//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Questions and Answers // Story: A Brony's Guide to Equestria // by Blizzardz //------------------------------// As I stepped inside Twilight's castle, I noticed just how spacious it really looked, when I watched the show, I couldn't really get a good idea on how big the castle actually was, but now, I was here, in her castle. However, as I followed Twilight to what I could only assume was the library, I couldn't help wondering to myself, where was Starlight? Since Spike had wings when I saw him, that meant Starlight had to be here. As it turns out, I didn't have to wait long to get my answer as I heard a familiar voice call out; "Twilight, there you are." Twilight and I both looked over, and sure enough, Starlight herself was approaching us, or more specifically Twilight, she looked like she wanted to tell her something, but before she could, her eyes fell on me and she let out a small yelp in surprise. "Uh, Twilight, what is... that?" She asked nervously, stepping back slightly. "Oh, this is Lukas." Twilight replied. "He's a human." "A what-now?" Starlight said, clearly not familiar with that word. "A human." I repeated for her. "But don't worry, I'm friendly." "Oh, well, if you say so." Starlight replied, before extending a hoof towards me. "I'm Starlight Glimmer." I stared at her extended hoof, not sure of how to approach this, until I just shook her hoof, which was kind of weird for me to do, but Starlight didn't seem to mind. "Well, nice to meet you, Starlight." I said casually. "So, where did he come from?" Starlight asked Twilight. "That's just it, Starlight, I'm not sure yet." Twilight replied, putting a hoof on her chin. "I was hoping he could explain that for us." Twilight, Starlight, and now Spike, all turned and looked at me, the looks on their faces told me that they demanded to know about my sudden arrival. "Oh, well, um, you see..." I said worriedly, not knowing how to explain this. I didn't want to tell them I came from a different world, because then they might plan on sending me back, and I didn't want to leave Equestria just yet, but I also didn't want to lie in front of them, one of the elements of harmony is honesty after all. "You might not believe this, but I'm not actually from around here." "Really? I couldn't tell." Spike said jokingly, earning an annoyed look from Twilight. "Yeah, I'm actually..." I paused for a moment, worried about how they were going to react to what I was about to tell them. "From another world." "WHAT?!" Twilight, Starlight and Spike all exclaimed in unison. "Yep, you heard me right, I'm from another world." I explained, rubbing the back of my neck. "How did you end up in Equestria then?" Twilight asked, her voice trembling. "Well." I began, trying my best to remember. "I was walking late at night, and I saw this purple glow coming from nearby, so I went into the forest to investigate and I saw this portal, and it sucked me in, and the next thing I knew, I ended up here." "Wow." Was all Starlight could say. "Yeah, I know it sounds crazy, but it's all true." I assured them. "Well, since you're probably going to be here for a while, we may as well get you acquainted in Ponyville." Twilight thought. "Just wait 'til the others hear about this." Spike chuckled. "The others?" I said confusingly, acting like I didn't know who he was referring to, even though I probably did. "Oh, I should introduce you to my friends." Twilight exclaimed excitedly. "I'm sure they'd love to meet a..." She paused, momentarily forgetting what I was. "A human." "Right, a human." Twilight finished with a sheepish smile. After following Twilight, Starlight and Spike into the castle throne room, where the cutie map was, she had Spike write an urgent summon to her friends, telling them to meet her in the castle throne room immediately. Even though the situation wasn't that serious, at least I'd meet the rest of the mane six quicker, hopefully Rainbow Dash wouldn't try to tackle me, or Fluttershy wouldn't hide at the sight of me. While we waited for them to arrive, Spike approached me with a curious facial expression. "So, Lukas, what's it like in your world?" "Oh, well, it's... not the best, but it's relatively great." I explained in the best way I could. "It's got vehicles, technology, and a lot more." "Wow, sounds pretty cool." Spike said, his eyes twinkling. "What is a "vee-cule?" Starlight said, trying to pronounce the word. "Oh, right." I said in realization. "A vehicle is what we humans use to get around, and what we use to take us to places more quickly, there are all sorts of vehicles, like cars, boats, planes, trains, buses, and so much more." "Well, we have trains." Twilight added, referring to The Friendship Express. "And in case you're wondering, technology is what humans use pretty much every day in our lives, devices like phones, computers and tablets lets us play games, talk to people, and entertain ourselves." I explained, feeling like such an expert with all this knowledge I was providing them. "Interesting." Twilight said, leaning forward. "Would you be able to show us?" "I wish I could, but..." I began, before I remembered something. "Actually, I could." I then reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, and even though it was dead, I could at least show them what it looked like. Also, if I turned it on, they would see my Pinkie Pie wallpaper and I would have to explain a few things. "This is a phone." I announced, showing it to them. "Wow, it looks... small." Starlight pointed out. "And shiny." Spike added, drooling a little bit. "Is it made out of gems?" He asked hopefully. I chuckled, moving the phone away from Spike to avoid having it covered in saliva. "No, it's made of metal, glass and plastic." "Oh." Spike groaned, wiping off his drool. Just then, the door to the throne room burst open and in came the rest of the mane six, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, all of them had worried looks on their faces, clearly because of how urgent the letter sounded. "Twilight, we came as soon as we could." Applejack exclaimed. "What's the emergency, darling?" Rarity asked. "This better be important, Twilight." Pinkie said sternly. "I had to leave in the middle of my newest baking masterpiece, Lemon Cupcake Surprise!" "Yeah, what's the deal, Twi?" Rainbow asked, flying up to her. "You interrupted me in the middle of reading the newest Daring Do book, and I really want to know how she managed to escape The Tomb of Doom." "Um... what's that?" Fluttershy whispered, seemingly being the only one to notice me. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie and Rainbow all looked at me with wide eyes. Honestly, I was surprised that none of them noticed me until now, I guess they were all so focused on the reason for the urgent summon. "What in tarnation is that?" Applejack asked, raising her eyebrows. "Girls, this is Lukas, he's a human." Twilight replied. "A...human?" Fluttershy said nervously. "Never heard of that creature before." "Yeah, I figured you haven't." I chuckled. "Wow, a new creature? That's so exciting!" Pinkie exclaimed. "And totally crazy." Rainbow Dash added while crossing her hooves. "Well, I think he looks like a charming little darling." Rarity commented, fluttering her eyelashes. "Oh, uh, thank you." I stuttered, before I saw Spike glaring at me intently. "So, what's your deal here anyway, huh?" Rainbow asked, flying right up in my face. "Where did you even come from?" "Yeah, no offense, but you don't exactly look like you're from around these parts." Applejack added. "Well, Lukas is actually from another world." Starlight replied. "WHAT?!" The rest of the mane six exclaimed in unison. "Yep, she speaks the truth, everyone." I said, having already gone through this with Twilight, Starlight and Spike. "And before any of you guys ask, I came here from a portal." "Wow, I knew you said it was an urgent summon, Twi, but I didn't expect this." Applejack said, leaning towards Twilight. "Look girls." Twilight began. "I know Lukas may be a little different from us." "A little?" Rainbow interjected. Twilight glared at Rainbow before continuing. "But I know that if we work together, we'll be able to get him settled here in Ponyville." "Wait, wait, wait." Pinkie said frantically. "Are you saying that..." "Yes Pinkie, until we can find a way to send him back home, he'll be staying here." Twilight replied. Pinkie's eyes widened with pure joy as I knew immediately what she was planning. "Oh my gosh, a new creature living in Ponyville, you know what that means? A Welcome to Ponyville party!" Pinkie then pulled her party cannon out of nowhere and it blasted confetti everywhere. "Alright Pinkie, simmer down, we don't wanna startle Lukas." Applejack advised. "Now Lukas, this is Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy." Twilight said, pointing towards each of them as they greeted me individually. "Hello!" "Howdy, sugarcube." "Sup?" "Hello Lukas, darling." "Um, hello." "Nice to meet you girls." I said, a bit surprised by how calm they acted. When the rest of the mane six left later that day, I took a moment to reflect over today's events, I, a brony, had found some otherworldly portal that somehow transported me to the land of every brony's dream, and as far as I knew, there was no way back, I was stuck here in Equestria, and needless to say, I couldn't be any more happier. That evening, Twilight was showing me around the castle since I was going to be resonating in it for the time being, something I wasn't too salty about, as long as I had a place to stay here, I'd be good. As Twilight showed me around, I realized just how big it really was, I guess Starlight's line from The Crystalling was accurate, this castle did look smaller from the outside. After the castle tour, Twilight led me to a certain pair of doors, and signalled for me to open them, so I did and once I looked inside, I saw what I could assume was one of the guest rooms of the castle. "This will be your room, I know it's not much, but it gets the job done." Twilight said as we both walked inside. "Wow, not bad." I nodded, just happy to have a room here. Just then, Spike appeared in the doorway, holding a scroll in his claws. "Hey Twilight, just got done arranging your class schedule for tomorrow." "Thanks Spike." Twilight turned to him, before turning back to me. "Sorry Lukas, I have a really important class to prepare for tomorrow. See you in the morning." Twilight then followed Spike, closing the doors behind her with her magic. It took me a moment to realize what she said, I looked out a nearby window, and even though it was kind of difficult to make out in the dark, I could faintly see the School of Friendship. How had I not noticed that when I was approaching the castle? I guess I was just so focused on talking to Twilight that I didn't pay much attention to it. Although, in hindsight, I probably should've known that the School of Friendship was here since Spike had wings. Deciding to no longer be concerned about what timeline of the show I was in, I made my way into bed. The mattress and pillows were soft and delicate, and the blanket immediately filled my body with warmth. I know I haven't technically spent a full day here yet, I think it's safe to say that I'm going to have a new, exciting, interesting, and probably temporary life here in Equestria. To Be Continued...