"Are all names here so strange?" Shovel Knight thought in silence before addressing them all. "A pleasure to meet you all, and Rarity, you have my apologies, I did not expect such beings to be capable of speech. My impertinence was merely the result of ignorance." Rarity seemed taken aback at his politeness, attempting to keep a stern look, with limited success. "A-And I should hope so, too!"
Turning his attention back to Twilight, Shovel Knight continued. "Second, that marking on your rear - what is it?"
Spying an opportunity to make a good impression, Rainbow pumped her wings and shot up above the others, flapping in place level with Shovel Knight's face, blocking off visual contact will all the others. "This thing is called a cutiemark, it's a symbol that you get once you find your special talent, and the mark shows what it is! Sometimes, somepony's name will tell you what it is, too. This one's for my speed, I'm the best flyer you'll find anywhere!"
"Her and Propeller Knight would get along brilliantly..." Shovel Knight chuckled at the image of his thoughts. "I see, akin to the naming of Knights back home, then." Rainbow floated away, giving him some much needed breathing room as Twilight piped up again. "So the inhabitants of your home were named based on their talents?" Finally able to see Twilight again, he held his shovel up. "Not too far from the truth - our names give indication of our likenesses, like Specter Knight, a ghostly Knight, master of the dead, or Treasure Knight, residing among mountains of his stolen riches. As for me, well, I'm sure you can tell. Third question: Where am I? I spy no recognisable landmarks around, a detail that will surely make getting back to Pridemoor troublesome."
"You're in Equestria. I'm sorry, but I've never heard of any place in all the lands called Pridemoor."
Shovel Knight sighed at the bad news. "And would you happen to know anything I do not about how I got here?"
Pointing a hoof back into the forest, Twilight returned to her inquisitive self, though the questions were not focused on him, and rather... "Well, all we saw was this weird purple orb floating just above the forest. I say 'we', I mean myself - I gathered the others to come and investigate, but by the time we were all together it had vanished. Then, well, you know what happened after that."
"Purple orb?!" Shovel Knight exclaimed "So it was the Enchantress's doing! She must have sent me here so I can interfere no more. And with me being unable to resist...I must be too far away to return. She would have been thorough. I see no way I can return home now."
Bouncing up and down on all fours, Pinkie took her turn to deluge Shovel Knight with questions at insane speed.
"Ooh! Ooh! What other kind of Knights were there? Is your shovel super special or are you just really good at digging? Was there a Party Knight?"
Taking a second to process the myriad of questions, he responded. "Well, there is I, Black Knight, Plague Knight, Mole Knight, Tinker Knight, King Knight, Polar Knight, Propeller Knight, Treasure Knight, and my ill-fated lover; Shield Knight." The last name came out noticeably quieter and drearier. Trying to put the thoughts out of mind, he continued. "As for my shovel, I can make great use of it, I use it first and foremost as a weapon, to overcome those in my path, but yes, I have done my fair share of digging, uncovering treasure or making my way into hidden secrets within the Lairs of the Knights. It was crafted for me by the blacksmiths of Pridemoor's Aerial Armoury, as was my armour. As for the last question, no "Party Knight" has ever made himself known." The last piece of news was received with an "Aaaaww! Shoot!"
The pony in the hat took notice of his supposed expertise, speaking with a strong drawl. "So, ya good at diggin', huh? Maybe one day I'll get ta see how ya do on the farm." Shovel Knight shouldered his shovel, his body sagging slightly as he went on. "A farm? I've spent working on farms, myself, after..." His shovel slipped off his shoulder and he plunged it into the ground, looking off to the side with his arms crossed uncomfortably.
The last of the group to make their presence known, the cowering one known as Fluttershy stepped out from behind her concealment behind Pinkie, muttering in a hushed, shaky and apprehensive voice. "Y-Your ill fated lover? Oh my..." Still looking into the distance, Shovel Knight responded with a lifeless murmur. "Yes. Shield Knight and I were a team, inseparable. We traveled the length and breadth of the land, back when it was a land free of fear, free of the Order, when adventurers like ourselves roamed aplenty. We stood taller than all the others, braver, swifter, stronger, adventuring further than any others dared to go, returning with spoils beyond all others'. But at the Tower of Fate, she was taken from me by a powerful amulet of dark magic. I was on a quest to return to the Tower, and destroy the amulet. That is, until Black Knight bested me and I awoke here."
Hesitantly, Fluttershy stepped forward, to the surprise of the others. "You poor thing. That's incredibly brave of you, taking on all those people by yourself just to avenge Shield Knight." Shovel Knight felt a warm smile forming from his lips. He turned back to the group, to find Fluttershy standing just before him, closer than any of the others. He crouched down to eye level with her, and gave a benevolent utterance in response.
"Thank you very much, Fluttershy. Your kind words mean a great deal to me."
He was graced with a gentle smile in return as he stood back up to full height. "But, alas, that is a journey I can continue on no longer. But, at least, if this is my fate, to live out the rest of my days in this foreign land, then I am glad that I have made friends of you all. Thank you."
Nudging his greaves, Twilight wasn't quite out of questions yet. "What species are you? We only know of one species that walks on two legs, and that's the Minotaurs, but you don't look like you have the same stature as a Minotaur, at least not with all that armour on."
"I am a human."
"A human? Oh boy, I know someone who's going to be interested in you, scarily so. Anyway, since you're the first of your kind ever found here, and given your circumstances and ability of speech and sentience and whatnot, we're going to have to make sure Princess Celestia is aware of your existence."
"Royalty? Well, if it is deemed necessary, I would be happy to make myself known."
"Great! Now, he's going to need a place to stay, seeing as he's stuck here. Any volunteers?"
"Heh, if he's half as good as he makes himself sound, I'll be happy to take him in, I'm sure I can find room in the barn, if that's alright with you, Shovel Knight, and I'm sure I could keep him busy while you get in touch with the Princess."
"Any accommodation would be greatly appreciated, and if it is assistance with physical labour you seek, I would be happy to lend my shovel in return."
"It's settled, then. Applejack will find a place for Shovel Knight to stay, and I'll contact the Princess and let her know about this."
"You have my greatest thanks, again, all of you. Such hospitality is like none I have ever seen before, truly heartwarming."
"And thank you, Shovel Knight, for your impeccable manners...even after our first run-in."
Thankfully, Rarity's mood seemed to have improved a fair bit, and Shovel Knight gave a courteous nod that was close to becoming a bow.
"I am a Knight, and as such, I have a reputation to uphold, and the Code of Shovelry to abide by. You are most welcome."
"Alright, everyone, the sun's getting low, so we'd better get going. Hopefully we'll be able to see Celestia in the morning."
As the six said their goodbyes, Shovel Knight bade them all farewell for the evening, and followed Applejack back through town. The buildings gave a reassuring sense of familiarity, though they themselves were completely new to him - he'd been to many villages before, this should be nothing out of the ordinary for him. Save, of course, for the obvious. Due to the late hour, very few of the locals were on the path back, but that did not stop the odd glare being directed at Shovel Knight.
None more intense than the powerful stare of a pair of amber eyes lurking in the shadows.