//------------------------------// // Friendship is Magic, Part 1 // Story: Just a Walk in Equestria (JaWiE), Volume 1 // by Warden of Monsters //------------------------------// Life has gotten pretty routine around here in the three days I've been here. I've gotten to know the Apple family pretty well, and Big Mac has let down his guard around me. Just yesterday he took me fishing by the river as a way to say thanks for helping Applejack with the apple baskets every day, and for helping Applebloom with her math homework while he had his hooves tied. Granny Smith has taken to me like a fish to water. The elderly green mare just loves telling me stories of her life, and I'm patient with her when she forgets she's told me a certain story about three or four times in as many days, not that I mind much. Still we have a good laugh about it, and she's even teaching me some of her recipes in the kitchen. I haven't been off the farm yet, but today Applejack is making a run into town. She insists I come with her so I can get a change of scenery in. Ponyville is amazing, in its own little quaint way. I saw Ditzy Doo delivering mail, but I accidentally called her Derpy when I saw her. Lucky me she just took it as a friendly nickname, and there was hardly anyone around to see it. Applejack was curious though how I knew her one sight. I just shrug, and we keep walking. I'm really not sure how to break it to her that she's a part of a kid show, maybe Twilight will have an idea when she finally shows up, whenever that is. As best as I've been able to figure I'm somehow before the pilot of Friendship is Magic. Applebloom has never heard of Princess Luna apparently, she didn't mention her once while I was making up a bedtime story about a pony that could walk through dreams. And when I made mention to Applejack about maybe visiting a library sometime for more stories her reply was, "Well have fun, I don't think anypony's been keeping that place together much. Just Amathyst Star going in once a week to tidy up, and make sure all the books are organized." So as we walk I keep looking towards the sky, almost like at any moment I might see Twilight swooping in on that golden sky chariot pulled by a pair of royal guards. "Whatcha gawking at?" I jump a bit at Applejack's sudden inquiry, and smile down at her, "Oh just cloud watching. You know, picking out pictures from cloud shapes?" Applejack smiles, "Well fun as that might be, why don't you have a look around? I got this covered." I nod, and as I pass the rear of the wagon I spot a familiar little pink bow. With a grin I dive both hands Ito the barrel, and Applebloom squeaks as I pull her out. "Hey!" Applejack looks confused as I hold Applebloom up by her middle. "Applebloom? What the hay are you doing in there?" She giggles as I set her down, "Practicing! I wanna be a secret agent like in Harley's story last night!" Applejack, and I both smile. All I had basically done was retell Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol with a pony alteration. Applebloom had been hooked through the whole thing. "Well as long as you're here how about you show Harley around town?" "Sure thing big sis!" Applebloom trots down the street with me close behind. I give Applejack one more wave as she sets up her stand. The first place Applebloom takes me is the town square. Most ponies use the fountain as a central point for navigating the town, plus the town hall is easily the tallest building in Ponyville proper. From there we make our way around from the library to the post office, Applebloom's school, and I recognize Sugarcube Corner down a street a few blocks away as we approach Carousel Boutique. "Applejack's friend Rarity lives here," Applebloom informs me. "Are you sure you need some new clothes? I don't get what the fuss is about..." I facepalm with a sigh, "Put simply Applebloom, yes I do, and I'd rather not go into details at the moment." She just shrugs, and I duck my way into the boutique. The place looks as lavish as the show describes, and I smile to myself as I spot Rarity's typically irate cat Opal lounging on a window ledge nearby. "I'll be right with you," I hear Rarity call from deeper in the shop. I sit on the floor to wait patiently before she trots into view. I must have caught her right in the middle of full Work Mode because she has on a rather fashionable pair of red glasses, and a measuring tape draped over her neck. She blinks at me, and I wave in response before she smiles. "Ah, you must be the new fellow living at Sweet Apple Acres, erm... Barley was it?" "Harley, but close enough," I laugh. "I was wondering if I could get some new clothes because frankly I need a few changes. I don't have any money at the moment, but I'd be perfectly willing to work for-" "Oh perish the though darling," Rarity interrupts gently. "I've certainly never dressed someone like you before so the challenge itself is worth the effort. Cutting it rather close though, with the Summer Sun Celebration only days away." I stiffen a bit at that, "...Right... So... Some functional clothes, and a suit?" Rarity smiles at the suggestion as her horn glows, and she starts levitating materials over to start drafting her designs. ... The Summer Sun Celebration... That was the day that brought the Mane 6 together for the very first time. In the face of the first of many threats from a thousand years ago. It's a strange feeling, like knowing the future, and how it plays out. What should I do? "Why should a I do anything," I wonder out loud. "They did fine without someone like me messing things up..." "You know they say talking to yourself means you're crazy," a high voice says as a certain pink pony bounces up beside me like she's made of rubber. "But I just think it means you got a lot on your mind. But then again crazy folks usually do, right?" I snicker, "Maybe so Pinkie, have you ever met a crazy pony before?" Pinkie Pie freezes mid-bounce, and gently floats to the ground as she looks me over suspiciously. "How did you know my name? I've never met you before..." "You're pretty famous," I say with a shrug, which is totally true. "I'm Harley by the way." She perks right back up, "Nice to meet you! Wait... Omigosh, you're new in town and I haven't thrown a Welcome Party yet!" I tilt my head, a thought coming to me. "Say... Does anything about me seem odd to you? I mean, besides the fact I'm not a pony?" Pinkie looks me over, rubs her chin, tilts her head one way, then the other, and I just about jump out of my skin when she turns her head completely upside down. Her head continues turning the way it had earlier, and she smiles brightly at me. "Nope, not that I can tell!Why did you ask?" "Oh just wondering," I say casually. I need some time alone to think so I ask, "I don't know if you take requests, but if you have to throw a party can there be cheesecake?" "Okie dokie loki!" She hums tunelessly to herself as she bounces off. I watch her go, and make my way to the park, sitting on a bench. I creaks under my weight, but holds so I just rest there a minute. Staring up at the clouds I turn my thoughts inwards. In the Brony community Pinkie has been well known for breaking the fourth wall. Is it really something erratic that she has no control over? Doubtful... But she didn't recognize anything off about me. Am I supposed to be here? I scratch my head in wonderment, that doesn't make a lick of sense. I'm not from this world, nothing special, why would I ever belong here? I mean i'm just a fan of the show, a writer by hobby with no real special skills to speak of besides my talents with the written word. All my fanfiction has never once gotten a flamer, and only the smallest critiques because of grammar errors like a misplaced word like writing "it" instead of "is" or something like that. I spot Lyra, and Bon Bon walk down the path chatting with what I swear are bedroom eyes. My gaze drops to their Cutie marks for a minute, and I frown. Everypony here in Equestria has one special talent that gives them a place in the world, and somehow they manage to make a living off it. Is that why I was brought here? Did some Deus ex Machina decide that I only had a chance here since all I can do right is write? I mean yeah I hike for fun, and I'm really good with animals (especially cats) yet apart from that... I push that aside, that line of thought will just make me depressed. Being depressed in a world of pastel ponies just seems weird. I mean, aside from the occasional fits like in Party of One. I jump in place with eyes wide, what if I got sent to an alternate Equestria? What if I'm in the Cupcakes AU?! Oh shit please no, I always loved those stories but I don't wanna be a part of one of them! I make a mental note to keep a close eye on Pinkie from here on out... ... "Darling you look marvelous," Rarity says as she looks me over. I'm in her boutique, thankful for the high ceilings as she levitates a large mirror in front of me. Luckily the coloring of my skin (white for those curious) takes away her issues with matching colors. Rarity proclaimed that she could make almost any color look good on me. So I'm in a black suit with a red vest, and bow tie. The celebration is tomorrow which means Twilight should be arriving in Ponyville today. "This suit is really easy to move around in," I say approvingly, bending forward in a practice bow to my reflection. "Great work! Can't believe tomorrow the Princess herself is coming to visit." She'll be the first one in this world I can look at on eye level, though really Celestia isn't really the princess on my mind. "Oh it was my pleasure Harley," Rarity says dismissively. "And I have a present for you as well!" Before I can protest she levitates a wrapped bundle into my hands. "Consider it my apology for missing your welcome party yesterday." Giving a small sigh of defeat I unwrap the present, and blink. It's a pocket watch, a nice silver one with the emblem of a crescent moon against a sparkling blue backdrop like someone had sealed midnight blue glitter behind glass. I press the button to flip it open, and smile at the ticking hands that look like little wands with stars at the ends. "Rarity this..." I'm at a loss for words so I just kneel, and open my arms hopefully for a hug. She smiles, and graciously accepts the embrace. Really it's the best present I could ever hope for. When I stand back up I slip it into a coat pocket with the chain hooked to a button hole in the jacket, rather classy looking. I finger my ponytail though, "I really should get a haircut though... A trim at least to make it look neater. I'll visit Aloe, and Lotus after I change." Rarity gives me an odd look, "Change?" "Well I'm not going to risk this tux getting all messed up before the celebration," I say reasonably, and she nods in understanding. So I duck into a changing room, and get back into the simple black shorts, white T shirt, and black short-sleeved overshirt Rarity made for me the first day we met. i really need to find some way to repay her for all she's done, I feel like I'm taking advantage of her. But that train of thought is cut off as I step outside, and look up. There, in the sky, pulled by two white armored pegasai is a golden Sky Chariot... Swooping in for a landing. "And so it begins," I mutter, making my way down the street with the weight of Equestria on my mind. ... Tonight is the night... Sitting inside the clubhouse I sit with my knees to my chest. Beside me is a plate with crumbs, I'd visited the family reunion just to be polite to my friends, but my mind is focused on the wooden box with my gun in it. I dig my nails into my hand with a scowl, what good is a gun going to do? And besides there is no way in hell I would ever shoot Luna. She's my damned MLP waifu! But... Nightmare Moon... Out of the MLP villains she is without a doubt the most lethal. I've spent most my writing career exploring time, and multiverse theory so I have no idea how my very being here might chance events. Should I interfere, is that why I'm here? Or should I just stay out of the way as much as I can, and hope events follow the same as the show's. "Celestia clop me with a hoof full of sunfire," I mutter, borrowing a profanity from one of my favorite fanfics, Fallout Equestria. And all that does is serve to remind me what guns might do to a race like the ponies... I can't... but I can't just do nothing. This is Luna, she's suffered in hatred for a thousand years. At the very least I have to talk to her. But I'm not stupid, Nightmare Moon isn't someone to be messed with. Opening the box I take out the gun, and load it up, screwing on the silencer. With a heavy heart I put the shoulder holster on under my jacket, and slip the pistol into it. I jump when I hear the door knock, Applejack coming to get me I presume, Pinkie had already invited us to Twilight Sparkle's surprise party. I pray that Twilight will have some idea of what to do. ... The library is quiet as we all wait in silence, me sitting on some stairs well out of the way in my suit. I hear Twilight enter, and share hushed words with Spike before somepony flicks the lights on. "SURPRISE!" I shout with the rest of the ponies, and while they stomp in applause I clap my hands. I watch in amusement as Twilight tries to be polite, and patient with the others. As I watch her pour hot sauce into a cup I remember a phrase someone had once told me, how strangers were just friends you hadn't met yet. I smile as I think how appropriate that saying is now, and laugh as Twilight bolts off to find somewhere to spit out her hot sauce. I follow though, a cup of punch in my hand. I find her bent over a bathroom sink, spitting while trying to rinse out her mouth. Her face is a few shades darker pink, and she's sweating. With a chuckle I pat her shoulder, and offer her the punch. "Thank you," she mutters, drinking deeply. Then she takes a good look at me, and I narrowly dodge a spit-take that nails Berry Punch as she walks by. She doesn't seem too fussed though, and just smiles at us as she carries on her way. Twilight gawks at me, "But... Who... What?!" "We need to talk Twilight Sparkle," I say seriously, and back out of the bathroom. She follows me curiously up to a bedroom where the librarian usually sleeps, Celestia had sent arrangements to Amethyst Star earlier for Twilight to stay the night here tonight. Flicking on the light i take a seat on some stairs that lead up to a landing where her bed is. Twilight stands in front of me with a curious look. "...What are you?" "So Celestia really doesn't have experience with humans," I muse out loud. "Or if she does the records are so well hidden that not even her number one student has access to them... My name is Harley, and I know all about Nightmare Moon returning tonight." Twilight's ears shoot straight up, "You do?! But... How?!" I sigh, "This is going to sound crazy... But I'm from another world, another universe really. And where I'm from this is all a TV show." She blinks at me a few times, "...What's a TV show?" I facepalm, differences in technology, forgot about that. "It's... It's like a box with a screen of glass on one side. It's technology that works as a display like... a Scrying Pool?" I reference a bit of magic I read about in my homeworld, and hopes she gets it. She does, and i thank Christopher Paloni for fine fiction. Waving a hand I continue, "In short it's a show called My Little Pony, and there it's just a form of entertainment with the double purpose of advertising toys." Twilight rubs her chin, "I see... Kinda hard to believe though." I sigh, "You're a smart pony Twilight, one of the brightest. Surely you know about multiverse theory with an Earth... erm... Equestria Prime, and the creation of alternate universes following on a Timeline principal?" Twilight nods, "Yes, how every decision a pony makes creates an alternate world in the flow of time, but I don't see what that has to do with..." I prop my head on a hand, "Well if we accept that it all started with one barren planet, the World Prime, we can guess from there that life expanded all over a universe, life developing in various manners at different time intervals while in some cases not coming into existence whatsoever." She sits on the floor with a frown, "...Following that logic then life could form in an infinite multitude of varieties, and create infinite worlds each with their own reality... So I guess since you're here that's not too difficult to believe..." I sigh in relief, "So long as I have the benefit of the doubt for now that's all that matters. What I have to say next is of the utmost urgency... Nightmare Moon, she will return tonight, and I know at least one version of events that end this threat in a favorable manner." Twilight gives me her full attention, "Well... How?!" I raise a hand, "I need to see how my being here has altered the flow of things Twilight. Just do as you would if you hadn't met me, I'll be watching, and I'll find you." She looks unsure so I press on, "Right now I'm the best ally you have in all this. Nightmare Moon won't break free until everyone is gathered at the town hall, so stay with he crowds, keep your eyes on the moon when you can." Twilight eyes me, and with a sigh she nods. I smile, and stand to leave the room, praying for the best.