//------------------------------// // Equestria // Story: Dash // by Ranger-Redstar //------------------------------// Chapter Eight Equestria The last thing I remember was Celestia putting up some kind of force field around me and the rest of the mane six. My eyes opened very slowly trying to adjust to the light. My eye hurt from being closed for a long period of time. I felt my hand around and knew that that I was lying in a bed. It felt like I had been sleeping for months or maybe I was in a comma? My eyes adjusted a little bit and I could see the ceiling of a large stone building. The colors were vibrant and well colorful; it looked like it was made out of stone. It looked almost as if it was a drawing. I turned my head to a stone windowsill, far of in the distance as I could see a blue mountain and I could hear birds chirping. I turned my head the other way and saw a uniquely color dresser with a mirror. I got up and looked all around the room I was in and saw a big double-sided door. The first thing that popped in my head was that I was dead and had gone to heaven. I looked at myself and saw that I was wearing a white silk shirt. I pulled it up and saw scars where I remember being shot at. I was also wearing a pair white-silk pants so I guess that was a plus. I just stood up in my bed and wondered what was going on. I heard the door open I did not expect to see Celestia walk in, that didn’t even cross my mind. Celestia looked at me and smiled. “I see that you are well,” she said I just stared at her blinking, I even pinched myself to make sure I was awake and not in some sort of fantasy dream world. “Where am I?” I said subtly Celestia just smiled as she came closer to me “Come and see for yourself,” she said She proceeded to walk out the door, she stopped and looked back at me and nudged her head as a way to say follow me. I slowly climbed out of bed and followed behind her. I slowly walked out the door and came upon a grand hallway with incretion columns of giant size reach from the ceiling to the floor. I saw Celestia walk down the hall on a red carpet laid floor. I stepped out and followed close to her. I couldn’t understand where I was at but I could only guess. That when I saw Celestia standing outside on a stone Balcony. I stepped out as the sun hit my eyes. I looked in awe of what I saw before me. I looked at out the expanse land with small towns, winding rivers, mountains that stood tall and proud. I even looked at the building itself and saw that I was in Canterlot Castle. I knew that I was in no other place but in Equestria. I couldn’t believe it; at first I merely thought that this was all fake and that this had to be some cruel joke. I turned to Celestia and saw her still smiling. “Is this…real,” I said as I wave my finger in all directions “It is as real as you and I Richard,” She said It was funny to hear Celestia call me by my first name. I thought for sure she would still call me earthling, alien or something like that but I remember dash saying my name it enough times for her to remember. I looked back at the landscape and took in the fresh air “So this it…Equestria, it’s even more beautiful than I could have possibly imagined,” I said Celestia was pleased by my words. “Im glad you appreciate it, its good to know that some still enjoy the scenery for time to time” as she too looked at the land Celestia turned back into the hallway “Come they are waiting” she said as she started walking away into the castle. I followed close behind her trying to grasp the situation I was in. I was in a magical land of talking technicolored horses and mythical creatures. I was so surreal and I couldn’t believe that I was walking inside Canterlot Castle. I followed Celestia into her throne room and there I saw Dash and her friends smiling waiting to see me. Dash was the first to do something. She flew right towards me and crashed into me. I fell on the floor with dash on top of me hugging me to death. “Rich your awake I was so worried” she said as she held me tightly I couldn’t help but hug her back knowing that I was alive to see her again. “It’s good to see you too Dash,” I said Twilight and her friends so gathered around us “You gave us quite a scare there partner, we thought for sure that you’d past on,” Applejack said I looked at Applejack and smiled “Well I for one am glad your alive, I hope you like the night gown I made for you. Took me while to get the measurements right but I hope it fits you just right” Rarity said I had no idea that Rarity made me these clothes; I guess she really is generous “Thank you Rarity I love it,” I complimented “Your welcome darling, I couldn’t decide on color so I just went with good ol’ fashion white silk” I felt one of my sleeves; the feeling of soft smooth silk run across my fingers was amazing. “It’s good to see that your awake Richard” Twilight said “Thanks, it means so much for me to hear you say that” I said I looked and saw Fluttershy behind me starting to rub where my injuries were “Oh im sorry I just wanted to make sure that you weren’t in any pain,” the shy pony said “It’s alright Fluttershy its good to know that you care” I said as I casually rubbed my chest to feel that most of the pain was gone but still felt kind of sore. Dash flew off me and I was able to stand up again. I turned to see Princess Celestia sitting on her throne with Princess Luna at her side. As I walked a bit closer I couldn’t help but bow before her. She gave a soft chuckle. “There’s no need for that Richard,” she said as she to stood up “For it is we who should be bowing to you” And with that she and Luna both bowed down in front of me. I turned to see that the mane six did exactly that as well. It felt kind of weird but at the same time felt great. Celestia got back up and stood before me. “It is rare for us to have visitors from another universe,” she said But something was bothering and I felt like I had to say it “Forgive me Princess but is there any particular reason why I’m here?” Celestia looked at me and gave me her reason “When you fell on that roof, you wished to see dash and be with her in her world so Twilight and I honorably granted your wishes” At first I didn’t know what to think about, it was a simple wish but I had know idea that Alicorns could grant wishes. “I…I don’t understand” I asked “It has been said that when an Alicorn faces a great danger beyond their control or power and is saved by an unlikely hero thee Alicorn has to grant them one wish. And since you saved the life of Twilight and Myself we both granted your last wishes” I was ecstatic and amazed when I had heard what Celestia had just told me. “I…I had no idea” I was at a complete loss for words Luna came closer as well to speak “Because of that, my sister healed your wounds and Twilight using what magic she knew along with my sisters, they was able to transport all of you back safely” “I… I don’t know what say” I was at a complete loss for words I walked closer to Celestia and gave her a small hug. She didn’t know how to react “Thank you so much” I said Celestia just simply hugged back. “Come a celebration is in order” Celestia got up and walked with Luna out toward a different balcony. The minute I stepping out I saw a large crowd of Ponies cheering “This here is an earthling from another universe, he is the one who protected one of our ponies with is life, because their world proved to be a cruel and harsh environment for her to be in, and this earthling proved that no matter where you are even in the gloomiest, darkest and most horrible of places of any universe friendship is thee most powerful thing ever The crowd cheered and yelled as loud as they could as I stood and watched taking it all in “And now without further a due we Citizens of Equestria welcome you Richard…” Celestia stopped and tilted her head towards me “What’s your full name?” she asked softly I leaned and whispered into her ear “Smith” “Thank you” she said “We hereby welcome you Richard Smith Guardian of Earth, Protector of Ponies to our Great Lands of Equestria” The mane six cheered, the nearby Guards sounded their trumpets and the crowed went nuts. I just stood there and waved my hand in glory. Celestia then turned to me once more “I also have a small gift for you Richard” I didn’t know what to say. I can’t remember the last time I had gotten a gift. Celestia pulled out a small gold-chained necklace with a golden pony medallion on it. Using her magic she levitated it over my head and dropped down onto my neck. I just held the medallion in my hand as I looked at how shiny it was. “With this medallion you will be able to change from an earthling to a pony whenever you feel like. All you and to do is hold the medallion against your chest and the transformation will happen” I couldn’t believe my ears when Celestia said that and I just had to try it out. I held the medallion against my chest and instantly it started to glow and beam of lights started to swirl around me and then a flash happened. I felt weird at first but when I lifted my glasses to rub my eyes all I could feel was a hoof. I looked and it was a hoof, the color of my coat was tanned just like my skin, which was darker in comparison to other people. I looked and my mane looked exactly like my black hair that I had. I turned and saw I was standing on all four legs. To me it felt like someone chopped off my legs and I was walking on my hands and knees. I looked and saw that I had a black tail and I could move it. I looked and saw that I didn’t have a horn nor did I have wings but that didn’t bother me at all cause I was a pony now. The other thing that caught my eye is that I had a golden sun with three stars on it for a cutie mark. “huh its the symbols from the Philippine flag, i wonder what it means” I asked Twilight examined it closely pondering the same thing “Well from what it looks like it means your talent is to protect and serve” I understood Twilight and had no idea that I would be a guardian of Equestria “Wow this way too much for me too take in,” I said I felt a bit faint and I ended up just sitting down and breathing heavily “This is so surreal” I sad as I looked at my hooves and my cutie mark The Mane six were excited for there knew pony friend and pinkie was the first one to say something as she clung to me. “This is so exciting!” she yelled as she hugged me tightly “Now your just like one of us, were gonna have such a good time together, I can show around all of Ponyville and we can cupcakes and parties and have fun” I couldn’t help but smile a bit at pinkie for just for just being herself. “You know what Pinkie, that sounds like a good idea Pinkie” Pinkie sprang up into the air and landed perfectly on her hooves “I’d knew you would like it” she responded I turned to face the rest of the ponies. “That is, if any of you are going to join in on the festivities,” I said They just looked at each other, smiled and nodded their heads “Of course Richard it wouldn’t as much fun if you weren’t there” Twilight said The mane six showed me the way out and soon we came upon the train station. With help of the two Princesses’ we were able to ride it all the way to Ponyville. Some of the ponies looked at me funny but it didn’t bother me. We boarded the train and soon we were riding down the tracks into Ponyville. While I was sitting the girls just had to ask questions. “So Richard do you have a family” Twilight asked “Yeah but I left them to go live on my own, but didn’t expect living alone was hard, that’s why I lived in an old run down building just to save on rent, food and other necessities,” I said “So what’d ya do, did you find a job?” Applejack said “Yea I worked at an Internet café, it was nice but boring all together” “Uh what’s an Internet café?” she responded “Oh right um… basically it’s just a place to chill, hang out with friends, surf the web” “Oh…what does surf the web mean?” “I’ll tell you later” i said “What kind of clothes do they wear?” Rarity asked “Um…well we just wear normal clothes, nothing to flashy or fancy, like me I just wear whatever feels comfortable” “Yea cause changing our clothes was a high priority when were being chased” Dash said “Oh I see well I’ll have to change that,” she said “Do they have any animals?” Fluttershy asked “Yea but taking care of a pet is expensive,” I said “Oh that’s too bad, I can imagine you as a cat kind of pony” Too be honest I actually prefer cats “Do you guys have parties,” Pinkie asked “Yea we have an occasional party whether it’s somebody’s birthday, graduation, new years, you got to have a good reason to party” “I understand that’s why I always have an excuse to par-tay,” she said I laughed a little cause I knew pinkie was right. “Your cutie mark says your good at protecting and serving but you do have any skills?” Dash asked “Uh…well I have good memory,” I said “You do” Twilight said I then proceeded to recite a random Shel Silverstein poem and Twilight was impressed “Wow that’s amazing!” she said “It’s a gift and a curse,” I said jokingly “What kind of stuff did ya’ll eat,” Applejack asked I had to choose carefully when I answered, I didn’t want to freak them out if I told them I eat meat. “Well we eat vegetables, fruits, grains, rice and some sweets” “That’s interesting you guys eat all the same kind of stuff we do” Applejack said Before I knew it we were in Ponyville, as I stepped out the train I saw some familiar background ponies. I saw Derpy, Lyra, Bon Bon, Minuette, and Doctor Whooves. I wanted to say hi but I had more pressing matters to attend to, but everywhere I looked I saw things from the show right that were right here in front of my face and it was amazing. I followed the mane six as we walked past town hall. I looked up and saw the tall iconic building in the center of town where I would of expected it to be. We soon came upon a familiar site as Pinkie led us into Sugar-Cube Corner. I was really excited when I walked in and saw Mr. and Mrs. Cake my brony senses were overreacting. “Hello Again girls and I see you brought a friend” Mrs. cake said Well I had to introduce myself so I walked up and shook their hooves “It’s nice to meet you im Richard,” I said “Richard huh that’s a unique name, I don’t I’ve ever heard of a pony name like that before” Mr. Cake said “Yea uh I come from…very far away” “Oh well that would explain it” he said “Yup and were gonna to have a new pony in PonyVille party just for him” Pinkie “Well alright I’ll get everything ready” Mrs. Cake The Cake’s went off to get baking and getting everything ready, Rarity Started on the decorations, Applejack came back with some of her Apple goods, Twilight and Fluttershy helped move stuff out of the way to make room and Dash and I were left together. I looked over at Dash and she looked back at me. I just went and put my arm around her and pulled her in closer. She was a little embarrassed but she didn’t care “It’s nice being with you and everybody, I just hope I made the right decision” Dash looked at me funny “What do you mean?” she asked “What I mean is there are a lot of things from my world that I’m gonna miss like T.V, video games, music, Youtube…” I went on and on but dash just seemed to laugh and smile. “Don’t worry Rich I’m sure well find suitable replacements far all those things” “Yea I suppose so,” I said to dash with smile Soon the party started and everybody in PonyVille was attending. I had know idea how many ponies lived in PonyVille alone. I decided to just have fun anyway. I ate some of Pinkie’s recommended treats, I play bobbin’ for apples with AJ, I played pin the tail on the pony with Rarity, I danced silly with Twilight, and soon I was tired and was out for the count. I decided to get some fresh air so I stepped outside as the sun was going down. I sat down on the steps as I looked out into the stars. Applejack came out and sat next to me. “What’s wrong sugar-cube?” she asked “Oh it’s nothing, im just got a little worried” “About what” “About where im gonna sleep tonight” “Well shoot you can rest at my place” she said I just looked at Applejack and up until now Applejack was always my favorite pony next to Dash but this was too nice. “Um…well that’s a gracious offer, but are you sure, cause I don’t want to be a burden” AJ just patted me on the back and laughed. “Of course not partner, you can rest at my place anytime” she said “Well thanks AJ I appreciate it” “Huh you’re the only other pony to ever call me that” she said “Oh sorry” “Nah its alright” as she rustled my mane “Oh another is if I am gonna live here I might need a place of my own, and in order to do that I’ll need money, so I was thinking if it be alright if I worked on your farm to kinda make some money” Applejack looked at me and then laughed “Ha-ha you don’t have to work for a house, I was already thinkin’ some of the apple family would be kind enough to build a house for you” I looked at Applejack and didn’t realize that she was willing to just build me a house “Well that’s mighty kind of you but it’s feels wrong to take something without giving something back, so if I work with you maybe I could pay you” “You don’t need to give us anything but if it will make you feel better you can help me with my chores tomorrow if you” “Thank you Applejack it means a lot to me” Applejack got and walked back inside to join the party. I just looked around until I could see Canterlot up on the mountainside. “Thank you Celestia” I said with a smile I got back up and headed back to join my newfound friends. I walked in too see everypony having a good time, laughing and just enjoying themselves. And up until the point where I started watching the show I felt a little happy but never expressed it, but when I found Dash back in that alleyway she made my life extraordinarily awesome. Now I really feel happy to her and her pals, as friends living in PonyVille in Equestria may have been the greatest moment in my life. After the party was over, everypony started heading back to their houses. I walked out with Dash and saw Applejack waitin’ on me. “Dash I had a blast today but-” I yawned “Im getting kinda tired” “It’s cool, I’ll see you tomorrow then” Dash said “Later” Dash flew up into the sky to her home in the clouds and I followed AJ back to her farm. Just like the show it looked the same and the fields of Apples was definitely a sight. She led me inside and I saw Big Macintosh, Granny Smith and Applebloom waiting for there last member to come home. “Apple family I’d like you to meet Richard, he’s gonna stay with us for tonight” I just simply smiled and waved my hoof “Really where’s he from Applejack,” Applebloom asked “He’s from far away” AJ responded “Well how far exactly” Granny smith said “Uh far enough to where it doesn’t matter” “Eeyup” Big Mac said “Well I guess you’re alright then, welcome to the Apple Family, ah there’s spare bedroom upstairs, Applebloom will be a dear and set everything up for ya” Granny smith said “Well thank you, this is one generous family you’ve got AJ” “Well thanks” AJ started to blush a little “Come on I’ll show you to your room” We walked up stairs and I saw all kinds of Apple Family stuff like pictures and knick-knacks. “And this is your room” Apple led me to a small room with a bed and a window I walked in and it was cozy, southern but cozy. I walked over to the window and saw the Apple trees and beyond them as Ponyville. I looked back at Aj to see her standing in the doorway. “If you need anything partner just let know” she said “Thanks again AJ” “No problem at all” AJ closed the door and I was left alone. I pressed the Medallion against my chest and turned back into a human. My head almost touched the ceiling I was that tall. I hopped in bed, which was a little small, but I didn’t care. I laid my head towards the window and felt happy and content for the first time in my life. The End?