Chapter 43
Tracy did not expect visitors while waiting for the doctors to begrudgingly release him. This was another world, after all, one in which he had even fewer ties than Earth itself. But despite more than half a year of time in Equestria, it seemed there was still plenty for him to learn.
First it was several representatives of the flight school, including the safety crew that ostensibly should've been keeping him safe. He wasn't quite sure what to make of their feedback. "That was the best worst flying I've ever seen." But a few of them brought snacks and that made up for anything they said.
Besides, they were visiting to apologize. His instructor, Giselle, even reiterated what Rose had told him, that the school would give him personal instruction until he was flying on his own.
A saner bat would've turned them away, he was sure. Nothing could teach him that he didn't belong in the sky quite as potently as getting electrocuted so much it earned him a nickname. He'd even got a few paragraph article on the third page of the Canterlot Today, which he'd saved copies of. If Shane ever wrote back to him from wherever he'd gone to do community service, Tracy would send him that.
The occasional visitor was the only brief moment of activity in what quickly became the most supernally boring hospital stay he had ever experienced. No phone, no internet, not even a television. Apparently the hospital had a library, but his stay was so short that no one had bothered asking if he wanted to read anything.
I'd take that dumb flying manual over staring out the window all day. Not that the city wasn't interesting to look at. Canterlot seemed like a lovely place to live, with its ancient architecture and ponies walking and flying together. He'd happily spend days exploring the city, so long as Rose was along for the ride.
Boredom and pain were only mild improvements from his anxiety over Apex. Rose hadn't come back, which he assumed meant things had gone well and he would be getting Monday off. But without knowing that for sure, he couldn't help but thinking back to Discord's face in the courtroom, waiting patiently for Tracy to violate the terms of his lease.
A sharp knock at his door startled Tracy from his worried daydreams. He sat up, then jerked painfully in his restraints at what he saw in the doorway.
As though summoned by his thoughts, Discord strode in, with an oversized "get well soon" card in one arm, and a gigantic box of snacks in the other. Tracy's mouth began to water at the smell alone, before he noticed the little bug symbols on the top, and he settled defiantly back into his bed. "Of all the places I thought you would go, I didn't imagine I'd find you here, 'Spark Gap.'"
"That's not my name," Tracy muttered. If Discord had come to torture Tracy into doing something dumb, he'd have an easier time of it today. Between the pain and the medication, he wasn't exactly feeling restraint.
Discord gestured at the table of minor offerings visitors had left, and they exploded in a shower of confetti, making room for his own positively gigantic card. The whole hospital seemed to shake as he settled it down, with the image pointed directly at Tracy.
It depicted the crash itself in cartoonish detail, with an illustrated Tracy smashing into an electrical main. Lightning arched down his body, physically lighting up the card every few seconds. The illustrated bat's eyes opened with realistic pain each and every time.
"Technically, not yet." He set the box of snacks just in front of the card, opening it and nudging it towards the bed. Just close enough that Tracy could reach it with his good leg. "But I'm not here to pressure you. I just came to offer some needed support for someone using my Worldgate and living in my house. Even if I know I had nothing to do with your accident, I still feel responsible."
He leered at Tracy across the bed, folding his mismatched limbs. "How are you feeling, anyway? Recovering from your accident?"
Tracy nodded curtly, mind reeling. Is Discord saying that he's somehow responsible for what happened to me? Could he really make me crash like that? It hadn't felt like anyone else was in control, but granted Tracy's memory of the flight had been muddied considerably. It was all still in there somewhere, just blurry. He had hit his head.
"Are you responsible?" Tracy asked. Probably more direct than he should be with a capricious demon. But those were some intense painkillers. "Did you somehow make me crash?"
Discord's smile widened. He turned slightly to one side, addressing the window more than he was Tracy himself. "I don't know what would make you ask such a thing. Here I am visiting as a friend in your time of need, and you throw around accusations. I was only saying that I'm the one who brought you to Equestria. Ultimately that makes me feel as though I had a hand in what happened. Crossing between universes is a dangerous profession. Anyone brave enough to attempt it must be aware of the risks. And... accept personal liability for any injuries up to and including broken bones, loss of animation impetus, and transfiguration into potentially horrific shapes. So please understand that while I feel responsible, your consent ensured I am in no way legally responsible for your misfortune."
"This has something to do with... the other princess, the day one. What are you doing with her that her younger sister didn't like?"
That got his attention. He spun around so fast Tracy swore he heard bones snapping. "To use a human expression, I suggest you 'stay in your lane.' All I will say about my arrangements with the Diarch is that it involves no harm to you or your floral companion. Any suffering you experience is entirely self-inflicted. Mortal creatures are more than capable of creating their own chaos. My involvement would be redundant."
He turned to leave. Tracy probably should have just let him go. Once he suggested it, Tracy couldn't get the thought from his head. Discord was involved somehow. Even if all his fears about Discord somehow causing the accident were wrong, he was toying with his life.
"My lease is up in three months, right?"
Discord didn't turn, but he did stop in the doorway. Just outside, Tracy's usual nurse cowered in fear, huddled against the wall. An orderly emerged from a nearby room, levitating several trays in front of him—and he dropped them, bolting right back into the closet.
Are they crazy for overreacting, or am I for not fearing enough?
"Approximately, yes." Discord spoke with a forced casualness, but Tracy felt as though there was far more just out of reach. What are you hiding? "Why do you ask?"
"When it's up, what happens? Can I renew, are you gonna raise the rate... what? The lease just said it would involve later negotiation."
"Indeed." Discord spun back around, snapping the door closed behind him. Probably to the relief of the ponies outside. "I'm afraid the unit is only available for the terms you signed. The building and its associated Worldgate are a temporary installation. When your lease ends, you'll need to make other housing arrangements. How you make those arrangements is none of my business."
And just like that, he was out the door, which now hung awkwardly from one of its hinges.
"Sorry about that, Spark Gap," said Nurse Royalheart, arriving a few minutes later with a meal he didn't want and an expression of barely suppressed terror. "None of our patients should have to deal with something so... horrifying. I'm sorry there was no way to send him away sooner."
You really are terrified. But aside from his behavior in the courtroom, Discord hadn't seemed warranting that kind of fear. Mostly he seemed to treat the world like a joke at their expense.
He shrugged. "Well, we're all still alive. When's my discharge time again, Royalheart?"
"Seven," she repeated, eyes narrowing. "You really should consider taking Doctor Waler's advice and staying another few days. Even with a wheelchair and your cast, there's a danger of complications. A small-town clinic can't do as much for you as a hospital like ours."
"I'll take my chances." At least people will call me by my real name. But he had a hard time feeling upset about it. These people were well-meaning enough, and it did apparently match his cutie mark. I wonder if I have a special talent after all. Does surviving electrocution count?
The last few hours waiting for Rose were by far the worst. The nurse had swapped him over to his take-home painkiller prescription then, which he still guessed from the bottle would make him fail a drug test. At least there weren't any other frightening visits to his hospital room before it was time to check out. Some part of him couldn't help imagining Celestia herself making an appearance, perhaps to counter what Discord had done.
But no—either Discord was telling the truth about their involvement in his life, or the princess had too much class. Probably the latter.
Tracy had never used a wheelchair before. The principle seemed simple enough, except for one obvious flaw: he didn't have hands. Despite his fears, it wasn't a wheelchair he ended up in. When it was nearly time to leave, Royalheart walked him down to physical therapy, where he was fitted for a standing restraint of sorts.
Once his foreleg cast was secured against his chest by aid of a strap, that shoulder rested against a rubber and metal harness, with a rugged wheel at his hoof height.
"Get a feel for it," Royalheart said, once it was tight on his chest. "It throws off the rhythm while walking. Don't even try to trot—stick with walking, it's the simplest."
I still don't exactly know the difference, so that might be tricky. There were differences, and his body somehow knew how to switch between them when he sped up or slowed down. But purposefully using one rhythm over others would not be easy.
Even a well-made wheel jerked and slid occasionally as he tried to walk, meaning he had to take his steps slowly and put more weight on his undamaged right foreleg. Not having my drafting hand is not going to make work very happy with me.
"How long did you say I had to keep this thing on again?" he asked, glaring down at the cast.
"We'll have you in and fitted for a smaller cast in two weeks," Royalheart answered. "You'll be able to walk in that one, but you'll have to keep it on for another two weeks to a month, depending on how well the healing potion worked for you. Different patients respond differently—that's why it's critically important you make your return appointment."
"I will," he promised. "Oh, that reminds me. I need my supervising doctor to sign something before I check out. My work will want proof that I was here, and..."
I'm royally screwed if they try to look up a doctor who doesn't exist.
"Certainly. We'll get that taken care of, and then you can follow me down to check-out. You already have a pony waiting for you."
"Really?" The rest of the process might've taken almost an hour—more boring review of his medication, and steps for what he could and couldn't do in the restraints. Then, at long last, they led him to a lobby where Roseluck waited in a corner seat.
She looked up as he emerged, beaming across the room at him. He smiled stupidly back. Probably he should be feeling embarrassed—he must look completely absurd. But he was getting out, so it didn't matter.
"Fly a little straighter next time, Spark Gap," Royalheart said, by way of farewell. "See you in two weeks."
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Gotta say enjoyed the chapter, nice to see Tracy is thinking about staying around. also love the gif, it's so discord to do that.
Yeah, they could probably share a good laugh over that.
And not just because he's got a thing for Rose--Rose actually knows what's up with everything he'd see, would be able to explain all the unknowns to him, and overall would serve as a good and trustworthy guide.
Well, he's not wrong.
So Celestia is definitely involved in all of this somehow then...probably not hard to speculate on a few possibilities of how (I mean, I have plenty of ideas), but I do gotta wonder regardless...
No, that is largely accurate. That said, I am again wondering just what it is Discord wants out of all of this. Is he hoping Tracy will stay or leave? Whichever it is, he does seem like he has...invested stakes...in it.
He implied in an earlier chapter that he wanted Tracy to be able to keep the job...but if Tracy's right and Discord is in some way involved with the accident (which I'm not certain of, but can't rule it out either), that would sort of suggest the opposite...either way, I suspect whether or not Tracy keeps the job is going to hinge dramatically on whether or not Tracy chooses to stay in Equestria, so...the detail's important, whichever it is.
I'm sure if we knew precisely how Celestia ties into all of this, that'd help settle it, but...
Mm, maybe, but ponies in general do seem especially resistant to harm from these sort of things, so...
Or both. Can't rule it out just yet.
Yeah I know a guy, cousin Catharsis can get you a good deal on a second-hand mirror, genuine Starswirl. Mint condition, early work from before he got so obsessive about his safety enchantments. The physiological camouflage enchantment's a biiit, touchy, but it's safe.
I am really wondering what Discord and Celestia of all ponies are planning, especially one that needed a temporary world gate installed
10543059
Let me guess, incidents in the last century, aside from that one mare who broke in to use it?
10543091
Naw, more like it has a little trouble remembering what you're supposed to be if you stress it. Bat pony one week, yeti the next, and then maybe it fumbles your hair color or summat on the way back. But hey, what's a little inconvenience if it means getting to keep in touch with your dearest pony mare?
I'm glad that Tracy caught on to Discord's suspicious choice of words and that he seems to be interested in figuring out what his special talent is. I'm pretty sure the Crusaders wouldn't mind helping him and they wouldn't even be all that surprised by his background given all the crazyness that happens in Ponyville. If the worldgate is temporary that means he has until the end of the lease to decide whether or not he chooses to stay in Equestria.
Can't wait for the manager to read a doctor's note by First Aid or some other pony name.
Tracy will have to make a life-changing decision. He'll have time to think about it.
Well, that was pretty risky pressing the godly being like that. It's lucky that he's a jovial fellow.
And that's the million dollar question right there.
Seemed to have fulfilled it quite handily if it was. If you're forced to return to Earth, no one can say you haven't done your duty.
It was never really meant to permanently bridge people together. Whatever Discord and Celestia want out of it, they got out of it.
From the picture, judging by Tracy's expression, he is having absolutely none of it.
Also Discord is using three hands to hold the card.
I hope Twilight manages to make said worldgate permanent.
10543144
Didnt notice that till you mentioned it, but since when has Discord ever enjoyed making sense
May Discord's motives be benign, and may Tracy come out ahead. Tracy needs Roseluck in his life, and vice versa.
I hope before this is over tracy has a nice long chat with fluttershy about discord, the only revenge for discord acts he be able to get
10543162
well, whatever Discord's motives are, we know Celestia is involved so it probably isnt too morally questionable
10543144
I totally missed the three hands. Nice catch. I love the animation, and Tracy's expression is just perfect.
Given that a normal pony (at least I can only guess based on the description of the crash) probably wouldn't have survived that, I'm guessing yes.
Discord enjoys Tracy's suffering too much, that card was down right tasteless under circumstances. About the staying in one's own lane part both Discord and Celestia would be tempting trouble now if Tracy's world had a counter to the pair.
I think the company picnic will be the point that determines Tracy's post lease future. Will Roseluck like the Human world? Will Tracy want to continue to be on Earth?
i.imgur.com/7LPe61L.gif
10543265
Omg I think this is your best work yet xD
"Daymare. Sister of the Nightmare. Champion of the Sun."
"Oh please, do call Luna that. Just let me know when you plan on doing it so I know when to be out of the country."
Yes, how dare he damage company property like that?
The clock is ticking for Tracy. The question is whether there's anything on Earth that can compare to what Equestria has to offer. At the moment, the strongest contender seems to be the Internet. We'll see what else makes itself known as he deliberates.
Also, I have to wonder if traveling to a lower-magic universe will interfere with that healing potion...
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Pah! Friend, don't listen to this shameless scammer—Afternoon, Ro, how's tricks?—I can provide you with a thaumatic compass that will pinpoint the nearest dimensional instability between here and your home plane faster than you can say "Jaya Ballard." And if there's no such anomaly, why, we here at Honest FoME's New and Used Interplanar Transit will be happy to make one. New intern, real sweet girl, very passionate about magic research and a dab hand with a space-time auger besides. Don't mind the burning glasses and glowing raven wings, I know I wore crazier things when I was a teenager. So, what I can put you down for?
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Even if she does, it still belongs to Discord, who can rent or not rent it out at his leisure.
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Hmmm... I'm tempted but I may have crossed a powerful being earlier. Do you happen to have anything that would resist damage, destruction, or an immortal sun effect?
Awesome chapter
Possibly the best chapter art yet.
10543149
yes otherwise dick move by him.
10543357
Compasses and rifts, all this walking about! Why would you consider a merchant who asks you to pay him for the opportunity to labor? No no, you are not looking for an adventure, you are looking for convenience, a quick hop from one place to another with no need to leave the comfort of your home.
My esteemed cousin, he knows this, that is why he offers only the most reliable and tested of artifacts. No unproven new ideas or uncertain craftmanship, the Starswirl name is one that can be trusted implicitly. And as an added incentive, he has agreed to provide (at only a nominal markup) a genuine hypercube atlas to accompany it! With this you will always be able to find your way, and what is more valuable than confidence?
cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/031/469/175/4k/alisher-mirzoev-scene-cube-separate-01.jpg?1603730161
10543059
As long as he doesn't get it from anywhere called Flim and Flam, it should be fine.
Good chapter, and impressive gif
I also missed the three hands.
Now, the worldgate and building being temporary? Hmm.
My guess is that the ponyville place is permanent, only the human world building plus gate is temporary.
Clearly, there's the question of "where will you live". And it will be a question for Roseluck as much as for Tracy, err, Spark Gap.
At the same time? Shane was looking for a new start in life, check. Right now, he at least has the potential to send a message to his family, or at least relay messages to his friends. What will he think when he finds out that this lifeline to his past goes poof completely?
Celestia is part of this experiment? Somehow I missed that from the court chapter. Interesting.
Other than that? ... Not sure what to think next.
Equestria has: Flight. OCD "newness" (important to someone in our field :-). Significantly reduced stress levels.
Earth has: Internet, Kahn Academy, Wikipedia, *lots* of things to study and new fields to learn.
The real question? What does Tracy want? Does Tracy want to be known for his accomplishments? Does he want a comfortable life? Does he want challenges and a chance to make a mark? Does he want the rat-race and the desire to be on top?
Personally, I think I'd take Equestria if I came out as a unicorn, Earth if I came out as a earth pony, and ... probably Equestria if I came out as a pegasus, but for all the wrong reasons, at least if I were back at his age. Not sure which I'd take now in that case.
Well Discord, that's a hard ball you just tossed. Temporary? You're doing that just to make conflict. Also, quite ominous how you're insinuating he's going to change his name...
Is it really so hard for the hospital to adjust the patient name? Either they're willfully ignoring him or he didn't tell them for some reason, likely the former if he's griping about it.
Okay. This was my favorite installment so far.
And it's almost entirely because of Royalheart and that last line. It's sweet and still gloriously innocent.
10543357
Or you could try this guy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRBiY-zTl2c
Snacks!
It is now!
TracySpark Gap: "Yeah, that certainly makes me feel better."Walk it off. Easy enough.
10543059
Does it come with full warranty?
10543149
this is a grate idea but for some reason i do not see it happening.
in his own way Discord is trying to be a good friend.
the art is grate and i do really like the name Spark Gap.
Everything is better with snackos
Why wouldn't they change his name once the nursing staff learned it?
10544362
It is kinda insulting to keep calling someone by the wrong name. Like you are trying to change a part of who they have accepted themselves to be.
10544362
It could be because they might have trouble pronouncing his actual name, like Rose did at the start of the story, so could be more a moniker while he's there.
10549987
Hard time or not, it's still more courteous to butcher a pronunciation than to ignore even attempting it and say something completely different, Cart Soup.
I am just impressed by the one lightning bolt going across into the real world.
10543265
I think you missed putting googlies on Discord--but I noticed the error that you changed his eye colors ♪
jk. Funny as always!
Someone here recognizes how bad it is for a pony to be down a foreleg.
For the unknowing, equine weight balance is like a front wheel drive car - the forelegs have much more weight on them than the hind legs. Losing a foreleg is a death sentence.