Where to go next? ''edit''

July 22th 2014.

14.02 hour.

Belgium.

''Oh come on.'' I said a bit too loud. '' I've been in this line forever, it's not like I have all the time in the world.'' immediately regretting my choice of words after I told them.

I've been standing in the line for entrance to the portal for the last thirty minutes now.

Not too long I know, but I am a bit impatient and the slow pace the line is progressing isn't helping at all.

Also, my backpack is starting to become a bit heavy.

Having packed all the essentials for my time in Equestria I ended up with quite the load.

Going through my mental checklist again if I had everything, from money to clothes and my toothbrush, my mind slowly started to drift to the question I have asked myself over and over again.

Why of all places did the portal open here?

In the time that I was waiting in the line I was trying to figure out why exactly the portal opened here.

Not that I am complaining about it, it made it all easier for me to go here because it was quite close to where I life.

After all, it is only a train ride away from my home in the Netherlands, which also means that I am relative close to my family, but still. Why here?

No matter how much I thought about it, i couldn't really figure it out. Guess it was just a matter of chance.

But still, think about what would have happened if the portal opened somewhere else.

What if it opened somewhere in America. Just like all those old fashion science fiction stories that I have seen.

Where the ''aliens'' somehow always seem to land or crash.

How would they react to that, seeing how a lot of them where religious and didn't believe in other intelligent life besides our own.

Ha, how times have changed.

Of course not all change was for the better. Shortly after first contact was made groups of the more fanatic religious people came together in protests, forming what is now known as the Earth Liberation Front, or E.L.F. for short, claiming that the portal was evil and that all that came or went through should be ''removed'' from ''gods green Earth''.

Apparently something similar happened in Equestria as well. Groups of various species clamed that the presence of those ''baled apes'', as they referred to us, was a direct threat to the ''proper'' way of life and that our ''infernal'' inventions should not be allowed onto equestrian soil.

They would later become what is now known as Sovereign Equestria.

And of course, don't forget the other side of the spectrum. Where groups of all various species came together to protest against the protest from both E.L.F and Sovereign Equestria.

These groups believed that not only should we combine our knowledge, but go even further than that.

And so the first pony/human, human/griffin and other interspecies relationships started.

Which of course resulted in fights between these groups.

To stop this, a task force was created that would infiltrate the more radical groups and stop them from within should they ever try something.

In time the situation settled down and the E.L.F. disappeared into the background with the occasional incidents here and there.

Sovereign Equestria separated from all who worked with the human ''threat'' and started a new nation somewhere down south, far away from the portal and the ''evil'' that came through.

Many believe that they keep to themself, but there are those who think that they are still planning something to stop the advance of humanity into Equestria.

I kept thinking about the how or what if the entire time I was waiting in line.

After what felt like eternity I reached the checkpoint for passport control.

''Good day sir, might I see your passport?'' A light green pegasus mare with a red mane and a paper with a check mark for a cutie mark asked me.

As I handed over my passport for control I looked over to the area where the portal was located.

There wasn't much to see though from this point as there was a wall build around it making sure you cannot just dash through passport control and go through the portal.

"What is your reason for going to Equestria?'' She asked me.

''Just sightseeing.'' I replied.

''Ok, everything looks in order.'' The pegasus said. ''You also had your currency exchanged for the currency in Equestria?''

''Indeed I have.'' I told her. '' I've been to the bank yesterday and changed my money, so I should not have any problems with that.''

''Also, you are aware of the time difference between Earth and Equestria?''

''Yes, yes I am. There is a difference of about a month between our calendars, also the clock over there is behind compared to  the time here.''

''Very well then, have a nice day sir.''

''Thank you.'' I replied as I took back my passport and went through the security gate heading towards the portal.

As I neared the entrance to the portal room I was told to wait for a moment as there were other people coming through at the moment.

I stood there with a group of other people and ponies alike, even saw a griffin standing in the back, waiting for us to enter the room and finally be on our way.

After five or six minutes, one of the employees of this place came and told us the way was clear for us to enter.

We were told to enter single file to avoid any confusion and pushing.

''This is it.'' I thought. ''Finally I am going to Equestria.''

As I entered the room I was blinded by a bright light.

I was told that that was normal as the portal emits various light waves, but that this was nothing to worry about and that it would pass in a moment.

Sure enough, only a few moments passed and I could see normally again.

Although at first I thought I was still seeing things and it took me a moment to realize what exactly I was looking at.

I was looking at a hole in reality, a tear in the fabric of space and time.

I was looking at the portal.

Never in my life would I have thought it looked like this, nor could I have imagined what it felt like.

This hole in the fabric of reality was not only visible, but you could actually feel it.

It gave off this distinct pulsing sensation, almost like a heartbeat.

A heartbeat I could feel next to my own.

In my mind I was sure that this, this thing was alive.

I know it sounds crazy, but if you have been there you know what I am talking about.

As I was staring at this phenomenon an elderly woman stepped forward and started to explain what we had to do next.

''Ok lady's, gentleman, mare's, gentle colts and all others present here.' If you would please look at me so I can explain what you need to do to safely go through the portal and what to do when you are on the other side.'' She waited until all of us where looking at here and where listening to what she was saying.

''First of, my name is Emely Burg and I am responsible to get you safely through to the other side'.

Now those of you that have gone through the portal before will know that there will be some disorientation when entering and exiting.

Those of you who have not been through the portal before should know that when you enter you will feel a bit dizzy and even a bit nauseous, the same goes for when you exit the portal.'' She paused for a moment to take a breath.

''This happens due to the temporal displacement you will go through when stepping in the portal.

Basically you will exist and not exist at the same time. Now this sound troubling, but I assure you that this is not as bad as it sounds.

Thousands and thousands of others have been through this process without any problems, so we know it is safe.''

She spoke to us in a calm voice to reassure us all.

''We have heard that taking a deep breath just before you enter the portal helps with this feeling, just don't exhale immediately when you step out of the portal, instead, slowly breath out and you should have the least discomfort from this process.''

''Now we will let you through one at a time, when you reach the other side please step away from the platform so you will not hinder the others and avoid any accidents.'' She told us before continuing.

''I will send you through fifteen seconds after the other. We learned that this is the best time to do so as it gives enough time to go through and step away and keep a decent pace.''

She then turned to the first person in line. '' Sir you are the first in line so if you would be so as kind to step through the portal and be on your way.''

As she led him through the portal he disappeared in a flash of light.

Emely then turned to the second in line, a purple unicorn with a dark purple mane with a pink steak going through it and what looked like a star burst for a cutie mark, and told her to get ready to enter the portal.

As I looked to those in front of me to see how long I had to wait, I noticed that there were only four more in front of me.

''Looks like I am going through faster than I thought.'' I thought to myself as the purple unicorn was led through the portal.

After the others in front of me where all led through the portal Emely turned to me.''  Sir are you ready?'' She asked me.

''As ready as I will ever be.'' I replied.

Emely led me to the portal and before I stepped through she reminded me about taking a deep breath and to slowly exhale when I came through on the other side.

Whit this last minute piece of advice I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and stepped forward.

                    __________________________________________________________

My whole world was upside down, Emely said there might be some disorientation, but this was ridiculous.

Up was down, left was right, inside was outside, there where colors everywhere. Some colors I didn't even knew existed, and I knew I wouldn't be able to describe them because there are no words in existence to do so.

I tried to close my eyes but noticed that I didn't appear to have any eyes.

In the panic that followed on that realization I remembered what Emely said about existing and not existing at the same time.

I guess this is that then.

I am aware of my self, I can feel, see and hear, but I don't seem to have a body, WHAT THE FUCK!

As my world continued to flip up and down, left and right, in and out I started to wonder how long I had to go through this carnival ride from hell.

                    __________________________________________________________

July 22th. 2014.

15.33 hour.

Earth time.

August 03th. 1006.

11.54 hour

Equestrian time.

After what seemed like hours I stepped out on the other side and explosively exhaled. I knew I shouldn't have done that, but I just reacted.

As I did that the slight nausea I had increased dramatically.

As I stood there trying not to throw up an earth pony stallion approached me, clearly having seen this reaction before, and helped me of the platform and went to help the next one that came through.

I stood there, hands on knees, panting and trying not to throw up.

The other humans that went before me didn't look much better, guess it was their first time too, but that purple unicorn I saw before gave me a look that said she clearly wasn't impressed. ''Oh yeah like you did better the first time.'' I thought.

After a couple of minutes I was feeling a lot better and didn't feel the urge to vomit over my shoes, so I stood there waiting for the rest to come through so we could be led to the exit.

When all the others had come through and all where able to walk away without feeling sick we made our way to the exit of this facility.

As I looked around to what this building looked like in comparison to the one back at Earth I noticed that there were a lot of materials used that wouldn't even be considered back home.

Not because it was cheap or bad, but the complete opposite.

I saw gold, marble, jewels as big as my fist and larger.

I've never seen anything like it. ''WOW these ponies are loaded.'' I thought.

As my eyes almost fell out of there sockets as I tried to look at it all in amazement my sight fell on a sign above the exit.

It wasn't much compared to all the shiny gems or gold that was everywhere.

Just a large sign hanging above the exit.

But what drew my attention to it was what was written on it.

WELCOM TO MANEHATTAN.

'' Manehattan'' I muttered to myself. ''Really, that sounds really familiar.

As our group exited the building most went they're separate ways.

Some, like me stayed to look mat the large map on the wall in front of us trying to figure out where to go next.

''Hmmm... I am here.'' I said to myself. ''But where is that city against that mountain?'' I thought.

As I looked over the map to where I had to go, I couldn't help but notice some of the names of their citys.

There was Manehattan, where I was, Trottingham, Las Pegasus, Canterlot, Neighoming and more like that.

''What the hell.'' I thought. ''Is every name a pun around here?''

As I thought that, I noticed a mint green unicorn with a bluish grey mane and golden eye's and what I thought was a lyre for a cutie mark, standing next to me.

She appeared to look at the map too, but somehow I had the feeling she was looking at my hands the entire time, but that must just have been my imagination.

Not knowing where my impossible city was I decided to just ask her and be on my way.

''Excuse me, miss, could you perhaps help me. I seem to be a bit lost.''

''Of course'' she said. Again I had the feeling she looked more to my hands than to me, but I ignored it.

''I'm looking for a city I've heard of but do not now the name of, I forgot to look it up in my excitement to go here.''

I said while laughing sheepishly and rubbing the back of my neck.

''I can understand she replied.'' laughing softly herself. ''Do you know what it looks like or now some other distinct feature of it?''

''Well, I know it is built against the side of a mountain.'' I told her.

She looked at me for a moment before bursting out in laughter.

''Eehhh, did I said something funny?'' I asked, only making her laugh harder.

''Hahaha.. you..you're..haha you're talking about Canterlot.'' she finally managed to say. ''The main capital of Equestria hahaha.'' She said before bursting out in laughter again.

''Eehh, ok... Well do I feel stupid now.'' I said more to myself than her, but the mare still responded to it.

''Oh, haha no it's, heh, it's alright. I can understand that all this is quite new and unknown to you.'' She told me while still snickering every now and then.

''So, Canterlot you said it was.'' I asked her.

''Yes, see it is right there.'' she said while pointing at the location on the map. '' It´s about two and a half hours away by train. The station is that way.'' She pointed towards a building about 10 minutes walking away.

''You should be able to find more information there.''

''Ah, thank you miss.'' I paused thinking. '' You know, after this somewhat awkward moment for me, I think it is only fair if I introduced myself and thank you for your help.'' I said while I knelt before her so I was at eye level with here and extended my hand.

For a moment I thought she looked somewhat in awe at my hand, but I shook that thought off as she placed her hoof in my hand and we shook.

''I'm Sam, Sam Richards.''

''Lyra Heartstrings.'' She told me.

'' Well miss Heartstrings.'' Just Lyra mister Richards. Lyra said while putting a bit to much emphasis on the word mister

''Hah, well than Lyra, thank you for your help.''

''You're welcome Sam.''

'Well, seeing that I now know where to go I better be on my way and leave you to your own business.'' I told her as I stood up. '' Once again, thanks for your help and it's a pleasure meeting you.''

''Oh, the pleasure is all mine.'' Lyra told me while chuckling softly.

''I bet it was.' Well I better go now.'Goodbye Lyra, maybe we will see each other again.''

''Goodbye Sam, and maybe we will.''

I waved at Lyra while walking to the train station she pointed out at me.

                    __________________________________________________________

Several minutes earlier.

''Boss, agent double H reporting in. I have the subject in my sights.'' A light green pegasus with red mane and a paper with a check mark for cutie mark told her superior while keeping an eye out at the human she was ordered to follow.

Good, any interesting to report?''

''Negative, after letting him through at the passport control there hasn't been much interesting to report.

I went after him after about ten minutes so he wouldn't see me. Other than that nothing new.''

''And what is he doing now?''

'' He seems to be looking at a map near the exit from the portal facility and... Wait he just started to talk to a unicorn mare who stood next to him. Hold on, let me get closer to hear what they are talking about.''

She said while quietly making here way towards the human and unicorn.

The unicorn suddenly burst out laughing for no apparent reason, confusing double H.

As she got closer she stared to pick up on the conversation.

''...you... you're talking about Canterlot.'' Double H heard the unicorn say.''The main capital of Equestria hahaha.'' She said before she burst out in laughter again.

''Eehh, ok... Well do I feel stupid now.'' The human said.

''What is this all about?'' Double H thought.

''Oh, haha no it's, heh, it's alright. I can understand that all this is quite new and unknown to you.'' The mare told the human, snickering every now and then.

''So, Canterlot you said it was.'' He asked her.

''Yes, see it is right there.'' she said while pointing at the location on the map. ''It´s about two and a half hours away by train. The station is that way.'' She pointed towards a building about 10 minutes walking away.

''You should be able to find more information there.''

''Wait, this human didn't even know where Canterlot is, what a moron.'' Double H said softly to herself.

''Ah, thank you miss.'' The human said. ''You know, after this somewhat awkward moment for me I think it is only fair if I introduced myself and thank you for your help.'' He said while kneeling before her so he was at eye level with here and extended his hand.

''...you... you're talking about Canterlot.'' Double H heard the unicorn say.''The main capitol of Equestria hahaha.'' She said before bursting out in laughter again.

''Eehh, ok... Well do i feel stupid now.'' The human said.

''What is this all about?'' Double H thought.

''Oh, haha no it's, heh, it's alright. I can understand that all this is quite new and unknown to you.'' The mare told the human, snickering every now and then.

''So, Canterlot you said it was.'' He asked her.

''Yes, see it is right there.'' she said while pointing at the location on the map. ''It´s about two and a half hour away by train. The station is that way.'' She pointed towards a building about 10 minuts walking away.

''You should be able to find more information there.''

''Wait, this human didn't even know where Canterlot is, what a moron.'' Double H said softly to her self.

''Ah, thank you miss.'' The human said. ''You know, after this somewhat awkward moment for me i think it is only fair if i introduced my self and thank you for your help.'' He said while kneeling before her so he was at eye level with here and extended his hand.

''Huh, seems like she has a thing for hands.'' Double H thought as she noticed the look in the mare's eyes when she looked just a bit too long at the hand offered to her.

''I'm Sam, Sam Richards.'' The human said

''Lyra Heartstrings.'' She responded

''Lyra Heartstrings huh, good to know.''

''Well miss Heartstrings.' Just Lyra mister Richards.'' Lyra told Sam while putting a bit to much emphasis on the word mister.

''Hah, well than Lyra, thank you for your help.''

''You're welcome Sam.''

'Well, seeing that I now know where to go I better be on my way and leave you to your own business.'' He told her as he stood up. '' Once again, thanks for your help and it's a pleasure meeting you.''

''Oh, the pleasure is all mine.'' Lyra told me while chuckling softly.

''As it is mine.''

Double H whispered.

''I bet it was.' Well I better go now.'Goodbye Lyra, maybe we will see each other again.''

''Goodbye Sam, and maybe we will.''

Double H slowly moved back to the position she first was to observe Sam.

''Hmmm... Boss did you get all that?''

''Most of it.''

''Noting much special, apparently the idiot just didn't now where the main capital was.''

''Indeed, anything interesting on the mare?''

''nothing I could see, should I follow her to make sure?''

''No need, she is just some bystander, nothing to worry about. Just keep on your current objective and follow that human. Is the tracking device Red Cross has implanted in him is still working as it should after going through the portal?''

''Yes sir, the signal is still strong and on the move, he is currently going towards Manehattan station.''

''Excellent, stay close to him but don't let him see you and report anything interesting.''

''Yes sir.''

                    __________________________________________________________

As I made my way to the train station I couldn't help but notice the many similarities between the architecture of our worlds.

Sure the buildings where smaller to an extend, but the similarities where quite noticeable.

I knew this was due to the cooperation between our worlds, we learned them about high levels of technology and they helped us through the use of magic, especially with the pegasi´s ability to manipulate the weather, which has helped prevent drought, hurricanes and other weather mishaps we couldn´t control ourselves.

I've heard that before we thought them about our technology and how to use it their society was more like ours was about one hundred fifty to two hundred years ago,

So, yeah, quite the leap forward. And now both world have been working together to not only improve the understanding we have about each other, but also to combine our knowledge and create both new forms of technology and magic.

This has let to many great discoveries.

It all started with the first form of magiTec. The first successful combined form of magic and technology.

Of course now the invention of a personal levitation gauntlet seems rather mundane, but at the time it was a tremendous breakthrough for both parties involved.

Before the invention of the personal levitation gauntlet  or P.L.G. for short, unicorns where the only ones that could use levitation, but now we all could use this form of magic, this of course caused for quite the shift in what ponies, people and others could do and what they couldn´t.

This in turn caused for quite an uproar with Sovereign Equestria who saw this as a threat towards unicorns in general.

Claiming that this was just the first step to make the sacred art of manipulating magic that all unicorns are born with into something cheap, something you can just get in the local store instead of it being a birthright.

Of course it didn't stop with just the P.L.G.

In time there were many great inventions that changed all our lives for the better.

My personal favorite is the MAGlev car, which stand for magical levitated car.

Oh yeah flying cars.

I still remember the news report on it. And most of all the look on the faces of the ponies present.

Apparently they relied on pony pulled chariots and to see a ''chariot'' not just move on their own, as they first saw with our normal cars, but even fly without the help of a pegasus to pull it, Well they were awestruck to say the least.

And it seems that this upwards spiral of inventions has also led to the creation of the medication I am now relying on to slow down my brain cancer.

As I arrived at the train station i noticed a large picture on the wall showing a rather colorful, almost childish train on it.

A sign next to it read.

The friendship Express,

the train that connected the city's before the introduction of the high-speed bullet train technology by the humans.

''So this is what their train's looked like before we helped improve them'' I thought after reading the sign, ''Seems like a good thing too, this one seems like it was designed by a four-year old. And are that ponies pulling it?'' I asked myself.

Did they really have ponies pulling something as heavy as a train, and why? Surly they must have some sort of magic to move the train, or perhaps a steam engine of some sorts. '' Weird.'' I thought.

After looking  at the picture of the 'train' I made my way over to the main hall to buy my ticket to Canterlot and be on my way.

Seeing there was quite the line for the ticket booth I prepared my self for yet another wait when one of the closet booths opened up.

Quickly, before someone else could get there before me I rushed over there and get my ticket to my mystery city.

''Good day mister, how can I help you?'' The man behind the booth asked me.

''One ticket to Canterlot please.''

''Very well.'' He replied as he worked on his computer. ''And here you go, your train will arrive in another ten minutes at platform nine.'' He informed me.

''And where is platform nine exactly?'' I asked him as I paid for the ticket.

''Go right over there.'' He said while pointing towards a hallway on my left. ''Follow that hallway and take a right at the end, can't miss it.''

''Ah, thank you sir.'' I said as I picked up my ticket and went towards where he indicated.

After following the directions given to me I arrived at platform nine with some time to spare before the train arrived, I figured that, just like back home the train would be delayed for several minutes, so I spend my time looking around once again and take in the scenery.

Unlike the portal facility this place looked more old fashioned, more like the architectural style I've heard these ponies had before we humans showed up.

That didn't mean that it was all old though. As I looked around I could easily see many forms of technology we introduced into their society, from the electrical lighting, computers, pda's ponies where using, or the escalators I used just a moment ago, it was an odd mixture of both old and new.

As I looked at all this the train arrived at the station.'' Wait, that doesn't seem right. ''I thought. ''The train is actually on time, weird.''

As the train came to a stop I noticed that it was a world apart from its predecessor.

Instead of a colorful train pulled by ponies, a large sleek looking MAGlev. bullet train was in front of me.

''No way, they've got a MAGlev. train, why did I still had to use on of those old fashioned trains with wheels back in Belgium.''

I said out loud, a bit annoyed with the crappy train system back home.

As I looked at the train I would be in in a moment i couldn't help but notice a rather unique feature.

The train still uses tracks.

These trains use the same principle as our MAGlev cars and go anywhere the want without tracks, but apparently they chose to keep them on a rail specially designed for this.

Instead of wheels to ride on it creates a magical levitation field between its underside and the rail to hover on.

''Hmm, I wonder why they chose to put it on a rail?''

As the passengers already on the train started to leave the announcement came that my train had arrived.

''Yeah yeah, I know it is here, just let me get onboard.'' I thought, being rather impatient cause I really wanted to go.

After the last of the passengers that went of the train had left, I made my way in the train, accidentally knocking over a pony couple saying goodbye, after a hasty apology to the yellow and orange earth pony mare with a trio of carrots for a cutie mark and the grey and purple unicorn stallion who had a unrolled scroll for his mark, I made my way on board and taking place at the first spot I found silently proclaiming ''This is my spot.''

After several long minutes all the passengers where finally on board and the train started to move, heading towards Canterlot.

''This is it, finally I am going there, to see it for real.'' I thought as a large smile found its way onto my face.

As I looked out of the window to the landscape that flashed by, I started to wonder about all that i would see in this world of magic, sure I'm going to Canterlot now and fulfill a lifelong dream of mine. But there is more out there than just this one city and I want to see as much of it as I could.

As I sat there thinking and planning about what I would do once I arrived at Canterlot an occasional question would pop up making me even more exited for all that I would see.

''Where to go next.'' I thought with an increasingly growing smile while already planning where I would go after I've been to Canterlot. ''Where to go next.''