It was really awkward getting to Twilight’s. Even though all the other ponies didn’t seem to mind going about in the nude, some turned and snickered at me. I tried to cover my butt with my new tail and walked with my hind legs close together so I wouldn’t feel “exposed;” I probably looked like I was holding it in ‘til I got to a bathroom. I don’t know which was more embarrassing: my idiotic walk or being “publicly nude.”

Fluttershy was walking next to me and noticed me slowly walking my silly walk. “Are you nervous to see Twilight?” she asked. “You seem tense.”

“What? No, I’m not nervous,” I replied.

“It’s ok if you are; why I get nervous all the time when meeting new ponies. But don’t worry, Twilight’s a good friend and she’s such a nice pony. Just relax, we’re almost there.”

Good, at least I’ll have some privacy soon.

I tried to loosen up a bit so I could walk normally, for a pony that is. I still felt exposed but at least I’m not getting awkward stares or being laughed at by the other ponies.

Soon, we were at one end of town where I saw the most beautiful structure I’ve seen yet, well the blurry version that is. Most of the other buildings in this town seemed akin to medieval houses: hay-thatched roofs and wooden support beams with concrete filling the gaps.

This structure was a large, blue, crystal tree that appeared to have part of a purple, crystal castle fitted on top of it; kind of like a tree house, or tree castle I should say. There was a large, pointed star fused at the very top and was made of the same crystal as the tree. The castle had yellow roofs and balcony railings. Fluttershy and I were greeted with two tall, yellow doors with two purple windows on each side of the doorframe.

“Well, here we are,” said Fluttershy.

“Wow! How…how could this have been built? I didn’t know crystal trees were possible!” I looked around the castle’s exterior in awe. My view of it was still blurry, but I could clearly see where the sun reflected off the crystal. Note to self: Find out where you can get some glasses around here ASAP.

Fluttershy answered, “Actually, it sort of ‘grew’ from a magical box after we defeated Tirek and got all the keys to unlock it.”

“Wait…who’s Tirek? What box? What-”

“I’ll tell you later sometime.”

Fluttershy pushed open the yellow door and we walked right in.

We were greeted with a long, blue hallway, also made of crystal, that had a long, red rug running down the hallway’s entire length in the middle. On each side there were crystal pillars with narrow arches connecting them from above. In between the pillars and under the arches were tall, lime green windows each with some small, thin design etched into them. Above us, there were yellow and purple crystals dangling from the ceiling. Ahead of us, at the other end of the hallway, was another large double-door made out of the same green glass as the windows, only this appeared to have a mosaic diamond pattern and was also framed in gold.

I could hear a distant, muffled yelling coming from the end of the hallway as soon as we entered the castle.

I asked Fluttershy, “Do you think we should’ve come at a different time?”

“N-No, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

As we got closer to the green, glass door, the muffled voices became more distinct; one male, two female, at least, with the male voice and one of the female voices in a disagreement of sorts while the third voice was trying to keep order.

Fluttershy sighed. She said to herself quietly, “What did you do this time?”

I was a bit surprised at this as I looked over towards her. “Hmm?” I asked.

“It’s ok, we can go in…I know who’s here…again.” She opened the green door to go in.

“…If you say so,” I said as I followed her.

The next room appeared to be a large throne room, except there were six large, crystal thrones and a small one next to one of the large ones; all except the smaller throne each had an individual symbol near the top. These thrones faced inward towards a gold circle on the floor that had the same pointed star, in white this time, that I saw on top of the tree. The rest of the floor was a deep purple. There were two small, green windows equidistant from a taller green window across from us. It was like something out of The Chronicles of Narnia.

The occupants of this room totaled one more than the number of voices we heard earlier.

To the left of us on the throne with a purple star on it, sat a purple unicorn with wings leaning with one elbow on the arm rest of her throne and her hoof against her cheek; her face was that of annoyance. She had a darker, bluish, purple mane and tail, each with a dark purple and pink highlight. Judging from her current position and appearance, I assume this is Princess Twilight.

Sitting adjacent to her, on the throne half the size of hers with no symbol, sat a small, purple and green dragon, I think, scribbling down something on a piece of parchment with a quill.

The two voices arguing were coming from a pink pony with a bushy, and slightly darker, pink mane and tail, and some tall dragon…thing. Both were in the center of the circle facing the purple unicorn.

I’m not sure what to call this…thing; it looked like a product of some twisted science experiment. He, I think it’s a he, had a long, snake-like brown body with a red lizard, or dragon, tail, a green dragon leg and a light-brown horse leg, a blue, feathered wing and a purple dragon wing, a lion’s paw and an eagle claw for hands, a grey, donkey-like head with a deer antler and a sky blue goat horn, yellow eyes with red pupils, one of which appeared smaller than the other, and to top it off he had a white goat beard and one large fang sticking out of his mouth.

Fluttershy sternly asked this thing, “Discord! What did you do this time?”

“Wha-What do you mean, ‘What did you do this time?’ dearest Fluttershy?” Discord replied mockingly. “I was merely being falsely accused of ‘harming baby ponies’ by this one.” He pointed an eagle claw at the pink pony.

“WHAT?! Pound Cake was terrified when you made him fly over that lava pit! And don’t get me started on what you did to Pumpkin-” she immediately stopped yelling at Discord when she noticed me standing there. She then proceeded to let out a long, loud gasp and immediately darted out the door behind us.

Fluttershy whispered to me, “That’s Pinkie Pie. She does that sometimes when somepony new arrives in Ponyville. Expect a welcoming party later today.”

I nodded. At least I know where I’m at now, and I guess a welcoming party doesn’t sound so bad; although, I’m not much of a fan of parties, especially ones where there’s no one but strangers. Don’t worry about that, just worry about getting outta here. I shook any pre-party anxieties out of my head.

Discord leaned in uncomfortably close to me and Fluttershy, I could really make out the details of his face this time; let’s just say…it isn’t pretty. He looked at me, then at Fluttershy, then back at me, then back at Fluttershy. He said in a low voice, “Is…Is he your…coltfriend?!”

Fluttershy and I blushed at his teasing. I noticed a grumpy look on her face. “He’s not my coltfriend,” she responded in a low, irritated tone.

“Oooo, so are you still holding out for that big, red fellow?” asked Discord playfully. “Oh what’s his name? Big…Mackerel? No that’s not right.”

“Discord!” Fluttershy raised her voice at him. Her face continued to stay red with embarrassment.

“Pptth, ok fine.” Discord looked sideways while still glancing at Fluttershy. “I’ve seen the way you look at him though,” he teased.

Fluttershy grimaced at him, still blushing.

Twilight spoke up, “Fluttershy! So good to see you. Please tell me you have a real problem I can help you out with!”

Discord started pouting. “Humph! Well, if you don’t see my dilemma as legitimate, then I’ll just skedaddle on home.” And with a snap of his fingers, Discord zapped himself away in a bright, white flash.

Fluttershy then responded to Twilight’s request. “Actually, I don’t need help with anything. Well, actually, no I do, but it’s mostly him who needs help.” Fluttershy then pointed at me.

“Oh, ok. What can I help you with? Getting acquainted around here?” asked Twilight. “You must be new if Pinkie Pie reacted the way she did.”

I responded, “Yes. You see…I don’t know how I got here exactly …wherever ‘here’ is, and I don’t normally look like…this.” I briefly scanned my face with my forehoof.

“Hmm, ok. Are you sure you’re not suffering from simple memory loss? Maybe you just hit your head too hard?”

“I…I don’t remember much,” I answered. “All I remember was that I was falling from something, and next thing I know, I woke up in Fluttershy’s house as this…pegasus…creature. I didn’t originally look like this actually, honest.”

“Interesting,” said Twilight. She then giggled a little. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get around to properly introducing myself. I am Princess Twilight Sparkle,” she stated with pride, “What’s your name?”

“I…I don’t…know my name…sorry. Like I said before, I don’t remember much.”

Twilight thought about what I said for a moment. She then said, “That’s ok, I’m sure we’ll be able to help you figure that out.” She then asked, “So Since you claim you weren’t originally a pegasus, what were you originally then?”

I hesitated for a bit before answering. “…human.”

Twilight put a hoof over her mouth as she pondered over this. I glanced over at Fluttershy and noticed her puzzled look towards me. The little purple and green dragon was puzzled too as he was scribbling down our conversation.

Twilight seemed to be puzzled as well. She asked, “What’s a human?”

‘What’s a human?’ Do they not have them in this world? But…everything’s so similar to Earth and human mythology, they can even speak English! Am I in some alternate dimension then? My brain started to hurt the more I’m dumbfounded about this.

I answered, “A human? Well they, uh, have hands and, fingers, they only walk on two legs, and they…well, think of a monkey but with a taller, straighter posture and much less hairy.” Yeah…I don’t think they even know what a monkey is.

Both Twilight and the little dragon perked up like they just remembered something. The little dragon spoke for the first time since Fluttershy and I entered the throne room. He seemed excited to tell us and his voice sounded like a kid in middle school. “You mean like one of those things Twilight turned into when she went in the mirror world?”

…What?

Twilight must have noticed my confused look. “What Spike is talking about,” said Twilight, “is the time I had to go through this magical mirror to stop Sunset Shimmer from conquering that realm using my Element of Harmony.”

Again…What?

Twilight continued, “It’s a long story and…I think it’s best if I show you some time when it opens. For now, I’m gonna get some lunch; solving petty problems can be…tiring.” Twilight’s eyes widened as she got off her throne. “N-Not that your problem is petty,” she said apologetically.

“No it’s…it’s fine, I understand,” I said.

“Phew, thanks. You wouldn’t believe what I’ve been putting up with for the past few days; everypony seems to be coming to me with any and every problem they have!” Twilight paused. She then became sad like she was missing someone special. “I wish I could help you further by seeing if I had anything in my library on humans, but since Tirek destroyed Golden Oaks Library…I lost every book in my possession…along with my home.” She started to tear up a little.

Fluttershy walked up to her and rubbed the back of Twilight’s neck with a forehoof, trying to comfort her.

I was confused as to whom this “Tirek” guy was, along with everything else that I’ve found out today, but he seems like a nasty dude. I wasn’t sure what to do except show some sympathy towards her and try to understand what she’s been through.

Breaking the heavy silence, I asked her, “S-So is there, uh, anyone else that could help me out, or maybe other libraries with information on humans?”

Fluttershy stopped rubbing Twilight’s neck as she regained composure. She answered, “Yes. My mentor, Princess Celestia, should be able to help you. I will have to notify her ahead of time though; she’s much busier than I am because…well she’s one of the rulers of Equestria after all.”

“Wait, so there’s another princess besides you?”

“Yes, three others actually. I was recently coronated,” she answered proudly with a dorky smile.

“…What kind of government system is THAT? Four princesses?”

Twilight got suddenly serious. “A good one.” She relaxed a little and sighed. “Let me notify Princess Celestia first, ok.”

“Ok.”

Twilight turned to Spike standing next to her. “Spike, take a letter.”

The little dragon put his old piece of parchment behind him, which then disappeared, and then whipped out a new piece of parchment from behind him, seemingly out of nowhere.

Twilight cleared her throat:

"Dear Princess Celestia,

I request an audience with you ASAP. I will be bringing somepony with a unique case of memory loss. He claims to have gone through unintentional trans-dimensional teleportation. He also claims to have been a 'human' prior to teleportation, but has been transformed into a blue pegasus through unknown means.

I believe he is from the same dimension that I went to upon entering the mirror portal after my coronation. Further research will be required to confirm this and I may need access to the mirror when it is open.

However, with the possibility that he is not from the mirror world, then I will need access to any and all archives that may have information on these 'humans.'

I look forward to meeting with you.

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle"

Spike rolled up and tied the letter with a red ribbon and blew green fire at it, scorching it as it turned into a green puff of smoke.

“You…you just burned it up!” I commented. “How is this ‘Princess Celestia’ suppose to-”

Twilight cut me off, “Oh don’t worry, she’ll get it. Spike can send and receive letters to and from the Princess with his flame.”

I could hear my stomach gargling, Twilight seemed to have noticed her’s was doing the same.

She sighed. “Look, I can see you’re confused and you must have been through much today,” she said. “Do you want me to explain things over lunch? You’re both invited.”

Fluttershy responded, “Oh sorry Twilight. I fell a little behind after taking in this poor thing after he crashed.” She nudged my shoulder with her head. “Besides, I’ll have to have a talk with Discord…again.” She gave a disapproving look while glancing behind us.

“It’s ok. I think I’ll be able to help this guy jog his memory,” said Twilight. “Oh, and you probably have a welcoming party waiting for you at Sugar Cube Corner this afternoon. I’ll take you there if you’d like.”

I replied, “That’d be nice but…aren’t you busy being a princess and all?”

“Hmm…Spike, what do I have scheduled for this afternoon?”

Spike pulled out a planner from under his throne, thumbing through it. “Let’s see…you have appointments with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Lyra, Mayor Mare, and…Rarity.” he swooned while reading this last name.

“Cancel them all and ask them to reschedule. I will be acting as a personal guide for our mysterious stallion here for the rest of the day.”

“Seriously?” I hastily responded, “You’d be willing to do that? I mean, I don’t want to interfere with-”

“Nonsense! To be honest, I’m glad you came to me. You gave me an issue that’s not so…trivial for once; I’m more than happy to help!” She gave that dorky grin again.

“Wow, um…thanks.”

“Besides, I’d want you to at least have somepony you know go with you to the party, even if you did just get here.”

I nodded, “That…would be nice.”

All four of us left the throne room and entered the long hallway.

Fluttershy perked up. “Um, Twilight, can I talk with you about something quick…um, privately if you don’t mind,” she said. “I saw something…strange in the sky when I found him passed out in my yard.” She pointed a hoof at me.

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Sure Fluttershy,” she said with concern. “We’ll just be a moment,” she said to me and Spike.

I nodded.

They both returned to the throne room. Twilight’s horn and the doors glowed purple as they were heading back; the doors seemed to close quickly on their own behind them.

Spike noticed my confusion. “It’s magic, don’t question it.”

Oh that makes a LOT of sense. I rolled my eyes.

After a few minutes, they both came back into the hallway. “Ok, now we can go eat,” said Twilight.

We all went down the hallway and exited the castle. When we got outside, Fluttershy waved a hoof goodbye and headed back to her place. I followed Twilight with Spike riding on her back. I’m curious to see what kind of foods they have in this world; hopefully there’ll be something I can at least tolerate.

As confused as I am about this place, I’m starting to notice one thing: Everyo-, no, everyPONY, seems so nice, at least to me that is. But I don’t want to assume EVERYpony’s nice; that argument between Pinkie Pie and Discord certainly showed this world is imperfect; not to mention this “Tirek” and this “Sunset Shimmer,” whoever they are. Maybe it’s just that I’m in a small town and it’s that small-town charm everypony has.

Who knows. Next Chapter: Chapter 3 Estimated time remaining: 8 Minutes