The Dark Moon Mirror

“You’ll really sell $40,000 of bread in one day?” Twilight asked. It was Sunday dinner and Eric had just finished explaining what he did for a living and how long he would be gone during the day amongst other things.

“Well I sell to a superstore that sells to restaurants and then I go to bigger restaurants that can order directly from us, so yeah. Also you need to understand that the populace on Earth is massive. In America alone there are a little over three hundred million people and about a million of them live within forty miles of here,” Eric explained.

“Hmm, It’s actually interesting. I’ve been-” Twilight started

“Doing some research,” the other six said simultaneously causing Twilight to blush.

“Anyway I have found that many cities and countries on Earth hold similarities to the names of cities and countries back in Equestria. Manhattan Island, Baltimore, Los Angeles not even mentioning all the places that rhyme with Yakyakistan. I wonder if there is a place beyond Equestria that rhymes with Sacramento somewhere. It’s not just the names either. Manehattan has a population of several million ponies just like Manhattan with humans. I’m starting to think our universes are parallel just in a different way than the full moon mirror . . .” Twilight droned.
Eric rested his hand on Twilight’s giving her a look to tell her she’s yammering. She gasped when their skin touched only soft enough for him to hear, “Are you alright?” Eric asked.

She wasn’t really sure, “I’m fine, sorry just one more thing and I’m done I promise,” she said causing Rainbow Dash to groan and slump back in her seat. Twilight slowly took her now warmer hand back. “What bothers me the most is how the writers and producers of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic could have possibly known everything about us. I have a few theories and each is as unlikely as the last,” she said. Everyone paid attention to her now.

“What’re ya thinkin’ Twilight?” Applejack asked.

“Perhaps someone from our world comes here and tells them, but then how would that pony know so much and how are they getting here? Or maybe the writers were ponies once themselves, but then why are they completely human? The last . . . oh nevermind,” she said waving her hand.

“What is it?” Fluttershy asked.

“I was thinking maybe the writers had a psychic connection to our world. That they are only recording what they see in dreams or visions,” she said. Everyone sat there in silence thinking for a moment.

“Wait a damn minute,” Eric said grabbing his laptop.

“Eric?” Rarity asked.

“Gimme a sec.” He looked up the show which he hadn’t done the last two weeks. “I’ll be damned,” he said.

“What is it?” Rainbow Dash asked impatiently.

“I think your last theory may be right Twilight, the most recent news on My Little pony is that it was cancelled. The only explanation they could give was that recent ideas for episodes were too depressing and didn’t include any of the main 6. You girls aren’t in any of the new episodes, because you’re here,” Eric said. A mutual chill went down everyone’s spine.

“That is really creepy,” Pinkie Pie said.

“Well I won’t be sleeping tonight,” Twilight said pulling her knees to her chest.

“Likewise,” Rarity said thinking about Sweetie Belle. Her parents were just going to think she gave up.

“Hey, this means we might have a chance to find out what’s going on in Equestria and about the Dark Moon Mirror. This might just mean you’re not stuck here forever,” Eric said. Everyone felt a little less creeped and little more hopeful.

Twilight snapped out of it first, “You’re right, we’ll want to talk to the writers or at least one of them,” she said.

“Which one, I’m looking through this and there are so far over twenty different writers,” Rarity said. Eric thought about it.

“Our best bets would probably be M.A. Larson, Megan McCarthy, Amy Keating Rogers, and Josh Haber. They’re the lead writers of the show, but if nothing else we need to find Lauren Faust,” Eric said.

“Why is Lauren Faust so important?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“From what I can tell she only actually wrote two episodes and co-wrote a third,” Rarity said.

“She created the reboot of the show, you’re animation designs, names, everything started with her. If anyone knows what the heck’s going on it’s Lauren Faust.”

Everyone chatted a bit about home and what was going on, before they left for bed leaving Eric to think. At around 10pm Twilight came out for some water and Eric was right where she left him. She frowned and sat next to him, “I’m so sorry Eric, I didn’t mean to keep you awake,” Twilight said.

“It’s not just that it’s all of this, you know when I found you all I kept trying to think of somewhere else to put you because you six deserved a little better than being stuck in a cramped house with me. Now I’m just trying to convince myself again that this is all real. I mean what if the situation were reversed? How would you be reacting?” He asked. She smiled tenderly at him, took his hand and placed it on her cheek.

“Do I feel real enough to you?” Twilight asked.

Eric chuckled stroking her cheek with his thumb, “I’m sorry I’m not trying to deny your existence or anything. It’s just and I know this is selfish, but for me . . . it feels a little too good to be true,” he said.

“How is that selfish?” She asked taking his hand and twining their fingers together in an attempt to anchor him to reality.

He sniffed, “Because, no one’s ever really . . . imprinted on me before. I’ve never had people to rely on me and suddenly six girls I know almost everything about drop into my life. I haven’t said it out loud because I know it’s not right, but I’m happier with you all here than I was alone. I’ve never smiled so much in my whole life. I guess I’m just a little afraid of that ending,” he said one tear escaping his eye. Twilight wiped it away with her thumb and hugged him tight. Her face buried in Eric’s neck she took a deep breath through the nose.

“You know, I think maybe we were supposed to end up with you,” Twilight said.

“How do you figure?” Eric asked

“Think about it, if we had appeared in the middle of nowhere or in a bustling city where would we be now? The statue we came through was divine and didn’t belong in the evil place it was, but that is where we ended up. Of all the terrible men we met that day you were the knight in black armor to save us, you took us home and you happened to know who we were, and had an elements of harmony keychain. What are the odds of all that?” Twilight said realizing herself just how ridiculous it all was. Eric and Twilight smiled at each other, “Even if we’re not here forever you’ll always have us in your very spacious heart,” she said.

“Very spacious heart? Who talks like that?” Eric asked. Twilight pursed her lips trying not to smile or giggle ultimately failing. It was literally the most adorable thing Eric had ever seen. They laughed together for a little.

“Thank you Twilight, I really needed to hear that,” Eric said after they calmed down.

“I know, now go to bed or you’ll be too tired for work,” Twilight said quirking her brow at him. They stood up and hugged again before Eric sauntered to the basement and Twilight went to her room.

“Damn son, get hit by train?” Eric’s supervisor Justin asked saturday afternoon.

“Something like that,” Eric said. At the end of his work day he was inputting his sales and order into the computer at the depot and Justin went over everything.

“Hm, Leatherby’s went down and Waffle Barn just skyrocketed. I guess that balances it out. Alright, I’ll let the bakers know. See you Monday,” Justin said. Eric put his truck key back in the locker, handheld computer back in the charger and left. The first month back to work had been a bit of a challenge for him. He had only just found a way to make everything work on a long term basis at home.

He drove is his know refurbished Honda Civic back to the house. Tuesdays and Saturdays were always harder because he had to bring enough for the part timers to work on his day off. At home Twilight was busy practicing her typing so she could better research on the computer. Something she was wanted to do desperately at Canterlot high, but didn’t have the time. Pinkie Pie was reading a recipe book for Macarons, “Hmm, almond powder uhhh. Ah there it is,” she said reaching for the ingredients. She was slowly becoming more apt at baking with fingers. Rarity already made her an apron with her initials on the front in bright pink embroidery with a large special pouch specifically for her can of baking powder.

Fluttershy was reasoning with two cats from outside, “Now did you really have to fight?” She asked after feeding them both some half and half from the fridge. They both responded guiltily in the negative. “That’s what I thought,” she said smiling and stroking the fur of their necks. Applejack was in the nearby park with Rainbow Dash. She was collecting Grapefruit for the seeds to try and plant a tree in the backyard of the house. She had already started a couple apple trees one red delicious and another granny smith and they were both sprouting very well. Rainbow was up in the tallest tree watching the clouds having just flown up and shaped them into a tortoise.

She sighed miserably to herself wondering how Tank was. She thought about maybe trying to break the sound barrier, but where exactly to do it without gathering too much attention.

The morning since Eric left however Rarity was sitting the large upstairs bedroom she shared with Fluttershy going over Eric’s finances for him. She pursed her lips realizing that even on his salary. She stroked her lips and formulated a plan. She wrote out a few dozen emails with many scans and made similar faxes.

“What d’ya suppose Rarity’s up to?” Applejack asked when she and Rainbow got back.

“She was working on some designs, she even neglected her hair,” Fluttershy said concerned.

The front door opened, “Hi Eric, open up,” Pinkie Pie said holding a Macaron to his lips. He smiled at her adoringly and took a bite

“Whoa Pinkie Pie these are really good, what is it?” He asked.

“Their called Macaron’s, they’re soooo hard to get right,” she said said pointing at the trashcan where three dozen failed ones sat. Eric quirked his brow and pursed his lips. “Hehee, don’t worry I’ll clean up before dinner,” she giggled holding out the rest of his uneaten Macaron.

He took it before grabbing a change of clothes and heading for the shower. “Wow Pinkie Pie, I’ve never tasted anything like this before,” Twilight said biting into one.

“Very tasty,” Fluttershy agreed.

“Kinda chewy,” Rainbow said. Eric came out dressed in shorts and t-shirt with wet hair.

“Gah, they’re supposed to be chewy ya shithead,” Pinkie Pie said.

“Whoa wait WHAT!?” Eric shouted. Twilight put her hand over her mouth knowing Pinkie Pie said something she shouldn’t have.

“What?” Pinkie asked.

“What did you just say?” Eric asked.

“Which part, They’re, Chewy, Supposed, Shithead-” she listed.

“Don’t say it again!” Eric said throwing his arms up.

“What’s wrong? I heard it on TV today and it sounded funny, hehehe shithead,” she giggled to herself.

Eric sighed, “Pinkie Pie I think we need to talk,” Twilight said in a motherly voice. She explained for five minutes how saying Shithead, Fuck, Bitch, Ass, and various other . . . words were not acceptable. Afterwards everyone gathered for lunch of french onion soup.

Rarity came from downstairs, “Alright, so we’re going to need to start budgeting soon,” Eric said as Rarity opened her mouth to speak.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. We’re all living off of your pay without contributing anything,” Fluttershy said.

“Yes that’s why-” Rarity started going unheard.

“Yeah, Ah’m trying to get more trees growin, but maybe we could plant some faster growin’ foods,” Applejack said.

“Yes well-” Rarity tried and failed.

“I could have a bake sale!” Pinkie Pie said.

“I could try out for the olympics,” Rainbow said holding up a picture of olympic racers, “Please PLEASE let me try out for the Olympics!” She begged.

“GIRLS!” Rarity called until the room was quiet. All eyes were on her now. “I believe I have a solution.”