The road trip had continued with little disturbance. However there was this one time where dad was stopped by a hobo stumbling onto the road which took almost an hour for him to make a move. I didn’t judge the old man, he seemed older than my grandfather and was probably too tired and frail to move on his own. Dad got extremely agitated that he scowled so loud which would be loud enough to shock the crusaders. He kept swearing the more longer he had to wait for the man to make a move which was quite a struggle when being a driver, especially if you need to get somewhere. However the man did eventually move off the road and into the surrounding fields. Once we started moving again I heard a sound coming from the boot!
“Psst Declan” Scootaloo whispered under her breath. I quickly peeked over into the boot to see the little orange Pegasus filly looking up at me. I couldn’t see Apple Bloom or Sweetie Belle, so I’d assumed that they were tucked away and resting their groggy eyes in some of the blankets I had laid down whilst my dad had stopped for a toilet break in Harrison. “What was all that yelling about?”
“My dad got a little agitated at a homeless man on the road” I explained, however quickly glanced over to the front seat to make sure my dad hadn’t noticed. By sheer luck he hadn’t. Although it was good that the radio was on in the front seat so he couldn’t hear me whispering over the syncing sound being picked up by radio waves. He was also too busy paying attention to the road to worry about what I was doing in the backseat. I continued “Don’t worry, it happens a lot here.”
“Oh okay” Scootaloo replied, while giving off an assuring look “I just got a bit startled, that’s all.”
“Well all is good Scoot” I confirmed to her “If it happens again don’t worry about it. I will be the judge of it”
“K...” I heard Scootaloo mutter as she nodded before turning away. I turned away from the boot and checked the time on the radio screen, it was currently 9:42 PM. I was ready to fall asleep, even though my usual bedtime was 10:30 it had been a long exhausting day. I lay there in the backseat of my dad’s car thinking about earlier today when I left my grandfather’s house. Since we were travelling it was hard to believe that what happened this morning was the same day, because it felt like it was such a long time ago. It’s a feeling that happens to everybody, trust me.
After all, today felt like a special day. As I had picked up three fillies from a magical land known as Equestria, my three favorite ponies the Cutie Mark Crusaders were sound asleep in the boot of the car. I suddenly remembered I had forgotten my dessert, better late then never. I quickly asked my dad “Hey, dad I would like my Hershey’s bar now.”
“Okay Declan” my dad said, while handing over my Hersey’s chocolate bar. “I’m gonna keep driving okay, but you get some sleep when you need.”
I nodded as I unwrapped the wrapper and started eating. I had assumed dad had already had his chocolate bar and since I’d forgotten to have mine, the best time would be now. I also wanted to offer the Crusaders some of my chocolate bar, however they were too busy sleeping and I didn’t want to disturb them. I chowed down on my chocolate bar until it was all gone, I then placed the wrapper in the plastic bag we used as a trash can. Then I slowly sat up in my seat and drifted off to sleep.
...
I had woken up, it felt extremely warm inside the car. It was still dark outside however I had assumed it was earlier in the morning. I hadn’t gotten enough sleep also, due to not being able to find a comfortable position. I had moved the big suitcase to the front earlier and the Cutie Mark Crusaders felt comfortable in the back, but I didn’t feel comfortable at all in the front due to lack of space to rest my head. I checked the time quickly, it was only 5:28 AM. And it seemed that dad had the heater on as well, which made sense as it was getting colder by the minute the more north we were driving up. The windows were blanketed with fog, and I used my bare fist to wipe off the fog to catch a glimpse of where we were. There were houses around of course which gave some indication that we were approaching a town, it was just then that I’d caught a glimpse of sign we had passed which I had noticed that promoted ‘Welcome to Jefferson City.’ Great! We were only 665 miles away from home and I was beginning to feel exhausted from sleep deprivation. However I still think I could manage till then, and once I was back in my nice comfortable bed back at our house in Duluth, I’d be able to get enough sleep by then.
After crossing the impossibly large state of Missouri, I hadn’t even realised how cold it was outside until now. We weren’t in the warm humid climate of Louisiana anymore, so I quickly undressed out of my shorts. With only my shirt remained, I had slipped on my down jumper and long pants due to the severe change in temperature. I had also listened very carefully to the radio’s weather forecast and heard that it was 7 degrees fahrenheit outside. It was morning and the sun had just risen and it was blanketed white outside with you guessed it, snow. I was beginning to get excited now that it was blanketed with white and not patched with green, seeing as I prefer winter over summer. Our first stop however in the bitter cold was Des Moines, the capital of Iowa. That only meant 8 more hours in the car.
“Okay Declan” my dad spoke as he pulled up into a nearby gas station “This and Minneapolis should be our final two stops left to last us the trip back home. In the meantime, do you want anything to eat, or drink? More Gatorade?” I dismissed the idea of Gatorade immediately, I didn’t feel comfortable with having Gatorade as a breakfast drink. As much as I love Gatorade I prefer it as a treat over something I usually drink on a daily basis. Those who are average and relate to me would know why.
“Well actually dad, no” I said “I don’t want Gatorade for breakfast, I would just like some simple fruit juice.”
Dad responded with a reassuring nod as he parked his car next to the fuel pump. “No, I didn’t mean for now” he explained “I meant for later, then we wouldn’t have to buy some more. Other than that what would you like to eat?”
I quickly thought about the idea of having some sausages and waffles for breakfast as they were probably the only things a gas station would sell during the early morning hours. Not to mention that they were my favourite breakfast, as I had them cooked perfectly well by my grandfather yesterday morning. I accepted dad’s offer and replied “Yeah sure, if they have any sausages or waffles. Seeing as they are my favourite breakfast, and I’d love to have more Gatorade for later.”
“Okay” Dad said as he opened up his car door and stepped out “you be good okay, I’ll be done in a short while.” He always said that every time we stopped to refuel or have a break. I didn’t see anything wrong with it however as I was usually very well behaved, so I usually wouldn’t leave the car while we were refuelling unless I had to use the bathroom. Upon seeing dad leave the car to refuel I heard someone whisper from behind me.
“Declan” I heard Scootaloo’s voice whisper from behind me. Now wasn’t the time, I had to insist her to keep quiet to avoid being discovered by my dad.
“Not now Scootaloo” I hissed back “my dad is right outside refuelling the car.”
“Oh, it’s called a car” Sweetie Belle spoke up, loud enough to be heard. Crap!
“Shush!” I hissed in an attempt to keep the fillies quiet. Too late, I saw dad glance towards my window! I had to come up with something and fast, before dad got a glimpse of what was present in the boot.
“Declan” Dad spoke up as he peeked through the car door “what was that squeaking sound?” I had to come up with an excuse, I just had to. Trying not to look as suspicious as possible I came up with the best possible explanation to explain Sweetie Belle’s voice.
“Oh it was just my phone” I explained with confidence, yet feeling a bit nervous inside “my friends are probably calling me to wonder why I hadn’t been there for the start of the holiday.”
“Okay” dad replied with uncertainty on his face “But to me it sounded like the voice of a young girl, how do you explain that?”
“Oh, it’s my new ringtone” I answered “I decided to use it to see if it’s any louder than the normal phone ringtone, and it turns out it is.”
“Okay then” My dad said finally being assured with my lie. I didn’t actually have a ringtone that sounded anything like Sweetie Belle’s voice and if he’d caught me without that ringtone, I would be in serious trouble. I wasn’t too nervous however since the Crusaders were only staying with me for only a few days before they find a way back to Equestria. Ever since I had picked them up back down in Little Rock, the more nervous I had got for the rest of the road trip home.
Now being fully assured, my dad went back to refuelling the car. I quickly peeked back over into the boot and whispered “Well that was close, if my dad caught you I’d be in deep trouble.”
“But Declan” Scootaloo whispered sounding like she was about to shriek “I need to pee, and I can’t hold it much longer.”
“Ah think ah need ta pee too” Apple Bloom whispered “Ah haven’t gone to the bathroom since yesterday.”
They needed to pee. Although I didn’t feel like letting them out, I was just worried that they’d run off and that I’d never catch sight of them again. I had only hoped that they’d come right back to the car after doing their thing. I wanted to offer them a place to stay however I was worried that they’d run away too.
“Okay” I whispered finally calming my worries “My dad is refuelling the car at the moment so you can’t go without the risk of being caught. He’s about to go inside to buy us some food so you’ll have to go when he’s inside the gas station buying us snacks. Nobody else is nearby besides my dad, I’ll let you go this one time but after you go, come right back into the boot. I don’t wanna lose you.”
“Okay” Scootaloo said with a reassuring look “I will try to be as quick as I can, I’ll go into one of those bushes over there.”
“Sounds good to me” Sweetie Belle whispered.
“Do you need to go Sweetie Belle?” I asked “it’s good if you go now.”
“No” Sweetie Belle replied “But I’ll go now so that I don’t have to go later.”
“Alright then” Apple Bloom said “When Declan’s dad is outta sight, we’ll go.”
“Actually” I spoke as I turned my gaze towards my dad, who was no longer refuelling the car. He was now walking into the gas station to buy us some food. Now was the perfect time to let the fillies out to urinate when they needed to. “My dad is going into the gas station now, I’ll let you out.”
As quickly as I could, I got out of the car and opened the boot. Soon enough as the boot was open the Crusaders were galloping towards a bush sitting on a nature strip that was buried in snow. It was a good place for three cartoon ponies from the land of Equestria to go to the bathroom, as nobody could see them. It was also good that nobody else was around outside to be able to take notice of three cartoon ponies galloping towards a bush on snow covered concrete. I couldn’t see the fillies doing their thing but what did catch my sight was a small streak of yellow travelling down the snow. Yuck! That’s why they tell you to never eat yellow snow, because it’s basically just frozen urine in the snow. And if you were wondering why I was watching, I was just hoping that they’d return to the car like I had originally hoped.
About half a minute had passed and the fillies had galloped back to the boot of my car, which I never even realised I had left open until now. “Okay we’re done” Apple Bloom said “Now close this thing, an’ don’t be too loud this time. Just do it nice an’ smooth.”
“Okay” I said, obeying Apple Bloom “Nice and smooth, but not too smooth for the boot to be open and not fully closed.” I did as she had insisted and slowly closed the boot of our Porsche Cheyenne, the sound it made when it had closed confirmed that the boot was shut tight. I nodded then got back into the backseat of the car. Dad wasn’t out yet so now I had some extra time to chat with the crusaders.
“Girls” I said as I peeked over at the three fillies “Are you three okay?”
“Yeah I’m fine” Scootaloo said “maybe Sweetie Belle was right, you do look nice.” Sweetie Belle had smiled at Scootaloo and nodded in confirmation to my beauty. I must say, I have never usually been called nice in my life. Only a few times by Alecia, but never usually by the rest of my friends or by my dad.
I admitted it with a reply “Yes I am nice, and you should thank me later for taking you three in.”
“Say” Apple Bloom started “How much longer until we get ta yer place?”
I had only then remembered that we were only in Iowa, in Des Moines. The capital was pretty much in the centre of the state and I had recalled that Duluth was only 8 hours away. “Well only 8 more hours until we get to my place” I said “I’m sure you’ll love Minnesota, especially at this time of year.” Apple Bloom seemed to be bewildered by my response. Not only did she not know what Minnesota was but she also didn’t know where in the world she was to seem to understand.
“Look Apple Bloom” Scootaloo said with a slight snare “We’re only hours away from this kid’s house, so please don’t question anything until we arrive okay.” Apple Bloom nodded, seeming to understand her Pegasus friend’s advice.
“And besides” Sweetie Belle spoke up “What bad could it be? I’m sure there’ll be more nice humans along the w-“
“Shush” I hissed “My dad is coming back, now sit tight and be quiet. I don’t want to get almost caught again.” Sweetie Belle nodded in response seeming to understand my words. By sheer luck my dad hadn’t heard her this time, Sweetie Belle was quiet in time just as my dad had gotten back into the car. With a plate of some sausages and waffles in his left hand and Gatorade and a bag his right.
“I got you some sausages and waffles” Dad said as he shut the car door next to him “sadly they didn’t have any maple syrup but I guess you can still enjoy them while you can.” Dad had laid some of the food items down into the passenger seat. As he and I were the only two people in our family nobody sat in the passenger seat in the front, so we usually used it as a placeholder for groceries.
He had handed me the plate with the sausages and the waffles sitting atop it, I meekly replied. “Well I don’t like my waffles without maple syrup” I explained “but I guess this is just fine on its own, despite how bland it is.”
“Come on” dad said with an encouraging look “cheer up, just enjoy it as it is.” I nodded, yet still feeling a bit disappointed that there was no maple syrup available at the gas station. However that didn’t stop me from enjoying my breakfast as I began to chow down on the sausages. Dad glanced at me, happy to see me having my breakfast before he started the car then drove out of the gas station and onto the road. I had already finished my sausages and had now gotten onto my waffles since I overly enjoy the sausages, and since ponies don’t eat meat I decided to finish them first and then sneak bits of the waffles behind to the Crusaders.
As Sweetie Belle began snacking on some of my waffle she quietly asked me. “Hey Declan, have you got anything to drink? I’m really thirsty.”
“Um yeah I have some Gatorade” I answered, not surprised if I found out that Sweetie Belle didn’t know what Gatorade was. However her response wasn’t what I had merely expected.
“Okay” Sweetie Belle responded with a whisper “Hand it over to me quickly.”
I did as was insisted. I grabbed the Gatorade very sneakily from the front passenger seat, unnoticed by my dad as he was paying attention to the road and not worrying about what I was up to. I then quietly snuck the bottle of the coloured liquid over into the boot. “Thanks” Sweetie Belle replied with a reassuring smile.
“You’re welcome” I whispered to the crusaders “I didn’t really need it anyway, I can get some more on the way up.” I listened in silence to the conversation the fillies were having as they had eyed the bottle of liquid that was unknown to them. After all, I knew very well that there was no Gatorade In Equestria so questions were to be expected.
“What is this stuff?” I heard Scootaloo ask in slight bewilderment.
“Ah think it’s juice” Apple Bloom said, however still unsure of what the coloured substance was known as. However she had seemed to be reading the label on the bottle as she seemed to have trouble with understanding the word. “It’s Gat-ore-ade? Ah don’t know what’s its called, but looks like juice ta me.”
“Do you think we can really drink this though?” Scootaloo asked while feeling a bit unsure of what to think of the substance.
“Well we’re all thirsty right?” Sweetie Belle asked but quickly continued before Apple Bloom or Scootaloo could answer the question. “And it looks big enough to fill up the three of us, so it seems like we should.”
“Okay” Scootaloo said “I’m trusting you on this one Sweetie Belle.”
It took no time at all before all three fillies began to consume the whole bottle of my Gatorade. I felt bad about giving it away as I was gonna enjoy it later, but I thought it was the right thing to do to give the crusaders a gift. After all generosity makes you a better person, and it’s a proven fact that the more gifts you give the more friends you get.
After the three had been refreshed with my Gatorade they seemed extremely satisfied by the taste of the beverage. Sweetie Belle was the first to speak up lightly “Declan, what did you just give us?”
I turned my head around and peered into the boot. I gave them a simple answer “Gatorade.”
“Well I don’t know about you” Scootaloo added “but that stuff tasted awesome! I want some more, will you get me some more?”
“Sure” I said, now knowing that Scootaloo had a taste for Gatorade like me “even though they don’t have any Gatorade in Equestria, you’ll be disheartened when you have to go back.”
“Don’t worry” Scootaloo said “I will introduce it to Equestria, and when Rainbow Dash gets a taste of it she’ll be more than happy to binge drink it and think that it’s the coolest drink ever!”
“And ahm sure an Apple flavoured version of this will sell more than cider during cider season” Apple Bloom stated “Applejack will make thousands in a month.”
“Well I’m glad you enjoyed it” I said with a smile “It was meant to be for me, but since Sweetie Belle was thirsty I thought I’d give it to her as a gift.”
“Well I’m glad you gave it to me” Sweetie Belle said looking cheerful “I really have a taste for it now. Will you get me more too?”
“Yes” I said, knowing that Minneapolis was only 4 hours away “There’s only one more stop, however I will buy some more for you all when I go to the nearest gas station to my house.” The three fillies then glanced at me with cheers so great that they seemed to be cheers of excitement. I had picked them up almost a day ago from Little Rock and they were starting to enjoy this world greatly. I was also enjoying having them with me, while still trying to remain calm and not try to squeal in fanboy shock. And it’s extremely hard when you have three talking cartoon ponies in the boot behind you.
...
The rest of the road trip continued with little disturbance. When we passed the state line into Minnesota I was glad that we finally within in our home state. However there was still 5 hours until we reached Duluth, which got extremely tiring for me considering that it felt like we were travelling for weeks, when it actually was 2 days. We had arrived in Minneapolis and my dad had bought me two bottles of Gatorade, and I could give the spare bottle to the crusaders while I could enjoy the other. We had also stopped partially into St Paul where we’d pulled up into the drive-thru of a local McDonalds. I handed bits of food over to the crusaders while being very careful not to give them pieces of the meat patty, which I had almost forgotten to do. They seemed to have quite the taste for fast food, and I wasn’t surprised as there is fast food in Equestria. The most known place selling fast food there is the Hayburger which I can remember from a particular episode titled ‘Twilight Time.’
We then journeyed the rest of the way smoothly without any stops all the way back up to Duluth. The area was beginning to trigger my memory as we entered the outskirts of the city. Then dad drove onto the street we lived on and pulled up next to the curb, as the driveway was covered by a two foot deep layer of snow. We were home, and I was glad now that I was back in the cold frigid freezer I lived in.
“Alright Declan” dad spoke as he parked the car “we’ve got some work to do, as it looks like there has been some heavy snowfall over the past few days.”
Dad quickly dressed into his fleece coat and opened the car door. Without a doubt the frosty misty breeze of Minnesota crept its way into our warm car that had the heater on high ever since today morning. He then unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out into the blizzard. It didn’t surprise me though as dad had fallen into the soft snow as he’d stumbled outside, he hadn’t used his legs very often and they must have been extremely numb. I commented “Having trouble walking huh?”
“Yeah” Dad said as he slowly got to his feet “I think I’ll have to clear out the driveway tomorrow, I’m too tired after not being able to sleep for nearly two whole days.”
“I know” I said as I watched dad as he slowly stumbled towards our front door, and almost tripping over the porch. “However I got some sleep so I’m not feeling that numb with my legs, and I’m not even tired.”
“I’m gonna go have a nap” dad said as he unlocked the front door to our house “So you’ll have to look after yourself for a while, we have plenty of food. Make yourself your dinner.”
“Okay” I said as I opened my car door, finally glad we were back home in our nice cosy house. I stepped out into the 2 foot deep snow, however just like my dad I stumbled over into the snow. It was normal as I hadn’t walked in a while, but I had to get inside and start to walk again to make my legs strong and functioning again.
I quickly checked the front door, it was closed and dad had gone inside and had left me alone out here in the cold. I’d expected him to be having a nap already as he had said before going inside our house. He had also forgotten to bring our suitcases in, which was okay as he was mostly tired from the long road trip and that could wait till later. With that being the case, I remembered the Cutie Mark Crusaders were still in the car in the boot waiting for me. Since nobody else was out here to see me interact with 3 cartoon talking ponies, Now was the time to let them out.
I opened the boot and saw the crusaders beginning to make slight movements as they had focused their attention on me. Scootaloo was the first to speak and simply asked “Are we there yet?”
“Yes, welcome to my home” I answered as I watched as Scootaloo jumped out of the boot and onto the soft snow that stood there before her hooves. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had slowly followed along but stumbled out of the boot and into the snow. I chuckled briefly before helping the fillies up to their feet. Apple Bloom however was still uncertain about me after all that time she’d spent in the car, which was quite unexpected.
“Okay” Apple Bloom spoke with slight uncertainty “We were teleported here somehow when Twilight had a freak accident with her magic. Ya took us in the back of that...thing, and yer treatin’ us nicely. But can we still trust ya Dec?”
“I don’t know Apple Bloom” Scootaloo spoke as she approached her farm filly friend “I still don’t know if we should trust him. We don’t really know anything about this world and he could be leading us into trouble.”
I started to get a bit passionate at Scootaloo’s words, I knew very well what I was doing and had no desire whatsoever to give them trouble. All I wanted was them to be safe. I quickly started to speak before they could continue their conversation. “You should trust me” I said as I kneeled down and gazed at them standing right in front of me “I found you three in Little Rock. You three were lost and scared and I couldn’t let you roam this world on your own, it’s dangerous.”
I really did feel like taking them in as I felt as if it was the right thing to do with three lost fillies from another land. However I was also a huge fan of the Cutie Mark Crusaders and preferred them over the Mane 6, so taking them in to stay would’ve been the righteous thing to do. “Well...you’re right” Sweetie Belle said as she eyed with an accepting look on me “We can trust you. After all, you did find us and put you into your...what was it called again? The metal wagon thing that moves on its own.”
“It’s called a car, and it doesn’t move on its own somebody controls it and my dad controlled it” I answered instantly “and thank you for understanding Sweetie Belle and seeing how trustworthy I am. It really means a lot to me.” I really felt honoured that I was being praised by the cutest filly in Equestria.
In return Sweetie Belle gave me an adorable grin and replied. “No problem Declan” she said as she began to approach me “I never try to judge anypony not unless I know them.”
“I know” I said with a reassuring nod “but let’s not hang out here, let’s get inside before someone finds me talking to you three.”
“Alright then” Apple Bloom said with a reassuring grin “lead us in.”
“Sure” I replied “follow me.” Before making my way inside my lovely suburban house, I shut the boot of my dad’s car, and with the crusaders ready to go wherever I was leading them to, were beginning to slowly follow me from behind. I slowly sneaked my way over the snow covered front yard and towards the porch of our house. As soon as the crusaders had stumbled onto the porch, they stood back and in bewilderment, observed the front door.
“That door” Apple Bloom began to speak “It’s so...big.” I could also see why they were in complete shock, as human doors are much larger in proportion to pony doors. So it didn’t surprise me.
Sweetie Belle was the next to speak up “Maybe a bit, too big. It certainly looks much bigger and stretched out, like a door you’d see in Canterlot.”
“Yep” I commented “welcome to the human world. Where everything for you fillies is big.” At that remark Scootaloo began to show a face of complete shock, now that she was in a world full of big and not small like her normal world.
“Declan” Scootaloo stuttered “I’m...scared. Please protect me.”
I then faced Scootaloo and spoke out assuringly “Don’t worry. I will protect you three at all costs no matter what, and I won’t let anything happen to you.” Seeming to understand my words Scootaloo nodded slightly.
“Declan’s right Scoot” Sweetie Belle said as she rested a hoof on Scootaloo’s shoulder “Declan will protect us from the dangers of this place, he’s nice and he’s not gonna leave us.”
“Okay” Scootaloo said, feeling more relaxed at how overprotective I was of her “Just let us inside.”
“Okay, I will let you three in now” I said as I was about to let them inside my house, when I just remembered that dad had left the door unlocked. I then said “I think my dad left the door unlocked. So I’ll just open it.”
I did as I was doing, and began to open the unlocked door that dad had left unlocked for me. I opened the door very slowly, in an attempt to try not to disturb my dad from his nap. If he woke up and found out that I was raising three cartoon talking ponies, I was probably gonna have to send the crusaders away or even worse be grounded! However I was not about to take any risks, so I did what I had to do for the sake of hiding and raising the three fillies.
“Come in” I whispered as quiet as I could to the crusaders “But don’t be too loud, be extremely quiet okay.” They nodded in response, seeming to understand my words and slowly trotted their way through the front door, before I shut it quietly. It was freezing inside, but my dad had cranked up the heater which I could feel coming through the vent in the ceiling above me. I also had to admit, as bewildered as the fillies were when they were standing outside due to the size of the front door, the fillies were even more bewildered by the interior of my house. Scootaloo, began to stutter a bit like before when she was standing in front of the front door. Sweetie Belle seemed confused but somewhat amazed at the same time, and Apple Bloom was kind of questionable about the interior of the place in general.
“Ah don’ know how a kid like ya was able to construct a place like this, but I will admit” Apple Bloom started, as she then smiled with pleasure “It’s so gosh darn spacious, an’ Sweetie Belle and ah like space.”
“I didn’t construct this house” I began to explain “I have lived here my entire life, and somebody built this house before I was born for my dad and I to live in.” As much as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle has admired the interior of my giant human home, Scootaloo wasn’t keen about it and kept low on the floor. It was understandable for her seeing as she was used to smaller than this. However, I couldn’t let her be so terrorized by the size of things in my world. I had to comfort her.
“Don’t worry Scootaloo” I kneeled down, while placing my awaiting hand in front of her head “You’ll get used to this place, I promise. I know it’s new to you and so many newer and bigger things can be startling, but I’m sure you’ll fit right in.” Scootaloo then without hesitation moved slightly and placed her hoof in my palm.
“Okay” Scootaloo spoke “I just don’t want anything to happen to me. Declan, look. I know you went through all of that trouble and brought us home in your...”
“Car” I reminded her, knowing full well that it was something that wasn’t of existence in Equestria.
“Yeah” Scootaloo continued “And I know we’re lost, and we were sent here when Twilight casted that spell on us. As long as you take care of me, before I get back to Equestria I will probably get used to this place.”
“Don’t worry Scoot” Sweetie Belle said in a passionate way, with a content look “I’m sure Declan will take care of the three of us well. He is trying to protect us you know, because of how nice he is and all.”
“Yeah” Scootaloo added “You were also right, Declan has to be nice if he went through all this trouble to take us in.”
I looked at Scootaloo and agreed with her at that very instant. “Yes” I said “Because I’m a very nice person, and you three are very innocent and caring friends.” I had got caught up in conversation with the three foals for long enough, now it was time to hide them before my dad found out I had brought home three cartoon ponies from Little Rock.
“However, I think I need to hide you three now” I explained “In my bedroom, because my dad is having a nap and if he wakes up and discovers that you three are here, he’s gonna ground me and not let me keep you for a while.”
“Well don’t dilly dally” Apple Bloom insisted “Get us to ya room now.” I nodded at her and insisted her, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to follow me.
I guided the crusaders towards the staircase of my house which took them effort to climb the stairs due to their small size, and I had to help drag each filly up and in no time we were on the second floor. I then led the crusaders into my bedroom where I silently shut the door, and then sighed in success.
“That was a close one” I said, more loudly now. I thought praisingly over what had happened, during the last 24 hours. I had done it! I had brought three talking ponies from Equestria that I had picked up in Little Rock and had in the back of my dad’s car during the trip back up to Duluth. If my sanity hasn’t been lost already, it probably has been lost now. Even if that were the case, I did not care. All that mattered now was that I had gotten the greatest surprise that I had ever gotten in my life. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were all here in person, in front of me in my bedroom in my house. I could not even hold it in any longer and let out a loud squeal in fanboy shock!
I squealed rather quietly though, hopefully quiet enough that my dad didn’t hear my squeals. Seeing as he was downstairs and my bedroom door was shut, I don’t think he would have. Scootaloo covered her ears with her hooves as quickly as she could “Ah! Declan snap out of it!”
I stopped squealing, and I smiled brightly at the crusaders who were now sitting down in front of me on the mat of my bedroom floor. “Are you okay, Declan?” Sweetie Belle asked feeling beyond bewildered by my episode “Why were you screaming?”
I was screaming because of how much I idolized the Cutie Mark Crusaders in the show My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. However they couldn’t know that, the CMC couldn’t know that they were on a hit TV show that aired on Discovery Family in the human world, that was also created by Hasbro which was also the company who released the show in 2010. If they had found even the slightest bit of a My Little Pony related thing in our world there were gonna be serious issues. I tried to come up with an explanation for my squealing, and just told Sweetie Belle something more important in a calmer tone.
“That is not important, I just...had a bad day traveling yesterday and now I am back at home. Where I want to be now.” I spoke, they still had uncertain looks on their faces. I decided to ignore whatever the crusaders were thinking and moved onto what I was about to announce.
“Okay, now onto the important part” I then looked over each Cutie Mark Crusader to make sure all three of them were listening and all ears. Doing this made me feel like a commander from World War I, however as important as victory was to the powers during that time, so was this to three fillies who weren’t even from around here. “I shall welcome you all, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo to planet Earth” I said proudly, feeling as if I was Paul Von Hindenberg. “I know that you three come from a different world that is unlike this known as Equestria, and if you want to stay safe on Earth and want to stay with me, you must do what I say.”
“Ahm listenin” Apple Bloom said without hesitation. I looked over at Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle to make sure that they were all ears open too.
“Me too” Scootaloo said.
“Me three” Sweetie Belle spoke while giving me a little salute. I almost got cuteness overload from her cheery attitude, like I almost always do with Sweetie Belle.
“Okay, as you three may know Earth is not the kind of place you want to wander in alone” I explained in great detail “Out beyond the brink of civilisation there are beasts of all hideous kind that are out there killing and stoning to death nothing but innocents.”
“Sounds like the Everfree Forest” Scootaloo commented. I could confirm that she was correct, even though I was talking metaphorically, seeing as much of Earth to her and her friends would be a danger.
I continued “Not only are there beasts out in the wild that hunt and kill, there are also beasts which are the ‘evils’ which include ‘criminals, judgementals and warlords.”
“Judgementals isn’t a word” Sweetie Belle said, and just as she said that I knew exactly where this was going.
“What are you a dictionary?” Scootaloo asked, Sweetie Belle then spoke and was just on the brink of an argument.
“No, I’m just saying Judgemental has no plural you dodo” Sweetie Belle scowled at Scootaloo. Just by the words, I could tell that this was a re-enactment of the scene from the first episode of Season 2, The Return Of Harmony. I can also recall from that episode that because of the arguing between the Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, endued into a brawl between the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The brawl had also helped Discord break free of his stone case. My memory is that good. However before a fight between the three was about to begin, I gave my attempt to stop them.
“Stop!” I barked “You three are friends right?” They all nodded instantly, so I insisted “We don’t want an argument, It doesn’t matter what I say. I’m just trying to explain to you three what you need to do to be able to be safe here.”
“Sorry” Sweetie Belle said, seeming to have a flashback “That was a time when I had just become friends with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, because of our arguing and quarreling we accidentally set Discord free. I wasn’t about to try and beat AB in like I did then. I just want to forget that time, we never did anything like that again fortunately.”
“Yeah, it was mah fault fer jumpin’ on you an’ Scoots’ heads” Apple Bloom said to Sweetie Belle “Ah am awfully sorry fer what happened back then.”
“Can I continue? Please don’t interrupt me” I said feeling somewhat annoyed that I had to pause my announcement because of the three fillies talking over me.
“Yeah” Apple Bloom answered, while glancing at Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to make sure they weren’t speaking. Without hesitation, her two friends nodded at her. She then faced me an continued “Go on.”
Now that I was ready to continue my announcement I went ahead and did so “As I was saying, there are evils where I reside that include ‘criminals, judgementals and warlords.’ Many of you might know what these three things are, but two of the few hang around in these very streets here in Duluth. As long as you three stay inside this house and don’t leave and go outside you’ll be safe and I will take care of you. Nobody can know about your presence in this world, not even high class government officials who many here can trust will take you into the good hands but may capture you and use you as test subjects for experiments...”
As I was about to continue however, Scootaloo shuddered under my bed at my words. It was understandable for a filly like her however it was the literal truth and I was in no way gonna have her in danger in a world that is unlike hers. “That’s horrible” Scootaloo spoke out in a terrified tone “But I’m safe under here right? Under your bed?”
“Yes, you are” I answered feeling a bit overprotective “However, Scootaloo. You too Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. As long as you stay inside my house, you will be fine. Until you get back to Equestria.”
“Okay” Sweetie Belle said “So are you finished yet, can I speak now?”
“Yes” I answered, now glad that I was about to have free time with my three favorite fillies “But do you three understand or did you get anything I said?”
“Yes” Scootaloo said, still cowering under my bed “Is it safe to come out?”
“Scoot” Sweetie Belle said with a slight giggle “You’re safe here, Declan is not one of those...’evils.’ He’s very nice. But let me help you come out.”
“It’s understandable, why Scootaloo is so scared” Apple Bloom commented “Yer world isn’t like ours, an ah will promise to stay inside yer house Dec.”
“Oh um” I started, unsure if Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had understood my announcement “Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom. Did you get what I said?”
“Oh yes Declan” Sweetie Belle answered as she pulled Scootaloo from under my bed “sorry.”
“Yes, ah listened” Apple Bloom answered as well “An’ as ah said ah will stay inside yer house.”
“Okay good” I said, as I proceeded to explain “For now, since my dad is downstairs napping you three aren’t allowed to leave my room. He will kick you three out of my house, and I will be grounded. There will be a time when you can which will be when my dad is at work. Now though you three are free to go around my room and look around at my stuff. Whatever pleases you the most. Just don’t break anything.”
With that said, all three fillies without hesitation said “Okay” and then rushed around my room to see what items were lying around, and what I had in my world that they didn’t have. Apple Bloom seemed to be peering at what was in my pocket, which was my iPhone. Sweetie Belle took in the nice detail of what I had in my closet, and by sheer luck the section with my MLP merchandise was locked, which would come in handy now. Scootaloo seemed to be peering at my globe that I had lying on my bedside table.
“Hey Declan” Scootaloo said feeling somewhat bewildered “Is this here a globe of where you live?” I seemed as if I had to explain in great detail about many of the geographical features and nations in my world to the little pegasus filly. However I was very unsure if she’d understand or not.
“Well Scootaloo...” I said as I grabbed the globe and spun it to the side with Asia and Australia visible. “This is Earth. This is the planet I live on, it might be a bit hard to explain in detail what everything on here is for you, seeing as you aren’t from around here.”
Scootaloo seemed a bit unsure at first, which was understandable. Being a filly from Equestria, it’d be hard to grasp what my world is like from a first look at least. Scootaloo now seemed to be interested in four countries that she had spotted out from the side we were looking at “Ourstralia, Chiina, Roosia, Indya.”
“You mean, Australia, China, Russia and India” I corrected her, while feeling a bit amused at her pronunciation for nations she had never heard of before “They’re 4 of the countries that are in my world. This is Asia and this is Australia, and this tiny little island here is New Zealand.”
“What’s Asia?” Scootaloo asked, seeming to not find any trace of the word present on my globe “I don’t see anything labeled called Asia on this side of the globe.”
My globe didn’t have continents labeled but only countries, so I proceeded to explain “Asia is a continent, my globe doesn’t have continents labeled but this whole area here is Asia.”
“Oh” Scootaloo said, seeming to understand my world a bit better now “I think I get it.”
I then spun the globe to the opposite side where the Americas were visible, and pointed my index finger at Minnesota “This here, is where I live. In Minnesota.”
“In Canada or in United States?” Scootaloo asked, while also pronouncing those two names correctly “Where you live seems to be on the border of those two countries.”
“Well, technically speaking I live in the United States of America, or USA for short” I explained “Minnesota is a state and it is just under the border of Canada, which is another country that is North of the United States. Where I live I am also very close to the border of Wisconsin another state, which for me is just across a bridge to another town. We also usually refer to the United States as ‘America’, and not really as the United States very often.”
“Okay” Scootaloo said, seeming to understand what the globe of my world had labeled “I think I understand, this is a globe of your world. We do also have globes at home, but the globes we have are of Equestria. It’s similar though.”
“Also this whole area here, where I live, is North America” I said, as I encircled my index finger around the whole continent of North America “This at the bottom here underneath, is South America. This is Europe, this is Africa. There’s Asia and Australia again, and this in between North America and Europe is Greenland and this at the very bottom is Antarctica.”
“Okay, I think I will remember all this” Scootaloo replied “It’s just like when I had to memorize everything on the Equestria globe.” Scootaloo now seemed to have a better understanding of my world and where all the continents were distributed. One thing I could not seem to explain to her was the climate of each place, and most possibly the countries and geographical features, which would take a lot of explaining to do to her.
Before I could continue to converse with Scootaloo any further, I had just noticed that the pocket with my phone was empty. I checked behind to see that Apple Bloom was trying to use my phone, but seemed to be struggling with getting control over it a bit. I spoke feeling annoyed “Apple Bloom, that’s my phone!”
“Oh sorry Dec” Apple Bloom said while looking nervous and trying to hide the stolen device “Ah just thought this looked eye catchin seein as it has a picture of an apple on the back. What is this thing?”
“It’s a phone Apple Bloom” I explained, however it wasn’t a normal phone and I needed to give its proper name so that she wouldn’t be baffled by the technology we have in the human world “an iPhone to be exact.”
“Ah just pressed a button” Apple Bloom explained “an it showed some kinda picture in the background with numbers at the top.”
“What?” Scootaloo asked seemingly interested in my iPhone and not in the globe anymore “Let me see that.” Scootaloo, being very curious pranced over to Apple Bloom to see what she was using, Sweetie Belle on the other hand was not bothered by it at the moment and kept going through my wardrobe to see what I had hung up. “What is that thing?”
“It’s an iPhone” I answered “Apple Bloom, I’d like to have it so that I can show you how it works.”
“Okay” Apple Bloom said, as she handed me my phone. Seeing as iPhones did not exist in Equestria I was gonna have to explain to two fillies from Equestria how to use a gadget that has been implemented into modern human society. Without hesitation, I began to unlock my phone with my Touch ID which led me to the home screen.
“This is an iPhone, do you have normal phones in Equestria?” I asked, unsure if there are normal landlines from the 1920s that were used in Equestria. Maybe I missed something, in an episode of MLP FIM that I have already seen.
“We do have phones, but not like this” Scootaloo answered “This thing looks like something out of Sci-Fi.”
“Better technology, Scootaloo” I explained “Also see these tiny little squares on the screen, these are called apps. If I click on one, I am now in the app and using it.”
Scootaloo didn’t speak, but just sat there looking at my phone with a cheery smile very wide that it was probably the widest smile she could make. She then spoke feeling rather satisfied and cheerful “That’s so cool! I want one, can you get me a phone like this?”
“Ah want one too” Apple Bloom said, probably feeling the same way Scootaloo was “what else does this thing do?”
“Well, it takes photos” I explained proudly “Do you want a photo with me?”
“Sure” Scootaloo said, feeling ready for a photo shoot “I just need to smile, because if I don’t smile in a photo I look sad.”
“That’s fine Scoot” Apple Bloom said “Jus don’t pose, and smile normally please.”
I exited out of the app I was using to demonstrate how the device works which was messenger, and then opened up the camera on my iPhone. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo then got into the frame, Scootaloo kept still with a normal smile and so did Apple Bloom with a slight smile. I was positioned with each filly on each side of me, I then extended my arm out until the shot was perfect, and I then pressed the white button used to take the photo. Feeling satisfied with a photo shoot of two of my favorite ponies, I said “Done.”
“Where is the photo?” Asked Scootaloo, feeling a bit bewildered. She probably thought it was one of those instant cameras that took the photo and the photo would then come out of the camera. My iPhone wasn’t an instant camera, so I had to show her and Apple Bloom where the photos taken by an iPhone are stored.
“Let me show you” I said, and then proceeded to press the icon in the bottom left. Just as I did so, the photo that I had just taken with my iPhone camera appeared and took up the entire screen.
“Woah!” Scootaloo said with a joyous look, as her pupils begin dilate “Best phone ever!”
Apple Bloom was just about ready to give her thoughts on this and began to speak “So yer sayin that, the photos get stored on the phone?” I nodded in reply, Apple Bloom then seemed a bit passionate as a blush spread across her yellow cheeks. “Right, well at least ya have stuff better than what we have.”
Just before I could reply to Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle interrupted us “Declan, you have a lot of amazing clothes. But I have a question.”
“What is it?” I asked, ready to explain to the cheery unicorn filly another foreign object “I was just showing Scootaloo a globe of my world, and Apple Bloom how to use an iPhone. Is there anything you need? I can see that you’re all getting used to the Minnesotan lifestyle too.”
“Oh yeah” Sweetie Belle said as she struggled through the various shirts I had in my closet. Sweetie Belle then came out of the closet with her mane all messed up and within seconds fixed it to its previous state. I had to wonder myself though, if Sweetie Belle’s mane is natural or not with all the curls, that would have to be a question I would have to save for later. She then trotted over towards what was in between my two closets which was my huge LCD Television set. “What’s this thing?” Sweetie Belle asked as she pointed her hoof upwards towards the TV.
“That’s a Television Sweetie Belle” I explained “or TV for short.”
“What’s it do?” Sweetie Belle asked while seeming to be very curious “It looks like a huge black box to me.”
“Never even noticed that Sweetie” Scootaloo said “I’m sure it does something, it’s not just there for nothing.”
“Well, I will show you what it does” I said as I stepped towards the table the TV was standing on. I then grabbed the remote from the table, then stepped back. “You three might need to hop onto my bed while I turn it on.”
The crusaders then scurried up onto my bed and sat back to watch what I was about to do with the TV. Just like anything else I’ve shown the fillies ever since they got here, this was gonna blow their minds. I then pressed the power button on the remote and turned on the TV, the logo of the brand Life’s Good had appeared and then the channel that I was watching the last time I used this TV was now showing. The news was on, and there was a man interviewing a woman in a playground about a report of a missing child.
“So what do you think?” I asked the fillies who all seemed to have the weirdest looks on their faces.
Scootaloo, was the first to speak and was completely baffled by the technology I was presenting to her “Okay, the phone you have was one thing. I think this, just crosses the line.”
“So you’re saying, it’s just a movie on the screen?” Sweetie Belle asked, feeling a bit curious and not bewildered like her friends were.
“Well this isn’t a movie, this is just the news” I explained, knowing full well that the news isn’t spread like this in Equestria “Do you want to watch a movie?”
“What in tarnation?” Apple Bloom asked, her response made her the most bewildered of the three “Just what?”
“It’s called technology” I said “We have technology in this world, this is what we use in our everyday lives.”
“I’m maybe just a bit too jealous” Scootaloo added “I want one of these. Look, your world may be harsh on the outside but on the inside it gives a whole new idea of what can be implemented into society. If only in Equestrian society.”
“Also Scootaloo” I said as I looked at her.
“Yes?” Scootaloo said ready to converse.
“Remember what I did on my iPhone when I pressed on an app and I was in the app? I can change the channel on the TV by using this remote” As I said that, I immediately pressed some numbers on my remote which brought the screen to display another channel. The movie Surf’s Up was on and just by that one action, the fillies were even more baffled at what they had just witnessed.
“Ah, jus...” Apple Bloom started “Ah have no words. This is jus beyond what anypony could’ve thought of.”
“Is this a movie?” Sweetie Belle asked as she stared closely at the scene that was being displayed “Are those penguins surfing?”
“Yes” I said, knowing full well that I have seen Surf’s Up many times when I was younger that I had every scene engraved into my mind “This is a movie called Surf’s Up, it’s about a penguin who tries to win a surfing competition. Want to sit back and relax and enjoy it with me?”
“Well, the graphics of this” Scootaloo commented, feeling amazed by what she saw “We don’t have movies like this, I...I guess I will watch it.”
“It looks like a good one Scoot” Sweetie Belle said “It also looks silly, since penguins don’t actually surf. At least I have never seen one surf.”
“Alright girls” Apple Bloom said agreeing with her friends, “But we missed the start. So can we watch another one on time?”
“Actually, the movie has just started” I said, just as the title of the movie showed up on screen “The start of the movie is really boring, but it will get better as it goes along.”
“Okay” Sweetie Belle said with a cheery smile “It doesn’t feel boring for me though.”
The rest of today made me feel blessed. After we had finished watching Surf’s Up, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were amazed at what kind of technology exists beyond Equestria in my world. Sweetie Belle had enjoyed Surf’s Up and so did Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. The fillies’ personalities are the exact personalities that they have in MLP FIM and we had gotten along well for the rest of the day. I even got them dinner, which was some canned spaghetti, which they had enjoyed. Now the crusaders were exhausted and had to get some shuteye. It was also a good thing that my bed was extendable, and I was able to have all three fillies fit in the one bed with me, while I slept. It is now 10:30 PM at night and I am now in bed resting soundly between Scootaloo and Apple Bloom on one side and Sweetie Belle on the other side. Tomorrow should also be interesting, seeing as the holidays have just begun and I’m sure that the Cutie Mark Crusaders and I will get along fine.