Northern Lights

They say that every night a person dreams, it’s just that most of the time your brain forgets the dream when you wake up. Supposedly the vivid dreams only last during the rapid eye movement of sleep, but even then people have been reported of remembering their dreams without going through a REM cycle. Whatever the case, it did cause me to wonder what I had dreamed of. Probably something having to do with the whole being a female pony and getting sucked away from my family. But then, why wouldn’t I have remembered that? Wouldn’t the dream be stronger because that’s what’s on my mind? Unless of course the entire theory was false and dreams were just random occurrences from increased brain activity. Hell, maybe they were really telepathic messages sent by aliens, by this point nothing was too far-fetched.

Now the sunlight that was currently shining through the window and into my face, that I knew was real. And it was preventing me from getting any more out of my restless sleep. So, groggily, I opened my eyes, and was pleased to discover that my mane wasn’t in my face from all my tossing and turning. The room hadn’t changed one bit since I first entered, and my better judgement wanted to assume that no one had entered while I was asleep. But given the situation I really couldn’t be certain of anything anymore.

“Nothing came into the room, you can stop being paranoid now.”

At first it felt like I was about to jump from my skin when I remembered what the voice was. “How do you know that? Can you see the outside world?”

“Well, no, not really,” Ri said. The notion that I had another being talking inside my head was freaky, to say the least. The best I could compare it to is some person talking and being unable to tune them out. But on the plus side her voice was helping me get out of this groggy state. And, hopefully, talking to someone else will help keep my stress levels down. “But is starting off your day paranoid that you were watched in your sleep really the proper course of action?”

“That doesn’t answer the question.” I retorted.

“Look, all you did was let your stress get the better of you, which is completely understandable,” Ri said. “I doubt these ponies are going to keep you under constant supervision on those ground alone.”

I chuckled amusingly. “Trust me, if you’d seen the place I ended up in, you wouldn’t be so quick to assume the best.” I groaned and rolled myself onto my side, careful not to disturb my mane as I did, and then maneuvered onto my stomach. I don’t know why, but I felt more comfortable having a conversation in a more maneuverable position - even if it was with a voice inside my head.

“And why do you say that? Did it look like some military installation, or perhaps a scientific laboratory of some kind?”

I was about to relay the catacombs to her, but I caught the words in my throat a second before. “Ok, before I say anything more, why don’t you answer some questions for once?”

“Um... like what?” Ri asked, a slight but noticeable timidness rising in her voice.

“Like how you knew my name?” I said. “And maybe, I don’t know, how you’re apparently inside a necklace and seem to know something about what’s happened to me?”

“Um... heh, well...” I swear, if Ri had eyes they’d be shifting around crazily from the nervousness in her voice. “Ok, you’re right, you deserve some answers, but... I can’t tell you those last two.”

“And why not?” I asked with a slight edge, brought on partially from her and partially from hearing this feminine voice every time I opened my mouth.

“Because they’re... they’re personal, ok?”

I felt my frustration growing as she finished that sentence. “So, you’re telling me that you know something about my being here, but you’re going to keep that information from me?”

“Look, it’s not like that-”

“Then tell me what it is!” I said through clenched teeth. “Because I’m probably going to get interrogated for something that was completely out of my control and I doubt these ponies are going to believe a word of what I say if I tell them that I’m not of their species!”

“Please...” This time her tone wasn’t nervous at all. It was sad - pleading even. “I want to help you get home. I want to tell you what I know. But I don’t... We don’t know each other very well. Would you play Twenty Questions with a total stranger and divulge your most personal past onto them? Even if you wanted to help them, you don’t know if half of what they say is real or not. You can’t be sure if they’re just hosting a mummer’s farce or speaking genuine - you just don’t know. ” She paused for a moment. “It hasn’t even been a day since we made contact. All I know is that I have a theory of how you’re here. A theory! And I don’t want to tell you something inconclusive that results in just more failure...”

This time it was my turn to go silent. Damn it, I did it again and pushed too far. Sure, my reasonings might be just, but she’s right. Just like mom was right...

In the real world you’re going to get smacked...

“Ri... I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” she said. “You have every right to be mad. And, if it makes you feel better, others in your situation would have handled things worse than this.”

I gave a small smirk. “I see your motivational speaking skills still need work.”

“How about you conquer your social problems and I’ll conquer mine?” Ri retorted, already devoid of some of her previous sadness. “Now, in answer to your first question as to how I know your name, I heard you say it in your thoughts.”

I slapped myself over the head. “Wow, why didn’t I think of that?”

“Ask a stupid question and receive a stupid answer?”

“Pretty much,” I said before tilting my head in confusion. “Say, why are you even so determined to help me? Like you said, we don’t even know each other.”

There was a long pause before she answered again. “You’re the first person to talk to me...”

I didn’t inquire anymore into the subject - there was no need. Growing up, I had a hard time keeping my stress levels under control, so I’d been forced into isolation on more than one occasion. Plus, while other kids tended to move beyond enjoying things like fantasy as they grew older, I didn’t. While every other kid my age was playing sports or making social groups, I was reading and immersing myself in the worlds of fantasy. Sometimes I’d even use the natural world to create my own stories, which everyone else considered a strange and deplorable act punishable by austrodization. Or maybe it was me talking to myself all the time. Whatever the case, it wasn’t until I’d gotten to High School that I had a friend who wasn’t Matthew, whom I’d known practically since birth and was willing to put up with my habits. But did Ri even have that before she ended up like this?

My ears were pressing against my head, which I assumed meant a state of depression. “Ri, one last question, and please be honest with me here. Do you think there is any chance of me getting home and being myself again?”

“I... yes, I think there is some method to reversing these effects on you and returning you to Earth. Finding them, however...” she sighed. “I’ll keep working on my theories. And I promise you, when I feel they are conclusive, I’ll share them with you.”

“Thanks,” I said before turning my attention to the floor. Judging by the positioning of the sun in the sky, I’d say it was time to get up. I mean, sooner or later I was going to have to answer the questions of these ponies - no matter how much I really didn’t want to. It’s kind of like what Ri said, I knew next to nothing about these creatures or their knowledge of humans. Hell, what if humans didn’t even exist here? Almost all the odds pointed to me getting shipped off to some mental asylum if I told and that was the way things were.

So, priority two: learn what I can about this world - preferably before meeting with the royals - then get home.

“Good plan,” Ri said in mock encouragement. “No, really, there’s no way that can go wrong.”

“Your confidence in me is well appreciated.” I said before twisting around and swinging my back legs off the bed. “Speaking of, are you some kind of scientist or something?”

“No,” she replied softly. “I wanted to be, but... those personal matters happened.”

“Oh...” My ears pressed even tighter to my head. “Sorry for bringing it up, then,” I looked down at the floor and finished swinging my back legs directly under me, which allowed me to manage an upright position of sitting. Oddly enough, the position didn’t feel as awkward or cumbersome as I originally thought. Instead it felt as natural as it did as a human. “Wow, these ponies are really flexible.”

“Yes, I’m rather curious as to what environmental factors would have sparked such an evolution.”

“You and me both,” I raised both my front legs up and pushed myself off the bed. My old friend the floor was rushing up to greet me, but this time I denied him an encounter by sticking my front legs out. So when I fell, I landed in the perfect quadrupedal walking position. Tyler: one. Floor: three.

The floor wasn’t through with me yet, however, because I almost instantly felt my knees begin to buckle. Not wanting to give this bastard another victory I quickly spread my legs further apart. While this helped to distribute my weight, I also made me feel something strange and new. It was a feeling of - I don’t know - exposure, primarily in the vicinity of my flank... Suddenly my eyes widened with realization, and I felt my tail instinctively press itself closer to my body.

OK, I may have already figured out yesterday that I was a female pony, but with all the other shit I had to put up with that bit of information seemed minor. Not this time, though; I was getting the full force of my alien anatomical changes.

“Um... yeah, you didn’t think you could keep avoiding this change forever, did you?” Ri asked. I could tell from her tone she was trying to be sympathetical.

“Ri, not now,” I said, my voice no more than a whisper. I know she wanted to help, but she didn’t understand. My new place in biology disheartened me, of course, as well as all the so called ‘perks’ that nature placed upon the females of any species. But there were personal reasons at play as well.

Just then I heard something knocking on the door. I spun my head towards the sound, which caused my thrice damned hair to become disturbed. And like the vengeful being it was, it flopped forward into my eyes again.

“Who is it?” I asked, snorting in annoyance and blowing my mane to the right side of my face.

“Oh, sorry to disturb you,” a feminine voice replied from the other side. “I was sent by Princess Celestia - she requests your presence at breakfast.”

Time to face the music. “I’ll be right out.” I called, then began the rigorous trip from the base of the bed to the door. Each step I took felt awkward, and getting the timing between by front and back legs was really tricky. Seriously, they just refused to move where I told them to. After a moment, thought, I think I got a pretty good little groove going. It was shaky as hell and made me look plastered off my ass (or would that be rump?), but at least I got to the door.

Now, the door itself presented another problem for me. For some reason, these ponies had invented their doors with handles on them, yet they lacked hands. I mean, I know the lavender pony used her telekinetic magic to open the door yesterday, but I didn’t have any apparent magical abilities on me - at least to my current knowledge. So I carefully sat down and inspected the problem.

Hmm, maybe if I press both my hooves against it and turn? I thought to myself, momentarily forgetting that my thoughts weren’t quite so private anymore.

“Judging by slickness of the metal and lack of any real traction on your hooves, I theorize you’d quickly lose your grip.” Ri replied. "But I have been wrong before, so why not try it?”

So basically you're saying "I think it won’t work, but try it anyways," I love it! I smiled, then brought both of my front hooves up on opposite sides of the metal door handle. Carefully I applied pressure and eased my hooves around, which - sure enough - caused the door handle to turn slightly. Yes, it was working!

Until my hooves got to such an angle that they ended up flying off the metal and hitting me in the face.

“OW!” I held my hoof tenderly over the spot where it had struck. “Frig, that stings.”

“Are you OK in there?” The pony from outside asked.

“Yeah, just fine,” I replied. OK, Ri, got any other ideas?

“At present, it would seem that gripping it in your teeth is the only viable option.”

I felt my face scrunch in a grimace. I mean, not only did that sound highly unsanitary, but it just didn’t seem to make sense for the subspecies of ponies that lacked horns to use their mouths for such simplistic tasks as opening a door. Did that mean that while I was stuck like this I was going to have to use my mouth for everything? No, that makes no logical sense... Still, even though I’d love to find an alternative, I’d been summoned by royalty. And I’d read enough history and fantasy books to know that it’s a bad idea to ignore such a summon. So, I swallowed my dignity and opened my mouth over the metal handle. The disgusting taste of metal filled my mouth, but I stuck through it and managed to turn the handle enough that I could open the door. And since these doors opened into the room, I was able to spit the vile device out without the pony beyond noticing.

Speaking of her I decided it was high time I got to see who my escort was, so I looked out from behind the door. She was a normal unicorn - so no wings on her - with warm yellow coat and carefully brushed blue mane. She also seemed to have a branding on her flank, which looked like a collection of flowers, and was wearing a sort of basic servants uniform, much like one would find on cleaning staff.

“Hi,” I said after a moment, noticing the odd look she was giving me. “So... the princess?”

“Yes, right this way,” the pony said, gesturing down the hall. I gave a meek nod and took my first ungainly steps out of the room. “Um... are you sure you’re ok?”

“As much as I can be,” I said, trying to sound as jokingly as possible. She gave an unconvinced nod and - slowly on account of my inexperienced walking - lead me down the large hallway.

Now that I wasn’t being restrained by that lavender princess’s magic, I got the chance to fully appreciate the architecture in this place. The stain glass windows in particular caught my attention. They only seemed to come in two colours, orange and blue. The orange ones seemed to depict things like the sun and clouds, while the blue was the moon and stars. So they’ve got a kinda day and night motif going on?

“Seems so, and I guess it makes some sense. The sun and moon are important to religion, and these ponies don’t seem that advanced technologically.”

Perhaps it refers to their leaders? I pitched in thought. I mean, Celestia had a sun on her flank, I think, and I’m pretty sure the lavender princess was named Twilight.

“Well, we’re sure to find out.” Ri said, and I noticed that the serving pony had brought me to another set of double doors. The scent of spices and warm food floated from under the door, and already I could feel my mouth begin to water. Wow, I had no idea that ponies could smell this well. I mean, my dad was a chef, so I was no stranger to powerful smells, but this was like amplifying everything he’d ever cooked with by at least twenty percent! The best equivalent I could compare it to was when I’d gotten a nose-full of some powerful barbecue sauce. But in that situation I’d been inches from the frying pan. This was giving the same results from several feet away!

The serving pony opened the doors, and I had to take a step back from the aromas that bombarded me. Oregano, paprika, garlic, lime, and peppers were all dancing around my nostrils, accompanied by the fainter smells of lavender and lemon. Beyond the doors was a well decorated dining room, in the center of which was a beautiful rectangular table carved from wood and covered in a white tablecloth. Ten chairs were positioned around it, but only three were in use. But I wasn’t paying attention to the occupants, no, in this high brought on by overpowering aromas, I only noticed the dishes before them; salads of lettuce, carrots, apple slices, and even a few flowers tossed in here and there. Even I - a previous omnivore who consumed a diet of eighty percent meat - couldn’t help but feel a gaping pit in my stomach as I stared at the platters.

“Ah, awake at last,” a regal voice said, breaking my hunger induced trance. I promptly turned my eyes skyward and saw Celestia smiling at me from the head of the table. On her left was the lavender princess, Twilight, and to her right was a midnight blue pony who also possessed horns, wings, and a flowing mane that looked like stars. She was wearing a small black tiara, and a necklace that displayed the crescent moon on the front. Ok, so I was wrong, this is the leader who’s based on the moon.

“Won’t you join us this morning?” Celestia asked, again breaking me away from my previous engagement. “There’s much to be discussed, and I’m sure you must be famished.”

Ah, so they’re going for this approach are they? I thought, but I replied to the princesses with a simple nod - which resulted in my mane once again tumbling into my face. Damn it!

Carefully I managed to walk towards the princesses and hoist myself onto a seat next to the midnight blue pony. Not a moment later a grey pony dressed as a waiter came up and placed a tray containing another of the desirable salads in front of me. A fresh batch of scents bombarded my nostrils, which forced my head to jerk back from the sheer force of it.

“Is something wrong?” Celestia asked.

“No.” I said after a moment. How do Ponies put up with these smells, anyways? Do they have demeanors of steel, or is it just because I’m new to this body that it’s having such an affect on me? “I’m just... hungrier than I expected.”

“Then please, help yourself,” Celestia said with a smile.

Something about that smile struck me the wrong way. Obviously they’re trying to make me feel safe and secure so that I’d be easier to pry for questions, but what if there was something I was missing? Why was Celestia so far the only one who was speaking, and why was she always insisting that I eat? Was there something in the salad? Suddenly my eyes widened and the answer was there in front of me. They’ve drugged the salad!

“I... I am amazed by what you are able to think of under the right circumstances,” Ri said. “While I’m all for being suspicious of these unknown creatures, this seems a tad - how does it go - over the top.”

Ri, don’t you think they would have thought I’d think of that?

“They might have, but judging from the rumbling of your stomach you’re going to have to make a choice soon,”

Damn it, she’s right. With this irresistibly smelling meal before me my stomach was clawing it’s way through my body like some ravenous beast. Sufficed to say it didn’t take long for me to give in. Drugs or not, and with absolute lack of cutlery, I went face first into the sea of leaves.

Oh God, it was like I was devouring the immortal giving Ambrosia of the Greek Olympians. All my concerns were forgotten and I gave into the explosion of flavor that was whipping its way through my mouth and tap dancing on my taste buds. It was so bizarre; back as a human I hated the taste of vegetables. They were so bitter and tasteless, but now, with pony taste buds, they were better than any of the meats my dad had cooked in his life! I don’t know how I didn’t spill any of the food in my haste, but when I finally finished off the meal and looked at the princesses again, you’d swear I’d committed some crime with how big their eyes were.

“Um... heh, sorry,” I said meekly.

“Wow, you really must have been hungry,” Twilight said, a bit groggily, I noticed. In fact, looking at all three princesses more closely, they each seemed to have a tired and groggy demeanor about them. But it was early morning, so I chocked it up to them just being tired.

“Yeah,” I swallowed an apple piece that was still in my teeth. “It was just so good!”

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Celestia said. “Now, you are already familiar with myself and Twilight Sparkle, but this is my sister and co ruler, Princess Luna.” The midnight blue princess next to me bowed. “So, tell us, what is your name?”

My good mood was gone in an instant. Frig! I hadn’t thought of that! My name would obviously give me away if I told them it. OK, Tyler, think. The pony names you know are Twilight and Celestia, both of whom seem to have named themselves after the symbols on their flanks. Maybe you can work with that?

“You have one too?” Ri asked in confusion.

Yeah, some kind of three piece rainbow that almost looks like... Suddenly an idea was in my head. “Aurora Borealis!”

“Ah, the northern lights,” the midnight blue princess spoke even more regally than Celestia. “Tis a lovely name.”

“And uncreative, if you ask me,” Ri added.

Hey, I was put on the spot and I had to pick something. What would you have picked in my situation?

“Something other than northern lights, that’s for sure.”

I decided to ignore Ri before it looked like I was having a conversation with nobody and giving them another reason to lock me up.“Thank you, your highness... so, um, why did you want to see me, your majesties?”

Celestia looked at me directly. “It has to do with your rather sudden arrival.”

As if I really needed confirmation? “I don’t know how I got here, I’m sorry to say,” The princesses each looked at each other like they were silently communicating. Oh no, I’m not getting excluded from your little talks about me. “So, how did I?”

This time it was Twilight who spoke. “We’re not entirely sure, but yesterday I discovered an archway of unknown origin surrounded by serpentine skeletons-"

“Archway?” Ri asked in confusion.

"-One of my spells activated the archway, and it seemed to have teleport you to its location. Can you tell us where you were before that?”

I swallowed, debating my options before settling on the always popular tell them little but not all. “I was going to see my family to celebrate my academic achievements and grandmother’s birthday.”

“That’s all good, but where were you?” Twilight inquired.

Frig, there was no way I could answer that one without giving away myself. But wait, if they were talking about some sort of magic portal, then maybe they’d believe me after all? Ugh, but on the other hand (hoof?) they might not and I’d just get tossed into some crazy asylum for the rest of my life. And good God do those giant eyes of theirs stare into the soul or what?!

“Tyler, you’re stressing yourself out again,” Ri said suddenly. “Calm down before you have another attack or they’re going to lock you up for sure!”

Shut up Ri, you’re making it worse! I knew I shouldn't have said that to her, that I’d just made her feel even worse about herself, but I didn’t care at that moment. The princesses were waiting for me to reply and my heartbeat was speeding up again. No, not this time! Slowly, I inhaled through my nose and exhaled through my mouth.

“Um, are you OK, miss?” I cringed when Twilight said that.

“Yes, I just needed a moment to breath,” I said once my heartbeat had lessened. “Now, to answer your question... I was from a town called Whitby, and was on a train bound for the city of Ottawa when...” I paused. “When I was pulled here.”

“There are no cities that bear those names in Equestria,” Luna said inquiriously. “Are you saying you were not even in Equestria at the time of your abduction?”

“No, I wasn’t,” I said slowly. It was hard to determine if they were believing my story or just faking interest so that they could judge if I was lying or crazy. I’ve made my choice either way, might as well ride it out. “Please, I’m not lying to you, or anything. I’m even more confused then you are.”

Celestia smiled a warming smile. “We do not doubt your sincerity in this matter, and I for one applaud your bravery in admitting it.”

“Thank you, your highness,” I replied, still on guard but a little less than before. No, damn it, that’s bad if they’re the one’s lying!

“So I guess that means you have no information about the archway, then?” Twilight asked with a voice heavy in disappointment and underlined with frustration.

“You mean that metal thing you were looking at when you found me?” She nodded. “No, I don’t.”

The look that appeared in Twilight’s eyes was the same as a child who’d been denied their favorite treat. “Not even about the serpent bones?”

“Only that they looked like fossils,” I replied. Suddenly, a flicker of hope appeared in my mind. “Wait, you said that archway was the thing that brought me here in the first place. Can’t you just send me back through again?”

“That is out of the question,” Luna said suddenly. “Upon its activation the device released some form of magic into our skies. Celestial lights that mirror the northern auroras appeared last night. At the moment we are unaware of their effects, but the archway is not to be reactivated until we can be made sure it will cause no harm.”

And just as quickly as it appeared, the flicker was dead. I had a way home now, possibly even a way to get made human and male again, and there was no way I was going near it. No doubt there’ll be guards and scientists all over the entrance to those catacombs, and even then I couldn’t traverse some of those ledges without wings or grappling equipment.

“Please...” I felt tears threatening to creep into my eyes. “I just want to go home.”

“I know,” Celestia’s voice was sorrowful. “But there is too much at risk for us to reactivate this device.” she then gave a small smile. “But I promise you this, Aurora, if we discover that the device will bring no harm to Equestria, then we shall allow you to return home.”

The princess's words sedated the tears from creeping any further. So all I had to do was wait for them to examine this thing? No! The negatives that stem from this action far outweigh the positive. Like what if time didn’t move the same way here as it did back on Earth? What if a day here was three back home, or minutes even? What if they were normal time; whatever the case my family would be worrying themselves day after day until I was graced with the privilege to return to them. And even then, that privilege hinged on the delicate thread of the device they’re talking about not being a threat. If that’s the case, then I’ve been condemned to a slow death with the promise of life just within my reach, only to slip through my fingers - which I didn’t even have anymore!

Despair is the enemy, do not let it consume you.

The quote rung through my head and drowned all those negative feelings away. What the hell was I doing? Things are only hopeless when we accept them as such, and there still is a chance that the machine will prove harmless to these ponies and I can go home. And hey, I might even get to learn some more about their civilization and culture - I’m sure it’ll make for some great creative inspirations. It’s not a Lose Lose situation, it’s a Win Lose.

“Miss Aurora?” Twilight said suddenly. I swear, if I had a nickle for everytime these ponies were snapping me from my thoughts... “Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I had before. “So I have to wait a little before going home, I can handle that.”

Twilight’s eyes seemed to be smiling. “Great, because I am rather curious as to what your homeland is like. Did your ancestors branch off from the three tribes and found a new land elsewhere, or were there just ponies across the seas like the Zebras?”

“Um, I guess you could say it’s a mixture of both,” I said. The notion of sharing everything with these ponies left a vile feeling in my mind on that off chance that things don’t work out. But then again, they seemingly trusted me this far, so if I replace everything human with pony they should be well sedated. “Forgive me if I’m not open to swapping history at the moment.”

“Oh, I understand,” Twilight said. “Speaking of which, if you’d like I can show you the Canterlot Archives later. It holds the largest collection of records, books, and scrolls detailing - well - everything!”

Celestia smiled. “And please, don’t think we’ll keep you confined to the palace while you’re here. You are more then welcome to wander through Canterlot, provided you inform one of us in advance.”

I nodded. “Sure, and... thank you so much for your hospitalities. I was honestly expecting things to go much worse.”

“Your uncertainties are understandable,” Luna smiled. “Though if you do go into the city, please refrain from informing the populace of the specifics of your being here.”

I made a small smile. “Trust me, princess, I had no intention to.” Alright, so far things are going good, but it might be good to keep the defenses up just in case of a mummer's farce. But even then the notion didn’t seem as powerful to me as it had waking up. These ponies, or at least the leaders, had this ability to install peace and trust that I almost never saw in people - except Matthew and Emily, of course.

I don’t know, what do you think Ri?

“Not now,” she said sharply, but quickly corrected herself. “Please, I’m busy...”

With what? I inquired.

“Thinking, mulling over what they said.”

Her words caused my eyes to widen. So, wait, do you know what this machine is?

“I don’t know yet, will you please give me some space to think?” She was beginning to sound mad.

Kind of hard to do since you’re around my neck, but fine. If she was anything like me then getting information from her was going to be harder than if I let her say it willingly. Instead, I set my focus back to the princesses, who seemed rightfully confused by my behavior.

“Sorry for that, I was kinda lost in thought for a moment.”

“It’s quite alright,” Celestia replied. As if on cue both she and Luna rose from their seats. “Now, my sister and I have royal duties to attend to, so we must be off.”

“Farewell, Aurora Borealis,” Luna said, before both she and her sisters walked out of the room, leaving only myself and Twilight, who seemed to be looking at me with some form of intense curiosity.

“Um, don’t you have something to do as well?” I asked, my mane deciding that now is a good time to flop into my face again.

“Yes, I’ll be going over some samples of the archway at nine thirty, which won’t be for a few more minutes,” she said. “So, I was wondering if there might be more you could tell me about your home?”

I blew my mane out of my face. “Um, can that question wait for later? I’m still taking everything in.”

“Oh, yeah, I understand,” Twilight said. “But don’t worry, I’m great when it comes to research and understanding magic in all its forms. You won’t need to wait long for an answer.”

But will it be the answer I want? I thought before smiling. “Thanks a lot Twilight... say, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure,” she said eagerly.

“Princess Celestia said she and Luna are sisters, but not you. So, not trying to be mean or anything, but how are you a princess? Are you from another nation or something?”

Twilight smiled. “Nope, I’ve lived in Equestria my entire life. When I was born, though, I was just a unicorn, but Celestia took me under her wing and taught me as her personal student. It wasn’t until recently I became an Alicorn and a princess.”

“That’s actually rather fascinating,” I said in all honesty. “Where I’m from the title of princess is reserved only for someone who marries into a noble household or is the daughter of a king or queen.”

“Well, I guess we kind of use that here, but that’s more so for princes.” Twilight said. “My brother Shining Armor is a prince because he married my old foalsitter, Princess Cadence.”

Well, I guess I need no further confirmation as to which gender is the one in charge around here. I thought to myself. Actually it was refreshing to hear. Perhaps I could use it as a way to experience life in a world where females held more power, and then show the extreme feminists that their utopia of women would be nothing like their vision. Don’t get me wrong, I love women’s right and really despise guys who disagree with them, but the feminists who say that a world run by girls would be better than the one we have now are just crazy in my mind. I've seen my sisters go at each other enough times to know that there'd be just as much conflict in the world - possibly more.

Speaking of conflict, I guess this social structuring of the sexes meant there was one less problem with myself being female now. Maybe I’d have an easier time getting along with society or, depending on how long I stay, getting a job? Well if so then I didn’t care. I’d still rather be male any day. I’m a boy, damn it, the only boy...

“It seems you’ve got connections in high places.” I said, trying to take my mind away from the inevitable.

For some reason, my comment caused the lavender Alicorn to giggle. “Yeah, I guess you could say that,” At that point she looked at a clock on the far wall and rose from her chair. “Well, I have work to do and a schedule to keep. Come, I’ll show you the Archives if you’d like.”

“Sure, and thanks,” I said, dropping back to my awkward quadrupedal stance. She opened the doors that I’d come through and I clumsily followed her back down the hallway.

Ok, so the first few hours weren’t as destructive as I imagined they’d be - except for the whole being stuck here longer than prefered. It’s funny, yesterday I was excited to head off on my summer vacation, and now I just wanted to go home. And for some reason the notion of just sitting around and waiting for the problem to fix itself wasn’t sitting well with me. In Airborn, did the crew give up when they crashed on the uncharted island? No, they repaired their ship and left on their own terms. There were adversities, sure, but they did it despite them.

But all they had to go up against in that book were tropical storms and pirates, not being in a foreign land, body, and gender without any clue as to how anything works. I smiled at those thoughts as Twilight lead me back into the castle grounds. While it’s true that on the surface these situations are their own individual classes, the method of tackling the problems were the same. And step one in whatever conflict resolution was to learn as much about the situation so that you can formulate a clear and decisive plan.

“Wow, you are kinda smart when you’re not spazzing out,”

Glad to see you’re back, Ri, I said in thought. You decipher anything from what we heard?

There was a small pause before she spoke again, slightly shaken. “A little, but still not enough to finalize my hypothesis.”

I let out a small sigh. Alright. Hopefully the library will have some information we can use. Speaking of, the lavender princess stopped in front of a large white building with a lavender door built oddly like a drawbridge and rimmed with gold that looked like an upside down horseshoe. In front of the building were two grey unicorn guards in silver armour, each with a short-spear kept upright by their sides with a hoof. Wait, these ponies can use spears?

After a quick word from Twilight, one of the guards turned to the door and opening it with his magic - which was grey, unlike Twilight’s magenta. So their magic is based off of their colouring?

“Perhaps, or perhaps personality. For example, these guards are stoic and dutiful, so their magic is grey. The princess, however, is clearly one who delights in learning, hence why her magic is more jubilant in colour.”

Just another thing to ponder over, I guess. I thought as Twilight and I walked through the door. The inside had an interesting feel compared to the castle proper; the floor was covered in a long grey rug, and they walls were a pale lavender that border lined grey. Several torches were set on the walls, though none were lit due to it being morning still. And finally, all the tapestries that hung from the walls were pink and purple. All in all, I liked it. It had a more authentic medieval theme to it then the bright and flashy palace.

“Alright, this here is the history wing,” Twilight said gesturing to a large pair of orangish-brown doors. “I’d help you get something specific but I really need to get to my work, so have fun and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

But will you be expecting something when you come back? I thought, though my reply was a nod of thanks as she magiced the door open, revealing shelves upon shelves of books. Was showing me the library an unspoken spade for spade agreement? You show me your history and I’ll be more inclined to tell you mine?

“Tyler, don’t you think you’re taking this paranoia a little too far?” Ri asked.

I want to trust them, Ri, I thought as Twilight, after one last goodbye, engulfed herself in a bright light from her horn and vanishing. But it’s like you said, I’m not playing Twenty Questions with some total stranger.