-------------------- Michael's Point of View ------------------
I drove around for a few hours to recharge the magic batteries. During that time I asked TS to contact as many different Princess Celestias as she could in order to find the right universe. TS told me she could only contact six alternate universes in total and none of them had received a visit from my wife. I asked TS to contact each Princess and have them try to contact counterparts in other alternate universes in order to try to track Brenda down. I was informed by each one of the Princesses that they would do their best to try to find her for me. I asked TS how many alternate Equestrias she could teleport to, and she told me that there were about 20 separate alternate universes she could try. I asked about the disparity between channels of contact and teleport locations and she stated something about the differences between subspace communication and trans-dimensional accessibility with relation to actual teleportation as opposed to telecommunication. It turns out that it's easier to teleport to an alternate universe Equestria than it is to communicate with it's respective Sun Goddess, which to me seemed counter-intuitive.
"TS, it seems to me as though the more frequently you teleport to Equestria, it consumes less energy than the previous jump," I stated flatly
"This is true, Michael. The more often I teleport, the more efficient the teleportation."
"Which means that if I travel enough times, it will take less than five per cent of the magic battery usage," I offered hopefully.
"The only problem is finding roads in Equestria that facilitate easy travel," TS stated flatly.
"That, or having one of the Princesses or Twilight recharge the batteries," I said. I continued to drive around until the batteries were fully recharged. It was starting to get late so I headed back home -- but before I did, I asked TS to take me to another Equestria -- just on the off-chance that this one might be the right one. Turned out that it wasn't, and I had Twilight recharge the batteries for me -- I thanked her and came back home. I saw an identical car to TS sitting in the driveway, which puzzled me, so I pulled to the curb in front of my house. "What the hell?" I thought.
"How many more times, TS? I'm losing hope here."
"You have 17 more to check, Michael. Your round-trip commute to your workplace and back should be enough to fully recharge the magic batteries this time."
"Okay, thanks. Good night, TS."
"Good night, Michael."
I went to the front door of my house and found it locked. I tried my key and found it didn't work. "I don't remember changing the lock on this door," I thought. I pushed the doorbell and Xaviera answered it.
"Where did YOU come from?" she asked with a great deal of surprise. I heard some hoofsteps which surprised me, and then I saw something that made my eyes bug out -- right behind Xaviera stood Twilight Sparkle, a quizzical look on her face.
"Hmm. I was wondering why my key didn't work. Xavi, I have come from an alternate universe, looking for Brenda. Is she here? And I see Twilight here -- what's up?"
"Brenda's upstairs, Mike. But I thought you had changed into Twilight?"
"Well, that lasted only a day for me -- so, Twilight, are you supposed to be me in this world?"
"Yeah, and I lost my magic power -- Brenda superglued my horn back on, but I can't use any magic," she said.
"This is interesting -- I will see what I can do for you, but I need to talk to Brenda right now," I said. I went inside and upstairs to find Brenda laying on the bed watching TV in our room. She was shocked to see me.
"Mike! You changed back!" she smiled. Twilight followed me into the room. Her smile disappeared immediately. "What's going on here?"
"You tell me. You disappeared on me a few days ago and I've been trying to track YOU down. I come back home after visiting Ponyville, and find Twilight here as well as you. I think I may have skipped into another alternate universe, and I think the version of you I'm trying to find has been transported into yet another alternate universe. It makes my brain hurt just to think about it."
"If you don't mind me interrupting," Twilight said, "I really need your help, Mike."
"Can you change 'Twilight' back into you?" asked Brenda. "He lost his job a few days ago and can't change back. Said the car went into 'safe mode' or something like that."
"Twilight, follow me into MY car -- I should be able have the car -- wait a minute. If I have the car change you back into me, that will create a paradox. Can't have that happen, or MY car will go into safe mode! Maybe I can take you to Canterlot and have Princess Celestia help you out -- that's the only way I can help you, Twilight."
"What if you end up in a different universe?" Brenda asked worriedly.
"I'll just have to take that risk then," I said.
"I'm desperate enough to take ANY risk," said Twilight.
"Yeah, you go on ahead and take her with you, Mike -- she's been crying herself to sleep every night since Monday, and it's driving me nuts."
"Okay, Twi, let's go. My sleep can wait until I get this taken care of."
"Can you help me down the stairs?" she asked. I picked her up and hefted her body over my shoulders and went to the car, putting her in the back seat and buckled her in.
"Try not to say anything until we make it to Canterlot, please," I stated flatly. She made a motion with a hoof across her mouth as if to signify she would remain silent. I turned the car on and TS greeted me again.
"Where are we going, Michael?" came a quizzical sounding TS.
"To Canterlot, outside the front gate of the castle, if that's possible," I replied.
"My sensors detect a presence in the back seat," TS stated flatly. "Analyzing rear passenger data. Unconfirmed. Rear passenger, please state your name."
"Michael Walker," came the name from Twilight's mouth.
"Voice data confirmed. Twilight Sparkle. Good evening, Twilight!"
"Evening, TS," she said glumly.
"Destination target acquired. Canterlot Castle main gate. Preparing to teleport." The car glowed purple in the dark and once again a brilliant flash of white and the stomach-churning sensation of a teleport hit before we materialized in front of Canterlot Castle's main gate. We were met immediately by a contingent of Royal Guard ponies. They surrounded my car, the unicorns readying their magic. I got out and had Twilight get out with me. The Royal Guard unicorns powered down upon seeing her, then surrounded ME.
"You. Tell us what you're doing here," one of them commanded. I saw Shining Armor among them, which surprised me. He went over to Twilight and greeted her.
"I am here on behalf of Twilight Sparkle, who has lost her ability to use magic. I seek an audience with Princess Celestia in order to help Twilight regain her magic power. My name is Michael Walker, and I have traveled from an alternate universe to get here. I am also searching for my wife, a dark-skinned female human whose name is Brenda." As I was saying this, Shining was looking very confusedly at Twilight.
"Twiley, what's wrong with you? Don't you recognize your BBBFF?" he asked.
"Shining," I said, trying to get his attention. "She's been through an awful lot lately, and she needs Princess Celestia's help. I would like to request your assistance so we may meet with her."
"So tell me, exactly, what are you?" he asked.
"I am a human -- Homo sapiens -- and come from a planet called Earth. Twilight was on that planet as well, but lost her magic power. Give me a moment, my car here (I pointed to it) can communicate with Princess Celestia." I got back into it and turned it on. "TS, please send a message to Princess Celestia and let her know I need her assistance as soon as possible."
"Message relayed, Michael," TS said cheerfully. Suddenly another flash of light and a golden POP ushered in Celestia's arrival. I turned off the car and got out.
"Princess Celestia, it is an honor to meet you once again," I said as I bowed my head to her. She ignored me and focused on Twilight.
"Twilight, my faithful student, come here!" she smiled. Twilight slowly trotted over to her, looking somewhat apprehensive. "Twilight, there is no need to be afraid."
"Um, I'm not exactly Twilight, your Majesty," she said. "In fact, just a week ago, I looked like HIM," she said and pointed a hoof in my direction.
"I am not exactly sure what is going on here, so one of you two had better start explaining to me right now," Celestia said, her face darkening considerably. Simultaneously Twilight raised a hoof as I raised my right hand. We looked at each other and laughed. Celestia's mood lightened as she saw this and let a small smile cross her lips. "I believe the two of you are identical in some way -- so you, the human, tell me where you come from and how you managed to find Twilight -- and Twilight, you tell me what happened to you, please."
"I seem to be traveling from one alternate universe to another, your Majesty, as I am searching for my wife. I found Twilight quite by accident, as I traveled back to my home world from another version of Ponyville. The big metal object beside me is my automobile, which can travel across dimensional barriers as well as traveling on roads. When I was in Twilight's body, I used my magic to augment this car. Apparently, this Twilight seems to have lost her magic powers. My car requires magic to refill its magic batteries or a considerable driving distance for a full recharge -- I was hoping perhaps you might be willing to recharge its magic batteries for me, your Majesty."
"Quite a story there -- let me examine your car. It bears some resemblance in some way to Twilight -- was that your doing?"
"Yes, your Majesty."
"Twilight, what is your story?"
"I woke up about a week ago or so as Twilight Sparkle. I was able to use magic to fix a few things around my house and my car as well -- but while I was having breakfast with my wife, her youngest daughter and two grandchildren, one of them decided they wanted to ride on my back and accidentally broke my horn off. I tried to use magic to mend it but it didn't work, so I had my wife use an epoxy resin to try to glue it back on. That worked, but my magic still won't flow through the horn. I subsequently lost my job and found myself crying over my loss. I would appreciate healing so I might be able to use magic again. Barring that, I would appreciate being allowed to stay here in Equestria, perhaps as a different unicorn. I can't believe Mike found me and brought me here to see you personally, your Majesty! It is an honor to meet you!"
"Your story is quite interesting, Twilight -- but I'm afraid I cannot allow you to stay here in Equestria --"
"Your Majesty, please! I have nothing to go back home to! I've lost my job and can't get it back! Even if you were to turn me back into a human, like Mike here, and send me back, it's already too late for me! Please, your Majesty! I am willing to do ANYTHING to stay!"
"I believe I can find a use for you here, Twilight. I will change you into a unicorn and provide you with employment and housing in Ponyville. Please give me a moment to analyze your mind in order to determine a suitable magic level for you as well as a good color choice for your new appearance. When I am finished, I will send an escort to take you to Ponyville, where you will meet up with Twilight Sparkle and establish yourself in that town."
"Thank you so much, your Majesty! You have no idea just how much this means to me!"
"Actually, I do, Twilight, so make sure you obey the laws and respect everypony as much as you can." She then cast a spell on Twilight and I watched her change a little bit -- I was surprised to see her remain female, grow just a tiny bit taller, her coat darken a few shades, her mane and tail changed colors to pale orange gold and her cutie mark disappeared. Celestia instructed a chariot to be readied to take the transformed Twilight to Ponyville. "I expect to receive reports from you from time to time," she said. "You will have to find a new name for yourself -- when you do, please inform me of your choice. If you need help, Twilight will be able to assist you. In return, I expect you to provide her with whatever assistance you can. Fare well, new pony, and good luck."
"Your Majesty, I have come looking for my wife. Have you heard anything from Twilight about a dark-skinned female human who may have recently appeared here?"
"I'm afraid not, Mike. I have not sense any disturbances other than yours, so I request you return whence you came."
"Your Majesty, may I request a refill of the car's magic batteries? I know that may be a bit much to ask, but without a recharge, I'm stuck here."
"Very well then, consider it done. Please don't trouble me any more, or I may be forced to take other action to remedy your presence." She cast a little magic to restore full battery power to my car. I got in and turned it on. The car greeted me and asked for a destination. I told TS to take me home once again, hopefully to the correct universe this time. This time when I pulled towards the driveway of my home, I noticed no other cars there, which gave me a little relief. For good measure, I tried my key in the door lock, noticing the exact match. I went in and checked to see if Brenda was here first, then to see if Twilight was here, and then Xaviera. She and her kids were downstairs watching TV and they greeted my appearance.
"Where's Brenda?" I asked.
"You haven't found her yet?" Xaviera asked. "The police came by a bit earlier -- I told them you'd be back later on." The words hadn't even left her mouth when a loud rapping at the front door startled me. I looked out the side glass of the doorway and saw two police officers standing in front of the door.