//------------------------------// // Day 2 // Story: Crashing Equestria // by Zytharros //------------------------------// Day 2 The next morning, I awoke long before Twilight and Spike were aroused by the sun. Dawn had just broken and, despite the fact I was in the basement without light, I woke at what I figured was 7:00. I could never sleep past 8:00 and wake without a headache, so I couldn’t see it being that late, especially with the angle of the sun as it was. I decided I would make something nice for my hosts, so I built a muffin, oatmeal and juice breakfast for Twilight and a sapphire shard cereal for Spike. As I assembled those things, I nibbled on a muffin and a piece of fruit myself, slugged down some water and juice, and left the house. I left a note for Twilight out of courtesy near the ready-to-eat meals, even though she knew where I was headed. Ten minutes later, I arrived at Applejack’s farm, but nobody was up yet. I decided I would surprise them, so I snuck into their barn and took two baskets for myself. Hooking up the saddle-bag-like apparatus and adjusting it until it felt comfortable, I began to steadily pick apples using my newly acquired levitation spell. After working on one apple at a time, I began to get a sense of what felt right, and expanded my harvesting to two, three, five, then a whole tree of apples at a time. As I was harvesting, I found and pocketed my MP3 player and a few sheets of paper I had forgotten. I had almost cleared the west field when I heard Applejack’s voice: “What in tarnation happened!? This cart is already full!” I smirked and returned with two more full baskets of apples, plus a tree’s worth of apples hovering over my head. “Hey, Applejack!” I called, chuckling. “You slept in!” “You rascal!” she shrieked. “You had us scared half to death!” I put the apples I had in my basket in the cart. “There were plenty of unripened apples that I didn’t take down.” Applejack was still slack-jawed. “You did all this before we woke up!?” I smiled. “Just practicing a levitation spell Twilight taught me. I’m ready to learn some apple-bucking now.” “How long have you been up!?” Applejack exclaimed. I looked at the sky and smiled, replying, “About half an hour or so.” “Celestia almighty…” Applejack exclaimed. An elderly, pale green pony that I could only guess was called Granny Smith slapped Applejack with one of her hooves and sternly said, “Watch your tongue, little lady!” “So…” I asked, bucking to the back, “what’s the proper technique for an apple-buck?” Applejack blushed. “Um… h-here… let me show you…” For the next two hours, we practiced my technique. I also practiced on trees and eventually copied Applejack’s technique exactly. All the apples fell out of the tree, and, for the next few hours after that, we were knocking apples out of trees with incredible efficiency. Towards noon, we had finished two-thirds of the entire orchard. “I’ve never seen someone pick up apple-buckin’ that fast…” Applejack said, staring in awe. “You’re so serious about your work, too.” “When I’m set on a task, I don’t like long breaks,” I said. “If I drop it, I won’t pick it up again for a while, especially if there are long periods between tasks. Besides, I had some pretty cool help. You and Apple Bloom make it fun.” “Shucks…” Applejack said, blushing redder. I chuckled. “I… uh… I guess that’s all for today,” she continued. “I’ve got some stuff to take care of in Ponyville this afternoon, but I’ve gotta get cleaned up first. Tomorrow, then?” “If Pinkie Pie doesn’t throw one of her parties again tonight, for sure,” I said, chuckling again. I left the farm and wandered into town on my own. I sniffed the air and sighed. It was going to be a wonderful day… maybe I should try my mom’s recipe? I had always had a decent amount of skill cooking, and had just gotten into baking, so I decided I would try a few things. I first visited the spa to soak and get my hooves trimmed a little, then went back to Twilight’s and began to build a recipe from one of the papers I had picked up – a recipe for a sweet, half-and-half cake-bread named paska]/i] that I had grown up eating. Twilight wasn’t home. She had left me a note saying she had gotten my note and was in Canterlot for the day doing some work for the Princess, so I had the house to myself. Once I had mixed all the ingredients for this delicate, complex recipe and had put it in the oven, I decided to do some writing. I sat on the porch and began to observe and write all the different goings-on of the inhabitants of Ponyville – “slice-of-life” writings and simple observations were all they were. “Looks like Rainbow Dash is doing loop-the-loops in the sky again. Seems to be trying to do another Sonic Rainboom. I think she’d do more of them if she wasn’t trying to constantly do them against the pull of gravity.” “Derpy rammed hard into a tree. She seems to be walking fine, so she must not have hit her head very hard. It looked like it connected with her shoulder area more, so she should be fine. She’s an excellent post-pony, though – she’s delivering those letters with ease, even as she seems to be running into stationary objects a lot. I admire that reliable determination.” “I saw Fluttershy prancing down the street with a couple of her other friends from around town. She was, to my surprise, the loudest one of the group. They said something about being training partners for the ‘World Tournament of Silence’, whatever that is. They didn’t notice me, and I pretended not to notice them so I didn’t startle the delicate yellow pony.” Soon, the smell of the three loaves finished. Their beautifully-sweet aroma permeated the house and leaked out into the street. Suddenly, Pinkie Pie appeared in the doorway. “What’cha got there?” she asked. “That smells really good.” I had just begun to decorate them with cake icing, in preparation for the final touch - sprinkles. “They’re called paska. It’s a dish from my heritage on Earth.” “Twilight was telling me all about it – even made me double Pinkie promise I wouldn’t tell anyone who didn’t have an Element of Harmony,” Pinkie said. “Paska, huh? What’s it taste like?” I quickly stopped her from just upending a whole loaf. “Not only is it hot, I want some left over for the others. You’ll get some when everyone else does. Hey, will you get Rainbow, Rarity, Fluttershy, Twilight, and Applejack over here tonight? I’d like everyone to try this.” “Okeydokey, lokey!” Pinkie Pie declared. She dashed out. I smiled. They were going to love my mom’s paska. I put them under a glass lid and came back upstairs. I selected a book and returned to lounging on the deck on this bright, sunny day. While I was waiting for the evening to show up, I decided to try flying. I walked outside Twilight’s house and began flapping my wings. Slowly, I gained a small amount of altitude. I tried directing myself any way I could, and steadily moved one way or another. Suddenly, a scratchy burst of laughter broke my concentration and I dropped to the earth. “You call that flying? I could fly circles around you!” This one I couldn’t help – “Rainbow Dash!” I shouted, both startled and a little annoyed at my concentration being broken. “How did you know my name?” she said, glaring down at me. “I don’t know you.” I huffed. “Well, let’s see…” I used my levitation spell to bring her down off the cloud. She was utterly shocked. “You’re the only one with a rainbow-coloured mane and tail, and I’ve met Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight already. The only one I haven’t seen yet is Fluttershy, and she wouldn’t have a rainbow-coloured tail and mane. By deductive logic, you’re Rainbow Dash.” I set her down in front of me. “So, you figured out my name… big deal. That doesn’t change the fact that I can still fly circles around you,” she sneered. I snorted, dropping my voice down to a low whisper. “Pinkie promise me you won’t reveal this to anyone.” “What’s that impor-“ “Just do it…” I growled, interrupting her. I never expected to get this mad at Rainbow Dash, but she was really beginning to piss me off. “Okay, okay…” she said. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye… Whatever.” “This will be confirmed by Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack,” I said. “I am from Earth, summoned here by Princess Celestia herself and transformed into a unicorn pegasus by her power. I have not flown before, nor have I ever used magic until yesterday.” “…You’re serious,” she said, in a tone of disbelief. I nodded… and once again, Rainbow Dash burst out laughing. I sighed and just walked away. “Maybe Fluttershy can teach me how to fly better than you,” I snarked. That stopped Rainbow Dash’s laughter cold. She flashed around to my front and stopped me from walking away. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, buster,” she retorted. “You don’t insult my flying ability like that.” I simply lay down where I was and said very calmly but firmly, “I know what I am, and I know where I come from. I am no delusional pony, and I need your help to fly.” Rainbow Dash was caught off-guard by the firmness in my voice. She leaned in closer. “You really… aren’t a pony by nature, are you?” she whispered. I shook my head. “Would I be having this much trouble if I was? Twilight showed me how to use my horn. Applejack taught me how to buck. Heck, Apple Bloom helped me refine my walk. I was hoping the best flier in all Equestria could teach me how to fly.” Rainbow Dash immediately puffed up. “Well, I guess I could give you lessons at the fields entering town tomorrow. I’ve got nothing going on, and we don’t have a scheduled rainfall until tomorrow evening, so I won’t be busy until late afternoon.” “And about the insult… I apologize for speaking so rashly,” I said. “I was already cheesed off because you laughed and distracted me from practicing.” “It’s okay, really,” Rainbow Dash said. “You were pretty funny, though.” Suddenly, Pinkie zapped into view. She seemed to do that a lot. “Oh, hi, Dashie! Zytharros has invited us all over to Twilight’s for a special treat later this evening. It’s called paska and it smells really good. Ya wanna come?” Pinkie blinked at Dash with wide-open, smiley eyes. “Um… has Twilight okayed this?” Rainbow Dash asked me. I shrugged. “I figure once isn’t bad. I’ll ask her when she gets back from Canterlot this evening. I imagine she’ll be really stressed – she has to help Trixie with magic lessons.” Rainbow winced. “Ooh… I don’t envy her…” I edged up against Pinkie Pie. “Besides… you like throwing surprise parties… ri-i-i-i-i-ight? Throw a surprise paska party… because it’s a new sweet treat! Don’t tell Twilight.” Pinkie Pie’s eyes lit up and she shot off to begin the preparations. I chuckled. “She’s way too easy to hype up.” Rainbow Dash smiled and chuckled herself. “You know, you’re not that bad. Sure, let’s start your flight training tomorrow.” Later that evening, the six of us were huddled in Twilight’s house and waiting for her to come home. The paska was iced and sprinkled, the room was set up, and everyone was ready to party. Pinkie Pie had stopped by earlier to help me make another batch of three, and on the second try hers were perfect. Twilight approached the darkened door grumbling and grateful she was home. “I hope Pinkie’s willing to throw one heck of a party tonight. I need to unwind after that… ugh!!!... com-PLETE-ly di-SAS-trous day in the Castle!” Spike tried to comfort her, “It’s not that bad. I mean, Trixie wasn’t harassing you that bad, was she?” As soon as she opened the door, the six of us exploded from behind various objects and the party started. Pinkie passed the new treats around, the music kicked up, and everyone let loose after a hard day’s work. “This is just what I needed…” Twilight said, finally able to relax. “Thanks, you guys. How did you know what I wanted?” “Zytharros gave me the idea, Twi,” Pinkie said. “He had baked some new stuff for us and wanted to share it. It’s called paska, and it’s from his culture on Earth.” “It tastes good,” Twilight said, mouth half-full of paska. “It tastes like a sweetbread.” I nodded and replied, “It is. It’s usually eaten in early Spring after the snow melts and the rain comes… sort of like our own Winter Wrap Up celebration, but in my social community’s variation, it’s in celebration of a hero of our culture.” “Nobody here has mentioned the Winter Wrap Up to you,” Twilight observed. “How could you have known about it?” I went quiet, unsure of how to explain it. Rainbow did a fine enough job shortly, though. “Probably those documentary makers that show up from that TV station through their own portal,” she replied. “They bring our happenings back to Earth with some weird, overly-girly title.” I nodded. “You guys are the stars of a show called ‘My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic’. I learned a lot of your customs that way.” “Yeah, yeah, we know,” Rainbow Dash said, brushing the title off. “I’m still annoyed that they tried to make me take a spa bath… I told those producers I would never do that again!” Everyone had a good, hearty laugh at that. “So, Zytharros, you thought the best way to introduce yourself to us was by feigning ignorance and allowing us the pleasure of our introductions?” Rarity asked, clearly delighted. “How polite!” I returned her smile. “I figured it would soften the shock.” “But the fact you came from another world into ours… didn’t that scare you at all?” Twilight asked. “I mean, I probably wouldn’t have done what you did.” The yellow Fluttershy had been eyeing me all night with that same nervous look she gave Twilight when she first arrived in Ponyville. She hadn’t spoken a word to me all night. I didn’t force the issue – I figured I’d let her get to know me for a bit, maybe show up on her land one day and take an interest in her animals. But she surprised me by asking the next question from behind her luminous pink hair: “I don’t mean to interrupt, but… you were human before you came to Equestria, am I right?... I don’t mean to pry… I mean, you… um… don’t have to answer if you want to…” I smiled. “I was.” I tried to invite more conversation by nodding. “So, um…” the nervous yellow mare stalled a little. “How many fans of our show are there? We were told they would be mostly little fill-, uh… gir… oh, shoot… I’m all flustered…” “It’s okay,” I encouraged. “Deep breaths. Close your eyes and picture a peaceful field with trees of tweeting birds.” She did as I instructed, and relaxed a little. She actually relaxed quite a bit. “That’s the first time I’ve ever tried that…” she said. “Thanks, Zytharros.” Applejack and Twilight exchanged wide-eyed glances. “He’s good,” Twilight said. Applejack blushed. “Tell me about it…” A lump appeared in my throat. My favourite pony just thanked me! I quickly swallowed and replied, “No problem.” “So, we were told our audience would be little girls,” she continued. “Are they?” “Let me show you guys something…” I said. I pulled out my iPhone and, through Twilight’s magic, accessed the Internet and showed them a lot of the creativity brought about by ‘bronies’ and ‘pegasisters’, the men, women, boys and girls, both young and old, who were fans of the show – something I termed the “human citizenry of Equestria”. I also played three songs for them, each remixes done up by the fan community – “Fluttershy’s Lament”, “20 Percent Cooler”, and “Appletastic Spring”. Each gained their own fan base… and I almost saw a tear come from Rainbow’s eye when she heard what she claimed as “her new theme song”. That, however, was replaced with some serious head-banging when the second play-through passed our ears. Of course, we listened to many of the other tracks, but Twilight’s magic soon gave out and we lost connection except for what I had on my phone. It wasn’t long before all the ponies were in awe at how popular they were… Rarity in particular. “How popular am I?” she asked. “Am I not the most smashing thing on the Internet?” Pinkie Pie shrugged. “It looks like we’ve all got fans!” “I’d rather not know… about my fan… uh… following…” Fluttershy mumbled. “I don’t like fame…” “But you’re the mo-bbmmbmbmmbrrmrmb…” Pinkie Pie began, but I slapped a hoof over her mouth and muffled her speech. “She doesn’t want to know, she doesn’t want to know,” I said. “I’m content in leaving it at that.” Fluttershy’s ears went back and she gave the cutest shy blush and smile I had ever seen. It caused me to blush a little myself. Applejack stretched. “My stars…” she said, yawning. “I didn’t know how tired I was until now. I’ve gotta head’er home… the moon’s settin’.” “What?!” Rarity shrieked. “Where has the time gone? I have to get my beauty sleep! Sorry, people, I cannot stay any longer.” “I’ll help you two pack up,” Pinkie Pie said to me and Twilight. “After all, I helped make the mess!” I stretched my wings. “Applejack, on second thought, would you mind if I spent tomorrow with Rainbow Dash? I don’t think I’ll have time to come and help before the rain.” Applejack sighed and said, “Alright. Make sure you show up the following day.” “Don’t worry, I will,” I said. Suddenly, a random thought that crushed my mood popped into my head: I wonder what my family is doing? Slowly everyone left and eventually the decorations were taken down. Pinkie left, and Twilight and Spike went to bed… …but I couldn’t sleep. My mind was on my family. I walked outside into the night air and proceeded to head to the outskirts of town for a walk. I looked into the sky and began to sing… The stars I sleep under for the second night in a row Are not the stars you sleep under once again I had hoped to be home for you to cuddle with But this land needs my assistance Forgive me, my Rosebud, for I am away Eventually, to you I will return For now, don’t hold it against me While I hang out with these ponies I am on a mission I can feel it now Lend me your strength from wherever you are So I can return to our town I am on a mission I can feel it now Oh, my Rosebud I wish you could hold me now I wish you could hold me now… I began to sob a little. I was homesick, and I wanted to go back home. “Zytharros?” The soft voice was welcome in the crushing emptiness of the night sky. The soft pink of Fluttershy’s mane and the pale yellow of her coat seemed to glow in the night sky. She approached me and sat beside me. “Was that you singing?” she asked. I swallowed and wiped my face on my arms. “Yes.” “Such a sad song…” she said. I could tell she had cried a little on the way to talk with me. “Would you like to talk about her?” I sighed. “My wife can be a handful, but I love her. She has a disability that limits how much physical activity she can take, so I have to do a lot for her. She gives all of what she can in return, and even though it makes my job harder at the end of the day, it is inspiring to watch her give it her all. I wish she could be here to be with me… she would know exactly what to say.” “You sound like you miss her a lot,” the pale mare said. “I do. It’s been two days now, and I’m going stir crazy!” I exclaimed. “I’m glad I got to help, but right now I just want to go home…” I generated a picture of her in my mind and projected it onto the grass in front of us. “This is her,” I said before slowly letting the image fade into the grass. I lay down and nibbled at the greenery at my feet. Fluttershy thought for a bit, then replied, “If I may make a suggestion…” “Shoot,” I replied. She continued, “Let her be your motivation to save us. Let going home be the reward for our salvation. Let seeing your wife again be what keeps you going.” She nuzzled against my cheek. “You’ll make it. I know you will.” “Thank you, Fluttershy,” I said, smiling. She got up and walked away. I watched her leave, then sighed, looking back at the grass. “Rosebud… I’ll be back,” I said, speaking to the stars in the sky.