Rise

A story by somedude726

RISE

Chapter 3: Day On The Town

The six ponies galloped with every last ounce of energy to the train station. The past twenty minutes after leaving Jason for them has been going to their homes to pack, say respective goodbyes to whoever they needed to, Spike for Twilight for example. The run was hectic, with adrenaline taking place the ponies went faster than they knew they could. All of them were thinking the same thoughts. They knew a certain somepony that could have done the terrible things to Jason's world. Well.. not really somepony. But, that didn't matter to them, all they were thinking was to get to Canterlot as soon as possible.

It didn't help that Twilight got a response from her mentor yet, either.

***

"Hey. Big guy. I'm going out for a bit."

"Eeyup."

"..Seeya."

After taking just a brief minute or two to look around the house, I was up and out the door. Letting Big Mac know I was gonna go see the town, I left.

Oh. My. God. What. Air. What is this. A sun. Holy shit. The sky isn't cloudy. I'm not freezing.

The sunlight quickly entered my eyes and gave me its warmth. I was wearing a dark blue sweater and jeans, and with the sun being out.. I was actually getting hot, and started to sweat a bit, whilst shielding my eyes. But oh, was it worth it, to be outside again! In nice weather! The occasional wind blowing through was wonderful. I slowly stepped forward, and seen the gravel path leading down some hills, presumably to Ponyville. I took a look around, and seen a large barn right next to the house, and an apple orchard just down the way. Farm animals were all around the area. Yeah, Orangey did say this'd be a farm. I continued walking the path, as the town finally came into sight. Just a little ways now. I wasn't even sure that I really wanted to go back so much now, if the weather is like this. Seriously. It was bothering me, how.. amazing it was out. There really is a difference between storms and normal autumn weather.

Then, I finally remembered something. They didn't even know what a human was. I had to explain my extremely little knowledge about politics, government, and well, my enormous knowledge about technology. So wherever I am, is gonna be inhabited by these ponies. Well, Twilight did already tell everyone I'm here. Somehow. I guess this is a small place. Jeez, I'm gonna be an alien to them. Eh, they're gonna be aliens to me too. This'll be a fuuuun day....

So after another ten to fifteen minutes, I end up in the town of Ponyville. I was right, the place is pretty damn small. It had an old medieval kinda look to it, but it worked. It was a nice little village. Looked great. I might need to compliment the builders of this place. Huh, now I'm wondering how they built all this without fingers. Great, that's gonna bother me for a while now. Ponies trotted around town, going in and out of shops, restaurants and such. Oh god, restaurants. What am I gonna eat while I'm here? Ugh. Now that I had restaurants on the mind, I realized I was starving. Well, I was unconscious for twelve hours apparently. I didn't even get to eat my sandwich before that. Shit I need to eat. Judging by the sun's location, and brightness, I had to conclude that it was around dinner time anyway. How in the fuck I managed to do that I have no idea whatsoever. Maybe that kinda just, happens or something here. So, I need to eat. Let's eat something. Alright. Yep. Let's go. And eat pony food. Shit.

I walked around for a few minutes, and ended up in the town square. A statue of a pony galloping was in the middle, with benches around. Ponies running their own kiosks were all around. Selling vegetables for the most part. Otherwise fruits and/or desserts of sorts. One selling what I think was apples seemed to be closed. I just sat on a bench looking as the ponies walked around, smiles on their faces, going on with their days. Most going to eat dinner. I was greeted by a few, a simple 'hello' or a few questions about what humanity is like, as I just sat for a moment. Trying to decide where I should eat. That wasn't gonna work sadly, as I had noticed, I can't read pony. I can communicate perfect English with them, but nope, can't read pony. Goddammit. Thankfully, one certain teal unicorn had seemed very adamant about showing me a nice place to eat. I was currently walking alongside her, as we went to what I think was a sandwich place.

"So, you use your, hands to grip things right? Fingers and all?" she asked. She was very interested in my hands.

"Yeah. We kinda.. kinda just.." I motioned grabbing an object with my hand. "..that. We do that. Wrap our fingers around stuff." I answer, wiggling my fingers around, before putting them back to my side.

"Awesomeee! Oh, oh! Are.. are those good for tummy rubs?" the pony asked me, examining my hand as we walked. It was getting creepy now.

"..I guess. I never gave very many.. uh.. tummy rubs. Why do you ask?" I answered again.

She suddenly got this huge grin on her face, and stopped. Standing alongside her, she continued to examine my hand with her hooves. Then, her eyes widened, and her grin fell short as she dropped my hand.

"A-ah. You know what. Sorry about that. Nevermind. Besides, we're here." she blushed, and replied. Kay. Wait, since when can ponies-- whatever.

I looked ahead, and yeah, there was indeed a place in front of us. A place in which we probably eat. It had some outer tables, and a fancy-looking waiter standing nearby them. Looked like a male. Behind the tables was a large building, and from what I can tell through the windows, some booths and such. Other than the fancy waiter, it looked casual. More like a lunch place, than one you'd go for dinner, though. Bah, I'm from what seems to be a different world, I don't know these things. Right, different world.. Wonder if I get to go home. Hm. I should figure some things out. First of all, this weather is--

"Hey! Jason! Anyone home?" I was distracted by a sudden knock on my forehead. Oh. The green pony that's showing me where to eat. She's still here. Right.

"O-oh. Yeah. Sorry about that." I nodded, and followed as she walked in front of me, to sit at table the fancy waiter showed us to. I hadn't even noticed she told the waiter to get us a table. As she got on the chair and sat on her rump, much like the others did earlier, I noticed two things. First of all, I'm gonna break this goddamn chair the second I sit in it. Second, she has a tattoo on.. on.. her butt. That's right, when I was sitting before, I had noticed this. All the adult ponies, or, horses I guess, had this tattoo. Hers, was a lyre. Wonder what that means?

"Hey. I haven't got to learn much about this place since I got here. Still don't know how, but I plan to find out. Anyway. I'm not sure how to go about this but uhh.. I've noticed this thing about the ponies here.." I started, slowly sitting down on the chair, somehow not utterly destroying it into pieces.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"Well, there's.. there's this thing I've seen.. on ponies'.. derriere.."

"..Derriere?"

"Yeah, derriere that's.. that's French, there's French here right?"

"Of course there's French."

"Yeah, well, there's this.. this thing, on everyone's.. derriere."

"..Derriere."

"Yes, that's.. that's French it's.."

"I don't understand.."

"It's pretty common, it's.. it's like.."

"Can't you just say it..? I.. I don't speak French.."

"Well no, I.. okay I could, but.. y'see.."

"Derriere.. I have never heard that word in my life. Ever."

"It means butt."

"..."

"Well it actually means behind, but.." I finally explained, and rested my head on my arms. She was blushing way more than she was earlier, and seemed pretty nervous. And then she started giggling. What?

And within just a few moments she started laughing out loud, almost tipping her chair over. Ponies around started staring at us a bit from the sudden outburst.

"Ohh my... yes, that's called a cutie mark." she answered finally, after her laughing fit stopped. I nodded.

"Ah. So, what's it mean? It just a tattoo?" I asked again.

"A tattoo?" she returned my question with another.

"Well it's like.."

"..Go on."

"It's this.. this design, right? You get this design, drawn into your arm, or back or whatever. I never had it done before, but I hear it's done with lasers."

"So, they draw a picture on you with lasers."

"That's what the rumors say! Goddamn tattoos. No wonder they got banned."

"..Lasers."

"Lasers."

"Humans let each other get laser'd."

"It's an odd place," I said, finally deciding to check out the menu. The waiter's probably gonna-- oh look there he is.

"Hello sir and madame. Vat vould you like to order?" a different waiter than before came, only taking a moment to look me over. Eh, everyone'll do that probably. This pony however, was French dammit! I knew it, they have French here!

"I have no fucking idea whatsoever." I blurted out, and took a look at the first page on the menu. Daisy sandwiches? Wait.. oh SHIT. That's right. They're.. they're.. the things that aren't meat-eaters. The hell am I gonna eat?

"Hahaha! Um, excuse him. We'll have the.. hm.. Jason, what do humans eat?" the unicorn in front of me asked. Damn. How do I go about doing this?

"..Y'see, my friend, us humans.."

"Yeees."

"We kinda.. kinda eat.."

"Why do you keep doing that?"

"Doing.. doing what? What do I do?"

"That! I.. nevermind. Continue."

"Kay well. Our diet.. consists of.. okay screw this. We eat meat. That's how we get protein and shit." I answered her. The two ponies before seemed a bit taken aback by this, but didn't freak out. Thank god for that. Don't need to freak out the ponies by meat and stuff.

"Ohh. Well, they don't have meat here. There might be some griffon place somewhere that does, but... for now, you're gonna have to have vegetables and plants. That okay?" she responded, albeit a bit nervously. I nodded. Maybe it'd do me some good to have some vegetables, but.. I'd kill for a hamburger right about now.

"You have lettuce sandwiches? I think I can roll with that." I asked the waiter, and he nodded as he wrote down my order. This is gonna be so filling, I can feel it.. oh god. Why must I only eat lettuce and bread when I haven't eaten for like a day.

"I'll have the daisy sandwich, myself," the unicorn said, closing her menu. I closed mine as well, and put it on the table. Around then I noticed something. This pony.. she already knew my name, probably thanks to Twilight.. but I never even asked for hers. Smooth, bro, smooth.

"So, hey. I never really got your name," I said to her as the waiter walked away.

"Oh! I didn't tell you? I'm so sorry! M-My name is Lyra Heartstrings." she answered with a smile. Huh, her name is somewhat.. human-like.

"Cool." I replied, nodding. And now we wait.

***

Twilight Sparkle and her friends were still on the train to Canterlot. Just ten minutes before, they had gotten on, and entered their car. It was pretty small for six ponies to all share, but it was only for a few hours. Currently the five sat on the couch, trying to think of things to do to pass the time. The other of their friends, the sixth, was hogging the bed taking a nap, so that was out. Twilight couldn't help but wonder about Jason. Where did he come from? Is he okay in Ponyville? Will he be able to return to his home? Will he even want to? and more questions swirled around in her head. But one.. one certain question arised more, tugging at her, she desperately needed an answer.

Was it actually Discord who took him?