//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: I Just wanted Coffee! // Story: Disenchanted // by PaisleyPerson //------------------------------// Chapter 1 I Just Wanted Coffee! ‘Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!’ “That’s it... one leg after the other...” I supported myself on the back of a chair as I struggled to pull on my pants. *CRASH!* “CURSE YOU, OLD PAPERWEIGHT CHAIR! YOU HAVE FAILED ME!” I must have been quite a sight, red in the face, mangy, frizzy bed hair sticking every which way, flopping around on the floor like a fish out of water as I struggled to pull on clingy and much-too-long pants up. Oh, and don’t forget about the piece of warped plastic by my head that once was called a chair. *BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!* “AND I TOLD YOU TO SNOOZE!” Having finally proved victorious over the uncooperative garment, my finger came smashing down on the snooze button of my phone. Unfortunately, I managed to bend it just a hair outside the acceptable range, and suddenly I was squirming and writhing on the bed once more. “OOOooh,” I whined, coddling the injured appendage. This just wasn’t my day. I had injured myself five times over the course of ten minutes (six if you counted that incident with the toothbrush), and in case you hadn’t guessed yet, I was running late. I had made the mistake of staying up late to watch a My Little Pony marathon last night, and slept through my alarm. And apparently, through all of my mom’s nagging demands that I get up and dressed this second. Rather than dousing me with ice water or physically rolling me out of bed as I would have expected, she left me to my fate... which was even worse. Dad had already left for work, as had Mom. I’d missed the bus, and without my driver’s license (yes, I know, 17 and still not driving, it’s sad), that meant I was walking. The high school wasn’t too far away- it was only two and a half-ish miles, and there was a sidewalk the entire way. But, it would still take me an extra twenty minutes (fifteen if I ran) to get there, and I was already seriously late for class. I didn’t think I’d catch any of first period at all, which was bad, considering how far behind I already was in that class. So naturally, I was panicking. I was a pretty decent student- straight A’s, in fact, the goody-two-shoes, the teacher’s pet, the good girl. I don’t think I had ever been late for class in my life, at least not without a legitimate excuse. The thought of turning up to Civics with a tardy slip made my stomach knot, though in hindsight, it was a foolish thing to worry about. But back to the present. I’m rushing (and struggling, if you’ve noticed) to get ready, and the only thing on my mind was getting my stuff and getting OUT of there. So after fumbling with my clothes a couple more minutes, whacking myself with a hairbrush, sloppily jamming all my books in my pack, and stabbing myself with a pen, I finally made it out the door... and returned moments later for my nearly-forgotten phone. At long last, I was on the move, sprinting down my development and desperately trying to keep my balance as I whipped around the sharp turn onto the sidewalk. Luckily, I did not fling myself into traffic and managed to stay on course- the only thing that had gone right for me this morning. The thumping of my backpack beating against my back was the only sound that accompanied me down the vacant road. Strange... the road was usually still bustling even after school started. Just exactly how late was I? Panting, I glanced down at my wrist in search of my watch... which of course I had left at home. Ugh! I’d just check my phone when I got there. Or not. I hadn’t realized how out of shape I was, and was forced to stop sooner than I’d like to admit. Wheezing and panting, I pulled over to the edge of the sidewalk, crouched over as huge gulps of cold air burned my throat. I was glad no one was out here to see this. I really needed to get out more often. So long as I was stopped, I might as well check the time. I pulled out my phone. “NINE THIRTY EIGHT?!” Brilliant. Just brilliant. “Nice job, Megan,” I irritably hissed to myself. I had missed all of my first period. Now I’d have to go back to the middle of Civics, my favorite... that was sarcasm, by the way. I hated that class with a passion. I slid the device back in my pocket and looked around. So long as I was late, maybe I could play hookie and skip second period altogether, catch some lunch and make it back in time to go to the Technical Center. Yeah, that sounded good. My parents would probably get on me for it, but at the same time, it would be totally worth it. I stuck my hands in my pockets, still breathing heavily. What would I do with myself for an entire hour? I was unsupervised, had a little money in my pocket... I was limited to attractions within walking distance, and there weren’t many of those, but that didn’t bother me at all. I felt like such a rebel, I was quaking in my shoes. Okay, better start with baby steps. I heard a car approaching from the right, and turned to make sure I wouldn’t get run over. That was when I realized just exactly where I was. Starbucks was just another block away. I could run down and get some coffee, which sounded heavenly at the moment, considering I hadn’t even thought about breakfast this whirlwind of a morning. Before I had even mentally made up my mind that yes, I should be heading that way, my feet were on the move. I had only reached the parking lot, and already the scent of fresh coffee grounds tickled my nose. My stomach growled in complaint at the tease. I blushed, making sure no one was around to have heard it. But sure enough, I was on my own. Thank goodness. I strode up to the sidewalk, mentally running over their menu. I knew their frappe’s were good... but I was in the mood for something hot. An expresso was sure to wake me up... or maybe a mocha? Preferably something- anything- with hazelnut in it... I mulled over the options and pulled open the door, fully expecting to be hit with a heavenly concoction of aromas. Swampy. That was the only word that came to mind when I attempted to describe the horrible stench assaulting my nostrils. My focus returned to reality, or at least, I thought this was reality. But it couldn’t be, could it? I was just at Starbucks, completely prepared to make out with my daily dose of caffeine. But this was... a swamp? And what was that hairy beige thing sticking out in front of me? With a yelp, I discovered it was my arm, still reaching out in preparation of opening the door. Er- at least I thought it was my arm. My fingers were gone, and for that matter, so was the soft padding of my palm. All that was left was a hard, knobby stump covered in... fur? Overall, it sort of looked like a bell-bottomed hoof. But that wasn’t possible... right? Well, neither was being teleported into the middle of a marsh, but my thoughts were already too muddled for me to be concerned with such technicalities at the moment. I was trying to figure out what had just happened, really. Just, in the heat of the moment, I became somewhat distracted with waving my newly altered appendage around, if only to be sure it was really mine. But it flexed with every movement that I mentally ordered it to, and I even managed to trace it back to my body. At least, I thought it was mine. That was when I realized that the rest of my frame had been likewise altered, and noted with some embarrassment that my clothes were gone. So were my backpack and purse, actually. It had all been replaced by sandy, tan-colored fur that stretched taught over what I assumed was now my body. I hadn’t realized it until now, but I was standing on three legs, the fourth being the one I was still madly waving about. I found a tail sticking out of my rear, an unnaturally bold red-violet in color, the hair cascading down below my... hocks? That couldn’t be right. I couldn’t be... This wasn’t... Oh, dear lord, please don’t tell me- My Little Pony. That was what I looked like. A FREAKING PONY FROM A CHILDREN’S TV SHOW! (Granted, it was a very good show that I enjoyed and watched on a regular basis, but STILL!) This couldn’t be real. I had just watched too much my little pony last night and was still dreaming. That was the only explaination I could come up with. But... even for lucid dreaming, this felt far too real... I examined myself again. Yep- mane, tail, hooves, and I discovered a muzzle after clunking myself in the face with one of said hooves. But, wait... I strained and squirmed to twist around far enough to view my flanks. Weren’t “my little ponies” supposed to have cutie marks? Okay, so there was some chance, however small, that I wasn’t in Equestria. I wasn’t sure if that made me feel better or worse. Taking a big, shaky breath, I trembled in this unfamiliar, stench-ridden swamp and failed to calm myself. It had all happened so fast I was still processing what had happened. Should I be scared or exhilarated? Stay put or explore? I mean, there was still a chance, a rather good chance in fact, that this could be Equestria. Wasn’t it every brony’s dream to get the chance to go there and meet their favorite characters, or even just walk amongst the magical pastel-colored creatures? I tried to tell myself that everything was okay, that this could be fun, but in all honesty... I was terrified. There, I said it. Regardless of what the fandom thought, I was scared out of my skin. I had just been deposited into an unknown world in an unknown body without a soul in sight. This wasn’t at all like those cliché self-insert fanfictions where the human-turned-pony was magically transported and instantly had the time of their life, possibly trying to get home or transform into the “seventh element of harmony” along the way. This was a complete nightmare. “Uh, miss? Are you alright?” I completely locked up. I wasn’t alone, after all. Was that a good or bad thing? And how in the world had this visitor snuck up on me? I thought ponies were supposed to have superior hearing. Was I really that oblivious? I didn’t recognize the voice, but it was definitely masculine. I didn’t want to look up, for fear of confirming my suspicions about this strange, alien world. Unfortunately this new, uncooperative body had other ideas. Slowly, my eyes ventured further and further left. ‘STOP THERE STOP THERE STOP THERE STOP-’ I suddenly felt faint. I hadn’t recognized the voice, but strangely, I recognized the form approaching me. But he wasn’t possible... none of this was possible! My stomach lurched, and I suddenly was very glad I hadn’t yet eaten this morning. “Miss?” the form asked again, concern showing in his bright, amber eyes. “Ch-Charcoal?” “Yes? Yes, that’s me.” The truth finally set in, hitting me square in the chest like a ton of bricks. He was a pony. A pony! I had been confronted by a pony and had apparently been turned into one, which pretty much confirmed my suspicion that I was in Equestria, or at least some version of it. I felt like I had just been dropped into the middle of one of those MLP HiE fanfictions. Now, when bronies think of visiting Equestria, the first thing that comes to mind is probably one of those aforementioned self inserts where the character gets to meet the Mane Six. That was what I think of, anyhow. But Prince Charcoal Stormwood definitely wasn’t canon. He was (is?) an OC. My OC- a character of my own invention for a quirky fanfiction I wrote way back when. So not only had I seemingly mutated into an entirely different species AND been transported to a paralell universe from a children’s TV show, but I was now talking face to face with my own storybook character. As impossible as it seemed, there he was, my character exactly as I had imagined. He had a dark, forest green coat and chocolate brown hair, styled in a way to leave his spiraled horn completely visible. Wooden armor encrusted with jewels wound its way around most of his body, though two massive, somewhat threatening wings poked through it. (Yes, I know horns and wings are often frowned upon as ‘cliché’ and ‘overpowered,’ but it suited the context of my story.) Though I hadn’t made him out to be very tall, he still towered over me. Otherwise, he was exactly as I had pictured. “Y-You can’t be here...” the words spilled out of my mouth rather slurred and barely decipherable. That settled it. I must be dreaming. “Why’s that?” He obviously made out my gibberish, though his brows were still furrowed with confusion and knitted with concern. ‘It’s just your subconcious thoughts, Megan. You’re still asleep. You’re perfectly fine. In fact, this is a really cool opprotunity. You don’t lucid dream very often. Maybe you could get to know him better... write a little one-shot when you wake up-’ “You’re not real,” I wheezed, stumbling back now. I had convinced myself this was a dream by now, but it was more like a nightmare. I had been given no reason to be afraid. In fact, I should have been reassured by his presence. According to my story, he was now a kind but powerful and influential pony that could possibly send me home, and yet... I was terrified of Charcoal, of this place, of my new body, everything. “You shouldn’t exist. I... I made you.” “Huh?” He cocked his head. “What are you-” “You shouldn’t exist!” Every fiber in my body screamed for me to run, but as I said, my body wasn’t exactly cooperating, so I continued slinking backwards at a sluggish pace. I soon tripped and splashed into an especially wet and smelly puddle for a dream, prompting my companion to rush and help. “Here, let me-” “NO! DON’T TOUCH ME!” My legs finally snapped into action. After a great deal of splashing and sputtering, I somehow found myself back on my fe- hooves and sprinting away with unbelievable coordination given the circumstances. “Miss, please wait!” I heard heavy hoofbeats take up pursuit behind me. I ran faster, faster, lungs burning, muscles pleading for mercy, vision hazy and blurred. I heard a couple of loud snaps in the background, and when I dared to steal a glance back, realized my pursuer had unfurled a pair of giant, leathery wings that were rapidly closing the distance. Oh, why did I have to make him a destral? An involuntary whine of panic escaped my throat, and I forced myself to focus my attention on the path ahead. That was an even bigger mistake, for a knee-jerk reaction caused my legs to snap shut, and I half skidded, half somersaulted to a full stop. I hesitantly looked up. There were more of them now, more of these impossible beings, most of which were more of my OC’s. And every single one was staring back at me in bewilderment. One of them had the decency to smile. “Hey, where’s the fire?” he joked. Everything that happened afterward was kind of blurry. I remember I started running again, then Charcoal shouted something, and there was a dull chorus of voices followed by even more hoofsteps. I had a fair lead on them, but most of these ponies had wings and were easily closing the distance. My saving grace was the trees- one absolutely giant mangrove in particular. It had a huge above-ground network of roots like a cave, which I readily ducked into. I wasn’t hiding by any means- my pursuers had all seen me run in, but somehow I just felt safer having something between me and them. None of them even attempted to enter, though, but instead slowed to a halt just outside and caught their breath while they waited for the rest of the party to catch up. I cautiously watched from well within the roots. The two that had come the closest to catching me were both pegasus stallions. The larger of the two was the canon character Pound Cake, fully grown by this point. His companion was an OC for sure. Spectrum, my version of Rainbow Dash and Soarin’s oldest, was marked with his mother’s wild color scheme. Though just a little younger than Pound, he had already earned his cutie mark in athletics. The rest of the group arrived in a bit of a clump. Third on the scene was Shift, though he just beat Charcoal by a hair. He was a very blue crystal destral, fully grown but still a blank flank. A second, taller crystal destral and the only female of the group arrived behind him, and though I wasn’t certain, I thought her to be Smoky Topaz, my reformed version of Queen Chrysalis. A smoky brown and a glorious, sparkling teal mane sounded right, and I could see a bit of Chrysalis in her, but I didn’t recognize this stern, almost motherly look. The last to arrive was Fink, a bright orange thestral with lime green hair almost as fluffy as my own hair used to be. His was cut far shorter, however, and his tail was little more than a tiny green pompom. He was out of breath and, like Topaz, seemed none too pleased with my arrival. “What happened to her?” Charcoal wheezed, leaning on Shift while he caught his breath. “In the roots,” Pound gestured in my direction, still panting himself. Charcoal nodded once, shoved gently off of his friend and plodded a few steps closer to my hiding spot. I shivered in the black and tried to shrink farther away, but the roots were too thick and impeded my progress. He crouched down a bit as he tried to find me, but I’m not sure that he ever did. Still, he called, “It’s alright, Miss. We aren’t going to hurt you, really! Please, just come out and let us help you.” “No!” I called stubbornly back, crossing my hooves in a pout. I imagine the scene would have been quite comical if I wasn’t obscured by the darkness. “Why not?” Spectrum groaned in an extremely exasperated sounding voice. “BECAUSE I JUST WANTED COFFEE!”