Waking Up

Chapter 3: Twilight

By: Calamity Jay

"What in the world did I drink last night?"

“Princess, are you sure everything is alright?”

“Yes Lieutenant Storm Rider, our new guest just had a little scare and so did I. But don’t worry everything is fine!” Twilight reassured with a smile and a wave of her hoof.

“Very well Princess, just let me know if this one gives you any trouble,” Storm said gesturing to the passed out human on the bed.

He had been unconscious for over two hours since the guards were called when Twilight had screamed.

“Don’t worry Lieutenant, I am sure he won’t do me any harm.” She replied with a grin.

“Hmm, you’re too trusting Princess."

“I like to be trustful, to ponies or otherwise. Trust in my judgement, Lieutenant,”

“I do trust you Princess, it’s that thing over there I don't trust." He pointed at the human with his hoof. "After all, it is my duty to distrust any potential threats. Especially ones that come from different worlds." Storm Rider then let out a resounding snort.

“He is a not a thing I assure you. Besides, if he tries anything I can handle him myself. If I can take on a giant Minotaur demon god then I can sure as hay take care of myself. And considering the fact he got scared just by looking at me, I'm sure he's no threat." She assured the armor clad guard.

“Okay then, I’ll take my leave. Still, I’ll be posted outside.” The unicorn lieutenant said before he opened the door with his magic and made his way out. Twilight turned to the passed out human with a sigh and proceeded to sit on her rump, her head reaching eye level with Leroy who was still unconscious.

“Urgh, if only you could just wake up already. Honestly, I wasn’t trying to scare you, I was just trying to wake you up." She groaned, ears drooping. “Please wake up so we can talk!" She begged as she pressed her hooves together and closed her eyes, praying for him to wake up. A few minutes passed, and still he would not awake; not even stir slightly. Frustrated, she let her face fall down onto the bed sheets with a soft ‘fwumpf’. “This is hopeless.” She groaned into the sheets. “You’re never gonna wake up-”

Then as if God had an amazing sense of humor today, he decided to answer the young Princess’s prayer. Lo and behold, she felt movement from the sheets while her face was still pressed into them. She looked up to Leroy with a gasp and saw that he started to stir.

*2nd Person*

For the second time in less than a few hours, you began to regain consciousness. You were also pretty sure that all this passing out was not at all good for your brain. ‘God, the hell was that thing that I saw? It was some sort of horse-looking thing from what I remember. And it talked, horses don’t talk right? Shit, must’ve been drugged that night at the bar.' You tried to convince yourself. ‘Okay, I’m in a hospitable in Katy, and the doctors are normal people, not talking horses! Now, when I open my eyes, I won’t see anything that will be out of the ordinary! Nothing weird whatsoever!’

You slowly open your eyes and start to sit up in your bed. At first your vision is a bit blurry and you rub the sleep out of them. The fog in your vision clears up and you look straight ahead at the wall in front of you and relief flows through you. However, you hear a certain someone next to you give a small gasp and a tiny little ‘squee’. Your heart skips a beat. Do you dare look at who is standing next to you? The answer is yes as you slowly, yet surely turn your head to the right and face whoever it was next to your bed. Your eyes nearly pop out of their sockets as you see who this mysterious girl was. It was the same purple horse with a horn on her head, what do they call those? But you also see that she was sporting a pair of wings as well. Damn, there goes normal, flying out the window.

‘A pair of wings as well? A horse with wings is called a... Pegasus? But she has a horn too?! I don’t think pegacorn is the correct term- Oh what am I saying?! There’s a Unicorn-Pegasus crossbreed in my room and I’m wondering what the hell she’s classified as! What the hell is wrong with me...’ You mentally face-palm from your ridiculous thoughts. Now back to the situation at hand. You react the same way you did before, but this time without the earsplitting scream. Trying to move to the other side of the bed, you pull the sheets up to your chin, similar to the way a child does when trying to hide from a monster. In this case the monster was an adorable-looking, brightly colored, cartoon pony.

"What in the name of sweet Jesus are you? You look like a pony, who is surprisingly cute, but why are you here?! Where the fuck am I?! Why am I talking to a damn animal?!"

"Hey! I am not an animal! I have feelings, I can think and talk! I'm considered sentient!" She replies defensively, rising to all fours and stomping her left hindleg. "And who the hay is Jesus?"

Great, she can talk; you did not see that coming and your eyes widened well beyond their capability. "Hokay, yeah. That's it. I'm done. I admit it I am on some bad acid trip and now I'm seeing a colorful unicorn-pegasus crossbreed and I'm having a conversation with it. Great! This is just so fucking great! Hallelujah!" You throw your hands up into the air and slump back down onto the pillow.

"I'm sorry, but can you please calm down? You're not going crazy, you're not an 'acid trip'." She air quotes with her hooves. "And this is all real. Trust me!"

"Why should I trust you?! You're talking when you aren't supposed to be talking! Why should I trust a talking horse? For all I know I could still be in a coma!"

"I am not a horse, I am a pony!"

"Whatever! Now tell me, why should I trust you!"

"Because," She sits back down on her rump. "We just saved your life. If it weren't for us you would very well be dead right now. If I were you I'd be extremely grateful! We literally stopped you from dying!  And now after a week of being unconscious, you wake up asking why you should trust me? You are so rude mister!" She pouts her lip and crosses her forelegs, trying her best to look mad.

'Jesus, I know she's mad, but... Why does she make mad look adorable? And for a week? Fuck that's a long time! Alright, maybe I should just calm down.' You take a deep breath and calm yourself down. "Okay, I'm sorry its just, you don't see a talking horse-"

"Pony."

"Right, um... you don't see a talking pony everyday on my world. Not only that they are not as bright and colorful as you look." She laughs and develops a blush. "And they are also a bit bigger, hairier, their muzzles are longer, their eyes aren't as big or colorful, and their manes aren't as well done like yours. And, not to offend you, they smell pretty bad sometimes as well." You wince as you remember how bad horses could smell.

"Sounds like you live in a very strange world." She giggles and you could not help but laugh as well.

"Oh. My world?" You scoff. "I've only seen you and I already think this world is a lot more stranger than mine."

"Well, where are you from? If you don't mind my asking?"

"I guess I could tell you, but you mind telling me your name first? I'd like to know the name of the perso- pony that I am, surprisingly having a conversation with."

"I will if you properly introduce yourself first." She grins wryly.

"Really? So that's how its gonna be?" She nods her head and you let out a laugh. "Alright, well then I guess you can call me Leroy. Leroy Evans, but I guess you already know my name don't you?" You grin at her, but for some reason she gains an apprehensive expression, almost as if she was frightened of you. "Uh, is something wrong? Do I have something on my face?"

"No, its just... Your teeth," She points to your mouth with her hoof. Why does she have a problem with your teeth?"

"Why? What's wrong with them? Is there a piece of food in there? Speaking of food I'm actually pretty hungry right now."

"That's not what I meant," She says, slowly shaking her head. "Its just, you have canines. Which means you eat meat. You're a predator, aren't you? And you're hungry too..." She then rises to her hooves and takes a step back from you, as if you were going to hurt her.

"No, why would you say that?" You think for a moment and suddenly it strikes you. "Wait. You think I hunt and kill animals for food because I have canines? That I am a danger and I could very well hurt you?" It made sense to you, even though she was a sentient equine she still maintained her animal instincts. And her instincts were telling her that you are a threat. The purple mare just stares at you inquisitively, as if waiting for you to make a move. "Listen, before you say anything, I am not going to eat you. I have never killed anyone. Animal or otherwise. I don't eat just meat, I am an omnivore. I eat both meat and vegetables."

"Oh," She eases herself up. "Well uh, that's good to know. I'm glad you're not a hunter, you had me going there for a second."

"Forgive me for frightening you, I really don't see myself as a viable threat."

"But still, bared fangs are a sign of hostility. And they look very... Sharp." She points once again to your teeth. "So for future reference, try not to show your teeth to everypony. Some might take it as a real threat."

"Right right, I'll keep that in mind," You nod in agreement. "But you know that I'm not going to hurt you right? Especially since you ponies saved my life. You literally gave me a second chance and I'm grateful for that." You were about to grin again, but instead you gave her a soft smile.

"Good, I'm glad we got that straightened out."

"Hmm, indeed. You know I gave you my name, so where's yours?"

"Oh! I almost forgot!" She clears her throat for a moment. "I am Princess Twilight Sparkle, former protege of Princess Celestia. As of now I am the bearer of the Element of Magic and Princess of Friendship."

"Wow, that's quite a resume. I don't think I can top that. Nice to meet you, Princess."

"Please, just call me Twilight. I don't like it when people address me by my title." She smiles sheepishly.

"Why not? I'm sure you had to work extremely hard to attain your title. Why not show it with pride?"

"Because, I just like to be modest."

"Alright your 'Majesty' I guess I cold work with that." You laugh at your joke and see that she isn't laughing as well. "Oh, you're serious."

"Quite."

"Right then, sorry about that, Twilight." Saying her name feels strange as it reminds you of a certain cheesy romance book involving vampires.

"Its fine," She smiles and waves it off with her hoof. "So, now that that's out of the way, why don't you go ahead and tell me where you're from?"

"Right, well I'm from a planet called Earth, which is much like the way your world is you know with grass and trees and technology. But, the only difference being that most equines on our planet are not sentient like you are. Much less have a horn and wings. Anyways, my world is populated with billions of other people like me and many different species of plants and animals."

"Ooh, sounds interesting! Here let me just get my note pad so I can take some notes on this." She reaches into her saddlebags which was placed on floor against the drawer and for some reason a quill and a notepad seemed to float out of the bag by themselves. A violet aura emanating from her horn. What surprised even more was that she seemed totally nonchalant about the whole situation; most likely because she is used to seeing something like this.

"Whoa, what the hell?" You jump out of your skin as you see the floating writing tools. "How in the world is that happening? What are you doing?"

"Magic," She replies casually. "What? Don't tell me you've never seen magic before."

"Well, not this type of magic. On my world what's known as magic is mostly just illusion and sleight of hand. Not something this literal where it really is magic. What is causing this to happen?"

"All over Equestria, a magical aura surrounds and penetrates us." You stifle a laugh as she unknowingly quotes one of your favorite movies. "Alicorns and Unicorns have the ability to directly manipulate the aura and use it to perform magical spells like I am doing now." She gestures to her floating notepad and quill. "However, Pegasi and Earth ponies have their own magic. Pegasi can manipulate clouds and control our weather and Earth ponies have amazing farming abilities to grow our nation's crops. For Unicorns, using magic is much more convenient, as since we can't do many things with just our hooves alone. But for the other two races, they have to use their hooves and mouths for most of their daily activities. Pretty cool, huh?"

"Wow, you seem to know a lot about magic. How do you know so much? Does this knowledge come to you naturally?"

"No actually, I studied magic extensively ever since I was a little filly." She looks out towards the open window. "Ever since that one day I witnessed Princess Celestia raise the sun, I was so enthralled by the beauty and wonder of magic. Then the day I when I earned my cutie mark, Princess Celestia came up to me and made me her personal student. For years I was under her tutelage, learning much more than I could ever have hoped for. And it was only recently did Princess Celestia ascend me to princess after I solved an ancient spell by Starswirl the Bearded. So I guess I haven't been a princess for that long..." She trails off and blinks once. "I'm sorry am I rambling? I'm rambling aren't I?"

"Uh no I don't think so. I think you were just telling me details about your life. And I'm glad you are," You were about to grin, but instead smiled. "Now I know a little bit about you, albeit I don't have much of an idea about what everything means, but still at least now I know. Please, continue." You gesture with you hand, causing Twilight to giggle.

"Maybe some other time, so enough about me." She focuses on her quill and notepad. "What about you? I want to ask you a few questions about your species and your world as well."

"What kind of questions?"

"Oh just your social habits, origins, technology, cultures, history, and several other things." This earns her a deadpan from you. "What?"

"Thought you said a few questions."

"Well I like to be thorough!" You can't help but let out a laugh.

"Alright then, I think I can tell you a few things about my world. Of course you already know that there is lack of magic and talking ponies." You take a moment to clear your throat. "Okay, where do I begin? Hmm, well what my kind are called are humans or homosapiens. What we are, are evolved forms of our primate cousins, who are much like us, bearing intelligence, but having no sentience whatsoever maintaining their animal characteristics. Another difference is that their skeletal structure is very different from ours, they can walk on two feet like I usually can, but not at the moment." You gesture to your condition, causing Twilight to laugh momentarily. "Another thing about them is that they have articulation on their feet as well, which causes them to be able to climb trees and other structures. They also have longer arms and their backs are more hunched over, and they also move with their hands on the ground, despite their bipedal build."

"Not only that, but their bodies are covered in fur and in technicality humans are basically hairless apes. Weird I know." You chortled. "Anyways, one thing that apes are physically stronger than us and gives them an advantage. Albeit unfair. So, that's basically where we come from. What else do you want to know? There's quite a bit of information about my world that I can tell you about. It could take me a while to explain everything to you."

She stopped writing on her notepad for a moment and smiled. "Please, I have time. So if you will?"

"Alright then," A smirk makes its way onto your face. "Let me see what else I can tell you..."

ooo000oo000ooo

A few hours pass by with you explaining to your new friend everything you could tell her about Earth and it's many wonders. Of course you did your best to refrain from telling her about the really bad things about humans, you did not wish to roast your own species and make yourself look bad. You told her everything you knew about history, technology, cultures, everything you could possibly come up with.

"So let me get this straight," Twilight chews on the end of the quill. "You say that males are the dominant gender on your world right?" Her notepad was already filled with several pages of notes.

"Yeah, why? Is that a bad thing?"

"Well no, but here in Equestria mares are the dominant gender. In almost every aspect of our society."

"Whoa, really? So I'm guessing the gender roles are reversed then aren't they?"

"Yes they are, and not only that, but mares also outnumber stallions by a large margin. Because of that, mares do a lot more than stallions such as holding political positions and the sort. Whereas, stallions only do most of the muscle work that mares can't do, such as construction. However, there are stallions like Dr. Soft Hoof that end up sticking out from other stallions and become doctors."

"Holy crap, that's actually the way it is back on my world only that woman are in the position that stallions are in. I mean, back in the older times of our planet, most women were even considered inferior, good only for cooking, cleaning and well... I hate to say it, but for reproduction purposes."

"No way, that was the way it was back when Luna and Celestia first came to power over a millennium ago. Stallions were greatly discriminated, and most mares kept stallions as slaves to work in the fields and uh... in the bedroom. Even today stallions have less rights than mares."

"Really? How so?" A world where males have less rights than females. Just because you have a penis means that you have less rights.

"Stallions can't own or sell property, can't run for political positions, and most don't even get a full education. Most of them only spend maybe a few years in the school house to learn basic reading, math, and social studies, then after that they go and find a job that pertains to their cutie marks. As I've said before only a special few actually go further into university studies."

"Wow, I guess now I know how women felt on my world. Tell me, what are your social habits? Like who goes for who when looking for a mate?"

"Well, usually a mare tries to woo the stallion to win him over. Then if they want, and if another mare likes the stallion the first mare has, then they have the choice to start a heard with the second mare-"

"Whoa whoa, so you're saying that a stallion can have two mares at a time? Seriously?" What she said struck you as absurd, perhaps the reason why was because polygamy was something that was frowned upon.

"Yeah, why don't things work like that back on your world?" She asks, putting down her notepad and quill.

"Well no. Much differently in fact. The way it works is that one male with one female. If either partner gets involved with another, its considered infidelity and will cause major problems."

"Really? So that's how it works for all relationships on your world?"

"Yeah, but there are some cultures who practice polygamy, but most people don't agree with it. Mostly for religious reasons." You never really agreed with it either even though you were not exactly religious. "I for one don't really agree with it, mostly because it just sounds weird. I mean c'mon, wouldn't feel weird having to share your lover with someone else?"

"No, usually the mare would only allow another mare into the relationship if they have known each other for a while and have built up a certain trust. Like two best friends usually share a stallion."

"Wow, that just sounds weird." You lay back against the pillows. "No offense to your cultures or anything, I'm just not familiar with it. Then again I haven't really met anyone else from this world, so I guess I don't have the right to judge."

"Oh, don't worry about it," She says waving a hoof. "Besides, who can blame you? Coming from a world where magic of all things doesn't exist. Much less my kind."

"Indeed, but another thing, how do we speak the same language? I mean isn't that a bit peculiar to you?"

"Yeah it is actually." She scrunches up her nose in insanely adorable concentration, causing you to hold back a 'D'aaww'. "Its like what are the odds right?"

"Yeah I know, huh? What do you call your language? The one I'm speaking right now is called English, and believe it or not there are countless languages in my world."

"Hmm, I think there are close to maybe three or four languages. Right now I'm speaking Pony as most of every creature in Equestria seems to call it." She scratches her chin with her hoof. "I think that buffaloes and zebras have their own unique dialect. Donkeys I think speak the same as we do and I don't think they have a distinguishable language. Hey, could you by some chance give me an example of another language from your world?"

"Umm, I don't know, let me think." Back in your high school and college days, you took a few language classes. Hopefully what you learned would come in handy at this moment. "Okay uh, here let me try this, its going to sound horrible because I don't have a great accent."

"Its fine, just give me your best." Twilight assured, clearly wanting to hear you speak.

"Alright then," You take a moment to clear your throat. "Hola, me llamo Leroy. Mucho gusto senora, pero es muy extraño conocerte." Twilight seemed thoroughly amazed, even though you merely said a simple sentence. You were, by no means fluent in Spanish. "Well, uh that's all I can really say in that language, I'm not exactly fluent."

"Wow, that sounded pretty good." Twilight gasped and smiled brightly. "What did you say?"

"I think I said 'Hello my name is Leroy. Nice to meet you miss, but it is very strange to meet you.'"

"Why is it strange to meet me?" Twilight asked, seeming a bit offended.

"Oh no, don't take it the wrong way. Like I said before, its not everyday I get to have a conversation with a pony. So forgive me if I think that the situation is a bit weird, heh." You smile sheepishly, rubbing the back of your neck.

"I guess you're right." Twilight purses her lips and shrugs her shoulders. "So, you say that there are many more languages on your world?"

"Oh yeah, you have no idea. I just showed one of the more common ones. Back in the States, Spanish is a pretty common language in some areas. Especially the city that I lived in."

"I'm still kind of confused on your world's geography." She flips through her notepad. "You said that there are seven huge continents, each of them having separate provinces and countries right? And you lived on the one called North Aw-mur-icka, in a country called the United States of Aw-mur-icka..." You chuckled at her attempts of pronouncing 'America'. "...In a state called Texas, and a small city called Katy. That sound right?"

"Yep, all of it. I must say you take pretty good notes."

"Like I said, I like to be thorough." She closes up the notepad and puts back in her saddlebag along with the quill. Twilight glances at the clock on the wall and lets out a gasp. "Oh my gosh, is it that late?"

"What?" Suddenly you yawn deeply. "What time is it?"

"Its about ten o'clock already." She floated her bags onto her back and strapped them down. "And you sound pretty tired, mister."

"Yeah I am, having to entertain a girl with facts about my home world for a few hours is fun, yet taxing." You stretch your arms and your back, feeling a few pops. "I hope I was able to give you some good information on my world."

"Believe me, you did." She smiles and nods, turning back to the door. "Well, I guess its time for me to go, I have to go and pick up Spike from Rarity." That name 'Spike' felt familiar, but you could not remember from where you heard it.

"Spike?" You tilt your head in confusion. "Who's Spike?"

"He's my dragon assistant, I've had him ever since I hatched him myself. I'm practically his mother!" She giggles, but stops when she sees you staring at her slack jawed. "What?"

"A dragon? As in a winged, fire breathing, man eating behemoth?" She merely laughs at your question, further confusing you.

"Oh, Leroy." She stops her laughing and wipes away a tear. "Spike's no behemoth! He's a baby! Then again, he has gotten quite big in the past few months, he's almost up to my shoulders."

"But still, a dragon? How did that come about? And wait, if dragons exist on this world, what else does?"

"Well, I got Spike when I had to hatch him as an entrance test to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. And when he got bigger I put him to work as my assistant. As for your other question, there are creatures such as manticores, dragons, giant sea serpents, minotaurs and a number of other creatures as well. I'm guessing you've never seen those types of creatures either?"

"Well no, actually I have."

"Really?" She asks, arching an eyebrow. "I thought you said magic and other things don't exist in your world?"

"Well yeah, but back on my world, unicorns, pegasi, and all the other creatures you just listed are actually creatures of myth. You know, mythical creatures, they only exist in books and legends and all that jazz."

"Whoa, really? That's very strange. Its like your world knows of ours or something."

"Yeah maybe, but that honestly sounds like something that could take a very long time to explain and I don't know about you, but I am actually extremely sleepy." You yawn again and lay back against the pillows.

"Mhm, I can see that," She nods and turns around to trot back to the door. It was here that you could actually see her entire body; you had to admit, for a pony you expected her to be a bit bigger, but instead she seemed to have lithe and petite form. Her fur didn't seem to be overly shaggy, but seemed to velvety and soft. If you had to put it in literal terms, she looked like a soft purple marshmallow! Your eyes went from her head, shoulders, and drifted all the way down to her flank, where a purple star surrounded by white stars was imprinted. "Well I guess I'll be going then."

"Excuse me, Twilight. What is that on your flank? A tattoo of some sort?"

"Uh no." For some reason she seemed to flush and a tinge of red crept onto her cheeks. "That's not a tattoo, that's my cutie mark. I think I mentioned them?"

"I think you did, but I had no idea what they were or where they actually appeared. And you also said something about cutie marks pertaining to what your talent is. I'm gonna take a strong guess that yours pertains to magic?"

"Why yes it does actually! My starburst cutie mark represents my love for magic. Nice guess, Leroy!"

"Eh, its nothing." You rub the back of your neck sheepishly. "Well, um, I guess you should get going, I'm sure you're busy and all that."

"Yeah. Ooh, I have to get going, maybe I'll bring my friends to come and see you if they're not busy."

"Hmm, that sounds pretty good. I'm guessing this Rarity you mentioned is one of your friends?"

"Yeah she is! Hopefully you'll be able to meet her tomorrow!"

"Looking forward to it." You smile, nodding at her.

"Great." She smiles and opens the door, but pauses as she is halfway out. "Oh, Leroy?"

"Yeah, Twilight?" You reply, getting comfortable in your bed.

"Try not to stare at somepony's flanks." She said with a small smile. "Its considered checking them out." Oh... "Bye now!" She then leaves and closes the door behind her, leaving you there thoroughly embarrassed. Great, smooth move. Barely your first day and already making things a bit more awkward than they need to be.

"Right, don't stare at any'pony's' flanks." You chuckle as you lay your head down on the pillows. It was here you take the time to actually think about everything that has happened so far. 'Okay, I got hammered at a bar, took a wrong turn going home, got annihilated by a car, a pony princess by the name of Luna brought me to a strange world where mythical creatures exist, and I've been in a coma for a week. Hmm, sounds about right. I wonder what the boss is thinking back home, probably giving the newbies hell and trying her ass off to find a new assisstant manager. Hmph, not my problem!' You turn off the lamp next to your bed and turn on your left side, hopefully everything will turn out okay. Questions still linger in your mind, would you ever go back home? Do you want to go back home? This place certainly does seem more exciting than Earth. Your thoughts go back to your parents; will you ever see them again? Much less talk to them. Ever since what happened all those years ago.

Nevertheless, things seem to be looking up. A new era in your life has begun and a long road stands before you and you spend a few minutes wondering what you're next move will be. Soon, your fatigue catches up and you become drowsy, feeling your eyelids become heavier with each passing second. Before you know it, you fall into the sweet bliss of sleep and rest up for the next day....