"Remember Peter, with great power comes great responsibility."
-Ben Parker from Spiderman
The two humans sat there not knowing what to do but Twilight immediately responded.
“Hello Pinkie Pie, yes it is a nice day. Their names are Jessie and Rob, and no they are not Aliens. Well, I guess in a way they are but not the type your thinking of. They're humans and no they don’t have a spaceship. They came here by magic and even if they did I wouldn’t allow you to ride in it. If you want to throw them a party you’re going to have to ask them if they want one,” Twilight finally finished what she had to say and took a deep long breath.
Pinkie Pie looked at Twilight feeling somewhat saddened that they didn’t have a spaceship but perked up immediately and tackled the humans to the ground.
“Hey, guys do you want a party, they’re really fun. There will be lots of games and food and drinks. Oh and lots of ponies will be there too so do ya, do ya,” Pinkie Pie stared at them with her big cartoonish eyes waiting for their response. Rob and Jessie were still stunned by the tackle and were processing what had just been said. Finally, Rob spoke.
“I don’t know, I'm quite booked right now looking for a job. I also need to get started on learning some of Equestria's history. Have to be ready for any job interviews. Plus we've got some other business to take care of as well,” Rob stated while also trying to get up after being tackled. Pinkie pies hair deflated and was beginning to develop tears in her eyes so Jessie quickly countered that statement.
“But that doesn’t mean you can’t schedule it for some other time. Maybe we could plan it for a specific day that we are all free. Plus there should be some planning involved don’t you think,” Jessie end it with a wink. Pinkies hair poofed back up and she grew a wide smile before jumping around.
“Oh yes, there has got to be a lot of planning. I want it to be the best party you have ever had. I've got to get to work right away,” and with that Pinkie shot out of the library faster than a rocket.
“Wow, where does she get all that energy. If I didn’t know any better I'd swear Pinkie Pie is using some unknown kind of magic. Have you figured her out yet,” Jessie asked as he turned to Twilight? Twilight responded with a simple shrug and a sway of her head. Jessie looked to Rob with a stern look. “Rob why did you go and do that. you almost made Pinkie cry and then we would have had a real problem.” Rob turned to Jesse with a glare.
"Can't you see that this is a bad Idea. We shouldn’t get to attached to these ponies or let them get close to us. We don't know if Celestia will find a way to send us back home and if she does, what do you think is going to happen? These ponies will cry, especially Pinkie Pie. You know that she could easily get depressed over a sad thing like that happening. If she were to become our friend then Celestia found a way to send us back, what do you think would happen?
She will be the most heartbroken out of all the six and I certainly don’t want to be responsible for that.” Jessie saw Rob had a solid point to his argument.
“Never the less, we should treat it as if we are never going back and just live out our lives here. I would much prefer to think that way than be pessimistic about it. Yes, you may be correct, She may find a way to send us back. However, here’s the thing, she also might not. The magic that sent us here is probably a lot older than Celestia in which case, this magic might not be able to be harnessed by Luna or Celestia. it's might be a type of magic that is beyond their control.
We just so happened to be affected by it at the right time and when it built up enough energy, granted the wish that was made. Don’t worry about it too much Rob. Just know that whatever happens, fate put us here for a purpose and someday we will figure that out. Until then, don’t dwell on it so much.”
“You do have a good a good point Jesse I just- Rob stood there silent for the briefest of moments but it felt like minutes had passed, “I just don’t want to see these ponies cry over anything having to do with us.” Rob then left the library to contemplate on what Jesse had said. At some point, Twilight had left the room and came back after hearing bits and pieces of the argument.
“Jessie, what was that all about?”
“Rob doesn’t want to get close to you ponies because of the possibility that Celestia and Luna might find a way to send us home. he doesn’t want anypony crying because of us leaving.” Jessie then pulled a chair away from the desk and sat down.
“I can tell you that even though you are alien to our land, we care about all living creature. Certainly, no matter who they are and no matter where they come from.”
“Is that why you nor Celestia could never truly end Discords life even after all the unspeakable atrocities he committed while he ruled and came back the second time.” Jesse looked over to Twilight and found a completely befuddled look on her face.
“How the heck did you know about that, we never told you any of this?”
“Remember what I said earlier, I know a lot more than you think Twilight. All I can say is don’t worry about it, Rob is probably still getting used to living here. I know this because I’m still doing the same thing. I just can’t believe that I’m actually in Equestria, it has always been kind of a dream of mine to come here and to see the sights of your world.” Twilight was interested in these humans, they possess great compassion in her eyes and she couldn’t help but feel happy knowing that she was here being able to talk to them as if they were any other pony on Equis.
“So Jessie when is your interview for the bookstore job I suggested to you.”
“It’s this weekend actually, that's also the same time Rob has his job interview.
“What job did he pick?”
“He signed up to be a teacher at the school, that’s why he wants to learn Equestrian history and a few other things about pony society. He wants to be able to properly teach the foals if he gets the job.
“Well, he can have access to any book in this library that will help him towards that end. As for you, there are something’s I need to talk to you about as far as how you got here. I received a letter from the princesses a few minutes ago.”
“What’s up, did Celestia discover something?” Twilight sat there for a second choosing her words carefully for she knew this news would not be at all pleasing.
“Yes and no, you see her research ponies have been working on learning more about the magic that brought you here. However, they have learned only a small amount of knowledge, enough to confirm two things at least. The first is that it’s a new magic in itself and they have dub Astral magic. They confirmed that it’s a mix of Celestial and pony magic which are quite common but with something else present. They found a third type in it called Ethereal magic. Ethereal magic is a magic that exists only in the wake of Celestia and Luna’s hair. That magic is kind of a byproduct of the spirit world. It somehow leaks through by means of alicorn hair when it’s in its ethereal form and in very small amounts. That's why it takes so long for it to build up in the atmosphere because there is only two alicorn that we know of who possess ethereal manes. For some reason Cadence, the third alicorn does not have an ethereal mane yet and nobody knows why. There also may have been more alicorns like Celestia or Luna at some point but are either long since dead or left this world.”
“Alright, so far I’m following ya but how is it that it happens to leak through.”
“Well, they cant ascertain the full details about that part, unfortunately. The second thing they were able to confirm is that this magic cannot be controlled by anypony here. Even if they were able to figure out all about it, they would never be able to gain control of the magic and use it. It's a new kind of magic altogether that no pony has ever controlled. That means we can’t send you back, the portal as it would seem was a one-way ticket after all. I’m sorry we can’t help you get home, Twilight finished explaining as she tried to give Jessie a comforting smile.
“It’s alright Twilight I have already accepted that and I know I should not dwell on the what ifs. Thanks for the info Twilight, I’ll tell Rob about it later. For now, though, I’ve got to get ready since my interview is this weekend. I have to prepare for it and I would appreciate it if you could help me Twilight.” Twilight was all too eager to help someone in need. So they set to work to get him ready for interview day.
Rob was walking around in the marketplace watching all the ponies going about their business buying and selling merchandise. His legs were starting to get sore from all the work and walking today. He decided to sit down on a bench that was nearby. The bench was secluded, for the most part. It was by a building that was a little bit away from Sugarcube Corner. Rob sat there thinking about everything that had happened so far since he got here and on what Jesse had said.
It was true, Jesse had a point and was right on a lot of what he stated. Rob started talking to himself but in a low tone so that the ponies passing by could not listen.
“I don’t see how Jessie can be so content with what has happened, I just don’t get it. How can he think this is anything but a major problem. I understand what he was saying and don’t get me wrong, he put up a decent argument. He doesn't seem to understand that even if Celestia cannot find a way to send us back, we are still new to this place. We're never going to be completely accepted by all of them let alone fit in with these ponies regularly? He needs to know that it’s probably not going to happen.
If he's read any of the stories on the internet about them, he’d realize that even though these ponies may be nice, there's evidence that ponies aren't immediately accepting of different races. I mean, did he not see the hearths warming eve episode or the one with Zecora in it. all these points need to be considered.”
Rob sat there for what seemed like minutes to him but when he looked up at the clock it read five o’clock. “Wow time sure does fly,” Rob took notice as he stood up. "I don't know, maybe he's right. I guess I may be a little overly gloomy, I am living every Bronies dream after all. I should be happier and not be pointing out all the negatives about our situation. It’s just hard to think about all the good things since I have to leave a lot of other stuff behind, stuff that was important to me.
Well, it looks like I’ll just have to find a way to adjust." Once he was finished with his thoughts, he got up and headed back to Sweet Apple Acres. Rob was unaware though that a pony was hiding in the empty trash can near the bench the entire time.
“I can’t let another pony be sad, even if that pony happens to be not a pony, but a human. He looked so depressed, but I'm willing to bet I can make him smile. There has never been a creature alive that I have not gotten to smile when I throw them a party. I will show him that even though he is human, we will not think of him so differently as he believes.” Slowly a pink pony got out of the trash can and disappeared into the shadows with a large smile on her face. "I will get everypony to accept you and make you feel welcome or my name isn’t Pinkamina Diana Pie.