//------------------------------// // Dawn of Reason // Story: Forever Roaming // by Yuki Harima //------------------------------// Forever Roaming Chapter 3 Dawn of Reason Twilight walked into the middle of the main room. “Welcome to the local library, and my home.” She spoke with a grin. “Now, all,” She paused as Spike came running up to her with a scroll in his claws. “Twilight,” He yelled in his young voice. “We got some letters from the Princesses saying that we need to head to Canterlot tomorrow. We are getting some high dig..” he paused and looked at the two humans. “Woah, who are these guys and where did they come from?” William on instinct went to a military attention. “Lor...” he coughed and moved to relax. “Sorry, at least where I come from you are a Lord for saving the Crystal Empire.” Spike only looked confused. “Uh what?” William blinked and looked very worried. “Never mind.” Chris stared at Spike. “So you’re a dragon. you look more like a scrawny lizard. Do you even breath fire?” Spike seemed to puff up at that and burped a bit of green smoke. “I am a Baby Dragon.” “Oh, spikey wikey I know you are a dragon.” Rarity shot the humans a slight look for Spike’s sake. “Thanks Rarity.” Spike muttered in a love struck manner. Chris noticed the love struck eyes Spike gave to Rarity. “Aww looks like someone has a crush on a certain unicorn. William coughed into his hand while talking. “Cough ‘Somepony’ Cough”   Chris turned and gave him the stink eye “Really...everypony...just kill me now. I don’t think I can handle a world with pony puns. “Well that is the correct terminology here.” Twilight began. “For you I would take it that someone is your phrase like we use somepony.” “But Spike isn’t a pony!” Chris pointed out. “it makes no sense and just sounds stupid.That is like me saying somehuman all the time” Spike huffed. “Anyway, what should I reply to the Princess?” He asked as Twilight was reading the parchment before looking at Spike. “Spike, take a letter,” Twilight replied. “Due to events in the Everfree, we shall be taking the next available train, we have two new creatures that need to be cataloged, as such we need a meeting as soon as is possible. Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle.” Spike was writing all of this down before he rolled it up, took a breath and breathed fire to burn the message, all making sure that Chris would see it happen. The smoke acted odd and flew out an open window. “Yea that doesn’t surprise me lizard boy. I seen enough in my job and right now I am in a world of colorful, talking ponies. Nothing bothers me.” Chris said to him with a stoned face. Spike only grinned and a minute later he put a clawed hand to his mouth and burped loudly as green flames left his mouth and a scroll materializing a scroll. “Really...he burps out a scroll ‘cause that makes so much sense!” Chris exclaimed. “What’s next he going to burp out a million dollars!”   “Dollars?” Pinkie Pie asked in confusion. “Don’t you mean bits?” “Whatever! I give up!” Chris throws his hands in the air while saying this. “You’ll get use to it.” William spoke softly, “Or you’ll go insane, I hope you get use to it.” Twilight during this entire time just read the letter before looking at all present. “Well girls.” She paused at the eye twitch from Chris. “And human beings, we are all been asked to arrive to Canterlot Castle and meet with our leaders.” She looked at Chris. “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” She looked at the six. “I am sorry to ask you all short notice but I need all of you to come with me, the Princesses asked that we are all present for a very important dignitary that is retiring to our lands.” “Wait dignitaries are going to be there. But I need more time! I must go back to my shop to pick up something more suitable for royalty to see.” Rarity worried thinking about how she looks in front of dignitaries. Spike quickly volunteered to help Rarity and the two left the library. Pinkie was there one moment, and just, well hopped out of the room talking loudly about party supplies. Applejack looked a little downcast. “Ay might be able to get away for a time but Ah got to talk ta Granny Smith for this, just tell me when y’all will be leaving.” Fluttershy spoke in a voice that only Twilight could hear before she left as well. Then Rainbow Dash flew off as well leaving the two humans and Twilight, with Spike. Twilight looked at the two humans and gives them an awkward smile. “So... uh, what have you all been reading?” She realized that she was talking to Chris as William had moved to a corner of the library leaned his rifle on the wall and pulled a book out of his shoulder pocket. He didn’t even respond to Twilight’s response. “Do you have any manga. I could use some to read or any graphic novels.” Chris asked. Spike blinked. “You mean comics?” He asked being unsure what manga was. “No, graphic novels are not comics books and are completely different.” Chris started to explain to Spike. Twilight walked over to the group to hear about an interesting concept of books. “Graphic novels tell the read a long term story in a series of picture panels. Comics are short strips that tell a small tidbit of a story. Manga is also another story that is too long for me to go in detail.” Twilight shook her head. “I do not think so. You can talk to the Canterlot library about that.” She looked around and looked at Chris before smiling a little nervously. “So, you have any questions for me?” A small gleam appeared in Chris’s eye as a devilish grin appeared on his face. “Oh do I ever.” Twilight started to worry about her safety from the creature she never seen before. Chris takes out his notebook with a pen. “Now. “What other species of creatures populate the area, what are the main diet of ponies eat, what is your current government situation, any celebrities you have, what type of technology do you have...” Chris was asking twilight so many questions in rapid succession that would almost make Pinkie Pie jealous. Twilight started to back away from Chris at how uncomfortable Chris was making her. Twilight blinked a little. “First of all, personal space please.” She poked a hoof into Chris’ chest from how he has approached her while asking the questions. “Second, There are the three pony races. Well four if you count our Princesses, they are Unicorn, Earth Pony, Pegasus, and Alicorn.” She smiled a bit wider at being able to give information. “There are then Griffins, Cows, Dragons, and Diamond Dogs that are sentient and have their own laws and regulations. Diamond Dogs are a bit more, nomadic with hunting for gems and more, bandit like as well.” She magic's a glass of water to herself to drink from before continuing. Twilight continued with the back and forth and to the surprise of all five other ponies the two were still going on about their discussion, mostly on the current political situation, well, more on the fact that the two Princesses were able to raise both the Sun and Moon. This continued all the way to and onto the Train to Canterlot. At the back the entire way, William was shaking his head watching the exchange, remembering how Twilight had picked his own mind upon learning about how his planet orbited the sun. The train ride, considering all things, was rather normal. Rainbow Dash was agitating and moving from place to place. Applejack spent the time talk to Pinkie Pie about some party for Granny Smith, Rarity actually dozed a little due to the lull of the train. Spike sat near Twilight as she dictated a list. Chris was once again taking pictures due something that Chris said that caused her to be now making a list of questions to ask the two humans. William, was sitting next to Fluttershy and the two were only watching the scenery in silence. The Rifle leaning against the wall of the train car. “This is canterlot!” Chris exclaimed while staring at the gorgeous city. “How the hell did they manage to get this on a mountain?” He took out his camera and proceed to take pictures of the city. Twilight smiled with pride. “Magic. Plus some of those building go into the mountain itself.” She was happy to share that tidbit of information. “Damn, this looks amazing! I can probably sell these picture back home and make some money off it.” Chris continued to take pictures as a scheme forms in his head. “Chris, you return home, and show those photos, you’ll be getting awards of having the first real photos of an alien civilization on another planet.” William muttered with a voice of annoyance. “Anyway, lead the way Miss Sparkle.” Pinkie could see that for some reason William’s mood had taken a step down. Twilight smiled and led the group to the Canterlot Castle, while on the way, William blinked and looked around. “Higher Security than I remember Canterlot being.” She paused. “I wondering if I can see Shining.” William looked around and for an odd reason, his rifle was missing from his grip. As if the rifle has just vanished. He too was looking around the city and the castle and all the guards, yet he was also keeping his head low. “So who is this shining fellow you’re talking about?” Chris took a picture of the guards. “He’s my BBBFF.” “Your what?” Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight smiled and began to speak. “Before I found the magic of Friendship, Shining Armor was really the only pony I would consider being a friend.” Chris and William heard some music in the background “If you break into song, so help me God...” Chris growled. “Who?” Applejack asked. “I swear to whatever God you worship that if you break into song I will...” Chris was cut off as Twilight broke into song. “When I was just a filly I just found it rather silly to see how many other ponies I could meet.” She began. BBBFF Song Upon reaching the castle, Chris’s expression was that of constipated fury. William on the other hoof, had joined in singing with the chorus with the others members of the Mane six, a goofy grin on his face as he seemed to have cheered up. “Okay...I have a serious question. How do you all knew the lyrics to the song!? Is this practiced? Do you hold weekly song meetings to schedule when you’re going to put off the next one? If so please leave me out of it!” Chris complained Before anyone or anypony could answer the questions, the doors to the Throne Room opened on their own accord as a flock of doves flew out as they seemed to be practicing some music. Fluttershy made a small face. “They all are out of tune, oh dear.” Where the doors had parted a vibrant red rug laid across the long hall, the marble tiles seemed to stretch to the sides of the room, the marble pillars rose to the high ceiling, and the windows let in a large sum of light from the setting sun just outside on the horizon. Towards the end of the rug was a throne, golden framed and red cushioned, elevated by what seemed to be two slabs of marble. At the sides of the slabs were two miniature waterfalls. Upon the throne Celestia finished writing a letter with her golden magic. She rolled it up and sent it off with a flare of golden fire. Seconds later a burp sounded in the silent room, making Celestia look up as Spike was holding the very same letter she had just sent. “Oh, you are here already. Rise my little ponies.” She smiled a little at the slight humorous event that happened. Behind Chris the group of ponies rose from bowing to their ruler. William had only saluted, then dropped it upon hearing the words rise. Chris in a burst of sheer annoyance. “Why did you send them a letter when she is in the same room as you! You’re just as bad as teenagers in my world.” William just looked at Chris with a groan. “You just yelled at the solar princess of the lands of Equestria, or in words that will make sense, you yelled at the ruler of this land.” Celestia just smiled and looked at Chris with the look of one enjoying the joke.Then she had a look of bewilderment as she gazed fully upon Chris and William. “Is this the reason why you requested meeting with me so soon?” Twilight only nodded her head in an eager manner. “Yes, they are the situation I wrote to you about this morning.” Chris suppressed a giggle when being referred to as a situation. The ponies, who have better hearing, heard the suppressed giggle. “What so funny?” Rainbow Dash growled “Nothing, just an inside joke where I’m from” he calmed himself. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes at Chris’s behavior “As I was saying,” Twilight continued on, “These two we found in the Everfree Forest near the epicenter of the disturbance, we were then chased by Timberwolves out of the forest, and the storm, currently has dissipated.” “I see and where do the two creatures hail from?” Celestia asked her pupil. “We’re right in front of you.” Chris pointed out. “Oh, I am sorry.” Celestia apologize. “Where do you hail from?” William moved to a military stance and gave a salute. “I hail from the Nation of Equestria Ma’am.” “You do realize that you are in Equestria.” Celestia spoke with a bemused look. “Different Equestria Ma’am.” He paused. “Before that, I hailed from the United States of America, planet Earth Ma’am.” Celestia only nodded a little. “At ease.” She spoke and for a moment to her it was as if seeing the old style of Luna’s guards salute. Before she turned to look at Chris, “What about you?” Her voice calm and motherly in tone as she spoke to Chris. “Well I am from a very populated town in the state of New Jersey in the good old United States of America just like soldier boy over there.”         “Oh my I forgot to ask for your names.” Celestia added.         “Well my name is Chris Olsen.” Chris replied. “William Jefferson Howard.” Came the curt response as William stayed a rigid stance. Celestia only smiled before focusing on William. “Now, solve this mystery for me will you Mr. Howard, why are you wearing, was to my eyes are clearly, Lunar Guard regalia, some of which was used when my Sister was ruling with me one thousand years ago.” William stood at fuller stance. “I was a front line soldier against living Nightmares.” He ignored a small snort of contained laughter from Rainbow Dash and Chris. “Due to my actions, I was conscripted into the Lunar guard, the insignias are that of a Nightmare Templar. Ma’am.” Celestia looked concerned, “Living Nightmares?” “In the Equestria I came from,” William continued, “The forces that corrupted Princess Luna were that of living Nightmares that wished to enslave the entire planet for hosts. They then would move to my world.” Celestia looked worried. “How... likely would it be that some of these things came with you?” “Unknown your Majesty.” William replied honestly. “But your world walls are strong, so, less likely, still best to be on your guard.” From a back door that had two royal guards standing guard, the door swung open in a light blue color as a lighter blue coated alicorn stepped into the throne room. To William’s eyes she was smaller than his Luna, and maybe looking a little more shy as well. “Tia tis almost time to lower the su-” Luna blinked and looked at the crowd, confusion and bewilderment playing on her features. She stepped fully into the room to get a better look at these newcomers. William however due to training, as soon as she walked fully into the room snapped from his relaxed to full rigid stance, faced forward and yelled in Celestia’s presence. His voice ringing in the chamber in a language that was for all extents and purposes, archaic. The only thing that all but three ponies knew was it seemed he had just announced one of the monarch personally.  “Royal dictator of the Moon Luna, ON DECK!” To Celestia and Luna, it was a rather impressive mortal mimic of the royal Canterlot voice. Chris put his finger in his ear to clear out the ringing in the head. “Why don’t you scream that louder I don’t think they heard you on the moon.” William did not even give Chris a look he was still at his full military attention. It took Luna a moment to form the correct words into the correct language to match. Upon realization, she had responded simply with. “At ease.” in Old Equestrian language. William moved to a relaxed stance as he visibly loosened up. His face moving and brightened a little at hearing the words. “Of course your majesty.” The group of ponies were confused at the conversation going on. “Uh...Twi. Can ya help translate what they are sayin’.” Applejack asked. Twilight waited for a small nod from Celestia before speaking. “William yelled out Luna’s name with a very old title of hers, as well as yelling her presence. Luna gave the command to go to an ease stance, and William thanked her all in proper military manner.” This showed that she was not fully fluent with the smaller nuances. Celestia upon seeing this exchange, smiled. “I see that we all will have questions, however, since we have one more guest coming tomorrow, I believe that we should adjourn for the evening, and give Twilight time to read her new messages I was sending her. Is that agreeable to all present?” William nodded his head. “Of course your Majesties.” The Ponies agreed as well, and Chris, Chris made a meh sound. “Very well, Guards, please show our guests to the guest chambers for the evening,” She looked at Luna, “For the night, All will stay in the guest hall, William can be talked to in the morning.” The group of ponies were taken to their rooms by members of the royal guard. William and Chris were taken to separate rooms. He opens the door to see a fancy room that can rival with the five star hotels in Las Vegas. “Holy crap! This room is fancy. The last time I stayed in a five star room was never ago. This is awesome!”