Chapter 1: Two Paths of One

Hope’s POV (Point Of View)

I am just a regular human guy, having a walk outside at night, exploring my favourite forest. It had been awhile since I last been out at night, since my best friend had mysteriously disappeared.

The wind was gentle and it is so peaceful at the same time, with it being quite dark, with only the Moon to lighten the surrounding tall trees.

I walked on the regular path that I take during the day, just for a hobby of mine in my spare time, when I’m bored.

After a some time, walking deeper and deeper into the moonlit forest, I noticed the fog started to thicker and the wind started to blow a bit harder. I stopped for a moment as I looked forward, noticing that it had gotten difficult to see.

But regardless, I decided to keep on moving, while going even deeper into the fog. There are no creatures in these woods to fear anyway.

After another short period of time, I took a glance behind me and was suddenly shocked on what I saw. The dense of the fog had lowered and the actual forest behind me looked quite different. It was like the path I walked wasn’t the same, like I was suddenly walking on a different landscape.

I then took another gaze at the Moon. For some reason, it looked quite different somehow, like it was closer or the appearance had changed, or something.

Thinking that it had just moved over time, I just took a deep breath and kept on walking, hoping I wasn’t lost.

After I finally came to the exit of the forest, I looked around and noticed that there is a house with a light on. Near it, there is a small bridge, with a river underneath it, that lead to the house.

As I approached the house while inspecting it even further, I said to myself quietly, “I’m sure I know this place. It can’t be, could it?”

So I went to the front door, knocked and then waited for a moment to see who answered it.

When the door had opened halfway, my mouth was hanging wide open, as I was shocked on who I saw. It was Fluttershy herself, my favourite pony, standing right in front of me about the same height as me. At that point, I thought I must be dreaming, thinking that I had fallen asleep in the forest.

She looked at me in wonder, as if I was a creature from a different world. I realised, I must have looked like I seen a ghost to her.

The pink mane pegasus then asked, curiously, in her usual quiet-shy voice, like if she is wondering if I am going to answer or not, “Um, can I help you?”

I snapped out of my trance, removing my shocked appearance and replied nervously, as I wasn’t expecting this, “W-where am I?” I obviously knew where I was, but I just had to ask.

Fluttershy replied, a bit more nervous than before, possibly due to being scared of me, “You, you are in… Ponyville.”

Once she had said that and with me already knowing who she is, I thought to make it easier, I might as well behave like I know her and the rest of the Mane Six. I have already seen all the episodes of the show anyway. Plus, I didn’t want to frighten her any further than I have.

Not wanting to disturb her any further, I decided to leave her in peace. But I realised that I needed somewhere to sleep for the night. So I might as well sleep outside until tomorrow and think about things when I wake up, unless I’m already asleep. So I spoke as I was about to leave, “Okay, thanks Fluttershy. Sorry for disturbing you.”

Just when I was leaving, she asked, in her natural voice, suspiciously, “How did you know my name?”

I turned to face her and replied nicely as possible, trying not to control her or anything, “If you let me sleep over, just for tonight, I’ll tell you everything in the morning.”

She had a quick thought and replied, “You look like you won’t harm anypony, okay I’ll let you stay, just for tonight. Seeing that you have nowhere else to go.”

As she opened the door for me, I quickly closed my eyes and took a deep breath, and then slowly began following her in.

Realising, that she doesn’t even know my name yet, I said as I was just walking in, “By the way, my name’s Hope.”

Once she had closed the front door, she replied and took a glance of me, looking very happy to meet a new friend, as she lead the way inside, “Hi Hope, nice to meet you. Um… I’ll take you to your bedroom, where you can sleep tonight.”

Fluttershy’s POV

While Hope was following behind me, I started to wonder what kind of creature he was. I noticed however that he didn’t look as strong as a pony. So I asked kindly, as we were just at the top of the stairs, “Um, not to sound rude, but what are you? I have never seen anything like you before.”

The creature replied, with a sleepy look, “I am a human, Fluttershy. I hope my presence isn’t bothering you or anything.”

I replied, reassuring him, “No, not at all. I just can’t leave somepony outside, without a bed to sleep in.”

Once I had lead him to my spare bed, he walked towards it and laid on it, then showed his gratitude while looking very tired, “Thank you, Fluttershy.”

I replied kindly to the complement, “Your welcome Hope. Sweet dreams.”

After I made sure he was asleep, I went to check if the little critters are all okay and then decided to call it a night myself…

-

The next morning when I awoke, I first went to check on my guest.

I found him still sleeping, so I thought I wait until he awakes, that poor thing must have been walking for hours last night. Meanwhile, I went to feed the critters, their breakfast.

Once I had finished, I got some apples, toast and orange juice ready for our breakfast.

It wasn’t long when I had just finished making us breakfast, when he came down stairs. When he saw me, he came and sat at the table with me, looking half asleep still.

I decided to speak first, while doing my best to not be nervous, even though I’m still a little nervous of him, “I made breakfast for you, hope you enjoy it.” He replied, while showing gratitude, “Thanks again, Fluttershy...”

We had both been eating quietly for a few minutes now. When we had almost finished our breakfast, I was just about to ask him a question, on how he knows about me. But before I could, there was a sudden knock at the door, so I asked him, “Excuse me for moment, I’ll be right back.”

While he was just finishing off his meal, I got up and flew to the front door. Outside, I heard Twilight calling, “Fluttershy you home, it’s me, Twilight?”

I flew quicker to the door, opened it and greeted her, “Hi Twilight, how are you?”

She hastily replied, “I’m fine thank you.”

She then began explaining, why she was here, “Sorry to disturb you, but Princess Celestia had just informed us that there is a haunted mansion near the end of town, near the Everfree Forest-” She was suddenly cut off by Hope, who had woken up and was coming to the door, “Haunted!? Sounds cool Twilight, can I come too?”

I was scared when Twilight mentioned haunted, I do not like it when everypony tries to scare each other, especially on Nightmare Night. I then looked back at Twilight, who now had a questionable look on her face.

I instantly realised why, so I quickly explained, “Oh, this is Hope, he is a human.”

He quickly spoke, “Hi.”

Twilight stared at him, very curiously, then asked him, “Where are you from?”

He replied, “England.”

She replied, confused, “I don’t know anywhere in Equestria called England. Anyway, I guess we better get going, you said you wanted to come too right?”

Hope replied, showing quite a bit of interest, “Yes please, Twilight.”

I really didn’t want to go, but Twilight begged me to go at the end, actually more like dragged me along at the end.

Author's Notes:

This story is originally hosted on "fanfication.net". Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8715274/1/Two-Loves-and-a-Friendship

Written by myself (NightfallTheDragon) and my co-author (madarakingofbronys).