//------------------------------// // Odd Arrivals in Ponyville // Story: Strange New World // by Conor Colton //------------------------------// Strange New World Chapter One: Odd arrivals in Ponyville There are dark times ahead, for the land of Equestria, some know it, and some don’t. Most who know this block it out of their minds due to fear. Some have accepted this as fate and await their inevitable demise. However, some do fight back, but these ones know that they can’t win this fight alone, and that they need help. Their world’s forces aren’t enough so they must reach out for help, in the world....beyond their own. Strangely enough however, our story does not start in this whimsical land, instead our story begins in the most unlikely of places, the pink isle, in a Toys'R'Us. Here we join our hero Chris. Chris is a 20 year old man who enjoys the small things in life. Whether it be his student lifestyle. Or just sitting on his old musty couch to watch the latest episode of My little Pony, and in his spare time he likes to watch old cartoons and movies on his Computer. However things have not been going well for Chris at this present time. Although he had a promising college career ahead of him, his parents death a few months ago had put him in a deep depression. And to make matters worse, Chris 'was' a closet brony. He always did keep the show a secret from his friends, but Chris thought that they would understand his differing opinion. They didn’t. When he finally, got the courage to confess it to his ‘friends’ what did they do? They just left, left him there alone, wallowing in self-pity and tears (and what ever else bronies wallow in). It didn’t take long before this circulated around the college and everywhere Chris went, he was mocked. This combined with his depression made Chris’ grades fall drastically and eventually, he became a drop-out. Chris could only find comfort in the pink isle, where he felt most at home; and where nobody else was, except the occasional little girl with either a sibling or parent with them. He had frequently visited the aisle a few times each day as he could not honestly think of anywhere else to spend his free time; as Chris scanned each side of the isle, looking for anything remotely new, he was interrupted by the manager. "Can i help you sir?" The manager asked. "No, that's okay, but uh...thanks" Chris said in a soft, and slightly startled tone. The manager just stood there looking rather perplexed. Chris had been in this situation before. He knew what was coming. "If you don't mind me asking sir, who are these, uh ponies for?" Chris would usually say it was for a sister, or a girlfriend or some other generic excuse. But he didn't feel any need to hold back due to his recent public disgrace, so he just let it all out. "I'm buying them for myself" Chris stated in a clear straight voice. "Oh....Well let me know if you need... anything... else" the manager implied, chuckling during his pauses. Now Chris felt even more disgraced, even though he was a total stranger to him he hated the idea that the manager would just tell everyone he met through out the day about what Chris had said, but Chris knew that everyone had some good in them, or he hoped at least, or maybe that was his compulsion to ‘love and tolerate’. Regardless he picked up what he came for, a mane six figurine collection and paid at the checkout and left. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On his way home Chris wondered what he would do about his current situation as he walked through the cold, deserted shopping district. He could try and become an active member of the brony community, but would that exclude him even more from society? Chris was really unsure. With this he headed to a nearby park to ponder his next move. He looked around the park and saw children playing, this reminded him of himself when he was young. All the things he worries about now were mere niggling doubts at that age. And at the end of the day, back then the only six things mattered to him. Honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, loyalty and even childhood had a sort of ‘magic’ to it strangely enough. But as Chris grew he started losing sight of those values. Maybe that's why he loved the show. Maybe it brought back his childhood in some way. As Chris pondered this however he only just noticed something, the Applejack figurine he had bought had no cutie mark, a mundane detail but Chris wasn't in the mood to just deal with it. He stood up and proceeded backwards. On the way back he contemplated to himself. "Wait, did I even think this through, what will I say? What will THEY say? More than likely they'll ask what a cutie mark is!" As Chris' thoughts drifted he failed to notice a rather deep puddle of rain. Chris’s front foot fell into the puddle and he dropped the figurine set and his receipt. The figurines dropped like stones and shattered the innocent looking ponies inside, and the receipt floated away like a feather. Chris salvaged the remaining bits of pony into his pocket and ran for the paper that was getting away ever so slightly. Without even realising Chris had chased it a fair distance, far enough to end up right on the center of the woods that were beside the park. And his unintentional ignorance also led him to forget to zip up his pocket, strewing bits of pony along the ground. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For a piece of paper, it put up quite a chase and when Chris finally captured it like a fly in his hands, he looked back and realised the mistake he had made. So now he was lost, and he felt stupid. Very, very stupid. With all his pent up emotions he finally let it all out, he fell to his knees and looked up. "ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGG!" Chris screamed at the top of his lungs. "How could this get any worse?! I'm a social reject! I’ve nobody to go to and now I'm lost in some stupid woods with bits of pony EVERYWHERE!" He tilted his head down and and took short heavy breaths; collecting his thoughts. Chris was so tired at this point. He put his back to a tree and relaxed. Something was strange about this forest it felt, calming, serene, like all Chris's problems would just melt away. The serenity took over and he dozed off. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chris dreamed of better times. His childhood, his playful attitude, his old friends, his old house. But when Chris's dream started to focus on his parents the sky began to darken. It was a strange darkness, one that he had not seen in his dreams before. The wave of darkness sped through his dreams, corrupting everything like a cancer. Cherished memories wiped clean by the diabolical cloud. It looked as if it was chasing the younger generations of Chris until finally it came for him. Holding his arms up like a feared child, Chris was helpless. He’d had similar nightmares before and they always ended the same, with Chris being almost devoured by the dark cloud. That was until now. This time in the dream the darkness’ assault was halted by six figures. One with a crown and five with necklaces. This had never happened in his dreams before and he was shocked by it. The figures glowed and sparkled with calming white light almost eradicating the dark cloud, almost anyway. The light was soon darkened and the figures fell. All seemed lost until that is, a seventh figure stood in. It did nothing but run to Chris. With it's eyes lit up so bright Chris couldn’t even see his own nose. Then the light got brighter and brighter, seemingly cradling Chris in it’s vibrancy; but then as quick as it came, it vanished. Leaving Chris falling towards the hard ground below. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chris awoke screaming with a cold sweat, feeling the rain on his forehead. Wondering how he would just doze off in the middle of a forest, especially during the rain. He looked up and saw the full moon staring down at him, and then he wondered how long he was asleep for. Regardless, he composed himself and started walking home. He only took a few steps however before he heard something; what could only be described as singing. Chris opened his ears to the sound, it was a bird tweeting the My Little Pony opening, how peculiar. He pinched himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming, and again and again. However the bird remained there, just staring at him. It took off and Chris had a strong feeling that he should follow it; he didn't know why though, maybe he finally lost it, he followed anyway. Chris was getting tired of chasing small things through a forest but he pressed on none the less (or wiser), until finally the bird had led him to a clearing, with a single oak tree standing alone. The birds manner of song had changed and was only singing the second part of the iconic opening tune. Chris wondered why, until he heard someone else, a girl, he could hear a girl singing the first part of the tune. The girl had a soft, serene voice; one that he had heard before and it was coming from a single point, the oak tree. "No.....no." Chris stated, "This can't be happening, I must have gone nuts. That has to be it, I've gone over the deep end, it took a lot longer than I expected but now, this is it, I'm crazy, no doubt about it." he said as he paced back and forth, waving his arms around frantically. Until he stopped, and looked at the oak tree. Letting out a huge sigh he said to himself. "Well if I am crazy...then i guess there’s no harm looking." he reassured as he stood ever close to the tree, until he stood in front of it. He turned to the bird and said sarcastically, "What now?" The bird then turned it's head towards the tree he was perched on and pecked the bark three times. Chris looked at it with an unamused face, "Okaaaaay, but I'm using my hands, I'm rather against nose surgery, when I can't afford it." He reached out and tapped the tree three times,".............Well?" he asked as he turned to the bird, "What now?" The bird did nothing and simply flew way. "Hey, wait! We’re not done here!" Chris shouted as he slapped himself in the face, "Look at me, I'm shouting at birds, how old am I anyway?.......Nevermind." Then there was a creak behind him,"Huh!?" Chris stuttered as he turned towards the tree. But nothing was there, "Huh.......stupid tree .....well you and this entire forest, can kiss my a-" Chris was cut off as he turned. The dark cloud from his dream was floating a few feet away from his face. The dark cloud floated ever more closer. Forcing Chris to back up against the tree. Then there was a brief pause as Chris realized something about the cloud that he never noticed before, it had red eyes. Dark. Soulless. Red eyes. The cloud reached closer to Chris. Nearly engulfing him. That was until, fate intervened. The oak tree began to glow with a heavenly white light. The cloud was repulsed at the sight, backing away trying to shield it’s eyes. Chris had no idea what was happening. The heavenly glow of the tree began to engulf him too. He was pulled with tremendous force into a small hole that opened on the tree bark until he was fully inside the tree. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Inside the tree he began to change. He was shook like a rag doll about the hollowed out log and as he did the change had begun. His skin turned from fleshy white to light blue. His arms and legs shortened and his hands and feet became hooves. His body shape began to change. He grew smaller. His neck got longer and his vertebrae made the shape of a horse. His hair retracted and then burst out into a short mane of brown hair. His clothes shrunk and fitted to his new shape. And his (insert your own dirty joke here) grew into a tail. The impossible had become possible. Chris had become, a pony. He didn't have much time to access the situation, as he was launched from the tree. He caught a glimpse of the new world he had entered, he saw blurred images of a town that looked to be very familiar to him, as if he had seen it before. Gravity however set in. Chris landed on a hill and tumbled down. He kept rolling for what seemed like an eternity until he hit a tree, he expected a few broken bones. However this wasn't Chris' world, it didn’t follow the same physics. The tree slingshoted him towards the town, screaming all the way as he flew towards what looked like a massive tree and inside was Twilight Sparkle; sorting through her many books, being assisted by Rarity. "Spike? Spike? Did you find them yet?" Twilight inquired. "Right here!" Spike said as he handed Twilight a book entitled ‘Reference: A reference guide to reference guides etc.’ and Twilight left the room to go catalogue it, "And for the lovely lady..." Spike flirtatiously stated as he handed Rarity a large tome like book entitled ‘Fancy Smanchy: Known gem hot spots’. "Why thank you Spike!" Rarity added, "You're such a wonderful helper, I think you deserve a present." Spike gushed as he braced himself for a kiss by perking his lips and closing his eyes, but all Rarity shoved in Spike’s was a small green gem. Spiked just looked in despair. "Oh come on....do you guys hear...screami-" Spike was cut off by Chris making a straight shot through two open windows but knocking Spike through a door. With this shock Rarity collapsed. Twilight walked in to find a passed out Rarity and a dragon shaped hole in her door. "Uh.....what did you guys do?" Twilight inquired to the unconscious pair. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chris had not lost a bit of momentum . He flew through the air, soaring over the sky, arching over the town like a rainbow; speaking of which. Rainbow Dash opened her cloudy door to find a stack of letters waiting for her. She didn’t pay them much mind. That is however, until she saw that it was addressed and I quote: To Miss Rainbow Dash, and below it the only words were ‘Wonderbolt’s application’. Dash leaped up into the air, holding the letter proudly above her head; and as she did she let out a victorious cheer. “Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-” Dash was interrupted by Chris and as he flew by and caught the pegasus' letter in his mouth, literally snatching it out of her triumphant pose. “What just happened?” Rainbow said, still in her triumphant pose but with a slightly more confused look on her face. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Over at Sweet Apple Acres, Big Macintosh was helping Applejack with some apple bucking. "You doing ok there, Big Mac?" Applejack questioned in a competitive tone. "Eeyu-", Big Mac was interrupted when Chris flew by. Taking out the tops of some trees along with a few apple filled baskets and flying through the barn. "Uh....Big Mac?" Applejack asked. "Eeyup?" the stallion retorted. "Do you know what just happened?" the sister asked again. "Nope." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chris was losing speed now. With the letter still in his mouth all he could see ahead was what looked like a bunch of animals, something pink, and something cream. "And I was waiting for like, ever, and then the mail pony said your package got lost and I was all like what do you mean my package was lost, it was a letter! How could you lose one itty bitty letter!?" Fluttershy didn't pay much mind to Pinkie as she was snuggling some woodland creatures. That was, until Chris arrived. He landed face first, creating a small crater; and the two ponies, along with the creature's hairs stood on end. Chris was out for the count, gently moved his head in various directions. "Oh my, are you ok?" Fluttershy asked carefully, but he didn’t respond. "Oh my goodness, we need to help him!" Fluttershy said in a panicked voice whilst hoisting Chris onto her back, "Pinkie, could you maybe, please help me?" "Okey dokey, let me just-" Pinkie said before letting out a huge gasp similar to the one when she first met Twilight. "What is it?" Fluttershy asked as she hunkered down waiting for something bad to happen. "I think.....that's my letter! Yippee!" Pinkie squealed as she took Rainbow's previously pilfered letter from the crater. Pinkie was delighted but Fluttershy just glared, to which Pinkie replied, ".....What? Oh riiiight, sorry.” Pinkie said as she skipped towards Chris, “Is this your letter sir? No? Thank you!” Pinkie cheered as she helped move Chris towards Fluttershy’s house. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chris, being carried by Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie finally reached Fluttershy’s house. They wasted no time. They put him on the couch and quickly ran off to get medical supplies. In his slumber however he began to dream once more. But this time, his dream did not turn into a nightmare. He walked freely around his old memories completely untarnished, his old friends all still there playing happily with not a care in the world. His old family home still standing as if it were brand new, and standing in the open front door was his parents. Chris quickly rushed over to them, like a runaway returning home. He got ever more closer to them but as he did, the world started to dim around him and when he finally arrived, his parents closed the door in his face. He was confused at this and began to look around for an answer. And then he looked down. Staring back up at him through a puddle, was a pony. Chris looked up and saw that the scenery had changed. All he saw was a dark room and at the end of that room, was a throne, with a dark hooded figure sat upon it. Chris walked up to the throne and began to examine the figure, it was hunched over with a dark green hood, resembling an old man. “Excuse me? Are you ok?” Chris asked as he put his hand on the figure’s shoulder. The figure shook him off and replied. “Ok? I’m fantastic! Well I am now. Now that I know that your here with us....Chris!” The figure growled as it lifted it’s head and showed it’s demonic, red eyes. The same eyes as the dark clouds. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chris sprung off the couch screaming and landed on the floor, cushioned by a soft rug. He lifted his head up and surveyed his surroundings; things looked a lot more, colourful thank usual. “No...could this..no..” he reached back and scratched his head “!” That’s when it hit him. He looked at were his hands once were and saw only hooves with blue skin. He felt his mane, turned and saw his tail. “Oh my....CELESTIA! WAIT WHAT!? WHY DID I JUST SAY THAT!?” Chris asked himself why he couldn’t say ‘oh my god’. He hobbled quickly over to a mirror and looked at himself. He just sat there. Mouth wide open, with a twitch in his eye, still going over all this in his head. ”What...I....huh...” he then slapped himself across the nose, “Wake up Chris, it’s only a dream, wake up Chris, wake up!” Chris constantly smacked himself, pinched himself, hit his head on the wall a few times before he heard a voice other than his own, Fluttershy’s. “Um, are you ok sir?” Chris snapped his head around and looked at the pony talking to him. He stared at her for a few more seconds before he replied. “I...uh..I don’t know, um. Could you give me a minute please?” “Of course, I'll just go get my doctor’s bag.” the pegasus stated. “Wait, one more thing, um, what’s your name?” Chris asked inquisitively. “Oh, I’m Fluttershy.” she replied nervously. “Oh, ok then...” Chris stated as he collapsed once again of shock. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ When he awoke he saw Fluttershy staring down at him. “Oh good, you’re up!” Fluttershy said as she left for more medical equipment, ”Could you guy’s look after him please?” Chris thought, what guy’s was she talking about, that was until she got her reply. “Sure, we’ll make sure he’s okay.” said Twilight Sparkle. After that Chris sprung up and looked around. All around the room he saw all the familiar faces. Twilight sitting on the rug. Applejack looking out the window. Pinkie skipping in place. Rarity admiring herself in the mirror. Rainbow Dash sitting on an armchair and Spike admiring Rarity whilst she’s admiring herself. All eyes turned to Chris as he looked straight back at them, they all held positions for a few seconds. You could cut the tension with a butter knife. Until Twilight spoke up, “Hi there.” Twilight started as she walked towards the couch, ”My name’s Twilight Sparkle, it’s nice to meet you, what’s your name?” Twilight inquired. “Um...Chris, my name’s Chris.” he stuttered, still processing all this. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Chris.” Applejack started as she waltzed over, holding out a hoof. Chris reached over and shook the mare's friendly hoof. “I’m Applejack. By the way, do you got any idea who wrecked all them there tree’s over at my orchard?” Applejack remarked sarcastically. “Uh....nope...no idea.” Chris said in a secretive tone, trying to hide the truth. “Really then how did them dere leaves get in your mane?” Applejack smirked. “Uhhhhh those those were uh....” Applejack stared at Chris with an unamused face. ”......I’m sorry.” Chris replied in a innocent, disgraced voice. “Ah don’t worry none sugar cube. I was only having fun with ye.” Applejack remarked as she let out a small chuckle, then Rainbow Dash spoke up. “Hey there! Name’s Rainbow Dash. Fastest flyer in Equestria and future WonderBolt!” Dash stated whilst striking a victorious pose a few feet off the ground. “You don’t say?” Chris said in a smart, informed tone. “Yeah! My application just arrived this morning but I had a bit of trouble reading it.” Dash retorted cleverly as she held up a torn and mangled letter. “Ohhhhh. That was yours, oh, sorry.” Chris said in an apologetic tone, feeling like he would have to apologize to everyone at some point. “Meh it’s cool. It was just some 'better luck next time' trash anyway. I get better mail from my frequent flyer’s bonus anyway.” Chris felt like stating the obvious but didn’t as he was sure that these ponies wouldn’t get it. Dash then continued, ”But you gotta tell me, how did you fly that fast?!” the pegasus asked as she grabbed Chris’s head. Chris examined himself and found no wings, so he had no idea how. Then he remembered. The hill and then the tree. “I think it was a tree......yeah.” he stated. “Tree huh? Thanks for the tip.” Dash said as she sped out the door. “Tip?” Chris asked in a confused tone as he shrugged it off. Rarity finally interjected. “Oh don’t mind her darling. She’s always looking for a hoof up in the competition.” “I would have never had guessed.” Chris replied. Rarity then continued. “Either way. I am Rarity, pleased to make your acquaintance.” the unicorn said as she held out her manicured hoof. “Thank you.” Chris added as he shook Rarity’s hoof “So...what do I have to apologize to you about Rarity?” Chris asked in a perceiving dialect. “Oh nothing dear, just a slight scare is all.” Rarity stated as she gave a nonchalant flick of her mane. “Scare or no scare though, it’s always nice meeting somepony new.” Next up was Spike. “Hey! I’m Spike, most helpful assistant and the most handsome-est and toughest dragon in all of Equestria. Right Rarity?” Spike said in a flirtatious tone, to which Rarity replied. “Oh Spike. For a baby dragon you have such an imagination.” The unicorn retorted whilst pinching Spike’s cheek; the dragon just stood there in bliss, doing that weird thing that cartoon characters could do when their pupils turn to hearts. Completely unaware that he just got shot down, well ignorance is bliss. Chris sat there perplexed. Even after all the pleasantries, he was still confused on what was going on. Until he looked around and saw a distinct lack of pink. That was until Pinkie Pie popped up from behind the couch, nearly petrifying everyone. “Hey there! I’m Pinkie Pie! How’s your day been?!” Pinkie said in a loud, fast voice. “Uh....well...um-” Before Chris could even breath, Pinkie interrupted once again. “Oh yeah! You went flying over the whole town! That must of been amazing! You gotta tell me what it was like! Like when you flew through Twilight’s windows! I bet your glad it wasn’t raining or you would have got a face full of glass. Oh and when you snatched away Rainbow’s letter, how did you do that?!" Pinkie then stopped for a very loud inhale. "And then and then you flew through all those tree’s and that barn that must of hurt. And then you landed and we were all like peaceful and stuff and then you were just like BOOOOOOM and you were like KASPLOOSH and then you were all li-” Pinkie couldn’t finish her sentence before being cut off by Twilight. “Anyway, then!” Twilight said in a loud authoritative voice. Then she calmed down and continued, ”So, I’ve been wondering are you new to Ponyville? I haven’t seen you around before.” “Uh...yeah, you could say that.” Chris said in a quiet tone. “So how did you end up here?” Twilight asked as all the others waited for a response. This was it. Chris had to think of something fast. I mean what else was he going to tell them? That he was from another world of sentient beings that these ponies didn’t know about. But then again I guess the same could be said for humans, go figure. His thoughts raced in and out like a factory assembly line, picking the ones that sounded most believable until he had a convincing story. “I’m from Manehattan, I wanted to move away from the city as soon as possible and move to somewhere quieter. Like Ponyville.” “Oh, I know that feeling.” Applejack said as she walked towards the couch. “Didn't like all them dere, ‘high class’ folk?” Applejack asked as she knew from personal experience. “No way. Too uptight.” Chris stated directly. “Oh well. I guess high society isn’t for everypony.” Rarity stated cleverly as Chris raised his eyebrow. “Don’t mind her, she’s always like that.” Applejack reassured him. “No problem, now where was I? Oh right! Now, after I left, I must have gotten lost or something; because I ended up in the middle of the everfree forest.” “Wow, tough break.” Spike added. “I know. But then, as I just got on the outskirts. I tripped and tumbled down a hill.” “And then you hit the tree?” Twilight inquired as it seemed she was hanging on every word. “Exactly! And well, you know the rest. Again can I please say that I’m really sorry for anything I messed up. I’ll try to fix it. I promise.” Chris pleaded. “Don’t worry about it, you can help if you want. But first you gotta know were to go. Spike and I could give you a tour if you want, right Spike?” Twilight asked. “Yeah, why not. It’ll be fun.” Spike added. “You sure Spike?” Chris questioned “Sure, we’re sure” Said Spike, ”We wouldn’t have asked otherwise." “Good point.” replied Chris,” You sure Twilight?” “Of course! I used to be the new pony in town before you. I'd love to help out.” Twilight pleaded. “Ok then, uh.. thanks!” Chris said happily as both he and Twilight smiled. “Well I best get going. Dem apple’s ain’t gonna buck ‘emselves.” Applejack said as she left. “Yes, well, I really need to get back to my boutique before I get another scare. I can just feel my hair falling out, have a pleasant recovery.” Rarity added as she strutted out. And then almost on queue, Pinkie had to leave. “Wait, did I leave the oven on...?” Pinkie asked herself. “Don’t be silly, why would you leave the oven o-” Twilight was interrupted by sirens in the distance. “YEP!” Pinkie yelped, dashing out the door. Spike, Twilight and Chris all looked at each other and Spike just shrugged “So? You ready to go?” Asked Spike. “Sure, just let me...” Chris stated as he hoisted himself down off the couch. But Chris had never walked as a pony before. He tried to stand on all fours and just fell clean on his face. “You seem to be doing that a lot huh?” Twilight conked Spike on the head after that comment. “Are you hurt?” Twilight asked in a concerned tone. “No I’m good, just a bit shaken from the crash.” Chris was now partly telling the truth, and partly lying at the same time. Fluttershy finally entered carrying her doctor's bag, and dropped it in front of Chris. “Uh..I think you need a bandage” Fluttershy insisted. “Oh...right, I guess that would help huh?” Chris said as he let out an embarrassed chuckle. Fluttershy quickly bandaged both of Chris’ front legs. And even though he was still limping, he was able to both stand, and walk as a pony. And with that; Chris, Twilight and Spike set off for Chris’ grand tour of Ponyville. “Try to stay away from trees okay?” Fluttershy said in a worried voice. “I’ll try!” Shouted Chris as the three set off but as they did, a few question’s popped into his head, which he kept hidden to make a good impression on the ponies. How could this have happened? Was any of this real? What would he do now? Who was that dark figure with the red eyes in his nightmares? And most importantly; How would he manage to walk on four legs?!