This story is a sequel to The Best of All Possible Worlds
For generations, humanity has dreamed of discovering intelligent life out in the stars. To say that ending that search in downtown Pasadena was a surprise would be an understatement.
Princess Luna had herself a simple mission: Track Twilight Sparkle and her friends through a malfunctioning portal to Earth, and get them out without being noticed. Luna had no desire to establish permanent relations, or even to stay and talk. After all, both princesses were convinced from previous experience that humans were nothing but trouble.
It appears that both parties have much to learn about each other.
Present-day follow-up to "The Best of All Possible Worlds". "Alternate Universe" tag is because it pretty quickly diverges from Season Two continuity.
Woo! Sequel!
This has been up for SECONDS. I followed the pop up about a new notification to get here. And someone has ALREADY disliked it. You're so popular you already have a hater!
EDIT: And now it says 0 dislikes. Ignore me, I'm probably hallucinating.
Pasadena, Texas or Pasadena, California?
2433636
The one with the Rose Bowl Parade in it.
If they both have Rose Bowl Parades, then you get to pick which one you want it to be.
2433642
California it is then. You might wanna clarify that.
2433688
You mean like in the last word of the first paragraph of Chapter 1?
(And yes, it was there the whole time.)
Oho, a new story do I spy?
i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/293/590/6f6.gif
2433636
We have a Pasadena, Texas?
Oooh ooh ooh.
Be sure to include the B-2 flyover. Best part of the parade.
I wanna see Twilight's face when it slowly dawns on her exactly how badly she screwed up...
And then Celestia pokes her head through. "Hello there humans! Tell me, does your kind still murder each other over silly issues? You do? Oh, well, in that case--"
And then the ponies disappear and are never heard from again.
~THE END~
2433845
http://www.ci.pasadena.tx.us/
I'd say there is.
It's a suburb of Houston.
2433863
Ah, so you are aware of which year this is.
Edit: Wait, no, sorry. There was no B-2 flyover in the 2010 parade. I'll need to fix that in my copy before I post it.
2433901
From the Austin area so I know squat about Houston
2433927
Dallas myself.
I only know about it because I had a robotics competition I attended in a town right next to it.
Voltaire's padded cell? Who in their right mind thought THAT was a good theme for a float?
I'm utterly embarrassed that I only now connect that Voltaire showing up in Equestria two-and-a-half centuries before the time of the show would put the time of the show at roughly modern-day...
2434112
Well, it is the backup float. For a snowboarding bulldog float. You've got to be pretty bad if they picked that over you.
Oh Celestia, you know when it comes to human you aren't ever that lucky.
2434122 I guess
I am surprised that Celestia had this reaction, considering that she seemed to be impressed with Voltaire. In fact I seem to recall a point in their time together in the woods where she takes up the side of humanity when Voltaire seems to despair for our future.
"Follow-up to Best of All Possible Worlds"
BUCK YEAH.
Good... could use more.
Please? Look at this face.
Now look at my avatar.
You wouldn't say no to that, right?
Heh, and of all possible moments and places, they had to pop up right there in the middle of everything. This should be good.
Jesus Christ on a Triscuit.
...
Best Phrase Evah.
XD NOPE.AVI
Isn't "if we're lucky" among the famous Murphy's law invokers?
Ah. Sympathetic magic plus Discordant influence plus time-pressed Twilight plus the legacy of Voltaire equals...
Well, this story. I look forward to what comes of this. Madness, assuredly, but what kind of madness?
I read the end of this chapter, slowly realizing what was about to unfold and repeating "oh god" to myself while trying not to smirk and facepalm simultaneously.
Also, hah, "Voltaire spent a night in 1751 to acquaint himself with the conditions that the insane and the poor had to deal with on a daily basis." Did Voltaire spread that jelly, or was it someone else's butterknife?
Poor Spike, left behind again. Colorful ponies AND a dragon would have made quite the splash at a parade! As it is...geeze, they're just tatooed, strangely expressive, flying, mono-horned, colorful equines. Psh~
Nothing to see here folks.
You jinxed it, Celestia!
Sequel?
...
Hold my calls!
Actually ...
There's a chance they'd be mistaken for
midgetslittle peoplein horse costumes.
When Pinkie Pie is worried then you know you have issues.
Well, Pinkie, often times, you're given rhymes that are quite unsingable. At least you dine well here in Canterlot. Well, if you were in Canterlot.
In any case, three questions immediately come to mind:
1. How much does Pinkie know about humans?
2. How does she know it?
3. Does anyone in the crowd speak Hungarian?
2438764
Err...Equine is not actually Hungarian. It just has the same grammar as Hungarian. Acoustically, it sounds like whinnies, snorts, and other horse-like utterances.
On second thought, that actually is a very pertinent question...
...I really hate self-righteous people.
Is it necessary to read all of the previous story for this to make sense?
Ah, the delicate business of first contact...
2439098
Doesn't seem like it so far...
2439060 Yes.
2439098 Not yet.
2438881
Don't make assumptions, McPoodle! Fanofmosteverything didn't say he thought Equestrian was Hungarian! Maybe fanofmosteverything speaks Hungarian and their knee jerk response to a crowd is to contemplate communication with it. It is a perfectly reasonable reaction to have.
That or fanofmosteverything is NOT a fan of Hungarian, and was wondering what emotional response they should have to the scene. Fanofmosteverything does not equal fanofeverything, after all.
Now don't you feel foolish?
2439274
No of course not. This is a pony site. We are allowed to feel foalish, but never foolish.
2439098
You'll be fine. Just ignore anytime any character mentions "Voltaire" or "Ovid" or "what the royal griffons do for fun". (
Hush, Rarity.)
I'm guessing Brush My Horsey is the MLP-analogue here?
2439433
Yeah, although in this case it's purely a toy line, with no fantasy cartoon tie-ins whatsoever.
2438881
But Pinkie paid for those mail order Hungarian lessons and BY GOLLY they're gonna be USEFUL!
Or maybe someone out there speaks latin...
oh boy this is getting good
When it comes to first contact it's not about what goes right, it's about moving past whatever goes wrong.
2439453
No cartoon tie-in? But how will they market their toys?
2439750
Well, those Leafy Green Tykes managed to do pretty well without one...
That Amy is one sensible gal, and I like the sheriff, he's running a tight ship. Also I bet that Edie's ability to speak French will come in handy... there is that one cap in the Canterlot archive after all.
2439453 I would have watched Ponies in Space
This can only end well...