Strange New World

by Conor Colton

To the big city...

Strange New World
Chapter Four: To the big city...

A few hours later everypony was almost finished with their preparations for the journey to the gilded city of Canterlot. All the while though, Chris was still sitting next to that open window, thinking over his entire situation. His transformation, his appearance in Equestria, his visions, the recent attack of an Ursa Minor, the figure with the red eyes; he pondered over what this could all mean.

“.....I just don’t get it....Nothing seems to make sense here....Well.....no duh Chris, you’re in a cartoon world...” He said with a whispered tone, less he set off a certain owl right next to him and be caught in an infinite loop of ‘Who’s’. No matter how much he tried, Chris couldn’t wrap his head around the situation; he had hoped for more time to answer this question but his attention was grabbed by Twilight’s abrupt emergence from her room. With Spike carrying a suitcase down for her.

“Suitcase?” Twilight asked as she levitated a small clipboard and quill pen in front of her, ticking various boxes as she continued her conversation with the dragon.
“Check.” Spike retorted, whilst grunting over the weight of the suitcase.
“Notice sent to the Princess?” Twilight continued.
“Sent...so check...” The dragon retorted once again.
“Backup notice sent?” Twilight asked.
“Check....” Spike said, getting a tad tired of this.
“Backup notice in case that backup notice fails?” Twilight said, looking back at the dragon. Chris couldn’t help but smirk and chuckle slightly.
“Chec-….No actually...” Spike said, a bit surprised at himself.

Twilight looked shocked, as did Chris. The unicorn took a second to think things over before coming to a conclusion.
“Well....we’ll have to write another one...but with an apology for not sending it in the first place....that should take about....two extra pages.” Twilight said with a beaming grin to Spike. Chris was about to burst out laughing at this point.
“Y’know what?” Spike said, “....You guys go on ahead and I’ll work on that letter here...Now go on, you don’t wanna keep the Princess waiting, right?” Spike said as he began to push Twilight towards the door, all the while the mare’s hooves dragging across the hard wood floor.

“Well...I guess not...But will you be okay on your own, Spike?” Twilight asked, with a hint of concern as Chris began to make his way to the door.
“Yeah I’ll be fine...besides, I’m not alone, I’ve got Owloysius to keep me company.” He stated with an ever quickening pace as he opened the door and proceeded to push both Twilight and her suitcase out of the library. Chris was about to follow the purple unicorn but he remembered something.

“Wait a second...I can’t go out there!” Chris said, with a slight panic in his voice.
“Why?” Spike asked, as he just wanted him to leave as soon as possible.
“...Well....I’m a blank flank remember?....And Rarity isn’t back with my clothes yet...” He said as he leaned in closer to the dragon and gave a slight opening of his eyes, “That’s why...” He stated once again. But luckily for Chris, good fortune was about to strike his blank flank.

Who other than Pinkie appeared behind him and yelped a statement that nearly made everyone in the immediate area have an immediate hear attack.
“Hi guys! Guess what I found! Can you guess...can you, can you, can you?” Pinkie asked as she had a beaming smile plastered across her face. Before anyone had a chance to respond she blurted out the answer, “I found these!” Pinkie said as she proudly held Chris’ newly repaired clothes above her head.

“....Pinkie how did you get those?” Everyone seemed to ask in unison.
“Well...this big Ursa came to town and it was stomping around going boom, roar, boom, roar, boom, roar, bo-” Pinkie said as she was abruptly cut off by Chris.
“Pinkie!” Chris shouted to get the earth pony’s attention.
“Yes, Chris?” Pinkie said as she leaned towards him and fluttered her eyelashes at him.
“Uh....could I have my clothes back please?” Chris requested, whilst holding out his hoof.
“Sure! These aren’t my style anyway. Party time in Canterlot everypony!” Pinkie exclaimed as she joyfully hopped out the door. Chris then headed back to his room to get changed.

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When Chris emerged from the library he found all of his travelling companions awaiting him outside, along with a carriage with a few work ponies at the front ready to escort them. Chris walked up to his group of newly made friends and stood ready. Applejack was the first to say something to him.
“Hey there Sugarcube....You ready and raring to go?” She asked.
“Well...now I am. Thanks Rarity for fixing these clothes up...I really appreciate it ‘cause...Y’know..” He stated rather bashfully.
“Think nothing of it darling, I was happy to help and you were in a bit of a bind.” The swirly haired unicorn stated with a smile.

“Oh! Speaking of that Chris!” Pinkie proclaimed as she eagerly bounced up and down, “I found some ponies to help with that itty bitty problem you got!” Pinkie said as she joyfully hopped out of the way; to reveal three familiar looking fillies standing right there.
“Howdy Chris! I’m Apple Bloom.” She proclaimed.
“Hi Chris, I’m Sweetie Belle, Rarity’s sister. Pinkie Pie said you have a little pr-”
“Scratch that, a HUGE problem! I’m Scootaloo. And we’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders! We all have a problem just like you, and we’re here to help!” She exclaimed as all three of them put a hoof in the air and shouted in unison.
“Cutie Mark Crusaders Honorary Initiation!” The all yelped as they waited for Chris to add his hoof to the mix.

He did so without hesitation and letting off a slight smile, as he whispered to himself.
“Heh...the first brohoof I get here is from the CMC.....not bad.” He stated with a slight chuckle as he turned back to the girls.
“Okay, well first we need to find something you’re good at!.....Ever tried bowling?” Scootaloo asked.

Before Chris had a chance to respond he felt a slight tap on his shoulder, he turned to find Fluttershy staring back at him.
“Uh...Chris....I know you and the girls are having lots of fun but...all the others are waiting in the carriage and...We were wondering if you could possibly...maybe you could-” Fluttershy was cut off by Rainbow in the carriage shouting at Chris.

“Just hurry it up will ya!” Rainbow demanded as she stuck both her hooves in the air whilst leaning out the carriage window.
“Uh....if that isn’t too much trouble...” Fluttershy added.
“Yeah...I’m coming now. We’ll talk about this when I get back, okay girls?” Chris said as he began to walk to the carriage with he timid Pegasus.
“Cutie Mark Crusaders won’t forget!” All three of them saluted as Chris couldn’t help but smile as he climbed into the carriage.

“Alright y’all, we’re all set to go!” Applejack explained to the stallions pulling the carriage as it began to roll off to it’s destination. Pinkie stuck her head out of the carriage, along with the whole upper portion of her pink body and began waving to everypony the carriage passed.

“Bye everypony, we’ll be back soon! Bye Mr and Mrs Cake, bye Pound and Pumpkin, bye Snips, bye Snails, bye Pipsqueak, bye Miss Mayor, bye Filthy Rich, bye Diamond Tiara, bye Cheerilee, bye Cranky.” Pinkie stopped to take a deep breath, then continued

“Bye Gummy, bye Granny Smith, bye Big Macintosh, bye Winona-” Pinkie was cut off yet again, but by Applejack this time.
“Whoa, simmer down there Pinkie...It’s not like we’ll be gone for long.” Applejack stated.
“Well yeah...but I just want everypony to know how much I’ll miss them.” Pinkie stated with her trademark constant smile still plastered on her face. Chris just sat back and listened, strangely resembling how he would treat the show back in his world as the carriage crossed out of Ponyville and was incing ever more closer to the regal and marvelous capital city.

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As the carriage rolled ever onwards Chris found himself looking out the side rather than keeping his attention on the ponies in the his immediate vicinity. He marvelled at the lush Equestrian landscape, he had seen it almost a hundred times over but to actually be here to experience it first hoof was too astounding for words. Chris was almost lost in such a sight until he heard a rather timid voice behind him.
“Uh...Chris, are you alright? You haven’t really said anything the entire trip...” Fluttershy stated as she nervously shuffled her hooves.

“Oh right uh, sorry about that Fluttershy....Just enjoying the landscape. I don’t usually see that sort of sight back home.” He said, as thoughts of his own world began to enter his head; but he was quickly snapped out of it when Rainbow retorted a question.
“What? Manehattan doesn’t have anything like that?” The pegasus asked.
“Well, trust both of us...It certainly doesn’t.” Applejack stated as she answered for both her and Chris.

“Well, that’s one of the reasons you’ll love living in Ponyville! It’s one of the happiest places in Equestria!” Pinkie added rather proudly.
“Trust me, I am definitely loving it here.” Chris responded with a genuine smile.
“Well, I’m sure Ponyville is loving you too Chris.” Twilight added with a similar smile.
“Uh huh.” Everypony but Twilight and Chris retorted simultaneously. Chris couldn’t help but be slightly bashful, he thought that life in Equestria wouldn’t be that bad.

But as he thought that, Chris suddenly had another splitting headache as his ears rang with the a familiar, almost demonic voice.
“Calm before the storm human!” The voice exclaimed as Chris pressed his hooves against his head and grunted in agony. Everypony was shocked by this sudden change of attitude.
“Chris! You okay?!” Applejack yelped, rather concerned for Chris’ well being.
“Ah....yeah I’m fine....just....been having really bad headaches lately...Y’know with those visions I mentioned before.” Chris said as he felt the voice leave once again and regained his composure.

“Well dear, that’s quite a bad headache there.” Rarity added, stating the obvious because she couldn’t think of anything else to say to this situation.
“Yeah...if the Princess can’t explain your visions, I think we have to take you to a doctor.” Twilight retorted, concerned with what these visions were about and how they were affected Chris’ well being.
“I’m sure the Princess will make some sense of this...hopefully...” Chris stated, with a slight tone of pessimism in his voice.

“Well, until then...” Rainbow lead into as she reached for her suitcase and pulled out a book entitled ‘Daring-Do and the Great Voyage of the Equestrian sea’ and began to read. Everypony just glared at her to which she responded, “What?.....It’s a good book....You guys should read more y’know.” Chris almost couldn’t contain the unbelievable irony in that statement, but he restrained himself for the moment.

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A few hours had passed and Chris had come to a realization, he hadn’t eaten a thing today; all the events that transpired must have distracted him from that. He felt almost unimaginable hunger, he would have said something but he noticed they were pulling into the city.
“Oh thank Celestia...” Chris said as he got off the carriage and awaited the no doubt regal and fancy dinner that would be prepared at the castle. But almost out of nowhere a messenger pony ran up to the group

“Uh excuse me Ma’am, Twilight Sparkle party of eight?” The pony stated in a rather rushed and out of breath tone
“Uh yes...Well...party of seven, Spike isn’t h-” Twilight was cut off by the pony shoving a scroll into her hooves and quickly running the other way.
“Sorry Ma’am, have more deliveries to make!”
“Uh...okay then.” Applejack stated with a raised brow.

Twilight began to open and read the scroll aloud to everypony.
“To my faithful student Twilight Sparkle, sadly it seems you and your friends will not be able to stay at the castle tonight...”
“What?!” Chris asked, rather worried.
“It seems I am having sudden unexpected guests over, so there is no room for accommodation for you and your friends. I hope you understand and forgive me for this sudden change of plans. Sincerely, Princess Celestia.”

“Well...what do we do now then?” Rainbow asked, as Chris observed Rarity almost having a panic attack over the whole situation.
“...I guess we better find another place to spend the night. As a matter of fact, I know a nice inn not far from here.” Twilight remembered as she led everypony. Pinkie then turned her head to Chris as she merrily skipped along.
“Y’know, Twilight used to live here! That’s why she’s such a smarty pants!” Pinkie stated.
“Really? I never would have guessed.” Chris answered with a slight smirk.
“That’s why I’m here! Friends of Pinkie Pie never have to guess!” The earth pony added with a beaming smile as she continued to hop along.

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Not long after, the seven of them arrived at a modest inn with a sign saying ‘The Tattered Saddle’ hanging proudly over the door. Chris wondered at the name before following everypony inside; to be greeted by a old pony behind the counter.
“Welcome to The Tattered Saddle, I’m Near, what can I get you ladies?” The pony asked as he adjusted his obviously broken glasses. Needless to say, Chris wasn’t amused.

“Hello, I’m Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Chris. We were wondering if we could get a room for the seven of us...and possibly some food?” The unicorn asked, demonstrating her Canterlot etiquette.
“Sure, we got a free six bed room, but we got a couch in there. And we got plenty of food.” Near stated as he cleaned a glass with an old rag, “And...if you don’t mind me saying...Chris is an odd name for a mare like yourself Ma’am.”

“Uh....that’s because I’m a guy.” Chris stated in a straight and direct tone.
“Oh uh...sorry buddy, I’m a tad uh....what’s the phrase?” Near asked himself.
“Near Sighted?” Rainbow stated.
“Hey....how did you know my full name?” Near asked.
“I guessed.” Rainbow retorted with a slight chuckle.

“Well, either way, I’ll get you all set up. I’ll just need the bits upfront I’m afraid...” Near stated in a straight, almost business pony type of dialect.
“Of course, here you go.” Twilight said as she slung a large bag of bits onto the counter
“.....She always does come prepared...” Applejack stated whilst both her and Chris eyes were widened by this.
“Right, I didn’t even tell you how much you needed though...” Near said, rather confused.
“I saw a sign on way in on your prices, I just calculated what we needed and gave you the correct amount.

“Yep...always prepared.” Chris added with a slight chuckle as he probably should have expected this. However he quickly got over it as Near left to go and get their food prepared. A few minutes later he emerged from the kitchen, still shining that glass.
“Well...the cook is making the biggest special we got for you guys.” Near said as he returned to his position behind the counter.

Chris now needed something to do whilst he waited for his food, so he figured he would shoot the breeze with Near. He sat on a stool next to the counter and began his conversation whilst everypony went on with their own business.
“So Near...if you don’t mind me saying, you don’t seem like you’re from around here...” Chris stated, hoping he hadn’t offended the old timer.
“You got some good senses on ya Chris, I ain’t. Me and the Mrs used to hail from around Hoffington, we had an inn like this here one...But sadly we didn’t get much business there so we moved our operation all around Equestria. But now were sitting comfortably here in Canterlot.”

Chris hailed over a waitress and got a glass of water before continuing his conversation.
“So, you’ve been to lots of places in Equestria then?” Chris asked, genuinely interested in the response.
“Yep, tonnes o’ places, nowhere as nice as Canterlot though...” He continued, still shining that same glass.
“Well, having to move your operation all the time, I heard there are some pretty nasty monsters out there. Wasn’t it dangerous to constantly move like that?” Chris responded, taking a swig of his water.

“Well yes it was, but Chris, I’m going to be straight up with you son.....Equestria is a beautiful place, it’s got so many wonderful things in it.....But everything has a dark side...Everything has a tinge of darkness lingering somewhere. But it’s how you deal with that darkness that determines who you’ll become. Nopony knows or expects what they’ll become, but when the time comes they’ll have a choice....Do what they were put in this world to do...or run and hide from destiny. That’s how I got where I am today...” Near said rather calmly as he continued to clean that glass.

“Wow Near...that was definitely insightful...” Chris said as he thought deeply over the old timers words. He wondered why he was put in Equestria, what purpose he would serve, why was he plunged into this world. He would have pondered on this more but he heard a door swing open into the dining room of the inn, with a chef standing there proudly holding the door for them.
“Well, soups on everypony!” Applejack stated as everypony entered the dining room.

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Chris followed everypony as they entered the surprisingly simple yet elegant dining area. He sat down in a seat between Pinkie Pie and Rarity as Near entered along with a few waiters and waitresses. Near took a seat at the end of the table and awaited as his wife, a yellow tinted earth pony with spectacles similar to her husband’s sat down, before addressing the group.
“Honoured guests, Mrs Sighted and myself are proud to present...The Canterlot special!” Near stated as the various employees sprung into action.

They almost glided across the ground with such grace, some more literally as it seemed a few of them were pegasi. They slid various silver dishes adorned with food across the polished table, each one landing in what seemed like a preplanned formation of deliciousness. Each dish was unique, some holding various snack foods and starters, whilst others held full course servings and delectable deserts, “Well....Dig in everypony!” Near stated as everypony did just so.

Chris reveled in the chance to finally fill his newly transformed stomach, he took a few bites of what appeared to be a daisy and cucumber sandwich; he couldn’t care less as to the contents to be honest. He looked around and saw that everypony was enjoying themselves. He took note of Rarity’s careful and elegant consumption of her food, whereas Pinkie was swishing her own face in what appeared to be mashed potatoes.

Chris decided since he had spent time getting to know Near that it would be nice to learn more about Mrs Sighted. He wiped some residual daisies from his mouth before addressing her.
“Near, Mrs Sighted, this is delicious!” He stated, as he hoped it would be a good ice breaker. Luckily it was.
“Why thank you dear, and please don’t call me Mrs Sighted. Being called that makes me feel rather old you understand..” The old mare retorted with a smile.

“Oh okay, no problem uh...What is your name then?” Twilight added to the conversation.
“Far dearie.” The mare retorted once again.
“Far Sighted?....I never would have guessed.” Rainbow stated, holding back tears of laughter.
“Well I think it’s a delightful and fitting name, Far.” Rarity added as she nudged Rainbow angrily.

“Well thank you dears, it’s rare we get such nice guests in this city. We usually get the old snooty Canterlot typical, but it’s nice to see an exception.” The old mare stated as everypony continued their meals.

Sometime later all the plates had finally be picked clean and many ponies lay back and rubbed their now bloated stomachs, including Chris. He wondered why cartoons such as himself now always got a massive stomach bulge after a meal, then it always goes away soon after. He shrugged off that strange bit of logic and continued to take in the amount he had just ate.

This brief moment of rest was halted when Near once again addressed his guests.
“Well, we hope you all enjoyed your ‘Royal Feast’ but me and the Mrs are gonna retire to our room for the night, I suggest you all do the same.” The old pony said as he gently passed the key to their room to Twilight, and with that the group departed to their temporary accommodation.

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After some traversing up the stairs the group reached their designated room. As Twilight maneuvered the key into the lock Rarity brought up a point.
“Well they are certainly a pleasant couple.” She stated about the old ponies who owned this establishment, “But I didn’t understand why Far didn’t like being called Mrs. Sighted...As if being called Mrs could make somepony feel old.” She stated with a slight laugh.

Twilight opened the door and as everypony walked in Applejack addressed Rarity’s previous statement.
“Yeah yeah, you coming or what Mrs Rarity?” The earth pony asked with a slight chuckle.
“Yes of cou- beg your pardon?” Rarity stated with a scowled expression.
“Nothing.” Chris added as he walked in, covering for the fact that Applejack was a terrible liar.

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Chris observed the room as he entered, he was surprised at how lush the place actually was. It had a rustic look about it but everything was surprisingly elegant. There was a simple fireplace with a couch parallel to it with a small coffee table between the two. Along one side of the room were six well made beds next to a balcony entrance, all capable of housing one pony. That’s when it hit Chris. He almost scrambled to get a bed but it seemed as he was observing the room that all the beds were taken.

“You gotta be kidding me right?” Chris said with a raised brow, only to be met with everypony relaxing in their respective beds, all expect Fluttershy.
“I’m really sorry Chris.....um...I hope you don’t hate me for taking a bed...” Fluttershy stated, on the verge or regretful tears. Chris couldn’t be mad at that, no matter how much he wanted to be.

“It’s okay Fluttershy...There’s a couch right there...and I’m sure there’s a spare blanket here somewhere..” Chris stated as he rummaged in a nearby closet and pulled out a crude but effective blanket. “See? No problem...and I’m right next to the fire anyway, so I’ll be good....Just please don’t cry!” He stated rather suddenly, he couldn’t help but let the circumstances trigger a brony like response.

He flopped down on the couch and covered himself with the blanket as he prepared for his second night in Equestria. He nearly dozed off completely before he heard Twilight making a statement.

“Well if you’re next to the fire then you should reap the benefits.” The unicorn stated as she gave a slight flash of her horn and ignited the fireplace. Chris lazily peeked his head over the couch.
“Thanks Twilight....” He said with a smile that was partially concealed by the couch.

“No problem.” Twilight stated as she tucked herself in before giving off a small yawn, “Goodnight everypony...” Twilight said lazily as she drifted off. Instantly followed by a chorus of ponies saying the same thing.
“Goodnight everypony....” Chris said proudly as he finally got accustomed to saying that. He closed his eyes and began to dream once more.

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But strangely enough, Chris’ dreams didn’t hold any haunting images. However he heard a familiar dark voice speaking to him in his slumber. He felt the same feeling of dread as the voice spoke to him.
“Awaken Chris....Awaken and see this world’s fate....” The voice demanded as Chris almost promptly opened his eyes. He sat up and stared forward, only seeing the lit fireplace. But that’s when he began to see more.

The same demonic eyes he had seen before had once again appeared, but in the flames themselves, giving the fiery substance shape and a voice, it spoke to him, “That’s right Chris...this is the future of Equestria.....Flames! Death! Destruction! All will perish at the hands of my flames! And you...will be first!” The voice stated as the flames erupted from the fireplace towards Chris. And just as it seemed the world was scorched around him, Chris opened his eyes once more to find a dark room, and an unlit fireplace.

He ran his hooves down his face after he sat up once again, having experienced another vision he was slightly shaken. He sat there for a few moments, his head hanging low and his breathing more pronounced. He needed a breath of fresh air so he got up and proceeded out onto the balcony.

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He rested over the railing and took a few moments to gather his thoughts. He was still breathing heavily as he did so. He thought he would get a few moments of peace but he was alarmed when he heard yet another familiar voice behind him.
“Chris...are you alright?” Twilight asked as she stepped out onto the balcony to check on the pony.
“You kinda startled me there Twilight uh....What are you doing up?” Chris asked.
“I could ask you the same question.....I heard you get up and came to check on you....Did your visions get any worse?” Twilight retorted.

Chris didn’t fell the need to sugarcoat the situation so he was upfront with the unicorn on this.
“Well yeah, but it’s not just that.....” He lead into whilst he looked back over the balcony. “I just have the sense of looming evil.....Like something horrible is about to happen, and the worse these visions get the more I’m certain of that...” He stated, not sure how Twilight would respond.

“I can understand Chris...” Twilight said as she joined him in leaning on the railing, “I can understand that you are under a lot of pressure, with your big move, these visions and that freak Ursa attack....But when we see the Princess I’m sure she’ll help.” The unicorn stated with a smile as she began to lead Chris back inside.
“Yeah...you’re right Twilight...” Chris said as he followed her and whispered under his breath.

“You always are the sensible one...” He stated.
“What Chris?” Twilight asked, as it seemed Chris needed to practice his whispering.
“Nothing......except in Lesson Zero.” Chris stated once again under his breath.
“Huh?” Twilight retorted, Chris really needed to work on his whispering.
“Nothing.” Chris stated as he followed the unicorn inside as the both returned to their respective slumbers.