The first night of this strange world was quite comfortable. Twilight had given my a spot on the second floor where her private collection of books were. She had given me a blanket and pillow, which I was grateful for, even if they were a bit short on me. That night, I dreamed of sitting back against the beach, hoping for a day of relaxation.
The morning eventually came and I was woken up by something pushing my shoulder. Slowly, I opened my tired eyes to see a reptilian green one looking back me. I recoiled back in fear, swatting at whatever it as as I did so.
“Ow.... What did you do that for?” the reptile asked.
I stopped for a moment, realizing I had hit a child or something. It was male, though still young. “I’m... I’m sorry. I thought you were some wild animal that had sneaked in.”
“Who or what are you?” the reptile asked.
To me, he looked like a small chubby reptile of some kind. He had purple scales and green spines and side fins. He also was bipedal, walking in an upright position and using his tail to balance himself with.
“My name is Roya Sayid. I’m a human.” I told him.
“Roya... sounds like Roses. What are you, some kind of mutant monkey or something?”
“Spike! Don’t be so rude!” Twilight shouted.
Both of us looked to see Twilight coming down the stairs from her room. Her mane was slightly disheveled, meaning the rule of bed hair still applied. I was in the same predicament, with my currently let down blonde hair in need of being brushed.
“What? She looks like one!” exclaimed Spike.
I simply held my hand up. “It’s not a problem, considering I’m not from this world.”
“I guess so. Spike, can you make breakfast, please? Also, no hay or flowers for Roya, she can’t eat them.” said Twilight.
Spike gave a proud salute before heading downstairs, vowing to make the best breakfast ever.
“He seems very helpful.” I commented,
Twilight nodded. “That he is. He’s the number one assistant and the best assistant I’ve ever had!”
“What is he anyways?”
“Spike’s a baby dragon I hatched from an egg.”
“You mean Spike is a fire breathing, dragon?” I was surprised to hear that the little, and admittedly adorable, ball of scales would grow up to be a ferocious fire breathing creature of legends.
“Yes. Why don’t you get ready and come downstairs?
“Sure, is there a bathroom I can use?”
Twilight quickly showed me the bathroom and left me to my own devices. After taking a good warm shower, I brushed my hair and wrapped it back up into the bun style I liked. I always kept my makeup in a compact mirror and so, I was able to apply everything without an issue. After putting my clothes back, and noticing that they had gotten some dirt on them which annoyed me, I went downstairs to the kitchen to find Twilight and Spike already waiting for me so they could eat. The table was set up for us three and Spike had decided to make pancakes, something I seldom had.
“So, when will I get an answer from Princess Celestia?” I asked.
Twilight quickly finished swallowing a piece of pancake before speaking. “Soon. I sent the letter yesterday and Celestia told me she’ll look into it. She also wants to see you at some point but not right now.”
“I understand. I’ve been in the mix of politics before. My job has me communicating with lawyers, among other things, all the time.”
“That reminds me, what do you do for a living?”
I stopped with a bit of pancakes just nearing my mouth. For a moment, my mind went blank until I had to remind myself who I was. “I’m a homicide detective of a police department. I oversee cases and, when we catch the criminal, I compile everything so the District Attorney can build a proper case for the courts.”
“A homicide detective? Do you really have specialized officers just for that?”
I nodded. “Yes. Cities with over millions of people can’t be protected by just a do everything police force. There has to be specialization to deal with specific crimes. Anti-Drug and Organized Crime Division. Robbery Division. It’s a necessary thing.”
Spike looked at me with that look. It was like how a child would react if a superhero were to walk up to them. “So you catch evil bad guys and fight em, right?”
I chuckled a little. It was adorable and I couldn’t help myself. “Sure but there’s a lot of paperwork involved. Actually, mostly we use leads, talking to people, and collecting facts and evidence to solve crimes.”
“How do you deal with a criminal who fights back? I don’t see a sword or spear on you.” Twilight asked.
I noticed Spike excusing himself for a moment, apparently about dealing with PeeWee, whoever that was. With only me and Twilight around, I explained to Twilight what we humans use. “Sword and spears are ancient weapons where I’m from. I do carry a gun on me at almost all times. You’d be surprised how many criminals want you dead for putting them away.”
“What’s a gun?”
Curious that they never heard of a gun, I quickly took my pistol out before taking the magazine out and cycling the bullet out of the chamber. After making sure the gun was harmless, no bullet in the chamber, I held it up for Twilight to see.
“This is a gun. It’s a device that works by propelling an object, a bullet specifically, at supersonic speeds using combustion and the resulting forces.”
“That sounds... dangerous!”
“It is. That is why only trained people can use them. Like any weapon, it needs to be respected. I presume that only trained ponies handle spears and/or whatever your kind uses. I cleared the chamber so that no one could get hurt.”
Twilight nodded. “My brother is the captain of the Royal Guard and he always tells me that weapons, like a spear, are to be respected, never used willy nilly.”
“He is well minded. A gun can do far worse damage than a spear because all it takes is a simple pull of the trigger. We seldom use it, thank goodness.” I quickly slapped the magazine back in and realized that, since I was in a world without guns, there wasn’t a reason to keep a round hot for a just in case situation. I quickly placed the pistol back in my holster right before Spike came back.
“What were you two talking about?” Spike asked.
“Girl stuff, you wouldn’t like it,” I lied.
Suddenly, Spike began to hack something up. For a moment, I thought he had started choking but then, he spat out a scroll. I stared at him, confused to why he did that.
“Sorry... They kinda come up unexpected,” said Spike.
Twilight quickly levitated the scroll and began to read it out loud. “Dear Twilight Sparkle. Thank you for informing me of Roya. It is of importance that she arrive to Canterlot immediately. I’ve already sent a carriage out a moment ago to pick you up. Your faithful and loving teacher, Princess Celestia.”
“Well, at least we don’t have to wait for red tape.” I commented.
Hearing a deep thud from outside, Twilight quickly went outside. I was curious and followed behind to see a pair of large white pegasi guards flanking a chariot. It was made out of gold, or at least was plated in gold, I doubt a full on gold chariot was able to move or even be affordable.
The guards stared at me for a moment, but kept a stoic face. I presumed it was not just me being a bipedal creature they had never seen before, but also that to them, I had strange glowing green eyes.
“Mrs. Sparkle. Is this the human Celestia wanted us to bring to Canterlot?” one of them asked.
Twilight nodded and I quickly got onto the chariot. I still wondered how I wouldn’t be seen. The chariot didn’t have a canopy so there was no chance of hiding me. Watching the two guards, I noticed that it took them seconds to hitch themselves to the front.
“Twilight... How are we going to get to Canterlot without me being seen?”
“We fly.”
“F-Fly?!” I shuttered at those words. Last time’s flight had already shaken me a bit.
Without any warning, the two pegasi went into a full gallop and the chariot bounced around, throwing me onto the floor in doing so. Feeling the front of the chariot lurch, I slowly got up to see that we had already went airborne. Stifling a shout, I quickly sat back into the seat while holding on for dear life.
“Don’t worry, Roya! Everything will be fine!” I knew Twilight was trying to be reassuring but it didn’t help.
It was one to fly a comfortable and safe plane or a starship but an open chariot with the wind in my face was another thing entirely. I kept my eyes closed and simply sat there, pray that everything would stop.
After minutes of the wind roaring in my ear and me mumbling numerous prayers in Arabic, I felt the chariot land and the wind died down.
“Did we... Did we arrive?” I asked. Looking up, I was surprised to see a large and beautiful castle. It was almost pure white with golden trimmings and golden topped towers everywhere. Looking to my left, i noticed that the castle sat on a cliff overlooking a large, yet, classical city. Around me, numerous guards were staring, wondering what I was and why I was even here.
“Come on, Roya! Celestia is waiting!”
Noticing Twilight walking towards the gate. I slowly got out of the chariot before finding my two feet back on the ground. With a sigh of relief, I quickly caught up to Twilight. Ponies can really walk fast.
Inside was just as beautiful with glass windows here and there to allow the rooms to be lit up naturally. Plants and other decor were placed around the area, yet were sparse enough to keep the halls giving a large amphitheater feeling. Walking around the corner, something quickly obstructed my vision and I tried to move out of the way, only to find myself head first into something.
I fell down to the ground with a painful bump. “Agh... Sorry.”
“I would expect the personal student of Celestia herself to keep her pets on a short and controlled leash! I don’t want my beautiful coat ruined!” said a rash and quite pompous voice.
I gritted my teeth in anger at such an insult. Looking up, I saw a tall stallion unicorn with a pale white coat. His blonde man was oiled back, enough that my nose stung by its smell. He wore this thing called... I think was called a dickie. He also wore a blue bow tie and had a white flower pinned to his black collar. “I’m sorry sir, I didn’t mean to...”
“You better be... whatever you are. I don’t know why Auntie Celestia would allow a creature such as yourself walking around the castle.”
Hearing his insults just made me angrier but I was resilient and didn’t show my anger. Now was not the time to do anything rash.
On the other hand, Twilight was through with Blueblood and prompt stepped in front of him. “Look, Blueblood! I’ve had enough of your disgusting and pompous insults to my friends! You treated Rarity, a fashion designer and close friend of mine, at the Grand Galloping Gala with disrespect and behavior unbecoming of any stallion worthy of calling themselves related to Princess Celestia! You also called my hard working friend, Applejack, some low-life commoner! I, for one, am deeply ashamed of your behavior and I shudder at the thought that you may, one day, find some poor mare loose enough to continue your family lineage!” To add insult to injury, Twilight had hacked up a spitball and shot right at Blueblood’s pristine collar. I actually smirked a bit at Twilight’s mini-triade. Unfortunately, Blueblood was simply appalled more by the spit.
“Leave it to a commoner to resort to commenting on the bedsheets, I expected my aunt her personal student to be of a higher class, I see I was wrong! Now I have to get my collar cleaned because of you and you’re degenerate ape!”
I was through being nice. “Wow, you actually can tell which biological family my species is categorized in! Your mother must be proud.” I added a slow shameless clap to add a bit of flavor.
Blueblood simply snorted and walked away with a haughty step in his trot. Disappearing around the corner, I turned to Twilight and she smiled, happy that he was out of our hair.
“Thank you Twilight. I can't believe the nerve of him! Talking down like that! Doesn't he know any manners?" I asked.
Twilight shook his head. "All Blueblood cares about is himself. We've had a history going but I will not let him hurt or attack any of my friends!"
"Really? No wonder you blew up in front of him. I presume he bothered you as a child?"
"You mean when I was a filly? Yes, he was even pompous back then."
We continued to walk through the castle corridors, passing by maids and other service ponies to the castle until we arrived at a pair of large doors. Looking up, I noticed that a picture of a stylized sun was emblazoned on the door. A pair of guards, identical to the pegasi ones from before, were stationed at both sides. Each of them carried heavy looking and powerful spears within their forelegs. Their armor was probably gold plated, with numerous etch work put into it. Maybe they used magic to enchant them? I didn't know.
“Princess Celestia is waiting for you Mrs. Sparkle and Mrs. Roya,” said one of the guards.
I thanked him and allowed the two to open the door for us. The next thing I saw was breathtaking! The whole throne room was massive with beautiful with solid different colored windows. The floor was a glossy clear white, waxed enough that I could see my reflection. Look around, I noticed the walls transitioning from white tp a cool, not outlandish, pink towards the ceiling. Eventually, I followed the red carpet up to the throne and standing there was a large and beautiful mare.
I presumed she was Princess Celestia with golden regalia that had intricate engravings and a purple gem in the middle of the necklace and crown. Unusually, she was a combination of a unicorn and a pegasus with her wings and horn twice, or maybe three times the size of normal ones. She had a pure white coat and a following multi-spectral mane that billowed in a non-existent breeze. Looking carefully, I noticed that a dull sunlight was emanating from her coat and mane! The same matching stylized sun was also stamped on her flanks, crediting my guess.
“It’s nice to see you, Twilight Sparkle! I do hope the ride here was comfortable.” She spoke with a soft and cool tone, the same way I would speak to my own children. To me, it was obvious she was a benevolent and caring ruler who wished only for peace and prosperity. Strangely, it sounded a bit familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
With a smile, Twilight gave a quick bow. I was a bit confused to if I should bow. Surely, I obviously didn’t pledge allegiance to her nor Equestria, but I also didn’t want to cause a cultural faux pas.
She had noticed my trepidation and simply nodded. “There is no need to bow, Mrs. Roya. I am just glad you’re here safely.”
“It is an honor to meet you, Princess Celestia. Rarely, have I ever met royalty.”
“Twilight has told me a good bit about you. You say you’re from a different world and that you’re looking for a way back home, is that correct?”
“Yes. I don't want to impede on your day to day lives, nor do I want to bother any of you. I just want a way home."
Celestia nodded. Don't worry, you are no such burden, Mrs. Roya. Well welcome you humbly to our world. "Now then, why don't we take a small walk?" The alicorn ruler slowly got up from her throne before using her powerful wings to fly down to us. I was surprised how tale she was. With probably the height of a regular horse, minus wings and horn, she dwarfed even the guards around her.
“Princess Celestia! Before Roya goes, is it ok if we talk about some of the notes she’s given me?” asked Twilight.
“I don’t see why not, Twilight. Is that ok with you, Roya?”
I nodded. “Sure. It wouldn’t hurt.”
The three of us began to walk. The two door guards quickly allowed us into the hallway and we began discussing a few things, mostly about the notes Twilight had taken down.
“So, Mrs. Roya, what are humans like?”
“Well... We’re an adaptive species that can surv...” The sound of a loud and painful scream caught all of our attentions. It made my spine shiver and, within an instant, pony guards left their posts and began heading towards the scream’s source.