Arriving in Paradise

It was a beautiful night in Equestria and almost everypony in Ponyville was asleep. The sound of crickets and frogs combined with the warm evening breeze made it impossible to stay awake.

BANG!!!

(Until now anyway.)

The sound of a massive explosion and a flash of red light rocked the houses of ponyville to their foundations. Windows shattered and walls cracked, and ponies woke up thinking the world had ended. As one might expect, after picking themselves up off the floor the ponies rushed outside to see what the hay was going on. It didn't take long to find the source of the disturbance. The Ponyville town square was in ruins, a massive crater about 10 meters wide and 5 meters deep had been gouged in the earth. A crowd swiftly gathered around the crater's edge, trying to see what lay at the bottom.

"Excuse us, pardon, can we get by?" the crowd parted and six ponies made there way to the edge. The group consisted of two pegisai, two unicorns, and two earth ponies. Everyone in Equestria knew these six ponies for their recent defeat of a thousand year old evil. They were: Twilight Sparkle a unicorn and student to Princess Celestia now the ponyville librarian. Rainbow Dash, a Pegasus and the self proclaimed "Fastest flyer in equestria". Applejack the earth pony, a resident of Sweet Apple Acres and member of one of Ponyvilles founding families. Rarity the talented fashionista unicorn and drama queen. Fluttershy a pegasus and caretaker of animals who was terrified of everything that was not an animal, and last but not least. Pinky Pie the party obsessed hyperactive earth pony who you were better off not trying to understand. Together the six were the bearers of a set of powerful artifacts, the Elements of Harmony.

So it was easy to understand why everypony was looking to them for answers. "What do ya reckon is down there Twi?" asked Applejack. But before Twilight could answer she was interrupted.

"Oooh, ooh, maybe it's a space alien, and it's here to devour our brains and take over the world! Wouldn't that be great? we could throw a 'Welcome to Equestria please don't eat my brain and takeover the world' party!"

Twilight sighed.

"Pinky if brain eating aliens ever came to ponyville, I doubt they would be interested in a party." Pinky's face fell.

"Awwww, but I was going to make a cake that looked like a brain." Pinky complained.

Twilight resisted the urge to roll her eye's, "Anyway to answer your question Applejack, I have no idea what could be down there. But we'll find out soon, the smoke is starting to clear.". Twilight was right, the smoke and dust were thinning, and as it did everypony gasped. At the bottom of the pit lay the strangest creature anypony had ever seen. It resembled a hairless monkey or ape, devoid of fur except for what looked to be it's mane which was black in color. The rest of it's body was covered by clothing; blue jeans and white tshirt save it's odd hooves. The forehooves were shorter and ended in five blunt "claws". The back hooves were longer and bent forward instead of back. They couldn't see the end's as they were covered by some kind of black hoofwear.

"Is it....dead?" Rainbow asked hesitantly.

"No, it's still breathing." Twilight replied.

"The poor thing, we have to help it." Fluttershy said in a sympathetic voice. Twilight nodded.

"Ok everypony, we'll take him to the library since it's closest. Rainbow, go to the library basement and get the bed down there ready for our guest, Spike is there and can help. Rarity, help me levitate him, but be careful, Fluttershy come with us, we may need your assistance if he wakes up. Everyone else find a doctor and a vet and bring them to the library.". As everypony went about there assignments, Twilight wondered what the Princess would say.

Adrian was surrounded by darkness, he knew he was dreaming but it was strangely real, and vivid. He saw three symbols appear in front of him, a sun, a moon, and a star. As adrian watched the three glowing symbols flew toward him in a triangle formation. When they reached him the sun and moon placed themselves on the backs of his hand's while the star placed itself on his forehead, he heard a strange voice speak to him.

"You are the first, to protect them, you must be the last.".

Adrian had no Idea what that could possibly mean, but it seemed important. He suddenly felt himself falling until....."THUD". Adrian woke to find he had fallen out of bed, "Uhhh, what time is it" he grumbled as he looked around the room. After shaking his head he looked again, after repeating this action three more times and confirming that he was awake, he asked the obvious question. "WHAT THE FUCK??!!!". Adrian jumped up from the floor of the unfamiliar room as if it was electrified. He was scared (who wouldn't be?), the room looked like a mix of root cellar, furnished basement, and mad scientist lab. "Where in the Nine Hells am I? and how did I get here?", Adrian asked aloud. Adrian often spoke to himself when he was nervous, and right now his voice was all that was keeping him sane. "Ok last thing I remember was falling asleep in my apartment, a flash of light, then nothing. Maybe I got knocked out, but how? a flash bang grenade? This doesn't look like a CIA tourter chamber, more like the lair of a rural Frankenstein.". As he looked more closely adrian was puzzled by the odd design of the room. The whole room was wood, but it looked like it was all one piece. The stairs for example, appeared to have been carved rather than built, and he could find no trace of any seams showing where one piece had been joined with another.

Soon Adrian was so absorbed in studying the room, that he forgot about everything else. "Hmmm, it's all one piece, but there's no tree on earth that would be big enough for that to be the case. There are no windows, maybe I'm underground? but that would imply......". Adrian didn't hear the door open, or notice that he was no longer alone, until he heard someone clear there throat. Adrian turned toward the sound expecting a human. Many people in adrian's position would have screamed and run away on seeing a small pastel horse with an oddly human face, but adrian was able to avoid that....."THUD".....by fainting instead.

Twilight had been preparing breakfast when she realized she had no idea what her strange new housemate would, or even could eat. So after preparing a strong sleep spell "Just in case", Twilight went to ask, hoping that he would be able to understand her language. As she approached the basement door Twilight thought she could hear movement below. Deciding to be cautious twilight slowly unlocked and opened the door. taking a steadying breath she picked her way silently down the stairs. Twilight was surprised to see her unusual guest with his back to her looking intently at the floor. As she watched, the odd creature studied the floor and walls for a short time then seemed to get lost in thought "I wonder what he's so interested in?". Twilight slowly walked toward the distracted creature and cleared her throat. The creature whirled around to face her, it's left eye started twitching, and then it fainted. Twilight managed to catch him with magic before he hit the ground then levitated him back on to the bed.

"Hey twilight?" called a voice, it was Twilights adopted younger brother and #1 assistant, Spike the dragon.

"Yes Spike?" Twilight called, "I'm in the basement.".

"Oh, well I have a letter from the Princesses here, should I bring it down?"

"That would be great Spike, I think I should keep an eye on our guest for awhile. Bring me the letter then I need you to round up the girls."

"Um, ok, but what about breakfast? I'm starving." Spike asked, not wanting to make the journey on an empty stomach.

"Look in the cupboard, I think there's a small bag of gems I was saving for you.". Twilight smiled as Spike, upon hearing the word "Gems". Raced down the stairs placed the letter on the bed, then raced back upstairs to the kitchen and out the door. "I hope Spike doesn't take to long, last time he spent an hour flirting with Rarity before heading back.". Twilight giggled as she thought about the incident. "Now let's see what the Princess has to say, I'm sure she can explain what this thing is.".

The letter read...

Dear Twilight

Luna and I have no idea what the creature you describe could be or where it is from. I ask that you keep the creature comfortable and try to communicate with it. If the creature proves hostile, simply apply a stasis spell until I can come to collect it. If you can, try to befriend him and learn from him, but do be careful my student.

Signed, Princess Celestia and Luna

"Wow this must be serious if both Princess's are involved." Twilight commented to herself. Twilight looked over at her unconscious charge, "You know, he's kinda cute when he's asleep, in a weird sort of way.".

"Thank you."

Twilight nearly jumped out of her skin when the "unconscious" creature spoke. As she watched it opened it's eyes and sat up facing her. "Word of advice miss." he said with a smirk, "never assume that a person whose eyes are closed is asleep.". Twilight opened and shut her mouth a few times before she was able to speak.

"Y-y-you were awake the whole time?" Twilight stuttered out.

"No I woke up about halfway through that letter you were reading. Do you always read out loud?". His tone was friendly and conversational as if none of this were strange.

"Um, well...no, but I sometimes do it without meaning to, sorry. Anyway now that you're awake introductions are in order, my name is Twilight Sparkle and-" twilight was interrupted by badly suppressed laugh. "Mind telling me what's so funny?" twilight deadpanned.

It took him a minute before he could reply, "I'm sorry for being so rude miss sparkle, but your name would be quite odd where I'm from. I'm sorry for laughing, I'm sure my name will sound just as odd to you. And now that I think about it, your name is rather pretty, it suits you."

Twilight was surprised by both his sincerity and "laughter aside" his educated attitude. "It's fine, as long as you tell me your name."

"Oh, of course how rude of me, my name is Adrian White, but feel free to call me Adrian." Adrian expected Twilight to laugh at his name, but she just said, "All right Adrian then you can call me Twilight, glad to make your acquaintance."

"Anyway Adrian if you don't mind I have some questions for you, in fact I have compiled a list of the things I want to ask you.". Adrian's eyes widened when said list appeared in a flash of purple light.

"What the fuck?! How did you do that?!" Adrian yelled in amazement.

"Do what? I just teleported the list with magic why?".

Adrian finally noticed the horn on twilight's forehead and did a double take. "Holy hell! Your a unicorn!??" he screamed in utter shock.

"Um, well yes why?" Twilight asked in a puzzled tone.

Adrian looked at her in awe, "In my world unicorns are nothing but a myth, a fairy tale. So is magic for that matter, tell me how does it work? Can anyone learn it? Is it able to create energy and matter or just change it's form? Can..". Adrian suddenly stopped with thoughtful expression, then snapped his fingers. "Hey I have an Idea, since we both have questions let's take turns. One of us asks a question then the other asks one after answering, that way we can each learn about each other, sound good?"

"That sounds perfect!" Twilight said enthusiastically, "but who goes first?".

"Well I consider myself a gentleman so.......lady's first.". An hour passed.......then two........then three, if anyone had listened in they would have sworn the two had been friends since they were children. The conversation flowed easily from subject to subject, science, history, magic, litterateur, philosophy, government, and on and on. They might have stayed that way forever, but eventually hunger forced them to pause. The two went upstairs only to find Spike and the others all asleep in the main library.

"Hey everypony wake up!" Twilight called out.

The girls and Spike groaned and rubbed sleep from there eye's, Rarity was the first to notice adrian.

"Hmmm, goodness was I-GOOD HEAVENS WHAT IS THAT??!!!". What happened next was one of those things that only becomes funny after ten years and three shots of tequila. As soon as Rarity screamed, Rainbow Dash jumped up, saw Adrian, and in typical Rainbow Dash fashion charged headlong into things. Thinking that a monster was attacking her friends Rainbow blasted into Adrian at top speed. As twilight watched in horror, Adrian was sent crashing through a window propelled by rainbow's tackle.

Adrian had no idea what had hit him other than it was insanely fast and unfriendly. Adrian found himself on his back gasping for breath looking up at a cyan colored pony with wings and a rainbow colored mane. She was shouting something at him but adrian was devoting all his attention to regaining his breath.

Rainbow was victorious, at least that's how she saw it, she had defeated the monster, slain the dragon, stood firm against......."RAINBOW WHAT ARE YOU DOING??!!".

Rainbow just had time to utter "huh" before a sparkling purple aura enveloped her and yanked her off her quarry.

Twilight was frantic as she rushed to Adrian's prone form, "Oh Celestia please be ok Adrian, oh please...". Twilight reached Adrian and released Dash who was a little annoyed.

"Uh did I miss something? wasn't he attacking you?" Rainbow asked confused.

Twilight whirled on her friend, "NO! I was trying to introduce him, Rainbow what were you THINKING!?".

Rainbow suddenly felt sick, "I-I just....I thought....oops". By this time Twilight and Rainbow had been joined by the rest of their friends.

"Oh Twilight I'm so sorry!" cried a mortified Rarity. "We were waiting for you and fell asleep, and then I woke up, and......I'm so sorry I screamed like that...". Rarity continued to babble her apologies, but at that moment all Twilight's attention was on adrian.

It is a testament to how close they had gotten in so short a time, that Twilight was near hysterical as she held Adrian's head in her hoofs. But despite getting the wind knocked out of him, Adrian was fine. "Uh Twilight? not that I'm not touched by your concern, but can you stop hugging me? I'd like to get up.".

Twilight looked down to see Adrian smiling up at her, and began to calm down. As she let go of him, Twilight felt a slight blush on her face at how panicked she had gotten over a pony she just met. Adrian was surprised at how little pain he felt, given the fact that he had been thrown through a glass window. He was further puzzled by the fact that despite his shredded shirt his body had not been cut by the shattered glass. He was prevented from further speculation by the winged cyan pony who attacked him sheepishly walking up to him.

"I...I'm sorry for attacking you I just thought..."

"That your friends were in danger and you wanted to protect them?" Adrian asked with a kind smile. Rainbow was surprised by the lack of even a hint of anger, and she was floored by his next statement. "Very admirable, I commend your courage, but next time don't take your eye off your opponent even if there down."

"Wait, what? I blasted you through a window and instead of being angry you're giving me pointers?" rainbow asked incredulous.

Adrian brushed an errant hair out of his eye before responding. "Why would I be mad? it was an honest mistake, and you had good cause to make it. Don't get me wrong, it didn't tickle, but I understand you were surprised and had to make a snap judgment.".

Rainbow smirked already deciding that whatever this guy was, he was definitely the coolest stallion she ever met. "Name's Rainbow Dash, glad your ok cause I like you already.".

An hour later, after introductions and a bite to eat, adrian was happily chatting with his odd new friends. Twilight had never met a "Human" as he called himself, but if they were all as charming as Adrian she definitely wanted to meet more. He seemed to possess a knack for knowing exactly what to say and how to say it. He was funny, polite, smart, and kind, even Spike, who had been a little standoffish at first, seemed to love him after he explained how honored he was to meet a real dragon. He talked with Rarity about clothes and her work and was a true gentelcolt. He spoke with Applejack about farming, crops, and plant's of all types impressing her with his knowledge about such things. Despite their awkward first introduction, rainbow and adrian had become fast friends, especially after he told her what a "Fighter Jet" was. Pinky laughed endlessly at his clever jokes and humorous stories.He was even able to get Fluttershy to open up after a few minutes, telling her about the animals of his world. Twilight was amazed that he was so calm about everything, given that he was apparently from an entirely different plane of existence.

"Adrian darling how is it that you got to equestria in the first place?" asked Rarity.

"I wish I knew Miss Rarity, but I have no idea." he answered honestly.

"Ya mean yall are stuck here?" AJ asked in surprise.

"Yes, but after meeting you girls and Spike I can't say I mind. I want to learn all about this world, this is a wonderful opportunity to study a non-human culture, and I don't want to waste it." Adrian said happily.

"B-but what about you're family and friends? they must be worried sick about you." Fluttershy asked.

"I doubt anyone will even know I'm gone for at least a few days. I will miss my family and friends but I think this world might have something that I have been searching for."

"Really what?" Rainbow asked.

"Sorry, but I can't tell you until I know for certain that it's here." Adrian explained.

"Ooh ooh, I love guessing games! is it a cat? a map? or maybe a cookie?" Pinky asked.

"No it's not anything like that, it's not a physical object, but your leader's will be able to tell me if it's here. If it is then I may stay here for some time, if your people will allow it, that's all I'll say."

By this point the group had been speaking for several hours and everypony was exhausted, so they decided to call it a night. As his new friends bid him goodbye Adrian smiled feeling more at peace than he ever had in his life. "This place, it feels so....right, like I belong here. I hope the Princesses are everything Twilight says, if they are....". Adrian's thoughts were interrupted by Twilight.

"Adrian, I received a letter from the Princesses earlier, and tomorrow they will be coming to take you to canterlot. Don't worry they just want to get to know you themselves, I'm sure they'll love you.". Twilight was surprised that she wasn't freaking out more about the Princesses meeting Adrian. But after talking with, and getting to know him, she was certain that he could make friends with anyone.

"Thank you for saying that Twilight, and for being so kind to me. I am glad we met, you are truly a wonderful per- sorry pony. When I get back to Ponyville I hope we can get to know each other more.".

Hearing this Twilight's face started to turn red, and a number of odd thought's concerning his possible meaning swirled in her head. After saying goodnight and going to her room Twilight let out a longing sigh, and allowed a goofy smile to cross her face. It was the same look Spike got when he saw Rarity.

Author's Note

Sorry if it's not "New York Times Bestseller" quality but I did what I could, and can you really ask for more than that?