Chapters Prologue
It hadn't been easy to get into the Restricted section of that ancient library, but through patience, perseverance, and good old fashioned dumb luck, he'd succeeded. Now it was just a matter of finding the right book or books that would take him on his journey.
Under cover of night, he'd made his way into the section and began perusing the titles. Some he couldn't read, and some gave off a palpable feeling of menace, so he avoided those and selected the one his research had revealed. Taking the tome back to his apartment, he immediately began working on the incantations. After studying the book for several months, he'd realized the spell required intricate hand motions, that had to be completed precisely. After what felt like hundreds of attempts, his hand-waving motions finally bore fruit. The moon shone in the windows at a precise angle on the diagram he'd drawn, and he made the correct gestures. There was a flash as a portal opened. He stared at it for a few moments, gulped, then shut his eyes and walked through.
**********
My journey was complete. That book of transdimensional mutation turned out to be real after all, as it had not only managed to open a portal to this world once I’d worked up the courage to go through it but turned me into a unicorn as well.
I stood unsteadily and examined myself. My coat was the dark color of coffee with two creams, my mane was chocolate brown and I had a cutie mark that was a scroll with a golden quill. That probably reflected my being a college student on Earth.
My legs wobbled as I took my first tentative steps, and landed on my face. Walking on four legs wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped. Even so, I needed to master it.
After about half an hour I was fine with walking, enough to try an experimental trot. Easy does it…made it! I practiced walking, trotting, and even galloping for a short time before I was ready to find myself among the denizens of this world.
I looked around. I could see what looked like a town far off in the distance. It didn’t look like Ponyville, but that would have been expecting too much convenience. Still, there was nothing for it but to find my way into town and ask directions.
I soon saw a sign that said, “Welcome to Clydesdale.” Huh. Never heard of it, but I could see ponies off in the distance, so I at least hadn’t ended up in the Griffon Empire. I took that for the encouragement it was and walked across the bridge into town.
“Excuse me,” I said to the first pony I saw, a mare. “Can you tell me how to get to Ponyville?”
She stared at me for a few seconds before saying, “Ponyville? Aren’t you a little old to be asking about Ponyville?”
“I’m sorry, what do you mean, ‘a little old?’”
She stared at me again. “I don’t have time for this,” as she shook her head and continued on her way.
Well, that was weird. I guessed she was just in a bad mood, so I asked another pony. This one just huffed and didn’t answer. Something was definitely wrong. I continued to walk about, a little unsure of myself now. Maybe Ponyville is not as nice as I’d been led to believe? It is a kid’s show, after all, and as such I’m sure they’d edited out anything unsuitable. Maybe that was it: the reality was far different from the show. That only stood to reason, but that first mare’s answer still bothered me. I’d just have to find a map and find it on my own.
From my knowledge of the show, I knew that Ponyville was near Canterlot, the capital, so I made up my mind to find it first. I looked around for a train station, intending to board the first train I could when it hit me: I have no money. The spell that brought me here didn’t convert anything I had on me into things I could use in this world. I should have read it a bit more carefully. No matter, I was here, and that was the biggest hurdle. The rest I could work out. Then my stomach gurgled. Whatever I did, it would have to be soon. But wait! Ponies are herbivores! All I had to do was find some grass for now. I looked around. There was a nice patch over there by a tree, so I went up to it and took an experimental nibble. It was way better than I thought. I was face deep in the turf when I heard a shout behind me. A stallion in a blue coat and silver badge was approaching me.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he sternly asked.
“Umm, I was just eating a bit of the grass. That’s okay, isn’t it?”
“Not inside the city, it isn’t!” he growled.
I swallowed. “Sorry, I didn’t know.”
His expression softened a bit, as he said, “You don’t have any money, do you? And you’re new here, I don’t remember seeing you before.”
I nodded. “Yes, I just got here. I’m trying to get to…Canterlot,” I said as my recent experiences made me hold back the mention of Ponyville.
He frowned. “Vagrancy is not allowed. I can direct you to a shelter, but you’ll have to get a job soon.”
“That would be awesome, thanks.”
“Come with me.”
I followed him down a few blocks until we came to rather run-down section of town, where we stopped in front of a brown, nondescript building. There was a sign out front: “Sanctuary Services.”
“Here we are,” he said. “Try to stay out of trouble.”
“I will,” I said. “Thanks again.” He nodded, then walked off.
I stared up at the building, sighed, and then walked past the gates and through the front door. Inside there was a desk, with a rather harried looking mare seated there answering phones. She looked up when I entered.
“Yes? Can I help you?”
“I…uh…I just got into town, and I need a place to stay.” This wasn’t at all what I’d imagined coming to Equestria.
“Name?”
I thought quickly. I needed a pony name, as my own wouldn't fit in here. I considered my cutie mark. “Umm...Scholar. Just...Scholar.”
She raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. She then pointed to a bench. “Have a seat over there, somepony will do your intake.” I quietly walked over and took a seat. There were a few other ponies there waiting as well, but none of them looked like they were up for any conversation. I tried not to be too obvious as I checked them out, but what I saw made me realize poverty is very much a part of this world, something that had never been portrayed in the show. I could tell I was in for some other rude surprises. After about forty-five minutes another mare walked up to me and asked, “Mr. Scholar? I’m Miss Careworthy. We’re ready for you now. Follow me.” I got up and followed her, and soon found myself inside a dingy office, in front of a desk that was littered with papers. A few photos were on the walls, and some on the desk, with what I assumed were the mare’s family. I took the seat that was indicated for me.
“Now then, how can we help you?”
“I just arrived here, and I just need to stay a few days until I can earn enough money to get to Canterlot.”
“And what’s waiting for you in Canterlot?” she asked.
I hesitated. She seemed nice, but I was still a bit shaken up by that first mare’s reply, so I said, “I have plans past that, but I need to get there first.”
“I see. Well, we can help you out with a place to stay for a few days, as long as you’re willing to work. Does that sound alright?”
“It sounds grand. I just need enough to get a train ticket and pay for my lodgings once I get there.”
“Train tickets aren’t that expensive, but lodging in Canterlot certainly is. Do you have family waiting there?”
“No…no family. I’m on my own.”
“Then it may take you more than a few days.”
“That’s alright, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Splendid!” she said. She scribbled on a piece of paper, then gave it to me. “Be at this address tomorrow at eight o’clock. They’ll help you with a job.” She then gave me a key. “That’s where you’ll be staying tonight; the room number is on the key. Dinner is in an hour; make sure you’re on time.” I thanked her and went to my new room.
When I unlocked the door I stood there for a moment taking it all in. There were two beds, and I could see a bundle next to one of them. I seemed I had a roommate. I hoped he was nice. I was just settling myself on the unclaimed bunk when the door opened, and a scruffy looking stallion entered.
“Who are you?” he asked.
I got up from the bunk and extended a hoof. “Scholar, pleased to meet you.” He stared at me with a critical eye and ignored my hoof, which I gradually dropped.
Finally, he said, “Stay away from my stuff, newbie.” With that, he turned his back on me and lay down on his bunk. I sighed. That could’ve gone better. Having nothing else to do, I sat on my bed and stared out the window.
Nothing had happened like I’d expected. First I’d been rebuffed by the first pony I’d met, then I’d gotten told off by a cop ( who did help me, though ) and now I’m stuck in this shelter with another unfriendly pony. For the first time, I was starting to regret coming here. But no, there’s still a chance to meet my heroines, and then, I reasoned, everything else would fall into place. Then a thought struck me: I wondered if there was a map of Equestria somewhere in this place? Carefully, making as little noise as possible, I got up from the bed and made my way out the door.
As I trotted back the way I’d come, I noticed Miss Careworthy’s door was slightly opened, so I knocked and waited until I heard a “come in.”
“Miss Careworthy? I have a question.”
“Certainly, what is it?”
“Do you have a map of Equestria I could look at?”
“I’m sure I do, just a second.” She rummaged around inside her desk until she found an atlas. “Here you go.”
“Thanks,” I said as I buried my face in the book and started going through the maps. Right away I found a huge color map of Equestria, with Canterlot more or less in the middle and slightly east. I quickly looked south, but none of the cities marked were the one I sought. That was…disturbing. Then I remembered, and looked for the Everfree Forest. After some searching, I found a huge section of forest in the place where it should be, but it had a different name. Frustrated, I gathered my courage and asked, “Miss Careworthy…I…don’t seem to be able to find Ponyville on this map.”
She looked up at me and smiled, then said, “So you like foal’s programs?”
“Well, some, yes, but what does that have to do with Ponyville?”
“Are you serious? It’s from that Friendship is Magic show. Surely you know that if you’re asking about Ponyville?”
I didn’t know what to say, so I said nothing.
She waved a hoof. “It’s quite alright; that show has an unusually large number of adults that watch it. I don’t care for it myself, but I can see the appeal.”
Slowly, quietly, I closed the atlas and gave it back to her. I barely remembered to say ‘thank you’ as I left and started back to my room.
“Wait,” she said as I started to close her door, “is something wrong?”
“I…I just have some thinking to do. I’ll be alright.”
But I wasn’t going to be alright. I was really bothered by the fact they film the show here as well. Back on Earth, they used animation and voice actors, but apparently, here they just use actual actors. Could it be the show I watched didn't originate on Earth at all?
**********
About a week had passed, and I still hadn’t figured out what I was going to do. As I washed dishes at the cafè that had hired me, I thought about all I’d learned so far.
I learned there is indeed a Princess Celestia, but her sister Luna was still banished. I learned that “Ponyville” was made up for the show, and is a generic name for a town, just like “Humanville” would be back on Earth. I’d watched the show once on the TV in the common room at the shelter, but all it had done was depress me further: little of it was real. Those were just pony actors and actresses. The “Mane Six” didn’t exist beyond the cameras, and therefore was little use in me going to Canterlot. Finally, the “best” part was I have no way of getting home.
But then I mentally squared my shoulders and forced myself to think about all the good that has happened. Sure, I’ll never meet Twilight, or Fluttershy, or even (sigh) Pinkie, but I’d still accomplished more than I could have hoped by making it to Equestria. Little by little I was gradually getting better at unicorn magic, and I wasn’t nearly so clumsy today as I had been a week ago. In time I’d get really good at it, and perhaps find a better job more suited to my talents. My cutie mark was a scroll and quill pen, probably reflecting my time as a student. Everyone in this world has their destiny shown on them, and apparently I was no different.
Then I had an idea.
Part two of my plan, after saving up enough bits, was to find out where they filmed the show. If I couldn’t meet the ponies I’d come all this way to see, I could at least find and perhaps speak with their actresses. I realized this would be a monumental task, as they all were probably unapproachable if they were anything like the movie stars back home. Still, I had nothing to lose by trying.
After about another week, I’d been promoted to waiter, as my skills with unicorn magic had greatly improved. I could still only carry two trays at a time, but that was enough for me to work and actually earn some tips. I’d also gained a reputation for being friendly, for I truly liked most of the ponies I met. They weren’t the Mane Six, but I found most of them almost unbearably cute. Still, I had to deal with various personalities and I soon learned they all ran the complete gamut I’d experienced on Earth, from vibrant and happy to sullen and suspicious, like my Earth pony roommate. Funny enough, even though he was short with me and barely spoke, I found out he liked to watch the show, which was a nice surprise. One afternoon after I’d gotten off work, I decided to try to strike up a conversation with him. He was laid out on his bunk, staring up at the ceiling when I came in. I set my things down on the floor next to my bed and said, “Hey, Grunt. How are you doing?”
“Mmf.”
“Is that…good?”
He turned and looked at me. “What do you want, newbie?”
I looked down at the floor. “I just want to get to know you better, that’s all.”
I heard him shift his position, then he said, “Ten bits.”
I looked up at him. “W…what?”
He had a smile plastered on his face and his hoof extended. “Give me ten bits and we’ll have a conversation.” I frowned.
“I’m not going to pay you to talk to me!”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself,” as he turned his back on me and got comfortable.
I stared at his back. “Are you serious?” He didn’t answer, he just raised a hoof and waved it in a ‘gimme’ motion.
Finally, I threw up my hooves and said, “Fine!” I used my magic to pull the amount from my bags and put it in his waiting hoof.
He jiggled them and said, “Sweet.” Then he turned and sat up. “So, what do you want to know?”
**********
After about half an hour I learned that he’d come from a mining town, one, of course, I’d never heard of, but had since gone bankrupt when the mine had collapsed and the local powers that be decided it was too expensive to clear out. Rather than sit around and starve, he’d packed his few things and started traveling, looking for another town where he could ply his trade. That certainly explained his cutie mark, a pair of crossed pickaxes. There were no mining opportunities in this town, so he’d gotten a job with a moving company, one that needed Earth ponies and their strength. I also learned he’d only been in this shelter for a week before I came, and it would soon be time for him to move on, as a month was the longest anyone could stay.
I kept away from more personal questions, such as did he have family he missed. Those kinds of questions made me homesick and I figured they might be sensitive for him as well. Finally, I asked him about the show and why he watched it. He put a hoof to his chin and thought before he answered.
“It’s…innocent. Not like real life at all.”
“So it’s an escape?”
“Yeah. It would be nice if Her Majesty were really like that, for example.”
“She’s not?” He stared at me.
“Are you new to Equestria, or what? Everypony knows not to get near her unless you have a matter of life or death. Even then, you’d have to talk to one of her advisors first. She simply doesn’t care about us common ponies.” He intensified his gaze at me. “How do you not know this?”
I began to sweat. I couldn’t tell him the real reason, so I had to come up with a good lie.
“I just…never had any reason to consider her. My town is very secluded.”
He stared at me further. “That makes no sense. Unless you were raised somewhere outside of Equestria, you should know this. Have you never been to a Summer Sun Festival?” I thought quickly.
“Look, I really don’t like talking about it. Unless you want to pay me ten bits.” I smiled.
“Fat chance, newbie.” He turned and lay back on his bunk. “Keep your secrets; I honestly don’t care.” I quietly breathed a sigh of relief. That was too close. Then I started thinking about what he’d told me, the most important fact being Celestia is not the benevolent ruler she’s portrayed. It’s a good thing I didn’t have to talk to her, or that might be a problem. No, my problem was finding out where the show was shot and seeing if I could speak to the actors.
And I had no idea how to do that.
**********
Feeling restless, and still a bit annoyed at my roommate, I decided to take a walk. This was a fairly large town and I hadn’t yet had the opportunity to see much of it, so preoccupied was I with earning bits. I waved at the few ponies I knew as I trotted along and they smiled and waved back. That part of Equestria was still true, I realized: ponies are generally a friendly folk. I hadn’t seen any griffons or minotaurs yet, so I wondered what they’d be like.
I was just passing an apartment building when I began to feel strange. My head started spinning, so I sat down where I was and rode it out.
“Are you okay?” I heard someone ask. I looked up to see a mare I’d never seen before speaking to me. I smiled at her and brought my hoof up to my forehead, intending to speak. But then I froze.
My hoof was wavering and becoming indistinct. As I stared at it, it shifted from being a hoof to being a hand. The pony backed away with a frightened look on her face.
“What…what are you?!” She then turned and bolted off.
I didn’t know what else to do, so I concentrated my magic on my hoof/hand. It immediately stopped wavering and became a solid hoof again. I looked around. It’s a good thing it was late in the evening, so there weren’t that many other ponies in the vicinity. No one else had noticed. But the experience left me shaken.
Could it be the magic that brought me here has a time limit? This was bad. This was very bad, especially considering that mare’s reaction. I turned and ran back to the shelter.
I huddled in my bed and tried to think. I know if I was back on Earth and a human had started to change like that, he or she would soon find themselves in a lab with a bunch of men in white coats, if they weren’t shot on sight. And I had no reason to believe these ponies wouldn’t act any differently to an unknown. I could only hope it wouldn’t happen again.
Logic notwithstanding, I resolved never to go back to that building. I honestly didn’t know if the change had anything to do with that location, but I was taking no chances. A town this size had to have other places with rooms to rent, and I’d better start looking soon. I knew I had a little bit more than two weeks to go in the shelter, but this recent event made me decide to speed up the process of moving. Also, that mare that saw me change might be a problem. I’d just have to keep an eye out for her and hope she didn’t talk to too many other ponies, although I knew this last was a slim hope.
The next morning I woke up early and glanced over at my roommate. He was still snoring loudly, so I took the opportunity to examine myself. Everything seemed to be in its place, so I breathed a sigh of relief and headed for the showers. From the clock in the main room I had about fifteen minutes to wash up, grab a quick bite and trot to work. I was just crossing the room when I looked up at the receptionist’s desk and saw that same police officer that I’d met on my first day talking to the pony behind the desk. I faltered and stopped and my heart skipped a beat. It was very unlikely he was here for me; he might have just been bringing in another pony for the shelter. Still, I turned around and looked for another way to the showers when he must have seen me.
“Hey! You! Come over here a minute.”
I looked around and pointed a hoof at myself. “Me?”
“Of course ‘you!’ I want to talk to you.” He came over as I stood there waiting. I could already feel a bead of sweat forming on my forehead. I hoped he wouldn’t notice. The smile on my face belied my nervousness.
“Hello, Officer. What can I do for you?”
“I just wanted to see how you’re doing. Settling in alright?”
“Oh, umm…yes. Quite well, thanks. I got a job and I’ll be moving out soon.”
Something in my voice must have been off, for he stared at me a few moments before speaking.
“That’s…good.” Then he smiled. “You know, I never did catch your name.”
“Scholar.”
“'Scholar.’ That’s a unicorn name if ever I heard one.” Then he stepped a bit closer and his voice lost all friendliness. “Tell me something, ‘Scholar;’ why so nervous?”
I gulped. “Me? I’m not nervous! Why should I be nervous?”
“You tell me.”
“I’m fine, Officer, really. Now, please excuse me; I have to get to work.” He stepped in front of me.
“Not so fast. A unicorn matching your description scared a mare pretty badly last night. You know anything about that?”
I looked down at the floor as my heart speeded up. “No sir, I don’t. Can I go now?”
He was silent and I could feel his eyes on me. “I don’t like problems on my beat. You just keep your nose clean and you’ll have nothing to worry about.” Then he stepped aside. “Have a good day at work.”
“Yes, sir.” I hurried off as fast as I dared. I had only ten minutes to go, so I made my way to the showers. I wouldn’t have time to eat, but that was okay. I’d completely lost my appetite.
My last encounter with Officer "Friendly" made up my mind for me: I'd overstayed my welcome. Once my shift was over, I approached my Boss.
"Chef, I need to talk to you."
He looked up from his desk and regarded me. Like most chefs I'd heard of on Earth, he was a no-nonsense individual who took his work very seriously. I'd seen him chew out his line cooks and some of the waiters on a daily basis, and fortunately, I'd mostly stayed below his radar. But now I was drawing attention to myself, and I wasn't sure how he'd react.
But I had no choice.
"What is it?"
I shifted my hooves before answering. "Something's come up...I need to leave town. Could...could I get paid now?"
He looked back down at his desk and resumed writing. "Paydays are Fridays. No exceptions."
I sighed. "I...I have to leave town tonight. It's urgent."
He didn't look up as he said, "Mare troubles?"
I shrugged though he couldn't see the gesture. "Something like that."
He reached into a drawer of his desk, grabbed a hooffull of bits, and put them on the desk. He looked up and said, "Here's a loan. I'll take it out of your final pay." He slid them over to me. "Best I can do."
I took them up in my magic. "Thank you." He waved me off and went back to writing. I started to say something like 'I'd enjoyed working here,' but thought better of it, turned and left. It wasn't much, but the bits were better than none.
I soon found myself back at my room. My roommate wasn't there, so I didn't have the chance to say goodbye. Not that he'd mind, I suspected. I gathered my things, which weren't many, and made my way to the front desk.
"I'm leaving now. Thanks for all your help." The mare behind the desk smiled up at me.
"Take care."
I nodded and left, then made my way to the train station. I stood there for a bit, looking over the schedules, trying to find the train going to Canterlot. That's where I'd heard they film the show, or so I'd hoped.
When the train arrived, I got on and took a seat. I stared out the window for a while, then looked around the train car.
Then I froze. The door to the next car opened, and two ponies walked in. It was Twilight and Applejack! I couldn't believe it! Twilight didn't have her wings, and "Applejack" was wearing her trademark hat, though her cutie mark wasn't three apples, but a classical steel shield, decorated with a black crown and a pair of silvery insect wings studded with holes.
They chatted with each other as they trotted, no doubt making their way back to their car. I tried not to be too conspicuous as I stared at them, but I couldn't help it. "Twilight" saw me staring and stopped.
"Can I help you?"
I started breathing heavily as I tried to find my voice. "I...I...like your show?"
The one I only knew as Applejack snorted. "One a those. I suppose you want our autographs?"
I shakily nodded. "That would be nice," I finally managed to say.
Applejack reached back into one of her saddlebags, took out a picture and a pen, scribbled something on it and started to hoof it over to me. "Ten bits."
I couldn't keep the shock from my face. "You're....charging me?"
She smirked. "A course! These pics ain't cheap!"
Something died inside me as I handed the bits over and took the picture. "Th...thanks." I looked down at the picture. She'd written, "From Deep Cover, to our biggest fan. Keep watching!"
“Did you want my autograph?” asked “Twilight.”
I thought about it for a moment, decided I couldn’t feel any worse, and replied, “Sure,” as I fished out more bits.
“That’s okay! I don’t mind giving you one for free,” she said with a smile. The other pony, “Deep Cover,” as it turned out, gave the younger mare a dirty look, but “Twilight” scribbled something on her portrait and hoofed it over to me. I read it briefly, smiled myself and clutched it to my chest.
“Thanks alot.”
As they both turned to go, I blurted out, “Wait! Where do you film the show?”
They both turned back, “Twilight,” or “Star Power” as she’d written, with a smile, and Deep Cover with a frown, and Star Power said, “At Ponymont Studios in Canterlot. Would you like to see the set?” As this, Deep Cover cleared her throat and pulled the other pony aside. I couldn’t hear what she was saying, but I saw Star Power’s face go red. Then she said, loud enough for me to hear, ”If I want to invite somepony that’s my business!” Deep Cover stared at her, then without another word she turned away and began to trot back to her car. Star Power gave me a sheepish grin and said, “Sorry about that. She can be overprotective, sometimes.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause trouble between you two.”
She smiled again and said, “That’s not your fault. When would you like to visit?”
My face brightened as I answered, “Any time would be good for me. I have to get settled in Canterlot first, then I could come around.”
“Where are you staying?”
Now it was my face’s turn to go red as I said, “I’m not sure yet. This will be my first time there.”
She nodded. “Okay. Why don’t we make it this Friday? That’s only two days away, plenty of time for you to get settled.”
I smiled as I said, “Sounds good!” As she in turn smiled and turned to go, I could feel my hoof starting to tingle again! I whipped it behind my back, but not fast enough.
She startled as she must have caught the movement out of the corner of her eye. “What’s wrong with your hoof?”
I poured some magic from my horn over my hoof and said, “Oh, nothing. It just felt like it was falling asleep.” I took it from behind my back and showed her. “It’s all better now.”
She looked from my hoof to my eyes and said, “It looked funny for a second there. Almost not like a hoof at all.” She turned fully to face me and said, “Where are you from?”
I hoped the sweat wasn’t showing on my face yet as I replied, “No place you’ve ever heard of, I’m sure.”
“Try me.”
I said the first name I could think of. “Augusta, Maine.”
She looked skeptical as she shifted from one hoof to the other. “That is a strange name. Is it far?”
“Farther than you can imagine.”
She laughed. “You’re silly. What’s your name?”
“Scholar.”
She smiled, “Okay, Scholar from Mane, I’ll see you on Friday, ten o’clock sharp, Studio B. Don’t be late!”
I smiled, and said, “I won’t. Thanks again.”
She waved a hoof and left. Once she was gone I sat back and let out a big breath, then looked down at my hoof. It looked solid once more, but I was going to have to figure out what was happening to me before too long. I’d already seen what could happen if a pony got a good look at me if it happened to change again. Not an experience I wanted to repeat.
