What am I Supposed to do Now

Chapters

Chapter 1 : Death
Chapter 2 : Birth
Chapter 3 : Friends
Chapter 4 : Transformation
Chapter 5 : Ponyville

Chapter 1 : Death

I've always liked thunderstorms, not so much driving in them though. Technically I'm not driving, I'm in the passenger seat; the lovebirds are in the back, and my 'blind date' is driving. We're coming back from a party we double dated to. We didn't drink much at all really, only like one drink each. My friend Michael tried to drink more, but his girlfriend, Erica, tactfully distracted him. I didn't want to drink at all but my date 'pressured' me to, not that it took too much effort. She had a Long Island Iced tea. I think she only had one, but I wasn't paying much attention; we each paid for our own drinks. I had a Bay Breeze, didn't like it. I don't have any moral qualms to drinking or anything, I just hate the taste. I don't know what Mike and his girlfriend had, but neither wanted to drive. I don't drive much regularly, and my date seemed pretty eager to. I have no idea why Mike thought I would like her. She looks alright, but is loud and says things without thinking what she's actually saying. Maybe he just picked her in the first place because she had a car and was willing to drive. The rain is pounding on the windshield; we're all pretty quiet, music softly playing in the background.

I glance over to my date, she is giggling to herself. ''What's up?'' she looks over to me in response and points back over her shoulder. Mike and his girlfriend are cuddling together, asleep. I wonder how much they actually had to drink.

''I had a lot of fun.'' she reaches up and brushes some loose strands of hair behind her ear. Now she's speaking quietly? Maybe because they're sleeping in the back? At least that makes her considerate. I return my attention to the storm outside, and my thoughts.

I look back from my window a moment later and see her staring at me through the side of her eye, waiting for a response i guess. ''Yeah, it was pretty fun. Next time let's go somewhere a little quieter.'' She seemed to light up at the idea of another date. I didn't actually think we got along all that great. But I have nothing better to do, and it actually was kind of fun; it's worth finding more about her, even though I don't actually remember her name; I'll get it from Mike later. I look back out the window, a stop light warning. It's raining pretty hard. ''Lets slow down a bit, I'm not in any rush''. she's oblivious. Humming to herself, smiling. Eh, whatever, I'm sure she can handle it. I lean back and rest on the head of the seat.

This car is riding is so smoothly, it's so relaxing; ''OhmyGod OhmyGod Ohmygod!'' I look over to see my date frantically turning the wheel back and fourth ''It's not moving? It's not moving!''

The engine is rearing as if she is pushing the gas, ''Hold the wheel straight and push the break on and off, break!'' we're careening toward a red light unable to stop. As I attempt to stabilize the wheel, I look over my shoulder and see a Mac Truck for an instant coming at us from the side. I have no idea where I am, what position my body is in. I'm being tossed around as if I were nothing, everything spinning. Screeching and screams are all I hear. Broken glass, flying metal. At some point my seat belt must have snapped. I'm weightless, then I hit the ground hard. It's muddy; I can hardly move; I can't hear. The only thing I feel is rain on my face, the rest of me is numb. I stare at the dark stormy sky, lightning flashes. Something else flashes, closer to the ground. I tilt my head and see a fire. The car I was just in, and a tanker car, where is everyone else? I can't be the only one. My vision starts to fade out, I'm being lifted, hear distant voices

''The damage is pretty bad. I don't think he's going to make it, just keep him comfortable''

''What about the others?''

''2 passengers D.O.A. The driver should make it, and this ones clock is ticking.''

I tried to open my eyes, say something. Nothing, no reaction. What do those guys know anyway? Medical Doctors are full of themselves, I'll survive this. I can feel it, this isn't the end. I lay in silence a little longer. Should I rest? I'm not sure what to do in this situation. I'm going to try to open my eyes again ... Whiteness. Everywhere I look is whiteness. I'm not even really laying on anything anymore. Am I dreaming? Suddenly noise erupted all round me, filling my head.

''YOU ARE NOT ASLEEP YOUNG ONE"

What?! God? ''who is that? Where are you?''

''I AM EVERYWHERE, AND CONSIST OF EVERYONE''

Ok, just chill John. You're sleeping, or in a coma or something

''YOU ARE NOT ASLEEP''

''Then what is going on!? Why am I not with everyone else, or in Hell!?''

I was answered with silence. Giving me time to find my bearings? Come to grip with things? Well it's probably best he, .. It ... they don't answer right now. I have a headache. O.K. so let's think about this. I died?, and am in some sort of purgatory. I'm not on fire, so that's a plus. And this God thing wants to talk to me, that's pretty cool I guess, makes me a little special.

''YOU ARE SPECIAL'' ''THE GOD OF ANOTHER UNIVERSE HAS TAKEN INTEREST IN YOU''

Ugh, my head. I guess I don't need to actually speak, this thing can apparently read my mind. So ... there are multiple Gods, and for some reason one is interested in me. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. ''So what now?''

''YOU HAVE A CHOICE'' ''EITHER EXIST IN MY HEAVEN, OR LIVE IN THEIR WORLD''

Live in their world? So I'll have a new life? What is their world like?

''IT IS A WORLD OF YOUR CHOOSING''

This feels like a riddle or something. I don't want him to elaborate too much because I don't need my head to explode, but everything is so vague, with one piece of information at a time. Let me prepare my head for response real quick. ''If a specific God of a specific world has taken an interest in me, how am I able to choose what world I'll go to? Won't I automatically have to go to their world?''

''THEY TRUST THAT THE WORLD OF YOUR CHOOSING WILL BE THEIR WORLD''

''Do others have this choice?''

''FEW HAVE THIS PRIVILEGE''

''What will I do there?''

''LIVE DIE AND EXIST WITH THEM''

So this other god wants my soul I take it. And I have to live there in order for it to have my soul. ''which existence will be better for me?''

''YOU MAY EXIST IN EITHER BOTH OR NEITHER AS YOU CHOOSE'' ''THE PRICE FOR BEING ABLE TO EXIST WITH THEM IS LIVING AND DIEING WITH THEM''

''I can choose any world I can think of? Even one of fantasy?''

''YES''

''Can I request that another have this choice also?''

''YOU MAY REQUEST''

''I request that my friends Michael and Erica also have this choice''

''VERY WELL'' ''IT IS DONE''

... They're not here ''where are they?''

''THE MALE MADE HIS OWN CHOICE IN HIS OWN PLANE''

''THE FEMALE HAS CHOSEN TO EXIST IN HEAVEN''

That was fast, I guess time might not work the same in this place. Erica chose heaven? Well that's a good enough choice I guess. I was hoping Michael would show up here. we made an agreement on what world we would choose together if something like this were to happen, but that was a long time ago. He's probably going to pick a different world or something, but oh well. I'll keep my side of the deal, regardless of how embarrassing it may be to bring it up with god. ''I choose the world of My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic. A television program on Earth. I'd like to be a Male Unicorn, Living in Equestria if possible'' I can feel myself blushing as I say it. There is more silence as I wait for a response, my old life already seeming to fade away.

''VERY WELL'' ''YOU WILL ARRIVE IN YOUR CHOSEN LAND''

''Thank you! Is there anything I need to know about that land before I arrive?''

''THE LAND IS NOT EXACTLY AS YOU IMAGINE'' ''AND THEIR GOD IS UNLIKE US''

''what do you mean?''

''AS WE CHOSE TO EXIST OUTSIDE OF YOUR REALM, THE GOD OF EQUESTRIA CHOOSES TO LIVE AMONG THE SUBJECTS'' ''KNOW THAT THE RULES OF THIS LAND ARE NOT THE SAME AS OURS AND THAT YOUR WILL IS WHAT GOVERNS YOUR POWER AND FORM''

Now I'm a little weary at that sketchy information. ''can you tell me if Michael has chosen that land?''

''IT IS IRRELEVANT'' ''PREPARE TO DEPART''

Chapter 2 : Birth

Well, now or never. "I'm ready." I close my eyes and get ready to feel pain, or whatever it is that is about to happen. I begin to spin, or at least it feels like I'm spinning. I can no longer feel my body as I'm whisked around powerless to stop it. I remember what I was told. 'your will is what governs your power and form' I'm not powerless! I had a strong will in my previous life, and I am going to have a strong will in my next. I force myself to stop spinning. I slowly still myself. I'm still unable to feel my body, but no longer feel as powerless.

I need to form my body. A sense of self is present now, I feel a torso. Stretch out my arms and legs before me. I refuse to be weak in this new world. I will be a powerful Unicorn. I begin to form my head. In my mind I see my pony body taking definite form. I will be relevant in this world; I will be useful; I will be needed. I can see my silhouette in my mind. My power will be great! I will reach beyond anypony! I feel my body begin to solidify.

I will be able to contend with any creature of Equestria! My power will surpass even that of the mightiest of dragons! My body finally forms. I try and breath, but feel as though my lungs are on fire. The fire spreads throughout my body, my head seems like it is splitting in two as I feel myself falling downward. The pain travels to my spine, where the fire bursts out of my back. I'm falling apart. Is this what it's like being born? The searing pain continues down, farther and farther. Lighting coursing through my entire body. I hit the ground softer than I thought I would, but still abruptly. My head feels numb, my body limp.

The last of the pain seems to be seeping out of somewhere. My tail? I have a tail? I guess it would be odd if I didn't have one. Fatigue is now all I really feel. This kind of sucks. I slowly open my eyes. Blurry. Everything looks kind of blurry. And dull, like a tinge of grey is over everything. I guess ponies have pretty bad eyesight. Maybe that's why everything is so colorful in the show, to compensate for poor vision. I see trees at least, and the forest doesn't seem very dense. The numbness is wearing off, and that throbbing feeling in my scull is becoming harder and harder to ignore. I bring my hand up to my forehead. It's hard ... A hoof.

I'm laying on my back, with three of my hooves sprawled out around me, and one resting on my head. This probably isn't the best place to sleep, I have no clue where I am. I roll over to my stomach and try to stand. *trip* I fall on my face, damn. I was hoping doing things would come natural. I guess I have to focus. I look at the two hooves in front of me. I put them hoof down on the ground. I can't see my back hooves, but I think I got this. I pull my knees toward me, and wobbly put the hooves right side on the ground. Its so awkward.

O.K. So I was just born, and am now learning to crawl on all fours, great. Let's take a step. *trip* damn. How the hell do horses and ponies walk? I have no idea. I stand up again and look down at my hooves. I move my front right hoof a step, now my left. ... now I'm stretched. Back right, back left. O.K., I guess that worked a little, now let's try a little faster. Right, left, right, left, right, *trip* damn.

I guess I got the order wrong. Let's try this again. I think that I need to move my front and back at the same time, and keep the weight distribution pretty even. So I'm going to move my front right and my back left, letting the other legs hold my weight. I'll start off with a slow walk. I scrunch my face and get ready to trip again, but I don't this time. I awkwardly step along through the woods for a bit, taking in the scenery.

Things aren't as blurry now, but still pretty grey. I can see the colors. I know the leaves are green, but it's a dull green. The grass is pretty short, maybe this is the Whitetail Woods; The tame woods near ponyville. That would be convenient, I'm sure Michael would go to ponyville to meet up with me. Actually, I'm not even sure if Michael knows I'm here. Hell, I don't even know if he's here. At least there is a path up ahead. That should lead me somewhere.

As I come up to the path I now have a choice, left or right. I would flip a coin, but I am now unable to flip coins; plus I'm penniless, or bitless anyway. I have a feeling I ought to go left for some odd reason, so I decide to head right for shits and giggles; I can always turn around if I need to. It has gotten alot easier to walk now, my mind finally wrapping around the idea of having four feet. One of my favorite things to do on earth was look around at the scenery, i just hope I don't get too bored walking this path. This scenery doesn't look like anything special; just little bushy top trees. Let's see if I cast some magic, I ought to be a unicorn.

I stop and focus on a stone on the ground, telling it to float. Nothing happens. I stare at it more. Nothing happens. I walk up and kick it. The stone goes skidding down the path. There, ... it moved. I should probably make sure I even have my horn before I try to use magic. Lets see, can I see it going cross eyed and looking up. I derp around for a little bit looking cross eyed up at the sky. Nope, can't see it, only a red mane.

It's supposed to be sticking out in front of me, so if I gently put my forehead against a tree, it should bump against it. I walk up to a nearby tree next to the path and gently put my snout up against it. I slowly inch forward rolling my head forward, my forehead slowly gets closer and closer to the trunk of the tree until my forehead is completely pressed up against the tree. Damn it! Did something get screwed up? Maybe I just have a little baby horn that doesn't go past my damn crown.

I trot up and kick the stone, it goes flying into a bush. *thunk* ... *growl* ...uh-oh. A medium sized bear stalks around the bush, a rather large lump forming on the top of his head. "Oh, umm, sorry about that." can this thing even understand me? I know the ponies talk to animals sometimes. Little tear drops are forming at the corner of the bears angry eyes as it continues to growl and draw closer. O.K. what are you supposed to do if a bear attacks? Play dead? I think that's a last resort.

You need to make yourself look big and tough, so the bear leaves you alone. I puff out my chest and speak up "yeah I kicked that rock, and I'm probably going to kick another one later." This had no effect on the bear as it walked forward and I backward. I can't really wave my hands around or grab a big stick. I'm going the neigh and rear my hooves up, nothing want's to kicked in the face by a horse ... or a pony.

I snort and stomp my hooves, it's not very effective. My haunches bump against a tree trunk as the bear get's ever closer. It's all or nothing now. I neigh loudly and rear up on my hind hooves, my body clenches and I feel my back flare out and stretch past my body. The young bear is startled by this show and scurries off, it's anger having some time to dwindle during the slow chase.

Wings? So I have wings now? *face hoof* at least I don't have a dinky baby horn for everypony to make fun of, and it's still better than being an Earth pony. No offence to any Earth ponies of course. Well, now that my heart is started I guess I better get going. Not two seconds after I began walking back down the path did I hear more scurrying in the brush. I saw the young bear teary eyed pointing in my direction, and behind it ... uh-oh.

I began running down the path as a big mama bear came charging after me. Ponies are pretty fast but I'm new to running, and the bear was catching up fast. Maybe these wings are a godsend, let's hope I don't screw this up. I clenched my back and flared out my wings. Thrust, lift, drag, thrust, lift, drag, I got this! I began flapping my wings, clenching to flare, and pulling forward to lift.

A rhythm started to form and I found myself picking up speed, flying in to the air. It's a little harder than I would have liked, Ponies are too heavy to fly. It doesn't really make sense that I can, then again a mammal having feathers doesn't make sense either, so what the hay! It's definitely worth the effort. I'm not that high above the trees, but the wind in my face flowing through my mane; It puts my mind at ease. Makes me almost forget that a few seconds ago I was about to be mauled by a giant bear. I look down at the trees, it's beautiful. Even with this crappy vision I know its beautiful.

From the corner of my eye a pulsating red light in the distance snatches my attention. I just have to go see what that is. It's so much brighter than everything else, even the sun. I adjust my course to the glowing wonder. I'm almost not blinking as I approach it, I see the light shine through the trees, what the hell is it?, and why does it drill it's self right into my brain?

I land near the light, my first flying attempt was much more successful than my first walking attempt. The extrinsic motivation may have helped a little. I can see the light glowing behind a bush, another damn bush. I pace around it. Dirt. I see dirt, but I also see the glow. The glow is coming from under the dirt. Don't ask me how I see it, I haven't the foggiest. It doesn't look too deep, I'm going to dig it up. ... How the hell do I dig? I kick the ground for a few seconds, then stop. I can't help but feel like Rarity trying to dig. "I'm not afraid to get dirty!"

I push my hoof into the earth and use it as a shovel to scoop out dirt. After a few scoops the glowing is right under the dirt. I shove my face in the hole, almost drooling, ... hell I'll admit it, I was drooling. I used my hoof to brush away the dirt. "A FUCKING SNAKE!"

Chapter 3 : Friends

I fall back on my ass. I'm not overly afraid of snakes, but seeing that red eye glaring at me with such desire just stopped my heart for a second. I'm leaning back against a tree staring at the hole, waiting for the snake to slither out. I'm so wound up that my wings are frayed out behind me. Nothing is happening. The hole is still just glowing. I lean my head back and gently rest it against the tree trunk behind me. What is going on? This is so weird.

As I sit there zoning out I notice my wing frayed out beside me. No feathers. What the fuck? Pegasus's are supposed to have feathers, why do I just have thick red skin? They look more like bat wings than Pegasus wings. I know I was complaining that ponies aren't supposed to have feathers, but that didn't mean I wanted to be a freak.

I *thunk* my head back harder, to the point where a sharp pain shoots through my skull. I'm beginning to dislike this world. ... I'm stuck. I try to lift my head from the tree, but something is holding me there. I pull with more force, fear causing my adrenalin to pump a little bit. *pop* "Now what's going on?!" I turn around and look at the tree, there are two small holes where my head hit.

Holes? It looks like someone stabbed it with a knife or a pick. ... do I have two knives sticking out of my head? I try to reach my hoof up behind my head, but am not coordinated or flexible enough to do it. "And where the fuck is that snake!?" I get up and trot over to the gloving whole and glare inside it. The red eye is right there glaring back, full of anger. This time I don't back away, I keep glaring. Our little staring contest goes on for a few seconds with nothing happening, the eye peering back me seems to soften a little.

It just so happens my anger dispersed at the same moment. I reach down with my hoof and tap the eye. *clink* it's hard. I brush more dirt away, there is more read. I see a face, a pony face. A pony face with reptile like eyes and a puffy flowing mane is staring at me with a confused look on his face. There are two horns sticking out the front side of his head, pointing backwards. They look like unicorn horns, but are pointing in the wrong direction. I stick out my tongue. O.K, the pony's tongue is NOT forked, that's good. "I guess I can't help being the freak of Equestria".

I dig out the rest of the object, it's a gemstone. A mouthwatering gemstone. ... mouthwatering? *grumble grumble stomach* I guess I haven't eaten since ... Since I was born, anything would look mouthwatering right now. I hope this gem is worth something, I'll try and sell it when I get to a town. Right now I need to go find something to eat. I look at my sides for pockets or something to put the stone in ... no pants, great. I pick the stone up with my mouth and start walking toward a path I saw on my flight here.

Hmm, something tastes pretty good. This stone, tastes like cherries. It's so sweet! I put the stone down and start licking it. Is this some weird candy rock a filly buried out here for safe keeping? It looks just like the gemstones in the show though, and ponies don't eat gemstones. Only Dragons eat gemstones. And I'm a deformed pony, not a dragon. A deformed pony? Or a Dragon Pony? I stretch my wings out again and look over my shoulder. It's not really scales, just thick bumpy skin. The rest of me is covered in a light tan fur. My wings are definitely different; dragon like. My eyes look like a snake. A snake, ... or a Dragon!

My unicorn horns, look awfully like Dragon horns would look like. I hope they are still magic. So dragons eat gemstones, can I eat a gemstone? But dragons have those sharp teeth that seem to cut through gemstone somehow, pony teeth are for eating hay and stuff. Unless... I pick up the stone in between my hooves and look at my reflection. I lift up my lips and open my mouth. The front of my teeth are sharp as hell! But, the back look like molars, meant for grinding. Can I eat both things? Or will they clash and I won't be able to eat anything? One way to find out.

I close my eyes and bite hard into the stone using my front teeth. *crunch* I easily bite through the gem. It's awkward to chew with my front teeth, so I move the stone to the back. It's pretty tough, but my molars are able to crush into the stone into a delicious powder. I finish off the stone. That's pretty good, but I can't help but wonder how much I could have sold it for. ... what's with this greed? Another trait of the dragon? I guess I didn't only inherit the good things. How did this even happen? I don't know, and I don't even care right now. I'll figure it out later. I just have to get out of here, this place is starting to bother me.

I rear back, flare my wings and take off. The sky is so nice, Michael was right in wanting to be a Pegasus. The sky is clear, except that storm off to the left. It's actually a pretty hefty storm. Lightning flashes under the dark clouds in the distance, and something blue seems to be glowing inside the cloud. A blue gemstone? Inside a cloud? No, that doesn't make sense. I better go check it out, following the glowing thing worked out last time.

As I approach the storm I hear laughter echoing around. The sky growing darker and darker as I get closer. I can see some things I couldn't really see before. Under the clouds is a red glow, but unlike the one that drew me near, this one repels me. It looks like, ... looks like fire!, a raging fire in the forest. Maybe the Pegasus's made this storm to deal with the fires? I pick up my pace, maybe I can help. As I get closer I see that the dark clouds aren't even raining. What the hell? The eerie blue glow in the clouds is gone now that I'm just outside the range of the clouds.

They are moving pretty fast, moving away from the fires and toward a nearby city. Alright, let's get rid of this cloud. The lightning is only exacerbating the fire, and it's not even raining. Pegasus's buck the clouds to get rid of them, let's see if I can do anything. I use my powerful wings and launch myself towards the side of the dark grey cloud. I flip and collide with the cloud, kicking hard with my hind legs. A huge chunk of the cloud breaks apart and inside the crater I see piercing violet eyes gazing out at me.

"Boo." a lightning bolt erupts from the cloud behind the eyes and catches me in the chest. I drop to the ground like a ton of bricks, the laughing continues. A white male Alicorn with a dark blue mane bursts out from the top of the cloud. "And just what are supposed to be? I've never seen anything like you before, probably some kind of weapon sent by the evil queen." there is an insane look in his eye as he looks down at me, I still find it difficult to breath after that lightning bolt, let alone run or attack right now.

Wait, he's glowing blue, the kind of glow that sticks into my head. "Michael?" that caught his attention as the laughing stopped and his gaze fixated on me. He softly landed down next to me, his skeptical eyes unblinking. "John?"

"Damn Mike, I thought you were going to be a Pegasus." That hurt.

"Well, I thought you were going to be a Unicorn, what are you anyway?"

I'm just going to ignore his question. "Why are you shooting random things with lightning bolts, and what are you doing bringing violence to this world? I thought the reason we wanted to come here was because it was peaceful."

Michael's eyes widened and became serious, speaking in a hushed voice "It's not. Things die here all the time, I can see them all with these eyes. Ponies steal, rape and murder; They're just like people... And I'm going to stop it." Michaels mad grin returns. "I know how to stop it! Haha!, I'm going to take over and make my own laws. They have the power to maintain order, they just choose not to." He began laughing again as he reared his head back to the sky.

"We're supposed to endure and prevail over hardships, not just kill everything!"

"Without Erica, there is no reason to endure. I'm going to remake this world as I see fit." Michaels serious face was motionless for a second, before he Flapped his wings and burst into the sky.

"WHAT DOES THOU THINKEST THOU EST DOING" princess Luna can be seen high above the ground confronting Michael. Michal is saying something, but can't be heard. Luna however speaks clearly. "THOU HAS GONE MAD. CEASE THIS SENSELESS REBELLION AND SUBMIT!" Michael speaks a few more words and laughs. "I WILL PERMIT THEE TO HARM OUR SUBJECTS NO LONGER, PREPARE TO BE DEFEATED!" Luna shoots a lightning bolt from her horn at Michael, who deflects the attack with a hoof, sending it hurling in an unknown direction. This is repeated several times as Princess Luna attacks.

"Damn Michael, what are you doing, who knows where those lightning bolts are hitting" I continue watching the battle, feeling my strength return as Michael begins his offensive. He shoots a continuous stream of lightning out of his horn at Luna, who puts a barrier to absorb the blast. I can hear Michal laughing in the distance as two more streams of lightning erupt from his outstretched hooves.

Luna's barrier cracks and breaks under the onslaught as she is engulfed in lightning. The attacks stop and Luna's Limp body falls headfirst toward the ground. I'm stunned for a moment, awed at how Michael was actually able to beat one of the princesses. Then realize that I should probably go catch Princesses Luna before she breaks her neck.

I stretch my wings once again and hurl myself toward the falling Alicorn as she accelerates toward the ground; why do her wings have to be tucked in at a time like this? They could at least slow the fall. I catch the Princess, surprised at how much the goddess actually weighs as I bring her unconscious body to the ground. I don't think I'm able to fly her off to a more safe location. I look up toward Michael, a clump forming in my throat.

Chapter 4 : Transformation

Micheal flies down to the ground, his face indiscernible and horn glowing menacingly. His eyes are teary, but he has a manic grin. His head is tilted to the side as his horn glows brighter with energy. However, before the final blow is struck a white light erupts from city, blinding me for a second. The light is shining from the highest tower, and Celestia floats out and seems to ride the light over the gates to our location. Our eyes meet for a split second before Michael jumps into the air to confront her.

What am I doing down here? I should be up there helping Celestia. I don't want Michael to completely lose himself, I still think there is time to save him. As I prepare to take off, the clot growing more firm and a pressure building in my chest, I hear Celestia in my head. "not yet" was all she said. Their animated exchange continues a few more seconds before 3 lightning streams fly toward the Princess.

Celestia raises one hoof and creates a barrier which absorbs the 3 attacks, a small, mocking, smirk forming on her face. Michael, becoming enraged, lowers his head and lifts his hooves higher toward his horn combing the 3 streams of lightning into a single beam. The blue glow returns, Michael is glowing blue. Now!

I feel my chest explode as I open my mouth and propel the clot that formed in my throat. The flaming amorphous mucous heads directly toward Michael, a furious eye parting away from Celestia has he flings a hoof over and forms a barrier. My flaming mucous splatters over his barrier. A light which I can only describe as holy bursts from Celestias entire body, completely masking Michaels existence. Neither his body nor my blue light can be seen in the encompassing aura. "No!", I flare my wings and launch myself toward Michael. I don't want him dead.

The light disperses and Michael falls, flames covering his body. I have to go catch him, I'm not going to just let him fall and burn to death. I should be fire retardant, I just shot out a fire ball. ... the flames hurt, but aren't really burning me. I have to put out these flames, there is a lake a while off. Damn, why are Alicorns so heavy? I'm definitely going to save him though!

As I commit to saving my friend, the flames die down and disperse. Now that the fire threat is gone, I lower Mike down near Princess Luna. I hear what sounds like a meter falling, look up and see Celestia falling straight down to the earth with her wings pointing straight up. Right before hitting the ground she thrusts her wings down and lands 'relatively' softly.

"Oh, so you catch these two, but just leave me to fall hmm?" Celestia has joking smile on as she leans down to me.

"... My apologies Princess." I try and kneel, but fall too hard on my knee and fall forward, touching my face to Celestia's hoof.

"Oh, a simple apology will do" Celestia giggles holding a hoof to her mouth. "but your friend, I'm afraid, is in a much more dire situation. It's not everyday my throne is threatened by a mad Alicorn. Bringing you here was the right choice, you are definitely making things more interesting."

"What's going to happen to my friend?"

"Well my dear sister attempted a similar feat 1000 years ago, and was banished to the moon. I wonder myself what a fitting punishment should be for an Alicorn I bear no relation to. *sigh* It is a difficult task to maintain ones sanity when contending with the overwhelming power of an Alicorn. Even natural born Alicorns have difficulty maintaining sanity when their power nears it's peak, a human having that power thrust upon them ... I am surprised the power did not consume him completely, he is indeed special as well. But, I'm afraid he will not be permitted to remain an Alicorn."

"Is there anything you can do?"

"He will need a new body. I should be able to separate his Alicorn traits and make him a normal pony, even though I have never attempted such a feat before. It is customary to return unruly Alicorns to the eternal herd in the afterlife."

"I don't understand why he came here as an Alicorn in the first place. Can you make him a Pegasus? It was what we planned on in the first place... I'd rather him not die like this"

"I was going to fashion him an Earth Pony body, but perhaps I can manage a Pegasus. Neither race is any greater or lesser than the other. In exchange for this transformation I require something from you though."

"What do you need?"

"I would like you to willingly consent to live in the castle for the time being. I know you would rather live a peaceful life in ponyville, but due to the series of events that have occurred, and the events that will occur, I would will that you do not live that life right now."

Living in the castle shouldn't be too bad. "I will live in the castle, now what will happen to my friend?"

"I will transform him into a winged pony and remove his horn. Aulthough I am allowing your friend to be reborn into a Pegasus, being an Earth pony would not have been a punishment. That is something you must remember." Celestia thinks for a moment, then smiles. "Very well let us begin. I will transform his body, then have him establish a life and learn the value of friendship in Ponyville. Is that suitable enough for you my ... New student?"

"Thank you your Highness, yes that is, ... New student?"

"Yes, I have grown rather lonely with Twilight having left the castle. I will send your friend to be her student, and will take you in as mine. I will train your body to contain your power and teach you to better control your magic."

"Thank you Princess" So I can use magic! That's pretty cool. Mike is lucky going to live in ponyville, but Princess Celestia didn't need to use him to get me to agree to living in the castle. She is the God of this land, a Goddess that is standing right beside me. I'm not sure there is an order I would refuse.

"I prefer not to order ponies around. If I need to I will, but I would rather rule in a way where everypony has a choice in what they do and how they live."

That makes sense... wait, did she just read my mind?

"Yes I did"

Damn, I'm going to have to be careful.

"Careful of what may I ask?"

"Oh, nothing Princess, my mind just tends to wander sometimes. I fear I may think something that offends you."

"Haha, well I tend to easily forgive what I see in ponies minds. I try not to govern what ponies think, just lead them to the proper choice when they act. Now, for your friend." Michael begins to glow white on the ground as Celestia closes her eyes. I have no idea how much power Celestia has since she is able to create a whole new body. Michael shrinks and takes the form of a Pegasus, angular features and solid frame. "And now to remove his horn."

Michaels frame shrinks slightly smaller; his features more rounded, and his lower 'horn' retreating into his body. Michael reformed as a mare!

"Perhaps that will tamper her temperament, ... or make it more erratic. Either way, she should definitely learn something from the experience." Celestia smiled as she materialized a slip of paper that I caught with my mouth. "This pass will get you into the castle. You may walk your friend to Ponyville, but don't enter the town. I'm excited to begin our training."

I don't believe Michael is a mare. This is going to be a little weird. "Dank eww brinceess" I tried to say 'thank you princess' but the paper in my mouth butchered my words.

"Hmm, let's also give you this" she materialized a beige saddlebag and used her magic to fasten it to myself. Princess Celestia and the unconscious Princess Luna were covered in a bright white light as they vanished from view, teleporting away.

Michael continues to lay there asleep. What got into you Michael? It's so unlike you to go crazy and start causing havoc for no good reason. I wonder if he will remember any of this? ... how long is he going to sleep? I nudge his ... her head with my hoof; I'm not supposed to be out for a long time. The dark cloud Michael formed before is now almost completely broken up, the bright sun filling the area with light once again.

"Let's go take a look at that lake." I nuzzle my head under Michael and lift her onto my back. I couldn't really lift an Alicorn, but a small Pegasus is a lot easier to manage. I spread my wings and take off. Despite the awkward position of her on my back, her front hooves hanging down by my neck and rear cradling my flank, it's actually still really easy to fly. I don't know if it's because she's a mare, a Pegasus or what, but there is almost no difference from what I felt like flying on my own. "What am I going to call you? Michael sounds to weird, but it's all I have to go on right now." I land by the lake and put Michael on the ground beside it. I was just going to dump her in, but that might be a little too harsh. Michael is a girl now after all, who knows how much that actually changed her. And if she's going to ponyville to make her first appearance to Twilight and the others, I don't want her being all wet and muddy. I scoop my hoof into the lake and splash water on her face.

"Aw, common!" Michael calls out as she rubs her face with her forearm, "I was having a great dream." her eyes never open as she continues to snuggle against her own arm. "Wow, this blanket is fucking soft"

"Michael? Time to get up sleepy head." I gently poke her shoulder.

"John?" Micheal slowly opens his eyes and looks into my face. "EEK" she jumps up and tries to run, only to fall onto her face. She leans back, sitting on her haunches looking at her hooves. "Hooves?"

I walk up a little closer to her, "don't you remember coming here at least?", I sit down also, trying to look less intimidating.

Michael composes herself, closing her eyes and starting to think. "Not really, I remember the party, the car. I laid down and closed my eyes with Erica. ... and I must have fallen asleep. Everything became very quiet and peaceful. ... and warm. Then you splashed cold water in my face." Michael opened her eyes and looked at me."Am I dreaming?"

"Nothing before that? No whiteness or anything? Voices?"

Chapter 5 : Ponyville

"Whiteness? Yes. There was whiteness, ... but I can't ... remember." Michael looks like she is thinking pretty hard, her blue eyes narrowing as if her thoughts are just barely covered by fog. "I was talking to someone, about universes. They asked me if I wanted to come to Equestria!" Realization struck her and Michael began bouncing up and down on her rump yelling in a sing song voice " We're in Ponyville, we're in Ponyvile!"

I force a little smile. I haven't got a great handle on situation, and something doesn't really feel right. Something she said just now is making me uneasy "Not quite yet, Ponyville is down this path." I point with my snout the direction of the small town.

"What do I look like?" Michael bounces upright and stretches her hooves out in front of her in a playfull gesture, looking down at her legs. "White? Sweet. I thought for sure I'd be yellow" she walks over to the edge of the lake and looks down at her reflection. ... silence.

"Michael? You ok man?"

"Man?" Michelle slowly backs away from the lake and looks down between her legs. *gasp* she sits down quickly with her hind legs closed rather tightly. "I'm a mare ... aren't I?"

"..Yeahhh, I think Princess 'Trollestia did it to you. I'm not sure if it's permanent." I'm actually pretty sure it is permanent, but don't want to freak Michael out too much. "While you're like this do you want me to keep calling you Micheal?, or something else?"

"I guess so." she gets up and begins pacing back and fourth. "My pony name will be Sapphire Skies. ... What's your pony name?"

"You're taking this all very well, you just woke up as a female pony, and are having fun making up names?"

"It's not so bad, I'm curious how living as a mare will turn out, you said Celestia made me a mare? Why?"

"Umm, you kind of went a little crazy. You showed up as an Alicorn, and started setting fires."

"I'm a Pegasus, you sure you don't have that mixed up with somepony else?"

"Look, I'm not sure why you don't remember much about it, but when we chose to come here we also had the choice of what form to take. I tried to form a unicorn, but my mind wandered and started thinking about dragons. You kept you're mind focused and chose to be an Alicorn, but went insane due to the maddening effect of Alicorn magic and started causing chaos. Luna and Celestia then knocked you out and turned you into a Pegasus mare forcibly."

"Nnnnope"

`"Nope? What do you mean nope?"

"I mean just that, I don't buy it. I want to be a Pegasus. I wouldn't be an Alicorn even if Celestia asked me to. All I want is to have a carefree happy life in Ponyville with lots and lots of friends, and delicious food."

I can feel my eye twitching at the dismissiveness of my friend. She doesn't even remember what happened, but can say with certainty that what I'm saying I remember and saw with my own two eyes is false. "Well, I guess it doesn't matter now anyway." I rub my face with my hoof. I hope I'm not acting like a dick.

"Sooo, We're going to Ponyville?" I think Mike is just trying to change the subject, but I'm glad for the new topic, even if it is kind of bad news.

"Not exactly, the Princess want's you to go to Ponyville and study friendship with Twilight, but want's me in the Canterlot Castle for some kind of training."

"You mean we can't go to Ponyville together? I thought I'd get to spend more time with you." Mike looks guenually downtrodden at the news.

"I can walk you there, it's not too far from here" I actually flew some of the way when I took 'Sapphire' to this lake. "We could fly there, but then we'd spend less time together."

"What a bitch. We can walk there, let's take our time also." Michael starts slowly walking down the path.

"She's not that bad, she gave me these nifty saddlebags." I nod my head toward my sides. "What do my eyes even really look like? I never got to see them too closely."

"They're green. And they have slit down the middle, like a dragon." Michelle looks into my eyes as we walk "they actually don't look too bad once you get used to them, the green makes them a little soothing. What about me? Everything looked blue in the lake"

"They're blue, it wasn't an illusion from the lake."

"Are they pretty?" Michelle bats her eyelashes several times. I'm not sure if she is actually curious, or just fishing for a compliment.

"They pierce right into the deepest depths of my soul" I say this playfully and melodramatic. They don't look bad, but I don't really want to call my best friend pretty.

"Yeah, you're totally into me. Sorry but I don't swing that way, even if I am a mare. what about my hair?"

"Your mane is also blue, it actually looks dangerously close to Vinyl Scratches mane, only shorter."

"Where is Erica? I want to see how cute she looks as a pony."

She doesn't know Erica isn't here? "Umm, she chose to go straight to heaven. You'll get to see her again though." I'm looking closely for a harsh reaction, but one doesn't really come, she just continues walking in silence for a moment. "You ok?"

"I had a feeling that happened, she doesn't like ponies as much as us. I think I'll be ok, I know she'll wait for me."

"So, what about our history and stuff. How much should we tell Twilight and the others? We're not really supposed to know about Big Mac, Applejack and the others. We only know you're supposed to meet up with Twilight."

"We should start from the beginning. Not knowing who any of the others are. No need to tell them we are humans, I'll just not talk about my past, better to forget about it and start a new life anyways." Mike is still shuffling her feet, guess it was too much to hope for her to be completely over the past relationship so quickly.

"How long do ponies live anyway?" I actually don't know much about ponies or horses, Mike was a little more into them than me.

"like 300 years probably ... at least. We're going to spend a ton of time together. Forever actually, ponies don't die ... ever. We're stuck together for good."

"Sweet. That's what I thought also." We smile together as a chorus of birds start singing behind the trees off the side of the path. Michael's eyes light up at the sound of birds.

"Birds?!" She flaps her wings and takes off to the tree tops, poking her head into to foliage. "Hellooo? Little Birdies? Come on out." Mike flies around several trees repeating this routine. The birds have stopped singing, apparently taking notice of their admirer, and choosing to remain hidden. I go up and look around with her. I don't really want to bother the birds, but don't want to leave my friend hanging either.

After looking around the trees for several minutes and finding nothing, Mike lands quietly on a low lying branch and perks her ears listening for sounds, while I return to the path. "Let's just leave the little birds alone, they obviously don't trust us yet. I'm sure once they get used to you they'll be as kind as Fluttershy."

A sound rustles from a tree deeper in woods, Mike turns to it and yells. "Boo!"

"Eeeep" the birds squeak, and several little multicolored birds fly out and away from under the leaves.

"Way to be a jerk Mike, I thought you liked birds."

"Oh, I used to, but mine became so annoying I lost my taste for them."

"Well, lets get going. We don't want it to get dark before we get there." We continue down the path, quieter now. I'm a little more upset about Mike scaring the birds than I ought to be, considering that it was actually pretty harmless. Mike seems to pick up on my attitude.

"Sorry about the birds, I thought you didn't even like birds though; you hardly ever held mine"

"I've had mixed results with birds, but I really don't want to be violent or scary here. I'm already scary enough looking like I do, so I think I'm just being overly sensitive. Sorry for giving you the cold shoulder, we really should enjoy what time we have for now."

We walk for far too short a time, sharing stories, laughs, fears of how long I may be stuck in the castle and hopes for the future. In particular what mare's we hope to get closer to. Mike goes down his list of the main six, listing all the qualities he likes about them, and which ones he thinks he's compatible with. He ends up choosing Applejack for himself, because she reminds him of his previous girlfriend; And decides I'd be best with Fluttershy because she's kind and will take of me, and apparently I need that in a marefriend. Whether or not anypony will be interested in us in the slightest is a different story all together though.

I can hear a semi-rapid squeaking sound echoing around, it sounds like an old seesaw going back and fourth. It's quiet, but I think that means we're getting close to the town and can hear kids playing on a playground or something. It's not long before we reach the entrance, the squeaking having stopped not long after it began, and the 'Welcome to Ponyville' sign looms overhead.

"Ok Mike, now you're supposed to go to the Library and introduce yourself to Twilight. I'm not sure if Princess Celestia sent a letter or not, but I'm sure Twilight will hear you out regardless."

Mike has a large frown chiseled on her face. "I'm scared." she's mumbling and acting pitiful scrapping her hoof on the ground. "Can't you at least come to the Treehouse with me? I have no clue where it is, and you know I have hard time meeting new people."

I've actually been the more socially awkward one of the group. "Sorry, I'm under strict orders from the Princess to not enter the town, I'm sure somepony will help you find your way.

After I speak we stand in silence for a moment, neither one of us actually wanting to part. "Ahem" .. "Ahem" .. "Ahem"

I finally notice the coughs and look over toward the sign, a yellow mare with pink mane and tail is half hiding behind the supports hoofing the ground. Fluttershy!

"Oh, umm .. sorry if I'm bothering you." a light blush is now painted on her face as her eyes shift from the ground to Mike and I

"Don't worry, it's not a bother. What's your name?" I try and give a kind smile, but I think it turns out more awkward than anything. It feels odd trying to act like I know nothing about her.

Fluttershy narrows her eyes at me. "I'm Fluttershy" I feel a cold shiver run down my spine. there were no pauses, or 'umm's, squeaks or anything. She just flat out told me her name, a little coldly I might add. I can feel my heart sink in my chest, so much for a relationship with Fluttershy.

Mike perks up instantly. "O-hai! You can call me Sapphire Skies, and this is my friend John. We're humans that Celestia brought from our world to Equestia, and transformed us into Ponies!" A large smile is plastered on her face while Fluttershy stands dumbfounded. I can't help but facehoof.

It doesn't take long before Fluttershy recovers and continues to awkwardly hoof the ground, "umm, thank you for being honest, I hope your friend can learn a thing or two from you." her blush is back on her face "Your name is .. John?"

Now it's my turn to blush, Fluttershy calling me by my real name. I've been thinking of a pony name a little bit, but haven't really solidified anything yet. I wanted something strong, and fitting to what I actually am. I figured my first name would be Fire. I can shoot flaming spit, so I figured that would be fitting. I also wanted something not intimidating, and something that related to flight. So, I decided my last name would be Breeze.

"My human name was John, ... but we decided to change them when we arrived in Equestia. I changed mine to Fire Breeze." I can hear Mike 'pfft' at the name.

Fluttershy seems to ponder the name for a second. "Like ... a warm summers breeze." her blush returned in full force after she spoke, eyes darting toward the ground. "umm. I-I .. I can show you to Twilight's. ... I'm sorry ... I overheard some of your conversation."

Mike does a little hop, flaring her wings out at the peak before returning them to her side. "Sweet, see you later John, or should I say 'Fire Breeze'." Mike over-dramatically rolls her eyes before winking and walking up to Fluttershy.

"umm. good luck with your business at the castle, .. I hope you don't have to stay too long."

Both Fluttershy and 'Sapphire Skies' walk off into town. I can hear Fluttershy asking if I'm really a pony or not before turning a corner and going out of sight.

...

Now I'm alone again.