The two stared at each other in silence. Quickly seizing on the opportunity, Rhapsody shook her head and tried to dive back under the bed covers. Rachael grabbed the filly and held her in the air.
“I heard you talk!”
Rhapsody shook her head again, panic in her eyes.
“You said ‘Good night’! I heard you!” Rachael shouted.
Rhapsody sniffled and let out a high whine as she began to cry. The door opened, and the lights flicked on, revealing a very annoyed Lyra.
“Rachael! What did we say?”
“But…”
“No ‘Buts’, young lady, go to sleep,” Lyra paused, “and don’t do that to Ember, look she’s crying. If you can’t be responsible, we’re going to have to give her to someone who can be.”
Rachael placed the filly back in her bed and quickly turned off the lamp. The room lights switched off and the door closed leaving the two in the dark.
“I know I heard you talk,” Rachael whispered.
Rhapsody remained silent and shifted her position, turning her back on the girl.
“I won’t make a lot of noise again. I promise.”
“…Ok.” Rhapsody whispered.
“You can talk.” Rachael excitedly squeed, “How come?”
“That’s what all of us can do,” Rhapsody responded.
“But how come you’re speakin’ English?”
“What’s ‘English’?”
“The thing you’re speakin’.”
“I’m speakin’ Equestria. How come you’re talkin’ in Equestrian?” Rhapsody countered.
“…Equestrian? Like on My Lovely Horse?”
“I dunno what that is.”
“…Can we start again?” Rachael ignored her, “What’s your name?”
Rhapsody rolled over to look at her human counterpart, “I’m Rhapsody Apple, and I wanna go home.”
“…You’re not from here?” Rachael frowned.
“Where’s here? I’m from Equestria.”
“What’s an Equestria?”
“Were I’m from.”
“There’s no Equestria here…” Rachael trailed off, “What’s Equestria like? Is everyone a pony?”
“Uh-huh. There’s Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance an’ Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
“How come there are so many Princesses?”
“I dunno, that’s just how we have things,” Rhapsody shrugged, “I live in Ponyville with my Ma, Pa, Aunty Applejack, Aunty Applebloom, Uncle Rumble an’ Great-Granny Smith.”
“…That’s a lot of ponies.”
“We gotta big family.”
“How come you didn’t say anything yesterday when I found you?” Rachael continued on.
“…Cause you scared me. I was tryin’ to go home with Ma and Pa, but then I saw you. What are you?”
“Me?” Rachael scratched her head, “I’m a Human.”
“…Ma says humans are evil creatures that eat ponies.” Rhapsody responded, “She says they go after the bad colts and fillies.”
“I don’t eat ponies.” Rachael grumbled.
“Pa says humans don’t exist. He said they’re…” Rhapsody paused, “Mythological creatures?”
“Well I’m real an’ I’m here,” Rachael huffed, “Unicorns are supposed to be mythological creatures, an’ you’re here.”
“ ‘Well, now that we’ve seen each other, if you’ll believe in me, I’ll believe in you.’” Rhapsody quoted.
“…Ok.” Rachael nodded, “What else is Equestria like?”
Rhapsody yawned, “I wanna sleep.”
“But…” Rachael trailed off as she responded with her own yawn, “I guess you’re right.”
The two shifted around, making themselves comfortable.
“G’night Rhapsody.”
“G’night Rachael.”
---
Sunlight streamed through the curtainless windows in Zuri’s hut. Big Macintosh sat up and yawned as he looked next to him. Lyra remained asleep, wrapped in the worn towels and blankets the two were given to use as a bed. The stallion crawled out of bed, leaving his snoring wife behind and looked around the hut.
“Miss Zuri?”
The stallion made his way around the hut, unable to find her. He pushed open the door and found the woman sitting outside, picking through a basket full of black-eyed peas.
“Ah, the traveler is awake,” she smiled as he joined her at the basket, “I trust you slept well, for yours and your wife’s sake?”
“Slept on worse things.” Big Macintosh shrugged as he watched her work.
“Akara is something we would serve if one was having a child. For Sarah’s sake, the filling will be mild.”
“Zecora called it Acaraje. I think Granny liked it better than she did.”
“Regardless, my diet is many vegetables, legumes and peas. So I must restock my kitchen, if you please.”
“Lyra’s still sleepin’. She hates when I get up early,” Big Macintosh shrugged, “but it’s part of what I gotta do on th’ farm.”
“Once my task has been completed, breakfast will be served. Then we shall head into town, and your reunion will be deserved.”
“Reckon it’ll be easier if I give you a hoof.”
“If you wish, it gives you my appreciation,” Zuri motioned to the other side of the basket, “Please, have a seat so that you may add your participation.”
The stallion plopped down on the other side of the basket, looking over the black-eyed peas. Whenever he noticed one that was not fit for consumption, the stallion pushed it away with a hoof.
---
Rachael sat up in bed, bumping into Rhapsody and waking up the filly. The girl glanced over to the alarm clock on her bed stand: Eight twenty-seven.
“Du’wanna ge’up Ma.” The filly groggily mumbled.
“I ain’t your ma.” Rachael groggily replied, rubbing her eyes.
The two groggily rubbed their eyes before looking at each other again.
“…So it wasn’t a dream,” Rachael mused, scratching behind her head.
“Nope.”
“…Can I tell my Ma and Pa ‘bout you?” Rachael asked as she picked up Rhapsody.
“No.”
“Why not?” she looked down at the filly as the two walked down the hallway, towards the stairs.
“ ‘Cause if they know then they’re gonna send me somewhere else. An’ if I’m gonna be stuck here I wanna be stuck with someone who’s gonna take care of me.”
Rachael paused at the top of the stairs, “…Where would they send you?”
“I dunno. Like a science place or something.”
“Like aliens?” Rachael began her way down the stairs, “Uncle Rylance let us watch a scary movie where aliens kidnapped people and did science experiments on’m. Lili ended up wetting the bed, and Hawk and Petey ended up getting nightmares and he got yelled at by everyone for letting us watch that.”
“…My Uncle did something like that too.” Rhapsody chimed in.
The pair entered the kitchen and took a seat by the dining room table. Her father looked over the news paper at the two.
“Mornin’ sleepyhead,” James chuckled, “Your mom had t’ run into town t’ deal with somethin’, so you gotta make your own breakfast.”
“…Can’t you do it?”
“Nnnope. And you can’t keep Ember at th’ table.”
“Her name’s Rhapsody.” Rachael grumbled as she placed the filly on the floor.
“You’re callin’ her Rhapsody now?” James placed the newspaper down, “Why’s that?”
“ ‘Cause…” Rachael paused at the feel of Rhapsody nudging her leg. The girl glanced down as the filly shook her head, “…‘Cause it sounds better.”
“…Still a strange name for a pony.” James turned his attention back to the paper, “Don’t have anything for you t’do, so you can go an’ watch TV.”
“Kay.” Rachael got up from the table and opened the refrigerator. Her magic aura flared as she pulled out the jar of peanut butter and a jar of jam.”
“…Is this apple jam?”
“Eeyup.” James responded.
“How come you an’ Ma don’t get any other jams?”
“Because we made this one with your great-grandma’s secret recipe, and ain’t nothin’ better than homemade.”
Rachael looked at the jar, “How come she doesn’t make jam with other stuff?”
“Because it’s her specialty.”
Rachael shrugged as she grabbed the jar, bag of bread, a butter knife and two plates before running into the living room.
“Don’t make a mess.” James informed her as the Television turned on. The farmer paused as something nudged his foot. He looked down at Rhapsody, who continued to nudge him.
“Alright lil’ one, I’ll feed ya.”
James reached down, scratching the filly behind her ears. Rachael ran back into the room and picked up Rhapsody.
“I made a sandwich for her so she can watch TV with me.”
“…I don’t think peanut butter is good for ponies.” James shook his head.
“…I can just give her the bread.” Rachael responded.
“Alright,” her father shrugged. The two went back to the living room, where two sandwiches waited for them.
“Can you eat peanut butter and jelly?” Rachael asked.
“Uhh-huh.” Rhapsody nodded as Rachael set her down. The filly looked at the sandwich for a moment before taking a bite of it. Rachael watched as Rhapsody chewed and swallowed.
“How is it?”
“Taste like the jam my great-granny makes.” Rhapsody looked at the TV, “What’s that?”
“Only the best show on TV ever,” Rachael responded, turning the volume up. A picture showing a group of six brightly colored cartoon horses appeared on screen as the theme song played.
“My Lovely Horse~
Running Through the Fields~”
Rhapsody frowned.
“What’s this show about?”
“It’s about six pony friends who live in Horseland under Queen Equestina. The purple one’s Nightlight Glimmer, the orange one’s Stabella, the white one’s Diamond Sparkle, the yellow one is Naturina, the blue one is Agilena, and the Pink one is Party Favor.”
Rhapsody stared at the TV for a while, watching it.
“We have a show like this back home.”
“What’s that one called?” Rachael asked, taking a bite of her sandwich.
“My Tiny Gecko. My favorite is Princess Alika.”
---
Big Macintosh peeked out from under the tarp covering the top of Zuri’s cart. The stallion watched the scene in front of him: An Asian woman with long curly purple hair with a younger blonde girl buying carrots and other goods from a woman with long, curly orange hair. A young woman with purple hair and orange tank top walked hand in hand with another young woman with light violet hair and a yellow dress.
“It’s a lot like home, you don’t wanna take a look?” Mac looked down at Lyra. His wife lay on her floor of the cart, refusing to look up.
“No.”
“C’mon. It ain’t like you’re gonna see something like this everyday.”
“Which is exactly wh-”
“Oh, hello Zuri.” A voice identical to Lyra’s interrupted her. Pony Lyra scrambled to her hooves and joined her husband, peeking out of the cart. The human Lyra walked alongside Zuri, carrying a bag full of groceries.
“Ah, Mrs. Smith, a good morning to you. Tell me, are your husband and child out here too?”
“No, Rachael is at home,” Human Lyra shook her head, “She found a…well, I don’t know what it is, it looks like a little pony.”
Pony Lyra’s and Big Macintosh’s eyes widened in surprise as the two humans continued talking.
“Anyway, what’s in the cart?”
“Ah, a surprise for all. I’m sure it will be…quite a haul.” Zuri smiled.
“Really now?” Human Lyra rolled her eyes, “Rachael’s little pet is enough of a surprise. Have you ever heard of such a thing before?”
“A horse of stature small?” Zuri glanced back at the cart behind her, “If there was such thing, I would recall.”
---
“…So her name is Star Butterfly and she’s fights monsters.” Rhapsody asked.
“Uh-huh. And she lights things on fire.”
“…We have a show like this back home. It’s called Princess Aurora: Pony of Power. She fights Evillissa.”
The door opened, interrupting the conversation as Lyra entered.
“Hi Ma!” Rachael called out as she looked towards the door, “Hi Miss Zuri!”
“Hello young Rachael Smith. Is your father here to discuss with?”
“Good mornin’ Zuri.” James greeted the woman, “Somethin’ wrong?”
Zuri smiled at the family, obscuring the doorframe with her cloak.
“Picture, if you will, another reality, one not bound by our practicality. Not unlike the incident that you experience, however, there is one crucial difference….”
“…Are you saying it’s happening again?” Lyra’s shoulders drooped.
“Of a sort, and I assure you these are not phonies …” Zuri stepped to the side, revealing Big Macintosh and pony Lyra. Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise as Rhapsody peeked over to see what was going on.
“Ma! Pa!” Rhapsody ran over to the two ponies, embracing pony Lyra the best she could.
“But it seems these are you as ponies.” Zuri finished.