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

[emet_selch]

The last thing Haurchefant knew, before appearing, was that more chaos was to spread in his realm. Oh, and two Ascian were dead, destroyed by his dear Warriors of Light. He'd clapped from afar, invisibly! It was a splendid show, taking down such corruptness - even if they'd have more to deal with.

But now... he was in another body? Maybe there'd been something going wrong, but... oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. There were horses everywhere. Not just horses, but winged ones and horned ones and--!!

So, uh. Don't mind the off-white unicorn just staring, eyes wide - and grinning, like some form of creepy voyeur - finally speaking up. "--Can you understand my speech?"

[cidery]

"Yes, I can," replied Apple, having noticed his gaze. He seemed all right, nothing dangerous was pricking at her senses but he seemed like a kid in a candy store.

"Are you all right?"

[emet_selch]

"Ah, splendid!" He says, tail swishing. "I'd hate to be stuck, unable to speak to any others. That'd be a hell."

He pauses for a moment. "I think I'm quite fine - look at all these wondrous steeds!"

[cidery]

"Do you really like horses?" asked Apple with a soft giggle. "There's plenty of those here, albeit ponies."

[emet_selch]

Oh no. No no no. You... might have gotten Haurchefant to begin to bounce around. "Like? Horses are but some of the most splendid beings of Eorzea - and beyond! Their stance... their gaze... truly, nothing is greater!"

[cidery]

What a cute man. He was so excited and Apple smiled. "Well, there's plenty of us around. Changing shape is something I haven't done in a while, but I'm glad there's potential for differences."

[emet_selch]

"--You can change shape, my lady?"

[cidery]

"Used to. I'm a Gem, a sort of different lifeform who can change shape and fuse with another and all that sort of thing."

She tapped the gemstone at her neck. "This is who I am, the gem and my body is a projection."

[emet_selch]

...Oh. So it's not another... hm. Haurchefant still smiles, so very widely - almost a little too wide. "And your projection has chosen to adapt to this realm! How very... curious!"

There's a beat, before Haurchefant lets out a happy sound. "I'd choose this form if I had to."

[cidery]

He seemed nervous a little, Apple was good at reading people. And yet, she nodded. "It's not the first time I've been shapeshifted though, but it certainly is a bit inconvenient without fingers."

"I'm glad you like your form."

Heavensward spoilers from here on out

[betweenlightanddark]

"Well, yes I can."

But there's something off about this. Yukiko takes in the sight and the sound of the unicorn's voice and looking at his cutie mark, it's almost haunting. After everything...he's here and breathing. However, she knew there had to be much more.

"Can I ask...what you remember before coming here?"

[emet_selch]

...Huh. Of course somebody would be wary - Haurchefant was a little, as well. But just because he was unfamiliar with her voice.

"...Must I say?" he asked, placing a hoof to his... chest? Was it his chest? Really, Haurchefant wasn't quite sure. Even if his last sights were not of the very spear - even if he'd decided to keep watching - it was what his mind thought of first.

[betweenlightanddark]

For good reasons; being a Warrior of Light had to make one be prepared but it's been in Yukiko's nature for years to ask about the truth, to see beyond the fog of lies just like Yu did and also Yua as well. She takes note of him touching his chest as she remembers clearly what exactly happened on the rooftop of the Vault.

"Just to verify something. It's better to know rather than assume, and it wouldn't be fair to you for me to do so."

[emet_selch]

...

Sighing a little, Haurchefant gave the smallest of smiles. "My shield broke, and..."

No, it's still painful, he can't keep even a small smile up. (He's no hero.) He enjoyed that life - even if he'd spent longer lingering, that was the last thing a Warrior of Light would know. Was she one with Light? Softly, Haurchefant placed his hooves back to the ground - no longer standing firm. "As one life ends, it seems another begins."

[betweenlightanddark]

She closes her eyes and bows her head for a moment, almost in silent prayer as part of her curiosity is sated. However, there is another that is at the forefront of her mind.

"Just...one more question? Who was your Warrior of Light?"

If he answered eight, then she would know that this unicorn in front of her came from the same star. If not, Yukiko wouldn't grill the poor knight; she would just have conformation that there was another Haurchefant in another star...one who also gave his life to save another's.

[emet_selch]

There were answers that came easily, and others which came hard. Thankfully, this question was the former.

"...There were many. Those dear Velas siblings, those two Miqo'te, and Sasaxia. The five of them would often ask for help, even as their numbers whittled down though tragedies."

There's a long pause, as Haurchefant also considered this. She must be... she must be from another. But would she tell him? "...May you be from another realm?

...If you are, then you are still my dear friend - simply one I've yet to meet." It was curious, then, that Haurchefant was too aware of this - but perhaps it was something he always knew? His calmness was eerie, but he was still sort of. Vibrating.

[betweenlightanddark]

And while the answer he gave her wasn't the one she was expecting, it still showed that he's still the same friend who would do anything to help a comrade in need. She does ease up and a bit of a smile comes to her face because he really would be the type to befriend everyone he meets wouldn't he?

"At least I don't have to explain much about other stars and worlds but yes, I do come from one of them although I'm not native to it if it makes any sense. How did you come to know about them?"

[emet_selch]

"A traveler! How very amazing!"

He's not lying - Haurchefant really does find that amazing. But how he knows...? Looking a little uncomfortable, Haurchefant shrugs his shoulders. Which does look weird. Listen, he's new to this form.

"...Well, there was one of those siblings who was obsessed with a traveler. But that's no fitting answer, is it?"

...Whoops, he seems to be delaying.

[betweenlightanddark]

"Obsessed? How so?"

Please don't say someone was almost Edda obsessive.

HEVEANSWARD SPOILERS WARNING-

[frozenmemories]

Out of the three Warriors of Light around- Cirno was the one who had the least experience with death and didn't understand it still. She stops dead and stares, her eyes watering up and her whole body shaking. Everything about this had her confused...and since she had not found her sisters yet there was no where for the small peagaus with icicle wings and Au Ra scales on her face to hide.

"...Am I dreaming?"'

A Warrior who didn't know what to do was probably a funny sight.

[emet_selch]

Haurchefant was gentle, but when wasn't he, when he spoke. "I'm afraid I cannot pinch you, friend - but I can promise this is no dream."

[frozenmemories]

"....But how? Sis said when you...you know, there isn't any coming back. How?"

It's softly said but the meaning is heard she hopes. Going to slowly walk forward warily. Cirno isn't sure about this.

[emet_selch]

Haurchefant closes his eyes, letting himself softly sigh to her. "This isn't my star."

In other words, he has no idea-- but then adds, calmly, "but I assume there are forces outside our control. Perhaps they took pity on me?"

[frozenmemories]

"...Pity or knew there were many who missed you and wanted to give you another chance?"

She stops close by before offering up a smile. It's faint and she uses a hoof to brush tears out of her eyes.

"I think a lot of people would be happy to see you once again. Let alone those of us who saw you fall to save us."

[emet_selch]

His tail flicking, Haurchefant offered his head for a small headrub, before...

...He has to say it, else break her heart. "...I may not be who you seek." He offers, however, his own hoof - this was hard to get used to, Haurchefant shook a little on his feet.