//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 - Equestria (Quest Side Story) 
// Story: An Equestrian Patriotic Hymn Book 
// by PensacolaRanger 
//------------------------------//

It was a fascinating world Ken Lawrence lived in, Twilight and Spike agreed, as they and their new human friend watched the impressive fireworks display out over the coastal city bay.  The 4th of July was a completely new holiday to the two native Equestrians, with customs and traditions steeped in a fascinating 239-year history.  Clearly, Twilight would have to step up her studies of cultures in other dimensions---particularly on the history of America, and its many holidays and traditions.  

Ken’s world being another human one similar to Sunset Shimmer’s world around Canterlot High School, Twilight Sparkle was in young woman form, with Spike again as a dog---only this time, they didn’t retain their native color schemes.  At first, Twilight was fascinated that instead of lavender, the new hairless skin of her bi-pedal body was a light shade of something between pink and orange, like a peach.  Her head-hair remained a shiny royal purple with its familiar streaks of blue and pink, but her horn, hooves and tail, like in the other form, had disappeared.  A USA T-shirt, red shorts and white tennis shoes, lightly draped her lean curvy form.

Spike’s new dog species was completely unknown to both of them, but having a white coat of matted fur with patches of tan,  brown and black, still made for an itchy flea-fest.  Again, panting aloud with tongue lolling and scratching behind his ears with a hind-leg came naturally, but again his speech had to be kept secret, for same as the other world, animal dogs were not supposed to talk out loud in this one, either.

With the fireworks concluded, and the smells of gunpowder, barbecue and bug-repellent lingering in the air, the throng of spectators began packing up their picnic blankets, coolers, folding chairs and so on, and filing back to their cars, trucks, SUV’s, motorcycles and other personal modes of transportation.  Uniformed police officers stood outside their parked squad cars, rolling lights flashing, directing traffic as halting it periodically to let pedestrians cross---the usual post-4th of July hubbub.  

Ken, Twilight and Spike followed the retreating crowd up the hill, crossed the filled-to-capacity parking lot, and pressed farther on to the off-street where Ken’s SUV was parked.  One tweek of the horn and flash of headlights by remote, and the SUV security system was disarmed.  Another press of the remote, and the door locks clicked open.  Twilight rolled her eyes, smiled, and shook her head.  “Science for magic; I may never get used to that…” she told herself.

Soon the trio were stuck in traffic, on the way back to Ken’s home in the East Heights district of town.  To shut out the din of car horns and squealing tires as some impatient motorists diverted to off-streets to find another way home, Ken, Twilight & Spike listened to patriotic songs on the dashboard radio, even singing along.  When the radio went to commercials, Ken switched it off.  But Twilight & Spike’s minds were anything but switched off.  To take up the silence, they hummed the most recent patriotic tune they had just listened to.  Then, as traffic crept even slower despite the signal-light changes, they started experimenting…making up new lyrics…Equestrian lyrics, to the tune.  Eager to start writing down these new lyrics, Twilight started looking around the cab of the SUV for something to write with.  Ken reached over & opened the passenger-side glove compartment, where he kept a handy notepad & pen---never knowing when it might be needed.  It certainly was now.  With thanks and a grateful hand-pat, Twilight started scribbling like crazy, as she, Spike and Ken continued adding lyrics as they came to mind.  By the time she had finished, they looked over the pages, and gave it a trial run.  I was now, of course, a parody of a popular Broadway musical number, with a newly adapted title: 


EQUESTRIA  (Quest Side Story)*

I like it here in Equestria!
Nice ponies here in Equestria!
Galloping free in Equestria!
All liberty in Equestria...!!!

Horse has a cart in Equestria!
All play a part in Equestria!
Crystalline Heart in Equestria!
I'll make my start in Equestria...!!!

I'll have a shop in Equestria!
Sell soda-pop in Equestria!
Climb to the top in Equestria!
No way to stop in Equestria...!!!

I'll stake my claim in Equestria!
Make a new name in Equestria!
Rise to my fame in Equestria!
No one to blame but Equestria...!!!

Things I will buy in Equestria!
Buy apple pies in Equestria!
Fancy neckties in Equestria!
Clear, sunny skies in Equestria....!!!

What will I do in Equestria?
Maybe make brew in Equestria!
Sell some to you in Equestria!
What can't I do in Equestria...!!!

I'll run.... I'll trot...

To get to Canterlot...

Just...watch...me....FLY!!!!!                                                                                         


All three of them shared a BIG BELLY LAUGH as they concluded the new song!


Soon traffic had cleared, and the SUV soon crossed the bayou bridge, nearing the small row of restaurants and stores that surrounded the little Crown & Pony Bar & Motel, where Twilight & Spike were staying for the weekend.  Ken’s home was only a block or so away, but this was their last vacation night before the return to Equestria tomorrow morning.  (The portal was through the ‘ladies bathroom’ door in the motel lobby, in the far wall below the back window.)  Being the gentleman he was, Ken escorted the pair back to their suite door on the upstairs balcony, to ensure their safety.

“Thanks for everything, Ken. We had a great time.” said Twilight, giving her host a warm hug & kiss good night.  Spike managed a thankful bark, just in case someone might be watching. 

“You sure I can’t meet you for one last breakfast before you go? I know this great café’ up the street.” Ken offered.

“No, thanks…it’s really great here, but we really can’t overstay.  I promised my friends back home we’d be back right on time…”
She leaned in closely and whispered: “Royal duties and all, you know…”

Ken just nodded politely.  “Of course, I understand.  I got a job waiting for me, too.  Early shift tomorrow.”
But then he put a warm gentle hand on her shoulder and said: “But I’m sure ‘gonna miss you, darling.”

Twilight smiled.  That deserved another warm hug & kiss, longer and deeper this time. “Goodbye, Ken.  I’ll miss you, too.”
She squeezed her eyes shut as a tear ran down her cheek.

With that, the trio parted company, to each return to their respective inner sanctums, to wash up, have peaceful dreams, and prepare for business-as-usual the next day.  As Ken drove off, Twilight & Spike watched from the balcony banister, as the SUV melted back into the stream of traffic.  

(*Sigh*) Yeah…I’ll miss him, too.” Spike whispered, low enough for only Twilight to hear.

Fetching out her room-key from a hip pocket, Twilight unlocked and opened the suite door. “Come on, Spike. The Portal Express 
leaves for Equestria tomorrow morning right after breakfast and check-out.  Let’s get packing.”

Spike followed her in, as the door swung shut.

It had been a long, fascinating 3-day weekend, with many lessons learned about this world, this country, patriotism, history,
customs… and of course, music.  Enough to fill an entire volume back at her home library at the Castle of Friendship.

After showers, toiletries, bathrobe & slippers, brushing of hair & teeth, and bedding down for the night, the two still had snare drums beating, flags waving, anthems crooning, and fireworks flashing in their heads, as they drifted off to sleep.



CONTINUES NEXT CHAPTER…