Chapters Chapter 1: A strange storm
Hand among hooves
Bam!
Fluttershy flinched as another lightning bolt struck; causing her to drop the kettle she had been carefully carrying with her mouth. Luckily, the kettle was empty, or else Fluttershy would have had another mess to clean up, besides the braches that now covered her yard from the storm.
“What was that?” Spike asked from the couch, having heard the clang of the kettle falling.
“Oh, just my n-nerves.” Fluttershy stammered as another bolt hit. Dear Celestia, this is a big storm. Fluttershy thought, picking up the now dented kettle to make tea for Spike and herself. Fluttershy found tea always calmed her nerves in a storm, and it was only kind to offer Spike some. After all, he was stranded at her cottage until the rain stopped.
“Man, Twilight’s gonna be mad that I’m not home…” Dejectedly, Spike lowered his head.
“I’m sure she’ll understand,” Fluttershy yelled (or at least said louder) from her kitchen, “She’ll be glad to see you’re okay tomorrow, so she won’t yell at you.”
“You sure?” Spike sounded doubtful, but picked his head up anyway.
“I’m sure.” Fluttershy watched the rain pitter onto a window until the tea was ready, then carried the kettle (even more carefully now) and two cups into her living room. Placing the cups down, Fluttershy began to pour.
“Thanks, Fluttershy. Not just for the tea, but for letting me stay.” Spike said, downing his tea in one mighty swig. Heat was nothing to Spike; he was a dragon after all.
“Th-thanks…” Fluttershy began to blush, unused to being complimented. Sipping on her tea, Fluttershy felt much calmer.
“So… I hear the Cutie Mark Crusaders paid you a visit yesterday.” Spike said with a grin on his face. Anytime those three came up, Spike couldn’t resist chuckling: misadventure seemed to follow those three like a plague.
“Oh, yeah…” Fluttershy looked down at her hooves, the memory still fresh.
“Don’t be shy, tell me about it!” Spike pushed, but gently so as not to hurt the pegasus’s feelings.
“Well, there’s not much to tell. It seems Scootaloo got it into her head that she was a chicken, so she asked to sleep in my coop for the night. Then the other two tried to-“
BAM BAM thud
Fluttershy squeaked at the sudden loud noise, and dashed under the table to defend herself.
“What was that?” Spike asked, raising himself from his seat.
“N-n-nothing, I—I’m sure…” Fluttershy quivered uncontrollably.
“It had to be something. Come on!” Spike tried to pull the yellow pegasus out of her hiding spot, but even her dainty frame was too such weight for Spike to drag.
“Y-you look!” Fluttershy’s mind swam with frightening images, each making her quiver like a marshmallow in an earthquake.
“Fine.” Spike marched to the door, and then opened it.
Fluttershy could not see Spikes reaction to what was at the door, as her hooves were in her eyes. If she had, however, Fluttershy would have seen at least five emotions run across Spikes face, from fear, to curiosity, to sympathy.
After about ten seconds of shock, Spike ran back to the hidden pegasus’s side.
“You gotta see this.” Spike sounded serious, and excited.
“Wh-what is it?” Another shake went through the frightened pony’s body.
“I don’t know. I think it’s harmless.”
“You think?” Fluttershy uncovered one of her eyes, to see Spikes grinning face. Whatever was out there, it had the dragon excited.
“Yeah, it looks… kinda… I can’t explain it. Come on!” His emotions taking over, Spike ran back to the open doorway, which was letting the wind in.
Fluttershy reassured herself that it was nothing, and slowly made her way from the table, across the room, and to the door.
“What is it Spi- EEK!” Fluttershy stopped dead, not sure of what to do.
The figure lay on the ground, face down. It looked like it was covered in clothes, but what kind was unclear to the duo, which were looking at the figure, dumbstruck. The only visible hair was where the mane should have been, and where hooves should have been, five digits could be seen, much like Spikes. Another striking thing about the figure is that it had no tail.
The duo looked at the thing, then each other, Spike having suddenly grasped the gravity of the situation. Whatever it was, it was important. In fact, this was an understatement.
“…What do we do?” Spike asked after several minutes of silence.
Fluttershy just shook her head, apparently too terrified to respond more. Thoughts were racing through her head faster than Pinkie Pie on a sugar rush: What is it? Where did it come from? Why is it here? Why did it come to her cabin? What should she do with it?
“Well…we should at least take it inside.” Spike said, seeing it as the only thing they could do.
“…Sure.” Fluttershy’s voice was half gone from shock, but she bent down to help pick the figure up regardless. Almost as soon as she started this, however, several grunts escaped from the pegasus: the thing was bucking heavy. A sudden sound from Spike told Fluttershy he was finding he had similar problems.
Undeterred, however, Fluttershy and Spike wrestled the thing into the cottage, enough so they could shut the door and stop any more rain from entering. Tired by their 10 minute struggle, the pegasus and dragon flopped down, too tired to move.
“…Huh…Fl…uttershy…” Spike gasped, winded.
“Wh…at, Spike?” Equally winded, Fluttershy let one of her hooves fall on to her table. The hoof crashed down at surprising speed, shattering an empty tea cup.
Immediately, the figure on the floor jerked awake, emitting a deep grunt as it pushed itself up. Woozily, the figure rubbed its eyes, stretched, and looked up. The first thing it saw was Fluttershy’s panicked face. Silence filled the room. Time seemed to stop for what seemed hours, but what was actually seconds. At the same precise same moment, the three beings yelled.
“EEE!”
“AHH!”
“COOL!”
Fluttershy ducked beneath her couch as quick as her wings could carry her. Spike jumped up and ran to the now sitting figure, which crunched into a ball when it saw the approaching dragon. The pony and thing quivered in fear, while the baby dragon scratched his head.
“Well hello to you to!” Spike seemed almost nonchalant in the way he addressed the figure, which stirred as he talked.
“…Y-you can talk?” The sound barely managed to escape the figure, but the dragons keen ears picked it up.
“YOU can talk?” Why this amazed Spike no pony knows, what with almost every species being able of speech.
Fluttershy continued to whimper.
“…Well, come on man, no need to worry. Fluttershy here can’t hurt you, and I don’t plan to.” Spike adopted his most soothing voice to try and coax the thing to interact with him. Spike always tried to be patient, but the excitement in the room was cranked up to 120%, and the dragon couldn’t take much more suspense: he HAD to know what this thing was.
With what seemed agonizing slowness, the thing pushed itself back into a sitting position. Another lapse of silence filled the room, Fluttershy’s quivering even stopping in the suspense.
“So…” Now that something had happened, Spike felt unprepared for having the things attention on him.
“Uhh…” The thing had similar feelings to Spike’s, plus a mounting sense of panic.
“…What are you?” Spike asked abruptly, the first of thousands of questions he had.
“I’m…a human.” The thing, apparently called a human, looked confused by Spikes question. “Where am I?”
“You’re near Ponyville.” Spike felt he was more confused now more than ever: what was a human, and why did it not know where it was?
“Ponyville? I…I don’t even…” The human slumped down onto the floor, looking dejected.
“So, you don’t know where you are, you’re the only one of your…kind, and…that’s all I got.” Spike teased, trying to get the human to cheer up: he knew what it was like to be alone among others who weren’t your kind.
“That’s about sums it up.” The human sat up again. “So, I think introductions are in order. I’m Adrian.”
“Spike.” The dragon reached out to shake Adrian’s outstretched hand, trying to remember the last time he had done this with someone without hooves.
“And who is that?” Adrian pointed behind Spike, to where Fluttershy remained hidden.
“Oh, that’s Fluttershy.” Although I doubt you’ll get to meet her face to face anytime soon.
“So…what do you suggest we do?” Adrian scratched his hair, trying to get a knot out of it.
“About what?” Spike was preoccupied trying to drag Fluttershy out from the couch, not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination.
“About me being here. I don’t know how I got here, and I’d like to figure that out. I haven’t eaten for hours, too.”
“There’s food in the kitchen.” Adrian heard Fluttershy half way through her sentence, but was able to piece it together.
“Thanks, uh…Butterfly.” Adrian walked into the kitchen, humming tunelessly.
“It’s Fluttershy, Adrian!” Spike shouted after him.
Spike was just able to pull the terrified pegasus out and sit her down as Adrian re-entered the room, several half eaten apples in his hands.
“Desh thins are breat! Bwhere’d dyou get ‘em?” Adrian said, juice streaming down his chin.
“Uhh… m-my friend Applejack.” Fluttershy squeaked out, avoiding Adrian’s gaze. Suddenly, Spike’s head jerked up.
“That gives me an idea!” Spike yelled, his outburst met by a squeak from Fluttershy, and caused Adrian to half choke on an apple.
“What, we need to go get more apples?” Adrian said through coughs.
“No, we have another friend who’s super smart! I bet she could help us!” At Spikes idea, Adrian’s eyes lit up.
“Well what are you waiting for man, an invitation? Let’s go!” Adrian ran to the door, and had it open before Fluttershy or Spike could react.
“WAIT!” Yelled Spike as Adrian flung the door open, which managed to freeze the overly-enthusiastic human in place. “Won’t it cause a panic if you go into Ponyville now?”
“Well…yeah, but what else can we do?” Adrian stood in the open doorway, the cold forgotten in the heat of the moment.
“I’ll just go get her. She’ll come if I tell her what happened.” Spike looked from Adrian to Fluttershy, who was shivering. “You should probably stay here and help Adrian if he needs anything, Fluttershy. I’ll get Twilight to teleport us back.” At the sound of the word teleport, Adrian’s face twisted in confusion again.
“W-well, as long as you’ll be careful, Spike.” Fluttershy said her concern for the baby dragon audible.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon. Bye guys!” With that, Spike ran out of the cottage, down the path that connected the house to the road, and towards Ponyville. Adrian watched him as long as he could see him, and then shut the door. Turning, Adrian realized he was alone with Fluttershy.
Crud. Now what? I have to do something! Think, man, think. Adrian could feel his stress level rising: he had never been good with women, and now he was alone with one who didn’t even know what he was!
Fluttershy’s mind was also working through what was happening, but at speeds Rainbow Dash would envy, and torn between whether to run, scream, talk, or just plain faint. Half of what she thought even Fluttershy didn’t understand, her mind was about as clear as Pinkie Pie’s.
Needless to say, a very uncomfortable silence fell on the pair.
“So…what’s that on your side?” Adrian finally broke the silence after about five minutes, noticing Fluttershy’s cutie mark.
“W-what’s what?” Fluttershy panicked, trying to get a look at her sides: was there something wrong with her?
“Those…three butterflies.” Adrian pointed to indicate what he was asking about.
“Oh, th-those? That’s just my cutie mark.” Fluttershy replied, thankful there was nothing out of the ordinary (aside from the strange creature that was talking to her).
“Cutie mark?” Great, another thing I don’t know, Adrian thought.
“I-it shows what a pony’s special talent is.” Fluttershy thought it odd she had to explain what a cutie mark was for, before she remembered Adrian wasn’t exactly from Equestria.
“What’s yours for? Butterfly catching?” Adrian asked, wondering how a pony could hold a net comfortably, aside from the obvious.
“N-no, animal care.” At this, Adrian perked up a bit.
“I love animals. What kinds of critters do you have?” Thank God, something I know something about.
“Oh, all kinds,” Fluttershy replied, her timidity out the window now that she was on her favorite subject, “Bunnies, otters, birds, cute little kitties, chickens, fish, all kinds of animals really. I love taking care of animals, it’s so rewarding.”
“Well, I’d love to see them, uh…Fluttershy.” Adrian remembered, the pegasus’s name slipping his memory for a moment.
“It’s all little rainy out for that, don’t you think?” Fluttershy asked, a boom of thunder driving her point home.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Adrian conceded with a grin, “But since you take care of animals so much, can you answer something for me?”
“Sure, I’m sure we have time.”
“Well, you see…”
* * *
“Fluttershy, you here?” Twilight called out after teleporting into the pegasus’s living room. Whatever Spike was talking about had her worried. On the other hand, Spike had been talking so fast and had been so out of breath he had formed about one complete sentence, but still whatever had Spike this excited must be important.
“Hold on a second.” Twilight heard a series of clops over Spikes hyperventilating, and then watched as the yellow pony walked down the stairs, “Hello Twilight.”
“What’s the matter, Fluttershy? It sounded like you were in trouble.” Twilight grew even more befuddled when she saw her timid friend had a smile on her face.
“What? Oh, no, I’m not in trouble. There’s…something we need you to see.” Fluttershy turned her head towards the stairs, then shouted “Adrian?”
“Yes?” A deep male voice emanated from the stairwell.
“Come and meet my friend. She’s the one we were talking about.” Fluttershy turned back to the now very confused unicorn.
“Fluttershy, why did you want me to look at a colt? And why is he…” Twilight lost her train of thought when she saw not a colt come from Fluttershy’s room, but a strange creature that walked on two legs.
“Twi-light, meet Adri-an.” Spike managed in between gasps.
“Hi.” The creature said. After that, everything went black for Twilight.
* * *
“Was it something I did?” Twilight heard, the darkness slowly edging out of her sight to reveal Spike looking down at her.
“Oh, she’s awake!” Spike cheerily announced, which was followed by a loud series of thumps. Groggily, Twilight pushed herself up.
“What happened?” The dazed unicorn asked, looking around. Twilight felt like she had hit her head, but didn’t remember doing so.
“Well…it’s a long story.” Fluttershy said, picking up a broken tea cup from the table.
“I have time. Not like I have anything to do, what with the weather like this.” With this, the pegasus and dragon looked at each other, seemingly having a silent discussion. After about ten seconds, Spike turned towards Twilight.
“Ok, can you promise to not think we’re crazy, Twilight?” After the purple unicorn nodded, Spike continued, “Well, after the storm started, I sent you a letter to tell you I was stuck here. So, me and Fluttershy decided to have tea and hang around until I could get back home. Then we heard knocks at the door. I opened the door to see what it was, and there was this…thing lying outside the door.
“Fluttershy and me decided we might as well get the thing inside, so we dragged it in. Only, the thing woke up when Fluttershy broke a cup, and then things got weird. Long story short, there’s something called a human here, who doesn’t know where he is or how he got here, and we got you to figure out what we should do. Only, you fainted when you saw the thing.” With a gasp, Spike finished.
“You expect me to believe this how?” Twilight asked after several seconds, thinking Spike was pulling her leg, and Fluttershy was in on it. Spike I get, but why would Fluttershy lie like this?
“But Twilight, don’t you remember seeing him come down stairs?” Fluttershy was put off that her friend wouldn’t believe her, even if it was so strange.
“…I thought that was a dream.” Twilight admitted, looking away from the pegasus.
“So did I, at first.” The trio looked up to see Adrian leaning of the stairs bannister, an apple core in his hand.
“Twilight, I’d like you to meet Adrian. Adrian, this is Twilight Sparkle.” Spike tentatively said. Yet again, an uncomfortable silence fell.
“Well, that was anticlimactic.” Adrian joked, snickering at the stunned unicorn. Twilight seemed to be imitating Discord, she was statue still. Adrian turned his head to Fluttershy. “Is… she going to be okay?”
“I’m sure she’ll restart soon.” Spike said, waving his hand in front of Twilights eyes. No reaction.
“Not to be rude but so far your friend hasn’t been that much of a help.” At this, the unicorn finally stirred.
“Hey, I resent that!” Twilight said, glowering. At Twilights retort, Adrian brightened.
“Ahh, so you can speak!” Adrian smiled, which showed that he had a piece of apple skin stuck in his teeth. Twilight giggled. “What, do I amuse you?”
“Uhh…you have something in your teeth.” The human flushed red, much like the apple in his teeth. Twilight waited for Adrian to dislocate the food before continuing, “So, what happened?”
“I was kind of hoping you could answer that for us, Twilight.” Fluttershy said, “Adrian doesn’t know...what happened, so we decided to get you. I hope it isn’t a bother.”
“No no no, it’s not a problem.” Twilight waved the pegasus’s care away with a hoof. “But I can’t help without SOMETHING to go off. You remember anything, Adrian?”
“Not really, I can remember going to sleep in my bed, then waking up in a bush.” Adrian replied with a shrug, “Although I have had this weird tingly feeling since I got here.”
“Hmm…maybe it’s a reaction to magic. You have magic where you’re from?” Adrian shook his head at Twilights question, “That’s probably it. Sometimes non-unicorns get that when they’re around powerful magic. If you wouldn’t mind, may look to see if you’ve been near magic?”
“Sure…will it hurt?” Adrian said with a hint of concern.
“No.”
“Fire away then!” Adrian seemed to brace, for what he didn’t know.
Twilight called to mind the spell, and then let the magic wash from the tip of her horn, into every inch of her being. She could feel the power coursing through her, beating like a second heart within her chest. Storing the magic up, Twilight collected it in her horn then released it towards Adrian. An invisible wave of magic flowed through Adrian, causing shivers to run down his spine. After a few seconds, a return wave of magic washed towards Twilight.
WALLA WALLA Ding fwong boyoing sheiks sixth sheeps 45365445465464484654854684564848456464645484848489778910010.005564stop sIgn turtle mekka mekka high cotton candy pie ballonS apple puppets milk rain Clowns elements checkmate statue pOcket knife gRiffons tail bat wing trolls moon laughter ?^%&@#^&$@?D!~@${!@$”$@$$#%@#
All these thoughts and more surged through Twilights mind in a mere half second. It took all of the unicorn’s concentration to remain standing after the mental barrage of images, sounds, and…pure chaos.
“Oh! Twilight, are you okay?” On seeing her friend reel in shock, Fluttershy immediately helped steady her friend. A look of deep concern past between the two males in the room.
“Th-thanks, Flutt-ershy.” Twilight said her head swimming in a sea of confusion. “I- I thing I know what’s wrong.”
“Well, what is it?” Adrian asked, nervous about the answer.
“I think it would be best to talk to everyone at once. Spike, can you send a letter to the rest of the group?” The dragon was already on it, pen on paper.
“What should I tell them Twi?” The dragon stopped his writing to hear her response.
“Tell them…Discord is back.”
Fluttershy fainted on the spot, while the color drained out of Spike. Adrian looked lost.
“That doesn’t sound good.”
Chapter 2: A library meeting
“Are you sure this is a great idea Twilight?” Adrian asked nervously. After reviving Fluttershy, sending the letters off, and teleporting to the Library, Adrian found he was a teensy bit stressed out.
“It’ll be fine. Just… brace for a very hyper pink pony, okay?” Twilight assured Adrian, hearing Pinkies endless chatter down stairs. After making sure the human was ready, Twilight called down, “Alright, be down in a second!”
“Wha’ in tarnation do ya think this is abou…” Adrian was able to hear before walking into the views of four very surprised ponies. Even Pinkie Pie was stunned into silence, for the moment at least.
“Girls, meet Adrian. Adrian, the girls.” Twilight introduced.
“Hi everyone.” Adrian said, to mixed reactions.
What the hay is that thing? It’s trouble, sure as sugar. Whatever it is, I don’ trust it worth a hill o’ beans, it’s no coincidence this thing gets here with HIM on the loose. Applejack thought, edging away oh so slightly, a grimace on her face.
What in Celestia’s mane is that? Oh dear, look at that thing. And it’s clothes! Poor dear, it must be so frightened...Perhaps I could make something for it. Yes, surely that would help…Rarity’s mind began humming with what the thing would want to wear to replace its tattered, soaked clothing.
Oh my goodness! Somepony new! You know what that means: PARTAAAY! Now, we’ll need steamers, balloons, hats, I should see if that likes chocolate or vanilla more…wait, who doesn’t like chocolate? NOPONY, silly filly, And so on raced through the head of Ponyvilles native partyer, a string of nonsense streaming through her head.
Wow. Was all that Rainbow Dash was able to think upon seeing the human, for once at a loss for words.
“…Well, welcome to Ponyville, eh, what was your name again dear?” Rarity said, breaking out of her stupor first, trotting over to the human.
“Adrian, and you are...?” Adrian shook Rarities perfectly manicured hoof, the oddness of the motion escaping neither of them.
“Rarity, my dear. These are the rest of the girls, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack,” Rarity pointed to each in turn, “And you know Twilight and Fluttershy.” Adrian sat down next to the nearest filly.
“Not ta be rude, but I ’ma might bit more concerned ‘bout Discord than this here…uh, thing.” Applejack bluntly stated, her frankness slightly insulting to Adrian. A round of voices added their two bits about the situation as well.
“Yes, that’s what I mainly wanted to talk about.” Twilight turned to the farm pony as it grew quiet again, “I’ve sent a letter to the princess telling her about his escape, and that we found something… interesting.”
“I assume that’s me?” Adrian interrupted from his seat near Rainbow Dash. It may have just been the candle light, but it seemed the pegasus was blushing, however hard she would have denied it.
“Of course Adrian.” Twilight responded.
“And not to side track, but who is this Discord and why is everyone panicking about him?” Adrian asked, his hand slipping closer to Rainbow, who was by now redder than Big Macintosh.
“It’s a long story.” Twilight said at once. Unfortunately for Adrian, Pinkie had recovered from her shock.
“Discord’s this big Meany Bobeany who tried to ruin everything! He made everyone act all crazy, and then there was cotton candy cloud with chocolate milk rain, and buffaloes in tutus, and then he made-” Whatever Pinkie said next was blocked by a cyan hoof shoved into her mouth.
“Discord’s chaos, we turned him into stone, and it looks like we need to do it again.” Rainbow summed up Pinkie’s rambling, and then pulled her hoof out of Pinkies mouth, who still hadn’t gotten the hint.
“-And then I said ‘I hate chocolate milk’, but I really didn’t!” Inhaling deeply, Pinkie Pie stopped her talking.
“Makes about as much sense as anything has lately.” Adrian leaned back, accidently brushing a finger against Rainbow Dash, another blush emerging from the speedster.
“So, now we just need to wait for Princess Celestia to respond.” Twilight knew several of her friends would rather do than wait, and that they were wasting time even now with Discord on the loose.
“So, I for one am very curious about Adrian here,” Rarity turned towards the human, grinning, “And just what his world is like.”
“Umm…well, what do you want to know?” Adrian awkwardly said, not used to all the attention being on him.
“Everything, silly!” Pinkie (rather unhelpfully) said.
“Why don’t you start with what a human is?” Fluttershy asked from her secluded spot near the back of the room.
“Sure, Fluttershy. Well, we humans are the only species that can talk...”
“Don’t y’all have ponies?” Applejack interrupted in a huff, insulted and shocked ponies weren’t the dominant species. She was beginning to like this human thing less than the yearly caterpillar invasion.
“Well, yeah, but ponies are used for… labor.” Gasps emanated from all ponies present.
“But us pegasus can’t take that lying down!” Rainbow said, at the same time Twilight asked “But what about unicorns? Surely they have SOME power, right?”
“Well, both pegasus and unicorns aren’t real, or at least I don’t remember them being real. I don’t remember magic, either.” The winged and horned fillies were shocked, too stunned even to gasp. Well, we might not be the top o’ the haystack, but ‘least we exist, Applejack smugly thought to herself, as Pinkie tried to figure out how many ponies she was going to invite to Adrian’s welcome party (she was up to about 50 by now, and was debating on where to put the party).
“Well…we aren’t the lowest of the low, right?” Rainbow asked, disturbed by Adrian’s tale.
“Oh, no no no! Horses get a lot of respect from us! It’s just; you guys aren’t as powerful as here, I guess.” Adrian tried to recover; he did NOT want to deal with ponies that thought he thought they were worthless (although, from the look Applejack was giving Adrian, it was too late for that). Quick, do something! What do girls like? Uh… Adrian wracked his brain, wishing he knew more about the fairer sex. Suddenly, an idea struck him. “I can’t remember much, actually. Why don’t you tell me about yourselves?” What girl DOESN’T like talking about themself! Of course, it helped that he couldn’t actually remember much more.
“W-well, okay.” Twilight was caught a little off guard from the sudden deflection of topics. “Well, I run the town library, and Spike’s my assistant. Rarity here is-”
“Really, Twilight dear, we can talk for ourselves.” Rarity interrupted, not wanting to waste an opportunity to talk about herself. “I am the owner of Ponyville’s best fashion boutique, Carousel Boutique. I have been recognized by such fashion ponies as Sapphire Shoes, Photo Finish, and Hoity Toity, to name a few. I even made several splendid dresses for the Grand Galloping Gala. Oh, they were magnificent! Perhaps my best work, if you’ll mind me saying.” Rarity paused for a breath to launch into descriptions, which was just enough time for Rainbow Dash to say one word: “Blueblood.”
The effect was immediate: Rarity deflated faster than a balloon with a needle in it. All the excitement and energy drained from the unicorns face, and the elegance of the perfectly groomed pony was lost as she hung her head. It may have been another trick of the candle light, but tears seemed to be welling in the unicorn’s eyes.
“Was that really necessary, Dash?” Fluttershy scolded as she went to comfort the now distraught dress maker. The rainbow manned pegasus merely shrugged her shoulders.
“It was that or listen to an hour of dresses and shampoos,” Rainbow glanced towards the human sitting next to her, “Besides, Adrian here was probably lost in seconds.”
“Thanks.” This seemed to be a half statement, half question as the human looked at the now openly bawling unicorn.
Eyeing Rarity, Rainbow Dash continued talking. “Anyways, I’m Rainbow Dash, fastest flyer in Equestria, and the loyalist of the loyal! I even did the Sonic Rainboom not once, but twice!” Several eyes rolled at this.
“Ya might wanna add biggest ego in Equestria there, Rainbow.” The element of honesty added, to a round of snickers from every pony present, excluding Rainbow Dash, who, if looks could kill, would be wanted for murder.
“And who are you?” Asked the human, eyeing the farmpony.
“None o’ your bisness, now ain’t it?” Adrian was caught off guard by Applejacks tone: up until now, he was thinking the orange pony was just worried about Discord, but now he could see not everypony in the room wasn’t thrilled at the idea of meeting a new species they had never knew existed.
“That’s Applejack, Adrian.” Twilight said, shooting her a dirty look.
Adrian snorted. “More like Crabapple.” Adrian said, but under his breath.
“WHAT WAS THAT!?!?” Applejack moved so quickly even Rainbow Dash had trouble catching the farmpony before she got to the now terribly frightened human. It took all Rainbow had in her to wrestle Applejack down until she calmed down (although not without several, uh, “Adult” words stemming from her), steam coming out from her hat.
Trying to get his heart to slow to an acceptable rate, Adrian looked around the room. He already knew Twilight and Fluttershy, Rarity was still moping around; the rainbow pony had her hooves full keeping an eye on Crabapple. That only left…the pink one.
“So, last but certainly not least, you are…?” Adrian turned to the party pony, who was having a hard time containing her giggles at Applejack’s display.
“Oh, I’m Pinkie Pie, and it’s so nice to meet someone new!” Pinkie violently shook Adrian’s hand, making an audible pop come from the human’s wrist, “I just love throwing welcome parties! And it’s been soooooooo long since Twilight moved here, and I can’t remember having a really serious party since we defeated Nightmare Moon! Oh, but Princess Luna is all better now, we met at Nightmare Night. But I just can’t believe that I get to throw a human a party! What types of cake do you guys like, huh Adrian? Chocolate? Vanilla? Oats? Or are you more of a candy kind of pony? I don’t blame you, not everypony loves cupcakes and that kind of stuff. Oh, never mind the candy, how many ponies do you girls think we should invite? Should we invite anypony else?” Pinkie managed in one breath, her head turning side to side. Rarity had pulled herself up, and was even smiling at the party ponies antics.
Twilight cleared her throat. “Pinkie actually brings up something I’ve been worrying about: Clearly, we need to hide Adrian from the town until we figure something out, unless we want him torn limb from limb.” At this last part, the unicorns eyes shifted to the fuming pony in the corner, her hat tugged over her eyes.
“H-he could stay with me…” Fluttershy offered, to the surprise of many ponies: FLUTTERSHY offer to have a complete stranger stay with her? Even the pegasus was surprised to her herself say it; she had been thinking it would be nice to get to know Adrian better, but to actually offer?
“Well, I’m touched by the kindness, Fluttershy,” Adrian said, placing his hand over his heart, “but I don’t think hiding in your cottage will be the most exciting thing in the world.”
“Well, sorry to play Discords advocate, but we don’t have much of a choice, do we?” Twilight interjected, the Apple pony stirring at the chaos lord’s name, but continued to slump under a window, rain continuing to pitter onto it.
“A-actually…” The groups collected heads moved towards the sound. Rarity seemed to be in control of herself again, albeit with smeared make up, “Twilight dear, don’t you know a spell that can make something look like a pony?”
The librarian thought for a moment. “Well, yes, but any unicorn could see through it if they had a mind to, and I guarantee you the Princess will see right through it.”
“Well, don’t we kinda NEED Celestia to know about Adrian?” Rainbow interjected. Twilight placed her hoof to her chin in thought.
“Hmm…well, I guess it could work… what the hay, I can try it.” Applause came from the group. Adrian, on the other hand, seemed concerned.
“I’m sure you’re capable of this, Twilight, but didn’t the last time you did magic on me cause you to almost faint?” I hadn’t thought about that, Twilight thought to herself, before waving it off.
“I’m sure that was a onetime ordeal, Adrian.” Twilight was unsure of that however, as she readied the spell. Gathering the available magic, Twilight imagined a plain, unsuspecting colt where Adrian now stood, eyes closed in preparation. She concentrated the magic into a single point. Slowly, the unicorn forced the magic onto Adrian. A wave of chaos flooded through Twilights mind, causing her to almost lose her essential focus. The unicorn was prepared for it this time, and was able to complete the spell.
Adrian shivered as the magic flowed onto his form, and then surrounded him. Slowly, Adrian opened his eyes. “Did it work?”
“No” Came a confused chorus. Fluttershy looked at Twilight, “Did Dis- did HE make it not work?”
Twilight cast a reassuring look at her friend. “No, it worked fine. We know that Adrian isn’t a pony, so we can see through the charm.”
“What a convenient plot device.” Pinkie chirped from her seat, eating out of a bag of chips no one had seen before. Her friends brushed it off as Pinkie being Pinkie.
“So…now we just wait?” Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight turned to her hued friend.
“Yeah, but I would have thought that the Princess would respond qui-” Whatever Twilight said was cut off from a rather loud BRAAP from Spike, causing Pinkie to giggle through a mouth full of chips. Spike broke the seal, and looked to Twilight. With a nod, Twilight signaled Spike to start.
“Hehem…Dearest Twilight: Thank you for alerting us to the danger of Discords escape. Unfortunately, we were unable to act quickly enough to stop him from eluding us. This is, however, accompanied with the good news that Discord seems to still be weakened from his imprisonment by the Elements. Luckily, Luna and I had the forethought of casting a tracking spell on Discords form, which seems to be working. I have sent our largest chariot to immediately gather you six and bring you to Canterlot. Expect it at your home within the hour. Best wishes, Princess Celestia of Canterlot. P.S: I am very intrigued by your mention of finding a pony of interest. If it would be no trouble, please bring them before myself, so I may see them myself.” Spike finished with a sigh, handing the letter to Twilight so she could re-examine it, as she so often did.
“Sounds like we hav’ a plan.” Applejack said, breaking her gloomy silence. Rainbow Dash began hovering a foot in the air, tired of sitting around waiting. Pinkie, surprisingly, was just staring at one of the walls, instead of her usual bouncing around.
Adrian sighed. “Great.” Adrian suddenly sat up, eyes widened. “Hey Twilight, what do I look like?”
The unicorn glanced up from the letter. “What do you mean? You look…like a human, I guess.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Adrian said with a sigh. “What does the charm make me look like? What does pony me look like?”
The student’s eyes widened in understanding. “Oh. Well, you have brown fur, black mane; you’re an earth pony, and a bird as your cutie mark.” The human looked confused at the end of the unicorn’s statement.
“What does a bird have to do with me?”
“I don’t know, come up with a cover story!” The unicorn walked away from the human, who was racking his brain for a likely story. Twilight noticed Fluttershy seemed to be having some trouble packing a saddle bag she had borrowed. Trotting over, Twilight offered her help.
“O-oh, thank you Twilight.” Fluttershy waited as the unicorn used her magic to re-organize the cluttered bag, and then began looking around for a book she seemed to be missing. The shy ponies gaze drifted over to the human, who was now quietly conversing with Spike. The yellow ponies face took on a red tint to it.
Smirking, Twilight asked what had been on her mind since the pegasus had said it. “So Fluttershy, why do you want to have Adrian stay with you?”
The pegasus, startled by the question, dropped the book she had found hiding under the table. “W-what d-do you mean?” The pegasus tried to grin like nothing was ahoof, but she was almost as bad a liar as Applejack.
“Well, I’ve never thought you the type of pony who would invite strange ponies into your home, let alone strange…humans.” The last word caught on Twilights tongue; it was just such an odd word to stay.
Fluttershy’s eyes looked everywhere but at the unicorn. “Well…Adrian needs a place to stay, and with me being the element of kindness… I think Rarity wants me.” The pegasus quickly walked away, leaving a grinning Twilight.
Something’s going on with her, and I’m going to find out. But before Twilight could solve any mysteries, a loud noise coming from outside the library caught her attention. Opening the window the intrusion came from, Twilight looked around, finally spotting the pony that had made the noise.
“Derpy! What are you doing here?” This was the fourth time the mail mare had been caught hanging around the library. Derpy seemed soaked to the bone, a waterlogged bouquet of flowers tucked under a wing. Twilight was getting tired of telling the crossed eyed mare she had no interest in a relationship, but Derpy seemed not to get the message.
Startled by her loves sudden appearance, Derpy tried to assume the most innocent look possible. Twilight couldn’t know she had overheard everything! Looking around, the crossed eyed mare thought up the best cover story possible.
“N-nothing, just…just bringing you some flowers!” The mail mare hoisted the drowned roses to Twilights level, accidently shoving them right in her face. The mail mare had felt so bad after dropping a truck load of mail onto Twilights head that she, on a weekly basis, tried to apologies, while also trying to get the exotic unicorn to go out with her.
Rather unceremoniously, the unicorn shoved the flowers out of her face. “Look Derpy, you’re a nice pony, but I’m not interested in being in a serious relationship.” Twilight looked at the mail mare; soaked to the bone from the violent thunderstorm…a thunderstorm that nopony would go through without significant reason. Derpy definitely wasn’t the smartest pony, but she should have known to wait to give Twilight her affections. “Derpy, why did you come here?”
Derpy didn’t have the best vision in all of Equestria, but she could see the suspicion on Twilights face. Panicked, Derpy reverted to an old saying her (rather cowardly) grandfather had told her: if things aren’t looking up for you, RUN! With a burst of speed, the mail mare flew off as fast as possible, hoping she didn’t hit anything heavy.
“WAIT! Derpy…” But Twilight knew it was a lost cause to try and get Derpy back. Looking at the retreating form, a glint caught Twilight eye. Wondering who else was crazy enough to brave the storm; Twilight levitated a nearby telescope to her eye, and focused on the growing dot. After a few seconds, Twilight turned her head back to her awaiting companions, who seemed have been listening in on the conversation.
“Get ready, the carriage is here.”
Chapter 3: A carriage ride
After making sure everypony had their belongings together, and explaining to the guard ponies that Adrian had been asked to come with the elements by the princess, the golden carriage was airborne yet again, with the six ponies, baby dragon, and human inside.
Gazing over the landscape, Adrian thought of how far away from home he was. What if I never get back? I can’t even remember where I live… The stress finally catching up to him, tears welled up in Adrian’s eyes. Only two ponies noticed this, the other four too deep in conversation.
Applejack looked at the human out of the corner of her eyes. She couldn’t tell if Adrian was crying, or whether some rain had leaked into the carriage. If he was crying, she should do something about it. Applejack knew she hadn’t been the kindest pony to the human, but her first instinct was not to trust the human. And her first instinct was usually right. So, Applejack elected to ignore the human, turning her head to the window.
Fluttershy, however, knew immediately that Adrian was in need of comfort. She had had a near mental break down when she had moved from Cloudsdale, so the timid pony felt she knew what he was going through. Her natural kindness taking over, the pegasus shuffled over to Adrian, wrapping a wing over his hunched form. Startled by the sudden touch, Adrian looked up. Fluttershy simply smiled, and pulled him closer.
“Shh…it’s okay.” Fluttershy quietly reassured Adrian, rubbing her wing up and down his back. Quietly, Fluttershy hummed tunelessly as Adrian sobbed into his hands. After a minute, the tears stopped flowing, and Adrian just sat, listening to Fluttershy’s humming, the pitter patter of rain, and the quiet conversation four of the friends were having.
“Fluttershy?” The yellow pegasus barely heard Adrian, but she stopped humming and removed her wing. Straightening, Adrian turned to her. “Is-is that offer still up?”
Fluttershy thought for a moment, trying to recall what he was talking about. Offer? ...oh, him staying with me! “Of course it is.” At this, Adrian grinned and extended his hand.
Fluttershy tentatively shook his outstretched hand. “It’s a promise.” The human said, grinning despite the tear marks running down his face.
“A Pinkie Pie promise?” Fluttershy said before she could stop herself. Adrian wouldn’t know what that is! Adrian, however, grinned even more.
“Why not? How does it go?”
“Um, y-you say ‘cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye’” Fluttershy said, making the accompany motions to the chant.
“All right, cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my OW!” Adrian had made the same mistake Twilight had made on her first Pinkie Pie promise: touching his eye BEFORE closing his eyelid. Fluttershy giggled, as the four ponies conversation stopped at the humans yell.
“What happened?” Rainbow Dash asked, hoping nothing bad had happened to Adrian.
“Oh, heh heh, Adrian pulled a Twilight.” The pegasus stated, trying to contain her giggles.
“Hey!” Said unicorn shouted, not thrilled at being synonymous with that mistake.
“Oh, did he make a Pinkie Pie Promise?” Pinkie Pie paused just long enough for Fluttershy to nod, “You HAVE to keep the promise now, or else!” The pink pony ran up to the human, and gazed threateningly into his eyes.
The human furrowed his brows. “And what if I don’t?”
“Trust me, you don’t wanna do that. Right, Applejack?” Rainbow Dash turned to the apple pony, who looked a little green around the gills.
“…I don wanna talk ‘bout that.” Applejack bluntly said, positioning herself away from the group.
“That bad?” Adrian looked questioningly at Twilight.
“That bad.” The unicorn replied.
Turning, Adrian noticed his only male companion wasn’t faring much better than Applejack had when she broke her Pinkie Pie Promise. The baby dragon seemed to be half asleep where he sat, glazed over eyes looking at Rarity, who was currently spouting all sorts of technical details of some dress she was working on.
“-And then there is the hemming to consider. I’m not quite sure how much it should be drawn up. I always go for a half inch, but that may not be enough for this dress. What do you think, Spike?” The dragon let out a grunt, which seemed to serve as an acceptable answer to the unicorn, who turned back to the drawing in front of her.
Taking pity on the poor dragon, and seeing Rarity wasn’t about to stop talking for the foreseeable future, Adrian stood(this really WAS a big carriage) and, making sure the fashionista was glued to her drawing, prodded the dragon until he seemed to get out of his stupor. Waving away from the chattering pony, Adrian motioned for Spike to follow.
Checking to make sure the unicorn hadn’t noticed anything (she hadn’t), Spike walked over to the empty spot next to the human.
“Thanks a bunch.” Spike sighed as he slid down the plush seat.
“No problem. Guess everyone needs a break from their girlfriend every once in a while.” Spike immediately blushed, his whole face seeming to go red.
“Wha- she- wh- huh ?” The dragon managed to sputter, eliciting a grin from Adrian.
“Dude, a blind pony could see you like her.” Adrian decided to switch pony in for person, seeing how he was part of a vast minority now.
“She is pretty… pretty, isn’t she?” Spike said heart in his eyes. Adrian just sighed.
“Dragon, when’s the last time you did something WITHOUT one of these girls with you?” He wasn’t a genius, but Adrian could tell when someone needed male bonding time. Call it a special talent he had.
“It’s Spike, not dragon, and it was- um, uh…hmm…” Spike put a hand to his mouth, trying to recall he hadn’t been with one of the elements on a trip.
“Exactly. Spike, next time things get quite, if I’m still here, you and me are going out for some MALE bonding. Okay?” Adrian put his hand on Spikes shoulder, making sure he had made his point clear.
“Sure, Adrian. But can we bring somepony else with us?” The dragon moved Adrian’s hand, not so much because he didn’t like the gesture, but it felt so darned…weird.
“Who?” Adrian asked after a moment’s hesitation: he had been wanting some bonding time with a real live dragon.
“Big Macintosh.” The moment the name was out of Spikes lips Applejack sat bolt upright, and ran to stick her face not an inch away from the dragons face.
“NO way is mah brother gonna be spendin no ‘quality time’ with this here things, Spike. So jus’ forget about it.” The apple pony stared into the frightened baby reptile’s eyes, making sure she was clear.
“Actually Crabapple, I think that would be a great idea.” Now Adrian was just TRYING to get Applejack to blow. And judging by the look on Applejacks face, it had worked. Before Applejack could show the human just how she had won the title “Best bucker in Equestria” (not exactly the best title for the award), a voice emanated from the front of the chariot.
“Please take your seats. We will be landing in Canterlot soon.”
* * *
After making sure Applejack and Adrian were walking as far away from each other (with Fluttershy and Rarity near Adrian, and Twilight and Rainbow containing Applejack), the group began their way inside the castle.
Adrian’s jaw had dropped the second he had gotten out of the carriage, and remained lowered. Twilight couldn’t help but grin: this must have been just how she had looked when she had first taken a tour of the castle. The many royal guards eyed him oddly: why was this nopony with the elements of harmony, and why did the princess herself want to see him? Luckily, Adrian hadn’t needed to explain himself so far.
“You might want to close your mouth dear; you’re going to swallow a fly if you don’t.” Rarity said, taking the grandeur of Canterlot. It was so good to be back in a world where elegance and poise were so common. Schemes were already hatching in the unicorns mind, mainly involving shopping sprees and fashion shows.
But the ivory ponies’ daydreaming was cut short when she spied a certain stained glass window: six ponies surrounding a draconequus. Had they already gotten to the Princesses throne room? Rarity hadn’t even noticed.
“The Princess shall be with you in a few moments. Please, make your selves at home.” A unicorn guard addressed the group from the empty throne, nodding to the elements, and walked off (not without casting a suspicious glance at Adrian, though).
With no other ponies present, the group relaxed. Rainbow Dash took Applejack over to a secluded cove, and soon there were muffled shout coming from both of them: something about “A good for nothing…”, and “The mack daddy of all bad”. Twilight sat herself down and began playing a game of magic tic tak toe with Rarity, the seamstress asking Adrian what he liked to wear. The human only half heard her, as Fluttershy and Spike had been telling him about Discord, and what the Princess was like. And Pinkie was off doing her…Pinkie things.
After about ten minutes, Twilight and Rarity’s heads jolted up, sensing the magic the Princess continually created. Eyes widened, the purple unicorn said “The Princess is coming!”
The scattered group ran back to form an organized group, Applejack somehow right next to Adrian. Before Adrian could suffer more than an elevated heartbeat, the doors behind the throne opened, and the group gazed upon Princess Celestia.
Adrian was at a loss: this HAD to be the coolest thing he had ever seen, a horse with both pegasus wings and a unicorn horn, even beatin out a real dragon on the coolness scale. And her mane! The only thing he could equate it to was pure sunlight, the way it seemed to move with a will of its own. Seeing everypony bowing, Adrian decided to do the same.
“Thank you, my little ponies. Please, no need to be so formal with me. You needn’t bow.” The princesses melodic voice resonated through the chamber, a benevolent smile on Celestias face. The princess’s eyes slid over the group, but stopped and widened when they reached Adrian. “And who might you be?”
Adrian just stared at the Princess, until Applejacks forceful hoof reminded him to speak. “Um, I-I’m Big Pecks, your majesty.” Celestia chuckled under her breath.
“I can see through the illusion, ‘Big Pecks’. Really Twilight, I’m surprised you put such a weak spell on this being to disguise him.” Princess Celestia gave her star pupil a playfully condescending look. Even though she had known the Princess long enough to know when she was joking, Twilight stilled looked away embarrassed.
“I knew you would see through it, your majesty, but we needed Adrian here to hide until we could see you.” Princess Celestia smiled.
“Twilight my dear, there is no need to be so formal with me. As to me knowing about your friend’s situation, I do not actually know everything. I am just as confused as you about why, uh, what is your true name?” The princess turned to the human.
“A-Adrian.” He said in a voice so low even Fluttershy’s keen ears had trouble hearing. How the princess heard him just lends to her power.
“Well Adrian, I know I have never seen one of your kind, and I have been around for a while,” The princess grinned as she descended the steps of her throne, to stand level with the group. “Now, I would like to know everything I can about you, so I may decide what to do with you, and move on to far more pressing matters.”
“Well, I’d like to tell you about me, but…” Adrian looked down to his bare feet, to both give his neck a break from looking up to make eye contact with the alicorn, and to hide his face, “I can’t remember much more than my name.”
The ruler of Equestria just smiled at the human. “I believe I can do something about that, my good…what is your kind called?”
“He’s a human, Princess. And before you do any magic on him,” Twilight stepped closer to her beloved mentor, “It seems that he’s covered with Discords magic.”
“Twilight, I am thousands of years old, I rule the largest nation in the world, and I have defeated Discord before, when he was at his fullest. I can handle whatever Discord has put in this young man.” With that, the Princess lowered her head so her ivory horn was touching Adrian’s forehead. A surge of magic quickly passed from Celestias horn into the human’s skull.
Suddenly, a barrage of images flooded Adrian’s mind: other humans, a large yellow house, his school. Within a matter of seconds, Adrian regained every last thing he had ever known. Adrian gasped as one particular image struck: a television, with several now familiar looking ponies surrounding a logo that said, in pastel pink: My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic.
“I remember.” Adrian dramatically stated, opening his eyes to the nervous group. Even Applejack seemed to have hint of concern in her eyes, despite her feelings towards the human.
“Well, don’t keep us in suspense, tell us about you!” Rainbow Dashes impatience got the better of her. She hadn’t wanted to draw the human’s attention to herself. After all, he was so cool: the way he seemed to take everything in stride, even his messed up, scruffy mane looked awesome! But Adrian looked directly into Rainbows eyes, eliciting another blush.
“Well… the last thing I can remember now before getting here is this weird dream. There was this weird voice coming from nowhere, so I tried to find where it was coming from. The voice kept telling me I was getting closer, so I just walked towards it. Then…I felt like I was falling. The very last thing I can remember is this weird head smiling at me, and saying ‘Oh, this is gonna be too good!’ It had these weird eyes, and two different horns.”
“…Yep, sounds like Discord to me!” Pinkie said, remembering the wonderful weather they had had that day.
“Anything else? Anything that might be connected with how you got here?” Twilight asked, taking a step towards the human.
“Well…this is going to sound weird…” Adrian trailed off, trying to figure out how to put the fact that he was somehow inside a children’s television show.
“We won’t’ judge you.” Fluttershy stated, her eyes shimmering in the settings suns light.
“Bear with me, but you guys are…
It was dark by the time Adrian finished telling about how in his world, Equestria was the stage for a children’s television show, and how so many men, like himself, were getting so obsessed with it. The only respite the human had had was the few minutes Princess Celestia had to step out to lower the sun. When she returned, her lunar sister was in tow. It took another hour to see what was and wasn’t true between the show and real life in Equestria, and half an hour to fill Princess Luna in, who had taken quite an interest in life on Earth.
“One last question, my dear hooman.” The princess of night asked from her throne.
“Yes Luna?” Adrian tried not to sound stressed, but his facade was slipping: he had been talking for over three hours. Luckily, the elder alicorn came to his rescue.
“Dearest sister, while I am as eager to hear more about our guest as you are, we have stalled far too long. We must discuss the situation surrounding Discord’s escape.” The princess let her voice take on the tone her sister called her ‘Highest highness’ voice, the one she used whenever she was angered or impatient.
“Of course, dearest sister…” Princess Luna seemed put off that she couldn’t ask her question, but didn’t want to anger her sister. Luna looked around and realized just how long they had been talking: Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy were all asleep where they sat, and Applejack seemed to be succumbing to her need for sleep.
“Princess, you mentioned something about a tracking spell in your letter.” Twilight addressed her teacher. Twilight seemed to be the only pony in the room without a trace of weariness; even Celestia seemed a little less radiant.
“Yes, my dear student. Luna and I feared that Discord would not remain confined, so we placed the most powerful tracking spell possible on him. Thankfully, it seems that escaping from his imprisonment so soon after you defeated him has drained him of power. The only chaos our dear Discord seems to have done was turn the cell we were keeping him in into chocolate.” At this last part, Pinkie stirred in her sleep.
“Well, that’s good.” Rainbow Dash said from her spot in the air. She had resorted to hovering in place to keep from falling asleep, “not all of us need to go after him.”
“What?” Twilight thought she had just heard Rainbow say that they didn’t need all six of them to capture Discord.
“Yeah. Pr-incess Celestia says he’s too weak to cause chaos, so why all six of us have go and catch him? Some of us can catch ‘im, then turn him to stone when we… get back.” Rainbow tried to explain, but sleep was catching up to her.
“It seems you are not the only pony who can think of a plan, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna grinned down from her throne. “We took a magical scan of his cell, and it seems Discord has only a little more power than the average unicorn. Perhaps half of the elements should pursue Discord, while the others stay in Ponyville with our dear hooman, to make sure he gets settled.”
Twilight turned to see what Adrian thought of this arrangement. Wearily, the human gave a signal that Twilight had learned meant ‘yes’, lifting his smallest digit on one hand.
“Good. Now, my dear sister and I shall make the necessary arrangements. Now, I assume you remember where the guest towers are, Twilight?” Twilight nodded. “Excellent. Now, get some rest, and we can talk on the morrow.”
As the door to the throne room closed, the solar sisters let out a combined sigh.
“Well, dear sister, it seems that things are about to get strange in Equestria.” The lunar Princess looked to her elder, eliciting a smile.
“No Luna, things are about to get interesting."
* * *
As Celsetias sun brightened the skies above Canterlot, a group of made up of seven ponies and a baby dragon made their way from the guest towers of the solar sister’s castle to the throne room. Word had quickly spread through the royal guards: the elements of harmony were going to be given another important task by Princess Celestia. But this was not the main topic of gossip. Just who was this mysterious pony with the elements? And why did the princess treat him with as much respect as she did the elements of harmony? But it seemed that no answers were to be forth coming, as the doors were magically locked and sound proofed by Princess Celestia as soon as the group entered the throne room.
Equestria’s matriarch looked over the group. It seemed to Celestia that not everypony had had a good night’s sleep. The element of laughter (why did that ponies name always seem to slip the Princesses mind?) seemed to be quite stable and level headed, which, while calming, was quite unusual for the normally hyper pony. Applejack seemed to be in a worse mood than the previous night, her eyes seeming capable of melting stone. Luckily for Adrian, Applejack hadn’t really developed this power, or else he would have been a puddle of goo the second she saw him. The remaining ponies (and dragon) were in varying stages of disarray. The only one who seemed to be in a good mind set was the very ‘special’ guest.
“Good morning Princess Celestia!” Adrian beamed, bowing slightly as he approached the awaiting alicorn.
“And good morning to you, Adrian. I assume you had a good night’s sleep?” Princess Celestia weakly smiled, envying the humans current good mood.
“I did your highness. Thank you for asking.” An impatient tapping ended Adrian’s chipper statement.
“While I’m glad you ahuuuuuuuuuuh are adjusting to Equestria, Adrian, we have more pressing issues than how soft Canterlot beds are.” Twilight blew a stray hair from her eyes, wishing she had gotten more than three hours of sleep. But her industrious mind wouldn’t allow her to rest until she had thought over the situation, so she had decided to take a moon lit stroll to allow her mind to wander.
“Yes of course Twilight,” Celestia said, slightly annoyed at her students need for action, “My sister and I have decided that it would be best if three of you would go and re-capture Discord.”
“But Princess, don’t all six of us need to be there for the elements to work?” Fluttershy asked, her usual timidity gone with her lack of sleep. Like Twilight, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about what had happened only yesterday. Unlike Twilight however, it wasn’t Discord that occupied most of her thoughts.
Celestia turned to the element of kindness, “Correct, but the elements of harmony should not be necessary to capture Discord this time. I believe that three of you should be able to contain him without any major problems. As we stated last night, Discord seems to be unable to create as much chaos as previously.”
“Who shall go and capture this ruffian?” Rarity asked, her elegance not escaping her in her drowsy state.
“That is what my sister and I were mainly debating. Unfortunately, we were unable to come to a decision. We thought it best if you yourselves decide who will go where.” Princess Celestia looked over the group. If she had happened to look out the stained glass windows of her throne room, she might have noticed a certain grey pegasus peeking in at the group, one eye fixed on Adrian.
“Ah’ll go, um, uh…Princess.” Applejack offered immediately. She had been worrying that she would be in the group that was sent to Ponyville with the human. Any chance to get away from the unnatural thing was a gift.
Twilight stepped towards the princess. “I’ll go too, your majesty.” The princess nodded, and then looked over the group once more.
“Who else would like to save Equestria from eternal chaos, and be remembered forever as a hero?” The princess knew at least one of her subjects could not resist a challenge such as that. Rainbow Dash bolted upwards, a hoof raised in salute.
“I’ll go your highness!” Rainbow said before she could stop herself. She had been keeping quiet for a reason, a reason that was now clapping his hands at her bravery.
“Thank you Rainbow Dash. Now Twilight, here is the map which will show you where Discord is.” The princess levitated a scroll to her student, who tucked it into her saddle bag. “I wish you luck in finding Discord, my little ponies.”
“Thank ya kindly, Princess.” Applejack tipped her Stetson hat, and turned towards her two traveling companions. Princess Celestia shifted her gaze to the other group of ponies.
“I hope you are able to settle in Ponyville comfortably, my dear human.” The Princess beckoned Adrian closer. “And before you go, you might want to have a better charm on you.”
“Thank you kindly, Princess.” The human couldn’t help snicker at the reaction of Crabapple when he mirrored her words, but more important things called his attention. Adrian watched as a glowing ball of magic emanated from the foot long horn of the alicorn, and enveloped his form. Flexing his fingers, Adrian shivered as he felt the magic seep in around him.
This was going to be fun.
Chapter 5: A midnight walk
“HEY PINKIE PIE!” Adrian shouted to the pink party pony, who was manning the punch bowl. This party is pretty awesome, thought Adrian. It had only taken Pinkie a day after returning to Ponyville to get all the supplies, send invitations to all of town, half of which had shown up, and set up the party in Twilights library. Plus, she had gotten one of Equestrias best DJs, DJ-PON3. Adrian wasn’t big into music, but he could tell Vinyl Scratch obviously knew what she was doing.
“Yeah Adrian?” Pinkies reply was muffled by a ladle clutched in her mouth. Even with that, Pinkie didn’t need to raise her high pitched voice to be heard over the music emanating from the DJ table.
“DO YOU KNOW WHERE RARITY IS?” Adrian shouted, his voice beginning to crack. He had been talking almost non-stop since ponies started to arrive. Most wanted to know where he came from (Manehattan), what he was doing in Ponyville (studying the native birds of the Everfree Forest), and how long he was staying (until his research was complete). Most ponies were satisfied with his answers, but two seemed to take a keen interest in Adrian: the unicorn Lyra, who seemed to talk more like a human than a pony, and a certain cross eyed mail mare. Adrian had only shaken the two off by saying there was a muffin eating contest (there wasn’t), and Bonbon taking Lyra home when she had had too much ‘special’ cider, compliments of Big Macintosh
“Over there!” Pinkie nodded to a corner, where Adrian could see the unicorn chatting to a few well-dressed ponies. Making his way through the sea of ponies, Adrian noted that out of all the ponies at the party, he hadn’t seen one since the party had started. Fluttershy seemed to have dropped off the face of Equestria, but Adrian had arrived at Rarity’s secluded spot before he could figure out where the pegasus might have gone.
“Ah, Big Pecks, there you are darling!” The group had been drilled by Celestia on only calling Adrian his real name when they were sure they were alone. Rarity turned to the other ponies she had been talking to. “Would you mind giving Big and I a moment?” The ponies obliged, nodding as they left.
“What can I do for you darling?” Rarity asked, making sure she did not look up to Adrian actual face level, else somepony notice.
“Just wanted to make sure that we’re still on for the session tomorrow.” Rarity had offered to make Adrian some new clothing as a welcome present. Adrian had gladly accepted the offer: the clothes he had come in hadn’t been in great condition before he was transported, and they hadn’t fared well since.
“Of course! I cleared my schedule so that we may have as much time as possible.” Rarity kept her voice down, not wanting to let anything suspicious slip. Adrian was glad somepony was keeping his real identity a secret: Pinkie Pie had almost said he was a human instead of a pony twelve…no, fourteen, times, and kept looking up to have eye contact, which must have looked weird to anypony who happened to be watching.
“Great. Look, I was actually thinking of heading out, so do you know where Fluttershy went?” Adrian wanted to make sure that Fluttershy made it home safely. He felt that it was the least he could do in return for Fluttershy letting him stay with her.
“Hey Big Pecks!” Turning, Adrian saw Spike pushing his way through the crowded library. Adrian stopped to let the dragon catch up with him.
“I was just wondering, when are we gonna go and have that guy time you talked about?” Adrian sighed: he should have known this was what Spike wanted to talk about. He had barely stopped asking that same question since they got to Ponyville.
Adrian shrugged. “I don’t know, why don’t you come over to Carousel Boutique tomorrow and we can plan it out.”
Spike immediately got a shade redder. “Y-you think Rarity will let me?”
“Spike, she’s the element of generosity for Celestias sake, I doubt she’ll mind.” Adrian thought this would play to both their advantages: Spike could spend time with Rarity, and Adrian would have someone to talk with to break Rarity’s stream of fashion related talk.
“How do you know?” The dragon asked.
“I watched the entire first season five times. I know Rarity better than I know my own sister.” Adrian said, surprised he had to remind Spike: he HAD been there to listen to him explain about television and the show.
“Oh yeah.” Spike said. How had he forgotten this alien knew almost as much about Ponyville as he did? “So anyways, Pinkie told me you were looking for Fluttershy?”
How did Pinkie…Oh right, she’s Pinkie, Adrian thought. “Yeah, I figure we should head back to her cottage before soon. You know where she is?”
Spike nodded. “She’s in Twi’s room.”
“Thanks, Spike.” Adrian continued up the stairs. Maneuvering the crowds, Adrian finally came upon Twilights door. Knocking, Adrian heard what could have been a faint voice. Opening the door, Adrian saw Fluttershy at the window.
“Hi Ad-Big Pecks.” Fluttershy corrected herself, despite being alone.
“Hey Fluttershy.” Adrian walked to Twilights bed, where Fluttershy had taken a seat. Sitting down Adrian looked over at Fluttershy. It was clear that Fluttershy wasn’t used to staying up this late: already there were bags under her eyes and she seemed to be half awake, staring out the window at nothing. “I was thinking it might be time to head back to the cottage, if you want to.”
Fluttershy brightened a little at this. “Sure, if you don’t want to stay anymore.”
Adrian smiled. “Let’s go then.”
* * *
The duo walked in silence, both relishing the quiet after the noise and commotion of Pinkies party. The only noise was the sound of the pair’s hooves and bare feet, respectively. Adrian made a mental note to ask Rarity whether she could make him some shoes. Finally, Adrian broke the silence just as they were exiting Ponyville.
“Whew! Pinkie doesn’t disappoint. No wonder Twilight couldn’t sleep when one of those was going on.” Adrian smiled down at Fluttershy, her head coming up to his elbow.
“I guess you know more about Pinkies parties then I do.” Fluttershy shivered as a sudden breeze blew.
“Well, I probably know more about a lot of things then you do about this crazy town. You might live them, but I can go back and watch what happens here as many times as I want.” Fluttershy shook her head at that.
“Now don’t you think that might be exaggerating, Adrian?”
“Fine, I’ll prove it. Right after you six defeated Discord, you were giving that bear a very violent message. Who came to your cottage and saw you do that?”
Fluttershy furrowed her brow, which just made her that much cuter. “What do you mean? There was nopony at my cottage that day.”
“See, that proves it! Twilight came thinking you needed help, and she thought you were beating that bear up! I have to say though; we bronies were surprised you had that in you.” At the mention of bronies, Fluttershy looked around worriedly.
“H-how many bronies did you say there were, again?” Fluttershy could feel her wings locking up. The very idea of large crowds watching her every movement made her fell light headed in fear.
Luckily, Adrian had expected her to panic. “Don’t worry about us. We love you guys. Wouldn’t hurt a hair on your pretty little head.”
“…D-do you think they’re watching r-right now?” Fluttershy’s voice was barely more than a whisper, but Adrian knew he had to keep his ears open when Fluttershy was around, or else he’d miss hearing her beautiful voice.
“Maybe.” Adrian shrugged, then waved in a random direction, “Hi everyone! Wish you were me right now?”
“Now don’t gloat Adrian.” Fluttershy scolded, but with a smile. “A-adrian?”
“Yes?”
“You s-said that you Bronies do some weird things. J-just what do you do?” Fluttershy had wanted to ask more about Bronies on the way back from Canterlot, but Pinkie had been too busy talking about the party, and Rarity had been taking measurements.
“Well,” Adrian thought what he could tell the shy pony without creeping her out, “we make really cool art about the show, we take all those songs you guys sing and add our own special touch, and we write fan fictions.” Fluttershy became confused at Adrian’s last word.
“Fan fictions?” Fluttershy asked.
“They’re stories about things we want to happen in Equestria.”
“Like what?” Fluttershy found herself oddly excited to know these Bronies made so much about them.
“A little bit of everything, really. Funny stories, sad stories, horror,” Adrian shuddered at this, recalling a certain story. He still couldn’t eat cupcakes without wanting to puke, much to Pinkie’s dismay, “crossover, shipping-“Adrian went wide eyed and slapped his hands over his mouth: He hadn’t meant to list that last type of story. But Fluttershy’s curiosity was peaked.
“Well…”Adrian shook himself: why was he so reluctant to tell Fluttershy about…that? She was an adult (or close to one. Adrian hadn’t really thought to ask). So why was he so…embarrassed?
Fluttershy saw Adrian blushing. “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it.”
“No, no i-it’s fine.” Adrian braced for whatever reaction Fluttershy was about to have. “Sometimes we write stories where we put two ponies in a relationship we want them to have. Shipping is short f-for relationshipping.”
Fluttershy blushed, unprepared for the suddenly risqué topic. She had her curiosity slated, but Fluttershy heard herself saying, “Who do you…pair up?”
Adrian was just as shocked as Fluttershy that she had continued the line of questions, so he felt he was unprepared to answer. “Well…we put Rarity and Spike together a lot, why ignore what the show gives us?”
Fluttershy nodded, and looked ahead to stop herself from talking any more. But no matter how shy she was, how introverted, Fluttershy could not help but ask one more question. After a few minutes of silence, the pegasus suddenly blurted, “Who do you ship with me?”
Adrian was so shocked at the question he jerked to a stop, his momentum almost causing him to further soil his ruined clothing by face planting onto the gravel path. “W-what?” Adrian needed to make sure he had heard that right: FLUTTERSHY, of all ponies, wanted to know who a group of alien creatures thought she would be interested in?
“Wh-o d-do…me… eep.” Again, the shy pegasus found temporary solitude behind her flowing mane. Adrian stopped, and lowered himself so that he was eye to eye with Fluttershy.
“It’s…not important.” Adrian didn’t know what to say next, so he let his heart speak for him, “ Just know that we love every one of you guys, and we do what we do because we want to see you guys happy as much as possible, even if we know we can’t actually make it real.” Fluttershy looked up, her mane being moved by a shaking finger, letting her see the smiling face of Adrian. Touched by his sentiment, Fluttershy leaned into Adrian. The human embraced the pony.
After several minutes of two minds telling their respective bodies to make a move (and neither body giving into the temptation), Adrian broke the hug, and stretched back to his full height. It suddenly dawned on him what he had just done, and Adrian looked everywhere but at the pegasus standing right in front of him. A sudden loud owl hoot reminded Adrian of what he had been doing.
“So…we should…head home…”
“Okay.” Fluttershy fell into step with Adrian, making their slow way home.
* * *
“Ah say we’re lost.” Said Applejack.
“And I say I know exactly where we are!” Twilight huffed. They had had this same argument not twenty minutes ago, and it had not improved the overall mood of the trio. “This pass will take us to Mount Eversteed, which is where the map is showing Discord. So, I repeat, WE ARE NOT LOST!”
The unicorns outburst startled some crows, which attempted to fly away, but found their efforts for not, what with their wings turned to playing cards. Several other signs had alerted the group of Discords presence: A disappearing cat, Screwball, a family of boulders having a tea party, and the familiar cotton candy clouds.
“UH! Will you two just shut it?” Rainbow Dash pleaded. Not only did the pegasus have to deal with sleep deprivation, but now her friends were stepping on her last nerve.
The pegasus’s glare shut her two friends up fast enough. Twilight occupied herself by going over her map for perhaps the thousandth time that day, and Applejack busied herself by checking on the groups food supplies. Despite the fact that they had only left Canterlot two days ago, the trios food supplies were running low. Rainbow Dash blamed Discord for the disappearing food, but her friends knew how much she loved midnight snacking.
After a few silent moments, Twilights head jerked up from her beloved map.
“Aha! Here it is!” Twilight exclaimed. The scholarly unicorn trotted ahead, stopping at a worn down wooden sign.
“Ok…what is it?” Rainbow Dash asked, landing with a soft thud.
“It’s the trail that leads to the top of Mount Eversteed! It won’t be long before we catch our old ‘pal’ Discord.” At the unicorns mocking use of the word pal, Applejack scowled like she had just seen an army of humans. Twilight was too preoccupied scanning her map to notice, but the expression did not fly past Rainbow Dash. The pegasus trotted up to her orange friend.
“None o’ yur beeswax.” Applejack trotted away, but her pegasus companion wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to tease her best friend.
“C’mon AJ, you know you can trust me.” Rainbow Dash put on her most sincere face, but Applejack kept her focus ahead, not taking the bait.
“Ah’m not talkin’, no way no how.”
“Hey, I thought friends didn’t keep secrets from each other.” A wild idea popped into Rainbow Dashes head. “and keeping secrets is the fastest way to lose a friends trust. And we all know that losing a friends trust is the fastest way to lose a friend-“
“FOREVER!” Boomed a very loud, very familiar voice.
The trio looked around in panic, sure that Discord was upon them, but it seemed the dragonequus was nowhere to be seen. Twilight looked back at her friends.
“Come on girls, we have some chaos to stop.”