Title:           Hocus Pocus 2
Author:          jenseits
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/Heq38YQc
First Edit:      Monday 5th of August 2013 01:42:43 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Monday 5th of August 2013 01:42:43 AM CDT

>Well this is awkward.
>After your “formal introduction”, no one has said anything, they just kept staring.
>Except the pink one, who was smiling and wagging her tail.
>Finally, sensing the tense atmosphere, Twilight clears her throat and speaks.
>”Ahem, I’m sorry, we should probably introduce ourselves.  My name is Twilight Sparkle, as you may have heard princess Celestia address me.”
“It’s nice to meet you Twilight.”
>She smiles then looks around.
>”Would…anypony else like to introduce themselves?  You know, maybe try to make things less awkward?”
>The white one with the poofy mane speaks next.
>”Oh of course, where are my manners?  The name is Rarity, it’s a pleasure to meet you dear.”
>Classy, this one.
>”Ah’m Applejack.”
>She tips her hat.
>”I’m Rainbow Dash, proud soon-to-be-member of the Wonderbolts.”
>Don’t laugh…
>”Uh, sug’, ah don’t think he knows who they are.”
>”What?  How could anypony not know them?”
>”Maybe some-one- who’s not from around here?” Twilight interjects.
>”Oh…I knew that.”
>Suddenly the pink one hops in front of you and starts bouncing up and down, meeting your eyes.
>”Hi!  I’m Pinkie Pie!  You’re tall!  What’s it like being so tall?  Oh! I bet you can reach reeeaaallly high up!  That must be nice.  You could reach any shelf!  I remember one time I was trying to bake a cake and I needed a tin on the top shelf, but I could reach it.  So I jumped and jumped and jum-“
>There’s no end in sight with her, she hasn’t even stopped bouncing.
>This was a risk, but something has to be done.
>You reach out a hand as she lands and start scratching her ear.
>She locks up as her eyes shoot open.
>The others gasp.
>Pinkie, however, closes her eyes and smiles with her tongue out, leaning into your hand.
>”H-How did you do that?” Twilight asks in amazement.
“I had a dog that loved to go crazy.  Turns out everyone loves a good ear scratch.”
>”I’ll say~” Pinkie murmurs.
>A couple of them laugh.
>The larger white addresses you next.
>”I’m Shining Armor, captain of the Royal Army.”
“It’s an honor, captain.”
>”Please, you don’t have to be so formal.  If the princess considers you a friend, then you’re good by me.”
“Well that’s good to know.”
>If he didn’t tell you, there’s no way you’d have guessed he was in the military from his voice.
>It’s so unassuming, but you enjoy the casual tone.
>”Shining Armor also happens to be my older brother.”
“That must be pretty cool.”
>”It’s awesome.”
>”Twily c’mon stop, you’re embarrassing me.”
>Rainbow Dash sticks her tongue out and gestures a hoof down her throat in digust, prompting a nudge from Applejack.
>Something doesn’t seem right though.
>And it has nothing to do with the fact that Pinkie’s leg is thumping like a dog.
“Wasn’t there someone else with you?”
>They all look at you in confusion, when Twilight catches on.
>”Oooh you’re thinking of Fluttershy, who’s currently hiding behind my brother…”
>She’s staring at a yellow pegasus, crouched low behind Shining Armor and shivering.
“I hope I didn’t scare her.”
>”No that’s just her being Fluttershy.” Rainbow rolls her eyes.
>Rarity calls her out.
>”Fluttershy, darling, you shouldn’t be so rude to our new guest.”
>She peeks out from behind her hooves and squeaks a few times.
>Too adorable for her own good.
>”I’m so sorry, m-my name is Fluttershy.  It’s, um, nice to meet you.”
>She makes a sounds not unlike a chew toy.
>The hell was that?
>You stop scratching Pinkie, much to her dismay.
“It’s very nice to meet you.  All of you.  I hope I’m imposing or anything, everything is just happening so fast and it’s hard to keep up.”
>”Like my brother said, if Celestia sees you as a friend then there’s no reason we can’t.  It sounds like you’ve been through a lot, so just stick with us to Canterlot and everything is going to be fine.”
>’Everything is going to be fine.’
>Something about that line doesn’t quite mesh with you, but they seem sincere so you breathe a sigh of relief.
>At least until you see a cloud of dust in the distance.
>It looks like a cart being pulled by a red pony, with other ponies in it.
>Are they wearing pots?
“What’s that about?” you point at it.
>”Oh no, ah told them ta stay put…” Applejack brings hat over her face.
>”Woah there Macintosh!”
>The cart comes to a skidding halt.
>Three little ponies and an older green mare step off the cart, and what looks to be a lizard and dog.
>They are, in fact, wearing pots and brandishing pans and other cookware.
>”Alright youngins! Keep a diamond formation, watch each other’s flanks n’ stay close.”
>”Yes ma’am!” they affirm and salute, clanging their ‘weapons’ against their ‘armor’.
>A yellow foal can’t even see out her pot, it covers her eyes.
>“Big Mac, you n’ me will take point n’ scout the southern field, sweepin’ east.”
>She directs everyone using what appears to be a 2x4 with a nail in it.
>”Whatever varmints are out there, ain’t none of em gonna take our land. ”
> Applejack finally steps in.
>”Granny! What the hay do ya’ think yer doin’?! I told y’all ta stay put in the house til this blew over!”
>”Did ya really think we was gonna just sit around n’ let mah granddaughter take on whatever nasty creatures were out there by ‘er loansome?  We didn’t settle this here land by havin’ a picnic, we fought fer it, n’ ah intend to keep fightin’ as long as ah need ta.”
>Applejack brings a hoof to her face.
>”Big Mac ah told ya ta keep everypony inside and hold things down.”
>”Sorry AJ, but ya know how Granny gets when she feels the land is in danger. Ah figured it’d be easier ta just go along and keep em all close.”
>There’s a long, drawn out sigh from Applejack.
>Can’t blame her.
>”Well y’all can pack it in and head on back, show’s over. Chrysalis is gone, the changling’s fled and the royal army is on patrol.”
>The lizard chimes in.
>”So… that’s it then?”
>”Yup, ‘fraid so.”
>The three foals give ‘aww’ in unison, obviously disappointed
>A little white one speaks.
>”I thought we were going to get our cutie marks as cavalry…”
>”What’s cavalry anyway?” asks an orange pegasus.
>The yellow one tips her pot up to speak.
>”Ah thought that’s what ya get when ya don’t brush yer teeth.”
>”No that’s a cavity, cavalry is…uh…”
>The little white one appears stumped.
“Cavalry are the mounted troops that ride in and usually support the infantry.”
>”Ooooh.”  They all say.
>Though as you think about it, that’s an awkward word in a land of ponies since cavalry literally means horse in French so technically they’d all be cavalry.
>As you muse, you look to notice all four of them looking up at you, eyes locked.
>The yellow one tips her pot up again to get a better look.
“Err I mean…Hi.” You smile at them.
>There’s a moment of silence.
>”AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! MONSTER! EVERYPONY FER THEMSELVES!”
>They scramble in different directions, but end up running and tripping over each other.
>There’s a ruckus of metal clanging as they scramble until they finally get behind the other ponies.
>You swear you can hear the Benny Hill theme somewhere.
>The dog starts barking up a storm.
>”Sweet flyin’ fruit bats, what in Equestria is that?!”  The older mare shouts.
>Seriously, they never noticed you this whole time?
>”Granny! Kids! Winona!  All y’all knock it off!  He ain’t no monster.  His name is Anon and he don’t mean no harm.  Ya know better than ta shout things like that, Applebloom.”
>”Yes you too Sweetie Belle, it’s quite rude to yell.”
>”Scoots it’s ok. Ya gotta meet this guy, he’s pretty cool.”
>Now there’s something you’ve never heard someone describe you as.
>”Ahm sorry ‘bout mah sister, Anon.  That there is mah grandma, Granny Smith, and my older brother, Big Macintosh.”
>He nods at you, and you at him.
>The dog, walks up you and starts smelling you.
>”And that’s mah dog, Winona.”
>You kneel down and slowly lower a hand for her to sniff.
“Hey girl, how are you?”
>Carefully you scratch one finger under her chin then work to her head, petting it vigorously.
>Her tail wags.
“Good girl.”
>”Hey no fair, I want scratchies too.” Pinkie whines.
>Applejack intervenes.
>”Pinkie…Ya see Applebloom? Winona likes em so he can’t be all bad. Y'all should go greet em.”
>The three fillies are pushed in front of you, still kneeling.
>Next is the lizard, who’s floated down by Twilight.
>”That means you too, Spike.”
>Well you know their names now at least.
>”Sorry fer calling ya a monster, mister Anon.  Mah name’s Applebloom and these are mah friends, Sweetie Belle, Scootalo and Spike.”
“Just Anon is fine. It’s nice to meet you all.  I’m sorry if I scared you.”
>”It’s not your fault, we were just surprised.” Scootaloo says.
“I have that affect apparently.  So I get that you three are fillies, but what does that make you, Spike?”
>”I-I’m a dragon and Twilight’s assistant at the library.”  
“…You’re a dragon?...”
>”Uh…yeah?  I know I look small, but I’ll be a big dragon someday.”
“That is –so- cool!”
>”It is?”
“Yeah!  Dragons are just myth where I come from.  Well, technically so are unicorn and pegasi, but dragons…They’re a part of so much lore and there’s tons written about them.  And now I get to see one in person!”
>He starts to smile, crossing his arms and closing his eyes.
>”See Twilight? Someone thinks I’m cool. I always knew it.”
>She rolls her eyes but smiles.
>”Alright easy there Spike, try not to let it go to your head.”
>”So what brings you to Ponyville?” asks Sweetie.
“I’m still trying to figure that part out, but I’m supposed to meet the princess for just that reason.”
>”Yer gonna see princess Celestia?”  they all beam at you.
>Just then Spike burps and a flame comes out, just next to your face, causing you to flinch.
>When you look back, he’s holding a parchment and looking at you sheepishly.
>”Eh heheheh…Sorry…”
“What was that?”
>”Spike is a direct line to princess Celestia.  Whenever she wants to talk to me, she writes a letter and Spike coughs it up. When I write to her, he burns the letter and sends it off.” Twilight explains.
“You’re just full of surprises aren’t you?” you chuckle at him.
>He blushes and opens the letter.
>”’My dearest Twilight, when you are ready, please make your way to the station with your friends and come to Canterlot.  We have much to discuss, especially about Anon.  I’ve already talked to Mayor Mare and addressed the townsponies about him, so there should be no complications.’”
>You look to the girls.
“Well there ya go.”
>”We shouldn’t keep her waiting.  Spike, let her know that we are on our way right now.”
>She floats a quill and paper from her pack to him.
>He writes and burns it off.
>You shake your head at the silliness of it all.
>”Oh I simply –must- fix my mane before we depart for Canterlot.”
>”I would like to feed my animals too, um, if that’s ok.”
>”Ah could use a bit ta straighten up the farm some.”
>Twilight jumps in.
>”Ok, ok. How about we all go home and meet back up at the station in 30 minutes?  Grab what you need, because I’m not sure how long we will be there.”
>They all nod.
>”Can the girls stay with you for a while longer, Granny Smith?”
>”They sure can.”
>”Alright, see you at the station in a half hour.  Anon, you’ll come with me, Spike and my brother to my place.”
“Lead the way.  Good day to you, Ms. Smith.”
>”You too, sonny.  If ya need a place ta stay or some work, stop by anytime.”
“Thank you.”
>Everyone goes their own way, Rarity and Pinkie travelling with your group since there’s only one road to the town apparently.
>You come to find that Rarity is a fashion designer and is more than willing to work with you in getting more clothes.
>It dawns on you that, without knowing how long you’re stuck here, this may become vital.
>Pinkie is overly energetic, but it’s impossible to not love her spirit.
>Plus she works at a bakery, equally as vital a connection.  
>Getting to town they depart, and you’re greeted by a plethora of stares and whispers.
>The army approaches Shining Armor and salutes.
>He sends you all off as he needs to talk with them.
>Outside of the fact that the town is full of ponies, it’s pretty much normal.
>Everyone is out and about, some repairing buildings, others cleaning up.
“Was this all from that attack?”
>”Yes, they caught us all by surprise, it was utter havoc.”
“Anyone hurt?”
>”I can’t say for certain, but I didn’t see anypony seriously hurt.  The changlings don’t work like that, thankfully.”
“Changlings?”
>”They’re a race of bug ponies that feed off emotions, especially love.  Today was a holiday called Hearts and Hooves day, which the sole theme of is love.  It was like a buffet for them.”
>Bug ponies.
>That feed off love.
>Wow.
>Just...wow.
“And this Chrysalis was their queen I take it?”
>”That’s right.  She fought with Celestia and took a punishing blow.  Once she was defeated, the hive went into disarray and fled.”
“Chrysalis is a pretty serious deal, considering the shape I found Celestia in.”
>”She is, but princess never gives up.  That’s why I look up to her so much.”
>Speaking of Celestia, she must’ve put in a good word for you because no one has freaked out despite all the looks.
>In fact, most smile and wave at you, and a few even greet you.
“Amazing how friendly everyone is, I thought for sure I’d cause a panic.”
>”Well Celestia did say she’d smooth things out before you arrived, that and walking with us helps them see you’re not a threat.  But then again these ponies have always been very kind. They welcomed me into town and made me feel right at home.”
>You continue to make your way toward a large tree with windows.
>A tree house?
>Didn’t Spike say something about a library?
>”Here we are.”
>She unlocks the door, and you duck slightly to enter.
>Holy book bindings, Batman.
>This place is huge!
“You actually live in a library?”
>”Isn’t it great?  All the books I could ever want at my hooves.”
“You sound like my sister.”
>”Is she an avid reader?”
“Girl, you don’t know the half of it.”
>“What about you?”
“Nah, unless I have to I try not to.  They just put me to sleep.”
>Her ears droop like you’ve kicked a puppy.
>”But, they’re so much fun.  Maybe you’ve just not read the right book.”
“I’ve tried all genres, it’s all the same to me.  That being said, if I end up stuck here I’ll have to learn to like it.”
>”I will make it my mission to see that you do.” She puffs out proudly.
“Oh joy.”
>”Speaking of books, Twilight, do you want to take any with you to Canterlot?”
>”Yes, I just need to find them.  Hopefully I can find something relevant to cross-world traveling.”
>She hovers a few books to her and puts them into her bag.
>Spike also grabs a couple.
>You pick up a book and begin to read the title.
“Principles and Properties of the Arcane.”
>”Oh, that could be useful.”
>It starts to glow purple faintly for a moment, then fades.
>You look to Twilight, who has a perplexed look on her face.
>”Well that was strange.”
“What happened?”
>”I’m not sure, I was trying to pull that book to me.”
>She tries again, focusing harder.
>It glows faintly, but still nothing.
>Then you get a brilliant idea.
>You let the book good.
>It takes off like a bullet and cracks Twilight in the head.
>She goes flat on her back.
“Oh crap.”
>”Twilight!”
>Spike rushes over to her as do you.
>”What did you do?!”
“Hey you saw everything, all I did was let go of the book!”
>”Is she ok?”
“I don’t know, that was a hard shot. Twilight?  Twilight you still with us?”
>Spike fans her, obviously concerned.
>Nice going, jag-off.
>This poor girl makes an effort to help you and gets knocked out for her efforts.
>She lets out a groan.
>”Twilight, you’re awake!”
>”Sp…Spike, it’s ok, I’m alright.  I think…”
>She winces as she tries to sit up.
>You help her upright, her eyes loopy.
“Hey, how many fingers am I holding up?”
>She stares blankly, before answering three.
“Ok good.”
>”What happened, Twi?”
>”I… I don’t know.  All I was doing was pulling the book from Anon’s hand.  It wouldn’t budge, so I pulled harder and harder…”
>”Is the book specially enchanted or something?”
>”Not that I’m aware of.”
“I didn’t feel a tug or anything though.”
>”That’s odd, I couldn’t feel the book like I normally do either.  It was like I was casting on an illusion, no matter how much magic I put into it, it never reacted.”
>Something clicks as her eyes pan to you.
>”Anon, hold this cup.”
>She floats a cup to you.
>You grab on, not feeling anything special from it.
>”That’s so weird, the second you touch it it’s like I can’t feel it anymore.”
“What like I’m grounding out the magic?”
>”I guess, but that’s not possible.  I’ve never heard of that.”
>”Maybe Anon is super strong?” Spike guesses.
>Oh how you wish
>”No I don’t think it’s that, I’d still sense the cup.”
>There’s a knock at the door.
>”Twily, you ready to go?”
>She breaks away and looks to the door.
>”Uh ya, just a sec.”
>Twilight grabs her pack and puts it on.
>”Ok Spike, I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone but I’ll come back as soon as I can.  Will you be ok?”
>”Don’t worry Twi, I got it all under control.”
>”Good, Anon let’s get going.”
“Take care, Spike.”
>”See ya Anon, was good meeting you.”
>Twilight opens the door and is greeted by her brother.
>”About time, don’t want to keep the princess waiting.”
>You all walk toward the station.
>It’s just like any station you’ve seen.
>All of her friends are waiting for you there.
>The booth operator lets you all pass freely.
>You all board the train and it departs.
>Most of the time is spent answering questions for Twilight while she takes notes.
>The others chime in now and then, wanting to know about your encounter with Celestia.
>”So ya really beat both timberwolves yerself?” asks Applejack.
“I had to, they came after me and I didn’t know what to do.  I’m just lucky that they scare off easy.”
>”But they don’t.  Usually they keep comin' back unless they’re certain what they’re after ain't worth fightin’ for.  Ta do that with nothin’ but a tree branch is somethin’ else.”
>This is starting to embarrass you.
“Hey I got lucky, that’s all there is to it. Celestia must’ve really been hurt because she said she couldn’t cast any magic at all, so it was up to me.  Her horn didn’t look that bad, but I never really looked.”
>Twilight comments on this.
>”Anon, you don’t understand.  A unicorn’s horn is their life, just like a pagasus’ wings.  If it breaks or even fractures slightly, never mind the horrible pain, it renders them completely unable to use any magic.  It can take months for a horn to heal itself enough to self-cast a mending spell, which is a painful task even for a healthy unicorn.”
“You managed it well enough.”
>”I have practiced the spell, but never on another unicorn, let alone an alicorn.  I was scared out of my mind that I’d mess it up.  It’s a good thing it worked too, otherwise the task to move the sun would’ve fallen on her sister.”
>Move the sun.
>Wait, hold the phone.
“Did you say she moves the sun?”
>”Yeah.”
>You blink a few times and look out the window.
“That giant ball of gas up there.  She moves that herself?”
>”Well of course, otherwise we’d have nothing but night.”
>More and more you curse yourself for having said things couldn’t get weirder.
>You know your physics…mostly.
>Even if by chance that that was a white dwarf, that’s a monstrous body to just move about.
“That’s just… I can’t even wrap my head around the thought.”
>”Why not?”
“It’s…I mean, I don’t know how magic works here, but even still, the sheer mechanics behind it are unreal.”
>”She –is- a very powerful alicorn.”
“No, you don't just move billions of tons of gas millions of miles away by being powerful.”
>Everyone is giving you the most perplexed looks.
>”Well don’t you have a sun back in your world?”
“Well ya, but no one controls it.  Physics dictates sun-rise and sun-set.”
>”That doesn’t make any sense.”
>You give her a very deadpan look.
“I’m starting to think sense and logic have taken a backseat to magic, Twilight.”
>She tilts her head in confusion.
“Look I don’t wanna bog you down in details, but if I don’t end up going home, I’ll explain it all to you later. It’s a very long and boring topiconly .”
>”Hey I like this guy.” Rainbow Dash quips and a few of them chuckle.
“So let me ask you a question.  What’s with the tattoos on your back legs?”
>”Tattoos?  Oh you mean our cutie marks.”
>Again, you try not to laugh.
“Pose so.”
>”They symbolize a pony’s special talent.”
“I take it they don’t just appear at random?”
>”Not exactly.  They show up at a certain point in everypony’s life when they find what they’re good at.”
>You begin to point around the train car at them, figuring each mark out.
“So you’re good with gems, you’re good with butterflies, you’re good with lightning, you’re good with apples, you’re good with balloons, you’re good with a shield, you’re good with…fireworks?”
>”Um, not quite.”
>They proceed to each explain what their marks mean and how they got them.
>It’s really quite amazing to hear their stories and how they’re all connected.
>Shining Armor had a particularly neat background.
>What a strange world.
>Just as they finish their tales, the train arrives at what you assume is Canterlot.
>About time, you needed a good stretch.
>Guards approach and greet your party.
>You enter the main street of the city.
>It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
>There are large buildings and shops like in a city, but then there’s the massive castle in the distance.
>Really the whole scene is beautiful.
>Music starts playing in the back of your head, and you laugh at the appropriateness of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-CEfMytkUg      (I'm sorry, I couldn't resist)
>It takes a bit of effort to not what to waltz to the theme, however you don’t want to draw any more attention than you already are.
>Though looking about as you walk through the city, you don’t think you could.
>They all look on, much like in Ponyville, except some seem a little more leery of you.
>Whatever, you’re too busy taking in the sites.
>”Like it so far?” Twilight asks, seeming to already know the answer.
”I do.  It’s amazing, I’ve never seen anything quite like it, at least not in person.”
>”Don’t they have cities where you come from?” Rarity asks.
“We do, but it’s different.  This seems more open and while modern, almost has a classical era feel to it.”
>”I agree, it really is quite a unique place.  That’s why I simply love coming here, you don’t get this kind of atmosphere in the big cities.”
>You’re so busy site seeing that you hardly notice you’re right upon the castle.
>And what a site that is.
“Woah…”
>Craning your neck for all it’s worth, you take in the massive structure.
>Someone took their time building this.
>You almost trip over the steps trying to absorb the sites.
>Some of the girls giggle at your rather child-like awe of the palace.
>Shining armor takes the lead and the guards’ salute him, letting you all pass through the doors.
>This is starting to get ridiculous.
>Sure it’s a palace, but the degree to which lavishness is taken here is obscene.
>You try to stay close to the group, not wanting to get lost or break anything.
>Art is strewn about on every wall, some of it resembling styles from your world.
>There are servants and guards milling about all over, most of whom doing double takes at your appearance.
>However, this doesn’t prevent them from greeting you.
>Finally you get to a set of huge doors, guarded by two more ponies.
>They salute and open the doors, announcing Shining Armor’s presence as you all enter.
>Yet again you’re put in a state of awe by this main room.
“Jesus Christ…”
>”Who, dear?”
>”Uh, nothing.  Don’t mind me.”
>You approach two large thrones, and can tell who’s seated in one of them.
>Celestia smiles down on all of you.
>The black pony sitting next to her does so as well, albeit slightly less so.
>Twilight mentioned something about a sister on the train, now that you think about it.
>”It’s good to see you all arrived well.” Celestia says as she rises and walks down, sister in tow.
>Everyone prostrates themselves, so you do as well.
>”I trust you all had a pleasant trip?”
>Twilight answers for everyone.
>”Yes princess, we spoke with Anon and learned quite a bit from each other. Although he’s still hung up on the idea of you raising and lower the sun.”
>”Oh, is that so?”
“It’s just a lot to process, that’s all.”
>She chuckles.
>”Don’t let it cause you too much duress. We all have something we’re good at.”
>That's a hell of a thing to be good at.
>You notice the mark on her butt.
>Go figure it’s the sun.
>”Sister, this is the human I spoke of that recovered me from the forest.”
>”We see, you were not jesting when you said he was of large stature.”
>”Luna, don’t embarrass him in front of everypony.”
>”We meant no disrespect.”
“It’s not a problem.  It’s an honor to meet you, Princess Luna.”
>”As well the honor is with us.  We cannot begin to show our gratitude for saving our sister in her time of need.”
“Yes, well, when in Rome.”
>She looks on at you quizzically, head slightly tilted.
>”Rome?”
>Stop using references, damn it.
“It’s…just a saying from home.”
>”We see.”
>You make note of her mark.
“I take it you control the moon?”
>There is a slight bit of sarcasm to your voice.
>”Why yes, we do.  Celestia, why didn’t you say you had mentioned us?”
>You through your arms out slightly and let them slap against your thighs.
>”Is something the matter?”
“No it’s fine. Celestia didn’t say anything, I just saw the mark and put two and two together.”
>Twilight is trying to stifle a laugh, but failing.
>”I, I’m sorry Princess Luna, it’s nothing.”
>”Very well then. Shining Armor, what have you learned about the changling threat?”
>”I talked the soldiers patrolling Ponyville, none of them have seen a trace of the changlings or Chrysalis.  There was only a large crater miles away where they believe she landed, but no remains were found.”
>”Then it was as you feared, sister.  She had become quite powerful.”
>”Yes, and it bothers me that I was not able to subdue her right then and there.  Now she’s free to recover and attack again.”
>”Do not trouble yourself, for you had no time to prepare.  We only wish that you had come to us.”
>”I’m sorry for that, Luna, but I was certain I’d be able to take care of the situation.”
>”We are just glad that you are safe.”
>Isn't that a precious moment.
>Maybe they'll kiss each other now.
>Wait, why did you just think that?
>They look to you.
>Crap, they can’t read minds, can they?
>”Anon, I know that I said I would find a way for you to get home, but unfortunately I’ve received no reports from my scientists about any portals that travel whole realms. Do not worry, though, for they are working valiantly.  They are some of the greatest minds in the land.”
“It’s alright, I didn’t think it’d be that easy.”
>”You’re handling this really well, all things considered.”  Twilight remarks.
“The way I see it, there’s no point in throwing a fit or panicking.   That won’t get me anywhere, so I have to suck it up and bear with it. You’ve all been so nice and welcoming, which has helped a lot.  I don’t want to make things harder by having mental breakdowns.”
>Thanks mom.
>”That’s very gentlecolty of you, darling.  We promise to help you however we can, won’t we, girls?”  
>They all give a resounding affirmation.
>It draws an almost teary smile from you.
“Thank you. The only thing that’s really bothering me is how I got here to begin with.  Celestia, when I described what happened, you seemed like you had some idea.  Do you know anything at all?”
>She looks at you, then toward a window pane with concern.
>You all follow her gaze up to a particular image on it.
>”Well…“
>”Cellyhasasecret!” yells the voice from behind you next to your ear.
“GAH.”
>You double over and clutch your chest.
>There’s a cackling behind you.
>That voice…
>Once your breathing slows down, you turn to confront the “shopkeeper”.
>…and your heart rate rockets right back and up.
“HOLY CHRISTMAS HELL!”
>You trip over yourself and fall flat on your ass.
>The same pair of red eyes great your own, as does the goatee.
>That’s pretty much where any similarities end.
>Instead you’re welcomed to a sight from a Dr. Seuss book.
>Mismatched horns, wings, arms, legs, all on a long slender body.
>”Oh, oh my.  That reaction. Priceless!”
“WHAT. IS. THAT?!” you yell, emphasizing each word with a firm pointing motion.
>Celestia stands next to you.
>”That, Anon…is Discord, the spirit of chaos.”
>”Gee, Celestia, don’t try to sound TOO enthused.  Anon, my boy, how have you been doing?”
“Y-yo…you’re the shopkeeper aren’t you?!”
>”Can’t get anything by you now can I?”
>He spins around in a blur, stopping to reveal himself exactly like the clerk.
>”The monent Anon described you, I had a feeling you were behind this.”
>”Yet you kept him in the dark, Celestia?”
>”I didn’t want to believe you had anything to do with this, I wanted to believe you had changed.  But it would appear I was wrong…”
>”Oh come now, Celestia, I haven’t actually caused any chaos or hurt anyone.”
>”You ripped this poor creature from his home and stranded him here!”
>You try to stand up, but slip, nerves still shot from being surprised.
>”Here, Anon, let me help you.”
>Your body glows a faint white light as you stay seated.
>Nothing happens.
>”What?” Celestia utters in bewilderment.
>She casts again, this time trying harder.
>There’s a very noticeable strain on her face, but still nothing happens.
>She ceases with a gasp.
>”That won’t work on him.”
>All eyes are fixed on Discord.
>”And why exactly is that?” she retorts.
>”Humans negate all magic.”
>”AH HA. I knew it!” Twilight shouts.
>Everyone stares at her.
>”Hehehe…sorry.”
>She shrinks back.
>”As I was saying,  Anon’s world is completely devoid of magic.  Everything there lacks the properties that we manipulate here, however those properties can be instilled just by casting magic on them.  Except on living creatures, still haven’t quite figured that part out.”
”How do you even know all this?”
>”I’ve been around for a long, long time, and I’ve frequented your world.  You could say I’m quite the fan of you humans.  Day after day, you never cease to amaze me.  One minute you’re raging wars with each other, the next you’re all clamoring to help each other out of a natural disaster.  It’s utterly amazing!”
>He seems amused at how random people are.
>Then again, so are you at times.
>Finally you get up.
“If I cancel out all magic, then how the hell did I end up here?”
>”I guess I should say something on the order of 99.99% of magic.  There are ancient and powerful items found in Tartarus that can work.  The gem you used being one of them.  Thank you for testing it for me.”
“Why me and what for?”
>”Because you were the first person to ask about it, and because I was curious.”
>You stare at him.
"You sucked me into some far-off world, lost in a forest full of monsters just because you were curious?
>"Yep!"
>Obviously he sees no problems here.
>Your eye twitches.
>Not now Anon, this isn't the time.
“Ok then…if you’ve SATIATED your inquiring mind, I’d like to go home now.”
>”Sorry, no can do.”
“Say what now?”
>”The orb is a one-time-use deal, once the magic is used, it’s just a pretty glass ball.”
>He poofs the orb into his hand(?) and toss it to himself a few times.
“So what your saying is...”
>”As long as the orb is like this, you’re stuck here.”
>...
>Oh No...
>Please, no.
>Not this…
>In the back of your mind you had a feeling this might happen.
>You didn't want to accept it though.
>This did nothing to soften the blow.
>That part about not having a breakdown?
>This may be a good time to throw that out the window.
>Luna takes notice of the despair in your eyes.
>”Discord…your games…haVE GONE ON LONG ENOUGH!!!” she suddenly bellows.
>The whole room shakes, and you want to cover your ears, but can’t bring yourself to care.
>Everyone else does, though.
>”Temper, temper Luna. You should use your inside voice.”
>”I WILL RENDER YOU TO STONE MYSELF!”
>Her horn glows and she goes to take off, but Celestia restrains her with magic.
>”Luna! Calm yourself! I will not have fighting in this castle!”
>”Celestia, how can you sit there and let him carry on like this! He hasn’t changed at all!”
>Discord wisps around behind you, hiding in a mocking manner.
>”Oh yes do hold her back Celesita!  I just had my hair done.” He starts laughing.
>This…
>This can’t be happening…
>Your family, your friends…they’re all gone.
>”Discord I’m only holding my sister back at this point because I fear for the safety of my little ponies, do not think I do this for your sake.”
>”Princess Celestia, just give us the word and we’ll bring Discord down.” Twilight says with determination.
>”Ya! This jerk has gone too far, I knew we could trust him!” Dash adds.
>”Discord I’m so disappointed in you, after I trusted you and gave my word to the princess. I could just…just…” >Fluttershy lets out what sounds like slow leak from a balloon for a scream.
>”Now, now.  Let’s try not to start anything we couldn’t finish.”
>You’re stuck here.
>One second you have a normal life, the next everything is taken from you.
>All because of HIM.
>Your hand shakes, then suddenly shoots over your shoulder and grasps his goatee.
“You…”
>”Uh, that stings a little.”
“BAAAASSSSTTAAAAARRRRRD!”
>You turn around and pull the goatee hard toward your head, causing his jaw to crack of your skull.
>He stumbles back and works his jaw.
>A quick shake of his head and he's no worse for wear.
>”Ok, I may have deserved that.”
>Discord approaches you with a hardened look.
>”But I sugg-“
>You give a guttural yell and clench your fist.
>With a haymaker that’d make Rocky Marciano proud, you swing for the fences and connect squarely on his jaw again.
>His head rockets toward the ceiling while his neck elongates and his body stays put, making a clacking noise like those rock-em-sock-em robots.
>At one point you’d have questioned this, but now you don’t care.
>There's a deafening silence in the room.
>Eventually his one hand goes to his tail and moves it up and down.
>It makes a ratcheting noise as his head lowers into place.
>He rolls his neck from side to side, cracking it, before focusing on you.
>”Now that one is going to cost you.”
>Discord adopts a stern look, standing tall in front of you, air distorting around him.
>There’s at least a foot and a half difference in height between you two, but you don’t care.
>You meet his gaze.
>”Anon don’t do this!” Celestia pleads.
“STAY OUT OF THIS.  He took EVERYTHING FROM ME!  So you tell me, what do I have to lose?!”
>”Apparently you don't realize that even with your immunity to magic, I don’t need to do much to send you on a one way trip Tartarus.” Discord chides you.
“Fine by me, you can be my tour guide.”
>”Now just why would I do that?”
“Because I’m going to put my foot so far up your ass that it’ll be the next big fashion statement.”
>”And if I told you that I didn’t have an ‘ass’?”
“Then I guess I’ll just have to tear you a new one.”
>The room is silent, as the others watch in horror.
>What happens next, you didn’t expect.
>Discord begins to laugh.
>Hard.
>”Once again!  The priceless look on all your faces!  This is why I LOVE you humans!  Seven billion of you and yet you’re each so different.  You never know what you’re going to get!  All I had to do was say you couldn't return home and you were willing forsake even your own life in the name of revenge.”
>”What are you getting at?” Twilight more so demands than asks.
>”I just wanted to see what kind of rise I could get out of the boy.  He’s not actually stranded.”
“...I thought you said I was stuck...”
>”No, if you’ll recall, I said that while this orb was like this, you were.  But all I need to do is empower it again.”
"So then recharge it…PLEASE.”
>”This isn’t some battery, it takes time to restore it.”
>Here it comes.
“*sigh* How much time?”
>”One year.”
>Thank you and good night.
>You want to ask him if he’s joking, but the tone he’s taken would indicate he’s serious.
>So you ARE stuck here, just not forever.
>Only a measly year.
>GREAT.
“And what am I going to do about my family?   They’re going to think I’m dead since there’s no trace of me!”
>”So glad you asked.”
>He twirls in place again.
>When he stops, you’re hoping you’re seeing things.
“You can’t be serious.”
>Everyone gasps.
>It’s a mirror image of you.
>”For once I’m completely serious.”
“So I’m going to let the embodiment of chaos play my doppelganger and live my life for me while I actually live my life here?”
>”Scintillating isn’t it?”
>You can’t believe you are doing this.
>Hell you can't believe anything that's happened so far.
>What are your options again?
>Right, none.
“Fine.”
>Everyone lets out a collective ‘what’.
>Twilight speaks out.
>”Anon, you can’t honestly say you’re going to trust him!”
“And what else can I do?  I’m stuck here, and he’s the only one that can go back and keep things normal for me.”
>"Hey now, let's not get careless with the n-word."
>You look to Discord, whose gone back to his original form, and walk up to him.
>He crosses his arms, smirking.
“Alright look, since you’re going to be taking my place and living my life, I have one thing to say to you, so you listen good.”
>You lean in and so does he.
“Please…I beg of you, please don’t ruin this for me.  I have a good life and a great family, don’t take that away from me. Please…”
>Those words draw tears from your eyes.
>”No threats, no vowing of revenge if I don’t?”
“What would that do?  You are in control, I can’t do anything to stop you.  They mean everything to me, so if begging appeals to whatever sense of decency you have, I’ll do it.”
>He rests a hand on your shoulder.
>”I am a lot of things, but I’m no monster, even if I’m technically a mix and match of them.  Despite what you might think, I do genuinely sympathize with your situation, especially since it was my fault.  I didn't mean for all of this to happen like this.  So in return, I promise to keep things steady.  I needed a vacation anyway.”
>He smiles at you.
>There’s no telling how much you can believe him, but again, not many options.
>You nod at him and sigh, wiping some of the tears away.
“Thank you. You better get going, my dad is probably wondering where I’m at.”
>”I’m already there.  Princesses, girls, I bid you all good day.”
>Just like that he’s gone.
>Everything weighs down on you at once, yet there is a hint of relief in all of it.
>You walk toward a wall and rest against it, sliding down.
>”Anon? Ya gonna be alright, hun?”
>It’s hard to respond to Applejack.
>Everyone approaches you as Celestia speaks.
>”Anon, I am so sorry for everything that you’ve gone through. This must be so hard to cope with. I apologize for Discord, he…he’s not evil per say, even if he has terrible ways of showing it.  I promise you that I’ll still look for a way to get you home.”
>”And we still promise to help however we can.” Twilight adds.
>”Yes dear, surely there must be something we can do?”
>You stare at Rarity, and beckon her over with a finger.
“There is.”
>She’s hesitant, but then approaches.
>Once she’s in close, you make stern eye contact with her.
“Don’t call me Shirley.”
>There’s a look of confusion on her face, until you boop her nose and smile.
>Celestia is quick on the whip and starts to chuckle, followed by Pinkie.
>”I get it! It sounded like you called him a girl, Rarity.”
>”But I did-Oh I see.  It’s good to see your humor is intact.” She smiles and laughs, as do the rest.
>A thought occurs to you.
“Celestia, you said that had I not shown up in the forest when I did, you probably wouldn’t have made it.  Did you mean that?”
>This question catches her off guard, but she ponders it.
>”I'm pretty certain that would’ve been the end for me.”
>A quick breath escapes you.
“You know, had Discord not offered me that orb to look at, I’d have never been pulled into the forest and ran into you.  You’d have been stuck there.  In a way, whether he knows it or not, it was because of him that you’re alive.  He saved you.  Kinda.”
>There’s a silence as everyone mulls this over.
>”He may have sent you here, but I doubt that was his intent.  You made the choice to save me of your own accord, did you not?”
>You stand up.
“That may be.  My point is that everything happens for a reason.  Good or bad they happen and we need to be ready to deal with them as they come.  So, I plan to make do with the hand I’ve been dealt.”
>”Your resolve is something to be admired.” says Luna.
>Inside you’re a torrent of emotions, still trying to get a grasp on things.
>But it is what it is and like you said, fretting about it will get you nowhere.
>”Princess Celestia, is it alright if Anon were to stay with me and Spike at the library? I have the room and it’d be a great opportunity to learn from him.”
>”I see no reason why not, as long as he's ok with it.”
“If you wanna take me in, I just hope I’m not a burdon.”
>”No not at all!  It’d be great to talk with you and learn more about your world, and maybe I can answer any questions you have.”
>Twilight is very enthused by all this, it’d be a shame to disappoint her.
“Guess that settles it then.”
>Pinkie latches on in a tight hug.
>”Don’t worry Annie, you’ll love it in Ponyville.  We’ll make sure of that!”
>You give an incredulous look to the pink mare.
“Annie?  Really?”
>”It just sorta came to me. It’s a little less mysterious than Anon, dontcha think?”
>You’ve no energy to argue why that name sounds so wrong, so you just smile and shake your head while patting hers.
>Luna breaks the awkwardness of the moment.
>“Sister, we do hate to abbreviate this moment, but the day is drawing to a close as there’s still much to discuss.”
>”You’re right Luna.  It has been good seeing you all and do hope to see you all soon.  Twilight, make sure you report any more changling activity that you encounter, and also about Anon.  If anything comes up, please don’t hesitate to write me immediately.”
>”You can count on me.”
>”I know I can.  Shining Armor, have one of the guards fly to Ponyville and instruct them to return to the castle in the morning.”
>”Yes princess.”
>She looks to you.
>”Anon, I just want to thank you again for all your help.  You’re always welcome here.”
“Thank you, it was fun. Maybe we can do it again some time.”
>”Hopefully not too soon.” She smiles back.
>Humor has always been a coping mechanism for you.
>While it was good to see her smile, the joke was more for yourself to take your mind off things.
>Not that it worked all that well, but any little bit helps.
>You all make your way to the station.
>The walk back is different due to the setting sun.  
>It casts a different, but equally beautiful light on the streets.
>However, so much is on your mind that you don't fully appreciate it.
>When you get to the station, Shining Armor says his good-byes.
>”It was good to see you Twily, despite the occasion.”
>”I’m always happy to see you, say hi to Cadence for me.”
>”Will do.  Anon, it was nice to meet you.  Don’t let my sister drive you nuts with questions.”
>”Shining!”
“I’ll do my best. You’re a lucky big brother.”
>”Don’t I know it?”
>He waves you all off as you head to the train.
>Before you enter the car, the tallest spire catches your peripheral.
>You look at it for a moment, and notice a light, no, two lights coming from it.
>One a slight blue, the other a yellow hue.
>Looking at the sun, you see it recede more and the moon rise.
>For about the umpteenth time today, all you can do is shake your head and smile.
>Gotta find a different response to this kind of stuff, you have a feeling you'll be seeing more of it.
>You’re not seated for more than a minute before you catch yourself dozing off.
“Hey girls, if it’s alright I’m going to take a nap.”
>”Sure thing Anon.” Twilight reassures you.
>It doesn’t take another minute to pass out completely.
>You awake some time later at the Ponyville station, nighttime having set it fully.
>You all leave the train and get to the center of town, which is mostly empty at this point save a few guards.
>Rarity starts to bid everyone farewell.
>”Well girls it’s been an interesting day to say the least. Anon, I hope that tomorrow I will see you so that I may start on getting you some clothes.”
“Oh, Rarity you don’t have to do that.”
>”Nonsense, I would love to expand my resume as it were.”
>”And if y’all are lookin’ fer work, mah farm could always use another body.”
>”If you’re gonna work with AJ, you gotta be in shape, so I better get you to the gym.”
>”Don’t forget to start your day off right with a yummy treat from Sugarcube corner!”
>”And I have, um, a lot of…uh, fuzzy animals…if you want to play with…them?”
>There’s that squeaking noise again.
>They’re so eager to help out.
>Maybe this place really won’t be so bad.
“Thanks girls, I’ll keep all that in mind for tomorrow.”
>They say good-bye and you follow Twilight back to her place.
>Spike is at the door to greet you both.
>”Hey guys, how’d it go?”
>”Pretty good. The changlings shouldn’t be a problem for a while, and Celestia wants Anon to stay with us until we can get his home-situation sorted out.”
>”Really? Great! I was just about finished with supper an- wait a sec, what do you eat anyway?”
>”Spike! That’s…actually a good question.”
“Oh, anything really.  Fruit would be good for now.”
>”Are you sure that’s all?”
“It’s fine, not all that hungry.”
>Best not to push the meat issue tonight, even if they talk they’re still most likely herbivores.
“Do you happen to have a shower?  I need one bad.”
>”Oh yes, of course.  I’ll show you it and your bed while we’re at it.”
>Twilight leads you upstairs to another large room, a pair of beds and what looks to be a dog bed.
>”Try this bed out.”
>The bed creaks a fair bit as you lay on it.
>Shifting around, you find it rather comfortable.
“It’s good, hopefully I don’t break it.”
>”I think you’ll be good.”
>Twilight shows you the shower next.
>This was something you needed desperately for a lot of reasons.
>Her soaps are very fruity, not that you minded.
>You could stand under the hot water for hours, but you keep it to a few minutes so as not use it all.
>Having finished, drying off brings you to a realization.
>No extra clothes.
>Wearing your old stuff would be completely counter-productive to your shower, but you’ll be damned if you’re going to go around naked in someone else’s house.
>They don’t wear clothes though.
>Maybe she won’t mind if you go shirtless?
>You slip on your shorts and just go commando for now, folding your other stuff up.
>This feels so weird.
>Yet liberating.
>You walk out and tuck your clothes under the bed.  
>”Feel better?”
>Twilight is right behind you.
>Seriously how are you that oblivious to your surroundings?
>”Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s alright, sorta used to it.  I feel a lot better, thanks.  I hope you don’t mind, but my clothes are a mess so I was just going to store them under the bed until tomorrow.”
>”That’s fine, you should come eat, Spike just finished up.”
“He cooks?”
>”Among other things.  I’d be lost without him.”
>Now that you think about it he did have an apron.
“Must be nice.  Hey, you don’t mind if I come down like this, do you?”
>”Like what?”
“Like…this.”
>You gesture your hands around your body.
>”Naked?”
“Yeah that.”
>”We don’t normally wear clothes, so I don’t see why not.  You’re still wearing pants though.”
“That’s more of a personal preference.”
>”As long as you’re comfortable.”
>You get to the dinner table, looks like Spike made you a mixed bowl of fruit with some salad.
>Looks rather good.
>He seems to be staring.
“Clothes are dirty.”
>”S-sorry, didn’t mean to stare.  It’s just you seem bigger.”
>”Spike that’s rude.”
>”I mean, uh, I hope that’s enough for you. That’s all. I’ll…keep quiet.”
“Spike, it’s alright, I know what you meant. This is plenty, thank you very much.”
>Dinner goes off with idle conversation about the day, you explain to Spike about Discord and what’s going on in detail.
>"So you're really stuck here for a whole year?"
"That's about the size of it."
>"Gosh, I'm sorry Anon.  I hope you like it here."
"If everyone keeps being so nice, I won't have a choice.  And at least now I can learn more about dragons."
>That seemed to really catch his attention.
>You try and lighten the mood by talking about dragon lore.
>After everything is cleaned up, all of you decide to head to bed.
>It’s going to be a long day tomorrow, you can feel it.
>Just as you reach your bed, you notice an owl perched near Twilight’s bed.
>It hoots at you.
“Uh Twilight, did you know you had an owl in here?”
>”Oh don’t worry, that’s just Owlilicious, my other assistant.  He stays up with me when I do late night reading.”
“Huh.  That’s really cool.”
>”Right?”
>There’s a ‘hmph’ from Spikes bed.
>Twilight giggles.
>You finally settle in and get comfortable.
>So many thought rush you at once, yet you’re too tired to process them.
>All you can do at this point is just close your eyes and let tomorrow come.
>…And hope you don’t snore in your sleep.