Pony Nation

by TimidWolf

Chapter 2: The Blink

The intrepid group of friends walked down the winding path at the outskirts of Ponyville. With all of their companions in tow, the group seemed to resemble a small parade of characters: Applejack trotted along with her siblings Big Mac and Applebloom, plus her Granny Smith; Rainbow Dash walked with her number one fan Scootaloo, who pulled a couple of suitcases in her wagon behind her; Rarity with her sister Sweetie Belle, plus the doting dragon Spike, who carried her numerous suitcases; Pinkie Pie hopped along with all the Cakes in tow, Cup, Carrot, Pound and Pumpkin; Fluttershy with her furry companion Angel Bunny tagging along; and out in front, Twilight Sparkle, leading everypony along.

As the group crossed into the bright white light of the modern streetlamps lining the path, Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. "Here are the streetlamps, everypony! The Blink Facility is just ahead!"

"They sure make 'em bright, don't they?" Applejack remarked as she squinted in the strong light.

"They sure do!" Pinkie said as she climbed up a lamppost and tapped on the shining glass. "What kind of lightning bugs are they keeping in here?"

"Pinkie, come down from there!" Twilight called up to her. As her friends slid down the lamppost she explained, "Those are electric lamps. The Facility supplies power to them."

"Electric, huh?" Rainbow nudged Scootaloo and remarked, "Check it out, the stuff we use in Cloudsdale for the storm clouds is the same thing the humans put in their lamps!"

"I know, right?" Scootaloo said. "What'll they think of next?"

"That's just a glimpse of what's on Earth, girls," Twilight said. She then glanced behind her and saw Spike straining Rarity's teetering tower of bags like a pack mule. She stopped to let the group walk ahead a few paces, then started walking next to Spike.

"Spike, you shouldn't have to carry Rarity's bags for her," she said. "There's still room on Scootaloo's wagon with Pinkie's bags."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all," Spike said as he dreamily gazed at Rarity, who turned to look at him and smiled.

"It was so gracious of you to help," she said. "I just wish I could take my Spikey-Wikey to Earth with me."

"Yeah," Spike said in a more dejected tone, "me too..."

"I'm sorry you can't go to Earth yet, Spike," Twilight said. "It was hard enough to get to approval for the ponies to go. But once we get dragons and the rest of Equestria's creatures approved, I'll make sure you're the first in line!"

Spike smiled. "Thanks, Twilight," he said. "There's no rush on that, though. After all, someone needs to watch Owliscious, Tank and Gummy while you're all away."

Fluttershy trotted up to them and spoke up, "You're free to stay at my cottage with them anytime, Spike. Angel Bunny could use the company too, right Angel?" She she turned to look at Angel, who wore kind of a scowl on his face.

Everypony walked along for another minute or two and chatted amongst themselves as they watched their shadows stretch out and crisscross each other in the light of each streetlamp. Fluttershy was looking down at her own shadow as it did this when she asked, "Um, Twilight? You've been around humans, right? I mean, other than Lorenzo?"

"I have," she answered. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, uh," she started. After a moment of thought, she continued, "Oh, I don't really know how to ask this, so I'll just ask. Are they nice? At least as nice as Lorenzo is?"

"I suppose so," Twilight said. "I honestly don't think I've met anypon- I mean, anybody as nice as Lorenzo, but the people I've met have been friendly enough. All I can say for sure is that people are different."

"Just like how ponies different, right?" Applejack asked Twilight.

"Just like that," she answered.

"Ah don' think we got anythin' to worry 'bout, Fluttershy," Applejack reassured her apprehensive friend. "Ah'm sure we're gonna make friends out of at least some of the humans we meet. Even if we can't make friends with everyone, that's okay too. After all, there's always gonna be at least one bad apple in the bushel."

"That is true," Rarity said. "I'd venture to guess that for every ten people we see, there will be at least one human equivalent of, say, a Prince Blueblood."

"Yeah!" Pinkie piped up. "Or a Trixie!"

"Or a Flim an' Flam," said Applejack.

"Or a Night Mare Moon," Rainbow Dash said.

Everypony fell silent at the mention of the last name. Fluttershy's eyes went wide and her pupils grew smaller. "Oh, my," she said, her voice as tiny as a mouse. "I-I sure h-hope there's not one of th-th-those on Earth."

"Now I can be quite sure that there isn't one of those on Earth," Twilight said. "If there were, I'm sure I would have run into her by- hey, everypony, look!"

Not far ahead of them was a gray stone path. It connected to a set of wide stone steps that led up a small hill. At the top of the hill was a large building with a domed roof. More of the Earthling electric lights shined upon the wooden Equestrian-designed building. The group could see lots of other ponies walking up the steps into a few arched entryways into the building. Next to the path ahead of them was a large wooden sign with deep-carved letters. It read,

PONYVILLE BLINK FACILITY,
YOUR GATEWAY TO EARTH.

"We're here," Twilight said.

At that moment on the other side of the Blink Facility property, an impatient businesspony and his assistant waited to be let into the building through a secure access door. The businesspony knocked loudly on the door for the third time to be let inside.

Filthy Rich's patience was growing thin. He was waiting for nearly fifteen minutes for somepony to let him inside the building he paid for with his own bits. As the principal investor in the Blink Facility project, he did not enjoy waiting on other ponies to get inside of his own building.

Finally, the door opened and an earth stallion with a yellow coat and silvery mane stepped out.

"You're late, Graham," Filthy said sternly.

"My apologies," Graham answered as he adjusted the square glasses on his face with a hoof, then held the door open for the impatient pony. "Please come in. Everything is set up for our tour. I guess I was so wrapped up in the preparations that I forgot which entrance you'd be waiting at."

"Uh huh," Filthy muttered as he trotted inside with his unicorn assistant. "Copeland?"

"Yes, sir?" His assistant replied.

"Pay close attention to what you see in here," his supervisor instructed. "Write down anything we might be able to minimize or eliminate entirely."

"Ready, sir," Copeland said as he magically levitated a notepad and a quill.

As the three of them walked down a long corridor, Filthy remarked, "So this is the fancy Blink Facility, huh? Doesn't look like much to me."

"Have you not been here before, Filth- er, Mr. Rich?" Graham asked.

He shook his head and answered, "Nope. I'm a busy pony, Graham. I don't have time to admire every little PR tool I build around here."

"I'd hardly call the Blink Facility a public relations tool, Mr. Rich," he said. "For the last few months the Facility has been the gateway to planet Earth, home of the human race. Have you ever seen a human before, Mr. Rich?"

"Can't say that I have," he replied curtly. "What's your point?"

"They're quite the remarkable species, sir," Graham said. "I have personally worked with Dr. Lorenzo Faust, the man who created the technology that creates the Blink itself. Their knowledge of science and energy is leaps and bounds ahead of anything we've been capable of."

"Is that right?" Filthy asked, not really paying attention. As they continued to walk through the service corridors he looked around and inquired, "So this Blink thing is a transport, right? Where is it and how exactly does it leave the building?"

"In time, sir, I'll show you," Graham said as they came upon a door at the end of the hallway. He pressed a front hoof against the bar latch and pushed the door open. "Our tour begins here, at the ticketing and check-in area."

The ticketing area was a noisy open area where several ponies milled about. Its construction was a blend of contemporaty Earth and classic Equestria. The hoofsteps of the hurrying ponies clicked on the smooth granite floor and echoed throughout the spacious area high above their heads, where wooden rafters crisscrossed like barn beams. At the front, several sallyports let in ponies who either stood in line to purchase tickets or check in their boarding passes at the booths on the other side or relaxed on the couches in the middle of the area.

Filthy looked around and noticed the number of security ponies inside the building. Each of the four sallyports had a pair of guards posted, one on either side of the entryway. "Graham," he said, "why do we have all of these security guards in here? Is having them all here really necessary?"

"Absolutely, Mr. Rich," Graham answered. "Their services are critical in maintaining the integrity of the Blink project."

"Hmm." Filthy leaned over to Copeland and muttered, "I didn't throw so many of my bits into this place just so they could employ so many ponies who stand around and do nothing. Remind me to prune this 'security detail' of theirs, will you?"

"I've already made a note of it, sir," he replied as he finished passing his quill over the notepad he held in midair.

As the three of them observed the multitude of ponies filing into the ticketing area, the six guardians of Equestria and their entourage entered through one of the sallyports. "All right, girls," Twilight said to her friends, "have your tickets ready. All we have to do is go to that check-in desk over there and-"

"Hey everypony, look!"

Twilight's instructions were cut off by a mare who spotted the group and caught the attention of everypony in the ticketing area. "It's Princess Twilight and her friends!" she called out. "They're going to Earth!"

"Uh oh," Applejack said. "Looks like we're gonna be real popular tonight."

The other awestruck ponies clamored around them. The air around the group was a flurry of questions about their travel plans and excited remarks about their own. Twilight and her friends politely pushed themselves through the torrent for a few minutes until two burly stallions in security uniforms arrived and put themselves between the two groups.

"All right, listen up, everypony," a brown security stallion said firmly. "The princess and her friends are going the same place you are. If y'all can't back up give them some space then we're gonna have a situation on our hooves."

"That's right," a gray security stallion agreed. "A disturbance like that inside the secure area is a direct violation of Blink Facility protocol and will not be taken lightly. So please back away and let everypony get where they need to be. Move along."

A couple of ponies uttered disappointed moans, but nonetheless the crowd was compliant. Everypony backed off and resumed what they were doing earlier. Brown turned to Twilight and asked, "Is everything alright, Your Highness?"

"Quite alright," she replied. "Thank you, sirs, you did your job very well."

"I think it would be best if we escorted you all to the chamber ourselves," Gray said. "Everypony please follow us and have your tickets ready at the check-in counter."

The group followed their escorts to the long, wooden check-in desk. Across the room, Filthy Rich observed the security ponies' efforts. He leaned over to his assistant at his side and caught his attention. "Copeland?"

"Yes, sir?"

"About the last note I told you to make?"

"The one about cutting the security detail, sir?"

"Let's forget about that one."

"Right, sir."

The security ponies brought them to a counter where they presented their paperwork. One by one, they checked in for the first of several transports that would be leaving that night. The ticketing area became nosier by the minute as more ponies entered the building to check in or purchase tickets. Finally, Rarity checked in and they were all cleared to move forward.

"Well, I suppose this is goodbye for now," Rarity said to Twilight and her other friends. She tightly hugged her little sister. "Sweetie Belle, tell mother and father I'll miss you all dearfully."

"I will," she replied.

"And please make sure Opal gets her weekly spa treatment," she added.

"Of course, Rarity," she said.

"Don't forget her mani-pedi's as well!" she continued.

"All right already!" Sweetie said in exasperation.

Applejack hugged Applebloom, Big Mac and Granny Smith. "Ya'll take good care of the farm and Winona while Ah'm away. An' as soon as Ah kin help them humans get their crops growin' again, Ah'll be comin' on home."

"You can do it, sis!" Applebloom said. "Why, you kin practically plant some wood an' nails an' grow a barn!"

"And ain't nopony kin grow food like the Apple family," Granny said. "You show 'em how it's done!"

"Eeyup!" Big Mac agreed.

The Cakes took turns hugging Pinkie Pie. "Goodbye, Pinkie," Carrot Cake said. "Come back soon."

"We hope you make lots of friends," Cup Cake said.

"Miss you," Pumpkin Cake started.

"Pinkie," Pound Cake finished.

"Aww!" Pinkie exclaimed and hugged all of them at once. "I'll miss you all so much! Twilight says I can still write to you even on Earth, so I Pinkie primise to write you all lots and lots!"

Rainbow Dash ruffled Scootaloo's mane with a front hoof. "Take care of yourself, kid," she said.

"Thanks," Scootaloo answered. "I will."

"And remember, I'm not going away forever," she said, "so I'm gonna expect you to remind everypony of my awesomeness even when I'm not in Equestria!"

"Are you kidding?!" the little pegasus exclaimed. "Forgetting how awesome you are is about as easy as forgetting about the sonic rainboom!"

The two of them laughed. Then Scootallo asked, "Hey, Rainbow?"

"Yeah, Scoot?"

She wrapped her forelegs around her idol's neck and pushed her face into her multicolored mane. "Come home soon, will you?"

Rainbow Dash smiled, put one of her forelegs around her and said, "I will."

Fluttershy took off her saddlebags and put them on a luggage cart one of the security ponies brought for them. As other bags were piled upon it, she looked at Twilight and asked, "You're really not coming with us?"

Applejack tossed one of Rarity's suitcases onto the cart. "Can't ya get a ticket at one of them other desks?" Applejack echoed hopefully.

"I'm afraid not, girls." Twilight said. "Today's transports sold out before the ink on the EER could dry. But don't you worry, I'll be in Washington sitting by my email and phone by the time you get yours set up."

"Well, ya better be!" Applejack said. "Starting another life on another world ain't gonna be easy."

"I promise, Applejack," she assured her friend, "whenever you need me, just call or write and I'll answer right away. I'll even make time to come and see all of you. Now you girls need to get moving, you still need to go through a security check before the transport leaves. Safe travels, everypony!"

The five travelers waved and said their final goodbyes to their loved ones, then followed their security escort as they joined a line of ponies waiting to have their bags searched. At the same time, Graham, Filthy and Copeland walked ahead of them to observe the next part of the process. Graham brought them to another desk that served as a work station for the inspectors.

"So what's going on over here?" Filthy asked as he saw Blink Facility staff opening ponies' luggage and looking through the contents.

"This, Mr. Rich, is the baggage security area," Graham explained. "Our staff carefully inspects each piece of luggage that is brought into the Blink chamber to ensure that nopony brings any prohibited materials to Earth. This includes but is not limited to animals, large amounts of metal, fruits, vegetables and other consumables. We try to be as thorough and as quick as possible to expedite their waiting time."

Filthy looked at the line and frowned. "It looks like your baggage search has hit a snag, Graham," he said. "The line's not moving."

Meanwhile at the head of the line, an inspector patiently searched through a third piece of Rarity's luggage. Rainbow Dash grumbled, "Oh, come on, Rarity! Eight suitcases?! Seriously?!"

"I don't see what the fuss is about," Rarity reasoned. "I followed Twilight's packing instructions to the letter."

"But look at what's happening!" Rainbow exclaimed. "You're holding up the line with all of your stuff! We were supposed to pack light for this trip. I mean, even Pinkie settled on bringing just two suitcases."

"Only the barest of party planning essentials!" Pinkie remarked.

Just ahead of Rarity's pile was Pinkie and her two suitcases, each of them with an inspector pulling out all kinds of objects.

"Let's see here," one said to himself. "Here's some confetti..."

"Some balloons..." the other remarked.

"Streamers, paper plates..."

"A ball..."

"Pin-the-tail-on-the-pony..."

"Another ball..."

"Pinata..."

"Another ball..."

"Some eye patches..."

"One more ball..."

"A baker's dozen of cupcakes," one of them finished, "and that's it."

"So is everything okie dokie lokie?" Pinkie asked.

"Pretty much," one of them said as he and his coworker packed everything up, "except for these cupcakes. Blink Facility regulations prohibit them inside the transport chamber. Sorry."

"Oh," Pinkie said. "Well, can my friends and I each have one before we go in? We'll eat them before we leave, and you guys can keep the rest!"

"Well, little lady, that's mighty nice of you," he replied. "Sure, that's okay. Here you go."

The inspector divied the cupcakes up between Pinkie and her four friends, then took the rest back to his station. As he munched on one he offered the box's contents to Graham and his visitors. "Gentlecolts, a cupcake?"

"Sure, I'll take one," Graham said. "Would you like one, Mr. Rich, Mr. Copeland?"

"Okay," Copeland replied as he magically picked one up and took a bite.

"No, thank you," Filthy answered. "I'd like for us to move on, please."

"Certainly," Graham said through a mouthful of cupcake. He finished and continued, "Let me take you this way."

While the three left through a secure staff exit, Pinkie's and Rarity's bags were loaded back onto the luggage cart. The group gathered their luggage and trotted toward the transport waiting area down a long, wide hallway. They walked with the other travelers as they finished their luggage checks and listened as they chatted with each other about their future plans. One family of earth ponies walked alongside them as a red filly asked her pink mother questions about their final destination.

"So they have the same kind of food there, right?" The little one asked.

"Yes, darling, I'm quite sure they do," her mother answered.

"And they have places where we can play?"

"Mhmm."

"Mommy," she asked in more of a concerned tone, "will there be other ponies to play with there?"

Her mother was silent for a moment, then she said, "I don't know, sweetie. There might be later on, but we're some of the first ponies to go to Earth. You can play with your brother."

"But he's just a foal!" she exclaimed.

"You can play with me and Daddy," her mother reasoned.

"It's not the same," she pouted. "I just want somepony my age to play with."

Applejack trotted up alongside them and remarked, "Well, somepony sure sounds excited about going to Earth!" she looked at the little filly and asked, "Are you excited?"

She nodded.

"What's your name, sugarcube?" She asked. "Ah'm Applejack."

"My name's Tulip," the little filly answered.

"Well Tulip, Ah can tell ya that mah friend just came back from Earth an' told me she had such a good time that she wanted all of us ta go back with her," Applejack told her. "So here we are, all mah friends and Ah, goin' to Earth for the first time. Are you maybe a little scared about goin'?"

"Yeah, a little."

"Well, Ah'm a little scared, too. But don't ya worry. Earth may be a strange and new place, but it's not dangerous. My friend would've told me if it was. She said a lot of the humans there are nice. And before ya know it, other fillies her age'll be there, too."

Tulip looked up at Applejack with hopeful eyes. "You think so?" She asked.

Applejack smiled at her and said, "Ah know so."

Shortly they all reached the terminal at the end of the hall. In the wide open atrium were several couches lined up where ponies sat to chat with each other, read books and newspapers, or lay down for a quick nap. There was also a small snack bar that served sandwiches and beverages, and sold toiletries and other travel necessities. The two security ponies lead the group of five to two empty couches and pulled the luggage cart to a stop next to one of the couches.

"All right, ladies," Gray remarked. "Here's the terminal where you'll wait for your transport. Rest your hooves, get a sandwich or a drink and when they call your chalk make sure you get in line right over there." He motioned to a set of wooden double-doors against the wall with a small desk next to them.

"Is there anything else we can help you with tonight?" Brown asked.

"I don't believe so, sirs," Rarity said. "Thank you so much for your help."

"Not a problem, ma'am," Gray said. "Good luck to you all."

The security ponies turned and left the atrium. Shortly thereafter, the ponies heard a new noise echo through the room.

"Attention everypony," a loudspeaker announced. "The Chalk 815 transport will depart in approximately one hour. Once again, Chalk 815 will depart in one hour."

"Well, that's good to know," Rainbow Dash remarked, mostly to herself. She took another look around and said, "So, no place to go and nearly an hour to waste. What would humans do with this kind of time?"

At that moment another group of ponies were keeping themselves busy. Graham led Filthy and Copeland through a maze of corridors toward a high-security area of the Facility. They came to a set of double doors made of heavily reinforced metal. Two signs were printed upon the doors. One read, EYE, EAR AND HEAD PROTECTION MUST BE WORN INSIDE AT ALL TIMES. The other read, POWER STATION AREA OFF-LIMITS TO UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL. Graham cantered up to a set of shelves next to the doors and pulled out a few sets of hard hats, goggles and earmuffs.

"Here, gentlecolts," Graham instructed. "Please put these on while I let them know I'm taking you inside."

They did as they were told while Graham went up to a thick glass window in one of the doors and waved at somepony on the other side. A moment later a unicorn technician pony inside opened the door, and the loud sounds of machinery burst out from the other side. As everypony put their ear protection on the sounds became more muffled, and once they had their hard hats and goggles on as well Graham led Filthy and Copeland inside. As they passed row after row of large metal turbines, Graham explained their purposes.

"These turbines create electrical energy for the Facility," he shouted over the noise. "Right now they're working pretty steady, but when we create our first Blink tonight these machines are going to shift into quintuple-overtime."

"What kind of a power source do we have making all of this electricity?" Filthy yelled. "Don't tell me there's a team of stallions turning a big wheel somewhere in here."

"Oh Celestia, no!" Graham replied. "There are two main power sources at work here. First there's a collection of windmills - kind of a windmill farm, actually - about half a mile from here. There is also a collection of devices called solar arrays mounted on the Blink Facility's roof. They turn the light from the sun into electrical energy during the daytime, then we keep the energy stored in a massive power bank ready for us to use. The human engineers had the solar equipment sent all the way from Earth for us. And in case either of those power sources fail, we have a small cadre of unicorn technicians who are able to supplement the station with magical energy."

"It seems like the humans have given us a lot of their stuff to make this place work," Filthy remarked.

"It was quite necessary, Mr. Rich," Graham said. "As far as technology goes we are far, far behind the human race's achievements."

"True, Graham." Filthy countered, "But do you think it was wise of us to let these strange beings in on our planet? We just went ahead and allowed them to plant their contraptions all over the place here, what with these turbine things and the lights outside. I'm starting to wonder why I invested so much money in something we were barely able to make ourselves."

"I understand your concern, sir," he said as they reached the exit on the other side of the power station. "Believe me, if I were you I'd want to know where my money went as well. Which is why it's the perfect opportunity for me to take us to the control room. Our first commuters should be getting ready to leave soon."

Back in the terminal, another announcement was made over the loudspeakers. "Attention, passengers of Chalk 815," the voice echoed through the atrium, "we are now ready to begin preboarding procedures. Please collect your baggage and form a line in front of the chamber access doors. Have your ticket ready for the attendant to confirm your transport reservation."

Soon a long and multicolored line of ponies formed in the terminal. Most of them waited with their tickets clenched between their teeth as they inched their way forward to the desk where the attendant verified their reservation. One by one, they filed into the chamber. Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy entered the chamber as Rainbow Dash brought up the rear pulling in their loaded luggage cart. As everypony entered the chamber, they observed their surroundings.

"Oh, my," Fluttershy breathed in awe.

The Blink chamber resembled a rotunda crafted out of dark wood with a framework of metal around the ceiling and the walls. A spiderweb pattern of steel plates covered the curved ceiling and flowed in a patchwork pattern along the round walls down to the concrete floor. Inside of the wooden sections of the ceiling were recessed fluorescent lights that cast a soft white glow upon the room.

But what awed the ponies most about the chamber was the object in its center: an enormous column of glass that towered high above the ponies' heads and connected to the ceiling. It contained a metal core and glowed its own blue and white light. The light pulsed softly, and as it did a strange hum seemed to come from the pillar. It caught the attention of everypony in the room as the five friends found a place to put down their luggage so they stop to look up at the immense, monolithic device.

"So," Applejack said, breaking their silence, "that's what's gonna take us ta Earth."

"It's quite strange," Rarity noted, "how the thing that will take us someplace else doesn't move at all and has only one way in or out."

Meanwhile, on the other side of a thick glass window at the opposite end of the chamber, an access door opened and Graham led Filthy and Copeland inside. The large room they entered was bustling with activity as unicorns trotted from end to end to push buttons, turn levers, check gauges and test equipment. Between the back wall the entered from and the Blink chamber window in the front were several consoles, some of which were occupied by ponies who almost religiously adjusted and readjusted controls. Long scrolls of paper magically carried around by the technicians dragged along the floor as the unicorns were mindful not to step on each others paperwork.

"What's this room supposed to be?" Filthy asked.

"This is the control room," Graham answered, "the nerve center for the entire Blink operation. From here we monitor and control everything from the lights outside to the Blink reaction itself. Right now everypony is getting ready for the transference of Chalk 815 from PV One - that's code for our station - to SL Echo on Earth."

"Everypony looks real busy," Filthy noted as he saw a flustered unicorn gallop from one end of the control room to the other. "Is it normal for you all to be this busy?"

"Right now it is," Graham explained. "Everypony is working extra hard to make sure our measurements are right on target as we prep the reactor for the Blink. Unlike the Earthlings and their digital technology, most of our equipment is analog and lacks the automatic adjustment capabilities they have."

"Aha!" Filthy interjected. "That's another thing, Graham. Not only are we working with technology beyond our means, but we're doing so without the adequate equipment. I knew there was something about this place I didn't like, and I think I figured it out. This Blink of yours is like fire in the hooves of a foal, Graham. It doesn't belong here."

Filthy's remarks garnered the attention of a few technicians who stopped what they were doing to listen to the exchange between their supervisor and the businesspony. Now they were all looking at Graham and waiting patiently for his rebuttal. He took in a deep breath, exhaled and spoke.

"I can assure you, Mr. Rich," Graham said, "that although our hardware is old and maybe a little rusty, the ponies operating it are top-notch. These technicians represent some of the best scientists and mathematicians in all of Equestria, and I have total confidence in their abilities. Now if you excuse me, Mr. Rich, I have a door in the fabric of space and time that I need to open."

Graham then sat at his own console at the back of the room, which held more dials and switches than anypony else's. He started checking gagues and flicking switches as fast as the unicorn technicians, and as he did so Filthy Rich stood behind him and eyed his every move.

Inside the Blink chamber, Tulip and her family walked around the strange pillar and found Applejack and her friends. They cantered up beside the group and put their luggage down. Applejack turned to them and smiled. "Well howdy again, Miss Tulip!" she greeted her. "Well, here we are, ready ta go ta Earth. Ya excited still?"

Tulip looked around the room, then back at Applejack. "How are we gonna get there?" She asked, puzzled. "There's no train or anything to take us."

"Well, um," Applejack started, "that's kinda hard ta explain..."

"It's all got something to do what that big glowy thing in the room with us," Rainbow Dash said. "That much we know."

"Really?" Tulip asked with wide and curious eyes as she studied the odd device. "What is it? Do you know how it works?"

"Yes!" Pinkie Pie interjected excitedly. Then she added, "Well, um, no. But kind of, except not really."

"Maybe she'll tell us about it," Fluttershy said, motioning toward the entrance. The mare who checked their tickets earlier was standing in the doorway and watching everypony become situated. After a moment, she spoke.

"Okay everypony, may I have your attention please?" The attendent asked. When everyone looked at her she continued, "Thank you. You are now in the Blink chamber. The object you see in the middle of the room is called the actuator. That is what will create the Blink reaction that will send you all from Equestria to Earth. Please note that there are painted lines on the floor, and that you all should be standing in the area painted in yellow. Also note that the area right in front of the actuator and along the back wall is painted in red. Do *not* stand in either of the areas because the Blink is optimized to occur where you are standing right now. In about ten minutes the transference will begin. When this happens it will become quite loud in the chamber and the actuator will glow very brightly. Those with little ones may want to hold onto them during the transference and reassure them that the light and sound are normal. At this point please remain where you are standing until you are directed to exit after the transference is complete. At this point are there any questions?"

Everypony in the room gave the attendant a blank stare, as few of them could understand her directions much further beyond, "stand still and listen to directions."

"All right then," she finished. "Then I wish you all the best of luck on Earth. Have a safe journey!"

She backed out of the room and the doors swung shut. Inside the control room Graham took note of this and started adjusting more controls.

"Now that the chamber doors are secured," Graham said, "it's time to link up with the Earth station. Let's get this show on the road, everypony!"

At his command several technicians took their positions at various consoles and started adjusting switches and dials more furious than ever. Filthy and Copeland stood still behind Graham's station as to stay out of everypony's way.

Graham adjusted a set of controls with a hoof, then leaned over a panel with a speaker on it. "Blink Station SL Echo, this is Blink Station PV One. Pre-transference checks for Chalk 815 are complete, now transmitting particle signature. Awaiting signature confirmation, over."

"What's that?" Filthy asked, motioning to the console. "What are you doing? Who are you talking to?"

"This, Mr. Rich, is a multidimensional wavelength monitor," Graham explained. "It measures, receives and transmits subatomic data between the Blink stations and aids in the creating a precise transference."

"Graham, I'm an investor, not an engineer," Filthy retorted, "so don't patronize me. What does this dohicky do? In laypony's terms, please."

"Well, it's kind of like a radio right now," he said. "It lets us talk to the other Blink station."

"The one on Earth, you mean?"

Graham nodded. "Yes, and right now," he continued, "Earth is like a friend's house that we're going to visit. This monitor - this dohicky, as you so eloquently put it - is our way of knocking on the door and asking to come in."

At that moment the speaker on the monitor began to crackly loudly. After a couple seconds of static, another sound broke its way through.

"PV One, this is SL Echo," a voice called back. "We have identified your signature. Do you copy? Over."

Graham leaned into the monitor again and said, "Copy that, SL Echo. How's it going over there, Greg? Over."

"Not too bad, Graham," the voice answered. "Everyone here's excited about the first batch of tourists coming in. When're you going to make the jump yourself? Over."

"Soon as I get some time off," Graham said, smiling.

A unicorn technician approached Graham and said, "Mr. Graham, we've completed our final checks and we're good to go. Here's a copy of the manifest." He magically floated a scroll of paper in front of Graham, who took it in his hoof.

"Thank you," he said to the technician before he turned to Filthy and Copeland, then continued, "Here, you can hang onto this manifest. Call it a souvenir from an incredible moment in Equestrian history."

"Hmph," Filthy huffed as he took it and gave it to Copeland. "We'll see."

Graham turned his attention back to the console. "SL Echo, PV One's checks are complete. Are you ready to receive? Over."

"Affirmative," Greg called back. "Transmit when ready, over."

"Roger that. Energizing now, stand by for Blink transmission." Graham started adjusting the controls and said to himself, "Knock knock. Who's there? Ponies! Ponies who? Ponies of Chalk 815, that's who!" he chuckled at his own joke as he flipped a set of switches.

Inside the Blink chamber, a red ceiling light flashed and a short horn noise sounded. The light flashed and horn sounded again, then stopped. A dull hum of machinery began to fill the Blink chamber and the control room.

"What's that?" Filthy asked, concerned.

"Just a signal that the room is powering on, perfectly normal," Graham said. He threw another set of switches at the console.

Inside the chamber, the ponies saw the actuator begin to glow a soft blue light. A minute later the glow grew brighter and began to pulse with flashes of bright blue.

"Oh wow," Fluttershy said. "It's kind of pretty."

At that moment the hum grew louder and higher-pitched. The actuator glowed even brighter, and a spark of electricity shot off from it.

"Eeep!" she shrieked, crouched down onto the floor and his behind Rainbow Dash as more bolts started to discharge from the glowing pillar.

"Aww, yeah!" Rainbow yelled. "This is awesome!"

"Are ya kidding me?!" Applejack shouted over the electrical torrent. "This is like bein' in a storm cloud!"

"I know!" she shouted back.

The sparks of electricity crackled and sizzled more as they started to cascade across the ceiling. The sparks started to heat up the panels enough to raise the air temperature of the room. Even the air itself started to smell like it was burning.

Nearby little Tulip pressed herself against her mother and put her face into her mother's mane. "Mommy, I'm scared!" she protested.

Tulip's mother put a foreleg around her. "It's okay, sweetie," she assured over the noise, "It's just loud, everything's going to be okay!"

The sizzles became louder and louder, and the blue light shining from the pillar became blinding.

"Here it goes!" Rainbow Dash yelled over the roar of the machine. "There's no turning back now!"

"Oh, sweet applesauuuce!" Applejack exclaimed.

"Find a happy place!" Fluttershy whimpered as she lay on the floor with her hooves over her face. "There's no place like home!"

Rarity, mute with her mouth open, could only stare up at the sight of the lightning as it seemed to crawl across the ceiling.

"Wheeee!" Pinkie Pie squealed with delight.

Back in the control room, Filthy and Copeland stared into the flood of blue light coming out of the chamber while Graham kept his eye on the gagues and his hoof over a large red button. He watched the needles as they edged farther and farther to the right. "Come on, come on," he said to himself. "Almost there..."

The needles moved a couple of millimeters more, then the big red button lit up flashing. This was Graham's signal.

"Okay, SL Echo!" he yelled into the speaker. "Transmitting on my mark...three, two, one, MARK!"

Graham brought his hoof down on top of the button and it glowed a steady red. At that moment a single blinding flash of light erupted from the pillar, followed by the sound of a lightning strike. Almost immediately after that, the room powered down.

Filthy stared in disbelief and horror as the glow of the room faded. The ponies and their luggage had disappeared. All that was left were clouds of sparkling blue dust.

"What have you done?!" He bellowed at Graham. "You just vaporized them! All of them! I swear to you, I'm gonna have your flank-"

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Graham exclaimed. "Calm down! They're fine!"

"Fine?! Look at that, they're nothing but dust!"

"I was about to tell you," he said, "that the dust is just residual material created by the transference. It's perfectly normal, everypony's fine!"

Filthy leaned into Graham's face until their noses nearly touched and growled through grit teeth, "Then prove it!"

"Here, let me show you." Graham adjusted the controls, then leaned into the speaker and said, "SL Echo, this is PV One requesting transference status, over."

"This is SL Echo, transference appears successful, over," Greg's voice answered.

"SL Echo, stand by," Graham spoke into the speaker before he looked at Filthy and said, "Check the manifest I gave you, Mr. Rich, and look for the total number of passengers." He turned back to the speaker and said, "Greg, can you give me a headcount, over?"

"Hold one," Greg replied. There was a minute-long pause before he spoke again, "I count fifty-eight very confused ponies in my chamber right now. Is that the number you sent? Over."

Graham turned and looked at Filthy. Copeland was magically holding his copy of the manifest, which Filthy quickly read over before he looked at Graham and nodded.

He turned back to the speaker and said, "Roger that. Chalk 815 had fifty-eight passengers. Over."

"So that's fifty-eight ponies on our side now," Greg answered. "Keep 'em coming, Graham. We'll be standing by for the next chalk. Over."

"You guys take good care of them, Greg," Graham said. "Over and out."

He tapped a couple of controls on the panel, then looked at Filthy and asked, "Satisfied, Mr. Rich?"

"Yes," he answered, "but I don't think I'll ever understand why in all Equestria we need this."

Graham smiled before he turned to look through the window at the empty room and glowing pillar, then said. "I guess you'll just have to buy a ticket and find out."

It was about 10:30 a.m. when the fifty-eight ponies of Chalk 815 appeared with a blinding flash and a loud crack in the Blink Facility known as SL Echo. Most of them had their eyes closed, and those who kept them open could only stare frozen in place.

As the five guardians of Equestria opened their eyes and took in their surroundings, Rarity was the first to speak. "Good gracious! What happened to the room?"

The others looked around to see what she was talking about. The room they entered was constructed of mostly wood with a dull and rigid metal framework that crisscrossed the ceiling dome. But the room they now found themselves in had no wood to speak of, just tile floors and marble walls. The domed ceiling seemed to be made of one single piece of brightly shined metal, and it also appeared to be much higher up than they remembered. The actuator in front of them also looked even more massive than before.

"Everythin's diff'rent in here," Applejack said. "Lookit the doors we went through earlier. They're diff'rent, and they're taller!"

Everypony noticed that the wooden doors they went through earlier were now metal and beige-colored. They also stood a few heads taller than the wooden doors.

"Why is everything...bigger?" Fluttershy timidly asked.

Pinkie Pie gasped, then exclaimed, "Maybe it's because instead of going to Earth, we got shrunk!"

"Don't be ridiculous," Rainbow Dash reasoned. "It's because we're on Lorenzo's planet now. You know, with them."

The other passengers around the five friends we also engaged in a concerned discussion about where they were and what had happened.

Suddenly a loud voice spoke, and its words echoed through the chamber. "Passengers of Chalk 815, the transference is complete and you have reached your destination. Please take note of the exit doors as they will open automatically toward you in just a moment."

A few seconds later, the doors started to slowly swung inward. As they did, the passengers saw what was on the other side.

Some of them gasped. Some of them made hushed remarks. Some of them just stood silently and stared. Even Twilight's five friends stood in awe at their first sighting of such a creature other than the one who came to them two years ago.

One of them, dressed in a gray uniform, walked into the room. As he did, the other ponies started to make comments to each other:

"He's so tall!"

"That is a he, right?"

"Only two legs? How doesn't he fall down?"

"Where's all his hair?"

"Are those things claws or tentacles?"

The man stopped, then looked down at all of the colorful, wide-eyed equines in the room with him. With a smile he greeted the passengers.

"Good morning, ponies," he said in a friendly voice. "Welcome to Planet Earth."

Comments

[iloveportalz0r]

[Max Caulfield]

Uhh... do you need an editor?

[TimidWolf]

2730211 I do not at the moment. If you or anyone else feels they are willing to take the time and give my work the criticism it needs. I had an editor who gave a first look at Ponyville Pawn Stars that definitely improved the quality of the story. I would like to see this picked up by EQD, but since my last story got snubbed I'm not getting my hopes up.

If anyone reading this downvoted my story and could tell me why you did, then fire away. I've got thick skin.

[Max Caulfield]

Okay,

[TimidWolf]

2731084 whoops, I left out part of my last comment. I meant to say that I would really appreciate it if you were willing to edit my work.

[Max Caulfield]

2731578 Yes, yes I am.

[LuluTia]

Sit back, because I'm gonna tell you one hell of a critic comment here ;p

First of all, I think it will be a big waste of time re writing this story. The reason why is;

The plot is too boring— or just too farfetched. I do not think ALOT of people like having the ponies be the one helping the humans. It basically makes humans the antagonists here. And with those Conversion BEREAU fics out there and dem misanthropic plot stories.

Its better if you make a entirely different story...with a WHOLE different plot story.

Another thing is that much time has passed. So people are looking for more complex stories that has more juicer details in them. Global scaled Human to pony contact is really a VERY VERY difficult thing to do.

The only one that has successfully manage to do that ( of what I know ) are the original authors of the first conversion BEREAu fics.

It's best if you stick to something much smaller. What I'm trying to say is I recommend a much much smaller contact like a few humans with a few other ponies.

Try not to go full on global scaled contact.

Another thing is, the prologue of yours. It feels a bit random. As If you just picked a random pony to start with >_>.

Your grammar seems good enough. Also put a space between "anyplace" it seems you got mixed in with pony puns lel.

My tip?

What I see is, the more popular genres are those DARK SERIOUS HiE or PoE stories.

Try writing those :3

I would help you with plot ideas ( as I have read over 1,500,000 words so I know which are good and bad. I also have such deep ideas that it could easily go over 100,000 words. )

Well, if you think I'm exaggerating a bit, the rating of this story ( no offence ) can aleardy prove that it's well...bad.

A decent rating has atleast 5 times more likes that dislikes. While a good rating has 10 times more likes than dislikes.

Yours? Well 13-13 that's pretty bad.
Anyway that's all my critic.

Still, if you do agree with me. But need help coming up with ideas. I will be more than glad to help you ^_^.

I also know of a chat messenger that let's you talk with multiple people at once.

It's called KiK messenger.

If you don't know what that is look it up.

Why I suggested this? Well I was thinking around and if you do need some help. We could then all talk at the same time since judging from the comments you have an editor.

So yeah more people more opinions better outcome of the story.

P,S I love PoE stories aswell as HiE's

Datjapanesekid out,

Also message me back if your interested.