//------------------------------//
// Ch04: - Doctors and questions 
// Story: Alicorn in Canterlot 
// by ramdom_player201 
//------------------------------//

Now with a full-ish belly, we are once again wandering the endless halls of this place. There seems to be barely any variation in the architecture we pass and I’m starting to get a little bored. How big even is this place? I just cannot see how these ponies can navigate their way around somewhere like this. It’s especially boring because there’s no windows to look out of. At least it seems ventilated well enough, neither too hot nor too cold, not that I see any vents or feel any breeze. I guess it could have something to do with these massive corridors and cold marble they’ve used.

After passing through countless hallways and down at least another two floors, I finally get a whiff of fresh air. I can see sunlight streaming through a set of open doors, directly ahead of us. I pick up my pace, invigorated by the promise of something to break the endless monotony. And then I stumble, falling flat on the floor. My wing covers lift off my back, then crumple against the base of my neck. I wasn’t even going that fast, yet I still managed to trip over my hooves. I suppose this is a new body, but I was walking so well…
“Jonathan! Are you alright?”

Snow Blossom comes rushing up to me. The guards standing either side of the exit door also step forwards. Luckily, there were no other ponies in the area to see me fall, or my wings uncovered. As expected, neither the guards, nor Snow Blossom make any comment on them, although I do notice one of the guards sneaking a quick, curious glance that way.
“Don’t worry Snow, I’m fine.”

I make to stand, but Snow beats me to it with her unicorn pony magic, lifting me quickly to my now-slightly-sore feet. I make no comment, mildly annoyed at the act. Of course, there is still the matter of my wings. Twisting my head to face my back, I contemplate how best to cover them. The blanket is suddenly illuminated in that familiar faint green aura and pulls them into position. I glance over at Snow Blossom who is now smiling nervously at me. I allow myself a small smile in return.
“Thank you, Snow Blossom.”

Keen to put that incident behind us, I turn back to the waiting exit and resume my walking, albeit at a slower pace. The door guards quickly return to their posts and salute us as we pass. The guard trailing us comes up closer, taking up position beside me. Stepping out into the warm sunlight, I take in our new location. Unfortunately, it appears that we’re still above ground level, but the outdoor walkway is still a nice break from the maze-like interior of the building we just left.

I veer over to the edge of the path and stop to peer over the wall. I am once again met with a spectacular view from the sky to the horizon. Looking down, we are much closer to the courtyard grounds, maybe about one floor above ground level. The space below appears to be some kind of training ground. Several large dirt patches are spread out across the field, separated by hedge walls; each one for a different activity. I can see crates holding different practice equipment scattered around. In one patch, I can even see some guards doing guard training with wooden swords; I’m impressed with how well they can manipulate them with their mouths.

Beyond the running track, the land becomes quite open, with patches of flowers and the occasional statue; and beyond that, the ground falls away to reveal the open sky. In the distance, I can just make out the form of a little town on the border of a darkened forest. Turning my head slightly, I notice a glimmer of light coming from that town. There’s something large and reflective down there, but the glare it gives off is too bright to see past.

I slowly make my way along, observing the pony guards practicing their guard stuff. Soon, the path bends sharply left and I get a new view to marvel at. From here, I can see a large wall and gatehouse, which is currently locked with a portcullis. And beyond that, is the rest of the city: a mismatch of strange buildings, arches, towers and bridges. So does this mean that I’m in the castle? I guess that explains all the guards. But… isn’t this also where the two big alicorns live? Well, no point trying to escape now, they likely already know I’m here and there is no way I would get past the guards. I don’t really have anywhere else to go regardless and I doubt this land’s rulers would let a random alicorn roam free unchecked. Still, I’d rather not hang around here any longer than I have to.

But now, my attention is brought back by the new set of stairs. And yes, I know that I’ve gone down quite a few stairs already on my way here, but these ones are different. You see, the stairs inside were quite wide and shallow, barely a problem for me. But these stairs, they are steep and narrow!

Coming up right to the edge, my head reaches far over the sudden drop. It’d be a long fall if I misstepped now. Tentatively, I bring one hoof out and down onto the first step. But I have to bend my other foreleg to do so. I bring my other hoof down. One step down, however-many-more-steps-this-staircase-has-left to go. Shuffling forwards, I begin with the next step. Having to bend my forelegs again while already down one step brings me to a near 45˚ angle.

Whilst considering how next to proceed, Snow Blossom comes trotting down beside me. I glance over to her to see how she can manage it with such ease. Okay, she’s pulling her neck right back. Following suit, I find my center of balance shifting to a more comfortable position.

With a bit more careful manoeuvring, I manage to make my way halfway down the stairs. Snow Blossom is watching me from below, looking a cross between worried and bored. And I’m pretty sure that guard is waiting at the top of the stairs. But then I set my foreleg down onto a loose pebble, causing it to roll out from under me. Luckily, I hadn’t yet put my weight onto it. But the sudden movement still caused me to lose balance and begin to tilt sideways.

I quickly pull the hoof back in to catch myself on the next step, but I overshoot slightly, knocking me forwards. Snow is quick to respond, catching me in her magic, but it’s not strong enough to stop my momentum completely. I still fall down the stairs a little further, banging the front of my left foreleg on the edge of a step before I come to a complete stop.

She sets me down at the bottom of the stairs, clearly a bit tired out from having to catch me. So lifting stuff with pony magic still tires the pony… I guess that does make sense.
Snow throws an annoyed expression towards where I think that guard is still waiting at the top of the stairs, before turning her attention back to me.
“Jonathan, are you okay? That’s the second time you’ve fallen now.”

She glances at my banged leg.
“Don’t worry about me, I’m fine. But what about you? You look a little… tired from that.”
She waves me off with a hoof.
“Just doing my job.”

I just leave it at that and make to step forwards. However, I can’t help but wince when I switch pressure onto my left leg. Unfortunately, Snow sees this and tries to stop me.
“Relax Snow, I’m fine.”

I push onwards regardless.
“But you’re injured!”

“I’m fine, I was just taken by surprise is all, it’s not that bad.”
Snow Blossom looks like she wants to argue, but thinks better of it, deciding instead to keep a close eye on me incase anything else happens.

Now at ground level, we are on a path running alongside the gardens. As much as I want to make a detour over there, it’ll have to wait because Snow leads us back inside via a grand entranceway. I thought the previous hallways were big, but this just throws all that out of the window. Hanging from the high vaulted ceilings are long tapestries. About half of them are in a dark-ish blue and the other in pale yellow. I can see a large staircase right at the end; but we don’t spend long in there, shortly turning off through a side door.

It’s only a short distance from there until we reach a surprisingly normal rectangle door. Snow knocks on the door with her hoof while the guard takes position beside it. The door opens after only a few seconds and Snow steps part-way in to have a brief whispered conversation with the pony inside. She pops her head back out to face me.
“Jonathan, would you mind waiting outside for a minute while I have a quick chat with  the doctor?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

She slips the rest of the way inside, the door closing behind her. I rest against the wall so I can shift my weight off from my leg. The guard by the door stays quiet as always, but keeps one eye trained my way.
A couple of minutes later and I’m allowed in, the guard waits outside. The room is completely white tiled, and reminds me of a hospital room. In the middle is a raised platform with a cushioned upper surface. And along one wall is a wide variety of strange copper instruments. There are two ponies in here, Snow Blossom and another who I can only assume is the doctor; although the fact that he is wearing what looks like a doctor’s uniform kinda gives that away. He is a tan coloured unicorn sporting a green mane and tail with blue streaks through.

“Good morning… Jonathan was it? That’s a rather unusual name… You can call me Doctor Sage. I’m here to give you a medical checkup and make sure that you’re all nice and healthy. Please climb up onto that platform over there and we can begin.”

Climbing up is easier said than done. My injured leg gives me a little difficulty and Snow ends up using her magic again to lift me on. Once I’m up however, Sage removes my wings covers and lays them off to the side.
“Alright Jonathan, we’ll start off with a physical body inspection to check for any superficial injuries you may have. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions while I work?”

“Sure I guess.”

He starts walking around me with his horn lit. I can feel his magic tickling in different areas.
“First off, do you know where you are, Jonathan?”

Yes, in Ponyland. Although why is another matter entirely.
“I overheard some ponies mention the name Canterlot yesterday, I assume that is where we are.”

“Correct, Canterlot Castle to be precise.”

He circles round to my front and begins to inspect my head. His expression remains straight and unreadable.
“You have some slight bruising along the base of your muzzle… Onto the next question, do you know what you are?”

Well, I suppose that these ponies would call me an alicorn… but I think I’ll go with pegacorn.
“I believe that I’m a pegacorn.”

“I’ve not heard that term used before. Teeth all present and healthy… Can you tell me where you are from Jonathan?”

Ahh yes, where I’m from… should I tell them? Eh, why not.
“I’m from a place called Earth.”

“Earth… I don’t think I’ve ever heard of such a place. Are you familiar with the land of Equestria?”
He moves his attention down towards my forelegs.

“I assume that’s where we are now. No, I’m not really familiar with Equestria, although I have heard a little bit about it.”

“Intriguing. Your foreleg looks injured, and it’s quite fresh. When did this happen?”

“On the way here actually, I tripped going down the stairs.”

His horn suddenly brightens for a moment and I feel the pain recede. So these ponies can heal stuff, just like that?
“Your body is clear of any major injuries, I will now cast a scanning spell to check for any infections or disease. You don’t yet have your cutie mark, which is unusual for a pony of your age, but don’t worry, I’m sure you will find your talent soon. The guard report says they found you asleep on a bench in one of the interconnecting alleyways of Canterlot last night while on their evening patrol. I’m curious, what would a pony like you be doing, sleeping on the streets of Canterlot?”

At this statement, I notice Snow Blossom begin to look slightly worried. And what did Sage just mention… a cutie mark? Oh yeah, those symbols the ponies had, I forgot about those. Snow’s looks like a snowdrop with a clear water droplet hanging from it.

“Well, honestly, I only just got here. I’m not really sure of how or why, but I was only going to have a quick nap before deciding on my next move.”

“Your scan results are all clear. So, you say that you just arrived in Canterlot out of nowhere, are you sure this wasn't some kind of botched long distance teleport spell?”

“I guess it could have been that, although I don’t really remember how exactly it happened. My memories feel a little fuzzy around that point.”

And yes they do, I’d not really been trying to remember anything from then; but now that I am, it’s starting to get me worried.

I let out a sudden gasp of surprise as my wings are pulled open, the sudden sensations feel very weird. This would be the first time that my wings have ever been unfolded like this or that I’d ever truly experienced what they felt like. As the doctor’s magic travels along the length of my wings, pulling on feathers, my mind is overloaded with new sensations.
“Your wings are all good, you don’t have many broken or missing feathers, but it doesn’t look like you’ve been preening your wings recently. The muscles are also in good flight condition, but starting showing signs of disuse.”

His horn flashes brighter for a moment.
“Your mana pool is of a sufficient size, slightly larger than the average unicorn, but that is to be expected from an alicorn, which is what you are. However, your mana pathways seem a slight cause for concern.”
He levitates a small metal disc onto the bench in front of me.
“Finally, I just want you to levitate this weight so I can make sure that your horn is operating normally.”

And now they want me to do magic. I look down at the metal disc, then upwards where I can only just see the tip of what could be my horn.
“Jonathan, is something the matter?” Snow asks.
I wouldn’t even know where to begin with magic, it’s not like it ever existed on Earth. I reach up my hoof and knock it against my horn. I don’t feel anything, except a slight pressure around the base of the horn where it merges with my forehead. The ponies in front of me stand silently watching, even Doctor Sage’s impassive expression is starting to break down.

I close my eyes and try to concentrate, but without anything specific to concentrate on, nothing happens. Not that I was really trying that hard anyway. After a few seconds of nothing happening, Sage speaks up.
“Can’t you do magic? I- I don’t understand, a foal of your age should be able to use magic just fine… I didn’t even think it possible for a unicorn to not learn basic magic. I’ll have to report this development to the princesses!”

And with that, the Doctor rushed out the door, leaving me and Snow Blossom behind.
“Come on Jonathan. Is there anything you would like to do before dinner with the princesses? Oh yes, I forgot to mention that the princesses wanted to see you this evening. They didn’t want to wake you up this morning, and then Princess Celestia wanted Princess Luna to be present when you finally meet them so it had to be arranged for tonight.”

And there we go, the two most powerful beings in Equestria want to see me, and all because we seem to be of the same species. I wonder what they’re going to do with me, but until then, I’ve been dying to see these gardens.