//------------------------------// // Discharged and Disorientated // Story: Life in Equestria // by Blossom Comet //------------------------------// It's been a few days since I woke up in the Ponyville hospital, and boy have those days been eventful. I spent most of the time learning to walk in my new Equine body, a completely alien experience to me for obvious reasons. Getting used to moving new muscles and bones all around my body has been... An interesting experience to say the least. The most unusual bit for me personally was getting used to having hooves, damn I missed fingers. For all I feel with them I might as well be wearing some very thick shoes. Fortunately the Nurses helped me out a lot, surmising that I had lost a lot of muscle mass, causing my lack of balance. Sure, whatever floats their boat. Regardless, I was beginning to get the hang of walking. While I wasn't going to be running just yet, I could walk at a steady pace around the hospital. For the first two days, I tried to convince the Doctors that I wasn't Twilight. They didn't even half believe it. As far as they were concerned, Twilight Sparkle suffered severe memory loss and concussion, and she might never recover fully. It was at that point I just stopped trying. Why bother trying to convince everypony when their minds were made up? Oh yeah, I say "everypony" now. If I'm here for the long hall I might as well use the correct vernacular, right? It sure as hell didn't help that I was constantly being called a "she" or a "mare" or "miss". It would take some getting used to having no man cards. Yup, I'm 100% female now. It would take some time but I would handle it. One particularly hard thing to learn was magic. As I remember from the show, Twilight was a student being taught magic, or something. As I had no experience in magic, or using a horn, it stood to reason that I couldn't do much with it. The white Unicorn named Rarity had been trying to help me "relearn" the basics, but with little success. As a matter of fact, most of the ponies took the time to visit me. Rainbow Dash would come in and chat about new moves she was learning, or this group called "The Wonderbolts", Flutterby would tell me about her animals and how she couldn't wait to reintroduce me to her bunny. Applejack visited too. The only one who didn't visit was Pinkie Pie, which was strange, I thought she would end up visiting the most. Right now, Rarity was teaching me how to levitate, and trust me when I say it is difficult. "Okay, Twilight, that was good, but try again. Remember, your Horn has a mental switch, but that Magic can only be channeled if you treat your Horn like any other muscle in your body." I should comment on that. It seems that inside a Unicorn's horn is a muscle that acts as a physical switch to channel Unicorn Magic. It didn't cause the horn to move, but it was definitely there. It was actually pretty uncomfortable if hit. I sighed, "I'll give it another shot, but this is really tiring." Focusing on the feather, I imagined myself channeling magic and the feather levitating to my will. My horn began to light up, surrounded by a purple aura. "That's good Twilight! You're doing well!" When I was ready, I flexed the muscle in my horn and felt Magic being channeled into the feather. And to my surprise it actually began to move! Not only that, but the purple aura surrounding my horn had surrounded the feather! My eyes widened in excitement, "I DID IT! IT MOVED!" but as soon as I lost my concentration the feather stopped moving and the purple aura surrounding the feather was gone. Fuck. "Dammit! I HAD IT!" I growled, more angry than upset. I was so close, and I had to blow it. Rarity walked over to me and put her hoof on my side, "Twilight, it's okay. You're learning Magic from scratch, and now you know you can do it! That was fabulous for a first try! I bet within time you'll be back to being good old Twilight." She smiled gently at me, but I turned away, still bitter, "Yeah, if only I knew more about her." A few hours later I was visited by Applejack, she was really good to me. Over the past few days she'd been visiting and keeping my spirits high. She brought in delicious food, told me stories about her farm and about her rivalry with Rainbow Dash. Despite this situation being a total mess, and having so many unanswered questions, Applejack sure knew how to keep my mind off it. Today was different however, it was clear to me she was trying to trigger some of Twilight's memories. She kept asking questions about things I knew nothing about. "So, you don't remember trying to use magic to help get rid of snow during Winter Wrap Up?" "Nope. Wait, was that the bit where everypony sang 'Winter Wrap Up Winter Wrap Up!'?" What? I'd seen a few episodes, but that didn't mean I was a brony. "Uhh, I think so? Ponies sing all the time, it's really hard to keep up." I thought for a moment, putting a hoof to my chin. Applejack probably was going to keep things going until I "remembered" something. So why not humor her? Back when I was a human, I only watched like 10 or so episodes before I got bored. I think the last one I saw was about a filly trying to get her Cutie Mark. Since Winter Wrap Up definitely happened, it was reasonable to assume that the 10 episodes I did see were "canon" to this universe. "Wait, Applejack. I think I remember a few things." Applejack immediately jumped up and with a wide grin on her face, "That's great news! What do ya remember?" "Welllll, I remember helping you gather apples because you overworked yourself." "That's right! During Applebuck season! What else do you remember?" "I remember Flutterby driving a dragon to tears." Applejack gave me a strange look before continuing, "Don't ya mean Fluttershy?" "Yeah, Shy." I looked around the room awkwardly, when I turned back to AJ she was giving me that 'Weeeeelllllllll?' look. "What?" "Do ya remember anything else?" "I can think of a few things, nothing majorly important. But don't get too excited, my mind is still pretty blank." Applejack's head dropped at that revelation, she turned from me as she started to speak again, "I understand Sugarcube. I just wish you could remember a bit more. We're your friends and we'll always be there for you." I debated telling Applejack what I tried to tell the Doctors, but I figured that I would only get the same 'Twilight has a concussion, she probably doesn't even understand what she's trying to say' response. Instead I jumped out of bed and put my hoof on her side, trying to comfort her the same way she did to me when I first woke up. "I may not remember things now, but I can tell that you and... me, I suppose, share an incredibly strong bond. No matter what happens we'll always be friends." I smiled warmly at the orange pony, who returned a sad smile back to me. For a socially awkward guy with no friends, I was pretty good at comforting people. Hey, I guess I have friends now. I chuckled at the thought. "What's so funny, Sugarcube?" I rubbed a hoof on the floor, "Oh, nothing too funny really. It's just weird to think not so long ago I wouldn't have even thought friends were necessary, now I have lots of them." "Yeah, I remember Spike telling me that. Before you were in Ponyville you would spend most of your time reading books back in Canterlot. You practically lived in a library, and aside from Spike, your parents and the Princess, you didn't talk to many people. You sure loved books though. Still do I'd think." AJ said, eyeing a bunch of books I had set on my table. I grinned sheepishly. What can I say? Daring Do reminded me of Indiana Jones, and I loved Indiana Jones. Still, as Applejack mentioned it, I started to realize how similar Twilight Sparkle and I were. We both loved reading, never saw much point in friends (and as a result, were somewhat socially awkward), we were academically minded and loved to learn. I was a bit of a Teacher's Pet back on Earth. From what little I saw of My Little Pony, I sure did see a lot of myself in Twilight. "I suppose so, Applejack." AJ smiled, at that moment the door opened and Doctor Horse walked in. "Good evening Twilight, hello Applejack. I've got good news." I turned my head to him, "What is it, Doc?" I still hated his name. As far as names go in this world, it was the most uncreative, so I refused to say it. Doctor Horse smiled at me, "You're ready to be discharged. You'll be able to go home tomorrow morning. Also Applejack, visiting hours are just about to end, I'll have to ask you to go." Applejack looked delighted, "Fair enough Doc. That's great news Twi! I'll make sure the girls and Spike know!" "No problem Applejack, I'll see you then!" AJ tipped her hat to me and walked off. Doctor Horse cleared his throat, "For now, I'd suggest you get plenty of rest, Twilight. And when you get back home make sure to take it easy for a while." "Will do, Doc." And with that, Doctor Horse was gone. I jumped back up on my bed and decided to read some more of this Daring Do book before getting some sleep. I woke up the next morning, almost freaking out when I saw purple bangs in front of my face and a hoof instead of a hand. As my brain began to wake up I remembered what happened. Man, it's got me every morning since I turned into Twilight. Calming down I yawned and glanced at my reflection in the mirror. Yup, I wasn't getting used to that face staring back at me any time soon. After having breakfast I was brought to the front of the hospital, waving goodbye to the Doctors and Nurses, I turned to see Spike, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. I trotted towards them, "Hey everypony!" Rainbow Dash gave me an approving look, flying above us all, "Good to have you back, Twilight." I smiled, "Thanks Rainbow." but behind my smile I was still pretty unnerved. As much as I enjoyed these ponies' company over the past few days, now that I was out of hospital I could try to figure out how this happened, and if there was any chance of me getting back to Earth. I figured that I could get them out of my hair- I mean mane, for a while once I got back to wherever it was I lived now. I think it was a tree, or something. Spike walked towards me nervously, probably still upset about making me lose consciousness not too long after waking up. Sorry, but reptiles creeped me out. "Hey Twilight, I'm glad you're out of hospital, it's been lonely back home." He stared up at me with tears in his eyes. Oh, I couldn't be scared of him... He's so cute! I quickly pulled Spike into a hug, "I'm glad to be back, Spike. Now let's go home." We started walking through Ponyville, as I took it all in I was amazed. It was different seeing it up close. The area was simplistic, but beautiful. I looked around and saw Pegasi conversing in mid air, some sitting on clouds, Fillies and Colts playing together, and ponies trading and selling in stalls. It was fascinating, a whole new culture, yet not too different to one I already knew. Rarity brought Carousel Boutique to my attention, offering to make me a dress at some point, making me wince at my femininity. Fluttershy told me all about her cottage near the Everfree forest and how she took care of animals. Applejack had pretty much explained to me everything I needed to know about Sweet Apple Acres in the hospital, and Rainbow Dash just told me about her moves and the Wonderbolts. I think she kind of missed the whole "Reintroduce Twilight to Ponyville" point. Still, it was only a short tour, there would be time for a proper tour later. Eventually we made our way to a large tree, which I vaguely recognized as mine and Spike's house. "Thanks for walking with me back home girls, but I think I might get some rest." Fluttershy looked away nervously for some reason, strange. "Are you sure you want to do that? Maybe you should explore the library for a bit, re-familiarize yourself!" Rainbow Dash suggested. I shook my head, "No thanks. I'll save that for later, the only place I plan on "re-familiarizing myself with is the bed." I turned away from the girls and went to open the door. Somehow I could hold things and open doors with hooves. I didn't know how either. As I opened the door I remembered something, "Hang on, I forgot to ask! Why did Pinkie Pie never come to visit me? What was she up to?" Applejack looked away in the same manner to Fluttershy, "Well, erm..." Rarity interjected, "She was just..." I shrugged it off, "Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter. I'm sure I'll see her sometime." I walked into the library which was pitch black. I wondered if there were any lights or candles in here. At that exact moment the entire library lit up. Well that answered my question. "SURPRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISE!" I nearly jumped out of my skin, as I looked around I saw a huge crowd of ponies, with Pinkie Pie at the front. Behind the crowd was a banner which read, 'WELCOME HOME TWILIGHT!' Well, that explains what Pinkie was up to.