Wish Gone Awry. Enter Equestria! Enter New Life!

"Alright, I know this is a castle and all, but why is it so labyrinthine? Like, this castle isn't going to be used in a defensive role. If anything, it's a residential castle," Julius asked as he followed Twilight through the twisting corridors.

"Originally, Castrum Canterlot de Nova Lux was built to protect a small central village. Before the building of the castle, Canterlot was a relatively small village. The original capital has been lost since roughly Luna's banishment. So Celestia made Canterlot the new capital. It makes sense; it is centrally located. Anyways, the castle was originally made for defense, but it no longer needs to fulfill that role. Still, I'd imagine that there are many secrets hidden deep within these walls," Twilight explained as she led the group through the halls. "If you listen to Alex Pones, then somewhere deep under the castle are crystal caves. And in those caves is an ancient race who secretly controls the country. And they're waiting for the right time to reveal themselves and take control of the world," Twilight said while laughing.

"You know, there's someone from my world Alex Pones just has to meet," Julius said with a chuckle. "Seriously, those two would hit it off in ways I cannot even comprehend," Julius said as Twilight took a deep breath, smelling the scent of fresh flowers.

"We're close to the gardens," Twilight sighed as she released her breath. "Maybe, but I doubt that they'd get along too well. As of the past, oh, six or so months, Alex Pones has been putting out articles on this 'ancient race' and how they've been both helping and controlling ponykind ever since the mythical days of Dream Valley," Twilight said while laughing. "According to her, these 'Homo Sapiens' helped beat Grogar, Tirac, the Smooze, and a bunch of other mythical, non-existent beings," Twilight said with a chuckle as Julius looked wide-eyed at her.

"I'm sorry; what was this mythical ancient race called?" Julius asked as his lips quivered.

"Homo Sapiens, why?" Twilight said as Julius doubled over in hysterical laughter.

"Well, I can tell you this much," Julius huffed out through teary-eyed laughter. "Homo Sapiens definitely exist. I should know; I've met many," Julius said as he laughed.

"Where? In The Everfree Forest?" Twilight asked as Julius laughed.

"In The Everfree Forest, I've been for quite some time. Homo Sapiens I've never spotted, neither infirm nor in prime. A great many creatures I've learned of, and a greater more I've met. Alas, a Homo Sapien is one that to meet I've yet," Zecora said as Julius tried to collect himself.

"OK, OK, I think I'm fine," Julius huffed as his laughter died down. "Alright, you probably aren't going to believe me, but there's a Homo Sapien here. I've seen him not too long ago," Julius said in a warning, stern voice.

"Really? Where? If it's really here, I have so many questions to ask it!" Twilight excitedly said as she clapped her hooves.

"Well, Twilight," Julius said as he looked around, ensuring that nocreature was watching them. After he was sure that the coast was clear, he pulled Twilight, Zecora, and Aloysia into a huddle. "Homo Sapien is just the scientific name for Human," Julius whispered as he nodded his head.

"What," the three ponies flatly said.

"Yeah. Though how stories of us got here, I've no idea. Before you start asking questions, I had never heard of a world of talking animals until I came here. Maybe Pones just ended up using the same name as us? I mean, we seem to have an extremely similar language," Julius reasoned.

"Yeah, yeah, you're probably right," Twilight sighed.

"According to the stories, Grogar, Tirac, The Smooze, and the other mythical beings, these Homo Sapiens are alleged to have helped beat, are far beyond your capabilities," Aloysia calmly said. "According to Princess Platimum, those beings could only be beaten by the combined strength of all ponykind and some outside help," Aloysia said as the three others looked at her. "Luna and Celestia's mother said she was alive back in Dream Valley, but I always questioned that," Aloysia sighed. "Though, she did say that some strange ghost-like ponies caused a terrible winter that forced the ponies to leave Dream Valley. I'm guessing that those were Windigoes. I'm also guessing that she was just telling tales again to teach the sisters through stories," Aloysia sighed. "Anyways, I have preparations to do; give Fancy Pants my regards," Aloysia said as she faded into the shadows.

"Hah, even in this world, things get lost to the mists of times," Julius mirthlessly laughed. "Best put it behind us; a noble apparently wants to talk with me. Seriously, why, and how had he heard of me?" Julius sighed.

"Fancy Pants said that he has his sources, nothing more than that," Twilight told Julius. "Don't worry, Fancy Pants is a good noble. He's been a friend of my family for years. He's been trying to push through some reforms, but it hasn't been easy for him," Twilight explained.

"Oh, I get it. I'm to be a political bargaining chip," Julius sighed as he followed Twilight.

"How bad are the politics in your world for you to be so melancholic about it?" Twilight asked as she approached the garden doors.

"Well, I'd tell you, but I'm pretty sure Celestia and Luna have most, if not all, information about my world on lockdown. Safe to say, a rock would be a better politician. Honestly, I'd be OK if The Rock became a world leader," Julius said with a laugh.

"I'm guessing there's a person named The Rock?" Twilight quizzically said.

"Well, that's his stage name. The best way to describe him, fuse the personalities of Big Mac, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity, and put that into a human body," Julius said as Twilight led the group into the gardens.

"Sounds weird. I'm guessing it would make more sense if we see him," Twilight said as she walked towards a gazebo with two ponies under it. "Oh, there's Fancy Pants, and it looks like Fleur de Lis is with him," Twilight said as she and the group walked up to the two ponies.

"Ah, Twilight, I thought that I heard your voice. I take it that you are with company," Fancy Pants said as he relaxed on a plush blanket.

"I am. I brought Julius and Zecora. Oh, and ummm, Aloysia gives her regards," Twilight explained as she walked up to the two ponies.

"Ah, the dark matron. Always good to hear from her," Fancy Pants said with a nod as he turned his head towards Twilight. "I've heard that you were a tall one, and you certainly are. I'm Fancy Pants. If you want to be formal, Arch-Duke Fancy Pants," Fancy Pants said as he introduced himself.

"And I'm Julius, not sure if I have a title, though; I think I might be a consort. And you know what, I'm OK with that. After all, I'm just a sexy boy, a sexy boytoy," Julius slightly sang as Twilight and Zecora stifled a laugh, and Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lis gave him a look. "What can I say? I think I'm cute; I know I'm sexy."

"Well, considering who you have in your herd, you're probably not wrong. Forgive me, but I'm only into the opposite sex," Fancy Pants said with a hum. "Now then, on to the business at hoof. From what I've heard, things in Ponyville are a bit, hmmm, awkward for you. I get it; Ponyville is a quaint enough hamlet, but it's a bit slow to change, even by Equestrian standards. But, all this is second hoof information. What do you have to say about it?" Fancy Pants asked as he looked at Julius.

"Well, uhhh, I guess. To be fair, even in my world, I was a bit awkward. I mean, I got work, kind of, I got some ideas that I want to put to use, and I might be able to. I got a few places to stay and a decent herd, still growing. My only real complaint is that things can get rather dull. Though, to be fair, I had to give up my laptop and things right away. Shame, too; I was looking forward to playing through Book of Mario, oh well," Julius said with a shrug.

"I see; I'm guessing those are all things from your world. And that, with context, we'd understand it better," Fancy Pants hummed. "If things ever get bad for you, let me know. I may not be one of the princesses, but I still have a kind of leverage that they don't quite have," Fancy Pants offered as Fleur levitated a rolled-up paper to Fancy Pants. "Right, thank you, dear. Here, I'd like you to take a look at this and tell me what you think of it," Fancy Pants said as he rolled out the paper.

"Well, it just seems to be a map of Equestria," Julius hummed as he looked over the map. "Divided by the different duchies, baronies, and such," Julius hummed. "Wait, wait, wait, what's that. What is that? What is that!" Julius asked as he pointed at a symbol on the map.

"It looks like a forward operations base," Twilight said as she looked at the same spot.

"It is, but it's marked as being a forward operations base against the Changeling Hives. Despite that, it's nowhere near the Equestrian-Hives border. If anything, it's closer to the Equestria-Buffalo border, and even then, it's a bit far back to be an effective forward operations base," Julius commented.

"Good catch," Fancy Pants complimented. "That base has a bit of a colored history," Fancy Pants hummed. "It's a forward operation base on paper. But in practice, it's a base that nobles can send their sons so that their sons can say that they served on the frontlines. It's far enough back from any possible frontline that they should be completely safe. As for the base commander, well, he's loyal to Celestia if nothing else," Fancy Pants sighed.

"Loyal but thoroughly incompetent. I swear, I could 'sneak' into that base just by walking through the front gates. No wonder that base's funding is as low as it is," Fleur sighed as she shook her head.

"Indeed, as could I," Fancy Pants said in agreement. "Still, it is good that you caught that," Fancy Pants said as he looked at Julius. "From what I've heard, you did seem to have some military experience; from that, there must be at least some there," Fancy Pants speculated.

"Well, kind of. My father served, and I was in cadets," Julius shrugged. "That and I like history, even if our's is on the dark side," Julius bitterly chuckled.

"That's good to hear. It's good to know that my assessment of you in that regard was correct," Fancy Pants smiled. Walking over to the map, Fancy Pants pointed at the duchy right on the Equestrian-Hives border. "That is the Acornage March, my duchy. Now, understandingly, with tensions between Equestria and the Hives being as they are, I am worried about security. The Equestrian defense budget is, at best, barely adequate. While the Marches get the majority of the funding, it's still nowhere enough. Most of the experts in Equestria don't have anything practical to add. So I was hoping that you might have some ideas," Fancy Pants said as he looked at Julius.

"Well, maybe," Julius hummed. "I mean, I'd have to survey the defenses already in place, look at the funding, consider the available technology, review the terrain, then there's the public opinion," Julius hummed and hawed. "Still, even with minimum funding, I think I could offer several suggestions. If you could pull in, ummm, enough funding to build several forts, then I could probably suggest a solid defensive line. Wouldn't work in my world now, but it should be quite helpful to you," Julius suggested. "Trap any invaders in this world's version of Verdun," Julius dryly laughed.

"I've stored away enough bits to build ten solid forts. So far, most experts have suggested building an absurd number of forts, but that quickly gets expensive, and the public would never allow it, even if they need it. Still, I put away bits in hopes of hearing a plan that I can work with," Fancy Pants told Julius.

"Well, if the terrain allows for it, and the airspace can be secured, maybe five to ten forts is all you'll need. Well, those and some shovels, a lot of ponies, some engineers, and hard work," Julius suggested.

"Hmmm, interesting. I'm guessing this is coming from something in your kind's past," Fancy Pants hummed.

"Yes, a race. A race to the sea," Julius told Fancy Pants.

"Given the context, that sounds like a weird race," Fancy Pants hummed. "Ah well, this has been rather heavy for our first conversation. How about we go out around Canterlot? I know a few good places around here," Fancy Pants offered.

"Well, as long as you don't mind ten military mares guarding me, I'm up for it," Julius said as Twilight and Zecora nodded.

"Fantastic. Let's head out then, shall we?" Fancy Pants said as Fleur got up from the blanket.

"After you, dear," Fleur said as she ushered Fancy Pants forward before following him. "Come now. I believe I know where Fancy is taking us," Fleur confidently said as Julius, Twilight, and Zecora followed the two nobles.