> Transitions > by appelpieman > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Ch 1: Interesting Times > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transitions appelpieman Chapter One: Interesting Times Princess Celestia sat hunched over her desk, her eyes focused on the documents lying in-front of her, the area lit by the nearby crackling fire and the numerous candles scattered throughout the luxurious yet business like study. The quill floating in her magic danced across the various documents checking and double checking every point. This continued until a soft knock, followed by the study door opening drew her attention. “You asked to see me sister?” Princess Luna queried, shutting the study door behind her. Sighing Princess Celestia turned to her sister. “Yes. I think it's time we discussed the future of Twilight and Cadance.” A shocked look passed across Luna's face. “So soon? I do not think this wise.” “As you know it has been almost a century since the passing of Shining Armour and the elements of harmony. I say now is a good a time as ever to let them fulfil their true destinies.” “I understand your reason.” Luna replied her surprised look vanishing to be replaced with one of knowing. “I suspect you have a plan and destination in mind?” “Yes.” A knowing smile gracing Celestia's face. “ A world by the name of Earth which is also the source of our little problem.” “That is a rather... Bland name, but is it wise sending them there?” “I have to agree with you that the name is a bit dull, but as to whether it is wise? Well... We can always count on our oldest friend.” --- Have you ever had one of those feelings. The type where you feel that something is about to go terribly, horrendously wrong? No? Well I do and I've been feeling it all morning. Nothing's wrong, I’m on top of my work, I haven't forgotten anything and all is well finances wise. I’m just getting a weird feeling that something is off. But in any case is should get back to doing work. Stuck in a box of a room, using an underpowered computer to try to produce a 3D model for my university course... yay. “Well, it could be worse.” Great. I just doomed my self... Ok. Five minutes of waiting for the apocalypse to occur hasn’t turned up anything, so lucky break. I’m also now hungry so now time to time for lunch and then procrastinate for hours. On way of heading out of my cell come student accommodation I have a weird urge to check the mirror back in my room. Yep. Still the same six foot tall, slightly overweight, brown haired, green eyed student. What else was I going to see? Or not see... The lights suddenly going off followed by my laptop and desk lamp. Fuck my work! Lunging towards my laptop I’m suddenly overcome by dizziness and fall to the floor near to my bed. Lying on the floor, with unconsciousness rising to claim me I can only think of one thing. Why on earth did I have to miss the bed? --- I awake lying on my back and see the sun peaking through a gap in the curtains. This can mean one of two things; I have been asleep at least three or four hours or over a day. Going with reason, I say I've spent a few hours unconscious on the floor. A glance at my desk reveals that the power situation has not resolved itself meaning it's probably a fault the mains. Sighing I mutter. “Fantastic all I need...” I suddenly tail off, noting that my voice sounds... wrong. It’s too high pitch, too soft, too feminine. With this realisation I suddenly become aware of other differences; I have a wider field of view, my back legs bend a different way, my teeth feel different, I can't move my fingers or toes, I have new appendages on my back and I can't feel particular aspects of the male anatomy anymore! At this point I’m almost hyperventilating trying to come up with an explanation for why I'm suddenly a pony. And if you're wondering yes, I am a fan of my little pony if the posters didn't already clue you in. Then bang. The thought hits me! “This is a dream it has to be! It explains everything.” I blurt out in my desperation. “All I need to do is wake up!” I giggle as I lift my right arm in to view. In the dim light I make out a light gray furred arm, or should that be foreleg, connected to a hoof almost entirely hidden by what if I remember correctly as a fetlock. “Who knew? All it would take for me to dream I’m a pony was to fall unconscious?” I state still giggling crazily as I examine my hoof in front of me. “O well. Time to return to consciousness.” I say before smacking myself in the face. --- What I would like to say is that I woke up and it was all a dream, but unfortunately life isn’t always that kind. Instead all I succeeded in was achieving unconsciousness again. After waking up and confirming that not only was I still a pony, I had a killer headache, I decided to see what I actually looked like as a pony. Rolling over onto my front and slowly and unsteadily rising to all fours I come to the realization that the clothes I was previously wearing are now missing and the fact that I now have wings. Closing my eyes I decided to focus on my newly acquired limbs mentally feeling along my spine until I hit an unfamiliar group of muscles. Feeling my wings opening and closing as I work these muscle groups is a sensation I can only describe as weird yet completely familiar, as if I've done the exercise a thousand times before. In this moment of contemplation I realize I need to find out what exactly has happened to me as well as if it has affected anyone else. Please god don't let me be the only one... Upon finally opening my eyes I immediately spot my hair now hanging in-front of half my face. Taking note of the two tone light pink and white I curse. “I just had to have pink in it didn't I..." Taking a second to listen to my own voice I come to the conclusion. "You know, this voice isn't actually too bad. Not to girly, but still feminine.” I note trying to seek any positives from the situation as I awkwardly turn towards the mirror. Looking in I see a light grey pegasus mare standing at around four foot high staring back. A medium length light pink and white mane falls to one side, covering part of one of my still sea green eyes. I look over my shoulder along my back towards my rear I spot that my wings are almost entirely the length of my body almost covering the area a pony would have a cutie-mark. A quick examination reveals that this is something I lack, followed by a weird feeling of sadness. After spending an additional couple of minutes checking myself out, I decided to actually begin trying to find out what's happened to me. “Right.” I say trying to motivate myself. “Time to walk the four foot or so to retrieve your phone and start working out what the hell is going on.” After a few seconds of trial and error as well as delayed fall, I reach my desk which is now just below eye height and retrieve my battered iPhone. After awkwardly positioning the phone in-between my hooves I poke the on button to see... nothing. Nada. Squat. “Dam it. That makes no sense. It was fully charged!” I vex angrily. Kicking the dead phone away. I decide to practice walking around the room in-order to get used to quadrupedal movement, whilst muttering various curses upon various tech companies and the universe in general and trying to come up with a plan. I continue this until I’m interrupted by the one thing I forgot to take into consideration. My flatmates. “Jay? You in there? It's me Rebecca. I need your help with something.” ... Shit. > Ch 2: Collapse > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Two: Collapse “Twilight? Do you have any idea why Celestia and Luna have asked to have a private talk with the two of us?” Cadance questioned as the two princesses walked together through the opulent halls of Canterlot castle towards Celestia's private study. “None at all I’m afraid.” A sigh of annoyance crossing the purple alicorns face. “All I have been able to find out is that it involves the two of us ‘our destiny’ and discord in some form.” “Destiny?” “That's all I’ve managed to get out of Luna and even that took some convincing.” “Discord?” “He just told me that ‘he didn’t want to ruin the surprise’.” “No hint?” “No actually. But this Discord were talking about, if the secret is good enough he won't tell.” “True. Did you go to Celestia?” Twilight snorted. “I’d get even less information than from Luna.” Shaking her head, a faint smile on her lips, she continued. “I guess we just have to see what's been planned.” Approaching the study door the attending door guards bowed and opened the rather plain door into the rather spacious room. Heading in towards the two elder princesses, the guards outside shutting the door, the pair nodded their greetings before settling on the pillows next to the fire place. “You are both probably wondering why I have asked you to meet with me and Luna today.” Celestia addressed the pair, a smile on her lips but sadness in her eyes. “Well, to be blunt, the pair of you are going to have to get used to sharing a kingdom.” “WHAT!” Both Twilight and Cadance echoed each other as they descended into rants and panic on what Celestia could mean. The two main theories centring on how they had failed at their duties and how the elder princesses were abdicating. These theories swapping pony, rapidly changing and becoming more contrived by the second. This continued until the intervention of princess Luna. “Sister this is serious. Tell them what is actually planned.” With her smile disappearing, Celestia continued with a serious demeanour. “As I was saying. We are entrusting both of you to not only the ruling but the creation of a kingdom.” “But there are no uncivilized lands that haven’t been claimed. I should know. I spend enough time dealing with diplomats.” Cadance spoke out, rapidly thinking of what Celestia could mean. Twilight nodding in agreement whilst thinking the same thing. “That is true. That is why it not in this world that you will form your kingdom, but another.” “B-b-b-but... How? And more importantly why?” Twilight spluttered out, clearly shocked. Cadance sat dumbstruck, her jaw open. Luna then took over with only a glance at Celestia. “Ancient magic, so old that even we do not understand it, nor did the pony who taught us it. And as to why?” Another glance between the two elders was exchanged. “To save a people from themselves.” --- How the hell did I forget about my flatmates? I only see them every-day. God I am an idiot. Right think. I have three options, one is to panic, though definitely tempting it’s not really helpful. Option number two is to hide and hope for the best. It may work if I'm really quiet and she goes away. Third option, reveal myself new body, gender and all. Likelihood of that going well? Probably around negative one thousand. “Jay please! I’m desperate!” Rebecca one of my two female flatmates begs while hammering on the door, and I mean hammering. It sounds like she’s swinging a sledgehammer at it halfway up. Wait a second. Halfway up? Is it possible? Is it possible she’s a pony? This make it more difficult to decide. Do I take the risk and check? Or do I hide and not know. Explaining will be awkward to say the least if I open the door. But if she's a pony too, then that makes it easier to explain. Or... I could open it a crack and check. Sighing I come to a conclusion. It's a risk but that could pay off, I might as well take a peek and find out. Slowly moving toward the door I suddenly become aware of several things I probably mentally glossed over earlier due to panic. Number one of this list is the realisation that I am now in the possession of a tail, shortly followed by the sensation or lack of, that I feel between my hind legs. Yep that feeling now rising to the top of the weird list, right up there with knowing I’m currently a mare. That's only the beginning though, as I become increasingly aware of my body I start to notice things I hadn't before. I can feel my ears; not only in a different place, but also moving as I focus on the frantic knocking on my door. Being brought back to focus on the task at hand I feel my wings move nervously as I draw close to the door, now seeming less door-like and more an object of dread. As I reached my destination the knocking slowed and came to a halt only to be replaced with a quiet sobbing. Freezing for a second, I quickly look for a way to open the now awkwardly designed door. After deciding to prop myself up with one hoof on the door-frame and to use the other to manipulate the lock and handle, I ready myself to face my flatmate. I quietly unlock the door and slowly pull the handle down, aiming to open it a crack. This is until the door is forced back, throwing me back on to my hind hooves, causing a shriek to pass my lips and my wing to instinctively flair out in shock. Following this I’m brought down by a figure who must have been leaning against the door only to force it open as I released the latch. My unwitting attacker then falls, managing to pin me to the floor by lying sprawled over my midsection. As we lay there groaning, me on my back wings still splayed, I took the chance to examine my assailant. What I saw confirmed my earlier hopes and fears, across me now lies a pony, head resting on my forearm near my wing. A yellow furred, green haired unicorn to be precise. It seems my guess was correct, chalk one up to me. Jay one, universe probably around a hundred. “Well that hurt.” The unicorn groaned, her voice confirming her identity as my flatmate Rebecca, her eyes still closed. Not wanting to reveal myself just yet I stick to humming my agreement. “What? No panic about a pony attacking you?” She says in a jovial tone, raising her head and opening her eyes to look straight into mine. We both freeze, unsure on what to do, her jaw dropping and me fighting down a panic attack. … … With the tension building the urge to break the silence becomes unbearable. So in desperation I say the first thing that pops into my head. “So... Umm... Hi Becks.” A grin of desperation on my face. “Jay?” My companion replies slowly, not breaking eye contact. “Is that you?” Unsure on what to say I reply true-fully. “Yeh. It sadly is.” Looking away to hide my shame. “The same happened to you?” Still looking away I reply quietly. “Yes.” “If so.” A look of concern making its way onto her face. “Why do you sound like a girl?” With this I feel my tail moving instinctively to hide my shame. This little detail coupled with that question brings all the pain, confusion and panic I had locked away to the front of my mind. So with this I start to softly cry, turning my head away from Rebecca and try to hide. In my state I’m only dimly aware of the wait trapping my body down being removed, allowing me to fold my wings and roll onto my side into a foetal position, as well as a comforting hug and words being given. “Shh. It’ll be alright.” A comforting voice says as I feel myself drift off to sleep seeking to escape the madness that my life is. > Ch 3: Questions > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Three: Questions "To save a people from themselves?" Twilight repeated slowly in a deadpan voice. "To save a people from themselves? But... What?" A look of confusion then attached its self to Twilight's face, similar to the look of disbelief on Cadance's. Princess Celestia then interjected. "What my dearest sisters is trying to say, is that this is no small task. What we are asking of the pair of you is almost impossible." The looks of confusion lessening on the two younger princesses the sun princess continued. "Your task itself is to change the fate of a word and thus a people. This world is cursed with the fate that the very beings that inhabit it will destroy themselves as well as the word. We, out good conscience, cannot allow that to happen. Also the death of so many would destabilise the balance of harmony in Equestria its self." "But how would it effect Equestria?" Cadance voiced. "Badly." Was the response as Luna took over. "The balance of harmony is a delicate thing that must be carefully controlled throughout multiple worlds. One mistake can destroy the entire system. This has happened once before and the repercussions of that event are still around today." "But how do we save a world?" Cadance spoke up again cutting Twilight off. "With this the princesses shared a look. Luna then continued with a sigh. "Ideally you would enter the world assisting in stabilising the situation and then find a permanent solution. However this not the case, the very nature of the inhabitants is a problem added to the fact that the problem lies with a build up of magic. "As you know magic is slowly used up by the inhabitants of Equestria preventing magical build-up and the associated problems such as the creation of monsters and madness. However this world lacks any magic users as well as any magical creatures that could be turned in to monsters." A look of horror passed across the two younger alicorns in the room. Each imagining the result of a world suffering from excess magic induced insanity, a rather unusual and untreatable condition often found in those living in isolated areas, something that often results in an uncertain death (Often considered worse than death as it can result in any number of things, but guarantees death or the loss of the effected ponies identity and mind.). After composing herself Twilight spoke up. "But that doesn't explain how we're supposed to solve the problem." "Well that's where I come in my dear Twilight Sparkle." --- As I regain my senses I find myself, yet again lying on the floor. Remembering the reason for being on the floor again. I decide that I need to accept that, for the meantime, I am stuck as a girl. I may not like it, want it or need it but I am a female. Getting to my feet I sigh before shaking the last remnants of sleep away, I then take notice of the rooms other occupant. Sitting a few meters away, staring intensely at the opposite wall is my flatmate Rebecca. Moving closer I take a closer look at the lemon coloured unicorn compared to myself. Almost instantly I noticed a couple of surprising differences, the first and foremost being a difference in body structure, this consisting of me having a noticeably smaller framed as well as being slightly shorter. I also notice curiously that she actually has a cutie-mark, something I lack. This consists of a set of dark blue scales, which I guess relates to her interest in law. The only other difference I spot is the obvious addition of a horn, which when compared to the show is fairly accurate. Glancing back at my wings I make the connection that compared to pegasi in the show my wings are massive. Blinking away my personal thoughts I try to get Rebecca's attention. "Rebecca? Hello?" This continues for a minute or two, coupled with me waving my arms in-front of her face as well as making silly faces. Then I spy her horn and take inspiration from a certain member of the CMC. With my master plan decided on and a hiding place located, I steel myself and prepare by moving out of her direct line of vision and raising one hoof. "Sorry about this." I say deciding to take preventive action before I give her horn a sharp tap. As I dive out the way a loud shout chases me. "Agh! Christ! What the fuck was that?!?" This is followed by stomping sounds as well as various muttered curse words. After the muttering quietens I look up from my hiding place behind a pile of discarded clothes right in to the face of an incredibly pissed looking unicorn. Looking into her light blue eyes I can only compare to looking in to the face of death itself. With my rising terror I blurt out the first thing I can think off. "Hi Becks! How you doing? GoodIhope! Gottogobuy!" I squeak before making like Rainbow Dash and trying to speed away. This lasted all of one second before I was pulled back. I found myself floating and unable to move in-front of Rebecca again, only this time her horn was actual glowing a light green. A quick glance confirmed that I was also surrounded by the same glow only coupled with a feeling I can only describe as a fuzzy pressure, something akin to being underwater if the water was made of fluff. Unfortunately this isn't very reassuring when the unicorn responsible for said magic is giving you a death glare. "You have ten seconds to explain why you smacked me. Starting now" O god I'm screwed. "Well you kind of zoned out and ummm..." I started still terrified of the psycho unicorn, who in a joyous tone replied."Five. Four..." In pure panic I shout. "You zoned out, I couldn't get a response so I smacked you on the horn! Please don't kill me!" While trying to curl up in to ball but falling due to the full body magical restraint. "What?!? I just wanted to know why you smacked me?" Was the puzzled response my panicked shouts. Suddenly I was on the receiving end of a hug, however I was still trapped in her magic. "You idiot. I wasn't going to actually hurt you." With my panic dissipating I found my voice again. "That may be true. But do you mind letting me go?" "Sure!" Was the rather chipper response. My friend releasing the hug and stepping back. "Umm. I meant the full body restraint. The hug was actually quite nice" "Whut?" Was the rather elegant response. Sighing, I nod to the light green glow holding me an inch or two of the floor as the same glow around her horn. This results in a rather epic durp face as my friend goes cross-eyes in a attempt to look at the new addition to her forehead, her mouth open in confusion. "The hell?" Was the reaction she had upon making the connection, consequently cancelling her magic and dumping me face first on to the floor. --- "Jay?" "Yes?" I stop rubbing my poor face in order to respond. "What on earth was that?" Looking at my friend, who was giving her horn a cross-eyed look of panic and confusion, I decided to put it in the simplest terms possible."Magic." "Magic?" Deadpan response and the return of the death glare. Not good. Right time to save myself. "Well you know I watch a bit of My Little Pony right?" "Yes that's why I came to you..." Still death glare but not as harsh. Better. "Well it seems that we have been turned in to ponies from the show." "And..." "Well in the show there are three different types of ponies. Unicorns such as yourself, who can do magic. Pegasi like me, who can fly and manipulate weather. And finally earth ponies who lack horns or wings and are supposedly stronger and tougher." "How do I control it? How does it work?" "I haven't a clue. Honestly, no idea." I reply. "Great. I have super powers but no idea how to use them or how they work." Rebecca commented with a smile. "Any suggestions?" "All I can say is to focus on the thing you want to move and hope for the best." At this my friend scrunched her eyes closed, pointed her head at a conveniently discarded pair of socks and caused nothing more to happen other that a flickering around her horn. After producing some questionable noises she came to a conclusion on the nature of magic. "This is hard." After I had stopped laughing about this stunning revelation on the nature of magic. I became aware of Rebecca's look of concentration becoming replaced with a look of suspicion. Then a she asked a question I had been fearing. "Did you know this was going to happen?" With a sigh I look away and reply. "No I didn't. And if I did, don't you think I would choose to become a female?" With my uncomfortable statement over I look back to see Becky midway through processing my statement. After a few seconds she replies. "I believe you. I don't think you have, sorry, did have the balls to do something like this." With this I launch in to a series of thank-you's only to finish processing the rest of the sentence. "Oi! Low blow there." Still touchy about my lack of masculinity being brought up. "Sorry about that." Was the apologetic reply. "I have to ask though. Do you have any idea what could of caused this and how to change back?" A look of desperation moving on to Beck's face, obviously desperate for a way to get back to normal. Quickly scanning my brain for anything I may have done or reasons for this to happen, I narrow it down to a rough theory. "I may kind-of have an idea." "Really!" A look of eager hope on my friends face. "It's only a guess but there's a theory that multiple realities exist right? So what I'm thinking is that somehow the reality containing my little pony is leaking in to this reality, that or Discord." I take a second to rub my chin sitting on my back legs, thinking over my theory. "Actually the Discord option seems more likely. Sounds like something he would do." "Discord?" I then focus back on my confused companion and reply. "Super powered 'reformed' bad guy from the show. Can supposedly alter the laws of physics. If crap like this happens in a fan fiction he is usually responsible." "That doesn't really answer how we get back to normal." "Well umm..." I trail off, trying to form a plan. After a few minutes of quiet deliberation, Rebecca states in a serious tone. "Think we need to find if this has effected anyone else first. After that we can work on getting back to normal." "Ok. I agree that we should check. The only problem is how. My phone is dead and with the power out there is no way to get it working, same with my laptop." "We could just always check out of the kitchen window." With this I splutter and try to come up with a valid reason to remain hidden within my room. As I go to form each objection I subsequently dismiss it, for either being irrational or having a valid reason to be ignored. Flatmates? Two are away, the other two are out. Random people seeing in? We live on the second floor, no-one can look in and we face out onto the sports centre. Cameras? None and if there were any the powers off. Other pegasi? Kind of against the point. Spy satellites? If satellites are involved then we're screwed in any case. After my spluttering session I give in and offer my opinion on the matter. "Fine but we have to be quick. I know there is only four of us sharing the flat at the moment but I still don't want to bump in to anyone." --- After a bit of mental preparation and arguing about who was to first, we made the first big step of our half-baked plan. Awkwardly pulling my door open I glance either way down the hall of the student flat. Hearing and seeing nothing I signalled Rebecca to follow me out. We creep the two meters from the doorway in to the kitchen. The kitchen in was illuminated by the late afternoon sun peaking through the windows, light dancing of the various different empty alcohol bottles. This provides an interesting lighting effect for what can be described a typical student kitchen. A mixture of both empty and half drunk bottles of alcohol, the product of the night before, litter a few of the surfaces, a large pile of unwashed dishes sit next to the sink and a number of random posters taped to the walls. This is offset by the relatively clean fridge and freezer off to one side and a table below the window. Trotting over to the table I realised we had a problem. The windows were way to high to look out of, thinking aloud I voice. "How are we suppose to look out?" With a roll of her eyes my companion answered. "Prop ourselves up obviously." "Oh." Feeling stupid I pull myself up on to my back hooves. With this my new centre of balance is complete thrown off, my wings half opening to try and steady me. Looking down I take an clumsy step forward before putting my front hooves on the wall. Feeing my wings close I look back to examine them, only to see Rebecca rather gracelessly slam her hooves in to the wall. Giving her a look I shake my head and say with a hint of nervousness in my voice. "So... You ready to do this?" "Yes let's." Was the determined response. With that we turned, pulled ourselves up and looked out of the window in to evening light and look out on to something completely alien and unexpected. > Ch 4: Meetings > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Four: Meetings "Discord." Was the cold response from Twilight, looking up as the spirit do chaos who was currently treating the ceiling of the room as a floor. This lack of feeling was due to her continued distrust of the spirit of chaos, which was only heightened after the passing of her friends. "I've missed you too Twilight my dear." Discord said from his place on the ceiling, before taking a deep bow and spinning to face Cadence. "And you too love-butt. Always a pleasure." "Princess, can you please explain how discord is supposed to help?" Twilight asked a look of annoyance on her face as discord casually started to have tea above the younger pair of alicorns, completely ignoring the conversation below. "Discord is here as he can both use up the excess magic, as well as adapt the denizens of the other world to allow them to use magic themselves." Celestia answered. "And your job, as was explained earlier is to help lead them in to an age of peace and prosperity." "But auntie. You still haven't explained what we will be dealing with." Cadence then spoke up. This question caused Celestia to pause. After taking a second to consider she spoke up. "That is part of the problem. Luna and I have yet to be able to identify the denizens of earth. We have been able to gather titbits of information and knowledge but no more." Celestia then turned to face Twilight. "However we have been able to find-out that the inhabitants resemble or maybe humans." Silence filled the room. Twilight finally went to speak but was cut off by Luna. "No my friend. It is not the same world you once visited, this we are sure of. That world contains a link to ours and is already capable of using up any magic generated. This world is entirely separated and requires a vast amount of effort to access from ours and will be cutoff again upon completion of the spell." This prompted a moment of quiet before Cadence started to deadpan. "So we're going in with little to no information. The way back will close behind us. Discord is going to do something to allow the natives to do magic and to top it off, we have to take charge!?!" Another longer pause formed. This time broken by a slow clap originating from the ceiling. "Got it in one. Well done." Discord chirped sarcastically. "Quiet." Came the authoritative voice of Celestia, disappointment as well as annoyance just audible in her tone. "We have said enough for today. Everypony, we shall discus this more tomorrow. And to quell your fears Cadence we will not be sending you in unprepared. The next few mounts will consist of a vigorous schedule covering anything you may need to know. Thank-you and good afternoon." --- Peeking out in to the early evening sun. We found the view to be almost familiar, the same buildings, the same British weather (completely random with a chance of rain) and the same grassy space in-between the various blocks of student accommodation. The only difference was the people, or more specifically, their species. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Was the slightly amused question posed to me. "Depends. Are you seeing a mammoth make out session happening between a pony and, if my eyes don't deceive me, a hippogriff?" "Yes. Wait. What?!?" Was the confused response I received. "I was talking about the convention of fantasy creatures occurring outside!" "Sorry but it's a bit distracting." I mutter before continuing look over the courtyard below us. Other than the very active activities of the odd couple off to the back of the area, I could see a large variety of different species and creatures from the show coupled with a few that hadn't been shown. The majority of the collected species below were ponies as well, with the majority being earth ponies followed by unicorns, with a scattering of pegasi. At an estimate I would put ponies consisting of around eighty percent of the population with the next notable being griffons. The other notable races I could see were a few more hipogriffs as well as a slightly disturbed looking minotaur, observing the couples activities. The collection of around a hundred people seemed to be milling around talking and looking for friends or course mates. Turning away from the window to face Rebecca I came to a conclusion. "Well. At least we're not alone." For my brilliant ability at summing up the situation at hand I got to see a genuine face-hoof. Followed by a shout and an upside down unicorn. --- Upon Rebecca righting herself and swearing violently about my idiocy causing her pain, I decided to suppress my snickering and speak up. "Do you think we should look for the others?" Referring to our absent flat mates. "I don't see anything wrong with doing so." "Excellent. Operation hide and sneak is ago!" I utter in a stern tone before pulling a white officers cap from under my wing. Upon adjusting the hat I come to a realisation. Turning to my flabbergasted friend I asked. "Becks?" "Yes?" "Did I just pull a pinky pie?" "I have no idea what that is. But you did just somehow pull a hat from nowhere." "Thanks. I think..." Adjusting my new and sudden hat, I start thinking to myself as we quickly check the rooms of our flatmates hoping for them to have maybe slipped in. Considering that various ponies on the show seem to be able to pull the occasional object out of thin air, what I just did may not be of major concern. But seeing that those ponies mostly consist of pinkie pie, I probably should be a little concerned. But, who knows, maybe I have access to hammer space... Focusing back on the task at hand I notice that the pair of us have arrived at the front door of the flat. Taking a moment to look up at the now imposing red front door I come to the realisation, that I am just about to expose my new female self to the world, also that we would need the key to get back in. With a shaky breath and slowly rising panic and fear, I make to remind my friend of this information. "B-B-Becks?" "Yes?" Was the surprisingly determined response. "You know we ne-ne-need a k-key right?" At this my friends face lit up with a look of understanding and she turned and dived in to her room, only to emerge moments later with her room key tied to a piece of string. This was then promptly dumped around my neck, the loop of string just big enough to fit over my mystery hat. "There! I now christen you commander keys!" My slowly building panic attack postponed by the slightly weird comment. I mutter some form of thank you before awkwardly hoofing the door open. Trotting out in to the stair well balcony, I immediately notice that the main door remains closed whilst the closer fire door has been propped open thought the use of a few bricks. Looking down the short flight of stairs leading to the landing containing the fire door, it occurs to me that the electronic lock on the front door probably has blocked any attempts at opening it. "I guess it's out the back door." I announce, heading to the top of the stairs. Eying them cautiously I proceeded carefully, my wings instinctively half extended for balance. Upon reaching the landing I turn to see a uncertain looking Rebeca, her front legs both firmly planted on the first step down. "Umm... A little help?" --- After about fifteen minutes of trying to get Rebeca and myself after I discovered that I had suddenly forgot on how to go down stairs, we finally managed to not only get on to the first landing, but outside as well. Taking a second to look around I saw that the sun had almost set as well as the number of people around had only increased. "Come on lets go see if we know anyone." Becky chirped before heading off towards the nearest group. Slightly terrified of revealing my new position as one of the fairer sex I just nod and fall in behind Becky. The group we approached seem to mostly consist of ponies but also included two griffons as well as a hippogriff. As we walked closer I managed to start catching the themes of the conversation. "How did this..." "Who..." "What are you..." At this point the pair of us had got into speaking range and Becky started asking questions, mostly relating to if anyone had heard anything or knew what was going to happen. I ended up drifting away from her and joining up with the only other flyers of the group: two griffons, a hippogriff and other pegasus. After a few quick nods of welcoming the group launched back in to conversation, leaving me hiding behind my mess of a mane. "I just don't understand how these things are supposed to allow us to fly. Scientifically they are just to small to allow flight! That, and we clearly lack the muscle mass to power them." The black and grey feathered griffon exclaimed to his female companion. With this the more traditional white feathered female of the species remarked. "That may be true. But they could allow us more... bird-like... umm people?" She offered hopefully as a way to describe herself and her companions. "To guide. As compared to our equine friend here." She sails before turning towards me and my fellow pony. This also brought my attention towards my fellow. What I saw was a light green blank-flank stallion with a short cropped dark brown mane. I have to admit I took a good look at his wings, only for comparison purposes I assure you, just in order to try and process the difference between mine and his. And in comparison, my wings are HUGE! His while bigger than portrayed on the show, a few inches back from the front of his chest and almost touching the site of where the cutie mark would go, mine were only just back from the front of my chest whilst they extended back to cover the site of a potential cutie mark. Again feeling subconscious for stupid reasons I drew my wings in closer and resumed my close examination of the floor behind my hair. "Dam. You've got some big wings on you." A somewhat familiar voice exclaimed. Taking a second to place the strong Welsh accent I come to realise who it is. "Carrie?!?" Is what I say, uttering the name of my notoriously loud mouth course mate, and one of the only two girls on the course. Actually... Should that be now unknown number of girls? But anyway, at this moment I look up into the face of the hippogriff I had noted was in the conversation earlier. Taking an actual look instead of a mere glance I actually managed to see what a hippogriff actually looked like. Quick version. If you took the front half of a griffon and the back half of a pony, and were fucked up enough to glue them together. Then congratulations you sick freak, you have a hippogriff. But in reality it was that her front half consisted of something resembling your average griffon but with a light brown primary and pink secondary colour scheme. This was followed by a pony’s rear end in the colour pink and a tail similar to that of a lions done up in pink. Observing this caused me to burst in to tears laughing as Carrie is also a solid tomboy and has made it no secret about her hatred of the colour pink. I know this even only as a course mate and the occasional random meet up during nights on the town, and due to a half hour rant over having to use pink card in a project. This alone would not cause my reaction but after the stress of everything I just couldn't control myself. My continued laughter seemed to be lost to the crowd but still managed to suppress anything she was trying to say, this continued for a minute or two until the cause of my hysterics pinned me to the ground. "What are you laughing at and how do you know my name?" Was the hissed question posed to me. In-between laughter induced hiccups I managed to answer. "Because." HIC! "You." HIC! "Hate pink! And I'm." HIC! "On your course!" HIC! After a pause Carrie takes a deep breath, releases me and starts speaking in a confused tone. "Paula? Is that really you? Because you sound different." "Umm... I'm not Paula." I say in a quiet voice from behind my mane. "What... Then who are you?" Answering the confused hippogriff I whisper. "Jay." "What was that?" "Jay." "Say again." "Jay." "Wha? Did you just said Jay?" Was the confused response I received now that my voice was now at audible levels. Going to confirm my answer I found that I had lost my ability to speak beyond a squeak. So resorting to body language I just sadly nodded. "But..." Was the breathless response. "You’re a girl..." And yet again I sadly nodded.