When I woke up again I was still in the same place. The trees seemed to be the same, although in the higher sun their shadows had changed and now they appeared to be even taller. I shivered when I looked down and saw the rest of my…pony…body. I was about to scream again but before I could I had a whole han-hoof shoved into my mouth “Don’t scream again. It hurts my ears. And it means that you’re either really happy or really sad. Oh it’s a guessing game, I love those! Oh are you…” the voice paused as she was guessing, but I had to quickly pick up the pieces of my scrambled mind from how quickly she was talking. I looked to my left and saw nothing. I looked behind myself and saw nothing. Then I remembered that I had a hoof in my mouth and followed the leg all the way to its own body. I went wide eyed as I saw it was none other than that pink pony from the show, Pinkie Pie. I tried speaking as I struggled to get her hoof away. She giggled quickly and let her hoof out. “What was that?” she blinked.
I looked up at her, worried despite her less than threatening appearance “This can’t be happening. You’re not…I’m not…” I started hyperventilating again, but I sat up this time, sitting like they often did on the show. “You’re P-Pinkie Pie…” I gasped. I looked around to see my new body again, only causing me to freak out even more. “Why am I like this?” I squeaked, only now noticing how my voice had changed and sounded younger than what I was used to.
Pinkie just giggled again “Well you kinda went all screamy on us and then when we found you, you crashed back to the floor like you were sleeping. So you’re like this because you’ve just woken up.” she grinned, but was soon pulled away by a light blue kind of glow that surrounded her “Rarity, off!” she squealed as she was dragged away by the light and replaced soon by none other than Rarity herself; she looked even more beautiful now that I was seeing her for real. However, I wasn’t in the greatest of mental states, so I can’t say I actually noticed at the time.
Rarity walked over to me “Pinkie, you can’t just jump at her and expect the poor filly to be alright. You must be a little gentler with the filly.” She trotted to my side. “Now dear, can you tell us how you got here?” she looked down at me, trying to be as careful with her words as possible.
My lips trembled slightly as I tried to answer back “No….no I don’t know.” She hushed me softly and gave me a warm smile.
“That doesn’t matter for now darling. We just came as soon as we could after we heard you screaming. You really shouldn’t be out here anyway. The Everfree forest is no place for a filly to go all by herself.” She explains, forcing my ears to fall back as I felt a pang of guilt that they had to save me.
“I’m sorry you had to come all this way. I must’ve got in the way of something.” I mumbled, only loud enough for Rarity to hear.
She put a hoof to her chin and thought for a second “Well Opal was in need of Fluttershy’s assistance. She does need a lot of work done and Fluttershy is just terrific, but you needed help, so don’t worry darling. We need to get you back to Ponyville don’t we?” she smiled again and then looked back. I looked in the same direction and my mouth went agape as I saw all of the others. Rarity looked back at me and then back to the girls repeatedly. “Oh don’t worry. They’re just my friends. Excuse Pinkie, she’s just…friendly. Yes, friendly.” She trotted away.
I found myself consumed by the same blue glow that Pinkie Pie was. I felt weightless as I was lifted, and because I wasn’t used to it, I started flailing all of my legs to keep some balance despite the fact I was held in place. The purple unicorn, Twilight began to walk beside me and smile. “Hi there, my name is Twilight Sparkle. I know you don’t know any of us, but you need help on anything, and I mean anything then you can come to mine for at least a little while and we could talk things over, make a plan of what you could do until we figure things out, y’know, stuff like that.” She chuckled nervously.
I looked across to her to see her smiling with an equally nervous expression. I gave a small giggle to her, making the mood seem a little less tense. “I’d like that.” I replied, keeping my eyes on hers. Before she could reply though, she was quickly swiped away by Rainbow Dash.
“Hey there kid. I see you’re also a Pegasus like me. Are you fast? I mean like really fast. Like my kind of fast.” She smirked and hovered next to me. “If you are, who knows, I could put in a good word for you at the Wonderbolt junior academy. If not, you can chill with me and Scootaloo. She’s pretty cool too. She’s just like a little sister, although maybe a little too fond of herself at times.” She chuckled. I couldn’t help but stare at her, thinking just how ironic those last few words were. I blinked twice, my face saying nothing as she looked back at me “What?” she cocked her head to the side.
I stayed still and then shook myself free of the thoughts; I was over thinking this “Uh, yeah, that sounds great.” I muttered, showing a weak smile to her, although it was clear on my face that something was troubling me. I was still trying to work out how I could actually be in the world of Equestria. To a person like me, it seemed cool in some respects, but I shared the view of most others that it shouldn’t be possible for me to be able to get into this universe. All of the illogical and unrealistic ways that I could have got here were starting to hurt my head and I groaned ever so slightly.
Dash got closer “Hey, are you alri-woah!” she screamed as she was hauled out of the way by Fluttershy “Woah, Fluttershy what was that for?” Rainbow seemed to growl in frustration.
Although Fluttershy was now next to me, she kept her eyes down to the ground and muttered something to me. “I’m sorry Miss Fluttershy, but I didn’t hear that. Can you please repeat it?” I nearly shuddered at hearing my much more childish sounding voice. That was going to take some getting used to. Again she muttered, her eyes only glancing across to me briefly. “I’m sorry Fluttershy. My hearing has never been great.” I lied just to make her feel a little better.
“Is there something wrong?” she said softly, her voice instantly calming me; her face shared the same effect as she looked at me with a caring demeanour and smiled at me. “If there is something wrong, I would very much like to help. I-if that’s okay?” she looked back down to the ground as we continued to forward.
“That sounds like it would be nice Miss, but there’s nothing really wrong, just an ache here and a bruise probably, but nothing unusual.” I kept my head low just in case I had disappointed her. She was about to answer back as I heard her take in a breath.
However, whatever she said wasn’t heard because I was finally approached by AppleJack. “Nah, she’s good. What yur sayin’ is true, but what ah say is unusual is how you got ‘ere. So pardon me little filly but how exactly are you here? Do ya know where ya parents are? I’m sure they’re mighty worried ‘bout you.” My ears lowered again and gave a rather sad look to Apple Jack “No parents huh?” I nodded and she looked back at me; her face written with empathy “Ah see. Well you can always come over to see mah family. Well I jus’ know that AppleBloom would be delighted to have another friend.” She moved on a little bit more. I felt sorry for her almost, but I’d seen enough of the show to know that she is still a happy pony.
My mind began to wander again as I thought about how different this world might actually be to the way the show portrays it. I hoped that it would be everything like the show. Although I was clever enough to work out that with my presence there, things would be different. Another thought clashed with that; it said to me that I would now be included on the show; how I didn’t know, but it was just another idea I was coming up with. “To Fluttershy’s, are we all in agreement?” Rarity asked as she continued to carry me with whatever energy she was finding in the air. The whole group agreed, even Rainbow Dash reluctantly accepted it. “Good then. Can someone else carry her? Before all of this happened, I had an important order to make. Sorry girls. I hope you can at least appreciate what I’ve done.” She chuckled nervously and sweat dropped.
Twilight beamed to all of them “You guys, I’ve got to tell the princess that we saved a lost and hurt filly, I just know she will be so proud of us all.” She shook herself out of her excitement and then looked directly at Rarity “Rarity, your generosity has got us so far. You’ve done great. I’m sure that Rainbow and Fluttershy can get her the rest of the way.” Rarity dropped the energy and I fell, landing straight onto my new legs. I landed straight and jarred my legs enough to make me collapse under the pressure. Immediately the Pegasi rushed to me and Fluttershy lifted me onto Rainbow’s back. I looked over her shoulder to find I was already about ten feet off the ground and I gulped. “Rainbow, be careful. She’s been through a lot already. I know you like impressing the little ones, but she seems a little too fragile at the moment.” Twilight advised, but only got a snort of laughter in response from Rainbow.
“Aw come on. When I was a filly I always wanted to go fast or ride on the backs of those Pegasi who were even quicker. The rush you get from going fast is just too good to miss at her age.” She grinned and then looked back at me. “Kid, just hold on tight and we’ll be at Fluttershy’s in ten seconds flat.” She looked back and I raised an eyebrow, knowing all too well that when Rainbow Dash sets herself a challenge that she will do all that she can to succeed. I did as instructed and clutched around her just as she let out a huff to get ready “See Twilight, what’d I tell ya? She’s rearing to go.” Twilight just rolled her eyes and before I could wave goodbye I found the initial jolt as the speed dramatically increased. I felt the air going past so fast that my cheeks were even catching some air. I quickly snuck a look behind to see nothing but a rainbow streak following directly behind us.
The speed of it all was a major adrenalin boost and I looked ahead. Everything was a blur and I’d only been on her back for about five seconds. I glanced down to see that she was gritting her teeth and concentrating just to make sure she completed her challenge. The world looked like it was spinning quicker at the rate Rainbow was going. I gave a childish grin and took off one hoof, clutching tighter with the other as I raised my leg and cheered “Woohoo!” I screamed before all the air I took in was taken right away as she halted to a stop almost straight away.
Rainbow chuckled as I flopped off of her back, a big grin plastered on my face. I didn’t even react when I hit the ground; I just stayed lying upside down with the same expression, looking up at Rainbow. “Heh, I knew you’d like it. There’s nothing like the feeling of wind blast past your mane and the world around you seeming much slower. It’s safe to say that it is almost as awesome as me.” She giggled and turned me back over. “Hey kid, you never actually told us your name. Would you mind spilling the beans?” I shook my head.
Suddenly I froze and went silent for a little bit. I was stuck between saying my real name or choosing a name for my new self. I was biting my lip in thought. I already made a name for this pony, but I couldn’t remember it at first. “My name is……” I paused, trying to bide my time by looking around at anything. Being at Fluttershy’s was handy because I could easily get distracted by the animals. I watched as the famous bunny, Angel hopped past. It took a few seconds of this before I remembered “Aero Crown!” I cheered, receiving an odd look from Rainbow “I mean..” I piped down “Yeah, I’m Aero Crown.” I lowered my head.
When I looked up again I saw that Rainbow was now grinning at me and pacing on the spot “That’s such a cool name. I can tell already you’re gonna be awesome; maybe…nah, nearly as awesome as me.” She winked and quickly nuzzled me. “Although if you want to look cooler, then I’d change my mane style.” This time I gave her an odd look and she blushed, rubbing the back of her head “I mean, not that I would know anything about fashion. You’d have to see Rarity about that kind of stuff.”
We both laughed with each other. We both agreed that I would need to get inside so that I actually help out Fluttershy at least a little bit. I stood up, my legs wobbling. I froze again as I realised that I had never actually taken steps in this body before and now I was going to have to act as if nothing was wrong. I boldly took a step and put one hoof ahead of me; it felt strange. I didn’t know what to expect, but it was nothing like when I would walk with my feet. I missed my feet. However, when I took the second step I realised just how much I missed my feet. I put my other foreleg forwards and found myself not moving forwards, but to Rainbow Dash, it just looked like I was stretching, or so I assumed. However, Rainbow walked right up to me and gave a curious look towards me “You having some problems walking there?” I shook my head, denying the thoughts and the truth to myself. Reluctantly I put that leg and hoof back to where they were and thought in my head about it. I moved my back leg, the one the same side as my forward forehoof. Unfortunately, all that did was cause me to fall over onto my side with a small thud on the ground. Rainbow chuckled and posed “I knew I was fast, but even I didn’t know I could disorientate a pony’s walking.” She held out a hoof although there was a small frown on her face “Seriously though, are you okay? I mean can you even walk?” she cocked her head to the side, raising an eyebrow as if she was waiting for my answer.
I got up with her help and I smiled, although I felt an aching pain of doubt because of how obvious my lack of motor skills actually was. “Thank you Miss. My walking is fine…I just can’t really remember what happened, but I think it shook my walking a bit more. Give me a bit of time and I’ll get it again.” I politely replied. I noticed Dash nod, but she still wore an almost suspicious look on her face. I tried again and sighed when I fell over from the extra few steps; it was far from a relief. I got frustrated quickly and I stamped my hoof to the ground and huffed. I could tell that Dash was watching me with some wonder. I steadily tried to adjust to my situation and I looked down at the ground, watching where I put my left forehoof, making sure that I didn’t mess it up this time. I didn’t let myself get happy after I made the first step.
“Um, that looks a little bit awkward. Are you sure you’re okay?” Rainbow asked and I turned my head to smile back at her and nod, although I was getting sick of having to pretend. “It wouldn’t be a problem to help. It’s just a little odd is all.” She retorted and I felt my frustration rise as I tripped again. I took a deep breath and concentrated even harder on my steps “Lets just hope Fluttershy gets here soon.” She sighed. I cursed in my head to no ends from the amount of times I fell over, but finally I was starting to get a few consistent steps in without stumbling over. I mentally cringed as I heard the ‘clip-clop’ from my hooves making contact with the ground. I made a quick mental note to myself that I should try out going faster when I have the time. “Why are you looking to the floor so much? Everything is ahead of you.” She commented and I groaned quietly, wanting to block that comment out despite the fact that she was right; if I was always looking down I would probably bump into some unhappy pony.
Just as I thought I had got the hang of walking, I made my way to Fluttershy’s front door, but I soon found myself crashing to the floor again as I heard a loud voice; the loud voice of……Fluttershy. “Wait just a second there.” She called as she came gliding in. My first thought was not exactly a kind one, so I chose to keep it to myself.
“What took you so long?” Rainbow asked, her voice sounding bored more than anything. I looked back to see Fluttershy smile at me, although I couldn’t work out whatever motive she had for the smile. These ponies may have been really nice to me and I may have enjoyed them on the show, but it still didn’t change the fact that I needed more time to trust them.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, it’s just that Rarity said that she had actually finished her dress and she was going to bring Sweetie Belle over to say hi and make a new friend.” She smiled again, although covered her eyes with her mane when she saw Rainbow’s less than amused look. “I’m so sorry Rainbow, it’s just that you left in such a rush and no one can catch up to you.”
Rainbow shrugged and turned back to me “Fluttershy, Aero Crown seems to be fine. I think she can come with me, maybe and we’ll be able to catch Rarity and Sweetie Belle so they can be friends.” I could see that Rainbow was just lying to Fluttershy by hiding my struggle with walking. I couldn’t try and guess her reasoning, so I just stayed quiet and hoped she knew what she was doing.
Fluttershy put a hoof to her chin and shook her head slowly “Hmm, I dunno Rainbow, Twilight was pretty specific that I looked after her, and I wouldn’t want u..” before Fluttershy could finish, the cyan Pegasus was in front of her on her knees with her hooves clasped together, and her eyes made all sad.
Rainbow pretended to cry and beg “Oh please Fluttershy, I only want to show her how much fun I can be……Please?” she sniffed, looking up at the other Pegasus with hope, her voice started to squeak as she put all her effort into the performance. Although I was sure I could catch a glint in her eye “You know I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her.” She was really selling it to her.
Fluttershy held the other’s hoof in hers “Only if you promise she will be alright. And get her back to Twilight’s when she’s done. If you can do that then I wi..” before she could finish, Rainbow was tightly hugging her. Rainbow leapt of and dashed over to me, picking me up and we sped away. Once again, the feeling of adrenalin came around.
Within just a few short minutes I felt Rainbow dive down, landing safely as she let me flop down again. I shakily stood back up, but soon thought I was going to be down again when I heard a few excited squeals. I shook my mane out of my face and saw three fillies; about my height and age, and they were all looking at me. Behind them were two familiars; AppleJack and Rarity, watching over them. “Oh, we thought you two would be at..”
“At Fluttershy’s? Please, me and Aero had better things to do than rest. Besides, if she didn’t get out then how would she meet new friends?” Rainbow interrupted, smirking at the two of them.
AppleJack smiled “Ah, so that’s yer name. It’s nice to meet you Aero. This here is my sister, AppleBloom, and these are her friends.” She greeted and I looked at the filly directly in front of her to see that she was smiling back at me; grinning in fact.
Just as Rarity was about to speak, the light olive coloured filly raised her voice “These here are mah friends; that’s Scootaloo.” She pointed at the orange one, who waggled her hoof excitedly. “And that’s Sweetie Belle. She’s Rarity’s little sister in case you din’t notice.” The small unicorn smiled at me and all three girls got closer and closer. I wanted to move away, but thought it might have seemed a bit odd if I did. They got up to me and for some reason kept looking around me. “Attention all. Attention all. We have an official blank flanker. I repeat, we have an official blank flanker.” AppleBloom drilled out like a military sergeant. She quickly leaned into me “No offence, we’re all the same, don’t worry Aero.” She beamed and then called her friends into a huddle. Something told me that I was the focus point of whatever they were discussing, and I wasn’t too sure if I liked that idea.