//-------------------------------------------------------// Dashed Into Trouble -by xMistyStarx- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// The Start of it All //-------------------------------------------------------// The Start of it All     Twilight smiled at me, her wings flapping the slightest. I rubbed my head rising from the couch. She stared at me with that look. That look that meant: 'Get off, you couch potato!' and a mix of: 'Come on, we've been waiting for hours!' I folded my hooves and grunted. "Aw, already?" I whimper, hanging my head. Twilight just nods. "Canterlot decided to attack early." Twilight stated, her horn lighting. A suitcase- my suitcase floats beside her in an ocean of purple. It drops to the carpet, as Twilight smiles a slight bit. "Time we go. You don't want us to end up becoming allies for either side, do you?" she asked. To be honest, I really would like that. It sounds cool. If I say anything, she better deal with it as I put on my shades.    An hour later, Twilight opens up a portal in thin air. In her castle. In the basement. I just hope that it's not too long until I return to Equestria. Twilight told me that I turn human once I arrive there. I always wanted to wear pants! It'd be cool to have hands and feet. I could totally pull off one of those real cool soccer moves with them, too. I grab the bag in her jaw, then put a hoof through the portal, swirling shades of blue and green engulf my hoof.   I take a quick look at Twilight, hoping that this will not be the last time I ever see that lavender princess. I wave good-bye to her as I hop through the portal of swirling colors. While I jump in, I watch as the light dims, Twilight sealing the portal shut. I gulp as another light opens, one of daylight, and I yelp as my mind goes blank.   "Ugh... where am I?" I ask myself, finally regaining my memory. I look at my surroundings. buses, cars, humans riding these little two-wheeled things, and buildings as high as Manehattan. I look at myself, realizing I'm not human, nor pony.    My hooves are still there, and my wings. My mane and tail is there, too. I have the form of a human, with pony ears, tail, wings and hooves. Well, I got hands and I'm wearing a pink top with blue shorts. I stand up on my hooves, dusting my knees, dirt flying everywhere. So, I guess this is what earth looks like.   The portal behind me makes a faint electric zapping sound, as it disappears.     I start  trotting- um, walking down the sidewalk, though It's pretty much empty. I noticed that I have fur. That's probably why it's so hot out here. Where would I stay, anyways? It's getting late, as the afternoon heat kicks in. I go into full run, nearly tripping without my other two hooves. I should get used to this soon enough, but right now it's about 4:00, which is why most vehicles are out now.      I stopped in front of an icecream shop, reading the sign that said: Closed on Sunday 7:30. I might as well stop for some frozen dessert before it's too late. I push open the door with one hand, a bell ringing. One of the workers wearing an apron and a white hat, look up from the donation cup on the counter. She looks up at me, smiling. "Welcome to-"  but for some strange reason, she stops just as I get ready to order. I tilt my head, reading the sign above her head. It read: TODAY'S SPECIAL: Cherry swirl ice cream. To me, it sounds pretty good, so I decide to order that instead of the plain chocolate I was going to order in the first place. "Uh, can I have the special? Please?" I ask, her blank look not moving the slightest.      I stretch my wing and yawn as I watch the sun at the horizon lower. In Equestria, the sunset's never so beautiful. I turned back to the lady, who's literally turning blue. She fainted with a loud *THUD* and I walked out, the bell ringing again. What's she so scared of? I have no idea, but I should check into a hotel for my stay. I should be here for at least a year, and I don't think humans take bits. It'd be cool if they did, but it's fine.     A hotel, finally! It's kinda tall with lights beaming through every window. One flickers out, though. Who said I had to walk when I could fly? I spread my wings, flapping them enough to raise about ten feet in the air. Then, I fly off in the distance. Though the nighttime wind is deafening to the ears, I hear cameras snapping, and lights from their camera phones flickering. One little boy pointed at me. Wow, I really am stunning. Maybe.... this might not be too hard, after all!     I land in the parking lot on front of the hotel. I smell some fresh burgers cooking from the kitchen inside. I open the door once again, trot- er walking through the hallways. Florescent lights above my head flash, like cameras. I finally reached the office, but something caught my eye. On the counter lay a basket of hot biscuits and a glass of pink lemonade, followed by a sign that said: Free. I quickly run over, grabbing two biscuits in one hand, a cup of lemonade in the other. The hotel manager and an employee stare at me. "Don't worry, I won't eat all of it! I swear!" I say, throwing my hands up. They point towards the hallway I came from with the entrance/ exit door across it. I hang my head, and sigh, walking out the door. It's fully night now, the moon isn't visible, though. I sit on the wall next to the door, head in my hands. I sniff a bit, tears wetting my fur and my face, as I wiped them with one wing. I hear footsteps. I try my best to not be seen by curling up in a corner by the wall, as a calming voice interrupts my thoughts.    "Hey," //-------------------------------------------------------// Helping Hoof //-------------------------------------------------------// Helping Hoof   I looked up at the source of the voice. My eyes meet a human girl with a ponytail at the back of her head, strapped with a pink barrette. Her T-shirt is what scared me most. A picture of the cutie mark crusaders and some logo at the bottom. I look down again, a high-pitched sound barely escaping my throat. She takes a hand, grabbing mine. She manages to get me to stand up. Well played, my friend.    She smiles, brushing back her ponytail neatly, then lets go of my hand. "Uh, wanna go to my place?" she asked. My tail flicked, ears perking up. She giggled a bit, knowing the answer to her question. We walked across the parking lot, the invisible moon darkening the air around us. Car lights flashed ass we crossed the road, and some people fainted in their cars.    We soon approached a nice sized house with a balcony and a set of wooden steps. She took a key out of her pocket, unlocking the door. "Stay here, okay?" she said. I nodded silently, my teeth chattering in worry. I had no idea what was intended for me, but I stayed silent. Bats screeched, and one owl perched on my arm. I didn't really mind that it's claws kind of dug into my fur, but it looked pretty friendly.    "Hey, you kinda look like Owlicious," I said, stroking it's feathers. It's eyes seemed to glow in the darkness, but a creaking sound scared the little thing away. I turned to the door, seeing a small human girl, maybe around the age of eight or nine, followed by that girl who brought me here. She motioned for me to come inside, so I did.    The house was actually pretty decent. The walls were mostly white and yellow, and a couch sat next to the screen door. Another couch, a smaller size, was faced towards a T.V set with an awesome glass counter supporting it. There was nice, fuzzy carpet and a rug in the dining room, which was visible. "Wow, nice place you got here," I mumbled, as the older girls smiled. "Thanks. My parents wouldn't be too happy letting strangers in, but we won't tell," she said, smiling again. I smirked. "Ooh, I like your type," I said, giggling quietly with her. A creak was heard again, as a voice followed. "Jessica, supper's ready!" The voice called. She ran off into the dining room as I spotted the stairs, which were near the bathroom. I once again spread my wings, flying up the stairs. I reached there, three bedrooms and a bathroom filled the thing.    I decided to check the first bedroom first. I opened the door carefully, then peaked inside. It was pretty nice, too. Not my type of bedroom style, but it's good. I sat on the bed, and yawned again. Relaxing, I lay my head on the pillow, and fell asleep.   "Hey. Hey, you awake?" a familiar voice called. I grumbled. Without opening my eyes, I yawned again, arching my back, wings spread. I rubbed my eyes, seeing that eight-or-nine-I-don't-know girl. I nodded, stretching again. "Ugh, now I am," I said. She grinned an opened the windows. A bright beam of light filled the room, as I looked at the sleeping girl next to me, and the younger one. I sniffed the air. Mmm.... pancakes. I wonder if I could sneak some.... maybe. Maybe now.    I climbed down the stairs, seeing a much taller and older human in the kitchen, flipping some pancakes. I drooled over the stair rail. I felt my whole body charge up as if I was a recharged battery. I put my head in my hands again, leaning against the rail, watching the breakfast be made. I must admit, it smelled too good to resist. I wanted- no, needed some. I'm literally starving!   "Mom, you making pancakes again?" the girl's voice from upstairs asked. Maybe I should start calling her Jessica, since I know her name now. BAH! Who cares what she makes, anyways? I'm a starving pony! Er- person, uh.... pony. I need to eat badly. "Yes, dear. Is there something else you had in mind?" she asked. I whimpered, but covered my mouth, realizing that my sound had been too loud. "Jess, did you hear something?" she asked. I flew up the stairs, hitting m I panted heavily, back against door. "Oh my.... GIRLS, GET OUT OF THAT ROOM!" she yelled, her footstep noise increasing. I whimpered again, covering my mouth.   "Y-You gotta hide me! Please!" I begged. Jessica wore a worried look as she thought quickly. "Uh, try the.... closet? It's the best place." she said, opening the closet door, letting me lock it. I sighed at I heard the door burst open. I heard cries from their mom, who hugged them tightly. I can see through the small space between wall and closet door, so..... yeah. Deal with it.   "A-are you two okay? I saw someone come up here. I'm so-" she was cut off by that girl. "We're fine, mom. You must be seeing things. Did dad keep you up watching Ghost Hunters again?" the younger girls lied. Her mom blushed a bit, wearing an embarrassed smile. "Well, actually... yes...b-but are you sure, Anne? I'm pretty sure I saw-" "Look, maybe you need to get outside a bit. You know- shopping... or a LONG trip to the mall?" Anne asked, her mom nodding. "Are you sure you want to stay here by yourselves? Your father's sleeping, and I don't think-" "Just go already!"    I emerged from the closet a few minutes after I heard the front door shut. I sat on the bed, looking at the design for a while until Anne (pronounced like 'an') interrupted my thinking. "Are you a pony?" she asked, her eyes wide. I just nod, kicking my hooves off the edge of the bed. I really need shoes, though. My hooves are killing me! "Why'd you come here? I though ponies live in Equestria?" Jessica asked, tilting her head. "Well... back there is a war between Canterlot and Dragon Island. I had to leave before I was found and would be forced to fight against my will. I just didn't have the guts to do it, so my friend Twilight sent me here. Nothing really worked out since I arrived, though. And I'll be here for about a year!" I say, unfurling my wings and throwing my hands in the air. I flop onto the bed limply, as I groan.    This is gonna be a looooong day. //-------------------------------------------------------// There's a Crowd //-------------------------------------------------------// There's a Crowd      The next morning, after a long day of hiding in the closet and sleeping in the balcony, I was offered to go to school. Jessica said that ponies need to learn, too, so I might as well try it. It sounds awfully risky, I must admit. She gave my a hoodie and a pair of rainbow colored boots. I didn't know how to hide my wings comfortably, since I had them stuffed in the hooded thing,     The bus came, as I pulled the hood over my head, and hopped on the bus. Lots of humans climbed on, too. I started wondering.... how long would I last without going totally nuts. Someone sat beside me. He had curly-ish hair, and a purple book-bag. She took out her I pad from the bag, hiding it from anyone who was nosy enough to stick their face in her seat. "Hey, I've never seen you before. Are you new here?" she asked, turning off the flat object in her hands. I started sweating, my hoodie getting all sticky around my wings. And if you were a pegsus who's destiny is flying, you'd find it really irritating. "Uhm, I'm uh...." I tried to think of something fast. Nopony- er, nobody would go without being suspicious of the name 'Rainbow Dash', not to mention the voice. I started to sweat again. 'Uh..... I can't tell..." I said quietly. I slapped myself for sounding like Fluttershy. Right on the flank. "It's fine. So.... if you need to know anything, them I'd be happy to help." she said, going back to her video game. I nodded, but she didn't notice. "So, what's your old school's name?" "The Wonderbolt academy," I spilled. I shrunk into my seat, my wings quivering. Please, Celestia, no, don't.... "That's a nice name. Are you okay?" "Uh, yeah... just nervous, that's all," I lied, my tail flicking under my pants. It slid through, a few rainbow hairs left on the seat. I gulped. "Heh, that's how I was on my first day. Are you sure it's that? Why are you staring at your..." My head jerked, spinning around to face her, well, if my face wasn't under this hood. My blood went ice cold as the bus stopped, arriving at the school. There was a line of buses, so we couldn't get off until we reached the front. How'd I go outside with a tail?!    They'd kick me out from school- the neighborhood- no, the whole world! I could barely stand it anymore. My tail hurt from me sitting on it, my wings shaky from being pressed so hard between the seat and my back. It's all over, Dash.