I was in Equestria, but in the northern part of it, still hundreds of miles from my destination in a city called Manehattan. Its been couple of days since I left Rushia, and I instantly recognized the differences. It was much warmer and more technically advanced than in the Saddolet Union. Thousands of ponies covered the ground inside of the city, even ponies way above us on skyscrapers constructing what will later be the Empire Manehattan Building. The train was now over water, I was terrified because I never saw nor went on a large body of water before. To the corner, what I believed was the Mare of Liberty, A sign of liberty these Manehattanans says it was a gift from Prance after the Freedom war between Equestria and Trottingham. For that I read in my books back home.
Hours passed, and countless cities, towns, and provinces passed by. At high afternoon, We arrived at the district of Canterlot, and there laid a large apple orchard filled with many acres of apple trees. We arrived at the gate of Canterlot. My heart was pounding with excitement to see Celestia's home town before my eyes.
"CANTERLOT, EQUESTRIA DEPARTURE!, CANTERLOT,EQUESTRIA DEPARTURE!" Yelled the train engineer.
"This was it, this was the moment that will change my life forever." I thought as I stepped my first hoof off the train. It was very packed, similar to St. Ponysberg. Not knowing where to go next, I decided to ask one of the city's citizens for directions to where Princess Celestia might be. The stallion then pointed to the large castle behind him.
"She's most likely ahh that away. In the Canterlot Castle." He said quite exquisitely. After trotting pass the many amounts of mares and stallions, I finally reached the castle only to be guarded by towering, stale royal guards. Their face showed no emotion and their armor were quite quaint. One of them positioned his eyes on me awaiting my request.
"I'm here for Princess Celestia sir.""She invited me to her school for gifted unicorns." I said hesitantly while showing him the invitation."He looked at it and glanced at the other guards.
"She will be awaiting your appearance at the top floor up the stairs."says the guard hoofing me back my invitation and opening the door."Thank you Sir." I said entering the castle. It was empty and quiet, no sound echoed throughout the main hall except for my hooves clopping at the floor. The castle was beautiful. Sky blue marble floors covered the entire hall, marble pillars stretched high to the ceiling, and royal flags covered the walls. The sight was incredible and there I found the set of stairs.
I was soon greeted by Celestia who toured me around the castle and informed me of my duties while at the school. “Classes start at 8:30am I expect you to be on time. We got many subjects to go over" said Celestia. By the time of the end of the tour it was near sundown and I was getting sleepy. Celestia noticed this and quickly guided me to my dorm. After getting down packed and removing all items from bag, Celestia informed me that each day after class she will assign us different topics to study and record on a letter to turn in the next day. “Remember Geppetto, 8:30 " Celestia said heading for door.
“Yes ma'am your highness 8:30" I commented back with Celestia smiling at me and heading back to her room.“8:30" I said to myself with I fairly worried expression on my face. I sighed and reached for the amulet Muslo gave me, looking at the picture. “For you Muslo" I said kissing the amulet and setting it down on the dresser.“Now let me get some rest, it's going to be a long day tomorrow." Climbing into the bed and going to sleep.
12 years passed and I was the top student in Celestia's class. One day after a lecture on Advanced pre calculus, Celestia held me back. Concerned, but not worried, I look wondery around the classroom while the rest of the students exited the room. After finishing her royal duties, Celestia called me over to her desk.“Yes ma'am" I asked while being sitted in front of her desk.
“Geppetto, I am highly impressed by your academic progress these few years at my school. “You nearly got a 100% on every single assignment assigned to you since your first day here. That's why I kept you after class today to invite you to Celestia University."
“Celestia University?" I asked quite puzzled.
“Yes, there you will increase your studies and be taught the most advanced subjects. Do you want to enroll?" Asked Celestia. I sat and thought about it for a little while until making my decision but was intruded by the thought of amount of time that will take. I asked the princess and she replied “ The same time but day extended throughout the entire week. I had nothing else really important and tactical to do, so I accepted.
I was 22, and my studies at Celestia's University were almost complete. Tonight was a big night, a time to show everypony what I am capable of doing. I invented many things during my time at the University, although all of them were still prototypes. But one I actually managed to create, present and discuss about tonight. Today was the Grand Galloping Gala at the main castle and courtyard. I was invited by Princess Celestia to present my creation. My heart was pounding and my face was sweating. I was never the social type pony. I mainly stayed inside reading books and coming up with bright ideas.I was afraid that one mistake could scar me for life, but I also couldn't just not go either.“ahhhhh" I sighed while finishing tying my bowtie and putting on my top hat and round glasses. “ You can do this Geppetto, just believe..."
Talking to myself in the mirror. I finally got my act together and headed for the door, not forgetting about the amulet for good luck.
It was warm and humid, typical for a summer night. Hundreds of ponies were there, most of them belonging to the high class society.
I pushed through the rampant amount of ponies making sure none of my pieces fall off my creation which was in a wagon. Deep in the distance laid a clear batch land which was circled by the elegant and visiting guest. I trotted over there and double check my wagon to make sure no damage has been done on it. Unknowing what to do next, I stood there hoping that anypony would realize me and signal every other pony to watch me. However it didn't work, and I was forced to get everypony attention. “ Ummmm excuse me everypony" I said. Nopony heard me.“Everypony over here" I tried again. Nopony heard me.“EXCUSE ME EVERYPONY" I yelled out. Everypony heard me and paid there attention to me.“ Thank you for given me your undivided attention everypony, I'm very sorry for yelling and acting very rude and inelegant" I said trying to sound as professional as possible, clearing my throat afterwards. “ My name is Geppetto Zeonigberg, I'm a student at Celestia's University from the country Rushia. Today I am here to present to you a new project that I've been working on." I said trotting over beside the wagon. “ What I'm about to reveal to all of you is a peak into our future." I put my hoof on the cover.“ Ladies and Gentlecolts, I would like to present to you the Explorer marke 1." I said pulling the cloth of the object. It was incredible and everypony cheered and clopped their hooves on the grass below. At the top of the castle veranda stood Princess Celestia smiling signalling me to continue. I continued on , lighting up the rocket. A few seconds later, shoot into the air and exploded revealing a collage of many different colors and a ring of blue expanding outward. Everypony were on their hooves cheering at my success. I bowed in thanks “ Thank you , Thank you" waving my hoof in the air. Suddenly a stallion by the name Stinkin' Rich approached me.
“That was a mighty quite performance Mr. Zoenigberg." He said shaking my hoof. Behind him stood other stallions and mares. “Thanks ummm.."“Stinkin' Rich is the name.I came over here to ask you if there's any more of those...Explorer thingies" Asked Stinkin' Rich
“No-No sir that was my only one." I said
“ How about this," Stinkin' wrapping his shoulder around me.“ You make more of those explorers, and I pay you a fortune." I didn't think this was a good idea, but it was for money, money I needed. So I accepted his deal.