//------------------------------//
// Chapter 11 
// Story: A Different Viewpoint of Equestria 
// by Christopher28 
//------------------------------//

Johnathon was woken that morning by the sunlight coming in through his bedroom window.  He groaned softly, and rolled over, but it was just too bright now to get back to sleep.  After struggling futilely against the inevitable for awhile, he gave up, and swung his legs out of bed, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

"New curtains." he told himself.  "I need to get some new, darker curtains." he yawned, still feeling tired.  He had made it to bed early enough, but his worry had kept him up for hours.  What was he going to do about his suspicion that some sort of enormous spell had caused all of Equestria to, essentially, ignore what Twilight Sparkle and her friends had done in order to save the world?  He wasn't any sort of magic user, it wasn't like he could break the spell.  At least, not all at once.  He had inadvertently discovered that simply by bringing the subject up in conversation, he could break the effect on whoever he was talking to... or at least, it seemed that way.  But there was no way to test his theory without subjecting more ponies to the same worry he and Cheerilee now faced.  He sighed and got dressed, heading to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Cheerilee was already in the kitchen, and she nodded to him with a polite smile.  "Good Morning, Johnathon, what were you planning on doing today?"

The lanky, brown-haired human shrugged.  "Well, I've been planning on visiting Applejack on her farm.  I offered to help out there if I could.  I'd like to feel at least a little useful, and I have worked on a farm before."

Cheerilee looked slightly surprised.  "Oh?  I thought you might want to continue working on creating a primer for your native language, Johnathon.  You seemed so intent on it the other day!"

Johnathon shrugged.  "Well, I would if I could.  I'm not sure yet how it'll help, but at the time, it seemed like a good idea."

Cheerilee nodded enthusiastically.  "I think it was an excellent idea!  I'm sure there are quite a few ponies that would be interested in learning your language!" she blinked.  "What do you mean, you would if you could?  Why can't you?"

Johnathon frowned.  "I can't remember anything from my language while Twilight's translation spell is working.  It... well, it exchanges one for the other.  I can speak Equestrian now, but not English." he looked puzzled.  "Why do you think any pony would want to learn my language?  I mean, there is only one person on this world who speaks it... me!"

Cheerilee blinked.  "Well, there aren't a huge amount of different languages on our world, it's true, but I'm sure there are pony linguists that would jump at the chance to learn something no pony has ever spoken.  Don't you think?"

Johnathon frowned.  "I wonder.  I suppose it's not entirely outside the realm of possibility."

Cheerilee looked curious.  "So... the spell that allows you to speak Equestrian makes you forget your own language?  That's very peculiar."

Johnathon sighed.  "And a bit frustrating, because it means I can't really learn your language the hard way with the spell working.  At least I don't see how.  So either I can barely communicate for... months at least while I learn your language, or I rely on Twilight's spell for my stay here, but will always be dependent on it!" he sighed.  "Not that it's not a very useful spell, but... it's really tempting just to let her keep casting it on me.  I'm really bad with new languages.  It takes me forever to learn even the basics."

Cheerilee raised an eyebrow.  "Well, I don't know about that.  You seemed to be doing all right the other night!  Even though you were so focused on writing down your own language, you picked up quite a lot." she looked thoughtful.  "Actually, I can remember quite a bit of yours as well." she pointed at her clock, and said a word that sounded strange in his ears, but vaguely familiar at the same time.  "That means clock, right?" she asked him.

Johnathon blinked.  "Er... maybe?  I couldn't really tell." he frowned.  "Wonderful.  You speak more English that I do right now."

Cheerilee hesitated.  "Well, if you wanted to try learning our language the hard way, I'd be willing to teach you.  Especially if you wanted to finish compiling a translation of your own language!" she blushed.  "I... er... well, I was thinking I could write a paper on it, and submit it to the royal university in Canterlot for publication." she looked a bit guilty.  "So, I can't say my motives are altruistic, but...."

Johnathon blinked.  "Actually, I'd... love to help you with that!" he said, smiling suddenly.  "That's a wonderful idea!"

Cheerilee hesitated.  "Really?  I mean, you'd be willing?"

Johnathon nodded enthusiastically.  "It's a great idea.  And I really should learn your language.  We can teach each other!  It might even go faster that way." he grinned.  "And this way, I won't feel guilty about you spending all your time teaching me."

Cheerilee smiled.  "Well... alright then!" she looked genuinely pleased.  "I've never done anything like this before... but it's always been a dream of mine to be able to give a lecture at a real university.  I know I'm just a small town school teacher, and I do love my work, but it would be nice to gain the respect of my peers, just once."

Johnathon nodded agreeably.  "I understand." he sighed.  "Well then... I guess I'll have to tell Twilight that she won't need to renew her spell." he shook his head.  "It's going to be tough.  I've gotten used to being able to chat with you all so easily, going back to struggling for every word isn't going to be a lot of fun." he took a deep breath as if to steady himself.  "But it really is a good idea, and I should stop using Twilight's magic as a crutch."

Cheerilee smiled.  "Well, I'll try to help as much as I can." she frowned.  "I do still have to teach school, but perhaps I can arrange for a substitute teacher once a week or so?"  the purple pony shrugged and smiled at him.  "Well, I'll make it work.  I do have plenty of time off."

Johnathon looked thoughtful.  "Maybe I could get Twilight to shorten how long her spell lasts, so that I can use it during school days?"

Cheerilee looked dubious.  "Isn't that cheating?"

He shrugged.  "Maybe... but, if you're not around to help me learn, I might as well be able to talk to everypony."

Cheerilee chuckled.  "Somehow I think it's still cheating.  Won't you learn faster if you have to use Equestrian for every conversation?"

The archeologist sighed.  "You're right.  I just hate... feeling dumb.  And not being able to talk very well to people makes me feel pretty dumb."

She smiled gently.  "No pony will judge you for it, Johnathon."

He shrugged.  "I suppose not.  You're right, of course, it would be better to do without the spell entirely."  Johnathon grinned at her.  "Maybe just for emergencies?"

"Translation emergencies?"  Cheerilee said dubiously.

"Heh." he shrugged sheepishly.  "Maybe not."

He got up from the table. "Well, I'm going to head over to Sweet Apple Acres now.  I want to see what needs doing over there that I can help with before it gets too late.  I've got a date with Fluttershy later, too..." he trailed off as Cheerilee's eyes went wide.  "We're just friends!  Not that kind of date!"

Cheerilee chuckled.  "If you say so."

He rolled his eyes.  "Anyway... she promised to give me a lift up to Rainbow Dash's home today.  I've never seen a cloud house up close before."

Cheerilee blinked.  "Isn't that... a bit dangerous?  I mean... it's made of clouds!  Won't you just fall right through it?" she winced slightly.  "And it's so high up!"  Cheerilee looked at him dubiously.  "Can Fluttershy actually carry you that far?  I mean, it's not that you're very heavy looking, but she's not known for being the strongest flyer."

Johnathon blinked.  "Well, she did mention something about borrowing Twilight's balloon."

"Oh!  I see."  Cheerilee smiled and nodded.  "Well, have fun then."

Johnathon glanced over at her.  "Hey... would you like to come?"

Cheerilee hesitated.  "Well... er...."  She frowned.  "Will there be room?"

Johnathon shrugged.  "No idea.  I can ask though."

Cheerilee looked uncertainly at him.  "Well.... I'm not sure."

"Why not?"  Johnathon asked curiously.

Cheerilee sighed.  "Honestly, I'm a little afraid of heights.  I've never been very high, but I get a little dizzy looking off the balcony on the top floor of city hall.  I don't think I'd do very well in a balloon."

Johnathon smiled and put a hand on her shoulder lightly.  "Alright.  I'll tell you all about it when I get back then."

Cheerilee nodded with a smile.  "I'd like that."

**************************************

As he walked up the road to Sweet Apple Acres, wearing one of his new tee shirts and the tool belt he had gotten for his welcoming present, Johnathon heard a loud thump sound from ahead of him, followed by rustling and the faint sounds of many small impacts.  He hurried forward to see Applejack nodding at three full baskets of apples sitting around a tree.  She noticed him headed her way, and gave a wave with one of her front hooves.

"Howdy, Johnathon!" she called cheerfully.  "Come to see how we do things here at the farm?"

"That's the plan."   Johnathon told her agreeably.  "I was hoping I could figure out a good way I could be useful around here... and I do know farm work."

Applejack grinned at him.  "Well, let me show you around then!" she offered.  "I was just applebucking."

The archeologist raised an eyebrow.  "What does that mean, exactly?" he asked the cowpony.  "I mean... bucking apples?  I figure it must have something to do with harvesting them... but I couldn't quite figure it out."

Applejack chuckled.  "Here, let me show you!" she walked over to a nearby Apple tree which had several empty baskets placed around it, turned her back on it, and neatly kicked the tree with both legs.  The impact was impressive to say the least, and Johnathon watched in astonishment as every single apple visible on the tree tumbled down into the baskets, save a few that missed and rolled away.

Bending to scoop one of the few stray apples up, he whistled.  "That's rather impressive." he looked at the trunk.  "No damage either."  Johnathon shook his head.  "That must take a bit of practice to learn." he commented.  "I mean, kicking it just right so that all the apples come down with a single blow?  That can't be easy."

Applejack grinned and shrugged.  "Tweren't nothin'.  Farming apples is my special talent, ya know?  It just comes natural."

Johnathon raised an eyebrow.  "Don't tell me you could do that the first time you tried it?"

Applejack chuckled.  "Not hardly, but I was just a little filly.  Still, I learned to buck apple trees proper when I was about Applebloom's age." she shrugged.  "Maybe a few years older.  It's just what I'm best at."

Johnathon glanced at another tree nearby with more baskets under it.  "Mind if I try?"

Applejack chuckled.  "Not a bit.  Give 'er a good whack."

The archeologist took the gloves Rarity had made him from where he had tucked them into his tool belt and pulled them on as he walked over to the tree, then planted himself into a horse stance as he took in a deep breath.  He let out the breath, then took another one slowly.  When his lungs were full, he exhaled and struck the tree with his fist, turning his hip and stepping into the punch as he exhaled, twisting his fist as his arm reached full extension.  He felt the blow through his knuckles, down his wrist, through his arm and down his body, all the way to the base of his rear foot.  It was a good punch, his form had been just right.

The sound of his fist hitting the wood was a sharp snap, and he was pleasantly surprised to feel next to no pain from his knuckles.  The tree shivered, and he caught sight of several apples falling out of the corner of his eye.  He snapped a hand back to catch one, and narrowly missed it, then dove for it, catching it with both hands just as it would have reached the ground.

Applejack was standing back, looking mildly impressed.  "Well... that was pretty darn good for a first try!" she said approvingly.  "You brought down four apples with that one!" she walked up to the tree trunk and raised an eyebrow.  "You've just got to use a bit more muscle, and a bit less speed." she nodded at the place he had hit.  "You damaged the bark a mite, see?  You've got to hit it with your whole body, see, but not like you're going to punch through the thing, you just wanna rattle it a wee bit." she demonstrated, whirling and kicking in one smooth, powerful motion that brought the rest of the apples in the tree down in a single shower.

Johnathon got back up, dropping his one rescued apple into the basket lightly.  "Well... that was about as hard as I can hit, I think.  I could hit softer, but I don't think I'd shake the tree enough."

Applejack shrugged.  "Well, you get stronger as you go."

Johnathon grinned.  "I'm sure." he shrugged.  "I'll give it another try." he walked up to a fourth tree, and turned his right side to face it from about six feet away.  He took one quick sidestep toward it, and kicked with his right leg, going straight out to one side and hitting squarely.  The tree shook, and several apples fell.  He reached out and just managed to catch one, and two others landed in baskets.

Applejack didn't even need to check, the sound had told her enough.  "Now that's the way to buck a tree!" she said with a smile.

Johnathon chuckled.  "I only got three apples that time."

The cowpony shrugged.  "Well, you didn't damage the bark none that time, and you got some apples.  You keep that up, and you'll be right useful around here."

Johnathon chuckled.  "Perhaps, but I think I'll leave most of the actual bucking to you.  Maybe I should go with my strengths?"

Applejack raised an eyebrow.  "And what would those be, if you don't mind me asking?"

The human raised his hands.  "These.  Extremely handy for picking things up, carrying things, and using tools!"

Applejack nodded thoughtfully.  "Alright then.  How about you empty the baskets into those carts over there, and put the empty ones down around the trees, and I'll do the bucking."  Johnathon nodded agreeably, and they got to work.  At first, Applejack had to show him the trick behind setting the baskets down around the trees so that the maximum amount of apples would fall into them, but when he had mastered that, she got to work with a vengeance.

It was hard work, and as the sun rose, he was soon soaked with sweat.  Applejack seemed tireless, and even fresh he couldn't keep up with her.  She paused several times to let him catch up, but when it became obvious he couldn't haul baskets as fast as she could buck, she started doing that as well.  He pushed himself hard just to be able to carry one loaded basket to the cart for every basket she managed in between bucking trees, and he somehow sensed she was taking it easy so as not to shame him, but he kept at it.

There was no shame in being weaker than Applejack.  He had known from their first meeting that the pony was far more powerful than he was.  He had managed to hog tie her during their first meeting more through his greater experience than through anything else.  After all, he'd wrestled his share of four legged creatures on his farm, while Applejack had never even seen a human before, must less tried to capture one.  He somehow doubted that he'd come out the better in a second encounter, and was quite grateful, as he witnessed the earth pony's tireless strength and endurance, that it was very unlikely that the situation would come up.

They had finished filling three large carts and one wagon after a couple hours.  Johnathon had stripped off his shirt about half way through, and as they filled the last cart to Applejack's satisfaction, he wiped at his brow to keep the sweat from stinging his eyes.

Applejack walked to the front of the line of carts, which were attached end to end like a small train, and backed in up in front of the lead one to harness herself in.  Johnathon walked over, intending to offer to help strap her in, then watched in surprise as she lifted the belly strap with one hoof, and with what was obviously the ease of long practice, fastened the buckle with her teeth.

Johnathon blinked.  "Wow... I guess hands are overrated."

Applejack blinked.  "Eh?  What now?"

He nodded at the buckle.  "I'm impressed at how agile you ponies are with your hooves.  I was going to offer to do that up for you, but obviously you don't have any trouble with that sort of thing.

Applejack blinked.  "Oh, buckles and the sort?" she blinked, walking forward as she thought about it.  "I suppose it's a mite hard at first, but I use this harness near every day.  It's old hat now, if you get me."

Johnathon nodded.  "Obviously." as they walked toward the barn, he puled his teeshirt on over his head.  "Well, obviously I'm not going to be a lot of help apple-bucking." he said with a shrug.  "Maybe there is something else around here I could help with?"

Applejack smiled at him.  "Ya did fine for your first day.  Heck, hardly no pony else can keep up with me when I'm working hard.  Nothing to be shamed about."

Johnathon shrugged.  "Oh, I'm not worried about keeping up with you Applejack, I doubt I'll ever manage that.  Still, I expect there are other things I could do better.  I'd wager I can use a hammer better than you."

Applejack raised an eyebrow with a grin.  "Is that a bet?"

Johnathon shrugged, grinning back slightly.  "Why, are you in the mood for a wager?"

Applejack looked thoughtful.  "Maybe... what did you have in mind?"

Johnathon shrugged.  "Well, do you have any repairs that need doing?  I noticed your fence has some places that could use some work."

Applejack nodded.  "Sure enough.  You saying you can fix my fence faster than I could?"

The archeologist shrugged.  "Anything's possible."

The cowpony snorted.  "OK, this I have to see." she pulled the carts through the open door of her barn, and unfastened herself, leaving them inside in the shade.  She headed toward a section of broken fencing.  "OK, there's a broken board here... and another one up yonder.  You think you can fix this one faster than I can handle the other?"

Johnathon grinned.  "Only one way to find out."

*****************************

Ten minutes later, Johnathon walked down to where Applejack was working on her section of fencing, holding a board in place with one hoof while placing a nail with her teeth.  She gave the nail a good shove to place it, then picked up a hammer and swung, knocking the nail loose.

"Consarn it!" she glanced down to where he had been working.  "Guess those hands of yours are good for something after all.  I'm only about half finished here."

He shrugged.  "Well, that, and I have fixed fencing before, PLENTY of times.  That was one of my most common repairs back on the farm.  We had one Gelding who'd knock a fence down every other week sometimes...."

Applejack's eyes were wide and her mouth was open.  "A what?!?"

Johnathon blinked, thinking back to what he had just said.  "Er...."  Oh damn.  Please tell me that the translation spell didn't work just this once!

Applejack's eyes narrowed.  "You did not just tell me you had a... a stallion with his bits cut off on your farm, did yah?"

Johnathon winced.  "Er... Applejack, it's not...."

The orange cowpony glared at him.  "Not what?  Not a horrible thing to do to a pony?  What in tarnation were you thinking!  You're acting like it's no big deal!"

Johnathon put up a hand.  "Wait... wait.  I didn't... castrate him myself or anything.  We... my wife and I adopted him from another family.... and....  Applejack, things are a lot different on my world, you know?"

Applejack frowned, still looking more than slightly annoyed.  "Are you saying that castrating stallions is a normal thing where you come from?  Something nopony thinks twice about?" rather than calming down, she seemed to be getting angrier.  "Because that's sure what it's sounding like to me!"

Johnathon sighed putting the palm of his hand on his forehead as he tried to think.  "Just... listen to my side of this for a minute, OK?  I totally get why you'd be shocked.  It's just.... let me say my piece before you make a judgement about it."

Applejack took a deep breath and snorted.  "Fine.  Say your piece."

The man sighed.  "For starters, the horses on my world aren't intelligent.  They're animals.  Domesticated ones, but they're still animals.  And horses are a LOT bigger than ponies.  Bogart... that's his name, by the way, he's about... oh, three times heavier than your brother, I'd say... and almost as tall at the shoulder as I am.  Built like a tank.  A stallion like that, weighing in at half a ton, can be pretty destructive.  They can be dangerous.  They geld male horses because it makes them gentler.... easier to handle." he held up a hand.  "But we're not talking about ponies... these aren't intelligent animals.  You can't talk to them, reason with them.  You can train them, but that's it." he spread his hands wide.  "Here, in your world, there are so many different intelligent species, but it's not like that on mine!"

Applejack frowned.  "So you say.  But it still don't sit well, that sort of thing being done..."  She raised her eyebrow.  "Three times as big as my big brother?"  Johnathon nodded.  Applejack shook her head.  "Still, I don't like it none.  Dangerous or not, what gives you the right to be doing something like that to another creature?"

Johnathon hesitated.  "I'm not saying it's something I endorse, and I certainly never did it to another creature, nor did I have it done, but Applejack, seriously, a horse on my world is may look a little bit like a pony, but they're about as smart as one of Fluttershy's chickens.  Can you imagine a thousand pound rooster?  Chasing after all the female chickens, knocking down fences, trampling gardens?"

Applejack blinked.  "As smart as a chicken?"

Johnathon nodded.  "As smart as the ones Fluttershy has, anyway." he shook his head.  "You don't want to know how dumb the chickens on my world are."

Applejack blinked.  "Really dumb?"

Johnathon nodded.  "You can teach a horse tricks... they can't talk, but they can understand, oh, a few dozen words if you spend a whole lot of time with them."

Applejack raised an eyebrow.  "Huh." she shook her head.  "That's just wrong."

Johnathon spread his hands wide.  "Rarity has a cat... and as far as I can tell, Opal is JUST like a cat on my world.  But... mostly?  Almost nothing is the same, Applejack.  Trust me, if you were on my world, anyone would agree you're intelligent, with or without a spell from Twilight.  You have... besides some basic physical traits, practically nothing in common with the horses and ponies of my world."

Applejack frowned.  "I suppose.  I guess I can't really judge without going there and seeing for myself."

Johnathon sighed.  "Well, you probably won't ever get the chance, and it's probably for the best anyway.  I don't think you'd like my world that much."

Applejack snorted.  "I'm starting to agree with you there, Johnathon."

Johnathon shrugged.  "Applejack, for what it's worth, I really like your world, and I wouldn't change a thing about it.  Honestly.  I'm here, and I have every intention of following your ways while I'm here, not just because that's the thing to do when you're in a new place, but because I actually agree with how things are done here."

Applejack nodded slowly.  "Well... that's worth plenty." she said finally, and put a hoof on his shoulder.  "Sorry for giving you a hard time about it."

Johnathon shook his head.  "You don't have to apologize.  I imagine I'd have reacted the same way."

Applejack raised an eyebrow.  "I don't know.  You seem like a right thoughtful sort.  I wager you'd think a mite longer before putting your hoof in your mouth."

Johnathon grinned.  "You'd think so, but you'd be surprised at how often I've made an ass out of myself."

Applejack snorted.  "Now you're calling me an ass?"

He chuckled.  "No, I'm calling me one.  You're a very nice pony, who I hope is still a friend of mine?"

Applejack snorted.  "Ya ain't getting off that easy.  Rainbow Dash might be the element of loyalty, but I'm not one to give up on a friend cause of one misunderstanding."

Johnathon smiled.  "Well... that's good to hear." he reached down, picked up the nail Applejack had dropped, and put it in place.  "Why don't you let me finish up here, it'll only take a minute."

Applejack stepped back as Johnathon nailed the board into place, and nodded appreciatively.  "You are a mite useful with them hands... and you do know your way around a hammer, I reckon." she looked thoughtful.  "You ever done any construction?  I've been meaning to tear down one of the old barns and put up a new one... we could use somepony who knows his way around a hammer to help."

Johnathon grinned.  "I'd be happy to.  In fact, I have done a little construction.  I've even helped to put up a barn before, so I've got you covered there."

Applejack grinned back.  "Well now, we might have a use for you here on the farm after all, Mister Dwire.  Even if you buck about as well as my little sister."  Applejack glanced at the sky.  "It's getting toward lunch time, let's head up to the house, and we can sit down to something to eat.  I can introduce you to Granny Smith while you're here!"

Johnathon nodded agreeably.  "Sounds good to me."

*****************************

After lunch, which included a fantastic apple pie, Johnathon helped out with a few other minor repairs on the farm before saying his farewells.  "Fluttershy is going to take me up to Rainbow Dash's house." he explained.  "It's probably no big deal around here, but I've never seen a house made from clouds before."

Applejack looked a bit interested.  "Actually, I've never been up to Dash's place myself.  Of course, not much point to it.  I'd fall through the floor!" she looked thoughtful.  "I guess Twilight could do a cloudwalking spell, but that seems like an awful lot of trouble.  Besides, Rainbow Dash is always welcome around the farm."

Johnathon blinked.  "Oh!  Right!  You visited Cloudsdale for the... best young fliers competition, didn't you?"

Applejack nodded, smiling as she remembered.  "That's right.  Cloudsdale is quite the sight to see, I tell you.  Ain't nothing else like it, I reckon."

Johnathon nodded.  "I must sound like a broken record by now, but I really am looking forward to seeing it for myself."

Applejack grinned.  "You're in for a treat, sure 'nough." she swatted him lightly on the back with a hoof.  "You go on then, don't keep Fluttershy waiting."

Johnathon waved as he walked away.  "I'll see you later, Applejack.  Let me know when you're going to need help on that barn!"

****************************

He swung by Fluttershy's place next, and waved as he got close.  She was spending time in her garden, talking quietly with a family of squirrels as he approached.  The squirrels noticed him coming and scampered off by the time he was close enough to speak to her without raising his voice, and Fluttershy's face fell slightly in disappointment.

"I'm sorry, Johnathon."  Fluttershy told him as he walked to her side.  "I've been trying to convince my animals that they don't have to run away when you're here, but they really aren't convinced."

Johnathon smiled and shook his head.  "Don't worry about it, Fluttershy.  Some of them will come around sooner or later, and some of them won't, but I don't mind.  It's just the whole predator thing," changing the subject, he glanced up into the sky toward Rainbow Dash's home.  "So... have to managed to arrange things for our visit?"

Fluttershy nodded, and started walking down the road toward town.  "Twilight said she'd be happy to loan us her balloon, and she offered to cast a cloud walking spell for you so you could get out and take a look around!  I asked Rainbow Dash if it was alright if we came to visit her, and she said she didn't mind, although she went back to her home really quickly.  I think she's a bit excited.  She doesn't get many guests."

Johnathon nodded thoughtfully.  "Well, unless you're a pegasus, or have Twilight around, I guess a cloud house isn't really something you could visit.  I feel pretty privileged.  Cheerilee told me she's never been to a cloud house, or a cloud city before, and I gather that she's the rule, and not the exception, there."

Fluttershy blinked.  "I never really thought about it, but you're probably right.  I mean, I had never seen any earth ponies or unicorns in Cloudsdale before Twilight brought the others up with her, so I guess it really isn't common."

As they approached Twilight's library home, they could see a large pink balloon slowly inflating just behind the tree.  They walked around the tree to find Twilight, her horn glowing as she focused on the inflating balloon.

"I'll be with you in just a moment!"  Twilight told them with a smile and a nod, before going back to inflating the balloon.

As they waited, Fluttershy spoke up again, softly.  "Still, I really don't understand why almost all of my little animals are so scared of you, Johnathon.  You don't seem so scary to me.  I know you said you're like a bear... and you're good at wrestling, from what Applejack said... but," she smiled apologetically.  "I'm sorry, I guess I'm just curious how your species manages to survive as predators, when you don't have any natural weapons."

Johnathon blinked, then grinned slightly.  "Well, humans tend to use this as a weapon." he said, pointing at his forehead.

Fluttershy blinked.  "You... hit things with your head?"

Johnathon started to laugh.  "Well, I am Irish, so I suppose a good headbutt would come naturally, but no, I mean, we use our brains, our intelligence.  Humans are the most intelligent tool using species on our planet, and that's how we've remained the... well, apex predator of our planet as well."

Twilight, having turned to listen to their conversation, spoke up.  "An Apex predator.  That's a predator on the top of the food chain.  One with no natural predators of it's own, right?"

Johnathon nodded to her.  "Right."

Twilight nodded.  "Dragons would be an example of an Apex predator on our world, I believe... or Ursas."

Fluttershy blinked.  "Oh my.  I suppose I just find it difficult to imagine.  You're not nearly as terrifying as a dragon, Johnathon.  There really aren't any predators on your world that are dangerous to humans?"

Johnathon shrugged lightly, then looked serious.  "Humans are tool users, and we created weapons.. well, thousands of years before Celestia met us for the first time.  We've been the... well, the nastiest creature on our world for all of recorded history, pretty much." he smiled slightly.  "Of course, we don't have dragons, or Ursas on our world.  I expect that if we did have dragons, though, it might have taken humans a bit longer to climb to the top of the predator ladder."

Twilight blinked.  "A bit longer?" she shook her head.  "You've never seen an adult dragon, Johnathon.  I don't think anything would want to try and eat one.  They're just too dangerous."

Johnathon hesitated, then shrugged.  "I'll take your word for it, Twilight." he nodded at the balloon.  "That's a nice looking hot air balloon, but do you think it's big enough to carry me?"

Twilight blinked.  "It should be able to carry all of us." she said with a shrug.  "I've had three ponies in it at once on the trip to Cloudsdale."

Johnathon blinked.  "Er... OK." he looked up at it again.  "Huh.  On my world, hot air balloons tend to be a whole lot bigger.  I guess there's something about this one that's different."

Twilight looked at it.  "Hmm.  Well, it's pretty typical.  We use an enchanted mix of very light gasses, which are then heated to increase their volume...."

Johnathon grinned.  "Magic.  Should have known.  Is it very safe?"

Twilight nodded quickly.  "Oh yes.  Ponies don't use them very often, really, but they're very reliable.  There is an airship dock in Canterlot, and they've been in use for almost fifty years now.  My balloon is an older design, but I haven't heard of one failing for almost a century now."

Johnathon nodded.  "Well, that's good to hear." he looked interested.  "Airships?  What are those, exactly?"

Twilight blinked.  "Well... they are like sailing ships... but they've got big streamlined balloons that lift them into the sky.  They usually have some sort of magically powered engine in back to give them forward propulsion now."

Johnathon blinked.  "Magical engines?  Really?"

Twilight blinked.  "Oh.. well, they're an adaption of a basic 'come to life' spell, on a thing called a 'propeller'!" she smiled.  "They're expensive, and not very common, but they use three or four blades, going around very fast, to...."

Johnathon held up a hand.  "Actually, I know what a propeller is.  We have them as well.  We have flying machines on our world called helicopters that use them to fly.  I didn't know you had anything similar."

Twilight looked curious.  "I didn't know humans could fly using machines!  That's really interesting!  Could you tell me more about them?"

Johnathon grinned.  "I'd be glad to tell you all about the history of flight on my world, but how about we talk about it on the way?"

Twilight grinned.  "Right," she trotted over to the balloon's basket and climbed in.  "You come with me, Johnathon," she said with a smile, then telekinetically tossed Fluttershy a rope.  "When we get above the trees, you pull us to Rainbow Dash's place, OK, Fluttershy?" the yellow pegasus took the rope in her teeth and nodded.

Johnathon glanced at Twilight.  "So... aside from airships, and balloons like this one, do ponies have any other methods of flying?"

Twilight considered that.  "Well, some ponies have been known to use a magically powered propeller to fly... Pinkie Pie used to have a flying machine, actually, although I have no idea where she got it."

Johnathon's eyes went wide.  "Pinkie had a flying machine?  Really?"

Twilight nodded.  "Unfortunately it was damaged beyond repair.  But it is possible to make the enchantment on a propeller strong enough to carry a pony into the sky... although not many ponies want to try it.  Pegasi love to fly, of course, but most earth ponies and unicorns prefer the ground." she pointed her horn up, and it glowed for a moment before the balloon started to rise.  "I suppose I don't mind flying so much... but it's really only a hobby for me."

Johnathon shook his head.  "Magical helicopters." he looked at her with interest.  "You told me that most unicorns only have one special talent besides levitating objects.  Does that mean some unicorn's special talent is making magical propellers?"

Twilight nodded.  "Oh yes.  There is a particular family of unicorns have been doing just that for half a century now!  Like I said, it's not terribly popular, but there is enough of a demand that they're quite a rich and influential family now."

Johnathon looked curious.  "Do talents often follow through families like that, Twilight?" he looked thoughtful.  "I suppose all of Applejack's relatives that I've met so far, save Applebloom, have apple related cutie marks... which would answer my question."

Twilight nodded again.  "That's true.  A particular talent will often be found in generation after generation of a single family, although there isn't any real guarantee of it.  For example, my mother's special talent is teleporting.  My father has a gift for illusions, but my talent is a bit more unique." she looked thoughtful.  "Pinkie Pie is the same way, actually.  Her talent isn't anything like her family's... and... I don't know any other ponies with a talent for throwing parties." she grinned.  "But you can't deny that Pinkie does have a talent for it!"

Johnathon nodded.  "I wouldn't dare, even though I've only been to the one so far."

Twilight grinned.  "Trust me."

Fluttershy, the rope in her teeth, started pulling them toward Rainbow Dash's house in the distance and in a surprisingly short time they had arrived, Twilight's balloon gently bumping up against the cloud as if it was solid.

Johnathon blinked.  The cloud DID look solid... more like cotton candy than the wispy fog that a cloud became when you were close to one in his world.  He reached out a hand to touch it, and found his hand passing through it with a small, but perceptible effort.

"Huh." he pulled away his hand, which was slightly wet.  "Much... denser than a cloud on my world, although obviously it won't support weight." he poked the side of the basket.  "So... how come this basket doesn't just push through the cloud?"

Twilight blinked.  "Well, the balloon itself would do just that.  But the basket is enchanted so that I can land it on the surface of clouds."

Johnathon grinned.  "Must be pretty neat being you, Twilight."

She blushed.  "Johnathon... I...."

He shook his head.  "I'm serious... you're so... amazingly talented.  You enchanted your balloon, right?"

Twilight hesitated.  "Er... yes?"

He grinned.  "I figured.  And you can make it so we can walk on clouds?"

She nodded with a smile.  "I can do that." she pointed her horn at him.  "Just hold still." her horn glowed, and he was bathed in purple light.  He felt nothing, but after a moment, she nodded in satisfaction.  "OK, go ahead and touch the cloud now."

Johnathon blinked, then put his hand onto the surface of the cloud, half expecting it to pass through it again.  Instead, the cloud surface was as solid as... well, he couldn't quite describe it... sort of like soft, fluffy, cotton covered rubber?  He blinked, and slowly climbed out onto the surface of what could only be described as a front porch.

"Fantastic." he said with a grin.  "That's really fantastic." he glanced at Twilight.  "How long will it last?"

"Three days." she told him with a smile.  "It's a pretty basic enchantment, really."

Johnathon shook his head in wonder.  "Fantastic." he started walking toward what was obviously a door, glancing around as he went.  "Is that really... some sort of rainbow fountain?" he said in surprise.  "From a distance, I thought it must be some sort of... I don't know... image... light projecting off water droplets... but that looks like... liquid to me!"

Fluttershy smiled.  "It's the concentrated form.  Don't drink any, it's VERY spicy."

Johnathon opened his mouth to say something, then closed it.  "OK... now Willy Wonka is going to walk around a corner any second now...."

Twilight hopped up onto the cloud behind him, looking curious.  "Who is that?"

He shook his head.  "Fictional character... had a huge, magical candy factory." he grinned.  "Pinkie Pie would love him, if he were real." he grinned.  "Oh!  That'd be a great story to tell next time!"

Twilight smiled at him.  "I'm looking forward to it.  You must know lots of stories no pony has ever heard before."

Rainbow Dash's head popped out of a window.  "Oh!  Are you telling another story, Johnathon?  Don't start without me!  Is it about the Doctor?"

She flashed out of the window to hover near him.  "Hey.  Sorry I kept you guys waiting, but er... I haven't had company in like... forever, so I kind of wanted to straighten up a bit first."

Johnathon grinned at the cheerful speedster.  "It's cool, Rainbow Dash.  My wife always kind of left things a bit messy herself.  Whenever we had company over, she was always rushing around trying to get things cleaned up, but you don't have to go out of your way for me.  A little mess isn't going to bother me any."

Rainbow Dash grinned and opened her front door for them.  "Glad to hear it... cause I didn't quite finish yet." she showed them into her living room, fluttering around effortlessly, while the rest of them followed on foot.  "So... were you going to tell us another story about the Doctor?  Or maybe about that Luke Skywalker guy." she grinned.  "Skywalker.  Sounds like my kind of guy."

Johnathon grinned at her.  "Actually, yeah.  I think you do have a lot in common with Luke.  You're both the heroic type, that's for sure."

Rainbow Dash grinned, looking a bit bashful.  "Hero?  Me?" she shrugged.  "Well, I guess I am pretty brave... and fast and all.  I never leave a pony hanging." she shrugged nonchalantly.  "But, it's no big deal, you know?"

Johnathon put a hand behind his head.  "As for stories... well, I'll tell you more if you'd like, but it might be awhile till I can tell them on a regular basis.  I do have plenty of them though."

Twilight looked curious.  "Why will it be awhile until you can tell us your stories, Johnathon?"

Johnathon Dwire hesitated.  "Well... I was going to mention this later, but... I've been giving it some thought, and I want to learn your language on my own, Twilight, and I can't seem to do that with your translation spell going.  So... at least for a few months, I won't be up to telling you anything complicated."

Twilight blinked.  "Oh my.  Will it take you a long time to learn our language then?"

Johnathon nodded.  "Quite a long time, I think.  I'm really not that great with languages, but since I'll be, well, pretty much forced to use your language constantly without your spell, I should learn comparatively quickly... I hope.  It will be months at least before I'll be up for any real storytelling again, though."

Rainbow Dash looked disappointed.  "Oh.  I was kind of hoping to hear about some of the cool stuff from your world, Johnathon.  I liked that story about the Doctor.  He seemed pretty awesome."

Twilight looked thoughtful.  "You did mention that you lose your ability to speak your own language when I cast the translation spell, which makes more sense to me now that I've studied it a bit more." she tilted her head to look at him curiously.  "Well... I can understand how the spell would keep you from learning to speak our language naturally... but, if you need me to cast it again, I have figured out the formula to shorten the duration... in case you need to say something complicated, but don't want to stop being able to learn for two whole days."

Johnathon blinked.  "How short can you make it?"

She grinned.  "Any length you want, really."

He smiled.  "Well... it's tempting... but..." he shrugged.  "Maybe... just for special occasions, and emergencies, I guess it'd be alright.  Maybe if you could do, say, an hour or two hour version?"

Twilight nodded.  "Just let me know." she blinked.  "Of course, you won't be able to talk to me to let me know... and you can't write our language yet either..."

Johnathon grinned.  "I'll figure it out." he looked around Rainbow Dash's front hall as he spoke, his eyes constantly moving.  He pointed at a poster on one wall.  "I have a tee shirt with them on it.  The Wonderbolts.  They're a stunt flying team of some sort?"

Rainbow Dash's eyes went wide.  "They're only the best stunt fliers in all of Equestria!  I've wanted to become one of the Wonderbolts since I was barely able to fly!" she sighed.  "Only I blew my last audition for them.  And I had just saved all their lives, and did a Sonic Rainboom the day before!"  Rainbow Dash sighed again.  "I just... get so nervous performing in front of them."

Johnathon looked sympathetic.  "I can understand that.  It can't be easy, trying to impress your heroes." he sighed.  "I remember my first oral exam to try and pass my Masters Degree.  Several of the teachers there were real heroes of mine." he shook his head.  "I failed.  I had to come back the next year and try again." he shrugged.  "I passed my second time through, because I studied like crazy... and prepared myself so completely that I could answer their questions in my sleep, but I always regret not passing the first time.  I just... couldn't think in front of them!"

Rainbow Dash nodded.  "Yeah... yeah.  That's it exactly, it's like my brain turns to mush, and I end up crashing into stuff... and acting like an idiot." she sighed.  "When I'm not thinking about it, I can totally fly circles around anypony." she nodded firmly.  "That's what I'm going to do.  What you did.  I'm going to train like crazy, so I can do any of my stunts without even thinking about them, and next year, I'm going to apply again!"

Johnathon grinned at her.  "Good for you, Rainbow Dash."

Twilight was looking around the impressively large structure with mild astonishment.  "Rainbow Dash, this place is amazing!  I had no idea your house was so..." she gestured at the large columns, the vaulted ceiling, which gave more than enough room for a pegasus to fly around casually and the clean, elegant lines of the architecture.  "Beautiful!  I mean, it's very pretty from the outside, but this... this is really nice!"

Rainbow Dash shrugged.  "It's cool, I guess." she said, glancing around.  "I mean, I built a lot of it myself, moving clouds aren't exactly hard.  And it doesn't hurt to be the head of the weather team, you know?"

Twilight shook her head as she wandered around the spacious entry hall.  "Well, it's really beautiful.  I've never really seen this side of you, Rainbow Dash.  You're always hanging out with us, and doing stunts, I didn't take you for an artist."

Rainbow Dash blinked.  "Me, an artist?  Come on.  This really isn't anything special."

"On the contrary."  Johnathon spoke up.  "I am no one to talk, I suppose, as I have little to go by on this world, but your home really is beautiful.  It's a work of art, if my opinion counts."

Fluttershy smiled at her rainbow maned friend.  "Rainbow Dash, you are an artist, especially with your stunts.  I love watching you practice."

The cyan pegasus was blushing.  "Come on, you guys... cut it out." she hesitated.  "So... er... you want to see the rest of the place?"  The uncharacteristically bashful pegusus took them on a quick took, and they stopped in her bedroom to chat.

"So, Johnathon, you promised to tell me about the flying machines on your world?"  Twilight prompted.

The human blinked.  "Oh?  Well, alright.  I suppose this is as good a time and place as any."

Rainbow Dash was looking interested as well.  "Flying machines?  You mean like Pinkie Pie's crazy contraption?"

Johnathon shrugged.  "I've never seen Pinkie's machine, so I don't really know for sure how much they're alike, but why don't I tell you something about them, and you can tell me."

Johnathon had always loved flight museums while growing up, and had an amateur, but very real fascination with the mechanics of flight since he was a young child, so he was happy to talk about the subject in detail.  Twilight had many questions, and Rainbow Dash seemed equally fascinated, although in an entirely different way.  She especially liked his description of jet planes.

"I'd love to race one of those!" she declared with a grin.  "Can you imagine, a machine that can do a Sonic Rainboom?"

Johnathon shrugged.  "Well, a regular Sonic Boom, anyway.  I'm not sure about the Rainbow part.  I think that has something to do with you...." he shrugged.  "Although I've never seen you do one, so I can't say for sure."

Rainbow Dash grinned.  "Maybe later.  I've been practicing, but it kinda takes it out of me afterwords, and I want to take you up to Cloudsdale tomorrow."

Johnathon blinked.  "You... what, really?"

Rainbow Dash nodded with a grin.  "Well, you really want to see it, right?" he nodded slowly.  "And you're going to stop using that translation spell pretty soon, right?"

Johnathon nodded.  "Actually, it's due to wear off tomorrow morning."

Rainbow Dash frowned.  "Oh... well, I guess I could take you anyway, but it'd be a bit weird if you couldn't understand anything anyone was saying."

Johnathon glanced at Twilight.  "Um... do you think you could give me one more day's worth tomorrow morning?  I mean... I do want to get started learning your language, but I can't pass up a  trip to Cloudsdale."

Twilight grinned at him.  "Sure.  Not a problem."

Rainbow Dash grinned.  "Great!  You're going to love Cloudsdale.  It'll blow your mind."

Johnathon Dwire nodded.  "I expect you're right, Rainbow Dash, I expect you're right."