//------------------------------// // Choose Well // Story: The Harbinger // by Servant Phoenix //------------------------------// BEEEEEEEEEEEEE…thud. The clock successfully survived the fall and—for Phoenix’s pleasure—turned off. Phoenix groaned. “I must replace this damn sound with something more calming and… Ah,” he sighed. He dismissed the idea of replacing the alarm clock as it perfectly fulfilled its purpose, and climbed out of bed. He went down to the kitchen and made some tea and a few slices of bread with jam. After that, he went upstairs and woke up Sophie. She sadly left her dream. “Aaawww,” she groaned. “Why does good dreams always have to end?” Phoenix smiled at the idea. A never-ending dream of a world full of what you want? I tried simulating that when I was smaller. It worked for a while but without an external source, my dreams started to dry out and I had to live in the real world anyways. Still, telling my dream to others felt like reliving them again. I guess I can use that knowledge to compensate Sophie for waking her up. He sat down next to Sophie. “What were you dreaming about, darling?” Sophie’s eyes lit up. “Oh… I was riding Fluttershy!” “And where were you riding him?” Phoenix asked. Sophie’s smile faded and she frowned. “Dad, Fluttershy is a mare,” she said and showed him her plushie. Eh… This would work much better if I’d at least watch some episodes of that pony cartoon. I’m not gonna give up though. “Oh sorry. So where were you riding her?” Sophie glanced up at the ceiling, hugging her Fluttershy plushie. “We were… Ah, yes! We were in Ponyville, and I asked her to fly with me, and she flew up to the skies. Oh dad, that was so amazing!” She beamed as her mind brought back the image of the endless skies of Equestria. “Weren’t you afraid that you’d fall down?” She looked up at Phoenix. “Oh no, of course not!” she said firmly, but after looking into Phoenix’s eyes, she bent slowly her head down. “Well… for a moment yes, but I didn’t care. Fluttershy doesn’t fly fast anyways,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Hm…” Phoenix hummed. He was out of ideas of what he could ask to bring this conversation further, so he decided to move forward with the day. “It was a really nice dream, but it’s time to wake up. School doesn’t wait you know,” he said, and stood up. “Sure.” Sophie rolled her eyes. “Breakfast is waiting for you downstairs. You have twenty minutes,” Phoenix said and left the room. Sophie climbed out of the bed and fetched her clothes from her wardrobe. She chuckled as she remembered a few other parts of her dream. After the breakfast, Phoenix brought Sophie to school, then drove to the Sunrise Research Institution. He arrived on time, Mr. Johnson was about to start the meeting. Mr. Johnson pointed at Phoenix with his open hand. “Everyone, welcome our newest and youngest colleague, Phoenix Freeman!” “Hello everybody!” Phoenix said. The people around replied with either a short “Hi” or a longer way, depending on that one had drunk his or her morning coffee yet or not. Mr. Johnson clapped his hands together. “I’m not going to steal your precious time longer than needed. You’ll all choose now the subject for your next 3-month research. As the others already know, it’s a habit of ours, that we let the newcomer choose first,” he said, and motioned around with his open hand in the air. “Choose well!” Phoenix frowned and closed his eyes. He knew what he had to do, but his mind screamed, bringing up all the possible consequences that his choice would result. Yet, he fought his mind off. He gulped, looked up with a firm look and uttered the sentence that finalized his destiny, “I choose Trojan-1034.” His colleagues looked at each other, some with open arms. “Gosh, I’d have chosen Destroyer, this is really a newbie,” one whispered to another. The other one shrugged and whispered back, “If he wants that toy, then let him have it. It’s better for us.” Johnson nodded, then looked away from Phoenix. “Mr. Freeman has chosen, so we continue with Jack then Bob then…” he continued, establishing an order, based on the time spent in the institution in descending order. After everyone made their choices, Mr. Johnson dismissed the meeting with good wishes and they all went to their own businesses. Phoenix approached Melody’s cage. He looked around and saw two of his colleagues nearby. Melody noticed Phoenix and was about to welcome him, when Phoenix moved his left hand’s index finger in front of his mouth while pointing with his other hand to his co-workers. Melody closed back her mouth and nodded. Phoenix walked to the cage and opened it. “Trojan, follow me,” Phoenix ordered. “Yes, sir!” Melody answered with a smile. Phoenix walked to his research room, with Melody behind him. He opened the door with his card and searched the room for cameras. After he found none, he motioned Melody to go in, closed the door behind her, and leaned to it with his eyes closed. Why I’m doing this? How the heck I’m going to create a valuable report based on a living horse? He thought, frowning. He looked up on Melody who was still smiling. He closed his eyes back. She clearly doesn’t understand what a horrible choice I made regarding the future of my career. Melody was smiling because she both got out of her cage finally, and met with Phoenix again. Yet, seeing that Phoenix was not sharing her joy, her smile withered.   Let’s hope at least we can work on something, Phoenix thought and walked to the instruments of the lab. Phoenix’s silence made Melody worried. She followed him with her eyes as he walked around in the room, turning on the devices. Her desire to talk and her curiosity joined forces in her heart and after a few minutes, she couldn’t hold against the siege anymore. “What’re these machines for?” she asked when the ram broke the gate of patience. Phoenix didn’t even bother to look up, but answered, “These are made to measure and analyze the software and hardware structure of a smaller robot. The others I didn’t turn on are the remote controllers and user interfaces for the bigger instruments in the chamber for machines that don’t fit into this room.“         Melody hoped that he might ask back something, or explain those strange words to her, but Phoenix just continued his work, silently. After twenty minutes, the system was ready to be used.         “Stand there!” Phoenix said and pointed to a slightly elevated platform, surrounded by all kinds of connectors and outlets, in the middle of the room. Melody walked onto the platform. Phoenix took out his phone from his pocket and switched to camera. He walked around Melody, watching the preview on the screen of the phone. He finally found what he was looking for, a small black surface on the crest of the disguised Melody that functioned as a programming  interface. He grabbed a connector that hung nearest to him, and with the help of his phone, he attached the connector to the interface.         “Ow… this is cold,” Melody noted.         “Your warm body will do its job, don’t worry,” Phoenix said with an emotionless voice. He walked to a computer nearby, sat down, and started working on it.         As time went on, Melody were getting sadder and sadder. After an hour of silence, she sat down. She now couldn’t decide what was worse: that every creature only saw her as a lifeless robot since she left Equestria, or that the only one who knew her truly, wished her to be a lifeless robot. Why… why does this have to be so hard? she thought as small tears began to form in her eyes.         “WHAT HAPPENED?” Phoenix exclaimed in anger, still facing the monitor. The values on the screen went crazy on the second Melody started crying. Melody, startled by the loud voice of Phoenix, winced. After pressing a few more keys without result, Phoenix’s glare turned from the screen to the curled pony on the analyzer platform. His cold eyes met the teary eyes of Melody. He couldn’t bear it. The sight of the heart-broken mare dissipated his anger and replaced it with remorse. He hung his head with closed eyes. After a few seconds of silence, he opened his mouth to talk, but only faltering came out. “I’m… sorry. I… I just can’t… couldn’t give it up… my dream. I… wanted this job so much… my entire life… and when I got it… I must throw it away… for you.” He raised his head to look at Melody. Phoenix’s face was no longer cold and emotionless. Tears were flowing down from Phoenix’s eyes, to his neck.   Melody now understood. Understood why he was so cold, why he didn’t even want to talk to her. He had to choose between her and his life-dream, and he couldn’t let the later go.  She wanted to say thanks, wanted to comfort him, but she couldn’t. What could she say for such a sacrifice made for her, from someone she barely knew? She just sat there, silently. After a few minutes, Phoenix cried himself out. He took a deep breath and stood up. He slowly walked to Melody and detached the connector from her crest. The computer beeped a few times and some green lamps on the instruments turned to red. He put the connector back to the rest. “You can leave the platform, if you want,” Phoenix said. He walked back to his chair and sat down.   Melody didn’t get up. She hung down her head. I never thought that with my quest, I’d ruin the life of others. If I’d know, I… “Why were you sent, Melody?” Phoenix interrupted her thoughts. Melody looked up with wide eyes. The last thing she expected from Phoenix now was a question about her quest. “I… I was sent to find the Phoenix,” she said. Phoenix shook his head. “No, I already know that. What I was asking was why were you sent to find me? What was the reason that made your rulers to send you?” Melody nodded. “I don’t know every detail. Our ruler, Celestia, likes to have secrets. What she told me is that about three and a half years ago, she was visited by an angel.” “An angel?” The word made Phoenix jerk up his head. “Yes,” Melody confirmed. “The angel brought a message from Love. The message was that the hiding was not possible anymore, because the human technology had reached high level enough to see through the spell protecting Equestria. The message also contained that Celestia had to start the reintegration process of Equestria to the human world, and she had to find the Phoenix.” “Me,” Phoenix interrupted. Melody nodded. “Celestia asked the angel that how could she find the Phoenix. The angel answered that she needed to find the Harbinger of Equestria. He also gave her this,” she said and gently pushed the cross, hanging from her neck. “The amulet was made to identify and help the Harbinger in her quest to find the Phoenix.” “Hm. I guess for us the message makes sense, but I wonder if your princess understood the message three and a half years ago,” Phoenix said with a forced smile. Melody noticed that smile and her heart lightened up a bit. “She understood the first part, but had no idea about the second. She sent the amulet to the research teams to analyze it. At the same time she started phase one of the reintegration process that was the preparation of a human generation by disguised cultural and educational series.” Phoenix interrupted, “I think it wouldn’t be a wild guess from me to say it is the My Little Pony series that my daughter watches. But before you continue, tell me, why is Equestria hiding and where is it hiding?” Melody scratched her head. “I don’t know how I could tell you. I never saw any map of yours that had Equestria on it.” Phoenix frowned. This getting more and more weird. How could I help the reintegration of a nation that doesn’t even exist on the map? Maybe I should just give…NO! Phoenix shook his head. Melody saw the shake, but didn’t try to ask about it. What could she ask, ‘Everything is all right, Phoenix?’ Nothing is all right now. Therefore, she just silently waited a minute, then continued, “So as I said, Celestia started phase one. The first plan was to create the whole show and directly broadcast the episodes into your system. That idea was dismissed, as it’d have made us easily discoverable. So instead, the show was brought into the dreams of a small group of humans.” “What? How?” Phoenix asked.         “Our ruler, Princess Luna has the ability to walk into the dreams of others. So what she did was she interrupted those people’s dream, and literally played the episodes for them.” Phoenix tried to process the information he was hearing. “So, your princess manipulated people to create and broadcast a TV show that you created for preparing humans.” Melody nodded. “Then why didn’t Princess Luna walk into every human dream? Oh, wait, never mind. It’d have been a too big coincidence and you’d have been revealed.”         After waiting a few seconds, Melody continued, “It took one and a half year for the research team to finish with the amulet. They determined all its properties that you already know. It also had an extra ability, that helped in the identification of the Harbinger. The research team predicted that if the real Harbinger put it on the first time, a massive amount of energy would be released. Therefore, Celestia started the search. She sent out a team with the amulet to find the Harbinger. One day, they knocked on my door, showing the amulet, and asked me to try it on. I first tried to refuse, as I didn’t know who they were, but then they showed me an authorization with royal seal. So I had to put it on.” Melody smiled. “Those ponies were blinded for a few seconds by the light that emitted from my amulet. I should have been surprised or scared, but instead I felt… peace.” KNOCK KNOCK They both startled from the sudden interruption. “Mr. Freeman, it’s lunch time. The canteen is downstairs,” a muffled voice said. “Thank you, I’ll be there in five minutes,” Phoenix answered. He stood up and fetched his wallet from his case. He was about to leave the room, but before opening the door he turned to Melody. “Can I bring you something?” Melody touched her amulet. “I don’t need to eat until I wear this, and the last thing I’d ask you is to smuggle some food for me just to fulfill my desire to taste something.” Phoenix nodded and left the room. He walked down to the canteen on spiral stairs. After buying some meat-salad and a bottle of coke, he sat down next to his colleges. Three of them were in a long discussion about their research while the others were facing either them or their plates. Phoenix didn’t care. He didn’t want to hear how great subjects the others have chosen and how they enjoy working with them. After ten minutes, he couldn’t bear it anymore. He was about to stand up and eat alone, when… “Hello, Mr.Freeman,” a voice said from his right. He looked to his right to see a brown haired man, who was in his thirties. “Hello,” Phoenix answered coldly, and turned back to his plate. “My name is Joe Goldman,” the man said and offered his right hand. Phoenix looked up again. The last thing that he wanted now is to meet a new colleague and chit-chat about robotics. However, he still didn’t want to be rude. He shook Joe’s hand. “I’m Phoenix Freeman, nice to meet you,” Phoenix said, fighting with himself while saying the word ‘nice’. He picked up another piece of salad in his fork. “Nice to meet you! Ehm… not to be harsh or anything, but could you tell me any reason why you’ve chosen that toy as your subject?” Joe said while rubbing the back of his own neck. That was it. Phoenix’s fist crushed the plastic fork in his hand. “You want to know why? Really?” he asked and glared at Joe. “Because there can be two outcome of my research about that ‘toy’. Outcome one: I get fired in a week. Outcome two: I get into the Fox News and BBC as breaking news, also within a week,” Phoenix said, almost shouting. He also added with a sarcastic voice, “Or you know what? Maybe both.” The whole table was watching him. When Phoenix realized his situation, he looked around, picked up his food and went upstairs back to his room. Just as Phoenix left the stairs, the people at the table started gossiping about him. Phoenix stopped at his door. Was that really my motivation? He shook his head. No, of course not. Then why did I have to prove myself? Why I still want to be appreciated by my colleagues? Why I’m so weak? He hung his head. No, enough from self-pity! He raised his head again. I made my decision and I’ll accept the consequences! He opened his door. Melody was watching the still turned on monitor, trying to figure out what the things on the screen meant. She was startled by the sound of the door. “Don’t worry, it’s me,” Phoenix reassured her. Melody looked up at him, and noticed the salad in Phoenix’s hand. “I… I really didn’t need food.” Phoenix raised an eyebrow, then looked at his hand. “Ah… well… it wasn’t planned. This is my lunch.” “Wasn’t? What happened?” It was Melody’s time to raise an eyebrow. Phoenix walked to his chair and put down the plastic plate. “Complicated. I had to leave the canteen before I finished my lunch. I… I don’t know Melody,” he said and looked at her. “How this will end? Will we become some big heroes that people talk about for a month, then forget for the next affair they hear?” He sat down, hanging his head down. “Or will everyone hate us because we started something that resulted terrible things?” Melody didn’t respond. She walked to Phoenix and grabbed his left hand. Phoenix looked at her. She was looking into his eyes with her own big turquoise ones. “I don’t know what result will be of what we do, Phoenix. But, I know who started it. And I trust him. I trust him that whatever will come will be good, and he’ll finish, what he started. And if he chosen us to be his tools, then he’ll finish it with us.” Phoenix closed his eyes and…smiled. “Thank you.” Phoenix stood up and Melody released his hand. “I think the next thing should be to watch some episodes of your ‘cultural and educational series’”. He motioned to the computer. They walked to it, and Phoenix sat down. He glanced at Melody. “What’s the name of the first episode?” “Friendship is Magic,” Melody answered. “It was easy to remember as it has the same title as the show.” “Okay, let’s see what we find.” He went on YouTube, and typed in the whole name. He found a 44 minutes long video with ‘part 1 and 2’ in its name. “44 minutes long and two parter?” Melody smiled. “Kids are lack of patience. Celestia wanted to give only small amount of information per week so that it can build well into their minds.” Phoenix nodded in agreement. He remembered how hard it was to keep Sophie in one place for more than ten minutes. He then started the video and they watched it together. Phoenix could easily watch through the whole video, although the intro made her stomach twist. “Was this really necessary?” he asked as the “My Little Pony” theme rose up. Melody only chuckled in response. During the video, Melody explained the basics of the pony society. There are four pony races in Equestria. The earth ponies, who has great physical strength. The pegasi, who can fly and control the weather. The unicorns, who can use magic. Finally the alicorns, who both can fly and use magic, but only have four members in the entire world: Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Princess Twilight Sparkle. They were watching episodes through the rest of the day. However, the day ended. “What should I do with you, Melody?” Phoenix asked. “You can’t operate this type of light switch with hooves,” he said, pointing to a round dimmer on the wall. “Even if I leave the lights on, someone might come in after I left and turn it off.” He put his right hand on Melody’s shoulder. “I don’t want to leave you alone in the dark.” “Your care is a pleasure to my heart, but I don’t want to make you smuggle me out,” Melody answered with a soft smile.         Phoenix looked away, thinking. Maybe… maybe I could convince Mr. Johnson to allow me to bring her home. I just need to find a good reason. What about… ah! His eyes lit up. “Environment Change Examination!” “What?” Phoenix glanced at Melody. “I’ll tell Mr. Johnson that I want to examine your behavior in different environments, so I can bring you home! Just let’s hope that he haven’t left yet.” With that, Phoenix jumped to his feet and rushed out of the room. Melody watched him until he closed the door behind himself. Home. Where’s my home? At the farm in Ponyville? If there it is, then I wasn’t at home for more than a year. Or is it Equestria as a whole? It’s been less than two weeks since I left Equestria through the portal, but it feels like years. The door opened, and Phoenix came in, grinning. “He allowed it! I can bring you home! If… if you want of course.” Melody smiled. “I’d love to come with you. I can’t wait to meet with your daughter.” “Then let’s go!” Phoenix said, motioning to the doorway. They went through the corridors of the institution to the exit. They left the building and walked to Phoenix’s car. There, another problem arose. “Ehm… Melody? I have no idea how I could fit you in the car.” Melody walked to the window and looked into the vehicle. Then she smiled. “Don’t worry, I was taught by the best anthropologist in Equestria. Just open the door please.” Phoenix opened the door. Melody turned and walked backwards into the car, then stood on her hind legs with some effort, turned left, and pushed herself back. She sat down with a small thud. Phoenix was staring at Melody, who was now sitting in a position of a bipedal creature. “Isn’t that… uncomfortable?” Melody shook her head. “It was at the beginning, but my teacher, Lyra Heartstrings, helped me master it. Now I feel perfectly fine.” Eh… why I’m still surprised at anything? Phoenix sat into the car and drove home. “Sophie, I’m at home and I brought a guest!” Phoenix cried. Sophie stood up on the sofa in the living room. Her eyes and her mouth went wide. “A PONY!” she exclaimed. She ran to them, but stopped at a step before Melody. “Can I touch it?” Phoenix nodded. “Of course, darling.” Sophie touched Melody’s leg. “It’s so cold,” she said. “Well she looks like a robot, doesn’t she?” Sophie looked up at Phoenix. “She?” Oh dang, Sophie is so observant. “Yes, hehe… she looks like a female robot after all.” Sophie looked back at Melody. “What’s your name, pony?” “Melody Harbinger, nice to meet you Sophie!” Phoenix first glared at Melody, but then shrugged. Like if it’d matter what name she uses at home. Still, we need to keep a low profile and a six-year-old girl who goes to school is the best way to get Melody’s cover blown and we don’t want that. Or do we? “Ow!” “Oh sorry, I didn’t know your eyes hurt.” Melody put her hoof to her eye. “It’s okay.” “Sophie, why don’t you go to the living room with Melody while I make some nice dinner?” “Okay dad,” Sophie said. She grabbed Melody’s leg and pulled her to the direction of the living room. Melody smiled and let her guide to lead them to the living room. Phoenix was watching them. I can’t do this alone. I need someone to help me. Someone who is a master at these pony things. And I just happen to know the right person. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and called someone, he knew well. “Carl Thummer, how can I help you?” the voice said from the phone. “Hey Carl! It’s Phoenix.” “Hey Phoenix, what’s up, man?” “I’d like to ask for your help in a… pony problem.” “Pony? Where are you Phoenix, in a quiz game?” “No, no, no. I’m at home. Could you come over?” “Uhm… I still need to do a few things. Maybe an hour later?” “It’s fine, as long as your come.” “Okay then, see you at about 18:30!” “See you, bye.” “Bye.” Phoenix hung up the phone, and walked into the kitchen. After five minutes, Giggles and chuckles arose in the living room while Phoenix was making the dinner. Phoenix left the kitchen and peeked into the living room. Melody was tickling Sophie on the ground. Phoenix leaned to the doorframe, watching the happy girls having fun. “Hihihi… please stop… haha… please!” “Oh really? Why would I?” Melody asked without stopping. “Be…hihi…because dad is… hihi… dad is at the door.” Melody stopped and looked up to the door. “Oh, hi Phoenix!” Sophie was panting on the floor. “Is…is the dinner ready?” “Oh… no I just heard you laughing and wanted to check what’s going on,” Phoenix answered. “And what’s for dinner?” Sophie asked. “Beef stew. Oh Melody, I guess you are a vegetarian. What can I make for you?” Melody didn’t answer. She looked dumbfounded and glanced at Sophie. “Do robots eat?” Sophie asked, blinking. Phoenix gave himself a mental facepalm. “Ehm… Maybe? Maybe Melody can simulate eating, so she can join us at dinner. Wouldn’t you like it?” “Yes, yes of course! Can you eat Melody?” Melody smiled. “Yes I can. Any vegetable will be fine.” Phew, that was close. “Okay then I’ll boil a portion of vegetables for you,” Phoenix said and left the room. “What should we play next?” Sophie asked. “Oh, do you know that game, the Hop and Drop? It goes like this…” Although Melody could sit on a human chair, certain designs made it uncomfortable for her to bend forward and eat from a table. So she just stood instead, having big bites from the carrots, broccolis and all the other kinds of vegetables.  She ate like she haven’t eaten for weeks, which was true, but not in the common meaning.  She smiled as the different flavors were released from the pieces in her mouth. Sophie was watching Melody. “Wow dad, she loves eating!” “This tastes so good,” Melody stated, munching on a carrot. The doorbell rang. Oh, Carl. I completely forgot about him. Phoenix stood up and started walking to the door. Melody looked up at Phoenix. “Should I?” Phoenix glanced back and shook his head. Sophie was looking at Melody. “What should you? Oh, are robots illegal to keep at home?” “I don’t think so,” Melody answered. “However, it must be a very rare thing to have a pony robot at home.  Maybe not everyone should know that your dad has one.” Phoenix opened the door.  A thin and brown-haired man stood on the doormat. He was as tall as Phoenix and a little older than him. “Hi Carl, come in.” “Heya Phoenix! Sorry for the delay.” “CARL!” Sophie exclaimed from the lunch table. Carl stepped in, just to be almost pushed out by Sophie’s jump. “Ah! Hi Sophie! How’s my favorite princess?” Carl asked and lifted up the girl hugging his legs. “You won’t believe it. Dad brought home a pony! A real, robot pony!” “Wow! Can I see it?” “Yes! She’s at the kitchen table,” Sophie said, pointing to the dining room. Carl walked into the room. When Carl spotted Melody, his eyes went wide. “Oh my gosh! Where did you get that, Phoenix?” “She’s my research subject,” Phoenix answered. Carl put down Sophie. He walked to Melody. Melody was staring at him, not sure how to react. Carl spoke first. “Can you… talk?” “Yes I can. I’m Tro… I mean Melody Harbinger. Nice to meet you, ehm…” “I’m Carl Thummer, nice to meet you.” He glanced back to Phoenix. “Jeez Phoenix, this thing is really advanced. I never thought technology develops so fast.” He was turning his head back to Melody, but stopped when he caught the sight of the plate in front of Melody. The meal was almost eaten. “Since when can robots eat?” “Oh, dad said she is simulating the eating.” Carl frowned. “Ah… sure.” Okay, it’s time. “Carl, Melody, could you please follow me to the office? Sophie, please stay at the table and finish your meal. We have some adult talk to do.” Sophie shrugged. “Whatever,” she said and sat back to the table. The three walked into the office room. Phoenix closed the door behind them, then turned to his friend. “Carl, how much can I trust you?” Carl looked straight into the eyes of Phoenix. “Phoenix, even if you stole this thing. I’m at your side. You know it.” Phoenix nodded. “Thank you.” He turned to the pony. “Melody, can you undo your disguise?” Melody looked at Phoenix. “Are you sure this is a good idea? The only one who should see me truly, is you.” “We can trust him. And I’m sure he’ll help us.” Melody sighed. “So, be it.” She put his hoof between his amulet and her neck, and put it off herself. Carl saw as the robot in front of him did something at its neck, then moved its hoof aside. A shining, white circle appeared at the bottom of Melody and moved up to her top. Her metal body became a coat, her mane and tail became real hair, her eyes turned to turquoise with a black pupil, and a turquoise flower appeared at her ear. He also saw that the pony was holding a white cross in her hoof. Carl just stood there, not able to say a word for minutes. Melody nervously glanced at Phoenix. Phoenix nodded with closed eyes and held up his hand. Carl stepped forward to Melody. Melody gulped. Carl stepped another and raised his open hand towards Melody. Should I run away?  Melody thought, but she took her stand. Carl touched her mane and caressed it. “You… Are you real?” Carl stammered. “I am,” Melody answered. Carl crouched down. “You… you’re like them. You look like Pinkie Pie, and Twilight, and Applejack.” Carl turned to Phoenix, tears forming in his eyes. “Tell me Phoenix, am I dreaming?” Phoenix shook his head. “No, you are not. Melody is from Equestria.” Carl looked back to Melody. “But… how?” Phoenix sighed. “From what I understood, the cartoon that you watch with my daughter is not a cartoon. The ponies you see on the screen are real actresses.” Melody’s eyes went wide open. “Do you watch our show?” “Yes. I do,” Carl answered. “I… I thought Princess Celestia made it for little girls, like Sophie.” “No Melody, there are millions of adults, who watch My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,” Carl said. Phoenix watched them. He was not sure if the pony or the human was more surprised. “They call themselves bronies, Melody. Painters, drawers, voice actors and actresses, programmers, writers and other artists. They’re all connected and inspired by the show your nation makes.” “I… I didn’t expect this. This is wonderful!” Melody exclaimed. “Maybe, if you know us… maybe you could help?” “Ah yes. Carl, that’s the reason why I called you. We need your help. Melody was sent here to find me. It seems as, well…” he scratched his head. “I know it might sound strange but… I think…” “Love’s chosen him to be the ambassador of the humans,” Melody finished. “Yeah… Love. I think God calls himself as Love in Equestria. Not that surprising.” He stopped scratching his head. “Anyways, the problem is that I have absolutely no idea what to do. Equestria wants to come back from hiding and wants to reintegrate to our world. And since you’re an expert in pony things, I thought you could help.” Carl sniffed. “Are the others also real? Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy? Are they really alive in a real Equestria?” “Of course,” Melody said with a smile. “They’re the Spirits of Harmony after all. It’d be really bad for Equestria if they wouldn’t exist.” Someone gasped outside the room. They all looked there. Phoenix frowned. He walked to the door and said to it, without opening, “It is very rude to eavesdrop, Sophie.” “Robots can’t eat, can they?” a thin voice said from outside. Phoenix opened the door. Sophie was standing in front of him. Sophie spied into the room and spotted Melody, undisguised. Her eyes went wide open. Phoenix crunched down and looked into the eyes of his daughter. “Sophie, what you see now is a very big secret. You can’t tell anybody that Melody is a real pony.” “Not even to Susan?” she asked. Susan was her best friend. “Nobody. If you do, bad people’ll come here, and take Melody away. You don’t want that, do you?” Sophie shook his head. “Good.” Phoenix stoop up. “Since you now know what’s going on, you can stay in the office room. But keep every word here as a secret.” “I’m sorry dad,” she hung her head down. “I heard a woman speaking from the room, but I didn’t see anyone else go in with you.” “Well, that was me,” Melody said. “Wow, your voice so beautiful,” Sophie said. Melody smiled. “Thank you, princess,” she teased her and bowed. “Hey, I’m a queen! That goes to Carl also! Why… why’re you crying?” “Me oh… well, let’s say my dream has come true,” Carl answered. “Anyways, Sophie, we were discussing that how could we help Melody to bring Equestria back to our world.” “Maybe we could ask the bronies. Would they help, Carl?” Melody asked. Carl nodded. “Definitely. We could… Maybe… Yes!” His face lit up. “We could make a video, where we ask for their help. After that we could send it to Equestria Daily.” “Won’t they think it’s fake?” Phoenix asked. “Eh… I didn’t think on that.” Phoenix scratched his head. “A video isn’t a bad idea just… Oh yes, we’ll make it uncut!” Melody cocked an eyebrow. “What?” “We’ll start the recording and record everything, even our mistakes. Then we won’t do any edit, but upload it directly as is. This way, whoever analyses our video will see that it’s real. We just need a camera.” “Isn’t your camera enough?” Sophie asked. “Nah, it’s a crappy webcam. We need a proper one,” Phoenix answered. “I’ll buy one tomorrow. I wanted to buy a camera anyways,” Carl said. “Great! It’s settled then. Tomorrow night, let’s say 20:00, Carl will come with the camera and we’ll make a video. We still need some proper speech. I truly suck at making speeches though.” “I’ll do that part,” Melody offered. “Good, is it okay Carl? Can you come at 20:00?” Phoenix asked. “Sure thing.” “Then everything is really settled now. So,” Phoenix clapped his hand, “we have a brony, a six-year-old girl, and a living colorful pony from Equestria in one house. Forget about tomorrow, let’s have some fun!” The rest of the night went on with playing, sweet consuming and talking. Carl and Sophie also learned the way how Melody had been sent. They also learned that Melody had to spend more than a year in Canterlot, getting ready for her trip. They finished the night with watching a few episodes of the show they all loved. Eventually, they all got tired. Carl said his goodbyes and left. Melody offered to sleep on the sofa in the living room. After everyone took a bath, Melody and Sophie together, they all went to their rooms, laid on their beds and fell asleep.