//------------------------------//
// Of Science and Friendship (Edited and Extended) 
// Story: Geoverse Part Two: To Love Is Human 
// by GeodesicDragon 
//------------------------------//

	Several weeks passed by in a heartbeat, as John and I diligently assisted Ace with the construction of his stabiliser; the shocking news that he was responsible for sending me to Equestria in the first place making me all the more determined to help him.

"That's good." Ace watched as John and I lowered a piece of metal into position. "Right, guys, hold it there for just a second..."

He flicked a switch and started welding the piece into place, the mask on his face shielding his eyes from the bright blue flames.

"How does this work anyway, Doc?" I asked carefully, bearing in mind the fact he was busy. "I mean, portals to other universes?"

Ace stopped welding, removed the mask, and looked at me. "It's quite simple, Geo," he replied, as if he was talking to an idiot. "The going theory of the cause of the Big Bang is that two universes collided with one another, and are now constantly reforming into one universe. The collision itself was the Big Bang, and the vast, ever expanding universe is really two universes collapsing into each other. Are you with me so far?"

"Uh, I think so." I glanced over at John, who shrugged. "But what does that have to do with all of this?"

"Well, I have a theory that black holes are the key to bridging two universes together," Ace explained. "They're gravitational anomalies which are so dense, they warp time and space around them; not even light can escape the singularity. I've based my theories on trans-universal travel on the results of the Large Hadron Collider over in Geneva." He sighed. "I wish I had toys like that..."

He took a deep breath before continuing. "So far, the results have been promising. My theory is that black holes are dense enough that they should be able to pull two universes together, and that the Big Bang was caused by a super-massive black hole."

"Are you seriously saying that I fell through a black hole to get to Equestria?" I asked, raising an eyebrow sceptically.

"A small one," Ace replied, using his fingers to indicate something the size of a postage stamp. "But, yeah, pretty much."

"Wait a second," John interjected. "Aren't black holes supposed to, like, rip you apart or something?"

"I've been doing some research into the relationship between gravitational and magnetic fields," Ace replied. "It's all very complicated, so I'll try to simplify it as best I can. I use magnets to flatten the black hole, and that pulls it apart enough that a solid object can pass through without being torn apart."

As he talked, he made squashing motions with his hands.

"How does that work, anyway?" John scratched his head. "Wouldn't someone getting sucked into a black hole just be squished into the hole? It's not supposed to be a portal, is it?"

"According to some theories, black holes are actually the entrance to interstellar wormholes, and quasars are the exit," Ace said, as if talking to a couple of bored schoolboys. "That is what my current theory relies on. Black holes are supposed to be one way tickets to another part of the universe – our universe – but I can make them go to another universe, which is entirely unlike ours."

"Why do you call it 'another universe,' anyway?" I asked. "Wouldn't it be best to call it another dimension?"

"Another dimension implies that we would be existing in a state other than length, width, depth, or time." Ace folded his arms.

"What about 'another world?'" John asked, somewhat smugly.

"That implies that the other world exists in our universe."

"Another plane of existence?" I suggested.

"That implies we're going to Hell."

"So... another universe?" John checked.

"A place where different laws of nature and physics apply, yes."

When John and I didn't reply, Ace looked pleased that we finally understood what he was saying. He put his face mask back on and continued welding, as John and I went to fetch more metal.


***


"Twiiiiiiiilight!" Rarity called in her sing-song voice.

Twilight's head poked out from the flap of the tent, which was half the size of the Ponyville library and elaborately patterned.

"Good morning, Rarity," she said sleepily. "Is it morning already?"

"Indeed it is, darling," Rarity replied, holding up a bag with her magic. "I've brought you some supplies." Twilight took the bag and opened it, revealing a small pile of food and water.

"Thanks, Rarity." Twilight pulled Rarity in for a hug, which the other mare returned eagerly, before she broke off and looked around.

"Where are the others?" she asked.

"Rainbow Dash is away getting firewood, and Pinkie Pie is... well, being Pinkie Pie." Twilight replied with a chuckle.

"Have you had any trouble from the wildlife?" Rarity said, looking into the tree-line. "I shudder to think at what might be out there."

"Not a peep," Twilight said with a smile. "I don't know what Fluttershy said or done, but it's helped a lot."

Rarity returned the smile before hugging Twilight one more time. "I'm sorry to cut this visit short, darling, but I have to return to the Boutique as soon as possible," she said. "If I leave Sweetie Belle unattended for too long, things tend to explode."

"They'll explode even more now that Spike is with her," Twilight replied. "Thanks again for letting him stay with you, by the way."

Rarity giggled. "It's no problem at all, Twilight," she said. "Although I'd rather not think about things exploding." She began to walk away. "Anyway, must dash. Ta-ta, my dear friend, take care!"

Twilight waved to her friend and went back into the tent, the floor of which was covered in rolls of parchment adorned with tally marks. Twilight sighed and kicked out at them, scattering them every which way, before she flopped onto her bed.

"Three weeks we've been here," she muttered. "And nothing."

She sighed as she looked at the ceiling and allowed fond memories of moments past to invade her mind. The fond memories soon gave way to sorrow, and Twilight had to stop herself from crying. Composing herself, she sat up and levitated a quill and parchment over. After thinking for a moment, she began writing.



Dear Princesses Celestia and Luna

You've both probably heard by now that I have been camping out in the Everfree Forest for the last three weeks now. If so, you'll know - and hopefully understand - why I am doing this.

If you don't know, then it's all in the name of love. While trying to contact Geo using that spell Luna helped Spike to find (thank you!), my friends and I spoke to the spirit of Anthony.

He's much nicer in person than you led me to believe, Celestia, but I digress. Anthony told us that Geo's spirit wasn't in Equestria, because he was back in his own universe; a fact that was confirmed when the spirit of Discord made himself known.

At first, I was crestfallen, for I thought that all was lost. But then my friends made me realise that Geo wouldn't exactly be the sort of man to give up. They convinced me that he's trying his utmost to return to Equestria — and to me. There are parts of my mind which tell me he is gone forever, but I refuse to believe them.

And that leads me to where I am now: in the Everfree Forest. I'm camping out at the exact spot where we first met him. When he comes back, I know that he'll arrive here. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie are both with me, so I'm not alone. Fluttershy has asked the local wildlife to give us peace, Rarity has made a lovely – and enormous – tent for us to sleep in, and Applejack is providing us with the refreshments we need.

I am so happy to have these five as my friends, for they are doing everything they can to see me happy once more. They are the greatest ponies I have ever had the privilege of meeting, and I hope someday to repay the favours they have bestowed upon me.

I'm running out of parchment, so I will finish this letter off by sharing with you what I've learned.

Never give up on the one you love — and I don't intend to. Even if it takes ten years or a hundred years, I will see Geo again.

Also, your friends can help you get through what seems like the darkest of times. They are always there with a comforting word, a shoulder to cry on or – like mine – support for your madcap ideas.

It's because of my friends that I managed to drag myself out of the pit of despair and onto the path to hopefulness. I couldn't be more thankful to have them by my side.

Do not worry about me, Princesses, for I'll be fine. But if you'd like to come and visit me, look out for the giant tent in the middle of the forest. As I said, Rarity went a bit overboard with it.

Your lovestruck (but still faithful) student and friend
Twilight Sparkle



Twilight wrapped the letter up and sent it off using her own magic, a feeling of happiness welling up inside her. Lying on her back again, she closed her eyes and let the fond memories invade her mind once more; the sorrow having been replaced with joy.


***


I frantically pressed buttons as John shouted at me, the two of us looking around frantically. We were being stalked, and we had to defend ourselves, but our adversary was a clever one indeed.

"He's there!" John yelled suddenly, pointing wildly in front of him.

"Where?!" I asked fearfully. "Where the hell is—"

BLAM

"FOR FUCK SAKE!" I shouted, throwing the controller down. To our left, Ace cackled madly with his arms raised in triumph.

"I win again!" he said gleefully. "You guys suck."

"Nuts to this," I said. "I'm more of a PS3 guy, anyway." I picked up the controller again. "Never did get the hang of this Xbox one."

Ace laughed. "OK, I get it," he said. "You're a sore loser, and you're making excuses. It's no big deal."

I glared at him and decided to change the subject. "Is the stabiliser complete yet?" I asked, still seething from the drubbing I'd got.

"Yes," Ace replied. "But—"

"It is?!" I interrupted, punching the air in celebration. "Well, what the hell are we sitting around gaming for? Let's get going!"

I made a break for the gateway, but Ace grabbed my shirt as I ran past, forcing me to an abrupt halt.

"It needs to charge first," he said flatly. "And even then, there's no guarantee that you'll actually end up in Equestria."

I sighed. "How long will it take to charge?"

"Three days," Ace replied.

I slapped my forehead and groaned. "OK, fine, three days," I said through gritted teeth. "Guess I can't do much about that."

Ace patted my shoulder gently.

"Hey, Ace," John said. "Geo's already set on staying in Equestria, but how are you and I gonna get back should the need arise?"

"See that big guy over there?" Ace pointed at a large, robotic vehicle which was sitting behind a table with various bits of machinery and hardware attached to it. "That's called a Tread-bot. I made it to be a beastly powerhouse that can haul anything. It has a five hundred horsepower engine that runs off algae, it can reach speeds in excess of thirty miles an hour, and it's even powerful enough to tear down a small building." He smiled. "I call him Tiny." He continued, as he turned to the robot. "Tiny! Here, boy!"

The large metal machine activated with a deep series of beeps, then began moving out from behind the table. It rolled on two treads out to the floor, and looked like a tank that was the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, with a battering ram on the top. It rolled close to us, causing John and I to fall backwards. It came to a stop just before running in to Ace, whose smile increased in size as he began rubbing the machine, as if he was petting it.

"Aww, that's a good boy, Tiny!" he said, displaying more affection towards a machine than was humanly sane. "You came as soon as daddy called, didn't you? Didn't you? Aww, Good boy!"

John and I looked at each other, dumbstruck.

"So... is Tiny coming with us?" I asked hesitantly.

"Of course he is!" Ace continued to pet the robot. "You're gonna be carrying the equipment and materials for me to build a new lab in the other universe, aren't ya, boy? Aww, dat's a good boy!"

The robot made a series of noises which indicated that it was responding to the affection in a positive way.

"Well, you two are more than welcome to come back," I said, as I dragged myself off the floor again. "Because, as John as already stated, I'm gonna stay put and get with my mare again."

"But you'll come back if it's the wrong universe?" Ace asked.

"Yes, of course." I replied, wondering why he asked me such a thing. "I don't give a fuck how many universes I have to travel through; all that matters to me is getting back to Equestria."

I slammed my fist down on the nearby table.

"These next three days had better fucking fly by."