Chronicles of Equestria I: The Tome, the Stranger and the Book Club

Canterlot shrunk behind Twilight as she made her way back to Ponyville. She just granted safe passage through the gates of a strange ruin to Crystal Mane - the instinctive, fictional detective protagonist of her riddle book - when she heard something that made her drop the book and hug the ground. Despite the pristine, clear sky she heard the roaring sound of thunder and instantly a beam of lightning crossed the sky, but horizontally.

'This can't be the pegasi's work.' she thought to herself, as she carefully stood up. 'There are no storm clouds to release lightning bolts from, anywhere near.' It didn't take long for the sky above her to correct this negligence on its part and from seemingly nothing, a swirling gray cloud appeared where the lightning struck, over six dozen feet above her somewhere. 'This can not be good.' The unicorn quickly lifted the riddle book from the ground and placed it back in her bag, then turned towards the unnatural cloud formation, ready to do anything if necessary.

The cloud quickly found a comfortable size and kept swirling fast, without any explainable reason. Twilight started running through spells in her mind that could summon or banish such a strange phenomenon. Soon the cloud started flashing with unnatural, silent bolts of lightning running across it, not once touching the ground. She started to hear a gentle, pulsating buzzing sound coming from it, but had no idea what it could be. One thing was certain though: It stated to slowly get louder and louder.

Fearing that this - whatever 'this' may be - will do something drastic and destructive, Twilight prepared to cast her fail-safe spell; hoping that this time, it's not caused by a creature of god like powers who wishes to spread chaos.

'YES!' yelled a stallion's voice suddenly. The unicorn lost her concentration in surprise and looked all around to see who this could be. 'I'VE DONE IT! IT WORKED!' the voice continued, then burst into laughter. The purple pony was shocked to realize: it was coming from the cloud! She watched the cloud form from nothing and not a single pegasus flew into it since. Who could be up there? How could he be up there?!

'What the?' came from the cloud again. 'OH NO, NO, NO! WORK DAMN YOU! YES!'

A few moments later the lightnings stopped and the buzzing as well. The cloud started to disappear and finally a solid form, a pony emerged of the cloud! It wasn't a pegasus, but neither did it fall. The pony was wearing a parachute! Twilight thought they were only made for pegasi who didn't yet master flying, but here was one, sized of a grown stallion.

Twilight watched in complete confusion as the stallion, this teal dot glided slowly towards the ground, kicking the air around him and cheering at throat ripping noise. The mare could not imagine what she may be experiencing at the moment, but it seemed pretty obvious that this pony had something to do with the weather. Just who could he be?

She started walking towards where the stallion was to land but - perhaps due to bad hoofwork or poor design - in his cheering, the stallion managed to accidentally push himself out of the harness that connected him to the parachute and started falling and screaming, still many feet from the ground. Thinking fast, Twilight kicked off her bags and galloped towards the falling stallion, horn glowing a fierce shade of violet as she concentrated on catching the teal pony.

Barely, she managed to stop the fall literally a hoof's distance from the ground. Once opening his deep purple eyes the stallion carefully placed his hooves on the ground. Twilight panted from the panic and adrenaline that came over her in the last few seconds, but straightened up, prepared to be addressed by the one who's well-being she just ensured. Instead of thanking her however, the stallion just grinned at the ground and smelled the grass. He quickly turned around (in the opposite direction as his saviour) and looked at the distant view of Canterlot.

'Where is it?' the stallion asked, perhaps of himself suddenly. Still not looking at the lavender unicorn, he searched the ground around him for where his harness landed in the meantime and ran to it. Just now did Twilight notice that under his dirty, dark teal, matted mane, the stallion actually had a unicorn's horn since he used it to lift a small token-like item from the harness and started staring at it, while randomly turning to directions and mumbling to himself in a cheerful tone.

'Ahem.' the mare cleared her throat finally. The stallion raised his head somewhat surprised then looked at Twilight.

'Oh goodness! I'm so terribly sorry!' he apologized hastily with a somewhat weaker grin. 'I've forgotten my manners, but this is just so amazing! And exhilarating! And GLORIOUS!' The stallion broke out in maniacal laughter.

'Um.' started Twilight, taking a careful step back - despite the fact that there was at least ten feet of distance between them already. 'Was it you that caused that strange weather?'

'Weather?' - the stallion asked a bit lost. 'Oh, that! Yes. Well, not exactly. It wasn't weather really, it was a spell I was working on for as long as I can remember.' he brushed off the question quickly then started laughing again which felt even more disturbing the second time around. 'Please! Please do tell me! That is Canterlot to the North-East right?'

'Ye-yes?' replied the confused mare.

'It's better than I could hope for! All the calculations, all the work!' the stallion went on. 'Of course I should have arrived on the ground but that is just a minor problem. I'm finally in Equestria!'

'What?' Twilight could be patient when needed, but this was just too much. What does he mean by "He's in Equestria now."? 'Could you PLEASE explain who you are and what this is all about?'

'Who I am? Well uh. That's sort of a difficult question.' started the stallion then paused. The grin slowly gave place to a bit of shame. Finally after a bit of thinking he answered: 'I don't exactly have a name.'

'How can you not have a name?' Twilight asked the obvious question confusedly. 'I've never heard of a single pony who wouldn't have had a name.'

'Well, how would you? If they would talk about him, they would give him a name.' said the stallion with a small smile but then seeing how the lavender mare isn't open for jokes at the moment he changed his tone a bit. 'I'm sorry, it's just a bit difficult to explain this all.' he stopped and a bit mincingly added: 'To be quite honest you're the first Equestrian pony I've seen...' he paused for a moment. '…in person. Star's around! You're the first pony I've seen in person!'

The stallion suddenly launched at Twilight excitedly, who - though started to doubt that this strange unicorn is meaning her any harm - used her magic to push him back a little. What kind of madness could have taken hold of this pony? What was that cloud truly? She just needed to find out.

'Please, could you try to explain all of this? Where did you come from?' she asked in a calming voice.

'Well,' he started slowly, perhaps realizing how outlandishly he's been acting. 'It would be difficult to put on a map as the land's where I've been and the maps of Equestria do not intersect.' The teal unicorn explained. 'I'm from far beyond Equestria's borders and traveled many lands. I've been trying to get here for as long as I can remember. As I've said: I do not have a real name as...' the stallion paused again and only continued after a few moments of hesitation. 'I was mostly just called "Pony" where I lived but you can call me... Um.' The stallion paused once more and started to think, looking around aimlessly. On a sudden note his eyes widened and he turned his head around, looking at his flank. 'No that would not fit here, though then again... Say, what does this mark look like to you?' he asked, turning so the mare can see his flank.

Though it was considered rude to stare at a stranger's flank, a brief glimpse in that direction caught Twilight's attention fully. Despite the obvious age of the stallion, his flank was as blank as a newborn's.

'N-Nothing?' she said confusedly. She didn't really know what to make of it. If this unicorn truly has no cutie mark in this age, then she wouldn't even know what to react to it.

'Nothing?' the stallion asked. 'Oh, it's a bit hard to make out.' he nodded. 'It shares the colour with my coat, a bit ironic to it's meaning actually. Here.' With this the stallion lighted the end of his horn and pointed it towards his back. The light shined off his coat except in a strange pattern over his hind legs.'

'What is that?' asked Twilight who never saw anything like it.

'It's just a symbol used by the Kiang.' said the stallion after a little hesitation, perhaps assuming that the name 'Kiang' should mean something to the mare in front of him. 'But what does it look like to you?'

'It's just a circle and a V inside it.'

'Oh.' the stallion seemed a bit disappointed. 'I was hoping it might look like something specific. I have no...' One more time, the stallion paused. 'A cricle and a 'V'? An O and a V! Yes, that's great! A monogram! Let's see, o, o, o... - he quickly turned around again. Twilight knew better than to argue with this strange pony. 'Oak! Yes, oak!' he said once his eyes met a group of trees not far from the two of them. 'That's not too weird a name is it? No, I'm sure I've read something from a pony named Oakleaf.' he thought out loud. 'V, v, v... That's one hard letter to find. Oak V. Oak the Fifth? Oak the Va... Oak the Vagrant. Oakleaf the Vagrant! Yes, perfect!'

The stallion clopped his right front hoof on the ground a few times excitedly while quietly repeating the phrase, as if tasting the words. After done, he turned to Twilight and bowed his head with a smile.

'Oakleaf the Vagrant; Wanderer of Distant lands, Familiar of the Kiang, Friend of Rgod Ma the Kind and Crafter of Spells. At your service and humbled by the opportunity to meet you!' he listed in a proud tone.

'Twilight Sparkle.' replied the mare a bit unsure. 'Pleased to meet you?' She didn't mean it to sound like a question, but was so lost in everything the stallion threw at her at this point, that she just couldn't help it.

'Oh, too much?' said the stallion, pulling his neck back a little. 'I'm sorry. I'm not used to meeting anypony... from... "Home".'

'It's all right, but could you please tell me what all that was just a bit ago? You said it was a spell.'

'Yes it was. A transportation spell for massive distances, to be exact. But it's a bit complicated. You see, my oldest memory is waking up as a colt in a strange house with lots and lots of books.' started the stallion. 'From one of them, an unsigned journal I could deduce that it was in fact, my home. Except it was supposed to stand who knows how far away somewhere here in Equestria near a lake where ponies retired on vacations. Instead it was now in a land not even recognized on the maps the house had. There were no other ponies, no signs of civilization an endless forest around me and no memory of who I was or how I got there.'

'Are you serious?' Twilight heard many strange things in her life. No that doesn't even begin to explain it! She's SEEN and even done many strange things in her life, but this just didn't make sense... Unless it had something to do with Discord while he was still at large. That might explain it. 'How long ago was this?'

'Oh many, many years ago. At first I didn't even count the months, so I can't be sure.' replied the stallion. Obviously, it couldn't have been Discord because of the time frame. 'I'm still a bit fussy on the details of how I ended up there with no recollection about my past what so ever but, eh... I've got a few ideas.'

'Ideas?'

The stallion crossed his eyes a little as he looked up on his horn. 'You know how I said I'm a Crafter of Spells? IIIII'm not exactly the best Caster of them. And that's about why there was a cloud up there, as opposed to down here a while ago. I've spent the last few years trying to find where Equestria is, come home. Apparently the spell I've created worked, I've just messed it up and ended up mid air. I'm very thankful of your rescue of course.' the stallion bowed again.

'But how come you brought a parachute if you didn't know you will end up in mid air?' asked Twilight.

'When you find proof that you've been experimenting with magic, probably behind the backs of your parents and it made you and your entire house appear in a different continent entirely, with you not remembering anything? Which I presume was not the idea, by the way. Well, it's suffice to say that you learn to prepare for every possibility. I've brought a compass, a detailed map, lots of compressed nourishment for food supplies and a ton of simple spells in my head to get me out of nasty situations.'

'But how come your cutie mark is not some kind of magical reference if you can cast so powerful spells?'

'"Can"? Anypony "can" cast spells. You just have to know them and know your way around your own horn first. Then you're half way there. On the other hoof, succeeding with them is something I'm not good with. The bigger the spell, obviously the more concentration is needed and believe me, I'm not good at that part. Frankly, I'm surprised I didn't end up on the moon or something.' noted the stallion and stretched his legs. 'Is that yours?' he added, looking behind Twilight and lifting the saddlebag that she kicked off earlier.

'Uh yes, thank you.' Twilight took over the bag and put it back in its rightful place.

She wasn't quite sure what to make of the stallion at this point. He obviously meant no harm to anypony but then again he was obviously mad. Even if she assumes he came from where he says he's come from, casting spells that could potentially put him anywhere - given his own explanation - was something only somepony out of a very unrealistic adventure book would do. Something just rubbed her the wrong way about letting this 'Oakleaf' wander about without guidance.

'What are you planning to do?' she asked. 'Now that you've made your way back to Equestria, I mean.'

'Well, for the longest time I thought I'll try and find the lake my house was supposed to be by. See if anypony remembers me.' said Oakleaf with a strange, concentrating expression, as if he too would be trying to find out what he wants. 'But recently I didn't feel like I really would like to go home. That life isn't simply behind me but I don't even know what it was. I guess I'd just like to be around my own for a change. Besides, as bad as my casting is, the actual spells I've made are quite useful, perhaps ponies who are better at casting spells could make good use of them.'

Oh right, he said he's a crafter of spells, Twilight didn't want to even imagine what would happen if a mad unicorn like this tried to improvise a new spell in a crowd. Magic can do wondrous things, but can also be very dangerous too. In the wrong hooves...

'Are you sure further experimenting with spells is a good idea? Given your past?' the unicorn mare said cautiously.

'Experimenting? Of course not. I don't want to cast another spell in my life to be honest. But what can I do? The talen... Or cutie mark was it?' Oak started. 'So I've got that mark when I first attempted to create a new spell. According to all the books in my house, that means it's my true talent. I'm still not going to actually cast any spells though. The part I'm good at is figuring out the 'how' of spells anyway. As I think I said, the mark is pretty ironic. It's an ancient magic symbol, but apparently quite obsolete and more or less invisible to everypony. The same way I'm good at magic but no one could tell it by looking at my casting.'

The stallion looked at Twilight with an unsure smile. By now he obviously picked up on how the mare feels about his little story. He looked at her in a "What can I say?" manner. He obviously didn't want to look mad but if that was the cost of being open, then he was ready to put on the jester's crown.

'Are you good with spells?' he asked.Twilight didn't know if she should admit how that if there's something she's good at then it's magic or stay out of this as much as possible. Finally she decided to take the middle route and replied:

'I'm pretty good with them, but I don't know if I...'

'Give me just a moment!' Oakleaf interrupted and quickly started drawing magical symbols into the ground with a larger rock that was laying around. 'There!'

Twilight looked at the symbols, they were the same as with any spell books she saw and though most of it was pretty complicated, it was obviously a summoning spell.

'What does this do?' she asked and took a few steps back.

'It's going to bring my spell book here. It contains pretty much every spell I've ever created! I was afraid I might appear in or over a lake so I just made a spell that will summon it to me once I'm somewhere safe. If you're really good with spells, I would be in your debt if you could get it for me. If you want, you can even look into it and use any spells you like.'

It was obvious: She shouldn't do it. The lavender unicorn knew better than to cast unknown spells that a strange, mad unicorn shows her. But what if it is a spell book? Maybe Oak is telling the truth? It could reveal everything. She examined the spell once more, searching for anything out of place but couldn't find anything. She watched helplessly as curiosity got the best of her. A bit hesitantly but the mare nodded and her horn carefully took on a pinkish glare. "Please don't let me regret this." Twilight thought to herself as she closed her eyes and gave her full power to the spell.

A moment later she heard a small thud. She opened her eyes and there laid a large brown tome. The stallion cheered in joy as she lifted the tome from the grass and opened it. She flipped through the pages quickly and on the last pages she found a slightly chaotic listing of all the spell classes in the tome with page indexes next to them. From what she could tell, there were over a hundred classes like animating object, visual spells, musical spells, summoning and even transmutation spells, each with about ten spells at least under it's category. She never saw a single book contain this many spells in her life, let alone all being the work of a crazy unicorn who just fell out of the sky.

'The last one was the spell that got me here.' the crazy unicorn noted.

Twilight flipped back a few pages and found a larger piece of paper folded together and sewn inside the book. She only saw its outer side and it had a single word written on it: "Home". The stallion used his own horn to carefully open the paper and it revealed an enlarged version of the same strange symbol on his flank except this one was built up of very small magical symbols that together formed a single, incredibly complicated spell. Looking at it, Twilight immediately saw that her brief description of the mark as "a circle and a V" wasn't too accurate but somehow the overall shape wasn't as intriguing as the amount of symbols placed inside it. This could have been potentially the most complicated spell she ever saw. She didn't want to admit it but she didn't comprehend half of what she saw and what she did, seemed to be directions marking the location of Equestria in all of existence.

'Why would you create such a huge spell when all you wanted to do was get here?' asked Twilight after about a half minute of staring at the spell, trying to figure it out. 'You could have upgraded a simple teleportation spell with half this work.'

'You have no idea of the distance I'm coming from.' said the stallion smiling, looking proudly at his work. 'It wouldn't do with a "simple" teleportation spell. Besides this is a spell that could potentially be used by anypony. Provided I can create an easily modifiable enchantment version. Anypony could go anywhere at anytime they want, as it doesn't specifically require the power to come from a unicorn, it uses the power of nature. That's why there were lightnings when I arrived.' he explained. Then, seeing the look on the mare's face Oak quickly added: 'Completely harmless by the way. All their power is drained by the spell.'

'It's...' started Twilight but shook her head. 'I'm sorry but I'm not sure I can give this to you.'

There were so many spells there. That book could easily have contained something - perhaps unintentionally - dangerous. ESPECIALLY if he did actually manage to somehow use the power of nature itself to power any of them.

'What?' All signs of a smile's existence disappeared from the teal stallion's face. 'You can't mean that! Why?!'

You have to understand.' started Twilight and closed the tome, placing it on her back while also taking a few steps back, preparing for a potential attack from the mad stallion. 'All these spells may be amazing but they might not exactly be the safest... In certain unforeseen circumstances I mean. Besides, there are strict laws here in Equestria regarding magic. I have to make sure they don't break the law, before allowing you or anypony else to get their hooves on it.'

'But they're all harmless!' said the stallion devastated and started trotting up and down in front of Twilight looking at the ground, clumsily trying to make a counter argument. 'It's the work of my life in there! It's everything I have now that I'm here! What will I do without it?!' He sighed and stopped, continuing in a calmer tone: 'Do you promise to give it back once you know it's harmless?'

'It will have to be checked very thoroughly, but if it really is harmless...' replied Twilight, evaluating her options. She honestly thought this stallion would go into a rage over losing his book. If all her life's work would be taken just like that, she didn't think she could handle it. The mare couldn't help but admire how much self-control this stallion is exhibiting, he must really want to show that he can fit it.

Finally she said: 'I promise.'

'Thank you.' Oak said, trying to hold back his frown. 'Until then, could you tell me where I should go? So we can keep in touch while you work on it.'

Twilight's first thought was sending the unicorn to Canterlot Castle so he'll be under the watchful eyes of the royal guards. But looking at the devastated unicorn who was jumping in joy just moments ago - and from whom she herself has taken his entire life's work - she just couldn't make herself send the stallion off. As he acted as social and normal as it can be expected from somepony in his mind's state, perhaps it would be best if she gets him a temporary home in Ponyville where he will be surrounded by friendly faces.

'I'm actually going home to Ponyville at the moment.' she started. 'Perhaps you could get a room there somewhere.'

For the fraction of a moment a smile appeared on the face of the stallion when Twilight said the name of Ponyville, but the mare didn't see it.

'That would be wonderful.' said the stallion and raised his head. 'Can I take this as an invite to tag along, or should we just be two ponies who happen to walk the same road?'

'I don't mind if you wish to come along.' said Twilight after a moment's hesitation and started walking back to the road. A bit later the stallion who ran back for his harness, joined her.

'Just out of curiosity, what do you do in Ponyville and what does the star stand for? Are you an astronomer?' Oak asked.

'I'm a librarian.' relied Twilight. 'The star is... Well my talent is using magic.'

'Heh.' A shade of the former smile returned to the teal unicorn's face. 'Well I guess I've made the perfect selection in first acquaintance. And this Ponyville? Does it happen to be the same little village that houses one of the largest apple acres near Canterlot?'

'Sweet Apple Acres?' asked Twilight back.

'Sweet Apple Acres.' he repeated carefully saying each word. 'I knew I've... read something about this place in my books. I can't wait to finally know what an apple tastes like!' When he said this, Twilight accidentally missed a step in surprise. 'This might not be that bad at all. I'm glad I've met you Miss Twilight Sparkle.' he said with a semi-forced smile then just trotted next to her silently through the rest of the journey, lost in thoughts.

Twilight wasn't much better off. She was filled with countless thoughts as on where she will get this stallion a proper room. Naturally her mind first raced through her friends for possibilities, as she wanted somepony who knows to send for her if something 'happens', as the host for Oakleaf.

Rainbow Dash who literally lived in the clouds and Fluttershy who never was comfortable around strangers were out of question of course. Then, Rarity was a 'lady' and it is not very 'ladylike' to invite a stallion who is a complete stranger, into her home for the night.

Twilight took a look at Oakleaf with his dirty and uncombed mane, wearing that strange parachute harness. A pity makeover was the best he could expect from Rarity. This leaves Applejack and Pinkie Pie. A welcome-home party sized for someone who spent all his life outside of Equestria was the first thing that crossed the mare's mind when she thought of her pink friend. Normally she loved Pinkie's parties but she knew her friend just too well.

Pinkie was able to take anything to the extreme if the situation was just tiny bit out of the ordinary so Twilight wasn't quite sure what Pinkie would do when learning about the stallion. However, "visible all the way from Canterlot" was probably the lower limit to whatever it was. Besides, when one of Pinkie's plans grows too large, things can get out of hooves very quickly. Right then, with this strange spell book - and its even stranger author - things getting out of hooves was the last thing she wanted. She decided that it would be best not to tell Pinkie about this stallion, at least for a while.

Applejack would be perfect though, she is open, friendly but not very pushy either. Their house has a whole set of guest rooms for the annual Apple family reunions. Only problem could be if it'd turn out that Oak hates the taste of apples.

But seriously, who could hate apples?

It was around five o'clock by the time Twilight and her new acquaintance made it back to Ponyville. During the journey Twilight decided that it really shouldn't be her who goes through the spell book that she took from the stallion. As good as she was with magic, she lacked the experience to recognize many spells or see chaotic bits that could potentially cause unwanted effects. During her studies she learned that sometimes spells work perfectly for one unicorn as it is fitted to their own magical energies but can do anything from simply not working to destroying random objects when cast by somepony else.

There is an order to everything in Equestria. Other mages did not fail to create this many spells just because they couldn't, new spells need to be studied by an official committee so it can safely be said that it does not contain any mistakes. The only one who she can trust to know what all these spells are, is Princess Celestia - and she should receive it as soon as possible.

On the other hoof, she shouldn't send it while Oakleaf is around. Surely she could explain that Princess Celestia will be able to find experts who get through his spells quicker, but watching his precious tome disintegrate in Spike's magical fire breath is definitely not something the stallion would enjoy watching.

'Look, I'd really like to drop off my books, real quick, at my home,' started Twilight. 'but it's half way across town. I was thinking, maybe you'd like to wait here?'

'Oh, no thank you.' replied Oak. 'I've spent most of the day sitting around and preparing to cast the spell. I'm at a loss of mileage here anyway.'

'Are you sure?' Twilight tried to quickly think of an excuse. 'Maybe you would like to eat something while I'm away?' A pink image flashed through her mind and she unconsciously continued: 'Cupcakes perhaps?'

What has she done? She had already established that the last pony who should be told about this stallion was Pinkie Pie. If she finds out about this stallion, there is no telling what will happen. She just really hoped that Oakleaf wouldn't pick up on her offer.

'Cupcakes? Oh you mean those little baked sweets? I've always imagined trying those!' the stallion replied excitedly. 'Don't tell me that there is a shop right here somewhere?'

'A-actually...' Twilight tried to find a way to wiggle herself out of this situation, but realized that the deed is done, so just hanged her head and said: 'Yes. It's Sugarcube Corner not far from here. But they might be closed by now.'

They weren't.

'Ooh Twilight dear! So good to see you.' dinged Mrs Cake's voice as the two of them entered the bakery. 'My, I was baking and didn't hear anything, was there a storm?' she asked as her eyes wandered onto the matted, dirty mane of the teal unicorn.

'You could say that.' said Twilight simply, while looking around the shop carefully. 'Is Pin... Oh I mean, Mrs Cake this is Oakleaf. Oakleaf this is Mrs Pie. I mean Cake. Mrs Cake. She and her husband run this bakery.'

'Pleasure to meet you ma'am.' bowed Oakleaf.

'Oh it's all mine.' smiled Mrs Cake sweetly then turned to the sweating librarian. 'Are you quite alright dear?'

'Yes! Yes, I've just got to run off for a bit and thought I'd let Oakleaf sample your sweets while I get back.' she said then quickly added: 'Unless you are just about to close, in that case we can come back tomorrow!'

'To be honest, I was just about to turn in,' started Mrs Cake as Twilight's mind screamed a glorious "YES!" 'but I'm sure Pinkie would love to serve your friend here.' she finished with the sweetest smile while Twilight's stomach lumped into a singular marble sized object.

'That would be... great.' said the filly of the room surrendering the battle.

'Pinkie!' yelled Mrs Cake then nodded farewell and made her way out of the public part of her home.

'Coming!' chirped the pink hearth of Ponyville while hopping down the stairs. 'Ooooooh! Twilight! You're just the pony I wanted to see! I've got this wicked idea for a party prank and need somepony to enchant the chairs so...' This was as far as she's got before noticing the new stallion. 'Oh hey!' She hopped to the stallion excitedly. 'My name is Pinkie Pie and I can tell you're new because I know everypony - and I mean EVERYPONY - in Ponyville!'

Twilight just sighed and hanged her head.

'And since you're new' continued Pinkie Pie. 'I'm sure you have no idea where you are, so let me welcome you to the absolute bestest place to eat, drink, party, laugh, sit, stand, jump, sleep, nap, sing or do just about anything in all of Ponyville!' she listed merrily. 'Except swimming.' she added thoughtfully. 'But you've got the spa, the lake and the fountain for that! So what do you want to try?'

'Well, uh my name is Oakleaf.' started the stallion a bit confused but smiling. 'Miss Sparkle said you've got cupcakes.'

'Yes-indeedy!' replied the filly. 'We've got all sorts of cupcakes and I mean ALL sorts of them. Just name what kind you like and I'll get you one in a moment!'

'Well actually I've never tried cupcakes before so I tho...'

'Ehihihi.' giggled the filly. ' "Never tried cupcakes." You're so silly!'

'Actually I really haven't. I thought maybe you could suggest which ones are your favourites.' said teal pony, but Pinkie just kept laughing.

Finally after about ten seconds, Pinkie's laughter started to die down and she looked at Twilight who still hanged her head. The pink pony then looked back at the stallion who wore a clumsy smile. When it finally hit her, Pinkie gasped in a way only she can.

'Youdon'tmeanyoureallynevereverinyourlifeateasinglecupcakedoyou?Howcouldthatbe?' Pinkie jabbered in a single breath. 'Did your parents hate cupcakes? Why? Why did your parents hate cupcakes!? Well I ought to go and give them a piece of my mind!'

'Pinkie, calm down.' hushed her the lavender mare who was suddenly hit by an idea. 'I agree that this is quite astounding but if anypony can remedy this then it is...' Twilight paused forcing a supportive smile on her face.

'Well duuuuh it's me.' replied Pinkie with her front hooves crossed, rolling her eyes. 'Wait right here.' she turned to Oakleaf. 'You're going to go on an o... Odyssey of deliciousness! On behalf of your good Auntie: Pinkie Pie!' with this, Pinkie disappeared into the kitchen.

'Well I think I'll run off now.' said Twilight. 'Take care, I'll be back in a few minutes!'

'Wait Miss Sparkle!' halted her the teal unicorn. 'I'd just like to thank you again for possibly saving my life earlier and allowing me to come with you.'

'Oh it's nothing really, I...'

'FIRST ROUND.' yelled Pinkie as she returned in a whizz with a plate full of various cupcakes. 'Make it count!'

'I'll be going then! See you in a minute Pinkie.' Twilight backed towards the door, trying her best not to give a reason for Pinkie to call her back. Twilight's efforts were for naught though, as the pink earth pony was too preoccupied with looking at the stallion wearing the eyes of a professional sports trainer who's just examining the newest member of the team.

'This is...' started Oakleaf after taking a bite from the first cupcake.

'Yeeees?' asked Pinkie.

'It is...' continued Oak while munching on the bite, a small smile hiding on the edge of his muzzle while keeping his eyes on the pink pony.

'YEEEEEES?' repeated Pinkie with a strange fire in her eyes.

'Delicious!' he finished and swallowed the cupcake.

'I knew you'd love it!' said Pinkie instantly changing to her merry self, starting to jump up and down. The stallion smiled and followed her example. 'It's one of my personal recipes too!' the pink pony giggled then suddenly took on a more serious look (while still not stopping her jumping). 'Now you stop jumping and eat!' she ordered the stallion, who obeyed gladly.

Twilight quickly disappeared through the front door. Once out, she started galloping towards the library as fast as she could. "I must not take long." she thought to herself but then realized: "Wait, I've left him with Pinkie who's not going to stop until giving him every cupcake they have. I've got some time." She quickly slowed down her pace to a crawl. "But I don't want her to choke the poor unicorn either." She sped up once more.

'SPIIIKE!' Twilight yelled while tossing her backpack down at the door. Lifting the new quill and inkwell from the pack with her magic, she quickly pranced to the nearest desk and summoned an empty scroll from its resting place on the shelf above the desk.

'Welcome home Twilight.' said the baby dragon after a yawn, walking out of the next room, rubbing his eyes. 'Is something wrong?'

'Nothing is wrong Spike.' Twilight replied not even looking back. 'It's just that...' "Wait, no these are for Spike." ran through her mind and she hastily hid the new quill and inkwell behind a book on the shelf next to her, quickly summoning another quill and inkwell. 'It's just that something; somepony came up. I've got to send a quick letter to the princess with a book and I need it to get there as soon as possible.' she explained while dripping the quill in ink and stretching the scroll out on the desk.

Dear Princess Celestia!

I'm writing to you in haste as the unicorn - who's claiming authorship of the attached spell tome - is waiting for me.

I'm not quite sure who this stallion is. He claims he is from a land very far from here where a race called "Kiang" lives. He also claims he "appeared there with his house" many years ago when he was but a colt and that he's from Equestria originally, being transported there by some sort of powerful, experimental spell that he claims he himself created.

I will write you another letter soon, further explaining the situation but the important part is as follows:

He gave me this spell tome after appearing southwest of Canterlot, literally out of thin air. He claimed he used a self-made spell and that he himself designed. This spell among a huge library of other spells that he claims authorship of are located in this tome.

I'm sending it to you because though he seems gentle, he's not entirely 'there' in my opinion. I fear these spells may contain dangers, even if not intentionally, and if where he says he's from is true then it never went through the necessary mediums and no pony inspected the spells' quality.

Please, take a look at it or send it to a committee so I will know I'm not causing harm if I give it back to him upon its return.

Your faithful student;
- Twilight Sparkle

Once finished, the unicorn quickly rolled up and sealed the scroll, then placed it on the tome and handed both to Spike.

'Just one more thing Spike!' she said and with a quick spell, enchanted the tome so it will be sent along the scroll instead of simply burning to a crisp by the dragon's fire. 'You can send it now.'

The baby dragon took a big breath then blewn his green flames onto the tome and scroll which quickly turned to green dust and flew off through the slightly opened window.

'What was that all about, Twilight?' asked the dragon, but his pony housemate was already at the door again.

'I'll tell you later Spike! If the princess writes back, place it on the desk. As soon as I'm back I'll write her another letter anyway and I'll explain everything.' replied Twilight before leaving her assistant alone in the library again.

A familiar laughter, mixed with a deeper one greeted Twilight Sparkle when she arrived back at the bakery. As she stepped in, she first noticed the dozens of large cooking plates laying about on the counter and the ground, with colourful crumbs on them.

'And then! Oh you'll love this.' said Oak to the laughing pink mare. 'So I thought I've done it. The clouds were out of my nose, the parachute all open and I was dancing in the air as I said. Except my terrible dancing disgusted even my own harness and it spat me out!' he laughed. 'Well okay, actually I was just moving too much and slipped, but it sure felt like the parachute was just disowning me.'

Twilight's eyes shrank in fear. "He told Pinkie? Oh no this won't be good."

'Oh and when I thought I'll literally make my mark on the land of Equestria,' added Oak when he noticed that the unicorn walked in. 'just like now, Miss Sparkle came swooshing in from who-knows-where and did the unrepayable favour of saving my sorry coat.'

'I'm terribly sorry, but we've got to get going to get to Applejack's!' said Twilight quickly trying to save the situation.

'Oh,' Pinkie snorted to try and stop laughing a bit. 'Good night Twilight! And see you both at the party!'

'WHATPARTY?!' shouted Twilight instantly on top of her lungs.

'Oh silly. I'm throwing Oakleaf a welcoming party of course!' said Pinkie not even noting her friend's outburst and waved her hoof. And with that, it was over. Pinkie knew. She was going to gather the whole town up and go completely bonkers. 'I throw one for every new pony in town, you should know Twi!' The pink pony tilted her smiling head looking at her friend curiously.

'Oh wait. THAT kind of party?!' Twilight sighed relieved. 'I just thought... Never mind. I'll make sure to be there! See you later Pinkie!' As soon as saying this she quickly moved next to Oakleaf and gave him a less than gentle push towards the door. The stallion obeyed without question, just nodding at Pinkie.

Once out, Twilight lead Oakleaf away from Sugar Cube Corner at trotting speed, trying to get the two as far away from each other as possible like two ingredients of an explosive chemical mixture.

'I didn't tell her my story, if that's what you're worried about.' noted the stallion while slowing his steps once the image of the bakery was reduced to the size of a coin.

'How did you know?' turned back Twilight with a surprised look.

'Please, you looked terrible the moment she came down the stairs even though you two are obviously friends. Then you tried to get me out of there as soon as you heard me telling about our meeting.' the stallion gently tapped his front hoof on the side of his nose twice, smiling. 'I would make for a lousy spell maker, not to mention survivalist if I didn't pay attention to detail.'

'And you instantly deduced that I don't want her to hear your story?' asked Twilight raising her eyebrow in disbelief.

'Actually, first I thought you actually hated her and were just trying to get as far from her as possible. But she told me about how great friends you are and how you do pretty much everything together. She would have caught on. It was obviously me. And if you don't happen to know that I'm from countless miles from here and' At this point he pointed his front hoof at his mane. 'give me a mane brush, I'm just like any other pony around here. Well, at least I hope I am.'

Twilight could do little more than just nod at the reasoning. They've continued down the road to Sweet Apple Acres.

Before arriving, Twilight quickly went through a draft of the explanation she will give to Applejack. Deep down she questioned her own decision of taking the stallion here, maybe she shouldn't really have made such a fuss of it all...

'Good evenin'!' interrupted her thoughts a deep, mild and familiar voice; Big Macintosh's voice.

The red coated stallion - with his large, cut apple mark on his flank that mirrored his open earnestness as much as his beloved vocation - looked out from behind an apple tree up ahead by the road where he was resting himself, sitting against the trunk.

By now, harvest season was long over, but the members of the Apple family had a special kind of pride born enjoyment they could feel whenever they were among their beloved trees. Besides, a little care and a watchful eye for possible infections never did hurt an apple orchard.

'Oh, hey Big Mac!' replied Twilight quickly. 'Uh, is Applejack here or...?'

'She's at the house Miz Sparkle...' answered the blond stallion looking at the mare in his usual, blank, "lost in thoughts" fashion. 'Sir.' Macintosh added and bowed his head at the stranger by Twilight's side.

'Good evening.' nodded that back with a friendly smile. 'Oakleaf, pleased to meet you! Do you work here on this apple acre?'

Big Macintosh looked to the side a bit then stood up and replied only then.

'Eeeyup.' came simply. 'Big Macintosh an' so in return.' he added.

'In case you would happen to be heading our way and it's not much of a bother,' started Oakleaf. 'would you mind telling me about this wonderful little country you have around here?'

'If Miz Sparkle doesn't mind...' came the reply from Macintosh after he examined the matted but friendly stallion in front of him.

'I don't... mind.' accepted Twilight. Her mind was still on Applejack mostly and didn't pay much attention to the questions her new acquaintance pointed to the farm pony, nor to the terse answers that gave, much to the silent disappointment of the teal stallion who wished to hear as much as possible.

"I guess his curiosity is understandable." drifted off Twilight's mind after a while. The stallion seemed overjoyed when they came across somepony, as if wishing nothing else than to sit down somewhere and hear as much as possible. But why didn't he ask her? The answer was clear to her even before the question would fully form in her mind and it was probably sitting on Princess Celestia's desk right now.

She shouldn't have just taken that book like that. Obviously, if she just asks kindly, this curious and friendly unicorn would have voluntarily sent it to the Princess. She shouldn't have been this distrusting... But then again, this same unicorn, by his own description manipulated the very powers of nature to cast a spell that could just as much kill him as accomplish his task. Would it really have been safe to assume at that point, that the stallion would give up the book voluntarily?

Torn between these thoughts, Twilight hardly even noticed as her hooves carried her to the big Apple family house in the hearth of Sweet Apple Acres. Once looking up, the thought that perhaps she should ask Applejack's opinion flashed through her mind, but looking back at her company she knew this wasn't the time nor the place to discuss her feelings on the situation with her most honourable friend.

'Siiis!' yelled Big Mac once they stopped in the courtyard of the house, looking around for the orange farmmare.

'Coooomin'!' came a merry shout from behind the house and soon Applejack appeared at the corner, hooves covered in mud. Oh, hey there sugar cube!'

'Miz Twilight wanted to see you Sis.' explained Big Mac simply.

'Actually, it sort of concerns you too Mac.' said Twilight. 'This is my new acquaintance: Oakleaf.' she introduced the teal unicorn.

'It's a pleasure Miss.' nodded Oakleaf.

'Pleasure is ahll mine!' replied Applejack and trotted over to the stallion, kicking most of the mud off her hooves then raising it towards the unicorn. 'Welcome ta Sweet Apple Acres! Mah name's Applejack!'

'Oakleaf.' nodded the stallion again, a bit uncertainly placing his own hoof on Applejack's who gave it a mighty shake.

'I was hoping you could give a room to him for a night.' continued Twilight. 'He is very new around here and I'd like him to be with someone who knows what it's like to be an apple on an orange farm.'

Applejack gave her a strange look, obviously she's got the reference, but knew the unicorn too well to think that she would bring just about anypony to her doorstep. Even if that pony would be in a situation she's familiar with. Twilight caught up on this and tried to use her eyes to express that this is important without giving a clue to the two stallions.

'Well ahlright! Sweet Apple Acres is ahlways ready to give a friendly hoof to somepony who needs it.' Applejack declared finally. 'Please show 'im to one of the guest rooms Big Mac!'

Twilight noticed that now Applejack and Big Macintosh also exchanged a few looks in their own personal language, but she couldn't figure out what they could have mean. A moment later Big Mac nodded and asked the teal unicorn to follow, leaving behind the two friends.

'So what in the hay is this all about Twi?' asked Applejack once the stallions were in the house and out of earshot.

'I'm sorry Applejack but I can't explain everything right now.' replied Twilight lowering her head a bit, ashamed of not being completely honest to her friend. 'I'm not sure about the whole thing myself and I've got to get home as soon as possible to write to the Princess.'

'To the Princess?' asked Applejack with wide eyes. 'What sort' a unicorn did you bring here Twi?'

'You don't have to worry about him, he's just a bit... lost. It's just...' Twilight tried to find the right words but they were escaping her at the moment. 'Look, you don't have to worry about anything right now. I just want you to keep an eye on him okay? He won't do anything but he's a bit 'out there'. I wanted you to look after him until I can take care of a few... Things.'

Applejack searched her friend's face but couldn't find anything but shame, regret and a passing sense of fear. While she wasn't at all happy about her friend keeping secrets from her, she knew that if Twilight does something like this, she does it with a good reason.

The orange earth pony walked to the unicorn and placed her least dirty front hoof on her friend's shoulder, smiling at her conductively.

'I promise Applejack,' started Twilight, struggling to not burst out right now. 'if you come to the library tomorrow I'll explain everything. I'd really like to talk to you about this but I just can't right now.'

'Ah will Twi. An' don't you worry!' Here Applejack rubbed her hoof on Twilight's shoulder. 'Ahm sure whatever's got you so worked up will turn out juuuuust right!'

'Thank you Applejack.' Twilight smiled at her orange friend and gave her a big hug. 'Tomorrow! I promise!'

With this the lavender unicorn rushed off towards her home. She needed to write a new letter to the Princess as soon as possible. And Spike! How could she forget Spike, she'll have to explain to him too.

'Spike!' she called for her assistant as soon as the library's door opened.

'I'm here. I'm here.' replied Spike, stepping down the stairs. 'What do you need Twilight?'

'I'm sorry I had to rush off so quickly earlier, but I'll try to explain everything.' the unicorn reassured the dragon. She stepped to the shelf where she hid the quill and inkwell she that bought in Canterlot earlier in the day. Carefully lifting them out of their hiding place, the mare turned to the young dragon. 'I've didn't really have time to give you this when I've got back.'

Twilight handed the exquisite quill and inkwell wearing the letter S on its side to Spike with a slightly apologetic smile. The dragon was surprised at the sudden gifts but examined them with great joy, especially when noticing the first letter of his name on the inkwell.

'Wow, thanks Twilight but what's the occasion?' he asked a bit confused.

'Just for...' started Twilight then paused. She honestly didn't remember now. Why did she get it? She searched through the room, looking to reverse her steppes through the day. The hastily dropped bag full of books caught her eye and the idea of the book club crawled back into her mind. With the sudden appearance of this strange stallion, the book club became something of a distant sketch of an idea, completely unimportant.

'It's for giving me the idea for the book club. And for writing to Umber Mug at the tavern for me.' she said finally with a thankful smile, then continued wondering: 'I was going to write a letter to the Princess about the book club, but I think that'll have to wait. I'll have to write to her about a strange pony I've met today. Would you mind taking down the letter?'

'One step ahead of you Twilight.' replied the dragon who already opened a blank scroll and dipped his new quill in ink.

'Thank you Spike.' thanked him Twilight then started dictating: 'Dear Princess Celestia...'

Twilight carefully recounted everything she could about the event when the teal stallion appeared out of the sky. She did her best to recreate the conversation and describe the way the stallion acted, putting note on how he wanted to find his past, after all, if anypony can help him find it that pony will be somewhere around the Princess. Once done, she felt it would be appropriate to also describe the later actions of the stallion and dictated the curiosity the stallion later exhibited once they were in Ponyville.

'Well, that doesn't happen everyday.' noted Spike after Twilight finished the story. 'So that tome earlier was his spell book?'

'Yes Spike.' replied the unicorn. 'But I'd like to add one more thing. Put it in a new block please. Ahem!'

...It is of small importance in the presence of this strange unicorn and his book, but I've forgot to mention to you Princess, that the reasons I was in Canterlot earlier was that I wish to open a book club. I'm sorry for not visiting you but I was sure you are quite preoccupied (- It's two C-s Spike, not one. -) in the castle. I'll write to you on it in a more appropriate time, as usual.

I'm hoping to hear your opinion on these events soon.

Your faithful student;
- Twilight Sparkle

'Should I send it now?' asked the dragon, carefully rolling up the scroll.

'Go ahead.' nodded Twilight and watched as her message flies out a window in the form of green dust moments later.

'If you don't mind me saying Twilight, I think you've done the right thing.' noted Spike after closing the same window.

'What do you mean?' asked Twilight surprised.

'Well, you sounded pretty regretful when you mentioned taking the book from this Oakleaf figure.' explained Spike. 'But you yourself proved that it's never a good idea to let somepony who is simply crazy to cast spells.'

'I know...' replied Twilight bitterly, instantly knowing what the dragon meant. She was somewhat grateful that he didn't name the Miss Smartypants incident. 'But maybe I shouldn't have been that distrusting. He didn't do anything and I instantly assumed the worst. I acted just like the citizens of Ponyville when Zecora arrived.'

'Didn't do anything?' The dragon raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms. 'He conjured up a storm from nowhere, laughed manically and acted as if he would belong in a mental ward. All Zecora ever did was walk up main street and wait a few minutes. Besides who knows if his story is true anyway? He could have gotten that book from anywhere!'

Twilight just shook her head. She appreciated what her assistant was trying to do, but the dragon was known not to be an excellent judge of character. Not to mention his somewhat backwards view of right and wrong at times. In fact the way Spike supported her actions, she just felt even more confused in her decisions.

'Spike, I'm apprici...' Twilight started but was interrupted by a loud burping noise coming from the dragon.

An unusually thick scroll landed on the floor a moment later with a quite 'thump' noise and Spike picked it up quickly.

'It's from the Princess!' the assistant announced.

'Let me see that!'

Twilight quickly pulled the scroll from the dragon's hands and opened it. To her surprise another scroll rolled out of it with a separate seal. Picking it up, the unicorn noticed the following written on it's outer side: "To the Author of the Spell-book" Slightly confused, Twilight started reading the first scroll.

My dear student Twilight!

I'm happy that you've taken the initiative to send me this tome. I can't say much of it so far other than it is a very remarkable work. From what I could find in it so far, I must say that I'm impressed. While I recognize most of these spells' concepts, some are completely new, even to me.

Though from your description the unicorn who admittedly authored this work seems earnest in making his home here, as you yourself made sure to emphasise: his story is quite strange. It's an unusual tale, an entire building disappearing from Equestria, I cannot say who this stallion could have been.

It is difficult for me to create a full picture of him, but given the unique circumstances I believe I must make sure he is who he claims to be and that he doesn't mean any harm to Equestria and her inhabitants, willingly or unwillingly.

For this reason, I've attached another letter addressed to him. Please make sure he receives it at your earliest convenience. I ask that you give him support, should he need it in the following few days and keep an eye on him.

Yours truly;
Princess Celestia

Twilight didn't really know what to make of this. In retrospective it seemed a bit silly but she assumed as soon as she gets a reply from the Princess, it will clear everything up. She assumed the Princess will give it all meaning, tell her if her harsh taking of the book was just or not. Instead, her mentor admitted not to understand the situation herself.

While the unicorn was lost in thoughts, her assistant grabbed the steadily floating scroll's edge and pulled it closer to read.

'Well I guess this means it's out of your hooves now.' he said then rolled up the scroll.

'Huh?' asked Twilight, falling out of her thoughts.

'I think it's pretty obvious that the other letter is a summon of sorts so you don't have to worry about whoever this guy is, anymore.'

The lavender unicorn just nodded. In actuality, the past - what she has already done - was more of a concern to her at the moment than what was coming. She had a bad habit of greatly enlarging any bad thing she thought to discover about herself, as if an unknown inner force drove her to be the best she can possibly be, all the time.

She didn't really wish to talk about anything at the moment. All she wanted was to go to her bed and sleep, hoping that the morning would ease her heart. She moved the untouched scroll to a table and bid good night to the baby dragon. Walking up the stairs she was greeted by a friendly 'Whoo!' from her owl, but didn't really reply. She just laid down on the bed, turned to her side and tried her best to clear her mind.