It was the throbbing in my skull that caused me to wake. Although I had not had that feeling for several years, I wasn't able to get rid of it. The stuff that took away all my self-control and constraints - salt. I opened my eyes, just to close them again immediately because the sun was too bright for my eyes. I sat up and felt around. I touched the mattress and noticed that there wasn't any defilement except for a bit of sweat. The last thing I wanted was to clean up the food I ate the day before. Again, I looked around and inspected my environment. The room was rather large but furnished pretty meagrely. A dresser and a cupboard - both wooden - were the only furniture along with some paintings on the wall. I couldn't remember the place, but the wallpaper made things clearer. Since apples were the design of choice, I couldn't be anywhere else but in the promised guestroom in Sweet Apple Acres, which was proved by a quick look out the window. The final question now was how I came here. First of all, I needed to get something to drink. I opened the door and had a look around for the kitchen.

Pinkie Pie gave the DJ the signal to put the records on, and the small library was immediately pounded with enormous beats and ponies dancing to it. I had never been a good dancer, and I had no clue how this was going to work as a pony. I kept on a simple headbang and moved through the incredible mass of ponies who somehow all came together here. Some gave me a nod or started winking as I passed them, but I finally reached the room's other side where the buffet was set up. The hunt through those apple fields really made me thirsty, and a mug full of beer or anything else would be perfect. It wasn’t like I was a huge drunkard, but this was a party after all. Therefore, I got a mug from the table and drafted a bit of fluid. The brew gave off a sweet smell, and it was thicker than beer. I recognized the cider apple with the first swallow though. As expected, it was pretty sweet but delicious and didn’t contain much alcohol. If I had to compare it with anything, it would probably be banana wheat beer with a little too much banana.

While those first memories of yesterday night were flitting through my head, I walked up and down the corridor, one hoof after another. Since I wasn't completely awake by now, I forgot what I actually wanted to do, but my dry mouth reminded me of it. The problem was that I didn't remember which door led to the kitchen, and I didn't want to burst into somepony’s room. Once again, I stood in front of the room I had slept in and tried to focus my view. The guestroom was on the far left side of the corridor. Right next to it was another room, and on the opposite side, there were two more. Just at that moment, I noticed the stairs that probably led down to the ground floor. I wanted to slap myself, but that would have just made my headache worse. So I went downstairs and ended up in a huge room with the kitchen on the left side and the living room on the right. The kitchen was completely made of wood. A long bar split the kitchen from the dining area which was furnished with a giant table and a ton of chairs. A large sofa stood in the living room, completely covered with the apple pattern of the wall. Last but not least, there was a fireplace which must have burned just a few hours ago.

Usually I wasn't a party-pooper, but for some reason I couldn't get in the right mood, and others were having this problem as well. Twilight sat in a corner of the library, occasionally taking a sip of a drink which I assumed to be fruit punch. I went through the crowd and joined her.

"Nice party!" I sort of shouted at her, trying to drown out the music - no answer. I gave her a tap, and she turned around. As she saw me, she said something which I couldn't understand. I shook my head to show that I couldn't hear her, but she just turned around and trudged away. I knew that she wasn't a huge fan of parties, but it was still quite strange. I looked at the dancing crowd, the DJ rousing my interest. It was time to reveal another myth.

The front door opened with a slight groan, and Big Macintosh entered. I was still standing on the stairs and thinking about the night before as he gave me a look, making it clear that he didn't agree with my accommodation.

"Morning..." I said quietly. The massive stallion snorted and went into the kitchen. There, he turned on the water tap and held his head under the cold running water, taking a huge mouthful. Finally, he opened the fridge and took out some apple pancakes, which he then shoved on the table and headed to the front door again. "Are those for me?" I asked him on his way out the door.

"Eeyup," I heard him saying just before he disappeared out in the sun.

Immediately, I went in the kitchen and copied his example with the water, the cold liquid serving to give me some strength back.

It took some time to push through the room. Once in a while, some ponies would pull me over to them, trying to introduce themselves or inviting me for a drink which was, because of the loud music, rather difficult. Often, this wasn't necessary anyways since I knew many from the series. There were Lyra, Octavia, Ditzy, Colgate, Whooves, Aloe, Lotus, Caramel, and I was pretty sure that I saw Spitfire without her uniform. Rainbow Dash would probably freak out if it actually was her. Finally, I arrived at the desk where DJ-Pon3, also known as Vinyl Scratch, did her job.

"Pleased?" she asked, grinning. Somehow, I was able to hear her voice perfectly even though she didn't turn down the volume at all. To be honest, I wasn't that much into techno or of what kind this music was.

"Not exactly my scene," I shouted as loud as I possibly could. Vinyl pressed some buttons and came down to me. The music continued playing just like before, and I could see that she used her magic to control everything. She didn't even look at it and still knew what to do. That just multiplied the respect I had for the work she was doing. Just because I didn’t really like a certain type of music didn’t mean I didn’t notice when something was good.

"So, what does our new friend like to hear?" she asked as she stood next to me.

"I'm a friend of the harder sounds, like rock, metal, and sometimes goth."

"Never heard of it." I was a little disappointed, but every world had its own customs.

"If you want, I could give an example someday." She smiled.

"Oh yeah, sure! Just ask Pinkie where I live and come around." She was about to return to her music, but I did have another question.

"Would you do me a favour?" She turned around, thought a second, and nodded. "I’ve been wondering for quite a while now what eye color you have. Would it be a big deal for you to let me see?" Once again, she grinned.

"Oh, do I have a secret admirer?" I flushed.

"Nothing like that, just curiosity." She lifted her glasses slightly, and I could see the red glow of her eyes. My throat was dry again, and I needed another drink.

It was somewhat unusual for me to eat without a knife and fork, but it was not the first time. I ate one pancake after another, pushing one to the edge of the plate and then having a big bite. It took a while, but my stomach was soon filled with a ton of pancakes and still begged for more. That wasn't surprising though since the last thing it had was the muffin Spike had given me. When I was done, I pushed the plate into the sink where other dishes already were. Even though I would just leave it on the table at home, I knew how to behave as a guest.

I wanted to find the bathroom next, which was probably behind one of the doors next to the stairs. Since I was right-hoofed, I chose the right one, and I surprisingly ended up in another bedroom. I knew the odour of that room pretty well because it always had smelled like that when I visited my grandmother. This had to be the room of Granny Smith, and so I closed the door again and chanced my luck with the only possibility left. After I had taken a shower and done my morning routine, I stood in front of the sink to brush my teeth. There were several brushes, and all were labelled, from left to right: Big Macintosh, Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Tio. If there is one thing the Apple family was good at, it was making a guest feel at home.

Another mug full of cider went down my throat as fast as I could swallow. Although I tasted the alcohol again, I couldn't feel any effect. To be honest, I wasn't that guy who got drunk super easily, but I should have at least felt something. I wasn't disappointed but being tipsy would help me dance to this music enormously. A tapping in my flank brought a mare who sat next to the table in a corner, drinking out of her own barrel, to my attention. Her fur was purple and her mane was just a bit darker. Her cutie mark comprised of two grapes: one purple, the other one red. I went through the list and recognized her as Berry Punch. She looked tipsy. Her head was jiggling and her expression really made it obvious. She waved me to her and hoofed over a mug.

“You look like *hick* you needed ssomething sssstronger,” she muttered, and I looked into the mug. It looked like the cider on the table. I aimed a questioning look at her, but she pointed at the drink, commanding me. I shrugged my shoulders and took a mouthful, instantly being overwhelmed by the salty taste. The cider I drank before was sweeter but this one was salty, like really salty. Although I was a friend of spicy food, no matter whether it was salt, pepper, or chili, this was outstanding. The salt was burning in my mouth and throat, reminding me of the feeling I would usually get with liquor. I felt the warmth flow through me and emptied the mug. Berry smiled tipsily and gave me a refill.

After I did everything in the bath, I searched for a clock. My saddlebag containing my phone was still in the library, but I wasn't sure whether the times in the two worlds were the same either. In the kitchen, on a wooden beam under the ceiling, I found the longed-for time measurement instrument. It made me realize that I was probably the last one up. It was just about eleven o'clock. Once again, I sat myself next to the table and went through my plans. The most important thing was to regain my old form. Being a pony was a nice experience but would be a hindrance in my world. So, if I wanted to keep practicing magic, I had to ask Twilight to teach me further or tell her of my situation. She surely knew a way to transform me back or could ask the princess. She wouldn't send me straight to the moon. At least I hoped not. And maybe I could bribe her with a banana. I concentrated on the bowl of apples and tried to lift one with my magic. My white aura covered one, but it didn't move a single inch. I was definitely not a born magician. I also had to visit Fluttershy. Her name brought back some memories...

The salt had the effect that came from alcohol, and I had spent several hours on the dance floor. I danced with a couple of mares, but none danced like Pinkie. From time to time, I stopped dancing just to get supply from Berry. But after some time, she fell asleep, which was quite an accomplishment considering the volume, so I served myself. She didn't only have one barrel under her arm but five more behind her, all marked with three red crosses. I tapped the third one and looked under the table. While doing so, I saw a pair of yellow hooves next to the other end of the table. However, doing so made me miss the tap, and the hammer went straight into the barrel. The salty cider sprayed at me, and I happily opened my mouth. When the stream ebbed away, I reminded myself of the yellow hooves and looked to the other side of the table.

“Buttershy!” I yelled and hiccupped, seeing how she winced. My assumption was correct, and I slowly walked over to her, which wasn't an easy feat anymore. On the short way, I nearly fell several times. She was lying next to the table, probably watching the party from there. But now she cowered in the corner. “Hey F… F… Buttershy. I have been looking forward to meeting you.” She looked with her large eyes peeking out of her hair. She was so sweet, she was trembling.

“C'mon, lemme hug you.” I hugged her, which led to me more or less leaning on her. “You're so soft and huggable...” I said quietly and in the next moment, I fell on the ground. Fluttershy panicked and was gone. ”Oh...”

I felt horrible. I had probably scared Fluttershy to death. I had to visit her later on and apologize because every brony would most likely threaten me for what I did to her. The rest of my small list had already been worked off. And with a bite into one of the apples, I also checked the last point off my checklist. Aside from strawberries, apples and blueberries were my favourites amongst the fruits.

Then I thought of another thing. It was something I didn't like to admit, but I wanted to take a souvenir with me. Big, shining, and named diamond. Money was something everyone needed in our world, and not admitting that I had that idea was just a lying to myself. Arriving at the university with a new car instead of my old Clio would be a nice feeling. Subwoofer, speakers, and all that stuff. Whatever money I had remaining, I could put it aside for bad times. But I knew only one pony who could show me how to find some, and I would therefore have to apologize first and break up with my beloved boxer shorts. I wanted to look for them, but then I realized I wasn't wearing any just like I wasn't wearing my glasses.

After Fluttershy ran off, I calmed down a bit. I realized that if I kept on going like this, I was on the best way to drink myself into a coma. For the rest of the night, I avoided Berry and her barrels. The minutes just flew away, and I was here and there. I talked to some more ponies, but I couldn't remember what we talked about. At one point, I felt nature calling for me and went for the bathroom. Unfortunately, there was a small line, so I decided to go into the kitchen in order to sit down. With my bladder resting and not hanging down, it was easier to resist the urge. It was late in the night, and Vinyl had lowered the volume and changed to more calm tracks, which allowed me to overhear some words from the kitchen.

“What do ya mean he doesn't know?” That had to be Applejack; I could recognize her accent.

“Well, I haven't told him yet. I thought he wouldn't want to come then.”

“Probably not, you took him from his home!”

“But it was so cold, and the world was so full of hatred and pain. Even in the books, there was only greed.”

“That doesn't give ya the right to decide for him, Twilight.”

“I know. I just thought...”

“You know that you gotta tell him, don't ya?”

“I know, but let him settle in first. Maybe he’ll want to stay here then.”

“You know I'm there for ya, but ya gotta tell him.”

I stopped listening. In my mind, dawning comprehension was rising slowly since I was inebriated by the salt. What they were talking about was obviously about me. That much was for certain. It also looked like I was not going to be able to return home as soon as planned. I started to panic. My family was, thanks to my brother’s prank, probably still being pressed by the police and media. My life, my friends, everything was in a different world, my world. In addition to that, I wasn't even a pony, I was a human. This wasn't my home. Something went wrong in my head. Probably caused by the mix of panic and salt. With my best imitation of a bouncing Pinkie Pie, I crossed the room and shouted all kinds of things.

“I am a human, fear me.”

“Wilsoooooon.”

"Look at my horse; my horse is amazing..."

"LEEEEEEEROOOOOYYYYY..."

Vinyl and all other ponies were confused by my sudden outburst. The music stopped, and everypony had their eyes on me. Applejack and Twilight came with Rarity and Rainbow Dash out of the kitchen and watched my horseplay.

“Damn it, what's wrong with the fella?” Applejack shouted through the room, but everyone just shook their heads.

“I think he oversalted himself.” Rainbow Dash grinned.

I pushed Vinyl from her desk, and pulled my mobile phone out of my saddlebag which had been lying behind the desk. I took one of the cables and connected it with my mobile phone. Even with my chaotic thoughts, I somehow managed to select the right song. The next moment, the beat began, and I started singing.

I'm not a fan of puppeteers, but I've a nagging fear

Someone else is pulling at the strings.

Something terrible is going down through the entire town

Wreaking anarchy and all it brings.

I can't sit idly, no, I can't move at all.

I curse the name, the one behind it all...

I took of my shorts and circled them around my hoof before throwing them in the corner.

Discord, I'm howlin' at the moon

And sleepin' in the middle of a summer afternoon...

At the mention of that name, chaos spread through the crowd. Twilight reacted immediately and pulled me and my mobile phone away from the desk, causing the music to stop. My phone and I floated in her direction, but as I came closer, she levitated me further away.

“Yes, definitely too much salt...” she said with a face as if someone had just showed her a cesspool. Now she looked at my phone and levitated it back into my bag.

“AJ, I think it´s the best if you bring him to the farm.” Applejack nodded as I landed on her back. I struggled with my hooves, but I couldn't reach the ground.

“Hold still, will you?” In the same moment, Rainbow Dash gave me a smack on the head. I gave in, closed my eyes, and sobbed a bit. The guests now left the library one by one. Applejack waited with Twilight and I until the others were all gone before we left. On the doorstep, Twilight asked Applejack a question, and she had to have thought I was sleeping otherwise she wouldn't have asked.

“Do you think he heard us?” she asked in a worried tone.

“Maybe, sugarcube, but with the amount of salt, maybe he won't remember much.”

Now I had another reason to visit Twilight. I wanted to know what that was all about, regarding when or if I could return at all. She came to me with a spell, so why couldn't I do the same thing? Sitting around here was of no use. I stepped out of the house, knowing that this would be a long day.

Author's Notes:

Edited by JBL. Thank you!