The dining hall was more rustic in its design than the rest of the castle with the stone exposed and iron rings suspended by chains served as chandeliers. However, the actual light was still produced by those glowing crystals. The eleven wood tables were long, almost fifteen meters, with benches along their long sides and chairs at either end.
Cupcake set down trays on the wide sill of the windows between the hall and the kitchen. Wind Whistler picked up a tray with a plate heaped with grasses and flowers and a clear glass filled with water.
The other ponies were sitting at the center table with Blueflower at its head. Wind Whistler went to an adjacent table and set down her tray on the opposite side.
"Excuse me, Wind Whistler," Blueflower said in a gentle but firm voice. "Would you come and join the rest of us?"
"The dining hall has the ability to seat more than ten times our number," Wind Whistler said. "There is no reason to cram ourselves onto one table."
"Yes. We can also all sit at a single table," Blueflower replied. She pointed her hoof at the copious amount of open space on the benches. "Please, sit with the rest of us."
"But—" Wind Whistler started to say.
"I insist!" Blueflower boomed.
Wind Whistler swallowed and felt her heart beat quicken. She picked her tray up and quickly made her way to the table. She thought for a second of taking the chair at the far end, but sat down next to Paradise.
Cupcake came out with a tray in her mouth. She sat down on the opposite bench next to the Mustangian nurse—named Truly. "All right, everyone, dig in."
"Wait!" the pony with sunglasses in her mane, Shady, shouted. "If this is another planet, how do we know these plants aren't poisonous?"
"They look, smell, and taste just like the edible grasses and flowers in Equestria," Cupacke said.
"They look like it to me, too," Posey, the yellow earth pony wearing artificial white flower in her pale pink mane, added. "Every plant species I've seen looks identical to a species found in Equestria. Though, I would like to study them more closely to be sure."
"Applejack and I also checked the nearby orchards," Cherries Jubilee, a peach-coated earth pony with a heavy curl in her coral mane and tail, said. "They're cherries and apple trees exactly like what we raise back in Equestria. We have Bing and Ulster cherries that will be ripe in a couple weeks."
The orange earth pony, who looked like an almost exact double of the Element of Honesty from a hundred years ago, sat next to Cherries Jubilee. "We also have Red Gala, Red Delicious, and Honeycrisp apple trees just to name a few." Along with having longer, curlier hair than her namesake; this Applejack lacked the rural accent of the original element bearer.
She licked her lips and stared off into space. "Just wait until fall when they're ripe."
"Focus, Applejack!" Cherries Jubilee shouted, startling Applejack and making her back away.
"How can another planet have the exact same plants as Equestria?" Firefly, the pink pegasus with the electric blue mane, asked.
"Perhaps specimens of these plant species were brought here like we were at some point in the past and they took hold," Wind Whistler suggested. She pondered. "Or, the opposite might be true. These plant species are endemic to this world and were imported to Equestria at some point. Even the domestic breeds of cherry and apple trees date back centuries, and the explanations for their origins have been obscure."
"So, my family has been raising alien apple trees all this time?" Applejack asked rhetorically. She rested her chin on her hoof. "Bet they'd love to hear that."
"How did they weather the storm?" Bow-Tie, the blue earth pony with the yellow ribbons in her mane, asked. "I'm surprised anything is still standing after all that."
"The trees took it fairly well, actually" Cherries Jubilee answered. "There were a lot of leaves and some fruit down. A bunch of twigs and some small branches did as well. I only saw one decent-sized branch that snapped off. I'm just glad the Ulsters aren't ripe enough that we had to worry about them splitting in the rain."
"The castle also really took it well," Bubbles, the yellow earth pony with a blue mane and white diamond on the bridge of her muzzle, added. "I thought those ice chunks would smash all those skylights, but there was not so much as a chip in them. Either they're made of some kind of super glass I've never seen before, or this castle has some spell protecting it or something."
Blueflower levitated a fork and tapped it against her water glass. The conversations died down, and everyone turned their attention to her.
"While this discussion of botany and architecture is riveting, we need to discuss our plans," Blueflower said in a calm tone that carried the air of authority. "Let's start with three realities facing us. First, although the ponies back in Equestria probably know we're missing, it's doubtful they know we're here. That makes rescue unlikely which leads into the second reality. If we are to return to Equestria, it will be by our own efforts. That takes us into the third reality before us which is we need to be prepared for being here for the duration. It's possible we will never make it home. Reliable shelter and food and water should be our top priorities."
"We have shelter in this castle," Bubble said.
"We also have plenty of food and water," Cupcake said.
"Yeah." Lickety-Split, the purplish-pink earth pony glared at the pile of grass in front of her. "If you don't mind eating grass and flowers for every meal every day for the rest of your life."
"We'll have cherries in a couple weeks!" Cherries Jubilee declared.
"And apples come the fall!" Applejack added.
"There's also the rest of the world out there." Shady trembled. "Who knows what's out there?"
"Which is why we need to work some things out here and now," Blueflower said. "First of which is how we are going to govern our little group."
"I suggest a direct democracy," Wind Whistler said. "This group is small enough we can decide everything with an up or down vote of everyone involved."
Blueflower pointed to Wind Whistler. "That is an excellent idea. Ironically we will decide whether or not to be a democracy democratically. Raise you hoof we you think we should decide things by vote." She raised her hoof.
Wind Whistler raised her hoof and twenty-six other hooves went up. Applejack, Firefly, and Truly were the only objectors.
"Democracy it is then." Blueflower lowered her hoof.
"Though, even a democracy needs a leader," Magic Star said. "I nominate Blueflower. You're the oldest and already seem to be in the role."
"I don't need to be reminded of my age," Blueflower said. She bent her mouth into that lopsided grin. "However, I'm glad it comes with some perks. I will be leader if that is the will of everyone."
Some ponies whispered in the ear of those adjacent to them. However, all hooves went up.
"All right," Blueflower said. "As my first act as leader, I ask for suggestions regarding our next move."
North Star, the pink pegasus with the Trottingham accent, stood up. "I say we go out there and explore. The pegasi can fly out there for the day and see what we can find."
Paradise raised her hoof. "I second."
"What about the rest of you?" Blueflower asked.
Wind Whistler raised her hoof. She definitely wanted to know what was out there for herself.
Lofty, the yellow pegasus with the yellow mane and tail, raised her hoof. Surprise shot hers up. Firefly raised her hoof and Medley, the green pegasus, immediately followed. Heart Throb, the pink pegasus with the curly pink hair, and Skydancer, the still costumed ballerina, raised theirs. "No reason to be the odd pony out," Skydancer said.
Blueflower nodded. "Then the pegasi will be on exploration duty tomorrow. The rest of us can explore this castle and valley further as well." She looked to Cupcake. "Make sure pegasi eat well tonight."
Cupcake nodded in response.
Wind Whistler's heavy stomach sloshed with water and grass. She understood why they called it being as 'full as a tick' now as she imagined she looked like a gorged tick with her belly bulging out.
However, it was a tried and true pegasi strategy for major flights. 'Well fed before bed, light before flight.' Her energy reserves will be full for the flight, and she would not be weighed down by recently eaten food when she had to actually take to the air.
She pulled open the door to the long building extending northwest from the keep. While some other ponies went directly for the luxurious bedchambers on the keep's upper floors, Wind Whistler was perfectly content with one of the simple servants' quarters in these buildings.
The building had a long, open hall with stairs connecting the balconies of the three floors. There were doors leading into the keep at the first floor where Wind Whistler entered and the third floor since the floors of the keep were twice as tall. Doors were evenly spaced, nine to each side of a floor. That meant there were 216 such rooms between the four buildings.
Wind Whistler ascended the nearest staircase to the second story on the southeast side. She knocked on the fifth door, and after hearing nothing pushed down on the handle.
The servants' quarters were small, but comfortably so. There were the standard fixtures of a bedroom: a bed with a footlocker, dresser, wardrobe, desk with a lamp, and vanity with a small mirror. A nightstand with another lamp and clock sat next to the bed under the widow with curtains drawn over it. A simple light fixture hung down from the center of the ceiling. It was simple but functional: all Wind Whistler asked out of a room.
She looked back at the ribbon around her tail. She had forgotten it was there after everything that had happened. She was still unsure how it got there. They had seen no one, so it was unlikely that they were tied onto them while they were unconscious. It might have been a result of whatever took them from Equestria and brought them here.
Whatever the case, it had been completely harmless for the entire afternoon and evening. It was also white: her favorite color.
It looked like it was made of silk or satin. Either fabric would wrinkle if she slept in it. She grabbed the tail of the ribbon in her mouth and easily pulled it out of its bow. Her tail lay flatter now that it was free.
Wind Whistler actually liked the look of the bow in her tail. Along with being aesthetically pleasing, it kept her tail more in control. Though, now that it was out, she did not know how to put it back in.
She brought the ribbon closer to try to picture how she could tie it when it flew out of her mouth and tied itself into a perfect bow again. "Well, I guess that answers that," Wind Whistler said to the ribbon even though it would not answer. At least, she hoped it would not answer. It was enchanted, but what it could besides tie itself could wait until later.
She turned back to a lever in a panel on the wall next to the door with a rope connecting it to the light fixture on the ceiling. She pushed it down, and metal strips with mirrored surfaces closed over the glowing crystal inside the light fixture to shut out its light. She pushed the lever back up, and the strips opened to let it cast its light again. "Interesting." She pushed the lever down to once again to conceal the crystal.
She pulled the ribbon out of her tail and laid it down neatly on the table of the vanity. She pushed similar levers on the lamps to shut out their light and plopped down on the bed. Between the food in her stomach and all the excitement, her body was exhausted.
With the room in darkness, she could see a green glow coming from the outside. She pulled herself off the bed and pulled the curtain away to look out. Her window gave her the view of the ballroom's north wall and a small wedge of open space with stone tables and chairs. A green glow covered everything.
She looked up at the sky. Faint, green curtains of light rippled in front of the plentiful stars. They looked like the aurora that would come from the Crystal Empire, but it seemed much higher in the atmosphere and bigger.
"Will this planet ever cease with its wonders." Wind Whistler let the curtain drop and returned to the bed. She worked her way under the covers rested her head on the pillow.
Although her body was ready sleep, her mind was still active. There were so many things to consider and ponder. However, fatigue eventually won out, and Wind Whistler fell asleep.
Truly stretched as she walked out of the bedchambers she had claimed. The skylight above showed a blue sky with no sign of a cloud in it. She stopped at a mirror to give herself one more check. Her mane bun was tight and her dress, apron, cap, and that dark aqua ribbon she somehow picked up yesterday were neat and even. As not just a nurse, but a young mare of Mustangian high society, she had been drilled in the importance of proper appearance.
That tail ribbon caught her particular attention. It was a bit of a shock to her yesterday, but it felt natural to have it in after wearing it for several hours yesterday. Being her favorite color had also buttered her up to the cute, little strip of silk.
In the mirror, she saw another of the tall doors open and Skydancer walk out. Truly turned to the ballerina, seeing her without her costume for the first time. With her rainbow mane and tail loose, Truly could see just how long they were.
"Good morning, dear," Truly said. "Hope you slept well."
Skydancer spread her wings as far as they would go and arched her back. "I haven't slept that well in years. My bed's so comfy."
"My, you look like a completely different pony when not in that ballet getup," Truly said. "Ah do declare you could wear your mane like a rainbow cloak."
Skydancer held her mane in the crook of her front leg. "I thought of putting them up, but figured it was too much trouble for just flying around and looking at things." She looked to Truly. "I see you got your mane back in a bun."
Truly stood tall and held out her chest. "It's a lot of work, but a proper nurse always wears her mane up when on duty."
"You do realize we're not in Equestria anymore," Skydancer said. "No one is here to tell you to follow the sillier rules. Will a pony die if you look after them with your mane down?"
"The rules are all Ah have here besides my uniform and training," Truly replied. "Ah will not throw them away just because Ah'm on a different planet."
Skydancer shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Breakfast was light for the pegasi, just enough to get the metabolism going. Once all the dishes were in the scullery to be washed, everyone stepped out into the front courtyard.
The sun was warm on Wind Whistler's coat, but there was more of a breeze out of the north this morning. The air was dry and much cooler than yesterday, perfect for long distance flying. The lack of clouds also suggested little turbulence in the atmosphere, even better.
They all gathered in front of the stoop with the pegasi up front. Blueflower stood next to a small table with Posey, and nine stems stuck out of a vase on the table.
"Okay, listen up," Blueflower said clearly. "The pegasi are going to draw lots to see who goes with who and where. Since there are nine of you, I figured three teams of three." She motioned to the jar. "There are three colors of flowers in here. If you pick blue you're going northeast, if you pick orange you're going west, and if you pick yellow you're going southeast.
"This is just a simple exploration mission. Fly out and see what's out there and then turn back by noon so you return before dark." She looked up at the castle. "It's safe to assume there is sapient life somewhere out there. Someone built this castle. If you do see anything intelligent, avoid contact. We'll deal with that later. Just explore and report back, got it?"
"Yes," Wind Whistler said along with the others giving their statements of agreement.
"Line up alphabetically," Blueflower said. "Firefly, Heart Throb, Lofty, Medley, North Star, Paradise, Skydancer, Surprise, and Wind Whistler; and, please, no trading."
Wind Whistler basically had to just stand there to form the back of the line.
Firefly picked up a stem in her mouth and pulled out a blue flower. Heart Throb followed, pulling out an identical flower except yellow. Lofty got yellow. Medley got blue. North Star was the first to draw orange, and Paradise was the second. Skydancer drew the final blue flower, and Surprise got the last yellow.
Wind Whistler stepped up to the jar with one stem left. "It is technically a formality, but…" She took out the last orange flower. She would be going west with North Star and Paradise.
"You leave presently," Blueflower said. "Good luck and stay safe, my little ponies."
Wind Whistler joined North Star and Paradise still holding their orange flowers.
North Star spat out hers. "Come on. Let's not dally any further." She pointed to the west. "We are about to go boldly where no pony has gone before."
"The castle?" Paradise asked since North Star was pointing right at the front door.
North Star lowered her brown and slid her eyes to Paradise. "You know what I mean. Let's go."
They spread their wings and leapt into the air. With several flaps they were airborne and rising over the perimeter wall. Wind Whistler looked back at the two other teams taking off and flying to the northeast and southeast. She turned back to Paradise and North Star as they banked around in front of the waterfall. They headed towards the row of rocky peaks forming the western border of the valley.
Wind Whistler felt her heart quicken. They were about to go where no pony had gone before. That mixed feeling of elation of discovering something new and terror of facing the unknown was back with a vengeance. Come what may, they were heading straight for it.
Lofty had spent much of her life flying high above Equestria. She knew how the terrain progressed from one climate to another, and this world seemed to follow the same logic. The mountains gave way to foothills which then led to broader plains. The vegetation quickly went from trees and grass in the mountains and hills to scrub on the plains to gravelly desert. Mountains always made transporting clouds difficult, so the lands in their lees were left as a desert only getting rain with the largest orders. The same was true here.
There was some sign that the storms that hit them yesterday made it this far with some moisture. There were isolated puddles wherever the land dipped, but it had probably dumped most of its precipitation by the time it reached the scrubland.
"I spy with my little eye something starting with 'M'," Surprise said as she continued the spontaneous game of I Spy she had roped Lofty and Heart Throb into.
"Mesa," Heart Throb replied halfheartedly.
"You're good at this," Surprise chirped. "Now it's your turn."
Mesas rose out of the gravel like ships run aground in a calm sea. There was no trace of green or even brown vegetation. However, the desert floor seemed to twinkle in the sunlight as they flew over it.
"I wonder what's causing that," Lofty thought out loud.
"Hey!" Surprise blurted. "It's Heart Throb's turn, and you're supposed to start with 'I spy with my little eye'."
"I don't know, darling." Heart Throb flew closer to Lofty. "Let's go down for a closer look?"
"We're supposed to just fly over," Lofty said.
"Let me put it another way." Heart Throb flew close enough to whisper into Lofty's ear, "Would you rather Surprise continues her game of I Spy?"
"Point taken," Lofty replied. She pointed down. "We're going to land and take a closer look."
"Fine by me." Surprise folded her wings and spiraled down.
Lofty spiraled down towards the desert floor. She spread her wings and flapped to slow herself. Clay dust rose up as she gently planted each hoof on the floor. She could already feel heat radiating off the ground and smell the scent of baking clay. The sun was nowhere near its noon pinnacle, and she could already tell it was going to be oppressively hot before too long.
Large crystal formations came out of the ground and glistened in the sunlight. Some were just small mounds barely coming out of the ground while others rose several meters into the air with branches coming off the main trunk.
Heart Throb landed and gasped. "Darlings, this is absolutely gorgeous."
Surprise tapped a big, fat crystal looked like a giant barrel cactus. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say were plants."
"How do you know better?" Lofty pointed to the south and the rings arcing across the sky. "Another planet, remember?"
In fact, some of the formations looked even more plant-like with leaves of crystals. Along with resembling various forms of cacti, some formations reminded her of aloe and yucca palms.
"So, our valley has normal plants, but this desert has crystal plants?" Heart Throb asked. "This world seems to exist to confuse us."
"We can tell Posey when we get back," Lofty said. She could feel her body prickle as sweat seeped into her coat. "Let's get back in the air. This desert is already baking."
"What's that?" Surprise pointed to the south.
Lofty turned around to twinkling along the ground a few kilometers away. They were definitely twinkling like they were moving, unlike the glistening crystals. A faint cloud of dust was rising behind them. She could make out six distinct twinkling objects, and they were moving closer.
"I don't know, but we were told to avoid contact," Lofty said. "Get airborne."
Heart Throb spread her wings. "You don't need to tell me twice!"
They had to run a bit to get enough speed to take off in the hotter air. Lofty turned back as they gained altitude. Two of the twinkling objects left the ground, and one of them shot towards them like it had been shot from a cannon.
The object blasted past Lofty, a twinkling streak of pink, green, aqua, blue, and purple. It slowed and looped around—a pegasus like them. Almost like them. Her body glistened in the sun like crystal and light glinted off polygons in her sapphire eyes. Her mane and tail were a mess of green, aqua, blue, and purple locks. She was a Crystal pony.
"I knew you were ponies," the pegasus said so quickly Lofty had a hard time keeping up. "Galaxy was not sure because we hadn't seen any other ponies all day yesterday, but I could tell you were ponies when you landed. I'm Whizzer, it's really great to meet you. Where did you come from? Are you from this planet, or did you end up here like us?"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Lofty interjected. "Can you speak more clearly?"
"Sorry, I'm just really fast at everything," the pegasus continued at basically the same breakneck speed. "I fly fast. I talk fast. I'm the fastest flier in the Crystal Empire. That's why I'm the royal messenger. I can get a message anywhere in the empire before you can blink. It's like you blink and I'm back. At least I was until I showed up here. I mean, I still that fast, but I'm not in the Crystal Empire anymore."
Lofty stared at her blankly.
"You should meet Galaxy. She's about as much of a leader as we have. Come on, quick, quick, quick." The pegasus dashed down.
"And ponies say I'm hyper," Surprise commented to Heart Throb out of the corner of her mouth.
"Come on." Lofty descended. "Hopefully this Galaxy is easier to follow."
The pegasus landed next to the other five ponies. They were all Crystal ponies with crystalline eyes and manes and tails banded in four colors. A pink unicorn with red, pink, white, and orange hair and ruby-like eyes walked up. "It's good to see other ponies."
Lofty landed. "Same here."
"I'm Galaxy," the unicorn said. She motioned to the other unicorn—green with pink, white, darker pink, and dark green hair and ruby eyes. "This is Fizzy." She then motioned to the pink pegasus. "You already met Whizzer." The yellow pegasus with aqua, green, lime, and vibrant yellow hair and emerald eyes. "Masquerade." The white earth pony with blue, dark purple, pale pink, and lavender hair and sapphire eyes. "Gingerbread." The remaining earth pony—pale blue with purple, pink, paler pink, and white hair and eyes like amethyst—backed up behind the others. "And Sweet Stuff."
"Everyone calls me 'Sweetie'," the earth pony said in a soft voice.
"Well, I'm Lofty and they're Heart Throb and Surprise," Lofty said.
"How's it going?" Surprise asked.
"I assume you woke up on this planet yesterday afternoon," Galaxy said.
"Yup," Surprise answered before Lofty could. "We're in a castle about a hundred kilometers northwest of here."
"A castle?" Fizzy asked rhetorically. "Lucky. We had to sleep in some creepy, old ruins."
"We also haven't had anything to eat since we got here," Gingerbread added.
"You poor dears," Heart Throb swooned. "Please, come back with us. We have more than enough room. In fact, let's head back now."
Lofty heaved a sigh. "Okay."
She licked the roof of her mouth, feeling the dryness. "We should have brought water along."
"You need water?" Galaxy asked and then smiled. "It's all around you."
"There is?" Surprise swung her head from side to side. "Where?"
Galaxy walked up to the nearest crystal and plunged her horn into it. "Right here." She strained a little before her horn popped out of the crystal's hull and water poured from the hole she made.
Surprise put her muzzle in the stream and loudly sucked it in. She pulled her head away and exhaled. "That feels so good."
"It was a shot in the dark, but we poked holes in these crystal cacti and found out they're full of water," Galaxy said. "Unfortunately, they're inedible."
"Well our valley is full of lush grasses and flowers and even some fruit trees," Heart Throb said. "You can eat to your heart's content there."
Lofty sucked in enough water to wet her throat. The water was fresh but a little warm. She turned to Galaxy. "Did you see the two moons?"
Galaxy nodded. "When we woke up, they and the rings were the first things we saw, and I knew we had been taken to another world. I've already dubbed the larger Luna Major and the smaller Luna Minor."
"Dubbed?" Heart Throb asked.
"Galaxy is the Imperial Stargazer," Fizzy answered. "She watches celestial objects for the royal family."
"Yes," Galaxy said. "I made other astronomical observations last night, but they can wait until we reach your castle."
"Then let's get going!" Surprise spread her wings and took off. "I bet we already made the biggest discovery of the day!"
The mountains rose to the west to a point. Then they began to slowly drop off when they were across the divide. The mixed forests in the valley became all conifers in the mountains with a sharp line where all plant life just stopped growing altogether. Some of the highest peaks even had snow at their summits even though the longest day of the year was only a couple of weeks away.
The highest and most snow-covered of the mountains was directly north of the valley above the smaller, hanging valley that fed the waterfall. Its glaciers no doubt fed the river coming down through it.
After they crossed the divide, the rivers went from flowing south and east to north and west. The conifer forests also began to climb higher on the mountains as well. While a field day for a hydrologist and geologist, there was still no sign of sapient life, not even paths of travel.
Wind Whistler flicked her ears to the sound of wheezing. She looked back at Paradise falling even further behind. She flapped her wings slowly and held her head low. Wind Whistler also felt the burn of lactic acid in her wings and her throat was dry.
"Can we take a break?" Paradise wheezed.
"Fine," North Star exhaled. She pointed down. "We can rest and get a drink there."
She banked and spiraled down towards a river rushing over the rocks below. Wind Whistler landed and dipped her muzzle into the water. They water was clear and cool, soothing her throat. Paradise landed as quickly as possible to do safely. She flicked her glasses down from her muzzle to hang by their pearl chain before plunging her entire head in the water.
After a few seconds, she pulled her head out and gasped for air.
"Don't drink too much," North Star said. "You don't want to weigh yourself down."
"Are you all right?" Wind Whistler asked.
Paradise took in another deep breath and exhaled. "I haven't flown very far in my life. And definitely not this far up. The air's too thin."
"We're on the downside of these mountains," North Star said. "We'll probably be over plains after a few more kilometers. Though, we will have to ascend them again to return."
Paradise sat down and breathed heavily.
Wind Whistler took the rest to survey the area. The mountainside was rocky with some boulders bigger than a pony. The pine trees were tall, thin, and clumped closely together. Their scent made the thin air refreshing, and Wind Whistler was already feeling her wings recover.
Inside the woods, several old logs lay on the ground or against the living pine trees. The fallen logs were anything from still having green needles to nothing but gray trunks completely stripped of their bark.
"What a pit," North Star said. "It looks like no one has been out here to clean up in years."
Wind Whistler looked up at the sky. Something she noticed was the smaller moon was both noticeably thinner and closer to the sun than it was yesterday. The change in distance was maybe half a dozen degrees. It was like they were moving independently of each other, very much unlike the sun and moon in Equestria which Princess Celestia and Princess Luna kept moving at the same speed.
"Maybe no one or anything else comes to clean things up," Wind Whistler said. "This is another planet. Who is to say it has to follow our rules? Maybe the environment has no caretakers, instead left to its own processes."
"You realize you're saying this is essentially Everfree…Earth," Paradise said.
"A strange new world," North Star said. "You were the one saying real life is so boring. Well, here's your chance for excitement."
"So far, we've just found a good way to turn our lungs inside out," Paradise said.
"Still a lot of planet to explore," North Star said.
A shadow passed over them. Wind Whistler looked up, and saw a massive silhouette banking slowly from heading roughly northwest to west. It looked like a bird with the primaries apparent in its broad wings, but the body was long and slender with a flare from the midpoint to the three-quarters point.
"What's that?" Paradise asked.
"Looks like some kind of bird," Wind Whistler said. "Though, I've never seen anything avian that large or that shaped."
"Let's follow it." North Star spread her wings. "It's heading the general direction we were anyway."
"We should still hold back so we won't be noticed," Wind Whistler suggested.
They followed the creature far enough back it was a speck ahead of them but still visible. The mountains below gave way to foothills covered in mixed forests meadows. The foothills then flattened and rounded until the terrain became a broad plain.
Also, the first signs of civilization finally appeared. Dirt paths crossed each other in a grid pattern with areas of pasture divided by fencing. Buildings ranging from small sheds to farmhouses and barns sat on the sea of green grass, and animals loitered and ran through the areas fenced in.
Wind Whistler stopped when she saw the distinct shape of equines in one of the pastures. Paradise stopped with her, and North Star eventually looped around.
"What's going on?" North Star asked.
Wind Whistler pointed down. "There are ponies down there."
"This is great," Paradise said. "We can ask them about this planet."
"We're not supposed to initiate contact with the local population," Wind Whistler replied.
"What if they're other ponies from Equestria?" Paradise suggested. "We should go down and see."
"I agree," North Star said.
Wind Whistler thought about it for a second, and had to have a nod. "You're right. However, we should still be cautious."
They circled down and landed towards a corner of the pasture. The grass ranged from barely coming out of the ground to clumps so tall they would reach their underbellies. There were also random weeds and even bare spots. The moist air carried the smell of sweet grass as well as equine body odor among other things.
From the ground, Wind Whistler could see these equines varied wildly in size and build. Some were only as tall as a young colt with short, stocky legs. A few, particularly those with feathering around their hooves like pony stallions, were absolutely gigantic, even compared to their fellows, with thick, muscular legs. The equines that appeared to be average for this group were still bigger than an alicorn, Saddle Arabian, or even giant pony with long, spindly legs. All of their muzzles were longer than those of ponies with looser lips. Their coloration was less vibrant than ponies too: white, gray, black, rust-colored red, and shades of brown, tan, and blond. Some had markings or mottling across their bodies, but there was nothing that could be called a symbol on any of them.
"I think it's safe to say they're not from Equestria," North Star said.
Paradise walked up to the nearest equine, a mare with a chestnut coat and blond mane. "Hello there. Could you tell us where we are?"
The equine pivoted her ears and grunted before biting off some grass.
Paradise tapped her hoof. "Well? Do you even understand me?"
Wind Whistler hovered to the large equine and looked at her more intently. Her brown eyes were more widely spaced than those of ponies, and the pupil was rectangular, not round like a pony's. Her stare also seemed blank, not really focusing on them. It was more like how an animal would stare at her.
"You know," Wind Whistler said, "I don't think these equines are sapient."
Paradise hovered up. "Doesn't seem like it."
"I wonder why," North Star said.
"Different planet, different evolutionary path?" Wind Whistler suggested. "We know there were smaller-brained mega-equines once in our world, but they died out. I guess this world's counterparts flourished and became the prominent equine species."
"That's a shame." The mare nuzzled Paradise, and she giggled. "They seem friendly enough, though."
A stallion come up and nuzzled Wind Whistler. He puffed from his nostrils and snorted, probably getting her scent. She resisted the urge to laugh and squirm as it tickled. "They're probably more docile with us because we're mares. Our pheromones must be similar enough they think we're new females entering their herd."
More of the equines gathered around them and seemed to be intent on getting their scent as well.
After being snorted and sniffed by several of them and almost dissolving into a laughing fit from the tickling, Wind Whistler rose out of the equines' reach. It also gave her a chance to survey the rest of the pasture and beyond. A wooden, split-rail fence contained several hectares of land around them. A farm house with white siding and pink shingles sat outside of the fence with a barn nearby. The equines might not be sapient, but something intelligent lived here.
The screen door leading onto the porch of the farmhouse flew open and a creature practically leapt clear across the porch to the ground below. It broke into a run on its hind legs for the fence.
She turned to back of North Star and Paradise. "Something's coming! Hide!"
She looked around the area for something to hide behind. The closest thing was a metal water trough. "Over there."
She dove behind the trough and North Star and Paradise joined her. They peeked out over the rim as the creature ran towards the group of equines.
As it got closer, Wind Whistler could make out more about the creature. She already knew it was a biped with long hind legs. It held its upper limbs bent and pumped them backward and forward as it ran. Given its boxy frame and concentration of mass in the upper torso and limbs, she figured it—or rather he—was a male.
His head and neck were mostly hairless with his light pink skin exposed except for a short, rust-colored mane and patch of hair on his upper lip. He looked like he came from the primate branch, great ape to be exact with no sign of a tail and his upper limbs ending hands with four long fingers and a well developed opposable thumb. His nose and chin were more prominent than those of apes Wind Whistler had seen, and his mouth was more solidly placed in the main structure of his head.
He wore clothing that covered everything but from his neck up and his hands. A tan coat with a tall collar went from his shoulders to almost the ground, unbuttoned in the front to show the brown shirt underneath and a blue garment that covered each hind leg separately. A tan, wide-brimmed hat sat on his head and he wore reddish-brown boots on his feet. He clenched a mesh of leather straps in one of his fists.
They ducked down as he drew close enough he might see them.
"What is that?" North Star asked in whisper.
"I remember reading Princess Twilight Sparkle's journals about her journeys to a parallel world populated by advanced, bipedal apes called humans," Paradise whispered. "Her descriptions and drawings of them look a lot like him."
"Then perhaps we are in that world," North Star suggested.
"Except she never mentioned that world having two moons and rings," Paradise said. "Also, when she traveled to that world, she was transformed into a human herself." She held up her hooves. "We're still ponies."
"Polaris!" a gravelly voice called out.
Wind Whistler peeked over the trough. The equines were scattering as the human stood there.
"What are you doing all together like this?" he asked. "Come, on you have an entire pasture to run around in."
He turned to a mare that was completely black except for a white, diamond-shaped spot on her forehead like Bubbles and Seashell had only much smaller. "There you are, girl."
He held up the straps and slipped them over her head. The smaller circle went around her muzzle just behind her mouth and he buckled the larger circle behind her eye. She reared her head and grunted, but he held the strap and gently patted the side of her next. "That's right, girl. We're going riding. I'm sorry I can't put your tack on, but we have to go now."
He climbed on top of the equine's back and swung one leg over so he was sitting on her. The horse whinnied.
"I know, I know." The human picked up a loop connected to the straps. "Those blasted feather dusters are early. Just remember this is for Megan." He flicked the loop. "Go!"
The equine reared and whinnied before vaulting forward. She accelerated into a full gallop towards the fence running along a path and jumped over it. She barely broke her stride turning to follow the road of pulverized earth and stone. Dust kicked up in her wake as she galloped away.
Wind Whistler then remembered the bird creature they had been following. It had to have disappeared by now, but she could see it circling in the distance. The human and the equine appeared to be headed right for it.
"Humans ride these equines," Paradise mused aloud. "That's something to report."
"I say we follow them," North Star said. "We still have plenty of time before noon, so let's see what they're up to."
"Sounds like a plan," Paradise said. "What about you, Wind Whistler?"
"I don't see any logical reason to object," Wind Whistler said.
"Then let's go." North Star took off and flew in the same direction of the dust cloud.
The human and equine stopped where the path terminated at an intersection with another. There was a clump of trees nearby with thick undergrowth. Wind Whistler followed North Star and Paradise in the tangled mess of bushes and vines. Her heart quickened with every snap of a twig or rustle of branch, afraid they would be found. However, by the time they got into a position where they could see the intersection from cover, they seemed to have gone unnoticed.
The human climbed down from the equine and gave her a pat. The equine bit at the grass as he walked away from her and towards the bird creature as she landed and folded her wings behind her.
The sight of her—Wind Whistler assumed female because the slender build, curved features, and black leather dress—made Wind Whistler's blood run cold. The human was already tall by pony standards, but this thing was head and shoulders taller than him.
Her dress was open in the back to accommodate her large wings, a buckled collar holding the front up over her prominent chest. Her head and neck were similar to a human's, even having a long and rich mane of blond hair, but the tops of her earlobes came to a sharp point and her skin was a few shades darker blue than Wind Whistler's coat. Below her collar bone, she was clearly avian. A thick plumage of soot gray feathers covered her body except the bottom halves of her limbs which were covered in yellow scales. Her feet split into three toes pointed forward and one back. Her hands were similar with three fingers and an opposable thumb. All the fingers and toes ended in long, sharp claws like those of a bird of prey. The only thing humanoid about her body was her posture as she stood straight up and her knees bent forward.
A strap slung across her chest held a canvas cylinder to her back between her wings. A couple dozen arrows with feathered ends stuck out from the cylinder as well as a long bow with the string hanging loose. A canvas belt around her waist held a number pouches too. The chest of her dress also had a large, gray pattern embroidered into it that looked like a stylized hoof guard (Ω).
Wind Whistler shrank back, hoping this thing did not detect her. Every fiber of her being told her this was a predator. From head to feet, she was equipped to capture, kill, and eviscerate prey. As a prey species, even one as advanced as a pony, she felt an instinctual fear in the presence of this creature.
It was not like this with predatory species in Equestria. Griffons were common visitors to Cloudsdale, but familiarity with them and the knowledge they did not eat ponies squelched her instincts. However, she was on an unknown world with an unknown predator that looked like she could rip even the biggest griffon Wind Whistler had ever seen in half with little effort.
Her heart pounded, sending a generous supply of blood through her body. She senses became more vivid. Every muscle in her body was tense and ready for action. However, she was still a sapient being, able to use her intelligence to keep herself from flying into fight or flight. She knew she was hidden and that she had a mission to investigate. Besides, vaulting out of the thicket would give them away. Better to hunker down and watch for now.
"I hope I never meet one of those in a dark alley," Paradise whispered, but it sounded too loud to Wind Whistler's ears.
"I wouldn't want to meet one in a busy street in front of a police station in broad daylight," North Star replied. "But keep it down, we don't want them to hear."
The human walked up to the bird creature and glared up at her. She held out her hand. "Did you bring it?"
The human reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out a red, heart-shaped locket on a leather necklace. "Here it is. Now, where's my daughter?"
"She'll be returned once we know it's real," the bird creature said in a cold and dispassionate tone. "Now, hand it over."
The human clinched his fist over the locket and pulled it back. "No! I give you the locket. You give me back my daughter. That's the deal!"
The bird creature's mouth dropped into a scowl. "Give me the locket!" She grabbed at the locket's necklace and tried to pull it away, but the human tightened his grip.
The human braced his feet and pulled back. "Not until you return Megan!"
"Stupid ape," the bird creature snarled through her clenched teeth and raised her right hand with its sharp talons ready to strike.