Echoes of Another Realm

by Bossypants

Chapters

Chapter 8: Caution: Waist High Equines
Prologue
Chapter 1: Just a Dream
Chapter 2: Otherworldly Lunch
Chapter 3: World's Shortest Tour
Chapter 4: Studious by Nature
Chapter 5: Into The Unknown
Chapter 6: First Steps, Hidden Paths
Chapter 7: Getting Acquainted
Chapter 9: Party Crasher

Chapter 8: Caution: Waist High Equines

Author's Note

Figured everyone deserved a final chapter in 2024 (EST).

Happy New Year everyone! Lets pray that 2025 will lead to a change for the better!

Until Next Time!!

Chapter 8: Caution: Waist High Equines

I cross my arms, staring down at the three small fillies sitting in front of me. Their wide eyes, filled with a mix of curiosity and fear, seem impossibly large on their tiny faces.

My walk to the market square had been interrupted when something slammed into my legs, nearly sending me sprawling. I’d turned, ready to snap at whoever was responsible, only to find these three--the Cutie Mark Crusaders--lying in a heap. Scootaloo’s scooter lay off to the side, its front wheel bent at an odd angle.

“You know,” I smirk, “if you keep your mouths open like that, a stray gust of wind might make it permanent.”

A collective "eep" breaks the silence as they shuffle backward. My gaze catches on Applebloom’s cheek, scratched and red from the fall. Concern replaces my irritation. They are just kids after all.

“You guys okay? That looked like a nasty tumble.”

Embarrassment floods their faces, and Scootaloo pins her ears back, pawing at the ground. She glances at her scooter, her wings drooping. “I… I guess I went too fast again,” she mumbles.

Sweetie Belle finally speaks, her voice as soft as a whisper. “It’s my fault. I told her to go faster so we could get to the market on time.”

Applebloom huffs. “Y’all weren’t thinkin’, as usual. We coulda gotten hurt, or—” Her gaze flickers up to me, and her ears fold back. “Uh, sorry fer runnin’ into ya, mister.”

I raise an eyebrow, unsure whether to scold or reassure them. Part of me wants to turn around and let them deal with their own mess, but something about their small, guilt-ridden faces keeps me rooted in place.

“You three always this reckless?” I ask, my tone softer than I expect.

Scootaloo’s ears perk slightly, and a hint of a grin sneaks onto her face. “Pretty much.”

“Hey!” Applebloom protests. “It’s not like we do this on purpose!”

“We’re… experimenting,” Sweetie Belle offers, her voice gaining strength. “For our Cutie Marks.”

I blink. “Cutie Marks?”

The trio exchange glances, their fear now replaced with curiosity. Sweetie Belle tilts her head. “You don’t know what a Cutie Mark is?”

“Uh… no. Care to enlighten me?”

What follows is a rapid-fire explanation, each of them jumping in to explain the concept in their own way. It’s like listening to three squirrels chattering at once. I catch bits and pieces: marks that show up when they find their ‘special talent,’ their never-ending quest to discover theirs, and—somehow—why crashing into me was part of the plan.

'I doubt that...'

I pinch the bridge of my nose, suppressing a groan. “So… you’re saying this whole thing was because you’re trying to find your life’s purpose? By speeding down a road on a busted scooter?”

Scootaloo’s wings twitch indignantly. “It wasn’t busted before!”

Applebloom smirks. “Ain’t busted now either. Just… broken in.”

The dry humor catches me off guard, and a small chuckle escapes before I can stop it. “Heh, you three are unbelievable. I never caught your names?"

The three beam up at me, any sense of hesitation from my taller stature gone.

"I'm Scootaloo!"

"I'm Sweetie Belle!"

"And ahm Applebloom!"

"We're the Cutie Mark Crusaders!!" The three jump in tandem and clop their hooves in the air. I can't help but chuckle as I rub my now sore ears. I recall bits and pieces about these three: Applebloom is Applejack's sister, Sweetie Belle is Rarity's, and Scootaloo… well, I think she’s Rainbow Dash’s protege, or something like that.

"What's your name, mister?" Sweetiebelle asks kindly.

"My name is Tyler, Tyler Mackenzie," I say, crouching to their level and holding out my fist. They exchange quick glances, then grin and bump their tiny hooves against my knuckles. Smiling, I stand up.

"It's nice to meet you, Tyler, but I have one more question. W-"

"What the hay is that thing!!" A voice shrieks behind me. The volume causes me to wince, and I quickly turn to see a bright pink pony with a lime green mane galloping towards the center of town, shouting "The horror, the horror!" all the while. Shrugging, I turn back to the three fillies, only to find them giving me an empathetic look.

"Sorry about Daisy, Mr. Tyler. She and her sisters tend to overreact when new stuff is happening." Applebloom states, her ears wilting slightly. I smirk and role my eyes.

"And how do you three know I'm not some blood-thirsty monster that is here to feast on the ears of little colts and fillies?"

Their eyes shoot wide, and all three of them shuffle backwards.

"W-W-W-What?" Scootaloo states, her eyes wide. Its pretty adorable, but I probably shouldn't push this to far. I relax my facial features and give a soft, disarming chuckle.

"I'm just messing with you three. I'm as harmless as it comes, mostly. I'm a visitor from a far away land." I wiggle my digits, and the three giggle.

"Well, if you are visiting Ponyville, why don't you join us for a bit?" Scootaloo says, to which the other two nod. "We were heading to Sugarcube corner to get some milkshakes, but maybe we can get our cutie marks in tourism!" The three gasp.

"Now hold on--"

"Cutie Mark Crusader tour guides, Yay!"

'My poor, poor ears...' I wince.

"Making some new friends, Tyler?" A familiar voice states, causing me to yelp from the close proximity behind me. I hear the three fillies giggle as I turn and glare at Stopper. He is back wearing his armour again, but his usual grumpy frown has been replaced by a thin smirk.

"Good lord, dude, don't scare a guy like that!" I exclaim with a scowl. It doesn't last long, especially with the three giggling up a storm after hearing the, ahem, manly noise that escaped me. Stopper snorts and roles his eyes.

"Yeah whatever, dude. I'm supposed to stick by you today while you get used to town. Dusk and I will switch every four hours or so. Where were you guys headed?" He looks down at the fillies, who by this point had straightened themselves out and were staring up at the royal guard in awe. Shaking her head, Sweetiebelle is the one to answer.

"We were on our way to sugar cube corner when we accidently ran into Tyler. We were gonna show him around, and invited him to come get a milkshake with us!" the three smiled, as did Stopper.

"Well, I see no problem with that. You guys mind if I tag along? Tyler doesn't have any money, so I'll pay for him."

"Now hold on, Stopper--"

"Sure!" Scootaloo smiles, but it drops a second later as she scowls down at her busted scooter. "Ah, ponyfeathers, I forgot I need to get that home somehow." She turns to her friends, "you guys show Tyler around, I'll drag this back home and catch up."

As she moves to grab her scooter, I quickly interject.

"Why don't I carry that for you. We can swing by your place, and then go to this Sugarcube corner together."

I see the gears turning in her head, but she soon smiles up at me. Her friends don't say anything as she nods with excitement. I smile and walk over. The three fillies and one guard watch as I grab the Scooter and quickly tuck it under my arm. It isn't much heavier than a skateboard, really, and I quickly turn and point directly ahead of me.

"Onwards, my guides and annoying guard!" Stopper huffs. "Let us deposit this object, then get a wonderful snack!"

The three cheer, and Stopper falls in beside me as we follow along. The CMC are talking excitedly, wondering what sights to show Stopper and I in our little journey. I lose focus for a moment, my surroundings going ignored. There would be hundreds of those weird MLP lovers who would kill to be in my position. I imagine that like any fandom, certain characters would be completely beloved. These three are main characters in their own right as far as I can recall.

I frown in thought. It is truly surreal that I am stuck on a world where My Little Pony exists. I haven't watched the show in over a decade, but I might need to find a way to do so if I will be staying here for a little bit. Exams don't start up for some time, so hopefully they can send me back before then. Actually, speaking of, I wonder what the date is?

"Hey Stopper, what's the date?"

"Tuesday April third, one AB." He replies without looking up. His eyes scan our surroundings, but I can tell he is pretty bored by the monotone voice he uses.

Well, that's completely unhelpful information. But what did he mean by one AB? This is the first year of something? Did some event happen? Is me showing up here have something to do with it?! WAS THIS ALL PROPHESIZED FROM--

"Is that a Gingerbread house?" I blurt out suddenly, my own ADHD (I was diagnosed as a kid) distracting me from my revelation.

We are passing through the center of town, heading towards a large group of houses. However, what really caught my attention was the monstrous gingerbread structure sitting off to my left. I had thought I'd seen something similar on the flight in, but at the time I was focused on other things. Something is familiar with that particular place, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Did it have something to do with the Mane Six? Pinkie Pie is the party pony, or laughter or something... maybe she lives there?

"That's Sugarcube Corner, Tyler! Sweetie Belle pipes up, the other nodding alongside her.

"Yeah, and the cakes make the best sweets in all of Equestria!" Scootaloo beams. "We're almost to my place--lets hurry up so we can get our milkshakes."

I see Stopper shake his head as the three fillies begin chatting to one another in excitement. Most of their words go unheard or unheeded, but a sudden shout draws my attention from down the road.

"What is that thing!" a shrill voice cuts through the chatter, causing all five of us to freeze mid-step.

Down the lane, two fillies stand side by side, their noses turned up as if they’ve just caught a whiff of something unpleasant. One is a pink-coated filly with a pristine tiara perched on her head, the other a gray filly wearing blue glasses that sparkle in the sunlight. Judging by their smug expressions, these two are trouble.

The three Crusaders groan in unison. “Oh no, not them,” I hear Scootaloo mutter under her breath.

“Who are they?” I ask, my brow furrowing as I glance at Stopper. He merely shrugs, clearly uninterested in the budding drama.

“That’s Diamond Tiara,” Sweetie Belle whispers, her voice laced with disdain. “And her sidekick, Silver Spoon. They’re the meanest fillies in Ponyville.”

Before I can respond, Diamond Tiara struts forward, her eyes locking on me. “What is that?” she sneers, waving a hoof in my direction. “Some kind of hairless monkey? Did you three drag it out of the Everfree Forest?”

The Crusaders bristle at the insult. “He’s not a monkey!” Applebloom snaps, stepping protectively in front of me. “He’s Tyler, and he’s our friend!”

“Friend?” Silver Spoon adjusts her glasses and giggles. “Figures you three would befriend something so weird. What’s it even doing here?”

My patience for bratty kids is about as thin as the ice I’m walking on in this world, which is to say, non-existant. I cross my arms and take a step forward, looming over the two troublemakers. “I’m standing right here, you know,” I say, my voice calm but firm. “And for the record, I’m not that weird--just a little different. Maybe try saying hi before jumping to conclusions?”

Diamond Tiara blinks, clearly not used to being talked back to. Silver Spoon glances at her, uncertain, but Diamond quickly regains her composure, a sly smirk spreading across her face. “Well, you are different,” she says sweetly, though her tone drips with mockery. “But I guess that’s what makes you… interesting.”

The Crusaders exchange worried glances. Scootaloo whispers, “She’s up to something.”

I raise an eyebrow, glancing between Diamond Tiara and her nervous companion. “Interesting, huh?” I say, quickly smiling down at them. “I’ll take that as a compliment. Thanks a lot!”

Diamond’s smirk falters, and for a brief moment, she looks genuinely confused. Noticing the scooter I am carrying along with the broken wheel, Silver Spoon steps in quickly, pointing a hoof at Scootaloo. “Shouldn’t you be fixing that broken scooter of yours instead of wasting time dragging strangers around?”

Scootaloo’s little wings flare, and she takes a step forward. “I am fixing it—Tyler’s just helping me! Not that it’s any of your business!”

“Oh, please,” Diamond Tiara scoffs. “You’re just using him because you can’t do anything on your own. Typical blank flanks.”

The insult hits its mark, and I can see the Crusaders’ confidence waver. I decide enough is enough and roll my eyes. Is this what parents had to see when I and my friends were kids? “Alright, that’s enough,” I say, my tone sharp. “You two have had your fun, but maybe it’s time you find something better to do. Like… I don’t know, literally anything else.”

Diamond Tiara’s eyes widen, and for a second, she looks like she might argue. But then she glances at Stopper, who’s finally glaring at her, looking ready to step in at a moments notice. She huffs and tosses her mane. “Come on, Silver. Let’s leave the weirdos and their weird monkey thing.”

With that, the two turn and saunter off, their tails swishing indignantly behind them.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding and glance down at the Crusaders. “You guys okay?”

Applebloom nods, though her ears are pinned back. “Thanks, Tyler. They’re always like that, but they don’t usually back off so quick.”

“Yeah,” Scootaloo adds, her voice tinged with admiration. “You didn’t even flinch!”

I shrug, giving them a small smile. “Bullies only have as much power as you let them. Besides, I’m not exactly afraid of two kids. I am an adult.”

Sweetie Belle giggles, her earlier tension melting away. “You’re really brave, Tyler.”

“Or really dumb,” Stopper mutters under his breath, though I catch the faintest hint of a smile on his face. I shoot him a playful glare.

“Well,” I say, hefting the scooter back under my arm, “let’s get moving before they come back with more insults. I’m starting to get curious about these milkshakes you keep talking about. The hype is killing me!”

The Crusaders cheer, their earlier encounter already forgotten as they lead the way. As we continue down the lane, I can’t help but glance over my shoulder, half-expecting Diamond Tiara to pop back out of nowhere.

For now, though, all I see is the road ahead—and a group of fillies who seem to think I’m some kind of hero. Not exactly the role I signed up for, but I suppose it’s better than being the villain.

*****

The bell above the door jingles as we step into Sugarcube Corner, the sweet aroma of baked goods hitting me like a warm, sugary punch to the nose. The place is alive with activity, with ponies chatting at tables, foals darting around with treats, and a cheerful melody playing faintly in the background. A group of three semi-armoured towns watch ponies sit at the far end of the room, their green capes tucked under them as they whisper to each other.

The Crusaders rush in ahead of me, their voices overlapping as they debate which milkshake flavors to get. I duck my head slightly as I step through the door, feeling the weight of several curious gazes land on me. Stopper moves in behind me, his armored presence drawing attention as much as my height does.

“Relax,” he mutters, noticing my discomfort. “They’ll get used to you… eventually.”

“That’s comforting,” I reply dryly, scanning the room for a distraction. I heard the waver in Stoppers voice and figured he was saying that to comfort himself as much as he was trying to do so for me.

At the counter, a plump, cheerful mare with a swirled pink mane beams at us. Her eyes light up as the Crusaders approach, practically bouncing on her hooves.

“Well, if it isn’t the Cutie Mark Crusaders! And you’ve brought a new friend!” Her voice is bubbly, each word brimming with enthusiasm.

“Hi, Mrs. Cake!” Sweetie Belle chirps. “This is Tyler. He’s new in town, and we’re showing him around!”

Mrs. Cake’s smile doesn’t waver, though her eyes flick to me with a hint of curiosity--and maybe a little apprehension. “Well, welcome to Ponyville, dearie! Any friend of these three is a friend of ours!”

“Thanks,” I say, offering a small smile. “They’ve been great tour guides so far. Though I’m starting to think I might owe them milkshakes for their trouble.”

“Nah!” Scootaloo pipes up, puffing out her chest. “You’re helping us! Stopper said he’s got it covered anyway!”

Mrs. Cake chuckles, clearly charmed by their antics. “Well then, what can I get for you all?”

The Crusaders dive into a flurry of flavor choices--chocolate, strawberry, something called zap apple swirl--and I can’t help but smile at their excitement. Stopper places a hoof on the counter, sliding a small pouch of bits toward Mrs. Cake. Where did he even get that from?

“Whatever they’re having,” he says, glancing at me. “And something for him too.”

I hesitate for a moment, turning and scanning the menu. “Uh, I’ll just go with chocolate. Can’t go wrong with the classic.”

Mrs. Cake nods, jotting down the orders. “Coming right up! Why don’t you all grab a seat?”

We settle at a table near the window, the Crusaders chattering away as they climb into their seats. Stopper sits across from me, his usual stoic expression softening slightly as he watches the fillies.

“This place is… lively,” I comment, glancing around.

“It’s the heart of Ponyville, I hear,” Stopper replies. “You’ll get used to it.”

Before I can respond, Mrs. Cake arrives with a tray balanced on her back, expertly sliding milkshakes to each of us. The Crusaders dive in immediately, their faces lighting up with delight as they sip. I take a tentative sip of mine and blink in surprise.

“Okay, that’s… really good,” I admit, earning a round of approving grins from the fillies.

“Told ya!” Scootaloo says, her voice muffled by her straw.

"Hey, Mrs. Cake, where's Pinkie at?" Applebloom asks before the mare can return to the kitchen. Mrs. Cake smiles down at Applebloom and shrugs.

"No idea, Applebloom. She's likely out and about right now. I heard there was a party she needed to be ready for, but I'm not sure." She glances at me briefly, but it is fleeting. Smiling, she makes to turn away.

"Enjoy your milkshakes! You can leave them on the table, and Carrot will be by to pick them up."

As she leaves, I look down at the three little fillies with a smile. They seem to be enjoying their milkshakes well enough. I wasn't lying when I had said it was really good. The makeup of it was so...unprocessed. While it wasn't easy to taste any of that icky chemical soup in my milkshakes back home, everything about this one was just so fresh. The milk, the ice-cream--even the whipped cream and cherry! Reminds me of when my grandmother would make the stuff from scratch...

As I take another sip, my eyes catch a flash of light. Glancing up, I see the short sword at the waist of the watchpony sitting at the end of the row. He shuffles, and my eyes move up in time to see him and his fellows scowling at me. Its a bit intimidating, really. They carry a presence unlike the royal guards I saw in the castle. Maybe they are veterans? Or maybe I can just tell I shouldn't get on their nerves.

Even with these thoughts, I can't help but feel a scowl of my own developing. Its hard to take these ponies seriously. They are short, fluffy, and cute to a degree. And while the three sitting down the row carry an air of intimidation, it begins to have the opposite effect.

Before I can bore a hole through the watchponies head with my soul-piercing gaze, I feel a little hoof touch my hand.

"Mr. Tyler, you look upset? What's wrong?"

I look down at a concerned Sweetie Belle, and upon glancing around, I see the other two sharing that same concern. I notice Stopper is not focused on me, and is instead scowling at the watchponies himself. Perhaps I was right, and they are bad news?

I give Sweetie Belle an encouraging smile and reach over to ruffle her hair. The little filly gives an adorable squeak as she sticks her tongue out at her friends.

"No fair!" Scootaloo comments, crossing her forehooves. AppleBloom nods in assertion and glares at my hand. I honestly can't help but chuckle at their reactions, and cease ruffling up Sweetie Bells hair.

"Tyler, could you move for a second? I gotta get to the toilet." Stopper grumbles beside me suddenly. I quickly put my milkshake down and stand up, allowing him to pass. As he shuffles across the seat, I notice that once again everyone present in the store is staring at me. Most are just curious, but some are fearful.

'Oh look, the ponies with the pointy sticks are watching again.'

I frown as the watchponies track Stopper with their eyes, and once he moves out of sight, they all turn to me. I continue to stare at them for a good five seconds before snorting. While in most scenarios, I wouldn't see the problem, I had to consider that three little fillies were sitting across from me. If those soldiers caused a scene...

Oh, here comes one now.

One of the ponies with the flowing green capes is beginning to trot over to our table, and my attention immediately switches to the newcomer. He appears to be a stallion, going by the shape of his muzzle, and a horn sticks out of his helm. Coming to a stop, the myself and the fillies look up at the stallion--me with annoyance, and the girls with slight fear.

The soldier stands there for a moment, analyzing us, before his gaze switches to Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom.

"Where are your parents, little fillies." His tone was sharp, and his gaze hardened into a glare as his eyes flicked to rest on me. My scowl deepened, but I didn't know how to act in this situation. Glancing to my side, the three have pushed themselves into the corner of the booth. It was mostly Sweetie Belle who was squishing Scootaloo, who was glaring at the soldier, while Applebloom gave him an uncertain look.

While I didn't want to draw the stallions ire, the three kids were getting uncomfortable. Clearing my throat, I gave the stallion a half-smile.

"Hey bud, there's no need to have that kind a tone with these three. They're just kids--" I wave my hand as a gesture for emphasis, but the slither of steel on a sheath causes me to freeze. My eyes lock onto the half unsheathed blade at the guards waist, and I feel my palms become a bit clammy. I hadn't been this afraid when Stopper had pointed his spear at me, but that sort of hostility was different then whatever was happening right now. The look in the guards eyes held a malice I could not compare to anything, and the look told me that if I so much as moved, he would cut me down.

A lot of people would brag about this sort of situation that I currently find myself in. They would say they would somehow be quick enough to intervene, or they would play it off all cool-like. Some would go as far as to say they would laugh, swipe the guards sword, and have it pointed at the aggressor before you could say 'Jimmy.' I am not one of those people. Maybe I am quick enough, and maybe the stallion wouldn't shank me if I moved or gave a sarcastic remark. But as I stared at that blade, I couldn't help but remind myself that the situation was very, very real, and I was very, very close to a dangerous person.

I wasn't the only one taking this interaction badly. Scootaloo looked ready to bolt, and Sweetiebelle was shivering like a leaf. Applebloom was the most collected, but her fur had become a paler shade of yellow as she stared wide-eyed at the sword.

"N-Now, now, there isn't any need for t-that... I-uh... I don't mean any harm." I do not move, and I try to keep my voice as soft as possible so as to not provoke the stallion further. This seems to work, as the glow around his horn dims, and he gives an irritated snort.

"You come into this village, you, a monster, and expect me to believe you don't mean harm? The fact you have to be guarded tells me otherwise. No doubt her highness thinks you are a threat. I will not stand by while a creature like you continues to terrorize Ponyville!" Spittle flies into my face, and I flinch. The stallions voice had risen in his little rant, and everyone in the store was focused on us if they hadn't been before. The sound of hoofsteps clacked behind the stallion, but I paid it no mind. Apparently, he wasn't done talking.

"I should have you arrested and put in the stockade! Better yet, maybe I should simply have you banished to the Everfree. That seems like a suitable punishment for a disgusting, ugly monster such as--"

I watched the stallion freeze like a statue, and my fear turned to confusion when Stoppers voice, calm and collected, sounded from behind the stallion.

"Corporal, sheath your balde, stand down and move away from the Human. Now." Narrowing my eyes, I could see that a small knife was held against the side of the stallions neck, out of view of the children, and any other customers that were spectating the scene.

The guard stiffened, his eyes darting to the side where Stopper’s knife pressed lightly against his neck. A faint tremor ran through his legs, his earlier bravado crumbling in the face of the calm but unyielding authority in Stopper’s voice.

“S-sir,” the guard stammered, his horn’s glow flickering out as the blade slid back into its sheath with a metallic click. He slowly stepped back, his glare flickering between me and Stopper. “I was just—”

“You were just disobeying protocol and creating a scene in a public establishment,” Stopper interrupted, his voice sharp as a razor. “This isn’t the barracks, Corporal. We do not threaten civilians—or protected guests.”

The weight of Stopper’s words settled over the room, and the other watchponies down the row visibly shifted in their seats, their earlier confidence faltering. The tension was so thick it could’ve been sliced with a dull butter knife.

The corporal’s ears flattened, and his eyes dropped to the floor. “Yes, sir,” he muttered through gritted teeth.

Stopper withdrew his knife and tucked it back into his armor with an almost casual air, but his piercing gaze never left the corporal. “Return to your post and consider this your one and only warning. If I catch you stepping out of line again, you’ll be spending the rest of your career stationed on the border outpost—if you’re lucky.”

“Yes, sir,” the corporal repeated, his tail flicking nervously as he backed away. His eyes flicked to me one last time, still simmering with resentment, but he didn’t dare say another word. With a sharp turn, he trotted back to his companions, who now sat stiffly, their eyes fixed anywhere but on Stopper.

As the tension in the room began to dissipate, I let out a shaky breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. The Crusaders were still huddled in the corner of the booth, their wide eyes darting between me and Stopper.

Sweetie Belle was the first to speak, her voice trembling. “M-Mr. Tyler… are you okay?”

I forced a small smile, though my hands were still trembling slightly as I placed them on the table. “Yeah, I’m fine, Sweetie. Don’t worry about me.”

Stopper turned his attention back to us, his expression softening as he slid back into the booth. “Sorry about that,” he said, addressing the Crusaders directly. “Some ponies don’t know how to act around new faces.”

Scootaloo scowled, her wings bristling. “That guy was a jerk! You should’ve done more than just warn him!”

“Scootaloo!” Applebloom hissed, her eyes wide with worry. “That was already bad enough—don’t make it worse!”

Stopper raised a hoof, silencing them both. “It’s over now, girls. Let’s not dwell on it.”

I nodded in agreement, though the knot in my stomach hadn’t quite loosened. “Yeah, no harm done. Let’s just finish our milkshakes and head out.”

As the Crusaders hesitantly resumed sipping their drinks, I leaned closer to Stopper and lowered my voice. “Thanks for stepping in. I, uh… didn’t know what to do back there.”

Stopper gave me a sidelong glance, his usual gruff demeanor tempered by a hint of understanding. “You did fine. Just remember—you’re not alone here. That’s what I’m here for.”

His words offered a sliver of comfort, though the wary glances from the other patrons reminded me that being “not alone” wasn’t the same as being welcome. Still, as I sat back and watched the Crusaders’ giggles slowly return, I decided that, for now, this was enough.

The incident might not be forgotten, but it was over. And with Stopper at my side, I figured I might survive whatever this world decided to throw at me next.

'Today can only go up from here.' I think to myself as we finish our milkshakes. 'I know it.'

*****

“Well,” I say, as we stand outside Sugarcube Corner, “that was certainly… interesting. Thanks for showing me around, girls.” I look down at them with a smile.

“You’re leaving already?” Scootaloo pouts, crossing her forehooves. “We were just getting started!”

“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle adds, her ears drooping. “You’re not gonna ditch us because of what happened with that guard, are you?”

I chuckle and shake my head. Sweetie had nailed it on the head, but I won't admit to that. In all honesty, I'm tired, and quite hungry. I had checked my phone before leaving the building, and it was nearly four o'clock. “No, nothing like that. I’ve just got a lot on my mind, and I think I need some quiet time to process everything. Not to mention, I gotta get dinner started."

Applebloom nods, her expression understanding. “That’s fair, Mr. Tyler. Y’all take care now, ya hear? And if ya ever need help with anything, just holler!”

“Thanks, Applebloom. I’ll keep that in mind.” I crouch slightly, bumping fists with each of them one last time before standing. Stopper joins me, giving the Crusaders a quick nod before we part ways. The three fillies trot away, laughing and giggling about the experience. They're god kids, and I hope I can run into them again in the near future.

The afternoon sun hangs lower in the sky, casting long shadows as we make our way through Ponyville’s streets. The chatter of the townsfolk surrounds us, though I notice a few ponies still give me wide-eyed glances before quickly looking away. It’s hard not to feel like a walking sideshow.

“So, what now?” I ask, glancing at Stopper.

“Dusk should be meeting us soon,” he replies, scanning the street. “We’ll switch shifts, and then you’re free to go… wherever it is you go.”

“Home,” I mutter. “Or at least the place I’m calling home for now.”

Stopper grunts in acknowledgment, and we walk in silence for a while. As we round a corner, I spot a familiar figure trotting toward us--a pony wearing the golden armour of the royal guard. Dusk waves as she approaches, her usual calm demeanor accented by a soft smile.

“Hey, Dusk,” I call out. “Perfect timing.”

“Tyler,” she greets, her gaze flickering to Stopper. “Everything go smoothly?”

“For the most part,” Stopper replies with a shrug. “A little hiccup with the town watch, but nothing I couldn’t handle.”

Dusk frowns but nods. “I’ll make a note of it. Thanks, Stopper. You are hereby relieved of watch.”

He salutes briefly before turning to me. “Guess this is where I leave you. Try not to get into too much trouble, huh?”

“I’ll do my best,” I say, smirking as he trots off back to the barracks him and Dusk are staying at. Dusk and I fall into step together, the atmosphere already lighter with her presence.

“Have you been enjoying your time in Ponyville?” she asks after a moment.

“It’s been… eventful,” I reply. “The Crusaders are a handful, but they’re good kids.”

Dusk chuckles softly, shaking her head as she ruffles her wings at her side.

We round the corner, and I’m just about to ask Dusk about the town watch when something slams into me with the force of a freight train--waist-height, no less. My breath leaves my lungs in a single, undignified whoof, and I hit the ground like a sack of bricks. Pain radiates from a very sensitive region, leaving me curled up and wheezing.

“Oh, sweet Celestia, are you okay?” a raspy voice asks, tinged with alarm. A white-coated pony with a spiky electric blue mane and purple-tinted shades stands over me, looking genuinely concerned.

Forcing back tears, I raise a shaky hand, waving weakly as I grit out, “Yup! All good! Definitely not in horrible pain or anything!”

Dusk kneels beside me, her lips pressed tightly together as though she’s trying not to laugh. “Tyler, are you--”

“I’m fine,” I gasp, cutting her off. “Just need… a minute.”

The white pony tilts her head, her expression shifting from worry to realization. Her ears droop, and she takes a hesitant step back. “Oh. Oh no. I didn’t hit you in the… uh…” She gestures vaguely with a hoof toward my lower-mid section, her cheeks flushing pink. “...Did I?”

I manage to sit up, still clutching at my midsection. “Oh, no, no,” I say, voice dripping with sarcasm. “You just gently tapped me with all the subtlety of a runaway boulder. Totally fine.”

The mare winces, her shades slipping down slightly as she peers at me with wide, apologetic eyes. “Yikes. My bad, dude. I didn’t see you there. Are you, like, gonna be okay?”

Dusk finally loses her composure, a quiet chuckle slipping out before she quickly masks it with a cough. I glare at her, then turn my attention back to the guilty party.

“Depends,” I say, rubbing my ribs for good measure. “Do I need to watch out for you ambushing me around every corner, or was this a one-time deal?”

The pony grins sheepishly, scratching the back of her head. “Promise it’s a one-time deal. I was just in a hurry. Late for a party, y’know? Anyway, I’m Vinyl Scratch. Nice to meet ya… sorta.”

“Charmed,” I mutter, finally managing to stand, though I’m still moving a little gingerly.

“Mrs. Scratch,” Dusk says, stepping forward, “this is Tyler. He’s new to Ponyville, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bowl him over again.” While what she was saying was intended to be professional, her tone and light snickering had the opposite effect. She was eating this up, and I once more made a reminder to make my revenge for her swift and brutal.

“Duly noted,” Vinyl replies, adjusting her shades with a small smile. “Anyway, gotta bounce! Again, sorry for the… uh… collision. See ya around, Tyler!” With that, she bolts off, her hooves kicking up a small cloud of dust as she disappears around the next corner.

I watch her go, then glance at Dusk. “Is this town always like this, or am I just the unluckiest guy in Equestria?”

Dusk smiles faintly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “A bit of both, I think.”

“Great,” I mutter, starting to walk again. “Guess I’ll add ‘watching for low-flying ponies’ to my to-do list.”

At that, we set off once again, but this time a stray thought flashed through my minds eye.

"Say, Dusk, mind if we take a detour? I want to go and see what this party thing is about. This is the second time I've heard about it." I see Dusk shrug.

"Sure, but I dunno where it is."

"That's fine, we just gotta follow the direction of a very hurried pony." I shrug and turn on the spot. I can hear Dusk giggle, but when I glance in her direction, her face has returned to its mask.

As we start walking, Dusk breaks the silence with a casual, offhand remark. “Well, at least Vinyl didn’t leave you feeling crushed.”

I stop in my tracks, giving her a side-eye. “What was that?”

Her expression remains perfectly neutral, though I catch the faintest twitch of her lips. “Nothing. Just commenting on how well you handled the… impact.”

“Uh-huh,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “You’re lucky I’m too sore to do anything to you right now.”

Her innocent facade cracks as she giggles quietly, her wings ruffling in amusement. “Come on, Tyler. Let’s see if we can catch that party before your luck runs out completely.”

As we walked, I let my worries and doubt disappear for a short time. Maybe this party would be interesting. And maybe my bad luck would finally be expired.

'No way anything can go wrong--it's a party after all.'

My mind goes blank for a second before a snicker escapes me. Reaching down, I wrap my kuckle three times against Dusks helmet. She glances up with a hint of confusion and irritation.

"What was that for?" She asks.

Smirking, I boop her nose for good measure.

"Just a little something my people do when we don't want to jinx ourselves."

At that we continued down the road, a party awaits, and I for one could use the break.

Prologue

1000 Years Ago...

"Come on, come on!" Gilheart breathed, his powerful wings folding as his paws hit the cobble path. The sounds of clashing swords and the anguished cries of the dying filled the air, punctuated by the roars of magic and the thunderous hoofbeats of charging soldiers.

The griffon's heart hammered in his chest as he darted through the fire and chaos, the stolen scroll clutched tightly in his talons. He spared a glance over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of Queen Daybreakers radiant mane ablaze with celestial fury, and the dark, ominous figure of Nightmare Moon wreathed in shadows. The two soared through the air, their magic colliding and creating a vortex of colour. A house far beneath them was annihilated from the ensuing shockwave, and the ponies on the ground took that as a sign to fight harder.

Using the battle as cover, Gilheart weaved through the fray, dodging spears, arrows, and magic whistling through the air. The parchment he carried was a prize coveted by the royal tyrants, its secrets capable of reshaping the destiny of entire kingdoms. He had to get the paper to his people, for it was their only hope in finding a way to break free.

With a defiant screech, Gilheart spread his wings and launched himself into the sky, the scroll safely tucked beneath his feathers. He soared above the chaos, determined to deliver the prophecy to those who could decipher its cryptic words, and perhaps alter the course of history itself. He did not account for a midnight blue Alicorn to fly past him, her body smoking as she crashed outside the capitol walls.

Gilheart froze when the second Alicorn Queen dove past him, but sharply pulled up upon catching sight of his hovering form. Her magnificent wings beat through the air as she slowly approached him, a deep scowl on her face.

Gilheart's breathing began to pick up, and his pupils shrunk to pinpricks as a magical pressure seemed to slam into him. Simply being in the presence of the goddess was enough to make his arms quake and his wings to feel like lead. He felt sweat on his brow, but was frozen stalk still as the pony got closer.

Her horn lighting in an ethereal golden glow, Gilheart's heart nearly stopped as he felt her magic searching his entire body. He gulped when her scowl deepened, and the parchment was slowly lifted from beneath his lightly padded armour.

'shit, shit, shit... how can I get out of this!' Gilheart began to panic. If the queen found out what exactly he took, she would surely destroy his people!

A beam of pale blue energy smashed into the unprepared queen, causing her to grunt in pain as she was thrown back towards the castle. The parchment slipped from her magic and began to fall to the earth. Gilheart didn't waste a second before he was diving. The wind whistled in his ears as he plummeted downward, his heart racing with adrenaline-fueled urgency. With lightning reflexes, Gilheart extended his wings and angled his descent, aiming to intercept the falling parchment before it could be lost to the chaos below.

The ground rushed up to meet him as he streaked through the night sky, the wind whipping past his feathers. With a desperate lunge, he snatched the parchment from the air, his claws closing around it with a sense of triumph.

But his victory was short-lived as he felt a surge of magical energy behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to see Nightmare Moon, her eyes blazing with fury as she bore down on him with lethal intent. He saw her lips and didn't hear her words, but knew she had growled out 'Griffin'.

Fear surged through Gilheart's veins, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. He banked sharply to the left, narrowly avoiding a blast of dark magic that scorched the air where he had been just moments before. The smell of ozone and the sound of an explosion filled the air.

With the parchment safely secured beneath his armour, Gilheart angled upward, aiming for the safety of the clouds above. But Nightmare Moon was relentless in her pursuit, her shadowy form closing in rapidly. It was then he realized he wasn't going to make it.

'I am sorry, König, I have failed.'

Just as it seemed that all hope was lost, a brilliant flash of light illuminated the night sky. Gilheart shielded his eyes as a beam of golden energy streaked past him, striking Nightmare Moon with the force of a thunderbolt.

The dark queen recoiled, her horn powering up as she turned to continue the battle with her sister. With his pursuer distracted, Gilheart soared upward, leaving the chaos of the battlefield behind him.

As he disappeared into the safety of the clouds, the weight of the mission pressed against his chest, a reminder of the perilous journey that lay ahead. But Gilheart was undeterred, his determination unshaken as he flew ever onward, guided by the hope of a brighter future for his people.

*****

"König, König Gerhurst!"

König Gerhurst IV stood from his throne. The anticipation nearly had him fly down to meet the messenger himself, but he knew that would be bad for what little of his image remained. He gestured to the guards to open the doors to the great hall, and couldn't help but let a smile appear on his beak as his infiltrator rushed through the entrance.

Wings beating furiously, the Griffon, who he knew was Gilheart stopped at the base of his throne and bowed. His body was covered in sweat, and he was breathing hard, but he otherwise seemed unharmed. Gerhurst's smile widened when Gilheart reached behind him and presented the piece of parchment.

"Your highness, I have retrieved the artifact." Gilheart spoke.

"Thank you, Gilheart. You have done your country proud. Hand the scroll to scribe Gren." Gerhurst watched as the young griffon handed the scroll to the selected scribe. Gren was a trusted advisor of Gerhursts, and he knew that the balding Griffon would keep the scroll safe. The scribes were a very secretive bunch established by his late grandfather, and were well versed in espionage and secrecy.

"König, father--"

KRACKOOM!!

The doors at the end of the hall exploded, their wooden frames splintering and cracking from the intense heat. The two guards at the door were instantly crushed into a paste, while multiple others began to advance from their stations near the sides of the room.

König Gerhurst leapt in surprise before his eyes widened in terror. His limbs began to shake, and his vision seemed to tunnel.

Queen Daybreaker strolled into the room, her horn lit. The guards advancing towards her were instantly vaporized with a few blasts of magic, and the only sound heard throughout the hall was the clip clopping of the tyrant Queen's hooves. She approached the throne at a steady gait, and Gerhurst shivered as she smiled at him. Her teeth were sharp like needles, and her eyes burned with the fury of a thousand suns. Her hair waved in a mesmerizing pattern, as if it were trying to hypnotize the Griffon king.

Finally, she stopped at the base of his throne. Even with his added height, her head came up to about his chest. He gulped when her gaze drifted across the massive throne room, and a quiet tsk was given with a shaken head.

Faster than Gerhurst could blink, his son was on the ground, screaming. His feathers smoldered, and his skin seemed like wax. Gerhurst could only watch in horror as Queen Daybreaker unleashed her wrath upon his son. The flames danced around the young griffon, engulfing him in a fiery inferno that seemed to consume his very essence. Gerhurst's heart shattered as he watched his heir writhe in agony, his screams echoing through the hall.

"Stop! Please, stop!" Gerhurst cried out, his voice choked with despair. But Queen Daybreaker merely laughed, her cruel eyes alight with sadistic pleasure.

"Your son was a criminal, Gerhurst," she sneered, her voice dripping with malice. "He conspired against me, against my crown and my rule. His treachery cannot go unpunished."

Gerhurst's world spun as he struggled to comprehend the devastation unfolding before him. His son, his flesh and blood, writhed in agony at the feet of the tyrant queen, his life hanging by a thread.

"Please, spare him," Gerhurst pleaded, desperation etched into every word. But Queen Daybreaker paid him no heed, her gaze cold and merciless as she continued to revel in her power.

With a final burst of flame, Queen Daybreaker extinguished the fire engulfing Gerhurst's son, leaving behind only charred remains. The young griffon the now lay lifeless on the cold stone floor, his skull staring up at his father.

Gerhurst's heart shattered as he crumpled to his knees, his world collapsing around him. His only son was dead, and it was his fault. Tears poured down his face as he could only stare at the ashes and bones.

'What did I do to deserve this?'

As Queen Daybreaker loomed over him, her triumphant smirk sending chills down his spine, Gerhurst's claws balled into fists. A rageful screech erupted from within him, and he swung at the monster standing before him. His fist was wrapped in a golden hue and stopped before he could even get close. Gerhurst struggled to move his arm, but it was a lost cause. He looked up at the solar tyrant with defiance. She merely chuckled.

"Gerhurst, Gerhurst, Gerhurst, is this truly how you would treat your Queen? I am disappointed."

"Let me go, vile witch! I will... I will..." He tried to come up with a threat.

"You will what? Watch your city burn? Watch your citizens die? I like that idea, don't you?"

König Gerhurst IV found himself being floated through the air against his will. As they approached one of the windows facing Aviarya, Gerhurst's face once more fell into despair. He saw the fires rising, he could hear the bells ringing. Legions of Pegasi dropped explosives and projectives from above, unicorns launched their magic into the city, and Earth Ponies trampled civilians underhoof. His own soldiers tried to fight back, but it was useless. He could see the standards near the edge of the city. It was the Queen's primary army.

"Quite the sight isn't it? Your new capitol will be Griffonstone, as Aviarya will be razed to the ground. You will step down as king, and I will place somepony, or rather, grif, of my choosing in power. Your bloodline is gone, and your kingdom will never show defiance towards Equestria again." Gerhurst stared at the the Queen in horror.

"You're a monster, a demon!" He shrieked. He knew it was futile to get her to stop, and could only watch as his citizens were massacred. Daybreaker chuckled.

"No, I am a conqueror. You know the stories as well as I do. If it weren't for that damned tree, myself and my sister would have moved off this heap of rock you call home by now. But no, harmony had to trigger my sisters power early, and I had to stop her from destroying our plans! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW FAR THIS SETS US BACK??"

Daybreaker seethed, and the floor beneath her began to melt into a molten slag. Gerhurst cringed away, the magic surrounding him acting as a shield. The Queen gave a huff before shaking her head.

"Whoever is in charge of that tree sent out a prophecy. It is useless to us now, even though your son stole it. I will stop this from happening, for I am a goddess. No being can challenge me, especially not measly mortals such as yourself. Would you like to hear the prophecy, good Gerhurst?"

Her voice was sickly sweet, and Gerhurst shivered as he stared into her eyes. Behind her sneer, eyes, and facade of a Queen was a monster, a demon. He knew the stories, as did all Griffon's. Upon the departure of Megan the teacher, two beings came from the stars. They came under the promise of freedom and protection, but instead ruled with an iron grip. No grif was free, for freedom meant death. One day, they would be saved, and Megan's successor would throw down the tyrant sisters. He did not respond to the Queen's question, but she didn't seem to mind and instead began to speak.

"From the folds of the aether, a hero shall fall, With the strength of Titans, and the gods' own control. Upon two legs, the breaker of chains, secrets unfold, and evil's grip furthers its hold.

Through the mists of time, a journey shall ensue, A tale of heroes, and legends anew. With each step, a challenge to fate's decree, A new path is forged; an enshrouded destiny.

But beware the trials, the tyrant's roar, For in the shadows, danger lies in store. Friend, Foe, a courageous soul, bear witness to The Lightbringer, The world's saviour from the Demon's hold."

Daybreaker smiled before dropping Gerhurst from her magic. He felt the air leave his lungs as he hit the ground, and his eyes closed on instinct. He heard a noise, then a flash, and upon opening his eyes, he found nothing. The Queen was gone, and he was alone in the throne room. He scrambled to his paws, intent on joining the fight outside, but a motion caught his eyes. He watched in mute horror as Daybreaker appeared far above the city. There was a deathly silence, as the Equestrian's were gone, and all that remained were the survivors of the attack.

Silently, a beam of pure magical energy descended from on high. Gerhurst fell to his knees as everything outside his castle was vaporized. There was no screaming, no cries of pain. Nothing but the destructive beam of light that solidified the tyrants hold over his people.

Gerhurst bowed his head in shame. It was all for nothing. They did not deny the Equestrian's the prophecy, and instead their city was razed. In that moment, Gerhurst lost all hope. He could only pray that when the time came, his people would be saved.

However, looking up at the Queen, he did not know how it could happen. She was to powerful. She was a goddess of death and carnage, and she could not be stopped.

The magic stopped, and Gerhurst was left sitting in his castle, helpless to watch as she flew back east with her legions. Nothing remained except the reminder that she was the one who controlled this world.

Daybreaker could not be stopped, and König Gerhurst IV began to weep.

Author's Note

This is the start to what I wanted to have happened. No spoilers, but I have big plans for this story. This will be the darkest chapter in the story by far, but it is necessary. Sorry for not starting the story off right, but now that it is here, we can finally start what I hope will turn into a saga of epic proportions.

I will upload the other chapter once more as well.

Chapter 1: Just a Dream

A groan escapes my lips as the resounding beep of my phone's alarm blares to my right, its shrillness cutting through the morning silence like a knife. The blasted thing just won't shut up, and ever so slowly, my eyes drift open, heavy with sleep and reluctance.

"Ugh, dammit." With a half-hearted swipe, I reach over and press the snooze option on my phone, the digital display glaring back at me accusingly before I turn over and burrow deeper into the cocoon of warmth provided by my blankets. The comforting embrace of my bed lulls me back into sleep, and for a moment, everything starts to fade away into blissful oblivion...

...until the alarm goes off again.

"Ughhhhh!" I slam my head into my pillow in frustration, the persistent sound piercing through the fog of sleep like a relentless tormentor. With a groan, I force myself to roll out of bed, my movements sluggish and disjointed as if I'm wading through molasses. A dull ache throbs insistently at my temples, a relentless reminder of last night's indulgence, though I swear I didn't drink all that much. The pounding in my skull leaves little doubt—I'm definitely nursing a hangover.

"Another miserable day, that's perfect. Just what I needed on a Mon...day."

I slap my forehead in resignation as my body slowly begins to stir into motion, the impending dread of another Monday looming over me like a dark cloud. Early class beckons, and the last thing I need is to miss it because of a late-night party. The fog around my brain begins to dissipate, replaced by a growing sense of urgency—I need a booster if I'm going to make it through the day.

Quickly shuffling into my tiny washroom, I navigate the cluttered countertop with practiced precision, my fingers fumbling for the cold handle of the sink... only for nothing to happen. I scowl at the traitorous faucet, its stubborn refusal to cooperate a testament to the perpetual maintenance issues plaguing my residence.

I stand there for a moment and look into the mirror. A zombie like creature stares back. My flowing, curly brown hair is a mess, and quite a bit of stubble was finally showing itself. My broad shoulders and decently toned body was hunched slightly from exhaustion, and my left hand idly scratched my skinny right arm. I gave a huff.

'I gotta hit the gym more. I look like a damn skeleton. A strong skeleton, but a skeleton no less.'

Groaning in annoyance, I rub the sleep from my eyes as I stalk back into my main room, my bare feet padding softly against the worn carpet. I head straight for the fridge, the lack of illumination inside a stark reminder of the power outage from last night. With a resigned sigh, I resign myself to keeping the doors closed as much as possible to preserve what little coldness remains within.

Grabbing a small yogurt container, I close the fridge door with a gentle thud and make my way to my cluttered work desk, navigating the maze of textbooks and discarded papers with practiced ease. I set my makeshift breakfast down with a sigh, my gaze sweeping over the chaos that surrounds me—a testament to my ongoing battle with organization.

My room, a canvas of organized chaos, bears the unmistakable imprint of my hurried lifestyle. Despite my best efforts to maintain a facade of cleanliness, my parents would undoubtedly have a field day with the state of my room if they could see it now. But jokes on them; amidst the chaos, I know exactly where everything is.

I pause briefly to think about them. Growing up an a farm meant it was usually my mother caring for myself and my younger brother. Life was good when I was young, but I guess it's like that for most people. I wish it was like that currently, but stress, money, and just being a typical University student seemed to slam me into the ground whenever the opportunity arose.

Rummaging through my drawers, I pull out a pair of medium-wash jeans and a white short-sleeved shirt, their fabric soft against my fingertips. But before I can slip them on, a sudden realization strikes me—I'm still wearing the same underwear I slept in last night. With a grimace, I resign myself to the fact that a shower is out of the question, the lack of running water rendering me dependent on deodorant to mask the remnants of last night's festivities.

Quickly locating my 'Stud Puffins' boxers—a whimsical gift from my aunt—I hastily don them before pulling on my jeans and shirt, the familiar routine of getting dressed a comforting anchor amidst the chaos of my morning.

As I slide on mismatched black socks—another casualty of my hasty morning routine—I glance at the phone beside my bed, cursing as I note the time. Ten minutes to get to class—talk about cutting it close!

With a sense of urgency propelling me forward, I grab my typical plaid longsleeve from the back of my chair and throw it on, leaving it unbuttoned for ease of movement. Next come my worn black shoes, their brand a mystery lost to the depths of time—I've never been one to splurge on fancy footwear, and these have served me well enough thus far.

Hoisting my trusty computer bag over my shoulder and with yogurt container in hand, I step towards the door, the weight of impending deadlines and missed opportunities bearing down on me like a tangible force. But just as I reach for the doorknob, a nagging feeling worms its way into my mind—I can't help but feel something is amiss.

Turning, I my furrow my brows as I look around the room. Everything seems in place, but something still feels off.

"Screw it." I mutter before pulling my door open...

...and walking into a massive throne room.

My legs refuse to move as I stare straight ahead. I feel like a deer caught in headlights as I take in the grand marble pillars, the intricate spirals on the roof, and the stained glass windows depicting strange things. The sun shines with a cozy brightness through the windows, bathing the room in a colourful, but refreshing glow. A plush, blood red carpet travels the room down the middle, and the edges seem to have a golden trim.

Looking up slightly, I see stairs leading to a throne of sorts. Flanking the throne are two imposing blue banners. Strange patterns are depicted in their fabric, and they seem to loom over the room like sentinels.

A sound greets my ears, and my gaze flickers towards the throne. I can hear what seems to be hooves clopping on the sleek, marble floor, but I can't seem to find it within me to move. My vision was becoming a bit hazy, and my headache seemed to pick up ten-fold. Looking down, I noticed that both my hands are shaking.

The clopping stops, and I once more turn my gaze to the throne. It is here that my breath catches in my throat, and my head seems to grow light like a feather.

A beautiful white horse stares at me with wide, expressive eyes. Her coat shines like the sun, yet is as pristine as a blanket of snow, her hooves are adorned by polished golden horseshoes, and a massive horn juts out from the top of her head. A billowing, ethereal mane waves in a nonexistent--

Wait, a horn? Are those wings?? WHY IS THE HORSE'S MANE DOING THAT??!!

I blink, and everything seems to come back into focus. I can see the horse is slowly, carefully walking up to me, and I simply stare at it. I can feel my heartbeat through my chest, it's thumping sounding like thunder in my body. I can't move, I can't even breathe.

Where am I?? What is this place?! Holy shit, holy shit, oh my God!!

I can see the horse's mouth moving, but that shouldn't be possible. Up close, I can see it wears a golden chest ornament, and a flashy crown sits atop its head, She is as tall as me, and concern seems to be the dominant feature on its face, but that isn't possible. This thing is a horse after all.

Suddenly, everything stops. I can once again hear my surroundings, but a slight ringing seems to be in my right ear. I stare at the horse as my mind is flooded with memories of my childhood. They flash by like a rogue wave, and I'm left staring blankly into the horse's eyes like a vegetable. That song... that song I haven't heard since I was seven years old is now playing over and over in my head.

"Hello?"

I blink upon hearing the horse's voice. Smaller horses in golden armour are approaching from behind the horse now, but I pay them no mind.

"Are you okay?"

I just stare at her, judging by the voice, it is a her. A smile works its way onto my face, and I can feel a giggle welling in my throat.

"Heheh..."

My shoulders begin to shake, and my mouth tries to open. The moment stops for half a moment, and I continue staring at the horse. It's ears flick, and it's head tilts in confusion. I can't help it, I can't stop it!

"HEHEHAHAAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAH!!!"

I can't hear my laughter, but judging from the way the horse and the smaller ones recoiled, I can only imagine it was quite loud. At this point, I've nearly doubled over, the feeling of nausea taking over my stomach. Either this is a dream, or I've finally lost it.

My world swims around me, and with a final great shuddering breath, I collapse face first onto the floor. The last thing I hear is the concerned voice, the clanking of metal on marble, and that damn song ringing in my ears.

*****

My eyes flash open with a start, instantly assaulted by the cacophony of sounds and the bustling activity of the change room. A firm pat on my shoulder draws my attention, and I turn to James with a bright smile.

"Helluva game, eh Tyler?" he says, his voice tinged with excitement.

"Yeah, first place, here we come!" I respond, the thrill of victory still coursing through my veins.

James chuckles and takes his seat, joining the other players as they begin to peel off their gear. I feel the weight of my shoulder pads finally starting to drag me down, and I release a tired sigh. Despite the post-game fatigue, my spirits remain high. There's nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of a hard-fought win against the former number one team.

As I shake my head in disbelief, I find myself standing next to my girlfriend, Sonya. Her sparkling blue eyes, framed by wavy brown locks, captivate me as always. She offers her congratulations on the game, leaning in for a kiss that sends a flutter through my heart.

But just as I lean down to meet her, something catches my eye.

A figure cuts through the crowd of parents and hockey players with deliberate, almost hypnotic movements. Despite the chatter around me, I can discern a faint humming emanating from the figure as it draws nearer.

Sweat beads on my forehead, and I try to turn my head to look down at Sonya, but my neck refuses to cooperate. Panic tightens its grip on my chest as the figure approaches, its silhouette shrouded in dark navy blue with a glint of metal catching the light.

'Wake up, please wake up!' I silently plead, but the world around me blurs, colors swirling into an incomprehensible haze. Nausea churns in my stomach, and my consciousness reels in the opposite direction.

With a sudden jolt, my eyes shoot open, and I'm overwhelmed by the urge to vomit. In a panic, I throw off the sheets and scramble out of bed, paying little heed to the unnaturally plush carpet beneath my feet. In my frenzied state, I dash toward the washroom, only to collide painfully with a wall.

"Aggh!" I cry out, clutching my throbbing nose as waves of pain and nausea wash over me. Crumpled on the ground, I retch uncontrollably, unable to see what spills from my stomach, the remnants of last night's supper no doubt.

I sit there for who knows how long, retching and vomiting what seemed to be every single one of my organs. I hardly notice the fact that a figure is sitting beside me, and a cloth is wiping across my mouth and face.

Finally, it stops. The smell causes my nose to crinkle slightly and I gag out of reflex. I hear the figure beside me sigh in what appears to be annoyance.

Without looking up, I give the figure a weak thumbs up.

"I-I'm good, thanks for the help, whoever you are."

There was a moment of silence before a feminine giggle escaped from the person's mouth. My heart seemed to come to a stop, and my eyes widened. What the hell was a girl doing in my room? How did they get in?? Apparently my mouth decided to speak ahead of my brain.

"Heh, you have a cute giggle."

I immediately grimaced in embarrassment at my own words. I wasn't very good at talking to girls, and here one was inside my dorm room. Either this was my lucky day, or God decided to punish me with my shitty social skills.

"T-Thank you." The girls voice was barely audible, and I groaned as I realized I likely made her uncomfortable. Forcing myself to one knee, then onto two legs, I sheepishly rub the back of my neck.

"I'm sorry about that, my mouth ran off on--" Looking around, I couldn't spot the women in my midst. Even more confusing were my surroundings, that could wait for now. Who the hell talked to me? I hear a polite cough from below me, and as slow as a snail, my eyes travel downwards, getting wider and wider as I saw what stood before me.

A small, light blue pony wearing shiny golden armour stared up at me with wide, cheery and expressive eyes. I could only stare blankly at the waist-high equine as my brain decided to short circuit. The ponies smile faded slightly, and her head tilted to the side in a rather adorable manner. Her tail swished on the floor, and what appeared to be wings attached to her side ruffled slightly.

Then the memories hit me.

I saw the throne room, the familiar dais, and the white... Pegacorn whom I was somewhat familiar with. Scouring my memory some more, I recalled a name. Celestee, or Celestial or something.

"Yep, I'm still dreaming." I mumble matter-of-factly. However, a smile grows on my face. I always found horses rather cute and goofy, and the one sitting before was downright adorable. I mean look at that armour, and the huge eyes! How could I not pet that, not matter if I was imagining it or not!

"Now aren't you the cutest little thing!" I chuckle and bend down to her eye level. The little horse -- no, pony, gives me a strange look as I reach forward. Her eyes track my hand with uncertainty, and I can see her begin to move back. "No need to be afraid, I won't hurt you. It's just a dream after all." I chuckled again as the pony gave me a a raised eyebrow, but that soon changed as my fingers began idly scratching under her chin.

"Ooohh, that feels nice..." The little pony murmerd, causing me to chuckle.

A sudden bang reverberates through the room, jolting me from my thoughts and nearly causing me to leap out of my skin. Whipping my head around to locate the source of the noise, I'm caught off guard as a heavy weight envelops my upper body, yanking me down to the ground and leaving me staring up at the ceiling. Panic surges through me as I struggle against the unseen force, attempting to free myself, but all I manage to do is twist my head to the side, the muscles in my legs protesting with the onset of a cramp. Hissing in pain, I freeze, straining to listen to the commotion unfolding around me.

"Private Dusk, step away from the creature!" A gruff voice barks from the entryway, the urgency in its tone causing me to freeze. I can hear the nervous shuffling of the little mare I had been scratching, adding to the tension in the air.

"Sergeant Stopper, the creature was posing no danger to myself! I-" The Private's protest is cut off abruptly, replaced by the authoritative growl of the Sergeant.

"Stow it, Private! For the next two days, you are on latrine duty! Your insubordination will be brought before the Captain." The Sergeant's voice drips with authority, and I can almost feel the tension crackling in the air. Despite the gravity of the situation, I can't help but chuckle involuntarily, a brief moment of levity in the midst of the chaos. The sudden silence that follows my laughter is as swift and brutal as a thunderclap, and I grimace, bracing myself for the inevitable backlash.

"You got something to say, ape?" The Sergeant's voice is a menacing growl, and I meet his gaze defiantly, trying to suppress the smirk that threatens to spread across my face. His horn was ablaze with a pale glow, and he seemed to be sweating slightly. His Roman-esque helmet and poised spear add to his intimidating presence, but I can't help but find the whole scene absurd.

"You ponies are too adorable to be intimidating," I retort, unable to resist the urge to poke fun at the surreal situation. A ripple of amusement courses through me. Who knew my dreams could be so realistic? However, a sudden sense of unease washes over me, the nagging question lurking in the back of my mind threatening to disrupt my fragile sense of security.

'What if I'm wrong?'

I shake my head, dismissing the thought as absurd. It must be a dream, or perhaps the result of some hallucinogen. After all, reality couldn't possibly be this bizarre. Especially not with beings from a show I watched nearly a decade and a half ago.

The pressure around my body dissipates suddenly, and after a moment's hesitation, I slowly rise to my feet, taking in my surroundings with a mixture of curiosity and cavalier. The Sergeant, now seated on the ground and nursing his horn, garners little more than a passing glance from me as I survey the room.

To my right, a Victorian-era chair sits beside my bed, invoking a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of my grandmother's home. The room itself exudes an air of opulence, with a plush carpet underfoot and regal purple drapes adorning the windows. My gaze drifts to the door, where marble pillars reach to the roof, their intricate carvings obscured from my vantage point.

However, my attention is drawn to the wall blocking the entrance to what should have been my bathroom, a stark reminder of the surreal nature of my surroundings. Obviously I wasn't in my residence. I shake my head, attributing the strange occurrences to a vivid dream or a hallucination induced by sleepwalking. Yet, the lingering sense of discomfort remains, fueled by the unsettling realism of the experience.

Glancing down at the vomit-stained floor, a shiver runs down my spine. Despite my efforts to rationalize the situation, a lingering doubt gnaws at the edges of my consciousness, casting a shadow over my fragile sense of certainty. Shaking my head, I once again dispel the thought entirely.

"I'm gonna go find that white Pegacorn." I state as I look down at the trembling Private. I realized then that my bag is missing, and once again chalk it up to the hallucination. I reach down and give the little pony another scratch before walking towards the door.

"S-stop, creature!" The Sergeant stands in my way, but I see him wince in pain as he tries to light his horn. I lean down with a sneer and give it a flick, causing him to yelp and topple over sideways.

Snickering, and with a smirk playing on my lips, I stride confidently out into the hallway, only to be greeted by a scene straight out of a fairy tale. The plush carpet beneath my feet cushions each step, its rich texture inviting and comforting. Sunlight streams in through the arched windows, casting a warm glow that bathes the corridor in a golden hue.

As I glance around, my eyes are drawn upward to the majestic pillars of purple-hued marble that rise like sentinels, reaching ever upward in graceful arcs. The ceiling, adorned with intricate carvings and delicate patterns, looms overhead, its height giving me the feeling of vertigo. A sense of awe washes over me, the sheer grandeur of the surroundings leaving me momentarily speechless.

Gold trimmings adorn the walls, catching the light and casting shimmering reflections that dance in a kaleidoscope of colors. The air is imbued with a sense of magic and wonder.

It was incredible what the human mind could create.

Outside the windows, cherry blossom trees sway gently in the breeze, their delicate pink blooms adding to the ethereal beauty of the scene. It's as if I've stepped into a world straight out of a dream...

...I frowned. This was just a dream. When I wake up, all this will be gone.

"Y'know, it's not that impressive. I mean, sure it's the VIP wing, and the colours seem to pop during the spring, but it's nothing special."

I glance down and see the pegasus is once more at my side. I frown in thought, both at her words and her presence. Surely she would have disappeared by now? Usually, when I dream, details aren't often repeated. Even with such questions, I can't help but take a deep breath. The air is so very fresh, and a sense of giddiness washes over me. What I would give to actually live in a world like this!

"I think it's impressive. But then again, the mind is a powerful thing. To see such details and have such realistic things while dreaming and on drugs is quite a feat if I had to hazard a guess. Hah! And I even get to partake in a world that I saw on TV as a seven year old kid! If this is what happens when you get high, then I've gotta try it more often! Can you show me the way to the white Pegacorn? I've always wanted to see a Pegacorn!"

I rub my hands together as I look down either end of the hallway. I can see various ponies, many of which are maids. A few seem to have seen me and frozen on the spot. I don't really care, this is all to exciting!

"You aren't going anywhere, creature." I hear a grizzled voice from behind me. I groan in annoyance as I see the Sergeant staring up at me. My gaze flickers to the spear held level with my chest, but I can only smile.

"Sure I am. Watch this."

Pivoting on my heel, I begin marching left down the corridor. I hear the Sergeant pony give a cry of surprise before he gallops past me. He turns on his hooves and shoves the spear at me, causing me to pause. Even if it was a dream, anyones natural reaction would be to not get poked.

"No. You aren't permitted to leave until the Princess permits it!"

Hearing a huff, I look down and see Private Dusk roll her eyes. She too now holds a spear, but it is held in an upright position. Her fuzzy pony ears are slightly wilted, and she sticks her tongue out at the Sergeant.

"Come on, Sarge. It wouldn't be very nice to keep it all locked up. Plus, remember the Princess said not to agitate it-- hold on," she looks up at me, "are you a male or a female?"

"I'm a toaster-oven." I immediately quipe, causing the mare to scowl. I give a little smirk. "I'm a dude."

"The hay is a dude?" The Sergeant asks. My eyebrows raise in actual surprise at the question, and I stutter as I try to answer them.

"Well, a dude is like a cool... guy? Yeah, it's just slang for cool guy. So I'm male." I state as I scratch the back of my head. Upon my movement, the Sergeant raises his spear ever so slightly, and his glare hardens. I give a scoff.

"Please, as if you could hurt me. Even if--"

"For ponies sake! Stop saying you are hallucinating, it's getting annoying. We are going to see the Princess so you can get sorted out." Private Dusk growls as her wing flaps open and nudges against my rear. There is a surprising amount of strength there, and I stumble slightly from the sudden force. Thankfully, Sergeant Stopper had moved his spear, otherwise I'd be a Human shish-kebab.

Grumbling, I follow Dusk as she trots down the hall Even with the ponies moving at a faster pace, I'm more than able to keep up. Being six foot three, I can only imagine what it must be like looking up to talk to me from their perspective.

"Still a dream, it's just a dream. You are dreaming, nothing to it!" I notice Stopper give me a side eye, but pay it no mind. There wasn't a chance that any of this was real, right? I'm just a student, nineteen years old! I've lived a relatively normal life. I have a loving family, and some of the best friends a guy can ask for. Only an act of God could send me to a place such as this! I haven't picked up my bible in some time, but I think I just might have to...

"Halt."

As myself and the two guards came to a stop, a frown was deepening on my face. I woke up in my room on campus, but upon exiting, I ended up in a world with talking ponies. If this is in fact real, then maybe it was a a portal of some sort? Like if my door opened up into this world, but if I were to look out the window, it would be regular old Nova Scotia.

My anxiety began to climb, and I could feel my hand beating rhythmically on the side of my leg. My eyes began to dart around, taking in every detail. I saw the suspicious look the guards at the door were giving me. I saw Dusk looking up at me with some concern. Stopper was talking to the guards, explaining why I was here.

I suddenly began to sweat, and tugged at the collar of my shirt. The fabric felt like it always had, and the air feels normal, if a bit more crisp and full. There weren't any swirling colours, or shaky visuals, or even random things popping up. Nothing to discern if this indeed was all a figment of my imagination.

"Alright, go ahead. The Princess knows you have arrived." I snapped back to the present and watched as Sergeant Spotter saluted the two sentinels at the entranceway. I gulped and tried steady my breathing, but an oppressive blanket seemed to be smothering any courage I had. The longer I stood here, the more I began to hyperventilate.

Soft, sleek feathers touched my back, and I jumped. I looked down at Dusk with wide, and what I can imagine would be wild eyes. I was scared, but I don't know how much was showing on my face. The lie I have been telling myself was starting to break apart, along with my sanity.

Looking into Dusk's eyes, she gave me a reassuring smile before giving me a gentle nudge. I obliged and stepped towards the doors. The two guards pushed on their respective doors, and the throne room was once again revealed in all its splendor.

That is, if you ignored the large wooden and metal cube sitting in the middle of the room. Said cube had pipes jutting out every which way, and its pale colour seemed to absorb the vibrancy of the room. Wires stuck out like hairs, and my heart sank as I noticed the large window facing me. The blinds were closed, and no matter how much I didn't want to believe it, I knew what was behind them

Our little group walked at a brisk pace down the corridor, but not once did I take in any of the rather beautiful architecture. Instead, my focus shifted to the large white pony sitting on the throne. Her eyes seemed to burrow into my skull as I stared up at her. With my world crashing down around me, I finally began to understand the situation I'm in.

Blinking, I force a neutral mask onto my face. Fear would not help me, nor would panicking. I watched as the Princess raised an eyebrow at me, but otherwise remained silent. It was then that I noticed to other ponies off to the side of the throne. One was beige/yellow with a tattoo of three apples on its flank. It came just above my waist, and of all things, was wearing a stetson cowboy hat. The other pony was nearly pure white, but not to the majestic degree of the Pegacorn on the throne. It's purple hair was twirled and well maintained, and it sported obvious fake eyelashes. I immediately Marked the two as female, judging by their similar stature to Dusk, the only difference being height. Both these ponies looked at me in curiosity.

Finally stopping about ten feet from the throne, my two escorts lowered into a bow. I merely raised an eyebrow and glared up at the white horse on the throne above me. My temper was finally at an end. I no longer knew what was real and what wasn't, and my anger was growing at a rapid pace.

As the two guards looked up at me, as if expecting me to follow suit, I chuckled. If the universe was going to fuck with me, then what more did I have to lose?

After a moment of silence, I finally said what was on my mind.

"I bow to no one."

I hear multiple gasps, and I can't help but notice the horrified looks the two guards and two ponies are giving me. I just don't care anymore, so I merely raise an eyebrow. After another moment of silence, the Princess slowly stood from her throne before making her way towards me. I gulped as she slowly, methodically walked down the red ramp, her face betraying nothing.

'In retrospect, saying that may not have been a good idea.'

Finally the Princess was at my level, literally. We were the exact same height (minus the horn), and we stared at each other in a silent contest of wills. I could feel... something extruding from the equine in front of me, but I could not see it. It was as though her mere presence place a weight on reality and tried to warp and bend it.

After a few more seconds of staring, and only moments before I broke eye contact, the Princess smiled. She took a step back and slowly raised her hoof towards me. The ponies in the room, who were no standing, stared in shock.

"Welcome, creature, to Canterlot. I'm sure you have many questions, as do I, so I'd like to cordially invite you to sup with me this afternoon."

I stared at her in shock for a moment, but ever so slowly, I realized what she was getting at. I gently grasped her hoof in my right and shook it. However, I figured to take it a step further, and quickly bent down tow kiss the top of her hoof. I held back my unwarranted disgust, and was happy to see the look of surprise on the face of the Princess. It quickly melted away and was replaced with a soft, motherly smile.

"A very interesting creature indeed. Tell me, what is your name?"

"Uh...uhm..." I stumble on my words. I truly did not expect this to happen. Then again, I didn't know what to expect. Whether this was real or not, I decided to play along. "My name is Tyler. Tyler Mackenzie. I'm a Human. It's, um, a pleasure to meet you, Princess.

The Princess's smile grew.

"It's nice to meet you Mr. Tyler. If you will follow me, we will go to the dining area. It is nearly three in the afternoon."

'What the fuck have I gotten myself into.'

With a shake of my head, and a look at my guards, I began to follow the Princess.

It was time I got some answers.

Author's Note

Yep. You know all this already.

Chapter 2: Otherworldly Lunch

Author's Note

Here it is, the next chapter! Hope you all enjoy, and don't forget to leave feedback. Things will begin picking up soon, This I promise.

Chapter 2: Otherworldly Lunch

My footfalls seemed heavy as we walked down the slowly darkening hallway. An amber glow was beginning to shine through the many windows, and glinted off of Dusk and Stoppers armour. I deduced that the two were something of a personal guard for myself while I was here.

With the soothing light, and the silence in the hallway, an eerie calm seemed to gather in the air. I wanted to say something, anything, to start a conversation. I had so many questions! What other races were there? What is technology like here? where will I be staying? And... how will I get home?

I still haven't come to terms with the fact this is real. Something like this cannot be possible, especially for someone as normal as myself. Not to mention the uncanny feeling, like something seems real but is off in a way. I can't really place it, but I think it has something to do with my knowledge of where I currently am. Upon hearing Celestia introduce herself, my memories had decided to once more make a return. Things were still hazy, but I remember bits and pieces here and there. I know I'm in Equestria, I think, or a version of it. I remember a few of the ponies names, and I know of certain... events. The only problem is it has been about twelve whole years since I saw the show, and even then, it was only an episode here or there while in the care of my babysitter.

A shiver runs up my spine. Thoughts and theories were making a mad dash to the forefront of my mind, and I simply could not process them all. Wasn't it every little kids dream to visit Equestria and see their favorite characters? I know that a group of adults called furries or Bronies or something follow the show like a cult, but I don't know the details behind their little shtick.

"Mr. Tyler, are you alright?" I hear from Celestia.

I snap my head up to look at her with a neutral expression. I can see the orange pony, Apple or something, along with Rarity looking back at me with what appears to be concern. I decide to give a small smile, but it comes off as more of a grimace. The ponies can tell right away, and the orange one decides to speak up.

"Penny for yer' thoughts, sugarcube?" She says in a heavy southern accent. Looking a bit closer to her, I can see she seems to pull off the "southern belle" look quite well, for an equine. The ends of her mane and tale are tied by bands of some sort, and her stetson sits comfortably on the back of her head. I give a sigh as I idly wave my hand.

"Just thinking...er, I never got you or your friends names!" I lied. She gave me a flat stare and a quiet 'tsk', but otherwise decided to answer my question.

"Ahm Applejack, and this here is Rarity." Walking on three legs, she points to herself, then to Rarity. I am still a bit amazed that their legs can bend in such a fashion, but at this point I just have to accept it. The rules here are different, evidently, and if I'm going to retain my sanity, I need to start thinking as such.

Humming in acknowledgement, I decide to try and strike up a bit more conversation. "It's nice to meet you. What do you guys do for a living?"

Glancing at Rarity, I can see she is eyeing me with a critical look. It's almost predatory, the way her eyes travel up and down my body.

'Feels like I'm a piece of meat...'

"Well, I work on my families farm, Sweet Apple Acres. I'm an apple farmer." I can hear the pride in her voice and internally smile. Growing up on a farm myself, I was quite fond of my upbringing and the hard work I put in. The constant playing outside as a kid, riding the horses, and working with my dad on the tractors were some of my core memories. I tuned back in as Rarity decided to speak up.

"I am a seamstress, darling. It's my calling. However, my cutie mark represents my ability to locate and utilize gems, as you can probably tell." She looks up at me with a smile, one that I can't help but return. While she carried a posh voice, her attitude said otherwise. Call it a gut feeling, but this pony seemed like she could be trusted. However, one thing was nagging at my mind.

"What's a cutie mark?"

Our little precession instantly stopped, and all eyes swung to me. Chuckling slightly, I take a half step back from all the stare's I'm getting.

"What do you mean 'what's a cutie mark'? Do you not have a special talent darling?" Rarity questions, her expression one of befuddlement. I shake my head, and I can see her ears visibly droop slightly.

"Nope, Human's don't get a Cutie Mark." I shiver. That name is so... girly. "What do you mean by special talent?"

The ponies exchange glances before Dusk decides to be the one to talk.

"A Cutie Mark is a ponies calling, their destiny. It's what they are best at, and what they will pursue in life." She points to Applejack. "Her calling is apples and farming said apples." She points to Rarity." Her's is gems and clothing. You're telling us you don't have a Cutie Mark?"

I shake my head once again, a frown developing as I began to think. Cutie Marks sound quite restrictive if I'm being honest. Sure, it'd be cool and helpful knowing what you are destined to do, but that also takes away freedom and opportunity to a degree. While I'm currently studying for a Bachelors of Business Administration, I've always dreamt of having my own farm. Why can't I run my own business, happily retire, then buy a ranch?

"I'm thinking to deep into this." I whisper.

"So it would seem, Mr. Tyler. Come, your questions will be satisfied at lunch. It is just through these doors, and we can get you situated with some food." I frown. No one was supposed to hear that. This large ears weren't just for show it would seem.

Once more we began to walk, and it wasn't long before we came to some great oakum doors. Two guards stood to the side, and they quickly saluted before granting us entry. We entered into an astonishing dining room. A massive table was arrayed in the middle of the room. Shining cutlery sparkled as though they were crystals, and fancy plates akin to fine China sat before a multitude of seats. Multiple bouquets full of exotic flowers decorated the table, and the marble floor of the room gleaned with unnatural cleanliness. Underneath the cutlery, fine placemats sat. Their shapes and colours blending well with the wood beneath them, giving a rustic, yet expensive feel.

Sun gleamed through an archway leading to the outside. The massive glass doors were thrown open, and a refreshing, lukewarm breeze blew through the room. I could hear the birds chirping outside, and I inhaled sharply from the crisp afternoon air.

I couldn't help but let a smile appear. It was cold back on campus, and when it wasn't cold, it was wet. My residence wasn't exactly the best place to live in the world, and the air was always stale. Even Springs back home couldn't compare to the pure freshness of the air here in this place.

I caught Rarity giving me a side eye, and she turned away with a feminine giggle. I merely shook my head and approached the table along with the others.

Celestia took her seat at the head of the table closest to the balcony, and Rarity and Applejack sat opposite each other right beside the white monarch. I eyed all the places, trying the gauge where to sit, when I felt someone's breath on the back of neck.

"Chose any spot thou would like." A menacing, but feminine voice whispered in my ear.

I jumped and gave a shriek of surprise from the sudden voice, and I immediately turned to face whoever had snuck up on me. My stance lowered, and my right arm cocked back as my left raised slightly, ready to move at a moments notice. It was then that my eyes landed on a midnight blue Alicorn standing before me. Her eyes glared up at my face, and I gave a shiver from the seemingly hostile stance she had taken up. Her wings were slightly flared, and her hooves were spread. Her horn was slightly aglow, and her head was slightly lowered. Her eyes widened in the split second I took in these details, and she took a step back. Judging from her look, she hadn't expected my roundabout reaction from being scared to instantly on guard.

We stared at each other for a moment, both of us tense, when the Alicorn before finally spoke.

"An impressive form." She spat as she slowly stood up straight. I followed suit and crossed my arms before glaring down at her.

"What the hell was that for?" My tone wasn't angry, but it certainly contained some heat. For years, I've had a negative reaction to people sneaking up on me. There was an instance at a party where I went to the washroom, but forgot to lock the door. One of my buddies thought it would be a good idea to try and jump scare me. The black eye I gave him (on accident), was a good deterrence to not try such a thing again.

My reactions have gotten infinitely better at this stage in my life, but I was still wary of people coming up behind me. I don't know how it originated, but it was certainly a hard habit to lose.

A few gasps sounded, but once again, I paid them no mind. Judging by the crown and the pectoral piece, I had just spoken to another Princess, and not in a very respectful manner. I watched in real time as her expression darkened, and a snarl built on her muzzle.

Before she could begin yelling, a polite cough directed out attention to the table.

"Sister, please leave Mr. Mackenzie alone. There is no need for hostility. Would you join us for lunch?"

I could see Celestia's seemingly forced smile, and watched as the Sister, who's name I did not know, scowled up at me. It was then that I felt something poke at the small of my back.

Turning, I found a different guard standing with his spear poised towards me. Looking around the room, I also noticed several more with magic glowing around the hilts of their weapons, ready to spring forward should I make a wrong move. A quiet, unconscious gulp escaped from me as my eyes traveled the armed and armoured horses.

Slowly, I turned and faced the dark Princess and raised an eyebrow. She merely huffed, glanced behind me, and nodded. I let out a breath when I heard the armoured pony trot away from behind me. Without another word, the dark Alicorn walked away and slowly moved around the table to sit on her sister's left, furthest from me.

I did not move, and instead continued to stare at the two royals.

"There is no need for hostility Mr. Mackenzie. Here," her horn glowed a golden yellow, and a chair on her right quickly slid backwards without a sound, "please take a seat." Celestia's seemingly innocent smile caused my eyes to narrow, but I decided it would be better to comply. Even with the warm air, I couldn't help but shiver.

Slowly, I lowered myself down into the seat. It wasn't exactly designed for Humans, so the strange scoop in the middle was a bit uncomfortable. Thankfully, I was a decently flexible person and managed to ignore the strange design. After getting comfortable, and pulling my chair in, the room fell into a contemplative silence. One that was soon broken by the doors behind me once again opening.

Turning to look, I found a small line of ponies in maid outfits were carting food into the massive room. The wheels on the trolly's made nary a sound, and a waft of what seemed to be fried veggies' hit my nose in force. I couldn't help but drool a little from the smell as the maids horn's lit, and different trays were placed before myself and the others. An array of forks, knives, and spoons floated into their places, but I ignored them as I looked around the table. Even with my stomach rumbling, I snapped my mouth closed and frowned. Celestia was eyeing me, or moreso my reaction. I didn't quite understand why, until the tray in front of me had its top lifted, and a steaming pork chop greeted my sight. My eyes widened slightly at the sight, but I quickly looked back at Celestia with a questioning glance.

"Why do you guys have meat? I would've thought equines would be herbivores?" I took a fork and knife from beside my tray and gently cut a slice of the pork. It seemed perfectly cooked, without an ounce of pink , so nodded before popping the piece into my mouth. It was nothing special, and in personal opinion, needed some barbeque sauce. I noticed the green face on Rarity, but Applejack seemed unbothered. Instead, she seemed to be analyzing me with a bored expression. I shifted in my seat and gently placed my fork and knife back on the plate.

"Mrs. Applejack noticed the odd device in your... living arrangements carried an assortment of meats, when she and Mrs. Rarity took a look inside," I frowned and narrowed my eyes, "We took one, and decided to cook it for you, as we have no such food here in the castle at the moment. We figured you were a carnivore, so we did not want to... displease you with our lack of options."

I sat in silence, digesting everything Celestia had just told me. Those ponies had gone inside my room without my consent, muddled around, leaked cold air in my freezer, and judging by looks a few of them were giving me, assumed I was some kind of dangerous meat eater. I snorted, and opted to ignore the issue of them invading my privacy for now. I could complain about that later.

"I am actually an omnivore. I have canine teeth for slicing meat, and molars for crushing greens." I quickly opened my mouth and flashed the aforementioned teeth while pointing them out. I saw Celestia's head cock to the side slightly, and Applejack was nodding. Rarity looked less green, and the dark Princess looked indifferent. Her frown was slightly deeper, but that was about it.

Silence reigned once more, and I saw the ponies looking at each other. I decided I might as well enjoy my pork chop, and cut into it some more. The others, noticing my lack of care for the conversation, followed suit. All except the other Princess. She sat glaring at me, and I felt a scowl appearing on my face as I continued to eat. The jumpiness of the ponies was mildly annoying, but this one was showing outright hostility. Was it because I was so different to them? Was it because of my need sudden drop into their castle?

"What is your true purpose here, ape."

All noise stopped, along with the fork that was halfway to my mouth. My eyes flicked upwards to regard the pony that spoke, and I wasn't surprised to find the second Princess. I also noticed Rarity's cringe, along with Applejacks wary look towards me.

"Sister!" Celestia scolded, but the dark one cast her a glare. Her mouth closed, and she shook her head as the two had a silent conversation. I slowly lowered my fork, and a brief cloud of anger came over me. Everything still felt so surreal, and I was trying so very hard to suppress my growing panic. I was more than aware that this where I currently am is real, but I know that if I delve to far into those thoughts, I might have a panic attack.

My eye twitched, and the two sisters fixed their gazes on me, but I did not flinch. I was angry. Angry at the world, angry at myself, and at the hopeless situation I was becoming to realize. But most of all, I was angry with the stupid Princess. These... things were characters in a bloody show I used to watch. Was this some kind of punishment for my drinking habits? My indulgence in lustful activities while at school? Maybe it's because of my deteriorating faith in God? Back home, the world was going to shit, and there was nothing I could do to make a difference. Just be another person going through the indoctrination program that is university, another person that will find some boring job at a desk, another person who works nine to five, and rarely has time for kids. I have enough problems as it is.

But now I am here, in some kids fantasy show. I can easily tell that these little equines are uncomfortable around me, and the dark Princess has voiced what they are all thinking. I can see the discomfort in each and every guard around the room. I can see how tense Applejack and Rarity are. I can feel the cold glare that the second Princess is giving me. They openly admitted to snooding around in my dorm room, which has seemingly been torn from my world. I've had enough of this. Maybe I am tired and disoriented, maybe I am confused, or even scared, but what else am I supposed to do? I didn't think this could possibly be real, and look what happened!

"I never caught your name, pony." My voice was low and challenging. The Princess nostrils flared, along with her wings, and a low whinney escaped her muzzle. I continued to stare, my anger only growing with each second. A slight ringing was developing in my ears, and I briefly saw Celestia shaking her head towards her sister.

"I am Princess Luna, Guardian of the night and protector of Dreams, welp; you are to address me as such!" Her voice was low, but carried a feeling like a bomb about to go off. My glare hardened, and upon raising my hand, I jabbed a finger towards her.

"I will call you whatever I damn well please! You ponies go searching through my stuff, shrouding everything in secrecy, acting way to nice, and look at me with loathing! I am not some dirty ape, so much as you people are horses!" Applejack and Rarity gasped, Celestia frowned while Luna growled. I continued on my little rant without a clue to my surroundings. "You know what, your royal highness, I'll tell you my purpose here! I DON'T HAVE ONE!!"

My sudden roar caused everyone present to jump, and the guards at the edges of the room lowered their spears and took a few steps closer. I paid them no mind as angry tears began to sting my eyes, and flashes of life back home began to shroud my mind. All I could see where my parents and younger brother, my friends Samuel and Jayden. I saw my cat, Donut, my family's' farm, and the dream of working beside my dad at his tractor dealership.

"I-I have no purpose here, I don't even know how I got here! I was minding my own business, going to school, getting an education! I-I wanted to... I just..." I collapsed back in my seat and buried my face in my arms, my shoulders shaking. I no longer felt anger, but that wasn't much of an improvement.

'I'll never see home again...'

The reality of my situation came crashing down, and with it, came my pent up emotions. For the last two hours, I have been putting on a strong face, thinking this was figment of my imagination. Now I know the truth. I'm stuck here in fantasy land, in a children's cartoon. If I remember right there are no others like me in this world, and I was now alone. It was bad enough at school, but at least there everyone was human. At least there I had options. Now I had nothing but the clothes on my back, and whatever useless stuff was in my dilapidated room which was sitting stuck in the floor.

I felt something on my back, something soft. I slowly turned to look up, and immediately notice light blue wings placed along my shoulders. I recognize Dusk as she sits beside me, and she is giving me a reassuring smile. It does nothing to improve my mood, but I am now aware enough to see the embarrassing position I put myself into. Closing my eyes, I try to slow my breathing. Maybe there was still a way for me to get back? The Princesses had magic, and I can only guess that magic is what brought me here in the first place.

Looking up, my eyes caught the flicker of Luna's horn as her magic died off. I hadn't noticed until now, but for some reason, while I had been talking, her horn had been lit. Now that I think about it, I'm feeling okay. Tired, sure, but the anger is gone. Was... was she casting a spell on me? What caused that surge of emotion?

Luna's eyes widened as she saw my look of comprehension, and the anger came back in force, along with a dose of fear. This time, I wasn't under any influence. I saw sweat on the edge of her brow, and she seemed to sway in place, but I paid that detail no mind. I found myself beginning to stand, and the comfort of Dusk's wings slipped off.

"What did you do to me?" My voice was a low growl, and my hands began to shake from the surge of emotion. I felt a pressure in my stomach, and what felt like adrenaline came crashing down on my consciousness. Every little detail seemed to pop, every little motion caught my eye. I could see every guard, and every maid beginning to shy away, though I did not know why. I saw Celestia's eyes widen in surprise, but her face quickly became it's normal mask. Only a small amount of concern twitched at the edge of her lips.

"Tyler, please calm yourself. Your emotions are high, and I can understand your frustration. My sister is merely suspicious, as you are a something the likes we have not seen!"

Her words where motherly, and I felt myself beginning to calm. My fists, which were white at the knuckles, slowly unclenched, and I once again felt a sense of fatigue wash over me. A slight breeze blew through the open balcony, washing against my side and I let out a great sigh. I was still angry, but I knew she was right. I was making a fool of myself, and this would certainly affect my first official meeting with beings from another world. I had to chuckle at that. Beings' from another world. I always thought that if I saw aliens, they would come from above. Instead, I show up in their home, cause a scene, and get all emotional.

Whoop De doo.

Looking up at the Princess's, I gave a start at the four new ponies standing on the other side of the table. Each was wearing some kind of trinket on their necks, though one had some kind of tiara. Five of the six were tensed, as if they wanted to jump across the table and dogpile me, while the cute butter coloured pegasus hid behind a chair with her head poking out. I simply raised an eyebrow, slowly recognizing that the entire friendship squad was staring me down. I still don't know most of their names.

"Where did you lot come from?" I asked quietly. I saw Dusk in the corner of my eye and noted she had not moved. Her eyes were wide, but she otherwise remained still. I thanked whoever was watching out for me that she wasn't like the other guards. They still have yet to put their spears away.

The purple pony looked at Princess Celestia, who slowly gave a shallow nod. I watched as she turned to me and awkwardly cleared her throat. The others continued to stare, but I tuned them out. My eyebrow was continuing to raise as I watched the purple pony scrape her hood on the floor and avoid my gaze. Finally, she spoke.

"We, uh, we came here at the Princess's invite. She, er, wanted us here for two reasons. The first being if you turned out to be a threat," I scowled, "and the second was because we may be able to help you with your... problem." Her ears wilted slightly as she looked off to the side, while I merely crossed my arms. With my memories of the show still a bit foggy, I can vaguely recall that the six of them were some kind of weapon that stopped a demon or something in the first season. Where they going to use it on me if I proved to be a threat?

I gave a sigh and casually reached for my chair. A pang of hunger had been gnawing at my stomach, and a sudden growl caused a flinches from those still looking at me. I gave a small chuckle as I sat down, the chair scraping loudly across the floor. I might as well try and act friendly, otherwise they might blast me with whatever weapon they have.

Wait... it's a rainbow beam. If they hit me with that thing, will it turn me gay?

While I thought about being blasted by an 'LGBTQ+' superweapon, the others slowly took their spots around the table, albeit with a lot more elegance. Their hushed whispers and occasional glances let me know they were discussing me, but I didn't mind. I heard a sound beside me and noticed a pale gray unicorn mare in a maids outfit was levitating a new pitcher of what appeared to be water in front of me. She poured in the glass in front of me, and I quietly nodded my thanks, to which she reciprocated, before finally looking up at the others. They each had their own trays now as well, and were getting their food ready. Lids were removed, salt, pepper, and butter were passed around. Looking back down, I noticed I still had my porkchop sitting there, forgotten during my bout of magic influenced drama. I licked my lips as I brought it closer, and quickly grabbed my fork. Even without sauce, a porkchop was a porkchop. I cut a small slice off the meat and brought it to my lips. I murmured happily when I stuck the piece in my mouth. Never would I have been able to cook it so well.

I noticed the table was once again dead silent, and I flicked my gaze to the solar princess as she watched me. While her gaze was on me, I could see her eyes seemed slightly focused on my chest. I could recognize when someone was in deep thought, and decided a conversation might help calm the atmosphere.

"Penny for your thoughts, Princess?" I asked as nonchalantly as possible. The friendship squad flinched, and I noticed Luna give me a half glare. Celestia meanwhile looked up at me with a strained smile.

"I am merely thinking about how we can help you return home, my little Human. It is fascinating that your little... house was teleported right into my throne room. Did you or someone nearby have a magical mishap perhaps?" Her kind smile and soft tone put me more at ease, and I shook my head as I took a sip of water. I noticed the purple pony with the tiara staring at me with intrigue, but I ignored her.

"I'm not sure. We humans' don't have magic where I'm from, but it could have been some secret government experiment." I chuckled. I wasn't very trusting of the government, maybe they found my search history and decided to be rid of me?

Celestia's frown deepened and she opened her mouth to speak, but a sudden gasp caused all eyes to turn to the purple pony. A scroll and a feather were floating beside her, and her large eyes seemed to stare into my very soul. A strand of hair poked out from atop her mane, and her eye twitched.

"N-no magic? What do you mean no magic? All living things have magic! It can't be possible!" Her voiced raised with every word, and she was practically yelling by the end, and this was enunciated as she slammed her two forehooves on the table, causing the contents to clatter. I heard a sigh and saw the rainbow maned pegasus whispering to Applejack, the latter giggling and shaking her head. I turned back to face the purple one and raised a single eyebrow.

"I'm afraid it's true, miss. We Humans' have no magic whatsoever. We've adapted using technology instead." The purple pony shook her head vigorously before I even finished talking, a heavy frown on her muzzle.

"But that surge! We all felt it! When you--" She was cut off as Celestia cleared her throat, casting a glare at the purple unicorn.

"That is far enough Twilight, we must not accuse Mr. Mackenzie of anything without knowing the proper details. Besides, I detected it was a... side effect of Luna's magic after she cast the truth spell."

I frowned at that. I didn't know they could cast spells to make me tell the truth! Then again, truth serum did exist (to a degree), I guess I'm just upset they did it without my knowledge. It happened, and no one was hurt, no sense dwelling on it.

"B-but Princess--" Celestia's glare hardened, and for the briefest of moments, I caught a slight curl of her lip. Twilight immediately backed down with wilted ears. Her eyes stared at the plate in front of her as another awkward silence descended across the room. I didn't like the ashamed look Twilight was sporting, and decided I should say something.

"Hey, Twilight, it's alright. I get you were curious. Do you want to know something cool?" I smiled when her ears immediately perked up and her eyes met mine. It was adorable really, all the ponies were. Fluffy little monster may give me a heart attack if I stay in their presence for more than five hours.

"S-Sure." I smiled at her timid tone.

"Well, back where I'm from, Human's love building things. Monuments, towers, contraptions and various knick-knacks. In a small country in a desert, the tallest building in history was built. It is called the Burj Khalifa."

"Pray tell, how tall is the building?" It was Luna who spoke, and I noticed she was now looking at me in intrigue. Most of the ponies in the room were, and I smiled knowing the tense atmosphere was all but gone. In its place was intrigue and wonder.

"Well, I don't know what your measurement system is, but the Burj Khalifa is 2,716 feet if I am not mistaken."

As I finished speaking, the ponies exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of astonishment and disbelief.

"No magic and yet such towering achievements? If your measurement system is like ours, then this is truly a wonderous feat!" Rarity was the first to chime in, her voice filled with astonishment. She turned to Twilight "Oh, darling, it's positively marvelous! Imagine what we could accomplish with such ingenuity."

I chuckled at the excitement in Rarity's voice. "Well, the possibilities are endless, Rarity. Humans have always had a knack for innovation and pushing the boundaries of what's possible."

Applejack leaned forward, her hat tilted back slightly. "Ya'll sure do sound like a resourceful bunch. But tell me, what's this Burj Khalifa like? Must be a sight to behold."

"It certainly is, Applejack," I replied, my mind drifting back to memories of the towering skyscraper and what I learned on the internet. "The Burj Khalifa isn't just tall, it's a marvel of engineering. It's got observation decks, luxurious hotels, and even residential apartments. And at night, when the city lights up, it's truly a sight to behold."

I looked around at the assembled group and noticed Twilight was sitting stock still. Ignoring her, I switched my focus to Celestia, whose head was tilted in curiosity.

"Truly incredible. However, while I would love to continue talking, I do believe it is time for me to resume my duties." Celestia stood along with Luna. They both looked at me. "Mr. Mackenzie, thank you for having lunch with us. I would like you to stay with your two guard escorts for the remainder of the day. The elements will be with you as well to show you around the castle. In the meantime, my sister and I will put together our top magical experts in order to find you a way home. I cannot promise you anything, but we will try our best."

I didn't like how dismissive the Princess was of this, and I began to frown in thought. My fingers subconsciously tapped against my thigh as I nodded to them. They seemed to regard me, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw something in Celestia's eyes, but it was gone in an instant. I had faith that they would find a solution to my problem in a timely manner. If the show was anything to go by, the two were benevolent leaders and powerful magic users. If they can't get me home, then no one can.

"I, uh, thank you Princess's." I stood up and looked towards my guards. Dusk was walking up to me along with Sergeant stopper. The two held neutral looks as they stopped in front of me, but I noticed Dusk kept looking up and gazing at my face. It made me a bit uncomfortable in reality, but I decided it was best to ignore it. I gave them a nod of acknowledgment before turning to the six pony squad.

"Alright, seems I am at your mercy." I gestured towards the door I came in from. "Lead the way, little ponies."

Rainbow swooped in like a bullet, which got the others in action. Little was said as we exited the room together, but I did stop as the doors began to close behind us. Turning, I watched as Celestia and Luna conversed in hushed tones. Luna saw me and scowled before saying something to her sister. In a flash of light, the two were gone, and the doors shut.

Giving a sigh, I shook my head. I was tired and wanted to go home, but to do that I had to cooperate. While I trusted them to find a solution, I still held a thread of doubt that I wasn't being told everything.

"Tyler, come on! I want to show you some new moves I came up with."

With a final sigh and the dining hall at my back, I followed the eight ponies into the castle. Something told me my world was going to get a lot more complicated.

Chapter 3: World's Shortest Tour

A flicker of light momentarily brightened the dimly lit chamber, revealing the imposing figures of two Alicorn sisters. The room remained silent, save for the sisters' contemplative whispers.

As Celestia brooded over the recent events, Luna observed with a furrowed brow. After several moments, she spoke, her voice laced with uncertainty.

"Sister, did you see the way he wielded magic?"

Celestia turned to her sister, confusion clouding her features. "Yes, Luna. It was... unusual. But familiar somehow."

Luna nodded, her expression troubled. "It reminded me of something from long ago, but I cannot recall what."

Celestia's gaze drifted, lost in thought. "It was powerful, yet raw. Not like anything we've encountered before."

Luna's eyes squinted as she pawed at the ground. A look of brief understanding passed over her, and she glanced to her sister to see if she was thinking the same thing. "Could it be...?"

Celestia's brow furrowed in concentration. "Perhaps. But the connection still slightly eludes me."

Silence descended once more as the sisters pondered the implications of the human's mysterious display of magic. Though the memory remained elusive, its significance lingered, casting a shadow of uncertainty over them as they tried to decipher just what they had seen.

"Sister, the flash, the power behind the human's voice. Surely it's not--"

"It isn't. It can't be the one." Celestia snapped, cutting Luna off. She growled as she turned to face the Lunar Princess, a scowl dominating her muzzle.

"It was merely a thought, sister. The last time a Human was on this world, it led to untold amounts of chaos. Had we arrived sooner, before harmony went dormant, then we surely would have been destroyed!" Luna walked over to a small chest sitting at the end of the room. She gazed at it before turning her attention to her sister. "You are certain he is not the one?"

Celestia shook her head and sighed. For some reason, the words of the prophecy were eluding her. She could not remember, but for some reason she recalled the Griffon's having something to do with it. Everything before that was a blurry mess. However, there was only one thing she could remember from the prophecy of old.

"Lightbringer." She whispered, causing her sister's head to tilt slightly. Celestia's eyes scrunched. She tried to remember more, but she couldn't. It was of little concern. Her plans were slowly coming to fruition, and with Luna once more by her side, they would surely come to light.

"Enough of this. If the Human is as you say, then he is not a threat. It is obvious the tree is trying something, but it matters not. We will corrupt him, and if this cannot be done, then we will destroy him. Simple as that. The Tree once more made a gamble, and it has made another mistake." Celestia looked to her sister, and a sinister smile creeped up her mouth. For a brief moment, needle-like fangs appeared, but they were gone in an instant. A moment later, the two sisters disappeared with a flash, leaving the room once more in silence.

*****

"So, I know the names of most of you, but who are the rest?" I look at the group of ponies at my sides as we walked out into a large garden. Birds chirped and a cool breeze swept past my ears. My eyes roamed around, catching every movement, and following every sound. I felt tense, surprisingly, but I dumbed it down to the fact that everything was still so unfamiliar. Taking a shallow breath, and after some searching of my memory, I finally recalled the rest of the Mane Six's names. However, asking anyway would prevent any slip-ups on my part. My gaze flicked to Pinkie, who was bouncing up and down as she turned to face me.

"I'm Pinkie Pie, the number one party pony in Equestria!" She beamed up at me, and I merely nodded in affirmation.

"I'm Rainbow Dash, the fastest flyer in Equestria, and the coolest mare you'll ever meet!" She did a few loops in the air in front of me, and I couldn't help but be a bit impressed. The ponies were quite small compared to me, and for her to move like that should have been impossible. I won't question it, for I knew magic was at hand--er, hoof...whatever. I smirked as I gazed at the prismatic pony with an appraising eye. I then faked a yawn.

"I dunno, I've met some pretty cool people. Sidney Crosby, Pope Francis, and Donald Trump to name a few." I was pulling names out of my ass, but I wanted to see her reaction. I wasn't surprised when she flew within a few inches of my face, her eyes narrowed with a smug grin on her muzzle.

"Oh yeah? Well, can any of them do a Sonic Rainboom?? 'Cause I sure can!" Rainbow tensed and looked ready to take to the sky, but Sergeant Stopper quickly called to her.

"Mrs. Dash, there will be no stunts in castle airspace. Especially not without notifying Captain Spitfire first!" His voice was gruff and astute, but I heard Dusk snort and saw her shake her head from the corner of my eye. I rolled my eyes and brought a hand to my chin, rubbing a nonexistent beard.

"Sounds to me like you can't actually do it, Dashie," she scowled at the name, "don't worry, just let the guards cover for ya."

Rainbow's face goes bright red, and steam seemingly billows from her ears. I smirk as I see Applejack role her eyes and nudge Rainbow's side. Rainbow turns to her friend with a scowl, but upon seeing hers, and my face, she realizes I was pulling her leg. She gives a huff and smacks me in the shin, causing me to stumble. I wince from the solid feel of the hoof, but play it off. I did sort of deserve it.

Hearing a chuckle from Dusk, I rolled my eyes and faced the last member of the group, Fluttershy. One of her eyes was hidden behind her mane, and the other was wide as she stared up at me. She turned slightly to the side, and mumbled something incoherent. Frankly, she is downright adorable.

"What was that?" I ask gently as I sit down in front of her. The group watches in interest as I slowly hold out a hand, palm facing up. "My name is Tyler, what's yours?" I let an easy going smile appear on my face, and I can see the little pony physically relax upon seeing me at her height.

"I-I'm Fluttershy." She whispered adorably as she reached a hoof up and placed it in my palm. I curled my fingers around the outstretched limb and felt the soft fur surrounding her leg. It was mesmerizing, but I couldn't afford to get caught up in my fascinations at the moment.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Fluttershy." I gently shake her hoof before letting go. I can see Twilight staring at my hand in fascination, but I quickly place it behind me in order to push myself up. My eyes wander around the group of assorted mares, all of whom still sported their necklaces (and the single tiara). I raised an eyebrow when Twilight followed my eyes, her own widening as she noticed what I was analyzing. A forced smile appeared on her face as she quickly cleared her throat.

"Right, well, as you can tell, this is the royal garden. Usually, it is reserved by nobles or the Princesses for parties, get togethers, and other such events." As Twilight began talking, our group began to move again. However, even as I took in the downright beautiful surroundings, I couldn't help but stare at the back of Twilight's head in suspicion. Why did she react such a way to me looking at the necklaces?

It was then that I remembered that they didn't know I understood what those very necklaces could do. It clicked into place then, and I nearly slapped myself for my own stupidity. They were the Elements of Harmony, and the Elements of Harmony are a superweapon of some kind. Obviously, the don't realize I know this, and so the Princess stuck me with them in case I tried something. They were just as much my guardians as my actual guards were!

"Ugh." I shook my head at the sudden headache. Ever since meeting the Princess, I felt a sense of wrongness about the air. It was crisp, and it was fresh, but it was also laced with tension and power. It felt tingly, and the answer was on the tip of my tongue. Perhaps magic had something to do with this, or I am still feeling the aftershock of being magically uprooted from my home and into a new world? That same wrongness just seemed to surround Twilight as she led our tour out into a space filled with statues. I felt like I could see an outline, like my own eyes were lowering the brightness everywhere except around her short frame.

I blinked, and spots danced in my eyes. Everything immediately snapped back into focus, and I found myself standing stock still. The girls and my two guards each stood facing me, and their looks of concern caused a questioning look to enter my features. I watched as Dusk stepped forward and cocked her head to the side.

"Mr. Mackenzie, are you alright?" Her soft voice, brimming with concern, made the lightness in my head evaporate. I quickly nodded as I looked at my surroundings. We stood on a path leading towards towering hedges, and along the path sat large stone statues. My eyes traveled along the various ornaments, before landing on a particularly interesting one. A strange being, made of many different types of body parts from different animals stood, it's mouth agape as it seemingly sang into the air. A sense of familiarity washed over me, causing me to shiver. Quickly averting my gaze from the strange being, I forced a smile onto my face.

"Sorry about that everyone, I kinda zoned out there. What were you talking about Twilight?" I gestured to the purple unicorn in an attempt to continue where we left off, but a quick shake of the head from both my guards caused my confidence to falter.

"I think that was more than just zoning out." Stopper narrowed his eyes at me as he shook his head. "You look as pale as a ghost, and that's saying something with you already being super pale to begin with."

"I think we should put this tour on hold for now," Dusk added, her tone gentle yet firm as she glanced up at my face. "Mr. Mackenzie needs to rest and recover. We can resume later."

I frowned, feeling a mixture of gratitude and frustration. Gratitude because I could definitely use a break, and frustration because I couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong here. It was frightening, and I could feel my mental capacity draining. I needed to think, but at the same time, I could not. I just need to lay in a bed, or sit under a tree. I just need to do...something.

Twilight frowned but nodded in agreement. "Of course, we can continue later. Your well-being is our top priority."

The other girls waved goodbye as I turned and followed my guards. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Twilight and Applejack whispering, the former having narrowed her eyes at me.

As we made our way back to the castle, my mind raced with questions and suspicions. What was going on with me? What were those strange sensations I felt, and why did I seem to recognize that statue? And most importantly, what were the true intentions of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna? I wasn't an idiot, I could see they wanted me contained. I saw the brief fear in Luna's eyes when I began to yell at lunch. I had felt something then, but I can't place my finger on what it is.

I stumbled, and the world seemed to turn sideways. A groan reached my lips as I noticed a rather large tree off to my left. Lurching towards the tree, I heard my two guards cry out in surprise as I clutched my stomach. I feel like I'm about to be sick again, and I can feel the bile rising in my throat. Was I sick? Did I catch a flu of some kind? What is happening to me? I can feel panic trying to creep in, along with a sense of claustrophobia. Being around all these ponies is suffocating. This world wasn't mine, it would never be mine.

I sat against the tree, my breathing laboured as I stared out across a pond sitting before me. Cattails sway gently in the breeze, and I can hear frogs (toads?) going about their usual clamour of odd ribbits and croaks. I see a few ducks, and their ducklings as they swim idly in the crystal clear water of the pond, and the sight causes my stomach to cease its rebellion. I can hear someone talking, but there is a small ringing in my ears. After a moment, I began to see things. I saw my brother and I as we skied down a large mountain, him laughing as I smashed through a snowdrift and tumbled down the mountain. I saw my father as we built a shed on our farm back home. I was petting a cat, my cat, as I made my way to get some more tools. Next, I saw my mother. We sat on a bench in town, each holding an ice-cream. It was a week before I left for school, and I could see the proud look on her face as we sat there, enjoying the frosty delight.

The images flashed through my head at a rapid pace, and I didn't notice I was crying until something touched my shoulder. I jumped and turned my head to find Dusk and Stopper sitting beside me. Stopper still held his look of neutrality, but his spear was put away, and his ears were flopped down.

Dusk was sitting right beside me. Her weapon was also gone, and she to had her ears folded back. However, there was a look of pity and sadness as she slowly removed her hoof from my shoulder. I noticed her look of concern, and then felt the tears slowly drying on my cheeks. I quickly tried to wipe them away and make myself presentable.

'Damn you, getting emotional in front of the ponies! You're acting like a child!'

My mental beration ceased when Dusk leaned in and hugged me. I felt my muscles go stiff as my breath caught. Was it normal for my guard, a soldier, to give me a hug out of the blue? Was this something that ponies did? It wasn't exactly comfortable with her armour, but I could still feel the sentiment behind it. After a brief moment, Dusk disengaged from the hug and backed away. I noticed a small tinge of red on her cheeks, but she still held that look of concern.

Giving a sigh, I turned away from the two and got comfortable. My left leg came up in an arch, and my right leg stretched out slightly. I breeze ruffled my hair, and I took a deep breath at the freshness. It was a reminder of how lost I was. How alone. This wasn't my air, like this wasn't my world. I wasn't in some kind of dream. I was alone, as far as I knew, and there was no telling when I would get back. Seeing as my room was ripped away to this world as well, the school would certainly take notice. There would be a search for me, and then I would be declared dead. My parents would have to go to my funeral, and my younger brother would be without someone to look up to.

'How depressing.'

"Tyler, look at me." Dusks soft voice caused me to glance to the side, where the little pegasus was sitting at attention. I immediately noticed the look of determination on her face, which looked quite cute in all honesty. Her sharp eyes stared into mine, and she scooted slightly closer.

"I know you must feel overwhelmed. You are in a new world, with new rules, and you aren't sure if you can get home. I want you to know that Sergeant Stopper and I are here to help you. I know you don't fully trust us, and the Princesses even less, but we, and they, are working on a solution." She must have been paying closer attention to me than I thought, for her words caused my eyebrows to raise. Was I really showing suspicion so outwardly? Maybe that was why Twilight seemed so jumpy, especially when I was gazing at the Elements of Harmony. I wasn't being very convincing that I wasn't a threat it seems. Even so, it is true. I am suspicious. The Princesses are very aloof, and they seem to be doing things secretly. I am aware I don't have any right to know what they do anyhow, seeing as I am not a citizen of their country, but that uneasy feeling just wont go away!

Looking at the two ponies beside me, I gave a sigh and leaned my head back against the tree.

As Dusk's words sank in, a wave of gratitude washed over me. Despite my reservations and suspicions, her genuine concern and reassurance were a comfort in the midst of my turmoil.

"Thank you, Dusk," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "I... I appreciate it."

Dusk nodded, her expression softening even further. "You're welcome, Tyler. Remember, you're not alone in this. We'll figure things out together."

Sergeant Stopper remained silent, but his presence was reassuring in its own way. His steady gaze and unwavering support reminded me that I had allies in this unfamiliar world, even if I didn't fully understand their intentions.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and focused on regulating my breathing. Inhale... exhale... I repeated the mantra silently, willing the tension in my muscles to ease.

After a few moments, the panic began to subside, leaving behind a lingering sense of exhaustion. I opened my eyes to find Dusk watching me with a gentle smile, while Sergeant Stopper stood nearby, ever vigilant.

"Feeling better?" Dusk asked softly.

I nodded, offering a weak smile in return. "Yeah, I think so. Thanks again, both of you."

Dusk patted my shoulder lightly before standing up. "Anytime, Tyler. Now, why don't we head back to the castle? You could use some rest."

I nodded in agreement, grateful for the suggestion. As we made our way back, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that still lingered in the back of my mind. But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on putting one foot in front of the other and trusting in the support of my newfound acquaintances.

As we reached the castle gates, I glanced back at the serene garden, the memories of my moment of vulnerability still fresh in my mind. But amidst the uncertainty, one thing was clear: I wasn't alone, and with the help of Dusk, Sergeant Stopper, and perhaps even the princesses, I would find a way to navigate this strange new world while they worked to send me home.

And with that thought in mind, I followed my guards back into the castle, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

After a quick nap that is.

Chapter 4: Studious by Nature

I tossed and I turned, but no matter what, my mind refused to drift away. I just wanted to sleep, to feel some semblance of peace, but it would not come. I could hear the curtains in my room blowing in a light breeze, and the smell of rain was in the air. While familiar, it still bore the weight of a foreign design. It was artificial, planned, and scheduled. It was not natural in any shape or form. I had seen pegasi moving about the skies on the walk back, and Dusk had informed me as to what they were up to. Controlling the weather, she said. These miniature horses could control the weather.

I thought back to some articles I read on the internet, how the US government had used experimental cloud seeding in order to flood the Vietcong during the Vietnam war. It's crazy to think that Humans could drop some chemicals; silver, aluminum and more, and change the intensity or outright destroy the weather in the area.

And here where these ponies, making clouds out of nothing, pushing them in place and calling it a day. They had the ability to whip together a supercell in an instant, or cause a immense flooding in mere hours! I was scared of the government back home, but these equines were something else entirely. A bigger fish as a wise man once said. I was magicless, powerless compared to these creatures. It's all so complicated; when will they send me home? Can I be sent home? I'm just a random fellow who dropped into their world, why would they really care about me? I'm not some powerful alien with space lasers and a flying saucer, I'm just a student trying to get by in a screwed up world.

Finally, I decide I've had enough. I can't get any sleep, and lying here won't solve anything. I need to have faith that they can send me back, and that means I need to continue my routine to the best of my ability. That means reading, writing, and studying while I can.

"Ugh." My joints pop as I sit up and look around. It's the same room I woke up in, and it is a grayish sheen thanks to the slightly see-through curtains. I can see them idly waving as a gust brushes through. Standing up, I quickly don my hat and shoes and make for the door. A mental checklist is forming in my mind, and I go over the things I will need to grab from my uprooted room sitting near the throne.

Speaking of which, I need to talk to someone about the frozen meat in my freezer. It has been a full day, and that stuff isn't going to get any colder. If I see the Princess on my way, I'll ask her.

As I step into the hallway, both Dusk and Stopper jump to their hooves and rush to adjust their helmets. I catch a glimpse of some cards before the are quickly magicked away under Stopper's armour. Rolling my eyes, I silently make my way down the hallway.

"Couldn't sleep?" Dusk's soft voice causes me to glance down at her as she trots at my side. Her eyes are staring ahead, but I can see her ears swivel in my direction. A quick glance to my other side shows Stopper was also keeping pace. He held a much more neutral look, which helped to get rid of the tension idly sitting in my stomach. There were no questions as to where I was going, and no effort to stop me. Seems these ponies can learn.

"No. I have a lot to do, and just because I ended up on a different planet doesn't mean I can kick back and relax." I stopped at an intersection and looked from side to side. I need to find the throne room, and in my ponderous position only a few hours ago, I hadn't memorized where I was to go!

Seeing my confused expression, Stopper pointed to the right.

"If you are looking for the throne room, we need to go that way. The Princess doesn't hold court again until tomorrow though. What do you need in there?" His voice was laced with a hint of suspicion, and I mentally sighed. Visibly, my shoulders sag as I put my hands in my pockets and look down at him. He had to crane his neck in order to meet my eyes.

"I'm a student, dude. I need to study. My exams are in a month and half, and I cannot afford to fail my economics course again." I began walking once more and caught a maid scampering into a room a ways ahead of me. Now that I think about it, there is a large lack of traffic in the halls at the moment. I reach into my pocket for my phone, but a jolt goes through me when I find my pockets are empty. I quickly pat myself down as both my guards give me a questioning look.

"What're yah' doing?" Dusk asks, her voice chipper as she watches me groan in annoyance. I can see her smirk as I stare at the roof. My mind races as I pat down my pockets again in a futile search for my phone. I know it's not there, but the habit is hard to break. The absence of the device only amplifies my sense of isolation. A sense of home in a place that isn't my own. I need my stuff back. Now.

Dusk's smirk fades into concern, and she steps closer. "Do you need help finding something?" she asks, her tone more serious now.

I let out a deep sigh, dropping my hands to my sides. "Yeah, my phone. But I guess it doesn't matter right now. I just need to get to my stuff in the throne room and figure out a plan."

Stopper clears his throat, his eyes steady on me. "Myself and Dusk will try and help how we can." His words sound forced, but I appreciate the gesture anyway.

I nod. "Thanks. Lead the way."

As we walk, I try to shake off the lingering anxiety. The soft clip-clop of hooves on the marble floors is almost soothing, and I focus on that instead of the swirling thoughts in my head. The halls are eerily quiet, the expected bustle of palace life seemingly at a standstill. It's unsettling, but I push the feeling aside. I have to stay focused.

We turn a corner, and I recognize the grand double doors of the throne room up ahead. A sense of relief washes over me. As we approach, the guards standing at the entrance give a nod of acknowledgment and push the doors open for us.

Inside, the room is just as grand as I remember. High ceilings, intricate tapestries, and the grand throne itself, flanked by banners of the royal crest. But my focus is on the structure stuck in the floor in the middle of the room. A sign saying, "Do not touch!", sits facing us, but other than that, nothing has changed. I can hear voices up ahead, and they become clearer as we get closer.

"I'm telling you Twilight, it doesn't make any sense! Look at the seams and the stitching! Even though they are rather bland in colour, they are perfect! No-pony is that good!" I recognize Rarity's voice as she speaks to Twilight Sparkle.

"Rarity, they could simply have a different way of doing it than we do! Remember, it's not from this world! Imagine the scientific data we could formulate!"

Walking around my little residence, I find the two unicorns bickering in front of my open door. Held aloft in blue magic, four of my polo shirts hang beside Rarity. One of them is being yanked and stretched as the unicorn analyzes the fabric with a critical eye. Can't say I blame her, with her being a seamstress and all. But that is my stuff they are snooping through.

I take a deep breath, my initial irritation tempered by the realization that they’re simply curious. After all, I’m the anomaly in their world. Still, I can't just let them go through my belongings without saying anything. I clear my throat loudly, catching their attention.

Twilight and Rarity turn to face me, their expressions shifting from analytical to mild embarrassment. Rarity quickly floats the shirts behind her back, and Twilight awkwardly crosses her front hooves, a sheepish smile on her face.

"Ah, y-you're back," Twilight says, trying to sound casual. "We were just... uh... examining your belongings. They’re quite fascinating! How are you feeling?"

"Fascinating or not, that's my personal stuff," I say, ignoring her question. I try to keep my tone as neutral as possible, but a small tick in my eye nearly causes my facade to falter. "I appreciate the interest, but I'd rather you ask before going through my things."

Both their ears flatten, and both look remorseful. I hold out my hand, and Rarity slowly floats my clothes over and drapes them over my arm. "I’m terribly sorry, darling. I got carried away. Your clothing is simply exquisite, and I couldn’t help myself."

I sigh as I pull my stuff against my chest protectively, the tension in my shoulders only easing slightly. "It's okay. I get it. Just... ask next time, alright?"

Rarity nods vigorously. "Absolutely."

Everyone looks at Twilight as she blushes and shuffles on her hooves. I frown, and she finally cracks.

"Fine, I won't go through anything of yours without permission."

Dusk and Stopper stand to the side, watching the exchange quietly. I glance at them, and they both give me reassuring nods. Stopper was glaring at the two before me, and I could see the condescending look in his eyes. He did not approve of their actions.

I turn my attention back to my shirts, and then to the open door of my room. Everything was almost as I left it, minus my wardrobe being almost completely emptied onto my bed. I shot the two girls another glare, and they both blushed as I moved into my room. Dusk tsked and shook her head.

"If you guys want, you can look around at the things on the bed. Just let me know before hand when you want to pick something up."

I don't see them nod, but I hear an excited squeak from somewhere behind me and shake my head. Glancing back towards my objective. I see my computer bag sitting beside my clothing. Perfect.

Walking inside, I made directly for my bag. As I unzip the top to check its contents, I hear the muffled steps of one of the ponies turn to clops as they stepped inside my little washroom. I give a sigh but don't turn around. Hopefully, they will ask before they pick anything up.

"Tyler?"

Turning around, I see Rarity was the one who had been making the noise. The others were still standing near the doorway; my two guards bickering and Twilight seemingly staring off into space, her horn barely aglow.

"Yes, Rarity?" I ask with a raised eyebrow. I see her glance nervously into my washroom before looking back towards me.

"May I get a closer look at the things inside this little bathroom? I promise not to damage anything." She smiles lightly and her tone is genuine. There wasn't really anything of interest in there besides some vitamins, soaps, towels, and toiletries, so I don't see the harm in it. I nod and give her a half smile, causing her to beam as she fully trots into the room.

It is here that my two guards have stopped bickering and trotted into the room one after the other. Dusk has a content smile on her muzzle while Stopper held a grouchy frown. I am curious as to what they were talking about, but I figured its nothing that concerned me. I turn back around and continue my inventory.

'Comupter, check. Charger, check. Pens, check. Note pads, check. Blue-light glasses, check. Wallet, check. Headphones, check. Stress ball thingy, check. Phone, che--'

"AH HAH!"

My shout causes everyone present to yelp, and I catch a few stink-eyes leveled at me. Rubbing the back of my neck, I feel some heat coming to my cheeks as I mutter an apology.

"What's got you so excited?" Dusk asks, her annoyance replaced with curiosity. I just smile as I hold up my phone, screen facing towards her. She cocks her head to the side, as does Stopper as he reaches his neck forward to get a look at what I'm holding.

"Is that a mirror?" He asks in a deadpanned tone. I chuckle and shake my head.

"No. This, my four legged friends, is probably the single most advanced piece of technology to ever come to your world!" My smile widens as I hear a few gasps. Pivoting so that I can see the whole room, I find that Twilight has entered and is currently standing beside Rarity. The latter of which is holding my camouflaged towel in her blue magic.

"W-what do you mean by that? Is it some sort of alien weapon!?" Twilight's ears wilt as she takes a half step back. I see my guards tense up alongside her. Shit.

"No, no, no, no, no! This is my Iphone!" I exclaim as I shake it in my hold. Dusk and Stopper glance at each other, and an awkward silence descends on us all.

"So... you aren't going to use your fancy gadget to vaporize us and take over Equestria?" Stopper asks, a waiver in his voice.

'What?'

"What?"

'What the hell is with these ponies? This was an... unexpected reaction. What kind of train of thought led them to think that?'

Dusk scowls and slaps the back of Stoppers head with her wing before smiling up at me.

'Good God these ponies are adorable!'

The Sergeant is just being over cautious, Tyler. You should know that everything about you is an unknown to us, and unfortunately, as guards we are trained to take such things seriously. We should not have jumped to such a conclusion, and for that I am sorry." Her ears wilted and her head tilted towards the floor. The others did something similar, and even Stopper had the sense to be somewhat ashamed. I just stood there, dumbfounded. These ponies and their emotions were something new to me, and I don't understand it. Why were they jumping back and forth like that? Why so cheery one moment, then defensive, and then ashamed the next??

Swallowing, I let an easygoing smile appear on my face, hopefully to rid the room of the sudden somberness. Maybe it was the way they acted, or my instincts telling me I can't get mad at these overly adorable and weird creatures. I would need to explore it later, but for now, I did not need them to get like this.

"Guys, it's alright! Everyone is still a bit jumpy, and it was just a misunderstanding. I'll be more clear on things before I surprise you all in the future." I see them nodding and smiling up at me. That should do it. I just need to be a bit more careful in the future, at least until we are more familiar with each other. I look at Twilight and Rarity.

"Say, you two, where did the rest of your friends run off to?"

Twilight and Rarity seemed to relax at the harmless question, and it was the former that answered.

"They are up in the guest rooms at the moment. Everyone was a bit tired and decided to rest up before dinner." Twilight trotted over to my side as Rarity glanced at my unopened closet. "So... what exactly is this Eye-phone?"

I feel my tenseness ebbing away, and lower the device down so she can see it.

"The iPhone is a piece of technology that can do many different things. Some of its features include talking to people over long distances, taking photo's and videos, playing games, computing any form of math equation, and probably a few more things I am forgetting." I rub my chin, failing to notice Twilights jaw drop.

"How can it take pictures? This thing doesn't look like it can hold any film?" Surprisingly, it was Stopper who asked the question. There was no hostility or wariness in his tone, just pure curiosity. I simply smile.

"Watch this."

Turning on my phone, I flick to the camera option and tilt the device sideways. Before I tap the button, I flick the ringer from 'off' to 'on', to that they can hear me take the picture. Stopper and and Dusk both tilt their heads at the same time, and the latter squints up at the camera.

Click!

The two blink, causing me to snicker as I walk over and crouch down. The two stare, wide-eyed as I enter the camera-roll and pull up the photo of them both.

"HUH??!" Stopper and Dusk look at each other, then at me with dropped jaws. I chuckle as I stand back up and point the device at them once more.

"So, what do you guys think?" I say while turning off my ringer and turning on the video setting. I watch as they sputter around for a moment before Dusk speaks up.

"H-How many photo's can that thing hold at a time?" Her voice is quiet in amazement, and as I turn off the recording, I scratch my chin.

"Hm, well, with about sixty-four Gigabytes of storage on the phones camera-roll, and with each photo being about... three megabytes? I want to say about twenty-thousand photos."

Silence. Pure silence. I glance around at the four beings in my presence, and they are sitting stock still. I don't really know what to do. I was going to show them the video as well, but I fear I may cause someone to have a heart-attack should I do so. I play with the hem of my plaid shirt and shuffle in place.

"I...Can't... I..." I glance at Twilight as she tries to form words. Frowning I bend down to her level.

"Twilight, are you okay?" I ask with a hint of worry. I once again seem to have underestimated how ponies act and react. Shit.

Seeing the little unicorn swallow, I see focus returning to her eyes. However, before I can ask again if she is okay, Dusk speaks.

"That... That is so..."

"Alien." Stopper finishes for her. She glares at him, but her ears wilt as she looks up at me.

"I was going to say cool, but alright." She huffs; I shrug.

"Well I guess I am kinda an Alien, aren't I." I see the ponies look away briefly. However, I hear Rarity clear her throat, so I turn my attention to her.

"Tyler's things are all very intriguing, but I believe we should hold off until we are in a more comfortable setting before learning about his technology."

The other ponies nod in agreement, and I feel a bit of worry melt away as Rarity smiles up at me. I try to convey thankfulness in my expression but quickly turn around to finish my task. I begin putting everything back in the bags (minus my phone, which I slipped into my pocket) and as I do so, my mind wanders.

'If this is going to be their reaction to everything, I need to tread carefully.'
'What if they end up wanting to know more about war tech, or how advanced our civilization really is compared to them?

"What if they try and force me into telling them?" I whisper under my breath.

"What was that?" I hear a recovered Twilight ask from behind me, causing me to flinch. I glanced over my shoulder and shake my head.

"Just talking to myself is all."

I see her frown, but she doesn't press the issue as I zip my bag closed and hoist it over my shoulders. My sudden movement causes my guards to perk up, and I swing around to face everyone in the room once again.

"Alright everybody, I've got all my stuff." I notice Twilight give me a questioning look, but I can't place why. She looks like she wants to ask something, but thinks better of it. I ignore her odd behavior, but still ask my question. "Twilight, do you know of a place I can set up for my studies?"

It takes her a moment to realize everyone was looking at her, and her cheeks grow a light hue of red as she smiles up at me.

"Sure, Tyler. There are rooms near the royal library that are used as private study. I-I can show you there if you'd like?"

Her innocent demeanor almost gets me. Almost. I can see Rarity behind her biting her lip, and I notice Twilights tail swishing back and forth in apparent excitement. Looking at my two guards, both avoid my eyes. Dusk stares at the wall, and Stopper whistles a tune under his breath. Looking back down, I can see that Twilights smile has grown slightly, and I feel a shock go through my system. I knew already of her thirst for knowledge, and I was about to suffer the consequences of my actions here in a second.

"You and Rarity can tag along."

A defeated sigh escapes my lips as the two unicorns let out a Squee of excitement. I wave my arm forward before they can get any more ideas.

"Lead the way, Purple."

She prances for a moment in place, seemingly missing my use of the nickname, and striding confidently out of the door. Rarity follows behind, then my two guards. As I cross out of my room once more, a feeling comes over me; a sudden pressure. I pause mid-step and glance back at my room.

My place of residence sat there, unmoving and uprooted from its original home. It didn't even belong to me, yet I still felt a sense of protectiveness. I hear the ponies call my name, wondering what I'm doing as I find myself walking towards the room once more. I ringing is in my ears, and I feel the need to say something. A single word is on the tip of my tongue, yet I do not know what it is. My thoughts try to focus, and I end up picturing a turtle of all things. That word once more tries to break free, and frustration lights a fire in my heart as I reach into my now unzipped bag and extract my wallet.

With stiffness in my arms, I extract my keycard and slide it along the slot in the door.

Nothing happened. I try again.

"Protection." I whisper to myself. Something about protection. It wasn't the word I was looking for, but I knew it was related.

'What am I missing?'

"Tyler?"

Blinking, I feel slightly light-headed as I turn towards the everyone, er, pony. I give a strained smile as I hold up my card.

"S-Sorry, I was trying to lock my door. Force of habit, y'know?"

Everyone nodded... except Twilight. She held a pensive look, but it lasted for all of a few seconds before her cheery smile returned.

"All good! You'll have to show me how that locking mechanism works though. I didn't think a little card could lock and unlock doors." Her smile seems genuine enough, and I shake my head as I gesture forward. At that, the purple pony does a one-eighty and continues on our original path.

*****

With everything gathered, and two more ponies in our little group, we make our way back to the hallway. Dusk and Stopper fall in step beside me again, and we head toward a lounge of sorts. Even now, the palace’s grandeur is still overwhelming, but having a goal in mind helps keep my anxiety at bay.

As we walk, I find myself asking the purple pony a question. I just needed to talk to someone, lest my mind wander into unknown's and what if's.

"Twilight, how exactly do you ponies control the weather here? I’ve seen the pegasi moving clouds around, and it’s... well, it’s pretty mind-blowing."

Twilight smiles, seemingly eager to explain. "It’s a bit of a complex process, but essentially, pegasi have a natural magic that allows them to manipulate the weather. They can create clouds, move them, and even influence precipitation. It’s all part of their innate abilities."

I nod, absorbing the information. "And this is just... normal for you all?"

"...yes, it is," Twilight confirms. "Each type of pony has its own unique abilities. Earth ponies are connected to nature and have incredible strength, while unicorns like me can perform various types of magic. Pegasi can alter the clouds and weather, while Alicorns can do all three."

It’s fascinating and overwhelming all at once. The sheer difference in our worlds is staggering. Yet, here I am, talking to a magical horse about its own species. Magic. One word would be deemed impossible back home, yet here it is.

We make a left as Stopper opens the wooden door before us, revealing cozy study room filled with bookshelves and a few large wooden desks. A large window allows the setting sunlight to pour into the room, and an unused fireplace sat off to the side. It’s quiet and secluded, exactly what I need. I walk towards the furthest desk and put my bag down with a shrug. As I begin to pull things from the bag, I tune out the four equines standing awkwardly to my right. A feeling of normalcy is slowly returning, and I force myself to sit down as I flip my computer open and boot it up.

"Should we sit down?" I hear Dusk whisper.

"I don't know... maybe we should leave him alone?" Rarity responds.

As I pull out my mouse, my eyes flick upwards to the four as they stared at me. A sense of awkwardness hangs in the air. I begin to type in my password and immediately notice Twilight's ears flick in my direction. Her head cocks to the side, and she takes a half step forward.

"What is that thing?" She asks, causing me to pause and turn my attention to her.

"It's a computer." I state simply as I plug my mouse in, ignoring Twilight as she blanched at my statement. I have a pair of blue-light glasses buried in the bag somewhere, but I need to get my charger first. I rest the bag on my lap as I pull a long black chord from its depths, and find the end that goes into my computer. It takes less than a second as I plug it in before moving to the end holding the plug.

My hand grasps the end of the charger, but I feel myself freeze up as a sudden realization hits me. My eyes go wide as I look up and around the room. There are no outlets. None. I could not charge my computer, my phone, or any of my other gadgets.

I glance down as my eyes widen further, and can see that the battery life is about halfway empty. My old HP was never very good at holding power in the first place, and without the plug, would die within an hour. I blink as Rarity and Twilight sit on the opposite end of the table from me, while Stopper and Dusk stand to the two sides, facing me with intrigued expressions. I can't help but swallow, hard, as I hold my charger in my grip.

Get a hold on yourself dude!

I scrunch my brow. A familiar feeling was building in my chest, but I was ready this time. I would not break down in front of the ponies a second time, no matter what minor inconvenience got in my way. If I wanted to conserve my battery power, then I could not use my computer. Most of my textbooks were digital, so there wasn't any way I could--

My eyes caught sight of colour as I glanced down. Big bold writing stared up at me from a pocket within my bag, and I quickly reached in to extract it. Within my grip was my Religion 235 textbook; a worn and dilapidated piece of literature. I felt a sigh of relief escape my mouth as I placed it on the table before me and quickly moved to shut down my computer. It was here that I was bugged once more.

"Religion and World Studies? What's that?"

I jumped in fright as my book teleported with a pop of purple, reappearing an instant later in front of Twilight's wide eyes. Immediately, I jumped to my feet and snatched the literature from the air, but as I did, something... weird happened. A static feeling, followed by a cracking sound split the air. It was here that my arm went numb, and a rush of energy entered my skull, causing me to stumble back into the stone wall. I heard Twilight give a yelp of surprise, followed by Stopper jumping to his hooves.

"W-What?" I shook my head and blinked as a twisting feeling started to enter my gut. Slowly, I held the book up before my eyes. My gaze lingered there for but a moment before turning to the purple pony across from me, her own look conveying her surprise. For a good few moments, there was a tense silence in the room.

Stopper was the first to recover. He gave a very equine-esque snort before looking at me with confusion.

"What did you do? When my magic touched you, it didn't cause such a reaction!" He looked between myself and Twilight with bewilderment. I noticed from the corner of my eye the little unicorn was giving me a fearful look, but I was to focused on my hands to pay more attention. Shaking my head, I felt the knots start to untwist within me. A bit of anxiousness gave me pause, but nothing else made itself known within me.

"Huh." I mutter to myself before looking at Stopper and putting on my best fake smile. "I don't know what just happened, but boy did it feel weird!"

"H-How did you do that?" I hear Rarity pipe up, her voice tinged with worry as she glances at her friend; I shrug.

"..."

At the mention of her name, the unicorn seemed to snap from her frozen state and huffed as she glared at my hands. I could almost see the gears turning the cog as her eyes flicked about. I glanced around the room again, my brain-fog having fully melted away from the sudden rush of energy. What on Earth happened? Did I just absorb her magic aura?

"I think your skin canceled out my magical Aura." Twilight stated her theory with confidence, her snout pointed slightly into the air as a smirk appeared on her muzzle. I snickered at the suddenly haughty actions, but she ignored me. Instead, she faced Stopper. "When you used your magic on him, did it touch his skin?"

Stopper shook his head, glancing at me with speculation. "No ma'am. I was pushing down on his torso, but that was only on his shirt. Even still, it was exceptionally hard to do so for an extended period of time." He brought a hoof to his chin. Twilight hummed as she stared at me. I could practically see the cogs turning in her head once more. However, my focus was elsewhere.

'What did I just do? Why did the magic do that when I touched it?? Am I starting to be affected by this world?!'

Closing my eyes, I squeeze my right leg and begin to breath. I almost had one panic attack a minute ago, and I will not have one now. No more Mr. Weak-ass.

'Why am I even panicking anyway? The Princesses will find out how I got here and promptly send me back. The show portrayed them as kind and benevolent, surely they wouldn't go back on their word?'

I felt my heart slow. Looking at this sort of like the cartoon was a brilliant idea. I mean, obviously they were living breathing beings that I was currently talking to, but I was here on a mishap; a mistake! If I didn't do anything to influence what was already canon, then I would likely go ignored until they find me a way home. If I change nothing, and treat this as the cartoon that it is, then there would be no undue stress or hardship.

I feel a smile creep up my face, a genuine one. Dusk sees my smile and gives me a questioning look, but I just shake my head. The others look at me with varying expressions, from Stoppers Stoicism to Twilight's worry. Looking down at my phone, I can see that it is nearly six-thirty. Looking at the purple unicorn, I tilt my head slightly.

"Say, Twilight, was there any plans for dinner?" I ask gently. She tilts her head as though she was thinking.

"What time is it?" She suddenly asks. I flip my phone around and am glad to see her eyes widen. The reason being is to fold. One, I now know we use the same numerical system, and two, it was funny watching her pupils shrink to pinpricks.

"OH NO!!" She shrieks, causing my to wince and everyone else to lower their ears. "We are going to miss dinner with the Princess!!"

Rarity gasps, swoons, and then collapses out of sight while Twilight prances in place. My two guards just roll their eyes, giving me a look that said this was expected. I too knew what to expect, but they didn't need to know that.

Standing up and putting my book back in my bag, I sling it over my shoulders and give everyone a smile. Rarity is still on the floor.

"Alright, lets get to dinner then. No sense in keeping royalty waiting!" My cheery attitude didn't go unnoticed, and I feel Dusk's feathers touch my leg. Looking down, I see the question forming on her mouth, but I simply hold up a finger.

"I'm fine, Dusk. I promise." She smiles and nods before moving out of the way. Stopper trots to Rarity's side and snorts.

"Mrs. Belle, please get up. We are departing for dinner." The white unicorn gives a lady-like pout before standing on her own four hooves. I can't help but let a snicker escape my lips, and in turn receive a glare. Looking at the roof, we proceed towards the exit. As Stopper opens the door, I stand aside to let the everyone through first. On the way past, Rarity bumps my leg with her side, and when I look down, I see her give me a wink and a smile.

Returning said smile, I focus ahead. My spirits are higher than before, and I am actually looking forward to this strange new world. Perhaps while I am here, I can show them a bit more of my technology? Find a way to power up my Xbox-360 and the TV? Maybe in the time I am here they can move my little residence and hook up some form of electricity for me to use. Imagine that, magical electricity!

Maybe they would have good news when I walk through the doors to the dining hall? Maybe the Princesses already have a way home for me?

'What if they can't get you home?'

As we approach the double doors to the dining area, I see Twilight cast another nervous glance at me. I pretended not to see it, using my peripherals to watch her. She looked as though she wanted to say something, but she kept closing her mouth every time it opened. Her eyes glanced towards my two guards, and her ears drooped ever so slightly.

I frowned.

However, before I can think on it, the other two guards posted at the door swing them wide for us to enter. No sense getting worried right now. I am hungry, and I am finally feeling tired. Problems can wait until later.

With that, we walked in. A smile on my face, and a new sense of hopefulness to go along with it.

Chapter 5: Into The Unknown

As we entered the great dining room once more, a sense of calm washed over me. The layout of the room was similar to when we had lunch, but instead of the sun pouring into the window, the soft glow of twilight shrouded the hall in a sparkling purple colour. Little particles danced in the air and a strange presence hung around my head. It felt energizing, ethereal...

"Magic." I whispered to myself. Blinking a few times, I realize I am standing rooted in place. It is so otherworldly, as though the transition from day into night was revealing a veil for me to look through. Any mistrust or hesitation I would have felt upon seeing Princess Luna was banished as I breathed in the fresh air. It was also here that another smell wafted up my nose: food.

Looking at the table, I can see plates, silverware, and assorted cooked vegetables with steam wafting from them. All the places where we were to sit was clear of food, but only one held a silver-esque cover over it. Glancing at the Princess, I can see her expression is neutral as she stares at me. It is not the piercing glare I received upon meeting her, and her posture was more subdued. Perhaps she had a talk with her sister?

Walking forward, I noticed the rest of the Elements were already seated away from me. Applejack and Rainbow Dash seemed to be having a staring contest, and Pinkie Pie was making funny faces at Fluttershy, the latter of which was giggling into her hoof. None of the four seem to have noticed me, so I decided to take my seat in front of the covered platter.

Already, I can tell a form of meat is sitting hidden from me. The smell here is different, if subdued. Rarity takes a seat to my left, and Twilight to my right. Both look at the platter, then at me, and then at the only Princess in the room. My two guards stand a few feet back from my chair.

"Is Princess Celestia not joining us today?" Twilight asked Luna, turning to her. The lunar Princess shook her head.

"Mine sister is lowering the Sun, and will be late in joining us. She has expressed that we begin dining without her."

I feel my body go ridged, and my brain seemingly malfunction. I had forgotten. How could I have forgotten?? In the show, the Princesses had control over the celestial bodies in the sky. Their true power is never really shown, at least not until they are all combined with Twilight once she is an Alicorn.

However, I am not in a cartoon. I am here, in the flesh. Everything around me is real. The fur on the ponies is real, the surroundings are real, the wood of the table is real. I am real. And so, can the unreal truly be the case here? Magic exists, which is unreal on Earth. Pegasi and Unicorns exist, though they are myth back home. Why is it so fantastical and unbelievable that the same logic from the cartoon applies here? Why did I suddenly freeze up, when I already knew for a fact that this was the case?

Looking to my left, I stare out the window. It has only gotten slightly darker, the sun still setting. The timing seems to be the same as back home. In the cartoon, the sun and moon set and rose quickly, as they were controlled. The ritual, or whatever it is that the Princesses do to make the process work, only took a few seconds to minutes. With everything in this world being so unbelievable, it is here that I am drawing the line. It doesn't add up.

"Princess Luna..." My mouth speaks before I begin to realize it. Noticing her attention has turned to me, I gulp. "If she is lowering the sun, then shouldn't you be raising the moon?"

Luna tilts her head. "Nay, I already rose the moon. It is set on its path for the night, and I will guide it down once its cycle is complete." Her voice gains a bit of heat at the end there.

And there it is, the flaw in the logic. I decide not to say anything, lest I start an argument, but this gets me thinking. I shift in my seat, a sudden pang of discomfort traveling through me. Assuming she takes the same amount of time to raise and lower the moon, it is highly likely she disappears for an hour or so while the moon becomes visible. I know at some points, especially in Canada, you can see the moon and the sun at the same time on different ends of the sky. Perhaps it is the same here, and if so, then why is Luna lying? There is only one answer:

They are not as powerful as they make themselves out to be.

But why would they do that? What purpose does it serve? Is it just them telling the world they have a bigger stick and want to be left alone? Or is it a darker truth?

"I was only curious, Princess. This world is still new to me."

I shudder and look at my plate, avoiding her gaze. No sense in jumping to conclusions when the evidence is not there. They are mistrustful of me, that is true, and I know they are hiding certain things... but it makes sense. I am an foreigner, an alien in their midst. Of course they would be suspicious. Plus, if things here work anything like they do back home, then I can justify not fully trusting them myself.

'This thinking is giving me a damn headache. Just... eat your food."

As the others began to load their plates and eat, I snapped myself from my frozen state and lifted the lid from in front of me. Upon glancing upon the slice of heaven before my eyes, I felt any and all previous thoughts push themselves to the recess of my mind. A piece of chicken breast, dark meat, sat before me beside some baked beans and carrots. All of it was smothered in a rich brown gravy. As one might expect, I dug in with gusto.

As I tore into the chicken with a to-small knife and fork, I heard a snicker come from the other side of the table. I glance up, only to catch a certain Rainbow maned pony looking at the roof and whistling nonchalantly. I smirk, but once more focus on my food. There is a peaceful quite around the table as everyone is happily munching away.

Finally, I hear someone clear their throat from behind. I quickly turn, wiping my mouth with a napkin, and come face to face with the Princess of the Sun.

"Gah!!" I jump in my seat, my knee smacking the underside of the table in the process. I grimace, and I can hear the girls laughing behind me; Rainbows being loudest among them. My grimace turns to a frown, and I turn with a huff as Celestia takes her seat opposite her sister. Her mane swishes absently in a non-existent wind, and it seems to glow in the moonlight now streaming into the room.

"You know," I set my fork and knife down on my plate, "everything in this world of yours is so much more... vibrant, colourful. The night is not oppressive, the day is not overwhelming. It's all... comfortable, I guess."

Celestia smiles brightly. "The world around us is imbued with magic, Tyler. It would only make sense for it to be a different feeling, considering you come from a place without the arcane."

That actually makes me wonder. Ignoring the fact that I will go home eventually and leave this fantasy behind, the possibilities while I am here are... incredible. Maybe I can use magic? Maybe I can create runes, or enchant things! It is everyone's dream at some point in their lives to wield magic and the arcane. I mean, take Harry Potter fans, or those Brony people I heard about years ago. Thinking about this is much better than worrying about the future. Speaking of...

"I also wanted to ask, what is to be done with my... uprooted room? I don't think it being in the floor of your throne room is optimal for royal image." I let out an easy-going smile as my eyes flick between the two rulers. I watch as they turn to each other, the Princess of the Night raising her eyebrow while the Princess of the Day cocked her head to the side. It is adorable, to a degree, the emotions on these beings. They are so expressive, and the structure to their bodies just screams 'I want to be cuddled.'

'Probably won't go well if I actually try that.'

After a few moments of silence, I feel my fingers begin to drum on my leg. The two rulers seemed to be having a silent conversation, which I didn't doubt with magic being a factor to consider, but the silence was becoming unnerving. Everyone sans Twilight slowly put down their utensils as they to began to notice.

"I didn't mean to offen--"

"You will be relocated, along with your... room to Ponyville. There, you will be watched over by the Elements while we work on a... solution to your problem. Consider it a... gift." Celestia's tone sends a shiver up my spine.

"Phbbtttt, ACK!" The sound of a certain purple unicorn hacking some food out of her lungs causes everyone present to switch their focus to her. Good thing to, for they would have seen my face go pale. What did she mean by a gift? The finality in her tone caused a shiver to go up my spine. After a moment of coughing into a napkin, Twilight looks at her mentor in surprise

"You can't do that, Princess!" She yelps, rubbing her throat with a hoof.

"And why not, dear Twilight?" Celestia smiles, but her ear flicks in what I deduce to be a smidge of annoyance.

"W-Well, Princess," she seems to struggle out, "w-would it not make more sense to keep him here in Canterlot? He will be closer to you, the guard, and, well..." she glances at me, and I forcefully raise an eyebrow. Of all the ponies I've met so far, she was the most obvious in her distrust. The forced smiles, the way she watched me in the gardens, as though I would jump at her and do something horrible. The others were more subdued, their suspicion laced with curiosity, but not her. Ever the Princess's pet, even outside of the show.

I don't say anything as Luna gives a snort and places a hoof on the table with a decently loud cracking sound to follow.

"Tyler is a guest here, Twilight Sparkle. He is no prisoner to be kept in the castle under lock and key. Ponyville is a fine place for him to acclimate to our world. Besides, you and your friends will be there to oversee his... adjustment."

Twilight’s eyes darted between me and Luna, her face scrunched up in a mix of hesitation and mild frustration. I could tell she wasn’t happy about the idea of having me in Ponyville, but at this point, I had no say in where they placed me. The conversation was clearly out of my hands--or hooves, as it were.

The tension in the room thickened, and I leaned back in my chair, pretending to focus on the half-eaten meal in front of me. If this was Celestia's plan, it wasn't sitting well with the others either. Pinkie’s usual bubbly attitude seemed to dim, her mane losing some of its bounce. Rainbow Dash stopped fiddling with her food, her wings twitching as if she wanted to say something but was holding back.

Luna spoke again, her voice firm, "Ponyville is well-guarded. And the Elements can ensure that no harm comes to him...or from him."

A cold feeling shot up my spine at those last words. I shouldn't have been surprised by that conclusion. I wasn’t some dangerous creature they needed to watch, but I could see it in their eyes: they were still trying to figure me out, trying to determine if I was a threat. Maybe Luna’s unease wasn’t just about my presence but also something deeper—something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

Twilight opened her mouth to protest further but hesitated. The whole room seemed to hold its breath as she turned to look at me, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Finally, she sighed. “I just think it might be too soon, Princess. He’s still new to our world, and Ponyville isn’t exactly... the quietest place.”

Celestia and Luna's smile didn’t falter, and it was the former who answered this time. “Precisely why it is the best place for him, my faithful student. Ponyville will offer a chance for him to meet ponies from all walks of life, to observe our way of living. Besides, with you and the other Elements there, I trust everything will go smoothly.”

She emphasized the word "trust," making Twilight nod slowly, though her unease still lingered in her expression.

My mind, however, was racing. They wanted to send me to Ponyville, a place that was always chaotic, from what I remembered of the show. And with the Elements of Harmony keeping tabs on me, it sounded like a plan to keep me close, controlled even while hiding the cage itself. The Princesses might’ve been putting on a friendly face, but there was more going on here than met the eye. I could sense it, and I wasn’t going to fall into their trap blindly.

For now, though, there was nothing I could do but play along.

Taking a deep breath, I looked between the two Princesses. "Ponyville it is then," I said, keeping my tone neutral, almost resigned. "I’m sure it’ll be... an experience."

Celestia’s eyes glinted, a fleeting moment of satisfaction crossing her features. “Excellent, Tyler. We shall make the necessary arrangements by morning.”

And just like that, the dinner resumed, though the tension was palpable. Even the sounds of cutlery clinking against plates felt stilted. I tried to focus on finishing my food, but my mind was already spiraling into thoughts of what awaited me in Ponyville, and more importantly, what the Princesses were truly planning. Surely they were going to try and get me home? What reason would they have not to? This doesn't add up.

As the others continued their conversation, light and surface-level, I made a mental note: I had to be careful. This was their move, and soon, it would be mine.

*****

Knock, Knock, Knock, Knock!

"Ughhh..." Who the hell was making that racket... ah, who cares, just a few more minutes.

Knock, Knock, Knock, Knock! "Tyler, time to get up! Its a big day today!"

Groaning again, I open a single, sleepy eye as my door is opened from outside. The perpetrator behind the assault on my dreams was none other than Private Dusk. Her chipper attitude and beaming smile was adorable as she skipped over to stand beside my bed. I felt my mouth twitch, trying to smile, and I inwardly cursed it for its insolence.

"I see your smiiiillleeee!" Dusk said in a sweet sing-song voice. I just rolled my eyes and flipped over without a word. This is rewarded with a huff and hopefully an adorable pout. I sneak a peak, and see that my guess is correct. Her lip is jutted out and an adorable frown nearly gives me a heart attack. It takes everything--every ounce of my being--not to reach over and scratch under her fuzzy chin.

"Don't pull that on him Private. Come, Tyler, we have a schedule to keep." Stoppers gruffness and no-nonsense tone finally get me to stir. I try to force some energy into my limbs and succeed in stretching out. A noticeable popping sound comes from my joints, and I can see both ponies wince.

Swinging out of the bed, I move to grab my clothing before freezing.

'There are people in the room.' I think to myself as I look at my mostly naked body. See, I sleep in nothing but my underwear, and when one is stripped down to this degree, they usually don't show it to others who are not on a more... intimate/friendly level. I felt my cheeks go red, but the two ponies didn't seem to mind my mistake as I hurriedly pulled my jeans up my legs. I heard Dusk give a hum, but I didn't turn to acknowledge her.

"Do all Humans wear clothing like that?" She suddenly asked, sitting down behind me. I nod as I slip my plaid shirt on and adjust my hat.

"Yes. All humans wear clothes. Going naked is a taboo of sorts, and is usually reserved for private and... ah, intimate moments." Turning around, I see Dusks questioning gaze before it suddenly dawned on her. A blush exploded on her cheeks as I kept a stoic expression. Stopper just huffed.

"I guess I can see what, considering your lack of hair. Do you have everything?" He glanced around the room and I copied his movements. My computer bag was all packed and sitting across my back by this point, and all I needed next were my shoes. Other than that, everything seemed to be in order.

"Yep," I state, "I think I've got everything."

Stopper nods.

"Follow me."

Everything feels familiar until we pass the throne room doors. I can see two guards stationed at the entrance, their stoic expressions unchanging as a small line of nobles waits for their audience with the Princesses. Most of them hold their noses high in the air, their expressions painted with disdain as I pass. A few shoot me glares of pure disgust, and I can’t help but feel like an outsider. Only one, a stallion with a monocle, seems curious--his eyes linger on me longer than the others, but even then, the curiosity is detached, like he’s studying a strange animal in a zoo.

Our trio continues through the castle for another five minutes. The halls grow wider as we move along, and the design becomes even more elaborate. Intricate tapestries and stained-glass windows tell stories I have yet to understand. Though magnificent, I’m used to the grandiosity by now, so I mostly ignore it. That is, until we reach the exit.

A blast of cool mountain air hits me as we pass through an open archway—there are no doors, just a wide, stone-framed exit leading out onto what looks like a gravel pathway. The sight that greets me when I step outside, though, stops me dead in my tracks.

Spread out before us is an airstrip, but not just any airstrip—this is a runway carved into the side of the mountain itself. Chariots are lined up in neat rows, sleek and polished, their golden frames gleaming under the bright morning sun. They sit ready, waiting like silent sentinels prepared to take flight. Pegasi in full armor, their wings tucked at their sides, trot back and forth along the runway, some engaged in conversation while others check equipment. Overhead, more Pegasi soar effortlessly through the skies, patrolling the area or heading toward the towering mountains in the distance.

Further back, I notice several tall, utilitarian buildings, each one more industrial in nature. It’s jarring to see something so functional and plain after the artistry of the castle, but it makes sense. This is clearly a military zone, a place built for efficiency, not beauty.

But none of that holds my attention for long, because beyond the organized chaos of the airstrip lies the land of Equestria, stretching out endlessly before my eyes. And it is… breathtaking.

The greens are more vibrant than any I’ve ever seen. Forests blanket the rolling hills, their treetops swaying gently in the breeze. Far off, snow-capped mountains stand like ancient guardians, their peaks shimmering in the sunlight. I can make out the distant outlines of villages and hamlets dotting the countryside, smoke rising lazily from chimneys as the day comes to life. The sky is a brilliant, cloudless blue, stretching endlessly above me, and for a moment, I’m utterly captivated by the sheer beauty before me.

To the right, a different scene unfolds. A massive forest looms, its trees darker, almost foreboding in their size. The dense canopy is nearly impenetrable, and shadows seem to dance within the thick underbrush. This, I realize, must be the Everfree Forest—the place where the rules of this world don’t apply. Even from this distance, the air feels heavier when I look in its direction, as if the forest is watching, waiting.

A strong gust of wind sweeps across the runway, tugging at my hat and sending loose pebbles skittering across the ground. The smell of fresh pine and crisp mountain air fills my lungs, mixed with the faint scent of metal from the nearby chariots. The sound of wings flapping, hooves clattering on stone, and guards barking orders creates a low, constant hum of activity around me.

I can’t help but feel a strange sense of awe--like I’m standing on the edge of something far larger than I can comprehend. This is no ordinary place. I am in a world of fantasy, of magic, and it feels like every breath I take is a reminder of just how foreign I am.

Stopper grunts beside me, snapping me out of my reverie. I force myself to focus, pulling my gaze away from the horizon.

“Come on, Tyler,” he says, his voice gruff but not unkind. “We’ve got a schedule to keep.”

Dusk, who had been bouncing along with her usual energy, is now standing still, her gaze fixed on the scene before us as well. Even she seems momentarily subdued by the sheer beauty of it all. She looks up at me before I turn away and smiles.

"Every time I see it, I am reminded of the beauty in this world of ours."

I nod, though a knot of anxiety twists in my stomach. This is it. This is my first step out of the castle, my first time leaving the safety of Canterlot, and while part of me is excited, another part of me feels deeply uneasy. This isn’t some vacation or grand adventure--the way the Princesses worded it last night...it feels permanent. The weight of what’s happening presses down on me, and I can’t shake the feeling that something is off.

Maybe it’s the way the Princesses have organized everything so meticulously. Or maybe it’s the way they keep their secrets, always smiling, always so sure of themselves. It feels like I’m being led somewhere I can’t escape from. And Ponyville… Ponyville feels like a cage disguised as a village. The Elements of Harmony are there, sure, but it’s hard to shake the suspicion that I’m being placed under a watchful eye for reasons beyond my understanding.

I clench my fists, trying to steady myself. 'Just play along, Tyler,' I remind myself. 'Play along until they find a way to send you home.' I can’t jump to conclusions yet, no matter how uneasy I feel. Not yet.

As we approach the runway, a certain alabaster Princess seemingly drops from the sky. Before she can impact the ground, her wings give a light flutter, enough to make her landing graceful and soft. Stopper, Dusk, and I walk up to the Princess, who beams at the three of us. My two guards quickly salute, and I give a polite nod of my head.

"Good morning my little ponies, and human," she adds after a moment of hesitation, "I am here to see you off. Luna apologizes but is unable to make it. Come with me, you three."

We follow the Princess towards the first chariot. It is sleek in its design, but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of room. Enough for a pony to stand on four hooves, and enough for me to sit down on with my knees up. It is here that my brain catches up with what these chariots do, and how they are operated.

"A-Ah shit." I sigh, causing the Princess to glance back at me.

"What is the matter, Tyler?" She questions, her voice soft. I rub my neck and let out a heavy breath.

"I just rem-- er, realized what these chariots do." I reply. Hopefully she didn't catch my near slip-up. "I, uh, I'm afraid of heights, Princess."

I feel my face heating up at Stoppers snort, but Dusk comes to my rescue by bapping him on the back of the head with her wing. He fake coughs and straightens up. My own glare causes a bead of sweat to trickle down his brow, and Celestia gives a tsk.

Lighting her horn, the Solar Princess 'poofs' a strange box into existence beside her. I can only raise an eyebrow in confusion as the object levitates towards me. Rubbing my hands against my pants, I step forward and reach out to accept the... thing. However, upon coming into contact with Celestia's magic, that same damn numbing feeling shoots up my arm and causes the Princesses magic to sputter out. This time, I don't feel fatigued.

Silence enshrouds the field as all eyes turn towards us. I can see the Princesses surprised face, and while it does give me a bit of mirth, I am more focused on keeping an eye on the various pegasi soldiers standing about. One signal, or even one error in judgement could lead to them jumping me.

After a few tense seconds of me holding the box against my chest, Celestia gives a hum somewhere between bemusement and curiosity. Her regal posture quickly returns, and the guards nearby returned to their duties.

"It would seem my Student was right in her analysis. No matter," her gaze shifts to the strange box, "that box is a magical holder. With a spatial enchantment as well as a stasis spell, it is capable of holding large objects for a finite period of time in a small space." There is a pause there, as I was expecting her to say more. When she doesn't continue, I look down at the box in befuddlement. I furrow my brow, cautiously cracking open the lid. Nestled within is a large, shimmering crystal ball, radiating a faint bluish glow. At first, I’m confused. Then, realization hits me like a freight train.

“This... this is my room,” I mutter, blinking rapidly. “You shrunk my entire room?”

"Indeed, Tyler. It will last until you get to your desired location in Ponyville. I will be sending a team of engineers with you to excavate the spot you chose. There is no need to worry though, as we already have the dimensions down. Just chose a spot, place the box in the middle of the area, and Lieutenant Swifty will cast the required spell to break the enchantment."

"Yo!" A burly unicorn calls from a nearby chariot before returning to his duties.

I am having a hard time focusing on what she is saying. My sense of vertigo threatens my balance as I try to comprehend the magic involved. My entire room--my bed, my desk, my belongings--all reduced into this tiny object? It’s both fascinating and unnerving. I feel a little bit like a child, clinging to the last shred of security from home. I rub my thumb over the box's surface, which is unnaturally warm to the touch. I know that if I touch the crystal, I might drain the enchantment.

“Thank you... I guess,” I say, glancing up at her. There’s a weird feeling in my gut that I can’t shake. Sure, it’s thoughtful--maybe even considerate--but knowing that they have this kind of magic, capable of reducing and storing entire rooms, makes me even more aware of how out of my depth I really am here. I feel a wing rest on the back of my leg in reassurance.

Celestia inclines her head.

"It seems that this is where we depart, Tyler. I will have my best magical experts begin work on the morrow to return you home. While this is going on, I hope you enjoy your stay in Ponyville. It is a lively town with lots to do. If you ever need to contact me, go to Twilight and ask to send a letter. Her brother, a baby dragon named Spike, is able to magically send them to me directly. Now, I must return to day court. Good day, Tyler."

And without another word, she was suddenly gone. I barely heard the pop of her teleportation spell as I stared dumbly ahead. A grunt from Stopper snapped me from my thoughts, and I quickly moved to follow him.

As we approach the chariot, my heart races in anticipation. The sleek vehicle sits there, waiting, and suddenly appearing like a predatory beast. I can feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me, my stomach twisting into knots as I glance back at the sprawling landscape of Equestria, now shimmering under the morning sun.

Stopper and Dusk step up beside me while I place the box at my feet, their expressions a mix of excitement and resolve. Dusk offers me a reassuring smile, but even her confidence does little to calm the unease bubbling within me. I glance back at the ground one last time, the rocky path below feeling too far away already.

"Are you ready?" Stopper asks, his voice steady but with a hint of mischief.

I swallow hard, nodding even though my throat feels tight. "Ready as I’ll ever be."

With that, I step up into the chariot, my legs feeling unsteady as I stand tall. I hold on tightly to the sides, my knuckles turning white as I stare straight ahead.

Dusk and Stopper take their positions beside me, the excitement buzzing in the air as the other pegasi soldiers prepare for takeoff. I can hear their quiet chatter mixed with the sounds of wings flapping and equipment shifting around us. The engineers behind us are doing the same.

Celestia’s parting words echo in my mind: “Enjoy your stay in Ponyville.”

'One step at a time, Tyler.' I think.

A signal is given, and with a powerful flap of their wings, the pegasi lift the chariot off the ground. The world below drops away, and my stomach lurches with the sudden ascent.

I grip the sides of the chariot tighter, my breath hitching as we rise higher into the clear blue sky, the castle of Canterlot shrinking in the distance.

And just like that, we are airborne, embarking on this new chapter in a world that feels both magical and terrifying.

Chapter 6: First Steps, Hidden Paths

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 7: Getting Acquainted

"Tyyyleeerrr..."

"Gimmmfhminu..."

"Wakeee uppp, Tyleerrrrr..."

"Fckuff..."

"Tyler!"

"GAHH!!"

I shoot up, my eyes widening as my surroundings come crashing in around me. I can smell colours and see smells. A sky-blue blob sits in front of me, it's golden shell giving off a shining glow in the moonlight. The blob begins to take form and coalesce, revealing hooves, fur, armour, ears, and an adorable face belonging to a familiar pony.

"What the... what time is it?" I mumble as I try to reach my phone. Sitting in this position is restricting, and I fumble as I try to remove the rectangular menace from my pocket. I ignore Dusk's questioning gaze and press the power button.

Nothing happens. My brows furrow. I press it again.

Nothing happens.

"Piece of shit, you better not be dead." I mumble.

"Your brick is dead? How can it be dead, isn't it inanimate?" I groan in annoyance before looking up at my current companion.

"It is out of ba--er, energy. When the energy runs out within the battery, everything stops working. The energy, which I guess is electricity, is what powers my phone." I wobble the device for emphasis, and I watch as Dusk's eyes track it's movement with and almost hypnotic gaze. Finally, she blinks and shakes her head before a cheery smile appears.

"Welp, I assume you had a means to charge it back in your room-house-thing? If that's the case, then you should know the engineers finished about two hours ago. Were you asleep out here the whole time?" She tilts her head as I shake mine.

"No, I was doing something... what was I--" My hand brushes over the papers in a book, and I look down. Sitting before me was my religion textbook, and within the textbook, was a single phrase in Latin. I do not read it, and instead close up the book with a muffled thump. I don't say anything as I slip it into my bag and move to stand. I can only think one thing:

'What the fuck happened to me?'

I hear Dusk ask something, but I am focused. This is much more important, and I need to find out what just happened. Wait, maybe Dusk would know.

"...gotta stop doing this, blanking out on me and Stopper, it's--"

"Dusk, how does a unicorn cast a spell?" I ask, interrupting her. I don't mean for it to happen, but my tone comes across as condescending, and I can see the look on Dusk's face. Realizing my mistake, I crouch down, reach forward, and briefly scratch behind her left ear.

"Ohh, that's nice..." she hums. I scritch around her ear and head for all of five seconds before standing back up. The little Pegasus pony pouts, but it quickly dissolves upon seeing my strained smile. "What's wrong?"

Shuffling, I look towards Ponyville, and in turn, Cantrerlot. If I tell Dusk what I saw, will she rat me out to Celestia? She doesn't seem the type. However, I have no doubt she might gossip to Stopper or some other guard that the 'cool human knows magic.' Better to play it safe for now; I don't know anyone well enough yet.

"I was just curious about how magic is used by different people." I state. "Let's walk back to my place."

As we move, I hear Dusk hum in thought. I slow down so she can keep pace, but my eyes are on the sky. Unlike Earth, where one assumes the night to be pitch black, the night sky hear is actually relatively bright. Tens of thousands of stars light the sky, and the moon, even as a crescent, provided light. However, the biggest and most alien detail was the seemingly purple-esque hue. While it was very, very dark, the heavens were not the typical black, and instead a mystical velvet. It was mesmerizing, and downright beautiful. So much so that I didn't realize Dusk had begun talking.

“Well, to start off,” Dusk says as we walk, “for unicorns, magic is about finding the right… hmm, rhythm. You know how when you throw a stone in a pond, the water ripples? Casting a spell is a bit like creating those ripples, but in the air around you. The unicorn has to focus on the shape of the spell in their mind, and then send that ripple out through their horn.”

"So, it's not just thinking up what you wish to happen and then making it so?" I ask, attempting to follow along.

Dusk chuckles. “Not quite. It’s more about feel. Each spell has its own… uh, pattern. Think of it like humming a song. A unicorn learns to ‘hum’ the pattern in their mind while they’re drawing the magic up through their body. When it reaches their horn, it’s like—well, almost like blowing air through a flute. The horn guides the pattern out into the world. When you want specific patterns though is when it get's a bit more complicated. It moves simple harmonic notes, to complex equations depending on the type of spell."

“So… spells are like tunes, the harder ones resembling formulas? And unicorns learn each one?” I frown, trying to piece it together.

“Exactly!” Dusk’s eyes brighten. “Some spells are simple—just a few ‘notes,’ you could say—so most unicorns know them. Like levitating things; it’s as easy as a nursery rhyme. But more powerful magic requires really precise focus. You have to hum just the right way in your head, and picture the exact structure you want it to take, or it doesn’t work.”

Dusk takes a moment's pause as I consider the implications of what I'm learning. So a complex structure needs to be worked out in ones head in order to cast magic via a horn. From what I recall of my eye-opening experience, all I had to do was read aloud the words on the paper, and something happened. Now for the most pressing question of all.

"How do you even know all of this?" I ask, glancing down at her.

Dusk chuckles as we crest over the hill, revealing my 'house' in all its sad glory. The engineers did a great job blending the bottom in to the ground. In front of the entrance, a small stone step about a foot longer than the door on both sides sits. This is followed by a slight stone pathway, though it's hard to make out in the dark.

"Well, my father was actually a unicorn. He was a member of the three-hundred and first Artillery division, and every time he came home, he would listen to my never ending list of questions. I learned so much from him, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I guess I succeeded in a way, considering I'm one of her majesties guards." Dusk's tone changed as she explained, and a shallow smile worked its way across her face. However, even in the dark, I can see that it doesn't reach her eyes. A pang of guilt washes over me, but I opt to say nothing. Finally, we reach my door.

The two of us stand there, facing the building I arrived in. The outside is blank, as there are no windows on this side of the room. However, upon glancing down, I can see a sliver of light creeping under the door itself. It's golden glow causes happiness to well inside me, and I can't help but let a smile appear. Looking down, I see Dusk has tilted her head slightly to look up at me.

"Want to take a look with me and make sure they fixed everything?" I ask, raising my hand and gesturing towards the door. Immediately, her mood seems to lighten, and her small frame straightens ever so slightly. With a swish of her tail, she gives me an excited nod. "Alright."

Twisting the handle and pushing, my door swings open easily. I am instantly greeted by a very familiar feeling, and I breath deeply as I step in. The light I had seen under the door appears to be from my bathroom, and glancing inside, I feel a sense of giddiness. Dusk follows me in, and I quickly stalk into the washroom; reaching for the handle. Much to my relief, water begins to flow in a steady stream.

"Hah!" I let out a brief laugh and shake my head. I turn the handle towards heat, and watch as steamy water instantly instantly replaces the cold. It was so instant, that I am left staring at it for a moment. How did they do that?

"So what is this?" I hear Dusk as behind me, causing me to turn. She stands on her back legs, her forehooves resting on the small counter beside the fridge. Her eyes, however, are focused on the metal box with the mesh and glass screen.

"That is a microwave, Dusk." I answer simply as I shuffle out of the washroom and reach for the fridge. Dusk tilts her head and sticks her tongue out, her muzzle scrunching in thought.

"What's it do?" She asks. I smile at the genuine curiosity that seems to radiate from her. Opening the fridge and rummaging around inside, I quickly grab hold of a small carrot. Closing the door, I smirk as she continues to stare.

"Well, let me show you." I state before reaching over her and pressing the release.

Dusk gives a sound similar to an 'eep' as I bump her on accident, but otherwise remains silent as I place the carrot inside the microwave and close the door. I set the timer for twenty-five seconds and press start, all while my actions are watched with wide-eyed focus. As the microwave begins to hum to life, I stand back and cross my arms.

"What's it doing to the carrot?" Dusk asks.

"Well," I start, "It is using radiowaves, or microwaves I guess, to speed up the water molecules inside the carrot. The friction of the molecules rubbing against each other--"

"Cause heat!" Dusk finishes, cutting me off. Her smile somehow grows bigger as the beeper sounds. Before I can step forward, Dusk has already extended a wing and pushed the release. The door pops open, and she carefully scoops the hot carrot out from its spot on the glass pane. She eyes the orange vegetable with wonder before before reaching her head forward and taking a large bite.

Eye's widening in surprise, she looks up at me, her cheeks puffed like a chipmunk as she chews.

"Ifth's 'ot!" She states, drawing a chuckle from within me. She swallows her first bite before reaching the carrot forward, offering the rest to me. Smiling, I hold up my hands in a placating gesture.

"No thanks, you can have it, Dusk." She simply shrugs before going for another mighty chomp. However, just as she takes the bite, there is a series of hard knocks on my door. Pulling my phone out, I quickly remember it is dead and give a sigh. It has to be pretty late out, given how dark it is. I can only imagine who is going to show up next. 'Maybe Pinkie Pie is here to invite you to one of her parties?' I think with a thin smile.

Walking around Dusk, I reach for the door as another series of taps ring out.

"Yeah, Yeah, I'm coming." I say as I grasp the handle and swing it open.

By this point, I know to look down. Upon doing just so, I find none other than Stopper standing at my door. He is without his armour, and his brown coat and black mane are on full display. I can't yet see his cutie mark, but that doesn't matter all to much.

Stopper looks up at me, his expression halfway between amusement and frustration. His brow is raised, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Didn’t mean to disturb you, but I wanted to make sure everything was in order,” he says, glancing past me. By the cheeky smile on his muzzle, I can deduce he certainly meant to be a disturbance. "Looks like they did a good job getting your place set up."

"Yeah," I say, glancing back at the newly functional microwave and sink. "They did some great work. Just trying to get back into the swing of things. I only just got in."

Stopper nods thoughtfully, though his eyes flick over to Dusk, who’s still munching happily on her carrot behind me. "Hope she’s not causing too much trouble," he says with a half-smile. I hear Dusk snort.

I chuckle, waving it off. "Not at all. Actually, Dusk here just got a crash course in some more of my technology. Figured I’d give her a little demonstration. Wanna join us? I could, uh, maybe put on a movie or something while I check that everything is in order?”

Stopper brings a hoof to his chin, as though contemplating my offer. However, I already know what he is going to say judging by the perk in his ears and the shine in his large eyes.

"Well, I dunno what a movie is, but I'm willing to hang out." He gives a nonchalant shrug before trotting past me. Rolling my eyes, I close the door behind him. This is certainly going to be interesting.

*****

'What to put on...'

Two ponies watch me like hawks as I dig around through my DVD binder. Most people would use Netflix, Amazon Prime, or a pirating site, (I do all three) but when I left for university, a family friend and my old babysitter gave me something from my childhood: The DVD collection. I would sit and watch stuff for hours--eating ice cream, alphabet soup, or Chips Ahoy cookies. Now, that very same collection is in my possession, and by utilizing my old Xbox 360, I have gotten through nearly half the binder. And now for the difficult part...

I have no doubt ponies in general are not used to violence of any sort. Judging by the way my sudden appearance was handled, and how some people--er, ponies reacted harshly to new things, I figure it is best I keep some of humanities secrets to myself.

'No world war stuff, no guns, no--"

"Hey, what's this? Battlefield three? Is this one of your movies?"

I turn, slowly, and witness Stopper's magic holding my disc case. Dusk leans in, and upon seeing the cover, gives a low whistle.

"Now that is a bad-flank if I've ever seen one." I assume they are talking about the graphic with the soldier in the center. It is pretty badass... but what the hell are they doing with my game?! "Say, what even is this?"

Put on the spot as both ponies turn and face me, I feel my neck heat up ever so slightly. I was hoping to keep stuff like this a secret for at least a bit... but now I've got to be straight up. I already know that either of them will see through a lie. However, something still compels me to keep a lot to myself. Imagine if the ponies had guns? Or if other countries on this planet found out and I was responsible for an arms race?!

'Okay, you're overthinking it. Just come straight, but be vague. Not everything needs to be explained. You're just some random guy, it is impossible you'll have such an effect on the world anyway. It is My Little Pony after all...'

"That-uh, that's called a video game. My console, the black thing beside the TV screen, is what you put the disc inside. This particular video game is set as a first-person view, and the overall aim is to either play the campaign story, which is about a fictional war, or play against other people around the world in various game modes. Like, uh, like capture the flag or something."

The two look back at the case, and Stopper tilts his head.

"Interesting. You've gotta tell me about some of the military history from your home. I've always loved talking about past conflicts and ancient wars." He floats the disk case away, ignoring Dusk mouthing nerd, and puts on a smile. It is here I realize what Stopper is just done; I can see it in his eyes. Somehow, he understood I didn't want to talk about it. Whether he deduced it was because it was something touchy, or he was trying to avoid me having another episode, who's to say. With all that said, I now have a new level of respect for the pony sitting on my bed, and I can feel a thankful smile switch on my mouth.

Turning back to the task at hand, I continue rummaging around before a certain trilogy finds its way before me. It is right here that I know that I have found the perfect starter, and so I select the first disk. I reach up and turn on the Xbox, grab the remote and flick on the TV, and then slip the desired disk into proper slot. Once this is all complete, I turn, and I fix a mischievous smile. Dusk and Stopper give each other an unsure look, but I don't give them a chance to comment as I slap my lap and stand up tall.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! What you are about to witness is likely one of the greatest trilogies in humanities cinematic history!" I see Dusk whisper into Stoppers ear, and deduce she is wondering what cinematic means, but I press onwards. Literally, as I select my avatar and the main Xbox screen pops up. I quickly slide the selector to the "game slot", and press 'a' on the remote.

Marching over to the wall as the Elvish words began to whisper over the enchanting music, I glance at my two guards.

"The world is changed..."

I turn off the lights, bathing the room in the bluish glow from the TV. I can see the surprised gazes of Dusk and Stopper as they lean in.

"I feel it in the water..."

Silently, I kick my shoes off and make my way to the bed.

"I feel it in the Earth..."

I gently prop up my pillow before plopping down beside Dusk. On her left sits Stopper.

"I smell it in the air..."

Leaning back, I allow my eyes to close halfway. I sense of calm washes over me, and for the first time in two days, I feel a tinge of comfort.

"Much that once was, is lost..."

My surroundings are familiar, the TV and the sound is familiar, the electricity is familiar. But there are two things that are not. Glancing to my left, I observe Dusk and Stopper. Both have become content to get comfortable, with Stopper laying back much like me, and Dusk laying on her stomach in 'pony-loaf' form. Both of them are downright adorable. Maybe soon, they will be like my surroundings... familiar.

"For none now live, who remember it..."

And thus comes in one of the most iconic themes to ever exist. I hear an audible "whoa," from beside me, and I can't help but smirk. If they found something as simple as this impressive, then they are going to be blown away over the next few hours.

Sitting back, I get ready to watch one of my childhood favorites.

The Lord of the Rings.

*****

Dusk

'This is simply amazing...' I think as I stare at the moving pictures and characters. Never before have I seen such colour... such vivid imagery and detail! It all looks to real, from the orcs in their terrifying costumes to the elves in their shining armour. I can't help the sheer amazement as I watch the battle unfold before me. Monstrous armies, swords, spears, arrows, and death. I should be scared, or grossed out... but I'm not. Glancing over, I can see Stopper is enjoying this just as much as I am.

The antagonist, Sauron appears, and I feel a primal fear as he approaches the Human warriors. Us ponies aren't very large compared to most species, Tyler being a good example. But this Sauron guy towers over the human warriors. His war mace sends a dozen soldiers flying at a time; his strikes brutal and efficient.

Something touches the back of my head, and I nearly jump out of my fur! My eyes widen as I turn and find Tyler's hand idly scratching along my mane, and an tenseness I once felt evaporated. Judging by how he was watching the movie, I can imagine he is doing it subconsciously. I personally don't mind, as it actually feels quite good, so I guess I should let him keep going.

'Myyyy preciousss...'

I turn my attention back to the screen and watch as the ring corrupts the character named Gollum, only for something called a Hobbit to find it... I better focus, otherwise I might miss an important story device!

*****

Stopper

'Damn, Aragorn is a badflank!' I think to myself as the Ranger takes on the ring-wraiths. The fluid movements and the way he battles the seven enemies is downright entrancing. If this Aragorn fellow was a real person, I imagine he would be on par if not better than the most skilled Royal Guard.

I glance to my side and notice Tyler is absentmindedly giving Dusk Scratches. A frown tugs at my mouth and a hint of jealousy seeps into my mind.

'That should be me.' I huff before tuning back in. Those scratches... they are dangerous. I have no doubt that if the human wanted to, he could take over Equestria with his bare hands. Literally. I don't know why, but seeing him doing that to Dusk just rubs me the wrong way. Surely, it is because I have come to like the way his hands seem to reach all the right places. Why else would I be jealous.

A surprised sound (I did not 'eep') escaped from me as a feathery wing lay itself across my back. I glance over, an eyebrow raised, as Dusk smirks. She knew! She knew this whole time!

While I was not courting her, the young mare was quite an eyecatcher by pony standards. I had been stuck with her on most guard shifts, and she was one of my only friends in the guard. I recall Tyler commenting on how uptight and 'guard-like' I was when interacting with him. It put things into perspective for me. I desperately need a change of pace.

The sound of soft snores quickly catches both of our attention, and my partner and I watch as our Human charge sits against his bedrest, his eyes closed. The movie is still going on, and a quick look from Dusk tells me she intends on finishing the film. I smile as she shuffles closer, her barrel touching my side. I quietly flip over, careful not to wake the man to our right, and quickly get comfortable.

'What the heck is that?' I think upon seeing an eerily familiar quadruped.

*****

A jolt startles me, and my eyes snap open. My throat feels a bit dry, and my room is silent. Looking to my left, I find an adorable sight.

Stopper and Dusk are laying beside me, the latter's wing stretched over the former like a blanket. I can't help but smile, but something nags at the back of my mind. It's silent right now, almost unnaturally so. The air feels dusty, like an ancient attic in a haunted house, and my smile leaves as quickly as it disappears.

'...Tyler...'

I sit up, my pulse quickening, and glance over at Dusk and Stopper, expecting them to stir. But they remain completely still--unnaturally so. No movement, no soft breathing, nothing.

"Dusk? Stopper!" I call as I move to stand. Something's not right.

My gaze drops to the bed, and I freeze. Sticking out from the comforter is… my head, my own face, as if I’m still asleep beside them. I feel my heart pound in my chest, my breathing shallow and rapid.

“What… what is this?” I stammer, stepping back. A strange feeling of dread coils within me, rooting me to the spot.

The voice whispers again, but this time, I can make out the words--a strange, flowing language that almost sings, echoing through my mind in rich, resonant tones. I can’t fully understand it, but I recognize it--Latin, ancient and melodic, almost familiar yet entirely beyond me.

'...adiuva me, quaeso...'

Before I can make sense of it, the room around me changes. Blinding flashes fill my vision, colors and shapes swirling like fire, and then the scene sharpens, pulling me into something else, somewhere else.

I’m standing in a burning landscape. Flames lick the sky, devouring everything in sight, the air thick with smoke. Around me, shadows writhe, figures locked in battle, and the echo of agonized cries fills the air. The vision is chaotic, overwhelming, and I stagger back, shielding my face from the heat.

‘Caedes… ignis… mors…’ The words resound, powerful, chilling... and familiar? I realize with a pang of horror that I do know these words--death, fire, slaughter. But it is not their meaning that scares me, no; it’s the monster at the center of it all.

Through the flames, I see her. A figure that towers over the destruction, her mane an inferno of fire, her eyes gleaming with fierce, terrifying intent. An Alicorn, with a presence that seems to pull everything into her orbit, commanding the flames, the destruction, as though it’s her very nature. Her form is terrifying yet majestic, her fiery mane illuminating her in otherworldly glory.

'...oportet intelligere...'

The voice, now unmistakably feminine, calls again, imploring in that ancient language. The urgency in her tone transcends words, and I understand in some deep, instinctual way that she’s showing me this for a reason. But I can’t piece it together. Why is this happening!?

“What do you want from me?” I shout, the words lost in the roar of the flames around me.

The Alicorn's eyes turn to me, hardening. The flames intensify, and her figure becomes a blinding blaze until it’s almost unbearable. I raise an arm, shielding my eyes from the radiance, the air thick with heat, and the world around me starts to tremble. I hear cries. Cries for mercy, for forgiveness, and for a savior.

Then, in an instant, it’s gone.

I wake up, gasping, back in my bed, Dusk and Stopper’s soft breathing filling the room once more. My heart hammers in my chest, the vision still burned into my mind. I glance at my companions, finding their calm presence grounding. I close my eyes, and bring a closed fist against my temple.

That voice, those images… and the Alicorn with her fiery mane. I don’t know what it means, but I have a feeling that this isn’t the last time I’ll encounter her--or whatever force is trying to reach me.

Reaching for my phone(which had ended up on the charger some time last night) my face is illuminated by the bright blue light, causing me to wince. However, I can see the time reads 6:30am. Once again, it is time to get up and start the day. I move carefully, ensuring I don't wake the two ponies beside me, and put on my shoes.

As I step into the washroom, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. A presence lingers, and I see my eyes narrow. Whatever I just saw, it would not be the last. I need to be ready, because if some wackjob with magic is messing with my dreams, they are going find out the hard way why you don't mess with a mentally unstable university kid.

'Good God, that has gotta be the cringiest thing I've thought of.'

'Good one, Tyler." I mutter with a wince.

Shaking my head, I turn the water on and wait. I can think more on that dream stuff later. Right now, I need to figure out what the hell I'm gonna do on my first day in Ponyville. I pause as I undress and stare at the door. After a moment, I continue, but it is only when I step into the warm water does the feeling of being watched finally disappear.

Author's Note

I promise there are only a few more chapter setting up Tyler's introduction to the world. I try to keep it interesting, but it's up to you guys to tell me if I'm on the right track. (First person is new to me, as is this sort of story theme, but I'm trying my best)

Hope you enjoy!
Until next time...

Chapter 9: Party Crasher

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