//------------------------------//
// The first 
// Story: Dimensional travel and a stallion named Hopper. 
// by The desert brony 
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This is the telling of the day my life changed. I thought about starting a jornal so I could share this with my children, that is if I ever get the chance to have kids. Here is the telling of the day I was whisked away from my old life. But wait you might ask, what caused me to leave my home? Well the truth is that I have no idea. This is my story and my name is Hopper.


^^^


I awoke with a start to find myself in a small alley. The sun was just over the horizon and I felt very strange, more woozy and nauseous than anything else. When the feeling passed I picked myself up and walked out of the alley to see the wonders of the world. Blue skies and thatched roof houses greeted me. Some of the homes smelled of fresh paint and ponies of all colors were around me. I wondered where I must be at first but the answer was right in front of me. I spotted a mint green unicorn with a two-toned light green and white mane walking next to a beige earth pony that had blue and pink mane. These two ponies I know very well. The first on is Lyra Heartstrings, she plays the lyre and sometimes a harp. She makes most of her bits from the small gigs she plays in Canterlot. The earth pony is my sister Bonbon. Bonbon moved to Ponyville so she could get away from the stop n’ go life of Manehatten. I reasoned that I was in Ponyville and I should at least go say hi to my sister. That was until a pink earth pony gasped at me from across the street.

The pink pony bounced over and gave me a hug, sang a quick tune about welcoming me to the town, but before she got to the end of her song she cried about her twitching tail. Then a pie fell on my head. She stood there one hoof over her mouth as she cried “Are you ok?” I could only nod my head, she then burst into laughter and I followed soon after. She told me to stay still for a second and I was about to question why, but she opened her maw and her tongue shot out like a bullfrogs licking away the pie. She left my face completely clean not a drop of saliva. “MMMMM cherry pie, I wonder who made cherry today? Oh well here try some.” She reached her hoof to my head and pulled a slice of the pie off my head and offered it to me. I took it with my own hooves and ate much slower, it was delightful, much better than any pie I had in my youth. 

“Hi I'm Pinkie Pie, what's your name?” I stared at the pink pony before me. I knew her name and the name of her friends; she was one of those element bearers that saved Equestria a few times. I opened my mouth to say my name but was hit hard from the side; I tumbled in a tangled mess with some other pony. After coming to a stop the other pony recovered much quicker than I did

“Oh no, I was so sure it was around here that I lost it.” the disgruntled mare spoke with a small hint of fear.

“Lost what Dashie?” Pinkie said as she trotted up to us. 

“The Cakes asked me to fly some cherry pies to Cloudsdale but when I got there I found I was missing one and I'm sure it should be around here.” The cyan blue Pegasus was looking around frantically hoping to spot the fallen tasty treat. 

“Oh that one landed on my friend's head.” Pinkie said as she pulled me into another hug showing me off to Rainbow Dash. My eyes blurred as Pinkie grabbed me onto one of her bone crushing hugs. “Don't worry Dashie, I'll get you a new cherry pie before you can say chimmy-cherry-changa.” And before either Rainbow or I could protest she was gone. 

I turned to the polychromatic maned pony and could hardly believe she was standing next to me; The Element of Loyalty herself and fastest flier in all of Equestria: Rainbow Dash.“So you like what you see?” Her voice caught me off guard as she flicked her mane and posed. “I get stares all the time, it's hard not to when you're as awesome as I am. I'm Rainbow Dash, what's your name?” She lifted her hoof and I tentatively raised mine to shake hers.

“I-I'm-” I struggled to find my voice but with no warning to either of us Pinkie returned.

“Here you go Dashie!” A fresh baked cherry pie balanced perfectly on her head. 

“Oh thanks Pinkie Pie, I have to get this to Cloudsdale so I'll see ya around.” With that said she took the box and flew off to deliver the pie. 

Pinkie turned to me with a wide smile, “She really needs to trust me more often, I mean I've never let them down before, well except that one time with Discord but that wasn't my fault, he was the one who turned us all gray and turned me against all my friends, OH YOU should TOTALLY meet my friends well you've already met Rainbow Dash, oh I know you should meet my friend Fluttershy she's the kindest most shyest ponies I know COME ON!” And by the hoof I was dragged off through the streets of Ponyville to Fluttershy's cottage. 

Instead of going through the front door, like any logical pony would, Pinkie jumped into a tree and we popped out of a floor plant scaring the butter colored pegasus. It took four or five minutes to calm her. During that time I took the opportunity to make some tea. With the help of a small white bunny I made my way around the kitchen fishing tea cups and saucers. Of the many types of tea she had I could only recognize the Earl Gray. After tea had been served Pinkie burst into words again telling Fluttershy of the day’s events, from waking up to meeting me and the encounter with Rainbow Dash and the cherry pie. 

Fluttershy nodded throughout the conversation, not a word escaped her lips and I knew why. She was deliberately focusing on Pinkie, most likely because she's too shy to address me. With Pinkie occupied with her storytelling I was free to contemplate her home. Critters of all kinds were either nestled in burrows or nests. The white rabbit that helped me navigate the kitchen was munching on a carrot looking bored. Being in the house reminded me of my parents and how one or both were gone for long periods of time but my home always felt welcoming, much like Fluttershy’s. Also due to my parents being earth ponies I had learned next to nothing about pony magic.

“Oh and speaking of magic Twilight is one of the best ponies in All of Equestria to learn from, come on let's go!” A flurry of motion from Pinkie later, a rather perplexed pegasus and I were suddenly in yet another home.

“Holy Guacamole!” A young purple and green dragon cried out as our trio emerged from a mirror. “Pinkie warn me next time you're going to come bursting out of the mirror when I'm brushing my teeth.” The dragon glared at the giggling ball of pink pony that had transported us across I don’t know how far across town.

Pinkie was smiling and giggling as the dragon finished cleaning himself. “Oh Spike where is the surprise if you know it was coming.” This made him pause but a retort died in his throat as Pinkie jammed her face into his. “So we came to see Twilight because my new friend here needs to learn magic so he can use his horn and there is no pony better to teach him then Twilight so yea where is she where is she?” The last part of her long winded sentence was punctuated by bouncing up and down.

“Uhh she should be down stairs reading like she normally is.” Spike was rewarded with a crushing hug, a cupcake and an invitation card. After that I was dragged from the bathroom away from the bewildered mare and dragon.
I saw the wood of this grand home rush past me in a blur. When my vision cleared and my equilibrium restored, I found myself being presented to the very element of magic herself Twilight Sparkle. Her eyes were wide with shock, I assumed it was because of the unexpected visit from Pinkie, but I was wrong.

“Wait what?” Twilight had gasped as if she had been told something taboo had happened. “A unicorn that hasn't learned magic, how is that even possible? On second thought don't answer that Pinkie.” As her large violet eyes scanned me I felt odd, as if she would cry out suddenly and call me a liar. My ears flattened and the corner of my mouth curled into a nervous smile. The more she stared at me with those critical eyes of hers the more I had a desire to run away screaming. Then I saw her smile sweetly and it put me at ease. “I'm sorry, I have a tendency to over analyze sometimes.” And cue the cute giggle. “Anyway, I guess I should test your abilities so we'll start from the basics and work our way up okay.” That sounded like a statement more than a question. I didn't have a choice; if I truly wanted to learn magic I merely assumed this test was mandatory.

Twilight cantered over to one of her many bookshelves and began to pull an assortment of tomes from it. I turned to look at Pinkie but found nothing but an empty cushion next to me. Where did she go? Oh please oh please dear Princess Celestia tell me she's not gone! *Slam* the sound of books dropping to the table in front of me snapped me away from my growing hysteria. “Okay, because I don't know how much you know about magic I'm going to start with the basics. Could you tell me about your family, you don't have to tell me but I am curious as to why they didn't teach you?”

I guess it would help her understand why I never learned magic “Well my parents were both earth ponies so they couldn't teach me magic, and even if they could they both had highly demanding jobs that left them little time for me.” While my words were true, it wasn't the whole truth. I didn’t want to tell the story of how my family never had enough money to hire a magic tutor or how I scored so low on the written test for Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns that I was nowhere close to being brought back for the magical exam.

“Ah I see, well it's a good thing I pulled this one,” My First Cantrips was the title of the book “this one is a first edition and signed by the author Cantrip herself.” Twilight beamed about the book and gave a recount of Cantrip's early filly-hood. She eventually caught herself and blushed at the fact that she was rambling instead of teaching. “Alright let's get started.” For the next two hours I was taught magic and boy was it harder then it sounded. Twilight sat close to me as she taught; a bit too close for a simple magic lesson. Her method of teaching was intense but rewarding. More than a few times I dropped a plate causing it to shatter on the floor. The mess was cleaned up by Spike who grumbled every time. Channeling magic through the horn, calling upon one or multiple essences that twisted the magic in its raw form to do or make what you wanted.  By the end I felt very proud that I had mastered levitation, mage light and summoning a door. It was during this last trick that Pinkie made her reappearance through the door I summoned.

“Hi Twilight, sorry I had to leave earlier but my left hind leg was all tingly and that means that the Cakes needed me to foalsit the twins while they prepped for the party this evening which reminded me that my friend doesn't have a tux for tonight and so I went to Rarity's to get him one but she wanted to make one for him and so I need to take him over there now oh and don't forget the party starts at seven sharp.” And with that I was dragged by Pinkie through the door right into a boutique. I looked back to see if the door was still there but as I should have known, it was gone. I turned back around to face Pinkie and object to the very jarring transition, but was met with the disapproving face of Rarity.

I don’t know what it is about this pony, but looking at the Element of Generosity makes me feel like she would rather be somewhere else than Ponyville. “Oh my, this will simply not due not due at all. Your mane and tail haven't been washed, you look like Twilight had you studying for hours and you're positively dripping with sweat, Sweetie Belle!” Rarity had hit almost every mark, save for the pie that landed on me earlier today and the sweat was being exaggerated.

After a moment a younger white unicorn with a two toned pink and purple mane that I’ll assume is her little sister came down with a huff and looked at her with crystal clear annoyance. “Yes Rarity?” Dang she sounds like a squeaky angle. She was donned in a blue cape and saddle bags were packed to the brim with stuff.

“Sweetie please be a dear and draw a bath for our guest here, I know you and your friends are going to the party tonight but could you please do this for me before you go.” Rarity's voice was like silk being wrapped around a playful kitten that has very sharp claws.

Sweetie sighed and telekinetically dropped her bags to the floor and stomped upstairs. Rarity turned back to me with a tape measure held in her own magical grasp. “Now then darling I only have an hour to get a suitable vest made for you so please hold still.” I did as I was told and stood motionless for the seamstress. As she passed the tape over several parts of my body, I couldn't help but watch her as she worked. Her prim and proper mane and tail were not just curled but also had the scent of lilacs and dew. Her face, while firmly locked in her business mode, held the air of an upper class Canterlot pony. She had a slight pudge to her cheeks that made her face more rounded then I expected. She moved to my other side and started to hold a set of fabrics up to me, presumably to pick the perfect color to match my beige coat and sandy brown mane.

Sweetie Belle came down to inform us that the bath was ready, and before Rarity could issue a new request she was out the door and with her bag in tow. Rarity had a slight crestfallen look cross her face but was gone in a second. She turned back to me with a smile. “Please go freshen yourself up, the bathroom is upstairs first door on the left and spare towels are in the lower cupboard. I should have your vest completed by the time you are done.” I thanked her and moved upstairs, during my climb I wondered about the layout of her upper floor but that was quickly answered. The entire area had no hallway; it was a circular area with the stairs popping up in the center. All the doors that were marked accordingly: The bathroom was directly to my left just as Rarity said: next to that was a door marked 'Inspiration Room' and I chuckled and wondered what she does to gain inspiration. The next two rooms were Rarity's and Sweetie Belle's bedrooms. Opening the door to the bathroom got me a face full of steam from the hot bath, the air held a thick aroma of amber and honey. I didn't want to waste any more time so I pulled a towel from the aforementioned cupboard and set it on the toilet like I do back home... Home... Why did I think of home, now of all times? Oh right, with the lack of a familiar surroundings one will tend to think of stuff from back home. And given the way this day has gone for me, this was the first amount of time alone. I thought of my parents who were always working. My mother was always warm and I cherished every moment I snuggled next to her, my father on the other hoof was a great mechanic but I felt he should have been a taste tester given how much he goes on about the pies he eats. It makes me sad that I was so rudely taken away from my home and just dumped in this town. Granted I have just met five out of the six saviors of Equestria so some good did come of this.

I stopped thinking about home and finished washing up then quickly dried off with the towel. Done with that I ran my hoof through my mane and it refused to stay down. I spotted a comb with tangles of pink hair in it and I silently prayed that Sweetie Belle wouldn't mind. I made sure to remove her hairs before and mine after I used it. I set the used towel in the hamper that sat next to the door which held a few jeweled saddles that were way too big to fit a filly and had two fins near the back that were big enough to wrap a hoof around. On my way back downstairs I contemplated why a pony such as Rarity would need a saddle? Was she using them as a fashion statement or was it for more personal endeavors.

Once I hit the main floor of the boutique I found Rarity easily. Held in her magical grasp was a plain sandy brown vest with black trims and a hoof stitched patch over the left breast, the patch was of a pony jumping from one earthen platform to another. I was about to question this but a better thought came to my mind. “Wow, they don't call you one of Equestria's greatest seamstresses for nothing.”

Rarity had been lost in her own thoughts so when my complement hit her, the smile she gave was radiant as a diamond.

“Why thank you dear, in truth I didn't think I had a brown that complemented your mane. I was torn between going with beige trim to match your coat or the black, but I felt going with a darker color would make your blue eyes pop out.” Holding the newly created vest up to me her smiled grew.

“And I was right.”

Taking the garment in my own magical hold, I didn't stop to think how magic was becoming easier to use as I donned the vest. It fit snugly around my barrel and was still warm from the sewing machine. For some odd reason I felt at peace with this vest on, maybe that was the power of Rarity's talent and or years of experience. My eyes spied the clock and I gasped. “Oh by Celestia, if we don't get moving we'll be late for the party.”

Rarity eyed the clock as well. “Oh my yes you're right. Just let me grab a few things...” She rummaged through a few dresses and came out with a dress that was purple but just a few tones lighter than her mane. She donned it quickly and was at the door in a flash. “Now let us be off.”

After Rarity had closed and locked her shop we headed out to wherever the party was to be held. “Funny, I don't think I was ever told where the party was being held.” Why did I not just simply ask where it was? I sounded like an upper crust wannabe that may parents always detested.

“Oh did Pinkie not tell you? It's to be held at Sweet Apple Acres, the home of my good friend Applejack. She makes some of the most divine apple fritters in Equestria!” I looked to Rarity with understanding, it seems like I've visited almost the whole of this town. First it was the market place where I first met Pinkie and Rainbow dash; then there was Fluttershy's cottage and Twilight's library; Rarity's Boutique and now the home of the Apple family. Plus Applejack was the one of the element bearers I had yet to meet, and I was looking forward to it.

The walk was much shorter then I imagined. I figured that because the farm was on the outskirts of the town that it would be a trek, but that was not so. The well-organized lines of apple trees came into view and flowed like a sea of green over the landscape. It was a captivating sight and the aroma of freshly picked apples was heavy in the air. Soon the home of the Apple family was in view and the sounds of music and party goers drifted over to us. By the time we got to the entrance to the farm, the party was in full swing. A country band played lively tunes and ponies enjoyed the treats cooked up by the Apple family and the Cakes. I saw so many ponies around; I couldn't help but wonder what occasion would prompt so many to attend. I saw a pinto colored colt sitting with Sweetie Belle and two others, an orange pegasus filly with a purple mane and a yellow filly with a pink bow holding her red mane out of her face. The four were talking all secretly to each other and I wondered what were they planning? My eyes continued to drift around the party until they landed on the orange mare with blond hair with a Stetson hat on top, and she was headed straight for us.

“Well howdy there Rarity, it's about time you joined us at this here shin dig.” Her southern drawl was like music to any ponies ears. Her eyes like deep pools of liquid emeralds and her freckled face distorted with the biggest country grin.

“Oh Applejack, you know I wouldn't miss this for the world. It's not very often that the your family throws such a grand event. After all, your family must be proud to have had the farm for over a hundred years.” Rarity's smooth and silky voice was a wonderful contrast to AJ's.

“Darn toot`n, and if I don't say this now ah won't get a second chance at it. Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres one hundredth anniversary! Now let’s party!” Applejack led us through the throng of ponies to the one group I had the pleasure of meeting earlier this day. The polychromatic mane of Rainbow Dash was the first to draw the eyes, then the ever bouncing bundle of energy wrapped in pink that was Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle was right next to the ever bashful Fluttershy. Our approach didn't go unnoticed as Pinkie came bounding over and dived onto me, giving me yet another rib crushing hug.

“Oh my gosh I was wondering when you were going to show up and was totally betting on two minutes from now but Twilight was all ‘I'm sure they are alright and Rarity is just fussing over your clothes.’ and Fluttershy agreed on that but Rainbow Dash was like ‘I could get them here in ten seconds flat.’ but I was sure it would have taken longer but this is Dashie we're talking about. Oh there is something I want to show you come over here!” To this day I will never stop being amazed at how she was able to talk as if she never needs to take a breath. I was led away from the group to a nearby hill that was strangely devoid of apple trees in favor of a large oak.

The stars were bright and beautiful and I was sharing this spectacle with such a hyper pony that felt like a never ending bundle of joy. “Oh it's gonna start soon look look over there!” Pinkie pointed a hoof over to a clear patch of land that was just outside of the farms borders.

Soon a set of four voices, three fillies and one colt, blared over the speaker system. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADER FIREWORKS YAY!” A collective gasp from the ponies rang out just before the first rocket launched into the air and burst into a shower of red and green. The explosions were loud but not deafening. After the initial launch the ponies in attendance oohed and awed at the spectacle.

The fireworks continued to spray the sky with colors and sounds and I would have lost myself in the spectacle had I not been nudged. I looked to the only occupant besides myself and found a blushing Pinkie sitting calmly. I became worried; I had gotten used to seeing Pinkie bounce around and seeing her not bouncing around was a tad disconcerting. I was worried more by how she was staring into my eyes, the light from the fireworks would illuminate her face for the briefest of moments allowing me to see something I've never seen from her. Desire, unbridled and daunting. It wasn't lust but something told me that it could go that way. I hadn't even noticed when our muzzles got so close that I could smell the frosting on her breath, but I sure noticed when we kissed. It was like the world stopped then exploded in a shower of color and sound. If you asked me about how long that kissed lasted, I wouldn't be able to tell you. The best I could come close to would be to tell you that it lasted for only a moment, and that moment lasted forever.

Pinkie giggled and winked at me. “That’s something to remember me by.” And then my whole world went black. At first I was afraid that she had done something to me. That was until I woke up. Was it a dream? I don't know but I will say this; where I ended up was not the Apple's farm or some hospital bed. But rather The Castle of the royal pony sisters!