//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Day at Work // Story: Equestria: Fantasy or Reality // by Mister E-Nonymous //------------------------------// Chapter 3: Day at Work (Jacob's Point of View) It's been nearly a week since Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Nyx came here to our lives. Mom was helping out a lot on keeping the girls how to fit in. I was really enjoying the company of the three girls. Nyx was getting worried that Twilight hadn't found her yet, but she was also relieved that Spell Nexus wasn't able to get her. Mom was taking a phone call as the girls and I were having some breakfast. Mom made some delicious, blueberry waffles. They were delicious as usual. Then I heard Mom's conversation on the phone. "Keith, I told you, I can't come into the office," Mom said. "I can't leave my son without adult supervision. I've always taken care of him. I can't leave him alone with a complete stranger unless he's in school." Mom paused for a second. "I thought the kids zone were for kids four and under." She paused again. "Oh. Is that what was being built across the street from there? Well, as long as it's close to my work, and they'll be able to come inside to get out of the sun if they want to." She then hung up. "What is it, mom?" I asked. "My boss wants me to get back to work in the office," Mom said. "But, they did build a playground for kids to enjoy. It's close. I'll only go in until noon. Once I'm done, I'll take you all out for lunch." "Yay!" shouted the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "I'm going to have to get used to that," said Mom. (Third Person Point of View) Kathy walked into her office, and went to her computer. She started typing on her computer. She then looked over at a photo of her and Jacob when he was five years old. She smiled at that old memory. "So many happy memories," said Kathy. Then she got a phone call on her cell phone. She grabbed it, and answered it. "Hello?" "Kathy? How have you been, girl?" asked a voice that Kathy knew so well. "Lauren?" Kathy asked. "Hey, Lauren. How long has it been?" "Nine years," said Lauren. "The last time I called. How's Jacob? Have you told him yet?" Kathy sighed, and said, "No. I just haven't had the heart to tell him." "I'm sure you'll find the heart to tell him," said Lauren on the phone. "So, has anything else happened, recently?" "Funny you should mention that," Kathy said. "I'm sure that you'll find this weird, but... Jacob and I have some... special guests from far away." (Jacob's Point of View) It was me and the girls playing on the playground outside of Mom's working office. We went down the slides, climbed up some fun things to get up somewhere, and there was a rocking bridge. Now, we were on the swings. Hopefully, we would be able to enjoy the summer here until Spell Nexus and his cult are stopped and cured from that curse. "So, what are we gonna do tomorrow?" asked Apple Bloom. "I'm sure we'll find something to do," I said. "We're gonna have a lot of fun this summer." "If we don't get home soon," said Sweetie Belle. "I'm not too fond of being away from home for too long, but I don't think we should get home knowing those ponies are after Nyx." The four of us looked over at Nyx. She was sitting on the swing, thinking about something. She was worried. I then whispered in Apple Bloom's ear, "I think Nyx deserves an Apple Family Remedy." Apple Bloom winked, and walked over to Nyx's swing, grabbed it, getting the attention of Nyx. She then asked, "Hey, what are you... WHOA!!" Apple Bloom pushed Nyx on the swing, giving her some momentum. "C'mon, Nyx!" said Apple Bloom. "Ya don't have ta worry!" "Yeah," said Scootaloo. "Keep the worries behind you and have some fun!" Nyx thought about it hard. She then smiled and started enjoying the time on the swing. She then saw someone coming. "Jacob... I... see... your... Mom... coming..." Nyx said coming back and forth on the swing. I turned around and saw Mom coming up to us. She then asked, "How have you kids been doing?" "We're doing fine, Mom," I said. "Well, Jacob," Mom said, "I wanna ask you something. Are you aware of a woman named Lauren Faust?" "Lauren Faust?" I asked. "The creator of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic?" "Where she got the idea for the show that was based on us?" asked Apple Bloom. "Yes," said Mom. "She was an old friend of mine. And she wants to officially meet all of you." "Wait, you told her about the Crusaders?" I asked. "I texted her a photo of the four of them," said Mom. "She was surprised to see all of them in the real world. Although, she was weirded out that Nyx, a character she didn't create, yet did in a way, was real as well. I also told her that their world is currently in between the 2nd and 3rd episodes of the 3rd Season." "Is she coming here?" I asked. "Actually, there's a change of plan to our Disney World trip," said Mom. "We're going to meet her... in Oahu." "Oahu?" asked Sweetie Belle. "What's that?" "That's one of the Hawaiian Islands," I said. "Lauren is gonna pay for all of our expenses from the plane to Oahu," Mom said. "Although, we're gonna have to get the girls some suitcases." "So, how are we going to get there?" asked Sweetie Belle. "Do you girls know what an airplane is?" I asked. "What's an airplane?" asked all four of them. "An airplane is basically a transportation vehicle," said Mom. "It'll take you to your destination while flying in the air." "We're gonna fly there?!" asked Scootaloo. "Sweet!" "That's right," said Mom. "Anyway, I have to get back to work. I'll be back." She then turned back around, grabbed something from her purse, and said, "And don't forget to put on some sunscreen." She handed it to me. "Thanks, Mom," I said. I then turned to the girls and said, "C'mon. Let's get all covered up." Later, we went to Kohl's. Mom helped out on picking the suitcases for the Crusaders. Two piece carry on suitcases. One pair in yellow for Apple Bloom, one pair in white for Sweetie Belle, one pair in orange for Scootaloo, and one pair in black for Nyx. After that, we went over to where some girls swimsuits are. Apple Bloom got a one piece green swimsuit with a short skirt and a yellow bow on the chest. Sweetie Belle got a two piece swimsuit that was horizontally striped pink and white. Scootaloo got a one piece suit in dark gray. Almost black. And Nyx got a one piece suit that was purple with light blue outlines. We took all of that to the cash registers and headed to the car. On the way home, we went to an Italian restaurant and enjoyed a nice meal. After that, we went back home. "Boy," said Apple Bloom when we were coming in with her luggage bag. "That was a good meal." "You said it, Apple Bloom," said Sweetie Belle. "Nyx," said Mom. "I got you something for your glasses. You mind if I have them for a bit?" "Oh, sure," said Nyx. Since we already know about Nyx's real eyes, she took them off without worry, and her eyes went back to their normal form. Mom then put something over the ends of the ear holders of the glasses. It was something that keeps the glasses on so they wouldn't fall off. Then she put them back on Nyx, and Nyx's eyes went back to looking common. Then Mom adjusted the strap to keep it tight on the back of Nyx's head. "What is that?" "This strap will keep your glasses from falling off your face," said Mom. "So you wouldn't have to lose them." "But what if she does?" asked Scootaloo. "We can't afford to lose these glasses," Nyx said. "These glasses are enchanted, and this world has no magic." "After hearing that from Jacob, I thought we should prepare if something like that happens," said Mom. "I'll make sure that Nyx doesn't lose her glasses." "But, there's another problem," I said. "I looked up that at airport security checkpoints, you can't wear glasses." "Uh oh," said the Crusaders. "What am I going to do?" Nyx asked. "They're gonna see my real eyes if I take off my glasses. I don't know what will happen." "Wait a minute," said Apple Bloom. "Some ponies can't really see without glasses. Just keep yer eyes closed until we get yer glasses back on ya." "Well, I guess that could work," said Nyx. "But someone's gotta be with me during that." "Ah'll be with ya," said Apple Bloom. "After all, Ah helped ya out on yer first day of school." Nyx smiled and said, "Thank you, Apple Bloom." "Alright, kids," said Mom. "How about you test out those new swimsuits in the pool in the back?" "Really?" asked Sweetie Belle. "We can swim as ponies, but it might be harder for us to swim like this now." "Don't worry, girls," Mom said. "I'll teach you all how to swim like humans. Head on into the bathrooms and get into your new swimsuits." The girls all nodded and headed into different bathrooms and the closet that connects Mom's bathroom and the hallway. I went to my room and got on my swim trunks. Then we all headed out into the backyard. We got into the pool. Mom started teaching the basics of swimming like a human. Mom first started with Apple Bloom. Then she did it with Nyx. Sweetie Belle went next, and Scootaloo went last. They all got the hang of swimming like humans. Mom then gave Nyx some special goggles to wear over her glasses. "What's this for?" Nyx asked. "These goggles are big enough to fit over your glasses," Mom said. "I ordered them on Amazon three days ago. It was hard searching for goggles that fit Nyx's glasses. But I hope they'll fit you comfortably." She said, putting the goggles over Nyx's glasses. Nyx put them on, and it covered her eyes and her nose. "It's... kinda bulky," said Nyx. "You better get used to it," said Mom. "You're going to need those if you're gonna go swimming underwater." "Yeah, I guess so," said Nyx. Then she took a deep breath, and went under water. She then came back up. "How you doing?" I asked. "Pretty good," said Nyx. "Well, you all get into the bathtubs, and wash off the chlorine," said Mom. "Then after we're all cleaned, I'll get started on dinner. I'll make quesadillas." "I've seen all of Twilight's fears in the show," I said. "Quesadillas are one of her fears. Hope she's not afraid of things like that." "I thought she was afraid of snakes," said Scootaloo. "She is," I said. "But she's also afraid of ladybugs." That made Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo laugh. "How is that possible?" asked Nyx. "According to a short of the show," I said, "a swarm of them got into her family's house when she was a filly. Her older brother, Shining Armor, told her that the spots on their back were extra eyes, watching you wherever you go." "That was a mean prank," said Nyx. "If you ever meet Shining Armor," Mom said to Nyx, "if it actually happened, you should have him apologize to his sister." "If he's not afraid of Nyx," I said. "Why would he be afraid?" asked Nyx. "He's afraid that Twilight's growing up too fast," I said. "He's afraid that she would lose interest in him and have you take his place." "Guess there are some families who don't want a younger family member growing up so fast," said Mom. "I can understand that. Now, get your little flanks into the bathtub." We headed on inside to get washed up. Mom will get started on dinner soon. This was a good day for all of us.