Chapter Six: The Road to Canterlot

A few moments had passed, and Ponyville was to our backs. It wasn't much of a hike on the well-travelled path to Canterlot. Rainbow Dash had, with Applejack's permission, left at her extraordinary speed with a bag to fetch some apples from the farm to provision our journey, because we were bound to get hungry sometime along the way. None of them had said much since we left Ponyville. Applejack broke the group's silence and asked me a question that I had promised to answer.

"What exactly is goin' on, anyway? What's got Twilight so riled up? You said you would explain."

"You know how I said that I was from a different universe?" I began. The others had taken notice and were listening in.

"I reckon I do."

"Well, it turns out that because of Discord's actions so long ago, when Luna and Celestia defeated him the first time, the powerful magic barrier separating this universe and mine was weakened, and is now at risk of breaking. Some individuals, like myself, have slipped through the barrier by accident. That was how I ended up on your farm, Applejack. According to Princess Celestia's letter, more humans have arrived and have been causing trouble. We have to stop them before they cause chaos, which would endanger the barrier. We also have to assume that some ponies are stuck in our world as well, and hope that they don't cause any trouble."

"What happens if the barrier is destroyed?" Rarity asked, knowing she wouldn't like the answer. She was walking up ahead of me, probably so she didn't have to look at my poor fashion taste that she had wished to correct the previous day.

"All of this information is according to this book." I produced the large, ancient book of the barriers from my backpack.

"It says that if the barrier would be lost, the universes' inhabitants would have a colossal battle of willpower, the victor's universe absorbing the other. We obviously must bring this to Princess Celestia's attention immediately."

"That doesn't sound fun at all!" Pinkie Pie complained. She may have just realized that this was not a game after all. Her mane didn't deflate, and she maintained her bounciness. Evidently, no despair would find the pink pony.

"How do we stop it? We can do it if nopony else can!" Rainbow Dash said with the enthusiasm, pride and bravery that were some of her most defining personality traits.

"It rests with the other humans and myself. If we do heroic or probably even good acts, the barrier will repair itself. If we do nothing, then the barrier will diminish over time. If we cause disorder and chaos, then the barrier may fail altogether." I finished.

"I hope that book is wrong..." Fluttershy said quietly.

"It can't be. It was written by Starswirl the Bearded himself." Twilight had remained silent, probably too troubled to speak about it. She had great admiration for the character, and whatever he wrote was credible. At least to her.

"Oh?" I didn't know that.

"It was."

"We can't just let this happen. Not now, not ever." Applejack sounded determined.

"Regardless, whatever is happening, we need to get to the bottom of it and figure out a solution. Let's get to Canterlot," I reasoned. We weren't making any progress just talking about it.

With that, silence returned, and the path continued. In the distance I could see the grand silhouette of the mountainside city growing as we got ever closer.

*****

As soon as the entrance to the grand city was visible, a pair of royal guardsponies set out to meet us. One a unicorn, the other an earth pony, both had the same expression, and looked nearly identical. They stopped in front of us, alert. The unicorn began, his comrade remained silent.

"Twilight Sparkle. Princess Celestia is expecting you and your friends." He eyed me suspiciously.

"Who is this? One of the new creatures? Is he safe?"

"Yes, his name is Zach. He's harmless, he only wants to help," Twilight replied politely.

"Hello," I said nervously, troubled by his suspicion. Something must have happened.

"I trust your judgement. Enjoy your stay in Canterlot."

With that they returned to their posts, and our band of eight entered the city and headed for the palace at Twilight's lead. I came up beside Twilight and whispered to her.

"Something must have happened."

"I know." She looked exceedingly worried.

"Hopefully not anything too serious. Don't worry so much."

Again I tried to reassure her. My words betrayed my thoughts. She had every reason to worry, to panic. Only a serious event would cause the Princess to call humans "dangerous". They all had a reason. I looked about. Only some of our group was worried. Three ponies didn't show it. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were ready to do whatever was necessary. Pinkie Pie was in good spirits, but that's how she is in most extreme circumstances. All of us were determined, and many of us were worried. I was very worried. We continued through the streets of Canterlot. Some of the high society types were out and about, and scoffed at my bland appearance as I thought they would. They didn't have to worry about the fate of the universe. I envied them.