Mac, Lyra and Rhapsody come face to face with their human counterparts.
Rhapsody's learning magic now. And when she bungles a spell, she ends up sending herself and her parents to someplace familiar: Sweet Apple Acres, under the management of a Mr. James Macintosh Smith. Can they find a way home?
Big Macintosh breathed a sigh of relief as he set the cart down behind him.
“Alright boys, I want all of that in the store room, double time.” Berry Punch ordered her assistants. Two earth ponies quickly set upon the cart, unloading the barrels.
“That’s all the cider?” Berry turned her attention back to the stallion.
“Eeyup.”
“I think I owed you a bit from last time, so…” Berry pulled out a small bag filled with bits, “This oughta cover it. Let Bloom know she still have to pay me back for what happened at her bachelorette party.”
“Will do.” Big Macintosh tucked the bag into his saddlebags before continuing into town.
---
“Excellent work today, Rome.” Lyra beamed as the filly began to put her instrument away.
“Thank you Mrs. Lyra.”
“Remember, no lessons next week, but keep practicing.” Lyra waved as the filly trotted off. The unicorn looked up at the clock and sighed.
“Time to go get Rhapsody.” Lyra looked behind her, “Aulos, do you mind closing up today? I need to pick up my daughter.”
An older pegasus mare stuck her head out of another room and nodded.
“Go right ahead, dearie, I’m still with a student.”
“Thanks.”
Lyra quickly packed up her scattered belongings and shoved them into her saddle. With a final scan of the room, she locked her door and left. Lyra trotted down the street, passing the bakery, quill and sofa shop and paused in her tracks: Big Macintosh stared back at her, confused.
“I thought you had delivers to make today.” She asked her husband.
“Dropped’m off already. Thought you still had lessons.”
“Twinkleshine called in saying Candy Crush has the feather flu, so she had to cancel today,” Lyra responded, “so I finished early and Aulos said she’d close up today.”
“…You don’t think she’d be too embarrassed if both of us pick her up, would she?” Big Macintosh asked.
“Only if we do something that would embarrass her.”
---
Rhapsody was not having a good day.
First, she forgot her math homework. Second, she had dropped her lunch in the mud, and ended up sharing lunch with Slide Rule. And Mrs. Cheerilee always packed weird, healthy things for her. Today was something she called Daylily cakes with nutroast and partially sprouted alfalfa. Mrs. Cheerilee called it healthy, and Slide Rule said it tasted good.
Rhapsody just called it gross.
Fortunately Flash and Gem were nice enough to give her some of their Princess Luna Brand Moon Pies and Cucumber sandwiches.
After lunch, everyone grouped up by type so they could practice. That meant Gem and Flash went with Aunty Scootaloo for flight practice, Popper and Slide Rule went off to do whatever Earth ponies did, and she would get stuck with Tomahawk and Miss Pumpkin Cake for magic practice.
Today they were suppose to practice levitating things, but Rhapsody had had a lot of experience doing that. When the trees in the orchard were ripe, dad went out to kick the apples down. Usually Aunty Applejack and Aunty Applebloom helped him, but sometimes Uncle Rumble, mom and herself had to go out and help. If mom went out, she used her magic to yank all the apples off the tree and put them in the buckets. Rhapsody couldn’t do that much yet, but she could manage one or two at a time. Rhapsody did learn a bit about teleportation, but Miss Pumpkin Cake said she was going to hold off on that until they were older and better at it.
However, today’s practice was with mugs of hot water and pouring it into cups without losing focus. Unfortunately, Rhapsody had sneezed while levitating her mug, and accidently splashed it on Tomahawk and Sunbeam.
Class had ended with water everywhere and the entire group put into time out.
The filly glanced over at Tomahawk who had fallen asleep on his desk, drool running down the side of his face. Next to him, Sunbeam continued to fold paper into…something, she couldn’t see what. Rhapsody looked the other way, out the window and froze. Miss Pumpkin Cake outside talking to her parents, no doubt about what had happened today. Rhapsody groaned and thunked her head against the desk
“…I don’t blame her for starting it. That was an accident But, I do blame her for going along with the others and making it bigger.” Pumpkin finished.
“Why were you using hot water?” Lyra asked.
“That’s how Princess Twilight and Rarity taught us,” Pumpkin Cake shrugged, “Anyway, she’s free to go.”
Pumpkin Cake went back into the classroom and pushed open the door. Tomahawk woke up with a start and fell out of his chair.
“Rhapsody, I’ve spoken to your parents about today’s…incident. I’m sure they’ll have something to say about it, so you may go home.”
Rhapsody muttered her goodbyes as she got up and slung her schoolbag over her side. Trotting outside, the filly paused in front of her parents, not looking up from the ground.
“Come on, Rhapsody. We can talk on the way home.” The three began the walk back to the farm.
“Pumpkin Cake says you got into a bit of a tussle today,” Big Macintosh stated. Rhapsody muttered something unintelligible in response. “Gonna have to speak up, Rhapsody.”
“It was an accident,” Rhapsody repeated, “I couldn’t stop from sneezing.”
“Ain’t talkin’ about that,” Mac chuckled.
“Wasn’t. Wasn’t talking about that,” Lyra corrected, “I don’t mind if you talk like that, but I want Rhapsody to-”
“To talk like a proper mare, is that what you were going to say?” Big Macintosh interrupted. While his accent remained, all traces of the rough manner and improper grammar had vanished. The two mare stopped and stared at him as he continued on, “Mother and father also insisted that I learn how to speak like a proper stallion in the event that I would need to-”
“Just stop.” Lyra interrupted, “don’t do that again, it’s creepy.”
“Eeyup.” Rhapsody nodded.
“Like I was sayin’ then,” Big Macintosh’s drawl returned, “I wasn’t talkin’ about spillin’ it, I was talkin’ about how you started tusslin’ with Tomahawk and Sunbeam.”
“…He started it,” Rhapsody grumbled.
“Don’t matter, it takes two t’ tango.”
“What’s a tango?” Rhapsody looked at Lyra.
“It’s an expression, sweetie. It means something like it take two people to fight and complicate something.”
“Oh.”
“Like I was sayin’ you shouldn’t have gotten involved. What did throwin’ water on them get you?”
“…Held back after school.”
“Exactly.” Big Macintosh nodded.
“…Miss Pumpkin Cake said she’s gonna teach us ta teleport next week.”
Big Macintosh and Lyra stopped dead in their tracks and looked down at her. “She’s teaching you to what?”
“Teleport. She let me practice a little bit with small stuff.” Rhapsody responded.
Mac turned to Lyra, “How dangerous is that?”
“Lemme put it this way, There’s three ponies that I know of who can do it. All three of them are princesses.” Lyra frowned, “We weren’t taught at Canterlot because of how dangerous it was.”
“What, like ponies getting’ stuck in walls and things?”
“And worse,” Lyra shivered, “Never saw it myself, it was banned long before I was in Magic Kindergarten, but my teacher had stories…”
“And they taught Twilight anyway.” Mac stated.
“Careful practice and study, you know how Twilight is. That said, her mother was pissed when she found out.” Lyra chuckled, “I think that was the first time I ever saw the Princess admit she was wrong.”
“See?” Rhapsody beamed, her horn glowing, “I can do it.”
“NO!”
Lyra and Big Macintosh lunged, grabbing Rhapsody. The filly’s magical aura quickly engulfed the three and in a blink they vanished. ---
Energy crackled in the air as Rhapsody reappeared in the middle of an apple orchard. The excited filly bounced up and down at her success.
“See? I can do it, I ca…” Rhapsody trailed off as she turned around to find no one there, “uh-oh.”
---
Lyra landed in something soft. Opening her eyes the mare found her in the middle of a massive mud puddle.
“…Wonderful.”
The mare yanked herself up with a squelch, and dragged herself out of the puddle, onto solid ground. Above her the branches of a tree rustled.
“Lyra?” Big Macintosh’s voice called out from above her, “You alright?”
The mare looked up to see her husband clinging to the tree branch for dear life.
“I’m fine,” Lyra sighed in relief, “hold on, I’ll get you down in a bit.”
Lyra concentrated on her horn, only for nothing to happen. The mare glanced up at her horn, frowning.
“Hold on…”
She tried again, her face scrunched up from the concentration. After several moments she broke her concentration, shaking her head.
“Mac, I don’t know what’s wrong, but my magic isn’t w-”
The branch snapped under Mac’s weight. The stallion let out a terrified yell as he plummeted to the ground and thudded on the ground. Lyra rushed over to him.
“Mac! You alright?”
“I’m fine,” he grumbled as he got back onto his hooves, “Been through worse. What were you sayin’?”
“My magic isn’t working. I don’t know why, it just is.” Lyra shook her head, “Where are we?”
The two looked around at their surroundings: thick vegetation, mud, and the sound of animal life.
“Looks like the Everfree.” Lyra noted.
“You haven’t seen Rhapsody have you?” Mac asked.
“…No. You don’t think she’s lost here do you?”
“I’m hopin’ she is.” Big Macintosh paused, “I know you said you didn’t learn how, but did they talk ‘bout the basics of teleportation?”
“Theory? Yes,” Lyra paused, “It’s limited to places you are familiar with, so it’s unlikely that she ended up in…I don’t know, the Griffon Empire or Las Pegasus.”
“What about Canterlot or Appleloosa?”
“…Not likely, she was pretty young when she went, so she wouldn’t remember.” Lyra paused, “So I think it’s limited to here, the farm, or somewhere in town. If she ended up on the farm it’s not a problem. She ends up at school, the library or anyone’s house, she’ll be fine. It’s here that’s the problem.” She grumbled, looking around.
“…Well, this ain’t gonna be any fun.” Big Macintosh shook his head, “what was Pumpkin thinking?”
“She learned from Twilight. Probably thought everypony did it.”
“…You think Tomahawk knows how to teleport?”
“I hope not,” Lyra shook her head.
---
Rhapsody’s day had gotten worse. The filly continued down the well worn trails within the orchard, looking around as she walked. Everything seemed bigger: the trees, the apples, the fence, even the road. Looking at the road again she noticed that it was strange: two paths made from gravel and stones ran down the path, with grassy tuffs on the side and in the middle of the two paths.
To make matters worse, her magic wasn’t working. Rhapsody remembered that Pumpkin Cake and Aunty Trixie had mentioned that if they used too much all at once, it meant they would end up temporarily unable to cast any spells. Rhapsody had figured that she had ended up teleporting herself, her mom and dad to the farm, and that ended up draining her magic reserves.
Although she wasn’t sure where mom and dad had ended up. Rhapsody was not looking forward to finding them. No doubt it would involve lectures and some kind of punishment.
Rhapsody had been so caught up in her thoughts that she walked into something. Stumbling back the filly looked up, expecting that she had walked into a tree, fence post or something else.
She was wrong.
The filly froze in terror at the monstrosity in front of her.
The beast dwarfed her, it might have even dwarfed dad she thought. It stood on its hind legs, which were covered in some strange blue cloth, with something white and black over it’s hooves. It’s large, barrel like torso was covered in a strange white cloth with a strange pattern on it, and two strangely shaped limbs jutted out from the side of its body, much like a minotaur. Its head was bare, save a strange tuff of greenish fur on the top of it’s head. The beast’s eyes were beady looking compared to her own; a strange knob of flesh was located between the eyes and what Rhapsody thought was its mouth: a thin slit surrounded by pinkish flesh. Two strange and pointed pieces of flesh jutted out on each side of its head.
Then, to Rhapsody’s horror, it’s mouth open and it spoke.
It started early: Her mother had made waffles that morning. Unfortunately, they weren’t the home-made apple waffles that dad and Great-Granny Anna would make some time, just the frozen kind.
But waffles were waffles and Rachael loved waffles. Mom was distracted over something, so she was able to douse them in maple syrup. Dad still saw her though.
“…You sure you got enough waffles to go with th’ syrup?” he had jokingly asked.
“James, you’re suppose to keep an eye on her,” Mom scolded him, “Rachael, that’s too much, put some of it on your father’s.”
Even though mom had said that, as soon as she turned her back, dad shook his head, “Eat up. You’re gonna be late.”
School went the way it usually did. Mrs. Baker-Lee went over all the homework. As usually Sylvia got it all right, Hawk forgot to do it, Liliana fell asleep in class, Petey forgot how to do it, and Brad just sat in the back.
Lunch was leftover fried chicken, corn bread and two apples. Grandma Annie made the cornbread, so it was even better.
“How can you eat the same thing every day?” Sylvia had asked while they watched Liliana and Hawk try to hit one another with the teeterball.
“I like apples.” She had responded, while taking a bite out of one.
“Yeah, but…” Sylvia trailed off as Liliana smashed the teeterball into Hawk’s face.
“HAH!” the other girl stuck her tongue out. Hawk rubbed his nose and ran his tongue across his teeth.
“You knocked my tooth out!” Hawk yelled back, an obvious gap between his front teeth.
“Serves you right, gap-tooth.” Liliana grinned back, revealing her own missing teeth.
“Look who’s talking, Cave-mouth.” Hawk countered.
Liliana frowned and flung herself at Hawk, and began wrestling with him. Sylvia and Rachael watched as the two continued to fight.
“Am I getting my mom, or are you?” Sylvia asked.
“Not me,” Rachael took another bite of her apple, “M’m sthll eatin’.”
The other girl rolled her eyes and ran off. “Mooom! Lili and Hawk are fighting again!”
---
The rest of the day went by quickly. Math, science, history and art whizzed by, without any major distractions or problems. School ended, and Lilianna and Hawk had to stay behind for detention, so the rest of them decided to go to Sugarcube Corner for a snack. Miss Mina was supposed to be working, but she always took the time out to talk with the kids.
“…So if they fight all the time, why do they keep hanging around each other?” she had asked as she took her seat between Rachael and Brad. The three of them paused while Petey continued to eat his ice cream.
“…I dunno.” Rachael shrugged.
“I think Hawk just wants to prove he’s better than her, but she’s too stubborn to give up, therefore they keep going at it,” Brad responded.
“…Maybe.” Miss Mina shrugged, “Sometimes people like to pick on each other because they like each other.”
“…How does that work?” Sylvia asked.
“Oh, it’s simple,” Miss Mina chuckled, “Sometimes, when a boy and a girl like each other, they want to keep the other’s attention on themselves. So then they like to pick on each other, tease each other and sometimes they take it a little too far and end up in fights.”
“…So what you’re saying is that people that pick on each other really like each other.” Sylvia paused.
“Yes.”
“Does this mean that you like Umberto?” Petey asked, looking up from the empty ice cream bowl. The color drained from Mina’s face as she struggled to answer.
“Well…” The older girl trailed off as an older, plump woman with pink hair exited the kitchen, carrying a tray of baked goods.
“Wilhelmina, go help Balthazar with the cake. It’s the one that the Reynolds ordered for their anniversary.”
“Can’t he do it himself?” Mina rolled her eyes.
“His arm is still broken, and I don’t want him to drop it.”
Mina sighed and stood back up, “Alright then, kiddies, I have to go back to work.”
“I gotta go too,” Rachael pushed away from the table and grabbed her bag, “Pa wants me to do stuff on the farm for him.”
---
“Alright then, it’s an easy job for you,” Her father scratched behind his head, “Jus’ need ya t’ check th’ orchard signs t’ see which ones need a new coat’o paint.”
“Kay.”
Rachael spun around and began to skip down the path.
“An’ don’t take too long,” James called after her, “Yer mother’s makin’ goulash t’night.”
“Kay!”
Rachael continued down the pathway, checking the signs on the way. She paused at one of the signs, one that informed people that it was orchid 33, looking over the faded and chipped paint.
“I better tell Pa ‘bout it.” she muttered to herself.
Before she could start up again, she felt something bump into her leg. It wasn’t strong enough to knock her over, but it brought the girl’s attention back to earth. Looking down, Rachael’s eyes widened in surprise: a small, red furred animal that looked an awful lot like a pony sat there rubbing it’s head with a hoof before looking up. The pony-creature froze in terror as it stared at her.
Finally, Rachael broke the silence.
“Oh my gosh, it’s a pony!”
The sound of her voice shocked the pony back into action as it scrambled backwards away from her.
“No! Don’t go!” Rachael squeaked, throwing up a hand. The pony winced, but stayed where it was.
“I ain’t gonna hurt ya,” Rachael crouched down onto her knees and held out a hand. The pony cautiously continued to watch her, unmoving.
“…Ya hungry?” Rachael looked up at one of the trees and the ripe, red apples hanging on one of the lower branches. She furrowed her brow in concentration and several of the apples were engulfed in light red aura. With a flick of her wrist, the apples popped off the tree and floated down to her. Using her pointer finger to direct it, one of the apples floated over to the pony. The pony looked down at the apple and back up at Rachael as she took a bite of another apple.
“S’good.” Rachael informed her through a mouthful of apple. The pony sniffed the apple, and then took a bite of it.
Not bad, Rhapsody thought to herself, not as good as the ones we got..
Rachael finished off her apple as Rhapsody continued to eat hers.
“How did you get here?” Rachael frowned, “Aunty Jackie didn’t say anything about a pony runnin’ around, and we don’t have any baby ponies here either.”
Rhapsody continued to chew her apple as Rachael got back to her feet, “I guess I should take ya to Pa.”
The pony froze up in midchew as Rachael’s aura surrounded her. The filly struggled against the magic bubble, as it floated over to the girl. As soon as Rhapsody was in Rachael’s arms, the bubble vanished, leaving the struggling filly in her hands.
“Don’t kick so much, he ain’t gonna hurt ya.”
---
Lyra placed the heavy pot onto the dining room table and looked over the spread: cornbread, greens, beets, salad, and a few large glasses of milk.
“That ought to be enough for him.”
The door slammed open and the clunk of small boots on the wooden floor echoed into the house.
“Rachael, close the door when you come in.”
“Kay.”
Lyra winced as the door slammed shut.
“Without slamming it.”
“Sorry.” Her daughter’s voice came from the doorway to the kitchen.
“Did you wash your hands?” Lyra asked as she began to clean the dishes in the sink.
“Not yet, I gotta show Pa something.”
“Something you made at school?”
“Nuh-uh.”
Lyra looked down at her daughter. Her eyes widened in shock as Rachael held up the terrified Rhapsody.
“I found a pony in th’ orchard!” she beamed, “Can I keep her?”
“…Sweetie, are you sure that’s a pony?” Lyra nervously smiled at the terrified creature.
“It looks like a pony, so it’s gotta be one.”
“You…you said you found it in the orchard?”
“Uh-huh.”
“…So it’s dirty?” Lyra’s smile vanished.
“I dunno.”
“If it’s been wandering around outside it’s probably filthy. You’re going to take a bath first.”
“Can I keep her?”
“Absolutely not, young lady.” Lyra shook her head, “It’s a wild animal, and it could be diseased.”
“It ain’t sick,” Rachael pulled Rhapsody closer to her, “See?”
“The answer is still no.”
“I’m gonna ask Pa.” Rachael pouted. She spun around and began to head deeper into the house.
“Oh no you’re not.” Lyra snapped her fingers. A large shimmering golden bubble engulfed Rachael and Rhapsody, stopping the two in their tracks.
“I’m not going to let you trample all over the house, carrying that dirty animal.”
“But Ma!” Rachael pleaded.
“‘But Ma’ nothing.” Lyra responded, “That’s fi-”
“What’s goin’ on here?” Rachael’s father boomed as he entered. He paused looking at the scene, going from Lyra, to his daughter to the small, shivering animal in her arms.
“Your daughter brought some animal home and wants to keep it.” Lyra responded.
“What, a dog or a cat?”
“It’s a pony!” Rachael responded.
“…Where did you find it?” her father asked.
“In th’ orchard. By the thirty-third one.”
“Pass’r here.” Her father held out his hands.
“James, you can’t be serious.” Lyra stared at him in disbelief.
“I want to take a look.”
Lyra rolled her eyes, and released the bubble. Rachael ran over and held Rhapsody up for her father to see. He took her into his hands looking over the terrified filly.
“…Looks like a pony. Did she bite you?”
“Nope.”
“Well, go take a bath. I’ll take care of her.”
“Can I keep her?” Rachael repeated.
“We’ll see.”
Lyra watched her daughter run up the stairs towards the bathroom, before turning to her husband.
“‘We’ll see’? James, you can’t be serious.”
“It’s probably someone’s pet,” He replied, as he stroked Rhapsody’s mane, “Easy there lil’ one, no one’s gonna hurt ya.”
“It’s filthy.” She wrinkled her nose.
“It’s been outside, of course it is.”
“You don’t know if it has any diseases.” Lyra continued on.
“I’m takin’ her to Doc Goodall t’morrow.” James replied.
“On such short notice?”
“She does walk-in’s on Saturday. ‘Sides, she has a couple’a missin’ animal notices. I can see if she’s got anything ‘bout a pony.”
“And if it isn’t someone’s pet?” Lyra continued on, “Then what?”
“Well, we were talkin’ ‘bout getting’ her a dog or a cat.” James shrugged, “If this lil’ fella’s healthy and she ain’t a missin’ pet, I don’t see why not.”
“‘If’. That’s the important bit.”
“Eeyup.”
“Where do you plan on leaving it for the night?” Lyra changed the subject, “I’m not letting you keep that inside the house.”
“I think we got Winona’s ol’ carryin’ case in th’ garage. Get a coupl’a ol’ towels, maybe an ol’ blanket and let her sleep in the garage.”
“You don’t even know if she’s housebroken.” Lyra wrinkled her nose.
“We got plenty of newspapers for a reason,” James chuckled, “You go take care of Rachael, and I’ll get this little one settled in.”
The big man carried Rhapsody through the kitchen and into another pitchblack room. With the flick of a switch, lights popped on, illuminating the garage and massive, strange machines stared back at Rhapsody. James placed the foal down as he walked over and yanked out a large, plastic box-like object.
“Here it is. Bit dusty, but can’t help it.” James placed it on the ground and yanked a few old, stained towels off a shelf, stuffing them into the cage. He then pulled an old dog collar and length of cord off the shelf as well and walked back over to Rhapsody.
“Sorry, can’t have you sneakin’ around and makin’ a mess.” He apologized as he fastened the collar around her neck and tied one end of the cord to the collar and the other end to the leg heavy-looking shelf. He dragged the plastic carrying case over to the shelf.
“That’s where you sleep,” he pointed to the box and towels. He vanished back into the house leaving the filly alone for several moments. Rhapsody tugged at the cord and collar, and tried to chew on it, seeing if she could break it. James returned carrying a handful of newspapers; he caught Rhapsody still gnawing on the rope.
“Don’t do that, lil’ one. You’re probably wear out your teeth before you break it.” James quickly began to spread the newspaper out over one spot near the plastic box. “This is where you can do your business,” he motioned towards the newspaper covered spot, before pausing, “although I don’t think you can understand what I’m sayin’.”
Finishing his task, he went back to the door.
“Give me a little bit, I’ll get you some food and water. I reckon hay will be alright, might see if we got any vegetables we can spare for you,” James paused at the light switch, “…I guess I oughta leave it on for now.”
The door closed behind him, leaving Rhapsody alone. The filly looked around the garage, and tugged at the collar before trotting into the box and burying herself under the blankets.
James and Rachael sat in the waiting room. James looked over the posters for vaccination reminders, check-ups, adoptions and other pet related events for the fifth time. Rachael stared up at the ceiling, kicking her feet back and forth. After several seconds, she grew tired of it and began to rock back and forth on the chair.
“Rachael, don’t do that.”
“Why n-”
The chair toppled over, sending Rachael falling onto her side. The door to the examination room opened up as an older woman in a doctor’s coat, her graying hair tied back in a messy ponytail entered, carrying the shivering and terrified Rhapsody in one arm.
“…Mac, you got a moment to talk?” she motioned to the pony, “got some questions.”
Rachael scrambled back onto her feet and in two leaping steps stood in front of the vet holding out her hands. James looked at the vet.
“She checked out alright?”
“Test are negative for any diseases,” the vet shrugged, “I’m more careful, but…well, things check out far too well.”
“Go on and take her, Rachael, go wait in th’ truck.”
Rachael’s quickly snagged the pony from the vet’s hands as James got up. The little girl ran out, as Rhapsody gripped her tighter.”
“What do you mean, Doc Goodall?” he asked.
Doctor Goodall pulled out a piece of hard candy, unwrapped it and popped it into her mouth before she started talking.
“What the hell did you bring me?”
“Beg your pardon?” His eyebrow rose.
“I thought you had brought me a miniature horse, but then I saw the horn,” Doctor Goodall paused, “Why didn’t you say anything about it?”
“I wasn’t sure what th’ tell you. Are you gonna take me seriously if I called sayin’ I had a unicorn?”
“Mac, I’ve been taking care of your animals for years. I remember seeing Jackie and Sarah as snot-nosed kids. If you called me saying you had a Manticore living on the farm, I’d believe you.”
“So it’s real?”
“Best I can tell.” Goodall paused as the candy shifted to her other cheek, “I thought someone had glued a horn to her head, but when I looked closer it does appear to be coming straight out of her skull. I would have tried to take a sample, but she kept struggling when I touched her horn and she seemed very distressed when I got the equipment out. Could have taken the sample anyway, but decided against it.”
“So is it more like a deer or a sheep?”
“Hard to tell. I wouldn’t be able to say until I get a sample. I’m willing to say that she was born with it, and that it’s more likely something they bred into her.”
“What else?”
“The mane and fur isn’t dyed, that’s her natural color. Never seen any with a shade like that though.”
“You said everything check out too well, what did you mean?”
“Well, the test results aren’t back yet, but I have a feeling they’ll be clean,” Doctor Goodall paused as she bit down on the candy, cracking it. “Everything about her is too clean. Her hooves are well trimmed and clean, her fur doesn’t show any real signs of damage. Someone’s been taking care of her, it’s nice, soft, silky, and it’s still got the faint smell of shampoo. She looks well fed and well cared for.”
“So you think she’s someone’s pet?”
“Hard to say. I’ve never really heard about people keeping miniature horses as pets.” Doctor Goodall shrugged, “Even if I consider her a GMO, I’m not entirely sure why someone would want to make a little unicorn.”
“Even with th’ whole Hasbio thing?” James chuckled.
Doctor Goodall bit down on the hard candy again, shattering both halves into tiny pieces, “Don’t even get started on that nightmare. I want to know what half-brained idiot tried to do that,” she paused as she popped another piece of hard candy into her mouth. “Goddamn idiots should stay in the damn toy industry, not pets.”
“So lemme see if I got this right,” James paused, “For all intents and purposes, I got me a real life unicorn runnin’ around on my farm that looks far too well cared for to be a wild critter, but there’s no way we can tell if she’s somebody’s science experiment?”
“Basically. There are really only two things that bother me.” Doctor Goodall paused, “One, her eyes are far too large for a normal horse.”
“Could have been bred like that.”
“Mac, she looks like one of those Japanese cartoon characters with the big eyes. I don’t think they’re going to be a problem for her, but it seems odd.”
“An’ th’ seconded thing?”
“She’s smart. Far smarter than most horses I’ve seen. Her reaction to needles and the test I had to give her are more like a little kid’s than a horse. Somehow I think she understands what I’m saying and doing.”
“…So what do you suggest?”
“I think she’s safe to keep around,” Doctor Goodall shrugged, “I’ll know more once I get a few test back. Lyra might not like having her in the house.”
“She’s housebroken.”
“Really?” Doctor Goodall shifted the candy from one cheek to the other, “Interesting.”
“Well, I’ll have t’ talk to Lyra about what we’re gonna do with her.”
“Like I said, I’m pretty sure she’s safe to keep around. There’s a few things that I think are odd about her, but I’m sure it’s fine.”
“Thanks again, Doc.”
“No problem Mac. Don’t forget to tell Jackie to bring in ol’ Winona on Wednesday, she’s due for a check-up.”
“Eyup.”
James closed the door behind him and stopped at the reception desk. The secretary paused, looking over her computer screen and notes.
“Mac, We’ll just send you the bill, alright?”
“If you say so.”
James left the office, and found his daughter sitting in the back of the truck, still clutching Rhapsody.
“…Rachael, what have we said ‘bout ridin’ in the truck?”
“That I can sit in the back when mommy ain’t here.”
“Isn’t.” James corrected his daughter, “But not when you’re holdin’ her,” James unlocked the truck, “So get in.”
---
Lyra heard the door open and two different sets of footsteps enter the house. She didn’t need to look up from her Sudoku puzzle as one of the footsteps stopped in the kitchen.
“What did Doctor Goodall say?”
“Said it’s safe t’ keep her.” James responded.
“…Are you serious?”
“She don’t have rabies or any other disease. Doc thinks it’s perfectly safe th’ keep her here.”
Lyra turned around to look at her husband, “Are we seriously going to let our daughter keep an unknown horse-like thing in our house?”
“…Unless we either find her owner, or buy Rach a dog.”
“…Ugh.” Lyra shook her head and turned her attention back to Sudoku.
“Would we even be havin’ this conversation if she had found a stray dog or somethin’ like that?” James rolled his eyes, “It ain’t like she tried t’ adopt a coyote or somethin’.”
“I’d prefer a coyote over something no one has ever seen.”
James walked over to Lyra and leaned over the back of her chair, rubbing her shoulders.
“It’ll be fine. Rachael’s a good kid an’ she’ll take care of it.”
“James, the poor thing’s still terrified of her,” Lyra rolled her eyes.
“It’ll get use to her.”
Rachael pause in the hallway, holding Rhapsody.
“Pa, where’s Winona’s old collar an’ stuff?”
“In th’ garage.”
“Kay.”
“Where are you going?” Lyra called out after her.
“Clubhouse.”
“Be careful, and be back in time for supper.” Lyra reminded her.
“You tell Rachael if she wants to keep that thing in the house, she needs to give it a bath.”
“You gonna let it sleep in her bed?” James frowned.
“No. Get like one of those little dog beds or something for her.” Lyra clarified, “Put it in the living room or something.”
“She’s gonna want it in her room.” James pointed out.
“Well she’s not getting it in there.” She huffed.
---
Rachael pushed her way past the bushes, as Rhapsody reluctantly followed.
“C’mon, I want you to meet my friends! Sylvi’s gonna be jealous.”
The girl abruptly stopped as Rhapsody stopped next to her. The filly looked up, only to be shocked at what she saw: The clubhouse. Not the Cutie Mark Crusader’s club house, Rhapsody corrected her self, but it looked awfully close to it.
“This use ta be my Aunty Jackie’s clubhouse when she was little. Then my Aunty Sarah took over an’ she fixed it up. Then they gave it ta me an’ all my friends.” Rachael paused, “You’ll like them.”
Rachael scooped up Rhapsody in her magic aura before starting up the stairs. Rachael reached for the door, but paused as she gripped the handle.
“…Maybe I should leave you out here for now.”
Rachael placed her aura down on the porch, and released a portion of it. After Rhapsody stepped out of the bubble, it vanished.
“You wait out here, Ok?” Rachael slipped the end of the leash onto the doorknob as looked back at Rhapsody. The filly nodded.
Rachael quickly opened the door and slipped in. Rhapsody sat down and rolled onto her back.
“…..What if I’m stuck here forever?” she sighed.
Rachael quickly glanced around the room as the door shut. Two boys, one Caucasian with wild and curly pink hair, the other dark skinned with a blue buzz cut sat in the corner on beanbag chairs while reading comics. In another corner of the room a young Chinese girl with cerise hair tied back in a ponytail worked on math problems and other schoolwork as a dark skinned boy with a messy head of rainbow hair and another Asian girl with blonde hair looked over the Chinese girl’s shoulder.
“…How come you spend all of your time doing more math problems?” the rainbow haired boy asked.
“Because I like it.” she responded.
“…Brad, I’m confused.” The pink haired boy flipped his comic upside-down, “Why is Megatron a good guy now?”
“Because he turned good to save the universe from Shockwave.” The buzz cut boy, Brad responded, not looking up from his comic, “Didn’t you read the Dark Cybertron stuff?”
“No, I like the Ninja Turtle comics better. ‘Cause Slash is cool.”
“Why Slash?” Brad paused, “Doesn’t your mom still have Gummy?”
“Yeah, but turtles are better.” The pink haired boy looked over at the door, “Hi Rachael!”
“Hi guys!” she beamed back as everyone turned their attention to the door, “How come you an’ Lili are here, Hawk?”
“Our moms are punishing us by making us spend time together so we get along,” Hawk grumbled, “But we gotta be nice.”
“…oh.” Rachael paused, “Guess what I got?”
“A puppy?” the blonde, Liliana, asked.
“Nope.”
“Cat?” the other girl asked, turning her attention back to the math homework.
“That’s wrong too, Sylvia.” Rachael shook her head.
“A little brother?” the pink haired boy called out.
“…That’s a stupid idea, Petey.” Hawk grumbled.
“Nope.” Rachael shook her head.
“…You got the new Jem comics?” Brad suggested.
“Not yet.”
“Well? What is it then?” Hawk asked.
Rachael opened the door and quickly stepped out, leaving the other five kids confused. She stepped back in holding Rhapsody under the filly’s forelegs, and beamed at all the others.
Big Macintosh pushed another fallen tree branch out of their way as the two ponies rested. Both pony’s coats were covered in mud, rotting plant matter and other assorted muck and grime gained from their travels.
“We’re been here for an entire day!” Lyra grumbled, “Are you sure this is the Everfree?”
“Pretty sure.”
“Only PRETTY SURE?!?” Lyra snarled back, “You were positive when we started, and now you’re only pretty sure?”
“Lyra, yellin’ at me ain’t gonna get this solved any faster, and it sure as hell ain’t gonna make us find Rhapsody any quicker,” Big Macintosh responded, “Now eat somethin’ so we can start lookin’ again.”
---
Rhapsody stared at everyone in wide-eyed surprise. The filly looked around before Rachael set her down on the floor, and gave her slight push towards the others.
“Go on.”
Instead of heading towards them, Rhapsody quickly spun around and ducked behind Rachael’s legs.
“She’s shy,” Rachael informed the others.
Sylvia frowned, “…How did you get a p-”
Petey tossed his comic aside and sprinted across the room, stopping at the last minute to flop onto the floor and come face to face with Rhapsody.
“HI PONY!” he grinned. Rhapsody screamed, startling everyone in the room before head butting him. Rachael quickly snapped up Rhapsody, holding the cowering filly against her chest as Brad got up to check on Petey.
“You alright?” Brad asked
“I’m fine,” Petey got up onto his knees, wiping the blood away from his mouth, “She knocked out two of my baby teeth.”
“I’m going to get paper towels for it.” Brad left for another room. Sylvia went over to check on Rachael and Rhapsody.
“That was pretty stupid of you to do,” Liliana grumbled.
“…Is that a horn?” Sylvia reached out to touch it. Rachael turned, moving the filly out of Sylvia’s reach and shook her head.
“She doesn’t like it when people touch it.”
“So it’s part of her?”
“I think so.”
“…Where did you get a pony anyway?” Hawk asked. Behind him, Brad helped Petey clean up.
“I found her in the orchard.”
“And your mom and dad are letting you keep her?” Sylvia followed up, surprised.
“We took her to the vet an’ she said she’s fine.”
“…I didn’t know they even had ponies that small,” Liliana added.
“Me neither. She’s kinda shaky and nervous around people,” Rachael continued on, “I don’t think she’s use to people.”
“Doesn’t help that Petey did that.”
“I thought it would be funny.” The bruised and battered child slumped over onto the beanbag chair.
“…You alright?” Rachael petted Rhapsody, “I’m gonna put you down now.”
Rachael gently put the filly on the floor and backed away. Rhapsody froze up, staring at the others.
“They’re nice, no one’s gonna hurt ya.” Rachael gently nudged her towards the others. Rhapsody just whimpered in response.
“…Petey, you stay away from her for now,” Sylvia ordered.
“I don’t want her to knock out more teeth.” Petey responded, returning to his comic books. Brad and Hawk quickly joined him, ignoring her.
Sylvia reached over to her bag and set it on the table. She pulled out a lunch pail decorated with Littlest Petshop characters and flipped it open. Rummaging around inside, she pulled out a little plastic bag filled with carrot and celery sticks.
“You brought those?” Hawk stuck out his tongue in disgust, “Yuck.”
“Mom and Dad keep giving it to me. Usually I just feed it to Usagi, but we’re not in school so…”
Sylvia stood up and went over to the filly. She sat down in front of Rhapsody and held out a carrot stick.
“This is for you.”
Rhapsody looked behind her at Rachael. “It’s alright, Sylvie ain’t gonna hurt ya.”
Rhapsody cautiously moved towards Sylvia, her eyes darting between the carrot and the girl. After several more moments of nervous silence, Rhapsody bit down on the carrot. The filly continued to cautiously watch the girl as she chewed. After a few moments, the filly finished off the carrot stick. Sylvia quickly produced another carrot stick and it vanished just a quickly.
“She likes apples better.” Rachael paused, “I’ll go get some.”
The door slammed shut as she left, startling everyone in the clubhouse. Sylvia produced yet another carrot stick offering it to Rhapsody. As the filly chewed, she reached over and stroked her mane. Rhapsody flinched slightly, muscles tightening.
“It’s alright,” Sylvia assured her, “I’m not going to hurt you, just relax.” She continued to stroke Rhapsody’s mane.
“I really like your mane, it’s soft and silky.”
Liliana walked over peering at the little pony.
“…So how do you think she got it?” Liliana cautiously eyed her, “It’s got a horn and everything.”
“I don’t know.” Sylvia responded, “I don’t think it maters, if her parents are letting her keep her, she should be safe.”
“You really think she’s telling the truth about how it got here?”
“It’s a girl pony,” Sylvia responded, offering Rhapsody a celery stick.
“How can you tell?”
“She doesn’t have the sheath thing like the other horses Mr. Smith has.” Sylvia responded, “So it’s most likely that it’s a girl horse.”
“Can’t we just roll her over and look?” Liliana asked.
“I don’t think she’d like it.” Sylvia continued to stroke Rhapsody’s mane, “Would you?”
“…Can I pet her?”
“I think so, just be gentle.”
“I have Opal,” Liliana snorted, “She bites and scratches everything.”
The blonde girl reached out and began to rub Rhapsody’s back. The filly tensed up slightly, but relaxed after it became apparent that neither of them would hurt her. Brad glanced over from his comics.
“You can go pet the horse, but don’t get horse hair all over my comics,” Hawk grumbled, “besides, horses are for girls.”
“You read the My Lovely Horse comics too.” Brad responded, standing up.
“Shut up.”
Brad walked over to the girls, stopping to watch the scene: Rhapsody rolled over onto her back allowing the two girls to scratch her belly.
“You can scratch her chest, she might like that.” Sylvia informed him. Brad reached out and began to rub the little pony’s chest. Rhapsody looked up at the human boy, before laying back down, closing her eyes as he rubbed.
“She’s soft.”
“Yeah, she’s kinda fluffy. Like mom’s bathrobe.” Liliana continued to pet her.
The door slammed open as Rachael returned, carrying half a dozen apples in her magic aura.
“I’m back!” the farm girl paused at the scene in front of her, “…She likes belly rubs?”
“Seems like it.” the group pulled their hands back, letting the filly flip back onto her hooves.
Rachael’s aura separated, handing everyone in the room an apple. For Rhapsody, she placed it on the floor in front of the filly. Rather than taking a bite out of it, Rhapsody trotted off to a corner and curled up on a pillow.
“She ain’t hungry?” Rachael looked at the others as the filly started to snore.
“She ate all my carrots,” Sylvia shrugged as she took a bite out of her apple.
---
The two ponies paused in the middle of a clearing, listening to their surroundings.
“…You smell that?” Big Macintosh sniffed the air.
“What?”
“Smoke.” Mac motioned to their left, “Commin’ from this way.”
“Are you sure it’s safe?”
“Only one pony out here. We go this way, we’re sure t’ find Miss Zecora’s place. We find her place, we can get outta here and find Rhapsody.”
---
“…So what’s her name?” Liliana looked at Rachael as she stroked the sleeping filly’s hair.
“…Name?”
Sylvia and Liliana stared at the other girl, “You didn’t name her?”
“Well I didn’t know if I was gonna keep her or not.” Rachael shrugged, “Ma wasn’t sure.”
“…so what are you gonna call her?” Liliana asked.
“I was gonna say Wildfire. ‘Cause Pa likes that song.”
“That song is about a girl dying while going out and looking for a horse in a blizzard.” Everyone paused at turned to look at Sylvia. The girl shrugged, “What?”
“…’kay, not Wildfire.”
“You should call her something badass like…like…” Hawk paused, “Like Thunderhooves or Magma Stampede.”
“Those sound like boy names, not girl names.”
“They’re Transformers.” Hawk grumbled, turning back to his comic.
“What about…” Sylvia paused, scratching under her chin.
“Imma call her Sparkler.” Rachael stated as she stroked the filly.
“…Why Sparkler?” Liliana frowned.
“ ‘Cause Sparkler is the best pony.”
---
Big Macintosh and Lyra struggled through the mud.
“Mac are you sure this is the right way?”
“Pretty sure, can’t you smell the smoke?”
“Mac, I’m up to my horn in mud, I can’t smell anything.” Lyra grumbled.
“Just keep goin’, we’re almost out of it.”
The two finally reached the end of the mud pit. Big Macintosh hoisted himself out with a loud sucking noise, and turned around, offering a hoof to Lyra.
“Grab on.”
---
“I can’t call her Rainbow Sprint, she doesn’t have any rainbows on her.” Rachael refused.
“And Opal doesn’t have gems, but that didn’t stop Aunty Julie.” Hawk countered
“Actually, Opal’s name is Opalescence.”
“That’s not important.” Hawk responded.
“What about Ribbon?” Liliana suggested.
“Too girly.”
“It’s a pony, it’s supposed to be girly.” Hawk grumbled.
“What about Ember?” Petey suggested.
Everyone paused, thinking it over. Rhapsody stretched out and yawned.
“Well she woke up when ya called her that, so I guess that’ll work.” Rachael shrugged.
---
Lyra and Big Macintosh hid in the bushes as they watched the scene in front of them. Two strange looking ape-like beings stood in front of Zecora’s hut talking. The younger of the two apes was a heavily pregnant redheaded female, leaning on her bicycle. The other was an older, dark skinned woman with long white hair and tattoos on her face and exposed arms. The pregnant woman was dressed in jeans, a loose fitting shirt and kept her hair tied back with a red ribbon. The other woman wore a similar set of clothing. The younger woman placed a basket filled with herbs, powders and assorted other remedies into the bicycle basket.
“Thanks fer helpin’ me out, Miss Zuri.” The redhead beamed, “I know Rylance an’ everyone else is pretty worried, but I reckon you oughta know something that can help a girl out.”
“It is always a pleasure when we both talk, but traveling by your self? I must balk,” the other woman, Zuri responded, “Even though you have done it for years, I must confess that it causes fears.”
“Well shoot, You’re startin’ t’ sound like Rylance an’ Jackie.” The other woman pouted, “I can take care’a myself. Just cause I’m pregnant, it don’t mean nothin’.”
“I mean no offense to you, Sarah my dear, but the Everfree is treacherous at this time of year. The rainy season has ended but things are not yet clear, for the mud is in high gear.”
“I’ll be fine. I did fine gettin’ here all by myself,” Sarah huffed, “I better get goin’ before Rylie calls out search and rescue again.” She rolled her eyes, “Love’m to death, but he’s such a worrier.”
“In that case, be on your way and do not overextend, you must keep your health as the child depends.”
Sarah mounted the bicycle and waved goodbye as she began to pedal down a trail and vanished into the forest. Zuri watched as the young woman left before turning her attention back towards her surroundings.
“I must say that it is rude to stare, why not come out where we may compare? I sense your fear and while I hope not to offend…” Zuri smiled, looking directly at the bush the two ponies huddled under.
“Please come out so we may talk, my Equestrian friends.”
The two froze as the strange woman continued to stare at the bush.
“Please, do not be shy. There’s nothing to fear, I am your ally.”
“Mac, are we going to trust it?” Lyra hissed.
“Sounds like Zecora.”
“If you come out and we are acquainted, all your questions will be sated.” Zuri sighed, “Please, it will be better for both of us, this is, after all a matter of trust.”
Mac shifted his position, moving forward.
“…Mac, you can’t be serious.” Lyra stared at him.
“It’s worth a shot, she know what we are anyway.” He shrugged as he left the bush.
“If this gets us killed…” the mare stood up anyway and followed her husband.
The three paused, as Zuri looked over the two.
“An Apple Cutie mark and unicorn mare? Surely not another Apple Affair.” She sighed, “You are married, is that fair?”
“…”
“Macintosh and Lyra, it is best if you answer my query. Silence from your half is getting quite weary.” She smiled at the alarmed faces on both of the ponies. “Once we are in my hut this conversation may continue…but please, wash yourselves off, will you? Mud is not welcome in my venue.”
Zuri walked off and returned with a bucket. She motioned for the two ponies to come closer, away from the dirt and onto the rock pathway. As they did so, Zuri poured water onto the two of them.
“Sweet Celestia, that’s freezing!” Lyra yelped.
“Deep waters spring. I do not complain, it’s a free thing.” Zuri shrugged, “Once you are dried, please come inside. Are you nourished?”
“No,” Mac grumbled, “haven’t eaten well since we got here.”
“I have edibles from the forest.”
Zuri picked a towel and began to scrub Lyra off.
“How do you know what we are?” Big Macintosh asked as he watched.
“David is not the only one to watch the multiverse. Did you not think others traverse? I have watched your struggle with all twenty, and James Smith with his children aplenty.”
“…wait, what?” Lyra stared up at her.
“…She’s sayin’ it happened here too, didn’t it?” Big Macintosh frowned.
“This universe is a direct analogue, should it not be surprising that we keep it catalogued?”
“…Are you telling me that there’s…there’s a weird looking, ape that’s suppose to be me?” Lyra looked up at Zuri, horrified.
“Lyra Mandolini was her name. And she is exactly as you are, this I claim.” Zuri motioned at Big Macintosh, “She is clean all over, body and mane, now it is your turn to do the same.”
“This is far too disturbing.” Lyra muttered to herself as she trotted off, “This is a horrible dream, right? Lost in some place filled with apes.”
Big Macintosh sat as Zuri poured a bucket of water onto the stallion.
“I oughta apologize ‘bout Lyra.”
“Words of concern are kind to hear, but you must admit there is some fear.” Zuri poured more water onto Mac’s head, “Lost in a strange place and daughter amiss, surely there is reason to be pissed.”
“Ain’t no reason to be rude,” He paused, “I mean here you are, bein’ kind enough t’ take care of two strangers inna strange place.”
“The Smiths and I are much like family. Sarah asked me to be a godmother and I said happily. I assume that it is the same for you, else that is a tragedy.”
“Eeyup. Applebloom’s askin’ Zecora t’… How do you know Zecora?”
“I watch the multiverse as part of work. I have spoken with my counterparts, and some are jerks. But while your Zecora is kind, her job she does shirk.”
“..Are you sayin’ you all watch the multiverse?” Lyra asked.
“Of a sort. We all work together, me and my cohorts.”
“So you knew when we ended up here, didn’t you?” Lyra continued on.
“Indeed. Your arrival was quite pronounce, but as for action I could take, I could not give an ounce. The Everfree is treacherous as you should know, and with Sarah Blossom’s presence I could not go. So be fierce in temper and angry at me, but I do know what has become of your daughter, Rhapsody.”
Lyra perked up, as Mac turned to face her.
“You know where she is?”
“Two arrived off course. The last is in some place as a…Gift Horse. She has fallen into the hands of an energetic youth, that it may not be wise to tell you the truth.”
“Who is she with?” Lyra demanded.
“Herself.” Zuri paused, “It is difficult to rhyme with self. This one is a cop-out, such a cheap route. She is with her counterpart, which makes this convenient, but getting her back may be not as lenient.”
“…A naked ape version of Rhapsody.” Lyra paused, “…That’s terrifying.”
“Is it terrifying because it’s an ape version of Rhapsody, or is it because it means there’s two of her in one place?” Mac asked.
“Both.”
---
Everyone in the clubhouse watched as Rhapsody took another bite from her apple.
“How much did she eat?” Rachael asked the others
“All my carrots.” Sylvia held up the empty baggie, “Mom gave me half of one.”
“She eats a lot, doesn’t she?” Liliana watched as Rhapsody took another bite.
“She’s little. An’ she didn’t eat all the food we put out for her last night.” Rachael paused as Rhapsody swallowed the apple core, “Can ponies eat apple seeds?”
“Probably.” Brad put his apple core on the ground for Rhapsody to eat.
“Why shouldn’t they be able to?” Hawk peeked over the top of his comic book.
“ ‘Cause they have arsenic.”
“They have what?” Hawk sat up, putting his comic down.
“Arsenic,’ Rachael paused, “Pa said it’s poisonous to eat.”
“Really? Mom puts whole apples in her breakfast smoothies,” Hawk blinked as realization sunk in, “That might be why she stopped doing it.”
“It’s cyanide, not arsenic,” Sylvia countered, “And the amounts found in apples are not in significant amounts to cause illness.”
“…How come she knows this stuff, if you’re the one with the apple farm?” Hawk looked at Rachael.
“ ‘Cause she’s smarter than me.” Rachael shrugged as Rhapsody bit into another apple core.
---
Big Macintosh sat outside of Zuri’s hut staring at the night sky. The stallion sighed as the door creaked open. Zuri stepped out of her hut, clad in a coarse pair of pajamas.
“Ah, that is where you have run off to. May I stay and join you?” Zuri asked.
“Ain’t gonna say no.”
Zuri picked up a stool and set it down next him.
“Your wife is poor at hiding her unease, but I cannot blame her, nor can I please.”
“She has a thing ‘bout humans.” Big Macintosh shrugged, “Back home, they’re fairy tales. Things we tell th’ kids to make’m laugh, or eat the vegetable they don’t like. She hated that.”
“Ah, so her fears have been made into flesh and bone, that sort of thing is reason to groan.” Zuri nodded, “But have I not made it clear? You both have nothing to fear, it is safe with me out here.”
“Don’t mean much,” Big Macintosh shrugged, “She’s set in her ways an’ thinkin’.”
“I wish to change the subject, my counterpart is still in Equestria, is that correct?”
“Eyup. Apple Bloom just had her daughter and she got Zecora to be her godmother,” Big Macintosh chuckled, “Cute little pegasus, named her Zap Apple.”
“Ah, so things are exactly as I had guessed. Sarah Blossom has also made that request. While her daughter has not yet arrive, it seemed prudent to ask you and analyze.”
“…You said somethin’ ‘bout a fella named David?”
“David Baker sells clocks and does monitor, I believe his counterpart is named Time Turner?”
“So he’s married th’ the School teacher?”
“Miss Cheryl Lee and David are quite happy, with their daughter it all seems rather sappy. Sylvia has friends and they’re always together, your daughter and her are birds of a feather.”
“My daughter?” Big Maicntosh’s eyebrows perked up as he looked at Zuri.
“Young, energetic, willing and able, you and Lyra named her Rachael.”
“And you think that’s where my daughter is?”
“Of course, I saw it and my vision is not phony, because why wouldn’t every little girl want their own pony?” with that, Zuri got to her feet and yawned “Come it is late, and I struggle to stay awake, we shall continue your quest once the new day breaks.”
Zuri opened the door to her hut, allowing Big Macintosh to enter.
---
“I can’t believe you’re letting it sleep in her bed,” Lyra grumbled.
“Let her do it,” James chided his wife, “If Ember wets her bed, it’s a lesson learned.”
James opened the door to his daughter’s room and found the two laying down on Rachael’s bed. Rhapsody hogged the side of the bed against the wall, forcing Rachael onto the edge. The farmer walked into the room and gave his daughter a peck on the forehead.
“Remember what I said.”
“I know Pa.”
“G’night Rachael. G’night Ember.” James flicked off the light switch, leaving the bed lamp as the only source of light, “No readin’ comics in bed, you’re gonna strain yer eyes.”
“Fine…” the door closed as Rachael reached out and flicked her lamp off.
“G’night Ember.”
“Good night.” Rhapsody sleepily muttered back. The room fell eerily silence as the two occupants processed what had happened.
Rhapsody’s eyes snapped open in shock, as the lamp switched back on. The terrified filly looked up into the awestruck face of Rachael.
The two stared at each other in silence. Quickly seizing on the opportunity, Rhapsody shook her head and tried to dive back under the bed covers. Rachael grabbed the filly and held her in the air.
“I heard you talk!”
Rhapsody shook her head again, panic in her eyes.
“You said ‘Good night’! I heard you!” Rachael shouted.
Rhapsody sniffled and let out a high whine as she began to cry. The door opened, and the lights flicked on, revealing a very annoyed Lyra.
“Rachael! What did we say?”
“But…”
“No ‘Buts’, young lady, go to sleep,” Lyra paused, “and don’t do that to Ember, look she’s crying. If you can’t be responsible, we’re going to have to give her to someone who can be.”
Rachael placed the filly back in her bed and quickly turned off the lamp. The room lights switched off and the door closed leaving the two in the dark.
“I know I heard you talk,” Rachael whispered.
Rhapsody remained silent and shifted her position, turning her back on the girl.
“I won’t make a lot of noise again. I promise.”
“…Ok.” Rhapsody whispered.
“You can talk.” Rachael excitedly squeed, “How come?”
“That’s what all of us can do,” Rhapsody responded.
“But how come you’re speakin’ English?”
“What’s ‘English’?”
“The thing you’re speakin’.”
“I’m speakin’ Equestria. How come you’re talkin’ in Equestrian?” Rhapsody countered.
“…Equestrian? Like on My Lovely Horse?”
“I dunno what that is.”
“…Can we start again?” Rachael ignored her, “What’s your name?”
Rhapsody rolled over to look at her human counterpart, “I’m Rhapsody Apple, and I wanna go home.”
“…You’re not from here?” Rachael frowned.
“Where’s here? I’m from Equestria.”
“What’s an Equestria?”
“Were I’m from.”
“There’s no Equestria here…” Rachael trailed off, “What’s Equestria like? Is everyone a pony?”
“I dunno, that’s just how we have things,” Rhapsody shrugged, “I live in Ponyville with my Ma, Pa, Aunty Applejack, Aunty Applebloom, Uncle Rumble an’ Great-Granny Smith.”
“…That’s a lot of ponies.”
“We gotta big family.”
“How come you didn’t say anything yesterday when I found you?” Rachael continued on.
“…Cause you scared me. I was tryin’ to go home with Ma and Pa, but then I saw you. What are you?”
“Me?” Rachael scratched her head, “I’m a Human.”
“…Ma says humans are evil creatures that eat ponies.” Rhapsody responded, “She says they go after the bad colts and fillies.”
“I don’t eat ponies.” Rachael grumbled.
“Pa says humans don’t exist. He said they’re…” Rhapsody paused, “Mythological creatures?”
“Well I’m real an’ I’m here,” Rachael huffed, “Unicorns are supposed to be mythological creatures, an’ you’re here.”
“ ‘Well, now that we’ve seen each other, if you’ll believe in me, I’ll believe in you.’” Rhapsody quoted.
“…Ok.” Rachael nodded, “What else is Equestria like?”
Rhapsody yawned, “I wanna sleep.”
“But…” Rachael trailed off as she responded with her own yawn, “I guess you’re right.”
The two shifted around, making themselves comfortable.
“G’night Rhapsody.”
“G’night Rachael.”
---
Sunlight streamed through the curtainless windows in Zuri’s hut. Big Macintosh sat up and yawned as he looked next to him. Lyra remained asleep, wrapped in the worn towels and blankets the two were given to use as a bed. The stallion crawled out of bed, leaving his snoring wife behind and looked around the hut.
“Miss Zuri?”
The stallion made his way around the hut, unable to find her. He pushed open the door and found the woman sitting outside, picking through a basket full of black-eyed peas.
“Ah, the traveler is awake,” she smiled as he joined her at the basket, “I trust you slept well, for yours and your wife’s sake?”
“Slept on worse things.” Big Macintosh shrugged as he watched her work.
“Akara is something we would serve if one was having a child. For Sarah’s sake, the filling will be mild.”
“Zecora called it Acaraje. I think Granny liked it better than she did.”
“Regardless, my diet is many vegetables, legumes and peas. So I must restock my kitchen, if you please.”
“Lyra’s still sleepin’. She hates when I get up early,” Big Macintosh shrugged, “but it’s part of what I gotta do on th’ farm.”
“Once my task has been completed, breakfast will be served. Then we shall head into town, and your reunion will be deserved.”
“Reckon it’ll be easier if I give you a hoof.”
“If you wish, it gives you my appreciation,” Zuri motioned to the other side of the basket, “Please, have a seat so that you may add your participation.”
The stallion plopped down on the other side of the basket, looking over the black-eyed peas. Whenever he noticed one that was not fit for consumption, the stallion pushed it away with a hoof.
---
Rachael sat up in bed, bumping into Rhapsody and waking up the filly. The girl glanced over to the alarm clock on her bed stand: Eight twenty-seven.
“Du’wanna ge’up Ma.” The filly groggily mumbled.
“I ain’t your ma.” Rachael groggily replied, rubbing her eyes.
The two groggily rubbed their eyes before looking at each other again.
“…So it wasn’t a dream,” Rachael mused, scratching behind her head.
“Nope.”
“…Can I tell my Ma and Pa ‘bout you?” Rachael asked as she picked up Rhapsody.
“No.”
“Why not?” she looked down at the filly as the two walked down the hallway, towards the stairs.
“ ‘Cause if they know then they’re gonna send me somewhere else. An’ if I’m gonna be stuck here I wanna be stuck with someone who’s gonna take care of me.”
Rachael paused at the top of the stairs, “…Where would they send you?”
“I dunno. Like a science place or something.”
“Like aliens?” Rachael began her way down the stairs, “Uncle Rylance let us watch a scary movie where aliens kidnapped people and did science experiments on’m. Lili ended up wetting the bed, and Hawk and Petey ended up getting nightmares and he got yelled at by everyone for letting us watch that.”
“…My Uncle did something like that too.” Rhapsody chimed in.
The pair entered the kitchen and took a seat by the dining room table. Her father looked over the news paper at the two.
“Mornin’ sleepyhead,” James chuckled, “Your mom had t’ run into town t’ deal with somethin’, so you gotta make your own breakfast.”
“…Can’t you do it?”
“Nnnope. And you can’t keep Ember at th’ table.”
“Her name’s Rhapsody.” Rachael grumbled as she placed the filly on the floor.
“You’re callin’ her Rhapsody now?” James placed the newspaper down, “Why’s that?”
“ ‘Cause…” Rachael paused at the feel of Rhapsody nudging her leg. The girl glanced down as the filly shook her head, “…‘Cause it sounds better.”
“…Still a strange name for a pony.” James turned his attention back to the paper, “Don’t have anything for you t’do, so you can go an’ watch TV.”
“Kay.” Rachael got up from the table and opened the refrigerator. Her magic aura flared as she pulled out the jar of peanut butter and a jar of jam.”
“…Is this apple jam?”
“Eeyup.” James responded.
“How come you an’ Ma don’t get any other jams?”
“Because we made this one with your great-grandma’s secret recipe, and ain’t nothin’ better than homemade.”
Rachael looked at the jar, “How come she doesn’t make jam with other stuff?”
“Because it’s her specialty.”
Rachael shrugged as she grabbed the jar, bag of bread, a butter knife and two plates before running into the living room.
“Don’t make a mess.” James informed her as the Television turned on. The farmer paused as something nudged his foot. He looked down at Rhapsody, who continued to nudge him.
“Alright lil’ one, I’ll feed ya.”
James reached down, scratching the filly behind her ears. Rachael ran back into the room and picked up Rhapsody.
“I made a sandwich for her so she can watch TV with me.”
“…I don’t think peanut butter is good for ponies.” James shook his head.
“…I can just give her the bread.” Rachael responded.
“Alright,” her father shrugged. The two went back to the living room, where two sandwiches waited for them.
“Can you eat peanut butter and jelly?” Rachael asked.
“Uhh-huh.” Rhapsody nodded as Rachael set her down. The filly looked at the sandwich for a moment before taking a bite of it. Rachael watched as Rhapsody chewed and swallowed.
“How is it?”
“Taste like the jam my great-granny makes.” Rhapsody looked at the TV, “What’s that?”
“Only the best show on TV ever,” Rachael responded, turning the volume up. A picture showing a group of six brightly colored cartoon horses appeared on screen as the theme song played.
“My Lovely Horse~ Running Through the Fields~”
Rhapsody frowned.
“What’s this show about?”
“It’s about six pony friends who live in Horseland under Queen Equestina. The purple one’s Nightlight Glimmer, the orange one’s Stabella, the white one’s Diamond Sparkle, the yellow one is Naturina, the blue one is Agilena, and the Pink one is Party Favor.”
Rhapsody stared at the TV for a while, watching it.
“We have a show like this back home.”
“What’s that one called?” Rachael asked, taking a bite of her sandwich.
“My Tiny Gecko. My favorite is Princess Alika.”
---
Big Macintosh peeked out from under the tarp covering the top of Zuri’s cart. The stallion watched the scene in front of him: An Asian woman with long curly purple hair with a younger blonde girl buying carrots and other goods from a woman with long, curly orange hair. A young woman with purple hair and orange tank top walked hand in hand with another young woman with light violet hair and a yellow dress.
“It’s a lot like home, you don’t wanna take a look?” Mac looked down at Lyra. His wife lay on her floor of the cart, refusing to look up.
“No.”
“C’mon. It ain’t like you’re gonna see something like this everyday.”
“Which is exactly wh-”
“Oh, hello Zuri.” A voice identical to Lyra’s interrupted her. Pony Lyra scrambled to her hooves and joined her husband, peeking out of the cart. The human Lyra walked alongside Zuri, carrying a bag full of groceries.
“Ah, Mrs. Smith, a good morning to you. Tell me, are your husband and child out here too?”
“No, Rachael is at home,” Human Lyra shook her head, “She found a…well, I don’t know what it is, it looks like a little pony.”
Pony Lyra’s and Big Macintosh’s eyes widened in surprise as the two humans continued talking.
“Anyway, what’s in the cart?”
“Ah, a surprise for all. I’m sure it will be…quite a haul.” Zuri smiled.
“Really now?” Human Lyra rolled her eyes, “Rachael’s little pet is enough of a surprise. Have you ever heard of such a thing before?”
“A horse of stature small?” Zuri glanced back at the cart behind her, “If there was such thing, I would recall.”
---
“…So her name is Star Butterfly and she’s fights monsters.” Rhapsody asked.
“Uh-huh. And she lights things on fire.”
“…We have a show like this back home. It’s called Princess Aurora: Pony of Power. She fights Evillissa.”
The door opened, interrupting the conversation as Lyra entered.
“Hi Ma!” Rachael called out as she looked towards the door, “Hi Miss Zuri!”
“Hello young Rachael Smith. Is your father here to discuss with?”
“Good mornin’ Zuri.” James greeted the woman, “Somethin’ wrong?”
Zuri smiled at the family, obscuring the doorframe with her cloak.
“Picture, if you will, another reality, one not bound by our practicality. Not unlike the incident that you experience, however, there is one crucial difference….”
“…Are you saying it’s happening again?” Lyra’s shoulders drooped.
“Of a sort, and I assure you these are not phonies …” Zuri stepped to the side, revealing Big Macintosh and pony Lyra. Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise as Rhapsody peeked over to see what was going on.
“Ma! Pa!” Rhapsody ran over to the two ponies, embracing pony Lyra the best she could.
“But it seems these are you as ponies.” Zuri finished.
James stared across the table at Big Macintosh. The stallion avoided his gaze, preoccupied with trying to shift into a more comfortable position on the chair. After a moment, the stallion turned his attention back to the human.
“…Let’s just get straight to the point, am I really suppose to believe that we’re th’ same person?” James paused, “Pony. Entity.”
“…Miss Zuri said somethin’ bout an’ ‘Incident’?” Big Macintosh continued, “Did it have anythin’ t’ do with a buncha little ones sayin’ you were their father?”
James frowned, “And?”
“An’ then you an’ your wife had t’ wait because your daughter got dragged in to some ridiculous thing through the multiverse. Lead by a kid claimin’ t’ be your daughter with the Element of Generosity.” Big Macintosh continued.
“…Let’s say I believe you.” James held up one finger, “If things went exactly th’ same, what did Granny feed’m after they got here?”
“Apple cobbler. Then they got into a food fight an’ you hadda giv’m a bath.”
“…” James shook his head, “Alright, I believe it.”
“After dealin’ with all of that, sayin’ there’s a world were everypony’s a monkey ain’t that hard t’ believe.” Big Macintosh added.
“Eeyup.”
---
The two Lyras sat separate from each other in the living room; Human Lyra on the reclining chair, pony Lyra sitting upright on the sofa. The two continued to sneak awkward glances at each other, before Human Lyra continued to stare.
“What?” Pony Lyra glared back.
“Doesn’t it hurt to sit like that?” Human Lyra made a curving motion, mimicking the position of Pony Lyra’s back, “I mean, I don’t think horses were made to sit like that.”
“I’m a pony.” Pony Lyra grumbled, “And I always sit like this.”
“…okay.”
The pair grew silent again as they listened to their husband’s conversation.
“How can he sit in there talking with a horse?” Human Lyra shook her head, “He’s taking this far too well.”
“Why? You have something against ponies?” Pony Lyra frowned.
“I don’t like horses,” Human Lyra responded. After a moment of hesitation, she shook her head, “Well, I don’t like real horses. I mean horses here.”
“Why’s that?”
“James thought it would be romantic to go horse riding and having a picnic at sunset.” Human Lyra smiled, “It was until the horse bit me. That, and I’m not much of a rider.”
Pony Lyra shook her head as Human Lyra continued on, “And what about you?”
“What about me?” Pony Lyra frowned.
“You keep giving me a dirty look.”
“I don’t like monkeys,” Pony Lyra grumbled.
“We’re not monkeys, humans are apes.” Human Lyra corrected, “Why’s that?”
“When I was a filly, we went to the zoo on a field trip,” Pony Lyra paused, “The monkey threw his s-”
“Ah.” Human Lyra frowned, “That happened to me as well. Only Bonnie was there to see it, though.”
Pony Lyra’s attention snapped back to the human, “Bonnie?”
“Bonnie Aeschbacher.” Human Lyra paused, “Well, she’s Washburne now after she married Malcolm. She’s a confectioner. They have a son, named Nathan. Is any of this sounding familiar?”
Pony Lyra paused, “…My friend Bon-Bon. Her husband is Serenity and they have a son named Almond Joy.”
“See? We have…something to talk about.” Human Lyra smiled.
“…I just want to go home and forget all of this ever happened,” Pony Lyra ignored her as she collapsed onto the sofa, “I know you’re trying to be nice, but I would love nothing more than to go home, open up a bottle of sherry and forget all of this happened.”
“…To be honest, I’d feel the same way if the situation was reversed.” Human Lyra agreed.
“I don’t see how Mac can sit in there with that…that thing.” Pony Lyra continued on, “This…this is all wrong.”
“…” Human Lyra stood up and left for the kitchen. Big Macintosh and James continued their conversation.
“…So I got a question then,” Big Macintosh paused, “If we ended up with th’ same kids…An’ Eris is th’ same as Bellona…”
“I don’t want th’ think about how that works,” James interrupted him.
“I mean it’s bad enough when I think ‘bout ponies an’ Discord, but…” Big Macintosh continued on.
“I don’t think about it and I don’t think you should either,” Human Lyra interrupted James as she took a seat next to her husband.
“Done talkin’ with Lyra?” James leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
“Your wife really doesn’t like it here.”
“She had a traumatic experience with monkeys.”
---
Rachael sat on her bedroom floor, staring at Rhapsody. The filly sat on Rachael’s bed, keeping eye contact with her.
“…So the big red pony is your dad.”
“Uh-huh.”
“An’ the green unicorn is your mom.”
“Yep.”
“An’ they’re the same as my parents.”
“I guess.”
“Which means…” Rachael paused, “That you’re me?”
“…I guess so,” Rhapsody paused, “I met other ponies who said they were…” the filly paused, looking for the right words, “Said they were from alternate dimensions and that their dad was the same as mine.”
“…I did that too,” Rachael added, “Some lady sayin’ her name was Tabitha. She had like this really cool leather coat and goggles and thing on her arm that let her go to other worlds.”
“She said her name was Golden Gem,” Rhapsody scratched her head, “I dunno where we went next, but we had a pegasus pony named Stratos.”
“…He said his name was Stratos too. Did he have a girlfriend named…Tempranc..Tempan..” Rachael continued to stumble over the name, “It was a really weird sounding name that started with a T.”
“He said his marefriend was Temporal Spectrum.” Rhapsody responded.
“…That’s a weird name.”
---
“So, as nice as all o’ this is, how are we gonna get home?” Big Macintosh asked.
“Th’ obvious answer is to go see David. He’s still got his gizmo t’ that let’m go through dimensions.” James shrugged.
“…David?”
“Runs the clock shop, married th’ school teacher and is th’ one incharge of this world’s multiverse monitoring system.”
“…Oh., Time Turner.”
“Right, and given how your wife’s doin’ I’d say the sooner we go t’ him the better.”
“What about th’ kids?”
---
“…But how does that work?” Rhapsody asked, “Discord knows magic so he could turn himself into a girl or something.”
“I dunno.” Rachael shrugged.
“…’Cause I think she told me that she doesn’t know either.” Rhapsody scratched her ear.
“…What about Oscura?”
“Who’s Oscura?”
“She’s the big tall grey pony with th’ sword an’ dad was a prince.”
“…Princess Sable?” Rachael shrugged, “She was tall an’ muscular an’ had a sword.”
“Did she fight a hydra?”
“Eeyup. It was awesome. And really scary.”
The two fell silent.
“…I wanna go home.” Rhapsody stated.
“…I know,” Rachael sighed, “I don’t think I could keep myself. If this was backwards, then I’d want to go home too.”
“…Thanks.”
---
“…Well, it’s settled,” James stood up, “We’re goin’ t’ see Dave.”
The truck continued down the bumpy, ill-paved road from the farm into town. Human Lyra glanced into the back seat: Rachael sat on one side of the back seat, Rhapsody on her lap. To their left, the terrified mare clung to her husband for dear life. Big Macintosh sighed.
“…You doing alright back there, big guy?” Human Lyra chuckled.
“I don’t think she’s too fond of these ‘Automobiles’ o’ yers.” Big Macintosh sighed.
“I can see that,” Human Lyra stifled a chuckle.
“Laugh all you want now, monkey.” Pony Lyra grumbled.
“Your mom is weird,” Rachael scratched behind Rhapsody’s ears.
“Eyup.”
“Young lady, you do not insult your mother like that,” pony Lyra countered, “When we get back, you’re grounded.”
“Aw, ma…” the filly whined.
Before pony Lyra could respond, the truck hit a pothole. The sudden dip startled everyone, tightening pony Lyra’s grip on her husband. The stallion sputtered and glared at his human counterpart.
“Sorry ‘bout that,” James apologized, trying to hide his smile. “Been buggin’ Mayor Mayer an’ Princess Sari ‘bout pavin’ them.”
“We can open another branch of the college, but we just can’t find the funds to fix the stupid road…” Human Lyra muttered.
“…He did it on purpose,” Pony Lyra muttered.
“You min’ lettin’ go a bit so I can breath?”
---
The truck came to a stop in front of a shop. Pony Lyra peeked out of the window, looking at her surroundings.
“Rach, you stay here with them while we go in an’ talk t’ Mister Baker.”
“Kay.”
James and human Lyra exited the truck and entered the shop. A young man with a mess of brown hair looked up from behind the counter.
“ ‘Ello Mr. Smith,” He grinned, “I don’t remember if we ‘ad anything for you in the shop.”
“It’s alright Pip, we needa talk t’ Dave.”
The young man, Pip, paused, “Boss is in the backroom, he’s busy with something.”
“Tell’m it’s important.”
“No, I mean he’s busy,” Pip jerked his thumb towards the room, “ ‘E’s in the backroom. Y’know th’ locked room I’m not supposed to know about.”
“Tell’m it’s got to do with that,” James sighed.
“…Bloody ’ell, don’t tell me you’ve got’m running around again,” Pip rubbed his forehead, “I ’ad enough of a time figurin’ out which one what tellin’ the truth ‘bout who I was suppose to end up with.”
“Somethin’ like that.”
“Well, I’ll let ’im know, but I don’t think ‘e’ll be happy.”
Pip disappeared into a room behind the counter, leaving Lyra and James in the shop alone.
“We do need a new clock for the kitchen,” Lyra noted.
“…Can we talk ‘bout this after we take care’a this?” James sighed, “But we do.”
“I’d like something abit warmer. A nice blue color, I think.”
“…Long as it ain’t somethin’ tacky. None of that fork and spoon for clock hands or food items in place’a some numbers.”
“No, that’s terrible.” Lyra agreed.
James’ response was cut off as a door slammed open and shut in quick succession. A frazzled looking older man with graying brown hair stuck his head out of the doorway, glancing around. Noticing the Smiths, he sighed.
“Please tell me Tabitha didn’t kidnap your daughter again.”
“No Dave, it’s something different,” James sighed, “Lyra, go get them.”
---
“…How does an old pony use a walker?” Rachael asked.
“She holds it with her front hooves, an’ moves like that.” Big Macintosh mimed.
“…Great-granny Anna’s stuck in a wheelchair now, ‘cause she hurt herself.”
“Well, that’s what happens when folks get old.”
The car door opened, cutting off Big Macintosh. Human Lyra motioned for the group to come out of the car.
“Move quickly, I don’t want people to see you.” Human Lyra waved her hand, motioning for them to come out. Rachael hopped out first, still holding Rhapsody, followed by Big Macintosh and Lyra. The stallion glanced up at the shop sign before she herded them in.
“Definitely looks like Turner’s place.” He noted.
“Eeyup.”
“Hurry, hurry,” Human Lyra pushed the two ponies into the shop, closing the door behind her. The two paused, looking around the room: identical to the shop on their home dimension, save that all the clocks were scaled up in size. Elsewhere the two could hear James speaking to someone.
“…An’ that’s what happened.” James concluded.
The two heard someone else sigh before speaking, “James, is there some sort of Smith family curse I’m not aware of? Because this is getting ridiculous.” Someone who sounded exactly the same as Time Turner grumbled.
“You think I’m doin’ it on purpose?”
“No, I’m not saying that, but I don’t think the other James Macintosh Smiths of the multiverse are having the same problem.” The speaker paused, “Well, maybe Paula and Manuel, but that’s not the point. Are they here?”
“Eeyup.” Big Macintosh stepped towards the counter as Pony Lyra and Rachael followed him. David looked down at the three ponies and sighed.
“…Do you realize what happened?”
“I was hopin’ you’d tell me,” James grumbled.
“Short version, there’s several different universal clusters. This universe is part of a cluster where everyone is a human. They,” David pointed at the ponies, “are part of one where everyone is an equine. There’s more where everyone is a brightly colored pastel person, Anthromorphic, robots, dogs, cats, manatees, you name it, it exist.”
“Is there one where everyone’s a car?” Rachael asked.
“…I’m not supposed to answer that, but yes, there is one like that Pixar movie.” David paused, “But that’s not the point, the point is that they’re not suppose to cross.”
“Are we talking ‘don’t cross the streams’ cross, or ‘never the twain shall meet’ cross?” Human Lyra asked.
“Second one. There’s all sorts of barriers and what not in place to prevent it from happening…” David paused, “How did you get here?”
“Our daughter tried t’ teleport,” Big Macintosh replied, “we ended up in th’ Everfree, she ended up on th’ farm.”
David paused, “…James I’m sorry, but it sounds bloody creepy to hear your voice coming from an oversized girl’s toy.”
“Call me that again an’ I’ll buck you where th’ sun don’t shine.” Big Macintosh shot back.
“Mac!” Pony Lyra jabbed him in the side, “Be nice.”
“So can you send’m back?” James ignored the two.
“…Probably.”
The room grew silent as the two couples stared at the man.
“ARE YOU SERIOUS?” Pony Lyra screamed, “PROBABLY?”
Pip stuck his head out of the back room, startled by the outburst.
“Everything alright bo…” he trailed off as he noticed the small brightly colored horses, “…Bloody Hell, Zi’s never going to believe this. Are those actually My Lovely horses?”
“Pip, go back into the storeroom and count the clocks again,” David sighed, “And they are.”
“…again?” Pip sighed as he walked off.
“Mr…” Big Macintosh paused.
“Smith-Lee.”
“Smith, what makes you think that it’s only a ‘probable chance of returning us home?” the stallion continued on.
“Because my technology was never meant to cross dimensional clusters,” David held up three fingers; his thumb, pinkie and pointer, “Think of it like this; our dimension is this one,” He wiggled his thumb, “And yours is this one,” he wiggled his pinkie for emphasis. “Crossing over is easy when they’re close, like these two,” David brought his thumb and pointer together, “but our dimensions are like this…” He emphasized his last point by bringing his thumb and pinkie together.
“So it’s risky, but theoretically possible.” Big Macintosh summarized.
“…Well, yes.” David admitted, “But risky.”
“How long would it take you to try and do whatever you need t’ get your machine working?”
“If I start now and let Pip help, about half an hour or so.”
“…We’ll do it.”
David turned towards the human, “…James, are you going to wait here or shall I just call you when I’m done?”
“We can wait.”
“…This is not how I wanted to spend my day, you know that.” He responded, grumbling, “The Lenore of Earth-1990 is still mad about the whole thing with Tabitha. I don’t see why she’s mad at me, it’s all her fault…”
“…Can I go with them?” Rachael looked down at Rhapsody, “It’d be fun to see what a pony version of Aunty Sarah an’ all her friends look like.”
“No!” David, James, Big Macintosh and the two Lyra yelled.
“No more dimension traveling. Ever.” Human Lyra demanded.
“Besides, she wouldn’t survive the trip,” David muttered.
“…What?”
“Dimensional biological barriers and what not,” David shrugged, “Ponies can make it here fine because we have equine species. If a human tried to go to their dimension, they would be forcefully converted into a pony.”
“…That doesn’t sound very fun.” Human Lyra noted, “How do they survive that?”
“As a rule, they don’t,” David shivered at the memory, “People don’t survive the process. I’ve seen the results. Anyway, let me get started.”
David spun around and headed to the back room, “Pip! We have work to do.”
---
The two families stared at the device in front of them: a massive portal door built out of huge slabs of metal. Despite its fantastical nature, the metal making up the portal was covered in rust spots, bolted-on plates, duct tape and other quick-fix and stop-gap measures to hold it together. David turned around as Pip continued to type away at a control panel.
“Well, here it is,” David smiled, “It’s a bit rusty in some spots, but it’ll work.”
“Mr. Smith, do you really expect us to use that?” Pony Lyra shook her head, “It looks like it’ll collapse if we walk through it.”
“Our budget keeps getting cut,” David grumbled, “Those idiots at the capital pulling money out of our budget and sending it to who knows what. You’d think having the Princess of Friendship living here would help us, but no.”
“…And…” Pip interrupted, “Here we go.”
The room filled with a deafening hum as the machine whirled to life. Bright blue lights ignited around the door, and exploded outwards, creating a massive pulsing curtain of light.
“…HAH!” Pip pumped his fist, “I told you it’d work!”
“Shut up.”
Big Macintosh looked up at James, “Well…I can’t say it was nice t’ see ya given th’ circumstances, but…”
“…But it’s good t’ see we ain’t alone in this.” James chuckled.
“Eeyup.”
The two Lyras looked at each other.
“…Well you aren’t all bad,” Pony Lyra muttered, “You’re me after all.”
“I suppose.”
Rachael stared down at Rhapsody.
“Well…You’ll remember me, right?” Rachael asked.
“Kinda hard to forget.”
“…I’ll miss you.”
“…Me too.”
The two counterparts embraced in a hug before separating. The ponies trotted towards the portal pausing one last time as they looked back.
“Please don’t mention this to Time Turner or Clockhooves or whatever my counterpart is,” David grumbled, “It’s bad enough as it is.”
With a nod the three ponies walked into the light, and vanished.
--- Dimension 1973
A brilliant flash of light erupted out of the Apple’s barn. A moment later the doors opened and the dazed family staggered out.
“…We’re never going to talk about this again, are we?” Lyra asked.
“Eeyup.”
“…Am I in trouble?” Rhapsody asked, avoiding her parents’ eyes.
“Well…” Big Macintosh glanced over at Lyra.
“You are,” Lyra cut him off, “But we’ll talk about that later.”
“…Awww.” Rhapsody pouted.
Big Macintosh opened his mouth to say something, but someone cut him off.
“MAC!” Applejack ran towards the family, “Where the hay’ve y’all been? I’ve been lookin’ for you for the last hour!”
Lyra and Big Macintosh exchanged confused glances, “What?”
“I asked Cheerilee an’ she said you all picked up Rhaps an hour ago,” Applejack explained, “But that ain’t important. Applebloom’s havin’ her baby. You gotta get to th’ hospital now!”
Without another word, the four ponies took off for town.
--- Another dimension
The door opened, catching the corner of Lyra’s eye. James entered and gave his wife a peck on the cheek.
“So you got it after all,” she mused.
“Eeyup.”
Rachael bounded into the house, running up to her mother.
“Look what pa got me!” the excited little girl held up a brown and white corgi pup.
“How cute,” Lyra smiled, “What are you going to name her?”
Rachael pulled the dog back towards her and held it close to her chest, cradling it with both arms, “Rhapsody.”
