//------------------------------// // 3 - Friendship Is Magic // Story: Ponies on Ponies // by Ravenmane //------------------------------// It felt like I was asleep only for an instant before being nudged by Applejack. “C’mon Alex, it’s getting on noon and you should be wakin’ up.” I responded by just turning over in my sleep. “It’s all a dream,” I muttered. “Now look here, Ah didn’t want to do this sugar, but Ah’m gonna have ta.” She turned around on the spot and moved calmly to the door. “Okay Pink, you give it a shot.” I bolted awake the instant I felt something very wet on my ear. Something wet being Pinkie’s tongue. Now wide-awake, I could see the clock showing eleven twenty four. “I swear on a baker’s dozen of jumbo triple chocolate cupcakes that I’m awake now Pinkie!” Pinkie seemed to take this more serious than I expected, she even saluted. I got the Evil Eye from her a second later, as if she thought I wasn’t serious. Truth is I would take something like baked goods seriously with the pink mare. As far as I could guess in addition to working at Sugarcube Corner, she lived either nearby or in a guest room. However, with her job done Pinkie Pie vanished back to some unknown part of the house. As I sat up, I saw Applejack staring at me. “This is no dream right?” I stretched a little and did my best to maintain eye contact. I made a mental note to have a fit later on, probably excuse myself to dive and get some fresh air and find a quiet place out in the middle of nowhere to get it out of my system. “No it ain’t,” replied Applejack plainly. “Is everyone awake already?” “Spike’s still sound asleep,” she answered with a grin. She pointed a hoof to the top bunk. Sure enough, his snoring verified that. “In your honest opinion, does that count often?” “Ah’ve only seen him up in the mornin’ when he’s running errands for Twilight.” I got up and made for the doorway. “Okay, I’ll take a shower and change my clothes. Then we can all talk. Where is everypony?” “How in the hay do you think Ah know?” A scowl was growing on the farmer’s face. “You care a lot about your friends right Applejack?” My question was followed quickly by a yawn and turning on the bathroom light switch. “Well, yeah but not enough to busy myself with their whereabouts.” I furrowed my brow and put on my best thinking face. “Let’s see, I’m willing to wager Twilight’s in the study. Rainbow’s outside flying, hopefully out of the sight of my neighbors. Rarity’s probably making sure she looks perfect in front of a mirror. I’m not sure about Fluttershy, but my guess is she’s interested in the local wildlife. To be blunt it consists of a few squirrels, a rabbit burrow in the back yard, some chipmunks, and a few birds. Pinkie is a little too unpredictable for me to take an accurate guess, but she might be pretty well adjusted to everything.” The wheels were turning in Applejack’s head as she tried to piece it all together. “Now how do you figure all of that?” “All shall be clear after I’ve gotten dressed. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’d like to take my shower now.” I closed the door and calmly went to take a quick shower. I don’t want to be a bad host, I thought as the warming water blasted on my head, I’ll just have to excuse myself so I can vent. ***** After getting dressed, I went looking for everyone. Sure enough, I found Twilight in the study and looked out the window. I looked out along the yard and saw a yellow pegasus talking to some birds. I turned to look at Twilight with a content smile. “How about we assemble everyone in the living room? I can try to answer some questions then.” Twilight finally looked up at me from reading A Study in Scarlet. “Everypony’s been waiting to hear that.” “Enjoying the detective stories?” Twilight nodded, “I’m enjoying this book.” “Sherlock Holmes, my father’s favorite stories were Sir Arthur’s. I’m more of a LeBlanc fan though.” I calmly moved over to the bookshelf and pulled a copy of The Eight Strokes of the Clock out. I also stared a little at the first edition nearby in a locked glass display. “He loved the detective while I favored the thief.” “Not on good literary terms with him then?” “Oh yes, an unusual sort of enemies were Holmes and Lupin, especially with Sir Arthur and LeBlanc using the crudest form of adding the other’s character into their story.” I smiled and passed Twilight the book. “Let’s read a little after this okay?” “Yes, it’s just a lot to take in. I’m not in the library, not in Ponyville, not even in Equestria,” she turned up at me with a worried look. “How are you taking this so well?” “I was always told to be a good host and keep a level head.” Twilight gave me a skeptical look. “It isn’t as easy as it looks. I’m still freaking out, I want to stay hospitable so I’m trying to avoid showing it. Is this how you’re coping with it?” Twilight nodded. “It helps, but I guess we’ll all have to get used to it while I try to figure out how to get us home. Will you need some time alone to just let it all out?” “I’d like that a lot.” I sat down next to her and wrapped an arm around her neck nervously. I wasn’t sure how close I could get without endangering her personal space but I wasn’t sure at all. “We can figure this out. I’ll do everything I can to help you Twilight.” She smiled calmly. “Thank you Alex but could you remember to give a pony some space?” I recoiled a little from her. “Sorry, I just- I mean, I don’t just know how to act around another species. It’s really hard to get very reasonable cues. I mean-” “I know, just I’d like a little space and I think everypony will want some as well.” I nodded. “I got it. Now, is Pinkie adjusting well Twilight?” “Better than nearly anypony but I think it’s because she already knew about your world.” “Who's adjusting better," I asked as curiosity came to the forefront of my mind. After all, somebody was adjusting better than Pinkie, who seemed to have some degree of knowledge about our world. “Rainbow Dash, she said being friends with you would be awesome.” She sighed. “I think that would be nice but it’s just…” “Yeah, you’re here and I’m trying to keep you all safe so it’s just sort of a necessity. Right now, we'll need everyone together so I can explain some things so let's get going.” “Sounds like a good idea. I’ve been wracking my brain about that while I was reading.” ***** Twilight and I got up and headed downstairs, I had chosen to grab binoculars and scarf from my room before heading downstairs. Pinkie was in the living room already, staring at the currently off television. “Know how it works Pinkie,” a fair question considering who I was talking to. “Yep,” she replied cheerfully. “Dashie saw the weather report and wanted to try and make sure it happened on time.” That was something I was sure would happen after discovering a weather report. For Rainbow, that would take some getting used to. “Fluttershy’s in the backyard, but where’d Applejack go?” “She went out to look around the house dear,” said Rarity from behind me, her perfectly styled mane was brushing against my hand as she passed and took a seat near Pinkie. “Twilight,” I turned to the purple unicorn, “could you please try to wake up Spike?” “And what if he doesn’t want to Alex?” Twilight’s curious look met my grin. “Can you bring him down with magic if that’s the case? I’d like everyone to be here so we don’t have to explain it a few times.” After she nodded, I went for the front door; time to get the outdoor ponies. After grabbing a jacket and adjusted my scarf I went outside, it was a little chilly today and the last thing I wanted was Fluttershy insisting I stay in bed until I got better. ***** To my neighbors I was just the eccentric who lived in the ‘old house on the hill,’ but it didn’t stop me from going down into town from time to time. I wouldn’t exactly call it a town though, but you live far enough from the center of a city and you just start calling it one. Gazing up through binoculars, I looked around for the cyan pegasus trying to keep today sunny. It was rather hard finding her against a nearly clear sky but I found her clearing a cloud eventually, after all, clouds don’t simply vanish in an instant on Earth. Well, unless I missed the memo that we could manipulate the weather so quickly. I didn’t right? I knew I wasn’t going to get her attention without help so I went into the backyard. I found Applejack relaxing under an old oak tree and Fluttershy talking to the rabbits. It was weird seeing ponies adjusting, but what was weirder was knowing they’d startle within an hour’s time. Like many bronies before me, I had read My Little Dashie, among other stories. What I learned from it was that it is best to get Friendship is Magic out in the open quickly lest I get a thrashing from at least some of them. Twilight was involved, so I had to move as fast as I could to reveal that kind of thing before it got too uncomfortable. As I got close to Fluttershy, the rabbits scurried off to their burrow. “Oh, please don’t go,” Fluttershy called as the rabbits went off. “I’m sorry for scaring them but it’s time Fluttershy,” I said calmly. She let out an adorable squeal at the sound of my voice but turned around and nodded. “Could you please get Rainbow for us? I’d rather not have to repeat everything.” “Okay, but it’ll be hard getting her away from clearing the sky.” She was so cute when she looked flustered. “I think if you tell her I said it’s really important then she’ll listen.” After nodding, Fluttershy flew off to try to convince Rainbow to stop clearing the sky. My job now rested in getting Applejack to stop enjoying the sunny day. I was envious of Fluttershy’s task the instant I thought about it. “So, you’re gonna explain some things to us sugar?” Applejack’s question was out of her mouth the second my shadow got close to her. “Yeah, it’ll be short if nopony has many questions. I doubt it, but I’ve been surprised enough times to know I can be seriously wrong.” Applejack calmly got up and adjusted her hat. “Well, Ah can hope it’s quick.” “Like the shade under the tree a lot?” “Helps, but Ah want to get back and help around the farm.” “I know, and I’m sure Twilight and I would like all the help we can get. In the meantime I’d like to be everyone’s friend, that alright?” “You cold Alex,” she asked as we walked back towards the house. “Ah only ask cause you’ve got a scarf an a jacket.” “Well, it might be easier if I had a nice coat like you girls. I’d also like to explain without Fluttershy forcing me to stay in bed because I caught a cold or something.” ***** Everyone was watching me hook everything up in silence while we waited for Fluttershy to bring back Rainbow Dash. I think we’ll need to work the weather pony reflexes out of her for a little while. Anyways, it was a routine connection, done it thousands of times, but after what happened I did everything precisely. Rainbow’s objecting voice could be heard soon enough. “The box said clear and sunny today,” The property wasn’t exactly big, but most people ignored a fair share of noise. Granted, the property encompassing wall and single ominous gate helped a fair deal in that department. “Because Alex asked nicely Rainbow, so please come inside,” Fluttershy pleaded. I noticed every set of eyes on me as I facepalmed. At least Fluttershy was trying, and that was all I could ask for. To be perfectly honest, I’m just happy it didn’t take anywhere close to as long as it could’ve. “I should teach Rainbow the difference between the weather here and the weather in Equestria right?” Five heads nodded in response. “I’m just not sure how bad she’ll take it.” As the pair came into the living room, Rainbow darted towards me, flying up so she could stare at me, eye to eye. “It’s supposed to be clear and sunny today, why did you want me to stop doing my job?” Rainbow was so rattled that I couldn’t tell if she was mad or worried. “Rainbow Dash please relax,” I tried to sound as reassuring as I did the prior night. “Weather on Earth doesn’t need to be tended to, humans are often wrong about the weather. Besides, I thought you wanted to see how we, humans that is, see into your world.” Rainbow nodded vacantly, words failing her completely. In our world she was jobless and there were no Wonderbolts, the walls were coming down completely now. After getting out of my face, she sat down and just cried into my shoulder. “My life is over! How will I get noticed by anypony if I’m here?” “Rainbow we-” I had started but she was quick to interrupt me. “This is so not cool!” I turned to face her and wrapped her in a tight hug. “Rainbow!” With a sniffle, she looked up to me. “We’re going to try to get you home as soon as possible so don’t worry so much. I promise.” She sniffled again and nodded. She went to pieces so fast it scared me, but at least she was recovering just as quickly. Unfortunately, her recovery also scared me. I glanced to Pinkie. “I Pinkie promise.” I stuck my hand out and went through the motions as I spoke, “cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my ey- ouch.” How can I do that with fingers and not hurt myself, I wondered in pause before saying “eye” so she knew I meant to finish what I started. “Okey dokey lokie,” Pinkie said slowly. I can understand why she was hesitant as she glared at me. “You do know what happens when you break a Pinkie promise right?” “I’m in the worst trouble I could possibly be in and then some right?” I only received a stern look from her, but I knew I was right. “You never, ever break a Pinkie Promise,” I glanced at Applejack, “isn’t that right Applejack?” All eyes soon followed me as Applejack tried to hide her face behind her Stetson. I would do anything to get them home. I may miss them more than anything when they leave, but I knew they belonged in Equestria. None of them deserved to be locked up here with me for the rest of their lives. After Rainbow calmed down more and Pinkie stopped glaring at a very nervous Applejack, probably still waiting for her to confess, I clicked the mouse I left on the end table next to my seat. I thought just starting with the first two episodes would be enough for now. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting the giant dish eyes from Twilight during the intro song. There wasn’t any emotion there except perhaps confusion, she was becoming harder and harder to read with each passing second of the episode. It would be funny if I didn’t want her to pay attention. Pinkie was completely different, watching like she was already a rabid fan. I was overjoyed that it was Pinkie that turned Twilight’s head around so she would watch the episode instead of staring vacantly at me. ***** I was met with only one objection when I paused between the two episodes. Thankfully, Applejack was kind enough to pry Rainbow off my neck, the latter demanding I let it continue. “What do you all think,” I asked once I regained my ability to speak. “Oh!” In the blink of an eye, Pinkie’s hoof was in the air. “I figured out which screen you are! I can kinda see details, but I know which screen’s yours now. Except you don’t have golden eyes like you do on your screen, just those dull grey ones.” My quizzical look was shared by everyone at least so at least I didn’t feel like I was alone. I knew better than ask, this was Pinkie Pie after all. “Anyone else have something to say?” “That was rather short,” said Rainbow. “But it hits everything that happened that day Alex.” She was a little jittery, but far calmer than about a minute earlier when she was choking the life out of me. “Well, except for Pinkie sneakin’ us into the library before Twilight returned,” Applejack added calmly. She was still restraining Rainbow some, but was slowly relaxing her hold on the ever energetic pegasus. “And Twilight’s mane was far messier,” added Spike. He was so quiet until then that he could’ve faded into the background and snuck up on anybody he wanted. Because he drew attention to himself however, he stuck out like a sore thumb. “What, it was.” “Oh yes I have to agree Spike,” Rarity was quick to support her Spikie-wikie. “Why it took forever to fix her mane, but she insisted on leaving it in that bookish style.” “Yes, well, at least it hit all the important notes and introduced everypony for the audience.” Twilight didn’t want to continue the subject on her mane, instead she remained fascinated by the work of the show itself. “Everything’s a bit brighter than it actually is in Equestria but that aside I really want to see how they handled the conflict with Nightmare Moon.” At the very mention of Nightmare Moon, Fluttershy gave a yelp and hid her face behind a pillow. As soon as Fluttershy removed herself from behind the pillow, I clicked the mouse again and let it play part 2. Even Fluttershy was eager to see how everything played out, more so after the manticore scene. At the episode’s conclusion there was applause from the girls, and Spike of course. Twilight still looked like she was prepared to watch it over and over again so she could be as critical about it as can be. Instead, she asked an inevitable question. “Is there more?” I nodded. “Several episodes, we could be here a while if we watch all of it at once.” “When can we see more Alex?” I thought about it carefully. “How about we watch two a day until we catch up? I’m up for a marathon if we figure out how to get everyone in their proper world though. That sound fair everybody?” A slew of content nods answered me. If we get caught up and they're still here then it turns into one episode a week. I don’t think the more impatient ponies will take that transition well but what can you do? Before I had time to think of a better plan there was a buzzing noise that startled more than just Fluttershy. Someone was down at the gate. Was it really time already? I quickly looked to the clock, ten to five. I got up slowly, my legs felt like they were made of rubber. I slowly walked into the hall and pressed a button next to a speaker. “Yes, what can I do for you today?” “Hey Al,” I knew that voice in an instant. It was a very regular customer’s voice, Sparky. “Came for my drive, everything fine?” I restrained myself, it was only Sparky after all. He called nearly once a month, needing me to fix something for him. If he wasn’t so insistent to pay me my full rates I’d give him a discount. It was just the kind of guy Sparky was. “Yeah, I’ll buzz you in Sparky, everything’s all set for you.” I hit the button to open the gate. I looked into the living room and smiled, “it’s just one of my customers. He likes to call himself Sparky and he’ll just be here for a moment. I’d rather not shock him by letting everypony meet him. That would be a story I’d rather not have to explain to him.” Adding to that the fact that if it got out that I had ponies here my home would be a brony hotspot. I went to my computer and grabbed his new hard drive, the old one was virtually impossible to get anything off, I managed some of it, but it wasn’t easy. I wasn’t even sure anything I did would work until it just… did. I knew Sparky couldn’t keep a secret, even if he was the unintentional spark of my movement into the herd. I met him at the door and he paid me. “Try to keep this stuff down Sparky, you could buy a great computer if you weren’t always sinking money into making me fix your old one.” “And make you get bored Al?” He brushed some of his hair out of his face and grinned. “Not on your life. Hey, you have someone in there already? I mean I saw the drapes moving a bit over there. You know, like someone watching the driveway.” “Seeing things now Sparky?” I didn’t waver, trying my hand at the one acting class in college to pretend to have an inhumanly straight face. For the record, I nearly failed that class. “Nah man I guess not. I guess I’ll see you around Al.” “Yeah, just keep it down to once every two months or so. You need a replacement big time and paying me every month to stave off that clunker from hitting the scrap yard isn’t good for you.” He just waved at me before getting into his car and heading down the driveway. After closing the door, I gave a sigh of relief. If he really pushed it… oh, I’m really happy he didn’t. I just stood there in the hall for a while, trying to regain my composure. At least that was my intent until I noticed Pinkie Pie in front of me, making a rather silly face I’d rather not try to describe. As I fidgeted to hold back laughing, she had managed to plaster a big grin on my face, I could hear the sound of hooves coming toward me. Moreover, that was enough of a distraction for Pinkie to just tackle me and sit on my chest, waiting for me to surrender to my urge to laugh. I must have been quite the sight with a pink pony that looked like she got in a fight with a cotton candy machine, and lost, and Rainbow was the first to react by doubling over in laughter. Joining in her amusement was Spike and Twilight. Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy were trying to hold back laughter, each being met with varying levels of difficulty when Pinkie decided to imitate playing a trombone while waiting for me to break. When I actually heard the trombone, I couldn’t take it anymore and had to shove Pinkie off while I rolled onto my side, my own uncontrollable laughter joining everyone else’s echoing in the otherwise silent house. “Pony pile on Alex,” squealed Pinkie just before pouncing. So there it was I was laughing like a hyena while being smothered by six ponies and a baby dragon doing his best to pull me free while trying not to laugh. At least Spike was trying his hardest. After about ten minutes, both Spike and I gave up.