A returning man

By A.M.A.H.S.

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The sky was just as blue as last time I visited, white clouds occupying the sky blocked sunlight from hitting parts of the town. Causing these weird dark patches all through out town. Right.. The town. Luckily for me, It's just as homey and friendly as I remembered it. Although I didn't really expect Ponyville to change all that much in three years. Besides a couple new houses, the town was just as I left it.

Memories of my departure filled my mind. Three years ago when I left to join the Royal Army, it wasn't because I wanted to 'Protect my people,' it was because I needed to get away.

Get away from family, get away from friends, get way from life in this town.

And now I'm back... A entirely new man. The training and discipline that was taught in training has shaped me into a completely different person. I look better and I feel better, the training and exercise has pulled off considerably well.

But now that I've changed so much, I couldn't help but wonder if I can finally impress her. She always wanted a strong-willed man, or better yet, someone who would be there for her when she needed them most. It was something she craved deeply from a relationship. I know this because we used to hang out a lot and have 'real' talks before I up and left.

Memories of the two of us beneath the late-night Sky began to fill my head. My confession.

Then my rejection.

I sighed and suddenly felt like turning around and heading back to Canterlot. I sucked it all up though, and continued walking towards my family's home. I was going to surprise them all by staying for a few days.

I'm expecting a warm welcome and dozens of smiles. But I guess we'll see.

*Knock* *Knock*

My fist rattled against the wooden door, the loud sound echoed throughout the house. Alerting everyone to my presence. Within moments, I could hear the loud cries of one of my little sibling yelling. "I'll get it!"

I couldn't help but smile. Seeing my little siblings always brought a smile to my face. I visit them every now and then, but it's only for a few hours usually. I might stay the night for holidays, but that's it, I leave in the morning. Using my duty as an excuse to avoid meeting old friends.

It's pathetic.

The door opened and I was greeted to the toothy smile of my six-year-old brother. His eyes lit up like fireworks, as they usually do when I visit. So I sat my suitcase down and knelt down, happily announcing, "Surprise!"

He breaks into a toothy smile, yelling,"Big brother!" Before jumping onto my chest and hugging me.

I laughed heartily and returned the embrace. When the hug ended, I ruffled his hair and said, "Good to see you little bro."

His smile brightened, his eyes looked down at my suitcase. Then his smile brightened so much, it was actually kind of creepy.

"Are you staying the night big brother?!!?" He excitedly shouts.

I brought a finger to my lips and went, "Shhhh." Then whispered, "I want to surprise Mom and Dad!" I followed with, "Wanna help me?"

He nodded and ran back inside. I chuckled and stood up, grabbing my suitcase and closing the front-door behind me. I feel a sense of sastisfaction upon looking around the place I was raised. The interior hasn't changed much since my last visit. Some missing pictures on the wall, and a new rug are the only changes.

My little brother stood a few steps away, watching me look around quietly. I asked, "Go tell Mom and Dad they've got a surprise." He nodded and ran towards the kitchen.

Following the new rug, I found myself at the Kitchens door-less doorway. Inside was my Mom, Dad, and my little brother. Who was telling them about their surprise.

"Mommy! Daddy! You've got a surprise in the mail!" He yelled, tugging on Dads pants.

My Dad not-so-eagerly responded with, "Not now. I'm reading the paper."

To which my Mom replied, "Oh stop it! You're always saying that to him!"

I could almost feel my Dad nonchalantly shrug in response. I knew things would only go downhill from here. So I decided to announce the 'surprise' now.

Stepping into the kitchen, I announced myself, happily exclaiming "Hey guys!" While waving my hand. .

My Mom immediately jumped out of her seat and tackled me in a fierce hug. My Dad sipped his drink and simply said, "Hey son."

To which I nodded.

"Oh my little mamas boy has finally returned! You bring any girls with you this time?!" She jokingly looked over both my shoulders. She hummed, "Hmm, no girls. But that's a mighty large suit-case!"

"Y-yeah" I replied, gently pushing her off my person. "I was thinking about staying for a few days."

A volcano went off in my Moms eyes after those words were spoken.

"Oh my Celestia!" She giggled, "My son is staying more than a day!" She started prancing around the kitchen, repeating that sentence. "My son is staying more than a day!" She suddenly stopped and sat back at the kitchen table.

"Back pains." She simply says, fully answering the questions that plagued my mind.

My Father 'humphed' and turned the page on the newspaper. "Go unpack." He orders.

Mom glared at him, before giving me a beaming smile. "Your room is just as you left it."

I nodded in return, "I'll be back."

Mom didn't lie. It's just as I left it months ago. Clean, organized, and still containing doses of my childhood. Which entirely consists of my race car bed.

Yes, I'm 25 and still use a race car bed when I'm visiting home. The mattress is actually quite comfortable. I don't feel dumb using the bed, no-one else is ever going to see it anyway. I placed my suitcase on my bed and unzipped it, carefully extracting articles of clothing from within. Which I turned into neat piles on my bed.

After I finished unpacking, I tossed my suitcase aside and organized my clothes into the proper drawer on my dresser. Once finished, I went back downstairs and joined my family in the kitchen.

My Mom was cooking, my Dad was still reading the paper, and my li'l bro was playing with some toy figures. The first person to notice me was my Father, who then proceeded to ask me a favor.

"Hey Helix." He called me by my name.

"Yeah?" I replied, sitting down with him at the table.

"Will you go to the library and ask Twilight about a book?" He asks, not even looking up from his paper.

"Uh.. Sure, what's it called?" I ask in return.

"Gerlets guide to Aliens." He answers, then he suddenly shoots up from his chair. "Oh! And ask about the new guy in town. Rumor is he fell from the heavens after fighting and losing to a alien. He is also apparently staying with Twilight per orders from Celestia herself, so ask him a question or two if you can."

"Why don't you do it yourself old man?!" I asked.

"I'm old and walking is hard on my ankles. I ain't what I used to be kid, now get going before I kick your ass for smart-talking!" My Dad grumbled something and started reading the paper again.

I sighed and got up to leave.

Arriving at Golden Oaks Library a short time later. I had flashbacks of my childhood, which gently reminded me of when this library didn't use to be occupied by Twilight. The old owner was a middle-aged man who sought knowledge. If I remember correctly, he left because he married and his wife got him a much better paying job.

They suited each other quite well.

Pulling the door open, a bell rang overhead. And I stepped inside, already being overwhelmed with the smell of paper and ink. I gagged and pushed forward. The library was circular, the shelves held many books and a single couch rested against a empty wall.

Sadly, the entire couch was being hogged by some tall guy in a weird suit staring at the ceiling. I ignored him and called for Twilight.

"Twilight!?" I hollered.

No response.

"Twilight whe-"

"She's sleeping after staying up all night." The lone couch-man interrupted.

I frowned, "Oh. Well, what are you doing then? Should you be in here?" I asked, slowly inching for my knife.

"I'm watching over the place." The man responds. "Twilight asked me too." He adds.

I relaxed and approached him. His weird black suit glistened brightly as the day sun beamed off it. The only part of him visible was his head and face. Until then, his entire body was covered head-to-toe.

I proceeded to ask him another question, "Can I ask why you are staring the ceiling?"

His eyes shifted to look at me, they glowed a bright yellow, before slowly dimming themselves to reveal his true eye color.."I'm not staring at the ceiling." The man explains. "I'm reading a book."

"No.... You're staring at the ceiling." I affirmed.

"Whatever, you want a book? Cuz if not, I'm gonna have to ask you to leave." One of his eyes turn yellow once again, he begins to stare off into the void.

"Yeah, I'm looking for Gerlets guide to Aliens."

The man quickly replies with, "Start from the entrance, go 2 bookshelves over, start from the bottom and go two shelves up. It's somewhere on there."

I was dumbfounded, his ability to remember things so well honestly amazed me. I went silent and followed his instructions, eventually finding the book.

"Found it. Can I get this checked out now?" I asked the man, who sighed and stood up from the couch.

His full-body armor is honestly something I can't look away from.

"How long would you like borrow the book? 3 days, 5 days, or 7 days?" He asked, breaking my train of thought.

"5 days please." I hurriedly answered.

"Library card?" He requests,

I shake my head.

"Would you like one?" He asks with a blank look on his face. "They expire after a year."

"No thanks." I answer.

"Fine, Full name, Citizen card, and address please."

I give him the details.

"Okay, I've got your citizen card in here, so bring that book back or I'll come for you." He leans towards me, "And you don't want that." He straightens his posture.

As I turn to leave, I suddenly remembered my dads other request.

"Hey do you know if there is a guy from the 'heavens' in here?." I asked the man.

The man smirked, "Yeah I know of such a handsome man. He stands before you."

"Right." I groaned, feeling retarded for not noticing it sooner.

The man stepped out from behind the main desk. "Names Anderson. Scott Anderson." He does a quick bow. "How can I help you?"

Author's Notes:

So I'm sure you're wondering about The Fallen Soldier!

And you have every right to be! But hear me out, I've been trying to write this certain chapter in first-person. And I've been utterly terrible at it! So I wrote this as sort of backstory kinda thing as to why Rainbow Dash and Anderson are friends!

And I'd actually like to write more if I can, possibly some one-shots if possible. I've been thing about one with Luna or Fluttershy. Or maybe some stories explaining why Anderson is friends with Rarity? And if you're wondering why I don't just put it in the actual story.... Then I've only got one answer.

The Fallen Soldier will be ending soon. Or at least the 1st arc will.

Anyway, new story, I might write more. But then again, knowing my luck. I'll probably have to post this on fanfiction.

Also, this is a old chapter I salvaged from one of my old project folders. So expect more! Cuz I have more!

EDIT- Okay! So I actually got another story past moderation! It only took 24-32 hours!(I'm aware that Moderators have a life to live)
Now I'm sure you noticed the many spelling errors in it, I wasn't actually expecting to get past moderation, so I kinda figured I'd fix them all when I ported it over to Fanfiction. Also, thanks for liking something else I wrote!

I'll try to get more short-stories out! But for now, I REALLLLLLY gotta make that next chapter for TFS. It's been over a month, but it only feels like I updated it days ago.

EditEdit- I went through the story and fixed spelling mistakes. While adding or replacing certain dialogue between characters. And just to clear things up. Anderson will not play a key role in this story, he'll just kinda be there. And secondly, THIS IS A STORY ABOUT A OC WHO ENDS UP SCREWING RAINBOW DASH ON THE 3RD AND FINAL CHAPTER! Anderson HELPING HER GET WITH THIS GUY IS WHAY LEADS THEM TO BECOMING FRIENDS!