Lyra's Conversion (with no Rednecks)

Lyra Heartstrings was a mint green Unicorn, with a light green and white striped mane and tail, and bright orange eyes. Her whole life, she was fascinated with mythical beings called “Humans.” She spent her foalhood reading fantasy books about them, and history books with references to them. When she first started to develop her magic, her aura shaped itself into a Human hand, rather than forming a cloud like other Unicorns. When her parents insisted that she find a hobby other than studying Humans, Lyra discovered that her unique aura made her quite the talented harpist. She even received her Cutie Mark for playing the harp, but her passion was always Humans.

Lyra’s teacher was amazed at Lyra’s magical ability, and recommended she enroll in Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Lyra barely passed the entrance exam, but the judges were so impressed with her aura that she was accepted. Lyra bid a tearful goodbye to all of her friends, and left Ponyville for Canterlot. Her best friend, Bon Bon, a creamy Earth filly with a navy and pink mane and tail, and light blue eyes, cried her eyes out when Lyra left. The two promised to keep in touch, and Lyra would come visit during holiday breaks.

Lyra’ s magical skills grew greatly under the tutelage of the most skilled magic users in Equestria. She found plenty of time to spend with her new friends, and went home to Ponyville almost every chance she got, but she always retained her childhood fascination with Humans. As they grew older, Lyra noticed a change in Bon Bon’s behavior. She was becoming clingy, and always had a strange look in her eyes when Lyra was around. After several more visits, Lyra finally confronted her friend about her behavior, and Bon Bon’s response shocked her.

“I love you, Lyra. Not as a friend, as a lover. I want you to be my fillyfriend. I want us to be together forever.”

To say that Lyra was surprised would be an understatement. “Bon Bon, you’ve been my best friend for our whole lives. You’re like a sister to me, and I care about you. But I’m not a fillyfooler. I want to meet a nice stallion and get married, maybe have foals someday. I’m sorry, but it will never happen between us.”

Bon Bon was crushed. Lyra returned to Canterlot early and never returned. She stopped reading Bon Bon’s letters, and stopped writing to her. She delved even deeper into her research on Humans. Until one night, in a secluded corner of the Canterlot archives, she made a discovery.

Lyra found several ancient scrolls detailing Ponies journeys to an Earth in a separate realm, which was inhabited by Humans. Some of the scrolls had sketches of the magic circle used to travel to this Earth. The scrolls were damaged, but there were enough that Lyra was able to recreate it completely. Finally, she was ready to make her dream come true.
Lyra returned to her apartment and prepared for her trip. She packed her saddlebags full of some snacks, parchment, quills, and ink, and her camera. She had a copy of the magic circle clenched between her teeth, if she lost that, she could never return to Equestria. With her preparations complete, Lyra poured her magic into the circle and activated the spell. In a flash of green light, Lyra Heartstrings disappeared from Equestria.

Harry Johnson grew up in a nice, small town in California. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age, but he managed it well with medication. His parents were very supportive and caring. Every summer, Harry’s father took him to visit his father in the Rocky Mountains. The three of them would hunt, fish, and do all sorts of male bonding activities. Even after Grandpa died, Harry and his father continued the tradition. Harry had an easy childhood, and he was able to graduate from high school with near-average grades. Then tragedy struck.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were driving home from a movie when a drunk driver crashed into their car. The Johnsons died on impact; the other driver walked away without a scratch. Harry was devastated at the loss of his family, so devastated that he went off his meds. Harry became convinced that his parents were murdered by a government assassin. He believed that he had psychic visions, and America wanted to use his power to take over the world. Harry sold the house, converted some of his inheritance into cash, and moved into his Grandpa’s cabin.

The log cabin was isolated, at the end of a long dirt road that no one ever used. It had a kitchen/living room area, two bedrooms, a basement, and a small smokehouse in the backyard. There was a gasoline generator that was rarely used, a wood stove for heat and cooking, a well for water, and an outhouse for a bathroom. When Harry moved in, he converted the basement into a makeshift bunker. He amassed a supply of weapons to defend himself from the government spies who were plotting to capture him. He lived by hunting for meat in the woods, and he occasionally hiked to the nearest town to buy canned food and other supplies. The people knew the man they called “Crazy Harry” had a load of cash at his cabin, but they also knew he purchased ammunition and bear traps.

That day, Crazy Harry was out back scanning for helicopters when he saw a bright flash of green light in the woods nearby. Suspicious, he grabbed a rifle, a cattle prod, and a coil of rope, and set off to investigate.