Sunset carried me out of the castle and didn’t stop running till we stopped at a donut shop. Luckily it was empty so nopony could see me stumble and fall.

“Uh, can I get a little help?” I asked.

“No. You didn’t listen, so now you deal with the consequences,” Sunset said.

“Remember, you need me for you to succeed,” I said with a smug grin.

“You’re pushing your luck,” she said.

“Hey, can you blame me for wanting to explore a different world? Not exactly something you can do everyday. And I’m from a world with no magic! I wanna see it for real! Plus maybe also see if I can somehow acquire some permanently,” I said.

That shut Sunset up.

“Considering my reasons for why I am where I am now, I guess you're right that I can’t blame you,” she said.

“I don’t remember your backstory, but I’m guessing you crossing the mirror was for similar reasons?” I asked.

“Yes, but let’s focus on what’s important. Getting the necessary information, and you learning how to operate a pony body,” Sunset said.

Only just now I looked at myself to see my features. The first thing I noticed was that I was a pegasus, that’s cool. I can fly and manipulate weather. I was now a tealish color and also had dark blue hair….err.…mane. Based on my cutie mark I’m guessing I had some storm related abilities? Not sure how that works.

“Don’t try to stand on your hind legs, don’t put the majority of your weight on your hind legs. This body is quadruped, distribute the weight evenly throughout all four legs,” Sunset advised.

I tried and was able to at least stand up, but walking was still something else entirely, and I’m not even sure where to begin with flying.

“For walking, just try putting one hoof in front of the other. Very slowly,” Sunset said.

I did and was able to walk, albeit slowly and wobbly.

“Ok, not the worst. It’ll have to do, if you fall behind I’ll just carry you. Don’t even ask how wings work, I don’t know how to help you there,” she said.

“Usually whenever I have a dream and I can fly, either I do so by flapping my arms rapidly, or by concentrating on the muscles in my back. Despite the different body, and this being real, maybe it’ll work?” I said.

Sunset shrugged.

“Try it.”

With her go to I did exactly that and managed to get myself off the ground. I just hovered in place.

“Ok, how should I move? Would leaning in the direction I want to go work?”

“You're asking the wrong pony.”

I did what I said and was mostly able to fly ok, just still had a few hiccups. I spent the rest of the night practicing, also waved hi to a few bat ponies.

“Well, I can fly for the most part. And since this is easier than walking, I’ll just follow you like this,” I said.

“Ok, but your wing muscles are gonna be sore as Tartarus when you stop,” she said.

I shrugged and said I’d deal with it as it comes. We asked around about the Elements of Harmony. We got a few responses, but it was mostly adoration and about how they defeated the threats to Equestria. Although Sunset being cloaked probably didn’t help.

“This is getting us nowhere! And avoiding the guards is becoming a real pain in the flank!” Sunset yelled.

She was avoiding detection so Celestia wouldn’t get involved. Meanwhile I could roam freely.

“I have an idea, it’s risky, but we’ll definitely have better luck there,” I said.

“What is it?” Sunset asked.

“Ponyville. The home of Princess Book Brains herself,” I said.

A couple of ponies looked scandalized at what I said, I just rolled my eyes. Canterlot nobles, am I right?

“I don’t know. That’s a bit far off, and we only have 3 days,” she said.

“It shouldn’t take that long. We get there by tonight the latest, rest, use our 2nd day to get information, by noon of the 3rd day the latest get a train back, then leave!” I said.

“I wish I had more time, but you’re probably right, good thing I still have bits saved up,” Sunset said.

We got a train and- oh fuck! Yep! There’s that feeling! The one where you use a muscle for too long and it feels unusable. It hit me right when I stopped flapping my wings.

“I’m gonna nap, wake me up when we get there,” I said before dozing off.

Author's Note

Cutie mark is what he would have if he was born in Equestria. Human form doesn't have pony colors or mane style, side effect of being from another world