//------------------------------// // A Rough Awakening // Story: Unknown World // by TheFabulousWhale //------------------------------//      When I opened my eyes, brightness blurred my vision. My mind was empty; all I remembered was the color purple, swirling in circles, an occasional sparkle, and a hit on the head. How long was I out? I wondered, rubbing my scalp. My vision was still blurry, and I noticed that I was moving. I tilted my head and saw an apple, a shiny red one. I then reached over myself and attempted to sit up, groaning in the process. The cart stopped, and an orange figure appeared from the left and spoke with a southern accent. "Don't move, sugarcube, you sprained your leg." I couldn't make out what this person looked like, due to my vision acting all blurry. "Where... Am I?" I replied. "Right now, yer layin' in a wooden cart. Ah found you unconscious in the orchard and I'm bringin' you back to the farm." I dropped my head back to the wood after tilting it to see the figure. So, I'm at an orchard. I thought, as the woman with the southern accent walked back to the front. "You sure you're alright?" She asked. "Yeah... I think." Of course I wasn't alright. I've been knocked out and sent to some strange location. "What's your name?" I asked. "The name's Applejack, a farmer at Sweet Apple Acres." The name didn't ring a bell, and I knew there wasn't even a farm where I came from. Now, thanks to whatever hit me on the head, my memories of home were quite blank. The most I knew is that I'm definitely not from around here. I regained enough strength to sit up, and I managed to peek over the edge. What do I see? Well, as my vision came to, fields and fields of apple trees slowly began to take shape. I blinked and looked towards the front of the cart. An orange-y looking horse was pulling the cart, and the cowgirl was nowhere to be seen. I took a look around and again I saw nothing but apple trees. "Hello?" I shouted, trying to spot the person who helped me. "Yes?" She replied. Her voice startled me and I slip, tumbling off the cart and onto the ground. "What the hay is goin' on back there?" My vision became blurry and I see the horse at the front of the cart drop the harnesses on its back and gallop towards me. I back away from it as I hear the woman's voice once again. "You okay, sugarcube?" I nodded and attempted to stand up but end up dropping to the ground. The horse reached out and held me up. "Your horse is acting strange." "What are yah talkin' about? And I'm a pony, not a horse." My eyes widened and and I looked up at the equine. "Yah must've hit yer head pretty hard." It said, smiling. I stumbled once again and began to studder. "Y-you... H-horse... T-talk..." "What are yah tryin' to say?" "You're an orange... pony that talks?!" The southern pony looked at me, she was definitely confused. "Ah don't understand," she motioned her hoof towards my body. "Your a pony too!" My eyes widened and I looked down at my "hands". Only, I had no hands, instead, a pair of hooves took their place. They were orange. Well... I was orange. I freaked out again and stood up, only to fall over again due to my transformation. I began to examine my body once more. I had spiky red mane/tail and a horn emerged from my forehead. "Look," the pony said. "You're a little banged up. Let me take you to the farmhouse and I'll take a look at your injuries." I hesitated, but nodded anyways. With help from the stranger, I climbed back onto the cart as the farmpony began to pull it. It took only a few minutes for the farm buildings that the pony mentioned to come into view. A large red barn surrounded by hay bales and chicken coops. Surrounding it was a series of white fences and an orange building stood further behind it that seemed like a carrot farm. When we arrived at the large front entrance, a large pony with red fur and short orange mane approached Applejack. I couldn't hear what they were saying, unfortunately. After some discussion, the farmpony parked the cart inside the barn while the red one began to assist me with getting off the cart. "This here's my brother, Big McIntosh." Applejack said, pointing at the newcomer. "He does most of the heavy work 'round here." McIntosh nodded. "Eeyup. And you are?" I stared, attempting to remember my name. "Unfortunately, I don't remember. This might be worse than it seems." After the greetings, I took my time trying to get the walking part done. It seemed easy enough, it was like crawling on all fours, but much easier. Once that was done, Applejack introduced me to the other two ponies on the farm. Applebloom and Granny Smith. Applebloom was a filly with yellow fur and red mane/tail along with a pink bow atop her head. She didn't stay long, though, had something to do with "Cutie Mark Crusaders." Granny Smith on the other hand was an elderly pony with green fur and a white mane/tail. She also bore an orange handkerchief around her neck. She began to talk about the orchard when Applejack rushed me out. "She could go on fer hours," she said, smiling. "Come with me." The pony led me into a small farmhouse and up a flight of stairs. She sat me on a comfy bed and pulled out a white box with a Red Cross symbol atop it. According to the farm pony, I had a minor concussion and some bruises. "Here," Applejack said, holding her hoof out. "Take this." I tossed the small, white pills into my mouth and bit down. Grape flavour? "Those will help with any migraines or headaches." "Thanks." I said. Applejack smiled and looked at the time. "It's gettin' late, an' you've been through a lot lately. Tomorrow, I'll have my friend Twilight take a look at you." I nodded and decided to figure out everything tomorrow. "We only have one bed for ya, and it's in the attic. Sorry 'bout that." Applejack said. I nodded again. "It's alright, thanks a bunch." I found another flight of stairs and tripped over my own hooves as I marched up. The attic I climbed into was messy, but somewhat cozy. The bed was in the corner and a small cupboard sat next to it with a blazing lamp on top. It reminded me of something. Something before I woke up in this strange world. "I don't understand..." I whispered to myself. I stretched and sat on top of the bed. I climbed under the blanket that was laying on the bed and rested my head on the pillow. I closed my eyes and slowly drifted to sleep. But I swear I heard someone speak within my head that night. "Hope you like your new home. 'Firebolt'..."