Where is Everybody? thirty nine.

I couldn't believe it. Would not. There's just no way. After years of stashing away a fortune, stuff my mattress with cash, run my own business, this witch just takes it all away from me in an instant. Worse, I lose my neighbor. There's just no justice. Is it right? Is it fair? No, no, absolutely not! I'll get her. I'll get her if it takes me a century. If it is the last thing I ever do! If I have to use this flask she gave me and its contents, I will.. but I won't use them yet. That has to be an absolute last resort.

I just realised Mr Harper is still hugging me, an saying he's sorry. Sunny is doing the same, giving useless condolences. Would Eloise be this bitter? What is she thinking of? Will she be thinking she got ripped off? Will she become an equiphobe like myself? I sure hope not.

"I sure do hope you can forgive me."

What???

"Trust me, this was not the most ideal decision, but it was all we had. I know you think ill of me, and very likely want me dead. That can be arranged."

I was completely taken by surprise by this. Was she really making it this easy?

Lyle spoke. "Do you really think that wise, dear?"

"Yes, Lyle, my lad. This clot needs to know what he is dealing with, what awaits him, and how he can help his friends and neighbors. And his sweet filly friend."

That last bit creeped me out. I hadn't dated. I never tied the knot. I never knocked her up, nor did i intend to. It may not even be possible. But bring it on.

"Punch me."

With pleasure. I punched her square in the face with all I've got. She fell down. I think I even broke her nose. She got right back up, only in pain, but no serious injury. How can that be? She's bleeding through her sinuses, and she doesn't even care?

"Here, maybe this will make it easier, Maket." She handed me a razor sharp knife, which I promptly planted in her heart. I fully expected her to collapse to the floor. She did not. She just stood there with a knife in her heart, and pulled it back out again.

"You cannot kill an 'evil, all powerful' witch monarch like me that easily. If you did deliver a serious blow, I would be in pain, incapacitated even, but I would invariably make a full recovery. I have done so a number of times in the past. It would take something like one of your hydrogen bombs to do the trick. I heard they are so powerful and widespread individually, detonating one would instantly incinerate anything biological for miles and miles around, and vaporise metal and water alike totally. Only things made from stone remain. The idea, though, I hope you do not entertain."

I had had my hopes dashed in a flash. Even now, I could see her nose regaining its regular shape, and the wound in her chest was rapidly healing.

"Do not fret, though. You will not remember this conversation in five hours. I have seen to it that anyone who hears this info will forget about it upon leaving this house, and remember it upon coming back. Lyle has been prepping all three of you to regain you memories of this occasion at a certain time, which is twelve tomorrow. It is then that you will come back, this reveal will come back to you, and I will give you three the good news. You will not forget me or this house, as I think you will not hate me forever. You will also recall not to lose that bottle nor squander its contents. Just not why."

Sunny took me by the neck and led me out, leaving Lyle and the abomination to their own devices. That mirror will be mine.

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For real this time, I got it. The bracelet hovered for five full seconds two inches off of the table this time. Anthony applauded at me in his new, unique way by pounding the floor. The sound was louder than clapping. I never thought this would happen. This doesn't happen in reality. Then people don't suddenly find themselves in horse bodies the next instant either, so all's fair game.

Monica, Angela and Sweet were watching, too, and they all responded the same way. They all pounded the floor to show their enthusiasm. This invisible magnet in my head will greatly simplify my life if it can be applied to anything else. I almost lost this thing when Angie tried to smash it on the wall. I stopped her as if on reflex. I just didn't know that was me, and using my head that way.

Glad it wasn't combustion. We had two already, and one of them is gone, a mixed bag to me. I liked her, even if she could burn the place down. Anthony is just a boy, I cannot be angry at him for long.

Monica paused to tell us all there was another signal this morning. A slight disturbance in the desert. I was naturally intrigued. What could this mean? Could this have something to do with our ghoul, beetle and lizard going missing without a trace?

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Vinnie and Val told me what I knew already: That weird sapphire and silver queen doesn't want us blabbing to the rest of the world just yet, and while Equestrians know what's up with earth, they do not know about that other thing she told us about, and have had the memory blocked. She doesn't want us leaving Lyle's house with him or Sunny with us, to make sure no one gets to this water she gave me for some reason, and will have a procession when we head back to the apple farm to ensure none try to get it. And she has a very large telescope in the tower above this place, and will be watching it the whole way from here to see no one intercepts to get it. We will get it back when we return together tomorrow. I miss that apple girl. She may not want earthlings knowing her name, but she was nice to us when we first met, and she only looked out for our health and safety, and invited a translator for our benefit. A little hard work never hurt anybody. But loads can kill you, and I think she overestimated our stamina. But this ruler makes her look even more like a saint. I'd give anything to see that beautiful shield mark and brilliant red hair again.

I swear, I shall not abuse harmless children again. Never, or I shall request to have the gaye beaten out of me, then stabbed out of me.

Lyle Harper has told me he and Sunny want to see that world. They want so badly to have a taste of it, and not just its inhabitants. As he said this, the brilliant head of hair came in that might well be mistaken for flames at a glance. Anything more than a quarter second would tell you it wasn't, as it did not flicker. Sunny came in and told us she wants to see the world, and is interested how the ecosystem function without the hand of man to drive it along. How so much can be so self sufficient, just about everything thrives much better when humans are absent than they do when we are present. Her enthusiasm was so great, she literally leapt at the mention and honest prospect that she might see earth up close and personal.

If I had an doubt I was in another world now, and another planet, and possible dimension, this cemented the certainty. I knew that desert looked too much like a perfect painting, those foothills starting to abruptly, the mountains too organised to be anything but a fabrication. If this was anything other than a virtual reality, I'd be surprised. It seems real enough, yet perfect.

I went to bed, and brought Vinnie with me. Those beautiful clawed hands never bore or tire me, never intimidate me, and always make me feel secure. And when I'm in this position with her hands on my scalp, Val is certainly not far feeding on the warm feeling we emit. Neither of us can get enough. I wonder if Lyle feels this way with the lunar loon in bed with him. How does such a nice guy stand working for her, or sleeping with her? I guess I really am one to talk. An abrasive dude getting it with a sweetheart doesn't seem probable, either, and none would think them compatible.

Rest assured, tomorrow, we will permanently have our answer, and we will go home. She guaranteed it. I hope she delivers.