//-------------------------------------------------------// The Dark Moon Mirror -by Harmonium Titalius- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1: Through the Dark Moon //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1: Through the Dark Moon Today in Equestria started as any other for most ponies. Fluttershy tended to her animals, Rainbow Dash was sleeping in a tree midday after busting all the clouds in ponyville herself, Rarity was in the middle of picking matching colors for a set of suits as a wedding request, Applejack was knee deep in apple tree branches pruning the trees of her family farm, and Pinkie Pie was trying to find what was missing in her cream puff. “Not crunchy enough, too sweet? I dunno maybe it needs . . .” Pinkie muttered to herself. Twilight Sparkle on the other hand was deep in the catacombs of the castle of the Royal Pony Sisters with Spike. “Whoa, we’ve never been down here before,” Spike said curiously with a sense of terror. “I know, there’s always something new to learn about this place,” Twilight said excitedly ignorant of any danger. Together they came across a dead end, “What, why would a long corridor lead to a wall?” Twilight asked. “Who knows, maybe it’s just another joke Princess Celestia built into the castle?” Spike asked hopefully. Twilight furrowed her brow examining the wall until closed her eyes and in the absolute silence she heard it. Air escaping through one of the bricks. She pressed her hoof against the brick and it sunk into the wall causing the wall to part in the middle and slowly open. Twilight clapped her hooves together victoriously and trotted into the room lighting up the nearby torches. “Wow, this room looks like it hasn’t seen fresh air since the castle was built,” Twilight said. “Uhh, maybe that was for a reason?” Spike asked again. “Wait I see something,” Twilight said moving to corner. She approached her suspicion and was proven right. “A mirror, and I’m guessing like the one back home it’s no ordinary mirror,” she said. She slowly reached her hoof out to the reflection-clink-the sound of her hoof hitting the glass echoed anticlimactically through the chamber. “Must still be inactive. Still there’s something strange about the mirror’s dimensions. Come on let’s bring it home for further study.” Twilight Sparkle carried the large ornate mirror away for study, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” Spike whimpered. After bringing the mirror back to her castle in Ponyville Twilight performed an endless series of tests on it trying to bring it to life. She even put it in the place of the CHS mirror, but nothing happened. “It must lead to another dimension entirely, the mirror we typically use only opens every thirty full moon cycles that’s about . . . two years give or take a few months for blue moons. Assuming this mirror works in the same way it may just open up one full moon,” Twilight said writing down her thoughts. Her eyes were starting to droop and she was getting a little tired of nothing happening with her new mirror. She sighed and sat in her throne sipping her tea. Spike walked in having just finished the dishes, “That was fast,” Twilight said. “Eh, there wasn’t much to do. It was just us the last few weeks with you obsessing over that mirror,” Spike said picking up a comic. “I have not been obsessing over the mirror,” Twilight said defensively. Spike peered out from under the pages, “Seriously, you cooped yourself away in here for weeks when we found the mirror and at least a few hours a day for the last six months. I’m starting to think that thing is a lost cause,” Spike said. “Well maybe you’re right about me needing to get out more, but I refuse to believe that this mirror is a lost cause just because I can’t figure it out, give me some more time you’ll see.” “It’s a lost cause,” Twilight said a year and a half later. By now the CHS mirror had activated and deactivated all on it’s own the old fashioned way. “The mirror doesn’t seem to respond to full moon cycles at all, it’s been about two years since I found it and nothing. Huh, maybe it was just a prank on Luna like Spike suggested when I we found it,” Twilight said defeated. It just didn’t make sense, someone clearly went to a lot of trouble to make this mirror extremely difficult to find, why would all of that be for a prank? “Well whatever the reason it’s a moonless night without a cloud in the sky, so Princess Luna must have raised a new moon and WAA!” Twilight shrieked when the mirror vibrated to life. For a moment of curiosity as she had done countless times Twilight Peeped her eye through the mirror only this time instead of colliding with it a portion of her head actually went through. She saw a desolate empty room that looked like it would have typically been filled with life, but it was the middle of the night and the only sign of life was a human man using some sort of sweeping machine on the floor. Twilight pulled her head back. “The mirror works, I’m going to guess that it works as long as the new moon is present. I will perform a more extensive test on it in the morning with my friends.” “Sooo it’s another portal?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Yes, I’ve already confirmed that it travels to another human world. I will be exploring this world at least a little and I was wondering if anyone wanted to join me this time,” Twilight asked. “Wouldn’t that be a little dangerous considerin’ there might be more of us there too?” Applejack asked. “Well last time I went through the Full Moon portal I ran into the human version of myself and nothing overly bad happened. Besides, I don’t plan on us being there for more than a couple of hours,” Twilight said. Everypony was quiet for a moment, “I’ll admit I’m a little scared. If we all go and there are other versions of ourselves there then so what, but if I go alone and there aren’t then I’m there all alone,” Twilight admitted. “Oh Twilight, of course we’ll go with you then,” Fluttershy said. “Indeed, we couldn’t possibly let you explore a new place without some support,” Rarity agreed. “This. is so. EXCITING!” Pinkie Pie shouted. “Thank you, Spike send a letter to Princess Celestia explaining where we’re going just in case something happens and we need her help,” Twilight said. “Will do,” we said writing out a scroll then sending it. “Alright, let’s go,” Twilight said as they all poised to walk into the portal. The six of them passed through just in time for Spike to receive a letter from Celestia. “That was fast . . . oh no,” he shuddered. Celestia sent a letter back as fast as she could reading just five words as if to get it there faster. The five words send a dark creeping chill down Spikes back. DO NOT ENTER THE PORTAL! Sacramento CA November 15th 2016 Today was the first day of Eric Escaton’s two week vacation from Oroweat. Ever since he moved into his parent’s house he felt obligated to keep a full time high paying job as if to say he could live there even if it weren’t completely paid off. His mother and father-after receiving a healthy inheritance from Eric’s late grandmother-moved into a retirement neighborhood. The kind where you could live in a big house with a community of people in a regular suburb just cut off from the city and the services got more personal as the attendants got older. If it were up to Eric we would spend all his time shaping and sharpening his blades-being a kendo champion. Kendo was a severely underappreciated martial art in America, so becoming it’s national champion wasn’t as hard as when he took fifth place in the Japan International tournament. Now that was a fight. In the ring he was obligated to just the bamboo blades, but he really prefers his own folded steel. His Kendo master taught him how to forge metal particularly folded carbon steel. His prized possession was a tightly forged Odachi folded over so many times it could slice through other steel with ease. This Odachi he forged with My Little Pony:Friendship is Magic playing in the background. A guilty pleasure, but it both relaxed Eric and made him smile. Not that he’d ever tell anyone god only knows what his father would think, but hey who cares. Eric found himself in an underground blade show in Sacramento California-his hometown-in the sword section. He wore a heavy marine trench coat from his one tour in the marines, a black button up shirt, and black slacks all going with his dark almost black hair though in great contrast to his light sort of tanned skin and green eyes . . . sometimes people asked him if he was mourning someone, but he always replied, “No, at least not yet.” Even dressed this way somehow he still stuck out among all the . . . well unsavory individuals. Eric passed many booths trying to get him to buy their product. All he wanted was a stupid sharpening wheel. While sharpening his blades was therapeutic most of the time, sometimes it was a hassle. When people send him movie swords, axes, hunting knives or cheap stainless steel blades that were completely blunt from being made in a factory he was always expected to have it sharpened to a razor’s edge. With his metal file, sandpaper and simple stone it took at least that long to get it the way they wanted and many times a grinder just tore it to shreds. Eric was broken out of his daze by angry cheering of all the men in the room. “Relax ya’ dumbfucks they’s just a little late is all,” a big bearded man said at the stage. The funny thing is a recognized a few bronies in the crowd. “Come on, half the reason I come here is to get something that ain’t my fat ass wife,” Someone called. “Oh come on,” Eric muttered under his breath. It was one of those meetings where they called in prostitutes or craigslist girls to have a huge gangbang. That was such an appealing idea, twenty sweaty gross men with their dicks out around seven or eight overly drugged up girls. Now Eric remembered why he stayed away from these. He wondered for a moment why he made such a big deal about coming here. His honda was even in the shop so he had to take the Sprinter van he used for work. Although it looked like the hired whores weren’t making an appearance. “They’re supposed to be dressed in cosplay,” someone whispered to me excitedly. Eric rolled my eyes and turned away. “Oh my,” a soft voice said from the front. Eric turned and found six anthropomorphic girls identical to the Mane six from the show. “Well looks like they’re here, hello little ladies what’s your names?” The man in the front asked. Now that was low, “Um Hello, we’re from a place called Equestria, I’m Twilight Sparkle and there are my friends: Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie,” Twilight said. It was not the prospect of beautiful women or indulging in a fantasy that kept Eric glued to his spot. The thing is that girl sounded just like the real Twilight Sparkle. Like Tara Strong only somehow stronger more potent. It occurred to him then, where did they come from? One moment they weren’t on the stage and the next they were just there. He spent too long trying to figure that out, Someone on the set took a good long fondle of Fluttershy’s breasts. She squealed in fright and leapt back, “Oh come on you been paid in advance sugar, no need to be shy,” he said again slipping his hand up her shirt this time. Rainbow Dash didn’t think she threw her foot full force into the man’s chest. For a little thing barely over five feet she sent him flying. Eric noticed Fluttershy and Rainbow had wings that trembled with anger and fear. Twilight and Rarity had horns too. It was quiet for a moment before somebody said, “paid in advance.” Someone started trying to tear off Rarity’s clothes, “I beg your pardon!” She shouted. “Get your mits offa her ya pig!” Applejack shouted decking him in the face. Some men left saying things like, “If wanted to work for tail I would stayed home.” Some would leave nervously not wanting to be a part of the apparent gangrape about to occur. “Back in the portal!” Twilight shouted. She pressed her hands against the Veritas statue, “It gone, we . . . we’re stuck here,” Twilight muttered miserably. Four of the six were able to fight their way through the crowd, but Fluttershy and Rainbow were stuck behind. Fluttershy was helpless not being a fighter or at least strong like the others and Rainbow Dash was desperately trying to save her. Eric snapped out of it when he saw Pinkie Pie approaching in her underwear. He had to find it, Eric searched his pockets for his keychain. They were about to pass him, “Stop!” He called. “Move it pig!” Applejack shouted. He found it holding out a keychain that resembled the six elements of harmony. They paused, “Follow me, it’s your only chance,” Eric said taking Twilight by the hand. He dragged them out, “No Dash and Fluttershy!” AppleJack plead. “You have to trust me, I’ll go back for them as soon as you’re out of sight,” Eric promised. He ran with them to the lot and opened his van letting them get in. “I’ll be right back, stay inside,” He said. Eric put his hood up and ran back inside, he didn’t like that they let him leave with their ‘prepaid girls’. It must have meant that they were fine with Raping his favorite character. Eric sprinted inside and found naked men posing over Fluttershy and worse Rainbow Dash had a dick in her mouth. Eric saw red, “Fluttershy close your eyes!” he screamed furiously. Once Eric saw her eyes shut he unsheathed the Odachi and walked with a furiously calm purpose into the crowd. The first thing he did was put it through the heart of the man forcing Rainbow to give a blowjob. Blood gushed from his chest causing his dick to soften before he fell dead. Eric turned to Fluttershy and was attacked by desperate naked men so he easily slashed them with his six foot saber. Blood flowed like water as Eric slaughtered countless people. Eric closed his mind as he killed and killed. He decapitated, severed spines, pierces hearts and did anything that those pitiful men deserved. One held a machete to Rainbow’s throat as threat, but before he could speak his peace Eric swiped the weak iron blade in two at the handle and then murdered him as well. Before long Eric was the only living man in the room. All else were either gone or dead. He threw my trench coat over Rainbow Dash and gently pulled Fluttershy’s dress back into place. “Come on girls, your friends are waiting,” he said. Eric threw Rainbow Dash over his shoulder and tucked Fluttershy into his side, “Eyes still closed Fluttershy?” He asked. “Mm hm,” she whimpered past a sob. “Dash?” Eric asked. “I-I dunno, I don’t . . . I can’t.” Damn, of all the places for the mane six to land they had to land there. Why, why would Celestia send them here? Unless she didn’t . . . wait that wasn’t the problem. The problem was that they existed in the first place! Eric reasoned for a moment that they were the whores and it went wrong, but at closer inspection of the two Pegasi Anthro girls he was holding their wings were very real and their pointed Equine ears were too. Eric made it to the van and unlocked the door. “Whoa nelly, that’s a lot uh blood,” Applejack said out loud what they were all thinking. Eric gently laid down Rainbow Dash with Applejack, “She’s in shock, I’ll explain later. Right now we need to leave, I’ll take you to my house after that . . . I guess we’ll have to figure out a way to get you all home somehow. God knows this isn’t the place for souls like yourselves,” he said mostly to himself. “Thank you sir, you didn’t have to do what you did,” Twilight said. Eric sighed from the driver seat, “Yeah, I kinda did.” Author's Note So for future reference Eric isn't meant to resemble Michael at all from my other story's universe. This will be an ongoing thing for quite a while and probably won't be completely finished until the end of Season 6 of MLP:FIM. I just wanted to get it out there. I rated it with Sex, but that's not really going to seriously happen for a while. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2: Reality or Therapy for Rarity //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2: Reality or Therapy for Rarity A few hours after Eric brought the girls to his home they bathed, calmed down and finished crying it out. “Alright, I’m going to assume that you’re all vegetarians, so I’ll head to the market and get some food. Any requests?” He asked awkwardly. All were quiet for a moment, “I have to ask sir, how did you know who we were, how do you have a symbol of the elements of harmony from before they were altered?” Twilight asked. Ever the curious one she was. Eric sighed and pulled up Netflix and went to his Continue Watching and pulled up My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. “I think this will do the explaining for me, before you watch it though you should know. The people you met today were the worst of the worst. Not everyone is like that or this show wouldn’t be as popular as it is. It has sure changed me for the better at least. I’ll get some apples, milk, and anything else?” Eric asked. “Um, Oats I guess. I know humans don’t eat hay and they are half carnivores, but I think that will at least hold us over for a while,” Twilight said. “Alright, I’ll be right back. If anyone knocks on the door that isn’t me pretend no one’s home,” Eric implored. “Thank you sir,” Rarity said. “Eric, call me Eric,” he said leaving for the store. “How do we know we can trust this guy,” Rainbow Dash asked. “Rainbow Dash, he saved our lives,” Twilight said. “Yeah well, you weren’t there to see the way he did it. He sliced up all those guys like he was tearing through rotten apples only they were alive and screaming,” Rainbow Dash said shuddering. “It’s not like we have an overabundance uh choices, besides if we wanted ta expose us he coulda by now,” Applejack said. Rainbow Dash was angrier than usual. Was she in shock anymore no, but she was still angry for her friends’ sake. She’d had a penis in her mouth and one prodding her bottom. All that she could get over, but the fact that anyone would even think to doing something like that to Fluttershy set her teeth on edge. “I think he knows us at least, I mean he did tell me to close my eyes and then the next thing I knew we were safe,” Fluttershy said. “What do you think Twilight?” Rarity asked. Twilight sat on the sofa with her knees to her chest not making a sound. “Twi?” Applejack asked. “This is all my fault, I should have just come alone I should have waited for Princess Celestia to approve this. I dragged you all here and we might be stuck here,” Twilight whimpered miserably. Tears ran freely down her purple human cheeks when an unfamiliar stabbing sensation pierced her in the chest. Twilight had never felt so helpless or heartbroken. In her mind it was all her fault, she begged her friends to come when she should have run more tests or gone alone. She felt she had acquired an unhealthy hubris to go ahead with her own plans instead of consulting the princess or at least telling Starlight in advance. Now her baby Dragon and confused student were stuck without her possibly forever. Worst of all her beloved friends were stuck too. What would the apple farm do without Applejack, how would Ponyville fare without Pinkie Pie to make them happy or Fluttershy to tend to the animals or Rainbow Dash to tend to the weather. Scootaloo, what would she do without Rainbow Dash or Sweetie Belle without Rarity. Even in the best case scenario it would take almost three years for the portal to reopen. “Twilight, we all agreed to follow you here. If we hadn’t you probably wouldn’t have made it very far. I mean, you know because we work better together,” Fluttershy said. “Don’t feel bad Twilight, we all thought it would be fun to follow you. It’s not your fault,” Pinkie Pie tried saying with a smile. “Right now, our main concern should be figurin’ out a way back home,” Applejack said. Twilight sighed, “You’re right, in the meantime I think we should learn a little more about our friend Eric,” Twilight said standing up and wiping her tears away. Applejack kept watch while the other five did a sneaky search of Eric’s family home. They didn’t find anything out of the ordinary that suggests he’s a psycho. Rarity went to reach for something before huffing and using her magic to get it. Twilight gasped, “What, did you find something weird?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Rarity you’re using your magic!” Twilight exclaimed. “Well yes, this shelf is rather tall so-” Rarity started. “You don’t get it, in the Canterlot High dimension magic didn’t even exist I didn’t even have my horn. For some reason here we all still resemble half of our Equestrian form while retaining a mainly human physiology,” Twilight said. Twilight lifted all the chairs in the room with her magic. “Well that’s good news, it also means Fluttershy and I can fly,” Rainbow Dash said hovering with a flitter of her still strong wings. “Maybe that means Applejack and I are stronger than your average human,” Pinkie said flexing her muscles dramatically. “Well we can ask Eric in a sec, he’s pullin’ up in that ponyless carriage now,” Applejack said. Everyone fled back to the living room and pressed play on the TV remote. They were greeted with something none of them were prepared for. The first episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is magic. They all sat their astounded past hearing Eric re-enter the house. He let them take it in while he set up the stuff he got from the market. He wasn’t any chef, but he knew how to cook for more than just himself. He spent the next hour making cucumber sandwiches and rinsing off a bag of organic Gala Apples. When the second part of Friendship is Magic was over Eric came into the living room with Dinner. “It’s not much, but here,” he said laying down the sandwiches and a bowl of apples. Eric turned off the show and the food was immediately attacked by six ravenous women. “These would go great with some-” Fluttershy started before Eric brought out a pot of his favorite peach tea and six cups. He figured they needed it more than he did. He tried his best to look away considering most of them were still in their underwear with the exception of a would be naked Rainbow Dash wearing his own Trench coat. “Watched the show then?” Eric asked. They were quietly reminded of their animated memoirs made public. “Yes, well as cute and animated as it seems that was quite a bit of personal information made public wouldn’t you agree?” Rarity asked. “None of us imagined it was real, you said it yourself it’s animated. We all thought it was the product of an imaginative mind. This isn’t even the first reboot of My Little Pony though certainly the most popular,” Eric said. “This show looks like it’s fer little girls, why d’ya like it so much?” Applejack asked. “I suppose it’s because I can relate to some of you in some way while I wished I could share some of the traits the rest of you have. Since childhood I’ve always been really shy, but touch someone I care about and it’ll be the last thing you ever do,” Eric said. Twilight smirked knowingly, “Fluttershy’s my favorite, no offense,” Eric said. “None taken, she’s my favorite too,” Rainbow Dash said sipping her tea while Fluttershy blushed hard red. “Question, if it is a children’s show then do they show what goes on in the sugar cube corner basement?” Pinkie Pie asked. “The what? No that’s never been brought up,” Eric said. “Oh good, whew that would have been reeeeeealy embarrassing,” Pinkie Pie said relieved. “Uh well, I can assure you anything sexual, overly violent or otherwise adult style inappropriate was left out of the episodes,” he reassured them. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief except for Twilight. “I would like to thank you Eric, you really didn’t have to do this. Right now we need to find the statue portal that brought us here,” Twilight said. “You need to rest and in case you haven’t noticed there’s a few things you need to know about where you are. First is that Humans dress for a reason. Women in particular-especially busty women like Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie-have to wear clothes it’s not an option. Breasts and genitals are VERY obvious for humans and showing them even a little in public is considered taboo. Before I explain anything else we need to get you six dressed normally. With this we might actually be a little lucky,” Eric said looking at Rarity. When Eric explained to everyone the skin for humans only ranges between black and white they were astonished. Long story short next morning they convinced Rarity to dress in an outfit clumsily plucked from a Target by Eric. “Long sleeves, really darling?” Rarity asked when he brought the long dress back. The creamy white dress blended seamlessly with her skin so as not to draw too much attention. Rarity begrudgingly put it on along with the purple floral hat which she agreed looked at least half decent. Eric and Rarity left for the Roseville Galleria with a more comprehensive list on everyone’s preferences and exact measurements. “Oh dear it’s as if we’re flying along the ground,” Rarity said nervously in the van actually being able to see out the window this time. “You get used to it,” Eric said. There was a moment of silence before Rarity worked up the courage to ask. “Sooo, you mentioned how the show didn’t give away any undesirable details. In the show what exactly is my relationship with Sweetie Belle?” She asked. “She’s your little sister why?” Eric asked. “No reason,” she said letting the subject fall with an audible sigh of relief. They reached the galleria and Rarity pondered at the massive size of the place. “Goodness, you’re telling me this place exists for shopping alone?” She asked. “Yes, though not limited to just clothing there’s a little of everything,” Eric said. Rarity squealed excitedly and grinned, “Oh this may just be worth the drive and terrible outfit after all,” she said leaping out. They made their way to the Westfield entrance through the food court, “Here first I guess,” Leading her to Forever XXI. Rarity oohed and ahhed and ehhed with the occasional ‘oh that’s hideous’ for a long time before throwing garments over her arm. “I would like to try these on perchance?” She asked hopefully. “The dressing room is upstairs,” Eric said with a knowing smile. “Thank you,” Rarity squeaked. “Remember to leave your hat on,” he said when the got upstairs. “Oh dear, you may as well join me then,” she said. “What? I can’t do that,” Eric said nervously. “Oh pish dear come on, you’ve already seen me in worse repair and I can’t pair EVERY little thing with that adequate hat,” she said. Eric’s heart pounded as Rarity dragged him into a booth. She undressed as he looked away until she was fully into a dazzling blue and white with feathers seemingly falling printed on the side. The bodice hugged her torso tightly show off her impressive bust, with the skirt flowed gracefully just above her knees. It was then that Eric realized he never put her in shoes. Oops, “uh Rarity, how are your feet feeling?” He asked. “My what?” She asked distractedly looking in the mirror. “Those pretty little appendages that touch the ground as you walk.” She looked down, “Oh, now that you mention it they have been a little sore since we got here,” she admitted. “Humans wear shoes on their feet to protect their skin, we don’t have hooves to do that for us. Actually girls like you typically have about thirty pairs,” Eric said wondering if he should have brought it up. “You know when you do say it a pair of blue flats or some wrap around heels would go perfectly with this dress,” she said standing on her toes. Her balance was shaky so Eric steadied her by the shoulder. "Perhaps not the heels quite yet," she thought out loud. She tried on a few others until they settled on the first dress and a simple white V neck blouse paired with a silk purple knee skirt to match Rarity’s hair. Eric wasn’t too worried about their hair color considering humans dyed their hair weirder colors every day. The two left the changing room together after Eric put Rarity’s hat firmly back in place. She made a cute little face pursing her lips in distain that forced a chuckle out of Eric. “What?” She asked raising an eyebrow. “Sorry, that look was adorable,” he admitted. Rarity blushed, “Well come come, we still need to pick things out for everyone else. Though I don’t think we will find anything here for Applejack or Twilight,” she said. “That’s fine, we can try JCPenney for Twilight and Applejack or maybe Macy’s. They seem like girls who would like simplicity. Maybe American Eagle or Abercrombie and Fitch for Rainbow Dash, Delia’s for Fluttershy, and I’d say we can stop at DSW for everyone’s shoes though before that we’ll have to grit our teeth and go Victoria’s Secret for everyone’s . . . well underwear, hosiery, and bras,” Eric said looking at his shoes. “Oh my, there are that many places here to shop for clothes alone?” Rarity asked giddily with her hands on Eric’s shoulders. “No . . . there’s more,” he said ruefully wondering what he just got himself into. Rarity stepped back and open mouthed smiled shaking like she was going to explode with imagination. Instead she took a deep breath and composed herself. “Well then we’d better get started,” she said. Eric’s feet were tired and he wondered how Rarity was doing it. They didn’t just go to the places mentioned because when Rarity saw H&M, Tilly’s, etc. she just had to go inside. He wrote this off as therapeutic for her though he did silently wish that the mall had grocery baskets because by the time they finally stepped into VS Eric had already made a trip back to the van because he was hauling around about half a dozen very large bags with Six girls worth of outfits and they still had to go to Costco to get enough jeans, simple shirts, and socks for everyone to last for the weeks to come. For this rarity was a little confused because she’s never worn a bra or panties before. She had never needed to, “Ah, this is a bit odd to say the least Eric darling,” she said. “Well I think I can actually help with this one, you see do you know what sexy means?” He asked. Her creamy cheeks turned a bashful shade of red, “Of course,” she said before pulling herself together. “Well there are a few types of looks you can go for with underwear even though most of the time no one will ever see them other and you and your closest girl friends. Simple, chic, and sexy. I’d say Applejack and maybe Rainbow Dash would go for Simple, You, Twilight and Fluttershy would appreciate Chic, but I can’t help feeling like Pinkie Pie would like to be sexy,” Eric said. “Well I’d say your knowledge of women’s unmentionables is rather unnecessarily extensive hmm Eric,” Rarity teased. Eric looked at his shoes before straightening out, “While I don’t have a fashionable bone in my body, I do know a thing or two about women,” Eric said. “Well then,” Rarity said encouragingly. They started with Rarity as Eric had been since she was the only one with him. “Er, you know. I actually prefer a little naughtiness in my underthings. I wonder if I could try these amongst the others?” She asked Eric holding up a black lacy thong, while the rest were cutesy little hip huggers. “Never would have guessed,” Eric said. She picked out a third bra that matched them to a tee, but had a little trouble. “Oh dear. We didn’t measure my . . . breasts?” She asked for approval. “Breasts, uh well you can’t really rely on VS to do that for you they’re terrible. I have a sister and she always said the only way to get a good measurement is to do it yourself and believe me I’ve seen her do it more times than I prefer,” Eric said cringing. “Oh well then we’ll do that I suppose,” Rarity muttered biting her lower lip positively terrified. “O-Oh, well on the upside all you need is to take off the bra you’re wearing and we can do it through your dress considering how soft the fabric is. Rarity breathed a sigh of relief. “Perfect let’s get started then shall we,” she said. They stepped in line for dressing room and all the girls in line regarded Eric with distaste. It was unusual for a man to be in a VS fitting room at all. “Uh, are you sure you want him in with ya sweetheart?” The clerk asked. “Oh of course, I trust him with my life let alone my breasts,” Rarity said. Eric facepalmed, who talks like that? “Alright sugar you’re up then,” the clerk said giving them a number for the garments. Eric sneaked a measuring tape and they locked the door behind them. Rarity reached behind her struggling with the snap for the bra. “Oh for pony’s sake,” she muttered angrily pulling the dress down. Before she tried again she turned away from Eric, “Help,” she said in a small voice. Eric quickly unsnapped her hand me down bra and she adjusted out of it. “Oh, well this isn’t so bad everyone made it seem like some big taboo thing-Ah Eric what is this!?” She asked turning around. “What is it what’s wrong?” He asked ignoring her rack. “These are pink,” she whimpered touching her unfamiliar nipples. Eric glanced for a moment at her boobs before turning bright red and looking away. “They’re supposed to be pink, breasts are a feeding point for infants. It’s normal,” he said. “So that’s what they’re for, they're so much more obvious than pony teats. Oh well, shall we,” she said. Eric bit his lip still turned away, “Ugh, darling you’ve already seen them. Just relax, it doesn’t bother me anymore,” Rarity said impatiently. “Oh fine,” he said trying to ignore her lovely big round boobs and perfect half dollar sized nipples. First he wrapped the tape around her ribcage under the crease of her breasts. “Thirty-six inches, now bend over like you were a pony,” he said. Rarity got on her hands and knees boobs pointing to the floor. Eric deftly wrapped the tape around her breasts directly across the nipples. Rarity took a sharp breath, “Are you okay did I hurt you?” He asked. “No no, I’m perfectly fine,” she said as cheerily as ever. “Thirty-nine even. You’re a solid thirty-six D cup. You’re breasts are perfect if it’s not too bold,” Eric said nervously. Rarity stood back up cheeks burning, “N-not at . . . well now I see why it’s so taboo,” she said covering her nipples with her hands trying to ignore that jolt of pleasure when Eric’s hands accidentally brushed her nipples causing them to harden. She didn’t know why, but Rarity felt he didn’t need to see that. Eric asked for the size in all the bras she chose and the clerk returned briskly with the proper fits. Rarity tried on the plain white one and Eric adjusted the straps for her. “Oh sweet Celestia, my breasts look great!” Rarity exclaimed. She turned a bit biting her lip excitedly before giggling like a schoolgirl. “Don’t forget the panties,” Eric said snapping her out of it. “Oh right, well that shouldn’t take more than a moment,” she said slipping off the ones she was wearing under the dress. She slid up the purple lace hip huggers and they fit perfectly. “Ahh, that feels marginally better than those . . . eh, granny panties?” She asked. “Mm hm,” he confirmed. “How do they look?” She asked pulling up the skirt of the dress to show off her lovely hips and butt with her luscious purple tail swishing back and forth. Eric cleared his throat, “Great, you both look very chic,” he stammered. Rarity giggled at him. “Well I suppose I’ll put everything back until we get home,” she said ruefully getting re dressed into the hand me downs. After that they managed to pick out some for everyone, but they would work out bras for the girls later when they had those measurements. “You can do the same measurements I taught you right?” Eric asked about the sizing. “Of course, I do own two boutiques back in Equestria after all,” Rarity said as they left the store. Rarity’s stomach gurgled, “Oh, after all this time I completely forgot I haven’t eaten since yesterday, we should get to your home soon,” Rarity said. “I left out cereal and oatmeal for everyone, so we can get something from the food court or something. Unless you're uncomfortable with it,” Eric said. “Ah ha, you know this morning I was nervous about going out in public,” she admitted. “And now you’re not?” He asked. Rarity put her hand on Eric’s arm hooking hers with his. “Not anymore,” she said smiling at him trustingly. “Alright let’s go to noodles and company they have a few vegetarian dishes.” Author's Note The first chapter was more of a choppy explanation for why everyone is there suddenly. The rest are going to be character building for each of the Mane 6 and each of their relationships with Eric. A lot of would be slice of life stuff just in the real world instead of Equestria. There will be adventures too. Admittedly this will probably be a culmination of shorts until the time comes for them to go back. While it is a single story it will be unusually long. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3: Settling in and a missing Pinkie //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3: Settling in and a missing Pinkie After eating Rarity insisted that they bring enough home for everyone. “Those flavors, I can’t even name them all!” She gushed on the way home. “What was that salty sort of tang on the ramen?” She asked. “You mean soy sauce,” Eric told her. “Oh yes that was marvelous,” she said. They finally made it home after four hours and Rarity skipped inside with all the bags hanging on her arms impatient to get inside and show her friends. Eric beat her to the door to unlock and open it for her, “Yoohoo girls we’re back,” Rarity sung loudly to get everyone’s attention. Applejack found her first throwing her arms around Rarity’s neck. “Applejack darling what ever is the matter?” Rarity asked. “We were so worried seein’ as you were gone so long, we thought maybe somethin’ bad happened,” Applejack said. “Oh no, on the contrary something amazing happened,” Rarity squealed. “Oh dear,” Fluttershy said nervously knowing what was next. “Is that food?” Pinkie Pie asked desperately looking at Eric. He set the bag of five plastic bowls on the table with five forks before stepping back. Pinkie Pie tore the lid off hers and ate furiously happy for the nourishment. “You know I left some stuff in the fridge for you girls,” Eric said. “Oh it was all gone by lunch time, sorry,” Rainbow Dash said shrugging her shoulders. Woof they could eat that was for sure, but Eric really should have known that considering Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash alone. “Looks like I’ll need to get more from Costco than I thought,” Eric said. “Rarity can you work a washing machine?” Eric asked. “Of course darling,” she called fitting Applejack into a simple brown dress of strong fabric. Eric left for Coscto to get Jeans, socks, t shirts, produce, Dairy, and various other things he’d need to live in a house with six adult women. The whole time in the car and store he was thinking about how he should figure something else out for them outside of his care. How even though Rarity was on his lower list of favorite characters from the show he was pressed just to keep his hands to himself today. Of course he didn’t really plan on seeing any of them topless anytime soon, but in his mind they deserved better than being stuck with him. While Eric was doing all that Rarity was having a field day back at the house. “These are cute where do they go?” Twilight asked holding up a pair of her purple brief panties. “Oh, haha well let me demonstrate,” Rarity undressed to her panties and everyone did the same. Everyone picked a dress and step by step they slowly but surely got dressed. Once everyone looked good Rarity clapped her hands together happily, “I’ll get your breasts measured now,” she said. After all was said and done Eric returned in time for Rarity to have set the clothes in the washing machine while another was in the drier with the appropriate garments hung to air dry. The living room was filled again with sleeping girls only this time in hair wet in bath robes that Eric’s mother swiped from their past trips to expensive Hotels. She took ten of them in total the thieving witch, though they seemed to come in handy now. Twilight being the only one awake smiled at Eric and got up to meet him, “Hello, do you need any help?” She asked noticing his arms were full. “No thank you, I can handle it. In the meantime the six of you can split up into the four bedrooms. Two upstairs, two in room at the end of the hall and one each in the adjacent rooms. I’ll sleep either out here or in the basement like I usually end up doing anyway,” he said passively. “The basement? We didn’t see a basement when . . . we were exploring today,” she said. “Well the entrance is a locked door perpendicular to one of the single bedrooms. You wouldn’t notice it unless you knew it was there,” he said. Twilight smiled pursing her lips at Eric. “What?” He asked. “Nothing, I just like the way you talk. It’s refreshing,” she said. Eric managed to get everything inside putting the food and clothes away before falling into the couch. Twilight was able to sort the girls into their rooms. Rarity and Fluttershy would sleep upstairs, Applejack and Pinkie Pie would sleep in the main bedroom while Twilight and Rainbow Dash took the single rooms. “Cool my own room, I’ll snag the one on the left then,” Rainbow said stretching out on her way to bed. The girls left and Eric fell back into the couch grabbing his laptop. He checked his account and found that he spend $1,800 that day alone. “Good thing I took that Restaurant route,” he said outloud. Eric was a Route Sales Rep from Bimbo Bakeries. He basically picked product from depot’s, drove it to the store, stocked the store and wrote orders to sell again the next day. He made $640 a week in salary, but 8% comission on his sales shooting his Net worth to about $2000 a week between selling to Restaurant Depot, Grocery Outlet and three restaurants. He had a little over $20,000 in his checking account and a solid $120,000 in his savings, but eventually he was going to need to budget because housing seven adults would not be cheap. After the first week of his two week vacation Eric found himself teaching the girls how to do day to day things so they wouldn’t go ballistic. Twilight deduced the the Veritas statue would only open for 24 hours every 30 new moons. Exactly two years and five months, that was a long time to sit around and wait for something to happen. Eric and the girls were able to figure out some times when they could individually get outside. Rainbow Dash went to the El Camino High School stadium to run and keep in excellent shape. Flying was easy, high enough up no one saw more than a cyan dot in the sky. Eric dug up his mom’s old sewing machine and lent it to Rarity followed by her tearing apart of all the old clothes in the house. Turns out sewing as a human isn’t really that different from sewing as a pony. Fluttershy found solace in going to the park next door to communicate with animals which-oddly enough-she was still capable of doing. Twilight started reading all the books in the house and was greeted with new horrors, pleasures, laughs, and sadness she never knew she could feel while reading. After the first day of reading she already knew how human sex worked and that people actually murdered others on a daily basis. Applejack did some gardening out back to quell her restlessness starting with the very unpruned Orange Tree. As for Pinkie Pie they were still trying to figure that one out. Eric figured maybe he take her to a party, but then how would that work unless it was a my little pony cosplay party? That would be straight up awkward. That’s when it occurred to him that he could essentially take them all to Bronycon. Everyone would think they just had really good costumes on. It might even give Eric a chance to show the girls how much they mean to the world. When he was thinking that Fluttershy burst into the room. “I can’t find Pinkie Pie!” She shouted. The six of them scrambled everywhere around the neighborhood before Eric checked the basement to see if she had somehow gotten in, but of course she hadn’t. “Did she say anything to anyone?” Rarity asked. “The last thing I remember is her sayin’ that her hair was goin’ straight and that she needed to fix it?” Applejack said. “What the heck does that mean?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Typically when Pinkie’s hair goes straight it means she’s either losing promise or going crazy,” Eric said. “Right like the time we threw her a surprise party,” Twilight said. “Whatever the reason we have to find her, Twilight do you know any tracking spells?” Eric asked. “Just one, it can only track non moving auras of her like places she’s been for more than a few minutes at a time not exactly where she is. I don’t know if it will work here but it’s worth a shot,” Twilight said. Her horn glowed purple and her eyes opened, “Come on, we have to go. I’ll give you the directions as we go,” she said. Rarity and Twilight threw on horn covering hats while Fluttershy and Rainbow put on wing covering clothing. Their tails were really just long hair with a little extension on the spinal column, but not so much that they were difficult to hide in a braid. They piled into the van and Twilight gave the directions. Eric sped a little more than he should have, but he put the seats and safety belts back in the van so everyone was more or less safe. They were led to a random street corner, but no Pinkie Pie. They were led again to the Union Pacific Station. “You don’t think she got on a train?” Rainbow Dash asked. Eric thought of the possibility of that, “these are freight trains, she would have been spotted in a second,” he said. “Right, there’s one more place,” Twilight said. They traveled to a supermarket mini mall in Citrus Heights, but still no sign of her. “Are you sure that spell even works?” Rainbow asked angrily. “I already said I wasn’t sure, if you have any better ideas I’d love to hear them,” Twilight said. “Girls, calm down. I’ll tell you what. I’ll circle the places Pinkie Pie left a trail in the van for a few hours. I’ll drop you off at the house so you don’t all go stir crazy in here with me,” Eric said pulling up in front of his house. “It’s probably for the best, the less of us there are to spot the better I suppose,” Rarity said. The girls got out and Eric drove off. At the stop light from the street he heard rustling in the back, he looked back to find Twilight scoot up and sit in the front passenger seat. “Twilight?” Eric asked. “You’re going to need me just in case Pinkie Pie changes her trail, it’s no good chasing a cold path,” she said. Eric smiled at her and drove through the trails. About an hour in Twilight rubbed her neck trying to work out a headache that had been bothering her since the portal closed. “Are you alright?” Eric asked. “Hm, yes I’ve got a headache like you wouldn’t believe. I don’t know why, but performing spells in this world is more taxing than in Equestria. The strange thing is I’ve gotten no complaints from Rarity so it might just be the more complicated ones,” she said. “I have a theory about that and you’re not going to like it,” Eric said. “What’s that?” She asked. “Let me answer that with a question: Where are your wings and why are you so short?” Eric asked. It took her all of a second, “Oh no,” Twilight whispered. “If Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash have their wings it stands to reason that you should have yours. I don’t know how, but I think somehow your Alicorn magic didn’t make it through the portal with you,” Eric said. “No wonder everything’s been harder. As an Alicorn I could fly, I was much stronger, and I had magic to spare. As a unicorn I’m above average in magic at best and what good is that here where no one else seems to possess it!?” Twilight shrieked. “Twilight calm down,” Eric said grabbing her dainty purple hand. Twilight gasped and looked up at him. She was quiet for a moment before she smiled at him, “I know I know, it’s just a cherry atop the crapazoid sundae supreme,” she said. Eric suppressed a chuckle and failed causing Twilight to giggle. They laughed together for a minute before calming back down. “It’s nice to see you girls smile again, I have to admit I was worried,” Eric said. “You know it’s strange having you know almost everything about us, but at the same time if you didn’t . . . well I don’t even know where we’d be right now,” Twilight said. Eric’s thoughts darkened, he had a few ideas where they’d all be and they ranged from bitch breaking to dissection. Eric rested his hand on Twilight’s, “Sorry sometimes I just need to be reminded that you’re actually here. It helps if I can feel you right next to me, my sister used to sleep in bed with me when I had nightmares and all she needed to do was hold my hand to remind me that I wasn’t alone,” Eric said. Twilight squeezed her fingers gently into Eric’s palm, “That’s really sweet, my mom used to weave stories with her magic for Shining Armor-my brother-and I, but I always kept my muzzle buried in her mane so I didn’t get too lost in the image,” Twilight said. They smiled at each other warmly before getting back to searching. They drove silently for an hour or so, “Wait, something changed. Hurry that way!” Twilight insisted. Eric floored the gas and sped in the direction Twilight told him. Eventually they stopped in front of the Party City store in Citrus Heights behind the marketplace marker. “Party City, That’s definitely the place for Pinkie Pie, but this place looks like it’s been closed for hours,” Eric said. “There’s no Guarantee that she was just here, she just spent quite a bit of time here recently. This is a good base though,” Twilight said. “Alright, we’ll come back here tomorrow when they open.” Author's Note Pinkie Pie goes on an Adventure! //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 4: Feet and Pizza //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 4: Feet and Pizza When Eric and Twilight returned home the four other girls were either nodding off or out like a light. Fluttershy was slowly dozing with Rainbow Dash’s head in her lap completely out and snoring. Rarity and Applejack were leaned up against each other on the sofa Applejack half awake and Rarity deep asleep. Eric took extra care to wake them up and send them to bed, but Rainbow wouldn’t budge. “Well I could try something, but don’t want her really too awake,” Fluttershy said thinking about saying something like ‘the cider is ready’. “Don’t worry,” Eric said throwing his arms under Rainbow’s legs and armpits. He carried her to her room, set her on the bed and kissed her forehead. Eric turned to see Fluttershy smiling very tenderly at him causing a deep nervous knot in his stomach. “Thank you so much, I needed that more than she did,” Fluttershy whimpered. She encased Eric in a hug before her tears started spilling. “It’s a pleasure Fluttershy,” Eric said shaking giddily. Fluttershy was just as soft and warm as Eric could have imagined. She pulled back and Eric wiped the tears from her eyes. “Come Fluttershy, time for bed,” Rarity said leading the way. Fluttershy smiled at Eric the whole way and Rarity winked at him before they disappeared up the steps. Eric closed Rainbow’s door, “Goodnight Eric,” Twilight said. “Goodnight.” Twilight went to bed and Eric went back out to the front room to find Applejack still sitting on the sofa. “Applejack?” Eric asked. “I can’t sleep,” she muttered. “What’s the matter?” He asked. She sighed sitting up, “Ah’ve always felt responsible for Pinkie Pie, in a manner of speakin’. We’re both Earth Ponies and out of the six of us I’ve known her the longest. I guess ah’m tired o’ feelin’ useless,” She said miserably. Eric sighed and sat next to Applejack. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, “You know, you don’t always have to be so strong. Sometimes crying on the inside just hurts more in the end,” Eric said. Applejack’s face scrunched up and she pinched the bridge of her nose, “Someone has to be,” she said softly. “There’s a time and place to be brave, no one’s looking,” he said burying his nose in her hair. Applejack threw her arms around him and quietly let tears spill from her eyes. “Ah j-just always had mah family to go back to at the end o’ the day to tell me everything was alright. I don’t know how ta handle this,” she sobbed. Eric held her until she cried it out. To be so far from home with the prospect of never returning was something Eric understood. Though the situations were vastly different the feeling it left in the heart was the same. “You know your family are really just the ones who’d never stop loving you no matter what. I’d say you’ve got at least some family with you hmm?” Eric asked pulling back to look at her smiling warmly and wipe her tears away with his thumbs. “I guess yer right,” she said smiling a little. “And besides, this is Pinkie Pie we’re talking about. How much trouble can she get into without immediately getting out of it through intuition or Pinkie Sense?” Eric asked. Applejack snorted, “Ah guess so, but ah do wonder what in tarnation she’s doin’ exactly.” The next morning Eric went to Party City with Rarity and Twilight. Eric looked around the store while Twilight tried to focus and Rarity sweet talked all the associates of the store. “Hey yeah I remember her, tall pink cotton candy ball of energy she was. Picked out a buncha stuff, but found out the hard way that she didn’t have the money for it. Said somethin’ about not knowing how to get home and that she’d make some money herself,” the short male worker said. “Alright, if any of you guys see her again can you give her this?” Eric asked giving him an envelope. Inside was a piece of paper with the address to his house and a map of how to get there from the store. They left for home feeling a little better that she was still being herself. “Well she’s not hurt yet, so that’s something,” Eric said. “I suppose, but how is she going to make money on the street?” Twilight asked. “This is Pinkie Pie we’re talking about darling. She can play ten instruments at once, sing like a pop star, and do various other . . . unusual things. I’d be amazed if she couldn’t find a way to make money doing street performances,” Rarity said. The three of them went home and made lunch. Applejack and Rarity started to help with the cooking since they were all starting to get used to using fingers for more intricate tasks. “Ya know it’s actually kinda nice to have thumbs,” Applejack said. “Indeed, it’s much easier to peel apples and potatoes while holding them,” Rarity said skinning some apples for cider. Eric wasn’t exactly thrilled with having to go vegetarian while they were there, but having them all there made him smile more than watching the show ever had. It gave him a reason to work full time, to live in a large house, and to have a Costco membership. As Eric thought this the front door burst open and Pinkie Pie dashed into the living room carrying several bags from party city. “You GUYS! I found a store that literally sells nothing but party supplies, It’s a PARTY CITY! So I went in and got a bunch of stuff for a house party, but then a I realized that I didn’t have any money and then I also realized that I walked waaaaay too far from home and I didn’t know my way back. So I put together trashcan a band with some nice guys in Orangevale and we toured all the way back to Citrus Heights and by then I had enough money to get breakfast and get enough stuff at the party store for our amazing house party. Then I found out that Eric left me a map so I took a bus back home and walked in the door realizing that I never put shoes on and now my feet hurt like crazy!” Pinkie Pie said in one breath before collapsing on the couch in tears. Everyone flocked to Pinkie Pie while Eric grabbed his first aid kit, a pot of hot water, and a washcloth knowing what Pinkie’s primary problem would be. Applejack pulled Pinkie’s head into her lap and ran her fingers through Pinkie’s miserably unkempt hair. Fluttershy sat on her knees at Pinkie’s side taking Pinkie’s hand and placing it against her own face to reassure herself that she was actually there. Eric returned with everything and took Pinkie’s dangling legs and dropped her feet in the canning pot with hot water and Epsom Salt. “AH ah ahhooohhhh,” Pinkie Pie cooed appreciatively. “You really need to wear shoes Pinkie Pie,” Eric said gently running the washcloth over her mutilated feet. Only a few spots were bleeding, but she looked like she had scabbed and callused her feet pretty heavily the last few days. No signs of infection so that was good. Plus her clothes look just the way they did when he last saw her save for some obvious grime. “Pinkie Pie, ya gotta stay hidden for a bit. Ya scared the livin’ daylights outta all of us,” Applejack said caressing Pinkie’s face. “I know, I’m sorry it’s just my hair was going straight and I had to do something about it,” Pinkie said. “Next time you might try to be a little more specific and tell us what you have in mind before leaving,” Twilight suggested. “Worry about that later first get her into the bath tub,” Rainbow Dash said dramatically covering her nose. On top of Pinkie Pie being gone for three days she also hadn’t bathed since she left. When Eric finished Rarity drew her a bath and Pinkie Pie was in there for about an hour before they realized she had fallen asleep in the water. They woke her up, dried her off, put her in pajamas and dragged her to bed. By the time everything was said and done it was past dinner time. “Uhg, I’ll order a Pizza holding the meat . . . for maybe two,” he said remembering that he had seven ravenous people in his house. He called round table and just got 2 XL combos vegetarian style. When they arrived the girls were a little hesitant. “They don’t have anything like this back in Equestria,” Fluttershy said nervously. “Well you’re not ponies right now, this is human food. Trust me on this one,” Eric said. Rainbow-considering herself the bravest-took the first bite . . . followed by ten more. “This is great!” “Marevelous!” “So tasty.” Eric smiled to himself watching the girls enjoy themselves. He only had two pieces himself, but he hadn’t really concerned much with his needs that past two weeks. What bothered him was that it was Saturday and on Monday he would be going back to work. Author's Note So yeah Pinkie Pie was just trying to help . . . sorta. I'm going to start doing a little time lapsing, but before that I'll probably write a descriptive chapter just to explain the girls' physical dimensions so things make a little more sense. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 5: Theories and Finances //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 5: Theories and Finances “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.” //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 6: Meat and Jobs //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 6: Meat and Jobs “I don’t really see how that helped,” Rainbow Dash asked. “Well this is Rarity we’re talking about, she probably has an ulterior motive we just don’t know about yet,” Twilight said. Rarity’s solution was dragging Eric to the fabric store for two hours while she picked out $800 worth of different fabrics and accessories and $1100 sewing machine. She’s been locked upstairs ever since. “Whatever the reason I’m exhausted, I trust her judgement I mean she does run her own business after all,” Eric said. They all agreed as Eric fell into the corner of the sofa dozing off in a matter of seconds. “I would love to know how he falls asleep so quickly,” Twilight said. “It’s not that hard, watch,” Pinkie Pie said. She planted herself next to Eric scooting closer until their sides touched. She leaned her head against his and sure enough about a minute later she was snoring fast asleep. “You know I’m pretty whipped too,” Rainbow said sitting lying down with her head in Pinkie Pie’s lap. Fluttershy smiled lovingly at them, “I suppose we should have left overs tonight then,” she said quietly moving to the kitchen. The three remaining ate the last of the butternut salad and onion soup quietly in the dining room. After which Fluttershy sat on the packed couch not wanting to attempt sleeping through Rarity working. She slid her long silken leg behind everyone resting against the opposite corner to Eric gently pulling Rainbow Dash against her breast. Applejack and Twilight sat on the bench in the backyard so as not to disturb the sleep train. “Ya think Rarity is gonna sell the stuff she’s makin. Ah’ve almost no doubt that’s what she’s plannin’,” Applejack asked. “I was considering that same possibility, but there is one fatal flaw,” Twilight said. “That bein’?” Applejack asked. “Most of Rarity’s success came from her notoriety, ponies knew the dresses were hers. Sure you can see an attractive gown and think it would look good on you, but what really sold hers shortly before we came here was knowing it was a Rarity,” Twilight said. “So what yer sayin’ is-” Applejack started. “The humans don’t know Rarity’s guaranteed quality of work, so why would they buy it when there are thousand of designer options, it doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Twilight said. They sat in silence for a minute before Applejack thought to console Twilight. “That all may be true, but Ah don’t think Rarity would go blind into a project without some sorta plan. Ah think we just need to trust her on this one,” Applejack said. Twilight sighed, “Well if you trust her than I do too, who knows maybe she’ll make a name for herself here.” At the end of the month Eric was going over the bills and realized that he would have to sacrifice some comforts or start eating into his savings. He was in his basement forge sitting shirtless on a stool behind a work bench. “I guess I can start making some more replicas,” he said dreading the thought. He loved forging, but he hated making replica blades. He sighed, put his shirt one and went back upstairs. He held off on telling the girls until everyone was in the living room for dinner. Waiting for Rarity to show up he checked the mail and found a medium manilla envelope ready to burst from being overpacked. “Is it here, did it arrive?” Rarity asked urgently scaring the crap out of Eric. “Jeez Rarity!” Eric said after his heart started back up. He looked at the parcel and sure enough it was addressed to Rarity so he gave it to her. “Ah hahahahaha!” Rarity giggled excitedly running back into the living room. Eric smiled and rolled his eyes. He sighed and walked into the living room with all six of his favorite girls sitting there. “Alright, so it’s come to the point where we need to start making some cutbacks,” he said sounding like a corporate supervisor about lay off his workers. “Before you say anything else I’d like to show you something,” Rarity said. Everyone looked at her and she handed Eric something he couldn’t believe. It was a massive wad of hundred dollar bills. He counted it twice, “This is $10,000, Rarity where in the world to you get this much money?” Eric asked. Rarity revealed the laptop under her arm. She opened it showing them a file she created filled to the brim with sketches and pictures of her creations. Eric noticed the backdrop for the dresses was the primer colored wall of the upstairs bedroom. “Rarity how did you get so much popularity so fast?” Twilight asked. “Well, there are apparently hundreds nay thousands of people who have been trying in vain to recreate my designs in a human fashion, so I thought to myself why don’t I just do it myself and sell them!” she said. The whole room was quiet with awe and wonder. “Don’t get me wrong I had to do a lot of convincing by calling and faxing people I’ve never heard of not to mention all the work. That’s why I needed a new sewing machine, as it would happen the thirty year warranty on your mother’s machine expired ehh . . . ten years ago,” Rarity said. Now that she mentioned it Eric remembered that his mother didn’t buy her machine it was handed down to her from his great grandmother. “But still $10,000 is as much as I make in a month, excluding the sewing machine we only got you a little less than $1000 worth of supplies,” Eric said. “I applied the rules of Rarity: Time, Love, and Couture. After that there wasn’t any competition. It’s sad in a way, no one really hand makes garments anymore so after having a few video chats with my clients I personalized, tailored and beautified my original designs and they paid handsomely for them. One even suggested I start my own website! Ooh I’ll call it Rarity’s international Couture Carousel!” Rarity beamed happily. Applejack smiled and crossed one leg in front of the other, “That name sure is a mouthful,” she said. “Ah well, I will have to shorten to , but the idea is the same. So, may I continue with my work Eric dear?” Rarity asked. Everyone looked at him, “You don’t need to use that silky sweet voice to try convincing me I was already going to say yes,” he said. Rarity yelped happily pulling him into a tight hug. “Thank you so much, you won’t regret it I promise!” she said. “Just remember to get your name brands copyrighted otherwise someone WILL steal them,” Eric said. “I can take care of that,” Twilight said. “Yes well in the meantime I have a surprise for everyone,” Rarity sung. Rarity’s surprise was seven reservations at the Arden Hills Spa. Apparently she actually made $12,000, but she wanted to use part of it to have a spa day with everyone. Eric and Applejack weren’t exactly up for that so they went to lunch in the resort’s restaurant instead. The staff had been bribed to secrecy when it came to wings, tails and horns and honestly considering how sweet they all were and how naturally terrifying Eric was they were more than happy to keep the secrets. Just in case though Eric snuck in a razor edged hardened carbon fiber hunting knife through the metal detector. “Hoo wee, the eats here sure are good!” Applejack said happily digging into a cob salad. Something no one expected happened next, a waiter pushed a cart along with a steak on it still steaming. “What is that delicious smell?” Applejack asked as it wafted by. “Uh, I don’t think you would appreciate that,” Eric said. “Why?” She asked. “It was a steak . . . cattle meat,” Eric said. Applejack was silenced for a moment before she mulled something over in her head. She took a deep breath and sighed, “Humans are carnivores right?” She asked. “Yes,” Eric said warily. “Well then ya’ll get something with meat in it and . . . A-Ah’ll try it,” she stammered. “Are you sure, I don’t want to you to-” Eric started. “Just do it before Ah lose mah nerve,” she ordered. Eric ordered a Steak and Frites for himself and ten minutes of silence passed before it arrived. Eric cut in and took a bite half expected Applejack to gag at the sight of the blood. She-however-looked quite the opposite. Eric cut a small bite and held it out to her. She took the fork the ate it. Chewing carefully and slowly she savored the meat and swallowed rolling her eyes. “That didn’t taste anythin’ like I thought it would, it was amazin,” she said. The finished the meal together and sat in meaty bliss. The funny thing is that Eric recalled several occasions when he had much better steak. Admittedly it was decent, but considering Arden Hill’s wasn’t recognized specifically for their meat locker he would let it slide. “Eric?” She asked. “Yeah.” “Don’t tell Fluttershy.” The next Sunday Eric and Rarity got a twice the fabric they did last time and Rarity decided to cut her work time to eight hours a day instead of the sixteen she had been doing at first. The upstairs bedroom had basically turned into Rarity’s inspiration room. Eric got her a laptop of her own so the rest of them actually had one to use again. Rarity working full-time basically doubled the income of the house so the previous cutbacks were a thing of the past. It also gave the girls the idea to work as well. Everyone started looking up jobs that fit their skill level. “Um, it looks like the animals in this world are the same as in Equestria, so maybe um, I could be a Veterinarian,” Fluttershy mumbled. “You really have that much practice with animal health?” Eric asked. “Of course she does, she is technically a doctor for animals back home she just doesn’t like the title Doctor Fluttershy,” Rainbow Dash said. “Oh no, it’s really just that I know all about their health and the medicine they would need. I couldn’t perform surgeries or anything. I don’t think I could handle doing the cutting, but maybe I could help someone else?” Fluttershy asked. “Hmm, I think you should do what you can here at the house and branch out from there,” Eric said. Eric was trying to slowly integrate the girls into society without causing mass confusion or a government problem. More or less he just wanted people to look past the fact that they weren’t normal. He knew that was literally impossible, but he felt the need to try it anyway. “We’re out of Apples again,” Pinkie Pie called from the kitchen breaking Eric’s daze. “Again? I just got like five pounds two days ago,” Eric said. Everyone in the room looked at the ceiling or their feet guiltily. Eric had to remember that some traits from Equestria carried over more strongly than others and apparently the pony’s love of apples was a REALLY strong trait. “Ugh, that’s it I’m going to Apple Hill this wednesday and getting a metric ton. Maybe then they’ll last longer than a week,” he said skeptically. “What’s Apple Hill?” Applejack asked. “You know what, how about you come with me on Wednesday and I’ll show you,” Eric said getting an idea. Author's Note Sorry about the nitty gritty stuff. All those crazy genres I tagged will come into play I just need to get everyone settled into real world life first. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 7: Apples, parties and Disney //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 7: Apples, parties and Disney “Alright, so you’re sure you’ll be alright while I’m gone for the day?” Eric asked the girls with concern. “Ugh, relax Dad, it’s not like it’ll be any different than when you go to work,” Rainbow Dash teased. “I know, sorry,” Eric said. He was also a little concerned because he was taking the responsible one with him. “Don’t worry Eric, we’re going to be busy enough that you’ll probably be back before we can get into any trouble,” Twilight said fidgeting under the table a little. He gave her a passing glance, but decided to say nothing. “Alright well, we’ll see you all later,” Eric said. Everyone issued goodbyes to Eric and Applejack as they climbed in the Sprinter and drove off. “Going, going, GONE! Let’s PARTY!” Pinkie Pie said pulling out the food and starting the music. “Nice one Twilight, I thought for sure you were going to blow it,” Rainbow Dash said. “Thanks a lot Rainbow,” Twilight said dripping with sarcasm. “I love her to pieces, but we would never have gotten away with this if Applejack were here,” Rarity said sipping her drink. “Oh Pinkie Pie what kind of soda is this, it’s lovely!” “It’s called Coca-Cola! I ordered a bunch from Mexico because apparently the Coke made in the USA isn’t made with Sugar anymore. How can you make Soda without sugar!?” She asked. “Who wants spinach puffs?” Fluttershy sang. “ME!” everyone bolted for the tray. “I wonder what Eric and Applejack are going to do in a boring place called Apple Hill?” Rainbow Dash asked with her mouth full. “Well let’s find out,” Twilight said looking up the name on Google. She went over some to things to do there. “Oh girls, I think we got jipped,” she said showing the the site. After a long drive up the US 50 with a drawn out conversation about apples and orchards they finally made it to Apple Hill. Their first stop was the Larsen Apple Barn to get the mass quantity of Apples. “Now these are some proper apples,” Applejack said looking at the large boxes of different apples. Eric got one case of Granny Smith, a case of Red Delicious and another of Gala. “They sell Cider?” Applejack asked. “Oh yeah, you want some?” Eric asked. “Ah’ll try it,” she said skeptically. After buying the apples they got a small bottle of Larsen Cider for Applejack. She opened the lid and sipped some. Her eyes widened and her pupils dilated. “Th-th-th-th-ththth-ththth,” she stammered. “So it’s good then?” He asked smirking. Applejack took a deep breath calming herself, “Uh huh, we should bring some home,” she answered. They proceeded to get two gallons of the stuff before loading up the van. After they got back on the street Eric drove past the freeway entrance. “Where’re we goin’?” Applejack asked. “Oh you, know to get a snack before we head home,” Eric said smiling to himself. Shortly after they pulled up at High Hill Ranch. “Hmm, not too busy today,” he said after getting out. Applejack looked around, but not at the vast majority of the market and eateries. She looked off into the mountains of orchard. She smiled and sniffed, “Are you alright?” Eric asked. “Huh? Oh, yeah Ah’m fine. Just nice ta see somethin’ familiar is all,” she said. Eric took her hand, “Come on, let’s get something to eat,” he said. They walked into the market shop and looked at the wall menu. There was so much Applejack didn’t know where to start. They ended up getting a bunch of sweets and stuff for everyone. They sat down at a table and enjoyed some Cider and fritters in the cool ranch air. They sat mostly in comfortable silence, but Eric decided it was now or never, “You know, they do hire seasonal workers here. People to help with the orchards and stuff. If you’re ever interested,” he said. Applejack looked at him with wide eyes, “It’s awful far away though ain’t it, Ya wake up early enough in the mornin’ Ah don’t want to bother ya none more,” she said. “I could always teach you how to drive the Honda, getting a license isn’t that hard,” he said. “But, what about politics and stuff? What about birth certificates and SS cards,” she asked quoting something Twilight said. “Let me worry about that, just think about it for next year or the off season. They usually need some cultivation work done too,” he said. “Oh, I can’t tell ya how nice it would be ta get my hands into some real labor. Ah miss it so much,” she said dreamily. “Well think about it, I’ll start working with Twilight to get everyone some legal papers,” Eric said. They finished up, got a cider Milkshake to split for the road and drove home. After about ten minutes Applejack broke the silence, “Ya know they’re havin’ a house party back home right?” She asked Eric sighed, “Yeah, I imagine you found out the same way I did,” he said. They glanced at each other holding back laughs, “Twilight,” they said in unison before laughing for three minutes. “Yeah, she couldn’t keep a lid on it for a whole barrel of cider,” Applejack chuckled. “I heard her muttering in the living room about not telling us, she’s so adorable,” he said out loud. Applejack quirked her eyebrow at him, “What?” He asked. “Nothin’,” she said. When they returned home Applejack and Eric carried the crates inside. “In ta the basement?” Applejack asked warily. “Sure, it’s not like it’s off limits I just don’t want any of you to hurt yourselves,” Eric said walking down the steps. “Ya know it’s not like we never been around knives or notheeehhhhh,” Applejack trailed getting caught off guard. It was the first time anyone other than Eric had been in the basement since his parents moved out. There were swords, axes, machetes and other various blades hanging from the walls. Applejack put down what she was carrying when one sword caught her eyes. A six foot Odachi she recognized. She walked over to it, “Ya had this sword when ya saved us,” she said looking at it. Eric took a deep disciplined breath, “Yeah.” “Dash said ya killed people,” she said. “I had to, they would have broken her and Fluttershy,” he answered with no emotion. She picked it by the handle off the wall, “Feels like ages ago, so much has happened,” she said putting it back. “Feels like days to me,” Eric said somberly being reminded that he didn’t have forever with the girls. Applejack turned to Eric and threw her strong arms around him. “Thanks Eric, come on let’s get back up,” she said leading the way. Eric locked the door at the head of the stairs and they went into the living room which had obviously been cleaned spotless. Twilight sat in the stuffed chair looking at them smugly. “Have fun at Apple Hill?” She asked. “Ah yeah, it was a hoot and half! We gotta bring everyone up there sometime. I don’t know about ya’ll, but I’m plum tuckered. ‘Night Twilight,” Applejack said heading down the hall. The part had worn everyone else down so they were in their rooms. Rarity fell asleep so they carried her to Rainbow’s room instead of all the way upstairs. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were snuggled together upstairs watching some Disney movies-which everyone fell in love with right away. Pinkie Pie was out like a light when Applejack went into their room so she moved Pinkie into a less starfish position and climbed into bed with her. Twilight however made it her goal to stay up until Applejack and Eric got home to toy with them. She made sure there wasn’t a single sign of the party they had so she could screw with him. “Eric you made it sound like just an orchard. That’s not true is it?” Twilight asked looking at her fingernails then back at him. She was using a mock sinister voice she thought she earned not knowing that Eric knew everything. “No, it’s practically an Apple, fruit and chocolate city. I figured I would do something nice for each of you individually and this one seemed-although easy-really effective. I have a plan for everyone at once, but it’s going to take a little planning, and at least two and half days off,” Eric said. “Oh really. Maybe if you tell me what it is I won’t let your little apple secret slip,” she said standing on her tippy toes pursing her lips right up in Eric’s face. Eric took a breath through the nose. “Do you want to Cider Twilight, maybe an apple doughnut?” He asked. She smiled sweetly thinking she was being bribed. Eric led her into the kitchen, put a pot on the stove and poured enough from the jug for two. “Hm, it’s awfully clean in here, the living room too . . . and the dining room. Not they were ever wreck, but it seems like someone did quite a bit a cleaning today,” Eric said. “Well uh, we wanted you to come home to a clean house,” Twilight half lied. “That was nice of you, the funny thing that this pot was clean when I got home from work today. Hm, so was the cookie sheet,” he said. “Ahhahaaha, well Fluttershy wanted to make some Spinach Puffs for everyone,” Twilight chuckled. “Oh looks like you got that stain off the chandelier,” Eric said passively pouring the hot cider into two mugs. “I know right, I thought it would . . . oh darn,” Twilight muttered. “Yeah that chanelier has been dusty for weeks, but there’s no way anyone other than Rarity would have noticed unless say a cake was too tall on the dining room table and hit the low hanging crystal, hmm Twilight?” Eric asked smugly. “How could have noticed something that small and specific?” She asked as they moved to the living room. “I was looking for it the second we walked in the door, I’ve known that you were having a party since monday night. When you were trying to soothe yourself about keeping a secret from me with your door cracked open,” Eric said sipping his cider. Twilight blushed hard taking a drink, “Mm, wow this almost as good as Sweet Apple Cider. Mm oh this really good too,” Twilight moaned eating her doughnut. “I thought you might like it,” Eric said sitting next to her. “Your hair smells really nice Twilight, have you been using Rarity’s conditioner?” He asked referring to when she was up in his face. “Um no, I use the unscented one you get from Costco,” she said confused. Eric realized for a moment that Twilight just smelled really good all on her own. “Oh, my bad,” he said trying to be passive. Eric sat in the corner of the L shaped sofa they got recently to accommodate everyone. Twilight shivered a little before sliding in next to him, “Ahh, Pinkie Pie was right you really are a walking furnace,” she said pressed her side against his. She was already in her purple silk pajamas and Eric was in a night time t-shirt and short so the heat transfer between them was decent enough. Eric put his arm around her shoulders pulling her tiny body against his using too much force inadvertantly causing her cider to spill on his knee. “MM!” Eric grunted. “Oh my gosh I’m so sorry,” Twilight said grabbing a tissue. “My fault, don’t worry about it,” he garbled out, she was just so small. Twilight promptly wiped up the spilled drink before setting back in. “You know I was a lot taller as an Alicorn, when I was just a unicorn Rainbow looked over me, but as an Alicorn I outgrew Applejack. That’s part of the reason why it was so hard to learn flying,” she said trying to distract herself. “I believe it, although it is a little more fun to have you small,” he joked resting his chin on her head. “Hmm, you know aside from the magic headache, it is kinda nice,” Twilight said nuzzling his neck. Eric sat in bliss for a moment before he noticed Twilight’s cup starting to slip from her hands. He took it and placed it on the table with his own. For once Twilight had fallen fast asleep first. He looked at her and studied her lovely face. He felt that if she weren’t purple she’d probably be dark black skinned. He smiled moving a stray hair out of her face. She snorted her eyes twitching and her head fell back. Eric suppressed laughter and gently leaned her head back onto his shoulder. He didn’t want to move so he got more comfortable and just relaxed there with Twilight. He reasoned to himself that because he worked and went up the mountain today that he didn’t have the strength to carry her to bed. He closed his eyes and just before he went to sleep the words creeped into his mind, she weighs 90 pounds soaking wet you liar. The next morning Applejack woke up the earliest and found Twilight and Eric on the sofa. She pursed her lips worriedly and walked over to them. “Twilight wake up, Twi,” she said gently shaking her shoulder knowing she was the lighter sleeper. Twilight’s eyes opened drearily. She groaned snuggling closer to Eric accidentally jabbing his jaw with her horn, “Ah, what!” he shouted leaping off the couch into a fighting stance. “Well, that backfired worse than an old tractor,” Applejack muttered. “Gah, don’t do that. I have really averse reactions to being startled,” Eric warned. Applejack smiled apologetically before Twilight stood between them engulfing them both in her arms. “Mm morning hugs are nice . . . aren’t they?” She asked the last part severely. “Eyup,” Applejack said like Big Mac would have “Mm,” Eric hummed kissing Twilight’s head and then Applejack’s. The latter blushed obviously under her golden skin. “I’m gonna go wash up and then make some breakfast,” he said walking down the hall. Applejack turned her attention to Twilight giving her a look of disapproval. “What?” Twilight asked. “Ya know what,” Applejack said. “Not unless you tell me,” Twilight said. Applejack sighed, “Yer crush on Eric.” “I do not have a crush on Eric,” Twilight said curtly. “Uh huh, that’s why ya clung to him like a little kitten all night,” Applejack said. “It was cold last night and he was warm. I didn’t feel like trying to get warm again all alone in bed,” Twilight reasoned. “Twilight look, Ah like Eric too, but we aren’t gonna be here forever. Even if two or three years sounds like a long time one day it’s gonna be here and we’re just gonna leave. Even if he has a twin in our world it’s not gonna be him we already went through this,” Applejack said tenderly. Twilight took a deep breath through the nose, “I have matured since then Applejack, I understand that going home is our priority. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but I don’t feel that way about Eric,” Twilight said as calmly as she could before walking off. “Ah sure hope you’re right Twilight, for both o’ yer sakes,” Applejack said. Twilight calmed her mind reasoning to herself that her feelings for Eric were nothing more than platonic. She surprised herself with how easy it was, but one nagging thought crept into her mind again. Flash Sentry’s got nothing on Eric Escaton. Eric got home from work one Saturday afternoon and found the girls all watching Tangled. Jeez, he thought. They’d been watching Disney movies and shorts from Mickey Mouse, and Pixar to Frozen since they first arrived. Movies like Tangled were Twilight’s favorite because the end isn’t always expected. Fluttershy enjoyed Winnie the Pooh’s many adventures. Pinkie Pie was fond of Pixar movies like Finding Nemo and Monster’s Inc. Rainbow Dash found her Disney in things like Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Rarity was a sucker for the old style romance like Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. Applejack liked a little of everything, but her personal favorite was Swiss Family Robinson. “You know, it’s a good thing I grew up with all this or there probably wouldn’t be any in the house,” Eric said. “SHH,” the mane six shushed him during the scene when Rapunzel meets her real parents. Eric laughed to himself and wel downstairs to change and shower. When he came back upstairs the movie was over and the girls were getting back to the day. Rarity was going over some sketches, Fluttershy was looking up the ASPCA to volunteer for, Rainbow Dash was out back working out, and Applejack was sending in another application for Apple Hill. Pinkie Pie was trying to think of some way to make everyone in the city happy, but she was also a little depressed because she couldn’t think of a way to do it. That is where Twilight and Eric came it. “Are you ready?” Eric asked. Twilight smiled picking up her notes and walking with him to the basement. “What was that about?” Rarity asked. “I have a hunch, jus’ hope it’s wrong,” Applejack said. Twilight and Eric were planning a large scale surprise for Pinkie Pie. A sort of reenactment of the smile song in a large enough space. “Alright we’ve already notified a few hundred people and the twenty five we wanted are all set plus twenty onlookers,” Twilight said. “Wow, I knew that photo of Pinkie Pie would convince enough people, but I didn’t think half the brony populace of Sacramento would show,” Eric said. “Indeed, many people wanted to be a part of the . . . what did you call it again?” Twilight asked. “A flash mob.” Author's Note Realized that I was working a lot without putting out a chapter. Oops. Anyway Pinkie's Flash Mob is next! //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 0.5 Measurements (No progression of story) //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 0.5 Measurements (No progression of story) General Physical Traits Twilight Sparkle (Non Alicorn) -Height: 5’0” -Weight: 95 lbs -Bust: 30B -Waist: 24 -Hips: 35 Rarity -Height: 5’9” -Weight: 130 lbs -Bust: 36D -Waist: 26 -Hips: 37 Fluttershy -Height: 5’11” -Weight: 140 lbs -Bust: 36DDD -Waist: 27 -Hips: 38 Rainbow Dash -Height: 5’2” -Weight: 125 lbs (ALLLL MUSCLE!!!!) -Bust: 32 C -Waist: 25 -Hips: 36 Pinkie Pie -Height: 5’10” -Weight: 210 lbs (No pony eats that much sugah without being curvy. That booty though) -Bust: 40DD -Waist: 36 -Hips: 43 Applejack -Height: 6’0” (6'2" with hat and boots) -Weight: 190 lbs -Bust: 38C -Waist: 30 -Hips: 40 Eric: -Height: 6’2” -Weight: 205 lbs -Chest: 40 -Waist: 36 Author's Note I wanted to do one of these so you can get an apt picture of what the characters look like next to each other. I always imagined Twilight was the shortest and Applejack the tallest. Fluttershy's height and hourglass figure making her the model Photo Finish wanted. Rainbow's obvious shortness led to her almost unhealthy desire to win at everything and why Applejack was convinced she could beat Rainbow Dash at anything. While Pinkie is relatively curvaceous her bouncing and running keep her from being enormous. Eric being an RSR for Oroweat and a metal forger was always going to be a big dude. For future reference Twilight's Alicorn Anthro form would be VERY Statuesque. Later I'll include another list for the Alicorns and Discord.