To Forge a Legend

I was fully aware I was back in the real world with the similar pains and aches that plagued my body earlier, but this time they had been greatly reduced from the feeling I felt before I had collapsed.  As my senses began to slowly returned, I could hear the sound of something bubbling within a container in the distance.  The smell of exotic and unknown plants and herbs filled my nose as well as the welcomed scent of freshly burning wood.  The comfortable mattress underneath me and the cozy blanket covering me hugged my form as I began to move my head off of the warm pillow.

But before I opened my eyes, I had realized something felt different.  A part of me had changed somehow and my body was moving differently than it used to.  When I opened my eyes and gazed at my hands, panic and confusion exploded from my mind as I wasn’t looking at hands at all.  What connected to the long black coated fore legs that stretched to my figure were hooves, hooves that belonged to a pony.

Startled and starting to panic, I leaped out of the bed in the fashion I normally would, on my hind legs.  This turned out to be a poor choice of action because I quickly found myself falling backwards almost instantly after standing up.  I was indeed thankful that a mattress was still behind me to catch my fall so that I did not land on the hard ground.  I allowed myself to panic for a few more moments, questioning where I was, how I became a pony, what time it was and where in the divine Patrick was right now.

After a while, however, I began to calm myself down and began to remember the event back at the Lake of Tranquility .  Slowly I recalled everything, being teleported to Equestria, meeting a Timberwolf, meeting the Princesses and remembering that Patrick was safe, for the time being.  The name Twilight Sparkle rung in the back of my head as I attempted to once again get off of the bed, my ears picking up the sound of footsteps, or more akin hoofsteps, approaching from the other end of a slightly tattered brown curtain that separated the room from the rest of the domain.

I only had enough time to learn to stand up before a zebra walked in with a wooden tray in her mouth that held a small wooden bowl, a white rag, a wooden cup and what appeared to be a vial of pale red color.  Amber eyes gazed into my own as she offered a friendly expression towards me, my defenses lowering slightly as she walked over to place the tray upon a night stand next to the bed.  My eyes gazed upon the golden rings that she proudly wore on her neck and around each of her legs as well as at the base of her tail.

When she turned to me, her friendly smile only grew before speaking in a thick African accent.  “It brings me joy to see you healthy and awake.  I was worried for a moment for your own sake.”  This earned only earned her a raised eyebrow from me as I noticed that she rhymed, though I was unsure if she had done so on purpose.  It was safe to assume she noticed my eyes falling upon the tray and the questioning expression I probably had on my face, because she moved to the side and motioned for me to take the objects on top of the tray.

“When I found you on the forest floor, I had noticed you beaten and sore.”  She started, watching me as I decided to, with great difficulty, walk over and look into the contents of the cup and bowl, the cup holding clean water and the bowl releasing a relaxing aroma that I instantly noticed and recognized.  “I brought you here to make you well, thankfully you are-“

I cut her off mid-sentence as I asked “That’s a lavender, jasmine and Chamomile combination, isn’t it?”  I could see her eyes open wide at the fact I could depict several of the ingredients she had used for the relaxing remedy.  Though I had to admit, I sensed other ingredients which were foreign to even my vast knowledge of medical plants that possibly could be in the bowl.  I sat down upon my hunches and reached for the cup of water and quickly began to drink the contents dry, noting how parched my pallet truly was.

Within the little time it had taken me to finish the cup, my zebra care taker had begun to speak again.  “I am surprised you know the ingredients to this blend.  Then you must know it is used simply to help mend.”  I nod slowly as I placed the cup back down upon the tray and looked upon the pinkish red vial that sat on the opposite end of the bowl of scented water and began to reach for it, only to stop after hearing the voice of the kind creature.

“I do not suggest you drink that so soon, less you start to act like a great loon.”  I glanced to her and slowly pulled my hoof away from the vial as I placed it back on the floor.  I began to search my mind for more information and noticed that I felt mentally sluggish, fatigued and vulnerable.  Could this zebra of known of my condition before I myself understood?

Deciding to introduce myself, I turned to her and gave my care taker a slow nod as I said “Thank you for your kindness and generosity of taking care of me.  My name is Wayward and I am looking for a pony that goes by the name of Twilight Sparkle, do you know of her?”  The kind zebra looked at me with a caring smile as she returned the slow nod actually chuckled lightly as I found myself having a difficult time keeping my balance.

“Zecora is what many call me, for I am an herbalist here you see.  As for the pony that you seek, I know where you can sneak a peek.”  Her choice of words made me question rather she was playing with me or if she was being honest as to where I could find my target.  Having no reason to doubt her, save for pure paranoia, I decided to trust Zecora and gave her another slow nod.

Before I could ask her to lead me to Twilight with haste, the very mare I was looking for walked through the curtain as well as her entourage of friends.  My eyes quickly scanned over each pair of eyes, sizing up the mares and attempting to see what emotion was dominating them the most; Fear and intrigue seemed to be the top two.  Seeing as I was within Patrick’s beloved show’s world, I predicted their reactions and mentally prepared myself.

My expectations were instantly shattered when a pink blur appeared in front of me and squeezed me so tightly into a hug that I released an adorable squeak, my eyes widening as I was both surprised at the sudden embrace and embarrassment at the fact I had made such a noise.  My assailant’s voice told me who it was, especially because of the amount of energy that practically radiated from the mare.  “Oh my gosh, how did you do turn into that hairless ape?  Are you really from an alternate reality?  Dose everypony in your world look like apes or do you also have ponies?  What is your world like?  How did you get here?  What’s your favorite color?”

“Pinkie, I will answer your questions as soon as you answer the few I have.”  I started, noticing all of the mares’ eyes widening as they heard me say her name since she never introduced herself to him.  This caused the energetic ball of energy to almost instantly release him as she shared her friend’s expressions.  I nodded to Pinkie and quietly thanked her before I stumbled over to where I could get a better view at all of the ponies as well as be close enough to jump out the window if they turned hostile.

“But I will answer as to the question you all are thinking right now; how do I know her name.  I actually know all of your names because of my friend.  I will explain more in detail as soon as I meet up with my friend.”  My eyes shifted to the purple Alicorn, which caused her to stiffen up slightly before I continued.  “Twilight, I had spoken to the Princesses during my slumber.  Where I thank you and your friends greatly for saving me, I must know as soon as possible if my brother is alright.  So please, take me to the Princesses, I beg of you.”

The girls all turned to Twilight for a moment before Rainbow zipped from over them and floated only a few inches away from my face, eyeing me irritatingly.  “Hey, we saved your sorry behind from the Everfree Forest, buddy.  The least you can do is start showing a little more appreciation for the fact that you are alive at all and not a timberwolf’s dinner!”  As she spoke down to me, I could see the irritation in her eyes grow as my expression never changed.

My dull blue eyes remained focused upon Rainbow Dash’s rose colored eyes until she started to be pulled back by Twilight’s magic scowling at me as I continued to stare at her as the purple unicorn began to speak.  “Sorry Wayward, Rainbow can be a bit-“

“Rash, hard headed and egotistical.”  This earned me a nasty look from all of the mares which started to change as I recited Patrick’s description of the obnoxious mare.  “But her loyalty to her friends and good hearted nature make up for her attitude.  Dreaming of one day joining a group of Pegasi named the Wonderbolts and have gained a decent chance with her unique signature flying technique, the Sonic Rainboom and being possibly the fastest Pegasus in Equestria.  As I said, I know a lot about you all because of my friend and you are all akin to celebrities where we are from.”

This earned a mixed response from the group, Fluttershy obviously began to hide herself behind her friends, Applejack scratched her head under her hat with utter confusion on her face, Rainbow and Twilight shared the look of complete shock and Rarity and Pinkie shared an increase in joy hearing they were famous in another world.  “Celebrities you say?  My, I…I am simply speechless, darling!  Never in all of my years have I expected to be called a celebrity from an alien species-“

“I thought you said you were speechless.” I interrupted Rarity’s words coldly and emotionlessly, stunning the mare with the tone of my voice before I turned to Twilight and said with the same lack of expression “I will not answer any more of your questions until you bring me to the Princesses.  I have questions that they can answer and I will answer questions they have.  I apologize if I appear rude but I am hurting, tired, hungry, in a new world, fatigued and as you may expect in an incredibly unpleasant mood.  If you would have caught me when I was feeling better, I assure you I would be more polite and courteous.  However, at the current situation, I must ask you to understand my current situation and sympathize with my worry for my friend.  So, if you will not bring me to the Princesses, I will ask to be pointed toward their direction and I will go there myself.”

Applejack gave me a similar dirty glare as Rainbow Dash, but Twilight nodded solemnly as she said “I understand.  You should not worry about your friend, however.  He is with the Princesses right now and couldn’t be safer anywhere else in Equestria.  I would gladly take you to them and reunite you with your friend.  However, you are in no condition to travel in your current situation.”  Her gentle and calm smile caught me slightly off guard before she added “Couldn’t have you snapping at the Princesses like you just snapped at us now, can we?”

There was no flaw in her logic in my mind.  I had met the Princesses at the lake, but the tranquil and magical power of the place made me feel no negative emotions, so it would not truly of been a first encounter that revealed how I truly act with the effects of the world surrounding my mind.  I knew I needed to think this through and how benevolent the Princesses truly were.  If Patrick was really with them, then there was little to nothing I needed to worry about.

I decided to release a defeated sigh as I nodded slowly to Twilight.  “You are right.  I am not thinking clearly and am acting hostile when I should be acting according to the Knight’s Code; I am truly ashamed of my actions.”  I found myself bowing before the Alicorn with ease, as if my body knew what I wanted and finally began to accept what I wanted.  Though I felt my back crack and pop painfully as it relieved some stress.  “Please, look within your hearts and forgive the rudeness I have shown you on this night.”

“I don’t get this guy at all.”  I heard Rainbow Dash whisper from where she remained.  I remained bowed until I heard them begin to walk closer towards me until they surrounded me from all sides.  I had to battle with myself to resist my phobia of enclosed and tight spaces and not to lash out.  My actions were unjust tonight and I needed to uphold my honor and ask for forgiveness to those who had showed me compassion and kindness.  This was an absolute truth that rung in my head that pushed all of the negative effects aside.

To my surprise, I felt a gentle hoof placed upon my shoulder, or what would act as my shoulder, and heard Twilight say in a warming and gentle voice “We forgive you, Wayward.  We couldn’t even begin to understand what you are going through, but your concern for your friend shows that you are not a bad pony at all.  It actually tells us how caring you are and we understand that much.”

I lifted my head to look around and saw most of the mares were looking at me with smiles.  Even Rainbow was giving me a slight smirk for some reason.  The heavy weight of guilt slowly lifted from my heart, though it wouldn’t leave until I made it up to all of them.  With a soft smile and a mental nod, I pushed this thought to the back of my mind to remember for later.  I simply returned their smile as I said with a hint of gratitude “Thank you.”

After a while, they decided to dismiss themselves and allow me to rest.  Zecora gently placed the cool wet cloth on my forehead, where the smell of the ingredients that was mixed in with the bowl of water lightly cascaded around my nose and made my head begin to feel incredibly fuzzy and light.  It wasn’t much longer after that when I found myself slipping into the embrace of sleep, where a familiar dream involving Patrick and I going through our lives back in our world.

For some reason, this left me feeling empty, lonely even.  I knew if we didn’t return to our world by the next full moon, we would be considered dead and Patrick’s family would be devastated.  It didn’t help in the fact I was all too aware how fond he would be to have ended up in the magical world and knowing he would obviously put up quite a battle to remain.

Then I found myself thinking; What did I think of this world?  My dream slowly shifted to every episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Patrick had ever made me watch, every fan fiction of the show I had decided to read, every picture I had looked at.  I didn’t know how long I would be in this world and I was well aware of the chances we would actually be able to return.

But if my brother wanted to be here more than with his family, then I would not hesitate to remain here with him.  This was the last thought I remembered before my dreams decided to drop me into a chaotic jumble of scenes and events that I had ether witnessed or experienced.

Tomorrow, Patrick and I would be reunited.  Tomorrow, we would begin enjoying our stay away from our dying world.  Tomorrow, I better thank of a better pony name than Wayward