"Waddaya mean ya don't wanna go home!?" exclaimed Rainbow Dash, hovering in the air with her hooves outstretched.
Twilight was equally baffled. "I don't understand, Andrew. Don't you want to see your friends and family again? Won't you miss your home?" She asked with a look of concern.
Andrew was looking downwards and to the side, attempting to avoid any eye contact. He didn't have a home to go back to.
Celestia remained quiet, observing the human for a moment before speaking, "Andrew, obviously we are terribly confused. Why is it that you do not wish to return to your world? As twilight mentioned, would you not miss your friends and kin? Why would you choose to remain on an alien world when being presented with the possibility of returning to your own?"
The human remained quiet for a moment, pondering his next words carefully. He was not going to tell them what actually happened to cause his spearing; there was no telling how they would react if they became aware of his violent tendencies. With a sigh, he began his explanation. “Like I said before, only me and one other person have this power, before I died we-”
“Excuse me,” interrupted Celestia. “Forgive me for cutting in, but did you not say that there were three of you?”
Andrew shook his head, “...There, was an accident,” he wouldn’t dare to elaborate anymore. Besides, it was an accident, he wasn't lying about that.
Celestia immediately regretted asking, “Oh dear, I am so sorr-”
Andrew quickly cut her off, “Forget it. It’s fine. Anyways, the thing about us humans is, well… I guess this is as good a time as any to exchange some world history. You guys okay with th-"
"Yes!" Twilight practically screamed, ears perking up at the prospect of hearing the origins of an entire world first-hand. A piece of parchment and a quill materialized in front of her. Looking around she noticed her enthusiasm was not shared. "I mean, yes Andrew, that would be just fine."
The human raised his eyebrow at the unicorn, "well, I guess I should start," he inhaled deeply before beginning, "so, the reason we're the apex predators on our world is that we’re so much smarter than every other animal, the only ones that can think. We started off primitive, sure, but then we started making weapons like spears and bows to help us hunt, shelters and clothing to keep us safe and warm. We eventually reached a point in our evolution where we started practicing mass farming and raising animals. With food no longer posing a problem, we began to focus on, like… science, trying to understand the world around us.” He gave the ponies a few moments to let the information sink in, as well as himself some time to remember whatever he could from class.
Twilight was the first to ask a question: “It sounds a lot like your history is eerily similar to ours. we also started our research into magic theory once we managed to solve the food crisis. I had a theory earlier that our worlds are actually part of parallel dimensions, which could explain why we speak the same language. Our similar history only supports that theory! Also, we've been wondering for awhile why you insist on wearing clothing, but would I be right in assuming that since you've been wearing clothing for warmth for so long, that as a species it's basically become second nature?"
Andrew nodded, “Actually, yeah that's more or less it. That theory of yours also seems to make perfect sense. We even have myths and legends about unicorns, pegasi, and a ton of other creatures that simply don’t exist. From what I overheard the doctors talking about yesterday even griffons, another mythical animal from our stories exists here.” He took a look around the room. "Makes me wonder what else you have here that seems to be pulled straight out of our imaginations. Do you guys have anything on us?” He asked inquisitively.
Celestia shook her head. “Unfortunately not. I don't don't even recall ever hearing about a creature such as yourself. Strange that your world's myths are our realities, it seems somewhat one-sided though does it not?" Celestia asked.
Andrew voiced his agreement, "Maybe that's the connection between our worlds, maybe my powers, which shouldn't be possible, created a bridge or something between us."
"And so when you perished, the part of you that is closer to our world remained, and simply pulled you close enough to our dimension that your spirit crossed over?" Luna suggested.
Andrew shrugged, "maybe, it's only a theory. Hopefully, we can figure something out in Twilight's tests. Anyway, let me just quickly go over a few important events before we get to your history."
"As you wish," replied Celestia.
"Don't get me wrong, your history sounds cool and all, but how does that explain why you can't go home!?" questioned Rainbow Dash.
"And I have some questions as well," stated Twilight. "How is it that-"
"No," interrupted Andrew. "Save your questions; once I'm done, I'm gonna be the one asking them. I know for sure that everything I'm saying is answering a ton of questions you guys have, but is also raising even more. Consider this explanation your turn.--" He gave them no time to voice their possible disagreement before continuing. "--Alright, so back to what I was saying. We basically entered this sort of Golden Age of knowledge, where we began to learn how the world works and stuff, we made better technology and medicine and started to live longer thanks to it. Then after that, I think we entered the Industrial Revolution, where we started to build these huge automated factories that could mass produce all the tools and items we need. We went from horse-drawn carriages to-"
"Horse-drawn what!?" yelled Rainbow Dash in surprise.
Twilight spoke out as well, asking, "I thought you said your planet didn't have ponies?"
Andrew shook his head, "No, I just said that they couldn't talk. They're not intelligent like us. They're just mindless farm animals, really. The reason I'm mentioning them is that since horses are larger and stronger than humans we kinda used them as... what's the word? Animals of burden, I think." He couldn't quite recall the term and paused in thought.
"Beast of burden..." corrected Luna with a pained expression.
Andrew shook a finger in Luna's direction. "Right, thanks. So we would use them to carry supplies for us when it was too much for a human and ride them when we had to travel long distances." He saw the ponies eyes go wide, and could already guess the kind of reaction he was about to receive. He decided to assuage any worries they might express. "Of course, just keep in mind that they are just mindless animals, kept as pets and taken care of on farms and stuff. No need to get offended or anything."
"We are not offended, Andrew," proclaimed the solar princess. "We were just surprised is all. As a matter of fact, we ourselves have carriages drawn by ponies, only they are actually paid, as it is their job."
"Really?" susurrated the human. "That'll be a sight... Anyways, we went from horse-drawn carriages to vehicles powered by fuel: cars. By far the biggest changes we've had in technological advancements occurred in the past century, but that's way too much to cover for now." He sighed loudly. "So basically, we are so obsessed with knowledge that there would be no hesitation in shoving me into a cage and performing experiments on me until I died, and then continuing them on whatever's left of me..." He gave the information a moment to sink in before saying, "of course, I wouldn't let them, and I have The means to protect myself for years, but the government doesn't care about the possible casualties as long as they get what, and if they don't they will just try again... I'm staying. Now I believe you owe me an explanation in return?"
After a few moments of silence, Rainbow Dash decided to speak up. "Hold on, you can't just drop a bomb of info on us like that and expect us to just bottle up our questions for who knows how long!" Yelled the agitated pegasus, now hovering.
"It's okay, Rainbow, this should only take a few minutes," Twilight calmly stated. "Besides, you already know I have questions for days!" She giggled.
"Heh.. yeah. I guess if anypony is frustrated it's you," Dash lowered herself back to the floor.
Twilight proceeded to give Andrew a summary of Equestrian history, starting from the reign of the Wendigos, to the union of the three races and eventual against them. She spoke of the rise of the alicorn sisters and how they wrestled back the world from using the Elements of Harmony.
She briefly touched on the Crystal Empire and the sisters' sealing away of King Sombra a thousand years ago and how Somra, in turn, froze the entire city in time until he returned.
"And so after the Crystal Empire's disappearance, the general populace grew more aware and fearful of dark magic. To the point where they even stopped celebrating any dark themed holidays, namely Nightmare Night,"
"Nightmare Night?" questioned the human.
With a nod, the lavender unicorn elaborated. "Originally, it was a holiday that celebrated Luna, where fillies and colts would dress up as creatures from their nightmares: vamponies, ghosts, changelings and such. It was meant to make them believe that after confronting their fears in the waking world, Luna would enter their dreams and banish their nightmares."
"Actually," said the Lunar alicorn. "I did do precisely that, Twilight Sparkle, but who would believe their child when they say that one of the princesses personally entered their dreams?"
Twilight splayed back her ears and lowered her head, "Oh, sorry Luna. That wasn't in the history books, I could never have known."
"Of course," Luna said with a smile. "Shortly after the incident with the Crystal Empire, I transformed into Nightmare Moon, which I already gave Andrew a summary of the civil war that ensued and my banishment."
"On Nightmare Night, do the kids go door to door asking for candy?" asked Andrew.
"Uh, yeah, actually," Rainbow Dash acknowledged from the sidelines. "How did ya know?"
"Because we also have a holiday where kids dress up as monsters and do the same thing. Honestly, though, I have no idea what it actually celebrates. Everyone just cares about the candy. Not sure what a changeling is, but we do have stories about vampires," He scratched the back of his head, "Sooo, what happened after Luna was banished?"
"Truthfully, the past thousand years have been particularly uneventful," Celestia said dismissively. "The past three, however,--" she peered at Rainbow Dash and Twilight, "--Have been full of adventure. Twilight, if you will." she gestured with her hoof for her protege to take the floor.
Twilight gingerly stepped forward and said, "It would be my pleasure. It all started three years ago, on the final day of the thousandth year of Luna's imprisonment."
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"And thanks to Spike, the crystal heart was returned to its pedestal and we defeated King Sombra with the power of Love! Twilight declared triumphantly.
Rainbow flapped her wings and did a loop de loop, "Yeah, it was wicked, Sombra started to get all these glowing cracks over his body and he just exploded! All that was left of him was his horn!" she exclaimed.
"...So you literally killed him with love," Andrew stated stoically
The pegasus lost her smile and slowly descended, "Uhh, yeah... I guess so. But it's not like we had much of a choice! If we didn't kill him he would have enslaved the entire empire! He would have won!"
"Then why didn't the princesses go and deal with Sombra themselves? You didn't use the Elements to take care of Sombra like you did all the other villains, so why?" He looked to Celestia and asked, "Why would you send a ragtag group of friends to a cold, remote location in the north expecting them to beat some super powerful evil wizard that took both you and your sister to seal away? What would you have done if they died? It would be your fault. What did you think they could do that you couldn't do a hundred times faster and better?"
The ponies present could only stare in bewilderment at the human's audacity to speak to their regal ruler in such a manner.
Celestia remained unfazed by Andrew's words, instead only giving a short sigh and said, "I'm sorry you feel that way, Andrew, but I had total confidence that the power of their friendship would be more than enough to--"
Andrew interrupted the princess, "Wait, you weren't kidding earlier? You actually believe that there's some magic to friendship? Look, I have telekinesis, I've died and been resurrected, so I can handle a parallel dimension housing a bunch of talking animals and bigfoot, but the Magic of Friendship? No way! If anything friendship isn't magic, it's tragic," he was just about ready to kick these ponies out of his room.
Celestia actually reacted to his words this time, her eyes growing noticeably softer. "Oh, my goodness, I am terribly sorry for whatever happened that would lead you to come to such a conclusion. But, I sincerely hope that you are able to find solace here in Equestria." She tried to be mindful of his situation, it may very well be having an adverse effect on his state of mind, causing him to speak so passive-aggressively. He probably just needed more time to come to terms with everything.
“And what about Chrysalis!? She only invaded Canterlot to feed her hive. You make her sound like a desperate mother trying keep her kids alive! And you just damned them to starvation!"
Celestia held her head high as she replied with an air of authority, "Chrysalis attacked my city. She endangered my subjects. We only did what was necessary to keep ourselves safe."
"And can you honestly say you didn't know that the changelings were starving? Or did you just turn a blind eye? If you ponies are as peace-loving as you make yourselves out to be, wouldn't you have come to some sort of arrangement with them a long time ago?--" Andrew waited for an answer. When there was no immediate response, he continued. "--Did the changelings even kill anybody? Or are you the only side that spilled blood?" He knew he wasn't one to judge spilt blood, but he wasn't going to ignore the fascinating dark side of these ponies, to willingly starve another race was pretty brutal.
Before anypony (or human) had a chance to speak, the door opened, revealing a griffon adorning a chef hat and carrying a covered tray of food on his back between his wings. He grasped the tray with his right forepaw and proudly strut into the room. Completely ignoring the alicorn princesses and ponies present, he walked directly to Andrew, his eyes moving up and down his figure, avoiding his eyes. "Hmm..." He said softly, nodding and presenting the tray to the human as he lifted the cover, beak held high. "Behooollld hue-man! For you have dubious hooonor of being the first of your kind to grace your lips with the cooking of the great and powerful spicy Season Claw!"
The ponies all stared at the griffon chef, both surprised at his sudden appearance and relieved at the well-timed interruption. But all eyes eventually made their way to what the griffon was carrying.
A porcelain circular dish sat atop the hospital tray, next to it silverware and a napkin folded neatly into a triangle. But of course, the main attraction was the meal itself. A lavishly seasoned cut of well done red meat, wet with juices and sided with a generous portion of mashed potatoes. Of course, the meal would be nothing but a pauper's supper if not for a real chef's secret ingredient, a tiny leaf resting on the center of the cut not only made the serving fit for royalty but raised its market value two-fold!
Andrew could smell the aroma of the lavish meal presented to him, and it was absolutely intoxicating. It smelt not unlike a hickory smoked barbeque. But there was definitely something more to the meat, it looked like something worthy of a close-up shot in a food commercial, it was too perfect. Unless high-class food is always like that, not that he would know...
Not everyone was as mesmerized by the scent of the meat, although the princesses have, unknown to most, grown accustomed to the smell of meat and blood through countless battles, not everypony had the luxury of such experiences. As evidenced by a certain purple unicorn desperately trying to hold back the build-up of bile in her throat.
"Ughh," mumbled a green-faced Twilight, barely managing to suppress vomiting for the third time. Rainbow went to her side, rubbing her back and whispering words of encouragement to her friend, seemingly unaffected by the scent or sight before her.
The griffon craned his neck at the sound of disgust, giving Twilight a disdainful glare before looking back to Andrew with a "hmph," and saying, "Can you believe these ponies? That a meal as scrumptious as this would receive such a reaction. But hey, what else would you expect from herbivores?" He put particular emphasis on his last word.
Celestia never approved of Season's racial views, but he was the very best meat cook in all of Equestria, and having him under her employment was a huge boon when carnivorous diplomats were to be received at the castle. She even saw her sister partaking in his cooking every now then, not that the general populace would be privy to this.
Andrew grasped the tray with both hands. "Heh. Yeah. But you can't really blame them, they can't help being prey animals."
"Right right, I suppose so. I eagerly await cooking for you again, sir; not every day you get to prepare manticore meat for an alien." He avoided eye contact. A true chef would not look into the eyes of patron until they show satisfaction with their meal.
Celestia blinked in surprise. "...And how might you know this, Season?" She did not recall his origins ever leaving this room.
"A pink pony told me shortly after I left my chariot. According to her, she just finished sending invitations to every kingdom's ruler regarding sir Andrew's Welcome to Equestria party. She also mentioned that our hue-man friend can use telekinetic magic."
Celestia closed her eyes and heaved a heavy sigh. Of course it was Pinkie Pie, unpredictable and capable of defying all logic. She really didn't want to know how Pinkie figured out that Andrew was not native to Equestria. If anything, it was more surprising that the element of laughter hasn't yet introduced herself to the otherworldly visitor. "In that case, I should probably get back to the castle and prepare for the meeting that will no doubt be taking place soon. Enjoy your meal, Andrew."
Andrew nodded in response, settling himself into a comfortable position on his bed and placing the tray on his lap. "Yeah, I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."
"Bwahahahah!" Seasoned exclaimed, doubling over in laughter. "A humorous saying indeed. I like you, sir Andrew, might I ask where your species rank in your food chain?”
"He would ask something like that," thought Celestia. Griffons were a race that valued strength above all else, behind dragons, they were probably the most respected sapient predatory race. Even though they didn't possess the ability to manipulate weather like pegasi, they held a magic referred to only as the predator's eyes. Able to gauge the strength of any creature relative to for a race where determining the strength of one's opponent was everything. Lose to one weaker than you, and you are disgraced. Win against one stronger than yourself, and you will see yourself rise to ever more respected positions in society. It was a barbaric way of handling a kingdom, but there was little she could do about it.
Prey animals also had something similar, but purely for guessing the potential danger an animal could pose. All sapient prey races find themselves without this ability, relying instead on their common sense.
Andrew's smile widened as he explained, "We're the Apex Predators of our word." He grasped the silver utensils and began to cut into his meal.
"Really!?" Exclaimed the griffon in surprise. "I'm sorry, sir, but I simply cannot believe that--"
Andrew looked up from his plate, catching the griffon mid-sentence. He was going to explain how humans made weapons what he saw in the griffon made him pause.
Season was staring wide-eyed at Andrew, unmoving, as if in a trance. Andrew raised an eyebrow at the bird's peculiar behavior, wondering if this was normal or not. He prodded the griffon's side telekinetically.
Sure enough, Season blinked in surprise, backing a few steps away from Andrew and looking down at the ground. "Ugh, nevermind," he took another step back, "w-well... I believe I should be taking my leave with Celestia, f-farewell." He made a quick bow and practically bolted from the room, clearly in a hurry.
"Wait!" Andrew yelled. But it was too late. By the time he shouted Season had already slammed the door shut, leaving him and Rainbow Dash utterly dumbfounded. Andrew and Rainbow looked at each other, the former shrugging before continuing his feast.
The rest of the ponies, however, knew exactly what happened. Twilight narrowed her eyes and nudged her mentor. Celestia looked down to her student, as stoic as ever, and only nodded.
Luna was biting her lower lip in frustration. "Damn that griffon, why did Andrew have to meet one of them so soon!? And in front of Tia, no less. I need to do something..." she thought before saying, "Tia, you really shouldn't be postponing day court any longer, I shall deal with the mob outside while you catch up with Season."
Celestia gave her sister a look that could only mean, "We WILL speak of this later," as she made her way to the door.
"Wait, mob? What mob?" asked Andrew as he looked up, taking a break from practically inhaling his meal. "I don't hear anything that sounds like a mob."
The human put his almost empty tray to the side and cantered over to the curtains, pulling them apart telekinetically. What he saw was VERY MUCH a mob. There were dozens of ponies all seemingly shouting, but no sound seemed to be coming out? He turned around and looked at Luna with a raised brow, pointing at his right ear.
She responded to his silent question with, "Oh yes, after your little stunt with the storm, let alone your arrival, the entire town has been camping the hospital trying to get a hold of you. There is even a newspony that keeps begging for an interview, which in my opinion you should do as soon as possible, just to let Equestria know you... mean no harm. My sister has several guards making sure everything is in order as well as a spell that blocks sound from traveling past the window, they also cannot see into the room.
"Hmmm," Andrew thought silently as he reached for the center of the open window with his right hand, "I wonder what would happen if.."
"Andrew, stop!" cried Twilight.
With mischievous determination, Andrew tapped the air where the glass would normally be. Sure enough, there was an immediate reaction as it began to 'burn', starting off as a small hole with a scorching outline much like a piece of paper set aflame. The bubble simultaneously became visible, a golden sheen stretching across the windowsill now tearing itself apart as the corruption spreads throughout, leaving only white steam and an audible ssssss in its wake.
“Wicked,” Rainbow said with a tone of awe.
“Oh yeah, that was cool..” Andrew followed, looking at his hand.
Celestia pressed her hoof firmly to face as she groaned out an “Oh no…” while shaking her head.
“LOOK! IT’S HIM!”
“IT'S THE MONSTER!”
“SQUEE IT’S OUR HERO!”
“TO TARTARUS WITH IT!”
“SEE BONNY! I’M NOT CRAZY!!”