//------------------------------//
// III: Cultural Exchange 
// Story: Malta Mayday 
// by WainbowHedgie 
//------------------------------//

Princess Twilight

We've sat in silence most of this flight. I suppose there really isn't much to talk about in truth. He's stuck in a new world where he is the odd one out for the most part coming from a clearly more technologically advanced society and there may be no way back. The only time I have ever experienced that in some form or another was crossing through the mirror to the alternate world. 

"Princess Twilight?"

"Please, in private just call me Twilight."

"Twilight, tell me about this place and I can tell you about my home. A cultural exchange if you will?"

"I certainly can. Equestria was founded roughly 4000 years ago as a unification between the tribes, Unicorns, Earth Ponies and Pegasi. Before this unification there was quite a bit of fighting which encouraged Windigos to feed from this division causing a horrific winter. It was only when the Windigos followed the settlers to the new land that they realised the cause. From there all parties agreed to work together, solving the Windigo issue. Afterwards, the old leaders worked together for some time and at that point a group of the most powerful Unicorns in the land banded together to raise the sun and lower the moon each day." James seems to snigger at that. "What's wrong?"

"You don't actually believe that a bunch of you raised the sun do you? Does your species not actually know about orbital mechanics to any extent?"

"Celestia had raised the sun and moon for over 1000 years during a certain event that I will get to in a few minutes."

"Simply put, I don't believe you and I'll explain why after your done talking."

"Fine." I continued "Celestia and Luna at that time were just Unicorn travellers who helped as many ponies as they could and guiding leaders in towns to make better choices to help the populace. Their efforts were noticed however and when a crisis broke out, a food shortage, their natural ability to manage those around them and give the right advice while maintaining a calm appearence landed them in the spotlight. It was at this point that the previous methods for raising and lowering the sun and moon were becoming noticeably weaker and under threat of failing. The Sisters rose up to the task and managed to complete the daily cycle by themselves whcih rewarded them with ascension to alicorn status and their cutie marks."

"Throughout the next 3000 years the sisters managed Equestria and fought a great deal of foes. The main villains being Discord, the Spirit of Chaos, Sombra, the Crystal Tyrant and Tirek. Discord was all about fun and games, messing with the laws of physics and ruining life on Equus. The sisters found and used the Elements of Harmony to deal with him. Tirek was out to steal all magic from the pitifully weak Ponies. The Sisters in combination with his Brother brought him down and trapped him in Tartarus. Sombra however was different. The Elements were used to trap him but his influence was not fully disposed of. He brought the Crystal Empire down with him during his banishment but left Luna a small present in the form of Dark Magic. This little surprise slowly corrupted Luna until she turned into Nightmare Moon. Celestia banished her to the Moon for 1000 years using the Elements."

"I come into the story with my friends in recent years. I'll put it simply. Nightmare Moon returned and we turned her back to Luna. Discord returned, we petrified him again and have since reformed him. Canterlot, our Capitol, was invaded by Changelings, we dealt with them and reformed them later. The Crystal Empire returned with Sombra, we dealt with it and now my Sister-in-Law is in charge. Tirek returned and almost won but we sent him back to Tartarus. As a direct result of our actions this era has been nicknamed the Twilight Era."

"Sounds like you were busy Twilight."

"Yes we certainly were but I think that crash course will help you out."

"Well I can't give you every detail about my world but here goes nothing. We never had a single nation in truth. Land was always passed back and fourth between a whole multitude of empires over the past few millennia. Throughout most of our history we have been at war based on many grounds. Many were about religion and beliefs or some massive inferiority complex..." He carried on to explain the many vast empires of his world. I found it absolutely fascinating that so many languages and nations existed and continue to exist. There were also many atrocities committed by many nations too. He explained the slave trade, religions, major wars that lead to millions of civilian deaths. I couldn't believe what I was hearing when James told me about Hitler and the Third Reich. Sending millions to death for a certain belief was insane and completely irrational. He also explained the horror stories from the other end of the spectrum that is politics in his world with the USSR which also killed millions over it's lifetime and is also a war waiting to happen.

"As you can see, my world is certainly not a nice place. It still sin't. Things are improving however and if any sort of link can be potentially established, you could teach my world some lessons of peace."

"I just can't understand why your people would commit such horrific acts and yet make and do some extraordinary things that we could only dream of ever doing here."

"I couldn't even answer that myself. My only guess is desperation during unfortunate times. People all have different views on issues but often never talk about it with thosr they know that have an opposing view. People should stick with their morals on issues but also listen to others. Echo chambers are the worst thing to ever happen to anyone and often lead to hyper-radicalisation of that person."

We didn't really have much to talk about after that, we were arriving in Canterlot shortly anyway. James is right though about many things. Our Dark Ages after all did have some similar outcomes due to echo chambers, as James put it. If we can make some kind of link to Earth then we certainly need to be wary with politics, technology and social norms.

I just hope I don't disapoint him.





Fg Off. James Burkley

This landscape. It all feels like the greenery of England. Maybe the rolling hills of the Midlands? 

I shouldn't think about that now.

...

Fuck it. I miss home and flying over this land certainly doesn't help. Oh lord why? What on Earth are my parents going to recieve through a telegraph or maybe a visit from a fellow pilot? What are they goping to do with all my comics? What about my records? Shit. I just bought a brand new single from some new band, I think it was called '7 Inches of Satanic Panic' but I had also bought som new stuff from the Eagles and the Beatles. Not that my parents liked that single either. I miss that homely feel of stepping out the door, talking to neighbors that I know I will probably never see again.

Maybe I have a chance. If Twilight is right and can work out how to operate the portal for a gateway back. Maybe I do have a chance at seeing my family again after these few months away. Maybe.

Oh my lord what is that?

It's a city on the summit of a mountain! You damn ponies are insane. I suppose the answer to the factor of safety here is magic because physics would say goodbye to this city very quickly otherwise.

As we approach the city I can really see what appears to be Spanish infulences with whites and golds as the main colours of the buildings in the city itself. The city feels warm yet clean as a result, much better than most cities around the UK which are often filled with litter among other things. I really hope that the ponies are much better at looking after their property and those around them. 

We come in to land outside what I would call a palace. Guards stand to attention and salute. It all looks very medieval or middle ages relative to home but I can adapt to that. We hop off and enter the palace into what appears to be the main throne room where the guards decided to stop tailing us and close the large double doors behind us.

"You strike me as more of a humble ruler than a pompous one."

"This was inherited from the Sisters. I haven't changed much here either in truth, just a new throne and moved some of the decor slightly." She looks over to what I can only assume is some sort of assistant. "Raven, could you assign our guest a room, oh and bring some paper and quills please?"

Raven nods and walks off with her clipboard. Twilight turned to me. "Now that I know a bit about your world and you know some of mine, I think it's time we discussed your situation here while research into that portal is underway. For now you will have residence in the Castle and that offer will remain for the duration of your stay however long that may be. The Castle does offer food of all kinds due to diplomats from other nations having many different diets so we can accommodate yours as best as we can. I wish to set out what I want you to do however. I need you to ideally start integrating into our society with aid from me and a few individuals i know will do the job nicely whom you will meet in due time. By integration I mean talking to the populace, making friends and ultimately getting some form of job, I can offer the latter if you fit into such positions but I do feel as though your knowledge and time would be better spent around the Wonderbolts Academy. Does that make sense?"

"It certainly does to me, basically adapt to the locals, make some friends, get work and settle into society. I suppose this is in the event that I can't go back?"

"You hit the nail on the head there. As I previously stated, there is no garuntee you will make it back, not only that, you may find yourself wanting to stay here and in the event of that, as long as you have integrated I would be more than happy to grant you citizenship status in Equestria."

"Thank you for making this so much easier than it would be back home in a similar situation. Now, I didn't explain orbital mechanics did I?"

"No, which is why I asked for Raven to retrieve some paper. I want to make notes and I'm sure drawing could help you explain." Raven then walks in with impeccable timing.

"I have a guest suite being prepared and here is the paper you asked for along with a set of quills."

"Thank you Raven, report to me if anything comes up, otherwise we will be having a discussion here."

She silently nods and walks off once again.

"So it all starts like this..."