//------------------------------// // Chapter 31 : Hindsight // Story: A Twilight Landing // by MerlosTheMad //------------------------------// Twilight eased into the desk chair. Her attention was on the impressively tall human standing off to the desk’s right. He was leaning over the keyboard to input what must be an entry password to his family’s computer. “Thank you again so much for this, Mr. uhm…” Twilight trailed off, trying to remember his name. She’d only met with him briefly before she, to put it bluntly, caused a magical explosion on his property’s front porch. “Stan.” The man leaned up, smirking. His face had remained mostly expressionless, but managed the pleasant look for a brief moment. “Ah, thank you, Mr. Stan.” Twilight nodded and faced towards the computer. Stan rubbed a hand behind his head. “Just Stan, actually. But you can call me Mr. Morris if you’d prefer. Mr. Stan works too, if that’s a pony thing.” Twilight remembered making that mistake before. “Oh right. Geez, I’m sorry. The human names I’ve encountered work a little more strictly than the naming conventions I’m used to. And I’m a little tired, too. Heh.” She tried not to appear nervous from being surrounded by strangers, and was relieved when another friendly look returned her way. “It’s fine. My wife’s likely going to fall asleep again soon, herself. She’s been making trips to that… dream-whatever for a while now and exhausts herself doing it. I really don’t think it’s good for her at all, especially if…” Stan frowned then, looking at the desk, before shaking his head. “Well, nevermind.” “I see. Well, she really does seem to be trying hard to speak to Luna again, though I’m still not entirely sure entirely how she’s—” Twilight paused in setting the computer up. “Oh… and about her suddenly possessing the body of an Equestrian. I can’t say for sure, but I wanted to reassure you that Mary isn’t at some sort of health risk. You seemed worried about her being alright, but other than tiredness—” Punctuating her point, a yawn interrupted her. Stan wore a polite smile, but there was doubt behind his expression still. “Gosh, excuse me. Like I was saying, the dream-walking is an interesting phenomenon and I haven’t encountered it before, but it seems harmless.” Twilight tilted her head slightly, frowning. “I mean, magic is a very dependable force, even for someone untrained in its use, though I understand it’s not always depicted as such here on Earth. In any case, it’s rarely dangerous without intent.” Stan adopted a concentrated look on Twilight as she briefed him. “Ah… That’s good to hear from someone that knows about this, uh, fantasy stuff. I never cared much for it, myself. My father kind of burned me out on it as a kid.” He paused to sigh. “Although I guess this situation isn’t fantasy anymore, huh?” Twilight answered absently as she worked on the keyboard. “I miss my dad.” She blinked, and cupped a hand over her mouth to contain another yawn. “Ah, sorry, that slipped out.” The human facing her gave a consoling look. Twilight cleared her throat and went on hurriedly. “A-Anyway, Mary seemed very healthy to me, Mr. Stan. Her mental-state even seemed to be rather stable, all considering. I know my mom would be beside herself if she turned into a human, for instance... Er, not that human form is bad or anything—!" She let out a couple weak laughs, before clearing her throat again and straightening up in an effort to show more composure. Stan suppressed a chuckle. "It's fine, Twilight." Twilight sighed, nodding. "Anyway... I’ve had a little bit of experience with instability and worrying too much over things; even more so recently while going through this. A few psychology books and studies on the subject gave me some further insight into it.” Stan, for his part, seemed to respond positively to the sentiments. At least, he nodded along in interest, before speaking up while wearing a concerned look. “Twilight,” he began to say, and established a piercing eye-to-eye contact. Twilight straightened up more, trying not to look nervous. “Hm?” “Have you noticed anything odd about my wife? I mean besides her having hooves, a tail, and a mane.” “Noticed?” Twilight repeated back, blinking. Her thoughts searched for what he could mean as she leaned back into the chair. Stan seemed quite serious. Twilight hummed. Well, I just met her. What basis would I have to judge from her normal state? In fact, I spent more time with her while she looked human in that dream than while awake as a pony. Perhaps the answer is more rudimentary... “Well, as I said, she has seemed alright, all considering… I take it she told you some of what we went through?” When Stan nodded she went on. “That wasn’t exactly easy, I think, for either of us. She did act a tad out of control and frantic at a moment’s notice once or twice, and angry at me, or at herself. Or sad.” Twilight shrunk a little, embarrassed she may have said something inappropriate by saying the whole truth. “But under the circumstances it was perfectly understandable! Considering what we saw and how uncommon those things are on Earth… She did commendably. I’ve seen a lot of crazy stuff and my legs still shake more often than not when I confront it.” Stan stared blankly at the wall, rather than react outwardly. “Right… But, you noticed her mood swings?” he finally asked. Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Mood swings?” She knew the phrase, but was uncertain if it quite fit. “Well I don’t know if I’d constitute her behavior as—” Stan sighed heavily, as if rethinking something. “Never mind, Twilight. Maybe it’s nothing.” When he started again he changed the subject. “Is there anything else I can get you? Coffee, maybe, if this call you have is as important as you say?” Twilight barely gave the man a chance to finish his sentence. “Oh yes! Coffee would be terrific, thank you. And thank you again for letting me use your computer. And for being so understanding, considering everything... And while I’m at it…” She paused for a moment to clear her throat, and looked over. “I’m sorry for everything that’s befallen your family. Maybe if I—” Stan interrupted. “It’s alright. You don’t need to apologize, assuming I correctly understand all this magic stuff and what was done to you. It’s important not to take the blame for consequences that aren’t your fault. Even if there wasn’t a, uhm…” He cleared his throat, hard, before saying, “A dragon that, uh, tampered with your magical pony spell to… teleport, it was an accident.” Stan paused, scratching the side of his head, and looking as if he’d forgotten what he was saying. But he resumed. “Anyway, if your world is at risk, put your well-being first. It sounds like a lot of people… ponies?” Twilight managed a smirk. “People works.” Stan nodded slightly. “Oh, good.” He looked as if he was having trouble actually saying the words, like they had an unbelievable sound to them. “In any case, I do appreciate the sentiment.” Twilight smiled sadly. “Still, I promise to help you all as much as I can. I still feel responsible...” “We’re grateful, Twilight.” Stan nodded solemnly, then said, “Sugar?” Twilight blinked. “What?” “In your coffee,” Stan offered. “How do you like it?” “Oh.” Twilight turned to face the computer and set about finishing her program setup while she spoke. “Hot, with lots of sugar, please! Things on Earth are a bit more bland than in Equestria, you see. Uhm, no offense.” She flashed a sheepish look, then shifted to a more calculating one. “I’ve just yet to find anything that measures up the same as— Oh! I should ask Mary later if her sense of taste or smell changed any. It’s worth knowing whether the oddities I’ve noticed with taste and such could be either physiological or with your world itself. Personally, I think it’s the latter.” As she spoke, she clicked away madly at the keyboard, sending messages out to see if she could get ahold of Lex, or someone else. “But, were that actually the case I would sooner assume they’d be far more different than they appear to be—” Twilight looked up, and noticed the lost look on Stan’s face, and the slow blinking of his eyes. “Oh, sorry. Perhaps it’s a good time to mention that the more tired I am the more I tend to let my thoughts get away from me. Heh. And start rambling.” Stan smirked. “It’s fine. I’ll be right back with that coffee. I hope it helps.” “Did someone say coffee?” came Jo’s voice from the room over. Twilight smirked, watching Mary’s husband go, heading towards the direction of her friend and the kitchen. Just after she looked back to the computer for an update on things, a loud thump followed by a shout filled the house but a moment later. “Where did you hide my present, twerp!?” Twilight stared out of the office doorway with apprehension for a moment, then sighed a little as a smile formed. It was a very nice family, if a little strange to her. Before Twilight turned completely away again, a head poked around the corner into the room. “Is he gone?” Anna asked, looking oddly suspicious and wary. She also seemed to be wearing the remnants of a mischievous grin. Twilight raised an eyebrow. “He is,” she answered wryly, while at the same time she typed away quickly without looking. “Hi there.” Anna seems like a sweet kid, not too unlike any other filly from back in Equestria. The Cutie Mark Crusaders would especially get along with her. Twilight hummed as she thought. Also not unlike those infamous fillies is the manner in which Anna slinks into a room when she’s trying to be sneaky. Which begs the question: what is she up to? Even as Twilight thought, Anna stepped into the room and hid around the corner of the doorway. “Phew, awesome. I just wanted to ask if you need any more help? Maybe? I don’t know if my mom told you, but I actually have my own cutie mark! Maybe that’s a clue?” Twilight laughed lightly and turned more towards Anna. “She did, actually! Your mom told me all about how you found your special talent up on stage. That was a really great cutie mark story!” Anna’s eyes started to dazzle somewhat, listening to the praise. Although, she also looked a little embarrassed from it, too. Twilight went on, grinning. “And I think you’re right about it being a clue. Whatever affected your mom must have also affected the rest of you, but to a lesser degree.” She knew the more precise details of the cause, but left those out. “However, at the moment my plan involves a lot of science and contacting some friends… Unfortunately, even though it’s my specialty, I don’t think I can do a lot right now with magic, so such clues likely aren’t going to be helpful.” Anna nodded right away. “Gotcha,” she murmured. "Also! I should give this back. I found it after you and mom passed out yesterday! I kept it extra special safe, too." Her little hand reached hoodie's pocket, then held out a familiar, small and pinkish crystal with a long shape. Twilight sat upright, then began patting around herself. "Oh, oh my gosh! I did drop it. With everything going on I— Wow, thanks, Anna." The little girl's expression devolved into an open-mouthed look of unbridled glee as she handed the little jewel back to Twilight. A quiet, high pitched squeal of delight punctuate her apparent thoughts over helping Twilight in any capacity. "Uhm, Anna? Are you okay?" Twilight quirked an eyebrow, smirking slightly. “I am your biggest fan," Anna murmured, then hastily shook her head. "No, forget you heard that, Twilight!" Twilight snickered, but nodded with gusto; it was as if she'd been stopped by a little foal back in Ponyville and asked for an autograph after defeating Nightmare Moon all over again. Anna took a breath, and seemed to center herself to regain composure. "Okay. I'm good. Well, if I can do anything, Twilight, just say the word! Mom said you’d be busy and not to bother you. Uh, well, I had a weird question, first, but... never mind.” She took a couple shuffling steps towards the door. Twilight tilted her head pleasantly. “Anna? What’s wrong?” Anna still looked embarrassed, perhaps over asking questions about Equestria. Anna lifted her head, halfway hidden around the edge of the doorway. “Uuuhm. Just, are you sure that your crystal can’t make me a pony? Like super absolutely positive?” Oh goodness, this again. Twilight laughed softly. “I’m reasonably sure you have nothing to fear in that regard, Anna.” She nodded her assent.   Anna put on a scrutinous look. “But you aren’t positive?” Twilight’s smile wavered. “Well, pretty positive. Magic doesn’t act on its own without direction… typically.” She decided not to get into chaos magic around the little girl. “Why do you ask?” Twilight quirked an eyebrow. “Did you have another idea?” she asked. Anna pulled back and shook her head quickly. “Oh… No reason! I was just wondering, really.” She made a somewhat unconvincing grin. Twilight smirked, pretty sure she understood the situation. “Are you asking because you’d like to be a pony? Can’t say I blame you.” Childhood fancies aside, it made sense that someone might get curious. Under different circumstances, she herself certainly would be. Twilight chuckled a little, her arms resting on her knees. Anna hesitated at the doorway, leaning back in and smiling a little. “Actually, I don’t, no. Well, I bet it’d be great for fun, buuut judging by the way mom hates it, it’d get old quick… And scary.” Twilight was a little surprised by that. Only a little, though. She certainly understood the body change issue well enough. Anna perked up. “But oh my gosh flying and magic would be so amazing…” Twilight blinked, then began to laugh along with the little girl. “Well, in any case, you have nothing to fear. Your mom’s situation couldn’t be reproduced under our circumstances. What… happened to myself and her was… well, it’s complicated.” Twilight didn’t bring up the events that had brought her to Earth. Doing so around Anna would just trouble the sweet girl. Anna spoke up enthusiastically, as if trying to cheer someone up. “I do hope you can become a unicorn again soon, Twilight. Then you can help mom. You’re a way better unicorn than you are a human, too. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with you like this, and you’re super pretty, too! But, well, you know.” Twilight’s eyes widened a fraction. “Oh, thank you. I hope that too.” She paused a moment, lips pursed in thought. “What makes you think I make a pretty human?” Comments from Alice aside, which Twilight was never sure whether they should be taken seriously, she’d rarely ever heard any sort of thing like that said about her. As a pony or human, and certainly not back home. Reassuring comments from her parents didn’t count, of course. Anna rolled her eyes. “Well if the way my brother stares at you when he thinks you aren’t looking is any indication...” Both of Twilight’s eyebrows raised up. “Oh. He does, huh?” Anna bobbed her head up and down quickly. Twilight scrunched her eyes a fraction. Great. She got back to what they had been talking about originally. “So, if you don’t want to be a pony, why ask about it?” Anna furrowed her brow in a doubtful way. “Well, I—” “Anna?” Mary’s voice came from out in the larger next door room. “Oh, there you are!” She stepped swiftly into view, hooves clunking on the wooden floor. “Hey, slowpoke, we’re opening presents over here. Your brother’s got smoke coming out of his ears being forced to be social, so hurry up!” Instantaneously, Anna whirled around and rushed to her mother’s side. “Whoops. Gotta-go-Twilight! Remind me to tell you after presents!” Anna jumbled out, almost as quickly as she left. “And I got questions I want to ask! So many questions and… and, and-and—” With what seemed like an immense amount of struggle, she clenched her eyes shut and dove out of the room. “Bye!” Twilight stared after her in shock a moment, then laughed. Just a moment after, she met Mary eye to eye, and stumbled over a greeting. Instinctively, she wanted to ask about last night’s events and if everything was alright, or even just say hello. A little forcefully, she smiled and managed a greeting. “Good morning, Mary. Heh, your daughter’s very cute, like you said. And smart, too.” Mary gave her a consoling look, then traded it out for a proud smile in the direction Anna ran. “She certainly is, though I don’t know from which side of the family she got her smarts from.” She chuckled, then looked at Twilight again. “Well, we’ll be over in the family room out of your way if you need anything. There’s food with Jo when you get hungry. Oh, but I’ll be right back with your coffee!” “Thanks so much!” Twilight gave Mary another friendly nod as she quickly left, then not a moment later let out the tense breath she’d been holding. The worry and responsibility she felt over Mary’s predicament ate at her a little, and as she’d just found out, was magnified in person, rather than decreased. In any case, everything that could have been shared and said with Mary had been, and she needed to focus on her gambit with Lex. Her hand pressed against her forehead as she looked over the computer screen. “Blurg,” she mumbled, then replied to herself, “Well said, Twilight.” The moment she shut her eyes to suck in a tired breath, a loud bing sound interrupted. Twilight nearly sat up quick enough to give herself whiplash. On the computer was a flashing text box to her chat program. She had been forced to download it herself, which in hindsight she should have asked to do, but no matter. For now, seeing through what she hoped was a good plan came first. DoctorEvil: You called? Good Morning, Twilight Twilight Sparkle: Lex! Sorry for trying to get ahold of you like this all of a sudden, but it’s important. Something’s happened… and it has sort of changed my mission to get home. DoctorEvil: Oh, what changed exactly? Something good? Twilight paused to frown, then pecked in an answer pronto. Twilight Sparkle: Maaaybe… Yes and no. It wasn’t a direct method home as I’d hoped, but it was a direct link to how I’d ended up here. Let me explain. Recently, Jack had assisted in looking closer into the vines incident we found in the news and that video. We were able to find a name and a phone number, as well as a conversation with a teenage boy that I won’t get into. Twilight waited patiently for her response, which came almost a full minute later. DoctorEvil: Huh. Interesting. You have my attention. Twilight began to continue explaining, then stopped typing and slapped a hand to her forehead. “Augh!” No, you can’t mention Mary, Twilight. At least not without her permission… She briefly considered if getting it was even slightly likely, then shook her head. Okay just… change the topic and stick to the parts that involve lives at stake. You can ask Mary permission in a moment. Twilight Sparkle: Well, never mind that. In any case, I had the strangest dream last night. Only, I don’t actually think it was a dream. I think it was a memory. A memory which was being hidden from me on purpose. Can I talk to you face to face so I can communicate the gravity of this, Lex? Please? DoctorEvil: Oh, sure. I’ve got a few minutes for something important. The message had come surprisingly quick. Twilight exhaled in relief—today’s date was an important human holiday, after all. Twilight Sparkle: Thank you so much! A few clicks and some beeping later, and Lex’s friendly, grandfatherly face appeared on the computer screen window. He wore a multicolored sweater colored green, red and white, which was decorated with miniature fir trees. “Morning, Twili—” He started to say, but stopped. “Holy cow, uhm. Not to sound rude, Twilight, but did you know—” “I know, I know about it…” Twilight rolled her eyes, while trying to use both hands to pull down her stubborn bed-hair. “Sorry, I haven’t had a chance to do anything yet. I, uhm, meant it when I said things are urgent at the moment.” She coughed. “So, thank you for acquiescing to speaking on such short notice, Lex. Oh, and uhm... Merry Christmas?” Lex smirked. “It’s nothing. And Merry Christmas to you, too,” he greeted, then furrowed his brow. “Or, shoot, what did you ponies celebrate? Heart’s Warming?” “It’s called Hearth’s Warming,” Twilight corrected, smiling back. She ran a hand over her hair one more time in a final attempt to tame it. Lex smiled gently. “Aah, shoot, I was close.” He chuckled. “Well, I did say I only have a few minutes, but take your time. Does this have to do with your home?” As he spoke, he kept the smile, and a bright look. Twilight nodded. She was still exhausted on top of having to sound convincing. “Yes, now to the point. Okay, I have been wracking my brain to figure out how I could have screwed up so badly with that talent potion. But the dream... this memory I mentioned showed me the truth. If what I saw is to be believed, and I don’t exactly think it was just happenstance, then there is a very dangerous creature that may be threatening Equestria, Lex. And it is responsible for sending me here. A dragon, to be precise.” His eyes had widened a considerable amount, but Lex slowly put on a thoughtful look. “Alright,” he prompted. “That sounds a little important, and bad.” “Without a doubt…” Twilight continued, focusing on not getting hung up on her words, or anything else. “Things have changed. The short of this is, I can no longer wait for Princess Celestia anymore, as I had... been prepared to. I need to get home as quickly as I can or I may not have a home anymore. You’ve probably guessed that I’m here to ask for your help again. Concerning, well, looking into a means to travel worlds. A real means.” She almost paused at the slightly incredulous, slightly shocked look that the man gave her briefly. “Your assistance with the crystals and my research has been incredibly generous, but what I hope for is more than that.” Lex nodded along, wearing a weighted look. Twilight exhaled. “I need you to believe me about all this, as crazy as it no doubt sounds to you, and I…” She paused, her hands flexing beneath the desk. “I know you’ve said you believe me, and I trust you. If that’s the case, then believe that lives could very well be in serious danger now. It’s not your responsibility, but please reconsider things. If you don’t, I’ll need to search elsewhere, and that could take a long time that I don’t have. I mean, even with your help it could...” Twilight considered that maybe real sleep first would have helped, or a better day, or any number of other circumstances, but it was a little late for that. Lex seemed to be a little lost as to what to respond with, fiddling with a pen absently just in view of the camera. “Well, Twilight…” He trailed off. “So, you had a dream about this?” Twilight blinked, then nodded her head vigorously. “It was like a dream, only I think it was more than that, like a vision, or a memory. I believe there may have been a spell keeping me from remembering what had happened. Then, it broke... And now—” Lex was making settling motions with his hands while in the background another person, a woman, could be heard yelling prompts at him. “Just a minute!” he answered, then faced Twilight again. “Well, Twilight, I will point out that sounds a little far-fetched, but next to everything else I guess it’s still small potatoes.” He barely had a chance to chuckle once. Twilight broke back in, sounding hopeful. “Does that mean you could tell me more about what Alice heard your friends say? Back at the University? I don’t have any proof of what I saw in the memory, but it’s the truth.” Then again, maybe I could induce another reaction like the one I had with Mary. Could I? After that I could— Lex interrupted her thoughts. “I believe you, Twilight, even if I don’t fully understand it.” He adjusted his glasses, nodding. “And about what your friend, Alice, heard—” Twilight felt her face redden; she still wasn’t proud of Alice’s snooping, informative as it had been. “I realize it insinuates you’re not being entirely honest with me, Lex, but I trust what Alice said about you and your friends when we last met. And I understand the state of such research might need to be kept a secret on your world, as Jo pointed out. Which is a shame because on Equestria such a thing would be celebrated openly in the science community—” Her tirade was cut a little short as Lex broke back in. “Whoaaa, Twilight.” Lex made settling motions. “Oh, please don’t take that the wrong way. Was that taboo? The whoa thing?” “Woah?” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “The what? I don’t understand.” Lex seemed to be relieved by the answer. Meanwhile, someone telling him to hurry up could still be heard in the background. As it went on, he wore a deep look of thought, before finally continuing. “Nevermind then. Well, where were we?” Lex started anew. “Ah. Your home is in trouble...” He paused again for a moment, though partly because the yelling had resumed. He spoke again when it cut off. “I’m very sympathetic, Twilight. I mean it, but I won’t confirm or deny anything about any secret research. That is to say, I can’t.” Lex put on a neutral smirk. “Assuming everything you just said about my situation is true, anyway, that would be the case. If I were to have knowledge of helpful research I would have no choice but to deny its existence. Right?” Twilight almost began to implore him do otherwise, but stopped, thinking twice on his choice of words. It was a half-omittance, she realized, and it surprised her. Lex had been tight-lipped for weeks on the topic. But a half admittance still wasn’t what Twilight needed. “That means that—! You just confirmed that there is something, and after flat out saying there wasn’t, before.” Twilight put her hands up on the desk, leaning forward. “But you still won’t help me? Are you under a contract? I guess you couldn’t say if you were...” Lex responded, looking serious, sounding thoughtful. “Twilight, listen carefully. You could attend any University you want to and likely get onto the path towards advanced physics or any number of things. I’m sure any private research group would have to take a look at you, then. Hint. Don’t you think…? I could certainly help with that, too. But, otherwise—” Twilight shook her head rapidly, sending a wave of messy bed-hair out to either side of her. “I can’t do that! Maybe if it’s all that’s left to me. But not yet. I just don’t have the time, even less so now.” She resisted the urge to let too much emotion show. Lex hummed. “Right, right, the dragon thing…” Twilight resisted the urge to groan. If I can’t get Lex to just explain this to me… what are my other options? I certainly can’t research and make a device all on my own out of mere kitchenware! That would be insane. Twilight tried again. “You can’t say more? At least give me some definite inclination that the research would even be helpful to my goals?” Her shoulders slunked some. Lex shifted his eyes off to the side, then exhaled. “This conversation took quite the serious turn quickly.” He wore a concentrated look again as he looked back. “Alright,” he assented. “I guess I can do that much for you, given the circumstances. Having thought about it, lives in the mix changes things, and I do believe you, Twilight.” Twilight straightened up some, caught between blurting out frantic, surprised thanks, and wondering what Lex would have to say. “But why do you believe me?” was what she ended up saying, instead, surprising even herself. A lightning quick hand clapped itself over her mouth a second later. Lex twitched a smile briefly. “Well, you’re definitely too well read to be crazy.” He chuckled. “And after seeing your crystal in person… That evidence first hand… Anyway, I think this is all far too fascinating to just ignore. I hope to convince everyone else of this, too.” Twilight was on the edge of her seat, listening intently. She desperately wanted to hear more. Lex paused to rub the bridge of his nose, looking deadly serious, before going on. “Anyway, Twilight, about what your friend heard, things aren’t solely up to me. There are other people involved. I would have to convince them towards our side, and I would need proof to make hard-case scientists believe a bunch of fantasy-sounding stories.” Twilight spoke up. “What about the magic you saw? Isn’t that enough? Surely you showed them the crystals.” She hadn’t necessarily wanted him advertising her crystals, but if it could get her home... Lex nodded quickly. “I did, and in time they want me to procure them from you for further study.” He almost looked as though he would stop speaking, but continued. “We’ll still need more than just some glowing rocks that can’t be explained. But that’s not really the biggest issue.” “It isn’t?” Twilight swallowed, wondering what could be more difficult than convincing scientists to disregard logic itself; by humanity’s standards, anyway. Lex nodded. “It sounds like time is our biggest obstacle if I understand right. Both yours, and theirs.” He nodded again, to himself, and continued. “I’ll explain. We’ve often waited years, or decades in some of our cases, for certain technologies to develop to the point where we can employ them. Technology and resources, research techniques, even simple finances, anything really. It’s barely been more than a month since I told them about you and your ‘discovery’. I shared with them that you were likely to trade us a crystal, maybe, if we were to allow you inclusion into our association. Well, it’s not really a membership, but basically that.” “I see.” Twilight understood, and summed it up. “They’re in no hurry, in other words, despite some of the implications of my situation.” Lex answered after holding a thoughtful look, rubbing a hand behind his head. “Actually, as fascinated by the crystals as they were, I haven’t told more than a couple of them about… well, you. Your whole story, that is.” Twilight blinked. “Oh.” Lex went on. “Only a few of them have heard anything more than that you’re incredibly well read and knowledgeable about several fields of science, and would be deeply interested in our… well, project. Other than Carl, only Irwin knows that ‘the crystal owner’ is also ‘the crazy girl’ from the forum that thinks she’s a pony. Even my colleagues that never visit the site have heard of you, you see—” “There really is a project!?” she blurted. Twilight’s eyes lit up again, hearing a word that almost sounded like it could be magic. It was even enough to ignore the term ‘crazy girl’. Lex froze, visibly, then relaxed again, as if remembering. “Yes, there is, and it’s been around for a long time, too… but… I wouldn’t get your hopes up, Twilight.” He frowned slightly. “It’s complicated, but the bottom line is that yes, we’re privately run and, among other things, do a great deal of research into whether or not travel over great distances with complex matter, or through an exotic plane other than our own could be possible. But the difference between research and reality, like the kind you need, is...” “Astronomical?” Twilight finished for him. She heaved a breath. “Still, it’s a spark, and without you all I don’t have anything.” The desperate nature of the situation spoke for itself, but was deafening to her when repeated out loud. Twilight looked up after pausing and realized she’d been staring at the desk. “I’d just like to say, thank you, Lex, for telling me this. Now we just need to convince your organization that I’m credible.” Lex chuckled; he was standing out of his chair, as if on the verge of leaving. “Well, I’ve wanted to tell you from the start, Twilight. But I had to wait, since I’m not really an authority… I guess it’s moot now, so, let’s keep this our secret from them, if that’s alright. Now, about my colleagues, I know we’ve been over this, but are you sure there’s no way you could maybe get an associate’s degree or something, first? It would go a long way with getting some of these fossils to listen…” Twilight rolled her eyes. “I don’t have the time to get a degree, Lex.” She sighed. I can’t believe that a higher Earth education and a piece of paper might be the only thing that keeps me from getting home! If anything, I’m overqualified! “Can’t you simply tell them that I’m worthy of an exception? I mean I don’t want to brag or anything, but I’m confident I could suitably impress any of them with my knowledge of various subjects. Maybe if you got me a meeting?” “They should see you eventually… I think.” Lex frowned for a long moment, then exhaled. “I’ll talk to them again, certainly. We’re not a business or anything, not really. It depends on what they all want, and there is sort of a waiting list. Still, there should at least be an upcoming interview of sorts eventually with my recommendation.” In the background, a woman’s voice that had been getting increasingly shrill called again. Lex rolled his eyes. “In any case, we’ll talk specifics soon, I think my time is—” “—Sometime I’ll have to tell you how Twilight accidentally set my microwave on fire, for science.” Jo’s voice, chuckling a fair amount—at least for her—spoke over Lex from the next room as a door swung open. “Remind me not to let her near ours, then.” The second speaker was Mary, also laughing slightly. “Oh, here let me bring that coffee to Twilight. I already said I would, and I have to talk to her about something anyway… Also, you ought to finish your breakfast.” “Are you sure?” Jo answered. “Alright, I won’t ever say no to more free bacon. Whoa, how are you holding those with hooves?” Without looking, Twilight rolled her eyes in response to Jo’s typical behavior. When she did look over, she felt a brief tinge of apprehension at seeing Mary approach, walking in on three legs with two cups held by the fourth. Once Twilight noticed the second detail, her eyes lit up, and her nose caught a familiar, caffeine filled aroma. “Hold that thought,” Twilight postponed, and saw what Mary sat down in front of her: a cup of coffee, which was just what she needed. “Ohhh thank you so much!” Once procured, she ‘mmmed’ and sipped the cup. “Sweet delicious caffeine.” Mary blinked at Twilight’s reception, then laughed. “I don’t think I’ve seen someone that happy to have coffee in years.” She sat back on her haunches and regarded Twilight with a friendly look. “So, what is it you’re doing on the computer, Twilight?” Twilight sipped her coffee as she thought. “Hm?” Her tired thoughts marched into line slowly in order to explain. “Oh, I’m actually trying to make some headway in getting back home by speaking with one of those friends I mentioned.” Mary raised an eyebrow. “Already? Wh— That sounds great! Do you really think they stand a chance? And I thought you said last night that they weren’t being particularly cooperative?” Twilight sighed. “Well, maybe, and not as of late they haven’t, no. Apparently it’s complicated… but I think things have a chance of working out. If they do… well, I’ll give you details in a moment, Lex is about to go, actually.” Turning to the side, the computer screen was mostly the way she’d left it, except for Lex’s face, which seemed to be leaning in much closer. Twilight stared briefly at the odd sight of her friend behaving in such a way, then came to a realization. “Oh, that’s right! Introductions. Lex, this is my new friend, Mary. You haven’t met her yet but I told her all about my searching for a way home and the help I’ve gotten from everyone up until now. Oh, I have so much more to fill you in on by the way. And Mary, this is Lex.” She looked between them both as cheerfully as her tiredness would allow, gesturing from one to the other with her free hand. Mary’s eyes widened, and she looked up at the computer’s screen, but she didn’t trade a hello. Lex, in turn, seemed to practically have half his face pressed to the monitor on his end of the call. Twilight raised an eyebrow at them. “Guys?” Oddly, both seemed frozen as a result of simply meeting one another. After a minor tilt of her head and a somewhat sleep-deprived after-thought, the explanation dawned on Twilight. Slowly, without any sudden movements, she put a hand over the webcam atop the computer screen. “I probably should have mentioned earlier I was going to be on a video chat with my friend. Er, so you wouldn’t walk in while, well, you know.” Mary stared open mouthed at the frozen man on the screen. “I-I…What, Twilight—” Her breath was catching, a sure sign of possible panic. Looking back at the screen, Twilight noticed that Lex still hadn’t moved. She almost assumed that the call had frozen or even dropped, until he blinked. Twilight kept her palm over the camera. “Lex? Lex are you alright? And it’s okay, Mary! Lex is a friend.” She gave her most convincing smile, but it felt as uneven as her voice had become. “Oh, of course,” Mary replied. She didn’t seem convinced as she finally managed to turn around and briskly trot out of the room. The other cup of coffee she still held in one hoof spilled its contents everywhere as she did so. Twilight bit her lip, considering her choices. “Lex, I'll be right back. I need to talk to her!" She stood up, ready to give chase. “Wait, Twilight!” Lex appeared to be trying to look around the edge of the monitor. “Was that— and it looked like—” He sat back in his chair, hard. “What?” Twilight hesitated for a moment. He is finally being up front with details, and I haven’t really held anything back from him before… She turned back to the screen and met Lex’s confused stare. “Yes, Lex, she was a pony, just like I used to be. But, if you’ll excuse me, I really should go after her. This really wasn’t planned.” Lex only nodded absently in response as Twilight turned back and moved swiftly from the room. She was moving down the hall when an angrily muttered phrase that sounded like a human curse alerted her to Mary’s general direction. She passed by Jo on the way in, gave her a look telling her to wait, and continued onward. Twilight found Mary in the kitchen, rubbing one of her hooves with a towel and scowling down at a broken mug and spilled coffee on the floor. She wasn’t quite sure if Mary had noticed her yet as she began discarding the shards in a nearby bin. Twilight stayed quiet and tried to think of how to begin or what to say. When she couldn’t, she picked up another towel and attempted to help soak up some of the spilled coffee. That is, until she was confronted with Mary’s stern glare.   “Twilight,” Mary said in a no-argument tone of voice. “You are a guest in my home, and I will not have you cleaning up after my mess.” Taken slightly aback by Mary’s reaction, Twilight tried to stammer an apology, but to what she wasn’t sure anymore. “Mary, I’m sorry, I just—” Mary’s brow furrowed for a moment, but relaxed just as quickly. “Twilight,” she let out a sigh. “It’s fine, really.” “I don’t know what I was thinking. I should have told you that…” Twilight trailed off when she realized Mary had already responded. “Oh.” She thought for a moment before asking, “Wait, about the coffee, or Lex seeing you?” Mary snorted a laugh, before shrugging and replying, “Both, I guess.” Twilight rocked back on her heels before falling onto her butt. She sat there on the floor watching Mary clean up the mess in silence, until she finally managed a soft, “Really? I mean, I’m sure you remember my explanation about him and that I do think he’s trustworthy. I told him about myself, though I don’t know if he really believes. Although… I guess he probably does, now. Maybe I could convince him you’re some sort of machine, if you’d like?” Mary paused in her labour to look up and meet Twilight’s gaze. “No, it’s okay, Twilight, what’s done is done. And besides, I doubt telling the scientist a lie would work.” She spoke with unexpected calm. “You do trust him? Lex, right?” Twilight nodded in answer and she continued. “If both him and those others you described are really everything you’ve sold them to be, it shouldn’t hurt if they know about me. Especially if they can help us both. So, seeing me was inevitable, right?” Twilight scratched a hand behind her hand, thinking hard. “To make an analogy, Lex spotting you was the equivalent of us playing our ‘hand’ of cards prematurely.” Mary began to trot in a tight circle around the kitchen floor. “It’s just ‘Lex’ that’s seen me, so let him vouch for you to his friends and question his own sanity for now.” She paused long enough to study Twilight’s lingering worry. “So, how did speaking to him go?” Twilight flashed a smile at the change of topic. “Good.” After a moment, she added, “Sooo, when he asks, may I tell him all about you?” With a wince, Mary facehoofed slowly, still pacing. “Even though he saw me, I’d really rather if you avoided the subject, Twilight…” “But—!” Twilight cleared her throat. “It’s just, you said it’s fine if he knew, because no one would believe him. He may as well know the full story so he doesn’t get the details wrong. Well, not the ‘full’ story, exactly, but you get the idea.” Mary’s expression became strained, until finally she stopped her pacing and pressed her hooves to both sides of her head. “Alright! Twilight I’m trusting you on this. I just… don’t know what to think about this situation; it’s too crazy for me.” Twilight put on a consoling look. “Not to brag, but I am pretty familiar with crazy.” She placed a hand on the stressed out mare’s shoulder. “And I’ve encountered waaaay crazier stuff than this, let me tell you.” Twilight gave an encouraging laugh, hoping it would be reciprocated. Instead, she nearly had the wind knocked out of her as Mary dove into a powerful, rib-crushing hug. “Thank you.” Mary squeezed her harder. “For being real, and showing up, and for helping, and—” “I could say the same to you.” Twilight returned the hug, and gave Mary a few comforting pats to boot. “I actually thought I had imagined my life as a pony for a little while, you know. Though, admittedly it mostly was Jo that was trying to convince me of it, and the magic crystal phenomenon and crater I’d made were pretty good evidence to the contrary… but you get the idea.” Mary pulled back from the hug and settled back on the floor, looking at least a little less perturbed. “Alright, I don’t really like to have anyone else involved in this little… problem. If it will help you, then do what you have to, Twilight. Just please keep my family and I in mind.” She took a breath. “I just don’t want to talk to him myself. Okay? ...I don’t think I could do that.” Twilight gave a confident nod of her head. “Alright, Mary, you can count on me. And I’m sorry again I wasn’t more clear about what I was doing over there on the computer.” Mary snorted a laugh. “Oh, it’s fine. I’ve caught Bobby doing far worse things on the family computer, so believe me I’m used to it.” “Caught?” Twilight tilted her head at that, not quite sure she was following the other mare’s meaning. “Caught how?” Mary chortled a bit more, though weaker. “Oh, you know. Boys at his age and the internet what with… the… You know, never mind, Twilight. It’s just occurred to me that you probably aren’t aware of some of the darker parts of the internet.” Twilight felt her back go rigid. She even rested a hand on the near kitchen counter for support. “Twilight?” Mary’s ears raised, likely in worry. “Are you oka—” “Fine.” Twilight murmured, then said again, “Fine!” a bit more forcefully. “You’re sure?” Mary adopted a somewhat unsure look. Twilight’s head bobbed its vehement assurance. “I’m sure, yes. Uh, now where were we? Oh yes! I was about to go finish organizing our best chance at getting you changed back and myself returned home.” She inhaled a fresh breath as she said, “Away from the ‘dark’ of the internet…” “I… didn’t catch that last part, Twilight.” Mary’s large ears twisted, punctuating just how quiet Twilight had been. Twilight turned, a smile ready. “Oh, it was nothing. Uhm, I’ll be finished shortly, and then Jo and I can get out of your family’s hair.” She leaned out of the door and gave Jo a lopsided grin, laughing unsteadily. Jo, minding her own business and eating, raised an eyebrow. Mary stopped short at the kitchen doorway, still wearing uncertainty, but nodded and returned the smile with a lopsided one of her own. “Well, alright. And I guess good luck!” Seeing Mary give a little wave with her hoof, Twilight turned and went back to sit down in the computer room, giving Jo a sheepish shrug in answer to the confused look from her friend. There, Lex was in the middle of drinking from a cup of coffee of his own, his hand visibly shaking a little and sending little splashes of coffee onto the desk. “I’m back!” Twilight started, turning the microphone back on. “So sorry about that, Lex. That was a complicated matter.” Lex jolted. “Oh no, quite alright. Uh, was the… the pony upset? I think I heard you call her Mary?” Twilight hesitated, but gave a ghost of a nod in acknowledgement. Lex hummed, but didn’t give much outward reaction otherwise. “I see. So, that’s more proof, then. I guess along with those crystals of yours you’ve a rock solid case for my peers, at least.” Twilight made a nervous laugh. “Yeah, uhm, about that, Mary said it’s okay if you know, but maybe we could keep the lid on her being a pony?” Lex blinked as he drank in the details. “Now hold on, proof of, well, a pony from your world would definitely be undeniable enough to get you involved with our work. At least, it should be.” He hummed whilst scratching his chin. “This is entirely unprecedented to be honest.” Twilight shrugged. “Sorry, Lex, Mary was quite clear on the matter. Still, with you in the ‘know’ that should be enough for us, right?” “It might be.” Judging by Lex’s constant nodding to thin air, he was deep in thought while also speaking. “That or they’ll call the men in white coats on me.” Twilight raised an eyebrow at the odd human expression, but pressed forward rather than ask for its explanation. “So, how soon until I get this meeting with your colleagues?” Lex sighed weightily, a hand rising to rub at his temple. “Well, let me think... right now everyone on the council is no doubt busy since it’s Christmas, and it will be that way until a few days from now. I’ll talk to them as soon as I can, likely later today, and try to push them a bit to get an audition for you soon. Even at my own expense, if need be. How does that sound, Twilight?” Twilight felt warmth and relief build within her. “That sounds great! Maybe I’ll finally have a chance to get some help.” Lex chuckled. “Hopefully, yes. And… are you sure we couldn’t have ‘Mary’ present the case alongside you? And is Mary a typical pony name? I thought—” Twilight broke in. “That’s complicated, too, Lex… I’ll try to explain. Long story short she didn’t used to be a pony, and we believe her being one is the fault of my being here.” Twilight kneaded her hands together nervously as she shared some of the strangest parts of her circumstances. “She’s actually a person from around here. We sort of switched places.” Lex’s thoughtful look became a hard stare. Twilight took quick notice and gave a sheepish shrug. “Like I said, it’s complicated. Mary and I spoke at length on the matter last night, and I think I’ve figured out how it happened, given the inclusion of the third party I mentioned earlier… Any number of magical spells or curses could have been used to—” Twilight noticed the slightly clouded over look in Lex’s gaze, and stopped short to cough lightly into her hand. “I’ll write up a dossier on this whole thing and explain more, later. But, no, Mary doesn’t want any more people to see her.” Lex gave a slow, solemn nod. “Understandable, certainly. I’m not sure how I’d feel if I one day turned into a cute little cartoon pony.” Twilight frowned, and crossed her arms defensively. “You know, just because you have a cartoon about us, that doesn’t make it our origin. We’re a lot more than entertainment or ‘cute’.” Lex began to chuckle, only for a stark expression to fall over him. “Good lord. We have a cartoon about your world? How!? Is this a clue for a trans-dimensional link? A wormhole? What could it—” “Lex!” An earth-shattering, piercing voice brought Lex’s sudden realizations to halt mid-sentence. Twilight was about to ask who it was, but the question’s answer presented itself seconds later. Lex gasped. “It’s my wife.” “We are almost twenty minutes late! What am I going to tell your kids, huh? You get off that stupid game and get out to the car this instant!” A dark shadow followed close behind the voice, and a steely hand reached out from the side of the computer screen to grab Lex’s ear. “No, wait! Honey, five more minutes, please! This is important!” The hand wrenched him free of the seat in short order. “The fate of the world is at stake!” “I’ll stake you!” Lex’s cries distanced themselves into the background, until finally Twilight heard a door slamming. “Well then.” Twilight closed the program and sat there in shock a moment longer, before proceeding to break out into a fit of giggling. “Hey Twilight, what’s up?” Jo entered the room, a steaming cup in one of her hands and a plate in the other. “I brought you some eggs and toast. And… another coffee. I heard from Mary what happened. Is everything still cool?” Twilight’s eyes widened at the sight, and she promptly accepted the plate and stuffed one piece of toast, topped with an egg, right into her mouth. Oh! I hadn’t even realized how hungry I was! With minimal chewing and a moment later, she swallowed the food. Jo chuckled. “Woah, slow down there.” Then she blinked, and coughed to the side with a look of shame on her face. “Oh, uh, no offense...” “‘ere’s that word again.” Twilight took a gulp of her replaced coffee then looked up at Jo. “Is woah supposed to be a word with negative connotations around here? Lex seemed to think it was offensive to me.” “He did? Hm... oh... hah.” Jo smirked. “Well, it’s just that horse riders say ‘woah’ to their mount to make them slow down. At least from what I know of horse riding. I just didn’t know how to broach the subject other than apologizing.” Twilight blinked, then rolled her eyes. “Well, I don’t find it offensive, per se. Perhaps being compared constantly to Earth’s horses will get old, though.” She sighed, then adopted a smirk of her own. “And yes, Jo, I think everything’s gone pretty well. I have got a lot to tell you about the talk I just had with Lex.” Jo folded her arms with one eyebrow raised. “Really? Well, great. But let’s get out of here and head back to the hotel and get you some rest first, yeah? Stan explained the dream thing to me, so I understand you’re exhausted right now.” Twilight stood up while still taking a long swallow of her coffee, the toast already long gone. “Oh, it hasn’t been that long you big baby.” She stopped to yawn. Despite having been knocked out for the entirety of the night before, along with Mary, she did feel truly exhausted. “Alright, well let’s go say good bye quickly, then. I’m dying for bed.” Jo led the way, cheerfully saying, “Finally!”