Newcomers and veterans alike, welcome to the world of ponies!

[aie_mods]

Who: YOU. And you. And you. And everyone!
What: What just happened!? You've been transported into the world of ponies, that's what.
When: November 10th
Where: Smack dab in the middle of Ponyville. And around Ponyville. And maybe a little outside Ponyville too.
Rating: You know you.

(Pssst. Check out the story so far to get an idea for what's happened prior to this point!)

It all happened in a flash. Short earthquakes and aftershocks rocked some of the buildings in Ponyville as a magical explosion wreaked its own brand of havoc across Equestria. Once the dust settled, however, the Ponyville ponies realized that there were some newcomers in their midst. Ones that were definitely not there before the explosion. So where did they come from, and how did they get here? Did the explosion bring them here?

Luckily, the actual damage from the earthquakes was minor, and there were no actual downed buildings, just some that were now slightly cracked and in need of repairs.

The natives slowly closed in on the newcomers, warily eyeing them and wondering what their intentions were. But rather than looking angry or upset, they just looked confused and curious. Why not introduce yourselves to them, and to each other?

The official royal welcome wagon might even show up soon!

Comments

[appletastic]

"Maybe someday we'll meet him and mend the fence," Applejack nuzzled her face against her mother's hoof, blinking back the last of her tears.

"We'll help you catch up," she promised. "And it ain't like I know all that much more than you, seeing as I'm not from here either. But there's a few small things you should probably know."

She blushed. "For starters, the mare in the moon's no more, and that old pony tale about the Elements of Harmony? It's true. And me and my friends are the bearers...or, we were."

[the_perfect_pear]

"I hope so too. I could write him, tell him I'm here but... that's a bit of an awkward conversation." said Pear, smiling at Applejack.

"Oh?" Looking up into the sky at the faint outline of the moon, she said, "Well that's amazing, I never realized that could happen. Elements of Harmony? That's quite the story I feel is coming." said Pear with a smile.

[appletastic]

"Hmm. Maybe I could have a look around..." Applejack wondered. It'd be weird, but...hey. No rush. Maybe some day.

"A while back, Nightmare Moon finally broke free, and she cast Equestria in eternal night. 'Round that time, Princess Celestia sent her magic student Twilight Sparkle to Ponyville, hoping a few of us could show her a good time, help her make some friends. It was pretty rough going at first, but we did. We found out that we could only use the Elements of Harmony together---and with all of us working together Nightmare Moon was set free. Now she's Princess Luna again, princess of the night."

She blushed. "And we might have had to stop a few more Ponyville takeovers after that. Some time later, Twilight created new magic and became a princess, and now the five of us sit in on her court."

[the_perfect_pear]

What a story. It was almost unbelievable, and yet, Pear was there, standing in surprise. And alive.

"That's amazing, oh Applejack you've come so far!" Exclaimed Pear with a smile. "Imagine, friends with the princesses. I know our home has had the princesses blessing for a long time, but this is a step up!"

[appletastic]

She laughed and kicked her hoof against the ground. "Aww shucks, Ma. It's really not all that---but they'll be pleased as punch to meet you," she offered.

[the_perfect_pear]

"I'd love to meet your friends," said Pear honestly, with a little hug for her daughter incoming.

"Oh my Applejack, you've done so well for everypony. I'm sure they love being your friend."

[appletastic]

"You will, Ma, but...there's somepony else you've gotta meet," she admitted sheepishly.

"A, uh. Special somepony."

[the_perfect_pear]

"Oh really?"

At this, Pear looked surprised as she smiled. "So, tell me who it is. I want to know."

[appletastic]

"You know how I just said I was in with Equestria's royalty?"

She paused.

"He's, ah, one of the new ones. Overlord Zetta. Red alicorn, you can't miss him."

[the_perfect_pear]

"Him?" Pear had seen him before but since he wasn't royalty she knew, she wasn't too enthralled with his shouting.

"I've seen him. I didn't realize he was a legitimate prince of Equestria. I thought he was just somepony from another land."

[appletastic]

Oh, this was going to be awkward. She sighed.

"He's not exactly a prince in this Equestria. He rose to the throne in another one---the one we were both in before we came here. And beneath all that bluster? He's actually a swell guy."

[the_perfect_pear]

"So... he's just some other prince from another land, and you got together with him? Well, I'll have to meet him. My first impression was that he was trying to lay claim to a throne."

Pear shrugged helplessly. "I mean, last I checked there was only one alicorn princess. Now I'm seeing others from this other world? It's a lot to take in."

[appletastic]

"He earned it, Ma. He was willing to do the right thing...even when it meant turning the rest of us against him because we hadn't a clue. Twilight did something about the same before she ascended."

Applejack sighed. Both times, she regretted her lack of faith...and she hoped she would have learned.

"But don't you worry. Celestia and Luna get along again, and there's Cadence and Twilight, and the two who ascended in that other Equestria get along fine. We shouldn't have a problem."

[the_perfect_pear]

"All right. It seems like I've got a lot to learn about this world, and the time I've missed." said Pear with a smile on her face.

"That's interesting to hear though. Why would anypony want to turn on another?"

[appletastic]

"It meant tricking an evil pony who'd totally overpowered us. The magic of friendship can't do everything---sometimes you have to get your hooves dirty."

She looked a little guilty, but it wasn't for long. Everything had worked out in the end.

[the_perfect_pear]

"So you had to fight? I'm sorry you had to do that. But if you trust your prince and princesses that much, then I'll put trust in them too." said Pear.

"I still want to meet your coltfriend."

[appletastic]

You will, Ma. Real soon. I've just gotta get him ready.

[the_perfect_pear]

"Gotta make him presentable, huh?" teased Pear.

[appletastic]

"Maybe just a little," she blushed. "You'll see, Ma. Everything's just fine."

[the_perfect_pear]

"All right. You go have fun with your friends now, Applejack. I can handle myself for a couple of hours." said Pear with a fond smile and a ruffle of her daughter's mane.