GREEN 860 1 13656 77.58 KB 1313

In Too Deep

By BlueForce
Created: 2026-04-02 01:12:20
Updated: 2026-05-22 02:47:25
anontrixiestarlight glimmertransformation

  1. 1.
    >It's a quiet night
  2. 2.
    >Maybe too quiet
  3. 3.
    >The only sound comes from your van's stereo, playing music with the volume almost all the way down
  4. 4.
    >You are still trying to figure out what happened
  5. 5.
    >You were killing time between classes
  6. 6.
    >You went for a coffee at a nearby coffee shop
  7. 7.
    >You opened the coffee's lid
  8. 8.
    >The contents were hot indeed, no need for a warning on the cup
  9. 9.
    >You pressed play on the van's stereo
  10. 10.
    >You took a few sips, so far so good
  11. 11.
    >Next time you realized you weren't in the city anymore
  12. 12.
    "This can't be true"
  13. 13.
    >The city literally vanished in front of you, replaced by the countryside
  14. 14.
    >You tried to grab the wheel but couldn't
  15. 15.
    >Because your hands were no longer hands, but hooves.
  16. 16.
    "Click"
  17. 17.
    >Your reminiscing was abruptly cut short when the stereo made the mechanical sound it always makes when the tape is reversed
  18. 18.
    >Now you realize you've been listening to the same music for several hours straight and quickly press stop
  19. 19.
    >You don't know where you are but you're hungry
  20. 20.
    >You look around and immediately notice the huge stain on the passenger seat, caused by the spilled coffee
  21. 21.
    >Clearly hooves aren't meant to grab coffee mugs, yet that's the least of your worries
  22. 22.
    >Trying to stop the panic from coming back, you violently hit the glove box with your one of your front hooves and get it to open
  23. 23.
    >You use both front hooves to grab a chocolate bar you had, hoping for it not to have melted
  24. 24.
    >You use your (surprisingly sharp!) teeth to open
  25. 25.
    >Never had a chocolate bar tasted better in your entire life
  26. 26.
    >Music... You can’t eat without music
  27. 27.
    >No... Changing the tape would be impossible without actual hands
  28. 28.
    "Sod it"
  29. 29.
    >You press play on the stereo and let the same tape repeat for the umpteen time
  30. 30.
     
  31. 31.
    "Yes, finally!"
  32. 32.
    >You cannot contain your excitement while you make sure you're not missing anything for the trip
  33. 33.
    "Equestria's best weekend is about to start! 48 straight hours of fun in the countryside, because we deserve it!"
  34. 34.
    >Starlight Glimmer comes near you, barely containing the laughter
  35. 35.
    >"Calm down, Trixie! You sound like a radio announcer about to sell a dishwasher"
  36. 36.
    "Sorry, it's just we haven't left the town in quite a while! I still can't believe Sunburst invited us to his 'tâteau'"
  37. 37.
    >"I think it's pronounced 'château'. But yes I'm happy we get to visit him. He told me how lonely he felt over there, as there aren't many neighbours around"
  38. 38.
    >You start pulling your wagon's harness
  39. 39.
    >Thanks to Starlight, the wagon feels light as you left any unnecessary belongings at her house
  40. 40.
    >Sadly, that meant no melon spoons or books about optometry will be at hand during the trip
  41. 41.
    "Okay, you tell me which road to take"
  42. 42.
    >Starlight happily walks next to you, guiding you with a map
  43. 43.
    >Around half an hour later you start seeing less and less crowds and more grass around you
  44. 44.
    >"Want me to carry the wagon for a bit? I don't mind!"
  45. 45.
    >You appreciate how Starlight cares so much but there is no need! You're Equestria's finest pony, scientifically proved!* (*Not really)
  46. 46.
    "No need to worry about Trixie! I'm in a really good mood today! But if you want to do Trixie a favor, take her to the burger place we went last time!"
  47. 47.
    >Starlight cannot help but chuckle
  48. 48.
    >"You can count on that!"
  49. 49.
    >By the time an hour had passed, you start feeling thirsty
  50. 50.
    >You stop moving the wagon to catch a break
  51. 51.
    >Starlight immediately notices you're tired and offers you a drink
  52. 52.
    "Not going to lie, Trixie would love it if you could find the water battle for her!"
  53. 53.
    >"Not a problem!"
  54. 54.
    >You sit on the ground to catch a break while Starlight looks for the water inside your wagon
  55. 55.
    >However, something catches your attention
  56. 56.
    >A wagon, bigger than yours, parked a few meters from you, right next to a tree
  57. 57.
    "Starlight?"
  58. 58.
    >"Yes?", you can hear your friend answering from inside the wagon
  59. 59.
    "Is there anything in-between a wagon and a garbage truck?"
  60. 60.
    >"It really doesn't look that bad, Trixie! It just needs a paint job!"
  61. 61.
    "I'm not talking about my wagon, I'm talking about that wagon!"
  62. 62.
    >Starlight comes out with the water bottle, looking intrigued
  63. 63.
    >"What are you talking about?"
  64. 64.
    "Well, look over there"
  65. 65.
    >Your friend takes a look at it
  66. 66.
    >It's some kind of transportation, looking clearly more modern than garbage truck
  67. 67.
    >Both of you are intrigued, as you don't seem to remember seeing one of those lately
  68. 68.
    >Maybe a fellow magician travelling from town to town?
  69. 69.
    >A fellow magician with deeper pockets than you, clearly
  70. 70.
    >Without saying anything, Starlight takes the initiative
  71. 71.
    >She starts approaching that odd white wagon while you take a sip of water
  72. 72.
    >You don't give it much importance at first, until you see Starlight's face expression changing
  73. 73.
    >You quickly leave the bottle aside and call up her attention
  74. 74.
    "Is everything alright?"
  75. 75.
    >Uh... Well, could you come here for a second, Trixie?"
  76. 76.
    >You cannot help but wonder what's happening. You start walking towards her but before even getting close to the wagon you start listening to something... Odd
  77. 77.
    >Music
  78. 78.
    >A song you don't remember having heard before, coming from inside the mysterious piece of transport
  79. 79.
    "What is that... music?"
  80. 80.
    >You asked quietly, not that you are scared! It's just you don't want to scare any animals that might be around
  81. 81.
    >"I have no idea"
  82. 82.
    >You try to pay attention and recognize any lyrics
  83. 83.
     
  84. 84.
    And we're all to blame,
  85. 85.
    We've gone to far, from pride to shame,
  86. 86.
    We're trying so hard,
  87. 87.
    We're dying in vain
  88. 88.
     
  89. 89.
    "Oh, I get it"
  90. 90.
    >You don't get it
  91. 91.
    >Starlight eventually approaches the wagon's window
  92. 92.
    >She didn't say anything, she just kept looking
  93. 93.
    >You come closer, not before talking a peek at your own wagon
  94. 94.
    >What did she try to imply with "it only needs a paint job"?
  95. 95.
    >"Oh, they moved!"
  96. 96.
    "What? Who moved?"
  97. 97.
    >"The pony who is sleeping inside that thing... And frankly my sixth sense tell me they aren't feeling well"
  98. 98.
    >As soon as you approached the window, you understood why Starlight said that
  99. 99.
    >You saw a green pony, with their eyes closed but shaking their head, as if they were having a nightmare
  100. 100.
    >They were surrounded by assorted garbage like disposable cups and candy wraps
  101. 101.
    >"I'd normally not wake up somepony having a nap...", started to say Starlight before you interrupted them
  102. 102.
    "Leave it to Trixie! I'm excellent at interrupting!”
  103. 103.
     
  104. 104.
    >The image repeats itself again and again
  105. 105.
    >You taking a sip of coffee, and then the city vanishing
  106. 106.
    >Your hands are no longer there
  107. 107.
    >You feet are no longer there
  108. 108.
    >Not even your clothes are there
  109. 109.
    >And suddenly you want to scream but you can't
  110. 110.
    >Instead, the images repeat all over again
  111. 111.
    >You try to understand what is happening but you can't, you simply can't
  112. 112.
    >And then a sudden burst of panic erupts
  113. 113.
    >You violently wake up from your nightmare, grasping for air
  114. 114.
    >And then you saw it
  115. 115.
    >Someone knocking at your window
  116. 116.
    >Well, not someone. but... "somehorse"?
  117. 117.
    >"Hello? Is everything okay?", you hear saying
  118. 118.
    >And now you are indeed able to scream, and don't hold it
  119. 119.
    >The blue horse at the other side of your window gets scared and starts running away
  120. 120.
    >But it won't compare to you, as you manage to open the door and start running away in panic
  121. 121.
     
  122. 122.
    "Oh, my!"
  123. 123.
    >Someday you will have to start speaking up everytime Trixie tries to do something without thinking
  124. 124.
    >All of the sudden, your weekend has turned into a two different races
  125. 125.
    >Trixie is screaming and running towards a tree by your left, while the green-colored pony that was inside the wagon runs to the north, also screaming like crazy
  126. 126.
    >You need to act fast
  127. 127.
    >That poor pony looked heavily distressed and could be a danger to himself
  128. 128.
    >You need to think fast
  129. 129.
    >Come on, Starlight, you can do this
  130. 130.
    >You take a quick look at your surroundings
  131. 131.
    >You think for a moment about teleporting Trixie and using it as a speed bump to stop the green pony
  132. 132.
    >"No, Starlight, surely you can do better than that"
  133. 133.
     
  134. 134.
    >Grass won't help
  135. 135.
    >Tiny branches won't help
  136. 136.
    >No rocks around
  137. 137.
    "Welp"
  138. 138.
    >You lock your sight on your friend, who is looking for refuge behind a tree
  139. 139.
    "Sorry, Trixie
  140. 140.
    >You use a teleport spell and suddenly, she's no longer approaching the tree, but serving as a speed bump for the green horse
  141. 141.
    >"Aaaah!", they keep yelling
  142. 142.
    >Their synchronized screaming is suddenly interrupted when the green horse trips and violently falls to the ground
  143. 143.
    >Trixie looks clearly shocked, still not knowing how he changed places, until a clear "oh, right" expression shows up on her face
  144. 144.
    >"Sorry, Trixie, but now the utmost priority is the well-being of that pony"
  145. 145.
    >You help Trixie get up and then you take a peek at the pony
  146. 146.
    >He seem to be unconscious, with his head up, mouth open and eyes wide shut.
  147. 147.
    "Are you alright?"
  148. 148.
    >"Yes, but please, next time something else to stop him!"
  149. 149.
    "You're right, I'm sorry. Listen, maybe we should take him to Sunburst's house and see if we can find a doctor nearby."
  150. 150.
    >"But we don't even know the guy!"
  151. 151.
    >Fair point
  152. 152.
    >"Yes, but think... If we ever have a problem and hurt ourselves while traveling, wouldn't we appreciate being aided by others?
  153. 153.
    >Trixie looks at the green pony, still unconscious on the ground
  154. 154.
    >"Well, I guess so, but... Don't you think he might be dangerous? I mean, he started screaming as soon as he saw me. Why would anyone react that way at the mere sight of Trixie?"
  155. 155.
    "Eh..."
  156. 156.
    >"Trixie's hair looks fantastic!", she yelled at your face
  157. 157.
    "I didn't say anything!"
  158. 158.
    >You chuckle, but quickly remember the unconscious pony near you
  159. 159.
    "Okay, that's it. I'm going to carry him on your wagon to Sunburst's house. I'll think about what to do there."
  160. 160.
    >"Oh, I can't afford to miss his expression when he sees you arriving with a half dead pony!"
  161. 161.
    "He's not dead!"
  162. 162.
    >You lift him using telepathy and Trixie looks at his body slowly flying towards her wagon
  163. 163.
    >"Does Twilight approve of you moving other ponies against their will?", she asks without taking her eyes from the green horse
  164. 164.
    "Please, she wishes she could do the same!"
  165. 165.
     
  166. 166.
    >"Kai"
  167. 167.
    >...
  168. 168.
    >"Kai!"
  169. 169.
    >You shake your head after listening to someone yelling your name
  170. 170.
    >"You seem to be a bit distracted today"
  171. 171.
    "Yeah, sorry..."
  172. 172.
    >You take a look at your mate and then the burger you were eating
  173. 173.
    "I suppose I didn't sleep quite well last night. And besides... Well, you know"
  174. 174.
    >"I already told you, mate. You are much more interesting than you think you are... It wouldn't take you much effort to find new friends or a new partner if you actually took the effort to do it"
  175. 175.
    >He takes a bite of his 'Bacon Explosion' burger and you do the same with yours
  176. 176.
    "Well, yes, I agree, but you know my tastes are a bit..."
  177. 177.
    >"Don't even mention the ponies again, please. You are worth much more than a bloody cartoon"
  178. 178.
    >Even if he means well, his words...
  179. 179.
    >They hurt
  180. 180.
    >You lower my head and then take a sip off my Coke
  181. 181.
    >The day is bright and sunny
  182. 182.
    >Everyone around seem to be having a nice time, just chatting and eating
  183. 183.
    >Yet everything inside you feels dark and lonely
  184. 184.
    >Your friend lets out a sigh and gently hits the table with his right hand to catch your attention
  185. 185.
    >"Listen... I know we promised to graduate at the same time but... you know I couldn't reject that opportunity"
  186. 186.
    >"Besides, it's not like we'll never meet again. I'll come around once in a while, and we'll always have Google Meet, right?"
  187. 187.
    >He's right, though
  188. 188.
    >There's not always a second chance
  189. 189.
    >And then, as you kept thinking about it, your friend simply vanishes
  190. 190.
    >And so does the city around you
  191. 191.
    >The day becomes night in the blink of an eye, and now everything is cold
  192. 192.
    >A bit too cold
  193. 193.
    >More than cold, you could say wet
  194. 194.
    >Wet?!
  195. 195.
    >And then you woke up, violently grasping for air
  196. 196.
    >Your entire face is wet, with water dripping from your hair
  197. 197.
    >"Yay, it worked!", proudly exclaimed the merry orange horse
  198. 198.
    >"Yes, but it was Trixie who brought the bucket of water!"
  199. 199.
    >"But it was my idea!"
  200. 200.
    >Please... No more yelling
  201. 201.
    >"Stop fighting, please! We need to make sure he's okay"
  202. 202.
    >After grabbing some air you just... stay there, looking at those three
  203. 203.
    >You don't yell or try to run away this time
  204. 204.
    >Because something tells you there's nowhere to escape to
  205. 205.
     
  206. 206.
    >It’s been like… three, four years? since you last thought about MLP
  207. 207.
    >Yeah… It was after you started uni and he left
  208. 208.
    >And now it’s coming back at you… at full force
  209. 209.
    >But why
  210. 210.
    >And more importantly, how?
  211. 211.
    >”Please don’t be scared, we come in peace”, said the purple pony
  212. 212.
    >But you know who she was
  213. 213.
    >And the blue pony, and the orange pony
  214. 214.
    >You know them too bloody well
  215. 215.
    >You let out a sigh, deciding it’s best to just tag along
  216. 216.
    >”Are you okay?”, the purple pony asks
  217. 217.
    >You sigh again, and try to stand up, only to fall down and hit your head against the floor
  218. 218.
    >Of course, you dumbass, you can’t stand in two feet
  219. 219.
    >You don’t even have feet anymore
  220. 220.
    >The others seem worried, running to help you stand up
  221. 221.
    >And you let them help you, why not?
  222. 222.
    >By the time you realize, you’re already standing up…
  223. 223.
    >On all fours
  224. 224.
    >You look at yourself
  225. 225.
    >Your horse fur, 100% green
  226. 226.
    >Your hooves, your chest…
  227. 227.
    >”Hmm, I wonder if I’m still a male”
  228. 228.
    >You check
  229. 229.
    >Yes, you still are
  230. 230.
    >The purple pony tries to establish a dialogue again, while the other two look at you intrigued
  231. 231.
    >”Hello, I’m…”
  232. 232.
    >Starlight Glimmer
  233. 233.
    >”Starlight Glimmer.”
  234. 234.
    >Of course
  235. 235.
    >Are you okay?”
  236. 236.
    “Yes… I suppose”
  237. 237.
    >”What’s your name?”
  238. 238.
    >”Let’s call him Fluffy Swamp!”, exclaims the blue pony, a bit too loudly for you
  239. 239.
    >”Trixie, please, he has an actual name”
  240. 240.
    “Kai”
  241. 241.
    “My name is Kai”
  242. 242.
    >The three horses look at you, as if they were expecting you to keep talking”
  243. 243.
    “That’s it. That’s my entire name”
  244. 244.
    >Right after noticing how serious you sounded, you realized it’s better not to mess around with horses who are able to use magic… and Trixie
  245. 245.
    “Sorry, I… I’m a bit shocked after the hit, that’s all. I suppose I must have run into a tree or something”
  246. 246.
    >”Eh, yes, more or less”, answers Starlight while looking clearly nervous
  247. 247.
    >Trixie rolls her eyes and lets out an annoyed sigh, but why?
  248. 248.
    >”Wait, let me dry your face”
  249. 249.
    >Starlight brings a towel and dries your face, not with her hands but with her magic
  250. 250.
    “Thank… Thank you”
  251. 251.
    >”Why don't you take a seat?”, she asks while putting a chair right next to you, again by using her magic
  252. 252.
    >You instinctively get away from the chair
  253. 253.
    >She immediately saw how that scared you, but before she apologizes you take a seat without saying anything
  254. 254.
    >Thankfully, sitting wasn't very hard
  255. 255.
    >”Please, Trixie, stay a minute with Kai. I'll be right back.”, said Starlight while approaching the orang–
  256. 256.
    >Enough with the colours. That's bloody Sunburst
  257. 257.
    >She lets out a smile before leaving with him
  258. 258.
     
  259. 259.
    “Listen, Sunburst… I'm sorry for bringing a stranger to your house all of the sudden”
  260. 260.
    >You are indeed sorry, but Sunburst doesn't seems too worried and lets out a small giggle
  261. 261.
    >”Don't worry, Starlight, I'm already used to being in Trixie's company, despite her attitude”
  262. 262.
    >”Trixie heard that!”
  263. 263.
    “I'm talking about Kai, Sunburst”
  264. 264.
    >The orange horse chuckled again while adjusting his glasses
  265. 265.
    >”You did what everypony would do in your place: helping those who are in need”
  266. 266.
    >Sunburst’s words feel calming and reassuring
  267. 267.
    “You are right… Thank you. Just let me check he's alright and then we can start having fun”
  268. 268.
     
  269. 269.
    >Trixie is close to you
  270. 270.
    >Maybe a bit too close
  271. 271.
    >Even the cat you had as a kid back at home had more respect for your personal space than her
  272. 272.
    >You don’t say anything, you just try to get used to sitting as a horse instead of as a human
  273. 273.
    >Your buttocks feel incredibly thick
  274. 274.
    >Not that you’re complaining
  275. 275.
    >”Fluff–”
  276. 276.
    >You immediately cock an eyebrow at her
  277. 277.
    >”I mean, Kai, yes, Kai”
  278. 278.
    >”Yes?”
  279. 279.
    >You look at her and can’t help but remembering your era as a shitposter
  280. 280.
    >She was the best pony, hands down
  281. 281.
    >By the time you realize, you’re already chuckling
  282. 282.
    >Now she’s the one who’s staring at you
  283. 283.
    “Sorry, you were saying?”
  284. 284.
    >”Why did you get so scared just by seeing my face?”
  285. 285.
    >What’s the point of telling the truth? She’d never believe you
  286. 286.
    “Well… I always scream and run away wherever I see a new pers– pony”
  287. 287.
    >Meh, there’s no way she’ll believe that either
  288. 288.
    >”Oh, I see”, she answered, apparently convinced
  289. 289.
    >...
  290. 290.
     
  291. 291.
    >”You know… I never saw a wagon like yours. Did you build it yourself?”
  292. 292.
    >Huh?
  293. 293.
    “What wagon?”
  294. 294.
    >”The white one, where we found it”
  295. 295.
    >Bloody hell!
  296. 296.
    “MY VAN!”
  297. 297.
    >”Where is it?! I must find it!”
  298. 298.
    >And now, without thinking, you were running away once more
  299. 299.
    >”He's escaping again!”
  300. 300.
    >That's the last thing you hear from Trixie before crossing the door at full speed
  301. 301.
     
  302. 302.
    >Your conversation with Sunburst gets interrupted by Trixie's yelling
  303. 303.
    >You quickly go back to the dining room only to find the door wide open with Trixie pointing at it
  304. 304.
    >Kai is now vanishing quickly in the horizon
  305. 305.
    “Trixie! What did you do to him?!”
  306. 306.
    >”Nothing! Why is Trixie the one to blame every time somepony runs scared?!”
  307. 307.
    >You ignore Trixie's screaming and run behind Kai
  308. 308.
    >No, there's no way you'll catch him
  309. 309.
    >You look around
  310. 310.
    >Trixie is coming at you
  311. 311.
    >...
  312. 312.
    >Sorry, Trixie
  313. 313.
    >You again use teleportation with Trixie to stop Kai
  314. 314.
    >And once again, Kai trips on her, falling on the grass
  315. 315.
    >The impact makes Trixie roll in the direction of Kai
  316. 316.
    >”STOP USING TRIXIE AS A SPEED BUMP!”, you can hear coming loud and clear from the grass
  317. 317.
    >You approach the duo as soon as possible, feeling guilty for using such a harsh approach
  318. 318.
    “I'm so sorry! Are you okay?!”
  319. 319.
    >Trixie and Kai let out a grunt and try to stand up on their own
  320. 320.
    >Trixie looks a bit dizzy but in one piece
  321. 321.
    >”This weekend is not fun at all!”
  322. 322.
    >Kai catches your attention
  323. 323.
    >He has trouble standing up
  324. 324.
    “Are… are you okay?”
  325. 325.
    >”Well, does this look infected?”
  326. 326.
    >Kai shows you a cut on the left hind leg
  327. 327.
    >Congratulations, Starlight, now you've really messed it up
  328. 328.
    “Oh, my… Don't worry! Please, let's go back to the house and I'll heal your wound!”
  329. 329.
    >”Just let me go, for Pete's sake! I want my van back!”
  330. 330.
    >Van? What is he talking about?
  331. 331.
    >”I think that's how he calls the wagon where we found him”
  332. 332.
    >”So your friend has a wagon. You didn't mention that earlier”
  333. 333.
    >You look back to find the source of that response and see Sunburst right next to you
  334. 334.
    >”Where did you leave his wagon? It's his property, so it's only logical he wants it back”
  335. 335.
    “That thing is huge. We couldn't take it with us, so we left it where it was”
  336. 336.
    >”Just tell me where it is!”, Kai screams aggressively, only to seemingly regret it a second later
  337. 337.
    >”Please… It's…”
  338. 338.
    >A moment passes, and you can see him lower his head
  339. 339.
    >”It's the only thing I have”
  340. 340.
    >You take a deep breath and think on what to do
  341. 341.
    “Please let me heal you at Sunburst's home. It'll only take a minute. I promise I'll take you back to your wagon thereafter.”
  342. 342.
    >He looks at you, not quite believing you
  343. 343.
    “I swear. Please, believe in me”
  344. 344.
    >A couple of seconds pass in silence, until he shyly starts walking back to Sunburst's château
  345. 345.
     
  346. 346.
    >Back in Sunburst’s house, he gives you some bandages and takes the opportunity to scold you
  347. 347.
    >”Well, Starlight, you’ve really messed up this time”
  348. 348.
    >It’s not the actual words what hurt you, but how Sunburst said them in such a playful manner
  349. 349.
    “This is not some kind of game, Sunburst! That pony is wounded and it’s my fault”
  350. 350.
    >You try not to yell, but you’re getting frustrated
  351. 351.
    >This was supposed to be a fun, worry-free weekend and instead you wounded a pony…
  352. 352.
    >Well, two ponies: Trixie doesn’t look happy after being used as a speed bump
  353. 353.
    >”Relax, I was just joking. It’s only a small cut. Besides, why don't you put yourself in his place? He was awoken by Trixie, which would be terrifying for anyone with eyes…”
  354. 354.
    >”Trixie doesn’t appreciate being the butt of jokes!”, you hear coming from the dining room
  355. 355.
    >”...Then you brought him here against his will, to talk to complete strangers, again including Trixie.”
  356. 356.
    “Thank you, Sunburst. I'll think of your words when Twilight kicks me out of Equestria”
  357. 357.
    >”Nobody is going to kick you out from anywhere! Oh, give me that, I'll go heal Kai myself. You pour yourself some tea and relax”
  358. 358.
    >Sunburst takes the bandages away from you while pointing at the teapot sitting on the kitchen's table
  359. 359.
    >Could he… have a point?
  360. 360.
    >You let out a sigh for the umpteen time today and reluctantly go serve yourself a cup of tea
  361. 361.
     
  362. 362.
    >”What are you even doing?”
  363. 363.
    >Trixie asked you while you were trying to lick your wound
  364. 364.
    “I saw dogs doing this to heal themselves”
  365. 365.
    >”You're not a dog, Kai, I mean Fluff—, I mean Kai!”
  366. 366.
    >”Well, I don't have much experience on being a horse”, you think
  367. 367.
    >”Hey, buddy”
  368. 368.
    >Sunburst approaches you with bandages
  369. 369.
    >You hope his intention is to heal you and not to turn you into a mummy
  370. 370.
    >His horn starts glowing, and a few moments later a bar of soap, a sponge and a small bucket of water are in front of you
  371. 371.
    >That kind of magic looks way more impressive in person than on TV
  372. 372.
    >”Trixie, would you please leave us alone for just a moment”?, Sunburst asked nonchalantly
  373. 373.
    >”I won't let you do anything to poor Kai!”
  374. 374.
    >”There are some chocolate cookies in the cupboard”
  375. 375.
    >”Later!”
  376. 376.
    >Trixie vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving you all to Sunburst…
  377. 377.
    >He approaches the wet sponge to your wound
  378. 378.
    >You immediately close your eyes, hoping for it to hurt but thankfully it doesn't
  379. 379.
    >”Listen…”
  380. 380.
    >You open your eyes, and notice the horse is looking at you
  381. 381.
    >”I want to apologize for the inconveniences. You must have been very scared, waking up in front of total strangers…”
  382. 382.
    >Well, at least he understands
  383. 383.
    “Listen, I just want my van back”
  384. 384.
    >”Hmm, that's what you call your wagon, right?”
  385. 385.
    “Eh, yes…”
  386. 386.
    >”You weren't found too far from here, and thankfully this area is quite safe. Look! You're as good as new!”
  387. 387.
    >Well, that didn't take long
  388. 388.
    >The bandage is now in place, and you hope you don't need another one during your stay here
  389. 389.
    >That's when the panic starts coming back
  390. 390.
    >How long are you going to stay here? Are you ever going back to Earth?
  391. 391.
    >That's when you start hyperventilating
  392. 392.
    >”Hey, Kai, there's no need to be nervous”
  393. 393.
    >Sunburst's voice sounded oddly calming, catching you completely by surprise
  394. 394.
    >”You're not from here, right?”
  395. 395.
    >When he said “from here”...
  396. 396.
    >He wasn't referring to this town
  397. 397.
    >You know he meant something else
  398. 398.
    >You stayed in silence for a second, processing that question
  399. 399.
    >Then, Starlight came into the dining room, bringing a teapot and a silver tray with four cups
  400. 400.
    >”Who wants some tea?”, she asks in a gentle way
  401. 401.
    >Sunburst briefly smiles at you, and then directs his attention to Starlight
  402. 402.
    >”Oh sure, let me help you”
  403. 403.
    >”Thank you. If you want cookies you'll have to eat the crumbs from Trixie's cape”
  404. 404.
    >You hear Sunburst's chuckling, but you know that conversation is far from being over
  405. 405.
     
  406. 406.
    >”You're not from here”
  407. 407.
    >”From here”
  408. 408.
    >You can't stop thinking about what Sunburst said
  409. 409.
    >You try to look him in the eyes, but he's too focused on talking to Starlight
  410. 410.
    >Are you overreacting?
  411. 411.
    >No, there was something about his tone of voice…
  412. 412.
    >”Kai… Kai?”
  413. 413.
    >You notice Trixie trying to call up your attention
  414. 414.
    >”Are you okay?”
  415. 415.
    “Uh… Yes, sorry. I guess I'm a bit distracted”
  416. 416.
    >”Well, it's only logical since you crashed against Trixie!”
  417. 417.
    >Despite what happened, she manages to chuckle
  418. 418.
    >Her laughing sounded incredibly sweet, and suddenly you forgot about the pain, if only for a few seconds
  419. 419.
    >She hands you a cup of tea and a biscuit
  420. 420.
    >”I saved the last one for you”
  421. 421.
    >You stayed there, completely speechless, thinking on what to say
  422. 422.
    “T-Thank you, Trixie”
  423. 423.
    >You try to grab the cup and the biscuit with your new hooves
  424. 424.
    >And you fail
  425. 425.
    >The cup falls immediately
  426. 426.
    >You close your eyes, so you don't get to see how it breaks
  427. 427.
    >But you hear it loud and clear
  428. 428.
    >Conversation between Starlight and Sunburst stops, and they all look at you
  429. 429.
    >You feel completely humiliated and feel the impulse of running away once more
  430. 430.
    “I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!”
  431. 431.
    >Fuck this
  432. 432.
    >You start heading towards the door
  433. 433.
    >But then you suddenly stop
  434. 434.
    >”Stop right there! Trixie won't be used as a speed bump again!”
  435. 435.
    >Although Trixie’s voice was a factor, she wasn't the only reason that made you stop
  436. 436.
    >What is even the point of keeping on running away?
  437. 437.
    >Remember: there's nowhere to escape to
  438. 438.
    >And even if there was, would it be worth it?
  439. 439.
    >You turn around and look at the three horse's faces
  440. 440.
    >Starlight and Sunburst in particular look disappointed
  441. 441.
    >You let out a sigh
  442. 442.
    >”I'm really sorry, Sunburst… I have cups in my van. Please, allow me to find my van. It's all I want right now”
  443. 443.
    >Sunburst thinks for a moment before taking a step towards me
  444. 444.
    >”It's okay, Kai. We all make mistakes. Just let me clean this and we'll go find your van”
  445. 445.
    “No, please… Let me do it myself”
  446. 446.
    >Sunburst smiles at me
  447. 447.
    >”No, Kai, it's nothing. It'll only take me a second”
  448. 448.
    >He wasn't lying
  449. 449.
    >A broom and a dustpan appear just after Sunburst's horn starts glowing, and the rubbish is taken care of in a jiffy
  450. 450.
    >”So…”
  451. 451.
    >Sunburst look at you in the eyes
  452. 452.
    >I think it's time to go find your wagon”
  453. 453.
     
  454. 454.
    >”You can't keep running away, Kai”
  455. 455.
    “I'm running away? You're literally leaving to another province, bloody hell”
  456. 456.
    >I told you I couldn't reject this opportunity. And that's the last time I'm going to see you for a few months. Can't you even do that?”
  457. 457.
    “I'm sick. I've been coughing all day”
  458. 458.
    >”You've been coughing all day because you smoke like a chimney. Kai, listen to me, for Pete's sake. You don't have friends to spare. Can you at least come and say goodbye before my flight takes off?”
  459. 459.
    >You just stared at the phone. A bloody coward.
  460. 460.
    >He was spot on about everything.
  461. 461.
    >It wasn't until everything else was gone that you realised you hadn't just lost a mate, you'd lost the last opportunity to be a decent one.
  462. 462.
    >And now, it was too late
  463. 463.
     
  464. 464.
    “Trixie, you really don’t need to do this”
  465. 465.
    >You were sitting on Trixie’s wagon, being carried by the owner herself
  466. 466.
    >“It’s okay…”
  467. 467.
    >You know she was about to call you “Fluffy Swamp” but instead of finding it annoying, you unconsciously let out a small chuckle
  468. 468.
    >”I… know that cut might be hurting”
  469. 469.
    >It doesn’t, actually
  470. 470.
    >She’s the one who should be in pain, as you used her as a speed bump twice
  471. 471.
    >And yet, she’s the one carrying you, as if you deserved such treatment
  472. 472.
    >You look at the leg Sunburst healed with such kindness
  473. 473.
    >Not a second passes that you start feeling guilty for breaking one of his tea cups
  474. 474.
    >But more importantly, you can’t take what he said out of your head
  475. 475.
    >”You’re not from here”
  476. 476.
    >You immediately go take a peek out of the wagon’s window, seeing that Sunburst and Starlight are walking along to it
  477. 477.
     
  478. 478.
    “I’m really sorry about everything, Sunburst. And you too, Trixie… I know this weekend didn’t quite start on the right track”
  479. 479.
    >You really mean it
  480. 480.
    >While it wasn’t Kai’s intention to cause any harm, he ended up breaking things at Sunburst’s house, and having to be healed by him
  481. 481.
    >Although the last one was actually your fault, for throwing Trixie at Kai
  482. 482.
    >”It’s okay, Starlight. As I said earlier, you saw someone in need and helped them. It’s what to be expected from Twilight’s protégé”
  483. 483.
    >You feel humbled at your friend’s words, yet you can’t stop thinking at how carefree and upbeat he sounds
  484. 484.
    >Maybe a bit too much for Sunburst
  485. 485.
    >”And you too, Trixie. And I’m serious this time”
  486. 486.
    >”Trixie does what she has to do! Whatever that means!... Look, I can see Kai’s wagon!”
  487. 487.
    >Indeed there it is, the odd wagon where you found the green horse
  488. 488.
    >Surrounded by some vegetation, the wagon seems to be intact (not counting some corrosion that was already there when you first arrived)
  489. 489.
    >That really makes you think… Is it made of metal? Who made it? Kai or someone else?
  490. 490.
    >And for what purpose?
  491. 491.
    >Your mental monologue is interrupted by Kai jumping out of Trixie's wagon and running towards his
  492. 492.
    >”Be careful, Kai!”
  493. 493.
    >You find Trixie’s concern about Kai to be commendable, if a little excessive
  494. 494.
    >By the time you reach the wagon, you find Kai looking at it, while music can still be heard playing inside
  495. 495.
    >Wait, has the music been playing non-stop during all this time?
  496. 496.
    >How is that even possible? There’s not a single electric outlet on sight and batteries would have already worn out by now
  497. 497.
    >Okay, nevermind. There are things more important than that at the moment
  498. 498.
    >Trixie leaves her wagon aside and hurries to meet Kai
  499. 499.
     
  500. 500.
    “This song…”
  501. 501.
    >It’s a song you’ve heard thousands of times
  502. 502.
    >Heard from a mixtape you recorded yourself
  503. 503.
    >And yet, right now, it hits different
  504. 504.
     
  505. 505.
    Cause I will bring you down
  506. 506.
    I don't wanna miss
  507. 507.
    I don't think you can handle this
  508. 508.
    You've lost what you can't find
  509. 509.
    Never what you had in mind
  510. 510.
     
  511. 511.
    >You stare at your van, the only possession you have in this world, and hearing the song coming softly from the speakers
  512. 512.
    >Then you look at yourself, at your hooves, at your fur, at everything
  513. 513.
    >You didn’t ask for this
  514. 514.
    >You just want to be back to Earth, damn it
  515. 515.
    >Why the hell… Why didn’t you say goodbye to him?
  516. 516.
    >And then, the same memories start to flood your brain
  517. 517.
    >The day you wanted to talk to him and he didn’t answer
  518. 518.
    >How you waited and waited, but never got a response
  519. 519.
    >And then you got the call
  520. 520.
    >That dreaded call
  521. 521.
     
  522. 522.
    >”Kai, is everything alright?”
  523. 523.
    >You normally end up crying after remembering that, so hearing Trixier’s voice was a pleasant surprise
  524. 524.
    >You turn around, but it’s not Trixie what you find right in front of you
  525. 525.
    >”So this is the ‘van’ you were talking about, huh?”
  526. 526.
    >Sunburst adjusted his glasses and looked at you in the eyes
  527. 527.
    >You didn’t like that look
  528. 528.
    >Then, you noticed Trixie and Starlight next to you
  529. 529.
    >You know questions are going to be made, sooner or later, so for now it’s better to just stop the music
  530. 530.
    >Thankfully, the left door is still open
  531. 531.
    >You jump in and quickly eject the tape
  532. 532.
    >”Wow, Kai, that is quite the wagon”, said Trixie with a smile, and you can’t decide if she’s being serious or sarcastic
  533. 533.
    >Nah, Trixie doesn’t know how to be sarcastic
  534. 534.
    >You quickly glance at it: dirty, with spilled coffee and cassette tapes on the passenger seat
  535. 535.
    >You’re sure this kind of filth breaks multiple laws in Equestria
  536. 536.
    >You notice Starlight is about to say something, but she is interrupted by Sunburst before even starting
  537. 537.
    >Sunburst’s face shone, holding a smile that didn't look innocent at all…
  538. 538.
    >The tape… the tape I had on the stereo started flying towards Sunburst
  539. 539.
     
  540. 540.
    >It wasn't hard to notice how Starlight and Trixie were full of questions
  541. 541.
    >They were staring at a lot of things they had never seen located inside another thing they had never seen before today
  542. 542.
    >What were they going to ask about first? The driving wheel? The seats? The stereo?
  543. 543.
    >You're going to find out very soon, but they're not your main concern right now
  544. 544.
    >Your main concern is Sunburst
  545. 545.
    >Unlike his friends, he didn't look confused at all
  546. 546.
    >To the contrary: he looked very confident while holding my cassette tape in his hooves
  547. 547.
    >”Interesting. You don't see one of these everyday”
  548. 548.
    >Are… are you in trouble?
  549. 549.
    >Trixie and Starlight's attention is deviated towards the tape
  550. 550.
    >”What in Equestria is that?”, asked Trixie while cocking an eyebrow
  551. 551.
    >”It's where the music was coming from”
  552. 552.
    >Sunburst's answers sounded unexpectedly dry
  553. 553.
    >Most probably, that was the moment when you started to sweat
  554. 554.
    >”Trixie doesn't remember ever seeing something like that!”
  555. 555.
    >”Maybe you don't, but I'm sure Starlight does”
  556. 556.
    >Sunburst's smile shone brightly, and not in a fun, innocent manner
  557. 557.
    >”These are the tapes the Royal Guards use to record their interrogations”
  558. 558.
    >Starlight immediately looks straight at you
  559. 559.
    >You feel as if the passenger seat is burning your body and clumsily start moving, trying in vain to stop the sensation
  560. 560.
    >”Kai… why do you have a tape from the Royal Guards in your wagon?”
  561. 561.
    >Yep, you're definitely in trouble
  562. 562.
    “Uh…”
  563. 563.
    >”No, Starlight”, Sunburst interrupted
  564. 564.
    >”The real question is: ‘Kai, would you like to listen to something interesting?’”
  565. 565.
    >Sunburst's question wasn't actually a question
  566. 566.
    >It was an order
  567. 567.
    “How… interesting?”
  568. 568.
    >”Very interesting”, he answered without delay
  569. 569.
    >His horn started to glow
  570. 570.
    >And suddenly, another tape came flying slowly towards Sunburst
  571. 571.
    >”Wait a minute! Where did that thing come from?”, asked a clearly confused Trixie
  572. 572.
    >”I put it in your wagon while you were taking the cookie crumbs off your cape. Kai, take this and listen to it”
  573. 573.
    >Starlight takes a step forward towards Sunburst
  574. 574.
    >”Okay, Sunburst, cut it out”
  575. 575.
    >”No”, Sunburst answered dryly
  576. 576.
    >Starlight and Trixie were clearly taken aback by his response
  577. 577.
    >”What?”, inquired Starlight
  578. 578.
    >Sunburst cleared his throat and let out a frustrated sigh, as if what he was trying to imply was clear to everyone
  579. 579.
    >”The reason I invited you to come wasn't just to drink tea and swim in my pool, you know”
  580. 580.
    >”Sunburst, what is happening? You've never acted like this in our presence”
  581. 581.
    >Starlight’s voice sounded increasingly aggressive and you could see Trixie feeling clearly uncomfortable
  582. 582.
    >Then, Sunburst looked at you with a piercing gaze, using his glowing horn to leave his tape flying in front of you, enticing you to grab it
  583. 583.
    >And you did
  584. 584.
    >”Play it”, he ordered
  585. 585.
    >A few seconds pass by while you're trying to understand the situation
  586. 586.
    >The tape was completely black and had a small label with an inscription on it: “I-283”
  587. 587.
    >”PLAY IT, DAMNIT!”
  588. 588.
    >Even considering how tense this conversation was becoming, Sunburst's shouting caught you completely by surprise
  589. 589.
    >You were left flabbergasted and unable to react
  590. 590.
    >”Stop it, Sunburst!”
  591. 591.
    >Trixie's attitude has suddenly changed from scared to confrontational
  592. 592.
    >”Kai did nothing wrong to you! Why are you yelling at him?!”
  593. 593.
    >”You'll understand after he plays the tape”, he answered without hesitation
  594. 594.
    >”Sunburst… You're worrying me. Frankly, I don't know what's happening, but I didn't sign up for this”, said Starlight, clearly trying to regain her composure
  595. 595.
    >Sunburst took a deep breath, steadying himself, then replied
  596. 596.
    >”I'm sorry. Allow me to explain”
  597. 597.
    >”Last week I went to the flea market, looking for some vintage accessories to decorate my château”
  598. 598.
    >Trixie's eyes rolled as soon as she heard the word “château”
  599. 599.
    >”However, I wasn't counting on finding that tape. A legitimate interrogation tape recorded by the Royal Guards”
  600. 600.
    >An interrogation tape
  601. 601.
    >Why is this related to you at all?
  602. 602.
    >”After I heard the tape, I knew something was bound to happen, sooner or later”
  603. 603.
    >”And it did”, he added while staring at you
  604. 604.
    >And then, complete silence
  605. 605.
    >Almost as if Sunburst's explanation caught his friends’ attention
  606. 606.
    >And now they want you… to play the tape
  607. 607.
     
  608. 608.
    >You hold the tape in your hooves
  609. 609.
    >The others’ stares felt like daggers piercing you
  610. 610.
    >They were demanding you to play the tape
  611. 611.
    >With a nervous flutter in your chest, you finally placed the tape into the van’s stereo
  612. 612.
    *Click*
  613. 613.
    >You raised the volume… and then you immediately pressed eject
  614. 614.
    “No.”
  615. 615.
    >”Play it”, said Sunburst coldly
  616. 616.
    >But you didn’t answer
  617. 617.
    >You just stayed, hyperventilating
  618. 618.
    >Because you recognized the voice you heard on the lone second of the tape that had just played
  619. 619.
    >Sunburst didn’t order you to play the tape again… but his horn started to glow
  620. 620.
    >Starlight and Trixie quickly realised you were on the verge of a panic attack
  621. 621.
    >You notice the stereo’s volume knob starts glowing with a light yellow aura, as it starts moving on its own to the right, raising the volume even more
  622. 622.
    >Clearly he wants everyone to hear the tape as clearly as possible
  623. 623.
    >But then, just before Sunburst actually plays the tape against my will, the glow stops
  624. 624.
    >”That’s enough”
  625. 625.
    >Starlight was standing right in front of Sunburst
  626. 626.
    >While you couldn’t see her expression from the driver’s seat, her severe tone of voice gave you more than a hint
  627. 627.
    >Sunburst looked defiant… Clearly not something you’d see on the actual cartoon
  628. 628.
    >You try to focus on the grass outside, hoping to avoid the confrontation. However, you quickly accept that you wouldn't be able to avoid listening to the tape
  629. 629.
    >”Okay, that’s it. Sunburst, I’m going to ask you something, and I want you to answer yes or no”, said Starlight firmly
  630. 630.
    >”Did Kai do anything illegal?”
  631. 631.
    >A heavy, silent pause followed
  632. 632.
    >”Just drop the act, Sunburst! Stop being a jackass to Kai… I mean, Fluffy Swamp!... I mean, Kai!”, Trixie screamed at the top of her lungs
  633. 633.
    “Sod it”
  634. 634.
    >You're going to face the music
  635. 635.
    >You clumsily reinsert the tape into the stereo, feeling as if your chest weighed a ton
  636. 636.
    >And then, you get off the van while the interrogation tape starts playing for good
  637. 637.
    >You stepped out of the van and sat down on the grass to listen to the tape, turning your back on the other three ponies
  638. 638.
    >”I… I already told you… I don't know how I came here”
  639. 639.
    >That was a voice you were dying to hear again, albeit not in this context
  640. 640.
    >”When did you arrive in Canterlot?”, a male voice asked
  641. 641.
    >In Canterlot
  642. 642.
    >They have you in bloody Canterlot
  643. 643.
    >The interrogator is probably a Royal Guard
  644. 644.
    >”I… I don't know. I lost my watch and everything I had when I showed up here… There, it must have been like… two or three days”
  645. 645.
    >Each word felt like a sword in your body
  646. 646.
    >”You've been missing for an entire year and it turns out you were here all this time”, you thought
  647. 647.
    >You could hear the sorrow in your friend's voice
  648. 648.
    >Because there was no doubt it was him
  649. 649.
    >”You weren't supposed to be there”, the Royal Guard accused
  650. 650.
    >”I don't know how I showed up there!”
  651. 651.
    >You could hear the desperation in your friend's voice
  652. 652.
    >”I was working and then I… I was here, and I was a horse”
  653. 653.
    >”What were you before?”, the Guard asked almost in a demeaning manner
  654. 654.
    >”A… A human?”
  655. 655.
    >Silence
  656. 656.
    >No more voices came from the tape
  657. 657.
    >And that's when you started to cry
  658. 658.
    >”K-Kai?”
  659. 659.
    >You turned over and find Trixie clearly worried about you
  660. 660.
    >She softly touches your back with her hoof, trying to bring some comfort
  661. 661.
    “That's… my friend Mark”, you say with difficulty in-between your crying
  662. 662.
    >Trixie doesn't question you, she just tried to give you a hug
  663. 663.
    >You feel unable to thank her, but for a moment you felt loved and understood by someone
  664. 664.
    >Starlight steps in and questions you, trying to sound as considerate as possible
  665. 665.
    >”Kai… Where did you come from?”
  666. 666.
    >You wipe your tears with your right hoof
  667. 667.
    “There's no point in telling you… You'll never believe me”
  668. 668.
    >You just want to go home
  669. 669.
     
  670. 670.
    >You try to analyse the situation rationally
  671. 671.
    >In front of you, there's a sobbing pony who is clearly scared and at the verge of panicking for the umpteen time today (and some of them were your fault)
  672. 672.
    >This pony seems to have a partner who might be located somewhere in Canterlot (but why?)
  673. 673.
    >You let out a sigh
  674. 674.
    >What would Twilight do in your place?
  675. 675.
    >You were about to ask Kai something, but then a thought came to your mind
  676. 676.
    “Sunburst…”
  677. 677.
    >Your friend stared silently at you
  678. 678.
    >This… is not the Sunburst you know
  679. 679.
    >What in the world is going on?!
  680. 680.
    “Sunburst… How were you able to know what was in the tape before we listened to it?”
  681. 681.
    >Sunburst smugly smiled at the sky
  682. 682.
    >”I had my means”
  683. 683.
    >The way Sunburst has been acting since you the left the house is resulting increasingly irritating
  684. 684.
    >You do your best to contain your anger, but then Trixie came along
  685. 685.
    >”Then tell us what your means were”, your friend said with determination
  686. 686.
    >Sunburst’s smile vanished quickly
  687. 687.
    >”Kai is crying because of you, Sunburst”
  688. 688.
    >You are momentarily stunned by Trixie’s words
  689. 689.
    >And yet, she’s completely right
  690. 690.
    >”Since the day I found that tape, I’ve had a hunch… As if something was about to happen. And time proved me right”
  691. 691.
    >”Stop vagueposting!”
  692. 692.
    >What?
  693. 693.
    >That was Kai, drying his tears and shouting at Sunburst
  694. 694.
    >He quickly approaches him, and you can see Sunburst being taken aback by Kai’s sudden change of attitude
  695. 695.
    >”If you know something, stop acting mysterious and tell me! That was my friend and I haven’t seen him in a year!”
  696. 696.
    >You can see Trixie getting worried about Kai, and gently putting a hoof on his back
  697. 697.
    >”Okay, then you can tell us how you and your friend came here”, Sunburst quickly fires back
  698. 698.
    >”That is not relevant”
  699. 699.
    >”It is relevant when you’re accusing somepony else of being secretive, Kai!”
  700. 700.
    “Stop. Just stop, please”
  701. 701.
    >Everyone looked at you
  702. 702.
    “Let’s just… go back to Sunburst’s house”
  703. 703.
    >That was the only thing you could think to do
  704. 704.
    >Sunburst merely bowed his head in silence
  705. 705.
    >”Uh… Kai, I don’t think I’ll be able to carry your wagon. It looks pretty heavy”, said Trixie sympathetically
  706. 706.
    >”It doesn’t matter, Trixie… I’ll do it myself”
  707. 707.
     
  708. 708.
    >You knew a cavalcade of questions were approaching
  709. 709.
    >But you weren’t open to leave your van, the only thing you had that you could call your own, abandoned in the middle of nowhere
  710. 710.
    >You jumped back on the driver’s seat and thought of a way to drive the vehicle
  711. 711.
    “Aha!”
  712. 712.
    >You knew piling the back of your van with rubbish would come in handy sooner or later
  713. 713.
    >You grab the broomstick you kept there
  714. 714.
    >Yes, this should work in lieu of feet
  715. 715.
    >You take a look at the three ponies
  716. 716.
    >Trixie's expression seems to show she's worried about you… Bless her
  717. 717.
    >Starlight looks confused. Understandable
  718. 718.
    >Sunburst… he won't even look at you
  719. 719.
    “Listen… I know you have tons of questions. Just let me park this thing somewhere, please…”
  720. 720.
    “I just… I don't want to argue. I just want to know what happened to my friend”
  721. 721.
    >Starlight was the first to talk
  722. 722.
    >”Trixie, please take the wagon back to Sunburst's house”
  723. 723.
    >She sounded friendly but firm, and ended with a head gesture telling Sunburst to go with Trixie
  724. 724.
    >”Starlight…”, Trixie tried to complain
  725. 725.
    >”Please… No more arguing”
  726. 726.
    >Trixie nodded and went away towards her wagon, with Sunburst following suit
  727. 727.
    >”May I come in?”
  728. 728.
    >You reached for the passenger door and opened it
  729. 729.
    >Starlight turned and climbed into the van via the now opened door
  730. 730.
    “I… I know it might be a bit uncomfortable”
  731. 731.
    >”You know that's the least of my worries right now”, she answered while looking at you with worried eyes
  732. 732.
    “I didn't come to Equestria willingly… nor has my friend Mark”
  733. 733.
    >”If you didn't come from Equestria, then where?”, Starlight asked while trying to sit on the passenger seat
  734. 734.
    “You wouldn't believe me”
  735. 735.
    >”Try me”
  736. 736.
    >Starlight’s determination catches you by surprise, but then you realize she’s probably running out of patience
  737. 737.
    >At the same time, you don’t want to tell her absolutely everything in private, at least not until you know what’s Sunburst’s endgame
  738. 738.
    “I come from a place not found in Equestria's books. I haven’t got a clue of how or why I ended up here”
  739. 739.
    >On the windshield, you can see Trixie and Sunburst taking back the wagon to the house
  740. 740.
    >”I see”
  741. 741.
    >You can sense she’s doesn’t fully believes you
  742. 742.
    “Uh… Thanks for being so kind to me”
  743. 743.
    >You can see a small smile briefly on her face
  744. 744.
    >”You’re welcome, Kai… I take you built this yourself?”
  745. 745.
    >She takes a look at the mess that passes as your transportation
  746. 746.
    “Well, the filth was made entirely by me”
  747. 747.
    >She laughs, although you’re sure your answers aren’t doing the best to make her trust in you
  748. 748.
    >You manage to turn the key with your hoof, igniting the engine
  749. 749.
    >”Wh-What is that noise?!”
  750. 750.
    “Don’t worry! It’s the engine!”
  751. 751.
    >”An engine? What kind of wagon is this?”
  752. 752.
    >Starlight overreacts to the slight shaking of the van, desperately grabbing herself to the seat
  753. 753.
    “One not made in Equestria, clearly… Listen, Starlight, I know this is very confusing. Just… allow me to park my… ‘wagon’ somewhere safe and I promise I’ll answer more questions sooner than later”
  754. 754.
    >You approach the broomstick to the gas pedal, hoping your idea works
  755. 755.
    >Indeed, the van starts moving slowly but surely
  756. 756.
    >Thankfully, there are no ponies around you could accidentally kill, as Trixie and Sunburst have already vanished from sight
  757. 757.
    >”Do you always use a stick to move this thing?”, asks Starlight
  758. 758.
    >You can sense her brain is working overtime to process the absolutely bizarre situation she’s living
  759. 759.
    “Well… I was taller in my place of birth… Enough to press the pedal myself”
  760. 760.
    >You hope (in vain) for your answer not to trigger more questions for the moment
  761. 761.
    >”How… is that place called?”
  762. 762.
    >What’s the point of keeping it a secret any longer?
  763. 763.
    “Earth”
  764. 764.
    >”Kai, what kind of name for a place is that?”
  765. 765.
    “I don’t know!”
  766. 766.
    >Without even realizing it, you both burst into laughter, alleviating the tension if only for a moment
  767. 767.
     
  768. 768.
    >You carry your wagon back to Sunburst's “château” in complete silence
  769. 769.
    >You have no intention of chit-chatting with the house owner, at least for now
  770. 770.
    >Then, you start hearing crunching
  771. 771.
    >You turn around to see Sunburst eating a cracker
  772. 772.
    “Where did you even get that from?”
  773. 773.
    >”I left it in your wagon while you were licking chocolate leftovers from your cape”
  774. 774.
    “Trixie doesn't like to be seen licking herself! Nor seeing ponies being jerks to others!”
  775. 775.
    >”I'm not being a jerk, Trixie”
  776. 776.
    “Well, you're pretending to be one quite well, then! You made Fluffy cry!”
  777. 777.
    >”It wasn't my intention to make Flu– Kai cry. But you have to understand, we're in the middle of something”
  778. 778.
    “Yes, we're in the middle of the worst weekend ever”
  779. 779.
    >You can hear Sunburst letting out a sigh
  780. 780.
    >”Well… If it matters so much to you, I can apologize. But I will find out what's behind that tape”
  781. 781.
    >You roll your eyes, not bothering in continuing the conversation
  782. 782.
    >You hear a noise in the distance
  783. 783.
    >It becomes progressively louder
  784. 784.
    >When you check where it comes from, you realize it's Kai's wagon, moving by itself
  785. 785.
    >You stop your walking abruptly, and stare in disbelief as the carriage pass you by, unable to grasp what is going on
  786. 786.
    >”Oh, look. Something completely normal that everypony in Equestria has seen before”
  787. 787.
    >You ignore Sunburst's sarcastic comment, preferring to find a reasonable explanation to what you're seeing
  788. 788.
    >But you couldn't find one
  789. 789.
    >So you decide to follow the wagon closely
  790. 790.
    >”Hey, wait for me!”
  791. 791.
    >Sunburst didn't react positively at your sudden speed increase
  792. 792.
     
  793. 793.
    >Two minutes later, you were back in front of Sunburst's house
  794. 794.
    >You leave your wagon next to the door and immediately run towards Kai's
  795. 795.
    >You see Starlight coming down from it, visibly confused
  796. 796.
    “What kind of wagon is this?!”
  797. 797.
    >”I’m not sure…”
  798. 798.
    >Starlight just stayed there, trying to interpret both the drive and Kai’s answers
  799. 799.
    >You finally see Kai coming down from his wagon and run straight to him
  800. 800.
    “Kai, how in Celestia’s name is that thing able to move by itself?”
  801. 801.
    >”Uh…”
  802. 802.
    >Kai was about to answer but gets interrupted by Starlight
  803. 803.
    >”It’s something he built by himself, Trixie”
  804. 804.
    >You look at Starlight, still confused, and then at Kai, whose smile doesn't quite hide the sweat beading on his face
  805. 805.
    >”Sunburst, don’t you have something to show us?”
  806. 806.
    >Starlight’s confusion suddenly changed to a expression of annoyance
  807. 807.
    >Sunburst takes a step forward, again with a smug smile on his face, and holding something on his right hoof
  808. 808.
    “Where did you get that from?! We haven’t opened the door yet!”
  809. 809.
    >”Do I even need to say it?”, Sunburst replied smugly
  810. 810.
    “Trixie doesn’t like her wagon to be used as a storage unit!”
  811. 811.
    >Sunburst starts approaching Kai, but you stand in the middle of them
  812. 812.
    “What are you going to do to him now?”
  813. 813.
    >Sunburst dropped his eyes, avoiding to meet your look, as if he’s finally embarrassed after scaring Kai
  814. 814.
    >”Listen, uh… I want to find out what’s happening too. This is something I found next to the tape at the antique shop.”
  815. 815.
    >”And I believe Kai knows what it is”
  816. 816.
     
  817. 817.
    >Of course you knew what it was
  818. 818.
    >Sunburst handed it to you
  819. 819.
    >It was a cassette recorder, like the ones you saw on films
  820. 820.
    >You instinctively turn it over, to see what was Sunburst using as a power source
  821. 821.
    >Do batteries even exist in Equestria?
  822. 822.
    >Apparently not, because there is no battery slot on sight
  823. 823.
    >”It doesn't use batteries”, Sunburst said coldly, as if he was reading your mind
  824. 824.
    “How do you use it then?”
  825. 825.
    >”Royal guards use magic to record and play tapes”
  826. 826.
    >”Will any of you say what the heck is that?!”, yelled a clearly frustrated Trixie
  827. 827.
    “It's a tape recorder. It's what the guards use to record interrogations”
  828. 828.
    >Starlight approaches Sunburst, looking intrigued
  829. 829.
    >”Only some Royal Guards are able to use magic. And most probably, only some of them are trusted with interrogations.”
  830. 830.
    >”The fact that you found both a tape and a tape recorder is highly unlikely, Sunburst”
  831. 831.
    >Once again, Sunburst obnoxiously adjusted his glasses before answering
  832. 832.
    >”It's quite strange actually, because I felt as if that tape and recorder were left intentionally for someone to find it”
  833. 833.
    >”Who sold it to you?”
  834. 834.
    >Now it was Starlight who started to sound like an interrogator, yet Sunburst carried on keeping his smug attitude
  835. 835.
    >”Didn't ask their name, and I doubt it is of importance”
  836. 836.
    >”Wait a minute!”, interrupted Trixie
  837. 837.
    >”How did you even get to make it work? You’re not a Royal Guard!”
  838. 838.
    >”Turns out any kind of magic is enough to make it work. You see, the secret is in how hard it is to come by this thing. They’re supposed to keep it under lock and key”
  839. 839.
    >”That’s why I think whoever left the tape and the recorder at the antique shop didn’t do it for money; they wanted to catch someone’s attention”
  840. 840.
    >”By the way, that’s the same place where I bought the cookies Trixie ate”
  841. 841.
    >”What?! You gave me cookies you found at an antique shop?”
  842. 842.
    >”Well, you clearly liked them. That mean my theory was right: expiration dates are meaningless”
  843. 843.
    >Starlight and you roll your eyes at the same time
  844. 844.
    “Listen, uh… I just want to go to Canterlot. In my van, by train, by foot, I don’t care. But I will do whatever it takes to find Mark”
  845. 845.
    >Saying your friend’s name filled you with determination
  846. 846.
    >If Equestria really is like the TV show, you don’t think they’ve used violence against Mark
  847. 847.
    >Or at least, you don’t want to think about it
  848. 848.
    >A moment of silence passes before Starlight takes the initiative to talk
  849. 849.
    >”You won’t go to Canterlot on your own”
  850. 850.
    >That caught you completely by surprise
  851. 851.
    >Trixie pulled Sunburst aside and stood in front of you
  852. 852.
    >”Exactly. You won’t go out by yourself”
  853. 853.
    >She looked at you, briefly smiling
  854. 854.
    >You feel moved by their attitude
  855. 855.
    >A sense of security gets into your mind, if only temporarily
  856. 856.
    “Please, tell me what we can do. I need to find Mark. He’s my only friend.”
  857. 857.
    >Starlight and Trixie look at each other
  858. 858.
    >”Uh… I suppose we could take the train to Canterlot and ask around”, Starlight said
  859. 859.
    >Trixie nodded
  860. 860.
    “Yes, excellent. Let’s go there now, please”
  861. 861.
    >”Wait”
  862. 862.
    >Sunburst interrupted the conversation, but without looking directly at any of you, his eyes pointing at the sky instead
  863. 863.
    >”The train to Canterlot doesn’t leave until six. We have time”
  864. 864.
    “Uh… Okay, I can wait in my van until it’s time”
  865. 865.
    >”You haven’t eaten anything today. Come inside”
  866. 866.
    >Trixie cocks an eyebrow, shocked by Sunburst’s change of attitude
  867. 867.
    “I… I can’t leave my van unattended”
  868. 868.
    >”Look around, Kai. My only neighbors are old ponies who mind their own business. They will pose no harm to your wagon”
  869. 869.
    >You look around, and quickly notice Sunburst was undoubtedly right
  870. 870.
    >Only a couple of houses are seen surrounding Sunburst’s place, and they are in complete silence
  871. 871.
    >”Let’s go inside and plan on what to do. I can prepare something to eat”
  872. 872.
    >”No more food from the antique shop!”, demanded Trixie
  873. 873.
    >”Okay, okay! Only fresh food from now on!”
  874. 874.
    >Both Starlight and Sunburst chuckled
  875. 875.
    >For the first moment since you met these three, the tension has begun to subside
  876. 876.
    >But you are pretty sure it won’t last
  877. 877.
    >Sunburst makes a gesture with his right hoof inviting everyone to get inside
  878. 878.
    >Starlight and Trixie both softly tell you “come on”
  879. 879.
    >You take a few seconds before following them, but before you cross the door, Sunburst speaks to you
  880. 880.
    >”I’m sorry for making you cry”, he said, again without looking at you
  881. 881.
    “It’s okay, Sunburst”
  882. 882.
    >A subtle smile crept onto Sunburst’s face, and for once it didn’t appear smug or double-faced to you
  883. 883.
     
  884. 884.
    >Back at Sunburst’s house, you see the sun hanging low in the sky, casting a pleasant warmth through the windows
  885. 885.
    >”So, I was thinking I could prepare a salad? I have bread I bought this morning…”
  886. 886.
    >Sunburst hesitated for a second as soon as he saw Trixie’s annoyed expression
  887. 887.
    >”At the bakery! It was just made!”
  888. 888.
    >Trixie let out a sigh of relief
  889. 889.
    >”I also have some crackers and peanut butter somewhere in the pantry, I think… that is, as long as Trixie hadn’t been peeking around”
  890. 890.
    >Trixie averted her eyes, exaggerating her annoyance
  891. 891.
    >”Starlight, you're the slicing expert. Please, lend me a hand”
  892. 892.
    >You nodded and followed Sunburst to the kitchen
  893. 893.
    >You were sure slicing vegetables was the least of his worries at the moment
  894. 894.
    >You enter the kitchen and notice Sunburst letting out a sigh
  895. 895.
    >He takes a cabbage out of a cabinet, and hands you a knife
  896. 896.
    >”Please, I'm terrible at cutting cabbage. I'll go find the tomatoes”
  897. 897.
    “You didn't make me come to the kitchen just to cut cabbage”
  898. 898.
    >Sunburst stops his search for the tomatoes and looks at you
  899. 899.
    >”Listen… I know I have been acting a bit… off…”
  900. 900.
    “Sunburst, why didn't you tell me about all this before?”
  901. 901.
    >You start cutting the cabbage in thin slices, trying to contain your frustration
  902. 902.
    >“I wasn't expecting you to bring one of them to my house”
  903. 903.
    “One of them?”
  904. 904.
    >”You heard the tape. A pony shows up in the middle of nowhere, without recollection of his origins, but sure that he wasn't a pony in the first place”
  905. 905.
    >”Doesn't that remind you of Kai just a little bit?”
  906. 906.
    >It actually reminds you of Kai a lot
  907. 907.
    >He literally told you he comes from a place called “Earth” and that he was “taller in his place of birth”
  908. 908.
    >In other words, he literally spat out he wasn't a pony
  909. 909.
    >Without counting the fact he recognised the pony being interrogated after listening to just a second of the tape
  910. 910.
    “This couldn't have been a coincidence. And I'm not just talking about the tape. Either they came here voluntarily and are hiding it for some reason, or they were chosen to come to Equestria against their will”
  911. 911.
    >”But why? What's the purpose of bringing… beings from Celestia knows where and leaving them adrift?”
  912. 912.
    >Sunburst resumes his search for the tomatoes, and brings out a bottle of olive oil with them
  913. 913.
    “We might find out in Canterlot…”
  914. 914.
    >Emphasis in ‘might’
  915. 915.
    >”How, though?”
  916. 916.
    >Good question…
  917. 917.
    “We could ask Twilight's brother”
  918. 918.
    >”Shining Armor?”
  919. 919.
    >Sunburst stopped cutting the tomatoes for a moment to think about your suggestion
  920. 920.
    >”Are you sure he can be trusted?”
  921. 921.
    “What are you saying? He's literally Twilight's brother”
  922. 922.
    >”That's why I'm asking”, Sunburst replied while adjusting his glasses
  923. 923.
    >What is he implying?
  924. 924.
    >”I just don't want the higher ups to become aware of this issue right away”
  925. 925.
    “Why? I thought you wanted answers”
  926. 926.
    >Having finished with the cabbage, you go look for the bread in Sunburst’s cupboard
  927. 927.
    >”Whoever left that tape and that recorder at the antique shop did it because he wanted someone to find them. And most probably, they did it because they couldn't talk to anypony else about what they heard”
  928. 928.
    >Sunburst's theory brought a myriad of questions to your mind you quickly managed to repress
  929. 929.
    “Here's the bread. We should go to the station with time if we don't want to miss the train”
  930. 930.
    >You head out of the kitchen, but Sunburst blocks your path with his right hoof to stop you
  931. 931.
    >“There's one more thing, Starlight”
  932. 932.
    >“When I said any kind of magic could make that recorder work…”
  933. 933.
    “You weren't being completely honest”
  934. 934.
    >”As far as I know, Royal Guard equipment that uses magic can only be used by Royal Guards”
  935. 935.
    >”That tape recorder was tampered with to allow anyone to use it”
  936. 936.
     
  937. 937.
    >”You know, Kai, you're not very good at relaxing”
  938. 938.
    >Trixie noticed your sweat still coming down from your forehead
  939. 939.
    “Sorry. I didn't have much time to practise lately”
  940. 940.
    >You were sitting near the window to look at your van, the only possession you still had in this world
  941. 941.
    >The one you'll have to leave unsupervised in a couple of hours
  942. 942.
    >Trixie simply sat down next to you in a cushion, looking comfortable
  943. 943.
    >”Fortunately for you, Trixie is an expert at doing nothing”
  944. 944.
    >She points at the cushion, inviting you to join her
  945. 945.
    >Your favourite pony ever is inviting you to sit next to her
  946. 946.
    >Your old /mlp/ self would have gone nuts just at the idea to touching her body
  947. 947.
    >You obey, sitting next to her and trying in vain to relax
  948. 948.
    >A few seconds pass in silence
  949. 949.
    >The afternoon sun casts long shadows across the floor
  950. 950.
    >Somewhere in the kitchen, you hear Starlight chopping something
  951. 951.
    >”Kai… May I ask you something?”
  952. 952.
    “Sure”
  953. 953.
    >”Where do you come from?”
  954. 954.
    “Uh… it’s a place called ‘Earth’”
  955. 955.
    >”’Earth?’ What kind of name is that?”
  956. 956.
    >That seems to be a popular opinion today
  957. 957.
    “Clearly not a very creative one”
  958. 958.
    >”Uh… Who is Mark, exactly?”
  959. 959.
    “He’s the only friend I’ve got”
  960. 960.
    >And then, you suddenly ask yourself: does he still consider you a friend?
  961. 961.
    >Has he ever thought about you during all this time?
  962. 962.
    >You take a deep breath, trying to banish those questions from your mind
  963. 963.
    >”Did you live in a remote area?”
  964. 964.
    >She doesn’t get it
  965. 965.
    “No, I was just… too much of an arsehole to keep my other friends”
  966. 966.
    “Mark was the only real friend I had… And he vanished a year ago, leaving no trace behind”
  967. 967.
    “His grandmother called me shortly after he moved in with her to tell me he was nowhere to be found”
  968. 968.
    “Since then, I couldn’t stop thinking about the day he asked me to go with him to the air–”
  969. 969.
    >You quickly realise airports don’t exist here
  970. 970.
    “...to the train station, to say goodbye before moving”
  971. 971.
    “And I refused, making up a silly excuse”
  972. 972.
    “I never saw him again since then”
  973. 973.
    >You notice a teardrop rolling down from your cheek
  974. 974.
    “Mark was the only real friend I had and I lost him”
  975. 975.
    “I keep feeling this was all my fault. That I could’ve done something to prevent him from vanishing and ending up in bloody Canterlot”
  976. 976.
    >At first, Trixie doesn’t say anything
  977. 977.
    >She looks at the ceiling for a moment
  978. 978.
    >”You know… before knowing Starlight, I used to perform in front of empty chairs”
  979. 979.
    >You look at her, intrigued
  980. 980.
    >"I'd set up my stage, do my tricks, and... nopony would come. Sometimes I'd talk to myself just to hear a voice"
  981. 981.
    >”I think… maybe, that made me feel resentful towards the others”
  982. 982.
    >”I did things I now regret. And my attitudes might have scared the heck out of some ponies”
  983. 983.
    >Trixie looks at you
  984. 984.
    >She really looks at you
  985. 985.
    >You notice how blue her eyes are
  986. 986.
    >You simply didn’t notice it before
  987. 987.
    >They’re the colour of the sky after rain
  988. 988.
    >”What I want to say is… Even if Sunburst came off as a jerk to you, and even if I accidentally keep calling you Fluffy Swamp–”
  989. 989.
    >You interrupt Trixie with your sudden chuckling
  990. 990.
    >And then you realise Trixie, your favourite pony ever, thinks you’re worth her time
  991. 991.
    >That alone makes you forget your sadness and fills you with life
  992. 992.
    “Fluffy Swamp”
  993. 993.
    >You repeat your nickname, shaking your head
  994. 994.
    >”Well, your green hair really reminded me of a swamp!”
  995. 995.
    “Your hair reminds me of ice cream yet you don’t see me calling you Sundae!”
  996. 996.
    >Both of you laugh again, until it hurts
  997. 997.
    >But it’s a good hurt, if that makes any sense
  998. 998.
    >From the kitchen, you hear Sunburst say something in a low voice
  999. 999.
    >You can't make out the words, but you can hear Starlight responding to him
  1000. 1000.
    >Trixie notices your gaze toward the kitchen door
  1001. 1001.
    >Her smile fades slightly
  1002. 1002.
    >”They’re talking about us”
  1003. 1003.
    “Probably”
  1004. 1004.
    >You’re sure they’re actually talking more about you than about Trixie
  1005. 1005.
    >She leans back on the cushion, again looking at the ceiling
  1006. 1006.
    >The sunrays make her horn glow slightly
  1007. 1007.
    >”Trixie used to be alone… like, really alone. Nobody would come to her shows, even though they were the best magic acts in town”
  1008. 1008.
    >You don’t say anything
  1009. 1009.
    >You just listen
  1010. 1010.
    >”Then Starlight came along. And by the time she knew it, she had already met wonderful ponies who would support and listen to her”
  1011. 1011.
    >Her hoof touches yours. Just a small, brief touch
  1012. 1012.
    >”Kai… I know what it feels like”
  1013. 1013.
    >She sounds much more serious now
  1014. 1014.
    >”To think you have nothing. To think nopony cares. To be riddled with remorse”
  1015. 1015.
    >”You’re not alone, Kai”
  1016. 1016.
    >Your throat feels tight, and you nod, not trusting your voice
  1017. 1017.
     
  1018. 1018.
    >You were just about to exit the kitchen, until Sunburst stopped you with one more question
  1019. 1019.
    >”Do you trust Kai?”
  1020. 1020.
    “Does it matter?”
  1021. 1021.
    >A brief moment of silence ensues
  1022. 1022.
    “Even if I didn’t trust him, it won’t stop us from going to Canterlot in an hour, despite the fact we’ll arrive almost at nightfall”
  1023. 1023.
    >”Look, we don’t have time to waste…”, said Sunburst
  1024. 1024.
    “Why?! Why don't we have time to waste? What is about to happen?”
  1025. 1025.
    >”Please, Starlight, lower your voice”
  1026. 1026.
    “Sunburst, just stop…”
  1027. 1027.
    >You try to remember the word Kai used earlier
  1028. 1028.
    “Bare roasting!”
  1029. 1029.
    >”What?!”
  1030. 1030.
    >Sunburst was visibly confused… and so were you
  1031. 1031.
    “Just stop being so vague and secretive”
  1032. 1032.
    >”It’s not my intention…”
  1033. 1033.
    >He added a bit of salt to the salad
  1034. 1034.
    >”Look, I’m not sure what to think… But whatever we do, we should try to make Kai keep a low profile, just in case”
  1035. 1035.
    “How?”
  1036. 1036.
    >Sunburst touches his chin while thinking of what to do about Kai
  1037. 1037.
    >”Oh, I know”
  1038. 1038.
    >He opens a drawer, taking a white sheet out of it
  1039. 1039.
    >”This should work”
  1040. 1040.
    “The ponies will think he’s a ghost!”
  1041. 1041.
    >”Nah, they’ll probably think he’s just an old hag who is cold”
  1042. 1042.
    >”Who is an ‘old hag’?!”
  1043. 1043.
    >You roll your eyes as soon you hear Trixie’s complaining
  1044. 1044.
    >”You are! And why are you listening to other ponies’ conversations?”
  1045. 1045.
    >Trixie opens the door, looking visibly upset
  1046. 1046.
    >”I was startled by your sudden screaming! Even the neighbor came to see what was happening”
  1047. 1047.
    >”What?!”
  1048. 1048.
    >Sunburst runs toward the door, and notices there’s an elderly pony looking inside the house from the front window
  1049. 1049.
    >”Is everything okay, dear?”
  1050. 1050.
    >”Oh, yes, absolutely! Nothing to worry about, Mrs. Yellow Mane!”
  1051. 1051.
    >Well, she indeed has a yellow mane
  1052. 1052.
    >”Well, just call me if you need something, sweetheart”
  1053. 1053.
    >”Thank you!”
  1054. 1054.
    >As soon as Mrs. Yellow Mane left, Sunburst let out a sigh of relief
  1055. 1055.
    >”Whew!”
  1056. 1056.
    >You notice Kai in the living room, clearly startled over the sudden appearance of the neighbor
  1057. 1057.
    >You quickly decide to approach him before he tries to run away
  1058. 1058.
    “Easy, Kai! See? That pony didn't even notice your wagon. Everything is fine”
  1059. 1059.
    >”To be honest I'd be surprised if she noticed her own hooves. She's short-sighted but has a great hearing”
  1060. 1060.
    >Sunburst goes back to the kitchen and you take the opportunity to talk to Kai
  1061. 1061.
    “How are you feeling?”
  1062. 1062.
    >”Uh… A bit better, I think. Trixie was nice to me”
  1063. 1063.
    >Well, that's nice to hear, for a change
  1064. 1064.
    >”Of course! Trixie is beloved by everyone but tax collectors!”, said your friend while raising her hooves
  1065. 1065.
    >Sunburst comes back, this time carrying bread and salad
  1066. 1066.
    “Oh, please, let me help you”
  1067. 1067.
    >You put the food on the table in the center of the room
  1068. 1068.
    >Sunburst thanks you, and then brings rice and hay from the kitchen
  1069. 1069.
    >And he also brings the white sheet
  1070. 1070.
    >Before you notice it, he's already handing it to you
  1071. 1071.
    >It seems you'll have to do the dirty job
  1072. 1072.
    >You take a look at the table, and Trixie is already filling her mouth with hay and bread
  1073. 1073.
    “Trixie, please! Wait for us to sit, at least!”
  1074. 1074.
    >You cannot help but chuckling at Trixie's face, covered in grains of rice
  1075. 1075.
    >You leave the sheet at a side for now, and sit next to Kai and in front of Sunburst
  1076. 1076.
     
  1077. 1077.
    >Well, Kai, it has finally happened
  1078. 1078.
    >After jokingly asking yourself what would you do if a pony offered you hay, now you’re being offered just that
  1079. 1079.
    >You prefer to decline politely and try the rice instead
  1080. 1080.
    >That is, if Trixie leaves you some
  1081. 1081.
    >Thankfully, Starlight offers you a spoon
  1082. 1082.
    >But how are you supposed to use it?
  1083. 1083.
    >You try to grab it, failing repeatedly at it
  1084. 1084.
    >The sound of the spoon falling on the table catches the attention of Starlight and Sunburst (but not Trixie, who’s stuffing her face with salad)
  1085. 1085.
    >”Kai, are you okay?”, asked Starlight, looking slightly worried
  1086. 1086.
    “Well…”
  1087. 1087.
    >What are you going to answer? You can’t just say “I don’t know how to grab things”
  1088. 1088.
    >You remember what happened with the teacup before
  1089. 1089.
    “Sorry, I…”
  1090. 1090.
    >”It's okay”
  1091. 1091.
    >You look at Sunburst
  1092. 1092.
    >He doesn't look angry
  1093. 1093.
    >He got up and took a plate from the cupboard
  1094. 1094.
    >Then he quietly puts some rice on the plate and cuts some bread for you
  1095. 1095.
    >”Feel free to eat however you want”
  1096. 1096.
    >And just like that, he started to eat some salad
  1097. 1097.
    >But somehow, you couldn't stop thinking about his gesture
  1098. 1098.
    >”Let me help you, Kai”, Starlight said sympathetically
  1099. 1099.
    >Yet you kept looking at Sunburst
  1100. 1100.
    “Thank you”
  1101. 1101.
    >”Don't worry about it”, he said nonchalantly
  1102. 1102.
     
  1103. 1103.
    >Right after finishing the meal, Starlight helped you to drink water from a cup
  1104. 1104.
    >She didn't wait for you to say you were thirsty, she just did it
  1105. 1105.
    >”The train will depart in around 40 minutes”, said Sunburst while looking at the clock on the wall
  1106. 1106.
    >A sudden fear invaded you
  1107. 1107.
    >Your van
  1108. 1108.
    >You don't want to abandon it
  1109. 1109.
    “Uh… I don't… I don't want to leave, to leave my…”
  1110. 1110.
    >”Your wagon”, said Starlight
  1111. 1111.
    >”The great and powerful Trixie is going to leave her wagon here too! There's no need to fear!”
  1112. 1112.
    >Trixie's determination made you feel less insecure
  1113. 1113.
    >”You already saw what kind of neighbors Sunburst has. They're harmless!”, added Starlight
  1114. 1114.
    >You take one more peek at your van through the window, and then let out a sigh
  1115. 1115.
    “Can… I use the bathroom, please?”
  1116. 1116.
    >”Go ahead. It's down the hall, to the left”, answered Sunburst with a calm voice
  1117. 1117.
    >You thank him, and follow his directions
  1118. 1118.
    >Well, at least that's what you think
  1119. 1119.
    >Did he say to the left or to the right?
  1120. 1120.
    >Well, the bathroom is always to the right on films
  1121. 1121.
    >You take the right, but what you find isn't the bathroom
  1122. 1122.
    >You open the door with your hoof, and you end up in a study
  1123. 1123.
    >And over there, right in the centre of the desk, as if it was calling up your attention, you could see it clearly
  1124. 1124.
    >It was a BIC lighter
  1125. 1125.
     
  1126. 1126.
    >You just stayed there for a few moments
  1127. 1127.
    >No, such thing cannot exist in Equestria
  1128. 1128.
    >Especially with the BIC brand
  1129. 1129.
    >You doubt Celestia would approve imports from Brazil so easily
  1130. 1130.
    >Why does Sunburst have something like this? He doesn’t even have hands to use it
  1131. 1131.
    >And neither do you, so you can’t grab it
  1132. 1132.
    >”It was on the left, Kai”
  1133. 1133.
    >Damn
  1134. 1134.
    >Sunburst looks at you, and while he doesn't look angry, he doesn't seem to be the happiest horse around either
  1135. 1135.
    >”You know what that is, right?”, he asked softly
  1136. 1136.
    >Clearly he doesn't want the others to hear
  1137. 1137.
    “Yes”
  1138. 1138.
    >He takes a deep breath
  1139. 1139.
    “It's a lighter. It's used to start fires”
  1140. 1140.
    “And it doesn't exist in Equestria”
  1141. 1141.
    >”So you’re truly from another world”, answered Sunburst, with an almost smug smile on his face
  1142. 1142.
    “Where did you find it?”
  1143. 1143.
    >You didn't give him time to answer
  1144. 1144.
    “No”
  1145. 1145.
    >Exactly, that wasn’t the question you really needed to ask
  1146. 1146.
    ”When did you find it?”
  1147. 1147.
    >”I’d say… a couple of months ago”
  1148. 1148.
    >”Exactly, it wasn’t from around the time of your friend’s arrival”
  1149. 1149.
    >He knew you were thinking about Mark
  1150. 1150.
    >But why would Mark carry a lighter with him? He has never smoked in his whole life
  1151. 1151.
    “So that means… there’s someone else like me around”
  1152. 1152.
    >”Either that or it was one of Trixie’s tasteless jokes”
  1153. 1153.
    >”Trixie doesn’t like being the butt of jokes!”
  1154. 1154.
    >You look behind Sunburst, and there they are
  1155. 1155.
    >Trixie looking annoyed and Starlight looking confused
  1156. 1156.
    >”Why are you two here?”, asked Sunburst slightly startled
  1157. 1157.
    >”Well, you left while I was talking to you and then I heard your voice coming from here. It wasn’t hard to figure it out”
  1158. 1158.
    >”Okay, how much of our conversation did you hear?”
  1159. 1159.
    >”Enough. What’s that object you were talking about, exactly?”
  1160. 1160.
    “It's a lighter. It's a thing used to start fires. And it comes from Earth”
  1161. 1161.
    >Trixie interrupts, even more visibly annoyed than before
  1162. 1162.
    >”Again with that ‘Earth’ thing! By the way, can we go back to the dining room? This hall isn't the most spacious place around!”
  1163. 1163.
    >Well, she's right
  1164. 1164.
    >”I can't believe it”, says Sunburst
  1165. 1165.
    >”You too think that ‘Earth' thing is ludicrous?”, asks Trixie
  1166. 1166.
    >”No, I can't believe you know the word ‘spacious’”
  1167. 1167.
    >Just when Trixie was about to stick out her tongue at Sunburst, Starlight interrupted, putting her aside and standing in front of you
  1168. 1168.
    >”Okay, where's that thing?”
  1169. 1169.
    >Sunburst pointed towards the study
  1170. 1170.
    >Starlight went inside and Trixie followed suit
  1171. 1171.
    >”It's that blue thing with a metal tip”, indicated Sunburst while standing on the door
  1172. 1172.
    >”What does “made in Brazil” mean?”
  1173. 1173.
    >Ah, the good old Brazilian BICs
  1174. 1174.
    >”Brazil? Is that near the Crystal Empire?”
  1175. 1175.
    >You immediately facepalm after hearing Trixie's question
  1176. 1176.
    >”Kai, how are you supposed to use this thing? I take it's meant to light a candle without magic, but how does it work?”
  1177. 1177.
    >Well, what are you going to answer? That you need hands to use it?
  1178. 1178.
    “It's… not important right now”
  1179. 1179.
    >Starlight is about to complain, but gets interrupted by Sunburst letting out a small chuckle
  1180. 1180.
    >He understands
  1181. 1181.
    >”Maybe things will be clearer once we find out more information in Canterlot”, he said in a conciliatory tone which somehow relaxed Starlight
  1182. 1182.
    >”I think we should go to the train station”, said Starlight
  1183. 1183.
    “Wait… I really need to go to the bathroom”
  1184. 1184.
    >”Well, I suppose now you know where it is”, said Sunburst while letting out another small chuckle
  1185. 1185.
     
  1186. 1186.
    >You enter the bathroom
  1187. 1187.
    >The place is very tidy, and there's a subtle coconut smell around that feels very pleasant
  1188. 1188.
    >What doesn't seem pleasant is the latrine located right in the centre of the room
  1189. 1189.
    >But then you think: if there was a normal toilet, would you be able to use it?
  1190. 1190.
    >You doubt so
  1191. 1191.
    >You then sit near the latrine, trying to do number one
  1192. 1192.
    >Luckily, it's surprisingly easy, for a change
  1193. 1193.
    >After finishing, you went to wash your hooves with water from a basin located near the latrine
  1194. 1194.
    >And logically, you can’t help but look at yourself in the mirror over the basin
  1195. 1195.
    >You still can’t believe there’s a pony where a man should be
  1196. 1196.
    >If you were to be remembered by a physical feature, that would be your fur, which had an undeniably vibrant, uniform green colour
  1197. 1197.
    >You focused on your eyes
  1198. 1198.
    >Well, at least they’re still brown and not of a wacky colour
  1199. 1199.
    >They’re probably the only familiar thing in a sea of green
  1200. 1200.
    >Are you ever going to turn back into a human?
  1201. 1201.
    >You let out a sigh, and then walk through the door, only to find Trixie waiting for you to come out
  1202. 1202.
    >”How are you feeling, Kai?”, she asked with a gentle smile on her face
  1203. 1203.
    >She has really lifted your spirits, yet you can’t help but feeling anxious
  1204. 1204.
    “I’m okay… Thank you”
  1205. 1205.
    >You stay still for a few seconds, until you see her getting desperate
  1206. 1206.
    >”Okay, I’m glad! But I really need to use the toilet too!”
  1207. 1207.
    >You can’t help but laughing while moving aside to let her come into the bathroom
  1208. 1208.
     
  1209. 1209.
    >As you take a step outside Sunburst’s house, you take a last peek at your van
  1210. 1210.
    >Trixie immediately notices so, and comes to cheer you up
  1211. 1211.
    >”Don’t worry, Kai. Trixie will protect your wagon with her life!”
  1212. 1212.
    “But… you’re not staying here”
  1213. 1213.
    >”Oh, well… Trixie will protect it with her thoughts, then!”, she answered while bringing her hoof to her chin
  1214. 1214.
    >Typical Trixie
  1215. 1215.
    >No matter what she says, she'll always be your favourite cartoon horse
  1216. 1216.
    >You see Starlight and Sunburst carrying a small bag each
  1217. 1217.
    >Hopefully they carry some mineral water with them
  1218. 1218.
    >Wait a minute, you're a horse and this is Equestria
  1219. 1219.
    >There's no contamination and you can drink water from almost everywhere
  1220. 1220.
    >As you join the others, you take a look at the sky
  1221. 1221.
    >You can't help but to think that in normal circumstances, you'd love to be here and get into fun adventures
  1222. 1222.
    >Your thinking is interrupted by Starlight gently putting her hoof on your back
  1223. 1223.
    >”Everything’s going to be fine, Kai”
  1224. 1224.
    >She shows you a warm smile that looks very sincere
  1225. 1225.
    “Thank you, Starlight”
  1226. 1226.
    >”The train station isn't far from here”
  1227. 1227.
    >That's a relief, to be honest
  1228. 1228.
    >You want to do everything possible to see Mark again
  1229. 1229.
    >As you silently walk following Sunburst's lead, you occasionally take a look behind, and notice how your van gets increasingly smaller with each step
  1230. 1230.
    >You don't see much activity around, only a couple of ponies hanging their laundry out to dry or taking a walk
  1231. 1231.
    >”You know, once Trixie performed in a town so small the only audience around were squirrels”
  1232. 1232.
    >While you appreciate Trixie's attempts to distract you, you cannot help but thinking about Mark and his wellbeing
  1233. 1233.
    >Eventually you see the train station on the horizon
  1234. 1234.
    >However, Sunburst stops abruptly in his tracks and looks at Starlight
  1235. 1235.
    >”I think now is the right time”
  1236. 1236.
    >What?
  1237. 1237.
    >He takes a white sheet from his bag and uses his magic to make it fly right over your head
  1238. 1238.
    >You don't know what his intentions are, but you're not excited about them!
  1239. 1239.
    “What are you doing?!”
  1240. 1240.
    >”Sunburst, haven't you considered explaining your intentions to Kai first?”, asked Starlight
  1241. 1241.
    >”Is that really necessary?”
  1242. 1242.
    >Sunburst sounds genuinely clueless
  1243. 1243.
    >Trixie immediately jumps in front of you
  1244. 1244.
    >”Hey! Are you trying to turn Kai into some sort of ghost?”
  1245. 1245.
    >Sunburst takes the sheet back to the bag
  1246. 1246.
    >”No! Not at all! It’s just that… I don’t think anyone should know Kai is travelling with us until we can get some answers”
  1247. 1247.
    >Fair point, you suppose
  1248. 1248.
    >Yet…
  1249. 1249.
    “I don’t want to look like a ghost!”
  1250. 1250.
    >”Oh, don’t worry, Kai”, said Starlight while walking towards you
  1251. 1251.
    >”Canterlot is full of old people. They’ll think you’re just an old lady who is cold”
  1252. 1252.
    “That doesn’t make me feel any better!”
  1253. 1253.
    >Sunburst lets out a sigh and leaves the bag at a side
  1254. 1254.
    >”We don’t know who might be around”
  1255. 1255.
    >”If there are more like you, it’s logical to think we’re dealing with something deliberately orchestrated by somepony”
  1256. 1256.
    >”If they see you with us, there might be consequences”
  1257. 1257.
    >Sadly, he’s right
  1258. 1258.
    >You can’t take any chances, specially when your friend’s wellbeing is at stake
  1259. 1259.
    “Bring that darn cloth”
  1260. 1260.
    >”You know, guys, you could have just asked me to give him the coat I had in my wagon”, said Trixie
  1261. 1261.
    >Starlight and Sunburst remain silent for a few seconds, slowly noticing the solution might have been more simple than turning you into a ghost
  1262. 1262.
    >”Yes, that would have been way easier”, finally said Starlight while looking at Sunburst
  1263. 1263.
    >”Oh well! Here it goes!”
  1264. 1264.
    >Right after saying that, Sunburst used his magic to put the cloth around you, tying it loosely under your belly
  1265. 1265.
    >”You tell me if it’s too tight”
  1266. 1266.
    “I look like a clown!”
  1267. 1267.
    >As your voices rises, the other look around to see if anyone’s heard you
  1268. 1268.
    >Luckily, there was just one pony around, who was leaving the station and minding their own business
  1269. 1269.
    >Trixie gets closer to you, trying to calm you down
  1270. 1270.
    >”That’s not true! You don’t look like a Kai, I mean, a Swamp… I mean, a clown!”
  1271. 1271.
    “You’re not being helpful, Trixie!”
  1272. 1272.
    >Starlight is the one to put an end to your whining
  1273. 1273.
    >”It won’t be long until the train departs, we’ll miss it if we don’t hurry”
  1274. 1274.
    >Right
  1275. 1275.
    >You enter the train station
  1276. 1276.
    >It’s small and old fashioned, just like the ones seen on the show
  1277. 1277.
    >It had a wooden platform, a ticket booth and a couple of benches
  1278. 1278.
    >There aren’t many peo– ponies around, save for two sitting on one of the benches, reading the newspaper
  1279. 1279.
    >”Wait a second, Trixie hasn’t brought any money! How are we supposed to pay for the trip?”
  1280. 1280.
    >Sunburst’s face takes on a slight smirk
  1281. 1281.
    >”Somehow I was expecting you’d say that sooner or later, Trixie… Don’t worry, I’ll buy the tickets for the four of us. I just hope you weren’t expecting to travel on first class”
  1282. 1282.
    >After thanking Sunburst, you approach the bench that is the furthest from the two ponies reading the newspaper
  1283. 1283.
    >You want to avoid any kind of conversation with strangers, specially while wearing such “clothing”
  1284. 1284.
    >Trixie follows you and sits next to you
  1285. 1285.
    >You initially ignore her, losing yourself in your thoughts
  1286. 1286.
    >You remember that lighter… Man, what you’d do for a Marlboro right now
  1287. 1287.
    >It’s not the time for that, Kai
  1288. 1288.
    >You look to your right, and see how Starlight and Sunburst are getting the tickets from the booth
  1289. 1289.
    >You can hear them thanking the ticket agent for their help
  1290. 1290.
    >Sunburst
  1291. 1291.
    >He’s hiding information from you
  1292. 1292.
    >But how much?
  1293. 1293.
    >Although, to be fair, you’re hiding information from him as well
  1294. 1294.
    >”Trixie calling Kai!”
  1295. 1295.
    >You get startled by the blue pony next to you
  1296. 1296.
    “Uh, sorry… I suppose I’m a bit nervous”
  1297. 1297.
    “I’ve never been to Canterlot, you know”
  1298. 1298.
    >Or any other place in Equestria, for that matter
  1299. 1299.
    >”Don’t worry, Kai. Trixie’s already told you everything’s going to be…”
  1300. 1300.
    >Her attempt at a calming message abruptly turns into a laugh, with her trying to contain it by putting her hoof on her mouth
  1301. 1301.
    “You’re thinking I look like a clown!”
  1302. 1302.
    >”Of course not, I swear!”
  1303. 1303.
    “Then why are you laughing?!”
  1304. 1304.
    >”Because you look like a ghost!”
  1305. 1305.
    >Once again, it’s Starlight the one who approaches to stop your whining
  1306. 1306.
    >”Please Trixie, we don’t want to draw anyone’s attention”, she says softly
  1307. 1307.
    >You can hear the train approaching at a distance
  1308. 1308.
    >The other ponies stop reading and get ready to board
  1309. 1309.
    >As the train stops at the platform, you take a deep breath
  1310. 1310.
    “So this is it”
  1311. 1311.
    >There’s no turning back
  1312. 1312.
    >You get on the train, and the last thing you hear before the doors close is Sunburst thinking out loud
  1313. 1313.
    >”I just hope we’re not too late”

Yout Title Goes Here

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