Caught Between Worlds

     Mark walked along the beach with his family, watching the sunset. It was his turn with the metal detector, not that he was particularly excited about it. It was a cool machine, but the most exciting thing they ever found with it was spare change.

    So it was wjth some surprise that Mark turned to the frantically beeping detector. He set it aside and dug with his hands. Money was money, after all. His hand touched something solid, and--was that gold?

    He picked up the old, but untarnished coin, and looked at its face. No, it couldn't be. He knew that symbol. A unicorn with wings, or an Alicorn. Or was that just a term used in My Little Pony? Anyway, the same one was on his mirror at home. He looked at his family, playing on the beach. Of course, as the discoverer of this treasure, he was allowed to keep it, according to family rules. Still, he wanted to keep this a secret for now.

    He flipped the coin over and went to put it in his pocket when he froze. There, on the coin, was an unmistakable profile of himself. Unnerved, he placed it in his pocket. There was no chance he was telling anyone about it now.

     That night, Mark couldn't get to sleep. He just could not clear his mind. Finally he got up again, and took the coin back out of the stash he kept in his dresser. He stood in front of his mirror, comparing the coin to the ornate metalwork on the mirror frame. As he suspected, it was a perfect match.

    He reached out, touching the metalwok, and quickly recoiled.

    "Ow!"

    The coin grew hot, and he dropped it. What was happening? Mark felt a tingling sensation, grew lightheaded, and knew no more.

    Mark woke up, rolled out of bed--and froze. He was already out of bed. He was on the floor. He got up off of the floor. Then promptly fell back down. He tried again. Same result. What was wrong with him today?

    He grabbed his bedpost to pull himself up, and his hoof slid right off. Wait, what? He looked over himself in growing panic. What happened? Oh, nevermind, the mirror happened.

     Mark had to admit that this was pretty cool. Hadn't he been fantasizing about this for about a year? Still, there was a big difference between a fantasy and seriously thinking about it. What would his parents think? What would the world think? This would completely redefine his whole life.

    He looked at himself in the mirror. A nice dark navy blue with lighter hair, a unicorn--nice. Wait a minute--why am I a filly?

    Mark paced the room. His mother would call him any minute for breakfast. What could he do? Where would he hide? He paused in front of the mirror, an idea forming. If the mirror turned him into a pony when he was holding the coin, maybe it could turn him back. But first, he had to find it again. He hadn't seen it since he blacked out.

    He turned away from the mirror, and a flash of gold brought him back to it. That wasn't there before.     Around his neck was a necklace of somehow flexible navy blue crystal. And the centerpiece-the coin, the alicorn facing outwards.

     "This should make things easier," Mark thought.

     He jumped, touched the engraving...and knocked the mirror over.

    "Are you okay?" his mother called up the stairs.

    "I'm fine," he called back.

    He had to hurry.

    Mark stared at his non-human body, frustrated. Maybe he had to be in direct contact with the coin? He touched the coin with his hoof, and it flipped over, showing the human side.

     "Oh..."

     A shock travelled through his body, and he felt lightheaded, but he held on to his consiousness this time.

    "Well, that's convenient."

     He picked the mirror back off the floor, and went downstairs for breakfast. At least the mirror had the decency to give him clothes. Sure, not his old ones, but close enough.

    Mark wolfed down his breakfast. Now that he was out of immediate danger, he wanted to study that mirror. He looked at his watch, almost choking as he realised that it was not his watch. It was navy blue crystal with the coin where the watch face should have been.

     He hid it back under his sleeve. It would raise too many questions.

    "What's the rush?" asked his mother, amused.

    "Nothing, Mom" Mark said quickly. "I'm just really hungry."

    His mother looked at him suspiciously, but let it go.

     Mark walked upstairs intentionally slow. No need to cast too much suspicion on himself. He walked into his room and shut the door, locking it for good measure. Then, he finally felt safe enough to examine the mirror freely.

    He walked around his old mirror with new interest. It looked the same as ever, but he knew there had to be more. Now that it activated his coin, he knew; this was a magical artifact.

    He felt along the ornate frame, searching for secret buttons. There had to be something more here.

    As he ran his hand along the frame, his hand slipped and touched the surface of the mirror. It rippled.

    Now Mark felt slightly embarassed. He flipped the coin over on his wrist, and immediately stepped through the portal, for that, of course, was what it was.

    Apparently it is not a good idea to launch yourself into a new world at the same time as undergoing a process that almost knocked you out the last time you did it, and succeeded in doing so the time before that. Mark was knocked out almost instantly.

    He woke up to find a very worried pegasus above him. He fainted again.

    Mark woke up again in Twilight's library, all six of them gathered around him, worried. Well, five of them were worried. Rainbow Dash looked more suspicious.

    Twilight stepped forward. "Hello, what's your name? Do you know where your parents are?"

     Oh. Right. He was a filly. Well, Mark would sound rather strange as a pony name...

    "Um...I don't remember." Best play it safe.

    Twilight stepped back, deep in thought. She found this filly unconsious in her bedroom with no sign of a break-in. He wasn't there when she woke up, and nopony had entered the library since. This made about as much sense as Pinkie Pie. As in none. But the fact remained that there was a filly here that had no idea who he was or who his parents were. Obviously, she would put up notices. But for now, she decided, she would take responsibility.

    "So, would you like a place to stay?"

     Mark, getting more uncomfortable by the minute, brighened up instantly.

    "That would be great...Princess Twilight," he said, noticing her wings and realising that he was not one of her close friends.

    "You don't have to call me that," said Twilight, embarassed.

    "Okay, thanks," said Mark, relieved. He did not want to have to remember Twilight's title whenever they spoke.

    Suddenly, he got an idea. "Could I look at some of your books?"

     "All right, I'm outta here," interrupted Rainbow Dash.

    "I guess you got it handled here, Twi," Applejack  said.

    They all left, leaving a very happy Twilight with Mark.

    "What sort of books are you looking for?" asked Twilight. Fiction books were fun, but--

    "Do you have any beginner's magic books? I don't know anything about magic, but I really want to learn."

    Twilight stopped, a look of pure bliss on her face. Today was going to be SO much fun.

     Mark had never worked so hard, and had so much fun doing it, in his life. By the end of the day, he was already able to lift books and turn pages, if not at the same time. Twilight let him know that he was learning very fast. Mark credited his more mature mind's ability to focus. Twilight was a great teacher too, but he saw how normal fillies might get overwhelmed with the excess information. Twilight was beaming. She finally found somepony who truly was interested in what she had to say.

    Secretly, she was also examining his crystal necklace. Did he come from the Crystal Empire? No, he wasn't a crystal pony. If only he had his memories back...The memory spell wouldn't work. Twilight would have to know what memories to restore first. Nopony knew of a true amnesia cure...

    It was around sunset that Mark noticed two things. One was that he was starving, and Twilight probably was too. The other was that his parents were probably worried sick.

    Well, he knew his priorities.

    "Um...Twilight?"

    "Yes?"

    "Shouldn't we eat soon?"

    Over dinner (salad with potato wedges) Twilight explained that he had been found unconsious in her bedroom. Mark still feigned amnesia. Right now it seemed easier to ask forgiveness later than to explain his very complex predicament now. And Twilight just seemed so happy with a student of her own.

    Mark finished his dinner purposefully early, and brought his plate to the kitchen with some effort. Then, he snuck into Twilight's room, and found the mirror that accompanied his. They were almost identical. This one had a human face worked into the metal. At least it wasn't his face. That would've been creepy. He jumped through the mirror.

    As soon as he touched his bedroom floor, he telekinetically flipped the coin around his neck. It was going to take forever to get used to that feeling.

    Anyway, everybody was probably looking for him. He walked downstairs to find his family...still at breakfast.

    He walked slowly back upstairs. That was rather creepy. He spent a whole day with Twilight, and no time had passed at all. That meant...he could spend all the time in Equestria he wanted, and no time would pass here. Interesting.

    Well, he was tired, and it was about time for bed at Twilight's, so...Mark jumped back through the portal.

    When he emerged in Twilight's room, he transformed, then climbed into her guest bed.

    It took about an hour for him to find a comfortable position. Ponies sleep a lot differently than humans.

    About half an hour after sunset, Mark heard Twilight come upstairs to bed.

    It was a long day, and Mark normally would have gone to sleep instantly, but excitement kept him up for at least two more hours. Tomorrow was going to be an exciting day.

     Mark woke up, a little past sunrise, to hear Twilight talking to Cheerilee downstairs.

    "--but I AM qualified to teach him all of that, Cheerilee! He's much better off with me."

    "I know that, Twilight. But he needs to be around fillies his own age."

    Mark understood what was happening, and stepped in. "I have an idea."

    They both looked at him, startled by his sudden appearance.

    "I could bring the books I'm working on to school, and Twilight could work with me on weekends."

    "That could work," Twilight said thoughtfully. "I rarely have to give you guidance, except for assigning you books."

    "It

would be a little extra work, but I'm fine with that. What do you think, Cheerilee?"

    "I...guess it would be fine." She still looked slightly nervous. "See you around first hour!"

    Cheerilee left, and Mark walked back into the library. First hour? That must mean an hour after sunrise. That makes sense. Why did Cheerilee look so nervous, though? Maybe she had some difficulties getting kids..no fillies to school. Kids are baby goats.

    "Well, you should get packed, then," said Twilight.

    Mark levitated his books (one at a time) into some saddlebags. He noticed that Twilight seemed deflated, somehow. "Twilight, after I finish school, I'm sure you can still teach me plenty. This way, you won't have to abandon your friends just for me."

    He walked out the door, leaving a reassured Twilight waiting for his return.

     Mark took out the map Twilight had given him, locating the school. He walked through the town, fully taking it in. It was a dream come true. Even the map he was carrying would be envied by any brony back home. The experience was overwhelming.

    He arrived at the schoolhouse, and instinctually knew he was a few minutes early. Apparently that was why he never saw watches on ponies. Clocks were only there when you had to be precise.

    He walked in uncertainly, and was greeted by Cheerilee at the door.

    "What's your name? Twilight didn't tell me."

    "Umm...I don't remember."

    "You don't remember?"

    "I don't remember anything about my past. I guess you could say that I'm a blank slate...Hey! I know what you could call me! From now on, my name is Blank Slate."

    "Okay. That works for now."

    "Just until I figure out who I am"

    As in, my cutie mark. he thought to himself.

    Ponies started to file into the classroom, and Cheerilee showed him where to sit.

    Cheerilee called the class to order. "Welcome to the first day of the new school year!"

    "Oh, great," Mark thought. "I came here right in time."

    "...We have a new member of our class this year: Blank Slate!"

    Mark, or rather, Blank, stood up.

    "More like Blank Flank," whispered Diamond Tiara a few desks away. Apparently the CMC heard as well. They perked up and waved to him, smiling, their eyes clearly telling him to meet after school. He smiled back, then focused back on Cheerilee, who was beginning the math lesson.

    Mark was amazed at how Cheerilee managed to integrate all grades into the one classroom. Sure, there were only four years of study, but it was still impressive.

    He was also impressed at the high level of mathematics that was being taught, some of which he had never seen. They still taught at children's pace, though, at which he would take out Twilight's books.

    The fillies around him seemed jealous at first, until they glanced at what he was reading. Most fillies were still mastering levitation. Twilight didn't hold back, allowing him to study concepts like teleportation even as he was mastering basic levitation.

    History was the most interesting subject for him, completely holding his attention. He made good use of the notepaper Twilight had packed for him, much to the confusion of the ponies surrounding him. No one had ever taken notes in class before. Mark doubted that many of them even knew how to take notes. But anyway, he would put thesenotes to good use on Earth.

    During most subjects, though, Mark would practice levitating objects, particularly books, under the table, practicing both the strength and agility of his telekinesis. Cheerilee knew what he was doing, but other class members looked at him funny, noticing his almost constantly glowing horn.

    He made good progress, though. By the end of the day, Mark was able to levitate several books at once, or turn the pages of one in the air. Studying magical theory helped, too. He found out that it was relatively easy to shoot "lasers" of raw magical energy, although in his case they would hurt no more than a static shock. They still looked cool, though.

    When the bell rang, signalling the end of school, the CMC beckoned him over.

    Scootaloo spoke first "So, I couldn't help noticing that you don't have a cutie--"

    "Scootaloo! That's rude!" said Sweetie Belle. "What Scootaloo means to say is; do you want to go looking for your cutie mark with us? We're the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The only requirement to join is that you don't have your cutie mark yet. So what do you think? You wanna join?"

     "I guess so, but Twilight might get worried if I stay too late after school."

     "Aww..."

    "Wait, you live with Twilight?" said Applebloom.

    "Just since yesterday," Mark said. "But...I'm sure Twilight will be fine if I stay with you guys for a while. Just as long as I don't stay too late."

    "Great!" said Scootaloo. "Let me show you our clubhouse!"

    "...and you don't remember ANYTHING before yesterday?"

    "Nope. Nothing."

    "Wow," said Sweetie Belle."

    "What were you thinking about doing today?"

     "Well, we were going to try out stargazing tonight, but you wouldn't be able to come with," said Applebloom.

     Mark breathed a sigh of relief at the non-dangerous option. "I'm sure Twilight would be fine with that. She would probably even allow us to stay in the library tonight. She has all kinds of telescopes."

    But Applebloom was already on a different track. "...but where would we even GET scuba diving equipment?"

    Mark sighed. It was going to be a very long day.

     Mark acted as the CMC's voice of reason. When he finally went home, it was an hour before sunset, and he was exhausted.

    Twilight immediately understood when she found about the CMC. They ate dinner together, and went to bed. Well, Twilight stayed up a bit later researching something, but Mark was too tired to care.

    When Mark woke up, Twilight's bed was still empty. Knowing Twilight, she probably fell asleep with whatever book she was reading.

    Now that he was fully awake, Mark remembered what he wanted to do. He walked through Twilight's mirror.

    On the other side, he changed back into a human with clothes the same shade of blue as his coat. This might be a problem later. Perhaps he could convince people that it was just his new favorite color.

    He picked up the scrolls of notes he had brought and put them near his computer. One of Twilight's textbooks followed that. He sat down. Time to start writing the history of Equestria.

    Parchment rolls off desks easily. Despite the irritation, it did teach Mark something: Magic works just fine in his human form. Sure, having your palm glowing is weird, but it was undeniably useful at keeping papers in line. It was for that reason that he locked his door.

    Mark had missed what should have been breakfast at Twilight's. So he was greatly relieved when lunchtime came around. He hid the scrolls and the book in his closet. He didn't want anyone snooping around, least of all his younger brother, Jacob.

    Mark walked downstairs and sat down at the table. He picked up his fork and began to eat.

    "So...why were you so excited this morning, Mark?" his mother asked.

    He had been expecting something like this. "I just had some...inspiration for a story I'm writing."

    "Can I read it, or do you want to wait until it's finished?"

    "I don't think that it would be very interesting for you. I'm pretty much the only one here into MLP."

    His brother made a face. "I'll say. I just don't see what you see in it."

    "I know I may not know that much about the show, but I'd like to see what you wrote sometime. I'd like to see how good of a writer you are," she said with a smile. After all, she did write in her spare time.

    "Okay, I'll show you after we finish eating." After all, he had cleaned up beforehand. There wasn't anything she couldn't see.

    "I'm impressed. Sure, your storytelling could use some work, but the content here is amazing. If you could rewrite it to sound less like a textbook, you've got gold right here."

    Right. Less like a textbook. "Well, it's not like I'm doing this for money or anything."

    "Well, you should. How do you come up with these fantastic names?"

     "I can't do this for money. I'm writing about a world that is copyrighted."

    "But if you applied these talents elsewhere..."

    "Listen, Mom. I just wrote this for fun. I don't really want to become a writer. No offense to you, but that's not really what I want to do for a living."

     "Okay...I understand. I just got a bit too excited."

    "It's okay. I love you, Mom."

    "I love you too, son. Now you get back to writing. Or at least that's what I'm assuming you've been doing all day."

    She left, and Mark waited for her footsteps to fade away before quietly taking his materials out of the closet. He scrolled to the bottom and began to write.

    After dinner, Mark was tired. A full day of typing and staring at a screen had left him exhausted.

    He shut down his computer and went too bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

    As he drifted off to sleep, however, he couldn't help but feel that he was missing something. Something important.

     Mark woke up, confident in his plan. It was time to go back to Equestria for more lessons. He packed his bags with the scrolls from his desk when he froze.

    A scroll was missing. And his door was wide open. He had forgotten to lock it.

     To Be Continued...