Life on Mars

Chapter 10

Gareth Mason was in a bit of a bind.

It turns out lying through your teeth at people who have bent over backwards for you it not a good idea. Now Gaz had to spill the beans over his situation. How he wasn't a Pony, he was an alien. And how he seemingly 'appeared' in Equestria one day. And how the hell was he going to explain to them that they were cartoon characters in his world! He let out a sigh at his carelessness. Thinking back, Gaz contemplated what would've happened if he had just been open about his past. Well, for starters he could've gotten this bullshit out of the way early and not have to deal with it now. Hell, even the Ponies may have been more charitable than now, if they were anything like humans were, they are not going to want to negotiate when the wool has been pulled over their eyes!

Closing his eyes he imagined what would happen in the near future. He'd explain everything, the Mane 6 would shun him. Princess Celestia and Luna would be notified of an alien intruder in Ponyville and Gaz would be taken captive. Gaz's trail of thought ground to a halt there as he didn't want to imagine what would happen to him in Canterlot's dungeons, if he learnt anything from Medieval History it's that you do not want to end up in a castle dungeon...

Gaz thought about everything he'd lost, his family, his home. He'd never see them again; Mum, Dad... Harry? For all Gaz knew he could be lying dead in the middle of White Tail Wood. No, Harry is still alive he could feel it. His band, they had a gig booked in a month's time when he awoke it what seemed to be another time, let alone 2-3 days ago. Now he was here, stuck as a Pony. Sure he knew some things about Equestria and how it worked, but he was still an outsider. He was trapped in a foreign world in a foreign body. Even if he did enjoy his time here, Gaz did want to return home..

Gaz reopened his eyes to see the Mane 6 still staring intently, some with harsh gazes, some with curious gazes. One with a sad gaze. Christ, Fluttershy's hurt gaze almost made Gaz shed a tear in disgust with himself in duping one of the most timid and friendly of the bunch. He knew back home that if any Bronies found out what he did they would tear him limb from limb! He liked Fluttershy, and the thought that he had hurt her killed Gaz. The weighing up of the options in his head was killing him, he had never felt this stressed out before.

"I guess I should start from the beginning..." He spoke softly

"Yeah, Ah think you better had." The Element of Honesty spoke up.

If Gaz had hands he would wring them at this point, he had to settle with scuffing his hoof off the floor.

"Well I think you all better grab a chair," Gaz gave a dry smile, "It's going to be a long night..."

The Ponies gathered around, sitting on various pieces of Fluttershy's furniture, with the Mare in question sitting upon a small chair opposite Applejack. Gaz just sat himself on the floor, a pang of nostalgia creeping up from his infant years at school. Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie all squeezed on the couch near Gaz's right, and Rainbow Dash sat herself near Fluttershy. At this moment Angel Bunny sauntered into the room, as soon as he stepped through the door frame he detected the icy tension. Without breaking stride, he turned about face and walked back the way he came. It would've been rather comical had not Gaz been 'in the spotlight'.

"My name is Gareth Mason, I am 18 years of age." Gaz paused, "This you already know. However what you don't know is that I'm really a Human, a bipedal creature with a highly developed brain capable of reasoning, problem solving and just about every rational thought that a Pony can comprehend. Perhaps even more. He have hands for easy manipulation of objects, and we have extreme social and cultural diversions between ourselves, more so than any Pony. We are Omnivores, meaning we can eat both Vegetables and Meat. Our desire for knowledge is powerful, and influences our every action, ranging from Science, Art and Religion... If I remember correctly our global population is 7 billion."

"Our planet, is Earth, although it goes under many other names. Such as Terra; literally meaning 'Mother Earth'. Our planet has huge sprawling oceans and various landscapes. Varying from the driest desert to the must humid Rainforest and everything in-between. One major difference is that the Sun and the Moon are not raised by some deity, rather we orbit around the Sun, and the Moon orbits our planet However Humans are destructive. We disagree easily and fight amongst ourselves over everything and anything. While not every Human is bad, and we can be creative and wonderful, war is a constant thing in our lives... Hell, entire civilisations have gone up in flames, thousands of people dying in the blink of an eye..."

Gaz took a brief pause, noting the Ponies' look of horror. He sighed inwardly.

"I do not know how I got here, that is for certain. I remember being sucked in through a vortex... Then appearing on your doorstep." Gaz was talking more to Fluttershy now, desperately trying to rid the look of fear off her face. "I don't know how I am a Pegasus either, so please don't quiz me on it."

"If there is one thing I can tell you, it is I am not one of those destructive Humans. They are a minority compared to the amount of passionate and caring humans out there. I would not say I am the best person ever, I mean I'm cynical and make cheap wisecracks." He stared into Fluttershy's eyes, more pleading than informing now. "However I can promise you that I would never dream of harming anyone, anypony for that matter! Yes, I know I've pulled the wool over your eyes, hell, you let me stay in your house! I'm not asking for forgiveness for my actions, I'm only going to ask that you look at it from my perspective, trapped in a world where you don't belong with no way of getting back..."

Gaz felt a couple of tears well up, he wasn't even sure why he was crying. Was it fear of what happens now? Was it the dawning realisation that he may never get home? Or was it the fact that he'd alienated the only friends he'd made here? Gaz wasn't sure. He tore his gaze away from Fluttershy, to see the other Ponies still staring at him intently. Some gazes had softened, while others retained their hard and accusing gaze.

I think I made a good move not telling them how they're cartoon characters... Gaz mused to himself.

"That sounds like a mighty tall tale there, mister." Applejack gave Gaz her biggest 'stink-eye', "You really expect me to believe that?..."

"Applejack, you really think I could've made up all that on the spot?" A small moment of humour broke through the tension, "I mean, I know I'm pretty clever but please, -heh- you flatter me too much!"

A small set of smiles broke through the group as Applejack weighed up Gaz's response in her head, before sheepishly rubbing her head with her hoof. The smiles disappeared as quickly as they came however as silence descended on the group once more. Gaz must have presumed that what he told them was not what they were expecting, an alien from another dimension? That sort of thing only happened in stories.

"I'll..." Gaz paused again, "I'll just be outside until you decide what to do with me..."

The Mane 6 watched Gaz walk slowly out of the cottage and close the door behind him. Silence gripped them as they listened to the slow tread of his hooves as he walked away. When they finally were inaudible, Twilight was the first to speak up.

"Well, that was quite a story..." She spoke to no-pony in particular.

"Ah don't buy it!" Applejack stomped her hoof, "Somethin' about him jus' don' add up! He says he doesn't know how he got here, but how in Equestria does someone get warped across dimen, dimeensons?"

"Dimensions" Twilight helped.

"Yeah those thangs.." Applejack waved her hoof at Twilight.

"He is a Gentlecolt at heart, and he hasn't put any of us any danger.," Rarity interjected, "Although I agree with Applejack..."

"He's super duper!" Pinkie bounced up and down.

It was at point that the other 5 Ponies wordlessly agreed that Pinkie Pie wasn't the best person to help discuss serious matters.

"I'm with Applejack on this one," Rainbow stepped forward, "He's hiding something, and it's not going to be nice..."

Twilight cleared her throat, "The world where he comes from sounds incredibly dangerous, and even if he did give us his word that he wasn't a bad 'person', but who knows whether he was lying? He's lied to us so far... Fluttershy, what do you think?"

The Pony in question had remained silent ever since Gaz had entered the cottage, a steady stream of tears had leaked from her eyes. She had listened to her friend's opinions, she was upset how they were quick to judge him. Did they learn nothing from their experience with Zecora? At the mention of her name she looked up, her friends looking at her intently, waiting for her input on the Pony she had let stay in her home for the last couple of days. The Pony who she... Fluttershy stood up and quickly made for the door and left the cottage, leaving her friends baffled.

"What'n the hay was that about?" Applejack spoke eveypony's mind.

Outside, Gaz sat on a grassy bank not too far from the front door. He'd succumbed to his addiction and lit up another cigarette, it was only then he realised that his hooves where shaking due to a lack of nicotine. That worried him, what happens when he ran out? Going 'cold turkey' was never a good idea, but he was left with little options at his disposal. He was thankful for the warm breeze that ruffled his mane every now and again, silently thanking the 'powers that be' that it was a cold breeze, that would've been nearly intolerable.

He pondered on what the Mane 6 where talking about back indoors, he had a good idea, as each of them would have formed their own opinions on Gaz other the last couple of days. Rainbow Dash and Applejack would be the most opinionated, but that was just who they were, Gaz couldn't blame them for their mannerisms. That's when a realisation struck him; no matter how different Ponies where, they still had all the flaws Humans had. They loved, cried, fought, shouted, and killed. Well, he seriously doubted the last one but he wouldn't be surprised. Ponies were just as good or bad as Humans could be. This comforted Gaz, as perhaps when they inevitably get Princess Celestia and Luna involved, perhaps they could relate to him somehow and be a little easier on him.

Gaz's thoughts turned to Fluttershy, at her face when he'd entered the cottage. It pained him, more so than anything. He liked Fluttershy, he wasn't going to fool himself any more. He liked her more than anyone he'd ever met. This almost upset him, as even though he was a Pony, he was still Human inside. Fluttershy and him where species apart. What would people think if they found out? What would Twilight, Rarity and all the others think? It pained him. Did she feel the same way? Or was she leading him on like most women he'd encountered? No, Fluttershy wasn't like that, was she?

He was so wrapped in thoughts that he didn't notice the cigarette had burnt down to the filter and promptly took another drag, he spat out the filter while cringing at the horrid taste, before he stepped on the smouldering end with his hoof. Gaz looked at his hoof, tears forming at the edge of his vision. Who or what brought me here? How am I going to get home? Will I ever get home?... He heard the cottage door open, Gaz didn't turn to see who it was however, he hung his head as he heard the soft tread of hooves on grass come closer until he felt someone sit down next to him. Gaz still didn't look at the Pony, he turned his head ever so slightly away trying fight back some tears.

"I guess you've all come to a decision then?" He muttered almost bitterly.

"Yes... I, I have..." Gaz recognised the timid voice, he turned his head back to the Pony next to him. Fluttershy sat next to him, her cyan eyes had the remnants of tears that had flown from them. Her expression was not one of sadness as it was before, however it wasn't one of happiness either, rather it was neutral. Gaz guessed what that meant, he turned away from Fluttershy and sighed.

"I'll get my stuff," He went to stand up, but felt a hoof stop him. Gaz looked back at Fluttershy to see that it was her hoof was stopping him from moving.

"Gareth... I, I don't care what they think, what anypony thinks about you. I..." She paused, turning away slightly almost contemplating what she was going to say.

What happened next Gaz was not expecting.

Fluttershy had leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Gaz's brain had gone into complete shut-down, sitting completely stock still eyes wide open. Fluttershy stopped and pulled away, noticing Gaz's shocked expression, she squeaked hung her head and hid behind her mane.

"I'm sorry! I... I don't know what came over me! Oh.. Oh no... I'm sorry I just, I like you... And I thought that you liked me and-"

Fluttershy stopped when Gaz's brain began to function again and moved the mane out from in front of her face. He smiled at her, previous worries forgotton.

"Fluttershy..." It was Gaz's turn to look away and feel nervous, "Fluttershy, I... I like you as well. I was just having doubts over whether you... liked me too, and... Ah t'hell with it."

He leaned in and returned the kiss that Fluttershy had sheepishly given him earlier, she embraced him and wrapped her hooves around his neck unintentionally pushing him on his back. To an outsider, the whole affair would look like they were eating each others faces! They were oblivious to the outside world at the moment, their attention purely focused on each other.

"Uh, Fluttershy, Gaz, Ah need to talk to y'all..."

They both jolted away from each other, quickly climbing to their hooves. Gaz letting out a nervous cough as he noticed Applejack stood over them, a mix of confusion and... Disgust? Mixed on her face. Behind her stood the rest, Pinkie completely oblivious to what was happening. Twilight wide eyed at such pure emotions in front of her. Rainbow looked disgusted, reminding Gaz of little kids when they talk about love. Rarity was smiling however, looking at Fluttershy and sharing a knowing look with the timid Pegasus.

"Ah jus' wanted to say, I'm sorry Gaz." Applejack tipped her hat to him, "An' we've decided to keep this matter between ourselves. Twilight's sending a letter to Princess Celestia tomorrow, she'll know what to do."

She stepped away from Gaz, and Rainbow stepped forward and spoke into his ear so Fluttershy couldn't hear.

"Gaz, I trust you. But believe me when I say that Fluttershy is the most gentle Pony to grace Equestria. And if you hurt her, in any way, by Celestia you'll have me to answer to. Understand?"

Gaz knew Rainbow wasn't being mean, but she was being deadly serious. He nodded in response, out of fear and honesty, Rainbow backed off and began to walk away with her friends.

"I guess I'll leave you two... To it..."

As they walked off, Gaz turned to Fluttershy, who looked at him. She smiled, for the first time tonight, and walked with Gaz back inside her cottage.

Equestria – Everfree Forest

The Minion looked upon the camp from the shadows, it had been sat their for quite a while, waiting for the intruders to turn in for the night. While only one remained, the Minion felt it was time to inform the Master.

There is no need, my child. Remember I see everything you see. You are merely an extension of my will. Return to the castle, then, we shall begin the Purge...

If the Minion could sigh it would as it slunk through the forest back to his Master's domain. Although it's 'mind' was at ease on one fact: These intruders would rue the day they crossed into the domain of the Darkness...

I'm feeling generous, here have a chapter.

I wasn't planning on writing another, however Denepekka suggested that I need to create a chapter focused more on the main character, me! Haha..

Yeah, and about chapter length... I know it's not as long as it could be, but I feel this chapter length is right for me. But of course, I'm writing this story for you, dear reader. So I thank you, for sticking with me through the thick and thin.

Remember to R&R, and that constructive criticism is welcomed!

Take care.

~TRW