Gate of Friendship

I was walking up the driveway to my home in the afternoon of a hot Summer's day. I had just finished detassling for the last time that year and had planned to spend the rest of weekend relaxing. When I walked into my house a blast of AC came bursting out towards me. It felt like a breath from Heaven itself. I went into the bathroom and took a hot shower. Even though I was sweating from head-to-toe, the hot water felt good on my skin. When I was done I changed into my Halo 3
pajamas, went over to the couch in my little video gaming room, and collapsed on the the couch.

Time to get some well deserved rest.

I closed my eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep. A few minutes had passed I felt my body on something else. I opened my eyes and saw a dark sky with stars shining brightly. I got up and found myself on the shore of a beautiful island. It was full of trees that had fruit on it and flowers that had recently blossomed. I could see five figures standing nearby me, four of them covered in shadows while the the in front of them wasn't. The first one was a skinny young man wearing a sailor's cap. The second figure was a little small unicorn. The third one was another me. The only noticeable likeness I saw in us is that we were both 6'1 tall and skinny. Unlike the others, his eyes were white as snow. Another figure was a teenager of about 13 years. He had long spiky hair, came up to about my chin in height. The final figure was a man who had a black jacket and
dark blue jeans on. He had green eyes, short brown hair, and a goatee.

Who... who are these people?

“Now that everyone is here, will you join me?”

The young man jumped up and down, as if cheering. Both the unicorn and the spiky hair kid didn't move at all. I looked over to my other and saw he was looking back at me. I quickly looked away from him, looked back to the man who wasn't covered in shadows, and nodded.

“Follow me to the core of the fountain of light.”

He walked away into the forest of the island and we followed him. I looked over to the sailor and saw that we was moving all over the place, not being able to stand still for a single second.

Such energy.

“You'll see soon enough, young adventurer.”

Is he talking to me or one of the others?

He looked over his right shoulder and towards me.

“You've been quiet. Is something wrong?”

“It's nothing. Just that, this island seems so..,” I said, trying to find the word that best described the island.

“Perfect? Peaceful?”

“Exactly. It's almost too good to be true.”

“Nothing is too good to be true. You just need to find it in the right area.”

He looked back down the path. I could see the fountain up ahead. It's design was simple, but it still looked amazing. The fountain itself was made of shining pearls and the small platform holding it off the ground was made of stainless marble. The man went behind the fountain while the four of stayed in front of it. I looked into the fountain and saw that I still had my brown hair, blue eyes, glasses, and unkempt beard in the crystal clear water.

“Try to imagine of a ship that holds hope for the soul.”

Little stars came down from the sky and formed a small pirate ship in the middle of the fountain. Like a sailboat in the middle of an ocean

What is this place?

“This is where the quest of your life begins. Just follow the brightest star within your nebulous mind.”

The entire ground dematerialized into small shards and floated up into the air. I looked down and saw I was standing on a full-scale version of the star boat. The other four figures were gone, but the mysterious man was at the front of the ship, looking out into the empty, crystal clear ocean. I joined the man near the front of the boat.

“Where are the others?” I asked.

“Don't worry, you'll see them again,” he answered.

“Why am I here?”

“Because. You have been chosen.”

“By who?”

“The Creator. I forget, do they talk of The Creator where you're from?”

“We do have a creator. But not many people know of Him.”

The man sighed regretfully.

“It's a shame. But people believe what they want to, I suppose.”

“So, who are you?”

He chuckled to himself.

“All in good time, sir. All in good time.”

“So what happens next?”

“The four legendary words, forming an amazing question. Close your eyes. You'll start your journey.”

I did as he said. My body soon felt completely weightless. I felt completely at peace. A soft and caring female voice whispered to me.

"Time to wake up, Trevor."

I felt a huge force of wind hitting my face. I opened my eyes and saw a very small city below me. This reminded me of falling dreams I had. But usually I wouldn't be able to hear anything, but the roar of the wind was so loud that I knew it couldn't have been one. A small rainbow passed by, right in front of my path. I ran straight into it, destroying a piece of it, causing the rest to destroy itself. As time went on I was going faster and faster towards the small town.

"Use your wings."

Use my... wings?

I felt something on my back that wasn't there before. I looked and saw two angelic wings on my back. I also looked at my
feet and saw that there was a trail of fire coming off of it. At first I started to panic but I felt no heat coming off of it, and my feet weren't burning.

Alright, let's do this. Let's hope this works!

I pulled my wings back and fell faster than ever. My vision was gone within seconds. I closed my eyes to keep the wind from blowing on them.

"Glide now," the voice said.

I stretched my wings and started to glide. I was still going too fast to see anything if I had opened my eyes. I hoped for the best. I hit the ground head first 4 seconds later, knocking me out on first contact. When I started to regain conciseness I could hear two voices.

"What do you think it is?" Asked the first voice.

The first voice was female, upbeat, and cheerful.

"Whatever it is, it made a terribad landing," the second voice said.

This one was also female, but a bit arrogant and confident.

Terribad..? Oh dear Gorlog. Please let me be wrong.

"Do you think it's okay?”

Now I know why people don't say "bless you" when I sneeze, 'cause they want things like this to happen to me.

I let out a barely audible groan.

"Hmm?"

I moved my fingers, arms, legs, and toes to see if anything was broken. Thankfully, they all seemed to be fine.

"Oh! Oh! I think it's trying to talk to us,"

If I'm right, than this can only end in tragedy.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw a pink, obviously happy face. It was none other than Pinkie Pie.

"Dear Gorlog in Heaven!" I shouted.

I scooted back a few inches and stared at the pink pony, trying to take make some sort of sense of this situation. I saw a flash of blue out of the corner of my eye. I looked towards the source of the blue flash and saw that it was Rainbow Dash,
hovering over the ground, looking disinterested and bored.

"You know you have legs for a reason right?" I asked.

Wait...

"You mean hooves?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Whatever."

She gave me a small scowl.

Why are you... wait.

"You were flying around earlier, weren't you?" I asked.

"Yeah, I was trying out a new move. Then you broke my rainbow and ruined it,” Rainbow Dash complained.

"I was falling out of the sky, what else was I supposed to do?"

"Use your wings, that's what else."

"What? I - Never mind. Where am I?"

"You're in Ponyvile, one of the best towns in Equestria!" Pinkie Pie said.

Kinda obvious I was in Ponyvile. But than that means.

I looked behind me and saw the royal city of Canterlot over a few houses and behind a forest. If anybody had the power to
summoned me, it would have been Celestia.

"That jester!"

I turned around, got up, sprinted towards Canterlot, and went past anything that got in my way.

“Hey where are you going? I haven't thrown you a party yet!” Pinkie Pie called out.

Perhaps another time, Pinkie.

I managed to make it to Twilight's house without being seen by sticking to the shadows. I laid on the left side of Twilight's house and started to clear my head. I contemplated on how I would get to Canterlot.

I could just walk there. But, that may take a day or 2 if it's as far as I think it is. I don't want a guide, and I can't use our
wings. Curse it. You know what, it's worth the walk. I'll just give Celestia an extra dose of my anger.

"Who are you?" A voice to my left asked.

I turned to the voice and saw it was Twilight Sparkle with Spike right next to her.

"No time to chat now, very important business to attend to." I quickly said.

I jumped up and started running towards Canterlot. I heard an extra set of footsteps behind me. I looked back and saw Twilight running after me with Spike riding on top of her.

"What part of 'important business' did you not understand!?" I asked.

"I'm not leaving until you tell me and who you are and what you are” Twilight said in determination.

"I'll tell you when I come back.”

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart.”

She slowed down, stopped, and watched me run towards Canterlot. Surprisingly, there was a pathway to get there. It wasn't exactly clear, but a path nonetheless. The path was a wide area in the middle of a forest, despite the Autumn leaves on the ground. As the day slowly went on I felt someone watching me. I stopped and looked behind me. I scanned the road and bushes but found no one.

Who in Gorlog's name is following me?

I heard some rustling in the bushes to my left. My head immediately turned to it.

"Gotcha," I whispered.

Pinkie Pie popped out from the bushes.

"Ahhh, I thought I was doing good too," Pinkie Pie said disappointingly, yet still cheery.

"Why are you following me? Twilight sent you after me, didn't she?"

"Yep. Twilight said I should follow you to where ever you were going, and make sure you would come back."

If Celestia finds out I'm coming for her, all my plans will be ruined.

"Go home. Right now," I said sternly.

"But what will I tell Twilight?"

"Tell her I said, 'my promise still stands.'”

"Okie dokie lokie."

She jumped out of the bushes and hopped towards Ponyville.

Loki, the Norse god of mischief. Always makes me worry a little.

I discarded the thought and continued onwards. I was soon able to see the gates to Canterlot. Two royal guards were standing at their posts, looking a bit bored and nonthreatening. I couldn't help but smile at the situation before me.

Never expected anything like this to happen. I wonder what I did to get me here?

As I got closer the guards started to eye me suspiciously. When I was between them I could feel their tense vibe. Thankfully they never stopped me or asked anything. While I was passing through the near-dark city, ponies kept looking at me and whispering stuff to the pony next to them or hiding inside the nearest building.

Oh come now, I'm not the Devil himself or anything.

I easily navigated my way to the castle and saw two more guards at their post by the door. When I tried to walk in they blocked the way with their wings.

"What business do you have here?" The guard on the left asked.

"I'm here to see the Princess," I said.

"No one sees the Princess at this time."

"Is that a fact?" I asked menacingly.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"I'm afraid that's out of the question."

Time to go loud.

I hit them both across their cheeks with the back of my fists, getting them away from the door. I forced the door open by slamming into it and ran as fast as I could to get away from the guards.

"Hey!"

I ran through the halls in hope to find a clue of where the Princess might be at. I could hear a multitude of hooves running down the halls, shouting orders on trying to find and capture me.

Not good.

I turned the nearest left corner and saw a door with the sun emblem above it.

Jackpot.

When I tried to open the door it wouldn't budge. I gave it a small kick and it budged half an inch. I kicked it three more times, using more power in them, and the door started to crack. I took about 10 steps back and ran towards the door at full speed. When I got close I punched the door with both my fists, destroying the door. The room was perfectly lit with the colors of the prophecy glasses shined on the floor. I looked to the throne and saw Princess Celestia sitting on it, doing absolutely nothing.

"You! You did this to me!" I accused.

"Who are you? And what did I do to you?" She asked.

"Don't act foolish! I know this was all your doing! I don't exactly appreciate being ripped from my own reality!”

"Over here!” One of the guards announced.

"Now, you are gonna tell me why you did this to me, and you will put me back where I belong!" I demanded.

"I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about, or even who you are.” Celestia said.

For a quarter of a second I saw a little smile in the corners of her mouth. I ran towards her as I felt the blood in my veins heat up. I stopped when we were almost face-to-face.

"Now listen you spoiled wretch! I know the power you hold, the tricks you've played not only on your student, but her friends as well. This time, you're dealing with different worlds-- No! Different realities. You can't just bring people to a new realm for your own amusement without consequence. Now take me back to my own dimension or I'll--”

I was interrupted by the sudden force of four guards tackling me to the ground. They started to drag me away from the princess.

"Sorry Princess, we underestimated this creature," one of the guards reported.

"No worries. Take him to the dungeon. I'll deal with him later," Celestia said.

Over my dead body.

I put all my force into getting up. I screamed, tossed the guards off me, and threw the rest of the guards that were in reach across the room. I surprised even myself with that burst of power.

"You're gonna have to do a lot better than that,” I challenged.

That challenge was accepted with more guards pinning me to the ground from behind. When I tried to overpower them again more guards joined in and completely pinned me down. One of the guards even had the smart idea of knocking me out. I slowly woke up with a headache in the back of my head, where the guard had hit me. When I opened my eyes I saw I was in a prison cell with a small bared-off window above me. There was an empty one on my left and a guard in the one to my right. There was a similar looking guard at the entrance, next to a hook that held the keys to the cells. Behind him was staircase leading upwards with a torch lighting it up. I looked outside and saw it was completely dark out.

Least I wasn't out for long.

I sighed and turned to the guard in the cell.

"So, what are you in for?" I asked.

The guard at the entrance laughed.

"And what's so funny?” I spitefully asked.

"Last I checked, Changelings don't talk,” he said.

Changeling?

The guard in the cell was engulfed by a green fire. When the fire died down the guard was now a changeling minion.

"Dear Mercer!"

The guard at the entrance laughed even harder than last time.

You'll be the first one I deal with once I get out of this cell

The changeling looked at me and the green flame engulfed it again. When they died down this time it turned into a white
pegasus with red hair and a skull and crossbones for a cutie mark. I snickered in a low tone.

“I'm not a pony, fledgeling,” I mocked.

The changeling looked at me, than itself. It growled at me in anger for it's failure and the nickname I gave it. I kicked his cage as a response to that.

"Silence."

"Knock it off, both of you!” The guard demanded.

If I'm going to be executed, please let it be soon.

I felt the solid stone floor. It was a bit warm, almost comfortable.

Well, I might as well get some sleep. Can't be tired for my final moments.

I laid on my back and closed my eyes. The light from the window shined on my eyes, signaling a new day. I opened my eyes and regretted it instantly when the light burned my eyes. I closed them tightly and quietly groaned. I moved my head away from the light then opened my eyes again. My eyes thanked me for the darkness by not burning. I heard a door open and close.

"Where's the new prisoner at?" A familiar female voice asked.

"Middle cell," the guard replied.

I looked at the staircase and saw a shadow of a unicorn. I let out a sigh of relief, a bit thankful it wasn't Celestia. When the pony's shadow passed by the guard I laid down and closed my eyes again. I could hear someone walking towards my cell. They stopped in front of me and I could feel their eyes watching me.

"Excuse me," the mare said.

I slightly opened my right eye and saw it was Twilight in front of my cell.

"If you're here to tell me my sentence, skip the charges and all that," I said.

"I'm not here to do that, I'm here to get you out of here."

Both of my eyes went wide. I quickly got up, ran at the cell door, and grabbed it.

"What!?" Me and the guard asked.

"Guard, please release... it."

"Him," I corrected.

"Him."

The guard grabbed the cell ring with his teeth and unlocked the cell door. I opened the cell and stretched my back, popping a few bones. The guard didn't ask any questions about my release, but I could tell he really wanted to. Me and Twilight ascended up the staircase and headed towards the exit. On our way I saw the throne room again. The door had been replaced and there was some clamoring coming from inside the room.

Sounds like I made quite a riot.

I walked ahead of Twilight.

"Wait, hold on," she said.

Twilight picked up the pace and walked on the right side of me.

"You fall out of the sky from nowhere, run to Canterlot without talking to anypony, cause a huge mess in the castle, and get yourself thrown into a dungeon. But, now that we've met up again, who are you?”

"My name's Trevor,” I replied.

"Alright, Trevor. What exactly are you?"

Uh... I should do some research to see if this place knows about humans before I go all into me possibly being the only
human here.

"It's... complicated."

"OK..?" Twilight said, a bit confused with my answer.

"Well, where did you come from?" She asked.

"Again, complicated,” I answered.

I need to find a better answer than that, or else things could go really bad, really fast.

"Okay. Well how about I show you around Ponyville when we get back?"

"Sure. Hey, where's that baby dragon that was with you?"

"Oh, you mean Spike? He's my assistant. I raised him when he was just an egg."

"Interesting."

The walk back was uneventful and quiet. When we got back to Ponyville we were immediately greeted by Pinkie Pie.

"Hey! You're just in time for the party! Follow me!" Pinkie Pie instructed.

She took off a moment later. Twilight quickly ran after her.

"Pinkie Pie, wait!" Twilight yelled.

This should be good.

I followed behind Twilight and Pinkie Pie towards Sweet Apple Acres and into the barn. When Pinkie Pie and Twilight went in,
the door closed behind them. I sighed and knocked on the door three times. I could hear whispering within the barn.

"Come in!" Pinkie Pie cheered.

I opened the door and went inside. It was too dark for me to identify anything inside. Lights suddenly came in through the windows, confetti poppers went off, and the mane 6 cheered. There was a sign above them that said “Welcome to Ponyville!” Everyone except Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash looked at me in amazement, though Fluttershy was hiding behind a barrel.

"Golly Pinkie. Ya sure weren’t fibbin' when ya said it was a big un'," Applejack said.

"He," Me and Twilight corrected.

"I must say, he certainly is a... fascinating creature," Rarity said.

Okay, so the chances of this place knowing about humans are very much slimming.

Fluttershy peaked out to look at me but hid again once she did. Silence filled the room.

Well great. I basically just killed the party twice over. I can't get to Celestia without Twilight chasing me or getting pinned by guards. Even if I did get to her, I doubt she'd help me out. So, I'm stuck 'til I die.

I poorly whistled two notes and headed towards the door.

"Wait," Twilight said.

"Yes?" I stopped and asked.

"Why don't you..."

She looked around nervously, trying to think of something to do.

"Tell us about yourself."

"There isn't anything of interest."

I reached for the door handle.

"Um... excuse me," A soft voice said.

I stopped myself again and turned around. Fluttershy poked her head out from her hiding spot and looked at me.

"I would actually want to know more about you, if you don't mind of course. If you don't want to, I understand,” Fluttershy
said.

I mentally sighed.

Might as well.

I sat down on the ground.

"So, what do you want to know?” I asked.