Curiosity once again gets the better of Spirit and he now finds himself in a foreign land. How will they react to a mustang amongst the populace? Will he ever find his way back home?
Spirit, after having migrated his herd further away from the approaching plague that is the society of the two-legged creatures, found his curiosity once again getting the better of him. This time with greater consequence.
Why are all these fillies and colts speaking the two-legged language and not his own? And they are so vastly different to his own kind, too! Horns? Wings? Some with both!? If Spirit thought two-leggeds were strange creatures, his own kin (sort of) is about to show them up!
Much time passed since the days of my youth and the adventures I had with the two-leggeds. We avoided their slow progression across this ageless land yet their presence has been forcing horse, buffalo, deer, and many woodland creatures deeper in opposite directions hoping to find refuge.
Mother had weakened over the years but she always tried to hide it. I knew. I always knew she was growing older and her time would come to join the great herd in the sky and provide desperate company for Rain. But not yet.
Rain. Oh, how I missed her. A cougar had snuck up on her while she slept and though she fended it off, the injuries sustained in the end were simply too much. I wanted to run. Run and find Littlecreek. He would know how to save Rain. He did so before, but her wounds were simply too great and I dared not leave her side.
We spoke softly to one another in her final moments. Reminiscing our younger days when that boy gave me both my freedom and the love of my life. In the end, I accepted her final farewell and I gave her a promise of seeing her again someday. But she would have to wait.
She passed not long after our goodbyes. Rain gave me the best years of my life not to mention three sons and a daughter. Colts who grew into impressive stallions of their own and have since left to wander the vast wilderness and start their own herds. Our daughter, while just as hardheaded as I ever was and am, continues to linger with the herd to tend to Mother when the need arose. She was a wonderful filly. Lead mare material that one. Rain would have been proud.
But I, no, we had to press on. My responsibility demanded it of me and so we headed in the opposing direction of the two-leggeds, leaving the land of my birth for a new adventure. Not just for myself but for the entire herd. It was, believe it or not, kind of exciting! But also extremely dangerous so we took our time and weathered the seasons together.
It was not until the warmth of the following summer did we find what we believed to be our new home. Rolling hills as far as the eye could see in one direction. Plains and a river not too far off that followed the border of a rather large forest on the other side in the other. Home. This is where we would build the new generation of mustang.
***
A year had since gone by since we settled. I sired another colt and filly. The start of our new generation where big hopes and dreams had been placed upon them. I could not wait to see what their future held. Would my own son be the one to run me out of the herd? I smiled at the thought. Let him try. But who knew? Perhaps my time as the leader of the Cimarron was soon to expire?
As my daughter guided the herd to new grazing grounds, I veered off to go for a run as I always did. I yelled across the plains to alert them of my temporary departure. Only after they responded in unison did I take off at a sprint.
There was simply nothing like it. The feel of the earth beneath my hooves as it shifted from my thundering gait and the wind brushing through my mane. Nothing but a wonderful embrace from the mare I loved could ever hope to come close to such a euphoric sensation.
I kept at it. Aimed for the river and just let myself fly across the land as I raced the very wind itself. I came to a sliding stop all but a few paces from the river’s edge. I was exhausted. My breaths came in heavy heaves and my muscles began their inevitable protest but it felt wonderful. I felt as free and alive here as our old homelands.
I drank as if the water was air itself, quenching my thirst rapidly. It helped cool me down but I knew what would quicken that. The current of the river seemed calm enough this day and I jumped in. My head quickly slipped beneath the river but I didn’t care. I welcomed it. I surfaced seconds later with a sharp gasp as I sucked in needed air before I simply paddled in circles. I never said I was a creative swimmer and this did the job cooling me off.
A wiser horse would have reached the shore, shook his coat free of water, and returned to the herd. I never claimed to be a wise horse nor one to learn from past mistakes. I spotted a pulsing glow within the darkness of the forest. It was faint and never seemingly consistent with its flash of light. Slowly, I began to swim to the opposite shoreline and simply stared. It did not have the same glow as a two-legged’s campfire so what could it be? Drying what I could of myself with a firm shake of my body, I ventured beyond the threshold of the forest knowing well my curiosity has gotten me into trouble too many times to count. And here I was falling prey to it once more.
I eventually came upon a sizable pond. We rarely crossed the river, it was unwise to due to the presence of predators and their knack for hiding in the brush, so I was surprised by yet another body of water. However, that sensation quickly evaporated in a heartbeat as my eyes fell upon a glowing cloud a few paces into the pond itself, simply hovering there unmoving. I don’t know how better to describe it. It was such a strange thing to behold and I could not help but be drawn to it. I felt it calling me. I could feel a foreign air push against my approach and yet there was not a single ripple to be had upon the water’s surface to indicate such a breeze.
My ears had pressed forward intently when I began to hear voices. They were muffled but there was definitely more than one distinct individual. I wondered if it was coming from the cloud. Hooves beckoned me to continue my approach and I did so without further hesitation. I felt them become submerged in water as I took step after careful, cautious step toward the glowing cloud. I stopped when I was face to face with it. Looked it from top to bottom and side to side. There was a soft, audible hum coming from it now that I was closer and the voices were becoming more clear.
I don’t know what really happened to anger the cloud and I did not think the touch of my nose to inspect it would have done so. But upon touching the cloud, the glow instantly grew to such intensity that I had to close my eyes. It was but a moment later that a heard a voice. A single voice with such clarity I could make out the gender. Female. The next thing I knew I heard the voice shout in warning.
“Girls! Get back! Now!”
The feel of weightlessness grasped me suddenly and I felt myself being hurled into the great unknown. As the light began to shift rapidly behind the lids of my eyes, I dared to open them for all but an instant. Stars. So many stars were moving past me at an unbelievable rate. I had no idea what was going on. Was I dreaming? I had to be. I noticed there was a particular star growing ever closer ahead of me. Growing larger. I realized then I was heading straight toward it without a way to stop myself. Panicking, I tried to run in a different direction but to no avail. There was no traction for my hooves which were now flailing in all directions as adrenaline told my body to flee.
And I couldn’t. I simply could not flee.
As the star rapidly came closer, I yelled out. I don’t take pleasure in admitting it but I may have sounded like a mare at the time but thankfully it was only my ears that heard it. Upon breaching the light of the star I clenched my eyes closed as I awaited oblivion. It came but it was far from what I was expecting.
Instead of the release of death, I felt myself impact an earthly floor. It was as if I had simply tripped and fallen to which you will never hear me admit to. And yet there I was, limbs tangled with one another as I laid there on my side feeling as if I had just been bucked in the stomach. Only then did I hear something. It sounded like a forest. The soft rustle of the canopy of leaves as the wind swept through, the groan of trees as they swayed, and a multitude of birds singing their songs. There was also a new sound. I heard a collective set of gasps come from all around me.
“Whoa nelly!”
“Oh my! Twilight, why did a stallion suddenly appear? Whatever was that!?”
“I don’t know! It appeared to be a spatial disturbance." The voice paused for a moment before resuming. "A portal of some kind and obviously very unstable seeing that it has now collapsed so soon after forming.”
“What the! He’s big! Look at him!”
“Um, girls? ...Shouldn’t we make sure he is okay? He fell pretty hard.”
There were five distinct voices, all of which were unique in their own ways. With my stomach settling and my breathing slowed, I finally opened my eyes and what did I find? Five fillies and not a single adult or so I thought at the time. They kept up a conversation amongst themselves where I took the opportunity to take a good look at them only to find myself questioning whether I had hit my head in my descent.
They were nothing like fillies where I come from. Large eyes, thicker legs, some with horns upon their brow, others with wings. One even had a hat like the two-leggers would wear. I did a double take at the ones with wings. Wings! I stared questioningly at them enviously. One of the fillies had a cyan colored coat with both a rainbow-colored mane and tail. Another was yellow in coloration with a pink mane and tail. The purple colored one, who was taller than the rest, had both a horn and wings. Needless to say, my jaw dropped. Who were these horses?
“Uhm. H-Hello, Sir. Are...are you okay?”
The yellow one approached me with concern while my mind was still fuzzy but I quickly recovered and brought my attention upon the winged filly. To my surprise I was unable to properly comprehend her speech though I could tell by her voice she was concerned for my well-being. To answer her I untangled my legs and began to rise. Another set of gasps were exhaled by the group as I rose to my full height, muscles rippling underneath my coat as I did so. They ached but I otherwise felt whole. I noticed the fillies were staring at me, their own jaws having dropped in their own moment of disbelief. I could not tell what got them so flabbergasted but the slight pink to their cheeks was clue enough. Had they never seen a horse such as myself before? I was hardly an impressive specimen though that might just be me being modest.
My head turned as I looked down looked down to the yellow one who had taken refuge behind her mane. I lowered my head and I gave her a curious stare before I offered her a smile and answered. I had no reason to truly believe she could not understand me. “I am fine, young one. Sore but nothing I cannot handle. Who are you? Where am I?”
Solidifying what I had begun to dread I received no reply only a questioning glance by the yellow filly whom eventually looked toward the others. For aid no doubt. The others gave me similarly confused glances and toward one another before the cyan filly spoke up for the group. Not that I understood save for the surprise in her tone.
I knew firsthoof how important language was if I took into account my experiences with the two-legs. One group spoke a specific tongue. The other equally as different. Us equines? Just as foreign as theirs yet over time I was able to associate their words with objects I had no knowledge of, but only just. Everything about them was new to me and despite my servitude, I was fascinated. I cannot say I was impressed by fences though. They limited me.
And here I was hearing a new tongue once more and this from another horse's mouth. Or rather, multiple little horses' mouths.
My ears had shot up immediately as they spoke. I was utterly baffled by the concept that I was unable to communicate with my fellow equine. Small they may be. Foals they may be. They were still every bit equine as I, perhaps a lot more colorful in the whole scheme of things, but equine nonetheless and not being able to understand them was frustrating. And those wings? I may not have shown it at the time but I was jealous. Did I also mention my mind tends to wander?
Wings!
Two of them had something protruding from their heads as well which I later found out to be a horn. At the time, it seemed like rather unfortunate growth that would just get in the way. I can't even imagine if it got caught in a branch or accidentally hitting it against something hard. I couldn't help but stare at the extra appendages on each foal. That is, save one, who was every bit a horse as I without such decorations. Height differences excluded.
I tried to understand them but my attempts fell utterly flat as they babbled amongst one another. Their attention was definitely on me at the time if the five pair of eyes stealing glances my way in their semi-circle grouping was any indicator which amused me. Patient as I was, I simply watched the gathering with interest as they no doubt tried to decide what to do with me. It was obvious I was out of my realm.
Come to think back on it, I should have been more frightened of the situation but you know me.
Interesting fact, however, is these little horses were quite expressive. Almost as much as the two-legs. No, more so than the two-legs if I compared to the two appropriately. That was an eye-opener for sure.
I watched the rainbow-maned flying foal finally land herself next to the white horned one and whispered something into her ear. The white one's ears perked before her gaze slowly wandered over to me while seemingly avoiding my own gaze. They kept roaming until she tore her eyes away suddenly with a barely audible gasp. She nudged the rainbow-maned mare firmly while her face lit up.
I never did find out what was said.
**** 3rd Person POV ****
"Rainbow Dash!" came the declaration from Rarity, her face having heated up immensely while the others paused their conversing to stare at the two. "How dare you force a Lady look where she shouldn't!"
"Whaaaat? I didn't force you!" Rainbow dashed protested, smirk ever permanently splayed across her lips, "You knew what I was talking about without me having to spell it out for ya. Not my fault YOU were also thinking the same thing."
Rarity scoffed, cheeks still flaming, "I certainly was not!"
A typical eye-roll crossed Rainbow's expression as she snickered, "Whatever you say Rares."
"While I'll admit he's a most excellent specimen of," Rarity began, pausing suddenly as her gaze roamed to the large stallion in front of them then quickly averted back to her friends while her hindlegs shifted uncertainly, "stallion masculinity and quite handsome, if I might add, I would not have made a comparison between Big Mac's and this tall gentlepony's..." Daintily, she suddenly coughed into her hoof.
"What was that, Rarity?" Applejack's southern drawl was soon uttered, brow raised ten-fold at the mentioning of her brother.
The sound of a facehoof followed as Rainbow went through the motions, an exasperated groan followed. Rarity just had to open her big mouth.
**** Spirit's POV ****
Whatever transpired, the foals resumed their babbling, I may even daresay bickering, and I couldn't help but smile. No matter where I was, seeing young ones such as these converse and enjoy one another's company was heartwarming even this new land I found myself in. They simply were not foals I was used to seeing.
Eventually, the yellow one came forward and began to speak. Again, I couldn't understand a single utterance that which she spoke and yet there was something about her that was different from the rest. The more she spoke the more I...understood. At least I would like to say I understood. It was like a comforting warmth flowed around me. In me. I realized she was trying to comfort me, to keep me calm. Not that I needed to be treated as a foal but I had no inclination to tell her otherwise. I had no means to do so.
I noticed the group began to move in the same generation direction while the yellow one began to fly, hovering in front of me before she beckoned me to follow. It was not difficult to decipher what she wanted and I obliged with an understanding bob of my head. She smiled and I returned the gesture though my eyes, once again, was drawn to the bird-like appendages she flapped at her sides.
So very jealous.
**** 3rd POV ****
The group of six moved through the Everfree Forest back the way the five came. It was the safer path, thankfully, but the trek was still tense nonetheless. Their new friend seemed rather relaxed despite the potential for anything to go wrong though they could all see the curiosity being conveyed by the stallion's gaze.
"That's it!"
Many ears flatted at the sudden outburst from Twilight with Rainbow asking the obvious, "What's 'it', Twilight?"
"I know what he is! Well, I mean, we know what he is but obviously not from where. He's a horse!" While Twilight often states the obvious on most occasions, this was no different and many mouths opened to state this very fact before the purple alicorn continued after taking a breath, "Not like a Saddle Arabian horse. Applejack, you own one of these."
A collective "Huh?" echoed amongst the mares especially Applejack as she scrunched up her muzzle in confusion.
"Sorry. I meant the Applejack from the mirror world. The YOU over there showed me a few pictures of your farm and a similar looking creature such as he was one of those," Twilight clarified with a motioning toward the following stallion whom Fluttershy seemed to be keeping an eye on.
"So you think he might have come from that world?" Rarity inquired curiously.
"Maybe. There are certainly a few differences so I will take a quick trip through the mirror and ask the girls there. If he is from there, getting him back shouldn't be too big of a problem but a stallion showing up right outside the school might draw attention. That's assuming he stays a horse on the other side! Still, I should let Princess Celestia know what, or rather, who we found once we get back to Ponyville. As much as I want to run some tests right now," Twilight paused, taking in her surroundings, "I don't think the Everfree Forest is the safest place."
Again, the obvious was stated and a collective sigh of relief echoed.
**** Spirit's POV ****
We walked for a time though I found my gait having slowed by comparison to the foals all things considered. The forest, at least the portion we were moving thru, was quite gloomy. To my surprise, however, there did not seem to be any danger. I like to pride myself on sensing such things given my experiences over the years and the foals seemed otherwise relaxed. The white one, I could tell, was a bit more cautious where her hooves were falling.
The brush began to slowly clear as we came upon the edge of the forest and I found myself at a sudden stop.
Houses.
They were still distant I admitted by they looked similar to the buildings the two-legs were capable of making. Granted, I saw very few of them though I would have still been just a wary were there... What did he call them again? Teepees?
The foals noticed my abrupt stop and turned to study my reasoning. Of course, I couldn't tell them or warn them. They were about to walk into a town full of two-legs! I stomped adamantly in defiance, an act that would oft warn my herd of impending danger but alas, these foals only looked on confused. I snorted. Whinnied. Brayed. Neighed. I know some of those are the same thing but I had to do everything in my power to get them to understand!
Startled but seemingly unafraid, the yellow foal once again began to fly in front of me with her calming tone reaching out to me. Hooves pawed at the side of my muzzle reassuringly and I found myself enveloped yet again in vague understanding. At least I hoped so. She made a gesture toward this town and I peered intently at the structures.
My eyes narrowed as I scrutinized every aspect only to find myself surprised by the lack of the two-legged beings. While such beings lacking is certainly a good thing, the fact that the town was filled by what appeared to be more foals only added to my confusion. What in the world was going on?
I was beckoned to follow despite my hesitation and they all appeared understanding save for the rainbow-maned whom, by her demeanor, was quite the impatient foal but she hid it well enough. I've been a father more than twice, I've seen that look before.
With a heavy exhale, I took a step toward horse civilization.
While the foals did indeed lead me to the edge of the forest and on the cusp of this supposed pony village, I hate to admit that I was apprehensive. The forest behind me was familiar. The air, clean. Everything felt like home. Sticking my nose into the air just outside the protective canopy brought with it a most alien sensation. The air itself felt heavy and the fur along my frame bristled in uncertainty.
Magic, as I would come to learn, encompassed everything in this world except for specific locations such as the forest behind me. It was every bit like home; unpredictable. Here, stepping outside into the clearing, magic fell upon me like a cougar. I instinctively reared up at the unknown! Snorted. Grunted. Lashed my tail. All manner of embarrassing motions and sounds I would happily take back were I able.
My charges, while surprised, showed mirth once I calmed myself. Only the purple, winged foal seemed to keep cool and seemed to be empathetic to my plight. She spoke to the yellow one and she, in turn, flew up to offer reassurance by way of a few pats to my withers. If I was ever one to blush from embarrassment, now would be it. Knowing now that she had some way of sending calming vibes my way, she quickly put me at east despite not able to understand a word.
Save one. "Home," said the yellow foal as she pointed with a hoof toward a lone home just outside the town, a word I understood. I never once thought to attempt at learning that barbaric language but I was having second thoughts now that these fellow equines spoke it and for a moment I felt sorry for them.
They coaxed me out of my refuge at the edge of the forest and again, that alien sensation washed over me instantly but I was ready for it this time and soldiered on like a proper stallion. Head held high in defiance of this...magic. I definitely wasn't frightened! Maybe a little scared? Not that I'd ever admitted it!
In the corner of my vision, I noticed the orange foal slipping rope behind her where it conveniently disappeared. My eyes narrowed. The disappearing of rope wasn't my concerned, it was that she potentially thought to lasso me and forcing me out was a course of action she deemed potentially necessary? As if she would be able to! A foal couldn't contain all of this. All of me!
Upon reaching the yellow foal's humble abode, I was surprised by the number of other animals residing outside it. Birds. Rabbits. Deer. Some long-necked animal I've never seen before. A bear!? While they are not a challenge to keep at bay I snorted, stomping my right forehoof in challenge to protect these foals but was quickly reprimanded with a bump of the yellow one's hoof to my nose. I later learned this was a 'boop' and wasn't unpleasant. My eyes followed her as she moved over to the bear and surprised me when she gave the larger creature a hug.
My challenge went unheeded as the yellow foal spoke something to the bear whom in turned nodded in understanding. The bear then turned and wandered off into the forest. Did she send him off to calm my nerves? I wish I could have asked her at that moment but she only gave me a smile. It was then did the group of foals gather around one another, no doubt to speak on what to do with me.
*****3rd POV*****
Applejack was the first to speak up about their tall friend, "So? What should we do with 'im?"
Twilight pondered her friend's inquiry thoughtfully as she is apt to do, a hoof touching her chin. She glanced toward the horse, "Well, I still need to get back to the castle so I can have Sunset deliver a message." She paused, gaze sweeping back toward the Everfree, "Fluttershy? Do you think you could watch over him here? I think it's a bit too early to introduce him to Ponyville. No doubt Pinkie's Pinkie's Sense is tingling at the rock farm." Twilight rolled her eyes back toward the group with a smile. Indeed, they expect the pink mare to be on the next train back to Ponyville if not arrive earlier, somehow.
Fluttershy nodded her head in agreement, "Of course Twilight."
Rarity had already absolved herself from the conversation, eyes intent upon the form of the large, muscular stallion. 'Now, what colors would go well with his coat? Mmm, oh and the amount of fabric I'll need to fetch!' Yes, she was quite ahead of herself considering the poor stallion has never donned a piece of clothing in his whole life but he was quite aware of what clothing is. The two-legs were never seen without. Well, almost.
Rainbow Dash could honestly care less. About all of it. She did, however, eye up said musculature of the stallion, even poked fun at his skinny legs in comparison. Too much like a Saddle Arabian. She bet she could win in a ground race with him AND AJ at the same time. A fair race, of course.
The group parted save for Fluttershy who saw her friends off before tending to the stallion in her care who had already taken it upon himself to nibble on some flowers she had planted to spruce up the outside of her cottage. A sigh escaped her lips, smiled, and shook her head. It's going to be a long day.
**********
Celestia, Matron of the Sun, the epitome of perfection, sat upon her throne during a riveting speech from a noble insisting she be allowed to purchase the property the Canterlot Sunny Orphanage resides on and that adjacent to it. The mare wanted to expand upon her mansion with another wing as well as the backyard which included a new pool.
Granted, there are fewer orphans these days and the need for an orphanage has dwindled over the decades but this was not something Celestia would debate over. No, Equestria needed to be there for its foals and not be a mere reactionary service.
"I will take your request under advisement, Silk Stocking," Princess Celestia offered calmly. The named mare bowed her head and saw herself out, "Thank you, Your Majesty." As she was the last for Day Court, Celestia let loose a withering sigh. The nerve of some ponies still astounds her even to this day. She knows she swore not to interfere with the nobility but in the past, they were so much more respectful to both the royalty, peers, and even to the common folk. Now, with Equestria prospering as much as it is, the nobility's focus has since turned inward.
Celestia's thoughts were interrupted by a poof of green magic as a scroll materialized before her. Catching it in her magic and out of habit, immediately began reading Twilight's missive.
Everfree? New creature? Horse? Saddle Arabia has those, of course, though Twilight speaks of this one being naturally taller? Potentially have been brought from the Mirror universe? That certainly doesn't bode well.
"Raven?" asked the Princess.
"Yes, Princess?" asked her loyal aide.
"How is my schedule for the rest of the evening?"
Raven studied her clipboard for a few seconds, "There are no immediate concerns that require your attention and no visiting diplomats to entertain," mused the mare, "Looks like you're free for the rest of your day."
"Excellent! You may head home early if you would like, Raven," Princess Celestia offered with a motherly smile. Raven Inkwell, she's been in Celestia's aid for years now and she honestly doesn't know where she'd be without the smaller mare keeping her on track most days. Especially when it concerned the nobility. Of course, in public, she is known as Ms. Inkwell. Wouldn't want the nobles to think she was on a first name basis with anypony. A notion the princess inwardly eye rolled at.
With her head held high, Raven Inkwell nodded her satisfaction with a touch of a smile at the edge of her petite muzzle, "Thank you, Celestia. That ought to allow me plenty of time to get ready." Just as she began to descend the throne stairs, a clearing of one's throat could be heard behind her.
"I am sorry. Ready for what?" asked Celestia, ears pressed forward atop her head ever so curiously. She knew the mare was hiding something all day for it was not like Raven to shift her weight from hoof to hoof but today was different.
"Oh! Uh, you know. Just going out. To dinner..."
"By yourself?"
"...no," Raven demurred as she answered.
"Family?"
"...no."
"Friends?"
"...no."
Leaning in close, Celestia teased the mare with a whisper, "A date then?" Getting no response beyond the coloration of the smaller mare's cheek, she added, "Who's the lucky pony?"
Almost dropping her clipboard, Raven squeaked, "Nopony you know."
Celestia smiled knowingly, "So it isn't the dark-colored pegasus guard I see reading in the library while off duty every so often?"
"How did-!"
Celestia shushed her with a hoof and winked, "Go. Have a good time. I'll want a report during breakfast on how it went."
Raven bobbed her head perhaps one too many times in embarrassment as she made for the exit. Celestia followed suit but at her own pace. She gave the two guards at attention an acknowledging nod, "Sirs." She paused, backstepped, and leaned down toward one of them. "Take good care of her." It wasn't exactly a warning but considering who the words were coming from, the poor white pegasus guard shrank. Glamour spell or not, he paled at the mere implication that she KNEW.
**********
Golden clad hoof tapped on her sister's door. "Luna? Are you awake?" One of Celestia's ears focused itself forward, listening. A mumbled response came. How she lived a thousand years without her sister was beyond even herself and it was because of that she had become more personal with family and friends. Especially family. Before venturing inside on her own accord, she warned the nearby guards, "If you hear yelling, do not be alarmed." With that, the pristine mare opened the door and walk into her sister's cavernous room.
A cave was a perfect comparison to describe her sister's room for the windows, as large and expansive as they may be, house blackout shades that blocked out even her own wondrous sunlight. The nerve! "Luna?" came another inquiry from Celestia, almost like a game of Marco Polo. Another mumbled response, barely audible. Not needing to follow the sound, Celestia made her way over to the lavish bed her sister slumbered upon. The soft tinkling sound of Celestia's magic could be heard as she had begun to take hold of every shade in her room and sent them skyward allowing her sun's light to pierce the poor sleeping mare's eyelids. An audible hiss escaped the darker mare's lips, squinting heavily to block out the light.
What Luna wasn't excepting, however, was the larger frame of her sister pouncing the empty spot beside her which launched the poor mare off the side of her own bed with a squawk! There was some skillful flailing of hooves midair that impressed Celestia before even she winced as Luna landed with a heavy thud. Two hooves ventured over the edge of the bed, lifting herself up to stare many daggers at her older, bigger sister.
"I will end you!" she seethed.
"Come now Lulu, it was time to get up," Celestia defended. Though she does admit Luna didn't need to be up THIS instant, maybe not for another hour or two. "I come bearing the most gracious of news! A new creature has been found in the Everfree of equine similarity and seems docile. I thought you might be up to seeing for yourself when I head there in a few moments.
Despite the utter loathing Luna had toward her sister's antics at present, it was still very welcome. It had been ages since they could be simply that. Sisters. Even with their schedules opposing one another they still found time in the evening to simply...be. Picking herself off the floor, Luna brushed her coat off before pondering her sister's words. She huffed, jabbing a hoof at her sister's direction, "Do not think I will not pay you back for this inconvenience, sister." A pause. "Let me get cleaned up and I will join you. Chariot or teleport?"
Celestia considered the choices, shaking her head as an answer came to her, "We'll fly. It should be a quick visit, no need to bring the guards into this as much as they would protest," she mused, "Do you need help bathing?"
"I am not a little foal, Celestia!" Luna barked, disappearing into the royal bathroom. Poking her head back out a few seconds later she asked, "Could you grab me a bottle of conditioner?"
**********
It was just over two hours before the alicorn sisters touched down in Ponyville, specifically the home of the Element of Kindness.
"So Twilight said this creature is at Fluttershy's?" Luna asked of her sister.
"Yes. It would seem Fluttershy, while not fully able to communicate like she does with other animals, is empathetic enough to keep him calm. Or so Twilight wrote."
"Oh! Princess Celestia! Princess Luna? I wasn't expecting you two so soon. I would have had tea ready," came a timid voice of the mare in question.
"Good evening! Not to worry Ms. Fluttershy. I was curious and Day Court had adjourned for the day a little early. Luna was also intrigued..."
Princess Luna's glare could freeze the sun, if only for a second, "Only after you forcefully woke me up."
"You woke your sister for this?"
"I may have had a hoof in aiding my sister to waking. She sleeps too much as it is," answered Celestia with a playful sniff, "Regardless, we are here to see this new creature you found in the Everfree. Where might he be?"
"Oh. I'm not too sure he's new. I mean, he looks like us but a lot bigger. Actually, I'd compare him to you as far as how tall he is. He IS different though and speaks a language I've never heard of-- although I admit some sounds he makes are familiar. I'm not sure why..." Fluttershy explained, trailing off in thought.
Before either alicorn could question the mare further, both pairs of ears atop their heads sat suddenly erect. There was a rumble in the distance that grew louder. Whatever it was, it was heading in their direction. Too, they could feel the very earth quake beneath them. It was certainly subtle in the larger scheme of things but it was felt.
"What is...?"
The answer to that question came as Spirit sped through their periphery, catching the two alicorn's attention allowing their gaze to fall upon the large stallion running. Running?
"He was getting anxious, I think. It's hard telling with him. So I got him to run." Fluttershy began, frowning slightly as she added, "He's been at it for an hour now."
And run he did! Spirit, after a bit of coaxing, ran along the edge of the forest and back toward the yellow foal's house. He wasn't sure how she knew but this absolutely felt wonderful. It always does. He was made for this! Spirit wasn't sure exactly how much time he had spent back and forth. Hours was an alien notation of time to him but it was long.
As he flew by the trio, the two sister's noted the long, strong legs. The rippling musculature underneath that sheen of perspiration along his coat. He was lathered, as the kids say these days. They said that a millennia ago, Celestia thought to herself, stunned by the presentation before her.
"Princess?"
Fluttershy's attempt at garnering their attention went unheard for the sibling pair answered with the only thing they could; a silent exhalation of their lungs as something stirred in the both of them. Rarely did Princess Celestia allow herself to indulge in the physical prowess of the opposite sex. She was surrounded by stallions on a daily basis as it were. Just this once, however, she allowed herself to slip. Luna, on the otherhoof, was a bit more promiscuous than her older sister but even she was not without her standards. Both of them allowed their thoughts to wander. Both thought-
Spirit was not sure how he understood but that yellow foal managed to get through to him to go. To run. Just not too far. So he did! The new sights, smells, sounds, the everything was absolutely wonderful to take in. It drove him. Pushed him. The newfound pressure in the air seemed to give him a little more pep in his prance. He wasn't sure how or why but he felt younger again.
By no means was he an aging mustang, far from it, but years had in fact gotten away from him. Yet here he was, kicking up grass and dirt like it was nobody's business. From that small cottage the group of foals departed from to a vast, sprawling apple orchard. This gave him pause just long enough to rear up and snatch himself a snack. A brief memory came to him, one that brought a knowing smile to his features. The memory of a mare he desperately tried to impress.
He took this moment to further observe the orchard and the sights beyond. Truly, he was no longer in the same lands he had called home for so long. A glance behind him toward the forest he had emerged from not so long ago, he began to wonder. Would he be able to return? Will he be able to even understand his fellow equestrians despite their tongue being eerily similar to that of the two-legs?
Shaking these thoughts from his mind, the stallion turned and took to a sprint. Eager to rid these worries from his mind to simply run free. His direction eased back toward the humble, supposed home of the timid foal whose parents he hoped have since returned. As he crested a small hill he noted the addition of two larger figures in the distance. Dark and Light. Unable to make out the figures in full detail, Spirit advanced all that more urgently.
**********
The Royal Sisters observed ever so curiously their new arrival. While one ear of each listened to Fluttershy as she spoke of the storm in the Everfree, the explosive portal that vanished as quickly as the storm. Fascinating as it was to them, their other ear and too, their attention, was solely upon the stallion in the distance. It has been a long time since either has been this fixated on an individual let alone the same one at the same time.
As Fluttershy finished her trek into the Everfree, Celestia finally spoke.
"Thank you, Fluttershy. I am hoping we will be able to send our distant traveler back home, but first, we should find some way to communicate. You said you could not understand him yet there was a familiarity to the language he spoke?"
"Oh! Yes. It's honestly very strange to me. While he doesn't portray the feelings I am able to read from my animal friends, there's just something I can't seem to put my hoof on," Fluttershy responded in kind.
Another nod of a regal head, Celestia focused then on her sister with a knowing smirk. It had been ages since either ogled a stallion of similar stature as them. More so Celestia than her smaller, younger sister. Still, she felt bothered by the notion of letting such an ancient attraction play with her instincts. It was by no means unwanted, but it was the first time in so many years that she has felt...conflicted. That was not to say stallions of this day were any less attractive and there may or may not have been a time where she indulged over the millenia.
"What do you think Luna?" Celestia queried.
"Mmm? What was that sister?" came the reply.
"Our visitor. What do you think of him?" Celestia pressed. Was that the formation of drool at the corner of Luna's muzzle? Eyes narrowed for further investigation.
"Dreamy. A stallion of mine own dreams. A stud like no other. Not even the Saddle Arabians can compare," Luna responded, her voice lost and her body falling equally victim to that same ancient, natural attraction.
A roll of royal eyes could almost be felt as Celestia swatted the back of her sister's head, "Focus, sister."
Luna's gaze did just that, blinking the daydream away as quickly as it took her. "Oh! Apologies, dear sister," she started sheepishly only to clear her throat, "It is a most curious event I will admit. The Everfree is as mysterious and untamed as it has ever been. To think there is enough magic within its grasp to summon such perfection..."
Another swat of wings met Luna's head only for her to return the gesture with her own wing against Celestia's. A brief albeit immature swatting match commenced as subtle as they could. Fluttershy, in all her quiet glory merely looked on with a soft giggle at the sisterly affection, all but reminding Fluttershy of her own sibling battles of the past.
"Luna!" Celestia started, silenced briefly with the passing of dark blue wings across her snout. "Stop. He's coming this way!"
Whatever it was causing these two regal mares to act like crushing fillies was beyond her. Beyond both of them, but they will figure this out. They have to. Despite a few dislodged feathers of white and blue now taking flight onto the gentle breeze, the two sisters stood at their tallest as the approaching stallion grew ever closer in quick fashion. Again, he was fast!
**********
Spirit shortened the distance quickly but his gait began to shift from a run to more of a slow gallop. Confusion and curiosity had settled once more. There were indeed two mares of adult stature in the encroaching distance. The white one specifically while the dark blue one was on the shorter side. A young filly perhaps and the white mare is her mother? Sister perhaps?
That gallop shifted into a slower trot as he noted the flowing manes of the two, moving independently of the wind. If that wasn't enough there were matching wings on either side of them much like the yellow foal beside him. There was one thing that truly stood out to him amidst all the absurdity of it all.
They were beautiful.
Energetic as he was and even dared himself to waltz right up to them in order to impress, he leaned toward a more democratic approach. After all, he was not a poacher of females if they were in a herd of their own. Technically, he doesn't have one of his own at present.
"Good afternoon, ladies."
No response. Only that of confusion written upon the two mares who looked at one another carefully then back at him as he came to a stop a comfortable distance.
"Hello?"
Again, no specific response to him, however, the two did begin to speak amongst one another in a familiar language, one which he could not speak nor properly understand.
**********
"Sister! Is that...the language of our precursors?" Luna asked, eyes twinkling with surprise.
"I believe it is. Do you remember any of what Star Swirl taught us?" Celestia questioned her sister in turn. It was not something either of them formally studied. While Luna was brash and oft aloof in her youth, her studies, too, fell by the wayside.
"Not much, if I am honest," Luna answered with a growing frown.
Of course. To think my sister a scholar, mused Celestia inwardly. She didn't blame her sister who stuck more to learning battle magic back in that era of their lives, so, so long ago. Celestia on the other hoof found pony history fascinating among many other subjects. "I guess it is up to me then."
Stepping forward, Celestia dove deep into the recesses of her mind for the lost knowledge of the precursors. Those that came before. Who Equestrians evolved from so many millennia before. Her muzzle parted a time or two, miming words to herself and testing them on her tongue. Oh, how embarrassing this would be were she in the public eye, but desperate times calls for desperate measures. Sucking in a breath, she spoke.
What came out would make even the most stoic of stallions or mares crack a grin. Luna was taken aback and Fluttershy only stared disbelievingly. Never have either of them heard such noises coming from such a regal, motherly mare. Albeit some certainly was familiar; noises even they make to this very day but never in such seeming complexity.
Celestia blocked out her audience and focused on the tall earthy po- no, stallion before her. A whinny escaped her lips. This had specific inflections to it and came from deep within her throat. It was guttural in sound, raw and straight from the horse's mouth. She paused, cleared her throat with a blush forming on her cheeks as she tried again. The second time flowed much more smoothly from her throat and lips. ***
Spirit watched eagerly as the two mares spoke amongst themselves, wondering what it was they were discussing. By the occasional glances his way it was obviously about him. Of course it would be! That had him standing a little taller and practically preening in confidence.
The white one came forward, his attention following suit as he watched. Waited. Then a sound reached his ears. Ears that quickly slicked back at the harsh voice aimed his way. It took every bit of willpower not to nicker in laughter and what smirk that had begun to form at the edge of his muzzle slackened into a thin line as a word was finally spoken.
"Greetings."
It was spoken with confidence, that much he could tell, even if the accent was questionable, certainly. All of that didn't matter only the fact that there was communication happening and he understood it.
"That's wonderful! You can speak my language too!?" came a speedy response from the stallion.
The white mare took a moment to decipher the words spoken to her and she held up a leg to hopefully promote her next wave of speech.
"Not good at speaking language. Speak slowly so I understand, proper." If only Celestia was one hundred percent confident at what she was saying. Thankfully Spirit made no comment to the butchering of his language but did keep a hopeful smile plastered across his lips.
"Where am I? Who are you?"
"Equestria." The answer came out strong which garnered a tilt of the stallion's head. The white mare touched her chest with a hoof, something he's only seen the two-legs do. "I Celestia. This Luna." A beat of a pause followed, Celestia's muzzle scrunching cutely as she fumbled the yellow foal's name before finding a wording she was satisfied with, "This, Fluttershy."
Spirit followed where the white mare, this Celestia's hoof was pointing to each individual. Both of whom looked as if they were about to bowl over with laughter. Luna especially, while Fluttershy hid it demurely behind a hoof. Both waved their hooves at him, another motion the two-legs seemed to do to one another in greeting. Strange. "And you are?"
In a herd, on his world, names were never truly given. Everyone in the herd knew one another. Their scents. Their sounds. Their words. They were one unit flowing over the plains, hills, and rivers. However, there was one given to him by the only two-legged he considered a friend.
"Spirit. Nice to meet you, Celestia." Focused on the other two, he spoke their names in his language in turn, "Luna. Fluttershy."
"No. Not really. I saw something in the forest and I got a little too close," he mused, a sheepish smirk forming, "I heard voices before a bright flash of light. Next thing I know there were five foals in front of me."
Celestia lifted a brow at the stallion's wording. "Foals?"
"Yes," Spirit answered, nodding his head in Fluttershy's direction.
That got a soft chuckle from Celestia, "No. Not foal. Adult pony."
Pony? That was a foreign word to him despite the use of his language. "Not a horse?"
"Similar. Not same but close," Celestia answered.
Spirit couldn't argue with that but was surprised to know who he considered foals were actually adult...ponies. He frowned and focused his attention upon the yellow pony. "Apologies, Fluttershy."
**********
"He's apologizing to you, Fluttershy. From what I can surmise, you are about as tall as a foal from his world so he thought all of you were foals," Celestia explained now shifting back into Poniish.
"Really? Oh, that's quite all right. Please tell him that for me, please?" Fluttershy asked of the Princess who nodded and did just so.
Spirit pressed forward, leaned his head down, and gave the yellow mare a sudden nuzzle of apologetic nature. She giggled and returned it as she would with any of her woodland creatures.
"His name is, assuming I'm translating this correctly, is Spirit."
"Is he truly one of the precursors?" Luna wondered intently.
"It is quite possible. Not him specifically. I cannot detect much magic from him but since we've exchanged words, his magical signature is becoming more and more pronounced. Whether he knows it or not, earth pony magic is flowing through him."
Spirit, for his part in the conversation, took the opportunity to further inspect both larger mares while they were conversing. This involved a sniff here. A sniff there. A press of a muzzle into a dark, almost starry night mane. The ethereal strands flowed over his snout, tickling as they did so.
Luna, the regal mistress of the Night, found herself shying away while pressing her wing against his face to prevent further physical inspection. Too far has he advanced into her personal space. This only lured his curiosity to her wings which were snuffled at as if testing whether they were real.
"Stop it. That tickles. Cease thy actions!" Luna was all but a hair's breadth from using 'knave' having slipped into Old-Poniish when excited -- or agitated, as the case may be. All said in half-snickers and a regal snort or two. "He's rather forward isn't he?"
"Oh just let him be, Luna. I don't think his kind has wings let alone seen them if I recall our history correctly." A pause allowed Celestia to glance up toward the spire protruding from her forehead, "Or horns."
With Celestia's attention shifted she was unaware of further movement by the stallion. Until she felt a muzzle most curiously feeling up her flank. It took all of her willpower not to lash out at the otherwise rude behavior. While the stallion might very well be getting more intimately familiar with her scent she gave him the benefit of the doubt. Much like an animal he was, so she knew patience was in order.
To Spirit's credit, he withdrew and asked the very question Celestia expected to eventually come up. The picture on their flanks. What was it?
Celestia smiled knowingly. The stallion was from another world of different rules. A different order. Spoke a very, very old language. Ultimately, she knew some form of education would be in order, one spent away from the public eye of Canterlot as to not overwhelm the new stallion. Gesturing with a wing, she bade him to sit as she reclined back onto her haunches. The others did the same; Spirit too, if not awkwardly. Both Luna and Celestia noted his form was not as flexible as their own, an evolution perhaps from the precursors to present times? They will know more in due time perhaps but for now, it was best to explain some ground rules, expectations, and assurance that they will do all in their power to get Spirit home.
