Awake through a cosmic proof of concept in the impossible, his first steps were not his own, but assisted. Pulled from the earth and delicately bathed in light, consciousness was an elusive curse for the moment, one that would be cherished in this state of blissful not-death. Thoughts knit together, sensations of wind fired off goosebumps, coherence returned, and a bright moon shone down into the eyes of a lone man, unaware of how he came to standing in a rolling, presumably green field in the dead of night.
The clouds above, songs of nature around, and whispers of wind were all his company for the night, friends he was well acquainted with. This night though brought confusion, and his ‘friends’ followed by fear. Quickly after his peaceful awakening the unfamiliar land lost its scenic beauty when ideas of home and safety came to mind, now only seen as strange and unwanted.
Where he was there was no telling, but he sooner chose to be lost on the move than let the admittedly pleasant chill seep any further. Cresting a hill, his shoes slick from the dew and jacket much more welcome, he took a breath as the sea of grass spread as far as he could see, the blades swaying and shining in the wind and silver light, only compounding his growing sense of dread.
Continuing his push to the unknown he wandered over hills and fields barren of any life save for the constant hum of insects. The stars were out though, shining brighter than he’d ever seen, and the moon slowly but steadily surrended its zenith since he’d come to. After a burn had worked its way to the man’s legs he knew that this could not persist for much longer, it just couldn’t. When no sign of civilization came forth he was left to drift, not even an idea of what to do, and from how things were so far again he considered it was only a matter of time before worse came to worst…
So why did the fear pass? How could he be so content in his wanderings? True, it was what he’d always wanted, to see a vast field of life beneath the stars, but on his own terms, with a way home and safety just a call away. But here he was, the jolt of a new scene having regressed to a simmer of quiet awe and respect. He didn’t know what this was or why he was here, but he felt at ease, a full sense of satisfaction at his predicament.
The burning was gone, and he felt no more or less hungry than he did upon awakening, he simply was, as surely as the grass beneath him. The moon had come and gone, dawn had risen and still he maintained his direction with little deviation, the sun rising to his right a soft, embracing yellow, one that didn’t burn, and seemed almost cautious in its light as if not to disturb him or his hills.
It was with the light that came change, a break to his monotonous steps, steady breaths, and crisp crunch underfoot. One mote of shadow far in the distance behind him, the others having disbanded before he could turn around. After another cursory glance at his surroundings the speck was spotted. At first the human thought he may have finally been seeing stars in his head, for he had to have been walking for several hours and had only needed to breathe just a little heavier, but his pace was lax, and his demeanor at peace.
Stopping for the first time in hours he watched the anomaly, his arms out and waving, if being the only person in these stretches of green wasn’t a large enough point of interest. Whatever it was it did the trick as he watched his savior grew while the distance was quickly put away, though the man had been standing still all the while.
Something he noticed first was the distinct lack of propellers beating through the air, next was its size, hardly excusable by yardage anymore, lastly it was the flight itself, up and down. It had to have been a very large, very determined bird, and the wings stood out as clear as the new day while this strange bird flew circles overhead, but it was so strange to consider a vulture over him, he felt fine. Better than ever actually.
So high up was this bird that it took our human an inordinate amount of time to spot the legs, outstretched and clawless. Then the tail, as it slowly circled lower, and finally a look of clear intelligence in its eyes as it seemed to appraise the ground bound wanderer.
After another unsettling sense of unfamiliarity, the biped offered an unsure wave, slowly stepping backwards to run further along his previous trail should it come to that, though he was unsure what a flying horse would want with him. This was all just far too surreal.
With a final look of consideration, the winged beast came to an acceptable answer within itself and landed a ways away from the only other being in sight before slowly approaching, relaxed and head high.
It stopped just a few feet away now, staring the human again with those now clearly auburn eyes, waiting patiently without a sound but for a huff after landing. Curious and certainly interested, two legs carefully approached the set of four, it now being the human’s turn for a better look.
Its silver spotted white coat was nearly gleaming in the early morning light, its mane a light tan, like sand on a picturesque beach. The thing came no higher than the man’s waist, at the very most, and was a disarming discovery from simply walking for what had to have been miles. Further using this friendly moment, he took his turn circling, finding a set of strangley ornate brands adorning this creature’s flanks, three rain drops in the form of a triangle with its point aimed down and raindrops similarly upside down, their baby blue melting into the rest of the nearly transparent equine its coat was so light. Strange, so why was it here? It was just standing there, peacefully.
After standing back in front of it, the tallest of the two took another look around, each horizon, every hill, looking for a clue, a hint for why this was. Finding nothing but the truest greens of the land, he met the eyes of the strange mini horse, and how their eyes met, it was certainly intelligent, and the human felt at odds, whatever this was was handling this much better than it had any right to.
A soft but low “hello” was offered by the man, and the horse only held the faintest hint of a smile, was this amusing? Was it simply happy in this empty, peaceful land? So many possibilites, and it was strange to see it smile, but not wrong. Stepping closer the human did the only next step he could see when dealing with this docile a creature, he slowly reached his hand out, an apprehensive look surely on his face as the pony watched with interest.
His hand raised to snout level, he hoped he wouldn’t lose a finger or five trusting his unlikely acquaintance in these lands. Instead of sniffing his hand as was halfway expected, the pony nuzzled it, its smile growing marginally as their eyes were once again on the human, its breath steady, its very blinks the image of serenity. It was honestly an endearing sight, one the human’s previously muted mind questioned ceaselessly with numbing speed.
Another “hello” from the man, but this time much more certain now that some level of trust had been established, though he couldn’t help but feel this horse was being deliberately obstinate in its communication, although maybe it just couldn’t talk. Either way, with another look around his hand raised once more, but this time to the thing’s head, stroking its mane as his nerves earlier recovered, and the equine itself leaned in to his maneuver.
With an alliance of sorts formed beneath the ever rising sun, a smile grew on the wanderer’s face, the softness he felt was indescribable and wholly welcome. Gaining some courage, he kneeled and briefly hugged his new friend around the neck. Standing to move before the horse he sat cross legged, now his turn to look up in wonder, though the horse’s look was less wonder and more interested.
Once on the ground, the pony too fell, though onto now folded legs, and again the shorter between them. An eyebrow raised in what was certainly amusement now, the pony cocked a surprisingly expressive head sideways ever so slightly, causing the human to laugh through his own smile.
“What is it? What’s so funny little horse?” He couldn’t help but internally lament the fact this pegasus was far too small to ride, though maybe he would be led to society, he was starting to feel hungry, though he should be starving by now, after the walking and just the time itself.
“You hugged me.” Was all the pony said, smile clear and mirth doubly, her tone soft, conversational, and pleasant, wings ruffling to what was assumed a more comfortable position.
For the human’s part he could only laugh and put his face in a hand as he leaned that arm on a leg, “Yes, I did, didn’t I?” Peeking through the cracks of his fingers in embarrassment, he cast his own amusement over to the only other one there, “I hope it wasn’t too bad, I just um,” taking a breath to laugh again in wonder he shook his head and sat straight before hunching more comfily, “I still wasn’t a hundred percent about you… talking y’know?” Laughing in disbelief he made his request, “Could you say something again? What’s your name? Mine’s James.”
On the pegasus’ part, once more her wonder and disbelief was far more muted, though still somewhat there, “My name is ferocious.”
This time James’ laugh wasn’t so reserved, and though he apologized he had to ask, “Really? Your name’s Ferocious?” Looks could be deceiving, but it was very hard to imagine this mare as anything other than gentle.
With a nod and that smile ever present, Ferocious replied, “Oh yes, are you sure you want to hear it?” A brief laugh, nod, and ‘go on’ gesture later, “I am called Spate, and James is not a name I’ve heard before.” The newly named Spate closed her eyes and laid her head down in thought, humming absent mindedly.
With the focus somewhat taken off of James, he had a moment to reflect and consider his situation, first lost through hills and then found by a pegasus straight out of a coloring book of legends? His mind was easy though, and his body now laid out perpendicular to the mare while he leaned back on his arms, his own closed eyes faced to the sun, “Spate? Do you know where I can find other people? I’ve been out here walking for so long l think l might be stuck without your help.”
For once, her reserved tranquility took a hit, and her smile dipped to a mirror’s reversal of a once content grin, bringing about a slow, deliberate response, “Yes, I think I know just the place for a human.”
If his ears could stand up, they would be, “‘For a human?’ Are there more? Are there more of you? I was starting to think this was all there was. Why am I all the way out here then, little horse? I couldn’t see even a glimpse of where to go, I’ve never been so far from any help…” James ran his hands through the lush earth, pulling a single blade of grass for him to see closer, its coarse texture grating between two digits, “It’s been nice though, whatever this is.”
Leaning back to lay on the grass, he looked up to the sun to find again that it didn’t hurt, but knew better and thus turned away, an arm over his eyes while thoughts went through his head, “Spate?” A soft hum in response, “What are you doing here? I don’t know why I am, I don’t know where ‘here’ is, but I have the strangest idea that it’s not an accident you found me, why is that? You seem familiar with me, at least with humans, but this doesn’t make any bit of sense in my head.”
Nodding along as he spoke, Spate was prepared for and understanding of his questions. Now laying on her side, again lower than James, she flapped a wing lazily into the air, as well as taking notice how he followed its movements with interest. Having taken a moment to compose her answers, “Yes, for a human, and there is much more to this world than these fields. I know the name doesn’t mean anything to you, but we’re just east of the Whitetail Woods, thankfully one of the tamer locales to suddenly wake up in, we’re safe out here, if alone.”
James looked aside to watch her roll onto her stomach again, head in the grass and expressive eyes first on the sun climbing its way up still, then back down to him as he had some questions answered, “While ‘little horse’ could fit, and I suppose it’s not an issue, it’d be a better fit to call me a pony, or pegasus, or Spa even, and it’s my job to watch these fields, for trouble or someone like you needing directions. Do you remember how you got here?”
Eyes closed and sighing what vaguely sounded like ‘This is crazy’ he looked to the blue, cloudless expanse above, “I woke up standing under moonlight, and picked a direction to hopefully find somewhere to figure this out, but, and no offence, but seeing you I don’t think a city would really have helped me all that much more, are there cities of pegasi? And since you came from behind me, I’m guessing I chose the worst direction to go?” He finished with a tired sigh, unhappy rise to sit up, but ready to move while his walk and hunger finally coming to collect. “And could you point me the right way to go?”
Standing and copied by James, Spate gave her wings a stretch and testing flaps, each taking her off the ground before responding again, “I can do better, I can give you a ride to where you need to go.” She looked over each shoulder, at the hill crests behind and sky above before flapping another wing and meeting the man’s eyes once more, “How do you feel about heights, James? Have you flown before?”
To his credit, he managed to not look as disbelieving as he felt, this mare seemed to believe in her capabilities, and it really wouldn’t do for him to say what was and wasn’t possible right now. “Yeah, I’ve flown before, not on my own obviously, but I don’t suppose an airplane would mean anything to you?” Finishing with a stretch and trying to follow her view, to see if she saw anything.
A smirk back in place and she shook her head, “Actually, I think I’ve heard of them, flying metal transportation, am I close?”
With another shake of his head and rolling eyes, he huffed a laugh, “Yeah, too close for a guess anyway, so you have a plane waiting for me back at whatever outpost you’re at? Is the food any good?”
Lifting up into the air, she barely rose above his head and told him not quite, “There’s no plane, I’m not sure we even have one, not one I’ve ever seen at least, but there’s something else I hope will do in the meantime, and yes, the food should be to your tastes.” Lifting a foreleg to block the sun and looking to a specific though not at all outstanding hill, she outstretched her wings and gave two very intentional flaps before touching down to earth again, facing James once more. “On behalf of Equestria, I am honored to welcome you, James, to our nation. I wish you the very best, and of my own volition,” She gave James a very sincere and... openhearted look, something akin to remorse entering her voice, “I must tell you, you will have friends, options, and a place to belong.” Now a set of shadows came from the direction Spate had waved, this time two of three sparkling faintly, both glinting on either side of the middle.
Putting a surprisingly warm and soft hoof against James’ thigh as they both stood, her eyes were filled with emotion the human felt were out of place for two who had just met, “Not everyone will be a friend, and not all ponies can see past appearances, but just worry about yourself and those near you, you’ll find most of us will always have an open ear to hear what you have to say, alright?”
As the chariot and it’s two guards landed with no fanfare, James eyed it hesitantly and took Spate’s words as much as he could, though he hadn’t expected an emotional goodbye after only a brief meeting. Instinctually, he raised a hand back up to stroke her mane to soothe whatever distress she felt as they walked to the new duo, “I promise I won’t forget Spate, you’re very kind you know that?” Looking to the two horse men, he sized them up and noticed they had a bit more height, though still not passing halfway up his chest at the tallest. Their pristine golden armor was impressive, though it couldn’t be too practical James thought.
Disengaging from his petting, he bridged the gap between the silently patient pair and sighed in humorous exasperation, “More silent ponies then?” No answer, but a few smiles and nods, “And I suppose you expect me to get in this flying cart thing too, don’t you?”
At that, its left pilot cleared his throat, “You don’t have to, sir, but it’s the quickest, most convenient way to move fast from here. If you’d like, we have a group of earth ponies who would carry you in a more earthbound way.”
After the initial snort and head shake at there now being more than one talking horse, James opted for speed, “I’ve spent more than enough time out here, it’s nice, but I want to go home. Or well, somewhere with people-ponies I guess.”
Unbeknownst to James, Spate winced at the word ‘home’ besides him before leading James around the guards, to the gate on the back of the cart, and opening it for him, then following him aboard. The chariot was human-sized, so while their guest sat down handily, reflexively reaching for a seatbelt he actually found, Spate was left to hop up and lay down, foregoing the belt, “We have food in the compartments at the front there,” she pointed out with a wing, “feel free to help yourself, James.”
Having tightened his belt the inlaid cabinet immediately had his attention once it was pointed out, until the chariot seamlessly lifted up after a brief running start in the direction he was actually heading. His gaze roaming over the edge of his cabin to watch the sprawling green in every direction, an ocean he could have drowned in. There were no jolts or turbulence, his ride was a smooth glide. Finally with the time to eat, he twisted the button and unlatched the little door, flipping it up to see what was on the menu. There were sandwiches, and what looked like MRE’s, and underneath them were what he assumed to be beef sticks and canteens of… whatever they held.
Hoping for water he grabbed one dull grey metal container, unscrewed and smelled it, and he looked inquiringly to Spate, which is when she nodded her head and voiced his concern, “Yes, it’s water, they all are, enjoy.” Her head was again down, on her side as she simply looked at him or the sky, not a stare, something benign.
In the comfortable silence all there was to be heard was gentle wind, and one canteen down James nearly grabbed one of the mysteriously packaged meals before going for something much easier, a slice of cheese poking from the bread’s edges. Unwrapping the paper around it he split it like a deck of cards, seeing what was within. What looked like sliced meats, cheese, and lettuce waited to be eaten and not blown away by the wind, and James was only too happy to oblige its wishes. It was light eating, but there were more, and he ate them without regret before considering his silent-again partner, “Did you want any of this, water maybe?”
She didn’t consider it for a moment before shaking her head, “No I’m alright, thank you though. Is there anything missing?”
Shaking his own negative he counted his blessings, “Considering I was just lost in the middle of nowhere, this is plenty.” Setting a fourth wrapper down, he balled them all together and put them in the cabinet to not blow away as he grabbed another, “Why do you have all this just waiting though? Were you expecting to find someone out here?”
Looking up at him in silence, she took another momentary pause, “Yes, just in case we came across any lost travelers.”
His hunger pains had since faded, and so he took a step back from devouring like a starved man to look around, and note the environment had changed, flatter, browner, the hills now out of sight. “Where are we now, Spa?”
Without looking over the chariot she answered, “A corner of the drylands, it shouldn’t be long before you see Canterlot, or Cloudsdale. Keep an eye out for a mountain and rainbows, they’ll be off the bow and portside… or to the front, and left.” Sitting up for the first time since the onset of their voyage Spate asked, “Have you sailed?”
Nodding as he pat the crumbs off himself, James looked between the mare and the aft, no signs behind or ahead, thankfully his guides seemed to know the way. “I have actually, lived on a sailboat most of my formative years to tell the truth. Loved the ocean anyway so it wasn’t too shabby all things told. Have you been at sea?”
A coughed laugh and waving hoof told him no, and once Spate found her voice she told him just as much herself, “No, thankfully. I’m not much of a sea-bird, as they’d call it. I’m much happier knowing there’s solid ground beneath me.” At this she looked over the edge and nodded to herself, giving the impression she was reaffirming that yes, the ground was where it should be. Looking back and making a small but sudden “Oh!” She quickly covered her trail, “But if you ever have the time, there are plenty of oceans to sail here, if you want.” She barely lifted her wings, catching wind but careful not to get swept away.
Biting the inside of his cheek in nervous thought, he considered trying his hand on an ocean in a world of flying, talking little horses, and James had to say he didn’t like the sound of his odds, “Well… it’s something to think about at least. Before any of that I really just want to relax you know? Sit down and sort through my thoughts.” She nodded in understanding, content on her bench.
Honestly, this whole thing had him feeling very out of body, yes he’s talked with two ponies so far, yes they seem kind, kind enough to guve him a ride over miles, through the air no less, but despite their disarming friendliness, it was far beyond him to just take at face value. But here he was, wind through his hair, who knew how high above the ground, and surprised he wasn’t more terrified, because there was no way his seatbelt would help if the pilots got struck by lighting, bugs in their eyes, crashed into a bird, just had a bad day and decided they’d had enough, or any other unlikely event. Still, plummeting was not the way he wanted to die. He’d be sure to tuck his head between his legs, to make it quick at least, or maybe unbuckle and pretend he himself was flying, maybe they’d actually be able to grab him before he did a flip?
Shuddering away the imagery, he refocused and immediately saw rainbows literally pouring off a what looked to be a cloud city, his eyes on it, he asked aloud, “That Cloudsdale?”
“Yes it is, home of most of the pegasi. It’s something to see, isn’t it?”
If it were a sight to a native, it was that and more to James, “How’s it doing that with the rainbows? Mist? They look far too substantial.”
She hummed a knowing sound, “It’s the city, and have you noticed a certain, vibrancy to things here? A clarity?”
It came his turn for silence and reflection, had he noticed? Was there anything to notice? Looking over the edge and downwards again, it wasn’t just the hills that were lush, even the desert they’d passed had a certain sheen to it, making it brighter. “Now that you mention it, yes, why though? And why do you mention it?”
She shrugged a pony shrug and shook her head, “I don’t know, but we have ponies who might, and I was explaining why the rainbows here may be more opaque, more like a liquid laser show really from what I’ve heard of humans.”
“So there are more humans, right?” He asked with a slight smile, laughing with his hope and in the face of his fear, “The way you mention us it almost sounds dire.”
She looked to the front, nonresponsive to his question as she pointed out the hanging castle, “There’s Canterlot now, can’t miss it if you tried.” She looked for their flanking guards and saw them already leading far ahead and adding distance while James and Spate’s chauffeurs kept at their steady pace, focused on flight, their path a straight line for the impossible castle.
Dubiously James took in the precariousness and looked askance at his guide, “Are you sure that’s a good idea, to sit that just on the side like that? How long’s it been there?”
Laughing at something only she knew under her breath, Spate replied with a, “Yes, I assure you this castle will outlast all of us, and it’s been there long enough to have plenty of time to ‘settle’. It’ll be ok, James, I promise.”
Sighing at another monument to how out of place he was, he leaned back and closed his eyes, his tone empty and surrendered, “Okay Spa, the giant hanging castle is perfectly safe while practically floating over the edge, I believe you. A cloud city can do it, why not stonework too?” He did believe her, but this wasn’t home, he couldn’t be further if he tried.
The resignation in his voice concerned Spa, she knew her world was unheard of to his kind, but it was a disheartening surprise to see in person how much it defeated them. Standing in the aisle between their benches Spate reached the same hoof out once more, this time resting it on his knee as he kept his closed eyes facing the sky, “James? I know there’s nothing to really compare this to, and I’m certainly not the pony to talk, but I promise it will be ok, I know it’s new and impossible and crazy, but it’s not bad, please give it a chance.”
‘Give it a chance,’ he mouthed to himself, as if he had a choice, unless he woke up sometime soon this was it, his one chance, the same as home. One he couldn’t remember ever leaving. Leaning forward and petting her for a few seconds James looked Spa in her oppressively empathic eyes, his dour mood not standing a chance against such care, so instead he looked to her hoof, amused and touched by her care, “Fine, I won’t jump off the cart, you’d actually try to catch me too I bet, though you’re way too small.”
He was expecting a relieved sigh, dissaproving shake of the head, or even a righteous nod, what he did not expect was the shocked look as she raised her touching hoof off him to barely crouch, ready to pounce at a moments notice. Nor was he expecting the half raised wings and held breath as she stood stock still, her impossible eyes growing disturbingly wider. It stunned him into his own silence as he too met her eyes before looking away and at the almost visible corona of what could be nothing else but barely contained alarm surrounding her. She was a spring, ready to launch.
A moment’s thought later and he slowly told her it was just a joke, he wasn’t really going to jump, “We’re almost there anyway, I should at least see the castle first right?” Nope, bad joke, she sprung back up from almost sitting and assumed the position, “I’m sorry Spate, I’ve just got a lot on my mind right now and wasn’t really thinking,” James went back to stroking her mane and she remembered how to breathe again and slowly sank to the floor of the aisle, instead of hopping back up to her side, sitting beside and leaning into his leg as a dog would.
That’s how the last of their flight went, over the opulent city filled with other little horses simply living their lives. However their landing was not nearly as graceful as takeoff, which was ironic to James considering this was an actual airstrip, sky dock, landing pad, whatever. Thankfully, James’ seatbelt actually did something more than give peace of mind and spared him the fate that befell the recuperated and calmed Spate who was unprepared to be launched roughly into the air, though her wings shot out and glided her back to her hooves as she kept a brisk pace to keep in step with the slowing chariot, to open the back gate on the chariot for James as if he were an invalid.
With no instructions beyond ‘give it a chance’ James was strong armed into following the sensitive mare’s lead. So after unbuckling and dismounting the chariot with surprisingly shaky first steps he followed Spate to the large door at the end of the dock, or hangar, and gave his stretching pilots thanks which they both acknowledged between cracks and sighs.
Somehow Spa opened the door to inside with a hoof, grabbing its ring handle and pulling the door open to gesture her guest inside, “Thank you, Spa, where to next?” Wordlessly she guided him further into the ornate structure, only looking back once to make sure he stayed near before slowing to be only barely ahead, keeping James in her peripheral. Not unnoticed by him, but unsurprising at the same time, he wasn’t in any position to rock the boat anyways.
His guide focused and with purpose, James was left to take in the impressive layout of this absolutely massive beast of a seat of power. Though not very practical, it was clearly shooting for a more refined look. Open halls, open windows, little apparent in the ways of defendability or sensibility, it was more of an immense home than a dark imposing castle of mid-evil design. It would have been a comfort, if there had been anyone else along their path, but it was strangely devoid of life. Something this large had to have some sort of presence, didn’t it? “Spa, doesn’t this feel a little, I don’t know, empty? It’s a big place and I haven’t seen anyone else here, where are the servants and guards?”
Another right and the clacking of her hooves and his softly padding shoes were the only sounds, “Our two guards we had, the ones in gold were sent ahead to notify the princesses. The path we’re taking as well as adjacent halls were cleared to ensure our arrival was smooth, we have a certain way of introductions when it comes to humans, nothing bad I promise you.”
Looking away from a stained window his wide eyes locked onto the back of her head, “Princesses? Do they really need to see me? I’m nobody, and honestly, I should have been asleep a looong time ago, I can’t believe I didn’t sleep on the ride over.”
“You did, actually, little naps here and there, but I understand. I am sorry though, but they cleared their whole day for this, Princess Luna has been up since the day before you woke up here judging from your story, she has a sense for these things you see.” With a short glance back and up to James she saw his worry and exhaustion, “I wish there was more I could do, but I’m sure they’ll be sympathetic and help you one way or another, they’re very kind like that.”
Not entirely convinced but with little maneuvering room he kept pace and fell back into his thoughts until they met another large set of double doors and Spate stopped, looking between him and the doors, “Are you ready, James? Knock when you are, but we do have to knock eventually.”
“I’m not ready,” but he knocked immediately, the large ring he used to do so echoing a disproportionately loud knock he could here through the clearly solid door, down the hall he came from, and the one that kept going ahead. An ominous sound to his ears. Then a glow encompassed each door, one of gold and one of pale blue.