Echoes of Equestria

Chapters

Shelter in Kindness
Through Crystals and Mirrors
Castle Comforts
The Call of Faith
CmC Cuteness and Curiosity
Adapted by Magic: A Crash Course
A Chaotic Meeting
The Dragon’s Tales
Clarity’s Call
The Cupcake Caper
Tea Time With Discord
CmC Cuteness and Curiosity Redux
The Depths of Loyalty
Devotion’s Duty
Harvesting Camaraderie
Fitting In
The Leap

Shelter in Kindness

Several minutes have passed since I dropped out of the sky and arrived in Equestria.

Now that I’ve had some time to calm down, Twilight approaches me gently and asks, “Who are you? Where did you come from? Are you all right?”

While trying to steady myself, I took a moment to take in my surroundings. It was clear the ponies had been enjoying a peaceful afternoon before my sudden arrival. A red and white checkered blanket lay spread out over the grass, anchored by small baskets overflowing with food. Plates and cups were scattered across the blanket, some still holding half-eaten sandwiches and colorful cupcakes. The faint aroma of apples and freshly baked treats lingered in the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the meadow. Sunlight filtered through the leaves of nearby trees, casting soft, shifting patterns on the ground. The scene radiated warmth and camaraderie, and for a brief moment, I felt like I had crashed into a snapshot of pure, simple joy.

I see the alabaster white unicorn with the stylish purple mane—the mare of fabulosity herself. Bearer of the Element of Generosity: Rarity.

Then there’s the orange earth pony mare with her trademark Stetson resting on her cornstalk-colored mane. Honest as the day is long. The apple picking pony herself. Bearer of the Element of Honesty: Applejack!

Next, the living embodiment of sugar colored cotton candy. The pink party pony with plenty of pluck. The reality bending, fourth wall breaking enigmatic bearer of the Element of Laughter: Pinkamena Diane Pie—or simply Pinkie to her friends.

My eyes land on the very timid, butter-yellow Pegasus pony with her trademarked pink lemonade mane. The kindest, sweetest, and gentlest pony you’d ever want as a friend. Bearer of the Element of Kindness: Fluttershy.

And of course, the gathering wouldn’t be complete without the learned bibliophile herself—the lavender mare with the streak in her hair. The studious student of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, turned princess and bearer of the Element of Magic: Twilight Sparkle.

I remain silent for a minute, trying to collect myself and gather my thoughts. So many things are running through my head, but one thought keeps forcing its way to the forefront: I’m in a cartoon world. I’m surrounded by cartoon ponies. Do they know they’re cartoons? My mind spins back to the fandom’s theories about Pinkie Pie breaking the fourth wall. Wait, does she know that I’m not from here? And more importantly, do I tell them? I’m overwhelmed with indecision as I struggle to find the right words.

Fluttershy interrupts my spiraling thoughts, her voice gentle and full of concern. “Twilight, look at the poor little thing. He looks like he’s in shock. I don’t think he’s in any condition to answer questions right now.”

Twilight pauses briefly, her expression thoughtful, before she nods. “Yeah, we should probably get him to the hospital or something.”

Hearing that, my body reacts before my mind can process. I instinctively cling to Fluttershy, like she’s the only solid thing in a world that feels like it’s crumbling around me. I don’t want to be left in a cold, unfamiliar hospital. No, I need something warm and safe. I need her kindness. Deep down, I know that Fluttershy can provide the comfort I’m desperately craving.

Twilight notices how closely I cling to Fluttershy and nods again. “Very well, then. You should take him home and try to get some food into him.”

Applejack steps forward, chiming in, “Once he gets some grub and some shut-eye he should feel right as rain.”

“Oh, oh!” Pinkie Pie practically bounces where she stands, her energy almost palpable. “And when he feels better, I can throw him a ‘Welcome to Equestria, hooray-you’re-not-a-stain-on-the-ground’ party!”

Rarity gasps, her hoof flying to her chest. “Pinkie, dahling! I don’t think you want to add that to the party theme. The poor little thing is probably going to have nightmares for months.”

Rainbow Dash glances over at Fluttershy and offers her encouragement. “I know you’ll take good care of him.” She then looks directly at me, giving a confident grin. “I hope you feel better soon. And if you need anything, just call your friendly neighborhood Rainbow Dash.”

***

Okay, I’ve noticed some stuff about myself. Apparently, I’m a foal here, considering all the other ponies are twice my size. And I’m apparently a unicorn—I can feel the little horn in the middle of my forehead with my hoof. Alright, so I have blue fur… and a blue mane, I think, I muse, pulling a bit of it in front of my eyes before brushing it back. Right.

So I came through a portal. That tracks, with the whole Equestria Girls thing. Could this be like Spring Breakdown? I guess there’s more than just two portals. Looks like I found a third. I wonder why it closed… Hmm. Alright, so I’m a pony. A foal. A unicorn. And I’m here for something. But why make me a foal? I was 26 years old. I mean, I get the pony thing, but… why turn me back into a kid?

These thoughts consumed me as we walked silently to Fluttershy’s cottage. Crossing the bridge, I noticed Fluttershy watching me as I struggled with my legs. She scrunched down, folding her hooves, and looked at me expectantly. I stopped, trying to move my rear right hoof… or was it my left front hoof? Finally figuring it out, I looked up to see Fluttershy still watching me. Wait… Is she asking me to ride her? Like I’m some helpless little… Oh. Right. Well, I suppose there’s no harm in it. Moving carefully—somewhere between a waddle and a jerking motion—I climbed onto Fluttershy’s back. She stood and continued walking toward the cottage.

***

Shortly after we arrived at Fluttershy’s cottage, a wave of nostalgia washed over me, carrying memories of the first time I saw it on the show. Nestled in a small clearing surrounded by trees, it looked as if it had grown naturally from the earth itself. The roof, covered in green leaves, blended seamlessly into the surrounding foliage, embodying the perfect representation of harmony with nature. The gentle bubbling of a nearby brook and the cheerful chirping of birds flitting about completed the tranquil atmosphere. It wasn’t just a home—it was a sanctuary, a place that radiated the quiet serenity of someone deeply connected to the natural world.

Looking at it now, I felt a deeper appreciation for its beauty. The earthly simplicity of the cottage seemed to reach out and connect me to the world around me, as though I could feel Fluttershy’s gentle care for her animal friends woven into its very design. Yet, there wasn’t much time to linger in admiration, as Fluttershy quickly led us to the front door.

I made myself comfortable on the couch, taking a moment to relax. Inside the cottage, everything felt warm and welcoming. The furniture was simple yet inviting, with soft cushions and a cozy rug spread out across the wooden floor. Birdhouses hung from the ceiling, each uniquely crafted and painted in cheerful colors. Shelves lined the walls, filled with knick-knacks, jars, and a few books. A faint floral scent filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of fresh hay. I noticed the chairs where Fluttershy and Discord had shared tea, a small round table still placed neatly between them. The soft chirping of birds blended with the occasional rustling of small animals, creating an ambiance of quiet, comforting life. It reminded me of the peaceful moments I had longed for.

Closing my eyes, I took a moment to breathe, listening to Fluttershy puttering around in the kitchen. Shortly after, she emerged with a simple repast: a salad and a cup of tea.

Raising my head to look at the food, I realized something—How the hell am I going to eat? I mean, sure, I could just tuck into the salad like an animal, but there’s no way I’m going to lift that cup of tea. Choosing to ignore the tea for now, I nibbled at the salad. It was good, but after a while, I got thirsty. Even though it was a salad, it didn’t have enough moisture to combat my thirst. I tried to take the teacup, believing the best approach was to use both hooves and capture it between them.

As I fumbled with the cup, Fluttershy noticed and asked, “What’s wrong, sweetie? Can’t use your hooves?”

I shook my head, and she smiled gently. “Well, you just use the edge of your frog there, and then you simply engage your magic.”

“Magic?” I thought, immediately followed by an internal facepalm. Oh, right—magic pony now. I then gave her a face that screamed you can’t be serious.

Giggling she replied, “I know, I know. You’re from a world without magic, but trust me on this. You just need to focus on the magic within, and trust in it.”

Nodding I closed my eyes focusing inward, trying to find the magic I knew had to be there. At first, there was nothing, just the quiet of my mind. Then, like a faint hum beneath my skin, I felt it—a subtle vibration coursing through me, warm and alive. It was strange, almost foreign, yet oddly natural, as if it had been there all along, waiting for me to notice.

I opened my eyes and stared at my hoof, willing the magic to respond. Slowly, I felt a soft, velcro-like pull at its edge. The cup clung to my hoof, as if glued, but held by some invisible force. The sensation was both unsettling and thrilling, like discovering a hidden strength I never knew existed. I couldn’t help but grin as I stared at the impossibility before me. For the first time, I truly felt like I belonged in this new body—as if magic had welcomed me into its world.

Slowly, I brought the cup to my mouth and took a sip, then replaced it and focused, trying to let go. I found that it was rather easy to disengage the magic, far easier than it was to try to engage it. I supposed learning to engage it would come as naturally as disengaging, with practice.

Fluttershy’s eyes lit up, and a wide smile spread across her face. She clapped her hooves together lightly and said, “Oh, wonderful! I knew you could do it!”

With a little more confidence, I continued eating. After finishing my simple meal, I yawned, my eyes becoming heavy.
Noticing this, Fluttershy remarked, “Aww, seems like somepony’s sleepy. You’ve had a rough day, haven’t you? You must be emotionally drained after what you’ve experienced. Poor thing.”

Tiredly, I nodded toward her, then turned my head to my left and looked dauntingly at the stairs. She glanced in that direction and giggled, then turned back toward me with a smile. “Don’t worry, sweetie, I’ll take you up there.”

Fluttershy moved in front of the couch and lowered herself slightly. I climbed onto her back, and she carried me upstairs.

I felt the bed underneath me, soft and welcoming, as my body sank into the mattress. My eyes grew heavier with each passing moment, but I could still sense Fluttershy’s presence beside me. The bed shifted slightly, and I managed to crack my eyes open just enough to see her leaning over me.

I felt the warmth of her lips as she pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Sweet dreams, little one,” she whispered, her voice tender and soothing. “We’ll get you home soon. I promise.”

Her words lingered in my mind, wrapping me in a comforting embrace. My eyelids fell shut again, and the sound of her quiet breathing beside me was the last thing I heard as sleep finally took me.

Author's Note

I feel especially proud of this chapter, because I think I’ve actually grown a lot in my style and voice since I posted chapter 1. I believe that this chapter shows a lot of growth. I truly hope that everyone who reads this will thoroughly enjoy it.

Through Crystals and Mirrors

“Stupid alarm,” I complained as I reached over to shut it off and rolled back over. My eyes opened wide as I quickly sat up and took notice of my surroundings. I glanced over to my left and saw my dad still snoozing away. “So, it was all a dream.”

Smiling, I got out of bed and approached my father to gently shake him awake. As I did so, the face that turned to greet me was not his.

“You know you’re sleeping, right?” asked the pony’s blue face—that I’d never seen, but somehow believed was what I looked like in my dream.

Suddenly, I found myself standing before the Tree of Harmony in the Everfree Forest. Staring up at the tree, puzzled by what was happening, I was suddenly blinded by an intense bright light, which caused me to shield my eyes.

Lowering my arms as the light faded, I saw before me two ponies, both equally regal-looking in their regalia. Before I could even begin to formulate a question in my deeply confused mind, one of them spoke.

“You know what you have to do,” the image of Celestia stated before I suddenly found myself falling, screaming at the top of my lungs.

I awoke, screaming, only to feel myself being embraced from behind. I felt the gentle pull of the pony behind me as she drew me close to her, enfolding me in her wings. She gently shushed me, as she assured me that everything was all right.

Closing my eyes—as I trembled slightly in her embrace—I inquired of her, “Please tell me. What is even real anymore?” Then I began to softly cry—as she simply held me—allowing me to fall back to sleep in her loving embrace.

***

That morning, as I sat around the kitchen table waiting for Fluttershy to finish preparing breakfast, my mind reflected back to the dream last night. Needless to say, dreaming that I had woken up back home, only to find out that reality was in fact a dream, seriously messed with my head.

I decided, however, at least for the moment, to keep the contents of the dream to myself. After all, Fluttershy had gotten it into her head that I’m from their version of the human world, and that I will in fact be going home today. Until they realized that this was not the case, I seriously doubted that they would allow me to enter the Everfree Forest.

Fluttershy, who must have misinterpreted my contemplative expression as me fretting over my dream, asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”

Shaking my head, I answered, “No. I’m fine. Just lost in thought about something else. Honest. I’m not lingering on a nightmare like some scared little foal.”

“Oh?” she began adopting that tone adults use on kids who they think are deflecting. “Well, what had you so lost in thought?”

“My dad. Getting back to him.”

“Oh,” she said, her tone shifting to one of understanding. “Well, don’t worry dear. We’ll have you back home soon.”

Nodding, I waited for Fluttershy to finish making breakfast.

“Who’s hungry?” asked Fluttershy, as she approached the table with a plate of pancakes balanced on her hoof.

I smiled as I said, “Starved, actually.”

I noticed Fluttershy seemed to be musing over that comment with a slight frown on her face as she placed the plate before me. “Hmm, yes. I suppose that I should have given you more than a bit of salad last night. I’m sorry, sweetie, but I promise you can eat your fill this morning. There’s plenty of additional batter. If ya want more, then just speak up.”

Smiling, I nodded as I tucked in. These pancakes were, in a word, AWESOME! They had: whipped cream, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and chocolate chips. The cakes themselves were so fluffy and moist. I had never had pancakes this mouthwatering moist. I didn’t even know that pancakes could be this moist without being soggily undercooked.

Having finished my plate and washing it down with the sweetest, coldest-tasting milk I’ve ever had, I leaned back, patting my belly with a contented smile on my face.

“So… from your demeanor, I’m guessing that you won’t be requiring seconds after all?”

I tried and failed to give her a deadpan look and shook my head, smiling as I replied, “Can’t talk. Digesting.”

Giggling, Fluttershy carried the dishes to the sink to wash as I headed back into the living room. I hopped onto the couch and lay on my back, as I attempted to ignore the feeling of my stomach stretching to the point where I thought that it might burst.

Shortly after, Fluttershy walked up to me, “All right. You can digest on the way to the castle.” She then crouched down and waited patiently for me to roll onto her back. It took a little effort, but I finally managed it despite my complaining belly, and with me in tow, Fluttershy headed outside toward Twilight’s Castle of Friendship.

***

Knocking on the castle doors, Fluttershy patiently waited for someone to answer. Shortly after, the door began to open, and Spike appeared from within.

“Oh, hi Fluttershy. I take it you’re here to see Twilight about the newest addition to our world?”

Widening my eyes, I exclaimed, “OK. How in any world do you possibly know I’m not from here?”

Spike deadpanned, “You fell through a portal.”

Blushing, I simply nodded as Fluttershy and I were led inside.

As we walked through the Castle of Friendship, I couldn’t shake a strange sense of déjà vu. The walls, shimmering in soft lavender and pale blue, were just as I’d seen on the show—but being here, actually inside the castle, was a completely different experience. The sunlight streaming through narrow windows scattered fleeting rainbows across the polished crystal floors, and the faint hum of magic in the air gave the place a subtle, living presence that no screen could capture. Ornate pedestals with sculptures or vases of fresh flowers lined the halls, just as I’d imagined—yet everything felt larger, grander, and more alive than I could have prepared for. It was a world I knew, yet didn’t know, and the weight of that realization sent a shiver through me.

Spike eventually led us to a room and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Twilight’s voice called from the other side, which prompted Spike to follow her instruction. As the door opened and Spike stepped inside, I could just make out Twilight from my position on Fluttershy’s back. Spike, with his back to me, waited for Twilight to acknowledge him. Raising her head from the book that she was reading, she smiled and addressed him. “Hello, Spike. I gather that we have guests.”

Inferring from his tone, I knew Spike was grinning as he asked, “How’d ya guess?”

Giggling behind her hoof, she said, “Just send them in, wise guy.”

Nodding, he ushered us in before exiting. Fluttershy greeted Twilight as I took in the room.

Stepping into the sitting room, I was struck by how it balanced royal elegance with a surprising sense of warmth. The lavender crystal walls caught the light like gemstones, their soft glow giving the space a magical, almost otherworldly ambiance. Plush seating in deep purples and blues circled a low crystal table, its surface etched with intricate star patterns. A wall of bookshelves added a cozy touch to the otherwise regal décor, their colorful spines contrasting with the gleaming crystal. Overhead, a chandelier cast golden light that danced playfully across the room, while potted plants softened the sharp angles of the structure. My eyes lingered on a silver-framed painting of the night sky on the far wall—it was beautiful, yes, but something about its serenity felt at odds with the dissonance stirring inside me.

“No need to explain; the mirror is ready to go,” Twilight said as she rose to lead us out of the room. “Seeing as he arrived via portal, it wasn’t hard to piece it together.” Here she looks directly at me, as I continue to ride Fluttershy. “We’ll have you home in just a few minutes,” she says reassuringly.

Smiling, as was to be expected of me, I simply nodded as we continued toward the room that housed the mirror portal. We arrived shortly and Twilight led us into the interior.

The portal room in Twilight’s Castle felt steeped in quiet significance, as though the very air recognized the importance of what lay within. Smooth, iridescent crystal walls shimmered between soft lavender and pale teal, catching and reflecting the faint glow of the portal at the center of the chamber. Its large, circular frame gleamed with polished silver, intricate carvings of stars and magical runes decorating its surface. The swirling energy inside pulsed faintly, almost like a heartbeat, drawing my gaze.

Sparse decorations lined the room, emphasizing the portal’s prominence. Crystalline pedestals along the edges held magical instruments, softly glowing crystals, and ancient tomes that whispered of power and knowledge. Beneath the portal, I noticed a circular design of etched glyphs radiating outward, as though the very floor was channeling energy into the gateway. Sconces cast a steady, magical glow, their light mingling with the quiet hum of power that seemed to fill every corner of the room. It was a place of reverence and wonder, and I couldn’t help but feel awed by the magnitude of what it represented.

Twilight, who had been busying herself with the portal, threw a switch and activated it. It sprang to life and as I looked on I could see the familiar color of the portal beginning to coalesce upon the mirror’s surface, obscuring it.

“All set,” Twilight declares.

Nodding, Fluttershy turns her head toward me saying, “Farewell. It was nice meeting you, Simon. Take care.”

Before I can answer, the shimmering aura of Twilight’s magic surrounded me, as she placed me in front of the portal beside her. As she turned toward me she stated, “Just follow me through. Couldn’t be simpler.” And with that, she stepped through, as I quickly followed in her wake.

A short transition later, I found myself standing in front of Canterlot High. As I got to my feet, Twilight followed suit. Remembering that I had to put on an act, I screamed as I noticed my arms.

“Gah!” Twilight exclaimed, covering her ears. “What’s wrong? I thought you were human.”

I fell silent and fumed at her. “Is this some kind of joke?”

Confusion lining her face, she replied, “I don’t understand. What’s the problem?”

“What’s the problem? What’s the PROBLEM?! I’M BLUE!”

“Yeees?” Twilight began carefully.

Sighing, I calmly stated, “Where I come from, missy, humans aren’t this color.” As I paused to stare hard at her, I continued. “And for that matter, neither are they purple.”

“Lavender,” she corrected me, as if it were a conditioned response.

“Whatever! Look, the point is, this is not my world.”

Her eyes widened as she once again queried, “You are human, right?” As I nodded in confirmation, I could see her barely restraining herself as she nearly shouted, “Then how, pray tell, are you not from here?”

“I’m not blue,” I deadpanned.

“Right. Right. So, out of curiosity, just what color were you before you came to our world?”

Before I had a chance to answer, the six counterparts to the ponies, plus Sunset Shimmer, having noticed all the commotion, approached us. “Hey Twilight. What brings you here? And who’s your friend?” Sunset said as she turned toward me.

“This is Simon, according to Fluttershy, and he… well…”

Pinkie suddenly blurted out, “He must be a human turned pony, who fell into your world yesterday, which led you to believe that he must have come from our world, only when ya got here you discovered, to your great surprise and disbelief, that he wasn’t in fact from this world at all, but from a different Earth altogether.”

As everyone looked on in stunned silence, it took all of my willpower not to bust a gut. “Classic Pinkie,” I thought to myself amusedly.

“How did you know all that?” Dash asked.

“Lucky guess.”

Dash smacked herself in the forehead. It took all I had not to say to her smugly that she should have seen that coming.

“Yup. She basically hit the nail on the head,” I stated. “To answer your question from earlier, Twilight: I’m more of what we call Caucasian, which is mistakenly referred to as white, but it’s more like ranging from light to rosy with colors that can include pinkish, reddish, or a golden hue. But not as saturated as I’m seeing here.”

Her face slowly morphed from confusion to fascination; however, before I had a chance to enjoy Twilight having a nerdgasm, Sci-Twi—this world’s Twilight—mistakenly came to my rescue. “Uh-oh. I know that look,” she said as she interjected herself between us. “I know it’s fascinating, but given the current situation, perhaps it can wait until we can figure out how to find his world.”

Looking around Sci-Twi, I could see my Twilight’s eyes lose their shine as her smile softened. Nodding, she stated, “Yeah, you’re right.” She then turned toward me, indicating toward the portal.

Nodding, I stepped back through, emerging on the other side. A few minutes later, Twilight rejoined me. She began to speak, but I interrupted her before she could finish. “Before you waste your time racking your brain, I did have what I suppose could be classified as a prophetic dream last night.”

Fluttershy, having approached us as we came back through the mirror, interjected, saying, “You mean when you woke up screaming?”

“Heh. Yeah.” I then began describing the dream as I recalled it.

Afterward, Twilight nodded, saying, “Very well. We’ll head there after lunch.”

“What? Why wait?”

“Call it a hunch, but I have a feeling we’re gonna wanna make sure we’re well-fed before we start this little adventure.”

“Oh, come on. It hasn’t even been an hour since breakfast.”

Sighing, Twilight stated in a matter-of-fact way, “Plus, the animals of that forest are less active at midday.”

I opened my mouth to protest further, but then as her words registered, I snapped my mouth shut, nodding.

“Meanwhile, seeing as we have some time to kill,” she then got that kid-in-a-candy-store look again.

Grinning, I nodded and said, “Fine. What do you want to know?”

Shortly after, the three of us were sitting comfortably back in the sitting room as I told Twilight about my world.

Author's Note

I know it’s been four days since the last chapter update, but I hope the fact that this chapter is twice as long as either of the first ones I wrote make up for it. :twilightsmile:

Castle Comforts

Afternoon brought with it a mix of anticipation and a little dread. I knew the forest from the show and how dangerous it could be, but I honestly didn’t know how Applebloom could brave it alone given what’s in there. And now that that I was a little foal myself, I honestly wasn’t sure that I…No, scratch that—I knew that I wouldn’t have been able to go in there on my own.

Twilight, having accepted my excuse of being homesick for not wanting to go into further detail about my planet’s history and technology—seeing as I hadn’t wanted to mentally scar her with all of the human atrocities—basically killed the remaining time until lunch reading. This left Fluttershy and I to our own devices.

I decided that I wanted to explore the castle, however as I was afraid of getting lost, I decided that I needed a guide. I thought of asking Spike, but I didn’t want to drag him away in case Twilight needed her number one assistant.

So, that left Fluttershy, who was more than happy to show me around. “And this is the main hall. It’s not really used much right now, but I’m sure it will come in handy once Twilight gets her new duties sorted out,” Fluttershy explained.

Nodding in acknowledgment I reply, “Yea. I can only imagine how much her life will change now that she’s the sole ruler of Equestria.”

“Yes. It’ll be a big change for all of us.” Suddenly curious she said, “Wait. How did you know that Twilight’s our ruler?”

“Just heard about it from casual conversation blowing on the breeze somewhere in town I guess,” I reply without missing a beat.

She nods continuing, “As I was saying, it’ll be a big change for all of us when her duties get sorted.”

You’d have to be deaf not to have caught the melancholy way in which she had said that.

“Apparently having just realized that herself she quickly added, “B-but I’m not sad about it. Not really. It’s just it’ll change things a little is all. Twilight, even if she decides to remain here will be—busier now.”

“I understand. She’ll have less time to spend with her friends. That’s gotta be tough given her title as Princess of Friendship. On her especially I mean.”

“Oh dear!” she exclaimed worriedly. “I hadn’t even thought of that. I mean I knew it would be hard on all of us at first, but how much harder for a pony when friendship is what defines her.” Oh. I hope she doesn’t get too lonely… By herself… In this castle… For days at a time.”

Yeesh! Note to self. Watch what you say around Fluttershy. “Hey, hey. Calm down. She’ll be fine. Remember this is Twilight we’re talking about here. A pony for all of her foalhood and most of her young adult life didn’t even have friends, ‘cause she didn’t think it was important. She’s used to being by herself. And anyway, if she does get lonely she’ll seek you guys out. Right?”

Calming down, she slowly relaxed as a small smile returned to her lips. She then nodded replying, “Yes. You’re right.” Her expression then shifted to curious confusion. “How did you know all of that stuff about Twilight?”

“Oh… Uh... That is to say,” I stammered my mind racing for a way out of this accidental blunder.

“Hey guys. Seeing as you’re here, any preference for lunch?” asked Spike, who had just waltzed into the kitchen that we had entered, moments before Fluttershy’s freak out.

“Latching onto the chance fate provided for me I gave him my full attention, walking towards him to give him my lunch order, I said, “Oh I would love a hayburger and hay fries if it’s not too much trouble.”

Chuckling he replied, “Naw. No trouble at all. I’m guessing ya want a soda to wash it down with.”

“Apple juice actually. If it comes from Sweet Apple Acres I mean.”

“Always does,” he says smiling. Then glancing at Fluttershy he inquires, “So, what can I fix for you?”

“Oh, um…” I noticed she was looking at me curiously again.

Oh shoot! Did I say something else I shouldn’t’ve? I mentally facepalm, panic rising. Why didn’t I just go with the soda? Of course Sweet Apple Acres wouldn’t even be on my radar yet. Way to go, genius—keep it together, or they’re going to figure you out.

After a few more moments of me worrying she looks back towards Spike and says, “Yes. I’d love a Daisy sandwich and some fried Brussels with garlic, salt, and, butter please. Oh and some iced tea. I-if that’s OK.”

“Sure. We got a fully stocked pantry and kitchen. We always have a fully stock pantry and kitchen now.”

“One of the benefits of gaining a nice big castle huh?” I inquired.

“Uh-huh,” he replies distractedly as he focuses on cooking.

“Come on Simon. We can wait for the food in the small dinette room.”

Nodding, I followed after her, noting the look she gave me as I mentally face slapped myself again. You just had to mention them getting the castle. Keep this up and you’re busted, you dummy.

A short trip later and she’s leading me into a cozy, circular room tucked away in one of the castle’s crystal towers. The walls shimmered faintly, like amethyst in sunlight with shelves lining one side, filled with books about magical cuisines and enchanted recipes. A round table of polished oak sat in the center, surrounded by mismatched yet elegant chairs—some carved with intricate designs of stars and moons. It’s nice to see that Twilight is reworking the castle’s cold crystal edifice into something that feels more homey. She could’ve used a crystal table, but went with something more earthy, I thought.

Above the table, there was a chandelier made of enchanted gemstones that cast a soft, warm glow. The floor is covered with a plush rug in deep purple adorned with Twilight’s cutie mark, which lay beneath the table. Tilting my head to the side I thought to myself, Nice touch. A window overlooked Ponyville, framed by flowing lavender curtains tied back with silver tassels. Small personal touches, like a teapot shaped like an owl—Aww. She must really love Owloiscious—or scrolls half-unfurled with notes, add warmth and life.

As we sat ourselves around the table, the door opens, and in walks Twilight. “Afternoon everypony.” Smiling she turned towards me and adds, “Did you enjoy the tour?”

Nodding with a smile I replied excitedly, “Oh yes. Your castle is so beautiful. And big. I’m glad I had somepony to guide me. I would have been lost for days trying to find my way around.”

Giggling behind her hoof, she took a seat and replied, “Sounds like you had a lot of fun.”

Nodding enthusiastically I state, “Oh yes. This palace is so pretty and sparkly. And I like the little homey touches that I’ve seen in some of the rooms. Like those ones for example. The table, the rug, the owl teapot. It makes the room feel warm and inviting.”

“Aww. I’m so glad that you think so. That’s exactly what I was going for.” Here she turned introspective. “You know, when I first got this castle, I hated it. It felt so big and cold, so lonely here.” She brightens again, “But my friends helped me find ways to make this castle a home.”

Must. Not. Sing.

It’s then that the door opened again, thankfully distracting my mind from the desire to sing that song, as Spike enters and placed our food before us. He then took his own seat and began munching on what looked to be obsidian.

“Obsidian?”

“Mm-hmm. You got a good eye for gems for such a young colt.”

“Well, truth is…” Oh shoot.

Spike stops chewing and gives me his full attention. “Truth is what?”

Twilight and Fluttershy have also turned to give me curious looks. Damn it! Now what Einstein? Well, maybe a deflective question to test the waters. If they’re OK with it I can maybe finish that thought. “Before I finish that thought let me propose a hypothetical query. How would somepony react if say, they found out that another pony, someone new in their life, turned out to be far older than they actually appeared? That circumstances beyond his/her control happened to make them appear that way.

Twilight ponders the question a bit, tapping her hoof to her chin, before turning back to me. Looking very serious she answers, “I would say that a pony who kept something like that from another pony, even if they were scared to reveal it for whatever reason, would be dishonest in doing so. It’s always better to be up front about such things.”

Fluttershy nods in agreement adding, “And even if this were the case it’s not as if it were their fault. It would be unfair to blame him for something that he had no control over.”

“Him/Her.” I reiterate.

Chuckling Spike interjects, “Give it up man. You know they know right?”

“Huh?”

Grinning he continues. Dude. You proposed this”—here he does claw air quotes—“hypothetical scenario right after you stopped yourself mid sentence. Pretty obvious you’re talking about yourself and that you were going to say that you’re far older than you look.”

“Spike!” Twilight admonishes.

“What?”

“You robbed him of his chance to fess up to us.”

“Oh. Heh, heh. Oops.”

Twilight shook her head as Fluttershy placed a wing around me. It’s OK Simon. We understand. The portal robbed you of your age as well as your species.”

Nodding I say, “Y-yeah. I’m sorry!” I say pressing into her side trying to fight back the tears threatening to flow.

“Shh. No worries, but I would like to know one thing.”

Pulling away I looked her in the eyes as mine still stung with unshed tears. “Yes?”

“Why did you feel the need to hide this from us?”

“I blame it on foalish instincts. Well, in part. It was mostly the shock and everything. Fear for my father and what’s going to happen to him if I don’t return in time. Confusion as to why this happened to me in the first place. Anger at being so weak again. A lot of things contributed to it, but mainly. I thought you’d wouldn’t want to…t-to…” It was at this point the tears would no longer be denied.

Gently, Fluttershy picks me up and rocks me. There, there. You’re such a silly foal. You know that? You really thought that I would be offended to share my bed or cuddle up with a foal just because they happen to be regressed?

Still crying I nodded with my face pressed into her leg.

“Would never happen. You’re far too adorable.” She then kissed me below my horn.

My tears dried up so fast it was like they were instantly evaporated by the sun.

“Besides, foal or stallion, I could tell you were desperately in need of a little kindness ever since we first met. It’s as if you’ve been denied it for all your life.”

Grimly I replied, “I could tell you stories, but the tl;dr is, I haven’t had much luck with friends back where I come from.”

She then embraces me tighter for a moment before setting me back on the pillow. “Eat. We don’t have much time if we want to get done with our business in the Everfree before nightfall.”

Nodding I tucked in. My eyes widened in shock as the taste hit my tongue. The taste was astounding. It was sweet and savory. A kind of barley like flavor mixed with nuttiness with a sweet flavor reminiscent of clover. Why the heck does this taste so good to a pony? I then bite into a fry and the flavor is so surprising. If I hadn’t known that this was hay I could swear that I was eating McDonald’s French fries.

The others must’ve taken notice of the goofy faces that I had no doubt made. Their smiles of amusement were quite evident on their faces.

“If you knew what this tasted like to a human, trust me, you’d be just as surprised.”

Smiling Twilight responded with, “I actually do know”—here she clears her throat—“and I unfortunately know what your version of a burger tastes like.”

My eyes widen again in shock. I almost let slip that I had always wondered if she happened to have had a hamburger in Sunset’s world before, but I catch myself just in time. “I’m so sorry.”

She waves me off. “Don’t be. It was a learning experience. Now that I know that humans are omnivorous I’ve made sure to always ask for the vegetarian option. Your veggie burgers don’t taste much different than hayburgers.”

“No kidding?”

“I’m serious. I highly recommend when you return home, that you should try it at least once. Especially since you seem to be enjoying that.”

“Heh, heh. Gotta admit. The flavor surprised me.”

In unison they said, “We noticed.” They then giggled.

Blushing, I resumed eating. The apple juice was delicious. Sweetest apple juice I’ve ever had in my life.

Once done, the three of us gathered in front of the castle doors.

“All right. Is everypony ready to go? Twilight asks.

Both of us nodding I add, “I was ready five hours ago.”

“Oh hush you.”

I stick out my tongue playfully.

“Well, without further ado”—here she enveloped the door with her magical aura—“let’s go.

The doors then opened as we made our exit from the castle and headed out towards my destiny.

The Call of Faith

The entrance to the Everfree Forest yawned before us, dark and foreboding, like the maw of some slumbering beast. Ancient trees, their trunks gnarled and twisted, arched overhead, their skeletal branches clawing at the dim sky to form a canopy that devoured the light. Just standing there made my skin crawl. The undergrowth was a tangled mass of brambles and thorns, snaking through the base of the trees as if eager to ensnare anything that dared venture too close. It almost felt alive, as though the forest itself could have reached out and dragged me in. The air hung thick and still, laden with a silence that pressed heavily against the ears, as if the whole place was holding its breath. It was far too quiet.

A faint path snaked into the gloom, narrow and overgrown, barely distinguishable amid the chaos of vines and roots. Standing at the threshold, I couldn’t shake the chill that seeped into my bones. Somewhere in the foliage, an unseen creature stirred, its faint rustle sending a fresh wave of unease down my spine. Beyond the entrance, the forest loomed—a wall of shadow and secrets, daring anyone foolish enough to trespass to uncover what lay within.

“Ready?” Twilight asked.

“I’ve changed my mind. You two go. I’ll stay here where I won’t get eaten.”

They giggled as Twilight responded, “I assure you that it’s perfectly safe. You’ve got two full-grown mares to protect you. And, not to sound immodest, one of them is pretty proficient in magic.”

Fluttershy chimed in. “Also, I can usually talk my way out of trouble with most animals.”

I swallowed hard as I observed quietly. “It didn’t seem this forbidding before.”

I could see, as I turned towards Fluttershy, that they had caught on to what I said, but before they could question it, I asked Fluttershy for a ride.

“Of course.” She knelt down, allowing me to climb onto her back. “There. Feeling a little braver now, sweetie?”

I nodded while blushing. “Sorry for the trouble. I’m not usually such a scaredy pony.”

“It’s perfectly understandable,” Twilight chimed in as they began walking. “After all, you used to be an adult. Being reduced to the strength of a foal again would make anypony overly cautious or even afraid. Especially when confronted with this forest.”

I nodded, and then we were suddenly engulfed by darkness. It was pretty jarring. The sudden shift from daytime to nighttime caused my hackles to rise.

Twilight lit her horn, shedding some much-needed light to guide our way.

“Is it always dark like this?” I asked.

Nodding, she replied, “Yes. Always.”

“Didn’t seem that way before,” I muttered under my breath.

Twilight heard it, however, as pony hearing is far more adept than a human’s. “Yes, from outside the entrance, it doesn’t seem like it would be so dark. However, when we pass the threshold, it is quite jarring.”

Note to self. Pony hearing is very acute.

As we continued to press on, my “acute pony hearing” began to pick up the sound of chanting in the distance.

“OK, who’s chanting?”

Smiling, Twilight said, “Oh. That’s just Zecora.”

“The rhyming zebra who crafts potions? That Zecora?” I asked excitedly.

“None other. She lives in the… Hold up.” She turned to look at me with suspicion. “How do you know of Zecora?”

“Oh, um…”

“Some ponies were speaking of her on our walk to here,” Fluttershy interjected. “You didn’t notice?”

Twilight, taken aback, looked to be running the memories of the events leading up to our arrival at the forest through her mind. “Ah. Yes. Daisy was commenting on a potion she had made to help her flowers and repeating some of Zecora’s dialogue.”

I nodded, latching onto this out that the universe once again handed to me. “Yes. That’s when I heard about her.”

Twilight stared at me for a few moments before nodding. “Right then. Well, as it seemed like you were eager to meet her, shall we go?”

I nodded excitedly as Fluttershy, along with Twilight, began to walk around the bend towards the chanting.

And there she was. The rhyming, potion-crafting zebra herself. She looked up from her cauldron, which she had placed outside her hut for some reason, and smiled upon seeing who it was.

“Well, isn’t this a splendid surprise. To see two of my friends before my eyes.”

“Hello, Zecora. Wonderful to see you again.” Fluttershy nodded at her in acknowledgment of the sentiment.

“So, what brings you two to the forest Everfree? Though I would like to think so, I doubt it is just to see me.”

Fluttershy nodded, turning to the side so Zecora could see me on her back.

“Forsooth. Who is this youth?”

“Greetings Zecora, speaker of rhymes and potion crafter. My name is Simon, and it is the Tree of Harmony that we’re after.”

Her eyes twinkling, she replied, “You speak in rhyme? How rare a feat! Such clever words are quite the treat.”

“Back home I liked to rhyme. At least I did some of the time. I had no friends to perfect the craft, and those I tried it on found me quite daft. Or even worse, very annoying, as they found speaking as such, quite cloying. But here it seems my rhymes may stay. Where clever words aren’t brushed away.”

The ponies looked on with big smiles upon their faces, enjoying the exchange between us. Zecora laughed brightly, replying, “Ah, you are, without a doubt, a true wordsmith throughout. Your clever way to turn a phrase will leave me reflecting back for days. If ever again when your business concludes, you find yourself in a rhyming mood, then return again I bid you one day. I promise to never turn you away.”

Nodding happily, I concluded, “This was beyond measure, a true and unique pleasure. Your invitation shall always stay, as I look back at this day, forefront within my mind—when again the mood strikes, you I shall find.”

Chuckling, she concludes, “A pleasure it has been, no fleeting spark, for brief though it was, it left its mark. May your path stay clear and free of muck, as I bid you farewell and wish you good luck.”

Smiling joyfully, I waved from Fluttershy’s back as the ponies continued on their way.

“That was absolutely wonderful,” Fluttershy remarked. “I believe that you’re the first pony to have ever spoken in rhyme to her.”

Nodding, Twilight added, “You’re right, Fluttershy. Everypony else simply responds to her as natural. Though after what I just witnessed, I believe I’ll give it a try next time I speak to her.”

“Yes. You looked to be having such a blast. And it seemed so natural to you. The way you shifted from the way we all speak to rhyming seemed as if you were throwing a switch inside your own mind.”

“I concur. The way you so effortlessly switched gears was a remarkable sight. It’s as if you slipped into another accent.”

Smiling, I responded, “Funny you should say that. To me, it seems that rhyming is its own accent, because it’s another style of speech, just like that.”

“Huh. I never thought of it like that.” Twilight’s face changed from one of thoughtful reflection to delight. “But you’re absolutely right.”

“So, how much further?”

“It’s about another thirty-minute walk before we arrive at the bridge. Then just a short climb down some stairs, and we’re there.”

Nodding, I fell silent as we continued on to our destination.

***

Coming before the bridge, the ponies stopped, allowing me to see the castle on the far side. The Castle of the Two Sisters loomed across the chasm, a shadow of its former majesty. Its jagged towers, half-consumed by ivy and moss, stood defiant against the weight of centuries, their crumbling edges silhouetted against the dim sky. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the ancient stone, casting fractured beams across the weathered bridge stretching before us. The air felt colder here, heavier, as if the ruins themselves held onto the echoes of a thousand years of history.

Standing there, I couldn’t help but feel small. The castle wasn’t just a setting anymore—it was real. The sheer scale of the place, the way time had ravaged yet spared it, sent a chill down my spine. The wind whistled low through the chasm, carrying with it an eerie stillness. Every detail, from the cracks in the stone to the hollow, shadowed archway of the entrance, seemed to whisper of untold stories and secrets. For a moment, all I could do was stare, overwhelmed by the weight of its presence, feeling like I was standing in the shadow of something far greater than myself.

“Quite the sight isn’t it?” Twilight asked as I stared at the foreboding castle.

“Yeah. It’s something all right.”

“My friends and I have been working on restoring it, but as you can see, we’ve a long way to go yet.”

“But why even bother? You’ve got two castles already. Yours and the one I saw hanging off that mountain some distance from Ponyville.”

“That other castle is in Canterlot. It’s our capital. As for mine, it’s a recent addition. Honestly, I’m not sure which one I’ll be using.” Here she became melancholy for a moment before brightening up. “But, to answer your question, we wish to preserve it as it’s a large part of our history.”

I nodded in understanding.

“Well, we’ve sight seen long enough, and we really can’t afford to waste too much time.” And with that, the two ponies began the trek down the stairs built into the side of the cliff.

After that, it was a short walk to the cave entrance leading into where the tree turned club house of the Student Six resided.

Before me stood the reborn Tree of Harmony, a breathtaking vision of light and life. Unlike the rigid, symmetrical form I had seen on screen, this Tree had grown wild and free, its crystalline branches sprawling outward in an organic, unpredictable dance of energy. The gemstones that once represented the shattered Elements of Harmony had become one with the Tree itself, scattered like constellations throughout its translucent limbs. Each one glowed with a kaleidoscope of colors, their light casting shimmering reflections across the cavern walls.

The trunk was thicker now, its surface textured with flowing lines that looked like rivers of magic frozen mid stream. It pulsed gently, exuding a warmth that seemed to reach out and wrap itself around me. At its base, the roots stretched deep into the ground, radiating a soft, nurturing glow that filled the air with a sense of life and renewal. This wasn’t the orderly monument of harmony I had expected—it was something far greater. It was alive, dynamic, and untamed, a testament to unity forged through struggle and growth.

For a long moment, I just stood there, awestruck. It wasn’t just the beauty of the Tree that held me captive—it was what it represented. Harmony wasn’t static or unyielding. It was something that grew, adapted, and thrived even in the face of destruction. And standing here, feeling its energy flow through the cavern, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope take root in my chest. Maybe I could grow too. Maybe I could find my own kind of harmony. Little had I realized how much I was foreshadowing what lay in store for me.

As I stood there in awe, a familiar sound could be heard that was fast approaching, which drew our heads to turn back towards the cave entrance. Sure enough, a moment later, Rainbow Dash came flying through.

“There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Dash?” Twilight said in surprise before getting down to business. “What’s wrong? What’s the threat? How much time do we have?”

“Whoa, whoa, relax, egghead,” Dash replied, holding up her hooves. “I just wanted to check on our guest. I went to Fluttershy’s cottage first, since I figured he’d be there, but when nopony was home, I hightailed it to your castle. Spike said you three were heading to the Everfree Forest, so I rushed over as fast as I could, just in case there was some flank that needed kicking.”

Twilight visibly relaxed and stated, “Oh. Well, you can’t blame me for going into action mode when you suddenly show up delivering a line like that.”

“Heh, heh. Sorry. I was just concerned, you know.”

“Concerned about what?”

“Well, not concerned really. I was just curious. Yea… That’s it. I was just curious how our new arrival was doing. You know, after what happened yesterday.”

Oh my gosh! Rainbow Dash was concerned for me! Eeeeeeeeeee! I no doubt had the biggest grin on my face, which was verified when Dash—having taken notice—commented, “What? It’s not like I was worried or anything. I knew you were fine. I just wanted to know how you were adjusting. That’s all.”

Quickly getting a hold of myself, I replied, “Actually, surprisingly, I seem to be adjusting just fine. Huh. You know, now that you bring it up, it’s actually quite surprising that I haven’t been dwelling on my transformation any more than a brief internal monologue I had—my first night here—when I was traveling with Fluttershy to her cottage.”

“I for one do not find it at all surprising,” said a familiar voice with an ethereal quality to it, which drew us to look towards the Tree of Harmony as the sparkly, ethereal form of Twilight manifested before our eyes. “It only proves your strong will and adaptability to an unfamiliar situation. Strengths that shall serve you well on your journey.”

“She looks like me,” Twilight exclaimed.

“Well, duh. It’s how she appeared to the Student Six,” I explained as I walked toward the Spirit of Harmony.

“Wha?”

“So, Spirit of Harmony. From the context I gather that you know why I’m here.”

“Please. No need to be so formal. Harmony will suffice. And yes. I know well of your mission.”

“Then please. I ask of you. Guide me. Tell me why I was brought here. What must I do?”

“Simply place your hand—whoops, I mean your hoof—upon me and all shall be revealed.”

Turning towards the Tree, I raised my hoof and set it against the trunk. Suddenly, I was bombarded with a vast array of images all coming in quick succession: me surrounded by six different colored lights, with the last being more dynamic; a teary farewell from this world as I return to my own; and five human shaped silhouettes—then—blackness.

***

The first sensation I was aware of was touch. I was on something soft and cuddly. The next was sound as I heard a voice fussing over me. Then two other voices, one calm and measured, the other angrily shouting.

“Ugh. Will you please keep it down?”

I heard a soft gasp as I felt myself being shifted, and upon opening my eyes, I saw two familiar teal colored eyes staring back at me. “Oh, thank goodness. You’re awake.”

“See, Dash? I said he’d be fine.”

“Not the point. This thing could have warned him before telling him to touch it.”

“ENOUGH!”

My ears flattened as Twilight used what I could only assume was the RCV.

“Ow, Twilight!” Dash exclaimed in pain. “Since when could you use that ear splitting voice?”

“Honestly, I’m as surprised as you are. But, anyways, my point stands. You’re forgetting that this is the Spirit of Harmony herself. You can’t go accusing her like that.”

“Please. Peace, my friends. I am not offended. Quite the contrary. I applaud Rainbow’s defense of her friend. You are right,” she said, now addressing Dash directly. “I should have warned him that the experience would be intense.”

Dash, now with a smug smile on her face, exclaimed, “See, Twilight? I was right to be angry.”

Rolling her eyes, Twilight chastised her again. “Even so. You could have shown a bit more diplomacy in addressing your grievances.”

“Huh?”

“She means,” I said as Fluttershy set me back down, “that you could have voiced your concerns without raising your voice to a shout.”

“Oh,” Dash said, a blush forming.

Twilight, brimming with excitement, approached me asking, “What did you see?”

“It was a jumble. Images coming at me one after the other. It was hard to make sense of it all. Though I suppose that’s what my little nap was for. I now understand what I was shown. I have to find a way to forge a connection to the elements and return with them to my world.”

Twilight’s eyes widened in fascination. “Amazing. You were pulled across worlds, because your planet needs the power of the Elements of Harmony.”

“No. Not the EoH.”

“What? But you just said…”

“Sorry, but, when I said elements earlier I misspoke. I heard two things during that vision. One was Principles of Unity.”

“Principles of Unity?” Twilight said, her curiosity growing. “Fascinating. They must be another level of the elements. Like Starswirl and his friends’ Pillars.”

“Yes. Clarity, Devotion, Compassion, Abundance, Resilience, and Oneness. These are the core concepts. The very heart of the elements themselves,” Harmony interjected.

Twilight’s eyes got as big as dinner plates. “The very core of the elements? You mean the fundamental principles that they’re based on?”

“Indeed. It will be Simon’s task to discover what the true essence of the Pinnacles of Unity are in order to forge a connection with them.”

“No. NO! I haven’t got time for this!”

“Simon, I know what is weighing on your heart. Therefore a choice you shall be given.”

With that, Harmony pointed toward the cave entrance. As I gazed at it, a portal began to form within. When it completed, I could see my father lying on his bed, as though I were standing in front of the door to our apartment.

“You can return to your father and continue to take care of him, or you can trust that he will be looked after and continue to walk the path before you. The choice is yours.”

Then without another word, she faded from sight, leaving us alone as I faced an impossible choice.

“Well, duh. I mean the choice is obvious,” Dash said.

“No, Dash. This is actually the hardest choice I have had to make in my life.”

Sputtering, Dash exclaimed, “What?! You’re seriously thinking of abandoning your father?”

“No, Dash. I would never do that. But there are larger issues here.”

“Dude. Seriously. You’ve been wanting to get back home to your father from the moment you arrived here. And now that you have a literal door back home, you’re thinking of refusing it?”

“As I said. There’s a larger issue here than what I want.”

Her face fumed as she shouted, “That’s it!” And before I could react, she had me in her grasp and over to the portal. “Either you walk into that thing now or I’m throwing you in.”

“Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy said in a tone that brooked no argument. “You put him down this instant!”

“B-But—”

“You heard her, Dash,” Twilight said, enveloping both of us and dragging us back to them. “Now!”

She huffed but obeyed. “I can’t believe you’re gonna actually let him abandon his father.”

“Oh? So I should abandon my faith instead? Is that what you’re saying?”

I actually saw the color drain from her face upon hearing those words. I also noticed Twilight and Fluttershy performing some sort of sign with their hooves. Rainbow Dash quickly followed suit.

“I-I’m sorry. I don’t know.”

With a teasing smirk, I asked Dash, “So, despite all your protestations to the contrary, you really were worried about me, weren’t you?”

Dash bristled, shooting back, “Shut up. I was not! I just don’t like anything that doesn’t warn anypony about potential dangers. That’s all!”

The two mares giggled at Dash’s indignant performance, prompting her to glare at them challengingly.

Deciding to move on, Twilight inquired, “Simon, you mentioned hearing two things during your vision. What was the second?”

Nodding, I replied, “The other thing I heard was four simple words. ’Good luck, my son.’”

Author's Note

Hey everyone! Now that Simon’s destiny has started to unfold, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you find his journey engaging so far? What do you think of the challenges and the path laid out for him? Are there any moments that stood out to you or things you’re looking forward to?

I also wanted to let you know there might be a bit of a delay before the next chapter, as I’m taking some time to work out the next part of Simon’s journey. Thank you for your patience and support—it means a lot!

CmC Cuteness and Curiosity

“So, we’re shopping?”

“Mm-hmm. Shopping.”

“For?”

“Oh, you know. Groceries mostly. I do have a new mouth to feed.” Fluttershy leaned down to nuzzle me, which caused me to blush. “And you can’t do an epic long quest arc on an empty tummy.”

“Heh, heh. No, I suppose you can’t.”

We stopped at a stall of celery, and I looked to my left and noticed a trio of very familiar little fillies.

Oh shoot, oh shoot, oh shoot. Here comes trouble on four hooves. Please don’t let them look over this way. I think to myself as I quickly hide behind Fluttershy’s leg.

Noticing this, she glanced down at me, hiding behind her leg, then lifted her head spying the CmC who had spotted me and were heading over this way. “Don’t be shy.”

“Hello pot. Name’s kettle. You’re black.”

She snapped her head back in surprised confusion before it clicks, then she giggled saying, “Very funny wise guy.”

“Howdy thar. Name’s Apple Bloom. How y’all doing?”

I opened my eyes and saw a trio of cute staring into my soul. Apparently the traitorous Fluttershy had decided to move to the side and throw me to the wolves. I could not handle the cute and did the faint with the goat noise. I remembered thinking that that was really weird, as Applebloom’s final words followed me into unconsciousness.

“Was it something I said?”

I felt a gentle prodding sensation in my side, and upon opening my eyes, I saw Fluttershy prodding me with her nose, apparently in an attempt to rouse me. As the memories of what just transpired reasserted themselves I quickly got back to my hooves exclaiming, “I’m fine. I’m fine. Just got overwhelmed by the cute.”

Both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom blushed, while Scootaloo had a dumbfounded expression on her face. “You think I’m cute?” She asked making a gagging gesture with her hoof.

“Well, to be more precise,” I said, pointing first to Sweetie, then Apple Bloom, and finally Scootaloo as I added, “she’s cute, she’s adorable, and you’re precious.”

Scootaloo seemed to be gobsmacked while the other two’s blushes deepened. Meanwhile Fluttershy had a look in her eyes that seemed to scream this is so precious.

Finally, Apple Bloom gets over her embarrassment and continued. “So, anyways, we’re the…”

“Cutie Mark Crusaders. Basically you’re like career counselors. Helping to not only find somepony’s cutie mark, but to also, in certain situations, help others to truly understand what their mark means. Case in point one Diamond Tiara who got her cutie mark without fully understanding what her special talent really was.”

Collectively all of their jaws hit the ground. It was only then that I realized that I had just run off at the mouth like a dumbass. Before any of them had a chance to respond I quickly added, “Yea, I’ve heard all about you girls.”

“From who? And when exactly?” Fluttershy inquired.

“Whenever we go on our strolls I keep, my ears peeled at the conversations going on around us. I pick things up.”

“Uh-huh. Well, I suppose that could be true. I certainly don’t pay such close attention like that whenever I travel around town, but then again it’s all old hat to me.”

“Yeah. I need to learn a much as I can about this new world that I’ve been literally dropped into. Listening to the talk of the townsponies as we travel helps with that.”

“OK then.” Her face resumed its gentle smile. “Sorry about being suspicious.”

“Pft. No worries. It’s all good.”

“What’s all good?” Applebloom asked.

“Oh… Um that’s slang from back home. It generally means there’s no problem. In this case I was letting Fluttershy know that it’s fine that she was a little suspicious, given the fact that from her perspective, I should have had no knowledge of you girls yet.”

“Oh. So… Y’all ain’t from our world? Is that what you’re laying down?”

“Laying down?”

“Oh. Guess y’all could call that my slang fer is that what y’all is telling us?”

“Oh. Yea. Pretty much.”

“Whoa, really?!” Scootaloo asked, her wings buzzing slightly in excitement. “You’re from another world? Like, a whole other world?”

Sweetie Belle’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “What’s it like there? Is it full of magic and mythical creatures?”

“Or maybe it’s like that place where Twilight goes sometimes with all the tall, hairless apes!” Apple Bloom chimed in. “You one of them?”

“Eh… something like that,” I replied cautiously, scratching the back of my head with a hoof. “It’s definitely different, though not as colorful or, uh, magical as this place.”

The three fillies exchanged wide eyed glances, their excitement palpable. “That’s so cool!” they chorused in unison.

“Yeah, cool,” I muttered, more to myself. I didn’t want to dampen their enthusiasm, but the topic still made my situation feel all too real. I wasn’t here for a casual vacation—I had responsibilities back home. But before I could dwell on it, Scootaloo bounded closer, her bright orange coat almost glowing in the sunlight.

“So, if you’re from another world, does that mean you’re here on some kind of mission? Like, a secret quest?” Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

I hesitated. Technically, she wasn’t wrong, but I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to share. “You could say that,” I replied, choosing my words carefully. “It’s… complicated.”

“Complicated how?” Apple Bloom asked, tilting her head in a way that was almost too cute to handle.

“Well, it involves figuring out how to return to my own world, while also learning something important about this one.” I gave them a small, sheepish smile. “It’s a work in progress.”

Fluttershy leaned in, her soft voice carrying a hint of encouragement. “He’s still adjusting, girls. Try not to overwhelm him.”

“Overwhelm him? We’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Sweetie Belle declared with an enthusiastic stomp of her hoof. “Helping ponies is what we do best!”

“Yeah! And if you’re trying to figure things out, we could totally help!” Scootaloo added, puffing out her chest proudly. “We’re, like, professionals at solving mysteries and going on adventures.”

“Plus, maybe we could help you figure out your special talent!” Apple Bloom chimed in. “Do ya have one yet? I mean, a cutie mark?”

I froze, glancing down at my blank flank. Right—because that wasn’t going to raise any questions. “Uh, nope. No cutie mark,” I admitted.

The trio gasped in dramatic unison. Sweetie Belle placed a hoof over her chest as though she were about to faint. “A blank flank at your age? That’s tragic!”

“Not that there’s anything wrong with bein’ a blank flank!” Apple Bloom added quickly. “After all, we used to be blank flanks, too. But, uh… if you’re older, that’s gotta feel kinda… weird, right?”

“Yeah,” Scootaloo agreed, her brow furrowing. “It’s like… what’ve you been doing your whole life?”

“Thanks, Scootaloo. Way to make me feel better,” I said dryly, earning a sheepish grin from her.

“Well, it just means we’ve got our work cut out for us!” Sweetie Belle declared with determination. “We’ll help you figure out what makes you you! And who knows? Maybe that’ll even help with your quest.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but Fluttershy spoke first, her gentle tone softening the moment. “That’s very kind of you, girls, but Simon has a lot on his plate right now. Maybe he should take things one step at a time?”

The Crusaders pouted in unison, their wide eyes silently begging. “But Fluttershy…”

“No buts,” Fluttershy replied firmly, though her expression remained warm. “Let’s let him decide what he’s ready for. Okay?”

I shot her a grateful look. “Thanks, Fluttershy.”

“Well, if you change your mind,” Sweetie Belle said, her voice hopeful, “just let us know. The Cutie Mark Crusaders are always ready to help!”

“Yeah! We’ve got your back,” Scootaloo added, striking a heroic pose.

“And y’all can find us at the clubhouse anytime,” Apple Bloom finished with a bright smile.

I couldn’t help but smile back. “Thanks, girls. I’ll keep that in mind.”

As they bounded off, already chattering about their next adventure, Fluttershy leaned down to nuzzle me again. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

I sighed, feeling a mixture of relief and exasperation. “You’re lucky they’re cute.”

Fluttershy giggled softly. “I think you’re starting to like it here.”

Adapted by Magic: A Crash Course

So, what now? I thought as I wandered through Ponyville. Fluttershy was busy with her animals, Pinkie was… well, Pinkie, and I wasn’t about to let Rarity dress me up like a doll.

I kicked a pebble. Guess I’ll just walk around. Something’s bound to happen.

A streak of rainbow zipped across the sky. “Oh, nice,” I muttered, spotting Rainbow Dash mid-loop.

I stopped on a hill to watch. She flew through flips, rolls, and spirals, each move faster than the last. Maybe I’ll finally see one of those signature moves.

She climbed high, twisting into a series of spins. It was incredible and I couldn’t help but yell, “Woo! Go, Rainbow Dash!”

That’s when it happened. Her wings locked, and she dropped like a rock.

“Rainbow!” I shouted, running as she hit the ground with a thud.

I reached her side, my heart racing. “Are you okay? What happened?”

She groaned, pulling her head out of the dirt. “What happened,” she said, glaring at me, “is that some colt doesn’t know how to control his magic!”

I froze, my face burning. “Oh… uh, did I do that?”

She spat out grass. “What do you think?”

***

The next thing I knew, I was sitting in a room in Twilight’s castle that had been hastily turned into a makeshift classroom. The crystal walls sparkled like they were showing off, and someone had crammed in a chalkboard, a desk, and a few chairs to make it look like an actual classroom. Twilight stood at the front, chalk floating beside her as she sketched out diagrams that already looked way above my pay grade.

“So,” she began, her tone sliding into full teacher mode, “the first thing you need to understand about magic is that it’s a fundamental force in Equestria, just like gravity or time. It’s everywhere, in everything, and it affects all living creatures.”

I leaned forward, my eyes locked on the chalk as it moved in midair. Magic. Real magic. Not tricks, not effects, but actual magic.

Twilight continued, “When you arrived, Equestria’s magic reacted to you because you weren’t compatible with it in your human form. You see, magic doesn’t just flow around creatures—it flows through them. Your body wouldn’t have been able to process that. The magic… well, it had to adapt you.”

“Adapt me,” I repeated slowly. “Like… biologically?”

Twilight nodded. “Exactly. Magic reshaped you into a form that could survive here. It wasn’t just about giving you hooves and fur—it was about protecting you from things you’d never even think about. Pathogens, diseases, even the way magic itself interacts with living beings. If you’d stayed human, the results could have been…” She paused, her face tightening. “Let’s just say it wouldn’t have been good.”

I blinked, feeling the weight of her words. So it’s not just about fitting in. It’s survival. My mind flashed to War of the Worlds, where the Martians were defeated by Earth’s microbes. Only this time, I was the Martian.

Twilight must have noticed the look on my face because she softened her tone. “It’s not a bad thing, Simon. Equestria’s magic wasn’t trying to hurt you—it was trying to help. To keep you alive.”

I leaned back, still processing. Magic. I can do magic. And apparently, it saved my life.

“But,” she continued, “it also means you’re part of this world now. That’s why we’re here. With the right guidance, you’ll learn to control your magic before it starts doing… things on its own.”

“Things on its own?” I asked, the awe giving way to a twinge of nervousness. “Like what?”

Twilight smiled, but it wasn’t exactly comforting. “Let’s not find out.”

Twilight’s horn glowed as she erased the chalkboard and replaced the diagrams with a set of symbols. “Now that you understand why magic adapted you, we can move on to control. The last thing we want is another ‘incident.’”

I winced. “Yeah, about that… I didn’t even know I was doing anything.”

“That’s the problem,” she said, turning to face me. “Magic is reactive, especially with beginners. It responds to your emotions, your instincts, even your subconscious thoughts. Until you learn to focus it, it’s unpredictable.”

Great, I thought. So I’m a walking magic grenade. Awesome.

Twilight smiled. “Don’t worry! You’ve already felt it before, right? That means you’re ahead of most beginners. All you need to do now is practice control.”

I nodded. At least this isn’t completely new territory. Baby steps.

Twilight pulled a book from the stack beside her and flipped it open to a page filled with diagrams of ponies in various poses. “Let’s start simple. You’ve felt your magic before—now try directing it. Close your eyes and imagine it flowing, like you did last time.”

I closed my eyes, already knowing what to look for. The hum of energy beneath my skin was easier to find this time, less elusive. Warm and steady, it felt like it had always been there, just waiting.

“Got it,” I said, opening one eye.

Twilight grinned. “Good! Now, guide it toward your horn. Slowly.”

I took a breath, focusing. This time, the flow felt more cooperative, moving like a stream rather than a sluggish river. It gathered at the base of my horn, and I couldn’t help but feel a little proud of myself.

“Perfect!” Twilight said. “You’re doing great. Keep going.”

“Guess I’m not turning anypony into potted plants today,” I said with a small laugh.

Twilight’s head snapped up. “What?”

Oh, crap. My brain scrambled as I tried to backpedal. “Uh, I mean… you know… I read that somewhere! About… uh, potted plants and magic accidents. It’s… pretty funny. Heh.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, I thought I’d blown it. Then she just sighed, shaking her head. “You’re something else, Simon.”

Nice save, I thought, my heart still racing. Totally nailed it. Probably.

Twilight’s horn glowed as she set the book down. “Now let’s try something simple. Once you’ve gathered your magic at your horn, focus on moving it outward. Just a little, like you’re sending it toward an object.”

I nodded and closed my eyes again. The warmth was there, steady and ready. This part felt natural—almost too easy. Alright, let’s give this a shot.

Opening my eyes, I focused on a small stack of quills sitting on the desk in front of me. Slowly, I imagined the magic stretching outward, like an invisible hand reaching for them.

One of the quills wobbled slightly, then shot off the desk, spinning through the air before bouncing harmlessly off the wall and landing on the floor.

I blinked at the quill lying several feet away. “Uh… was that supposed to happen?”

Twilight’s ears drooped slightly as she surveyed the scene. “Well… not exactly. But it’s progress! At least you didn’t hit…” She trailed off, glancing at me nervously. “Somepony.”

“Great. So now I’m a magical quill flinger,” I muttered.

Twilight sighed but gave me a small smile. “It’s all part of the learning process. You’re doing better than most ponies would at this stage.”

“Most ponies don’t come with a built-in hazard warning label,” I said dryly.

Ignoring my sarcasm, Twilight floated another quill over, setting it back on the desk. “Let’s try again, but this time, keep the flow gentle. Think of it like pouring water into a glass—steady and controlled.”

Gentle. Steady. Got it. I closed my eyes again, pulling the magic forward carefully. This time, I imagined it moving like a stream, not a fire hose.

The quill wobbled again. It lifted a few inches off the desk, hovering in the air. My heart raced as I kept the magic steady, watching the quill stay balanced.

Twilight clapped her hooves. “That’s it! You’re doing it!”

The quill wavered slightly, then floated gently back onto the desk as the faint glow of my aura faded. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Okay. That was… something.”

Twilight beamed. “That was fantastic! You’re making real progress, Simon.”

“Sure,” I said, leaning back in my chair. If by progress you mean not turning the quill into a missile.

Twilight floated a fresh sheet of parchment onto the desk. “Let’s finish with one last exercise. Try channeling your magic just enough to nudge the parchment. No lifting, just a gentle push.”

I stared at the parchment like it was some kind of final exam. “No lifting. Got it.”

Closing my eyes, I focused again. The warmth flowed easily this time, like my magic had decided to stop fighting me. I guided it toward the parchment, imagining it sliding across the desk.

The parchment trembled, shifting slightly before coming to a stop. I opened my eyes and grinned. “There. Not a missile.”

Twilight beamed. “Perfect! You’re really starting to get the hang of this.”

I leaned back, feeling equal parts proud and drained. “So, what’s next? Levitate a boulder? Summon a storm?”

Twilight chuckled. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For now, focus on small, controlled movements. That’s the foundation for everything else.”

Small movements. Right. I nodded, already wondering how many more quills I’d end up launching tomorrow.

As Twilight packed up the books and notes, I glanced at the parchment again. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

A Chaotic Meeting

The day had been going fine. Sunny skies, a pleasant breeze, and just enough dust to get in my eyes and make me sneeze.

“Achoo!”

The sneeze echoed, and almost instantly, I regretted it. Above me, a puff of pink materialized, quickly expanding into a cotton candy cloud.

I stared as the first drops hit me. Chocolate milk. Of course.

“Are you kidding me?” I muttered, glaring up at the sugary monstrosity as the chocolate rain began to soak my mane.

A voice, smooth and dripping with amusement, cut through the absurdity. “Well, well, well—what a nostalgic bit of chaos. Tell me, young one, do you dabble?”

I spun around, and there he was—the mismatched draconequus himself. Discord. The Spirit of Chaos.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, my voice rising as the realization hit me. “You’re him. You’re Q! I mean, John de Lancie—uh, Discord—but you’re him! Aren’t you?”

Discord smirked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Q, you say? Hmm… now there’s a name I haven’t heard in a while.”

“So, you are Q?”

He stroked his chin as if pondering a great mystery. “Am I? Or perhaps Q is me. Or maybe we’re merely two sides of the same delightful coin. Who’s to say?”

My jaw tightened. He was doing this on purpose. “So, you’re not saying you aren’t him?”

Discord grinned, snapping his fingers. In an instant, he was dressed in a Starfleet uniform, a captain’s pips gleaming on his collar. “Oh, my dear Simon, where’s the fun in confirming such a tantalizing thought? Let’s just say that chaos has many forms—” His eyes flicked briefly toward the reader, his grin widening ever so slightly. “—and many fans.”

I stared at him, trying to process what he’d just said. “You’re messing with me.”

“Of course I am,” he replied, the uniform vanishing as he popped a glass of chocolate milk into existence. “It’s what I do best!”

That’s when it hit me. My excitement at seeing Discord—or Q, or whoever he was—was quickly replaced by a sinking realization. He wasn’t just some ordinary pony. He was a being of chaos. A god of chaos. If anyone could see through my little charade and figure out where I was really from…

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm. Play it cool, Simon. You’ve got this.

Discord raised an eyebrow, his grin widening as though he could hear my thoughts. “Oh, what’s this? You look as if you’ve just had an epiphany. Care to share with the class?”

“N-nope,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “No epiphany here. Just… processing the whole chocolate rain thing.”

“Ah, of course,” Discord said, snapping his fingers and conjuring an umbrella—not to keep dry, of course, but to pour the chocolate rain directly into a teacup. “Now, where were we? Oh yes—your delightful little burst of chaos.”

“My what now?”

Discord smirked, gesturing to the pink cloud. “That, my dear boy. A fine start for an apprentice of chaos.”

I froze. “Wait, you’re saying I did that?”

“Well, it wasn’t me,” Discord said with mock indignation. “You’ve got a spark, my boy. A touch of mischief. But don’t worry, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Chaos is a gift—one you seem to be unwrapping quite nicely.”

I groaned. “Look, I didn’t mean to—wait. Chaos is not my thing. And I’m definitely not your apprentice.”

Discord sighed dramatically. “Such a shame. You had potential.”

The conversation was already spiraling into absurdity. “Okay, fine. Since you’re here, let me ask you something. Is it true that Pinkie Pie—”

Discord perked up at her name. “Ah, my dear Pinkie Pie! A truly chaotic gem in this otherwise predictable world. What about her?”

I hesitated, wondering if I should even bother. “I’ve got a theory. When she got ahold of Grogar’s bell, and your magic—”

“Oh, that was a fun day,” Discord interjected.

“Right. Anyway, my theory is that your magic didn’t just leave her when you got it back. It… lingered. Retroactively. Like, it traveled back along her timeline and made her… well, her. You know, inflating her head like a balloon and floating off, walking in midair when Iron Will had her by the tail, breaking the fourth wall—that kind of thing.”

Discord’s grin widened, and he began to laugh. “Oh, Simon, you truly are a delight! Such creativity, such imagination! And yet…”

“And yet what?” I asked, my frustration growing.

“And yet…” He leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Where’s the fun in answering that?”

I threw up my hooves. “Oh, forget it! I should’ve known better than to try and get a straight answer from a being of pure chaos.”

Discord clapped his hands. “Now that is the smartest thing you’ve said all day!”

He started to turn, then paused, stroking his chin theatrically. “Oh, and about that little secret of yours—don’t worry. I’ll keep it safe. So will they,” he added, winking at… what?

I blinked, following his gaze, but all I saw was empty air. “Wait a second. How do you… What are you even looking at? How do you do that? And how does Pinkie Pie do it too?”

Discord’s grin grew impossibly wide. “Oh, wouldn’t you like to know?”

Then it hit me. He knows. My stomach dropped like a rock. All this time, I thought I was playing it cool, keeping my knowledge under wraps. But now… He knew. He definitely knew.

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. If he knew where I was really from, how much else did he know? What else had I accidentally given away?

Discord leaned closer, his voice maddeningly casual. “Relax, Simon. Your secret’s safe with me. I mean, who better to entrust with a little chaos than yours truly?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. He just chuckled and straightened up, clearly enjoying my speechlessness. “By the way, Tuesday’s just around the corner. You simply must join Fluttershy and me for tea. It’ll be… delightful.”

With a snap of his fingers, he vanished in a flash, leaving me standing there, chocolate milk still dripping off my mane.

“Great. Just great. Tea with Discord. What could possibly go wrong?”

The Dragon’s Tales

It’d been another quiet morning with magic lesson training from Twilight. The afternoon rolled around, and after lunch, I decided that I needed to do something to kill time. Then I thought to myself, Hey, I have a great idea. Maybe I should find Spike and get him to tell me stories about this world. That way, I can profess knowledge of the world without alluding to the fact that I already possess it.

With this in mind, I quickly set out to find the little dragon. Eventually, I came across him in the library, of course, straightening out the books and whatnot. You know, doing the usual dragon servant thing.

“Hey, Spike,” I called out.

“Hey, Simon,” Spike called back. “What’s up?”

“Well, I was thinking to myself, I really don’t know much about this world since I got here—its history, its culture, etc. I was wondering… so what’s up around here? I mean, got any stories to tell?”

Spike’s eyes widened as he turned to face me, an eager grin spreading across his face. “Are you kidding? Man, I’ve got stories for days!”

Spike’s eagerness was perfect. If I kept him talking, I’d have a treasure trove of stories to work with—enough to make it seem I’ve lived here my whole life. Now I had a source for my knowledge I could refer to. No more scrambling to cover up accidental slip ups.

Shortly after, the two of us were sitting comfortably in our chairs, hot cocoa held, in the very same sitting room Twilight had sat in the day after I had first arrived in this world. As we settled in, Spike then began to regale me with tales of the past.

“NOOOOOO!” Spike pantomimed as he described Nightmare moon being engulfed by the rainbow as she was stripped away from Princess Luna.

I feigned spitting out my cocoa as he came to the part about Nightmare Moon being revealed as Luna.

“Get out!”

“I’m serious. Nightmare Moon was our long lost Princess Luna.”

“That’s incredible man. Totally did not see that coming.”

“If you think that’s something, you should hear about the castle cake.”

“A cake shaped like a castle?”

‘No. A castle cake. As in a cake the size of a castle.”

My eyes widened in intrigue. I never saw that on the show. “Please, by all means, do go on.”

“OK. Picture this. The date is Royalty Appreciation Day. It’s the day we celebrate the princesses.”

“Yea. I got that.”

“Hey, I was just setting the scene. So, Pinkie Pie was in charge of baking the cake for it that year…”

‘Which year?”

“Come on man.”

“Sorry. I’m just curious when this took place.”

“It was the third year after Twilight and I moved to Ponyville.”

So, season three then.

“Now would you please hold any remaining questions until the end?” Here he gets up and retrieves a scroll and quill, then hands them to me. “Just note them down.”

“Thanks. Sorry for the interruptions.”

Waving me off he continues, “S’alright. I should have done that before we began.”

Smiling I respond, “I’m guessing you do that kind of stuff for Twilight a lot.”

He gets this nostalgic look on his face as he replies, “No. Not ever since she got a better handle on her magic. Now she just levitates what she needs whenever she has to note something down.” Smiling as he turned back toward me, “Was nice… I mean to get you those.”

“Yea. I get it,” I said smiling in return. “Man. You really live to serve huh?”

“It’s fulfilling. To know that I’m helping.”

“Life a butler.”

“Exactly.”

A few moments of silence, then Spike resumes his story. “So, anyway, as I was saying. Pinkie was baking the cake for the celebration that year.

***

“What in the name of Celestia?” Twilight said as she gazed upon the giant castle sized cake.

“Isn’t it great? “Pinkie replied in her usual bubbly nature. “Everypony else always does a boring regular sized cake, but I thought, this is for princesses, so castle cake.”

“Well, it’s certainly… Big.” Luna commented.

“Wonderful.” Celestia murmured, barely above a whisper.

“Wowwee! That is some cake. Though I think it could use a little something,” Discord said, pondering.

“Discord,” Celestia said in a warning tone.

Ignoring her he exclaimed, “I got it!” Snapping his fingers the castle came to life and began singing an opera. Badly.

All ponies within earshot pressed their hooves against their flattened ears. Some shouting to make it stop.

Discord meanwhile was howling with laughter.

“DISCORD! PLEASE!” Fluttershy said, tears in her eyes.

Discord upon seeing his friend in pain suddenly realized how bad his little joke was for everypony around him. Hey hastily snapped his fingers, causing the whole cake to melt into a pile of frosting that flooded Ponyville.

***

“After which he apologized profusely. First to Fluttershy and then to everypony else who had been there.”

“What about the frosting mess?”

“He easily cleaned that up with another snap of his fingers. He only did that, because he was in a hurry to end Fluttershy’s suffering and didn’t think it through.”

“Ah. I see.” Makes sense. He would have been newly reformed then and was still learning how to be good. Wow. How did this not make it into the show?

After that Spike led to the story about Discord’s first appearance and his eventual reformation. I responded appropriately as he kept regaling me with content I already knew. Eventually he circled back to another time in season three.

“It’s pretty cool that you’re here Spike.”

“What do you mean?”

“”I mean how fortunate you have it. Being raised amongst ponies instead of your own kind instilled within you a kind and compassionate nature capable of empathy.”

He blushes and waves me off. “Please. You’re embarrassing me.”

Giggling (man, it’s so weird that I do that now), I replied, “Did you know you look really cute when you’re flustered.”

He playfully punched me in the shoulder. “Ever experienced a dragon’s fire?” he playfully warned.

Noted. Definitely not messing with the dragon. OK. OK. Point taken. I’ll lay off the teasing.” A slight pause. “For now.”

“I could always leave.”

“Wait, no… more stories, please.”

Man dude. Stop looking at me like that. I wasn’t serious.” He says throwing his claws over his eyes.

“Huh?”

‘Your eyes. You were doing that thing that…”

“I used weaponized cuteness? On instinct?!”

Spike studies me for a moment before replying, “Well, if that’s how ya refer to their eyes getting like three times bigger and that big frown with lip quivering thing, then yea. That.”

Woah. So, it’s an instinctual reaction. Not premeditated at all. Wow. This body apparently came with the wired in instincts of all ponies.

“Sorry Spike. I didn’t even realize that I was doing it.”

Chuckling as he retakes his seat, “‘Course not. You’re still new to that body. However now that you’re aware of it you can work on controlling it. “Course that also means you’ll eventually work out when to whip it out on demand.” He then looks at me pointedly.

“Relax Spike. It’s not in my nature to be manipulative. I promise I’ll only use my cuteness for good. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my—ow!” Rubbing my eye I remark, more or less to myself, “I can’t believe I did that. I knew it was a thing that happens. I knew I should have closed my eye. Why didn’t I?”

“It’s nothing to beat yourself up over. It happens to every pony.” Spike freezes as something clicked. “Wait a second. How did you know that was a thing? And how did you know about the Pinkie promise? You’ve only been here a week.”

“What are your talking about. That’s what we humans do. It’s our most solemn promise. Though now that you mention it I generally say ‘stick a needle in my eye’. Wonder why I said cupcake. As for my outburst afterwards. I knew I had hooves now which I knew would really hurt, so I don’t understand why I didn’t close my eye when I knew what was coming.”

“A needle huh? Well, anyway, as I’ve said, it happens to everypony. So, anyway, going back to your earlier comment. I wasn’t always the only baby dragon around here.”

“My eyes widening I responded, “Really? There was another?”

Nodding he began the tale.

***

“Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.”

A baby’s crying is suddenly heard close by, piquing Fluttershy’s curiosity. As she zeroed in on the crying, she pushed back a bush and discovered…

“Oh my goodness! You poor thing. How did you get here?” The baby dragon stopped its wailing for a moment, distracted by the interruption, before it resumed.

Fluttershy shushed it as she gently lifted the baby into her arms and began to rock it. “Shh, shh, shh. There, there. It’s all right. You’re safe now.”

The baby’s crying eventually lessened to the occasional sniffle after a bit. Then fluttershy took her inside to give it some milk.

The little dragon latched onto the bottle Fluttershy had prepared, drinking eagerly. She smiled warmly, sitting on her couch as the tiny creature nestled into her embrace. “There we go. You’re just a hungry little one, aren’t you?” she said softly, brushing a hoof along the dragon’s scaled cheek.

The room was filled with quiet, save for the sound of contented slurps. Angel Bunny hopped onto the couch beside Fluttershy, eyeing the dragon suspiciously. “Oh, don’t be jealous, Angel,” she cooed, patting the rabbit’s head. “This little one needs our help right now.”

When the baby finished the bottle, it let out a tiny burp that made Fluttershy giggle. “What a big sound for someone so small.”

As she leaned back, a knock came at the door. Fluttershy gently set the baby dragon down on the couch, ensuring it was snugly wrapped in a blanket, and went to open the door. Twilight Sparkle stood on the other side, her saddlebags bursting with scrolls.

“Hi, Fluttershy,” Twilight began, glancing at her friend’s soft expression. “Am I interrupting something?”

“Not at all, Twilight. But… um… you might want to come inside,” Fluttershy said, stepping aside to let her friend in.

Twilight tilted her head curiously as she stepped through the doorway. Her eyes immediately landed on the bundle of scales and blanket resting on the couch. “Is that… a dragon?” she asked, her voice tinged with amazement.

Fluttershy nodded, her gaze flickering between Twilight and the dragon. “I found him crying in the forest. Poor thing was all alone. I couldn’t just leave him there.”

Twilight moved closer, her eyes scanning the baby with curiosity and awe. “This is incredible. Baby dragons aren’t exactly common around here. Do you have any idea where it came from?”

Fluttershy shook her head, her face clouding with concern. “No, I don’t. I was hoping you might know what to do. I’ve never taken care of a dragon before.”

Twilight’s horn lit up as she gently lifted the baby dragon, inspecting it from all angles. “He seems healthy, which is a good sign. But dragons usually stay with their families for years. It’s strange for one this small to be out on its own.”

The baby dragon wriggled slightly, letting out a tiny hiccup. Fluttershy instinctively reached out, and the little one settled again as she held it close.

“Well, it looks like he’s already attached to you,” Twilight said with a smile. “Maybe we can look into this together. I’ll research dragons, and you can care for him in the meantime.”

Fluttershy’s face lit up with gratitude. “Oh, thank you, Twilight. I’ll do my best to take care of him until we figure out where he belongs.”

Twilight nodded, already scribbling notes onto a scroll. “With your care, he’s in the best hooves possible.”

Fluttershy glanced down at the baby dragon, who had begun to drift off to sleep in her embrace. She smiled softly, her heart swelling with resolve. “You’re safe now, little one. We’ll figure this out together.”

***

“I’m not ashamed to admit I was a little jealous of him at first, but I got over it.”

“What happened to him?”

“Twilight managed to find its mama.”

“How?”

“When it came looking for her.”

“WHAT?!”

“Hehe. Yea. Apparently, it retraced its flight path and spotted Fluttershy caring for it. Twilight was over there with her again and managed to intercede before things got out of hoof. As she explained what happened, the dragon became very grateful to Fluttershy for taking care of her. And after they said their good-byes, they left, and we haven’t seen them since.”

“Man. It seems like some crazy new thing happens once a week around here.”

Spike leaned back in his chair, a nostalgic grin spreading across his face. “Man, you wouldn’t believe the stuff we’ve been through. Take Discord, for example—turns out the literal spirit of chaos can actually be reformed. Who knew?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Reformed? As in ‘no more turning Ponyville upside-down’ reformed?”

Spike chuckled. “Well, he’s still Discord, so it’s more like… selective chaos. But yeah, Fluttershy really turned him around. She saw something in him no one else did. Took a while, though—he had his slip-ups. Like that whole thing with Tirek—”

“Oh, you mean when he betrayed everypony but came back to help in the end?” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. As soon as I saw Spike’s wide-eyed stare, I knew I’d messed up.

“Wait a second,” Spike said, narrowing his eyes. “How did you know about those parts? I don’t think I’ve mentioned them yet.”

I fumbled for a response, my brain scrambling for a cover story. “Uh… didn’t Twilight mention it? Or maybe Rainbow Dash? I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere…”

Spike folded his arms, looking unconvinced but not pushing further. “Huh. Weird. Anyway…” He shook it off, moving on with his story. “It’s a good thing Fluttershy stuck with him, though. He’s actually a pretty good guy now. Weird, but good.”

I nodded, inwardly relieved at the change of subject. “Guess that’s a running theme around here, huh? Giving ponies—or, uh, draconequuses—a second chance.”

“You could say that,” Spike replied. “Take Starlight Glimmer, for example. She tried to rewrite time itself just because she lost a friend, and somehow Twilight managed to talk her into becoming her student of friendship.”

“Wait. She lost a friend, so she tried to destroy time? You mean, she was that upset that he left her? Were they, like, estranged, or what?”

Spike tilted his head, scratching the back of his neck. “Well, yeah, kinda. It’s a long story, but basically, Starlight had this really close friend named Sunburst when she was a filly. They were inseparable. But when he got his cutie mark, he went off to magic school, and she… well, she stayed behind. She thought he just up and abandoned her, and it messed her up bad. Like, super bad.”

He leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly. “She started blaming cutie marks for everything—thought they were the reason friendships ended. So she built this whole philosophy about equality, no cutie marks, no problems. Then, when Twilight and the others stopped her, she went way off the deep end. She found this time travel spell and tried to, uh, rewrite history to make sure the Elements of Harmony never became friends. You can imagine how well that went.”

Spike leaned back again with a shrug. “Twilight finally got through to her, though. Showed her that not everypony was out to abandon her, and they kinda patched things up. Now Starlight’s one of her best friends.”

He paused, giving me a sidelong glance. “Crazy, huh? But that’s Equestria for you—second chances are kind of our thing.”

I shook my head, feigning bewilderment. ”My goodness. Didn’t that filly ever hear of keeping in touch?”

Spike let out a chuckle, shaking his head. “You’d think, right? But nah, she just let all that anger and hurt build up instead. Classic Starlight. I mean, don’t get me wrong, she’s great now, but back then? Yikes.”

He leaned back, crossing his arms with a smirk. “To be fair, though, I guess not everypony thinks to just, you know, send a letter. Or, I don’t know, visit? It’s not like Sunburst was on the other side of the world or anything.”

I tapped a hoof to my chin, as if deep in thought. “You’d think with all the magic floating around, she could’ve just zapped herself over there and said hi.”

Spike snorted, holding back laughter. “Oh, trust me, that’s crossed my mind too. But hey, at least it all worked out in the end. Starlight’s, like, way more chill now. Well, mostly.”

“Mostly?” I raised an eyebrow.

He grinned sheepishly. “Okay, she still has her moments. But who doesn’t, right?”

I then got up to stretch, a yawn escaping me. “Well, don’t know about you, but I think I’ve had my fill of stories for one day.”

Nodding to show he concurred with the sentiment, “Yea. Same here. “Well, I’ll show ya to the door. That is if you’re planning to go home.”

“I nod, “Lead the way.”

As Spike lead me to the entrance of the castle, a knock was heard. Upon opening it, I found the CMC standing there.

“Hey, Simon, wanna come play with us? Applebloom asked.

I was delighted to accepted the invitation. After a day of hearing amazing stories from Spike, including ones I never even saw on the show, it was, a perfect end to the day. To spend the rest of it relaxing by having a playful little game of tag with the CMC.

“Can’t catch me, Simon!” Scootaloo taunted, zipping past him with Sweetie Belle close on her tail.

“Oh, we’ll see about that!” Simon laughed, giving chase. The thrill of the game and the sheer joy he found in the moment was a rare treat—until they passed by a small a statue near the edge of the field.

That’s when he saw it.

At first, it was just a blur in his peripheral vision, but something about the twisted forms drew his attention. Skidding to a halt, Simon turned, his laughter fading. His gaze fixed on the statue—Cozy Glow, Tirek, and Chrysalis, frozen together in stone. The anguish etched into the little filly’s face sent a jolt through him, like a gust of wind reigniting embers into a roaring blaze of anger he thought he’d long since extinguished.

“What’s the matter, Simon?” Sweetie Belle asked, her wide green eyes filled with concern as she and the other Crusaders circled back to him.

Simon’s jaw tightened. “What is this?” he asked, his voice sharper than he intended.

“That’s the statue of the villains Princess Twilight and her friends stopped,” Apple Bloom explained. “They were gonna destroy all of Equestria’s magic. They got what they deserved, don’t cha think?”

Simon didn’t answer right away. His gaze remained locked on Cozy Glow’s face, the memories of her actions in the show flooding back. But more than that, it was the context that burned in his mind—her age, her apparent lack of guidance, the failure of those around her to see a child crying out for help.

“No,” he finally said, his tone cold. “I don’t think they did.”

The Crusaders exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to respond to the sudden shift in his demeanor. Simon didn’t wait for them to ask questions. “I need to go,” he said, turning and walking back toward town, his thoughts churning with questions and fury.

Clarity’s Call

Simon spent the next few days speaking with ponies around Ponyville, gathering their perspectives on the statue and its implications. The responses varied—some were supportive of the Mane Six’s actions, others expressed doubts, and a surprising number admitted they didn’t know enough to form a strong opinion.

“I mean, I guess it was harsh,” one mare said, adjusting her saddlebags as she paused mid-errand. “But they were villains. What else were they supposed to do?”

Another stallion frowned thoughtfully. “I don’t know… a filly that young? Turning her to stone? That don’t sit right with me.”

Simon’s frustration grew with every conversation. The lack of consensus among the townsfolk only fueled his determination. He needed to understand more. He needed to talk to the ponies who should have been closest to Cozy Glow: her parents.

Finding Cozy Glow’s parents had been a challenge, but persistence and a little luck had finally led him to a modest home on the outskirts of Ponyville. When they answered the door, their expressions were guarded, almost resigned—as if they’d been waiting for someone to bring up their daughter’s name.

Simon didn’t mince words. “I’m here to talk about Cozy Glow.”

The mother flinched, her ears pinning back, while the father’s jaw tightened. It took time, patience, and reassurances that Simon wasn’t there to pass judgment, but eventually, they opened up about their daughter’s struggles. Loneliness. Isolation. A desperation to be noticed, to feel important.

“She always wanted friends,” her mother said, her voice trembling. “But… she didn’t know how to keep them. She thought being important—being powerful—would make ponies stay.”

Simon’s heart ached at the parallels between Cozy’s story and his own. As they spoke, the picture of a misunderstood, misguided child became clearer, and so did Simon’s resolve.

***

With his case built, Simon approached Twilight at the castle, requesting an official meeting with her and her friends. She agreed, albeit with some curiosity and hesitation.

When the time came, Simon entered the throne room to find the Council of Friendship waiting. The tension was palpable as six pairs of eyes turned toward him.

“I’ve gathered you all here for a simple reason,” Simon began, his voice steady and deliberate. “This is in regards to your treatment of one Cozy Glow, a six-year-old filly. I am about to tell you why your actions were completely and totally wrong.”

The words hit like a lightning strike, sparking a flurry of defensive reactions.

“She tried to destroy all the magic in Equestria!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, her wings flaring. “What were we supposed to do? Just let her get away with it?”

“She was dangerous,” Applejack added, her tone firm. “Too dangerous to take any chances.”

Simon didn’t flinch. He stood silently, waiting as their voices overlapped in a cacophony of justifications. When the room finally quieted, he spoke again, his tone calm but unwavering.

“I understand your points of view. I understand why you feel you were justified. But I’m asking you, as a friend, to hear me out. Let me explain why I believe what you did was completely and totally wrong.”

He paused, meeting their eyes. “Please.”

Simon let the silence stretch, his eyes meeting each of theirs in turn. When he spoke, his voice was steady, but the weight of his words hit like thunder.

“Did you approach this filly, asking her why she took the actions she did? Did you try to guide her down a different path, a better path? No, you did not.”

The Mane Six flinched at the bluntness of his tone, but Simon pressed on, his resolve unshaken.

“Did you speak to her parents? Did you try to find out why she was the way she was? No, you didn’t. But I did.”

Twilight opened her mouth as if to interject, but Simon held up a hoof, cutting her off before she could start.

“I spoke to them. I found out the reason she acted the way she did. It’s because she was like me. She had trouble—difficulty making friends, and worse, even more difficulty holding on to them. Like me, she didn’t understand what friendship truly was, how much work was involved in not only crafting friendships but maintaining them.”

His voice softened, but the intensity in his gaze never wavered. “Like me, she didn’t know what to do. She desired friendship, craved it, as I did. And I had no recourse. I was alone. For nearly four decades, I was friendless.”

He took a breath, his next words coming with a mix of bitterness and nostalgia. “Until one day, I met someone who turned my world around. Her name was Jamie Harper. I met her through her mother, Annette Valentine. Jamie was a beacon of light in the darkness. She loved me for how I treated her mother—being there for her, helping her when she passed out stone drunk on the floor, taking her to her bed, covering her up, making sure she was okay.”

Simon’s voice faltered for just a moment, his composure cracking slightly before he regained control. “I treated her mother with kindness and compassion, and she loved me for it. Jamie became my first and only true friend.”

He stepped closer, his eyes searching theirs for understanding. “But Cozy Glow? She didn’t have a moment like that. She didn’t have the chance to have a moment like that. Instead, you threw her into what passes for your version of hell, from my mythology. And then…” His voice grew harder, the anger he’d been holding back finally breaking through. “And then, you turned her into stone.”

The room felt colder, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. “Instead of trying to approach this misguided, unloved foal, you condemned her. Tossed her aside. Threw her away as an irredeemable monster.”

Simon’s gaze locked on Twilight, his tone cutting. “Starlight Glimmer—someone who tampered with time itself, nearly destroying all of Equestria—got better treatment than that and a filly didn’t even get a second chance.

He paused, his eyes sweeping over the gathered ponies. His voice lowered, but the intensity of his words didn’t falter. “She wasn’t even given a second thought.”

The room was silent for several seconds as the weight of Simon’s words hung in the air. No pony seemed brave or willing enough to answer to the charges that Simon has laid bare. Which was good, because he was far from finished.

Turning first to Fluttershy Simon pressed on. “Fluttershy. You, who took me in and showed me such kindness—the kindness that I have sorely needed and sought my whole life. How is it somepony as kind as you could sit idly by and allow such reprehensible treatment to a foal?”

Without waiting for a reply he continues, turning next toward Rarity. “Rarity? Such a generous spirit of giving you possess. You went out of your way to make me feel at home in a world so alien to me. Giving of yourself and your time to make me feel at home here. How is it that such a generous spirit could turn away from a foal desperately crying out in need?”

“Applejack. Honest as the day is long. Steadfast and forthright. You showed… No. You taught me how important it is to be honest not only to others, but also to yourself. Let me ask you. Were you being honest with yourself when you decided that Cozy Glow was beyond redemption?”

“Rainbow Dash. You, who knows how important it is to remain loyal to others, be they friends, family, or even to ponykind in general. Why would you choose not to show such loyalty to a little lonely filly? I can only say Scootaloo was far luckier than she was when you met her.”

Pinkie visibly flinched when my gaze fell on her and before I could even start she beat me to it. “Yes! I cried for her! I truly did! I never got a chance to make her smile!” Then she breaks down into tears as her mane fully deflates.

And finally, my gaze fell onto Favorite Pony. I could see in her eyes that she knew my words before I even said them, but chose to allow me to speak, so that all in the room would bear witness. She nodded at me as if to confirm what I saw. “Twilight. Princess of Friendship. That title pretty much sums it up. The one whose responsibility is to help ponies in all matters relating to friendship. Where was that guidance with Cozy Glow? Why did she not even rate such consideration when a fully grown pony—who decided to destroy time itself—whose only excuse was that her friend grew up and moved away (seriously, did she never hear of keeping in touch?)—never even received punishment?

“I implore you all—you must, nay, you need to examine these past actions with a critical eye. You are the Elements of Harmony themselves. I ask you: was it harmonious to treat a filly, a foal, as an irredeemable villain when Princess Luna herself was guilty of far worse as Nightmare Moon? Even after her restoration, when her Tantabus nearly turned this world into a living nightmare, she was forgiven. Ask yourselves: were you true to the Elements you embody and represent when you condemned Cozy Glow with no hope of redemption, when Princess Celestia herself—against your better judgment—decided to take a chance on reforming a literal god of chaos?”

The room fell silent except for the sounds of crying from both Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. Rainbow Dash seemed to have been caught between a mix of refusal of my words and a grudging realization that I was dead right in everything that I had said. Rarity seemed sick to her stomach. ‘Nuff said. Applejack seemed like she had been bucked in the gut. As for Twilight she seemed—relieved?

Before I could think to question this she speaks. “All of us. Not just those in this room, but all of ponykind are very fortunate that you fell into our lives Simon. You have had the courage to say what even I was afraid to. I should have stood up to my mentor in that day when she—along with Luna and Discord—decided to seal her in stone, but I was too afraid to go against her. I thought that she knew best given her age and the vast wisdom she held. I wish that I had your directness and blunt scalpel like attitude that allowed your to cut to the heart of the matter.

“In short I have been wrestling with this very issue ever since I became sole ruler of Equestria and was trying to find a way to broach the subject of freeing Cozy Glow. Now thanks to you, that subject has been so broached.” She then turned her head, looking to each of her friends in turn before saying, “What say you, my friends, to the charges Simon has levied against this council?”

Fluttershy, still with tears in her eyes, stated, “You’re right. I was so unkind to that poor misunderstood little filly,” she said joining Pinkie in crying.

Rarity then added, “The poor dear just needed a friend. Somepony to assure her that she was not alone. I should have seen that. That all of her actions were simply a desperate cry for help. I would have given her my friendship if I had but known.” Then she too joined the pony crying pile.

Applejack removed her hat, placing it against her chest, as she said, “I honestly felt that wut we did was right at the time, but now after hearing all this I now know that that was a lie. I’m powerful sorry to that little filly.” She then lowers her head in silent remorse.

Rainbow Dash having heard everything finally makes up her mind and speaks next. “OK maybe we overreacted… a bit.”

A BIT?! I thought to myself and I saw the sentiment echoed in the faces of the others.

Sheepishly she presses on, “OK a lot. But we were trying to do what was best for all of Equestria.”

“And what was best for a scarred, confused, and misguided little filly, didn’t even register the same sentiment?” I challenged.

“HEY! You weren’t there!”

“No. I wasn’t. If I had, I’d likely be sharing her stony fate.”

They all gasped at this revelation. Twilight asked, “What do you mean by that?”

“I simply mean that if I had been there I would have dove to her rescue, likely getting caught up in the same spell that entrapped them all. If on the other hoof, I had succeeded in knocking her out of the way, I would have dared them to try that again while I covered her protectively and after the tense moment was said and done, I would have offered her my friendship.”

They all reflect on this for a while and eventually Dash speaks up again. “Fine. I hear ya. I suppose we at least owe her the same chance we’ve given to every other villain.”

Chuckling a bit AJ added, “‘Fraid that’s the best apology yer gonna get from that one.”

Nodding I looked toward Twilight. “Well, what’s the verdict here?”

“I would think it’s fairly obvious. As soon as I can arrange it, we’re freeing that little filly.”

A resounding cheer erupted throughout the room. At that moment I felt something shift within me. As if something had resonated within my very core. And then there was light.

The light enveloped me in an instant, wrapping me in a cocoon of pure, golden radiance. It shimmered and danced, alive with a warmth that chased away every trace of darkness. The glow was not static; it pulsed gently, like a heartbeat, each wave brighter than the last. Tiny flecks of luminescent gold swirled within the light, catching and refracting colors like sparks from a flame.

As it grew brighter, the light seemed to fill the space around me, stretching out in every direction, blurring the lines between me and the world. It was as if the air itself had turned to gold, humming softly with a note of perfect harmony. The warmth pressed against me—not heavy, but comforting—seeping into my very being. The light seemed determined to chase away every shadow from the room.

From within the golden expanse, shapes began to form. At first, indistinct and rippling, until a single object emerged: a towering mirror, its frame wrought from liquid gold that shimmered as though alive. The surface of the mirror was impossibly smooth, reflecting not just my image, but something deeper—the truth of who I was, laid bare in stunning clarity.

I saw reflected within that mirror my path laid out before me. I now knew with unshakeable certainty that the path I now followed was right. A renewed sense of purpose flooded my very being as the pieces of my life finally fell into place.

Then it was over. As the light faded, everypony within felt a reverence at what they had just born witness to.

“Simon. Unless I’m mistaken, I would hazard a guess, that you just made your first connection to the Principles of Unity.” Twilight stated.

“Really? what was your first clue?” Dash added flippantly.

And that did it. The tension of all that had transpired that day was relieved in a shared group laugh by all.

As I turned to the side to walk around the table Pinkie suddenly exclaimed, “Looks like that golden light did more than connect you to a Principle. I have a Cuteañera party to plan.

“Wha?!” I exclaimed looking back at my flank. I saw a yin-yang symbol with the left side being unmistakably the planet earth with a moon in place of the dot and the other side which could only be this planet with the sun as it’s dot. It rested on a backdrop of an array of six colors radiating outward from it’s center in perfect harmony.

“How very fitting,” Twilight remarked as she examined it. “Seems that your destiny isn’t only to bring this power to your world, but to be the bridge between both of ours.”

“What?”

“That symbol is fairly obvious. Don’t you see? You are destined to bring balance to both of our worlds.”

I was far too stunned by this revelation that I had no response. All I could remember thinking in that moment was, This is not what I signed up for.

Author's Note

I apologize for the delay to the main story. I was waiting for a new physical USB keyboard to come, because I was getting so frustrated trying to use the iPads overlay non-textile keyboard.

Please follow this link to a follow up chapter.

The Cupcake Caper

Pinkie Pie zipped around Sugarcube Corner, her mane bouncing with every hop. Today wasn’t a holiday. It wasn’t anyone’s birthday or even a random anniversary. It was just a day—Random Day, as Pinkie called it—and for her, that was reason enough to throw a party.

I sat at a table, watching the whirlwind of activity that was Pinkie Pie. Her movements were, at times, an actual blur of pink color, moving at superhuman speeds. I stared in fascination, attempting—and failing—to understand what my brain couldn’t comprehend. Finally, giving up, I remarked, “So, you’re just having a party for no reason?”

“Not for no reason. Because it’s a Random Day.”

Puzzled, I asked, “Random Day?”

“Random Days are the best days for parties!” she declared, tossing a hoof full of sprinkles into the air, letting them rain down over her latest creation. “And every best day party needs a best day treat!”

I shook my head as I repeated the age-old mantra, It’s Pinkie Pie. Don’t question it. Hmm. It’s a good thing Josh Scorcher can’t hear my thoughts. I’d owe him some bits.

Her eyes widened, and her expression made it clear she had been struck by an idea, as if a confetti cannon had gone off in her head. “It needs… the Cupcake of Infinite Delight!”

Flour erupted into the air, sugar bags emptied themselves into mixing bowls, and frosting streaked across the countertops as Pinkie Pie worked her magic. Hours later, she stood back, admiring the towering cupcake creation before her. Tiers of sparkling frosting shimmered under the kitchen lights, crowned with sparklers that fizzled and popped with a cheerful crackle.

“OK, now that is cool.”

“Perfect!” Pinkie declared. “This will be the highlight of the party!” She darted away to grab her party cannon for the finishing touch, but when she turned back to admire her work again, her jaw dropped.

The cupcake tower was gone.

Pinkie froze, then zipped outside, her eyes darting around for any sign of the culprit. She donned a deerstalker hat and puffed on a bubble pipe she pulled from her mane. “This is a case for Detective Pinks!” she declared, pointing dramatically toward Ponyville. “Don’t worry, cupcake—I’ll save you!” she shouted as she dragged me along with her.

I couldn’t believe I was literally getting dragged into this.

Without wasting a moment, she bolted into town, scanning every street, stall, and pony she passed. Pinkie’s frantic energy was enough to draw the attention of Twilight Sparkle, who watched her skid to a stop near the marketplace.

“Pinkie? What’s going on?” Twilight asked.

Pinkie spun toward her, wide eyed and panting. “Twilight! Thank goodness! You have to help me. My Cupcake of Infinite Delight has been stolen!”

“Stolen?” Twilight tilted her head as skepticism crept into her voice. “Are you sure you didn’t just… misplace it?”

“Of course I’m sure!” Pinkie said, squinting as though offended by the very idea. “That cupcake was my Random Day masterpiece! And now it’s gone—poof! That’s why I need your logic-y brain to solve this mystery!”

Before Twilight could respond, Rainbow Dash landed nearby, drawn by the commotion. “What’s all the yelling about?” she asked, folding her wings.

“Cupcake theft,” Pinkie said grimly, puffing her bubble pipe. “A crime against parties, ponies, and pastries everywhere.”

“Oh, for Celestia’s sake,” Rainbow muttered, rolling her eyes. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

Pinkie beamed. “Great! Twilight’s logic, Rainbow’s speed, and my detective instincts—we’re unstoppable!”

“Why am I here?” I asked.

“You’re the straight guy. Every group needs one of those.”

The four of us set off through Ponyville, following a trail of sprinkles Pinkie swore was a clue. We approached Big Mac’s apple cart, where Pinkie immediately launched into interrogation mode.

“Big Mac,” she began, puffing on her bubble pipe. “Where were you at three o’clock this afternoon?”

Big Mac raised an eyebrow, his mouth working the sprig of hay between his teeth. He shrugged.

“Suspicious,” Pinkie muttered, jotting invisible notes in the air. “Too quiet. Too… apple-y.”

“Brilliant deduction, Sherclop,” I remarked sarcastically.

Twilight curiously asked, “Wait… How do you know about Sherclop Pones?”

“Seriously? That’s really a thing here? I thought I was just being comedically sarcastic. Back home, we have a detective series that stars one Sherlock Holmes.”

“How fascinating.”

“Yes, yes, fascinating detective stuff!” Pinkie interrupted. “Now, Big Mac, spill the apples!”

Rainbow groaned. “Pinkie, he’s selling apples. Can we move on?”

“Fine!” Pinkie said, spinning on her hooves. “But mark my words, Big Mac. You’re on my sprinkle list.”

We pressed on, following a stray cupcake wrapper toward Fluttershy’s cottage. Pinkie’s eyes narrowed as she zeroed in on Angel Bunny. “It’s always the quiet ones,” she said, pointing a hoof at the defiant rabbit. “Where’s the cupcake, Angel? Spill it, or I’ll spill the beans!”

Angel blinked, turned his nose up at the carrot Pinkie offered as a bribe, and hopped away.

Fluttershy stepped forward timidly. “Um, Pinkie, I don’t think Angel knows anything about your cupcake…”

“No excuses!” Pinkie interrupted, flipping the carrot away dramatically. “The truth is out there!”

“Yea. It wouldn’t’ve surprised me if this bunny had something to do with it,” I remarked.

The day dragged on as Pinkie led her friends through one ridiculous lead after another. A frosting stain on Derpy’s hoof turned out to be from a muffin. A crumb trail near the schoolhouse was just leftover from lunchtime.

“Seriously Pinkie? These are clearly cookie crumbs. Don’t ya know one crumb from another? You’re a baker for crying out loud,” I exclaimed exasperated.

Twilight groaned, rubbing her temple. “Pinkie, are you sure you didn’t just misplace the cupcake?”

“Misplace it?!” Pinkie gasped, clutching her chest. “I’d never—wait…”

Her eyes lit up with realization. Without another word, she darted off toward a field outside Ponyville, the rest of us scrambling to keep up. There, tethered to her hot-air balloon, sat the towering cupcake. It wobbled precariously but had been otherwise unharmed.

“Ohhhh!” Pinkie said with a sheepish grin. “I left it in the balloon after decorating for the party. Silly me!”

As I pinched the bridge of my muzzle, I asked, “OK. When did that even get there? I was there when ya made it, and it was gone the next instant.” I then realized that I was asking for logic from the most illogical pony in the whole show. It’s Pinkie Pie. Don’t question it. It’s Pinkie Pie. Don’t question it.

Rarity, who had joined us along the way, groaned, fluffing her mane. “You mean we’ve been traipsing across town for this?”

“Exactly!” Pinkie said, bouncing in place. “Isn’t solving mysteries fun?”

That evening, the Random Day Party was a roaring success. Pinkie turned the fiasco into a decorating event, letting everypony add their own touch to the cupcake tower. The sparkly, chaotic result was the highlight of the party, earning cheers from everypony who attended.

Twilight pulled Pinkie aside as the party wound down. “Even when things got a little crazy, you turned it into something special.”

Pinkie beamed. “Aw, shucks, Twilight. Random Days wouldn’t be random without a little chaos!”

“I guess I’d better start getting used to this kind of chaos while I’m stuck here.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself, dear boy. By the way, tomorrow’s Tuesday. Looking forward to seeing you for tea.” Discord then snapped his fingers, vanishing in his trademark style.

And as the stars twinkled above Ponyville, the Cupcake of Infinite Delight took its place in history—not just as a treat but as a reminder of how joy can come from even the silliest adventures.

Tea Time With Discord

The next day, tea time with Discord was upon me. Part of me was looking forward to this, the fanboy part of John De Lancey and his role as Q and his reprise of his role as a fictional character in this world excited me. However, at the same time, after my initial meeting of him since coming here, I really didn’t like the way he avoided answering my questions and giving me the runaround. It was really annoying.

Fluttershy busied herself getting ready for his arrival, humming a happy, excited tune, which is, you know, not something you see every day. Apparently, she really relishes these visits with him. I guess they truly are friends. Of course, it's not surprising, given the way he dotes on her from the show. And man, talk about that overprotective streak. I still have nightmares when I see his where face from that episode ‘To Where And Back Again’, still gives me nightmares.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked Fluttershy.

Fluttershy turned to me and said, “Oh, Simon, there's nothing to worry about. Discord's a dear.”

“Yeah, I'm sure he's great and all, but after my initial meeting with him, he seems like the kind of guy that doesn't want to give a direct answer.”

“Yes, Discord does like to keep things close to his chest, but that doesn't mean that he has an answer to give. You’ll find that when dealing with him, it's really difficult to discover what he truly knows or doesn't know. But then again, he is the God of Chaos. We can't forget that that's just how he is.”

“Yes, but isn't that just frustrating?”

“Sometimes, but I found that trying to work out just what he's saying or not saying is half the fun. Plus, sometimes I'm able to figure out the things on my own, which gives me a sense of accomplishment. Imagine if Discord just handed you the answers to everything. How boring would that be?”

Suddenly the air began to vibrate as a rumbling noise began.

“Oh. Seems like he’s making a dramatic entrance. Must be putting on a show for you.”

Before I could say anything, a trumpet fanfare could be heard, as with a display of fireworks that burst with confetti and glitter, Discord appeared in a flash of fire to the applause of an invisible audience. “Ta-da!” he declared, bowing deeply. He straightened, dusting off an invisible speck from his coat. “Did you miss me, my dear friends? Of course, you did.”

Then, focusing on us, he continued. “Ah, Fluttershy, my dearest friend and Simon, the colt who’s been dabbling in chaos without even realizing it! How delightful to see you both!”

“Dabbling?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Discord smirked, snapping his claws. A pink cotton candy cloud appeared above my head, dumping chocolate milk all over my mane.

“Just a hunch,” he said with a knowing wink.

I groaned as the sticky liquid ran down my neck. “Yeah, thanks for the reminder.”

Discord chuckled. “Oh, Simon, you truly are a treasure! Now, let’s get started, shall we?”

The tea table wasn’t normal. Not that I expected it to be. Chairs shuffled like restless foals, and the teacups floated above the table, flipping upside down now and then. The teapot flapped its wings, performing aerial stunts before pouring tea into my cup—while upside down.

I stared at the glowing liquid. “This is safe, right?”

Discord grinned. “Safe? Where’s the fun in that?”

Fluttershy turned to me and said, “It’s just chamomile. You’ll be fine.”

“Chamomile,” I muttered. “Mostly, I’m guessing.”

The plates began to spin, forming a tiny carousel that pranced across the table. A salt shaker joined in, whistling a jaunty tune that somehow harmonized with the teapot’s flirtatious whistle. I reached for a napkin, only for it to fold itself into a paper crane and flap away, leaving me empty-hoofed. The teapot let out a high-pitched whistle—the kind you’d hear when somepony spots an attractive mare walking by. I froze.

“Did that kettle just flirt with me?”

“Well, of course!” Discord said, clapping his claws. “What kind of tea party would it be without a little charm?”

Fluttershy calmly sipped her tea, clearly unfazed. I sighed, leaning back in my chair. “This is ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous is the spice of life!” Discord declared, his grin as wide as ever.

Discord snapped his claws, and my teacup floated away, bobbing like a balloon just out of reach.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. “If this is life, it’s too much for me.”

Discord gasped, throwing a claw to his chest. “Too much? Simon, my boy, you wound me! Chaos is the zest that makes life worth living! Why, without it, everything would be dreadfully dull.”

Fluttershy gave a soft smile. “Sometimes, Simon, a little chaos helps us grow.”

“Yeah, well, I’d rather grow without all the flying teacups,” I muttered, dodging one as it floated past.

“Oh, come on!” I groaned, swiping at it, but it floated higher.

Discord laughed, conjuring a croquet mallet out of thin air and dropping it in my lap. “If you want your tea, Simon, you’ll have to earn it. Think of it as a game—a friendly introduction to the art of chaos.”

“A game,” I repeated flatly. “Right.”

Fluttershy sipped her tea, her cup hovering perfectly within reach. “It’s all part of the experience,” she said, her voice calm as ever.

I sighed, picking up the mallet. “Fine.”

The moment I swung at the teacup, it let out a loud quack and turned into a rubber duck, ricocheting off the table. Discord howled with laughter as I chased it down, the mallet awkwardly clutched in my hooves.

“Is this really necessary?” I shouted, dodging a stray cupcake that decided to join the chaos.

“Oh, absolutely!” Discord said, reclining mid-air. “You’re doing marvelously, my boy!”

By the time I finally caught the rubber duck, my mane was a mess, my pride even worse off. I glared at Discord, who applauded lazily as if I’d just finished a marathon.

“Bravo, Simon! Bravo!” he cheered, snapping his claws to make the duck vanish in a puff of glitter. “You’ve proven yourself quite the little chaos prodigy.”

“That’s one way to put it,” I muttered, slumping back into my chair.

Discord leaned forward, resting his chin on his claw. “You know, Simon, chaos isn’t just about making a mess. It’s about perspective.”

I raised an eyebrow, brushing cupcake crumbs out of my mane. “And soaking me in chocolate milk helps with that, does it?”

“Precisely!” Discord replied, snapping his claws to clean the mess off me in an instant. “You’re catching on.”

Fluttershy smiled at me gently. “Sometimes, Simon, letting go of control can lead to wonderful surprises.”

“See? She gets it,” Discord said, gesturing to her like she’d just won an award.

I shook my head. “Yeah, well, I’m still working on it.”

When it was time to leave, Discord conjured a pocket watch and dropped it into my hooves. It shimmered faintly, the numbers on its face rearranging themselves at random.

“What’s this for?” I asked.

“A gift,” Discord said, his grin widening. “To keep you in sync.”

I frowned at the watch. “In sync with what?” I turned the pocket watch over in my hooves, its surface cool to the touch. “Why does it feel like this is more than just a watch?” The numbers didn’t just rearrange—they swirled, merging and breaking apart like the ebb and flow of a tide.

Discord’s smirk softened, just for a moment. “Ah, Simon. You’ve already learned more about chaos than most ever will. Think of it as a reminder—of the beauty in things not going as planned.”

“Oh, you’ll figure it out eventually,” Discord said, stepping into a swirling portal. He paused, looking back with a playful smirk. “Or maybe you won’t. That’s part of the fun, isn’t it?”

And with a snap of his claws, he was gone.

I stared at the watch, its hands spinning in opposite directions. Whatever Discord meant, I had a feeling my time with chaos wasn’t over yet.

CmC Cuteness and Curiosity Redux

Another day. Another shopping trip. “I don’t see why I have to accompany you when you’re doing this.”

Fluttershy, inspecting some celery, replied, “Gee, Simon. I didn’t know you were tired of my company.”

“Wow. I didn’t know I’d be subjected to Sassy Shy today.”

She gave me a playful noogie. “Never heard any pony call me that before.”

“Well, I didn’t expect sass from a pony as kind as you.”

She smiles. “Well, I have been known to be a bit sassy on occasion.”

“Yeah. Like that time with Zephyr. That was awesome.”

She begins to nod and then stares at me. However, I was too shell-shocked to notice as I saw the terrible trio fast approaching. “No, please. Not again.”

“Oh. It’s the CmC. Come on Simon. You can’t really still be that afraid of them.”

I zipped behind her leg. “Never said I was afraid. They’re just too much. One at a time—fine—two—maybe—anything, but the three of them together.”

As she tried to step away I followed. “Not this time.”

Rolling her eyes she takes flight.

“Not fair traitor.”

“Oh mah stars. You got your cutie mark? Already?”

“What? No way?”

“Oh my. It’s lovely.”

“My shoulders tensed up as I heard them. I was determined to ignore them this time. Just don’t engage them and they’ll go away.

“Hey?! You know it’s rude to ignore ponies when they’re talking to ya.”

“Yah. Didn’t yer parents teach ya manners back in that world y’all are from?”

“Girls. Wait. Maybe he’s just not used to our energy. I mean he pretty much said so himself the first time we met.”

“Pfft! Whatevs. Fine. It’s his loss. Come on girls.”

“Yah. Aw’ight.”

“Cya Simon. Sorry if we made ya feel uncomfortable.”

I turned in time to see their backs to me as they walked away. The way they walked… It was wrong. Gone was the spring in their steps. They moved very slowly and deliberately, heads hanging low. Are they really that upset that I didn’t want to deal with them?

As if she could somehow read my thoughts Fluttershy spoke. “It’s a real shame. They really like you and now they’re so sad. It’s like they lost a new friend or the chance at making one maybe?”

Swallowing hard, I glanced at her as she gave me a knowing look. Sighing I grumbled, “Should have kept that stuff about Jamie to myself.”

I ran after them calling out. “Wait!”

As one, they turned, looking back at me as I ran up to them.

Smiling brightly Apple Bloom, said, “I knew ya liked us!”

Sweetie, grinned ear to ear. “YAY!”

Scootaloo looked at me with a neutral expression, sizing me up. “I don’t know. I’m not even sure I wanna be friends with him anymore.”

Sweetie and Bloomy both elbow her in the sides.

“Ow! OK. OK. Sheesh.” Turning to me she goes on, “Glad you decided to accept our friendship, blah, blah, blah.”

Apple Bloom clears her throat.

Grumping, Scootaloo amends. “Sorry that I’m giving you such a hard time. No hard feelings?” She extends a hoof.

I hoofbump her, smiling. “I’m sorry I ignored ya.”

“Yeah. What was with that anyway? Do ya hate us or something?”

A pang of guilt bucked me in the stomach. “I would think after our first meeting you’d know better than that.”

“Then wut is it? Our energy like Sweetie said?” Apple Bloom inquired.

“Yeah. Basically. You three get all up in my face, bombarding me with questions. Questions that I either can’t or won’t answer, because reasons.”

“We’re sorry. We didn’t mean to come off like pests.” Sweetie said apologetically.

I shake my head. “Well, if ya want to avoid that in the future ya gotta take it down to about a 6. Maybe a 7?”

“Huh?” They all asked in unison?

“It’s a musical term.” DJPON3 says, who just happened to be walking by.

Woah. So she can speak. Also, so that’s her voice?

“He’s like, saying you’ve got it cranked to an 11 and ya need to bring it down to like a 6 or 7. Ya know? Tone it down.”

“Oooooo,” they say as Bloom goes on to add, “So, basically stop crowding ya, while hammering ya with non stop question like.”

I nod as both DJPON3 and I say together, “Exactly.”

“Later foals. Peace.” She places her headset back over her ears and walks off.

“Well, there’s somepony ya don’t see everyday,” I remarked.

They all nodded in agreement. Then Bloom said, “OK, we’ll give ya some space and turn down the intensity.”

“Yea, but can you at least tell us how ya found your cutie mark already?” Scootaloo inquired.

“I considered his next words carefully, his gaze shifting between the three fillies. “Alright, you know what? I think I owe all three of you an apology for my behavior earlier. I didn’t mean to make you feel like I didn’t want to be around you.”

Sweetie Belle’s ears perked up, her eyes bright with hope. “Really?”

He nodded, letting out a small sigh. “Yeah. But let’s make a deal—you three tone it down a notch, and I’ll do my best not to run off.”

Scootaloo raised an eyebrow, her smirk creeping in. “Fine, but that doesn’t mean we’re not getting answers eventually.”

I managed a faint grin, shaking my head. “Yeah, I figured.”

Fluttershy landed lightly beside me, her smile doing that infuriating thing where it said, I told you so without her actually saying it. “See, Simon? That wasn’t so hard.”

I shot her a look. “Wait. Did you set this up?”

Her innocent expression could’ve fooled anyone else, but the sparkle in her eyes gave her away. “Oh, Simon, you’re overthinking things again.

Sweetie Belle clapped her hooves together. “Ooh! What if we use this time to brainstorm for the next big talent showcase?”

Scootaloo’s wings twitched with excitement. “Yeah! And Simon can help us figure out how to make it amazing!”

I groaned dramatically, though my grin betrayed me. “Why do I have a bad feeling about this already?”

Fluttershy leaned closer, her voice so soft it was like a whisper on the wind. “You’ll do great. You just have to trust yourself.”

As the CmC dragged me off toward Sweet Apple Acres, I glanced back at Fluttershy. Her knowing smile stayed with me, a quiet reminder that maybe, just maybe, she had been right all along.

The Depths of Loyalty

It was another bright, sunny day in the land of Equestria. I found myself speaking with Starlight Glimmer, and our conversation gradually drifted to her views on Twilight Sparkle and her past unhealthy obsession with Princess Celestia.

Starlight reflected on the time when the map called her to solve a friendship problem between Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, a moment that had revealed much about Twilight’s devotion to Celestia. Starlight recalled one of Twilight’s over the top reactions during that event. “I had said something along the lines of, the princesses aren’t the best at something and she was like, ‘I’m sorry, you just said princesses and aren’t the best in the same sentence. And it’s kind of freaking me out!’”

Okay, well, that's not quite right, but it’s actually funnier. Maybe Starlight should have written that episode. “Yeah, that must have been quite a moment, huh? It was clear that Twilight held Princess Celestia in very high esteem.”

Starlight nodded in agreement, adding, “Twilight’s devotion was admirable, but it also became an obsession. She put Princess Celestia on such a high pedestal that it put strain on their relationship and made it challenging for Twilight to view her as an equal or a friend.”

I paused to reflect on her words. So, this must be why I connected with Clarity first. Loyalty untempered by clarity of thought leads to unhealthy obsession. This realization sparked a sense of connection within me as I considered my own experiences.

Starlight continued, her tone thoughtful. “Yeah. And that’s what makes it even more important to recognize and address unhealthy devotion before it spirals out of control. It can cause a lot of harm,” she said, her expression growing serious.

Simon nodded, considering her words. Devotion? That was one of the Pinnacles. I believe it was even the second one mentioned. Let’s see. Clarity, Devotion, Compassion, Abundance, Resilience, and Oneness, if I remember correctly. Maybe I’m meant to learn them in that exact sequence. I wonder why. “You’re right. Unhealthy devotion can indeed cause a lot of harm. It’s like pouring gasoline onto a fire… it starts off small, but it can quickly spiral out of control and burn everything down if left unchecked.”

As I absorbed this, my thoughts drifted to Spike, Twilight’s ever-loyal assistant. “Yeah, Spike’s devotion to Twilight is really something else,” I said, turning to Spike, who had been listening in. “Spike, do you mind sharing your thoughts on your devotion to Twilight?”

Spike looked up, surprised to be called upon. “Uh, sure. What do you wanna know?”

I thought for a moment, then asked, “Do you think your devotion to Twilight is based on healthy or unhealthy principles?”

Spike considered the question for a second before replying thoughtfully, “I’d like to think my devotion to Twilight is based on healthy principles. I mean, sure, she can be difficult and demanding at times, but she’s always had my back when I needed her. And to be honest, I kinda enjoy being her loyal assistant.”

I smiled, observing, “Despite the many slapstick moments we’ve seen with you—a door slamming into you, a book falling on you, etc.”

Spike blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. “Wait, how do you know about all those slapstick moments?”

I froze for a moment, realizing my slip-up. Thinking quickly, I tried to play it off. “Oh, um… I’ve just noticed them happen from time to time, you know? Plus I’ve heard tell of some of them from the others.”

Spike still looked a little skeptical, but he seemed to accept my explanation. “Well, yeah, I guess you have seen some of them. It’s just a hazard of being Twilight’s assistant, I suppose,” he said with a small shrug.

I let out a relieved sigh, glad that Spike didn’t press further. However, the interaction left me thinking about what to do with this knowledge. That’s when I thought of Rainbow Dash and her obsession with the Wonderbolts.

“If you’ll excuse me, guys, I have a certain cerulean Pegasus to track down. Got some questions to ask her.”

“Ah. Figured you’d want to ask the Loyalty expert herself about all of this,” Starlight said. “Well, cya later then. Have fun.”

“Yeah, cya Simon,” Spike added.

With that, I made my way out of Twilight’s school, on the hunt for Rainbow Dash.

***

She wasn’t up in the sky anywhere. I was able to ascertain that not long after I left the school. Plan B then. I headed toward Sugarcube Corner and went inside. Upon entering, I saw that it was Mrs. Cake manning—or should I say ponying—the counter.

“Hello, dear. Pinkie Pie?”

“How’d ya guess?”

“Call it a mare’s intuition. Word travels fast in a small town like Ponyville, you know. Especially with a pony like Pinkie Pie living here,” she chuckled. “She’s up in her room. Second door on the left.”

“Thanks.” I headed upstairs to the door as instructed and rapped on it.

Soon it opened and Pinkie smiled down at me. “Hiya Celestial.”

Quirking an eyebrow I asked, “Celestial?”

“Yeah. I ponified your name. Simon… Celestial. See?”

“Uhh…”

“So, what brings you to my place? Not that I ever turn down company. Oh. Are you here to see me? Is this about the party welcoming you to our World/Ponyville/Pinnacle bearer/Cuteceañera.” Stops. “Wow. I got a lot of parties I have to throw you.”

Laughing in spite of myself—Pinkie always has that effect—I say, “Pinkie, take a breath would ya?”

“Okey dokey lokey.” She inhaled sharply and held it, causing her head to balloon as she floated up to the ceiling. My eyes widened in surprise until I remembered who I was speaking to. Seriously. Why are you surprised by this Simon?

“Pinkie, exhale.” She did and flew around the room before landing on her hooves as if nothing happened. “I swear. One of these days I’m going to know for sure how you keep breaking the laws of physics.”

“Who says they’re the same physics you operate under?” she asked, her cheerful demeanor never wavering.

I started to open my mouth to retort, then abruptly closed it as I fully registered those words. “Whoa. OK. I think that you just blew my mind.”

She giggled, saying, “Hope it didn’t hurt too badly.” Then ended with a giggle-snort.

I shook my head as I finally state my reason for being here. “Do you know where Dash is?”

“Hmm,” she mused, placing a hoof to her chin. “Tuesday, after 1 PM. Weather factory. She’ll be back in Ponyville by three.”

I nodded. “OK then. Thanks. If ya see her before I do…”

“I’ll be sure to tell her that you’re looking for her. Now then, I gotta get down to the party cave. Later Tial.” Then she was gone before I could ask her about that nickname to my ponified name.

“Seriously? How did she get Celestial from Simon?” Chuckling as I shook my head I made my way back out onto the street and just wandered aimlessly, as I started to kill time until Dash returned.

***

I glanced up at the clock tower in the middle of town. Half past two. Only thirty minutes to go before Rainbow Dash would be back from the weather factory. Not much longer now, I thought, stopping at a bench near the fountain.

As I sat there reflecting, my mind kept circling back to that time when Rainbow Dash was obsessed with joining the Wonderbolts. Then came the day she turned in her wings over Lightning Dust’s reckless behavior. She was ready to give up her lifelong dream to protect her friends. Who does that?

And then there was Spitfire, who’d let the danger spiral out of control until Rainbow stepped in. You’d think she’d have grounded Lightning Dust herself the second those stunts started, but it took Rainbow walking away to make things change.

The clock struck three, the chime echoing softly across the square. I stood up, dusting myself off as I headed toward the edge of town. Sure enough, a streak of rainbow blurred across the sky. Rainbow Dash angled her wings and descended landing at the door to her cloud home.

“Got a few questions for you,” I said, keeping my tone light. “Thought you might be the best pony to ask.”

Rainbow Dash tilted her wings slightly, descending from her perch to land beside me with a smooth, confident flair. She folded her wings neatly, her smirk unwavering as she said, “Sure, fire away.”

I hesitated, thinking how best to ask. “You’ve had this big dream of becoming a Wonderbolt pretty much your whole life, right? What was it like, chasing after it?”

Her smirk grew. “Oh, you mean other than awesome? ‘Cause that’s what it was! Yeah, it was a lot of work, but when you’ve got as much natural talent as I do, it’s just a matter of time before you get your shot.”

I nodded. “So, was it always smooth sailing?”

She shrugged. “Not exactly. There were a few bumps, I guess. Like when I joined the Wonderbolt Academy. I was so stoked—finally getting a real shot at my dream. But then I met this pony, Lightning Dust…”

“She was super talented, but reckless. She didn’t care about anyone else, just being the best. At first, I thought, ‘Hey, this pony’s got the same drive as me!’ But then she started pulling stunts that put ponies in danger, and… well, it got out of hoof fast.”

“And Spitfire just… let that slide?” I asked, surprised.

Rainbow scoffed. “Yeah, can you believe it? Spitfire didn’t even blink. She was so focused on results that she didn’t care how Lightning Dust got there. It wasn’t until I stood up and said something that she finally took action.” Rainbow Dash shook her head, her mane bouncing slightly. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, walking away from the Wonderbolt Academy. I thought it was over for me, like I’d blown my only chance. But I couldn’t stand by and let somepony like Lightning Dust ruin everything.”

“So, did it have you questioning your blind devotion to them?” I asked. “You know, when you stood up to Spitfire at that moment and said you were done?”

Rainbow paused, her gaze meeting mine, and for a second, her bravado seemed to give way to something deeper. “Yeah,” she admitted. “I guess it did. I mean, they were my heroes growing up. I thought they could do no wrong. But when I saw how blind Spitfire was to what was going on? It made me realize they weren’t perfect—and that maybe I’d been putting them on too high of a pedestal.”

She glanced off to the side, as if seeing a memory play out in the sky. “There was another time, too. During the Equestria Games qualifiers, the Wonderbolts wanted me to join their team. One of their flyers got injured, so they came to me. Told me I was their best chance to win. And I’ll admit, I was tempted. But it would’ve meant abandoning my friends—the Ponyville team.”

“So, what did you do?” I asked, leaning in slightly.

“I almost caved,” Rainbow said, shaking her head with a bitter smile. “But then I saw how much it meant to my team, how hard they were trying. And I realized, if I left them hanging like that, I’d be turning my back on everything I stood for. So, I stuck with Ponyville, and… well, we didn’t win. But you know what? I didn’t regret it.”

She chuckled, giving me a playful nudge with her elbow. “And you know what else? Turns out that was a pretty pinnacle moment—considering how it led to that.” She jerked her head toward Twilight’s castle in the distance, her grin widening.

Feigning ignorance, I widened my eyes, raising an eyebrow. “What do you mean? How’d that lead to the castle?”

Rainbow’s grin softened as she launched into the story. “Well, after I stuck with Ponyville, everything just kinda… clicked. We didn’t win, but the way we came together as a team—it was like magic, y’know? And later, when we faced Tirek, it all came full circle. Loyalty, teamwork, everything we’d learned—it all came together and gave us the power to take him down. That’s how the Tree of Harmony created Twilight’s castle.”

I nodded along, careful to seem genuinely curious. More than just adding to the story, her explanation gave me something invaluable: knowledge grounded in their world. If I ever slipped up and mentioned this later, I could always say, “Oh, Rainbow Dash told me about that.” No suspicions. No slip-ups.

As Rainbow finished her story, I couldn’t help but reflect on everything she’d shared. Loyalty, she’d called it. But underneath that, I saw something deeper. It wasn’t just about sticking with her friends or standing up for what was right. It was about devotion—a commitment to something greater than herself, even when it cost her everything.

I nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. I think I understand now. Devotion isn’t blind. It’s knowing what matters most and staying true to it, no matter the cost.

“Thanks for sharing all that,” I said, meeting Rainbow’s gaze. “It really gave me something to think about.”

She smirked, brushing it off with a wave of her hoof. “Hey, no problem. If you ever need a lesson in loyalty, you know who to call.”

I chuckled. “Actually, I was thinking… what if we kept this conversation going? Maybe over tea at Twilight’s castle? You, me, and Twilight—just an informal little get-together. Nothing fancy.”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow, looking intrigued. “Tea, huh? Not exactly my style, but… sure, why not? I’m game.”

“Great,” I said, already forming a plan in my mind. This feels right. I’m one step closer to understanding devotion—and maybe to finding my place in this world.

Devotion’s Duty

The castle’s sitting room felt warm and inviting, the soft glow of the crystal walls reflecting the light of a single lantern on the table. It was the same room where I’d first seen Twilight on my second day here. The familiarity of it didn’t quite settle me this time, though. Too much was on my mind.

Twilight poured tea into the cups meticulously, her movements precise, almost scientific, as though she were measuring chemicals for a delicate experiment. Across from me, Rainbow Dash fidgeted in her chair, looking like it was actively trying to annoy her.

“So,” Dash said, breaking the silence, “why are we here exactly? Not that I don’t like tea as much as the next pony, but…” She trailed off, watching Twilight set a cup in front of her.

Gathering my own cup in my magic, I took a careful sip. “The reason I’ve asked you here is because earlier today I had a very interesting chat with Starlight. It got me thinking about loyalty and devotion.”

Dash’s eyes widened in realization. “Oh, so that’s why ya sought me out and asked me all those questions about the Wonderbolts.”

Nodding, I continued, “Exactly. And I’ve made some observations I wanted to share with—as well as talk out—with the two of you.”

“Is that why I’m here too?” Spike asked from the corner.

I nodded again. “Yes. Eventually, I’m gonna ask you some things, but first things first.” Taking another sip of my tea, I turned my attention to Twilight. “Twilight, after my discussion with Starlight, I came to the conclusion that your attitude toward Celestia was… oh, how should I put it?”

“Unhealthy?” Starlight chimed in, suddenly appearing in the doorway.

Twilight’s ears twitched as she shot her a look. “Hey! No offense, Starlight, but who asked you? And, anyway, my relationship with Celestia was perfectly healthy.”

“Uh-huh. Sure. If ya call enchanting an entire town with a mind control spell because you were afraid of being tardy ‘healthy,’ then sure, you were healthy,” I stated sardonically.

Blushing, Twilight fell silent.

“Or how about the time you were certain Cadance wasn’t herself and immediately crumbled under Celestia’s judgment instead of standing your ground?” I added.

Twilight’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Starlight, meanwhile, was clearly enjoying this.

“And then there’s the time Starlight told me about—you couldn’t even fathom the idea of a princess being anything less than perfect. That moment when you said, ‘Sorry, it’s just, you used ‘princesses’ and ‘aren’t the best’ in the same sentence. And it’s making me nervous!’”

Dash snorted loudly, earning another glare from Twilight. “Sorry, Twilight, but he’s got a point. You did idolize her to an unhealthy degree.”

“Well, she was Princess Celestia!” Twilight snapped defensively.

“Yes, but that was just a title bestowed on her,” I countered. “Back where I come from, we have actual fools in positions of power simply because they were born into it. People under their rule suffer greatly. That’s why you have to challenge authority when you know they’re acting out of stupidity.”

“Okay, hold it. Name one time Celestia acted out of stupidity.”

I gave her a deadpan look. “Where do I start? Honestly, I wish I had my fingers back so I could tick them off dramatically.”

Twilight looked hurt at this, but Spike immediately jumped in. “I may not have fingers, but claws work, right?”

“Spike!” Twilight cried, looking betrayed.

Ignoring her, I began as Spike ticked off each example on his claws. “Celestia sent you to Ponyville with no more instruction than to make some friends, knowing Nightmare Moon was returning. She sent you to face Discord without warning you how dangerous his powers really were. She sent you to the Crystal Empire without support or knowledge of King Sombra, almost resulting in him retaking the kingdom. She gave you all the alicorns’ magic and told you to keep it secret from your friends, completely forgetting that Discord had sided with Tirek, who could and did tell him about you being the newest princess on the block.”

Twilight opened her mouth to argue, but I cut her off. “And then there’s that stained-glass window of you in the throne room.”

Rainbow smirked, tapping her hoof on the table. “He’s got a point, Twilight. That window’s like a ‘Hey, Tirek! Guess where the magic is!’ sign.”

Twilight groaned, burying her face in her hooves. “Okay, fine. Maybe it wasn’t Celestia’s most well-thought-out plan.”

“See?” Rainbow said, clearly enjoying Twilight’s rare moment of agreement. “Even eggheads have to admit when something doesn’t add up.”

Twilight shot her a glare but didn’t argue. “Still, it worked out in the end, didn’t it?”

“Sure,” I replied, “but only because you’re brilliant enough to handle the impossible. That doesn’t mean it was fair to put all that on you without any real support.”

Twilight hesitated, her eyes narrowing in thought. I could almost see the gears turning in her head.

Rainbow leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. “You know, I never really thought about it like that. Guess when you’re so used to following orders, you don’t stop to question if they make sense.”

Twilight sighed, her wings drooping. “I never questioned Celestia’s decisions because… well, she’s Celestia. But maybe I should have.”

Rainbow waved a hoof dismissively. “Hey, don’t beat yourself up. She’s been around forever, right? Kinda hard to argue with somepony who’s seen it all.”

“True,” I said, nodding. “But even someone like Celestia can get it wrong. What matters is what you do with those lessons moving forward.”

Twilight’s ears perked up slightly, her gaze softening. “You’re saying I don’t have to be perfect.”

“Exactly,” I replied. “Perfection’s overrated anyway. Devotion’s about trying, learning, and growing—together.”

I took a sip of tea, letting the warmth seep through me as I leaned back slightly in my chair. My eyes turned toward Rainbow Dash, who was absentmindedly tapping her hoof on the table, her gaze flicking toward the window every few moments.

“You know, Rainbow,” I began, my voice steady, “I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier.”

She raised an eyebrow. “What part?”

“About the Wonderbolts,” I said. “How you used to look up to them—idolize them, even—but then realized they weren’t perfect. Like how Spitfire handled things during your academy days with Lightning Dust.”

Rainbow’s expression hardened slightly, her wings twitching. “Yeah, that was… not cool. I mean, I get the whole ‘push yourself to your limits’ thing, but putting other ponies in danger? That wasn’t okay.”

I nodded. “Exactly. And then there was that time at the Equestria Games, when they tried to get you to abandon Ponyville and join their relay team.”

Rainbow frowned, her gaze dropping to the table. “Yeah… I really thought they had my back, but turns out, they were just looking out for themselves. Took me a while to see that.”

“And yet, you didn’t let that destroy your loyalty to them,” I pointed out. “You saw their flaws and held them accountable, but you stayed devoted—not because they were perfect, but because you believed in what they could be.”

Rainbow Dash thought on my words for a moment, then gave a small nod. “Yeah, that’s true. I mean, they’ve definitely gotten their act together since I joined because I’m not afraid to call them out when they mess up anymore.”

“Nodding, I leaned forward, saying, “Yes. And that’s what devotion truly is. It’s not blind adoration or idolization—it’s a commitment to something bigger, something worth fighting for.”

Twilight, who had been quietly listening, tilted her head slightly. “So, you’re saying devotion isn’t about overlooking flaws—it’s about confronting them?”

“Exactly,” I replied, meeting her gaze. “And learning from them, together.”

Spike, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up. “You know, as I sat here, listening to you all speaking of devotion, it’s helped me to realize something. I’ve been Twilight’s number one assistant forever, and I’ve seen plenty of times when she’s carried the weight of Equestria on her own.”

Twilight looked at him, her ears drooping slightly as his words hit home. “Spike, I…”

Spike held up a claw, cutting Twilight off. “I’m not saying it was bad, Twilight. I’m just saying that you need to rely on your friends—rely on us—more. That it’s about knowing when to let others help you.”

I leaned forward, resting my hooves on the table. “YES! That’s exactly the point I’ve been trying to make. Your obsession with not letting Celestia down made you believe that you had to do everything alone. That’s not devotion, Twilight—that’s fear. And fear isn’t what she should’ve inspired in you.”

Twilight opened her mouth to respond, but Rainbow Dash jumped in, her voice unusually firm. “Yeah, Twilight. I mean, come on. We’re a team. You didn’t need to carry the weight of Equestria on your own. That’s not loyalty—that’s just crazy.”

“Yeah. It’s like with that whole Tirek thing. You should have fought back against the idea of keeping the fact that you had all the powers of the princesses within you. You did that, and what did it accomplish? Absolutely nothing. Your friends still got captured anyway, and you had to sacrifice all that power to rescue them.

Twilight blinked, her gaze shifting between the two of them. “Y-You’re right. I guess I thought I had to do whatever she said because I believed she knew what she was talking about.

I shook my head. “And that’s where your idea of devotion got twisted, Twilight. It’s not about fear or obligation— it’s about trust—trusting your friends to stand with you and share the burden.”

Rainbow smirked faintly. “Yeah, and we’ve got your back, whether you like it or not.”

Twilight let out a shaky breath, her shoulders relaxing a little. “Maybe you’re right. I’ve been so focused on proving myself that I forgot what it means to truly rely on others.”

Spike gave her a soft smile. “That’s what we’re here for, Twilight. You don’t have to be perfect.”

The room fell silent as Spike finished what he was saying. Twilight visibly sagged, looking dejected, as she stared into her cup. Rainbow Dash laid back in her chair, gazing up at the ceiling, while Spike absentmindedly tapped a claw on the table, his expression thoughtful.

I leaned forward, ready to press my point home. “Do you see now? Devotion isn't about bearing the weight of the world alone. It's not about blindly following or trying to prove yourself to someone else. It's about trust. It's about standing together and building each other.”

Twilight stared for a long time at her cup, her face shifting from one emotional state to another—regret, realization, and what looked to be acknowledgment. It was as if she were finally realizing my words were true.

“So you’re basically saying that I’ve been going about this all wrong,” she said softly.

“Not wrong,” I replied gently. “Just misguided. You didn’t fully understand what devotion meant. You acted on what you believed it to mean. True devotion isn’t blindly following others, trying to live up to what you believe their expectations are of you. It is, in fact, building each other up, walking hand-in-hand—or in your case, hoof-in-hoof.”

Rainbow Dash smirked faintly, her eyes darting to Twilight. “He’s got a point, Twi. I mean, look at me. I used to think loyalty was all about sticking with the Wonderbolts no matter what. But now? I know it’s about holding them accountable, too. That’s what makes us stronger.”

Twilight let out a shaky breath, her wings relaxing slightly. “I guess… I never thought of it that way. I’ve always looked up to Celestia, tried to live up to her expectations. But maybe… maybe I’ve been putting too much pressure on myself.”

Spike nodded, his voice steady. “Exactly. You’ve got us for a reason, Twilight. You’re not in this alone.”

As we sat there in silence, I felt something within me shift. A warmth radiated from deep inside, spreading outward like a gentle wave. I closed my eyes, letting the feeling wash over me. When I opened them, golden strands of light were weaving outward from me, connecting to everyone in the room.

“It’s happening,” Twilight said softly, her voice filled with awe.

Dash nodded silently, her wide eyes fixed on the glowing threads.

“This is Devotion. I understand completely now what that word truly means. It’s connection, but on a more fundamental and deeper level.”

“Yes. It isn’t just loyalty. It’s love. A love so profound you’d do anything to help them. Even going so far as to die for them.” Twilight paused as the weight of those words fully registered. “I never knew. That’s what is meant by self-sacrifice. Isn’t it?” she asked as she gazed at me.

I nodded “That’s exactly it.” Then we fell silent, each of us lost in our thoughts as the glowing threads pulsed faintly, their light warming us from within. After a few moments, it ended.

Dash was the first to break the silence. “That was… intense.”

Twilight let out a slow breath, her wings finally relaxing at her sides. “It felt different than your connection to Clarity, Celestial.”

“Yeah. I felt that too. It was… Wait. Celestial?”

“Oh.” Twilight gave a sheepish smile. “Pinkie came up with it. Said she…”

“Ponified my name,” I finished, rolling my eyes. “Yeah, she told me earlier. Seriously, Twi?”

“What? You don’t like it?”

Dash smirked. “I think it’s awesome. You’re like this cosmic bridge between worlds, destined to bring harmony and balance to all of us. If that’s not celestial, I don’t know what is.”

I opened my mouth to argue, then closed it as the words fully registered. Sighing I acquiesced. “Fine. Guess I’m Celestial from here on out.”

As the words left my mouth, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction, like a puzzle piece clicking into place. This was true friendship. I was starting to understand what it really meant, but I knew that I still had a long way to go before I fully understood it all.

Author's Note

Link to the follow up chapter.

Harvesting Camaraderie

The sun filtered through the apple trees, casting patches of light across the dirt path as I followed Applejack, whose basket swayed slightly with each step.

“Just give the tree a good kick, sugarcube,” Applejack said, glancing back. “Don’t overthink it.”

I sized up the tree. How hard could this be? I planted my hooves, wound up, and kicked. Nothing. Not a single apple budged.

Applejack chuckled. “A good try, but ya need more oomph.”

“Right. More oomph,” I muttered. My second kick was harder. The tree shuddered, but still, no apples.

I sighed. “Maybe magic?” Closing my eyes, I called forth my magic to enhance my leg muscles a bit. Just a little boost, I thought, as I bucked the tree a third time.

CRACK!

My eyes flew open and I saw that the tree was now upside down, roots in the air, apples and dirt scattered everywhere.

Applejack stared. “What in tarnation?!”

Celestial winced, giving her a weak smile. “Uh… too much oomph?”

The tree swayed in the air, groaning ominously. A lone apple fell, bouncing off my mane. I flinched.

Applejack glared, causing me to cower, as she shouted, "Ah reckon you must’ve left yer common sense on the other side of the fence! You got more foolishness than a gaggle of goslings! An’ now look whatcha done! One o’ my trees is all topsy-turvy, all cause o’ yer wild magic shenanigans!"

Apologetically, I stated in a calm voice, attempting to appease the furious farmer, “I apologize. You’re right. I not only should have checked with you before using magic—which was clearly a mistake—I shouldn’t have used it at all as I’m still learning it.” My ears flattened. “Uh, sorry about the tree. I was just trying to help.”

She forced herself to relax by taking a deep breath before replying, “Helpin’ usually means keepin’ the tree upright, sugarcube.” She then pulled her hat off to fan herself. “But I reckon we can—”

The tree gave another groan and toppled forward as a nearby chicken squawked and bolted for cover.

Applejack stared at the mess. “…fix it later.”

Celestial muttered, “Maybe I shouldn’t try magic anymore today.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “You think?”

Fluttershy peeked out from behind a bush. “Oh my. Is everypony alright?”

“Define alright,” I said as I nudged an apple with my hoof.

Fluttershy trotted closer, her gaze moved between the overturned tree and the scattered apples. “That poor tree must be so confused.”

I blinked. “It’s a tree. Can trees even get confused?”

Fluttershy nodded. “Oh, absolutely. Uprooting them like that can be very disorienting.”

I blinked at Fluttershy’s statement about the tree being disoriented. Then I remembered that time Applejack tucked Bloomberg into bed, reading it a bedtime story and treating it like a beloved family member. Right. Why am I even questioning this? It’s a land where trees get bedtime stories.

Applejack shook her head. “Celestial, you ever think maybe you’re tryin’ too hard?”

I sighed. “Yeah, I guess. I just wanted to help.”

Applejack gave me a small smile, her tone becoming softer. “Startin’ small’s still helpin’. How ’bout pickin’ up them apples instead?”

Smiling, I nodded and for the rest of the day, Applejack bucked while I picked up any stray apples.

Some time later Apple Bloom joined us out in the field. “Heya Celestial. Didna’ know you’d be here helpin’ out on the orchard.”

Smiling I replied, “It kinda just happened actually.”

***

“Well, heya thar sugarcube,” Applejack greeted me brightly as I approached her stall. “What kin I do ya for?”

“Oh, nothing really. Was just wondering if we could hang.”

“Hang? Hang what?”

I shook my head. “You’re a silly pony.” Sorry, not sorry. “Hang as in hang out. You know. Chill together? Shootin’ the breeze?

She chuckled. “Ah. I see now. Sorry Celestial. I have a full day of work today. Ain’t got no time to just hang out.”

Disappointed, I lowered my head as my ears went flat. “Oh. OK. Never mind then.” I began to dejectedly walk away.

“Hold up thar sugarcube. Why’s it so powerful important for ya to hang wit me anywho?”

Glancing back at her I replied, “Just wanted to connect with you. You know? Become friends.”

“Aw shucks. If’n that’s wut yer on about we’re already friends.”

My eyes widening with surprise I asked in disbelief, “We are? When? How? What?”

She gave a knowing grin at my confusion as she clarified, “Now I know we haven’t exactly interacted none, beyond the whole dressing us down thing y’all did with that Cozy Glow incident, but it was actually that day when I thought of ya as a friend. The fact that ya had such a clarity when it came to the truth really impressed me.”

“Oh, really?” I paused to think on it a moment. “Ah. Yea. Guess I see your point.”

“Well, anyway, if’n ya wanna hang out so bad, you could always lend me a hoof today.”

“Sure. That should be interesting,” I stated eagerly.

***

Apple Bloom smiled brightly at the recounting of events that lead me here today. “Aww. That was a sweet story.” Then she notices the tree. “I’m guessing you had a bit of a mishap tryin’ ta help.

Applejack smirked slightly. “Y’all could say that.” Then looking toward me she continued. “What exactly was that anywho?”

“An enhancement spell. Particularly for strength.”

“When did y’all learn to do that?”

“What can I say. Magic books to me is like a ‘kid in a candy store’ situation.”

She laughed. “Yea, reckon I can see that. You bein’ from a world widout magic and all. She then shifts back into work mode. Well, that’s enough gabbin’. We all got chores ta finish.”

With that Apple Bloom headed off to do whatever, while AJ and I got back to our thing. Eventually however as days tend to do, this one began coming to an end.

As we traveled to the barn—Big Mac hauling the wagon full of apples—Applejack removed her hat as she wiped her brow, then stated, “Once we get done offloadin’ these here apples inta da barn, we’ll call it a day.”

“I’m all for that,” I said exhausted. “The farmers life is so tiring.”

She gave a playful smirk. “Speak to me again, after putting in a full days work, from before the crack of dawn.”

Smiling sheepishly, I scratched at the back of my head as we silently got to work offloading the apples.

As we exited, and Big Mac closed the barn doors, Applejack turned to me and offered, “Y’all wanna sup wit us? I say y’all’ve earned it.”

“Sure. What’s on the menu?” I asked as we headed inside.

“Chili,” Granny Smith answered unnecessarily, as I could smell it the moment we walked in.

Sniffing deeply the wonderful aroma, I opened my mouth to say that I’d be taking Applejack up on her offer, but then paused as something clicked.

“Somethin’ eatin’ ya sugarcube?” Applejack inquired.

“How can you be having chili. Ponies are herbivorous.”

Everpony, even Big Mac, gave out a hearty laugh at that.

“Land’s sakes child. Haven’t ya evar heard a meatless chili?” Granny asked.

“Meatless chili? You serious? Chili’s not chili without the ground be…” Trailing off I swallowed hard at what I had nearly said.

“Ground be?” Apple Bloom inquired innocently with a confused tilt of her head.

“Never mind Bloomy. Whatever it was he was about ta say I’m guessin’ we all is better off not knowin’.” She then directed a look at me, but softened upon seeing the look of fear on my face. “It’s OK sugarcube. I’m sure whatever meat y’all humans eat back home isn’t considered sentient like it is here.”

My eyes widened as I turned white. “H-how did ya…”

“Know that y’all was gonna mention something from a sentient critter? It’s really quite simple actually. If it had been a simple animal, y’all wouldna cut yourself off like that, with a look of abject horror on your face.”

As my face returned to normal I shook my head as I got over my shock. OK. These ponies are far sharper than the show ever gave them credit for. “Oh. That was pretty astute of you. Coming to that realization based on nothing more than that is really quite amazing.”

She chuckled as she took her seat around the table she said, “Twas nothin’. Just puttin’ two and two together is all.”

Seriously. Damned clever.

Then, as I also took my seat, we all tucked into the chili… Well, I took a bit more convincing.

“Go on sugarcube. Try it. I betcha y’all will love it.”

Stirring the chili with my spoon I scoop out a small round thing and inquired, “What’s this?”

“Good grief child. Y’all never et beans before?”

“Yes. I can tell it’s got red kidney beans in it. I was asking what this is?” I pointed to the spoon for emphasis.

“Land sakes. That thar is a pinto bean.”

“Ohhhhhh. So, you must use this as a substitute for meat. Another bean is actually a smart replacement for the protein as well as adding bulk to it.”

“Now yer catchin’ on,” Applejack said.

Placing my spoon back into the bowl, I gathered a full bit, and brought it to my mouth. “Well, over the teeth, through the gums, look out stomach, here it comes,” I recited, taking that first bite.

Bloom, giggled as she said, “That was a fun little poem.”

“Chewing a bit, I then swallowed as I replied, “Just something I picked up as a child back home.” I then took another bite.

“So, how is it?” inquired Applejack.

“Amazing.”

“Knew y’all would enjoy it.”

We then tucked in to the grub with a relish. I sat there listening to them talk about their days—Bloom learning about a new chemical reaction in chemistry class, Granny who had gotten that creaky chair leg I was sitting on fixed, stuff like that—and as I listened in I got this smile on my face that just kept growing to a huge grin.

“Celestial?” Bloomy began with worry in her voice? “Why are you crying with a huge smile on your face?”

Startled, my smile faded, as I wiped at my eye with a hoof and saw that is came away wet. “Oh. I guess I was feeling nostalgic is all.”

“About what?”

“I didn’t realize how much I missed this—family dinners, sharing what everyone did during the day.”

The adult ponies nod in understanding. “Y’all don’t do that no more I take it.” asked Applejack.

I shook my head. “No. I only live with my dad in a studio apartment. He sits in bed to eat as I sit in my chair while we watch TV. Didn’t know how much I’ve missed the simple joy of just talking to my family.” As I had been talking, more tears were slipping from my eyes despite my best attempts at stopping them

“Well, I’m glad y’all feel some of what ya lost again as ya share our meal with us. But, you should join us instead of just listening to us all going on.”

I giggled as I did just that, and we all spent the remainder of dinner communicating.

As we all rose from the table I thanked them for having me.

“Twere a real pleasure to have ya sugarcube. Don’t ya be a stranger now.”

I nodded at Applejack as I took my leave to head home. This was a great day.

Fitting In

“You better not let my sister catch you like that,” Sweetie Belle warned as she accompanied me, covered in mud, on my walk back to Fluttershy’s cottage. “One look at you and you’ll be in a bath before you have time to register how you got there.”

“Oh please,” I replied with a roll of my eyes. First of all your sister isn’t that bad and secondly, what are the odds she’s gonna come out of the boutique as…”

“My gracious! Celestial! You’re a mess!”

Before I could even turn my head toward the speaker I found myself being hauled off and dumped into a tub of soapy water. Spluttering as I surfaced I heard Rarity saying, “Get yourself cleaned up dahling.” And a minute later a smug looking Sweetie Belle came in.

“Not. A. Word.”

Giggling she about faced and closed the door.

Well, since I’m already in here. I used my magic to grab the luffa and soap and got to bathing. After drying off I left the room and saw Sweetie Belle waiting for me. “Told ya.”

“I thought I said not a word.”

Waving me off, she continued. “So, planning on sticking around. As long as you’re here I mean.”

“Why? You got something planned?”

She shakes her head. “No. Just thought you might like to take this time to connect to my sister. That seems to be a thing you’ve been doing. First with Twilight, then Pinkie, then Applejack. I thought my sister could be next.”

“Oh. Hmm. You know what. You’re right. This is as good a time as any. I paused and thought for a moment. “By the way. Why did your sister just happen to have a bath waiting anyway?”

“You know my sister. Always prepared.”

“Wait, so she just…” Rarity walked past us, excusing herself as she headed toward the bathroom. A moment later we hear the water running. “…keeps the tub full all day doesn’t she?”

Giggling she nods. “Yup. Keeps a fresh bath warm by occasionally emptying a bit of water and running more hot water into it.”

“She could put boy scouts to shame.”

“Huh?” Sweetie cocks her head and blinked confusedly at me.

“Probably some club with boys back in his world,” Rarity remarked as she joined us in the hallway again. “I take it their always prepared too.”

Nodding I quoted, “Be prepared. A simple motto, but it basically boils down to always being ready for any and all eventualities. A boy scout is always prepared.”

“Well, good on them. Nice to know their teaching your young such good values back home. By the way. Are you gonna be rushing off now?”

“Actually, I’ve decided to hang around here for a bit. Take this time to connect with you.”

“Oh? So, it’s my turn is it?”

I glanced at Sweetie Belle and then back to Rarity. “So, I’m guessing the whole town knows what I’ve been doing.”

“Well, it’s only logical. You’re hoping that by getting closer to us you’ll find some way to connect with the Pinnacles.”

“Yeah. That’s exactly ri… How did you know that?”

“Like I said. It’s a logical assumption.” Yeah. That confirms it. They are a lot smarter than the show ever gave them credit for.

“Well, I couldn’t be happier that you chose me today,” she continued as I followed her into the fitting room. “As it just so happens I have a number of colt couture that you could model for me.”

“I immediately regret this decision.”

“Oh come now. You can’t possibly have an issue with this. Aren’t you humans dressed 24/7?”

“Being dressed isn’t the issue. I just don’t want to play dress up.”

“Oh, but you simply must dahling. I need a colt for the final fitting for the entire line.”

“U-uh, nope, no, negatory, nuh-uh, nyet, nein, non, nay, nix, naw, nyine, nao, nah, and ne. I am so out of here.”

Sweetie Belle was in front of me as I turned. “You may as well just consign yourself to your fate.”

“Why should I?”

“Look,” she said, angling her chin back behind me. Before I can turn, I hear Rarity begin to sob.

“OK. Look,” I begin as I turned back around and saw her puppy dog face complete with tears. I swallowed hard as I tried to hold my ground. “T-this pathetic display isn’t g-going to… to…” He lower lip quivered. “Ugh! Fine! I give up!” I sighed. “Do with me what you will.”

“Oh I just knew you’d see it my way dahling. Thank you so much. Now this first outfit is an orange ensemble which is right across from the color wheel of blue, so I know that it will looking simply smashing on you. And then I have a number of other outfits for you to model for me afterwards.”

“Help me,” I whisper pleaded to Sweetie who simply shrugged. “Sorry. It’s out of my hooves.”

Well then. Guess I should do as she said earlier and just consign myself. I sighed as I strapped in for a long day of modeling.

***

“This is thoroughly unpleasant,” I groused several hours later.

“Oh dahling. Don’t you think you’re being a little overly dramatic.”

“Hello pot. Name’s kettle. You’re…”

“Black. Yes dear. You really need to come up with some new material dahling.”

I harrumphed and turned away from her. “Am I done here?”

“Nearly. Just have to place this final pin and… Finito.” She levitates the outfit off from me. “You may step down now dear.”

“Finally. Do you have any clue how difficult it is to model clothes for hours on end?”

“Yes, dear. I do.”

“When I decided to spend the day with you that was not what I had in mind.”

“Sweetie, you helped out a friend who needed help. Isn’t that fulfilling enough for you?”

Sighing I think over her words for a bit. “OK. You have a point. I guess. Still I would have preferred something more active. Like actually sewing something.”

“You mean… you sew?” Rarity asked, her eyes shining.

“Well, not professionally, but I have been known to darn my own pants when they tear. And let me tell you. It is not easy when the tear is not on the seam.”

“Oh dahling. I could teach you an easy method to repair tears like that.”

My eyes lit up with excitement as I excitedly exclaimed, “You could? Really?”

“Come dahling. We have work to do.”

I follow her eagerly. This day is starting to look up.

The Leap

On a hot July day, a man in his late twenties nearly buzzed with excitement. The summer air carried a faint warmth, and for the first time ever, Ciderfest was coming to his town.

The afternoon sunlight streamed through thin curtains, casting golden beams that danced across shelves lined with colorful memorabilia. The faint aroma of brewed coffee clung to the air, mingling with the earthy scent of old books stacked neatly in the corner. Upon his cluttered desk, littered with notebooks and keepsakes, his Twilight Sparkle coffee mug sat next to the ticket to the event in question. Sitting across from his desk was his slightly worn couch where he often crashed after long days. It wasn’t much, but it was home—personal, comforting, and unapologetically his.

The walls were lined with posters of cartoon ponies smiling down from the walls, their cheerful energy mirroring the anticipation building in his chest. Plastic versions of them shared space on his bookshelf, while even a few small plushies sat on the coffee table and his entertainment system, their presence a quiet testament to years of fandom that had shaped so much of his world.

He was busy in his room, packing for the event. As he hurried about, his thoughts drifted toward the VAs and the community guests that he would get to meet for the first time in his life. He was fortunate in that the VA of Favorite Pony would be there.

I wonder if I could get her to record a ringtone in Twilight’s voice for me, he thinks to himself.

As he’s finishing up packing, his eyes, while scanning the room, fall upon the bookshelf with the Fluttershy miniature sitting next to the Rainbow Dash plushie, reminding him that he still needs to grab his favorite plushie for the road. He hurries back out to the living room, grabs the Twilight Sparkle plushie, and stuffs it into his backpack.

Fully packed, he dashes outside and gets into his car to drive to the convenience store.

Night had fallen as he drove the familiar path to the store, the hum of the engine blending with the quiet stillness of the evening. As he approached the lake on his right, a strange light caught his eye, flickering faintly against the water like a firefly trapped beneath the surface. It pulsed with an uneven rhythm, hues shifting between green and purple with hints of yellow and orange, the colors twisting and blending like they were alive. The faint glow rippled across the lake’s smooth surface, reflecting back in jagged, kaleidoscopic patterns that seemed to stretch into infinity.

Curiosity clawed at him as the light grew brighter, and he instinctively slowed the car. He pulled off to the side of the road, his pulse quickening, and turned off the engine to get a better look. Stepping out, he squinted at the swirling colors as they began to intensify, their movements hypnotic and otherworldly.

Then, with a sudden burst, the flickering light erupted into a radiant display, shattering the lake’s stillness. The colors twisted, forming what looked like a tunnel floating on the water’s surface, as though the lake itself had birthed this otherworldly phenomenon. Swirls of vivid, kaleidoscopic hues—purple, green, orange, and blue—coalesced into a vortex that seemed to defy logic. Inside the vortex, he could make out what seemed like a passage, stretching forward in a way that bent the rules of reality. The air grew heavy, charged with an electric hum that seemed to vibrate through his entire body. He stood frozen, staring as the swirling colors danced across the lake’s surface, alive and shifting as though the lake itself had awakened with magic.

A calm he couldn’t explain settled over him, like a hand gently guiding him forward. He’d felt those nudges of faith before, but this—this was something different. It was as if the path ahead was already laid out, waiting for him to follow. He took a steadying breath, glancing at the swirling lights before him. He felt a deep compulsion, yet he knew that if he wanted to, he could just turn away and forget this ever happened. However, he trusted God and he trusted that He was guiding him, so, steeling himself, he took the plunge.

The portal stretched out ahead of him, a swirling vortex of light. He was falling, plummeting through it faster than he’d ever thought possible. He barely had time to register the sensation before the light ahead grew brighter, and suddenly, the ground beneath him came into sharp focus. Far into focus. Below him stretched a blur of green meadows, glittering rivers, and pastel-colored rooftops rushing toward him at a terrifying speed. His chest tightened as he realized he was falling, with nothing to slow his descent. The realization struck him hard: he was a thousand feet in the air, and the earth below was nothing more than a patchwork of shapes.

Desperation gripped him. His arms flailed out instinctively, as if he could somehow stop his descent. He twisted his body, trying to point himself back toward the portal, as if swimming through the air could reverse his course. He kicked his legs, reaching toward the shrinking light of the tunnel that had brought him here.

But gravity had him, pulling him down relentlessly. No matter how hard he struggled, the distance from the portal only grew. The light, once so bright, shrinks fast, out of reach.

As he exits the portal and begins his final plunge toward the unforgiving ground, he flails his limbs desperately, fighting against the inevitable. His frantic movements cause him to spin slowly until, once again, his head is facing the ground. A scream tore from his throat as he realized the gravity of his situation.

Is this why I followed you, God, to die like this…?

The crushing realization that he’s going to crash hits him like a wave. His chest tightened, and he screamed, “HELP!” His voice is lost to the wind. He squeezed his eyes shut, throwing his arms over his head just before the ground rushed up to meet him.

“Gotcha!” I heard a raspy voice declare. A very familiar raspy voice. Opening my eyes confirmed that I hadn’t misheard—it was, in fact, The Rainbow Dash, the same cyan-coated rainbow-maned pony from my favorite TV show. Fastest flier in all of Equestria. Newest Wonderbolt to join their ranks. Bearer of the Element of Loyalty. That very same Rainbow Dash. I also noticed that she’s holding onto me by my hooves.

“Woah! Are you okay, kid?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Momentarily stunned by this revelation, I scanned the area around me and caught sight of five other ponies standing nearby, their gazes fixed on us. My heart raced as I recognized them—Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Twilight Sparkle. Seeing them here, so vibrant and alive, was almost overwhelming. They were no longer just characters on a screen—they were real, breathing, moving beings, and the sight of them filled me with a mix of awe, nostalgia, and sheer giddiness. Each one of them looked exactly as I had always imagined but somehow even more radiant, their presence practically pulsated with life and magic. It was as though the world of the show had leapt into reality, yet it felt both surreal and deeply, inexplicably right.

Upon realizing where I was, my memories of my father flooded into my mind as the realization of what I had done hit me like a ton of bricks. Panic crashed over me in a wave. I might never get back to my father—the one person who depends on me. The guilt hit me like a punch to the gut.

In a desperate, frantic moment, my eyes scanned the sky, spotting the rapidly closing portal in the distance. My throat tightened as I pointed toward it, as I shouted, “Portal!” My voice cracked with urgency.

Rainbow Dash, noticed the desperation in my eyes, immediately shot forward, her wings flapped furiously as she zoomed toward the shrinking vortex, but was too far, and the gap between us only widened as the portal closed.

Without missing a beat, she tucked into a series of quick loops—three backward barrel rolls in succession—she fought against the air to build speed. With a final twist, she launched me like a rocket, sending me hurtling toward the portal.

But just as I was about to reach the entrance, the portal snapped shut. I missed it by mere inches.

Before I could once again plummet toward the ground, Rainbow Dash, had maintained her speed, and caught me just as my momentum began to shift back to falling.

As I was held, the weight of what I had allowed to happen by choosing to follow the will of God weighed upon my very soul. I might have damned my father by choosing this path. The realization was suffocating.

“No,” I whispered, the word escaped me softly. The weight of it all was too much, and my voice grew louder, raw with anguish. “Noooooo!”

My chest heaved, and the next moment, my body became wracked with tears. I had begun to sob uncontrollably, each cry wrenched from the depths of my very soul. Rainbow Dash, not knowing what else to try, held me, her expression softened as she loosened her grip, as she held me close and tried her best to offer me some comfort.

Through my blurred vision and muffled sobs, I thought I saw Fluttershy step forward, her eyes filled with something… soft. Understanding, maybe. I wasn’t sure. All I knew was that the next thing I felt was her warm embrace, her wings wrapping around me like a protective cocoon, as her words reached me. “Come here, sweetie,” she spoke softly, her voice like a soothing balm. I clung to her like a lifeline, her kindness an oasis in my storm of tears.

She didn’t say much else as she began to hum a soft lullaby, the melody gentle and calming. She rocked me slowly, the song filled the air with a comforting presence. Little by little, I began to relax, my frantic heartbeat slowed. The tears lessened, and my breathing steadied. that somehow managed to reach through the storm of my grief.

As the song ended, my sobs faded to sniffles. My head rested against Fluttershy’s soft chest as she held me close, her quiet strength anchoring me in the midst of my turmoil.

For the first time since I had arrived in this world, a calm settled over me, pushing the fear and uncertainty to the background. But even as I found a moment to relax, my thoughts remained fixed on my father. I had to find a way back. I had to get home—before my father was forced into a home or, worse yet, out on the streets.

Author's Note

Please comment. Constructive criticism welcomed. This is my most ambitious project yet as it is my very first adventure and multi chapter story. Also, since I had no choice but to rewrite this myself please point out any and all errors so that I can correct them. Thank you. Enjoy.

And bear in mind that there will be extensive edits. As I found out, I may need to rework other chapters the way I did this one in order to make things work better. Until I learned all the tricks of the trade as it were.