"Darkest Before Dawn - 1" By dashisbestpone (https://pastebin.com/u/dashisbestpone) URL: https://pastebin.com/vp3Bjm2k Created on: Wednesday 19th of December 2012 02:52:48 AM CDT Retrieved on: Sunday 25 of October 2020 11:44:53 AM UTC >"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.