Wish Gone Awry. Enter Equestria! Enter New Life!

Walking back through Ponyville, Julius looked around a bit. Sure enough, some ponies were still looking at him oddly, but his mind was wandering too much to notice; the rustic beauty of Ponyville, the light breeze, the voice. As Julius walked through the town, his thoughts kept going back to that same odd voice he heard in Fluttershy's cottage. Sure it was only there for a brief moment, but it was definitely there. It felt somehow strong, commanding, like a voice of primal authority. And yet, it didn't sound harsh or stern; it sounded welcoming, like a parent welcoming back a long-lost child. As much as he tried to bury the voice, it kept surfacing to the front of his mind. Walking out of Ponyville and towards the Everfree Forest, Julius thought he heard something.

"Can't get my voice out of your head, can you?" The same voice knowingly asked. "That's quite expected, and welcomed, it is what I want after all," the voice continued as Julius rapidly scanned the area. "Don't bother looking for me. I am a spirit, and my physical body, well, let's just say it's quite statuesque at the moment," the voice laughed.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Julius asked as he tried to steady himself.

"Hmmm, my name, well, I'd rather not tell you my real name, for now. Celestia and Luna don't think too highly of me, despite all that I've done for this world," the voice grumbled. "Oh sure, get rid of the physical bodies of wendigoes and nocreature remembers. Blow off a little steam, and all of a sudden, you're some great evil," the voice sighed. "For a name, you may call me John. If you don't like that name, I'm also fine with Q, Irwin, Eugene, Eagleton, or Leonardo," the voice playfully offered.

"I think I'll stick with John," Julius sighed as he rubbed his temples. "So, John, what do you want? Also, do you wear a tie?" Julius jokingly asked as he started to walk into the Everfree Forest.

"First, remember, you're being watched. Just think your thoughts, and I'll hear them," John told Julius. "Second, I don't wear a tie, but that doesn't mean that I'm a plumber. Third, what I want is your help," the voice seemed to say with a smile. "You see, six great treasures have been stolen from Equestria. These treasures are vital to the health of the land. I need you to return these treasures to their rightful place," John told Julius.

"Why do you need my help? And why do you think I'd go off prancing around some dark dungeons filled with monsters just to retrieve some treasures?" Julius asked as he followed the path to Zecora's house.

"We both know that you like games like Zelda and Skyrim, don't deny it," John confidently said. "Second, I know exactly where these treasures are, no dark dungeons or anything like that, I promise. Third, I need your help because, as I currently am, I cannot retrieve those treasures. Even if I could, my other half doesn't exactly like me," John said with a seeming grimace.

"True and fair. Though, how do you know about those games? Video games don't exist in Equestria; hell, that level of tech doesn't exist here. Also, what makes you think that I could retrieve these lost treasures?" Julius asked as he carefully navigated the path through the Everfree Forest.

"Oh, trust me, I know a lot more about your world than what you may think. And before you ask, no, sadly, I cannot get you things from your world. Well, I could try, but it would be unreliable. I might get your laptop, or I might get a giant fire-breathing spider," John laughed, "wanna try anyway?" John mischievously asked.

"No, I'm good," Julius shuddered at the thought.

"So boring, ah well," John sighed. "Anyway, I think you can retrieve the treasures because they are currently in the custody of one Celestia Astra, Princess of Equestria, the bringer of the morning, the bringer of the sun, the giver of light to the world-"

"Enough, enough, OK, OK, I get it," Julius mentally sighed. "Like, what were you and her knocking boots back in the day or something?" Julius jokingly asked.

"Well, that is the long-standing rumor," John chuckled. "But seriously, like eight hundred moons ago, she had a whole song to her that went like that. It only fell out of favor roughly a hundred moons ago," John laughed. "She does have the six treasures, though, and they do need to be returned to their resting place, not locked up in the castle, waiting to be used as a weapon, again. If it comforts you, I'm pretty sure Luna would agree with me; she did hold reservations about taking the treasures in the first place," John assured.

"I'm sure if the swan princess is keeping those treasures locked in the castle, there's a good reason for it," Julius said as he avoided some poison joke.

"And I can assure you that they are needed far more where they belong," John countered. "Look, if you don't believe me, I can show you where they belong. You're actually pretty close to their home right now," John offered as Julius raised an eyebrow. "Sounds odd, I know. Their home is a cave underneath Castle Astra, oh, or well, I suppose nowadays it's called The Castle of The Two Sisters," John corrected himself while laughing.

"That wouldn't be that old castle here, would it?" Julius asked. "I was thinking of fixing it up and moving in, but with everything that's going on, and the broken bridge and the odd feelings I've gotten from that place," Julius started to trail off.

"That's the castle. Though if you plan on moving in, have Luna do her purification magic all over that place. If you earnestly believe it'll help, do the purification rituals of your God, whatever they might be," John said; Julius could hear John rolling his eyes. "Don't give me that; purification magic is weird and works off of magical power and belief," John told Julius. "Look, go to the castle. Don't worry about the bridge; I'll carry you across both ways. I'll even guide you right to the cave," John offered.

"You seem pretty desperate to be going this far. Why ask me, and not a pony or a different creature?" Julius asked as he diverted to go to the castle.

"Oh, come on, you're better than that," John sighed. "I'm not asking another pony because, well, you know how they're like to non-ponies."

"Right, yeah. Stupid question on my part," Julius acknowledged.

"Agreed. As for a different creature, how many of those do you think live in Equestria? Look, I'm reaching out to you because in you I see a kindred spirit," John happily said. "Another who is perceived as an outsider. One who was lucky enough to get a chance, even if he had to risk his life for it," John sweetly told Julius.

"Oh come on, timberwolves are hardly threatening. Well, unless they come at you in a group of ten or more," Julius chuckled as he remembered the fight. "My back and arms still kinda hurt remembering that.

"Maybe so, but it doesn't change the fact that you risked your life to help a creature that, for all you knew, was hostile to you. Maybe, I'm hopeful that you'll extend the same courtesy to me," John sweetly said. "Tell you what. Since I'm such a nice guy, I'll sweeten the deal for you. Return the treasures, and I'll work on giving you a gift. I seem to remember that you were reading the Cadia books, and the Lord of the Rings books. I'll work on teleporting those books here for you," John offered.

"Wait, I thought you said that you couldn't get me things from my world; why the change?" Julius suspiciously asked.

"I never said that, per se," John defensively said. "Pulling items from one universe to another is random. Sure my magic is naturally on the random side, but even for me, it's not something I can guarantee. Don't worry; if I pull anything weird out, I'll send it to my dimension. So what do you say?" John asked, seemingly smiling at Julius.

"I'll have to see," Julius said as he bit his tongue. "Whatever this being is, he sure is trying to tempt me-," Julius started to think.

"Yes, I am. I just think that you should get paid for your hard work," John happily said, much to Julius's surprise. "Forgot that you were talking to me by me reading your thoughts, didn't you?" John knowingly asked.

"Yes, I did," Julius said as he facepalmed. Briskly continuing through the Everfree Forest, Julius quickly came to the broken bridge. "So, uhhh, how are you going to carry me across?" Julius asked as a soft plaid magic aura surrounded him. Lifting him into the air, Julius was levitated across the gap to the other side. "Ah, OK, levitation was my second guess," Julius laughed.

"What was your first, a magical bridge repair?" John asked as Julius sheepishly looked away. "Oh, come now. I'm a magical spirit of the land, the embodiment of a fundamental force that's required for the land to function properly. I am not a magical carpenter sent here to redeem your sins," John mockingly said as Julius tried to give him an angry look. "Oh, you look so cute when you're mad. Like a puppy who got a little scrap of power," John laughed as Julius walked to the castle. "Follow the path lead down; there should be stairs," John directed as Julius came to a break in the path.

"Hey, listen," Julius started to protest. "First, I'm pretty strong. Second, if you know me, then you know not to diminish Jesus like that," Julius growled.

"What? With your communion involving eating the flesh and drinking the blood of your God for salvation, would you prefer me to call Him your vampire savior?" John joked as Julius scowled.

"Will you shut up, man!" Julius angrily sighed as he continued along the path. Walking down the stone stairs, Julius felt something. Vaguely, it felt like Twilight and her friends, only all of them combined and somehow polarized to John.

"What you're feeling is the energy of my other half," John told Julius. "Albeit, a lot weaker than it should be," John sighed. "If Tranquility were at her full power, then the Everfree Forest would have been returned to the Everbright Forest," John again sighed, this time seeming a little angry as Julius looked oddly in the direction of his voice. "Oh, ignore me, just the ramblings of an ancient spirit," John sighed. "Please, continue. Though if it's all the same, I'll wait outside that cave. Tranquility and I don't exactly get along," John said as Julius heard some whistling coming from behind him. Sparing a quick look behind him before entering the cave, Julius saw nothing. Shrugging, Julius entered the cave.

Walking into the cave, Julius felt a very odd sense of calm overcome him. He felt like he was at peace, and yet, somehow, it felt off. It was as if he were intruding into a calm meadow, walking deeper into the cave, the feeling kept getting stronger. Coming to a large, mostly clear area, Julius saw a great crystal tree. The tree emanated with primal energy, and yet, it felt weakened. Walking up to the tree, Julius spotted six indentations in the tree, as if something was carved out of it.

"Well, I can guess where these treasures are supposed to go," Julius said as he approached the tree. "Strange, these holes seem familiar. I could swear that I've seen them somewhere before," Julius said as he stood right under the tree. "No idea what you are; if you're Tranquility or something else. But it's clear that you've lost a lot of energy," Julius said as he touched the tree.

"You're not supposed to be here," a voice said from behind Julius. Swiftly turning around, Julius spotted the glimmering outline of a pony.

"Who, or what are you? And why does your voice sound like Twilight and her friends layered over each other? And why exactly don't I belong here?" Julius asked as he turned around.

"I am the spirit of harmony, Tranquility," the spirit told Julius. "I sound like those six due to them being the element bearers and them not having a proper leader yet. Though, if tradition holds, Twilight will end up becoming the leader. She's usually the element of magic. As for you not belonging here, it means what it means. You are a human; humans have never existed in this universe, nor were they ever supposed to," Tranquility told Julius.

"Yeah, well, Carlos Mencia was never supposed to have a comedy career, and it happened anyway," Julius shot back, "besides, even if I wanted to return to my world, I can't. Literally, no stable way exists. And so what if humans aren't supposed to be in this universe? We live in Australia, have you any idea what's there? Mini jellyfish that sting you, then, five minutes later, you're dead. Multiple animals exist nearly everywhere, all of whom are venomous. And don't even get me started on the dingos," Julius told Tranquility. "Besides, I lived my whole life in Canada. Have you any idea how cold it can get there? I've experienced seven-foot-tall snow before. And negative forty-degree temperatures. What's that spirit, celsius or fahrenheit? How about both in the same day," Julius loudly said. "So yeah, I might not belong here, but I'm here anyway. There's no chance that I'll get drafted into a war I want nothing to do with, to support a government that's hostile to me. Granted, Equestria isn't perfect, but I don't have to worry about all the bullshit happening in my world," Julius sighed.

"Uhhh, isn't negative forty degrees the same in celsius and fahrenheit?" Tranquility asked in minor confusion.

"That's the joke," Julius facepalmed.

"I see," Tranquility responded. "Regardless, you don't belong here," Tranquility insisted. "You speak of dangerous animals in this Australia. Trust me, in this world, there are animals that are far more dangerous. Manticores, ursa majors, ursa minors, and timberwolves are just the ones you've encountered. Trust me, there are far worse waiting. Bugbears, chimeras, cockatrices, cyclopes, and worse," Tranquility told Julius.

"Yeah, they might exist, but that's OK. I'll just avoid them," Julius brushed off.

"There's also fly-ders," Tranquility flatly said.

"Are those," Julius started to ask as Tranquility nodded. "OK, OK, that's OK," Julius repeated. "So you have flying spiders, that's OK," Julius kept repeating. "That's, wait, that is OK. I have a Fluttershy," Julius laughed. "Your animals have no power over a Fluttershy. What was I worried about?" Julius snorted in derision.

"You're missing the point," Tranquility sighed. "There are dangers in this world that you aren't developed for, and this world isn't developed in such a way to accommodate you," Tranquility firmly stated.

"Again, so what? Humans exist wherever we want to. Hell, we have plans to terraform a planet so we can live there. Do you think a few spoopy animals will scare me off? Besides, I'm adapting well enough," Julius defended.

"what if I told you that there might be a way back to your world?" Tranquility asked. "My other half, Discord, its magic can open portals to different dimensions. Mine can stabilize it. If you can convince Discord to go along with it, then we can return you to your rightful home," Tranquility offered. Thinking about it for more than a few moments, Julius finally spoke up.

"No," Julius firmly said. "I'm not going back. Sure, I'm leaving family behind, and yes, there are people and things that I want to bring to this world. But I won't go back, at least not to stay. I can see the writing on the wall. You think I'm not welcomed here, hah, in my own country I'm less and less welcomed by the year. Here, this world is a chance for a new start, a fresh start. A start where instead of being judged for things I've never done; things I find abhorrent, I can be judged on who I am," Julius stated as Tranquility started to speak up. "No, stay your tongue. I don't care if you are some spirit of the land. I'm speaking, and for now, I shall speak boldly, roaring like a lion," Julius firmly stated as he grabbed Tranquility's vague muzzle. "Why I was brought here, I have no idea. But I choose to believe that it was for greater things. I choose to believe that I was chosen to help a different world and, hell, maybe give humanity a new start. Maybe find my own way to bring good honest humans to this world, where they can live in peace. Sure, I might be entirely wrong, and this was all random chance. That the collective multiverse, or whatever, is just having a massive laugh at the expense of some random foolish human. But I choose to believe that I was chosen, whether I'm right or wrong. You can keep your offer of sending me back to my world. It's a world that has long since forsaken me, here not so. Here I have a future, and I intend to see it shine bright," Julius firmly said as he went to leave the cave. "Our meeting is done," Julius flatly said, looking forward as he left the cave. Walking a few steps out of the cave, Julius heaved a sigh of relief and fell to his knees.

"Oh God, I'm in way over my head," Julius said as he held his head. "What was I thinking?" Julius started to lament as a familiar laugh came from around him.

"You were listening to your instincts," John heartily laughed. "Instead of bowing to some being, you stood up, spit in its face, and soldiered on, like a good little human. Oh, I couldn't be more proud," John laughed as Julius picked himself up.

"You know, in the cave, Tranquility mentioned Discord. I'm guessing that's you," Julius said as he slowly brushed the dirt off his pants.

"Ugh," John sighed. "You know, my other half can be so boring sometimes. Yes, it's true, I am the spirit of chaos and disharmony, the purveyor of pandemonium, lord of lawlessness, earl of turmoil, bringer of bedlam, Discord!" Discord triumphantly said.

"Of course, figures," Julius sighed.

"Oh, don't be like that," Discord scoffed. "Believe it or not, I'm actually on your side. I'm team human! Hyoo-ma-nuh-tee! Hyoo-ma-nuh-tee! Imagine me waving flags with 'Humanity' on them," Discord chanted.

"Why are you on my side? And why should I believe you?" Julius asked as he started to go up the stone steps.

"Normally, I wouldn't be on any creature's side. But with humanity, I think I found my creatures," Discord happily said. "You're such wonderful balls of self-contained chaos and creativity that I just can't help myself. Always going on about, 'Ordahhhh, Ordahhhh'!" Discord said in a very British voice. "But then, turning around and destroying that order the first chance you get. Oh sure, your kind commonly takes part in war, the most boring kind of chaos, but no creature can be perfect," Discord assured Julius. "As for believing me. Well, aside from buying your services, I'm kind of tired of this game," Discord started to explain. "You see, I'm going to break free of this accursed stone prison sooner or later. What was going to happen was, I get a day or two of chaos, then, your little herd blast me back into it. But then, a human, you, came along, and I got a better idea," Discord continued to explain as he started to levitate Julius across the broken bridge. "You see, instead of repeating the same song and dance, I would break free, pledge my loyalty to you, and just bask in the chaos that you make. And who knows, maybe help you a little along the way," Discord told Julius as he set Julius down on the other side.

"You really expect me to believe that?" Julius asked in thought as his feet touched the ground.

"Oh, for Scorpan's sake," Discord sighed. "I'm buying your services; I'm extending a helping limb in goodwill; what more do you want?" Discord asked. "What do I also have to birth one of your crotch spawn too? I'd really rather not; I much prefer my male form," Discord told a confused Julius.

"How can you bear children you're male?" Julius asked as he rubbed his temples in mental pain.

"True, I am male now, but spirits can pick and choose our form; why Tranquility has appeared as Celestia, Luna, Starswirl, Clover the Clever, and Gusty the Great, to name a few. I have taken a female form a few times, but I don't much care for it. Honestly, the thought of bearing any creature's crotch spawn for six and three-eighths months gives me shudders," Discord said to a more confused Julius.

"I, I, why six and three-eighths, and, I, why, what?" Julius stammeringly asked as he massaged his temples.

"Because it's weird and random. Come now, get with the program," Discord said. "Look, I can see you have a lot on your plate, with the whole, 'I must rescue the Apple parents to get in Applejack's snatch' and all," Discord said in a mockery of Julius's voice. "So you can ignore this for now. But keep in mind, a time will come where an opportunity will present itself. And I'll be ever so grateful if you take it. Trust me, being trapped in stone seriously sucks," Discord huffed. "For now, though, I shall be leaving you. As a personal favor, don't tell any creature about me. Celly and Lulu still don't really like me all that much, and it would just make things awkward for you," Discord said as Julius heard a *snap*. "One more thing," Discord said in a mock Chinese voice. "Ask your zebra mare, Zecora, about spirits. If I remember, the major Zebrican, or Farasian, or whatever they're calling themselves, their major religion is based around spirits and spirit worship," Discord told Julius. "Well, until our next meeting, so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye," Discord sang as his voice faded away.

"Good God, I was too sober today," Julius moaned as he mentally recovered. Taking several long minutes, Julius slowly recovered and made his way to Zecora's house.