The Meaning of Life

by Falgantil

Rating: everyone
Tags: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Human, Main 6, Princess Luna, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Octavia, Comedy, Romance
Length: 6784

My experience of Equestria, but quite a different tale than the usual.

A 1st person story of an unexpected visit to Equestria.
Is everything really as it seems? Is the answer to life really so complicated as people make it out to be?

Follow me into the world of Equestria, and experience the pony world from a 1st person perspective.

Published 2012-07-04 22:24:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-09-03 20:02:23 UTC

A day unlike others

Please note: This is my first Fanfic ever, so please don't go too hard on me

I live my life, one week at a time. I used to look further forward, but I never found any profit in it. Just more to think about, when I normally can't do anything to help it. To start things off I should probably introduce myself. As much as I'd love to deny it, I'm nothing special. Just a seventeen year old boy, like to many others, fell for the MLP; FiM show. Its a great show, you know. There's not much else to tell, other than I'm on a programmer education. Which leads me to my influence in the fandom. Because even though I'd like to contribute all sorts of cool stuff to the fandom, I'm no good at drawing, Photoshop, animating, or pretty much any other kind of art.

I now come home every day from work, sit at my computer, update myself on the few fanfictions I'm following, and then simply wander the internet aimlessly. I've done this for quite a while, until I started to ponder on all the aspects of art. Because art isn't always just visual, So I figured that if I can't create visual art, why not try my hand in the writing world.
So I did. Or well I tried to anyway. At first I was determined to write a great fanfiction, despite my close to zero knowledge about writing fanfictions. So logically it soon became clear that I wouldn't be able to write anything without at least the proper inspiration. So I cleared my mind, and figured that I'd need to do something I haven't done in several years. I went for a walk. No destination or thoughts in mind. Just me, my headset and MP3 filled with all my favorite MLP songs.

I walk down the road, take a turn right and just keep walking.
Eventually I find myself walking through the forest. Its a warm summers afternoon, yet there's dough on all the leafs still. And its not the only thing I notice strange. I can't put a finger on what it is exactly, but there is something different. I shrug it off as nothing special, or maybe just my pony-filled mind, messing with me.

Suddenly, I hear a -snap- like a stick breaking, a little to the left of me. Normally I'd shrug it off as nothing, and I ponder to myself why I noticed this sound specifically. That's when it hits me what was different. There is no sounds. No birds chipping, no deers wandering, no squirrels in the trees. No nothing. The only sound was the crunching of pebbles beneath my feet, the quiet running stream of water to next to me, and that one crack I heard just moments ago.
I turn to face the place I heard the sound coming from. I see nothing unusual. The stream of water, trees, bushes, a single fallen tree, and... What's that? It looks like a little piece of cotton candy, laying at the entrance of a fallen tree. But why is there cotton candy out here in the forest? What's even more odd is that it doesn't look like cotton candy all that much. The shape is right, but its much more pink, and much less transparent. Now normally I shrug off strange events like these like its nothing. But cotton candy, in a forest. Really? Especially this strange kind.
So I jump over the river and walk towards it. As I'm halfway there, I accidentally step on a branch that breaks, and the cotton candy vanishes inside the tree. I quickly run the rest of the way over to the tree and look inside, and to my surprise I see nothing. Not just an empty tree log, but literally nothing. Just a big black hole. A black hole, yes. That's the best way to describe it. Because you couldn't see anything in it. Like black holes, it even seemed to swallow light.
I reach my hand forward to touch it, and it feels cold. Kind of like touching streaming water from a sink. Only, my hand doesn't get wet. Maybe the best description would be 'fluid air'.
Regardless, it doesn't hurt or feel unpleasant. So I think to myself “Whats the worst that could happen”, and I continue forward, into the black hole. As I'd expected, I soon feel like I'm bathing in this fluid blackness, and despite that its cold, its not unpleasant. I still feel ground under me, but its not the rotten wooden kind-of ground, which I had initially expected. Its soft. Like walking on moss.
I continue to walk in this cool comforting darkness, and soon I sense things are taking shape. Trees starts to shape out of the darkness. But they have weird shapes, unlike anything I have ever seen in the woods where I live. As I walk and more things starts appearing out of the darkness, I look down and can now see that its not only moss but a mix between dirt, and soft forest ground.
Further ahead, I can spot something pink, and I take it that it must be the cotton candy. However it seems bigger now. And its moving. Not floating, but actually moving. I hasten from my steady pace to a decent speed, trying to catch up with it. Most things are now visible in the forest, but the trees and bushes are too close to allow me to see very far. I'm still in a forest, but a much different one from the one I came from. Never have I seen trees or bushes like this. Even the air smells different. Sweet... Maybe its the cotton candy I can smell.
I try yelling “Hey!”, and for a moment it looks like it works. The pink creature looks back, and I think it sees me. However instead of slowing down, it starts moving much faster now and vanishes out of a bright opening in the forest.
“Wait up!”. Nothing. I now start running, trying to catch up with the pink creature. I reach the edge of forest, and what I see... Oh my god.

Pony Confusion

The houses, the trees, the ground, the sky. There was no way this couldn't be Equestria. However there is one significant change. The colors aren't as clear as they are in the show. They're much more realistic here. The whole world looks rather much like those really talented drawings, with shadows, and different variations of the same colors.
So I stand there, just viewing it all. Really absorbing my surroundings, because lets face it, this isn't something that happens every day, so I motion to sit down to enjoy the whole situation, but as I'm about to do so, I see the pink thing running behind some trees. So I start moving towards the trees to finally confront it. I round the trees, and see...

“Pink... Pinkie... Pinkie Pie..?” Ofcourse, because who else could be so random.

She turns her head slightly my way, replying with a nod and a “Mhmm?”. I'm not sure if she's taken a good look at me yet.

“Whats going on? How is this happening? This isn't possible. You're not possible!” I reply, reminding myself quite a bit about Twilight in that time-traveling episode.
Now, she looks at me, and for a moment she looks like she's staring into my very soul. Only for a moment. Then she lets out one of those very high squeaks, jumps into the air, and in a blink of an eye, she's already far away, sprinting towards Ponyville.

“Oh Pinkie...” I sigh, and facehoof. Wait, faceHOOF? I look down on myself and see to my surprise that I'm no longer human. I am now a dark-brown colored pony, with a silver mane. Whats strange is, it doesn't feel strange at all. Now that I know I'm a pony, I notice that it does feel different to walk, however it comes so natural. Everything also does feel a little bigger than usual, but not enough to notice anything on first eyesight. I spent a few moments to get used to my new body, however I quickly figure that most of the things I can do as a human, and they all come fairly natural. Deciding that I don't actually need to spend time learning anything, I begin to walk towards Ponyville, bracing myself for the possible Pinkie-Welcoming-Party.
The road I'm walking on goes right past Fluttershy's cottage, so I figure I'll pay her a visit, just to get a view of her house in this world.
*Knock knock.*

Moments later there is a click from the door being unlocked, and Fluttershy slowly opens it.

“Yes?” she says, looking at me with a surprised expression. They're probably not used to strangers in Ponyville, much less on the outskirts.

“Hello there Fluttershy. It is Fluttershy, right?” I say, pretending I don't know as to not freak her out or anything. Imagine some complete stranger walking up to you, acting like he knows you. Exactly.

“Uhm yes...” she says, looking a little confused.

I stand there for a moment, unsure of what really to say. I never think this far, I always just walk up to people and start talking, but unlike usually, words don't just come out.

“Not really sure... I just came by to see how you're doing.”

She looks confused at me for a moment before replying. “But I don't even know you...”

“Well how else am I going to get to know you?” I reply. The reply hangs in the air for a moment before she replies.

“Uhm, well I'm fine...” she answers, still nervous by the fact there's a stranger on her doorstep, acting like her friend.
Suddenly Angel comes jumping, and stops at the porch, looks at me for a moment, then continues on with whatever business he's doing.

“Alright, glad to hear”. The situation is starting to get a little uncomfortable, so I motion to turn around.
“Well, I better get going”

“Okay...” she answers, and slowly closes the door.

*****

“Stupid stupid stupid!”. I facehoof several times as I've left the sight of the cottage. I don't know who I'm going to meet next, but I start planning things to say to each. However I barely get started before I hear a screech from above. I look up and sees a rainbow-colored pony, flying right towards me, and before I can move anywhere, she collides with me, ramming us both into the mud puddle next to me.

“Ups, sorry. I kinda lost control there for a moment. Here, let me help you out”. She flies away, grabs a small cloud and drifts it over my head.

“Wait!”

“What?”

“I'd like to get OUT of the mud first.”

“Oh, right.”

I walk out of the mud, and she moves the cloud ones more, jumps a few times on it so as to rain on me. Then she proceeds to make a Rainblow Dry. Luckily no mud in my hair.

“I'm Rainbow Dash by the way.”

“Yeah I know” slips out, before I remember that I'm not supposed to know anything about them. She catches it, and looks at me with a perplexed look.

“You know? How?”

For a moment I'm completely clueless as of what to say. I think of something, and decides that will have to do.

“From the 'Best Young Fliers' competition”.

“But you're not a pegasus. How can you know if you haven't been there.”

“Twilight spoke of you last time she was in Canterlot.” I reply, thanking Celestia that I have a quick mind.

“Oh, ofcause! So what are you doing here in Ponyville?” she asks.

“I'm just on a visit” I reply, now regaining a bit of my confidence.

“But why did you come from the Everfree Forest then?”

“Oh I didn't actually come from there. I just got...” I think for a moment before picking a fitting answer. “... sidetracked, on my way from Canterlot.”

Nightly Powers

Darkness. Then... More darkness. I look around, but everywhere I look, I see nothing but darkness. I try to get up, but notice I can't move my legs. Then I see a glowing dark-blue shade walking towards me, slowly. Something about it seems familiar, but I can't put my hoof on what it is exactly.

“You shouldn't be here...” it says.

“No kidding... Wait, are you...”

Luna sighs. “No, I mean you shouldn't be here in Equestria. You are not from this world, and you being here could bring confusion and cause situations which Celestia and I would rather go without.”

“Oh...” At this point, I am rather speechless. Unsure of what to say, she continues.

“I know how you got here. But I do not know why, and that is what we have to find out.”

“Wait, you say you know how I got here... How do you know?”

“You have been summoned here, by an ancient ritual.” she begins. “Back in the beginning of the Equestrian era, ponies were still fighting, trying to banish Chaos...”

“Discord, you mean?”

“Yes and no. You see, Chaos cannot do anything without a host which it can use to perform its evil deeds. However, while a host allows Chaos to act, it also limits him. The stronger spirit the host has, the less work Chaos can perform, and the less effect it has. You know the tale of Discord, I take it?”

I nod, and Luna continues.

“Well there is more to it than what most ponies know. Draconequus' are known to have weak spirits, due to their curse of being small parts of many different animals. This in itself does not affect the spirit, but it confuses the individual draconequus, which in turn, results in a weakened spirit. Chaos knew this, and so it was that the last draconequus became Chaos' host.” she pauses for a moment, before continuing the story.
“Regardless, back when Chaos was still in control of much of Equestria. The ancient ponies knew, there was no stopping him alone. They had to get help elsewhere. In truth, the human they brought here, did stop Chaos, but since this was something entirely new for everyone in Equestria, it raised quite a few questions from everyone. So together with my sister, we decided it would be best to keep these worlds apart, and so we had to teleport this human back into his world. We would very much like to avoid this situation once again.”

“Hm, understandable I suppose. But I mean, if I was summoned here, there must be a reason for it, right?”

“Yes, I suppose. Or well... Its really kind of fun, when you know the whole tale.”

I now stare at her with an awkward gaze. “Wait... I mean, go on”

“Well, the ritual to summon someone from the other world was lost, back then. The only ponies to still know it, is me and my sister. Of that, we are certain.”

“So what do you want from me?”

“Oh, right. Well, actually we don't want anything. And it isn't us who summoned you either. So we have to figure out who did, and why...”

I think for a moment. “But how is any of this funny?”

“Right, the whole tale. Well, you know about Chaos. In the very foundations of magic, there are only two kinds of magic. There is that, which is created by unicorns, and there is that, created by rituals. Deep in ones heart, everypony has magic in them. Difference between unicorns, pegasus and earth ponies are that unicorns can focus this magic through their horn to manipulate the real world. Earth ponies utilize this magic in form of more strength. Pegasus' uses their, unknowingly, to use their wings. That is how magic works. Well, the one kind. The other, is rituals. They can be used to utilize the magic in ones heart, without the need of being any specific race. Or have any special physical abilities. Or, here's the funny part, even be aware that they are doing it.”

Wait. What? What is she telling me exactly? “So basically what you're saying is, I may not have been summoned here for a reason, but merely by accident...?”

Luna sighs. “Yes, that is the funny part...” She lets out a force giggle.

“Alright...? But wait, there's something I don't understand. If that human in the past was a pony like me, how come it was such a trouble?”

“Its simple. Everypony knew he wasn't really a pony.”

“Ah, right. Well, how come I can't stay then?”

“Celestia and I are not sure if we can trust you with such a secret.”

“Of course you can trust me. As a matter of fact, I have already met both Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, and I didn't tell any of them. Listen, Ill do anything to spend just a while in this world. Please don't send me back.”

“Hm...” Luna ponders this for a while. It seems like ages. Finally, she speaks. “Celestia trusts in my judgment. I will grant you one week in this world. Enough to explore what you wish, experience what you wish. So long as you do not tell anypony your real identity. Understood?”

“Right. I mean yes, of course.” Oh my gosh, is this really happening? Well, it sure seems like it!

“And to make sure you honor our agreement, I shall follow your mind on your travels. Do not worry, I may be nosy, but I respect everyponies privacy. But this means, if you ever need to contact me, I will be there in your mind.”

“Alright then, I guess...?”

“One last thing. I cannot tell where your physical body will be when you wake up.” She starts to fade. Not because she is moving into the shadows. She simply keeps gaining a darker shade of blue.

“Wait, what?!” I become quite alarmed by her last sentence. Where am I? Shouldn't I still be head-down in the grass just outside Ponyville?

“One week...” Those are her last words, before I start feeling dizzy again. Seconds passes. Then... More darkness.

Hospital Hysterical

A bit on the romance tag has arrived.

Slowly the sounds of doors opening and closes starts to ring in my ears, as well as some hysterical talking next to me. Oddly enough, ground seems to shift beneath me. Like I'm swimming or something.
Soon I realize I'm in a hospital, being driven to the emergency department I assume. As I attempt to open my eyes, I quickly shut them close again, as the light is quite a lot brighter than what I'd expected. I try to ask something about what is going on, but all my body can manage is a simple “Whaaa...”
It feels like an eternity later, the swimming feeling comes to a halt, and as I attempt to open my eyes again, this time succeeding somewhat. Although the light is still very bright, I can at least manage to keep my eyes open. At first I cannot see anything, but as a few seconds passes, I can start to sense a bright gray shade among the eternity of whiteness. She stands by the window, which simply makes it harder to adjust my view, due to the bright morning lights behind her. Moments later, my eyes has adjusted enough to let me see more clearly, who exactly I am looking at.
And whether it is because of my recently passed faint, or that she is standing by the window, she has a sort of divine glow around her, as she stands there, looking out on the hospital grounds.
Wait, I know that pony.

“Octavia...?” I mumble. Not loud, but she seems to hear. She turns around and looks at me.

Those eyes. They could have been shaped out of the most precious diamonds in Equestria, and that would still be an understatement. To everyone else, she looks more or less exactly like in the show, and I never had any affection for her in the past. But this is so different, because in this moment, this is my reality, and I couldn't be more happy.
I manage a small smile, which she returns. And then, awkward silence. I quickly decide that the longer I remain quiet, the more awkward it is going to get. I attempt to liven up the conversation with the first thing that comes to mind.

I clear my throat. “So uhm, what happened exactly?” It isn't until now I notice how she's staring at me. She quickly snaps out of the trance, looking around for a few seconds.
“Huh?”

I let out a quiet giggle. “I asked what had happened”. Now that she is completely present in mind, she replies.

“Well, I was walking towards Ponyville, when I found you just on the outskirts, laying there, face down in the grass. So honestly, I could ask you the same thing.”

I start to ponder whether I should tell the truth or not, despite my promise to the princess of the night. It is quite a hard decision, considering... 'Yeah I'm a human, so I'm actually not from here, but I went through a fallen tree and just so happened to turn into a pony and arrive here in Equestria'
No, I couldn't say that. She'd get alarmed and call the doctor and tell them I'm brain-damaged or something. Suddenly, something knocks me on my forehead.

“Hello? Anyone home?” It is Octavia, and she pulls herself back from me. I now realize I must have been thinking for quite a while by now, and it was her hoof poking me on my forehead. I cannot think of anything to say, I reply with the only thing that can buy me a little more time.

“Uhm, what were you doing outside Ponyville?”

“Oh, I was just walking. I enjoy a late night walk. You know, fresh air and the sort. It is really refreshing when you've played the cello all evening. Yeah, I was playing at a garden party last night.”

“Oh, I see.” As I am still clueless as of what to say, I decide to let fate choose.”Well, regarding my part of the story. Would you like the long or the short version?”

“I'd appreciate it if you would just give me the short version. I've been up all night, and honestly I feel like I could collapse any moment now.” She lets out a yawn, which clearly underline her state of mind..

Wait, she said she's been up all night?

“Why? I mean why have you been up all night?” At this point, I do have a faint idea of why, but I try to prevent myself from getting my hopes up.

“To look after you, of course.” She looks at me for a moment, before realizing how what she just said sounds, and she blushes. She pulls herself a decent bit together and quickly continues. “You know, as the person who found you I mean... I felt I had a responsibility for you... And... Stuff.”

An awkward silence rises once again. It confirms my thoughts. I can almost see how she is boiling in embarrassment. I decide she's been like this for long enough, and I pick up on the previous topic.

“Uhm, well anyway. So the short version of the story is,” She seems quite happy about the change of topic “I was having this party with some friends in Ponyville, and... Well, there was alcohol involved, and things got out of hoof, so to speak. They usually do with my friends.” I have always surprised myself of my creativity in nervous situations. “Last thing I remember was waking up on the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. Then I guess I must have passed out again or something, and that's when you found me. I have some vague memories about the places we went to last night.”

She lets out a giggle before replying. “Haha, well that sounds like quite an adventure then.”

“Yup. Well, I don't really remember much of it, but I suppose so.”

She lets out another yawn, and it is now quite obvious how tired she is.

“Well, now that you know I'm all right, you can get some sleep” I smile at her.

“Yeah, right.” She gives me a little nod before laying down on a lower bed next to mine that I haven't noticed until now.

“I think I'll also get some more sleep. Still tired.” I say, as I let out a forced yawn.

No more than fifteen seconds later, a very low giggle starts to sound in the room. I look around for the source of this odd giggle. As I look down on Octavia, I notice how her chest moves in tact with the giggle.
That's her snoring? D'aaaw, its adorable, and I can't help letting out a small giggle as I smile at her. After laying there for a few minutes just watching her sleep, I finally start to feel tired. I lay back in my bed and gets comfortable. A few minutes later, I am in as deep sleep as the beauty in the bed next to me.

A date and a sandwich

Chapter 5
A date and a sandwich

I wake up and as I look down on Octavia, only to realize the bed is empty. A sting of disappointment pokes my heart, and it feels like the midday just got that much darker. I lay back onto my pillow and let the events of the past day sink into my mind. Just as I've closed my eyes, a knock on the door is heard and I open my eyes again to check the source of the noise. In through the door walks Octavia, with a tray with lunch on it.

“Good morning. Or should I say afternoon?” She smiles at me and sets the tray down on the nightstand. “I got us some lunch, if you're hungry?”

“Like a horse” I say, and grab a sandwich off the tray.

She takes a sandwich and sits down on her bed.

“Why are you being so nice to me? I mean, you could have just dumped me here and then left...”

“Would you like me to leave?”

“No..! I mean... No” I am blushing quite clearly now, and I attempt to drop the subject by taking a bite out of the sandwich.

“Well, to answer your question, I'm not the type that just leaves someone at a hospital after bringing them there. I like to make sure they're alright before I actually leave.”

“Why didn't you leave this morning then?”

“You know, it really sounds like you're trying to get rid of me” She lets out a nervous laugh.

“No. Well, I mean yeah it probably does, but I'm really not.” I smile at her, and she seems to ease a bit.

“Well, to be completely honest, you seem like a completely different type of pony. Just the way you talk. Completely different from the colts I'm used to talking with. You don't have that overconfident side.”

“And that's a good thing?” I ask, now quite baffled by what she's getting at.

“Yes, of course.” she says, to my surprise. “All colts acts like they own me or something. I don't want someone to protect me, I can protect myself damn well. I want someone I can talk with. Someone who is just as much down to earth as I... Oh boy, now it sounds like I want to...” She lowers her voice and continues. “date you...” She's now blushing quite obviously, and she now looks everywhere else than on me.
I realize, this would be a perfect moment to push things the right way. And although I have never been too bright on pickup lines, or dating at all, I figure something to say quite easy this time.

“Well, would that really be so bad?” Although she's not looking at me, I keep smiling at her. Her blush is now almost rose red. She lets out a small squeak.

“Oh my...”

I decide this is enough pushing from my side. Now she knows I'm interested, and if she also is, who knows?
I continue eating my sandwich, and after a few moments her blush starts to fade, and she slowly starts eating as well.

“So... You said you were playing at some garden party before you found me?”

“Oh yes, the Hinderson family.”

“Can't say it rings a bell... So are you performing solo?”

“Oh, no I have band mates.”

“And what do they play?”

“Oh, well they... don't... know I'm here” she finishes, now frozen in place, with the sandwich in her hoof, looking at me with an expression of horror.

A split second later, she's running toward the door, and out into the hallway. A few minutes passes, as I finish my sandwich. The door opens and Octavia trots back inside, wearing an expression of relief. She walks over and sits down on her bed, then lets out a sigh.

“What happened?” I ask.

“I'm so terribly sorry to just rush out all of the sudden. I just remembered that I hadn't notified any of my band mates of my whereabouts, and they do tend to become worried, if I vanish all of the sudden. Luckily, they had “embraced” a barrel of cider at the party, and assumed I'd gone back to the hotel. So no big search this time.” She lets out another sigh of relief before finishing the last bite of her sandwich.

“This time? What happened last time?”

“Oh, well last time Lyra had a little affair with a stallion at that party. We didn't know until later on. And well, suddenly Lyra was gone, and we didn't know were she went off to. Turns out she'd gone home with that stallion, and... Well, it was quite the hazzle finding her again. We asked everypony at the party, but frankly the cider had gotten the better of a lot of the guests, and the remaining didn't know. Eventually, she showed up at the hotel though.”

“Ah. I guess I am not the only one who's had quite some adventures then.”

“No, I guess not” She smiles and we both let out some light giggles.

A knock comes from the door, and a nurse walks in. “Oh good, you're awake. How are you feeling?”

“Uhm, I'm fine.” I reply. Redheart is wearing the same nurse-like smile as always.

“Alright then, that's good to hear. You're free to go in a few moments. I just need to run a few tests first.” As she finishes her sentence, she walks up to the side of my bed. First she grabs my leg and starts to bend it at the knee. Before I can react, she lets go and instead grabs my head, now with a tiny flashlight in her mouth lighting me in my right eye, then the left. Then, with unpony-like strength, she flips me around so I lay on my back, runs her hoof over me a few places on my back. And before I can object, she yanks a hoof right on my hip, before turning me back over to state:“Yep, physically you're as good as ever. You are free to go.” She smiles at me, and walks back out the door.
I sit there for a moment, contemplating what had just happened. As I look at Octavia, I notice she's seems just as confused as I, if not more. We both shrug it off, and Octavia grabs her few coat and purse before we head out the door.

*****

“So where do you live?” she asks as we're walking down a street. I haven't thought about this at all, and as I can't think of anything that wont cause a problem some way or another, I reply with the only thing that comes to mind.

“Well, I don't actually live here in Ponyville. I live in Canterlot, but I just came to meet with my friends, here in Ponyville.”

“Oh, alright then. So where does your friends live?”

I decide that I can't stall it anymore, and reply. “Right this way. We're staying at Twilight's place. She lives in a library, inside a tree.”

“Oh my, sounds fancy. Wait, Twilight... As in, THE Twilight?” she says.

“Uhm, who is 'the' Twilight?” I ask, wondering what she means.

“The famous Twilight Sparkle?”

“Her name sure is Twilight Sparkle. Although I wasn't aware she was particularly famous.”

“Are you kidding me? She's Princess Celestia's student!”

“Oh, right. Yeah I can see how that might have something to say...” Odd. Never has there been any particular talk about this in the fanworld, but it is true that Twilight ought to be rather famous considering her position.

We continue walking down the street, and take a turn right, where we can see the tree house further down the road.

This is some grim mess I've got myself into.

And that is the honest truth

Chapter 6
And that is the honest truth

As much as I want to prevent the event from happening, I cannot think of a single way. So I decide to let things have their way, and who knows what will happen.

“So, are we going to stand here all day?” Octavia looks at me with a unsure smile on her face.

“I guess not...” I don't want to do this.

I lift my hoof and knock. Scratch that, I really don't want to do this.

A muffled voice rings from within the library. “Geez, guys, I wonder who that can be.” Sounds like Twilight.
Different muffled voices sounds from within, and moments later a click sounds from the lock, and Twilight opens the door. For a moment she simply stands there, looking at me. Probably waiting for me to say something. I can't. For some reason, my body has frozen down, and refuses to act.

“Uhm, may I help you...?”

At this point I guess my brain has shut down due to too much to process. I cannot think of anything to say, so I instinctively reply with some mumbling.

“Uhm, well... Erh...”

Suddenly Pinkie Pie jumps up behind Twilight.

“Twilight, tell me who it-...” She lets out another squeak, then pulls me inside the library, and out of nowhere she pulls out her party cannon and pulls the fuse.

“Darling, no!” Rarity says, accompanied by an “Oh boy” from Applejack.

In a matter of seconds, the entire library is festively decorated. Somewhere in all the noise, I hear Twilight let out a little laugh and say “Oh Pinkie...”.

Welcome, welcome, welcome!
A fine welcome to you!
Welcome, welcome, welcome!
I say, how do you do?

Welcome, welcome,-...

Rainbow Dash cuts her off by dragging me out of Pinkie Pies reach. “Okay, Pinks, that's enough messing with Twilight's friend. That's MY job”. She then continues to grab me in a headlock and starts rubbing my noggin.

“What do you mean 'My friend', Rainbow?” Twilight says.

For a moment, Rainbow Dash is frozen. Then she slowly lets go of me, and again I am the center of attention.

“Yeah... He told me You know each other...” Rainbow states.

Well, I guess it is now or never. “Alright, I can explain” I begin, before realizing this is the initiation sentence of any madmans explanation. And come to think of it, this is a madmans explanation as well, so maybe it fits. “Twilight, I'm counting on you knowing a bit here, alright?”

“Knowing what? I don't even know who you are, or what I'm supposed to know!”

“Okay, I guess I should start from the beginning of the tale. And Octavia, now you're going to get the long version. You might all want to sit down...”

“I'm sorry Luna” I quietly think.

“I'm not actually from here.” I'd expect this to raise a few eyebrows, but come to think about it, that doesn't sound odd. “No, I mean from Equestria. Or anywhere in this world, at all.” As expected, this raises quite a few more eyebrows.
I continue to tell the tale of my life the past couple of days. About how I got here, who I met, why I actually fainted, what happened in my dream, and so forth. As my tale came to an end, they were all sitting down with an faceless expression.

“So... That's pretty much what happened. Now you also know why I had to say what I said, Octavia.” I look down in shame, afraid to meet any of their gazes.

“A... Human...” It was Twilight who broke their silence. “I don't recall ever reading about this 'human' specie. But like you said, Celestia and Luna hushed it all up, so I guess it makes sense.”

“But Pinkie, darling, why ever have you not told anyone?”

“Told anyone what?” Pinkie replies.

“How 'bout that ya go to a human world e'ry now and then?” Applejack joins in.

“Oh, that. Well, its just because there are these really great berries there, and they taste super extra special good with a new recipe I've made And I didn't actually know it was a different world, I just thought it looked weird when I just walked through a forest. So I thought 'why would I need to tell anyone about this' because I didn't see any reason why I would, which reminds me that I need to go pick more berries. Maybe I should try mixing them with whip cream and see how that tastes!”

“Aaand we're off topic.” Rainbow says, then grabs Pinkies tail before she runs off.

“Well, I just HAVE to say, you humans do seem to enjoy “pouring a thick layer of butter” on stories, so to speak” Rarity says

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused by this statement.

“Well, although the stories you're telling about us really has happened, I must say that they are quite sugarcoated. Take for example the fight I had with Sweetie Belle. She didn't exactly just simply forgive me after I played the games with her. No matter.”

“So anyway... Where's Fluttershy?” I ask, trying to change subject.

“Oh, geez Fluttershy, get out from back there!” Rainbow Dash sighs, before grabbing behind the couch and pulls out a yellow pegasus. As Rainbow lets go of her, she sits down on the couch, lets out a squeak and starts swaying her gaze between me and the floor.

“Yeah she's kinda shy 'round new people. But ah' guess ya knew that, since we don't exist and all.”

“Oh come on Applejack, he didn't mean it like that. Did you?” Twilight looks at me with a questioning expression on her face.

“No, not at all!” I reply.

“This has got to be the first time in a while I don't know what to say” Twilight states.

“Well, you all wanna hear my view of things?”

“Ah' think ya said quite enough already!” Applejack says.

“Now now, Applejack, let him talk. He is just as much pony as-.. Well, go on.”

I'd always thought Applejack would be the nicest of the two, but it seems that despite her being the element of honesty, she's not quite as friendly around new people as Rarity. Although I do think it has to do with what I just said.

“Well, it my opinion it doesn't matter what strangers think or say. What's important in life is that you do what makes you happy, and that you share these moments with those you love. Because no matter how long or short life may be, it will be complete. Because what more could you ask for that friends and memories that you've shared with them?”

As I finish, the room is silent. A split second later Octavia retreats from planting a quick kiss on my cheek.

Wow, did this really happen? Did Octavia really just kiss me?

“Wow” It was Rainbow who broke the endless silence.

“Oh.. yes, wow” Rarity adds in.

Octavia looks away and mutters “I'm sorry, I guess I got caught up in the moment...”

“Its... Alright” I say. Again, awkward silence.

“So..!” Twilight accidentally yells out in an attempt to break the silence.

“Right, yes I think I should probably get going.” I say. Anything to get me out of this embarrassing situation, and to get a chance to talk with Octavia in private.

“I must take my leave as well” Octavia says, and follows me out the door.