//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Into the Human World // Story: Eric Sparkle and the Locket of Prophecies // by Skywalker215 //------------------------------// It was now late May. Twilight and Storm were preparing to give a lecture at the School for Gifted Unicorns, with Spike helping them to rehearse. Eric was writing a letter to his friends in Canterlot, informing them of their mission to recover the Locket of Prophecies: Dear Nightshade, I need you, Marina, Zuni, and Slapstick to please come to Ponyville immediately, we need to go through the Crystal Mirror and recover the Locket of Prophecies. Meet me and Holly at my home in the Castle of Friendship. Your best friend, Eric Sparkle Eric went into the library and found Spike helping Twilight and Storm, then tapped on his shoulder and Spike was startled at the sight of Eric. “Spike, can you please send this letter to Princess Celestia? It’s important and it’s for my friends,” Eric asked whispering in his ear fin. “Sure, little dude,” Spike replied as he sent the letter via green flame. Eric thanked Spike and went outside, then got on his broom and went to Sugarcube Corner, meeting up with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. “Hi, Eric,” the three fillies said in unison as they gave him a group hug. “Hi, girls. Can you please go to Whitetail Woods and bring Holly to the castle?” Eric asked. “Right away, Eric,” Apple Bloom replied as the three fillies went off. Soon, Holly met up with Eric, then Nightshade, Marina, Zuni, and Slapstick came. “We came as soon as we could,” Nightshade said as they went inside the castle. Eric and his friends were unaware that they were being watched by Hydia, Reeka, Draggle, Hot Shot, Thundercracker, and Skywarp. The three colts and three gorgons activated their cloaking spell and waited outside the front door. Eric and his friends managed to sneak by Twilight and Storm unseen and went into the castle library. Just then, Twilight and Storm came in. “Eric, we’re headed for Canterlot to give a lecture at the School for Gifted Unicorns, we’ll be back in a few hours,” Twilight said. “Jasper and Smokey will be here any minute to watch you ‘till we return,” Storm added as he and Twilight gave him a group hug. “See you later, Mommy. You too, Storm,” Eric replied as they and Spike left for Canterlot. Shortly after Twilight, Storm, and Spike left, Jasper and Smokey came in and greeted Eric, unaware that the cloaked gorgons and colts followed them inside. Eric’s friends came out of hiding and introduced themselves. After eating lunch, Eric and his friends searched the castle for the Crystal Mirror. They split up before meeting up in the library, they found a secret compartment in the castle revealing the mirror. “Eric, what are you and your friends up to?” Jasper asked. “We just found this mysterious closet and we need to go inside,” Eric replied. “I think it’s secret as a way to keep it safe, and keep it private, so I don’t think you should be going in there,” Smokey said. Eric and his friends explained to Jasper and Smokey everything about the Crystal Mirror being a portal to another realm and the need to recover the Locket of Prophecies. “We understand now how important that locket is, we won’t stop you and your friends from going, but you’re not going unsupervised,” Jasper said. “Thank you, Jasper and Smokey,” Eric replied. “Let’s go get that locket,” said Nightshade. “We’re right behind you, Eric,” Zuni added. The six friends, along with Jasper and Smokey went into the mirror, then came out of a horse-shaped statue in front of what looked to be a school building. Eric and Holly’s appearances didn’t change. Nightshade was now a tan boy with orange hair, Zuni was a pale gray girl with black and white striped hair, Marina was a pale green girl with blonde hair, and Slapstick was a medium gray boy with darker gray hair. Jasper and Smokey were humans once more, but kept their cream white and gray colors. Eric helped Nightshade stay upright, since he was having trouble staying on two legs, Jasper and Smokey didn’t have too much trouble, they supported Zuni and Marina, who were also having trouble walking upright. “This place kinda reminds me of the suburban areas in Seattle,” Eric said. “You’re telling us, little buddy,” Jasper replied. “We can’t just wander aimlessly, we need to find someone who knows their way around,” Smokey added as they entered the school. “I don’t think we have long to wait, somepony’s coming,” Nightshade said as he, Eric, and the others hid behind the stairwell. A group of five girls entered the building. The first girl wore a white collared shirt with green shading near the collar, a short jean skirt, a brown belt with a red apple symbol on it, and brown cowgirl boots each with three red apple symbols, along with a light brown Stetson style hat on top of her head. The second girl wore a white shirt with short blue sleeves and a pink heart in the center of the shirt, a dark pink skirt with blue and yellow balloon patterns, and light blue go-go boots with pink bow-ties on each of them. The third girl wore a pale blue shirt, a dark purple belt, a purple skirt with three blue diamond designs on it, and dark purple go-go boots with a diamond decoration on the top of both of them. The fourth girl wore a white T-shirt with a rainbow colored lightning bolt design on it, a dark blue athletic jacket, a light magenta and white skirt, black shorts, rainbow patterned socks, and blue go-go boots. The fifth girl wore a white tank top, a light green skirt that white and pink butterfly symbols on it, pink knee socks, and light green go-go boots. There were also three younger girls sitting on the steps. The first girl was wearing a light green shirt, blue jean shorts and orange boots, with a pink bow in her red hair. The second wore a pink jacket over a striped T-shirt, yellow skirt, and pink boots. The third wore a black hoodie, green shorts and black boots. Upon getting a good look at these girls, Eric recognized them immediately, he and Nightshade looked enamored at the sight of two of the younger girls, who were none other than this world’s versions of Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. “They look familiar,” Eric said. “You’re telling me, little buddy,” Jasper replied. Soon, another girl came towards the school. She had red and yellow hair, lime green eyes, her attire was a leather jacket over a cyan dress with a yellow hem, blue-green leggings, and black go-go boots. “Girls, I feel like...” Sunset tried to say. “Like what?” Human Rarity asked. “Like we’re being watched,” Sunset replied motioning to Eric and company. Once Eric and his friends came out from behind the stairwell, they approached Sunset and her group. “I’m Sunset Shimmer, what are your names?” the red and yellow haired girl greeted. “I’m Eric Sparkle, and this is Nightshade, Holly, Marina, Zuni, Slapstick, Jasper, and Smokey,” Eric replied. “Good to meet you all. Eric, are you related Princess Twilight by any chance?” Sunset asked. “She’s my mommy,” Eric replied. Eric explained to Sunset his story about coming to Equestria, getting adopted by Twilight, and everything that’s happened since then. “Interesting story,” Sunset replied. “We’re here to find the Locket of Prophecies, it has the ability to reveal visions of the future and it was carved out of a geode, so it has a crystal hue,” Eric said. “We found out from Discord that he sent it to this world, and we could use your help,” Nightshade added. “I’ve heard about the Locket of Prophecies from my studies at Princess Celestia’s school, and I’ll help in any way I can,” Sunset replied. “Who are you talking to, Sunset, darling?” Human Rarity asked as she and the other four girls came to Sunset. “Hi, Rarity! Hi, Applejack and Rainbow Dash! Hi, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy!” Eric greeted. “Sunset, how does he know our names?” Human Rainbow Dash asked. “He and his friends came here from Equestria,” Sunset replied. Meanwhile, back at the statue, Hot Shot and his five partners had become teenage boys wearing leather jackets and blue jeans. They were constantly trying to keep walking upright. “What happened? We’re not invisible anymore,” Draggle wondered. “No idea, but it’s likely that there’s no magic here,” Reeka replied. The gorgons and colts-turned boys went inside the school and tried to think of a plan to get the locket. “Boys, tear this place apart until you find that locket and bring Eric Sparkle and his friends to me!” Hot Shot ordered. In the hallway, Eric and his friends were still with Sunset, trying to find any clue on the locket’s location. “Sunset, do you know who has the locket?” Eric asked. “I noticed Principal Celestia had a peculiar looking locket on her, she mentioned that it’s been in her family for many generations,” Sunset explained. “That must be the Locket of Prophecies, we should ask her for it,” Eric suggested. Eric and his friends, with help from Sunset Shimmer made their way to Principal Celestia’s office. As they walked through the hallway, Hot Shot and his partners soon spotted them. “There they are!” Thundercracker said. “Oh no, we’ve been spotted!” Holly shouted fearfully. “We’re tired of attacking and interrogating students, get them!” Hot Shot ordered. “They’re coming after us!” said Marina. “Girls, we need to get to Principal Celestia’s office, can you please buy us some time?” Sunset asked. “Ya’ll can count on us, Sunset,” Human Applejack replied as she and the others went to head off Hydia and his partners. The two groups then stood face to face with each other, the boys tried to get by, but the girls blocked their every move. “Out of our way!” Hot Shot said. “I don’t think so,” Human Rainbow Dash countered. Thundercracker noticed Eric, his friends and Sunset making their escape and said, “They’re gettin’ away!” “Would you lovely mademoiselles care to step aside?” Draggle asked flirtatiously as he tried to put his hands on Human Rarity. “Get your hands off me, you brute!” Human Rarity shouted. She slapped Draggle, while the other boys got slapped as well, especially Reeka and Thundercracker by Human Rainbow Dash for trying to lay a hand on her and Human Fluttershy. “You are going to pay for that, my little chocolate croissant!” Draggle yelled at Human Rarity. The boys resorted to wrestling the girls just to get by them, but then a wrestling duel broke out. Meanwhile, Eric and his friends, along with Sunset Shimmer successfully made it to Principal Celestia’s office. “Sunset, what can I do for you?” Principal Celestia asked. “It’s about your locket that you described to me a while back, it is actually a magical relic from the land that my new friends here came from,” Sunset replied. “It’s true, we’ve read about the Locket of Prophecies and we came to find it and bring it back safely. Please, Ms. Celestia, the fate of our land depends on it,” Eric added. “You have a big and kind heart, little one. The locket is better off with you than it is with me,” Principal Celestia said as she gave Eric the locket before leaving her office. “Thank you, Ms. Celestia,” Eric replied. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to rejoin my friends,” Sunset replied as she left. After they got the locket, Eric and his friends made their way to the school entrance, barely escaping Hydia, Reeka, Draggle, Hot Shot, Thundercracker, and Skywarp. They went into hiding behind the bleachers as the Friendship Games was going on, this part of it was called the Tri-Cross Relay. While in their hiding place, Eric got a good look at two of the competitors from Crystal Prep. It was the human versions of his mother, Twilight Sparkle and Storm Blade, he also took a good look at the announcer’s booth and happened to notice the human version of his aunt, Cadance. Just then, Hot Shot and his partners were coming their way. Jasper and Smokey went out of hiding to face them. All of a sudden, some magical plants came out of rifts from Equestria opened up by stolen magic. Jasper and Smokey threw their opponents into the path of the plants, which then grabbed hold of Hydia and his partners, while Jasper and Smokey managed to escape. It wasn’t long before the rifts were sealed and the five boys were left confused. “What was that? I thought there was no magic in this world,” Reeka said. “It must’ve somehow got here through the portal a while back,” Hydia replied. Under the bleachers, Eric and his friends witnessed the magical mishaps and were puzzled about it, they went to find Sunset Shimmer and then Nightshade asked, “What happened over there, Sunset?” “Someone had a device that absorbs magic and it caused those rifts to form and those plants to appear,” Sunset replied. “We had better stay clear of that device, Eric, it could absorb your magic as well,” Zuni said. “Good thinking, Zuni,” Eric replied. Meanwhile, back in Equestria, Twilight, Spike, and Storm, along with the newly reformed Starlight Glimmer, returned to the present day and the time travel scroll disappeared. “One Castle of Friendship. Check!” Spike said as he kissed the floor. The throne room door opened revealing Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy. “What in Equestria was that?!” Rarity asked in shock. “Is everypony okay?” Fluttershy asked worriedly. “Can you do it again?” Pinkie squealed. “One group of amazing friends. Check!” Spike said. “Yeah, Spike. It looks like we’re home!” Twilight replied. “Indeed, it’s good to be home. It felt like such a long day,” Storm added. “Uh... what’s she doin’ here?” Applejack asked pointing to Starlight. “Actually, it’s kind of a long story,” Twilight replied. “One that we’d be happy to share with you,” Storm added. Twilight, Storm, and Spike explained everything that they went through during their time travel experience, and how they convinced Starlight to change her ways. “I mean, I knew my rainboom was awesome, but I never thought all of Equestria depended on it!” Rainbow said. “Or on us!” Pinkie added. “We think it’s more than that. Friendship connects all of Equestria, and undoing one group of friends made its magic less powerful,” Twilight said. “It’s true, friendship is perhaps the most important virtue we have,” Storm added. “I can’t believe y’all were able to travel through time like that,” Applejack replied. “That Starlight must be pretty magical!” Pinkie added. “She obviously has more talent for magic than almost anypony Storm and I have seen. Our magic couldn’t stop her. We had to convince her to stop on her own. Once we realized that, everything fell into place,” Twilight explained. “With the magical talent that Starlight has, she may yet have the potential to help us protect Equestria,” Storm added. “But if she’s as powerful as all that, we can’t just send her on her way, can we?” Applejack asked. “Actually, we kind of have something else in mind,” Twilight replied. Starlight kept waiting outside the throne room, until Spike opened the door. She nervously gulped and sighed, then said, “I know there’s no excuse for what I did, but I want you all to know that I’m ready for whatever punishment you think is fair.” “We’ve been thinking a lot about how badly Equestria fared without just one group of friends. Because even when one friendship dies, the results can be disastrous,” Twilight explained. “I know first-hoof how true that can be,” Starlight said. “And that’s why I’ve asked you here. If you’re willing to learn, I’m willing to teach you what I know. You’ll have the power to make Equestria an even better place,” Twilight replied. “We see much potential in you, Starlight. You’re destined for great things,” Storm added. “How do I start?” Starlight asked in a hushed tone. “Starting is easy! All you have to do is make a friend! And you’ve got eight of them right here,” Twilight replied. (Daniel Ingram and Hasbro) Once back at the castle, Twilight and Storm suddenly began thinking about Eric. Twilight had a troubled look on her face. “What’s troubling you, Twilight?” Storm asked. “I just remembered, we need to go see Eric. We had such a long day,” Twilight replied. “I’m sure he’s in good hooves with Jasper and Smokey,” Storm said. “Eric! We’re home!” Twilight called out. The castle was too quiet. “Eric! Where are you, sport?!” Storm called. “Twilight, who’s Eric?” Starlight asked. “He’s my son, who I adopted eight months ago,” Twilight explained. She and Storm told Starlight about how he came to Equestria and what he’s done since then. “When you find Eric, I’d like to meet him,” Starlight said. Twilight, Spike, Storm, and Starlight searched nearly every part of the castle and still no sign of Eric or Jasper and Smokey. Twilight was constantly freaking out about this, she started to have tears form in her eyes. “Try to think positively, Twilight,” Storm said. “How can I?! My baby is missing and we don’t know where he is!” Twilight sobbed. “I’m sure he’s fine, wherever he is,” Storm replied reassuringly. Meanwhile, Eric and his friends just came out of the mirror and back in to the castle. Hot Shot and his partners also came out of the mirror, but then with one incantation, Eric, Jasper, and Smokey used a Memory Charm on them, then the gorgons and colts fled. They came out of the secret compartment and walked down the hallway towards the throne room. Once there, they opened the door revealing Twilight and Storm in each other’s comforting embrace. Spike saw him, tapped Twilight’s shoulder, and said, “Twilight, Storm, Eric’s back, and his friends are here.” “Eric!” Twilight cried out. “Mommy!” cried in joy as he hugged her. “Where were you?!” Twilight asked. “My friends and I went through the Crystal Mirror into the human world to find the Locket of Prophecies and we got it,” Eric explained presenting the locket. “Thank goodness you’re okay!” Twilight replied. “We were so worried about you, sport,” Storm added. Eric and his friends told Twilight, Spike, and Storm about their adventure in the human world, especially meeting Sunset Shimmer. “Glad to hear about that, sweetie. There’s somepony who wants to meet you,” Twilight said. “You wanted to see me, Twilight?” Starlight asked. “Yes. Starlight, this is my son, Eric Sparkle,” Twilight replied. “Eric, this is your mom’s student, Starlight Glimmer,” Storm added. “Hi, Starlight,” Eric said. “Good to finally meet you, Eric,” Starlight replied. A short time later, Eric’s friends went back to their families, then Jasper and Smokey returned to the Carousel Boutique and Sweet Apple Acres, and after his usual evening routine, Eric went to sleep.