>As you stir beneath the INCREDIBLY comfy sheets and blankets of the room provided to you by Princess Celestia, you hiss, partially out of pain, and partially because Twilight decided to open the curtains, letting that BLINDING sunlight into the room.
>You flop out of bed, groaning dramatically.
"It's like my body is one big bruise."
>Twilight just laughs, shaking her head at your antics.
>"Oh come on Anon, it can't be THAT bad." came Twilight's reply.
"Yeah, you're right. It's like HALF my body is one big bruise."
>While you are indeed in pain, it was like Twilight Sparkle said; it wasn't THAT bad. In all reality, it looked worse than it felt. But you never once passed on a chance to complain, and you weren't starting now.
>She just sighs, and heads for the door. Before she opens it, she glances back at you as you put on your suit, now short one sleeve thanks to that little stunt of Celestia's.
>"Before I forget, Anonymous... Princess Celestia has requested an audience with you in the throne room."
>You mutter under your breath as you look over your rather naked left arm; You didn't want to know what Rarity would do if she found out what happened to your clothes...
"Better be an apology..."
>"What was that Anon?"
"Nothing. I'll meet you there in a minute, okay?"
>She simply stares at you before shaking her head and exiting the room.
>"Alright then. Remember, just go down the hall, turn left, and descend the staircase on your right."
"Yeah, okay, okay. See you later."
>"Just don't be late, alright?"
"You kidding? 'Punctuality' is my middle name!"
 
>Later
"Okay, WHERE THE FUCK ARE THOSE STAIRS?"
>You sigh. You hated to admit it, but you were lost. Twilight would be pissed if she found out you got your ass lost in the castle.
>Then again, she'd have to FIND you first...
>You laugh; before she'd find you, you figured you'd have a little fun exploring the castle.
>As you wander throughout the hall, you're alerted to the sound of a pair of approaching hooves.
>"I don't know what the Princess is thinking, asking us to find this 'Anonymous' thing. We don't even know what he looks like!"
>Shit. Looking for a place to conceal yourself, you dive behind a rather large curtain. How convenient.
>You hear the hoofsteps cease. Your breath catches in your throat; you didn't dare to make a peep.
>"You know, it's kinda dim in this hallway, isn't it?"
>Oh no.
>"Hey yeah... why don't we open those curtains there? Let some light in, y'know?"
>"Good thinking."
>Oh FUCK no.
>You shut your eyes. It was only a matter of time.
>Clomp
>Clomp
>Clomp
>Clomp
>You hear the rustle of fabric as the two pull back the curtains.
>Hesitantly, you open your eyes to two rather young looking unicorns in golden armor similar to the pegasi that escorted you to the castle. Sheepishly, you wave.
"Uh, hi."
>You grit your teeth as your ears are assaulted by the harmonius screaming of the two guards, who immediately bolt back the way theyy had come, shouting something about a monster in the castle.
>On one hand, you feel somewhat insulted,, but on the other, THAT WAS FUCKING HILARIOUS.
>Stifling a laugh, you continue down the hall, until you happen upon a large, ornate door.
>Curiosity getting the best of you, you push open the door.
 
>The door opens with a rather loud creak, causing you to wince; hopefully no one was in here.
>Your eyes widen. The room you stumbled into was fucking HUGE. This must be Celestia's royal chambers! Furnished with furniture of purples, blues and silvers, the walls colored in a similar manner. You shrug. You could've sworn she was a pastel colors fan.
>You glance at all the fancy devices scattered around the room, one you recognize as a silver telescope, another being a globe, though the composition of the landmasses on it were completely unfamiliar to you, further cementing the idea that you were in a whole other WORLD deeper into your mind.
>You happen upon a star map and a compass, and were surprised to find that the contents of this sky were almost the same as your world, except that there were no humans to speak of. There was still an Orion and Saggitarius, but they were ponies instead of people.
>You sigh, sitting down on the plush bed on the far side of the bedroom, idly playing with an abacus you found on the nightstand. You hadn't seen one of these things since you visited your great aunt all those years ago.
>Your train of thought is interrupted thanks to rustling beneath the sheets.
>Oh fuck, did Celestia have a pet?
>You hear a groan. Against your better judgement, you reach out and peel back the covers, revealing a pony with wings and a horn like Celestia, but her body was smaller, and reminiscent of the night sky.
>"Mmmgh... Dearest sister... 'tis too early for us to be awoken, let us sleep..."
>Then she opened her eyes. Then the both of you freeze up. After what seemed like an eternity, you speak.
"Uh, hi."
>So very eloquent.
>Shut up, brain.
 
>"WHAT MANNER OF CREATURE ARE YOU? LEAVE THESE PREMISES OR FACE OUR DIVINE WRATH!"
"First off, fucking OW. Ever hear of the term 'indoor voice'? Secondly, I'm no creature, I'm a HUMAN BEING. As in Homo Sapien. Now who the heck are YOU?"
>The pony blinks, apparently surprised that her yelling didn't succeed in cowing you like she had thought it would. Then her eyes widen when she begins to process just what you had said.
>"Didst thou sayeth you were a... Human?"
>You barely understood what she had said. Compared to the other ponies you've met, she seemed to speak using a... outdated dialect.
"Er... yes?"
>"INCREDIBLE!" There was that yelling again. Ow. "To think the legends were true! A Human in our midst! This is beyond incredible! This is... This is... OUTSTANDING!"
>Well... at least you weren't facing her "divine wrath". Still, she didn't answer your question.
"Uh, excuse me, but you didn't answer my question. Who ARE you?"
>She blinks, and then laughs sheepishly, running a hoof through her mane.
>"Ha ha... Ah, of course... How foalish of us... We are Princess Luna, sister to Princess Celestia and co-ruler of Equestria, and the Sovereign of the Moon."
"We?"
>She blinks again, and clears her throat.
>"Ah, uh... Sorry. We, uh... I am not used to speaking to anyone other than our... MY sister without using the traditional Canterlot Voice. It is a habit I am trying to break."
"I see."
>"So..." She paws at the floor, eyebrow raised. "What brings you to our... Er, my chambers?"
"I, uh... got lost on the way to the throne room. Your sister requested my presence there. It's kinda important."
>"Very well, let us assist thee in reaching thy destination."
 
"Wait, what?"
>"Terribly sorry, did I misspeak? Oh... I knew it would be hard to adapt to a thousand years of change..."
>You laugh. It wasn't mocking in the slightest, you just found her reactions funny. Princess or not, she could be freakin' ADORABLE.
>As you laugh, she looks at you, and her ears droop. "We knew it... We just can't seem to get anything right these days..."
>Fuck, right in the feelings box.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to laugh... You were just so... well... CUTE. You reminded me of a certain yellow pegasus. She can be rather shy herself."
>That seemed to make her feel better; her ears stopped drooping, her head wasn't low to the ground, and her mane seemed to shine brighter. Not only that, but that cute. Fucking. SMILE.
>It was Rei freakin' Ayanami all over again, goddamn. Out of reflex, you clutch the area of your chest where your heart would reside, hunching over as you do so.
>"Are you feeling alright, Sir Human?"
"Uh yeah... I'm just fine. Now, you said you could help me find the throne room?"
>"Oh! Yes, of course. Please follow us, er... me!"
>You nod, and follow Luna out of her room, the both of you conversing with each other as the two of you head for the throne room.
>You both learn a lot from one another; You tell her your name, how you arrived in Equestria, and your reason for being in the castle, whereas Luna tells you of her origins, and how she became this "Nightmare Moon", and how she expressed severe regret over her actions as the Mare in the Moon.
>You offer as many encouraging words as you can, and it seems to help; she manages to smile again, after all.
>Before you know it; you've arrived, Twilight and Celestia rather irked at your tardiness.
 
"Uh... Sorry I'm late."
>Celestia smiled; if she was upset, she sure hid it well.
>"As long as you are here, Anonymous.
>Twilight, however, looked far more upset.
>"'Punctuality' huh?" she says, miffed.
>You laugh half-heartedly, and are about to reply when Luna steps forward.
>"Dearest sister, Twilight; please, do not be angry at Anonymous. If blame must be cast, then let it fall upon us. Sir Anonymous was lost within the halls of the castle as he attempted to locate the throne room. We had happened upon him, and were quite surprised at his appearance in our halls. With our curiosity getting the better of us, it seems we only served to impede his progress. To make up for our transgressions, we elected to escort him."
>Both Celestia and Twilight look at each other, then to Luna, and sigh. Thank goodness they were the understanding type.
>Celestia looks to the both of you, the oppresive atmosphere having been lifted from the room.
>"As long as you are here. Now then... Let us get to the heart of the matter. Anonymous?"
>You straighten, your arms at your sides.
"Yes, Princess?"
>"Do you remember our little... test from yesterday?"
>You cringe. How could you forget? That shit was painful. Hell, you STILL felt sore.
"Yes, Princess, I do. It was to test whether or not I was capable of using magic, right?"
>She nods, and Luna's eyes widen. The idea that you could use magic confused and excited her, but centuries of practicing royal decorum managed to help her reign in her enthusiasm.
>"Very good. Considering your... raw magical power, I have decided to appoint you a tutor of sorts."
"Who, Princess?"
>At that moment, Twilight steps forward, her head held high.
"Wait, what?"
 
>You blink. TWILIGHT was going to teach you magic?
"I hate to sound rude, your majesty, but why Twilight? I mean, if you trust her enough to ask her to do something like this, it's your descision.... But still, why?"
>Luna steps forward, her voice a little higher than it was.
>"W-We agree, sister!" At this outburst, You, Celestia and twilight simultaneously quirk an eyebrow. "While we do not doubt Twilight's proficiency in magic, she lacks the experience and patience needed of a teacher, especially one of the arcane arts."
>Celestia simply smiled that trademark sunny smile of hers and replied calmly.
>"I am well aware of that, dearest sister, but I believe that this will be an opportunity for not just Anonymous to learn the ways of magic, but provide my most faithful student an opportunity to grow as a pony."
>Luna sighs, finding her sister's answer acceptable.
>Noting her dejected expression, Celestia adopts a rather impish grin.
>"Awww, Luna... Are you upset you won't be getting more time to spend with your new friend?""
>Luna blanches at the implication, while both you and Twilight begin to sputter.
>"Wha-buh... HUH?! T-Tia! That isn't funny! Not in the slightest!"
>She is cut off by rather hearty laughter from her sister, which quickly subsides upon seeing her sister's face, her cheeks puffed out in indignation.
>"Ah haaah... Sorry, Luna... I didn't mean to upset you. Can you forgive me?"
>She sighs, considering the option, and smiles. "We do." she says, causing her sister's shoulders to relax. "On one condition."
>Celestia nods in response. "Of course, dearest sister."
>"We- Er, I get to assist Twilight with her efforts when my schedule allows it."