Welcome to the Ponyhood

by MidnightBrightBrony

Rating: teen
Tags: Pinkie Pie, Crossover, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash
Length: 6780

Deemond is brought to ponyville by a bug in the Animus. Now he must find his way out, getting as much help as he can get in this strange universe he has landed in.

Desmond is brought to ponyville by a bug in the Animus. Now he must find his way out, and get as much help in this strange universe he has landed in. Assisted by Applejack, Twilight, and a few others, he might just find his way back. But fate has a few plans for him before he returns to his life as an assassin...

Published 2013-01-25 17:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-02-23 07:29:26 UTC

Meet the herd

"Desmond, get up" Lucy said as she pulled him off his bed."We're leaving."

"Where are we going?" Desmond questioned

"We're just leaving. Now hurry up."

"Seriously Lucy, where are we going?"

"Look Desmond, if you don't get up, you're going to get left here."

"Alright, alright. I'm ready."

"Put these on." Said Lucy as she passes Desmond some familiar equipment.

"Where the hell did you get this?"

"I made it. Now hurry up and put it on."

Desmond looked at Lucy."Can you turn around?"
"Sure. But hurry up. Seriously."

Desmond slipped his clothes off and put on the clothes matching Altiar's with great precision. He could feel the lightweight armour on his shoulders. He then pulled on the two hidden blades passed to him.

"Ok" he said."Let's go." Lucy led instantly, almost running out the door. She led him through the different levels of Abstergo, to the lift, and to her car. She pulled the boot lid up and said "get in." He did, no questions asked, and layed in there. Soon he fell asleep.

He woke to the sound of brakes squealing, and attempted to sit up, hitting his head on the boot lid.

"Owww..." Desmond exclaimed, rubbing his head.

Lucy pulled open the boot and said "Ok, we're here."

Desmond looked around and said "Where is 'here' exactly?"

Lucy looked at him, almost smiling."Our hideout" she said.

"Our?" Desmond questioned.

"You'll see." said Lucy.

She led Desmond up some stairs to a door, then opened it to show him the workplace. She introduced Rebecca and Shaun, then said "I think you should rest Desmond. We have a big day ahead of us."

"That's funny" he said, "I rested on the way here, but i'm still tired."

Lucy pointed to a bed."That's where you'll be sleeping."

Desmond went to the bed and laid down, surprised at how soft the mattress was. At Abstergo, the mattress' were stiff and uncomfortable.

He fell asleep almost instantly.

When he woke, Rebecca saw him and said "I was wondering when you would wake up. We're ready. Jump on the Animus when you're good to go."

Desmond stood up and walked to the Animus, looking at the design.

"This Animus looks different from the Animus at Abstergo."

"That's because this one is my design. I call it Animus 2.0, or Baby." said Rebecca.

"Oh."

Desmond sat down on the animus and Rebecca checked everything was ready. She then sat at her computer and said "Everything seems fine. I'll put you in now."

Desmond shut his eyes, ready for the light to hit him. But it never came. Instead, he felt a form of suction around his body.

"Uhh, Rebecca. Is this supposed to feel like this?"

But he never got an answer. He felt the suction pull him down through the chair and into nothingness. Desmond felt the air rushing out of him, and he passed out cold.

...

Applejack was working in the apple fields, hoping to collect all the apples before the rain started to pour. She hadbeen working hard at ir for the past few days, and had collected at least half the apple field. She retrieved some baskets and started to make her way back to the barn.

When she got there, she turned and looked out at the fields. Almost all the trees had been cleaned of apples, with a stray tree here or there specked with a couple of late growing apples.

She turned to walk to the barn, but stopped. She felt a strange force pushing against her. She dropped the baskets and suddenely her legs gave way from the force of the push.

She fell down, just a blinding flash appeared above her, and a pony in strange clothing dropped ontop of her.

"What in Celestia..." she mumbled. She rolled the pony off her and stood up, her legs wobbling.

"Ohh, ma head hurts, real bad."

She looked at the other pony and collapsed, her headache proving to much, even for her.

Luckily, Applebloom had just been coming to check on her sister when Applejack collapsed. Applebloom gasped, ran to her sister and shook her lightly.

"Sis?" She said "Ya need ta wake up sis."

But Applejack did not wake up. Applebloom looked at the other pony and said "Now what kind of clothes is he wearin'?"

She nudged him, and he groaned and rolled over.

Applebloom gasped again, then ran inside and got big mac. She told him she needed help to lift up applejack and the other pony outside. Big mac nodded and went outside to help.

After being brought inside, Applejack was lain on her bed and had a bag of ice placed on her head. The same was done to the other pony, but on the couch.

When Applejack came to, it was late night. She was in her bed, and she slid out to get a drink from the kitchen.

On the way, she passed the other pony on the couch, and she looked at him curiously. She quickly got her drink, then pulled a chair to the couch and she sat there watching him sleep.

When she finished her water, she took her glass to the sink, placed it down, then went back to her bed. She fell asleep quickly.

When she woke, her head had cleared and she could move without shaking. She trotted out to the couch, and saw the other pony was still out cold.

"Now, what happened to you?" she questioned quietly. She looked outside, and saw it was a little early to visit anywhere yet. Besides, she had a field to clear.

She went outside and saw the trees were all clear, even the late ones. She thought to herself and realised it was probably big mac who finished up the work for her.

She went back inside and was surprised to see the other pony who had landed on her sitting up, looking around slowly.

When he spotted Applejack, he looked surprised, scared even, and then looked at his hands. He realised they weren't hands. They were hooves. White hooves. White hooves with hidden blades on them. White hooves with hidden blades sliding around on them.

"Howdy." said Applejack.

The pony looked up, surprised and looked around. His expression softened a little bit when he saw no one but the pony and he shrugged and went back to trying to fix his hidden blades.

"Aren't you gonna talk?" Applejack said as she looked at him.

This time, he looked at her, and said "D-did you just...talk?"

"Uhh...yes" Applejack said. She looked around then looked back at him and said "my name's Applejack." What's yours?"

"I'm Desmond miles. Are...is this real life?" He questioned.

"I would hope so." She said.

"Umm, where are we?" Desmond asked.

"You're at sweet apple acres." said Applejack. "Where did you come from?"

"I...I came from Earth, in a place called America."

Applejack snickered a bit at this reply."This is earth. But America, I never heard o' that place before. Is it near Manehatten or somethin'?"

"Mane...you mean Manhatten?"

"Manhatten? What are you on about?"

"Alright. I think I know what's going on now. I was in an Animus, and somhow I was teleported here, and my hands turned into hooves."

"Wait, HANDS?!" exclaimed Applejack."You mean like human hands?!"

"Uhh, yes." said Desmond."Why?"

Applejack pulled over a mirror, and said "look, not just your hands were changed. YOU were changed."

Desmond looked at himself in the mirror and just stared at himself. His face was now furry, and he had a muzzle. He was standing on four hooves, although his clothing fit him perfectely, as if his ancestors knew this would happen, and made the clothes for when it did. His hidden blades, however, did not fit, and kept sliding off his hooves.

"Applejack," he said, "i'm a horse."

"Technically you're a pony, not a horse. But yes, you're a horse. And also, one other thing," she said, sliding his clothes up above his brown tail. Desmond was about to turn when he saw something on his flank. A picture. The symbol of the assassin, to be precise.

"Well well well," said Applejack."what does this mean?"

"It's the symbol of the-" but he cut himself off. He didn't want to let go too much information, in case this 'Applejack' was a Templar.

"Symbol of what?" asked Applejack.

"Uhh...Symbol of...actually, I don't know." he said, trying to sound sincere.

"Hmm...mabye Twilight has something on it." Said Applejack.

"Twilight?" said Desmond.

"Twilight sparkle. Smart gal. Great at magic. She's real smart too. Come, i'll take ya to her." said Applejack, already half out the door.

Applejack slipped out the door and began to walk down the trail to Ponyville. Desmond looked out the door before quickly trotting over to her, matching her pace. He looked around him, observing sweet apple acres. He turned his attention to Applejack, who was looking at him.

"What?" Questioned Desmond.

"Oh, nothin'," Said Applejack, "just watchin' you stare at our farm."

Desmond looked at her with a confused look."Our? Who else lives here?"

"Well, there's Granny smith, Applebloom and Big Macintosh. But most ponies call 'im Big Mac, or just Mac."

"Applejack?"

"Yea?"

"Why are you helping me?"

"Why am i-? Desmond, i'll help anypony that's in trouble."

"Ok. So, who else is there?"

"Desmond, if I tried to tell you who else lived here, we'd be talking all day."

"Could you at least name-"
But he never finished his question because right at that moment a pink blur appeared directly in front of them.

"Did someone say names? I know EVERYONE in pony-" The blur gasped suddenely and zipped away.

"Uhhh...what exactly just happened? Said Desmond.
"That was Pinkie pie. She's a little on the...well, you know, the childish side of life."

"Right. So..." he attempted to scratch the back of his neck, but ended up tripping and falling flat on his face.

Applejack giggled."Guess y'arent used to hooves huh?"

Desmond grunted in response.

"Anyways, so what exactly?"

"Nevermind, lost my train of thought."

"That's a mighty shame. I was thinking you were gonna ask me something important like 'Applejack, who is twilight and what does she do?'"

Desmond pushed himself up, readjusting his hidden blades, which just slid down to the ground again.

"Well, I guess something like that. Who is twilight and what does she do?"

"Well... she...uummm... she's the town librarian, I guess. She's a unicorn. And uhh...she's pricess Celestia's student. That's about it really."

"Hmm...Librarian huh? I guess she loves books."

"Oh, yeah. She's all about books. I swear she lives and breathes books sometimes. By the way, we're nearing the end of the farm. Ponyville is about five or six minutes from here."

"That's good to know" said Desmond."I'm quite excited to see this 'Ponyville' youve been talking about."

Applejack leaned closer to Desmond and said "Mabye we should check out Sugarcube corner. There might be a surprise there. You might even meet Twilight there. And rainbow dash too..."

"Rainbow dash? What kind of name is Rainbow dash?"

"What kind of name is Desmond?"

"Point taken."

They continued on in silence, occasionaly glancing around at the scenery around them.

Desmond turned to Applejack and thought of a question, but dismissed it. Applejack's got enough on her mind. She doesn't need my problems as well. Besides, what she's done, what she's doing even NOW is enough. I'll be glad to meet this 'Twilight' and get this over with.

Applejack took a quick side glance at Desmond. I know he must be confused right now, but i'm sure twilight can find something to explain his situation.

Their eyes met and they quickly glanced away, embarassed. Desmond looked forward and noticed the tops of houses not to far ahead of them.

"Hey Applejack, is that Ponyville?"

"Yeah, it is. Come on, I'll race ya there!"

Applejack galloped ahead of him. Desmond, not able to resist a race, ran up to her and started to take the lead. Applejack smiled and called out "Rainbow dash would love to see this! Me, her best racing competition, beaten by a complete stranger!"

It just so happened that Rainbow dash had been passing overhead at that exact moment. She had been out kicking clouds all day, and was anxious to get to this party the other pegasi had mentioned. She looked down and saw Applejack racing some other pony in wierd clothing. And Applejack was...LOSING!? How could Applejack, one of the fastest ponies Rainbow dash knew, be beaten by some random pony in a strange outfit? Wait a minute, Rainbow thought to herself, wasn't the party for some new guy in a strange costume? That must be him down there, beating Applejack. So, some new guy comes to town and thinks he can just show up one of my friends? I don't think so.

Rainbow flew down and landed in front of them. Desmond slid to a stop, skidding forward and eventually stopped, right in Rainbow dashes face. Rainbow looked at him and said "Hey, i'm Rainbow dash. You must be the new guy, am I right?"

"Uhh, yes. My name is Desmond."

Applejack stopped next to Desmond, panting slightly."Ho boy, you sure can run Desmond. I think you could even beat Rainbow dash in a race."

She looked at Rainbow dash and she recoiled a bit, realising that she was standing right there."Oh, hey Rainbow dash. Didn't see ya there. When did you drop down?"

"Just now actually. I see you have aquaintanced yourself with the newbie. Desmond was it? Yeah, Desmond. So Applejack, does Desmond have a Cutie mark?"

"Why as a matter of fact he does, Rainbow. Its just he's not sure what it means."

"Umm...yeah. No idea." said Desmond, trying but failing to sound sincere.

"Uhuh... So Desmond, I saw you racing Applejack back there. Did she give you a headstart or did you run ahead before announcing you were racing?"

"Actually," said Applejack "I ran ahead before announcing a race. Desmond here is just a good runner."

"Oh well, can I have the 'pleasure' of a race?"

"Umm...sure, why not?" said Desmond warily.

Rainbow dash dragged her hoof in the dirt, making a fairly straight line. "This is the starting line. First pony to Sugarcube corner is the winner."

"What if I don't know where Sugarcube corner is?"

"It's the big shop that looks like it's made of gingerbread. You can't miss it."

They lined up, Applejack on the left and Desmond in the middle, with Rainbow dash sitting on the right. She raised her hoof and started to count down."Three...Two...One...GO!"

They took off, Rainbow dash taking the lead. Very soon Applejack caught up to her. They looked back, but nopony was there. They threw their gaze ahead of them and saw Desmond about a heads length ahead of them. Rainbow dash, not wanting to be beaten, splayed her wings out and used them as extra push. Apllejack called out "HEY! NO WINGS! THAT'S CHEATIN'!"
Rainbow dash looked back and smiled at her, before speeding up and looking forward, to find Desmond two heads length ahead of them. He stopped suddenely, and Rainbow dash smiled and sped up, running face first into a forcefeild. Applejack stopped behind them, breathing heavily. Twilight was in front of them, just exiting Sugarcube corner. She had seen the ponies sprinting at her, and quickly threw up a basic force field to prevent them from crashing into the sweet store.

"Girls! Careful you almost crushed...wait a second, you're new aren't you?" Twilight looked at Desmond, and her horn lit up, and he felt his clothing shift behind him. The outfit slid over his flank, and he watched her walk over to his flank and look at it.

"Girls, do any of you know what this symbol means?" The other two shook their heads. "I think I might have skimmed over it in a book somewhere... come to the Library, i'll check my collection."

Rainbow dash rolled her eyes and Applejack nodded and said "Hey twilight, is Pinkie in Sugarcube corner? I need to speak to here."

"Yeah, she's in there preparing. You can see her if you want."

"Thanks Twilight."

Applejack walked into Sugarcube corner, and Rainbow dash looked at Twilight.

"Hey, I don't wanna sound mean but... I think i'll pass on the whole 'library' thing. I've got more important things i've gotta do anyway."

"Okay rainbow dash. Just make sure if you see Applejack again be sure to tell her to meet me at the library when you're done."

"Sure thing Twilight."

"Thanks."

Rainbow dash walked up to Sugarcube corner and slipped inside. Twilight looked back to Desmond and said "Come with me...uhh..."

"Desmond. My name is Desmond."

"Ok Desmond. Come with me. Oh, and welcome to Ponyville."

They walked on, Twilight was lost in thought, and Desmond was looking around at the other ponies in town. There was unicorns and pegasi and earth ponies of every colour everywhere. There were some ponies sitting on a bench, and one was sitting like a...human. Suddenely, Desmond was barrelled over by a grey pegasus."Sorry mister! It's hard to see straight with my eyes all crossed." The pegasus helped Desmond up, before giving him a quick wave and flying zigzagy through the sky. He quickly trotted back over to twilight, who was standing infront of a big tree."Welcome to the library. This is my house. Now Spike should be around here somewhere. SPIKE!"

A little purple dragon pulled open the library doors and yawned slightly."Oh, you're back. I was just taking a quick nap." He waddled back inside and jumped onto a little basket. Twilight led Desmond inside and instantly started removing books from shelves, reading them with record speed before throwing them in a pile and moving on to the next. Desmond sat in a chair and watched her go about her search. He heard a knock on the door and went to answer it. He pushed it open and saw Applejack and Rainbow dash standing thre."Howdy again Desmond. Is Twilight in here?"

"Yeah, she's looking through her books."

He let them inside, and they walked to opposite sides of the room, Rainbow dash reaching for a book titled Daring Doo and the Temple of the Stone Golems.

"Aha! Found it!" said Twilight, walking over to Desmond."The symbol of the Assassin. This symbol is given to anypony who is an Assassin, or who has dedicated their lives to an Assassin's life. Desmond, you're an Assassin."

"Ok, so I knew I was an Assassin. I was sent here by some strange force after getting into a machine. I was brought here, turned into a pony, and now i'm here. I have no idea why, but my armour suits this pony body perfectly, but my Assassin equipment doesn't. Do you ponies have an inventor around here?"

"Yes! His name is Leonardo. He designs all sorts of things."

"Can you take me to him?"

"Yes. Give me a minute and i'll show you where he lives."

Twilight opened the door and Desmond walked through it, back into the town of ponyville. Twilight walked ahead of him and told him to follow her."What about Applejack and Rainbow Dash?"

"They'll be fine. Besides, it is a PUBLIC library after all."

They walked down an alleyway and came to a door. Twilight knocked of it and a muffled "One moment" was called out. The door then opened and before them stood and old Stallion with a pair of spectacles."Yes?" he asked.

"Leonardo, my friend Desmond here is in need of some help. You see he has these blades-"

"Say no more," Leonardo cut in, "I know what to do." He turned to Desmond."I'm assuming you're Desmond yes? Good, good. Now, come in and i'll see what I can do for you." They walked in, and Desmond slipped off his Hidden blades. He handed them to the old stallion and he stared at them. "This will take some time. Care to wait?" Desmond sat in an old chair and Twilight said to Desmond "I'll meet you back at the library" before slipping out the door. Desmond sat and waited. And waited. AND waited. Until eventually he fell into a light sleep. He woke to the sound of the old stallion laughing to himself.

"What is it, old uhh... pony...sir?"

"Oh, nothing" he said, "just finishing off your blades. Here, they should fit your hooves now."

Desmond took the blades and slipped then on his hooves. They fit snuggly, and didn't slide or anything."Now, if you want to extend the blade out, just shove your hoof forward with a quick push in the air, and the opposite to retract it, ok?"

"Thank you, sir," said Desmond, "you've done me a great service."

Desmond left the house and saw it was night time. He trotted to the library. He pushed open the door and walked inside to find it pitch black. He felt around in the dark a bit before the lights flicked on and he was greeted with a big "SURPRISE!". He looked around and saw Twilight, Rainbow dash and Applejack at the side, and the pink blur from earlier in front of him. He recoiled a bit, but relaxed as the blur started to bounce up and down in front of him."Hi, i'm Pinkie pie and I threw this party just for you! What's your name?"

"I'm Desmond" he said.

"Hi Desmond! We're gonna be best friends, I just know it!"

It's going to be a looong night. Desmond thought to himself.

The after-party

Desmond awoke on the floor of the library. He had been partying all night. Real or not, these ponies knew how to party! And they were nothing like the parties in LA.

"Ohh..."

He rolled over. All the mess from last night was clean. He spotted a basket. The dragon, what was his name? Spike? Yeah, Spike, was sleeping in it. He sat up.

"Urrgh..."

He stood up. And fell straight back down. His legs could barely hold him. He tried again. This time, his legs held him, but when he tried to walk, he face-planted.

"Uuggghh..."

He gave up. His legs would be fine soon. He heard a thump upstairs and rolled over again. His head was aching a little.

"Oh, you're awake! Great!"

Desmond looked up. Pinkie pie was standing above him.

"That was a great party! I should throw an after party! We can invite everyone again!"

Desmond groaned. Pinkie pie looked at him, as if to say 'What did I say?', but she lost it straight away. She then proceeded to bounce away. He watched her bounce across the room and to the door. She pushed it open and said "Tell Twilight i'm going to work!" and bounced out, shutting it behind her.

Desmond stood up again, this time actually managing to walk. He slowly made his way to the stairs and pulled himself up them. He looked around, only seeing a bedroom door. He attempted to wipe his face. It was harder with a hoof. He heard a sound above him, and he looked up to see a frazzled, purple pony slowly coming down some stairs.

"Oh, what a night! I think that was one of the craziest parties we've had."

She spotted Desmond and half jumped.

"Desmond! I didn't know you where awake! What did you think of the party? And where's Pinkie pie?"

"Pinkie pie went to work. And the party was...crazy. Very crazy. That DJ knows some great music. And, did someone spike the drinks?"

"I think pinkie did. Why?"

"I feel like I have a hangover."

He collapsed, or, he would have, had Twilight not caught him. She carried him down, floating in a feild of magic, and placed him down on the couch. He had passed out.

....

Desmond awoke. Again. His vision was all blurry. He had a headache. He rolled over, and landed on the floor.

"Oof!"

He pushed himself up. His hands were all prickly, probably because of his hidden blades digging into his wrists. Wait...hands. He had hands. Human hands. He looked down. His dbody had changed. He was human again! He stood up, his headache now a minor pound at the back of his head. He shook his head to clear his vision. He was still in the pony world. He ran to the door, and pushed it open, looking outside. Then he fell...

....

Desmond awoke to the sound of a voice.

"Desmond? Desmond? Wake up. Wake up!"

"Its no use, sugarcube. Wake him later."

He sat up, startling the ponies infront of him. He looked down. He was a pony again. Or was he never a human? He sure felt like he was.

"Desmond? Are you alright?"

"Yeah... I-i'm fine. Just a dream. That's all."

He looked at the ponies ahead of him. Applejack, and...the purple one. Twilight. Library owner.

"Desmond, you passed out. I put you on the couch. Hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of getting you out of those clothes. But I couldn't get those spaulders off you. So I wondered what they were for, but you were asleep so I was waiting for you to wake up so I could ask you what they were."

"They're hidden blades. They're used for sneakily killing someone. And what did you do with my armour? I need that! Any one of you could be a Templar and try to kill me!"

"Woah, slow down sugarcube. Kill you? That's the last thing anyone would try to do here. Why would we try to kill you?"

"The Templars are the assassins enemy. No assassin is safe from them. And we fight them. For peace in the world."

The ponies looked at him, as if he were mad.

"Look, I just need my armour, ok?"

Twilight's horn glowed. Desmond felt himself being lifted up and being bent back. He could feel his back popping. He looked down at Twilight, but she was no longer Twilight. She was a Templar. With an apple!

"Applejack...help..."

But Applejack was not there. Instead, another Templar was sitting there. Laughing. Desmond felt his legs snap, and his body crush itself. Then everything went black.

....

Desmond woke. He looked around. He was still in Abstergo. He stood up. The Animus was blinking and Lucy was standing there, telling him to lay on it. He did, and she started it up. He watched the glass pass over his face and light up, then show the different memories. He selected one, then entered it. But the Animus rejected his mind. He was thrown out of the Animus database, the glass retracted and he was pulled off the Animus by the professer.

"Now, mister Miles. Now you will feel what death is like!"

And he was pushed out the window. It felt like flying. The wind rushing past, his bady, floating in the air, the ground so far beneath him, he could barely see it. But it was getting bigger. Fast. The last thing he saw was the face of Lucy Stillman. Laughing as he fell. He hit the ground with a loud CRUNCH! and he woke up.

....

Desmond awoke. For the last time. He stood up. The floor didn't collapse, so he must be in real life.

Author's Note

It seems due to school, the best time to write is 11 or later. Damn education. LET ME GET MY BEAUTY SLEEP!

Real life

Desmond flung himself off the couch. He looked around. Floor. Check. Walls. Check. Body. Check. Armour and blades. Check. He pushed open the door. Outside world. Check. Reality? Unknown.

He heard hooves behind him and spun around, his hidden blades extended. He was on two legs and ready to strike. He saw Twilight. He stood there. Just stood there. He waited. Twilight soon noticed him standing near the door.

"Hi Desmond! How was your sleep?"

"Is this real?"

"What? Of course it's real!"

"No, no, no! That's just what a dream would say!"

"Desmond! This is real life, okay! If it was a dream, what would happen to you right now?"

"I would be crushed, or fall out of the world."

"Jeez Desmond, your dreams are crazy."

"So, if this is real life. Prove it to me."

"How? That's kind of hard to do."

Desmond then lept forward, his blade retracting just before he hit her in the chest. He then removed his hoof from it and sat down. Twilight had put a barrier between them right at the last moment.

"Ok, so this is real."

"What the heck was that?! Why did you just try to kill me?!"

"It's a looong story."

"Well, i've got all day."

So Desmond proceeded to explain everything that had happened to him in his dreams. Twilight listened to every word he said.

"...and then I jumped at you and you blocked me. And that's everything that has happened up till now."

"So you're saying that you had dreams inside dreams?"

"Yes."

Twilight's horn glowed and she removed a book from the shelf.

"The guide to dreams?"

"Yes. This will tell you everything you need to know about your dreams."

She flipped to a page and began to read.

"Dreams in dreams. If you are experiencing dreams in dreams, you are either a crazy lunatic, extremely drunk, or have had a life of torment and have run away from everything to escape your past life."

"Well... that was... informative."

"So Desmond, which one do you think it was?"

"The...second one..."

"Okay. I'll tell Pinkie pie to stop putting so much alcohol in the punch."

Desmond walked outside. Mostly because he had to. Twilight was leaving, and he didn't want to intrude.

He decided he would go to Sugarcube corner. At least he could get a meal there. He began to trot down the road. He was examining the buildings. They were perfectly designed. Well, perfectly designed for what he had in mind, anyhow.

He spotted Sugarcube corner and walked inside. He stood at the counter, looking at the menu board.

___________________________
l~SUGARCUBE CORNER~l
l Muffins~2 bits l
l Cream buns~3 bits l
l Cake slices~5 bits l
l Tabs available l
l_________________________l

Desmond wondered how these ponies kept shape when they ate what they ate. He noticed a bell on the counter and hit it.

DING!

A pink pony bounced up to the counter.

"Hiya Desmond! What do you want to eat?"

"Uhh... can I get a muffin?"

"Sure! I know you don't have any money, but that's ok! I'll pay for it!"

"Thanks, Pinkie pie..."

"No problem!"

Desmond took his muffin and ate it, walking down the street. Finishing his muffin, he proceeded to walk to the library. Grabbing a branch, he began climbing it. He eventually made it to the top, and looked around him, learning his surroundings. He then looked for a hay bale or something like that. But there wasn't one. So he climbed down. He landed on the ground, and turned around. A few ponies were staring at him, their mouths half open. He looked at them and said "So... nice ahh...nice weather we're having...I guess..."

One pony, a small foal, walked up.

"Mister, how did you climb that tree?"

"It was fairly easy actually."

"Can you do it again?"

"Hmm...mabye not. It takes alot of energy, and i'm still recovering from the party last night."

The foal turned away and said "Okay."

Desmond looked at him.

"Just once kid. Just once."

The foal turned around, beaming. Desmond then grabbed the branch, and pulled himself up. Eventually, he made it to the top of the tree. Then he climbed back down. Well, it was more or less like falling, but oh well, details. When he reached the ground the ponies were cheering.

Desmond thought it unecessary, but hey, if they wanted to stomp, then he wasn't going to stop them

"Thanks everyone, I guess?"

He turned to leave, running face-first with a pony in a hood.

"Careful there! Watch where you're going next time, huh?"

"Desmond, listen, we don't have much time."

"What do you mean?"

"It's Lucy. She's gone crazy. She's trying to... no time! Shit! Sorry, we'll talk later!"

The pony then faded in front of him, vanishing into thin air.

"That sounded alot like... Rebecca. Odd. How would she get here?"

Desmond left that thought to nibble his brain while he thought to other things. He sat down on a bench and thought. Rebecca could get in the Animus, but he was still in it. Right? Mabye he had been sucked into an alternate universe located by the Animus. And he had been the lucky winner of a one way trip to ponyland. If Rebecca +was+ here, he could possibly find a way back with her. Then he could be human again and stop the end of the world.'But,' he thought, 'atleast it's not +that+ bad here. It +is+ filled with nice pe- uhh, +ponies+ that won't try to kill me every chance they get.'

He looked around and noticed Rainbow dash lazing on one of the clouds. He called out to her, but she didn't hear. So he climbed the tree and called out again. Her ear flicked, but that was it. He slowly walked out across a branch, stopping at the strongest middle point. He called out once more and she rolled over, openeing an eye to see who it was. She slowly pushed hersf up when she noticed it was Desmond calling to her.

"Hey Desmond. Whadaya need?"

"I was just wondering what there is to do around here that isn't sitting around."

"Really? You woke me up for this? Huh... fine! You can go to Sugarcube corner and hangout there, go into town and look for something to do, go to the farm and help out there, or you can go to the Ever-free forest and train yourself or whatever. Or sleep, which speaking of, i'm going back to."

She yawned and collapsed on the cloud. A few moments later she was snoring lightly. Desmond fell back down the tree. Train in the Ever-free forest, huh? Against what? Trees? He decided to check it out, anyway. He had to ask somepony directions and they pointed at the dark forest across from town. He thanked them, then started walking. He passed Sugarcube corner and kept going. Eventually, he made it to the edge of the forest. He thought it strange how everything was different practically the moment you entered the forest. It was dark and dense. The weather controlled itself. The animals survived without help. Like Earth. Well, like +his+ Earth. He passed many vine covered trees, each one different in some way. He had lost the path due to all the foilage on the ground. But it was strange. The foilage had been recently moved. He could tell by theway the leaves sat on the ground. He followed this path all the way to a building. It was old. Yet... together. Not like old, forgotten budings +should+ be like. And there was something on the front. A symbol. A familiar symbol. The assassins. They existed here. In the Ever-free forest. Living by themselves, hiding from everyone else. That meant there were Templars too. Who know's what these ponies knew. Only one way to find out. He noticed there was no door. Only a space shaped like a hoof. He pressed it, feeling it slide into the wall. He heard gears shifting. And something pulling back...

SNAP!

He jumped to the side as arrows flew from the opening, one nipping his leg. He felt it dig in slightly, and he pulled it out. He looked in the opening. Big enough for a pony to fit through. He slid in and entered a large room. There were two identical stone staircases running up the sides to a larger area with doors, like a mansion. There was a chandelier. It was lit. Very unsuspicious. He called out.

"Hello? Anyone here?"

He heard scuffling, and the sounds of hooves on stone. He looked up and was crushed by another pony. Its hidden blade at his throat, it said "Who are you and why are you here?"

"My name is Desmond miles. I'm an assassin. I swear. Check my mark thing..."

The pony slipped his armour over his flank and saw his Cutie mark. He then climbed off Desmond and retracted his blade.

"Desmond. I guess you wouldn't know me. I know a little about you though. Heh. My name..." he backed up, stood on his hind legs, and yelled "MY NAME IS CLAY KACZMAREK! But you probably know me as Subject 16."

"16?! You're alive?!"

"Yeah. I've been living here since the animus tripped and sent me here. My body must still be there. In the real world, that is. Or mabye this is real too. And we were the lucky ones to be sent here!"

"16-"

"Please, call me Clay"

"Ok, Clay, I think you're completely mad. But hey, at least you're alive!"

The two began to discuss each others lives. Desmond explained everything that had happened up until now and Clay explained his life from the moment he woke in Equestria.

"I woke up on the ground. It was cold. Mabye raining. Anyways, I got up and this stallion was walking with his cart across from me, so I ran up to him, tripping a few times, and asked him where I was. He replied with:
-'You're in Equestria, son. Run by our lovely Princess Celestia. Right now, this path will take you to a small town of about fifty other ponies. We call it Ponyville. Its mostly a trading route, but it has a library and a store, and a rock farm. I'm headed there right now if you want to walk with me.'-
So I did. I walked here. I asked about work, and a place to live. The replies I got were like 'Rock farm or trading caravan' and 'The Resting Pony inn'. Then I asked about this forest, but only a few people responded. They said this place was haunted. Everything moved to its own accord. So I came here. Through the forest. I found this place. There were some assassins here at the time. They all died, though. I'm still the same though. Its weird. I don't really age or anything. I just don't."

"Clay, your body, in-in real life. It died. The brain was corrupted. But you thrived.-Inside- the machine."

"Oh, Desmond. I know that. I saw it. I was at my funeral."

"Wait, WHAT!?"

"Anything that happens in real life can possibly happen here. I think its like because i'm here, I can see things from real life."

"Ok. Well, I saw a person from my team appear. I think the same thing is happening to me."

"Huh. Are you sure? I mean, if you are, do you think you're dead?"

"I sure hope not. Anyway, tell me more about this place."

Clay then explained the basics of the building they were in. The different rooms, the different levels, the armoury and all the rest.

Desmond was listening intently when he heard a scuffle at the door. He looked at it, his eagle vision flaring, and he spotted a pony as it dived through the door. Desmond jumped up, his hidden blades out to strike. The pony was wearing the same hood as the pony that sounded like Rebecca.

"Rebecca?"

"Hey Desmond."

Desmond's hidden blades dropped.

"Desmond, we need to talk. Lucy's gone crazy. She keeps yelling something about 'the Templars are gonna get us' and stuff like that. You need to find a way back ASAP!"

"Rabecca, I-I'm trying but its hard in a world of ponies. I don't even know who to ask for help."

"Actually," Clay jumped in, "there is -someone- you could talk to. Princess Celestia I believe her name is. She's the 'Government' here."

"Good to know Clay."

"Wait, CLAY?! You've been here this whole time?!"

"Yep."

"Oh my god! I am SO glad you're not dead!"

She started to flicker.

"Oh! My time is up! Desmond, get to Celestia! Hurry!"

She then disappeared.

"So Clay, care to introduce me to Celestia?"

"It's a long trip by train."

"Lets get started then."

"Its actually pretty late, Desmond. Let's get some rest first, then we can go. There are some stony beds around here. Or we couldgo back to town and rest with in one of your friends houses?"

"Why don't I introduce you to Twilight?"

"Sounds great" Clay said, smiling.