Chapter 3: Welcome to Equestria

Sandova's mind simply stopped working for a moment. When he thought he could think straight again he spoke up.

"Hrzmgh"

Okay, smooth. Now try that again without having your brain suffering from dumb. Damnit! Even his thoughts kept sounding ridiculous. Again now, focus.

"What?"

Slightly better, at least it's comprehensible and it does get the message along.

"You heard me Sandova, I will have you stay in Equestria so you can better yourself. Anyone in the presence of the Elements of Harmony will eventually sort out their moral compass. Or in your case, rediscover it. You are a man of honor and duty, and with the help of Twilight and her friends you can lighten the stains on your soul, perhaps even cleanse them. Now Twilight, I think we should introduce our new friend to the other Elements."

Sandova quickly managed to gather his wits together now, and could not believe his good fortune. Not only would he live, but he also got to study this new world with the help of the personal pupil of a deity. The fact that she is trying to change his morality amused him though. He had fallen too far to be 'helped' by the adorable denizens of this plane. He decided to play along for the moment.

"Very well, your highness. It will be an honor."

Celestia's gaze bore into Sandova's eyes again.

"But if I discover that you are falling back into evil, you will suffer my wrath. Is that understood?"

Sandova paled under the goddess' glare, and averted his eyes.

"As crystal, your highness."

"Then let us be on our way."

Her horn flared, and Sandova felt himself disappearing alongside the deity and his newly appointed 'friends'.
~
Applejack was busy with the usual farm work when Celestia appeared in front of her, along with Twilight, Spike, Fluttershy and-

Halfway through bowing Applejack noticed Sandova, and she froze.

"Princess, what in tarnation is that?"

"He is a traveler from another world, who is in dire need of ponies showing him what the power of friendship can accomplish. He has experienced dreadful things and has not escaped unscathed, and I hope that you and your friends can show him that friendship is a force to be reckoned with."

Seemingly satisfied Applejack looked at Sandova again, and he couldn't help but smile mischievously.

"See anything you like? I know I can be considered handsome to humanoids but I had no idea that my charm extended to equines as well," he said with a wink.

Applejack flushed and started stammering, but looked offended after Sandova burst out laughing.

"Sorry, but after years of training my tongue as become quite sharp, and tends to act unbidden when I don't focus. My name is Sandova Asphyxious Mirell, and I humbly ask for your apology miss..." he said while doing his usual bow.

"Applejack, an' doncha worry pardner. Ah' can take ah joke from time ta time, 's long as ya don't make a habit of it."

Sandova smiled, maybe his 'punishment' wouldn't be so bad after all. He was quite capable of putting up with 'good guys', as long as their heads remained clear of their posterior, that is.

"Twilight, could you gather the other Elements while Sandova and Applejack get to know each other better?

Twilight nodded and took off, Spike following her. Celestia remained studying Sandova while Fluttershy hid behind the princess. Sandova and Applejack struck up a conversation, and Sandova noticed that while their personalities clashed they could get along nicely.

"So yer sayin' that most plants grow by themselves in yer world? What do farmers do then?"

"They plant the crops, encourage them to grow and harvest them when they are ready to be harvested. And while nature runs its course in our world, she still has her champions that help nourish and protect nature. These druids gain powerful nature magic in return for their services."

"Now that seems like a mighty fine deal."

"It is, nature's champions often need those powers. They often protect a single patch of nature like a glade or a lakefront, but some wander the world and do their job wherever they go. These adventuring druids often join up with other adventurers, as our world can be dangerous sometimes."

"If ya don't mind me askin', could ya tell me what the princess meant when she said that you need our help ta refind friendship?"

Sandova sighed and told a shortened version of the story he told Celestia, hoping Applejack took it well.

When he was done she looked uncomfortable, but she steeled herself and smiled at Sandova.

"Ya really had a sad life didn'cha? If the princess is okay with ya, how can ah not be? I 'l help ya pardner."

Sandova smiled as well, surprised at the quick acceptance of someone like him.

They turned around when they heard others approaching.

Before Sandova could turn around completely he was assailed by something pink and fluffy.

"HellomisteralienhowareyoudoingTwilighttoldmethatyoumightbescarybutalsothatyouareniceandthatIshouldnotbescaredofyoucanwebefriendspleaspleasPLEASE?"

Sandova dumbly looked at the pink fluff filled with energy before him. It should not be possible to say so much so quickly without running out of breath, yet this pony managed.

"Uhm, hello?"

Godsdamnit Sandova! This is the third time today, get your damn act together!

"Easy there Pinkie, he has just recovered from hitting his head. Can you cut him some slack?"

Sandova's heart went out to his lavender savior. Pinkie giggled and stepped back a bit so that Sanova could turn around. Standing before him were Twilight and Pinkie, together with a blue Pegasus with a rainbow colored mane and a white unicorn with a styled purple mane. Sandova bowed with his usual flourish.

"Good day to you, my name is Sandova Asphyxious Mirell, mage, scholar and unexpected planar traveler. It is a pleasure to meet you."

The white unicorn smiled at this.

"Ooh, a true gentlecolt. My name is Rarity, fashionista and owner of Carousel Boutique."

Sandova smiled, finally someone with class. This world kept getting more interesting with the minute, although its atmosphere bordered on the childlike.

"And my name is Rainbow Dash, best flier in Equestria and future Wonderbolt. You look funny by the way, did your oven explode or something?"

Sandova looked het her, not understanding what she ment by that.

"Darling, what happened to your clothes. Just awful, you absolutely need to stop by the Boutique soon. I can't stand to see a gentlecolt like you wearing such ruined attire."

Sandova looked at his robes and indeed, they were smudged with soot and singed at some places. His flight from Cerberus didn't help his getup either.

"My lady, I most humbly request your forgiveness. I had not realized the state of my attire, and I would not have come before a lady had I known my disheveled state. My travel here was met with some, difficulties, and I haven't yet found the chance to improve my appearance. now, you all probably wonder why your princess has requested your presence?"

The three ponies nodded, and Sandova told his story for the third time that day. As expected the ponies looked a bit uncomfortable now that they knew his backstory, what he didn't expect was getting hugged by Pinkie, followed by the other 5.

"Uh, thanks. What do I owe this sudden show of affection for?"

Pinkie giggled.

"You seemed sad after telling that story, and looked like you needed a hug. so i gave you one."

Sandova felt a lump in his throat, a lifetime of being scorned for who he was the sudden acceptance and affection were alien to him. He smiled, truly smiled that is, for the first time in years.

"Thanks girls, that means a lot to me."

After a while the group broke off from the hug, everyone except for Pinkie, that is.

"Uuh Pinkie?"

"Yes Sandy?"

"One: you can let go now. And two: Don't ever call me Sandy again, please."

"Aaaw, okay. You'll need a nickname though"

Sandova sighed. As interesting as this world might be, he would need some time to get used to the childlike innocence.

"I see you have some catching up to do, I will leave you to your business. I have a country to rule after all."

After saying goodbye to the princess everyone looked at Sandova, who looked at Twilight.

"Seems I have to stick to you guys for a while eh? Where will I be staying if I might ask?"

"You can stay at the library, I have an extra bed in the basement for such occasions."

"Very well, shall we go there? It will be nice to be able to sit down while I answer your questions, or do you have other plans?"

Pinkie started hopping up and down, one hoof raised in the air.

"Ooh me, I have an idea."

Sandova raised an eyebrow, while the others palmed- no hoofed their faces.

"We can hold his welcome party!"

Sandova grinned, a party in such an innocent world? While the mood will be alright Sandova could not help but silently lament the lack of a fine drink. Oh well, at least the food will be nice.
~
The party was nice, a bit overcrowded yes, but nice. Sandova really marveled at the kindness everyone treated him with. He could get used to this he thought, smiling to himself. On the way back he told the girls the real story of how he ended up in Equestria. They were shocked, of course, but also understood why he did it after he explained more about the six men he tricked. Most of them sacrificed dozens in their research on immortality, two were even close to succeeding. He couldn't let that happen, and did what he thought would solve the problem permanently.

It was getting late, and most of the townsfolk had left already, only the elements and the local bard, one DJ Pon3, remained. The music was strange to Sandova, but not unappealing. At least it was better then orcish music.

"Hey, ya seem troubled pardner. What's troubling ya?"

"How nice the party was, I can't seem to shake the feeling there's something missing."

Applejack looked confused, and Pinkie popped up out of nowhere and put her face so close to Sandova's he could count her eyelashes.

"What could be missing, what did I do wrong. Please donthatemethatwouldbeterribleandIwantustobefriendsand-"

"Easy there Pinkie."

Sandova pushed her lightly out of his face.

"In my world parties are usually accompanied with drinks, you know."

"We have drinks right here, you're even holding a glass of apple juice silly."

"I meant alcoholic drinks, but I don't think your world has alcohol on it."

"Ya mean humans drink alcohol? Ah told Twilight that you'd be okay with the cider. Well, better late than never. Could ya get the booze Pinkie?"

Pinkie nodded and ran off, while Rainbow looked furiously at Twilight.

"You mean I have been drinking juice all night while I could've been drinking cider? Thanks a lot Twilight."

"Hey, I thought it'd be safer if the party was non-alcoholic. You know how Pinkie gets when she's had too much, and I thought I'd spare Sandova that fate."

"I appreciate your concern, but we're all adults here. After all, what's an adult party without alcohol?"

Wow, that did not come out well. oh well, it's not like-

"If you want that kind of party I have to make another run."

Startled by Pinkies sudden reappearance Sandova momentarily forgot his slip-up, and to his relief no one else heard that, right? Wait, did Pinkie just-naw, he probably misheard that. Rainbow was flying in front of Pinkie at the moment, an eager look on her face.

"You got the booze?"

"All there rainbow."

"Wine too?"

"Of course Rarity, I wouldn't be so late if I hadn't made the detour through your wine cellar."

Sandova raised his eyebrows, surprised that the ponies were more mature then they let on.

"If everyone's got a glass I'd like to make a toast."

Even Twilight levitated a glass of some liquor in front of her. Sandova sniffed and his eyes widened. They have scotch? He now really wondered what he'd gotten himself into. Accepting a glass of apple cider from Applejack he looked at Twilight.

"To Sandova, may he discover the magic of friendship."

Sandova smiled again, there was the innocence he'd gotten used to.

"I can drink to that."

"Hit it Vinyl"

"Got it Pinkie."

~
"Owww my head, what happened last night."

He blinked and tried to rub his head, but something prevented his arm from moving. Weird, he decided look into that once his eyes got adjusted to the sun's glare. When that happened he tried to get a look of his surroundings, but found that something restrained him. He craned his neck and looked around the now slightly disheveled library.

Lying around the library were the ponies in various states of getting up with hangovers, except for Pinkie, who was currently lying beside him with her hooves wrapped around his upper body.

Sandova's eyes widened.

"Maybe this world isn't so innocent after all."

Author's Note

sorry if the end seems rushed, im literally writing on borrowed time since I have Internet troubles.
Hope I got the personalities right.
It was fun inmagining the awkwardness of waking up though.
Until tomorrow,
-Sandova

P.S Chapter's been updated.