Welcome to Hotel Nebula

"And loop, and tug, and loop again, and pull!" I said to myself, tightening my red necktie. Looking into my full-body mirror, I felt confident with my nice suit, but one thing was missing. I grabbed a small item off my dresser, and pinned the nametag to the left pocket of my blue suit. The words read in the mirror as clear as daylight Tab Keeper of Equestria, Manager. I chuckled to myself, still disbelieving that three days ago I learned of the existence of other universes and got a job from the Guardian of Worlds to run the Hotel Nebula, the universal traveling building and vacation house. After nearly three days of preparing, I finally found myself ready to open the doors to the worlds. What luck was it that the first place Guardian suggested was Equestria, just to give it one last hurrah before going on the ultimate business trip. However, he left shortly after I got my job, leaving on business involving his organization or whatnot. However, I turned out perfect for the job, putting everyone to the metal and working hard on getting this place ship shape before opening day.

In just a few minutes, I would go down and greet my employees with a speech, then have Commodore Legs fly us to the outskirts of Ponyville and drift towards the center of town. I reached out for my list of rules with my magic, and gave it a glance over. Most of the rules were quite standard for a hotel, like no running or leaving garbage all over the place. Others, however, were much more interesting. We weren't allowed to throw things out of windows, especially if we're over a town, and must confiscate any forms of weapons guests bring in. I was particularly worried about that part, but I knew that if any trouble should arrive, the Big Daddies would handle it. Even if those things scared me to Tartarus. A beeping drew my attention, as I glanced down at my watch. I needed to get down to the lobby and give the promotional speech. I glanced about my bare, golden walled, red carpeted room, seeing how empty it was with just a single-sized bed, a dresser, and mirror. The 250 bits a day would soon remedy that. I left my room on the penthouse floor of the 50 floor hotel, where the employees and certain guests reside, and entered the adjacent elevator. Slowly, the box descended down to the lowest floor. The technology this place has fascinates me. Equestria could really benefit from elevators by just changing the size of the dumbwaiters. Maybe I'll suggest it to one of the Princesses should they come and visit.

The elevator came to the bottom floor with a soft ding, as the doors slowly slid open to the lowest floor. The lobby and main hall was filled with various staff members of the Hotel, mostly Skritt servants, Big Daddy guards, and lesser Mr. Handy models. I saw the higher staff, the new friends I made on my first day here, standing at the front, waiting anxiously for the speech. I trotted up to the podium placed before the receptionist desk (which had tons of cash registers for the various currency types), and tapped the microphone. Once everyone was silent, I pulled out my speech, sat it down on the podium, and began.

"Hello, employees and workers of the Hotel Nebula," I began, the microphone sending my voice echoing off the walls of the building. "First off, I want to congratulate all of you for the hard work you've all put in these past few days in making this building spectacular. A round of applause for all of you." A chorus of clapping echoed across the halls, as the employees all appeared to be in bright spirits. "Today is the first day we open the doors of Hotel Nebula to the public and activate the Gates." I turned towards Fix-It, the Mr. Handy head of maintenance. "F1X-1T, are the Gates completely operational?"

"All Gates are operating at 100% efficiency, sir!" Fix-It proudly stated, one of his robotic arms flexing into a salute.

"Now, I would like to offer some insight into the world we are currently stationed in." I continued. "This is Equestria, land of ponies and my own homeland. Here the three tribes of ponies live in Harmony under the four Princesses."

"Question!" Yigvar Beerbelly, the Nord bartender, called out, raising a forefinger into the air. "How can four Princesses rule without a king or queen to act as the true sovereign? Like the fact you ponies have surpassed the alcohol brewing limits, it makes no sense." I furrowed my brow, having to deal with Yigvar's constant questions about how Equestria works ever since Guardian gave him that bottle of Apple Cider. He's a good man, just a bit doubtful of worlds not his own.

"Well, Princess Celestia decided upon this so that she could divide the work alongside her sister, Princess Luna, as to show she neither ruled above her or vice versa." I explained. "I'll admit, my Equestrian history knowledge is a little rusty, but if Princess Twilight Sparkle decides to visit, you could consider asking her." Yigvar merely gave a loud harrumph before crossing his arms. "Anyway, these ponies are a peaceful race, and will most-likely react to your appearances. They will not mean any harm, so just try and keep calm and smiling faces." I then glanced to the Big Daddies and Mr. Handy's, who had no faces to speak of. "Or just... Don't pester them. Head Chef Moogaroo?"

"Yes, Mr. Keeper?" The little, deep-voiced Quaggan called.

"Pony diet is equine, mainly we can only eat vegetables, grass, and hay. Some pegasi may choose to eat fish, but mostly expect vegetarian meals." I explained, with a wink. "It'll be a grand challenge for a chef of your aptitude."

"Quaggan will not disappoint his customers." Moogaroo said, with a slight bow.

"So just remember, keep calm, take care of the guests, and we'll all end the day with full wallets." I concluded with a prize-winning smile. Everyone broke into clapping and wandered off, doing their respective jobs. After some Skritt hauled away the podium, I pulled out my walkie-talkie and turned it on. "Commodore, how close are we to Ponyville?"

"Four miles and counting!" The frog navigator said over the speaker. "We should arrive in about... ten minutes!"

"Excellent." I said. "I'm going to transport myself down to the town and explain everything. These ponies just got finished cleaning up after an attack by an ancient monster, so I don't want them to think aliens are invading."

"Very well, sir." Commodore Legs replied. "I'll act as Commanding Officer while your onshore. Safe travels, monsieur!" I smiled and deactivated the communicator, bringing up my watch. This watch I keep talking about isn't exactly ordinary. A gift to me from Twitchy, modified by Fix-It, this Multi-Tasking Device acts as not only a time-keeper, but also acts as a translator for guests I couldn't understand, and a long distance teleportation machine. Despite me being a unicorn, the teleport spell takes a great deal of energy out of me, so this little gizmo is quiet the useful tool. I activated the watch with my magic, set my coordinates and destination, and the world around me shifted into a bright light.

I rubbed my eyes once the light faded from the transportation, feeling the familiar country town soil beneath my hooves. Although I had yet to get fully acquainted with the transporter's controls, I was relieved to see I had landed in an alley and not stuck inside of a wall. I peaked my head out of the alley and saw the standard hustle and bustle of the town market, and my destination, Town Hall, just beyond. My goal was simple: get to Town Hall, explain everything to Mayor Mare, have her pass the information onto Princess Twilight, and hopefully she won't go into one of her infamous 'freak-out' moments. Steadily, I walked through the crowd, not drawing any attention to myself (thanks to the same technology used to hide the Hotel), and steadily heading towards the Town Hall. Off in the distance, I could see the dark silhouette of the Hotel Nebula off in the distance, looming ever so closely over the Everfree Forest. I also saw a small black speck moving towards the town at a more rapid pace. A very rapid pace. Right towards me. And I was being stupid and not standing still.

"LOOK OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUT!" I heard a shout.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" I screamed back. I was knocked off my hooves onto the hard dirt, rolling about unceremoniously with the perpetrator. Eventually, we came to an abrupt halt when my head collided with a wheelbarrow, smashing it to pieces. I saw stars and little Skritt chasing them dancing around my head as my eyes fluttered about. "Buh I dun wanna wax Grampy's legs, today..."

"Oh, sweet Celestia, I am so sorry." My assailant said, also sounding equally dazed. I managed to regain focus as my vision began to clear.

"No, it's alright, I wasn't paying attention." I said. Then I got a look at the other pony who hit me. He was a lean, black coated pegasus with a messy purple mane and tail. His cutie mark was that of a crescent moon with a pair of wings. One certain detail that stood out about him was that one eye was colored dark blue while the other a light purple. Only one stallion I knew had this eye colorization about him. "Midnight? Midnight Rider?" The pegasus looked at me, his off-colored eyes widening.

"Tab Keeper? Is that you?" He said. I nodded slowly, smiling as I rose to my feet. Midnight galloped up to me and swung his arms around me in a tight bear-hug. "It really is you! Ha-ha! I haven't seen you in ages!"

"It's good to see you too, 'Night." I strained, my eyes threatening to pop from my eye sockets. "Now, would you kindly release me, my brains are leaking out my ears."

"Whoops," Midnight said, releasing me from his hug of death. "Sorry 'bout that dude. It's just been forever since I've seen you!"

"Three years, my friend." I recounted. "Juvenile Jester's Jamboree. You tried hitting on that corn-cob vendor filly."

"Yeah, they threw me outta the place." Midnight laughed. "Although, the Prench ringleader ranting like a nut-job was funny to watch."  The two of us shared in a nostalgic laugh together, a memory long since passed.

Midnight Rider and I went back a long way. Grew up in Manehatten, next-door neighbors, went to the same school, hung out at each other's homes, and did all sorts of things together. Granted, he was completely opposite to me in most ways. Whereas I am organized and proper, he's sloppy and a bit of a trouble maker. I passed high school with honors, he almost was held back. I had trouble with picking up dates, he was a regular Casanova. He's got a real talent for seeing and flying in the dark, mainly because his mother was a Bat-Pony. Last I heard, he joined the local police force, shortly after I moved to Ponyville.

"So what brings you to Ponyville of all places?" I asked.

"I'm outta the job at the moment," Midnight said, rolling his eyes. "Got kicked off the squad for going 'M.I.A'. Figured I'd come out here to start over."

"Going M.I.A? When did this happen?" I asked, concerned for my friend's actions.

"When that big red guy started stealing all the magic in Equestria." He explained. The both of us visibly shuddered at the moment of Tirek's attack. I remember I was working in Town Hall when I heard a commotion and blacked out after seeing that massive centaur. "What was I supposed to do? He coulda swatted me outta the sky!" He crossed his forehooves and pouted angrily. "But I flew into a sign and got knocked out. Woke up in the infirmary and the chief took my badge." I frowned, putting a hoof on my oldest friend's shoulder. He looked up at me with a smile before regaining his composure. "So what do you do now, buddy? Running for mayor?"

"Well..." I said, darting about my eyes nervously. I had doubts about telling him about Hotel Nebula, but I had to tell him something. So, I did. "I run a... Hotel." Midnight gave me an incredulous look, quirking an eyebrow.

"A hotel? Out here in Ponyville?" He asked. His curiosity faded as a smile beamed across his face and began looking about the town. "Cool, where is it? Can I be a customer?"

"I'll tell you later," I said, raising a hoof to silence my friend. "It's kind of a secret project of mine, but you'll see it soon. In the meantime, I've got to talk with Mayor Mare." I began trotting back towards Town Hall, waving back at my friend. "I'll see you in a little while."

"Okay, dude, I'll catch you later!" Midnight called before flying off.

I entered the Town Hall main building, seeing the familiar receptionist office, with a bored looking, yellow coated mare, blowing a strand of her neatly braided teal mane. I knew her by name, she was Note Writer, but aside from the casual greet on my way to my office, we never had any words. I trotted up to the desk and hit the bell, waking Note from her bored daydreaming.

"Equestria to Note Writer." I joked. She recoiled from the surprise, then shot me an irritated glare.

"Oh, hello Tab Keeper." She half-heartedly greeted. "Haven't seen you around in a while."

I raised an eyebrow. "I quit three days ago. I passed by here to submit my resignation form."

"Really? Well, that stinks." Note said, still completely bored out of her mind. "Well, why are you here? Forget a file in your old office?"

"No, I need to speak with Mayor Mare on an important matter." I stated, placing a hoof on her desk for emphasis. "Can you pass that along to her as soon as possible?" She rolled her eyes and pressed a hoof on her intercom, sending a message to the Mayor's office.

"Mayor Mare," Note Writer droned. "Mr. Tab Keeper wants to talk with you. He says it's urgent." We waited for a couple of minutes for a reply, in which I returned to straightening my uniform, which was a mess after Midnight's collision, and Note fiddled with a pencil between her hooves. A green light flashed on the intercom, confirming our meeting. "Alright, she'll see you know. You know where is office is and blah, blah, blah, leave me be." With a slight frown, I left for the office located near the center of the building. Then, it hit me. And by it, I mean another freakin' pony. The two of us smashed skulls for a moment, and the dizzy stars returned to my head.

"I'm just hitting everypony today..." I muttered to myself. "I'm sorry miss..." And yet again, I saw a familiar face. She was a lily green Earth Pony with a neatly brushed back pink mane, and equally cared for tail. She had lime green eyes and a cutie mark of a water lily, resting on a lily pad. It has been too long since I've seen her.

"Lily. Water Lily." She said, dusting herself off. "And don't mind me, just day-dreaming again, Mr...." Then she looked at me. "Tabs? Tab Keeper is that you?" I smiled warmly at my dear friend, olden nostalgia overtaking my mind.

"In the flesh and fur." I said. She let out an audible 'squee' and flung her hooves around me in an embracing hug, not too tight like Midnight gave, but one of love and comfort, like a pillow.

"I missed you so much, ever since you left Manehatten!" She cried. "Midnight and I, both."

"Yeah, I ran into that old pegasus just outside," I joked. "Collided into me with the force of a train." The two of us shared in a short laugh together.

"Sounds like him." Lily said. I loved the sound of her laughter, like the bells of Hearth Warming Eve. Granted, it wasn't the only thing I loved about her.

Like Midnight Rider, Water Lily and I went back ages. We grew up in Manehatten and attended the same school up until High School. She and I used to hang out with Midnight on several occasions, mostly just as friends. It was years later that I realized how... perfect she was. She was kindhearted, book and street smart, a real go-getter, and a trusted confidant. Granted, my meekness towards those of the other sex overcame me... and I never really got to tell he how I felt. She got a job at some spa in Manehatten, and I moved to Ponyville. We haven't seen each other since.

"What brings you to this not-so quiet town?" I asked.

"The Tender Hooves Spa I worked at just closed down," She explained, digging at the floor with her hoof. "I heard from a friend that there's one here in Ponyville, so I figured I'd start there." Lily returned her gaze to me, batting her eyelids like she always did. "And what do you do, now?" I inwardly flinched, again faced with admitting to the Hotel's existence.

"I run a Hotel." I quickly stated, putting on my best fake smile. Using her unnatural powers of observation, she saw through my ruse and rose an eyebrow.

"A hotel?" She asked, incredulously. "I didn't know there were any big-time hotels in Ponyville." She's onto me. I had to act fast.

"Yeah, it's not open yet," I explained. "I was just about to see the Mayor about getting permits to have it open." She didn't buy it.

"Okay." Lily said. She glanced up at the clock, seeing it now was a quarter 'til noon. "Listen, I need to get going to the Spa to sign an application, so I'll see you later, okay?"

"Absolutely, how's about Sugar Cube Corner?" I suggested. She smiled and nodded. We said our good-byes, and she left. Then I realized the time. Glancing down at my watch, I saw that the countdown timer to when the Hotel was arriving hit zero. I had to be fast to explain everything to the Mayor before the Hotel arrived and ponies begin panicking over a giant floating building hovering over town. I had to be quick, I had to be nimble, I had to hurry, I had to quit talking to myself like this, I had to...

"SWEET MOTHER OF CELESTIA, WHAT IN EQUESTRIA IS THAT?!" I heard a filly shout from outside. I was... too late. I looked out the window and saw a pink mare with a yellow mane pointing up at the sky, apparent fear in her eyes. Then I noticed the massive shadow sitting over the town, and the large chunk of ground that held the Hotel midair. Definitely too late.

"Mr. Tab Keeper," Said the stern voice of Mayor Mare. I turned about, a sheepish grin on my face, and faced the light brown, grey mane Earth pony. "You said you wanted to speak with me?"

"... I can explain."

For what seemed like hours, I spent a great deal of time explaining that the Hotel Nebula was not an alien craft coming to abduct everypony to the far reaches of space to the Mayor and City Council. It took even longer to explain to the panicky and paranoid Princess Twilight and the other Elements of Harmony, especially to one Miss Rainbow Dash, whom was especially convinced it was an invasion and I was being mind controlled. Thankfully, they were understanding and allowed us to dock above Ponyville and open the Hotel. With express permission, I was granted the request to announce the Hotel's opening in Equestria to the populace, and open the doors to the public. Within a matter of minutes, everypony was gathered in front of Town Hall, curious and startled by the massive sky scraper floating half a mile above their heads. I sat onstage, wedged between two councilors as Mayor Mare explained to everypony why the Hotel floated above. A good look at the crowd showed a sea of fear and anxiety about the whole matter, especially since the last disaster Equestria had was fairly recent. I saw Midnight Rider and Water Lily amongst the crowd, looking both perturbed and confused. I wanted to crawl underneath a rock and never come out, I was so nervous.

"And so, I would like to call upon Mr. Tab Keeper," Mayor Mare announced through her microphone. "The manager of this hotel, to explain everything in full detail." She stepped off the podium and gestured her hoof to beckon me. Shakily and steadily, I walked up to the microphone and gazed out at the crowd. I swallowed the lump in my throat, took a deep breath, and reached into my suit, pulling out my well prepared speech.

"Good day, fillies and gentlecolts of Ponyville," I said, keeping my voice neutral and my face stony. "I would like to apologize for the abrupt arrival of the massive hotel floating above our heads at this very moment. A warning should have been given out in advance, but the Hotel has only recently arrived in Equestria naught but three days ago. I would like to also emphasis that the Hotel is not, I repeat, not in any way a threat towards pony-kind in any way possible. It is simply that, a traveling hotel. Granted, it is a hotel that travels across time and space itself to different universes, but posses no true treats. Just watch out in case someone throws something out a window." A couple chuckles emerged from the crowd. "Now, the Hotel Nebula is, as I have stated, a massive universe traveling hotel, and as the newest manager of the fine establishment, I would like to announce that the first day of service shall by in Equestria. And what better place to start than the friendliest town around, Ponyville?" Cheers erupted from the audience. Praise always goes a long way. "So in forth, the Hotel Nebula shall open its doors in approximately twenty minutes to anypony who wishes to go on the adventure of a lifetime or a simple get-away. Just a reminder that the staff aren't from around here, so those of you that do choose to be our guests, please be kind and don't stare. Thank you and have a pleasant day." Applauding stomps and cheers shook the ground as I stepped off the stand with a smile on my face. The crowd dispersed and I proceeded to walk away from the crowd so to teleport myself back to the lobby. I was unfortunately halted by a black hoof in my chest.

"So that's the big hotel you were talking about earlier?" Midnight asked, pointing a wing up at the aforementioned establishment. He and Water Lily stood in my way, both bearing bemused looks.

"Yes, it is." I said. "Sorry I couldn't fully explain, but something like that needed to be kept under wraps for a while."

"You could've told us," Water Lily said, a frown forming. "We're your friends, we'd understand." I saw the hurt in their eyes, and it tore me up. A lack of trust can cause great damage to a friendship, and I was so wrapped up in work that I couldn't even tell my best friends about the hotel. I decided to remedy the whole issue immediately.

"Look, I know I was being a dummy by not telling you," I stated, my eyes drifting to the ground. "So I'm sorry for that, but to make it up to you," I brought my head back up, a genuine smile appearing on my face. "How's about a first-hoof tour of the place before the doors open?" Midnight's frown immediately shot up into a smile, while Lily only slightly shifted her lips.

"For real? A tour of some other-worldly hotel before it gets crowded?" He asked, grinning ear-to-ear. "Heck yes!" He flew up into the air and did several victory loops as I chuckled at his antics. I looked at Lily, hoping for a positive answer. Eventually, she conceded with a sigh and a small smile.

"You talked me into it." Lily admitted. "But I'm still a little mad at you."

"Alright!" I lifted my watch and input the return coordinates for the Hotel Lobby. I grabbed Midnight and Lily in my hooves, and held them close to me. "Hold on tight, we're going on a little trip." And in a flash of light, we were gone.