• Published 5th Apr 2013
  • 41,348 Views, 2,087 Comments

A Voice Among the Strangers - Tystarr



An unsuspecting girl finds herself in Equestria, thrust into a world she has no concept of. Unable to communicate with the inhabitants, how will she cope?

  • ...
69
 2,087
 41,348

Chapter eight: Homecoming

"Jessica, there's no more time. We need to talk... now."

Jessica's eyes immediately opened to find herself staring into the face of the apparition. Amber eyes looked imploringly towards her, a sense of urgency tinging each of his words. Jerking back in shock she found herself falling off the edge of the bed, only to land in an undignified heap on the floor. It was even more impressive given the fact there should have been a wall there to stop such a thing occurring.

"W-What... who?" Jessica's intelligent stuttering poured from her mouth while attempting to sit upright. Immediately she noticed the fact both Dusk and Ebony were missing, an observance that caused her chest to tighten along with quickened breathing in response. Panic setting in, she pushed from the bed and ran to the door, opening it only to find a void beyond. Stepping back quickly lest she fall in, Jessica gave a whimper and fell onto the floor.

The male unicorn gave a rather exasperated sigh, trotting forward to close the distance. It was at that point Jessica realised he wasn't flickering, however her mind was currently being occupied by other distractions to delve too much on that detail. Looking out the now open window all she could see were images twisting into one another, surreal sights that made her head hurt.

As the equine approached her she turned and ran, pushing the door open once more and bursting out into the thankfully restored hallway with his voice following behind. Terrified beyond all reason she couldn't comprehend his words, just the fact he was now giving chase. The castle being deserted allowed the fear to gnaw deeper within, it felt wrong, so very wrong.

Hearing whatever, or whoever he was following behind only fueled her desire to get away. Whether the equine was her mind snapping or a real apparition, she felt... fear, raw primal fear towards him. Like nightmares when she was little, it was something only she could see, something only she could be terrified of. She didn't know what he or it wanted, but she wasn't going to remain around to find out.

The stray thought passed through her head, what had he done to remove everyone but them from the castle? It was clear he wanted her, and her alone; Jessica however was not about to make it easy for him.

Bare feet pounded on the tiles as she pushed herself further forward, desperate to distance herself from the apparition. His shouts were growing desperate, her name being called out as he ran behind at a constant pace. Her confused and jumbled brain questioning why he didn't use magic, she was an easy target down the corridor with no-one else around. After such a thought she promptly told her brain where it could shove its logic, even if it was anatomically impossible.

"Get away from me!" Fear clung to her scream as she pushed faster, harder. There was one place she could go. If the equines were missing then, perhaps...

"Child, wait!" The stallion's voice carried from behind as Jessica turned, pushing off from a wall and almost throwing herself down the stairs. Despite her frantic fleeing she felt her lungs pull in oxygen without complaint, her muscles refusing to get tired. Glad for small mercies she heard a stream of profanity originating from behind. Her relief was short lived as the sound of impacting hooves once more caught her ears.

"No, get away from me!" Jessica's scream bounced through the stairwell, her heart racing with each step. Reaching the bottom of the long flight of stairs, she took off towards the large doors near the end of the corridor, barging through them with a meaty thud to her shoulder illicting a cry of alarm. Once inside she let out an anguished whimper, falling to her knees within the large crystal chamber. "T-They're gone too."

The cell was empty just as she had feared, in stark contrast to the hope that had spurred her in this direction. Slowly the hooves approached from behind, slowly, cautiously as the equine's voice was directed towards her back.

"They mean a lot to you, don't they child?" Jessica blinked the tears of frustration from her eyes, turning to look over her shoulder as the unicorn spoke. He had kept a respectful distance from her after approaching, his amber eyes seeming to appraise her while a smile crept under his beard. "I can see why Luna took such interest in you."

"Luna?" Confusion tore through Jessica's fear, rubbing an arm over her eyes as the stallion flinched as if regretting what he had done. Slowly pushing hands to the tiles she got to her feet, turning to regard the stallion with fear, but now with curiosity also thrown into the mix. Seeing him flick an ear at her question she pressed on, "Who is Luna and what do you mean they 'mean a lot to me'?"

Jessica was not expecting a hearty laugh to escape the stallion, her fear growing before diminishing yet again. He was still keeping a fair distance from her, his body language and tone of voice showing he knew he made her nervous.

"Princess Luna? Ah... you may think of her as another name do you not?" His amused visage regarded her, a smile spreading beneath his beard. Jessica frowned at this, curiosity having taken a firm hold upon her now. Thinking slowly she wondered who could fit the name, it was then that the stallion spoke up giving her a firm clue. "She is a dark mare, both with wings and horn?"

"Night? Wait... her real name is Luna?" Jessica's voice was incredulous as she watched the stallion give a firm nod.

"Yes, that is her proper name. Although I find your name for her aptly suited." The stallion could not contain his amusement at that point, Jessica in turn feeling herself relax given he still had not done anything untoward to her yet. There was however something she needed to ask, something she needed to know.

"W-What do you want from me, why have you been... appearing around me?" Her voice was starting to become tinged with nervousness as he took a step forward. Seeing her reaction he paused and held his ground, his demeanor changing with a slight sag of his upper body. Jessica blinked, his eyes suddenly looked so sad when he looked at her directly.

"From you child? Nothing. There is nothing more I could ask from you..." Taking a long breath afterwards, guilt flashed over his face before continuing. "Well, there is one thing but I am not brazen enough to ask for such."

Digesting his words, Jessica blinked. He sounded so... somber, so defeated at that moment. Before she could ask another question or clarify what that something was, he spoke again.

"However, what I wish is to talk to you along with one other. Luna." He looked upwards much to Jessica's confusion, Night... no, Luna came to her dreams every night so far which meant...

"This is a dream?" Jessica's brain slowly caught up as she mouthed the question, the surreal images, the empty castle, not to mention the lack of the two who never left her side. Her shoulders sagged as relief fell upon her, "This is all a dream..."

The stallion raised an eyebrow before seeming to realise something. Catching Jessica's attention he gave a small bow, his ears flattened before he raised his head to look at her.

"My apologies Jessica, I know your name but you know not mine. I am Starswirl, the Bearded... or, I was." His tone lowered near the end, regret slipping in before he offered a smile towards her, Jessica in turn blinking and tilting her head.

"How do you know my name?" Her query was met with another guilty look on his face, now unable to meet her gaze as he exhaled softly. What he said next took the strength out of Jessica's legs, falling to her knees as he spoke.

"Because child, I am the reason you are here... I... it is my fault you are now in Equestria." His voice broke slightly, taking a deep breath as his legs seemed to shake. "I am sorry... I am truly, greatly sorry."

Jessica just stared at him, her mind struggling over the information. It was as if he had just dumped a tangled net upon her mind, each attempt to dislodge it only made it snare her thoughts tighter. Her mouth opened and closed but no sound came out, simply lost at how to respond. It was difficult to comprehend, he was the reason she was in this strange world?

The stallion averted his gaze, unable to look her in the face as she continued to stare. For some reason her thoughts wouldn't internalize within her head, it was if she was trying to look through a pool of mud... murky, unclear. Eventually her mouth moved, pushing one simple word out, "why?"

Flinching as if she had struck him physically, Starswirl turned to regard her with eyes full of sorrow, full of regret. Before he could answer the room they were in started to shake, fissures erupting along the ceiling. Two teal eyes glared through the holes, dark ethereal tendrils piercing the walls next, tearing them apart with ease. Crystals shattered, mortar crumbled and soon Jessica found herself looking up into eyes full of anger.

Night looked furious as she shrunk in size, Starswirl however seemed rather unfazed by the theatrics as he gazed up at her. Jessica meanwhile was completely lost, her ability to feel fear at Night... no, Luna's entrance hampered by her muddled thoughts.

Luna's voice bellowed out, her tone stern as she regarded Starswirl with contempt, moving her body so a spread wing sheltered Jessica from the stallion. Jessica was surprised as the feathery appendage moved before her, the act itself making her thoughts race. Regardless of everything that was happening a small smile tugged at her lips. She at least had the answer to the question that had plagued her earlier.

Luna did not merely see her as an oddity, or a way to access the book; the simple protective gesture meaning more to her at that moment than anything else.

The stallion for his part cleared his throat, bowed low and spoke in what Jessica assumed was the equine tongue. Whatever he said Jessica couldn't pick up on the meaning however, this confused her greatly as she could only barely recognise the word the others used when referring to Luna, nothing more past that.

The queen, or princess if Starswirl was to be believed, reacted instantly. One foreleg was half raised as the anger melted from her face, a look of puzzlement slowly replacing the previous expression. The mare's voice was cautious as she replied back, Jessica once more having no clue as to the context of the conversation.

Frustration started to build within her as Starswirl and Luna conversed, Starswirl alternating between relief and regret to Luna's emotional responses shifting across a broader spectrum.

"Hey!" Finally Jessica had endured enough, despite the surreal nature this was after all her dream. Anger cut through her remaining confusion like a knife, her outburst startling the two equines into silence. Starswirl was the first to speak as he looked up at Luna, the hybrid stepping aside with a nod to allow him to talk towards Jessica.

"I apologize, I... you just have no idea how long I have waited to-..." Starswirl stopped as his tail drooped, a short head shake following after. "No that is no excuse for what I have done, to achieve this moment."

Jessica blinked at his actions, her eyes seeking Luna who gave a short soft sigh. Her expression was a mixed one, the mare showing anger, relief and sadness all fighting over her features. It was... a very strange thing to witness as if the princess was attempting to sort her own thoughts out.

"You said you brought me here... why, how?" Jessica's attention slipped back to the stallion, his reaction to flinch slightly indicating it was not something he was proud of. Seconds ticked by before Starswirl gave a small defeated nod, his horn beginning to glow.

"Very well child, you deserve to know. I have little time left anyhow, giving you answers with it is the least I can do." A tired smile spread along his face before Luna put a question towards him. Whatever the stallion replied back with caused the mare to look away, his answer clearly upsetting her. Turning his head back to Jessica he gestured with a hoof towards the ruined wall beside them, into the swirling madness that lay beyond. "Look, and learn why I did what I did."

Jessica watched, the colours shifting to become a clear image. Eventually the room faded away, Jessica finding herself standing upon a cobbled stone floor. In fact, as she looked around, they all were. Eerily familiar to when she witnessed what brought her into this world, she could see a copy of Starswirl at a desk, flicking through the pages of his book.

"H-How... this is my dream isn't it?" Jessica was clearly confused over how he had taken control of it, the unicorn giving a wry smile in response. She noticed he was breathing a little heavier now, but that might have just been her imagination.

"One does not get to be called one of the greatest magic users without learning a few tricks." His reply was surprisingly lacking the smugness she would have expected in such a claim. Luna in particular was looking intrigued by her new surroundings, her words once more in the unfamiliar equine dialect which Starswirl responded to. However upon seeing Jessica's confused expression he took it upon himself to translate. "The princess was mentioning she remembered this tower, for reference sake this was well over a thousand years ago."

Jessica blinked twice, her expression showing disbelief as she looked at the hybrid equine then at Starswirl. As if sensing her confusion he gave a laugh, a nod following. "Yes, she is... well let us just say even I do not think anyone truly knows how old the princesses are." His voice was tinged with amusement as Luna queried him after, presumably leading him to explain as the princess gave a little laugh in reply.

Luna was the next to speak towards Jessica in the equine language she was familiar with, careful to try and use terms and words she understood. Jessica managed to grasp the basics of it thanks to this, the mare hinting she aged well with a joking tone. It did pull a small smile to Jessica's lips before she noticed something happening before them.

"And thus, it begins." Starswirl sounded wistful, watching as whatever his other self was doing seemed to be causing a strong reaction. Just like in the library a wind started to pick up, but something else was also happening... something far more violent.

The walls shaked, stones dislodged as Starswirl's other self looked about frantically. Before he could make for the large wooden door the room was filled with a brilliant light, encompassing everything in a flash. Jessica held her arm up to shield her eyes, when she lowered her arm she found a sight that made her heart miss a beat.

"T-This is Earth?" Her voice quivered, unable to believe it was true. Luna meanwhile was looking about wide eyed as Starswirl nodded in a sad fashion. Jessica looked around the lush forest, bits of the room scattered around, along with books, furniture and a battered looking stallion. Then there was what had led Jessica to her previous question, the appearance of humans, several in fact nearby harvesting fruit from the trees.

"Yes... this is your world. This is where I found myself after casting that spell." Starswirl's eyebrows knitted as his tone took on one of self-anger when he continued. "I have spent centuries going over, and over in my head what I did... how it happened. The spell should not have done this..."

Starswirl begun to delve into barely coherent mumbling as Jessica tried to take all this new information in. Shouting alerted her to the addled looking copy-unicorn getting up from the ground, now spotted by the inhabitants. Eyes wide in shock he barely had time to grasp a few things within his magical aura before stones were thrown his way, several of the people grabbing tools to frighten him off.

"W-Why... why are they attacking him... I mean attacking you?" Jessica mouthed out, eyes wide in shock as Starswirl watched his other self weave between trees to avoid the onslaught. Luna frowned as she too witnessed the spectacle, exhaling loudly before talking once more in the strange variation of their equine tongue.

Starswirl responded to the mare as the image faded, now replaced with a tired and starving looking unicorn dragging himself along. Noticing that Jessica was looking baffled, he turned to address her next.

"I ran for hours, days... they sent parties after me, to hunt me I later discovered." A wry chuckle escaped him as he watched his other self drag a very familiar book behind him. He seemed unable to continue on, the loud beating of hooves heralding the appearance of armored warriors before they closed in on him. Seeing Jessica's amazed expression he nodded. "Yes, that is the book you found... I like to think I kept it in good order."

Nodding dumbly Jessica could only watch as the knights surrounded the exhausted equine, as knights are what they surely must be she decided. The battered unicorn could now barely move, falling onto his side as one of the knights lifted his helmet's visor, revealing a young bearded man. Speaking in a strange dialect that Jessica had not heard before, the man dismounted and approached the stallion, sheathing his sword in the process.

"I did not know what to expect from these strange creatures. I was exhausted, I could not focus to cast a spell and I was on my last bit of energy." Starswirl turned wistful with those words, looking at the knight who approach his other self. "Then Arthur came."

Jessica squeaked a little, tilting her head at what she was watching. Luna meanwhile was examining one of the knights horses, walking around with a curious expression upon her face. Jessica watched as the knight walked back to his horse, flipping open a satchel and removed an apple. Conversing with the other knights he laughed prior to tossing the apple, catching it in a firm grasp. Staring at the fruit, the man, Arthur, seemed to make a decision.

Turning, the knight strode towards the unicorn and bent down, offering the apple to the clearly surprised looking equine. With a firm nod and warm smile the apple was pried from his fingers in a flickering amber aura, tugged to the unicorn's mouth to be slowly consumed. This caused several of those mounted to give muffled laughs behind their visors, Arthur himself raising a fist in victory.

"He... saved you?" Jessica eventually spoke, Starswirl nodded as Luna watched on thoughtfully, the image now shifting rapidly to show different points of his memory. His recovery, his accompanying the knights, his researching and not to mention his learning their language. Soon it showed him teaching a man with a full grey beard magic from within the tome, something that piqued Jessica's curiosity.

"He did, they all did... they saved me and took me in. Perhaps I was a lucky omen for them, but they went on to great things and then faded into legend." Starswirl watched wistfully, seeing them charge into battle until after a brutal fight they emerged triumphant. Eventually though they started to age, the man and his knights grew slower. Starswirl's voice took on a somber tone as he continued. "And then they grew old... I... grew old. My magic was weak in your world, I could not sustain myself for too long."

Luna raised an eyebrow, unable to understand which Jessica found slightly ironic. She then found her brain considering if that was the right way to use such a term; to which she told it to kindly piss off in response. Shaking her head as the stallion and mare conversed, she watched as the past copy of Starswirl stood before several graves. Beside him stood an old bearded man in a flowing robe, one hand clasping the book and the other a long oaken staff.

She watched as they conversed before the man nodded, almost reluctant as he placed the book down. The unicorn gave a firm nod and stepped towards the tome, opening it before chanting in the strange variant of the equine tongue. At this point Luna's eyes went wide, her tone becoming agitated as she looked towards Starswirl, his face somber as he nodded to her question.

"W-What's going-..." Jessica never got to finish her question, a bright flash exploded from the book and the unicorn was torn apart. Slowly the light pulled back into the tome, pulsing softly before vanishing entirely as the man bent down. A sad look on his face he spoke something, pressing his palm to the cover before moving off away from the graves. Jessica turned to look at the stallion beside her as their surroundings turned black.

"I cast a spell, one that is forbidden... well, Luna tells me it is now forbidden. Back then it had never been tested before, it was all theory." Seeing the confused expression on Jessica's face Starswirl continued to clarify. "I killed myself, well my physical body at least. I became simply... an echo of myself, bound to the book and those who accessed it."

Jessica frowned on this new information, her mouth opening and closing several times. Eventually she pushed sound out to verbalize her confused state.

"You... why would you do that?" Jessica's voice was a soft squeak, overwhelmed by what she had just witnessed. She then watched curiously as the images opened back up, now playing in fast forward. Civilisations fell, and with them the book changed hands multiple times as new cultures rose. Some caused great harm with its power, some, like Arthur and his men had done, caused great good.

Soon however, people didn't seem to know how to use it, the knowledge of the language lost. It shuffled between collectors, between stores and holdings until eventually it ended up in a library; a very well known library to Jessica. Seeing the look on her face, not to mention that of Luna, the stallion nodded his confirmation.

"Yes... that is your library." After a long sigh he laughed bitterly, tears building within his eyes before the unicorn continued speaking. "I missed my home you see, I longed to return to Equestria. I knew that my physical body would fail long before I could work out a solution, so I found one to remove the threat of time. But then another problem presented itself, I could not access the book or its spells within my new state, so for that..."

Jessica looked on in shock as she held a hand before her mouth, realisation catching up to her. "You... you used me." The horror flowed over her face as she took a step back from the unicorn, Luna moving behind to press a wing reassuringly against her back. Comforted slightly she glared at the male equine who recoiled in response. "You... you used me to get back home didn't you? That's what you meant when you said you brought me here!"

Shying slightly away from Jessica, Starswirl exhaled softly. Talking to Luna once more in the language Jessica couldn't pick up on, she was surprised when Luna gave a loud gasp. Starswirl gave a soft laugh to her response and nodded, Jessica now noticing that he was looking more exhausted by the minute. Looking behind her she saw Luna had tears starting to bead in her eyes, her voice carrying disbelief before shouting at the stallion, her tone one of desperation.

Starswirl just smiled sadly, shaking his head while replying to the dark mare's pleading tone. He turned to look at Jessica, who was feeling a strong mixture of emotions within her at this point. "Yes... Yes I did child and you have every right to be angry with me."

Feeling Luna's wing gently rest to her back she relaxed slightly. It was a kind gesture, one she appreciated as it was comforting, reassuring and warm all in one simple act. Regardless of the mare's attempts to support her, she felt anger rise up within her again. Remembering how she arrived and the injuries she received, she directed those feelings at the stallion, screaming at him when she couldn't contain the emotion anymore. "I almost died! I have had nothing but hell since I arrived in this horrible place!"

Jessica was caught off guard at Starswirl's anger filled words, his reply quick and forceful. "Do not dare to insult my world!" He took a step forward despite his waning strength, his words losing their anger but not their conviction. "I not once thought ill of your world child, think ill of me, hate me if you must but do not hate my world... I beg you, despite what those two heinous miscreants did to you... what I have done to you."

Jessica exhaled softly, his words striking through her anger as tears began to cloud her vision. Images opened up around her, finding herself now looking at what the two equines were doing. Luna and Starswirl talked between each other, their horns glowing in unison as figures pulled out of the inky blackness, the images becoming three dimensional.

Those she knew, those she trusted came into existence to surround her, to smile reassuringly. Ebony, Espa, Scar, Stoic and Dusk at the forefront. Red, Apple, Bubbles, Rainbow and the others, even including the musicians, Sunny, and the '~changelings~'; they all surrounded her.

"Friends." Luna spoke, her mouth working awkwardly around the word before smiling. The mare switching to her native tongue next, now in a dialect Jessica could understand. "~Your heart.~"

"Let home be where your heart is." Starswirl spoke with conviction, his words tugging Jessica's head up to look at him directly. A sad smile came to his muzzle before he tilted his head, continuing on even as his voice started to weaken. "Words from my apprentice actually, she was a wonderful big hearted mare that Clover. It is why I got you to translate it specifically, it was a hint to Luna as much as they were words of advice for you."

Digesting this new nugget of information, Jessica blinked before her brain slowly pushed the separate thoughts in her head together. Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke, she knew where he was heading but she wanted for him to prove her wrong, desperately wished it. "What I wrote down, it was that... wasn't it, but why? This isn't my home..."

A soft shake of his head made the icy pit within Jessica yawn wider, threatening to swallow her whole.

"I am... sorry, I was careless. No, the truth is I was simply over-confident. I believed I could use you as a conduit to take me back to Equestria. With the book I could have studied how to send you back home, and then I would have gotten my wish..." A soft laugh passed his muzzle before he breathed heavier, his health seeming to decline with each word. "But I never expected to have my link cut from the book, I never expected the painfully obvious outcome you could let go of it. I never expected to have to expend almost all of my energy to save you from the resulting fall either. So many mistakes, so many errors all because I wished to see my home one last time and acted rashly."

Luna turned her head away, unwilling to watch for some reason as the male unicorn coughed. Jessica noticed out the corner of her eye water sliding down Luna's cheeks. No, her mind corrected her, tears.

"It was you that saved me? But... you brought me here! Send me back home now!" Jessica's voice was becoming desperate as she clenched her hands into fists, she needed him to say the words, to say what she wanted. "Send me back home now to my friends, back to my life that you took from me you bastard!"

He seemed to expect the anger, his eyes closing as he smiled tiredly up towards her. "I saved you, because it was my fault, even if it left me unable to contact you afterwards. I would love nothing better than to see you go home Jessica, to correct my mistake." He gestured to a flickering image, the book she knew all too well hovering before him. "But without the book, without my notes I cannot send you home. All my research is there, with that they could figure something out within a few months. Without the book, I do not know. I am sorry."

Taking a soft breath he laughed again, Jessica feeling her anger rise with each word that flowed from his mouth. Her voice reflected her hostile emotion as she almost spat out the next sentence. "Don't give me that crap, you managed to get yourself back here using me!"

Seeming to realise he must explain further, Starswirl weathered Jessica's anger before responding.

"Yes, that is true. I went over that spell in my head every day for hundreds of years upon figuring it out. I then used you as a conduit, anyone who opened the book would have done the trick, but I chose you. You were naturally curious so all I needed was to cast a small compulsion spell to make you write down the incantation, and... well, you know the rest child." Starswirl said, his head lowering as he realised his folly, that he was in a way repeating himself. "I could not access the book myself, I lack physical presence as you saw; Thus the notes are forgotten to me. I am sorry child, I wish I could do more."

Jessica pulled back her hand, ready to strike the unicorn across his face if only to satisfy her rage. Starswirl closed his eyes, ready to accept her anger before the limb dropped loosely to her side, tears now rolling down her cheeks. "So... this is it. I'm stuck here is that it? I'm stuck with you stalking me, haunting me?"

"No I can assure you, I was only doing so because I was afraid of expending my remaining magic by being direct. Without the book, my anchor, I only have a finite source to draw upon... most of which was used to slow your descent initially." Starswirl looked aside as he spoke, nodding softly to Luna before speaking in the other language, the mare's own words tinged with sadness as she nodded back. "Jessica, I used the last of it just before to force you into this meeting, this very conversation so I could explain things to you."

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Jessica held a hand before her mouth. Her unvoiced question was met with a nod of his head before he staggered and started to flicker, his tail starting to break into small fragments of light that drifted away from his form.

"I ruined your life, for that I can never pay you back. That is why I wished to at least give you some answers." He looked wistfully at his slowly disappearing tail, watching his own flank start to dissipate. "You allowed me see my world again, to at least let me speak to my teacher once more. I apologize that my debt to you can never be repaid. This is finally my time to die, to truly die, but I do so in my own world."

Jessica felt anger return at his words before seeing the tears start to spill from the unicorn's eyes. She suddenly put the facts together, figuring out why Luna was also crying. "Luna... Luna was your teacher wasn't she? That's why you wanted her attention..."

A nod met Jessica's words, the bearded equine struggling to stay upright now as he smiled up at the mare. After the look was returned he turned his attention fully on Jessica, exhaling as he summoned the last of his strength.

"Jessica, you are a kind hearted girl. I can never apologize enough for what I have done to you in my selfish desire to return home, I have doomed you to the same fate I escaped." Starswirl spoke with a shudder, his body now struggling to remain together. As he winced it appeared he was holding on through sheer force of will to deliver his last words.

"Let home be where your heart lies, you have strong bonds here. You have those who care about you, do not turn your back on them because of what I did." He closed his eyes before slowly opening them, by the strain speaking was having on him, his time was almost at an end. "You child, if there is one thing I do not regret, it is that you were the one I pulled into my world. I see you accomplishing great things, keep your heart open and let those close to you help mend it after what I have done."

Jessica felt confused, she was angry, upset and her emotions were running like a maelstrom within her. Despite it all she felt she had to ask one question, one nagging thought that wouldn't leave her. "W-What else is it you wanted from me, you mentioned earlier?"

Starswirl looked surprised before a soft chuckle escaped his muzzle, tears starting to roll down his furry cheeks. "The only thing I wanted more from you dear child is the one thing I know I do not deserve... that is, your forgiveness."

Luna gave a loud gasp as the stallion's form finally gave way after his last words, peeling into small motes of light as she cried out loudly. Jessica felt numb within, falling to her knees as everything sunk into her all at once. The information she had just been given like a hammer blow to her mind, not to mention she had just watched someone cease to exist right before her eyes.

Slowly the dreamscape sundered, pulling apart as she felt her mind return to consciousness as if to escape reality.

~~~~~~

Jessica awoke within her bed, the sensation of Ebony's body upon the blankets a source of relief, as was Dusk's sleeping form sighted across the room. Her vision swum as she reached up, touching her cheeks to feel dampness, tears having spilled unbidden down her face while sleeping. She looked to the side, seeing moonlight spilling past the curtains indicating it was still night at least.

Suddenly her emotions caught up to her, the tears beginning to spill faster down each cheek.

I...

Voices outside in the hallway caught her attention until the door swung open, Luna standing in the entranceway with eyes staring straight at Jessica. The mare's expression softened as she gave a small nod towards her, wings spreading wide in a gesture there was only one conclusion for.

Pulling from the bed oblivious to the startled sounds of Ebony and Dusk, Jessica launched herself against the hybrid equine, pulling herself close to bury her face into the fur. Slowly the wings closed around her, Jessica remembering everything that had played out within her dream, the information sinking down as truth.

I'm stuck here...

Her body quivered as she heard Luna speak soothingly down towards her, barely able to see through the fur and her tears as Scar and Stoic peeked into the bedroom, concern upon their faces. Slowly everything she had just learnt slammed into her, what Starswirl had done, what he had been through and what he had done to her to get back home.

His situation had been much like her own, stuck in a strange world and having to learn the customs, and the language of those who inhabited it. It was a bizarre parallel, but in this case he had gotten to return to his home, and she was stuck with no way to return. She felt her body shake as she pushed closer to Luna, fingers grasping into the mare's ethereal mane for comfort as thoughts pounded into her mind.

No-one from home will ever know what happened to me...

She would never have a husband, she would never see her friends again, she would never... she would never even have the chance to be a mother.

And... eventually... I will die in a strange world.

Her body shook as the emotions pulled within, tugging and building until there was only one thing left for her to do. Soon the room was filled with a single sound, tearing through the silence of the night.

The wailing sorrow of a girl who had lost everything.

~~~~~~

The morning sun appeared reluctant to pour its rays of warmth into the room, light sliding over the tiled floors slowly as Jessica squirmed. She felt feathers against her back and soft fur to her face as the blissfully dreamless sleep faded away. Moving slightly she opened her eyes to take note of her surroundings, finding teal eyes looking back down at her full of concern. The events of the night pierced through her tired mind, the memory still raw.

I'm... stuck here...

Luna's muzzle gently pushed to her hair, her tone soothing as Jessica realised the princess must have stayed by her side all night. The gesture was touching as she also realised there was someone else beside her, looking to her right she saw Ebony's familiar form against her side. Both she and Jessica encompassed by Luna's wings, the two mares obviously keeping her company when she had finally cried herself to sleep.

She felt, numb. Not only had she found out the reason for her being in this world, this... 'Equestria', but she also now knew the only way to get back was still presumably in the library.

Out of my reach, out of anyone's reach...

Tears started to build within her eyes yet again, an attempt to stem their flow futile. A wet sniffle alerted Ebony that Jessica was awake, the pegasus looking up with anxiety filled blue eyes. Jessica presumed that Ebony was worried about her current state, or that Luna had filled them in on what had happened. Either way her friend moved to press a little closer, showing she was not going anywhere.

Feeling the dark wings close a little tighter about her body, she heard the princess speak softly down towards her, the tone one of comfort. Leaning in closer Jessica felt cool metal press to her front, but given how used she was to Ebony's normal form it was of little concern.

That's right, Luna is probably hurting now as well, yet she is...

As she heard Ebony and Luna converse quietly, she found herself leaning closer into the hybrid. Her mind numb, unable to process anything leading her to just sit. Finally the neurons fired and she gave a soft sobbing laugh to Luna's fur, the mare reacting with another worried nuzzle to her hair.

Yet she's looking after me as I act like a baby...

Finding herself amazed at the princess's actions, she took a deep breath to try and relax. She was broken, completely and utterly shattered by what Starswirl had confessed. It was tempting, oh so tempting to just dismiss it all as a dream, a fanciful concoction churned up by her rebellious brain.

But she couldn't delude herself as easily as she wished, it was all horrifyingly true. The fact Luna had appeared in her doorway once she woke was evidence of that. How long she sat there with the two equines beside her she couldn't tell, but eventually she had no more tears left to cry.

Reaching up she rubbed her damp cheeks with the palm of her hand, finding too much moisture for her to deal with in such a manner. In an action she sure Jewel would have been aghast at, she tugged the bottom of her nightshirt up to rub the tears away.

Sorry Jewel...

Feeling drained, tired but not wishing to sleep anymore least she be alone, Jessica instead offered a small clearly forced smile upwards. Luna in return exhaled softly, clearly not buying it for a second before looking over her shoulder to speak to someone. Jessica couldn't see past the mare for who it was, but she could hear Dusk's voice reply before the door was opened, then shut gently signalling her departure.

Feeling the urge to cry once more building she instead tried to distract her mind, one hand reaching down to stroke over Ebony's soft mane. The sensation of feeding was weak, feeling strained before, much to Jessica's surprise her hand was pushed away by the pegasus. Looking down she saw her friend shake her head with a smile, moving instead to nuzzle at Jessica's side reassuringly.

The message was crystal clear even in her current mental state; this was not the time for her to comfort the mare, this was Ebony's time to comfort her.

Ebony...

Her eyes misted up again proving she did still have tears left to cry, but this time the reason was mixed. A small laugh escaped with a sob as she realised just how dear her friend was to her. Reaching down she hugged tightly about the pegasus's neck, burying her face into the mare's mane as she held onto her for dear life. Ebony tensed for the briefest of seconds before allowing herself to be held, her voice was soft as she spoke in a way Jessica would clearly understand.

"~Jessica, Ebony be here.~" Ebony's words did not fall on deaf ears, Jessica holding Ebony tighter. Eventually she let go, rubbing her eyes with a forearm as she remembered what Starswirl had said.

Let home be where your heart is... if only it were so easy.

"~Thank you, 'Ebony'... Loo-na.~" Jessica taking a guess at saying Luna's equine name, having had learnt it earlier in one of the dream lessons, but only now attempting to use it. Looking up at the princess with tear-obscured vision, she was met with a surprised look before a tender smile crossed the equine's muzzle. A small nod was given to show she had gotten it right, or perhaps the pronunciation; it was still difficult to tell.

Jessica thought back to the stallion that had caused this, and found herself feeling surprisingly numb about the whole thing. She couldn't find it in herself to get angry at him, there was no point as he was now gone. Nor could she find herself sad at his passing, due to what he had done to her. She felt... horrible for this fact, unable to bring herself to give an emotional response before she released a tiny sigh.

She realised the cause of her numbness, most likely was due to shock, fatigue and probably immense depression just hiding around the corner. However she wanted to rage, to scream, to shout at the unfairness of it all, to blame all of the horrible world she was now stuck on for her fate; a fate she should never have been condemned to.

But I can't...

Whenever her mind wandered towards the things that she hated about this world, the things that filled her with fear or anger there were... other things. For every memory of her initial week, there was the memory of her care in the hospital. For the horrible incident in the town there was the wonderful experience of camping with Rainbow, Apple, Espa, Ebony and her guards.

When she thought to the cave and how angry she got, she now thought to the same ~changelings~ within the crystal caverns far below her; especially Minder and the two young ones.

Even now, after her hopes and dreams had been cruelly torn away, her life now a shattered mess with no idea where to go from this point, she couldn't get angry.

Why can't I just rage? Why can't I just scream and yell? Why can't I just go and end it all?

The last thought was utterly depressing, but this was no place for a human girl such as herself. But, even such thoughts were overshadowed by the warmth around her right now. The princess, Ebony and the knowledge of the others she knew. Frustration crept into her mind now, she wanted to vent, she wanted to hate this world for what it had done.

But I can't, I really... really can't.

She thought back to what Starswirl had said, to hate him but not his world. To hate the world would mean she would also be lashing out at the likes of Espa, Red, Bubbles and the others as well. She was confused, unable to think straight and a small part of her, the rational part of her mind which had been neglected thus far knew why.

Because I want to hate this place with all my heart... but I know I can't. I can't hate those who have been kind to me, I can't use them like that.

A stray thought, an idea that would have otherwise faded away in an instant was grasped upon. The bug-like equines had acted on desperation, as had Starswirl. The thought grew in her mind, desperation to use someone else, to treat them as a tool. Jessica could do that, she could use the princesses to find her a way home, keep pushing them until they found it. Make them repeat Starswirl's experiment with other equines until success was granted!

No.

Her mind steeled itself, Jessica narrowed her eyes as warm tears rolled down her cheeks, concern crossing the faces of both mares now. She barely noticed she was worrying them, her mind focused on a purpose now, an idea. She made a vow right then to never do such a thing, she wouldn't follow the same path as he had.

She would never use desperation as an excuse to act as Starswirl had done to her. She could not even begin to imagine the centuries of longing to get home, the sheer resolve to give up his physical form to have a chance to return to Equestria, but it was no excuse. As tears rolled down her cheeks and the wings closed around her again, Jessica pulled herself closer to Luna.

I will never stoop to his level. I will never use someone else like he did to me, that is my vow.

With her mind clear the other emotions were allowed to pour back in, with the knowledge she was effectively giving up any chance of returning home. But she couldn't, she would not allow herself to act so selfishly. That was how she would prove herself better than him, to show they were not alike. To show she was human.

Feeling Ebony push to her side, the mare determined to keep her comforted, Jessica felt a smile tug at her lips slightly despite her tears.

No, not just to be human. To be a good person, regardless of species.

As she sat there, mulling over her thoughts she heard the door open. Unable to see past Luna she instead found out the newcomer's identity when her name was screamed out.

"~Jessica-... no-...be sad!~" The owner of the voice galloped into the room, Luna offering a warm smile as one of her wings spread wide allowing entrance. Jessica raised her head, blinking to clear her eyes of the tears before a small bundle of energy pounced against her, pushing onto her lap. Having been unable to pick up the entirety of Espa's sentence she managed to at least grasp the context.

Espa...

A soft hiccup escaped her as she was experiencing a strange feeling of happiness that the small filly cared so much about her, and the all encompassing despair she was still feeling. A sobbing laugh was her emotional compromise as she hugged the precious little unicorn to her chest, Ebony offering some words towards Espa as the two conversed.

Bubbles entered not far behind, her golden eyes watching Jessica with clear empathy upon her face. It was then Luna turned her head, addressing someone else who followed the cross-eyed mare. Slowly Sunny came into view, behind her several equines and Spike peeking into the room from the doorway.

The white hybrid gave a concerned look down towards Jessica, who was still resting within Luna's wings. Gently using one arm to hold Espa to her, the other sought out Ebony's mane, burying her fingers into the dark curls. Meeting Sunny's gaze she was surprised when the mare gave a warm smile down at her, speaking in an encouraging manner, even if Jessica couldn't understand most of the words.

A small part of her thought back to her conversation with Starswirl, absently wondering how long it took him to become proficient in her language like that. How long had he been in that library, listening and learning?

And now I will have to learn as well, given I can't go home now.

The rogue thought brought fresh tears to her eyes, her traitorous brain dwelling on dark thoughts. Seeming to realise that Jessica had not understood her, Sunny lowered herself down to Jessica's eye level from where she sat.

"~Jessica, your home-... here.~" Sunny's tone was soft, gentle and reassuring as Jessica blinked. Tears started to spill down her cheeks yet again, launching herself towards the white queen this time. Holding Espa to her chest she used her other arm to slide around Sunny's neck, the hybrid looking stunned for a second. The surprise didn't last long, soon a white feathered wing moved to encompass Jessica, holding her gently.

"~T-Thank you.~" Jessica felt her emotions be released again, unaware she had still been holding so much back. It was at this point Jessica lost herself to tears for the second time in the day, Espa and Ebony close beside as she sobbed into Sunny's white fur. That is where she stayed for most of the day, equines coming and going to keep her company.

Later on she exhausted the battery of her cell phone, playing music to help ease the pain. Through it all Ebony, Espa and Luna never left her side.

~~~~~~

Over the next couple of days Jessica fell further into depression. She knew she was acting despondent; once the rush of emotions had left her, she had felt numb, listless. The equines were trying to cheer her up but she felt... useless.

The only things I have to my name now are my bracelets and the clothes that Jewel made me, and I have no-way to pay her back, any of them back.

Jessica tugged her knees closer to her chest, currently seated on her bed with eyes closed. She had yet to do anything constructive, or even make any real efforts to do so. Fleur, Ledger and Sparkle had attempted to continue her language lessons, yet each time her heart just wasn't in it. Soon they would be in again to once more attempt to continue, she was sure eventually they would give up on her though.

Not that I don't deserve it...

She knew she would have to do something at some point, but to do so would be the same as giving in to her situation. Beside her she felt the rise and fall of smooth chitin, Ebony had yet to leave her presence, not that she doubted her friend ever would. Opening one eye she peered aside, Dusk watching her from the other bed and offering a small smile upon being noticed.

There was also a new addition to the room, Bubbles and Espa had moved in to occupy the second bed. Jessica presumed it was to keep Espa nearby, knowing what effect the small filly had upon her. Currently the small unicorn was asleep, having worn herself out fussing over Jessica throughout the day. That fact made Jessica feel the now all too known stab of guilt.

Despite it all they're still trying to cheer me up, and yet I... I just can't help it.

Tears glistened in her eyes; the last two days had been a mixture of crying and depression, with a sprinkle of melancholy thrown in for added flavour. She knew the facts, plus given her foray into psychology for half a year, she also knew this was one of the four stages of grief. Technically it was five, but she had made a firm decision there would be no bargaining.

Of course she would not be aware if she had been, but it felt nice to at least pretend she was in control. All up that just left her current stage, depression.

Exhaling softly through her nose she opened both eyes, her gaze fixed straight ahead at the door. Any minute now the three would enter, and then she would disappoint them yet again. She hadn't even gone down to the dungeon below in two days, a fact she was not pleased with herself over.

But given my current emotions, I doubt I could even feed them...

Ebony spoke gently beside her sliding more guilt into Jessica's heart. She hadn't been feeding her friend well either, neglecting everyone despite how wonderful they treated her. Closing her eyes she reached down to stroke over the smooth muzzle, feeling it push to her hand, snuffling warm air gently against her fingers.

"~Sorry.~" Jessica's spoken word created a ripple through the room. She had barely said anything the last two days, let alone in the equine tongue. Dusk perked both ears, the guard raising her head while two male guards poked their heads into the room curiously. It was almost amusing how much of a stir her saying one simple apology could cause.

A soft tsk was made beneath her hand, Ebony frowning up at her before exhaling. Jessica knew the mare was worried about those in the dungeon, especially the young ones. If she was honest with herself, so was she.

Jess... what are you doing?

Lowering her head she pressed her forehead to her knees, sitting there for several long minutes. She felt useless, how could she help or repay these equines for what they had done, what they were doing? Luna herself would spend most of the day and all of the night with her despite her own loss, the mare starting to look tired but refusing to budge. At the moment was one of the few times the hybrid had been away from her, Sunny having to forcefully remove her from the room so she could get rest.

They act like sisters, I wonder if they are...

Distracted by the random thought Jessica instead dwelled on herself, what she would do. Peeking out the corner of her eye she watched Bubbles gently nuzzle Espa's mane, as always attentive and loving to her daughter. The sight tugged at a raw nerve within Jessica, the fact she herself would never experience that, it was agonising.

Continuing to distract herself she focused instead on what she could possibly do here, in this world. Her only real talents were singing, and that was only in one of the languages she knew. She would have to learn everything again to begin singing in their language, something that was monumentally daunting. Other than that she could draw reasonably well, and that... that was about it.

There is nothing I can do, I want to go home...

The thought didn't help matters any, tears beading at the corners of her eyes. Giving a small sniffle she heard hooves approach the door, a soft knock soon following. Expecting her language teachers to arrive she spoke, trying to fake enthusiasm but it just left her lips in a listless, "come in."

She was not expecting Luna to enter, nor several guards to be accompanying her. Instantly she was worried she had worn out her welcome, the dark thought creeping in uninvited. The rational part of her brain pointed out that idea was downright nonsense, Jessica most surprised that her mind was assisting her for once.

And... now I'm beginning to think of my brain as a separate entity... good going Jess.

Taken out of her self deprecating humor, she was stunned to see who was escorted by the guards. Fleur, Ledger or Sparkle she would have expected, but not the bug-like equine who was looking about in a clearly nervous fashion. Ebony spoke softly towards the nervous one who, Jessica assumed was Minder, given that the two young ones were curled on its back was a pretty decent hint.

Her depression was pushed aside by this strange occurrence, Bubbles looking just as surprised, the pegasus moving a wing to protect the waking Espa. By the way the mother didn't launch herself out the window with the filly, Jessica could only guess she knew this was going to happen. Dusk gave a knowing grin, moving off the bed to take her place with the guards as Luna nodded reassuringly to the now fidgeting Minder.

It... no, she looks so nervous. Why are they up here?

Jessica's eyes went wide, she remembered one of the first things Starswirl had offhandedly mentioned in her dream, had he passed that info onto Luna? The more important question however was, was it true?

The guards consisted of unicorns and pegasi alike, although Jessica saw a few normal ponies amongst them, spread out around the room. Ebony spoke towards Luna, the two sharing a conversation which, any other time Jessica would have been happy to see. Now however it only served to puzzle her further, Minder meanwhile was acting as if she were listening to something else entirely.

"What's going on?" Jessica watched on curiously as Minder relaxed, Ebony giving a small nod in her direction before the bug-like mare lowered herself. Her glossy wings spread wide apart allowing the two small ~changelings~ to slip off her back. They both chirped, looking weak and tired as they looked up at Ebony, almost as if seeking something.

What are they...?

Ebony however moved slightly backwards, the two young insectile-foals giving distressed chirps as they tried to follow, looking confused by her actions. Jessica was just as baffled as they were, that is until her friend spoke softly, a tilt of Ebony's head given in her direction. Minder spoke up as well, her tone kind and reassuring as the two children gave quiet whimpers.

What are they saying? I can make out my name and food, but other than that they're talking too fast...

All of Jessica's own concerns were pushed aside, they were hungry she could tell. They were also growing increasingly more confused as to why Ebony was not letting them get near her, as was Jessica at this stage. She could tell it wasn't maliciousness on the part of the mare, but it was almost like she wanted them to do something else.

A soft chirp was directed her way, two pairs of small glowing eyes looking up at her now. One attempted to take a few steps towards her, only to give a little whimper and tumble, falling over its hole covered legs. The other fared little better, both seeming too weak to make it far under their own power.

Oh god...

Minder moved immediately in their direction only to freeze as Ebony gave her a stern look. Reluctantly she moved back a few steps, seeming to be holding herself back with every fibre of her being. Even Bubbles was looking shocked, the mare twitching as if she would help the small ~changelings~ soon as well. Luna and Dusk watched on with the guards, the former looking a little guilty but continuing to observe, sharing a look with Ebony.

It was when one of the young bug-like foals tried to get upright and take another step, attempting to make its way towards Jessica before falling once more, that she couldn't take it anymore. She slipped off the bed and moved her hands to support each gently as she scooped both up and held them to her belly.

"I'm sorry, I'm so... so, sorry little ones." Tears rolled down her cheeks as she felt her compassion for them flow, giving each much needed nourishment. They nuzzled gently to her arms, curling against her as their chirping grew less distressed, her heart melting at their actions.

I was so concerned about myself, I never thought about anyone else...

Glowing eyes peered up at her, one giving small smacking sounds with its mouth before leaning up to nuzzle gently at her shoulder. A smile grew along Jessica's face and for the first time the idea of remaining in this world wasn't quite as bleak. She had purpose, she was needed to feed these young ones, why that was she didn't know.

But because of me they suffered again.

Espa was watching wide eyed from where she sat on the bed, a glance up at her mother calmed the small foal who instead now watched with interest. Minder had stopped looking about ready to have a seizure at this point, now visibly relaxed seeing the foals were being fed. Seating herself down on the sheets, Jessica let both young insectile-equines get cozy.

She was so pre-occupied that she never noticed Espa until the filly had tugged herself up onto the bed with some effort. Bubbles watched on, her eyes never straying an inch from her daughter while Luna spoke reassuringly towards the pegasus. The mother relaxed slightly, but still kept a wary eye on the light-purple unicorn.

I wonder what she wants?

Jessica was slightly bemused, watching Espa lean forward to regard one of the young bug-foals curiously. Luminescent blue eyes finally noticed the unicorn, one of the two wriggling within Jessica's arm to slip instead down onto her lap. Hesitantly it chirped before sniffing, leaning closer to the filly before its muzzle bumped to her own.

Whatever was expected to happen by those observing, it was not Espa giving a large enough sneeze to almost throw herself off the bed. A loud startled chirp was given, the insectile-foals wriggling against Jessica to hide from the loud noise. One even made it clean off her lap, hiding behind the relative safety of Ebony who regarded it with a raised brow, looking over her shoulder at its new hiding place.

Jessica simply smiled at the display, her own issues forgotten as the filly gave what she assumed was an apology, wriggling her nose with a little sniff. Bubbles gave a small laugh from where she lay on the bed, fully relaxing now as her daughter was clearly in no harm. Ebony however was having a new issue, no matter how much she coaxed, the young one would not stop hiding in her tattered tail.

Minder moved over, resting her head on the sheets to speak softly, two small blue eyes peering out at her voice. The one upon Jessica's lap was a little braver, moving towards Espa before reaching with a hole covered hoof to gently, ever so hesitantly, poke the unicorn.

This... this is far... far too cute.

Espa let the small bug-foal poke her with its hoof. Deeming her safe it chirped up towards her while seated on Jessica's lap, looking quite proud of itself. Seeing this, the owner of the lap began to suspect why Espa had made her way over. Suspicions were confirmed when the young filly gave a pout, looking up at Jessica as if someone had claimed her favourite seat, which in a way the young foal had.

"Oh Espa..." Jessica couldn't help herself, her issues forgotten she gently picked up the young insectile-equine, much to its evident surprise and allowed Espa onto her lap. The filly sat proudly, sticking her tongue out upwards at her rival, who in turn didn't seem to care so much anymore as Jessica leaned back to the wall. Supporting one in her arms, and with Espa on her lap she felt... happy.

Ebony and Minder were still having issues with the other, until the one in her arms chirped at its sibling. Encouraged it slowly crawled out from under the relative safety of the tail and made its way to Jessica once more. Eyeing Espa warily, it tried to speak in the equine language only for Minder to correct whatever it had tried to say.

Chirping in frustration it instead rested hole covered forelegs upon Jessica's lap, leaning up to sniff at the young unicorn curiously. Espa for her part was quite content now she knew the lap was hers again. Curling her tail about herself as she sat, she spoke kindly to the young one, getting a head tilt in return. The inquisitive bug-foal smacked its lips a few times, looking further confused.

Luna raised a question to which Ebony replied, Espa giving a small yawn before lying down looking ever so slightly tired. Bubbles looked alarmed before Ebony spoke up again, her words calming her down, if not removing the wary expression. Jessica was unsure what had been conversed about, her attention on the three foals primarily.

One hand gently pet over the young unicorn's mane, getting a happy smile for her efforts. One of the insectile-foals seeing this raised its head, getting similar treatment next. Minder, watching this suddenly turned her head towards Ebony, one tattered ear flicking as the more distinctive insectile-equine gave a small nod after a moments pause. Hesitantly Minder pulled herself up onto the sheets, moving to lie down on the blanket.

Curious, but in no way against the extra company, Jessica gave a smile to Minder, earning a shy but earnest smile in return. Meanwhile the young bug-like equine in Jessica's arms was taking advantage of its height elevation, leaning down to gently nip at Espa's ears with its small fangs.

Thankfully its fangs were too small to do much more than annoy the young unicorn, although the ear flicking was encouraging its behaviour further now it had a moving target. With a small cute huff, Espa gave in, letting her ear be gently gnawed upon. The whole scene was too adorable, Jessica finding herself unable to resist giggling.

It was to this scene that Rainbow, Sparkle, Fleur, and Ledger walked in. To the guards' credit for those stationed around the room, very few sniggered at Ledger's almost nervous breakdown as he processed what he saw. Minder for her part was looking thoroughly confused as he stammered something out, then gave a strangled squeal and screamed in a demanding fashion at one of the guards.

Oh...

Luna, apparently out of his immediate sight on the other side of the room quirked a brow, a questioning tone in her voice. From what Jessica could make out he had demanded the changelings be thrown out, or have them thrown into the princesses. It was rather difficult to remember how the equine language had its sentences structured. Although the amusing thought of Ebony being thrown at Sunny as an improvised weapon only increased Jessica's giggles.

From Luna's reply however she seemed rather curious as if that was the right course of action. Ledger for his part paled significantly, Dusk giving a disconcerting fang-filled smile obviously didn't help. Looking to her side, Jessica noticed much to her non-surprise that Ebony had adopted the look as well, except her fangs were of course larger.

Rainbow found the whole thing hilarious and she didn't care who knew it, as Ledger suddenly realised he had put his foot, or more accurately, hoof in his mouth. As he backed up, apologizing profusely, he backed into the now present Sunny, her tone curious as she looked down at him. Jessica was actually starting to feel sorry for the stallion as he gave a minuscule squeak and bowed. Promptly excusing himself he ran off down the hallway, a few crashing noises following with a wince on Sunny's face accompanying each one.

It was on the third such smash that Rainbow completely lost any semblance of subtlety and fell onto the floor, forelegs clasped to her chest as she laughed. Bubbles and Minder remained looking perplexed as the three foals on Jessica's lap played amongst each other. Well, if having Espa have an ear playfully gnawed while the other tried to poke her off the lap was considered playing.

Sparkle and Fleur both gave a long sigh, smiles clear upon their muzzles as they witnessed what was going on. Everyone however was equally caught off guard when Rainbow's loud laughter came to a screeching halt, a squeal of surprise coming from the cyan pegasus.

What the?!

Everyone looked into the hallway, even the two princesses, only to bare witness to Pinky standing over Rainbow, a pillow held tightly in the mare's mouth. She was once more vigorously shaking her soft weapon of choice to batter the pegasus, Rainbow having been completely caught off guard.

...I have a feeling this isn't separate pillow fights, but one long epic pillow war.

To her credit, Jessica didn't laugh at Rainbow's expense. It was only when there was a resounding deep rumble of bass, followed by a pillow travelling at speeds manchester was not designed to go at, that she stifled a giggle. The downy projectile struck Pinky perfectly and sent the mare tumbling down the hallway, freeing Rainbow from the pink mare's frenzied attack.

I'm guessing Shades is involved too.

A loud scream got noticeably louder as it got closer, Spike running for dear life with his arms held above his head, easily identifiable as the owner of said scream. Behind him ran Harpy, several pillows levitated above her which she launched one after another to bury the little draconic boy under a pile of downy comfort. Seeing the looks she was receiving after done with her assault, Harpy blinked, finally noticing the inhabitants of the room.

Her eyes darted from one princess to another, then to the insectile-equines and then finally to Jessica and the guards. A sheepish smile slowly crawled along her muzzle as Sunny gave a soft exhale, her smile never leaving her face. Luna however took the opportunity presented to her, an ethereal aura clad pillow catching the aqua coloured unicorn clear in her face, Harpy never knowing what hit her.

Jessica at this point couldn't stop laughing. She wasn't sure if the pillow fight was the result of a day long feud, or a happy coincidence, but it was almost as if the whole thing was planned.

Anything with Pinky involved, I am beginning to suspect you can never be sure.

With the foals on her lap she watched the pillow fight spread to now encompass more unsuspecting equines, that is if Sparkle could be considered unsuspecting. Especially considering that she took a cheeky shot at Fleur with a pillow, it was probably more apt to call it karma.

Jessica burst into fits of laughter yet again, watching the pink mare leap at Rainbow once more, pillow held at the ready as a battle cry issued from her mouth; the battle cry probably would have sounded more threatening if she wasn't speaking around her weapon of choice. This time Rainbow was ready, meeting the fluff-filled blow with one of her own leading to both mares not giving an inch.

The only ones who seemed free from the mayhem were those in the room, excluding Sparkle and Luna, the latter of which seeming to have diplomatic immunity from retaliation. Jessica's mood improving, she simply enjoyed the spectacle before her. Sunny seemed pleased this was the case, giving her a look with a warm smile tugging at the edge of her mouth.

And then another shuddering blast of bass happened, a mattress finding itself flung down the hallway clearing out all combatants too slow to avoid it.

That was when Jessica truly lost it to laughter.

~~~~~~

Night time brought a new change as Jessica got ready for bed, the most noticeable was the fact there were three more equines sharing the room. Jessica felt, well she still wasn't happy about the situation she was in but she was feeling less depressed, that alone was a bonus. Bubbles was in her bed, Espa nuzzled under her mother's wing while Dusk was sprawled out upon her own.

This... is going to be interesting.

Outside she saw guards patrolling her room more often, a number she had not seen since Ebony had first revealed herself. Then there were the two other guards which joined Scar and Stoic outside, a female pegasus along with a large built normal stallion, both clad in gleaming golden armor. Both seemed nice enough, but she still only really trusted Scar and Stoic, the other two she was not too sure of.

The reason for all the extra security was due to what was lying upon her bed, or more precisely, who. Ebony in her normal form relaxed contentedly upon the sheets as always, but near the end of the bed was a more shy looking Minder. Finally were the two small chitin-covered foals chirping near her pillow, seeming quite excited to be in another room, and especially excited to be near Ebony.

They really seem to like her for some reason, then again she does look different to the others.

The mare in question was looking quite bemused at the nipping at one of her ears by one, the other was instead nosing under her long tattered tail, peeking out from under it. Jessica couldn't help but giggle at her friend's predicament. Slipping into bed herself she watched as Ebony got quiet, a sure sign Jessica had discovered that she was somehow communicating with the other bug-like equines.

What is she... oh.

Her question and suspicions were answered when as soon as she got comfortable her ears became the new target of tickling nibbles, giggling as she tried to protect them from their small fangs. Giving a glare towards Ebony she was met with as innocent an expression as the mare could manage. Giving a good natured sigh, she was glad when one of the foals nuzzled instead into her hair, the other finding comfort under an arm.

Somewhat content as she felt their small bodies against her, the one in her hair relaxing quickly followed by the one tucked under her arm. She smiled feeling the feeding sensation now split four ways into those upon her bed, finding it much easier than when she fed those in the cell an hour or two earlier.

Not to mention it feels, warm... nice when it's these four instead of all of them.

Minder looked surprised, regarding Jessica with curiosity before a smile given back relaxed the equine. Ebony for her part stretched and then got comfortable, a large fanged yawn given before she got ready to sleep.

I guess it is that time.

As she lay her head upon the pillow, Jessica felt the strange, but not unpleasant soft rising and falling of four bodies. The presence of Bubbles and Espa also helped in lifting her mood. Somehow she couldn't feel that this too was all planned, to hammer in exactly what she had in this world, this 'Equestria'.

I also get the feeling Ebony had a hand in this...

One blue eye regarded her, a slit pupil briefly revealed within Ebony's eye before she smiled, the expression returned earnestly. She would never forget her home, or stop trying to find a way to return... but for now, at this moment as she had been reminded...

She had things worth caring for.