I wish I could say the rest of the evening was uneventful, but that would be a lie. From my sitting place on the edge of the table, I could easily see a very irritated young princess who was still glaring at me somewhat.  Out of the hallway, a purple shrouded blob of cloth floated and was unceremoniously tossed my way.

"We need to go meet our chariot Hex.  Get dressed and come with me.  Your items have already already been sent ahead"

I just shrugged and unfurled the cloth, pondering for a moment what it was.  Then it hit me, it was a cloak just like the ones I had back home except I was holding it upside down.  Mentally facepalming, I righted the light blue fabric and tossed it over my shoulders, gently clasping it with the simple silver leaf broach above my collarbone.  It certainly had to be a strange sight, a giant wolf wearing a tan loincloth and blue cloak, but hey I work with what I've got.  Little more than a push of the table, I started after Twilight down the hall.  The soft clicking of my claws against the stone floor certainly was a strange noise I had yet to get used to.  Time to get going to my new "home."

The flight to Ponyville was...quiet.  Not the good kind either as it turned awkward fast as the Princess refused to say a word to either myself or the pegasus guards guiding us.  It was neat to see Canterlot passing below us.  Internally I was in awe of the crazy architecture the ponies had managed to pull off.  Paved streets and thatched roofs were an odd combination, but if it worked for them who was I to judge.  Soon enough, the city gave way to a massive wall that held back mile after mile of darkened forest.  The trees passed quickly as I watched on enraptured, mapping out everything in my mind.  Eventually even the forest thinned the closer we got to the little hamlet of Ponyville.  As we flew into the sunset I could see the quaint little town glowing in the golden light.

My first night in Ponyville was lackluster to put it mildly.  The chariot set down outside what I could easily call the most massive tree I had ever seen.  It could have contested one of the great redwoods in width, but not height.  At least that was my thought.  Coming from a childhood in the north, the trees barely got larger than two, maybe three feet across.  Either way, any thoughts I had on the matter were moot as I was quickly and wordlessly shuffled into the giant tree.  It was certainly interesting to say the least.  The entire place seemed to be carved out of the living tree without hurting it.  Anything I knew about biology was quickly getting thrown out the longer I was here.  At least Twilight seemed fit to pull me out of my thoughts.

"Hex, your room is made up downstairs.  It is the door to the right.  There is also a small bathroom down there.  If you want to take a shower, that is upstairs next to Spike and my bedroom.  We'll talk in the morning when I'm...calmer."

I guessed that was my sign to leave, so I just headed toward the door she indicated.  The fact that I was passing aisle after aisle of books never even occurred to me until later that night.  Sleep was the big thing on my mind at this point, as it had definitely been a trying day.  Step by step, I trudged down into the dimly lit basement to find all kinds of laboratory equipment randomly assorted on shelves and tables.  Sighing softly, I sat down on a small cot that was squeezed against the wall between two tables.  This was going to be a long few weeks.

Morning came far too early as I could hear the shrill ringing of an alarm clock upstairs.  With no way to tell time, I just figured it was good enough to get up.  Everything seemed to creak and pop as I pulled myself upright while my eyes inspected everything a little better.  These ponies were certainly a strange sort, not seeming to have advanced materials or technology, yet Twilight had a basement with all sorts of random gear.  I couldn't be certain but I was confident that one of the gizmos in the corner was one of the 50's style tube computation systems.  Downright strange when I couldn't find an electrical outlet for the life of me.  All there was to do was shrug as I headed upstairs, following the delicious scent drifting under the door.

Call me crazy, but when I opened the door I would have sworn I smelled eggs and bacon.  Step by step, aching head and all I traced the tasty smell toward what I assumed was the kitchen, only to have a small purple lizard jump when he saw me.  The sickly sweet scent of fear and nervousness quickly filled the kitchen as I towered over the little guy.  

"You must be Spike.  Twilight has told me a lot about you.  I'm Hex, if she told you I was coming.  I'll probably be staying here a while."

With wide eyes, he slowly stared up at me, stuttering the whole while.

"b....big.  You are really...big.  *cough*  Ahem... I'm... Spike.  Twilight's number one assistant.  Um, you are just in time for breakfast if you are hungry.  I hope you like coffee, bacon, eggs, and toast.  I didn't have much time to go shopping yesterday when I got the letter saying you were coming."

I just looked at him oddly for a moment, while my mind processed the fact that he did say bacon and eggs.  What the heck is up with the ponies on this planet?!

"About that bacon...is it bacon bacon?  It just seems weird that herbivores like the ponies would eat meat like that.  If this is how you serve breakfast I could stay here forever."

All that met my statement was nervous chuckling from the little dragon.  There was no way I could sit at the table while I was this size, so I just reached over Spike and snatched a slice of toast off the stack on the table.  With a hooked claw, I pulled what looked like a poached egg onto the toast and started munching.  Flavors exploded in my mouth with the first bite.  It seems that everything about this world was more intense.  The strange colors of the ponies, to the flavors of the food.  Without a doubt this was the best egg I had ever eaten.  Until I noted Spike just staring at me.

"Relax little guy, I don't eat baby dragons.  To be honest, I'm not really sure what I can eat in this crazy world of yours.  I'm kind of new here."

That seemed to calm him as I continued to stuff my face.  The bacon was a disappointment however.  I didn't want to say anything because it looked like Spike had worked hard on the spread on the table.  But it really just tasted...off.  Even the color was a bit strange, but it was no stranger than ponies that ate meat.  With a shrug, I just ate my fill until a voice chimed in from behind me.

"Thanks for making breakfast Spike.  After last night I could really use some coffee.  Just don't let Pinkie know we have some.  After last time, the Princesses decided that she really shouldn't be having any."

As she passed by, my movement must have caught in her eye as she jumped a little bit.  At least she was good at not showing it, with little more than a tremor shooting through her for a moment.

"Morning Hex.  We have a lot of things to discuss after breakfast.  The Princesses and I traded a lot of letters last night about your situation and we felt some words were needed from all of us.  It's nothing bad, I promise.  By the way, how are you liking the soy bacon?  It is kind of hard to get, but I like the flavor."

"YOU FED ME SOY BACON?  What kind of sick joke is this?"

Oh god, my stomach...  What kind of cruel society eats freaking soy bacon.  I think I'm going to be sick...

"There are lots of things to say and do today, Hex.  Everypony said things in anger yesterday, and I had letters from both Princesses delivered through the night with thoughts and apologies." She gestured toward a small pile of scrolls on the table to her left.  "The thing is, you came very close to freeing Discord and shattering the magic that guards the garden.  Both Princesses had no idea your magic was getting so advanced, and if you had come to them about your test, they would have found someplace for you to do it where everypony would be safe."

"Twilight, if it didn't feel like I was a prisoner in the castle, I would have talked to Celestia or Luna about what I wanted to try.  I honestly assumed that Luna knew where this was going, considering she was there through most of my trials.  That said, I doubt I'll be doing that again as it backfired so bad."

The lavender pony just looked at me for a moment while deep in thought before her horn lit up and a scroll bearing a golden seal drifted toward me.  

"After a lot of consideration and to be honest a little arguing, the other Princesses and I came up with a plan for now.  Considering you are pretty unknown in town, you are to wear the seal from Celestia on your clothing somewhere.  It isn't a commonly used practice, but it shows that you are here on Royal dispensation.  It should keep trouble to a minimum while we figure out a better place for you to live.  I'm sure you don't want to be in my basement forever."

I didn't reply as I slid a claw under the metal disk inset in the wax seal and popped it off with a soft cracking noise.  Tenderly, I placed the icon on the table in front of me and unfurled the letter.

"Hex,

After much consideration and deliberation, my sister and I, along with Twilight have decided that you are owed an apology.  We acted rashly and as a result you suffered ill treatment, to put it mildly.  Until you learn to control your magic, we ask that you stay away from major population centers and learn what you can from Twilight.  Luna will be by as her duties permit to check on your progress and perhaps teach you if she is able.

Unfortunately, we cannot at this time remove the binding we placed on your mind and its violent tendencies.  You have to understand that the welfare of our ponies comes first and foremost.  We do apologize and hope you understand that it will be removed with good behavior after you are adjusted to our society.  To keep violent interactions to a minimum, you will be assigned a guard, Corporal Nightshade, whom we believe you became well acquainted with during your time at the palace.  She is there more to protect you from ill reactions from my ponies, than your reaction to them.

Additionally, since your transportation to Equestria was not a decision of yours and your ability to earn coin has yet to be found, you will be get a monthly stipend of two thousand bits from the royal treasury toward your keep and care.  Whatever is not needed for room and board is yours to spend as you wish.

Should you have any questions, please refer them to Twilight.  Should be be unable to answer, I am available via Spike anytime you need.

Solaris Regentem,

Celestia"

I looked up from the missive with many questions in mind, but one thing really picked at me.

"Twilight, why is Celestia's title in Latin?  Also, how much is two thousand bits?"