Italy and Germany had entered Ponyville a bit after France and Prussia, Italy bouncing up and down like a certain pink pony. Germany walked behind him, a bit slower. How did this happen? Normally England's magic just screwed up something normal, like their genders or their hair color. Transporting them into a different dimension was something else entirely. Arthur had in fact once told him that his brother Scotland was the only one who had magic on that level. So how did he get them all here? Had Scotland attempted the same spell at the same time? Germany had never met the red-haired Scotsman before, but he knew that he had a reputation for mischief.

"Ve Germany, look at that! Do you think we could have a snack?" Italy asked/begged, breaking Germany from his train of thought. Germany looked up, seeing a building that greatly resembled a gingerbread house at Christmas. A sign hung over its door, proudly declaring the building as 'Sugarcube Corner'. Germany sighed. He wasn't really hungry, but he knew that Italy wouldn't go any farther unless he had a snack.

"Ja, I suppose we can." Germany relented, and Italy cheered, bouncing over to the door and entering. Germany ran to catch up.

"Italy, you should not enter a building unless invited!" He shouted, gaining many stares and odd looks as he thundered into Sugarcube Corner. He stopped running to prevent crashing into the counter. A light blue pony with a swirly pink and white mane and three cupcakes for a Cutie Mark looked at him concernedly.

"It's quite alright, mister. We're quite used to hyper ponies around here." She laughed. As if to prove her point, a vibrant pink pony with a darker pink mane bounded out of the door which Germany assumed to be the kitchen, with a plate of cupcakes balanced perfectly on her head.

"Here's your order, Mrs. Cake!" She said happily, sliding the plate onto the counter. She straightened up, then froze when she saw two NEW ponies. The yellow one had his hoof planted on the smaller chestnut one's head. This, however, only concerned Mrs. Cake. Pinkie Pie suddenly let out a gasp as though she were trying to suck in the entire store, then bolted back into the kitchen so fast a trail of smoke followed her. A new pony walked out, covered in cake batter.

"Sorry 'bout Pinkie Pie, she's always like that." She laughed. Her coat was orange, and she had a few freckles dotting her cheeks. Both her mane and tail were straw yellow, with a band in each like a ponytail. A worn brown cowboy hat sat on top of her head. Her appearance combined with her accent and attitude gave Germany the impression that she would be good friends with America. "Ah'm Applejack, pleased to meet ya." She extended a hoof and Germany shook it, letting up Italy in the process.

"Ve! I'm Ita-oof!" Germany had elbowed him in the chest. "I mean, I'm Feliciano!" Italy quickly covered up his mistake. Despite his personality, Italy wasn't as stupid as people thought. He knew that they shouldn't reveal their real identities yet. Being the Element of Honesty, Applejack had a rather uncanny ability to know when others were lying, but didn't press it.

"And I am Ludwig. We are new to this town, and my friend wanted a snack." He explained, pointing a hoof to Italy. Mrs. Cake disappeared behind the counter, then reappeared holding up two strawberry sundaes.

"Here, you can both have these on the house because you're new here!" She said happily. Italy 've'd excitedly and grabbed his. Germany sighed, but took his politely and led Italy to a booth, where the brown pegasus began to eat hungrily. Applejack slid in next to them.

"Just a little warnin' for ya'll; Pinkie Pie's gonna be throwin' a huge party for ya'll tonight. Its nothing to worry about, she does it for every new pony." She told the two as Ludwig looked up in alarm.

"It is not that. I am merely concerned, that is all." He explained carefully.

"Ve~ Don't worry about him!" Italy said happily to a confused Applejack. "He likes to be all mysterious and grouchy. He doesn't trust new people easily at all!" He finished, turning back to his sundae. Before he could dig in again, Ludwig slammed his head into the table.

"A-Are ya sure ya'll should be hittin' him so much?" Applejack asked, a bit afraid of Ludwig now. Ludwig grunted.

"He will never become strong if he doesn't learn to endure pain." Was his answer for Applejack, nonetheless letting Italy up. Seemingly unhurt, Italy just kept eating. After two bites he stopped, looking up at Germany.

"Ve~ I have gone through pain like you have, Ludwig. Every one of us has." He said quietly, and Germany's gaze softened. Germany sighed.

"I'm sorry Feliciano. I just want you to be able to stand up for yourself without me or Kiku to help you." He apologized, and Italy beamed up at him.

"Someday I will Ludwig. One day, I won't disappoint you when you tell me to do something!" Italy laughed. Germany allowed himself a small smile, nearly giving Applejack a heart attack. Ludwig didn't look like the kind of pony who smiled very often. Even though he was scary and seemed mean, Applejack could tell that he really did care about Feliciano like a little brother. Applejack could relate, having Apple Bloom as her little sister and Big Mac for her older brother. Italy looked up at her.

"Ve~ What were you doing here, Applejack?" He asked innocently.

"Well ya see, my family grows the finest apples in Equestria, and Ah was helpin' Pinkie Pie with a new apple pie recipe." She laughed. Equestria…so that's where we are. Germany stored that new bit of info away for future use.

~Back with Rainbow Dash and America~

"Wait up! I can't fly much faster!" America cried, his wings pumping as fast as they could to keep in pace with Rainbow Dash. She was nothing more than a blur in front of him, and he could feel himself falling behind and losing altitude. Her mocking laugh reached his ears, and he pushed away the pain. He pushed himself to fly faster, no matter how much it hurt. He slowly caught up to her, heartbeat pounding in his ears and vision blurry.

Dang…he's real fast, even by my standards. Better go Sonic Rainboom. Rainbow Dash thought as she saw America pulling up in her peripheral vision. She poured on the speed, and he did as well. With a start, she noticed the same kind of arrow forming around him that signaled when she was going to do a Sonic Rainboom. I'm the only pegasus who can do a Rainboom! I'll show him! She thought viciously, angling down.

"Had enough yet, America?" She teased as the ground grew closer. He laughed, slightly out of breath.

"Are you kidding? This is nothing! After all…" He trailed off. Rainbow Dash let loose the Sonic Rainboom at the same moment America let out all the raw energy pent up inside him. He soared into the sky, a trail of red, white and blue following him. "I'M THE HERO!" He shouted, flying in a star-formation. Rainbow Dash stopped, slack-jawed.

"But…I'm the only one who can do a Sonic Rainboom." She protested. America laughed.

"It's not a Rainboom. It's a Hero Star!" He breathed, then he passed out, plummeting towards the ground. Rainbow gasped, flying downwards to catch him. She managed to wrap her arms around him not ten seconds before they hit the ground. There was no time to stop, and Rainbow Dash thought, Oh look, Zecora, before both her and America slammed into China and Russia. The pile of ponies rolled a couple of feet, kicking up dirt and blades of grass. The four ponies were an indistinguishable pile of tangled limbs and tails. For a moment, there was silence as Zecora and the CMC stood frozen, still in shock. Finally, somepony broke the silence.

"Kolkolkolkol…" Russia chanted, his trademark purple aura surrounding what was visible of him. China leapt out of the pile with a very manly yelp of fear, not wanting to be caught by Russia's chant, but stumbled, his left foreleg bent at an odd angle.

"Ow!" He shouted, falling to the ground on his twisted leg. Rainbow Dash poked her head up, slowly untangling herself and America.

"Flying that fast must have taken a lot out of him." She noted as America stirred, eyelids fluttering open with a groan to see Russia glaring at him. He whimpered slightly, but stood up and brushed himself off.

"Sorry." He muttered, not wanting to be heard apologizing to the 'commie bastard'. China spoke up.

"Don't mind me, it's just a leg, I'll live aru…" He shouted angrily, his leg throbbing. Russia turned his back on America and trotted over to China. He took one look at his leg, and slung China over his back without a word. China squeaked and blushed, struggling slightly.

"Put me down, aru! I'll walk!" He protested.

"You cannot walk on that leg." Russia said simply. China grumbled, but stopped squirming. America laughed.

"You two look so cute together!" He giggled and Rainbow Dash snorted. He soon stopped, seeing China's Death Glare of Doom ™. "Never mind. Who are they?" He asked, pointing a hoof at Zecora and the CMC. Rainbow Dash looked over.

"That's Zecora, my number one fan Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom." She explained. America nodded, extending a hoof to Zecora.

"Sorry if I startled you. I'm America, the hero!" He laughed. After everyone got acquainted with one another, America noticed nearly an hour had passed. The three country/ponies said their goodbyes and headed for the pond, America in front and China resting on Russia's back. The other country/ponies did the same, and now we shall do a fancy Timeskip to the pond :D.

(Warning! This scene contains Hetaoni references!)

"Alright dudes! This place, Equestria or whatever, is totally rockin', yo!" America announced, the ten countries sitting in a circle near the pond with the Mane 6. Japan and Canada were attending to China's leg while America talked. Canada and Fluttershy had arrived early with each nation's respected pets, and China was cuddling with his panda while they worked on his leg.

"I like this place. People actually notice I exist." Canada chimed in. France and Rarity were sitting next to each other, holding hooves and occasionally nuzzling nose while Pierre fluttered around their heads.

"I also like Equestria, for it is where Mademoiselle Rarity is." France said, and Rarity blushed. England rolled his eyes, absentmindedly petting Flying Mint Bunny.

"Ve~ I like it too! The food is perfecto! And there are pretty women everywhere! It's the perfect place for an Italian!" Italy laughed, bouncing up and down with Pinkie Pie.

"Ja, this place is good and all, but we still need to go home. What about our people? Who's taking care of them?" Germany pointed out, not realizing his mistake.

"Your people? Are you kings?" Twilight gasped. During their talk, England and Japan left out the part about them being personifications of countries. Every head swiveled towards Germany, glaring. England sighed.

"In a sense, yes. However, I would like to discuss this with your Princess Celestia. If we are going to be stuck here, I'd rather she knew about us." He explained to Twilight, who turned to Spike.

"Spike, take a letter." She commanded, and Spike pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill from nowhere. Twilight cleared her throat. "Dear Princess Celestia, earlier today a group of nine strange ponies and one griffon appeared outside of Ponyville. They claim to be from a different dimension and would like to request an audience with you. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle." She finished, and Spike rolled up the parchment and breathed fire on it, sending to Princess Celestia in a wisp of green smoke.

"Now all we have to do is wait until she sends a reply." Applejack said happily. "Anyway, there was a question ah wanted ta ask Italy." Italy stopped his bouncing, and looked over at her. "The key on your Cutie Mark; what does that mean?"

Every country looked at Italy as well. They were curious about that too. Italy hung his head, his little hair curl becoming jagged. He and Japan were the only ones with memories of that awful place. Japan walked over and hugged him awkwardly.

"That is something he does not like to talk about, but perhaps Celestia should be informed, okay Italy?" He asked. Italy sniffled a bit, wiping his eyes, but nodded nonetheless. Spike interrupted the moment by burping up a letter, which Twilight levitated and read out loud.

"Dear Twilight Sparkle, I would be delighted to meet these newcomers. I will be joining you shortly; afterwards, I will take you all to Canterlot Castle while we discuss this mishap. Sincerely, Princess Celestia." She read. No sooner were the words out of her mouth than a bright light appeared in the middle of the clearing, dimming to reveal a stunning white alicorn with a pink, blue, and green mane and tail with a sun for a Cutie Mark. The Mane 6, Spike, Japan and England bowed respectively.

"Hello. I am Princess Celestia, Ruler of Equestria." She said, smiling warmly at them all. She radiated power like Russia radiates fear, but there was kindness in her eyes. Twilight stepped forward.

"It's good to see you again, Princess. These are the ponies I told you about." She said, waving a hoof at the circle of countries.

"I'm Arthur. Pleasure to meet you." England said, bowing again.

"I'm Alfred! I'm the hero!" America shouted, shaking her hoof.

"Bonjour, I am Francis." France said, shaking her hoof as well.

"Privet, I am Ivan. You will become one, da?" Russia smiled.

"Ni Hao, I am Wang Yao aru." China said, standing up with difficulty.

"Guten Tag Princess. I am Ludwig." Germany introduced himself.

"Ve! I'm Feliciano, Princess!" Italy bounced over to her excitedly.

"Konnichiwa. I am Kiku." Japan said simply, crouched in a bow.

"I am the awesome Gilbert! Nice to meet you!" Prussia laughed.

"And I'm Mathieu. It's a pleasure, eh?" Canada smiled shyly. Celestia smiled at all of them.

"It is a pleasure to meet all of you as well. You certainly are a colorful bunch." She laughed. "Anyway, you said that you would like an audience with me? Would you prefer it to be private?" She asked, glancing at the Mane 6.

"No. It would probably be better if they heard the first part, anyway." England sighed. The Mane 6 looked at him, confused. "The part about Italy's Cutie Mark…they may be too young for that." He took a deep breath, ready to explain everything.

"Being the ruler of a nation, I know you understand that war is a terrible thing. However, it is even worse for us, because even though we're not the rulers of our countries, we're the countries themselves. We're literally an entire nation stuffed into a body, which is why our citizens are the most important things to us. If we get hurt, they suffer as much as we do, and without them, we wouldn't exist. We've been alive for many decades, even millennia in some cases, and have gone through the worst things imaginable.

"Alfred and Canada are the youngest ones, being alive only for about 400 years each. Yao is the very oldest out of all the personifications; he's over 4,000 years old." All heads turned to China. "And being nations, we know the worst things people can do. Gilbert; his people were destroyed, completely annihilated, and the ones that weren't became citizens of Ludwig's country. The only possible way we can die is if our citizens are completely wiped out, or if us personifications died, but we're extremely hard to kill.

"War is the worst thing for us. Ivan here has been through so many wars, his mind cracked long ago." Russia just smiled. "Some wars leave deep scars on us personifications. Look at Yao's back." He said, gesturing with a hoof. China turned around to show them properly. "Kiku gave him that when they were fighting a war against each other. These…" He said, sitting up and pointing to the deep scars on his chest, "were given to me by Ludwig. Both Mathieu and Alfred have burns on their hearts from when their capitals were burnt down. Kiku suffers from frequent heart-attacks because his land is an island where earthquakes are quite common. Emil, a friend of ours, has a condition that causes him to cough up ashes because his entire country rests on a giant volcano."

"How horrible." Rarity murmured, tears in her eyes.

"Being a nation is a gruesome, taxing life, but we can't just quit either. Us, and only us, represent our countries. Nopony else can do the job, so we're stuck with it until we die." England trailed off. The Mane 6 were all crying silently, Rarity being held in France's arms. Celestia's eyes were sad but determined. Pinkie Pie's hair was on the verge of deflating, and Applejack had taken off her hat in respect to the nations.

"Being alive for 4,000 years…it must be awful." Twilight whispered, looking at Yao with pity. China smiled sadly.

"There are times when it gets to me just how old I am, but I have Kiku and the other countries to make my life more interesting, aru." He laughed morosely.

"Don't you have families?" Rainbow Dash asked. Russia nodded.

"I have two sisters. Natalya is younger, Katushya is older." He explained. "All our siblings and family members are personifications like us."

"Mathieu and I are twins. Arthur…I guess you can say he and Francis are our older brothers." Alfred said, trying to push away the memories of the Revolutionary War.

"Ve~ I have a twin brother named Lovino and a big brother Antonio. I miss them a lot…" Italy sniffled.

"Gilbert is my older brother." Germany said, pointing to Gilbert.

"Kiku is just one of my younger siblings. Im Yong Soo, Meimei, and Kaoru are others, but I am the oldest, aru." China told them.

"And although we know the worst things people can do, we also know the best." England told them, turning his attention to the good things about his country. "My country produced the most popular music band of all time, The Beatles."

"My country was the first to have somepony walk on the moon!" America stated proudly.

"Mine was the first to send something into space." Russia pointed out.

"My country was the one who invented roller coasters." France said happily. (AN: No really, it's true.)

"Mine is responsible for almost every technological advancement in recent years." Japan told them, wishing for his videogames.

"Mine makes the finest soldiers you'll ever see." Germany said.

"My country has the best food!" Italy bounced.

"Mine has the most wildlife and least amount of crime." Canada said to Fluttershy.

"And my country has the only man-made object you can see from space!" China laughed, and England grew serious.

"Anyway, about Italy's Cutie Mark…" He began, but Celestia held up a hoof to cut him off.

"We can discuss that matter on a later date. I have made up my mind for now. I would like all of you, Twilight and her friends included, to come and stay in the Royal Palace while we figure out a way to get you home. I can see that your tale is true; you have been through much suffering, and you just want what's best for your people. I can relate. Your hearts are pure, and I can see that you mean no ill towards Equestria and its ponies. You are welcome here." She told them with a sincere smile.

"Come to Canterlot, my little ponies. We have work to do!"

AN: Special thanks to ChibChib for being my first reviewer! And yes, the French invented roller coasters . Please review! Your words encourage me to keep typing!