Chapter 62
When Roseluck was just a filly, she'd looked forward to the family's winters with fierce anticipation. It wasn't just that she didn't have to work in the back of the stand—though after a whole year, her excitement for arranging flowers did fade. Every year it seemed they went somewhere more interesting, gathering plants so rare that they were only described in ancient poetry, or depicted in ruined castles.
But now all that was gone. She had all the same freedom, but none of the direction.
At least her last year was better now that she had Spark Gap—instead of pestering everypony she knew for little odd jobs to pay the interest on their mounting loans, she could live quietly and comfortably, confident that the next year would be even better.
But there was nothing comfortable about this last week. Maybe it was like what pegasi and bats went through, before their parents pushed them out of clouds. One way or another, something incredible was about to happen. Whether that was a lifetime of flight or an agonizing crash, Rose would soon find out.
She should've slept until Spark Gap’s return. He'd promised this would be the last day of work, after all. They'd have an entire week together to make their plans. Of course, they'd had an entire winter together, then a whole month. Maybe they'd wait until the last second, and the door would just close by accident.
Don't be selfish, Roseluck. Would you give up your whole world to be with somepony you loved? What if Spark asked her to come across to that side?
I probably would. With that realization came a whole world of pain—giving up her flower stand, saying goodbye to her sisters for years, maybe forever. Cars were fun, and humans practically swam through a sea of entertainment. They could summon any plant, and request almost any knowledge they desired from their machines.
But what was a mountain of exotic flavors if she couldn't share them with her sisters? When they had their first foal together, what would she teach her if not about Equestria?
In the end, Rose spent hours curled unproductively on her floor, staring up at the ceiling. She should get up, do anything to distract herself. But that too took energy.
Finally, after drifting in a fugue for hours straight, something changed. The “phone” device Tracy had gifted her a few months ago started to ring.
She knew the sound by now, since Tracy got calls often enough when she was around. He'd even called her from the other side a few times, usually to ask about a meal he was bringing home. I'm not hungry, I don't need to answer.
The ring continued for a few moments, angry and insistent. Then it stopped, and the world was quiet again. Rose watched the moon inch across the sky.
It started ringing a second time. Now she sat up, glancing nervously at her shelf. The moon was barely halfway—it couldn't be much past noon on that side. Tracy never came home this early. And he probably wouldn't care enough to ask me twice about breakfast.
She got up, hurrying across the room. The sound only happened four times, then the machine would give up. If she didn't make it...
But she did, tapping the green button with her hoof. "Hello?"
It was Tracy's name on the screen, but she didn't hear his voice. Still, it was one of the few humans in the whole world she recognized. Janet, the hippogriff who had visited for breakfast, and was so polite to her at those boring parties. "Rose? Rose, are you there? I hope this is the right one, he doesn't have many contacts in here..."
Rose leaned in closer, tail flicking nervously back and forth. She hadn't heard so much fear from another creature's voice in a long, long time. "I'm here," she said. "Why does it say Tracy's name?"
"I'm using his phone," she said absently. Behind her, Rose could hear lots of other sounds. A distant, annoying whining, growing louder by the moment. Lots of human voices too, though they were so distant that she couldn't make out what they said. "Listen, I know... I should probably just give up and run at this point, but I can't. Doesn't feel right to leave him here like this."
Rose lifted the phone in her hoof, and crossed into Tracy's room. She looked out the window, and sure enough the sun was still high in the sky. It was the middle of the day over there, and she even imagined she could make out some faint whining sounds, like the ones she heard over the phone.
Stranger still, there was someone parked in front of their apartment. Rose had never seen that car before, or the man walking out of it. But what creature in either realm would be driving a machine made of parts from a dozen others, all the wrong colors and sticking out at odd angles? Who could grin right up at the window, smiling at her with predatory satisfaction?
"Tell me what happened," she said. "And what you need from me."
"You already know about... course you do. Aren't you from there? Tracy's a fucking horse. Right here, before the blessed virgin and all the saints. Also half my damn department."
What? "That isn't how the Worldgate works! You change when you walk through it, that's the whole point. He wouldn't go to work if he still looked like—"
"I know!" The voice grew more frustrated by the minute. "I know he's not that stupid! I saw him walk into work. Thought maybe he was a bit sick, but that's it. No—he melted. Fucking melted." She took several deep breaths. "Sorry. Language. Just sounds like the whole world is ending here. He was going to fly back, but he just collapsed. Still breathing just fine, but unconscious. Slapped him, stuck his face in some water here. Nothing. He's out."
Roseluck nearly dropped the phone. She wobbled on her hooves, before catching herself against the wall. She stared down at the screen, and the distant whining got louder.
"I was hoping you knew how to help him," Janet said. "Since you're, uh... from there? I think that's how this works. Or maybe you got cursed before he did. Either way. I'm already up to my ass in this thing. No half measures. How do I get him out of here?"
Outside her apartment, the human that must be Discord leaned against the side of his car, watching her. He whistled quietly to himself, spinning something around one hand. You did this somehow.
"Tracy said he stopped... of course he didn't. He was always with me, only took a few hours to himself. When was he sleeping? Never."
"I'm afraid I don't have the foggiest idea what you're suggesting," Janet said. "And you might want to speed this up. Police are all here, going through everybody. Once they get everyone off the property, they'll come in here looking for the X-Files shit. Don't know if it'll be the police or SWAT or HAZMAT or... whoever it is, Tracy is fucked if he's still here."
"Tracy was drinking a potion every day—Everwake. It makes it so you don't have to sleep. But if you stop, all that sleep catches up with you. The only way to wake him up again without waiting all that time would be to give him more. If I know Tracy, he's prepared. He probably brought some to work. Look for a glowing liquid with little white flecks."
The human on the other side said a long string of words that Rose couldn't understand. "This kid's lucky I'm already sunk into this, or I'd leave him. What do you do if you're cursed? Throw in an addictive potion, of course! Perfect sense!"
There was the sound of rustling, then grunting, and now her voice came with air on the other side, like she was moving around. "Good thing you're small and adorable. I can carry him. But to where, that's the question. If there's a police line, they might shoot him if he tries to fly. We need another plan."
"Can you drive out?" Rose asked hopefully. "Humans all have cars, right? Bring him back to where we live."
"No can do. My car's in the manager lot, that's got about fifty police cars in it right now. Tracy's is in the aux lot, but there's a traffic jam from hell as everybody gets away from here. I think driving's out. Might mean trying to play nice with the police is our only option."
Rose didn't know what that meant, though she said it like something to be afraid of. If they were going to "shoot" a pony trying to fly, then they obviously had to be avoided. Rose was too afraid to ask what shooting Tracy would do.
"Alright, uh... can you get him out another way? What if I could drive down there? Could you get past the police somehow?"
There was silence from the other end, but this time it didn't come with frustrated muttering in a language Rose didn't know. "Maybe. If this idiot wakes back up, we might... get out onto Keyes Avenue. We'd have to hop a fence, but there's no barbed wire or anything. Get to the intersection of Keyes and Main in like... ten minutes. Can you do that? Aren't you a horse?"
"I'm a pony," she corrected reflexively, though she lacked the energy for anything more than a tacit objection. "But there's someone here who can. I'll be right there."
"Good." The phone made a clicking sound, then fell silent. Rose made it halfway down the stairs before she remembered just how important clothes were on the other side, and she had to run all the way back. She couldn't care less about human taboos—but if creatures thought she was strange for any reason, they might try to stop her.
She picked the first dress right off the floor, squeezing into it so fast she could feel the fabric straining. But she kept her earth pony strength in check, enough that it didn't split down the middle. The dress did give her a single pitiful pocket, but it was big enough for the phone. She jammed it inside, then ran out the door as fast as she could.
Rose stumbled as she made it out onto the sidewalk, feeling a sudden shock of pain as her hooves became soft feet. Of course, she'd forgotten shoes. How could something so soft and fragile get anything done?
"Discord," she yelled, stomping furiously towards him. "You caused this. You did something to Tracy, didn't you?"
It didn't matter that she'd never seen him before—her impressions proved exactly correct. The man towered over her, gangly and strange. Though his human body was all made of the same parts, he'd substituted clothing patched together from many colors, all barely holding itself together.
"So self-righteous!" he said. "You say that like I forced him to develop his magic, or forced him to keep drinking a potion he knew had side-effects. When did I ever show you anything but kindness?"
How about that time you tried to trap his friends in Equestria? Or all the times you were the one attacking us? But arguments wouldn't get his help. "You know what's happening," she said, resting one hand on the side of his car. She shivered in the chill, though compared to Ponyville's winter it was less than nothing. There wasn't even snow on the ground, how could it feel so cold?
"You must be here to help, right? Clean up your mess?"
"Oh no." He tossed something up into the air, then caught it again. It was a set of keys, so weighed down with different bits of metal that Rose could barely make out any individual key. Somehow he caught one out of the many, holding it towards her. "I'm just honoring the terms of the lease, that's all. They're quite specific—if I can't provide a functional Worldgate for the full duration, then I'm obligated to offer monetary compensation prorated until the termination. Given your relationship with the other resident, I determine that you're his authorized agent. Here you are."
He settled the ring into her hand with a metallic clatter. "She has a full tank. Be careful with a cold start, she sometimes accelerates along non-spatial dimensions."
"What?" Rose turned, watching as he made his calm way up to her house. He still had one key in his fingers—the one to her front door. "Wait, you can't go! You have to go get him!"
Discord laughed. "I have to do no such thing. It does seem like a good idea, though. Someone should give it a try." He stepped inside, somehow crossing the boundary without expanding to his proper shape. How could he do that? The door banged closed behind him.
Rose stood beside Discord's misshapen car, heavy ring of keys in her fingers. She still had the one pointing upward. If this car worked like Tracy's, that was the one that made it go.
I'm not ready. I don't know how to do this. At least I know where he works.
Roseluck shivered in the cold, glancing nervously back up the walkway. She could drop the phone right here, walk back inside, and never face the danger out here.
All she'd have to do was live with abandoning Tracy. It wouldn't be his fault she never saw him again.
She yanked on the car door, swinging it open towards her. Smoke wafted out, a strange perfume of a dozen different scents. The interior was just like the outside, mismatched seats, parts just gone from where they were supposed to be, and a wheel with a pair of eyeballs that turned to watch her.
"I can't do this," she muttered. "I'm not with SMILE. I don't go on adventures. I scream and hide!"
Roseluck gritted her teeth and climbed into the driver's seat.
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very nice!
Anyone wanna bet how many traffic laws rose is about to break?
I hate cliffhangers....
10741401
Need for Speed: Most Wanted with maxed out heat level on the final escape challenge to beat the game
10741401
Let's see, driving without a license, there's no way discord has insurance on that, speeding probably, but other than that she'll probably obey the rules?
10741401
None, that car belongs to Discord so traffic laws don't aply ti it.
That's it Rose, it's game time.
Seriously though, I don't think anyone would really know what to do in such an unprecedented situation.
I would assume she would have some context of bows or crossbows. I'm guessing she's at least already thinking shooting might add a few more holes in Tracy.
He's got you there.
I wonder if Discord's shutting down the gate's because of what Tracy did or this was planned from the beginning. Still, it looks like someone will have to emigrate in the end.
Gonna be one heck of a police chase. Can't imagine her not screaming all the way.
Now I can promise you that thing hasn't passed any emissions test on, over, or under the Earth. Storms only know the consequences of cruising around the city in it. And of course, incautious mortal use of artifacts is a loophole older things than Discord have used for eons to progress their schemes.
Fine old tradition really, Discord has done wonders to uphold the classic style with this venture.
10741415
Same here
10741441
you mean he will become a changeling?
10741463
I meant she'll think he'll be ventilated by human arrows.
10741441
I wonder if Tracy going through and not staying human is part of a Worldgate malfunction? So that's what led to the compensation??
10741401
Yes.
That’s how many.
Wait wait wait, half the department? The horsiness iscontagious?I can't read.
This is going to be interesting and clearly Discord's car has some interesting features that nobody other than he understands. I wonder if non-spatial dimensions means time travel I certainly wouldn't put it past Discord to do that. It's also clear that Discord intended for this to happen and that the constant use of Everwake did play a role as many readers guessed.
Literally nobody is pointing out Roseluck not only mentioned a foal, she called it a HER...
Motherly instinct slipping through but she brushed it off
Discord knows, so he had to push his hand to make sure the filly grew up with both parents and caring aunts (Rose's aunts, and Janet for flight). My bet is either a bat or Pegasus with Rose's colors.
10741511
Before I actually reply, is this like a joke? Hard for me to tell.
Oh look, Discord is here to be unhelpful.
Well when you put it that way, Janet, of course it sounds like a bad idea.
Group effort, usually.
Surprise surprise, Discord was helpful after all. Probably.
Probably, possibly, not necessarily, one of those.
10741511
I think Janet means who witnessed Tracy revert back to his pony form.
10741573
10741569
I can't read.
you can do it rose I believe in you
10741511
I think she meant that half the department saw Tracy transform.
10741589
I have paid the price for my lack of literacy.
A ring of keys; huh? Wonder how many doors they open.
Darn it, Discord, you could at least pretend not to enjoy this.
Also, he may or may not have just terminated Tracy's lease early, along with Gift of the Magi-grade transmutation of the happy couple. This could prove very awkward indeed. But first, Roseluck has a coltfriend to rescue. They can worry about accessing Equestria afterwards.
(Also, great touch on viwrastupr's part with the assymetrical facial hair.)
10741442
Hey, you want to try hooking a catalytic converter to that thing, be my guest. I'll be in the next plane over, and even then I'll look both ways before crossing the street. Never know when Rose might accidentally turn the steering wheel along the zorth axis.
Alright, there's about to be action! Police chase with a very conspicuous getaway vehicle, anyone?
Well roseluck time to buckle up and hop in the driver's seat as you play need for speed: hot pursuit: equestria edition.
A car is not monetary compensation. Also, what is stopping him from keeping the world gate open edit STABLE edit FUNCTIONAL.
10741672
Because he's CHAOS? He can't DO stable. EVER.
He's enjoying this. Pretty sure he orcestrated it too. He had how long to set up this whole shindig? He is a MASTER planner, making plans for THOUSANDS of years in ADVANCE. Also, he is REALLY good at not taking responsibility for whatever he has done.
10741401
I'm thinking Hot Pursuit 2, but the cops are the player with the junky Madcatz controller. ;P
That would be fairly horrifying for a kid.
"Wait, I could have lived in a world of magic, but instead I have to live on a planet that's being choked by failing economies and climate change all because you and dad wanted cars and tv shows?"
10741555
I'm guessing that one of the hidden abilities, is to slip into very tight spaces while somehow avoiding stationary objects. Kinda like the Knight Bus in Harry Potter, but entirely visible to everyone, just for the extra chaos that would induce. :D
Oh good grief! This has gotfen quite out of hand.
10741401
All of them. But the police will be too distracted with Tracy's "incident"
10741475
Yes it does seem like the Worldgate is malfunctioning if that is the case...and Discord just walked through without changing but then again he's Discord so idk about that.
Another fine chapter. Still very nervous for Tracy and Janet and now Roseluck will be driving towards the danger.
I hope Janet's able to find the potion, I wonder if she'll even be able to get back downstairs to look for it. Of course if Tracy doesn't wake up (and he can't without the potion right now) she has to walk down.
10741790
I didn't even think of that. Yea, he has nothing with him.
And maybe his coworkers have looked through his things looking for the horsiness drugs.
Dosing Tracy with more everwake might not be possible.
10741796
I wonder if Tracy had any more in his room (likely), Rose should have checked.
Janet should try at least. Maybe they didn't get to his clothes yet.
10741555
I think it's more likely that space constraints don't affect the car, meaning he can get through traffic and squeeze into alternate dimensions with ease.
Roseluck = best marefriend ever!
Now it is do or die!
Rose to the rescue. O this is going to be soooooo good.
For the record, this totally all applies to Tracy too, so for those wondering why he was still see-sawing about the whole matter...this is why. He had similar thoughts going through his head, downsides and upsides of his own to consider. The choice was never as straightforward as "get the girl and be happy." There's more to it than that.
Again--it turns out you're a good person, Janet.
Oh yeah, no doubt about that. I don't know what he did or how exactly, but whatever it was, Discord's has had a hand in this all going down, now of all times, and the fact he's already parked himself there so to watch the fireworks just seals it. Something smells fishy here, and it's not Janet's hippogriff breath.
Yeah, we didn't think it was a good idea from the start either, Janet, but obviously Tracy didn't listen to us.
Oh, for the love of--of course he gave himself a loophole. I don't know what he's planning to get out of this, but he's staged this somehow for his own benefit, I just know it!
But if he's trying to force an outcome on this whole deal, whatever it is, then that's probably NOT in line with whatever Celestia agreed to when they agreed to go through with whatever the heck this silly deal of theirs was. Which means I'm sure Discord's going to hear it from her about meddling in the affair in due time.
And considering how Discord's last attempt at exploiting the loopholes of his own contract went in regards to Tracy's friends...which wasn't well at all...I somehow doubt this is going to go however Discord's going to expect.
E.g. this isn't over just yet--the choice of who will go or who will stay may yet still need to be made by Roseluck or Tracy...or more likely both.
10741401
All of them. I mean, surely. I somehow doubt Tracy ever gave her a driver's manual to read, so her knowledge isn't going to be going any further than what he's taught her in a parking lot and what she's observed of him driving herself.
10741868
Tracy and Roseluck are made for each other, even if Discord was responsible for getting them together I think they're going to want to be with each other forever. Which side they'll choose in the end, I have no idea, but I'm hoping they'll stay ponies. Tracy has a purpose now, he's good with setting up those spark gap things.
10741878
No, them staying together was never the question, it was: who was going to leave their world for the other? And that may not be so clear cut as it might look just yet...but we'll see.
Oh, well, we all know they're going to stay together. That was obvious from the very first chapter.
Hold on.
The contract does not require Discord to make "best effort to maintain the worldgate"?
Merely, that if the worldgate is not functional, Discord has to give compensation?
So, rich and forced to stay on the human world?
10741960
Hardly rich. It's prorated compensation, which means it's based on how much Tracy is paying and how long it's not functional. If it were to never again be functional, Tracy's compensation amounts to $135.50, based on 7 days out of commission that the lease has left in it.
Then why not asking for professional assistance? I thought she live just next door to you.
Now that right there is true love folks. If he doesn't marry her after all this shit, I'm turning him in to the FBI and getting his ass sent to Area 51.
10742005
To be fair to Rose, it appears to be midnight in Ponyville so its unlikely anyone qualified is awake, and the situation seems like every minute matters.
Don't think she has time to wake anypony.