Chapter Four
Perspective: Isaac.
Present time.
This was the second time I've visited Sweet Apple Acres, Hued rose telling me about the apple family and how famous their apples were. My jaw dropped the first time I set my eyes on the huge landscape, their apple orchard being the most impressive. Night had fallen over the land as the full moon's light illuminated Sweet Apple Acres, the sound of crickets chirping from the distance. To my left was Applejack's farm house, a little smaller than their barn and then to my right was a pig pen and other small buildings. From the far back was one of the many apple orchards that they have.
Our destination seemed to be the barn itself, but when we halted in front of the large wooden double doors, Applejack turn towards me with this smug smile on her face... Ugh I don't like the look of that.
"Alright Sugarcube, Stay here while ah check on everything. A'll be back lickety split!"
And with that, the farmpony slid one of the doors inward and quickly made her way in, shutting it a little too fast. I was a little worried now, sweat sliding down my neck as I sat on my rump. The thought of running off right now was so tempting, she could be friends with Twilight and this was all a plan to corner me in place. Still, if I keep running like this then it'll be a never ending cycle of cat and mouse. Taking a deep breath I harden my face as I swallowed what fear I have, prepare for anything that they could throw at me, I think.
After about five minutes had passed the door slowly slid open as Applejack poked her head out, her eyes locked onto me. Well, it's now or never I suppose.
"You can come in now, Don't worry, you're gonna feel as snug as a bug here Lunar!"
What's that suppose to mean? Snug as a bug? Is that some sort of southern slang or am I just too stupid to understand the meaning?
Applejack disappeared once more behind the door as I cautiously made my way in, darkness was the only thing that welcome me besides Applejack standing near the entrance. The only source of light was from the moon through the four windows and the opening from the roof but was rather futile as it was still rather dim. Suddenly though, the door slammed right behind me as I quickly turn towards the noise. Applejack's smug smile from before returned as she slowly approached me, I on the other hand was slowly backing away and going deep within the barn. What came next caught me by surprise The lights suddenly flickered on and out came a large amount of ponies, turning quickly as to get a good look on how the large group was.
"SURPRISE!!!!"
They all screamed out as streamers, balloons and multicolored confetti flew into the air, a party?
"Surprise! Aw shoot, I missed it again!"
Pinkie Pie suddenly out of nowhere appeared right in front of me, somehow the pink mare was what startled me the most out of everything that transpired.
Everything in the barn was decorated in so many things, tables, food, presents, you name it! They even had a DJ in the back playing all kinds of music.
Their were so many ponies here and some that I already knew. Pinkie that I knew which she held the largest smile I had ever seen from someone, Hued Rose with some type of saddle with long frills coming from the back, is that suppose to be some sort of dress? Then there was Twilight Sparkle with a proud look on her face and.... Oh for the love of- I knew it! I should of known that this was a trap set up by her and I fell for it so damn easily!
"So were you surprise did I surprise you huh-huh-huh!?"
"To the point where I can't feel my uh... hooves..."
"Now that's just silly how can you not feel your hooves when you have feelings all over your body I mean you have to be made up of something else but you're a pony in my eyes unless you were talking about..."
Oh, here we go again, the nonstop train of words from the infamous mouth of Pinkie. I tried my best to ignore the wall of sound as I amble my way towards really the only friend that I know so far in this world, Pinkie following me while bouncing. I tried my best to not pay any attention towards Twilight but I could tell that she knew what I knew and that didn't help how unsettling it was.
"So, preparing for someone's party huh?"
Rose just rolled her eyes as she just held out that friendly smile again.
"Hey, I didn't lie and Pinkie always prepares these parties for newcomers. I did warn you."
Tch, She's right about that one. Amber would of said the same thing as well if she was with me.
"Yepperoni! I always throw parties, seeing just one smile on their faces always makes me happy. I mean, if they're not happy then I get depressed and I don't like getting depressed at all."
Well, Pinkie has a good heart and I couldn't just hate her for trying to make me happy. Still, this is a little too much for me to handle and I hardly ever have parties unless it's my birthday.
"So this is Lunar Eclipse that I hear so much about."
I turn to see who it was that spoke, sounding oddly familiar and the fear I felt from before resurfaced, my face covered with silent dread. I glance up to see none other than the princess of these lands. She was tall, way taller than any pony I have seen before as she dwarfed me asily, I felt like an ant compared to her. Pure white fur and flowing cosmic like pastel colored hair that seems to drift in the air. The mark on her rump representing the sun which regarded her as the princess of the day and light.
Everyone bowed before her as I was petrified in my state that the princess herself was still here, waiting for him all this time. Hued tugged me down to the ground, bowing before the princess as she just gave out a small chuckle towards me.
"I herd from princess Twilight Sparkle that you've been quite the handful."
I only gulped as I waited for what she'll say next.
"Nevertheless, I do hope you're enjoying one of Pinkie Pie's marvelous parties. Until next time, Isaac."
With that she turn towards the direction that had a huge tower of a cake. She.... just said my real name. HOW DOES SHE KNOW MY NAME!? Now I'm really worried as to what'll happen to me!
"Isaac? Is that some sort of nickname?"
I glance over to Rose, trying to regain what composer I had as to try to hide the shocked expression on my face.
"Uh... You could say that..."
Still, this bothers me and I have a feeling that she knows more than just my name. Wait, didn't she say princess Twilight Sparkle? Not only did I stumble into some princess's house but also rudely left through the window!? How many princes or princesses are there anyways!? Ugh, now I have a headache, I just want to go home now!
"So tell me, are you really a stallion? You seem a little too small to be one, more of a mare to me"
A low, deep voice was herd from near Pinkie, turning toward the direction of the voice to see the same pale white stallion that ran me over today. I only glared at the muscular brute as I still haven't forgotten what had transpired.
"Whoa whoa! Easy with the glare! Sorry about running you over earlier today. I was late to work and I had to hurry as fast as possible. I would of stop to help you up but it was either that or feeling the wrath of my boss."
I only gave the earth pony a stern look at him, reminds me of a certain someone that always comes in late or barely on time back on Earth. Now that I got good look at him, this pony trumps me in size by any mean. still nowhere near the size of Celestia but still a big enough to know that he was no mere stallion, he even trumps that big red stallion with a green apple of a cutie mark. Almost every part of his body is just a wall of muscle and meat, one punch from his hooves might leave more than just a bruised mark. His mane a dark brown mohawk, slicked back slightly as he had a short tail with the same color as his mane. His cutie mark was a giant hoof with the ground crumbling underneath from what the image had showed, I'm guessing it's to represent how strong he is or that he's really good at stomping the ground.
"Name's Steel Hooves little colt! I work in a coal mine not too far from Ponyville and transport it from city to city. been working for years now."
"I uh... See."
I don't know how far their technology has reached but since their is a DJ with her own setup I'm guess it's not too far behind Earths.
Rose would only giggle at Steel showing off his rather large muscles as I only rolled my eyes from the display, getting minor laughs from the crowd. Pinkie Bouncing up the down still, enjoying the show a little too much.
"Anyways Lunar, this is your party and you should have some fun! Loosen up and enjoy what Pinkie has thrown for you!"
Well, it does seem like fun and there are so many ponies here that are welcoming me. With another smile I glace over at Rose and gave out a quick nod, getting her to drape her arm around my neck, pulling me in close as she just laughed at how much fun she was having. Steel would then pick us up both, receiving an annoyed look from me and more burst of laughter from Rose. This is going to be a rather long night. When in Rome do as the Romans do.
=======
Hours have past and everyone seemed to have left, including both Hued Rose and Steel Hooves. They have work in the morning and couldn't stay any longer than they should. The only ones here were Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Celestia herself. I gotten to know most of the ponies here, including the ones still in the barn. Fluttershy was a little difficult to speak to, all I herd for the first half hour was just silent words and small yelps and squeaks, that is until I mention about animals and she wouldn't stop talking about them. Rainbow Dash was rather arrogant about how fast she is and how awesome she can be but her loyalty to her friends gave me a second thought about her and found out how amazing she really was, I was completely shock at how she can easily break the sound barrier with something called the Sonic Rainboom, through story alone. Applejack which I met around this evening is a farmer of course and lives within Sweet Apple Acres with her siblings and grandmother, a rather hard worker. Apparently she has some type of hidden ability to where she could tell if someone was lying or not. Rairty owns Carousel Boutique and is Ponyville's fashionista, talking about all types of clothing, I didn't even know that ponies here like to dress since we're mostly naked and all but the suppose dress that Rose had on told me otherwise. Her accent was rather well mannered and high class but came off polite and caring, especially towards her friends mostly, she also mention about her sister as well. Pinkie I already know of and Twilight I avoided most of the time.
"Eh, this world isn't so bad, maybe I'll stay a little longer and enjoy what I can."
Right when I was at the door, it suddenly shut with someone's magical grasp, lavender in color. My heart sank as I knew what this was about now. I was having too much fun that my mind went blank about the true reason why they held a party within the barn.
I turn around, worried of what'll become to me as all the ponies formed horizontal line, Celestia herself sipping on some tea from one of the lone tables within the barn. Twilight had a look of desperation as she was the first to step forward.
"Alright, no more running away Lunar Eclipse, tell us who you really are!"
Beads of sweat started to form on my face, my heartbeat's pace quickening as I slowly back up towards the shut door. The look of determination on her face was enough to know that she wants her answer now. I frantically look away to see any escape but saw that everything was shut tight, no where to run now.
Sighing in defeat, I try to calm my composure as to get a grip before explaining on who I am. Sure, I could lies again but Applejack would see straight through it.
"Fine, I'll tell you but I doubt that you'll believe me."
I clear my throat as I ready the words within my head. Nervous that I am, I don't know how this small group will react to what I'll say but it's the only chance I have. Here goes nothing.
"I don't belong to this world and I'm not really a pony as well. My name Isn't Lunar Eclipse as well, it's Isaac Evens. I come from a world called Earth where the inhabitants are Humans. I don't really know how I came to your world and I don't know how to get back, might be permanent. So there, that's just the short story of who I am and where I came from."
The room was silent for a good while until finally, Twilight was the first one to break into a hysterical laugh, puzzling me greatly.
"Is that it? If you just told me that from the start, I wouldn't have had my friends trap you in here. Trust me, I've been to your world before and I made some great friends on the way."
....WHAT!!!?
This whole time the answer was right here before me!? If Twilight's venture to my world before then she can take me back right away! Auuugh!! By now, I'm on the ground pounding my head onto the soft dirt, how could i've have been so stupid!?
"All. *Pound* This! *Pound* Time! *Pound* it's just been some wild goose chase! Alright, breath Isaac, calm yourself down. Twilight here can take you back to your world and everything would be alright, right?"
Taking deep breaths I slowly rose from the ground onto all four, looking at the group as all but Pinkie gave me bewildered looks. Pinkie was just on the ground, laughing like a manic from my antics.
Twilight finally broke out of her small trance and cleared her throat, the sad expression on her face giving a clear cut answer. Oh no, I know where this is gonna go.
"I'm sorry Isaac but the portal to your world is closed and won't open for another twenty-five moon cycles, about a little over two years. I'm sorry but I can't take you back with my magic as well, it's far too powerful for me to send you back from where you belong. I'm afraid that you're stuck here for the time being."
Despair pierce through my body as a wave of sorrow enveloped around me, Two years? I would of been utterly shocked about now but somewhere, deep down, I knew something like this would happen. My only reaction was sitting on the ground, my half open eyes staring intensely at the ground as everyone gave each other a concerned look. By the time two years past they'll think I'm long gone or dead somewhere.
Rainbow was the first to approach, bumping my should as to try and bring my self esteem up.
"Hey, no sweat pal! I'm sure that Twilight can figure out something. She is our egghead princess after all."
"I am not an egghead Rainbow!"
My gaze turn towards Rainbow first, then to everyone else that just gave me their best smile, showing how much they want to help. I'm utterly surprised to see this small group is willing to waste their time and extender their han- uh... hooves in helping me out. A smile finally broke from my wall of sorrow as I got up onto my hooves again with a rather determined look on my face now. I shouldn't be moping around at a time like this, I just got here and their's plenty of time to figure out something
"Thanks everyone.This might not be much but it feels good to know that someone would care about my well being. You'll all such good friends."
Friends huh? The thought of it was enough for me to feel butterflies in my stomach. But then, suddenly out of no where, I felt this huge burst of energy within me, some type of spark I never felt before. It was just for a split second but I felt a strange connection, a bond overflowing with energy. I shook my head rapidly to get over myself, Rainbow looking at me oddly. Speaking of which, Rainbow was now hovering in the air next to me.
"Lunar, it's good to see that you're opening up to my little ponies, but I hate to be the bearer of bad news."
Celestia voice was herd from near the back as everyone turn to her attention, she herself standing on all fours. I still feel that she knows more than she lets up but I rather not confront her just yet. Not now at least.
Her gaze turn towards Twilight as she approached her, Twilight herself was just as clueless as everyone else here, bad news usually means nothing good at all.
"Before I left for Ponyville, a new disturbance by what the royal guards have told me has been spotted within a forest southeast of Detrot. Much like the Everfree forest within Ponyville, large amounts of dark energy are all of suddenly forming within the forest. I would like you and your friends to assist the situation as best as possible. I have already sent guards on stand by if anything would happen."
Celestia, within her magical grip, gave everyone a train ticket including me for some odd reason, what could I do to help out anyways? Nevertheless she had plan for this way at just the right time and place, either she has good perception or she got lucky.
"Take these tickets, the trip is about a good two days so make sure that you're prepared. This might be nothing, but a large quantity of dark energy appearing out of thin air bothers me. Take Isaac with you as I have a feeling that he'll be of great help in this mission."
I could tell that Twilight had something on her mind and Celestia herself seem to caught on as quickly as I did.
"Is something on your mind Twilight?"
"Well, it's about Isaac, are you sure it's a good idea? He knows next to nothing about magic in our world and he might get himself hurt, we might not be there to protect him."
Ouch, right to my pride.
"I don't mean to sound rude or anything but I just don't see him doing much."
Ouch, again with my pride. I was about to protest about myself until Celestia was the one to speak in my place. I was expecting her to come off harsh but she took it into a whole different way.
"Yes, that may be true but I trust that your "student" would know some spells by the time you made it to Detrot."
"Student!?"
We both blurted out simultaneously as I ran up next to Twilight.
"From this day on, Isaac here will be your pupil in the arts of magic, look at it as a test and I'm sure you'll do fine Twilight. That also means that he'll be staying within the library until he can find a house to live in for himself."
Twilight's eyes widen even further as the word "test" seem to have affected her quite a bit. As for me, I felt a mix of excitement, nervousness and complete shock about learning magic so quickly! I have never met Celestia before and already I'm entrusted in going on this mission with 6 other ponies.
"Now, the train won't leave until tomorrow evening so you'll have plenty of rest for the trip. On each ticket are first class seats so you'll all get your own cart. Now, I feel that I spent too much time here as I must head back to Canterlot. Do take care of yourselves, all of you."
Twilight was still in her trance to spay any attention to what Celestia had to say, everyone else nodded their head and gave their respects to their ruler by bowing their heads. Right before She left she stared right at me, giving out a warming smile.
"Isaac, if you search hard enough, the answer you seek from the past will show up, even if you haven't realize it yet. You're parent's death is not of your fault as I of all ponies should know. Sleep well."
Once again my jaw fell to the ground from the revelation she showed. How does she know so much about me!? It's as if she has known me for my entire life, hiding in the shadows as if she was my personal guardian angel. Right before I could ask anything from her, her magical aura enveloped her horn as she suddenly vanished in a flash of light.
"Well, y'all herd her, get yer sleep and we'll be fixin' to head in the evening. Night y'all"
Applejack said as she dragged Twilight with her, still frozen in her state of shock. Being the gentlemen, or gentlecolt that I am, I was the first by the door as I held it open for all the mares to exit out first.
"Thank yah kindly their sir! Make sure that you're fit as a fiddle by tomorrow. Sleep tight. Also, make sure that Twi here snaps out before dawn."
"Um... Have a good sleep Isaac. I um... really do hope you enjoy Equestria, Goodnight."
"Why thank you my dear, once we get the chance you must simply tell me about the fashion in your world. Sleep well Isaac."
"Well, I'm gonna hit the hay now, Night Isaac."
"I never been to Detrot before! I wonder if their sweets are as good as Ponyvilles *GASP!* What if they're better than Ponyville's sweets!? Then they'll..."
And Pinkie was the last to leave, bouncing as she was too busy in her own conversation before I could say my goodbye. I took one good look at the barn before I made my way out, shutting the door as the lights shut off at the same time. Twilight finally snap herself out, waiting patiently for me.
"Ready to go? Like before, you can have the spare bed room. This time, don't jump out of any windows without my consent."
"Right, sorry about that, Over imagination got the better of me. So what spell will I be learning, I never used magic before but it sounds exciting!"
"Well first off, we'll have to tap in with your magical reserves. Here in our world, every living being has magic within them. But we'll talk more about that tomorrow. Right now, some well earn rest is what we need."
No kidding, That party warn me out and seeing Pinkie bouncing around like that just didn't help at all. This will be one night out of many that i'll live in this world, two year? I just hope that I'll find a faster way in returning, maybe I can study on the subject once I learn a good bit about what magic is in this world.