The Visitation
Ponyville Library-Late at night
“Alright, I’m all in.”
In the dimly lit and smoke filled room, the purple and green dragon slide his chips to the center of the green felt table. His chips joined the impressively large group there. Two of his opponents folded. Only one remained, but this was Spike’s hand…er claw. He had the four and ten of clubs and on the table was the jack of hearts, and the two and six of clubs. All he needed was another club and he’d have a flush. The last card came down, the jack of clubs. With his victory assured, he laid down his cards and began to collect his earning. “Well, somepony’s finally getting lucky today,” Spike couldn’t help but smile.
His reach was cut short by a rabbit’s paw. Stopping him was Angel, dress in a black vest and bow tie, as he pointed to his remaining opponent. Gummy laid down his cards to reveal a pair of jacks. “A four of a kind? Son of Winona!” Spike said realizing he had just lost. And understanding what he just said, Spike turned to the Border collie. “No offense.” The dog didn’t seem to mind.
Angel slid the chips to Gummy, which he added to his rather impressive stack. Of all the pet, none of them expected him to be the best poker player, but there he was, king of the table.
Spike left his chair and found a cup full of gem. Reaching for one, he handed it to Angel, the game’s dealer. “Would you mind cashing this one out?” This was the third time Spike had done this and it was against the rules, but Angel allowed it. Weather it was out of kindness or some sort of pleasure seeing Spike lose so often, no one could tell.
Just as Spike handed over the gem, there was the sound of a key sliding into the lock and the front door of the library swung open.
“Why is it so dark in here?” Twilight asked, using her horn to light the room to its normal brightness. “And why is there so much smoke? Spike, you didn’t try making that soufflé again, did you?”
Spike entered the main Library lobby, “Uh, hey Twilight you’re back early.” Spike gave a nervous smile and looked behind him. Motioning the pets to get rid of the poker table, they were trying to stuff the table into the broom closet. Spike turned back to Twilight.
Spike soon noticed there was more than the usual amount of ponies he had come to expect. In fact, it seemed like everyone was doubled. In the lobby stood two Rainbow Dashes, two Fluttershys, two Pinkie Pies, two Applejack, and two Raritys. Soon the other pets joined him.
Twilight noticed her dumbfounded assistant. “Spike, you remember everyone from Canterlot High, right?”
Spike shook his head and regained his composure, “Wait, you mean they’re from that weird lanky universe though the mirror where I was a dog?”
“Yes,” Twilight said. “They’re going to be staying with us until we can figure out a way to get them back home.”
“Ah was expecting him to be bigger,” AJ said to Rare in a whisper.
“I was thinking he’d be more like Godzilla or something like that,” RD said, overhearing the comment.
“Me too,” Rare replied. “He’s much more human looking than I expected.”
“Ya got a crush on him now?” AJ said smiling “Ah saw the way you handle him back when he a little puppy.” AJ grin grew wider as Rare turned redder.
“Now, AJ just because I, shall we say, gave him some affection doesn’t mean that there’s any sort of relationship between us. I’m sure that our friendship here is strictly platonic.” Rare replied.
“So you’re telling me there are two Raritys here?” Spike said have dazed in a love sick tone.
“Yes, at least of a while,” Twilight replied. The concept was too much for Spike to take and he fainted.
“Oh my!” Shy said quietly, moving around to check on the unconscious dragon, who was only muttering “Two Raritys,” in a happily glazed tone.
“I think it’s way past his bed time,” Twilight said, grabbing Spike in a violet aura and moving him to his bed. “I think I’ll send a letter to the Princess tomorrow about the whole mirror thing.”
“Oh, that reminds me.” Twilight flashed out of the room. There were two flashes outside and one coming from a door in the lobby, from which Twilight emerged from. “Had to get the mirror down there, just couldn’t have it standing around outside.”
“Now explain to me why we had to take the train again?” RD asked.
“Well, I needed to contact the Princess, and Spike is the fastest way to get ahold of her,” Twilight said, “And if we just sent a letter in the mail, then the train it would be on would have to pass though Ponyville anyways, so it saves us a lot of time.”
“No, I mean why didn’t you just teleport us here?” RD replied.
“Well, it only works over a short distance and I can only take about two to three ponies with me,” Twilight responded, “So, at best I could gotten half of us about five miles away from the Crystal Empire. That wouldn’t have been very helpful.”
“Well, Ah think Ah’d better get back home,” Applejack said, taking a leash to Winona. “Winona hear don’t like sleepin’ in other ponies’ house and apparently somepony forgot to pick her up. When Ah get home, Applebloom’s gonna get an earful.”
“Ah hear that,” AJ said. “My sis just the same at times.”
“Well, it was nice meetin’ ya, me, y’all” Applejack said. “Ah’ll see you in the mornin’. Night.” Applejack exited the Library.
“Yeah, I think I’ll head out too.” Rainbow Dash said. “Nothing against your place Twilight, I just like the feel of my own bed.”
“I agree,” Rarity said. “Nothing feels as comfortable as one’s own surrondings, expect for maybe a spa bath, or a hooficure, or the feel of a nice long…” Rarity looked up and turing slightly red, noticed she was rambling. “Well, anyhow I think will be off, come here Opel.”
The white cat walked slowly over and Rarity placed her in her cage. “Well, since Applejack is coming by tomorrow, I think I shall join her. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, smell ya later. Come on Tank.” Rainbow Dash said, and Rarity and Rainbow Dash left with Tank running into the wall before finding the door.
“Wait, she has a flying turtle? That’s so awesome.” RD said.
“Actually, he’s a tortoise,” Fluttershy corrected her. “I think I’ll be going home to, if that’s alright with you. I have a whole bunch of animals that need to be taken care for. I got Harry to help out, but some of the little critters are still frighten by him.”
“Uh, would it be alright if I stopped by tomorrow?” Shy said “I love to see all the animals you take care of, if you don’t mind, that is.”
“Sure, that be wonderful,” Fluttershy responded. “My cottage is right next to the magically enhanced forest that is home to a plethora of untamed wild beasts. See you tomorrow.”
As Fluttershy exited, she could still be hear conversing with Angel. “Why are you wearing that?” she said innocently, noticing Angel’s clothes, as her voice trailed softly into the night.
Looking at the six remaining ponies in the room, Twilight motioned to the side room. “Well it looks like it’s just us tonight. I’ll go get some sleeping bags.”
“Hey, Twilight, what time is it?” Pinkie Pie asked,
“Uh, eleven thirty, I think?” Twilight said, looking for a clock.
“Eleven-thirty?! Gummy’s favorite movie is on!” Pinkie Pie said. “If he misses it, he’ll be so upset!” The alligator blinked, his expression unchanging. “Come on, Gummy, if we hurry, we can still catch it.” Pinkie Pie ran to the door. “See you tomorrow Twi!” She said exiting the library and sprinting down the street.
“Well I suppose that’s one less sleeping bag,” Twilight said. “Now where did I put them?” She entered the side room and opened the broom closet. “AHHH!” Twilight screamed as poker chips and table fell on her.
After helping Twilight with the mess caused by the poker set and grabbing the sleeping bag, the ponies soon formed a circle around their makeshift base.
“I hope you guys don’t mind sleeping here,” Twilight said. “I have a spare bed, but I think it be kind of unfair to have two of you sleep in it while the others only have these.” She pointed to the bag.
“Nah, its fine.” RD said. “Why did you grab one?”
“Well I was reading my slumber party book and it said that if there are not enough beds to hold everypony, then everyone should sleep together, including the host.” Twilight replied.
“Seriously, you read a book on slumber parties?” RD said in a deadpan tone.
“Uh…Yes?” Twilight said, blushing slightly.
“NEEERRRD!” RD said, point a hoof at her, giggling a bit.
“Now stop the Rainbow,” Rare said. “I’m sure Twilight her just needed some pointer on how to act as a proper hostess for this kind of occasion.”
“Yeah and any book about partying is okay in my book,” Pink replied.
“Alright, I’ll stop. Besides, Twilight isn’t the biggest nerd here anyways. Right Fluttershy?” RD turned to look at Shy.
“Who, me?” Shy said, a bit frighten by the sudden attention.
“Yes, you. Somewhere down the road you became a sci-fi fan. You were referencing all sorts of weird plot elements and stuff when we arrived here today. Where did that come from, anyways?” RD asked.
“I’d rather not talk about it.” Shy retreated into her mane.
“Actually, I kind of like to hear that,” Twilight said. “Our universe’s Fluttershy doesn’t come here very often to check out books and she’s never really expressed an opinion on science fiction.”
“I really don’t want to talk about it,” Shy said, burrowing her face into her pillow.
“It’s alright Sugarcube,” AJ said, “You’re surrounded by friends here, why don’t ya tell us. We won’t judge ya, or anythin’.”
“That’s the thing,” Shy said softly. “I got into it when we weren’t friends.”
The group was silent. They knew what she was talking about.
“As you know, I volunteer at the animal shelter. I really enjoy helping all those animals find new homes and just taking care of them in general. But a lot of cases aren’t pleasant. We get a lot of abused animals in there. Some of them are really tragic. There was this one family that had to give up a puppy because she had got in a car crash and they didn’t have the money to heal her. But anyways, you guys were always there for me, so I could take the bad with the good. I mean for as many injured or beaten animals we get, there are twice as many willing to adopt and give these creatures a loving home.” Shy said, not wishing to look at the group.
“But after the un-silent auction,” Pink looked away from Shy. “We didn’t get to many people coming in. So, we were still getting a ton of animals, but no one was coming to take them. And we had all stop hanging out together, so there were some days that I just sat down and cried.”
“So since we weren’t friends anymore, I had a lot of time on my hands when I wasn’t at the animal shelter, so I started watching some TV shows. Most I didn’t really like, ether they were too gritty or to naive for my taste. Well, then I found some old sci-fi show, you know, like Star Trek and Star Wars and they were wonderful. They showed these great and amazing worlds, and while there was still evil and hatred in them, the good always shown though and they was just so wonderful.” Shy said with a bit of optimism.
“So those shows were kind of like a ray of light for me during last summer,” Shy continued. “If anything, they’re the silver lining for the whole fight we had. I just wish I had talked to you guys sooner.” Shy concluded, still looking away for the group.
“It’s okay, dear,” Rare replied. “We were all manipulated into disliking one another. It’s not your fault.”
“I know, but I still didn’t like you when we were fighting,” Shy said. “I should have been a better person, but I just felt so right in my anger at you that I never thought that you were just misinformed. I should have handled it better.”
“It’s alright,” Pink said. “If I was trying to help abused animals and someone wreaked my attempts to help them, I would have blown up too.”
“But I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that,” Shy replied. “You were only doing what you thought would help. I really should have talked with you instead of being angry.”
“I know how you feel darling,” Rare responded. “I was quite upset with both of you. But we know the truth and our friendship is stronger for it. Now we know that we should always try to talk to one another before we jump to conclusions.”
“I’m still sorry about the way I treated you guys,” Shy replied.
“Me too,” Rare replied.
“Me three,” Pink also chimed. The three ponies moved in for a group hug.
“Uhg, stick a fork into it already,” RD commented.
Breaking from the hug, Shy turned to the rest of the ponies, “So, um, what you all do during the summer?”
“Worked out and slept, mostly,” RD replied.
“I was working at Sugacube Corner at lot,” Pink responded. “I also babysat a lot. Let me tell you, you do not want to watch the Miller’s kids.”
“I got a job.” Rare replied.
“Huh? You don’t own your own shop Rarity?” Twilight asked.
“Of course not, I’m only seventeen,” Rare replied.
“Oooo, where you get your job at?” Pink asked.
“A certain retail store, which shall go unnamed,” Rare said as a shiver ran down her spine. “Never work retail girl, it’s absolutely dreadful. On time I had to clean the restrooms because the janitor was on his lunch break. I would have quit right then and there if I didn’t need the money.”
“So do you still work there?” RD asked, snickering a bit at the thought of Rare cleaning a urinal.
“Thank heavens no,” Rare replied, “It was only a summer job and I’m glad it’s over. Besides, the uniform was atrocious."
“Ah quit your bellyachin’,” AJ said to Rare. “Maybe when you’ve done some real work, then ya can complain.”
“And pray tell Applejack, what did you do this summer that was so difficult?” Rare responded.
“Ah was helping my folks at the factory,” AJ replied.
“Huh?” Twilight said. “Factory, what factory?”
“Huh, guess you don’t know,” AJ replied. “My parents own a bottling factory. Sweet Apple Acres Bottling Co. Our best selling product is Granny Smith’s Sparkling Apple Cider. I help with the local deliveries and what not.”
“Wait, your parent?” Twilight asked, “You mean like the ponies...er people that gave birth to you and who you live with?”
“Yeah, that’s generally what parents are,” AJ replied. “Why you askin’?”
“Uh no reason,” Twilight said quickly, wishing to change the subject. “So, what did you guys think of yourself.” All Twilight got was a couple of confused looks. “Your pony self’s I mean.”
“Ah reckon were pretty similar,” AJ replied.
“Rarity did seem quite fabulous and generous, I will say,” Rare replied. “A bit more Victorian than I expected though.” Twilight was a little confused at the wording but let it slide.
“I thought my other self was nice,” Shy said softly. “I don’t know why she had a tattoo on her side though. In fact I kind of noticed every one of our doubles had one. ”
“You mean their cutie mark?” Twilight replied. “Well that’s-. “ She began but was interrupted.
“Is it a magically symbol representing who you are, your identity and your special talent in life?” Pink interjected.
“Yes, how did you know?” Twilight replied. “Another one of your hunches?”
“No, deductive reasoning,” Pink said smiling innocently.
Twilight stared at Pink for a few seconds before turning her attention back to the conversation. “What did you think about yourself, Rainbow?”
“She was pretty awesome, can’t wait to do some training with her. She’ll be like the best opponent ever.” RD replied. “But I do have one question.”
“What?” Twilight asked.
“If me and her did it, would that be called sex or masturbation?” RD said.
The room was silent. AJ and Twilight turned to one another.
“WELL GOOD NIGHT!” they both yelled in unison and switched off the light as fast as they could.
Next Time: The Chase