Flame in the Darkness

I regained my consciousness after a bit of rest, though I kept my eyes closed at the remaining time... I couldn't tell if it was the next day or the same day, but I could definitely tell that the day before was no dream, just from the rumbling sound, the strange cushion and the movements coming from below said cushion. I couldn't fully comprehend the situation, but the second the thought of where I was came back into mind, my eyes shot open. All the scenery was the same inside of what I was now starting to think of as an unusual metal vehicle. The two humanoid things were still beside me, the one sitting to the right being asleep, the one to the left simply sitting there looking out the window beside it. I remained in my laying position, not bearing enough courage to move in the given situation... it's a wonder I even fell asleep. Outside of the windows, the sky was steeped in the darkness of the night. Though, several lights were affixed against the sky on a large, black surface erect what looked like sky-high, able to touch the clouds, and easily caught my interest. There were many trees blocking the way of the rest of the view of what was out there, but that was in plain sight. Many curiosities flew through my mind, just as they had before, and the overflow left an ache in my mind.

A few moments after I had finally gotten my head on straight, the human to the left of me turned, placing its covered hand against my back. I turned my head to look over at it, where behind its visor I could still feel the sympathy in its expression; you didn't have to be a pony or some human to know that look. "You're going to be fine," it told me. Normally I wouldn't trust something or someone I had no prior knowledge of, and even more so if it was a pony I did not trust, but this was a being that was like a human, and it even spoke the same language as me for some inexplicable reason... so I had the tiniest shrivel of trust there, maybe even hope that whatever this was could turn out to be friendly, and I wasn't just being kidnapped or something.

It was not long until the movement of what I was in came to a stop, the rumbling coming to an end. The two of the creatures in the front exited through what were most likely doors, the ones beside me doing the same. I was gestured to come out by the one that was left of me, and as it was the only one of them to say a single word to me at all, I went outside of it from that side. I may not have had much trust in whatever it was, but it was more than the others, at the very least. They surrounded me again, moving in unison as I was moved along with them. They were following one of the others, but this one had been in an outfit that looked just like a stallion's suit, equipped with a tie and long sleeves. Their face was not blocked or screened by any object, its hair being gray and frizzy, probably from what I could assume was growing age. While all the others - the ones that had been wearing something atop their head - were carrying weapons of sorts, this one was not. Its hands were open and to its sides as it was trying to signal for me to come over. It took a few moments to realize it was signalling to me, as I had to look to my sides to notice the others of its own kind were not moving, standing completely still like statues, and after I came to the realization, I walked over.

As I walked, I could feel a soft surface under my hooves. It felt like that of wool or a soft-layered carpet. When I looked down, it was just that, the color of it being a noble red. I looked back upon the old being, in which it looked back at me with what looked like a grin. "Now what are you supposed to be?" it spoke aloud in thought, kneeling onto one knee (as was to be expected) and looking at me. There was no aggression to be heard in its voice, and sounded like that of a male. I was no longer too afraid or shocked to speak, but I did not say anything due to the fact I felt a stinging nervousness in the back of my head. Its hand then moved forward with no warning, and I was braced for whatever was going to happen, whether it be a forceful grab or a heavy hit.

...but neither happened. I was greeted with its hand petting my head and mane. I did not understand the meaning of this, but an unusual sensation went through my mind, like it was enjoyable... which it partially was. After the shock of arriving here, already I had some sort of relief and relaxation from where I had least expected it. I had never had this happen before, even by a pony. "Now, I heard there was a bright pink unicorn with wings that appeared in some alley a few hours ago. I'm guessing that it was you?" it then asked. All I could do currently was nod, being at a complete and total loss of any words to say. It answered with a short laugh of sincerity. "I thought so. Why don't you come on in?"

It turned to what was behind it: a large, black iron gate... or, what looked like black iron. I hadn't even noticed them before. They opened upon it moving up to them, where it then turned and waved me over. I moved just behind it, the others with headgear just behind me as we then began to move. What was off in the distance was excessively large in size... and painted a bright, stone gray with lights beaming out of it. From my own experience in Equestria, this looked quite like a mansion of sorts. It was almost unbelievable to look at, and coming from a pony that had lived in a castle its whole life, that's surely saying something. It took almost a whole five minutes of walking by beautifully-arrayed gardens and sculpted bushes - which, by the way, was very clever to do - we finally arrived at the stairs leading up to the doors, and finally, the doors. Two more of them in suits similar to the older one's, but with what easily were sunglasses, were at them, opening them.

Inside of this enormous building was grand and beautiful. The floors were decorated with shining marble, and decor was spread through the room such as paintings that were almost unrecognizable as such, magnificent rugs with designs filled with splendor... all of its grandeur was amazing to look at, and I almost couldn't look away. I was basically forced to after being called from down the hall by whatever its name was, following not far behind now. There were many more paintings on the bold, white walls, all of them being more of these creatures with the same attire as the one I was walking behind, only with difference facial features. They all looked terribly serious. At the end of this strange hallway, we turned to the left and entered a door where two more of them with helmets on were waiting, and upon entering, the doors closed... making me and the older one the only two in the room.