Decision or Coincidence

I awoke to the sound of metal against metal as the cell I was in was unlocked. For a moment I had forgotten where I was. Until I tried to move that is. My left leg was stiff and very sore. Once I recalled what had happened to my leg, my moral dropped. I also recall being captured already.

“I must be in another holding cell.” I thought to myself before opening my eyes.
Around me was the dull brick walls of any regular cell, and one wall made up of bars.

When I began looking around a quiet voice sounded near me. “The Princess thought you may be awake by now. Here is your breakfast. Eat. You lost a lot of blood and need to recover your health. When finished, just call out for the guard. The Princess would like to see you.” It was another unicorn. It levitated the tray over to me once I sat up. It didn’t appear to be afraid of me. Then again I did have an injured leg and it was able to wield magic. I thought it was strange. Why would it would speak so softly to a prisoner.

After I finished eating I called to the guards, and was met promptly by a pair of armored pegasi. They carried pikes, but did not level them at me. One simply unlocked the door and allowed me to walk out. Walking was painful, but bearable. As I limped along, the guards watched me with strange expressions. My pronounced limp must have looked very awkward to these pony folk.

After a short walk, we came to a small room. There was no door, simply a walkway leading inside. Once entering the room, I saw it was more like an oversized, covered balcony. The Princess must have heard us coming. Her head swiveled smoothly over to me, away from the scene below of the forest. The way the sunlight shone on her made her look so radiant. Her entire form seemed to glow in the light.

“How are you feeling this morning, sir? It seems your leg is doing better.” Her voice was smooth and I couldn’t detect a hint of sarcasm in it. It seemed her question was sincere, because when I didn’t respond after a moment she asked again.

“It feels much better, thank you. Are you the one who took care of me? I seem to recall the last thing I know being a frightened unicorn. One who didn’t know what to do about my leg.” I replied, being as calm as possible. This was after all the Princess of this land. What I said here could mean life or death.

“I know about your kinds’ anatomy. I have dealt with them before, so I was able to stop the bleeding. I did not fully heal you. Just in case you attempt anything. Although we have seen your kind before, it has been more frequently recently than ever before. I’m hoping you can help me figure that out.” She said. Her tone, while still smooth left the definite impression of suspicion.

Having dealt with my kind before had my curiosity peeked. I never suspected there had been an ongoing relationship between worlds for any length of time. This would be a great opportunity to gain information if The Princess was willing to tell me anything.

“I’m sorry. I know my people have been invading this place. That is actually how I came to be here. My superiors had me locked up for insubordination, before I broke out. I did not like what they were doing, and refused to continue. Once I was able to break out of my cell I ran into one of your people, and we were both only able to make it here. I couldn’t go far with my leg the way it was. The only option was the portal room.” I told The Princess. I tried to sound as believable as possible. I wasn’t sure if she believed me since she had an odd look on her face that I couldn’t read.

“Yes. I was told you came threw with one of my subjects.” The princess explained. “That was actually my student’s friend, Pinkie Pie.” As she finished she looked over my shoulder, nodding to a guard. “I thought you may like a formal introduction with her. She is after all, an important friend of my faith full student, Twilight Sparkle.” The Princess finished as she moved back a couple steps.

From behind me came a pair of female voices. One I recognized from the day before. It was the pink pony i brought back. The other i had not heard before. I limped one step to turn and take a look.

In the light of the sun on the balcony, the pink pony was so bright it seemed unnatural. Next to her, walking toward The Princess and myself, was a purple unicorn. It’s mane was a dark blue, and had a purple and pink stripe in it. The pink pony was talking to the unicorn excitedly. When she saw me standing there, she went quiet.

Before I knew what was happening she had run up, and tackled me with a hug. The unexpected weight being put on my leg sent bolts of pain threw my body. I groaned in pain as I hit the ground.

“Thank you so much for saving me!” Exclaimed the pink pony from on top of me. “I don’t know what would have happened to me if you had not come along. I was so scared. I had no friends around, and the aliens were not friendly at all. I hope your leg is ok. You look better now, are you ok?”

“I’ll survive. Thanks to your Princess here. She healed my leg. It still hurts, but I can walk now. Thank you.” I explained before asking her. “Would you mind?” Implying I would like to get up off the ground.

The purple unicorn addressed me as the two of us stood back up. “My name is Twilight Sparkle.” She began. “I would like to thank you sir, on behalf of all my friends, for saving Pinkie. I don’t know what we would do without her.” She hugged the pink pony. Obviously glad to have her friend back. “You have already met Pinkie Pie.” she motioned to her pink friend.

Both pointed a hoof to me. I was unsure what they wanted so I put my hands up in front of me. All three around me began laughing.

“We actually learned this from your kind long ago.” explained The Princess from behind me. “I believe your kind call it shaking hands, still. Of course we don’t have hands but the concept is the same.” She finished.

“Ah. Got it.” I said as I bent over to shake their hooves.

It was one of the strangest sensations I had ever had. I was expecting a hard hoof. To my surprise, I felt something grasp my hand as if they were actually able to use their hooves in the same manner as I did with my hands.

The princess walked around to stand next to the purple unicorn, as she as well held out a hoof. “I am Princess Celestia. Ruler of the lands of Equestria.”

I went to one knee as I took The Princess’ hoof. “My name is Kent. Nice to meet you.” I said, before adding “All of you. I only wish it were under different circumstances.”

“As do I.” Said The Princess quickly, cutting me off before continuing. “I would like for you to tell us about this portal room you spoke of. I have been aware of the link between our worlds for a millenia. Although the portal used to open fairly regularly once every fifty years. I also know that is roughly three hundred fifty years in your world. Recently it has been opening almost everyday. I would suspect this portal room would be the reason. What can you tell us about it?” She finished.

I noticed The Princess nod her head to Twilight before the three of them stared at me, waiting for an answer. Twilights horn took on a faint purple glow.

“Honestly, you just gave me far more information I have about it, than I can give you. My superiors never told me what the machine does exactly, or how it works. Just that it opens a portal to this world.” I lied.

“What can you tell us about the objectives of your superiors? What do they want in our world?” The Princess continued questioning me.

“All they ever told me is that this world may hold the cure for many problems we have in our world, and they simply wanted to study some things from this world.” I told her, even though I was sure they wanted more than that.

“I have one final question for you.” The Princess said in a firm yet still silken voice. “Why did you risk your life to save one of my little ponies and come to this world? You must know this world was not meant for your kind to be in.”

“Like I told you a moment ago. It was actually, an accident. I was trying to escape myself, when I ran into Pinkie Pie and a guard with her. We ended up near the portal room where I was shot. The only choice was either to go threw the portal or be captured again.” I explained, thinking I made it rather believable.

“Very well.” Said The Princess as she turned to Twilight. “Twilight Sparkle. What is your verdict?”

“He is lying. He knows more about the portal device than he claims, he feels his superiors want more from this world than they claim, and his story about his escape with Pinkie threw the portal device is fabricated.” The purple unicorn explained without ever taking her eyes off me. The glow around her horn ceased. She looked to be physically drained from the effort.

“This must be how they always know when the Major sent people over, that they were soldiers.” I thought to myself.

“Very good, Twilight.” Exclaimed The Princess. “Would you care to tell us the truth this time, sir?” She added, with obvious demand.

My mind whirled as I tried to think. I took a step back without thinking, onto my bad leg. Pain erupted threw me as I forgot to keep my full weight off it and I collapsed to the floor.

The Pink pony’s mane, and tail seemed to deflate like a balloon as she began crying and ran out of the room.

The Princess and Twilight both advanced toward me. They were demanding the truth of why I was there.

When they saw me scooting backward, they stopped where they were and simply stood, staring at me. They knew there was nowhere for me to go.

“Spill it!” Twilight demanded in an angry tone. Having recovered from her exertion a moment ago.

“It’s ok Twilight Sparkle. I have sensed the good in this young man. I do not feel he will harm us. Nor should we attempt to harm him. We will allow him to leave when he is supposed to, as his being here is no accident. They will want him back in their world. If he does not want to tell us anything more, he does not have to.” She said, calming Twilight down. She looked at me with apathy. “We will need to know when you plan on leaving us though, good sir.” She said in a monotone voice.

“Ok, Ok.” I said, defeated. “You want the truth. I’ll tell you. Everything. Before I start though, can I get something to sit on. This will take some time.”

I told them everything that had happened from the moment I set foot into that old forest in my world, up to when the pegasi and unicorns had found us here. I left out how pathetic the description of my life had been.

“I never had any intention of harming anyone here, honestly.” I said in a pleading tone.

“Anypony.” Twilight said annoyed.

“What?” I asked.

“Anypony. You said anyone, we are ponies. Please refer to us correctly.” She explained.

“I’m sorry. Look, I was told to gather info about this place. Not harm anypony. Nor would I want to. I have been treated well since the moment I came here. Even as a prisoner I have been treated well. I would not want to visit harm upon anyone, or anypony, who had done nothing to deserve it.” I explained to Twilight. I looked up to The Princess. “Would you let me ask a couple questions?”

The Princess nodded her head, and said. “Please do, although I can not guarantee I will answer them.”

“Fair enough.” I conceded. “You said you have known of the connection between our worlds for a millennia. You mean it’s been recorded by your people for a millennium, right? Also, since you have been experiencing the recent repetitive openings of the portal, can you tell me anything about the people who have come threw?”

“Good questions, young man.” The Princess said in a pleased sort of voice. “To your first question. Yes, and no. I have ruled Equestria for over one thousand years, and every time we have had experiences with your people we document it. To your second question. It would seem, some time ago in your world, an organization took control of the area where the portals connect your world to ours. They have been trying to open the portals permanently. I know they will never succeed. The portals are created with stray magic from this world and there simply isn’t enough to keep the portals active. We do not know what the people coming threw want, but we do know they take some of my little ponies against their will. Other than that, I can not say.” The Princess explained to me before turning to Twilight Sparkle. “I want you and your friends to make him comfortable until he leaves. Take him to ponyville and show him around. Let him see what we do, and how we live. I don’t think he will be of any harm to anypony. Now please, go get Pinkie Pie. I think our friend here needs to have a chat with her. Alone.”

After the purple unicorn left the room, The Princess leaned over to me and said. “You should apologize to Pinkie Pie for lying to her. Explain to her what you have told us. I’m sure she will forgive you. I searched your mind when you were unconscious. Your a good man. don’t let ambition take you somewhere you don’t truly want to go.”

The Princess made her way to the door when she heard the hoof steps of ponies. Twilight Sparkle was walking next to Pinkie Pie. As they entered the room The Princess stopped Twilight, turned her around and began walking her back out the door. She nudged the pink pony with her muzzle, convincing her to walk closer to me.

“Twilight told me, The Princess wants me to talk to you. That we’re supposed to take you to ponyville with us. I don’t want to be around someone who will lie.” Said Pinkie, looking away with an upset expression on her face.

When I looked at the depressed face of the pink pony I saw her mane, and tail were deflated, the same as when I found her in the facility. It was such a sad sight I couldn’t help but feel bad.

“Pinkie Pie, I’m sorry I had to lie to you. If you will let me, I want to tell you what happened to me, and why I had to lie to you. I would like for us to become friends, and I promise, you will never hear another lie from me again.” I said before telling her my story.

I told her how I didn’t have much of a choice in helping the people from my world, and that it was my idea to bring her with me. Hearing this her face brightened up while simultaneously her mane and tail poofed up again, just like the first time back in the facility.

“So it was still you who saved me. Only the reason is different, but it was still you who saved me. So I still thank you. Don’t think I’ll be letting you off the hook for lying to me though.” She replied after I finished my tale.

After a moment of silence between Pinkie Pie and myself, the purple unicorn, Twilight Sparkle came back into the room. The Princess was close behind her.

“We have to get ready. The three of us will be leaving for ponyville shortly.” Twilight explained.

When Twilight at Pinkie began heading out of the room, The Princess came over to me. Her horn began to glow yellow, and she brought it down to tough my leg. I could feel the tingle on my flesh, and threw my leg. My leg grew warm, and the pain from my wound disappeared.

“I think that will help you get around for the next week.” Is all The Princess said to me before walking out of the room herself.

Pinkie Pie stuck her head back in from around the door frame. “You coming with us Mr two legs?”

The Princess' reaction to me was puzzling. Why would she let a known enemy spy go freely? Of course this, Twilight Sparkle unicorn girl, would probably be near me at all times, but she still was not going to stop me from gathering information. She even seemed to welcome the idea. Maybe she was thinking, if the information I gathered showed this world to be of no threat to my world, my superiors would not send soldiers here. Regardless, I was now free to carry out my mission, and I didn't even need to sneak about to accomplish it.

These thoughts filled my mind as the two ponies in front of me lead me into a courtyard. In the center were a pair of rather large pegasi. They were harnessed to a roofless carriage. The carriage was adorned with intricate designs, and had very well upholstered seating. The three of us were heading strait for it.

"I take it that's our ride?" I directed my question to the purple unicorn.

"Ponyville is roughly forty five minutes away if we walk. This will get us there in ten minutes. I would imagine you are anxious to investigate our town. We could walk. Would you prefer we walk?" Twilight's tone was one of annoyance. Not at the idea of walking, but rather that I was even there. She was obviously not happy with The Princess' decision to allow me to stay in their town.

"Are we flying there?" I heard a slight amount of fear in my voice as I asked.

"That would be why there are pegasi harnessed to it. If it were going to be a ground trip, they would be earth ponies. What will it be? Walk, or fly?" Understandable as it was, her attitude towards me was already irritating.

Twilight was caught off guard when I didn't answer, and asked instead what she would prefer.

"I say we should walk. It could be fun." Pinkie's voice broke the silence.

Twilight grumbled to Pinkie before looking at me. "The only reason I'll agree to this, is to keep you out of our town that much longer. Lets go."

Before following Twilight, I knelt in order to whisper into Pinkie Pie's ear. "Am I that big of a deal, or is she always like this? Also, thanks. I was a bit scared to fly in a carriage with no roof like that. The take off in the first one was jerky. I was afraid I might have fallen out. That thing wasn't really designed for someone my size."

The look on Pinkie's face was one of concern, as she glanced to her friend. "Nono, she is just upset with all that's been going on since the portals started opening up. You kinda remind her of it all I would think, and don’t worry about the walk. I really hope we can have some fun." She beamed a smile at me at that last part.

"C'mon. Looks like we need to catch up." I told the pink pony, as I stood to my full height. Wanting to test my newly healed leg I half jogged up to the purple unicorn, with the pink pony following close behind. It felt good, but was still a bit stiff.

"Hey Twilight," I huffed as I reached her. "what kind of stuff has been going on around here since the portals started opening? If you don't mind my asking."

"The purple unicorn barely glanced as she looked at me from the corner of her eye. "What do you care? You're just here to collect information about us, aren't you? Why do you need to know what your people have been doing here, if your job is to find out about us?

I ignored her tone, and tried to sound friendly. "Well honestly, I would like to see a peaceful interaction between our worlds. That's why I'm here, anyway."

My comment enraged the unicorn. She stopped in her tracks and turned on me. "PEACEFUL INTERACTION!?!? YOUR PEOPLE COME HERE TO PONYNAP OUR FRIENDS, AND YOU CLAIM YOU WANT PEACEFUL INTERACTION?!?!?" I felt an invisible force knock me to the ground, and pin me in place. The Purple unicorn's expression swapped from one of fury to shock, as she realized what she was doing. She turned away, and the force pinning me lifted.

"I'm sorry. You told me what happened to you, and how you ended up tangled in this mess. I just don't know what to do in order to help my friends. Ponies have been missing for weeks now. The only time we sent anypony threw the portal to search, they never returned. Now we have to keep the forest occupied with royal guards to search for any portals that open. Any time a portal is found, the area is searched and any of your people found are forced back threw it. However, the Everfree Forest is a large place, and sometimes we can't find them before your people are able to get threw, and cause more trouble."

I sat up, but stayed on the ground as I looked over to Pinkie. "How did you wind up in my world? How were you treated while you were there?”

The pink pony’s eyes went out of focus as she teared up. She simply began walking towards Twilight whom had started down the path again. I had to jump to my feet in order to catch up.

“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. You don’t have to tell me.” I offered, as I went to scratch behind her ears. She leaned into the scratching, but remained silent.

While scratching Pinkie, Twilight Sparkle began telling me more of what had been happening since the portals started opening so frequently. “The Princess told me about her experiences with your people in past. At first it was almost normal. The few people she had contact with were more shocked than anything else. Now it seems, some organization has found us, and want something from our world. We don’t know what it is.”

“I’m sorry, but it’s hard for me to accept the idea you’re presenting me with. In my world, we have laws. What you’re telling me is illegal.” I tried to defend my world, but I knew those in power still did things behind the scenes.

Twilight gave me a deadpan look. “Do you think ponies from our world will be graced with protection from the laws of your world?”

I answered her question with, “What do you think the people of my world would want with ponies from here? I would like to get a handle on things for myself. I don’t want to see anyone, or anypony get hurt. I understand sometimes things are necessary, but if it can be avoided... I would like to help in bringing a good thing for all of us out of what seems to be a misunderstanding.”

We continued walking for some time in silence. After a few moments under the scratching, Pinkie seemed to come out of her daze. When she side stepped away from me, she went to Twilight and whispered in her ear something I couldn’t hear. Twilight’s head swiveled around as she looked at me threw the corner of her eye. “You’re right, Pinkie. I guess that is true.” Was all I heard.

“Magic.” Twilight stopped in her tracks as the thought hit her. “The people from your world must be after our magic!” She stared into my eyes. “The magic we have can not be given away. All ponies are born with some magic. Some more than others, but all have some magic, like unicorns. If that magic is drawn out of them they will die. Even if another wanted to give them some of their magic, a pony could never recover from the loss of their own. Death would still follow. There would be no way for your people to gain our magic without killing us.”

“I don’t know. That seems pretty far fetched. After all, magic doesn’t exist in my world. How would anyone know how to use it even if they found out you had it.

Twilight seemed to get visibly irritated at my question about her theory. “Don’t worry about it. That’s something I need to discuss with The Princess.”

The rest of the walk to Ponyville was relatively quiet, aside from the stray question I had about any wildlife or odd plants I saw on the walk. Twilight answered them quickly without much hesitation or irritation. She seemed to relax a bit about having me come to town.

Once we got to town, ponies all colors of the rainbow gawked at me. None were more than stomach high and most around my waist, height wise. As we walked, Twilight pointed out many of the key landmarks I should remember. I took note, in my mind, of the layout of the town as well.

Our journey ended at the base of a large tree. A header informed me it was the towns library.

“Home, sweet home.” Twilight said to me before opening the door with her magic. “Spike. Spiiike? I need to send a letter to The Princess immediately.” She then turned to me. “You can go do whatever you want. Gather the information you need about Ponyville and how we live. Pinkie will be your guide today, or you can go about on your own. Just come back here when you want to sleep. We will prepare a space for you. I will see if some of my friends will be your guild for the rest of the days you spend here.”

As I followed Pinkie around the small town of Ponyville, my mind was preoccupied with Twilight. Or more specifically, her attitude towards me. I took note of a few things, official looking buildings, and anything that didn’t look retail oriented, as we toured the town. Pinkie was rambling on so fast half of the time I could hardly keep track of anything she said much less try and keep up with in conversation, so I simply listened and familiarized myself with Ponyville. All the while Twilight’s mood and reactions to me tugged at my mind.

I have to say, honestly, the day I spent roaming the town with Pinkie was pretty fun. Many of the things they did in their lives here paralleled life back home, at least for most people. Retail shopping, and hanging out with friends was the general feel of the quaint little place. There were a few places such as a lumber mill around the outskirts of the town, but for the most part it was a very friendly place. I however still received many strange looks of disbelief from almost everypony in town.

As what was left of the day wound down and Pinkie Pie had to leave, I found myself still wandering the town a bit before heading back to Twilight’s tree home. I had yet to see a lot of Ponyville. Pinkie said the Everfree forest was on the opposite side, and she didn’t want to go over there. I figured I could see it another day.

When I got back to Twilight’s library-home she, as promised, had a place for me set up. Before going to bed, she showed me the kitchen and restroom in case I needed them. Finally before walking up her stairs to her bedroom, she told me she had been unsuccessful in finding a guide for me the following day. She would be it for tomorrow, but she did have all of her friends able to guide me the rest of the time I would be here. Except for the last day when I was to go back to my world. Most likely The Princess would be here for that.

My guides for the week having been planned out and scheduled, Twilight started walking up her stairs.

“Goodnight. Get some sleep. I hope to have a good day tomorrow, and it will start early.” Twilight’s comment was lighthearted which let me know she was at least being more receptive to my being around.