Author's Note

This chapter has been rewritten

Act 1 - Chapter 2: Learning what Happens Now [REWRITTEN]

I couldn't believe how tired my muscles felt when were finished planting the other saplings. The technique she used was strange while the filled the holes dug for the saplings. A little dirt, a smaller layer of finely mixed minerals, then more dirt to the top to barely cover the roots, lastly, she pushed the last of the dirt with her hooves up to the stem. And on and on we did this after I dug the holes. I could only guess she would find small ways to torture me as she just smiled and yawned as I had to take breaths in between.

I could feel myself frowning then thought past it. Maybe this was to help me a bit more with how I move my hooves. Digging wasn't too hard when Celestia taught me how to pick things up with my hooves. It was the pain now that I was feeling which swayed my lingering thoughts of Celestia wanting to kill me in some way. Somehow...

Celestia told me we were about to head to a smaller lake just beyond the statues. Said we could talk more there without nearby ears. I think it was safe to say she was more than correct. A wave of ponies in farming gear flooded out into the gardens. Briefly wondering if Celestia had timed this all.

As we approached the lake that was no longer shrouded by a field of statues I finally get a good look at the lake. It was amazing to look at. It was so clear that you could see the bottom and I could see so many fish inside. Along the side of the lake was a rock that poked out of the ground like the long rock of Pride Rock from The Lion King that Simba stood at the end of the movie. At the tip had a bench perched just so one could look out on to the lake and in it.

We sat down and Celestia had wasted no time. "There's much to explain, some you'll have to put together on your own, and I trust you won't act too differently to raise suspicion." She said almost too bluntly. "I'm sorry I can't do more but the time to explain pony culture would take at least a year, maybe two if we taught you every day for a minimum of four hours. So here's a simple rundown. My sister, my student Twilight Sparkle, my niece Cadence, and I are all Alicorns. We're the foundation of Equestrian Culture, mostly because my sister and I as we help maintain the day and night cycle of the planet. Next are the unicorns-which is what you are. They can manipulate ambient magic to their whims through training and their horn focus. Without the foundation of a horn, magic outside the physical form is nigh impossible to manifest."

"So why exactly did you drain my magic then?" I asked. "It felt strange like my blood was being sucked through a straw."

She nods, wincing at my analogy. "Because mana is like blood when it imbues itself within you. It's how we all naturally generate magic. When one builds up their magic for too long, it can become dangerous when an emotion surges like anger or even happiness." She explained it well I think. I was becoming a bomb in short. But fuck, even being too happy while hopped up on a bunch of magic is messed up. "Next is the Pegasus or pegasi. They can fly, manipulate the weather and walk on the clouds like we would the ground. Many of their homes are made of clouds, but I know the one that lives in a tree. And finally, are the earth ponies. Masters of the land they are strong and hardy with nearly endless stamina. Anything they grow is bound to be supernaturally delicious. Alicorns is one hundred percent all three, and our powers are that of ten times that of each type."

"Sounds like I'm living in a world of gods and goddesses, ruled by four overpowered goddesses. Am I right?"

"We're not all-powerful. We can still get hurt, and die..." Celestia frowned. "Dying isn't a complete death for us. Our bodies revert to that of a six-month-old filly. We retain everything we once were, but it takes much of a year until the winter, or summer solstice arrives. During this time we feel nothing but that is the worst pain of all..." A long sigh escaped her and then she tried to make herself look perkier. "A few times I've died and woke up just before the Winter Solstice. It's my birth season."

I made a thoughtful an expression while Celestia stared at me. I guess she was waiting for a response. "That's a lot to think about, I suppose..." I finally say after a pregnant minute. I couldn't say much else. But magic."So I guess...magic training is a priority then?"

Surprisingly Celestia shook her head. "While it's important you learn magic as quickly as possible, you'll be first learning how to read and write our language. Luna did as much as she could implanting memories of what she knows but even her knowledge is dated."

"Why? I-"

"She once tried to take over Equestria, when greed and loneliness had tightly gripped her heart. A demon took advantage of her weakness and I was forced to banish her to the moon until the demon grew weak enough for a new sort of heroes to take her pains away." She cleared her throat and looked back to the lake. "I cannot imagine what you must be thinking right now, or what you think you know...Just do what you can. I know my sister wouldn't pick some fool. If anything she's much more studious than I am when it comes to searching deep within a person."

I stand straighter and huff. "I consider myself intelligent. I am open to knowledge and understanding wisdom brought to me. And I would also imagine a goddess to also be wise after recovering from a dark time in their life, as would any other thoughtful person or pony."

God all of this was way too much to really process. I had questions, but Celestia was using the time she might not actually have to help me. Then again she might've planned this, but even as a princess she must have a ton of shit to do. I suppose tonight I'll be quite restless, reviewing today and all I've had to learn.

"So, tell me about your life before here."

I shake my head. "Sorry, but I think we should choose a different topic than my life before here." And that was final. "Maybe when I'm not in the middle of all this shit."

"Hmm, okay then." She remains quiet for a while before standing back up. "If you'd like, lunch will be served in an hour, and with that time we can straighten you up. Look a bit more-"

"Presentable? Please? I actually feel stuffed right now, but maybe that's because I'm not used to the fur..." I almost laugh. "I'm sure I'll get used to it as time goes on."

Celestia is the first to laugh and nod pointing a hoof towards a castle wall. Just barely in sight, there's a closed gate and beyond that who knows what. "There are some talented ponies in Canterlot who'd love a shot at you once they're aware of your companionship with Luna is public."

Smiling to myself I let Celestia continue to talk about some more systems of Equestria. Allies and such. As it turns out this land was often plagued with great evils because of their grandiose exploration of magic. It was primarily a few evil guys from their far past. I've also noticed that a thousand years seems to pretty much be their "Generational" timeline. By that, I'm meaning that their name had become myth long enough for the myth to stick in their culture.

For my primary example, it was Luna who became an Nightmare and her corrupted magic created the Everfree Forest. The forest itself can and will try to instill fear, and can even tempt you into doing evil tasks. It was only the power of Celestia's "Last walk" through the forest that made a safe path in and out of the forest to their old castle. In addition to all that, the magic there also can manipulate animals and corrupt them with magic. Terrible cockatrices and lurking timber wolves-they're wolves made of decaying logs and vines infused with magic. They feed off the lifeforce of smaller animals and sometimes ponies. They also use it to breed.

And through all that, I remained attentive to every word she was saying. I had to adapt quickly, faster than I was actually feeling comfortable with, but I had to do it. I had already made up my mind coming here. Here I could live the in lap of luxury and a goddess. It was a dream I had when I was a small child. It was what sparked my move to America, "Land of Opportunity", my fat-hairy arse.

By the time Celestia had finished with her flash course, a servant had come out with a small letter. She gave a bow and then left us alone. There was a brown wax stamp which kept it closed and therefore secure. The stamp had the shape of a hammer.

"Who's that from then?"

Celestia inhaled and held her breath a saddened look on her face. "If I am to believe, the King of Minonia has passed away."

"What was his name?"

"Hephaestus. The only blacksmith I trusted for three hundred and twenty-six years. And that's quite the stretch for a minotaur."

I scoff and looked at her with a shocked expression. "What's the average then? Jesus..."

"Two hundred and ninety is a good age to die in their culture. Anything beyond means you were blessed by Hephaestus and you take the name and title of Hephaestus Master of the Anvil. But only in military functions. And his name was actually Hephaestus."

"Jeezzz..." I sigh and my stomach rumbles. "Time to eat I think. I feel like I haven't eaten in a week."

"Because you haven't." Celestia smiles at me with closed eyes. Bitch.

"What?!"

I can't believe I didn't even notice this before but my eyes, they were like a cat's eye. I ogled at them for longer than I think Celestia was dealing with because she ended up using her magic to drag me on with her. They were orange and my ears had little tufts at the end of them and briefly wondered if I was supposed to be all 'fluffy'. That was about as much as I could describe myself fully.

I should probably also mention lunch was almost too simple of a matter. Instead of going much farther than past the statue garden there was a small area outside a large ballroom. I could tell it was a ballroom by the large windows that pretty much made up the walls. Inside there was a small ring in the very center and a stage in the corner. Anyways, the outside area was just a few tables and a few park benches. All of it was made of marble.

To top it all off, the entire place was surrounded by eight pillars all carved with the shapes of ponies. All of them looked the same, minus the cutie marks on their flanks. They held up a large ring which had grape vines and kudzu growing on it. I was again given awe today, just like before and I suppose here on after for quite some time. This world will amaze me for a while, I hope I never tire of it truly.

So what was simple about it? What we ate was made it all simple. Celestia had given me a sunflower sandwich and a few roses freshly picked from her bush. I knew I could eat them, knowing what I was, but tasting them worried me. When she urged me to try them, I did and thankfully it was like a blast of bitter and sweetness. She just had a couple smaller bananas.

She explained that Harmonus would help me learn the layout and prevent me from getting lost. I was given limited access for the time being as I grew accustomed, and reputation on the counsel. This wasn't an absolute diarchy either which was not quite so surprising. The ponies were actually given more control, but it was up to the royalty to ensure laws are upheld and keep a symbol of unity between the three pony tribes.

I suppose this would surmise what's happened. Lunch was simple, just a lot more talking. Teaching me is better at saying that. Celestia just kept talking...and talking...and-

"TIA!? Where are you?" My ears perked, her voice!

I nearly fall down after trying to stand up and look for her. I collect myself and turn to see Harmonus leading a dark blue alicorn, Luna.

"Over here, Lua!" Celestia waves her hoof. She smiles and stands herself. "I'll let you see her. I trust you won't do anything I wouldn't want you to?" Her voice gets suddenly serious then she winks.

"Tia, don't scare the poor stallion out of my hooves just yet. We haven't been able to speak much yet."

"I was just leaving. It was actually nice speaking to you, Angel. Please take care of my sister in my absence."

I nod and return my sights back on Luna."So..."

"Hi...I hope you...like what you see?"

"For sure, or at least you look beautiful if you were mindless...which your not..." Luna giggles at me as I struggle to find my words. "I...just want to say thank you...for this chance. I will do my best not to squander it."

Luna orders Harmonus to leave and the golem just vanishes. We're alone now and Luna gets closer to me, stopping just a meter away. "I hope you do just that. I want to learn about you, your culture. The reason why you have your name, Angel. So I know how to love you...personally."

"Likewise. I want to learn, more than ready actually." I gave a giddy grin. "This is all so new. And the sleep was great.

"I'm glad that you're awake now. I waited for nearly a week for you to wake up. Briefly, I was afraid my efforts to bring you here would prove fatal for you."

I freeze. "A week?" That explains what Celestia had mentioned offhand(hoof?). But still, fuckin'a, a freaking week.

Luna nods and suddenly looks uncomfortable. "I... had to change a few things around in your head...nothing serious I assure you. Just added...memories. To help you cope faster and knew how to move. Pony things a human wouldn't know or understand right away."

Ah, now that made sense I suppose. I knew almost nothing about the human brain, let alone a pony one. While it was strange to hear she was poking around up there I couldn't help but feel like I should trust her. It had also helped with the story I was given. I was from a land across the Celestial Sea, I lost my ability to use magic for some reason or another - got to figure that one out sooner rather than later.

"Mind if we could go for a walk? I think I'd like to learn a little more about what you do for Equestria."

We begin to walk and Luna starts. "Well, I don't just raise the moon for Equestria. It's hardly a simple ma..."