What if humans appeared in Equestria with no rhyme or reason? Just there.
The first human to appear out of the blue was Claudia. Princess Twilight Sparkle and Starswirl the bearded aren't expecting for a human with tannish skin to appear out of nowhere and this lady don't appear to be magic at all. Claudia never seen mythical creatures exists but just in stories and movies, she pleaded to be sent home, but it took them three months to finally able to find a spell to bring back to where she came.
Alogn that three months, she grew fond with ponies, and other creatures she gotten to know. she decided to stay with the permission of both Twilight and Starswirl. She became the first human resident of Equestria.
But now, 4 years past, there were rumours of another sightings of humans not far from Ponyville.
Once there was a human, appearing in the middle of the old Ponhenge where The Pillars once emerged. Starswirl the Bearded and the new Equestria royalty, Princess Twilight greeted the new human into their lives until they can figure out how to bring her back. The Mirror Portal is no use since wherever this human came from it wasn't from there, but from another resources that they had doubt it was Discord. They tried their best to do more studies to how this human came and what other magical forces could have done this.
Though they manage to find a spell to let this human back, though it has been three months she stayed and everypony knew her by name, that is Claudia. She grew accustomed to Equestrian life, she decided to permit herself to stay and never return to the world she once came.
Years past Claudia showed courage and fought battles alongside the Equestrians, her voice shone across the Equestrian maps, guiding a peace relationship between creatures and for a human with no powers, she gained one under the Tree of Harmony - what's left of its power - she is now the beholder of Peace Amulet. Claudia the Peace was named by Princess Twilight, she showed courage to step up and stop multiple problems in Equestria in most of her years, giving speeches and solutions to end wars between creatures.
Claudia the Peace grew stronger and louder in helping Princess Twilight in some matters of problem. Beyond that she grew into a lady with passions for farming and scroll writings, learning more about the new world she decided to call Home.
Another year later, another news came to Canterlot.
"What?" exclaimed Twilight.
"It was sighted in the Everfree forest. With the occurring disappearances of Earth Ponies and Unicorns in Ponyville and Winsome Falls," Gallus responds, "I think we need Claudia The Peace to come and investigate, if I may suggest, Princess?"
"That's an excellent idea, Gallus. Please prepare a few guards to follow Claudia to where you said they are sited," ordered Princess Twilight.
Gallus bowed and made his way out of the throne room. Princess Twilight looks at Spike who has been with her all the time and begins writing a scroll and fires it away to Ponyville.
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Claudia stayed temporarily in Twilight's old Castle who now home to the now Headmare of the Friendship school, Starlight Glimmer. Ever since she received magic from the Tree of Harmony, she has gotten used to practising magic and also scroll writing after taking a lot of tutoring from Sunburst.
She's handling most peace treaties and visiting places that need a peacemaker. Her job is not easy but as the only adult human species to ever set foot on Equestria some ponies and creatures don't take her seriously but with full guidance from Princess Twilight and Starlight, she gets up to her feet and stops whatever war is about to break between creatures.
Well, for now, the only thing she ever tried to stop a war is just between Griffons themselves over the new lands they founded and just had non-agreeable moments. Took her hot temper to stop a loud fight between large bird-lions.
Claudia just finished her scroll practice, cleaning up the library and surprised by the scroll popping up in front of her as she climbed up on a ladder to one of the shelves and fell.
"Oooh, my back," she groans, kind of grateful for she fell on one of the beanies in the library. She picks up the scroll that fell to her head.
"A scroll from Princess Twilight?"
Immediately she unties the scroll and reads the contents :
Dear, Claudia.
I have urgent news for you to hear. You know about the story of missing ponies around the lands. Just earlier today, another pony from Ponyville went missing from their home. They were camping at Winsome Falls before they were attacked.
There is a witness.
They said they saw…. Two-legged creatures that resemble you.
HUMANS.
I have sent Gallus and the rest of the guards to help you to investigate where these "humans" were sighted. They also will be bringing the witness to give more details of the incident. As you read this, I will be away to Maretonia for an urgent meeting. I hope I received news from you.
Signed,
Twilight Sparkle.
In disbelief, she read it again. Chills down her spine to the word ‘Humans’; she grit her teeth in hoping this was a joke and knows Twilight Sparkle is bad at making jokes.
Quickly she ran towards her room to pack and open up her safe to grab her Peace Amulet from the Tree of Harmony. The amulet wields magic only she can perform like the Elements of Magic that Twilight and her friends used to wear.
After she finished packing she just picked up her cloak, dashing straight to the front door when she heard the knock. She knew it was Gallus and the witness arriving at the door.
The guards saluted her as she opened the door, Gallus bowed and introduced Claudia to the witness.
"These things I saw looked like you with two hands and legs, and they attacked us like we're wild animals, chained us but I escaped," the light yellow with grey-haired earth stallion said, " I don't know who to talk I ran straight to Princess Twilight for advice and so she asked to go to you," he continued.
Claudia thinks before looking at the witness pony again, "...so they took your friends, at the Winsome falls?"
"Yes, m'lady. All I can see while running away they ran straight to the deep forest of Everfree and disappeared,"
Claudia thinks hard before thanking the pony in front of her, "Then the first place we need to investigate is the Winsome Falls where they last saw them, let's hope we found what we're looking for."
"Yes, Ma'am!" Gallus points to the other guards and they fly off and ready for flight, Claudia unable to fly has to take a ride with Gallus on his back.
The grounds on Winsome Falls leaves little trace of what's missing, there were tents on the nearby waterfalls where the acclaimed missing ponies were reported. The campsite was demolished, what the witness said they fought before they were tied up and brought away.
Claudia looked around with the other guards for more clues, "Seems like whoever was attacking this campsite also stole some of the appliances and clothes these ponies bring," Gallus reported, showing Claudia a ripped cloth, "You're right. Oooh, I hoped these ponies here are alright this is frustratingly sad," Claudia muttered as she looked around at the devastating campsite, "If what we heard is true, and if humans here we need to find the ponies soon," she added as she looked at Gallus.
"Don't worry, Miss Claudia, we will find them," Gallus assured.
Claudia gave him a tiny smile until they got a shout from one of the guards, "Lady Claudia, Gallus! We found something!" one of the Pegasus guards flutters by and leads them to a trail that leads to a small forest that is connected to the Everfree forest. There were footprints. Shoes and hooves planted to the ground, Claudia checked and matched her feet with the prints on the side, they are slightly bigger than hers. Her heart sank but with both hope and worries, she turned around to the others.
"I hate to say it but, the prints are none other than human boots or shoes." She grinned awkwardly.
"Miss Claudia, so are you saying there IS another human?" Gallus questioned.
"No doubt about it and by the looks of these prints it is still new and what the witness said is true, then then there’s no time to lose! We must find the ponies and the humans as soon as possible!" exclaimed Claudia, without hesitation climbed on top of Gallus and they both flew off into the sky, looking around for other clues.
They flew and kept looking around in the vast forest of Everfree until they saw a cloud of smoke coming from beyond two mountains of Everfree.
Gallus and Claudia both pointed at the guards to the location they saw, the guards flew past them with their spears, Gallus swooped down the the guards after.
The fire crackles as new logs were added to the pit, smells of burned meats whiffed the air. There were six ponies on leashes and most of them got their mouth tight shuts, trembling at the sight they are seeing.
Five cloaked figures circling the fire chowing the meat they have made from a rabbit and deers. Laughing, talking about whatever they have experienced in this new land. They talk about going back to their other camp as soon as they have done with their meals.
Before the five figures could finish their meals, they were ambushed by the royal guards. The ponies arise from their fears, raising their hooves, happy they are finally saved.
"What the-" one of them yelled.
One of the figures pulls out his gun to one of the guards and ready to pull the trigger until he stops and trembles.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING MAN?! SHOOT THEM!" One of the figures in the blue cloak shouted.
"I can't-!" The other replied, shaking.
"I do this my-"
"ENOUGH!" a voice shouted from above, Gallus descended and dropped Claudia and her amulet was glowing and so her eyes.
The five cloaked figures were shocked to see what's in front of their eyes, they lowered their weapons and looked around as the rest of the guards helped the rest of the ponies.
"Hey! That's our ri-" The blue cloak guy trying to stop the guards but only to be greeted with the tip of the spear from the other.
"Stand down, Guards. Let me handle this,"
Claudia took a stand and just removed her cloak, raising her two hands, "I don't have anything on my hands and nor is my 'men'" Claudia made an air quote signal as she implies the royal guards,the guards pulls their spears back in the upright position but still on guards for potential threats, "Please, put your weapons down and let's have a normal conversation," her amulet glows slowly, the five figures looked at her amulet before looking up at her, the two men put away their guns and stay alert as well.
"Are you guys, really humans?" she asks.
"Are you?" the blue cloak person asked back.
Claudia nodded and smiled.
They have released the ponies, and two royal guards escorted the six ponies back home to be healed from whatever pain they endured while the other stayed with Claudia to interrogate the five humans. Claudia is excited to finally see other humans around, though she has jobs to do by asking them other questions, "So like, how are you guys even here? Is it because of the blue lights? Please tell me you guys came here from a blue light," they nodded, "We can't remember how but the only thing we remember is seeing a flash of blue light emerge to wherever each one of us is then we woke up to be here. Well not here per se, we dropped into some old ruins beyond this land,"
"Just like me four years ago," Claudia mutters.
"Oh honey, that's so long. We all got here only about 4 months ago, we slowly moved to a better place to stay and found this lush environment," said the lady.
"Oh, at least you didn't catch yourself surrounded by Cockatrices." Gallus exclaimed, "This place is surrounded by dangerous creatures!"
The five of the men just stare at Gallus, they still haven't gotten used to hearing animals speak, "Let me tell you, they are not animals. They speak. Just like us. Walks like us. Gosh, I can give you a speech about this for a long time… but as the Peacemaker of this nation, I have to bring all of you to Canterlot, where you will be questioned by the Princess-"
"Hold up, girl. Why are we even listening to you, how do we know you're not just these Mythical creatures in disguise?" exclaimed the old man.
"Because SIR. I know a lot of things where I came from and they-" waving her hands around to Gallus and the rest of the guards, " - haven't seen a single human before until I dropped in and they don't even own a cellphone!
"I have 10 fingers and toes, most creatures here have FOUR, and I only have less hair while these ponies and griffons have coats or fur... feathers?" she looks at Gallus as if she just noticed what kind of coats even Gallus have then shakes them off before continues,
"Again, CELLPHONES. that word you can't make them up out of whim."
The old man just shuts his lips, huffing, "We can't follow you,"
"We're not the only ones," repeated the woman when there was no response from Claudia, "Wait, wait. There are MORE OF YOU?!" Claudia exclaimed, holding her head in disbelief.
"I have no idea whether to be happy or even scream in terror, " she snorted as she kept spinning around before getting stopped by Gallus. "Okay, okay, I'm calm, I'm calm." She breathes.
"Show us then," Claudia said calmly, "Then from there we HAVE to leave this place and bring you guys to Canterlot, probably we can do something,"
The old man got up to where he sat and gestured to follow him and the other followed.
"We also wondered if you also kept another 6 ponies in captivity?" Claudia humbly asked the old woman.
"Yes, sadly. Don't worry dear, we will let them ago but I don't know how you will explain to the rest of them," the woman scoffed, "I guess I haven't Introduced myself properly, I'm Kamilah, but people call me Kammy,"
"Claudia," she smiled.
"Terry," said the guys in the yellow cloak.
"Georgia," said the other woman, looking not more than twenty like Claudia.
"I'm Herman," said the other guy in a ragged brown cloak. He looked no older than the old man.
The old man didn't answer until Kammy tapped his shoulder.
He disgruntled, "McMirth, just call me Mirth," he still looked pissed and didn't even look at Claudia.
Claudia gives a little smile, happy to get to know these humans' names. They walked quite far from where they were, "How deeper did you guys even hide?" ask Gallus brushing off some branches poking out, out of the way, "Very deep," replied Kammy,
"When we seek shelter there are so many things we faced and endured, but learned to survive like nomads, thank goodness most of us have experience in jungle trekking and survival," Kammy continued, dodging every branch they meet.
"Cool,"
"Are we even nearby?" Claudia questioned while trying her best not to look at spiders that are just crawling on her shoulder then hops away to a branch.
"We are here," McMirth said, and it was a cave.
They entered, there were echoes everywhere it's not dark because they have put multiple men made torches and stuck them in between boulders. The unicorn guards light up their horns and the place shone brighter, there were cave paintings drawn over implicating days, even months of survivals.
Kammy and Georgia stood for a moment to look at the wonderful sight of the unicorn lighting the place up. Claudia smiled and told Kammy and Georgia that unicorns can do a lot of things than just that, "I want to tell you all about this so badly, I'm still happy to meet more humans." Claudia gleefully said, "Well, you're going to be extra surprised to see the others."
McMirth stopped at the bordered up holes, removing the structure and got in, followed by Claudia and the guards.
Loud voices echoed as they grew closer, the five already out and they were greeted by the sound of happy people and… children.
Claudia turns to face Gallus, "Is that the sound of...what do you call them? Kids?" Claudia shrugged but quickly entered the opening, her eyes turned wide upon seeing what's in front of her.
There were more than 20 people in one cave living in stacks, adults that seemed to be the same age as Claudia and the rest were children from the age of not younger than a teen nor preschoolers.
While the other busy greeted the five, one girl, a teen saw Claudia from afar, "ANOTHER HUMAN?!" the girl beamed in excitement but soon disappeared as Gallus and The Guards walked in. Everyone in the cave gasped, children, running and hiding behind teens while the others had spears ready in their hands. Some had guns too.
"Everyone, stand down! It's alright, they are friendly!" McMirth assured them and whistled to Claudia, "Young lady, you're up."
Claudia shakes her head, inhales before stepping up to shakily say, "Hi, everyone." She looked around and the whole cave was just silent. Talking about awkward situations, This was never Claudia's first stage fright, Gallus tugged her cloak and cough. Claudia flinches, looks at Gallus and nods, she does some breathing exercises before she manages to greet everyone properly, telling them about missing ponies and about how she is thrilled to see other humans around but also terribly uncertain about the fact half of the people here are mere children.
They released the other ponies that they kept inside of another cave and watched as the other followed the guards back out, one pony in particular hesitated for a moment and looked back to one of the children who seemed to have grown fond of the pony, they could only wave slightly before leaving the place. It was a strange sight for Claudia as she continues to ask more questions about how everyone even got together and formed a full community in the last 4 months.
Some of the adults tell them about how they just stumbled on each other not longer than five minutes after being transported to this land, the blue light appearing in front of them unnoticed. All their stories are the same, even the children and they are from an orphanage.
"There was glitter everywhere calling us," said one of the children.
"We don't hear any voices but the blue light just attracts us?" one of the teens added.
Claudia nods, "That's exactly how I got here too."
"Aren't you scared?" asked one of the adults that had been listening to the questions and answers circles.
"At first, until I got to know a lot of the ponies and other creatures, like Gallus here," Claudia smiled at Gallus.
Gallus nods, and stumbled back in surprise as one of the children suddenly stood in front of him, "What do you want, kid?"
"Can I touch you?"
Gallus's eyes swing left and right then to Claudia, "Sure?" He bowed a little and let the kid touch his head and feathers.
The kid laughed as she rubs her hands around Gallus head like petting a dog, then the other kids start to join in.
Claudia giggles and continues, "These creatures and ponies all like us, think of it as an alternate dimension, instead of humans, it's ponies and other well-spoken species,"
"Miss Claudia, help me, the kids are swarming me!" Gallus cried, helpless getting tickled by the kids and cuddled, the other guards just laughed, watching Gallus getting tackled by mere tiny children.
"What about them? What's with the armours?" asked a tall boy, as he stared at the guards.
"That's the Royal Guards," she sighed and walked to the guards, "Excuse me gentlecolts, I need you to ask for a request from Princess Twilight for carriages to bring all these humans back to Canterlot, can you help me?"
"Yes, Ma'am!"
“Oh, and please just pass the news about these humans I’m bringing to her, alright?”
The guards saluted and left the place.
Claudia gets back to the circle and asks Kammy to ask the children to stop smothering Gallus with love, "I'm sorry, folks, but all of you have to come with me to see the Princess so we can discuss your future, and finding a solution to bring you back to OUR world."
Everyone was muttering, asking more questions to Claudia for their safety.
"You will be safe I assure you, the ponies are very decent people. You will love it here too when you get to know it!" She grins wide, "Though I may suggest for all of you to leave every weapon you carried with you?" Claudia pleaded.
Everyone looked at each other before continuing to put down their spears and the guns - which they say only just a fake one, made out of sticks and elastic vines - they have and just left in the middle of the circle, "So what now?" asked one of the adults, "We wait for the guards to come by with the carriages so we can hopefully move to Canterlot before the sundown. All of you can pack whatever you want. I could ask the Princess to get all of you a place to stay," Claudia answered.
"For the TWENTY of us?" McMirth raises his eyebrows.
Claudia just gives a little shrug and mumbles, "Maybe?"
She then turned around, went to Gallus who was looking around at the human camp.
The whole structures for their beds are made out of hardwood probably from them chopping trees, dolls made out of twigs, and some phones and pictures on the beds.
One of the girls rushed forward and picked up her phone and took the pictures away from Gallus, "Rude!" She huffs, picks up her rugged bag; putting her stuff in while giving Gallus a squint before leaving him dumbfounded.
"What did I do?" Gallus scratched his head.
"I think that's her stuff, Gallus," Claudia giggles, "Maybe she thinks you were snooping, must be such precious photos," she added, looking around at the people starting to pack their stuff.
"I think I will go and wait outside till the other guards come with the carriages," he walked back to the entrance and left Claudia with the humans. Claudia sat on the bed and just stared.
The sound of the people she used to live with ringing in her head, sounds of going to Starbucks and McDonald's. Hearing children laughing from playing at the playground, but then her vision changes to the view of ponies. She's been living here for too long, she has forgotten what it feels like to live among humans again.
There were twenty carriages and more pegasus guards waiting for them outside, the humans were in awe, especially the children. Claudia divided the adults and kids to be seated together since they are going to fly off, the sun is almost set too, it's better to go soon.
"I'm not good at flying, let alone an open one," said Kammy while climbing on the carriage with a few kids in her hands.
"Don't worry my first flight wasn’t as good as well but I would close my eyes whenever I'm scared," Claudia told Kammy as she checked everyone and counted for.
Claudia with the Peace Amulet can access a little magic, she starts to concentrate. Her amulet begins to glow, Kammy and the others gawk at the sight of the bright red glow emitting from the amulet itself. Claudia raises her hands, aiming the spells at the carriage, there was an instant flash of white light and disappeared in a second.
"What did you just do?" McMirth raised a question, touching the invisible wall that once appeared in front of his eyes.
"Casting a barrier spell so when you take flight you won't fall over. Think of it as an invisible wall, though the spell won't last for long, so better hold each other tight!" Claudia whistles to the guards and they begin to take wing.
Claudia jumps on Gallus, they fly past the guards first before the guards follow behind, the sounds of screaming humans can be heard throughout the flight.
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The sun descends as they arrive in the castle, they are guided directly to the Throne Room where Twilight has awaited their arrival with Spike on her side. Claudia, with the humans behind her, walks in; she was nervous most of all and barely breathing when she looked at Twilight who just gave a loud gasp that echoes the room.
"Then what the guards told me was correct?" she exclaimed, "But never have I thought it is this many," she continues.
Claudia bowed to Twilight and responded, "Yes. It was a surprised for me too, Princess,"
"Well, then. I welcomed all of you to Equestria and Canterlot, dear humans. My name is Twilight Sparkle, I ruled this land with my trusty advisor, Spike," Spike bowed and greeted them.
"Is that a dragon?" Kammy whispered to Claudia.
Claudia nodded.
McMirth suddenly walks past Claudia and Kammy, looking rather pale from the flight, stands in front of Claudia.
"Claudia told us that you can bring us back to the Human world, is that true?" He exclaimed.
Claudia biting her lips, took a step forward facing McMirth,
"I didn't say that exactly, there's a lot of things to settle, magic is not that easy to conjure. There's a lot of studying to do,
" Princess Twilight used to do that for whence I was stuck here as you do," she continues, proceeds to look at Twilight.
She blinked before speaking, "Claudia is right, I have not yet prepared any more studies to make a portal big enough to send all of you," she looks around noticing several smaller children before leaning to Claudia, "Are those… children?"
"Yeah, I also need to discuss you about them,"
Twilight exchange look with Spike, thinking.
"If you can't get us home now, when? A lot of us are tired of staying in darkness, thinking about our families, friends back at home," McMirth bawled, didn't look behind him at the people looking rather sad as if whatever words came out of his voice triggered them.
Twilight noticed this.
Twilight spread her wings to bring her closer and hidden from the humans' view, she leaned and told her the faces of the young ones when McMirth spoke.
"I think we need more time till Starswirl can come back to Canterlot to help us with the portal,"
"I may suggest you ask the humans for rest till we can conjure up spells?" Twilight suggested,
"I will give them a stay here for a while since we do have quite a lot of rooms, beds, and showers for them to clean up. I'll get the maids and butlers to set up a few things for their accommodations,"
When Twilight unfolded her wings and gave her way to talk to the humans, she gestured to Claudia to go on with her suggestion.
"I know all of you are tired, hungry, and couldn't wait to finally get back home. But I am seriously telling you that these spells take time, so Princess Twilight has given permission for all of you to stay here,
"She insisted for you to have a good rest and maybe a shower-"
"A shower?" shouted one of the teens, her expression is full of relief and looking at her other friends.
Claudia smiled, she can hear Twilight giggled before she calls out one of the guards to guide all the humans to the empty rooms. The human hesitated, exchanging looks at each other than at Claudia.
"Please, all of you need rest. I guarantee you it will be satisfactory, I will be seeing all of you at the dining hall tomorrow to have more discussion,"
The others followed the guards, McMirth on the other hand just stared at Claudia before leaving the place.
When everyone had left, Claudia gasped loudly, going a little limp to the floor.
"Princess Twilight, I'm not sure I am ready to even face the humans tomorrow. What if the spell doesn't work and Starswirl said he will not be able to conjure up that spell again? What if-"
"You too need rest, Claudia. If I know Starswirl well, he will be able to do that spell again but we can't do it alone due to, you know, how many the humans are," she hissed,
"We can do it together, your amulet can do more if we try too, right?" Twilight put her hoof on Claudia's shoulder, smiling, "And I think we need to get to know these humans more, don't you think? Maybe, there's something we haven't noticed, there has to be more to than just coincidence magic problem,"
Twilight begins to walk her way to the big door with Spike,
"Go to sleep, Claudia. Tomorrow is gonna be a very busy day," she said before disappearing behind the closed door of the throne room. Claudia can only blink, lying down on the red-carpeted floor.
"Miss Claudia you know you can lie down here," said a soft-spoken pegasus guard.
Claudia lifted her head to see who greeted her.
"I know," she groaned, "I'm only rest for a moment, Storm Soar,"
She sits up then turns to the white-coated with lime-coloured eyes pegasus just stares at her with his tired eyes, the pegasus named Storm Soar offers his hoof so Claudia can just get back to her feet.
"I heard the conversation even if I shouldn't but what her Highness said, you need rest. I'm about to change my shift to guard the quarter's section, I will accompany you there," he offered, smiling as he began to walk towards the door.
"Thank you, Storm Soar." she replied, "I can walk myself but I guess I needed company,"
"I still couldn't believe whatever caused all the ponies' disappearances are by these humans. I'm still processing how this even came to be," she groans.
"I am not ready to communicate with them, it's been years since I last spoke to a human," she continues.
"Back in the human world, I have a hard time talking and even find a word to say. But in Equestria… I changed and I talked a lot? Now, these people that I haven't got the chance to get to know are here and I have no idea what to say!"
Claudia huffed and turned her head to Storm Soar who nodded to every one of her complaints and hummed.
"Sorry, I think I stressed myself with this,"
"No, don't be sorry, Miss Claudia. I understand, being a po- I mean, a person like you then suddenly meeting her species might have been one heck of stress,
"I am no pony to say this, you just need to find things that relate to you and them? There must have been something that can make it easy to talk to them,"
Storm Soar gave her a tiny smile, Claudia smiled back, inhaling some air before slowly exhaling.
"You might be right,"
"Thank you, Storm Soar,"
"Not a problem that's what friends for,"
They reached the living quarter's sections, and they could hear the sound of human mumbling in each room. There were also snooping maid ponies, just looking at the doors of the rooms before Storm Soar made a coughed and they scattered about.
Then suddenly one of the rooms opened and a pony came out.
"Klutzy?" Claudia cooed.
The orange-coated pony with curly mane and glasses jumped, squealing before covering her mouth with her hooves.
"M-miss Claudia! Oh my, don't tell anypony I was here!" She pleads before realizing Storm Soar was there too, she blushes.
"Of course I won't tell but I just wondered… what were you doing in that room?"
Klutzy prance towards Claudia and Storm Soar, bringing them to a corner.
"One of the human foals were awake and just sleepwalking, well, I was assuming she was sleepwalking until she just wanting someone to bring her to the washroom, she was so sweet and I had no choice, no maids wanted to help, then I bring her back to her room, the other human foal was soundly asleep so that may have been a reason why she was walking alone,
" B-but now she sounds asleep too," Klutzy bit her lips, her ears drooped a bit as she looked at both Storm Soar and Claudia.
"First of all, it's kids. Just kids, not foals. Second, the little girl, she's not afraid of you?" Claudia questioned.
"Yeah? She's come up to me with other staff just asking where the toilet is, so I bring her there," Klutzy shrugged.
"I say she seems to be so comfortable with us ponies as if she's been hanging out with ponies a lot. Either that or she's just literally sleepwalking and thought I was human too," she giggled.
Claudia pondered the thought of this girl hanging out with the pony longer, then she remembered seeing a pony that they saved looking sad before leaving the cave. Claudia shakes at the thought first, she excuses herself from Storm Soar and Klutzy before heading to her temporary stay.
She lay down on the soft bed, thinking about what to do tomorrow. She stares at the ceiling a little longer before closing her eyes into slumber.
Morning arises, everyone has arisen from their slumber as if they were expecting to wake up early. Kammy was the first one to awake in the morning, she slept with a few of the kids and teens. She hadn't slept so peacefully for a long time and the beds were magnificent, she looked around and looked at one of the young girls that slept next to her, brushing her hair and carefully getting off the bed.
The sun begins to rise, she looks out the window, she can see the view of the beautiful castle and towers from her window. She caught a glimpse of something on one of the towers. She instantly recognizes Twilight from the flowing hair she had, 'Did she just raise...the sun?' She thought.
Then she heard a slightly opened door, she turned around and it was Claudia peeking out of the small crack of the door.
"Ah, You're awake," whispers Claudia slowly getting in not waking up the others.
"Yes," Kammy smiled.
"Did you sleep well?" Claudia came close to her and looked out the window with her.
"I do. I am grateful for finally being able to sleep on a soft bed and not on bamboo sticks that keep creaking," she giggled.
"And I think the others would think the same thing," she added, "Look how loud they are sleeping," they both turn to the sleeping teenagers and kids, and give a tiny giggle.
After a long silence, Kammy turns to Claudia and ask,
"May I ask something?"
"Of course, anything, Kammy,"
"That...Princess Twilight. I just saw her in that tower, and maybe I'm still tired and it's silly. But, I just saw her raise the sun?" she looks at her, "That can't be, right?"
Claudia's eyes roll around, biting her lips and twirling her fingers as if unsure how to answer though she gladly answers.
"She did raise the sun… And the moon?" she hummed, giving her a tiny awkward smile.
Kammy gave Claudia a look of disbelief but shook them off, she continued questions about the magic here and what Princess Twilight supposed to be. Claudia tried her best explaining most of the things she understood living in this world. The history of Equestria that she knows quite a little, what the royalties do in this world and the magic most of the ponies have.
"...And this amulet I have," she added, twiddling the amulet on her neck, "Is a gift from the essence of the Tree of Harmony, a symbol of Peace. I still haven't figured out yet what it supposed to do, all I do was just for basic magics, and for calls,"
"Calls?" Kammy raised an eyebrow.
"Well, more like just give a red glow indicate there's somewhere needed help bringing peace,"
"I still don't understand how someone like me can bring peace but that's my talent here," she giggled, scratching her cheek.
Kammy only nods and looks back outside the window. Claudia just smiles and gasped, realising the purpose she came in was to invite Kammy and the others for breakfast. She walks out of the room and before popping back in,
"Can…. You help me wake up, Mirth for me? I'm pretty sure he hates me," she pouted.
"Oh, doll. Don't worry I can wake him up and he doesn't hate you, he's just grumpy," Kammy giggled.
Claudia smiles, closing the door slowly.
A row of freshly baked pancakes and orange juices and milks set up on the table in the big dining hall, Twilight and Claudia already at the table waiting for the rest to join them.
When they enter the dining room, only silence, though their faces say otherwise.
"Please, help yourself," Twilight offers, "There's plenty more for you to eat,"
The others, especially the children, have taken their seats and taken a bite of the pancakes. The smiles on their faces, makes everyone want to take their bites, been a while since they had a proper meal. Kammy, Terry and Herman looked at each other before taking a bite.
"This is incredible," Terry said, looking at the pancakes and the fresh berries on the plates, "Even back home it's not this fresh!" He added.
"Thank you. We tried to keep everything fresh, here in Equestria quality is everything when it comes to food products," Twilight answered, taking the bite for herself as well.
"And this was made by, uhm, ponies?" Kammy asked me to try not to sound rude.
"Yes, they are. We have a lot of amazing chefs here. I can't cook, I'm bad at it," Twilight answered, jokingly.
Twilight nodded then lean over to Claudia whisper to her something, Claudia gulped a bit, bobbing her head as if forgotten about something.
"Right, so Princess Twilight and I have been thinking. Would all you guys agree to, have a wardrobe change?"
Kammy, McMirth and the rest of the grown-ups turn to Claudia including the teens who heard what Claudia said while the children continue enjoying their meals.
"Wardrobe change?" one of the teens jeered, "As in get new clothes?"
"What's wrong with our clothes?" McMirth suddenly scowled.
Claudia jolted, shaking her head and assured McMirth nothing was wrong but the clothes the others wore had worn out and needed replacement.
"I am not complaining, I am just concerned about the children too. They need new comfortable clothes and so all of you," Claudia beamed, standing and waving her hands.
"We may have just stolen clothes from the camping ponies before, but none of their clothes fit us, that is why we all tried to sew them together to match us," Herman interrupted, "None of their clothes fit us, for the children they do," he added.
"Dude, my clothes are MADE BY THE PONIES," Claudia showed her tank top and jeans, "All they need was the measurements and they will make it in a jiffy,
"Princess Twilight kind enough to offer another help. She knows a lot of fashion designers around town that can help all of you," she continues, clasping her hands together, "I am sad seeing all of you guys in this worn-out clothes and feel bad for not doing anything to make you guys comfortable while you are in this world, "
Mcmirth scoffed while munching on the pancakes, Kammy and the others looked at each other before saying "Yes," simultaneously.
"Oh, Thank you," Claudia said, relieved they all agree, well kind off, McMirth only shrugs. Twilight smiled, putting her hoof on Claudia's hands.
"I will contact Rarity to make an arrangement today," said Twilight as she saw Spike come in, stretching.
"Good morning, Spike. I didn't expect you'd be here, I thought you have a thing going with Ember?" she asked, Claudia watches as Spike walks towards them and stands in between.
"Morning, Twilight, Claudia." He walks towards them and stood in between them, "Ember had an emergency problem with the other dragons and postponed our thing tomorrow, and," he started to whisper, "There's like, a lot of paparazzi and journalists waiting outside the castle,"
"What?" Claudia yelped, "Did they know it already?"
"A group of pegasus carrying humans flying through the sky in the middle of evening?" Spike made a sarcastic tone, raising his eyebrow, "Yeah, like they didn't notice that and the fact all the missing ponies just happened to returned?"
Claudia gave Spike a sarcastic comeback before she rolled her eyes, she knew sooner or later, paparazzi would be storming the castle to ask about the humans that just suddenly appeared in this world. Princess Twilight told Spike that she will be going to greet the paparazzi first then Claudia will join. Twilight got up from her seat, told her guests to continue with their meals.
"We will sort this out real quick," Claudia assured them as they walked out of the dining hall.
The flashing lights from the cameras, sounds of every ponies asking questions echo the foyer of the castle. Twilight calmed the crowd, answering questions smoothly and making sure she gets things organized for Claudia's turn. Claudia has been tapping her foot and biting her finger, as Twilight gave the signal to Claudia to come forward.
"Miss Claudia, is it true that there's a lot of humans that you just bring to Canterlot?" One of the unicorn journalists instantly asks, readying his pen to write down.
"Yes, it's true."
"Where are they now?" Another pony asked.
"When can we see them?" Another interrupt.
"Are they dangerous?" The other intersect, "Do they carry weapons? Like how you described them before in your classes?"
"Please, one at a time," Claudia whimpered, twiddling her fingers and doing her usual breathing exercises before continues answer,
"Firstly, they are here in the castle under Princess Twilight, protection. For now. Second, I don't think they are ready to come out yet? I don't know I can't answer that question by myself and lastly, yes they did carry weapons but those just spears and nothing less. That's just them trying to survive, they're all scared and tired,"
She continues by pleading with the ponies to maintain respect for the humans who are still trying to get used to Equestria and its lifestyle. She says they won't be long until Twilight, Starswirl and maybe herself managed to do another portal to transport them back to the other dimension.
"So they are not staying like you do, miss Claudia?" One brawl stallion asked then everyone turned to Claudia.
Claudia wasn't expecting a question like that, she began to think in deep thoughts, "Actually, I have no idea. I never… asked them,"
Twilight interrupted and asked the journalists and paparazzi to leave the castle, as she and Claudia have a more important task to do. As they retired from the foyer and castle grounds, Twilight turned to Claudia. Without actual words, Claudia pouted and ask,
"You… think they want to stay?"
"You could discover their true plans by maybe showing them around?" Twilight suggested.
"I am sure they would love this place as you do. This might also be a great opportunity to get to know them even more than you thought you knew," Twilight added as they walked back to the dining hall.
Claudia did personally ask each one of the humans, later on, it did take time for her to talk to everyone, almost everyone, she still was unable to get to seek McMirth. She got to know a couple, Emma and Illya, who was on the way eloping while their parents never approved of their relationships, a tragic love story. Abusive parents, trying to get away from arranged marriages.
Claudia just doesn't believe that kind of relationship still exists but here they are, in front of her. Then there are the teens, most of them are orphans, around fourteen to seventeen, one girl and the eldest of the group Jenny - having a typical Emo-ish look - just got kicked out of her own home. She wasn't sure where she was headed until that blue light just popped in front of her and pulled her inside.
“It felt like I’ve been sucked into a vacuum. It was not cool and it almost broke my phone, and ass,” she drawled, looking at her cell phone that she seems to never stop holding and it is out of battery too.
Another girl is called Niki, a year younger than Jenny ever since they fell into this land, it seems they both have become best friends. There were another two teens, Marco and Hugh, best friends as well since they are in the orphanage, they both were acting out in a forest before they were sucked into the blue light.
Terry and Herman had almost the same story kicked out of their comforts, being different in the family brings them stress and pressure. Kammy told Claudia, she just wants her kids, who are all grown adults, to just call her but they never called and it's been too long since they ever came to visit, she was devastated. Kammy also told Claudia that McMirth's story is no different from her.
"I'm so sorry about that, Kammy. I hope that your children will notice how much you missed them," she holds her hands, then hugs Kammy.
"Thank you, Claudia. But I think I am a bit forgotten about it, till you asked me. These children made me happy though, they do remind me about my children when they still that small,"
They both are inside the room with the children and teens and look over at the children who also happen to lay down on the bed bored, Claudia walks up to the children and again introduces herself to them.
"May I know what your names are?"
"I'm Lulu," a bubbly faced little girl quickly replied.
"John," a young boy said, sitting on the bed while putting his hand on his chin.
"Maria," the other girl replied.
"I'm Sanjit,"
"Tulip," the last young girl, answered and was twiddling with her handmade doll made out of ripped clothes and twigs, she's the youngest in the group, a five-year-old kid with hair that looks like that girl from 'Poltergeist 1982'.
Claudia smiled at them, she began to think and looking at these bored children she thought of a little entertainment while waiting for Rarity and her team to come. She went out and searched for somepony, she went straight to the maids' locker and she got her timing correct.
"Klutzy,"
Klutzy turns and shuts her locker door, she was about to start her shift so she just had worn her maid outfits and tilted her head.
"Yes, Claudia?" She turns to her, "What can I help you?"
"Not to make your work harder, but, are you up for entertaining children?" Claudia beamed.
Klutzy blinks, she questions why did she ask that. Klutzy is from a family of a travelling circus, she practically raised and was born in a circus. Klutzy hesitated, giving a reason that she has work to do.
"I tell the head maid this will be a while, and entertaining guests is also a job," she pleaded.
"Please, Klutzy? Just for a while, they were so bored in the castle,”
"I guess I can make time for it," Klutzy agrees after thinking a while.
Claudia squealed, hugging Klutzy and thanking her. They both go back to the room, introduces Klutzy to the kids.
"You're the pony helped me find the toilet," Tulip suddenly said, "I didn't say Thank You last night," she added.
"Oh, right you are that little kid, glad to meet you," Klutzy giggled.
Suddenly John raised his hand.
"Yes, John?" Claudia looked at John.
"Can I ask something, Klutzy?"
"Yes, of course,"
"Why do all of you ponies have that tattoo behind your butt?"
Claudia almost burst out laughing, she turns to see Klutzy all flustered and looking at her behind. Her cutiemark has three balls balancing on top of each other with a plate also on top of the ball.
"Oh, dear. No, this is not a tattoo. It's called a cutiemark, I don't know how to explain they are like our," she tries to find a word and then Claudia help answer,
"Like a birthmark but instead of when they were born they receive the mark when they are still around Tulip's age. Those symbols could be their special talents,"
The children awed, the teens also listened, Kammy too interested with what Klutzy and Claudia explained.
"Then what's your special talent?" Sanjit asked.
"It's," before Klutzy could answer Claudia just throws a couple of balls at her and instantly Klutzy juggles them before they fall.
Claudia also slides in a small chest from the room to her, letting Klutzy jump on top of it while still juggling. The kids all cheered and awed, even more, Kammy included. The teens, especially Jenny, pretending to take a photo on her phone.
“Klutzy is pretty good at balancing. She’s so good, that even the head maid is super impressed, she never even dropped a single plate!” Claudia exclaimed, winking at the audience.
“Aw, shucks,” Klutzy murmured, while juggling with one hoof, “You’re too kind,”
Claudia stares at the audience, then walks up to the teens who are sitting on the bed, she sits in between Jenny and Niki, “okay, not to be awkward, girls. Sorry I’m asking but, you both missed looking at your phones, huh?” she entreated while giving an awkward grin, “What if I tell you, that I might be able to help to charge them?”
“Uhh, how? They don’t have sockets here,” Niki jeered.
Claudia shrugged and hummed, “Yeah, but they have electricity here, and also I asked some science ponies to help make one, but all of the sockets are actually at my-” she makes an air quote, “- house. I want to ask if any of you would like to have a walk with me there?”
"Now?" Both of them hummed.
"Oh no, not now. Maybe tomorrow? Meanwhile, you all are still here. I can give you a tour?" Claudia offered, looking at Jenny, Niki and the others.
Kammy doesn't mind a tour, the others hesitated but then nods. Claudia climbed down from the bed, telling them that she will arrange everything. She went back to Klutzy, using her magic use to lift the chest that Klutzy is on, making her jump but without even losing her balance with the ball.
The audience clapped their hands, cheering for Klutzy. She just scratched her head, embarrassed.
"Thank you, Klutzy," Claudia applauded, "You are a great juggler,"
"Stop it," she giggled, "I'm sorry I can't entertain all of you more, I have work to do,"
Klutzy waved them goodbyes, leaving the room. At the same time, McMirth and Terry were at the door watching as Klutzy pranced away to do her job.
"I heard loud laughing," McMirth gets inside, hands-on-hips, "Not that I'm against laughter but, what makes all of you so gleeful?"
"Mr Mirth, you missed out on a very awesome and funny act by Klutzy!" Sanjit chortled.
"Klutzy?"
"The horse that just left, her name is Klutzy, Mirth," Kammy replied, "Nice pony and very talented one," she added, Claudia nodded then soon biting her lips again as Mirth looked at her again.
"Oh, you mean that orange pony with the wavy-curl hair? I always love her style," Terry said, peeking his head outside the door,
"Remind me so much of my old horse at the family stable,"
" You, had a horse, Terry?" Claudia jeered, trying to ignore McMirth for a while.
"It was back when I was 10, I used to ride my horse around the forest until our family moved away," he sighed, "Just memories left, and she was the prettiest horse I had before," he added.
Claudia cooed before hearing someone coughing outside the door,
"Sorry to interrupt, Miss Claudia. But I have some news. Miss Rarity isn't able to come by today for the measurements but she has requested her friend to help with her team and they already waited for you in the foyer," said the guard.
"Oh, thank you. Tell them we will be right over,"
The guard left, Claudia squeal happily went on asking everyone in the room to pass on the news and meet her at the foyer soon.
Claudia instructed Kammy and the others to meet her at the ballroom, they all managed to find their way into the castle, with the help of the Royal Guards that they kept asking for directions.
They were greeted by the sounds of Claudia talking loudly and giggling with a light amber grey coated mare and light cyan mane accompanied by multiple ponies and a Yak in fancy attires surrounding them.
"Ah, and here they are!" Claudia beamed flailing her hands at the humans, "Everybody, Coco Pommel, the humans, humans, Everybody!" She continues.
"Oh, my," Coco Pommel sang, "They are many, Claudia. I did not believe when Rarity said there are twenty humans we all have to engaged,"
"Yak is good with crowds. Yak can handle many people like them," suddenly a yak walked around the humans in a circle, the Yak in beautiful jewellery just so happened to look at the men then saw the children, "Is this the tiny humans you talked about?" The yak shouted, scaring the children hiding behind Kammy and Terry.
Claudia giggled, calming the loud spoken yak. She then begins introducing Coco pommel and her team.
"I want you to meet Coco Pommel, one of Rarity's best designer friends from Manehattan. Rarity unable to attend all of you today because she has an important meeting in her boutique,"
"It's nice to meet you all," the soft-spoken mare greeted, "And this is my, excuse me, Rarity's best fashion team ready to serve Miss Claudia and her human friends,"
Kammy and the others replied, waving their hands at the ponies and yak. Before they know it, everyone is also circling them, blabbering to each other, discussing their perfect style to fit their entire physique.
They decided to go two by two since they were not in a rush, Coco and Claudia both stood by while the others were getting measured. When it was Kammy's turn, the others were complimenting the fabrics she had on her even though all of them were worn out and ripped.
"Cotton fabric and jewels attached to the clothes are so fabulous," said one of the ponies.
"I think we can work with this perfectly, make exact style for her, but find the finest fabric to fit her gorgeous facial," responds another, bidding to other designers then proceeds to the next person, McMirth.
Mcmirth, with his grumpy face, even honestly scared the other fashion ponies for a moment, but they just took his measurements first. They don't talk much but it seems all of them including the yak know what to do with McMirth.
"Claudia, Coco Pommel. Mind if I ask how did you two even know each other, aside from this Rarity pony you all talking about?" Kammy asked after gotten herself a seat that the others had prepared as they waited their turn to get measured.
"Claudia helped me with my theatre ponies before when we needed an extra helper and it was a funny story too," Coco chuckled.
"Coco, please don't tell her that embarrassing story," Claudia groans, face all red.
"She was with Rarity for a peace mission between our manager and the actors, it was a terrible time and it was our premiere night for Little Fillies,"
"If you want to know, it's just, Little Women but their version," Claudia remarks.
"One of our main actors quit at the last minute, it was a really big dispute and the show was in a disaster. But until Rarity offered CLAUDIA to play the part,
" Honestly, I didn't know Claudia was reading our script to Little Fillies in silence. In a nick of time, we managed to sew dresses for her part soon while Rarity went chasing after the main actor to come back for the second act,"
Coco Pommel suddenly couldn't stop giggling and Claudia snorted,
"What happens next?" Kammy asked.
"That was horrible, I had stage fright when my part comes in, of course, the stage was made for ponies, I honestly didn't know much where to go on the stage at first,"
"Remember that time you stepped on the dress on a very serious part?" Coco chortled.
Claudia continues the story of how the theatre becomes a full comedy show until finally Rarity managed to bring back the main actor to the stage but after all that, it went smoothly. The manager and the rest of the actors agree to be more respectful with each other.
Kammy still couldn't believe Claudia did some acting as well, though Claudia begged to differ. She hated it even back in school, acting never was her favourite thing to do and wish to never step on it again but only for watching purposes. She checks out around the ponies beginning to measure the children and teens, all those talking time flies fast and of course, these ponies and yak work fast in terms of measuring and designing. Coco Pommel claps her hooves together and turns to Claudia.
"I forgot. Rarity asked me to get you measured as well, she said your physique might have changed for the past years and she doesn't want you to be uncomfortable when the clothes don't fit," Coco instantly takes out a measurement tape and proceeds to measure her body.
"Wait, are you saying, I'm getting fat?" Claudia mumbled.
"Oh no, not that. You're still the same, Claudia just," Coco tickles her arm flaps, "Looks like you are getting thin," she giggles a bit.
"How dare you," she laughed.
Coco Pommel and the teams are done with their jobs so they left the building, they will return the next morning hopefully with new clothes for them.
Claudia decided to talk with the other people first, she had a long thought while staying around waiting for them to finish getting measured. She asked them if they all wanted a grand tour of Canterlot once they got their new clothes on.
"You mean go outside? Like going for a walk, with all the ponies and whatever creatures are out there gonna watch us like animals in a zoo?" McMirth barked.
"Technically, we're tourists and I'm your tour guide!" Claudia boasted, "It'll be fine, the ponies and other creatures won't bother you. Taking pictures here and there, but they know we are here for a short while and we're doing some touring!"
McMirth huffed.
Kammy agreed to enjoy some tour to know a bit about Equestria before going home, Emma and Ilya second the motion then followed by the rest of the adults.
"Eh, we got nothing to do anyway," groaned Jenny and Niki with the rest of the people nodding.
"Mirth, please follow us? Everyone else agreed to join for the tour, you don't want to stay in this castle alone, do you?" Claudia pleaded, gulped as McMirth stare at her before grunts,
"Fine,"
Claudia rejoiced for McMirth's decision to join them, she told them to later meet in the foyer when the clothes had arrived and they were all well dressed. Later that night she starts to prepare an activity list for the twenty humans she'll be guided around town. She makes sure everything she has learned from all of them can interest them in staying.
Staying.
She stopped writing and ponders at the thought of asking humans to stay. Now she had wondered, if this blue light or whatever the Universe is doing on purpose, like… giving these people a new life here?
Morning arrives, in each room, a row of hanging clothes were placed. As the humans awaken from their slumbers, they see the clothes in their rooms and each has five different sets of clothes with their name tags attached to the hangers. Claudia also woke up with a new set of clothes hanging on a rack next to the door most are new and it seems her clothes from Ponyville were delivered to her as well from Rarity. There's a note attached to the rack and it writes:
Darling Claudia.
I felt super terrible for unable to meet you and the new humans. So that's why I asked Coco Pommel to take your new measurements, so I can pass this lovely long blouse and sets of leggings for you.
Hope you love them!
Signed,
Rarity.
P/S: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REMOVE THAT HORRID CLOAK OF YOURS. I CAN'T STAND IT.
Claudia rolled her eyes, shaking her head while looking at her new clothes, a blue glitter blouse and a pair of leggings presented to her on the hanger; beautifully crafted by Rarity as usual and on her blouse, she would always put her initials on the side of the blouse.
Claudia gets herself ready for a shower then off she goes to meet Twilight in the throne room first to discuss today's activity with the humans. Twilight was excited to hear about Claudia’s plan on doing a tour around Canterlot, she wished she could follow, and being a royalty have quite the work and she WISHED she could really go out like she used to.
“I really hope the humans can enjoy what we have to offer. I can bet they can get comfortable around the snobby pony outside,” she chortled.
“I’m sure they will be but it will be a little awkward,” she snorted, “You should have seen when they met the fashion designers yesterday,”
“I’m sure it was fun for them to finally work with a lot of humans,” Twilight said as she looked up at a floating scroll and begin to read, “Well, I have to meet my little niece at the Crystal Kingdom right now, some problem she needs help with Cadence,” she gets up and trot down the stairs with Claudia.
“I can’t wait to hear what the others have to say after their activity today,” she stops and turns to Claudia, “Oh yeah, Starswirl also contacted me last night that he will be back to Canterlot in three days from now. He’s almost done with his ‘friendship’ vacation with the rest of the Pillars too,”
Later around noon, the other humans are waiting for Claudia in the foyer, all dressed well from the new clothes they received. Almost everyone complimented each other, McMirth usually grumbles when Kammy and the others compliment how suspenders fit him well.
Claudia just arrived, not wearing her cloak this time with the new blouse and met all of them at the foyer, sang as she saw all of them in new clothes and looked so fresh.
"Oh my gosh, you all look so amazing!"
"You're looking good as well, Claudia," Herman compliments her, looking at her head to toe.
"Aw, thanks," she blushes.
"We couldn't believe they could make a lot of clothes so fast and this kurta they made for me based on my old kurta is amazing as well," Kammy gestured at her clothes and it also came with her scarf, covered in jewels as well.
"Well, since some of the ponies are Unicorns, they use magic a lot to sew things fast, but they never forget about quality!" Claudia gets closer to them and looks at all of their clothes.
"Just curious, these jewels they added in some of our clothes...are they… Real?" Kammy asked.
"Yes, they are. Emeralds, diamonds, you name it are so easy to find in Equestria and some even use them as payments to most things, well expensive stuff mostly,"
"Wait, so they do use money?"
Claudia nods and takes out her gold coins.
"They call them Bits, they are gold coins for us,"
Everyone else coos, the kids all took a closer look at the coins, jokingly said they looked at one of those chocolate coins.
"They do, don't they?" She laughed and put her coins back.
"How did you even get these?" asked Terry.
"I work, and earn money, that's what I have been doing in most of my time. Then save them in the Bank,"
"They have banks too?" McMirth spoke, raising his eyebrows.
Claudia hummed, "They do, maybe we can drop by the bank, so I can get some money out for all of you," she smiled.
"Oh you don't have to do that," Kammy bellowed.
Claudia insisted and began to wave her hand to magically bring out a long flag like one of those tour guides always use and the flag wrote 'Human Grand Tour' on the fabric.
"Shall we begin the tour?"
Simultaneously everyone responds, and some of the smaller children start to walk next to Claudia before they begin their tour out from the castle.
As expected when they are out of the castle, the ponies, griffons, and any creatures on the streets of Canterlot stopped their doings to look at a parade of humans just walking down the road with Claudia talking loudly introducing them to the part of Canterlot's districts and Magic School.
McMirth was staring back at them when he heard chattering as they walked by, he began asking Claudia to just go back inside so they don't get embarrassed like this.
"Don't worry, they will get used to seeing all of you outside, besides, I'm pretty sure everyone just staring at your fancy outfits," she hummed
"I just noticed something, some of these ponies are wearing lots of fancies, probably expensive stuff, are they for some reason one of those High-end people?" asked Terry as he looked around, seeing some ponies in suits and ties, and the female ponies all having beautiful mane and necklaces around their necks.
"Well yes, they are. You could say Canterlot is a place for the sophisticated, rich, and high standard ponies but that's just like in our world where many people are trying their best looking like rich People," she sneers, "As snobby these ponies look, they are actually kind-hearted. Depends who you meet,"
Claudia continues to show them around the districts of clothes before they arrive at the bank, the doors automatically opened by the security unicorns as they entered, their jaws opened wide as Claudia with the rest of the humans entered the building; there were not many ponies in line at the counters so Claudia easily just greet the mare receptionist the next line. The receptionist met eye-to-eye with Claudia and replied her greet happily, she semi gasped as she realized the humans behind her.
"Shall I call Mr. Cashmoney?" asked the receptionist.
"Oh if he's not busy. I have very quick stuff to do," she leans and points to the people behind her, "I want to spend stuff for my guests for today,"
"Did...she just say cashmoney?" Niki whispered to Jenny.
Jenny just shrugged, "I heard that too," she whispered back.
The receptionist bowed her head before leaving the counter inviting the others to take a seat, multiple floating individual chairs appeared and lined up in the waiting room. Kammy and the rest sat down and just peering their eyes at the entire bank feature.
"This bank looks so big yet has so few people... I mean ponies around," Kammy said as she looks around and stares at the big picture of a business suit-wearing stallion shaking hooves with a Rainbow-haired Pony that they don't recognize, the next picture of Twilight and Claudia in the photo.
"Well that's because this bank still actually new like I said before, this bank is a collaboration between two companies that -"
"- She solved amazingly between two friends that almost lost their friendship over silly ideas," a stallion in new dark blue suits entered the waiting room with the receptionist, "I don't expect Miss Claudia be bringing her humans along,"
Claudia held out her hands, shaking the stallion's hoof.
"How did you know about the humans?" she asked, even though she should have guessed.
"Why, the newspapers of course. I never anticipated for you to bring them to my establishment," Mr. Cashmoney turns to the humans, "I am Golden Cashmoney, the co-owner of the Cash and Bash Bank. Anyway, what do I have to do to help you, Miss Claudia?"
"Well, I am here, to cash out a few bits and diamonds so I can share a bit with my friends,"
"Oh for sure and how much do you want to be deposited?"
Claudia begins to count how much she needed before giving the actual calculation she wanted, Mr. Cashmoney didn't hesitate before instantly calling his receptionist again to instruct the banker to arrange the number of bits needed by Claudia.
There are twenty tiny bags were presented to the people in the waiting room, each given to the humans. Jenny and Niki check inside, gasping.
"Claudia, you don't have to do this. We don't even know how the currency works here," Kammy said shakily after taking out a diamond and put them in the bag.
"I insist, besides I will teach you about how the currency works here when we are out of here. Thank you Mr. Cashmoney,"
"You're welcome, you can come anytime soon, you are our best customer," he winks and leads Claudia and her friends out the banks.
After a few currency lessons later, Claudia brought them to the food district and reminded them that most they eat here are all greens but all are good and delicious.
They stopped at a few restaurants looking at their menus, and a lot of chef ponies found the opportunity to introduce their varieties of menus. There were so many to choose from, the twenty people in the middle of a busy street have different interests in food.
The teens found a hipster type of place and seem like they serve pasta and they are fine with it.
"How about all of us meet back here after we finish our lunch?" Claudia suggested and everyone agreed and they all went away to their preferred restaurants.
Kammy, McMirth, and the children are the only ones who haven't decided which restaurants to go to, so Claudia continues helping them search places for lunch.
Then suddenly Kammy stops, sniffing the air.
"Wait, am I smelling curry?" she turns around, tapping Claudia's shoulder.
"Smells like Indian food?" McMirth concurs after taking a whiff of the smells.
Claudia slapped her forehead, "Of course! I forgot," she started to bring them to a junction.
They were greeted by a vibrant restaurant, with upbeat music played from the inside and many ponies and other creatures were eating outside, waiters and waitresses in somewhat Indian-designed clothing were serving the customers.
"This is very weird," Kammy said but also looking super excited seeing how the place reminds her a lot at home.
"Yeah, there's a LOT of things in the geographical sense I need to teach you guys. Come on let's get ourselves a table," Claudia beamed.
As they got near the restaurant, one of the waiters tugged his colleagues after seeing Claudia and the others. The other waiter starts to run inside before you know it, an older pony with dark Fuschia mane and earrings greeted them in an eastern accent.
"Welcome to the Tasty Treats, where we serve a quality taste of foods. I'm Saffron Masala, how may I be at your service?" She greeted them with a happy smile.
"Yes, I don't suppose you have enough tables to fit eight of us?" Claudia said while pointing at Kammy, McMirth, and the children.
"Oh yes, of course, I can send my boys to prepare extra tables out here if you don't mind at all?" Saffron started to turn to the nearby waiters and whistled them to get more extra tables to be set.
Before they know it, they have already been seated and looking at the menus. Of course no surprise to them all vegetables and Oats. But it looks different than any restaurants they've been through and it's similar to Indian foods. It's exceptional now.
Saffron Masala came to their table to take orders but couldn't help but notice the outfit Kammy wore and begin to compliment her. Without hesitation, Kammy started to talk about the country she lives in and how almost similar the designs of her restaurant, and Saffron herself reminded her of home.
They kept talking for a moment before McMirth interrupted and began to order. Saffron's face turns a tiny dash of red but soon gets herself back in the game, taking orders from McMirth then the others. Claudia on the Other hand, has been looking at how happy Kammy is when talking to someone she could relate to and comfortable to be in company with.
The food arrived and it was a lot including a flatbread served for the children, they instantly enjoyed eating with their hands.
"This tastes good!" Sanjit exclaimed, dipping the flatbread into a curry.
"This curry Oatcakes are so amazing," Kammy complimented.
Saffron drops by to their tables again to ensure their foods are served best and not missing any other orders, Kammy and Claudia instantly answer that nothing is missing on their tables, Kammy begins to talk to Saffron again nonstop. Saffron offers Kammy to stay for a while so both can share recipes, she turns to Claudia.
"Is it okay if I stayed after lunch for a while? I am enjoying talking with Saffron,"
"Oh, I guess we'll be fine, we are just going to explore around town, we have only a few districts to go for the tour. You enjoy yourself, but we will meet back where I told you because I think we have another time to go to another place a small town called Ponyville where I live,"
"You didn't tell us we are stopping at another place," McMirth turns to Claudia looking rather upset.
"Well, if everyone is tired, we could change the program to tomorrow," she grinned.
McMirth just gives a stare at Claudia before continuing eating. Kammy pats Claudia's back, continuing her discussion with Saffron.
Claudia brings McMirth and the children back to their meeting point leaving Kammy behind for a while. Terry, Herman, and Georgia already stood at the meeting point looking at the sky because they heard something that sounded like a jet flying.
"What is that sound? We kept hearing them around, is there a plane here?" Herman asked as Claudia got closer.
The kids all looked up as well and pointed at the moving clouds, there's a trail of clouds forming as well with a dash of the rainbow following behind.
"Oh that's no plane or jet, they don't have that here. But they do have The Wonderbolts," Claudia smiled, as the sound of the jet-like wings flapped can be heard passing through the sky above them.
"The Wonderbolts?" simultaneously everyone gawked and looked back at the sky as they saw six pegasuses fly by and one of them had a rainbow-colored mane and tail as they passed by.
Claudia started to explain to them what they are, as she talks the other humans have just arrived and they looked at the sky as well. Telling them stories about the Wonderbolts and how awesome their leaders are, what the pegasus also do in this world.
"They sound cool," said John, hoping to see another of the Wonderbolts fly by but the sound stops.
"We can go and see them closer to their training grounds in Ponyville," Claudia said, "But Ponyville is a mile away, we will have to take the coach if anyone feels like going,"
"How about tomorrow?" asked Niki.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yeah, Jenny and the rest of the teens just had a hangout date with a griffon and a goth pony earlier while we were having lunch and they were cool for asking us to hang out with them in Ponyville?"
Claudia's eyes went wide, disbelief the teens had already made friends in town. She proceeds to discuss her plan, everybody else agrees to the next tour.
"Besides, I do promise you guys to get a chance to charge your phones,"
Kammy finally joins them after a while and asks Claudia where to go next from here, Claudia brings them to the end of the streets of Canterlot to show them a view of the rest of Equestria. They can see vast lands from where they are and a road leads to several places. Claudia points where Ponyville is then pointing at a building on the clouds where they can see tiny rainbow droppings from the clouds.
"That's Cloudsdale, most pegasus lives there, and home of the Wonderbolts,"
"Oh! Can we go up there?" Said John and Tulip simultaneously.
"We could but we need a spell to be able to walk on the clouds," she giggled.
John pouted.
Claudia also pointed to the place where Kammy and the rest were staying before and told tiny details about the Everfree forest again.
"I guess that's it for the tour for today,"
"Can we go home now?" McMirth grumbles.
"Yes, Mirth. We can go back to the castle now," Claudia turns around and rolls her eyes.
She then felt a tugging on her blouse and it was Lulu.
"Excuse me, Miss Claudia. On the way here, I saw a bookstore and I was wondering if I could stop there to get something to read?"
"Oh, me too!" yelled Sanjit.
"Me three!" John also responded.
"Me!" Tulip shouted.
"Okay, okay. All of you can go to the books stores together,"
Without waiting the children start to run towards the bookstore and Claudia starts chasing behind them followed by the humans. Emma and Ilya were the only ones who stayed looking at the view, then realized the others just walked away as well.
Emma walking hand in hand with Ilya then stopped in front of a wedding boutique, Emma gasped at the pretty dresses on the pony mannequin. Ilya joins and just wows on how gorgeous the design is. Both of them stare at each other and instantly get inside the boutique.
After handling the kids in the bookstores, they got out and met up with the rest who were waiting and even just window shopping. Claudia also bought a few maps to give to the others, as she counted the maps she bought, she just saw Emma and Ilya got out of the wedding boutique across the streets with their happy faces, waving at them to hurry up so they all can go and get a good rest.
Claudia had rented a few coaches for them to get to Ponyville, Lulu, Maria, and Tulip were so happy how the coaches looked like something out of a fairytale and pretty. The others were just surprised by the effort made by Claudia just to bring them to Ponyville.
McMirth in the end did follow along after a lot of persuasion at the breakfast table, Claudia almost had a big argument because of McMirth stubbornness. He took a ride with Terry, Herman, and Georgia while Kammy rode with the kids. Claudia sits with the teens, she then pops out of the coach's window to tell the gallopers they are all ready to go.
Along the way, Claudia told the teens about where they are going and where they will be dropping off.
"Ponyville is just like any normal small suburbs we got, but most ponies live here for its environment. Unlike Canterlot, the town is more country living,"
"You could just say it's a middle-class town," Niki responded, looking out the window. They just passed through a bridge next to a waterfall.
"Oh, you're right. Well anyway, when I said I will help you charging your phones I will fulfill that promise, though after a lot of thinking I should just bring you to the pony that helped me solve my charging problem,"
They soon arrive at Ponyville, they can see a lot of different kinds of ponies around more than in Canterlot plus the vibrant decorations presented on sight. Not long after, Claudia was greeted by the Mayor of Ponyville, Mayor Mare.
She was expecting Claudia with the humans as well and just introduced herself to them, not much of a speaker for now because she is getting old and sooner her position as Mayor will change once she steps down to pass to the next generation. She talks about hoping the humans would stay a night in town for the festival.
"Ah, that's why Zeroth invited us," Jenny sang, she looked up to read the letters on the banners,"Festival of Moonlight?"
"It's still new, a celebration dedicated to the previous ruler of Equestria Princess Luna. It's just a midnight party," Mayor Mare giggled.
A loud groan can be heard at the back row and McMirth was disappointed and hoping to not even think of joining the party.
Mayor Mare smiled, not pursuing any longer, and just offers a complimentary stay at the nearby motel for them if they need to retire. Claudia also began to ask the mayor to help find someone to take her place for the town tour,
"I can call Pinkie Pie if you want. You know she is always happy to help, also the fact that she did decorate this as fast as she can. She is just excited to know that the humans are coming by, I'm sure she'll be pleased to help," Mayor Mare suggested.
"I guess she can if she didn't have anything else. I have to bring these teens to some mechanical…stuff," she smiles.
"Of course, I'll go and ask Pinkie Pie then. It's a pleasure meeting you all and I hope you are comfortable in our vibrant town," Mayor Mare said with a big smile on her face before leaving.
Claudia turned to everyone else, started to show around since they stopped by near the Mayor's office and the Townhall, she told them what's inside the town hall and most of Claudia's old stuff when she made up her mind on staying.
"Why do you even need an archive?" Herman glared at Claudia as she turned to look at him.
"Well to...uhh… just to forget things from my past," Claudia stuttered.
"Wouldn't it be better if you just burn all of them than just let it stay all dusty in a drawer?" Jenny taunted, glares emotionless at Claudia.
Ignoring Jenny's retort, she continues the tour by listing down a few best places to dine in, hangouts and just have fun. She then brings them to a building that looks like a cupcake that just exploded on the building. She pointed out that this is the best cake store in Ponyville and Canterlot, the Sugarcube Corner is run by Mr. and Mrs. Cake but also taken care of by their children and Pinkie Pie.
As they were talking, a little pink mane and yellow-coated foal ran out of the store after calling out Claudia's name. Claudia turns and begins hugging the foal that greeted her. There was a tiny bit of smoke coming from the foal, it was just flour covering the little foal's coat.
"Lil' Cheese, we just said don't run while you are still sticky from that flour and sugar," a light yellow female unicorn, covered in bits of flour as well chimed from behind the store's door.
"Hi, Pumpkin Cake!" Claudia greeted, asked the foal named Lil' Cheese go back inside, "Busy today?"
"Ah yes, we are. But with Lil Cheese around everything is fun," she just noticed the humans behind Claudia and gasped, calling out someone from the inside, "Pound Cake! They're here!"
A brown-haired Pony and looking similar to Pumpkin Cake pops his head out and gasps as well.
"If I hear another pony or creature gasped seeing us, you owe me a diamond," whispered Hugh to Marco.
"You're on,"
"Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich are still preparing for the festival," Pound cake said as he came down from the stairs.
"Oh I know, I was just stopping by giving a tour to these people," Claudia gestured at the humans and back to Pound cake and Pumpkin Cake.
They both nod and wish Claudia good luck with the festival still getting ready with many ponies and other creatures doing their part in decorating the area. It would be hectic to walk past many ponies around. Claudia assured that she can handle it for a while, hoping to meet Pinkie Pie soon.
They all left the Sugarcube with little complimentary cupcakes for the children and others. They all still couldn't believe how the food tasted so good in this world and almost as good as a human makes it, they continued walking until they saw a bright pink pony with Mayor Mare from afar waving her hooves and hooting for Claudia.
"Oh gosh, they are here!" The pink mare quickens her pace and jumps on Claudia.
They both fell on the ground, the mare just held Claudia's shoulders with her hooves and didn't stop talking rapidly about how she was super excited to meet the humans and she also prepared a party for welcoming the humans but everything was changed when she almost forgot about the festival. Claudia permits herself to get up first before anything when the pink mare apologizes and picks Claudia up,
"Pinkie Pie, meet the humans," She breathes before pointing to the nearest person she can point to and introduces Kammy, McMirth, till she reaches Tulip, "She's the youngest one in the group too, she might be the same age as Lil' Cheese?"
"Nice to meet all of you!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed before suddenly taking out a cannon and pulling the string and confetti popped out of it, "I can't wait to show all you around!"
She then proceeds to go to Mc Mirth as she sees how grumpy he looks and says he reminds her of Crankydoodle.
"Who's Crankydoodle?" Mcmirth asked, and looked at the pink mare as she hugged him, "He's a donkey, and he would make a great friend with him! Being cranky is his thing,"
McMirth can be seen twitching and he tries to hide his angry face, Claudia interrupts Pinkie from getting overly excited, she asks Pinkie's help to help give the other some tour of the town while she brings the teenagers back to her house in Sweet Apple Acres.
"Just for a few hours? I mean the humans can freely do their thing here if you have done giving them a tour," she said.
Pinkie, being an active and hyper mare, saluted Claudia before asking her if there's a meeting point once everything was over,
"Just ask them to meet at the Townsquare first before onto the next plan,"
As Pinkie got the right instruction, she left with the humans to continue their grand tour of the town. Claudia turns to the teenagers to follow her to a farm full of apples and the smell of cider whiff in the air.
On special occasions, the Apple Family will be making their special apple cider and they will also open a small booth for other ponies to get their first batch. Applejack is in the booth with Sugar Belle, Claudia greets them first as they busy pass ciders to the next paying customers; Applejack acknowledges Claudia and the teens behind her before greeting her.
"You're back, Claudia,"
"Yeah, just doing some human tour and I promised these teens something back at the house,"
"I heard, Pinkie Pie can't stop asking about you guys. Big Mac and I have also helped to pluck the corns in your farm and put all of them at the barn, you can pick them up whenever," she said, begin to yell at the customer in front of her who keeps staring at the Teens.
Claudia thanked Applejack for the help, she picked up a few cups of ciders for herself and the teens, she paid Applejack for the drinks while ushering the teens into a pathway next to where the Sweet Apple Acres sign is.
"I honestly never tasted cider before," Hugh muttered as he looked into the cups, "It's delicious!"
"Yeah, it tastes really good," Niki agreed, taking a full gulp of the drink.
"The Apple family's specialty, they always controlled the quality for generations," Claudia explained, "You should see how they worked and also how the apples grow here someday!"
They passed through a row of Apple trees, Claudia told the teenagers about how her first job here was picking apples and how it was a very stressful job for a human-like her. They almost reached the end of the forest of apples, there's a cottage at the end of the forest line and a gate separate the farm and the yard.
Claudia opens the gate and leads them to the front of her door, she opens the door and invites them in.
"Welcome to my house! Make yourself at home while I grab my many phone chargers upstairs," she closes the door behind her after the teens are inside.
Jenny and Niki look around while the boys just find a sofa and sit down, the inside of the cottage is like something a grandma would be staying at, doilies on the coffee table, a fireplace in the living room, flowers, and succulents are surrounding the entire house. There were a bunch of pictures hanging on the walls, there were pictures of Claudia in the human world, traveling to some countries, and lastly, a picture of when she was younger probably around their ages with her parents.
"Wow, you think Claudia bought all these or made them by herself?" Niki said as she strolls around the living area looking at the succulents.
"I bet you she would buy them, she doesn't look like the kind to make them," Jenny replied, standing next to a sewing machine and picked up an unfinished skirt, "Pretty sure she would just give up and do something else," she snorted.
Marco gets up and turns to the window and sees a field of corn outside.
"I bet you she's more of a farmer because look at the corns,"
The others look out the window and see the corn, they all agree that the corn looks so green and some can see a patch of golden yellow peeking out of its green sleeves.
Soon they heard the sound of footsteps running down the stairs, Claudia came down with large doohickeys like something out of a science fiction movie and a socket attached at the end of that machine.
"What the hell is that?" Hugh spouted.
"Well, I could say this is a battery, an engine if it's sound better," Claudia croaked, putting the thing down on the coffee table, "All I can say I met a science pony to build me a contraption that can produce a portable electricity,"
Jenny leans down, looking at the contraption closely, "And… this stuff works?" she raised an eyebrow at Claudia.
"Yes, and it's fast charging too, so do you guys bring your chargers?"
Jenny gets hers out from her backpack and passes her phone to Claudia, she begins to attach the charger head to the socket of the machine, and she pushes a single switch on the machine. The machine starts to whirr, Jenny and her friends all slowly back away just for safety measure.
Claudia assures them the sound is normal and soon, Jenny's cellphone begins to turn on its own and everyone gasps. The phone charged as fast as Claudia said, she quickly removes the phone from the machine and passes it to Jenny who is still stunned. She checks her phone and instantly tries to press some apps and checks for battery life. Then Niki, Hugh, and Marco passed their phones to Claudia.
Jenny turned on her music and inhaled happily to be able to listen to her music again, she sat down on the couch, thanking Claudia for it. Claudia only smiled and continued helping the other teens with their phones.
---------------------------------------
In the middle of town, Pinkie Pie is showing off the many wonderful things Ponyville has, but also keeps introducing them to Gummy, her pet alligator and Gummy is 10 feet tall for an alligator.
"I am so wanting to get out of here, she's not stopped talking," McMirth whispered to Kammy.
"Be patient Mirth, she means well. She's just super excited, also she did promise us a good time,"
Pinkie Pie continues by introducing to some of the residences of Ponyville and showing them the boutiques and such there. When they reached the Salon and spa, she declared them as the end of the tour.
"Oh thank goodness," McMirth said in relief.
"I would love some massage," Kammy moaned, cracking her back.
"I can introduce you to the best masseuse in EQUESTRIA!" She called out a very muscled-up horse in the spa uniforms and he suddenly went back inside, and some people caught a glimpse of his red face.
Pinkie pie nervously laughs, excuses herself into the salon to drag the big guy out. For a horse full of muscles, he is easily nervous about meeting new people, Pinkie explains.
"Bulk Biceps is the best in massages," Pinkie continues, "Come on, Bulk. Say hi to the humans!"
Bulk gives them a wave and then leans over to Pinkie Pie as she whispers to him, he nodded and opened the door wide for the other humans to get inside.
"Who's coming?" Pinkie shouted happily.
"What about the children?" Terry asked, looking at the kids who've been spreading out and about looking at the decorations and other ponies and foals playing.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of them!" Pinkie volunteered, "Hey, Kids! Wanna helped me finish decorating for the Festival?" She hopped to the kids and the other kids replied with a big 'YES'
"I won't be joining any activities, I rather go to sleep in the motel," McMirth said.
Kammy stopped Mirth from walking away, inviting him to at least try to get warm steam stuff in the spa but Mirth completely out of it. Kammy just sighed and smiled, hoping Mirth would change his mind soon. Kammy, Georgia, Terry, and Herman with the rest of the humans joined inside the spa. Emma and Ilya actually want to follow Pinkie and the kids helping around.
-------------------
McMirth did find his way to the motel that Pinkie showed for their stay while in Ponyville, he checked in and saw an old stallion at the counter greet him and instantly passed the key to him. He looks around before going to the stairs that the pony had shown him.
The motel is tall enough for him to walk, the doors just the exact height as him. He finds his room and gets inside, the room is quite spacious, it has one window view of the site of a pond at the back of the motel but also he can see a stage was being made from there. He grumbles and shuts the window before sitting on the bed.
"I hope we get back to our place soon," he picks something out of his new pants and held out a small picture, "I missed you,"
He looked at a picture of him and a woman, his wife, smiling at each other. McMirth put the picture back in his pocket, lay down on the soft bed, and closed his eyes instantly.
----------------------
Claudia and the teens all on their way back to the town, she watches as they take selfies and pictures as they walk. They all wished they could show this to their other friends back home,
"Well you can once Starswirl and Twilight opens back a portal back to Earth,"
For a moment, Jenny and the others went a bit silent, hesitated to reply.
"Oh, right. We are going home," Jenny said in a tone as if she's uncertain about the answer.
They are near the town's street, and Jenny begins to run and waving her hand at two creatures in punk clothing. Claudia blinks, just watched as the teens left her all alone and went on with their new friends.
She slowly walks on, rubbing her arms looking down, she asks herself, 'Feels different now, doesn’t it? They all will go home soon… I’m glad I made them feel comfortable in this land,' She lifted her head again to look around staring at the open road to the town, ‘But why do I feel sad? I know I’m doing the right thing to do by sending them home...Do I want them to go?’ Then she saw Pinkie with Emma, Ilya, and the kids decorating around the town's building with other ponies. She walks up to them and greets them,
"Hey Pinkie, where are the other humans?"
"Oh! That one lady, Kammy? She and the others are at the spa, except-" she hummed and turns her head to Claudia, "- That grumpy guy, he went to the motel,"
"Of course. Anyway, all you guys have fun decorating I go and check up on the others as well, I'll be back,"
She walks straight to the spa and gets inside, seeing half of the humans were having a relaxing time in the spa, some in the hot tub while getting a manicure and then there's Kammy and Terry getting face therapy with cucumbers on their eyes.
“Claudia!” Kammy exclaimed, removing her cucumber eye patch and stretching her body, “This spa is amazing, I never felt so relaxed ever since we stayed at the castle.”
“I agree to that,” Terry agrees, while still lying down on the spa chair.
“Glad you enjoyed yourself,” Claudia chuckled and sat down on one of the chairs, “You do look relaced, so is everyone here that joins you guys,”
She looked around at the rest of the humans getting a massage from the rest of the masseuse, she turned to Kammy.
“So what’s next on your plan after a spa day?”
“Maybe I could just find some nice ice cream,” Kammy giggled, “That Pinkie Pie really showed us so many nice places to explore. She’s a sweetheart,”
“She makes me feel like I want to live here,” Terry said..
Claudia tilts her head to Terry, he removed a cucumber from his eyes and raised an eyebrow, “What?”
“Do you… want to stay here forever Terry?”
Terry’s eyes widened and shifted a bit, the other humans who heard their conversations also just shifted their eyes to each other. Kammy begins to voice out about if they stayed here forever, how these ponies will be able to accommodate them, there’s no way they would let them build a community of humans around.
“Are you kidding? Equestria is a home for ALL creatures, of course, dragons have their own kingdom as well, but we can too.” Claudia motions her arms and bobs her head and continues, “We can figure out a way to have a temporary stay,” she then shakes her head, gets up, “Wait, I have a question.” she looks around at the humans, all the masseuse also stopped what they are doing,
“Are you… guys actually have thought of just living here? Not even thinking about going home?”
Everybody in the room shuts their lips, looking down, some grumbles and some hummed a little sigh. Claudia turns to Kammy, her expression changes quite a lot.
“We… aren’t sure, but it’s something, this place already feels like home. The ponies, creatures here, like you said before, Claudia. No different than us in our world,” Kammy told Claudia, she turns to Terry then to the other humans who agree with her.
Claudia almost shed a tear hearing it and just unsure if whatever she’s feeling is joy or bad due to how she felt like she was forcing all these humans to stay instead of letting them go back to the human world. But after listening to what Kammy said and the others’, she sure it’s the right feeling. Though now she only thinks about the teens, kids, and also McMirth. He seemed to be the only person that wanted to leave the place more. Before Claudia could open her mouth, Pinkie pie stormed into the salon and ran towards Claudia.
“Claudia!” she screamed, “She’s missing!”
“What? Who’s missing?” Claudia retorts.
“That blonde cute girl, what was her name, Tulip!”
Kammy and Claudia both shouted back and instantly got up and left the spa, instructing the other to just stay calm while they handled it.
Pinkie showed them where the last time they saw Tulip, Emma and Ilya already went around searching for her. Sanjit, John, Lulu, and Maria felt sorry for not looking after her since Tulip is the youngest, they were too caught up helping them decorating while Tulip actually fell asleep a while, and then when they turned Tulip was gone. Claudia and Kammy comforted them and told them it’s not their fault, everyone was busy doing their jobs.
Kammy decides to search on the other side of the town near the lake, while Claudia will ask any ponies if they have seen the girl. Claudia shouted Tulip’s name, asking one pony to another if they saw a human girl running around. None saw them, after quite the whole town she searched and asked. There’s one pony who finally gave her the answer she was looking for, the pony pointed in the direction of the ice cream parlor a few blocks away.
Claudia ran to the shop and looked from outside the window, and there she is, the small, white-blonde hair shimmers from the inside of the store. She saw Tulip was having ice cream with some pony, giggling with each other. Claudia instantly went inside and met them.
“Tulip!” she said softly, looking at Tulip, “You had us worried,”
“I’m sorry,” Tulip pouted.
“Please don’t be mad at her, it’s my fault for not even telling any pony about this,” a soft-spoken mare, with an orange mane, suddenly interrupts.
Claudia looked at the pony and gave a little gasp.
“Wait, aren’t you one of those ponies we rescued from that cave?” Claudia asks without sounding rude.
“Yes, My name is Azalea Berry. It’s actually nice to see you again,” she smiled.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in the hospital or something?”
“I’m fine. The doctors check some of us out since none of us are hurt, we just had a few medical treatments to go but nothing serious,” she professed.
Tulip was eating some ice cream while listening to their conversation and slides over patting the chair motioned Claudia to sit down, Claudia continued talking as she sat down and asked Azalea why she is suddenly bringing Tulip around. Tulip interrupts saying that this was her pony friend that she liked while in the cave.
“Azalea tells amazing stories, in exchange for secret food,” she said.
“I do. Honestly, the kids you call them? Are the nicest ‘pony-nappers’ we ever met,” she joked, “They treat us well, at first they are afraid of hearing us speak but after a while, they are used to it. But secretly,”
“So, what is your relationship with Tulip?” Claudia asked.
Azalea looked at Tulip and took a napkin to wipe the mess on Tulip’s mouth softly, she looked at Tulip longer then turned her gaze to Claudia.
“She reminds me of my daughter,” she replied in a soft tone, “She passed a few years ago,”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Claudia frowned.
“Tulip has the same spirit as her back when she was her age. Kind, lively, and a little messy,” she giggled.
“Azalea is an amazing pony and makes me happy,” Tulip said as she swinging her feet happily,
“I bet she does,”
“Seriously, I feel bad for making you worried. I didn’t mean to take her away, I honestly don’t know where she was supposed to be. She suddenly appeared behind me when I was doing some grocery shopping,” Azalea divulged as she explained her reason.
Claudia shakes her head and tells Azalea it was a misunderstanding, at least she knows Tulip was okay. For a while both of them just went silent and look at Tulip as she finishes eating the ice cream, then Claudia spoke,
“How about you follow me and Tulip back to meet the humans?”
“What?”
“Hey, it’s fine. The humans are all good now, they learned a lot in two days. They sure would have lots of things to say to the pony they, ponynapped,” Claudia chortled.
“Do it for Tulip? She seems to very fond of you more,”
Azalea thought for a while and after she saw Tulip’s eyes, she just nodded and Tulip cheered.
The three of them went back to Townsquare and met the rest of the humans that were waiting for them, Kammy just arrived and saw Tulip was safe and with Claudia and saw the other pony behind them.
Claudia instantly explains what happened and introduces Azalea to the rest of the people. Kammy and the others apologize to her for the whole months of captivity, Azalea may say she's fine with all these but Kammy still feels bad for it.
"I am sure I accept all of your apologies. Besides, all of you were still new to this world. I may have a tiny bit of trauma but this is honestly the mildest event I ever experienced in my whole pony life," she giggled along with Claudia.
The others just raised their eyebrows and did not understand what they were talking about.
"Anyway, Azalea are you joining this festival?" Claudia asked, looking around at the town almost finished for the festival.
"Oh no, I'm holding a bingo and quiz session for the elderly and those who don't want to join the party," she replied.
"A bingo and quiz party?" Kammy grinned, "Well, would it be fine if I joined? I don't think I would be enjoying going to this party they have here," she continues.
"Oh, sure! Come on by, we're like a few blocks far from all the noises, and they will be snacks," she turns to Tulip then to Claudia.
"Tulip wants to join Azalea," Tulip said, raising her hands.
"Well then a big party is not a place for a child like you so maybe we both can enjoy it with more old ladies and guys, huh?" Kammy chuckled, Tulip nodded.
Kammy also bumped her elbow to Claudia and suggested inviting McMirth too, since the motel is close to the stage and he would not be really happy with the noises going on.
Claudia agrees while Kammy permits Azalea to spend her time with Tulip while they are away to invite another friend of theirs.
McMirth was standing in front of the window just looking out at some ponies and other creatures just beginning to crowd the lake area, laughing, and just also sitting with their loved ones.
He saw an old couple together at the lake, just hoof-in-hoof before disappearing. McMirth heard a knock on the door and went to open it.
"Hi, McMirth!" Claudia beamed before getting her face slammed by the door.
"Fuck!"
"Mirth!" Kammy's voice is heard outside, yelling his name and McMirth opens the door seeing Claudia just touching her nose.
"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" McMirth sarcastically said.
"No, no. Just a little pain but it's fine, not broken," Claudia replied.
Kammy stares at McMirth, "Seriously? You're worse than my kids," she grumbles.
"Whatever woman, what do you want? I told you I won't be joining the festival that these ponies doing,"
Claudia sniffed a bit before pulling out a tiny flyer that Azalea had given them before they left, showing it to McMirth. He takes it and reads it,
"What's this?"
"A bingo party for those who aren't into this kind of parties, Kammy is joining," Claudia hummed, giving another smile to McMirth.
"I don't want to participate,"
"You joined in and that's final you grumpy old man, come. We need to go there to register," Kammy instantly dragged McMirth out while they both argued as they walked down the stairs. Claudia helped out by locking up the door, before working her way down following Kammy and Mcmirth out.
They reached the place the activities were held, far from the bustling crowds and stage of the festival. Upon entering, Kammy brings McMirth directly to the booth where they meet Azalea and Tulip behind it. Mcmirth was surprised to see Tulip was there and didn't recognize the horse next to her until Kammy reintroduced her to him.
"Oh, um, I guess I want to say sorry for what we did back then," McMirth eyes shifted as he said this, then coughed as he saw Kammy and Claudia look at him.
"It's really fine, Mr. McMirth. I am happy that now all of you get to experience new things here. Well while you are still here," Azalea smiled as she passed two cards with different numbers and two bingo cards to Kammy and McMirth.
"I do hope you enjoy our activities tonight, and you may take a seat anywhere,"
"Good luck, Kam-Kam and Uncle Mirth!" Tulip cheered.
Claudia won't join them but she'd stay for a while before going to the party, she watches as McMirth with Kammy take their seat next to a Changeling and a Kirin. Azalea and Tulip had taken their place at another table, an old lady with the bingo machine already set on a pedestal and about to begin.
For a few minutes, the Bingo game started, and saw McMirth and Kammy already distracted by the game, an opportunity for Claudia to walk out of the place.
She can hear the loud music turn up as she walks out of the building, she slowly marches towards the party area. She joins the crowds and starts to dance and cheering at the music till she can't dance anymore.
It's the next day and they all go back to Canterlot, for some they had a blast at Ponyville, for some it was just another night at a club back home. But to most, they decided to stay and find a home in Equestria and never back to Earth, their Earth.
That's beginning to anger McMirth. Hearing such a decision from most of them, and from Tulip who has been insisting to let her stay with Azalea back in Ponyville before they all wanted to leave Ponyville.
"It's not your decision to force them to go back home!" shouted Claudia. They all argue in the middle of the hallway to the sleeping quarters, they have been arguing for half an hour and while that happens, Claudia's amulet was glowing red the entire time.
"I am not forcing them, but they should know this place isn't for us! We don't belong here! You may be, but not us," McMirth barked.
Claudia gasped hard enough that the hall echoes, "My God! You are so stubborn and annoying! I try so hard to convince you to give these ponies, Equestria, a chance," she remarks.
"You're saying I'M forcing these people, what about you?" McMirth jeered, pointing at her, "You have been asking all of us to enjoy these lands as if asking us to stay here forever,"
Claudia's jaw opens but then shuts them back, backing up tears.
"Both of you please stop these fights. And Mirth, you should understand that WE decided ourselves and Claudia just trying to make us comfortable here," Kammy interrupts, trying to push Claudia away from McMirth.
"Kammy, what about your children at home? Aren't you going to miss them? Don't you think OUR children are going to search for us because we have been missing for too long?" McMirth bellowed.
Kammy clasps her lips together and looked away for a moment before turns back to McMirth,
"NO, I don't think my children will be searching for me. Even if they do, I want them to live their lives without me, why do they bother to seek me.
They don't listen to me anymore, it's been two years since they ever visited me at home, not even a call, I'm just happy they have their lives, a better life,"
Kammy shed a tear, wiping it off with fingers then asserted herself and looked at McMirth in the eyes.
"I decide what I want to do, and living here is better than dying,"
She turns before storms off into the room, the others who have been listening to the fight also went into the rooms and shut the door. McMirth grits his teeth then turn back to Claudia, though he just scoffs angrily before also goes away into the room.
Claudia groans and wipes her tears away, turning around seeing two guards also just watching the fight from far then suddenly they both stood still as Claudia passes them. The amulet on her is still glowing but not as much, Claudia holds it and then stops, surprised that Twilight and Starswirl were standing in front of her.
"Oh, Starswirl, Twilight," she wept, "I'm sorry, did you hear the fight?"
Twilight and Starswirl nod.
"Let's grab some tea," Twilight suggested and walked away with Starswirl.
"I thought you were coming tomorrow, Starswirl," Claudia asked after a while.
"I took a shorter route back here. I wanted to help send the humans back as soon as I can. But it seems I don't have to conduct stronger portal spells since I heard that all the humans are deciding to stay except for one it seems?"
Claudia nods slowly.
They continued their conversation over tea, Claudia told them what happened in Ponyville, how everyone was enjoying themselves around other creatures. She told about Tulip’s wishes to live with Azalea back at Ponyville and have been sad ever since they are back here. McMirth was the only one who seemed not happy with everything, Claudia twiddling her cup and just let out a big sigh.
“There will always be that somepony that will not be happy on certain things, Claudia. That’s life,” Starswirl hinted, sipping his tea, “Some pony or people, can’t be forced. I learned this the hard way too. I myself a stubborn old man,” he chuckled a bit.
“What you need to do is just talk to him calmly, make him understand instead of arguing back. Learn what makes him like that, understand the situation,” Starswirl added.
Claudia looks down at her glowing amulet and drinks, “I will try,”
“Maybe just wait for a few more hours, I can feel the anger air in this castle still,” Twilight advised.
Her amulet glows dimly but gets brighter as she approaches McMirth’s room. Jenny and Niki were outside their room with some guards looking at their phones and then looked up to Claudia who was passing by them. Claudia stood in front of the door before knocking them, Mcmirth’s voice can be heard shouting Go Away from inside.
“McMirth,” Claudia croaked.
“I am here to,” she breathes, “to discuss something with you and I’m hoping you allow me to enter,”
There was no response.
“Mirth, please, I just want to say sorry for arguing with you,” she continues.
“I want to talk,”
Then a few minutes later, the door creaked open. McMirth looked at Claudia at the crack,
“I don’t want to talk to you,”
“Then why did you open the door?” Claudia jeered, gives him a little smile.
McMirth scoffs and just opens the door fully, inviting Claudia to come in. Claudia went inside, apologized to Mcmirth of her behavior, and intimidated him to do so.
“It’s just, Mirth. I don’t understand why you would be disinterested in the stay and the ponies around here? They all are nice to you, I too, being nice and helping everyone feel comfortable while you are here,” Claudia went on talking, “I know deep down, you like it but I just want to know, why?”
McMirth grumbles turn around and go to the window.
“Kammy told you her children haven’t visited them a long time, mine’s no different yes. Except I was the one never visited my children and never allowed them to come,” he spoke.
“I too, want them to live their lives as they should,” he slips his hands in his pocket and takes out a photo, “My wife left me, a year ago. I lost someone I really loved, I began to feel empty inside. My children tried to cheer me down, even my grandkids tried. But,” he scoffs, “I’m a stubborn old man,”
“I kept walking to my wife’s grave, every day, talking to her. My children think it’s unhealthy, I need to let go. But how can you? Someone you loved left you before you had a chance… to say how much he adores her,” he continues, looking at the picture and sighed, “I had a fight with my kids a lot since then, they invited me to stay with one of them, so I can move on.
“I declined. I never allowed my kids to come by the house ever again. I was visiting my wife’s graves again, a day before that bloody blue portal suck me in,”
McMirth sat down on the bed and invited Claudia to sit down when he saw Claudia with teary eyes, and he noticed the others were actually watching them outside, Kammy was there too listening to his story. McMirth continues his story on how the whole months they stuck down here, he began to miss his kids more than ever and also wanting to visit his wife’s grave again. He told them how he thought he will die here without seeing his children again, he realized how unappreciative he has been towards his kids until he misses them and the grandchildren.
“Oh, Mirth. I never knew, why didn’t you even tell this to me before?” Kammy chimed in, sitting next to mirth, holding his hand and taking a look at the picture, “She’s really beautiful, and I know how it feels to feel lost without your loved ones,” she looked at McMirth longer and smiled.
“Mirth, if you want to go home, I actually not stopping you,” Claudia replied, “If that’s what you want,”
“I do, I just want to go home and see my kids again,” he uttered.
“And I won't stop any of you wanting to stay here,” he looks around at the others who were standing outside, grinning at McMirth, “I saw how happy you guys are here, I guess I shouldn’t force you all to go back to our world. The fact some of you are just orphans,” he smirked.
Tulip who was one of the snooping groups runs inside to McMirth and holds his hand, “Does that mean Tulip can stay with Azalea?” she gave McMirth a huge smile.
“No,” he said, and bit his lips as he looked at Tulip’s face turned sour, “No, I mean, I don’t know, A horse can’t… They don’t know how to take care of you, humans, I mean,”
“That wouldn’t be a problem, I can teach them, Kammy can too!” Claudia suggested,
Tulip turns back to McMirth and grins, Mirth led out a big sigh before nodding in agreement. Claudia instantly hugged McMirth and thanked him, Claudia’s amulet began to glow quite brightly and almost blinded everyone inside. But it was a quick flash, and her amulet stopped glowing.
“What was that?” shouted Terry.
“Sorry, that’s how my amulet does when a Peace is made?” Claudia smirked, then she turned to McMirth who suddenly had tears falling down to his cheek, “Mirth?”
“I just...saw my wife,” he begins to cry and hides his eyes with his hands.
Claudia gets up and looks at his amulet, she tells McMirth she doesn't know what happened but she and the others will leave him alone and will see him again later at dinner. Claudia went out and ran quickly away from the others before stopping dead, looking at her amulet, ‘What did you do, amulet?’ she whispered at her amulet, and all she got was silence. She assumes the amulet also just gives McMirth a vision of his wife something, she still needs to figure out what other thing this amulet has the ability to do. If that really is the amulet’s doing, she might have to speak to Starswirl while he is still here.
Claudia already had a discussion with Starswirl about her amulet and he will take a look at it, soon she was sitting next to Twilight again, discussing the next step for the humans as they are going to be permanent residents of Equestria. Claudia would have added all this to her lessons for the part-time teaching job she has in the School of Friendship. Twilight is going to help with anything she can, they both started to make a list of things together that they need to prepare for after all this.
“You think some of them would be interested in living in Canterlot?” Claudia asks Twilight.
“If they like snobby, rich, ponies, why not?” Twilight giggled, started to sketch some buildings, and drew sketchy human sticks next to a pony.
“You think the humans would like it if we just introduced them to some available houses around Canterlot and Ponyville?” Twilight added, thinking.
“I think that would be perfect, I’m sure I can also help them find someplace to work,”
“What about the orphans? And those teens?” Twilight asked.
“I can make them live with me, or with Kammy, if Kammy wants to, oh gosh I finally have a roommate, I want Kammy to stay with me if she wants to,” Claudia gushed.
Twilight and Claudia continued to talk and exchange ideas and lists about where else the humans can live, then Claudia began to think about the blue light or portal. She suggested this should be a priority due to how these humans came, they should be ready if the portal comes again and keep letting new humans appear in Equestria. Twilight also thought about something like what if Discord was behind all of this but he hasn't been doing a lot of Chaos stuff like he used to ever since he has dated Fluttershy and helping her with the sanctuary.
"Maybe we can ask him tomorrow just for confirmation?" Claudia said, biting her pen while looking at the lists, "I am sure this is quite enough for our first plan of Equestria's new human residents to be done, for now," she added, rolling up her scrolls, stretching. Twilight suggested for Claudia to get rested before dinner, so Claudia gladly agreed and went her way to her room.
Emma and Ilya had a conversation at breakfast with the rest of the 'family' - Emma decided to call everyone as a family because they were the closest family they had ever since they stuck here - about their wedding, they decided to have a wedding in Equestria and they already have a wedding planner and attire for it.
"All that happened while we were on the Canterlot tour?" Claudia asked as she munching on some waffles.
Emma and Ilya nodded, “Wouldn’t happen if you haven’t shown us around the wonderful fashion districts. The wedding pony organizer is so nice and willing to try to do a human wedding,”
“But we want to try the Equestrian way,” said Ilya while holding his beloved’s hand, “We did look at the previous albums and photos of the wedding they’ve done and all and it just clicked for the both of us,” he started to give Emma a nose-to-nose kiss to her.
Claudia and the others just awed while some just made disgusted noises, Kammy asked Emma if they also decided on their best man and Bridesmaid. Of course, they decided to have McMirth be the best man while Claudia, Kammy, Jenny, Niki, and Georgia as the Bridesmaids.
“Me?” McMirth raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, please, McMirth?” he pleaded, “Just stay one more night?”
McMirth looked around, looking at the two couple’s eyes then to the rest of the members before cocked his head and groans, “Fine,” Emma and Ilya cheered happily and holding each others’ hands announcing, “THERE WILL BE A WEDDING!” Everyone clapped their hands happily and heard Twilight and Starswirl just arrived at the dining table.
“What did we miss?” Twilight asked.
“We’re getting married tomorrow!” Emma sang as she raised her hand together with Ilya’s.
“Congratulations!” Twilight gleamed, “Tomorrow? Have you two prepared a plan?” she added, as she took her seat.
Emma and Ilya gave a little more detail about their plan, telling her about the time they explored Canterlot and managed to snatch a reservation for a wedding planner. They only need a venue to do it, they haven’t yet decided the place and the organizer needed an answer by the evening.
“How about I gave you permission to do the wedding at the Castle’s garden?” Twilight suggested and clapped her hooves together, “I can finally be the ceremonial officiant, I always wanted to do that,” Twilight gleefully said.
“You can do that?” Ilya said.
Twilight nods.
Emma and Ilya were delighted to hear that the Princess of Equestria would permit them to have a wedding at the castle ground, let alone be their wedding officiant. Although they won't manage to invite a lot of ponies they've met so far, Claudia suggested that she will at least send an invitation for a few ponies that can come tomorrow as early.
Emma and Ilya agree with the suggestion and they finish up their meal first before excuse themselves to go and make their way to the wedding boutique. Claudia offers herself to help with decorations so Twilight doesn't have to, she knows that Twilight would still have her morning meetings to go to.
"I'll try to make myself available as early tonight to help you with the decoration,” Twilight assured Claudia and continued enjoying her meal.
Starswirl began talking to Claudia about her amulet, he suggested meeting him in his library, which is actually the Canterlot Archives. After breakfast and before she begins helping the humans for the wedding, she keeps it in mind and will come as soon as she is done with her meal. Twilight and Claudia watch as Starswirl excuses themselves and leaves the dining room while levitating a cup of coffee out.
Claudia made her way to the hallway of the library and the archive, along the way she greeted Klutzy who was cleaning the floor.
“I heard one of the human couples is getting married tomorrow?” she muffled as her mouth was biting a broomstick.
“Yes, it will be a small one too so it’s pretty much a quick wedding too?” Claudia answered.
“Well hope it goes well, too bad I still have work tomorrow, I need to clean Princess Luna’s part of the castle,” she grumbles.
“The twin bats always get you in the castle?” Claudia grimaced.
Klutzy just nods and sighs, then she continues working as Claudia leaves. The archive is just around the corner and at least one guard guarding the entrance, the guard saluted and told Claudia that Starswirl is waiting inside. As she entered the door, there were books floating by and scrolls were hovering on the top of the shelves before folding themselves on the empty shelves.
Starswirl has been organizing his masterpieces ever since he actually been dropping by a lot in Canterlot Castle as Twilight said, since before she came to the world. Claudia shouted Starswirl’s name as the archive is pretty big and as large as the Canterlot Library outside the castle, there were sections of books and scrolls. For ancient legends like Starswirl of course one shelf would never be enough. Claudia heard a reply not far from where she was, she just followed the echo and saw a few more scrolls hovering through and leading to where Starswirl was. He was busy reading a part of a book while grooming his beard, murmuring.
“What are you reading there, Starswirl?” Claudia softly asked as she peeks next to Starswirl.
“I was looking through some of the pages about interdimensional travel and the spells I've used in centuries, I was still wondering about how these humans, and you, could’ve entered our world. At first, I thought it could be Discord’s doing but then again how can he be doing this for almost 4 years and 4 months without even making a subtle hint about what happened. I would cross that thought from my mind for a bit until we can ask him later on, then I looked back at the most histories of ponies holding artifacts and using an interdimensional gateway to hide some of the artifacts from the hands of evil,”
Starswirl brings in a large scroll in front of Claudia and shows her an illustration of a pony in a cloak jumping from portal to portal.
“An artifact this pony hold could cause some magic to walk through each of the dimensions this pony crosses, there’s a possibility of the magic after few millennia on your Earth, the magic begin to grow and created its own portal,”
“But I think it does not make much evidence that, if magic really exists in your world, you would have known about it, correct?” Starswirl turns to Claudia.
“Yeah, I mean there is some sort of magic happening around the world but it’s more spiritual than… physical?” Claudia thinks about most stories, legends that she can remember back on Earth. She remembers the story of aliens and also Old Gods roam the lands before time but that was either just a legend or a myth by some highly imaginative people.
Starswirl stroking his beard and puts away his scrolls as if pushing away the idea of Equestrian magic to be stranded in the other Earth. Starswirl begins to think longer, looking at Claudia’s amulet, “I was thinking if the Tree of Harmony, somehow the cause of all this to happen. You remember the story Twilight told you about how the Tree of Harmony just destroyed?”
“Yeah, that time by a pony named Sombra, right?”
“Yes, I had an idea that when it exploded, the magic from the tree could scatter across the land. Some of its essences might have got its way to a portal that we know no source of,” Starswirl suggested.
“I… don’t get it,” Claudia replied.
“What I meant is that the amulet didn't choose somepony without a reason, and somehow the magic from the Elemental got its way to Earth in search of some other creature that is worthy to be a guardian. The amulet of Peace could be something from YOU,”
Claudia scratching her head, “What you’re saying is that this amulet might just have been created by me?”
“No, what I meant is, the Tree of Harmony only chooses the next pony or creature that possesses an element of harmony and Peace was part of it. You told me before when you were never at peace in your place, you only remembered that when you are in a bad situation like losing your job and losing the apartment. Next thing you know you are here,”
“So, you mean I might have been the one that opened a portal when there might be Equestrian magic around?” Claudia wondered, still unsure with her words.
“Somewhat like that, it’s an idea, a thought. But I would think that’s the cause of the portals opening for the others as well. You listened and learned about the life these humans had before they were sent here, what if the amulet didn’t just use to solve a peace problem, but also bring somebody from your world to join your peace here?” Starswirl looked at Claudia and Claudia stared at Starswirl, thinking. She takes a look at the amulet again, removing it from her neck and studying it more, “But all these time, it only brings me to the source of the pony or other creatures in their problems, not bring the source to me. Why didn’t it actually detect the humans when they arrived here?”
That question numbs Starswirl for a moment, he strokes his beard again, “That really is a great question. My, I’m getting old and I can’t figure this out as I used to,” Claudia gave a little cough before gesture her hands at Starswirl, “Well, you already OLD,” she grins before having a book knock on her head, “Okay, I’m sorry, Starswirl the Bearded,” she apologizes, rubbing her head. For a while, Starswirl laughed, then turned back to some books and put one of his hoofs on his chin.
“The only thing we both could agree on, Starswirl. Is that I am sure a tiny bit of that Equestrian magic might have stayed on Earth and brings me and the other humans here,” Claudia declared, “Because that could be the only explanation of the blue portal the humans has been telling me,”
“That’s true, I would continue studying back on interdimensional travel, You may excuse,” Starswirl murmured.
Claudia was in the ballroom with Kammy, Georgia, and Emma. They made invitations for the wedding to the closest Ponies and other creatures that they met, the wedding organizer also came by to decorate early for the wedding. Claudia asked a little help from Spike to help send the invitation soon since it’s already night, they won’t even have time to pass the invitation to Ponyville.
“Why are you guys even sending this invitation, don’t think some ponies have time to come, with work and all,” Spike asked as he used his magic fire to send the invitations.
“We know, but it’s not right not sending an invitation to those we already know,” Emma answered, finished writing and put the letter into an envelope, “I am excited about the wedding,” she continues and hugging herself, “I have never felt so happy,” Kammy, Georgia, Spike, and Claudia smiled then finish up the last letters before giving to spike to send them.
“Hope some can come for this wedding, I mean the schedule is on lunch and ends around after lunch too,” Georgia said, looking at the workers bringing some decorations into the garden, “I’ll go check the decorations now,” she stretched before walking away.
“Yeah I think we can go help them as well,” Kammy followed Georgia from behind.
Claudia suggested to Emma to go and sleep while they finish setting up for her wedding, Emma thanked Claudia before hugging her. She left Claudia with Spike, Claudia went on talking with Spike. Telling him about what Starswirl and she were talking about back at the library. Spike rubbed his chin. As they walked to the garden, they looked up at the night sky, the stars shimmered in the sky next to Luna’s moon, “Maybe the Universe has its plan that we can’t think of?” Spike murmurs, Claudia turns to him, “Maybe,” Claudia gives a little smile and follows Kammy and Georgia in checking the organization in the garden, “You can go to bed too, Spike, Tomorrow I’m sure you also have plans right?” Spike looked at Claudia and shrugged, “Yeah, the usual, waking up Twilight and reading all of her schedule,” he waved at Claudia before he turns to the other door to exit.
The wedding gown for Emma arrived in the morning, Emma looked at the dress and was amazed at how beautiful it is even though it’s in a very short while. The gown maker pony told Emma that it is one of his fastest works he ever did let alone for a human gown though he managed to get it done as she wanted.
“It’s really lovely,” Emma complimented, trying the dress behind the covering that was in her dressing room.
The gown maker helped zip up the dress on Emma and let her fix most of it, her dress is only a simple merpony dress. Emma took a look at the mirror and squealed, “It’s what I imagine, and you are so good, and you said you never did human dresses,” Emma sneered, “Stop you making me blush. I have to say thanks to Rarity and Claudia the human for giving human anatomy lessons and dressmaking tutorials. If it weren't for them we all wouldn't have knowledge about humans and look at us, finally getting to know each other,” the gown maker said as he fixed the dress bit adding a little more bling, there are two other ponies present, a makeup artist and hairdresser.
“Come, we need to make a quick make-up sesh,” the gown maker led her to the makeup table.
There was a knock on the door and the door was opened, Claudia peeked out of the crack and entered, she got inside and looked at Emma from the mirror, Emma turned to her a bit while getting her makeup done.
“You look so beautiful, Emma”
“Thank you, Claudia,” she gives a bit of a smile, before sighing.
“What’s wrong?” Claudia asked, “Wedding jitters?”
“That, and,” she turns to Claudia a bit and holds her hand, “I know we just know each other, Claudia. But You sort of like my sister now. All I asked, is that. I wished my parents could see this and see how much I love Ilya. He’s a kind, gentle, man. I want to know If I also made the right decision,” she looked down.
Claudia’s eyes shift from left to right, she honestly is also not the kind of person to give this kind of advice, she just looked at the gown maker and the makeup artist who was looking at Claudia back with an eyebrow raised.
“Emma, I honestly am not the kind of person to say what your decision should be, I guess it’s you, If your heart says ‘Yes to the wedding and Ilya’ then you made the right choice. I’m sure if your parents were here, and see this they will have a change of mind,” Claudia responds, and holds her shoulder, “I am also honestly not great at giving great advice,” she snorted.
Emma smiled and giggled, then continue getting her facial done, “Thank you, Claudia,” she said, Claudia taps her shoulder, nodding at her, “Well I better wait for you outside, also Kammy will escort you to the garden, I’ll see you soon,” Claudia leaves the room and just wiped a tear out of her eye a bit, “She’s so beautiful,” Claudia mumbles, she starts to walk back to the garden.
Twilight and Spike are in the throne room, just finished their early business routine. Spike also helped Twilight for her first human wedding officiant. Twilight has been nervous since morning and Spike as usual being her best friend and little brother, helped Twilight practice.
“Twilight, don’t get yourself all worked up, it’s just a simple wedding and a very short speech before officially declare the couple as husband and wife,” Spike advised, “Now it’s easier to even just read this speech I wrote for you,”
“Spike, even if it’s just a simple wedding, it still needs to be perfect. How am I going to show the humans that I am a Princess and great leader?” she choked, breathing hard and looked at the speech, “Okay, We here...ready to..blablaa...I, Princess Twilight Sparkle and also the wedding officiant for the first human matrimony, declaring both….Emma, Ilya...Husband and wife,” she inhales then exhale rapidly and reread the speech, “You think we need to edit this speech a little bit?”
Spike sighed.
“Twilight, It’s all okay,”
“Spike’s right, Princess Twilight Sparkle,” Claudia said, entering the throne room, “I heard your speech loudly outside. Also I suggest you just speak a little softly and not use your Canterlot voice,” she giggled and stood in front of Twilight and Spike looked at Twilight, raising an eyebrow.
“Did I use my Canterlot voice?” Twilight fanning her hoof on her neck, snorted a bit, “Maybe I didn’t realize I used it. I have become Celestia,” she giggled.
Spike and Claudia shake their heads, Claudia reminds Twilight that it’s only a short wedding and even if she falters on certain words it’ll be perfect already. Though that doesn’t help much when Twilight begins to hyperventilate, Spike just facepalms and tries to comfort Twilight. Claudia giggled a bit and told them she will be checking the venue as fast as she can with the wedding planner and all.
The garden truly is a perfect place for a wedding, chairs set up accordingly enough to fit 50 residents. Some ponies that Claudia and the others sent did manage to come and all have been seated, Georgia, Terry, and Claudia were anointed as Emma’s bridesmaid. Rarity, who came five minutes earlier than managed to even grab a fabric just to match the theme a bit by giving small corsages for them to wear. Claudia manages to introduce the others properly to Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack who come to the wedding. Not long after, the groom, Ilya arrived on the stage, in a very handsome getup, looking nervous and McMirth was beside him, somehow helping Ilya correcting his bow tie.
“You look messy and no different to my second son, always messing up his tie too,” McMirth said and Claudia and the others heard it too, giving McMirth a smile from the other side, “What?”
Twilight arrives at the stage, already calmed down and looking like the Princess she is. The music has started, and the bride is ready to come out. As the door from the ballroom opens to reveal Emma and Kammy on her side entering the garden area, flowers are already thrown on the floor from the children from their sitting spots. As they reached the stage area, Kammy passed Emma to Ilya’s hand who has been squealing in his mouth after seeing Emma in her lovely dress, Twilight clear up her throat and her wings opens up, raising her head back, and started to give her speech with a, “We gather here today, for the first time to witness a matrimonial ceremony of the humans' name Emma and Ilya,” Twilight continues her speech smoothly throughout.
“I do,” replied Ilya after Twilight gives her usual question on his matrimonial relationship with Emma.
“I DO” Emma replied as soon as he said in a giddy way.
“Then, by the power of me, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Ruler of Equestria… I Pronounce you, husband and Wife, You may kiss the bride!”
Emma and Ilya gave each other a kiss before both of them giggling at each other before turning to the clapping visitors behind them, They both raised their hands together yelling ‘We’re married!’ at the audience.
As the wedding ended with Emma throwing the flowers, Twilight greeted the two newlyweds and congratulated them again. Claudia and Kammy were with McMirth having a drink a bit, Twilight joins them later on, discussing with Mirth about his leaves tomorrow.
“Actually, Princess. I actually decided to go TONIGHT, if it’s okay,” McMirth said with a heavy sigh.
“Oh? Don’t you want to at least stay another night?”
“After this one? It makes me miss my family back home,” McMirth admitted, twiddling with the cup of cider in his hand.
“Aww, Mirth, You leaving so soon?” Emma and Ilya join in after they hear the convo from the other side, after talking with Azalea and the other new ponies they haven’t met.
“Sadly yes,”
“Well Starswirl wouldn’t mind if you wanted to go home early,” Twilight said, and turned as she saw Starswirl come by.
“It will be no problem at all if that’s your choice,”
McMirth nodded, Kammy, Claudia, and the newlywed gave a little smile and began to hug McMirth altogether, “Can you guys please stop hugging me without asking me?” he muttered, but then just give all of them awkwardness pats on the back.
Night falls in Equestria, everyone actually gathered in the Throne room as they escorted McMirth into the room, he holds a lot of different backs, gifts from Equestria, and pairs of new clothes from Coco Pommel and Rarity. Azalea also was there with Tulip, just wanted to say goodbye to him after McMirth gave her permission to take care of Tulip.
Twilight and Starswirl are also in the throne room waiting for them, McMirth stood in front of them and turned around to the people he took care of for the past four months and three days, Kammy was the first to confront McMirth.
"You're not changing your mind?" She teased.
"Woman, that's the third time you asked me that. I will not succumb to your plea anymore," he replied in a stern tone.
Everyone else was laughing, McMirth only scoffed and hugged Kammy.
"Take care and get your children back," Kammy cheered, then pick something out from her pocket and turn to the others who slowly walk to them and give McMirth a few letters.
"What's this?" McMirth looked at the envelope that was given.
"We wanted you to send these letters to our families back home. Just to give them updates of our lives," Emma said, smiling at McMirth.
McMirth looked at the few letters and waved at them, he will try to deliver all of them once he is back on Earth. He looked at Claudia.
"Claudia, make sure all of them have a good home. You are responsible now for them," pointed McMirth at Claudia with a stern look.
"I'll make sure of it!" saluted Claudia, "With Kammy by my side, everything will be okay!"
McMirth scoffs before turning to Twilight and Starswirl.
"I'm Ready,"
Starswirl nodded and his horn began to glow. A bright light appears in thin air, a portal opens wide enough for a person to go through. McMirth just stares at the portal first, without hesitation and turning back, he walks through the portal and disappears behind the luminous portal light and Starswirl closes the portal.
Twilight turns to the others,
“Let’s pray he makes it there and finally finds his way back home safely too,” Twilight smiled, looking over at Starswirl.
“He will be safe, I have correctly found his world and I’m sure he is back to where he is supposed to be, while the rest of you…” he turns to the rest of the humans and Claudia.
“Oh, we have plans now. Twilight and I already made a list,” Claudia responded, pulling out a paper and showed at the others, Twilight did the same.
“Claudia and I have listed out some houses all of you can own around Ponyville and Canterlot, but all decisions are yours. The children would have live any one of you too,”
Kammy instantly volunteered that she would take care of the other children, and teens, “You can stay with me at my cottage, Kammy,” Claudia plead, she stares at Kammy with her eyes glistening at her, “Honey, of course, I can stay with you,” Kammy giggle, “If that’s what you want,” Claudia cheered with Kammy’s answer and looked at Jenny and the other teens, “What about you guys?”
“Like we have a choice,” Niki said,
“Besides most of our new friends are in Ponyville if you allow us to go out every day,” Jenny said.
“Jenny you can leave the house anytime even after you have passed 18, You can even get your own house,” Claudia sneer, then turn the rest, “I have listed some houses all of you can check out and by tomorrow we will go and explore some houses,”
Everyone agrees, Twilight had prepared a whole copy of the listed houses in Ponyville and Canterlot and she passed it to all the humans. Twilight is full of herself about listing stuff like she used to do before she was a Princess. Azalea and Tulip, on the other hand, have told Claudia and Twilight they will meet everyone in Ponyville soon, Tulip is excited to finally able to stay with her favorite pony that she for the first time calling Azalea, ‘Mommy,’ Claudia still unsure how to feel about that but she let it slide.
After a few hours, everyone is back in their rooms, Claudia stayed over at the throne room with Twilight and Starswirl, they were discussing another next agenda on their list. They are still unsure what to do about the blue portal things that kept bringing humans in, they still need to figure out if it has to do with Claudia’s amulet or the fact equestrian magic exists on Claudia’s Earth. Twilight has sent a few guards to keep a lookout on the portal opening at the old Ponhenge, just in case there are more human pops up.
“Should we also consider closing the portal?” Claudia suggested.
“Like when it suddenly appeared again? Suggestively not, it could cause a catastrophe. Who knows if the portal opens and there's a human inside, closing them might get whatever human stuck in there,” Starswirl replied.
“I mean, if human drops in, how about we instantly try to undo some magic that makes the portal?” Claudia said, Starswirl gave a little thought about it.
“We can try,” Starswirl then replied, sitting down a bit and sighed, “I really need to remind you both about how old I am and I can feel I am getting weak, to close a portal isn’t an easy task and I will need a little help from a Princess too,”
“Starswirl, I will gladly help,”
Both Claudia and Twilight looked at Starswirl who is looking rather older than he usually does, Twilight has been wondering a lot that one-day Starswirl also would be gone and leaving them soon. No more powerful wizard of all time to protect Equestria, with the Tree of Harmony also slowly out of its magic. Who knows what would happen. Starswirl started yelling at Twilight for thinking such an idea of no more magic in Equestria let alone him dying, Starswirl turns to Claudia, asking permission for her amulet.
“In addition to scaring the loss of magic, we still have one last essence of the Elemental of Magic on Claudia’s Amulet. I would like to try and cast a spell to at least stay protected and not lose any of its essences,” Starswirl’s horns glow and the amulet on Claudia’s neck was removed before a shining light was cast on it.
“I hope this will work, and you, my dear, are its guardian. Protect this amulet as much as you can, this amulet only will respond to you or any of its successors after you, Can I trust you to continue to be the Peace Warrior?”
Claudia takes the amulet back and wears it back, “Of course, Starswirl. I will, Even if I’m a human, I will try my best to keep this safe,” she begins to hug Starswirl and Twilight joins in.
“Anyway, Claudia. What’s your next step? Do you realize that you are also responsible for humans now?” Starswirl added, “If there’s more to come do you think you have a plan?” he continues.
Claudia hasn't thought about the next steps, she doesn't even know what she’ll do if there are more coming from the portal. She thinks and thinks. Then after a long thought, she suddenly decided that she should just hold a party. Starswirl and Twilight simultaneously tilt their heads, “I meant, like a welcoming party for any new human came to Equestria, give them time to stay here and not bring them back home?”
“Like, okay what if you’re right about the magic or whatever...the Universe... Bring the human here for a reason like asking them to have a new life here. I can’t expect both you and Starswirl to always help me to make another portal to bring the others back, it’s a lot of work and tiring. I decided I should just let whoever come on the portal and show them a new life here!” Claudia decreed.
Twilight and Starswirl looked at each other, smiling. They told Claudia if that’s the decision then there’s no time to lose to start planning so the next human to come through, they have a thing to consider and enjoy. Twilight as usual starts to pass on ideas of making a booth when the humans arrive, traveling pamphlets will be given to them.
“Sounds like tourism stuff,” Claudia giggles.
“Of course! How do you suppose we should promote them that we all are very friendly and safe to live in,” Twilight uttered, magically getting out papers and quills to write and give Claudia an example of signs she should put on the booth.
“We can have volunteers of ponies, Changelings, Dragons, and humans to be at the booth. We can give them a little small information about Equestria and the creatures that live in it,”
Claudia agrees with the ideas and she also added some other ideas to add until they both were interrupted by Gallus that just came in, “What is it, Gallus?” Twilight asked.
“Your Highness, M’lady… I think you should come and see outside,” he pointed out at the window.
Claudia, Starswirl, and Twilight walk to the only glass window that can see the outside then gasp at what they saw outside. There was a streak of blue lights just staying in the sky, it seemed to slowly flow into the direction where the Ponhenge might be. Without waiting any longer, Claudia and Twilight ran outside and as usual, Claudia would be taking a ride with Gallus. Starswirl on the other hand uses his magic to transport himself to Ponhenge, he arrived first and asked one of the guards what happened.
“This swirl of light just appeared all of sudden just a second ago, sir.”
Starswirl looked up and thinking that the lights look like they’re forming into a portal, as the swirls combined more and more, there was a quick flash of light before the light turns into the portal that Starswirl expected and the same blue colored portal was formed just like what all the other humans had testified. Claudia and Twilight just arrived, Claudia had a minor flashback when she first came here. She told Twilight that this was the exact color that brought her to Equestria. “This is amazing,” said Twilight as she stares at it.
“But… something tells me that this is not how you came to Equestria? Like, Falling 50 feet from the sky,”
“It’s sure not, the portal that opens drops me only 3 inches from the middle of the ground. If a human falls from that, We need more than just a welcoming party, we need a bouncy house,” Claudia teased, laughing nervously.
Then before they knew it they saw something appear from the portal and two humans were popping out of the portal, screaming, Claudia started to panic. Twilight quickly calls Gallus and she flies up as quickly as she can and catches the falling man and Gallus grabs the other human as fast and drops them down properly. Both of them were shaking and fainted a moment later, Twilight called the guards to get medics to come by as soon as possible. As the guards left, Claudia and Gallus both carried each human to a better spot to lay down. Claudia then looked up, the portal still opening and seems to not closing anytime soon.
“What is happening?” Claudia uttered, holding her necks together and turning to Starswirl, “Any idea?”
Starswirl closes his eyes and concentrate, his horns glows a bit, he opens his eyes back, “I can sense an Equestrian magic out of the portal,” Claudia looked back up and hissed, “So basically whatever Equestrian Magic is in there, responsible for bringing them here like you said?” Starswirl nodded, he looked up and suggested that Claudia should plan to whoever is popping up again in the portal. Claudia started to think fast and thought about slides, and maybe one of those net things to capture falling humans. Claudia soon asked Gallus to help her find some ponies or even dragons to help find a tough net to be built, there’s gotta be any time soon more humans come through.
“Starswirl, do you think the portal actually continues to open till it drains out?” Claudia asks, checking the humans back and forth.
“Is it possible?”
“Yes, magic can drain out on certain amounts, like getting tired of using its own power. I don’t sense a strong magic from this portal I’m sure it will disappear,” Starswirl murmurs, “But I have no idea when it will ‘die’ from doing this,”
Twilight was remembering about the draining power like when Equestria was attacked by the Storm King, and Tirek, it was really exhausting to actually have your power drained by a big force. Claudia teased her by reminding her about the time both of them also when jogging on the Princess’s Day Off Day. They both laughed a bit, they soon got back to the humans and it seems one of them ready to wake up. Claudia greeted this broad male in a leather jacket, as he slowly woke up he was surprised to see multicolored horses in front of him and also as he sat up to see more horses around him and with wings. Claudia calms him down and gives lengthy explanations about where he was, how he got here, and who the others are.
Not long enough, the medics came by, while the other human also woke up. Claudia in a brief explanation gave the other human some story about what happened to him. But with the help of the other humans continuing some explanation to him as Claudia went on hearing multiple wings flapped to the air while bringing some gigantic nets around. Trying as much to protect the Ponhenge from getting damaged, Twilight instructed the ponies and dragons around to build safety nets around the stones first.
“I really wished that this portal didn’t just appear in the middle of this historic place,” Twilight grumbled.
“Maybe we should also make safety nets around the other parts, with half of this area full of pointy trees…” Claudia added as she looked around, checking the trees and all.
Twilight agrees and instructs more ponies to build other nets above the trees.
Kammy and the others also came to the Ponhenge, after receiving news from Claudia. They took a taxi - a chariot so to say - there, They met the new humans there and introduced themselves, they at the same time asked Claudia what's going on and why there’s a giant blue portal dangling in the air. As much as Claudia can tell she told the portal isn’t closing and probably more humans will be coming, so she and Twilight planned out this. Twilight has gone away since it’s almost morning. It's her job to raise the sun. So Starswirl is the only one there with the other dragons and ponies setting up nets for the incoming falling humans, Starswirl is studying the portal and the essences that he senses from that.
“What now?” Terry asked, looking up at the sky, and turning away a bit as the Sun started to rise.
“Well, I asked a few ponies to bring us a few tables to set up, also this place supposed to be tourist spots, seems we have to close this area from the public,” she put her hands on her hips and yawns, “And I am so tired, everyone here is tired, even Starswirl,” she looked over at Starswirl who actually been sleeping, then suddenly he awakens in surprise.
“Give away! I sense something coming!” he shouted.
The dragons and ponies moved away from the nets, simultaneously looked up, and saw a single person come through falling screaming with a piano that appeared together. One of the dragons in a sense takes another net and flies off to catch the human first away from the falling piano. The piano fell directly oat the forest but thankfully the strong nets caught it and everyone could hear a little crack and notes playing on the piano.
The dragon put the human down slowly, and it’s a woman. The woman did scream until Kammy came by to calm her down, then proceeded to explain where she dropped in. Claudia on the other hand went into the forest and looked at the fairly small but heavy piano dangling on top of a net. Claudia said to one of the ponies next to her, “Glad I asked for another net to cover part of these trees,” one of the other dragons flew by and grabbed the piano and put it somewhere else. As everyone else settled in and being checked by a medic, the morning was in and Starswirl did not sense anything coming in yet, Claudia just told Terry to help bring the newcomers to a resting place nearby with the help of one of the ponies.
A truck arrived and brought the tables that she had ordered and they started to arrange them as fast, while the others were instructed by Starswirl to try and build more nets around. Claudia gave suggestions to have more volunteers to just help catch any more humans falling from the sky. Soon, the entire place has been filled to look like a festival. The paparazzi were also around after they saw the large blue light from afar. The place turns into a festival without them knowing, bands playing, and cameras around capture the portal’s beautiful view.
Days later, the portal is still there and hasn't stopped bringing in more humans. Pamphlets have been ready to give out when new humans come in, let them enjoy meeting literate creatures around and meet the other humans. Claudia from time to time went on helping to find homes for Nurses, Doctors, Scientists, Artists, Models, and Musicians that turned up in Equestria. There’s even a whole family pops in, Claudia trying so hard also finding empty houses, lots, so they can build houses in Ponyville. Fixing up houses and buying some houses is not that easy too, slowly Claudia felt that all Equestria was going to be full, few more people would have to cram in different houses. Claudia begins to have a big discussion with Twilight and other contractors to build an apartment that will take a few months in buildings.
Days turned to weeks, the human counts got to a hundred.
Weeks to months.
Soon it was really something Claudia didn’t expect this portal would be, delivering humans like some kind of papers. She grew tired, the portal also still staying. Even so, the portal drops less human over the months but it is still there in the sky. A lot of people, ponies, and other creatures volunteers also have grown weary from trying to be sure anyone dropping from that sky is safe.
A new year also arrived. The portal may still be there, though there is a sign, the portal looks smaller. Still, humans came through one by one. Claudia has a feeling it's gonna end soon, she checks on her amulet who has actually been glowing for months because she knows what’s happening. Humans have been complaining about how cramped it is, she offered some to change the place to live. Some have already moved out to Appleloosa, Applewood, Manehattan, Klugetown, and even Yakyakistan. Claudia happy for them, Kammy also moved out of her cottage to live with Saffron in Canterlot, same with Jenny, Niki, Hugh, and Marco they all find a double-story house in Ponyville so they can get closer with their friends. The children were also adopted by more newlyweds a month later. Claudia is happy for most of them to finally find a better home for themselves.
Days go by, more houses have been built for more of her people.
Another month later, the human count reached a couple of hundred.
Claudia seeks help from Twilight in giving her some ideas, Twilight finally soon showed a map for Claudia. A map of the more undiscovered area on the west side of Equestria, Claudia looked at it and thinks, “Yeah, you're right,"
"I didn't say anything," Twilight responds.
"You showed me this map means that there is a place I can find to build a town for the humans," Claudia gleamed, she started to spread the map and study them.
She asked Twilight if she knew any part of the sea seemed dangerous if she planned to cross it, she pointed to a small island on the map. Once she knows the details of the area, she takes her moment to think. She planned to find a place that's strategically easy to access and not have too many scary monsters around, this is just in case but she can't leave yet with the fact the portal is still open she just wants to make sure everything is fine.
Another year came, another came through. The portal seems to get smaller every time. After two years pass, the portal magically disappears once two more humans come through. That is it. No more human to greet.
Claudia was relieved it ended as if meant to be, her amulet glows brighter as more and more and more problems she needs to solve. Though so far, she is happy with how much they all grew. Ponyville is pretty lively, packed with humans as their new residents around, the school now filled with children and foals. Friendship schools also have few new human students.
Though she feels not right, she has to continue her plans in search of land for them, a city or a town of their own. Claudia brings the map home and studies it with a few books of Equestrian histories and myths from Sunburst in her cottage until she falls asleep. She also managed to dream about a place that she felt like home, a town with humans but it's not Earth. It wasn't a dream, a vision. She hears a voice, like Twilight's but not quite. Telling her a place, a continental island, many looks like Manehattan but it's far. She wakes up all of sudden, she sits up and said, "I know where we should go," she instantly takes the map that was given by Twilight and she starts to mark the point she also instantly, grab a few more geographical books about the nearby lands.
I have no idea why but I feel I need to start writing this on this scroll. I just awakened from a dream about an island. It feels like something told me to go there, I mean, of course, I am pretty sure the Tree of Harmony is talking to me after a very long year.
This island in my dream was somewhat an island we see in Manehattan, this place is on the west side of the Equestrian map. Thank goodness as I read some geography and history of certain areas, we won't be fighting a lot of large monsters around the island. Though I have read most myths, the area I see might have a sea serpent roaming the sea part of the island.
I will inform Princess Twilight and Starswirl about this dream.
I wonder if the Tree of Harmony can make my dream about Banana Split Sundae Recipe.
July 29th xxxx.
Princess Twilight already confirmed that the area I dream of is not even part of Equestria, so I would have to plan a strategy if I were to go there. Who knows what kind of creatures would be there.
Maybe pirates already claimed the place or even an ancient burial ground of some ancient warriors of Equestria or something.
I would need an airship.
I will be taking some fencing classes by some local that has recently opened a fencing club with a bunch of Kirins. I always wanted to try fencing back when I was 10.
August 2nd xxxx
The Fencing classes went great. I also asked Gerald, my Fencing Instructor, if he wants to join me on an adventure on finding new land.
He hesitated of course but after much consideration, he would love to join for an adventure. He finds himself a couple of replacements for his classes.
Well, I can say I found my first crew! Next, I would need Pegasuses...pegasi? I still haven't figured out how to call a bunch of Pegasus. Pegasus could help a lot with cloud handling and directions, Hippogriffs are a help too.
I have to go to Klugetown to find a ship and a captain. The town has a lot of good ships created, I'm sure I can rent one shop at a good price.
August 4th xxxx
I reread some more books about the place we are going to, the island surrounded by some green fog and no one, no creature, been there other than the mythical sea serpent the book wrote about.
So, I kind of has to scratch the fact that maybe pirates are on that island.
Or maybe...some ancient pony tribe? The possibility is endless. Huh, This might sound more like a treasure hunt than an island hunt. Whatever. Roadtrip!
August 7th xxxx
I am on a trip to Klugetown with my new friend, Eric and Storm Soar. They both are very active guys and strong ones too, Eric is just a normal young entrepreneur but his favorite pastime is Muay Thai. He is also cute… Just between us, I have a crush on him too.
Anyway!
We went to Klugetown by train, thank goodness the train rail is done to travel farther to Klugetown or take a hot air balloon ride there. We meet up with a Klugetown raised Abyssinian Feline named Shine. She's an Engineer for some new Airship production, she arranged for us to meet up with a Captain from one of the ships she helped build.
The Captain's name is Captain BlueTail, A fish-looking anthro person. He's a large fish I've seen, and smelliest. But we have to try not to barf.
Captain BlueTail is pleased to serve us to venture down to the unknown, he used to do that before Storm King invaded all the territories around the Badlands and beyond. He will be helping me find extra crews along with Shine that will be following us.
Of course, I have told him that I have chosen a few of my own but having extra crews would be awesome. We also checked out the airship and it's so much bigger than I imagine, I can feel all my savings all gone in a day. But sacrifices have to be made to find a home for my people.
August 19th xxxx
All 30 crews have been selected, I am so glad that a lot of the humans want to be involved in this adventure. Jenny and Niki are joining too, which I never thought would happen, but I am happy they are interested.
We will begin our trip next week, I have so much to do. I'm so nervous and excited, I hope everything will go smoothly. Kammy will take over some part of my duties at Ponyville while I'm away, Kammy has been enjoying working with Saffron, and coming back to Ponyville is a vacation for her.
August 25th xxxx
It's the first day of our first adventure, the ship is ready to sail and the crews have already gotten comfortable on the ship. I gave the crew a brief plan and where we are heading again. You know, I have never been so confident in giving speeches before in my whole time living here.
Captain BlueTail showed us a great route to where we need to go and I am sure I can trust his direction.
Jenny and Niki are always the fashionable duos, they come in with great attire like they just came out of a runway but also look ready to fight some beast. I instructed Jenny and Niki to help with the other crew in cooking.
You have no idea how much sound they make when I ordered them to cook in the attire they had put on.
August 27th xxxx
We are already in the middle of the sea, and the air smells a lot like we are just on the water while we are up in the air.
The other crews had supplied some games to play actually. Some bought a Twister game and since some of us have four legs instead of two, everything makes it funnier and tougher.
I wasn't able to join them though and had lots to do with Shine and Captain BlueTail on our route. Captain BlueTail is telling us about a story he just remembered from an old friend before the Storm King thing, that the island that we are going to is shrouded by thick fog even reaching the high sky. As if being warned, no ships or airships ever cross near that island area.
With a story like that, I probably needed more preparation then.
August 30th xxxx
Last night, I got another vision, a dream? I had a feeling this is now how I will be communicating with the amulet. Ever since Starswirl became involved in adding protection to this amulet it has been getting so much activity.
The dream, I mean vision, shares about rainbow scales, unsure with the rest of the details of the thing but it looks big? Either we're gonna be meeting a giant serpent or a giant mermaid.
Ha, like they have one. But Seaponies though. That's real and they are Hippogriffs.
So I went on to tell all of my crew about that suspicious dream. All of them were kind of terrified and wondered what my dream meant, and they hoped it's not going to be super dangerous.
Hey, I'm not the only one worried about everyone's safety. Just hoping we're not gonna have a war with a giant serpent.
September 1st xxxx
We have arrived at the area where a thick fog has formed. Well, Captain BlueTail's story was true. This is gonna be a 'great adventure.
Good thing spotlights have been installed on the airship, so the light can shine on what's in front of us. This fog is so thick anything can happen or appear at the moment as we enter. Captain BlueTail brought the ship into the fog, everyone was on guard.
There wasn't even any sound except for the airship's engines and the lights buzz. At this moment, somepony yelled to see an eye next to them but disappeared. Then, the other shrieks over something glistening in the fog, and all of us are also scared that it might also be a mountain or something.
Honestly, we were 35,000 feet high. But the fog is thick and the same high as we do. I instructed Captain BlueTail to lower us down and see where we were, we argued for a bit and I assured him to go down a bit. We slowly reached t5,000, till we heard sounds. The cold air also seems to be decreasing, there was a sudden heat but then we saw a red glow in front of us.
We were looking at a volcano, we were already on the island!!
That was exciting! We were relieved to find it! But then again, shit happened when the volcano blew up and came out. A giant rainbow-scaled serpent. Captain BlueTail had to make a sudden break on the ship and pull it up fast before the serpent tried to gnaw us with its jaw.
I told the Captain to stop and look back, the serpent did want to bite us but it stopped. The snarl though was loud but it didn't continue to snap its jaw at us. I slowly went to the edge of the ship to look at the serpent, our eyes instantly met. The amulet on my neck suddenly glows red, as if telling me "It's time to talk,"
So I did.
I just talk to a snake.
Period.
This is almost like some Harry Potter stuff happening here.
Thank goodness, the snake can speak and understand us. Wow, you would not believe what the snake even said.
The snake has been awake and guarding this island for decades, it makes the thick fog from pirates. Well, of course, I told the snake we're not pirates, I told it that we are a Voyager. The snakes also seemed to be having visions about a creature coming to the land to defeat it, so it has been on guard for any fighter coming to kill it and get her home.
I don't like the idea of stealing home from a snake, but there's something that tells me that this snake only wants someone else to guard its home safe from intruders. I told them my story, I told them about what I am and how I came here. I tell it about the amulet giving me some visions about this land at the end of it.
"Thou hast cometh to serve the duty of a guardian," is something it replied though.
Totally did not stutter in answering that question, so I offered it a deal, if I take hold of the land and guards it well for generations, the snake will be able to rest after a long day guarding this island, we will keep the island clean and still beautiful for the snake when it awakes again.
It was a hella long talk though.
It's already night when we finish talking, but somehow the fog dies down and reveals the island in full. It was a very beautiful continental island. Forests everywhere and it is as big as Manehattan. Who knew.
It was dark, the snake helped us bring our ship to the beach area and we told it that we will sleep first and talk to it in the morning.
Though I didn't sleep, I ended up talking to the snake the whole night, taking notes, asking it about their home, and we explored a bit of the island.
Side note:
The snake doesn’t have a name and never has been bothered to name itself. So it does not mind just being called IT. It is the last of its kind and they used to be known as the guardians of islands. Most died of exhaustion from taking care of their islands alone. As decades passed, lots gave up on it and hoped for the best. But not IT, it really wanted to preserve the place. Turns out after a while, It might want to change its plan to keep guarding. Maybe it is time for It to join its family in the sky. Finally lives on.
Side, side note:
Twilight and Starswirl are gonna enjoy listening to this story and history of how beyond Equestria more creatures live longer than they are.
September 2nd xxxx
We discovered that It also has given secrets of murder to a couple of Pirates that managed to sneak into the island. There was the wreckage of ships everywhere on the other side of the island, and It told us about the treasures it hides in the mountains’ caves this island had. It introduces the wild animals that they had there, and these animals were the only creatures allowed to step into the islands, just so they can have a family here.
It made me promise to preserve as much of this island as I can, eat as much as I want but keep the island as it is. So it took me a while to visualize my new home. I took a couple of men and other ponies that have a great mind on construction in preserves and asked them to finally plan out a place and how much we need to secure a place to build homes and such.
While they were all doing that, I continued again having a conversation with the snake, Captain BlueTail, Shine, Jenny, and Niki followed me, we walked our way to the snake’s soon-to-be death bed. I told the snakes again about Humans, and what we are. Told it about how we eat meat and such as a snake does, It chuckled a bit though not going to lie. It believes eating meat is something it does too, even so, there are animals here it took care of, It still asks for permission to have a bite from its animals.
Asking the animals for consent to eating them was a thing. That is so uncomfortable to hear honestly, after all, most of the time we humans ate fish. But I guess I should expect permission to eat meat from animals that don’t talk? Griffons eat meat too, I never did ask how they even obtained some meat… Wait, whoever is reading this someday, please don’t think too much of it. I just had a headache thinking about this and it’s not because of the heat of the volcano that I am near now.
Just remember, we are humans and it’s okay to eat meat. Oh dear, I’m writing this down for my kingdom rules soon. I mean, the permission thing and all.
Did I tell you that all these times the snake was carrying us up the hill of the volcano? Well, not ON TOP. It knows we can’t withstand the horrible heat of an active volcano. It brought us to a spot where it’s surprisingly cold.
Man, scientists and all that would love this spot.
It said It is ready to move on and this volcano will be its final resting place. It also gave one of its huge scales for me as a symbol of trust. It’s pretty, pretty heavy. Thank goodness BlueTail was with us and he’s sort of a strong fish guy. Captain BlueTail said if this were sold in the market I would get extra rich. It’s a joke that It doesn’t understand and I told it, I won’t even sell it but rather make the scale as a commemorative of Its kindness for allowing us to be here.
I asked Jenny to take a photo of It before It decides to leave. It may not understand what we meant by “selfies” but It happily does what we do.
Before It wants to leave, It gives me one last piece of advice as we are left alone from the others.
“Thou must keep this island clean, never let any evil comes in”
By Evil, it probably meant by tyrants and some evil guys like the previous evil guys Equestria ever faced. It says it’s a curse of every island a guardian has been keeping, if one fails, the island will fall in despair.
I swear to Celestia, why must they put this type of curse everywhere, I need to remind myself not to play around with curses.
And soon, It startling slithered away upwards to the end of the mountain and the mountains began to shake. It didn’t mention that it was going to cause an eruption, we had to run away as fast as possible. Thank goodness for magic spells and unicorns that I brought here and we kind of poof back too far from the volcano.
September 4th xxxx
It's finally time for us to continue exploring and make marks of good places to build homes, preserves, and also other types of parks for visitors to come by. We listed off as well the first cool thing we found and for sure we found our beautiful view of the beach.
Ever since It has gone, the fog that was created by It, already lifted. And we can see the view from far off the sea of Equestria. Some others had voted for the beach as a port area for when ships can dock in. We even had picked an area for airships and hot air balloon landings.
Everything went according to plan, we only needed contractors and other build-making stuff to make my kingdom happen…
MY Kingdom.
Never thought I would even consider being a huge leader.
I assume I would only be living in Equestria as a normal working woman till my deathbed.
September 5th xxxx
All the supplies for the construction are here. I am so excited to see how this turns out.
October 1st xxxx
The first village on this island has been made and it’s enough for a moment to fit in 100 families.
Took us days to even thought of naming this first village near the beach:
CORAL VILLAGE.
We kind of discovered the number of corals nearby and since it is so crystal clear we also made snorkeling activities here.
The others are building my house. Honestly, I didn't expect they were building a mansion. But for now, the front looks like The White House and I have no clue what to feel. But like Kammy said, "This is fit for the new Queen of this island"
Yes. Queen.
Everyone agrees I became Queen of Peace. I would have said I will rather be a President but a Queen?
Twilight hears the suggestion and even agrees. The fact she learns a lot of our Human Histories too about leaders around the world (our old world). As much as I argue, from the votes of all the 'Counselors' I have assembled before this, won't deny my ability to be a greater leader to our new profound land.
Yeesh. No pressure indeed. How DO Celestia, Twilight, Luna, and Cadance even handle this?
October 13th xxxx
The first phase of New Land is complete.
Everything was perfect and of course, not so, there were fights and misunderstandings on making this happen. But we managed to comply and continue to work peacefully.
I still haven't got any idea what to call our kingdom yet. But for now, it is called:
CORAL ISLAND
We had a huge ceremony for the first success of raising a home.
And for the first time ever, we have meat but of course, we don’t forget non-meat eaters too. We have coarse meals depending on species.
October 31st xxx
Celebrating Nightmare Night on the island for the first time.
Everyone is in costumes and since there's yet to do, we manage to make a maze inside the forest.
It was a fun event.
November 7th xxxx
As we were building, I had to leave Coral Island first to meet with Twilight and the other remaining Leaders of Equestria.
It was a meeting for my coronation.
I have a Coronation!
It was planned already but it won't happen in another 5 years after we all settled on the Island.
But along the way of the meeting, I'm still thinking about naming the Island officially too when my coronation is happening.
November 22 xxxx
I have decided on the official name of my Kingdom.
It would be called.
CORALDIA ISLAND.
You know, Coral...Claudia...my name. Not smart but hey, it's the closest thing my head can think of. The first idea that popped up is HUMANOTOPIA. That's sounds stupid.
January 4th xxxx
We have reached the third phase.
February 15th xxxx
I have to say, everything looks amazing like I imagine. We have to build a monument of It so everyone will know who gave us this island to live on.
We will never forget you, It.
Sorry I haven't updated for so long. Over the years, I have been focused on improving the lives of my people here. Never stop finding areas, keeping out any evil things. All that.
Coronation is here.
I mean, WAS here.
I was never so honored to even wear a crown on my head. Oh, got to tell ya that, the crown was made by the scales that It gave us. It's pretty.
Anyway,first-ever this would be my final entry… logs? Of this Journal of mine. I wished this would be a great read for those who acquired this.
