//------------------------------// // Enter Equestria // Story: My Little Highlander: Remix // by WritingWithFoxy //------------------------------//         Methos glanced down at this watch as he tapped his foot on the office floor. Duncan had been gone for several minutes after embarking on the simple task of answering the door. He began to worry he had gotten himself into trouble somewhere out there in the night. Normally he wouldn't worry about a four-century year old immortal being so thick-headed, but he had seen for himself the stupid things Duncan had done in the name of honor. Including offering help to a presumably alien child a few hours ago just because helping her “seemed like the right thing to do.” He wondered to himself if he should go out and try and chase him down. Duncan wasn’t his responsibility anymore then he was Duncan’s, but he had agreed to help resolve the current ordeal. Not to mention how much that description of the creature’s green eyes intrigued him and seemed distantly familiar, and going after Duncan could lead him right to the answer of what they were attached to.         Just as he was about to throw in the towel and go out looking, the lift creaked to a halt behind him, bringing the buzz of another immortal with it. As he stood up and approached, Richie came stumbling out holding the back of his head. As Methos helped him to a nearby chair, he saw fresh blood from a newly healed wound staining Richie's hand and head, along with the back of his shirt. Something had clocked him hard, really hard. It probably would've killed him if he weren't immortal. “What the hell happened?” Methos asked as he examined the wound. Richie groaned out a response, “What the hell do you think happened? Something hit me like a freight train. I feel like I’ve been kicked by a mule.” “What about the child”? Methos questioned. “Dammit.” Richie groaned under his breath.. “I take it she’s gone. Can you remember anything before you passed out?” Methos asked as he paced the room. “Yeah, not long after you guys went downstairs I saw this pair of huge green eyes in the window, like something out of a bad sci-fi movie,” Richie answered as he rubbed his head. “My head feels someone just set off a hand grenade in it.” “Having your skull caved in tends to have that effect,” Methos said as he leaned against the wall. “But I think MacLeod is worse trouble right now.” “What do you mean?” Richie questioned. “What happens every time someone gets kidnapped around Duncan?” Methos asked in response. Richie thought for a moment before looking up, eyes wide. “You think someone took her as bait?” “I’m pretty sure of it. The only question is: where did they lead him?” _____________________________________________________________________ Duncan groaned as he sat up and rubbed his aching head. He felt like he had been out for hours, but the night breeze and brightly glowing full moon shining a light through the pitch black of night told him otherwise. It really was quite beautiful; he couldn’t remember ever seeing it so bright and vibrant in years. As he once again rubbed a hand over his head, he froze as he reached his ear. Something didn’t feel right. Not only did his ears feel bigger then he remembered, and seemed to have moved three inches up the side of his head. He also seemed to have lost the feeling in his fingers. He slowly moved what had been his hands this morning in front of his face and looked in shock at the black set of hooves that replaced them. Slowly, he lowered his gaze over the equine form he had become the proud new owner of, looking at the long black tail laying in the grass in between his back legs, he also took note of his snow white coat.         Duncan began to go over in his head the events that had lead to him being God knows where and turned into a pony. He had to admit, this was one of the stranger things to happen to him over the last 400 odd years, but he figured the best course of action was to roll with it and concentrate on finding that thing and saving Rosie.         He slowly got up, gently testing his four legs and trying to get used to his new center of balance. It came surprisingly easier than he thought learning to work a whole new body would. He took a step forward and took a deep breath, surveying his surroundings. The gentle light of the moon and stars illuminated nothing but trees in every which direction. Normally going off into the unknown with no bearings of your surroundings would be a horrible idea, but anything was better than waiting around here for God knows how long until God knows who, or what, came around. He picked a direction and began to walk, the cool grass crunching under his feet. At least it’s a nice night for a walk...      _____________________________________________________________ After what seemed like hours of trekking through the woods and forcing his way through underbrush(not to mention the altercation with what he could assume was a demonic chicken) Duncan heard the clopping of hooves and spinning of coach wheels approaching. Following the sounds he broke out of the woods onto the edge of a dirt road. In the distance he could barely make out a horse drawn carriage approaching pulled by two Stallions he only assumed would be considered the “drivers.” As the carriage approached, a young blonde-maned mare stuck her head the window and shouted at the drivers,“Hey guys, pull it over.” The vehicle slowed to a halt and he finally got a good look at it. The design reminded him of something the higher class would have ridden in back home in his younger days. Bright gold swirls and edgework shown vibrantly against the coach’s clean white paint job, and thicker gold inlays laid along the edges of the windows and door. The same white paint that served as a background to the elegant designs on the sides was faintly visible beneath mud and grime on the spoked wheels. The young mare hanging out the window called for Duncan’s attention. “Hey, sir! Do you need a ride!”   Duncan mulled the idea around a bit, it seemed like it would be a better way of reaching civilization of some kind than following the road that could be miles away from town. Approaching the door he used his hooves (which seemed surprisingly dextrous) to grab the gold handle and pull the door open and climb inside, taking a seat on the red, nearly-overstuffed bench opposite the mare. “Thank you, miss,” Duncan said with a smile as the coach began to once again move down the bumpy road. “No problem, my name is Sunny.” She beamed. “Duncan MacLeod, nice to the meet you.” he answered as he carefully scanned her appearance. She had a snow-white coat along with a long, blond mane and tail, both neatly brushed and smooth save for a subtle bit of wavy curl. He took notice of the fact her hazel eyes seemed to be looking him over just as intently. “That’s a strange name, I guess you’re not from around here,” Sunny said.  “You guessed right.” Duncan answered with a smile. “Are you from far away? Sunny asked curiously. Duncan flinched as the carriage hit a large pothole, “You could say that, I was passing through and got a little lost.” Sunny jumped in her seat as one of the wheels hit a large bump,“Sounds fun, aside from the getting lost part. Where do you come from?” Duncan quickly thought it over, trying to think of an answer that wouldn’t give him away, he didn’t want to spill the beans just yet. It would be best to keep a low profile since he was on a rescue mission of sorts. “I came here from the city.” “Oh, I’d love to the see the big cit-” Sunny was cut off by another large pothole. “What are you boys doing out there?” she shouted as she turned and stuck her head out the window “Sorry, Sunny, this road is really bad, nopony has done maintenance on it in years!” one of the stallions shouted  back from outside. “Well, please try to be more careful out there!” sunny shouted back. “Friends of yours?” Duncan asked as Sunny ducked back in and turned to him. “My brothers, actually, we’re on our way to see family,” Sunny answered as she sat back down on the bench and brushed her mane out of her eyes. “I love them dearly, but they can be a little clumsy.” Duncan glanced out the window into the night, gazing up and the moon and stars overhead. “It’s a beautiful night,” he said, trying to stave off a incoming awkward silence. “Oh yes.” Sunny beamed, “Princess Luna has really outdone herself tonight.” Duncan thought for a moment at this, wondering to himself what that meant. Was it a figure of speech? Was she a goddess they worshiped? He new the Incas had a few goddesses related to the night, such as Mama Quilla. “Are you okay?” Sunny asked with a confused blink, snapping Duncan back to reality and attracting his full attention. “I’m fine, I was just admiring it,” Duncan answered nervously. “You act like you’ve you’ve never seen Luna’s moon before.” Sunny said with a giggle. You have no idea how close to the truth that is. Duncan gave a nervous laugh, and shifted in his seat, trying not dig himself any deeper. “The city lights make it hard to see, I was just taken back by how beautiful it is out here, unobstructed by the restlessness of the city.” “Well, then you’ll really love seeing Celestia’s sunrise out here, it shouldn’t be long,” Sunny answered, not staring at the sky herself. Celestia? I’m going to need to find a book or something if I want to keep my cover. “Sounds wonderful,” Duncan said as he turned away from the mare to look at the sky once more.           ____________________________________________________________________         Ponyville slipped into to view on the horizon as the coach approached. The shapes of the small old-fashioned cottages silhouetted black in front the oranges and reds that painted the sky as the sun rose from it’s sleep. Duncan knew one thing for sure, Sunny wasn't lying when she said the sunrise would be beautiful. It, coupled with this place reminded him of some of his younger days, back when he was barely 100 years old. It was almost like going back in time to see this little village of a town.         The carriage soon reached the edge of town, and slowed as it entered the town. They seemed to be in a market district, as far as Duncan could tell from inside. He was stirred from his thoughts as the carriage lurched to a halt. “Well, this is it, Ponyville!” Sunny said with a smile. “Thanks, miss,” Duncan said as he pushed up the door and stepped down, out of the carriage. “I hope to see you again sometime.” “I’ll be staying in a hotel here in Ponyville for a while. So maybe you will!” Sunny said with wink and a wave as the carriage pulled away.” Duncan chuckled to himself as he turned and trotted away. He never thought he’d sit down in a carriage and have an awkward, yet pleasant conversation with a talking pony. At the very least his stay here would pleasant and dealing with the locals would be one hurdle he didn’t have to deal with(once it figured out the local customs, anyway). There still the matter of finding that thing, though, and that wouldn’t be easy now that it had the home field advantage. He pushed his goal to the back of his mind, knowing as much as he liked to he couldn’t jump a step ahead, he had to have a plan, which would have to start with acquainting himself with this world. He finally stirred from his thoughts and took a look at his surroundings. He was correct in thinking he was in the market district. Ponies trotted around “window” shopping, talking, doing business, or even just enjoying the day. What drew his attention, though, was that some of them seemed to be unicorns and pegasi, judging by their wings and horns. This place was growing stranger and stranger. Just as he passed a pink pony with a green mane selling various pots and pans, the smell of cotton candy reached his nose. Puzzled, he looked around but saw none of the nearby stalls carrying any such confections. Before he could even attempt the follow the scent a loud gasp sounded out from behind him. “Hello I haven’t seen you around before and I know everypony in Ponyville which means you must be new and I like meeting new ponies which doesn’t happen very often because I know almost everypony even more now that I meant Twilight and have been to Canterlot but I don’t like Canterlot ponies as much because they're boring and don’t like my parties oh and I’m Pinkie Pie by the way what’s your name? Duncan simply stared in confusion at the Pink mare in front of him, trying to decipher what exactly she had just said. “Duncan,” he answered slowly. “Duncan?” Pinkie repeated quizzically. Without warning she let out another loud gasp. “Are you from far away because I’ve always wanted to see far away places have you ever been the the Griffon Kingdom because I’d like to see it even if Gilda was a meany-pants and made Fluttershy cry I’ve never been further away then Canterlot or maybe Appleloosa which one is further away?” Pinkie turned to Duncan as if posing him the question. Duncan simply shrugged and gave an uneasy chuckle in reply. “Oh! We should ask Twilight at your welcoming party!” Pinkie chirped. “Wait, what party!?” Duncan asked, stepped back. “The one I’m going to throw for you, silly!” Pinkie answered, hopping up and down on all four legs. Duncan quickly stepped back. “I’m really rather busy, I don’t know if I have time.” He let out another uneasy chuckle. “Awwwwww, No party?” Pinkie plopped down on her haunches and stared up at him with the biggest puppy dog eyes he had ever seen. Her once curly mane fell straight as if someone had dumped a bucket of water on her and her mouth drooped to a frown. She looked like she was about to cry. Duncan rubbed the back of his head as she pushed her face closer to his. “Please can I throw you a party?” Pinkie asked, her eyes beginning to water. In that moment Duncan felt like he had let down an eager child, despite never having met this girl before in his life. He thought quickly, trying to cheer her back up. “Say, Pinkie, how about you show me around town for now, and maybe you can throw me a welcoming party later if there’s time, okay?” Pinkie’s hair suddenly frizzled back out as if she had been struck by lightening. “Really? Thank you thank you thank you, it’ll be the best party ever.” Without warning she threw her forehooves around Duncan, who stood in awkward silence. “Okay, okay, but you have show me around first, remember?” Duncan said as he tried to gently push her off, to no avail. Pinkie shifted to his side, now only keeping a single forehoof around his shoulders as she stood up. “I have to introduce you to my friends. Come on!” Duncan let out a sigh and followed as Pinkie wandered off, it was going to be a long day, and having a hostage to track down and save weighing on his mind wasn’t going to make it any easier -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.