Location Canterlot Castle Medical Wing
12:42

So, here I was. In this apparently "magical" universe, on this "magical" planet, in this "magical" castle filled with "magical" talking ponies. Honestly out of all the things that have happened to me, I think this has topped my list of what the fuck moments for the year. Telling the truth I wasn't sure if this was even real, everything that has happened seemed so illogical and chaotic than what should be normal. Not to mention the fact that (according to Celestia) there was no trace of anyone else, not even Craig. This made no sense.

I was still in the medical area although I had been moved out of the dungeon area into a normal medical wing, after calming down from yet another panic attack (and promising not to hurt anyone which I hoped eased those guards minds) I was finally moved rooms into a much nicer and fancier medical room. This room itself was a nicer shade of white with long streaks of purple painted along various areas of the wall. A large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling with its main framework being coated in gold and silver.

Speaking of gold, it was pretty much anywhere my eyes moved. It lined the floor skirtings and along the edges of the large doors and even the windows, and yes there were windows in this room. There were two massive windows that were positioned along the side of the room. However, after attempting to look out of one of the windows I was "discouraged" from stepping too close to the windows by the nearby guards. I had sort of assumed that my appearance as an "alien" was more common knowledge, with you know, the fact that I crash landed my aircraft into the middle of one of their towns but whatever I guess.

I did, however, get an odd sneak peak outside the windows and by god, just the simple act of looking out of these windows was enough to pretty much fully convince me that I was definitely not dreaming.

There was just so much detail on every house and building in the city and not just simple detail, this was some precise work out there which clearly hadn't been built overnight and certainly not with my brain, unless my brain had suddenly gotten into fairytales. My window looked over the front courtyard, however, I could also see down into an upper part of the city.

Within the castle walls, I could see tens, if not hundreds of golden guards lining the various walls, fortifications, and gates that gave ponies access in and out of the palace. Whether or not extra guards had been placed because of me, I could not be sure.

Beyond the gates was the upper districts of the city. I could make out some of the rooftops and spires of the various buildings that littered the cobblestone looking streets. All of these buildings seemed to share the same sort of style and when I say style I mean that they were all immensely colored with bright purple, pink and whites color schemes. I don't think anyone would disagree if I said I was right in the middle of a suburban Disneyland... Thinking about it I might keep that one for later, though I doubt anyone would get the joke.

Overall the room was pretty nice. It went without saying that this was definitely by far the fanciest hospital room that I'd ever seen. However, even though that it was a really nice room, there was plenty of reminders that it was in fact still a hospital room and that I was still an unknown entity to these ponies. A fact that they were more than happy to remind me of every second of every minute.

Within the room itself, there was plenty of old-timey looking machines dotted around the lone bed. Some of the machines made no noise at all and some made too much noise to bear.

The silver looking machines had several plastic looking lines that were emitted from the middle of the machines and lead up into my arms, every so often I would feel a small jolt as the more wooden evil science guy type machines scratched out more and more unreadable lines onto some parchment that had started to accumulate into a pile on the floor.

However, one thing that stood out above all else was the distinct lack of plug sockets anywhere within the room. How these machines were getting sustainable power was definitely beyond my understanding but if I'd to hazard a guess I would say magic.

Besides the crazy science machines, there were some more.. reminders of my current status in this world. Positioned by the door was two horsey guards. Both of them bore golden armor (much like the earlier guards). They also were playing the same trick as the other guards, as in they all looked the same. Maybe they were clones or something, knowing what I've seen so far it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

Currently, I was awaiting my lunch, I had been told by one of the nurses earlier that a maid would bring it to me at around 1 o'clock. Knowing what I had already seen in the castle it wouldn't surprise me if the lunch arrived at bang on one.

I wasn't half wrong either. Just as the clock in my room struck one there was a knocking at the door. It's what happened next that caught me off guard.

Instead of a maid entering, I saw Celestia carrying a silver plater in her golden aura. She wasn't alone, however, behind her was a shorter dark blue winged unicorn. She bore an expression I couldn't quite read. It looked like anger mixed with confusion. I think ill avoid eye contact with that one. Behind her was another one of the winged unicorns. It was around the same height as the blue one, although, this one was pink, almost too pink. Finally trotting in behind was a purple one. She was a lot shorter than the others and to be honest she looked about the same height as the guards standing by the door.

The purple pony also seemed to be carrying all manners of books, parchments and what I can only assume we're... quills? As they entered the room her eyes met with my own. This smaller pony seemed to bear the exact opposite expression of the blue one. She looked like she was a mix of excitement and wonder at the same time. I eyeballed her for a couple more seconds before a pony clearing her voice broke the uneasy silence.

"Phillip, it's good to see you looking better I thought we could discuss things over lunch if that is okay with you," I snapped my head around to find the source of the voice. Celestia was pulling over a table and some fancy chairs next to my bedside, the silver plater still levitating in her aura.

"Uh, sure that's fine," I heard a small gasp escape the mouth of the purple one whilst the others just eyed me cautiously. Celestia must have picked up on the potential tension in the room and spoke up again.

"Oh, how rude of me, let me introduce everypony to you," She started by waving a hoof over to her guards who just eyed at me before retreating from the room. Assholes, like calm it guys I'm a pilot, not a soldier.

"First off, this is my dear sister Luna," Celestia said motioning to the blue pony that was still eyeing me as if I were some sort of ali... Well, I guess I am but still. I can see who got the happy emotions in the family.

"And this is..."

"Excuse me, but just what exactly are you?" Both I and the others head's turned to see the blu.. Luna standing there her hoof pointed directly at me. Although I don't know where else she could've pointed it all things considered.

"Uh... I could ask you the same question honestly," I responded casually. These ponies really aren't that threatening all things considered, if anything it's quite adorable.

"Wha... How dare you.."

"Luna, that's enough, that's no way to treat our guest here and you know it," Celestia's voice was firm and assertive, a side which I had not seen of her before. I continued to watch both of them awaiting the other's response. She seemed to think about it for a second before conceding.

"Fine, you have my apologies, but I still want an answer," Celestia went into to counter her again, however, this time I raised my hand to stop her.

"It's fine, I understand your concerns about me just showing up out of nowhere, to be quite frank it concerns me just as much as you if you, but if you must know I am a human," the scribbling of a quill could be heard in the background but I paid it no heed. "But please, just call me Phil," There was silence for a few moments before she looked to me and extended a hoof.

"Charmed" I had no idea what the fuck I was supposed to do. Should I kiss it? to ponies kiss the princesses... Hoofs? This is getting weird. Instead, I just resorted to awkwardly shaking it much to her surprise.

"Likewise,"

A few more moments of awkward silence. This was beginning to feel more like an interrogation (with Celestia playing good cop and Luna playing bad cop) than a nice lunch, a lunch that I hadn't even seen yet. I don't even know what ponies eat, grass maybe?

"Alicorns," a new voice spoke up. I traced it backed to the pinkish pony who was standing at the end of my bed. She obviously saw my confused look before continuing. "Your question, the answer is Alicorns, we here are all Alicorns, however, there are also Unicorns, Pegasi and Earth Ponies,"

Okay, I guess that made a little bit more sense than winged unicorn.

“Oh, yeah thanks, what’s your name exactly?” That probably came off a little bit ruder than it should’ve been but at this point, I was losing the will to care.

“How rude of me, please accept my apologies,” seriously, why do these ponies keep apologizing it’s really starting to get irritating more than anything. “My name is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza ,” what the fuck. “But please just call me Cadence,” well I guess that’s a bit simpler than Mia Moria whatever.

“Nice to meet you Cadence,” I extended my hand out to shake her hoof which she returned trying to follow Luna's example. She did a little better than Luna I must say.

As I finished my hand-hoof shake with Cadence I noticed out of the corner of eyes a purple aura encompassing many objects that I had been using such as my water cup and so on. As I followed the aura I found the purple... Alicorn scribbling down notes upon notes onto her lengthy piece of parchment.

Is this pony obsessed or something? She does look familiar though.

Celestia cleared her voice as Cadence withdrew her hoof. “And finally this, is Twilight Sparkle” at this the purple alicorn ears perked up as her aura dissipated dropping many of the items she was holding to the ground. My head twisted to the source of the sound to see the pony slightly blushing as she waddled around trying to quickly pick up all of her books.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry!” Before she could continue her little meltdown her books and scrolls were lifted into a golden aura and levitated into two little bags near the door.

To be honest watching her scramble to try and fix her mess was adorable, but after her things were packed she reverted to just starting.

Feeling the need to break the silence I decided to start us off this time around. "Nice to meet you Twilight," once again I extended my arm, instead of taking it she appeared to study it for a few seconds before accepting.

"Actually, we've met before now," this got my attention as I eyed her curiously. She didn't seem to notice as she continued to speak anyway. "When you landed your... Vessel! You came tumbling out like a pony with too much salt in their system, luckily I and my friend were able to get you to a hospital with the help of some of the guard ponies," After finishing her explanation she exhaled heavily. She seemed to eye me with wonder, awaiting my response.

I guess that explains why she looks familiar, although I still can't remember any of it. "Well, I'm glad you and your friend... uh?" I had no idea what the name of her friend was luckily Twilight soon caught on.

"Oh, her name is Starlight Glimmer," Okay, stop, these names are just getting stupid.

"Well like I said, I'm glad you and your friend were there to help me," I gave her a small smile which she happily returned, although maybe a little too enthusiastically.

"Well, now that introductions are out of the way perhaps we can get down to having some lunch," Cadence said lifting the lid off of the plater to reveal five decorated plates. Not unlike what I was expecting, the plates had some simple salad and a selection of cheeses on it with what looked like some flowers, I could only assume they're for decoration.

"What a wonderful idea Cadence, I bet you are pretty hungry Phillip?" Celestia asked levitating a plate over to me along with some basic cutlery. She wasn't wrong I hadn't actually eaten anything since I got here. Anything I had was given in the form of basic food supplements.

"Yes, that would be nice actually, I haven't eaten since I woke up," I started to eat some of the salad which all things considered tasted quite nice. In fact, this whole situation would be lovely minus the acid trip looking ponies.

"Well, I hope you find our cuisine acceptable, we had to guess since we don't really know what, humans, eat," I froze. If ponies are sentient on this world then I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that other animals from my world are probably also sentient.

However, It was too late to backtrack now as all of their ponies had their eyes fixated on mine with Twilight discarding her lunch quickly for some parchment and quill, a fact that hadn't gone unnoticed by Celestia who was now giving her a knowing looking smile. Well, honesty is the best policy.

"Honestly, anything really," okay, just breath Phillip, just avoid food-related questions and we'll be fine.

"Oh, like what?" Shit. It just had to be Twilight who had to seal my fate. I simply exhaled before continuing.

"Uh, you know the usual stuff some fruit, veg and em, meat," I mentally braced for impact, however, when no such attack came I exhaled again. The room fell silent once more with only the sound of a quill being heard. Seriously what is that girl's problem?

As the silence grew more and more uncomfortable I finally broke. "I don't mean like ponies or anything, well not me personally anyway!" Shut up brain! Why say that. Honest to god, sometimes you're the worst at speaking.

To my complete surprise Celestia just laughed, a fact that left me stunned. Once she had finished she simple cleared her throat and apologized.

"Wait your not, angry with me?" I questioned becoming more confused by the second, these ponies are weird.

"Of course not Phillip, why would we be?" Celestia's voice still rung from laughter.

"Well, because your herbivorous aren't you?" I asked as a new thought entered my head. What if these ponies were meat-eating ponies, well if they are and humans are tasty I'm pretty much screwed.

"Yes, we are but don't worry omnivores are quite commonplace outside Equestria," oh thank god, I breathed a sigh of relief but soon inhaled it back in again when another question hit me.

"How did you know about our dietary habits human?" I honestly thought we'd moved past addressing each other by names of species but whatever, as I turned I saw Luna looking at me with an accusing look whilst Cadence and Twilight were looking at me with curiosity. Celestia was looking but not at me. She was semi-glaring at her, sister, yeah her sister.

I honestly don't know how I should word this without using the word "animal". I really hope there are some easier questions after this. "Well, where I'm from we have Ponies and Horses there, but our Ponies and Horses are just, well, animals," Once again I braced for impact. At this point I was getting pretty used to it.

Twilight spoke first. "So, from your point of view, we're just, animals?" I really don't like this pony, she really likes to twist words.

"Well, no, mainly because of the fact that your talking, flying, magical, colorful ponies whereas our animals normally only come in a few shades of brown, black and white," I was starting to get good at this whole Q&A type thing.

"What about the other pony races?" Other races? Oh, she must mean the unicorns and stuff, easy enough to explain I suppose.

"Unicorns and Pegasi are just myths in our world, they don't actually exist,"

"Interesting," Twilight answered, however, she wasn't even looking at me anymore. Instead, she had her head down writing into another piece of parchment.

After this, we started to settle into our respective meals. The salad was actually good, although, saying that I had to move all of the flowery decorations off the plate. Seriously who puts flowers in the middle of a salad anyway.

My question was soon answered as I noticed Luna levitating one of the said flowers off the plate before placing it into her mouth. My brain stopped for a second but soon caught up when I realized that these are ponies. I must have been lost in thought because Luna seemed to catch on that I was looking her way.

"Does thou not like flowers, Phillip?" God, someones been stuck in the past for a while.

"Eh, not really, it's not something that's really on the human dietary list, the salads great though," This seemed to satisfy her as she went back to eating her meal.

"So, Phillip, would you mind telling us a bit about your world?" Celestia asked finishing off her salad.

"Uh, sure, what would you like to know exactly?" Earth is a massive topic, talking about it would take forever.

"Just tell us some basics, any information you give us might make it easier for us to locate your world," Celestia responded.

She did raise a good point so I better give them something they can use. "Right seems easy enough, well my planet's called Earth, it's a rocky planet and I'm pretty sure it's about 70% water and 30% land,". The noise of scribbling quills filled my ears, however, when I looked over to the usual suspect I found Twilight just looking at me intently hanging on my every word. To my surprise, it was Luna writing down the notes on my home planet.

"And, if you don't mind me asking how many live in your world?" Cadence asked taking a sip of what I could only assume was tea. I was going to tell them anyway so at least it's not another wild tangent question.

"Well in my nation alone there are about 66 million people but I believe on Earth the numbers around 7.5 billion,". I suddenly heard four collective gasps as Cadences cup fell onto the table, spilling some of the contents on the way down. I eyed them all curiously before asking "what?"

Twilight spoke up first. "It's just that number, it's so large, I can't even begin to imagine the scale,"

"It is truly a number beyond our understanding!" Luna added.

This peaked my interest, now it was my turn to ask a question. "What exactly is the population of this place anyway?"

"Well Equestria itself has a rough population of 21 million ponies whilst Equus itself has a population of around 80 million," Celestia answered using her "magic" to clear up some of the mess that Cadence made.

"Well... That certainly puts things in perspective," I just assumed that there would have been more of these ponies. Guess I was wrong.

The next hour or so passed by without any further issues. Most of the questions involved things like the size of the Earth to the different biomes that existed. I tried to answer their various questions as best I could but I was certainly no Earth expert. Although, in saying that I guess given the current circumstances and my current location, I was the closest thing to an expert that they had.

I also learned a few things out about this place. I still knew little about this planet as a whole, however, I did get a little more information about the area where I crashed or landed, crash landed. Apparently, I had crashed just south of the town that Twilight lived in, that's why she was the first to find me. However what really got me was the town name.

Ponyville, like seriously that’s like calling a town humantown like come on! Although the other ponies didn’t seem to get the irony.

Anyway according to Twilight I came out of the sky (no surprises there) and smashed into an open field almost hitting both Twilight and her friend... Starlight, I swear I'll get the hand of these names eventually. Anyway after apologizing for almost killing the purple pony and her pal Twilight started probing me about the nature of my "craft".

"Well for starters, it's not actually mine I just fly it for an airline that employs me to do so," I really don't want to go into details about the ins and outs of a 777 (not that they would really understand any of it).

"So it's your job?" Twilight asked.

"Basically yeah," I cleared my throat before continuing. "I'm an airline pilot, basically we use those machines called aircraft to fly from one place to another,"

"But I thought you said that humans can't fly!" Twilight remarked. God, girl its a conversation not a debate.

"Well, yeah that's true, physically we can't so we invented these machines that can, we use them to transport cargo long distances as well as people..." I froze. The people. How the fuck did I forget about all the people, my friends, my family. They're not here, the passengers are just gone (including Craig), my family and friends are god knows how many billions of miles away and I just forgot about them like they were just insignificant nobody’s!

"N, no," I said quietly, much to the confusion of everyone around me. My breathing quickly started to increase to clearly audible levels.

"Phillip, are you alright?" Twilight asked as she began raising a hoof towards my arm, the moment her hoof made contact I recoiled backward.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" I screamed as I tried backing up which only resulted in me falling off of the bed for the second time. As I fell I felt the lines attached to my arm become undone once again.

At the sound of my voice Twilight and the others flinched, Twilight instantly withdrew backing up off of her seat also stuttering numerous apologies my way but I blanked them all out, they were of little importance now.

Quickly getting to my feet I started backing up against the wall as I brought my hands to my head.

I can't forget them, I won't forget them again.

"Phillip whats wrong?" Celestia asked as concern flooded her voice, she tried to move forward to assist however I was no longer in a weakened state and quickly reacted. Bringing my hands down from my head, I stuck both of them outwards putting a barrier of flesh between myself and her.

"Stay away from me!" I shouted as my vocal chords started to strain once more.

"Phillip I don't understand, you have to tell me whats wrong!" Celestia said raising her voice.

"YOU!" I shouted but quickly realised that I didn’t have the energy to shout my response in her face.

“Of course, you don't understand, you have no idea what this is like, to know that your billions of miles away from everything and everyone that you ever loved or cared about!" I collapsed onto the floor and leaned back again the wall sobbing openly into my worn trousers. No one spoke a word for what felt like an eternity, that was until someone broke the sounds of sobs.

"Everypony, leave us," I inhaled sharply and held my breath. That was clearly Luna's voice, not Celestia. I looked up from my legs to find everyone now looking at Luna. To my surprise, Celestia simply looked at both at the both of us before nodding to her sister. I watched Celestia closely as she wrapped her large white wing around Twilight.

I stopped to study Twilight again, was she.. Crying? I continued to watch as Twilight was led out of the room with Cadence following closely behind.

"I... I'm sorry Princess, I didn't realize, I didn't thin..."

"Shhh, its alright Twilight,"

As the door closed an eerie silence fell over the room as only I and Luna were left present. Slowly I turned my head to face Luna but was soon caught off guard by the sight I was looking at.

She didn't look angry, nor was she looking at me with suspicion. Instead, it almost looked like... Understanding?

"Can you stand?" She asked, however, it was not in her usual assholish tone. Instead, it was one of compassion and care.

Caught off guard it took me a second to answer her question. "Uh, yeah I can,". My breathing had slowed down to a normal pace as my energy slowly recharged.

Getting to my feet as my eyes locked with hers.

"Right, this may feel a little uncomfortable on your first go," I did a double take as I eyed her suspiciously. Before I could enquire I saw her horn flash a deep blue before the lights went out. I could feel my stomach contracting and expanding at the same time. My ears popped as my eyes were greeted by a great flash of blue.

"Fuck!" I felt myself losing my balance as I dropped to the floor. I pulled one hand up to my eyes as I tried to get my sight back. As my sight returned I instantly noticed that we were no longer in the medical room. Instead, we stood in an empty chamber with large stained windows on either side. Did she just teleport us? Fucking magic!

"Sorry about that, but thou understands that it was much quicker and more convenient than walking," well at least she sounded sincere. She offered a hoof which I hesitantly took.

"It's fine, but tell me now, why the sudden change in attitude and location, last time I checked you didn't seem to like me that much, if this is your pity then I don't want it,"

She narrowed her eyes but softened them soon after. "This is not my pity, this is my understanding,"

I scoffed. "Your understanding? how could you possibly understand what this is like," I couldn't believe that this lady is playing the relatable joe role.

"Do you know how long we alicorns live Phillip?" Seriously?

"No, of course I don't,"

"We have lived for thousands of years," she stated bluntly. I was about to call bullshit on her statement but reconsidered after I remembered I was in magic horsey land. A world that basically gave a giant middle finger to the laws of physics.

"Go on," I said.

"Many years ago I was young and foolish not to mention reckless. In the end I let my emotions betray me into thinking I was better than the rest, I was fed up with being disregarded as nothing more than the "younger sister"," Luna began pacing back and forth as if she was frustrated with herself. I simply watched and listened now intrigued by her story.

"Eventually I lashed out in anger at the ones closest to me," she paused turning her head to face me as realization washed over my face.

"Celestia," I stated. Luna simply nodded slightly lowering her head.

"My sister was forced to use the powers of ancient magic to lock me away where I couldn't harm anypony else!" She seemed to be getting more and more frustrated, but not with me, more like herself.

"How long for?" I asked my realization dawning.

She sighed. "My sister had no choice but to imprison me in the Moon for one thousand winters,"

Realisation hit me like a freight train as the final pieces connected in my head. Suddenly I felt like shit for speaking to her like that.

"However, thanks to the strength of Twilight Sparkle and her friends, they were able to harness the power of the elements to free me from the darkness!" She pointed her hoof towards one of the stained glass windows.

The window depicted a blacky blue pony being blasted by what appeared to be Twilight with who I could only assume were her friends. Although I couldn't understand the finer details of the situations the main message hit me like a train wreck. She did know what it was like. She did understand.

"I'm sorry," I said holding my head down. I heard Luna walk over to me as she stopped by my side she put a hoof on my chin and raised it up.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Phillip believe me if anyone should be sorry it's me for treating you the way I did!"

Before I could respond she reached her two forelegs out and pulled me into undoubtedly the weirdest hug I've ever received. I can honestly say I never thought my first pony hug would've been with Luna, but here we are hugging each other in the middle of a random hall of the castle.

As the embraced ended I spoke up. "Thanks, I think I needed that," I wasn't lying. I was still worried sick about my folks and friends but I knew now that I wasn't alone and that I had peop... Ponies to help me get back to them.

"But you're wrong Luna," I said looking towards the window. "I do have something to be sorry for and I need to make it right,”

Luna simply smiled. "Follow me,"

Celestias Private Study
14:12
Twilights POV

"Twilight you need to calm down," Cadence urged trying to calm the pacing purple alicorn.

"Calm down? Calm down!" I continued pacing. "I can't calm down knowing I upset him that badly, if I hadn't had the big idea to bring it up none of this would have happened!" I can't believe I had been so stupid. I should've known not to bring such a touchy issue up.

"Twilight you don't know that for sure," I did a 180 and faced Celestia ready to dispute that claim but before I could the princess had me wrapped in a warm embrace.

Phillips POV

"This is it?" I asked looking towards the large wooden doors. Luna simply nodded so I reached forward and knocked on the doors.

I waited for a few seconds before I heard a response. "Enter," here goes nothing.

Luna opened the heavy doors for me with her magic as I walked inside, immediately I saw what I was looking for.

Twilight was sitting with Celestia on what looked like a fort of pillows. She looked a mess, I can't believe I caused all of this. Yeah, I will admit she was a bit overbearing and annoying but I didn't want to make her this upset.

The moment our eyes met she jumped up. "PHILIP! I was just going, Ill get out of your way," She began to make her way before towards the door before I reached out my arms and pulled her into an embrace.

Okay pony hug number two, just keep calm and do the same things as before.

Cleary Twilight was caught off guard as she gasped before trying to speak. "But... I.. I don't understand, your angry with me,"

"I'm not angry with you Twilight, I came to say sorry for putting you through this," I looked back to Luna who just gave me a small nod.

"But, what about your family and friends, you just said..." I just hugged her tighter.

"Look I know what I said and for the record, I'm not the hugging type so don't get used to this, but I'm doing this to show you that I mean what I say," I pulled back a bit and looked her in the eye. "Yes I was upset but that was no reason to lash out at you, so how about we start over?" I added a small smile for extra effect which seemed to work as Twilight returned the hug.

"Okay," Twilight said.

Well that went better than expected.

Author's Note

Looks like our human is having a tough time accepting pony land.

This chapter was a pain to write as writers block hit half way through. Nonetheless I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

As always if you find any grammatical errors feel free to point them out.

Until next time everypony!