My Life as a Suit Pon

Chapters

This isn't Springfield...
Wings of grace
Shock of Reality
Memories of the past, Dreams of the future
Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing...
Chaos is a wonderful thing
A Heated Exchange and a Visit to the Seamstress
Love and Marriage, Joy and Closure

This isn't Springfield...

Tic-toc...tic-toc...

The sound of the clock wore down my tired brain, for it had once again been a long shift at the Airtseuqe Nuclear Plant. As for myself, since I am a Nuclear Physicist, I could not wait to get home and take a break from doing countless double, triple, and quadruple checks on everything to make sure that the fuel rods did not form an unexpected chain reaction. I had followed every safety precaution, including taking a double sanitation shower, to make sure I was fully clean and free of any stray traces of uranium.

Seeing as my work was wrapped up and my sore feet were screaming bloody murder, I went to the break area and turned on the television. The first thing that came across made me jump up and head straight for the control room, there was a tornado warning issued for the area. The very fact that the National Weather Service had put out a tornado warning for us it meant they expected something bad enough that could damage the plant. The facility might be a new, state-of-the-art design but if daily playing with a glowing ball of radioactive death had taught me anything it was that there is nothing that man can build that nature can't rip apart. "Everyone start shutting down the power!" I shouted in a panic as I entered the room.

"Why would we do that Jim?" Jackson, the plant manager, asked me as he looked up from his station as he started on his fourth cup of coffee that was so thick and dark it would put tar to shame.

"A tornado warning has been issued for our area sir..." As soon as the words left my mouth his eyes widened and he spat the thick coffee out, unfortunately it went all over his control panel.

"Shit! Now the only damn way to shut this puppy down is to do it remotely...I suggest you go Jim since you are the only one of us without a family, it's been nice knowing you kiddo, unless you object to that."

I looked down and hung my head as I nodded, knowing these will be my last moments to live as the others headed for the underground emergency fallout shelter, each of them had a radiation suit in their hands. In this moment I realized one very important detail had been overlooked, I didn't have a suit myself but seeing as that I was going to die anyway I decided to go ahead and make my way towards the reactor. As I went outside, I noticed the sky had darkened, the temp had dropped, the breeze was colder than Jack Frost's breath, and off in the distance I could hear the low rumble of a train approaching. Seeing as we were nowhere near train tracks, I knew my time was running short as the automatic sirens blared. Entering the reactor manual control room, I started shutting down everything quicker than I normally would when a faint voice caught my attention.

"You need protection in here..." The squeaky voice, clearly female, said from somewhere in the room but looking around I saw nobody. I thought I was hallucinating the voice until something came out from behind a panel as I finished the shutdown sequence. It was a high class light blue radiation suit, very well made by the looks of it, but it was only 3 foot tall at the most.

"Please get inside me, I will keep you safe, just come on in and be quick about it." She pointed a forehoof to her back where her entrance, an ordinary industrial zipper between its rubbery wings, was and started making a signaling motion for me to get in. "You have to take all your clothes off first though, because if you don't you won't fit." In a total state of saying "fuck life", and figuring I was going to die anyway, I decided not to question this satient suit's words and quickly shed down to my birthday suit and worked my way in.

I started by putting my feet into the places where the hindhooves were, and it was indeed a tight fit; the sound of the approaching tornado rung in my ears like a runaway steam engine and I rapidly slid the rest of my body in, the zipper closing by some otherworldly means behind me. Everything was black since I could not see and heard the suit's voice in my head. "Sorry..." My vision suddenly returned but I noticed something was off; everything looked bigger, my visual focal point was different, and everything seemed brighter.

"What the hell..." I tried to speak and, to my surprise, the suit's muzzle opened and spoke the word's in the mare's voice. I tried to move but due to not being used to moving with hooves I promptly collapsed to the floor. "What's going on?"

"Simple really, you are in me for safety, and seeing as the tornado is about to hit allow me to get us to said safety so we both don't die." It felt like nerves in my arms and legs had shut themselves off, I suddenly found myself like the crack of a whip moving in a full speed gallop for the door. The weird part was I could feel my own heart hate racing in adrenaline, shrugging it off as fear until my shoulders started to awkwardly and painfully move as the suit's wings started flapping once we got outdoors. The sight before me made my blood run cold, a loud gunpowder grey cylinder of death rapidly swirling towards the plant. Despite being just an EF2, I knew the cooling pond was a goner and the fallout from that was going to be a major environmental disaster. Banking at a 235 degree angle, the suit carried me away from the plant and into the great unknown.

Wings of grace

It took just a matter of minutes to get away from the tornado and plant, and when the suit thought we had gotten far enough away to be considered safe she landed, making my palms and feet hurt at the sudden contact with the ground through the suit. "That should be far enough away..." She softly said with a pant as she trotted over to a nearby apple tree and leaned against it, my back now being supported felt good on my achy muscles. "I feel bad for all who live in the path of that thing..."

"You aren't the only one..." I decided to talk via mental speech so I could hear my own voice, my words verbally being now that of the suit's creeped me out a bit. "So who are you, where do you come from, and why were you in the reactor room?"

"My name is Tammilya Vokner, and I am a pegasus from a land known as Equestria. Back home one of our Diarchs, who's name is Princess Celestia, controls our planet's sun and her sister Princess Luna controls our moon. Due to threats from her enemies, including Minotaurs from Tartarus and a demented bugpon, Princess Celestia had a special building built. This building, which she calls a Sol Dome, is run by graduates from her School for Gifted Unicorns that have a very high command and pool of magic potential..."

I cut her off before she could continue. "Princess Cel-what? Not to mention minotaurs, Tartarus and the what not are things found in Anciet Greece, so are you a time traveler? No, you can't be because magic does not exist."

"Yet..."'She paused for effect before continuing. "here you are stuck inside of a magical, talking, protective pegasus suit. Also, I never heard of this "Greece" that you speak of unless you are talking about the kind that cooks hayfries. However I have been to Fleece, nice country really especially the capital Baathans, good place to learn ancient Eques history. It is also close to Prance and Bridlely, so you could have a whole vacation without having to go very far."

I deadpanned. "So you are meaning to tell me you have ponified equivalents of countries here on Earth? Yeah right, that is the most ridiculous thing I have heard yet and proves I must be dead." I knew I was grasping at straws, but I was trying to find a logical explanation for all of this.

"If you were dead," She then pointed a hoof to the tornado. "That would not be there now would it...Now to get back on track, the unicorns' jobs is simple, due to specialized training, they harness Celestia's sun's power in the event she is unable to fulfill her duty. You see, the citizens are known to be thrown into a panic on what seems like a weekly basis over the littlest issues, so if she is incompacitated the magic stored in the Sol Dome will keep the sun moving like normal until she returns to her full strength..."

"So a backup system in case the main one suffers a failure?" I asked, once again interrupting her, a sharp irritated nod that made me slightly dizzy was her answer. "So how does the magic get stored anyway, some kind of large vat?"

"Kinda, and I will get to that shortly if you would kindly stop interrupting me..." She said with a small huff and I couldn't help but notice a slight Russian accent when she spoke when aggravated so I kept my mouth shut not knowing how she could hurt me in this state, and really, I didn't want to know. "Thank you sir," She said continuing. "but anyways, the reason I was in the reactor room was because back home we had a malfunction. Princess Celestia, in a foalish manner, got mad that a certain pink pony that I will talk to you about later ate her royal daily midday cake; her anger flared and a powerful blast of magic energized and shot from her sun and hit the dome."

"So like a Coronal Mass Ejection from the sun here, a major one can knockout electronics if it is big enough. Before you get mad, I'm just trying to find reference points so I can have an idea of the magnitude of the event that brought you here. No offense, but it sounds like this Princess Celestia you speak of is kinda childish to get mad at someone eating their cake, couldn't she get another one?"

"I know that is what you are doing, that is why I'm trying to be patient but it is starting to wear thin. As far as the cake goes, put yourself in her hooves; if somepony came into your house uninvited, ate your food, and then told you to your face "the market has got more" then left how would you feel?" I didn't say a word, regretting what I had initially said so Tammilya continued her story. "That's what I thought, now back to the incident, It was too much for our unicorn stabilizers to handle and the influx overloaded their horns. That, in turn, knocked them all out and one went through the air and hit me into the containment cell where the magic is stored. Reason I couldn't dodge is because my back was turned while I was collecting measurements. Instead of liquifying me like a thought it would, it made me black out and when I came to my senses I was in your reactor room having no clue where I was or how I got there. Not even ten minutes later you came in and when I saw you were unprotected I decided to save your life and the rest is history. Enough about me for the moment, how about you tell me a little about what kind of pony are you and about your Sol Dome since it is unlike anything I had ever seen."

"First of all, I'm a human not a pony." I felt her tense up for some reason when I said I was a human, but decided to put that off until later. "Second of all, my name is Jim. Third of all, that was not a "Sol Dome" you were at, but the Airtseuqe Nuclear Plant where I am a Nuclear Physicist. The plant was was supposed to be a brand new design that would increase electrical output from the available fuel rods, but more than once during construction I cited several dangerous cutbacks to the construction team but each time they were overlooked because they assured me that everything was safe. Way I see it is that tornado is going to test those faults to their limit, I just hope the cooling tower doesn't crumble and collapse. On another note, when can I be let out of the suit?"

She didn't respond at first, just took a long sad sigh and that made my hope drop to rock bottom and what she said next only further dampened my mood. "Unfortunately...only Her Highness can undo the zipper, it is enchanted to fully protect whomever is inside in the event of a runaway reaction occurring by sealing them in. However I hope we can find a way back soon, otherwise you won't get out...you will literally become me. The reason that is the case is because I was only designed to handle the fallout of such an event for four days, after that I need to live so the pony inside, or in this case you, slowly becomes fused to my form. Right now we are having a "service-service" mutualistic arrangement but it would become a parasitic form of "service-resource" beyond that four day window."

"So you are telling me that unless I get out the suit in the next 96 hours I am gonna die...basically anyway..." I hung my head, the suit's, as I stared at the ground. In this moment I realized that I was starting to have a little better sensory feel for the outside environment in some places, like my palms and feet which were in the hoof slots, since it seemed like a I could actually feel the ground beneath me; another major difference was the fact that my back no longer hurt in between the shoulders and a quick flex made the wings slightly move. "So what will it be like as you?"

"Live the rest of your days as a pony...as me...work in the Sol Dome, praise our Diarchs, a real simple and easy life really." The answer, accompanied by a shrug, made it seem like it was a rehearsed answer. "Let's worry about that later though Jim, right now we have more pressing matters at hoof, like making sure your coworkers are safe." That logic was sound, I couldn't argue with it, and after a brisk nod the suit spread her wings and took off again. I noticed one big difference compared to the first time, the movements didn't hurt my shoulders, for my sanity I chalked it up as getting used to the movements. A few minutes later we got back to the reactor, the tornado already off in the distance and a light cold rain had started falling. "Ok Jim, you need to tell me where to go."

"My coworkers can wait, let's circle the large tower right there a few times first, I want to see if there is any structural damage. I can already see that the cooling ponds are empty, and this rain will help but when the rain stops that is going to become a major problem due to the heat output causing a full blown meltdown." Before I could continue the suit did something I would not expect, she flew up to above the cloud layer and started stomping on the clouds, as she did I could hear the storm intensify and about 15 minutes later she stopped.

"That should fill it up, back home pegasi like myself have a natural ability to control the weather, that is why I was able to do what I just did." She then descended from the cloud layers and started circling the cooling tower, both of us noticing several large cracks near the top that creeped along like mangle strands of spider silk and stopped about a fourth of the way down from the top. "That doesn't look good..." She softly said as we landed.

"Looks worse than it actually is..." I said with a visible sigh of relief. "Thankfully it is going to stay standing, now to shift focus...I want you to stop that tornado before it reaches the next town to keep the fallout to a minimum, can you do that?"

Tammilya nodded. "Yeah I can, hang on because you are about to be taken for the ride of your life." She took off at a speed that nearly broke the sound barrier from the get-go, rapidly closing in and wrapping around the now-EF3 tornado in a tight rotation opposite to the tornado's and slowly started to weaken it. "I don't know if we can pull it off in time!" Panic was evident in her tone, gripping her like a slow acting venom.

"Yes you can but you have to trust me." I said keeping a calm facade but the town coming into view on the horizon was slowly raising my panic levels so I went with a plan so stupid the only person I knew who would have even attempted to do it would have been Evil Knievel. The town sirens started screaming like banshees in my eardrums snapped me back to full attention to my surroundings. "Fly up and dive bomb the center, find a way to destroy it from the inside out. Hurry because we have maybe 15 minutes at the most before we are looking at a radioactive tornado hitting a densely populated area."

"Hang on!" She tilted her wings and began a rapid ascent, the sudden change in altitude and pressure making my ears pop and nearly making me blackout but I somehow managed to overcome it when her flight level stabilized and hovered above the dark gaping mawl of the monster below us. "Ok I am about to attempt the dive bomb, you ready in there?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, I don't have a choice in the matter so let's save everyone's lives. " She nodded and bolted downward, and as bad as instinct urged me to shut my eyes, a nagging part of my brain told me that was a bad idea so I kept them open as the black hole of destruction got bigger and bigger in my vision. Before we entered, the suit suddenly banked left and started kicking away a large swath of clouds in front of the vortex. As much as I tried to convince myself otherwise, I could feel every strike on the clouds, which felt like a combination of cotton and Egyptian silk against my palms and feet. This in turn got me thinking that maybe I didn't have four days after all, but my inward reflection was cut short by the suit getting my attention.

"Sorry I didn't do your plan Jim but I just thought of that one on the fly." She said with a pant and she slowly hovered in place and we watched the last of the tornado dissipate. "Rainbow Dash would be so proud of that I did..."

"I assume that is one of your friends or is your senpai or something along those lines, however I have to ask you a question, is it normal to start feeling accustomed to you and feel things on the outside of you? I am also curious what made you think of that plan, it was brilliant and far more effective than mine would have been." I had made sure to ask while she was standing on the ground taking a breather to give her wings, and my shoulders, a small break before we took back off.

I could feel the corners of Tammilya's muzzle pull up in a prideful grin. "I thought about the fires that would have errupted if it had hit something major, just as oxygen is a fire's fuel source, tornadoes need cloud bank to move along. By removing the cloud bank, I removed the path it could take. The answer to your other question is also simple, it is normal to feel accustomed, that way you have a basic idea of what I feel just in case we can't get you out in time." She said as we slowly flew back towards the plant, no need to rush now that the preliminary crisis had been adverted. "So there is nothing to worry about right now, still got 92 hours to get me back home and you out of me. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Princess Celestia offered to make you a pony and have you stay in Equestria, no offense but you do not seem happy right now."

For some unexplained reason I took offense to that. "Would it be better than I got now? I have no family, no friends, and a shitty as hell boss that couldn't give two shits about anyone but himself. Hell, he basically told me to do the suicide mission in the reactor room while he was the first one to the shelter. ln fact it is his fault for the shortcuts that were used, including not having enough suits available, just to line his fat pockets."

"I am sure if you think long and hard enough you will find someone or something you will deeply miss if you cannot get out of me, and I suggest you use the spare time you have thinking about that subject. Well, in the present you can look on the bright side, you can now do something your boss can't...you can fly..." She said with a tone that showed she was trying her best to help keep me calm and not have a mental overload.

"Ok, I'll try..." I took a few deep inhaled to focus, and the thing is her tactic was actually working. Although I would never admit it outloud, I would be a lying man if I said that I did not start singing "I Believe I Can Fly" in my head after her last remark. My mind eventually did turn to thinking about what I would miss, the first thing that came to mind was my job. Sure I dealt with a lot of bullshit but I loved doing what I did. That got me thinking, did they even have radioactive isotopes in Equestria? If not, I was basically useless since I had no other skills to speak of. As we flew, I spotted a field of roses off in the distance to my left, my mind remembering how that was my deceased mother's favorite flower, and how I would go to the local Festival of Roses to pick up a dozen to place on her grave when her birthday came up. That was the point that hit my soul and sent an icy cold chill up my spine, if I could never return, her grave would fall away to obscurity and be forgotten to the winds of time. "You know Tammilya...there are a few things I would miss now that I've thought about them. The question on my mind is this, how are we going to get back to Equestria?"

All traces of a smile, and good mood, vanished from Tammilya's complexion. "That is the question...now isn't it..." Silence then sunk in as reality had showed us that cruel slap to the face, unsure as to what fate had in store.

Shock of Reality

-one hour after stopping the tornado-

We had finally made it back to the reactor and all seemed quiet. There was no smoke coming from the towers and all the lights, except the main entrance, were out. The only noise being made besides the flapping of wings and the wind blowing into my ears was the low buzz-hum of the back up generators, moving along at full power to make sure the refilled cooling pool did not overheat. I could not explain it, but something felt off, as if the atmosphere was thicker and weighing me down. "Something doesn't feel right Tammilya...although I can't exactly place a finger on what exactly it is at the moment."

"You aren't the only one.." She said with a sigh, as if she was actually relieved that I had said something. "this has the feel of a trap waiting to be sprung. I am going to land to make us less visible, hopefully we can sneak around without getting caught."

Although my inner conscience was telling me that was a very bad idea, I could not help but agree. Both of us were flat out exhausted from being on the go with little rest, and also hungry enough that I assumed Tammilya would not question committing cannibalism... also known as hungry enough to eat a horse. After an intense debate with myself I finally caved. "Ok Tammilya, land but proceed with extreme caution."

She nodded. "Don't have to tell me twice..." Her tone was dry, and was clearly winded from being in the air so long in a place with no magic. She promptly landed, the moment she did the floodlights flared on, blinding me and her and filling the whole area with an intense glow. We caught on a split second too late, the instant she spread her wings we felt something come down on us, pinning us to the ground. Resistance was futile, as we tried to stand a sudden shock coursed through us and knocked us out cold. How long we were out? I had no damn clue, but when we finally awoke we were in the very lab I frequently used. The largest table had been cleared of all equipment to make room for the cage we now resided in.

"So the freak is awake huh..." Jackson said from the chair, my chair, that was situated at the end of the table. "Never seen a moving suit before, so who are you and who is inside of you?"

Tammilya scoffed. "freak huh... Now see here you hairless ape! I a-" Before she could say another word a powerful shockwave coursed through her, with me being inside I took the full brunt of the shock. Tammilya's coat, I assumed, was made out of some sort of latex/rubber hybrid. This meant that the shock stung, but with me being human I took the worse damage. The only logical reason I could think of the net shockwave knocking even her out was because it was draped over her frame, so that shock directly impacted her nervous system. With us being in the cage, the shock went up through her hooves, resulting in less damage to her but more to me. Somehow, someway I had not blacked out, which I attributed to the fact I was slowly merging with Tammilya as the countdown clock slowly winded down.

">T-t-Tammilya...<" I weakly said to her subconscious. ">Is there anyway I can speak to him with my own voice?...<"

She was silent for a few seconds before answering. ">Yeah...go for it...please...<"

I took a deep breath, not only to collect my thoughts, but to also calm my temper enough to where we wouldn't get shocked anymore. "Hey boss... long time no see huh..." I said with a slightly sharp tone, luckily my voice did in fact come out the muzzle of the suit.

Jackson's jaw dropped. "Jim? Is that really you, man, the rest of us swore you were dead or some shit like that."

I held back a soft snarl. "Yeah well, I would have been dead had it not been for Tammilya here. Good thing you are sitting down because this is going to be a long story... I suggest you get the others in here so I will not have to repeat myself. In case you are still doubting it is me, when I first got hired I was given a code name...mine was STORMBRINGER. In hindsight, that is pretty damn ironic since a tornado came and caused some damage and caused this mess to begin with."

The moment I said my code name Jackson ran out of the room, returning a few minutes later with the rest of the staff. "Alright Jim, everyone is here, you may begin."

I nodded. "Thank you boss." I could not help but notice a very faint trace of Tammilya's voice seeping in, which I chose to ignore. "Now then, let's start..." I then told them all that had happened to me since the tornado hit. Of course, it didn't sound possible, but then again they were talking to me while I was inside a living pegasus suit. "That's all that's happened to me, any questions?"

The maintenance man, who's name was Robert, spoke up. "Yeah I got one, what's it like being inside a mare suit?"

I blinked and my brain short circuited before rebooting. "Wha-?"

Robert chuckled before continuing. "You know, touching you down there~..."

A bright blush shone to the point it was visible and the suit's wings flared stiff as I stammered. "I-..."

It was at this moment I realized that I had been too busy worrying about the tornado to think about those kind of things. Now, with my mind now fully aware of my predicament I was in, I started paying closer attention. When I first got in the suit I felt that it was tight, but due to adrenaline I didn't realize how tight. Now that my head was clear I did notice, the suit was body snug and I was quite surprised that a bulge was not seen in the suit from my privates. "Wait a second...why is there no bulge!?!?"

Tammilya decided this was a good time to chime in over our mental link. ">Calm down Jim, there is no reason to freak out.<"

That comment pissed me off to the point that, if it would not have killed me in the process, I would toss her into the seldomly-used wood chipper. ">Says the one who doesn't have to worry about flipping gender...<"

">Are you really that dense Jim!?!? What part of "if we can't get you out in time you will become me" didn't sink into your brain? I am a mare dammit...look, your cock is still there...<" She shifted slightly, the material rubbing against my member felt good enough to nearly make me moan. ">However as you can tell, it is clearly smaller, so that was why there is no noticible bulge. In fact, that was the first thing to happen to you but you were so hyped up on adrenaline you didn't pay attention.<"

I deadpanned. “>Ok...I will give you that, so how long do I have now? And we seriously don't have time to be having this dispute now do we...<”

“>We have roughly 71 hours, give or take 5 minutes, left so we do have time.< Tammilya said matter-of-factually, as if she had calculated it in the few seconds between me asking and her answering.

Before I could respond to her answer about the time, Jackson broke mine and Tammilya’s conversation by regaining our attention. “Jackson to Jim, you alright there man? You have been kinda spaced out the last 15 minutes..”

I blinked a few times before answering. “Umm...yeah, was just having a small mental chat with Tammilya. To answer Robert’s question, it is both alien and pleasurable; alien because I never felt these sensations before and do I really need to say how it is pleasurable?”

Robert shook his head. “"Nah, I was just curious is all...do you think we can chat with this Tammilya now?”

I nodded and turned control of the vocal cords back over to Tammilya. “Alrighty then, anyone got a question for me?”

Jackson spoke the question on everyone’s mind. “"How the hell did you get here?”

Just as she had done for me, Tammilya calmly explained all the events she had experienced leading up to me getting in her in the reactor room. "And now you are all caught up on the matter at hoof..." She said with a sigh, her normally-light Russian accent once again getting thick, but this time out of sadness instead of anger. "No offense to Jim, but I really cannot wait to get back home...if I can even get back home..."

“There there...” Robert said as he opened the cage and ran a hand over Tammilya’s mane, a sensation I vaguely felt and, to be honest, felt quite good. “It will be alright, and I am sure you will get back home in time.”

“"I-I really hope so...” Tammilya replied with a sniffle. “"I have a question, got some lettuce or something I can eat? Oh and maybe a pitcher...or gallon...of water...I haven't ate or drank anything since coming here.”

The only female on the staff, Stephanie, gave a nod. “Yeah, I keep track of deliveries and it just so happens the food truck came by two days ago. I will go see what all was on there that might be suitable for your diet since you probably can't eat meat.”

Tammilya chucked. “"Actually, pegasi like me can eat fish so if you got Talapia...”

Now my mouth was drooling at the thought, everyone in the crew always requested an item to be special ordered once a month. Seeing as I was the only one who took a liking to seafood, I always ordered a wide variety of fish, lobster, and oysters. ">You are lucky I love seafood...I know we are going to enjoy this meal.<"

">Indeed so.<" Tammilya said through our mental link before addressing the rest of the group. "Is there any place I can take a nap? I am quite exhausted and I am sure Jim is as well..."

Jackson nodded. "Yeah, Stephanie will go with you to the sleeping quarters while Robert is prepping the meal. I will come get you when it is finished."

Everyone then left to their respective tasks, although I could have guided Tammilya to the sleeping area myself, I felt like it would have been quite rude to override Jackson like that. About 7 minutes after leaving the lab we arrived at the room. It was nothing special, just a plain room with enough sets of bunkbeds for each of us to have a cot and one dresser per employee. The dull grey paint, already peeling in places due to the rush job to finish, made the room seem smaller and gave a dreariness that I never particularly enjoyed.

"Well this is it, I know it isn't much, but for several reasons it is best you sleep in here instead of outside. Steph said as she guided us in. "See you at dinner and hope you sleep well." She then took her leave as Tammilya crashed on my cot, which just so happened to be the bottom bunk closest to the door. Soon we both were asleep, and I was having a peaceful dream of my memories going places with my mom. It seemed, as I reflected, I was a much happier boy back then. Even as I grew older and my mom got into her advanced years, I always went out of my way to atleast try and make one trip a year with her, even if it was something as simple as a walk through the state park. It was during a dream of one such trip when everything suddenly froze and a tall navy-blue pony, at least 8 inches taller than I was with my back straight, appeared.

"Hello human," Her voice was regal, as if of a high nobility, but also calming and welcoming as a mother talking to her child. "we have much to discuss..."

Author's Note

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Memories of the past, Dreams of the future

I was at a loss for words. The pony in front of me was as marvelous as she was mysterious; as powerful as she was welcoming. Day had suddenly become night, I was observed, which seemed to magnify the unknown mare’s features. Her navy blue coat shone under the full moon above, making it have a moonbeam-isque glow, her body outlined in the silvery wisps.

Then there was her mane and tail, specks of light danced like fireflies in a uniform formation, outlining the familiar shape of constellations as they moved in a non-existent breeze. The deep, tranquil aquamarine pools of her eyes told the story of a kind and compassionate being, but beneath the calmness was a burning fire of regret that never seemed to have fully extinguished.

She had the well-muscled body of a warrior-born, bred and built for combat, yet still retaining an innate femininity showing itself in eye catching curves of hip and neck, and I felt the need to pull my gaze away from them before it became a leer. Her wings were slick and graceful, each feather illuminated like her coat and showing just how powerful they were.

Finally, there was her multipurpose horn. Tammilya had told me stories about the strength of an alicorn, as she called the princesses. She believed it was capable of either punching through steel plate like a spear of dark ivory, or firing magical blasts of prodigious power, not to mention it's rumoured impressive defensive properties. It was a true weapon for a winged warrior, she was the master of the skies, and I was humbled to be in her presence.

Many questions flew through my mind at once, similar to a midair train wreck, however I decided to start with the two easiest. “Who are you and how do you know who I am?”

“We could ask thou the same thing human…” The mare said slowly circling me, and suddenly I felt as vulnerable as a field mouse compared to a hawk.

“Did you mean to use “I” instead of “we”? Nobody uses that kind of speech anymore Miss…” I could not form another syllable, for I was promptly knocked on my rear by a shockwave of pure force that burst from the mare’s lungs.

“THOU CAN NOT SILENCE THEE ROYAL WE!” The mare bellowed, nearly rupturing my eardrums and making me cover my ears. After a moment, she calmed and looked at me with a sincere, apologetic look. ”I apologize for that… old habits die hard and that is still an area I need to develop on. Now to answer your questions, my name is Princess Luna of Equestria, younger sister of Princess Celestia, and I know who you are due to Tammilya’s dream at the moment.”

The moment she said she was Princess Celestia’s sister I dropped into a bow, and due to life-long personal training, I was excellent at the fine art of multitasking. As my brain comprehended everything she told me, I could not help but notice the faintest shade of pink cross her cheeks at the mention of Tammilya’s dream. Part of me wanted to ask what the dream was about, but I chose to address how she introduced herself.

“You say Princess Celestia is your sister…” I asked, and when Luna nodded I continued. “Is it the same one that owns the facility Tammilya works in? How is she handling this… “incident” as it were?”

Luna sighed. “Stressed out actually, Tammilya is a good and hard worker, and those are hard to come by. From what she told me when I visited her dream, I can deduct that you are in a similar role so you can understand that. Now, how about we continue this in a different setting?”

“Sounds good to me, “ I said with a reassuring nod. “where at exactly? By the way, my name is Jim.”

“This is your dreamscape Mister Jim,” Luna said holding out her hoof, which I shook, noticing how soft her fur was. “you think of a place and we will go there. I do have the power to manipulate dreams, since that is my realm as the Princess of the Night, but I don't want to put you in a situation you will not be comfortable with.”

“Well…” I stopped to weigh my options. On one hand I really did not like the idea of a magical alien mare worming around my mind like a parasite, but on the other I could see what she had to offer. Feeling adventurous, and a bit bold, I made my decision with earnest. “How about you lead and I’ll follow, since I don't trust you completely yet this will be a test to prove your intentions.”

Luna nodded in understanding. “Then allow me to prove my worth to you young Jim.”

With a flash of her horn the scenery around us shifted into something absolutely breathtaking. Gone was the forest, and now we were standing in a lush meadow. The full moon still dominated the sky, but the moonbeams reflecting off of the small lake in front of us made the surrounding area dance a slow waltz with every beam as it passed by. A cool fall breeze twirled past us, making every hair on my body stand on end, but the warmth my hair was giving me made me realize I was no longer human.

Using my experience from my short time with Tammilya, I galloped over to the pond to look at my reflection. My coat was vanilla colored, that combined with my mahogany brown mane and tail made me fall back in laughter, only for a shot of pain to rock through me as I fell back on my wings.

“Is… is part of your sense of humor?” I asked rolling over onto my barrel, a smile on my face.

“Why, I have no idea what you are talking about Jim,” Luna said as a smirk tugged at the corner of her muzzle, her eyes becoming glinted with child mischief. “I just simply made your appearance be that of your inner pony.”

“Vanilla and chocolate combination?” I chuckled with a a small shake of my head. “Seems like you were thinking about a nice ice cream sundae when making my appearance, but if you got a food fetish or kink that is fine and I will not judge.”

Even in the moonlight, I could see a furious blush ignite on her face. That, combined with her wings becoming unfurled showed me that I had got her good. However, as great as I was at reversing situations and out-pranking pranksters, I should have known better than to take on a being millenia older than me.

“As that may be…” Luna said with a cough as she calmed herself, her horn igniting a vibrant light blue. “Perhaps I shall show you what Tamilya is dreaming of now… but first...”

I froze as her magic enveloped me, and I felt myself changing. My whole body shook as it shrank and compacted several inches, my coat covering my fetlocks as my mane and tail grew. I could feel my nethers change, one solid weight retreating to be replaced by two smaller ones as the cool air brushed under my tail, making me hold back a shivered moan.

“Why did you turn me into a mare!?” I demanded with a pout, which earned a giggle from Luna.

“That, my dear Sundae Melody, is my sense of humor.” Luna then turned me back into a stallion before teleporting us to a different environment. It was a lovely mountainside cabin, complete with an already-lit fireplace.

“So where are we now?” I asked as I looked around, noting that this would make a perfect honeymoon spot.

“We are in Tammilya’s dream young Jim,” Luna said matter-of-factually, the light blush from earlier once again making its presence known. “I suggest you look out the window.”

I nodded and went over to the window, which revealed a glorious landscape of snow capped mountain tops. The morning sun rising up over the peaks bathed the environment in a golden blanket, which started the dawn chorus of the nearby birds and filled the air with its harmonic tune. Just down slope from from the cabin was a simple bench, a garden arch hanging over it, and on the bench sat a pegasi couple that made my jaw drop.

“Is-is that really…” My brain short circuited for what seemed like the thousandth time in the last few days, unable to comprehend the scene that was laid out in front of me. There was Tammilya, not made of latex, but an actual pony with the same coat and mane/tail colors she currently had. With her was me, as a stallion, and we both had a smile in our muzzles as we watched the sun raise up into position. I had my head against her neck, my left forehoof caressing her stomach, which showed a small baby bump.

Luna sighed. “Indeed it is Jim, and it was during…”certain activities”... that I managed to locate Tammilya, and by virtue you, in the first place. It is also why I said we had much to discuss, so enlighten me, do you feel the same way about her as she does for you?”

I did not answer right away, but instead looked at the scene in front of me and used it to reflect. Despite Tammilya’s bluntness, there was just something about her that showed she cared. She always talked everything out with me, and she urgently wanted to return home, which showed that she did not want me to remain trapped inside her. I honestly had nobody there for me when my mother died, but seeing how Tammilya imagined our future ignited something deep in me. A fuzzy warmth spread through my whole body, reawoken from a long slumber, and as it took control I could not help but smile.

“I do Princes Luna…” My tone was soft, spoken in a way that a highschooler would use when confessing to his/her crush. “I think I do love her the same way she loves me.”

“That is good to know Jim, now I think you should talk things over with your wife.” The moment Luna said the last word everything, except Tammilya, seemed to distance itself into the background. Knowing what this kind of situation meant, Tammilya jumped up from the bench and started looking around for where her Princess of the Night was. When she spotted Luna she went to drop into a bow, but stopped halfway when her eyes locked on mine, and instantly her cheeks turned a lovely shade of scarlet.

“Pr-princess Luna… is that really Jim’s dream essence?” Tammilya stammered, and if it wasn't for the situation I would have picked on her about how cute she looked in this moment, but I wisely kept my mouth shut.

“Indeed it is Tammilya, I thought it was a good idea to show how you portrayed Jim in your subconscious.” Luna then backed up a few feet away. “I suggest you two talk while I still am able to keep this dreamweave in one piece.”

Once Luna stepped back out of earshot a cold silence fell between us, only broken up by the occasional hoof shuffle or wing ruffle. After what felt like an eternity, I made the first move by nuzzling under her chin and planting a soft kiss on her cheek. The action startled her, making her wings flare and her already-scarlet cheeks turn an even brighter shade of red.

“So tell me Tammilya…” I said as I continued the gentle nuzzling. “Just what is it about me that you fell in love with? Since my mother passed nobody has given me the time of day or showed that they truly cared. Whenever I fell sick I had to care for myself the best I could, even when I broke my leg nobody even bothered to pick up the phone and check on me. To be honest with you, I gave up the dream of having a family many years ago.”

“Well… if you would have me as your wife, I will do my best to make sure that all the pain of years past will only become a distant memory and you will never be alone again.” Tammilya said as she started nuzzling me. “I guess it is your personality, and the fact you are remaining so calm even though all this. As you just saw, you know what I dream of our future being… together and as soon-to-be parents.”

I smiled at her as I ran a hoof over her barrel, imagining a foal, our foal, growing inside of her and the idea of being a father. Those thoughts made the warmness in me bubble more. “Tamilya… I do accept you as my wife, for now and forever, I love you.”

She pulled me into a tight hug, tears streaking down her face as she started sobbing into my coat. “T-thank you Jim, thank you for accepting me as your wife and accepting my love. Now we can focus on trying to return home, but are you sure you are willing to give up everything you have for me?”

“You mean a boring job with a cranky boss who complains about his coffee not being “angry enough”?” I said with a chuckle. “No, I won't miss that at all, the only thing I will miss is being able to visit my mother’s grave because I don't want it to become neglected.”

Tammilya nodded in understanding. “It is ok to remember the past, but don't let it control you hun, what really matters is you remembering her…” She then placed her hoof on my chest while looking me straight in the eyes, her’s full of resolve. “in here and reflecting on the time you had with her. We all have our time when we must cross over… me, you, and everypony including the princesses have a time when our hourglass runs out. Enjoy the time you have, because nopony knows when that last grain of sand will drop for them.”

I was taken aback by her words, surprised she could be so philosophical; the hardened mask she normally wore was dissolved, and in its place was a loving and compassionate being who only cared for my wellbeing. “Wow Tammilya… that was deep. I guess you are right, I have spent so much time focusing on missing my mom that I missed events going on around me. This will be a fresh start, a second chance, to make myself into a better individual. Now we both have something to look forward to if we can get back to Equestria in time, get me out of you then we can focus on wedding preparations.”

“Actually,” Luna said reminding both of us that she was present. “I can have it arranged with Tia as soon as I get back, although I suspect one pony in particular already knows. Now I hate to cut this short, but I this dreamweave is starting to become unstable, which means that I have to depart and get Jim back into his own dreamscape.”

Me and Tammilya sadly nodded, and after a deep kiss Luna teleported me back into my dreamscape just as I woke up. I could feel in my subconscious that Tammilya was smiling at me, one that I gladly returned as I trotted out the door, the smell of tilapia being our guide.

Author's Note

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Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing...

I walked into the kitchen, reaching the source of the mouth watering deliciousness that was called tilapia. The aroma was more intoxicating than it was when I had my human nose, not that I was complaining one bit. The fish itself made my taste buds tingle, complimented nicely by the light breadcrumb crust and basil that sent it over the top.

“This looks delicious,” I said taking my seat, the aroma luring me in like chum attracting a shark. “compliments to the chef.”

“Much obliged,” Robert said with a chuckle as he scratched my ear, making me and Tammilya hum in unison. “Seems that you woke just at the right time, Jackson was about to get you up from your nap. How did it go?”

“That was, without a doubt, the best rest I’ve had in a long time.” I said with a warm smile. Inside our mental link, however,
me and Tammilya were holding hooves.

”You do realize Jim...”< Tammilya said over our link as she rested against me. >”That technically me and you, by Equestrian law, are now legally married.”<

”I do realize that Tammilya,”< I replied while nuzzling her. The fact she was now my wife had grown on me, and gave me a new outlook on life, one that I looked forward to having. >”but I am not going to tell them that just yet. As soon as we eat, the primary focus will be to get us to our home. Once we get separated, we can start planning our future together, just like in your dream.”<

”Mind if I take control for a bit?”< Tammilya asked, as she nuzzled under my chin. The feeling of her coat rubbing against mine was better than the softest silk, and one that made me happy.

I gave her a reassuring smile as I started to nuzzle her as well. I could practically see the love in her eyes as I made slow, deliberate motions across her cheek and kissing her on the forehead. >”I got no problem with that, after all this is your body and I feel bad by being in control all the time love.”<

”Thanks dear.”< She gave me a kiss before blinking twice, our visual cue that we had swapped roles, clearing her throat to address my coworkers as she dug into the fish. “I must say, this actually beats some of the tilapia I’ve had back home.”

Everyone took note of the voice change and knew they were now speaking with Tammilya, giving her a nod as Robert chuckled. “Well, that's might kind of you, Ms. Tammilya. I'm glad you enjoy it and there is plenty more where that come from, so help yourself. Do you have any plans for today?"

For the next several minutes Tammilya didn’t speak. Any words were squashed by the adorable nomming noises she was making as she ate, making everyone chuckle at the cuteness on display. The only time she stopped was when she had finished the first helping and was waiting on the second. “Well, me and Jim were thinking about trying to find out how to get home. Time is of the essence, and the only reason we’re not working on that now is because I’m as hungry as a thestral during the mango off season.”

“Thestral?” Jackson asked confused. “What is that on your world?”

“Close relative of pegasi actually,” Tammilya said as the second helping of tilapia was placed in front of her, making her answer in between mouthfuls of fish. “However, they tend to have bat-like instincts, like loving tropical fruit for an example. Plus, they are normally nocturnal, have a set of fangs, bat wings, and can echolocate despite having the sharpest vision in Equestria. You could call them batponies, since that is the general term that is used.”

“Quite fascinating,” Becky, our resident biologist, said making herself known. “you're quite a marvel yourself, but you make it sound as if there are a lot of different, unique species where you are from. How many species do you know of?"

“Want the full list?” Tammilya asked with a raised eyebrow, then gave a sigh of mild annoyance when Becky nodded. “Fine… In addition to normal forest and farm animals, we have: intelligent felines who walk on two legs, griffins, dragons, hippogriffs, seaponies, breezies, buffalo, yaks, changelings, zebra, batponies, crystal ponies, five alicorns, unicorns, pegasi, and -ironically- Earth Ponies.”

The room was dead quiet as my coworkers processed the list Tammilya gave, which I would have a hard time believing myself if not for my encounter with Princess Luna and the fact I was in a pegasus suit. The silence started to make me feel awkward, something Tammilya picked up on as she spoke to break the ice. “I hope that answers your question Miss.”

“Yeah, it does…” Becky said, still dumbfounded as she sat back in her seat for balance. “It’s just that almost every single one of those that you mentioned are something out of folktales, myths, or legends here.”

“Just like humans are a myth back home,” Tammilya replied in a matter-of-fact tone. “In fact, there is one particular unicorn I have heard about who claims that humans exist, but everypony says she is crazy. So who really is on the short end of the stick, Earth or Eques?”

“Seems both of us are in the same boat,” Jackson said while drinking some of his tar that poorly imitated coffee. “based on your explanation anyway. Humans are myths on your world and your species is a myth on ours. all I can say is I hope National Security doesn’t get involved in this, that would be a disaster for all involved. However, I noticed you used the phrase “our home” earlier when you were talking about getting back where you came from, care to elaborate?”

“Jim is coming with me,” Tammilya said in a tone that showed she was just skimming the iceberg. “he really has no choice in the matter if he wants to have his own life again does he? Besides, there is no telling when or if a safe portal to return him here would pop up so he will need a home in the meantime.”

“You got a point,” I knew the tone Jackson used, it was one of caution when he suspected some fishy business, and warned Tammilya to watch her back from here on out. “although it doesn’t add up. You say there are unicorns, then why don’t they use magic to force open a portal?”

“I have thought about that too,” Tammilya conceded with a sigh, now on a third helping of the flavorful fish. “but that would be quite risky due to the fact the fabric of space-time does not like to be tampered. That puts us back at square zero, so unless you can think of an alternative I am just going to have to do it during my power nap.”

Stephanie cleared her throat, and suddenly all eyes rested on her. “I have been thinking about our earlier conversation, specifically about how you came here, and I might have found the answer. You said you fell back into your reactor correct? Well, why don’t we somehow recreate the set up?”

“So you want me to have a tornado hit this facility?” Tammilya asked in shock. “No way! I can tell you now that the pattern for the atmosphere is stable with fair weather for the next week at least. I think it would be strange for a storm, let alone a twister, to pop up out of nowhere and I am not a pony who wishes destruction on anyone.”

“Not what I meant!” Stephanie waved her arms in front of her, showing that the idea had been misunderstood. “If you could somehow communicate with your home world, see if that princess of yours can cause another flare. If the conditions there are matched up just right…”

“Then the flare would hit the facility, causing the same chain reaction and briefly opening the portal!” Tammilya leaped for joy, flapping her wings for a few seconds before she landed. “ That idea is crazy enough to work, considering I can communicate back home but only while I am asleep, I will make sure to pass the message along.”

Jackson gave a nod of approval, satisfied with the cooperation that he was receiving. “Good, now we got a game plan, now how do you think Jim can be safely returned once you two are separated?”

That question made my temper boil, Tammilya having to mentally pin me down to keep me from lashing out at the sorry excuse of a boss. “Don’t you think that should be a decision for him to make on his own? He might want to stay in Equestria, then again I am just asking from experience.”

“I am his boss,” Jackson replied in a cold, steeled tone. “So it is also in my best interests that I have him back here. Hard workers are few and far between, and it will be hard to replace him since very few have the same qualifications. He is a very valuable member to my staff Miss Tammilya, so either he comes back… or you replace him.”

“You can’t be serious Jackson!” Robert said jumping to his feet, the whole crew shocked by the proclamation. “That is wrong on more than one level, how would you react if it was you in Jim’s position?”

Jackson softly chuckled as he put down his brew and started circling Tammilya. “Please Robert, what could Jim possibly have in a world where humans are myths? He would have no home, no job, no friends…. basically be seen as a freak of nature that would be nothing more than a bizarre tourist attraction in some carny show.”

“He would have ME!” Tammilya growled, her tone protective as one guarding their loved one. “I am his friend, and if he chose to stay in Equestria I will personally ensure that he is treated fairly.”

Jackson got nose-to-muzzle with Tammilya, the two of them locking eyes in a silent war of wills. Neither wanted to give, and neither backed down as their glares pierced into each other’s souls. Time seemed to temporarily stop, that was until Stephanie pulled her boss back.

“I suggest that you go an head back to bed Tammilya,” The woman said as she forced Jackson to go outside for a breath of fresh air. “The sooner that this situation ends, the sooner everything resolves itself and things return to normal. Of course, it is nothing against you but I think Jackson feels that you have overstayed your welcome.”

“I-I understand…” Tammilya replied as she trotted out the room, head hung low. I could tell that Jackson had struck her deep, and despite me wanting revenge, my primary focus was to make my wife feel better as we started our journey to the Land of Nod.

”Don’t worry dear,”< I said in our linkscape, holding her to my barrel as I wrapped my wings around her as a comfort blanket. >”Soon this nightmare will be over and we can live happily ever after.”<

“Happliy Ever After? You make this sound like a fairy tale Jim,”< Tammilya said with a sniffle, but a small smile had formed at the corner of her mouth. >“question is, who is the fairy tale for?”<

“That would be for the both of you,” Princess Luna’s voice signaled her arrival, and showed that we were fully asleep on the bed. “have you made any progress for how to return to Equestria?”

“We’ve made some progress your Highness,” I said with a bow, Tammilya doing the same. “one of my coworkers suggested we recreate the circumstances on Equestria that led to Tammilya coming to Earth.”

“That is not a bad idea, but alas is not a safe one…” A voice I didn’t recognize said. Tammilya knew, for she locked in place and deeped the bow as a pony came up beside Luna.

The pony was a full head taller than Luna, her white coat brighter than the most polished ivory. Like Luna, a pair of strong wigs adorned her back, a horn that looked even deadlier than the Princess of the Night’s was on her forehead. The tricolored mane and tail flowed in the same invisible wind as Luna’s, but radiated heat instead of the coolness night brought.

“Are you Princess Celestia?” I asked in an awestruck tone. When the alicorn before me nodded I dropped to my fetlocks. “It is a pleasure to finally be in your presence your Highness, Tammilya has told me a lot about you.”

“Just as my sister Lulu has told me about you Jim.” Celesta replied as she motioned for us to rise. There was something about her tone, very mother like, that struck me deep in my core and reminded me of my own. “However, I wish to see you as you are now, considering we are in this dreamweave would you please show me your human form.”

I did as I was told, concentrating and altering my appearance to my old self. To my surprise, Celestia was eye level with me, her deep purple eyes glistening like amethyst as she took in my features. It was a look I had seen before, it was a look of wonder, broken as she cleared her throat to address me. “So much for humans just being a myth I see…”

“I could say likewise for yourself, ”I replied with a chuckle, earning a giggle from the others as well before l shifted myself back into a pegasus. “but I think we should get down to business since we are low on time.”

Celestia nodded in agreement, knowing that I had my priorities in order. “Right, well since recreating the flare would cause a panic, we’ll have to think of an alternative method. I already have the best pony I know on the job of trying to create a portal to your exact location. She’s close, but she tends to crack under pressure so I have been doing my part in keeping her calm. We should have it within the next 19 hours or so, that’s a rough estimate so don’t quote me on it.”

“That is cutting it pretty close your Highness,” Tammilya said joining the conversation. “and I am starting to feel unwelcome because of Jim’s boss. Since I have nowhere else to run and hide to, I’m starting to feel trapped.”

“Just as I am dear,” I said with a sigh before addressing Celestia. “Keep in mind, Tammilya and I are becoming more intertwined by the hour. I’d really hate for our lives together start off together. I fully trust that the princesses will be able to solve this dilemma before it is too late. Although the portal idea seems risky, even Tammilya said that when one of my coworkers suggested it.”

“Don’t worry about the risk involved with the portal, my star pupil knows more about magic than even I deemed possible. I also want to say thank you for that trust Jim,” Celestia said putting her wing over my back and pulling me close to her. I could have lost myself in the warm embrace if I wasn’t careful, but I was able to keep myself focused. “I will thank you in full when you come to Equestria. Luna has told me about you two declaring each other as husband and wife, so I offer my congratulations, I will personally perform the ceremony once all this is over and done with.”

“That would be a pleasure Princess Celestia,” Tammilya said nuzzling me, both of us emitting a purr that sounded strangely cat-like. “but what do I do about Jim’s boss? His ultimatum was very threatening and I don’t want to lose my husband.”

Celestia’s features took on a slightly darker expression as a fire literally ignited in her eyes. “Stay clear of him as much as possible, keep your distance and I will deal with him personally when the portal opens. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes your Highness.” Me and Tammilya answered in unison before I started telling Princess Celestia more about myself, and my life. A lot of things I brought up was my knowledge in science and chemistry, areas Celestia said her protege would be vastly interested in and would take a lot of detailed notes. After that, I moved to the more difficult experiences I had, including my mother’s passing.

-meanwhile in the waking world-

Jackson was in a highly pissed off mood. Everything had been perfectly fine amongst his staff until that pony arrived, and since then he had started losing control of his staff one by one. Whereas before, his staff would do what he asked immediately, now he could see the disdain on their faces with each task he gave.

To make matters worse, it seemed that the pony was going to take the best worker he had away from him, something that he was not going to take lightly. Reaching his office, he dimmed the lights and locked the door before pulling out a secret phone that he thought he would never have to bring out of retirement.

“Hello,” Jackson said leaning back in his chair. “Get me in contact with the Department of Homeland Security…”

Author's Note

Thanks to my editor Penalt for hammering out the finer details.

You can find me on Patreon here.

Chaos is a wonderful thing

Princess Celestia, Diarch of the Sun, was feeling troubled. After listening to my life story, she had been awfully quiet, only answering questions with simple gestures of her head. No word or sound came from her muzzle, because all her brain activity was solely focused on processing the information that had been given to her, not that she would tell anypony of course. Soon after, she had requested that Luna weave together a dream for me and Tammilya to enjoy while she departed from our company.

“This keeps getting easier and easier it seems.” Luna said, while making the environment that of the mountain retreat, a bit of sadness in her tone. “I’m not saying that due to my age and experience, I’m saying that because it is taking less magic and energy.”

“That is because me and Tammilya continue to merge into one body and mind.” I said with a sigh. I noticed my voice was sounding higher in pitch than normal, and a slight accent had formed behind my syllables. Trotting over to the mirror that was against the wall, I took note of other changes.

Just like when I was Sundae Melody, my fur covered my fetlocks. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the bottom few rows of hair had changed from my normal vanilla color to bright blue. My muzzle looked like a rounded square, sort of a blend between a stallion and mare, and seemed a little smaller. I suddenly squirmed, a rather uncomfortable feeling generating from my nethers gaining all my attention. The pulling made me feel sick, and I noticed Tammilya had turned a slight shade of green that no doubt was caused by our nerves becoming more entwined.

“That really sucked…” I said after the changes stopped, for the time being anyway. A quick glance showed I was still male, but I could tell it was only a matter of time before I crossed the gender line. My head felt like it was swimming, memories and thoughts I had no prior knowledge of were now implanted in my brain along side my own.

“No kidding dear,” Tammilya said, a little winded as she recovered from what just happened. “the fact I felt that shows our central nervous systems are almost completely integrated. It also seems that we now have parts of each other’s memories as well.”

“I can tell, and it seems my gender change is underway…” I said while rubbing my hindlegs together, the rubbing easing a small burning that had developed. “No offense to you, but I don’t think I could handle being a mare. I was born a male and have been my whole life, it would take a long time to get used to it.”

Tammilya solemnly nodded in understanding. “I get where you’re coming from Jim, but at the same time you would become my insides. I can guarantee that when we wake up, you will find it difficult to remotely feel any part of your human body without having to concentrate on it. Trust me, I am not happy about this either, because I would lose you once time runs out. I just want the end result to be the one where we all win.”

I softly moaned as two very sensitive lumps formed on my lower barrel, previous experience made me know that my teats just formed. “You better hurry your Highness, seems that we have less time that we thought. After we wake up we will wait for the portal to open, I just hope that it won’t be too late.”

“Indeed,” Princess Luna said as she finished tinkering with the strength of the dreamscape, reinforcing it so me and Tammilya could have a longer rest. “Now I must depart to take care of my sister, until next time farewell you two and hope to see you soon.”

Me and Tammilya nodded, allowing the Princess of the Night to depart and resume her normal routine. When she left our dreamscape, she found everypony to be at relative peace, which meant that she had a lot of spare time on her hooves. With nothing else to do, she teleported to the Castle of Friendship to check on Twilight’s progress.

“Hello Luna,” Twilight said with a smile, the thick smell of fresh coffee filling the room. “Celestia ran out to get some more coffee grounds. Since I just ran out with the last batch that is in the pot, and she wanted to be a help, I had her go run that errand and get me all the spare paper she could find. So, what brings you here at this hour?”

“Seeing as all my subjects are having peaceful dreams for a change, I have some spare time on my hooves.” Luna replied while fixing herself some coffee, with it ending up milky white from the amount of creamer and sugar she put in it. “So how close are you to making the exact portal location link?”

Twilight gave the older alicorn a forced, tired smile. “Very close, I just need to get Discord to get everything set on this end and we can do a test run.”

Luna blinked, not expecting the former Lord of Chaos to be offering a helping paw. “Discord? Why would he be offering his assistance? This matter doesn’t concern him nor should it interest him.”

Twilight’s forced smile turned into a natural frown, clearly showing that she was far too tired to squabble. “That is where you are wrong Luna, it does in fact concern him considering the chaos involved with a pony being in another dimension. The reason he hasn’t been able to help until now is because he and Fluttershy were on a retreat, and from what I gathered it went quite well… he proposed and she said yes.”

“Wait, really?” Luna asked surprised. She knew that Fluttershy and Discord were fond of each other, but she didn’t think that they were that close. Considering that she had not seen a single dream of them together that didn’t involve tentacles, leather, or bridles; she thought they were nightmares and always changed the dream. However, the more she thought about how upset Fluttershy was each time she interfered, the more she realized just what kind of dreams they were.

“Indeed,” Twilight said taking a solitary sip of her coffee as she continued to do calculations for the uptenth time to make sure her math was right. “why do you ask?”

“No reason…” Luna shakily replied, being careful not to spill Fluttershy’s personal thoughts. “although it seems that I owe Fluttershy a deep apology.”

Any chance for Twilight to ask Luna what that meant was thrown out when Celestia returned with the coffee grounds and a large stack of paper, big enough that the Princess of the Sun had her wings spread to keep it balanced. “Here you go Twilight, I got the coffee and this is all the paper that was on the shelves here in Canterlot, you sure you need it all?”

“Quite certainly Celestia,” Twilight replied as she started to rapidly burn through the stack, each sheet representing a different scenario that could possibly occur. “I need to be 100% certain that this will work. We only have one shot at this and I want to make it count, right down to the last digit of the square root of pi.”

“Um Twilight.” Celestia said with a cough, but she was silently thankful the lavender colored mare had finally got over addressing her as “Princess” and just used her name. “I admire your enthusiasm, but you do realize that is practically impossible to calculate right?”

“Oh I know that Celestia,” Twilight said with a smile, a slightly crazed look in her eyes that no doubt was caused by a combination of no sleep and stress. “which is why I have to take everything into consideration. Besides, a simple flap of a butterfly wing could throw the coordinates off enough to trap them on Earth. I know that is the chaos theory, and that is Discord’s domain, but it also has scientific tie-ins and effects so I will discuss it more when we meet up.”

It seemed like hours until Twilight had finished, and in fact it was, for by the time she was satisfied it was time for Celestia to raise the sun. It had been a long night for all three alicorns, with Twilight nearly having a meltdown when a sleep-deprived Spike spilled tea on several pages of notes, and Celestia had to calm her down while Luna put him to bed. Due to their states of mind, it was decided Discord would fully wake them up when they joined him, but unfortunately for them he was in a rather bad mood.

“Discord, what happened to you?” Twilight asked as she circled the draconeques, noting that his body was rather feminine. “Chaos magic got you screwed up again from buildup?”

“No…” The chaos being said with a female pitch. “Shining Armor played a stunt on me as part of April Foals Day, apparently he found out how to swap one’s gender and laced some peach tea that I drank with the powder. Needless to say, I am in a bad mood, Fluttershy was also ticked at first but then she started using my chest as pillows. I really don’t want to be here, I’d rather be getting even with Shining, so can we please hurry this along?”

Twilight yawned and smacked her lips, only staying awake by sheer willpower. “Make us feel fully refreshed ,and give full cooperation, and I will personally help you get revenge against my brother. Does that sound like a deal?”

Discord’s eyes lit up like stars, and for a brief moment they actually were, and with a quick talon snap the princesses were energized. “Well what are we waiting for, Saint Clover Day? Let’s get this process started!”

Sighing in relief, Twilight gave Discord all of her notes, which impressed the draconeques with exactly how much time and effort had went into making sure everything was exact. It took several attempts for Discord to fully stabilize a portal. and when Twilight put her head in it to see if it had worked, she instantly pulled it back out with her face flushed and wings stiff.

“What did you see to react like that?” Discord asked with a mix of amusement and confusion as she closed down the portal. “I opened it at the right coordinates, that should have opened right beside them.”

“I-I think that it was the wrong dimension…” Twilight said forcing her wings closed, but still clearly flustered based off her cherry-red cheeks. “There were ponies on that side of the portal that looked like us, but almost hybridized with the human form I know from visiting Sunset Shimmer.”

“Oops…” Discord said in an apologetic tone, that the princesses could tell was sincere, as she started calculating on a floating chalkboard. “Seems that in addition to flipping my gender, my ability to get to the right place instantly has been hindered by a higher power of some sort. Best case scenario it gets better in time, but probably at the expense of a highly embarrassed Twilight.”

Twilight stared at Discord for a *long* minute, equal parts confused and annoyed at the reasoning the chaos being had came up with. “Oh come on, that makes absolutely no sense! Why do I have to be the one who gets embarrassed?”

“Well lets see…” Discord said crossing her arms, giving Twilight a slight sneer. “Me, and this Jim fellow we are currently trying to save, are/have been dealing with a gender flip. Then you have Celestia, who has been spending all her free time here helping you instead of being in Canterlot working on political issues; which leaves Luna running Equestria by herself AND watching over everypony’s dreams while remaining in contact with Tammilya. Seeing as you are the only one who has remained unscathed, it is time for you to join in the chaos.”

“That isn’t fair…” Twilight said with a huff, then sighed as she shook her head. “Fine, let’s just get this over with I guess, keep the same coordinates but try a different dimension.”

“Alright,” Discord said snapping her claw, which made the portal reappear. “but I cannot guarantee any attempt will actually work due to my powers being out of flux. This is like playing Russian Roulette, but in reverse, many misses but only one correct one.”

“I prefer the term trial and error, but I guess that would work as well…” Twilight said sticking her head back in the portal. Her body suddenly lurched forward, and it took the combined strength of Celestia and Luna to pull her back. When they did, a very ornate bridle and collar adorned her head and neck, the deep blue coloring being highlighted by jewels.

“Who put that on you?” Luna asked as she tried, and failed, to take Twilight’s new equipment off. “They apparently have made it so only they could remove it. I mean, I could possibly get around the wards, but it would take far longer than the time we have available.”

“Nightmare Moon…” Twilight said with a pleasurable shiver as she had Discord write down the dimension on a sheet of paper. “Brings back some rather fond memories actually, since that is the timeline from my fight with Starlight, so I will go back to that world or bring her here and have her as a guest.”

Celestia’s coat, somehow, paled several shades lighter. “I don’t think that would be a good idea Twilight, but in the event you do, she is only allowed to stay in the castle. Do I make myself clear with that Twilight?”

Twilight gave a nod, but it was clear that her mind was elsewhere due to the slightly gazed look and the fact she was drooling. “I don’t think that would be a problem Celestia, considering I will be having so much fun with her that she wouldn’t have time to go anywhere else. Hay, I’ll invite the girls over to join in as well, I’m sure that Moonie wouldn’t mind.”

Luna gave Twilight a hard smack across the cheek, hard enough to sent her flying for several feet before landing, the bridle just missing getting snagged on a tree branch. “Twilight snap out of it! You can have your fantasies tonight while you are sleeping, just please focus on the task at hoof.”

“Umm.. yeah,” Twilight said regathering her bearings as Discord changed the dimension target again. “I probably should do that, although I don’t know why you have such a problem with the game night I was planning. What did you think I was talking about?”

Luna went as quiet as a church mouse, a slight blush of shame appearing on her cheeks as Twilight trotted past her and once again stuck her head in the portal. As if the bridle was not enough, when Twilight came out this time her head was coated in a thick, creamy substance, which she started licking up. Luna could not believe how Twilight looked, and if the lavender mare knew it was obvious she did not care as she hummed in content.

Several passing ponies, most of whom Luna did not know the names of but she recognized Lyra, stopped and stared at the sight. After a few minutes of talking to themselves, all out of Luna’s hearing range, they went their separate ways and deep down she knew Twilight was going to have a lot of interesting talks in the near future. She almost, ALMOST felt sorry for the Princess of Friendship, but she knew that this would be a good learning experience concerning how a princess should handle and deal with rumors.

“This buttercream is delicious!” Twilight exclaimed as she finished cleaning herself. “Would you believe that whole place is just one big milkery? I need to tell Applejack about this later, would help when apples are not in season. Oh well, that is for future Twilight to deal with, on to the next one!”

Several attempts, and a break for lunch, later and Twilight was incredibly embarrassed. Not only did she have to parade around in the tack that her secret lover had put on her, but she also had to deal with a swarm of questions dealing with the buttercream while ordering her hayburger. Apparently Lyra and the Flower Trio had spread a rumor involving her “selling herself for bits”, and she had a difficult time convincing everypony that those rumors were false. It was late afternoon by the time she, Luna, Celestia, and Discord made it back to the test location; but she was mentally exhausted from repeating herself so much to satisfy the townsponies’ curiosity.

“We only got time for one last try,” Twilight said with a small yawn. “and considering what you said earlier Discord, this time it should work. If it doesn’t then everything I know about science is a lie.”

Discord, now wearing a teaching outfit, shook her head. “A constant universal law, my dear Twilight Sparkle, is that there are two parallel universes at any given point and time. The first one is the one in which the portal works, and in the other the portal fails and everything goes to Tartarus in a hoof basket. Now is the moment of truth, stick your head in the portal and see which universe we reside in.”

A sudden wave of nervousness hit Twilight, making her briefly hesitate. Not only was Tammilya’s health at stake, but also someone who she didn’t even know. Prior experience of dealing with Queen Chrysalis’ scheming came to mind, but that was pushed away by reminding herself of all that she had done to save everypony no matter the cost. Steeling her resolve, and taking a deep breath, she peeked through the portal and saw Tammilya shifting in place.

“Tammilya!” Twilight cried out in pure joy, resisting the urge to gallop over and hug the suit pony. “Come on! It is time for you to come home and get Jim out of you.”

With a quick nod and a flap of her wings, Tammilya bolted us through the portal, eager to start mine and her’s life together and end her nightmare for good.

Author's Note

Several things I want to make a note of:

First and formost, this chapter was voted on and won in a poll I did last week. With me now working a new job that allows no cell phone use except during my two 20 minute breaks, it really was a challenge getting it done by today, but I managed.

As always, this chapter was edited by Penalt. (Thank you)

You can find me on Patreon here.

A Heated Exchange and a Visit to the Seamstress

I had been overjoyed when I emerged through the portal, eager to get started on the next chapter of my life, but I knew several things had to be taken care of first. Me and Tammilya were very close to being fused, I could practically feel my body starting to ripple as it got ready to change into Tammilya’s organs.

“Please hurry, princesses,” I said while gritting my teeth, trying to force the change to be postponed long enough for me and Tammilya to be separated. “The process is going to start soon.”

All three alicorns exchanged a nervous glance before charging up the spell. At first, it seemed like nothing was happening, then a wave of pain hit that sent me and Tammilya to the ground. It felt like my organs were trying to bust out through my skin, only difference being they were trying to take my brain with it.

I could hear Tammilya crying out in shared pain through our mutual mindscape, and I did my best to comfort her while the separation process was taking place and we both closed our eyes in an attempt to block out the pain. During my down time, on the rare occasion I had a break between shifts, I had seen every Alien movie ever made, and I now realized this must be what it felt like for both Kane and the chestburster in the 1979 version of the film. Our bodies felt like flowing putty, liquified atom by atom, the pain reaching another peak as we lost all control of our senses but the pain remained.

Finally, after what felt like two eternities, the pain dulled and subsided. I opened my eyes and I could not believe what I saw; Tammilya was now a real pony, and she was laying in my lap with my hands firmly pressed against her back above her wings.

“Tammilya,” I softly whispered into my wife’s ear, nipping it to cause it to flick. “open your eyes dear, it's over.”

My wife's eyes shot open at my statement, staring into mine with an overwhelming look of joy as she nuzzled my neck. “At last my love, we can physically embrace each other, and not just in our minds. I love you Jim, and I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you.”

“I love you too Tammilya.” I said before kissing her on the lips, earning a “d’awwww” from the ponies that were with us, but I didn't care. For the first time since my mother died I was in a state of bliss, and I felt that nothing could possibly ruin my mood, but Murphy must have been listening to my thoughts.

“What the hell is this shit?!” Jackson exclaimed, shattering my mood and making us all aware that the portal was still open. Me and Tammilya jumped, my fists clenching as my wife got into a warning pose with her head lowered and wings flared. “Alright Jim, since you are free of that… thing you can come back and resume normal duties.”

“I'm not going back Jackson,” I said with a small snarl, and I could swear it felt as if my hair was lengthening. “as of now I formally quit.”

“You can't be serious,” Jackson said, shaking his head in disbelief. “why would you give up everything you have waiting for you back on Earth? Here you have nothing, an outcast, someone who will probably have to sleep on the same grass these horses take a shit on.”

“Ew!” Everypony said with a vile, repulsive look before Twilight spoke up. “We do have indoor plumbing for Faust sake, what gave you the idea that we used the bathroom outside?”

“Because you are all horses and horses use it outside.” Jackson said in a defensive tone while crossing his arms, as a crowd of townsponies starting to gather behind us, with the rest of my coworkers looking on from their side of the portal. “Only thing horses are good for are riding, racing, making manure, being turned into glue when they die, and in some extreme situations, eaten.”

“First of all, we are ponies, not horses.” Luna said, in as calm of a tone as she could muster, but still with enough bite to cause everyone but Jackson to flinch as she approached him. “Secondly, I do not know what sort of breeds are on your planet, but here the things you speak of are forbidden under the Geneighva Covenant enacted 274 years ago. Apologize for your harshness and return to the place whence you came, and there will be no issue.”

“I am not leaving without my employee, you horse,” Jackson said getting nose-to-muzzle with Luna, Robert having to run through the portal to try and drag my former boss back. “and I don't give a damn about titles or what not. I am a human, you are an animal, so I have a higher authority than you do. I'm sure that if I sold you to the government I could become a rich man.”

“You got hay in your ears?” Tammilya asked while approaching him, her temperament that of a cornered rattlesnake with its’ rattle shaking like a maraca in a mariachi band. “He said he quit, he said he is staying here, and if you don't get out of Princess Luna’s face you are gonna wish you were never born.”

“You think some kind of fancy light show is going to make me back down? Not a chance in hell!”” Jackson said turning red in the face, then he made his biggest mistake yet. In an attempt to get to me, he shrugged off Robert, pushed Luna out the way, and kicked Tammilya hard enough to bruise her side. The moment he grabbed my arm, a golden hue ensnared him.

“You have no idea what you just did… do you?” Celestia was mad, and she didn't bother to hide it in her tone. That, and the fact the air was starting to have a heat shimmer around her body, being enough of a hint that made the crowd go quiet. “You not only injured one of my little ponies, you had enough bravado to push aside my sister.”

“Do you think I care?” Jackson said with a snarl, flailing in Celestia's grip like a Magikarp on my old Pokémon game. “And let me go you stupid animal!”

“I can tell you don't care,” Celestia said, as her anger at Jackson chilled everyone like a storm moving in front of the sun. A sensation of dread came over me as my former boss was locked in place by the sheer force of Celestia's personality, and I realized in that moment why one of the Sun Princess' titles Tammilya had told me about was ‘Celestia the Coronal Fire’. “But here you are to obey our laws, and it just so happens Luna and I are the law. You are far from the first human I've dealt with. A thousand years of existence has given me ample time to meet your kind. Most were tolerable and able to return home safely. Some, like the pegasus hero Azalea Braveheart, chose to start over. Then there were the select few who I would banish to Tartarus if they were ponies. You, Jackson, fall into that last category, and make a run for being one of the most despicable humans I have ever met.”

“Azalea Braveheart…” I said, running the name over my tongue a few times, then it hit me like a freight train why that name seemed familiar. “By chance, was her name Amelia Earhart when she was human?”

“Indeed it was,” Celestia said, with an accompanying nod, stunning me and the reactor workers into silence. “and it will be my pleasure to talk to you more about her later, but let’s focus on the situation at hoof for now. As I was saying, I have no choice but to punish Jackson since he committed Lèse-majesté. Now, the normal sentence is imprisonment in the dungeon, but this situation requires something different while at the same time teaching you a lesson and breaking your massive ego.”

“Let me go, or I will bring down the full wrath of the United States government down upon you.” Jackson snarled, and if it wasn't for the fact he was being held in place he would have punched the Princess of the Sun. “You are holding me here against my will, and used mind control to brainwash Jim into staying here in hallucination land.”

Celestia slightly shook her head, clearly getting annoyed and running out of patience. “Are you really that jaded or just plain stupid, because what is your government going to do? Once Twilight closes the portal there will be no trace of it, as if it was never there to begin with. You would be seen as senile and lose everything you have, all thanks to some satient ponies in a magical world. Face it, you know you can't win, but refuse to admit it because you don't want to be seen as weak. I got news for you… no being is perfect, not even myself, and if you consider yourself perfect, then you care about no one but yourself. Jim wants to stay here of his own free will, and you must respect that choice, and I am sure you could find a worthy replacement.”

“That will take time, and time is money.” Jackson said, while trying to relax his composure. “Being short handed will dearly cost the plant time and resources, plus I would have to file a report as to why he up and left.”

“Come on Jackson,” Stephanie said walking over to join us, giving a respectful nod to Celestia, Luna, and Twilight. “it is clear that Jim has made up his mind. I say you come on back and start looking for a replacement. Besides look at him, when was the last time you seen him this happy?”

Since he could not turn his head, Jackson cut his eyes over to me to see what I was doing, and the sight made him pause. I was laying on the grass with Tammilya's back against my stomach, her wings sprawled out to the side as I rubbed her belly with my right hand. The purring and humming coming from her muzzle was both cute and adorable, both of us not caring that we had an audience watching.

My eyes shone brighter than ever before, filled with joy and a sense of calm that I never thought was possible. A nuclear bomb, ironically, could have landed next to me and I wouldn't care or notice. Jackson noticed this, his complexion slowly relaxed as he remained suspended in Celestia's magic grip.

“How are you going to adjust?” Jackson asked, in a calm tone that broke the silence, causing both me and Tammilya to look at him. “You will be a human among these ponies, that doesn't seem like the ideal scenario to start over with.”

“Oh don’t you worry about that.” I said with a grin before looking towards Princess Luna. “In fact, would you please do the honors, Your Highness?”

Luna gave me a smile before lighting her horn, and for the first time I decided to pay attention to the transformation. A warm feeling enveloped me, like a fuzzy heating blanket, as my coat grew in and my hair lengthened and turned into a mane. I could feel my skeleton starting to shift and rearrange, but it was painless, no doubt being from Luna’s magic that was preventing my body from feeling like it was being deatomized then put back together.

Now in a quadrupedal position, I knew what the next change was going to be, the tugging between my shoulder blades and at the base of my spine confirming my thoughts as my wings and tail emerged. A tingling spread to my fingers, the digits flexing and going numb as they curled into a fist, my flesh rippling and fusing them together as my fingernails combined and hardened to complete my forehooves. My nose twitched, pushing out into a muzzle as my feet became my forehooves, and my eyes reshaped to those of a pony to complete the change.

“I believe I will have no trouble fitting in,” I said, as I chuckled at Jackson and the other crew members’ reactions, and off in the distance I could see an aquamarine unicorn being held back by the crowd. “me and my wife can now officially start our future together, and hopefully have a foal later on down the road. To be honest, this is a change that I needed because I haven't been happy since my mother died. Day in and day out, I did the same duty, each equation coming to the same answer. It wore me down, boredom often hitting to the point I used to come up with equations just to see what the end result would be, trying to find a flaw in a perfect equilibrium. Of course, it always came back stable, and I am surprised I didn't lose my sanity from the constant wearing down on my psyche. However, now I can take back control of my life, with a new adventure and a destiny that I look forward to.”

“So is this goodbye?” Stephanie asked as she started to pet my mane, making me hum. “I'm sure that each of us will miss you, even if Jackson has too big of an ego to admit it.”

“I’m right here you know,” Jackson said, with an annoyed glare directed at Stephanie, but soon dropped it and sighed when he looked back at me. “Steph is right though, you really were a valuable asset to the team and I will hate not having you on board.”

“It is not goodbye,” I said in a level tone, shocking everyone around me. “it will just be until next time. I am sure that if I choose to visit, one of the princesses will gladly open the portal to allow me to return. Besides, I am going to want you to meet my foals after they are born.”

“Splendid,” Jackson said with a forced smile before steeling his glare at Celestia. “now can you please let me go?”

“Not yet,” Celestia said with a tsk while shaking her head. “You still need to face your punishment, and I just had a good one come to mind to teach you a lesson in humility.”

Jackson’s body suddenly tensed, as if every muscle in his body was spasming at the same time. I knew what was happening, based on the fact that a fine emerald green coat had started to spread over his body, a smirk forming as his hair billowed out into a lovely sky blue mane.

“What are you doing to me?!” Jackson shrieked, covering his mouth when he realized that his voice sounded a few octaves higher than normal. His nose then twitched before pushing out to form his muzzle, but it was rounded instead of squared. “I demand an answer!”

“Simple really,” Celestia said with a snug look on her face, Jackson's body starting to look more like an Earth Pony. “Your punishment is to spend the next three months on Sweet Apple Acres as a farmhoof, they need extra help since it is harvest season, and since their normal help is quarantined with a nasty case of the ponypox you will have to be the substitute.”

“But what about my voice?” Jackson practically squeaked, clamping his hindlegs together when his clothes fell off him. That is when he felt something else happening, feeling two mounds of flesh grow under his forehooves, while his pride and joy started to shrivel and shrink. “Wait, no! Please don't be what I think it is!”

“Rest assured it is, Emerald Breeze,” Celestia said in a flat monotone as Jackson's changes finished. “You showed total disrespect to my sister, and injured Tammilya, so you are to spend the length of your punishment as a mare. No doubt your reactor would cause a lot of problems if left unattended, much like my Spectral Collection Plants, but there is no need to be concerned. Discord can simply make the three months here seem like three seconds back on your planet. Now, Twilight will lead you to Sweet Apple Acres, the sooner you start the sooner you finish.”

“You haven't heard the last out of me!” Jackson, now Emerald, said as she was carried away by Twilight.

“Well that was something,” Celestia said with a sigh once a sense of peace was restored. A calm, welcoming mask adorned here face as she made her way over to the rest of the reactor crew. “and I apologise for my behavior, I normally don't lash out like that but he was working on my last nerve. So, since Discord is going to put that time effect in place, you are welcome to visit and take a tour around Equestria if you wish.”

I simply watched and waited, and I could see a full range of emotions from uncertainty to hidden excitement cascade across their faces. Before they could answer, however, an aquamarine blur tackled Stephanie to the ground. The blur turned out to be a unicorn mare with a pale cyan mane that had white streaks mixed in.

“Humans!” The unicorn exclaimed, gently levitating Stephanie’s hand in her magic, and putting her nose to it. “I knew you were real! Everypony said I was crazy, or needed to be put in a mental institution, but I was right all along! Also, these hands are soooooo fascinating, I must study them!”

“That is enough Lyra,” Celestia said with a slight glare, enough edge in her voice to make the mare get off Stephanie and let her go. “I am sure that they would be delighted to answer any questions you have, but of course you must ask for permission and do it nicely. In addition, you owe her an apology for the way you presented yourself.”

“Sorry,” Lyra said as she looked at the ground in shame. “I got a bit carried away. It's just that for so long I have been the subject of so many jokes because of my obsession. I hope you can forgive me for what I have done, and can teach me more about your species.”

“All’s forgiven,” Stephanie said with a small chuckle as she stroked Lyra’s mane, earning a purr from the mare. “and seeing as we got three months, I will do my best to answer what you want to know. However, I must warn you that human history is very dark, and you might be horrified by some of the things I tell you.”

“Can't be worse than what happened in our past,” Luna said with a shrug, her tone an unnerving calm. “Considering I was possessed by an evil specter for a millenia, had an era where Chaos reigned, and had a demonic centaur steal everypony’s magic. That's just since me and Tia took the throne, and doesn't include the Tribal War or the Yakyakistan Blitzkrieg that happened before ascending.”

“Two world wars, including nuclear weapons and a cultural genocide in the second one, leader assassinations, numerous mini skirmishes, famine, plagues, and an arms race.” Stephanie replied in a flat tone, her face unreadable as Celestia and Luna shuddered. “That is just the major things, and there is no such thing as peace.”

“That’s-” Luna’s rebuttal died in her throat, unable to think of anything worse that had occurred in Equestria history. “That's unfortunate, but rest assured that Equestria is peaceful most of the time, so I hope you all will enjoy your stay.”

“As for you Jim,” Tammilya said as she nuzzled my cheek. “we have to get you fitted for your tux. Luckily, since I have visited Ponyville before, I know that the best seamstress in Equestria is right here in town so let's go get this over with.”

Before I could even blink, Tammilya was pulling me along, heading towards one of the nearby shops as the crowd went to talk with the other reactor workers. We eventually arrived at one of the shops, the very look of it showing that it was meant to be a place of fashion as she led me inside.

“Rarity, are you free?” Tammilya called out into the seemingly empty shop, dresses and suits of varying designs and color combinations were laid about in different stages of production. “I got somepony here who needs a tux made.”

“Tammilya, is that you darling?” A female voice with a little bit of a French accent called out, and soon a snow white unicorn with a purple mane and tail entered the room. Her gait was deliberately slow, as if she was trying to present an air of high class manners, while also drawing attention to her well formed hips. “My, I haven't seen you in a long time! Dear Rarity needed a break from having so many orders, she is so stressed these days because of her fashion empire taking off, so I decided to take over so she could rest.”

“My apologies Val,” Tammilya said in an apologetic tone, a small hint of embarrassment in the form of a blush showing on her face. “it is hard to tell you two apart, and the fact I haven't seen you in so long…”

“Don't worry about it Tammy,” Val said while raising her hoof in dismissal. “all's forgiven. So, what special occasion has happened for your friend here to require a tux, a ball or wedding perhaps?”

“Wedding actually,” Tammila said with a smile,” ours to be specific.”

“Oh congrats!” Val said giving Tammilya a hug before turning to me and offering her hoof. “And I sincerely do apologize darling, I haven't properly introduced myself. My name is Valiente, but my friends call me Val for short, and I can guarantee that your tux will well represent yourself and bring out your form perfectly.”

“Pleasure to meet you as well,” I said shaking her hoof. “and if Tammilya says you are good I trust her word. So, shall we begin?”

“Follow me darling,” Val said as she turned and headed for the measuring room with me and Tammilya in tow. Once there, she used her magic to secure a soft velvet ribbon around her curves and torso as she had me stand in front of the mirror. “Do you have any specific color scheme or design in mind?”

“Not at all,” I replied with a slightly confused tone at Val’s use of the ribbon while she started to measure my shoulders. “Perhaps go with something traditional but compliments my coat and mane? You are the fashion expert, not me, so I am sure you can think of something that will go well with whatever Tammilya envisions for her bridal gown.”

“I can work with that,” Val said as she moved to my barrel, but not before presenting me with the end of the ribbon. “Now here comes the fun part. Considering that I specialize in providing excellent customer service, I am putting you in control while I measure your more sensitive areas. If at any point I make you uncomfortable, pull on the ribbon and tell me to stop in a firm tone, and if I continue yank me away.”

“O...k?” I said confused, but taking the end of the ribbon as she had requested. It didn't take long for me to get exactly why, she started measuring my 'undercarriage’, and the feeling of her fondling me took every ounce of my will power to keep from enjoying it too much. “Valiente, please try and keep this professional, besides my bride-to-be is standing just a few feet away from us.”

“So healthy,” Valiente said as she measured my equipment for the third time, almost like she was in a trance. “So virile… oh what I wouldn't do to have a stallion such as yourself-”

“Enough!” I said in an authoritative tone, yanking on the ribbon and jerking the unicorn so she was now in front of me. “I asked you once to keep it professional, the fact I had to ask twice makes me uncomfortable, and if you cross the line once more you will have to deal with Tammilya and I will take my business elsewhere.”

“I am sorry darling,” Val said in an regretful tone, her apology sounding sincere. “Occasionally, I let my emotions and desires briefly get the better of me, which is why I had you hold that ribbon like a leash. Please, as a token of apology, I will do yours and Tammilya’s outfits free of charge and I hope you can forgive me.”

“Apology accepted,” I said with a smile, putting a hoof on her wither. “Just try to contain yourself, please?”

“I will do my best, just stay still and relax. Perhaps after we get done with you, your finaceé can model some choice outfits to see what appeases your tastes.” I nodded and Valiente resumed measuring me, and with no further incident it allowed me to think about the next step of my life.

Author's Note

One chapter left...

Two weeks late, but got the flu Easter weekend and that sidelined me until the 10th. You may notice the fact I did not use Rarity here, and that is on purpose since it is this mare.

As always, thanks to Penalt for editing this chapter and allowing me to use the character that spawned its' own mini universe.

You can see what services I offer on Patreon here.

Love and Marriage, Joy and Closure

This was it.

I had been waiting for this moment for the past six months, anxiety building and crumbling several times over at the fact I was now going to be a married stallion. Last night was the worse, and despite my love for Tammilya, I almost got cold hooves and spent several hours at a bar owned by a mare named Berry Punch drinking my sorrow away at the fact my mother couldn't be here. However, today was a new day, and I woke up with the mare of my life snuggled against my side with her wing protectively draped over me as a reminder of how blessed I really was. Before I could continue my mental escape, a knock at the door caught my attention.

“You can come in,” I said, straightening my tie as Robert walked in. With the princesses’ approval, and the fact Discord was maintaining the time warp, each of my former co-workers had decided to stay for the wedding. Robert had chosen to be a dragon, his ruby red scales shining bright in the light and he had his horns polished into a perfect sheen.

“You really need to relax,” Robert said, putting a claw on my wither as I looked up at him. “That mare deeply loves you, and I know that you two will have a long and happy life together.”

“I know that,” I said, softly humming as Robert started to pet my mane. “But still, this is my wedding day. I just want everything to be perfect, and I would hate myself if things got too far out of hoof, especially since there are a few who frown upon my very existence.”

“Princess Celestia gave each of us full Equestrian citizenship remember?” Robert said, his tone getting slightly cross. “You worry too much, and about the wrong things. Just think about this for a moment, out of the whole crew, you were the only one who wasn't with anyone or had a family. Now you get the chance to have those things… the joy of your foal being born,then taking their first step, growing up and having a family of their own if they are lucky. Not to mention coming home from work everyday to your wife, enjoying your time with her and just living life to the fullest. So, please, calm down and relax because everything is going to turn out for the best.”

“You got a point,” I said, sitting and looking down in shameful defeat. “But that does remind me of a question I've been meaning to ask, what are your plans after the wedding?”

“Breathing fire and eating gems is cool and all,” Robert said, chuckling as he shot a small plume of smoke through his nostrils. “But I miss my wife and kids, and I plan on going back and staying there. You, Tammilya, and your foals will be welcome to my house at anytime, but I don't feel like this is the place for me you know?”

“Indeed,” I said, nodding in understanding at his choice and respecing it. “And the offer is available to you as well, you can come visit anytime, I just ask a week notice by the Dragonfire pendant Twilight gave you that will allow us to remain in touch.”

“Right… wait, the pendant!” A deadpan crossed his face, then in a speed that would make Rainbow nod in approval, he was out the door and running through the halls. Chuckling at the fact he had lost it again, I returned to my mirror to finish straightening out my mane when a gentle,nervous knock sounded against the door.

“Hey Jim, got a minute to talk?” A voice said, and I instantly recognized it. Spinning around, and running to open the door, I couldn't believe my eyes as to who was standing on the other side.

There stood Jackson… smiling at me…

And wearing a bridesmare dress.

“Um, sure Jackson,” I said, still shocked at the mare standing before me. “Come on in I guess…”

“Thanks Jim,” Jackson said, moving her way inside as she shut the door and sat down. “Now, I know you probably have a few questions, and I will answer them as quick as I can due to the time crunch, so let me explain why I'm here. I just wanted to apologise for giving you so much manure with this whole deal, I was way out of line about everything.”

“You think?” I said, raising an eyebrow and letting a bit of aggravation into my tone. “You pushed aside Princess Luna, and kicked my fianceé hard enough that we found out she had two cracked ribs at the hospital in addition to the bruising. I am surprised that you are even a-… wait, why are you still a mare anyway? Your punishment ended three months ago.”

“I know, and at the end of it I took a trip to Canterlot to speak to the Princesses themselves.” Jackson said, smiling again at the memory. “I asked for both their Highnesses’ forgiveness, and asked that I remain a mare for the time I’m here.”

“Why? You all but damned Princess Celestia for turning you to a mare to begin with.” I asked, still dumbfounded at the information I was being filled in on. “And where does you being a bridesmare come into play?”

“So impatient, and quit calling me Jackson. Princess Celestia named me Emerald Breeze after all.” Emerald said, giggling as she booped my snoot, causing me to blink. “I was acting out of fear reflex Jim. I mean, I had just changed species and gender, and I was both angry and terrified at the same time. Human nature is to always be afraid of change, but after I got to the farm and settled in for the night I seriously started thinking some things over. The ensuing three months taught me the actual value of a hard job done by using my hooves, and it was a learning experience I am extremely thankful for. As far as me being a bridesmare, it is actually due to unfortunate circumstances. Derpy caught the Feather Flu, Fluttershy had to deal with a family situation in Manehatten, and Spitfire broke her wing in a Wonderbolt training accident. Well, I went to apologize to Tammilya, and when I arrived she was panicking trying to think of a third replacement.”

“So she forgave you and asked you to fill in,” I said, earning a nod from Emerald as I correctly guessed the situation. “I remember that I came home from the market and she was in a far better mood, I asked her what happened and she told me not to worry since her problem had been solved.”

“Surprised me when she asked, but I saw no way I could refuse that offer.” Emerald said, a small sigh escaping but her mood quickly brightened back up. “Besides, I really can't complain, this dress really complements my coat and mane perfectly.”

I raised an eyebrow at that, but looked at the finer details of her statement, and saw she was right. The dress hugged her figure well, Val no doubt having a helping hoof in ensuring all attention would be on Emerald’s hips and plot. Her mane and tail had been stylized into a wave, fitting her last name to the letter as it was highlighted with streaks of aquamarine for a two tone look that actually looked good.

“Indeed it does,” I said, chuckling as I imagined how the fitting session must have went. “And consider yourself forgiven. Also, I couldn't help but notice that you referred to human nature in the past tense, aren't you going back to Earth after the wedding with the others?”

“No, I'm not,” Emerald said, holding up a hoof before I could question his choice. “I actually have come to like being the way I am now. Besides, that would defeat the purpose I now serve as Ponyville’s head botanist.”

She turned sideways and lifted up the bottom of her dress, giving me a full view of her flank, and what I saw shocked me. She had a cutie mark of a rotting log, surrounded by ash, with a beautiful lily growing out the top with a phoenix as a backdrop. Another thing I noticed, but didn't dare try and mention, was the fact her teats seemed to be slightly swollen as she refitted her attire.

“Wow Emerald, congrats,” I said, giving the mare a hug with my wings. “I'm sure Pinkie will look forward to throwing you a cutieceañera, just like she did for me when I finally got my mark. How did you feel when you saw it on your flank for the first time?”

“Like I was reborn,” Emerald said, a smile crossing her face. “It was as if Destiny itself had reach out its hand and said 'now little pony, go out and do great things with your special talent’ while giving me a nice warm hug that spread out through my whole body. I never had that sensation before, but it made me feel whole.”

“That is a very interesting take,” I said, glancing back to my own cutie mark of a biohazard flask with rainbow smoke coming out the top of it. “For me, it felt that my life’s work and knowledge had come to fruition. I can do equations in my head, without needing to write them down or sequence them out, to see if the reaction could be fatal. So far, nopony has mixed reactants in a way that could be dangerous, but since I work in Canterlot it would be a bad idea to even risk it with the princesses so close by. I mean, they could contain it, but at the same time it would have a high chance of exposure that can be avoided with proper handling and care.”

“That is the other thing I wanted to discuss,” Emerald said, the sigh sounding more like a sad huff. “I heard through the grapevine that you and Tammilya will be moving there, is that true?”

“Damn Flower Trio…” I muttered, making a note to scold the three later. “Yes, that rumor is in fact true, but keep it under your bonnet for now. We already have a house, located at the top Mount Canter, but we are just waiting to move. Going to wait a few more months for the wedding hoopla to die down before we go up there full time. Keep in mind, both me and her work there, and the flight home is total horseapples due to being tired.”

“Not to mention when you two have a family,” Emerald said, earning a nod out of me. “It's great that you have your future planned, but will you still visit Ponyville from time to time?”

“I already Pinkie Promised a certain pink Earth Pony that I would,” I said, glancing up at the clock. “Got a few more minutes until it is time to go, but thank you for coming to talk to me Emerald, I enjoyed it.”

“Glad you did,” Emerald said, giving me one last hug to calm my nerves. “I just wish that more humans could come here…”

“Hold on, we need to talk or at least hear me out if you truly believe that,” I said, holding up a hoof stop her before she left. “Why would you want that? This land is fine just as it is, and humans would destroy this land just as they have destroyed Earth’s environment. In my honest opinion, things are better off as they are, with no human interference to buck up the way everypony has lived all their lives.”

“Exactly Jim. All of this,” Emerald said, waving a hoof around to emphasize our environment. “Is the very definition of Harmony. It took everypony less than a week after I apologized to accept me, and now I can trot through town and carry a friendly conversation with any of them. Back on Earth, greed is the cause of most problems, but here it is practically nonexistent! Speciesism is no longer a thing since Thorax took over the changelings, which I've learned from both reading and conversations with him, and everypony is so accepting and forgiving.”

“So I've heard,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “So what about it? Yes, greed is a major problem, but you have to keep in mind there are a lot of other issues like famine, poverty, and rampant racism that also made things worse.”

“Racism on Earth and as a whole is a learned trait, and it was just getting worse, all because of not willing to forgive and learn from the past. Race, and species, is only skin deep, and aside from genetics and gender there is no difference between any being.” Emerald said, continuing her rant as she all but seemed to be swearing off her humanity. “Changelings excluded, the body of every species is made of cells, bones, muscles, organs, tissue, arteries, and capillaries. Humans could learn so much about peace and harmony, but is sad to know that history will always repeat itself because of their own stubbornness and unwillingness to compromise and forgive. That Jim, is why I feel the way I do.”

“Your last two points verify mine,” I said, for some reason feeling a bit miffed. “Humans, as a whole, will not change despite their cries to the contrary. My opinion is that they would infect this land like a virus instead of changing. For Celestia's sake, bits are made from gold, there are vast woodlands and farmlands, and that isn't including the gems found in mines.”

“True, but…”

“Emerald, listen…” I said, sighing. “This would be a corporate paradise, and anyone greedy enough would do whatever it took to secure profit, even destroying the tranquility of Equestria to get it. Despite our different options, I respect yours, but you still need to remember where you came from.”

“I appreciate that,” Emerald said, a small glare forming. “But I don't think-”

“I'm not done yet…” I said, literally putting my hoof down in place. “Do you remember your words to me the day of the tornado? You were right, I was the only one without a family, so what is going to happen to yours? I gave up on my humanity to strive forward and actually become happy, but it seems that you are doing it for selfish reasons. Your aunt, sister, and niece are expecting you to come home after work 'today’, but it seems you are abandoning them. Now, it is time for the big event, but I expect you to think that matter over and give me an answer at the reception.”

Emerald tried to strike a rebuttal, but I stood my ground, singling with a hoof for her to get in position. The last thing in the world I wanted to do was walk down the aisle pissed off, so I took the opportunity to use the few precious moments I had before my cue to calm myself. By the time the music hit for me to enter, I was relaxed, and I made sure to mouth a 'sorry’ at Emerald as I got up to the altar.

The space itself was beautifully decorated, the aromas of different mountain flowers filling the air and giving the sensation of a peaceful day at home. The fake clouds hanging from the ceiling, decorated by Pinkie Pie, provided the colors of a sunset just like when Celestia lowered the sun at the end of everyday to give way to a calming night.

Tammilya was insistent that the color scheme for the bridesmares be yellow and black, something that she would not budge on no matter what else was offered. Val did her best, the base yellow dresses being form fitting and trimmed in obsidian shards, but several attendees said they still looked like bumblebees. My groomstallions Soarin, Thunderlane, Big Mac, and Time Turner wore matching yellow suits with black ascotts and cufflinks, but me and Tammilya had settled on a traditional suit and dress respectively.

Turning to the crowd, I spotted my former co-workers seated together near the front, each having previously decided on being different species. Robert had chosen a dragon just in case a situation needed defusing, Stephanie went with a pristine changeling queen with ash grey chitin and a fire-red mane and tail, and Becky had went with a hippogriff so she could have a legit excuse to break out singing “Under the Sea.”

Everypony was quiet as the front doors opened, Princess Luna trotting into the room wearing full regalia, shined to a flawless polish and looking regal as she made her way up to the pew. There had been a last minute, in other words 'the morning of’ adjustment; Princess Luna was to handle the ceremony while Celestia was to walk Tammilya down the aisle. The change came from Celestia herself, her reason being that since Tammilya had no actual parents, and was originated from the Suit Pon Program™️️ that she had put Jet Set in charge of, she was the only pony who could give Tammilya away proper.

Out of courtesy, Celestia did ask Jet Set if he wanted to do it, but he politely declined because of still feeling guilty about Tammilya having to go through our whole ordeal. Everything was perfect, and even an attack by an invitedChrysalis wasn't going to put me in a bad mood as 'Here Comes the Bride’ started to be played on the piano by Vinyl Scratch.

Tammilya entered with a smile on her face, which seemed to outshine the aura Celestia was giving off, and made the whole room brighten. She took each step with pride, her own coworkers nodding in respect as she passed by. Reaching the altar, the Princess of the Sun stopped in front of me, looking into my eyes with wordless wisdom before moving off to the side so Luna could start.

“Everypony, you may sit.” Luna said, the crowd taking their seats as she called the room into silence. “We are gathered here today to join this stallion and mare in the bonds of holy matrimony. Before we begin, if anypony thinks these two should not be we'd, speak now or your tongue may be cursed into silence on virtue.”

“Lulu, that is not how it goes anymore.” Celestia said, making everypony more at ease as the midnight Alicorn pouted. “She meant to say 'speak now or forever hold your peace’. Please be patient with her, this is the first wedding she has performed since returning and customs have drastically changed. It used to be that if nopony spoke, then objected after the bride and groom were wed, the one who objected would have their tongue sliced off and presented to them fried at the reception. That practice was outlawed after secret marriages between ponies and griffins happened during a minor war, and their relatives found out after the fact when official weddings were held, there were a bunch of ponies who complained in hoof language due to being mute. Anyways, continue on Lulu.”

“Fine,” Luna grumbled, her tone bitter before she cleared her throat. “Seeing as how none of you objected to the marriage, let us commence with the exchanging of swords.”

“Exchanging vows,” Celestia said, clarifying what Luna meant before nodding to Tammilya. “You may go when ready.”

“Thank you, your Highnesses,” Tammilya said, bowing first to Luna then Celestia before taking one of her hooves in mine. “I honestly don't know where my love for you came from Jim, but I'm glad it did form. I guess it was because you were the first being I had encountered outside of the Plant had made me take a step back and observe, which is what I was doing while you were in control of our shared form. You are kind, compassionate, and have a deep sense of morals and virtue. I truly love you Jim, and right now I couldn't ask for anything else because I'm the happiest mare in the world and look forward to growing old with you.”

“That was lovely Tammilya,” Luna said, making the same motion as everypony else by wiping a tear from her eyes. “And now you may say your vows Jim.”

“Thank you Princess,” I said, bowing before looking at my bride. “Tammilya… words can't describe how I truly feel right now. Both of us were victims of circumstances outside our control, freak accidents that have such an astronomically small chance of happening at the same time that a blizzard hitting the Baahamas is more likely. But you know what? It was worth it, because now I get to spend the rest of my life with you. I used to be one of the most miserable and depressed people I knew, but now I'm the happiest I've been in a long time. Thank you for everything you've done for me, thanks in advance for helping me if I stumble, but thank you most of all for loving me.”

A wave of “awwws” and “dawwws” made its way around the crowd, but me and Tammilya giggled at their reactions before we eagerly turned to Princess Luna. The Princess of the Night herself had a different aura about her I never noticed before. Her normal vibe, giving off the peace and tranquility that night brought, was still there but added was the lull of sleep. The whole crowd went quiet whenever she cleared her throat, captivated by the Alicorn who rarely was up in the middle of the day, clinging on every word like a nursing foal.

“Considering the fact I'm about to bucking pass out from being awake so long, and the fact these two love each other, I'm just going to skip the 'I do’ part.” Luna said, unable to hold back her exhaustion anymore. “So, by the power vested in me as Princess of the Night, Keeper of Dreams and Banisher of Nightmares, and Diarch of Equestria I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

The two of us smiled, cupping our cheeks with a hoof as we planted a deep kiss on each other's muzzles. In that moment, it felt like a cool honey had been poured over me, clearing my mind of any doubt. We only broke the kiss when our lungs started to beg for mercy. The gathering erupted into cheers as we turned to look at them, Luna giving one last tired smile before departing. Pinkie kicked the reception into gear, having somehow stuffed her confetti cannons underneath the stage the altar was on, the *bang* making everyone get into the party spirit as the music began pumping.

As joyous as the moment was, I was not in a party mood, choosing to keep to myself after the congratulations finally subsided and the small talk started amongst the guests. Finding the drink station, I got myself two glasses of cider that Applejack made just for the occasion before heading to a corner table and downing the first glass, but leaving the second untouched.

“Still thinking about your mom huh,” Emerald said, sitting across from me with her cup of water as she motioned to the untouched cider. “She would be proud of you Jimmy, she really would.”

“Thanks Emerald,” I said, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips as I thought back to our earlier conversation. “So are you going to tell me why you have had such a drastic attitude adjustment in such a short period of time, or am I going to have to ask it myself?”

“How did you-” Emerald froze, her eyes widening as her cheeks turned so red her name might as well been Ruby Breeze. “Is it really that obvious?”

“Kinda,” I said, reaching over and giving the skittish mare a pat on the head. “When you lifted up your dress to show me your cutie mark, I noticed your teats looked a little swollen. That, the fact you are drinking water instead of cider, and the fact you seemed awfully nervous about the prospect of returning to Earth were dead giveaways.”

“Busted,” Emerald said, her ears folding flat against her head as she spoke. “Yes, I am pregnant, and I plan on keeping the foal. That is why I literally begged to remain a mare, because turning back into a stallion meant that I would be killing my baby and I couldn't handle that possibility. Same would be true if I return to Earth, Twilight and Discord both explained that nothing they can do would prevent me from instantly reverting into my old male self if I went back.”

A very serious guilt trip hit me in the gut, and thinking back to the attitude and remarks I had made did not help matters any. “There is a way around that you know, Stephanie is next in command at the plant. Simply give her your resignation and have her call your family to 'collect your stuff’ while you handle some things away from the plant. When they get there, have Steph shove them into the portal to bring them here.”

“As if they would want to see me like this,” Emerald said, eying the cider until I moved it out of her reach. “Only thing I got going for me is the fact I got a good paying job, but how do you think they would feel about how I am now? Heat sucked really, really badly and all I could think about was a nice, juicy co-”

“Hey!” Pinkie said, despite being across the room her glare still packed the second most punch, only behind Fluttershy. “Keep to the rating! We don't need to know all the details, jesh! 78% of us in the room are mares so we know how you felt at the moment.”

The room went dead silent, resuming after everypony shrugged off the awkward moment and allowing me and Emerald to continue our conversation.

“You are wrong about what you said, about the only thing going your way is a good paying job,” I said, once again putting a hoof on Emerald's wither. “You have a foal on the way, and friends that will have your back the whole way. It doesn't hurt to just talk to them, now does it? Who knows, they might decide to stay here and help you with the foal. Who is the father anyway? If you don't mind me asking.”

“Truth will come out at some point,” Emerald said, hearts starting to form in her eyes. “The father is-”

“Oh there you are darling,” A voice I recognized, but somehow still felt off, said cutting Emerald short on her announcement. Spinning around in my seat, I saw Val approaching us, but her tone and trot were a little bit different. Thinking back to my fitting sessions with the Mistress Seamstress, it clicked that it was actually Rarity who was approaching us. “Emerald, Soarin and Big Mac are ready to escort you home, and Tammilya is looking for you Jim. She is ready to head home, and Princess Celestia already warned the Seismology Center to prepare for any unusual blips on their charts from near your house.”

“Thanks Rars,” I said, nodding in approval at the outfit she wore, with the familiar matching silver collar around her neck. “Tell her I will be there shortly after I finish talking to Emerald, and please tell Val thank you for all the hard work she did making sure our sessions were appropriate.”

“The pleasure was mine darling,” Rarity, using a mix of her’s and Val’s voices, said before giving a courtesy bow and trotting away.

“So, Soarin and Mac huh?” I asked, a smirk forming once Rarity was out of earshot. “Wonder which one is the father…”

“That makes you, me, both of them, and Sugar Belle all in the same boat,” Emerald said, patting her belly before getting up. “It is time for me to go, and I will talk with Steph about what you suggested as I make my way out. Until next time old friend.”

“Until next time.” I said, bumping hooves with her before heading off to Tammilya, taking the first steps of my new life of happiness.

-Eight Years Later-

Timothy Kozak was a busy man. In the years since he had been hired, replacing the old Nuclear Physicist that had left unannounced, the plant had undergone massive upgrades. This effort was spearheaded by the current manager Stephanie, who when pressed about why the plant needed the upgrades, simply stated than an unforeseen set of circumstances had exposed massive shortfalls in the design and integrity of the facility and put employees in danger.

He had just finished his calculations on the available production of the fuel rods when something bright caught his attention. Glancing in the general direction, he saw a flare of sparks appear on the wall, soon forming into a circular shape before a spectrum of colors swirl inside of it.

“What the hell?!” Timothy exclaimed, dropping his note book to the floor and making a dead sprint to his boss’ office. “Mrs. Stephanie, I am sorry to bother you, but we have a situation that I think you need to see for yourself.”

“Let me guess, Robert made a big enough mess in the bathroom again that we should make this a dung beetle breeding farm?” Stephanie asked, her deep green eyes piercing into Timothy's soul. “It wasn't funny the first time, and it wouldn't be any funnier this time. Now, unless it is the end of the world or aliens are invading I suggest you leave me alone so I can finish the budget for the fiscal year.”

“That's the thing Ma’m,” Timothy said, his tone uneven due to pure fear. “I think we are being invaded. I just finished the calculations like you asked me to, and this weird looking portal with swirling colors appeared and-”

“Stop right there Tim,” Stephanie said, now standing right in front of her terrified worker. “A portal with swirling colors you say? Take me to it.”

There are times in an employee's career when their gut instinct is to do the complete opposite of what their boss tells them to do. Whether it is doing a safety sequence differently, or using an experimental shortcut to try save time, it still feels like it should not be done in the first place. To Timothy, this was one of those situations, but when the boss is insistent on being taken to a possible vortex of doom, you follow orders.

“Alright,” Timothy said, shrugging his shoulders as he started down the hall, Stephanie right beside him. “But I hope you know what you are doing, I like this job and I like working for you.”

“Awe, that is so sweet,” Stephanie said, her chuckling seeming to reverberate off the walls. “And I can tell you love your job because of all the hard work you have done. That has not gone unnoticed, and I included a $5/hr raise for you in the budget.”

“Seriously?” Timothy asked, surprised that he was going to be getting that big of an increase. “That will make Penelope extremely happy, now I can buy her a proper wedding ring.”

“I know somep-one who might be able to help with that,” Stephanie said, managing to catch herself midword by faking a cough. Equestrian magic poured into her, like a river transitioning from drought to monsoon. She could already hear her drones, calling out to her and welcoming her with open hooves, but she knew she had to keep self control. “What kind of stone were you thinking of?”

“She has her eyes on a 2.5kt diamond ring, accented with sapphires, for the last few months now..” Timothy said, now feeling a bit uneasy as they drew nearer to the portal that was now in sight. “Why do you ask?”

“A trade as it were,” Stephanie said, musing as they stopped in front of the swirling splotch of colors, her already telling a drone that it was clear for whoever wanted to come through to do so. “You keep what you are about to see quiet, not even telling your family or fianceé, and in exchange I will personally get a ring crafted that will be worth more than your salary made over ten years.”

“That sounds more like a blackmail bribe than a trade,” Timothy said, taking a step back as the colors began to bulge and ripple. “W-what is it that is so secretive that you have to resort to blackmail?”

“That is the question, my dear Timothy,” Stephanie said with a grin, Timothy swearing that he could see that she had fangs. That was not what scared him the most, what did was the colors shimmering before several humans came tumbling to the floor.

“Hello Steph,” I said, a smile forming as the group of us stood up. “Been awhile huh?”

“How you doing Jim?” Stephanie asked, pulling me and Tammilya into a hug. “Thought you would never come back to this facility. Much has changed since I took over from Emerald, all focusing on fixing the mistakes that could have potentially killed us.”

“Great to hear,” I said, stepping to the side so she could see my children, who were being helped by their mother and Twilight. “Emerald says hi by the way, and little Tiger Lily even drew a picture for her favorite bugmom.”

“How sweet of her to do that,” Stephanie said, taking the picture of her and Tiger having fun in a field that I retrieved out of my pocket. “And wow, the kids sure have grown since the last time I saw them, what have you been feeding them?”

“A new protein rich dandelion cereal Flim and Flam came up with, surprisingly it was not an actual scam but a legit product.” Tammilya replied, smiling as our daughters gave Stephanie a tight love filled hug. “Only reason we are here is because me and Jim figured it was time for them to see their grandma's grave, to quell their curiosity about why they have never met her. Twilight decided to tag alone to conduct business with you in person instead of our normal dragonfire messeges, some interesting charts her and Celestia figured you would like to see.”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Timothy said, clearing his throat and trying to keep his demeanor as calm as possible. “but what in the actual fuck is is going on here?! You harboring aliens, who speak English and look like humans, without the government knowing?”

“Oh they know completely,” Stephanie said, patting the twins before her complexion became serious. “Turns out Jackson, the manager before me, made an inquiry to the Department of Homeland Security. When he explained the situation, they had laughed at him, but he had sent some security footage of Tammilya here without anyone knowing. My first act as manager was having to debrief them and the President on what had happened."

"You had to debrief the President?" I asked, mildly amused. "How did that go?'

"Classified," Steph replied, the quickness showing that it was an answer that she had burned into her brain. "Well, shit happened, but luckily the Princesses of Tammilya's world were willing to accept a diplomatic understanding on the condition that no human visit there without signing a full NDA and having passed an extremely rigorous background check by both the DHS and the Princesses. Tell me, have you noticed anything unusual about the plant’s output and fuel rod reactivity?”

“Actually, I have,” Timothy said, composing himself enough to use no walk support. “The rods are at 100%, with no measurable decay rate, plus the output is slowly creeping up at about a fifth of a percent per month.”

“Just as I predicted it would,” Twilight said, a smile forming as she glanced at her clipboard. “Come Mr. Timothy, lets head to Stephanie's office and we'll debrief you on Project S.P.E.C.T.R.A.”

“Yeah Twi, might as well since he saw you guys come out the portal yourselves,” Stephanie said, nodding at Twilight's suggestion before looking at me. “Feel free to use my truck to head out to the cemetery.”

“Thanks Steph,” I said, Stephanie me a nod as she and Twilight escorted Timothy away. Heading into the parking lot, I shook my head at the fact she still drove her old gunpowder-grey Ford F150 and hadn't upgraded to a newer model.

“What is this daddy?” The younger twin, Scarlet Hoofsen, asked as I buckled her and her sister in. “Some kind of fancy carriage?”

“You can say that,” I said, chuckling as I made sure both girls’ and Tammilya's seat belts were secured and tightened before climbing into the driver's seat and starting the engine. “This is called a truck, and it is a carriage that pretty much runs by itself, I just have to steer it. Sit back and enjoy the ride, it is about an hour and a half drive.”

The girls nodded, me draping an arm over Tammilya's shoulder as I started to drive towards my hometown. The drive itself was nothing to speak of, field after field of wheat being gently blown in the breeze like fingers through hair. That was only broken by the occasional cattle pasture, where herds of dairy cows were feasting under the tranquil blew skies.

“Sure you are up to this hun?” Tammilya asked, leaning her head on my shoulder as I drove on. “This is the first time that you have visited her since our wedding, so I can understand if you feel apprehensive or nervous.”

“I'm fine,” I said, rubbing her shoulder to ease her mind. “In a way, this will bring me closure. For so long I was always running from my troubles, wallowing in pity and despair. You gave me a spark I never had before, a spark of true love that has grown into a raging inferno that will never die out. Now, I can come to her a happy man, the man she would have wanted me to be.”

“Taking insight lessons from Cadance again?” Tammilya asked, giggling as she laid her head on my shoulder. “You talk so sappy when you try to sound smart around me.”

“I do not.” I said, my face coloring in embarrassment and my cheeks puffing slightly.

“Do too,” The older twin, Curie, said with a giggle. “You act like one of my Friendship Academy classmates around their crush!”

I decided it was best to let the topic drop. It was bad enough for my wife to playfully pick on me, but when my oldest daughter backs her up? That is when I know I have been completely and thoroughly defeated. Sighing, I resumed thinking about how the different scenarios for how my mom's grave would look. Everything from total dilapidation to well kept ran through my mind right up until we pulled into the graveyard.

“Why are we at a cemetery dad?” Scarlet asked, still not used to how fingers worked as I helped her out the truck, Tammilya helping Curie. “I thought we were going to meet grandma.”

“You kinda will,” Tammilya said, tightly holding my hand as I led the way to the burial plot. “Your grandma passed away before I met your father, we are taking you to her grave to pay respects, no different than anypony does to their departed loved ones back home.”

“Yeah, now lets-” I froze midsentence, my words dying in my throat as I looked at my mother's grave, not believing what I was seeing. "Umm... Tammi..."

“Hun, are those…” Tammilya asked, also in a state of shock.

“They are…” I finally managed to say, reaching down and touching one of the elegant blue roses that surrounded the burial plot. They were one of the subspecies Emerald had made, the flowers being 27% larger than normal, with a deep cyan color that looked very similar to Rainbow Dash’s coat and the center was a transition from the blue to white. The color was natural, and to my further surprise there was a plaque placed at the foot of plot.

These beautiful roses are a mystery of their own. Appearing seemingly overnight, they are only found around this one grave, and further scientific analysis has shown both the roses and the soil are of unknown composition and do not match anything else on the planet.

A wide range of theories, including a side effect from the nuclear reactor 85 miles away, have been presented and debunked. Attempts to recreate the color by reproduction of cut stems has yielded no success, the stems dying when placed into normal soil and not regrowing. Cut stems placed in a sample of the mysterious dirt, however, have yielded accelerated growth, but the buds always produce a pinkish-purple flower.

As such, this newly discovered subspecies has been classified as “Equu Rosa”, the horse rose for how tightly clustered the vines grow like wild mustangs grouped on the plains.

“Wow,” Tammilya said, putting her hand on my shoulder as she finished reading the inscription. “Emerald must have made a sneak visit here and used Earth Pony magic to enchant just your mom's grave to be the only spot on Earth to grow these. Talk about a nice surprise.”

“Y-yeah…” I said, my tone hitching as I dropped to my knees and brought one of the delicate flowers into my hand. “A surprise i-indeed.”

I no longer could hold back the floodgates, tears flowing down my cheeks like double diamond rapids as I cried out my pain and grief. For so long I had nothing, for so long I let my heart harden to stone, but now being a married man and father had allowed joy to soften it back up. The fact that Emerald, who vowed to never return to Earth after her family relocated to Ponyville, had returned here to plant her special roses meant to much more than words could ever describe. I now wept at my mother's grave with tears not of sadness, but of happiness with my family at my side.

All because of the brief period of my life as a suit pon…

Author's Note

Nice wrap up don't you think? I made good on my 7k pledge I made in my blog post, so I'm satisfied. And to all my American readers have a safe 4th of July.

As always, thanks to the master of the bridle Penalt for wrangling in my poor choices of judgement.

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