The night came silent and calm just before Luna’s royal Canterlot canto again broke the silence. With two glasses of grape juice Tyler stepped outside to the balcony, where Twilight sat on a pillow, reading in the light of a candle,
“Soon Applebuck Season begins… I sure hope AJ won’t have any problems if she can’t do anything on the orchard.”

Twilight looked up with a giggle,
“She sure isn’t going to like sitting around doing nothing. You should visit her quite often. Are you excited about your foal?” With a sly grin she looked at him as he sat down. “Big Daddy Tyler…”

Closing his eyes Tyler smiled gently in anticipation,
“Very excited… I hope to turn out OK as a father… I’ll have a meeting with the Cakes in a few days. I guess you want to accompany me to that? Maybe we could learn something together.”

“I’d love to Tyler, but if it goes into my other chores, I might have to decline.”

Now Spike came out to the balcony as well,
“Twilight… I’m going to sleep now…” After looking towards the woods he pointed a claw to the fast growing clouds above them. “Looks like a storm is brewing over the Everfree Forest… I hope I’m asleep before it spreads toward us”

Twilight however looked at the clouds with suspicion,
“I don’t know, Spike… That’s too fast for a storm… Weird…” She then looked up to Tyler, who was sitting beside her. “I must say I don’t have much experience with the weather above the Everfree Forest, but this is especially weird tonight.”

Tyler shook his head,
“Ah well… I find it rather relaxing to see some clouds again that aren’t moved into place by pegasi… Reminds me of Earth…”

It was then when a loud thunder sounded from the Everfree forest that prompted both Tyler and Twilight to yelp in surprise and in the next moment, the clouds were pushed into all directions like an explosion had occurred in their center. Not long after this the clouds dissipated and a bright object glided down the night sky.

But as soon as Tyler saw a bright object gliding down the sky, he suddenly leaped up and stood at the railing,
“What in God’s name…” The object, although too far away to be identified wasn’t falling like a comet or meteor. No, it kept flying. Burning and flying… No Pegasus Tyler knew could both at the same time. It was in this moment that only one word filled his mind.

Airplane.

In an instant Tyler turned around,
“Spike, take a note please!”

While Tyler hastily dictated the letter to Spike, his eyes followed the burning airplane. The Cessna’s wings were both burning, making the airplane highly visible in the night sky. Some ponies looked at it,
“Is that a shooting star? My, how lovely!”

“No… It’s something different.”

“It seems like this is a burning object!”

From the window of her room Applejack looked over to her brother’s window. Big McIntosh looked out as well.
“Yer think the Flim Flam Brothers are behind this, Big Mac?”

The stallion only shook his head,
“Nnnope! And even if that thing was of their makin’, they sure as hay ain’t goin’ far with it!”

With a hard and trembling crash, the Betty carved a trail into the Everfree forest as her wings were ripped off from the main airplane body before the Betty came to a complete still stand. Soon after that several kicks were delivered from the inside before the hatchet fell off and Rachel jumped out of the burning wreckage,
“Nice landing, Flynn! What were you trying to do? Redecorating the woods a bit?”

Flynn however gritted his teeth,
“Rachel! Shut up! You should be happy to be alive!” he snapped back to her before shaking his head at the Cessna. “Betty…. Aw, man! This can’t be happening! Game over man! Game over! We’ll never get a lift off with her wings ripped off! Look what this shit has done to you, my girl!”

While Flynn began to sob over the wreckage, Rachel kicked a piece of debris,
“Oh yeah? Alive and away from civilization! God knows on what deserted island that storm brought us!”

Tossing their bags outside, Sam looked at her,
“Storm? Are you kidding me? Whatever that was, it was no fucking storm! No storm can suck millions of gallons of seawater out of the ocean like a freaking straw! And all that screaming won’t do a thing either! Now help me get our stuff out of the Betty before she blows up!” These words were enough to wake Flynn from his sorrow over the wreckage and he kept a distance to the slowly burning engine.

“You know Flynn… I just have to THANK YOU!!!“ With this Rachel punched him into the face. “You know I wanted to go to Disneyland! But no! NO! You wanted to fly around in your plane so much! It had to be the fucking Bermuda!”

Holding his cheek, Flynn slowly stood up and growled,
“Like it’s my fault! Normally there’s no fucking Twilight Zone over my plane!!!” With this he slapped her. Pissed off from another, both short fused and each took a piece of debris.

But just as they were about to hit each other with their makeshift weapons, a spear penetrated the ground between them, prompting them both to step back from the spear. Terror grew in the eyes of the humans. Sam now picked up a sturdy piece of debris himself and looked around,
“Folks… We’re not alone in these woods…”

Flynn’s grasp around his piece of metal hardened now,
“Shit, man… Cannibals? I’m too young to get eaten alive!”

Rachel looked around with a grim face,
“Stay close at the Betty…” At least around the wreckage it’s bright enough to see something.”

As Sam slowly turned around, he saw something glowing in the corner of his eye and stroked at it. But all he smashed was a log which cracked into tiny bits. Behind it, two yellow eyes narrowed angrily at him. With this a black and white figure leaped at them and green glowing dust engulfed the attacker as the creature whirled around.

But Rachel couldn’t believe her eyes. This was a zebra! A zebra fighting with a pole, standing on two hooves! No, this can’t be! You’re hallucinating, girl! Shaking her head in disbelief, she stepped backwards as Sam leaped at the zebra. But a kick from the zebra’s hind legs sent Sam back, bending over to vomit in pain. Rachel recollected herself. If Sam saw this thing as well, it wasn’t mere imagination. No bad trip from gasoline fumes of the Betty’s burning wreckage. This was real, despite the odds and the threat had to be dealt with,
“Whatever you guys do, don’t let it reach the guns!” Now the zebra’s ears twitched, looking over to the bags Rachel was looking at.

Sam now attacked the zebra, but it threw a bag into his face, what prompted the bag to burst and a small cloud of green glittering powder engulfed Sam’s face,
“Shit! She tossed something into my eyes!!!”

The powder blurred his sight and with this she was able to subdue him with ease before delivering a kick that tossed him towards the other two. Rachel evaded Sam, who now slammed Flynn down before Rachel was send to the muddy ground with several swift and decisive hits. As an end result the three quarreling humans lied together on the ground while the zebra got the bags.

By now he three stood united against her,
“This… This isn’t working…”

Rachel nodded, wiping mud and dirt from her chin,
“Right… Let’s do this together…"

A smirk appeared on the face of the zebra as it opened its mouth.

“So this is your anger’s remedy:
Standing united against a common enemy...”

Now the trio was stunned from sheer amazement,
“HOLY SHIT! IT JUST TALKED!!!”

“A… A TALKING ZEBRA!!!” Sam fell on his butt and crawled backwards. “Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ!! JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!!!” Zecora’s face darkened now. The yelling would certainly lure more predators to the place so she had to shut those humans up.

“You disturb the stillness of the forest with your rants.
So now Zecora will teach you to dance.”

“You can have that! Once I’m done with you, you’re lion food!” With this Rachel leaped forwards and engaged the zebra, but both opponents were equally skilled. With one difference, though. Through her human friend Zecora already knew of the capabilities of humans and was able to deliver heavier blows. So it came to no surprise that Rachel was slowly defeated and held her aching limbs while gritting her teeth.

“It isn’t wise to trying my nerve.
No one threatens Zecora inside her own turf!”

Without looking back, Zecora delivered a swift hit to Flynn’s face with her pole as he cowered over the bags, obviously trying to search for the guns. The hit he received was enough to make him roll on the ground in pain. Now the three of them were lying in the dirt before her. Rachel and Flynn defeated, Sam shaking his head in sheer disbelief. This seemed like a bad dream. Finally the zebra left a sigh.

“This should teach you to calm yourselves down.
If more of you humans are like this, you make me frown.”

This last sentence from her was what prompted the three of them to look up. This zebra knew what humans are; maybe they were closer to civilization as they thought. It was in this moment that the sound of wings flapping in the air filled the forest. Several carriages pulled by pegasi carried five cages and a dozen unicorns. Rachel’s eyes widened. Talking and fighting zebras… Now horses with wings and horns… Where the hell are we? One of the guards approached Zecora, as the zebra raised her voice again.

“These humans fight fierce, a remarkable display,
Be careful with them on your further way.
They have gone far astray, they are quite afraid,
Like a farmer in a parasprite raid.”

The guards nodded with grim expressions,
“Alright, Zecora, we will handle them with caution. Thank you for your swift help here in the Everfree. Alright, ponies! You heard her! Tie them up and into the cages with them!” Now the unicorns approached the trio and long ropes were levitated towards them.
They were overwhelmed, put in cages and were brought to the Canterlot dungeon in three different cells.

Sam leaned against the bars of his cell,
“Hey! Guard horsey! You sure we can’t think of something? I’ll buy you a fine sack of carrots!” But the guard only grumbled something inaudible as he trotted away.

Rachel kicked against the bars of her cell,
“I wish I had my gun with me… if only I had picked it out of the bags in the first place! That would teach them to put us into cages like WE’RE the fucking animals here! Shit! Shit!! SHIT!!!”

Flynn on the other hand was lying on the bench in his cell, staring at the ceiling,
“Hold it, Rachel! They could have killed us or leaving us to the flames.”

While gritting her teeth, Rachel looked at him,
“Oh yeah? Maybe that’s still coming!”

Sam on the other hand sat down on his bench,
“One thing’s for sure: NO ONE will believe this back home. A place filled with talking ponies and these… horses with horns or wings in charge of the military. Obviously they fear or hate humans… I wonder why…”

A voice came out of the shadows down the hallway,
“Not quite, Mr. O’Donnel… The royal guard only took you into custody for your own safety.” With this Tyler stepped out of the shadows, what prompted everyone else to gasp.

Flynn went to the bars and reached out to Tyler,
“Another human! Hey, buddy! Get us out of here! We’ve done nothing wrong!”

Sam on the other hand eyed him suspiciously,
“How do you know my name?”

With a nod Tyler held their passports up,
“Every piece of the airplane is salvaged as we speak. Oh… And you’re not here because you perpetrated a crime… Being a human isn’t a crime here… Part of that is thanks to my work here… You are here, because I told the rulers of this land to get every other human into custody so I can talk to them first.” As he saw baffled faces, he smiled. “’Why?’ you ask? That’s because I couldn’t know who would come and from what part of Earth. I need to make sure you are no threat to this land. And to answer it right away: I am the only human besides you. But I got here on a different way than you did. I can assure you this…”

Rachel eyed Tyler with suspicion,
“Who the hell are you?”

“My name is Tyler Jones. I was in vacation in Nevada as a… Well this might sound stupid… As a ‘magic gem’ smashed into the ground right next to me. When I touched it, the goddamn thing brought me here.”

Sam looked around and shrugged,
“So something took you here as well, huh? What is this place? I guess we’re not in Kansas anymore, huh?”

Tyler arched a brow,
“This place? Don’t ask me if this takes place in another part of the universe, another universe or different dimension, because frankly… I don’t know. What I do know by now is that the planet is called Equis. And the country you’re in right now is called Equestria, a country of three different kinds of ponies. There are earth ponies like the ponies back on earth. Only the ones here are talking sentient ones. Also there are unicorns with horns and pegasi with wings. There are alicorns as well, which are a more powerful mixture of unicorns and pegasi, if you ask me. They’re not hostile unless you give them a really, really good reason to be… And wishing for weaponry won’t make it better!” He eyed Rachel with the last sentence.

Flynn now arched a brow,
“Sounds like you’ve been here for a while.”

Tyler gave this a brief nod,
“About a year… And believe me; you folks missed some serious shit. I already partook in three to four crisis since I’ve been here and it wasn’t always fun. But I have made friends and companions. They’re all sentient and intelligent as you are, so do yourself a favor and don’t talk to them like they would be animals.”

Two members of the guard brought the luggage from the Betty and placed the bags and cases on a nearby table on the other side of the hallway, so all tree cells could see what was going on. Tyler looked over to them and counted the bags,
“ Seven pieces of luggage… Is this everything?”

“Yes, sir! We collected the luggage and salvaged them from the ‘object’. The object itself is brought to the Canterlot warehouses.”

When Tyler began inspecting their belongings, Rachel yelled from the bars of her cell,
“Hey! Hands off!”

With an arched brow he looked at her,
“I’m checking for weapons. You will get them back in time. Once I’m certain you pose no threat to others. A safety precaution you as marine should be able to understand, I guess.”

“You have no rights to meddle with my stuff!” By now Rachel’s head got red by her own fury.

“Ease down! I’m not going to sniff your panties… in fact I do this in front of you so you can rest assured your belongings are still here and complete. And to see that this is done seriously” After a while of searching he nodded. “A Beretta M9… Fully loaded and with two spare magazines...” He checked the gun carefully to ensure it was unloaded and took in the magazines. “You can have your gun back. But please understand that I confiscate the magazines for now…” Rachel growled as he handed her the empty gun. “Also we have one…” With this Tyler held up a paintball assault rifle. “That’s paintball equipment, right?”

Sam now got to the bars,
“Oh, man! Please! Not my baby! I spent months to customize her like that!”

Holding his hands up in a comforting manner, Tyler shook his head,
“Easy… I won’t damage any of your belongings, folks. You see? That’s why we’re doing this here! Mr. O’Donnel? The paintball rifle may be not lethal by itself, but thanks to some incidents in the past that you aren’t aware of yet, the members of the royal guard here are very wary if it comes to small beads fired from a gun. I will have to confiscate the thing for now to show it to the authorities so they can decide what to do with it. It shouldn’t be for long though. What I can guarantee you is the safety of the paintball rifle.”

Sam nodded reluctantly,
“I don’t like it, but I’m not the bad guy here. But if there’s one scratch on my Sarah Jane when I get her back, you get it!”

With a nod Tyler continued to inspect their belongings,
“Then I shall take extra care your paintball rifle gets to you unharmed and in one piece.”

After the inspection, Tyler shook his head,
“No further weaponry…” And with this he closed the bags and cases properly.

Rachel was still fuming over all this,
“I should kick your sorry ass for taking away our stuff, you little shithead!”

Sam rolled his eyes,
“Come on, Rachel… You represent the corps now… Semper Fidelis and all that stuff, right?”

Rachel glared at him,
“Sam, don’t you ever talk like you’re in the Marine Corps again! I’m proud of doing my part! I pledged my oath and by the constitution I’ll stick to it!”

Tyler now arched a brow,
“You’re one of those Oath Keepers?”

She now tapped at his chest,
“Damn straight I am! Why? You got a problem with that?”

Tyler shrugged,
“No… Actually I respect these people. Look, it isn’t like I want to disarm you so others could have their way with you. It’s only temporary so you and the civilians out there can get along better. No one trusts someone waving a gun around.”

Flynn nodded,
“He has a point there, Rachel. So what? You feel insecure without your pocket rocket?”

Now she yelled over to his cell,
“Flynn, I’ll kill you! Trust me, YOU’RE DEAD!!!”

Tyler rolled his eyes and turned to Shimmerwind,
“Tell Princess Celestia that the humans pose no imminent threat to her subjects. I will escort them to her so she can have a little talk with them.” Captain Shimmerwind nodded and gave the order for the cells to be opened before she went upstairs. Tyler nodded at the guards. “Thank you. Please bring the luggage to the hall in front of the throne room. Our guests certainly wish to have it back once they conversed with the princess.” With a brief nod the guards complied.

Making an angered face Rachel raised an index finger and one could see she boiled on the inside,
“You are weird, Jones… I can’t put my finger on it yet, but I don’t like you!”

Tyler gave her a sober nod and arched a brow,
“See if I care… I’m not here to please you, just to make sure you don’t hurt anyone. If you have a problem with anything, please mention it immediately.”

Rachel however waved it away, heavily annoyed,
“Yeah, whatever! Let’s get this over with! I want my stuff back!”

It was already morning as they left the dungeon. On their way up and through several hallways of the castle, the humans looked around. Now, with Tyler at their side, the ponies seemed to have lost their interest in them. Unlike when the guards brought them in, when concerned faces and whispers were visible, the ponies now seem to feel calmer around them. Flynn nudged Sam into the ribs, but the Afro-American only shrugged. But silently, both agreed of something: Tyler. He had influence here. Time would tell if this was good or bad for them.

“Aren’t these ponies wearing clothing?” Mere fractions of a second passed before Rachel realized how stupid this question was in the first place.

But Tyler answered it anyway,
“Some do, most of them don’t. If you want to stay out of trouble, do as I do. Maintain eye contact with a friendly smile on your face and avoid staring on rumps. That’s doing the trick for me all the time.”

As they arrived in the throne room, Tyler pointed at Celestia,
“That white alicorn mare on the throne? That’s Princess Celestia. She ruled for the last 1000 years and before I came here, there wasn’t a single conflict during her reign.”

“Ha!” Rachel found it quite amusing. “I always told you guys: If women would run the show, this is got to be good!”

Sam rolled his eyes in minor annoyance,
“Hoo boy… Here we go again…”

Shaking her head now, Rachel looked at all the windows. There were windows with motives on them, seemingly homages to historic events. One showed a white and a dark blue winged unicorn together, fighting some strange being. The next showed six ponies firing beams at a big and black pony, another showed the same strange being from before playing puppet master with some ponies while the next showed the earlier six ponies defeating this enemy as well with their rays. Another showed a couple of two ponies, forming a heart as they were circled by a pink sphere. Then she could make out a small reptilian being standing under a blue heart and above the heart, ponies danced lightheartedly.

Rachel could only wonder over the meaning of these pictures. They were beautiful no doubt. But she also recognized three more windows that stood out. The first one was clearly showing a humanoid figure wielding a sword in a heroic pose over a black dragon. Again the six ponies from before were on the motive and their beams this time went to the sword, which was colored like a rainbow. Below the dragon lied several colorful gem shards, like pieces of a once intact gemstone.

The second window showed a large blue circle and something that looked like a mountain above it. Below the blue circle was the humanoid figure again, but it seemed it was enclosed into some sort of crystal. Two of the six ponies that usually made it on the motive stood around that crystal together with the larger, dark blue pony. All three rested one hoof on the crystal.

The third window showed a lot of green and many, many dark figures on one side and many ponies on the other side. Among the ponies was the humanoid figure again. It looked like two armies facing each other before battle. Below that part of the window the humanoid figure stood at some sort of fire burial while one of the dark figures, a large one, was lying on the wood to burn.

As she looked from the windows, she looked to Tyler. Three to four crisis, huh? That man sure had his experience with this land. And still, she couldn’t stand him,
“Too bad this is all spoiled by the little detail of it being a monarchy…”

A soothing female voice became audible now,
“It isn’t a monarchy in fact… My sister and I rule this land together as diarchs… There is no single ruler.” Celestia now came down to them and she and Tyler hugged for a brief moment, before he stood beside her. “Tyler says you’re no danger to my subjects. Let me then apologize for taking you into custody to force you to lay out your intentions. This is not the usual way to treat newcomers to Equestria. But Tyler spoke of the… nature of mankind and how easy it is to startle your kind with unexpected things.”

Flynn snickered,
“Unexpected… Now THAT’S an understatement! We’ve got sucked into the sky! I mean literally! I saw the ocean being sucked into the clouds! With us right in the center of it!”

Tyler nodded,
“May I guess? Somewhere around Bermuda?”

Sam arched a brow,
“How did you know?”

“I found a wreckage of an American ship, World War One… The U.S.S. Cyclops. The logbook states that they were in the Bermuda Triangle at the time they crossed over into this world.”

Rachel now crossed her arms and leaned back,
“So we crossed over as well. I actually never believed in this Bermuda Triangle mumbo jumbo! You think it’s possible to cross back to Earth?”

Tyler shook his head,
“So far I only know of crossing into this world, but the stuff that is legendary fairy tale in our world actually exists in this world. Unicorns, pegasi, dragons… I think it’s possible, but I don’t have the slightest clue where to find that place to cross over. For the time being, consider yourself as the guests of Equestria…”

Celestia stepped in,
“Tyler already informed me that two of you are actual soldiers. And that you brought weapons with you. Please, refrain from violence while in Equestria. If you use unnecessary violence against my subjects, you will experience most unpleasant consequences…” Her last sentence made her focus Rachel and Flynn, who both gulped. This was Celestia’s turf and they weren’t up to confront her. Somehow her voice, although always calm, soothing and friendly, had a stabbing undertone in these words. Rachel couldn’t point her finger on it, but somehow this princess wasn’t a mere horse with wings and horn. And these hidden traits made her wary of Celestia.

The suspense was lifted as Sam leaned in and grinned,
“Right! Like that’s going to happen! We’re here to behave and we’ll check out this wonderful land. Right, Rachel?”

With this he shook her shoulder a bit and she nodded like waking out of a daydream,
“Uh… Yeah!”

This made Celestia smile upon the humans,
“Tyler? Have you told them about your six labors already that we bestowed upon you?”

He shook his head briefly,
“No, I haven’t yet. I had to explain them their situation first. And I’m not even completely done with that.”

As her smile remained, she nodded and closed her eyes, before eying him from the corner of her eyes,
“Would you kindly tell them your six labors now?”

With this Tyler cleared his throat,
“OK, folks… Listen up! I am entrusted with the wellbeing of Ponyville, a small town nearby. You know, to guard it. Further I am to treat the equestrian ponies with the dignity and honor they deserve. I’m to use my strength to protect the princesses’ subjects. To fight any threat scheming against the harmony of this land, foreign and domestic. I had to learn the ways of Equestria so that every citizen shall see me as a shining example. And finally… Find a certain someone dear to me.”

Sam blinked,
“Wait! That’s all?”

Celestia and Tyler nodded and said “That’s all!” one after another. Celestia then continued,
“You are welcome to live here as well, if you can accept these terms too. Tyler will monitor you for a while, but I guess there shouldn’t be serious problems…”

Giving a nod, Sam rubbed his neck,
“Well… protecting others and to learn from them… Doesn’t sound too hard to accomplish, does it?”

Flynn scratched the back of his head.
“What does finding someone dear to me mean? Some friends or are we talking about some kind of relationship?”

But Celestia simply smiled,
“That one is up to you.”

Rachel, however, hesitated,
“I already pledged my oath to the United States constitution! I’m not pledging myself to a politician or to royalty!”

Just as Tyler wanted to say something, Celestia raised her wing to hold him back and approached Rachel. Both the alicorn princess and the human woman looked into each other’s eyes,
“I like to hear that oath of yours, Rachel Higgins. Would you recite it for me, please?”

Rachel now cleared her throat, raised her hand and began to recite,
“I, Rachel Higgins, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God!”

After this Rachel looked at Celestia,
“I won’t serve two masters. I’m loyal to the US constitution!”

But still the smile of the sun princess didn’t fade away. With closed eyes, she listened closely to every word Rachel spoke and seemed to internalize it,
“Tyler spoke of the American constitution. He told me that the American people made severe mistakes in the past, but one thing they did right. And this is their constitution. Tyler praised it and although he has no clue of what stands in it in detail, I take it this document must be of great importance to the Americans. I don’t want you to serve me, Rachel Higgins. I want you to find your place here for as long as it takes you to get home to your beloved world, if you wish to do so. Surely you can obey the laws of this country while you’re stuck here?”

Rachel raised her finger to point something out, but clearly she couldn’t find an argument to justify misbehavior. With a sigh in defeat, she looked up with a smile,
“Fine… I’ll behave as well.”

“Marvelous! Then let me greet you welcome in Equestria!” With this Celestia hugged Rachel, a moment that prompted her to gasp. 'Why is she so trustful to me? She doesn’t know me…' She then looked up to Tyler who simply nodded. What did this man do for the rulers of this land for them trusting humans so much already? It didn’t make any sense until now, so Rachel decided to go along… For now…

Tyler now rested a hand on Celestia’s shoulder in a casual manner. From the outside it wasn’t looking like much, but between them both it meant a lot and he felt an ever so slight shiver through her coat,
“Princess? I think they should come with me for now. They have rooms to move to in Ponyville. And for the time being I think it would fit if I introduce you guys to someone who can show you around. I say I bring you folks to the carriage and to Ponyville.”

After a brief hug between Tyler and the princess, he led them back to the big hallway, where their luggage was already waiting and guarded by two members of the guard,
“Sirs? Would you help our newcomers to the carriage, please?”

The first guard nodded,
“Certainly! Would you please follow me?”

The other guard approached Rachel,
“Milady? Do you need assistance?”

Flynn and Sam grinned,
“Yeah, Lady Higgins… Do you need assistance?”

Rachel growled angrily at them,
“I’m fine! Human women are tougher than you think!”

With this they approached the carriage. Sam eyed the carriage with suspicion,
“Is… is this safe? I mean… Won’t we be too heavy for them?”

Flynn nodded,
“Yeah… Won’t the carriage fall down behind them?”

But Tyler simply shrugged,
“Hey, it always worked, when I took those things for a ride. These carriages are safe and the pegasi pulling them fast and strong, aren’t you, my good sirs?” With this the two white pegasi in front of the carriage raised their heads with pride.

Now, after a bit of wary steps onto the carriage, the flight to Ponyville was rather short. Clamped tightly to the carriage, the three newcomers looked around,
“Holy…”

Rachel nodded,
“I know, Sam… This is so not happening!”

Flynn on the other hand grinned widely,
“Actually this is kind of awesome!”

Tyler patted his shoulder,
“Now… about the ponies… It actually is quite simple. You see the pegasi fly around and mostly do the weather or perform transports that need to be performed quickly. Earth ponies grow the food and do other stuff on the ground, not only limited to food. Unicorns perform magic and make their living with it. See those clothes I wear? Unicorn-made!”

“Wait! What do you mean they do the weather?”

Chuckling, Tyler continued to explain,
“Yes, you heard correctly. Every cloud in the sky is moved and controlled by the pegasi. With this they’re ahead of mankind. This lead me to the conclusion that these ponies either are able to manipulate water vapor or we’re in an alternate universe or parallel dimension where the atmospheric laws we know don’t apply entirely. Well… at least not in this country.”

Sam whistled,
“So… Besides that you say this is like Earth a few centuries ago? I mean from the standards of technological advancement…”

This prompted Tyler to shake his head,
“Not quite. Although not in an industrial age, magic does most of the hard labor. They don’t pull rocks with lots of earth ponies, they use unicorn magic to levitate heavy things. Oh and… speaking of magic. Try to avoid bodily contact with magic for the time being.”

Flynn cocked his head,
“Why’s that?”

Tyler’s eyes narrowed,
“My first bodily contact with unicorn magic was when I threw myself in front of my friends to intercept a magic arrow that was fired at them. The following reaction between me and the magic was…. quite violent. You’ve noticed the cutie marks on all the flanks of the ponies?”

Rachel nodded,
“Yeah, what about it?”

With a vague gesture Tyler pointed at his shoulders,
“On that day, I earned mine. They appeared on my shoulder blades. But instead of merely appearing, the violent reaction was like my skin was boiled off my body before growing anew. I caused a minor quake that time and the interaction between me and several unicorns was felt in the near surroundings. It hurt quite a lot. So I’m warning you."

Sam nodded,
“That’s very thoughtful of you. Thanks in advance!”

After they landed, Tyler tossed two bits to the two pegasi,
“Thank you, sirs. Here’s something for you for taking it easy on them for their first flight.” With this Tyler turned around and went down the street. “Let’s introduce you to your guide for the tour through town, shall we? I have other things to attend to. Now behave yourself. Stay close to me and they might not bite you…” As Sam and Flynn came closer to him, Tyler laughed loud. “That was a joke you morons! They’re harmless!” With a chuckle, he led them to one of the shops. “For your time around, you will be assigned to a pony as well. You will like her; she is as enthusiastic as lively. Especially if it comes to the topic of humans…”

“Uh-huh… And when will we meet her in person?”

“You will do so right now!” With this Tyler knocked at a door and entered. Good morning, ladies… I see the shop is open already.”

Two ponies greeted them. One of them was a unicorn with mint colored coat playing a lyre and the shop keeper, an earth pony with a half dark blue, half pink mane was looking from the counter. The mint coated unicorn mare then looked up to them with a big smile and beaming eyes,
“Oh! Hello, Tyler! Are these the ones you mentioned in your letter?”

Tyler nodded,
“That’s correct, Lyra. Folks, may I introduce? This is Lyra Heartstrings, brilliant on the lyre and researching humans in her free time. She already did that before humans existed in the first place. Why she did that… I have no idea… And this charming earth pony mare here is Bon Bon, Lyra’s housemate and best friend.”

Bon Bon nodded with a smile,
“I’m pleased to meet you. Tyler? Twilight said your letter said something about a guide… She already prepared so many things for…”

But Lyra already jumped up and approached the trio,
“If Tyler brings you here it must mean you pose no threat to us. It must be so exciting for you to experience all of this! Please… Make yourself comfortable! You are welcome in Ponyville!

Unsure how to approach her properly, Sam reached out his hand. Maybe a normal human approach would be the very best kind of approach,
“Well… thank you?”

Lyra smiled at Sam and rested her hoof in his palm for a shake,
“My pleasure! Why is it that your skin is so dark unlike the others?”

“Oh? Uh… Well… That’s because I’m an Afro-American, a different kind of human.”

Lyra’s eyes widened,
“Ooooh, I see! Like unicorns, earth ponies and pegasi are different kinds of ponies, there are different kinds of humans as well! Amazing! Does this mean that you can do magic then?”

Sam thought about it for a second, before he shook his head,
“Uh… No. No human can do magic like you unicorns can. We have magicians, but they rely on tricks and illusions.”

“Oh, like a showpony! That’s fine as well. Those hands of yours are still amazing enough to make you humans great!”

Sam cocked his head, slightly puzzled,
“Hands?”

Tyler chuckled,
“Lyra has a wonderful obsession with human hands. Don’t you, Lyra?”

With a wide grin, the mint coated unicorn looked up to them,
“Can you blame me? I don’t have hands! If I would have hands… all the things I could do…”

Bon Bon chuckled,
“But with hands, you wouldn’t be a pony anymore, Lyra”

The mint-coated unicorn looked down,
“True… Well, maybe one day I’ll stumble across the chance…” With this she looked up. “However! Tyler, I’m ready for the mission ahead of me!”

“Good! Your objective is to show the three of them around and to explain everything to them. If there are questions you can’t answer right away, make a note and hand it to me later. Twilight and I will see about this then.”

Lyra on the other hand waved the thought away,
“Oh, alright… it’s the least I can do for one of Ponyville’s heroes.”

By now Rachel rolled her eyes,
“Oh yeah? So what? He and your equine Power Rangers saved the day several times. Doesn’t mean anything to us, you know. We weren’t there at that time.”

Tyler thought for a bit. He could clearly imagine it in front of him. Princess Shiria would escape her prison on the moon,
“AHHH!!! After ten thousand years I’m free! It’s time to conquer Equis!”

Then a cut to the sorceress Celestia would occur,
“Luna! Shiria has escaped! Recruit a team of ponies with attitude!”

“Go, go! Pony Rangers…” Humming the melody he grinned a bit. “Mighty equine Pony Rangers…” He chuckled as he imagined the girls in those tight suits fighting the Changeling minions although in real life, he would be worried sick.

Bon Bon leaned over to Lyra and began to whisper,
“She must have used a human inside joke or something…”

Lyra nodded,
“He seems amused no doubt… I on the other hand would be offended. Humans are so extraordinary…”

But as soon as Tyler went to the door, Sam arched a brow,
“Wait! So you’ll just leave us with her?”

A sly smile appeared on Tyler’s face,
“That’s right! I worked hard for them to have unconditional trust and faith in mankind. I think you’re not that stupid to ruin all of this work in a foreign country without the support of an air craft carrier.”

Rachel grumbled on this last sentence after he left the candy shop,
“Don’t you guys just want to slap him sometimes?”

But Sam only patted her shoulder,
“Ease down, girl… Let’s just show him what we’re made of, OK? We’re better than this.” He then kneeled down to be of equal height with Lyra. “Well, Ms. Heartstring? Shall we begin?”

With pride the unicorn pointed her hoof at Bon Bon,
“The candy shop of course. Since you’re newcomers, you can try some sorts. But please don’t be greedy!”

It wasn’t long before Tyler returned home at the library,
“Twilight! I’m home!” Twilight was floating around in an anti-gravitational field, limited by a circle of magic letters. While floating around, she read a book as well. Tyler simply shook his head. “Having fun with gravitation spells again?”

Twilight now turned her head to him,
“Welcome back, Tyler! Oh, you should try this sometime! This is so relaxing.” He turned her around a bit, what prompted her to squeak in surprise, before his palms took her face into their grasp and he looked into her eyes, although she was upside down.

Smiling now he caressed her cheeks,
“You look gorgeous when your mane floats around freely.”

This made her blush deeply, but before she could reply, he gave her a kiss,
“I brought the humans to Ponyville. Princess Celestia deems them harmless enough and for now I think they’ll behave. They’re at Bon Bon’s and Lyra’s place. Make sure you drop by later. There’s also a human woman with them.”

With this the lavender unicorn gasped and her eyes widened,
“A human woman?!?” Chuckling nervously, she looked around. “So, err… Do you… Do you find her interesting?”

Arching a brow, Tyler cocked his head,
“Twilight… Why do I get the sudden feeling that you are already thinking that I find a liking into this woman? I barely even know her…”

Spinning around, Twilight floated now in order to look at him correctly,
“Well, yes… But you… and me… we also didn’t know…

Grasping her jaw, he shook his head with a stern look on his face and waved his index finger in front of her,
“No! No, no, no… You stupid little girl… Don’t think like that… Nothing can replace or make me forget what we both have, Twilight. You, AJ the princesses and myself… We’re a team! A herd, remember? So don’t let your worries over a human woman make you worry unnecessary. No woman of my world has this sparkle in her eyes like you do…”

This prompted Twilight’s face to glow in a bright red,
“S-Sparkle???”

Tyler kissed her passionately and grinned,
“Honey, I remember your vow in the crystal empire… ‘Together we can overcome anything! It will be our magic!’”

By now the blush on Twilight’s face became boiling hot,
“You… You were aware of us at that point?!?”

Tyler nodded,
“I was… And frankly I doubt she could ever replace even one of you girls.” With this he turned away. “Besides… I think she dislikes me.”

Twilight gasped and fell down to the ground,
“Dislike you? Why’s that?”

He simply shrugged,
“It happens… You see a person and in one second to the next, you decide whether you like him or her or not. I wonder how well Lyra’s tour is going… I think I’ll check with Rainbow…”

Lyra however led the humans into one of the many restaurants to invite them to their first Equestrian meal. After seeing the whole of Ponyville, Lyra and the three newcomers sat together on a table. After an endless and almost torturing speech about four things at once, Pinkie finally raised her hooves high into the air,
“…And that’s the secret of breaking the fourth wall!”

Rachel didn’t really listen,
“Uh-huh… Wait, what? What does that even mean?” They picked up Pinkie Pie at their visit to Sugarcube Corner and since then the pink energy bundle accompanied them for the rest of the tour. Rachel couldn’t find a way to handle the bouncy pink earth pony; Pinkie was a mere mystery to her.

Lyra chuckled along,
“It’s just one of Pinkies odd jokes I guess. So… yeah! After the library, the town’s hall, the market place with its shops, the spa and the Carousel Boutique… That sums up my tour about Ponyville. Of course, there’s Sweet Apple Acres as well, but I think you don’t need a sightseeing tour for apple tree orchards…”

Sam nodded with a smile,
“It was quite helpful, Ms. Heartstrings. Thank you!”

Lyra shook her head,
“Lyra is enough, really. I like you guys, even though you seem a bit wary. But I guess that’s OK considering it’s your first day around here.”

This made Pinkie open her eyes wide,
“Ooh! OOH! This reminds me! I have to organize a welcome party for you three!” With this the pink energy bundle dashed out of the door just before Tyler and Rainbow Dash entered.

Rainbow spotted the humans first and landed right beside them,
“So! You’re the new guys here, huh?”

Sam arched a brow,
“No kidding… What gave us away?” With a grin he leaned back a bit. “So Lyra… I take it this Pegasus is this Rainbow Dash you were telling us about?”

With pride, Rainbow stood up to her hind legs and raised her chin,
“THE one and only!”

Just as Tyler was taking place, he gently patted Rainbow’s shoulders,
"Whatever good things you heard about Rainbow, I can only underline it. She’s probably one of the best friends one could manage to find.”

Rainbow harrumphed briefly. She liked the praise, but she learned with time not to wallow in praising,
“I have my moments… Thanks, T-Man…”

With this Lyra cleared her throat,
“Well, Bonnie sure is expecting me back in the shop. It was so much fun to spend time with you guys.” Sam nodded and stood up to make room for her to go out of the corner. “It sure was informative, Lyra. Thank you for spending time with us. He knelt down again and gave her his hand and again she rested her hoof in his palm. Tyler gestured a hand kiss to Sam and prompted him to blink. Sure, why not behave a bit better to make relations a bit smoother.

Lyra gasped as he delivered a hoof kiss to her and giggled slightly embarrassed as a deep blush formed itself on her face,
“My… That’s very charming… I… I should be going now…” With this she trotted out to the door, only to gallop away after stepping outside.

Flynn however eyed Rainbow for a bit. She reminded him of the pilot hotshots during the academy,
“Hey Rainbow… Have you ever been mistaken for a stallion?”

Rainbow arched a brow and looked at Flynn,
“No… Have you?”

This prompted Tyler to laugh and Flynn to blush. Rainbow on the other hand snickered, before she slammed her hoof against Tyler’s knuckles,
“Sheesh, Rainbow… You’re just too bad…”

With another snicker, Rainbow turned to Flynn again,
“What did you expect, dude? I sound like a mare, look like a mare…” Standing up now, she encircled Flynn for a bit. “If I wish to, I could show you the affection of a mare as well…” With this she smacked her wing into her flank, before she fell to the ground laughing.

Flynn however arched a brow,
“Uh… Is she for real? I mean she’s a Pegasus pony, I’m a human… That’s right around here?”

Tyler rolled his eyes,
“Flynn… Shut up and be more open minded, you hear? Rainbow is as sentient as you and I are! She saved my life once and is one hell of a girl! You should give her a chance as an individual.”

Rainbow now eyed Flynn,
“You know, for a human like Tyler you should lighten up some more. I mean, he told us that you humans tend to have monogamous relationships… Well, until now you have only one mare… uh… woman here in Equestria. So either you brawl for her or you go find other mares. I doubt she wants more than one stallion.”

Tyler chuckled,
“No, Rainbow… Human coupling doesn’t work like this normally. We don’t brawl over women… At least not civilized people…” He then turned to Flynn. “I think she meant if you’re bound to have sex around here, you might have to adapt a little."

“You… you mean… sex with a pony?”

Rainbow shrugged,
“Why not? I mean Tyler has a herd of four mares. I take it he bucks them really well.”

Flynn stared at Tyler with wide eyes,
“You what? But… they’re ponies!”

Tyler simply shrugged,
“Only human in Equestria… Don’t tell me you would have just played with yourself instead of going for a sentient female.”

Rainbow chuckled dirty,
“Yeah… Twilight told me you’re hung like a monster, T-Man! She really rhapsodized about your… skills…”

Flynn just shook his head,
“Twilight? Like Twilight Sparkle? The unicorn we’ve met before with Lyra? So you and her… ” With that Flynn wrinkled his nose a bit.

Rainbow looked at Flynn,
“What is with you?”

While closing his eyes, Tyler leaned back,
“Nothing, Dash-Girl… He just needs more time to adapt to all of this…”

Rachel took a sip out of her coffee as she glared emotionless to Tyler,
“Whatever you say, ponyfucker…”

The restaurant was silent in an instant as many eyes locked on their table. Tyler remained calm while Rainbow pointed her left hoof at Rachel,
“What did you just say?”

Rachel still looked at Tyler,
“I said your friend Tyler here is a ponyfucker!”

With this Rainbow kicked a chair out of the way. This word, the way Rachel had said it had insult all over it,
“You got a problem with ponies? If so, you’re at the right mare!”

Rachel now looked at Rainbow, who raised her hooves in a boxing manner,
“No, I don’t have problems with you. You actually seem legit to me. Well for as much as I can estimate your personality. I have a problem with him fucking your kind…”

Tyler now got up and held Rainbow back,
“Stay out of this, Rainbow… This is between me and her alone… Alright, Higgins… Come outside!

The ponies in the restaurant silently witnessed how both humans went outside. Rachel cracked her knuckles,
“You know… I can understand you’re the only human here… But for real? Fucking ponies? And four of them? You’re one sick bastard fucking animals!” With this she delivered a heavy blow to his face.

But as he looked up, his nose was bleeding and a dark grin formed on his face,
“Ohhh… Ohoho…You’re in for a good beating, Corporal…” With a bitchslap he delivered the first hit. As she stumbled to recollect herself, he grabbed her at the shoulder. “I can tolerate that you insult me…” With this he punched her into the stomach. It wasn’t hard enough to injure her, but the blow forced her to bend over. Rachel’s eyes widened. No one in her unit ever punched so hard.
“I can tolerate that you’re against me as a person…”

With this he lifted her up, squeezing her throat seconds before she punched his face three times. As his bottom lip suffered a laceration, he grinned up to her with a sadistic touch that made her blood freeze. This can’t be… Who is that guy? But Tyler just continued. “What I’ll never tolerate is the following…” With this he shot electricity through her body and his eyes remained locked on her screaming face. “You will never degrade the ones I love to animals! Or I’ll punch you into a world of pain…”

In an instant the lightning in her body ceased and she almost blacked out,
“You monster… Freak! What have you done to me? What are you? A humanoid taser?” He slowly let her down and let her sit.
As Rainbow galloped outside, she held a hoof on Rachel’s forehead, holding back her hair for looking into her face. She didn’t look good in Rainbow’s eyes, even if she wasn’t a doctor.

With an angered face, she then looked at Tyler,
“Did you have to do that?”

Tyler looked down to Rainbow with cold eyes,
“Do what? Give her a beating? Why? You wanted to do it as well.”

Rainbow briefly shook her head,
“Well, yeah, but… She’s a mare, I’m a mare… You’re a stallion and a pretty powerful one, too. Not cool, T-Man!”

Tyler now looked at Rainbow with a stern look. His once blue eyes were turquois now,
“I get your point, Rainbow… But we’re not talking about an ordinary woman here. Right, Corporal? She’s not a sissy to begin with! She’s a soldier!” Rachel now looked up and spat to the ground before standing up.

Just as she wanted to say something, Rainbow hovered in front of Tyler,
“Tyler, what the hay is wrong with you? You never harmed a pony, why are you harming her? It’s just not like you…” Now it occurred to the Pegasus mare. “What the… Your eyes… They’ve changed color!”

He looked at her, slightly surprised and looked at his hands. In the blink of an eye, some dark lightning danced over his hands. No this isn’t right; this can’t be right…
“I… I guess I should have a talk with someone…” With that he teleported himself away.

Flynn stared at the place Tyler was just standing and blinked. “Did he just…?” But then he recollected himself and looked at Rachel. “Rachel, are you OK?”

“Yeah, yeah… Give me a minute… I only need a minute!”

With a nod, Flynn now approached Rainbow,
“Thanks for stepping in for us. You know… You’re not so bad after all… For an equine girl!”

Rainbow chuckled,
“And you’re not so bad for a human, even if you’re not as adaptable as Tyler… I’m sorry. He usually doesn’t freak out like that. Will she be OK?”

Rachel rolled her eyes,
“I’m fine! I just need a bit rest after this taser treatment…”

Rainbow grimaced a bit. She knew the feeling of lightning from former incidents during her training in weather control. Those lightning bolts from storm clouds sure could paralyze muscles for several minutes,
“You know… I feel kind of responsible for a part of this… If I hadn’t brought up the topic about sex, none of this would have happened I think. I want to make it up to you folks. Want to hang out a bit?”

“Uh… Sure… Hanging out with a Pegasus, huh? Yeah, might be interesting for a change. But, uh… What do pegasi do?”

“Well, duh! Training! Come on! I want to know what kind of sports you guys play!” While they slowly went to the training grounds, Rainbow looked back with a worried expression. 'I just hope T-man’s not in major trouble… I never saw him that upset before…'

* * * * *

An hour later Tyler was sitting on Luna’s bed in her darkened chamber as she woke up from her slumber. Every other being would be slammed out of her room or yelled at for disturbing her slumber but not if it was her beloved with worries on his mind,
“I don’t know why I beat her so hard. I only felt satisfaction as she suffered for insulting you all… Luna… I think I’m changing for the worse…”

As he opened them, his glowing turquois eyes glanced at Luna, looking for answers. For Luna, it was in a way like a look into the mirror. The same coloration as her eyes and his irises… They were stretched like Nightmare Moon’s during her own madness. Sorrow dominated Luna’s expression,
“Tis as I told thee, Tyler… My influence draws thee closer to darkness. Thou must seek counsel with Tia as well. Spend more time with her, so her influence draws thee back to the light.”

When she nuzzled him, Tyler closed his eyes again as he felt his soul becoming calmer again,
“You alicorns really do have such influence, huh? I only thought you made this up. Impressive… and spooky as well. Alright, I’ll have to talk and spend some time with Celestia.”

With a nod and a smile, she leaned against him,
“Thou are my Dark Companion, Tyler… Nothing will change that. But for thy own good… go back to the light for now… Before my influence ruins you!”

He gently caressed her ethereal blue mane,
“Balance… It’s all about balance… I vowed to follow you into the darkest pits… But I can only follow you so far… if I would follow you even more, I’d never come back…”

“I know… And I’m thankful that thou follow me so deep… It’s more than I hoped for.” With this they looked deep into each other’s eyes before they kissed passionately. How wonderful it is to have him around… Luna thought. Nopony ever did so much for me. I want to have this feeling for all eternity… Tyler embraced her head and felt amazingly good when being around the princesses. It was as if there was an invisible bond that the two alicorns were slowly building around him.

As he left her dark chambers, he went into the other wing of the castle to discuss things with Celestia. The sun princess nodded and took a long sip on her fruit tea as she heard of his dilemma,
“Yes… I expected things like this, yet not to this extent. I thought you would approach us earlier. BEFORE Luna’s influence would let you do anything stupid.”

Tyler sipped at his cup of tea. The warm rays of the sun brightened the balcony. While Celestia sat together with him and drank a cup herself, her secretary levitated a pile of paperwork in front of her. While conversing with Tyler, Celestia signed the one or another paper before telling her secretary to leave the rest on the desktop. Tyler only shook his head. “Well I thought she made that one up out of fear. I… I harmed a woman…”

Celestia now cocked her head,
“You harmed a woman who insulted your friends.”

Tyler now looked up to the princess,
“That’s not the point!”

With a smirk she smiled at him,
“In that case… I don’t have to remind you what to do next, do I?”

He sighed,
“I know… You already told me… In case of a disturbance, major or minor, the ones who disturbed the peace have to apologize to each other in public.”

This was rewarded by her with a smiling nod,
“That’s my Tyler!”

Yet Tyler frowned as he looked into his cup of tea. His red reflection was stirred a little as he tried to control the slight shiver in his hands as the dark lightning in his fingers suddenly appeared, but ceased with time. It was like Celestia’s very presence was enough to suck the bad influence of darkness out of him like poison from a wound,
“I sometimes feel a bit stupid around you, Celestia.”

Just as she was about to get another sip of her tea, she hesitated and looked up,
“Oh? Why is that?”

Searching for the right terms, Tyler took another sip of his tea before he looked at her,
“You know… I think it’s because you’re so much older… Luna is so much older herself, but she behaves like a young girl, uncertain and insecure with her first love. You on the other hand behave so mature… I must confess I feel more like the stupid little boy who has a crush on his gorgeous teacher when around you.”

Celestia giggled,
“Aww… That’s sweet of you. Well, I’m a teacher to Twilight… There might even be things I could teach you.”

Tyler chuckled and arched a brow as he looked up to her again,
“I guess you planned ahead, Celestia… Not only for me to please Luna, but also yourself. That book you gave me about alicorns… You gave this to me with the intention to make Luna feel better and to become a good lover for both of you, didn’t you?”

With a sly smile she looked to the chamber windows of her sister’s chambers,
“Not that anypony complained about it, I guess…”

Tyler looked again into his cup as he looked up to her,
“I like to have more…”

This prompted Celestia to blink at him in wild wonder,
“More books about Alicorn sexuality? My… Tyler!”

With a slight grimace, he shook his head and raised his cup,
“No… actually I meant I would like to have more of that wonderful tea…”

“Oh!” With this Celestia began to giggle and after a few seconds, both of them laughed.

As they went back inside into her chambers, Tyler’s hand slid from her back down to her rump,
“You know… I actually never repaid you for becoming your sister’s lover and such a good herd member…” His hands now massaged her flanks and caressed her rump as a whole.

With a beet red face Celestia looked down,
“Don’t concentrate so much on my rump, Tyler… You… you know I don’t like that…”

But Tyler continued to massage her rump,
“Why? Are you ashamed of it? You weren’t ashamed to make it a pillow for me…”

She only closed her eyes in shame and nodded,
“Luna is always mocking me for it being so big and ample…”

But a smack later she gasped as Tyler began to grin,
“True... Luna’s rump is petite compared to yours… but the more to love from you…” She turned around to give him a stern and annoyed look, but squeaked as he playfully bit into her flank. Next he kneeled down behind her. “Time to worship this plot…”

This sentence prompted her eyes to pop open,
“Tyler? What are you-” In the next moment she inhaled heavily as Tyler spread her labia and began to lick her. An ever so slight shiver leashed up her spine as she felt the sweet indulgence in her marehood. “Yes… After so many centuries again…”

Holding back, Tyler cocked his head and looked to her face,
“Again? Who was the lucky one who tasted my bad little girl of the day?”

Celestia grinned with a deep blush as she remembered those ancient times,
“That. Is. My. Secret!”

Suddenly it knocked at the door and Celestia’s eyes opened wide. As her eyes witnessed the doorknob slowly circling around, her rump suddenly slammed down together with Tyler, so that she was sitting directly on top of his face. One of the servants, a maid came in and yelped up in surprise as she recognized Celestia,
“Y-Your highness! I’m sorry! I thought you would be elsewhere! I… I’ll just go.” But just as she went outside, Tyler fought against Celestia’s weight. The lack of oxygen compelled him to do so and he tried to stem her up. Even slaps on her flank didn’t help. The maid now remained in position. “What was that noise?”

Celestia now began to grin. The constant movement inside her most sensible parts almost drove her crazy,
“N- Nothing! You just go to the next room and clean up there while I’m busy around here.”

The maid now recognized Celestia’s deep blush,
“Are you certain everything is fine, your highness? You look like you have a slight fever. Shall I call for the royal physician?”

Slowly, Tyler could feel the suffocation taking place. 'Ohhh… What a bittersweet death…'

Celestia’s voice now grew stricter,
“Nighting Way! I wish you to leave right now!” With this the maid stood ever so tensed up, nodded and galloped out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Celestia now raised her rump with a deep moan, releasing Tyler’s face.

As she stood up again, Tyler gasped for air,
“Oh God! I can see forever!” As he recollected himself from that incident, he shook his head. “We won’t do this one again in the near future… Deal?”

While he washed his face, Celestia nodded and locked the door before pulling the curtains before the windows,
“Deal… But now… Will you let me return the favor for you?” A deep blush formed on her face as she asked.

Tyler hesitated for a second before he nodded. And he could see that she knew why. Not only was Celestia stronger than he was, but she was also more powerful than him and could easily whack him, gut him, send him to the moon or do God knows what to him.

But she didn’t.

Despite all the divine superiority and almightiness, despite eons of age difference she wanted to be of equal stand with him. He knew that and that’s why it sometimes was hard for him to give them what they wanted. There was this undisputed bond of trust between him and the sisters. Maybe this was what both the alicorns dreamed about; to find a bridge across the gap between mortals and themselves. Not to witness the life in Equestria from the outside, but to partake in it from the inside, to literally feel alive and having real interaction… instead of obedient reaction. This was what they seemed to long for and it was written all over Celestia’s face as she lied down on her pillow.

As she looked up to him while she nodded, her lips gently wrapped around him, it was the heavy deep blush on her cheeks and the seductive look on her eyes that caught his eye. It was a clear announcement. She was willing to put everything aside for feeling like a mare. Royalty, pride, even dignity. This act was unbecoming of a princess, but she nonetheless enjoyed it. She enjoyed his taste, the warm, hard flesh of his throbbing member, the odor clouding her senses. She wanted him to release himself in her mouth, to taste it, to feel it, to smell it…

And when he caressed her ethereal mane, she closed her eyes in silent pride. He seldom touched her in public due to the fact that his relationship with her and Luna wasn’t official yet. More like an open secret among their closest servants. It was a major gesture when he put flowers in their manes when they were in their private gardens on the weekly sleepovers. This always was the time Celestia looked for the most during the week. Often she had to giggle while witnessing puzzled faces when the guards looked at them when they talked simply casual together. She often overheard the question what Tyler had what other stallions don’t have. For her it was the spunk he had; the courage to stand up to her.

This very courage was what was making love with him so much more exciting. It sort of was forbidden. It sort of was breaking a dogma. But it made her heart race. Despite her age, she felt like a young filly in love around him. And now she had him standing before her, nude and pleased him like one of equal stand. Although her womb screamed for him, her heart was in heaven.

By now he leaned his head into his neck and moaned as she picked up the pace. Her horn began to shimmer ever so slightly as Tyler felt a slight tickle. In wonder he looked down to her,
“The hell…?”

But she only winked up to him. This prompted him to nod. Whatever she was up to, he trusted her. And it wasn’t long enough as he moaned up loud as he released himself inside her mouth. What Tyler didn’t expect was the unusual quantity he released. Obviously she had magically altered him a bit for releasing larger amounts. With eyes full of love she looked up to him as she began to gulp.

After he was dressed again, he looked at Celestia,
“You never told me you could do that.”

With still a blushed face, she fetched herself a glass of wine to down it in one sweep,
“You never asked me. Why? Should I instruct Twilight to learn this spell?”

He shook his head,
“Don’t force her on my behalf. Mention it to her. Who came up with a spell like this in the first place?”

Celestia now giggled,
“That was before Luna and I came to power. Some unicorn mares wielded it to increase the quantity of semen their stallions would release with every orgasm. It’s a one-shot altered by me to only last a few seconds. Unlike their stallions, your testicles won’t double in size.”

He grinned,
“That certainly would please you permanently, wouldn’t it? You’re a bad girl…”

As he leaned over her, behind her neck, she raised her right wing to caress his cheek,
“Indeed I am… But for every time I’m a bad girl…”

Tyler grinned and caressed her cheek with his palm,
“… you’re a good obedient girl afterwards… That’s true. During our next sleepover here in Canterlot, I’ll make sure your heat will settle down.”

This prompted her to fantasize in pleasant anticipation. A shiver went through her as she looked at him,
“Meaning you will mount me in front of the others?”

But Tyler cocked his head,
“Why? Are you concerned because of Twilight?”

Her eyes avoided his,
“I guess a little bit…”

His palm now wandered down her neck,
“Don’t be. I know she’s good with that. She’s intelligent enough to understand that even you want to have your needs satisfied once in a while. And I think she’s actually happy to have you in our herd since it means she can justify more demand of your time.”

This prompted Celestia to smile again,
“Yes… She loves me very much. Although I would wish her to stand up to me as well. Twilight seldom expresses opinions that differ from mine.”

With this both Tyler and Celestia hugged goodbye before he left the Canterlot. Looking after the train, both sisters had stern faces. Luna was the first to speak,
“What do we take from this incident, my sister? He clearly showed signs of mine influence. The eyes… His eyes were the same as mine while evil controlled me.”

Celestia nodded,
“Well we’ve learned something. Tyler is very receptive to our influence, Luna. It seems the minds and/or hearts of humans are very easily manipulated, if not on the conscious level, then on the subconscious. Now that there are four humans in Equestria, we have to keep a close eye on them all.” With a worried face Celestia then looked down to the statues near the palace labyrinth. “I just hope he doesn’t get out anytime soon… Imagine Tyler behaving the opposite way around!”

Luna shook her head,
“Nay! This will never happen. I won’t let this happen to him!” As she looked over to Celestia again, she giggled. “Tia? There’s something on your face!”

With a surprised,
“Oh?” Celestia began to giggle as well. “Lulu? Do you mind?”

"Not at all, Tia… As long as it is his…” With this she licked the small droplet of sperm from her big sister’s cheek.

Meanwhile Rachel and Flynn were sitting in the library to study some charts. After two hours on the training ground they had enough for today. Rainbow didn’t complain since it was their first day and she didn’t want to force herself on them. Although concentrating on the charts before her, Rachel couldn’t resist looking at Twilight once in a while. 'So him and her…'
“Are these all the maps you have here, Ms. Sparkle?”

Twilight trotted over to them,
“Unfortunately, yes… There are more in Canterlot, but it would need a day for them to arrive. Do you want me to order them?”

Flynn nodded,
“That would be very helpful, yes.” As Twilight trotted away, Flynn recognized her rump and looked into the charts to avoid looking further. Although this wasn’t his thing, the curiosity was undeniably there. He then looked over to Rachel. “I think we should have more topographic maps… Don’t you think so?” As no response came back, he waved before Rachel’s face. “Hello! Rachel!”

Higgins snapped out of it and shook her head,
“Sorry… it has been a long day… Not only are we lost in God knows what place, but the thing with all the talking ponies… Is this happening, Flynn? Or have we lost it? Maybe that’s a government experiment for stress or something! They’ve drugged us and we start to see talking ponies in all colors!” With that Flynn grabbed her at the shoulder and looked her in the eye. Right after that, he slapped her. “HEY!!! What was that for, you asshole?”

Flynn then chuckled,
“If we’re drugged, how come I see the same shit as you? Or why does it hurt when I slap you? No! We’re here, this is real! We’re both soldiers, now get a grip, Corporal! I need you to help me find a way back home!”

Rachel stared at Flynn for a second before she nodded,
“Got it…”

As they looked into the maps again, it knocked on the door and Twilight opened the door,
“Oh! Hi, Zecora. I’m glad you brought it so quickly.”

When Rachel looked up to see the new guest, her eyes widened as she saw the zebra stepping in,
“You! Why have you come here? To beat us up again?” Zecora recognized Rachel from before and a strict look came to her face.

“I didn’t come here to start more bad emotions…
In fact Twilight demanded several of my potions.”

With this the zebra took out three vials out of her saddlebag which she gave to Twilight,
“Spike had some too much ice cream again and has a belly ache now. So I asked Zecora for some potions to help him get better.” With this the unicorn cocked her head. “Why? Is something wrong with Zecora?”

Rachel growled a bit,
“Something wrong? She gave us a good beating in that dark forest of yours!”

The zebra now raised her chin.

“Many dangers lurk in the Everfree Forest
Beating you up sure was for your best.
Many beasts want to rip the flesh from your bone
And some do find great pleasure to turn you into stone!
So you see the punches were truly the better fate
But if your pride is severely hurt, maybe my apology comes too late…”

Rachel now stared at Zecora, not knowing what to say. Flynn nudged her roughly into the rips and nodded to Zecora with a stern look. But even this only brought her to stammer around,
“This… I…” With pity in her eyes the zebra now looked at her.

“You think I’m an ignorant savage.”

Looking onto the table with their dead mobile phones, the nonfunctional GPS device and broken PSP, the zebra shook her head.

“And you have so many gimmicks, I guess it must be so…”

Then Zecora eyed the empty gun on Rachel’s belt and pointed at it.

“But still I cannot see,
If the savage one is me.
How can there be so much that you don’t know?”

Rachel looked after Zecora. Reluctantly she then looked at all the books and maps in front of her. That zebra, although Rachel didn’t like it, was right. She knew almost nothing about these ponies and yet she felt unpleasant around them without good reason,
“I… I guess it’s this unfamiliar situation… I had a job, lots of friends, family…”

“You are lost, a sheep far astray,
Won’t you agree it’s best to make friends to ask for the way?”

“I guess so… Right now I’m stuck here with only two of my friends…” as she looked to Flynn, she smiled. “Yeah I mean it, you little shithead! I’m happy we’re stuck in here together! Satisfied? At least that’s better than to be here all by myself!” Another thought grew in Rachel’s mind and she didn’t like it. “And alone with Jones… Ugh! That guy is a complete freak! I mean, come on! The guy-”

Twilight now cut her off, stomping one hoof onto the ground,
“Enough of this! I won’t allow you to spread lies about Tyler!” Rachel looked puzzled as the lavender unicorn approached her with her horn glowing. Holographic pictures appeared on the floor. “I’ve seen him for what he truly is! He spoke of the violent nature of man and that’s what shining through once he’s in conflict. He’s… like fighting spirit personified! A storm front in the middle of the night. When disaster comes, he’s willing to fight for us all just as we are willing to step in for all our friends! He enjoys every moment of it! And although it frightens me to see him that way, I don’t wish him otherwise…”

Now a hologram showed Tyler facing the void dragon in the epic fight when he and the girls defeated the vile beast with united effort. Rachel’s brows arched as the dragon was slain,
“He has sacrificed his only means to return to Earth to save us from beings that wanted to kill each and every pony. And because you can’t tolerate him being in love with one of us as he hasn’t anybody else doesn’t give you the bucking right to question him! Maybe you think I glorify him, but the fact remains: He earned his right for happiness with blood, both his own and the blood of the creatures that wanted to befall our land.”

The librarian now snorted before she looked at Rachel and harrumphed,
“Everypony and every human out of my library! Except for you, Rachel! I wish to talk with you in private!” Twilight’s face was very strict now.

Flynn nodded,
“I’m going to look for Sam… He’s still with that other unicorn… Lura or whatever her name was…”

Zecora nodded as well and looked to Rachel.

“I hope my points were well put,
And I hope Twilight can change your mind for good.”

With this the zebra left as well. As soon as they were alone in the library, Twilight slammed a few books more on the ground to Rachel’s pile,
“THESE are all the facts regarding the equestrian society! Look, Rachel… I think back on Earth things are different, that your monogamous society is run different with different virtues and ideals. But here you’re in Equestria! It is alright for four mares sharing one guy.”

Rachel arched a brow,
“Wait! You girls share the guy? From what I see, he only uses you to-”

Twilight cut her off while raising a hoof and shook her head,
“No… Actually he hesitated first. His sexual desire isn’t as strong as the one of the average mare, especially in heat season. I think due to your monogamous nature you think he would be the playcolt here, bucking around like he pleases. But rest assured: He’s not like that. May I speak openly to you? From mare to mare?”

This prompted Rachel to blink,
“Uh… Sure?”

Twilight now sat down beside her,
“During the last heat season, I had the hots for Tyler… I mean he is my type of stallion. Mature, intellectual, educated and kind… I jumped at him!”

Rachel looked down perplex,
“What?”

With a deep blush Twilight continued,
“I lost my control, OK? It can happen during the strong need in heat season… But instead of taking advantage of me, he hesitated. Even in bed he hesitated, stating that this should be done with the one you love… It was then when I confessed to him. Since then we’re together and he always was sweet to me. It wasn’t before long that we invited AJ into our herd. Tyler started the herd with us because every mare in town hunted after him in a big stampede. He’s a decent guy, faithful and caring. And he sees his herd mates for what they are, not as sex objects like you accuse him.”

Rachel had become very silent during this conversation. From Twilight’s point of view, she clearly misjudged Tyler. Then she looked at Twilight,
“You know… you have an interesting way to convince people… But… Still, he’s a human, you’re a pony… Doesn’t this bother you?”

“Oh, it’s exotic, no doubt! Applejack told me about the positions they both tried and how they drove her crazy. Also I’m a unicorn; we’re quite petite down there… Although I lack the experience of another, his member is nice and big. I guess Tyler must experience a thrilling sensation while we’re at it. I know I do…” But with this she immediately placed a hoof on her mouth and blushed deeply. “Don’t tell him I told you that!”

Rachel simply shook her head with a slightly amused expression,
“I think Rainbow already did. She stated that you told her that Tyler’s hung like a monster.”

With this the unicorn hid under her hooves,
“Oh ponyfeathers!”

Rachel simply shook her head with a smile,
“You really enjoy yourself with him, don’t you?” As Twilight looked up, she nodded sheepishly before Rachel continued. “And it never occurred to you that it might be wrong to be with him?”

The lavender unicorn thought for a minute,
“Well, it was the first time any pony ever saw a human and Tyler was widely accepted after slaying that dragon. So… No! it never occurred to me, even though we can’t have children without magic.”

Rachel sat down and browsed in one of the books,
“I must say I thought the guy just came here, pulled out a show to convince you and then took four mares to satisfy his own savage needs… Who are the other two, by the way? You mentioned Applejack, but this makes only half of you girls…” After a short explanation Rachel jumped up. “WHAT?!? Wowowowowow! Let me get this straight… THAT guy first got YOU into his herd, then Applejack and then… first the younger and then the older princess??? What do you all see in that guy?”

Twilight shrugged,
“Well, Princess Luna and Celestia enjoy that he treats them like any other mare. You know, not constantly bowing before them, talking to them like we talk to each other now…”

“Uh-huh… So they love him because he treats them like commoners? Well… I don’t know… I take it for them this IS a pretty nice thing of him to do… I guess that’s the way the royals tick… but still… You all stand up for him and trust him… Aren’t you afraid he could raise his hand against you? Or that he could betray all of you? He has connections to the princesses, no doubt!”

“Well? So do I? You may not know this, but my brother is married to Princess Cadance, who is also an alicorn and was my foalsitter when I was young. Princess Luna is one of my friends and Princess Celestia is my teacher. We’re being herd mates for so long now… Tyler and I… I would entrust Tyler with my life like I would do with any other of my good friends.”

“Hmmmm… I see… Well for your sake I hope you’re right. I know humans who betrayed each other after knowing and living with each other for several years…”

Shaking her head, Twilight levitated a book back into the bookshelf,
“Honestly, do you think that after having a foal together with Applejack he would turn on us?”

Rachel’s eyes widened,
“Wait… He… He impregnated one of you as well?”

“Normally this isn’t possible due to our incompatible genetic structure, but Princess Luna turned Applejack into a human for one night. And it seems they both were lucky as they procreated a foal during that night.”

Rachel now grabbed her forehead and sighed,
“OK… At least there’s some sense in this madness… I think… This is WAY too much information for one day! But all I can see is that this guy isn’t-“

It was then when the door opened and Tyler stepped inside,
“Hey, Twilight! I’m back! Were there any problems while I was in Canterlot?” As he stepped upstairs, he recognized Rachel and cleared his throat while rubbing his neck.

“Good, you’re here… Ms. Higgins? I just had a talk with the princesses and… Well, it seems the dark influence of the night princess got me overboard. I know that explanation sounds stupid to a human who hasn’t been around here that much, but… I’m sorry that I beat you up. Can you forgive me?”

Twilight now looked happily at Rachel who now got up and approached Tyler. Finally this conflict could end with another friendship. That would make a marvelous new report to-

But as she stood before Tyler, Rachel delivered a punch to his face and waved her hand in pain, much to Twilight’s protest,
“HEY!!!”

Just as Twilight wanted to say something to arbitrate their brawl, Rachel looked at Tyler,
“Jones… You’re a jerk! And I don’t like you!” She then sighed. “But for now, I’ve heard enough to know you’re not a complete jerk. That has to be enough for me I guess. Point is: We need you. You’re the only one we can rely on. For the time we’re here, I’m going to assess the threat level the indigenous life forms might pose for the USA. That’s my duty for Earth. You may think that this is all lovey-dovey and we’re all good with each other… but if something can get to this place from Earth, then something might get back. And that’s the thing. As soon as we know how to get back there, we have to inform Earth as well. As for your apology… Consider it accepted.”

Twilight looked at Rachel with a stern look, wanted to say something, but decided to look up to Tyler instead,
“But Tyler… You said Earth should never know about this place!”

Tyler nodded,
“That’s correct, Twilight… The full influence of Earth might be bad for Equestria, but what about other nations on Equis? Equestria might be an ally to Earth, but what if Changelings make it to Earth? Or other harmful beings? I can’t say if they could wield magic over there, but do we take that risk? I’m with Higgins on this. If we find the destination where one can cross over to Earth, that place must be secured to make sure nothing bad crosses over. The first thing that ever comes from Equis to Earth should be an ambassador... Or something like that...”

Twilight now stomped one hoof to the ground,
“But what if these places switch location every time a crossing occurs?”

Slightly baffled, Rachel looked down to Twilight,
“What do you mean?”

Raising a hoof now, Twilight levitated a map of Equestria and the Amasian Enclave,
“Tyler said that this human warship crashed from the Bermuda Triangle into the Amasian Enclave! But that’s thousands of miles away from the Everfree forest, where you crossed over!”

Tyler and Rachel now looked at each other. This was a fact they both completely overlooked. Rachel gulped,
“If the one portal TO this world can wander around…”

Tyler nodded with a stern look,
“Then so can the other… meaning anytime and everywhere could be a crossover…” With this both Rachel and Tyler shook their hands. "I think we should work together for the sake of both Equis and Earth..."

Rachel nodded as both their hands delivered pressure into the handshake,
"Agreed!" While both of them now studied the maps and charts together, Twilight smiled before she summoned Spike to gulp down one of the potions and to take a note for her.

Dear Princess Celestia,
Humans are a strange bunch of people. With lots of strange habits and rites to solve their conflicts, they sure don’t fail to surprise again and again. And individuals, although different and hateful to each other first, soon learn to rely on each other due to their common needs. I wonder if one day those new humans will learn to rely on us as much as they rely on each other now. From our friend Tyler I’ve learned that being of a different species doesn’t have to be a border. It can be a gift for each side to help one another. And it can be a wonderful experience if one dares to embrace the fact that we all strive for the same virtues.

Your faithful student,

Twilight sparkle

* * * * *

Meanwhile on the train station in Fillydelphia…

Trixie stood there on the departure platform waiting for the train. Alongside her was a travel bag. Just enough luggage for a short visit in Ponyville. How eager she was to meet Twilight and Tyler again. Even the rain couldn’t spoil her great mood right now. It was then when three stallions approached her,
“Miss Trixie? May we have a short word with you?”

“Oh? Hello… Well if it doesn’t take too long. My train arrives in a few minutes. I’m on my way to Ponyville to-”

With that one of the stallions raised a hoof and cut her off,
“I’m afraid this isn’t possible right now.”

This startled Trixie a bit,
“I don’t understand… Who are you?”

The second stallion shook his head,
“That is of no importance… You on the other hand should feel very important…”

“You singlehandedly brought a human into this world…” added the third stallion.

Trixie now harrumphed. She didn‘t liked where this was going. She had sworn never to do such a thing and was done with boasting. Feeling important wasn’t important anymore to her if it wasn’t being important to her friends,
“Well, these events took place almost a year ago. And I’m not very proud of almost bringing ruin to Equestria. Perhaps you should talk with Tyler Jones yourself and not with me.”

With this the stallions approached her altogether,
“We may have a test for you before you’re going to bring someone else back to Equis…”

Trixie now went backwards until she reached a wall. Fear was written all over the face of the unicorn mare as the three stallions approached her,
“No, go away…”

As they subdued the showmare, the spells were casted quickly. One of them sneered down at her unconscious body,
“Too bad, we can’t have any fun with her… She sure has a nice plot.”

The others stared at the first one,
“Cut it out, idiot! This isn’t about rape! This goes beyond all that!”

“Indeed… Implanted memories, implanted ambitions about revenge… She will make a fine test run… is the amulet ready?”

The second stallion nodded,
“The shopkeeper already bought it and due to the memory implantation he thinks he bought it years ago.”

“Excellent… And what about Project Chrysalia?”

The third stallion now shook his head,
“Almost destroyed… But due to the offspring the project managed to give birth to, we avoided a total loss. It is now in the CCF, the Changeling Containment Facility in Canterlot. Our agents will soon contact the project itself. After then things will unfold again.”

“Good… Everything is going according to the mistresses’ plan…”

Next Chapter: 16 - Interlude - Containment Breach * Estimated time remaining: 6 Hours, 25 Minutes