The room was an ocean of knowledge.

After Twilight departed to perform her experiments, I wasted no time and headed over to the nearest book shelf. Of course, there was the issue of getting one down so I could read, but luckily I was able to use the tips of my hoof to wiggle the closest one - labelled Equestrian History: Volume One - free. The book nearly ended up crushing my face as it came down, but I was able to move my head aside and catch it with my hooves. The size of the book was monstrous. Even Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace would have been dwarfed by this mammoth. Because of this, I decided it would be best to lay on the floor to read. Opening it, I was pleased to note that the text inside was no less impressive. If the sources could be believed, the information dated back over one thousand years ago, and explained the founding of Equestria.

Back then the three tribes of ponies - earth ponies (which it turns out I was), pegasi, and unicorns - had an uneasy truces with each other concerning food.growth and distribution. If this text was to be believed, pegasi apparently had the power to interact with clouds and actually control when and what form of precipitation they would release. And while I’d already seen unicorn magic first hand, apparently they could even move the sun and moon. Both they and the pegasi would use these abilities as bargaining chips with the earth ponies, who were the best at growing food out of all the tribes, into sharing their food stocks.

Things got interesting when the tribes had to migrate from their lands on account of a violent blizzard descended upon them. Each of them went their separate ways, intended on finding a new land for only their tribe, but they each ended up coming to the same fertile land - resulting in the ever classic “I was here first!” debate. After that there was something about an ice spirit and a Fire of Friendship, that resulted in the three tribes putting aside their differences and working together in harmony. All in all, it was a rather interesting legend that reminded me a lot of how humanity crossed the Bering land bridge from Asia to North America some 16,500 years ago.

Some of the other myths the ponies had, however, were a little harder to put together. I found a few passages that mentioned the rise of princesses Celestia and Luna, but they were scarce and scattered through the text. In fact, if you weren’t looking for them it would probably be easy to skip clean over them. From what I could scrape together they defeated some sort of tyrannical being using this world’s version of the Holy Hand Grenade, then became solely responsible for the rising and setting of the sun and moon.

“That’s neat that these ponies think up myths for their leaders,” I said out loud. Back on Earth that habit had gotten me many a peculiar look, but I didn’t care. If nobody was willing to listen to me, then I’d talk to myself.

“What makes you so sure these are mere myths?” Ri inquired.

“Hold on a second,” I said in surprise. “Are you, the wannabe scientist, seriously considering that these ponies have the power to move celestial bodies as large as a star?”

“Well, their arcane abilities are impressive,” she said plainly. “Plus, until we know the exact limitations to those abilities, it would be premature to rule out any possibilities.”

“Telekinesis and teleporting is one thing, Ri, but moving celestial bodies is another.” I said. “Besides, if this is to be believed, then the princesses have been in power for close to two thousand years.”

“Well, we don’t know the lifespan of these ponies. Who knows, maybe they can live for over a thousand years.” Ri paused as if pondering something. “Or perhaps they are not the original Celestia and Luna, but their descendants.”

That made sense, since monarchs had a habit of passing down the same names through the generations. Hell, didn’t England have four king Georges, each one after the other? For confirmation on the pony monarchs I went back to the book, but didn’t really find too much else about Celestia or Luna. The ending was mainly dedicated to the founding of some major cities. Canterlot was listed first since it is the capital city, and was populated mainly by unicorns who used their magic to erect the city onto the mountainside. After Celestia and Luna came to power they had their palace built into the city. Supposedly this was done due to the location, as it gave the princesses optimal height for their bringings of day and night, and also so that they could observe the entirety of their country.

After that was the city of Cloudsdale, which seemed to be populated entirely by pegasi. A crude illustration made the city look like it was in the clouds... or rather made of clouds. Complete with rainbow waterfalls and styled after ancient Greek or Roman architecture. It was founded shortly after the initial settling in Equestria and focuses primarily on weather creation and distribution.

“I don’t know, Ri, do you really think these ponies can create weather?”

“Er... yeah, that does seem a stretch too far,” Glad to see she’s agreeing with me again. .Don’t get me wrong, if she had her own opinion, that’s fine. I wouldn't judge her for it. However, the problem with getting into a debate with someone in your head - one would assume - is that you can have a very hard time of getting them to shut up.

I turned my attention back to the book. Aside from those major cities, there were many smaller villages founded which over time grew into larger settlements. Interesting endeavors, but not quite the historical moments I was keen on researching.

I set the first volume to the side and managed to free the second book from its place on the shelf. To my luck, this one did have information on our royal sisters - dubbed The Mare in the Moon. Only, it lacked the sort of knowledge I was hoping for.

Apparently, after an unspecified period of time, Luna grew jealous of her sister because ponies loved her day yet payed the night no mind. They froliced and had fun when the sun was up and then slept through the night that Luna worked so hard to craft for them. So, one day she refused to lower the moon and declared an eternal night. In retaliation, Celestia wielded the magic artifacts from before against her own sister and banished her on the moon.

The tale was... shocking. Obviously I know nothing about either princess, but from the tiny glimpse I’d been given at breakfast neither of them seemed the type to go to these extremes. Just another reason to be weary of them. Also, the tale never truly mentioned either Luna or Celestia by name; they were simply addressed as The Princesses of the Sun and Moon. Luna was also referred to as Nightmare Moon by the end. A chilling name for a chilling tale. The exaggeration of Luna going to the moon sealed it, added an additional helping of somber.

“But she’s here now,” Ri pointed out. “So she’s obviously reformed.”

“It’s not that, Ri,” I replied softly. “Do you have any sibling?”

“Yes,” Her voice was a quivering whisper. “I had two brothers... once.”

“Could you ever see yourself banishing them for so long, even if it was the only option?”

“No.” Was her response. The same as mine. I may have bickered with my younger sisters a lot, and have wished ill on them in the past, but I’d never actually gone out and acted on those notions. The rest of the book detailed Celestia as the sole ruler of Equestria, and from the details it gave about the founding of additional settlements and technological developments, Luna was banished for a long time. It also made no note of Celestia aging, or having any children.

So, they just might have lived since their initial rise to power. The thought was an upsetting one. Over a thousand years of guilt for Celestia... and Luna by the looks of things.

I pretty much skimmed through the rest of the book; it was basic information regarding more settlements forming, the meeting of the kingdoms of Griffons and Minotaurs, and more technological and arcane advancements. Though, really, it all felt stale after that story. My eyelids were also beginning to grow heavy from all the reading, so I decided to close the book.

OK, on the one hand my little trip through the last few thousand years of Equestrian history has given me some basic knowledge of the area. It’s not much to work off of, but hopefully if I ever decided to check out the city or get asked a question by a pony, I won’t sound too much like a blithering idiot. On the other hand, there was nothing that can help me get home. I saw no text about the blue metal Twilight had mentioned, or anything about serpents. Though considering the fact that the princesses seemed to know nothing about them, I didn’t expect to figure out much.

One thing I did figure out, however, was that these ponies had a very interesting history. In many ways it paralleled human history, but in others it was as alien and bizarre as, well, the ponies themselves. I was sorely tempted to pick up the third volume, but my eyes were hurting, so instead I used the equine equivalent for wrists to rub them. How long have I been down here?

“Go over to that window,” Ri said.

“Why?” I asked curiously.

“Because I can read the sun.”

That came as a bit of a surprise. “Really? But I thought you couldn’t see the outside world.”

“Well, technically I said ‘No, not really.’ To me, whenever someone says that, they leave the answer open for alteration later on.”

“... Interesting way of looking at things.” I said, slowly rising to my hooves and heading over to the window. “So how do you see the outside world?”

“Not easily,” she said. “At best I can see basic shapes and figures, and the sun shows up clearly, but mostly it’s all shadows.”

I probably should have been more upset at her then I was. If she’d lied to me about seeing what’s around her, the she very well could have lied to me about everything. Though I doubted that last bit was true. She sounded too genuine... too grateful. You’re the first person to talk to me...

I looked out the window and at the Equestrian sun - which was eerily identical to Earth’s in every aspect. “Can you see the sun?”

“Kinda...” she said, obviously deep in concentration. “Yes, yes it’s... It’s around eleven now.”

Wow, time flies when you’re having fun. With the question of time answered I was about to turn from the window when something else caught my eye. There was a large collection of white buildings below us, though they lacked the golden terraces and roofs of the palace. Some made up for this by having decorative signs or coloured tarps over the doorways like you’d see in arabic villages. And there were ponies in the streets. Most of them were wearing some form of clothing or another - usually a fancy ensemble - and held their person (or whatever you’d call it for ponies) in a high esteem.

Typical aristocrats, I thought to myself, but another thought quickly drowned it out. All these ponies were wearing clothing, and everyone at the palace wore something at least. The princesses had their ornaments, the guards their armour, and the servants their uniforms. So why hadn’t I been offered an article of clothing since my arrival? Did this mean I’d been walking around naked? I felt my tail press close to my body at the notion. No, don’t think like that!

“Ri, have you ever been to a city before?” I said, eager for a topic change.

“Yes, I was born and raised in the same one.”

“Well, what do you make of this one?”

“From this distance it’s pretty much what was said in the book. A more in depth analysis could be conducted only if we ventured down there.”

If we ventured down there. The thought had been growing a little ever since I’d read those passages from the book, and the princesses did say I was free to explore so long as I told them. While reading all these books was an enjoyable way to learn about this strange land and its history, going out would be the best way to learn about the customs and culture. Of course, on the flipside, it’s a city - and a capital city at that - filled with aristocrats and high standards. Not a very fun collaboration. Eh, I’ll probably ask Twilight about it later.

Speaking of the lavender pony, I was beginning to grow curious as to what she was doing. If it was near lunchtime already, then how much longer was “later” anyways? I could have spent some more time reading, but my eyes felt heavy whenever I turned them back to the book.

Turned green, no doubt, I thought queerly. I always hated it when my eyes turned green; it only ever happened when I was mad or tired or sick. Blue was better, or so I was told by friend and family alike. Even to this day people would come up and compliment me for them. When I was younger it bothered me, because I believed they were making a mockery of it. But as I grew older, I found the compliments refreshing and... distinguishing. A family of brown eyes, but mine are blue. And the cruel universe was kind enough to let me keep them.

A weird sound like the mixture of chimes and bells then filled the room. Caught off guard I turned abruptly to the noise and got my legs tangled for my troubles (damn equine anatomy), before being painfully reunited with Old Man Floor.

“Aurora,” Twilight said through the ringing in my head. “Oh, I’m so sorry for startling you.”

Ow. I thought, but what I said was, “It’s fine.” Once the pain in my muzzle died down, I stood back up and looked the princess in the eyes. Violet eyes. I thought, almost like I’d never seen them before. Intelligent looking, though I knew that one already.

“I was actually wondering when you’d come back.” I said.

She gave a sheepish smile. “Sorry, I was a littled wrapped up in my experiments.”

“Did you find anything useful?” Anything to get me home?

“Not yet, sorry,” Twilight said.

Like I expected anything different. I thought.

“Give it some time, Tyler,” Ri said, “Good things come to those who wait.”

But how long is my family going to wait for their son and brother to come home?

Ri didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure if it’s because she didn’t hear me or because she didn’t want to answer. She never did explain how much of my thoughts she could hear.

“Come on, you must be hungry,” Twilight said, winning another nickel. I nodded back and walked with her through the archives. The guards outside gave a salute as we passed, but otherwise showed no sign of caring. I guess they’re used to her teleporting into places.

“So, did you enjoy the Archives?” she said once we’d exited back into the castle grounds.

“They were very informative,” I replied. “Thank you for showing me them.”

She smiled back at me. “You’re welcome, and I agree, it’s so interesting to take a moment and look back through history - even if it’s not your own.”

“That’s the best kind of history, in my opinion. There's always so much to be learned from another culture of civilization.”

I could see the excitement just blossoming all over Twilight’s face. “Well, I’m glad you found our nation’s past so enjoyable.”

I gave a smile to the princess but didn’t say anything more. Uncertainty still hung heavily in my mind whenever I heard that cheerful tone of hers, like there was something she wasn’t telling me just under its friendly surface. Still, even if I didn’t trust her didn’t mean I couldn’t be courteous.

“Tyler, it hasn’t even been one day, don’t get so judgemental.”

With me, Ri, that’s like telling a songbird not to sing so loud. When you’d grown up in a world where people didn’t understand the way your mind works it’s hard to not be suspicious of their actions. Still, the eyes are the window to the soul, and her’s aren’t harmful or deceptive.

By the time we returned to the dining room I could already feel my stomach forming a pit inside me. Not a deep one - only about a foot or so - but even one as shallow as that was nagging out at me. Fortunately not for long, as I was able to fill the pit with the wide variety of fruits the princess was kind enough to provide for me (she herself had settled for some kind of flower sandwich).

It was during this time I was able to make another groundbreaking discovery. I reached for a apple with both my hooves, and, somehow, when I grabbed it, the apple was able to stay in just a single hoof without falling out. I swear, my eyes went as big as the serving bowl! How was this possible, and why hadn’t I discovered it earlier? It would have made that disgusting tidbit with the door nonexistent!

“Um, is something wrong Aurora?” Twilight asked in puzzlement. I pried my eyes away from the apple in my hoof and saw her looking at me like I probably belonged in a mental asylum.

“No,” I said sheepishly. “Just, um, looking some things over.” She seemed to accept my poor excuse for an answer and went back to her sandwich. Just the sight of her eating caused my stomach to claw at my innards, so I finally took a bite out of the apple (and again gawked at the amazing new flavours I tasted).

“These equines never cease to amaze with their physical abilities.” Ri said enthusiastically.

Ten dollars says that they can shapeshift as well.

“I don’t have any use for money in my present state, but challenge accepted.”

I smiled and then turned back to Twilight. “So, not trying to be nosy or anything, but what will you do next?”

Twilight brought a hoof to her chin and swallowed her mouth-full of flowers and bread. “Well, I have a theory on how I might be able to extract the secret of the metal - which shouldn’t take too long for me to test. Just a quick trip to one of the shops in Canterlot to acquire the materials needed.”

“Oh, well good luck with the trip, or do you send guards and servants to get you things from the city?”

“No, I’m more than capable of retrieving my own equipment,” Twilight said, placing her sandwich onto her plate and then looking at me with her big lavender eyes. “Although, I was thinking of asking you about accompanying me.”

That caught me completely off guard and caused me to almost choke on the apple core. “Um, come again, princess?”

“I said that I was thinking of seeing if you’d like to accompany me through Canterlot.” she re-explained. “It’s not a very long trip, maybe ten minutes. tops.”

I set the core on my place and mulled over the options in my mind. The opportunity to see ponies in their mundane life seemed the only thing positive to gain from this venture, and even then it wasn’t something of great value. And though I will admit that this city is less lively than Toronto or Ottawa are back home, it’s still a city. The noise and large groups of people back home had never been kind to my stress levels.

“Tyler, do you mean to tell me you’re going to spend this entire time in the castle?” Ri said in a tone that reminded me eerily of my mother. She used to tell me the same thing about staying home all the time. Sure, I might have stayed too long inside on the computer, but I was at least productive... kinda...

“You know this is a bad idea, right?”

It’s not that Ri, it’s... well, I don’t do very good in large groups of people.

“Well, you’re not going to be there very long,” she countered. “I’m not trying to force anything on you, but staying in the castle until you can go home seems unhealthy.”

“... What exactly are you looking for?” I asked Twilight, though I mulled over what Ri had said.

“Just a Magus Crystal to help in determining the specific magical properties of this metal.” Twilight said. “And judging by your tone I’m guessing you don’t want to come along?”

“No,” I began, but stopped myself. “Er, well, I’ve only been in your land for one day now. I don’t really feel... secure here, you know?”

Twilight gave a small nod. “Yeah, I sort of experienced that feeling when I first arrived in Ponyville. But that’s why I thought this would be a good experience for you. Since we don’t know how long you’re staying for, it’d be best if you got out and experienced how we live here in Equestria.” She paused to take another bite of her sandwich. “I know from personal experience that my trip to Ponyville was extremely beneficial to me.”

“Yeah, I can understand that,” I said.

Twilight frowned. “But you won’t concede?”

“Well, it’s not that I wouldn't love to see your country some more,” I said, not wanting to sound insensitive or ungrateful. “It’s just that I feel you’re trying to get something from me.”

Twilight’s eyes widened in surprise, and I gave myself a mental slap. Stupid! Why would I say that? Now, if she was planning something, she’s going to deny it! Agh, I’m such an idiot!

“TYLER!”

Ri’s voice cut through me like a knife and shut me up. If I could have seen her face, I knew she’d be looking at me with anger and disappointment. “Never insult your intelligence in my presence. Never!”

Ri-

“Don’t interrupt me! You might think that things are hitting rock bottom, but they can get a lot worse. Just look at me...”

“Aurora, are you ok?”

I barely paid any mind to Twilight or her question. I knew that was bad, that it might lead to suspicions. I even felt my ears press close.. but I couldn’t take my focus off of Ri - this shy and obviously troubled girl - and her kindness to me, a total stranger... You’re the first person to talk to me...

“Aurora?”

That time Twilight broke through to me and I looked back to her. “Sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind at the moment - what with being in a foreign country and processing a ton of foreign history.”

“Ah, ok,” she sighed. “And, about what you said earlier, I’m so sorry that I gave off that impression. I guess I’m just a little overly excited - and worried - by all these groundbreaking events. I do promise, though, I am not trying to trick you for information that you don’t want to share.”

Her eyes looked as sincere as ever when she said that. So, either she’s great at lying, I can’t tell people’s - or ponies’- emotional state from their eyes, or she’s telling the truth. Either way, I was beginning to feel like I’d gone full circle in my attitude for the situation. Well, might as well let the chips fall where they will.

“Thank you, Twilight.” I said. “As for your question earlier... yes, I think getting out of the castle might do me some good.”

That seemed to bring the spark back to Twilight’s face. “Great. We’ll head out just after lunch. And I promise it won’t be too long - a quick there and back again, you’ll see. Unless of course you want to stay longer.”

“I’ll decide that when we’re there,” I said, before another thought came up in my mind. “Hey, Twilight?”

“Yes?”

“Have I... um, why haven’t I been offered any clothing?”

Twilight looked at me puzzlingly. “I wasn’t aware you wanted any, but I can easily produce something for you to wear, if you’d like.”

Now it was my turn to be puzzled. “But you’re wearing clothes, and so are all the other ponies in this city.”

Twilight giggled. “I’d hardly call my crown clothing, Aurora. As for the ponies of Canterlot, they only really wear their outfits due to their social class. In most parts of Equestria, ponies don’t normally wear any clothing outside of basic things like scarves in winter time.”

I didn’t really know how to process that. I mean, on the one hand I wasn’t technically “exposed” if other ponies go around without clothing. On the other, the fact that social classes were expressed through clothing was something I really didn’t want to have to deal with. That pretty much meant that the aristocrats were going to be like the Victorian Era, very uptight and uncaring for those “below” them.

Then again, I might be wrong. History has clearly shown that these ponies are not humans.

“So, do you want to wear something? I’m sure we have some formal wear you can borrow.”

I expected myself to say “yes” almost instantly, but, strangely, I didn’t. No that I really put the thought into it, I hadn’t felt the slightest bit uncomfortable about being without clothing. Except of course when - No! No! Not thinking about that!

“No, it’s good!” I blurted out, desperately wanting to take my mind away from my anatomy. “I mean, er, it’s not that big of a deal, I guess.”

Twilight looked at me oddly for a second. “Alright then, but if you change your mind the option is still there." She then finished the last bite of her sandwich. My stomach gave me a little nudge, so I munched on a pear.

Hey, Ri? I asked in my mind.

“Yes?” She replied softly, and with what sounded like a hint of apprehension. Almost like she expected something bad.

Thanks for that.

There was a pause before she spoke again. “You’re welcome,Tyler.”

So, it looks like we’re going to get that close up of the city after all, I said. You think there’s a chance of us finding something useful?

“It’s doubtful, but not without a slim possibility.”

I set the pear core down beside the apple. Well, like you said, it’s only been one day, and I definitely need something to distract me from this stress.

“Considering your species and gender have been altered, that seems a fairly difficult procedure.”

I felt my heartbeat increase when she said that. You really need to work on those motivational speaking skills. I mean, I thought you were supposed to be helping me?

“I am, but avoiding the problem - as is your current strategy - will accomplish nothing but cause the problem to increase.”

I know! I said maybe a bit too aggressively. When I heard Ri gasp in apprehension, I closed my eyes and breathed. I know Ri...

“Is everything OK, Aurora?” Twilight asked, obviously noticing the neon sign that might as well have been hanging from my head.

No, I thought, but my reply was a small nod. “I’m just a little apprehensive, here.”

“Eager to see Canterlot, huh?” she smiled and stood, the light from the windows reflecting off her golden crown in a way that, strangely, made her appear more regal looking. Perhaps it due to the purple star in the center. “Well, shall we get going?”

“Sure,” I said softly. Carefully I stood up from the table, Twilight watching with apprehension.

Suspecting I'll fall again, Twilight? I thought before dropping back to my still semi awkward quadrupedal stance. Once it was clear I didn't need assistance, Twilight relaxed a little and escorted me through the palace. It didn't take too long for us to reach the main gate - which, like the archives, also had a horseshoe shaped archway above the door. And there, beyond it, was the bustling streets of Canterlot.

Oh boy.

Author's Note

Apologies for the wait with this chapter, but it was an absolute pain to write. School was the main reason for this, but there were also some complications with my writing schedule as well. So, if the chapter's quality seems a little below the norm, I am so sorry for this.

Also, I'd just like to say thank you for sticking with me this far through the story. And I promise, the rest of the chapters are not going to be like this one.