SEASON 1: THE ADVENTURES OF ALEX IN EQUESTRIA

Chapter 4: The Guardians of Harmony Part 1

After wandering aimlessly through almost all of Ponyville, we finally managed to reach the first place we were supposed to visit, Sweet Apple Acres.

Since Twilight was in a bit of a hurry, she quickly entered to look for the person or people in charge of organizing the banquet, and Spike and I followed her.

-Twilight: - starts looking in various directionsn- Where could all the ponies be?

-Alex: Maybe they are organizing the banquet

-Twilight: So, did they leave the farm unattended?

-Alex: I don't think so, the Apples would never leave the farm without a good reason, and since they have to organize the banquet, I doubt they all left.

It also seemed strange to me that there were no ponies around, when suddenly we heard a loud thud coming from the apple orchards. If I had to bet, I would say that was Applejack, so I headed towards the source of the noise, and indeed, I found Applejack.

-Applejack: Phew - wipes the sweat - the summer solstice is an important date, I must keep harvesting apples - kicks the apple tree with her hind hooves -

-Thought of Alex: "Very well, this time I must do things right, she doesn't know me but I know her, so I must act as if I didn't know her."

-Alex: Ah, sorry - I approach her - Could you help me?

-Applejack: Sure, of course - she turns to look at me - What do you ne-

He stopped talking suddenly, and I don't know why, maybe because it's the first time he sees a human.

-Alex: Is something wrong?

-Applejack: Don't move, partner.

Applejack took an empty bucket and threw it straight at me, I instinctively ducked and dodged the bucket, but when I looked closely, I could see something resembling a bat that flew away.

-Applejack: Damn fruit bats, they've been more active than usual lately.

-Thought of Alex: "So that's why, I thought she was scared of me."

-Applejack: So, what can I do for you?

-Alex: Oh yes, my name is Alex Tools and I wanted to ask you about the banquet for the summer solstice

-Applejack: So you are the delegate sent by Princess Celestia? Well, nice to meet you, my name is Applejack and I am in charge of organizing the banquet.

-Alex: That's very good, but I'm not the one in charge, in fact, I wanted to take you to the person in charge.

-Applejack: I see, then let's go right away, partner.

And so we went on our way to see Twilight, who was still waiting for me to return.

-Applejack: By the way, what did you say your name was?

-Alex: My name is Alex Tools, but you can call me Alex

-Applejack: So, you're a Tools? Interesting.

-Alex: Why do you say that?

-Applejack: Because Grandma had already told me about your race, apparently a "human" named Steven Tools helped our family a long time ago.

-Alex: Really? I had no idea. What number was it?

-Applejack: Excuse me?

-Alex: It's just that in our family we receive a number at birth, I don't know why; for example, my father was number 100 and I am number 101.

-Applejack: I don't remember, maybe Grandma Smith knows. After checking the banquet, you should ask her.

-Alex: Understood, thanks

After a while, we arrived where Twilight and Spike were waiting for me. Of course, I got a scolding from Twilight for leaving her alone, but in the end, we checked the banquet. Everything looked delicious, they were apple dishes and desserts that I never thought I would get to try. Spike and I were drooling like waterfalls, but unfortunately, it was Twilight who had to taste the food, not us.

-Applejack: Very well, while you taste our dishes, let me introduce you to my family.

So a few ponies approached

-Applejack: This pony here is my older brother Big Macintosh - points to the big red-furred pony - he's not a pony of many words but he sure has a lot of strength when it comes to working.

-Big Mac: Eeyup

-Applejack: This little filly here is my younger sister Applebloom - she points to the filly with the big red bow - sometimes she can be a bit hyperactive but she's also a real sweetheart - she pets her head -

-Applebloom: Oh sister, you embarrass me in front of our guests.

-Applejack: And Alex, this is Grandma Smith, the most "wise" one in the family.

-Alex: So, is this her? Nice to meet you - I approach and shake her hand - Applejack told me about you

-Grandma Smith: - returns the greeting - Well, I hope she said good things.

-Alex: Yes, she did, and actually, I would like to ask her a couple of things.

-Applejack: You see, Grandma, he is a descendant of the Tools family.

-Grandma Smith: Who?

-Alex: Tools, Granny Smith, Applejack told me that someone named Steven Tools helped the Apples a long time ago and I wanted to ask you about it.

-Grandma Smith: Ah, that, yes, I remember everything... more or less. You see, many generations ago, the family farm, which was in the hooves of our ancestor Apple Bucket, was attacked by a swarm of "Appleplague." It was the biggest infestation the orchards had ever seen. It seemed like the trees would die when suddenly a tall young man with brown hair and black eyes arrived and cast a spell on those pesky pests. Then the plagues started to magically disappear. That young man said he was a human or something like that, and his name was Steven Tools.

-Alex: Wow, I didn't know humans could do magic; And by any chance, do you know what number in the chain it was?

-Grandma Smith: I'm not sure, that story has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries, maybe those details were lost over time.

-Alex: Too bad, I would have liked to know more about him.

-Twilight: Well, the banquet is very well prepared, I'm sure Princess Celestia will like it, so we're off.

Twilight stood up and went straight to the exit of the farm, apparently in a hurry to finish.

-Spike: Twilight, wait for me - he follows her -

-Alex: Oh dear, well I have to go or they'll leave me behind - I'm following them - See you later, Apple family!

The Apples smiled as they watched me catch up to Twilight and Spike.

-Grandma Smith: That young man has a bright future, let's hope he realizes it.

-Applebloom: And it also seems to have pegasus wings.

-Big Mac: Eeyup

AFTERWARDS

Once again, we found ourselves wandering aimlessly through the town, this time looking for the one who would clear the sky tonight, and by that, I mean Rainbow Dash.

-Alex: I wonder where Rainbow is? She should be clearing the sky right now

-Twilight: Yes, well, while we look for "Rainbow," I would like you to answer a few questions.

-Alex: Sure, what do you want to ask me?

-Twilight: First of all, where do you come from? I've read many books about the history of Equestria and ancient legends, but I've never read anything about "humans."

-Alex: Well, you have a point, humans are not from Equestria, which explains the lack of information; I come from another world, or dimension, or parallel world, or whatever you want to call it, which I call the "Human World."

-Twilight: And if you are native to another world, how did you get to Equestria?

-Alex: Well, unfortunately, I wouldn't know how to answer that, it's still very confusing even for me.

-Twilight: I understand, next question: Do humans also divide into classes like us ponies?

-Alex: Well, if we're talking economically, yes, but if you're talking about earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi, then no.

-Twilight: And that brings me to the next question: How did you get those Pegasus wings?

-Alex: I wish I could answer that question - I stretch my wings - these things just appeared this morning for no particular reason, in fact, I still can't control them well.

-Twilight: I already realized that.

-Thinking of Twilight: "The more questions I ask, the more doubts I have."

-Twilight: By the way, when we were with the Apples, you asked about someone who had the same name as you, was it perhaps a relative of yours?

-Alex: I think so, his name was Steven Tools, so he has to be one of my ancestors, but it seems strange to me that a Tools arrived in Equestria before I did... if only I knew what number in the chain he was, I would know how long ago that was.

-Twilight: What do you mean by "chain number"?

-Alex: As far as I understand, my family has been very large, and each of the Tools has an assigned number. For example, I am number 101 in the chain, and my father was number 100, although I don't quite understand what the numbering is for.

-Spike: It seems that your family is special in several ways.

-Alex: Yes, I know, and even though I don't know much about my own family, I still take pride in being a Tools.

A small glimmer began to emerge from inside my shirt, it wasn't very visible but that little shine was still noticeable.

-Alex: Anyway, I think I should look for the weather manager from above, she might be resting as usual.

I opened my wings and started flapping with all my might, this time it was a bit easier to lift off than the last time, but of course, I still wasn't ready to fly freely.

Once I was at a good height, I started looking around until I finally spotted Rainbow Dash, who was resting very comfortably on a cloud; I approached her and stood on the cloud to rest, apparently the new wings allowed me to be on the clouds.

-Alex: Ah, sorry, are you in charge of the weather for the summer solstice?

-Rainbow Dash: Yes, who is asking? -opens her eyes and is surprised- or should I ask, what is asking?

-Alex: Well, my name is Alex Tools, and, I'm a human. You see, my companion Twilight, who is on solid ground, is in charge of overseeing the preparations for the celebration, so do you think you could talk to her?

-Rainbow Dash: And is this Twilight by any chance a human too?

-Alex: No, actually, she's a unicorn. Anyway, are you going with her or not?

-Rainbow Dash: Sure, I'm on my way.

The pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail stood up on the cloud, stretched her wings, and began to rise.

-Rainbow Dash: By the way, my name is Rainbow Dash, and you seem like a cool person, we should go flying one day - walks away -

-Alex: Sure, maybe one of these days!... I'd better start practicing if I want to keep up with Rainbow.

I stretched my wings and prepared to practice my flight. As far as I understand, Twilight and Rainbow don't spend much time together during their first encounter, but lately, things have been different from what I remembered, so maybe I'll have more time to practice. I started flapping my wings quickly, this time it was easier than the other times, I even began to rise faster, but it was still somewhat exhausting; the first thing I needed to practice was my horizontal movement, so I began to move slowly from side to side, and once I gained more confidence, I started doing it faster.

-Alex: How's it going? This feels amazing, I see why Dash loves flying, but I need to rest now.

Since I was already tired, I started to descend directly to the cloud from where I had taken off, but suddenly the cloud was destroyed. Apparently, Rainbow started to clear the sky, which was bad for me since I was falling rapidly and had no energy to flap my wings, and since I was far from Twilight, there was no way she could save me like last time.

-Alex: Well, that's it - he said while falling - at least I'll die doing something I truly love - he closed his eyes -

I was just a few meters away from touching the ground when suddenly I started to rise again. I opened my eyes and realized I was gliding, without needing to flap my wings I was in the air, the breeze on my face and wings felt incredible, but it didn't last long as I crashed into a tree for flying distracted.

-Alex: Ouch... - I try to pull my head out of the tree trunk - come on, come on... oh hello squirrel, do you think you could... Ouch! bad squirrel! - I pull with all my might and get out of the trunk while the squirrel yells at me in squirrel language -

I fell rolling to the ground with a red and swollen nose, since the squirrel bit me, but at least I enjoyed it a bit before that.

After Rainbow had finished clearing the sky, Twilight and Spike came to where I was.

-Twilight: Hey Alex, we're leaving! - she comes up to where I am - What happened to your nose?

-Alex: A squirrel bit me, I just hope I don't catch rabies or something like that... - she looked at his hair - And what happened to you?

-Twilight: Rainbow Dash...

-Alex: Of course, I should have guessed it - I stand up - anyway, let's move on to the next point before it gets dark

The sun was almost setting and we still had to go see Rarity and Fluttershy, although Twilight didn't seem to be in a hurry, maybe she forgot about Nightmare Moon.

LATER, OUTSIDE THE CARRUSEL BOUTIQUE

This time we managed to get there without any problems, as this time Twilight did want to stop and ask for directions, which was strange considering that she didn't do it the other times. Twilight is definitely different.

-Twilight: Alright, let's end this.

She was about to knock on the door, but I suddenly stopped her, as I remembered everything Rarity does to Twilight.

-Alex: Twilight, wait!

-Twilight: What's happening?

-Alex: Your hair, you'd better fix it before you meet Rarity.

-Twilight: Alright, I don't understand why but I'll do it.

Twilight used her magic to conjure a brush with which she began to fix her mane, but it seemed strange to me that she didn't even ask who Rarity was, or why I asked her to fix herself up, or even insisted on knowing how I know Rarity.

-Thought of Alex: "Could it be that Twilight gave up on finding out my source of information?..." Nah, Twilight giving up is something even more impossible than seeing a human with wings.

The unicorn finished getting ready and knocked on the door. After a few seconds, a unicorn with snow-white fur and a beautiful purple mane opened the door.

-Rarity: Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, home of the most glamorous designs in all of Ponyville. How can I assist you?

-Twilight: Good afternoon, my name is Twilight Sparkle and I am in charge of reviewing the decorations for the summer solstice.

-Rarity: Oh, of course, come in dear, make yourself at home.

-Alex: If you don't mind, I'll stay here. By the way, I'm Alex.

-Rarity: Well, nice to meet you, dear. I'm Rarity. When you need to mend your monkey suit, I'll be delighted to help you.

-Alex: Thank you, but I'm fine.

After the conversation, Twilight entered the boutique with Spike, while I stayed outside because I wanted to keep practicing my flight.

-Alex: Someday I will master this flying thing.

I started flapping my wings and lifting off to begin practicing my aerial maneuvers, although I still had a lot to train for, but that didn't discourage me; in fact, it even motivated me to keep trying.

10 MINUTES LATER

I was still in the sky practicing my flight, which had improved a lot during that short period of time, although of course, I still couldn't move as well as a real pegasus and only had the strength to fly for 10 minutes non-stop, or maybe just 8 if I flew at full speed.

I started to descend to rest my wings a bit, which were sore from flapping so much.

-Alex: Phew, I wonder how Twilight is doing with Rarity, they've been in there for quite a while.

Then, as if summoned, the unicorns and the baby dragon emerged from the boutique.

-Twilight: The decoration turned out wonderful, Rarity, I'm sure the princess will love it.

-Rarity: Oh, thank you dear, coming from someone so close to royalty means a lot.

-Twilight: See you later

Twilight began to walk away from the store with Spike on her back, who seemed somewhat dazed, in addition to being surrounded by several little hearts.

-Spike: *sigh* That pony is the most beautiful thing my dragon eyes have ever seen.

-Alex: Spike? - I approach him - Are you okay, buddy?

-Spike: Beautiful, buddy~

I was intrigued by Spike's response; at first, I didn't understand what he meant, so I just ignored it and followed them.

AFTERWARDS, ON THE WAY TO FLUTTERSHY'S HOUSE

Nothing interesting happened on the way to our next destination, so I'll just skip it. We were already at the house of the pegasus in charge of the music for the summer solstice, Fluttershy. I wonder how she will react when she sees me, considering that I am a human. On one hand, she might get scared and run away, but on the other hand, she might be curious about my appearance since she has never seen a human, or at least that's what I understand.

We were in front of Fluttershy's house, so we knocked on the door, but no one answered, until we heard a beautiful chorus made up of the songs of various birds, so we went to see where that beautiful sound was coming from. We went to the backyard of the enormous house, which was where the singing was coming from, and we saw that a pegasus with cream-colored fur and a very long pink mane was conducting the birds with a baton, as if it were an orchestra. When they stopped, we approached to talk to the pegasus.

-Twilight: Ah, sorry, are you the pony in charge of the music?

The pegasus turned around and approached us.

-Fluttershy: Well, yes, I am the one in charge -she said very fearfully and in a low voice- my... my name is... Fluttershy...

-Twilight: Well, nice to meet you, I am Twilight Sparkle and I come to supervise the preparations for the summer solstice, so I suppose the music will be played by your birds.

-Fluttershy: Yes, but we still need to practice a bit more.

-Alex: It seems to me that you sing very well - I move a little closer to Fluttershy - I'm Alex, by the way, nice to meet you

I extended my hand in a greeting gesture, but Fluttershy seemed scared of me. I didn't want Fluttershy to be afraid of me, but there wasn't much I could do at that moment. Maybe after we spend some time together, she might feel a bit more comfortable with me.

-Twilight: Anyway, we'll leave you to keep practicing - starts walking - come on Alex

-Alex: Go ahead, I have a couple of things to take care of first - I sit on the floor -

-Twilight: I understand, then see you later.

Twilight and Spike left, leaving Fluttershy and me alone.

-Alex: Well, now that we're alone, I would like to talk to you, Fluttershy.

-Fluttershy: Talk? About what?

-Alex: Well, I realize that my presence makes you uncomfortable, and I don't want that. I would like for you and me to be able to be friends, but of course, I don't intend to force you into it.

-Fluttershy: Well, your presence doesn't bother me, but I admit that your height does seem somewhat... intimidating... but now that you've sat down, you're not so scary.

-Alex: Yeah well... I understand that, but it's not something I can control, we humans don't stop growing

-Fluttershy: And I understand that, but speaking of something else, what kind of animal are you?, because, if I look closely, you look like a monkey in clothes made by Rarity

-Alex: Well, first of all, I'm not a monkey, although I admit that both races are quite similar; I am a human, and I come from another world. I know it might be hard to believe, but-

-Fluttershy: No, I actually do believe it. When I was just a filly, my parents used to tell me an old pony tale about a very distant kingdom, where the most varied animals lived, very different from ponies. They always told me it was just a story, but I never believed that, because... I dreamed of... traveling to that world and... meeting those animals and becoming... their friend.

Those words reminded me of a moment in my life when I was only 7 years old.

FLASHBACK

I was in the living room of my house with my parents, we were watching my favorite show, My Little Pony.

-Alex: Wow, that world is so beautiful - I look at my parents - Can we go to Equ-ecues... to Ponyville?

-María: Of course, my child, maybe one day we can all go to Ponyville together.

-Alex: Seriously?

-Brian: Yes, Alex, but not now, we'll go when you're older.

-Alex: Yay, we'll go to Ponyville, and I can meet many ponies, and I can play with them, and we'll be good friends.

END OF FLASHBACK

That is one of the many moments I will never forget. I started shedding some tears, which Fluttershy noticed, but I didn't.

-Alex: You know, I understand you, Fluttershy... *snif* when I was a child, I also dreamed of going to another world, and just like you, I also wanted to make friends, but... I wanted my parents to accompany me to that world... but...

I lowered my head a bit as I started to cry. Fluttershy approached me and tried to make me feel better by putting a hoof on my shoulder.

-Fluttershy: But what?, What happened?

-Alex: *snif* My parents... my parents... they died... *snif* they died before we could go to that other world...

For a long time, I wished I could visit Equestria with my family, live there, and make friends with all the ponies, but now, I don't know if I can do it without them. I couldn't stop crying until I felt something enveloping me; it was Fluttershy hugging me with her hooves and wings. She was also crying.

-Fluttershy: Hey... Alex...

-Alex: *snif* Yes?

-Fluttershy: We can be friends... if you still want to...

That made me feel something very strong, I really felt like crying, but this time out of joy. I hugged Fluttershy while I kept crying.

-Alex: That... that would be nice...

We continued like that for a few minutes, until we stopped feeling sad, talked for a while about our lives until we finally felt better.

AFTER

It was about time for me to leave, and Fluttershy and I went to the entrance of her house, it was there where we started to say goodbye.

-Alex: Well, this was one of the most sentimental visits I've ever made.

-Fluttershy: Yes, it was something new for me too.

-Alex: I have to go now, so I guess I'll see you later during the solstice.

-Fluttershy: Maybe

-Alex: Yeah, well, goodbye

I started to move away a bit, until Fluttershy stopped me.

-Fluttershy: Wait, before you go, I want to give you something...

-Alex: Huh? - I turned around - And what is it?

Then Fluttershy hugged me while standing on her hind legs, and I returned the hug. After a while, we parted ways, I said goodbye again, and I headed towards Sugarcube Corner, where I was going to wait for the celebration to start.

AFTERWARDS, AT SUGARCUBE CORNER (1 HOUR UNTIL THE SOLSTICE)

I was in my new room, making a kind of drawing of what it would be like if I had a house here in Ponyville.

-Alex: Let's see... it should also have a dog door, in case I want to have pets - draws on a piece of paper - and it could also have 2 floors, and several rooms, yes yes yes - keeps drawing -

And so I passed the time, although after half an hour I got bored, and decided to start training my wings. I lay face down on the ground and placed the tips of my wings against the ground.

-Alex: Alright, I remember seeing several pegasi do this on TV before, it can't be that difficult.

I tried to lift myself with my wings, as if they were hands, but I couldn't lift myself completely and in the end, I fell to the ground.

-Alex: Ouch... okay, this is way harder than I thought, but I have to try.

I tried to get up again, but before I could, Pinkie burst into my room slamming the door, the bang surprised me and made me fall again.

-Pinkie Pie: Alex, it's almost time, are you ready for... What are you doing down there on the floor?

-Alex: I just wanted to check how soft the floor is...

-Pinkie Pie: So?

-Alex: It's not soft at all

-Pinkie Pie: Well, when you finish checking the hardness of the floor, would you mind coming downstairs?

-Alex: For what? - I stand up and brush off the dust -

(20 MINUTES UNTIL THE SOLSTICE)

-Pinkie Pie: To get ready and go together to the town hall to celebrate the solstice

-Alex: That sounds good, Pinkie, just give me a moment and I'll come down, okay?

-Pinkie Pie: Oki Doki Loki - leaves the room and closes the door -

-Alex: Alright, before I leave, I need to practice my flight - I start flapping my wings -

This time it was something very easy for me, apparently I could already lift my own weight.

-Alex: Finally, I think I can fly like any pegasus.

I kept rising without realizing it until I reached the ceiling of the room where I hit my head quite hard, which made me fall to the ground, breaking it, and I ended up falling onto a bar with several plastic containers.

-Alex: Ouch... I knew I weighed more than any pony, but this was an exaggeration.

-Mrs. Cake: Alex, are you okay?!

-Alex: Yeah, yeah... it was just a 7-meter fall, nothing I can't handle.

AFTER (10 MINUTES TO THE SOLSTICE)

I was in my room, near the big hole in the floor, with the couple Cake, who looked somewhat angry.

-Mr. Cake: Alex, you are our guest and we like you, but going through the floor of the first floor is too much to let it go just like that.

-Alex: I know and I'm sorry, it was just a flight accident.

-Mrs. Cake: Even if it was an accident, we can't leave this big hole in the kitchen ceiling, we'll have to call someone to fix it and that will cost a lot.

(5 MINUTES TO THE SOLSTICE)

-Alex: But it's not necessary to do that, I'll take care of fixing it after the solstice, I just need a few wooden boards, nails, a hammer...

-Mrs. Cake: No way we can let you do that, you're just a child.

-Alex: Yes, but I have experience with the tools.

-Mr. Cake: What kind of parents let their child play with tools?

(1 MINUTE UNTIL THE SOLSTICE)

-Alex: I don't want to talk about that now, the thing is I have to go to the solstice to...

Suddenly, a loud noise was heard, the tent began to shake, and due to the tremor, I fell back through the hole.

-Alex: Ouch... it hurt more this time - I get up with effort - What could that noise have been?

I walked to the nearest window and looked through it. Apparently, the commotion was coming from the town hall.

-Alex: The town hall?, But how? I warned Twilight about Nightmare Moon's arrival, she should have stopped her already... *facepalm* damn it, I forgot to tell her about the Elements of Harmony

-Pinkie Pie: Alex, what was that loud noise?

-Alex: The beginning of the end, I'm afraid. We have to go to the town hall and find Twilight.

-Pinkie Pie: So, do you want to have that welcome party now?, you really are unpredictable

-Alex: If it's any way, let's just go.

And so, we ran out of Sugarcube Corner and headed towards the town hall, the place where we would have to face Nightmare Moon and prevent the eternal night from being brought to Equestria.

TO BE CONTINUED...