Everything was quiet at Sugarcube Corner, the Cakes and their babies were sleeping peacefully, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were having some rest as well. Alex, Spike and everypony else was in the living room, sitting on a couch with Sweetie Bell on his lap and the other two crusaders at each of his sides. He told them everything that happened after Princess Celestia used the spell on him, all of them beaming with happiness listened very carefully, once he finished Twilight was the first to talk:
“It is amazing Alex! Princess Celestia’s Spell really worked, it sent you to the hospital you were born in and even better, they found you in time to save you! Wow! Human technology is amazing, as Princess Celestia said; you would have died from your injuries if you had stayed here.”
“Yes Twilight, but I have a question, the doctor told me it seemed I was saved by a miracle because I was bleeding slowly. Do you think Princess Celestia had anything to do with that?”
“Probably, remember that she was using her magic to give you more time, maybe it lasted even after she sent you back to Earth. Who cares anyways?! It saved you and it’s all that matters!” Twilight answered.
“But Alex, I must know how did you manage to return here?” She asked.
“Well, once I was healed, I went to visit that park again, the same one I was in when I came here for the first time. You see, there is a big Oak Tree there and I wanted to see it, because I was almost sure it was the place where the portal was, and then a bright light appeared out of nowhere and the next second I was here again, in the Everfree Forest. I believe now that the park or the Oak Tree could be a connection between our worlds. What do you think?”
“That’s a good theory Alex. Maybe the Everfree forest is where the portal to your world is and it only opens at the right time, like the other one!”
“The other one? (Alex, get ready for a resume of Equestria Girls).”
“Yes, let me tell you. . .”
Twilight told Alex the story on how she became a Princess and her adventures retrieving her Crown in the other Human/Equestria World. Alex listened to her and made some random question even though he knew the answers, when she was done Alex asked:
“So you were a human for some days. Did you like it?”
“Well, yeah! It was an interesting experience, I must say is not easy going around without magic and learning to use my hands was a real challenge.”
“Tell me about it! Trust me, learning to walk on four legs and not having hands was quite an experience too!”
Rainbow dash said:
“Yeah! Speaking of that! How did you manage to turn into a pony?
“Well, it was thanks to this! the gift Luna gave me in my "last moments" ”
Alex showed them his pendant. He put it on and immediately turned into a pony, all of them looked at him with marveled eyes.
“What is that darling? I must say I like it!”
“That’s a MetaPendant – Twilight said – Well, it all makes sense now!”
“Uh?! What yah mean sugarcube?”
“Well, you see, Alicorns can turn other creatures into ponies by giving them amulets like this one. Only an Alicorn has enough magic to create such an incredible device. You are very lucky Alex, now you can see the world as we do!”
“And I must say darling, as a Pony you are not half bad…”
Spike gave a weird look at Alex after hearing this from Rarity.
“Hahaha! Thanks Rarity. Going back to the topic, do you guys have any other question?”
Spike raised his hand.
“Why didn’t you tell us who you were? Why did you have to wait?”
“Well Spike, at first I wanted to see if you guys would recognize me, when I saw myself as a Pony on the mirror, I noticed I looked very much like myself, so I thought maybe you…didn’t any of you recognize me at all?!”
“Well Darling, I have to say you gave me a familiar feeling when I first saw you, but no. But I must say, now that I look at you, you do look very much as your human self.”
“Yeah, like my friends in Canterlot high -Twilight said - I had my doubts, but after visiting that place I thought you could be your own pony counterpart.”
“That’s an interesting theory Twilight, but I don’t think I have a pony counterpart here, I’m not a human from that world.” Alex replied.
“I guess you are right!”
“The second reason I didn’t want to tell you who I was, is because I wanted to see how all of you were doing after going through that experience. I needed to know if it was absolutely necessary to let you know I was alive, when I saw you at the party all cheerful and happy I thought maybe letting you think I was gone for good was the best choice, but when I heard you talking about me with so much love, I knew I was making a huge mistake and I wanted…no, I needed to tell you.”
Everypony nodded as Sweetie Bell hugged him tight.
“I’m glad you chose to tell us brother, thank you. I am happy to have my brother back and now you can even become a pony like me, not that I don’t like your human form or anything!”
“Thanks sister!” Alex said with a smile.
“Yeah! And not only that, yah are a unicorn so now yah can use magic!” Applebloom said.
“That’s true but I’m still a noob in this magic stuff. Thanks to some written lessons from Princess Luna I can barely levitate things and do a couple of spells, not a big deal.”
“Even so, that’s so cool! I must say I’d rather you became a pegasus like Rainbow Dash and me, the three of us would rock together!”
“I don’t think so, maybe he would just slow me down.” Rainbow dash said.
“Thanks Dashie. I’m glad you are so supportive!”
“Easy dude, I’m sure you would be slow, but with my awesome teaching skills you would become half as good as me in no time!”
Everypony rolled their eyes and laughed.
“Well girls, I know I’ve been saying this many times already but it’s good to be back!”
“We think the same darling! So, what’s your plan now?”
“Uh? Well, one of my plans was to tell you I was alive, but now I suppose I’ll just live here for a while.”
“A while?!” Twilight asked a little worried.
“Well, we are now sure that the spell to send me back works so that is not longer a problem, it’s just a matter of asking Princess Celestia to do it again and according to my previous experiences, that park is my ticket to come back here.”
“But the Park idea is still just a theory, it still could be just a coincidence, we have no warranty that you will be able to come back here if we send you back to Earth again!” Twilight said.
“Well, you are right about that! (Sorry Twilight, I wish I could tell you the whole true, but some day I will). For now, let’s just focus on my stay here. You know, maybe the Oak Tree theory will work, but for this time, I came prepared with a lot of stuff from earth, I have everything inside Sister’s Old castle!”
“Really?! More stuff from earth?!” Everypony asked.
“Yep, I brought something for all of you. I hope you guys like it.”
“Did you. . . By any change, did you bring…?”
“Yes Twilight, I brought you books, enought books for you to have a whole section dedicated to humans in your room!”
Again, Alex managed to break Twilight and everypony could swear she had sparks coming from her ears.
“What are we waiting for?! LET’S GO!”
“Easy Twilight, it is late now, we will go tomorrow and retrieve everything. I also need to check if they are ok”
“They?”
“Yes, well, you’ll see. Let’s just say it is one of Fluttershy gifts”
Everypony was wondering what would it be.
“. . . . . Did . . . somepony say my name?”
Everypony turned to see who said that, only to find Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie entering the room together.
“Fluttershy! Pinkie Pie! Do yah feel better now sugarcubes?”
Fluttershy was still a little sleepy; she hadn’t noticed Alex and said:
“Yes, a lot better, I had an amazing dream, a dream where Alex came back. First he was a Pony but then he transformed into his original self. Not that I minded him being a pony at all. He was alive and healthy. I wish it was real.”
Before she could continue, Pinkie Pie ran past her and grabbed Alex in a crushing hug.
“What are you talking about Fluttershy? It wasn’t a dream. Ali lives and he is here, look!” Pinkie Pie said with a huge smile.
“Uh?! Pinkie, glad to see you are feeling better now but please, even in a pony body. . . . . I need some air.” Alex felt as if he wan’t abl to breathe.
“Just five more seconds. . . No! Just one more minute!”
Pinkie Pie wasn’t kidding, she hugged him tight for exactly one whole minute while Fluttershy just stayed there shocked, at least she didn’t faint again, Pinkie Pie stopped hugging him but stood at his side, Scootaloo had to make some room for herself.
“I’m glad to see you again Pinkie Pie!” Alex said.
“Me too Ali. . . I’m so happy. . . I can’t stop smiling!”
“You are saying it like if it was a bad thing, remember what I told you, you look a lot prettier when you smile”
“Thanks Ali. . . now that you are back. . .be sure that I will be smiling forever”
Everypony was looking at them but at the same time, they noticed Fluttershy still in her place, not moving an inch.
“Fluttershy, aren’t you saying anything?” Alex asked.
Fluttershy a little reluctant, started to walk to him, moving her mouth as if she wanted to say something but she wasn’t able to. When she was close enough to him, she extended her hoof to touch his chest, she needed to feel it with her own hoof ; he was a pony, but his eyes; his hair; his smile, he was Alex, HER Alex, no doubt about it. But she needed one last proof.
“Alex please, can you please turn into a human again, if you don’t mind, I need to see it. Just one more time so I can finally convince myself this isn’t a dream.”
Alex smiled, and took off his pendant using his magic, the next second he was the human all of them cared for again. Fluttershy stared at him, not having anymore doubts she followed her feelings and hugged him with a strength she never showed before. It could even match Pinkie Pie’s, Alex hugged her too, and they stayed like that for what seemed to be an eternity to them. He put the pendant back on and immediately turned into a pony. Fluttershy began to cry.
“I’m happy. I’M SO HAPPY! But how?”
Alex and the rest started telling Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy the whole story. Excluding the part of her gift, Everypony was surprised as Fluttershy got next to him and put her head on Alex’s shoulder, Alex felt as in Heaven, the mare he had a crush with was at his side, he could feel her warmth, even though he liked it, he was still feeling kind of weird. He was still a human, so feeling something over a pony was a little “different”. He asked:
“By the way girls, where is Lyra?”
“Well Ali… you see, she decided to explore Equestria to see if she could find any other humans around. Knowing now for sure that humans exist, she decided to investigate every weird creature sighting in all of Equestria to find out if one of them were humans, she also dragged Bonbon with her, they should be back in a couple of weeks. What a surprise she will have when she comes back!” Pinkie Pie told him.
“I see, well I’ll just wait for her return then and I have to visit Proud Hammer and Zecora too.”
“Can we go with you Brother? – Sweetie Bell asked - We have to go to see Zecora tomorrow anyways, please, please, pretty please!”
“How can I say no to that face? Of course you can come!” Alex answered.
“YAY!” the three Fillies yelled making everypony laugh. Alex looked out the window and noticed it was really dark.
“Well Everypony, I think it’s time for us to go to sleep. So if you…”
Spike interrupted him.
“Oh no! Don’t tell me you are going to the Sister’s old Castle now!”
“Well, all my stuff is in there and well, yes?”
Pinkie Pie gasped and said:
“Are you crazy Ali? It will be dangerous out there. Besides, we just got together again. We have to do a SLUMBER PARTY!”
“I really don’t know Pinkie” Alex said.
“Oh please, please with tons of sugar” Pinkie begged with puppy eyes.
“sigh… ok”
“YAY!!” Pinkie Pie brought some snacks and games, while setting everything Spike asked Alex if they could have a little conversation alone.
“Excuse us Girls, Spike and I need to talk outside. We’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Once they were out, Alex sat on the ground with his pal next to him. Alex looked at him for a moment and without saying a word, he hugged him tight. Spike was surprised but he hugged him too.
“Spike I am sorry I didn’t say this before but I’m so glad to see you again!”
“Me too my friend, me too…” Spike replied.
“So, what do you wanted to talk about?” Alex asked.
“Well, it is just that I need to know it now, are you planning to stay in Equestria this time? I mean, staying here for good?”
“To be honest Spike, I don’t know. I plan to stay here for a couple of months and see if I finally decide to stay here, but only time will tell.”
“I see, I’ll make sure you love so much being here then that you will even beg for Celestia to forget the spell to send you back. You’ll see, besides, I think Fluttershy is already working on that. By the way, when do you plan to ask her to be your very special somepony? It’s so obvious you both like each other.”
“What? Ok spike, I don’t know, I can’t say I don’t I like her, but I want to know her a little better, let’s wait to see what happens ok? And when do YOU plan to ask Rarity to be your Special somepony?” Alex asked.
“What? I don’t. . . sigh, ok you got me. I still like her, I think she knows I like her too but she acts as if nothing. Maybe she is not the one for me, what do you think?”
“I think only you can answer that, but I do know there is a fated per. . . creature for every creature. I know you will be happy with somepony. If in the end it’s not Rarity, so be it, right?”
“I guess you are right Alex. I’m glad you are here so I can talk about these things. I Can’t do the same with Twilight or any other mare!”
“No problem Spike. I’m here for you now and I’m not planing to leave in a long time. Now let’s go party!”
“Yeah!” Spike immediately forgot how sad he was after hearing Alex.
“Besides, we resume our training tomorrow. I hope you hadn’t been slacking off because I will test you.” Alex said with a serious look on his face.
“You got it partner!” Spike replied.
Once they were done talking, they got back into the house. The party was nice, even with the childish games Pinkie Pie made them play. Alex had to convince Twilight not to send a letter to Celestia about his return. He wanted to surprise them as well, she was kind of reluctant but finally agreed as she also wanted to see their surprised faces. After a good time together the girls went to sleep at Pinkie Pie’s room while Alex and Spike stayed on the in the living room. Sweetie Bell asked Alex if she could stay with him, something he of course accepted.Tthis was one of the best nights each and every one of them had since months.
---
SADDLE SARABIA (Royalty Meeting)
Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Shining Armor along the other Kingdom rulers were impatient, waiting for the magic raffle to end. After all, the Kingdom chooses which town will host of one of the most amazing events in all the world:“The Gladiators Tournament”, celebrated once every seven years. When the winner was finally chosen, the Sultan read the paper and said:
“My Royal fellows., the host for the Gladiators Tournaments will be. . . . .
CANTERLOT!”
Princess Celestia and Luna couldn’t hide their excitement; it had been decades since Canterlot wasn’t selected to host this tournament.
Princess Celestia said:
“Thank you very much for this great honor. I’m sure this tournament will be one of the best ever. We will see great matches between the best of the best. In one week, we’ll be sending the official rules to you so you can start gathering your best soldiers and warriors. Once again, Thank you very much!”
The meeting ended and every Royal creature present started the long way back to their kingdoms, Celestia and the rest stayed in the Sultan’s Palace to have some rest and get ready to travel the next morning. While having some lunch at the palace, they had a little conversation:
“Celestia and Luna, I’m sure you are excited to host the tournament this time”
“Yes Sultan Mahay, I just hope many of my ponies will be willing to compete!” Celestia replied.
“Me too, I hope my horses are up to the challenge as well. But, do you think. HE will compete?” Sultan Mahay asked.
“I beg your pardon?” Princess Celestia said.
“Oh you know what I mean, your friend the hero you told me about. The human, what was his name? Axel, Alax or something like that”
“Alex, his name was Alex” Luna said a little annoyed.
“Was?”
“Yes, he is no longer with us, a disgrace happened. Look, I don’t really want to talk about that” Celestia said with a sad voice as Luna was staring down.
“I see, it’s a shame. I heard he was good enough to take down even a manticore. I’m pretty sure he would have done pretty well in the tournament, not to mention his dragon partner. I hope he does compet…”
“Spike? oh no no no no! He is just a baby dragon. I would never let him compete in something so…” Princess Celestia said interrupting him.
“Oh come on Celestia! You know this tournament stopped being dangerous a long time ago. Besides, I heard he is as good as the human,
who knows, he may surprise you.”
Celestia had to admit the Sultan was right. Spike indeed had demonstrated to be a descent fighter thanks to Alex’s teachings and his own devoted training. Maybe she could, she would have a conversation with Twiligh. On the other hoof, she was glad that only rumors had passed to the other kingdom. She made sure the Invasion incident was covered with the exception of Sarabia Sultan since he was a long friend. This kind of news would make the other kingdoms and Empires think Canterlot was weak and unstable, she really was thankful for Alex, Spike and their friends who managed to save them.
“Well, we will think about it. It could be a good distraction for him, after all he hasn’t been the same since Alex died” Princess Luna said with a sad look on her eyes.
“Very well, have some rest then and prepare to leave tomorrow. You have a big tournament to prepare!”
The Princesses proceeded to go to their rooms.
While on her bed, Princess Luna couldn’t stop think about something.
“I think the same Sultan, Alex would have rocked in that tournament"