(Present Day- Earth)
Tony sat in his room staring at the ceiling in silence; many weeks had passed since Jasper’s disappearance. No one knew how it had happened or where he had gone, it’s like he just…poofed. His cellphone, which Tony had tried to call many times after his departure, was on Jasper’s bedside table untouched when he dropped by to see if he was alright. Tony feared the worst and called the authorities in an effort to search for his childhood friend, they did as much as they could but recently informed him that as of now they was no guarantee he was alive or in the same city anymore. Tony was still saddened that he had not tried harder and blamed himself for the days that followed to and after the mall meeting. He hadn’t seen Sid either, though he was extremely pissed and the burns he sustained would probably stick with him for a while. Sid refused to speak to him or the others due to the gong show that was the mall. Sid, like Jasper, fell away from the group. This didn’t help Tony’s mood at all, he glanced at a photo of Jasper and him screwing around at an archery camp. Jasper was mock strangling him with the bow whereas Tony was mock stabbing with the arrow.
“Dude, where are you?”
His cellphone went off which he answered quickly, “Hello?”
“Hey Tone,” Freda’s voice calmed his nerves slightly, “You alright? Tanner told me the news that the five-oh gave you, I’m sure he’s alright.”
Tony sighed sadly, “We should have tried harder. I should have tried harder.”
Freda huffed, “No, don’t think that! I admit it, we were horrible friends. You stuck by him and we all abandoned him. If Sid was here he would agree.”
“I doubt that,” Tony glanced out his window, “He wasn’t Jasper’s BIGGEST fan. If anything he would still blame him.”
Freda was visibly silent but then said warmly, “You want us to come over and hang out? You shouldn’t be alone in this man.”
Tony thought on it for a moment and nodded to himself and spoke a quiet, “Sure.”
*
When the twins arrived, they both hugged him in supportively and smiled. They all soon sat on Tony’s couch and gazed at the TV as it was flipped on; all of them watched The Matrix in silence. Tony as well as the twins had no idea what to say, granted they should talk, but no words arrived. Tony slowly spaced out and thought back to his and Jasper’s childhood, specifically when they had first met. Tony had been on the beach with his grandma and went off to play in a cove, that’s where he found Jasper. His hair was wild and unruly looking and he had constructed a small fort with rocks for a pair of hermit crabs. Jasper had glanced up at Tony and welcomed him with a smile, both boys soon were on the shore making a massive castle that had working canals due to current and angles working with them. Tony smiled at the memory and recalled how happy Jasper had been when he had first met him; he even remembered the same smiles on Jasper’s parent’s faces.
“Tony?”
The man glanced at them, “Yeah?”
Tanner smiled, “You alright?”
Tony nodded and stood up, “Yeah…gotta use the bathroom. Excuse me.”
As the man left, Freda and Tanner turned to glance at the TV which was starting to descend into static. Tony entered the bathroom and splashed his face with cold water; his face stared back at him. The face had worry evident in its eyes, small dark bags under his eyelids proved he had missed some sleep over Jasper’s disappearance. He punched the mirror in sad anger at being useless, why couldn’t he talk to him? A pair of twin screams followed by a low bang alerted Tony to something in the living room. Tony entered the living room ready to fight and froze, then fell to his knees. Princess Celestia glanced at him and smiled warmly.
“It’s alright, I mean neither of you any harm,” Celestia offered Tony her hoof, “please stand, we must speak.”
Tony took her hoof shakily, “Holy shit…you’re real.”
The twins were hugging each other with bug eyes, “She IS?!”
Celestia glanced at the twins and blew at them causing them to cringe slightly, “Indeed I am.”
Tony bowed in respect, “Your majesty, it’s so great to meet you.”
“Like wise Tony Eckhart,” she smiled at his surprise, “yes I know who you are,” he gaze fell on the twins, “Lyme sisters.”
The twins shivered, “Tony, why aren’t you scared!”
“Because she’s friendly,” he coughed slightly, “can I ask something Princess? Before we talk?”
Celestia was slightly puzzled but nodded.
“C-can I….hug you?”
Celestia gave a look that could melt the coldest heart, “Of course you can.”
Tony wrapped his arms slowly around her neck and smiled at the warmth she exuded. Celestia hugged him back with her wings. Tony then nodded at her being real and seated himself, Celestia on the other hand glanced at the twins and sighed.
“I am aware of your worry Tony. That’s why I have come before you now,” she chose her words carefully, “I…know where Jasper is.”
Tony smiled, “You do? That’s great! Where is he?”
Celestia bit her lip and looked away, “He’s…in Equestria. That’s why I’ve come here, we need your help. HE needs your help.”
Tony stood up quickly ready for action, “What’s happened?!”
Celestia didn’t dare meet his eyes, “I’ll explain when we arrive.”
Tony widened his eyes, “We’re going to…wow.”
“Make sure you ready yourself and watch your step,” her horn began to glow as she gave the twins another smile, “farewell,” she smiled slightly in a joking manner, “nopony will believe you.”
Both human and alicorn vanished in a flash of gold.
*
A flash of gold alerted the six ponies and Luna to Celestia’s return the group entered the room and gazed in amazement at the new arrival. Tony waved his hand in a nervous welcoming gesture.
Twilight gave her best smile, “Tony, it’s nice to finally meet you,” she sighed sadly, “we…have something’s to tell you about Jasper.”
“What is it? Is he alright?”
All the ponies became saddened as Tony’s face fell, “What?”