Fugue - Volume 1

"My most faithful student,

I apologise for the inconvenience, but it is most important that you return to Canterlot as soon as possible. A most unusual event has occurred here. An event that I firmly believe you will be able to assist with. I appreciate that after you and your friends defeated Nightmare Moon and saved my dear sister, Luna, you will want to enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation. However, the unfortunate situation I need your help with cannot wait. I am sorry that I am unable to tell you more, it is, sadly, beyond my ability at this time.

Kindest regards,
Princess Celestia"

Huffing in frustration, Celestia's most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, rolled up the parchment the message had been written on and levitated it into her saddle bags. The message itself wasn't the source of her exasperation. She was more than willing to drop anything she was doing to assist her mentor with a problem. The problem was the total lack of information regarding what this "unusual event" was, and why Celestia would possibly be unable to explain the situation in words. The persistent mulling over the infinite possibilities that Twilight may be about to face had been most helpful in passing the time as she journeyed to the capital of Equestria, Canterlot, by train. Hearing the shrill whistle of the locomotive, Twilight looked out of the window and was graced with the sight of the place she used to call home.

Neatly nestled into the side of a mountain, the spires of various buildings within the city rose into the sky. The largest of them denoting the location of Twilight's destination, Canterlot Castle. The lavender unicorn cracked a little smile when she noticed a particular tall, white, cylindrical building with a yellow onion dome roof, because she recognised it as her residence while under the personal tutelage of Celestia. With a sudden jolt, the train came to a stop and the passengers began to disembark. Stepping down onto the platform, Twilight was swift to notice a pair of snow white pegasus guards scanning the faces in the crowd. Deducing that they were there to escort her to the castle, she navigated her way through the sea of equines in their direction.

"Excuse me, sirs," Twilight greeted with a solemn bow of her head. "Are you waiting for me?"

The two pegasai nodded silently before ushering her out of the station, and into a chariot. Twilight frowned, it was most unusual for the escorts she had the privilege of being given by her mentor to be so abrupt. In her view, she had been practically bundled into the chariot in a manner more befitting a kidnap victim than a guest. Regardless, she shook her head and watched the castle draw closer to her. Considering the tone of the letter she had received, it was reasonable to think that there should be no time given towards pomp and ceremony, which would warrant the unusually rough treatment.

"Responsibilities before niceties." Twilight mused, while glancing down at the streets below her. She noticed that a number of the equines were looking up at her, some were even waving. A knot of nervousness formed in her stomach, causing Twilight to crouch down, so that no one could see that she was the occupant. It was clear that the public believed that they were witnessing their princess in transit, and Twilight felt great embarrassment from the possibility that her fellow ponies would be disappointed if they realised that they were not waving at their ruler, but their ruler's protégé.

Upon arrival, she peeked out from the chariot and, when she noticed the princess was waiting for her by the steps of the castle, she disembarked so that she could gallop to her.

"Princess Celestia!" She squeaked in greeting as her hooves wrapped around one of the princess' legs. Celestia looked down at Twilight and smiled warmly before returning the embrace, her head lowering so that she could rest it against the back of her pupil's neck, while her free fore-leg gently wrapped around Twilight's withers and pulled her closer. The pair let the embrace linger for a moment before they simultaneously disengaged.

"It is truly wonderful to have you back, Twilight," Celestia greeted in a quiet, motherly tone. "However, I wish it was under better circumstances."

"I caught the train as soon as I dictated a letter to Spike," Twilight replied with worry. "But I don't know how I can help. After all, I don't even know what the emergency is!"

"You will see very soon, my faithful student. Close your eyes."

Obeying without hesitation, Twilight became vaguely aware of a soft golden light beating down on her eyelids and the gentle tingle of magic enveloping her. Mere seconds passed before the aura's sensory stimuli vanished, causing Twilight to open her eyes. Glancing round, she noted that she and her mentor had teleported into the castle. To be specific, they were now within Celestia's own bed chamber. Twilight, as a young filly, had been given the privilege of living with Celestia inside the castle and, during a particular stormy night, had taken refuge in her mentor's room. The memory of her nestling into the alabaster alicorn in fright, while Celestia shielded her from the flashes of light and cracks of thunder with her wings, was as clear as the memory of Twilight's arrival in Canterlot less than an hour before.

"What are we doing here?" Twilight asked. "What problem could possibly exist in your bedroom?"

Celestia merely pointed at her bed. Twilight's gaze followed the direction Celestia was pointing at and gasped when she saw that the princess' bed was currently occupied. Tucked under the clean white bed sheets, a most unusual creature was sleeping. Gingerly, Twilight crept towards the edge of the bed to get a closer look at the intruder. From what she could gather, the creature was as tall as Celestia, approximately six feet in height. It was clear that this specimen was more akin to a minotaur by having a bipedal form, instead of the skeletal structure that required the usage of four legs. However, there was a distinct lack of fur on the creature's face, even though there was a crop of brown hair covering the back and top of its head.

Twilight glanced back at her mentor and placed a hoof on the bed sheets, silently asking for permission to remove them. After Celestia provided a simple nod, she closed her eyes and began to concentrate on them. Her horn emitted a light pink aura as Twilight levitated the sheets off the bed, so she could examine the unusual animal more closely. With her sight no longer obscured by bed linen, she was able to see that the previous comparison to a minotaur was incorrect. There was no trace of anything even remotely bovine. This was, as far as she knew, a totally new species of animal. Looking closer, it was clear that this creature was wearing clothing, suggesting that this was a being with intelligence comparable to, or exceeding, that of ponies. Satisfied that there was little else to learn, Twilight crept back to her mentor.

"What is it?" She asked, causing Celestia to frown.

"I'm afraid I do not know," The princess responded sadly. "I was hoping that your extensive studying of zoology would help in its identification."

"Well, it has some traits similar to a minotaur," Twilight remarked. "But the lack of fur, horns and bovine legs, the unusual muzzle structure with a protruding nose. This is, literally, unlike any other species known to pony-kind. How did it get here?"

"One of the residents of Canterlot was experimenting with summoning spells. They intended to simply make a book that was in another room appear in front of them. It would seem that they did not cast it properly and, instead, summoned this. After a natural moment of shock, they reported it to the guards, who discretely brought it to the castle."

"And put it into your bed?"

"Oh no," Celestia corrected. "The guards suggested that I lock it up in the dungeons. Since there wasn't any proof that it was dangerous, I thought it better to provide it somewhere more comfortable."

"Excuse me."

Twilight and Celestia shrieked and jumped in shock at the masculine voice addressing them. The pair whirled round to look at their guest. The animal was sat up in bed and was looking at them with a mixture of fear and confusion. The group stared at each other, unwilling to break the silence that had fallen over them in the aftermath of the two mares' surprise. What threatened to turn into a full minute of silence was eventually broken by Celestia regaining her composure and stepping forward.

"Greetings," She began formally. "I am Princess Celestia."

The creature pursed his lips in wonder and lifted a limb that ended with five small appendages. Twilight inhaled sharply, expecting him to attack, but sighed in relief when he merely waved at them. Twilight then took the opportunity to step forward and introduce herself too.

"My name's Twilight Sparkle. What's your name?"

The intruder inhaled deeply in preparation to speak, but, when the moment came for him to respond, his eyes widened and the limb fell limply onto the bed.

"I... Don't know." He finally said. "I can't remember."

The two ponies glanced at each other again before taking another step closer.

"Do you remember anything at all?" Twilight asked gently.

"I remember... A light," He murmured thoughtfully, while rubbing the side of his head. "I had just finished getting dressed. I don't know why though."

"Well, w-what about yourself?" The lavender unicorn probed. "Do you remember anything about yourself?"

"Yes," It responded. "Human. I think that's what I am. I am human."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Human!" Twilight chirped, but flinched when he waved his limb at her frantically.

"No, that's not right." He said forcefully. "I'm human... But, I'm not called Human... I think."

Celestia and Twilight nodded in understanding as they gathered round the bed, their fears of being attacked now gone.

"Ah, I get it!" Twilight said with an enthusiastic nod. "Your species is human!"

The human bit his lower lip for a moment before nodding.

"Yes, that sounds right." He remarked. "And you... You're horses?"

"Ponies." Twilight corrected gently. "We are ponies."

"No, not ponies." The human argued back, his head shaking vigorously. "Ponies don't have horns. No, you're... What's the word... Unicorns!"

"Well, my faithful student is." Celestia remarked kindly before slowly unfurling her wings to demonstrate the difference. "I am an alicorn. A mixture of the three types of pony that inhabit this land; unicorns, pegasai and earth ponies."

The human stared at the princess thoughtfully, his brow furrowed in deep concentration.

"Wait, that can't be right. Unicorns and pegasai are a myth. They're not real."

The mares shared another glance, both silently asking the other who should inform their guest of the bad news. Twilight decided to take the initiative.

"Well, funny thing about that..." She began nervously. "You see, you're kind of not in your world anymore."

Twilight cracked a nervous grin as she let the revelation sink in. Their guest tilted his head, while five spindly appendages glided through its hair.

"You're right." He said anxiously. "Talking unicorns, pegasai, ponies. Where am I? Why am I here? What do you want with me!?"

Noting that he was beginning to panic, Celestia reached out, gently grasped one of the human's limbs, and gave it a tender squeeze.

"Take a deep breath," She ordered softly and inhaled deeply as encouragement. Hesitantly, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The pair then waited a few seconds before exhaling sharply.

"Do you feel better?" Celestia asked soothingly, her hoof providing another gentle squeeze. The human took another deep breath and exhaled before nodding slightly.

"A little," He whispered. "Thank you."

"It is quite alright. Do you mind if I leave you now? I'm afraid I have some other matters that I've delayed long enough."

"N-No, it's okay."

Celestia nodded before turning towards the door.

"Do not worry. My student, Twilight, will stay with you to keep you safe. I'm sure that if you have any questions, she will be more than happy to answer them!" She stated as she walked towards the door. Twilight looked towards her mentor and bowed.

"You can count on me, Your Highness!" Twilight replied boldly. "I'll do everything I can to help!"

"Thank you, Twilight, I knew I could count on you."

With a soft thud, the door shut behind the princess. Twilight immediately turned towards the occupant of her mentor's bed and smiled at him slightly.

"So, do you have any questions?" She asked happily. However, her happiness wasn't shared by the human. His gaze was downcast and it was clear that he was most glum, if the immense frown he wore was accurate. After breathing a heavy sigh, he responded.

"Can I just... Go back to sleep?" He murmured. "Please?"

Twilight pursed her lips and widened her eyes in surprise at the request. After a brief moment, she shook her head and levitated the sheets back onto the bed.

"O-Of course!" She stammered. "Here, let me tuck you in!"

The human didn't reply or complain as Twilight gently began to manipulate the sheets with her hooves. Once she had finished, she stepped away from the bed.

"Thank you," He whispered mournfully. Twilight bit her lower lip in thought, unsure how she could help provide some comfort for the clearly upset individual. After racking her brains frantically, she suddenly had a brainwave, causing her to gasp lightly and clap her hooves together.

"Not a problem!" She chirped. "I'll just fetch a book to read, so don't worry about being left on your own!"

After receiving an incomprehensible mumble in response, Twilight turned towards a bookshelf Celestia maintained on the other side of the room. After skimming through the titles, she settled on a book authored by Antonie van Leeuwenhoof, the inventor of the field of microbiology. After nodding to herself in agreement, she wandered over to a rug that was situated at the foot of Celestia's bed and laid down to begin her adventure within the tome's pages.