//------------------------------// // Prologue Chapter 4 (Last Edited: 3/17/2021) // Story: Regression: Isekai of Equestria // by JackofEquestria //------------------------------// June 5, 2020 Canterlot After several hours of travel by hot air balloon, Jack and the Mane Six reached Canterlot. Jack was impressed by the colorful medieval buildings overshadowed by a massive castle, the likes of which he had never seen. The next thing he noticed was a chariot pulled by pegasi heading toward them. The pegasi, along with the regular pony (or earth pony as he had been told they were called) they were pulling, were wearing Roman Centurion armor. The chariot was brought alongside the balloon, and the earth pony introduced himself as Captain Three Arrows. “Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia has requested you and your friends report your findings to her directly. I'm to escort you to the throne room," Three Arrows announced. “Thank you, Captain,” said Twilight. Three Arrows escorted the balloon to a field outside of the city. From there, the Mane Six and Jack were escorted through the streets. The ponies of Canterlot, who Jack noted were mostly unicorns, looked at him with cautious interest. He smiled and tried to act friendly, but if anything, the sight of his canines only seemed to make them even more warry. When they arrived at the castle, Jack's short legs were starting to ache. The castle was even more magnificent up close. It seemed to resemble something out of a Disney cartoon more than it did any real-life architectural style. The halls of the castle were no less impressive. Jack was particularly fond of the stained glass windows, one of which he noticed depicted the six ponies who brought him there. Finally, they arrived at the throne room. Upon entering, Jack saw a much larger pony than the rest that had both wings and a horn. “I wonder what that’s called. A unisus, a pegacorn?” he pondered. “Welcome, everypony," the large pony warmly greeted. "I hope the journey wasn't too much trouble," she continued giving Jack a quick glance. "It was no problem at all, Princess Celestia," Twilight replied as she and the other ponies bowed. "I'm glad to hear that," Princess Celestia replied. "I trust you've brought back valuable information." “Based on the evidence my friends and I have gathered, I believe the landmass may have been brought here from another dimension," explained Twilight Sparkle. “What makes you think that, Twilight?” Celestia questioned. “The landmass already had several ecosystems with diverse flora and fauna as well as many abandoned settlements. One such settlement I visited had a university with a library containing books about historical events not recorded in any Equestrian history book. The texts were about the history of a species known as humans,” explained Twilight. “Interesting.," Celestia said as she brought a hoof to her chin. "And these settlements. What can you tell me about them?” “When I was exploring, I found a huge military base. I think these humans may be a threat!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “Didn’t Twilight say the settlements were abandoned?” asked Celestia as she glanced at Jack. "That's right, princess, when we were exploring, we found no trace of the humans 'cept fer Jack over there," explained Applejack. "Ah did find some sheep and ponies, but none of 'em could talk. Ah know this will sound crazy, but it was almost like they were animals." “I see. So other than the young one you have brought with you, there wasn't any trace of the inhabitants then?" asked Celestia. “There were clothes scattered along the ground," said Rarity. "Almost as of the ones wearing them vanished into thin air," added Pinkie. “What about the human you brought back? Do you think he could be a threat?” asked Celestia. "N-no princess, I don't think he would ever harm anypony," said Fluttershy. “SPEAK FOR YOURSELF! HE’S THE REASON I CAN’T USE MY WING!” Rainbow Dash shouted angrily. “Is this true?” Celestia asked. "Y-yes, but…" Fluttershy said before Celestia cut her off. "Why don't we let him explain," Celestia said giving Jack an intense stare. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself?” "She attacked me first, and I fought back," Jack stated. “He’s tellin' the truth, Princess," added Applejack. Being the Element of Honesty, Applejack's word was enough to convince Celestia. However, she still needed to know a bit more about Jack before deciding what to do with him. "Thank you, Applejack," Celestia said as she attempted to look Jack in the eye. "Tell me everything about how you got here, Jack." As Celestia's eyes met his, Jack violently jerked his head away from her gaze. Celestia raised a brow at this but chose not to pry. Avoiding eye contact like the plague, he told her the full story from his driving through the portal to his arrival in Canterlot. After hearing his story, Celestia spent a few minutes thinking about what to do. When she finally came to a decision, she asked Jack to come closer. "Although you are 21 mentally, you are biologically 7. As such, I will assign you a guardian, and they will enroll you in school. This will help you learn our way of life and integrate into our society," explained Celestia. "The fuck?!" Jack asked. "I can't stay here! I have a family and friends. I still have a year left before graduation! You can't just treat me like a lost kid!" "I understand your frustration, and I will do everything within my power to find you a way home," Celestia explained warmly. "However, in the meantime, you will have to obey our laws and customs, which means you will need to do as I ask." "That's bullshit!" Jack shouted. It was only at that point that it struck Jack just how much larger than him Celestia was. Slowly but surely, his courage faded. "But um, if it gets me out of here faster, I guess I can deal with it," he sighed. "Wonderful, that just leaves the question of whose care you should be placed under," said Celestia. Twilight Sparkle stepped forward. "I've raised Spike since he hatched, plus having Jack at the library with me would be an excellent way for me to learn everything I can about humans." “No way! He could still be dangerous! I’d do a 20% better job at keeping an eye on him than anypony else," asserted Rainbow Dash. “Uh, Rainbow Dash, yer house is made of clouds. How do ya 'spect to keep an eye on him if he can’ even stay at yer house?” asked Applejack. “Ah’ve raised Apple Bloom ever since our ma disappeared. There’s plenty of room at Sweet Apple Acres, and we could always use another farmhoof.” "Applejack, you can't be serious. He needs to learn proper manners, something you wouldn't know the first thing about," said Rarity. “Jus' 'cause Ah don't act and talk all fancy the way you do, don't mean Ah have bad manners, Rarity. Besides, ya don't have any experience with foals." “I take care of Sweetie Bell all the time. I doubt this will be any harder,” Rarity countered "Maybe I should take him in," said Pinkie. “NO!” the rest of the Mane Six apart from Fluttershy shouted at once As the argument continued, Fluttershy decided to get a word in. “Umm…” “What he needs is to learn the value of hard work," Applejack said. “Manners are far more important for somepony his age to learn," Rarity argued. “Did they forget that I’m actually an adult?” Jack wondered as he crossed his arms and scowled. “I think…” Fluttershy continued “HE’S DANGEROUS!” shouted Rainbow Dash, cutting Fluttershy off. “Maybe…” Fluttershy started. "He should be studied," said Twilight. “LISTEN TO ME!” Fluttershy finally shouted. The argument immediately ground to a halt as all eyes locked onto Fluttershy. “I’ve taken care of primates in the past. They have very different dietary and health needs than ponies. I know you all mean well, but I don’t think you know what you’d be getting into. If anypony should take care of Jack, it should be me," she said before quietly adding, "If it's alright with you." Seeing an opportunity to intervene without resorting to her Royal Caterlot Voice, Celestia made her opinion known.“I think it’d be best if Fluttershy were to take Jack in for the time being. I also think it would be best his true age and origin be kept between the ponies in this room for now." "As you wish, Princess," Twilight agreed. "Will that be all?” “I’d like to speak with Jack alone before you take him back to Ponyville," Celestia said. Twilight and her friends exited the throne room. Once they were alone, Celestia's warm smile converted to a tight glare, “You’re not the first of your kind to come to Equestria.” His interest peaked, Jack's eyes locked onto Celestia's. “There are others? Where are they now?” "I thought that might get your attention," Celestia responded. "Is there a reason you were going through such lengths to avoid eye contact?" Celestia's gaze had the intensity of a solar flare. Intimidated, Jack turned his eyes elsewhere. "Well?" Celestia asked impatiently. "I-I just don't feel comfortable making eye contact for more than a few seconds," Jack answered. "As a child, I always had trouble looking people in the eye. I thought I had gotten over it when I was in Middle School, but I guess it came back when my body regressed." A lone tear fell from his right eye. "You... said there were other humans here, right? Where are they?" Celestia's glare softened. "There's no need for tears, young human. I apologize if my demeanor has caused you any discomfort." Letting out a long sigh, she answered Jack's question. "I'm sorry to say this, but you seem to have misunderstood me. If you're hoping you might find your friends and family here, you'll be disappointed. It's been many years since humans last set foot in Equestria, almost 363." A glimmer of hope flickered into Jack's mind. "Then there is a way for me to go back, right?" he asked. "I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that," Celestia answered. "The humans that came before you lived the rest of their lives here in Equestria. I'll do my best to find you a way home, but admittedly I'm not yet sure of how to do that." “Then why bother telling me this?” Jack asked bitterly. “Because in the millennia I've been alive, I've learned to be very wary of your kind. Some were kind and helped Equestria prosper, but others were violent and proved to be dangerous enemies," Celestia explained. Rising from her throne, she purposefully walked to where Jack stood. "Tell me, Jack, what manner of magic do you use?" “Magic?” Jack repeated. He was already well aware that magic existed in this world, but surely Celestia didn't think he could do it. "Yes, magic, the humans who have come here in the past were all quite adept at it," Celestia explained. "Is magical ability not common among your people?" "No, in my world, magic is nothing more than fiction." "That can't be right, Celestia thought. With a glow of sparkling light from her horn, she took a peek into Jack's soul. “He isn’t lying. He clearly has no magic to speak of. However, there is a potential for magic within him greater than anypony I’ve tested apart from Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer. There's something else here, too. It's almost as if there are two entities sharing a single body. A second personality, perhaps? No, this is something else." She would have liked to investigate further, but she knew that further prying could cause damage. As the glow of her horn faded, she gave Jack a nod. "Very well, Jack. You may leave. However, I'd like you to keep this discussion between the two of us." "What did you talk with the Princess about?" asked Twilight as Jack entered the hall. "Nothing important," Jack lied. "Just some ground rules for living here." With that, Jack and the ponies made their way back to the balloon and set course for Ponyville.