Chapter 1: The New Guy

Twilight Sparkle and Midnight Star left the hospital after the final paperwork was finished. Midnight picked up on walking on four hooves rather quickly, although he was still clumsy and kicked himself several times.

Nether pony spoke for a long time, until Midnight started to notice the stares, "What the hell is everyone staring at?" he asked more than a little annoyed.

"Well... um...," Twilight hesitated, "it's just that they've never seen a grown pony who... doesn't have a cutie mark."

Midnight looked at Twilight's flank and the flanks of passing ponies noticing that they all have marks, "Is that all?"

"Well yeah," she responded, "most ponies consider it a big deal."

He thought on this for a moment, "I suppose if it's that big a deal I'll get one sometime soon. Where would I get one?" he asked

Twilight couldn't believe it, he was like a foal, very intelligent, but lacking the most basic knowledge, "You don't just 'get one' you earn it by finding your 'special talent'."

"It just appears by magic?" he asked

"That's right, everypony has a little magic in them, even earth ponies." Twilight said with a smile

You have no idea, Midnight thought still not entirely trusting the lavender unicorn, "Thank you for letting me stay with you."

"That's ok, we built you a room where the hole was, so it's no trouble. Here we are," Twilight said "home for as long as you'd like."

She opened the door with magic and they walked in. It was pitch black

SURPRISE!!!

No soon that the light came on Midnight struck on pony on the nose with his front hoof spun around him kicking another on the way and grabbing the first around the neck

"GET BACK!!!" he yelled with a panicked expression.

"MIDNIGHT WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!" Twilight yelled.

He looked down at the pony in his hold with a frightened look and quickly let the poor stallion go, stepping back and falling on his rear. He scooted into a corner like a frightened animal.

"I... I'm sorry." he said in a voice that would make Fluttershy sound loud Then he curled into a ball, hid his face and began crying silently.

"Ok, parties over ponies, time to go." Twilight said. Nopony argued, they just glared at the new pony on their way out.

When the door finally shut, Midnight looked up and saw that there were still a few that didn't leave. They were talking to Twilight.

"I'm super-duper sorry, Twilight, I just wanted to cheer him up." said a pink mare.

"No," Midnight said looking up at them, "it was a kind thing to try to help me. It is who should apologize to you. I panicked and reacted out of fear. I need to be in better control of my emotions."

"Nonsense," said a white unicorn with a well groomed purple mane, "you've been through a terrible ordeal."

"You have no idea." Replied the Blue Stallion

"Do you remember something?" asked Twilight.

He thought for a moment before deciding he could trust them, "I never forgot, though i wish i could. First i need some fresh air. Is there somewhere outside we can talk privately?"

"I know a quiet place." Twilight said. her horn began to glow and in the blink of an eye they were outside looking down on Ponyville from a hill. "How is this."

"Disorienting." Midnight said struggling to keep his balance.

"Ya get use to it, sugarcube." said the orange mare with the blonde mane and hat.

Midnight took a deep breath, "I guess i should start with my name. David Corbin. I'm not a pony at all but a human, from the city of Volis. It was a hub for science, magic and culture until the great war broke out. It became the the base of operations for the magi corps, which i was conscripted into at 13 years old. For eight years all I did was kill, until I met Sarah." his eyes grew teary at the name

"She was a fellow mage" he continued, "and the most beautiful woman i had ever seen. We were married the fallowing year, and soon after i became a father. We named her Tiffany after my mother." tears were now flowing freely from his eyes, "we were happy for a time. the war was far away and we saw nothing of it for a full year."

His expression hardened, "But our leaving didn't sit well with some. before lone we found someone wanted us dead, and put a price out on us. after a few months, and more blood on my hands, they got desperate. They summoned a demon called Nag-ta to kill us." he paused

"One day it found us." he was clearly struggling, Twilight and the others wanted to stop him but were frozen in horror of what they were hearing.

He continued, "He slaughtered everyone. Except for my wife and daughter. He dragged them through town to where he left me wounded. Held them in front of me... and... killed them right in front of me. He let me live just so he could hunt my as i wallowed in misery." everypony on the hill was crying now.

"For three years he hunted me. One day he found me, but before he could finish me, I was pulled through a space/time rift, last thing I remembered before waking up in your world was a rainbow light."

They all stood there speechless for some time before the little yellow pegasus spoke in a soft voice "Oh, you poor thing. No wonder your hurting so much, why if were any of us we would been driven completely insane. You're very strong, Mr Corbin."

"I'll say. We'd all be locked up in the Canterlot asylum." said a cyan pegasus with a flamboyant rainbow colored mane

"If I were strong I would have my family." The once human said

"We're all here for you, David" said Twilight.

Hearing her use his real name he came to a decision, "No, David, is dead." he looked at the ponies around him with a look of determination. They looked at him confused. "He died with his family three years ago. It's time I let him rest in peace. Right here, right now my life begins anew. I am Midnight Star, an earth pony in the lands of Equestria."

"It'll be difficult, but I'm ready to try letting go of my past. It may not happen overnight, and I may need help, if your willing." he continued

"What ever you need, just ask we'll be happy to help." said the cyan pegasus hovering over the rest.

"Twilight," he said, "thank you for everything you have done for me. If not for your companionship I would have lost my sanity in that hospital. I will repay your kindness some day, of that a give you my word."

"I just may take you up on that offer someday, but your our friend now, and we always help our friends." Twilight said, "Now, it's getting late maybe we should get back."

"You ladies go on ahead," Midnight said, "I'd like to stay out here for a bit. I can see the library from here, so I can find my way back."

After their the six mares left he sat there on the hill looking at the stars

"I don't know if I can let you go." he into the night sky as new tears streamed across his face, "You were the one person I truly cared for and now your gone. I'm sorry. I know This is what you would want me to do, so please help me let you go."

He sat for several minutes before walking back wishing he would stop stepping on his own hooves.

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His night was still plagued by nightmares, but not quite so many. Today Twilight was showing him around Ponyville as well as giving proper introductions to her friends after realizing she forgot that part last night. He watched Rainbow Dash show off a few moves, tried his hoof at apple bucking with Applejack (which ended with him flat on his face), attempted to make conversation with the quiet and timid Fluttershy, and got measured and a free saddlebag form Rarity, and had just finished hearing Pinkie Pie's party plan.

"Your friends are all very different from each other." Midnight said, "Most people I've ever known only made friends with others like themselves. It's nice to see pe... ponies,"he corrected himself, "getting along."

"Those differences are part of the reason we're such good friends, our strengths and weaknesses compliment each other. Although it's also been the source of disagreements, we always pull through." Twilight said proudly, "Are you hungry?"

"You kidding?" Midnight answered, "All I've eaten in the past two days was that muffin Pinkie gave me. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."

Twilight stopped and stared at him with a horrified expression.

He saw he look and immediately explained, "It's just an figure of speech." he assured the unicorn, "No one actually eats horses." She let out a breath and relaxed, "Although you do look rather tasty." he licked his lips in an exaggerated manner and grinned.

Twilight giggled at the joke, " I'm sure i do. Wait, humans are carnivores." she asked concerned.

"Well, omnivores. Meat's important, but about sixty or seventy percent of our diet's vegetation, or at least it was..." he didn't think about that before. he at least looked like a pony now, but did his entire physiology change as well, "If all of me is pony meat's definitely off the menu, but am I still part human?"

They sat at the nearest empty table upon arriving and took a look at the menu.

Wow, Midnight thought this is a town of ponies after all, dandelion sandwiches he chuckled.

"Finding our cuisine funny are we." she said looking at her own menu, "I could order for you if you'd like."

"Could you please, I'm a bit lost in all that." he answered.

Twilight raised a hoof, "Waiter," she flagged a pony, "I'll take the carrot and celery soup, and a oat burger with hay fries for my friend."

"Of course, ma'am." the waiter pony said and headed inside.

They talked throughout the meal, though not about Midnight's previous life or world as he was still not comfortable with it.

"Oh my, Twilight Sparkle... on a date!" said a green mare, "now I've seen everything."

"What!?" Twilight started and started blushing, "No, no i-it's not a date, Lyra." she said quickly, "I'm just showing him the town. We just got hungry."

Lyra giggled, "Relax, Twilight, I'm just teasing. So, this the new stallion everyponies talking about," she eyed him, "he's cute, nice job, Twi." she said as she turned to leave the two blushing ponies.

"That was awkward." Midnight broke the silence.

"Yeah, tell me about it." Twilight said giggling nervously, "I wouldn't date you." her eyes grew as she realized what she said, "I-I mean, you know somepony I just met and all. Not that there's anything wrong with you. You are attractive, but uhh... I'm going to stop talking. You can eat me now."

Midnight almost choked on his sandwich, and several ponies nearby looked up in shock. Twilight's eyes grew and her face turned red instantly, noticing the unintentional innuendo.

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"Thank you for lunch, Twilight, it was great." Midnight thanked the lavender unicorn, "I'm going to get ready for the party now and read for a bit."

"It was my pleasure." she replied, still a little embarrassed.

That was the most awkward meal I've ever eaten he thought

It was more than just awkward to him, though. It made him see the ponies in a way that disturbed him... as potential lovers. The thought, from a logical perspective it made sense, they were ponies, he was a pony. But from an emotional view it was a perverse notion. He was still human in his mind.

This conflict raged in his mind as he picked up a book entitled "Unexplained Happenings in Equestria". It was one of many books in the library he had found that may have an account similar to his own. As he read, his thoughts kept returning to the events at the cafe.

"What is wrong with me?" he asked aloud. "Am I sick in the mind? Thinking like that about a fucking horse!" Though he had trouble thinking of her as a horse. Horses weren't as intelligent as her, or as kind, interesting, beautiful. He shook his head trying to clear those thoughts from his mind. Unable to he decided to go for a walk.

"Hey, Spike, let Twilight know that I went for a walk and I'll meet her at the party." he said to the purple dragon.

"Alright." Spike replied "see ya at the party."

Midnight left the library with about two hours until he had to be at Sugarcube Corner. Despite the failure of the first one at the library, he was actually looking forward to this one. As long as he doesn't try to strangle any of the other guests, or kick them, or break their noses, it should be good. Thinking about it, Midnight thought it might be better to start with an apology.

He walked out to the hill he confessed to the six friends about his past. It seemed to be a good place to practice his art. After seeing the unicorns use telekinesis to manipulate objects with the precision of using hands, he figured he should practice this. He only used telekinesis to move things to where he could grab them, move things too heavy to lift by normal means, or to throw things.

He focused his energy into the rune-covered ethereal circle on his forehead, causing it to appear. directing the energy into the ground he formed a ball and ring out of stone. The ring was slightly larger and sat on a low pedestal he made for it. For the next hour he tried moving the ball through the ring. he managed a couple of times, but nowhere near enough for him to consider it good enough.

Practice would have to wait, it was time to head to the party, and hopefully make a better second impression that his first.

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The party had already started by the time Midnight arrived. The moment he walked into the sweets shop everypony stopped doing whatever they were doing and looked strait at him. he ignored the stares from all but one, a stallion with a large bandage on his nose. Midnight walked over to the pony who looked a little nervous at his approach.

Before the injured stallion ran off Midnight said, "I'm sorry for what happened last time. I came from a pretty bad place and I'm not use to 'nice' surprises. Can you forgive me?" he held out his hoof

The other stallion looked at him for a moment, then bumper hooves, "It's cool."

With that, party started back up again. Ponies talked, danced, and played games. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were arm wrestling whoever challenged, Pinkie Pie was dancing, Fluttershy was talking with Lyra and a white pony who's name escaped him at the moment, Rarity was talking to two stallions he hasn't meet before. Twilight was by the snack table getting punch.

When he saw her the thoughts of her he worked so hard to repress came hushing back in force. A feeling of warmth spread in his checks. He quickly turned away only to come face to face with Pinkie Pie. The pink mare looked at him with a knowing grin.

"Do you have a crush on Twilight?" she asked quietly.

"Of course not." The blue ex-soldier said quickly, "She's a pony and I'm not."

"Nooooo," She said, "You WERE a 'Hoop-nin', but now your a stallion, and a handsome one at that." she gave him a wink

"It's 'human', and this might only be temporary. What would happen if we were dating and i turned back." Midnight said

"You think if you turn back into a 'hummer-and' she'd hate you? Not Twilight, she'll still like you." she said

"It's 'human', ok 'human'," Midnight corrected, "and even if I did have a crush, which i don't, I doubt she feels the same."

"No, she likes you, honestly." the party pony assured him, "She won't admit it, but i can tell, my Pinkie senses told me. You should totally ask her out!"

"I don't think so. Besides, what could i offer her? She deserves better." asked Midnight

"What makes you think that?" asked Pinkie.

"I killed people! My soul is stained with blood and can never come clean!" he yelled "You should have let me die where you found me!"

The room went quiet as everypony stared at him. Suddenly aware that he was once again the center of attention, he turned and walked out the door.

"At least he didn't hit anypony this time." somepony said in the crowd.

"What did you say to him, Pinkie." asked Twilight coming up beside her followed by the other four.

"I just said he should ask somepony on a date, and he got mad." the pink mare looked like she was about to cry.

"It's not your fault Pinkie Pie. He's still hurt, and he was probably just reminded of a painful memory." Twilight said trying to comfort her friend.

"He said he was putting that behind him." scoffed Rainbow Dash.

"Nopony here knows what he's going through right now. It's probably not that easy for him to let it go." Twilight replied

"Well um... maybe he just needs a little help doing it." whispered Fluttershy.

"Well shoot, we wouldn't be very good friends if we don't help the poor guy." agreed Applejack.

"Then it's agreed. We will help Midnight let go of his dreadful past and begin anew." said Rarity.

"I'm making it my personal mission to make sure that he WILL smile again." Pinkie Pie said with a serious tone that was rare for her, "cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

The other five repeated their most honored vow.

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Midnight felt bad about snapping at Pinkie Pie. He knew she was only trying to help him be happy, but she shouldn't have pushed so hard. Though she was right about him being a pony, and thus, his feelings were normal, but Twilight was a good mare in a beautiful, peaceful land. What right did a killer have, being with such a pure soul. The truth of the matter was Twilight Sparkle was a protector, while he, Midnight Star, was a destroyer.

Midnight past the library and was heading toward the hill... his hill, he needed to be alone. He went to the side opposite from town, looked around to make sure he was alone, and focused his energy into his seal. The side of the hill melted away forming a staircase. He continued his excavations feeling his work through the magic until it was what he needed. He then proceeded down the stairs sealing the entrance.

It was dark, but nothing a quick enchantment couldn't fix. An orb of light floated to the ceiling and spread across it filling the room with a soft yellow-white light. After add some furnishings from stone he was satisfied, for the time being. Maybe later He'd let Rarity come down here and let her have some fun with the place, after he has the funds to pay for it of course.

It was still raw and not very comfortable, so it'll have to wait to be home. A detection spell told Midnight nothing was around to see him as he opened the "door" and closed it behind him. Soon he'll tell Twilight that he has acquired his own accommodations, but for now it was a place to be alone with his thoughts.

It didn't take long to get back to the library, he was much better at walking than he was when he first arrived, though his legs and ankles were still sore and bruised. Twilight wasn't back yet and spike was asleep (that or a bear found it's way into Twilight's room), so he just grabbed a book called "Advice for the Socially Challenged", went into his room and began reading. Next Chapter: Chapter 2: A New Start Estimated time remaining: 27 Minutes