Falling Into the Unknown

After about four hours’ worth of questions, and a lot of disbelief (I told them everything), the President finally put me on a phone call with my parents. Even though I was never particularly close to them, those few tearful moments were some of the happiest in my life.

Minutes after I arrived, the portal closed. No fanfare, no noise, it simply disappeared.

From what I heard, there was an argument between the President and several of his advisors. After they confirmed my identity (I hate needles with a passion, but I suppose they needed a blood sample), several of his ‘advisors’, at least that was the word he used, wanted to keep me for ‘further studies’. Personally, he disapproved of that, and within eight hours after the end of the entire affair (about noon the next day), I was on a plane home.

My meeting with my family was quite tearful. Aside from the fact that I was involved in the ‘Portal Crisis’, they knew nothing. The only people I told when I got home were my parents, who reacted with disbelief up until I brought the crystal orb out of my pocket that Luna had given me.

Within two weeks, I had resumed my studies at College. When I first talked to my roommate again, he had asked the predictable question:

“Dude, where the hell were you?” My friend demanded.

“The land you love so much, you moron.” I replied.

I left him to sort out the rest.

My time in Equestria lasted, according to one of my uncles, fifty-six days. Not long for an entire life to change, but I suppose these things happen. I knew I would never forget Azure or Amber, nor Celestia, Luna, or the dozens of other ponies that I met there.

And the memories would last a lifetime.

-=-=-

I smiled at the screen as I finally finished his account of my journey. It had been eight years since I had come home, and since then, I had finished college and gotten a job. My life was fine, but there was one thing missing: My friends.

After I saved it, I sent a copy to my parents via E-Mail, knowing they would receive it at some point in the next few days. That accomplished, I put the Microsoft Word 2016 document on the desktop of my computer, alongside a picture I had taken eight years ago with my laptop.

The picture showed me, with a light blue pony on one side and a dark blue one on the other. They both smiled at the ‘camera’ as I gave a little wave. The wall of a tent was in the background, signifying that the picture was taken while we were camped on the plains.

With that being done, and in plain view, I shut my computer down before standing up and walking over to my dresser. Opening the top drawer, I shifted through some clothes before finding the object I was looking for.

I held up the crystal in my hands, the brightly shifting light inside still not dimmed after all these years. Setting it on a nearby table, I grabbed my brand-new laptop, as well as my Sa-58, old but still working after all these years. I packed a small amount of supplies, before putting the backpack on my back, putting the sling of the rifle across my chest, and slipping the laptop case on.

Grabbing the orb again, I looked at it, standing in the middle of the room, before uttering those thoughts that would bring me there.

‘I wish to go back.’

Having thought those thoughts, a bright light filled my vision, before I found myself standing on a cold floor. Looking around, I could see the throne room, a place I had gotten used to over the years, before my eyes set themselves on the three figures I recognized.

“Hello, Tyler.” A familiar voice said. I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing I was where my true friend were.

I was back in Equestria.