It wasn't long before Trixie and Daniel made it into Ponyville itself. The townsponies were busily going about their day, visiting various shops and market stands. Those citizens who passed near Trixie's cart displayed mixed expressions on their faces. At first they seemed angry, noticing the show mare and remembering her from her last visit, but then that anger slowly turned to confusion and curiosity upon seeing who she was travelling with. Daniel felt awkward with everypony staring at him, but much to his relief, none of them stopped for more than a moment, instead continuing about their day.
"They don't seem to be too bothered by my presence." he mumbled to Trixie, slightly surprised.
"Well it's not like you're the first human they've ever seen." she pointed out.
"Yes, but my brother and I don't exactly look that much alike, especially when we're in full uniform."
Trixie grinned. "Maybe your brother was simply more intimidating than you. His fear inducing presence surely desensitized the citizens to the point where someone like you wouldn't cause them to take a second glance." she said slyly.
"Not likely." he muttered. A pair of earth ponies walked by, glaring at Trixie and then leaving with a huff. "It looks like they aren't very fond of you." he said, smiling. "Do you have a history here that you failed to tell me about?"
Trixie looked away, slightly embarrassed. "Well....... The Great and Powerful Trixie may have purchased one of the most powerful amulets in Equestria, trapped the entire town under a large dome, sent Twilight into exile, enslaved all the citizens, and overthrown the local government." she said, blushing slightly.
Daniel just stared at her, wondering if she was going to laugh and say she was kidding. Surprisingly, she did neither and simply stared back, smiling awkwardly.
"Well that's........ interesting." he said, after a moment.
"Yes well, Trixie can be a bit dramatic at times." she coyly admitted, a little proud she was able to leave the Zealot so speechless. The cart came to a stop right in front of Sugarcube Corner, effectively putting an end any business the bakery was going to get that day.
"So, where do I find this Twilight you spoke of?"
Trixie looked around. "The library is over that way." she said, pointing down a street. Just then, a crow flew over and landed near Daniel, cawing loudly before flying away.
"So Twilight is a princess? Horn, wings, a crown and all that?" he asked, turning to Trixie.
"That's right." she said, giving the Crow a curious glance. "How'd you know?"
Daniel ignored her, looking over to the Raven that was still patiently perched on his shoulder. He gave the creature a nod, to which it obediently took off and flew out of sight. The Zealot then stood up and stepped down from the cart.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" she shouted after him. He took a few steps from the cart, before partially turning his head to her.
"I've got business to take care of. Just wait here until I return." he said, shifting into a flock of crows and receiving a few gasps from surprised onlookers in the process.
"HEY!" the aggravated magician screamed at the departing birds. "Come back here this instant you dirty INGRATE!"
Daniel ignored the unicorn, focusing instead on getting to the apple farm he was just informed of. He had a few questions for this "princess", and catching her on her own without any armed guard would make this whole process that much easier.
* * *
"Oh please Mr. Crow, wont you just go find a different tree to rest in?" Fluttershy pleaded to one of the many birds still sitting in the apple trees. "You see, Applejack has a lot of work to do today and you and your friends are making it impossible for her to finish any of it." The crow stared at the yellow pegasus curiously, quickly shifting its head to look at her with each eye.
"Umm, pretty please?" the pony begged, confused as to why the bird didn't seem to be listening. She reached a hoof out to the perched creature, which immediately pecked at it defensively.
"Ouch!" the mare was almost ready to cry. Defeated, she flew back down to the ground where Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight were waiting. "I don't know why they're not listening." Fluttershy admitted. "They don't seem to be amiable at all, they just stare at me when I try talking to them."
Applejack's eyes narrowed. "I bet it's Discord. That meddlesome spirit is always up to no good, and it wouldn't be the first time he's targeted the apple orchard for his little shenanigans."
Twilight shook her head. "It can't be Discord. He's helping Princess Celestia with a private matter at the moment. I don't know specifics, but I do know he wouldn't have the free time to come here and cause trouble."
Fluttershy shot Applejack a dirty look. "I thought we got passed that. Discord's changed." she defended.
"Yeah yeah, if you say so, but if it ain't him, then what in the hay is causin all these darned birds to flock here?" the earth pony asked.
"That would be me." a voice hissed, seemingly coming from everywhere at once. The four ponies looked around, trying to find the source, but all they saw were the crows. The birds had gone completely silent, but all were now looking right at the mares.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Rainbow Dash demanded. Flying up in the air and looking around the nearby trees.
"Twilight." the voice continued, its source still unknown. "Princess Twilight."
The alicorn's ears perked up at the sound of her name. "Who are you and what do you want with me?" she asked, looking all around.
"Ah, so it is you. I'm glad we are finally able to meet. I've heard much about you and the little adventure you had with my dearly departed brother.
Twilight's heart sank. She started feeling dizzy and thought she might lose her lunch. The princess maintained her composure though, not wanting to let anypony see how affected she was by these words.
"And just what in Equestria are you talkin bout?" Applejack asked, clearly unable to connect the dots as easily.
Several of the crows flew into the air, their caws quickly turning into screeches. The ponies covered their ears as the birds circled each other and began fusing together in a cloud of darkness. In mere seconds, Daniel was standing in front of the startled mares.
"Allow me to introduce myself." he said with an icy tone. "My name is Daniel, Daniel Miller."
The harmonious gasp from the group was all he needed to hear. "Ah, I see that name carries some weight around here, at least part of it."
"You're Thomas' brother ain't ya?" Applejack said, finally grasping the situation.
"The late Thomas, from what I hear." the Zealot shot back. The surrounding crows flapped their wings anxiously, but remained perched.
"I also hear that I have you to thank for his untimely death your highness." he said, pointing a pale finger at Twilight accusingly.
The princess' heart rate quickened. "Who have you been talking to?" she demanded, her shaky voice almost betraying her.
"It doesn't matter." he replied coldly. "However, my source wasn't exactly all knowing, so I will allow you to give me more details on exactly what happened with my brother." he raised his arms, gesturing to the crows. "And who knows? Maybe it will keep my flock here from doing anything rash."
As if on cue, the crows began cawing harshly, eagerly awaiting the command to attack. Sweet Apple Acres felt more like a riled up court room at that point, with Twilight and her friends on the witness stand. Of course, it wasn't their freedom they were fighting for.
"I suggest you start from the beginning." Daniel ordered, growing impatient.
Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy looked at Twilight with worry. The alicorn let out a long sigh and closed her eyes. "Very well." she said, then proceeded to tell the story of how a Fireman precariously dropped into their world and ended up saving their lives, becoming a hero in his own right.
* * *
Trixie stood on her cart, dumbfounded by Daniel's sudden exit. She was now alone in a town that hated her, with nothing to show for it but a red mark on her hoof from where one of those vile crows had pecked her.
"This is just great." she spat, hopping off of her cart and kicking the dirt angrily. "Now what am I supposed to do?"
Just when the show mare thought things couldn't get any worse, she heard two familiar voices approaching from behind. The magician turned to see Rarity and Pinkie Pie walking together, apparently on their way to Sugarcube Corner.
"Well all I can really say about it is that she was definitely trying too hard with the outfit." Rarity said. "I feel bad for the poor dear, messing up like that on a Canterlot fashion shoot?"
The two ponies stopped dead in their tracks upon seeing Trixie parked in front of the bakery.
"What are you doing here?" Pinkie Pie asked. "I mean, I guess you could be buying cupcakes or something, since you're outside the bakery and all, but somepony as mean and nasty as you probably doesn't like sweets. Of course, you could just be buying baked goods in some nefarious plot to ruin everypony's day and turn Ponyville into a chaotic mess like you do all the time!" she rambled.
"Listen you little foal, don't think that Trixie needs the Alicorn Amulet to wipe that mouth off your face." the blue unicorn threatened.
Pinkie's eyes widened and she covered her mouth fearfully, frantically shaking her head at Trixie.
"So what are you doing here, miss 'Great and Powerful' Trixie?" Rarity asked sarcastically.
"Well if you must know, Trixie came here with a human." she gloated.
"A human!?" the two ponies shouted in unison.
"That's right! In fact, he's the brother of the very same human that was here a few months ago."
Pinkie and Rarity exchanged worried looks. "Where is he?" the white unicorn asked.
"Well........... I don't really know." Trixie admitted, her head slumped.
Just then, Pinkie Pie began shaking and bouncing uncontrollably. "I... think....they're....at......the farm." the earth pony managed to say through her pinkie sense spasms.
"That ability of yours is so convenient, darling. Now let's get going!" Rarity said to the pink mare. They started off toward Sweet Apple Acres.
"Hey, wait for me!" Trixie shouted after them, quickly running in the same direction.
* * *
Twilight finished giving Daniel the general summary of her experience with Thomas. Much of what she said coincided with Trixie's story, though the princess' version offered much more insight. The Zealot didn't think she was lying to him, but he still found it hard to believe that Thomas would simply start playing the hero in this world. He wasn't the cold, hard son-of-a-bitch that most Firemen were known to be, but his loyalty to Comstock was unmatched and Columbia had been his home. He wouldn't just postpone getting back to the city for the sake of a bunch of ponies.
Across from Daniel, Twilight stood by apprehensively, waiting to hear the Zealot's thoughts. She was still incredibly fearful of the man. How had she been so accurate in his appearance? The nightmares that plagued her were a result of her own imagination, yet her mental image of Daniel was spot on with what he really looked like. Thomas had offered no description of his brother's physical appearance, and the likelihood of her correctly guessing was almost non-existent. The alicorn wasn't naive. She knew it couldn't have been a coincidence. Something was going on here, and it gave her a very bad feeling.
"Can you point me to where his body is?" Daniel suddenly asked.
Twilight blinked in disbelief. "What?"
"His tomb, this mountain where he died. I'd like to go see it." he explained.
The princess was speechless. Here she had expected him to be angry, maybe even violent, yet he seemed completely cool, calm, and collected. There was no hostility in his voice, no underlying abrasion in his words. This caused even more fear in Twilight. Her mind was thinking a million things at once.
"I'll take you there, Mr. Miller."
Twilight looked over at Fluttershy as she calmly walked up to the Crow. Applejack and Rainbow Dash stared at her, mouths agape.
"Fluttershy......" Twilight began.
"It's alright girls, Daniel should be able to pay his respects." the shy pegasus spoke softly. The Zealot looked at her curiously. He hadn't expected the most timid member of their group to volunteer as a guide.
"No, I'll be doing this alone." he interjected. "Point me in the direction, and I'll locate it fine by myself."
Twilight hesitantly raised her hoof and pointed east. Without another word, Daniel dispersed into crows and flew in that direction. All of the surrounding crows left as well, silently flying away and disappearing over the treeline. In a matter of seconds, four confused ponies were left in an empty apple orchard, wondering what the hay just happened.
"You want me to follow him, Twi?" Rainbow Dash offered.
"No." the alicorn replied. "We need to get back to the library and find Spike."
"Gonna write a letter to Princess Celestia?" Applejack asked.
Twilight shook her head. "Not exactly."
The group heard hoofsteps approaching from behind several trees. It didn't take long for them to spot Rarity and Pinkie Pie running toward them, with a blue unicorn following close behind. Twilight identified the stranger to be Trixie, who didn't look particularly happy.
"Alright princess." the show mare started, trotting right up to the alicorn. "Where is my human!?"