~~~~~A Tale of Soldiers and Scientists~~~~~
~~~~~Chapter 3~~~~~
~~~~~It’s True I Must be Going (But I Swear I Won’t be Long)~~~~~
Phillip slowly began to wake, and immediately he knew something was wrong. For one, he didn’t fall asleep on a pillow on the floor. He also didn’t wake up slowly, after years in the Defenders you learned right quick to get right up when you were needed, or most days before.
The real tip-off, though, was that his he couldn’t feel either of his hands or his feet. In their place, it seemed, were stumps. Adrenaline rushed to his mind, helping to shake off the sleep spell that had been placed earlier.
Let’s see, he thought. Last I remember I had just walked home after dealing with the ‘protest’ at the inn. When I arrived, I got in bed, and now this. Definitely something going on.
He looked about the room he had awoken in, finding it to be a rather messy study with quite low shelves, maybe an elementary school library. Judging by the rather advanced content of the shelves, however, such as books like “Quantum Physics and You,” “The Multi-verse Theories” and “Advanced Magical Theories of Space and Time,” Phillip was sure that it either was not an elementary school library or was the library of an elementary school populated entirely by genius prodigies.
Done with examining his surroundings for the time being, he changed his focus to looking at his body’s injuries, trying to assess the damage. His preliminary checks had shown no bones to be broken and no seriously bleeding wounds, but he had thought that was probably the because of a numbing spell. The truth, however, was much more unorthodox.
When he looked at ‘his’ body, he noticed that it was furry, short and probably quadrupedal, in addition to being quite colorful. Adrenaline began to pump through his body, but he shut it down fairly quickly. Panic and anger would not help him now.
He slowed down a bit, and examined his body. Rather than being human, as he was before, he appeared to be equine in nature. Closer examination revealed that he was gray, with a white mane. If he knew more about equine breeds, he might realize that the body he was now in was not actually terrestrially equine in nature, but the advent of the arcane motor had spelled doom for the horse’s domination of European culture.
He tested the body, in strength of muscle and limit of motion, though endurance would evade him until he had more time. The strength of muscle was less than it should have been, but the flexibility surprised him.
Heh. Mistake right there, giving me something to use to my advantage to escape, he thought. He made a thorough examination of his immediate surroundings, to try and discern drag marks or trace elements of transmutation spells, but he could find none. He did find more than a small amount of Cognition magic and a book titled “Visitor’s Guide to Equestria” with a note attached to it. “Read this first,” it said.
The cognitive magic left no trace in his head, which led him to believe they either had a powerful, skilled Cognitor or they had not modified his mind, either of which was worrying from the degree of other changes. Rather than worry, however, he began to read the book.
The Visitor’s Guide to Equestria
by Parchment Maps
Equestria is a land full of magic, life and wonder. Many first time visitors will find themselves thoroughly confused, and so in this tome I shall endeavor to answer the most common questions.
Many are confused about the ruling body of Equestria. Is it an inherited title? Is it a ruling council? Are the names Celestia and Luna simply honorifics?
No, as a matter of fact. Celestia and Luna are our immortal rulers, working tirelessly since the early days of cooperation between the three tribes to keep the peace and ensure peace and harmony reigned.
Celestia is the alicorn princess of the Sun, and raises it every morning and lowers it every evening. Luna, by contrast, is the alicorn princess of the Moon, and raises her icon every evening and lowers it every morning.
Some races who know little of us may assume that, because Celestia and Luna live forever, they will, or in some cases have, gone mad with power. This is simply untrue.
Celestia and Luna are both benevolent rulers. They may occasionally break down, but it is our duty as citizens of Equestria to help them back up.
Many have made the mistake of thinking that, since we are peaceful, we are weak. This is where the Elements of Harmony come into play.
The Elements of Harmony consist of six mares, each wielding one virtue of Friendship. These virtues consist of Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, Loyalty and Magic.
Bah, thought Phillip. I have heard better works of fiction from elementary students. He approached the door, stumbling a few times, and pushed down on the bar doorknob with his hoof, opening it. He looked around, having emerged in a small but cozy kitchen, though it was much bigger than what he was used to.
He looked at the blinds, and pulled them down with a hoof while leaning over to see outside. Outside, he could see a handful of small, colorful ponies laughing and frolicking in a field. He watched for a bit, and then went back inside.
Maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t elementary level fiction.