Shockingby Uke-JoeChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 1Uke-Joe “I'm telling you man, this show is awesome!” Greg sighed as he walked home from an incredibly boring detention. It was the middle of winter, and already pretty dark out. He was 18, as was his friend, Mark, and just a few months away from graduating high school and moving out of his dad's home and into the city, or somewhere that wasn't anywhere close to his dad, at least. Greg wasn't a very good student, wasn't particularly good looking, and for sure wasn't popular in his school. Mark was one of his very few friends, and one of the only people that didn't see him as some socially awkward kid, which he had to admit he was. “Dude, I'm not watching your show” Greg replied Mark groaned, “But dude-” “It's for little girls, man. It's about horses!” “Ponies.” “Whatever. We're 18, and you're watching a show for girls a third of your age!” Mark and Greg turned with the sidewalk onto a more busy street. “Whatever man, I'm just gonna go home.” Mark turned and started to walk across the street. Greg huffed and turned around. “Wait a sec Mark!” he began, but Mark already had his iPod plugged in and couldn't hear him over the sound of his music. Greg stepped over the icy curb to go catch up to Mark. Something bright appeared in the corner of his vision to the right. “MARK!” he yelled, and jumped forward at his friend, trying to push him off the road. All he accomplished was slipping on the ice and smacking his head against asphalt. He groaned as he looked up. His vision was fuzzy and his senses were blurred. Mark had heard his yell and jumped away and onto the opposite sidewalk. Greg heard the blare of a horn coming from his right, and turned his head that way. The car entered the point of no return; the brakes were not effective enough on the icy road. He may have heard Mark yell something, but didn't understand, still too disorientated. He instinctively tensed up, shut his eyes, and hoped it would be quick. It wasn't. It was however, peaceful. He remained tensed up and squeezed his eyes shut as he lay on the ground. Minutes seemed to pass and he remained in this position, time seemingly slowed down. The tip of the car hit him in slow motion too, poking into his chest. But then the car did something he didn't think it should, it withdrew, and the tip poked him again. Greg wished everything could just hurry up and get it over with, but life, being the cruel prankster that it was, insisted that everything be in slow motion. The car just paused, taking its time, before withdrawing again. Greg was getting frustrated, and his head still throbbed from its visit to the hard asphalt. God spoke to him. “Dude. You alright?” God had a surprisingly high voice, not at all Morgan Freeman. A soft breeze blew and the grass brushed against him. “Wait, grass?” He thought to himself. The road was made out of Asphalt. He opened his eyes. Sure enough, grass was blowing against him. In fact he couldn't even see a road. He started to sit up, only to collapse against the ground again, his head throbbing. “Ugh.” he groaned, just now feeling the pain. A small green and purple shape to his right moved. It put down what looked like a stick and waved its hand in front of Greg's face. “Hello? You there dude?”. Greg forced his eyes to focus for a second. What he saw appeared to be a large lizard waving its clawed hand in front of his face. Greg lost whatever focus and control over his body he had regained, and passed out onto the ground. Spike stood up. “I... better go get Twilight.” *** Six ponies were gathered in a room in Ponyville Hospital. The room itself was rather boring: the same white walls, floor, and bed that every other room in the hospital seemed to have. But it was what was in the bed, at least partially, as its knees and feet dangled over the edge of the bed that gathered such a crowd of ponies. “Sorry sugarcube, but ah'm afraid ah've never seen anything like it.” “Nor have I darling. Where did you say you found it again?” asked a pony with a purple mane. “Spike found it actually, in the park. He ran and told me and I carried it back here.” A cyan pony with rainbow colored mane and tail looked very bored. “So, why are we here?” “Oh! I know! To throw it a 'welcome to Ponyville' party!” exclaimed the overly excited pink pony. The others groaned at the idea of a party. “I hardly think he's in any state to party, Pinkie.” said the lavender colored mare. Pinkie frowned and looked down at the ground upon having her idea shot down. The lavender mare continued “I just wanted to make sure that nopony recognized it before I wrote to the princesses about it.” “Him.” spoke the cyan pegasis, who was holding up the creature's denim clothing with a hoof and peeking down it. “Rainbow!” shouted the white mare. “I should hardly think that's appropriate. He's obviously wearing clothing for a reason.” Rainbow took a step back and looked around the room. “Well nopony here is wearing any clothing. Just thought I'd check. Besides it might also interest you to know that he doesn't have a cutie mark”. “Well of course not. He isn't a pony” “But you said he could talk, right Twilight?” Twilight nodded, “See! What other creatures do you know that can talk and don't have cutie marks?” “Donkeys-” “Some cows-” “Angel doesn't exactly talk, but we communicate.” “Exactly! And he doesn't look like any of them” finished Rainbow. They paused, not saying anything. None of the ponies followed their friend's logic, but the awkward silence was broken by the creature in the bed shuffling around. His eyes slowly opened, just slits at first. The ponies crowded around his bed, looks of various levels of intrigue on their faces. He rubbed his eyes and opened them completely. They shot open as he saw the six strangely colorful creatures gathered around him. He took in his surroundings. He recognized the type of room from when he had broken his arm when he was 6. He was laying in a small hospital bed. Too small, in fact, as if it were made for-. “Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie!” The pink creature jumped in his face, interrupting his thoughts. He was too shocked to jump back or even change expression. “Pink...ie... Pie?” He pronounced the syllables slowly. She giggled and was pulled off of him by her tail, roughly yanked by the teeth of another one of the creatures. The Lavender one stepped forward. “I'm Twilight Sparkle. These are my friends Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy.” Each of the respective creatures gave a wave or a smile to him when they were introduced, except for the pink and yellow one, who tried desperately to hide behind her long pink hair. “I.... uh.... What... What are you?!” he finally blurted out. Pinkie giggled and jumped up and down. “What do you mean, silly? I'm Pinkie!” “We're... citizens of Equestria?” offered the lavender one. “Equestria? What... where...” The creature thought hard about where he had heard that word. Equestria... Equestrian? Equine? Doesn't that mean... “Ponies?” The ponies all exchanged glances. “Well we sure as sugar ain't donkeys, are we, sugar cube?” He took a moment to take this all in. Here he was, when he thought he was dead, all of a sudden surrounded by ponies. But he hadn't died had he? The car never hit him. What had happened to his world, and Mark? He sighed. This would have never happened if he had just agreed to watch that stupid show of his, what was it called. “My little pony?” he thought out loud. The one with a cyan coat and rainbow colored hair flew up to his face with a pair of wings he had failed to notice previously. “Who you calling little? I'm nopony's pony!” He shielded himself from the aggressive pony. It all suddenly made sense. He was inside of his friend's TV show. ...except that didn't make sense at all, due to the fact that he was in his friend's TV show. An animated TV show. These ponies certainly didn't look very animated, and neither was the hoof that hit him across the face. “Ow!” He exclaimed, and shrank down into the couch. He should probably defend himself, but he resumed acting his normal shy way that he was around people he didn't know. Or ponies in this case. A purple glow appeared around the angry winged pony. He found the matching color appearing around the horn on the pony called Twilight. “Rainbow! Stop hurting him! You're probably only making his concussion worse!” Twilight half-yelled. She released the pony into the care of the pony with the stetson hat, Applejack, who held her in place with her teeth. “Sorry about that, Rainbow is a little... aggressive” Twilight chuckled unsurely, “I'm sure you didn't mean anything by it anyways.” He opened his mouth to speak, “N-no”. He cursed his voice as it cracked. The room suddenly felt way too small as the ponies calmed down and crowded around him again. “See Rainbow? Now, if you wouldn't mind answering just a few questions?” Twilight magically grasped a feather pen and some paper. He cleared his throat before answering, carefully to avoid his voice cracking again, “I guess so, i-if you want to...” “Great!” The lavender pony smiled. “So what is your name?” “Uh, Greg.” “What an odd name!” exclaimed the white pony, who, he noticed, also had a horn. He was used to receiving insults, but never been accused of having an odd name. Greg was as average as it got. The pink mare, thankfully lacking either wings or a horn, giggled “What a silly name.” “Girls! I'm sure it's perfectly normal where he's from.” spoke Twilight. “Now, where are you from, Greg?” “Michigan.” Twilight looked confused, so he decided to clarify, “Uh, America?” This clearly didn't didn't ring any bells for any of the ponies either. “USA? North America? Earth?? With humans?” Each of these answers was met by a similar look. “The loony bin is more like it.” said Rainbow, which earned her a hoof upside the head from Applejack. “So, not from Ponyville anyways? Is there anypony, or any... human? we can find for you?” Twilight asked again. He started to shake his head, and then remembered something. “My phone!” he reached into his pocket. “Yer what now?” asked Applejack. He pulled out a small black device and pressed a button, causing its front to light up. He groaned as he realized he had no service, and slid the phone back into his pocket. The ponies we're confused by this sudden event, so he clarified. “I, uh, don't think so, since you've never heard of Earth...” he finished weakly. Twilight paused in thought, trying to decide what to do with the strange creature. “Well, the doctor says it's alright for you to leave, since you only have a small concussion. So I guess you can stay with one of us until I can get word from the princesses on what to do.” She looked at her friends, hoping one of them would offer to let him stay with them. They got the meaning of her look, and looked away, suddenly fascinated by their hooves or something outside the window. Twilight sighed. “I have a spare room in the Library.” Greg got up, and realized he towered over the ponies. Even if they stood straight up as he did they wouldn't reach his shoulders. He briefly wondered if he should crouch down, or maybe crawl, in order to not draw attention to himself. He followed the ponies out the door, ducking to avoid the low ceilings. Twilight said goodbye and thanked her friends for coming. She paused as she waited for Greg to catch up. “Oh no. Ponies. So many ponies.” he thought to himself as he looked around. He started walking towards Twilight. “Uh-oh, she's just standing there. Does she expect me to get on her? Don't humans ride ponies?” Deciding it would be awkward if she didn't expect that, plus he doubted she could hold him, he decided just to walk over next to her. This seemed to be what she expected as she started walking down the road, presumably in the direction toward the Library. “So, do they have ponies where you're from Greg?” inquired Twilight. “Uh, yeah, I think. I think I saw one when I was little, maybe 5?” “Oh? And what was his name?” asked Twilight, hoping for information on where he might be from. “I, uh, didn't bother to, ask. It might look kinda... weird.” he finished lamely. Twilight looked confusedly at him. “Why is that?” He searched for the right words. Not finding any that seemed to suit the situation, he just said it. “Ponies don't... talk... on Earth.” Twilight looked shocked, as if the idea was completely foreign to her, which, he admitted to himself, it probably was. “Well, what do they do?” He thought for a moment, “Eat grass?” She looked disgusted, so he continued, “Humans sometimes ride on them?” This was met by an even weirder look. “You ride on ponies?” Startled, he hurriedly answered, “No! I haven't. Some people do though.” “But... why?” He thought about it, “I'm not sure. I guess it's how they get from place to place.” Dropping the subject and adding that to the list of things she would ask the Princess about, she continued walking toward the Library. It wasn't long until they arrived. Twilight opened the door with her magic. “Twilight!” yelled the lizard Greg recognized. The lizard looked up at Greg, “Oh hey there! You feeling better?” Greg still had a headache, and his jaw was hurting where Rainbow had hit him, but he was feeling better than he had before. Before he had a chance to speak, Twilight spoke for him. “He has a concussion, but other than that he should be just fine. Greg, this is Spike.” Greg waved to the lizard. “How's it going Greg? Twilight, I sent a letter to the Princesses like you asked, they sent back a letter saying they were flying here themselves, not even in a carriage or anything! Must be pretty important.” Twilight panicked and started frantically cleaning the Library. Greg walked up next to Spike. “So Twilight is pretty important then? I mean, I'm guessing not everybody has visits from the Princesses.” Spike looked confused by his choice of words, especially every pony, but answered anyways. “You don't get the paper do you? Twilight is one of the most important ponies in all of Equestria! She saved us all countless times. Once from the changelings, once from Discord, once from Nightmare Moon, who is now Princess Luna but she's really nice now, and once from a Dragon, and once from a-” He stopped, realizing that Greg wasn't following him at all. Sighing, he continued. “I'm Spike, Twilight's number one assistant and Ponyville's resident dragon.” He offered a clawed hand. “Greg.” he said, and shook the dragon's hand. Greg found a spot on a nearby sofa and watched Twilight magically dust all the bookshelves and frantically push piles of books back into the shelves they belonged in. He was joined by Spike, who had let in the two Princesses at the door, and led them towards the couch. He introduced himself and they smiled and returned the introduction. They waited for Twilight to realize that the Princesses were here and come sit down. “Alright everypony, I think everything is in order for the Prin-P-Princesses!” Twilight scampered over to where they were seated. “I didn't notice you come in!” Princess Celestia smiled, “We could tell. Please, take a seat.” Twilight obliged and took a seat on the sofa next to Greg and across from the Princesses. “You may be wondering how you came here from Earth, Greg, and I believe someone,” Princess Celestia glared at Luna, “may be at fault for that.” “Wait, you've heard of Earth before?!” asked Twilight. Princess Luna sighed. “Yes, we've been there before.” Princess Celestia continued for her “But that isn't significant. Luna has been visiting there recently, to see how it was doing, and when she returned-” “I feared I may have accidentally taken a few nearby humans with me. I was able to return everyone else besides you, Greg, but...” Greg noticed the pause, “But what, Luna?” Twilight cringed at this, “I mean, Princess Luna, sorry.” Luna smiled briefly, “It's perfectly fine. Anyways, Before I returned your soul to where you were, I realized your... situation...” “Situation, Princess?” asked Twilight. Greg thought back to before he found himself in Equestria. “Greg's body was moments away from death.” finished Princess Celestia. Greg remembered it now, the car, the ice. He shivered. “I decided It would be better if I duplicated his body with his soul in it here, and he stayed here in Equestria for now, and I returned him to earth later, in a safer position. I hope you understand, Greg.” Greg thought about it. Maybe Mark would be surprised, but he was really the only one that saw Greg fall in the road, but when he told him where he was, he would be jealous for sure. Then again, to Mark it must seem like Greg had died. This was a duplicate body after all, so the old one was probably being scraped off the road with a spatula by now. Wouldn't Mark be concerned after seeing his best friend die, and then come back to life? He voiced his concerns to the Princesses. “I hadn't thought of that, Greg, but I'm sure that in time he will accept that you weren't really dead.” “But couldn't you show him here? I know for a fact that he would love it. Plus it would remove any need for a explanation.” The Princesses shook their heads. “I'm sorry Greg, but you shouldn't even be in Equestria. Humans bring disease, hate, war, violence. They would just string up my little ponies and ride them just like they do on earth.” Before Greg had a chance to defend himself, Twilight did it for him. “I'm sure not all humans are like that! Greg seems to be perfectly fine!” “This is true, but I don't want any more humans walking around Equestria. So if you don't mind Greg, shall we go now?” Luna asked. Greg knew it wasn't really a question, but thought about it anyways. Princess Luna was right. Hate, war, violence, all seemed to be abundant on Earth, and he didn't want a place as innocent as Equestria to be corrupted by that. “Princess, I know you don't want anything bad to happen to Equestria, but I really can't go back. My only real friend thinks I'm dead.” It was true, his only real friend thought he was dead, and his real body probably was. His dad probably got the news by now, but then again, what did his dad matter to him? There was no reason for Greg to go back, and all the reason for him to stay in peaceful Equestria. “Couldn't I stay here?” “What would you do here, Greg? Scientists here in Equestria would line up strap down and test an alien from another planet, and before you knew it you would be a lab rat for the rest of your life. You can't say any place on Earth would be so different. Ponies belong in Equestria, and humans on Earth.” There was a pause. Greg didn't want to go back to Earth, but the Princesses couldn't let him stay in order to protect their people. “What if he was a pony?” Twilight innocently inquired, and was met by strange glances from the others in the room. “He isn't a pony, Twilight Sparkle” said Princess Celestia. “But Princess Luna, you said that you duplicated his body for him here in Equestria. What if you had given him a pony body?” The Princesses thought about this, and spoke in hushed whispers a few sentences to each other. Finally Princess Luna spoke up, “Very well, he can stay here if he wishes to be a pony. That is the only way.” “I....” he started, and then trailed off. Did he really want to be a pony? “I guess if that's the only way?” “Very well, it shall be done.” said Luna, warming up her horn. Greg spoke up quickly, “Wait! Can't I have fingers?” “No. Ponies do not have fingers.” “But, how am I supposed to... erm....” He trailed off. There was so much he would need to adjust to, he could barely believe he was about to say, “How am I supposed to... hold my utensils! (Yeah! That's it.)” “Well, you could use magic if you want to be a Unicorn?” offered Princess Celestia. He remembered that magic was the reason he was stuck in this situation in the first place. “Uh, pass. I would be a... what do you call a winged pony?” “You wish to be a pegasis?” asked Princess Luna. “Sure, I mean, if that's okay.” “Very well.” Luna warmed up her horn again, and fired a spell at Greg. His body slumped against the sofa. It was a while before anyone spoke up, Twilight just looked at the non-moving body on the sofa next to her. “Princess, shouldn't he be changing into a pony?” Princess Luna turned towards where Twilight was standing. “Oh, no, I should have explained. I needed his soul to be able to put it into a pony body. That body is worthless.” “So it's...” “Dead.” “EEP!” Twilight sprang away from the body and hid behind Princess Celestia. She realized she had overreacted once Princess Celestia started chuckling. “It's not funny! Couldn't you... move it? Or something?” asked Twilight. “My faithful student, it is kind of funny, but if you wish.” Princess Celestia lit up her horn and zapped away the body. “Is that alright?” “Yes, thank you. So where is Greg then?” asked Twilight. Princess Luna stepped aside from where she was standing, and revealed the body of a pegasis stallion. The rise and fall of his chest showed that he was alive and well, but sleeping. “The process takes a while, but I'm sure he will come around in a little while. I trust you will be able to get him situated here in Ponyville?” Twilight nodded, “Yes Princess, He was going to be staying here tonight anyways.” She turned to Spike. “Which reminds me-” “Prepare the guest bed? On it!” responded the dragon. Twilight giggled, “Thank you, my number one assistant.” The Princesses excused themselves and started on the trip back to Canterlot. Twilight closed the door behind them and took a deep breath, before proceeding to freak out. She zoomed over to the bookshelves in search of a book that might help her. “Oh my Celestia!! How am I supposed to get him 'situated?!' There is a a fully grown pegasis in the middle of my Library! Dear Celestia, and a stallion no less! What would my parents say if they knew he was staying with me! Of course it's not like that... but still!” Realizing there would be no book with the title of Your Human and You or even anything about humans, she resigned herself to the fact that she would have to do this without assistance from any book. She sat down on the sofa, before realizing that a dead body had been where she was sitting not a minute ago. Leaping up out of it, she cursed herself for overreacting before wandering over to where Greg was sleeping, lifted him up with magic, and led him to the guest bed and putting him in it. She shut the door and exited the room. “'Night, Spike, I'm going to bed early. I want to be sure I wake up before our guest.” “Okay Twilight.” came the response from down the stairs. She entered her room and shut the door behind her. She brushed her teeth and mane before climbing into bed. She blew the candle beside her out and pulled the sheets over her head. Before long, sleep captured her tired body, and she rested through Princess Luna's peaceful night. Chapter 2Uke-Joe Greg awoke as he always did, and stretched his curiously sore body. He tried going back to sleep, but deemed the effort useless. He groaned and rolled out of his bed. He landed on the ground with a thump. He started to get up on his feet, but it was if his body wouldn't obey his commands. He looked down, and the events from the previous night hit him. Instead of feet and legs, he now had hooves and four legs! He silently mourned the loss of his favorite 10 fingers, and checked out the rest of his body. He had a tan coat, and a navy blue and electric blue mane, which he could feel went down to the top of his neck right below his chin. He looked behind him and noticed two feathered appendages resting against his side. He tried expanding them out, but all he managed to do was make them droop down to the floor. He sighed and hoped he would be able to master them in time. He got to his hooves, which sounded weird in his head. This was actually a harder task then it seemed, as his muscles and body moved in completely different ways than he was used to. He concentrated on putting one hoof in front of the other, and managed to make it all the way to the door. Leaning down while trying to keep his balance, he grasped the doorknob with his teeth and turned his head. After a few attempts he managed to open the door, and trotted forward. This proved to be a mistake as he lost his balance on just two hooves and tumbled across the hallway. He came to a stop when he hit the door at the end of the hallway, announcing his presence with another loud thump. This startled the pony inside the room to alertness. A few seconds later the door was flung open and Greg crashed inside, looking up straight at Twilight. “You could just knock, you know.” “S-Sorry. I guess I'm still adjusting to all this...” he waved his hooves around randomly. Twilight giggled and magically levitated him in the air before setting him back down on his feet. “I suppose it is quite a difference, but I think you turned out fine. It'll just take some time to adjust to.” He began walking out the door and made it to the steps before almost falling again. Luckily, Twilight caught him with magic before he had time to fall. She leaned against him in order to support him as the moved down the stairs. “Thanks.” “Don't mention it. I'll go make us something to eat.” Greg hadn't noticed how hungry he was until just then, but he had skipped dinner yesterday. Slowly making his way to the table, he had just sat down when he heard a knock on the door. “I'll get it!” he called to the kitchen. He managed to walk to the door a little faster this time and opened the door without falling. It had barely swung open when a rainbow colored blur flew past him and caused him to fall over. The timid yellow pony with a pink mane walked in behind Rainbow, and offered a sorry to Greg. “Hey Twilight, what's cookin'?” asked Rainbow, already situated in the seat Greg was in. Twilight lifted a pile of what looked like pancakes to the table and walked into the room behind it. Greg walked back to the table and sat down again. Rainbow Dash now noticed him. “Twilight, bringing stallions back to the Library again?” Rainbow winked. “Wh-What? No! I mean, yes, but it's not like that!” responded the flustered Twilight. “Uh-huh, sure. Well at least he's a pegasis, so your kiddos will have Auntie Dash to teach them how to fly! Who better than a Wonderbolt right?” “R-Rainbow! It really isn't like that. Rainbow, Fluttershy, you remember Greg right?” Fluttershy nodded, “Sure. Why do you ask, Twilight?” Twilight motioned to where the pegasis stallion stood and said “That's him.” She recapped the previous day's events to her friends while getting syrup for the pancakes. Rainbow Dash flew over the table and sized him up. “Not too bad. You know how to use those wings yet buddy?” Greg looked back at his wings, which still refused to remove themselves from the ground, and simply hung at his sides. “Not exactly, no.” “Actually girls, that's why I asked for you to come over today, you both being pegasai and all. I was hoping you could help me teach him to be a little more coordinated. It's difficult for him having a new body and all.” Rainbow stood up proudly, “Well you came to the right mare! Nopony can fly like me!” Rainbow obviously forgot the previous day's events when she had gotten mad at Greg. “You alright with that idea, Greg?” Greg took a few steps around the table. Running was probably out of the question for now, but he felt comfortable enough walking if he had time to think about his actions. “Yeah, alright.” They quickly ate the pancakes and headed over to the park by the track where pegasai trained. Rainbow was the first to speak. “Alright so, I say we fly him up a little bit, and then push him off a cloud. He can either fly, or fall! It's perfect!” she did a little loop in the air and landed before noticing the looks of horror on the other ponies' faces. “Relax you guys, I was kidding.” Twilight recovered and pulled out a diagram of the pegasis anatomy. “Now you see here are the muscle groups that control the wings. Just try flexing them as you would flex your leg.” He strained to flex his wing muscles, but had no luck. They were just two foreign shapes against his sides. He sighed as he stopped to rest. Twilight walked back over to the diagram, turning her back to him. “Okay, just like any other muscle, you have to pull on it to make you wings go up.” She explained how muscles worked while looking at the diagram. Greg was distracted by another object completely, a tail swished in-between them as the owner of the objects he was staring at continued to talk. He snapped his head up as she looked back at him. “Were you paying attention?” Before he had a chance to answer, Rainbow responded, barely controlling her laughter, “Oh he was paying attention to something, Twilight.” She broke out laughing. “At least his wings are up now, but it's not due to your fancy diagram.” She continued laughing. Twilight blushed and turned away, “Oh... my.” Greg crouched down, confused and embarrassed. He realized what must have happened when Fluttershy couched down and whispered, “It's okay, for the most part, it's only natural.” An awkward discussion about Pegasai wings and a demonstration by Rainbow on how to fly, Greg gained control of his wings and started flapping. He lept off the ground and propelled himself up into the air. Straight up. He punched through a cloud and landed on it as he saw Rainbow do. She and Fluttershy casually flew over onto the cloud and landed beside him. “Yay!” exclaimed Fluttershy, happy that he could fly at least. Rainbow was not so easily impressed, “Yeah, yeah. You can fly straight up. That's a start at least. Now how about flying forwards?” He flapped his wings like before, and then leaned forward slightly. He suddenly started moving forward. He flapped even harder. Rainbow flew to catch up, “Alright! Now just follow me!” They flew in different directions, and eventually Fluttershy couldn't keep up with either one of them. Flying was coming much more easily to Greg than walking was. After crash landing on a cloud while trying to follow Rainbow on one of her tricks, they took a break on the cloud. “Hey pretty nice flying kid, you could almost keep up with me” said Rainbow, “Of course, not like I was trying or anything. Still, pretty good for your first time ever.” “Thanks. I guess it comes a lot more naturally than walking, that's for sure.” “Hey you're a pegasis! Of course it does!” said Rainbow. Greg grinned, and sat down on the cloud, peering over the land. Rainbow sat down beside him, “So you gonna change your name to something more pony-like?” Greg frowned, “What do you mean?” “You know, how everypony else has a normal name, like Applejack or Pinkie Pie, but you're Greg, just Greg.” Greg laughed at this. Names like Applejack and Pinkie Pie would have been considered anything but normal on earth. But as they say, when in Rome... “Uh, maybe? I haven't given it much thought.” He finally answered. Rainbow shrugged and flew off. “Come on, Fluttershy and Twilight are probably waiting for us.” They raced back towards the park. Sure enough, Fluttershy and Twilight were sitting down on a park bench. Rainbow touched down just before he did. However, Rainbow landed gracefully, whereas Greg's momentum required him to take a few running steps before slowing down. As his hooves were still something he was getting used to, he tripped and ran straight into the park bench, which Fluttershy and Twilight thankfully evacuated seconds beforehand. Rainbow Dash offered him a hoof, “You're pretty fast (not as fast as me) but your landing needs a little work.” He groaned. “Yeah.” “Um, are you o-okay Greg?” asked Fluttershy. “Yeah, sorry about that.” he responded. “Thanks for coming out with me, girls.” Twilight said to Fluttershy and Rainbow. “I think I'm gonna go introduce Greg to everypony else. See you later!” They said their goodbyes and began to walk towards the center of Ponyville. Twilight suggested that they visit Pinkie Pie first, but she barely had time to stuff a cupcake in their mouths before running off, claiming a need to go to the party supply store. Rarity's Carousel Boutique was nearby, so they visited there next. “Twilight! You didn't tell me you had a colt-friend!” They had barely stepped inside when Rarity started questioning them about their relationship. Sighing, Twilight broke up Rarity's fantasy, “Rarity, first, I do not have a colt-friend. Second, you remember Greg right?” “Yes, sure. How is he?” Greg seized the opportunity to speak, “I'm fine, how are you?” Seeing Rarity's confused face, the pegasis hastily gave a abbreviated explanation. Rarity took a little more convincing than Pinkie Pie did, but once she accepted this colt was the creature she met yesterday, she wasted no time getting his measurements. Greg hadn't paid any attention till then, but it seemed to him that almost nopony would wear clothing. He suddenly realized his nudity. “So everypony just walks around.... naked all the time?” “In most of Equestria. Some parts of Canterlot are different. Why do you ask?” “Well, on Earth it's considered,” he searched for the right word, “...indecent to be naked in public.” Rarity gasped. Her eyes widened. She was imagining a land where everypony was required to wear clothing all the time. She magically dragged her couch closer to her to she could fall onto it. “Darling, did you live in heaven, perchance?” “Heaven? That sounds inconvenient if you ask me.” stated Twilight. He let them argue it out for a while before Rarity returned to taking his measurements. When she was done she asked him what colors he would like for his outfit. “How about Electric blue? Like parts of my hair” “You mean your mane, darling?” Rarity corrected him. “Oh, yes. Sorry. But why are you giving me an outfit anyways if nopony wears any clothing?” he asked. “Oh darling, you must let me make you one!” Rarity begged, “You're used to wearing clothing all the time anyways, aren't you?” “Well, how about a hat or a tie or something?” he suggested. “Of course darling- I should have it done for you by the time Pinkie's party starts.” “Of course Pinkie would throw a party for the new colt in town, wouldn't she?” Twilight realized. “It better not be at the Library again, I'm still finding frosting in the strangest of books.” “No such luck, I'm afraid, Twilight dear.” Rarity said. Twilight groaned, “Sorry Greg, but I need to go convince Pinkie to hold the party at Sugarcube Corner or something. I assume you can go introduce yourself to Applejack and then meet Rarity back here to go to the Party? If that's okay Rarity?” “Of course, we can go together!” Rarity smiled, “Who wouldn't want this handsome stallion to be their date?” Rarity finished with a wink. Greg stammered, struggling to find words. He wasn't used to receiving complements. “Relax darling, I was joking. But yes it's fine with me, Twilight. I'll show him to the party.” Twilight said thanks to Rarity and dashed towards the library. Greg looked down sheepishly and laughed, “Thanks Rarity, but I need to find Applejack. Any ideas?” “Oh she's at the farm dear, it's just a few minutes down that road.” Rarity said, pointing. “Thanks! See ya in a few.” Greg flew out the door, getting the most out of his newly discovered flight. He looped around the road, trying a few tricks he could think of. His flying time was interrupted by the unfortunate presence of a large apple tree. He had barely crash landed in it when the tree shook him straight out of it, and he landed in a basket followed by a bunch of apples. “Oh, sorry there sugarcube, didn't see you in mah tree.” spoke the mare he recognized as Applejack. He struggled to escape the basket with no luck until Applejack offered him a hoof. He graciously accepted it and was surprised with force he was pulled out of the basket with. Straightening his mane out, he introduced himself to Applejack, “Hey, Twilight wanted me to come introduce myself. I'm Greg.” Applejack laughed and held up a party invitation. “Ah figured ya were the new stallion in town. Pinkie dropped this off and said something about how Luna turned ya into a pony?” “Basically.” he answered. “Well I have to say, she made the oldest blank flank Ah ever laid eyes on, that's for sure.” This term was unfamiliar to Greg, “Blank Flank?” Applejack turned her flank towards Greg, who was staring for a good while before finally realizing the strange apple shaped tattoo on her side. He looked at his own flank, which was as tan as the rest of him. “Seen enough yet?” Applejack asked, turning around. She noticed his wings and chuckled, “Ah figure so.” For the second time that day, he cursed himself for choosing to be a pegasis. He muscled his wings back down. “Stupid wings.” he muttered. “Don't worry yourself sugarcube, shoulda known better than to tease ya like that. Now I reckon you got a party to get to, and I'd hate to be the one to make ya late to yer own welcome party. Ah'll see ya once I get there.” He said goodbye and took off into the air. He made a softer landing in front of Carousel Boutique where Rarity was waiting for him. “Oh Darling! You're just in time!” she exclaimed, pulling a stylish black vest with a electric blue tie onto him and tossing a similarly colored black fedora onto his head. “Oh it looks marvelous, darling! Better than I expected.” He grinned as he looked in one of the windows of a nearby store. He had to say he looked more stylish as a pony than he even had as a human. He thanked Rarity for her work. “Oh it was nothing. A client canceled his order for that a long time ago and all I had to do was add the tie. I'm just glad it belongs to somepony who looks good in it. Now, I believe the party has been moved to the park if I am to believe word from Rainbow Dash, so I suppose we better start walking there?” They walked towards where he had started his day that morning, and started idly chattering about Earth. They arrived to a completely empty park. “Uh, Rarity-” He started to say, but was cut off by what must have been half of Ponyville jumping out of bushes and Trees and yelling “SUPRISE!” He jumped in the air in surprise, but laughed as he glided back down. Pinkie leapt towards him. “Oh you should have seen your face! Didja get surprised? Didja? Didja? I thought so! Ooh, nice clothes, much better than your clothing yesterday that Dashie was getting all touchy on. I bet you want a cupcake! Oh, and WELCOME TO PONYVILLE!” Taken aback by the attack of the overly energetic mare, he sat down and ate the cupcake that was handed to him. Twilight walked up to him carrying Spike on her back. “Hey Greg, nice outfit.” she smiled. “Thanks. You weren't kidding when you said Rarity knows her way with clothing.” They chatted with each other and whatever pony happened to come along, one of which was Rainbow Dash. “So Greg, how'd you like to come flying with the weather team tomorrow? There's an opening and you seem to be able to handle your flying.” Greg shrugged, “I don't see why not.” “Great! Get a good night's sleep 'cause I'm waking you up nice and early to teach you the basics before we go.” He agreed and watched her fly off towards her cloud home, which was not too far from the park. He gathered Twilight from where she had gotten together with her friends and told the giggling mare he needed to go back to the Library. “Oh, okay, later girlss...” she giggled, slurring her words. They said goodbye to Twilight and Spike and Greg and Greg flew a few feet off the ground as Spike walked Twilight towards the Library. “What'd she get into that's got her like this?” asked Greg, pointing to the clearly intoxicated mare. “Oh, just the Apple family's cider.” answered Spike. “How much?” “About half a mug.” “Way to set a great example for Spike, Twilight.” She giggled, “He's my number one assistant.” She teleported herself on top of Greg's back, “Now ride pony, ride!” Greg stumbled for a second, but regained altitude quickly. “Alright Twilight, just go easy on the vest, I just got this.” He steered her into the Library where she started up the stairs after saying goodnight. Spike and Greg just laughed as she clumsily found her way around the staircase and up into her bed. Greg walked down the hall to his room and removed his vest and tie, hanging them up with his hat. He wandered over to the bed and flopped into it. Exhausted from the long day, he barely had pulled the blankets up before sleep hit him. Chapter 3CHAPTAR 3 HIE STORY Greg woke up when the sun was still down. According to what he heard from Twilight, this meant Princess Celestia still hadn't even woken up to raise the sun. Cursing himself for agreeing to wake up at such an hour even Celestia herself refused to grace it with her presence, he made his way to the shower outside his room. After fumbling with the knob, slipping and accidentally burning himself with extraordinarily hot water, he managed to use a wing to turn back the dial to somewhere more in the comfort zone. He washed his mane and coat before letting the water just flow over him. Sighing, he removed himself from his little piece of heaven and shook himself dry. It wasn't very effective in any other way except that he got the floor and mirror wet with droplets of water. He decided he would be dried soon enough after a little flying anyways, and made his way to the door and downstairs. He ate a quick breakfast of cereal and toast. He realized he would miss meat, but decided to keep that to himself. It might scare other ponies. He was helping himself to his third bowl of cereal when Rainbow Dash came flying downstairs. “Oh hey, you're up!” Greg nodded, “Uh, yeah. You know there's a door right there right?” “Pft, doors are for losers” She stuck a tongue out at him, and then wolfed down his bowl of cereal. “Brush your teeth and let's go, we only have a few hours before we're needed in the skies. He flew upstairs and quickly brushed his teeth. He then met Rainbow Dash in the air above the Library and they flew to a nearby group of clouds. “Alright, our assignment today is pretty basic. A shower in the morning and then clear skies the rest of the day. You're going to need to know how to make them start raining, and how to get rid of them.” She flew up to a cloud and demonstrated this by jumping up and down on one of the clouds. It responded by releasing its water, soaking the ground below it. Greg in awe watched as she kicked the cloud afterward, causing it to disappear. “That's awesome! You must never run out of water or anything if you can just do that.” Rainbow shrugged, “It's mostly just the ponies at the weather factory up in Cloudsdale that do all the planning, I just jump on the clouds.” She flew up and dragged another cloud above where they were standing. “What are you waiting for? Get over here!” She flew aside and landed on the other edge of the cloud. Greg sprang from where he was standing a fluttered up to the cloud. He prodded the cloud with his hoof, not knowing exactly what to do. Rainbow saw this look, and motioned for him to continue. He took a deep breath, bent down, jumped up, flapped his wings once and then smashed back down the cloud. The roar of thunder ripped through the cloud as a bright lightning bolt shot out below it, and hit the ground, leaving a nice scorch mark where it had hit. He cringed. Rainbow just laughed, “Hey! We're aiming for a nice little shower, not a ground scorching lightning storm!” He started to apologize, but Rainbow cut him off, “Just use a little less force this time, alright buddy?” He turned his attention back towards the cloud. Rainbow flew in place in front of him going through the motions in midair. He bent down, jumped up, flapped his wings once and then hit the cloud again with what looked like the same force Rainbow had. He saw her rose colored eyes roll as he realized he had put too much power into it again. Looking down, there was a flash of rose colored lightning that left a scorch mark right next to his previous one. Rainbow gasped. “Dude, was that light pink lightning?” He shrugged, unsure what the significance of it was. He hadn't seen different colored lightning on earth either, but then again, he hadn't seen talking ponies there either. “I guess?” “OhmygoshOhmygosh! That's not supposed to happen! I've never seen anypony do that before!” She flew down and plucked something off the ground. As she brought it closer he realized it was one of the purple flowers grown behind the Library. “Can you do this color?” He focused on the flower, and started the motion again, not taking his eyes of the flower. He bent down, jumped up, flapped his wings once and then smashed back down the cloud. Sure enough, a purple lightning bolt struck the ground. Dash stared awestruck. They continued with all sorts of colors. Green, blue, yellow, orange, red. Success every time. After Twilight yelled at them to keep it down out there, they decided it was probably time to get going, and after a brief recap, Greg decided that since he weighed a good deal more than the slender pegasus, he could simply use a light jump, or pound the cloud with his fore hooves to release the rain. They flew over to the other side of Ponyville where they were met by the other members of the weather team in Ponyville. Rainbow provided them all with instructions, and soon they had Ponyville blanketed with a cover of clouds. They got to work jumping on the clouds, and the rain began to cover Ponyville. About an hour later, Rainbow announced that they had met the required rainfall amount and were free to go once they cleared the clouds. Greg kicked away a few clouds and carried one over to by the Library were he settled down for a nap. “Hey there, Lightning” Rainbow landed next to him on the cloud. “I wasn't going to say anything, but I figured you would be scared if you found two random tattoos on your flank in the shower or something.” She stuck a tongue out, “Congrats, you're no longer the oldest blank flank I've ever known.” Sure enough, when he leaned over to find out what she was talking about, he found two clouds on each flank with lightning bolts coming out of each cloud. “Come on, lets go show Twilight.” They lept off the cloud and into the Library, were Twilight was still looking sleepy from just waking up. “It's already noon Twilight! Even I'm normally up by now!” Dash scolded playfully. Twilight smiled, “Hey Rainbow, hey Greg, how was your morning?” “Great!” Rainbow exclaimed. She jabbed Greg in the side, “Bright flanks here has something to show ya though!” Greg turned to the side and revealed his newly acquired cutie mark to Twilight, “Bright flanks? Really Rainbow?” “Hey, until you come up with an actual name for yourself, I have to call you something don't I?” Greg just rolled his eyes, “So what do you think Twilight?” Twilight got up and examined his cutie mark. “Is your talent dealing with storm clouds?” “Please Twilight, how lame would that be?” asked Rainbow, “Remember when we were making lightning outside the Library before the showers?” Twilight raised an eyebrow, “Yes?” Rainbow flew over and picked up Twilight, who protested but let her carry her outside. Greg followed them and flew up onto a cloud. “Pick a color Twilight! Any color!” he called down. Twilight thought for a second, “Lavender” “Easy enough.” He focused on Twilight's coat. He went through the same motion he had before, and out came a color similar to Twilight's coat in lightning. Her jaw dropped. “That's incredible Greg!” He grinned wildly as he flew back down. They walked back inside the Library. “I've never even heard of that before!” Rainbow gasped in mock horror, “Twilight Sparkle, personal student of Princess Celestia, Librarian of Ponyville, doesn't know everything?!?” Twilight laughed, “Yeah yeah Rainbow, laugh it up. Still, that is really cool Greg.” “I guess, but I thought your cutie mark was supposed to tell you what you were supposed to do, career wise. As far as I can tell colored lightning isn't much more than a cool trick.” Twilight was quick to respond, “Of course not! I'm sure someponies would love to see a little bit of flavor in their next lightning storm.” “Yeah! I could totally get you a job as a weather pony here. Part time at first, but you probably don't want to be working full time just yet anyways.” Greg grinned, “That'd be great Rainbow” “Sure thing. You might want to decide on a pony name before we do the paper work though. Unless you want to be known as Greg forever.” Greg laughed, “Is it really that weird?” Twilight nodded, “A little bit” Greg paused, “What was it you called me earlier Rainbow?” Rainbow blinked, “Bright flanks?” “No! Before that, when you first flew up to me on the cloud” Rainbow laughed, “Oh, Lightning?” “Yes! Lightning!” Greg snapped, “How about Lightning, Dash?” “Lightning Dash? Way to be original. No stealing my last name.” “That wasn't what I meant. But do I really need a last name?” “Sure, everypony has one” said Twilight. “But what about Rarity? Or Fluttershy? Or Applejack?” asked Greg. “Oh, their names are-” Twilight answered, but an unfortunate accident outside involving a piano, an anvil, a cat, and a confused looking pegasus mailmare muffled her answer. Greg took this into consideration, “Fine. How about Lightning... Flash!” Rainbow thought for a moment, “I like it!” “I think it's fitting.” Twilight agreed “We can do the paperwork and everything tomorrow, for now we should go celebrate or something.” said Rainbow. Not quite sure what celebration entailed, Lightning agreed and followed the ponies out the door. As it turned out, celebration entailed a trip to Sugarcube corner and lots of cupcakes. Pinkie had wanted to throw a Congrats-On-Getting-Your-Cutie-Mark-And-Choosing-A-New-Name party, but the idea was shot down when she was reminded they had just had a party yesterday. Pinkie was still happy to provide the group with plenty of cupcakes. They had just settled down when Rarity and Fluttershy walked in. “Greg! What a pleasant surprise! Although I'm sorry to see you aren't wearing the outfit I made you.” “Actually, it's Lightning Flash now!” said Lightning, “And I would have gladly worn the vest and everything, except...” He pointed to his coat, which was covered in cupcake frosting. “Lightning Flash?” asked Fluttershy “Just a second, sit down over here and I'll show you.” He flew away from the table they were sitting at and put 2 more chairs down by it, offering them for Rarity and Fluttershy. After they had seated, he dashed outside and grabbed a cloud, bringing it over to the window next to where their table was. He looked inside at the ponies, trying to decide a color. He decided that since Fluttershy had asked the question, he would start with the color of her coat. He buried his mind in the soft yellow of Fluttershy's coat, and jumped up to create a bolt of lightning. Not stopping to look down, he immediately tried the purple of Rarity's mane. After going through the array of colors that were in Rainbow's mane, all the pink shades of Pinkie, and Twilight, he kicked the cloud away and flew back to the table the ponies were sitting at. “I never knew pegasus could do that before!” said Rarity. “Oh, we can't, just Flash here.” Rainbow playfully slugged on the foreleg as he sat down. “I thought it was great.” said Fluttershy. “Indeed, very entertaining” followed Rarity. Lightning grinned, “Thanks.” They left cupcake corner before it was too late in the afternoon, so Lightning decided he would go somewhere to practice his lightning. He flew his way over to an open field not too far from the Library. After a while it got too tiresome to keep jumping up and down on the clouds, so he tore off a bit of one cloud and flew down by a tree. He hit the cloud with one hoof, and was pleasantly surprised to see that a bolt of lightning came out. He tried again and imitated the same soft yellow he had before. This gave him an idea, and he flew up to get more chunks of cloud, placing them in the air infront of him. Once the design was complete, he quickly tapped all the cloud pieces in front of him as a certain color. In front of him was the outline of a yellow coated pegasus with a pink mane, created by lightning. He stepped back to admire his work. It was a while before the lightning fizzled out. “Very creative.” He jumped as a voice to the side of him appeared. “Oh, hey Rarity. Thank you” “Impressive, you really do have a talent for lightning.” She smiled, “I see why you chose Fluttershy though. I mean, she's very pretty isn't she?” Lightning panicked, “What? No! I mean, sure. I mean, is she?” He stopped himself and sighed, “I was just making a yellow color when the idea hit me, so I guess I did it subconsciously, not because she might be... attractive... or not! I don't know.” Rarity gave him a curious look, “You don't know if you think Fluttershy is attractive?” “I- I don't know! I haven't thought about it. I would have never stopped to think about whether or not a pony was attractive back on earth.” “Relax darling, I didn't mean to fluster you, just asking an innocent question. Although now I am curious, I promise not to press the issue.” Rarity said “Thanks Rarity. I mean, would you have thought on whether or not a human was attractive if you had never been to earth before?” Rarity smiled, “I guess not.” There was an awkward pause. “So... what are you doing here anyways?” “Oh, I was just looking for some gems for an order I was working on. I'm afraid I'm all but out. Care to help me?” Lightning thought about it, “Sure. I've got nothing better to do.” As it turned out, helping Rarity really meant doing all the heavy lifting while she walked around, pointing our where to dig. Still, Lightning was being honest when he said he had nothing better to do. By the time she had gotten a sufficent amount of gems it was getting dark, so Lightning grabbed his cloud pieces and walked Rarity back to her Boutique, before returning to the Library. Lightning said hello to Twilight who was busy reading through a stack of books, and walked up the stairs to his room. He jumped on his bed and laid the pieces of cloud out in front of him. He tried making some new shapes and designs out of lightning, but really only felt inspired to create the same yellow pony again and again. He shuffled up the clouds as his door creaked open, hoping to avoid another awkward conversation like the one he had with Rarity earlier. Twilight walked in the room. “Hey Gr- erm, Lightning” she laughed, “Tomorrow is applebucking day at Sweet Apple Acres and most of us are going to help with it. Are you up for it?” “Sure, after I get the paperwork or whatever done for the weather team thingy” said Lightning said. “Oh yeah! About that” some papers appeared in a flash, “Rainbow dropped these off here. She said to just drop them off by her house after we're done tomorrow.” Lightning took the papers. “Can do.” He put them to the side of his bed and picked up his clouds again. “So what are you doing with those anyways?” Twilight asked. He grinned, “Are you up for a demonstration?” When she nodded, he jumped up off and placed the pieces of lightning in front of her. He traced the outline of her shape and, after asking her to step back, tapped each of the clouds, causing lightning to pop out of each one and connect to another cloud. He stepped back and waited a few seconds for it to fizzle out. “Wow! That's pretty cool.” She said. “It's not that hard really, just like a connect the dots picture.” “Still, I liked it.” She smiled, “Well, I'm going to bed. We probably need up at the farm at the same time the Apple family is.” He groaned inwardly. There was no reason he needed to be up this early for two day's in a row. Instead, he wished Twilight a goodnight and went and brushed his teeth. Still not tired though, he pulled out his clouds and toyed with them, ending up painting an outline of a yellow pink pony in midair before he fell asleep.
Chapter 1Uke-Joe “I'm telling you man, this show is awesome!” Greg sighed as he walked home from an incredibly boring detention. It was the middle of winter, and already pretty dark out. He was 18, as was his friend, Mark, and just a few months away from graduating high school and moving out of his dad's home and into the city, or somewhere that wasn't anywhere close to his dad, at least. Greg wasn't a very good student, wasn't particularly good looking, and for sure wasn't popular in his school. Mark was one of his very few friends, and one of the only people that didn't see him as some socially awkward kid, which he had to admit he was. “Dude, I'm not watching your show” Greg replied Mark groaned, “But dude-” “It's for little girls, man. It's about horses!” “Ponies.” “Whatever. We're 18, and you're watching a show for girls a third of your age!” Mark and Greg turned with the sidewalk onto a more busy street. “Whatever man, I'm just gonna go home.” Mark turned and started to walk across the street. Greg huffed and turned around. “Wait a sec Mark!” he began, but Mark already had his iPod plugged in and couldn't hear him over the sound of his music. Greg stepped over the icy curb to go catch up to Mark. Something bright appeared in the corner of his vision to the right. “MARK!” he yelled, and jumped forward at his friend, trying to push him off the road. All he accomplished was slipping on the ice and smacking his head against asphalt. He groaned as he looked up. His vision was fuzzy and his senses were blurred. Mark had heard his yell and jumped away and onto the opposite sidewalk. Greg heard the blare of a horn coming from his right, and turned his head that way. The car entered the point of no return; the brakes were not effective enough on the icy road. He may have heard Mark yell something, but didn't understand, still too disorientated. He instinctively tensed up, shut his eyes, and hoped it would be quick. It wasn't. It was however, peaceful. He remained tensed up and squeezed his eyes shut as he lay on the ground. Minutes seemed to pass and he remained in this position, time seemingly slowed down. The tip of the car hit him in slow motion too, poking into his chest. But then the car did something he didn't think it should, it withdrew, and the tip poked him again. Greg wished everything could just hurry up and get it over with, but life, being the cruel prankster that it was, insisted that everything be in slow motion. The car just paused, taking its time, before withdrawing again. Greg was getting frustrated, and his head still throbbed from its visit to the hard asphalt. God spoke to him. “Dude. You alright?” God had a surprisingly high voice, not at all Morgan Freeman. A soft breeze blew and the grass brushed against him. “Wait, grass?” He thought to himself. The road was made out of Asphalt. He opened his eyes. Sure enough, grass was blowing against him. In fact he couldn't even see a road. He started to sit up, only to collapse against the ground again, his head throbbing. “Ugh.” he groaned, just now feeling the pain. A small green and purple shape to his right moved. It put down what looked like a stick and waved its hand in front of Greg's face. “Hello? You there dude?”. Greg forced his eyes to focus for a second. What he saw appeared to be a large lizard waving its clawed hand in front of his face. Greg lost whatever focus and control over his body he had regained, and passed out onto the ground. Spike stood up. “I... better go get Twilight.” *** Six ponies were gathered in a room in Ponyville Hospital. The room itself was rather boring: the same white walls, floor, and bed that every other room in the hospital seemed to have. But it was what was in the bed, at least partially, as its knees and feet dangled over the edge of the bed that gathered such a crowd of ponies. “Sorry sugarcube, but ah'm afraid ah've never seen anything like it.” “Nor have I darling. Where did you say you found it again?” asked a pony with a purple mane. “Spike found it actually, in the park. He ran and told me and I carried it back here.” A cyan pony with rainbow colored mane and tail looked very bored. “So, why are we here?” “Oh! I know! To throw it a 'welcome to Ponyville' party!” exclaimed the overly excited pink pony. The others groaned at the idea of a party. “I hardly think he's in any state to party, Pinkie.” said the lavender colored mare. Pinkie frowned and looked down at the ground upon having her idea shot down. The lavender mare continued “I just wanted to make sure that nopony recognized it before I wrote to the princesses about it.” “Him.” spoke the cyan pegasis, who was holding up the creature's denim clothing with a hoof and peeking down it. “Rainbow!” shouted the white mare. “I should hardly think that's appropriate. He's obviously wearing clothing for a reason.” Rainbow took a step back and looked around the room. “Well nopony here is wearing any clothing. Just thought I'd check. Besides it might also interest you to know that he doesn't have a cutie mark”. “Well of course not. He isn't a pony” “But you said he could talk, right Twilight?” Twilight nodded, “See! What other creatures do you know that can talk and don't have cutie marks?” “Donkeys-” “Some cows-” “Angel doesn't exactly talk, but we communicate.” “Exactly! And he doesn't look like any of them” finished Rainbow. They paused, not saying anything. None of the ponies followed their friend's logic, but the awkward silence was broken by the creature in the bed shuffling around. His eyes slowly opened, just slits at first. The ponies crowded around his bed, looks of various levels of intrigue on their faces. He rubbed his eyes and opened them completely. They shot open as he saw the six strangely colorful creatures gathered around him. He took in his surroundings. He recognized the type of room from when he had broken his arm when he was 6. He was laying in a small hospital bed. Too small, in fact, as if it were made for-. “Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie!” The pink creature jumped in his face, interrupting his thoughts. He was too shocked to jump back or even change expression. “Pink...ie... Pie?” He pronounced the syllables slowly. She giggled and was pulled off of him by her tail, roughly yanked by the teeth of another one of the creatures. The Lavender one stepped forward. “I'm Twilight Sparkle. These are my friends Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy.” Each of the respective creatures gave a wave or a smile to him when they were introduced, except for the pink and yellow one, who tried desperately to hide behind her long pink hair. “I.... uh.... What... What are you?!” he finally blurted out. Pinkie giggled and jumped up and down. “What do you mean, silly? I'm Pinkie!” “We're... citizens of Equestria?” offered the lavender one. “Equestria? What... where...” The creature thought hard about where he had heard that word. Equestria... Equestrian? Equine? Doesn't that mean... “Ponies?” The ponies all exchanged glances. “Well we sure as sugar ain't donkeys, are we, sugar cube?” He took a moment to take this all in. Here he was, when he thought he was dead, all of a sudden surrounded by ponies. But he hadn't died had he? The car never hit him. What had happened to his world, and Mark? He sighed. This would have never happened if he had just agreed to watch that stupid show of his, what was it called. “My little pony?” he thought out loud. The one with a cyan coat and rainbow colored hair flew up to his face with a pair of wings he had failed to notice previously. “Who you calling little? I'm nopony's pony!” He shielded himself from the aggressive pony. It all suddenly made sense. He was inside of his friend's TV show. ...except that didn't make sense at all, due to the fact that he was in his friend's TV show. An animated TV show. These ponies certainly didn't look very animated, and neither was the hoof that hit him across the face. “Ow!” He exclaimed, and shrank down into the couch. He should probably defend himself, but he resumed acting his normal shy way that he was around people he didn't know. Or ponies in this case. A purple glow appeared around the angry winged pony. He found the matching color appearing around the horn on the pony called Twilight. “Rainbow! Stop hurting him! You're probably only making his concussion worse!” Twilight half-yelled. She released the pony into the care of the pony with the stetson hat, Applejack, who held her in place with her teeth. “Sorry about that, Rainbow is a little... aggressive” Twilight chuckled unsurely, “I'm sure you didn't mean anything by it anyways.” He opened his mouth to speak, “N-no”. He cursed his voice as it cracked. The room suddenly felt way too small as the ponies calmed down and crowded around him again. “See Rainbow? Now, if you wouldn't mind answering just a few questions?” Twilight magically grasped a feather pen and some paper. He cleared his throat before answering, carefully to avoid his voice cracking again, “I guess so, i-if you want to...” “Great!” The lavender pony smiled. “So what is your name?” “Uh, Greg.” “What an odd name!” exclaimed the white pony, who, he noticed, also had a horn. He was used to receiving insults, but never been accused of having an odd name. Greg was as average as it got. The pink mare, thankfully lacking either wings or a horn, giggled “What a silly name.” “Girls! I'm sure it's perfectly normal where he's from.” spoke Twilight. “Now, where are you from, Greg?” “Michigan.” Twilight looked confused, so he decided to clarify, “Uh, America?” This clearly didn't didn't ring any bells for any of the ponies either. “USA? North America? Earth?? With humans?” Each of these answers was met by a similar look. “The loony bin is more like it.” said Rainbow, which earned her a hoof upside the head from Applejack. “So, not from Ponyville anyways? Is there anypony, or any... human? we can find for you?” Twilight asked again. He started to shake his head, and then remembered something. “My phone!” he reached into his pocket. “Yer what now?” asked Applejack. He pulled out a small black device and pressed a button, causing its front to light up. He groaned as he realized he had no service, and slid the phone back into his pocket. The ponies we're confused by this sudden event, so he clarified. “I, uh, don't think so, since you've never heard of Earth...” he finished weakly. Twilight paused in thought, trying to decide what to do with the strange creature. “Well, the doctor says it's alright for you to leave, since you only have a small concussion. So I guess you can stay with one of us until I can get word from the princesses on what to do.” She looked at her friends, hoping one of them would offer to let him stay with them. They got the meaning of her look, and looked away, suddenly fascinated by their hooves or something outside the window. Twilight sighed. “I have a spare room in the Library.” Greg got up, and realized he towered over the ponies. Even if they stood straight up as he did they wouldn't reach his shoulders. He briefly wondered if he should crouch down, or maybe crawl, in order to not draw attention to himself. He followed the ponies out the door, ducking to avoid the low ceilings. Twilight said goodbye and thanked her friends for coming. She paused as she waited for Greg to catch up. “Oh no. Ponies. So many ponies.” he thought to himself as he looked around. He started walking towards Twilight. “Uh-oh, she's just standing there. Does she expect me to get on her? Don't humans ride ponies?” Deciding it would be awkward if she didn't expect that, plus he doubted she could hold him, he decided just to walk over next to her. This seemed to be what she expected as she started walking down the road, presumably in the direction toward the Library. “So, do they have ponies where you're from Greg?” inquired Twilight. “Uh, yeah, I think. I think I saw one when I was little, maybe 5?” “Oh? And what was his name?” asked Twilight, hoping for information on where he might be from. “I, uh, didn't bother to, ask. It might look kinda... weird.” he finished lamely. Twilight looked confusedly at him. “Why is that?” He searched for the right words. Not finding any that seemed to suit the situation, he just said it. “Ponies don't... talk... on Earth.” Twilight looked shocked, as if the idea was completely foreign to her, which, he admitted to himself, it probably was. “Well, what do they do?” He thought for a moment, “Eat grass?” She looked disgusted, so he continued, “Humans sometimes ride on them?” This was met by an even weirder look. “You ride on ponies?” Startled, he hurriedly answered, “No! I haven't. Some people do though.” “But... why?” He thought about it, “I'm not sure. I guess it's how they get from place to place.” Dropping the subject and adding that to the list of things she would ask the Princess about, she continued walking toward the Library. It wasn't long until they arrived. Twilight opened the door with her magic. “Twilight!” yelled the lizard Greg recognized. The lizard looked up at Greg, “Oh hey there! You feeling better?” Greg still had a headache, and his jaw was hurting where Rainbow had hit him, but he was feeling better than he had before. Before he had a chance to speak, Twilight spoke for him. “He has a concussion, but other than that he should be just fine. Greg, this is Spike.” Greg waved to the lizard. “How's it going Greg? Twilight, I sent a letter to the Princesses like you asked, they sent back a letter saying they were flying here themselves, not even in a carriage or anything! Must be pretty important.” Twilight panicked and started frantically cleaning the Library. Greg walked up next to Spike. “So Twilight is pretty important then? I mean, I'm guessing not everybody has visits from the Princesses.” Spike looked confused by his choice of words, especially every pony, but answered anyways. “You don't get the paper do you? Twilight is one of the most important ponies in all of Equestria! She saved us all countless times. Once from the changelings, once from Discord, once from Nightmare Moon, who is now Princess Luna but she's really nice now, and once from a Dragon, and once from a-” He stopped, realizing that Greg wasn't following him at all. Sighing, he continued. “I'm Spike, Twilight's number one assistant and Ponyville's resident dragon.” He offered a clawed hand. “Greg.” he said, and shook the dragon's hand. Greg found a spot on a nearby sofa and watched Twilight magically dust all the bookshelves and frantically push piles of books back into the shelves they belonged in. He was joined by Spike, who had let in the two Princesses at the door, and led them towards the couch. He introduced himself and they smiled and returned the introduction. They waited for Twilight to realize that the Princesses were here and come sit down. “Alright everypony, I think everything is in order for the Prin-P-Princesses!” Twilight scampered over to where they were seated. “I didn't notice you come in!” Princess Celestia smiled, “We could tell. Please, take a seat.” Twilight obliged and took a seat on the sofa next to Greg and across from the Princesses. “You may be wondering how you came here from Earth, Greg, and I believe someone,” Princess Celestia glared at Luna, “may be at fault for that.” “Wait, you've heard of Earth before?!” asked Twilight. Princess Luna sighed. “Yes, we've been there before.” Princess Celestia continued for her “But that isn't significant. Luna has been visiting there recently, to see how it was doing, and when she returned-” “I feared I may have accidentally taken a few nearby humans with me. I was able to return everyone else besides you, Greg, but...” Greg noticed the pause, “But what, Luna?” Twilight cringed at this, “I mean, Princess Luna, sorry.” Luna smiled briefly, “It's perfectly fine. Anyways, Before I returned your soul to where you were, I realized your... situation...” “Situation, Princess?” asked Twilight. Greg thought back to before he found himself in Equestria. “Greg's body was moments away from death.” finished Princess Celestia. Greg remembered it now, the car, the ice. He shivered. “I decided It would be better if I duplicated his body with his soul in it here, and he stayed here in Equestria for now, and I returned him to earth later, in a safer position. I hope you understand, Greg.” Greg thought about it. Maybe Mark would be surprised, but he was really the only one that saw Greg fall in the road, but when he told him where he was, he would be jealous for sure. Then again, to Mark it must seem like Greg had died. This was a duplicate body after all, so the old one was probably being scraped off the road with a spatula by now. Wouldn't Mark be concerned after seeing his best friend die, and then come back to life? He voiced his concerns to the Princesses. “I hadn't thought of that, Greg, but I'm sure that in time he will accept that you weren't really dead.” “But couldn't you show him here? I know for a fact that he would love it. Plus it would remove any need for a explanation.” The Princesses shook their heads. “I'm sorry Greg, but you shouldn't even be in Equestria. Humans bring disease, hate, war, violence. They would just string up my little ponies and ride them just like they do on earth.” Before Greg had a chance to defend himself, Twilight did it for him. “I'm sure not all humans are like that! Greg seems to be perfectly fine!” “This is true, but I don't want any more humans walking around Equestria. So if you don't mind Greg, shall we go now?” Luna asked. Greg knew it wasn't really a question, but thought about it anyways. Princess Luna was right. Hate, war, violence, all seemed to be abundant on Earth, and he didn't want a place as innocent as Equestria to be corrupted by that. “Princess, I know you don't want anything bad to happen to Equestria, but I really can't go back. My only real friend thinks I'm dead.” It was true, his only real friend thought he was dead, and his real body probably was. His dad probably got the news by now, but then again, what did his dad matter to him? There was no reason for Greg to go back, and all the reason for him to stay in peaceful Equestria. “Couldn't I stay here?” “What would you do here, Greg? Scientists here in Equestria would line up strap down and test an alien from another planet, and before you knew it you would be a lab rat for the rest of your life. You can't say any place on Earth would be so different. Ponies belong in Equestria, and humans on Earth.” There was a pause. Greg didn't want to go back to Earth, but the Princesses couldn't let him stay in order to protect their people. “What if he was a pony?” Twilight innocently inquired, and was met by strange glances from the others in the room. “He isn't a pony, Twilight Sparkle” said Princess Celestia. “But Princess Luna, you said that you duplicated his body for him here in Equestria. What if you had given him a pony body?” The Princesses thought about this, and spoke in hushed whispers a few sentences to each other. Finally Princess Luna spoke up, “Very well, he can stay here if he wishes to be a pony. That is the only way.” “I....” he started, and then trailed off. Did he really want to be a pony? “I guess if that's the only way?” “Very well, it shall be done.” said Luna, warming up her horn. Greg spoke up quickly, “Wait! Can't I have fingers?” “No. Ponies do not have fingers.” “But, how am I supposed to... erm....” He trailed off. There was so much he would need to adjust to, he could barely believe he was about to say, “How am I supposed to... hold my utensils! (Yeah! That's it.)” “Well, you could use magic if you want to be a Unicorn?” offered Princess Celestia. He remembered that magic was the reason he was stuck in this situation in the first place. “Uh, pass. I would be a... what do you call a winged pony?” “You wish to be a pegasis?” asked Princess Luna. “Sure, I mean, if that's okay.” “Very well.” Luna warmed up her horn again, and fired a spell at Greg. His body slumped against the sofa. It was a while before anyone spoke up, Twilight just looked at the non-moving body on the sofa next to her. “Princess, shouldn't he be changing into a pony?” Princess Luna turned towards where Twilight was standing. “Oh, no, I should have explained. I needed his soul to be able to put it into a pony body. That body is worthless.” “So it's...” “Dead.” “EEP!” Twilight sprang away from the body and hid behind Princess Celestia. She realized she had overreacted once Princess Celestia started chuckling. “It's not funny! Couldn't you... move it? Or something?” asked Twilight. “My faithful student, it is kind of funny, but if you wish.” Princess Celestia lit up her horn and zapped away the body. “Is that alright?” “Yes, thank you. So where is Greg then?” asked Twilight. Princess Luna stepped aside from where she was standing, and revealed the body of a pegasis stallion. The rise and fall of his chest showed that he was alive and well, but sleeping. “The process takes a while, but I'm sure he will come around in a little while. I trust you will be able to get him situated here in Ponyville?” Twilight nodded, “Yes Princess, He was going to be staying here tonight anyways.” She turned to Spike. “Which reminds me-” “Prepare the guest bed? On it!” responded the dragon. Twilight giggled, “Thank you, my number one assistant.” The Princesses excused themselves and started on the trip back to Canterlot. Twilight closed the door behind them and took a deep breath, before proceeding to freak out. She zoomed over to the bookshelves in search of a book that might help her. “Oh my Celestia!! How am I supposed to get him 'situated?!' There is a a fully grown pegasis in the middle of my Library! Dear Celestia, and a stallion no less! What would my parents say if they knew he was staying with me! Of course it's not like that... but still!” Realizing there would be no book with the title of Your Human and You or even anything about humans, she resigned herself to the fact that she would have to do this without assistance from any book. She sat down on the sofa, before realizing that a dead body had been where she was sitting not a minute ago. Leaping up out of it, she cursed herself for overreacting before wandering over to where Greg was sleeping, lifted him up with magic, and led him to the guest bed and putting him in it. She shut the door and exited the room. “'Night, Spike, I'm going to bed early. I want to be sure I wake up before our guest.” “Okay Twilight.” came the response from down the stairs. She entered her room and shut the door behind her. She brushed her teeth and mane before climbing into bed. She blew the candle beside her out and pulled the sheets over her head. Before long, sleep captured her tired body, and she rested through Princess Luna's peaceful night.
Chapter 2Uke-Joe Greg awoke as he always did, and stretched his curiously sore body. He tried going back to sleep, but deemed the effort useless. He groaned and rolled out of his bed. He landed on the ground with a thump. He started to get up on his feet, but it was if his body wouldn't obey his commands. He looked down, and the events from the previous night hit him. Instead of feet and legs, he now had hooves and four legs! He silently mourned the loss of his favorite 10 fingers, and checked out the rest of his body. He had a tan coat, and a navy blue and electric blue mane, which he could feel went down to the top of his neck right below his chin. He looked behind him and noticed two feathered appendages resting against his side. He tried expanding them out, but all he managed to do was make them droop down to the floor. He sighed and hoped he would be able to master them in time. He got to his hooves, which sounded weird in his head. This was actually a harder task then it seemed, as his muscles and body moved in completely different ways than he was used to. He concentrated on putting one hoof in front of the other, and managed to make it all the way to the door. Leaning down while trying to keep his balance, he grasped the doorknob with his teeth and turned his head. After a few attempts he managed to open the door, and trotted forward. This proved to be a mistake as he lost his balance on just two hooves and tumbled across the hallway. He came to a stop when he hit the door at the end of the hallway, announcing his presence with another loud thump. This startled the pony inside the room to alertness. A few seconds later the door was flung open and Greg crashed inside, looking up straight at Twilight. “You could just knock, you know.” “S-Sorry. I guess I'm still adjusting to all this...” he waved his hooves around randomly. Twilight giggled and magically levitated him in the air before setting him back down on his feet. “I suppose it is quite a difference, but I think you turned out fine. It'll just take some time to adjust to.” He began walking out the door and made it to the steps before almost falling again. Luckily, Twilight caught him with magic before he had time to fall. She leaned against him in order to support him as the moved down the stairs. “Thanks.” “Don't mention it. I'll go make us something to eat.” Greg hadn't noticed how hungry he was until just then, but he had skipped dinner yesterday. Slowly making his way to the table, he had just sat down when he heard a knock on the door. “I'll get it!” he called to the kitchen. He managed to walk to the door a little faster this time and opened the door without falling. It had barely swung open when a rainbow colored blur flew past him and caused him to fall over. The timid yellow pony with a pink mane walked in behind Rainbow, and offered a sorry to Greg. “Hey Twilight, what's cookin'?” asked Rainbow, already situated in the seat Greg was in. Twilight lifted a pile of what looked like pancakes to the table and walked into the room behind it. Greg walked back to the table and sat down again. Rainbow Dash now noticed him. “Twilight, bringing stallions back to the Library again?” Rainbow winked. “Wh-What? No! I mean, yes, but it's not like that!” responded the flustered Twilight. “Uh-huh, sure. Well at least he's a pegasis, so your kiddos will have Auntie Dash to teach them how to fly! Who better than a Wonderbolt right?” “R-Rainbow! It really isn't like that. Rainbow, Fluttershy, you remember Greg right?” Fluttershy nodded, “Sure. Why do you ask, Twilight?” Twilight motioned to where the pegasis stallion stood and said “That's him.” She recapped the previous day's events to her friends while getting syrup for the pancakes. Rainbow Dash flew over the table and sized him up. “Not too bad. You know how to use those wings yet buddy?” Greg looked back at his wings, which still refused to remove themselves from the ground, and simply hung at his sides. “Not exactly, no.” “Actually girls, that's why I asked for you to come over today, you both being pegasai and all. I was hoping you could help me teach him to be a little more coordinated. It's difficult for him having a new body and all.” Rainbow stood up proudly, “Well you came to the right mare! Nopony can fly like me!” Rainbow obviously forgot the previous day's events when she had gotten mad at Greg. “You alright with that idea, Greg?” Greg took a few steps around the table. Running was probably out of the question for now, but he felt comfortable enough walking if he had time to think about his actions. “Yeah, alright.” They quickly ate the pancakes and headed over to the park by the track where pegasai trained. Rainbow was the first to speak. “Alright so, I say we fly him up a little bit, and then push him off a cloud. He can either fly, or fall! It's perfect!” she did a little loop in the air and landed before noticing the looks of horror on the other ponies' faces. “Relax you guys, I was kidding.” Twilight recovered and pulled out a diagram of the pegasis anatomy. “Now you see here are the muscle groups that control the wings. Just try flexing them as you would flex your leg.” He strained to flex his wing muscles, but had no luck. They were just two foreign shapes against his sides. He sighed as he stopped to rest. Twilight walked back over to the diagram, turning her back to him. “Okay, just like any other muscle, you have to pull on it to make you wings go up.” She explained how muscles worked while looking at the diagram. Greg was distracted by another object completely, a tail swished in-between them as the owner of the objects he was staring at continued to talk. He snapped his head up as she looked back at him. “Were you paying attention?” Before he had a chance to answer, Rainbow responded, barely controlling her laughter, “Oh he was paying attention to something, Twilight.” She broke out laughing. “At least his wings are up now, but it's not due to your fancy diagram.” She continued laughing. Twilight blushed and turned away, “Oh... my.” Greg crouched down, confused and embarrassed. He realized what must have happened when Fluttershy couched down and whispered, “It's okay, for the most part, it's only natural.” An awkward discussion about Pegasai wings and a demonstration by Rainbow on how to fly, Greg gained control of his wings and started flapping. He lept off the ground and propelled himself up into the air. Straight up. He punched through a cloud and landed on it as he saw Rainbow do. She and Fluttershy casually flew over onto the cloud and landed beside him. “Yay!” exclaimed Fluttershy, happy that he could fly at least. Rainbow was not so easily impressed, “Yeah, yeah. You can fly straight up. That's a start at least. Now how about flying forwards?” He flapped his wings like before, and then leaned forward slightly. He suddenly started moving forward. He flapped even harder. Rainbow flew to catch up, “Alright! Now just follow me!” They flew in different directions, and eventually Fluttershy couldn't keep up with either one of them. Flying was coming much more easily to Greg than walking was. After crash landing on a cloud while trying to follow Rainbow on one of her tricks, they took a break on the cloud. “Hey pretty nice flying kid, you could almost keep up with me” said Rainbow, “Of course, not like I was trying or anything. Still, pretty good for your first time ever.” “Thanks. I guess it comes a lot more naturally than walking, that's for sure.” “Hey you're a pegasis! Of course it does!” said Rainbow. Greg grinned, and sat down on the cloud, peering over the land. Rainbow sat down beside him, “So you gonna change your name to something more pony-like?” Greg frowned, “What do you mean?” “You know, how everypony else has a normal name, like Applejack or Pinkie Pie, but you're Greg, just Greg.” Greg laughed at this. Names like Applejack and Pinkie Pie would have been considered anything but normal on earth. But as they say, when in Rome... “Uh, maybe? I haven't given it much thought.” He finally answered. Rainbow shrugged and flew off. “Come on, Fluttershy and Twilight are probably waiting for us.” They raced back towards the park. Sure enough, Fluttershy and Twilight were sitting down on a park bench. Rainbow touched down just before he did. However, Rainbow landed gracefully, whereas Greg's momentum required him to take a few running steps before slowing down. As his hooves were still something he was getting used to, he tripped and ran straight into the park bench, which Fluttershy and Twilight thankfully evacuated seconds beforehand. Rainbow Dash offered him a hoof, “You're pretty fast (not as fast as me) but your landing needs a little work.” He groaned. “Yeah.” “Um, are you o-okay Greg?” asked Fluttershy. “Yeah, sorry about that.” he responded. “Thanks for coming out with me, girls.” Twilight said to Fluttershy and Rainbow. “I think I'm gonna go introduce Greg to everypony else. See you later!” They said their goodbyes and began to walk towards the center of Ponyville. Twilight suggested that they visit Pinkie Pie first, but she barely had time to stuff a cupcake in their mouths before running off, claiming a need to go to the party supply store. Rarity's Carousel Boutique was nearby, so they visited there next. “Twilight! You didn't tell me you had a colt-friend!” They had barely stepped inside when Rarity started questioning them about their relationship. Sighing, Twilight broke up Rarity's fantasy, “Rarity, first, I do not have a colt-friend. Second, you remember Greg right?” “Yes, sure. How is he?” Greg seized the opportunity to speak, “I'm fine, how are you?” Seeing Rarity's confused face, the pegasis hastily gave a abbreviated explanation. Rarity took a little more convincing than Pinkie Pie did, but once she accepted this colt was the creature she met yesterday, she wasted no time getting his measurements. Greg hadn't paid any attention till then, but it seemed to him that almost nopony would wear clothing. He suddenly realized his nudity. “So everypony just walks around.... naked all the time?” “In most of Equestria. Some parts of Canterlot are different. Why do you ask?” “Well, on Earth it's considered,” he searched for the right word, “...indecent to be naked in public.” Rarity gasped. Her eyes widened. She was imagining a land where everypony was required to wear clothing all the time. She magically dragged her couch closer to her to she could fall onto it. “Darling, did you live in heaven, perchance?” “Heaven? That sounds inconvenient if you ask me.” stated Twilight. He let them argue it out for a while before Rarity returned to taking his measurements. When she was done she asked him what colors he would like for his outfit. “How about Electric blue? Like parts of my hair” “You mean your mane, darling?” Rarity corrected him. “Oh, yes. Sorry. But why are you giving me an outfit anyways if nopony wears any clothing?” he asked. “Oh darling, you must let me make you one!” Rarity begged, “You're used to wearing clothing all the time anyways, aren't you?” “Well, how about a hat or a tie or something?” he suggested. “Of course darling- I should have it done for you by the time Pinkie's party starts.” “Of course Pinkie would throw a party for the new colt in town, wouldn't she?” Twilight realized. “It better not be at the Library again, I'm still finding frosting in the strangest of books.” “No such luck, I'm afraid, Twilight dear.” Rarity said. Twilight groaned, “Sorry Greg, but I need to go convince Pinkie to hold the party at Sugarcube Corner or something. I assume you can go introduce yourself to Applejack and then meet Rarity back here to go to the Party? If that's okay Rarity?” “Of course, we can go together!” Rarity smiled, “Who wouldn't want this handsome stallion to be their date?” Rarity finished with a wink. Greg stammered, struggling to find words. He wasn't used to receiving complements. “Relax darling, I was joking. But yes it's fine with me, Twilight. I'll show him to the party.” Twilight said thanks to Rarity and dashed towards the library. Greg looked down sheepishly and laughed, “Thanks Rarity, but I need to find Applejack. Any ideas?” “Oh she's at the farm dear, it's just a few minutes down that road.” Rarity said, pointing. “Thanks! See ya in a few.” Greg flew out the door, getting the most out of his newly discovered flight. He looped around the road, trying a few tricks he could think of. His flying time was interrupted by the unfortunate presence of a large apple tree. He had barely crash landed in it when the tree shook him straight out of it, and he landed in a basket followed by a bunch of apples. “Oh, sorry there sugarcube, didn't see you in mah tree.” spoke the mare he recognized as Applejack. He struggled to escape the basket with no luck until Applejack offered him a hoof. He graciously accepted it and was surprised with force he was pulled out of the basket with. Straightening his mane out, he introduced himself to Applejack, “Hey, Twilight wanted me to come introduce myself. I'm Greg.” Applejack laughed and held up a party invitation. “Ah figured ya were the new stallion in town. Pinkie dropped this off and said something about how Luna turned ya into a pony?” “Basically.” he answered. “Well I have to say, she made the oldest blank flank Ah ever laid eyes on, that's for sure.” This term was unfamiliar to Greg, “Blank Flank?” Applejack turned her flank towards Greg, who was staring for a good while before finally realizing the strange apple shaped tattoo on her side. He looked at his own flank, which was as tan as the rest of him. “Seen enough yet?” Applejack asked, turning around. She noticed his wings and chuckled, “Ah figure so.” For the second time that day, he cursed himself for choosing to be a pegasis. He muscled his wings back down. “Stupid wings.” he muttered. “Don't worry yourself sugarcube, shoulda known better than to tease ya like that. Now I reckon you got a party to get to, and I'd hate to be the one to make ya late to yer own welcome party. Ah'll see ya once I get there.” He said goodbye and took off into the air. He made a softer landing in front of Carousel Boutique where Rarity was waiting for him. “Oh Darling! You're just in time!” she exclaimed, pulling a stylish black vest with a electric blue tie onto him and tossing a similarly colored black fedora onto his head. “Oh it looks marvelous, darling! Better than I expected.” He grinned as he looked in one of the windows of a nearby store. He had to say he looked more stylish as a pony than he even had as a human. He thanked Rarity for her work. “Oh it was nothing. A client canceled his order for that a long time ago and all I had to do was add the tie. I'm just glad it belongs to somepony who looks good in it. Now, I believe the party has been moved to the park if I am to believe word from Rainbow Dash, so I suppose we better start walking there?” They walked towards where he had started his day that morning, and started idly chattering about Earth. They arrived to a completely empty park. “Uh, Rarity-” He started to say, but was cut off by what must have been half of Ponyville jumping out of bushes and Trees and yelling “SUPRISE!” He jumped in the air in surprise, but laughed as he glided back down. Pinkie leapt towards him. “Oh you should have seen your face! Didja get surprised? Didja? Didja? I thought so! Ooh, nice clothes, much better than your clothing yesterday that Dashie was getting all touchy on. I bet you want a cupcake! Oh, and WELCOME TO PONYVILLE!” Taken aback by the attack of the overly energetic mare, he sat down and ate the cupcake that was handed to him. Twilight walked up to him carrying Spike on her back. “Hey Greg, nice outfit.” she smiled. “Thanks. You weren't kidding when you said Rarity knows her way with clothing.” They chatted with each other and whatever pony happened to come along, one of which was Rainbow Dash. “So Greg, how'd you like to come flying with the weather team tomorrow? There's an opening and you seem to be able to handle your flying.” Greg shrugged, “I don't see why not.” “Great! Get a good night's sleep 'cause I'm waking you up nice and early to teach you the basics before we go.” He agreed and watched her fly off towards her cloud home, which was not too far from the park. He gathered Twilight from where she had gotten together with her friends and told the giggling mare he needed to go back to the Library. “Oh, okay, later girlss...” she giggled, slurring her words. They said goodbye to Twilight and Spike and Greg and Greg flew a few feet off the ground as Spike walked Twilight towards the Library. “What'd she get into that's got her like this?” asked Greg, pointing to the clearly intoxicated mare. “Oh, just the Apple family's cider.” answered Spike. “How much?” “About half a mug.” “Way to set a great example for Spike, Twilight.” She giggled, “He's my number one assistant.” She teleported herself on top of Greg's back, “Now ride pony, ride!” Greg stumbled for a second, but regained altitude quickly. “Alright Twilight, just go easy on the vest, I just got this.” He steered her into the Library where she started up the stairs after saying goodnight. Spike and Greg just laughed as she clumsily found her way around the staircase and up into her bed. Greg walked down the hall to his room and removed his vest and tie, hanging them up with his hat. He wandered over to the bed and flopped into it. Exhausted from the long day, he barely had pulled the blankets up before sleep hit him.
Chapter 3CHAPTAR 3 HIE STORY Greg woke up when the sun was still down. According to what he heard from Twilight, this meant Princess Celestia still hadn't even woken up to raise the sun. Cursing himself for agreeing to wake up at such an hour even Celestia herself refused to grace it with her presence, he made his way to the shower outside his room. After fumbling with the knob, slipping and accidentally burning himself with extraordinarily hot water, he managed to use a wing to turn back the dial to somewhere more in the comfort zone. He washed his mane and coat before letting the water just flow over him. Sighing, he removed himself from his little piece of heaven and shook himself dry. It wasn't very effective in any other way except that he got the floor and mirror wet with droplets of water. He decided he would be dried soon enough after a little flying anyways, and made his way to the door and downstairs. He ate a quick breakfast of cereal and toast. He realized he would miss meat, but decided to keep that to himself. It might scare other ponies. He was helping himself to his third bowl of cereal when Rainbow Dash came flying downstairs. “Oh hey, you're up!” Greg nodded, “Uh, yeah. You know there's a door right there right?” “Pft, doors are for losers” She stuck a tongue out at him, and then wolfed down his bowl of cereal. “Brush your teeth and let's go, we only have a few hours before we're needed in the skies. He flew upstairs and quickly brushed his teeth. He then met Rainbow Dash in the air above the Library and they flew to a nearby group of clouds. “Alright, our assignment today is pretty basic. A shower in the morning and then clear skies the rest of the day. You're going to need to know how to make them start raining, and how to get rid of them.” She flew up to a cloud and demonstrated this by jumping up and down on one of the clouds. It responded by releasing its water, soaking the ground below it. Greg in awe watched as she kicked the cloud afterward, causing it to disappear. “That's awesome! You must never run out of water or anything if you can just do that.” Rainbow shrugged, “It's mostly just the ponies at the weather factory up in Cloudsdale that do all the planning, I just jump on the clouds.” She flew up and dragged another cloud above where they were standing. “What are you waiting for? Get over here!” She flew aside and landed on the other edge of the cloud. Greg sprang from where he was standing a fluttered up to the cloud. He prodded the cloud with his hoof, not knowing exactly what to do. Rainbow saw this look, and motioned for him to continue. He took a deep breath, bent down, jumped up, flapped his wings once and then smashed back down the cloud. The roar of thunder ripped through the cloud as a bright lightning bolt shot out below it, and hit the ground, leaving a nice scorch mark where it had hit. He cringed. Rainbow just laughed, “Hey! We're aiming for a nice little shower, not a ground scorching lightning storm!” He started to apologize, but Rainbow cut him off, “Just use a little less force this time, alright buddy?” He turned his attention back towards the cloud. Rainbow flew in place in front of him going through the motions in midair. He bent down, jumped up, flapped his wings once and then hit the cloud again with what looked like the same force Rainbow had. He saw her rose colored eyes roll as he realized he had put too much power into it again. Looking down, there was a flash of rose colored lightning that left a scorch mark right next to his previous one. Rainbow gasped. “Dude, was that light pink lightning?” He shrugged, unsure what the significance of it was. He hadn't seen different colored lightning on earth either, but then again, he hadn't seen talking ponies there either. “I guess?” “OhmygoshOhmygosh! That's not supposed to happen! I've never seen anypony do that before!” She flew down and plucked something off the ground. As she brought it closer he realized it was one of the purple flowers grown behind the Library. “Can you do this color?” He focused on the flower, and started the motion again, not taking his eyes of the flower. He bent down, jumped up, flapped his wings once and then smashed back down the cloud. Sure enough, a purple lightning bolt struck the ground. Dash stared awestruck. They continued with all sorts of colors. Green, blue, yellow, orange, red. Success every time. After Twilight yelled at them to keep it down out there, they decided it was probably time to get going, and after a brief recap, Greg decided that since he weighed a good deal more than the slender pegasus, he could simply use a light jump, or pound the cloud with his fore hooves to release the rain. They flew over to the other side of Ponyville where they were met by the other members of the weather team in Ponyville. Rainbow provided them all with instructions, and soon they had Ponyville blanketed with a cover of clouds. They got to work jumping on the clouds, and the rain began to cover Ponyville. About an hour later, Rainbow announced that they had met the required rainfall amount and were free to go once they cleared the clouds. Greg kicked away a few clouds and carried one over to by the Library were he settled down for a nap. “Hey there, Lightning” Rainbow landed next to him on the cloud. “I wasn't going to say anything, but I figured you would be scared if you found two random tattoos on your flank in the shower or something.” She stuck a tongue out, “Congrats, you're no longer the oldest blank flank I've ever known.” Sure enough, when he leaned over to find out what she was talking about, he found two clouds on each flank with lightning bolts coming out of each cloud. “Come on, lets go show Twilight.” They lept off the cloud and into the Library, were Twilight was still looking sleepy from just waking up. “It's already noon Twilight! Even I'm normally up by now!” Dash scolded playfully. Twilight smiled, “Hey Rainbow, hey Greg, how was your morning?” “Great!” Rainbow exclaimed. She jabbed Greg in the side, “Bright flanks here has something to show ya though!” Greg turned to the side and revealed his newly acquired cutie mark to Twilight, “Bright flanks? Really Rainbow?” “Hey, until you come up with an actual name for yourself, I have to call you something don't I?” Greg just rolled his eyes, “So what do you think Twilight?” Twilight got up and examined his cutie mark. “Is your talent dealing with storm clouds?” “Please Twilight, how lame would that be?” asked Rainbow, “Remember when we were making lightning outside the Library before the showers?” Twilight raised an eyebrow, “Yes?” Rainbow flew over and picked up Twilight, who protested but let her carry her outside. Greg followed them and flew up onto a cloud. “Pick a color Twilight! Any color!” he called down. Twilight thought for a second, “Lavender” “Easy enough.” He focused on Twilight's coat. He went through the same motion he had before, and out came a color similar to Twilight's coat in lightning. Her jaw dropped. “That's incredible Greg!” He grinned wildly as he flew back down. They walked back inside the Library. “I've never even heard of that before!” Rainbow gasped in mock horror, “Twilight Sparkle, personal student of Princess Celestia, Librarian of Ponyville, doesn't know everything?!?” Twilight laughed, “Yeah yeah Rainbow, laugh it up. Still, that is really cool Greg.” “I guess, but I thought your cutie mark was supposed to tell you what you were supposed to do, career wise. As far as I can tell colored lightning isn't much more than a cool trick.” Twilight was quick to respond, “Of course not! I'm sure someponies would love to see a little bit of flavor in their next lightning storm.” “Yeah! I could totally get you a job as a weather pony here. Part time at first, but you probably don't want to be working full time just yet anyways.” Greg grinned, “That'd be great Rainbow” “Sure thing. You might want to decide on a pony name before we do the paper work though. Unless you want to be known as Greg forever.” Greg laughed, “Is it really that weird?” Twilight nodded, “A little bit” Greg paused, “What was it you called me earlier Rainbow?” Rainbow blinked, “Bright flanks?” “No! Before that, when you first flew up to me on the cloud” Rainbow laughed, “Oh, Lightning?” “Yes! Lightning!” Greg snapped, “How about Lightning, Dash?” “Lightning Dash? Way to be original. No stealing my last name.” “That wasn't what I meant. But do I really need a last name?” “Sure, everypony has one” said Twilight. “But what about Rarity? Or Fluttershy? Or Applejack?” asked Greg. “Oh, their names are-” Twilight answered, but an unfortunate accident outside involving a piano, an anvil, a cat, and a confused looking pegasus mailmare muffled her answer. Greg took this into consideration, “Fine. How about Lightning... Flash!” Rainbow thought for a moment, “I like it!” “I think it's fitting.” Twilight agreed “We can do the paperwork and everything tomorrow, for now we should go celebrate or something.” said Rainbow. Not quite sure what celebration entailed, Lightning agreed and followed the ponies out the door. As it turned out, celebration entailed a trip to Sugarcube corner and lots of cupcakes. Pinkie had wanted to throw a Congrats-On-Getting-Your-Cutie-Mark-And-Choosing-A-New-Name party, but the idea was shot down when she was reminded they had just had a party yesterday. Pinkie was still happy to provide the group with plenty of cupcakes. They had just settled down when Rarity and Fluttershy walked in. “Greg! What a pleasant surprise! Although I'm sorry to see you aren't wearing the outfit I made you.” “Actually, it's Lightning Flash now!” said Lightning, “And I would have gladly worn the vest and everything, except...” He pointed to his coat, which was covered in cupcake frosting. “Lightning Flash?” asked Fluttershy “Just a second, sit down over here and I'll show you.” He flew away from the table they were sitting at and put 2 more chairs down by it, offering them for Rarity and Fluttershy. After they had seated, he dashed outside and grabbed a cloud, bringing it over to the window next to where their table was. He looked inside at the ponies, trying to decide a color. He decided that since Fluttershy had asked the question, he would start with the color of her coat. He buried his mind in the soft yellow of Fluttershy's coat, and jumped up to create a bolt of lightning. Not stopping to look down, he immediately tried the purple of Rarity's mane. After going through the array of colors that were in Rainbow's mane, all the pink shades of Pinkie, and Twilight, he kicked the cloud away and flew back to the table the ponies were sitting at. “I never knew pegasus could do that before!” said Rarity. “Oh, we can't, just Flash here.” Rainbow playfully slugged on the foreleg as he sat down. “I thought it was great.” said Fluttershy. “Indeed, very entertaining” followed Rarity. Lightning grinned, “Thanks.” They left cupcake corner before it was too late in the afternoon, so Lightning decided he would go somewhere to practice his lightning. He flew his way over to an open field not too far from the Library. After a while it got too tiresome to keep jumping up and down on the clouds, so he tore off a bit of one cloud and flew down by a tree. He hit the cloud with one hoof, and was pleasantly surprised to see that a bolt of lightning came out. He tried again and imitated the same soft yellow he had before. This gave him an idea, and he flew up to get more chunks of cloud, placing them in the air infront of him. Once the design was complete, he quickly tapped all the cloud pieces in front of him as a certain color. In front of him was the outline of a yellow coated pegasus with a pink mane, created by lightning. He stepped back to admire his work. It was a while before the lightning fizzled out. “Very creative.” He jumped as a voice to the side of him appeared. “Oh, hey Rarity. Thank you” “Impressive, you really do have a talent for lightning.” She smiled, “I see why you chose Fluttershy though. I mean, she's very pretty isn't she?” Lightning panicked, “What? No! I mean, sure. I mean, is she?” He stopped himself and sighed, “I was just making a yellow color when the idea hit me, so I guess I did it subconsciously, not because she might be... attractive... or not! I don't know.” Rarity gave him a curious look, “You don't know if you think Fluttershy is attractive?” “I- I don't know! I haven't thought about it. I would have never stopped to think about whether or not a pony was attractive back on earth.” “Relax darling, I didn't mean to fluster you, just asking an innocent question. Although now I am curious, I promise not to press the issue.” Rarity said “Thanks Rarity. I mean, would you have thought on whether or not a human was attractive if you had never been to earth before?” Rarity smiled, “I guess not.” There was an awkward pause. “So... what are you doing here anyways?” “Oh, I was just looking for some gems for an order I was working on. I'm afraid I'm all but out. Care to help me?” Lightning thought about it, “Sure. I've got nothing better to do.” As it turned out, helping Rarity really meant doing all the heavy lifting while she walked around, pointing our where to dig. Still, Lightning was being honest when he said he had nothing better to do. By the time she had gotten a sufficent amount of gems it was getting dark, so Lightning grabbed his cloud pieces and walked Rarity back to her Boutique, before returning to the Library. Lightning said hello to Twilight who was busy reading through a stack of books, and walked up the stairs to his room. He jumped on his bed and laid the pieces of cloud out in front of him. He tried making some new shapes and designs out of lightning, but really only felt inspired to create the same yellow pony again and again. He shuffled up the clouds as his door creaked open, hoping to avoid another awkward conversation like the one he had with Rarity earlier. Twilight walked in the room. “Hey Gr- erm, Lightning” she laughed, “Tomorrow is applebucking day at Sweet Apple Acres and most of us are going to help with it. Are you up for it?” “Sure, after I get the paperwork or whatever done for the weather team thingy” said Lightning said. “Oh yeah! About that” some papers appeared in a flash, “Rainbow dropped these off here. She said to just drop them off by her house after we're done tomorrow.” Lightning took the papers. “Can do.” He put them to the side of his bed and picked up his clouds again. “So what are you doing with those anyways?” Twilight asked. He grinned, “Are you up for a demonstration?” When she nodded, he jumped up off and placed the pieces of lightning in front of her. He traced the outline of her shape and, after asking her to step back, tapped each of the clouds, causing lightning to pop out of each one and connect to another cloud. He stepped back and waited a few seconds for it to fizzle out. “Wow! That's pretty cool.” She said. “It's not that hard really, just like a connect the dots picture.” “Still, I liked it.” She smiled, “Well, I'm going to bed. We probably need up at the farm at the same time the Apple family is.” He groaned inwardly. There was no reason he needed to be up this early for two day's in a row. Instead, he wished Twilight a goodnight and went and brushed his teeth. Still not tired though, he pulled out his clouds and toyed with them, ending up painting an outline of a yellow pink pony in midair before he fell asleep.
