Arrivals are hard on the body
Chapter 1
Who would have thought I would ever have run so much? In my old life running to the end of the drive would have wiped me out for the whole day. Now, it felt that all I did was run.
Colorful houses, with their old style window staring out at me, zipped by as I made my mad dash down the rows in between. Thank whatever powers that be that most residence had decided to stay inside due to the current situation. It seemed I was the only one dumb enough to venture out. Me and the crazy ones chasing me.
I took a minute to catch my breath, ducking behind a flower bed. I couldn't stay there long. Those crazy girls were bound to find me eventually, especially that pink one. She seemed to pop out of nowhere and vanish the same way. Even now I could hear the “boing, boing” straight out of the cartoons. Didn't she ever walk anywhere? Times up. Time to find a new hiding place. Running out, I took to the streets again.
I needed to find some cover. I was too easy to spot from the skies. Each flash of color made me flinch, thinking I had been seen by my aerial pursuer. The ground wasn't any safer. At any minute the others would catch me, either using their work strengthened legs or teleporting, they would make up for my head start.
Making a quick decision, I took a sharp left, exiting the town. Yes, I would be entering 'her' territory but the trees would give me good cover and maybe I could lose most of them in the rows. My stomach gave a rumble reminding me it had been a long time since breakfast but I didn't dare stop to pick any of the delicious looking fruit around me. Not yet anyways.
A ways into the grove my breath deserted me again, and I had to stop. Leaning against a tree I wondered for the thousandth time how I had gotten myself into this situation and why I had even left my house today.
“You ok, Anon?” the tree said as I gasped for air.
“Ya just wish you girls would give me a break.” I laughed back. The tree joined my laughter. Wait? Tree? Looking at it I could see two eyes closed in giggles near the base. Shit! How could I forget that one was a master of disguise. It was always the quiet ones that surprised you. I sprint off, leaving the tree coughing in the dust cloud left behind.
“Wait! Come back!” I heard from behind me between the coughs. Like hell I was going to do that. I kept running.
I was running out of options. Where to hide, where to hide. No place was safe. Not looking where I was going, I didn't see the hill till I was already sliding halfway down it. By the time I hit bottom I was just happy I hadn't broken anything.
“Ow, ow, ow, ow.” I stood up and looked at my path. No way I was getting back up there. Hand on my rump to dull the pain I turned to continue on and froze. Six figures blocked my path. Each a different color. Each with a look in their eye that sent shivers down my spine.
“Now come on, Anon, you knew there was no escape to begin with.” The purple one said.
“Although, that chase was so awesome.” the cyan one stated, her rainbow hair reverberating with each beat of her wings. “That was the fastest I have ever seen you run, dude.”
“Yes all this running has left me quite exhausted and sweaty. We simply must get this over with so that I might get a bath.” of course she would be the one to complain that my mad dash for freedom would ruin her looks.
“Come now, ah enjoyed this little exercise.” the orange one said waving her hat to cool herself off. “It takes away the need to stretch for later.”
“Well I had a blast.” the bouncing pink blur said. All the running didn't seem to have phased her at all as she still seemed to have tons of energy left.
“Um, please come along quietly, Anon, if you wouldn't mind?” the pink bangs hid her face but I could see the blush on her cheeks. I wasn't fooled by her meek demeanor. She was the worst of the bunch.
“Yes I do believe we are done with the chase. Seeming as he had no where left to run.” Purple was right they had me completely surrounded. “Now come quietly, Anon.”
They advanced and I closed my eyes. How did I get into this? A thousand and one.
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“Ow, Ow, Ow, OW!” My head hurt so much that the simple act of being awake was a near death experience. How much did I have to drink last night? That is the first and last time I let my friends get me that drunk. Now I know why I avoided parties in general. But it had been my birthday and my friends had really wanted me to come out with them. What can you do?
Ok whatever you do don't open your eye just yet. Blinding light brings new pain. Why don't I ever listen to me? Slowly this time, one eye at a time. Now stop the spinning. Both eye to the same side of my head. Now focus.
I blinked, seeing the canopy of trees above me. Great the one time I let my friends talk me into going to a party they get me so drunk and then dump me in a park to sleep it off. When I get back home I am going to start plotting my revenge. It is strange that broken branches and snapped limbs seem to form a pattern from the top, almost like something had fallen through. I closed my eyes again trying to stop the pain behind them. I tried to remember what had happened after the party but all I got were scattered images. I think I had woken my mom up getting home late. Of course she had yelled at me. Something about drinking too much and coming home a mess. Had I yelled back? It wasn't clear.
Groaning, I sat up, rubbing my eyes to clear some of the fog. Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes again. What greeted me was the strangest forest I have ever seen. Wild undergrowth mixed with jungle vines, tree roots sticking out everywhere. I could almost imagine some run down castle sitting in the middle of all, like something out of a video game. The creepy faces in the trees didn't help any.
I shook my head just to make sure I was truly seeing this. Shit, how in the hell had I gotten here? I don't even remember there being a forest like this anywhere near my home town. Or state. So where the hell was I?
Groaning again, I got to my feet and looked around. Nothing in my vicinity gave me any clue how I had gotten here. No tire tracks to show my being dumped by some jester, not even a footprint to show the way beck to civilization. Well shit.
Something shifted, hitting my foot. Looking down I saw it was my backpack. Well, at least I have the good sense to bring something useful with me. A quick check revealed it was packed with everything I liked to bring when I wanted to be alone. Once I found my asthma medication I took a hit as the strangeness of the situation was causing a bit out panic. Calming a bit I continued to search the bag for anything useful. Thankfully I had packed some meal bars just in case. Given the fact that I couldn't remember the last time I ate, I unwrapped one of the bars. It wasn't much but it should hold me till I find somewhere with better food offerings. I couldn't be that far from civilization, could I?
Unfortunately, I did not see my phone in its usual spot. I frantically searched around my bag until I spotted it laying several feet away. I picked it up only to find the screen had cracked in half with several smaller veins cover most of the screen. A jab at the power button showed that the damage was more than cosmetic as the pixels fragmented into a unrecognizable mess. Shit, and more shit. Cursing my usual luck, I threw useless phone into its pocket and hefted my bag onto my shoulders.
Done with my search I went back to studying the forest and I have to say, it was spooky. Not just in the way the trees seemed to watch my every move but sometimes I swear I could see eyes glowing in the darkness just like in those old cartoons. To top it all off there wasn't a single sign that humans had ever been this deep in. Not even a well worn path. I won't lie, I was scared shitless.
The sound of howling brought me back to reality. Wolves, by the sound of it. I have never seen a wolf before and I knew that wolf attacks were rare against humans, but I was in their territory, alone and unarmed, so they might just make an exception to that rule. Not something I really wanted to test. I had to get moving NOW. With no indicator of which way a town, or anything else, lay I just had to pick a direction at random and started off, hoping it would lead me out.
The uneven ground made progress hard. Large trees had to be circumvented; vines overcome and the bush and bramble didn't help either. Even at my slow pace I was soon covered with scrapes, scratches and bruises. They stung like crazy, causing me to draw breath in a hiss. Of all the things in my bag, why couldn't I have packed some antiseptic? No way around it now. Maybe when I found a stream I could at least clean them out.
More cries from behind me told me the wolves I had heard earlier were getting closer. Taking that as my cue I went from a walk to a jog. I figured the extra speed was worth a few more cuts. I knew I couldn't keep it up for long with my asthma but I needed to put some distance between me and those things. Just hoping they were just passing through. When the howls came right behind me I knew the wolves definitely had my scent. In a panic, I broke into a full run.
Fear and adrenaline can drive a man to do amazing things. My breath came out in ragged gasps, my legs felt like they were going to crumple under me and I felt like I was going to pass out at any second but I kept running as fast as I could over the tough terrain, trying not to trip over any protruding roots or rocks. Rustling to my right told me the wolves had caught up. I knew I was dead, but I kept going. That is until a cliff stopped me dead.
Shit, shit, shit. I swore, breathing heavily. A growl from behind caused me turn around. Out of the bush stalked the freakiest wolves I had ever seen before. I could have sworn they were made wood and bark. More wolves came out into the opening, I counted seven in all, each one with glowing eyes and breath so rank I could smell it even from where I stood. I stepped back but stopped as my heel felt empty air. What the hell am I gonna do now?
I was spared my choice when the forerunner wolf choose that moment to charge me, leaping with its mouth open ready to rip open my neck. I fumbled back, my arms coming up to protect my face. A misstep in my retreat caused me to stumble on some rocks, twisting enough that, instead of sinking his teeth into soft flesh, he jaw snapped just where my head had been. Unfortunately, his momentum carried him forward and he slammed into my chest instead. The impact knocked us both back along the cliff and over the edge.
It felt like I was suspended in the air, floating on nothing, that is, until I felt the chill of water. The air was forced from my lungs as the wood wolf landed on top of me, driving me deeper into the cold river and forcing me to breath in some of the water along the way.
My lungs burned form the intrusion as I struggled to reach the surface, desperate for air. I could feel my heavy backpack trying to drag me to the bottom but I was in too much of a panic to coordinate myself enough to get it off. Finally, my head reached the surface and I gasped, taking in air mixed with even more water. Coughs racked my lungs as I tried to get the invading water out of my airways. Each attempt at breathing just brought in more water.
The rapidly moving water made it almost impossible to stay above the surface. My arms flailed around, trying to grab anything that would keep me afloat but my hand kept slipping off the rocks. Each time I surfaced more panic set in. I was sure the each time would be the last time and I would be dragged to the bottom to drown.
Another wild kick brought me up for another breath just as a wave pushed me back against a rock, my head slammed hard and my vision exploded. I felt my body went limp, even as my consciousness faded. Blood run freely down my back before getting carried away by the water around me. As my world went black all I could think was this was a shitty way to spend my Sunday.
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I'm not dead.
Interesting, if logical, first thought when waking up.
I tried to open my eyes but they wouldn't listen to me. Neither did the rest of my body. Makes sense. Pain sensors assaulted my brain telling me just how hurt I truly was. Surprising I was even alive let alone awake at this point. Wouldn't be insane to say that I had probably broken at least a few bones on top of the concussion Even my ears were ringing. At least I was breathing air instead of water.
Through all the aches and pains my focus centered on the fell of soft earth below me. From the wetness I knew it was mud. Not the most ideal of resting locals but at least I was stationary and not under water anymore.
New sounds pushed through the fading ringing of my ears, drew my attention away from my self again. I could have sworn they were foot step. My pain rattled brain I felt relief that someone had found me. I didn't even care that the pattern of the footfalls were off for some reason.
“um, are you ok?” a soft voice next to me asked. Definitely a chick. At least I was able to recognize that much. I tried to answer but my body was still not following instructions. All that came out was a quiet gurgle. I felt my side being poked. Can't say I blame her. If I found a half dead person in the mud I would be a bit cautious too. After a minute I felt something grab hold of my bag and I was dragged across the ground. That was all she wrote and I went back to blackness.
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Warmth. Glorious warmth. I felt something covering me as I swam back to the world of the living. It felt like the softest, warmest comforter I had ever had the privilege to wake up under. The bed under me was so fluffy that I felt myself sink into it even if it was a little short for my stature. All this comfort made me want to go back to dreamland but I knew that I had to try and wake up. The concussion I knew I had from the throbbing of my skull was a cause for real concern.
I heard voices somewhere close by. They were a little muffled so they weren't in the same room I was in, maybe in the next maybe. I immediately recognized the quieter one as the person that had found me on the shore, although the other I had never heard before. It carried a huskier sound to it but I could still tell it belonged to a women. Thinking that I needed to knew who I was dealing with so I listened closely to the conversation.
“...and he should not move from that bed for at least a week.” Deep voice said. From the way he was talking I figured she must be a doctor of some sort. Very kind of the chick to get me checked out even though she didn't know me. Not a lot of people would go so far for a complete stranger. “The head injury wasn't too bad and the creaked ribs cleaned up nicely and should heal with time. The lung condition, on the other hoof, was a bit more severe.”
“What do you mean.” The softer voice said. She spoke so softly that it was hard to hear her.
“Well, his lungs had a deficiency that makes fluids build in the breathing tubes.” I heard a slight gasp but the doctor continued. “I believe that he has had it for quite some time, however, maybe even since birth. Fortunately, I was able to solve the immediate danger, although it was a tricky procedure on a creature as strange as this. When he is better I would like to try a more permanent solution.”
Wait, did she just say she could cure my asthma? I have never heard of any kind of medicine that could do that. Was it some kind of new experimental drug or therapy? And what does he mean creature? I tried to open my eye. Nope, still not a good idea.
“I really wish you would allow me to take him to the hospital for more extensive tests, but since he is in stable condition I will digress to your expertise in such matters.”
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Doctor.” Man, her voice was soft. I am surprised I can hear it at all in my condition.
“It is of no matter.” The Doctor replied, “I am just glad you called when you did. Much longer and this creature would have had a complete respiratory failure.”
Foot steps told me both parties had left the room and a door opened, words of farewell were exchanged and the door was closed. The owner of the house began moving across the room and from the change in sound entered yet another room beyond. I could have sworn there was a pattern of four foot falls. Ok now I needed to see what was going on. So despite the pain I cracked my eyes open, very slowly, so they could get used to the light.
What I saw was what I expected to see, a great view of the ceiling. Well, what do expect when a person is laying flat on their back? What did confused me was that the roof was made of thatch. I didn't know anybody used that anymore. Sure, a few fundamentalist in other countries still used it but come on there was no way I could have gotten on a plane. I didn't even have a passport.
Next mission, turn my head. Mission complete. The room I occupied was very sensible. No overt furnishing that a lot of people had. The room was kept very tidy and neat. The light from the window was the only light so I wondered if there was even electricity here. Moving on, I could see more old fashion furniture including a bureau and a small chest, even what looked to be a coo coo-clock. Several smaller pet beds around so the person must be an animal lover. That might explain why she was so compassionate to strangers.
After surveying what I could from the depth of the bed came the hard part, siting up. I propped my arm below me and pushed. It hurt like hell and I only got far enough to lean back on the head board, but I was able see more of the room. There was indeed a door way leading into other parts of the house. I was able to see a little into the other side but not much, mostly just a staircase leading to a lower level.
A clinking sound told me that someone was making their way up the stairs. Expecting to see my rescuer, I waited, instead I was greeted by a humorous sight. Standing in the doorway holding a bowl in its mouth stood a tiny horse. Wait, it was the wrong proportions to be a horse. A pony then? Even then, the head was too big and the eyes, which took up most of its face, were facing the front. Also, I had never seen any pony with such vivid yellow fur, not to mention the pink mane. It even looked to be styled like some of the women that the magazines, deemed the shy type, wore. Now I am no expert on such things but the whole thing made me think that the pony must be female, unless the owner was one of those weirdos that make everything girly. Eh, just go with it.
The pony moved across the room and placed the bowl she was holding on the bed side table. I stared as she blew on the contents before taking the spoon in her mouth and ladling out what appeared to be some kind of vegetable soup. My stomach gave a rumble and I blushed. The pony smiled behind the spoon (how did she even do that) and put its front hooves on the bed, bringing the morsel within biting distance. I looked at the offered food for a moment before deciding that it would probably be rude to refuse, no matter what the source. As my mouth closed around the broad end of the spoon, the content passed over my tongue and my eye widened with shook. It was the best soup I had ever tasted! Now I am not much for vegetables, but I would have traded every steak or candy bar just to have more of this soup. Lucky for me there was a whole bowl full of the stuff. Bypassing my caretaker, I grabbed the bowl and tilted my head back letting the liquid and bits make there way over my pallet.
“Careful now.” said the same voice from earlier. “Don't wanna get a tummy ache by eating too fast.”
Reluctantly, I lowered the bowl. I hadn't heard anyone come in and the doorway was empty so I looked around the room. Besides the pony and myself, no one was in the room. She looked at me with those wide eye and smiled again. I could have sworn that every time she did I could hear a *squee*, just like a dog's chew toy.
“Alright who said that?” I said, keeping an eye for someone hidden. This must be some kind of joke, right? The pony blushed and made a small meep. It was just so damn cute I couldn't help myself. I reach out and scratched her behind the ear while keeping a lookout for whoever it was in the room. At first she shied away from my hand but then she leaned into it humming.
“Hmm, that feels nice.” She said.
My whole body seized up and I just stared. Classic denial kicked in as I tried to convince myself that it must have been some kind of mistake. There was no way that the creature in front of me could be talking. Although. She had brought me food and fed me. No, no there had to be some kind of misdirection going on. It took a minute for my brain to tell me that, yes, I had indeed heard the little wide eyed pony speak.
“Um are you ok?” She spoke again, her voice rising in concern as she waved her hooves in front of me to get a reaction. Oh, I gave her a reaction alright.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” I screamed (not my best moment). I scrambled back away from the impossible creature, dragging the covers of the bed along with me. Unfortunately, I forget about the edge of the bed and I quickly got another good view of the ceiling.
“Oh dear. You really should not do that. The doctor said that you needed to stay in bed for at least another week.” She said as she floated over the bed looking down at me. She had wings! So not only was she a talking pony, but she was a flying, talking pony. Great.
She began to pull on my arm to get me back into bed. I didn't even struggle. My brain was too busy trying to make sense of what was going on. Ok. So here I was in an medieval style house, now back in the best bed I had ever slept in, being nursed back to health by a overly colorful, what were they called, oh that's right, PEGASUS. Ya, maybe I had brain damage after all.
Through the haze my brain had locked me in, I felt something being pressed into my hands. Looking down I found a glass of water in my hand, and the pegasus was looking at me expectantly. I hadn't even seen her leave the room. Looking at it dumbly, I tried to remember just what one did with water. Oh, that's right. I downed the glass in quick gulps.
My thirst sated, I turned to the yellow and pink creature straight out of fantasy and tried to put together a coherent sentence. She beat me to it.
“There we go.” she said as she straighten the covers over me again. “I was scared that you had hurt yourself again. It would be so terrible if you went back into a coma again, just when you had woken up.”
After gaping for too long, I did what I did every time I needed to give my brain a kick start. SLAP. Right on the cheek. The pony looked at me in surprise but the pain restarted my thought process and I was able to speak again.
“How is it even possible that you can speak?” My voice was almost at the edge of panic but I was able to hold it together by a small thread.
She gave me a confused look the answered in a small voice. “Well I learned just like anypony else does, I guess. The really question is how can YOU talk? I have never seen any creature like you before. Especially a creature that could speak Equis.”
More gaping. Come on now, you are smart enough to at least get through a conversation, even if it is not possible to be having it with a freaking pony! “Equis? I don't speak Equis, I can only speak English, badly I might add.” I said. Ya, seemed like the most important thing to be questioning right now, dumbass.
“Oh, well, if your so sure then maybe you are, but it sure sounds like Equis. It is what everypony in Equestria speaks.”
“Where in the world is Equestria?” Now we are getting into some useful questions. Just focus on the five W's. We'll figure out the 'how' later.
“You must be from a long ways away if you have never heard of Equestria.” She said again with a concerned look. “Just where are you from?”
“Well, I last thing I knew I was in Washington.” I explained for no other reason but to give me time to think. “You probably wouldn't know the town, no one I talk to online had ever even heard of it either.”
“Oh, I see.” She looked genuinely interested in what I was saying. Her eyes stared into mine and I felt she wanted me to elaborate. I blushed and cleared my thoughts. I was about to speak again when a knock at the door interrupted me.
The pegasus gave a squeak (so damn cute), then said, “Excuse me.” before flying off to the other room. I heard a door open soon after, followed by a soft “Hello”
“Hello, Fluttershy.” Whoever it was at the door said. This ones voice was much higher then the last visitor and sounded a bit analytical (don't ask me how I came to that). “We haven't seen you in a couple of days and then Rainbow said she saw Doctor Cross leave your place, so we were worried.”
I heard the sound of hooves on wood enter the other room. Quite a lot of them, in fact. Was one of them bouncing? Must have been, because I kept seeing something pink over the edge of the stairs through the still open door.
“Oh, yes, well, I have a new patient and he was hurt worse then I could take care of myself, so I called the Doctor.”
“That is strange.” A new voice said. It sounds kinda snooty, like those high class ladies that you see on TV sipping champagne while complaining about everything. There is a word for those kinds of people. BI... “I didn't think think there was any creature you couldn't treat.”
“Um, well, he isn't exactly like the other creature I have treated,” my host explained.
“So, where is this new patient? I always like meeting new ponies, but if he is your patient then he wouldn't be a pony, but I still need to meet him and throw him a super special 'Welcome to Ponyville' party!” Ok, that one needs to cut back on the sugar.
“Well, um, he is upstairs.”
“Then lets go have a look.” a husky voice said. It was worse then the doctors and I was almost ready to call it a boy's voice, but there was something that made me decide that it was definitely feminine.
I could hear wing beats coming up the stairs and in through the door flew another pegasus. This one had light blue (cyan maybe?) fur and, whoa, was that a full rainbow in her mane? She stopped in mid-air (nice trick) and stared at me. Finally, I wasn't the only one taken aback by the situation.
I waved, shyly, trying to dispel the awkwardness. She gaped at me and seemed to freeze in mid air.
“Um, Rainbow, you are blocking the door.” The pegasus was pushed to the side as more ponies filed into the room. Including the two pegasi I had already seen, six ponies filled the room. Most, upon seeing me, adopted their friend's shocked stance. All except one.
“HI, MY NAME IS PINKIE PIE WHAT'S YOURS?” My vision was taken up completely by frizzy pink hair and huge blue eyes. Yup, definitely too-much-sugar-pony. I fell back onto the bed. Too close for comfort.
“Pinkie, darling, I think you are frightening the poor dear.” The snooty voice belonged to the white furred pony with a fancy purple mane. She even looked like one of those high class bitc..
“Oh sorry.” 'Pinkie' said climbing down onto the bed. Wait, what was she even standing on?
“So, Fluttershy, what is this creature and where did you find it?” The purple one with a horn asked (huh, a unicorn) .
“Ya that is the strangest looking monkey that I have ever seen.” The rainbow pony said. Well at least she got over her shock quickly.
“Ah ain't even sure that ah would call it a monkey.” Was that one wearing a cowboy hat?
“Well whatever it is I would love to study it for my research.” So purple must be some kind of nerd. Go figure.
It was at this point I started to get annoyed. “You know IT can hear you and HE would like to not be talked about like he is not in the room.”
Again with the slack jaws. If this continues there are going to be permanent holes in the floor.
“Woah, it can talk!” the rainbow pegasus about yelled. A moment of silence followed, then “That is so AWESOME!”
Mixed stares shot to the floating pony before the nerd cleared her throat, “ ok then, um, sir?” she said coming forward, closer to the bed. “I apologize for our rudeness. It is just we have never seen a creature such as yourself and it never crossed our minds that you would be capable of communicating. My name is Twilight Sparkle. Local Librarian and student to Princess Celestia” Oh, we got a big wig here “This is Apple Jack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and you have already meet Fluttershy.”
I gave them the best smile I could muster, given the unusual nature of being introduced to talking animals two-thirds my height. “It is a pleasure to meet friends of my rescuer.”
“Well he certainly is polite.” Rarity said. Was that, yes it was. I noticed she also had a horn.
“So what is it you call yourself?” Twilight asked.
“Well my species is called human.” I explained, “ As for my name its.. Ah... its...”
I struggled to remember just what it was, a headache starting. Why was it so hard to remember something so simple as my name? After a little while of struggling to remember, my head felt like it was going to split open.
“Woah there. You alright partner?” I looked up finding Applejack laying a hoof across my shoulders in comfort. I hadn't even realized I had curled up clutching my head. I looked into her green eye and saw worry.
“Why can't I remember my own name?” I felt tears form in the corner of my eye. I never cried in public let along in front of girls. It just was all too much.
“It is alright if you can't remember.” She patted me on the back a few times before lowering herself onto all fours. “How about instead y'all just choose a name for now?”
Well that sounded reasonable. I thought for a minute before saying, “How about you call me Anonymous for now. Anon for short.”
“You sure you want to go with that one?” Twilight asked tilting her head to the side. “It sounds a little ambiguous.”
“Ya, it seems appropriate given that I am a non-person at the moment.” I chuckled.
“Well its your name.” She shrugged (human body expression on a pony, they just struck me a cute), “So why don't you tell us where you are from.”
“He said he is from the Kingdom of Washington.” I had almost forgotten Fluttershy was in the room. I felt bad, given she had saved my life, but she had been so quiet that it was easy to overlook her.
I laughed, “Well Washington it not a Kingdom, it's a state. Part of the United Stated of America.” The ponies around me looked to one another in confusion.
“Um, I have seen all the maps of Terra and I have never heard of such a place.” Twilight said.
“Terra?” I asked, cocking my head to the side.
“Ya, you know, the planet which you are living on,” Rainbow Dash said from her spot above the others. How does she stay airborne all the time?
“But the name of the planet is Earth. Some people call it Terra Firma but that is only those science geeks.” I tried to make sense of it.
“So y'all saying y'all ain't even from this planet?” Applejack spoke up beside me.
“No, that is impossible. Interstellar travel isn't possible... unless.” Twilight said drifting off in thought.
“Unless what, darling?” Rarity said bumping the purple unicorn with her hoof.
Twilight shook her head, blinking back into reality. “Well, I read a book once that said that some high powered spells are able to transport ponies between dimensional planes of existence.”
“Dimensional planes? As in alternate universes?” I asked. Brain reaching critical mass. Wait. “and did you say spell? As in Magic?”
“Well, yes.”
Danger, Will Robinson, Danger. Critical Brain Meltdown in 3, 2...
“The power needed to generate a tear in the dimensional wall would be enormous,” Twilight went on, “I am not even sure the princesses could generate that amount on their own. Just think about the possibilities that could come from something that could transport an object from one universe to another.” Her eyes started to gain a manic look in them and I could tell she was excited about the prospect.
“Twi. Calm down.” Applejack said, grabbing her shoulders and snapping the unicorn out of her rave. “What we need to focus on now is helpin' this feller out.”
Every eye turned to me and I felt another blush creep over me. Feeling self-conscious I pull the covers further up over me. Something felt off about the motion. There didn't seem to be any resistance like there should be. It was almost like I wasn't...
“WHERE ARE MY PANTS?!” I screamed pulling the covers tight around my frame.
All the ponies took a step back at the tone in my voice and quick glances were exchanged between the group.
“Well, um, they were all torn up and covered with mud so I had to take them.” Fluttershy whispered from her corner.
Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself. It made sense to get an injured person out of wet clothes. I felt a little ashamed about being undressed by a girl. Even if that girl was a pony. Wait she didn't have hand so how did she... I shook my head to dislodge the only possible answer. Moving on. “That is alright, Fluttershy,” I said, giving her a gentle smile.
“What is so important about a pair of clothes?” Rainbow said.
I heard a gasp from Rarity before I could reply with, “Well, I am sitting here with only a blanket in front of six girls. It is kind of embarrassing.”
“What is so embarrassing about that sugar cube?” As I looked over at the cowgirl, I noticed that besides her hat none of these girls were wearing a thing. Maybe in their culture clothing were optional. Oh crap, how was I going to explain the importance of clothes to those that didn't wear any.
I ducked my head, trying to hide my blush. “Well, where I am from people don't just walk around naked. Especially with those of the opposite gender.”
“You mean all of your species wear clothes all the time?” Rarity asked, her face adopting a large smile and a gleam in her eye.
I sat back to escape her gaze. “What's up with her?” I whispered to Applejack.
“She makes clothes for a living.” Applejack explained, “Ah recon the idea of ponies wearing clothes all the time would be a dream come true for her.”
I chuckled and Rarity was snapped out of her daydream. “Dear me. Sorry for drifting off like that.” She blushed.
“No problem, but can I have my clothes back now?”
Fluttershy trotted off and soon returned with my clothes.
“Good Heavens!” Rarity exclaimed.
It was indeed a sight. My clothes were in ruins, evidence of my near death experience. Mud and blood caked everything extensively. The shirt was in ribbons and the pants weren't much better off. At least my shorts were salvageable, at least they would hold my junk.
“Just what happened to you?” Twilight asked, looking at the wreck of my clothing, then at the bandages that covered most of my body.
“Well I'm not quite sure.” I said. “First thing I remember of this place is waking up in the middle of a really creepy forest.”
“The Everfree Forest?!” the group exclaimed, shock apparent on all of their faces.
“I guess.” I didn't know what the big deal was. One forest was pretty much like the next. Although, I must admit that one had been rather creepier than any I had been in before. “After waking up, I was trying to make it back to civilization when I was chased by these wolves made completely of wood. Finally they had me trapped on a cliff and one knocked me over the edge into a river. I must have hit my head at some point because the next thing I knew I was here.”
“So let me get this straight.” Applejack said. “Not only did you come from another dimension but you made your way through the forest, escaped timberwolves, and almost drowned?”
Timberwolves? Huh, figures.
“That about sums it up.”
“Hot damn you are either really luck or one tough customer!” She laughed. I joined her. While we both were in hysterics Rarity let out a huff.
“Well you simply can't wear those rags anymore.”
“What else can I do. These are the only set I have on me at the time.” I shrugged, wiping a tear from my eye.
“I simply cannot allow it. Now hand those over this instant.” The tone in her voice took me by surprise and I handed them over. A light blue aura surrounded my ruined clothes and they floated away while I just stared. It was one thing to hear that magic exists but another to watch it in action.
“Hmm.” the white unicorn mumbled, inspecting my clothes. “Simple design. Easy stitching. I should be able to make you simple replacements by the end of the day if you really need something to wear, but when you have more time you simply must come in so I can get proper measurement.”
“Can I at least keep the shorts,” I asked, pointing at the smaller piece.
A frown crossed her face, but she relented. “Very well, if you must, but the rest come with me."
I snatched up my underwear and ducked under the covers. What followed was several minutes of scrambling under the blankets, trying to pull them on while not letting anything fall out. Finally I reappeared, not decent but at least covered.
As interesting as all this was I felt that it was probably a good time to leave. Even if I was hurt I wasn't a mooch. Fluttershy had already been putting herself out taking care of me thus far.
“As much as this has been fun, I really should not over stay my welcome here.” I threw my legs over the edge of the bed, my ribs hurt like hell but I was determined, “I am sure we will meet again once I find a place to stay.” Putting weight on my legs I tried to stand, only to have the yellow mare plant herself on my chest.
“No, you mustn’t get out of bed yet, Doctors orders.” Fluttershy said from her position on top of me. I was surprised that the quiet pegasus that had kept to the background was now being so assertive. I looked to the others for help but they adverted their eyes.
“Really, Fluttershy, I am feeling just fine. I think I can handle it from here.” I said, hoping to talk my way out of it.
“I, said, No!” I didn't think it was possible but her eyes became larger and there was an intensity behind her stare that made me feel very afraid.
I heard hoof steps approach from the side and turned my head to see the others coming closer looks of concern on their faces.
“Just where else do you have to go?” Twilight asked looking straight at me. When I didn't answer her expression changed to understanding, “Look, I see that you don't want to be a burden, but you are hurt and Fluttershy just wants to help.”
Turning back to the pony on top of me, I stared up into Fluttershy's pleading eyes. I couldn't take for more than a minute before I felt my will corrode. “Fine, I will stay a little while longer,” I said reluctantly.
A smile spread with an audible squee before she flapped back and onto the floor. I shuttered at what I had seen and how quickly I had caved before pulling my legs back onto the bed and under the covers. It took a bit of readjusting before the throb in my ribs, brought on my having someone sit directly on them, died back down.
Fluttershy turned to the rest of the group with a more gentle face, but still just authoritative. “Now, I know you girls have a lot of questions for Anon, but he really is in need of rest.”
“Um ok. We'll be going now.” Twilight said, backing up towards the door. “When you are feeling better we will have to have a long discussion and you can tell me all about your world.”
“Also we'll have to have a special 'welcome to Ponyville, glad you're better' party!” Pinkie Pie said, bouncing out the door. I smiled and waved. The front door closed soon after they had left and leaving me alone with my pony nursemaid.
“You know, I'm really not that tired.” I said.
“Yes, but you do need your rest.” She replied, pulling up a stool next to the bed, “you have had a lot excitement for somepony in your condition.”
Ya, I guess it had been quite a lot to take in at once. Wolves, near death experiences, talking ponies, magic. I gave an involuntary yawn and tried to cover it with my hand. Apparently, my body was trying to tell me I was, in fact, very tired no matter what my brain said.
The pegasus next to me giggled and gave me a knowing look. “Looks like you are more tired then you thought.”
“Looks like.” I said allowing myself to fall back onto the pillow. “Hey, Fluttershy?”
“Yes?”
“Why weren't you as surprised as everybody else that I could talk?”
She looked at me a blush spreading across her checks, “Well, um, you, talk in your sleep.”
I blushed. I thought I had grown out of that habit. Rolling over so she could not see my face, I closed my eyes and breathed deep. Huh? Vanilla.
