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// 68 - Assemble 
// Story: Perchance to Dream 
// by David Silver 
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On some level, it had felt like I was in Equestria 'too' long. Not that I was complaining. If I still woke up when the alarm went off, this was exactly what I asked for. I followed after Minuette as she hurriedly grabbed for things and threw them into a set of saddlebags. She popped an explorer's cap onto her head, giggling all the while.

"Have you met any of them? Now's a good time for it! Lyra's even in town right now, what luck!" She clopped her forehooves together then made for the front door.

I was carried along on the wave of Minuette's excitement. I almost mean literally. We got across town in what felt like no time at all and she was knocking on a door. "Lemon!" she called out. "I've got a surprise for you!"

A curtain opened up on the second floor, allowing a yellow unicorn to peek out down at us. She started in surprise, and the curtain fell back into place. Minuette was bobbing her head. "I told her it was a surprise."

The door swung open with a glow. "Minny! You have a coltfriend?!"

Minuette gave quite the snort that broke out into renewed laughter. "No! Silly. Lemon, this is True Shot. He's given us an adventure for the good of all Equestria!"

Lemon glanced between the two of us. "What kind of adventure are we talking?" She pointed at me. "Is it safe for foals?"

Minuette lost it. She fell to the ground, a ball of giggles.

I took a step forward. "I won't be going with you, if that helps. You'll be finding and helping an alien species that is lost and scattered through Equestria."

Lemon's eyes went wide. From behind her, a mint-green pony emerged, Lyra. "What's going on out here? Did you tell a really good one when I wasn't around to hear it?" She was looking at Minuette's prone form. Her eyes darted up to me. "Oh, hey True! Nice to seeya again. What brings you up to Canterlot?"

"I could ask the same," I countered. "Nice to see you too."

Lemon Heart looked surprised. "Oh, you both know him? Now I feel like the only one left out. Did you hear? He wants to give us an adventure."

Lyra snorted. "I don't swing that way." She fluttered her lashes at me. "I'm kidding, what's up?"

Minuette fought her way to her hooves, "We get to be human hunters!"

Lyra blinked softly. "Like the things Twilight talked about?"

"Exactly!"

Lemon tilted her head. "She wasn't just making it up? Aren't they supposed to be on the other side of that mirror thing she was talking about?"

Lyra rolled a hoof. "Obviously not, or we couldn't hunt them. Are we capturing them?"

Minuette waved her hooves wildly. "No! We're... ambassadors, sorta. We need to find them, gently, make sure they're alright, and bring them someplace safe."

The three mares were amazing to me. They clearly had a bond and were hashing out the details quite nicely without me being involved. I almost felt like I didn't need to be there, but watching them gab excitedly was entertaining on its own level. "You mentioned other friends?"

Lyra pointed off into the city. "Do you mean Twinkleshine and Moondancer? Twinkie may be at work right now, but Moondancer isn't too hard to find."

Lemon snapped to attention. "Then it's time to gather them up."

Minuette copied the stance. "Taskforce Human Hunters, trot out!"

With a shared war cry, the mares went marching down the street. Almost as an afterthought, the door to Lemon's place slapped shut with a glow of magic.

I was left behind. I could have chased after them, but they were ready to set off. I would have been a third... fifth wheel. I let them start on their grand adventure, just hoping it wouldn't go sour in any way they couldn't handle.

Instead, I returned to the castle. I had some breakfast, though not with either of the princesses. I did ask about that, but the guards were not forthcoming with where either was, specifically, except to note that Luna had retired already.

In the end, it was just as well. I faded from Equestria, gazing out across it from a window. It was a pretty place, but so was home. I had to be true to both.