//------------------------------// // Homecoming // Story: Back to Normal // by Trick Question //------------------------------// Bubble Pop pouted. "Do we have to go back so soon? There are so many things we haven't done yet! Like, you know, fun stuff!" he protested. Behind him, Flittercoy's eyes widened as he vigorously shook his head in disagreement. "To be honest, it ain't all that different from my other body," said Applejune, experimentally air-bucking with Kicks McGee. "Oh you. You would say something like that," teased Curio, jabbing Applejune in the side with his hoof. "I just want to be able to fly again without going through a whole week of retraining," said Rainbow Rush. "If I stay here much longer, I'll need to retrain when I get back, too. And that would suck," he said. "Well," said Nightfall Twinkle, "I'm afraid we might be out of commission for a while anyway. I've made arrangements for the castle to be taken care of while we recuperate." "Recuperate?" asked Applejune. "We made it from there to here in a jiffy, not a hair out of place, except for the whole stallion thing. Is there somethin' y'ain't tellin' us, Night—I mean, Twilight?" Nightfall Twinkle sighed. "Look, girls, here's the thing. After Prince Helios and I talked this over, we realized that sending us all back the same way would be very dangerous, and I probably won't be able to use the device again anyway. So we're going to use magic to make the journey safer, more or less, and the device will be destroyed in the process," he explained. "And frankly, this is going to hurt a lot, both physically and mentally. I'm... I'm very sorry." Then Nightfall began to cry, and six surprised friends walked forward to hug him. "It's not a problem, hon. I'm sure we can take it," Applejune said, adjusting his hat to allow for a nuzzle to Nightfall's neck. "Absolutely. Adventuring isn't always my cup of tea, Twilight, but I wouldn't trade these moments with friends like all of you for the world," said a smiling Curio. "Even a world brimming with gold and silks. Oh, how utterly tragic we didn't end up there instead." "Um, Twilight?" asked Flittercoy, as he pulled away from the group hug. "Aren't Prince Helios and Prince Mani in danger if they're here in the library when you start the machine?" "We'll be protected," said Prince Helios. "Frill, however, should leave the library until the rest of you have returned to your universe." Frill turned to Curio and hugged him. "Be nice to Spike, okay?" she asked. "I think you're every bit as amazing as my Curio. I want to ride him the moment he gets back," she sighed, then raced out of the library. Prince Mani shut the door with his telekinesis. "Huh. You were right, Rush. Er, Dash, I mean. Pretty creepy," said Applejune. "Oh please. Our relationship is completely innocent," said Curio. "Besides, such a thing might be perhaps a bit... untoward, in our Equestria, but I'm sure there's nothing unusual in this universe about a little filly doting on a mature stallion." Prince Mani raised a brow, then exchanged an uncomfortable glance with his brother. "Okay. Is this it, then?" Nightfall Twinkle asked Helios, his voice filled with reluctance. "It is time," said Prince Helios. "This would be the last chance to back out of our arrangement, Twilight." Nightfall Twinkle paused for a long moment, then shook his head, and slowly exhaled. "Okay everypony. As I said before, this isn't going to be much fun. Each of you will probably black out from the forces involved. Our brains might be temporarily muddled from the experience, since we don't belong in these bodies and we've been stuck in them for more than two hours now. The five of you should lie down on the floor, and try to relax. I'll join you once the machine is running, and then the princes will take over from there," he explained. Flittercoy smiled. "Normally I'd be worried about the pain, and I guess I kind of am, but I'm just so happy we're going back. This is a nice body to visit, but I really wouldn't want to stay here," he said. The rest of Nightfall Twinkle's friends nodded and smiled. Nightfall Twinkle himself, however, still looked very sad. "Aww. Cheer up Nightie-Twilie! It's okay if it hurts," said Bubble Pop. "We know you didn't mean it, and it's been a super-fun adventure!" "Yeah, sugarcube. This is what friendship's all about ain't it?" said Applejune. "You are definitely going to black out before I do," said Rainbow Rush, grinning at Applejune. "Ha! You're on, boy," winked AJ, flexing his muscles as he lay flat against the floor. Curio sighed. "This is going to ruin my mane, I just know it. Well, just like Bubble—of course, I mean Pinkie—said, adventure and so forth," he declared, putting on a brave face. "Thank you guys. That means everything to me," Nightfall Twinkle said, still teary-eyed. "Now just close your eyes, and hold on tight. We'll be home before you know it." The machine didn't make any noise this time, but the music of three alicorns activating their magic filled the air, followed shortly thereafter by the popping, hissing sound of electrical discharges coming from all around. Static electricity flowed across the pelts of Twilight's friends, who clenched their eyes shut even tighter in response. "Woo hoo!!!" yelled Bubble Pop, and then yelped as a painful wrenching sensation gripped his back. Several ponies grunted in exertion, but the pain was short-lived. The sweet kiss of darkness came swiftly. "Did it work?" coughed Applejack, looking around. It was very dim, and it appeared that all of the crystal lights in the library had exploded.  The stone archway had been smashed to bits and most of the device had melted. Crystal fragments and stone rubble dotted the carpet. Princess Celestia stepped forward and her horn began to illuminate most of the library in a warm glow. "Yes, Applejack. You're all back," she said, smiling gently. She reached down to help Twilight Sparkle to her feet as the other ponies came to. "I think somepony just shoved a javelin through my brain," gasped Rainbow Dash. "I'm... rather foggy-headed myself," said Rarity, coughing. "We should have, excuse me—our mare, no—stallion counterparts should have taken these outfits off before taking the return trip. Although I suppose that's our fault as well. Oh wonderful, I think I've positively ruined the ruching on this outfit..." "Um, does anypony else have more than one set of memories from today?" gasped Fluttershy, shivering on the ground. Applejack helped her unsteady friend to her hooves. "There was no way to keep your memories from getting tangled up with theirs," Princess Luna said. "As Princess Twilight Sparkle informed you, the return trip was both physically and mentally demanding." Pinkie Pie opened her eyes and instantly jumped to her feet. "Owie-zowie! That really was painful," she said with a bright smile. "Oh no, Twilight you look awful!" Twilight Sparkle's legs were shaking, her mane was a mess, and her were eyes puffy and sore. "I'm... okay," she said in a whispery voice, as Princess Celestia gently hugged her. "Oh goodness. What happened to our dear Twilight?" asked Rarity, limping over to Twilight Sparkle. "Twilight Sparkle had to assist us in casting the spell, in order to ensure that everything went smoothly," said Princess Celestia. "She will need at least a week to recover, even though her strain was more mental than physical. It may take the rest of you some time to fully recover as well. I will help Twilight to her bed, and my sister will lead the rest of you to your guest quarters. I presume you know the way, but we would prefer to leave nothing to chance at the moment." "Eh, I think I can still make it home..." said Applejack. "No way. You're staying here with the rest of us colts, or fillies, or whatever the hay we are at the moment," said Rainbow Dash. "I mean, if you go home and I don't, it'll make me look bad! Not that I couldn't go home, I mean. I'm just, y'know, really tired." "Alright," relented Applejack, with a soft smile on her face. "You done talked me into it." "Twilight, please don't ever put this much burden on your saddle again," said Fluttershy, her legs still very shaky. "We worry about you..." "I'll be fine," wheezed Princess Twilight Sparkle, her neck limp and her eyes downcast as Princess Celestia raised the smaller alicorn up onto her back.