An average run of the mill person gets thrown into the world of Equestria just not quite the way he hoped,now he has to figure out how to be the Princess of Friendship before ponies get too suspicious.
4/5/19: Still working on the story, OC tag was added for a future interaction.
Violence Tag only exists for a battle to two.
5/23/19: I keep adding stuff ugh Buut I might be working on rewriting some of this stuff after posting Chapter 6.
Ponies are not typically nocturnal; however, this didn't stop one resident egghead from reading well into the night.
More specifically Twilight Sparkle was reading in one of her testing facilities, staring down at the book between her hooves she broke into a smile excited to tear into the contents metaphorically of course.
"I can't believe I got my hooves on Starswirl's Theory to the Multiverse!"
Resisting the urge to stomp around like a little school filly she slid her hoof across the cover and propped It open.
Feeling the sensation of the slightly weathered paper on her hooves made her excited yet a bit saddened.
"If only ancient books like these didn't have to succumb to damage. It's such a shame."
She'd already taken note to be careful she wouldn't want to ruin something that held such knowledge, especially a tome of this magnitude. Still she did get the book to read it's contents "Though having it as a Collectors Edition Item wouldn't be too bad" she thought to herself chuckling. Turning the page she found herself staring at some text.
"For those who wish to continue the path ahead is filled with very risky and controversial knowledge, those who cannot burden a secret should retreat whilst thy can"
Twilight seemed a little skeptical but realizing this was likely from centuries ago it made more logical sense as to why a discovery like this would be kept under lock and key. The warning itself did little to curb her intrigue, nay it enhanced it just what could this book hold that made it so restricted? She supposed she would find out soon.
Looking at the next sheet it seemed to be more filled with content little diagrams and notes filled both the pages deciding to start reading from the left she cracked her neck preparing to settle in for a long session of reading.
“The very fabric of this reality is simply just one of many realities. If you’ve gotten this far you’re open enough to my theory to hear me out, get ready to have your mind expanded with such glorious knowledge…”
Finding herself yawning Twilight had lifted her head after many hours of reading, turning to the rest of the dimly lit room she tilted her neck to remove some of the stiffness growing in it. Softly rubbing the moisture out of her eyes with a hoof her eyes slowly gazed back down to the page. The page itself had explored the effects Interdimensional Spells had on mirror-like surfaces turning them into gateways linked to one of these parallel dimensions. Twilight’s tired mind ruminating over the words for a moment then lit up in a spark of recollection, she had recently moved the mirror to the human world down into her basement space.
“If I understand the spell correctly, I could try and explore entirely different dimensions from the one I know. All I would have to do is rewrite the spell cast upon it.”
Twilight raised herself to her hooves and slowly trotted over to the mirror noting it’s reflective surface in the dim moonlight lighting the area, ever so slightly the soft hum of the magic that powered it hanging in the air like static, lowering her head as she focused the magic in her own horn the magic radiating the area in the soft glow of magenta it exuded. Twilight herself was extremely adept at magic, she was the embodiment of magic through the elements of course, she took a note of the dimensional frequency already resonating before tampering with it. “I wouldn’t want to lose contact with Sunset.”
Feeling the magic she pulled at the center like spinning a web she had created another line for the spell to follow, twisting it’s trajectory made it so the mirror itself had connected to a dimension matching the frequency now active. The spell finally ignited showing the portal in it’s swirling miasma making Twilight elated she had succeeded “Haha! With this discovery I could elaborate so much more on Starswirl’s work, we could make allies from all realities!”
In her exclamation she failed to realize that the frequency itself required much more magical energy to spark the connection than a simple re-routing of the power causing a burst of magic that covered her vision in a field of white.
Jack stared blankly at the screen tapping his fingers against the office desk the various files scattered haphazardly as the day droned on he hadn’t received any calls from his boss and he’d finished his write-up work several minutes ago. Bringing his focus back to the sterile cubicle around himself he sighed looking at the small figurine he had perched right next to his keyboard flicking the bobble-head watching the smooth plastic of it jostle around. His boredom grew around himself as he gave a hearty sigh and swiveled his chair towards the exit. “Man it’s so slow here today.”
Picking himself up he quickly strode passed his co-workers in the office calling out as he moved towards the doors to the hallways “I’m going on my break, don’t wait up!”
His quick stride allowed him to exit the stuffy workspace into the hallway the cool air of the AC brushing against his skin as he shivered rubbing his arms her made the walk down the sterile and quiet halls to the elevator passing a couple of potted plants and the water cooler on the way out. Reaching the elevator he pressed the down button watching as the sign above the door lit up in red signaling the machine inside churning to life, gently tapping his feet he reached into his pocket and took out his phone it was a sleek black model nothing special just serviceable putting his finger over the screen the phone unlocked and the home screen shot up.
The background of the screen was a screenshot of his own smiling face staring back at him, dark black shaggy hair, same pale face and striking blue eyes. Sighing, he swiped to the left. “Where did it all go wrong?” he muttered.
Clicking on the browser he waited for the page he was previously on before to load his eyes darting back up to the elevator waiting to board, with a soft buzz he looked down at his phone again scrolling down the list of fan-fictions several of them including some sort of romance tapping the tracking list he spotted that one of them had updated recently hearing another ring he looked up to see the metal doors of the elevator finally pried open stepping inside he pressed his back against the cold wall and began to read.
“The Mystic Stone! No! You have to retrieve it or the whole world will be destroyed by it’s sheer power!” Starlight exclaimed clearly worried
Twilight turned shocked as Nightmare Moon flew away from them at high speeds. “The whole world?! That’s insane… with my wings out of commission I could never catch her!” she had desperation in her voice. Teleporting into a high up area was a no-go she’d plummet to the ground and running on foot would lead to being easily shaken.
“Dammit Twilight now’s not the time to panic! We have to at least try!” Starlight’s horn flared the teal magic firing off a massive ray of energy that pierced the cloud layer and arced towards the shadowy miasma that was Nightmare Moon, only to be deflected by a magical shield!
Starlight grunted watching her blast fly across the skyline preparing to launch another beam of even greater magnitude! The power of her aura expanded around her horn before she launched another blast that cleaved through the sky effortlessly it’s impact only stopped by the barrier put up by the fleeting Goddess of the Night, the magic dispersing over the shield as she laughed.
“Your puny magic will never take me down whilst I hold this Stone! Taste my power!” the maniacal power driven alicorn exclaimed, condensing the very magic she used into the barrier for her own blast, pushing back Starlight as she attempted to dig her hooves into the ground and fire more power into her attack. Twilight stood in shock but finally able to gather herself once more she focused on her own magical energy; the massive pool of it she possessed meant infinite potential, all she had to do was channel it through the Power of Friendship!
Twilight’s hair bellowed as if in the wind her magical energy magnifying when a friend of hers was in dire need the magenta ray of energy launching upwards and coiling around Starlight’s blast to cause an explosion of power and push back Nightmare Moon’s attack.
“You’re right about one thing, her attack won’t take you down… ours will!”
Her confidence in her power and her friend’s power run true in her voice as their attack started to shred through Nightmare Moon’s magic like butter destroying her in a single atomizing blast! Letting herself fall into Starlight’s hooves Twilight was utterly exhausted from the magical drain over herself and fell into a slumber leaving Starlight blushing-
"That's so corny, I would never be caught dead using lines like those." Jack looked up from his phone the shaking of the elevator and loud noise of the door prying itself open snapping him out of the comfortable reading he had been enjoying. Clicking the side of his phone with his thumb he powered off the screen and slid it into his back pocket and stepped out into the open lobby where he spent most of his breaks watching the people come in and out of the building while sipping on a cup of coffee.
Staring at the door he observed very few people coming in today. “Man today isn’t interesting, just a bunch of no names…” he frowned. Usually it was busier on Thursday and he had countless noise to drown out his thoughts, taking another sip of the liquid he let his hands rest by his side and dozed off for a bit. Once he rested his eyes an odd mist filled his mind it was becoming harder and harder to focus on his thoughts as he floated in a void for a while he stirred as he heard something almost like a voice calling out to him bolting up he found himself sweating bullets. Looking at his phone his eyes widened “I slept past 12, I'm so dead!”
Picking himself up quickly he dashed towards the elevator slamming on the up arrow to call the lift so he can hurry it up. “Maybe… just maybe if I were to silently slide in I wouldn’t be adding another strike to my record.” he sighed. Even his own efforts seemed fruitless to him, how could he convince anyone else?
Watching the doors open up he slipped inside and awaited his long ride of shame back to his office. After the lift started moving upwards he noticed a soft sound echoing throughout the space “Did they install some elevator music or something?” he tried to listen closer to the tune to catch a hint of something but all it really seemed to be was random noise. Tapping his feet he slowly pulled out his phone looking for more to distract himself from the strange frequency but as he looked at the blackened screen he saw a reflection of swirling colors above him “What the-” blinking rapidly he shook his head trying to cast off the illusion he was seeing, but when he opened his eyes the spiral remained.
Looking up he was in utter shock in place of the upper mirror was some sort of portal thing? It didn’t seem to do much at first, but the longer it was around the more he felt it pulling at his body. Eventually it pulled him off the floor if slightly as he began to flail. “W-wait! What’s going on? Let me go!” due to being in an elevator there wasn’t much exposed to grapple onto causing him to be quickly sucked into the portal as his vision blurred he felt himself being stretched and or twisted before passing out.
Jack found his body aching after he felt like he was being stretched like a piece of gum everything was still stinging he found himself prying his eyes open the dim light of the basement around him not providing much light for him to tell what happened. He groaned trying to see if he was good enough to move by trying to inch his limbs around, when a body part moved into his limited view he calmed down a bit more. “Okay, I am intact that is a good sign.”
Looking around he tried to see where a light could be but ultimately came up short whatever had happened left him on the ground in a dim room he felt an itch from his nerves and tried to push himself up again. “I really hope I didn’t get kidnapped or something.” he coughed, had his voice sounded off? Maybe it was just strained from whatever damage had occurred regardless he needed to move soon even if in pain, gritting his teeth he dragged himself over to a wall and pressed himself up against it as he took another breath the light flickered on a voice calling out into the now illuminated room.
“Twilight? You okay in here?” the young dragon questioned.
Jack blinked harshly the change in light blinding him but when his eyes finally adjusted and he saw a small purple dragon with green scales over the head all he could do was look down at himself and notice the lavender fur now covering his body. “Oh fu-”
For good ol' Jack, it had been a normal Friday night. Nothing out of the ordinary; he had followed his standard routine after returning home from work. He disposed of his briefcase and hung up his work jacket. Casually slithering to his kitchen, he opened the freezer - the frost hitting his face like a million cold daggers - and picked out his favorite comfort food as he mumbled to himself “Pizza, again, eh Jack?.” He chucked the pizza into his relatively clean microwave.
His apartment was a mess of organized chaos; a few clothes thrown out of place would be almost too clean for this couch potato. Before he knew it, his pizza was done. He carried it on a plate, before popping down on his couch, right in the middle, where a familiar butt groove formed. He fiddled around inside the leftmost couch cushion before pulling out his trusty companion - and only friend -, his TV remote.
Television was an escape for Jack, something to take him away from his terrible job, cramped apartment and loneliness. Besides the usual TV programs, he was particularly fascinated with a certain show.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Ever since he discovered it, during his channel surfing, he has been watching its weekly Friday Releases on Television, never skipping a beat. He often found himself slumping into a depression whenever the show was between seasons although this was something he had not to worry about because it was only about the 5th episode of Season 7. The Familiar My Little Pony Theme song played. As he hummed along, he took a bite of his pizza. He suddenly felt groggy... More so than usual anyway. His eyes and body felt heavy as his eyes were quickly losing focus on the Television. He tried to stop himself from seemingly falling asleep - at least that’s what he thought was happening - but he could do nothing but accept it. As his eyes closed, he heard a faint voice calling out to him. It felt soothing but ominous at the same time "Take my hand" the voice muttered as he found himself in a cosmic space like area.
Her voice disappeared suddenly as his fade into a deep sleep was complete. He awoke many hours later in a strange bed that seemed not at all even resembling his cluttered and dirty apartment. He brushed this off as a drunken escapade and tried to wrap his head around how much money he had spent last night. All of this resulted in a mild headache that prompted him to lie down once more. It wouldn’t be till hours later, he jolted up in shock, slammed his head on a pole and instinctively rubbed that part of his head he has hit, felt a soft lump coming out of his forehead and assumed it came out of the recent collision. He put his hooves down, not realizing what he had become just yet. That’s when a nurse pony came in, just to check up on the patient one last time before heading off that night. Of course, Jack, still being in a sitting up position, prompted the nurse pony to come over, as soon as possible, to see if any aid was necessary. As the white pony with a light pink mane stepped into the moonlight she spoke with a quiet and soothing tone.
“Thank goodness Princess Twilight, you’re awake! Everything seems fine. You shall be escorted to your castle as soon as Celestia raises the sun.” Jack, who was now Twilight Sparkle, responded in a confused manner. All he could remember is that he was a male and his name was Jack.
“Princess Twilight? You’ve got the wrong guy my name’s Jack.” The Nurse Pony Shrugged and hoped that this was due to temporary amnesia although she said in a playful tone
“Alright “Jack” you shall be out of here by morning.” and, with that, morning came. Jack rose, a little groggy, he was still confused on the whole Princess Twilight deal but he figured he was having a weird dream and that he had nothing to worry about.
He tried to walk on two legs. He stumbled backward, falling through a hospital window. He screamed in a higher pitched tone than he was used to, but that was mostly quited by the massive amount of air rushing through his face. He panicked and started flailing his hooves out of pure luck - or maybe instinct - and his horn began to create a darkish pink aura that teleported him safely to Ponyville. He appeared in front of the Castle of Friendship. Jack froze. He didn’t understand what just happened but he knew it wasn’t normal for a human anyway. He shrieked again his face now writhe with worry that voice was not his own, he slowly spoke words in a cautious manner as if he was scared of what would come out "I... like... books."
He clamped his mouth shut not daring to speak another word as he started to dance about on his hooves "I'm Twilight?" he thought shaking his head within reasonable disbelief "There is no way that could happen, she doesn't exist!" he started to panic frantically turning his head left and right as if he was looking for something in haste.
Before he would go on too long panicking a golden door with heart shapes on it would fling open snapping him out of his craze a familiar voice could be heard, a small purple dragon with a set of green head scales would yell out "Twilight! Twilight!"
Jack would be in a moment of confusion looking around himself. Hesitantly he assumes the role and speaks up "Yes Spike?."
Spike would look down with slight worry and a chuckle "Heh heh forgot you were at the hospital, are you okay?"
Mustering all the strength I had not to chuck Spike off a distant cliff I replied with a slightly exasperated tone "Of course I'm fine Spike why wouldn't I be?"
Spike pondered this for a moment but gave up any further attempts to asses her current condition only giving her a glance before replying with a sarcastic tone "Rigggght, well anyways I finished my morning chores can I have some extra gems now?!"
I didn't really care at the moment what he was saying an idea just hit me so I walked right past him... well stumble was the more correct term. "Yeah Yeah, I'll just be reading," he said as he noticed a look from Spike before he darted off in another direction, A bright smile crossing his face for a moment seeing that he was gone for the moment. I looked around the rather vast castle his smile fading "Now where is that library?."
I took a couple of wobbly and cautious steps the mere size of the interior room had caught my amazement luckily no one was around to catch my starry-eyed gaze, then I had noticed a couple of glaring issues stopping in my tracks while I began to mumble as I tended to do while in deep thought "Alright first off I had no idea where the Library even was asking would likely bring suspicion seeing as Twilight herself would normally know, second of all I can barely manage to walk without almost losing my balance which would be sure to tip someone off to something, and third of all I have no idea how to control magic. I see why Twilight makes lists". I said ending my internal monologue I took a deep breath and tried to look for some sort of direction or sign but much to my dismay I saw the same crystal walls with the same crystal pathways.
"Seriously, how do you find your way around this place? Everything looks the same!" I had stopped barely making it into the center of the first room without falling over. I really needed to master at least walking, it would make travel so much easier. I began to try to pace in a circle focusing on my hooves I couldn't get a rhythm going often tripping over myself or falling to the side from the lack of support on the ground. I shook my head after the last failed attempt I had ended up on my side so I tried to shift my weight luckily I had been near a wall that could support my efforts I rubbed myself against the glass like surface and managed to push my hooves from under me I stood once more trying to survey my surroundings, It seemed like no one heard my failed attempts and I pursued onward absent-minded as I was focusing on trying to form a game-plan to my surprise I was walking in circles around the edge of the wall. As soon as I noticed I was walking without difficulty, my legs had seemingly turned into Jello causing me to again crash into the hard crystalline floor I let out a slight yelp of pain as one of my hooves started to sting. "Note to self Thinking about walking doesn't aid movement."
With this new information in mind, I pushed myself upwards again as the pain subsided. I focused solely on finding the Library in this place I picked a hallway and traversed down its similar decor. Often stopping at available doors I exited many with a disappointed frown as I had seemingly found a couple of Storage Rooms, a Broom Closet and the Kitchen where Spike laid face down in a bowl of gems I presume, that last one made me particularly frustrated as I had seemingly looped around a couple of times. "Seriously how do you get lost in this place!" I yelled the anger picking up in my tone as no one responded. It was eerily quiet, not that I wanted company that would only bring about more problems. I think I took a right turn I was so lost in frustration I didn't watch where I was going the trail ended in front of a room that actually had a sign. I was elated at last the Library! Or so I thought I proceeded to read the sign out loud "Starlight's Room".
It took me a bit to process what I had just read, then the realization hit me like a truck forcing my thoughts to speed through my mind like a bullet train "Starlight?! Oh god, should I?" I was racked with doubt on one hand... or was it hoof? Regardless, I could meet my favorite character or I could hasten my departure from this land, I must've been lost in thought again because I didn't notice the door open suddenly another purple hoof waved in front of my face as Starlight had said something.
"Twilight? Hellooo-" she said trying to snap me out of my thoughts.
I snapped my head upwards with a wide grin showing my elation at the sight of THE Starlight Glimmer.
Starlight probably felt weary beginning to slowly back away. Her hoof touching the tip of my horn which made me shiver a little, she began to speak with a slightly worried tone as if I had just asked to lick her eyeball.
"Twilight are you okay? That smile is kinda creeping me out" she said looking at me like I was the crazy one in this situation.
Again my response lagged behind as I tried to calm myself but I hopelessly failed as I began to pitter patter my hooves across the floor like crazy I think I was giggling a tad bit regardless my frantic movements came to a stop as I began to talk in a rather upbeat way which I noticed helped Starlight relax.
"I'm fine... Just excited to see you!" I said trying to come up with an excuse.
Starlight didn't seem to buy it rather off-put by my overjoyed reaction no doubt. Stepping forward again Starlight replied with a rather confused tone. "Why?"
I began to become a little nervous my eyes starting to dot back and forth as I was lost in thought "What if she figures out why didn't I have a plan!" I felt my brow began to warm as moisture was gathering on my fur. Quickly improvising I came up with a hastily prepared reason that hopefully didn't seem too flawed. "I just wanted to... Show you a new book I read!"
Starlight looked deep into my eyes causing a drop of sweat to roll down to my lower hoof and hit the floor she likely didn't believe my story as her gaze only got more scrutinizing. I thought I was absolutely discovered but Starlight leaned back and smiled having no reason to not believe me. "Sounds... Nice. Ooh is it a new magic spell!"
I wasn't expecting this many questions to be asked. "Sure I watched the series quite frequently but I don't know which spells Starlight hasn't learned, I'll come across that when it becomes an issue," I thought before twirling my hoof out in a motion giving her a vague answer with a hint of uncertainty in my voice. "Eh... Not really"
Starlight seemed to think for a moment "Something might be off about Twilight" but before I could say anything about it she had already responded to my statement. "Well... it should still be interesting maybe I can check it out"
I looked at her with uncertainty plastered across my face "Anything is better than asking Spike" I thought steeling my resolve "Uhm... Speaking of Spells do you know any that can uh... Travel through Dimensions?"
Starlight looked at me as if she had seen something like that before but couldn't recall it after a moment she gestured with a hoof for me to come inside. "I might have something in here"
Walking into the rather small room I noticed there was a couple of books sprawled over the floor as Starlight went to a desk to the left of the room, I also noticed she had a bed next to the window as a couple of apple cores sitting in a trash can next to me. I walked forwards the open window providing a small breeze as I shivered from the winds contact onto my fur, slightly tilting my head I faced Starlight as she was using her magic to levitate books down to her and set them on the table. I slowly walked over to the table inspecting her carefully trying to pick up on how to use magic but she didn’t really give me any hints she seemed to be doing it effortlessly. Starlight seemed to be quickly looking over book titles trying to find the one topic I had asked about, I didn’t want to interrupt her so I stood by idly. Starlight in the meantime was mumbling book names under her breath
“Magic for Dummies, Cooking is Magic: A Guide to Great Food, Equestrian History Version 2.53, The Key to World Domina- Got It! Magical Theory in Multi-Dimensional Travel, should be a whole list of potential spells we can use” She said quickly levitating the other books she just mentioned into the air and places them back onto the shelf neatly, Placing the book full of theorem on the table. I looked at her with slight confusion sure she said she had saw something but I didn’t think she actually owned one, the book on world domination also worried me a little even if I knew she wasn’t gonna do anything too bad. I took a glance over at the book I didn’t quite understand a lot of what it was saying I never considered myself a genius but I knew some advanced concepts. Starlight began quickly skimming over sentences in the book muttering under her breath stepping backwards I looked around the room once more.
“I should probably give her some space” I thought not wanting to disturb Starlight from her deep reading, I slowly walked over to the bed on the other side of the room staring out of the open window looking at the town below with slight awe. The wind was lightly blowing my mane to the side “I never thought it would look so… real” I said a little bit surprised at the sight before me sure I had seen it on various episodes before but this was no longer a cartoon. I was staring out the window for what seemed like hours as I was processing the view into my brain It was a tiny bit overwhelming. Suddenly my attention was broken away from the town when I heard something.
It was Starlight she was starting to yell. “Twilight! I think I found the spell you wanted”. I was reasonably shocked at this outcome so much so that I almost fell backwards. After nearly falling I walked around the bed once more to look at the book. Starlight began to speak again “It says it’s a really complex spell I’m not sure if why’d you would want to do this”.
I began to look over the spell it had a couple of steps but I understood what it wanted me to do. I was really nervous since I still hadn’t figured out how to use any magic. “I have to make some sort of excuse there is no way I could do this” I thought before turning to Starlight I tried to calm down to seem more convincing “Starlight, I want you to try the spell I sure you can do it”.
Starlight was looking at me in surprise “You want me to do it? I don’t know but if you want me to try I’ll see what I can do”. She began to move around the room drawing tiny circles around various points on the ground each one written in white chalk soon she stopped as there was a total of 8 circles and she stood in the middle. Her horn flared to life with a teal aura as each of the small circles lit up with the same coloration creating pillars of light it was blinding so I staggered back a slight bit trying to cover my eyes with a hoof. The room began to rumble slightly I couldn’t see much but a huge white line appear in the room as the rumbling began to intensify.
I began to shake, I was scared of what was happening I didn’t know much about magic but this seemed like some sort of demonic ritual in my haste I stepped inside the circle of magic which warped one of the pillars of light before I could react everything seemed to explode propelling myself and Starlight into the bed frame. “Ugh…” I groaned being in pain but stood up again trying to assess what happened the room was covered in some sort of paper? A loud noise pierced through my brain like a bullet causing my ears to ring. Starlight was next to me on the ground still I was beginning to get worried the room was starting to calm down and I could actually start to hear somewhat.
A pink pony looked at me from on top of a little blue canon it was silent for a moment like a very old fashioned showdown I was a bit slow connecting the dots “I mean my brain was probably scrambled by that explosion but that’s definitely Pinkie Pie the confetti the party cannon and she’s pink!” I thought trying to gather myself usually Pinkie Pie had a keen eye for the strange and I didn’t want to give anything away.
Pinkie Pie began to talk in a really breakneck pace and it was hard to keep up in my daze. “Oh hello Twilight I was just talking about you and I was about to throw the bestest super duper get well surprise party for you right after throwing Gummy his 5th anniversary party!”. She was waving her hoof around trying to accentuate what she was talking about. To me it just sounded like a bunch of gibberish.
I shook my head again and looked up at Pinkie Pie trying to quiet her down “Uhm.. Pinkie can you not speak so loud”. I said holding a hoof on my head it was still pounding from the loud explosion. I was looking at Pinkie Pie “How did she even get here? Where was she before that explosion?” I thought before writing it off as nonsense there was no point in making sense of Pinkie anyways.
Pinkie Pie began to whisper “Sorry were you doing something?” she whispered while doing that weird hopping thing to bounce over me. She had a smile on her face trying her best to stay quiet her cheeks filling up like a balloon before she let it all out again this time I could actually process what she was saying “Well I was going to save this for the party but I guess I could give it to you now!” She reached a hoof into her poofy mane and pulled out a whole cake setting it down in front of me.
I looked down at it noticing it had several pink hairs I pushed it away smiling awkwardly “Never mind that can you help me with Starlight over there” I said pointing over to her with a hoof she still wasn’t moving and I was starting to get worried.
Pinkie Pie bounced over to Starlight before her smile turned into a frown as she began to speak in a worried tone.
“Starlight? You okay?”
I slowly walked up behind her and started to look at Starlight my voice was wavering. “Starlight? Come on get up!”
Starlight didn’t move for a moment before letting out a cough that lasted for a couple of seconds before she began to stand up her eyes seemed to be looking around the room rather frantically before her eyes fell on me they seemed to physically glitch out turning into a faint red before returning to their original purple coloration she smiled before shaking her head.
“Ugh… I’m fine, but my head is pounding”
Starlight said holding a hoof to her head she winced a bit when it touched her face but she wasn’t bleeding anywhere “At least no one got killed” I thought before shaking my head I couldn’t think of any of these ponies dying and I surely didn’t want to. I began to open my mouth to speak to Starlight before I noticed Pinkie Pie practically tackled Starlight with a gigantic hug. Her eyes were practically sparkling and she had a big grin on her face.
“You’re okay! Oh I know what this needs a Magical Recovery Party!”
Pinkie Pie seemingly stretched her neck before disappearing it was very strange but questioning it wouldn’t help me anyways. Starlight smiled before starting to use her magic to grip a broom that ended up lodged under the bed she seemed alright so I began to step out of the room holding a book in hoof “I’ll leave you to the cleaning”.
Starlight didn’t respond or If she did I hadn’t heard I was too far away from the door at that point. I began to lose myself in a train of thought as I wandered the castle halls for a bit “I wonder if I should leave… I wouldn’t want anyone to see me failing to use magic” a stumbled past the Kitchen again I stopped for a moment and looked around grabbing a spare red apple, I whirled my head around noticing Spike wasn’t around I smiled. “Not that I care” I thought before finding my way back to the entrance of the castle.
“I wonder how Twilight navigates everyday, she should really invest in some sort of map” I said before pushing the door open a slight breeze hit me as I did catching the view of the town from ground level It wasn’t much different but I still couldn’t believe what I was looking at there were a couple of ponies here or there nothing too major I bet I could find a quiet spot fairly quickly. I started to walk around I saw the Town Hall I could probably get a map that made it easier to get around “Would they worry if I didn’t know my way around? Nah… it should be fine” and with that I set off towards the Town Hall.
While walking I swung my head around look at the buildings nearby “It really is a nice place I might need to write something about this before I leave… nah no one would ever believe me” I said shaking my head before bumping into someone’s backside being sent backwards as I fell looking upwards I saw the pony turning around with a blank expression on their face.
“Oh sorry! Guess I blanked out again”
She said with a somewhat sweet smile on her face I noticed she had a pink mane and sort of peachish skin she also had a cutie mark with three tornadoes. She reached down a hoof to help me up I oddly tried to grasp at it until I was eventually able to wrap my hoof around it and come back to a standing position,I rubbed my head before I spoke
“Oh it’s no problem, I’m fine”
She seemed more relaxed when I said that. “At least I think so I’m not so good at reading social cues or body language” I thought before noticing there was a crowd of ponies on the street.
“What’s Everyone, I mean Everypony doing here!”
The Pink Maned Pony looked at me strangely before shaking her head
“Today is Discount Day, there are stands everywhere, I thought you would know already Princess”
She said gesturing her hoof around the area I suddenly noticed a couple of food stands around although I was confused “What the heck is Discount Day? The show never showed this” I thought shaking my head going along with it.
“So uh… how long will it take for everypony to clear out?”
The Pink Maned Pony shrugged or as much as you can shrug being a quadruped and turned back to the crowd sighing.
“Must be great being able to just levitate things”
I frowned “Wait am I gonna be here all day?” I thought rather unamused, I should have taught myself how to fly. I had eventually decided to try to make my way through the crowd as I walked forward I managed to avoid a couple of ponies running around before I came to a stop right after I had exited the sea of ponies.
“Whew… I made it!” I said somewhat exhausted I shouldn’t have done so much physical exertion.
I looked up in the sky to see a rock or something falling from the sky In retrospect I should have moved out of the way when I saw that it was a full grown pegasus mare speeding in my direction but by the time I even processed that information I had been tackled into the ground. They gray mare with a messy blond mane bounced up off me within a couple seconds she was wearing a brown cap and a brown bag.
“Oh hey, Twilight I think I have some mail for you”
She said quickly checking her bag before pulling out a small envelope and handing it over. I awkwardly moved my hoof around a couple of times trying to grab it before it fell on the ground “I can pick it up later” I thought and stared at the Mailmare for a couple of seconds with a worried grin.
“Uh… thanks, Derpy”
Derpy did a rather odd salute before flying upwards again crashing into a sign and various other objects on her way. I stared at the ground trying to will my magic to work on the piece of paper but it didn’t budge even a little.
“Was Derpy’s voice always that… strange?”
I shook my head before a wind kicked up blowing the envelope off the ground and slapping it against my face as I stumbled back. “At least I don’t have to pick it up” I thought carefully raising my hoof to my face and sliding it off. Crumpling the paper slightly in my hoof I continued to walk towards the Town Hall “I swear everything is trying to stop me today” I thought as I started to speed up into a jog, looking around I finally saw the streets calm down only a couple of ponies just hanging around. I took a deep breath I liked being alone “I may like a show about friendship but that doesn’t mean I need to get everyone to be my friend” I thought before slowly opening the door to Town Hall with a loud creak the place was dark like it was unused or closed.
“Hello? Anyone there?”
I said shakily as I was beginning to get scared I heard the door slam shut behind me as my breath started to get ragged, then the lights powered on practically blinding me.
“Surprise!”
I heard as about 30 ponies assaulted my eardrums as Pinkie Pie bounced over to me doing that ear piercing fast talking thing, It was fairly hard for me to pick up what she was saying exactly “I’m still wondering how she figured out I was coming here” I thought very frazzled.
“Happy Birthdayversaryrecovery Party!”
I looked at her dumbfounded
“Birthday what-”
Pinkie Pie bounced up as there were various banners and streamers of different color hung up around the place as there were three different tables full of cupcakes,donuts,cakes and other sweets. The other ponies started moving around.
“Well I had a couple of parties backed up so I figured I could combine the three into one Giga Party!”
I opened my mouth then shook my head and closed it again. I then closed my eyes and took a deep breath in.
“Okayyyyy…”
I said dragging out the end of the sentence in a exasperated sigh before she stuck a hoof in my mouth quickly causing me to choke before she pulled it out again, slowly hacking for a couple of seconds before looking back at her angrily.
“Pinkie what the Fu-”
Pinkie Pie whipped off her hoof on a napkin and looked back at me jittering in place.
“Woah Woah Woah Twilight you can’t say that here there are children! Besides it’s a party have some fun with it… hold on I gotta check out Starlight’s reaction!”
She said before zipping off leaving a cloud of smoke where she once was. I noticed her across at another light violet table talking to Starlight, the party was alright I guess there was some sort of music going on? It sounded like a bunch of teenage girls singing about friendship laced over a pop tune. There were ponies kinda crowding around but I just sat there near the entrance looking downwards at the map I had trying to figure out where to go from here. I faded off into my memories as the sound faded into blank noise I saw my old cramped cluttered house that had layers of clothes on the floor and pizza grease all over the couch cushions my old little 36” Panasonic Television that I bought in 2000 I felt a pang in my chest did I miss my old crappy life? No time to figure that out I felt a hoof tap on my back snapping me out of my longful thoughts. I think it was the Kid who’s birthday it is today he had a kind of squeaky voice I was guessing he was like 7 years old or something but I don’t know how to tell how old a pony is.
“Hey what’s wrong Princess?”
I now looked down at the kid he had a very tangerine kind of coat color and a rather dusty brown hair. He didn’t have a cutie mark but his little wings fluttered on his back. It was cute but I didn’t stare for long I just leaned against the door frame letting out another sigh as the wood creaked when I shifted my weight.
“Just thinking about some things Kiddo”
He blinked before quickly retorting to that question with curiosity.
“What are you thinking about?”
I looked at the kid and gestured my hoof around in a circle before dropping it to the ground. I didn’t feel like specifying what I was thinking about it would probably break this kids mind or something.
“You know, home and stuff”
The Tangerine kid as I’ve decided to call him for now looked up at me with wide eyes which seemed to have star like sparkles in them clearly excited.
“You mean that big Shiny Castle near the end of town? I’d love to be there too”
I looked at him blankly “I guess anyone would love to have their own castle” I thought. Tapping the creaky floorboard with my now relaxed hoof before replying.
“I guess… It’s kind of empty for being so big”
I said in a monotone voice my mind wasn’t entirely focused on the Tangerine Kid, as I thought about a couple of routines I used to do at home even if I only did come up with Work,Sleep, Watch Tv and Eat. “I’m an interesting guy… right?” I thought to myself trying to think up something I had done with my life I could call Interesting I came up with absolutely nothing “Has the most interesting thing that happened to me is being dropped of in a world full of talking ponies?”. While my brain was whirring like a high end PC Tangerine Kid finished his little story or whatever he was rambling about I just shook my head slightly like I was listening. He squeaked and popped up hurriedly like he just remembered something.
“Well I oughta get back to my parents bye Princess!”
I nodded then watched him scramble out the door along with a couple of other fleeting ponies. I whispered almost as if I talked too loudly the whole building would collapse and stood straight.
“Looks like the party's over”
Pinkie Pie then walked over and I mean walked over like normally It made me a bit shocked but eh she had a grin on her face like she just ate the greatest cake of all time and fidgeted around in place like she was about to hold back an explosion from going off. She looked from me back to Table a couple of times as the room dimmed, the sun was setting now so everything had a sort of orange tint. Once she gets to me she practically unloads questions rapid fire at me like a minigun.
“So how did you like the party? Was the food is great? Did you like the streamers? Were you surprised?”
I reeled my head back like her words actually slapped me right in my face. I stared ahead as Pinkie Pie sat next to me watching the Sun fade into the horizon line I just nodded my head with a complacent tone.
Pinkie Pie seemed absolutely ecstatic that I liked the party keeping a large grin on her face as she bounced around from hoof to hoof in a sporadic order, I let her expend a little energy before turning to her still positively glowing.”Why Is she so… never mind she's Pinkie of course she's this high strung.” I thought observing her scoop up the table cloth with her mane and bouncing them along as she walked, it was as if her hair was a limb itself. Looking over Pinkie grinned again this time it was seemingly more radiant than a couple of seconds ago.
“So… I noticed you acted a bit… different at the party” she said with a slight bit of intrigue to her voice.
“Different… what I thought I was doing pretty good at… No don't let her see you panic, Who knows what kind of Voodoo magic she can conjure up!” I thought carefully steadying my gaze the table cloths obstructed Pinkie's eyes slightly from time to time so that made it easier though I could have sworn she was staring into my soul behind that grin. Tapping my hoof against the ground I straightened my face milling over an answer Twilight would come up with “I need to harness Twilight if I'm ever gonna get out of here with no questions asked. Well… no more questions.” I spoke up deciding to weave some truth into my constructed lie so it sounded more genuine.
“I was just thinking about a spell I could use, so I may have been a little out of it.”
I then offered a small smile as reassurance but Pinkie Pie’s gaze grew more scrutinizing as she squinted letting out a thoughtful murmur. I looked away from her eyes they were making me uncomfortable and nervous, I shouldn't have done so not looking her in the eye only increased her disbelief a thick silence hung for a moment before she spoke again.
“You must've been really out of it I didn't see you even try any of the food”
I relaxed slightly my head filling with a spark of befuddlement “Is she starting this over me not eating? Eating anything at that table was like asking for a cavity.” slowly I mulled over my next words before repeating them outlaid.
“I wasn't hungry though I appreciate what you made”
I thought I could physically see the gears in Pinkie’s head whirring along quickly digesting my message and spitting it out into her brain, her eyes widened as she began to speak in a worried tone again as of she we're afraid of asking.
“Is it about Starlight?”
Admittedly it took me a couple of seconds myself to understand what she meant I tried to keep a straight face but I felt myself frown, slowly taking in a breath and letting out a sigh I began to talk suddenly feeling the need to rub my head.
“I do feel bad about what happened to her but-”
I was cut off mid sentence as Pinkie Pie wrapped a hoof around me and squeezed me into a hug her smile returning within a millisecond.
“Don't worry about it Twi, I'm sure you didn't mean for it to go that way.”
She looked a bit goofy with her face obstructed but I understood the sentiment hesitantly I raised a hoof and draped it oddly behind her neck in a sort of patting motion. “Man I really wish I had hands again” he thought missing the sensation of wiggling his fingers more than he thought he would.
“Thanks Pinkie Pie”
I must've smiled without knowing it because Pinkie slipped out from under my hoof and beamed a little brighter.
“There's the smile”
“Whew I was gonna break out the advanced smile tactics in a bit” She thought before looking towards the indigo skies speckled with white shimmering stars physically her eyes seemed to pop out of her head and she leaped out the entrance and began to run away her voice trailing behind her.and gasping before whipping her head up and
“Sorry Twilight, I'm late for my 10 o'clock Cupcakeeee!”
Blinking I opened my mouth trying to say something but I decided to shut my mouth again shaking my head coming to the same conclusion I had earlier.
“Pinkie will be Pinkie”
Slowly looking around I noticed a map hanging off of a low table carefully maneuvering over I leaned in and bit down on the paper feeling the rough texture of it using my front left hoof to grasp it.
“Aha!”
I pumped my hoof before I hear the crumple of the map and panicked letting it go as it dropped to the ground instantly this infuriated me as I began to scream
“ARGH! These stupid hooves ruin everything why can't I just pick up a piece of stupid paper, I hate the laws of this universe dumb horn, stupid purple horse body!!!”
My horn sparked and sputtered my anger building as I strained trying to force something to happen it felt like I was about to burst a blood vessel, my body trembling from the utter rage that seethed put from me. My magic flared to life as I lost myself in my emotions as the map lit up into a roaring flame spreading across the paper and searing its thin matter as the ashes scattered into the wind I reeled my hoof back shocked at what I had just did “I haven't been that mad since… since… I don't even remember ” I thought looking at the remains of the map crumble under my hoof worry racked me as I desperately jabbed at the air feeling the warmth my magic created slip away.
“No, no wait… come back!”
I took in a depth breath the last object that could guide me was lost, I wanted to cry everything just went terribly “I can't find my way back without that… I needed that map, so I could practice my m-magic now I'm lost!”
I began hyperventilating it was suddenly darker the empty space pf the hall devouring me the door seemed miles away as the slim ray of moonlight peeking in was my only salvation, quickly I scrambled for the door body parts flailing as I tripped over myself and tumbled out the door landing face first into the dirt path.
For a couple of seconds I layed there unmoving everything was a bit spinny when I opened my eyes so I shut them again trying to gather my senses again “Come on Twilight get yourself tog-” my thoughts froze mid sentence now I was getting slightly worried, backtracking I said the sentence over again or was it thought “Come on Jack get yourself together!” this time was right shaking my head I slowly opened my eyes again to find the multiple pictures of the road form into one clear image.
“I'm gonna chalk that one up to the dizziness”
Taking a couple of hesitant steps I swung my head side to side trying to remember the way I came, everything was so… different at night I couldn't make anything out from a first glance at least nothing that struck up recognition.
“Jeez, this place is huge I could be lost until Daytime”
For a couple moments I wandered the desolate streets of Ponyville everyone seemingly resigned to their sleep, then I heard the faint sound of music turning left I decided to follow it to see if there was anything close by I could use to find my way back. Bobbing in and out of different lanes I kept bumbling about until I heard the music get closer I decided to turn left. Wall. Right. Closed Shop. The peering forwards I found myself staring down a pathway with dark blue wooden door down near the end, naturally I stepped closer keeping my focus straight ahead as the music instenfited and grew from a faint noise to muffled chaos. carefully throwing a hoof I pushed the door open.
As soon as I opened the door the music spilled out as if it was clawing at the door for an escape, the bright blue and pink lights dancing around assaulted my eyes upon first glance making me throw up my right hoof to try to block the rays of blinding light for a moment everything was too overwhelming to the senses, the music blaring so prominently my head felt ready to burst slowly making my way in I kicked the door with my hind legs as it slammed I flinched. “Stronger than I expected” I thought turning my head around my eyes slowly adjusting to the surroundings there was a dance floor with light up squares that blinked rapidly in different patterns a drink stand to the right and a Dj Booth on the far left housing a white pony with a two toned blue mane and shades magically spinning records, and a litter of tables and couches around the place.
Bobbing my head along to the music I slipped into the small crowd of ponies that formed near the entryway plenty of them too busy to notice me standing there letting my eyes drift off I noticed a tan colored pony shifting and coming closer snapping my attention forwards all I saw was the mass of ponies bumbling around together averting my gaze again I noticed the streak of tan and dusty brown before hearing a close by shriek barely loud enough to overcome the music.
“What the-” I said confused craning my neck around trying to find the source but then the tan pony popped up in front of me with a smile.
“Oh. My. Celestia is that actually THE Princess Twilight? Here of all places, oh but I never took you for the party type… doesn't matter you're here!”
The pony squealed with delight, I recoiled a slight bit to gain my composure but after opening my mouth I had an odd compulsion to blurt out the next words that came into my mind.
“H-hey I know how to party!”
It came out more defensively than I imagined leading up to the tan pony smirking and replying with a slight consendance in her voice.
“No offense Princess, but I'm pretty sure you only know how to hit the books not the dance floor”
I felt my cheeks warm as I looked down for a bit trying to find some sort of protest to her words each passing second feeling more and more embarrassing until I looked up again and stuttered out another rebuttal.
“I-I can d-dance”
The Tan pony raised an eyebrow and gestured to a spot in front of them that had a relatively wide enough gap to fit a pony or two.
“By all means show me what you got”
Moving towards the empty spot I closed my eyes trying to take in the atmosphere, the loud thumping music slowed and allowed me to savor each note. Everything pulsated through my body the music the vibrations under me I was becoming one with the party feeling it's flow then I arrived letting myself go all in one moment my hooves had a sentient mind of their own moving about with utter grace and refinement right now there was nothing but this moment this dance. After what felt like hours I started to grow tired and slink back to the tan pony with a satisfied grin.
“I think I did pretty good!”
The tan pony stifled a giggle with her hoof and stared at ne for a moment her face slightly twitching before she burst out into laughter doubling over and slamming her hoof against the table every time I thought it was over she glanced at me again and exploded into a new round of laughter, I could feel my whole face start to heat up with a darker lavender.
“Oh…Oh, that was hilarious you looked like a limp noodle No a flag waving in the wind! Seriously what was that I think my grandma dances better”
“What? It wasn't THAT bad I couldn't have been”
I said trying to guard the last of my dignity while I continued to blush “Well technically I don't know how to dance, as a pony at least” I thought it was rational except I hated myself for admitting it. The tan pony straight faced and stared at me intensely giving off a serious vibe.
“It was THAT bad, good for entertainment though.”
I tried to facepalm or at least do the pony equivalent face...hoof? Regardless of what it's called I practically jabbed myself in the eye with a pencil because It. Hurt. Big time, Screaming in utter agony I threw myself onto the table and started to writhe about feeling the stinging and throbbing pain in my eyes.
“Agh! Dear Lord please help me!!”
I said letting out a screech as the whites of my eyes quickly turned into a reddish color as the veins could be visibly seen my mind was a mess being frazzled about by the overwhelming pain that just crashed into my stimuli but one thought came to the forefront of my mind “Never do that again!” and after what seemed like an eternity my eyes stopped stinging allowing me to blink my eyes were wetter than usual and it felt like I was going to cry constantly all while the Tan Pony’s face cringed inwards like she had witnessed something disgusting.
“Oooh, I've done that before terrible feeling it's better to focus on the forehead.”
She said keeping up her serious tone but feeling more genuine this time as her hoof lifted and planted against her forehead as she tapped around a couple of times like a demonstration of sorts. I cautiously blinked and nodded my head a signal for her to stop, she took it and lowered her hoof.
“Duly noted Miss…”
The Tan pony cut in rather quickly and gestured towards herself.
“Buttered Toast my highness”
“Well nice to meet you Buttered Toast but I ought to go”
I said slowly moving away from the table, I noticed the increasing density of the crowd and wanted to leave before it became a chore to leave. Buttered began to speak with a slightly disappointed tone.
“Oh…I wouldn't want to keep you then Princess.”
“I blew it” She thought averting her gaze to the table, I stopped and turned around noticing her expression I glanced towards the entrance and back towards the table “Curse these sad ponies!” I sat back down.
“Well…I could stay for a little while longer.”
Her ears physically perked up when I said that as she quickly raised her head with a hesitant smile.
“Really? I mean, I wouldn't want you to miss something because of me.”
“I wouldn't want to disappoint besides maybe I can get directions from her” I nodded and placed my hooves on the table over each other and smiled.
“No no It's fine It doesn't really matter when I go”
Buttered's smile grew wider I swear I could've heard it squeak or something before she landed on the floor and began to walk away from the table.
“Oh come on this place has some great drinks!”
Hopping up I joined her in stride and kept walking until we reached another wooden surface, this time it stretched outwards on a sort of present shape and had a couple of seats spread out from each other , behind the counter where a couple of rows of bottles with labels I couldn't read. I saw Buttered Sit down and a red maned pony orange pony began to speak to her sitting down myself I heard the conversation.
“Hey Toasty, what brings you here tonight”
“Oh you know the usual, say do you have any of that Dazzleberry Friz?”
“Depends how much are you willing to pay cutie?”
He said wiggling his eyebrows, Buttered rolled her eyes and spoke more annoyed this time.
“Ugh, shut up Blaze do you have it or not”
Blaze threw his hooves up into the air like he had been held at gunpoint.
“Calm down of course I have it, 4 bits as usual”
Blaze then grabbed the bottle of what I can only assume it Dazzleberry Friz and swished it around a little in his hoof then slid it over to Buttered who had her hoof played out on the counter to stop it she then slammed 4 bits onto the table dramatically which Blaze then rolled his eyes too and scooped up the bits. As he turned a way I had my eyebrow raised looking at her quizzically.
“What was that?”
“What? Oh nothing, I mean he's always annoying but he's not all that bad once you get to know him.”
“Okay, that's cool I guess”
“Yeah, he's something alright”
She said before lifting the bottle to her mouth and taking a big gulp from it, she shivered and relaxed a bit.
“Ah, that hits the spot. You know this stuff is made with organic juice blends? It's really amazing”
“Right. I should…”
Yawning I rested my head against the table and before you knew it I had blacked out in the middle of a bar.
Spike’s eyes fluttered open as he yawned the light of the newly raised sun shining into his eyes causing a slight stinging pain as he raised his claws in a failed attempt to shield himself from the sunlight he groaned tossing himself off the bed he resided in as he moved his blanket caught onto his scales, pulling with more force he caused himself to trip over and crash into a nearby bookshelf that then proceeded to pelt him with a shower of books.
“Ow, ow, ow!”
He let out a couple of shrill screams before falling silent, in a quick motion he thrusted his closed fist upwards and knocked a couple of books off the top of the stack, climbing out as he rubbed his eyes before looking around and scampering around for a bit.
“Don't worry Twilight I got breakfast!”
With that he increased his speed, each step with renowned purpose as he found his way into the kitchen and found it… completely empty.
“Strange… Maybe she fell asleep in the Library again”
Spoke quickly hurried along the crystal floors making his way to the Library in speeds that Jack would have killed for, weaving in and out of multiple Aisles he searched high and low. Nothing but rows and rows of books greated him tapping his claws against the crystal walls his breath accelerated “Twilight never leaves without a note or something, there has to be some sort of explanation!” his eyes fluttered down the hallway as he broke out into a sprint taking a sharp left then a right he ended up in front of Starlight’s door frame relentlessly pounding on it, he was usually more relaxed than this but his motherly figure and best friend suddenly vanishing out of nowhere caused him immense worry.
“Starlight, Starlight! Wake up!”
Starlight quickly pushed open the wooden door and looked down at Spike confused she held his body with a hoof and slowly exhaled.
“Spike? What's the problem?”
Spike looked up with a somewhat relieved expression. Though his eyes were still wide as he fidgeted about.
“Have you Seen Twilight anywhere?”
Starlight looked to the side then placed her hoof under her chin and moved it around for a bit.
“Well now that you mention it I haven't.”
Hastily opening my eyes I jumped up, feeling a rather dampness on my fur as I was extremely hot my brain struggling to figure out what was going on in my growing panic. Quickly surveying my surroundings I had noticed I was in a spacious room with beige walls and various furniture such as a nightstand a closet, two comfy looking chairs, a small coffee table and a large box in the far left corner of the moon housing various objects. Feeling the soft fabric against my hooves I tossed the covers to the right of me and slowly shimmied my way to the edge of the bed sitting upwards and let myself fall forwards onto my hooves wincing I bit my lip “Not the most painless method” I shook my front hooves as they stung a bit from the impact but their sturdiness helped dull the pain.
“So…where am I?”
I said trying to draw from my memory how I arrived in this location again my brain had proved fruitless in trying to remember much more than a vague sound of me hitting some wood I presume. Jabbing my hoof carefully into my skull I began to panic massage the sides of my head “It's cool I'll figure out later I always do.” At times like this I really wish I had fingers heck I'd settle for one finger, really helps me with my anxiety when I have something to grasp. Slowly pacing around the room I fidgeted and took very quick breaths.
“Need. Alternative. Stress Relief.”
My mind was spiraling thoughts collapsing in on each other as a dull pain pulsated outwards scrambling any thoughts that managed to make it out of the collision my brain was practically an active war zone and bottling up my anxiety has never helped in the slightest I felt like I wanted to rip my hooves off and use them to smack myself while retroactively inflating my head like a balloon, that's when the door to the room busted open catching me in mid panic spiral I froze caught like a deer in headlights my no doubt crazed expression held. Buttered seemed to physically recoil upon seeing me before taking a slow methodical step forwards while speaking in a calming voice.
“Now, now Don't freak out. I have only brought you here because leaving you at a club blacked out was a terrible idea. I also brought you soup because I was worried.”
She said holding up a tray with low and behold a steaming hot bowl of soup and planting it down on the nearby coffee table the spoon clattered along the bowls edge and I locked my sights on it, slipping my hoof around it I began stirring the spoon and watching the soup swirl around for what felt like hours I found myself becoming much calmer as if the soup were absorbing all the troubles I had stored up for a while taking a deep breath I released the spoon from my grip and took a deep breath and blew out.
“Sorry about… all that, It's not usually that bad. So uhm… is this your room?”
She looked at me with another moment of worry flashing across her face before she decided to squint intensely at something behind me, before replying.
“No It's my guest room. I store stuff here sometimes”
She offered gesturing to the box in the corner with her hoof. I simply nodded spotting the box beforehand and looked out the window.
“I should probably get going… Buttered Toast was it?”
She nodded as I grabbed the book on the counter and slipped out of the room then sheepishly looked back as I realized I had no clue how to leave this place seemingly knowing this she responded blandly.
“Take a right then take a left at the end of the hallway”
I chuckled nervously then waved my hoof.
“Thanks.”
And with that I made my way out of the building the sun rays hitting my fur and warming me up on the inside as I felt a renowned vigor “Today’s gonna be the day!” I then puffed out my chest and started walking along book in hoof.
5 Minutes Ago
Spike now hearing this began to rack his brain for any possible solutions being seriously confused.
“What do you mean you haven't seen her!”
Starlight deadpanned and looked around seeing the castle was relatively quiet.
“Would you calm down she’s fine I'm sure of it”
Spike then looked up at Starlight with his expression growing more worried by the second.
“When's the last time she's left for a full night without leaving any sort of note or even checking in since you've been here.”
Starlight pondered this for a moment going over her memories of living in the castle and memories of Twilight specifically “She isn't the type to do something… so spontaneously, she usually does have some sort of note or plan but it can't be that bad” guiding her gaze back at Spike she spoke with her calm demeanor again sure of Twilight's safety.
“Well, never but that doesn't mean something happened”
“Right, Right nothing happened but what if she was foal napped!
He said jumping to conclusions once more and his fear and panic built inside of him causing him to bite his claws as he looked around.
“Or what if she’s being crushed and we can't hear her!”
Starlight then lowered her head slightly as a sparkling teal aura engulfed her horn then another around the shape of Spikes mouth she promptly shut it with her magic to get her point across.
“Look, you're being crazy she's fine she'll probably be back any minute now. Now I'm going to release my magic on the count of three and you shouldn't worry anymore okay.”
Spike simply nodded very slowly as Starlight grinned before slowly and deliberately drawing out her countdown
“One… Two… Three”
Once reaching three she released her magic and made a simple nod before going back into her room and closing the door with a slam. This startled Spike enough that he jumped and fell backwards landing on his rump.
“Oomph, Jeez that didn't help… maybe I can find somepony else to help!”
Spike Leaped to his feet hastily jogging back towards the front entrance with relative ease before he threw out one of his claws pushing open the door with slight force as he kept his speed up looking around he stared at the sky while slowing down a bit. “Maybe I could find Rarity?” absentmindedly looking around he made his way towards the center of town his green scales being illuminated slightly by the sun rays.Multi Colored ponies Walked about in small clusters with occasional loners early morning conversation strewn about turning his head around he tried to spot one of his familiar friends faces. He stopped taking in the similar scenery as he saw a rainbow colored streak zip through the air he jolted his neck upwards quickly screaming to catch what he thought to be Rainbow Dash’s attention.
“Rainbow Dash, Rainbow Dash over here!”
He flailed his claws around in the air while jumping up and down the cyan pegasus turned and craned their neck downwards they had a similar rainbow colored mane but it was only coating the tips of a relatively brown mane she shouted.
“What?!”
Spike face palmed swipping his hand to the left as if telling her to move.
“Not you Rainbow Flash!”
Rainbow Flash looked disappointed and slowly flew away leaving the cloud empty, then all of a sudden Rainbow Dash loomed over Spike and said from behind.
“Boo.”
Spike’s heart practically lept out of his chest as he began to run before ducking behind a mailbox shivering, Rainbow Dash pointed her hoof at him and laughed for a good moment before composing herself.
“Yo just me, what did you want”
Spike just stood again quickly stepping forward.
“I-I knew that but I was wondering if you could help me find Twilight I haven't seen her around”
Rainbow Dash looked somewhat uninterested for a moment
“You sure she didn't just fall asleep in the Library again?”
Spike groaned.
“No I checked there she seriously never came back and I'm worried.”
Rainbow Dash looked at him then back up to the sky quickly flaring her wings practically oozing self confidence.
“No problem, I can sweep over Ponyville in like 30 seconds tops”
Spike grinned not the pony he was looking for but this might have turned out better than he expected.
“Just tell me if you find her Rainbow”
“You know I will, when have I ever left a friend hanging”
Spike raised one of his claws and opened his mouth to speak, Rainbow Dash interrupted him with a loud flap of her wings to get her off the ground.
“Don't answer that gotta fly!”
Rainbow Dash Reeled back then zipped off into the sky doing a loop de loop then leveling out above the city as she yelled in excitement. She always loved the sensations of flying the speed, the wind rippling around her as she broke the sound barrier the adrenaline coursing through her iit was totally awesome in every sense of the word. But right now she needed to find Twilight she wasn't too worried not many princess’ around these parts she zipped past a row of buildings heading for the castle as she kept an eye out for Twilight looking left than right she made a rightwards turn “Not many ponies out this morning should be easy to spot her” as she finished rounding the castle she increased her speed flying past Spike and checking the other 3/4ths of Ponyville seeing the rows of familiar housing she zoomed past the Town Hall with nothing more than a couple of quick glances. Her wings began to beat more constantly as she did a barrel roll over Rarity's Boutique and noticed a familiar lavander pony exiting a house on the far edge of the town quickly descending she slowed her pace before landing in front of Twilight Sparkle.
“Hey Twilight, Spike’s all worried about you and junk so can you like go tell him what you're doing so he can stop freaking out.”
She said flatly like this happened pretty often I for one had barely taken a couple of steps outside and had already been found by one of my “friends”. “Oh man I wanted to at least practice a tiny bit of magic before I went back, but it just seems like Spike wants to know where I am… CURSE YOU SPIKE!” I scowled before dragging my hoof down my face it oddly stopping and my muzzle as I dragged it off my face and dropped it to the ground faking a smile.
“Oh, Hi Rainbow! I could've sworn I had left Spike a note”
I chirped trying to keep the Intense hatred of Spike out of my tone “I can't believe he's getting in the way of magic training… MAGIC. TRAINING.”
Rainbow Dash lifted her hoof with a shrug looking over to the side.
“I don't know, all I know is he called on me to find you come on we can talk and fly”
She said jabbing her head towards the sky as of telling me to get moving. I frowned and froze in Place “Oh… flying, how could I forget about that? Uh… no it's fine I'll just say I'd rather walk seems… legit” blinking I craned my neck behind me wishing I could just hang out all day with someone I didn't have to pretend to be different around.
“Uhm, I'd rather walk… if that's okay”
Rainbow Dash just did another shrug and flapped her wings hovering above me as I began walking.
“Your Loss, so what you doing out here?”
I put my hoof up to my chin and stroked it a bit book still in my grip I looked down to my left hoof I quickly pushed the book upwards nearly dropping it onto the ground.
“I went to borrow a book, I'll uhm return it later.”
Using a hoof to press the book against my body I slowly slid my hoof down until it was wedged into my side a tad bit painful? Yes but worth it to keep cover. Rainbow Dash flew lazily above me barely flapping her wings to stay afloat as she peered towards the book It took me a moment to catch her gaze but once I did I shifted by body to try to block it tensing up a bit. “Oh yikes… please don't say anything, I worked so hard for this cover!”
“Oh, laaame it's not even one of the good books like Daring Do. If you're gonna read at least read awesome I say.”
I rolled my eyes hard at that continuing the trek towards the Town Hall it was daytime so navigating wasn't nearly as hard as it was before but I still took a look around every once in a while to make sure I wasn't walking the wrong way. Falling into a rhythm I looked up at Rainbow Dash again as she was now flying flipped over backside facing the ground as she craned her neck her eyes popping open.
“Oh shoot, just remembered I'm gonna meet Fluttershy at her cottage later this afternoon. Me and her were gonna work on our flying speed… well mostly her because I'm awesome but you know what I mean. She could use a bit of practice and I figured you have wings and all so why not join us.”
I blinked and looked somewhere behind her and shrugged.
“Uhm…. sure?”
“Cool, I’ll tell her now”
She nodded before flapping her wings and zipping off before I could stop her.
I watched as the Rainbow colors of the Cyan Pegasus flitted away into the distance before turning my neck back to the ground kicking my hoof into it and picking up dust as I grumbled. “Ugh that was stupid why’d I say that” I shook my head angry at myself walking forward I let my body keep moving as I was gripping the Book against my fur feeling its softcover I blanked moving into a sort of autopilot mode my thoughts were filled with trying to figure out how I could learn how to fly in an hour or two. Coming towards the entrance of the Castle I blinked somehow losing the concept of where I was for a moment I sighed clambering up the steps in a slightly hurried manner I would need as much time as possible if I was gonna pull this off. I threw open the door with my hoof as I saw a flash of light purple and green get sent across the hallway before a small thud could be heard and then a pained groan I flicked my eyes over towards it noticing Spike had slammed into a crystal wall a big grin crossed on my face seeing him in pain “Take that you annoying dragon” I know it was kind of messed up but heck he had been ruining something lately.
“Oh, hey Spike I’m fine I’m gonna go read up on something do we have any books on uhm… flight?”
Spike was still kind of face down but sprung himself up mulling over the words he just heard his scales were tough so he could take more physical abuse than most he snapped with his claw and looked over towards me.
“Should be on the second floor under ‘Aviary’ where all the other bird and flight stuff is unless you were talking about other types of flight.”
I bit down on my tongue to keep from saying something rude to Spike and did a small nod and started to head up the stairs I could've said thanks or something else minor but truthfully I didn't have much time to waste with formalities. "Hmm, I'd say I have an hour or two to become a somewhat decent flyer. It's a basic skill, these ponies probably learned it in a couple of minutes!” Truthfully I would've told myself anything to keep my spirits up, on the way up the stairs I noticed a couple rows of books that seemed to be outside the library. Taking a moment to look at the vast variety of books I started to comb down the bookshelf I started at the far left because it was closest to me. I lifted a hoof to take a book off the shelf but noticed the title started off with the Letter A and assumed I had stumbled across the right shelf sliding the book back into place I looked at the 5 rows of about 20 books each and dragged my hoof downwards “Av should be somewhere near the bottom rows. I hope she just alphabetized the books” Crouching a bit I took a long glance at the bottom two rows of books checking each one's spine for the topic but I had noticed a variety of letters G, F, S, even Z. Frowning I stood and took a step back looking around I'd hope to find some sort of labeling on the sides of the shelf or perhaps overhead but a 3-minute long search came up with nothing tapping my hoof gently against the floor I made a beat before deciding to peek over the balcony to view the floor below Spike had closed the door and was now working on cleaning off a table. “I don't have time to be figuring out how she organized these books.” I made my voice loud so I could be heard.
“Spike! Uhm, Do you remember how we Organized these books last time… I'm having a bit of trouble remembering.”
Spike glanced up releasing the cleaning rag he had in his possession before arching his eyebrows.
“I thought you were the one who remembered the Organizing, I just help out with it.”
He then began to mutter something under his breath before clutching the rag again.
“But I think We Categorized everything then sorted by Alphabet.”
Turning back towards the books I noticed a staircase going upwards. It seemed like there was more of a chance finding something in there.
"Why didn't I think to check upstairs earlier would've saved so much time" I chastised myself for such an obvious mistake as I moved towards the upper level a long stretch of the hallway facing opposite from the balcony caught my eye, several yellow rimmed banners with brown and black books clung to poles jutting out from the reflective crystal the hallway itself having a swirling and repeating pattern of what looked like a ball made of hastily drawn lines blending in with it's purple and blues and finally ahead awaits a large silver door with a golden book cover and pure white pages covering up the lower half.
Staring at the spectacle ahead of me I almost tripped over my own hooves, I was shocked by the level of detail that went into this specific hallway to differentiate it.
"Wow.. this is… yeah definitely a huge Library"
Reaching out my hoof I pressed against the cool surface of the door pushing it open with a slight creak the noise filled the room as the torches that were placed on the side of the crystalline bookshelves roared to life a slight tinkling sound accompanied the soft white flames that gave the room it's light. From what I could see the room was giant filmed with tables and rows and rows of bookshelves at the far end of the room the faint shadowy outline of another pony shook my nerves. I called out in hopes to get this pony to come over "Maybe it's just the Librarian or… housekeeper? I'd doubt Spike does all that work alone"
"Anyone there?"
My voice seemed to bounce around me and reach the end of the room before cutting out the shadow turned it's head slowly at me then screeched my own voice back except it sounded warbled, shifted in pitch, Glitched. It was patching together a sentence.
"O...ea...y h...ea...ir"
My body crawled at the shrill tone of the voice I could feel my fur stand on end I was shaking… nervous my head was pounding as a flash of a pair of green glowing eyes and black crystals filled my mind."SOMBRA!" as a beam shot right out of my horn and zoomed through the air like a bullet dispersing the shadow upon impact, The breath I didn't know I was holding released as I turned to search the labels above the shelves.
"Wait hasn't Sombra been dead since like… Season 3?
After reaching this revelation my focus on the search slipped I began to pace about in the Library talking to myself.
Does Sombra return this Season? Am I somehow… playing out events that haven't happened yet? Oh god, I'm not ready for this how am I supposed to beat a villain?! Okay Okay maybe I should try to remember"
Closing my eyes I stilled trying to call back my memory of what Sombra looked like I felt a chill crawl up my back as I took a deep breath the darkness of my mind brightened, I was standing in what looked like another crystal walled castle taking a look around everything blurred and voices and noise were muffled almost impossible to make out. There was one thing on my mind "Run! Get the Crystal Heart!" My speed increased I felt the adrenaline rushing to my hooves the urgency of the moment before a crystal jutted out right in front of me!
My pace slowed trying to move out of the way but more crystals jutted up and around me, I was trapped, the pressure was too much I couldn't do this not on my own. Calling out loud I barked an order to someone who was… close to me, it was unclear everything started to fade into the black before two green spheres glowed a purple glow trailing off to the sides and a cackle that forced me to snap my eyes open my forehead of fur was almost drenched in a cold sweat.
"Jeez… that was… scary."
Bounding up the steps and scurrying down the hallway Spike pushed the slightly opened door a loud squeak echoed off the large walls looking around for a moment he stepped in and raised his claws to his mouth to increase volume.
"Twilight? Rainbow Dash is at the door-"
I don't know what was going through my head in the moment fear, anger, nervousness maybe but whatever it was it caused me to chuck a nearby book into the air with such might it arched and beaned Spike right in the forehead sending him crashing into the ground mid-sentence. I grinned stepping forwards to see my achievement at first I felt utter jubilation seeing the unconscious dragon sprawled out against the glass like a floor but my glee wavered when I saw the small bump swelling where the book hit him. "Causing him pain is what I wanted right? I mean… he can handle it, just a little bump not like I care or anything" I pondered my face scrunching up.
Rainbow Dash was gonna knock again she truly was going too but she had been waiting for the last five minutes and she was getting rather impatient "What's with the holdup?" Rainbow Dash had many thoughts, some self-centered, some impulsive, and others well… they didn't matter much because Instead of thinking about it too hard, Rainbow charged into the castle hooves wildly flailing.
"Come out you Foalnapper! Rainbow Dash is gonna show you not to mess with her friends!"
I, on the other hand, had just laid Spike's head on a pillow when the huge door slammed against the wall, startled my wings flaring out as I tipped backward. For a moment or two, I stilled before I lost my footing and tumbled to the ground slamming against my side and left-wing, pain ebbing through my body I did the only sensible thing. Scream.
"CELESTIA DAMMIT!"
My cry of anger surprisingly didn't wake Spike and he stirred slightly I heard a faint whooshing sound coming closer sliding my right hoof over I picked up a book and righted myself ready to kick ass and take names. The unknown entity rounded the corner and I launched another book into the air in hopes of landing a knockout blow.
"Woah! Calm down Twilight it's just me!"
Rainbow Dash had managed to duck out of the way in time as the book collided with a wall and bounced back a bit the pages fluttering and flipping from the rapid descent until it hit the ground with a resounding smack.
"Oh, Uhm… hey Rainbow, what are you doing here?"
Rainbow Dash seemed to stop and think for a couple of seconds before her eyes widened in a sudden rush of recalled memory.
"Oh yeah! I figured you'd get caught up in something, So I came to get you, come on were gonna be late and I don't do late." I raised an eyebrow to this statement. "Sure she's fast and all but she's also kinda lazy"
"I doubt you have never been late for anything."
Rainbow Dash stuttered for a moment she wasn't expecting to be challenged on that statement, shaking her head she dismissed the notion.
"Whatever the point is we should probably head over there now"
Now knowing I was out of time I began to panic "Oh god… I didn't even start!"
Rainbow Dash seemed to continue flying making a loop in the air to go back out the door, being nervous I chose to walk unless I absolutely had to fly picking up a random book I tried to keep up with her pace. As we were moving quickly for the edge of town I let my mind wander back to the pair of eyes I saw. "Was that really Sombra? If so why did the memory feel so? real"
The walk seemed to continue on for a while, I wasn't paying much attention to where we were going anymore. "Oh, man… how am I ever going to get over that? is that a sign? should I be worried?"
Looking up Rainbow Dash had landed in front of the cottage door knocking on it loud and quick, while I took up the rear waiting for the trainwreck to happen. There were a couple of animal squawks and cries before Fluttershy opened the door with a slow creak.
"Hel- Oh! Hi Rainbow Dash, Hi Twilight. Sorry, I just need to take care of one of my bird friends, I'll be out in just a moment."
Rainbow Dash scoffed in annoyance, stalking off. Staring at the door with a slight tinge of worry I bit my lower lip and craned my neck to look behind me, an action I wouldn’t normally be able to do in my human body. "Oh brother… wings you better work," I thought. Fluttershy slipped out of her cottage quietly as I turned to look up her sudden appearance startling me “Agh! Don’t do that!” I pressed my hoof against my chest taking a breath.
Fluttershy blushed and softly responded, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” She looked at Jack for a moment before her eyes drifted off to the side. "Uhm… where did Rainbow Dash go?" taking a look around myself for a moment I shrugged. "Oh. Okay." She said staring at me for a moment before looking up towards the sky.
We waited together in silence, I didn't feel like trying to start a conversation trying to use this time to figure out how my wings worked. "Okay so if this is how I lift the left wing, then how do I get the Right one?" My right wing wiggled up and down a bit "One seems responsive enough, I'd thought this would just be some instinctive thing." I finished my thought trying to move both my wings in sync.
Rainbow Dash circled back over the area screeching to a halt as she spotted the butter-colored pony on the grass, zipping down she rolled her eyes "Finally! Come on then I'll get both of you up to speed in no time." She grinned smugly.
Fluttershy raised an eyebrow "Oh, I thought you had canceled. Okay just let me get ready." She stood and began to stretch herself out, Rainbow Dash blushed for a moment “I uh well… you took too long, I get antsy!” I took a look at the two of them getting ready and imitated it loosely. Once we all had thoroughly gotten our bones ready Rainbow piped up again “Alrighty! You girls already know how to fly, but today we’re gonna be flying with speed!” She declared puffing her chest out as a gust of wind blew passed her mane.
I gulped looking a bit nervous “Aha you’re about to find out how wrong you are…” I mused looking towards Fluttershy with a worried gaze, she nodded then gave me a hug.
"Thanks" I muttered
"You're welcome," she said smiling.
Rainbow Dash stood “Alright all stretched out, let’s go!” Zipping up into the sky with a hop Rainbow Dash seemed to be about 20 feet off the ground almost instantly.
“Sheesh, ten seconds flat wasn’t a joke,” I thought to watch as Fluttershy slowly rose herself up to the same level the disparity in speed rather obvious. It took another moment for me to flap my wings “Well now or never”
As I looked back at my wings, I tried flapping them both in sync my face in deep fixation, the sweat building on my face as I stole a glance at them. Rainbow seemed to look disappointed for a second before slipping back into a neutral face and Fluttershy kept her small grin of encouragement.
I gave a deep breath trying a powerful flap after feeling it out for a moment. The gust pushed me forward and took my hind legs off the ground causing me to almost eat dirt as I cheekily grinned "Ha! I'm doing it!"
Rainbow Dash seemed to groan, she thought she had gotten passed this. She understood though flying was pretty awesome probably better than Unicorn Magic. "While I would love to watch you geek out, maybe you can come up here and do it? I wanna get on the move sometime this century."
I looked up at her for a moment trying to figure out how to get my weight sorted out. "Since when did you know big words?" I taunted.
Rainbow paused for a moment before shouting "I picked it up from Daring Do, Egghead!"
Rolling my eyes I eventually positioned myself to where it looked like I was standing and rose myself upwards with a couple more flaps grinning confidently "Easy!"
Rainbow Dash scoffed "This isn't like the time you first got your wings, don't be so stiff."
"Stiff?" I looked over towards Fluttershy, she would approve, right? I think I did pretty good for my first time. She gave me another smile, I couldn't tell if it was encouragement or willful silence as to not hurt my feelings. I decided to go with the former. "What next Drill Sargent Dash?"
Rainbow Dash smirked "Since when did you have a sense of humor?" She searched around for a moment then looked at a tree an idea coming to mind "Alright, well just loop around that tree and come back as the finisher to the warm-up"
Rainbow ready to demonstrate her speed started to dive at the tree before a ripple shot through the air throwing her straight into the tree. The noise of the large explosion masking her groan of pain.
Fluttershy trembled putting her hooves over her head as she tried to stop herself from being flung away.
I had closed my eyes at the noise the sound making my head throb and my ears sting, the next thing I knew I could feel my body lurching. Opening my eyes I saw everything swirling as I was heading for the ground. I squealed shutting my eyes closed again. "Oh God, oh God, please don't crash. Please don't crash."
I could feel everything stop and then my whole body felt like It was being pulled, but nothing felt like I was falling anymore. Daring to open my eyes I found myself safely on the ground, quickly spinning I saw Rainbow rubbing her head and Fluttershy landing a couple feet away. "Is everypony okay?"
Rainbow Dash had brushed herself off. "Yeah, I know how to take a crash."
Fluttershy had made her way over "Oh, yeah I'm okay, I'm more worried about that noise we just heard.
I gulped turning back towards Ponyville "Was it Sombra? Is that why I had that memory-dream thing" I pondered feeling a bit scared. "Yeah I am too."
Buut I might be working on rewriting some of this stuff after posting Chapter 6.