouching, so you don't hit your head on the doorway.
>Walking with Twilight out of the train car, you find yourself in a state of constant wariness.
>Could the guards this far out have been told already?
>If they see you now, will everything be blown?
>You can't take that risk.
>"Father, up ahead," Twilight whispers.
>Snapping to your 12 o' clock, you see two guards, clearly scanning the crowd.
>They had to have been informed.
>How can they communicate that fast?
>The same sort of dragon power that you saw earlier when Twilight sent her message?
>That's a thought for later.
>Now, you need to avoid those guards.
>You can't leave this train...
"Twilight, I have an idea."
>The purple pony turns to you with questioning eyes.
"Just go. I'll catch up," You assure her. "Back at the library."
>She nods then steps out of the train car, leaving you as it's only passenger.
>Watching the guards, you see that they focus onto Twilight and head directly for the train car she stepped out of.
>Perfect.
>Heading to the opposite side of the car, the side not facing the landing, you open a window wide and leap out.
>Landing on the loose gravel of the railroad, you sprint as hard as you can to the front of the train.
>Looking over your shoulder you try to time it right.
>It's only a matter of time till they look out the window, but if you cut into the landing too soon they could spot you as well.
>Just a few seconds.
>Three.
>Two.
>One.
>You take a deep breath.
>Here goes nothing.
>Quickly, you veer off.
>Jumping between two train cars, you hop onto the landing and power walk to Twilight, who is walking away from the train station.
>Ponies look at you oddly as you pass through the crowd.
>Well, even more odd than you being the only human in Equestria.
>With a flurry of 'Excuse me' and 'Pardon Me' you make it to the side of the train station when you hear the whistle blow.
>Your eyes glance over a bulletin board, filled with various papers and town announcements.
>With a gasp, you jump to the board and examine a sign that has caught your attention.
>Simply, because it has your face on it.
>"Wanted - Human Beast-"
>Before you can read more, you rip it off the bulletin board and shove it in your pocket.
>Focus on your main objective Anon.
>Get to the Library.
>Your footsteps push you forward, one after the other to Golden Oaks, sweat beginning to form on your brow.
>Scanning the horizon for guards, you find your pace becoming faster and faster.
>Checking behind you, you wonder if any of the ponies have already informed a guard or two.
>This is bad.
>You can't even walk in public anymore.
>It's only a matter of time until something goes wrong.
>Just a couple dozen more yards.
>You see Twilight off in the distance, fumbling with the keys to her Treebrary.
>Quickening your pace, you check over your shoulder.
>It doesn't look like there is anyone behind you.
>Erm.
>Anypony.
>Your attention returns in front of you, when you see Twilight step inside her home.
>What would they do if they caught you?
>Banish you?
>Torture you?
>Who knows what this ruler would do to you after the display you made at her royal dinner?
>Your quick pace turns into a jog.
>You can't afford to find out.
>There has to be some way to get home.
>There has to be some greater plan to all of this.
>"Hey!"
>A cold shiver runs down your body.
>On instinct, you sprint as fast as you can inside Twilight's home.
>Gasping for breath, you slam the door behind you.
>"Father? What happened? Why are you-"
"Shhh!" You shush her.
>Quickly, you creep over to the window and peek out.
>Two mares talk to each other enthusiastically and wave at a few others.
>No pursuers.
>You let out a relieving sigh and slide down the wall to the wooden floor of the Library.
"Thank goodness."
>"Now will you tell me?"
"I thought I was being chased. I guess I was just being paranoid."
>Twilight nods and pulls the curtains.
>"For good reason too! After what you pulled at the castle, you are lucky I'm helping you at all!" Twilight mentions.
>You simply nod and rub the back of your neck.
>"I'm going to see if we can have Applejack take you to the farm for awhile. She should be able to hide you in their barn for awhile."
>A barn?
>You are surprised it wouldn't be a stable.
>Then again, you better not say anything.
>If you assume anything about your world is the same in horseworld, you tend to get in trouble.
>Wait.
>Equestria
>You really got to get used to this.
>After Twilight closes all the curtains, you rise to your feet and look around.
"Well... now what?"
>Twilight looks at you quizzically.
>"Now what... what?"
"Now what do I do? I'm on the run from your teacher... You know her better than I do... What do I have to do?"
>Twilight listens carefully and paces back and forth.
>"I don't know... I imagine she has the royal guard searching all over for you... I wouldn't know without asking my brother."
>Her bother?
>Oh, right. The guard we saw yesterday.
"Can we trust him?" You ask bluntly.
>Twilight looks at you with unsure eyes.
>"Maybe... I'm not sure."
"We probably shouldn't take that chance."
>"I agree."
>You pace back and forth, trying to brainstorm with Twilight.
"So our only option is to... wait it out?"
>"I guess so, until we can think of something better."
"Right," You agree.
>"I'll have Spike get a letter to Applejack as soon as possible, until then, you should get some rest Anon. I'll wake you up once Applejack gets here."
>You look at her and nod.
"Where should I sleep?"
>"There is a spare room in the basement. You are welcome to to stay there for now."
>With a smile and a nod, you head to the basement door.
>Yet, you stop and turn around.
"Twilight?"
>She turns to you, her expression racked with internal debate.
>"Yes, Father?"
"Thank you, and God bless you."
>She nods in reply and you make your way downstairs.
>You should consider yourself lucky that Twilight is sticking her neck out for you.
>Descending the stairs into the cold laboratory, you locate the spare bedroom and step inside.
>It's not much, clearly just a small room Twilight made so she could rest in-between experiment steps.
>Instead of instantly untucking your shirt and getting more comfortable, you turn on a light and close the door gently behind you.
>Approaching the bed, you gently get to your knees and fold your hands on the bed.
>Resting your forehead on your fingers, you sit in the serene silence of your room.
>With a few deep breaths, you try to relax.
"Lord, I know there must be some greater reason for me being here..."
>You moisten your lips and search for the right words to say.
"Give me the strength to carry out your will."
>Closing your eyes, you pray, hoping that some answer to all of this will come to you.
>Silence greets your ears and the room simply feels cold.
>Rising to your feet, you lay down on the small bed, which is noticeably more uncomfortable from the royal mattress you enjoyed at the castle.
>Beggars can't be choosers, you suppose.
>Your head resting on the slightly hard pillow, you close your eyes gently.
>At least you can trust Twilight to protect you.
>As your muscles relax and your mind begins to unravel, a thought pops into your head.
>You are being protected by Celestia's most faithful pupil.
>Whose teacher is trying to have you arrested.
>You shoot up in bed, the sudden realization taking hold of you.
>What if this is all some trap?
>Searching to find some sort of explanation, you rub your forehead.
>If it were a trap, why wouldn't they just trap you at the castle.
>How do you know you can trust a pony that is so close to the Princess?
>Your mind draws a blank.
>She hasn't given you a reason -not- to trust her.
>That's not really the same thing, Anon.
>Sitting up from your bed, you place your hand on the doorknob.
>Gently, you open it and return to the bottom of the stairwell.
>Curiosity eating at you, you gently ascend the stairs.
>Perhaps... if you do a little spying, you can figure out if you can trust her.
>Ascending half way, you stop.
>You look back down at the stairs, wondering if what you are doing is the right thing to do.
>Twilight is a nice pony.
>She hasn't given you a reason not to trust her.
>Shouldn't you love thy neighbor as if they were thyself?
>You look back up the stairs at the closed door.
>Placing your hand on the rail, you stand for a moment, pondering your next move.
>Then, after a tense moment and against your gut feeling, you turn around and head back downstairs.
>You'll be fine.
>Just trust in Twilight.
>And above all, trust in Him.

"Spike, take a letter." You call for your personal assistant.
>"Coming!" The baby dragon calls, scurrying into your bedroom with parchment and quill in hand.
>What in the world are you doing to do?
>How can you handle this in a way that makes sense.
"Have you sent the letter to Applejack?" You ask.
>"Yeah, and nopony saw me. Just like you asked, but why all of the secrecy Twi? It isn't like you."
"Just trust me Spike. I need to write my friendship letter to Princess Celestia. Tell me when you are ready."
>You sigh to yourself and search your mind for the right words.
>Spike dips his quill into some ink and returns his gaze to you.
>"Ready."
"Dear Princess Celestia,"
>The dragon writes quickly to keep up with you.
"Today I learned a very difficult lesson in friendship. Sometimes somepony who seems to be nice and a good friend, may not be the same person the next day. Why somepony would do that... I don't know, but this is a valuable lesson I am sure not to forget. My sincerest apologies for the behaviors of my guest last evening."
>Spike dots the final period.
"Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."
>He finishes the final notes and reads it back aloud to you.
"Perfect, send it off to the Princess. In the mean time, I have to go talk to some ponies while Father Anon sleeps downstairs. I'll be back later."
>Leaving your bedroom, you head back downstairs and glance at the bedroom door.
>You sure hope this is the right thing to do...