Chapter 3: Q & A Time
“Everypony may rise and that too includes you human.” Celestia said. All the girls were shocked that the Princess knew what species I am. I quickly go and sit back on the cot and ask, “May I be the first to ask the question as to how you know my species?”
“You are not the first human to show up in Equestria. There used to be thousands of your kind here over a thousand years ago.”
“That must explain some of our myths about Pegasus and Unicorns, but there no mention of them talking?”
Twilight asks, “Um, excuse me Princess, but I could not see any notation in my books that described a creature like this. How do you know what he is?”
“Well, Twilight, it has been so long since the last human was here that they got forgotten over the many years. As to why they are not in any books is those were lost at some point in history.”
I have a feeling the Princess is hiding something. She knows more that she is leading on. Mental note, ask the Princess as to why there are no more humans here. I suddenly feel someone trying to poke into my mind. I look over to Princess Celestia and all of a sudden her wings pop opened stiff and her eyes grew very big. Well, Princess Celestia. I see you tried to look into my mind and came across my first barrier. I said in my mind.
Ahem, I was never expecting that type of barrier protection in a mind. Why would someone put that up as a first barrier? She asked in my mind.
The reason for that is, as you found out, I can spot the somepony who was trying to poke into my mind and seeing all that porn would cause that reaction. I must warn you though, if you go further in, I have other barriers and they are not as nice as this one. You will more than likely puke at some the scenes you would be forced to see. I did this to protect myself as well as your kingdom. There are some things in my mind no one should know. Maybe another time, I will show you what you are trying to find in here so you don’t have to go through my barriers.
I would like that and I am sorry for trying to read your mind without permission. I should know better than to poke into others mind.
It is alright Princess, but I think we should get back to answering questions that everypony can hear.
We break the link and I look at everypony and ask, “So, who has a question for me?”
Twilight shot her hoof up in the air like being in a classroom.
“Yes, Twilight?”
“Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?”
“That would make sense to do that and would answer several questions you all probably have. As you all know now, my species is called human. I am male, age 25, and I come from a world where magic does not exist.” Twilight was about to say something, but I stopped her. “Please, Twilight. Let me finish giving my brief history and it will probably answer the questions you are thinking of wanting to ask.” She nods and I continue. “The world I am from is called Earth we are the major species on the planet. As I said before, we don’t have magic. We survive and grew with science and technology. There are so many things that happened over the past century that we now have devices that allow us to store an entire library collection on a single device.”
“I don’t believe it. Nothing like that could ever exist.” Twilight explains.
“I can actually prove that right now. I have a device like that in my bag over there. Princess, can you please ask your guard to lower their weapons? They are making me a little nervous thinking they are going to strike me without cause.”
She nods and says to them to stand down. They put their weapons away but still have the scary look toward me. I slowly got up and went to my backpack and pulled out the iPad.
“This is one the latest achievements my people have created. It is a tablet based computer that allows us to access any information we want at the touch of our hand. Twilight, later on, I will show you how to operate it as long as you ask permission to use it.”
She nods very happily knowing that I just made her day and more. I put the device back into my bag and continue my story.
“Some of the other things technology has allowed us to do are create carriages that don’t require horses to pull us around as well as give us the ability to fly in the air.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it.” Dash said.
I go and put the tablet out, go into an encyclopedia app, and type airplane. Once it comes up, I spin the screen around and show them. “This is one of the many creations that allow us to do that. It is called an airplane and it comes in all sorts of sizes and uses. From small personal ones to ones like this that can transport hundreds of humans or several tons of cargo half the way around the world. We also have another that is used by military and they go supersonic as in 4 times the speed of sound.”
“NO WAY! I’m the fastest flyer and I barely break the sound barrier once!” Dash shouts out.
“It is a great achievement you can do that without something protecting you I will admit. But seeing we have no way to fly by ourselves, these grants us that ability and protect us at the same time. So who next has a question?”
Fluttershy quietly ask, “Um, if you don’t mind, can you explain how you healed your injuries so quickly?”
“I knew you were wondering how I could that and without magic so I shall explain. One of the things I learned over the years is the way of martial arts and through that I learned about chakra. It is an internal energy source most humans have, but don’t know how to access it. I trained in how to access and use it for many purposes. I can meditate and use it to help heal my body, give me a speed and strength increase, as well as other abilities that you would consider magic tricks. Would you like to see one?”
They all nod and I decide to have a little fun with this. “Pinkie, can you come here for a sec and stand next to me?” She does. As everyone is waiting for me to do something, I took the time to recall from Naruto the hand signs and build up the necessary chakra. I do the hand sign and yell “Transform!” A puff of smoke enclosed me and Pinkie. The smoke clears and now stands there two Pinkie Pies. Everypony is shocked from this as well as Pinkie. I mimic her movements as we look at each other.
“So, who it the real Pinkie?” Spike asked.
We both say “I am!” in the exact same voice. They are even more shocked that I copied her voice. I decide that the fun was over now and release the Ninjutsu to return to my original form.
“Did everypony enjoy that?” I asked.
“That was very impressive Bob. I take it not everyone on your planet can’t do that.” Princess Celestia said.
“No they can’t. A select few that have trained in the art of Ninjutsu can do something like that. Now I have another question. I notice that all the ponies have a tattoo on your rear ends. Can someone please explain why?”
They all laugh at me for asking that. I already knew the reason and yet again, I am going to play ignorant. Twilight decides to explain to me what they are, “Well, I don’t know what a tattoo is, but what is on every pony's flank is their cutie mark. It symbolizes our special talent in what we can do. When we are born, we have a blank flank and get to enjoy the wonder of discovering what our special talent is as we grow up. Don’t humans get cutie marks?”
“Sorry Twilight, but no human gets one. To explain what a tattoo is this. To us, it a design we choose to have placed somewhere on our body showing what we love or to look cool. Some may get one tattoo for the experience while some other gets many and put them all over their body. I am one of those people who choose not to get one because it's a little painful process.”
“Then how do you find out what your special talent is?”
“In truth, most people don’t find out. We educate ourselves to do the jobs we get hired to do to pay bills and to put food on the table. Some people don’t like the job they are doing, but like the pay it gives. Others do love the job they get hired to do. There are also some people that have a wide range of skills and abilities. I think I am one of those types.”
“Why do you think that, darling?” Rarity asked.
“Well, for my job, it involved fixing certain equipment and I had the ability to find the problem with the device and fix it. Another thing I love is my martial arts and Ninjutsu training I went through to protect myself and others I care for.”
“That is really amazing! I am the same way with my magic. I can do so many spells while other unicorns can only do a certain amount based upon their special talent. I too don’t like to show off that I can do that and really use it to protect my friends.” Twilight said.
“Hmm, I want to try and guess your special talents now that I know what those cutie marks stand for. Please don’t hesitate to correct me if I am wrong.” This is going to be some more fun as I already know. “Let’s see, well Twilight already stated she is good with lots of different magic so that must be what her special talent is. Rarity, based upon you wanting to make clothes for me and those diamonds for a cutie mark, I say you make the precise and beautiful clothing of this land.” Rarity starts to shed a tear. “Now Applejack, you said you work and own an apple farm, your name has the word apple in it, it is no doubt you were to work anything related to apples. But you must be very proud to produce the best apples that everypony loves.” Applejack starts to blush. “Pinkie Pie, with those balloons and your energy, you must throw the best parties for any event and makes everypony smile.” Pinkie smiled so big, it looked like it was about to come off her face. “Rainbow Dash, with the rainbow lightning bolt, I take it when you do the sonic rainboom, a rainbow trail forms behind you and you are the fastest creature I have ever known.”
“Heck yeah!” Rainbow yells.
“Now Fluttershy, from what Applejack said about you how well you did to take care of my injuries, you special talent must lie in knowing how to take care of any creature come across. You have the caring creatures like, the ability to heal any injury they might have, and possible to be able to communicate with them on a different level compared to the rest of us. I would like to thank you again for taking care of my injuries when no one else knew anything about me at that time.”
Fluttershy was so moved at the compliment; she came over to me and gave me a hug. Everypony awe at this scene and I started to stroke her mane with my fingers. She said, “You're most welcome and do come by my place if you need anything.” She then returned to sit with everypony else.
Before the next pony could ask a question, they all heard a loud rumble coming from me. “Sorry about that. I guess my stomach is trying to tell me to go and get some food. Would you mind if we take a break to get some?”
“Not at all.” Twilight said. “Although we should find out what you can eat so we don’t poison you.”
“Yea, no one likes to get poisoned. From what I know of horse type creatures, you are herbivores where you eat plant type foods. Now please don’t be afraid what I am about to tell you. Humans are omnivore as in we eat plants and meat.” Everypony shocks at this and Rarity does her faint thing again onto the couch. The guards raise their weapons at me and were about to charge me. “Hold it! Let me make it perfectly clear I would never eat a pony or woodland creature that is friendly.” Celestia tells her guards to stand down once again. “Now then, I will still need to take in protein to keep my muscle strength up. Luckily I know other foods that I can eat to compensate my normal meat intake. Cheese, beans, eggs, and peanuts are the ones with the highest amounts of protein. I can also eat veggies, fruit, dairy, sweets in small amounts, and bread type food. Some of the things I can’t digest are hay and flowers. I hope you are not afraid of me because I eat meat.”
“Of course not sugarcube. You just startled us when you said you ate meat. We won’t think anything bad of you for what is natural for humans to do.” Applejack said.
“Um, if you want, if you don’t mind, I could give you some fish I have for the animals I take care of.” Fluttershy said.
“I would appreciate that and thank you again. Now then, can we head upstairs and grab a bite to eat before I faint from hunger?” I asked.
They all nod and we all make our way upstairs. Spike and Twilight head to the kitchen as everypony and me get comfortable in the main part of the library. The guards are still keeping an eye on me in case I make a move. Twilight and Spike come out of the kitchen with Twilight levitating several plates of food. The one that came to me had fruits and veggies on it. I saw on the other were some type of sandwich with a side of hay. I started to eat and couldn’t believe how fresh all of these were, like they were just picked less than an hour ago. I quickly finish the meal as everyone else did at the same time. “Thank you for the food. I never had anything like that. It was so good and fresh. Most of the fruits and veggies I got from the store took a day or two to get there. These taste like they were picked just an hour ago.”
“They were. I got them from the market this morning before I was informed of a strange creature by the lake.” Twilight said.
“Then my compliments to you for picking them and to the farmers for growing such fresh food. Now then, let’s get back to question asking. I have one for the Princesses. I know about unicorn and Pegasus , but I never read about a horse type creature with a horn and wings. Can you please enlighten me about yourselves?”
Celestia spoke up, “My sister and I are called Alicorns. As of right now, there are only three in existence in all of Equestria, myself, my sister Luna, and our Niece, Princess Cadance. Another thing that is unique about us, besides having a horn and wings, is we are immortal.”
“So that explains how you recognized my species because you were there when they last were here. I must say you and your sister are still as beautiful.” They both blush from the compliment. “So who next has a question?”
Pinkie jumps forward and asks, “What are those things at the end of your hoof? They look like what Spike has, except they are not sharp.”
“Well these are not hoofs, they are called hands. At the end of them are called fingers. They allow us humans to grab things as well as other things. They don’t need to be sharp to do damage. The same goes with my feet.” I take one of my shoes and socks off to show. “As you can see the foot also has digits, but they are called toes and not as flexible as the fingers on my hands.” I flex both of them so show what they can do. “If you want, I can also demonstrate what they can do from my martial art training. I will just need two thick wooden boards to break.” Princess Luna decides to help with this one and magically appears the requested boards. “Now your Highness, I will need you to hold them as still as possible so they don’t go flying into someone.” She nods and as she ready herself, I put my sock and shoe on so I can give a proper demonstration. “First up, I will use my hand to break the board.” I get into position to do a forward fist punch. I bring my fist to the board and back to position so fast, that I think no one noticed me hitting it. “Princess Luna, you can release your magic on the board in front of me.”
“But thou have not striked thy board.” Luna said.
“But I did. Your magic held it in place so hard so it could not splinter away. To me, it felt like I was hitting a steel plate.” She releases her magic and the board suddenly splinters apart in the middle where I hit the board. Everypony was shocked at this that I might have moved faster that Rainbow Dash. Her mouth what wide open still trying to understand what happen. “I think for the next one, I will go slower so you can see me strike the board. Princess, can you raise the board to my head height?” She nods and does so. “Now I will kick this board to break it.”
“How in the work can you kick something that high, partner?” Applejack asked.
“Just wait and see.” I get into position to do a roundhouse kick to head height and remember to slow down a bit so they can see the strike. I kicked the board and everypony saw the hit, but the board did not split. “Princess, can you release your magic?” She does and the board split again where I hit it. Again they are shocked I damaged I did to something at my head height.
“How in Ponyville did you do that? I buck apple trees for years and I never done that sort of damaged.” Applejack said.
“As I said before, I have trained my body in martial arts to defend and protect the ones I care for. It took years to get this level. If it's alright with everypony, I would like to hold off the questions for the time as I am getting exhausted and would like to explore your town.”
“I agree. I need to organize all these notes I have taken.” Twilight said as I look to see a 100 page book thickness of notes.
“So who wants to give me a tour?”
“Well, my sister and I need to return to Canterlot to attend to some royal duties. If you would like to contact us at any time, just have Spike send us a letter. I bid you all farewell and look forward to learning more about you. In a few days, I will come back to announce your arrival to the town so you don’t scare anypony.” Celestia said. We all bow to her as she uses her magic to teleport her, her sister, and the Royal Guard.
“Now then, back to my question, who wants to give me a tour of your town?”
“Love to darling, but I have several dress orders due tomorrow and need to get back to them.” Rarity said and she heads out the library.
“Sorry sugarcube. I have to get back to the farm and help Big Mac, my brother, buck the apple trees in the north field.” Applejack said as she makes her way out.
“I have weather duties I need to attend to.” Rainbow Dash said as she flew out the door.
Fluttershy said, “I need to get back to my cottage and take care of the animals. A bear has been complaining of back pains.” She trots out and closes the door.
I look for Pinkie Pie and she disappeared. “Where’s Pinkie?”
“Probably ran off to take care of a party.” Twilight said.
“But I did not hear her leave. Does she have ninja skills?”
“No. She is just being Pinkie.”
“Well, it looks like you get the honor to show me around. Shall we get going?”
“Wait! You can’t go out there looking as yourself. Why don’t you use your Ninjutsu to change into another pony?”
“It does not work like that. I can’t think of a random pony design out of the blue. I have to use another pony’s look and copy that. Do you have a spell that can change me into a pony temporarily?”
“I think I do. Give me a moment to find the book that has it.” She looks for ten minutes as I see books flying by her as she quickly scans the contents. “Found it!” All the books she had in her magic control just dropped onto the floor. “Spike, would you be a dear and put the books away as I help Bob with this?” Spike looks frustrated by how quickly she can make a mess when looking for something and not think of using her magic to help put the books away. “Let’s see, according to this, the spell is temporary and will last for 2 days. Is also say it does not have the control in which pony type they will be turned into. You ready for this?”
