//------------------------------//
// Plan 
// Story: Portal to Another World 
// by Backburner 
//------------------------------//

The ride back was the noisiest silence you could imagine. The sound of the car engine and Fluttershy’s dry sobs melded themselves together into a stillness that was clear on the group’s faces. Row upon row of corn flew by until they reached the house. Roger hadn’t smiled since he told Twilight about the other animals, but he tried his best not to let the ponies see his morbid expression.

The ponies followed Roger inside, but standing in the foyer of the grand farmhouse they made no move to head back toward the living room. Roger looked down at Twilight and the rest of the ponies. “I was thinking about what you said earlier, about you staying here for a few days. If you want to I can show you around the house a little bit.” 

“That would be great Roger.” Twilight said quietly. Twilight explained to her friends they were going on the tour, nopony complained. Roger led the group to the double door at the right of the entrance that had previously been closed. When Roger opened it he revealed a gigantic flat screen hanging from the wall with a dinning table below it and several chairs spaced around the table. The ponies, temporarily shocked out of their sorrowful state, stared in awe.

“Ooooohhh,” Pinkie said, wide eyed. She walked into the room and looked up at the Television. “What is this?”

Twilight didn’t know how to describe it. Her knowledge was restricted as to what each word she had learned translated to; she knew what it was but not what it was. “That’s a television Pinkie, it shows you pictures of things to pass the time.” As Pinkie gawked at the shiny screen, Roger walked toward the only other door in the room as he spoke. 

“This is my dining/T.V. room. I like to watch my favorite shows while I eat.” Twilight translated as they reached the door. The new opening led further back into the house, as Twilight and the group (including the now mesmerized Pinkie) walked through it they discovered the kitchen. A counter circled the room only breaking for the door the party had come through and a door at the east wall, In the corner was a Refrigerator and stove.

“Here’s the kitchen, feel free to use it at will.” Through the next door was a rather large pantry stuffed full of boxed and canned goods. In a corner was another one of the trays like the one Roger had carried the food on. A few sacks of vegetables lay scattered on the ground.

“Sorry about the mess, you guys looked really hungry so I kind of hap-hazardly put everything back. But this is the pantry, again help yourselves.” Twilight gazed at the walls of food before her. There was enough there to feed all of Ponyville! Roger made his way through a door on the north wall that led back to the room full of books. Quickly passing this one as the ponies had already seen it Roger headed to the second floor.

He explained that the door farthest to the right was a storage space and bypassed it for the next room. It contained a large bed that was slightly taller then the ponies. A large lavish comforter was draped over a double mattress embroiled with a golden design on a black background. Despite its massive size however it was dwarfed by the total emptiness of the room, the stale yellow walls empty of any markings or items.

“This is the guest room, I don’t usually have visitors so I never bothered to spruce up the room. I’m sure we can fit three of you into this bed.” Twilight was amazed, how could she even get in that bed without being able to fly? But Roger had already started to move on so the group was forced to follow. The last two rooms Twilight had already seen earlier that day, but Roger surprised her with his description of them.

“This is Lily’s room, all that’s in here is what she left behind when she moved out. One of you can take her bed.” When Twilight translated this the ponies perked up slightly.

“Lilly, who’s Lilly?” asked Fluttershy. When Twilight asked Roger he drew in a light sigh.

“She’s my daughter, currently she lives somewhere in the city but every once in a while she comes to visit. I don’t think she’s to well off but she refuses to tell me anything.” Twilight wanted to ask more about the subject, but Roger seemed unwilling to discuss it further. The last room they came to was heavily furnished (Compared to the last two.) containing a double bed, dresser, nightstand, and a large lamp in the corner of the room. The window Twilight had used to dispose of the comforter still hung open.

“This is my room, two of you can sleep in here for the time being unless I find something better.” Roger said.

“But Roger, that’s a bed for all of us but you.” Twilight said with concern for her host. Roger turned to Twilight with a slight smile.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take the couch downstairs. I’ve spent more then one day on that thing when nobody was here, I’ll be fine while you ponies find a way home.” Twilight told this to her friends whom responded gratefully.

“Twilight could you ask Roger something for me?” Rarity said shyly.

“What is it Rarity?” Twilight asked noticing something odd about Rarity’s stance.

“Well I just noticed that theirs no little mare’s room here and I desperately need the service of one. Could you ask him where it is?” Twilight translated the request and Roger motioned the ponies to follow him downstairs. When they reached the first floor, to Twilight’s amazement (and Rarity’s dismay) Roger headed outside. 

The confused group of ponies followed Roger to the right side of the house that had been previously hidden from view. A lone wooden building of about two square feet that stood five or so feet tall was the only feature before the cornfields started. On the door was a hole in the shape of a moon.

“You can’t be serious,” Rarity said “there is no way under Celestia’s sun I will use that beastly outhouse.” Applejack stifled back a laugh with her hoof.

“What’s the matter, your fancy derriere to high and mighty for a little country plumbing.” She said.

Rarity turned a disapproving glare on Applejack. “A hole in the dirt is in no way plumbing.”

“Well it’s that or hold it till we get home.” Rainbow Dash said smugly. Twilight watched Rarity weigh her options, Roger tried to motion the other ponies inside but nopony moved. Rarity eventually started to slowly approach the outhouse and tapped her hoof on the door. Creaking hinges gave way from the pressure and the door swung slightly open. 

“Oh it smells horrid!” Rarity whined. Applejack burst out laughing and started rolling on the ground Rarity turned to her with a hateful glare blushing crimson red. Twilight got Rainbow and Pinkie to help her drag the hysteric Applejack back inside the house. Roger and Fluttershy followed to give Rarity some peace.

Twilight couldn’t help but smile herself at Rarity’s predicament and Applejack’s laughter. The day had weighed her down so much this small incident was a breather she desperately needed. By the time they made it back through the door Pinkie and Twilight were giggling right beside Applejack. 

Roger looked from pony to pony, a confused look on his face. But the laughter was infectious. Soon he couldn’t hold back his own giggles, and when Rarity returned from the outhouse blushing even redder then before even Fluttershy roared with laughter.

“Not funny.” Said Rarity, but the ponies could barely hear her. After everypony calmed down enough to speak through their broadening smiles Roger turned to Twilight.

“I have no idea why that was so funny, but you guys can stay here as long as you need to if everyday ends up like that!” Twilight nodded, unable to tell if the tear running down her face was from laughing, or Rogers statement.

* * *

The rest of the day consisted of ponies running around the farmhouse exploring there temporary home, Twilight spending most of her time reading through the books she found in the house’s living room. She was astounded at the sophistication of these creatures; things like robots and electricity, things Equestria had never seen flowed from these pages.

Twilight studied the planet’s history from dinosaurs and Dragons to space travel and colonies on mars. Great biographies like Oliver Twist and I’m hosting as fast as I can. How were all the things they did possible without magic? Twilight was engrossed in a book titled Foundation, about humanities colonization of the universe (a feat mind boggling to ponykind.) when Roger approached her.

“You getting along there Twilight.” He said sitting down beside her. Twilight jumped at the voice, but when she realized whom it was she relaxed. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Its fine Roger, these books you have are incredible! Everything is so exciting, I wish I could share it with the other ponies.”

“What’s stopping you?” Roger asked sympathetically.

“I can’t risk them putting the pieces together. What if one of them figures out we’re not on Equestria?” Roger smiled down at Twilight.

“With any luck you will be soon, I’ve been talking to the other ponies and…well I think I’ve thought of something.” Twilight matched Rogers smile, what could he be planning? “What causes magic Twilight?” Twilight’s smile turned into a look of confusion.

“Well a number of things, many who study it’s properties believe it has something to do with the natural energy that collects in objects, the denser an object the more energy. A unicorns horn is very dense, and is able to tap into this energy to cast spells. In a kind of odd way however, the denser an object is the harder it is to use magic on. This makes combat magic and manipulation of ones own body the hardest types of magic. Why do you ask?”

“Well I was talking to Rarity and she explained to me something similar. But she also told me the stronger your connection to an object the easier it is to use magic on, is that right?” Twilight nodded. “Well here’s what I’m thinking, what happens when you’re not casting magic on an object, but you still feel connected to it? Can this object help you cast the spell?”

Twilight thought this over, she honestly didn’t know. “I guess it could work, every object has a trace amount of magic it channels all the time. But I still don’t see where you’re going with this.” Roger’s eyes lit up.

“What if we put you and Rarity in a circle, but not just any circle. A circle of all your friends and…possibly myself, so you could draw magic from us. You have a strong connection to your friends and a small one to me, maybe you could open the portal if we were all there to help!” Twilight ran this idea through her brain.

“Roger that’s brilliant! Let’s go!” Twilight jumped off the couch forgetting her book.

“Hold up Twilight!” Roger shouted. Twilight turned around a huge smile on her face. “I’m glad you’re eager, but you’ve already used your magic a lot today. You nearly passed out when you did the translation spell, if we try this it’s going to need to happen tomorrow. Twilight’s ears fell back, for a moment she had almost thought she’d be going home right then. But Roger was right, what if it didn’t work?

“Roger, you’re right, I just got excited.” Roger waved his hand in dismissal.

“It’s fine Twilight, I understand. If you really want to improve your chances you can get some sleep, the better rested you are the more energy you’ll have for the spell. Twilight agreed and galloped upstairs, allowing herself just enough hope to keep her smile.

The beds had already been decided upon. The tall bed would be shared by Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, And Applejack. The only three who could actually get on it. Rarity had requested Lily’s room for its privacy, leaving Pinkie and Twilight Roger’s room. Twilight was fortunate to find Pinkie already asleep; the pink mare was not known for keeping quiet before bed. 

Time had apparently gone by faster then she expected, outside the window stars shown brightly. Twilight gently got onto the bed and didn’t bother covering herself for fear of disturbing Pinkie. Twilight closed her eyes tight hoping to fall asleep quicker, but after a few minutes of lying awake, she ran through what Roger had said when suddenly... 

“Rarity told him what!?!” Twilight opened her eyes wide when she remembered that. Roger said he had been talking to Rarity. How? In which language? HOW? But as Twilight felt this sudden burst of realization she discounted herself. That couldn’t be right. He must have meant figuratively. Maybe he was watching the “show”, that must be it. But Rarity NEVER talks about magic. Where did he get this notion? Before Twilight could come up with a reasonable answer however the surge of adrenaline subsided and she felt the long day way her eyelids down putting her in a fitful sleep.

* * *

Twilight awoke with a start sitting up in bed. Pinkie had apparently already gotten up for the day and left the blanket askew on the lower portion of the bed. Thoughts of last night’s conversation filtered through her brain. Was it real? Twilight got up and replaced the sheets before looking out at the sky of a richly colored dawn. 

All around her the cornfields bent and waved in a gentle breeze that brushed lightly against Twilight’s face when she opened the window. Taking in a deep breath of air she almost forgot for a moment where she was. The simple touch of nature almost made it feel like home. She could see why Roger liked it here. A knock on the door broke Twilight’s concentration however as Applejack’s voice could be heard on the other side.

“Morni’n Twi, your food’s gonna get cold if y’all don’t hurry it up downstairs. Rogers been hold’n off Pinkie thus far but I wouldn’t count on that last’n.” Twilight suddenly became awair of the smells wafting through the room. Toast, pancakes, grilled celery, Twilight’s stomach growled with delight. “From the sound a’things I’ll tell everypony you’ll be down soon.”

Twilight opened her door just in time to see Applejack disappear downstairs. Following close behind she arrived to see the dinning room abuzz with activity. The giant T. V. captivated the attention of Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash whom sat beneath it wide eyed. A program featuring a tuxedoed man on a speedboat hypnotized the pair. 

Roger sat at the end of the table next to Pinkie pie and Rarity with a plate of food towering before him. The group of three seemed to be communicating exceptionally well using a mixture of nonverbal signals and gestures. Pinkie seemed to be the main speaker, effortlessly moving her fore hooves to form various signs. When Roger noticed Twilight he motioned for her to join the conversation.

“Morning Twilight, I’m glad to see you want your breakfast.” As Roger spoke he made gestures so Pinkie and Rarity could understand.

“You created a new language in less then a day?” Twilight said, impressed, confused, and skeptical at the same time, but relieved to see she had heard Roger correctly the day before.

“Not exactly, Pinkie Pie already knew it, she just taught it to me and Rarity. Didn’t you get suspicious when I said I’d been talking to Rarity?” The irony of that sentence was almost laughable. “Help yourself to the food Twilight, Applejack will have more out soon.”

Twilight approached the table and sat next to Pinkie Pie. Pinkie greeted Twilight with a hug and a cheerful “Good Morning!” Rarity smiled at Twilight but returned to her conversation with Roger before a greeting could be offered. The spread of food had a distinctly Equestrian look, Applejack must have been busy harvesting dandelions and daises that morning. Twilight started levitating various foods onto her plate just as Applejack came in from the kitchen.

“Next round a vittles coming up!” Applejack hollered as she placed a plate of steaming potato slices in front of Twilight. “I knew your stomach would wake you up sooner or later, but if were going to get home in time for our morn’n doings, I decided sooner would be the best idea.”

“Who told you we were going home?” Twilight asked slightly surprised.

“Well Roger an Pinkie in that crazy hoof speech, we all know!” Twilight hadn’t thought Roger would share the plan with the others. She was hoping to find a way to tell them what was going on without getting their hopes up. However from what Applejack said this would now be near impossible. Twilight’s stomach growled again and Applejack gave a quick nod toward the food before heading back into the kitchen. 

Twilight dug in, and was soon joined by Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash who grabbed a plateful of potatoes before returning to their spots in front of the television. After serving another plateful of food Applejack sat down across from Twilight next to Rarity and had her own breakfast. Roger told stories about great people and far away places (Careful never to mention where the stories took place.) that kept the ponies mesmerized.

After awhile the ponies had eaten their fill and Twilight helped Pinkie and Roger clear the table. Roger had to do most of the washing being the only one who could work the sink, but Twilight and Pinkie dried and put the clean dishes away. Pinkie and Roger never stopped talking in their wild gestures, Roger often flinging water everywhere as he ‘spoke’. From what Twilight could understand, they were talking about Ponyviile.

Roger would ask a question about the town or a particular pony and then Pinkie pie would talk about them for ten minutes. Roger watched every second of it, enthralled with the jumping, flailing pony. Twilight almost wondered if Roger was even really listening or just humoring Pinkie, but his occasional comments proved he was.

By the time they had finished Twilight had almost completely forgotten about the attempt to open the portal. Watching her friends overcome something as complicated as Trans species, even possibly Trans dimensional language barriers bolstered her spirits. When Twilight returned to the hopeful eyes of the ponies that had gathered around the television, she felt like there was no way she could fail. Twilight approached the group with a confident smile that leapt to each face she turned to.

“Has everypony been told about Roger’s idea?” Twilight asked the group. Applejack nodded in response as the rest of the ponies turned to Twilight. “Then if everyponys ready lets see if this works.” Twilight led the way outside and picked out a flat spot on the grass near the front of the house. The ponies made a semi-circle around her and Rarity, Roger sitting in the center of the arch.

“Do you think we’re actually going home this time?” Rarity whispered to Twilight.

“I hope so” Twilight whispered back. As total silence descended over the group broken only by the gentle kiss of the wind. Twilight lit up her horn, bathing the early dawn in a new bright light. Rarity followed suet and soon the field was washed in a purple glow. Twilight could see the gray line creep its way toward the sky; slowly it snaked its way up fighting her every step. Twilight could feel the energy of her friends, faint, but present, even the slightest of tugs from Roger. The hope she had and the presence of her friends giving her the strength to fight through its stubborn resistance.

Twilight allowed that energy to build and build until the line passed her eye level when suddenly the work became sharply harder. Rarity evidently felt this change to as she snorted out a puff of air before squeezing her eyes shut to concentrate. Twilight pushed (or it’s equivalent in magical terms) her magic, creating a glow from her horn that rivaled the ambient light around them. Twilight didn’t want to close her eyes, she wanted to be able to see the line as it drew itself, know when she had finished. She started to think about home again, Ponyville and all its inhabitance, she had only been away two days or less. Yet it felt like forever.

The group behind Twilight silently cheered her on. She could almost feel how much they wanted this to work. As Twilight redoubled her efforts she saw the line grow slower and slower despite its nearing the peek of its height. “Just another few inches.” She said to herself. “Almost there.”

But just as the line neared the zenith, Rarity collapsed. The pony that had stood strong before when Twilight fell in the clearing left her completely unaided. Twilight held fast attempting to hold the spell, but without help it was impossible. Letting the glow drop from her horn, she watched the line recede into the ground. Just before it disappeared Twilight tried to start the spell again and held out for another few seconds before releasing the portal again. A new silence gripped the ponies, this time made impure by the heavy breathing of the unicorns.

“So close.” Twilight said aloud this time, all the hope she had put into this plan splintering before her.

“Don’t worry Twilight, We’ll get it next time.” Rainbow said as she helped Rarity to stand.

“That’s better then any try we’ve seen so far.” Applejack quietly added.

“What do we do now?” Pinkie asked. Twilight didn’t have an answer for that one. What could they do now? Roger’s plan was a long shot but it was the best shot they had. They had so nearly made it, everypony had been so hopeful. 

“Twilight,” Rarity said between gasps for air. “I’m sorry, I just couldn’t…”

“It’s ok Rarity,” came Twilight’s response “it’s my fault.”

“Now Twilight, don’t be upset.” Fluttershy said attempting to comfort Twilight.

“What if our magic is still weakening?” Twilight said slightly louder then she meant to. “What am I going to tell you next time? Don’t get your hopes up but lets see if we can finally do the thing we’ve been trying to do for three days now. Except it hasn’t been we, it’s been me. I’m the one that got us here.”

“Sugar cube don’t talk like that.” Applejack said.

“This is what, the fourth time we’ve tried this?” Twilight said turning on Applejack. “Every time we get closer but we never get there. What’s going to happen when we wake up one morning to find the opposite? That each attempt is worse then the last. What’s going to happen when I can’t even start the spell?”

“If the world where full of what ifs I can guaranty this would be the least of our problems.” But Twilight was having none of it. 

“Applejack I don’t know if you noticed but right now this is the biggest problem. Everypony wants to go home and ever time I fail I make it worse on them.”

“Then tell me Twi how exactly throw’n fits like a fillies gonna help?”

Twilight let tears flow down her face. “Because if I can’t get this to work we can’t go home! EVER!”