Most ponies believe that there is a chance we're not alone, but the thought that there is another version of yourself is something that no one wants to believe. Well, not without the mirror pool involved.
Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Applejack all enjoy spending time with each other, and of course they enjoy a little time spent alone as well. Still, when that time spent alone is filled with the thoughts that there are other versions of yourself in a numberless amount of universes sleep and productivity doesn't always seem to be present. Thanks to Twilight they can at least find a way of talking to one another. (looking for Cover Art)
"Okay, I'm not sure how well this is going to work, but we should be able to get a response back. I'm going to go first, and if it doesn't work then no one needs to worry," Twilight said.
Rainbow, Rarity, Pinkie, Flutters, and Applejack all nodded. Twilight took a scroll and focused her spell on it. A moment later a sort of void appeared and then the scroll stretched, shot into the void and then it disappeared completely. They waited, and for nearly ten minutes noting happened. Then suddenly there was a flash of light and a different scroll fell out of the void to the ground. Twilight lifted it with her magic and looked at everyone else.
"Okay, since we're all doing this as a test I don't see any reason not to share our first letters, agreed?" she asked.
Everyone nodded. She unrolled the parchment and cleared her throat.
"Dear Twilight,
So, if I am to understand this correctly then you're a version of me in a different universe. That's interesting, and something I've been expecting. In truth I've known about the multiverse for some time. Thanks to my late husband's appearance inside of the Everfree forest I've long since known that other universes exist, and these are not just our own. There are universes where human are real, universes where ponies don't talk or speak, and even some where evil rules supreme. It's frightening, and I know it.
So the question demands to be asked what it is that you are doing contacting other worlds? Are you that naive? What if I would have been an evil version of you? If you don't have foals like I do then I'm thankful. They would obviously have a mother who doesn't stop to think about her actions. I will be glad to keep a correspondence with you, but I must demand that you practice some self-control. You're, hopefully, not a filly anymore. While there is a certain amount of thrill in seeing an experiment work there is something to be said about safety. I fear that if you just decide to go all out on this that eventually it’s going to end up quite terrible for you. I’m afraid that I’m going to have to cut this short. My foals are wanting attention, and I don’t want Spike to think that I’m leaving him to do everything… Hopefully you’ve learned not to demand that Spike does everything…
Sincerely,
Princess Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight read the letter.
“Hopefully I’m not a filly anymore?! Who does she think that she is?!” Twilight demanded.
“Ah think she sounds like a concerned mother,” Applejack replied.
Twilight looked at her and then back at the scroll. Most likely Applejack was right. This other Twilight did say that she had foals, and if she did then it would make sense that she wanted to protect them. Even if that was the case though she didn’t have a right to address her like she was a little filly anymore. She was a grown mare. She held back something she felt like saying and instead shook her head.
“So, this is what we’re doing? I mean it’s kind of cool to know there’s another me out there, but if the other me is nearly as awesome as I am then she’s not going to have a whole lot of time to be sending letters back and forth,” Rainbow Dash said.
“It’s more than just sending letters. We’re establishing communication links to an untold amount of universes out there,” Twilight said.
“What about the warning your other self said? I mean it does sound kind of dangerous to be sending information about our world to a place we know nothing about,” Fluttershy said in a small voice.
“We’re talking about alternate versions of ourselves. I don’t think that I’m dangerous,” Twilight said.
“And I wouldn’t every hurt another pony on purpose, and I just know that all of my alternate selves are the same, I Pinkie Promise!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Oh, okay then,” Fluttershy replied.
“Sugarcube, which one of us do ya want to go next?” Applejack asked.
“Applejack why don’t you go ahead and go next,” Twilight suggested.
Applejack nodded and took a quil and a piece of parchment. She quickly wrote out a short letter and handed it to Twilight. The Lavender unicorn tossed the parchment into the small swirling void that had took the first test letter and watched as it became enlongated and then disappeared completely. They waited for a few minutes until an envelope came through and flittered to the ground. Once it settled Applejack walked over to it and looked at it. She looked at the others and then at Spike who was watching the entire thing.
“Spike, Ah don’t reckon that ya’d be willin’ ta open ma letter for me would ya?” she asked.
He nodded, walked over, flipped a claw under the top flap of the envelope and tore it open. He then held the letter out to Applejack. Something fell free from it and they saw a picture of Applejack standing next to an off yellow stallion that was wearing a green vest, had an unkempt brown mane, and had half of one of his front legs that had been replaced. Next to them was two small fillies who was smiling brightly. She looked at the picture in wonder and then opened the letter.
“I guess this is howdy. Twi’ dun told me about all of this multiverse hoopla, and Ah guess that Ah otta believe in it since Jack came from a different universe. Although it’s kinda strange to be hearin’ from maself. From your letter it sounds like yer ain’t married or got a special somepony. Ah, gonna guess that the stallions in town are a might imtimated right? Either by you or Big Mac, and it don’t help that those rumors about what our family is like. Course, you haven’t had to deal with bein’ called a tail-lifter.
Trust me, that’s something yer best off not going through. It was a might hard to get through it, and it only brought all of us closer. About being friends with Rainbow Dash, we’re friends, and best friends, but we’re not a couple. Ah’m a happily married mare, and while Rainbow and I have helped each other get through our heat before we’ve never really been interested in each other like that. ‘Sides, she’s got a little ‘un with Soarin, and I don’t think that he’d take too kindly to anypony trying to take her away from him.
Ah going to have to cut this short. Gala, ma youngest, is gittin’ hungry, and Jack can’t cook at all. He tried to boil water once and set it on fire. Ah still don’t know how he did that, but he did. I might see if Twi can explain it ta me. Speaking of which Twi has been saying that Ah’m saying too much. Ah suppose Ah could be, but Ah know that we Apples look out fer each other.
Write me again, and I’ll give ya some updates on how ma fillies are doin’,
Applejack,” Applejack said as she finished the letter.
"Wait, wait just a minute! How could I have a foal?!” Dash shouted.
“Sugarcube, if’n you don’t know how that works then there’s a few things that you aught ‘ta consider learnin’ ‘bout,” Applejack said.
“I know how it works, but I don’t know how I ended up having a foal. I’m not the mothering type! I like danger, and being the best, not… changing diapers,” she said.
“Awww, I think that you’d be a great mom Dashie! I mean you’ve done so good with Scootaloo, and you actually help take care of her. It’s not just giving her pointers or something, but you really take care of her! I could see you doing that for a foal of your own!” Pinkie excited replied.
“Rainbow, darling, Pinkie is right. You would be a wonderful mother, but it does bring the question of what your relationship with Soarin is in this other universe. Applejack’s other self didn’t mention a word about you being married to him, perhaps your engaged, but if that’s the case then what is being said about your foal?” Rarity asked.
“No one would be saying about any foal of mine,” Rainbow stated.
“I don’t know, I mean Rarity does ask a good question Dash. From what I could tell from what the other Applejack said this other universe is a bit more… strict about certain things. She was called a tail-lifter and that’s a term that hasn’t been used in nearly eighty years here,” Twilight said.
“Ah still wonder why they called her that,” Applejack commented.
“Maybe that other you and her stallion were together, but not married… I mean if you don’t mind my saying,” Fluttershy mentioned.
“That would make sense. If this other universe is a little stricter in that regard then they would value marriage. If you and Jack, that’s a weird name, had been together and not married when you got pregnant I could see it causing a conflict,” Twilight said.
“Yeah, but she said it brought all of them closer together, which means that even in that world I had your back,” Rainbow Dash said as she grinned.
“And Ah’m sure that the other me was thankful. Twi, why don’t ya let Rainbow go next? It might do her some good to hear from her other self,” Applejack suggested.
(Parallel Reality Universe Number AWIE-03022014)
Applejack looked at Jack as he played with Ambrosia as she walked into Twilight’s kitchen and started making some lunch for all of them. She didn’t mind, and after all since Twilight had basically came and teleported all of them to the library, right in the middle of work no less, and explained what was going on it was pretty much decided that everyone would stick around while this alternate version of her sent through the first set of letters.
She heard a gasp and walked out to see Rainbow Dash looking at a letter and her eyes getting wide.
“What did it say Sugarcube?” she asked.
“So, I guess that you’re the other me huh? What happened? Did cha get bored with being awesome and decided to settle down? I guess that Soarin is kinda alright and everything, but what made him the choice? I mean did we rut him or something and get pregnant? Seriously, what happened? I know I want to be in the Wonderbolts one day, but this wasn’t an attempt right? Right? I mean I know I’m better than that, and if I am then you’ve got to be.
Twilight’s telling me that I shouldn’t be saying something like that, but this is me that I’m talking to, and we both know that I’m a pretty direct mare. Speaking of which how exactly did you hook up with Soarin? Was it him that came on to you, or did you just tell him that you wanted to date him? ‘Cause I think I would have wanted to be the one to tell him that I wanted to date him instead of waiting on him to ask me. What’s with the tail-lifter thing over there? If that was still a thing here… Wow… I wouldn’t be a happy mare at all. It’s not like I sleep with anything or anypony, but I like to have options.
Are you married to Soarin? If you married him then answer a couple questions for me. Is that really all him, or does he stuff his suit? Also, what kind of lover is he? I kind of expect that he’s sort of just in it for him. I mean he’s a nice colt and all, but he’s always seemed a little full of himself. It’s just something I’m wondering. While I’m wondering what’s this with you and Applejack helping each other out while you’re in heat? I thought, from what AJ said in her letter, that the Equestria you’re in kind of frowns on that sort of thing! Was she any good? Oh… wow… I’m getting a serious death glare from my Equestria’s AJ… Maybe I should have not wrote this in the open… Oh well too late now, so really was she any good?
Look, I hope that I’m not busting your chops too much, but I want to know about this… And what’s the deal with being a mom?! I’m not mom material! I’m not even close!
Rainbow Dash,” Rainbow Dash read and then looked at Soarin.
He sat looking shocked. He then looked at her and then down at his crotch.
“You don’t stuff, that’s all natural,” she said before she grabbed a quill and started to get work on a response.
“Well, that version of you is certainly direct,” Twilight said.
(Parallel Reality Universe Number MFME – 04132014)
Another scroll shot through the void and fell to the ground. Twilight neared it and noticed that it was addressed to her. She lifted it with her magic and opened it.
“I KNEW IT! I KNEW THERE WAS MORE THAN ONE UNIVERSE! Okay… Maybe I didn’t know it first, but that doesn’t mean that I’m going to fucking appoligise to Jappleack. She can just kiss the darkest part of my lavender ass. So, you’re the other me huh? What kind of magic are you studying? Have you tried mixing science and magic yet? It’s so much fun… Stay away from making robotic versions of Rainbow Dash though. Trust me, it doesn’t work. I’ve been working with the Necronomicon for a little while.
By the way, if you want to practice with it you’re going to have to go find Sombra… and he’s gonna want something in return. Trust me when I say this. Bend over, relax, like really, really relax and just go with it. Once he’s finished he’ll give you the book. More than likely… right Spike? What the fuck do you mean that you knocked him out with a frying pan and stole it?! Then why did I do that for if we could have… You put that on the internet?! SPIKE!!!! Oh fuck I kept writing with my magic… Shit… This isn’t magic erasing ink either. Okay, just forget about that okay? It’s a bad idea and you won’t be able to sit for a week afterward,”
Twilight said before she looked around at everypony else and shook her head.
(Parallel Reality Universe Number MFME – 04132014)
Twilight shook her head trying to forget what one version of her had said. The thought that she would even consider doing something like that, with Sombra, for a piece of knowledge made her feel sick. She tried to push it away from her head. Obviously not all versions of her had the same moral objections to doing some of the things she wouldn’t do. Maybe that’s what the version of her had meant. It would make sense since she said that she was a…
“Wait a minute!” Twilight exclaimed as she brought up the first letter she received.
“What is it darling?” Rarity asked.
“I’m a… I’m a… a princess? I’m a Princess!” she shouted.
Rarity trotted over to her and read the signature on the bottom of the page. Her eyes lit up as she realized the implications with that. It meant that her other self was personal friends with royalty! She pranced around happily and then looked at Twilight.
“This is amazing! Oh, I must know if the other me has designed anything specific for you! Twilight, darling, you don’t mind if I go next do you?” she asked batting her eyelashes.
“No, that would be fine,” Twilight said.
Rarity sat down and began writing her letter. She worked feverishly, but it wasn’t just on asking questions about making clothes for Twilight. There was a few other things too. Did she find a special somepony? Did she have any foals? What was her special somepony like? She finished and tossed the letter into the void and watched as it stretched and then disappeared. None of them realized something very important about their letters. Twilight did in fact connect with her alternate Princess self’s universe first, but the connection had spread out.
It was no longer a direct line to one universe, instead it took the letter, which was meant to be delivered to one universe, and made duplicates and sent them all of the universes. There was so many, more than there would ever be stars in the sky, and the magic that connected them all was now self-sustaining.
(Parallel Reality Universe Number Breatht – 11082012)
The Golden Oaks Library had seen quite a bit in the last few years. One of the individuals that revealed their story to the library, via Twilight, was sitting next to a white unicorn who was reading a piece of parchment that came through a void that appeared in the wall. It was the most recent of what was at least half a dozen letters. After reading some of the letters Twilight had come to understand that an alternate version of herself had created a small tube, for lack of a better word, that connected all of the adjoining parallel universes. Applejack had looked at the picture of her, the unknown stallion and what had to be her two fillies. Her eyes got a little misty before she nodded and trotted over to a seat with the picture.
“Well, what does yours say Rare?” Rainbow Dash asked.
She felt a strong arm wrap around her barrel and she scooted closer to the owner of the arm. She leaned her head on his shoulder and looked up at him. There was a small smile on his face. A real one. Near them their adopted son, the young Pegasus he had saved, Blue Skies was playing a board game with Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Spike, who were both sitting extremely close together. She felt his hand touch her swollen stomach. There was no doubt in her mind that she was going to love the being that came from him, from both of them. She let out a contented sigh and then looked up at Rainbow Dash.
“I shall read it, if you would be so kind as to give me a moment,” she said as she got a little more comfortable.
“Hello Darling! From what I understand you are now close personal friends to Royalty! You must tell me what dresses you’ve made for dear Twilight. I can only imagine that it is ravishing to behold! After all I know that I’m nothing if not an artist. I hate to pry, after all we both know how lady like I am, but have you found a special somepony yet? If so what is he like? I’ve always imagined that he would be a strong stallion. Perhaps he is a knight in shining armor that has come to sweep me off of my hooves.
You simply must tell me what he looks like, what he acts like, and where did you meet him? Hopefully he’s not like that horror of a stallion Blueblood. I still can’t believe what I went through that night. I dare say that was one of the more humiliating moments of my life. Thankfully it never escalated beyond a simple infatuation with him. Thank you so much for taking time to listen to read this, and to answer me back darling. Oh, do I, or you, or we… I’m sorry, do you have any foals? I would love to know about them if I do.
Thank you Darling,
Rarity” she read.
“I wonder if she has the same problem with Blue Blood’s friends?” John asked.
Rarity looked up at him, motioned for him to come closer, and caught him in a kiss. She then smiled, obviously pleased with herself, before she looked back at the letter.
“It’s obvious that she had to deal with that unsavory spoiled colt Blue Blood, but it would appear that she hasn’t had the opportunity to deal with either of his friends,” she replied.
“Would it be wrong to warn her about them?” John asked.
“We don’t know what they’re like in that world though. It’s safe to guess that they are similar, but as that one letter from that one version of me proved we’re obviously not all the same,” Twilight said.
“Perhaps, but I don’t know if I should completely warn her away. Even if I had somehow been able to warn myself about his friends I’m not sure I would have listened,” Rarity replied.
“Are you saying it worked out for the best?” John asked.
“Well, yes actually. Look at where I am, where we are. Twilight, do you mind I reply to her?” she asked.
Twilight shook her head and a moment later Rarity lifted a quill, a piece of parchment, and an ink well. Within seconds she began to write, in perhaps the most beautiful calligraphy that John had only seen her use. She seemed to ponder what to write, wrote a few words, and would ponder a little more. Finally she seemed to have written a well thought out response and rolled it up. She levitated it over to the void and watched as it stretched, drifted in, and disappeared.
(Parallel Reality Universe Number MFME – 04132014)
A letter reappeared and a moment later Rarity opened it. She looked at it expectantly.
“My Dearest Rarity,
It does seem quite odd to phase it like that. After all, we are the same mare. Perhaps different thoughts, and choices have happened, but regardless I would dare say we are the same mare that we’ve always known and tried to be. To answer your first question about being close personal friends with Royalty I’m afraid that I don’t quite understand. I know that I am on speaking terms with Princesses Celestia, Luna, and even Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say I am a close personal friend. I would consider myself a friend, and I cherish their friendship; however, I would be lying if I didn’t say that I cherish my friendship with my friends here in Ponyville more.
Now, has for my special somepony. Yes, I have found him, and he is a rather dashing gentlesta… gentleman. I do have to remind myself quite often that he is not a stallion, but rather a man, a human. He’s perhaps one of the bravest beings I’ve come to know, but it does not mean that he is not without his faults. Still, love, sweet love, does make one overlook some of those faults. I love him, dearly, and I fear each time he is called away to Canterlot because of his duties with the Royal Guard. There are times when he returns that he nearly closes himself off from everypony else. It is those times that I do everything in my power to comfort him. Now, foals. We have an adopted son, and I am expecting. Our son is quite happy to know that he will be having a baby brother or sister. It makes me feel quite glad that he is so looking forward to it, and Sweetie Belle is excited as well. She has expressed that she wants to help look after our newborn foal.
Rarity, there are other things I believe I should say to you, but I know myself. I know my choices have lead me to being the mare I am, and I want you to become the mare you need to be. I don’t know if my… my husband will exist in your world. I truly don’t, but I know that regardless if he does or doesn’t it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t because you are far stronger than you let on. You have dragged yourself up, time and time again, and I know that you will continue to do so. Live a good life, and consider a different stance on the stallions you wish to date.
(Parallel Reality Universe Number MFME – 04132014)
Twilight looked over the newest letter from the first version of Twilight she had gotten a letter from. It seemed that this other version of herself had discovered the same thing she had, and again she had been warned that she should have thought better about this. The other Twilight had practically scolded her about using a spell she wasn't completely sure of, and then warned her about the possiblities of upsetting the balance of the universes. She had read over it twice and decided that this version of her sounded far too much like a cross between her mother, and Princess Celestia. She secretly prayed that she wouldn't end up like her mother. She loved her mom, and she thought that she was a wonderful mare, but she could be so authoritarian at times. She looked up when a series of knocks came on the door. She walked toward it and found Ditzy Doo standing next to Time Turner. She backed up as the two of them came in and Time Turner looked at the void in her wall.
"That's an open wound in fabric of space and time. Do you know what this means?" he asked.
She looked at him like he had sprouted two heads and shook her own.
"How do you know about that?" she asked.
"Because he's the doctor!" Ditzy chirped happily.
"Doctor, I.. I thought you fixed watches or something. I mean your cutie mark is an hourglass, so it would make sense that you worked with something that dealt with time," Twilight replied.
"Time travel, and I'm still trying to see what exactly what it is that you think you're doing here. Because this could be very, very bad," he replied.
"You sound like that other version of me. Look, it's just a small portal that allows us to communication to the other universes. I don't see the harm in it," she said.
"What if you knew that the small tears you've linked together have the potential to break apart. That if something larger than a letter gets sent through it could cause the Universes linked, in this case I'm going to assume all of them, to collapse. Does that sound like it could be some harm?" he asked.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Are you serious?" she asked.
"Doctor, do you think that there might be another version of yourself out there? One that might be able to help?" Ditzy asked.
He nodded and looked at Twilight who quickly levitated a quill, piece of parchment, and an ink well to him. A few moments later he wrote out a short letter and sent it through. He waited for a little bit before another letter came shooting out.
He looked at it, lifted it up and smiled.
"What does it say?" Ditzy asked.
"Dear me,
Fancy that, I'm talking to myself and it's not the normal kind. Interesting being a pony isn't it? I mean after all I know I was more used to being somewhat human before. I'm going to assume that Ditzy is there with you. If she is then tell her hello for me. So, a connection between universes. I just happened to be visiting Twilight with Ditzy when this hole appeared. At first I wasn't sure what it was, but then I remembered our little adventure in that alternate universe. You remember that, right? It was a spot of fun, but I agree with you. This could be bad. This could lead to some serious problems if someone decides to send something larger through. Unfortunately I don't think we can just shut it down. This Twilight has informed me that she thinks it would take a concentrated effort of every version of herself, and perhaps an extra alicorn to do it. Although I fit the description of an Alicorn, something my very last regeneration did for me, I don't really have much skill in the entire magic department.
These portals, voids, or whatever she calls them are gaping wounds. They're being forced opened, and they won't heal on their own. The only thing we can do for certain is warn every universe not to send anyone through. Hopefully they will listen. Oh, before I forget I may mention that whatever you feel toward Ditzy, trust it. Don't ignore it, and know that you can trust her completely. The Tardis already has. She gave to Ditzy what Rose took from her. She did it so that Ditzy could save me, us, however you want to look at it.
I'm sure there are other versions of myself in the other universes, and I'm sure that they will agree with this.
Sincerely,
The Doctor," he read.
"He... You, me..." Ditzy said before she made an excited squeak.