Endangered

Voices filled my ears as steps collided on a hard surface. They got fainter as they changed positions. I forced open my vision to a door was closing behind whoever just left the room.

The floors seem to be polished reflecting light from the window with a table in the left corner of the room with some flowers. The room only had one bed inside; mine. To my understanding, I was in some kind of hospital room.

The one thing that seemed extremely out of place for me was the fact that I was completely naked. Why the hell am I completely naked? My memories seemed too real and fresh to be anything but a dream. Hopefully, I was not here because of something a little more serious.

I checked my leg to see if I was just delusional. A bandage wrapped around my right lower leg covering it from the damage I had taken. I then started to remember everything. Being stuck in an alien world, coming to Canterlot and getting shot in the leg with an arrow. Great, I am still in a place where I have no means to get back to my home, I have little knowledge of what to do and the place where I am.

To the table on my right, rested a book. It was a drab green and had the title of Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Statue. It was written in red and was graphically plastered on a scroll above a yellow pony on a rope, dangling from a crocodile. The author was A.K.Yearling. It seemed like a good book, It sounded like an adventure novel.

Before I could get a chance to inspect its pages, the door swung open with a green aura surrounding the knob.

"...So yes, it is a human being. And it seems to speak our language, from public accountability." came a unicorn mare entering the room.

A beige coated pegasus stallion wearing armor entered the room, "Yeah, and the Princess wants to meet him, we don't even know his name!" Looks like they have not seen my wallet yet which had my license inside.

They were both oblivious to me being awake and staring at them judgingly. Silent observation got me into trouble once, so I decided to stay quiet.

"Just trust me. From public account, he wasn't aggressive or necessarily shy to ponies. He just got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time."

A blast of noise from my area as I forcefully shut the book in my hands. Both their heads snapped to me and fixed their gazes. I opened my mouth to speak, "Can I have my clothes back?"

"Uhh, sure they are in the drawer over here," spoke the light yellow unicorn as she levitated the folded stack of clothing onto my legs. Seeing the phenomenon did not really bother me. I was going to be here a while, especially with this new wound. At this point, I had to get used to it.

"Thanks, can one of you explain where I am and why am I naked?"

"You are inside Canterlot Castle's barracks, mostly used for training soldiers. This is the medical ward. We needed to assess your health, especially because you are going to meet the Royal Sisters in a week." answered the beige stallion.

"So what's your name?" asked the unicorn mare.

"It's Ray. Nice to meet you." I assured as I shifted a little under the sheets.

"I am Dr. Amber Closure and this is Commander Wild Bolt," told the Doctor.

Strange names.

"It is... interesting to meet you, Ray, I have been assigned to keep you out of harm's way until you are healed."

Looking down at the pile of clothing, I noticed my cap was missing. "Where is my cap?" I said looking around to see if it had fallen off of the pile.

"Cap? Oh, the black one. Yeah, I think somepony who is staying in the Castle took it."

"Can one of you get it for me, like right now if you can?" I put on a small smile to assure them I wasn't a danger.

"I'll see what I can do," ensured the Commander. He then left, leaving me and Dr. Amber in the room.

"Seems like you are quite fond of your hat. Why is that?" inquired Dr. Amber.

"It's rather personal." I droned with a stoic face.

Silence had fallen upon the room. The melody of the wind drafted in from the open window and was the only thing that was suppressing the awkwardness from the abrupt ending to the conversation.

She started to trot to the door. "Oh. Well then. I guess I should leave you to get dressed. Rest up, you will be sent some food in a few hours," Dr.Amber ended as the door clicked behind her.

I was soon able to walk again. I was told to take it easy on my leg so that I do not damage it any more. It was difficult to walk at first, I would limp as I would move but it would heal with time. They used magic to quicken its healing slightly. I had told the guard that the thugs wanted scrolls and that I did it to let them free a pony. Scrolls had been stolen in the city and one of the criminals confessed to stealing the scrolls.

They wanted to study me and my world so they gave me a temporary room in the barracks near the castle. During the last week, I have had an arrow in the leg and basically been confined to a building.

Several clangs on my door jostled me into reality. Laying on my bed half awake, I slowly jerked myself up to my disruptor.

"C'mon Ray! You're gonna see The Royal Sisters today!" bellowed Commander Bolt.

"Give me a minute," I replied.

It's gonna be a long day.

The only clothes I had were the ones on my back when I first got here. Of course, I cleaned them since I got here but I really needed more. I found magic perplexing, there was nothing like it on Earth so it was an entirely new concept for me to grasp with all these spells and stuff that can be used by unicorns and alicorns. I read about The Royal Sisters and the Elements of Harmony. The sisters were the leaders of Equestria while the Elements of Harmony were six artifacts of great magical power that have been used in the past to defeat tyrants. It seemed like something out of a video game.

I gave the Canterlot scientists my phone to study, it was not going to be very useful here anyway with no reception or charge. However, I kept my watch, it's battery wasn't going to give out for another few years. I was not allowed into the public and told it would be better if I was kept away from citizens until further notice though information was slowly being released to the public. They denied me to get my car and I was the only one who could drive it. So basically, nobody was getting my car for now. It annoyed me because I had some more stuff inside it like some other things inside it.

Soon I was walking with the Commander towards the Castle, my hands stuffed into the side pockets of my navy blue jacket. I pulled it forward to move up my pack on my back. "How have you been holding up lately," he asked.

We were on a path that was leading to a large door with guards positioned on both sides. "Well, it could be worst. I'm kinda missing my home and I'm still having trouble getting comfortable with ponies and magic."

"I can't believe that your from another world."We walked up some stairs and entered an extensive hallway with guards positioned every so often on the sides of the hall, parallel to each other. "You have advanced technology for Celestia's sake I mean that's just blown my mind." We passed silent statues, observing our every move.

"Well give or take a hundred years and your civilization may have technology just like mine." I echoed through the Castle walls. We remained silent for a minute while we passed through the maze of a castle.

"I heard some scientist call you an ape." He replied.

"He thinks I'm dumb because I'm human and that they died out in your world," my face was slowly turning stoic as I talked. "Well, I think they're just an asshole looking for some trouble."

We turned a corner and the Commander spoke, "Hey now, don't get another arrow in your leg, big guy." I chuckled at this.

Turning numerous corners, me and Commander Bolt came upon a large door shortly. Magical auras surrounded the door and opened it slowly. It was a throne room... with no one in the throne. "Well, this is your stop!" came from Bolt.

I walked in, the carpet cushioning the impacts with my sneakers. I observed the massive emptiness of the hall above. The door began to shift close as I walked into the room. I still had a slight limp but that would be expected from my wound.

The Commander started to speak, "Oh I forgot to mention they'll be a bit late. My advice: Don't do anything stupid."

The towering slabs of wood brashly sealed behind me. The red carpet laid upon the marble and lead to the throne, glorifying it. The throne room had stained glass windows covering the walls. The had the art of ponies on them. One looked like Luna's banishment to the moon. I had noticed also that only certain ponies were on the windows. A group of six was common among these outlets of light.

Looking around I noticed I wasn't alone. Four guards were in the room with me, watching my movements.

"Oh! I didn't see you there!" I spoke raising a hand in front of me as a friendly gesture. He just stood there motionless as ever. "Rigghht..."

I thought it would be best to leave them alone. I tapped my foot and folded my arms as I waited.

I was taken aback when the sounds of hooves filled my ears from the other side of the door. They then stopped just before it. I managed to make out "... look, if he is a human. He will speak their language, sister!"

"Luna! You don't understand!" cried out another voice.

Abruptly, the door swung open with great speed but an aura stopped the door just as it was about to hit the wall. The magic that enveloped the door was a dark blue unlike the color of the guards' auras. From this, a night blue alicorn quickly trotted up to me.

Standing at about my height. She spoke a language that was like nothing back home in a mildly excited tone. I stared at her intently with meager confusion until replying with "Uhh... What?"

"Excuse my sister. She hasn't seen any of your kind in a while." came a tranquil voice behind Luna. She stood at about nine or ten feet tall from what I could and had a white coat. She made me nervous, I felt like a bug under a boot. Both of their manes flowed like they were in a constant draft.

Hyperdelic.

"Let me introduce us, I am Princess Celestia. This is my sister Luna. And these are the Elements of Harmony," she motioned to the six ponies from behind her. I noticed that they were very alike to the ones in the windows. Now I have many questions.

Celestia towered over me. This deeply intimidated me. Her eyes were like spears, stabbing through my being. I was getting a little nervous until a pony nearby drew my attention away from her.

"Hello, I am Princess Twilight Sparkle," announced a purple alicorn mare who stood at the front of the group. She stood very slightly taller than the rest of the Elements.

A pinkie pony bounced towards me with great speed. She stopped right before my face and tried to heighten herself on her hooves She declared "Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! Nice to meet ya!" as she shook my hand furiously with her hooves.

As she released her firm grasp on my hands which seemed strange as they had no fingers, an orange earth pony walked up to me. "The name's Applejack." She had a southern accent and wore a cowboy hat on top of her head.

"Hey. My name is Rainbow Dash. The coolest pony from here to Manehattan," she gloated, hovering lazily above the others who were crowding in front of me. Great, more puns on cities from Earth.

A white coated unicorn mare greeted "I'm Rarity. Darling, your clothes are quite... interesting." She stared at my clothes, I felt like my tastes were being assessed heavily.

"Hi, I'm Fluttershy," articulated in a hushed voice. A yellow pegasus mare stood behind the group, shying her sight away from me.

I introduced myself as well. "Umm... Hi. I'm Ray." I was confused about why this mixed group of personalities just acquainted with me. "Not to be rude thought but wasn't I only going to meet you two today?" I said, pointing to Celestia and Luna.

Quite charming aren't we, Raymond? remarked that second voice in my head at my laughable introduction to leaders of a country.

"Yes you were but I decided to let you meet the elements as well." I heard that alicorns are magically very powerful had separate spells they could use that unicorns could not. If I had any shot at getting back to Earth, it was with their help. "It's nice to meet you finally, Ray. Am I correct that you are from another world?" It seemed apparent that not much information about me has been spread around as of late. Some of the elements of Harmony looked confused and a bit shocked at this statement.

I thought it was obvious from the clothing I'm wearing? When humans went extinct, they were in a Dark Age where plagues and creatures took over the kingdom. Their clothes, of course, were much different from mine.

"Yeah. Do you have like a spell or something to help me get back home?" I inquired.

"Sadly, that is up for debate, some ancient spells may have the power to get you to your world. Earth isn't it?" calmy addressed Celestia.

"Yeah, it's commonly referred to like that but it is also less commonly known as Terra or Gaia though."

She replied with "Interesting. One of my Scientists has told me a lot about you. Sorry about meeting you after so long since your appearance, there were some complications. How is your wound?"

"Well, you know. It does what a wound usually does, it aches and compromises my movement a little but really it's healing well."

"That's good to hear." She stared into my eyes with a piercing gaze. She finally started "I heard from my head scientist that you have a form of transport on the edge of Canterlot."

A stream of light was drooping through the windows on the left. I liked the atmosphere. "Yeah, I do. I kinda want to see if it's alright you know. Cars cost money not just to buy but to maintain and refuel." Everyone was listening to me intently as I continued. "Especially when you're in college," I further conveyed with a thin smile.

"A student? What did you study?" spoke Celestia.

"Well, I was studying mechanical engineering. I have graduated." I noted that Celestia bore a light expression of surprise on her face. "Though I still actually needed to get a job."

Twilight butted-in the conversation, "Wow! A mechanical engineer from an advanced world!" she squeaked gleefully. Not the kind of Princess I was expecting, but okay. I acknowledged her curiosity. "This is amazing, I need to know everything! So, wha-"

She got cut off by Celestia who still bore a slight smile on her face "That's enough, Twilight." Her cheeks slightly reddened beneath her lavender fur as she slowly backed towards her group of friends.

"Sorry, about that. I tend to do that sometimes," she apologized.

I to her an assured her "It's alright. Don't worry about it." At this, she grew a meager expression of happiness as she looked towards me.

"Anyways" started Celestia. "Considering that you have kindly donated some of your technology to our scientists, would you like to go get your car?"

I remembered that it had over half a tank of gas left inside it. "Umm, Really? I mean Sure. But it would be practically useless without fuel later," I declared.

"Later?" Celestia questioned with a perplexed face.

"Well, I have no way to make any fuel. It's a process that requires equipment your civilization just doesn't have. But you welcome to have the thing if you want."

Luna queried "Have you tried yourself making this fuel?"

"...No, but that's because it's difficult to make without the proper equipment." Rainbow Dash had a slightly bored face as we were speaking.

"Hm. I am going to let you retrieve your machine. However, the elements of harmony are going to accompany you on this trip," added Celestia.

Rainbow Dash perked up and turned to Applejack "I told you we were here to do something with the human!" She smirked at her and Applejack just shook her head.

"Celestia, I don't think that's really necessary. You could just send guards or scientists with him instead of us," Suggested Twilight.

"I think you'll better than the guards and scientists." She then directed her beam of attention to me smiling contently. "We will talk further upon your return."

I felt really nervous talking to her. I felt that if I did something wrong I would be hunted by a powerful being that could rip me apart in an instant. "M'kay, yeah. We'll do that then," I ended as my anxiety grew. I was worried about what would happen to me if I disproved her statement.

"Good. I will allow you to go into the public. Don't get hit by an arrow this time," she joked as she moved to her throne. I was thinking about how I could I was going to get my car through the public. This remark calmed me down somewhat and gave me the impression that her intentions were good.

We moved out of the throne room and into the hall. Looking back, I saw Celestia staring at me intently. She nodded my way. I nodded back to her.

Twilight took the lead as we moved for the front exit of the Castle. I was walking beside her while the others trailed behind.

I turned my head to Twilight. "I thought the elements of harmony were artifacts?"

"Well, we embody the elements and use their power to defeat "

"I guess that's pretty neat." I had no idea what to make of that. This was just a default response when I had no idea what to say.

Rainbow Dash inserted "You could say that." She looked at her hoof as she effortlessly flew above me.

Rarity conferred "Darling, your clothes seem a tad... ragged."

"I have no other clothes and my pants got torn by the arrow that went into my leg."

"Oh, that simply won't do!" She uttered, looking at the tear in my cargo pants as we progressed down the hallways. "I must at least repair these, if not make you something else to wear."

"What really, you've only just met me. And I have no money to give you in return."

"Don't worry, it's the least I could do for you as the guest in Equestria."

"Oh man, that's really generous of you. I owe you one." I said smiling at her.

"I must look at your clothes to make something similar. Especially the shoes."

"Why do you wear clothes like that anyway? Like, all over your body." Rainbow dash intruded again, Flying up near to my face

As I opened my mouth Twilight interjected, "Humans wear clothes to keep warm." Rainbow Dash seemed disappointed with the answer and flew back up above the group.

I said, "And to also cover up genitalia."

The group possessed slight grimace on their faces. "That was my reaction when I realized almost all of your species was naked."

Good job, Ray. You just made everything super awkward.

Applejack finally broke the absence of noise and asked, "So what your shoes for exactly other than warmth?"

"These shoes are called sneakers and they protect my feet from the ground and elements." I pointed towards my feet.

"Are they called sneakers because they make no noise?" Pinkie blurted out.

I chuckled at this remark and responded with "No. But when they were invented they were called 'sneakers' for that reason." We continued down the halls to the front gate.

Soon enough we were all at the gate going into the market area before the Castle. The gate was open and stairs led down to the open area.

I let out a sigh at the sight of the crowds of ponies in the market. I was happy that something was finally happening to maybe better my situation. I wasn't planning to live in that crummy room for long anyway.