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// A New Land 
// Story: A Walk Under the Stars 
// by TimeToPony 
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	I woke up, I don't know why. I had stupidly convinced myself that I was going to die. And the fact that my eyes were open and I could see the day sky surprised me. I rubbed my eyes and sat up. Could I have really survived? Then why wasn't I feeling any pain, hunger, or soreness? I looked around. My sleepy eyes shot open wider. This wasn't the woods that I fell asleep in. And the hill I slept upon was replaced by soft, plush grass. The day seemed brighter than usual. The air more clean, like I had breathed in last night.
Where was I? Had I been abducted by extraterrestrials? Then dropped off in a random wood? I looked around once more. The trees were more spaced apart, and I could see spots where the small rays of sun shined through, like spotlights. Several thoughts race through my mind, and fear began to take over my body. I cowered away, afraid of the unknown. After a while I forced myself to walk around, now that there's a little bit of daylight, maybe I can find my way out of here. There must be someone around. I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of these woods. There were flowers all around, some I didn't even know were real, though they seemed familiar. I picked one up and smelled it. It smelled like honey, I loved the smell and taste of honey.
I placed it in my pocket, making sure not to crush it. I kept walking through the woods, taking in every detail. The blueness of a stream, the croak of a toad, the way the trees reflected off a pond. Some leaves began to fall, I picked one up. I raised an eyebrow. This was definitely creepy. The leaves were green. At my home, it was autumn, the leaves were beginning to turn orange. I threw the leaf down.
"No, I won't let myself flip out again. I'm going to find someone, and there is going to be a perfect explanation for all of this," I said to myself. I found what looked like an opening to the outside. Finally, I could get out of the woods. I ran for the clearing and pushed my way out.
And for some reason, I saw Canterlot, from My Little Pony. My jaw dropped and I had trouble bringing words together. I could only think of what to say. My vocal cords might as well have been ripped out. My heart was in my throat. I knelt down on my knees and rubbed my eyes. I held my eyes shut. It's not actually there. I opened them and still saw it.
Canterlot sat next to a giant mountain, and on top of four mini water falls. There were buildings decorated with yellow, purple, and white designs. One of the buildings had pink flags. Part of it hung off the side of the cliff, and the part that was grounded had a moat around the entrance that ended in a waterfall on the left and a lake on the right, filled by a waterfall from the top of the mountain. The draw bridge was up. I looked towards the sun. It had just begun to rise.
To my surprise, there was a sort of wavy aura around the sun as it rose. My jaw cracked. This exactly what it looked like on My Little Pony when Princess Celestia raised the sun. I looked back to Canterlot, My eyes widened as I noticed the draw bridge had been lowered and there was a small sort of carriage coming down a path towards me. My mind was all over the place, and I didn't notice that carriage had arrived in front of me, and two ponies leapt out. Both wearing gold armour covering thier heads, back necks, backs, chests, and rears. They had golden slippers.
One had a blue, spiked up mane with a tail of the same qualities and a white coat. He had light blue eyes and his face never changed. He hopped out of the carriage and grabbed me by the arm. I was too surprised and mesmerized to resist. The other had a grey coat and yellow eyes. His mane and tail was the same style as the other, but a mixture of sky blue and white. He grabbed me by my other arm and they both lead me to the carriage, where I stepped inside and sat down. I just stared forward, unable to contemplate what was going on.
By the time I passed Canterlot's bridge, which was about five minutes, I accepted the fact that I was here. I had spent so much time thinking about what it'd be like to come here, I kind of desensitized myself to the surprise of actually being here. But deep down, I thought I was probably in a coma or a dream.
I tried looking out the carriage, but the drapes were drawn shut, and the guard told me not to move. Obviously, they were trying to hide me. And I understood that. There have been some crazy creatures on My Little Pony, but for some reason I think a human would be the most taboo. I felt us turn and a large door shut behind me.
"You may exit," the royal guard said to me. I followed his request and exited, where four more guards were stationed. I was told to follow them, and I did so. We went through a few doors and then up several flights of stairs. Two guards in front of me, two guards behind me. Do they think I'm lethal? I thought to myself. We went down a long hall, many of the stained glass windows  recognized. The defeat of Discord, the defeat of Nightmare Moon. They lead me through another door and shut it, not following me. I stared at the door, wondering what's next.
"You may approach us," a voice said behind me. I closed my eyes and shook my head. No way, I said. I turned around to see two thrones inhabited by two alicorns. One throne was white, matching the coat of Princess Celestia. She stared down at me with her old yet young eyes. Her mane a light cerulean, a light turquoise, a very light cobalt blue, and a pale heliotrope. Flowing around with sparkles in it. Her eyes a pale, light grayish magenta. Her crown was gold with a purple diamond in the middle. Her necklace gold with a purple diamond in the center. I walked closer to them.
Princess Luna sat upon a dark blue throne. She sat upon it, staring down at my in wonder and curiosity. Her coat was a dark blue, her mane a moderate sapphire blue with a grayish Persian blue aura surrounding with white speckles that resembled stars inside it. Her crown was black and her necklace black with a waning crescent moon with four stars. She looked into my eyes and scanned me. I can't imagine how lewd I look to them.
I stepped in front of them and looked to Princess Celestia. She studied me some more. "Where are you from?" she asked me. I had some trouble believing I was standing in front of Princess Luna and Princess Celestia. And that Princess Celestia was talking to me. I answered her nervously.
"Uh... Ohio," I answered. Princess Celestia raised an eyebrow.
"You're not from this world, are you?" she asked. I was surprised when she asked me that. I didn't know she had thought of me being from a different world, but then again, she's very old. I can't imagine the amount of knowledge in her mind.
"Uh, yeah, how did you... know?"
"Thou fell from the sky one minute before sunrise, we thought thou was a meteor, though we had not planned on there being one," Princess Luna said. So that's true, she does plan out the night sky, I thought to myself. I chuckled in disbelief. "Is there a problem?" Princess Luna asked, tilting her head to the side.
"No, nothing," I answered.
"Are you here with evil intentions?" Princess Celestia asked. Now I raised my eyebrow, surprised by the question.
"No, not at all, princess." I watched as Princess Celestia leaned over to Princess Luna and whisper to each other. Princess Luna looked at me a couple of times. How could I have come down in a meteor? There was no impact zone around me, I thought. I know it sounds silly, but it kinda makes sense in this world. Perhaps I fell down in a magical meteor, thus no crater. I guessed that could have been true. It made sense being in Equestria, a land of magic.
"You will be given a room to sleep in until we know what to do with you. You will go there now, supper is at eight. A guard will lead you," Princess Celestia said as a Royal Guard opened the door, gesturing me to follow. I turned around and thanked the two princesses and they nodded in return. I followed the guard, this time there was only one, it seemed like Princess Celestia believed me.
I was lead up several flights of stairs to a room much like Rarity had stayed in, I couldn't remember the episode. I leapt into the bed and stared up at the ceiling. Supper is at eight. What time is it now? I leaned over to look for a clock. I found a wall clock, the hands suggested it was 9:30 in the morning. I leaned back down and took a deep breath. I chuckled, I'm in Equestria, I talked to Princess Luna and Princess Celestia and I'm laying on a royal bed with an hour until I eat dinner with royalty, perhaps there is a God.
I got up and picked a door. The door I chose opened up to a balcony, overlooking Canterlot, and some of the rest of Equestria. I laughed out loud. I wanted to fly, to soar across these skies. I thought back to when I was younger, when I kept wasting paper trying to draw the perfect original character. I went through so many mane styles. I don't even remember what design I chose. But I do remember I decided on a Pegasus. I always dreamed of flying. I looked down at the roads. I could see the ponies bustling around. One pony was going from store to store, coming out with a new bag every time. I must have watched them for ten minutes.
I went back inside and chose another door. This led to the stairwell that I came from. I chose another door, this one leading to a bathroom. There was an assortment of bottles that I didn't even take the time to read each one. I just picked one up and took a shower. The water was warm, seemed like the perfect temperature. I tried to stay in there as long possible. When got out I was extremely tired. Today had been really crazy and it took a lot of brain power to take it all in. The bed was so soft and comfortable by he time I shut my eyes I fell asleep.
This room was by far better than my apartment altogether.
I was always a light sleeper, so when a door opened, I woke up. It was the Royal Guard that escorted me to this room.
"You are being called down for dinner," he said formally. I looked to the clock. It was 7:50. I had been sleeping the whole day. Still, I had ten minutes to get down there. I sat up and hopped off the bed. I followed the guard down the stairs, to the left, down a hall, to the left again, and in through a door. Where there was a table with three chairs on each side, and two in the front and back. The table looked to be wooden and heavily polished. It was a surprisingly small table. I was seated on one of the two chairs on the end and told to wait for the princesses. I obliged.
I looked to the clock, three minutes until eight. I was surprised at how long the walk was to get here from the room. Seven minutes. This castle must be huge! I looked back to the clock, two minutes. For some reason, I felt extremely nervous thinking about dining with the princesses of Equestria. What about proper table etiquette? I had learned some of it from my father, but would it be enough? Maybe the princesses will go easy on me. They must know I couldn't possibly know all the etiquette.
One minute. Oh, God. I'm screwed. I'm going to utterly embarrass myself! My eyes shot around the room, thinking of some sort of exit.
The door opened and I jumped in my seat. I looked over to see two Royal Guards holding the doors open for the two princesses as they regally entered. They took their seats on the opposite end of the table. We stared at each other. I didn't know what to say. I needed to say something, though.
"Uh... thank you, for... inviting me to dinner," I said. The princesses smiled.
"But of course, our pleasure," Princess Luna said.
"Indeed," Princess Celestia added, "the meal should be coming in any minute, now." And as soon as she finished, the doors to the kitchen opened up as two ponies came out pushing carts with dishes covered by a top. The first one stopped by Princess Luna first. The top was taken off and shown was a bowl filled with salad. Of course, they don't eat meat. Princess Celestia took the same thing and they both thanked him. The cook came by me with the tray. I took one from the dish and thanked him. He bowed his head and returned to the kitchen. I didn't object to the lack of meat, though. I was too worried I might get in trouble for the injection. And plus, if they don't eat meat, and they find out I do, they might see me a beast.
The second cook pushed his cart over to the princesses. They went through the same routine, but this time the meal was pretty much a salad between to loaves of bread. Though when he came to me, I still did not object. I took it and thanked him. I turned to the princesses, who were looking at me, probably wondering if this was in my diet.
"Thanks, again, Princess Luna and Princess Celestia," I said, breaking the silence. They nodded again and began to eat their salad. I followed their movements, taking the same fork, putting my napkin in my lap. It was silent while eating the salad. For a while I thought I had done something wrong, but when we finished, conversation began.
"Thou seems to be handling this situation quite well," Princess Luna said. I was a little bit surprised at the breaking of the silence, but I went with it.
"Well, when you've dreamed about it your whole life you kinda get used to it," I said, somewhat under my breath.
"I beg your pardon?" Princess Celestia asked. I cursed myself for saying that. How would these ponies handle knowing they're on a television show?
"Uh, nothing, just... I'm good at adapting to new surroundings," I said. At least I'm not lying. 
"We have many questions about where you come from, do you mind?" Princess Celestia said, gesturing to Princess Luna. I shook my head.
"Fantastic, we have a question. What art thou?" Princess Luna asked, tilting her head to the side.
"Well, I'm a human. Have you ever heard of them?" I answered and asked back.
"No, not at all," Princess Luna answered, Princess Celestia didn't. The princesses began to take turns asking me questions for about ten minutes.
"What do you remember from last night?" Princess Celestia asked.
Well, I went on a walk through the woods, then I got lost, then I fell asleep. And I woke up in a different wood, then your Royal Guard found me."
"Thou doesn't remember falling from sky at incredible speeds?" Princess Luna asked. I raised an eyebrow and shook my head.
"Very weird,"  Princess Celestia noted. "What is... Ohio like?" she asked. I thought for a moment. How could I describe Ohio in the best and most accurate way?
"There isn't a lot there, just bad sports teams and run down cities," I answered, silently laughing at my description.
"Ohio doesn't sound very good." I shook my head in response.
"What do you think we should do with you?" Princess Celestia asked, catching me off guard. I was at loss for words. I didn't really think about it.
"... I don't know," I answered.
"Well, I'm sorry but... you can't stay here, ponies would find you, they'd become afraid of you, there'd be chaos." Princess Celestia said. I thought about what Princess Celestia was saying. Perhaps she's right. I would love to stay here, but how could I without causing some panic? It'd be like an alien coming down back home. And besides, like I just said, that's my home. I don't belong here. I looked up at the two princesses. For a second, it looked like Princess Luna had a face of sorrow.
"I guess you're right, princess. I don't belong here." Princess Celestia nodded her head in agreement.
"Guards, bring me Princess Twilight Sparkle," she turned back to me. "She and I will find a spell to transport you back to your home. In the meantime, you will sleep here for tonight, tomorrow we should have found a spell. A guard will lead you back to your room and will get you tomorrow." Princess Celestia said. And with that the cooks came around and swept up our plates. A Royal Guard came around and led me away. When I turned around the princesses were gone.
The guard shut the door behind me and I took my place in my bed. I thought about leaving this place, and a twinge of sadness struck me. I had only been here a day and I was happier than I ever was back in Ohio. But I forced myself to push that happiness away, it would only make it harder to leave. I looked to the clock. It had just struck nine o'clock. I took another shower, this time using a shampoo that smelled like honey. When I got out, I noticed the sun had set.
I leapt over and opened the balcony doors. If I'm going to leave this beautiful place, I want to experience the night sky here. I imagined the clearness of the night sky. No light pollution whatsoever. I walked out onto the balcony and leaned over the railing, searching for the Moon. When I found it, it was rising above the horizon with a moderate cobalt blue coloured aura around it. The Moon looked more beautiful than I imagined it would be. It was a beacon of brilliance in the night sky.
I remembered when I thought I would see the Moon for the last time, this made me appreciate it so much more. The sky slowly became darker and more and more stars could be seen. I sat down with my feet dangling between the bars of the balcony. When the magic aura dissipated from the Moon, it was high in the sky, but not right above me. It was right in front of me. I had the perfect view. I could feel the moonlight on my face. I sat there for about half of an hour. It was almost ten o'clock. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something flying through the air. It was flying kind of out of the way, almost stealthily. The figure noticed I had seen it and flew straight towards me. As it came closer I found out what it was.
It was Princess Luna.