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There are some people in the world who seem to cruise through life, putting in little or no effort, George McKinley wasn't one of those people. No, he was one of those that had to work twice as hard as most people to get anywhere. And that was how he liked it, hard work made the results worthwhile. The incessant beep of the alarm clock couldn't be ignored any more; so wearily, George got out of bed. Yawning as he pulled on his thick woollen dressing gown, he headed down the corridor towards the toilet. After a fortifying coffee and shower, he dressed in his best suit - a semi bespoke from Savile row. Today was an important one and George was determined to make an impression. As adviser to the minister of defence, it was his job to do anything that might take the ministers focus away from insulting the opposition and golfing. Pulling on his thick black overcoat and wraping a knitted scarf around his neck, George doubted that his boss was even awake 'Not bloody likely!' he thought, checking himself in the hallway mirror. He looked almost as though he had stepped out of an old film, mostly because his dark brown hair was shiny with Brylcreem. Satisfied that his tie was straight and his shoes shiny, he picked up his keys. Opening the door, George saw that the sky was filled with fluffy dark clouds, with the sun shining weakly through. Slipping slightly on the icy foot path, he made his way to his car, or rather his ministry Volvo.

Ten minutes later he was at the train station. Settling into his seat, George looked out of the window as the train began to pull away. When the scenery became a blur he turned away with a sigh and opened his newspaper. He was greeted at his destination by a bored looking Sergeant. 'You Mr McKinley?' he asked. 'Yes, here's my ID.' Meanwhile, on a cold and windswept plateau, a young man with jet black hair and piercing grey eyes trudged towards a circle of strange looking towers. Location: Classified Date: Classified A team of scientists were at work at computer terminals and control panels, watched by men in military uniforms. 'Master tower is on-line, slave towers synchronising now.' announced a scientist at a large work station.'Good, proceed in your own time doctor.' Patrick turned to the chief of defence "The minister is facing some tough questions in Parliament, he says I'd better have some good answers." Lt General Smith smirked, there had been a very public falling out between the minister and himself. He knew the minister didn't have the courage to visit him any more. 'And he sent you down here instead of actually dragging himself away from "Ministerial duties" eh? Well, not to worry, this thing will work fine.' An announcement on the speakers crackled over their heads 'Activation of tower relay in two minutes, all personnel return to bunker, repeat, all personnel to the observation bunker.' Minutes later the array of towers fired barely visible beams onto a focal point in the dead centre of the circle. Suddenly the abort alarm sounded, security footage showed someone actually walking right towards where the beams were focussed. 'Sir, synchronisation fluctuating dangerously! The wormhole is becoming unstable!

George didn't know why he did what he did next, but it seemed the only thing to do. He grabbed the keys to a Jeep, ran out and drove off at top speed towards the focal point. Skidding to a halt metres away from where the air was warping and buzzing around a sphere of energy. Frantically, he shouted out to the stranger "Hey! come over here! It's not safe to be out here right now!' Back at the bunker, Lt. General Smith was trying to warn him to leave. 'McKinley, you have to get out of there! The wormhole is about to collapse! Can you hear me? You can't be out there when it does, we don't know what might happen!' But it was useless, all George heard was static. Then with a surge of power the small ball of energy began to expand in pulses; then just as quickly, it imploded sending bolts of energy towards George and the stranger. George barely had time to register the pain when the white dot of the collapsed wormhole exploded, and the shock wave hit him and he lost consciousness.

George regained consciousness in what looked like an apple orchard, but he didn't think he'd ever seen such a disorganised orchard, the trees were planted willy nilly and it seemed the orchard owner didn't use chemicals, as there were weeds, wild-flowers, insects and birds all around. 'Must be a organic place.' he thought to himself. He didn't see the other man, so he decided to find help.'Wherever I am I hope they speak English, or at a pinch German.' Seeing a road ahead he walked towards it a wooden signpost read "Ponyville 1 Mile" 'Ponyville?' George read aloud 'Huh, odd name, but at least it's close.' So he set off down the dirt road and passed the time by trying to think of how he was going to get back to where he came from without revealing it's location. Soon enough, he saw a sign announcing he had reached Ponyville. Coming over the crest of a small hill, George felt his jaw drop. Before him was an incredibly quaint village in bright colours, but that wasn't what George was shocked about. The population seemed to be Ponies, or Pony like animals. Talking! Shopping! Doing things Ponies just couldn't do! 'Talking Ponies? What is this, Gulliver's' travels?' he murmured. He stood there wrestling mentally with whether he should turn around and go back when he noticed that he'd been seen.

Ponies were staring at him and whispering to each other. Making up his mind, he strode forwards until he was in the middle of the street. 'Hello, do you speak English? MY. NAME. IS. GEORGE.' he said very slowly and carefully. A peach coloured pony wearing a cowboy hat stepped forward. 'We speak English, and we ain't deaf neither!' George was taken aback by her boldness and by her Southern US accent.'Oh, my apologies!' he said quickly, feeling sure he didn't want to offend this particular Pony.'Like I said, my name is George, and I'm not sure where I am, or how I got here.' The Ponies began murmuring to each other sounding concerned. 'Did Y'all hit yer head or somethin'?' 'No, well..' ' how can I explain?' wondered George to himself. He tried to explain what had happened is as simple terms as possible. When he finished, there was a hubbub of conversation. Eventually it was decided that he should be introduced to Twilight. 'Who's Twilight?' asked George. 'She's only the most talented Pony in town when it comes to magic, and I reckon that's how you got here.'

They walked up to a house and knocked on the door which was answered by a lavender pony with a pink and purple highlights in her mane and tail.'Applejack? Who is this?' she asked the peach coloured pony.'Well Twilight, we don't rightly know. But I figure magic's involved.' George looked through the open door and saw a bookcase stacked with books, it seemed she was an avid reader.'Excuse me, miss Twilight? Perhaps I could explain who I am and what I think happened?' Twilight thought for a moment 'All right, I suppose you'd better come inside.'

Taking a seat opposite her, George explained in detail the events leading up to his appearance in what he was told was called Equestria. 'So the artificial wormhole contracted to a single point and then exploded, and the next thing I know, here I am with no sign of the other man.' he concluded. 'Hmm, I'll have to write a report to Princess Celestia' she said, frowning slightly. 'You're going to have to tell me a little about yourself too.' George nodded 'Of course, I understand. As I said, I work in the Ministry of Defence, as advisor to the Minister. I've always tried to be brave, but I'm just a pen pusher and public servant, so I can't be a hero. I know how to use a quarterstaff and bow because my uncle taught me.'

George had to explain what those words meant since Ponies didn't have such things I enjoy the arts and high culture. I can play an instrument called a Tin Whistle too, but not as well as I'd like.' Twilight considered for a moment 'Spike! I need you to take a message for the Princess.' 'Coming!' called a voice from a loft above their heads. A small blue Dragon came down and produced a piece of parchment and a quill. 'Ready, Twilight!' She then dictated a letter explaining all that had happened and what he was like and her view of the situation, which was that George seemed safe, but that she wanted the Princesses verdict. The message was sent by the simple expedient of having Spike breath magic fire onto it so it turned to dust and was blown on the air.

'Well, while we wait for a response, I'll introduce you to my friends.' she said turning to George.'This is Applejack, it was her orchid you first arrived at.' And this is Rainbow Dash, fastest Pony in all Equestria! The bouncing one over there is Pinkie Pie. Last but not least is Rarity, our fashion queen." George looked at the elegant white unicorn and thought it was an apt name. 'Rarity, the name suits you, that's for sure!' he said aloud before he could stop himself. 'Well er - I mean; I think all your names do.' He finished weakly, trying to will away the blush he could feel on his face.'Come on McKinley, get a hold of yourself man! She's a Pony, snap out it!!' He berated himself in his head. 'Anyway, we're going to have to find you a place to stay for now,' said Twilight '...any volunteers?'

'I suppose he could come to our place, we have plenty of spare rooms.' said Applejack. 'What!? Weren't you listening? He is cultured and sophisticated, like Moi! He should stay with me.' interjected Rarity. 'Well George, it's your decision to make.' said Twilight. George looked at Applejack, and then to Rarity and made up his mind.' Thank you for the kind offer miss Applejack, but I think I'd better stay in the village, with Rarity. If her offer remains of course.' he added.

And so George went with Rarity to her house. the sun was setting and it was a crisp evening.'So George, I notice some very fine stitching on your clothes.' She said abruptly. 'Yes, they are from the very finest centre of tailoring in the world that I'm from.' he told her proudly.'You simply must allow me to examine them when we arrive!' she told him. 'Sure anything to help, it's the least I can do.' he replied, smiling. When they arrived at Rarity's home, she insisted on showing him around before anything else.'Now then, let me see those marvellous clothes of yours!' He willingly took off his jacket and showed her the vents that gave the suit it's lines. 'Simply wonderful stitch-work! And you say some of it is done by hand?' They stayed up quite late discussing culture before going to sleep. The next morning, Twilight came by with the response from Princess Celestia. She praised Twilight for her judgement and approved of my staying in Ponyville. Furthermore she wrote that she had a feeling that the other man would come soon and he too should be made welcome. George was now to be an honorary citizen of Equestria.