“Okay just make your way through the dark, intimidating forest and it’ll be a straight shot to bright, happy Ponyville,” John said through gritted teeth.

Even though it was the middle of the afternoon, the canopy was far too thick to let any reasonable amount of light through. He even had trouble seeing the beaten path it was so dark. Not to mention it was so overgrown he didn’t know how it was considered a path in the first place.

“Well this is just fantastic. I can’t find my way out of a bush, how am I supposed to find Vanessa and Artie?”

He paused to let Atlas answer, and was reminded how he was shut off to conserve his power.

“Gotta fix you up too.” He swatted some leaves out of the way. “How the hell am I going to do that?”

He swatted some growth out of the way.

“A capacitor would be the best bet, but I doubt they even have simple batteries.”

He stumbled over a large root.

“Maybe even a simple lead acid one. No that won’t keep him online for a minute.”

He booted a rock only to have it bounce back towards him. Then his stomach took a dive when a deep, reverberating growl emanated not a few feet in front of him. The noise died down and was followed by licking chops and a massive yawn. As soon as his eyes adjusted, he could see a large hairy lion slumbering right on the path. John shakily took a step back from the giant onto fragile twig making a crisp, clear snap. John froze on the spot as the lion’s eyes snapped open and rounded on the source.

“Oh god.”

John bolted in the opposite direction, and from the commotion behind him he could tell the creature wasn’t far behind him.

“Don’t look back, don’t look back, Don’t look back!”

John stole a glance over his shoulder to see the massive form leaping for him.

“SHHHHHH-” The ground fell out beneath him and he slid down a steep slope. The lion soared over top of him. John spotted it spread it’s wings before he slipped below the canopy once again.

“Great, the lion has wings.”

John hit the ground running.

“What kind of lion has freakin’ wings!?”

He hid behind a thick tree trunk.

“Well if ponies can have wings, why not eight hundred pound predators!”

The tree was ripped out of the ground and snapped in half by the powerful jaws. John hesitated only for a second before bolting off again. He spotted a grove of low hanging vines and charged for them. As he passed underneath he pulled more down to ensnare the beast.

“See ya sucker!”

John’s little taunt seemed only to enrage it. It was tearing through the vines like tissue paper.

“Dammit.”

He didn’t know how much further he could keep running like this. The adrenaline was already used up and he could barely keep ahead of the monster. Finally, he tripped into a large pile of wood. John painfully turned onto his back to see his end come. To his surprise, the Lion was just standing at the edge of the pile while it swished it’s scorpion tail back and forth. It gave John a menacing stare then crept back into the woods. John let out the breath he had been holding and laughed heartily. When he caught his breath he turned his head to a snarling, wooden wolf. Then the tinder underneath heaved and shifted John scrambled over top the mass of moving twigs, all while avoiding snapping jaws, till he was at the edge. He turned around to see that he had landed in what looked like a pack of wolves, and they were made entirely out of wood.

“Even the lumber is trying to kill me.”

Without a second thought he ran again, followed closely by howls and the quick groans of their joints. John found himself in mid air once again, this time he desperately reached out for something. John caught a vine and gripped it tight as he swung through the forest at ludicrous speed. He dared a look at the receding pack.

“HA! You like that, you tick ridden tinder piles! Yeah!”

His celebrating ended early as he took a hard hit from an oak tree. John bounced off said tree and landed painfully on the ground.

“Ow,” he groaned.
The sound of the pack was getting nearer. John sprang up and tried to ignore the pain as he ran. He could only make it to a small clearing, before he was completely surrounded. Out of desperation, he picked up a large stick and held it out, ready to strike. He whipped around trying to keep an eye on all of them as they circled him.

“Well, what are you waiting for? I haven’t got all day.”

This prompted one of the smaller ones lunge at him. John took a wild swing and hit it square on the head. The small wolf yelped, and bounded for the safety of the pack.

“Yeah? Who else wants some!”

This time the largest one stepped forward. John swallowed hard. The massive wolf slowly circled him, and was getting closer with each step. John didn’t dare take his eyes off of it, not even to wipe away the heavy sweat on his brow. Then the wolf faced him squarely, baring its jagged teeth at him. John slowly slid a foot back. The wolf’s joints groaned like bending branches ready to spring back. John knew he wouldn’t be able to get out of the way in time. Only a miracle could save him now.

“Da da da DAH! Rainbow Dash to the rescue!”

All the wolves, including the large one turned to the sky. John threw his stick at the large wolf and jumped into the air. Reaching up, he caught Rainbow Dash by the hooves, and lifted his legs as the wolf lunged and missed. Rainbow Dash pumped her wings hard as they made their getaway.

“Geez John, you don’t have to hold on so tight!”

“I kinda like living!”

“Oh yeah! You’re heights thing!”

“Glad you remember!”

“Calm down we’re almost in Ponyville!”

John was backwards so he just spotted the edge of the forest. He allowed himself a relaxing breath as they made their slow descent. It wasn’t long after that he was dropped in front of the library.

“What are we doing here?” he asked.

“Everypony’s been looking for you. My team and the guards chased the bird up until it exploded. So we split up into search parties.”

John let his jaw hang.

“The scorpion changed into a bird?”

“Yeah. Anyway, we were supposed to bring you back to Ponyville if we found you.”

“Whoa, wait a second, what do you mean by if?”

Dash pawed at the ground.

“We weren’t sure what happened, but it left as soon as it had you. I didn’t know what else to do but chase after it.” She ruffled her feathers and pawed the ground some more. John gave her a quizzical look.

“What happened?”

“It was too fast alright,” she snapped, “nothing is faster than me, but it was getting away.”

“Lucky I blew it up then.”

“You did that!?”

John nodded.

“And you were in the Everfree forest since then?”

He nodded again and was punched in the chest.

“What was that for?” he wheezed as he clutched his solar plexus.

“I told you to leave that hero stuff behind, now get in here.” She pushed open the door to Twilight’s house. “I gotta hoof to you though, you got guts for staying alive as long as you did.

“Oh that’s comforting.”

John followed her into the main room of the library and was once again brought before Twilight, her friends, and Princess Celestia.

“Listen I’m sorry for getting you into this mess, but I got a plan to fix all this. If you just let me-” Celestia cut him off.

“There is no need to explain John. It was dangerous and foolish what you did,but I'm sure these three fillies are especially grateful for your recklessness.”

Celestia moved to the side as the cutie mark crusaders made a beeline for John and bowled him over.

“John you’re alright!”

“You saved us!”

“Did you kick that Scorpion’s butt?”

All three latched onto him in tight hug. John could feel his face heating up as everyone else in the room gave him an endearing smile. Pinkie was chuckling noisily while everyone snickered under their breath.

“Okay,” he said quietly, “That’s enough for now. You can let go. Alright, just one more, now go on.”

He pried each one of his body and set them down gently.

“I couldn't just stand there and let anyone get hurt.” He raised an eyebrow as Dash huffed. “But I do want some answers.”

“That’s fair John, I’ll answer as best as I can.”

“What was that thing and why was it after me?”

“I can’t say much on either account. It may just have to do with the simple fact that you, as a human, attracts such a force.”

“That still leaves a lot of guess work.”

“Which is why we must send you back to where ever it is you came from immediately.”

John widened his eyes.

“No, you can’t!”

“The princess is right John, you can’t stay here. It will only come back,” said Twilight.

“Look I can’t go because there are others here just like me. They’re stuck, or stranded. With no way back, they’re being hunted just like me. You send me back now, they are as good as dead.”

Celestia narrowed her eyes.

“How do you know this?”

John rounded on her.

“So they are here?”

Celestia was caught off guard by her slip up. Applejack spoke up.

“You’re sayin’ there’s more walkabouts like John here in Equestria?”

“Yes,” Celestia sighed. “Though we cannot find them, and yes they are most likely being hunted, which is why I planned to send them home as soon as I found them to eliminate the new threat.”

“Princess, you’ve been around for an awfully long time,” said Twilight, “do you have any idea what that thing was.”

“I don’t know everything Twilight, and I’m afraid that this may be new or even before my time.”

“I have a new question,” said John, “Do you know for sure that sending me, and the others, back to Earth will solve your problem? Better yet, do you know where Earth is?”

Celestia gave him a blank stare.

“It is my first and best option, I’m sorry John but your safety takes precedence. We will do what we can for your friends.”

“Wait, you can’t do this.”

“I can and I will. Guards.”

John was immediately flanked by two burly unicorns.

“Take him outside and send him home.”

“You heard her majesty, move it.” One of the unicorns said gruffly.

John held up his hands and moved out of the door at horn point. He stopped in the middle of the street and was turned to face the monarch and the Elements of Harmony.

“Is Everypony ready?” she asked.

Each of them looked to each other with a sad look on their face. Twilight looked up to the Princess.

“Is it alright if we say our goodbyes? He is our friend after all.”

Celestia nodded and the group trotted up to John. Fluttershy fluttered up and gave him a gentle hug.

“I’m glad I met you John. You take care of yourself, okay?” She smiled when John nodded back. “And don’t forget to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, they’re good for you.”

“I’ll try Fluttershy.”

“Git yurself lotsa apples ya hear?” Applejack winked.

“My pockets aren’t that deep,” said John with a smirk.

Rainbow Dash zipped in front of him with a large grin on her face.

“Admit it. You liked flying didn’t ya’?

John glared at her, then softened his expression

“I’ll jump in another blackhole before I ever fly again.” he sighed. Rainbow Dash giggled under her breath and held out her hoof.

“Pound it.”

John rolled his eyes, balled up his fist and knocked it against her hoof. As soon as she was out of the way he was being fixated by Rarity. Her pursed lips told him she wasn’t happy.

“Is this how you treat designer clothing on your planet?”

“Not normally?” he said awkwardly, “I didn’t know I was getting attacked by a giant scorpion.”

“I suppose you’re right. And you did save my sister, so you may have a reward. Kneel down if you would be so kind.”

She leaned in and planted a kiss on his cheek. Again he felt as if his face was going to catch on fire. He tried to keep a straight face as the guard on either side of him snickered.

“Thank-you, Rarity.” he said. He did a quick head count. “Where’s Pinkie?”

At that moment, confetti exploded above him as Pinkie lead the Cakes towards him.

“This-is-your-very-first-farewell, by-your-pal-Pinkie-Pie,” BANG, “I’m-gonna-miss-you-so-much, I-don’t-wanna-say-goodbye!”

Pinkie squeezed John to her side and snapped a photo at arms length. John blinked away the flash and Pinkie was dancing in front of him once again.

“We-hope-you-will-remember-us, where-ever-you-may-be, because-you-will-be-in-our-hearts-for-all-eternityyyyyyyyyyyy!”

Pinkie’s flourish was accompanied by a final explosion of confetti. John’s jaw was slack, but Pinkie managed to sneak up and close it for him and brought him into a bone crushing hug. She then looked back to the Princess.

“Can he stay awhile longer? Pleeaase?”

Princess Celestia did nothing but smile, and raise an eyebrow at her.

“Pretty please?” Pinkie begged, “Pretty please with a cherrychanga on top?”

“As enticing as that sounds, Pinkie, he must go.” As an afterthought, Celestia added. “Preferably while he still breathes.”

Pinkie turned back in surprise to see John’s purple face. She released him and John greedily gasped for air.

“He changes color? He’s the coolest pet ever!”

John grimaced at the pet remark, but got back up to one knee. John gave his attention to Twilight as she approached him. She averted her eyes and stared at the ground.

“I can’t help but feel like this is my fault. If only I knew more about you and your people, then maybe this could have been prevented. I’m sorry that we have to say good-bye like this.”

John opened his mouth, and then shut it. Twilight closed her eyes and turned back to the Princess.

“Twilight,” John called out. Twilight whipped around to face John, “I want you to do something for me.”

“What is it?” she said softly.

John took a breath and looked directly into her eyes.

“Please find them, and bring them home safely okay? Can you do that, Twilight.”

Before Twilight could speak, Princess Celestia stepped forward.

“You have my word, John. We will find them for you.”

John furrowed his brow and bowed his head.

“I’m ready.”

Celestia took her place behind the elements of harmony as the guards slowly backed away from John. John looked up as something was happening to Twilight. The air started to churn and crackle with energy. He could feel it travelling along his bones and into the crevices of his brain.

“Hey guys.” John said.

It starting to feel exactly like when Twilight touched him with her horn. His blood began to glow white hot in his veins.

“Stoooop!” he cried.

“Princess we’re hurting him!”

“Don’t stop Twilight! The fate of Equestria depends on it.”

John cried out in agony as the area bristled with magic. Twilight opened her now luminous eyes and a rainbow erupted from their necklaces skyward. John trembled as the ribbon of magic reached its apex and descended on him with the wrath of a tsunami. The force knocked him flat into the ground and held him in place. John bellowed out loud as it permeated his entire body. His heart was pounding a mile a minute the whole time, but at the height of the pain and helplessness, his heart suddenly became calm. A warm feeling washed over him as he struggled to remain conscious. Now John was in the dark place that he knew from before, except there was a light, floating in front of him. He reached out and put his hand into it, and it immediately split up into several smaller lights that shot off into the distance. Each one was a different distance away, and strobed with a different intensity. There was even a massive cluster off in the distance. As John took in the spectacle, a bright light shone from behind. The source grew more intense and completely filled his vision. As quick as it had come, it was replaced as quickly by a hazy, heavy darkness. His body was being shaken while a muffled sound called out from a distance.

“John? John!”

John tried opening his heavy eyes.

“I think he’s waking up! John are you alright?”

“Vanessa?” John gasped, “Is that you?”

There was a hushed pause followed by quick whispers.

“Does he think he’s back... oh no.”

John bolted upright and grabbed onto shoulders.

“Please let it be you,” he whispered.

John blinked away the blurriness only to come face to face with a stunned Twilight. John let his trembling hands slip off and let them fall to his sides.

“John, are you alright?”

John clenched his jaw hard to keep his tears back, and averted his eyes. He wanted to run, but his body was too heavy to respond.

“John, it didn’t work, I’m so sorry.”

He couldn't hold himself up any longer. John closed his eyes and fell forward. Instead of falling into the ground, Twilight rushed forward and caught him in her front legs. John tried to pull away as she held him tight to her chest and gently caressed his head.

"There, there, it's alright. You're safe."

John stopped struggling against her as she started to rock. Tears formed as he rested his head against Twilight's soft purple coat.

"It's not me I'm worried about," he whispered

Twilight looked over to her friends and back to John.

"I know what you mean, not knowing what happened to your friends can be painful."

John shuddered at the thought, and held onto Twilight. John almost fell asleep when a shadow loomed over them both.

"Princess. What do we do now?" Twilight asked.

John turned to the towering princess. She returned his gaze and took a deep breath.

"In a situation like this, it is best that we put him under protective custody. It is necessary that we keep a close eye on him."

"You're gonna lock him up!" shouted Rainbow Dash. "Princess, he didn't do anything wrong."

"I know he didn't, but it is too dangerous to let him roam free. At least if the creature comes back for him we will be prepared."

John couldn't stand it anymore, he pulled away Twilight's legs and stood up so he could be face to face with the Princess.

"So that's your solution? Lock us up one by one and hope you can protect us. I feel safer already."

"That's not what I mean John, this is for your own good."

"You have no idea what is good for me."

Celestia hit him with a piercing stare and John did his best to withstand it.

"Guards, take him," she said after a long silence.

Using their magic, the unicorn pulled John's hands behind his back and shackled them. John gave Celestia one last dirty look before he was hauled towards a waiting carriage

"I'm sorry John, but I will fulfill my promise to you."

"Yeah? And when will you find them? Today, tomorrow, in a year!" he shouted as he was shoved into the carriage. "If that thing finds them first, they're as good as dead!"

Celestia said nothing, but turned her back on him and started to walk away. Twilight was quick to join her side.

"Princess," she started, "this all seems a bit... extreme. Is there no other way to help him."

The princess inhaled deeply.

"I'm afraid not Twilight. If we had a clue as to where these humans are, then the situation may not be so grim."

"Wait!" John shouted.

Twilight and Celestia whipped their heads around as John poked his head out the carriage window.

"I can find them."

"How?" Celestia demanded.

"I don't know, I just..." John focused on Celestia's eyes. "...the elements told me."

Celestia just stared back at him. John could only wonder what was happening in her brain.

"Then you will tell us where they are." she said evenly.

"Won't do you much good," he said, "I only caught a glimpse, and from what I could tell, they're scattered everywhere." John sat back in the carriage. "So what's it gonna be Princess. Gonna lock me up and go on a wild goose chase? Or let the only guy who has a clue, go find his friends."

Celestia held his gaze for a few seconds before breaking it.

"We will discuss this matter further in Canterlot." With that, she pivoted and strode off, accompanied by her battalion of guards. Twilight took this opportunity to walk up to the window of the carriage.

"John, if there's anything we can do for you, don't hesitate to ask. Okay?"

John looked at Twilight's sincere face.

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

"I'll see what I can find out about humans in the archives. There must something that can help you."

"I hope so Twilight," he sighed heavily. Twilight smiled back and stepped away from the window as the guards piled in. John was squashed between two unicorns while two others and a pegasus sat across from him. He leaned forward to wave goodbye to his friends. Without further adieu the carriage lurched forward and began climbing into the sky with sun about half way below the horizon. John clutched his legs tightly as the flying carriage made him slightly nauseous, he leaned over to reduce his sickness.

“You okay?” one of them asked.

“Yup, just fine.” he replied quickly.

The silence lasted for a few minutes before the pegasus spoke up.

“Fillies say what?” The pegasus was nudged hard by the unicorn next to him.

“What?” said John. Immediately biting his lip afterward, he faced the snickering pegasus.

The pegasus was pretty much quaking with excitement and had the biggest grin on his face.

The guard who elbowed him gave him a warning look. The pegasus ignored it.

“So, uh. I heard you made a little trip to the moon. Came back down the hard way didn't ya?”

“How did you know how I got here?” John asked. The pegasus’ smile widened as the guards looked to each other in astonishment.

“Ha! I knew it! Sandblast, you owe me five bits.” he pointed and gloated excitedly.

“I was not expecting that.” said a voice to John’s right. Sandblast was levitating a few coins over to the pegasus.

John’s head was spinning at the surreality of his predicament. He was being taken as a prisoner or VIP or something, and his equine keepers were taking bets and making small talk in a carriage that had no business being in the air. The pegasus starting babbling again.

“Hey I’ll make you a deal. Next bet is double or nothing, you could win your bits back and more.”

“You may take that risk Dice, but I won’t. You can keep your sly tongue to yourself.”

“How did you know that I came from space?” John asked, getting slightly annoyed.

“Space? Oh you mean the stars. I admit I wasn’t sure how you got down, but thanks to that little ‘bit’ of information, you just won me five bits.” he said as he brought his hooves together.

He looked out the window to the now starry sky.

“Must be cool living in the stars. Do you have your own constellation? Ooo I bet you're Orion! The way you handled that giant scorpion was freakin' awesome! No wait," he quickly looked out the window, "you're still up there. Or is somepony house sitting for you?"

John could hardly follow the fast talking pegasus.

“What? No, I don’t live there are you stupid?”

“You see Dice. Even he thinks your obsession is ridiculous.”

“It's no use. He’ll just keep chasing it.” said the unicorn to his left.

“Well now you know I wasn’t chasing myths and legends. He’s living proof for Celestia’s sake! I plan to collect on this fact. Let's see, where’s my balance book of bets made in foalhood.”

The guards groaned.
“You’re not serious are you? Why not just throw that thing away.”

“This thing has great memories! And a few bad ones. Besides it was more of a keep sake until Orion here gave it new found value.” Dice said excitedly.

John sat there with his mouth hanging open. He couldn't believe his circumstances of riding in a flying carriage, and speaking with a gambling pony.
“You plan on calling up people you made bets with in childhood and demand money for being right? That's one of the dumbest things I have ever heard.”
They all turned to John, who was giving Dice a deadpanned stare. Dice leaned over and patted him on the head.

“You got a few words mixed up pal, but you’ll get the hang of it. And to answer your question. Buck yeah I do!” he began laughing maniacally as the rest of the guards let out a synchronized groan.

“Whatever Celestia has planned for me can’t be worse than this.” John muttered more to himself.

“I hear that!” John felt a heavy hoof slap down on his back.
The force behind it nearly launched him off the seat. The guards chortled with laughter as Dice frowned and began pouring over his book. There was a rapping on the window. Sandblast opened it up to speak to the pegasus outside.

“The Captain wants you to keep it down back there. You’re not to talk to the charge for the remainder of the trip.”
The pegasus then overtook the carriage while Sandblast shut the window.

“How did your Captain know?” John asked.
No one gave him an answer, even dice managed to shut up by burying his nose in the book he carried. John looked to Sandblast who just waved his hoof in front of his neck. John turned back, the relief of conversation no longer held its domain over his slight nausea. The sooner they got to Canterlot the better.

It was late by the time they approached Canterlot, John was trying to stay awake to avoid falling over. The carriage turned and beyond the window was the great city attached to a mountain side. Its structures were easily visible through the moonlight. Towers stretched upwards, gleaming in the night sky. Sleep quickly vanished from his mind as he took in the sight.

“Welcome to Canterlot," said Sandblast.

John was hit with a mix of wonder and cynicism. The beauty of the city was equal to the shock of just how impossible it was, either way it left him in total awe. He thought how back on Earth there were cities built into the mountains, just not on this kind of scale. The carriage started its descent, now passing between the towers. It was shortly after that a jolt indicated that they had landed. The guards exited the carriage making sure John was last to leave it. Outside Dice was waiting with a pair of cuffs in his mouth.

“Great more cuffs”

“Don' worry 'bout it. Itsh jusht shtandard proschedure.” the cuffs were immediately ripped out of Dice’s mouth and slapped on John’s wrists. John winced at the force with which they were thrown on, he looked to the unicorn who perpetrated it. Sandblast gave him an apologetic look before standing at attention when the Captain came.

“Good work gentlecolts. Now, mm, John is it? If you would follow me. Colts you're dismissed.”

“Yes Sir!” they shouted. John spotted Dice giving him a wink before flying off.

“I trust you didn’t give my guards any trouble on the way over?” Ray Shear asked.

“No. If anything that pegasus was a real nuisance-” he was cut off by Ray Shear’s chuckling.

“Relax, I probably should have known better than to put you in the same coach as that Dice character. He can be insufferable at times, but he’s a good guard.”

John continued walking along him in silence. Questions danced around in his head and wondered which ones this colt would answer.

“Captain, can I ask you a question?”

“Perhaps you should save it for the Princesses. Their wisdom should be more than sufficient to answer your questions.” he replied evenly. “In fact you can ask them in a few moments.”

"Princesses?"
He stopped before a heavy set of ornate doors. With a flash from his horn the doors slowly opened revealing a grand hall. At the other end of the hall stood two figures on a flight of stairs. The white one he recognized as Celestia, the other was dark blue and slightly shorter. That must the other Princess, John thought. As he walked his eyes were drawn to the stained glass windows that adorned the walls. Each one had a story to tell. He slowed down as he passed a certain pane. He was sure he recognized the ponies in it. He was nudged along by the Captain. The Princesses met them at the bottom of the stairs. John started feeling uncomfortably scrutinized once again this time by the smaller dark one, though it felt less invasive, but more like fascination. Celestia gave him a quick look over and turned to her Captain.

“Ray Shear remove the cuffs, they are no longer needed.”

“Yes your majesty” without a moment's hesitation he released them and slid them into his armor. John took the opportunity to rub his wrists. “Anything else your highness.”

“Would you fetch a tailor. I think our guest would like some new clothes.” her order reminded John that his nano suit was all he had been wearing since he destroyed Rarity’s suit.

“Yes your highness.” without further delay he trotted out of the room, leaving John alone with the Princesses.

John’s heart was starting to beat hard. It had hardly been a minute and he could feel a sweat starting to break.

“We have discussed your proposition John Walker.” Celestia said

John eyed them quizzically. "And?"

"We realize now that to hold you would be wrong." Replied the smaller, dark one. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Princess Luna, ruler of the night. It is quite an honor to meet you at last."

Luna brought herself up to her royal posture and moved forward.

"We have been informed about the attack on Ponyville and your intervention, capture, and the eventual destruction of scorpion. We were also informed of your insistence on your need to find your friends and were resistant to the idea of sending you home through the elements of harmony."

"Which didn't work."

Luna gave him a stone cold glare before moving on.

"A very curious thing indeed. Usually anything threatening to the natural harmony of Equestria would be expelled by the elements."

John rolled his eyes.

"But," she continued, "for some reason, the elements of harmony have not deemed you a threat to equestria." She came up close and locked eyes with him. "Tell me John, what happened when you were hit by the spell?"

John couldn't turn away from her deep blue eyes. He even struggled to speak.

"It...it was painful. In my bones, in my brain, in my heart. And then the pain stopped. I was warm, at peace. And then a star. A star that split into smaller stars. They shone like beacons, beacons calling for help, but they were so far. Then a light, a bright light overwhelmed me and then I was asleep. A deep sleep."

Princess Luna broke eye contact and joined her sister. John staggered on the spot as he pinched his nose and took a few breaths.

"It seems that the elements of harmony have left you in an interesting predicament John."

John looked back up to the Princesses.

"What'd they do to me?"

"We are not sure, but it is obvious the elements have a purpose for you."

"To find the humans." he said.

"Yes, and possibly combat the evil that has befallen this land."

John's eyes widened. He took a step back and ran a hand slowly through his hair and down his neck.

"I said I wanted to find my friends, nothing more."

"And do you think whatever is hunting them will just leave you be?" Celestia countered. "I've witnessed how hard it fought against my finest guards just to capture you. You must fight equally hard in order to save your friends."

"I can't do that. There must be-"

"And didn't you vehemently protest that if I found any humans, including yourself, they wouldn't be safe under my custody? In my opinion, it would be best to eradicate this threat in the field, where it will pose no danger to anypony else."

"If you would just-"

"Not to mention that you are very new to Equestria, and I'm fairly certain you have no idea what other obstacles are out there besides giant scorpions."

John's thoughts trailed back to the Everfree forest. He visibly shuddered.

"Being locked up is starting to sound like a good idea." he muttered.

Luna let out a quaint giggle, while Celestia just smirked.

"Out of the question John. You so desperately wanted to find your friends and you shall. Just as soon as you completed our training."

There was a long pause as John matched the two princesses gaze.

"What kind of training?"