Chapter 2: Familiar Yet Unfamiliar Curiosity

I'm on something soft and fluffy. It feels great for sleeping on. But when I opened my eyes, I was greeted to the sight of the land far from me. It seems I'm in the sky. Yelp!

I jolt up. Surprised by what I see. 'I'm standing on a cloud' I thought, feeling the surface with curiosity. Then I noticed something strange about myself. I no longer feel my bones shattered. But that's not the most strangest thing of all. No. It's the fact that I have hoofs for hands.

I rub both hoofs together, curious about how I look. Now the only question left is, how do I get down from here? I examine myself closely. Looking for something familiar. I still remember what that voice said. 'Enjoy the gifts you'll soon receive'.

Standing at the edge of the cloud, I look down onto the land. A village, somehow familiar, is close by.

"What to do…"

I feel myself. Curious to see if I'm perhaps forgetting something. An extension, somehow on my back, surprises me once again. I turn to look and see a pair of wings on me. How do I use them?

I try to move them. It feels weird. Like an extra limb you've never used before. I'll have to get used to it if I'm going to get off here. I think to try and flap. It worked for a short while. Of course, I didn't pick myself off from the cloud. I'm practicing to control them first.

My wings flap harder, I pick myself off from the cloud. I become too excited, breaking concentration and falling back onto the cloud. Good thing it's soft and not hard like concrete. I keep practicing for what felt like hours. The sun is still up, I need to get off here pronto.

I look down onto the ground again and gulp. It's a gamble. That I am aware. Opening both wings again, I take a leap of faith. The ground becomes closer, I feel a little scared. But the thought of knowing how I look drowns out any fear.

I flap both wings with concentration. Hopefully I'll master this instinctively. Having my face just a few inches away from the ground made me heave a sigh of relief. I stop flying, landing on the ground. I look back up at my cloud, feeling very happy.

"I'll keep to walking for now I guess."

But before I could walk off, the cloud I was once resting on drops onto the ground in front of me. I stare at it in confusion. A weird light shines from it. I cover my eyes, waiting for the light to dim. Once I thought it was okay, I peeked to look again.

There, on the ground where the cloud was once at, a bag with the initials TS rests. I take a moment to try and understand what just happened. Until I noticed a letter near the bag. I walk up to it and try to pick it up. It slips off from my hooves. I'll have to work on that too.

I look at the paper, all it says is to pick it up. That makes me wonder… if I pass these tests, will I keep getting more? And if so, will I keep getting a reward? Hours go by, the paper keeps slipping. Thank goodness none are here to see this embarrassment.

"I got it!"

I picked up the paper. The words on it change. 'Congratulations' it says. 'Here is the skill to read pony alphabet.' The paper disappeared. I walk up to my bag. You may be wondering why I'm not phase by any of this. I am, it's just I've grown used to having a poker face for everything.

I struggle to understand how to put it on. Then, I look back at my wings and nod. My wings pick up the bag and place it on my back. I then remembered I didn't look inside it. I rummage through the bag, finding a small mirror. Well that's convenient.

I stare at my face, no longer phased. I have orange eyes with a green mane and light-green fur. My nose is replaced by a muzzle. Not that I'm complaining. But wouldn't that mean I'll no longer be able to eat meat again since I'm a pony now? I look like the My Little Pony characters from that show the kids and I watched.

I point the mirror at my flank. It's blank. Makes sense I guess… Tucking in the mirror, I walk towards the village I saw. As I get closer, I see the village clear. It looks just like Ponyville. I'm starting to put the pieces together…

Arriving at the village, I look around the place. Ponies are all around me. Many look so familiar… I spot a familiar looking purple unicorn pony and a certain baby dragon. They're talking to a pink pony, until she dashed off.

"I'm in MLP. And this is Ponyville, isn't it?"

I bite my hoof to see if I'm perhaps dreaming. It hurts. Nope, I'm definitely awake. That would mean I'm in a TV show and it's only the first episode. I think back to what the voice said. 'Do not worry of change. Accept it as one of many stories'. Does that mean I can get involved as well? I mean, why not.

Twilight walks off. Probably to see Sweet Apple Acres. I think I'll meet up with her at Fluttershy… Looking around Ponyville, I spot the Everfree forest. I remember Fluttershy's cottage is near that area. Walking towards it, the sound of birds singing becomes clear.

I see a certain yellow pegasus talking to the birds. I watch on, waiting for the chance to speak when Twilight gets here. Having waited for what felt like a short while, Twilight finally arrives. The bird becomes off key. Fluttershy speaks to it before becoming startled by Twilight.

"Hello!"

The birds fly away. Twilight looks embarrassed. I let them speak for a short while before making my presence known.

"Ah… hi…"

Both turn to look at me. Probably wondering how long I've been here.

"Hello as well. Who might you be? I'm Twilight Sparkle."

I just now realized that I don't have a name. Why can't I remember my name?! Twilight looks at me in confusion. I glance at my bag, seeing the initials TS. An idea pops up in my head.

"... I'm TipStir… It's nice to meet you as well…"

I just noticed something I should have known for a while now. Looking at both ponies, I seem to be shorter then them. Oh what a laugh… The birds come back. Twilight takes that as a chance to leave.

"Well, it was nice meeting you both, but I have to leave now. Seems like everything is in order, keep up the good work."

Fluttershy gives a tiny sound. We both stare as Twilight walks off. Then Spike appears, causing Fluttershy to yell in surprise.

"A baby dragon!"

Fluttershy bumps into Twilight, sending her flying away. I help her get up. A little bit nervous in how to communicate. Fluttershy continues to speak.

"I never seen a baby dragon before. It's so cute!"

Spike turns to look at Twilight with a smug look. Just like the kids… "Well Well Well."

"Oh my, he talks. I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful, I, I just don't even know what to say!"

Twilight uses her magic to pick up Spike. I stare at her horn, intrigued.

"Well, in that case, better be going."

"Wait! Wait! What's his name?"

I follow along as well. I mean, they aren't saying anything. And I sorta want to hear Spike's story as we walk towards Ponyville.

"I'm Spike!"

"Hi Spike. I'm Fluttershy. Wow, a talking dragon. What do dragons talk about?"

"Well, what do you want to know?"

"Absolutely everything."

I hear Twilight sigh in annoyance. I chuckle. Though I just have to wonder, how do these ponies befriend so easily? Spike turns to me.

"And what's your name?"

"TipStir. Nice to meet you as well Spike."

I listen to Spike tell the story of his life. Until we arrived at Twilight's home. She quickly turns around to speak.

"I am so sorry. How did we get here so fast? This is where I'm staying while in Ponyville. And my poor baby dragon needs his sleep."

"No I don't."

Twilight throws Spike off from her. I catch him quickly before he touches the floor. That was close…

"Thanks."

"No problem."

Twilight proceeds to talk in a weirdly babyish tone. Oh my…

"Aww… Wook at that. He's so sweepy he can't even keep is widdle bawance."

Keep that weird smile to yourself Twilight… Fluttershy scooped Spike up from me.

"Oh. Poor thing. You simply must get him to bed."

Fluttershy enters Twilight's home. She's pushed out by Twilight though. I look up at the sky, noticing it's becoming dusk. A new problem has just occurred to me. Where am I supposed to sleep? After the door is closed. Fluttershy and I look at each other.

I shrug. "You okay?"

"Um… yes…"

I open the door after hearing surprise. Fluttershy and I enter. A party is being thrown here it seems… Looking around, I see Twilight pour hot sauce into a cup. This is going to be fun… After Pinkiepie said 'And now you have lots and lots of friends!' I'm somehow surrounded by the mane 6. TV logic I presume?

Twilight turns to look at us with her eyes becoming watery. AppleJack asks her if she's okay.

"Are you alright sugar cube?"

Twilight's mane becomes fire. She runs off upstairs. Spike checks on the drink.

"Hot sauce?"

Pinkiepie pours it on a cupcake. She scoops it up and eats it.

"What? It's good."

Pinkie turns to me and gasps.

"You must be new here! I should throw you a party too! Hi! My name is PinkiePie. And who are you?!"

I back up as much as I can. She's too close to my face. Has she never heard of private space?

"My name is TipStir. I just moved here."

"Well howdy do sugar cube. The names AppleJack. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"And I'm RainbowDash. The fastest flier in Ponyville!"

"I'm Rarity. A pleasure to meet you darling."

Fluttershy and I meet eye to eye. I smile. Spike gives me a grin.

"You already know about me. But in case you forget, I'm Spike!"

We all party until night falls. Pinkiepie shouts that it's time to watch the sunrise. Looks like it's that time huh? As I enter town hall, I try to fly up and watch. Seems I'm getting better now… I look around at every pony under me. These ponies have no idea what's to come.

The birds start to sing. Mayor speaks.

"Fillies and gentlecolts. As mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the SummerSun Celebration!"

I look at how others are flying. I try to mimic them to the best of my abilities. I haven't tried flying forwards, have I?

"In just a few moments. Our town will witness the magic of the sunrise and celebrate this, the longest day of the year!"

I look out the window. The moon changed. I fly to the back of the crowd, prepared to chase. That's when my bag shacked. I opened it to see what happened. A card, with the heading 'Congratulations'. Is somehow in my bag. I take it out to read the rest. 'For flying in any direction instead of up or down, here is the reward of the flooring of your home.'

The paper disappears. But the smoke floats into my S bag. I try to open it, but it seems to be sealed shut. Guess I'll try next time… The curtains open. Celestia is gone. Every pony stares in disbelief. With me being the exception. The mayor speaks.

"Remain calm everypony. There must be an reasonable explanation."

Rarity returns from looking inside. "She's gone!"

I hear Pinkiepie scream as purple mist appears from where Celestia would have been. A pony as dark as night emerges from the mist. You can guess whom it is already. She stares down upon everypony. Domineering as she is, she's been forgotten to time.

Ponies stare in disbelief. Not sure of what's happening. Only Twilight, Spike, and I know. Who she really is. I gulp, feeling nervous. 'What if I mess this up?' I thought. But I've been known to gamble. I'll gamble my involvement. I whisper, under my breath. You need to listen carefully. A name the ponies once believed to be an old ponies tale has now been proven true.

"Nightmare Moon…"