My recovery was again much quicker than I would have imagined, magic of course helps but being in a coma... Suspended animation, whatever for four months was taxing to say the least. I didn't feel weak per-say my muscle tone remained unlike someone who had been bed ridden for a long time instead I felt... Drained, physically and mentally...
Still every day was a bit better than the last, after a week I was able to take short trips around the room but more importantly I had the strength to hold my three girls, Scootaloo had cried nonstop the first day but she recovered quickly, Star being young was able to put it behind her easily too. Twilight however...
She still blamed herself I could easily see no matter what reassurance I gave her, still I didn't worry too much. I wouldn't let her slip into melancholy, as soon as I was feeling better and we were home... Well, things would get back to normal I was sure... I hoped... I had a lot of lost time to make up with Scootaloo, Star and her.
"Are you sure you’re ok? Can I get you another drink? Something to eat...?"
I relaxed back in the slightly propped up bed smiling at her, she tried so hard... It was nice to be waited on hand and hoof but for me it got old about the second day, it was so hard to get her to relax and take some time for herself sometimes I had to press the issue...
"I'm fine love, come here..." I pulled her onto the bed with me kissing her soundly. "All I need... All I've ever needed even if I didn't know it is you and the girls."
"But I..."
I interrupted her kissing her again. "You gave up everything for me and I would for you, again and again until the end of time. All I need is my wife and soulmate by my side now and forever."
I held her as she cried stroking her mane and kissing her soft ears, we were still in the same room I had woken up in Princess Celestia had offered to move us to nicer quarters but I politely refused. No need to go to the trouble when this room was so lived in already, it was warm enough and smelled of my love, my baby and my little Angel what more could I ask for?"
It was a bit out of the way though and now that I was out of danger we made sure Scootaloo and Star got plenty of time with their grandparents while I recovered, they still visited every day of course. Pinkie, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had returned as well for a few days shortly after I woke up to visit all relived that things had worked out. Luna and Discord visited as well she happy I was alright and he joking that he thought we would be back to one human.
John too visited on occasion usually with Celestia the two of them sharing occasional glances, smiles and blushes brushing against each other. It was good to see them like that, despite what had happened I didn't blame her even as old and with the wisdom that came from such age she wasn't omniscient and as I well knew magic was tricky stuff... Sometimes John would come down with Spike, he was happy to see us and the two of them seemed to be getting along though I was sure Celestias time was a bone of contention between them but they seemed to be making it work.
After a couple weeks I was finally able to transverse the room several times easily and we were just thinking about ranging further through the palace, seeing the sky again when there came a knock at the door.
"Come in." Twilight called out.
A surprising but not unwelcome pair entered, Trixie and Alizarin. Ms. Harshwhinny had mentioned she'd talked to them but I hadn't really thought much about it since.
"I am so elated to see you up and about Sir Sparkle... My apologies, Rick..." He smiled with a small bow.
"I was almost sure you were done for Rick! No offence..." Trixie blushed. "The one time I visited you were lying there and Twilight... She was passed out on top of you her wings wrapped around you... It was clear she had been using powerful magic, the whole room practically hummed with it and there under your wing something stirred... Your little foal Star... I... I wasn't sure what to do, the magic and situation, I was at a loss... She spotted me and hopped right down galloping over to me holding her forelegs up, maybe she remembered me from before? I don't know, as I looked down at her scared and miserable face, her tear stained eyes... I did the only thing I could do, I held her tight kissed her brow, stroked her mane and told her it would be alright... I'm glad I wasn't lying to her thought at the time I sure felt like I was... I stayed there with her until you began to stir Twilight then I put her down gently beside you and left, it's not that I didn't want to talk to you but I didn't think I could do anything to help!"
"When she returned home I could tell she was in distress, however getting her to open up about it was another matter entirely. But once she did we both agreed we needed to do something to help though we had no idea what we could do."
"The archives seemed the best bet, my studies have slipped since... You know... My magic wouldn't be of much help..."
"Nonsense! I've seen your performances don't forget and the magic and passion you put into it is impressive to say the least."
She blushed waving him off with her forehoof. "It's no big deal really..."
Twilight and I looked at each other smiling. It might just be imagination but...
I don't think it's your imagination.
But I thought she was... You know...
What? She can't like mares and stallions?
Well sure... I guess? But he's not really...
He's as alive as you or I am I'm sure of it.
Heh, your right. I wish them the best then.
Me too...
"Anyhow back to the story..." Alizarin smiled. "There are plenty of tomes, scrolls and even unfinished writings from the age of Starswirl the Bearded we focused our attentions there."
"We looked through hundreds of items making sure to set promising ones aside as Alizarin would forget them as soon as he set them down..."
"Too true unfortunately, thankfully Trixie was there to let me know which to bring to you Princ... Ahem… Former Princess Twilight Sparkle." He smiled.
"Shortest reign ever..." She sarcastically quipped.
"Oh by no means, there are several examples I've seen second-hand of Princess’s and Princes who did not last beyond the first night of their inauguration. Poison, a midnight betrayal from their lover..."
"How awful!" Twilight and Trixie agreed.
He shrugged slightly. "A different time best put behind us but not forgotten lest we make the same mistakes again."
"Very true and well said my friend." I nodded.
"My thanks, we kept searching and searching each spell we found seemed even less likely than the last. Every few days when I brought a new bundle of books I could see you Twilight getting more and more disheartened, weaker... The nearly non-stop spells, stress, heartbreak and late nights were taking their toll. On you and your little foal Star and I'm sure Scootaloo as well, I know you were careful to keep them fed and sleeping properly but as close as the four of you are it was no wonder all of you were fading even as he was..."
"Everything he told me made me worry more and more our searching became more frantic we were becoming certain that the spell couldn't be broken..."
"It was only because of the two of you that I finally succeeded... I'm sorry I didn't say it before, thank you! Thank you! I owe you everything!"
"Twilight please!" Trixie blushed. "You've done a lot for me, the both of you. So not another word, friends help friends... Right?" She smiled.
"Right..." She smiled back unconvincingly.
"I too owe you both a great deal, but even if we didn't know you I'm sure we would both have been happy to assist."
Twilight still hung her head, I squeezed her gently smiling to them. "Thank you both truly. If there’s anything either of you ever might need..."
"There’s no need..." Trixie began but was tactfully interrupted by Alizarin.
"We will keep that in mind..."
We chatted a bit longer but it was getting late and Pinkie, rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy and even Dash were supposed to be coming by to visit later the next day. We said our goodbyes and got ready for bed, we turned out the lights drifting off together comfortable but missing our home, Scootaloo and Star.
Something woke me, I couldn't place it there was no sound or light but something... I could feel Twilights soft breaths but that hadn’t been it they were as natural to me as my own. I looked around as well as I could without moving trying to pierce the darkness, I didn't want to disturb her for one and I was still suspicious feeling... Something... But I wasn't sure, strain as I might I couldn't pick out anything in the pitch blackness... Wait... Perhaps it was just my imagination but an even darker patch seemed to move skirting us and moving to the other side of the room.
I'd had that feeling before when I'd slept alone, a feeling you weren't alone when you awoke in the middle of the night. Always nothing of course but this time... A muffled thump made my ears perk up, I couldn't match a pony for hearing but mine wasn't bad, what could someone be doing here? Mistakenly thinking it was a storage room? Maybe, there were plenty of those down here but no light? I tried to recall what was on that side of the room, almost all the books had been returned save a few Twi wanted to look over yet but those were right beside us... Visitors had brought some other books knowing Twilights and my fondness for them and those were over there but there was nothing noteworthy about them just a few adventure and mystery novels they were sitting on an improvised bookshelf the small chest Twilight kept her... Crown in...
"Dammit!" I hissed lighting up the room with a spell but a second too late, I blinked away spots just in time to see the door close.
"Mmm... Is it morning already...?"
I threw off the covers quickly pulling myself up. "Your crown love!" I rushed to the door as she shook off the cobwebs looking over at the open chest books set neatly aside save one that had fallen from the top alerting me.
I burst into the hall only catching a fleeting glimpse of a tail perhaps rounding a corner, whoever it was they were fast but I doggedly gave chase the clatter of hooves behind me letting me know Twi was right behind me. We followed all through the lower levels still never catching more than a glimpse of the jet-black tail of the male or female pony we were chasing even when Twilight teleported us ahead down the straight tunnels we still couldn't manage to catch up...
We began to move upwards and either no one was up this late or the intruder knew just the route to take to avoid them all! We must have climbed ten stories in our pursuit and I was faltering gasping heavily but I wasn't about to give up. Ahead of us we heard a door click and when we rounded the corner we found a door Celestia and Lunas mark upon it, we hesitated only a moment before bursting in! This room too was nearly pitch black the only faint light coming from a large standing mirror, we took a step together into the room only to freeze hearing a hissing chuckle.
"Too late once Princess, the power of your crown will be mine. One world than this one... See you soon..."
A shadow moved towards the mirror a glint within it catching my eye and I lunged forward to grab at it, I grasped something and from its contours it felt like the crown but it was held fast I quickly realized by magic, worse the familiar sickening taint of Dark magic.
"Release the crown Cretin!" Growled the voice within the shadow which I was being pulled inexorably into as it moved towards the mirror.
Suddenly I felt the warmth of Twilights magic as she lent her power pulling me back. "Oh no you don't..."
This tug of war with me gripping the crown tightly in the middle continued for minutes ranging all across the room knocking over furnishings though we steered clear of the unknown that was the mirror, finally with my last ounce of strength I wrenched it free though it immediately slipped from my grasp flying through the air towards the mirror too fast for any of us to do anything.
I braced myself for the sound of breaking glass but it simply sank right into the mirrors face and disappeared.
"Dammit! Fine... Enjoy your tiny victory." The shadow chuckled the two of us still blocking the way to the mirror.
"Who are you?"
"No one you know once Princess..." With a flash the shadow was gone, a chuckle behind us made us spin in time to see the back half of a pony disappear into the mirror his coat a light grey and tail black. I didn't get a good look at his cutie mark but it appeared to be red in color.
We just sat there stunned a minute when with a flash Princess Celestia and Luna appeared on either side of the mirror. "What’s happened?! I felt the taint of Dark magic!"
"I too sister..."
A second later Discord also appeared looking around curiously no doubt having followed Luna, when his gaze fell upon Twilight and I he sighed and rolled his eyes. "Of course..."
"What happened?" Celestia asked again looking back and forth between us and the mirror.
"I told you we should have warded the portal more thoroughly sister..."
"Luna!"
"What?" She looked at her sister, Discord then to us with a smile. "If we cannot trust Twilight and Rick who can we sister?"
Celestia nodded with a small smile of her own. "True, true..."
"Let us tell you what happened first then maybe you can tell us about this... Portal."
They both nodded and I began explaining with Twilight chipping in with anything she noticed I hadn’t, when we finished they shared a pained look with each other while Discord looked suspiciously at the mirror.
"We have been remiss sister..."
"I know Luna, it has been so long truly I didn't think anyone would ever emerge from the portal..."
"Portal? What’s going on Princess’s?!" Twi exclaimed with an adorable stomp of her forehoof.
"I'm sorry Twilight Sparkle my recent mistakes seem to have compounded on one another causing your family nothing but trouble, some turned out for the best..." She smiled no doubt thinking of John but it quickly faded as she turned back to us. "Others not... I hope you both can forgive me someday, I did not intend any of this... I just wanted to see my old friend’s last request seen through..." She crumpled down before us her head hung low.
"P... Princess! I didn't mean... Please, I forgive you! You've done so much for me... For us! Both of you, I'm just confused..."
Celestia looked up at us Luna by her side eyes damp but smiling softly as I nodded my agreement. "I haven't been a very good mentor to you Twilight, from our first meeting I saw such potential in you but it ignited a promise I made so long ago, test after test just for my own desires..." She shook her head. "I no longer have the right to call you my student Twilight but I would like to call you my friend..." She smiled hopefully.
"Princess! I... Of course you’re my friend! Everything you've taught me... All we've been through...! Do you really not want me as your student anymore...?" I squeezed her gently hearing the sadness in her voice.
Celestia shook her head with a smile. "You misunderstand Twilight, simply put I have nothing else to teach you... You've mastered every task I've set for you and more besides, finished a spell no other could manage and then changed it! I have no doubt you will continue to study and learn but it shall be on terms of your own choosing..."
Twilight smiled her eyes damp as I squeezed her gently. "Thank you Princess, everything else aside you and her parents made Twilight who she is today. The mare I love and I wouldn't trade that for anything."
She was crying softly now but smiling too. "Thank your Princess, I'll try to live up to your expectations."
"I know you will... Now for the problem at hand..."
Luna smiled and continued. "As you know my sister and I traveled a great deal when we were younger out of... Necessity..." Discord blushed leaning against her. "We made many friends and discovered many things, this was one such item. A portal fixed into this frame and mirror leading to another world, we visited it a few times seeking but it was... Difficult... You will see. One thing is certain we cannot allow whomever has stolen the element of magic to keep it."
"I've laid around enough anyhow." I grinned.
"I would not send you at all Sir... Rick, but Twilight cannot enter without you it is truly a different dimension. If you entered separately... Well, none of us wishes to go through that..."
"I understand Princess, what can you tell us about this dimension?" Twilight asked ears perked forward clearly intrigued.
"Very little I'm afraid, it's been so long..."
"True sister, Twilight you will have considerable adjustments to make. Rick... Much less so." Luna smirked.
"What?" I thought a moment. "Is it a way back to Earth?"
"No. There are similarities but Luna and I were still mourning our parents and didn't investigate much... Odd..." She cocked her head considering something.
"What is it sister?"
"What happened with our parents began our journey so long ago, anger at the humans festered in our hearts for so long but when we finally found a way to go home it was by virtue of a human artifact..."
"Fate works in strange ways." I smiled squeezing Twi.
"What could he plan to do with the crown though...?" Twilight mused.
"The Elements are mysterious, a thousand years of what study I could dedicate to them and truly I know no more than I ever did..." Celestia smiled ruefully.
"Though you know them now as the Elements of Laughter, Kindness, Generosity, Honesty, Loyalty and Magic truly they have no definition... When my sister and I wielded them they were simply the Elements... The Sun and the Moon..." Luna smiled in memory leaning against her sister.
Celestia leaned back a moment before continuing. "Solely even the Elements contain considerable power, together... Well you know what they are capable of. Without your crown, Magic. The other Elements are diminished considerably, it is possible whoever this thief is plans to try to syphon the magic from it or perhaps as evidenced by the taint of Dark magic corrupt it to work for him... Neither bodes well..."
"Then we'll find it and bring it back."
"I only hope it will be that easy Rick." Luna smiled. "You must move quickly though the portal only remains open for a short time."
"How long?"
"Only three days and nights, at the end of the third night the portal shall close and remain so for thirty moons. Though we know little of the world we did examine the portal very closely..." Luna explained.
"Then we've got to hurry!" Twi jumped up ready to go but then stopped. "Wait... Our friends...?"
"I'm afraid they won't be able to accompany you, two is risky enough..."
"Star and Scootaloo...?"
"They shall have to continue to enjoy your parents spoiling until your return."
I sighed but nodded with a smile. "I don't like to leave them but this is important, we'll make it up to them."
"Do we need to go now?"
"The morning would be best Twilight."
"We'll meet you back here then?"
"Of course..." Both their horns lit up warding the room and mirror extensively before they both teleported away leaving us to stare at the portal a moment before she leaned against me and teleported us as well.
I stumbled as we arrived but she caught me easily letting me lean on her, the room was dark so I made a small light and was surprised and pleased to find us in Twilights old room at her parents and there in her bed Scootaloo and Star cuddled together.
Read my mind...
She lay down careful not to disturb them pulling me to her. Not quite yet, someday maybe... We kissed softly settling down in her small bed Star and Scootaloo snuggling against us in their sleep.
Love you, sleep tight.
Love you, sweet dreams.
A portal and mysterious pony... Sleep reclaimed me before I could worry any more about it.
Despite last night’s lost sleep my internal alarm woke me up at the usual time Twilight just moments after me, the temptation to close my eyes and go back to sleep was considerable but we had a crown to reclaim and limited time in which to do it... Alternatively we would have a LOT of time but I had no desire to be away from Scootaloo and Star for thirty moons.
We stretched and smiled to each other trying not to move too much but Star too was an early riser for now, she stretched as well yawning adorably opening her eyes and staring at us a moment before smiling gleefully. "Mommy! Daddy!"
"Shh baby..." I whispered but too late Scootaloo yawned stretching against me as I rubbed her back gently. "Morning Angel..."
"Morning... Wait! You weren't here when we went to sleep!"
I chuckled kissing her on the forehead as Star began nursing. "We just wanted to see you two."
I had to hand it to her she was pretty astute sometimes, she smiled happily but then frowned looking at me suspiciously. "What’s going on...?"
"Nothing serious honey, your dad and I have to go away for a few days on official palace business that’s all..."
"Can't we come?!"
"Sorry Angel..."
"But you just got better! Can't they send someone else?! It's not fair!"
Her pleading look broke my heart, I pulled her up in my arms squeezing her tight. "I love you Angel, so much..."
"Love you too dad..."
Twi smiled rubbing Stars back as she nursed. "Just a few days honey, once we get back home we're going to spend so much time together you'll be sick of us in no time." She giggled.
"The past few months have been hard on you three, I'll do everything I can to try to make it up to you..."
"We're just glad you’re ok." Twi smiled as I reached over to caress her neck.
"Things just weren't right with you... Gone dad."
I squeezed her softly again. "I'll do my best to make sure that never happens again.
"Good..."
"Rise and shine sleepyheads, Grandpa's coming to getcha!"
Star had just finished nursing and hopped up onto her hooves excitedly jumping off the bed to go hide in the nearby closet peeking out giggling. The door swung open and Mr. Sparkle jumped in freezing finding the two of us but recovering quickly.
"Well that’s surprising but you always were full of surprises my special little light..."
"Daad..." Twilight blushed making me chuckle a giggle from the closet mirroring me.
"Oh...? Now let’s see... We've got my beautiful and talented little grand-daughter, two surprise houseguests very glad to see you up and about by the way. Now where’s that troublemaking adorable little grand-daughter foal...?" Another giggle from the closet. "Aha!" He leapt forward theatrically looking behind a chair beside the bed. "Darn!"
Scootaloo giggled as well this time as he spun around crouching low. "She must be under the bed!" More giggles Twilight joining in.
I remember when he used to play with me like that...
I rubbed her back kissing her cheek, he searched high and low but no Star could be found! Finally he sighed sitting down before the closet facing us. "I guess she's just too sneaky for me! We'll never find her... Too bad really it's her favorite breakfast this morning too, waffles..." He added with a grin and a wink.
The closet door burst open and an excited beautiful little foal came leaping out. "Gotcha grandpa!" She laughed climbing his back hugging him from behind.
He swooped her around giving her a hug and a kiss before settling her on his back. "You sure did! Well come on you two let's go help grandma in the kitchen we've got to make breakfast for two more!"
"Kay!" They echoed Star perched on his back while Scootaloo followed with just a glance back.
"We'll be right there Angel." I smiled.
We lay there a few moments longer enjoying the quiet and each other.
"Are we horrible parents?"
"Twi! Of course not, every parent has to leave their children sometimes, right...? I can't think of anyone I'd rather leave them with then your parents."
"But I read..."
"Love..." I squeezed her tight and kissed her. "We can't always go 'by the book' as much as I know you'd like to. The girls certainly aren't, we've just got to adjust on the fly, trust in our instincts, the girls and each other..."
"Mmm..." She nuzzled against me. "Let's get the crown back as quick as we can! We've got a filly and a foal to spoil!" She giggled.
"Sounds like a plan to me."
We headed downstairs having a delicious breakfast asking if it was alright if Star and Scootaloo could stay with them a few more days, naturally it was. We told them nearly the same thing we'd told the girls, we didn't want to worry any of them there'd been more than enough of that.
Again we stood before the mirror / portal, Luna and Celestia with us.
"Remember the portal opened last night so you have three days but only two nights before it closes again, if you should miss that deadline..." Luna frowned.
"We don't know what might come through the next time it opens... We would have to..."
"Take every precaution, we understand Princess. We're ready, the sooner in the quicker we can return." Twilight smiled.
"We'll do our best to keep the crown out of the wrong hands."
"Thank you both, good luck." Celestia nodded to us.
"Our blessings go with you, I wish it could be more..." Luna smiled ruefully bowing to us.
"One small step for pony and humankind..." I chuckled holding Twi in my arms stepping across the threshold... That first breath seemed long overdue, as we passed through time seemed to slow I stumbled to one knee as Twilight dropped beside me she too gasping for breath.
"You ok?" I asked.
"Yes, I think so..."
My vision was a bit blurry too so I shook my head and blinked until it cleared up, I certainly felt different though strangely it felt familiar... Looking myself over I found I was wearing sneakers, jeans and a t-shirt. My legs and arms seemed a bit thinner though even stranger was the tone of my skin not the usual off-pink I was used to it was a pale green no doubt making me look like an extra in a bad science fiction movie... I flexed my arms curling and uncurling my fists to reassure myself I was in fact me...
"R... Rick...?"
Right, Twilight! I looked over and was surprised by the light purple skinned girl beside me, she had sneakers as well and knee-high socks as well as a short skirt that had ridden up when she fell exposing her legs and her purple panties... I straightened her skirt looking up at her light blue dress shirt and cute bow. She had a pretty face, I haven’t seen a human female face for so long... She had very kissable lips and cheeks, a slight nose with just a small crick in it something that was practically unnoticeable in her muzzle but I knew every part of her well... And above that her big beautiful eyes, I knew those eyes, I loved those eyes and everything with them. Her hair was long thick and beautiful, I don't think I had ever thought of her in a human form. Didn't matter she was the mare / girl I loved regardless...
She was holding up her new hands wiggling the fingers and turning them back and forth. "How...? What...?" She blinked and looked at me. "You look like you... But different, do I...?" She shifted trying to stand on all fours but then letting me help her to her feet clutching my arm for support.
"Your still you love..." I caressed her cheek leaning in to give her a soft kiss. "Just think of it as a learning experience, right?" I grinned kissing her again.
"Ahem..." Came from behind us, we both turned to see an older gentlemen wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase giving us a disgruntled look. He shook his head with a small smile and turned continuing on his way.
"That was weird..."
"Maybe... Or maybe here..." I looked past the gentleman at the towering building before us shorter long building connected to either side and the back too I imagined. There was a sign above the main entrance and despite this being a different dimension I could read it easily. "Canterlot High...?" The younger bodies, backpack, teacher... It all came together.
High school...?
Great...