Close Encounters of Pony Kind

It was difficult trekking through the forest.  I received cuts and scratches from brambles and bushes, but I pressed onwards, a million thoughts going on in my head.

  After ten-fifteen minutes have passed, I reached the crash site.  The area looked like a large clearing, but what really caught my attention is a huge crater a few yards north from where I stood.

Holy crap!  It must be a really huge comet to cause a crater this big!

  Then, there was a faint glow coming from inside. Taking caution, I slowly approached the crater, tension causing my heart to race.  The glow became brighter as I inched closer.  I finally reached the edge, and I peeked inside.  I was awestruck when what I see is not a meteorite, but a giant, glowing orb.

  When the glow completely faded, my jaw dropped.  The orb now looks like some sort of escape pod that I saw in Star Wars: A New Hope, but the top half is made of glass.

I hope the pilot is alright.  I need to get closer.

  Though I do not know what awaits inside, and it could be a trap made by aliens so it can do some experiments like I've seen in movies.  I dismissed the thought instantly, believing it's my imagination overreacting.

If that was the case, then they wouldn't kill one of their own just to do so.  Besides, that was a really really hard crash, hence the size of this crater.

  Careful not to slip, I slowly descended towards the pod-like craft.  I finally hit flat ground, with the pod within arm's reach.  I peered inside, hoping to see the pilot, but the glass is like a mirror, so you can only see out, not in.  I searched around the solid bottom half, looking for an emergency open switch, only to find none.  Frustrated, I placed my hands on the glass helplessly, only to yelp and jump back with surprise when the glass glowed from the touch before it vanished, leaving only the bottom half.  Slowly, I approached it and peered inside, only to gasp with shock.

  Instead of seeing little green men or robots, I only saw seven beings, all lying on their sides, probably knocked cold from the crash.  But when I looked closer, they almost looked like...

Ponies?!

  But they weren't just ponies.  Their coats, mane, and tails were of many different colors.  The mane and tail looked almost human.  There were also strange-looking tattoos on their flanks.  They looked so surreal.  Soon, something else grabbed my attention when I looked at the purple pony.  There was something sticking out through its dark violet mane.  Upon closer inspection, I immediately did a double-take: the appendage looked like a horn.

A unicorn?  Okay, now I'm seeing things.

  It got more weirder when I noticed another set of appendages on its back.

A winged-unicorn.  Now I'm going crazy.

  When I looked at the other five, I saw that one of them is a unicorn and two are pegasi, but the rest doesn't have wings or horns.  When I looked at the seventh being, I noticed it was not a pony.  Instead of fur, it had a scale-like body with claws and a pointed tail.  Its head resembled that of an alligator.  I stepped back a little now, utterly speechless.

Unicorns, pegasi, and a dragon?!  I think I worked too hard today.  I sighed and rubbed my hurting head as I tried to process this sudden discovery.

  Normally I wouldn't do this, but something tells me to check to see if they're all right.  Hesitating a little, I leaned in and slowly reached out with one hand, placing two fingers on the purple unicorn/pegasus's neck.  I let out a relieving sigh when I felt a pulse.  I did the same on the rest, albeit was difficult to find one on the little dragon because of its scaly body.  They are still alive.  There were no cuts or bruises on their bodies, so I assumed they were in stasis on the way here.  Standing straight once more, I scratched my head as I looked at the passengers.

Unicorns, pegasi, and dragons are only creatures of myths and legends, yet I'm seeing them right before my eyes.

  Continuing my examinations, I noticed all but the dragon were wearing accessories.  While five wore necklaces, the lavender pony wore a tiara.  Each were adorned with a gem that matched the color and shape of each pony's tattoo.  They glittered softly from the starlight above.

  Suddenly, the dragon shifted in its sleep, and I noticed what looks like a scroll gripped in one of its claws.

It must be some sort of message.

  Though I did not wish to do anything to stir the passengers, the scroll seemed important, hence the way it was gripped tightly.  Again, curiosity got the better of me.  Slowly, I reached for it and carefully unfolded it's claw-like fingers.

  It shifted again again, and I froze with fear.  After a second, it stopped moving as a mumble left its muzzle, and I continued until I successfully held the scroll without waking it up.  Further inspections as I held it up shows it gave the impression that the scroll came from the Middle Ages, hence the way it was rolled with a red ribbon and gold medal with a C insignia wrapped around it.  Undoing the ribbon and let it fall to the ground, I unrolled it and, sure enough it was a letter, began to read silently:

If you are reading this letter, then I am relieved to know that my little ponies have reached Earth safely.

  Our planet, Equis, is now in danger, and our nation, Equestria, is under attack.  We are currently in a life-and-death struggle as we fight off our enemies, though I pray the latter will not come to pass.

  I sent these six ponies, and dragon, here because the enemy wishes to use their powers to overthrow us and take over Equestria.  I could not allow it.  They are very dear to me, more important than the rest of my subjects.

  They will explain more to why they are here when they wake.  Treat them kindly, and they will treat you in return.

  Please, keep them safe... until the time comes when they can return home once more.

  Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

  P.S. Tell them not to worry for us.

  The letter ends there, but I remained glued to it.  Normally, I would think this is some sort of prank set up by my colleagues to get a rise out of me, but I waved that thought away because they wouldn't do something like this, let alone send a pod filled with mythical creatures and cause a crater this big.

Come to think of it, we don't have any kind of technology such as 'creating living, mythical creatures'.

  As I reread the letter multiple times, I then looked at the sleeping passengers.

And no-one else has ever heard of a planet called "Equis", or a nation called "Equestria".  If anything, these beings might've come from--  My thought trailed off, and I facepalmed.

  Although I'm somewhat skeptical, the answer is right before me: they came from another universe.  That unnerved me.

  I moved my hand from my face through my hair, unsure what to believe now.

What should I do now?

  I was snapped out of my stupor when I heard sirens in the distance, which seems to pick up.  I started to panic as a million thoughts raced through my mind.

  I've seen many movies where humans begun experiments on extraterrestrials, and it wasn't pretty.  Although they weren't real, it's the thought of it happening that plagues my mind like a disease, and imagining these creatures getting dissected filled me with dread.

They are not out of danger!  If this "Celestia" character wants them safe, then I must get them out of here!

  Determined, I tried to grab the pod by the sides and lift, but the added weight from the passengers made that highly impossible.  I tried to shake them awake, but they only mumbled wordlessly in their asleep.  No success.

  My heart raced with fear.  My house is five miles away, and the sirens were getting louder and closer.  If I tried to carry one of them, it would be too late for me to save the rest, and the government will have a field day.

  "DAMN IT!!!" I swore out loud, helpless once again.

  Suddenly, the gem on the winged-unicorn's tiara started to glow softly, and I watched with wide eyes and curiosity.  Then, it suddenly brighten, causing me to cover my eyes.  I yelled out in surprise as I felt the light engulf me, the pod, and the creatures.

  Silence filled the air as the crater is now empty.

After the sudden light show, I felt like I was floating in space.  I tried to see, but the light blinded me, and I shut them.  It wasn't long before the sensation left, and I hit solid ground hard on my back, prompting a pained grunt from my lips.  I was seeing spots and my ears were ringing from the sudden change of weightlessness.  I sat up, rubbing my eyes and eyes to clear them.  When they did, I looked around, and noticed the familiar room.

I'm back inside my house, inside the main hall. I thought with shock.

  When I looked straight, I noticed I was not alone.  The pod with its passengers was only a few inches from me.

  I got up, albeit getting dizzy in the process, and walked to check on them.  The gem on the tiara glowed faintly before completely fading away, leaving me stunned.

Magic.  Though it's hard to believe, it's the only explanation to how we got here.

  I realized I was still holding the scroll during the teleportation, and I put two and two together.

Is this the reason why Celestia sent them here, to keep their enemies from using this incredible power?

  The thought crossed my mind, more pressing than the millions of questions going on inside.  I was snapped from my thoughts when I noticed movement from the lavender pony.

  I remained paralyzed as it slowly raised its head, its eyes half-closed and glazed.  After looking from the right, it saw me when it looked left.  Its body was positioned towards the front door to my left.  I remained still as I stared back, but realized it couldn't clearly see me, hence its brows furrowed and the constant blinking.

It must be still under the effects of stasis.

  Working up the courage, I slowly walked up to it and inhaled.

  "Do not worry." I cooed softly, "You are safe here.  Just rest.  I will watch over you."

  As if understanding, its face relaxed and a wide and quiet yawn escaped its muzzle, before resting its head once again and back in sleep's embrace.  I couldn't help but chuckle at the cuteness coming from the sleeping ponies and dragon.  But it was short-lived, and my expression turned somber again.

  Placing the scroll on the desk and sat in a nearby chair, I sighed heavily as I eyed them, thinking about the huge responsibilities that awaits, as well as keeping their presence from going public.  I leaned back and looked up towards the ceiling, staring at nothing in particular.

I may have to stay here this coming week if I have to.  I can't leave them alone until I know I can trust them.  They may seem like sentient beings, but still...  I paused.  I wonder how I am going to explain to my friends at HCC why I can't go?.

  I averted my gaze to a clock on the wall above the front door as I checked the time.  It was three in the morning, and I sighed again.

I guess I won't know right now.  I'm glad this happened on the weekend, so I have plenty of time to get some answers...

  My thought trailed off as I felt sleep take over.  My eyelids fluttered before closing, and I was soon off into the world of dreams.