This silence is killing me! We continue along a number of corridors without so much as a peep from anybody, the only noise coming from the hoof steps of the ponies gathered around me. Well that's not true, there's also the infuriating sound of the pink one bouncing along behind me.

"Where are we going?" My curiosity finally gets the best of me. I figure it's better to try and get some sort of conversation going to end this awkward silence.

"I figured you would be hungry," Celestia answers. "We shall go to the dining hall to get some refreshments while we get to learn more about you."

"Fair enough" -As if on queue my stomach begins to make an unnatural sound- "Though I expect some answers in return."

"Of course, we will be more than willing to answer your questions."

The walk continues once again in silence. We make a right turn and find ourselves entering a large dinning room. A tiled floor covered by a segment of purple carpet in the centre, a long mahogany table situated on top complete with numerous chair scattered evenly around the table. Large chairs positioned on either end of the table, one containing Celestia's mark whilst the other displays Luna's. There are three large stained glass windows against the far wall. Standing at numerous points are servants patiently waiting to serve their monarch's.

Everyone begins to position themselves at various seats around the table, I find myself sitting almost at the centre of the the table. Luna and Celestia are on either end of the table, Twilight sits opposite me with Cadence and the Guard Captain to her left, The Yellow Pegasus to her right, Applejack sits to my left followed by Rainbow Dash and to my right sits the white Unicorn followed by the pink one.

The servants approach the members at the table and take down various lunch orders. I haven't the faintest clue what to ask for, deep down I want a full English breakfast but I doubt they have that since ponies won't eat meat. One servant finally approaches me asking what I would like, he's trying to remain professional but I can see a slight shaking in his legs. Keeping it simple I decide to go basic and have some toast and scrambled eggs with a cup of tea, I was surprised they even ate eggs but I only asked after I heard the Captain ask for them.

"I believe introductions are in order," says Twilight, "To your left Is Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Princess Luna, Fluttershy, Myself who you already know, Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, Princess Celestia, Pinkie Pie and Rarity." Everyone gives some sort of greeting when their name is called, I was mainly focusing on trying to finally gather their names to focus on their acknowledgements.

"Lieutenant John Davies," Reaching over the table I hold out my hand which Twilight slowly meets with her hoof, I grasp her hoof and shake it before seating myself back into the chair.

"Lieutenant?" Shining Armor asks. "You're in the Military?"

"That's correct, Captain. I mentioned earlier the strict orders I had to follow for confrontation. I'm in the Army, have been for a number of years."

"That explains your ensemble then," says Rarity. "However I must admit I would expect an Officer to dress in something more refined."

"Well I do have Parade uniform back home, though we never had much need for parade dress in Afghanistan. What I'm wearing now is my combat uniform"

"Afghanistan? I've never heard of it I'm afraid..." This line of conversation is thankfully broken when the servers return and present everyone with their orders, I'm not exactly in the mood for explaining the conflict in all honesty.

Everyone begins to eat their respective meals, credit where its due these ponies know how to make good scrambled eggs and a proper brew. The others seem to have a weird combination of food, daffodil and daisy sandwich, hay fries and burgers which substitute meat with hay. I can't help but scrunch my face upon seeing their food choices surrounding hay. I'm halfway through my food when a quiet voice draws my attention.

"What do Humans normally eat?" Turning to the source I can see Fluttershy moving back behind her hair slightly when I make eye contact with her. "If you don't mind me asking. It's just that you didn't look so keen when you saw some of our choices." Shit... Should I tell them the truth that many humans regularly enjoy a wide variety meat as a part of their diet. Well lying isn't going to earn their trust.

"Well Humans have a varied diet, we eat many different types of food in order to keep us healthy." Technically a sufficient answer without any lies.

"Like what?" Well fuck... I may as well get this over with.

"Dairy, fruit, vegetables, wheat and meat." That last answer causes everyone to look up at me.

"...Meat?" Rarity asks, a slightly displeased tone in her voice.

"Yeah, there's no point in me lying." I raise my upper lip and tap my finger against my canines to show everyone my sharp teeth.

Pinkie take a loud intake of air, "Oh my gosh! Are you a vampire? Can you turn into a bat?" Pinkie seems to announce her suspicions at an unbelievably fast pace, I found it difficult to keep up.

"No Pinkie, they're canine teeth. Their purpose is to puncture foods such as meat in order to tear them. Humans mostly eat Fish, Cow, Pig, Chicken and Sheep," Turning I can see everyone's shocked expressions when I mentioned Cows and Sheep, Are they sentient here too?
"Though we don't require meat, we can survive without it but it can cause issues if it's suddenly removed from our diets."

"Why would you eat Cow and Sheep?" AppleJack asks, disgust clearly projected in her voice.

"I don't know how it works here, but humans are the only species capable of speech, thought or emotion where I'm from. Those creatures can't communicate and are unintelligent."

"But if you can survive without meat then why in the hay would you keep on eatin' them!?" Her voice becoming more irritated.

"It's just the way things are back home. It's part of our culture to eat certain animals, whereas other cultures and religions avoid certain animals all together such as Jews avoiding Pigs, hell the Hindus consider the Cow to be sacred."

Fluttershy speaks up, interrupting the argument before it becomes heated. "I understand your need to eat meat..." Everyone turns to face her in shock, she seems to be acting rather confident on this matter. "Many animals rely on meat to survive, it's part of their nature and how they're raised from young. If humans are the same then how can we say it's wrong for them to eat meat, but not condemn other animals for doing the same?" Wow... a herbivore just defended a species which actively kills animals for food, good thing she doesn't know that some of us eat Horse. I'm looking at you France.

"I won't actively go out and hunt in order to get meat. If it's not available, then it's not available. I'm not going to do anything stupid in order to get it, I'll survive without it."

Luna looks down the table towards me, "Some other species do eat meat as part of their diet, such as the Griffins. We do on occasion stock small supplies of poultry and fish for when they send ambassadors. If you're here at the time and require it we can surely accommodate your dietary needs."

"Thank you for understanding." I look back to my plate and raise my fork once again, pausing I look back to Luna when what she said hits me. "Hold on. There are Griffins?"

"That there are, their empire is to the east of Equestria across the Celestial sea. However relations between us are currently... being tested." Luna pauses as she looks up to Celestia, her expression seems as if she's seeking permission to speak further.

Celestia places her drink down and looks from her sister to face me. "The Griffin's are currently in the process of crowning the new heir to the throne following the death of King Gerwin last month. Unfortunately, a number of commanders within the Griffin army and a number of Griffin Lords feel as though Prince Gerlach is not fit to rule. Instead, they seek to install General Guerino as the new King. Guerino is set in his ways, openly expressing his hatred towards Equestria and stating his intention to claim Equestrian held colonies on the continent. War seems inevitable between the Royalist's and Militarist's, should the Militarist's succeed in taking control they will more than likely attack our colonies."

So there is a civil war brewing? One side in good relations with Equestria with the other openly hostile. "Is your military acting in order to support the Prince? Or is this a diplomatic matter?"

Twilight interrupts, "Equestria hasn't actively been in war since King Sombre over one-thousand years ago," She informs me. "Our guards are trained... but we preferably seek alternative routes than conflict."

"If there's one thing my life has taught me, it's that war is sometimes inevitable." -I turn back to look between all four Princesses as I speak- "My country in the last one-hundred years has been in a number of wars and conflicts, including two of the bloodiest conflicts ever seen. War in never sought out by my nation but if it is the best option with no other alternative we will take it."

Standing up from the table I walk over to one of the windows and look down to see a courtyard. Patrolling the area below is a number of guards looking over the Ponies still leaving from my earlier trial. "Your guards enlisted to serve the royal family and to protect them and the citizens of your nation. Sometimes the best way to defend your citizens is to fight. If you ordered your soldiers to fight for your country I'm sure they will answer to the call."

Looking across the table I try to judge everyone's reactions. Shining and Rainbow Dash both seem to show understanding, Twilight along with Cadence and both Fluttershy and Rarity seem to be disgusted that I've even suggested their country even entering a conflict, Celestia and Luna seem to be looking down at the table in deep thought over what I told them, and I find it hard to read Pinkie as she seems to still be in her usual happy mood.

Celestia soon brings her head to face me, "How did you find yourself in Equestria? Any information may aid us in allowing you to return to your home." It almost sounds as if she's suspicious of my suggestion and would rather throw me back in whatever hole I crawled out of. Almost as if she seems to think I'm aiming to cause Equestria to enter a war.

"I honestly have no clue. I found myself in some messed up storm, producing lightning bolts of purple, pink and other various colours." -Celestia's expression seems to shift to one of minor sorrow upon mention of the storm- "I reckon I was struck by one of those bolts. When I woke up in the forest, I was wondering the forest until I found some strange creature tied down before coming across Twilight."

Celestia locks eyes with me, I could tell straight away that from her expression I wouldn't like what I was about to hear. "The storm you described occurs over the Everfree forest, however we have been unable to predict when it will strike. It contains unknown magical properties which we have very little knowledge on. That would likely be your best option at finding the way home... I'm afraid however the storms only form once every two-hundred years. I'm sorry, but you may never be able to return home."

My heart immediately drops. Two-hundred years!? I'm stuck here until I die of old age or other causes? The only human to roam this strange world, forever walking alone. All my friends and family back home who I'll never see again, my parents, sister, my squad mates.

Following a short period of silence Luna turns her head up looking to me, "I understand that this news is hard to hear..."

"HOW THE FUCK CAN YOU UNDERSTAND HOW I'M FEELING!?" -My voice raised, the sorrow pushing through my voice- "I'm going to be alone in this world till the day I die! There's no such thing as magic back home, it's a crock of shit!" Luna initially seems to have been taken aback by my outburst, but her eyes show a deep sadness.

"I know too well what it means to be alone... please trust me when I say we will do everything we can to ensure you aren't without anypony to support you."

A long silence takes hold of the room as I look out the window over the courtyard, my thoughts focused on my home. After what feel like an eternity Celestia stands from her seat and walks to me.

"You've given us much to consider Lieutenant, but for now I fear we must retire. As we said at the trial you will be leaving with Twilight and her friends to got to Ponyville. You are to remain in her home until she believes you are able to leave and interact with the town's residents." Ponyville? That has got to be the stupidest name I've ever heard, almost like calling a city Humantown. "However given the circumstances we will do everything we can to ensure you are accepted by our subjects. Your property will be returned to you as you leave. We shall speak to you soon, John Davies."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As promised upon leaving I was presented with my property. The only catch was that my weapons, assault vest and helmet were locked away in a container which had been enchanted to only allow one of the Princesses to unlock it. We had an enclosed carriage to transport us to the cities train station, It was agreed that it would be best to keep me out of public view until we left the city. We also had the 'privilege' of having two guards accompany us in Ponyville to act as my escorts, they would arrive at Twilight's home tomorrow.

On the way to the train station I managed to get my first real look at the city. The castle and city itself was built into the side of a mountain, hanging high over the ground below us leading to a grand view of the surrounding area. How the cities foundation was able to hold the weight of the city was beyond me, when I asked I got an over complicated answer from Twilight which Pinkie happily simplified in one easy word. 'Magic.'

The architecture of sections we passed reminded me of that similar to that of the Renaissance era in Europe. Many buildings were constructed in white materials with intricate designs leading each to look like their own piece of artwork. The roads were old fashioned cobble roads, there seemed to be a lack of any land vehicles or other carriages allowing the ponies to walk in the roads with ease.

We didn't have to stay at the train station long before the train itself arrived. And my god did the train look like the gayest thing I had ever seen. It was an old steam locomotive painted bright pink with various hearts painted on the cow catcher attached to the front, the window also shaped like a heart. We were soon on the train and had our own carriage, the other passengers staring before they left once I sat down.

I watch the passing scenery as we make our way along the track, the girls idly talking until I notice the chatter come to an abrupt halt. I look up to them to see they're all sat at various seats around me looking directly at me. "I take it you all have questions."

Twilight is the first to speak. "Well since your staying with us, we thought it would be best to learn more about you. Find out what kind of pon... human you are." Did she nearly call me a pony?

"Ask away."

"How old are you? You don't have and distinguishing features to indicate that you're of great age."

"I'm twenty-four years old. My birthday is on the twelfth of July."

Pinkie seemed to burst into an overextended gasp when I mentioned my birthday. "Oh my gosh! That means I have to throw you a super fantastic birthday party! Oh, and you'll need a 'Just had a trial and welcome to Ponyville party' before that, or we can combine them into one super party!" Pinkie somehow manages to throw some confetti from her hooves as she waves them in the air.

"Umm... yeah, I'm not exactly a giant fan of parties if there's no reason behind it." I swear to god once those words left my mouth she froze on the spot, her eyes widening as they seemed to pierce my very soul.

"WHAT!? How can you not like parties? Everypony loves parties!"

"I'm sorry, I just never really cared for them." I don't mind them if it's for a legitimate reason, but when you throw one for shits and giggles they just get irritating.

"But... I have to throw you a Pinkie Pie party." She steps up to me and looks up to me, her eyes widening as she threatens to burst into tears, her lips pouting as she pulls a puppy-dog face. Holy shit that's cute... no one must ever know I just thought that.

Letting out a sigh I lean back against the chair as I look to the ceiling, "Tell you what, as long as there's booze and I can get drunk you can throw me your party." Her face immediately changed and her expression livened back up to her regular attitude, a smile stretching across her entire face.

"YES! Don't worry I won't let you down, Johnny." I hate being called Johnny. "I normally don't bring out the drinks to my parties but for you, Johnny I can make an exception. I won't let you down, that's a Pinkie promise." She began to do some weird movement, bringing her hoof across her heart, throwing it into the air before holding it to her eye. That's a weird way to make a pinky promise, though I suppose they don't have fingers so they can't do an actual pinky promise.

This is going to be a long journey. Reaching my hand into my pockets I remove all the contents onto the bench I'm sat on, I select my lighter and cigarettes. "Is it okay to smoke in here?"

Twilight looks toward the cigarette, "Where did you even get those? It's extremely rare to even find a merchant who will stock them, on account of all the negative health implications." Well at least it seems they pay closer attention to the side effects, and are at least smarter than us to not use something which is bad for them.

Placing one in my mouth I bring the lighter before the end and light it. Soon I'm exhaling smoke out the adjacent window as the girls initially cough from the smoke. "Yeah we know they're bad, we just don't care too much."

"How can you willingly take something, knowing that it will cause more harm than good?" Twilight's face scrunching with the presence of the smoke.

"The same can be said for alcohol which I've already been informed you have, so don't give me that bollocks. I won these in a poker game so I may as well use my winnings, the C.O. sure would be pissed if I let them go to waste." Bringing the cigarette back up to my mouth I realise this may be my best chance to find information about his new world, seeing as it's going to be my new home whether I like it or not. "I've got a question, what are those marks next to your arse?"

"Flank..." Twilight corrects. "And it's called a cutie mark. A pony gains their mark once they've discovered their special talent in life." A tattoo which shows your talent in life? With half the fucked up people back in my world, I'd hate to think what kind of marks they'd be cursed with.

Rarity's horn lights up as she levitates my phone from the seat alongside me. "Why have you got this black mirror in your possession? It's certainly unique darling, but it doesn't seem very practical for its purpose." She tilts the screen in front of her, examining herself in the reflection.

"It's not a mirror, It's a mobile phone" -Reaching over I pluck my phone from her magic and switch it on- "It allows us to communicate with one another, it can even be used on different continents as long as you have the money to pay for it."

Rainbow Dash flies over from her seat and hovers over my shoulder, tapping the screen with her hoof. "It doesn't look that impressive, I bet it's just some slow old letter which takes forever to get there."

"Okay then, if you're the expert on speed how long would it take you to deliver a message from one end of Equestria to the other?"

"I can do that easy in less than a day." -Breathing on her hoof she then rubs it against her chest- "I'm the fastest flier in all of Equestria!" her face displaying a cocky smile

"One day? Wow, that's slow," Dashes overconfident grin drops into a glare. "This is capable of sending a message to almost anywhere on the planet in a few seconds." Everyone's jaws now hang low, Dashes boast of being the fastest delivery method in Equestria crashes and burns before her very eyes. "It is also capable of storing video and audio recordings, along with pictures."

Twilight's normally calm expression collapses. Her eye is actually twitching. "That's impossible... without magic in your world how are you able to produce such technology?"

"Science. The human race has made great developments in all field of science within the last century. We construct a wide range of technology which helps us in day to day life. We've built aircraft which allow human's to fly across the globe in a number of hours, phones to allow us to communicate almost instantly. Even the internet which allows almost any data and information to be accessed anywhere in the world." They all seem to be frozen in absolute shock. "Imagine a library, all the information contained within textbooks, all stored on the internet allowing us to access them from computers at home and even on our phones."

"The amount of studying potential. I could complete a scientific journal on advanced communications, develop mass communication hubs throughout Equestria to allow the sharing of scientific data..." Twilight kept going on and on about the 'scientific possibilities.' Unless she can charge my phone then it will all be in vain, also she will have to persuade me to allow it and I'm not too eager to surrender my phone.

I scroll through my phone and play one of my favourite songs, Got to love the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The music interrupts Twilight's monologue, everyone is soon looking back to my phone, I even catch Rainbow slightly nodding her head to the song. "I figured that you of all people would be into rock."

Rainbow finally lands back on the floor, walking over she sits alongside me. "I suppose it's kinda cool," Her eyes lock onto my regimental insignia. "Whats that?"

"It's my regiment. I'm in the Royal Engineers," I hold my shirt sleeve out showing the badge to everyone else. Applejack studies intently before looking back up to me.

"If you're an engineer I reckon you're pretty good at fixin' things?"

"Depends on what it is you want fixing. You probably don't have what I was trained to fix."

"Nothin' to fancy, what did you fix?"

"I was originally in REME, the Royal Electronical Mechanical Engineers. I specialised in repairing weapons systems on fighting vehicles such as Apache's and IFV's. I could also carry out general vehicle maintenance," I doubt they have any sort of weapon systems or military fighting vehicles here, or any vehicles besides trains for that matter.

"So what does EOD mean? I ain't ever heard of that," Her hoof raised pointing to the EOD etched into the insignia.

"Explosive Ordinance Disposal, It was my job to disarm explosives. I transferred to this regiment in my second year, I became an ammunition technical officer and trained in maintaining standard firearms, munitions and explosive ordinance."

Fluttershy seems to have been put off through this line of the conversation, she is quite timid so It seems she has a strong distaste toward any form of violence. "Isn't there any way to avoid fighting? Your species seems to have lots of roles set around hurting others."

"Unfortunately that's the world we live in," I put out the cigarette on the window frame before throwing it out the window. "We don't actively seek to fight, but we are prepared to stand and fight for our beliefs."

Hearing a scratching sound I look up to see that Twilight once again has a quill and parchment, she's probably trying to catch up on everything I said so far. Returning her attention to me she asks, "So what can you briefly tell me about where you're from? I believe you mentioned a 'United Kingdom.'"

I briefly go into detail about back home. The constitutional monarchy, the army pledging allegiance to the queen, the current government, the countries within the UK and about democratic governments. It's a good way to help pass the time, but I can't help but feel troubled by the fact that I will never be unable to return.

Twilight seems quite content with my explanations, satisfied she sets the parchment down alongside her. Fluttershy sat patiently through Twilight's questioning, by the look on her face she has more questions to ask.

Hiding partially behind her long flowing hair her eyes peek through, her cheeks a light shade of crimson. "Umm... did you have a... special somepony back home?"

"Special somepony?" -I let out a light chuckle- "No. Not anymore I don't," This subject seems to grab the attention of the others. Well fuck, looks like they're going to find out all about my love life back home.

"Anymore? Does that mean you had one before coming here?"

"Not exactly, no. I had a girlfriend a few months ago, but due to... complications, we are no longer together," I raise my phone and load up the photos. Swiping to the correct one I turn the screen to the girls. "This is her," The photo shows the two of us together, wrapped in a hug during a shameless selfie.

She has long flowing black hair with curls at the ends. Light green eyes reflecting the natural light, her lips pressed in a kiss covered with cherry red lipstick. She has a long flowing red dress whereas I'm dressed in ceremonial parade dress, black tunic with a white dress belt and black trousers with a red stripe down the outside of the leg. A black cap with red trim bears the army cap badge. A photo taken from my passing out parade when I first joined as a Second Lieutenant.

Rarity seems particularly pleased with the Uniform, "Now that, darling is a uniform fit for an officer. Not those duds you call a uniform" -She waves her hoof up and down to my uniform- "But whatever did happen with the two of you? You both seem to be so happy together."

I turn the photo back and look at it, remembering the day itself with great fondness, "We were together before I enlisted when we met at college. Things went well and she was supportive when I had to go away for months at a time for the army. But before I left on tour a few months ago I found out she cheated on me." A collection of gasps rains out from the girls. Rainbow and Applejack both look absolutely disgusted.

Applejack leaves her seat. Stopping in front of me, she rests her hoof on my shoulder, "I'm real sorry, sugarcube." Her eyes look upon me, she actually seems generally sorry about what happened and as though she wants to help.

Crossing my arm over I pat the top of her hoof twice. "You've got nothing to apologise for, better I found out before I left then whilst I was away." Applejack steps back, a soft smile on her face.

The train's whistle blares out from in front, looking out the window I can see we are approaching a small station with a town tucked away behind it.

Pinkie starts to bounce towards the door, I have no idea how that's even possible. "We're here, Johnny. Come on, I'll give you a super duper tour then we can get to planning your 'welcome to Ponyville' party." Rising from my seat I walk down the carriage towards the cabin's door, the train slowing as it prepare for the stop.

I guess this is my new home then...