The Rift

"Well, that went a bit longer than expected."

Dr. Wolf said, as he and several others left the zero room of the Rift Cafe, all of them satisfied with the outcome of a podcast they just hosted for their latest holiday collab.

"And Silver Quill managed to not get hurt this time!"

Sweetie Bloom pointed out, just as Silver ran into a potted plant.

"Sweetie...you DO realize that once you say that...the universe takes it upon itself to release cold, dark kharma on me."

he replied, the plant now atop his head making everyone laugh.

"It was still a pretty good podcast. There were some...questionable statements in the chat...but all and all it was pretty good."

DustyKatt said, as he helped Silver back up.

"Did you SEE the comments? They were ROLELAYING before we even got there. They were probably just poking fun. Just like we do. Don't be uptight Dusty."

K.P answered, calming Dusty a bit.

"And I have to admit...it was nice to take a break and get back to what really matters...friendship, magic and all that junk."

Antony said, causing everyone to nod in agreement.

"Well, I don't know about you all, but I for one am gonna turn in for the night. I got a whole line of appointments scheduled tomorrow and a whole afternoon of recording ahead. Good night all!"

Dr. Wolf waved, as he walked back to his apartment, the others soon giving their goodbyes and returning home as well.

As soon as Dr. Wolf walked into his home, he couldn't help but sigh in content. It felt good to relax a bit and have a conversation with his followers and friends all in the same place. As he draped his jacket over his chair, a picture on top of his desk of him with his brother Terek caught his eye. He smiled as he picked up the picture, thoughts of the family filled holidays coming flooding his vision. It had been several weeks since he'd seen his brother, and it would actually be kinda nice to take a break from his usual schedule to relax for a bit. Despite all the fun he had with what he did, the thought of relaxing for a bit was quite inviting.

His thoughts were interrupted however, when he felt the ground beneath him begin to shake.

"What the?"

he questioned out loud, his paws already moving to see what was going on. As he opened the door to his home, he noticed others doing the same, all with confused or scared looks on their faces.

Dr. Wolf immediately thought of his friends. It had only been a couple moments since he left them. What if they hadn't gotten to their homes yet? They could be in danger! With these thoughts in his head, he began to run down the halls of the Rift Cafe, much to the protest of the people around him. The shaking in the halls threw him left and right, the rocking floors making it hard to move, but Dr. Wolf ignored it, the safety of him friends the only thing on his mind. He HAD to make sure they were okay.

"WOA! Holy hot shots Batman!!! What the FUDGE is going on?"

Dr. Wolf couldn't help but sigh in relief at the sound of Antony's voice. He was close. He turned the corner to see DustyKatt and Antony sliding across the floor, the winged members of the group trying to fly down to help, only to be hit by flying furniture. Dr. Wolf could see several scenes like this around him, and he too began to feel the effects.

"Is...WOA...everyone alright?"

he asked, his paws sliding across the floor.

"DOC?! What are you doing out here? It's not safe!"

Silver said, a book hitting him in the head.

"I...AH...didn't know if you guys were still out here or not! I had to...OH MY...make sure you guys were okay!"

he answered, as he dodged a couple pieces of furniture.

"The earthquake seems to be getting stronger! Anyone have any bright ideas?"

Sweetie Bloom asked, as she struggled to help Silver Quill back into the air after his hit.

"Um...pray for Da Lancie senpai?"

K.P voiced up hopefully.

"That's your answer for EVERYTHING!"

Dusty replied, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Well what ELSE are we gonna do? It's not like MAGIC'S gonna save us! There aren't any unicorns around!"

K.P spat back.

"Well, isn't THAT convenient!"

Antony spoke up, as he slid against a filing cabinet.

"EVERYONE! We don't have TIME for this! All non-fliers try to get into doorways! That's the safest place we can be right now!"

Dr. Wolf ordered, pushing against a nearby door frame to demonstrate.

As Antony and DustyKatt did as they were told, the earthquake took an unexpected turn. A blue and purple vortex began to form in the hallway, making everyone squint in the light.

"What IS that?"

Sweetie Bloom asked, bringing a hoof to her face to shield her eyes.

"Barren Tall Tales? Isn't it a bit LATE for a Halloween game?"

Silver questioned.

Dr. Wolf's eyes widened as the light grew brighter.

"I...don't think that's the case Silver Quill."

he answered slowly, his paws clutching the edges of the door frame in fear. With a scream from the 6 friends, the light became blinding, the sound of an explosion making their senses lose control for a couple minutes.

What had happened?

As soon as Dr. Wolf got control in his limbs again, he began to get up, thankful the earthquake was over.

"Alright, that was unexpected. Is everyone okay?"

he asked, adjusting his glasses as he did. Everyone responded with a yes or a sorta as the smoke began to clear, but doing little to bring vision to the hallway.

As murmurs and thank you's for help to feet or hooves were carried out, Antony was the first to notice extra sounds, or to be more accurate...echos.

"Um, guys? Did you hear something?"

he asked, shuddering as a more nervous, but almost identical voice spoke with him.

"Woa, that's weird!"

K.P voiced, bringing hooves to her mouth when a monotone version of her voice spoke with her.

"What the heck is going on here?"

Silver voiced up, pouting slightly when no voice was heard with his.

"Well, that doesn't sound normal."

Dusty replied, raising an eyebrow when he too didn't hear a voice sounding with his.

"Hello? Is anyone here? This isn't funny!"

Sweetie Bloom said nervously, her nervous tremor heard to sound alongside a more aggressive but familiar voice.

"Look, the important thing is that we're all okay, so let's try to make sure that no one else got...OOF!"

Dr. Wolf's words were interupted when he bumped into something, or rather...SOMEONE!

"Oh, my apologies..."

Dr. Wolf muttered as he got up, bringing a paw down to help whoever he bumped into to their feet. What he heard instead sent a chill down his spine.

"Ugh, no need. I can take care of myself."

answered the other victim, the voice sounding a bit gruff, but almost identical to his own.

He couldn't speak a word as the victim got up, the nearly cleared smoke giving a clear view of who it was. Dr. Wolf's eyes widened as he looked upon a grey wolf wearing jeans, a leather jacket, and a black headband around his head, spiked fur acting as hair and sunglasses on top of said head completing the look. But no matter what the wolf was wearing, the fur and eyes said it all. Somehow, in someway, this wolf...was HIM?

The possible doppleganger turned to him and gave Dr. Wolf a once over, a look of clear annoyance on his face.

"Well, looks like this is an alternate universe after all."