"Hey, Twilight, this is amazing, come look here!"
Twilight put down her quill. Sometimes Spike became excited about the most banal things, but it was always good to find out what
"Sure, Spike. Did you find anything about that magical spell I felt earlier?" She trotted to the door.
"Well, she might be connected to it." Spike entered the room
"She?"
"Uh, hi?" Astrid followed Spike in.
"You are a she, aren't you? You sound like a she"
"Last time I checked" Astrid rolled her eyes.
"She's a human, she says. Any idea what that is?"
"No, but I'll find out! Hello, my name is Twilight Sparkle" Twilight smiled genuinely. First that magic spell, now a strange new being had entered Ponyville. She could write a letter to Celestia about it-no, a book! Yes, she'd be an ambassador who studies this new, undiscovered civilization! Strange pink bipeds with manes who stand on two feet and wear clothes!
"I'm Astrid Hofferson and I need your help" Astrid hated to say that phrase, but she had to be honest with herself. She needed the talking purple horned horse's help. Twilight Sparkle, she corrected herself.
"All right, Astrid, I want to know where you came from and how, if you don't mind. I'd like a detailed summary" Twilight was in the groove again, putting on her glasses and whipping over the pen, ink and parchment from their desk.
Astrid told her everything in reasonable detail. She had to explain a few times about human society, Viking customs, Berk dragons, and Alvin the Treacherous.
"Teleportation magic" Twilight mumbled to herself, "And there's no signs of anyone else?"
"No, I have no idea where any of the other Vikings and humans are. Like I said, some of them are friends of mine but others are very dangerous"
"Fascinating" Twilight took off her glasses, "Well, as you might have noticed, there's a lot of magic in Equestria, and I'm a student of it myself. I'll tell you my story when we meet some of your friends. I'll do what I can to help you out" Twilight gave a smile of support. Astrid smiled back, somewhat relieved.
"Hey, Twily! Guess what I found? I found a human! He seems nice." Pinkie's voice called in from outside.
"Is anyone home?" came a voice unfamiliar to Twilight but familiar to Astrid.
"Hiccup!" Just as Twilight opened the door, Astrid jumped up from the couch, sprinted across the room and embraced Hiccup so hard it nearly broke his bones.
"Astrid! I was so worried, I didn't know what happened to you" He met his embrace
"Same here! The dragons are gone but I think I've found someone who can really help us out. I'm just so glad you're all right!" She punctuated with a soft, quick kiss.
"Yay! I won't have to introduce him to you!" Pinkie clapped her hooves.
"So, who else from your group is not accounted for?" Twilight asked Hiccup, who had turned bright red from the lip-lock.
"5 more Vikings, and 5 dragons" Hiccup seemed to suddenly find the floor very interesting, if his gaze was any indication.
"I'd better make some cakes!" Pinkie bounced off.
"Sorry about Pinkie. She's a lot of fun, but she kind of goes too far" Twilight giggled
"I've noticed" Hiccup laughed along
"Spike, take a letter!" Twilight returned to her desk
"Right!" Spike grabbed fresh parchment and a pen, ready as always
"Dear Princess Celestia, a few minutes ago, I sensed an unusual magical phenomenon. It may or may not be connected with several strangers that suddenly appeared in Ponyville. They call themselves humans, of a Viking culture from the island of Berk. They have informed me of their peaceful intentions and all they really want is to find their dragons and go home. The dragons of Berk have very different biology from those that have been encountered in Pony history, and are very distinctive in appearance and personality-"
"How many ps in appearance?" Spike stopped her.
"Two. - are very distinctive in appearance and personality. I have talked to two of these humans and they tell me that they have special friendships with these dragons so for the benefit of everypony, they should be reunited as fast as possible. They also have informed me of a dangerous dragon native to their land that is wild and violent, as well as a party of warlike humans called the Outcasts and led by one Alvin. They are to be considered armed and dangerous. I will send more letters as the crisis continues, and I would like to know if any other strange beings or dragons have appeared in Equestria today. Don't worry, I'm sure I can handle this. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."
"Twilight…Sparkle" Spike repeated as he finished writing, "got it!" And with a puff of green magical flame, the rolled up parchment disappeared.
"Do dragons here do that?!" Hiccup was caught entirely off-guard.
"Only Spike here-he's got a lot of special talents, and one of those is this magic transportation. Was the magic that brought you here anything like that?" Twilight turned back to her guests
"No, it was a lot brighter, more dramatic."
"Well, there's a lot of transportation spells out there. I'm familiar with a lot of them. Magic's my special talent, you see"
"I didn't believe in magic until today" Astrid admitted, "Is everyb…pony magic?"
"Just the unicorns can cast particular spells, but you'd be surprised on what pegasi and earth ponies can do"
"Interesting-you've got a very different writing system than we do." A new voice entered the room.
"Fishlegs?" Hiccup spun around
Fishlegs had picked up a book and was looking carefully at the pages. "I couldn't help listening-do you guys write with magic or with ink?"
"We use magic to use quills. We don't have hands, remember?" Twilight was so carried away by this cross-cultural contact she didn't ask her
"Fishlegs, " Hiccup grabbed the larger Viking by the shoulders, partially to grab his attention but partially in gratitude that he was all right, "Are you all right? Have you seen anyone or any of the dragons?"
"No, just Applejack" He motioned to the pony in the doorway.
"Howdy! You're Fishleg's friends, I'd reckon. 'Name's Applejack. Fishlegs, this here's Twilight Sparkle and Spike, like I told you" Applejack leaned against the doorway, feeling more relieved now that Twilight was there and that other humans had arrived.
"We've also met Pinkie Pie. You'll know her when you see her" Astrid added.
"Now, I believe there was some exposition I was missing!" Fishlegs rubbed his hands, "Hiccup, did you tell them about Berk?"
"Well, Astrid did. I do want to know about this place"
"Lecture time!" Twilight squealed like a schoolfilly.
"Hoo doggy" Applejack exhaled, sarcastically
Fortunately for AJ, the lecture was interrupted only after a few minutes. No sooner than Twilight gotten to the story of Nightmare Moon than they were interrupted once more.
"Twilight, darling, would you mind taking these off our hands?" Rarity cleared her throat on the other side of the door.
"These? That's probably-" Hiccup started
"Are you sure we can't ride you, blue winged pony?"
"Nuh uh"
"-the twins." Hiccup finished as Twilight opened the door to reveal Ruffnut and Tuffnut wrapped back to back with bedsheets, being suspended in mid air by a combination of Rarity's magic and Rainbow Dash flying above.
"Whoa, we're being infested!" Rainbow Dash yelped
"We are? Untie us, unicorn fashion artist! We gotta get outta here!" Ruffnut panicked
"Untie them-they're with us" Hiccup sighed
"Okay, guys, what did you break?" Astrid put her hands on her hips.
"Just a vase. Looked pretty nice, though" Tuffnut offered
"Please tell me these other…gentlefolk are a bit more civilized" Rarity wearily untied the twins. Last time Rarity looked this haggard, it was after being stuck on a handcart with Pinkie Pie.
"Are they the human Pinkie Pies?" Twilight asked Hiccup
"That's actually a pretty good comparison. Only more violent"
"Oh Rarity! Are you all right? Did they hurt you?" Spike ran out, panicking
"Spikey! Oh, don't worry darling, I captured them myself. They just made a mess….a Sweetie Belle sized mess…." Rarity smiled at the dragon assuringly.
"Yes, that's a talking dragon; no, he can't breathe much fire" Hiccup corrected Tuffnut just as he opened his mouth.
"He did destroy a city once. That was cool. " Rainbow dash corrected Hiccup in turn
"He did? That's AWESOME!" The twins cheered in unison
"He was very sorry! Poor Spikey just wasn't himself!" Rarity objected
Twilight turned to Hiccup again, "So, how many are left?"
"Just three of us from Berk, Snotlout and Gothi." "Snoutlot makes those two"-Astrid gestured towards the twins, "look smart by comparison, so he'll be easy to find Just look where the animals are running from"
And suddenly Twilight had an inspiration. "Animals! That's it! I'm going to Fluttershy's, everpony. The rest of you stay put and let me know if Celestia's responded!" And with that, she was out the door and galloping off.
"Fluttershy?" Astrid was confused
"Another friend of ours. She's pals with all the animals around here, and she even understands them" Spike explained.
"Guess you're not the most empathic person anymore" Fishlegs elbowed Hiccup.
"Well, that's actually a pretty good idea if that's the case" Hiccup ignored the dig.
"She really is quite thoughtful; I'm sure she'll know exactly what to do if she finds any of your friends" Rarity assured them.
\
"HOOKFANG! ASTRID! HICCUP! SOMEBODY SAVE ME! GET THEM OFF ME!"
"I'm awfully sorry if you're hurt, Mr. Monkey, but I won't let you hurt my friends. I'm not giving you back your sword until you apologize to Harry" Fluttershy was quite firm on this issue. She honestly felt sorry for Snotlout, being pinned down by various animals and tied to a chair, but she drew the line at hurting poor Harry. The bear fortunately was only scratched, but he wouldn't stop crying.
"I'm not apologizing to that bear! He started it!" Snotlout tried to break free, but somehow the mice, squirrels, rabbits and birds had tied him up with knots that would make a sailor jealous.
"You can't hold me forever! I'm a Viking warrior and I shall break free and summon my dragon!"
"Viking? I've never heard of that species. I'm sorry I called you monkey-it was the closest thing to you."
A knock at the door interrupted her. "Excuse me, Mr. Viking, I'll be right back. Don't hurt him, Angel" she addressed the knife-wielding bunny standing guard over Snotlout.
"Oh, hello Twilight" Fluttershy, even when happy, spoke extremely quietly and softly, "is there anything I can do for you?"
"Have you had a…visitor lately?"
"Oh yes, he and Harry bear had a fight, so I'm trying to get them to make up. He says he's a Viking; would you know what that is?"
"Mr…Snotlout?" Twilight asked as she entered the cottage.
"Huh? Uh, yeah" Snotlout stopped struggling, confused
"My name is Twilight Sparkle, and I've found your friends"
"Are they hurt?"
"No"
"Oh" Snotlout deflated