//------------------------------//
// Chapter Three: A Rude Awakening 
// Story: The Interdimensional Field Trip 
// by Fussan 
//------------------------------//

                                                             Chapter Three: A Rude Awakening

Equis, Equestria, Ponyville Hospital
I was lying silently in my bed when I first heard the stirring sounds of somebody waking up. I looked over to my right and saw that a small form was shifting its position on its bed. I got up and started to walk over to them, to see if they were awake, and who they were. As I neared the bed I heard them groaning, so they were awake. Now the only question left was who it was in the bed. I walked up to the bed, and pulled the covers down. I saw that it was David- one of the freshman.
"C'mon, just a few more minutes..."
"Hey! Wake your ass up!"
After that he opened an eye, then he jumped up from the bed quickly, and nearly fell off. After looking around the room he looked to me. "Are we in a hospital?" he asked.
"Yeah, we are," I replied, "We survived the wreck... Well, most of us anyway."
He looked around again and counted the beds. "Who'd we lose?"
"I don't know, but be thankful that you're alive."
I heard some more noises, which meant that the others were waking up now. I decided to wait until they were all awake, and then I would tell them what was going on.
I went over to the next bed in the line, then I pulled the covers off of this one as well. I looked down to see T-boy waking up slowly. I went bed-to-bed, waking up everybody that needed to be woken up. It took maybe ten minutes for everybody to wake up, and once they were all finished rubbing the sleep out of their eyes, I started explaining to them just what was going on. "Okay," I started, "I have a few things to tell you, but first things first." I looked at all of them, then continued. "Not all of us made it, so I'm going to do a head count really quickly to see who's still alive."
I started from the left, making my way slowly right. I saw Ms. Francis first, then Bird, and the rest of the sophomores. I counted all of the juniors, so they made it. But when I got to the freshmans, I only saw David.
"Oh, oh damn..."
"Where are Ramon and Shawn?" Ms. Francis asked. She looked to me, the question written on her face.
"Like I said, not all of us made it through the wreck." I looked back at her, then at my friends. "So I guess we know who made it and who didn't. That's something at least, isn't it?"
"We need to get back to the school," she said, obviously panicking. "We need to tell somebody what happened, then we can deal with this."
"Ms. Francis... it's not quite that simple..." I could tell that they were all on the verge of freaking out, so I tried to hurry up and explain things a bit faster.
"We're not in... we're not- I mean- aarghh!" I let out a frustrated yell, and looked straight at her, "We're not on Earth anymore!"
There was a short silence, then I heard Lewis ask, "What do you mean, man?"
"Look," I started slowly, "I know this is going to sound crazy, but it's true. You know how we were lifted off the ground back by McDonalds?" I looked at  all of them from right to left, all the way down the row so I could see they remembered the incident. "Well, it was, sort of a portal, and we got pulled into it..." I could see that they did not believe me. "Look, I know this sounds like a joke, but believe me, I promise you it's true, and you all know I've never broken a promise in my life."
They looked uncertain for a second, then Ms. Francis spoke up again.
"We all know that's impossible Django, so just tell me where Ramon and Shawn are and we can end this stupid little joke and we can go back to the school and talk to somebody." She put her hands on her hips and gave me an impatient look. "Well?!"
"I just fucking told you! We're not on Earth anymore, we're in Equestria!"
"What's Equestria?" Tyrence asked.
"Yeah, Django, what the hell is Equestria?" I heard Bird ask, and the rest of them looked at me with curiosity.
Damn it, here comes the hard part...
"Equestria is... the place that, er, it's the place where all the people from that show, um, My Little Pony are from." There was an awkwardness in the room so thick, I swear you could cut it with a knife. I looked around me and saw varying expressions on every face in the room. Some looked confused, others unbelieving, and some angry- probably at me.
"Look, I know it sounds-" but I got no further, because I was interrupted by Ms. Francis.
"Do you think this is funny?!" She was yelling now- very loudly I might add. "I know you like ponies and all that, but I don't see why you have to make a joke out of our accident! Why are you keeping information from me?! Do you know where Ramon and Shaun are, but are afraid to tell me?"
"God damn it, shut the fuck up and listen to me! I'm not joking, and if you refuse to believe me," I walked quickly over to the window, "look and see for yourself!" With that I pulled the curtains open and relieved to all of them what was outside.
They were all shocked into silence when they saw what was outside. What was outside was so strange it even made me do a double-take. I saw a team of royal guards standing in formation outside of the hospital, and a bunch of ponies trying to look past them to see what was inside of the hospital.
So, I thought, word must have gotten out that we were here. I wonder if this is a good thing, or bad...
I looked back to my classmates and teacher to see them staring wide-eyed at the sight outside. After a few seconds, they turned back to me, faces white as ghosts.
"I- is..."
"No, it's not a dream," I said. "This is one-hundred percent real, and you all know that I'm the only one who knows anything about this. So if you would all just let me talk, you might learn why we're here, and what's going on."
Lewis looked at me, "Dude, this is fuckin' crazy man. How is this real?"
I looked at him and began my tale. "Well, while we were driving back from McDonlads, they," I gestured outside, towards the ponies trying to get a better look inside, "built a machine that would let them look into other dimensions. We just happened to be what they were looking at when things went wrong. When that happened, the machine went all crazy and instead of being just a window, it turned into a doorway. We were pulled through it, but we hit so hard, I guess we passed out. That's when I woke up in here and saw you all sleeping." I took a deep breath before I continued. "After a while, they realized I was awake, and one of them came in here to talk to me. It took a while, but I was able to convince the princess that we weren't dangerous, or anything like that." I looked at each one of the people standing before me, giving them all hard looks. "So if you do anything that isn't exactly considered 'friendly', you'll probably end up getting vaporized by a bolt a lightning, or something equally unpleasant. So you might want to follow my lead on this one." I looked to Ms. Francis, seeing the half stunned, half scared expression on her face. "That includes you too teach; if you want to survive here, do what I say, and if you have any questions, ask them. Knowledge might just save your life."
They all gave me looks of fear, or confusion, obviously having a hard time accepting all of this at once.
"Very well spoken Django," came a soft voice from the doorway on the opposite side of the room, which caused all of us to turn to see Celestia standing near the door. "You seem to have a handle on the situation," she said. "But as you can clearly see, your arrival has caused quite a stir in town."
"Yeah," I said, rubbing the back of my neck in embarrassment, "sorry about that." I looked at Celestia, "So, who's this extra company you said you were bringing?"
She smiled and stepped to the side, revealing the six ponies standing behind her. I recognized all of them at once. The Mane Six stood in front of me with, shall we say, mixed expressions?
Fluttershy was hiding behind Rainbow and Applejack, and they both had distrusting expressions on their faces. Pinkie had a bright smile on her face- yeah, like that is a surprise- while Rarity and Twilight looked friendly but cautious.
I looked back at the group of Humans and gave them the "wait here" signal with my hands. I then walked towards Celestia and talked quiet enough so that nobody but her could hear me. "Are you sure it's okay for them to meet all of us at the same time? I mean, it might not work out so well."
"Don't worry," she said, "I'm sure it'll be fine."
I nodded and took a step away from Celestia, and took a few steps towards the six ponies by the door. They pulled back a little bit, but I raised my hands up to shoulder height, palms facing them, and put a small, reassuring smile on my face, so they would not be so worried. It did the trick, they relaxed a little, and I heard Twilight say something in Equine- at least, I think that is what they call their language- to Celestia, and she said something back. I could not understand it, but I think the message was for them to calm down.
I was a few feet from the group when I stopped.
That's probably close enough. I don't want to scare them by getting too close.
Twilight said something, but it sounded like gibberish to me. Except for the part where her name came up. She put her hoof to her chest to indicate herself when she said her name, then she said something else and pointed to me.
I took that as my cue to speak up. "Hi, I'm Django. Django Garcia, and I'm from the planet Earth." I pointed to myself when I said my name so she would know that is what to call me. I then extended my hand and took her hoof and slowly shook it.
***
Equis, Equestria, Ponyville Library
Twilight Sparkle was pacing in circles around the library, muttering to herself. It had been a while since she had last slept, so it was not exactly the best day of her life. In fact, she had not slept since she was put in charge of the portal project, but after what had happened, there was no way she could get even a second of rest. "Oh no, oh no no no, NO!" She was being watched by her five best friends and her loyal assistant, Spike. She did not feel any better than she did with her friends here than she did when it was just her. In fact, it made her feel even worse with them being here, seeing her like this. But she was to busy with her pacing and muttering to care that her friends were watching her have a mental breakdown.
"Twilight, ya can't keep doin' this to yerself," Applejack said in a worried tone. "It ain't healthy, and it sure is worrying us somethin' fierce."
"I agree with Applejack on this Twilight, you simply must calm down, or you'll give yourself an ulcer with all that worrying you're doing," said Rarity.
All her friends were worried for her. They had only seen her like this once before, and that was when she thought there was going to be a huge disaster that would end Equestria as they knew it. That had not been the case, but Twilight was convinced that was going to happen if she did not stop it. This was twice as bad as that, and that was saying something. She ignored her friends, and kept up her pacing.
"Twilight," Spike said, "if you keep doing this, you'll make yourself sick. Just calm down, I'm sure everything'll be fine."
Twilight looked straight at Spike and got right up in his face. "What?! How can you say everything will be fine?! Everything will be totally not fine!" Then she went back to pacing around the library. When the door opened she looked up and froze from seeing who it was.
"Pr- princess! What are you doing here? Did something happen to the aliens? are you here to tell me that they went home? Are you," she gulped, "going to send me back to magic kindergarten?"
Celestia walked closer to Twilight, then when she was only a foot away, started to speak. "Twilight, you shouldn't worry so much. Nothing is wrong."
"R- really?"
"Yes," Celestia said. "Everything is fine. The Humans are waking up, and I would like you all to meet them."
"What are 'Humans'?" Twilight asked. "Is that what their species is called?"
"Yes, Twilight, they are called Humans, but enough questions, I want you to meet them. When you do, you can ask them all your questions." Celestia then walked out of the library, gesturing for them all to follow her with her wing. They all left together, going to the hospital to visit these "Humans". Twilight had so many questions to ask them, and she was sure that her friends had some questions of their own to ask. She was so busy thinking of what to ask first, that she didn't even notice when they reached their destination.
She walked into the waiting room and looked at all the guards filling up the place. It was an insane amount, but she didn't know just how dangerous these beings were, so it might be excessive, but it could just as easily be not enough.
Celestia talked with the receptionist for a few seconds before looking to her and motioning for her to continue walking. They soon found the room with the Humans inside, and walked in. When they entered the room, there was one Human giving a lecture to the rest of them. Judging by the deepness of its voice, it was probably safe to assume this particular Human was male.
While he was talking to the others, she got a chance to study them. Some of them were black in color, while a few were white. But the one giving the lecture, and one other was a medium tan color. But their was one that didn't look like the rest, this one was built differently. This Human had a longer mane than the rest, and had curves in its body in different places. Twilight assumed this was a female, since all the others looked more like the male giving the lecture. They were different sizes too. Some were taller, and others shorter. Also, their mane styles were a lot different from each other as well. Most were cut short, but the tan one talking to the others, was longer than the others'. It went down to his eyes in the front, and down his neck in the back, and he also had large sideburns. He was a lot different than the others in a lot of ways, but before she could study him further, Celestia started to speak in the same language as the Humans. They all instantly turned towards her and listen to what she was saying. When she was finished, the one that was speaking reached up to scratch the back of his neck, a look of embarrassment washing over his face. When he finished talking, Celestia stepped to the side, so he could get a better look at all of them. Instantly, Fluttershy got scared and hid behind Rainbow and Applejack (who had looks of distrust on their faces.) But she put on a smile that she hoped was convincing, and saw Rarity to the same. Pinkie did not need to try to put on a fake smile, she was already beaming at the Humans.
He walked up to Celestia and whispered something into her ear. She whispered back to him, and he seemed to accept whatever it was she had said to him. He took a step away from her and then started moving slowly towards them. Even though Celestia had told them he was safe to be around, she was still a  little nervous, so she took a small step backwards. he stopped where he was and raised his hands in the universal "don't worry, I'm unarmed" gesture, showing that he meant them no harm. Seeing this, she gained a little confidence.
He stopped a few feet away from them and waited. Twilight guessed he was waiting for her to say something.
"Hello," she said, "my name is Twilight Sparkle, it's a pleasure to meet you." She put her hoof to her chest when she said her name so he would know she was talking about herself. "What's your name?" She extended her hoof out to him in a gesture of friendship.
He said something after a few seconds, it sounded like no language she had ever heard before. But as he said two words, he pointed to himself, and she guessed it was his name. Then he reached out to her and grabbed her hoof. It was a strange feeling, being touch by anything other than hooves, or claws- in the case of Spike- so she did not know what to think of it at first. But then he started to shake her hoof up and down slowly. He was returning the friendship she had offered! He was friendly!
Twilight turned to her friends with a big smile and shared her discovery.
"He's friendly! I can't believe it, he's friendly!"
"How do you know it's a 'he'?" Rainbow asked.
"Well," Twilight said, "he has a really low pitched voice, so I'm pretty sure this one's a male. By the looks of it, they're all males except for the one on the end over there."
"If you say so Twi'," Applejack said, "You're probably the most qualified pony I know in this area, so I'll take ya at yer word."
"Whoa," Rainbow said suddenly, "check out his eye, and that scar too."
They all looked at the Humans eye, just now noticing that it wasn't normal. Also seeing the huge scar across his face too. That scar and the eye made him look scary, like a giant warrior.
"Yes, he is quite torn up from the incident in the library. But you should be careful; not all of his scars were from that," Celetia said, a warning in her voice.
They all looked at Celestia, then at the Human, then at each other. But before they could ask any questions Celestia spoke up again.
"I'm going to use my magic to let him be able to speak Equine so you all can ask him your questions directly."
"Really?" Twilight asked, "You can do that?"
"Yes Twilight," Celestia responded, "I can do that."
***
I stood there for a few minutes while Twilight and her friends spoke among themselves. I tried not to let my annoyance show on my features. I didn't want to appear to be rude. After maybe two or three minutes of talking, Celestia said something to them. It must have really been something, because Twilight'S face took on a look of amazement, then one of pure joy soon after.
Then Celestia turned to me, smiling. "I can give you the ability to communicate with the ponies of Equestria with my magic, if you wish."
What did she just say? Did she really just say what I think she just said? If so, then my life just got a whole lot better.
"Really?" I asked her. "Can you really use your magic to let me speak Equine?"
She gained a small smile and nodded in confirmation. She really could give me the ability to speak with them, and she was willing to just give it away... For free, too!
"Then please do it," I said. "I would really like to be able to speak with them on my own, without a translator. Not that I don't enjoy your company, Celestia." I gave her a smile and a wink. She returned the smile.
"Then it's settled, I'll give you the ability to speak Equine, and you can talk to however many ponies you desire. As long as you still talk to me too," she said with a bit more than a hint of playfulness.
"Don't worry," I assured her, "I enjoy our little chats. You don't have to worry about me not wanting to talk to you."
"Good, I'd hate to lose such a good conversationalist such as yourself."
"What can I say? Talking is what I'm good at."
After that last comment, she lowered her head so the tip of her horn was touching my forehead. There was a flash a bright light, and I could understand so much all at once. I think she gave me more than one language, because I heard the sounds of something sounding like it was from Africa, and a couple images of zebras flashed through my mind. But I could see griffons too, and roars and screeches, but what was more, is that I understood all of it. There were even some images of things I've never even seen before, and the languages they speak were also embedded into my brain. When it was over, it felt like I had put my brain into a washing machine on high. It felt so weird, but not bad.
My thoughts were interrupted by a polite cough. I turned to see Twilight looking at me like she was ready to burst at the seems from an overflow of unasked questions.
"Um, hello?"
I could fully understand her! This was awesome! "Hi there."
She gasped, then a huge smile spread across her face. She must have had at least a hundred questions for me, and I was going to have to answer them all for her to be satisfied with me enough so that she could trust me.
This is going to be a long night...
End Chapter: Chapter Three: A Rude Awakening