//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: Twilight’s Evening // Story: Outside Reality // by The reluctant fan //------------------------------// Twilight had bid her friends a good night and headed back to the library. She knew that it would be easier to translate the anatomy book with Galen around, but she was confident that she could make some headway before the next day. Twilight walked through the door of the library and was greeted to the curious face of Spike. “So how did it go? Was anycreature living there?” “Oh, hi Spike! Actually, there was! He showed us all sorts of amazing things inside his house, and even gave us a small history lesson about his devices! It’s absurd how advanced his civilization is compared to Equestria! They have a device you can hold in your hooves that can store thousands of books! THOUSANDS!!” “Wow, that sounds awesome! So, uh, what kind of creature is he?” “That’s the complicated part. He’s a unicorn, but apparently he wasn’t until I accidentally brought him here. Do you know about those ‘humans’ that Lyra’s always talking about?” Spike widened his eyes. “Sweet Celestia he’s doomed.” Twilight gave a chuckle. “We warned him about her, so hopefully he’ll keep an eye out. In any case, I need to send a letter to the Princess. Spike, if you may?” Spike pulled out a scroll and quill and got ready to write. “Dear Princess Celestia, the building that appeared in Ponyville is inhabited by a creature called a ‘human’ that has been turned into a unicorn. He goes by the name ‘Galen’, and has so far been kind to me as well as my friends. He also possess technology far beyond anything anycreature has ever conceived! He showed my friends and I a small film explaining the history of what he called ‘digital technology’.” “There are a few things you should know about him however. For one, he eats meat. He has stated that his species doesn’t eat sentient beings, but he keeps cow meat in his icebox. Apparently cows are not smart where he comes from. He also knows of the ancient curse words of ponykind, and uses them rather often, especially when distressed. He has expressed wishes to return home, and since I am responsible for his being here, I wish to help him in this endeavor. If you have any knowledge that may help us, I ask you to share it with me.” “Galen also appears to have a different written language from ours. He has given me a book on the anatomy of his species in hopes that I will be able to transform him back into a human, but the script is indecipherable to me at the moment.” “I will send you updates as we learn more about him and his situation. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.” Spike finished the scroll off and sent it away in a puff of green flames. “Wow! This guy sounds pretty cool, especially his super cool technology! Are you going back tomorrow? Can I come?” Twilight rolled her eyes at her adopted brother’s enthusiasm. “I suppose so. Just be careful around his stuff, we wouldn’t want to break anything he can’t replace.” “Don’t worry, I’ll be super careful!” Twilight smiled and brought the book she was carrying over to a desk. She pulled up an Equestrian dictionary and started scanning between the two books. After about five minutes, a belch was heard from behind her. “Twilight, the princess wrote back!” Twilight eagerly opened up the scroll and read it. “Dear Twilight, this ‘human’ you speak of has made me rather curious. I cannot say that I envy his situation, and I will help all that I can in order to send him back home. However, I am also interested in this technology you state that he possesses. Perhaps that if we were to assist him in his return home, then he would be willing to share some of his advanced technology. I have cleared my schedule three days from now, and I will be coming to meet him in person. I wish to see just what kind of pony he is. You have stated that he has been kind and understanding, but I wish to judge for myself wether he is a threat to my little ponies or not. Please notify this Galen that I will be visiting him soon. Your Mentor, Princess Celestia.” Twilight dropped the scroll in surprise. “The princess is coming to see Galen in three days! We’ll have to tell him tomorrow so he’ll have time to prepare!” Spike belched put another scroll and Twilight snatched it up. “P.S. Luna has expressed wishes to meet him as well. She and I will be coming together.” “Both Princesses?! I hope Galen will be ready.” Spike rolled his eyes. “Come on Twilight, the princesses just want to meet him. It’s not like it’s some huge event! As long as he acts like himself and doesn’t be disrespectful he’ll be fine.” Twilight sighed. “You’re right. But we still need to let him know first thing tomorrow. I’m going to continue trying to translate this book, let me know when dinner is ready.” Twilight hunched over the desk in focus. Even after an hour. She hadn’t made much progress. There were certain symbols that only appeared at the beginning of a sentence or a certain word, and it was confusing her quite a bit. What she did notice is that their punctuation was the same, and that the length of the words were similar to the length of Equestrian words. Twilight sighed as she continued to analyze the text. “Maybe I should wait for Galen after all. He can just tell me what those words say, and we’ll go from there.” Spike came out of the kitchen and set a bowl of soup down on Twilight’s desk. “Come on Twilight, take a break. You said that he’s gonna help you out tomorrow right? Just wait until you can make some actual progress.” “I… guess you’re right. I just can’t make any progress myself! Every species on Equus has spoken and written the same language for so long that the process of translation has been lost to time, so I have no idea where to begin!” “Chill out Twilight, I’m sure you’ll make some progress tomorrow!” Twilight gave a small smile. “Thanks Spike. It’s just that Galen has impressed me so much already, that I was kind of hoping to impress him you know?” “Haha! You got a thing for him or something?” Twilight groaned and rolled her eyes. “I’ve known him a day Spike. Of course not. Besides, even if I did, that kind of interest would most likely freak him out.” “Yeah I guess you’re right.” Spike and Twilight are in silence for a while, before Spike spoke up. “So do you think Galen has any comics?” “Of course that’s where your mind would go. I’m sure it’s a possibility, but he hasn't said anything about that.” Twilight gave Spike a side look and smirked. “He did say he had video games though.” “Really?! Awesome! I wonder what they’re like! Where would he keep the machines?” “He actually told us he had a video game device that you can hold in your hooves. Or claws, in your case.” Spike looked absolutely giddy. “I can’t wait to meet him tomorrow! This’ll be so cool!” Twilight rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t say she didn’t blame him. Her mind drifted towards how the princesses would react to Galen and his technology. “I hope he makes a good impression. He’ll be living under their rule while he’s here anyway. Wait a minute…” Twilight sighed. “Galen’s not going to like all that paperwork.”