I groaned as I finally woke up, my body feeling like I had worked for three days straight. I found myself laying on a silk sheet bed, looking up at a ceiling in an unknown room. Sitting up, I started to get a good look at my new found surroundings. The place looked high end and well keeped, filled with everything a bedroom could have. Closets, cabinets, a table with a mirror, a book shelf filled with books and hat rack was all over the room. As I got a better looked, I noticed that the walls looked to be made out of a shiny, solid looking type of crystal. It didn't take me long to figure out that I was now in Twilight's castle-tree, which meant the girls must have brought me here. But where are the girls? I thought as my worried mind began to replay the events in in head. What happened to the golem? Is everyone okay? What the hell happeneed to me?!
"Who?" A voice snapped me out of my thoughts, causing me to look around the room for it's source. There, sitting perched on the hat rack was an owl, looking at me with unblinking eyes. "Who, who?"
"Uhhhh.... Hey there." I sheepishly said to the owl, unsure how to handle the situation. The owl just stared at me, blinking once, before hopping off the rack and flying out of the opened door.
Okay, that was weird. I thought. I took a minute to pull my arms out and stretch, giving my back a much needed pop. My body was still stiff and soar, but at least I was still alive. After making sure nothing was broken, I then began to slide off the bed and stand up. Just as I was about to figure out what to do next, a voice came from the door.
"So, you're finally awake I see." Twilight said as she walked into the room. Following her in was Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. As well as a small looking purple lizard that was walking on two legs, staying close behind. As I looked at them, I noticed that both Applejack and Rainbow Dash were both wrapped in bandages. While AJ only had one on the injured leg she had, Dash had bandages almost covering her whole body. And judging by the look she had, she wasn't too pleased about it. The girls all looked happy to see me, especially Pinkie and Fluttershy, who's faces almost looked like they were concerned about me. Pinkie bounced past the group before giving me a big hug
.
"Mark! I'm so glad to see that you're okay!" Pinkie exclaimed, tighting her hold on me and causing me to yelp alittle.
"Whoa, easy there Pinkie." I said getting her to loosen her hold. "I still ache all over."
"We was so worried about you." Fluttershy said as she walked up closer to me. "You were asleep for almost two days."
Two days?! I thought with a surprised look plastered on my face.
"That was an awfully brave thing ya did, trying ta take on that monster all by your lonesome." AJ said as she took a hoof to tip her hat. "Stupid, but brave."
"Indeed. We can't think you enough for keeping that horrible brute from attacking our sisters." Rarity said with a nod.
"That was so cool how you blasted that thing away!" Rainbow Dash said looking at me with amazment. "I never seen anything like that before. Let alone from an earth pony."
"Exactly!" Twilight exclaimed as she began to slowly walk toward me. "No earth pony should be able to cast magic. And yet you was able to use one of the most powerful spells I have ever seen, effortlessly, to defeat a rock golem." She stated as she stopped infront of me, giving me a studing look. "I find it a little hard to believe that some strange new earth pony, who can use magic, just happens to show up the same day our town is attacked." While I was a little shocked that she was giving me an interrogation, I was even MORE surprised with what she had just said.
"I... I used magic?" I asked, totally blown away by it all.
"You mean you don't remember?" Twilight asked, surprised by my question. I just shook my head no to reply. "When the golem tried to finish you off, you exploded in a massive ball of magical energy, completely disintegrating it. You were then hovering in the air for several minutes, engulfed in a magical green aura, with your eyes filled with a solid green glow. Then you suddenly returned to normal, falling to the ground completely unconscious."
"You also had a cutie mark." Pinkie chimed in. "It was in a shape of a crystal. But it disappeared when you stopped glowing." She finished, almost apologeticly.
I just stood there staring at nothing, as the wheels in my head turned to try to go through everything. Magic... I still can't believe I used magic. But how? Could it be because of that damn crystal? Did it give me some unknown power? Questions filled my head as I tried to make sense of it all, earning a throbbing headache for my trouble. While this was going on, the girls were giving each other puzzeled looks, almost as if they were trying to figure out what to make of me. The silence was broken when Twilight finally spoke.
"So... Mark was it? The others tell me you were seeking my help earlier in order to get back home, something about being teleported in Equestria?" She asked, pausing to look me straight in the eyes. I sheepishly nodded before she continued. "And then a golem shows up to attack Ponyville right at the same time you happen to be in town. While the girls tell me you weren't the one controlling the golem, I still believe it was connected to you in someway." she stated, confirming out loud what I was thinking myself. "Somepony must have sent that golem after you. But why? Could it be because of your strange magic?" She asked, as she started pacing back and forth in front of me, pondering the questions she had just asked.
"In any case, this matter will have to be looked into further." She said as she stopped pacing to look straight at me. "I have already sent word to Princess Celestia about these matters, and she should be here soon to help us make sense of all this. In the mean time, take some time to relax and look around the castle. My assistant Spike will help you with anything you might need." She said as she pointed at the purple lizard. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we must prepare for the princesses arrival. Come on girls." And with that, she and the others began walking out of the room. Some gave me a quick glance, their eyes full of concern, before exiting through the door. Soon it was just me and the purple lizard standing in the room.
"So..... your Twilight's assistant?" I asked Spike.
"Number ONE assistant!" Spike corrected. "I've been with Twilight ever since I was just an egg. She's like a big sister to me."
"Huh." I replied. "Uhh, Spike, I'd hate to ask, but what type of lizard are you?" I had to ask.
"I'm not a lizard, I'm a dragon!" He answered, looking almost offended by my question. "Haven't you ever seen a baby dragon before?" He asked, I just shook my head. "Wow. You really aren't from Equestria then."
"Tell me about it. Say, you don't know where the kitchen is do you? And this isn't a slur on your ethnicity in any way...."
"Come on, then." He rolled his eyes, before he bebopped down the hall. I practically had to run to keep up with him.
"It this a race?" I asked.
"Oh, sorry." He slowed his pace a fraction.
"So do you guys live here?"
"Yep. Well, me and Twilight do anyway. The others only come here to spend the night ever now and then, or visit when something big happens."
"Do you like it here?"
He looked at me, surprised. "What's not to like? Have you seen this place?"
"Fair enough." I relied as we continued our trip to the kitchen.
The place sure was big. As we pasted several halls and went down a flight of stairs, I became aware of two things. One, this place could house almost a hundred, and two, we weren't the only people here. About every hall we turned, we saw guards standing watch, each wearing a type of gleaming metal armor. Spike informed me that they were sent at Princess Celestia's request, to guard the castle and the new princess. Twilight wasn't too pleased by it, but knew better then to argue with Celestia. As we passed a few opened doors, I noticed some maids go to and fro, cleaning and touching the place up. One thing was clear, Twilight sure was living the high life as a princess.
We went down a couple more hallways and through a swinging door, and lo! Unto us a kitchen appeared. "Jeez, finally," I complained. "If I was starving and thirsty, I'd have died by now!"
Spike cleared his throat. "About, that. Umm.... Do you need.... I mean, what can I fix for you?"
"Buddy, the only thing I need you to get me is a teapot."
He jumped toward a tower of cabinets, rooting around in one, and then finally emerged with a bright gold pot, the kind that shrieked bloody murder when the water boiled.
"Thanks." I walked about ten feet to the sink after taking the teapot from Spike--- Twilight's kitchen was bigger then my living room--- and began to fill it. "Want some?" I asked.
"Nahh." he answered as he sat on a chair by a nearby counter.
"Suit yourself." I said, as I rooted some cupboards looking for some tea bags. I was soon able to find a box of those, as well as a bag of chips. 'Nacho Flavor' they said. "Score!" I said, walking back over to the now filled pot while opening the bag of chips.
"Boy, you must have really been hungry." Spike watched as I devoured the bag of chips before continuing to make myself a pot of tea.
"Well I am! It's been two days since I ate anything and my body is still recovering after becoming a living bomb! I just need something to help coat my stomach while I heal up." I took the teapot, which I had been swinging around in agitation--- don't ask me how I was able to hold things in my hoof--- and went to the smallest stove. The one with only eight burners.
"Calm down before you need your blood pressure checked." He said anxiously.
"Sorry, I'm still just trying to get used to everything." I sighed as I walked over to the counter that Spike was sitting by, which was long enough to slaughter a cow on and took a seat next to him. "Man, I still can't get over what I can and can't eat now. I mean, it's cool I can still eat just about everything else that I used to eat back home, but I sure am going to miss everything else that I can't."
"What are you talking about?" Spike looked at me puzzled.
"Meat!" I proclaimed, trying not to cry at the thought. "No more hot dogs, no more cheeseburgers, or grilled steaks. Chicken Patties, chicken nuggets, sausage biscuits and bacon! Oh man, I'm gonna cry right now."
There was a clang behind Spike as he jumped off the seat, knocking it to the floor. "You...... you eat meat?!" Was he....? He was! He was actually backing away from me. "But you're not.... you're a pony! You shouldn't be eatting meat. I... I can't stay in here with you, I'm sorry. You seem rather nice and all, but I...."
"QUIT IT!" I snapped. "All that stammering is making me nervous. I'm not going to bite you. I'm not hungry. Okay, well I am, but I ain't going to attack you or anything. Back home I was an omnivore, so I ate both meat and other things. Besides, I have to cook my food first, and your scales look too tough to skin off."
Spike was squished up against the far wall. I could barely see him. Stupid industrial-sized kitchen. "Well.... I suppose.... and you are interesting." He forced a smile. At least he was slowly pulling away from the corner.
"Don't worry little dude, I'm not going to hurt you. Hell, I don't even think I can."
"You really aren't form Equestria are you?"
"Haven't we been over this already? Your attention span is as tiny as your claws. What can I say? I'm an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, drenched with..."
"None of that! Who are you?" He was very close now--- crossed the kitchen floor pretty quick!--- and was staring into my face.
I shrugged. "I'm just... me, I guess. Just Mark. At least, that's who I've always been."
"Hmm.... Well, I don't believe we've been properly introduced. I'm Spike the dragon." He gingerly stuck his hand out in a closed fist, doubtlessly expecting me to try to bite it. Instead I just gave it a small bump with my hoof.
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise.... I guess."
While I laughed at that, he walked over to the fallen chair, picking it back up and putting it back next to the counter before sitting back down on it. All while keeping move than a casual eye on me. "Well, it's certainly been interesting meeting you. It's been awfully quite around here lately. Your the most unique thing that's happened around here since...er...." he trailed off.
"Pretty quite place to live, huh?"
"Oh, yes. Thank Celestia!" He exclaimed, before he lowered his head. "Sorry about that."
"Jeez, relax will you? I thought assistants were supposed to be cool and collective most of the time."
"Not on days like today," he said dryly.
After tea, Spike lead me into what I took to be the throne room. In the center of the room was six thrones, all in a huge circle. All they needed was a big table and it would remind me something out of King Arthur & the knights of the round table. In those six thrones sat the girls, each one had a symbol the same as their cutie marks. As we made our way closer to the center, I noticed that standing in the center stood two Alicorn princesses. alicorns were bigger then ponies, I noticed. Twilight was only a few inches taller then the others, but these ones were almost a foot or so bigger then her. One was white, with a long flowing mane and tail, that had different streaks of colors in them. The other one was a dark blue, almost purple, that also had a long flowing mane and tail, but they were dark like the night sky. Complete with what looked like stars inside them. Both wore jewelry on their necks, hoofs, and a crown on their head. You could tell they were royalty by how they stood and presented themselfs. This must be Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I concluded to myself as we stopped a few feet away from them. Spike parted from me and stood next to Twilight.
"So, you must be the stallion the girls have been talking about." The white one said as she looked me over. "Mark Less Stevens, wasn't it?'
"Y...yes your Majesty!" I stammered, as I gave her a bow like nod. I couldn't help but be nervous as I stood infront of these Two princesses.
She gave me a confirming nod. "I am Princess Celestia, and this is my sister Luna." She stated, saying what I had just figured out. "They tell me you were looking for help after you were supposably teleported here from your land after finding a strange magic crystal."
"And when you showed up in Ponyville, a rock golem attacked, controlled by an unknown force. It was then you defeated it with a blast of magic, which no earth pony should be able to do." Princess Luna stated coldly, giving me an almost icey stare.
"It's clear this all must have something to do with that crystal, but we won't know for sure until we have more information." Celestia said in a calm voice, giving me a kind look. "Please, tell us who you are. What land and kingdom are you from? And who could possably be after you?"
I stood there as everyone looked at me intensely, awaiting my answer. I could feel the sweat bead down my face as I continued to look at the two alicorn princesses nervously. I couldn't lie to them. I need their help in order to get back home. Plus, I didn't want to piss them off. I had to tell them the truth. But what will they think of me? Will they even believe me, or will they be horrified to learn what I really am? Hell, Spike was afraid just to learn I was a meat eater. Who knows how they'll act when they findout I'm really a human.
"Well, we are waiting...." Luna stated at me, clearly not pleased that I was taken so long to answer.
"I'm sorry your majesties! It's just so hard to explain it all." I began. Working the courage to drop this bombshell of news on them. "I'm afraid I lied just a little. I'm not really from another land..."
"Y...you lied?" Pinkie mummered, a look of sadness on her face.
"I'm not even really a pony!" I tried to continue.
"That's funny. You sure look like a pony to me." Rainbow Dash said sacasticly at me, rolling her eyes.
"It's TRUE!! I'm not even from this planet. I'm a human from the planet Earth! I was turn into a pony when I was sent here by that stupid crystal!" I exclaimed.
"A HUMAN?!!" They all asked in surprised, completely shocked at what I had just said. I knew that would happen.
"But you can't be a human!" Twilight protested at me. "I thought humans were all extinct."
"Indeed. They were all wiped out ages ago. Long before me and sister were born." Luna added with a nod.
"You say your from a planet called Earth. Please, tell us more about it." Celestia requested. At least they was handling it better then I hoped.
"Well...."
It took me about an hour just to explain the basics about Earth and humanity, twice. The girls just couldn't get past the fact that my planet, or any planet for that matter, was ruled by humans. What even shocked them more was the fact that magic to my race was just make believe, and we used technology for almost everything.
"A world were magic doen't exist...." Twilight trailed off, unable to grasp the concept.
"And the weather, sun and moon move all by themselfs!" Exclaimed Rainbow Dash, clearly shocked by the news.
"And everpony uses techno-phooey ta do all their work." Applejack stated shaking her head. "How lazy."
"A world full of clothes and fashion. Just think of all the possibilities!" Rarity almost drooled at the thought. Everyone just gave her a strange look.
"Anyway...." Luna steped in. "It still doesn't explain how you were able to use magic, or why someone would be after you."
"Indeed. While it is clear some magical energy was past on to you during to journey, it is unclear how much you now possess. The only logical thing is to wait for this unknown enemy to make their next move." Celestia said.
"But when can you send me back?" I asked, earning a confused look from the three princesses. "I thought you girls were just going to zap me back home. I mean, you are powerfully magical creatures!"
"I'm afraid it isn't that simple." Celestia said as she shook her head. "A powerful spell like that takes a long time and alot of magic to prepare. It would be hard even for us four alicorns to pull off."
"Plus, we have to know where we're sending something before we can cast the spell." Twilight stated, trying to explain it to me. "Without knowledge of where Earth is or how far it is from here, I'm afraid that we'd....we might..."
"What are you saying?" I asked, but I didn't want to hear the answer.
"I'm sorry." Luna said calmly. "But I'm afraid you're stuck here."