Teaching Fluttershy

Chapter 14: Equestrian Human

“Sorrysorrysorry!” Twilight spoke to a panicking Fluttershy. It turned out the spell worked, just not on the pony it was supposed to send.

“Where did you send him?” Dash asked. She was holding back Fluttershy, who was trying to strangle Twilight.

“I'm not sure. It could be anywhere around Sweet Apple Acres!” Twilight answered, backing away from them warily.

“WE HAVE TO GET HIM BACK!” Fluttershy demanded, redoubling her efforts of trying to break free from Rainbow's.

“Hold on, let me try again.” Twilight shut her eyes to concentrate and turned to Applejack once again. Her horn began to glow, and a flash of light engulfed the room. The burst of energy receded, revealing an unhappy earth pony.

“What… happened?” Twilight gasped, beads of sweat from the strain of the spell forming on her face.

“Hey, where`d the TV go?”

“Dammitdammitdammit!” I paced back and forth, devising a plan of action. I knew I was in Equestria, but any other details to my location were beyond me.

“Okay Peter, calm down.” I told myself, stopping and taking a deep breath. “Let's see…it was Applejack who was supposed to come back, so Twilight was probably going to send her to Sweet Apple Acres.

“Let's see... Normal tree, normal tree.... YES! Apple trees!” I noticed rows of them in the distance, and eagerly made my way towards the apple orchard.

“Let's hope I can still climb these things.” I finally found the apple grove, and was attempting to get a better view of the farm by getting a treetop view. Slowly, but surely, I managed to get to the very top of one of the trees. Looking for any signs of civilization, I managed to sight a barn, and, a few hills away, the Apple family's home. I scrambled down from the tree and headed towards the house.

After navigating through the apple fields and past the barn, I walked up to the Apple family`s home. I went to the front door and knocked, but was met by silence.

“Hello?” I called, opening the door slightly and inspecting the inside. The search was in vain; nopony was home. “Great, now what?” I rested my head against the door frame. “Where do I even go?” I stood up to think.

“I know! I can go talk to the Princess!” I exclaimed. “She'll know what to do!” I bolted down the dirt road leading towards Ponyville.

The town was coming into sight. I had to be careful- I didn`t want to get spotted. I decided to go through the park; it had a lot of trees and bushes. I could keep a lookout on the ponies passing by, just in case I saw somepony that could help, but at the same time keep out of sight... hopefully.

“Alright Peter, just keep an eye out on anyone like Spike or Apple Bloom, somebody that knows the girls.” I hid myself in a large bush, and observed what appeared to be the Ponyville marketplace. After a few minutes without finding someone that could help, I noticed the sun starting to set.

“Better find somepony quick, or else I'm going to sleep outside.” I moved from bush to bush for another ten minutes, making my way through the town. I peeked through the bushes again, and observed what seemed like the residential side of Ponyville; there were mainly houses and lot less ponies. I took this as a chance to exit my hiding spot, and I sprinted towards a gap between two houses.

“Almost there...” I was rounding the corner of one of the houses when a dark magenta pony trotted out right in front of me.

“Watch out!” I cried before violently colliding with the equine.

“Oh shit!” I cursed, quickly getting up to go and check on the pony. As I ran over to it, I realized the pony was none other than Cheerilee.

“Are you okay?” I asked the schoolteacher, who was lying prone on the ground. I tapped on her shoulder, but she didn't respond. I then proceeded to shake her until it was apparent that she had been knocked out.

“Great! Now what do I do?” The day just kept going downhill. Despite the situation, I knew there wasn`t any time to complain. I needed to get me and Cheerilee inside before we were seen.

She had collided with me while exiting the house- the door, which was still open, was evidence enough. I concluded that this was her home and carried her inside.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Our host here on Earth, Peter, has been mistakenly teleported to Equestria in an attempt to send Applejack back. We believe he is near Sweet Apple Acres, and may attempt to seek you out. We recommend sending a search party for him as soon as possible.

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle

The letter rolled up and disappeared in a puff of energy.

“*Gasp*... s-s-sent..." Twilight passed out from exhaustion, collapsing in the middle of the now furniture-less room.

“Oh, dear, I hope he's alright." Fluttershy had calmed down a bit.

“Peter's smart. He'll be fine. Let's just hope he doesn't freak out about royal guards looking for him.” Rarity stated confidently.

“Y'all think he'll look for some shelter? Applejack asked.

“He could stay with Spike at the library! Or with the Cakes at Sugarcube Corner!” Pinkie remarked.

“How is he supposed to know where those places are?” Fluttershy asked Pinkie.

“Duh! He saw them on the show, silly!”

“It showed the places, but never once did it say how to get to them!” Fluttershy had a point. "But he could just stay at Sweet Apple Acres. Right, AJ?"

"Big Mac should be applebuckin' the far west fields 'bout now. Apple Bloom 'n Granny would be helpin' him haul the apples, since I'm not there to help. 'Less Peter was sent to the orchard's western outskirts, he won't see mah family 'till sundown." Applejack explained.

“Well then, he truly IS on his own these next few days.” Dash sighed; Peter was going to go through a hell of a time in Equestria.

Cheerilee began to stir. I laid her on her bed when I came in, and decided to sit in a chair next to the window while I waited for her to wake up.

“Mmmmph... w-what… happened?” Cheerilee yawned and sat up. Her eyes were closed, and she probably thought she was alone. Before I could respond, her eyes droopily opened.

“W…wuzzat?” She squinted at me before her eyes shot open. “AAAAAHHHH! MONSTER!”

“Shhhh! Calm down please!” I slowly backed away, holding my hands up in innocence.

“AAAAAHHHH! IT CAN TALK!” This wasn`t going very well.

“Please be quite! I can explain, I swear!” I ran over to her. If she wont shut up by herself, Ill do it for her.

“AAAAAHHHH! GET AWAY FROM MY YOU BSHST! I DGONYT EHVGEN KNIOGW PHYOU!” Her voice muffled as I brought my hand over her mouth.

“Please, Cheerilee, just calm down!” She didn`t. Instead, she bit my hand. It didn't hurt that much, but it caused me to recoil.

“What was that for?” I whined, wiping my hand before sticking it in my mouth.

Cheerilee blinked a few times. Suddenly, she jumped off the bed, her eyes expressing concern. “Oh gosh, I`m sorry! Are you okay?” She looked shocked at her own actions.

“Im fine, dont worry. Anyways, the name's Peter.” I said, taking my hand out of my mouth; she seemed to have finally calmed down. “Nice to meet you,” I said, holding my hand out to her. “Would you happen to be Cheerilee?” I asked her.

“Ummm… Yes?” She cautiously shook my hand. “Why?” She questioned, getting a bit skeptical.

“I'm friends with Apple Bloom's and Sweetie Bell's sisters.” I offered.

“You mean Applejack and Rarity?” She asked.

“Affirmative. You see, I have to get back to them, but in order to do so, I must reach the Princess.” I explained, summing up the situation.

“How exactly did you end up here?” Damn, she asks a lot of questions.

“Long story short, Twilight was trying to teleport Applejack here, but ended up sending me instead. I've got to get back as soon as possible.” I told her as I got up from the floor.

“So, you're saying you need my help to get to Canterlot and reach the Princess herself?” She was trying to understand the situation.

“Well not necessarily, I was trying to reach the library and get Spike to help me-”

“Oh, it`s no problem, really!” She interrupted. “I'll be more than happy to help. I mean, you didn't mean any harm when you bumped into me.” She smirked.

“Well, it wasn't exactly the plan.”

“Anyhow, if you intend on getting to Canterlot as soon as possible, then you might want to take the train. Unfortunately, you would have to wait until tomorrow.” She informed me as she took a look outside. It was already night, so I couldn't do much but wait.

“You would actually be willing to help me get to Canterlot?” I inquired as she turned around to face me.

“Yes, why? Don't believe me?” She asked.

“No, but frankly, I thought you would be a lot more scared to talk to me. I mean, just look at me! I appear nothing like anything that would live in Equestria.” I spread my arms and pointed at myself to emphasize my abnormality.

“Well, the only reason I was scared at first was that I didn't know who you were. But since you're friends with some of the friendliest ponies in Ponyville, I don't see how you could be bad.” She smiled as she spoke.

“I guess that makes sense. Anyways, do you mind if I stay for the night?” I requested. It was too dark to head to the library, anyway.

“Sure! That won`t be a problem. Unless… you don't mind sharing the bed, do you?” This news quickly took the smile of my face.

“Um... okay, I guess I don't mind...” I laughed weakly.

After a few minutes of her getting her pink-striped bed ready, we settled down on opposite sides. For a good while, I sat up, wondering how the girls were faring without him. ‘They’re probably worried sick about me. I have to get to the Princesses ASAP, before they do something crazy,’ I thought as I lay down. However, when I moved my weight tilted the bed over, and Cheerilee rolled onto my shoulder. She was still asleep despite the disturbance. Cheerilee mumbled in her slumber, and then, without warning, one of her hooves wrapped around my waist, and she snuggled against me.

It was only a few days earlier I woke up to a yellow pegasus caressing me. Now, a magenta earth pony took her place. I hated to think what would happen if Fluttershy walked in right now…

Cheerilee and I got up bright and early to go to the train station before everypony else. I told her all I could about humans, and she was fascinated about our technology. We did see a few ponies, but they saw us (me) with more confusion than fear. We made it to the train station without any obstacles.

“Okay then, here's your ticket. This train should take you straight to Canterlot.”

“Thanks for everything, Cheerilee. If there`s anything I can do to repay you, just ask.” I didn't have any money, so I couldn't really pay her the ticket, but hopefully there was something she wanted.

“I have an idea! If you or any of the girls ever come back, could you… I don't know; ummm... take me to your world?” She blushed, looking almost as cute as Fluttershy.

“Sure! No problem. Just whenever one of us comes back for a couple of days, tell them that you're tagging along. I'll be sure to tell them.” I already had 6 ponies at my house, one more couldn't hurt.

“YAY! I'll be waiting, then! Can't wait!”

“All aboard!” Called one of the conductors.

“Well then, I guess this is goodbye. Until we see again, Peter!” She trotted off, waving and throwing me a few more ‘goodbyes.’

“Bye, Cheerilee!” I waved as I boarded the train. This is where the hard part came. Not only did I have to get to the castle by myself, but I was going to need to interact with ponies, all of whom probably saw me as a monster. Getting to Canterlot outside a cage would take a miracle.

As I boarded, I noticed that any conversations the few passengers were having dropped to a hushed whisper. The rest ride was boring and a bit uncomfortable; everypony that was around myself kept staring at me and whispering things to each other.

Gazing down the aisles, I noticed royal guards in entering the car in front of us through a tiny window. They were running towards my car- their target obviously being me. I quickly got up from my seat and started heading for the caboose. I only had to stall them for a few minutes; we weren't far from Canterlot now, and the Castle was fairly close.

“Come on, guys, please let me go.” My plan had failed, and they managed to get to me before I could find a good hiding spot.

“I'm afraid we can't do that. We have direct orders to seek and retrieve you.” One of the guards claimed as we continued walking. I wasn't quite sure where we were going, but I had no choice in the matter.

“Orders? From who?” I enquired. Thankfully I wasn`t tied up, and the two guards were in front of me. Now was my chance to escape- we were exiting the train, and I could see the castle.

“We have direct orders from prin-” The guard was cut off by his partner, who suddenly halted. “What`s the matter?”

“Where did the prisoner go?” The other guard looked around.

“Great, you lost him!

“No, you did!” The two of them argued for a bit before flying off to tell the princess what had happened, each blaming the other.

I was hiding behind a bush when I saw them fly off. Now was my time to get to the castle, but I had to be quick; it was starting to get dark.

I came out from behind one of the castle gates, apparently the one that led to the royal gardens. It seemed easy to climb and was the only way into the castle grounds, so I proceeded to scale it. It was a tiring task, but after a few minutes I was on the other side.

“Peter, you are in some deep shit, man.” I thought to myself as I sneaked through the garden.

I was backing against a tree when something bumped into me, causing me to trip and fall on my rear.

“Careful, thou… thou?” I looked up, gulping as my gaze was met by none other than the princess of the night- Luna.

‘Shitshitshit’

“What creature dares stand before us?” She queried. She did not speak in the Royal Canterlot Voice, but old English still resonated in her speech.

‘Shitshitshit’

“Shi- Please, have mercy on me, great Princess!” I pleaded. I wasn't quite sure what she was going to do to me.

“GUARDS!” She shouted, approaching me.

‘Shitshitshit.’

“WAIT! Calm down! I can explain!” I put on my hand over her mouth.

“Lef goth of thynth, thouth ungratful whelf!” Her voice was muffled by my hand, until using her magic to throw me into a tree. I really need to figure out a way to calm ponies down without gagging them. Before I could recover, the same two guards from the train appeared.

“There you are!” One of them affirmed.

“You're coming with us, this instant!” The other declared. I had no choice but to follow them, Luna right behind me. I was afraid that she might do something to me, but I managed to get a glimpse at her face. For some reason, she was grinning.

“Aww, crap...” Celestia, I wanna go home!