The Bridge Between Worlds

by Artemis Orion


Chapter 35: Promises

Promises


Daylight was just breaking over the mostly peaceful, little town of Ponyville. But only a few were awake as the wee hours of the morning began, and fewer were the number of ponies who knew of the events of the past week. Some even said that the Human visitor had just disappeared, but such speculations were dismissed when that same human had arrived in the infirmary a couple of days ago.

As was a requirement of his job, a rough old colt with a smoke grey mane was up and ready to work. It was his duty to be awake before everypony else. Even now, as most of the ponies still slept, Ingot was busy preparing for the day ahead. He had to stoke the furnace, fill the slack tub, and clean the forge. Normally, such tasks in the morning would seem hard and tedious, but he had been doing it for years. He had no cause for complaint doing what he did, and over the years, it had become a daily routine. The old black colt continued with his duties, and hadn't noticed that a figure with two legs had strolled casually up to the entrance of the Smithy. The human cleared his throat, bringing Ingot's attention to what he thought was the first customer of the day. His expression changed to surprise when he turned to find his only human customer had returned, with nothing but an old yellow scroll in one of his hands.

"Ah, Keith! You've returned!" He greeted his only human customer with a delighted tone, but wasn't loud enough to wake the rest of his family. He propped the broom which was in his mouth up against a wall before approaching. "Funny thing is, most of us thought you had already left."

"Good to see you again, Ingot." Keith replied with a small nod. "But what they said is half true. I will be leaving soon. I promise I'll be back. But until then, I'd like to ask another favour of you, if you don't mind." Keith groggily fumbled with the knot for a moment. Ingot could see that this creature with digits wasn't used to being awake at this hour. He began to unroll the scroll with his hands; one of the few body parts that continued to separate him from everypony. "Would you mind if I requested another weapon?"

"Well, I don't see why not." The blacksmith shrugged, motioning Keith to a wooden table on one side of the forge. Once they sat down, Keith lightly placed the scroll onto the table. What Ingot saw made him more surprised. He had expected it to be a letter, but instead, it was another blueprint. A far more complex one than the sword's. The document contained physics diagrams; with optimal trajectory calculations and mathematical formulas. It had measurements down to the slightest centimeter, and as aged as the paper was, it was still legible.

"Nope. No can do, Human." The colt shook his head and slid the paper back across the table to Keith. "As detailed as these blueprints are, I believe this exceeds my ability. Sure, I could make you a sword, but this? This is different." Both himself and Keith sagged their shoulders. The silence was interrupted as the door leading into the blacksmith's house opened with a creak. Out of the door came a younger, more chiseled version of his Father.

"'Morning, Son, you're up early." Ingot waved a front leg. His son wasn't a small filly, but more to that of a colt in the middle of his teenage years. Even his coat was identical to his Father's, and had the same black iris colour in his eyes. The only visible difference was that he looked less unkempt and more toned.

"'Morning Father. Human." He bowed is head slightly. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Mind if I take a little peek?" The young colt trotted to the table.

Keith slowly slid the paper to the end of the table where Ingot's son stood, unsure of whether to trust this colt. He picked it up and examined it with interest.

"Oh yes, I forgot you haven't really met yet!" Ingot smiled and gestured to the younger copy of him. "His name is Driscoll. My son and apprentice, but I think he has more ability than me. A chip off the old block huh?" The blacksmith chuckled while his son drew a small smile. "As for that crossbow thingy, I don't think I will really be of much help."

"It's okay then, I got the feeling I was asking too much of you anyway." The human got up and sighed.

"Honestly, I would help if I could. But if I tried, you would only get a pretty little wooden model looking on the outside with no mechanisms inside. I'm almost useless at those-"

"I'll do it!" exclaimed an excited voice. Both of them turned to Driscoll with puzzled expressions.

"Now hang on, Son, you sure you want to take up that little project?" The father of the enthusiastic colt asked with a cautious tone.

"It couldn't hurt right? I see a good challenge in making it." Driscoll never took his eyes of the scroll once. "And besides; I've seen slightly similar weapons when I studied in Canterlot for those couple of years."

"You studied in Canterlot?" The human asked in slight disbelief.

"Physics, engineering, and crafting." He said proudly. But Keith couldn't help but notice that Driscoll had no cutie mark. His grey flank was empty, yet he boasted of such accomplishments. Keith decided not to bring that up. "So, yes, I'll take on this little project. But don't expect anything amazing on the first try." Driscoll picked up a random tack off the table and proceeded to hang it along the far wall, next to the page with the sword's blueprints.

"I can't thank you guys enough." Keith chuckled, then slowly rose from the table. He had yet to tell them the nature of his hospital stay, or his current physical condition, but it didn't seem important at the time. All that mattered was that he was still alive, and he was content with just that. Placing both hands inside his hoodie pockets, he turned to exit. "But I'm afraid I have to go. There's one more thing I have to take care of."

"When shall you return, Human?" Ingot stayed in his seat. Looking up at me with a raised brow.

Keith looked up thoughtfully. He knew he would be back. That was certain. But when?

"Uh... soon." Keith turned to leave the smithy, but stopped in his tracks. "Oh, and I almost forgot..." From his hoodie pocket, Keith withdrew a small sack of bits, jingling every time the sack was swung. He tossed the sack onto the anvil at the entrance, clinking as it hit the hard metal surface. And before the blacksmith or his apprentice could protest, he turned the corner, waving over his shoulder another last goodbye.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


By now, the sun was almost in full view, and more ponies had appeared to continue in their average daily lives. I was just on my way to town hall when I began to think of how their average lives meant getting the town destroyed every other week, one way or another. Maybe they had just gotten used to it.

It didn't take long to reach town hall. When I arrived, the Mane Six were already waiting along the patio. No matter what, it always made me happy to see them. They looked up as I drew nearer to the building.

"Good morning everypony!" I said gleefully. All six of them returned the greeting in their own unique fashion. All of them had agreed to come bright and early to the Town Hall for this occasion, even though I told them it wasn't needed.

"Well then, shall we?" Rarity, followed by the others, entered the building. Inside, the Town Hall was impressive, both in architecture and the uses it served. On one side, racks of shelves held scrolls and letters that were either sent or received, and were arranged accordingly. On the opposite end, a polished wooden stairway lead to the higher floors of the building. And at the far wall, facing the entrance, was one single row of small old, yet classy-looking counters. Twilight told me that due to lack of political activity in Ponyville, the counters were used for almost everything. There was little need for anything else anyway.

At the counter stood one colt, dressed neatly in a black suit and tie. He was busily sorting out letters and documents when we approached the counter. It took him a second to notice, of which he then changed from his frantic attitude to a more calm and collected behaviour. With a single smile, he nodded.

"Good morning, mares. Good morning, Human." He greeted politely. Before any of us could say a word, he continued. "Oh, I already know why you're here, Sir. Allow me to get the Mayor; she's the only one with the right authority..." With that, he lifted the counter bar and cantered up the stairs to retrieve the Mayor, leaving us to wait downstairs.

Applejack lightly nudged my side. "How ya feelin', cowboy?" She asked in her typical southern accent.

"I feel better, more flexible even." I commented plainly. It was true, but what worried me more was that the people on Earth who knew me may notice something different. "The scar, however..."

"It'll heal. Just give it time." Fluttershy said assuringly.

Before the conversation could go on, the Mayor cantered down the stairs. The old Earth pony took every step with pride. "Greetings, Ponies... and Human." She said sheepishly. "The Princess told us you would be coming before she left for Canterlot." She proceeded behind the counter and pulled a big, thick brown book. She dropped it onto the counter, producing a large puff of dust. Waving away the dirt, the words embedded on the front of the hard cover read 'Registration and Citizenship'.

"Now, Keith, before we proceed, we must ask that you have thought through this decision carefully?" The Mayor of Ponyville placed her gaze on me with a small smile, awaiting an answer.

Suddenly, I felt slightly nervous. I turned to my new found friends and favourite television characters, as if looking for some form of confirmation.

"Well don't look at us, Keithy!" Pinkie Pie bounced up excitedly. "It's your choice, not ours!" The rest of the Mane Six agreed, nodding and giving words of encouragement. The smile on my face just grew wider. It felt great knowing that friends like these were there when they were needed. It felt like a certain bond had been made, seeing as all of us had placed our lives in each other's hands and hooves over the past week or so, and yet it felt like it was only just the beginning.

"I''ve made my decision already." I said, stepping up closer to the counter. "Why wouldn't I want to stay? Sure I've almost been killed multiple times already, but this is still a damn good place to live!"

"Glad to see how confident you are in your decision." The Mayor pulled a scroll from behind the counter and unrolled it in front of me. The grey-maned Earth pony also produced a quill and an inkwell. It turned out that the scroll was actually a form, with the Royal Symbol of Equestria at the head. Lines were drawn where I was required to fill in my particulars, and I did as such. The Mane Six sat further away from the registration booth, because of both privacy and regulation. But they still watched me anxiously, and honestly, it just made me more nervous.

One section required me to place a 'hoofmark'. The Mayor noticed this and in an awkward gesture, said that I could place my thumbprint as a substitute.

As I returned the filled scroll. I glanced at them again. They returned it with smiles of assurance, and for a second, I thought I saw Pinkie's hoof form a thumbs up.

The Mayor took a minute to skim over the contents of the scroll before binding it and replacing it on the shelf. It was placed under a heading that read 'Canterlot'. At this point, the colt we had first come in to see came downstairs, carrying an even bigger book, but in better condition. He carefully put it down in front of the Mayor. I noticed it had no title or any other sign of words on its cover. It only had the symbol of the Equestrian flag. The Mayor cleared her throat, then adressed me with a more authoritative tone.

"Sir, please place your hoo-er... hand here." I placed my hand on the hard over of the nameless book. But by now, I was quite sure of what it was for.

"Keith Conway, Human of Earth," It was the first time anyone here had addressed me with my surname. The Mayor began the vow of citizenship. She raised her right hoof, and I raised my right hand. Strangely enough, I felt nervous and confident at the same time.

"Do you hereby agree to the laws of Equestria and abide to them respectively?"

"I do."

"Will you, in any given date or time, do your part for the nation, be it social, civil, or otherwise stated?"

"I will."

"And last but not least: Do you promise to live happily in this land, as you are or as you may choose to live, on your own accord and free will?"

"This is a weird Oath."

"I promise!" I responded hastily.

"Then by the power invested in me by the Royal Sisters, I pronounce thee, a citizen of Equestria!" With those words, the book began to glow a faint light, similar to the sun's. It grew brighter with every passing moment my hand lay on it, sending a fuzzy wave up my arm and through my buddy. For a split second, it flashed, then disappeared entirely.

"Your name has been synchronized with the Canterlot's citizen archive." The Mayor stated in satisfaction. "Congratulations, Mr Conway. Welcome home!"

Out of the blue, a pastel-coloured pony pounced onto my back. The Mane Six cheered and laughed as Pinkie Pie overpowered me and brought me to the floor. Catching my breath, I giggled a little as well. But I was preoccupied. Now was the hard part.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


By now, the sun was bright in the sky as the hustle and bustle of any usual day took its toll. Unfortunately, I wasn't there to enjoy it. I, followed by the Mane Six, strolled slowly to the outskirts of town. Nopony really said anything since the registration, and the seven of us just moved in a silent group.

We crossed the stream, by the bridge. The sight seemed very familiar. A memory of Grey Ghost back in Limbo popped back into my head, when he spoke to me off the bridge between our worlds. I wondered when would be the best time to tell the others of his existence.

Soon, we reached our destination. It was a small hill with a big oak tree, shading half the path. From here, it was a vantage point a place where the whole town of Ponyville was visible, along with the Royal Castle and Canterlot in the background. The sight was definitely picture-worthy.

"Well... we're here." I came to a halt right beneath the tree. It was the very same spot that the ponies found me. "Y'know, it didn't feel that long ago that this all started." A small sadness came over me, but I knew it wasn't the last I would be seeing of these ponies.

"Remember how Applejack bucked you in the head?" Rainbow Dash began, but was cut off by Applejack, who gave her a sharp glare.

"I won't be forgetting anytime soon." I said softly. I patted my pockets, making sure that I had everything I had arrived with. The items I had gained over the journey I left at Twilight's basement, where Trotter was temporarily staying until he could settle in elsewhere.

The silence grew longer, delaying the imminent farewell. Pinkie's mane deflated just slightly, but not till it was flat. Fluttershy looked down, concentrating on some insignificant speck. Applejack and Rainbow Dash shared a look of anxiety while Rarity wiped a tear from her eye. Twilight just smiled, staying strong for her friends.

"I've been here for quite a while already, but it feels like I've hardly seen anything yet." I stifled a chuckle.

"Do you really have to go?" Pinkie Pie was almost pleading. "Really really reallllyy??"

"Yes Pinkie. As ironic as it is that I just got my Equestrian Citizenship, up to now I still have no idea what's been going on on Earth. I should at least go back to check, and let them know I'm okay." I kneeled down, bringing myself beneath her face level, and wrapped my arms around her pink coat. "But don't worry, I'll be back. I promise."

"Pinkie Promise?"

"Heh, yeah... Pinkie Promise."

The whole group then proceeded to join in the embrace. A final group hug before my departure. I held it for a precious few seconds. I slowly slid my hand to my Iphone, breaking the embrace. Taking a step back, I aimed the camera at the six ponies, all of which looked puzzled at what I was doing with the white rectangle.

"Smile girls!" The camera flashed, catching the full three-dimensional view of the Mane Six, the town, and Canterlot. "That's a keeper." It was a memory captured in more ways than one.

"Well, I can't delay it much longer." I took the Medallion up into my hand. The object that started it all was my only way home. "I must go. My people need me!" I waved one last time at my new friends.

This is the beginning of a great friendship!

I shut my eyes and concentrated. Focused. Slowly, a draught of wind blew by, and it grew stronger and stronger. With my eyes still shut I heard their voices shouting their last goodbyes, but they became faint. In an instant, I felt the ground beneath me give way. I was floating, or drifting very slowly downwards, increasing in speed. One last goodbye echoed before I opened my eyes again, to find myself falling for the second time through the rainbow tunnel that I knew lead home.

I wasn't panicking, or gasping for air like the first time. This time I was calm. Relieved. Like a blissful free fall in an endless space.

But it couldn't last forever.

The fall felt like no more than ten seconds before it ended at a tunnel of light. I readied myself feet-first, and broke through the end. I landed on the balls of my feet, predicting the amount of force for landing. At least I was getting used to it pretty quickly. I slowly got up, checked to make sure everything was intact.

I was slightly excited to see my family again, but wasn't really eager to make an excuse for my absence. With luck, my parents would still be out of the country. I surveyed the area in a careless need to know I was in the correct time and place. It was the same park, in the same neighbourhood, and most likely in the same country. From what I could see, nothing had changed.

On a whim, I drew my phone from my pocket and looked into my photos. The last photo I took before I had left had turned into a two-dimensional cartoon, almost like a screenshot from the show itself. Anyone else could say it was what it was, but to me, it was more than that.

Sighing, I pocketed the device, and wrapped my hands around the Medallion. Now, even in this world, they are with me, and not just in cartoons.

I would be back.

And they knew it.

The End








...of Part 1 anyway...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stay tuned for the next chapter---> The story appendix and Q&A


Oh, and a sneak peek at the sequel, of course!