Chapter Nineteen: The Neverending Abyss

"We're momentarily trapped on this comet, but seeing as how you've joined us, I don't anticipate the situation continuing," I explain.

"It feels like someone's been rummaging around in my body. Was it you?" the prototype asks accusingly.

"No, it was me," Twilight elucidates.

"Did he ask you to sign an NDA?"

"What's that?"

I cannot allow this conversation to continue. The last thing I need is Celestia badgering me about ponies discovering non-disclosure agreements due to my prescence. "NDAs aside, can you get us back to Equestria?"

The prototype blinks. "Maybe, but didn't you want to go home?" Twilight looks at me expectantly.

"We have to drop off the princess of friendship first," I rationalize, "she could be quite detrimental to normal lab operations."

She grins. "Plus, if you leave I'll just track you down again." I shrug, this time maintaining my balance. Her expression changes to one of worry. "We should hurry. I'm running out of magic faster than I thought. This spell has a recursive loop in it."

"Ah yes, a recursive loop," I pretend to understand.

"Normally, I would've triple-checked for them while writing it, but we needed it right away."

"I did my best with your loony friend havering on!" the prototype says defensively.

I check the flageye, which remains unconscious. "This time, we shall all be completely silent, including those of us who speak only in one word." Twilight closes her eyes to focus on the spell, and the monitor spins as I hold him in place. He seems to be exercising more caution, and to my relief there is no yellow light emanating from his spikes. The shield around us dims slightly before brightening significantly. I hope silently to myself that neither magic nor science fail us.

***

"You ever hear the story of Rip Van Winkle?" Ritornello asked suddenly. Aria slowly opened one eye.

"No," she replied, closing it. The manticore frowned at her.

"They say that he went on a hike into the mountains and met some old ponies who loved bowling."

"I didn't say I wanted to hear it," the siren groaned, stretching her tail out from under the covers and rolling out of her bed. Ritornello followed her out of the room and down the hallway.

"I just want to return the favor!" she stressed as they headed towards the stairs. Aria snorted. "You told such lovely stories about your time on earth, and I'd feel awful if I didn't give you a few from Equestria to take back!"

"I get it. Not this early."

"Fine," Ritornello muttered as they arrived at the bar.

"Coffee," Aria requisitioned. The bartender looked up from his want ads.

"Been no coffee since the leavening. Use sandwater instead. It'll wake you up just fine," he assured. Aria nodded blankly and held out her hoof. Ritornello passed her two goldos. The bartender's wizened claws placed their mugs of sandwater on the table. The siren paid for the drinks and mechanically took a large sip.

"Gaaaaaaaaaaaah!" she bellowed, looking frantically for a keg of milk. The griffin either chortled or coughed heartily. Ritornello dashed around to aid her friend's doomed search.

***

"Nous avons attendu Twilight pour plus d'un jour! Nous exigeons une réunion tout de suite!"

"I understand that you're frustrated," Spike claimed, holding up his hands, "but I can't schedule any meetings until she gets back."

"Mark my words, young dragon," the princess of Prance growled, "there shall be a reckoning for this mistreatment!"

***

"You're absolutely sure this will work?" Mary asked. The SECRETARY sent a gif of a violently nodding cartoon character to the terminal.

"I've double and triple checked this design for any flaws. It will locate Mr. Olde and teleport you straight to him," the SECRETARY assured.

"Good luck," Anne said.

"I still think I should do it," Armald sulked.

"I just know you'll make it back safe," Allen predicted. Bill waved.

Mary pulled the controller out of the backpack-shaped teleporter. "Okay. It's as easy as pressing a button." And she did.

***

Rainbow shouted. "Just let me carry you back! Everyone gets lost sometimes!"

"Fine!" Dawn yelled. She glared at the hedges like they were insulting her personally.

"Fine!" Rainbow Dash retorted. She then picked up the aquamarine pony and flew her back towards the castle.

***

"Birds! I don't like 'em anymore!" Applejack panted as she and the others ran through the blue forests.

"I'm sure...he's just...hungry," Fluttershy protested.

Pinkie shuddered mid-bounce. "Birds shouldn't have that many legs!"

Luna called out from the distance. "I'll hold it off! Just keep looking! They must be on this planet!"

***

The monitor's glow is too bright to look at. As Twilight's horn is the same in that respect, I have resolved to close my eyes and hope the Flageye remains still. Suddenly, I hear a jolt of electricity. I chance a look only to see Mary for a split second. Then we are gone.

Author's Note

Updated December 15, 2020 with a title at the top.