EPISODE 3: A Sun's Tale and Meeting
The sound of birds singing in the morning fills the air with a harmonious sound and the soft rays of light beaming through the curtains of a certain pony's house and the light gazing onto the eyes of the newest addition to the world of Equestria.
Chris stirs in his sleep as the sun continues to shine on his face, slowly waking him up, as the young human boy flickers his eyes open and as he awakens shielding his eyes with his hand from the sun as he slowly sits up, groaning a bit as he tries to get up. Rubbing the sand from his eyes he looks around the room and remembers clearly what happen to him the other day. He fell into a world called Equestria where talking ponies live along with dragons as well as had a party thrown for him by Pinkie Pie, a pink-colored pony that he befriended once he got into this world, and was allowed to live at Twilight's place which is where the party was held and the sleepover.
Stretching and yawning as he got out of his sleeping bag, quite a number of them that Twilight had just in case she ever had a large sleepover one day, revealing that he was simply wearing his black t-shirt and black basketball shorts. Chris originally wore the black basketball shorts underneath his baggy blue shorts, covering it, and when he takes off his jacket and shorts it becomes his pajamas or work out clothing and in a sense it's his all-purpose clothing for any situations which is very handy in his case.
Chris looked around the room, and spotted his six new friends sleeping together in the same circle last night and Spike is seen sleeping soundly next to him in his own bed. Not wanting to disturb them in their sleep, Chris quietly tip toed out of his sleeping bag and went downstairs. He wanted to repay their kindness for taking care of him, throwing a party for him, and giving him a place to stay by making them some breakfast. It was the least he can do for them and had the perfect idea for breakfast as it came to him in a dream the other day… some waffles!
Looking around the place, which is indeed a library with the rows of books all around him, Chris finally found the kitchen area which was a bit small and simple, but perfect for making meals. However he wasn't exactly sure where Twilight kept all of the ingredients to make those buttermilk waffles he wanted to make, and wasn't exactly sure if Twilight had a waffle ironer to begin with which puts a damper on Chris' perfect breakfast plan.
"Looking for something, dude?" a voice called out from behind Chris.
"AHH!" Chris yelped and jumped into the air as he wasn't expecting anyone to say anything at all in the quiet kitchen, and turned around to see who it is which was none other than Spike.
"Spike? Don't sneak up on me like that! You nearly gave me a heart attack," Chris exasperated with a low growl, "Next time, tap on my shoulder… or leg or something."
"Heh, sorry about that, I didn't mean to scare ya," Spike apologized as he scratches the back of his head and started to ask Chris what he was doing in the kitchen, "Just wanted to know what you're doing so early in the morning? I saw you sneak out of the room so I followed ya… so what are you doing here in the kitchen?"
"Oh!" Chris scratches the back of his head, embarrassed, "I wanted to make everyone… erm… everypony, that's going to take a while to get use to, breakfast as thanks for everything they've done for me so far. It's the least I could do for them, but I'm having trouble locating the stuff I need to make breakfast."
"Oh! That's cool!" Spike smiled, "So what are you planning on making for breakfast?"
"Waffles," Chris smiled.
"Waffles? That's sounds perfect for breakfast!" Spike licks his lips at the thought, "Though I personally wouldn't mind some gemstones, but let's get right now it!"
"Eh… gemstones?" Chris looks at Spike with a bewildered look, so dragons in this world primarily eat gems for food, though shakes it off and continues with his breakfast plan, "W-Well anyway, I wanted it to be a surprise for everyon- everypony so I guess I'll have some help this time. Do you have a waffle ironer?"
"Right here, dude," Spike opened up one of the doors to the cabinets, "And all of the ingredients are in the fridge over there."
Spike pointed to the white fridge on the side of the kitchen and Chris went over and opened it up and sees that he has everything he needs to make the best waffles in town! Though he feels a little bad for using Twilight's food without permission, even if it's to make her and her friends breakfast, he plans to pay her back by going food shopping later and also was a bit surprised to see that the ponies in this world have electricity for the refrigerator but it doesn't come as much as a surprise given the party last night had with stereos playing music.
"Alright, Spike, I'm going to need a bowl and a whisk, it's time to make some waffles!" Chris smiled as he sets the plates on the table.
Back at Twilight's room, the girls slowly wake up and stretch their bodies out, welcoming the morning's sun as they get out the last bit of sleep from their bodies.
"*Yawn*! That was a good rest," Twilight yawned as she gets up and shakes her head.
"Eeyep! That sure was one fine mighty nap, time to rise and shine everypony!" Applejack shouted as she fully woke up from her sleep and shrugs her shoulder to relax her body.
"G-Good morning, everypony," Fluttershy gently called out as she gets up.
"OH. MY. GOSH! This is a totally disaster!" Rarity cried out and everypony looked at her, "My mane! It's completely messy! Where is the brush? I need to freshen up and look presentable."
Rarity frantically looks for a brush and spots one on the desk nearby and levitates it to her using her magic and summons it towards her and starts brushing her messy bed mane. Most of the girls shook their head in amusement.
"Fluttershy, come here darling. Allow me to brush you mane," Rarity said offering to brush her friend's mane.
"Why thank you Rarity," Fluttershy smiled and thanked Rarity as she proceeded to brush her mane.
"Alright! I'm rested, fully recharge and ready to go out there and try out my latest newest awesome move!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she jumped up and started zooming around in the room, pumping her hooves up in excitement.
"Rainbow Dash, aren't you forgetting something?" Twilight called out getting Rainbow Dash's attention, "You're forgetting about breakfast, which is the most important meal of the day. Can't perform any tricks on an empty stomach, right?"
"I suppose your right, Twilight," Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head as she nodded in agreement, "So let's get some breakfast already!"
"YAY! Morning time means we get to have breakfast! Breakfast time! Breakfast time!" Pinkie Pie jumped around the room happily, as if she never slept at all and has an endless supply of energy, "Ooh! I wonder what's for breakfast! It smells so good! *Sniff* *Sniff*, ah! I smell waffles! It's waffles!"
"Oh my, that is quite the lovely smell," Fluttershy also took a whiff in the air to smell of waffles coming from downstairs.
"What? Waffles? What are you talking about Pinkie Pie" asked a confused Twilight as she wasn't sure what Pinkie Pie was getting at until she took a whiff of the air, "Huh? You're right… I do smell waffles? But who could of…?"
"Uh… everypony? Does anyone know where Chris and Spike ran off to? They're not here," Applejack called out to get everypony's attention pointing to the empty beds of Chris and Spike over on their side of the room.
Twilight smiled, "I have a pretty good guess where and what they're doing."
The girls all walked downstairs, following the smell of waffles in the morning, and entered the kitchen area where they see six plates with waffles on them stacked together one after another in a mini-tower with butter and syrup on stop. Along side of the plates where glasses of milk, forks and knives, and the girls spot both Chris and Spike over near the stove cooking their batch of waffles with Twilight's waffle ironer. The girls simply smiled and watched at the boys continue making their waffles.
"And there! Another perfect waffle! You're getting the hang of this!" Chris smiled as he watched Spike make another waffle from the waffle ironer.
"Thanks dude! You're a really good cook, you know that?" Spike smiled back.
"Not really. I did help cook some meals with my aunt so I learned how to make some simple dishes, nothing fancy, and we're using a waffle ironer to make these. So this is nothing special and has nothing to do with my cooking skills," Chris humbly waved off the praising thinking it was nothing special making some waffles with these.
The girls giggled at the conversation the boys were having, causing both of them to drop what they were doing and look behind them to see the girls were up and around and watching them, as well as listening in on their conversation.
"Oh! Good morning ladies!" Chris called out nervously, he wasn't expecting them to be up so soon, and fidgeted a bit, "Spike and I made you girls some waffles! Sorry about using your ingredients Twilight without your permission, but I hope you don't mind!"
"It's not a problem," Twilight directed a reassuring smile at Chris as she took her place at the table to eat her waffles that the boys made for her, "It was very thoughtful of the two of you to make breakfast for us, thank you."
Chris blushed, feeling extremely happy that Twilight wasn't mad at him and was quite happy having breakfast made for her. He feels obligated to do his best for the sake for the very pony who allowed him a roof over his head as well as wanting to do something for his new friends.
"Golly! This is delicious! Ah can't remember the last time ah had waffles that were this good!" Applejack complimented as she devoured some of her waffles already and was grinning from cheek to cheek from the delicious food she had partake from her plate. She was very pleased with the food.
"These are the best waffles I have ever had ever!" Pinkie Pie squealed, "Ooh! You have come over to Sugar Cube Corner one day and help me bake some goodies for the store! You're amazing and together we can even make even more amazing goodies! Doesn't that sound like fun? Sure sounds like fun! Let's do it!"
"Usually I don't partake getting messy with my food, but in this case I'll make an exception. Both of you are quite excellent chefs! I wouldn't mind if you continue to cater to us every breakfast with your scrumptious meals," Rarity praised both Chris and Spike as she levitated a napkin to wipe her lips clean from the syrup, "But that's asking too much and I don't want the both of you to burden yourselves for us."
"Rarity loves my cooking…," Spike purrs with delight as he made googly eyes at Rarity, with heart-shape pupils taking place in his large orbs for eyes, and Chris sees this and makes a half-amused, half-mischievous smirk as he sees the young dragon's affections towards Rarity.
"Not bad! These bad boys are awesome… just like me!" Rainbow Dash declared as she stuffs another waffle into her mouth.
"T-These are really good… you boys didn't really need to, but… thank you so much for the delectable meal," Fluttershy hummed as she enjoys her waffle-filled breakfast, "I-If it's not too much to ask… can I please have more?"
"Sure thing!" Chris whistles as he places more waffles on Fluttershy's plate, after finishing his and Spike's batch of waffles and sit down with the rest of the girls to eat their breakfast.
The group continues eating their meals in silent, but from time to time the girls idly chatted with each other as the boys mostly kept to themselves as they wolf down their waffles. Chris sighs in delight from taking bites from the waffles he made, surprise how good they came out, and enjoyed eating every bit of them and becomes quite sadden when he finishes the last of his waffles, wanting to enjoy the sweet sticky sweetness of the waffles with butter and syrup on top.
"Chris, I've been meaning to ask you," Rarity clearing her throat, as well as wiping the waffle crumbs from her lips with a napkin, and spoken up to get his attention, "Can you tell us a little bit about where you lived? What was your home like?"
"I'm quite curious about that, too," Twilight chimed in, eager to know, "Do you remember your hometown? What about your family? What are they like?"
Chris stopped and pondered that himself. His memories were still hazy at best and could only faintly recall events in his life, cryptic and broken as they are, and tried his best to dig deep into his subconscious to remember at least something about his hometown. His expression puzzled until his eyes widen a bit when he recalled some details about his life, and let out a heavy sigh… sadden what he remembered.
"Huh? Is somethin' wrong, sugarcube?" Applejack asked in a concerned tone as her and the rest of the ponies looked worried.
"It's nothing much… just remember something about my folks, but I also remember my hometown a bit," Chris quickly averted the mood by telling them something good in his life first, "My hometown is a quiet little suburb, a cul-de-sac if you will, that's quite similar to Ponyville in a way but smaller and with less nature around and not that many people around as well and nothing really to do there like in Ponyville here. Also the stores are a bit further away from my little town as we have to go a little ways away to go to them."
"Really? Doesn't seem like a lot to do," Twilight spoke up, a little sad to hear, but perks up again with another question, "Aren't there more of your kind around?"
"Mostly in cities, where thousands or millions live depending on how large the cities are but I'm nowhere near those kinds of cities," Chris answered back truthfully, "And now that I think about it, in my neighborhood there were mostly girls living around me as I was actually the only boy around but there were older than me and just a few similar to my age. But I mostly kept to myself."
"Why? Don't you want to be make loads of new friends every day!?" Pinkie Pie piped up expressing her opinion with zealous, "Even if I was far away from the city I would still like making new friends, throwing them parties, and make everypony happy! It's no fun just being by yourself, silly! Hehe, so why didn't you ask those girls to be your friend?"
"I… rather not talk about," Chris said quite crestfallen as he hung his head down to prevent the girls from seeing his sad and hurt expression, "It's not… exactly a happy memory, from what I can recall from my faint memories."
Everypony in the room looked at one another, not sure what to say.
"O-OK… we won't pry anymore on that subject," Fluttershy understanding that Chris didn't want to talk about and the other ponies nodded in agreement.
"Oh! Ah know, how about ya tell us about yer family? What's yer parents like?" Applejack inquiries Chris interest to know what his folks were like.
"My mom and dad? They…," Chris was hesitant at first, not looking at the girls' eyes, as he spoke, "Passed away a long time ago."
The room suddenly got quiet as everypony looks to one another, nervous to utter another word and not sure how to respond to this. They weren't expecting an answer like this and were afraid to ask any more questions now, however Chris spoke up again and this time with renewed confidence.
"However, my aunt and uncle have been taking care of me for years now!" Chris smiled proudly and happily with a powerful warmth of happiness emitting from him, and continued on, "True we didn't have much and we're poor, but to me they were like a mom and dad and they were extremely happy to have me around! My aunt can't have kids but with me around she thought of me as her son and I'm happy I can make her smile and be happy with me around! So I always wanted to help out around the house and also wanted to help others out because I wanted to make them smile and be happy as well! And my uncle taught me lots of things to always be positive and think on the bright side of things! I guess… that sounds weird coming from me, right?"
"Not at all!" Rarity was the first to speak up, "It was quite delightful to hear about them darling, and your aunt and uncle sound positively wonderful! I wish I could meet them, I believe we would get along famously!"
"Ah think that's great to hear how much ya love yer aunt and uncle! Now that's what families are for, to always be there for ya," Applejack smiled proudly, showing her own feelings on how much she cares for her family in her words.
Twilight smiled as well, "I understand that you miss your aunt and uncle a lot Chris and so we promise you… we will do our best to find a way for you to return home so you can be reunited with your family."
Chris nodded happily, but stopped himself coming to a conclusion. If they find a way to send me back home, I'll have to leave and never return to this world? True I miss my aunt and uncle and they surely miss me… but this world, this is where I made my first real friends and I have to leave them? I want to stay here longer, but… I'm not sure… what do I do?
"Alright, that's enough for now about Chris," Twilight closed the book on that conversation and opens up another one, "Now what's next on our agenda for the day?"
"I have a request," Chris raised his hand and everypony looked at him, making him feel a little nauseous at the sudden attention. He's still not use to it but he digresses and continues with his question, "I would… like to go to Applejack's place. I'm really curious about her farm and I like to meet her family."
Chris expressions his interest as Applejack made a comment earlier to him that he picked up on as he figures Applejack truly appreciates her family and would like to meet them and also get a closer look at the farm.
Applejack smiles with a big grin on her face, "Well how 'bout that? Sure thing! I'll show ya the grand tour of the ol' place and it would be a pleasure to introduce ya to mah family."
"I see, well I have to return back to my store. I need to finish the rest of my orders," Rarity spoken up and begins to take her leave, "I will see everypony later. I can't wait to unveil the next line of my work, it will be dazzling!"
"Oh! Rarity," Chris hustles over to Rarity's side as the Unicorn looks up to Chris in question, "You don't mind, after Applejack's tour of her home, I could stop by your place? I like to get my new clothes ready as soon as possible… if that's not too much to ask."
Rarity's eyes sparkle with delight upon hearing that, "Why darling, I would be honored if you did! I would love making human clothes for you! It will be the experience of a lifetime! But please take your time, I don't want you to rush through with your tour of Applejack's home just to see me, come when you feel like it. I will be waiting, and with that I'm off! Take care, darlings!"
And Rarity leaves Twilight's house back to her store to work on her designs.
"Well then, partner, we should get going soon," Applejack said leading the way to her place.
"Alright!" Chris smiled and glanced back to the other girls and Spike, "Well, I'll be leaving! I'll be back soon, and thanks again for everything you've done for me so far! I will never forget it!"
And both Applejack and Chris left as well towards Sweet Apple Acres.
"Well, I suppose, it's time for me to go as well. Thank you Twilight, the sleepover was oh so very wonderful," Fluttershy thanked Twilight with a smile and went her merry way.
"Yeah! We need to do another slumber party again soon! Ooh! I know the perfect party setup, lots of music, games, foods, drinks," Pinkie Pie went on with her lists for things to do next slumber party at Twilight as she bounces off out of Twilight's house after telling her friends she has work to do.
"It was a blast, Twilight! But I have get back to what's really important, practicing my totally awesome moves that will wow the Wonderbolts!" Rainbow Dash waves a goodbye to Twilight and Spike as she zoomed out of the place in a flash of rainbow, "See ya guys!"
"So that just leaves you and me, right, Spike?" Twilight looked at her dragon companion.
"Yup, well I better get these dishes cleaned first then," Spike said as he starts to grab the first dish.
"Before that Spike, we have a letter to write first," Twilight said as she levitates her pen and parchment, and Spike knew who they were going to write to.
Applejack and Chris arrive at Sweet Apple Acres after several minutes leaving Twilight's house. On their way to Applejack's home, Chris took a look around the place. Hundreds of apple trees all around him, the fresh smell of wood and the sweet aroma of the apples fill his nose as he takes in the pleasant whiff, and more trees than he can count. He was completely dazzled by the endless sight of tree, and Applejack smirks at his excited expression finding it adorable for the boy to always be amazed by the most simple of things and truly was glad he was enjoying himself.
Chris licks his lips as he looks up to one of the apples at a nearby apple tree, the tree was tall but the branches were close to the ground that Chris could reach out and just grab out to one of them.
"Whoa! Those apples look so delicious! I just want to reach one and grab one and eat it," Chris said, with a slight drool, but wiped it away as Applejack looks at him with a sly look, "W-Well, I didn't mean… I-If it's not too much trouble to ask… do you think I could have one?"
"Sure thing sugercube! Ah don't mind, help yerself, but remember just take one only!" Applejack allowed Chris to take an apple from the tree to eat after he asked, and his eyes lit up with delight as he goes for the nearest apple and pucks it from the tree and happily chomps on it. Applejack giggled to herself at the human boy's cute antics as his expression are absolutely delightful.
"Amazing~! This apple is soooo delicious… the apples back home were never this good! I could eat these forever!" Chris sang with an adorable sigh and blushing face as he continues eating the apple happily to the core, "Oh… do you have a garbage can in your home or something? I don't like to litter your fields, even if it's an apple."
"It's alright, it's just an apple. No problem leaving it as is, the seeds from the core will grow into a new apple tree one day," Applejack smiled letting him know it's OK to drop the nearly completely eaten apple on the ground, though Chris still wasn't sure to do so. Applejack could tell he was raised to be a good boy and respect the lands and truly expresses to herself to meet his aunt and uncle, they truly must've been great folks to raise him so well.
"I-If you say so, though I'm still not entirely OK with it," Chris said dishearteningly as he drops the apple onto the ground.
"You're not one to speak up for yerself that much, huh?" Applejack added.
"No, not really," Chris agreed.
"Well, here's mah home!" Applejack announced at they made it to the barn where Applejack and her family lives. A large red barn with a large double-door entrance to it, a field where they grow their vegetables to eat, a small pen for other activities it seems, four smaller version of barn where other livestock live, and a house nearby where Chris assumes where they live.
"Wow! This is a really nice place to live," Chris commented as he takes a look around and Applejack smiles.
"Welcome back sis," a voice calls out to the pair as the two of them turned to face the speaker of the voice. It was a red-colored coated pony, a little larger than the normal stallion, with orange mane and tail, green eyes, a yoke around his neck, and a piece of wheat in his mouth as he approaches the two. As Chris got a closer look at him he noticed he had freckles just like Applejack and has a green apple as his cutie mark, but with a piece of the apple cut off to see the inside of the apple like how people chop up apples into smaller pieces to eat.
"Ah, there ya are Big Macintosh!" Applejack smiled as she greeted her brother, "Chris, let me introduce ya to mah big brother, Big Macintosh! Big Mac, this here is Chris! Ah hope the two of you get along now!"
"Ah, pleasure to meet ya Chris! Applejack has been telling me about ya since the day you arrived in Ponyville. It's nice to finally meet ya!" Big Mac said as he extends a hoof towards him and Chris cautiously shakes his hoof.
"N-Nice to meet you, too," Chris muttered, still a little wary of the ponyfolk despite the kindness they showed him and welcomed him with open arms before which was something Applejack picked up on.
"Chris? Is somethin' the matter? Why are you so nervous all of a sudden, sugercube?" Applejack asked, curious about Chris distance manner, "He's not going to bite ya."
"W-Well it's not that, but… I'm still a little baffled with how everypony is so open with everybody… excuse me, everypony which is still a little strange to me," Chris explained shuffling his feet together, "And honestly I've still not completely trusted everyone here, aside from you and her friends and Spike, but humans are primitively cautious to one another. It's just how we are, sorry about that."
Applejack blinks, with an unsettling and uncertain expression written on her face, but shakes off her surprised reaction and smiles, "A-Ah see. A understand it is a little unnervin' for somepony meeting somepony new for the first time especially if they're different races. But if there's one thing I've learned from one of mah good friends is that ya should always show a little kindness to everypony ya meet, and besides ah always greet everypony with a smile. And mah family is no different, trust me. There's no need for ya to box everyone away from ya, so ya don't have to feel alone anymore."
Chris lets the words sink into him and understands what Applejack is trying to say to him and smiles at her, "I-I see… I feel a little better now, hearing that, so I'll try not to be so passive with everypony I meet anymore but it's going to be tough. Sorry for making you worried about me like that."
"Ain't no problem! 'Sides, what do ya keep on apologizin' all the time for? There's nothin' for ya to feel sorry for," Applejack said, slightly scolding him.
"Ah! Sorry about that!" Chris waves his hands in front of him in defense, a naturally reaction of his, "It's just that back home, whenever I try so hard to help people or get them to like me I always screw up and everyone yells at me. In a way, I always felt apologizing for everything I did even if it wasn't anything major… it's a bad habit of mine that I need to get rid of."
"That's understandable," Big Mac said, speaking up after listening to Chris and Applejack's conversation, "However ya don't always need to apologize for every little thing, just remember that, partner."
"T-Thank you," Chris said with blushing a bit, feeling a bit happier now that his friends talked to him and has revealed some of his thoughts and feelings about meeting new people surface.
"Big Mac! Applejack! I'm goin' out to play with Twist, I'll be back by dinner!" a younger voice said as a young pony comes dashes from the house and passed Big Macintosh and Applejack, but doesn't see Chris and accidentally bumps into him without realizing there was somepony else besides her family. She smacked right into his leg, which in turned knocked him down as he wasn't expecting it with both parties saying "Ouch!" as they landed on their butts.
"Ow! What did ah bump into to?" the young filly said as she rubs her head and notices the giant before her, who shook her head in disbelief, and blinked several times at the creature before her.
"Yikes… I wasn't expecting that! That's the second time a pony has crashed into me!" Chris exclaimed as he stood up and patted off the dirt from his body.
"What in Equestria is that!?" the young frilly shrieked as she darted behind Big Macintosh and looks at Chris from behind his leg.
"Applebloom! Ya need to be more careful where you're goin' next time! Ya don't want to bump into somepony like that, now apologize to Chris for bumpin' into him," Applejack spoken up, scolding her younger sister for not paying attention to where she was going.
"Chris? Ya mean that 'human' thingie you've been tellin' us about at dinner the other night?" Applebloom asks as she approached Chris after learning it was the human that Applejack spoke of a couple of days back.
"We talked about this at dinner before, remember Applebloom? I'm glad ya listened, but ya need to apologize to Chris here," Big Mac chimed in, "And don't be late comin' back home from Twist's, alright?"
"WOW!" Applebloom squealed as she happily hopped around Chris studying his appearance as she circled around him, "So this is Chris! It's really nice to meet ya! And sorry about crashin' into ya like that, I'll make sure not to do that again."
"It's OK, no big problem, I'm glad you're not hurt when you crashed into me. Let me properly introduce myself, I'm Chris Corona," the human boy said as he extended out his hand, though Applebllom looked a little hesitant at first by his strange hand to her but grabbed his hand and shook it. As Chris got a closer look at her, he noticed she didn't have a cutie mark and had a blank flank.
"I'm Applebloom, Big Mac and Applejack's little sister!" Applebloom chirped happily, and she looks around his body once again, "How come you're so tall? Where's yer cutie mark? Do humans have one? What's it like back home in yer world? How do you like Equestria?"
"More questions," Chris said with an amused deadpanned look in his eyes.
"Oh! Why are ya and Applejack together? Are ya dating mah sister?" Applebloom asked.
The question came out of the left field so sudden that Chris head shot up in surprise with his eyes widening and a red hue on his face, likewise Applejack let her mouth hang open in shock and her cheeks getting rosy as well.
"I-we-I mean to-um-that is to say-Wha!?" Chris blurted out trying to form a sentence, but Applebloom's question completely caught him off guard.
"Applebloom!" Applejack shouted and glanced at Chris, hoping he wasn't embarrassed by the question, however looked away when Chris looked back at her causing her face to burn even more. She's a little unsure now to look at him after the question as she never really thought about dating before.
"Applebloom! Ya shouldn't be bothering them like that, now run along," Big Mac said trying to diffuse the situation from further embarrassing his sister and Chris.
"Alright, sorry about that," Applebloom's head dropped and then perked up, "Well I'll be off now! I'll see ya around Chris! Bye!"
And the young frilly darted away to go visit her friend.
"T-Thanks Big Mac, I really didn't know what to do as no one has asked that kind of question," Chris sighed in relief.
"Not a problem, so how about we introduce ya to Granny Smith," Big Mac say pointed to an elderly pony sitting in a stair near their house.
"That sounds good," Chris smiled.
"I'll go wake her," Applejack said as she strode off, still haven't gotten Applebloom's question.
"So…," Big Mac spoke up as Applejack walked off on ahead and Chris looked towards him, "What do ya really think of mah sister?"
"WHAT!?" Chris shouted taken aback and thankful that Applejack was ways away from them to her his shouting and as waking up the elderly pony.
"Hahaha! Just messin' with ya," Big Mac laughed.
"That wasn't funny," Chris said un-amused by Big Mac's joke.
"Granny Smith, Granny Smith! Wake up! There's somepony ah want ya to meet!" Applejack gently nudged her grandmother's arm trying to wake her and it worked.
"Eh? What's that ya sayin'? Somepony ya want me to wax?" Granny Smith groggily opened her eyes and muttered something out of her mouth without realizing what she just said.
"No! Ah wanted ya to meet mah good friend, Chris, here," Applejack said pointed to Chris who arrived with Big Mac in tow.
"Oh! Well put it there here, sonny!" Granny Smith said getting a closer look at the human boy before her. She had a lime green-colored coat that looks fragile and wore out, white mane and tail to show her age clearly with a few strands out of place, amber orange eyes with a few crow feet around them, and her cutie mark is that of a baked apple pie. She also had a four-legged crutch next to her which she uses to get around as it seems like she has bad hips and needs the crutches to help her walk.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Granny Smith," Chris bowed to her to show her respect, even back home you should always respect your elders.
"It's nice to meet ya! Oh?" Granny Smith said as she narrowed her eyes and got closer to inspect Chris, causing him to step back a little going "Um…" as he wasn't comfortable with the sudden intrusion of his personal space, "Ya look familiar? Have we met before? Are ya that pony from before?"
"Huh?" Chris opened his mouth in bewilderment. He would remember meeting somepony like her and how did she mistake him for a pony?
"Uh… Granny Smith," Applejack started to say, "Chris is a human from another world and this is his first time in Equestria and this is the first time you've met him."
"Oh, ah see, sorry there deary," Granny Smith smiled, "These ol' eyes aren't what they use to be."
"I don't mind," Chris waved his hands and smiles wryly.
"Oh, that reminds me… I have some pies baking in the ovens, would ya care for one sonny?" Granny Smith offered.
"Pies?"
"Eeyep, some of our best apple pies and there's plenty to go around," Big Mac said.
"Can I really have some?" Chris' eyes shined with delight, hoping to try out the apple pies. He does love his sweets.
"Of course ya can!" Applejack smiled, "And well we're at it I'll show ya more of our home."
"Alright!" Chris smiled happily as he grasps his hands in a pumped up manner. It's OK to time for some lunch, right? And he has plenty of time to go visit Rarity, but now all he can think of was trying out those apple pies.
After eating his fill of the apple pies and saying goodbye to the Apple family, as Applejack had work to do as something known as the 'Applebuck Season' was around the corner soon, and headed back to Ponyville to go see Rarity about getting some new clothes.
Chris wander through the streets of Ponyville looking at all the different shops around as this was the first time he went to venture through the town on his own and along the way he spotted numerous ponies, some he recognized from the party, as they all smiled and waved at him and it seems they have completely gotten used to his presence here despite only being here for about four days. He's still in shock and awe how they can be so opened with him clearly despite the obvious different species issues and hardly know a thing about him.
This wasn't like this back home as he faintly recalls. He remembers the bullies picking on him calling him a 'weirdo' and a 'freak' as well as the girls looking at him with disgust or ignored him. He didn't really understand it, why people hated him. To him, they simply hated for just existing and had no reason whatsoever to hate him or labeled him because of his hobbies. He eyes glanced downward as he recalls the painful memories with the kids laughing at him and him crying alone in his room.
At time he wanted to give up and lock himself in his room and never come out, but his aunt and uncle cheered him up every day of his life. And not only that, but some of the neighbors helped him out as well and it made him happy and so in turn he wanted to make other people happy. He tried his best with the other kids, but they still ignored him however they did become slightly less mean to him. He smiled as he recalls some kids smiling at him and thanking him for helping them out with a few things but still didn't warrant a friend for him. However he was OK with this, even if he burdens himself with all of the pain and sadness of the people around him he'll be happy that they are happy because that's what his name stands for and he's happy to have that name.
Just as he was walking around Ponyville, a sudden dizzy spell hits him which causes him to clench his head in pain and wobble around carelessly. His vision suddenly went double, seeing everything in two, and his felt his body being pulled away from him or he couldn't control his body normally almost having an out-of-body experience. The dizzy spell stopped and he panted.
"What in the name of…? What was that all about?" Chris panted trying to recover from it.
Will you be able to fulfill my request? As you are now and stand, it's too early to assess the situation, but your body as is will do for now, a female voice giggled inside his head, a faint glow of pink flashed before his eyes, a voice that sounded neither friendly or threatening.
The sudden presence of the strange being came and went like the passing wind and Chris stood there dumbfounded, and quite thankful there were no ponies around to see that. However there was something about it that was familiar… like he seen it in a dream, a dream inside an ocean of darkness.
What was that? That voice sounded familiar, but what did she mean about my current body? I recall being at the computer, working on something in my room, and then a pink light from behind me… Chris thought to himself in a pondering manner unaware of a certain gray object heading for him.
*CRASH*
"Wow! Again!? What's up with ponies crashing into me?" Chris yelled out as he landed on his butt again rubbing his template.
"Oh! I'm sorry about that! I just don't know what happened!" said a strangely deep, yet definitely feminine voice as Chris turns to see the speaker. It was a gray-colored female Pegasus, with a light yellow mane and tail, three bubbles on her flank as her cutie mark which he isn't sure what they represent as her talents, and her eyes were yellow but the most distinctive feature of hers that Chris notices wasn't her odd cutie mark but her eyes appeared crossed-eye!
Chris had to rub his eyes to double check to make sure he was seeing this right, but she indeed had crossed-eyes and Chris was starting to think maybe the crash into him was the cause of her eyes appearing crossed-eyed all of a sudden.
"Oh! You're Chris, aren't you?" the gray Pegasus said looking mighty happy and beamed a friendly smile to him. Chris was taken aback as he wasn't expecting her to be so friendly all of a sudden like that, "Oops, I forgot I bumped into you. Sorry about that."
The Pegasus smiled sheepishly as Chris waved his hands in front of him to let her know it's alright, "I don't mind, don't worry about it. However what were you doing before you crashed in to me?"
Chris noticed a bag around her neck, and sees a sack fill of mail, and it seems like she's a mailpony of the sort.
"Me? Well I'm doing my job of delivering everypony's mail to them, but right now I'm on break but one of letters blew right out of my bag and I was chasing after it! I guess I wasn't paying attention where I was going," the Pegasus giggled but apologized for her clumsiness.
"I see, and like I said it's alright," Chris wryly smiled.
"How about you join me on my break over at Sugercube Corner? It'll be my treat!" the gray Pegasus said as she took her hooves around Chris' arm and started to pull him along the way.
"Huh?" Chris taken by surprise, "It's alright! I'm supposed to be meeting one of my friends soon, and you don't have to really!"
"Nonsense! Besides it will only be for a few minutes, surely you're friend wouldn't mind the wait!" the Pegasus smiled and introduced herself, "And by the way, my name is Derpy Hooves, and it's nice to be friends with you!"
Ignoring his protest, Derpy dragged Chris all the way to Sugercube Corner, the giant gingerbread-house, that Twilight showed him during the tour when he left the hospital. As they enter the place, Chris was a bit surprised with the layout. There was a counter, with baked goods on display through the windows under the counter, and a kitchen off to the side that clearly shows where they bake their goods and manage their store but on the other side appeared to be more of a living room or lounge most suited for a family living together and stairs leading up the other floors. It's obvious this is someone's home but it was a bit of a surprise for Chris to see the interior design like this but found it very cool.
"Welcome to Sugercube Corner! How may I help you?" a loud and excitable voice bombarded the room, and there's only one pony Chris knows of who's that energetic. Chris looks over to the counter and sees the familiar pink pony who thrown him the party last night, Pinkie Pie.
"Ah! Chris, you're here!" Pinkie Pie squealed as she suddenly appeared in front of Chris, who in turn blinked and jump back spooked by her unbelievable speed as he didn't see her coming like that, "Ooh, does that mean you want to hang out with me! Or maybe you want to bake goods with me! This is so exciting! I'm so super-duper-happy that you're here now bestest-best-friend ever!"
"H-Hi Pinkie…," Chris stuttered a bit as he gave her a friendly hello wave, still not use to her rambunctious personality.
"Hi Derpy! How are you? What brings you in today, the usually? Ooh! And it looks like you and Chris are bestest-best-friends already too! Yay, that's great news! Now can I take your order?" Pinkie Pie says as she does a cartwheel back behind the counter. Honestly where does she get her energy from?
"How about a plate of chocolate chip muffins? I want to treat my friend Chris here after bumping into him like I did," Derpy said.
"Again, Derpy?" Pinkie Pie giggled as Derpy replied back with a sheepishly smile.
"Chocolate chip muffins…?" Chris' eyes shined with delight, he loves chocolate but he doesn't feel too happy that Derpy's paying for him but this time is alright, right?
"All righty then, coming right up!" Pinkie Pie singed, "While I go get the muffins, you two can take a seat over there, and I'll be right out in just a jiffy."
Pinkie Pie points to the tables and seats near the entrance to the store behind Chris and Derpy, which were all currently vacant to use.
"You sure? You don't mind if we take a seat here, Pinkie Pie?" Chris asked.
Pinkie Pie looked at him like he said a strange question, "Why of course, silly! I do hope you can take a seat!"
"Huh?" Chris blurted out a little confused, something about the way Pinkie Pie said it made it seem like he can't sit for apparently no reason whatsoever.
"Come on, Chris, have a seat!" Derpy gestured to a nearby table and pulled the human boy along with her and took a seat for herself as Chris took one across from her.
"I still feel like, I'm imposing on you, but thanks for treating me," Chris smiled, not sure how to express himself clearly.
"It's no problem at all! Besides I really wanted to talk to you when I got the chance!" Derpy smiled happy to get the chance to talk to Chris as she swings her arms in the air to express her happiness, but manage to knock the napkin box off the table. Surprisingly Chris manage to get it before falling to the ground, and Chris blinked as he unintentionally went for it and placed it back on the table.
"Wow! Nice catch there, Chris!" Derpy pointed out.
"Yeah… I know, I surprised even myself, I didn't really think about catching it at all!" Chris explained as he places the napkin box back on the table.
"Muffins are ready!" Pinkie Pie shouted, delivering a plate filled with chocolate chip muffins on it, and placed it on the table.
"Wow that was fast," Chris blinked as he wasn't expecting the muffins to be done already as he can still see the stream coming off of them.
"Yes siree! Well I hope you enjoy, I'll be right back!" Pinkie Pie said as she bounces away.
"Well dig in, Chris!" Derpy said as she grabs one of the muffins and takes a bit of it.
Chris reaches for one of the muffins, but stops himself and scratches the side of his face remember something earlier.
"Something wrong, Chris?" Derpy asked as she notices that Chris has touched his muffin yet.
"Well Derpy… I wanted to ask… um… did that happen when you crashed into me? I mean your eyes, I mean," Chris hesitantly said, feeling slightly responsible for Derpy's crossed-eye condition.
"Huh? My eyes," Derpy blinked and then smiled, "Oh, no, my eyes were always like this since the day I was born."
"Really?" Chris answered surprised.
"Yup! But I can make them look straight as well, check them out!" Derpy exclaimed showing her eyes looking normal and straight at Chris and then return them back to her 'regular' crossed-eyed appearance, "But I can still see just fine, so don't worry about me!"
"I see," Chris said while thinking about something, "You know, now that I think about it, that's kinda cool! It's like your eyes are like that of a chameleon as you can see in any directions! It's very neat to think about it like that."
"You know, I never thought of it like that, but you're right that is kinda cool!" Derpy laughed.
"I'm so glad you two are getting along!" Pinkie Pie said popping out of nowhere, which caused Chris to jump up from his seat for a moment. It's going to take longer for him to get use to her popping up out of nowhere more so than her speaking manners.
"Yeah, Chris is a really nice guy! I'm happy I got to chance to talk to him," Derpy said sweetly as she smiled, as well as enjoy eating her muffin, "Thanks for taking the time to hang out with me on my break!"
"No problem…," Chris muttered glancing downward to the table, troubled by something.
"Is something wrong, Chris, you haven't touched your muffins yet?" Pinkie Pie asked a little worried.
"It's just that," Chris began to speak, not sure how to explain it, "How are you girls so confident being yourself like that when introducing yourself to others? Aren't you afraid they'll think you're weird or strange and dislike you for it and stay away from you?"
"What do you mean? I'm just being myself and I want everypony I meet to be my friend! That's why I know everypony in this town!" Pinkie Pie smiled, not exactly getting what Chris is saying.
"She means that literally, too," Derpy chimed in, which surprises Chris as he didn't think it was possible for anyone to know everyone in town like that personally but back in the old days it wasn't entirely unheard of.
"Didn't you want to make friends back home?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Well… I've tried, but I freeze up a bit, even when I tried being myself when I don't express myself clearly enough but nobody back home wanted to be my friend," Chris said sadly and he glances away from the girls, "They always called me weird and strange and didn't want anything to do with me, so I've also been afraid trying to interact with people or introduce myself and I'm afraid of getting hurt in the process as well… so that's why I tend to keep to myself."
"That's horrible!" Pinkie Pie sounded outraged, Chris thought to himself as he couldn't imagine Pinkie Pie ever getting mad given her sweet nature, "Why would anypony do that? Just because you're different from somepony else doesn't mean you should treat them horribly!"
"Pinkie…" Chris stuttered glancing in her direction now.
"I'll admit you're a little weird and strange!" Pinkie Pie smiled, though Chris looked taken aback from the comment, "But that's what I like about you! You're different from me, but you're also a really fun and amazing person and I'm happy to be bestest-best-friends with you! And I also like your mane… I mean, hair! Especially how it fades to white at the tips from black! You're truly amazing and a funny person! Everypony should get to know you and like that about you!"
"My hair?" Chris blinked dumbfounded on that comment as he feels one of the tips of his thread of hair, "Well, to be honest, back home humans' hairs don't fade into another color like this until their old age. My hair, for some reason, naturally fades from one color to the next at the tips which is usually referred to 'frosted-tip hair' however people have to pay to dye their hair like that. I guess the kids were a little jealous that mine's fades away like that."
"But they shouldn't hate for it like that," Derpy spoken up, "Everypony has at least one thing that's different from somepony else, especially our cutie marks, and that shouldn't be the reason to be mean to somepony else. I bet there's people that's weird and strange to you as well, but you still want to be friends with them as well, right?"
Chris ponders that for a bit and nods, "You're right, I did find some people who's like that to me but I did want to be friends with them still. That's surprising insightful Derpy, I wasn't aware of it myself."
"Siree! And you shouldn't be afraid of expressing yourself to others and letting them know what you're like! I want to know what hobbies you like and do and share that with me and my friends, as well as everypony else out that!" Pinkie Pie bounced around happily, "And if you're still don't feel confident about expressing yourself, then I'll help you, because that's what bestest-best-friends do for each other!"
Chris looks to both girls and smiles happily, touched by their concern for him and their words, "Pinkie… Derpy… thank you! I'll try to be more self-confident about myself and try to make more friends."
"Alright! That will be 12 bits!" Pinkie Pie said.
"What?" Chris blinked. What did those words of advice cost something and is 'bits' the currency in this world?
"Oh, that's for the muffins," Derpy said, as she pulled something out from her mailbag's pocket and dropped 12 pieces of gold-colored coins on the table. "Now you better eat up before your muffins get cold! And if you're still hungry I'll get some more!"
"Thank you Derpy," Chris smiled and looked back to the plate of muffins with a hungry look in his eyes, "So you're sure it's alright for me not to pay?"
"Sure thing! I told ya, it's my treat and I still have a few more minutes left on my break!" Derpy sweetly smiled.
Chris feels a little bad still for letting Derpy treat him to these delicious chocolate chip muffins and mentally promises himself to pay her back or treat her to a snack as well, but right now those muffins are calling to him. It's alright, for now right?
Chris licks his lips in anticipation, "Muffins…" as the girls giggled at his excited nature and the twinkle in his eyes.
"Hello, Rarity! I'm here to see about some new duds for me?" Chris called out as he entered Rarity's Carousel Boutique store after saying goodbye to Derpy after she treated him to a plate full of muffins at the Sugercube Corner where Pinkie Pie works at during her break after they're 'encountered' with each other and finished their little snacks together.
As Chris took a look around Rarity's home and shop, he was a bit surprised to see what the inside of the place looked like. He sees several mirrors throughout the room, three of which located on a stylist's salon counter where Chris assumes is where Rarity helps with trimming everypony's mane and tail, a small platform with three mirrors around it to get every angle of the dress the pony wears Chris thought to himself as he's aware of fashion shows like back home, stairs leading up to the next floor, desks and drawers with a sewing machine on it and fabric clothes as well as pony mannequins with pins and needles on a pincushion nearby.
This was the home of a fashion designer indeed and Chris truly felt out-of-place here given he's lack of talent or true understanding of fashion and wore what he liked and felt best on him though he did try to keep it unique with the clothing choices.
"Ah, Chris, you're here! Thank you for stopping by darling," Rarity called out as she emerged from down the steps as she approached Chris who was looking around the place. Chris was about to say hi to Rarity, but was taken aback by her glasses, as he wasn't aware she wore a pair but found that he liked seeing them on her.
"It's not a problem Rarity… um… I hope I'm not interrupting your work or anything," Chris spoke up as he looks around the room.
"Not at all! In fact, I just finished up all of my orders and in my free time I decided to make clothes suited to you and already made a few for you," Rarity smiled happily.
"Already? But you don't know my measurements yet? You can tell just by looking at me?" Chris exclaimed in bewilderment, astonished by Rarity's speed and talents of already doing so.
"Actually I still need to get your proper measurements, but I took a grander at it after making your hospital gown and I think you're going to like some of my designs! Come along, come along, I'll have you outfitted soon enough and I can get some measurements in!" Rarity said with glee, extremely passionate at getting Chris' measurement to start making clothes outfitted for him perfectly and a chance to make a new style of clothing.
"Wait… hold on a second… we're doing it now?" Chris protested as Rarity gently pulls him behind the folding room divider.
"Of course! The sooner, the better, now let's get started deary!" Rarity said as she got him behind the divider and levitated a measuring tape to her using her magic and started taking Chris' measurements.
She started with his waist, chest, height, length, then arms and legs and made some notes onto her clipboard as Chris was feeling a little queasy with Rarity taking his measurements as Rarity told him to relax and leave everything to her as she'll be gentle with him.
"Fascinating," Rarity muttered to herself as she checks her measurements on Chris in her notes and smiles to herself, "Ooh, I cannot wait until I get started on making your clothes but first I like for you to try out some outfits I made for you already and I like to hear your own input for your outfits since you clearly have good taste in fashion!"
"Not really…," Chris wryly smiled and humbly answered Rarity back.
"Now let's have you try out these clothings!" Rarity smiled as she pulled out a few different clothing.
Chris was surprised with some of them, ranging for a suit tailored to someone of high social standards, casual clothing that Chris normally doesn't wear, a slightly old-fashion dress, and a butler suit. Chris grimaces a bit with the choices as he doesn't normally wear those clothes save for the casual one, but the butler suit has him intrigued. Rarity made him wear the clothing she made for him, and he notices they were slightly too big or loose on him but understandable given that Rarity made these without measuring him first but praised her for making them extremely close to his measurements just by looking at them.
"Um… I have to yes, I'm liking the butler suit one the most," Chris said as Rarity combed his hair back as he wore a black butler suit with a black-matching tie, pants, and press shoes along with white gloves. Chris wonders if there's a pony equivalent to these clothes given that Rarity made them without prior knowledge of human clothing which makes Chris believe she's the best fashion designer in the entire world.
"Hmm… as I thought, I was a little off, but you absolutely look darling in them! What do you think? Do you like them?" Rarity said as she glanced at all sides of Chris when he tried out all of the clothing she made for him.
"Though I have to say, honestly, they're not my type but I really do like this butler suit you made for me! And those blue and black casual clothing with the long-sleeved shirt and jeans were nice, too!" Chris smiled happy with Rarity's designs, "You're really talented Rarity!"
Rarity smiled at this, happy to hear that, and then moves Chris over to a table, after he changes back to his regular clothing and his hair back to normal, and places some paper and pencils next to him, "Since you've seen my designs I would like to see your own outfit designs you want me to make for you, but if it's not too much trouble to ask. If you're not comfortable with drawing you can tell me and I'll draw the design and make them right away!"
"It's OK, I've got this," Chris said feeling very enthusiastic all of a sudden, since it's been awhile for him since he last drew anything. Chris quickly sketched out some simply design choices for his outfit he wants in the future, "Oh yeah, I need to think of some winter clothing too… I'll freeze to death wearing my spring and summer type clothing."
Rarity blinked at the speed and precision of Chris' drawing skills as he already has gone through several pieces of paper within a few minutes, and the drawings were simple sketches but detailed drawing even though the clothing were simply in appearance.
"Amazing!" Rarity breathed in astonishment, "I have no idea you were such a talented artist! Your drawings are beautiful!"
Rarity looked at the first picture, with was the same as Chris' outfit but was colored in green for the jacket along with a chain accessory to the side of the shorts adding a little extra something to the design. It was still simple, but it was very eye-catching and unique and Rarity found something quite amazing in such a simple design despite her going for the highest quality in appearance for the best.
"I'm not that good," Chris shyly said, "And is this good enough? How much will I have to pay you when they're done?"
"You don't owe me a thing, darling!" Rarity smiled as she looks over the designs quite impressed by them.
"Wha-?! But I can't take these for free!"
"Ah, but you already paid me darling," Rarity said with a serious glee in her eyes as she smiled, which Chris blinked in confusing, "You have paid me with your uniqueness, allowing me the chance to make something entirely new, and your designs are simply marvelous! I do hope you stick around and help me with my fashion, I could use your talent as you'll be a big help with your skills! Though you will have to pay in the future, but when you get your first set of clothes it will be free."
"Thank you, Rarity," Chris smiled.
"You're welcome," Rarity smiled back as she continue to look at the designs, "By the way, I've been wondering about this for some time now, you seem to fiddle with your pendant from time to time and one of your designs are quite… out there, similar to your pendant."
"I do? Well I've very interested in other cultures, especially the Eastern Culture with its myths and legends as well as some of the clothing there so I guess it got stuck to my head," Chris playfully stick out his tongue and knocked the side of his head, "And this pendant… the symbol is called Yin & Yang which refers to the light and darkness of the world and the balance they present as one cannot exist without the other. This is also… the only memento of my parents that they gave to me before they passed away."
"O-Oh… I see," Rarity's ears drooped down a bit as she heard this.
"It's OK, my aunt and uncle told me my parents loved me very much as they waited the day I was born and gave me this," Chris smiles as he recalls that faint memory, "Even though I could barely remember them, I always brought a smile to their smiles but they passed away due to illness and my family was poor to begin with. But I'm not sad anymore… I have this to remind me of their love and now I have friends for the first time! I'm not alone anymore and I know they're proud of me!"
Rarity gently pulled her hoof on Chris' shoulder and smiles warmly at him, "That's wonderful to hear Chris and I believe that as well."
Suddenly the door to Rarity's shop opens and both Twilight and Applejack walk in, surprising Chris altogether as both he and Rarity draw their attention onto them.
"Twilight, Applejack? This is a surprise, what can I do for you darlings?" Rarity asked.
"Well… we're here to see Chris, since I've been searching him after some time when he went to Applejack's," Twilight explained.
Chris blinked, not sure why Twilight needed to see him all of a sudden, "You need to see me?"
"Yup," Twilight smiled, "Chris, do you remember about Princess Celestia?"
"You mean the co-ruler of Equestria? Yes, why do you ask?" Chris said not getting where this is going.
"Well, I've wrote about you to Princess Celestia since the day you got here and again this morning as she mentions she's really interested about you and wants to meet you, and she's coming by today right now as we speak!" Twilight smiled as it is the highest honor to receive an audience with Princess Celestia.
"Oh! Princess Celestia is coming here? Why this is a great honor, Chris, aren't you happy?" Rarity squealed with delight.
"Easy there, Rarity, Celestia's coming to see him but it's great to see the princess again!" Applejack chimed in.
Chris stood there for several seconds before uttering a word, "So let me get this straight, Princess Celestia is coming to Ponyville?"
"Yes," Twilight answered.
"Since you've told her about me?"
"Yeah," Twilight nodded getting a little nervous.
"And she wishes to meet me and is on her way here soon?" Chris said with that same calm, but deadpanned tone in his voice.
"Um… Yeah, as well as check up on me and my friends," Twilight said now completely nervous, and Applejack and Rarity could feel the awkwardness in the air too by Chris' strange behavior.
Chris' face suddenly goes pale and his eyes shrink with terror in them causing all of the girls in the room to look worried and scared for his sudden transaction of expression.
"Oh dear, Chris is something the matter?" Rarity was the first to ask as she reached her hoof out to him.
"Sugercube, are ya alright?" Applejack also asked in concern for her friend.
Chris suddenly bolts out the door, before any of them could tell what just happened, as Chris shouts, "THIS IS BAD, THIS IS BAD, THIS IS BAD! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO!?"
The girls just stood there, gawking at the door where Chris exited from. Applejack was the first to get out of her daze and clear her throat and asks at to nopony in particular as all of the girls were looking at each other, "Just what in tarnation was that all about?"
"I have no idea why Chris did that," Twilight said as she bolts out of the store with Rarity and Applejack in tow, "But we have to find him and calm him down before Princess Celestia gets here or it will be a disaster!"
Currently at Twilight's place, Spike is cleaning up the place after the breakfast and Twilight's studies as he's climbing a ladder to the top to place some of the books Twilight was reading earlier away after she received a letter from Princess Celestia after sending a letter to her sometime after. After placing the books back into their shelves, Spike takes out a feather duster and dusts the dust away until the door suddenly burst opened.
Chris Corona comes rushing in, clearly in distress and panic, and Chris shuts the door behind him making a loud bam that the sudden intrusion nearly knocks Spike off the ladder. However, because flow of action was so sudden some of the books that were sticking out of the shelves fall off.
"The books!" Spike cried out, as Chris unexpectedly catches all the books that fell balancing them on his knee and hand, and grabbing the rest with his hands.
Spike does a double-take as he was totally caught off guard by it, "Wow! That was awesome man, how did you do that?"
"I d-didn't even mean to do it! I just did!" Chris exclaimed, still in a panic, "And by the way Spike, can you get these books please?"
"Oh! Sure thing!" Spike rushes over to Chris, after sliding down the ladder, and grabbing the books off of him and placing them back to where they belong. "So, what's wrong dude? Why you in such a panic? Did Twilight find you yet?"
"That's the thing, Spike!" Chris shouted still freaking out, "Twilight, along with Applejack, came to see me and told me that Princess Celestia is coming to see ME of all people!"
"Princess Celestia? That's great! She's really nice and kind! I know you'll love her, she's really amazing!" Spike smiled happy for his friend that he gets to meet the Princess of Equestria.
"But that's the problem, Spike! I don't know how I should act around her! She's royalty man!" Chris exclaims as he paces around the room, starting to make a trench in the floor, "What if I do something wrong and upset her or unintentional insult her without meaning to! I've never met a princess before!"
"Wow, you sound like Twilight on a bad day," Spike comments, "First of all, you got to relax dude! If you stress yourself out it's not going to be healthy for you."
"Alright, alright… I'll calm down," Chris took in deep breathe, relaxing himself.
"And I know Princess Celestia personally, so don't worry about it and be yourself," Spike tells his buddy, "She's love ya the way you are and you'll love her right back just like everypony here in Equestria. She's really great, I'm telling ya!"
"OK, I feeling better now," Chris finally calms himself, "Thank you Spike, I needed that."
"No problem man!" Spike smiles.
*KNOCK* *KNOCK*
There's a knock at the door as the boys both look at and then at each other.
"Twilight must be back already," Spike says.
"No worries, I'll get the door. I need to apologize to Twilight for freaking out on her like that anyway," Chris said as he opens up the door, "Welcome back, Twilight! About early, I'm sorry for running… huh?"
However, the pony that was at the door wasn't Twilight, but a majestic white-colored pony with flowing multiple color mane and a tail consent of the colors light cerulean, light turquoise, very light cobalt blue, and pale heliotrope with a pair of magenta eyes staring at Chris. The human boy noticed she both had a horn and a pair of wings, meaning she is a Winged Unicorn or an Alicorn as another term, and she was nearly the same height as him though he was slightly taller than her and not only that Chris spotted a necklace of sorts around her neck and a crown onto of her head and Chris realizes who it is that's beforehand. And to top it all off her cutie mark is that of a stylish sun with yellow and orange colors.
Chris gulped as he wasn't expecting to meet her so soon, even though this was the first time meeting her he knew who she's suppose to be, and with him still not entirely ready yet was causing him to stress out again.
"Greetings, you must be the human boy Chris Corona I assume?" the elegantly Pegasus unicorn said kindly, "I am Princess Celestia of Equestria and it is my pleasure to finally meet you."
Meanwhile in Ponyville, Twilight, Applejack, and Rarity rounded up the rest of their friends as Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy join them of searching for Chris throughout Ponyville after his little panic attack back at Rarity's Carousel Boutique store and home.
"Where could of Chris ran off, too?" Twilight asks to nopony in particular as they search every nook and cranky of Ponyville's streets looking for their human friend.
"Well ah wasn't expectin' him to bolt off like that, ah tell ya. Though he is quite the runner," Applejack comments as she asks everypony around if they saw Chris which none of them done.
"Hah, now that's a sight I would've love to see! I wonder how fast he is!" Rainbow Dash giggled, not taking the situation too seriously and more curious about Chris' athletic abilities given his previous status as a book worm. However Twilight glances at Rainbow Dash in a scolding manner, "But, finding Chris is our first priority."
"Goodness graces I do hope he's alright, he looked quite spook when it happened," Rarity speaks up recalling Chris' early reaction.
"So what exactly happened? Why he freaked out all of sudden?" Rainbow Dash inquiry curious on why Chris freaked out and ran.
"Well, all I did was tell him that Princess Celestia was coming to Ponyville today and she wanted to see him," Twilight answered, "And his face went pale and ran out saying 'This is bad! What am I going to do?' which I'm not sure why he say that."
"Maybe…," Fluttershy spoken up, catching everypony's attention, "This is the first time Chris has ever met a princess and isn't exactly sure how to act around her. I mean, he's going to meet a very important pony and princess after all, if I were him I would be spooked too."
"Ah! I didn't think about that at all!" Twilight cried out now realizing it, "When I first met Princess Celestia it was so sudden that I was so surprised and honor I didn't know what to do and say! How could I have not realized it? Poor Chris, I should've let him known ahead of time! We have to find him before Princess Celestia gets here first!"
"But we have no idea where he went!" Rainbow Dash said.
"Silly fillies!" Pinkie Pie said as she hops around carefree, "Chris didn't run away, he just went someplace else! It's obvious where he went!"
Everypony stopped in their tracks and look at each other and then back to Pinkie Pie, completely dumbfounded.
"What do you mean? Where else could he have-," Twilight started to say until it donned on her, "Oh! That's where he went! It has to be my house! Come on girls, follow me! I hope it's not too late!"
Back at Twilight's house, Chris has started making some tea for Princess Celestia as she took a sit in the lounge area along with Spike whom the two were discussing how everything is between the two of them at the Canterlot Castle and at Ponyville as Chris came out of the kitchen and placed the plate of tea for three on the small table near them.
Even now Chris is still nervous around the princess as he's still not entirely sure how to respond but he's determine to be myself like Spike suggested and remembers from his earlier conversation with Derpy and Pinkie Pie to have confident in myself as well.
"Why thank you, Chris, you didn't have to," Princess Celestia smiled as levitated the cup of tea with her magic and brought it to her muzzle and took a sip, "Oh my, this is quite delicious!"
"W-Well I learned from my aunt when I helped her with brewing tea or making food," Chris said after taking a sip of his own tea as he sat across from the princess.
"So…," Princess Celestia started to speak, getting right to the heart of the matter as Chris tightens his grip on his chair, "How are you doing here in Ponyville? Have you adjusted already to your new surroundings? And how are you getting along with Twilight and her friends?"
"Oh, well… I…" Chris stuttered.
"Come on, dude, just relax and be yourself," Spike whispered to Chris to encourage him, as the boy in question nodded.
"I've adjusted pretty quickly to Ponyville and I love it here! Everyone… um… everypony here is so friendly and nice to me words can't describe my feelings of gratitude for them after they welcomed me into their town and took care of me with open arms," Chris smiled recall his first day in Ponyville as his best memory, "And about Twilight and her friends, they've been really great! Out of all the ponies here those six have been the most kindest to me and really help me get on my feet since I got here and I owe them everything."
"I see, I'm glad to hear it," Princess Celestia smiled, "I don't see any problems with you staying here and your welcome to stay in Equestria as long as you want."
"Why thank you, princess!" Chris stuttered with happiness.
"Please, you don't have to be so formal, you may call me Celestia if you want," the Princess of the Sun smiled, "Though I am curious, how did you find yourself in Equestria? Do you remember anything at all?"
Chris recounts how he started falling in the sky when he woke up in Equestria, landing in a lake, how Twilight and her friends found him, being taking care of by Nurse Redheart at the Ponyville Hospital, and the rest of his time here in Ponyville until today as well as his memory loss.
"Interesting…," Princess Celestia mutters to herself, "I will look into this matter myself and see if I can find a way to return you back home."
"O-Oh, I see," Chris replied back hesitantly, he's happy that there might be a chance he might go home but at the same time he wishes to stay here with his new friends which was a difficult decision. Princess Celestia caught this and smiled to herself, she knows what he is thinking and she leaves him with the decision to choice which path he will take when the time comes.
"Well then, since I still have a little bit more free time, is there anything you like to discuss with me? I wouldn't mind getting to know you a bit more personally," Princess Celestia encouraged Chris to talk with her.
Chris ponder it to himself, thinking of something to ask and comes up with something, "Celestia… if it's not too much to ask, can you tell me a little bit about yourself and what you do at Canterlot Castle? Just to get a better idea of the world as well, you know."
The Princess giggled, "Very well, what I do at the castle is oversee the affairs of the pony communities all throughout Equestria as well as oversee my prized student's, Twilight Sparkle, studies and attend various meeting to discuss the welfare of all pony kind and seeing what way to help everypony. And my most important job is to rise the sun to start the day while my younger sister, Princess Luna, rises the moon as I lower the sun."
"Wait… what?" Chris blinked, clearly dumbfounded by what the princess just said, "You… rise the sun?"
"Yes," Princess Celestia answered with a smile, "It's one my responsibilities and something I do every day. I take it your world doesn't have anyone to rise and lower the sun and the moon?"
"Nope…," Chris said, still in shock with that bit of information… he wasn't expecting that! "Our world, or planet to say, orbits around the sun and the moon orbits around the Earth so night and day change on their own in my world. Though, there were ancient Greek legends about gods and goddess doing such a feat but no one does that back home."
"I see," Princess Celestia noted.
"That sounds weird," Spike finally speaks up after listening to their conversation for so long, but chose not to disturb them.
"And… is that all you really do at the castle?" Chris asked expecting a bit more.
"Nope, that's basically it, though I do occasionally come down from the castle to visit the pony folk but they tend to throw me parties and go overboard with the formalities," Princess Celestia said with a slight sigh and giggle.
"I see," Chris blinked, "Not to be rude or anything, but that sounds… dull."
"Chris!" Spike exclaimed clearly not expecting him to say that, but to the young dragon's surprise the princess actually giggled to that.
"I can't argue with that," the princess laughed.
"So… don't you ever have fun, like normally as everyone else does?" Chris asked, at this point not caring if she's royalty or not he just finds it sad that she doesn't enjoy herself that much as everypony else, "Don't you ever, I don't know, go out for the day not being a princess and just relaxing with friends?"
Princess Celestia blinked, this was the first time anypony or in this case anyone had asked such a thing of her but smiled at his reason, "Not exactly, duties and all, but I thank you for your concern however it's a little hard in my case getting everypony to treat me as they normally would with their friends."
"You don't mind, if I treat like you a friend except a princess?" Chris blurted out unintentionally, and slapped his hands over his mouth as he realized what he said and Spike gawked him as well, "T-That is too say… not like treating you NOT a princess, but still not caring about your status… I mean, just a really close friend… I mean as dear as a friend would be… I… aw man."
Spike tried his best to stuff his laughter in because of Chris' clumsy attempt to recover from his 'mishap' however the Princess wasn't angry at all but gave out a hearty laughter and enjoyed Chris' attempt to treat her equally like everypony else and not a princess all the time.
"Ha ha ha, I see," the princess smiled and giggled, "I thank you for expressing your honestly Chris and I look forward to just be 'normal' friends with each other."
"Sweet!" Chris pumped himself and both Spike and Princess Celestia looked at him curiously, "What? It's not every day I get to meet a princess… well I know what I said earlier… but being friends with one is awesome! T-That is too say… guys usually dream about meeting and rescuing a princess from the evil lord… wait, wait, wait! I didn't mean it like that! I'm not the Hero of Time or anything like that anyway!"
Both Spike and Celestia giggled again, he has a way to make everyone laugh and have a good time. Spike was the one to speak up, "Really? And why's that? Why so interest in princesses! And what's this 'hero of time' you're talking about?"
"Well you see, there's this game where you play a forest boy in green clothing with a fairy that journeys across the world to save the land and the princess from an evil lord," Chris explains, his face burning up as he continued to talk, "And the name of the game is named after the princess despite the main character being the boy in green who the players get to name themselves, and basically he travels through time to save the world. In a way it's every guys' dream to meet a princess, even if it's childish and not a lot of people believe in that as there are no princesses in my countries but in other countries outside where I learn."
"I see, that's certainly quite interesting," Princess Celestia, "Does that mean you want to be my 'knight'?"
"I-WHAT!?" Chris blurted out in embarrassment, "T-That's…"
"I'm just kidding," Princess Celestia laughed, showing her playful side, "Though the offer still stands if you want to take it."
"Oh brother," Chris said deflated with a half-amused expression, "I shouldn't have say anything."
Spike nudges Chris in his side, "So… does that mean you like Princess Celestia in that way?"
"SPIKE!"
The three of them laughed and continued their conversation with each other as the sun was getting closer to setting.
As Twilight and her friends make it to her place to, hopefully, find Chris before Celestia arrives in Ponyville, getting a little worried that she might get in trouble with the princess if she makes her wait too long.
"We have to hurry! Before Celestia gets here!" Twilight shouted as she dashed even faster to her place.
"Ooh, lookie it's Princess Celestia's chariot!" Pinkie Pie giggled in a singing manner as she pointed to the princess' chariot with the two guardspony nearby.
"WHAT?!" Everypony cried and stopped dead in their tracks when they saw the chariot.
Twilight was the first to freak out, her face appearing calm and relax but anypony could tell up close that her eyes shrink in panic and had a nervous smile plaster on her face along with a few strands of her hair pointing out of place.
"OK, Princess Celestia is already here and I failed to notice or greet her," Twilight nervously chuckled, "That's not a bad thing… as long as we find Chris first to calm him down and help him get ready to meet her everything will be fine."
Everypony could hear the cackling in her voice as Applejack approached, "Are ya alright sugercube? Ya don't look so good."
"Oh! Princess Celestia must be at Twilight's house waiting which is where Chris is! Oh, I wonder how they're getting along," Pinkie Pie smiled as she bounced ahead.
"Oh…," Twilight stuttered. This is bad, if Chris really is at her house and the princess was there too where Chris is still being in a panic state this will make it seems like Chris is an utter weirdo and strange which isn't what he's like and Twilight doesn't want the princess to think that!
Just then, the door to Twilight's house opens, and Princess Celestia and Chris emerge from it and to the strange sight to the ponies were laughing together and seemingly having a good time with each other's company. The princess spots Twilight and her friends and approaches them with a warm smile.
"Hello, everypony, it's lovely to see you all once again. I take it you're all enjoying yourself together and everything is fine?" Princess Celestia asks as Twilight and her friends bowed before her.
"Why, yes, Princess Celestia everything is fine!" Twilight said, "Though we were looking for Chris, after he… was excited to hear you were coming and wanted to get ready for your arrival. It slipped my mind when he could've gone and I forgot to welcome you to Ponyville when you got here, and for that I apologize."
"There's no need to be so formal, Twilight," Princess Celestia smiled, "It's alright and besides I got to chat with Chris here, and I must say he's quite a delightful, charming, sweet, kind, and funny person and I enjoyed his company. He definitely knows how to put a smile on anypony's face and I felt quite comfortable around him."
The comment causes Chris to blush and looked down at his feet, kicking the dirt a little. Twilight sighed with relief to hear that and was even more happy to hear that the Princess and Chris got along swimmingly.
"Well, my time is about up as I must head back to the castle but I expect to hear more about you, Twilight, as well as Chris here and your friends," Princess Celestia said as she turns her attention towards Chris, "And Chris, again, it was a pleasure to meet you and I hope you enjoy your stay in Equestria and like I said I'll look into the events that brought you to this world."
"Thank you princess," Chris smiled, "And one more thing."
Everypony was curious to know what he was doing, but Princess Celestia seemed to know as she smiled a bit wider, as Chris took a bow and spoke in a mock knight voice, "Until we meet again, my princess."
"And, as to you, my brave knight," Princess Celestia says as she does a bow as well.
Everypony blinked in confusion at this little scene between the two as both Chris and Princess Celestia as the two shared a laugh together, as Princess Celestia steps onto her chariot.
"Until we meet again, my little ponies," the Princess of the Sun said as she took off back to her castle.
"That went a lot more smoothly than I thought," Chris said out loud as Twilight and her friends circled around him.
"Chris… what was that about?" Twilight said still a little stunned from the act both the Princess and Chris did, "And tell me, how did it went? Was everything alright?"
"My, it seems the princess was quite taken with you! You're quite the charmer," Rarity teased with a giggle.
"Hey, so what was that all about, between you and the Princess?" Rainbow Dash got in his face and gave a sly grin, "You seem a little too close with the princess there. What's that all about?"
"Hold it, hold it! It's nothing like that!" Chris quickly defended himself, "Let's get inside! I'll tell you what happened!"
Everypony quickly entered Twilight's house to hear the details of Chris' conversation with the Princess, with Spike also helping out with, but before Chris could go back inside the house a thought disturbed him.
Just what was that voice from earlier before going on about? What about my body? I wonder… this feeling… is that voice and however I got into Equestria related? And when the times comes, do I decide to go back home to my family that loves me or do I decide to stay here with my new friends and start a new life here?
EPISODE 3 END