Twilight uses her magic to open the two large doors and we all head in, with myself plodding along at the back. I can feel the pressure properly now. It feels like i'm carrying a backpack with an anvil in it. Fluttershy notices me slowly falling behind and whispers to me
"um... are you doing okay, Mister Scott?" I sigh and whisper back
"Honestly, no. Feels like I'm carrying an anvil right now. I'm in the presense of three princesses and not to mention being the only human here kinda makes me more stressed." I sigh when I finish that. Fluttershy does her best to encourage me and while it does help in some places, it does nothing for my main problem: getting home. Thats my main priority and right now, it would be wise of me to stay on their good side. Afterall, these guys might know a thing or two about what brought me here and how to get home. We continue for about a minute before we are acknowledged by the princess herself. We stop quite a ways from the two thrones before Celestia stands up and moves over to us. I notice she is looking me dead in the eyes. Probably sizing me up, like I'm some sort of fantastical creature (which in all fairness, I am). I straighten myself up to the best of my ability while the six ponies around me bow (I think?) Celestia motions for them to stand as she turns her attention back to me. I make sure to get the first word in.
"Hey erm.. Princess Celestia, look, I'm sorry for legging it like that. I'm usually a calm chap and I know you were trying to help me, but I lost my cool. So, sorry about that" I say as I rub the back of my neck. Celestia gives a warm and understanding smile before responding
"Thats quite alright. I'm more than willing to accept your apology. Now, might you be so kind as to tell me your name? I must say, it is my first time seeing a creature such as yourself"
"Oh, righto then. My name is Eric Scott, investigative photo journalist and I am a creature known as a human. I come from another world and was brought here when a portal opened up and sucked me in. If you want proof of my story, I can show you." Intrigued, Celestia says although she wouldn't have asked for any, she asks to see it anyway. I pull out my camcorder (Which has been still rolling by the way), pause the recording and navigate to the menu which has the videos I took in the ruins with the marines. I begin to approach Celestia when her two guards move to block my path
"Allow him to approach. I am curious as to the device he holds. I must ask, what is it?"
"Its called a camcorder. Its like a camera in which it captures not just pictures, but videos as seen here" I say as get close to her and press play on the recording I shot of the ruins. As the video plays, I notice celestia start to turn pale. As soon as the video comes to where the we go into the throne room, she calls over the other princess (Luna I think?) and she asks to see the video again. This time its Luna's turn to turn pale as the video comes to where we approach the throne room. I pause the video where I wake up in the throne room and resume the recording I have been taking ever since I arrived. Celestia takes a while to compose herself before asking
"That book and stone you put in your bag, do you still have them?"
"Of course. Why? Are they of great importance?" I ask as I retrieve them from my bag
"Yes. That book that your companion just happened to pick out details another element of harmony. It was speculated that it was lost forever but here it is now. I must say, it is in remarkable condition for what its been through but for what it is, no damage doesnt surprise me." Elements of harmony? What the blue blazes is she on about now? I glance at Twlight and her friends to see them conversing with eachother with surprise written all over them. Twilight asks celestia with concern written all over her
"Princess Celestia, I thought there were six elements of harmony. Why were we not told about a 7th?"
"Thats because, Twilight, it was extremely unstable. Anypony who tried using it was rejected by it with a beam of powerfull energy. But for some reason, Eric here is able to hold it. Which means it may have selected him to be the last and only wielder of it." Hang about, ME? CHOSEN? wait wait wait, why me? Why not one of the ponies? AND DID SHE SAY UNSTABLE?
"What do you mean by last wielder? Am I going to die?"
"No, you will be fine. But for now, I would highly suggest you keep it safe. That element is highly unstable. I predict it has one usage left in it." Greeeaaat. So not only do I have to try find a way home, but now I gotta look after a ticking timebomb. Great job, Eric.
"Um... Princess Celestia, about that report we were making before Eric wound up here, How should we tackle it?"
"Yes, in order to counteract the darkness, we will need the elements of harmony. As well as our new friend here. Which is why I'm going to need something from him." Oh boy, whats it gonna be?
"What do you need?"
"An object you brought with you. Preferably something you're not going to miss. This will allow us to pin point your world for when we send you home. Also I can predict what you're about to say and while I could have done it before the shadow showed up, I cannot do it now. The shadow has slowly but surely absorbing our Alicorn magic to the point where opening portals to other worlds has become nigh impossible."
I nod and begin looking through my pockets. All I brought was my phone, camcorder and other camera equipment in a small bag slung over my shoulder like batteries and sd cards. Actually, This world doesnt really seem that unsafe in all fairness.
"Would this do?" I say as I take off my PRESS vest and present it too her. Luckily, she nods and I pass it to her. I don't think I'll need it and besides, if I really have to fight, I have the bayonet that the lads threw to me. I feel safer just knowing I have it even though I have no clue how to actually fight with one. Celestia examines the PRESS vest before passing it to her guards to keep safe. I take a deep breath in and exhale before asking my next question
"What do I need to do? All I have is the stuff I brought with me." Princess Celestia replied without hesitation
"Go with princess Twilight and gather the elements of Harmony." Ok, seems easy enough. I slip the rainbow stone into my pocket and follow Twilight and her friends to the elements of harmony. 'The scarier the scoop, the more thrilling it is to cover'. That was my catchphrase for myself and boy did I live up to it today. All this other world malarky is getting to me. I place my left hand next to my left pocket with my thumb tucked into it and raise my camcorder up to get a better angle of the throne room while we make our way out of it, and head to where the so called "Elements of Harmony" are located.