My name is Dr. Travis Igneo, and I have made a startling discovery that has spurred on the creation of this log.
Earlier today, I was on my usual fauna-watching expedition, when a particularly interesting specimen (a red squirrel that had somehow gotten ahold of some cotton candy) zipped into a gap between the roots of a tree. When I went to view where it had gone, I observed that the hole was not only large enough to fit an average adult, but it also extended back much further than it should've been able to. Something about the hole compelled me to explore, so I began crawling through.
After a few minutes of crawling through the pitch-black tunnel, I began to notice a subtle change happening to my body. My skin began to feel rougher, my teeth sharpened, my tongue lengthened, my hair became more solid, my stature shortened, and I could no longer feel my clothes. Without a light source, I couldn't determine the cause of these feelings. I considered reversing my direction, but the chitterings of the squirrel ahead drew me forward.
Eventually, I could see a light ahead, indicating that the tunnel was finally coming to an end. Curious about my physicality, I held up a hand against the light; the silhouette was much more angular than before, and I could see the faint outlines of ridges, as though it were covered in scales.
When I got out of the tunnel at last, I found myself in an unfamiliar location. The trees here were much more saturated than I was used to, and their shapes were more abstract.
Finally out in the light, I looked down at myself and gasped in surprise. My body was now that of a bipedal lizard-like creature, with green scales and a lighter underbelly, 4 fingers on each of my clawed hands, sharp canines, and even a long, serpentine tail with a ridge of dark red spikes running along my back. My clothes were also gone, save for my backpack.
When I took said backpack off, however, I discovered that it had been concealing two leathery wings, with a wingspan barely edging out my arm-span. I immediately brought out a handheld mirror.
In the mirror, where once was an average man's face, there was now reflected a lizard's. Sharp canines poked out from under my scaly lips, accompanied by a long and forked tongue; my dark red eyes were slitted, with a nictitating membrane in addition to my normal eyelids; my hair had been replaced by a larger ridge of side-swept spikes that connected to the ridge along my spine; and where my ears once were, there now sat two downward-curving horns.
Utterly transfixed by this sudden and unprecedented transformation, I failed to notice the passageway close up behind me.
As soon as my mental faculties reinstated themselves, I quickly took my pencil and notebook and sketched the creature that I now was. This diagram has been included below:
Once I was satisfied with the drawing, I began to experiment with my new body. My usual joints had the same amount of articulation as they had before, if not more. With some poking, I was able to find the neurological pathways connected to my wings and tail, and began testing their articulation. I gained mastery over the tail quickly, though I had difficulties with the wings. I eventually started to think of them as secondary arms, and that aided substantially in my adjustment.
The squirrel specimen I'd followed here appeared from within a bush, and I regarded it with confusion. Why had this transformation happened to me, but not it?
I could not dawdle on this for long, however, as a female's voice drew me out of my thoughts. "Mr. Redcorn, are you back yet?" it asked. The specimen turned at the voice, scampering off to find it, while I hid in the brush. While I wasn't opposed to the transformation my body had just gone through, I decided that it may be best to keep others from overreacting at the sight.
It was then that a new, even more interesting specimen walked into view: a small, yellow, winged horse with a long pink mane and tail, large teal eyes, and three markings resembling butterflies on her haunch. The specimen wore saddlebags, so I deduced that it must be domesticated, and I remained hidden while I waited for the horse's owner to appear. The squirrel specimen scampered back into view, climbing onto the horse's back.
Then all remaining logic went out the window as the horse began to speak. "Oh, there you are, Mr. Redcorn," she said with the same voice I had heard mere moments ago, "Did you find what you needed?"
I was absolutely floored. Never before had I witnessed anything like this! Not only did this horse have wings, and not only was it extremely colorful, but it was sapient as well! Fascinated, I immediately began paying much closer attention.
The squirrel nodded, holding the cotton candy up so the horse could see. It appeared to have more intelligence than any other squirrel I'd seen, though it didn't seem truly sentient like the horse was.
The horse eyed the confectionary with confusion. "Cotton candy? Goodness, what was it doing all they way out here?" I noted that the horse's wings flared out slightly due to her surprise.
In response, the squirrel jumped off the horse's back and scampered towards the hole we had come through. When it reached it, both the squirrel and I realized that it had somehow closed behind us.
My path home was closed? I was downtrodden at the news that I wouldn't be headed home to share my findings. Although, I won't lie, I was slightly excited at the prospect of an extended research session here. Not to mention, the fact that this squirrel had object permanence fascinated me.
The squirrel clawed at the space the hole once occupied to make sure it was truly closed, then chittered at the horse.
The horse tilted her head. "What do you mean, 'It was here just a second ago'?"
I silently gaped. Not only could this winged horse talk, but she could properly communicate with animals? I must admit, I was (and still am) jealous at her possession of this talent.
The squirrel looked to the former hole, then out into the forest as if looking for somebody to back it up, before it hung its head in defeat. It chittered sadly as it remounted the horse.
"Tell you what," the horse reassured as she began to turn around, "I'll go ask Twilight if she knows anything about disappearing holes in trees."
The squirrel, seemingly dejected, gave a drawn-out squeak as it flopped onto its back. The horse began walking, and within moments, she was out of sight.
Once I was sure she wouldn't hear me, I stepped out of the bushes, brought my notebook out again, and began this log.
And that brings us to now. My plans for the foreseeable future are, in no particular order:
1. Gather resources to make a camp.
2. Learn more about the denizens of this place.
3. Study my new body more closely.
4. Figure out what exactly this place is, how I got here, and how I can get back.
Last night, I managed to scavenge enough materials to build a small shelter. It wasn't anything too elaborate, but it was enough to protect against the elements for the night.
One thing I forgot to mention in my description of my new body: my genitalia are not normally visible on my body. I say this because I had to use the bathroom last night, and discovered that my member retracts into a sheath when not in use. At least I can safely say that I'm still male.
Once the morning rolled around, I began to search for some food. After a little searching, I found a small river with fish in it.
I hate to admit it, but I was too hungry to stop and observe the fish.
While I was building a fire to cook the fish, something strange happened: I was overcome by a sneeze, which somehow resulted in my kindling catching fire. Confused, I tried focusing my breath; again, flames sprouted out haphazardly.
My new body could breathe fire. This revelation was shocking, and I'll admit that I was quite fearful at first. My mind was filled with visions of the surrounding forest going up in flames due to an errant sneeze or some similar slip-up.
However, my fears were quickly assuaged when I realized that my new body was fire-proof (it only made sense, seeing as it could produce its own fire). Taking this into account, I realized I could simply sneeze into my elbow as normal.
With that potential crisis averted, I cooked the fish and ate it, finding it to taste like a porgy. Once I was fed, I grabbed my stuff and began to head in the direction that the yellow horse went yesterday.
After a few minutes of travel, I began to see signs of civilization. The forest began thinning out, providing fewer vantage points; a small barn was positioned across a river; And, off in the distance, was a small village. The houses of the village were scattered haphazardly, centering around a town hall that resembled a gazebo. A windmill sat atop a hill, and a large oak tree sat near a train station.
Thankful to have finally found civilization, I began to head over. However, I quickly paused when I saw the denizens of this town:
Horses. The citizens were all extremely colorful horses. Some with wings (I'll call them pegasi), some with a single horn on their forehead (unicorns), and some were just normal, but they were horses all the same. And if the horse I'd observed yesterday was anything to go by, they were all likely sentient.
This gave me pause. On one hand, I could waltz right into the horse town, eliciting who knows what reaction from them. On the other hand, I could do what I do best and observe them from the shadows, gaining insight but risking my image should I be caught.
Obviously, I went with the latter. After all, it's only true observation when the subjects don't know they're being observed, right?
I relocated my camp to be on the edge of the forest, and began my research.
Using a bush, I was able to get a closer peek into the conversation of two of the horses:
"So, where should we go next?" The first one, a cream-colored normal pony with half-pink, half-blue hair, asked her traveling companion.
The second one, a teal unicorn with white-grey hair, thought for a moment. "You know, I could really go for a massage right now."
"The spa it is!" The first cheered.
As they picked up their pace, the unicorn asked, "Do you think we'll see Rarity there?"
"It's almost a guarantee at this time of day!"
The unicorn seemed to be delighted at this. "Ooh! I wonder what kinds of dresses she's been working on lately?"
The other pony said something in return, but by that point, they'd walked out of earshot.
I eagerly wrote down all I was able to extrapolate out of their brief exchange, before another voice caught my attention:
"No, I don't think I've ever heard of holes in trees that lead to other places."
I turned my head in intrigue. The yellow pegasus from yesterday was walking down the street with a purple unicorn.
"Are you absolutely sure, Twilight?" The pegasus asked.
I gaped. So this was Twilight, eh? I took a moment to observe her. The way her dark blue hair has been brushed perfectly straight tells me that she's a perfectionist, and her eyes, while youthful, clearly hold an above-average amount of wisdom in them.
She nodded her head. "I'm positive, Fluttershy; I don't remember any of my books mentioning anything like that. Although, I'd be willing to look through them again."
The way she speaks gives me the impression that she's the town's resident bookworm. I also take note of the yellow pegasus's name: Fluttershy. Quite a unique name if I say so myself.
Fluttershy seemed to grow downtrodden, but still hopeful, at this. "Thanks, Twilight. I just want to figure out how Mr. Redcorn got that cotton candy out in the middle of the Everfree Forest."
I mentally took note of the name of the forest.
Twilight nodded. "I want to find out, too. I'll get on it as soon as possible."
Fluttershy gave a demure smile and a nod. After that, they split off, and were quickly out of my sight.
I rabidly wrote down the details I was able to glean, then sat there for a while longer. I was able to catch more conversations, but they were mostly the typical type of banter you would find in an average small town. Although I did learn that they call themselves 'ponies', which makes sense considering their smaller stature.
As I sat in that bush, I also noted the pegasi that flew above the town. I am still unsure of how they are able to fly; their wings seem far too small in proportion to their bodies to generate any sort of lift. But without being able to weigh or measure one, I can't be too sure. After all, the same can be said about the average bumblebee.
However, what I saw next intrigued me even more: the pegasi could touch clouds. At first, I presumed that it was an optical illusion caused by winds pushing clouds so that they appeared to move alongside the pegasi. But that theory went out the window as soon as one of them, a cyan pegasus with a mane colored distinctly like a rainbow, perched atop a cloud and began to take a nap.
Even now, I am bewildered by this blatant disregard for logic. Clouds are made of water particles, and the only way they could possibly support the weight would be for them to be superdense, at which point, they'd be far too heavy to float.
I was so busy pondering this that I didn't notice that a pony had walked up to me, until she spoke: "Hiya, mister!"
Startled out of my thoughts, I quickly dove back into the bush without getting a proper look.
"Ohhhhhh, I get it," the pony, a female from the sound of it, exclaimed with a bubbly tone, "you're playing hide-and-seek! Don't worry; I won't snitch!" And with that said, the mare bounced away, leaving behind a red velvet cupcake on a plate.
I slowly peered out of the bush. Somebody knew I was here now; my research was likely compromised.
I reached out and picked up the treat and dishware. The plate was decorated with a logo of a pony head eating a pastry, along with the text 'Sugarcube Corner™'.
The fact that they write in English, and have trademarks, still surprises me even now.
As I write this, I am at my camp, enjoying the cupcake. It seems to have a surprising amount of sugar in it, but it still tastes excellent.
I am debating whether or not I should reveal myself or not. On one hand, this cupcake is a clear invitation into town, and the pony seemed to be friendly enough despite my appearance.
On the other hand, the fact that she had a cupcake and a plate with her in the first place seems to say she isn't particularly normal. Unless this pony society is severely different from mine, which still isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Either way, it is getting late, and I need to get some shut-eye. Dr. Travis, signing out.