The two earth ponies sat together on the beach, Cliff Jumper tending to Speeding Bullet’s leg with her climber’s medical kit. The poor stallion wouldn’t be walking anytime tonight, and Cliff was too tired to carry him however far it was to the nearest civilisation. Zavine could have done with telling her which way to go.
Earlier on, they’d had a little laugh over a misunderstanding between them. It seemed they’d both misread the other’s name back in Speed’s world, when forced to lip read; ‘Glyph Humper’ and ‘Feeding Gullet’. Now, Cliff was finishing off her explanation of the situation.
“And, well… we’re kinda lost, but at a guess, I’d say we follow the beach when day breaks, keeping the sea to our right…”
“… Sounds like we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
“You’re okay with all this? Just like that?”
Bullet shrugged. “Pretty much. You may have noticed my life wasn’t perfect back there. Bish, Bash and Bosh were taking me back to my racist, unicorn parents and the mare of my dreams had just got engaged before she even met me. At least here, I don’t have to run from any more Britannian goons.”
“So, let me just get this straight… your Britannia’s racist, with unicorns on top?”
“Yep. Not many pegasi around those parts, either.”
“How’d the Equestrian government let that happen?”
“We’re just a protectorate, and they’ve always got their hooves full with changelings and Discord and the like.”
Cliff finished with Speed’s leg and sat back.
“Do you at least have the Derby Derby?”
“Do we!? It’s the only thing I’ll miss about the place! I was the best racer they’ve ever seen! Pulled off a Sonic Blast!”
“Wait a sec! That was you? That happened in my Britannia too! Rainbow Dash came by one day to meet the stallion responsible for it.”
“She what!?”
“Oooooo, sorry about that… fresh wounds… completely forgot.”
Speed just grumbled in discontent.
Cliff continued, “Thing is, I too was born through the rare recessive earth pony gene. A pair of Britannian pegasi. Like I said before, they brought me up on stories about that stupid tome. Died before I found it, thank heavens.”
“… So, you probably don’t exist in my world… I mean, that accent you have doesn’t even exist… there’s just unicorn and earth pony… my stupid accent made my own race hate me.”
“It seems we have both been given cruel fates in our own worlds… Heh… maybe we can start anew here once we save the multiverse, eh?”
Speed didn’t smile or say anything. Instead, he merely nodded and looked out over the water.
“Got any siblings? I’m an only child, personally.”
“One. He left.”
“Oh… Well… You know what? We should probably get some sleep. Keep chatting and we’ll end up still being awake by daybreak. Night, Speed!”
Rather hurriedly, Cliff lay down and looked away from Speed, guilt ridden after making him more depressed. The stallion in question sighed longingly and lay down too, making sure not to mess up his bad leg any further.
Surprisingly, they both slept soundly, and after the sun climbed away from the horizon, the pair awoke, feeling well-rested and raring to go. Even with his leg, Bullet felt he could manage easily.
For the first part of the day, he was right. As midday approached, though, hunger made itself present. The landscape hadn’t changed a bit. There weren’t any fish, as the water proved to be quite shallow for some distance. Cliff made her way up the grassy knoll that blocked off the inland view from the beach. She called Speed up straight away.
While they had walked, at some point, a desert had started further in, and slowly stretched over towards the beach. When they squinted, they could just make out the grassy knoll giving way to sand further along. In addition to the desert, they saw a town sitting pretty in the sand. With no other possible sign of food in any other direction, Speed and Cliff agreed to take their chances with the town in the desert.
“You know, I feel like I’ve seen this place before,” said Cliff. “Like, more than just some silly deja vu.”
Speed, noting the heat of the sand under his hooves, didn’t really pay attention.
“It’s getting kinda irritating how I can’t put my hoof on it.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing, Cliff.”
“But what if it’s not?”
“Can we wait until we’re fed, please? I’m hungry, tired, aching and have a very unhelpful limp. The sand is hot, the Sun is hot, you’re hot, I’m hot, EVERYTHING IS HOT!”
“I’m ho—”
Speed stopped and yelled in Cliff’s face, “I DON’T LIKE HEAT!”
“Okay, okay!” she said as she wiped spit from her face. “Let’s pick up the pace.”
With a grunt, Bullet sped up. It was hard, with the leg, but he was really at the end of his tether. Cliff smiled awkwardly and kept up. The Sun had clearly begun to slide back down the sky by the time they reached the town’s entrance. There stood two tall poles, clearly meant to hold up a sign overhead, but the sign appeared to be missing.
Past the sign, the town was bustling with activity. Consisting mostly of diamond dogs, there were the odd griffins and ponies here and there in the crowds. The majority of them wore old Wild Western style clothes, matching the town’s aesthetics. The two newcomers had stopped their approach and watched the others get on with their business.
“Diamond dogs living above ground?” questioned Speed.
“The ones that live underground are just a minority, mate,” Cliff explained. “In actuality, they are a sociable race, if you ignore how their preferred living locations result in seclusion.”
“...Oh.”
“Anyway, let’s find us some grub.”
Nodding to one another, Cliff and Speed strolled amongst the crowds, looking for somewhere that would serve food. They eventually located a saloon, going through the batwing doors and being greeted by hearty laughter, piano music and the clinking of glasses.
Shuddering, Cliff muttered, “That sense of familiarity is growing more and more.”
They crossed the room to reach the bartender, who smiled at them. A diamond dog, he wore a fashionable, cliché saloon get up, and had grown a thick, well tended moustache. A good sniff of the air near him told of hair wax. His accent was a strong, generic western one.
“How can ah help yous two fine earth ponies?”
“Food,” moaned Speed, slumping onto a stool.
Being a bit more thoughtful, Cliff produced a bag of bits and added, “We’ve walked a long way with no food for a while. I hope I can cover the cost with these. Also, we’re gonna need to know where to find a doctor for my friend’s leg.”
“Two double hay burgers it is. I’m gonna assume you wants a couple generous servings of fries with that?”
“Please.”
“Alrighty then!” The dog went over to the kitchen door and called out their order. Returning, he said, “Once you’ve eaten, you’ll wanna go straight outta here, take the second right and the doctor’s is on the left. You’ll know it when ya see it.”
“Thank you.”
“Yes,” Bullet agreed. “Thank you.” He then began to doze with his head on the bar.
“Always happy to help a paying customer. Now, what brings you to our fair town?”
“It was the first we found. We, er, kinda got stranded through no fault of our own.”
“Ah, gotcha. Well, want any drinks?”
“A couple waters for now.”
“Coming up!”
The waters were poured, and eventually, their food came out. The pair stuffed their faces and restored their energy. With plenty of bits to spare, they left and followed the bartender’s directions, finding the doctor’s with ease. There was no wait when they got in, and Cliff sat to one side while the professional examined Bullet’s leg. She was another diamond dog, slightly more well spoken than the bartender.
“I must say, Miss Jumper, that you did a mighty fine job with what you had at hoof. I congratulate you.”
“Years of climbing accidents will teach a mare a few things.”
“Quite right. Anyway, I just need to redress the leg, and then I suggest you go visit the town enchantress. She can cast a couple spells to help with sand and other natural health risks.”
“Is it possible to restock my medkit here, too?”
The doctor pointed to a cupboard while redressing Bullet’s leg, the stallion wincing every so often.
“Everything you need will be in there.”
Cliff began searching the cupboard, taking what she needed.
After putting the med kit back in the bag, the mare enquired, “How much do we owe you?”
“A few bits should cover the cost, and no charge for the checkup.”
Soon after, they left, Cliff’s pouch a few bits lighter. They followed a second set of directions, eventually finding themselves in front of yet another building. With a quick knock on the door, they went in and froze. They couldn’t believe what they saw behind the counter.
“How can I help ya, folks?” Asked the unicorn mare, seemingly oblivious to the funny looks she was getting. She spoke with a Texan drawl.
Bullet limped forward, and cautiously poked at the horn.
“Do ya mind, sugarcube?”
Just as cautious, Cliff went up to the mare and tried to touch the stetson resting on her head.
“What in tarnation are you two doin’?”
In perfect synchronisation, the two earth ponies jumped back, yelping in chorus, “Applejack?!”
The orange-coated mare responded, “That would be my name. Mind telling me what’s goin’ on?”
Cliff and Speed ducked away, sharing a private conversation.
“I know how this is possible, but it’s just so weird,” Cliff said.
“It’s a parallel universe thing, isn’t it?”
Cliff nodded.
Speed continued, “But a unicorn? I can’t believe what I’m seeing.”
“Wait, when’d you ever meet AJ?”
“Canterlot, while making my way to Ponyville. She’d recently opened a new stall there. Besides, she’s famous, you know? Bearer of Honesty, saviour of Equestria.”
“Hmmm…”
“You two done over there?”
The newcomers quickly turned their attention back to Applejack the unicorn, failing to hide their fascination. AJ frowned.
“You’re a mite strange, the two of ya. Care to tell me what you’re up to?”
“Sorry about that. It’s just we’ve seen a near identical pony to you, except she was an earth pony,” Bullet explained.
In addition, Cliff blurted out, “She even had the same name!”
“Huh…” AJ waved a hoof dismissively. “The Writer works in weird ways.”
Cliff gawked. “You know of The Writer?”
“My gran told me about him. Nice ta meet a fellow believer.” AJ watched the other two share a couple of looks, mouthing the word ‘believer’. “So, why are ya here? Ya wantin’ me for somethin’?”
“Oh, yes, we came for something,” Cliff said unhelpfully.
Bullet lifted his bad leg up. “The doctor sent us your way. Said you could help with sand and other health risks.”
“I see. She didn’t explain what I do, did she? No matter. For a fair price, I can enchant items and clothing to protect against things like sand, dust, and other things that may cause infection. I can also reduce pain by providing a spell that softens any light contact with an injury.”
“That’s pretty helpful,” Bullet commented.
“My family’s been in this business for generations. We’ve been helping protect Pawridge from sandstorms for the last three.”
“P-Pawridge?” Cliff stuttered.
“That’s the town’s name. ‘Course, you probably came in from the side with the broken sign. Sorry ‘bout that.” AJ’s voice increased in volume, and she leaned towards an opened door behind the counter. “Somepony forgot the sand barrier needed a little extension at that end, like it always does.”
Through the door were a set of stairs, and from up the stairs and filly’s voice called down, “I said I was sorry, okay? I’m just a foal! Big Mac, back me up here!”
A third, deep, stallion’s voice answered the filly’s, “Eenope.”
There was a near-silence, the only sound being wood creaking under Cliff’s hooves.
“Well,” Speed started, “I’d like it if you did your magic with my leg.”
“Sure thing, Mister…?”
“Speeding Bullet. My friend here’s Cliff Jumper… Cliff? You okay?”
The mare in question was shaking, looking straight ahead of her. After a few seconds, the shaking stopped, but then she fainted.
“CLIFF!”
“Anything wrong with her, Doc?” Speed asked.
“No,” replied the doctor, who then sighed. “Well, nothing physical. From how you described what happened, mentioning Pawridge may have triggered something in her head. All we can do is wait for her to wake up.”
Speeding Bullet and the doctor stood outside a spare room above Applejack’s store. When Cliff fainted, the unicorn had taken her to the room and put her on the bed, while Speed had fetched the doctor. AJ was back at her counter, dealing with another customer. Her little sister Applebloom, who had been yelling down the stairs earlier, was tending to Cliff. The poor mare was tossing and turning, and sweating up a storm. Big Mac, the older brother, was stoically sat nearby.
Bullet sighed. “Thanks anyway, Doc.”
“Wish I could have helped more. If you need me, and I’m not at my surgery, ask around for Anti. That’s what most folks round here call me.”
“Will do, Anti.”
Just then, there was a scream and a thump from the spare room. Like lightning, Big Mac was through the door. Bullet and Anti were close on his tail. They didn’t like what they saw. Cliff Jumper was sat upright in the bed, a hoof sticking out, her face manic. Applebloom was on the floor, covering an eye, crying.
As Big Mac went to his sister, AJ came storming into the room.
“What happened?”
“Sh-sh-she hit me!”
“She WHAT!?”
At was at this point that Cliff began to babble, “I’m sorry. The madness. I’m sorry. I had no choice. They were gone. Nothing could be done. No choice. Forced my hoof. Mercy killing. I’m sorry.”
“What’s she going on about?” AJ growled.
Anti held a paw to her chin, thinking, repeating aloud, “The madness… I think I know what this is.” She received many questioning looks. “There was a case of this, before I was born, when a visitor came to Pawridge. They rambled like Cliff here, and something called ‘The madness’ was mentioned frequently. He also spoke of other things: The Book and The Writer.”
AJ’s eyes widened briefly, but another look at Applebloom brought back her anger.
“Whatever her excuse, I don’t care. I want her out of my home!”
“If the past is anything to go by, I suggest she be put in a cell for the time being.”
Bullet just looked at Cliff with pity in his eyes.
“Oh Cliff. What’s happened to you?”
Cliff Jumper was now residing in a cell, and wearing a straightjacket, since she began to flail whenever she saw a diamond dog. Speed stood on the other side of the bars, watching her babble, her expression frightened. Behind the stallion, the Sheriff of Pawridge sat at his desk, taking notes.
“So you say she pulled you from your own reality?”
“Not exactly. She came to mine, saved my flank, then I chose to take her offer to come back here with her.”
“By killing those unicorns that broke your leg?”
“They were real pieces of work, sir. Though seeing it first hand was initially off-putting, I never felt bad for them, and looking back… I’d likely let her do it again, given the chance.”
“Hmm…”
Speed turned to face the Sheriff.
“Please, sir. She just needs help. I’m sure she’ll recover, if we just find out what’s wrong.”
The Sheriff looked away from the notes, his voice sympathetic as he said, “It’s like Anti said, Mister Bullet. Before our time, someone came to this town, rambling like Miss Jumper here. Thing is, he was old, weak. Death came for him while in his cell, and in his last moments, his sanity returned. He told us that he came into contact with The Book, and began seeing other worlds, the strain on his mind too great. You yourself have said she has touched The Book.”
“But she’s cured now!”
“Yes, apparently she doesn’t see the other worlds any more, but insanity doesn’t just-” The Sheriff clicked his fingers. “-go like that. At the least, it certainly leaves mental scars.”
“I know, but—”
“You should also be aware that some forms of insanity can be hidden by the inflicted.”
“Yes, but—”
“I am sorry, Mister Bullet. More than likely, we’re going to have to put her out of her misery.”
Speed slammed a hoof.
“You can’t!”
Getting out of his chair and standing up straight, the Sheriff towered of the stallion.
“It’s within the law. Both Anti and I are legally capable of doing it. Now, I have to go discuss the situation with the good doctor. I have the only keys, so don’t get any ideas.”
With that, he walked out, grabbing his long coat on the way. Speeding Bullet sat and leaned against the bars, unable to look at his friend’s condition.
“I’m so, so sorry, Cliff… I don’t know what I can do.”
Cliff’s rambling continued, endlessly, “…- Forced hoof. Mercy killing-…”
“We barely just met, and this happens. You saved my life.”
“…- No choice-…”
“I just moped… then shouted at you… ignored your talk about deja vu…”
“…- Multonian-…”
“Wait a minute. You kept feeling like you knew this place, and you acted up when the name was mentioned.”
“…- I’m sorry-…”
“You’ve been here before! In your own world, while collecting the pieces of The Book!”
Bullet jumped to his hooves, ignoring the slight pain.
“Hang in there, Cliff! I’ve got an idea!”
“I still don’t like this.”
The Sheriff was not fond of being told what to do. Applejack, Big Mac and Anti joined him in following Speeding Bullet back to the jail. The idea was that Anti and the Sheriff would stand just outside, out of view, in earshot, while AJ and Big Mac escorted Speed into Cliff Jumper’s cell.
“It’s worth a shot, Dyne,” said Anti, who didn’t like the idea of euthanizing the mare.
‘Dyne’ growled at the use of his name in front of a visitor.
Speed attempted to convince him further, “Worst she can do is keep rambling, right?”
“I still ain’t happy about the black eye she gave Applebloom,” said AJ, who agreed in the hopes of getting a genuine, non-rambled apology.
“Eeyup.”
They reached the jail, and the diamond dogs took their positions, out of sight. If Speed had it right, Cliff knew them from the other Pawridge. It was pointed out that she didn’t react to Anti, but perhaps she never saw the alternate Anti. Even still, being a diamond dog, it was better she stay out of view. AJ and Big Mac, however, were most certainly not in the alternate town, and somepony needed to keep an eye on the stallion during this whole affair.
Taking Dyne’s keys in her magic, AJ took the lead going inside. The cell was reached, and the entry unlocked. Big Mac joined Bullet inside the cell. Cliff’s rambling had stopped, and the mare seemed to have calmed. This was a good sign.
Bullet spoke softly, “Cliff, can you hear me?” No response. “It’s me, Speeding Bullet, your friend… I think.” Still no response. “Big Mac’s with me.”
Quietly, she finally said, “I’m sorry.”
“We know you are, Cliff. We want to help. We think that, if you tell us what happened, you’ll regain some control over your mind. Maybe relieve some guilt by letting it out.”
“Mercy killing.”
“Cliff… please… tell us what happened back in Pawridge.”
To everyone but Speed’s surprise, Cliff calmly looked into Speed’s eyes. She told her story.