//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Finding Yourself In Another World // by Jest //------------------------------// As Tom walked the still muddy path that could only generously be called a road, he pondered his plan again. Magic was real, apparently, and it didn't seem like the kind of magic that the ancient peoples of earth believed in. No miracles, wild rumors, mysticism, or religious connotations, only real literal magic. It was a bit hard to believe, but if even the people of this podunk village in the middle of nowhere knew of it then it had to be real. Even with all that logic, Tom still felt like his assumption was reaching a bit, but he decided to ignore that thought. Once he found this pony he could ask her about magic, and demand to see some. This would prove once and for all if the next stage of his plan was even possible. Making a portal back home, or at least changing his sex back to the one he was used to. That second one was much more minor than getting home, but that opened up a whole different can of worms. Would his griffon body go back to Earth? How would that even work? “Focus,” Tom muttered to himself, giving his head a little shake. “We’ve got bigger concerns.” Putting all his attention on the road ahead, Tom kept his eyes and ears open for trouble. Wolves were one problem he did not want to have to worry about again, especially not while his wound had still not quite healed. Thankfully the forest was relatively quiet, with the only noise being distant bird calls or the sound of bugs whizzing around. Occasionally some scittering could be heard, but in the end, it always turned out to be a squirrel or other small animal. It was a relaxing atmosphere, and despite all the concerns heaped upon Tom’s head, he couldn't help but walk a little slower. The experience of striding through untouched wilderness, and beholding the virgin beauty of nature was not one he had ever experienced. He imagined that it was a pleasure fewer and fewer humans experienced with each passing year. Here though, there seemed new land aplenty, as well as more adventure than Tom appreciated in his life. Thankfully the only trouble he had now was walking down a muddy road without shoes. It wasn't too bad, as it was mostly dry, and his new limbs were tougher than his old human ones. Allowing him to quickly maneuver the less than optimal terrain, traveling up and down the many small hills that dotted the landscape. As he began to crest a particularly large rise, he could hear someone in the distance, someone who sounded like they were cursing. “Horsefeathers. Bucking horse feathers,” muttered a feminine voice. Walking a little faster, Tom quickly reached the top of the hill and looked down to find a curious sight waiting for him. There on the road was a teal unicorn strapped into a wagon which itself was turned at a slight angle. Its wheels were buried deep in the mud, and despite the magician’s frantic pulling, the mobile house was going nowhere. The wagon was itself fairly plain, having been painted a dull brown, and having little to no extra features to speak of. A door could be seen behind the pony attempting to pull it, and upon each side was a small window barely big enough to crawl out of. Unlike the pony pulling it, the quaint little house on wheels was rather drab, and colorless. Before Tom approached, he inspected the pony a little closer, immediately recognizing her from the poster. Though she didn't wear the hat or cape like she did on the flyer, the resemblance was undeniable. She had the same shade of light blue fur, pale almost white mane and tail as well as a pair of soft purple eyes. The mare, as Tom remembered a female horse was called, also had a strange tattoo on her flank. He also recalled Gretchen mentioning something about cutie marks and how they symbolized a pony’s special talent. Though the hyperactive child hadn't exactly been clear on how they came about, or what they all meant. Trixie’s was fairly easy to figure out though, given that it was a wand, and what looked like magic. Given it was a rather childish impression of magic, akin to what you might have seen in a Disney movie but it was magic nonetheless. The direction of Tom’s gaze also elicited an odd feeling down in his chest, a sort of heat that left him feeling strange. “Don't just stand there staring at my butt. Help me!” Barked the unicorn. Tom jumped, the man having completely lost himself in his inspection. “R-right. Sorry!” “Huh that doesn't usually work,” Trixie remarked. “Get behind and when the great and powerful Trixie yells go, start pushing!” “Got it!” Tom yelled back. The griffon jogged to the back of the wagon and braced his claws against the backside of the aged wood. Tom wasn't sure how strong this body was, but it couldn't have been that significant given that it was apparently only a few days old. He got to test that assumption when Trixie shouted go from the front of the wagon, startling him into pushing. His back limbs strained against the mud, digging deep into the churned earth and struggling to find purchase. For several seconds nothing happened, and Tom began to wonder if his efforts were in vain. A sudden lurch dashed those thoughts, forcing the human-turned griffon to stumble forward in an effort to keep up the pressure. The wagon righted itself back onto the path, and soon they had managed to ascend the top of the hill. “Stop!” shouted Trixie. “For the love of the sun, stop!” Tom immediately did as he was told, releasing his grip on the wagon, and trotting back around the front. Where a winded, but grinning Trixie waited for him, a wide smile on her teal face. “You have proved a more valuable assistant than the great and powerful Trixie thought you would,” Trixie declared. “It seems as though once more Trixie is humbled by your people’s earth pony-like strength.” “Uh, thanks?” Tom muttered, scratching his head. “Trixie supposes that this is the part where you demand payment,” Trixie sighed. “Very well. Trixie is willing to part with three, count them, three tickets to my show.” With a flourish, Trixie reached out of sight and produced three bright teal slips of paper. The things looked like they were straight out of an old-timey movie, and sported fancy gold trim. “Woah, okay,” Tom exclaimed. “Very well, Trixie will sweeten the- what did you say?” Trixie muttered in shock. “I said okay. What were you saying? Something about sweetening the deal?” Tom asked. Trixie laughed. “No, no. Trixie was merely considering sweetening my… tea!” “Err okay,” Tom muttered, accepting the tickets. “So can you really do magic?” “Of course! I am the great and powerful Trixie after all!” Trixie exclaimed, striking a pose, and causing a flurry of sparklers to shoot out from behind her. “Those just look like fireworks,” Tom pointed out. Trixie rolled her eyes. “Of course they resemble fireworks, that is the point.” “So they aren't fireworks?” Tom asked. Trixie groaned in irritation, the mare lighting her horn, and causing a streak of purple to shoot from the tip. It flew high into the air before exploding with a bang and raining down multi-hued sparklers in a circle. “Does that answer your question?” Trixie demanded. “Totally,” Tom muttered in awe. Trixie smirked. “It is good to see that at least some griffons appreciate magic. Here Trixie thought your kind would be marveled by something you cannot replicate but this trip has mostly been a bust.” “I’m not exactly from around here,” Tom admitted. “Oh? Where are you from?” Trixie waved a hoof. “Nevermind, Trixie doesn't care.” Tom shrugged. “That's fine. I don't even know the answer anyway.” Trixie raised an eyebrow. “You don't know?” “I have amnesia,” Tom replied, tapping the side of his head. “I can't remember anything from more than a few days ago.” “And no one around here has been a help?” Trixie pressed. “Nope,” Tom replied. “The doctor doesn't know much about head injuries, and apparently the closest expert is twenty miles from here.” “That's not far,” Trixie reasoned. “I also don't know how to fly,” Tom declared. “Nevermind then,” Trixie muttered. “You have piqued Trixie’s curiosity, and she wishes to know what you plan on doing from here?” “I was hoping that you might be able to help me,” Tom admitted, tapping his claws together. “I had hoped that someone as powerful as you might be able to help me get back home, or failing that help me with something… else.” Trixie laughed aloud and struck another pose. “Your faith in the great and powerful Trixie is endearing, but alas my skill lies in other areas. Restoration magic is one school Trixie has yet to master.” “Oh,” Tom muttered. “But what about this other thing you mentioned? It is not… illicit is it?” Trixie inquired, leaning in close. Tom raised his claws defensively and shook his head. “No, I mean I don't think so. Is gender-swapping magic illegal or something?” Trixie seemed ready to launch into another grandstanding statement, only to deflate at the last second. “Why would you want to go and do something like that?” Trixie inquired, her voice carrying none of the passion it had a second ago. “Well I uh don't know much but I do know that this feels wrong,” Tom remarked, gesturing to himself slightly halfheartedly. “Changing one’s sex is not an easy procedure, nor is it a cheap one,” Trixie explained. “But can you do it?” Tom pressed. Trixie shook her head. “Such alterations are best left in the hooves of experts who have dedicated their lives to that particular school of magic. An amateur could potentially cause life-threatening side effects.” “Oh,” Tom muttered. “Worry not. Back in Equestria there are several such experts, and I’m sure in time you could afford their assistance,” Trixie continued. Tom blinked. “Oh well. That's great. I guess I should head to Equestria then.” “Well it's not easy,” Trixie exclaimed. “The ocean between our lands is great, and passage is not exactly cheap or easy to come by.” “So you’ve traveled it before?” Tom pressed, leaning in close. Trixie raised her hooves. “Yes, yes. Trixie has traveled far and wide in order to spread her name, among other reasons.” “You aren't going back that way by chance?” Tom inquired. “Practice your personal space,” Trixie demanded, gently pushing Tom away. “Trixie rather enjoys breathing her own air, thank you very much.” “Oh um, sorry,” Tom muttered. Trixie shrugged. “It is fine. And yes, Trixie was planning on it, but not for a little while. Trixie has other goals here that must be completed before she can return.” “Oh,” Tom murmured. “Don't be such a sad sack,” Trixie exclaimed. “Here the great and generous Trixie will cut you a deal.” “Can you take me with you?” Tom asked. “I will, if!” Trixie held up a hoof. “If you manage to convince the majority of the town to come to see my show this evening. Do that and the great and powerful Trixie will consider you for the assistant position.” “Yes!” Tom shouted, pumping a claw into the air. “I’ll do it!” “Wonderful,” Trixie remarked. “Trixie looks forward to performing for a sold-out crowd for the first time since coming to this dreadful place.” “I’ll do my best,” Tom professed. “Good. Now be off with you! Trixie must prepare for this evening,” Trixie declared. “Right. I’ll see you then,” Tom exclaimed. “You shall!” Trixie proclaimed, before vanishing in a puff of smoke a second before the door opened, then closed with a bang. Tom didn't even notice this, and merely walked away with wide, star-filled eyes. “Magic is real, and I’m going to see a real magic show. Maybe this place isn't so bad.” The human-turned griffon walked away at a slow, slightly awkward place, one claw holding the tickets. Sex change magic was at least possible, and though he hadn't asked about potentially getting home, he could ask that later. Maybe after he had built up some trust with the mare, and seen what Trixie could do. Then with gainful employment acquired, he could ask the real questions, and maybe even open up about who he really was. That wouldn't be for a while though, not until this tiny village was in his rearview, as getting caught in a lie would be unpleasant. Especially considering just how much griffons seemed to despise liars, or being slighted in any manner. His thoughts were interrupted by a strangely powerful urge, one that made him stop dead in his tracks. His head turned robotically to the west, and he stared vacantly out past the trees and to the horizon beyond. He didn't know why but he felt an intense, nearly all-consuming urge to run in that direction. Run and not stop until he had reached the horizon itself. “What was that?” Tom muttered shaking his head. “It felt like something wanted me to go west.” He tried to recall some reason for why he had suddenly felt that way but came up with nothing. Other than a small factoid he remembered from among Gretchen’s many ramblings. That was where Equestria lay. Shaking his head once more, the young male continued toward town and tried to put the odd sensation behind him. Chalking it up to an intense desire to return to his birth sex, Tom pretended like the entire thing hadn't happened. He had bigger concerns after all, like convincing a few crotchety old griffons that they should go to a magic show. “Alright, let's do this,” he muttered.