Stepping In (Reloaded)

Chapter 3

"So, Ace. Why have you come here?" Celestia asks as she sits upon her throne.

"I have been looking for more of my kind when I stumbled upon what seemed to be a teleportation device. I haven't seen another living soul in... I'm not sure how long I lost track around the 8th year." He replies as he stands up and rubs his bound wrists.

"I will be sending you to Ponyville to stay with my student while we integrate you into our society. I will be keeping a close eye on your progress to ensure the safety of my subjects. Do not give me a reason to Distrust you." Celestia says as she rises from her throne.

"Of course not. Will I get my belongings back? I have some important keep sakes in there." Ace replies while scratching his stubble. "I will even give you my weapon in confidence of your promise of safety."

"Of course as long as we get to catalog what you have." Celestia says as she uses magic to undo his binds.

"Thank you, Both for the return of my belongings and the binds."

"Pray thee tell, Will thou come back to play a song for us in future? I wish to hear your human music first hand. For I was absent when thy predecessor came before." Luna asks as she follows Celestia from the DIas.

"Of course Princess, It would be my pleasure." He replies as he turn to the Captain. "May I have my belongings so we can depart?"

"Sure thing lets go." Shining Armor replies. as they leave the Throne Room.

~~~~

*All have left the throne room Besides Celstia and Luna**

"Lu, Why are you so interested in the humans music?" Celestia asks when the doors have shut.

"Oh no reason Tia. Can't a mare be interested in an alien culture?" Luna replies as she turns tword her sister.

"It's just you know what I told you about the humans. We honestly should have just banished him to the mo-"

"Like that solved all our problems last time Tia." Luna Interjects hotly, taking an aggressive step towards Celestia.

"Oh come on Lulu you know I didn't mean for that to happen and we know what the humans are like! It took me Generations to get rid of that religious nonsense that they brought in. It was blight on our country and who knows what kind of ideas he could bring!" Celestia replies taking a step of her own towards the smaller blue mare.

"Oh now don't sound too much like a Dictator now Tia! Censoring thoughts and ideas even bad ones are a step too far and you know it! I don't think that Religion was good either but they also brought us tons of Technological Breakthroughs that make our reliance on magic less every day! they're the reason we even have trains tia!"

"At least I don't fake an Accent to gain symp-"

"TIS NOT AN ACT SISTER!!" Luna booms as her face burns red with indignation. "I just don't care to try around plebeians such as those."

"Whatever Lu, You have to understand I just wish the best for this land and the bad ideas can stay dead with the rest of his race." Celestia coldly replies as she turns and leaves.

"The acts of a few don't reflect the acts of all sister." Luna replies as she teleports away with a flash of blue light.

~~~~

*on the train to ponyville*

"Soooo." Ace says as he rubs the back of his head watching the 6 ponies crammed on the double seat before him.

"What are ya again?" The Orange one with a Cowboy hat says.

"I'm a human or also known as a Homosapien." He replies as a cyan colored one with rainbow hair bursts our laughing.

"Pffttt. A HOMOsapien?" She says as she puts emphasis on the beginning of the word.

"Uh I think its an Old Latin phrase combining the words man and wise. Basically we're the only Sapient creatures on our planet all other life forms cant think like me and you can. They are just animals." He replies as his explanation bores Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah boring nerd stuff blah b-" rainbows mouth is stuffed with a purple hoof.

"Can you spell that for me?" Twilight says as she pulls out a quill and parchment.

Groans could be heard through out the cabin as everypony tunes out the boring Q and A is incoming.

~~~~

*Several hours later and one train ride complete*

"are you telling me that there were 9 Billion people living on your planet before they all disappeared?"

"9.2 but yeah we had a major Overpopulation problem until we had the biggest underpopulation problem ever! ha." Ace says a bit lifelessly. "I mean going from one extreme to the other in a single day and no one being anywhere with no explanation as to why. I mean seems insane right? like for the first couple of years I was sure I had just gone crazy but nope no matter how bad I wanted to wake up from that nightmare I just kept wandering around. But you know, It's not all bad now I'm on a planet with talking ponies and magic so its totally not a fever dream of a delirious man in a mental institution." He says as he pinches his arm repeatedly. "Nope not asleep and everything is still real. This is going to take some getting used to."

The Mares around him frown and cringe a little as he brings up his strange situation.

"well at least your not alone anymore." Pinkie pie says as she jumps on him and gives him a big hug. "Not with your friend Pinkie Pie! I can't wait to show you around town!" She says as she bounces around him.

"That would be nice but maybe we can do it tomorrow I'm kind of tired and want to have a good rest before we go around town. You know take in this whole crazy living in talking pony land thing." He says while stepping off the train.

"Whatever you say A!" Pinkie says as she takes of in a cloud of pink.

"She isn't going to listen to me is she." Ace states as he stares off into the direction she left.

"Eenope." Applejack says as she walks up besides him.

"So when should I expect some sort of welcome party." He says as he turns towards her.

"I wish I could answer that but I don't rightly know..." she says as she smiles nervously and her back leg almost gives out. "I gotta go check on the farm bye now!" she takes off in the same direction as pinkie.

"So I take that as soon as I get to the place I'll be staying."

"Pretend to be surprised for Pinkies sake please. She loves surprise parties and making ponies happy. I hope you'll enjoy the party." Twilight says as she takes AJ's place beside Ace.

"Yeah Pinkie Doesn't always surprise us with parties but even if we know we play along. That's just what friends do." Rainbow Dash says as she flies beside him on the other side.

"I understand. Even if I don't agree with faking being surprised I can do it. Its the thought that counts really. I can't think of many people on my planet who would have done the same thing she is doing. She is a very sweet girl."

"Yeah Pinkies really nice." Fluttershy says as she appears besides Rainbow Dash. "And maybe we can all start to get to know you besides just Twilight this time. if that's okay." Fluttershy says while looking sheepishly to Twilight who gives the same look back.

"I think we will all have time to get to know each other well enough before long. I don't know how long Princess Celestia will have me stay here but If i like it enough I might not leave at all. From what I see this town's looking very nice." Ace says as they make their way through the square, Heading in the direction of the library.

~~~~

The lights to the Treebury are off and ponies are shuffling slightly.
"Who are we going to surprise again?"
"Pinkie said it was an alien?"
"Thats pretty cool never thought I'd meet one."
"Are we sure its safe?"
"If the elements are with them I'm sure we'll be fine."
"SHHH! they're coming!"

~~~~

"Well here we are this is my house!" Twilight announces proudly. Her smile is genuine as she looks up to ace. "I think you might like it. Its also the library and we can start lessons teaching you all about Equestria!"

"Cool my fever dream gets even more elaborate." Ace says as he tries and fails to replicate the smile.

"You know I don't really like being called a figment of your imagination." Rarity says as she appears beside him. "But I understand why you think that." Putting a hoof on his leg. "But when you do come around maybe we can have a chat about human culture? I am would love to hear all about it."

"Yeah and maybe we can work out some time? I see you got some lean muscles but I bet you could totally bulk up. I've been looking for someone who could keep up with the dash!" She says as she strikes a pose.

"Sure but I'll have to get a day planner all you girls want to hang out its kinda weird. Never was much of a socialite back on earth." Ace says as he pushes open the door and walking in. "Huh where could the light be." He says dryly.

"SURPRISE!!!" The lights flip on and a bunch of ponies jump out immediately staring at the Large Biped standing among the Elements.

"Woah all these ponies showed up just for my party?" Ace whispers to Twilight.

"Of course! Pinkie always gets the whole town to come to her parties they're the best parties around!" Twilight says as she walks toward the snack table.

Following behind Ace smiles and waves at the ponies as they start to pick up the normal activities.

"So what do you think of your party? huh huh huh?" PInkie says as she bounces besides the human.

"It's nice, I wasn't expecting so many people but I like it. Does this party have any Alcohol?" Ace says as he pours himself some punch.

"The Adult beverages wont be brought out until the fillies and colts go home, Can't have them trying to sneak any now can we." She smiles back up at ace.

"Alright we'll lets just mingle then. Enjoy the party pinkie and thank you again!"

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