Soft Hearts and Hard Cider

by Daemon Lord

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Princess Celestia, Human, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Other, Romance, Princess Luna, Comedy
Length: 3998

A adventurous tale of new friends, and maybe some new love too

All is well and good in Ponyville as everyone goes about their daily business as usual. Nothing special, just an otherwise ordinary day. But, to everyone's surprise, they will soon realize that this won't be an ordinary day as a quake beneath their feet shakes things up and something new appears above their heads. Will it be friendly? Will it be hostile? Will it even be something alive? Whatever the case, the mane 6 have to figure out what's going on and how to get things back to normal

Published 2012-04-20 22:34:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-05-20 05:19:13 UTC

New Friends

Chapter 1: New Friends

Sounds of grumbles and moans could be heard echoing from wall to wall, shattering the once silent home and workplace of well-known unicorn, Twilight Sparkle.

“Spiiiiiiiike! Is breakfast ready yet?” groaned the lavender unicorn.

“It’s almost finished Twilight. Just give a few more seconds to make sure it’s good,” called her assistant. Spike was Twilight’s life-long friend and assistant around the library. She had used her magic to hatch him from his egg when she was only a filly, and ever since, the two had ties that bound them as close as family. Even though he was only a baby dragon in age, his sense of responsibility, voice of reason, and realistic attitude had more than earned the respect of his unicorn friend.

“Aaaaaand, voila! Daisy pancakes à la Spike. Enjoy Twilight,” said the small purple dragon.

“Thanks Spike, but what makes it ‘à la Spike’?” questioned Twilight with a raised brow.

“That my dear friend is a surprise.”

“Well, in any rate, I really appreciate the breakfast. You should have some too.”

“Nah, I’ll pass, I need to get some other stuff done around the library, then I’m probably gonna see if Rarity needs help around the boutique,” replied Spike, voice fluttering that the mere mention of the mare of his dreams.

“Well, if you say so. Thanks again for the pancakes, they smell deli-”

Suddenly, a thundering rumble is heard coming from a distance. The lavender pony looks towards her assistant with a bewildered face as both raise a brow at the sudden anomaly. Then, another rumble is heard, louder and more deafening then the last.

“Do ya think it might be thunder from the weather ponies rolling in?” questioned Spike.

“I wouldn’t expect it to be since clear skies were called for all this week and the next.”

“What do you mean? It has to be something. Rumbles like that just don’t happen out of no where except for the center of Everfree, and I doubt Ponyville is in Everfree Forest right now.”

“Whatever the case, this is not the work of pegasi, it’s simply too loud to be thunder anyway.”
After a few minutes of consideration and thought, a boom could be heard, as though it was right above their tree home. Accompanied it was a quaking of the equestrian soil that lay beneath the tree home. Small crack and creaks could be heard as several branches broke and bended in irregular fashions; simple objects succumbing to the shaking, falling off from ledges and tables, and allowing gravity to dictate their fate, crashing them to the floor.

“Let’s get out of here before we’re toast!” Spike Panicked

“I’m right behind you.”

Outside, they see several ponies they know hanging about the market square, wondering just what in the world is going on. From Bon-Bon clutching for dear life onto Lyra, to a rather confused looking mail mare, no one seemed to understand what was happening. It only took a few seconds for Twilight to notice all of her friends barreling towards her with looks of panic in their eye. As she waited for them to come near, her own eyes appeared to be fixated on one mare in particular.

“Hey Twilight, you okay sugarcube? You’re zonin’ out a bit there,” said Applejack.

“Oh… what? Yes, I’m okay, just a little startled I guess, but okay.”

“Well that’s a relief, heaven forbid if anything happened to you Twilight,” Interjected the snow-white fashion designer.

“Thanks for the concern ever pony. Are all of you okay too?”

“Aside from Fluttershy being scared out of her mind, we’re all good,” Rainbow Dash stated, “Then again, she’s always scared out of her mind.”

The rest of the mares just gave her a quick glare and returned to the problem at hand.

“Twilight, do ya reckon ya got any idea onto what’s goin on around here?” asked the apple farmer.

“Unfortunately, I don’t. I was hoping one of you might have some idea as to what’s happening.”

“Maybe, another dragon is sleeping nearby on a mountain?”

“No, last time there was a large cloud a smoke hanging around Ponyville, we’d notice if it was another dragon.”
While everyone was debating on what was causing this phenomena, their thoughts were pierced by the shriek of a shy and yellow coated Pegasus. The rest of the mane 6 turned their heads to their trembling winged friend as she cowers behind her own hooves, trying to cover herself from whatever that had spooked her. With pleading eyes, the five of them exchanged a worried look at each other, and back down to Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy, what’s the matter? What scared you?” questioned a concerned Rarity

The only motion the whimpering Pegasus could manage to do was hesitantly point towards a slowly darkening sky, as a ghostly orb shifts slightly into view, fading in and out of sight. Like a specter, it can be seen, but it can also be completely seen through, as though it is not there; as if, it was a hologram. As moments pass, the intervals of fading begin to slow, growing farther and farther apart as the image of the new satellite solidifies and gaining its original colors once again. At first, only a deep blue could be made out, covering much of the orb in the sky, but it only took seconds to get a new color to shine. At first, it was bland and bleak, but as the orb became solid, so did the new color. The new color was a green, as bright and vibrant as their foliage in Equestria.

As the six ponies stare, mouths agape from awe and curiosity, it could be seen that everyone else in Ponyville just sat and watch the image play into view. Soon after the colors returned, the fading had stopped all together, revealing the satellite hanging in their sky, casting a dark shadow across the entire town, and much more of Equestria. From Phillydelphia to Canterlot, the new orb could be seen in the sky, much to the confusion of every pony in each city and town, even to the confusion of the royal alicorn sisters. As their thoughts begin to realign after taking in such an awe-inspiring event, only one think came to the mind of Celestia’s star pupil. It must be a completely new world.

First Greetings

Chapter 2: First Greetings

“What in tarnation is THAT?!” questioned the resident apple farmer, “Why, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say it’s a whole other world up there, hangin’ around in the sky”

“Don’t be so quick to doubt yourself Applejack. I think you might be right, that it is another planet,” quickly replied Twilight Sparkle.

“Well if it is another world up there, would you happen to know what said planet is Twilight?” asked a quizzical Rarity.

“Unfortunately I don’t. My books have mentioned the possibility of other planets being out somewhere in other solar systems and galaxies, but they are all described as the same: A terrestrial planet capable of supporting life must have an atmosphere, gravity, and most importantly, water. The one before us seems to have water if that‘s what the blue stuff covering it is, which would then cause safe assumption for an atmosphere and gravity. However, this is just too general, and the book never mentioned any specific qualities to any known planet we’ve seen to distinguish it.”

“Do ya think that there are any living things on there Twi?” Rainbow Dash asked nonchalantly.

“From what the planet looks like, it may be, but I can’t be absolutely sure. Maybe Princess Celestia will have a better ide-”

Before Twilight could even finish her sentence, a minute vibration could be felt around them in the air. As they both stand around looking at each other, confused and worried, several fading and shimmering figures can be seen appearing all across Ponyville! Their figures are ones no one has ever seen before. As they fade into their reality, it becomes ever more apparent that these “creatures” stand on only their hind legs, making them appear much taller than a regular pony, taller by about 2 feet in height. Each one slowly begins to solidify, their features becoming more prevalent and distinguishable from the other beings appearing around the town.

“What, in the hay, is going on around here?” asked an even more confused Rainbow Dash.

“Ooh, ooh, they must be new ponies here to visit Ponyville! I’ve never seen em before, so this calls for a party! But, there are so many, how can I possibly have enough parties for all of them? OH, I KNOW! I’ll throw one huge, super-fantastic-welcome-to-Ponyville-super-welcoming-party!” Shouted the over exuberant pink party pony.

“Uh, Pinkie Pie. I don’t think those are ponies, much less visiting. If you play close enough attention, they seem just as confused as we are,” rebutted Twilight

“But if they’re not here for a super-fantastic-welcome-to-Ponyville-super-welcoming-party, why are they here Twilight?”

“I don’t really know myself, but I think it’s a safe bet to say they weren’t expecting to pop up in Ponyville.”

“Well, if we don’t know, why don’t we go ask em?” proposed Pinkie Pie, plastering her trademark grin as she bounced eagerly towards one of the new beings.

“Because, we don’t know if they’re friendly or not, much less if they even speak our language sugarcube,” replied Applejack, grabbing a hold of the hyperactive pony with her lasso.

“That right Applejack, we have to be very careful. We know nothing about them, where they came from, what they are. We should go inform the Princess about this immediately,” concurred the lavender librarian.

“I agree with Pinkie though Twi, the best way we can find out is if we try talkin’ to em,” said the curious rainbow maned weather mare, “Besides, I think I can handle these things if they get a little violent.”

“Rainbow, wait,” Twilight prodded, but before she could even do anything, Rainbow Dash was already fast approaching one of the unusual beings looking around with their jaw hanging almost down to their chest with awe. The creature was absolutely stunned by what he was witnessing, almost unable to believe his own eyes. The image that splays out before him was none he was ever expecting to see, nor could he imagine. Across his vision were buildings, he knew that much, but stood by those buildings is what caught him entirely off guard. Ponies. Multi-colored, flying, horn on their head, ponies. He was seriously beginning to think he was going, quite literally, insane.

As he stared at them with his mouth agape, they returned the same expression and stare at him, some looking at some other people he noticed as he panned his vision across the mysterious, and strange town he appeared in. Slowly looking across, he saw more and more surprised, even frightened eyes meet his. Across his vision, if they were not looking at someone else, they were staring at him. As his gaze continued to stream across the stunned ponies, he was shocked to see one heading right towards him! His mouth dropped farther, almost unhinging itself when he witness a rainbow haired, bright baby blue colored pony with wings approaching him, and fast too. Just before almost being close enough to tackle him, the pony stopped sharply and gave him a look of fiery determination and questioning. It was apparent that it was not overly fond of his presence.

“Who and what are you? Do you speak our language?” questioned a fire eyed Rainbow Dash, completely disregarding Twilight’s warning.

“Wait, what?” babbled the confused being

“Well, that answers one question, but who, and what, are you?” Rainbow Dash asked, her patience starting to run thin.

“M-m-my name, my name is George… You can talk?” stammered George, absolutely taken aback at what he thought was physically impossible, a talking, pony. However, he soon realized normal possibilities have gone right out the window when he appeared in this town of ponies with horns and wings to begin with.

“I believe I’m the one askin’ the questions around here, bub.”

“I-I, I’m sorry. It’s just from where I’m from, ponies don’t talk. Or fly. Or have horns on their heads. They don’t even have an as colorful array of coats and manes either.”

“Wait, WHAT?! What do you mean they don’t talk or have wings?” Rainbow Dash choked out, utterly baffled by what just hit her ears.

“I don’t know, they just, don’t. They never have. They just never seemed to be able to, not as long as any of my people have been alive.” George quickly spat out, getting confused that he was talking to a flying pony, and explaining why the ones from his world do not have as many evolutionary traits as these versions happen to have. Rainbow Dash just hovered listlessly in the air, her mind totally shut down from what the creature before her just revealed to her. All the while, George is equally at a lost for words, his mind racing left and right, and all other directions as it still was trying to discern if what he was experiencing was real, or a dream. Off in the distance, the multi-colored maned pegasus’ friends notice their sudden standstill.

“Oh no, I think something bad just happened. Rainbow and that creature just stopped all of a sudden,” said Twilight Sparkle.

“I reckon we ought to see what just went on then,” Applejack said, tilting her head as she was getting ready to gallop at full speed towards her stunned friend. Without any more words, they gave each other a nod, and quickly set out to meet up with their friend, each one thinking of what could have possibly caused the most outspoken and brazen one of their friends to drop so silent. It was chilling to see her that way, the only one who could moderately keep up with Pinkie’s energy levels; so vibrant and athletic. Now, she looked as though every ounce of her own life forced was drained from every fiber of her being.

“Rainbow!” Applejack shouted, nearing her crestfallen friend. Her worried look quickly shifted into aggression towards the creature, now names George, “What did you do to her? Talk!”

“I-I, I didn’t DO anything, I just told her my name, and that it was amazing to see a talking pony! I told her from where I’m from, ponies don’t talk, come in wild colors or anything, then she got like this!” George sputtered from his lips.

“Why do I have a hard time believin’ that?” she replied, her brows furrowing in a look of absolute doubt.

“It’s true Applejack, what he said is true. Ponies don’t talk or do anything in his world,” muttered a hushed Sky-blue pegasus.

Taken aback from what she just heard, a mix of both shock and guilt was quickly plastered upon the apple farmer’s face. She hung her head down low in a shameful posture, unable to meet the gaze of the creature. The others soon filed in one after another, making their position next to their friends.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions quite like that,” muttered Applejack.

“It’s alright, I probably would have done the same were I in your shoes.” replied George, attempting a gesture of sympathy.

“Hi, I’m Pinkie Pie! You must be new here, because I’ve never seen you, and if I’ve never seen you, then you must be new to Ponyville, which means a Welcome-to-Ponyville-Party!” Cut in Pinkie Pie, completely un-phased by the creature in front of her that was completely alien to them both literally, and in physiology.

“Uh, hi? I’m George,” he replied, hesitant and overwhelmed.

“Don’t mind her too much, it’s just Pinkie being Pinkie, she’s always like this,” said Twilight, giving a roll of her eyes and soft smile, trying to appear as friendly as possible, “If you don’t mind me asking though, what are you?”

“Oh, right, your friend asked me that earlier, but never got the chance to say. I’m what would be called, a human.”

“I see. I have another question. How did you get here?”

“You see, I don’t know myself. One minute I’m at my home, the next, I’m shifting over into this world.”

“Huh, I see. I have more questions, but it’s best if we find somewhere to go and sit down for a bit so we can all get our heads around this.”

“My boutique is still intact from the shaking, we can go there for a spell while this fine gentleman explains as much as he can,” chimed in Rarity.

“It’s settled then, we’ll show you where it is,” Twilight added in, excited to be learning about a completely new species, and a whole world to boot!

New Light

Chapter 3: New Light

“So I see. You’re from a planet called Earth, if I got that right,” said Twilight casually, “And your species of beings are called Humans, correct?”

“Hit the nail on the head Miss Sparkle,” replied George.

“Twilight is just fine,” she returned with a smile.

When the small group had made their way to Rarity’s boutique, they exchanged small pleasantries and shared names, though from what had happened earlier that day, he already guessed the names of the few who were mentioned already or introduced themselves. Now they sit in the center of the boutique where several pillows, chairs, and a large sofa sporting a single, white coated unicorn. Over a cup of Fluttershy’s tea, and a moment to get to know each pony before him, George then gave them all a detailed description of his home world, small hometown in Southern New Jersey, and all the advances they have made in their time. While doing so, they all were able to get a good look of what he really was. He was of moderate height, much taller than any of the ponies though. His skin was a smooth peach color all around his slim and lanky body. The hair atop his head was auburn brown, and sported eyes that matched the color of chocolate. They were absolutely entranced by him, only barely to focus enough to listen to him.

“So you see I never intended to show up here, much less expect to. More or less for me, a complete accident,” George reiterated.

“What about those ponies you told me from your world, they’re still okay, right?” asked a meek Rainbow Dash, finally recomposing.

“They’re fine. They may not be able to talk and whatnot like you girls can, but they aren’t treated badly for it. They get treated with care just like any one of you would treat another creature.”

“Hey Rainbow, I can understand bein’ all worried bout them an everythin’, but you bein’ this worked up over somthin’ like that seems a little outta character,” stated Applejack, giving her flying friend a curious look.

“I know, I know. It’s just, thinkin of other ponies like that. It just kinda doesn’t sit right with me ya know? Tweaks me I guess you could say.”

“I hear ya, ain’t nothing that’s natural to us I suppose.”

“Well, uhm. At least he said they’re treated okay…” broke in Fluttershy, finally willing herself to talk.

“Darling it’s nice to finally hear from you. You haven’t said so much as a peep this whole time,” voiced Rarity with a hint of relief and amusement.

“It’s about time, really,” blurted Rainbow Dash blindly, “No offense Fluttershy.”

“None taken”

“Can we get a little bit back on topic? We need to get to Princess Celestia in Canterlot right away,” refocused Twilight.

“I agree, if anyone would have an idea on what to do, it’ll be whoever is in charge around here,” agreed George.

With a nod, a look of determination from six of them, and a meek look of anxiety from Fluttershy, they all began to set out towards Cantlerlot. They all galloped at a blazing speed, taking no notice that one of them was missing until Fluttershy, who was trailing behind, noticed it. They paused and waited for a weezing George to catch up, heaving heavily as his breath escapes him.

“This ain’t gonna work all too nice if we keep goin’ faster than this fella,” said Applejack

“You’re right. Rainbow Dash, you think you’re strong enough to carry him there?” asked Twilight

“No problem, I’m the best flyer in all of Equestria. I think I can handle a little baggage,” boasted the Rainbow maned pegasus.

Without time enough for him to blink, George was lifted clear off the ground, almost experiencing vertigo immediately afterwards.

“Whoa there, you’re a little heavier than what I normally carry, but that won’t stop me!”

“Just make sure you don’t drop me.”

After they were all set again, they took off. They made their way towards the grand city of Canterlot, only just off in the distance. It would take them much longer to get to the capitol because of their new friend, but they were determined to get there. After an hour straight of travel, the burden of Georges weight started to stack on Rainbow Dash as fatigue and sore muscles cause her to falter from her flight pattern slightly. Shortly after her first waver, her wings give out, and she crashes straight into the pathway, George falling right after her.

“Rainbow! George!” called out Twilight, her voice heavy with concern.

“I’m alright Twilight, just a bump and a bruise, nothing bad. I’m more concerned with Rainbow Dash here. I think I landed on top of her,” replied George, moving off a moaning pile of sky blue pony.

“Ugh, let’s just say I’ve had better crash landings than that,” groaned the sky blue pegasus.

“Rainbow Dash, you’re wing!” voiced Applejack.

“My what? Wait, my wing?! No no no no no no no no! Not! Again! I can’t have damaged my wing again! How am I gonna fly?! How am I supposed to get into the wonder bolts with a busted wing?!” Stammered Rainbow Dash

“Rainbow, calm down. If would actually look at your wing, you would see it’s not as bad as last time when you went to the hospital. It only looks a little bit damaged. It’ll probably get better in just a couple of days,” reassured Twilight.

“That’s a couple of days too many! You don’t understand Twilight, getting into the Wonderbolts always been my dream! You know that!”

“Rainbow Dash, you’re overreacting. Besides, we’re a little busy with something anyway to be worried about the Wonderbolts right now,” Twilight said with a roll of her eyes, “It seems to be getting a little dark since it took us so long with George tagging along, no offense. We should probably find a safe place near the road to camp for now.”

“Well, I won’t disagree with you there Twi, I’m bushed.”

“Hey Applejack, do you think you can find some old tree branches for some firewood?” asked Twilight

“Can do, sugarcube.” replied Applejack.

“Rarity, think you can find some things to help bind Rainbow Dash’s wings for now until we get into Canterlot?”

“But of course darling. We wouldn’t want that small injury to turn into a nasty one.”

“Fluttershy, I need you to look at George and Rainbow’s injuries to make sure they aren’t too serious. Think you can handle that?”

“I uhm, yeah. I can take care of them.”

“And Pinkie, I’m sure you have some sort of pastries somewhere, don’t you? We’ll need them for tonight, if you don’t mind.”

“Okie Dokie Lokie! I always make sure to bring a little bit of something, just in case!”

“And I’ll stay with George and Rainbow Dash too, just in case Fluttershy needs something, or something goes wrong,” finalized Twilight.

With all of them in full understanding of what needs to be done, all gave a smile, Pinkie’s being the biggest, and set out for their duties.