//------------------------------//
// The Return of Humanity, Part 2 
// Story: The Chronicle of the Return 
// by DracoUnis 
//------------------------------//

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Spike were waiting at the base of the stairs. They could hear voices from upstairs, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Twilight seemed to be talking to somepony. No, somehuman. Their rescue was awake, but it was yet to be determined wether or not their friends needed help yet.
So Rainbow and Applejack were playing their favorite game; Blame the Other Pony.
Spike was still in the living room, eating the abandoned cupcakes. Then sneaking into the kitchen to look for more.
"Ya'll were supposed ta be keepin' an eye on her, Dash. Ya coulda cut her off before she got up them stairs if ya when't too busy getting' on mah nerves." Applejack accused.
"What, am I supposed to be the Pinkie-sitter now? Have you ever tried to keep tabs on that pony, I mean, come on Applejack. That's harder than directing a tornado. Like ten times harder." Dash pushed her head against Appejack's, bringing their eyes closer.
Rarity pushed the two arguing ponies away from each other, stopping the two from gaining momentum. "Girls, please. I think we are all at fault here. It was obvious that Pinkie Pie would try to talk to our guest upstairs. You know how she is. We should have all kept an eye on her, or maybe done something to distract her. Besides," Rarity put a hoof on her chin and tilted her head as she rattled her memory, "I don't think she even used the stairs."
Meanwhile, up the stairs and a bit to the right, Twilight Sparkle was cautiously approaching the bed. Fluttershy was already there, her hoof reaching for the half-eaten cupcake in the human's hands. "Oh, no! You should't be eating that just yet. You could get a tummy ache."
Twilight got a closer look at the human as he guiltily surrendered the treat to Fluttershy. His coloration was strange, so unlike a pony's. His exposed skin was a pinkish-tan color, contrasting sharply with the bright red hair on his head. His eyes were an odd yellow color that seemed to glow in the dim light of the room. She gathered her courage and stepped forward. "Hello. It's good to see that you're awake. My name is Twilight Sparkle."
"Hello, Twilight, I'm Patrick." Partrick winced slightly as he extended a hand towards Twilight. After looking at the hand for a few seconds Twilight raised her hoof and shook his hand. "And I guess that you are Fluttershy?"
Fluttershy suddenly realized that she was being addressed, so she turned her head to the side and let our a quiet, "Yes."
Patrick smiled, "Well since I haven't had the chance to yet, thank you for getting me out of that forest. You could have easily just walked away and left me there and I would not have blamed you."
"I couldn't have just left you there!" Fluttershy protested, aghast at the very idea.
Twilight cleared her throat. "So Patrick, how did you get in the Everfree Forest anyway? What do you intend to do now that you're here."
"Miss Twilight, I have no idea how I even got here, let alone where here is." Patrick shook his head glumly. "As for what I'm going to do, I haven't decided yet."
Twilight eyes narrowed as she thought something over, then the epiphany hit her. "Ignus' spell! It must have brought you back to this world! I don't know how or why but that has to be the answer. Wow. Human magic. Nopony has ever been able to study it up close. Nopony has ever been able to study it at all. I should go get my equipment, take some measurements..." 
Patrick held up his hands to stop the unicorn's excited rant from derailing the conversation, such as it was. "Whoa whoa whoa, hold on. You're saying that I got here by magic? Thats redicul… Actually, no. Not really. That explains a whole lot actually." Patrick ran his hands through his hair. "So who's this Ignus guy anyways?"
Twilight was confused by the question. Did this human really not recognize the name of his own ruler? "He's the King of Humanity. He ruled the humans back when you lived in this World. Doesn't he still rule you now."
Patrick gave Twilight a flat stare. "Never heard of the guy."
"What!" Twilight was thoroughly shocked, "You forgot Ignus, but that's ridiculous. It would be like all the ponies forgot about…"
"Princess Celestia!"
"I can finish my own sentences Pinkie."
"No Twilight, look," Pinkie, still balancing the round tray of cupcakes on her head, pointed out the window. Twilight trotted over and pulled the curtains back. True enough, she saw the Princess gracefully making her way up the road to Fluttershy's cottage.
"Oh no!" Twilight panicked as he grabbed Patrick's hand with her magic and dragged him towards the door. "Come on! We have to get downstairs and meet her now!"
"Uh, Twilight, I'm not really dressed for a royal audience right now!" Patrick sounded embarrassed and a bit desperate.
Twilight rolled her eyes as she magically opened the door. "You look fine."
"No, Twilight, I'm naked. I need clothes now." Patrick's tone made Twilight turn her head. He was holding the blanket over his waist with his free hand, and behind him Fluttershy was giving the unicorn a "you should know better" glare and Pinkie was rolling on the floor laughing her head off. Patrick looked very annoyed.
Twilight blushed as she realized what she had almost done. "Oh, heh heh. Um, wait here while I get your clothes from downstairs." Twilight galloped down the stairs. "Rarity!"
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Apparently another unicorn named Rarity had insisted on collecting all my clothes in order to wash and repair them. I'm a little annoyed that she took my underwear too, but I have to say she did a good job. You would never think that I got teleported to another world via magical lightning bolt just by looking at me anymore.
Wait a minute, the shirt feels off. No, I actually think it fits better now. Did she alter the fit of my shirt   just now, without taking any measurements?
Whatever, Twilight Sparkle looks like she's on the verge of panic. So I follow her down the stairs. In the living room she introduces me to the rest of her friends. "Patrick these are my friends Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash."
"Howdy" No wings, no horn. Orange coat, blonde, and wearing what looks like a Stenson. Relatively normal, for this place. Three red apples for a mark. I can't help but think that those marks are important somehow.
"What's up." Blue pegasus with rainbow hair. She's antsy. Her mark is a cloud and a rainbow-colored lightning bolt.
"Charmed, I'm sure." White unicorn, painstakingly styled purple hair. Her mark three blue gemstones. Seems nice enough.
"Nice to meet you all. By the way, thank you for looking after my clothes Rarity. I thought that they might have been destroyed or something." To my surprise, Rarity waves me off.
"Oh, it was no trouble at all, dear. It was the least I could do for you after all."
I check my pockets as Fluttershy leads me towards the couch. I find my phone, but it seemed to have borne the brunt of the teleport-lightning damage. It is now a useless lump of plastic and burned-out circuitry, a nostalgic paperweight. It figures, since I paid off the next two months in advance.
My wallet is still intact, filled with a whole 20 dollar bill. Anouther useless memento of planet Earth. As are my credit cards, driver's license and voter card.
Damnit Obama, you had better win next year.
Key ring's a lump of assorted metal, so that might be worth something at least.
I look up from my sad collection of belongings just as Princess Celestia walks through the door.
Okay, first impression is that she is big. She's no pony, she's a full sized horse. She has golden jewelry: crown, necklace, and elaborate horseshoes that hug her hooves and rise up her legs a bit. Her mark is a golden sunburst, and she is pure white. Her hair is flowing in an invisible wind, sparkling, and streaked with the colors of the dawn. She also has a pair of wings and a long, pointed, unicorn horn.
She's looking at me with a combination of stern caution and deep compassion. I feel some kind of power. It's radiating off the princess in waves. Boy am I glad that she's not angry. I would be a little Patrick stain on the carpet if I ever piss this monarch off.
The ponies bow to the Princess as she enters the house. I'm suddenly conscious of the fact that I'm sitting down while all the ladies were standing. My old man would smack me over the head for forgetting my manners, especially in such grand company. I stand up, then drop to one knee with my right hand over my heart. That seems right. Maybe. 
Twilight Sparkle is the first to rise, and her friends follow suit. "Im glad that you came so quick, Princess. I have so many questions for you."
The princess gives Twilight a warm, almost motherly smile. "I was very surprised to get your letter, my most faithful student. But your questions will have to wait I'm afraid. There is another who's questions I must answer." 
Celestia approaches me as I stand back up. The sorest parts of my back and legs mildly protest my contest with gravity, but I ignore them. The Princess looks at me again, this time with more curiosity than anything else. "May I ask your name, young man?"
"Patrick Vjorskir, m'am." Being American I have no experience dealing with any kind of nobility, let alone royalty. I decide to treat her with as much respect as possible while retaining my dignity.
"Well Patrick," She's wise enough not to attempt to pronounce my last name. I used to dare my friends to say it ten times fast back in grade school. I won so many sodas. "On behalf of Equestria and my sister Luna, I welcome you to our land. Feel free to stay as long as you like. Now, I imagine you have questions for me."
I consider my first question carefully, taking into account everything I know and what I had discovered during my short conversations with the ponies. "I do Princess. First of all, I heard Twilight mention a King Ignus, and that he had something to do with the magic that brought me here. What do you know about the spell that brought me here, and can you send me back?"
The princess ponders my question for a while, making me wonder if she knows the answer. After a short silence, she says, "Honestly, I know very little of King Ignus. He was well before my time, but I do know that the spell of Exile was his greatest and last act of magic. It was designed not only to transport an entire species from this world to yours, but bring those he thought most worthy of living in this world from back. I cannot tell you how he did it, and the why eludes me.
As for returning you to the other world, I'm afraid I don't know if it is even possible for me to accomplish that feat. Ignus was a very powerful being, and he poured all the magic he had into creating the Exile. Furthermore, human magic is very different from pony magic in execution. I have no idea were to start, and even if I can send you back, I cannot guarantee that the spell would not just bring you back."
Wow. That's a lot to take in at once. Does that mean I'm stuck here? Wait a second Patrick. Stop thinking about yourself for a while. Time to ask the next question. "Okay, that's fine, we can figure that other stuff out later. Am I the only human that the spell brought to this world, or are there or will there be others?"
Celestia smiles at my question, and I feel strangely reassured. I'm sure she can be intimidating when she needs to, but it seems like she prefers to act kind and calm when dealing with others. "I doubt it. Ignus might have been overcome with grief when he created the spell of Exile, but he was wise enough to not let its subjects suffer through isolation. I believe you are among the first humans to arrive. You may even be the first. But you will not be alone long. In the meantime, my student and her friends will do their best to continue to help you adjust to this world."
Even though Twilight and company are very vocal in their agreement with the Princess, I can't help but doubt how much they will be able to help. I am sure that they will try their hardest, but they are ponies while I'm human. We may have certain things in common. We may have a whole lot of things in common. But my nature and theirs are different.
I put my doubts aside for now. That's a bridge I'll cross when I reach it. "Well Princess, if I'm going to be living here, I have more questions about this world. Equestria and ponies in particular."
And there she goes, smiling that calming smile again. How does she do that? "Very well. I have most of the day open and," Her eyes glitter with a humor I am not expecting, "I am something of an expert."
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And so the Princess, Twilight, and a few of the other mares spent the afternoon answering Patrick's questions about, well, everything. Subjects that are considered common knowledge, such as magic, cutie marks, and dragons, seemed to fascinate Patrick. He asked about the government of Equestria, the area around Ponyville, and how the ponies scheduled the weather.
Applejack left soon after the questions began. "Ah ain't very good at explanin' things sometimes, an besides Ah got a farm to run and apples to buck. Catch ya'll later."
Rarity left as Patrick's rumbling stomach got loud enough to distract him from his questions. "I do have some business to take care of this afternoon. Patrick, do stop by my boutique sometime soon." When Patrick asked why, Rarity only smiled and said, "It's a surprise~"
Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash stayed behind and helped answer Patricks questions. They were a great help, if a little prone to ranting about their favorite topics. Well, Pinkie ranted about everything, but she eventually became background noise.
Lunch was somewhat less awkward than Twilight expected, Patrick only having a whispered conversation with Fluttershy for a few minutes. He ate the yellow pony's vegetable stew without complaint, and even complimented Fluttershy's cooking once he was done.
It was late afternoon when Celestia stood up and giggled. "I'm sure you have many more questions, Patrick, but unfortunately I have duties to attend to in Canterlot. You can ask one more question before I leave."
Patrick thought for a minute, then asked, "You said humans used to live in this world. Are there any nearby ruins that I can visit?"
Celestia nodded. "There is one that I know of. It lies in the Everfree forrest, near the ruins of the palace my sister and I lived in before Canterlot. Twilight can show you the way." Before she left, Celestia nuzzled Twilight. "Twilight, you must come visit again soon. Patrick is also welcome to stop by any time he wishes."
And with that, the Princess departed in a glowing orb of light that merged with the sun. Pinkie Pie waved and shouted "Goodbye!" Then she turned around with a big smile. "So Twilight, are we going to go exploring a ruin today? We should, because delving into dungeons is fun because there's treasure and maybe monsters guarding treasure, but thats okay because there will be five of us which is more than enough to scare away any monsters. It'll be dark and scary but a whole lot of fun, so can we go, huh, can we, pleeeeeeease?"
Twilight sighed. Pinkie was excitable at the best of times, but the two things guaranteed to get her going were parties or the thought of adventure. "Not today Pinkie. One trip into the deep Everfree at night was enough for me, thanks. We'll go in the morning. If Patrick feels up to it."
The human in question rose from the couch and stretched. Twilight marveled at how tall he was, and not for the first time. At full extension his palms brushed the ceiling of the cottage. "That sounds good to me. Movement is the best cure for sore muscles, and I've hiked through wilderness before." Patrick seemed a lot calmer after questioning the Princess, but he also looked like something was bothering him deep down. That was obvious, even to Twilight. He had been dragged from his home, his world, by the actions somepony took thousands of years ago. Anyp… Anyone would be upset after that.
"You're taking this whole situation rather well, Patrick. I would be a mess if I were in your place right now" Twilight stated truthfully
"I wouldn't." Dash bragged, oblivious to Twilight's efforts to reassure their new friend.
"I'll probably freak out later, when nothings around to witness me emasculate myself," Patrick said with good humor. "Twilight, you mentioned that you live in a library?"
"Yes I do. Do you want to borrow a book?" Twilight wondered what kind of interests Patrick had.
Patrick walked to the pile of books that Twilight had brought, and to her surprise plucked Myths and Legends of Ancient Equestria out. "This one, if you don't mind. Something to keep me occupied for the rest of the evening. I love myths anyways."
Fluttershy walked up to Patrick. "Um, excuse me. The bed's remade and I'm working on your dinner. I think it's time for you to get some more rest."
Patrick looked like he was going to argue for a second before he relented to Fluttershy's pleading face. He waved at the ponies as he made his way up the stairs. Spike looked disappointed, probably because he wanted to ask the human about his world. Rainbow Dash looked at Fluttershy. "Are you sure you're okay with being alone tonight?"
Fluttershy nodded. "I'll be fine, Rainbow. He's not a bad person, and I'm sure he won't do anything to hurt me by accident."
Dash looked unconvinced, but before she could argue she got a face full of Pinkie Pie. "Come on Dashie! We've got to pack for our adventure tomorrow. Well need lanterns, and string, and balloons and cake and a whole bunch of other stuff. Oh! We can bring our pranking gear and get Zecora good while we're there!"
Rainbow glanced once at Fluttershy, who smiled, before grinning at Pinkie. "Oh you are so on!"
Two pony blurs shot out of the door as Spike helped Twilight pack the books back into her saddlebags. Twilight said goodnight to Fluttershy before heading back to the library, Spike riding along on her back.
"Twilight?" Spike's voice was full of uncertainty.
"Hmm?"
"Things are going to change now that Patrick's here, aren't they?"
Twilight stopped and turned her head to look at Spike, "Probably. But that doesn't mean the change is going to be bad."
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The change wasn't all that bad.
I'm in the restroom of Fluttershy's cottage, taking in my reflection. It took a while to figure out how to use a pony toilet, but it was necessary.
Now I'm taking the time to get to know my new look. Back home I had brown eyes and black hair, just about as average coloring as you could get were I live. The new red hair was nice, if a little bright than is normal for a human. Well, maybe not here. I'll have to compare notes when I run into another human. The fact that my eyes now look like they're glowing is just cool. Must be part of this "human magic" the ponies keep talking about.
I sigh as I leave the restroom, climbing the stairs with my sore legs. Celestia said that I was probably the first human to arrive in this world but definitely not the last. That's a small comfort. I have something to look forward to if the human in question isn't feeling confrontational, or just plain psychotic. You can never tell.
I think back on what Twilight Sparkle had said before she left. I am taking this whole new world thing rather well. A little too well. My life wasn't all that rosy back on Earth. I was an only child, and most of my family is dead. The rest were too distant, physically or emotionally, to really know well. It wasn't a sack of crap either. I had a good apartment with a stable, dependable roommate. My job at the theatre was looking up, I had just been promoted to manager and the owner liked me enough that a higher salary was not far off. I had few friends, and although I mostly think of them as jackasses I knew their hearts were in the right place. I was making progress with Karol.
Now that I think about it, none of that really mattered to me. Except Karol and a couple of my friends. The job was okay but I never had any real ambition to advance, let alone make a career out of it. The apartment and my roommate were convenient but I could have lived without it. I always just felt like I was just burning time. I was waiting for something to happen. It wasn't like that all the time. I lived my life as well as I could, with all the passion and enthusiasm I could muster. But. It was just until something better came along.
I stretch out on the guest room bed. Myths and Legends lies on the bedside table, open to the page were the legend of Humanity's Exile begins. I've read and reread it several times. Now it's too dark to read, but not too dark to think. Maybe the reason Ignus's spell plucked me up last night is because I was waiting for something better to come along. Maybe a second chance in this brightly colored land of magic was reserved for those who would seize it for an opportunity to start anew and better themselves, rather than morn what they lost.
Fluttershy's voice interrupts my train of thought. "Dinner!" She enters the room with a plate of salad balanced on her back (apparently Pinkie Pie is the only pony in town who can pull off balancing things on her head). She's carrying a candle in her mouth, and she sets it carefully on the bedside table as I close the book to make room for it. I also take the plate from her back. The salad is a mixture of lettuce and spinach, with chopped carrots, onions, and corn. A small cup of dressing and a hard-boiled egg lay on the side of the plate, and topping the confection are three strips of golden brown, breaded, fried tofu. Theres even a shiny metal fork already in there.
I was surprised when Fluttershy didn't question or judge my dietary choices. I am fully aware that as a meat-eater by choice and preference I may have trouble living in a community of herbivores. Fluttershy works with all kinds of animals, predator and prey alike, so while she is not completely comfortable with my choice of food she also doesn't hold it against me. I also didn't pressure her when she expressed discomfort at the thought of cooking up one of her beloved chickens. So we compromised.
"Fluttershy, you're a saint. Thank you for cooking this for me." I am being completely honest. She is probably the kindest person I ever met, four legs or two. If she were human I would propose to her right here and now, if I weren't still holding a torch for Karol.
It's only been one day. Hope burns eternal as they say.
"You're welcome. I'll be right back with some water for you."
"thnk u" I mumble through a mouthful of salad and tofu as she leaves the room. I eat a couple more bites before taking a break to digest. I breath slowly and evenly, a habit from back when my aunt gave me a few yoga lessons. In, out. In, out.
I notice the candle flame wavering next to me. The sight sets my brain clicking. Fluttershy comes back with my water and I thank her absent-mindedly, barely noticing her leave.
Myths and Legends' description of Humanity learning their magic way back when had reminded me of one of my favorite cartoons. Yes I still watch cartoons, or still did. David used to tease me mercilessly about it, but that doesn't matter now. The name of this particular series was Avatar: the Last Airbender. Like the ancient humans of this world, the characters of that series could manipulate the four elements, but through a spiritual discipline called 'bending' rather than magic.
I have a silly idea, but what the hell. I have no idea if I even have the ability to use magic in the first place. The technique shouldn't matter so much as the belief that it will work, this is magic after all. So I let my memories of the show guide me, to teach me the ways of firebending.
Power in firebending comes from the breath, the rotund old man recites in my mind. I continue to breath. In, out. Breath becomes energy. When we firebend, we redirect the energy in our bodies, through our limbs, I place my forefinger on the candle, underneath the flame, where it becomes fire.
I focus my mind and exhale.
The candle flame shoots up, scorching the ceiling. I yelp and withdraw my finger from the candle, and the flame snuffs out. I lean back against the wall, trying to chase the panic from my system. Then I smile.
I'm a Firebender.
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Author's note: Well, this story arc is getting a bit bigger than I thought. But I managed to fit our protagonist's first bending into it. I made up Patrick's last name on the spot, so don't worry if it actually means something.
Also, a cameo from Iroh of the Fire Nation! One of my all-time favorite characters! yay~!
Keep an eye out for part Three, the exciting conclusion to the Return of Humanity arc! Coming Soon!

Uncle Iroh says: You must support the author to keep this fic alive! Remember to rate and comment to tell the author what you think of his story. You will thank yourself in the future.