Starlight and Sunset walked through the door into the holodeck, Sunset gave Starlight a confused look. "Starlight? Sweetie, what are we doing here exactly?"
Starlight turned around and smiled at her marefriend. "We're here so I can give you your Hearts and Hooves day gift. Take a guess at what it is. Go on, guess."
Sunset rubbed her chin in thought. "Well, if we're in the holodeck than, it's some kind of program?"
Starlight nodded . "She's right on the money. But, this isn't just an ordinary program. This one you should recognize right off the bat. Computer. Begin program ShimmerGlimmer, starting point, Canterlot High."
As soon as Sunset heard those words, her eyes widened as the environment around them changed from the cold dark metal of the holodeck to the bright sunny openness of Canterlot City, in the Alternate Universe. Sunset looked around and sure enough, she and Starlight were standing in the front courtyard of Canterlot high, right by the statue, which doubled as the original portal to Equestria. Right away, Sunset was hit with memories of her time in this world. Good memories, bad memories, all of it was coming back. Sunset turned to Starlight with a look of confusion.
Starlight, sensing the coming question, smiled. "I know how much you miss this world. The life you had here, I also know that you were bummed when our planned trip through the portal over the holidays didn't work out for the girls cross the portal. So, since we can't just make a day trip across the portal. I got in contact with Sci-Twi, and asked for her help in making this holodeck program."
That got Sunset's attention. Sci-Twi helped Starlight do this? But that would mean... "Hang on a second, I write to my friends in this world all the time via the journal, how did I not see YOUR messages to Sci-Twi by accident?"
Starlight chuckled. "I may have ripped those pages out, and done a little magic to make it look like it was never missing."
Sunset's eyes widened in realization, she had allowed Starlight to use the journal as well, so she developed the habit of checking who the subsequent messages were for before reading. She wouldn't read any messages that were for Starlight without her permission. Though another thing came to mind. "And I'm willing to bet that someone on Equuis had to be the "middle pony" in order for Sci-Twi to deliver this program to you."
Starlight nodded. "Remind me to thank Flash Sentry for being there to get the data node from Sci-Twi, and sending it on the next mail transport here. Oh, and there's more. This particular program has something special. The part that makes it much more than just another program."
"Oh sunset. Guess who!"
Sunset's eyes widened as she heard a very familiar voice sing song. She turned got a face full of confetti. She spat out the confetti that got in her mouth as she groaned. "Grah, Pinkie! I thought we agreed you would never—hold the phone." Sunset realized what she had just said, and more specifically, WHO she said it too. There was only one party girl who ever blasted confetti in her face, and it wasn't the Equestrian Pinkie. Sunset's eyes widened as she saw them, her six friends from across the portal, standing their, in all their human glory, smiling at her. "Girls?!"
AU Pinkie rushed up and wrapped her arms around Sunset, squeezing her. "Yay! Twilight's latest project actually worked! We're actually here in your world Sunny!"
Sci-Twi nodded. "Since binary code is universal between our two universes, it was simply a matter of creating a virtual representation of Canterlot City, scanning each of us in and putting it all on a portable storage device that is capable of transversing the interdimensional barrier. Though I must admit..." Sci-Twi looked around at her friends, than at herself. "Actually seeing us as a collection photons and force fields is beyond anything I could've imagined." She looked around at the surrounding area. "This, holodeck, is beyond any current Virtual Reality technology across the portal."
Sunset did a double take of what Sci-Twi just said. Photons? Forcefields? Did that mean...
Sunset lifted an eyebrow. "Hang on a second, they know they're holograms?"
Everyone nodded. "I asked Sci-Twi to make their virtual selves self-aware."
Sci-Twi nodded. "In addition to this virtual environment, I also took the liberty of adding our memories to our subroutines. In essence, we're us, right up until the point where I scanned us all in."
Sunset slowly smiled. "You mean you have your memories of Camp Everfree, the Friendship games, the Battle of the Bands?"
AU Applejack nodded. "Eeyup. Gotta admit. Twilight's tech know how is pretty impressive."
AU Rainbow nodded. "But pales in comparison to what you must have over here. I mean. Seriously Sunset? Spaceships and alien races and VR rooms without needing the bulky headwear? Why do you get all the—ow, Rarity what was that for?"
AU Rarity, who had elbowed AU Rainbow in the gut gestured to Sunset. "You're ruining the moment for her."
Sunset paid it no mind as she was too busy trying to hold back tears. And was failing spectacularly. Whether it was the fact that she missed her AU friends more than she thought or that Starlight actually loved her enough to do this, it didn't matter to her.
Starlight noticed Sunset's tears and gave her a concerned look. "Sunny? Everything ok?"
Sunset nodded. "Yeah. Just, you didn't have to do this Starlight."
Starlight nodded. "I know. But we're not able to just hop across the portal any old time anymore. So I figured. Why not bring the Alternate Universe here?"
AU Fluttershy nodded. "When Starlight told us what she had in mind. We all signed up on the spot."
AU Rarity nodded. "You should've seen Fluttershy darling. You'd have mistaken her for a totally different person. She wasn't even fazed by the fact that Twilight wanted to scan us."
Sunset chuckled. "Really?"
AU Rainbow nudged Sunset with her elbow. "For a friend like you? We'd power through anything Twilight over there can cook up with that crazy smart brain of hers."
Sci-Twi nodded. "It's definitely been a difficult task. But anything for my first ever friend."
Sunset nodded while Starlight smiled. "So. Do I get an A+ for this?"
Sunset wrapped her forelegs around Starlight in a crushing hug. "And so much more. Thank you. Thank you all."
The six girls smiled as they all huddled around Sunset in one massive group hug.
They stayed like that for a few minutes until Pinkie started bouncing. "Alright girls, lets get this day started! Come on!" Pinkie started skipping away. After a moment, the rest of the group laughed and followed. But before they followed, Sunset pulled Starlight in and pressed her lips against hers in a passionate kiss. After a good minute, they parted.
Sunset smiled. "That is for being the best girlfriend ever."
Starlight chuckled. "Happy Hearts and Hooves Day Sunny."
Several thousands of miles away from Starfleet Academy, in the gorgeous city of Paris, Rarity and Pinkie reached the top of the Eiffel Tower, the minute they climbed onto the platform, Rarity charged to the railing and looked out into the city, completely in awe of the view. "My GOODNESS!! I simply cannot overstate how beautiful this city is!"
Pinkie chuckled as she trotted up beside Rarity. "I knew you'd like it. I was talking to Jessica about it the other day and when she said that it was the most romantic city on Earth, I knew where I was taking you."
"That doesn't even begin to describe it Pinkie! The style, the elegance, the fashion, it's beyond anything I could've imagined!!"
Pinkie smiled. "I knew you'd like it."
Rarity smiled as she turned to wrap her forelegs around Pinkie. "Pinkie Pie, of all the surprises you've given me over the past year and a half, this one is by far the best. Thank you thank you thank you!"
Pinkie smiled. "You are so very welcome Rarebear."
"Bonjour young ladies, this is your first time visiting Paris yes?" Pinkie and Rarity turned to to see a human boy in an outfit that suggested that he worked at the tower.
Pinkie nodded. "Hello sir. Yes. This is our first time here." She wrapped a foreleg around Rarity. "We're here to celebrate our first Hearts and Hooves day here on Earth, or as it's known here. Valentine's Day."
The man smiled. "Ah, you are here for ze romantic atmosphere of Paris. Good, good. You are enjoying your time here?"
Rarity nodded. "So very much monsieur, Paris is a beautiful city."
The man nodded. "Yes it is. Would you ladies care for a photo in this setting to commemorate this wonderful occasion?"
Rarity smiled. "Oh, you're a professional photographer?"
The man nodded. "Anton Ego at your service. Now, will that be portrait or landscape ladies?"
Rarity was about to answer, before something hit her. "Hold that thought." She lit her horn and called over a bag from one of the many stores she and Pinkie stopped in. She levitated two berets out of the bag and dropped them onto their heads. Rarity then sent the bag back to where they had left the other bags and nodded. "Landscape if you don't mind Monsieur Ego."
Ego nodded as Rarity and Pinkie got into position. "Now." Ego raised his camera. "Say croissants." He pressed the button and took the picture.
Meanwhile, in California, Rainbow was following Fluttershy to an unknown location. She looked around, and then at her watch. They had been flying for a half hour, and Fluttershy had not said a word as to where they were going, only that Rainbow was to follow her. Rainbow flapped her wings to move to fly alongside Fluttershy and shot her a questioning look. "Ok Flutters, we've been flying at your top speed for a half hour, and I still don't know where your taking me. All you said was that you little birdie friends back at Starfleet Academy told you about this place."
Fluttershy nodded. "Yes they did. They said that it was a special spot that makes for a nice Sight Seeing expedition."
Rainbow arched an eyebrow. "And Your sure they aren't just pulling our legs here?"
Fluttershy chuckled. "Don't worry Dashie, our birdie friends have never steered us wrong before."
Rainbow sighed. Fluttershy had a point. "Alright. I'll trust you on this 'shy. But can you please tell me where it is we're going at least?"
Fluttershy giggled as she noticed something below them. She smiled at the sight. "I could tell you, or you could look down, because we're here."
Rainbow looked down and her eyes widened at the sight below them. Below them was a massive river area, filled with more green than had seen in a long time. "Whoa. What's with the river?"
Fluttershy smiled. "It's called the Russian River. The birdies said it was a pretty special place this time of year."
Rainbow descended a few feet to investigate, and found herself in awe of how massive the River was. "Hm, it's pretty big for a river."
Fluttershy nodded as she descended with Rainbow. "That's what I thought too when I looked into it. I also looked into something else that might interest you."
Rainbow lifted an eyebrow. "What's that?"
Fluttershy giggled as she leaned in to whisper into Rainbow's ear. "No speed limits."
Rainbow smiled. "I can go fast here!"
Fluttershy giggled and nodded. "As fast as you want. This river stretches for miles in either direction, so you can go all out without worrying about crossing into a speed limit zone."
Rainbow smiled as she realized what happened. "This is why you brought me out here isn't it."
Fluttershy nodded. "I also thought that maybe we could fly over some of the surrounding green area, but I miss being able to see you do some of your signature moves. Like the Sonic Rainboom."
"I thought you were always worried I'd break something?"
Fluttershy nodded. "Yes. I always worry. But at the same time. You're called Rainbow DASH for a reason, and that reason is going at ridiculously high speeds for long periods of time. Who am I to deny that part of you?"
Rainbow smiled and moved in to hug Fluttershy. "You're awesome Fluttershy. You know that right?"
Fluttershy giggled. "Thanks. Now, let me see that Sonic Rainboom, I mean, if you don't—mmmph!" Rainbow didn't give her a chance to finish that sentence before pressing her lips against hers. They stayed kissing in the air for a long as they could before needing to separate for air.
Rainbow smiled. "The Sonic Rainboom is more a grand finale type move, a grand finale to an awesome day with you. I don't mind going on that sightseeing flight first."
Fluttershy smiled and nodded. Together, they descended into the area to explore the Russian River.
Back in San Fransisco, Rara and Applejack sat down at the table in the food court for lunch, and trying to forget about what they just saw. Applejack shivered. "Ok, maybe going into that particular exhibit wasn't the best idea."
Rara nodded. "Tell me about it. I knew meat was part of the Human diet, but sweet Celestia was I not expecting that." She and Applejack shivered again.
Applejack shook her head. "Good thing we got that out of the way before we ate. I'd have thrown it back up."
Rara nodded. "Agreed." They both shook their heads and decided to just eat, so they dug in.
After a few minutes of just eating. Rara swallowed her latest bite and decided to break the silence. "So. Other than that last exhibit. It's been a good day here. It's so fascinating learning how other species handle things like farming."
Applejack nodded. "Yeah. It's also interesting to see that music is a part of country life here. So there was something that piqued your interest." That got both of them chuckling.
Rara nodded. "I'll admit, that country singer we walked by sounded good. But you'll always be my favorite."
Applejack blushed. "Rara, you and I both know that your voice will always be better than mine. You were a professional singer."
Rara nodded. "True, but Applejack, no matter what pedestal you put me on, remember 🎶that I am just a pony🎶." Both of them chuckled when Rara did that. It was an excerpt from one of her most popular songs. Rara smiled. "In all seriousness though AJ, I'm having a ton of fun with you today. It's a nice change of pace from our usual routine."
Applejack chuckled. "And it's a nice break from a certain bringer of eternal night. I wonder how far along the mind manipulation device is."
"I hope it's almost done. I feel bad for Jessica."
"Me too sugarcube. Me too. I wonder how Jessica and Twilight are doing today?"
🎶I'll break it down!
So you can't hide it
No matter what you do I'm gonna steal your heart!🎶
The crowd was cheering as the singer finished his performance. Among the cheering crowd was Jessica and Twilight, who had decided fo spend the day at Golden Gate Park, which had a Valentine's Day parade going on. A moment after the singer finished the song, his float moved forward. Twilight and Jessica watched. "How did this get past us? You'd think a parade would be advertised more?"
Jessica shook her head. "I'm chalking it up to a combination of schoolwork and the demon."
Twilight nodded. "Oh right. Well, now we know that it's a thing for the future."
Jessica nodded. "Yep."
They noticed that people were starting to crowd the parade route, meaning it must've been over. "Well, looks like the parade's over."
Twilight sighed. "That's too bad. Earth parades are more of a spectacle than I would've expected. I'm always left with wanting more."
Jessica chuckled as they started walking around. "Glad to see that us non-magically inclined humans can still impress even the most talented of mages with the wonders of technology."
Twilight smiled and nodded. "Yeah. Humans are an impressive species. One in particular has caught my interest."
Jessica smirked. "Oh? And who was impressive enough to do that?"
"She has navy blue hair, a beautiful smile, is a little taller than me. And has the most beautiful eyes I've ever looked in to."
Jessica smiled. "Do I know this person? Does she attend Starfleet Academy, and play in a band?"
Twilight nodded. "Yes she does, lead guitar. She also has the most beautiful voice I've ever heard."
"She sounds like a pretty rad girl. Maybe you should introduce us some time."
"I don't need to. Because you already know her. Probably more than anyone else in the galaxy."
Jessica chuckled. "Ok. Did you drink a love potion or something? You seem a little more romantic than usual?"
Twilight laughed. "I guess it's probably the day. Before now I'd just sit in the library and read. But this is way more fun."
Jessica smiled as she wrapped an arm around Twilight. "You bet it is. We gotta Thank Spike and J-35 for basically kicking us out today."
Twilight chuckled. "Yeah. We needed this, admittedly."
Jessica nodded as she pulled out her phone. "Hearts Valentine's and Hooves Day selfie?"
Twilight's face lit up as she moved her head close to Jessica's to fit into the selfie. Jessica held her phone out with the camera enabled. "Say cheese." Jessica pressed the button and the camera snapped the picture. Jessica checked the picture and smiled. "That's a keeper alright."
Twilight smiled, nodded, and without even thinking, leaned in and pecked Jessica on her cheek with her lips.
Jessica felt the contact and smiled, though she was also confused. "What was that for?"
Twilight giggled. "I just, got the urge to do it. There was nothing stopping me and, I felt like I just had to."
Jessica giggled and leaned in to kiss Twilight square on the lips. Twilight didn't even hesitate to return the kiss. After a few seconds, they pulled apart. Jessica smiled at Twilight. "I love you so much Twilight."
"I love you too Jessica. More than you can possibly imagine."
Jessica giggled. "I don't know, I have a pretty big imagination. Even with a certain annoying crackpot in it."
NM heard Jessica and scoffed. "What? Are you saying you do not WANT me here? Ok come on. Where's the love for me? Even I have a heart."
Jessica said nothing as a phaser pistol appeared in her hand. She aimed to the side and shot NM square in the chest, blasting her back into the void. Satisfied, she returned her full attention to the screen, right as Twilight leaned in to kiss Jessica. Jessica sighed dreamily. "You can go jerk off you demon, don't ruin the moment."
Back at Starfleet Academy, in dorm 321, Spike and J-35 were hard at work on the mind manipulation device, and having a conversation. "Yeah J-35, I saved the entire Crystal Empire a few times. By myself too. Never underestimate the baby dragon."
J-35, who had interfaced with the computer in order to type out what she wanted to say to make conversations with spike easier, typed out a message. 'So if you are the one who saved the empire and not Twilight, does that mean Twilight failed her test?"
Spike read the question and shook his head. "Nope. Quite the opposite. Celestia said she preferred somepony who put the survival of an entire civilization ahead of her own success."
J-35 tapped out another message. 'Sounds to me like Twilight should've ascended right there. Because if I remember correctly, when she actually ascended, she disappeared for a few minutes in a way that made it look like she died."
Spike saw the message and chuckled. "Oh yeah, that would've definitely saved everyone a lot of panic admittedly. Because our friends had believed that they actually killed her."
All of a sudden, the screen on the computer displayed a phone symbol and started ringing. Spike looked at who was calling and smiled. "Ooh. It's Sweetie Belle! J-35 could you..."
J-35 disconnected herself from the computer and moved out of the way. Spike got in front of the screen and pressed the accept button. The screen lit up to reveal Sweetie Belle. "Spike, hello? Did this thing work?"
Spike chuckled. "Yeah, it worked, I can see and hear you. Happy hearts and Hooves Day."
Sweetie beamed. "Yes! Ha ha! Now we can chat whenever and actually have a real conversation in real time. Happy Hearts and Hooves Day to you too!"
Spike nodded. "So. How've you been Sweetie? How's life in Ponyville?"
Sweetie shrugged. "Eh. Same old same old. Monster attack of the week, some foals needed help finding their true talents. Business as usual here. How're things going over there at Starfleet Academy?"
Spike smiled. "Going good. Learning a lot of new stuff, working on the device that will defeat Nightmare Moon. Overall it's going good."
Sweetie nodded. "Good. How's everyone else doing? Jessica?"
Spike sighed. "Everyone's doing good. Jessica staying strong. Though if what happened over Hearths Warming was any indication, her sanity might be starting to dwindle a bit."
"Poor Jessica. And the Yule Ball was going so well too. I mean, the legendary magic around the Alicorn Winter Waltz gave her pony ears and wings, sunset called it a pony up? She looked so beautiful and the moment was so magical, Why did that demon have to ruin it for her?"
Spike shook his head. "I don't know, but I do know one thing. That demon's gotta go."
Sweetie nodded. "Definitely. Before she does something that really digs a inescapable hole for Jessica.”
Spike nodded as he heard beeping from behind him. He turned to see J-35 with one of her took extended towards one of the alarm clocks. Spike looked at it and gasped. “Sweet Celestia is it really time?!” He turned back to Sweetie Belle. “Sorry Sweetie. I gotta go. Open Mic night in the mess hall and sunset wants all of us there.”
Sweetie giggled. “Because she’s planning on proposing to Starlight today. Hopefully it works out.”
Spike nodded. “Yeah. Call you later?”
Sweetie nodded. “No school tomorrow so I can stay up as long as I want.”
Spike smiled. “Great. See ya later.” The connection cut out and Spike hopped off the seat. Headed for the door. He turned to J-35. “You got the ring?”
J-35 pivoted on her legs twice to nod yes. Spike smiled. “Good. Then let’s get going. We can’t let Sunset down.” Spike flapped his wings and took off, J-35 right behind him.
To be continued.