//------------------------------// // Four // Story: Crosswinds // by Rockdio //------------------------------// “I propose this, Twilight. You ask a question, I answer, then vice-versa.” said Hawkins as he sat straighter in the hospital bed. “Ooh, ooh! Is this a game? I love games!” Pinkie bounced in place with excitement. Hawkins looked to her in slight puzzlement, Good lord, how does she keep that energy up? “Sounds good to me Mr. Hawkins. Since we already know your name, how about where you’re from?” “Well, kind of a long story I guess. I live in a country called the United States, in a city called Chesapeake. That city is in a state called Virginia.” Twilight frowned slightly as he said this. Hawkins noticed this and took it as a sign of confusion. Odd, they have roughly the same facial expressions that humans do. “Sorry, let me say that again. I live in a country called the United States. I live in a state, within the United States, called Virginia. The city I live in resides within this state. Is that clearer?” Twilight’s frown deeped slightly, as if in deep thought, “Oh it makes perfect sense,” she said. “I just haven’t ever heard of this nation you’ve mentioned. It must be far beyond the borders of Equestria” Much farther than you suspect, actually. Hawkins thought. “Okay, my question. Where exactly am I?” Twilight’s smile quickly changed into a smile as she began to explain where he was, “You’re currently in a hospital in the town of Ponyville! It is a small town not too far from the capital city, Canterlot.” Canterlot, he thought, Christ, I really am in a fairytale. “My turn! Where is the United States anyway? I’ve never heard of it.” “I thought you were going to ask that.” This time, Hawkins frowned as he thought for a moment. “This is going to sound very crazy as I explain this. The United States is only one of several hundred countries, large and small, that all reside on another planet…or in another dimension for all I know.” “Wait. You mean that you’re not from this world?” Twilight cocked her head as she looked at him in disbelief. Hawkins nodded, “As far as I can tell Twilight.” “Woah! No way! We have a real life alien!” Rainbow dash exclaimed. “Oh dear,” Fluttershy said, “You won’t abduct us all, or anything bad, will you?” Hawkins tried to laugh, something he immediately regretted. Only succeeded in coughing a few times, wincing every time. “I’m sad to say that our race hasn’t advanced in technology to reach that point. But yeah, I suppose I count as an alien.” He looked back at Twilight, “So, what other races do you have here, or is it just ponies?” “Well,” she began, “besides your average rabbits, butterflies and other animals. Speaking of which, do you know what those are, don’t you?” Hawkins nodded, “Hmm. Strange,” she said in a quieter tone, “different worlds, similar animals." She spoke louder once again, "But that’s beside the point. There are Manticores, Phoenixs, Griffons, Dragons, and other magical creatures.” As she listed off each ‘magical creature’ Hawkins sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, “Just great.” he muttered. “Hmm? What’s wrong?” Twilight asked, confused by his reaction. “Those creatures you mentioned, Griffons, Dragons and all of those. In our world, they’re what we call ‘mythological creatures.' Meaning they’re made up. Don’t exist.” “But,” Applejack spoke, “how can ya’ll have the same creatures like Dragons and such, and not have them?” “We don’t” he replied. “By mythological, I mean that they’re a myth, made up by humans long ago to try to explain how things worked in our world. How the sun went around the earth, why it rained, why the oceans had tides. I can go on, really.” The look of confusion had seemed to spread to the entire group standing in front of him, “Look, in our world, there is no evidence that these creatures exist at all. Heck,” he gestured to Twilight, “Unicorns are made up as well,” his hand moved to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, “the same goes for you two. Pegasi are mythological creatures. Well, technically, there was only one. Went by the name of Pegasus. But that’s a story that I don’t have the knowledge to tell you the entirety of.” Pinkie began to look very sad, a first for Hawkins to see, “So no other ponies like us?” Hawkins shook his head, “Nope. Humans are the only creature that has the ability to speak like we do on our world. Though I think that our question game has gone off track quite a bit.” Twilight nodded somberly, “Yeah, sorry. I mean, such an event like this has never happened before in the history of Equestria before, as far as I know. Celestia would know more than I do though.” Now it was Hawkins’ turn to look confused, “You’ve used that name before, Celestia. Who is that exactly?” “Princess Celestia is our ruler, along with her sister, Princess Luna. They’re both Alicorn ponies.” “Alicorn?” Hawkins frowned, “Never heard of that before.” “Basically an Alicorn is the combination of both Pegasi and Unicorn ponies.” Twilight explained. “Princess Celestia would be a better pony to ask.” “Well, why not now?” he moved to get up but Twilight put her hoof on his chest, stopping the motion. “Ah ah ah. You’re staying put.” She lifted her hoof and pointed it at his face. “You’re not in any condition to travel. As well, it’s risky enough to keep you and your friend here. The nurse that came in, as well as the doctor that is tending to your friend come straight from Canterlot. Security is tight right now, as no other pony besides us, the nurse and the doctor have seen you two.” Hawkins had to agree with her on this one. Gauging from the nurse’s reaction earlier, he didn’t have to speculate at just what the other ponies reactions would be if he were to stroll out into town with his injuries, not to mention that no one else has ever seen a creature like him. He nodded in agreement, and sat back down. “Did the doctor have an estimate on how long it would be to recover?” “For you, not long. You were out for a week, before you woke up. The doctor estimated that you’ve got another two or three weeks before your leg can take any significant weight. Your friend though…” she looked down and crossed her hooves. The others, he saw had similar reactions. “He wasn’t sure. Since he’s in a coma, he has no idea how long he’ll be under.” She looked back and him and smiled, “But don’t you worry, he’s being monitored by the staff from Canterlot, and us. We’ll make sure that he’s taken care of.” Somehow the gesture surprised him. Even after all that they’ve done for him, he was shocked to see that they’d care for his friend on their own time. “That…That’s very kind of you all. Thank you.” “Don’t mention it.” Applejack said, “Ya’ll are about as lost as a goose flying north for the winter. It’s the least we could do.” “And when it’s my turn to watch you guys,” Pinkie cried, “We’re gonna have the best time ever! There’ll be cake and confetti and party games and-“ her mouth was suddenly covered by Rainbow Dash’s hoof. “I think he gets the point Pinkie. Anyway, we’ve got to head out. Fluttershy has the first watch for you guys.” Fluttershy smiled, “Don’t you worry Mr. Hawkins. I’ll make sure you and your friend are taken care of.” “Don’t you worry, you’re in capable hooves Mr. Hawkins.” Twilight said as the six trotted out of the room, leaving him alone once again.