When I stepped out, the world before me was more black than night it self. However, before I could take another step, I felt my whole body stop moving. Not a single part of me could move nor function, I couldn’t breath, blink, even my heart stopped beating. Obviously, my mind was still functioning.

My eyes stayed open but I couldn’t see anything at all. My ears apparently still worked as I could hear the door spontaneously slam shut behind me. No turning back now, if I could turn that is. I could hear movement somewhere; Distinctive steps through grass, feet, hooves, boots, I couldn’t tell, but there was something there and it was close.

Fuck, I think I just screwed myself....

That deep chuckle confirmed my worry; I think some oily bastard wants round two.

Like a pair of mini spot lights, those eyes flickered into existence, like a pair of glaring orbs trying to bore holes into my unblinking eye balls. Damn it all! I can’t move, can’t speak, can’t even shoot!

I can faintly see an outline of this mind creature. He has me dead to rights, all it takes is one jab to the heart and done! I can’t even brace for death at this point! He placed his hands slowly on my shoulders. Those eyes and the blank face that they occupied is now inches from me. His breathing was faintly raspy but no steam or breath could be seen or felt. He leaned forward till his head was tilted in front of my right ear.

apparently some of my nerves still worked for I could feel the chilling pang of fear shooting through my body, If my body still worked it would be trembling with that flow. A faint chuckle filled my ear.

“It isss hopelessss,” Every whispered word a tickle of coldness, whenever he paused to breath I could hear the raspiness more clearly, “Your mminnnd, Iss minnnne, ffforrr no matter what you dooo, it will only beeee a futile effffort.”

He pulled away slowly, those eyes staring back at me again for a moment as he leaned in again to speak into my left ear. Now, I can hear a faint crackle of what I would assume be the skin around his neck. Could this be what he ends up looking like after getting his ass kicked or what?

“There Isss, nooo waaay you cannnn, Sssimply Walk tooo vvvvictory,” when he has me locked up like this, he has a point but I honestly think he hacked my mind to pull this shit off…

“For everrry, tiiime yooou reclaiiim mmmorrre offf yourrr minnnd, I toooo willl maaaake yourrr liiife morrre, Misssrable.”

His hands clenched progressively harder on my shoulders throughout the entire monologue. My shoulders now scream in painful vein before he let go of me. He stood straight at last, his slow but fluid movement became still for a moment or so.

“Iiii,” his voice was still in my ears, “Willll, be waiting...” The previously slow movement was suddenly a blur as a hand raised up close to his head then snapped forward. A cold palm slammed into my chest. One second I was a frozen human statue, the next, flying back into my cabin like a speeding truck. That front door stood no chance.

The impact was enough to make my entire body jolt violently as I sat up with a pain stricken gasp. My face, neck and body was covered in a layer of cold sweat. My hands gripped tight on the furniture I was laying on. Now where am I? What is this place? Why am I laying on a couch or whatever this is-

“J-Jeff,” I hear from somewhere, my fogged mind couldn’t pinpoint the sound, “Are you oka-” I felt something touch my sore shoulder. The simple touch was enough to set off the springtrap of defensive reactions.

“OHSHI-” as I tried to pull away from what I assumed was Mister Oily again. I yanked my right arm away in the only attempt to get away but I also forgotten briefly forgotten that said arm was holding most of my weight as I sat up seconds before. The floor had become my second alarm clock as my body landed with an embarrassing thud. So, here I am, half awake, on the floor, getting a third heart attack under control while staring at a figure that had stepped back in my spontaneous flailing/falling.

“Ohmygosh, I’m sorry Jeff!” I hear the voice come from the figure. Obviously, it sounded nothing like that nightmarish bastard. Instead, this voice sounded a lot like-A lavender glow came from the head as the lights slowly came on. At least getting blinded by a light won’t be added to the growing list of misfortunes this morning, or-

Wait, how did Twilight get out here so fast? I stared up at her blinking the nightmarish sleep from my eyes while she gave me space to let me slowly sit up. I’m still in shock from everything in the past few minutes sooo, I didn’t reply right away. As glanced over to the piece of furniture that I had been laying on, memories from last night’s flashback was responsible for me ending up here.

I hear quiet hoof steps as Twilight maneuvered around the table to get a look at me.

“Hey, Earth to Jeff, you okay there buddy?”

Earth, ha! For a split moment I wished I was home, but doubt there is anyway for me in getting back. Then again, if I went home with this FUBAR curse, I would be locked up in some nut house getting the full honored guest treatment from mind bending meds to shock treatment to the possible loboto-

“Huh? Oh, I’m-” I stammered groggily as I lifted myself off the floor back onto the lounger, “I’m not sure.” was all I could manage while I hoisted myself (with way more effort than normal) back onto my makeshift bed. A faint tug on my shoulders and back could only explain that I was getting a magic hand up back into a sitting position.

Leaning forward to prop my head into my hands, “Sure didn’t seem like you had a peaceful sleep.”
“Tell me about it…” You kidding me Twilight? My shoulders and chest still ring with pain from the final interactions with that monster,
“I guess, I woke you up with the noise?”
“Well, yes, but in truth I stayed out here to keep an eye on you-” lifting my head to look at her, I turned to look towards where she quickly gestured towards with a hoof. Sure enough, there was another makeshift bed of sorts in one of those couch-like chairs.
“-ever since you went to sleep, you were moving around quite a bit.”
“I-I was?”
“Of course, it looked like a normal reaction to being in R.E.M. sleep but then after that well…” she trailed off a grim look of concern knotted her face, “You started to thrash about, a lot.”
Was the encounter with that invasive, nightmare monster affected me that badly?
“Oh, I’m sorry for keeping you up…”
“Don’t worry about it,” she smiled through the tiredness that settled back on her face, “I was more worried that you would fall off the lounger and gotten hurt or something.”

As I listened to her, I looked back at her little bed. I couldn’t help but eye a tome of notes sitting in the seat. She obviously was trying to document whatever she could while I was thrashing about outside and fighting for my life on the inside. I mean, yeah, it was easy with the rifle when going up against an immobile target but honestly, any hit taken from any of his strikes would of been horrible no matter how you see it. If my body was reacting the way she described it, as well how my chest and shoulders still felt; I dare not wonder what would of happened to of been stabbed by him.

“I see,” I paused looking back at her; she had taken a seat next to me, “Thank you.” I felt a very weak smile grow on my face as I looked at the floor, “It’s so hard to tell if i’m getting better or getting worse, ya know?” I could feel my eyes tingle with moisture but I simply blinked it away. I remember Oily’s last words to me before palm striking me back into my cabin.

“The more I try, the worse it’ll get.” I mumbled thinking about them.
“Hm?”
“Oh, the monster, before it/he struck me with an open palm, he told me that every time I tried to reclaim more of my mind, the worse it’ll get.”
“Who?”
“The, Tantibus-” I paused struggling to mention the name, mostly because of how crazy I would sound uttering the name of a being that only I can see in my own mind, but, screw it,
“-Mister Oily.”
“Mister…”
“Oily, It was the nickname i had given the creature to better describe him.” I waited for either a laugh or the movement of somepony cautiously scooting away from me. Neither action took place instead she placed a comforting hoof on a shoulder. I took that as mute sign to continue
“Since I first seen him, he had always had this black tar, oily appearance of some sort.” I began to describe him, “He is always shifting forms, mostly-” I looked up when I hear magic being used. I noticed the tome of notes floated by me and next to Twilight. Very convinced now that I’m more than just a magical science experiment. I was a forerunner of a discovery of something new to this world. Figures…
“-Humanoid, i think once he shifted into a-” glanced at her for a second, remembering the word, “-pony like form.”
“How long has this thing been there?” she asked calmly, concern was hinted but nothing that could foretell her thinking I’ve gone insane.
“Since I’ve came to ponyville,”
“You mean, when you were in-”
“-The hospital, yes, but then, it was simple nightmarish blips of evil faces and laughter.” I watched the tome open up. The quill that had been resting in an ink well on the table floated by. I watched it shift about in Twilight’s magic as it scribbled words onto a blank page. She was rapidly catching up in terms of information she had been gaining.
“Only once did it get worse, waking me up in the middle of the night to not only myself but some commotion going on.” I paused to remember, someone or somepony had caused a stir in the hospital the only other night I was completely conscious there. The first being when I had shambled towards there as I had managed to bail out of the Forest. My fresh scars across my body ached at the memory.
“What kind of comotion?”
“Well, I kept hearing someone calling out to someone else to stop or something like that, well, me, being the curious idiot I was, I got out-well, fell out of- my bed to go check it out.” That made Twilight pause in her writing.
“You do realize how stupid that is, right?” No hiding the bluntness there Twilight.
“Yes, I know, But, you gotta understand, I was in a place I didn’t know, I haven’t seen anyone in full clearity since I got there and above all, I didn’t know what kind of potential danger I was in.”
“I see, continue.” Not sure why but there was a glint of curiosity had replace the previously look of worry.
“So, here I am, covered in stitches and bandages, wondering around the halls looking for what was making that racket. There was yelling, barking, objects crashing everywhere then boom, I hear doors being slammed open.”
“Oh dear,” she face hoofed.
“After hearing all that, I decided to turn back to hobble back to my room until-” I paused, realizing something, “-shiiit, I’m sorry, I didn’t me to start rambling.”
“Oh no, It’s just, there was only one time that I know of that something of that sort happened at the ponyville hospital.”
“Really?”
“Yup and I know the pony we should be talking to about this-” her ears perked to something. Even though Ponies have human like personalities, they still have the characteristics of an animal, it's weird but cool at the same time.

“What is it?” I question as she places the quill down on the table, caps the ink well, then places the book back into the seat she previously slept/sat in. As she got up, I started to hear something, it kinda sounded like a faint jet flying.

“Correction, what is that?”

“You’ll see,” Twilight rolled her eyes, “Remember the pony I mentioned?”

“Yeah?”

“She’ll be here in a few seconds, stay seated.”

The sound grew louder and louder. Coming from the modern world, hearing a noise this low and loud would freak a guy like myself out. Not only did I not just stay seated, I moved my self to the floor, just in case.

Sure enough, as soon as I sat on the floor, the sound grew loud fast, followed by a very distinctive-

“OH SHIIIIII-!” The sudden impact against the golden oak was enough to shake the treehouse down to its roots.

Buuuck, Twilight’s place came up faster than I expected. My body pancaked against the outer wall of the tree (nearly missing one of the branches mind you). Even flying that fast, I’m surprised that I didn’t break through the wall, let alone leave an imprint.

Slowly peeling off the wall, my wings were first to regain conscious function, fluttering the shock out of them. At a hover, I held my now aching head, blinking the dizziness and sudden brain fog. It probably would've taken a few minutes to shake that crash off. I think I shouldn’t of “sprinted” over here but when I saw his place empty, I, I, well, ya know, panicked?!

“Ya rang rainbow?” I hear from a nearby window.

Shaking my head I snapped a look at a tired eye Twilight. No bother asking why she was looking like that, of course, the egghead must of been up all night (again) “studying” anything she can gather from the human.

Hovering closer to the window, I took a breath from my spectacular “knock”.

“Twilight, The, The, The pink skinned two legger isn’t at his place!!” all my thoughts were moving as fast as I was today. Didn’t care about proper wording, just had to, WORDS!
“Have you seen him!?”
“Uhhh, You mean me?” I hear another voice behind her, wait, that was a male’s voice. There was only one male that would be hanging around the egghead’s place. Looking past her, I notice a hobbling figure slowly stand then walk into the morning sunlight upbeside Twilight. The human didn’t look as good as she did. Aside from his coatless skin being slightly pale, he looked like he had a rough night too. Waiiiit-

“Why are you over here instead of other there?” I gestured behind me generally towards the shack across town.
“Well, you see, some weird stuff happened last night and I was made to stay here.”

“Uh-huh…” I hovered up to look over their heads, I can’t really see into the still-dark living room. My nose picked up no “scents”, these two looked like they have been up all night, they both look like they just got out of bed. Not to mention, Jeff, I think it was, was walking funny.

“Weird stuff huh?”
“Yeah, Jeff’s curse flared up strangely last night and I didn’t want to take any risks so I made him stay here.”
I blinked at Twilight before looking at Twilight, I knew what she was talking about but at the same time, my brain was venturing into other territory. Could only wonder why…
“Twilight,” I kept a smile under control, “You sure that’s what happened?”
“What?”
“Oh for the love of-” Twilight face hoofed as she caught onto what we all have just been saying. I started laughing at the two.
“Wait, the fuck you gettin’ at here?!” Jeff looked from the both of us.
“What kind of weird stuff ya talking about here anyway?” I snickered. Jeff simply went wide eyed then looks at Twilight then back up to me. Before slowly pointing a finger at me.
“You, are a sick little pony, ya know that?!” I laughed even more, “that is not what happened last night!”
“Oh sure, deny it all you want, the evidence is very obvious though!”
“We are being serious rainbow,” Twilight stamped a hoof, “His problem caused some sort of flashback that made him very unstable to walk, I had to keep an eye on him.”
“Yeah, but how close did you “kept an eye” on him?” Twilight simply went quiet as a hoof appeared on her face again. This time, Jeff couldn’t help but cover his mouth, trying to keep a smile from forming. I think it took him a moment but he caught on the joke.

“Tell ya what, let me in and you can keep pedaling this bs story of yours, see if you can convince me that you two didn’t-”
“Rainbow!”
“Hey, I see what I see, I gotta say what I say so pardon my tease and meet me on the balcony please!” I laughed as I flew over around the Golden oak to land on the balcony or observation deck Twilight calls it.

I couldn’t help it, anypony would of assumed something of that sort would of happened. I mean, come on, the two have spent the most time together since Jeff was able to walk. She had been taking him to different places for help with his curse. Not to mention Rarity been yacking on about what she too sees about the two. Then again, she is the dramatic, romantic type.

I mean, sure, it’s only been a few days or weeks or whatever, but sometimes things happen faster than they should. Then again, who the hay am I supposed to know, I’m not the romance type at all. Speaking of which, I think I should return Rarity’s bit novels soon, as cheap and simple they are, they sure have plenty of a very descriptive, graphical scenes of se-

My ears perk to the sound of the door being unlocked, looking I see a rather annoyed Twilight opening the door for me.

“Come on in Dash...”

“Don’t mind if I do!” I trotted inside smiling at the grumpycorn, “So, tell me, what really happened last night?” I ask closing the door behind us.

We arrived at ponyville just as the sun was going up, sis and me, of course had to take cover while we both heard the ever so popular flyer of the town thunder over head towards the Gold Oak. Not sure what the rush was about but, I mean, sure, we had to start on our mission as soon as we could but, seriously, couldn’t of waited till at least around ten?

After a yawn, “I don’t get why we had to drag our asses out here this early to just spew shit about ‘it’.” I grumbled feeling the every present sting of a horn that wasn’t ready to be used so soon. I didn’t even get a chance to perform my magic stretches to warm it up. Oh well, at least we didn’t have to throw on our gear today. Playing it casual today, which helps in spreading whatever we can come up with in “putting the fear of the human into them”.

“Say, didn’t somepony talked about how some of the old officers fought the creature recently before all this happened?” I asked, my mind was still lost in a fog since we partied it up with the younger grunts. Unlike sis here, I at least took a headache pill to keep from getting a hangover.

“Uuuugh, Don’t talk so loud!” groaned Agate as she was still squinting her eyes walking close beside me as to not run into anypony by accident, “I think so?”

The town was coming to life with the morning commuters, various workers and of the alike, leaving their homes to face another day on the job. Just, like, us, just wished we had gotten some heads up on this gig before we started pouring the flagons. Then again, i don’t think it wouldn’t of made a difference.

“Right, well, we need to figure out where to start,” I started looking around at places that could make a perfect location to spread the word.

What's the word?

Our job was to use our “social” skills, to inform the populace of the dangers of being around the creature of the everfree, even though it has been seen around town in the company of the mane six. It is still a better idea to be cautious around the creature for it may be docile, but it still has dangerous intentions. Who would know when the creature will strike next? He has already engaged some hunters that had gotten lost in the everfree.

Yeah, sounds good so far.

Thinking about it, it would work best if the creature had killed one of them to emphasize on the fact this human creature can and has killed something. It has also been known that he can cast loud magic that spits invisible bolts that can maim and kill anything he casts upon.

Getting better, If only we can find his stuff that he was supposedly seen with to make it work.

Wait, wait, I'm getting ahead of myself here. I need to find a place to get the word out!

“Quarrtz,” Agate whines, “can we at least get something in us before we do anythiiiing?”

“Of course sis, nothing to spectacular I'd imagine.”

“Uh-huh…” she nods, she was pretty much leaning against me now.

“Hmmm, will a stop at the cube help?” Her ears perked, she stood up straight looking at me in a split second blur.

“Thesugarcubecorner Of course! I would kill for a carmalcookie coffee right about now-aaaowww!” in her sudden jolt of joy must of caused her hangover to surge angrily in her skull, the pain made her stop to sit down, holding her head.

She groaned before swing at me with a half powered punch.

“Don’t do that! Ya know I won that contest and-”

“-and now you are paying for it sis.”

“Owwwwbuck youow…”

“Talk about a rough night.” we both hear a passing Earth pony comment looking at us with some concern at Agate who pointed at the passerby.

“You would be in hurt too after twenty eight shots!”

“Twenty nine sis.”

“Whatever!” she huffed as she slowly stood up.

“Lets go!” she huffed onward into town with me chuckling after her.

No more incidents occurred as we headed for our first stop of the day. The Sugarcube Corner. To be honest, we both did scrambled when we both noticed we were late to get out of camp this morning, so no surprise we didn’t make the morning chow.

Of course, the rest of the grunts, that had been assigned tasks of spying, tracking, hunting and in some cases dealing with some troubles that could plague ponyville and surrounding areas; it was even more troublesome waiting for our turn to teleport out of there. I could of sworn I’ve seen one of the boss’s officers taking off too. Wonder where she was headed...

Either way, still managed to teleport out of there so I can at least deal with the first task of making my sister better from her competition last night. Earth ponies, sure they are tough and have a natural tolerance to most substances, still doesn’t give the excuse for your twin sister to drink two other earth ponies and a Pegasus under the table. Still going to have words with her about that after we are done with this enjoyable task.

While Agate was still trying to defog her brain, I was keeping an eye to the sky because that speedster weather pony could be flying about any minute, even though she had bolted towards the golden oak earlier. I still didn’t want to be careless and be spotted…

Wait, it wouldn’t matter anyways, she or any of those compromised mares wouldn’t know who we are even if we were sitting next to them. Then again, the human could be with them or their baby dragon pet, spike. Only they know who we are. So, yeah, it would be best to keep clear of them till after the job is done.

I’m glad that we are only doing this once, because once you start the spin on a story, it’ll spread on it’s own by both word of mouth and by pape-

“OH SHIT, we should visit Cursive Print’s Gazette office after our little trek around town.”

“Shouldn’t we start there first?” Agate asks watching other ponies around us, probably making sure we weren’t being eavesdropped on.

“Oh that’s the beauty of how i’m doing it.” I smiled broadly, “Just follow my lead and you’ll see.”

“But not before my caramel,cookie,crumble coffee!”

“Yes, ma’am...”

It was a another five minute walk when the familiar owned bakery and café came into view. The Sugarcube corner was a strange building in contrast to the rest of the otherwise cookie cutter designed buildings around us. It had a short front and back wall with tall side walls to support the roof that looked like it’s shingles were made from gingerbread. The gutters along the trim along the roof and across it’s roof was white to resemble cake frosting. The oddly shaped smoke stack was simply a series of smaller tubes connected to a central chimney. It already has pastry scented smoke billowing out of them. Connected to the top of the roof, is a tower shaped like two connecting cupcakes.

The place was already gaining business with morning ponies coming in and out for either something quick on the go or to pick up/place down orders from the talented bakers that work inside. It was also home to the element of laughter, Pinkie Pie. the boss did say she and the rest are compromised, but I have yet to see her around the human. Still, can’t help but be careful to make sure she isn’t anywhere around us when we begin.

Then again, she is a pony with eyes and ears everywhere in this town, somehow knowing everypony before they even get to know her. Tartarus, she would make a very effective member of the guardians if she wasn’t a Protector of Equestria. Why does that sound confusing to me?

Never mind that, to a quick breakfast!

Going inside, we both were met with the sights, sounds and smells of a business working flawlessly. Patrons either hanging around chatting with others at tables around the recently remodeled lobby or getting things with due haste to make the morning commute to their place of work. The corner, last year, had been expanded due to the demand to accommodate the increased amount of customers.

Not sure what the kitchen looks like now, let alone the residence above us.

We queued up with only two others in front of us. An earth pony construction worker, dawning the rugged, worn tool saddle bags; grabbing a simple joe and jelly filled for the day ahead; The second in line, a Pegasus mare, by how clean she looked with a side satchel bag hanging over her side. I could only guess she was getting ready to attend an interview.

The indications of the slow change to this little town. Ever since the Mane six have been made known to, well, the entire known world, popularity for Ponyville had gone up considerably in the passing year; which resulted in the population growth our organization has tracked since Sis and I started a few years back or so.

Which brings up another thought, with the population growth brings more potential recruits for our Organization. Before, we would take in a bored bandit gangs or run away teens into the fold but now, we have a network of recruiters that are stationed in not only Ponyville but in surrounding hamlets and villages as well. Picking up anyone interested to fight the real fight instead of letting the Six get all the glory and action.

My have the times change…

As the Pegasus parted with a tea, we stepped up.

Before us, on the other side of the counter stood one of the owners. She was a baby blue coated Earth pony mare with a red and pink striped mane and tail. Her yellow apron she wore looked like it had signs of a busy morning. Flour and powdered sugar dusted not only the cloth but parts of her arms too.

“Ah good morning you two!” Missus Cup Cake greeted us warmly, “You both are awful early today.”

“Oh, we got some business intown that could be an all day thing,” I shrugged while Agate stared at the menu behind the baker with hungry eyes, trying to spot the one thing she had been wanting since I mentioned this place.

“Noticed that you are busy yourself this morning.”

“Oh you know how it is, work week started, there is not a single idle pony today.” She share a laugh with us, “So, what can I do for you dearies today?” she mainly looks at Agate who, without missing the beat snapped a look down at the baker.

“Acarmelcookiecrumble!” Agate blurred her words, “please?!”

Mrs. Cakes chuckled at the anxious mare, “I’m sorry dearie, I didn’t catch that, mind you slowing yourself for a second?”

“Sorry…” she took a breath to ease her excitement before clearing her throat, “A Caramel Cookie crumble Coffee, p-please?”

“Oh my, I think I better check if we still got anything to make more in-”

As if listening the whole time, the ALL-SO-FAMILIAR pink earth pony mare brusted through the kitchen swing doors with a tray of freshly baked goods clamped in her mouth with a thick oven mitt separating metal and flesh; while balancing what looked like a small box on her head that she slid right onto the countertop beside Mrs. Cakes. In the only hoof she could spare was another basket of probably warm pastries.

“Yup, we gof on mor.” Pinkie Pie managed to gab through the mitt in her mouth while she placed the basket on top of the display case while sliding the tray onto the top rack of said case. When she closed the back of the display, Pinkie took the mit out of her mouth, as she ventured over to the counter.

“GOOD Morning twinnies!” The cheerful, joyous, if-not-hyperactive, mare smile at us.

“I take it you got BIG things going on today?” she came up beside the owner, propping an elbow on the countertop. I could tell there was no suspicion behind the question, but I can’t help but feel my blood chill to this sudden conversation with her.

“Uhhh.” I glanced to my sister while she rolled her eyes in response to my moment of nervousness. It wasn’t like we are talking to the Element bearer of Laughter or nothing. You know, part of a group that could, I don’t know, murder us six ways to Sunday?!

“You can say that, Just had to get a quick bite and drink before we head out.”

“Oooh, You two are always got awesome stuff going on, whatcha doin’ today?”

We both looked at each other, taking great care to not spill it for the world's most social pony.

“Well, we want to go to the Gazette office to actually publish an article of our adventures around the countryside.” I began explaining while Mrs. cakes parted from the counter to address another customer that was gazing at the pastries on display. Though, this party pony before us is smart, but I don’t think she’ll look into any deeper into than what we have to say to quench her curiosity.

“Y-yeah, we decided it was time to express how that you and your friends are not the only ones that can get things done around here in terms of safeguarding the citizenry.” Agate smiled even though she winced as her head most likely throbbed at.

“Exactly, so, why not post or maybe start a small series of tales of our exploits from across the land, right?”

As I looked from my sister to Pinkie, I noticed how she had her hooves propped under her chin, eyes narrowed at us both. It was that moment we knew, we might of bucked up. I began to feel a lump in my throat again.

“Hmmmm….” Pinkie nodded slowly, keeping her apparent suspicious eyes on us both. Oh great, we’ve been had! Oh buck, oh buck, oh buck! We waited in a moment of awkward silence while she stared at us both,
“Sounds very mysterious and cool.” she nodded again, “I LIKE IT!” she threw her hooves up in a sudden turn of tone to Jublius glee.
“I’m a BIG fan of hearing other ponies brave adventures from all over Equestria, kind of like a real life Daring Do, just, ya know more danger taking and stuff!”

Agate leaned in during the monologue, “Doesn’t she know Daring Do is a real pony?” she whispered to me where as I gave her a nudge of an elbow.
“SHHH!”

“So, I guess I should let you be on your way, in faaact-” she swiped the small box off the counter and reached into what looked like a enclosed space of probably a machine of sorts out of view, the box vanishing too. It seemed like a split second of silence before she returned with a to-go cup of steaming coffee.

“Here ya go, aaand!” as she set the cup down before sliding back over to the display case, grabbing two glazed pastries from the display, tossing them into the air. She slid back over to the counter, catching them both in both hooves before gently setting them down next to the cup of joe.

“There, enjoy you two, on the house!”

We, or at least me, had been perplexed by having watched the supernatural skill this pony demonstrated as she smiled at us. I levitated both rolls while Agate snatched up the cup. Ignoring the heat, she immediately took a sip and seemed to melt to the flavor.

“I is saved!” she groaned happily, however, before she could take another sip, I grabbed it out of her hooves in my magic.
“Let’s go sis, don’t want to keep Cursive waiting.”
“But,but,but,but….” she kept her eyes on the floating cup, slowly moving after while we both turned to walk out of the Sugarcube.

“Have fun you two, don’t do anything I won’t DOO!” Pinkie waved after us. That struck another chill down my spine as the doors swung closed behind us. Once outside, we took a seat at one of the outside tables. I set the floating items on the table while Agate scooped up the coffee all the while I slumped in my seat taking a breath from the close encounter of the elemental kind.
“MINE.” she then took a sip of her favorite coffee, “youcanthasmycookiecoffee.” she whispered glaring at me playfully, she then eyed the pastry on her side of the table before composing herself.
“You don’t think she knows do you?”
“I wouldn’t think so, she does and doesn’t seem like she has any clue of what we’re doing.” I mused on the thought while I nibbled on the glazed roll, after the bite, I looked over at a neighboring table.

A unicorn stallion, seated with a coffee mug on the table, his muzzle buried in a copy of the Gazette. The page facing us was something about the curiosity behind the rapid changes to the Everfree forest. I can’t really read the lines, but I’m certain that the Creature had been mentioned there.

Which reminds me, time to spring into action.

“Excuse me sir,” the Unicorn lowered the paper looking around before looking at us. He has a light tan coat with combed back green mane.

“Yes?”

“Is that the current copy of the Gazette?” He looks at the paper before back at us.

“No, in fact, this was yesterday’s issue, I didn’t get the chance till now to catch up on it.”

“I see, hmm, by any chance there is anything on the Creature of the Everfree?” His ears perk up.
“That thing seen around town?” he peers over the pages of his paper for a moment or so before looking back at us.

“Not in the slightest, apparently there is little mention of it in here…”

I looked at Agate with a sly smile before looking back at the Unicorn, “Well my good colt, you scoot your seat over here, I can probably enlightened you on some stuff about the Creature of the Everfree.” As I spoke, I made sure my voice was just loud enough for another table to turn their interest towards us.

The unicorn looked at us with curiosity at first but he nodded in compliance before he got up to move over to our table. As he seated, I looked back at dear sister.

“This’ll be easier than I thought.”

We had to run through the whole story leading from a day or so ago to last night to Rainbow Dash, because she wasn’t really pulled into the loop in the beginning, we all agreed that it was Twilight’s fault for not really keeping everypony in on the loop. So, one pot of coffee, a glass of water, a few spare minutes for tangents later, as well putting the apparent growing suspicion of me and Twilight to rest; Having to restate a few things to Rainbow Dash was tedious but at least she was brought up to date when we finally decided to take on the rest of the morning as we walked out of the Golden Oak.

“So, what are we going to do now?” The Pegasus asked as Twilight locked the door behind all of us. Spike was the only one that appeared that he didn’t want to be tagging along today. I didn’t really expect to be out on another venture either, but if it involves finding any glimmer of hope to help get me off my near-homeless-impoverished ass, then please, by all means!

Just wondered where we are going to start first.

“Well,” Twilight seemed to have her head up high at the moment, probably proud with some unspoken idea she had been brainstorming most of the morning. She looked very certain that whatever it was she was going to mention would be a surefire way to help get me the help I needed or at least find decent work and whatnot.
“Since, we needed to save on time in exploring Ponyville for potential ponies that would be willing to help with our cause, then we will need to speak with the one pony who knows everypony in town!”

Wait, since when did this town have its own version of a gossiping, nosey neighbor kind of pony?

“Pinkie Pie?” Rainbow guessed, she sounded like she already knew where Twilight was going with her idea.
“Pinkie pie.” Twilight nodded in response.
“Huh.” I folded my arms in thought, I was about to ask who this was before my memory kicked into total recall. Pinkie Pie has been the strangest of the six as she has been staying in touch but by giving me those oddball, failed-to-be-cryptic-notes. Not sure what was more weird of her, the fact that she doesn’t know any other color than pink or the fact she knows what I was dreaming about or even-

“What help can she provide for what we talked about?”
“Which part you getting on your own four-” Rainbow Dash paused, she had taken to a hover, her apparent restless wings quietly kept herself at a fluttering hover, “-i mean, two hooves-”
“-Feet.” I corrected glancing up at her. As we ventured down the road, Twilight had been walking along my left while Rainbow hovered around on my right. strange, I wasn’t really feeling the tiny gusts of wind that those wings were producing. Either Pegasus wings have their own magic, as previously assumed, to keep them from blowing dust everywhere or I’m just not at the right angle.

I didn’t pay much attention to it as my mind is slowly wandering around on other subject matter. It wasn’t out of nervousness, but instead of absent wonder. I had been losing track of the days, what would be today? I know, I have only been fully functional for about two days now; however, I do not wish to see how long that is really going to last. I mean, I was only awake for barely a day when shit hit the fan for my mind.

“-or the part about you not really-”

“ANYWAY, I know it may seem a bit soon for this kind of thing, however, we all can agree that you-” she takes a look at me, i wonder if she noticed that I was tuning in-an-out of the conversation that apparently was about me. Again.

“-need something to stay busy while we work further towards curing your problem.”
“What problem would that be i wonder.” Rainbow looked away from us pretending to ponder on ‘something’.
“Rainbow.” We both chided her with a look before she giggled flying around us at a casual speed.
“I’m kidding you two, but even I can get what you are getting at Twi, however, do you really think anypony is going to take him into any kind of gig despite he is whoman?”
“Hue-man, Dash, Human.” Twilight corrected for the sixth time today.
“Gazuntite.” Rainbow quickly replied.

“What do you mean anyway Rainy,” I finally took a chance to chime in, “Didn’t the Apples give me a chance to show that I can at least help pick Apples for them?”

“Well, that's the Apple family,” Rainbow was hovering over head just some feet away, facing us with a shrug, “They tend to pull any pony in if they are willing to pull their weight on the farm.”
“It’s still somethin’-” I looked down at the ground in thought, “-I can at least tell any potential boss that I at least did that while here in this world.”
“Didn’t you work before ending up here?” Twilight asked taking a glance back at me.

I took a moment to think about how to answer that. Around us, the world was progressively flowing to it’s normal pace of daily life of the animal life, correction, pony folk. Even though I’ve been around for a decent while, I was still being watched as if I’m some exotic creature walking through town. Today seemed half and half, Either we were being ignored like nothing special is going on. The other half though, either we-or me- were being watched with either curiosity or uneasiness or at times a passersby or more, yet again, kept their distance from us as we casually walked on.

Yet, not a single soul said a peep to us, probably they all knew and assumed that their local celebrities, that elements of harmony, are keeping a close eye on the creature.

Either way, I still felt that It is going to take a lot of time to get used to being the only human among ponies while they, in turn, will get used to the human walking among them.

“Yeah, I was a small list of things before ending up here.” I replied with a shrug, not really paying any attention to the thought.
“While living in Grants pass, I was a Maintenance Associate for a retail store, a pawn shop clerk,” I counted on my fingers, “and before moving I was a Dishwasher for a very popular restaurant.”
“What’s a Maintenance Associate?” Rainbow asked. I honestly wanted to lie about the job title, but instead-
“To be honest girls, a Maintenance Associate is a glorified janitor.” I frowned at the memory of horrible job. Overworked, understaffed and getting paid minimum wage to attempt to meet ridiculous expectations from management that has no clue how to run the store in the first place.
“As for where you moved to?”
“Survival was my new job by that time,” I nodded at the dark thought, “After the stamp riots swept through the valley, a lot of neighborhoods resorted to either gardening or hunting.”
“Thus, how you ended up here.” Twilight mused listening with great interest, I let the obvious guess that she’ll write all this down in her notes later float away.
“Correct, before that, I had pulled security a few times around the suburb I lived in, managed to chase off potential thieves, at least one time me and three others got in a standoff with some folks from Central point over some pot plants.”
“Over plants?”
“Yup, if you two know anything about cash crops, you know that pot had become a currency for barter since the economy went sideways.” I took a mental moment to continue to thank god and common sense for the legalization. I glanced at Twilight who only nodded in silence while probably digesting every letter of my words.
“No pony got hurt did they?” Twilight asked in between thought processes.
“No, thank god, no, but holding a desperate man at gunpoint at point blank range is a feeling no one can get used too.”
“But, they tried to steal from you and your friends,” Rainbow Dash interjected sourly, “I would of given them a ass kickin’ for trying anything of that sort.”
“Fair, but honestly, my group agreed on to work towards negotiating and reasoning before pulling the trigger.” I looked up at the Pegasus, she had been slowly floating around us by this point.

“Pulling the trigger?” Twilight echoed the last words, “You mean, you had to-”

“Oh no, I’ve been lucky to not really killed anyone out of survival, but coming here however-”

“Oh hey, sorry to interrupt but we are almost there guys!” Rainbow had flown straight up to get an overview of the town block we had been walking in. I had lost track of time in our chit-chatting that we were closing in on the place with, hopefully, all the answers to my problems.

A short time later, the strangest place I have ever seen came into view. It very resembled a gingerbread building; one that looked like that it was handmade by a professional sculptor and their five year old child. Tall front wall with short side walls, not to mention it had the trims of mentioned gingerbread house, white frosting or something that resembled frosting.

Very fitting for what the place is called, Sugarcube Corner.

“How come I didn’t notice this place before?” I asked aloud.

“Oh you’d be surprise,” Rainbow, having had floated down along with us, rolled her eyes as we came closer to the establishment.

Despite the childish appearance, the place was functioning like a café back home, outdoor seating, sweet smelling bakery blending with the scent of coffee being made. The present customers however, seemed to be less than thrilled when we walked up and through the doors. Some glancing our way before turning back to their hushed conversation while some made it obvious of their scorn while turning back to their drinks, new paper or what have you.

Rainbow dash landed and walked in behind us.

The interior was no doubt the place to go if you were in a rush to eat your way to diabetes. One wall was a sale counter of a wide variety of candies, the display case adjacent to the counter, doughnuts and other breads; the front counter itself, where most of the action takes place.

“(whistle) Can see why this place is everyone’s main stop.” I nodded as we walked towards the counter. A pony was talking to the obvious brewista or baker of the establishment.
A Pink and dull teal colored pony was listening to the customer while sorting what looked like gold on the countertop into the cash box of the register.

Gold? Fucking gold, these ponies use gold as a currency, Jesus, Did I just been time warped back into the 1800s as well?

“Good morning Mrs. Cakes!” Twilight Cheerfully called out as we approached the counter. The earth pony, i think the featureless ones were called, quickly looked behind him, looking back at Mrs. Cakes.
“That’s him, Excuse me.” He quickly grabbed his drink then left without saying another word to even us, he did however, shoot a dirty look at me before leaving the corner.

“What was that all about?” Rainbow Dash asked aloud before I could.

“Who knows-” Twilight turned back to the counter, “So, Mrs. cakes, is Pinkie around by any chance, we need to talk to her.” The mare seemed to of snapped out of a nervous stare before looking at Twilight.

“Oh, uhm, Good morning dearies.” she began, she seemed to be close to sweating bullets.

“Pinkie Pie is here, she is in the back, I’ll go get her if you want.”

“Sure, we’ll be waiting out here.”

“Oh great, uhhh, I-uh, do not mean any offense to you sir.” The baker looked right at me, she looked like she was going to regret her next words, “But uhm, can you, wait over there, away from the rest of the customers?”

“Pardon?” I blinked at her looking at the hoof pointing towards an empty table close to the currently vacant candy sale’s area. It was apparently isolated from the rest of the pony traffic, yet, what is she asking me to do?

“I’ve been hearing about you mister, I know you look like a sweetie, but, can you please sit over there so you don’t scare the rest of the customers.” she took a sigh of regret and relief having finally got the awkward words out.

“What?”

“Oh snap…” Both Rainbow Dash and Twilight's eyes widened to Cake’s words as my blood chilled to what she was implying.

“Excuse me?! You mean, isolate myself from the rest of the customer traffic?”

“Oh dear…” Mrs. Cake’s ears flattened, I saw the look on her face, the same kind of look someone gives when not looking for trouble but couldn’t help but cause it by doing their job, “I Didn’t mean-”

“No worries ma’am,” I raised a hand to her, “I just got up on the wrong side of the couch this morning, I’ll segregate myself over here.” I started walking towards the empty part of the Sugar cube corner while Rainbow Dash followed while Twilight stayed behind to talk to the baker for that stunt.

“Just when it was going to be calm today, turns out I’m goin' to be steppin' into Bullshit while trying to further my survival ‘round here.”

“Don’t hold it against Misses Cakes, she doesn’t normally say things like that freely, there has to be a reason behind this.”

I sighed my annoyance away as I sat down at the table. I had a sinking feeling that something like this was going to start, I can only figure that some four legged punk with a crazy imagination would be wanting to talk shit like this.

It was another five minutes before Twilight walked over, the look on her face tells all. Confusion, agitation and apologetic.

"Jeff," She came over to take the third seat at the table, "I just got done talking with Misses Cakes and, well-"

"Well, what is it?" She looked down at the table top before looking up at me, probably steadying herself for some big info bomb about to drop.

"She said, word had been going around that you are a scary monster and few have already assumed that you had killed some pony while you were out there in the Everfree Forest." she trailed off from there while looking at Rainbow Dash who only waved it off.

"Now that's a whole lot of bull Twi, Jeffy here wouldn't harm a fly, remember what he said earlier?"
she looked over to me while I buried my face into my hands that had been propped up on the table.

"Uhh, Jeff?"

"Fuuuuuck..." I groaned into the palms while I heard the sound of some swing doors being shoved open.
I didn't loo who it was even after hearing them sound off-

"Good MORNING," I hear hooves walk over to us, even though I have only met her once or so, that voice was very distinct.

"Hey, Pinkie," Twilight greeted, I felt a hoof on my shoulder.

The walking stopped and after a short pause, "Say, why the long faces?" Pinkie Pie asked. Was she joking or was that a legit question?

"Should we fill her in?" I asked finally removing my face from my hands, I looked around at Rainbow and Twilight before looking over to Pinkie Pie.

"Tell me what?"

Author's Notes:

*inserts short story of life pulling me in everywhich way then face desks*

This took me a long while to wrtie than it should, procastination is a wicked monster when it comes to writing. anyway, I would also would like to take a moment to explain Jeff's home world.

Yes, it's our earth but a alternate version of Earth, everything that he talks about is purely fictional and should not be taken as some backrgound message from author to reader.