Chapter I

My name is Ethan, Ethan Mason, and I should say I have gone through hell of earth (or what is left of earth), and I've had to deal with shit like Deathclaws, Aliens, Robots, Brains in Jars, my own brain, loss of my spine and heart, the Divide, a simulation about Anchorage, red necks from Point Lookout, Tribals, Super Mutants, Trogs (don't ask what they are), slavers, raiders, Ghost people (again, don't ask), and Lobotomites (poor bastards). I've also dealt with, and I shit you not, insane people who say they've traveled through dimensions. Crazy, right? Hell, one said she was a... what was it? A... pony? I don't know, but she smelled of alcohol and jet, probably a simply junkie. God, I even remember something the Brotherhood of Steel got online, called a Liberty Prime. Fuck that thing was awesome.

My life was simple, to say the least, I killed jackasses, helped survivors and settlers out, and even made my own settlement. And boy did I get a lot of friends that I travel with, making my own little army. Thanks to a Enclave Radio I found, I now got my own Enclave forces, got tons of experimental armor and weapons, and so much more. I was, to other's eyes, a Messiah. Though I prefer the titles Lone Wanderer and Courier.

So, what happened next, was what confused me the most. I was simply walking across the ruins of New York, fighting off hunters, until I felt something hit me on the head, and everything went black. So, I don't really know what happened, and I've been out cold for a long time now. Hopefully I'll come too soon.

...

The first thing I noticed, which indicated I was alive, was the feeling of being lifted up, and placed on something hard, like wood. This made me groan slightly, but I failed to awaken since I couldn't really feel my body. It felt... different, wrong, as if I was... something. I don't know what, but it felt strange. I could hear faint voices around me, but that was about it. I didn't feel like I'd go out any second, but I couldn't do anything either. Maybe I'm just too tired to move, but not too tired to hear and feel. Hell if I know honestly.

I then felt myself being placed on a soft, and rather comfortable bed, before feeling something like a blanket being placed over me. This wasn't bad, from what I've gone through, so I think I could deal with it for now. I plan to stay calm through this, and not cause a scene just yet. I want to be fully aware before I do. I could still hear voices, though they seem to be a bit further away, while I felt something... warm, go over my body. This also caused my Pip-Boy to go off, which made me worried, they were using radiation, shit.

I finally gained a bit of control as I let out a groan, which caused the voices to stop, and I tried to move, but instead of sitting up, I fell off the bed with a thud, which made someone speak, enough for me to hear. "Hey, relax, everything's okay, just relax."

I spoke in a groggy tone. "Get that... damn... radiation away... from me..."

I couldn't feel my body anymore as I began to lose control of it, though I felt myself being placed in the bed again, and felt the warmth go over me, and my Pip-Boy was ticking again. This made me hear some of the words.

"...device... what's radiation?... quickly... He's losing..."

"Get that... I want... I will not lose... keep him alive!"

And like that, everything went black.

...

Unknown Location

12:35 PM

...

I gave out a groan as I slowly felt consciousness coming back, before I slowly pulled myself into a sitting position, and placed my hands against my face, and began to rub my eyes. But, my hands felt weird, different... like... little stubs.

I opened my eyes and looked at me hands... but instead of hands, I had two brown stumps. This made me go wide eyed, and followed these stumps down to my body, revealing that I had a brown coat all over my body. I still had lots of scar, sting marks, burnt skin, and tons of other stuff, but I was... something. Something from history back in the Vault, what was it? I looked over at the mirror. Maybe that mirror could help me remember.

I rolled out of bed, and earned a thump when I hit the ground, making me groan a bit, and got to my... stumps, before I slowly took a step forward, then another, and another, quickly getting an idea of how this worked, before I finally made it to the mirror. And I then looked in said mirror, and was shocked by what I saw.

In front of me stood a strange, human like head, with a muzzle, and very large, almost cute looking eyes, except for the scar over my left eye. I had a messy black... mane? Or is it still called hair? I'm just going with the random words that pop into my mind here, so excuse me if I get it wrong. I had a small patch of red in my hair too, while what I'm guessing to be a tail was long and messy, with it's own patch of red as well. I had some strange tattoo on my ass, which appeared to be the symbol of the Enclave, which soon changed to the symbol of the Brotherhood of Steel, and then to the NCR, and all the other factions I either helped and/or a part of. Strange. I couldn't tell what I was, but something was slowly coming to me.

Am I a... Dog? No, they don't look like this... at least, none that I've seen. I'm not a Yao Guai, that's for sure, and I sure as hell ain't a scorpion. Hmm... what did Mister Brotch call that thing on that holotape? A... Horse? Yeah, but this is smaller, and more cute then that. He said there was a name for those too... But what was it?

I placed my stumps on my forehead to try and think better, but yelped out a little upon getting poked by something long, pointy, and sharp on my head, this made me look in the mirror again, and saw a massive, overgrown horn on my head. Lovely.

Come on, it's on the tip of my tongue, Dad used to give me these old fashioned fairy tale story books when I was a kid, to get a better understanding of life before the war. A... um... a Unicycle... damn it, that's a toy, not some form of horse! What was it? I stomped my stump onto the ground. A Unicorn! Right!

I then raised an eyebrow as I examined the mirror more intently.

Are those... wings? Fucking hell, I have wings?! Fuck yeah! I then raised an eyebrow. Horses with wings were called... Pegasuses... I think, fuck it, I'm sticking with it. So I gotta be... a cross between a Unicorn and a Pegasus. But that doesn't answer the original question, I'm a type of horse, of course... but smaller and more miniature... what were those called? Um... god damn it, I should know this! I was on the top of my fucking class, so I gotta! I began to hit myself on the head, until that little light bulb switched on. Of course, you idiot, it's a Pony! Why the fuck couldn't I remember that?

I gave out a small sigh, and looked around, trying to find out where the fuck I was. I was in some kind of massive... almost primitive building, that still held quite a bit of elegance. Almost royal if I'm not mistaken, but that has yet to tell me where I was. The windows were too high to look from, and there wasn't another... intelligent, creature around I could ask. This was going to make my life even harder, and I still need to figure out a few more stuff. Like how the hell I became a Hybrid, and what this place most likely held in the form of history. Personally I loved to learn, research, test, and the such. I was, as I was back home, a nerd, though I was able to lead a little, even though I have horrible skills at it, and tended to be the whole 'Lone Wolf' kind of guy. But still, I managed to be in command of the newest Enclave, the Brotherhood, and all those other places. Of course, not the NCR, because they had President Kimball, and that guy gave me a few suits of his. Same for having almost every, and I mean every suit, armor, and the such from there, even a ton of weapons, medical equipment, ammo, and the such. I had tons of stuff, and I think I still had the stuff from Mothership Zeta too.

Alright, there's that massive door over there, and I doubt I could open it with stumps... I mean hooves, since I'm a pony, and the best bet to find someone, would be to look around... maybe scavenge if no ones nearby, even loot dead corpses for some rare shit. Heh, wonder if any of them are holding grenades, boy were there tons of those all over back home.

I slowly got to my hooves, and began to walk towards the door, keeping myself steady as I did so. I didn't want to fall like a dumbass, and I sure as hell don't want to be bad at walking if I get into a fight, so I needed to be careful.

Once I reached the door, I placed my hoof against it, and gently began to push it, getting it to open. I then looked out the door, looking back and forth, and thankfully not seeing anyone around. So I softly closed the door behind me, and began to quietly walk through the halls of this place, easier said then done. I would occasionally hear the sound of a voice, or footsteps, which would make me slide into the shadows, and wait for something to happen, though nothing yet.

As I soon came to the third corner, I came face to face with... another pony? This one was in heavy gold armor, and was wide eyed upon seeing me. He quickly took out a sword and aimed it at me, with his teeth no less. And he was glaring daggers at me, which made me step back, and was a bit worried now. I stayed silent as he slowly came up to me, ready to plunge, before he tried to, and I spun out of the way, and grabbed his head with my hooves, before I headbutted him, making the helmet dent a bit, while I had a major headache, but I wasn't done. I grabbed his foreleg, threw him over my shoulder, and ripped off his helmet, then slammed my head in his again, effectively knocking him out cold.

I took a few deep breaths as I tossed the helmet to the side, and gave him an annoyed look. Damn... that armor's thick. But that doesn't mean they're deadlier the Caesar's Legion, those guys fought better then these idiots.

I wiped my forehead and looked down the hallway, seeing no one nearby, which made me nod, grab the pony by the shoulders, and hefted him onto my back. I then grabbed his helmet, and headed to a dark corner, before tossing the pony in said corner, then thought of something. If ponies are the main force here, then it'd probably be best to disguise myself as one. That way I could get by easily. I looked down at the pony, and pulled off his armor, before sliding it on, and my coat changed from brown to a clean white, my mane turned blue, and I had the same tattoo the pony once had. This made me nod, and placed the helmet on, grabbed his sword, and latched it to my side.

I then took the form of one of those NCR Rangers, and began walking like a natural born soldier. This should easily work, and given the way I look, I should pretend I have a steel pole up my ass as well.

I began walking through the halls of the massive building I was in, and spotted more ponies, who didn't give me a second glance, which meant I was in the clear. Good.

I soon came up to a large golden door, with two ponies standing at the sides. This made me smirk a bit, and speak. "I come with a letter for the..." I thought a bit, trying to think of something, then pushed my luck. "(Luck 9/9) Princess."

The ponies nodded in response, and began to open the doors. Damn, that was close.

I walked in, still acting like a soldier, as I spotted a very large... pony? No, she's too big to be a pony... a horse maybe? And she's a hybrid like me, that's gotta give me some points here. Hmm, her mane and tail... they seem strange, moving when there's no wind... and she seems to be powerful, I guess anyways. But I also detect a hint of sadness, and a little bit of pride maybe? That one's a bit hard to figure out, maybe not.

I soon stood in front of the Princess, and gave a proper bow (White Glove Society: Liked)

I didn't stand up until she spoke. "Ah, Captain Sweet Tooth, what brings you here?"

Sweet Tooth? Seriously? Did they name him that as an insult or what?

I stood up, and gave a salute, which felt like the proper form of these guards. "Princess."

This made her narrow her eyes. "Captain, what happened to your voice."

Shit.

I looked around, and spotted many of the ponies beginning to surround me, all of them getting ready to draw their weapons if I resist.

Why the hell did I even come this way? Why not just leave? God, I'm such an idiot.

I looked up at the 'Princess', and sighed heavily, then shook my body a bit, causing the armor and helmet to fall off, and the helmet regained it's massive dent, while my body went back to normal. This made them all draw their weapons at me, while one barked out. "We have an intruder!"

I rolled my eyes at him, then looked at the giant horse. "Honestly, I wouldn't have thought of going with the armor if one of your friends here hadn't attacked me on sight."

The horse stood up at that. "Stand down." The guards looked at each other, before slowly complying. This made me glance up at the horse, and she was giving a soft smile. "I see you have finally awoken, after we put you in the medical wing."

I shrugged in response, and dusted off a foreleg. "Well, given that your 'help' consists of radiation poisoning, I don't find you all that friendly."

The horse... or should I go with mare? Whatever, she raised an eyebrow. "So that is what your... machine, on your foreleg there, was saying."

I nodded in response. "Yep, radiation, something that, if not treated, can mutate you, kill you, or turn you into a kind of undead... uh... pony, with a heart."

She was surprised by this. "Truly?" I nodded. "Interesting, it must be different back where you're from." My response was a shrug. "Hmm... from where do you hail, my little pony."

I scratched my ear at that. "That a catch-phrase or something?" She raised an eyebrow. "Nevermind." I looked around a bit. "I come from a place called... um... America, which has gone into an all out war with another place called... China, over the last remaining resources that were left back home. I guess that would have been 200 years ago by now, and it's still a... wasteland, from the Great War. A ton of Nuclear Warheads can do that to places I guess."

The mare was wide eyed by that, then shook her head and gave a small smile. "Well, I am glad you have gotten away from that place. May I be the first to welcome you to Equestria." She then tilted her head. "What might your name be?"

I looked down at this. Should I even tell her? Hell, would it even count as a normal name here? Fuck it, I've fought through worse. I then looked up at her. "My name is Ethan, Ethan Mason, though many just call me the Courier, or the Lone Wanderer."

The mare smiled at that. "Of course, a pleasure to meet you, Mister Mason."

I chuckled lightly at that. "Heh, yeah... never was called that before."

She smiled once again, then bowed her head. "My name is Celestia, Ruler of Equestria, and the raiser of the sun."

Of course, something crazy to add to the partially normal place. Go figure.

I nodded, looked around, then shrugged. "Well, I should say I don't got anywhere to go. Do you have any suggestions?"

Celestia thought a bit, then looked at me. "So, if magic is considered dangerous for your kind." Magic? Seriously? "Might I consider you becoming my personal student? I have need of one, and I am sure you would like to learn how to control this magic, am I right?"

I thought myself. Different place, different customs, different rules. Why not? I doubt anything bad'll come from it. "Sure, why not?"

Celestia smiled at this. "Wonderful, please follow me while I show you around, and I will have to run you through a few tests to see how powerful your magic is. And I do truly believe you are going to love it here."

My response, which was for everything else back home, was a simple shrug.

...

Canterlot Palace

16 Years Later

10:45 AM

...

I sighed heavily as I looked through this new book I found in the library while my number one assistant (a dragon I named Rex), and a prototype Eye-Bot I made from one of those schematics I got (ED-E, in honor of my friend), were going through the stacks of books and papers I had all over my desk. I was too busy tearing through this book to notice them, and soon finished the 20th chapter. (Started the book earlier this morning, honestly.)

I then heard Rex speak. "Hey, Ethan?" I gave a small nod in response. "You've been in here all morning, reading that one book, what's got you so interested in it?"

I tore my eyes away in response, and rubbed them to get the stinging to stop. "I honestly don't know, Rex. Celestia said there was some important and major facts in it, and I thought I'd find something... but nothing yet."

Rex hopped up onto the seat he placed next to me. "What'd ya fine so far?"

I shrugged. "Some story about a old member of the Royal Family, somepony named Luna? Or was it Nightmare Moon? I don't quite know."

Rex nodded a little, and stretched a bit. He was a teenage dragon, with black scales, that held red markings on them. I told him that it made him a cool dragon back home, which made him like his appearance. He had a red military cut style head, with ruby eyes. He also learned a lot about fighting and defense from watching me practice every morning and night. And he was a bit of a genius too, though he preferred tinkering over the actual science.

I also should say I have tons of prototypes in my tower, all of which came from the Capital Wasteland. There was the prototype XV Enclave Colossus Power Armor, the Prototype Garden of Eden Creation Kit, the prototype Laser Rifle, the prototype Plasma Rifle, the prototype Sentry Bot, and a whole lot of other prototypes I have been researching ever since I left Vault 101, meaning I personally enhanced the originals and made them much more powerful. As for the Enclave Armor, I had one that'd fit Rex, and one that'd fit me. I also made ED-E a bit more armored, and gave him a plasma blaster, a laser blaster, and a pulse blaster.

I had tons more, of course, but I tended to keep them to myself before I make the perfect one for the ponies across Equestria.

I sighed as I sat the book down, and looked at Rex. "Wanna go see if there's anything good in the kitchen?"

Rex gave a smirk. "You know, that sounds great, but I'm trying to cut back on those Hay Fries... they're good and all, but I gained a little bit of weight, and wanna lose it."

I chuckled lightly, because Rex wasn't necessarily fat, and was actually quite thin, while having some muscle that made him not completely thin. He could easily beat the royal guards, and after watching me for so long, he began to teach them what he knew. And boy was he good at it.

Just then Rex burped out a letter, and handed it to me. This made me slide off the insignia, and looked inside.

My Faithful Student,

Tomorrow is the Summer Sun Celebration, and I have decided to have it take place

in a small town known as Ponyville. Mayor Mare was quite honored that I have decided this,

and has began getting everything ready. I requested that you look over the preparations

and make sure everything goes wonderfully. I also would like to ask you to try and find some

friends, I know you have made quite a bit here, but I wish for you to get out of that lonely

tower and get out into the fresh air. I understand that you have been working on quite a

bit of stuff over these last 14 years, and I have ordered the Royal Guards to help you in getting

them all into your new home. Look for the large tree, it is the town's local library.

Princess Celestia.

I raised an eyebrow at the letter, but shrugged anyways, and looked at Rex, who was looking at the book I sat down. "Alright, Rex, we're going to be moving."

Rex gave a grunt in response. "Go figure, and I was finally starting to like the low amount of room in this tower."

I couldn't help but chuckle lightly, which made him chuckle as well, and we got to our hooves (or clawed feet I guess), before we began to get what we could move with us ready.

...

I sat there in the carriage, with Rex next to me, and ED-E on his lap, since he'd fly off otherwise, and we continued to sit in silence. Until I finally looked at Rex. "So... anything you hope this place might have?"

"A good place to work out, decent grub, and maybe even a place that carries a lot of machines."

I chuckled lightly, and patted his back. "I understand, buddy. We'll figure out what's there soon enough."

Rex gave a reluctant nod in response, and we continued to sit in silence, enjoying the cool breeze as we also enjoyed the view. Just then the carriage landed in the middle of what I'm guessing to be Ponyville, which made me hop out of the carriage, with Rex, while ED-E began floating again. I then looked at the carriage leaders. "Thanks."

One simply nodded in response, while the other gave a salute. I then nodded to Rex, grabbed our stuff, and we headed into town. The first thing I noticed was the Pink mare trotting over to me, which made Rex whisper in my ear. "Here comes one of the mares, wonder if they're going to greet us, or flirt with you."

I glared at him. "That only happened once, Rex, and she was drunk." His response was a snicker as I looked at the mare, who stopped in front of me, and I gave a warm smile. "Hello, I'm..." But before I could finish, she gasped loudly, floated in the air a bit, then was gone, leaving behind a long trail of dust. "Ethan..." I looked at Rex. "Um... shall we head to the first destination?"

Rex nodded in response. "Yeah, I'd rather forget about that too."

...

I soon found our first location, Sweet Apple Acres. I looked at Rex, who nodded in response, and we both walked on into the farmstead. We then heard what sounded like a mare yelling something out, which made us head towards it, and spotted a tan mare, with a blonde mane and tail, which were both in a ponytail, had three apples as a cutie mark, and wore a stetson. She was... cute, I guess... in that cowgirl sort of way.

We walked over to her as I smiled. "Hello, Miss, my name is Ethan, Ethan Mason, and-"

She spun around, a large smile on her face, as she grabbed my hoof, and shook it vigorously, which made me grunt at her pressure. "Well howdy Mister Mason! Ah'm Applejack, and this here's Sweet Apple Acres, home of the best apples in all of Equestria!"

I let out another grunt when she finally let go of my hoof. "That's uh... *clears throat* quite the claim."

She just continued to smile. "It might be, but Ah've yet t' find any better apples."

I slowly nod in response. "I see, well, Princess Celestia sent me here from Canterlot to oversee the preparations over the Festival. So I am here to check in on the food, to see if it's qualified and the such."

She smiled even wider. "Ah can do more then tell y'all!" With that, she took my hoof, dragged me over to an outside table, then rushed to a hanging triangle, and rung it while calling out. "SOUPS ON!"

The next thing I knew, Applejack began to place down apple products, as well as telling the names of both the food and her family members. I tried to get a say in all of this, but didn't get a word as she stuffed an apple in my mouth, and introduced the last member, named Granny Smith. I simply watched as the old mare slowly began to make her way towards us, while I began to test the apple in my mouth. Being a master of science has taught me a few tricks at testing stuff without having to use my hooves. It was surprisingly a good apple, and held a good bit of sweetness, while being well balanced with a hint of sour. It was also rough enough to survive a fall from a house over a road, but soft enough to be eaten. Not bad, to say the least.

Applejack then spoke. "That's right, Granny Smith, he'll be treated like a member of t' family."

I narrowed my eyes at her in response. "As much of an honor as that sounds, Miss Applejack, I have just met you, and cannot accept such an offer without actually learning a bit about all of you, so I am afraid we will simply go by acquaintances. And it appears your apples are quite good, and would appear perfect in many eyes. Now if you will excuse me, I have to check on the weather for the Princess."

I then got to my hooves, with Rex quickly standing as well, and we began our walk back to Ponyville, until I heard a little fillies voice below. "Can't you just stay for lunch?"

I looked down, and saw the saddest puppy eyes I've ever seen. Thankfully I'm used to such tactics as I gave a sad smile. "I'm afraid not, little one, I need to make sure everything goes well, I don't want to upset Princess Celestia. But how about we make a deal." Her ears perked up. "If you let me do this for the Princess, then I'll make sure to come by tomorrow and eat lunch with you, alright? And hey, if I can, I'll see if Princess Celestia herself could visit too, deal?"

The fillies eyes were wide as she smiled widely in excitement, she then offered her hoof. "Pinkie Promise?"

I smiled gently, and took her hoof. "Pinkie Promise."

She smiled at this, while the others gave out an 'aww', which made me smirk inside, and left with Rex and ED-E close behind.

...

I soon came up to Ponyville, and looked up at the sky. Man... still don't know what's wrong with a cloud or two, but apparently these ponies are very picky. I then examined around. Where is this Rainbow Dash Celestia told me about?

"ETHAN! LOOK OUT!"

My eyes widened, and everything slowed down for me as my senses went into overwork. I looked further to the side, and spotted a rainbow blur heading for me, which made me dive forward, and rolled onto the ground while time sped up again, and a lot of dirt flew up from where the rainbow blur crashed. I sighed heavily as I dusted myself off, and walked over to the small crater, spotting who I am guessing to be Rainbow Dash (if the rainbow mane was no indication).

She groaned a bit as she looked up at me, which was by the time I was offering a hoof to her. She accepted the offer, and I lifted her out of the ground. She then began to try and get the dirt out of her mane while I spoke. "That was a nasty fall, you alright?"

She nodded in response. "Yeah, just another mess up in that dang stunt."

I tilted my head at that. "Stunt?"

She nodded. "Yeah, something that happened when I was a filly. I was falling through the sky so fast, I broke the sound barrier, and created a Sonic Rainboom. Still trying to perfect that."

I thought for a minute. "I think I remember reading about that a few years ago, I was in my tower though, so I wouldn't have seen it."

She nodded at that, shook her body a bit, then offered her hoof. "I'm Rainbow Dash, Fastest flyer in all of Equestria..." She then blushed slightly. "Or at least, I'm trying to be."

I gave a soft smile. "I'm sure it'll happen eventually. Just practice a lot, put your heart into it, and never give up, and you'll be it in no time."

She smiled back, and offered a hoofbump, which I obliged in, and she smirked a bit. "Thanks. So, what's a stallion like you doing here in Ponyville?"

I shrugged. "Princess Celestia sent me here to overlook the Summer Sun Celebration, as well as make friends. So, here I am." I then glanced up at the clouds. "So, it seems stupid to me personally, since I have no problems with clouds, but... why aren't they out of the way?"

Rainbow shrugged. "I haven't gotten around to it yet."

I gave a nod. "I still don't get what the point is, honestly. I mean, there's nothing wrong with a cloud or two being up in the sky, heck, back home the entire sky is filled with them, so I had no say in it."

She simply shrugged again. "Heck if I know, but they're a bit too picky about it."

"On that I agree."

We both shared a chuckle, before I looked at her. "Mind getting them out of the way? I don't want the Princess to be upset with me and all."

She nodded in response. "Sure, hang on." She then sped off into the air, and took them all out, within eight seconds no less. She then landed next to me. "Heh, told them I could do it in ten seconds."

I gave a small smirk. "It was actually eight, and counting."

She went wide eyed, and hoofpumped. "Booyah! I knew I could do it!" She then smirked at me and offered another hoofbump, which I obliged, and she flew up into the air while waving at me. "I gotta go, see ya later..." She then thought a minute. "What's your name?"

"It's Ethan, a pleasure to meet you, Miss Dash."

She chuckled lightly. "Just Dash is fine. Well, see ya." And with that, she flew off.

I looked down at Rex, who was listening to some music from one of my newest creations, a IPod. "Come on, Rex, let's go check on the decorations."

Rex nodded in response, and we headed off towards the largest building in the entire town, the Carousel Boutique.

Once we reached it, I knocked on the door, making a mare's voice call out. "Come in, I'll be with you in a minute!"

I nodded to Rex, and we walked in. The place was a mess, by mare standards, decorations and cloth everywhere, but the place was still beautiful. So with a shrug, I walked in, Rex next to me, and ED-E (who I recently forgot about) floating above. Once we reached the main room, I spotted who I was guessing to be Miss Rarity, who seemed to be a bit of a fashion freak, and had her mane in a... well groomed, I guess, style. Whatever honestly.

We came up to her, making her speak as she turned around. "Hello, and welcome to the Carousel Boutique, I am Rarity, how can I-AAAHH!"

I winced slightly as my ears flopped down when she cried out, staring at me with some form of horror. Did I know her? Heck if I knew honestly. I glanced over at Rex, who had his claws over his ears, growling out a little in response. I then looked at the mare, and followed her eyes up to my messy mane.

This made me sigh heavily. "I don't have time for this." I took a deep breath, and raised my hoof before she could say anything. "Miss Rarity, I have come here on behalf of Princess Celestia to oversee the preparations for the Summer Sun Festival. All I am here for is to see how the decorations are going, then I will be on my way."

She then asked. "But what about your mane, darling?!"

I glared at her. "Is there a problem with it?"

She heard my hint of hostility, which made her eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head. "Oh no, of course not, Darling! It's just... it's..."

"My mane has been like this for many years, Miss Rarity, and I have no intention on changing it, understood?"

She quickly nodded. "Of course!" i nodded. "Um... is there anything else I could help you with?"

I thought for a moment, then glanced at Rex. "Got anything?"

Rex shook his head. "Nope, though I think ED-E will need to be repaired. Sometimes loud noises tend to mess with his functions."

I glanced back at ED-E, who gave out a few of those old beeps that I have understood so well. This made Rarity look at him, and was truly astonished by it. "My goodness, what is that, darling?"

I smiled a little. "That's one of my latest prototypes, he is a Eye-Bot, ED series, though I just call him ED-E. He's an attempt at making a... old friend I lost long ago."

Rarity gave a sad look. "I'm sorry to hear that, Mister... Um..."

"Ethan, Ethan Mason."

She nodded. "Mister Mason, I am truly sorry to hear that, I am sure it was a good friend."

"He."

Rarity slapped her hoof over her mouth. "Of course, he, I am truly sorry, Mister Mason."

I nodded, while ED-E bobbed a bit, letting out some music, which made Rarity smile. "I don't understand what he's saying, but he does know some good music."

I smirked. "I apologize about that, I was so busy in making it so I'd understand him, that I forgot to make it so others would also. I think I could fix that later."

Rarity nodded with a smile. "I am glad."

I then gave a wave. "Well, I got one last thing to take care of before I start setting up my new house. It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rarity, and I hope we get a chance to talk, hopefully over some tea and bread."

Rarity nodded with a smile. "Of course, Mister Mason, that sounds wonderful."

I nodded in response, and left with ED-E and Rex.

...

We soon came up to the edges of what I'm guessing to be the Everfree Forest. Not as scary as others claimed, and honestly, that Deathclaw nest was scarier. So, with a small sigh, we headed down to where I heard the music coming from. And once there, I spotted a young, butter yellow Pegasus mare, teaching some birds how to sing. I smiled as the birds sung perfectly with her, which made me think a bit, and decided to be cautious here. I began to sing with the birds, which made the yellow mare jump at the sudden addition, while the birds continued to sing, all the while I sung with them. I was surprised my voice was doing well on this, since I hadn't sung for a good few years. I expected myself to be a bit rusty, but apparently not.

Once the birds stopped, I did as well, and had a small smile as I walked up next to the mare. "Apologies, but I didn't want to startle your birds away with my sudden intrusion."

The mare gave a soft smile as she spoke very softly. "Thank you."

I smiled again. "I take it you're Miss Fluttershy?" She nodded. "Princess Celestia has sent me to look over the Summer Sun Festival, and I wished to oversee and check on them. And from what I've seen, things are going wonderfully here."

Fluttershy blushed at this, and hid a little behind her mane. "Thank you."

I smiled at her. "Don't worry, Miss Fluttershy, I was told about your shyness, and do not wish to upset you. I will be leaving now."

She slowly nodded in response, while I looked over at Rex. "Come on, Rex, time to check out that library."

Rex walked over and gave a mock salute in response. "Aye, Aye, Boss."

I chuckled lightly at him, but before I could speak, I spotted Fluttershy zoom right next to me, and begin speaking to Rex. "Oh my gosh! A dragon! Wow, and you can talk!" Rex stepped back in awkwardness. "Oh please, tell me everything."

Rex stepped back a bit more. "Uh... I'm good, I got enough creepy animal friends back home who already got me to do that a few years ago."

Fluttershy went wide eyed, and blushed madly. "Oh, I'm sorry, I just was surprised to see you! You're a dragon, and I never got to meet one. And you can also talk, which makes me even more excited."

"Oookay... Hey, Ethan? Could we head to the library now? I'm getting kinda freaked out."

I nodded in response, then smiled at Fluttershy. "Rex isn't much of a talker, Miss Fluttershy, but I'm sure ED-E would love to talk to somepony." Fluttershy raised an eyebrow, then gasped as ED-E came up next to me. "Fluttershy, this is ED-E, one of my closest friends."

ED-E spoke in his usual beeps and robotic sounds, which made Fluttershy gasp. "Oh, it's nice to meet you too, ED-E! You are just as amazing as Rex!"

ED-E began to speak with Fluttershy as we headed for the library. I began to whistle to myself to pass the trip, while Rex was listening to the Ipod again. Once we reached the library, Rex spoke as he pulled the earpieces out. "Huh... not as amazing as I expected. A bit smaller actually."

I smiled at him. "Don't worry, Rex, Celestia taught me a spell that could expand the entire inside without changing the rest of it. It'll look bigger on the inside then on the outside, to put it simply."

Rex nodded in response as I pushed the front door open, revealing the pitch black room, which was a bit weird, and Fluttershy was gone too. I simply shrugged and went inside, with ED-E and Rex behind me. Once we were inside, I looked at Rex. "So, you got anything to turn the lights on with, Rex?"

"Nope, and I'd use my Ipod, but the batteries are dying."

I nodded. "What about you, ED-E?"

His response was the usual beeps. "Alright, though I'd rather not catch the house on fire, ED-E, so save the lasers for later."

Just then the lights went on, while we saw the entire library was full of ponies, and I bet the entire town was in here. This made me a little worried as they all called out. "SURPRISE!"

I sighed heavily, while Rex spoke. "Alright, I'm outta here. See ya in the morning, Ethan, and if the parties still going, tell me so I can head back to sleep." And with that, he walked to the stairs and headed up them.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him, while the pink mare from earlier bounced up to me. "Hiya! I'm Pinkie Pie! I saw you when you got here, and I was all *gasp*, and left so I could get this party started because you're new here, and I can tell because I know everypony, and I mean EVERYPONY in town! Oh my gosh, do you like chocolate? Ooh I bet you like Chocolate! Do you like cupcakes? Wait, everypony likes cupcakes, except me because I super duper love them!"

I kinda just tuned her out at that as I walked over to the buffet table, and spotted a bottle with a cup next to it. I picked up said bottle, poured the contents into the cup, and stuck a straw in it, before I began to calmly drink it. My ears were lazily hanging to the side now as I opened my eye slightly to see her still talking. I then rose a eyebrow at the strange flavor and the large amount of spice in it. This caused me to pull back. "That's a strange flavor for punch."

Pinkie Pie picked up the bottle at that. "This isn't punch, silly! This is my special Hot Sauce!"

I simply shrugged in response, and went back to drinking, not really caring to be honest.

Then I finally heard her call out. "Let's party!"

And with that, the music went off while I continued to calmly drink the Sauce. I wasn't really paying attention to anything around me, until I felt somepony gently jab me in the shoulder. This made me glance over, and spotted Rainbow Dash as she spoke. "Don't you think?"

I swallowed the sauce. "I'm sorry, Miss Dash, I tuned out Miss Pinkie and forgot to go back to listening, what was that you were saying?"

She chuckled a little in response. "I said that Pinkie sure knows how to throw a party, huh?"

I shrugged in response. "It's better then any I've been to, I'll give her that. But the best party? I'd have to look up history to say for sure."

She snickered at that. "Yeah, I guess you're right." I turned around and leaned against the table, while she thought of something. "So, you're moving in here?"

I nodded. "Yeah, Princess Celestia said I needed to get out and get some fresh air, and also make friends, though I think I already told you this."

She blushed slightly. "Right, sorry."

I simply chuckled. "It's alright, I've been in my tower for a long time, making so many prototypes and the such that I hardly get to talk to anypony. Only Rex and ED-E."

Dash nodded in response, and looked at the little Eyebot, who was bobbing up and down on the dance floor, dancing with a random, mint green unicorn. "Yeah, don't know what he is, but he sure knows how to get a mare dancing."

I chuckled again, and then sighed. "Yeah." I then raised an eyebrow. "Hey, have you heard of somepony called Nightmare Moon?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I was told about her as a little filly, why?"

I shrugged. "Princess Celestia gave me a book, saying everything in it was important, and true facts. In one of the pages I read about Nightmare, and how she used to be called Luna, Princess Celestia's younger sister. Don't know why it's so important right now, but you know, I went with her warning and began reading."

Dash nodded at that. "Yeah, I'm curious about that too."

I yawned a little. "Hey, I need to go check on Rex, mind making sure Pinkie doesn't stop me?"

Dash nodded with a smirk. "Sure thing, Ethan."

And with that, I went upstairs, and entered Rex's room. He was fast asleep, and was curled up into a ball, though he appeared to have his earpieces on, and I could hear faintly the sound of Indie Music, which made me smile slightly, gently pulled them out of his ear, and pulled the blanket over him. This made him groan slightly, grab the blanket, and finish the job to keep warm. I couldn't help but smirk at the fact he's still adorable, which I hardly found in anypony now.

I gave out a small yawn again, and left the room, closed the door, and went back downstairs. I spotted ED-E who was speaking with Fluttershy, and Miss Applejack, which made me smile, and trotted back to the buffet table. From there, I got a glass of actual punch, and took a sip, which was a bit better then the sauce. As I began drinking my punch, I spotted Rarity walk over, and speak. "Hello, Darling, a pleasure to see you again."

I smiled. "A pleasure to see you as well, Miss Rarity. How are you enjoying the party?"

She smiled a bit. "I am quite enjoying it, thank you." She then glanced at my mane, and appeared to still have a problem with it, which I simply ignored. Then decided to break the ice. "Miss Rarity." She looked at me. "I had this haircut during the time my father died."

She went wide eyed. "Oh, darling, I am so sorry." She then grew worried. "How did he die?"

I sighed heavily. "Back home, the land is a nuclear wasteland." She gasped. "Everything's in ruins, or being reconstructed. Many ponies made different factions to survive, and some are very cruel. It's been 200 years since the Great War, and the land is still in ruins, but thankfully, there's no black rain." She gasped again. "My father put his entire life into bringing something the land lost long ago, fresh clean water. Most of the water is contaminated with radiation poisoning, so it's no surprise. Father then met my mother, and the had me... but not without my mother dying during birth." Rarity was on the verge of tears. "Father was a broken stallion then, and brought me to a place called Vault 101. From there, he raised me until I was 19, before he found what he needed to continue his work, so he left me alone. In response, the Overseer of Vault 101 lost it, and began to hunt down anypony to figure out how he left... including going as far to beat a friend of mine to death." She gasped in horror. "I had no choice but to leave the place, to keep anypony else from getting hurt. And I soon found myself in the wasteland America now is today. I looked everywhere for my dad, until I came to where all his work began, and it was called Project Purity. He left notes about where he was going, a place called Vault 112. I went there to find him, and in the process met a crazed Vault-Tec scientist named Doctor Stanislaus Braun. He was... a very cruel old stallion, who was only humored by his Vault residents being tortured and killed, over and over again. The only sane one, spoke for all of them, begging me to end their misery... I... I couldn't... I just couldn't kill so many innocents... but... I couldn't let them suffer either, and there was no way to free them... I was locked between two very hard choices... until I did what they begged for, and made the Great War happen there, as it did on my own world. I heard them thanking me as they perished... and I still hate myself for it. And I got dad in the process, and we went to Project Purity. But... once we got it up and running, a Old World military called the Enclave invaded the project, and ordered my father to turn it in. When my father refused, their leader, Colonel Autumn, shot one of the scientists in cold blood. My father then said he would, but instead of giving it to somepony who'd force ponies who needed water to pay for it, or possibly infect it to kill all mutation, which, in return, would kill everypony in the wasteland, he overloaded the project, filling the room with radiation..." Tears began to run down my cheeks. "I didn't even get to say goodbye, as he died from the massive dose... right in front of me... with a sealed door blocking me from even trying to get to him... and leaving me with no choice but to leave him..."

I finally fell to my knees, tears running down my face as I spoke. "It's all my fault... if I was stronger, and if that door wasn't there... I could have saved him! It's all my fault!"

I just curled up into a fatal position and began to cry, unable to hold it in anymore.

I also heard the party stop when I started to tell my tale, and all I heard from them was crying as well. But my mind was solely on myself, hating myself for not being stronger. I really could've saved him, I truly could've. If Doctor Li had let me open the door, I could have got him out before the radiation got me! But... I wasn't strong enough.

I then felt somepony place their hoof on my shoulder, and sniffled as I looked up, seeing the four mares giving me understanding smiles, and they all gave me a group hug, them crying as well. I didn't know how to respond to this, I used to be able to keep that buried down... but I let it out like a fool.

I sniffled again as I just let the emotions flow out, to try and get a hold of it once it's done.

After a good hour or so, I finally could get a hold of myself, and I wiped the tears from my face, before speaking. "I... I'm sorry, I just... I couldn't keep it in anymore."

Fluttershy pulled back with a soft smile. "It's okay, you went through a lot, and just needed to let it out, I have to do that sometimes too... but you really needed it."

I slowly nodded as Applejack spoke. "Yeah, y'all deserve t' get it off yer chest. Ah wouldn'tve been able t' hold it in mahself."

Rarity nodded. "Agreed, sometimes ponies need this, and like Fluttershy said, you definitely needed this."

Rainbow wiped the tears from her eyes. "Your a good pony, Ethan, and we all know that. You need to stop blaming yourself for that, you couldn't have been able to do anything."

I slowly nodded in response, as Pinkie spoke. "Somepony needs a super duper big hug." And like that Pinkie gave me said big hug, which, surprisingly was a little effective. Then she pulled back. "You know what this needs? I feel better party!"

Everypony yelled out their agreements, and Pinkie quickly changed the banner to what she said, and she cried out to begin partying.

I couldn't help but smile weakly at how nice everypony in this world was, back home the people just ignored me or said to think about it later, leaving me to deal with it alone. But... maybe not everywhere's as bad as the wasteland.

...

I groaned as Pinkie Pie pushed me out into the crowd of ponies who were waiting to see Princess Celestia. Personally I just tuned everything out and waited for Celestia to show up, not interested in the other stuff. Though I was a bit tired.

As I continued to look around, I raised an eyebrow at something, there was no carriage that arrived. This made me narrow my eyes, and look around a bit. The guards were here, but they were here earlier today, so yeah. There was no movement going on behind the curtains, and the night was a little bit darker then usual, even a little colder, like the sun was never here. And you'd usually feel at least a hint of warmth around this time. So what gives? There was also something odd about the Moon, instead of that usual strange shadow on it, it was a full moon. Something going on here, but what?

I narrowed my eyes, and thought back. I read about this somewhere, something about how on the thousandth night, the stars will build a bridge from the moon to this world. And from there... something showed up... I know this, so why can't I remember? Thousandth night: Check. Stars aligned with the moon: Check. Then something... no, somepony shows up. Hmm... somepony very important, somepony that Celestia was related to. Her original name was Luna... AHA, Nightmare Moon! So... if she's released from Moon... then that means...

My ears went behind my head at this.

Just then a purple shadow swirled around the upper levels, making, who I am guessing to be, Nightmare Moon, appear. She smiled down at us. "Hello, my 'faithful' subjects."

I felt my eye twitch a little. That voice... oh... god how I hate that kind of voice.

Rainbow then cried out as she tried to fly straight at her. "What did you do to the Princess?!"

Nightmare Moon gave a evil smile. "Do you not see? I am your princess. Have none of you read the signs."

And that ego... oh that awful ego... Oh yeah, I THINK I'm back, bitches.

Nightmare Moon waited for an answer, but received none, making her sigh in annoyance. "Do any of you even know who I am?"

I responded as I pushed through the crowd. "Should we know you, big, black, and ugly?"

Everypony gasped while the mare glared at me. "And who might you be?"

I gave a mock bow. "The Courier, and the right hoof of Princess Celestia, who will personally KICK. YOUR. ASS."

Everypony around me was shocked by my complete change of attitude, while Nightmare Moon snarled. "You dare threaten Us?"

I shrugged. "Well, personally, I usually ain't like this, but after going through an emotional breakdown, and hearing both YOUR voice and MASSIVE ego, I decided to act the way that usually pisses off the asshole who wanted to destroy the world or something. Once again, this ain't usually me, but I really gotta get my mind off of my emotions, so how about we get down to the beat down, and talk afterwards."

Nightmare Moon snarled again. "You expect you, a mere mail pony, to stand a chance against me, Princess of the Night?!"

I shrugged. "Well... I did kill something called a Legendary Deathclaw, and the damn thing was around four times bigger then you, stood up on his hind legs, had claws the size of you, massive horns, and white eyes that stared into your soul as it began to devour you."

Everypony gasped in horror that such a thing existed, while Nightmare Moon seemed impressed. "That might be an impressive feat, but you are talking to the Demigod of the Night."

I simply shrugged. "Honestly, you look like a mare who needs to work on fashion, and most likely needs to bathe too."

She roared out in anger. "You cursed foal! You know nothing of who I am, and you will be the first I hunt down after I bring night to the world, forever!" And with that, she disappeared in a cloud of shadows.

I simply shrugged and turned to the crowd. "All in favor of going after that mare, say I."

Nopony responded at first, until Rainbow Dash stepped forward. "I'm in."

This caused Applejack to as well. "Ah'm in too."

I then spotted Rarity step forward. "I guess I'll help as well."

Then Fluttershy. "I... I will go, that is if it's okay with you..."

Then finally Pinkie. "Ooh! Ooh! I'm in! I wanna go, I wanna go!"

I nodded and motioned the to follow. "Alright, girls, then let's head on over to the library, I need to check on a few things."

...