The village was lively and welcoming as ponies, much like the size of Sally and Max, roamed the area. Some traveled in pairs, some with carts loaded with supplies, some dressed up fancier than others, some sped by both on foot and in the air.
“Uh guys?...I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.” Sally started.
“Wait, we were in Kansas before?” Benji replied confused. Sally excused his remark.
“Whatever this place is, I don’t like it.” Max growled as he saw some female ponies wave to him.
“But you never like anything.” James replied.
“Exactly. It’s bad enough this place is called ‘Ponyville’. Let’s just find help fast and get outta here.” Max quickened his pace remembering the welcome sign as the entered the edge of town earlier.
Allister followed the group at a somewhat slower pace, admiring the sights around him. Everything about this town was just so beautiful, perfect even. Everywhere he looked was one friendly face after the other, even the village itself had bright colors of green, blue, pink, brown, unlike the dark greys and muddy greens that he was used to. The sounds consisted nothing like what he was used to back home with all of the busy streets full of people chanting advertisements and vehicles alerting each other in such a fussy way. Rather the sounds here in this place called Ponyville were much different as it consisted the sounds of citizens enjoying each other’s company, chariots with only so much as a tiny bell, and fillies laughing as they play together in the slow streets. Even the smell of freshly baked goods filled the air, apple products especially, with a hint of sweet desserts in the mix. This place was a heaven on earth. He couldn’t help but crack a smile.
“Yo! Al! Ya coming?” Sally’s voice rang out to him, snapping him back into the task at hand. He quickened his pace to catch up with the group. It was a shame that they had to leave so early. Maybe this is what Benji sees all the time...as silly of a thought as it is, it would explain his constant happy behavior. Al pondered the thought as they continued on their way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It wasn’t long before they reached the front doors of the crystal castle, where they assumed some high authority would reside. Al stepped forward and knocked on the door a couple times, a large echo resounded from within.
“Now you all mind your manners. We don’t want to be rude.” He addressed the group, staring at Max on that last line. Max simply shot him a ‘whatever’ look before Al turned back to face the door.
Shortly after, the door loudly creaked open as there stood a little purple dragon with green scales, about James’ size, holding a feather duster while noticing the newcomers.
“Uh...can I help you?” The dragon spoke, keeping the door halfway open. Benji couldn’t help but smile at how cute it was.
“Good afternoon. My name is Allister and my comrades and I come to you in need of assistance. We’re very sorry to have intruded on your domain like this, but we come from a very distant land and are looking for some information on how to get back to our original destination. Do you know someone, if not yourself, can help us in any possible way?” Allister proudly announced.
“So...you need a map?” The dragon replied.
“More like a magic teleporting thing that can get us back to our world and out of yours.” Max chimed in from behind. Al glanced at him unimpressed.
“Oh! You guys are from that place? Yeah, sure! Come on in!” The dragon opened the door wider, motioning them inside. Max smirked at Al for his little victory, watching Al grow even more unpleased as he walked inside the castle. Al followed closely behind.
Inside felt just as big as it looked on the outside, filled with bright hues of blue, purple, and mint as the light reflected on each crystal pillar. Multiple carpets sprawled out on the floor, some decorative plants and picture framed littered the walls, even the windows look somewhat like stained glass.
“This might be the first time I’ve ever heard someone come from the other side of the portal into Equestria...unless you count Sunset Shimmer, but she’s originally from Equestria anyway. You might not recognize me, but I’m Spike. I was the little purple dog in your world who stuck around Twilight a lot.” The dragon spoke. Everyone looked at each other in confusion.
“Um...so you know of our world?” Al asked, breaking the silence.
“Well yea. You’re the ones that stand on two legs, right? And you’ve got fingers and stubby noses and everything?”
“Well I...suppose that’s correct. We’ve just...never exactly heard of a purple dog as a norm in our times.”
“And we’ve never really heard of someone named Twilight before.” Sally continued.
“Really?...Did you guys go to Canterlot High or Crystal Prep?”
“None of us know what those schools are.” Max answered.
“Well what about other people? Like some of them would have yellow skin or green skin or purple? They would kinda have their pony colors except not as ponies?”
“I think you might be confusing us with something different. None of that sounds remotely familiar to us.” Al responded.
“Although can you imagine having purple skin? I think there’s a song for that!” Benji exclaimed.
“So...you’re NOT from the other side of the portal?” Spike finished, looking somewhat disappointed. Everyone gave him a defeated look before Spike spoke again. “Well that’s a first...but I’m sure we can find something for you anyway. Twilight practically has a book and a spell for anything...and heh, she’s gonna want to ask you a bunch of questions.”
“Great.” Max huffed unenthusiastically.
“So your master is called Twilight, and she’s the head of Ponyville?” Allister chimed in. They continued to walk further down halls of crystal.
“Well she’s called the Princess of Friendship. Mayor Mare is the one that governs Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle kinda takes care of the rest of Equestria, along with her friends of course, cuz of the whole ‘Friendship is Magic’ thing.”
“Princess of Friendship?” Allister asked.
“Friendship is Magic?” Sally chimed.
“Wait...Mayor Mare or Mare Mayor? Or Mayor Mayor?” James spoke. Melody blinked in confusion.
“He was the one eyed one horned flying purple people eater, one eyed-” Benji sang to himself.
“First Ponyville, now EQUESTRIA!? What is with you horses and puns!?” Max exclaimed.
“Uh...heh...We should probably get you guys home first before I confuse you more.” Spike laughed guiltily. Everyone looked at each other in confusion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They soon entered what appeared to be the throne room, only it looked to be more of a ‘knights at the round table’ setting with seven seats (one of them a lot smaller than the others) set all around a stone table that displayed a holographic map of the land. Each throne had its own symbol plastered above where an individual would sit. In the largest throne sat a pastel purple-colored unicorn with a hint of pink in her mane surrounded by books and documents, mildly distracted by several of them.
“Hey Twilight, I found some ponies that need some help getting back to their world...and they’re not from the other side of the portal.” Spike announced.
The purple unicorn, presumably Twilight, looked up from her book to see the group standing with Spike on the other end of the table.
“Not from the portal?” She flew up from her throne to meet the crowd, surprising the group with her large purple wings. The only pony they knew who had both a horn and a pair of wings was Allister, but even his wings are transparent and non-visible to the naked eye. This pony, however, had normal pegasus wings, much like Melody’s but bigger.
“Should we bow, or…?” Sally whispered to Al.
“This is Allister and his friends. They somehow got teleported to Equestria and need a way to get back to...wherever they’re from.” Spike introduced the situation. Twilight looked to the group, studying their designs.
“...And you folks are NOT from Canterlot High or Crystal Prep?” She asked.
“Perhaps you’re not so familiar with the concept of the multiverse, Princess Twilight.” Allister stepped forward, bowing to her as he said her name, “We’re from a place called ‘Earth’ where humans are more subjected to...a lot less colored races than from what you’re familiar with. We could perhaps be from a completely distant universe beyond Equestria instead of an an alternate Equestria, if we’re speaking from your perspective.”
“...I see.” Twilight stared in confusion.
“We tried using Al’s magic to go back home ourselves, but something kinda went haywire and made a huge explosion and everything. So we thought we’d talk to someone like you to help us out.” Benji explained. Al looked away in embarrassment.
“Wait...Were you the one’s that made the violet beacon of light just outside of Ponyville?” Twilight asked, her face lit up.
“Yep, that was Al.” Max answered.
“Well that’s one mystery solved.” Spike commented.
“That was actually quite incredible. I haven’t seen anypony else create that much power since the battle against the Storm King. You must have an extensive knowledge of magic to pull something like that. You probably rival the power of Princess Celestia herself!” Twilight examined Allister excitedly.
“Um...thank you princess, but...it was merely an accident. We’re still in need of your help.” He replied awkwardly watching Twilight circle him.
“Oh right right. Sorry.” Twilight smiled sheepishly before getting back on track. “Well the only way I know that can get you all back to your home safely is by the power of the Elements of Harmony, but we would also need Starswirl and the others to accomplish that, and they’re all scattered to different parts of Equestria…”
“Well what about Discord? He could probably do it in no time!” Spike suggested.
“I said SAFELY Spike. Besides, Discord’s not one to make friends easily. I doubt he’ll want to help newcomers return home on such short notice.” Twilight huffed.
“Well what about Princess Celestia? She was taught by Starswirl, maybe she has something that can help.”
“I don’t know Spike. Princess Celestia knows a lot, but even Starswirl kept some things secret from her.”
“Well, what about the Constellation Convention coming up? Everyone is gonna be there for that.” Spike pointed at the pile of books Twilight was previously engulfed in.
“Yes but that’s still a week away, unless-” Twilight turned to Al, “-you wouldn’t mind waiting for that long?”
“We’re not exactly in a rush. All things considered, we much prefer to take the safest route possible, no matter how long it takes.” Allister replied. Max looked at him more disappointed than before, almost giving out a slight growl.
“Can we get in contact this ‘Princess Celestia’ anyway? Just to see if she has anything at all for us?” Sally stepped in.
“...I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try...Spike?”
“Ready!” Spike called out from Twilight’s throne holding one of her quills over a blank scroll. Twilight cleared her throat and began to recite…
“Dear Princess Celestia,
I am pleased to inform you that I have discovered the source of the explosion of magic that appeared not too long ago just outside of Ponyville. It just so happened to be a group of ponies who have arrived from a different world, one that is beyond our own comprehension of Equestria’s universal limits. They came to me asking if I could help them return to their respective homes to which I suggested you would know something, perhaps a spell from Starswirl, that could help the situation. Regardless, if you have any helpful information, these ponies would surely appreciate it. I await your response.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle.”
Spike scribbled the last few words before setting the quill down, rolling up the scroll. With one quick puff, he used his green dragon breath on the scroll engulfing it in flames causing it to rise and escape out of a nearby window. Sally, James, Melody, and Benji watched in awe as it went on its way.
“Wow, I haven’t written a letter to Celestia in a long time. It brings back memories…” Twilight sighed before turning back to Al and crew. “She shouldn’t take too long to reply, but if you wouldn’t mind, I have a few questions about who you are and where you came from.”
“OOH OOH! I WANNA TELL HER!” Benji exclaimed from Al’s back, startling Twilight. He pulled out a miniature guilele miraculously from behind his back and hopped onto the round table map.
“Ugh, not this again…” Max started to walk to one of the thrones.
“You might want to pay close attention to this one Princess.” Al advised. Twilight giggled in understanding as she sat attentively watching the bunny tune his instrument. Benji began tapping his foot and strummed the guilele like a quick paced catchy tune.
“Long ago from a whole world you don’t know, there lived animals, humans, and beasts.
And freely they roamed till some took the home and, for some reason, disturbed the peace.
There was a great war over who wanted more of the land and of authority.
Till everyone thought if they just lived apart, they would finally live happily.
So they made an agreement and signed a petition to live in six different tribes.
Where no one would dare to interact more than the races who fit in their lives.”
Spike immediately fell in love with the tune, bobbing his head to the beat. Twilight continued to stare in wonder.
“But someone decided that this wasn’t right for the tribes be rivals of hate.
So down from the heavens came angels of seven who vowed to make everything great.
Their names were Damian, Gloria, Rachel, Mackenzie, Samuel and Rob.
But the youngest of all stood Allister tall who knew he would be fit for the job.
He created a world where everyone from every land would gather and sing.
A land full of love, where Al ruled above and took care of them under his wing.”
Twilight looked at Allister in amazement, which Al simply smirked victoriously. Benji started to hop around the table making gestures to act out the verses.
“But then came a human so pretty and fair and for whom this angel would fall.
Mackenzie who sworn to be Allister’s lover did not like this human at all.
The human and Allister married and had only one daughter named Melody.
But Mackenzie killed the wife and stole the child leaving Allister alone to grieve.
So he made up a spell that he mixed with dark magic to bring his family back.
He failed and was banished to Earth as punishment for all the love that he lack.”
“You did WHAT!?” Twilight caught.
“I was young and didn’t know how to handle the situation at the time.” Al’s face dropped, looking away from Twilight. Benji started hopping from one pony to the next.
“Several years passed, until finally at last, by Sally the child was found.
They came to agree that Sally should be the new mother that would stick around.
They moved in a home where they lived all alone and raised Melody so happily.
Till in came a bunny, a human, a werewolf named Max, James, and ME!
Oh shenanigans came and went as they go but one thing was certain to them.
No matter the trouble their teamwork would double
Fighting off evil to
Find their way home and they
Never would fail for as long as they can
Until one day their story would end!”
Benji ended the tune on a solid note. Spike clapped in amusement as Benji bowed to the audience. Twilight continued to stare in astonishment.
“I think you might need to revise it Benji, cuz you told so much about Al that you didn’t even get to the good stuff about me.” Max called out from the other side of the table.
“Eh...it’s a work in progress.” The bunny smiled sheepishly.
“Wait, you’re a werewolf? Like the ones that turn into big hairy beasts during a full moon?” Spike asked Max.
“Yep, and I’ll come eat you in the middle of the night too.” He teased, giving Spike a sinister look. Spike shrunk back into his seat looking more frightened.
“He’s only kidding, Spike. He’s still conscious of himself at night.” Al reassured, shooting Max a frustrated look. Max simply shrugged with a smug grin.
“This is so fascinating! I can’t believe I’m meeting creatures from a whole ‘nother universe!” Twilight exclaimed, “I can’t wait to hear more! You have to tell me everything about these tribes, and the adventures, and-”
Immediately, Spike let out a huge fiery belch, summoning a scroll much like the one he sent earlier.
“Oh...right.” Twilight stopped, disappointed over the task at hand. Spike opened the scroll, clearing his throat before reading what it said inside.
“My dearest Twilight,
I’m happy to inform you that Starswirl himself is here in Canterlot and knows a spell that can help these little ponies. If they are eager to oblige, meet me in the Capital as soon as possible.”
“Finally, some good news.” Max perked up.
“Oh! Well then I guess we're going to Canterlot early! If any of you don’t have anything else to take along or to see, Spike will escort you to the train station. I’ll need some time to pack.” Twilight started to turn to the door.
“WOO-HOO! MORE ROAD TRIP!” Benji hopped down from the table toward the door. The rest followed.
“Thank you so much Twilight.” Al walked with the purple alicorn.
“Oh, it’s nothing, really. Besides, part of the reason why I’m coming with you is to hear more about you and your friends.” She blushed.
“All in good time, young princess. All in good time.”