“That… could’ve gone better.” Twilight said as she saw the whole event unfold. “She’s really very kind once you get to know her, honest.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Dan replied as he started to look around. Fluttershy was their last stop in helping Dan get better acquainted with the element bearers first before having Ponyville getting used to him in general. Dan could see a lot of animal homes, even a chicken coop, he also noticed the small animals were still around, but they were trying to hide AND peek out to stare at him at the same time. The peeking part pretty much ruined their hiding spots. “So what do we do now?”

“Uh, let me handle this, just wait right here.” with her magic the door swung open and she stepped inside.

Leaving Dan to himself as she tried to retrieve the timid caretaker. He decided to pull out his phone. If wifi works, then a little Fire Emblem Heroes couldn’t hurt while he waited. It shouldn’t kill the battery too much, but that just reminded him of something. “Oh wait! That’s right!” he looked around…. Only the animals. “Aegis do you know anything about that magic spell that can let me visit my home world?”

Aegis flew out of his body “Ah, I knew it was only a matter of time before you brought that up, I do in fact.”

Dan gave him his undivided attention. “You mind teaching me how to use it? Cuz I REALLY need to use it as soon as possible.” Meanwhile, the animals that were looking at him were now confused on why the tall creature was talking to himself so loudly. Such a strange creature… They would definitely have to let Fluttershy know about this later.

“I assume this has something to do with that “phone” device you keep looking at.”

“And my guns! I need to be able to purchase ammo for them whenever I need to. I figured since I work under the princesses now I can consider it work related expenses so they could send me more of those gold coins.”

“Bits, Dan. Remember we’ve been through this. They are bits.” Aegis replied with a sigh.

“I don’t care what they’re called, they’re made of gold and sold for a small fortune at the pawn shop. That can cover for all my ammo expenses and even let me buy much more powerful weaponry for this insane job you guys threw me into.” Dan said as he thumbed towards the Everfree Forest he was told about.

“What of those other weapons you already own at your home?” Aegis brought up.

“I already have two of them here, and I’m buying weapons because if there is another me that lives back in the real world. I don’t want to inconvenience him by popping by to take stuff from our house whenever I need to.” Dan postponed his Fire Emblem to look online and google some gun dealership sites he knew to shop around. “I mean, if he really is me, I’m sure he doesn’t mind that I borrow them, but we both know I would rather have my own gun rack here…. Wait, if wifi works here, Maybe I can play my Switch here too… well, buy another one for me…. Oh man to play Salmon Run with myself. Who could ever say that?!” he pointed to Aegis now getting even more excited by the minute. “Shoot! With Wifi Why not just buy a PC too and-”

“Ok, ok slow down, kid. I can understand your excitement and I won’t stop you from buying those things, but you should prioritize personal purchases for when you actually get paid for doing your job. I’m not gonna let you borrow money from Celly and Lulu unless it's for things you really need, ok?” Aegis stated.

“Oh come on they’re royalty, just a bag of those things is more than enough to cover me. Besides, you guys can call this um, paying me back for even accepting this job.”

Aegis thought about it for a moment. “Perhaps, I still recall precious gems and metals selling well back on Earth….” he looked at the door, “they have been in there for awhile.”

Dan turned to it as well. “Yeah, you’d figure they’d show up by now.” He’d tried to look into the house. “What’s going on in there?”

~~~

Meanwhile

In the living room, Twilight was pushing Fluttershy from behind the couch. “Come-ERG-on Fluttershy Grrrh, Sooner or later you’ll-” with a grunt she gives a strong shove to her timid friend making progress every step if not slowly “You’ll have to speak with him again.”

“I-I-If it’s all the same to you-EEP!” she received another strong shove. “I would prefer later than sooner, much much MUCH later.” Fluttershy replied as she kept trying to back up.

“Nope! Not gonna happen.” Twilight then gave one more powerful push and Fluttershy was now losing traction. “Now come outside and talk to him. He came here to make friends with you after all!”

She had her there, which caused her to fight back less now with that on her conscience. After all, she and her friends were all about making friends now matter who they are. This time, however, still had her worried, especially after yesterday.

~~~

Back Outside

At this point in time, Dan managed to get acquainted with another “friend” of Fluttershy’s that happened to make its way over from the forest. It was big, furry, and able to stand up on its hind legs and glared at him from a distance. “Hey look a bear…” Dan said

“Indeed…”

“Is it staring at us?”

“It certainly looks that way…” Aegis was starting to feel a little wary now.

So was Dan, “um… it’s kinda hauling ass now… toward us.”

“I can see that… “ Aegis was now back inside Dan again. “It looks like it wants to pick a fight with you.”

“Haha, funny.” Dan replied…. “Aegis?”

………….

“Hey, Old man this isn’t funny, do you know something?” Dan took a step back now as the Bear was crossing the field between them rapidly.

“Well, there is one possibility.” Aegis brought up. “It could be possessed by that dark force as well.”

“It better not be.” He said backing up a little more and taking a defensive stance “I have no way to take it down right now.”

“Technically you do, but that still requires more training.” Aegis responded “Though this is a perfect opportunity for you to use your mind on how to get out of this situation.”

“Easy….” Dan then starts running the moment the Bear was just 20 feet away from the cottage. “Get the Hell outta here!”

“That is one way to handle it, though if not the more shameful kind.”

“Live to fight another day, Aegis! I’m going with that philosophy!” Dan yelled.

“I meant it was shameful that you are leaving those two girls to deal with it.” Aegis said with a cold tone. This caused Dan to skid to halt.

…. “Dammit!” He forgot about that part, and when he looked back, the bear seemed to have lost interest in him and now was looking at the cottage and animal homes, To the bear, it just scared off an unknown creature that seemed to make the critters at the cottage nervous. To Dan, it looked like the Bear was looking for easier prey since the two legged one ran too fast…… The heel of his foot was anxiously tapping against the ground….. “Davy Crockett, give me strength.”

“Who?” Aegis was curious but that had to wait as Dan already was making a mad dash back at the house, using his new found speed that he obtained after receiving the medallion. It was at this moment Twilight finally managed to scoot Fluttershy outside.

“Ok Dan, sorry for the wait-Guh. But here-Oomph- She IS!” She grunted out the last word before giving a hard enough push to make them both tumble out the doorway. Making Flutters squeak and Twilight fall flat on her face before they immediately got up. “Ok, Flutters let's be nice and say hello to…..a Bear?” When Twilight looked up instead of seeing the human, she saw a bear that seemed to be communicating with the smaller animals in the animal homes.

“Mr. Bear?” Fluttershy was confused as well, but neither of them had time to figure out what was going on when something ran right past them, leaped and tackled the Bear.

“FOR THE ALAMO!” It yelled as it managed to knock the large creature off its feet and tumble across the ground. Some animals scurried off as the two rolled and fought with each other until they crashed into the chicken coop. There were scared chickens, feathers, and hay scattering everywhere.

“OH MY GOSH!” Fluttershy gasped as she ran over toward the two.

“Dan!” Twilight followed after, they soon discovered the two combatants dazed and covered in broken eggs, feathers, and hay. Fortunately for Fluttershy's sake, none of the eggs held any life in them. When Twilight ran up she took a look at the human. “Dan! What in Celestia’s name were you doing?!”

Dan coughed some feathers from his mouth before speaking. “Davy made it look so much easier on TV…. Also ow…”

~~~~~~~~~~

Later

Dan was in his boxers now as his clothes had to be cleaned after being covered in so much yolk and feathers and other unmentionable things that come out of a chicken. To apologize for the ruckus, both the bear and Dan helped round up the chickens as Twilight went to retrieve Applejack to help fix the busted down coop. She left before Dan took off his clothes so it was a simple matter. The reason why is evident to the animals and Fluttershy as they could all see it.

The medallion embedded into Dan’s chest. Fluttershy tried to avoid the conversation at first by focusing on washing Dan’s clothes and letting him and the bear pick up after their own mess. But now they were hung out to dry so she would have to return and talk to him eventually.

For Dan, Twilight and Fluttershy managed to explain to him that the bear was a friend of Fluttershy so he put two and two together and guessed that the bear saw him as a threat to the pegasus and her animals at first. Thus the confusing event occurred and he was now half naked wrangling distraught chickens and putting them in a temporary pen. Meanwhile, he noticed that he’s been getting some stares from the animals and a rather mean glare from a white rabbit that seemed to be helping out but kept its distance from the human. It somehow managed to make the chickens calm down when they were in the pen so they wouldn’t cause any more trouble. ‘What? Is he the Alpha of the animals here?’ Dan thought, but when he noticed even the bear was taking orders from it, he cocked his head a little ‘Well I’ll be damned.’

When Fluttershy came out from the back she tried to speak to Dan. “Um, y-your clothes are drying now… It might ta-”

“Huh?” Dan barely managed to hear her voice but not what she was saying since she spoke so quietly. “Could you say that again?”

This made her tense up before looking away trying to avoid his gaze and murmur the sentence once again.

“Um… what?” Dan leaned in closer, this also did not help, in fact, it just made it worse. As she curled into a ball and repeated it again with hardly even a whisper. At this point, Dan was internally screaming. ‘Are you kidding me here? What, are you a turtle now? I swear-’

“Try a different approach, Dan. Remember, she’s not the most Social.” Aegis reminded him.

‘Yeah, but I didn’t think it would be to this degree…. Alright fine.’ Dan moved back and breathed in. “Ok, well, Fluttershy, is it?” She gave a nod still keeping to herself. ‘A response! Good!’ He cheered “Good good, well, um were you trying to tell me something?” He spoke as gently as possible, another nod and a very very quiet “yes” came from her. ‘Progress!’ He thought “Right, ok, I see. I’m more than happy to hear it. I just, um, can’t understand what you said when you whisper like that. If it’s ok with you, can you speak up just a bit more?”

Fluttershy was quiet for a moment, but then she turned to face him a little more but stared at the ground. “Y-your clothes are drying now…” She spoke in a more understandable volume.

Dan stared at her for a moment, then blinked “O-oh! My clothes, right? Uh, thanks for telling me.” He replied to her. ‘Seriously? That’s all? I’m glad to hear it but I thought it was something important or something!’

“Calm down Dan, This must be harder for her than you think. If she is having trouble speaking to ponies, imagine how it must be talking to a being such as yourself. She never even knew you or humanity even existed until yesterday.” Once again Aegis comes in to bring in clarity.

Dan closed his eyes, he could understand that, he’s seen behavior similar to this before with certain other people back on Earth, both real and fictional. It did kind of bug him that Aegis had to be the one to remind him of this situation. He let his mind think. Although it was progressive of her speaking with him. This wasn’t exactly an actual conversation. He needed her to open up to him more, just how she would with her friends, but that is easier said than done. How was he going to do that? He decided to try catering to what she likes. “So, um… you must really like animals to want to take care of them.” He scratched the back of his neck trying to start some small talk.

“Oh, yes! Definitely! They can be such kind and sweet creatures, and sooo cute, it’s a complete joy to take care of them and-” Ok, He wasn’t expecting this. One second she was nervous and tight lipped, now she’s like the second coming of Chatterbox Pinkie. In his face, a big smile on hers as she started going on and on and on about animals. Thankfully unlike Pinkie, she wasn’t speaking faster by every passing millisecond. However, he needed to calm her down. He grabbed her sides gently, which caused her to clam up and squeak as he lifted her up and slightly away from his face.

“Ok, ok, we get it, you like animals, awesome.” however this ended up with him smiling and chuckling a little. This was an interesting surprise to discover. Just talk about what she likes and she’s an open book. “It’s nice to see you really love your job then.” He gently set her down. His laughter and his praise for her passion helped break the tension between them and the smile returned to her face once again.

“Sorry, I-I guess I got carried away there...” She replied

“No, no, it’s fine. It just surprised me is all.” Dan waved it off.

“Do… Do you like them?” Fluttershy decided to ask what was on her mind right now.

“Who? Animals? Yeah, I like to think that I do, maybe not as much as you, but I like to think that I do. Back where I’m from, my family owned this big dog that would go with us on trips all the time and we would play around with his big floppy ears. “I guess you can say I’m a dog person as well.” This was good, she was opening up more, and now she was asking questions. He decided to let this run on for as long as she wants to help her feel more comfortable around him.

“I see, puppies can be so cute, maybe someday you’d want another one? S-seeing as you live in Equestria now and all, ahem.” she asked

Dan thought about it, “Well that would be nice, I figured when I eventually own my own place here that'd be perfect. Since I’m currently bunking at the library I don’t think would be the best time.”

Fluttershy simply nodded and listened to him. She was now starting to feel a little interested in him now. A friend that likes animals is always welcome in her book. However, yesterday’s incident was still fresh on her mind so she still was a little wary. It was then that a squirrel came up to her and chattered away to her.

Dan saw this as odd if not a little cute until he noticed Fluttershy’s changing expressions and looking back at him with concern. “W-what?” He asked unsure if he did something wrong or not.

“Oh, uh, n-nothing, nothing at all. It’s just that um… well, you see-” She was fumbling over her words now. Everything was going so well, so now he had to know what immediately changed that? Fortunately, Fluttershy finally managed the courage to speak what was on her mind. “It’s just that, my friends say that… you talk…. with yourself… so uuuum-” Dan flinched suddenly which made her jump a little in response. “S-sorry, I didn’t mean to offend or anything it’s just that-”

“No, no that’s fine, I’m just surprised is all. I was pretty sure Twilight or the other girls never saw me do it so it came as a shock to me to hear you say that.” Dan replied waving it off.

“Oh, no it wasn’t them. I meant my friends here.” She gestured to all around her. Dan looked around, and all he could see were various animals here and there.

!!

“Wait a second. You can actually talk to animals!?” He said in disbelief, before noticing her speaking to the squirrel itself and nodding her head with it, “You can?! Whoa…” He looked at the two of them amazed. This reminded him of yesterday, he couldn’t understand what went through Fluttershy’s mind when she went up to try to talk to the manticore, but now he did. “That’s amazing!”

She blushed at the compliment not really sure how to take it. “Oh, it’s really not that amazing, honestly.” She tried to play it off.

Dan simply shook his head. “No for real! You’re like an actual Doctor Dolittle or something.”

“Doctor, w-who?” Fluttershy turned to look at him.

“Oh right, I keep forgetting this isn’t Earth. He’s basically a fictional veterinarian that speaks to animals like how a person would with another person. He got his own movie, back in the time when my folks weren’t even born and then THAT movie got a more current adaptation of it with a more modern atmosphere back when I was little and-... Ahem…” He stopped himself, he was going into nerd mode. “I guess it’s my turn to apologize for getting carried away too. I like… various things and I tend to blab on and on about them if I’m not stopped, uh anyway, w-what were we talking about?” He scratched the back of his head feeling really awkward and embarrassed about it.

Fluttershy was surprised to see this different side of the very being that killed that Manticore from yesterday. He seemed so cruel, and that day onward, he didn't seem like the nicest person to talk to. She even feared he might show up to her home one day and just- Well she didn’t want to finish that dreadful thought. However, here he was, trying to be friendly to her, and feeling embarrassed about chattering on about what he likes. In the end, she found it kind of silly. She held a hoof to her muzzle and tried to stifle her laughter, but Dan managed to hear and see the gesture and he groaned.

‘Greeaaaat, now she thinks I’m a crazy man that talks to himself AND a moronic chatterbox.’ He slumped and sighed. “Yeah, I’m weird, I know.”

“On the bright side, she doesn’t seem to fear you anymore.” Aegis tried to comfort him.

‘Yeah, but at the cost of the image of my attempt to look cool and all.’

“I believe that ship sailed when you started walking around in only your underwear.”

‘…. Thanks for reminding me Aegis…’ Dan deadpanned.

When Fluttershy managed to calm her laughter she tried to defuse the situation. “Well, to be honest, there are some strange things about you that I don’t understand, but you genuinely seem nice and that's all that matters really. If that’s ok with you, I mean.”

“Oh, uh, ok then. As long as everything is cool then I guess.” Dan replied quickly. It was then quiet again and the silence was slowly making things awkward between the two until Fluttershy spoke.

“S-so, if you don’t mind me asking., My animal friends and I are curious about why you were talking to yourself. U-U-Unless it’s something you don't want to discuss, That’s fine too.”

… Dan thought about it. Now that animals can be considered witnesses, it seemed like hiding it from her would be pointless, and the off chance it would make him look suspicious again would not be ideal for him. “Well, I can tell ya, but I don’t think you’ll believe me when I do.”

“Oh, I trust you, it’s ok.” Fluttershy reassured him.

“Just like that?” He blinked at what she said. When she nodded he tilted his head. “I haven’t even told you why yet.”

She nodded once more. “Yes, but you seem very honest right now. It reminds me of Applejack a little.”

Dan scratched his cheek, honestly, she seems a little too gullible. It’s not like they had any lie detectors in this world to call him out if he chose to make up a reason. However, with that innocent looking face it was hard to even have the urge to lie to her. He sighed. “Alright, but can you and your um, little animal friends do me a favor and keep it to yourselves for now if I do? I really don’t think the others would believe it if I told them. At Least for now.”

She nodded but then perked up “Oh, but if you spoke with AJ, I’m sure she’ll believe you too since-” Dan stopped her

“It’s fine, really. The fewer people that know about this the better because even I’m unsure about it.”

This caught her attention. What could it possibly be? She nodded and decided to listen to his request. “Well… ok, I guess.” she said in a quieter tone.

“I’m completely against this, however, those animals seem to have put us in a bad position.” Aegis commented

Dan agreed, ‘No kidding, The last thing I need is for them to put me in a straight jacket and sent to an asylum, and lying isn’t gonna help my case, either.’

“Especially since that Applejack mare is the bearer of Honesty.”

Dan was curious ‘What? Is being super honest a super power here or something?’

Aegis redirected his attention. “I’ll explain later what I mean, for now it is in your best interest to just speak the truth and nothing but it for now. Your new friend has been staring at you for awhile waiting for you to say something.” Dan wasn’t sure what the warning was about but he knew it was better to listen to the guy who lived here longer for now.

He then sighed “A-alright then, where to begin?… Just to be clear, I’m not a hundred percent sure if I fully believe it myself and it's all some mental issue I’m having, buuuut-”

~~~

Later that day

Dan gave Fluttershy the whole spiel, pretty much expecting her to start questioning his sanity, but true to her word. She believed every word of it to his surprise. Apparently letting her in on a secret seemed to completely help her open up to him and be on speaking terms with him like she was with the other girls. A relief, since he was concerned her reaction earlier was a bad omen. In time his clothes dried off enough once Twilight returned with AJ.

To say the least, when both girls also saw the medallion in his chest They had questions of their own, however, Twilight looked like her questions about it were double if not triple AJ’s. Sensing this, Applejack decided to not say anything and get to doing what she was called over to do. Other than that it was a pleasant surprise for Twilight to see Fluttershy getting along with Dan while she was away. The damages to the chicken coop, fortunately, weren't too bad, so it merely took an hour to get it back to its former self, leaving everyone, including the; briefly homeless, chickens glad to finally look past the blunders of today and move on with their lives. With her task of getting Dan to reacquaint himself with her closest friends complete for now, all that was left was what Dan promised he would do. Let Twilight assault him with her miles and miles of questioning and experimentations…. Well, he didn’t agree to the last part, but she was sure he wouldn’t mind taking on a few tests for the sake of Science and her voracious knowledge sponge of a brain. It was, at the very least, kind of her to hold it all in until after it was time to go. Everyone said their goodbyes to one another. After what Fluttershy learned about Aegis, although finding the thought of a ghost haunting somepony like that, she was willing to listen to him whenever he needed to talk about it with anypony since she’s the only one that knows for now.

When they finally reached the Library Twilight seemed to be squealing, her patience was finally running out and she was already galloping ahead. “I need to get my notes! Meet you inside, Dan!” She yelled before vanishing through the doorway letting it shut itself from the sudden force.

“Well Someone is eager.” Dan said starting to feel really anxious about what was to come.

“It appears your senses are giving you a warning yet you try not to heed it.” Aegis said as he drifted out once more from Dan’s body.

“Yeah, I know, I’m sure she’s the cause of it right now.” Dan replied

“And yet you remain here?” Aegis asked.

“I’m sure it’s just my nerves overreacting. I’ll admit she made some rather ominous, if not dubious gestures and expressions the whole time ever since I first agreed to her request, but seriously, when you think about it, how bad can a curious bookworm be?”

~~~

A disposable transparent cup was practically slammed on the table before him. “Pee in this cup, please!” Twilight said as she was levitating many notes, books, and some strange devices with her. Placing them down nearby.

…. Both Dan and Aegis merely stared at the cup with disbelief before looking back up at Twilight who seemed to be pulling out her notes and waiting anxiously.

‘This chick has lost it…’ Dan said mentally, fortunately, Aegis could still read his mind when out of his body.

“Well, she’s thorough in her projects, you can give her that.” Aegis replied.

Dan tried to talk some sense with the mare. “Uuuh, Twilight, I think-”

“Oh, I’m sorry! I lost myself there for a moment.” Twilight immediately blushed and it seemed like to Dan that she was finally registering how overboard and crazy this all was. “Please fill it in the bathroom.”

…. Or not…

“Twilight I’m not doing this.”

She was shocked “What? But you promised-aah!” She squeaked when Dan picked her up to bring her to eye level with him.

“I’m NOT peeing in that cup.”

“But-”

“Twilight, I get it, you seem to really like knowing stuff, that’s fine, but I think your excitement of finally interrogating me has taken over your mind and you’re treating me like some strange animal you just caught. I. AM. A. SENTIENT. BEING!”

“Well for the record she did have the decency to let you handle your business in the bathroom instead of watching you do it right in front of her.” Aegis said on the side

‘I’m pretty sure it was to protect her innocence.’ Dan blushed a little and looked away trying to avoid the mental image of it in his head. He was pretty sure Twilight had the same problem when she was red in the face earlier.

... She was silent and the “normal” Twilight was starting to come back down to Earth from the look of her eyes. “Y-you’re right.” She finally managed to say “Sorry.” she slumping in his arms now as that blush was returning and with a fury. “Oh my Celestia, what was I even thinking!?” She pushed her hoofs against her burning face “Why did I even say that? Why would I EVER say that? What was I even gonna do with a cup of-uuuugh!!!” And now she was disgusted. “I just remembered doctors asking the same of me once before on check ups to run tests about my biology and I… I… wow…” ‘Did she even have equipment for That kind of test’ Dan thought. He hoped not because then he’d have to question if she’s addicted to learning things or something.

“Well, thank God, we haven’t lost you completely to… whatever that was about.” Dan finally set her down.

“It’s just, you’re from an entirely different world, maybe even universe for all we know, and your technology is… mind boggling, the fact that your kind gets by without using magic and all those things I heard and saw about you I… I don’t know what came over me. I just wanted to know everything about your kind, your world, EVERYTHING, it just…” She tried to find the words for it.

“It was overwhelming?” Dan suggested. When she nodded he scratched his head. “You really do like learning stuff.” He sighed “Your curiosity certainly knows no bounds.”

“I know, my friends get on my case about it whenever I go overboard, but this definitely takes the cake. Hrrrrrmmmph!” She groaned inwardly in shame.

“Ok, ok, look it's fine. You were literally trying to get info from quite literally an alien species to your world. I can’t say my own people wouldn’t have done the same.” He replied patting her head. ‘Actually, they’d probably do much worse.’

“How so?” Aegis asked

‘Think unlawful and inhumane surgeries and autopsies with your body without your consent. And claiming your stuff is officially theirs.’

“Can't Say I find that surprising given our Races history.” Aegis replied.

It was then that Dan had an idea. ‘Aegis, you mind teaching that trick now? The portal back to Earth?’

“Right now? I can, but what are we going to do about her.” Aegis asked.

“She’s coming with us.” Dan said out loud which confused Twilight as he suddenly spoke these seemingly random words.

Aegis was shocked to even hear such an idea. “are YOU the one that I have to worry about their sanity?”

‘Oh? how so?’ Dan asked ‘Kills two birds with one stone if you ask me, I need to get back to Earth to grab some essentials, talk with my “other” self so we can figure out some way to use these equestrian bit things to help me buy more essentials, AND help fill her insatiable desire to know stuff and get off my back.’ He stated clearly to the ghost mentally. ‘Then finally with her out of the way, we can actually focus on getting down to business about my job here.’ He sighed ‘As much as I’d rather not too, it's been made pretty clear that I can’t ignore it for much longer. Especially after what happened yesterday could happen again at any moment.’

“S-still, you cannot let her pass through to our world, despite what you say.” Aegis answered.

‘Why not?’ Dan Looked back at Aegis with a puzzling look, meanwhile Twilight wasn’t sure what to think of Dan’s strange outburst and now it looked like he was looking at something next to him but she saw nothing. She was starting to wonder if this was some strange human ritual or something or if her new human friend suddenly lost his mind.

“Because it is forbidden When I was in your place I was strictly told never to let them into our world.” Aegis replied

“Uh, Dan?” Twilight tried to get the man’s attention.

‘Oh, and who told you that? The last hunter you replaced?’ Dan asked with an attitude.

“Yes! Yes, it was, It would be far too dangerous to bring one of them to our world in case a human sees them. That is what was stressed to me so very clearly by them.”

“Dan? Helloooo”

‘And why is that? Is it cuz the spell would harm them?! Does our world harm them just by entering it, like the air or something?’

“No, don’t be ridiculous, if you have no trouble living in this world, then the same could be said for them! Nothing spell wise, or natural is preventing a pony to cross over to our home world!” Neither of the two seemed to notice how much force they were putting into their words.

So it startled Twilight when Dan accidentally slipped to using his voice again saying. “SO WHAT IS IT?!”

“EEP!” That scared little squeak got both of the boys’ attention. They at first thought it was Fluttershy given that squeaking like that seems to fit her more for some reason. But instead, they saw Twilight shaking slightly behind the table across from then staring back at them wide eyed.

“Oooooh….. Right….” Dan said starting to imagine how he must’ve looked to her at that moment. ‘Starting to think you’re gonna be the worst kept secret for me, old man.’

“You're far too careless, boy.” Aegis replied before floating back into Dan’s body. ‘And we’ll not speak of this anymore about bringing one of them to Earth. If you wish for me to teach you that spell then respect your elders ways. Gripe and groan if you must but they are there for a reason, Hmph!’ And with that Aegis went silent, leaving Dan to figure out how to deal with Twilight now.

‘…. Thanks for the help you old bastard.’ Dan sighed “OK, uh so I know that looked a bit uh strange, but let me just state clearly, that NO I am not insane, nor am I just now losing my mind.”

“A-are you sure? How can you even tell? Crazy ponies would deny being crazy sometimes when you ask them.”

‘Crap, she has a point.’ Dan winced a little at the sound logic “ok, ok, uh look, I can assure you a hundred percent that I am quite sane and if you want to run tests, then fine by me, but please don’t worry, I’m not gonna go wild or anything on you so you can come out from under the table now.”

………. She rose up a little…. “You said…. tests?”

The phrase: “Danger, DANGER WILL ROBINSON!” Suddenly went through Dan’s mind.

~~~

Later

“Well it’s nice your enthusiasm is back...” Dan groaned as he was forced to wear a metal bowl with wires connected to it and multiple electro pads on his topless chest and on his face. Similar to the electrocardiogram pads doctors would use on a patient. There was even one placed on the medallion. However, since Aegis didn't make a fuss about it he let it be assumed it was nothing to worry about.

“Oh, it never left. If anything it only got stronger. And judging from these readings…. I can’t make sense of it!” She said with fascination as she stared at a device all the pads were wired too as it gave off all sorts of data and readings that Dan couldn’t even begin to understand so he just went with Twilight’s word on it.

“Can’t make sense of what?” He asked

“You, like all of you!” She gestured to him. “You’re alive obviously, here's your heart rate.” she points to some kind of strange part of the machine, again Dan delegated to take her word for it. It was getting too late in the day to even try to care about learning this stuff. “It’s pumping normally… I think, anyway. I’m only going by Equestrian biology, there's normal activity in your brain whenever I ask you questions.”

“Is that why you asked for my name again?”

“That was to test to see if the device was working, everything after that were actual questions of mine.” Twilight stated, “but we’re getting sidetracked, there was something completely odd about you though.”

“And that would be?” Dan urged her to continue.

“You have a pulse, your mind is just as active as any other pony. Obviously, by looking at and speaking to you makes you sentient. Yet all sensors that would detect living beings magical saturation, radiation, and energy is near if not utterly undetectable.” Twilight was writing down notes.

“Meaning?”

Twilight perked up and looked at him for a moment, then back at her notes with the most puzzled look on her face. “It’s like… saying that you’re half dead or something along those lines.”

“Half dead? Just cuz I have no magic inside me?” Dan asked ‘Ok, that last line sounded like lyrics to a song.’ He thought.

“Well, there is SOME detection of magical energy within you. However, it is small. Like dangerously small. Not only that, but it seems to only be detected here.” Twilight points at the medallion. “Intact I think it’s safe to say that’s the only thing magical about you. Everywhere else has nothing.”

“Ok, fine so the big gold coin is magical. What does magic have to do with me being undead-”

“Half dead.” Twilight corrected

“Whatever,” He waved it off. “Does this have to do with how all you ponies have magic coming off you and what not?” He still remembered what Aegis discussed earlier with him about “nature coddling” these ponies with magic.

“Not, just ponies, Dan. Every living creature here has magic within them.” Twilight stated. “Ponies, dragons, minotaurs, griffins, birds, dogs, cats, trees, flowers, et cetera. If it lives, it can produce magical energy. Yet YOU don’t.”

“Well yeah, apparently my skin is magic pro-” He stopped himself for a moment. “Did you say even dragons?” At her nod. He then folded his arms. “But I was told they are magic proof.”

“Well of course, but even then magic still can be sensed radiating off them. It’s just their scales that can prevent magic and spells from affecting them.” Twilight explained, which left Dan to think.

‘So the magic resistance is just skin deep and nothing more…. They did say my natural defense is useless if I have a cut.’ He puzzled, this was starting to intrigue him. “You said the medallion had magic in it though?”

“Oh! Uh, yes. Despite being, erm, lodged in your body. Like so. It still holds magic within itself. So it's safe to assume your body doesn’t suck up magic like a sponge, but rather, it means that your body seems to have no natural connection with magic!”

Dan was quiet for a moment….. He was about to say something when Aegis finally spoke from within him. “Just let her have this, Dan. We may already know about all this, but to her kind, this is like finding a mythical beast back on Earth.”

…. So, out of consideration, Dan let Twilight ramble on about this Discovery so much, that she forgot to actually ask the rest of her list of questions to him. The signal to end it? Spike calling the two of them for Dinner. Dan decided to use that as an opportunity to finally end his weird moment of seeing how a lab rat feels, get some grub, then finally get down to something he wanted to do, Learning the spell to go home.

Later on, that night after dinner when Twilight and Spike said their good nights Dan waited until he could hear the dragon’s snoring from up the stairs before he threw his covers off revealing he was completely dressed, sans his weapons again this time. And carrying that bag of bits from before. “Ok, the time is right. Now you hold up your end of the deal and teach me that spell.” He mumbled quietly to himself as he stood up.

It was quiet at first, but he then saw Aegis leaving his body once again. “Sigh, very well. I will admit, these “guns” certainly intrigue me and seem to have a lot of value to your job. I suppose I can teach you now.”

“Yes!” Dan fist pumped and cheered as quietly as he could to not disturb his roommates.

“Yes… well, keep in mind there is something that you should know.” He floated toward the door of the storage closet. “When I visited your home, I placed an anchor point on one of your doors within it, it is how we are able to move back and forth between worlds, without it, the spell is useless. I will teach you this method as well in the event that you need to move the entry point for a particular reason.” Dan nodded as his heel was starting to fidget due to his slight impatience. “Finally, when you cross through there, it is inevitable at some point you will encounter yourself when you're there.” This got Dan’s attention and made him chill out and focus for real this time. “It’s recommended, no, imperative that you lock eyes with him. The sooner you get this done the better.”

“Why? What happens?” Dan asked curiously

“Because the two of you are one and the same, nature and the universe will want to balance everything as best as it can, so when you look at each other, both your minds will end up sharing every memory each of you had individually since the moment you two were separated. He will share his mind with you, if you will, and vice versa.”

“Wow, that sounds like some sci-fi mumbo jumbo to get through a plot point and make it easier for the writer…. I like it. It doesn’t hurt does it?” Aegis proceeded to start the spell casting “O-oi!”

“Silence and pay attention closely, Mr. Richards. I can only show you the procedure because I am dead and no longer in possession of the medallion, I cannot cast the spell myself.” Placed his hoof on the center of the door and looked back at Dan expectantly. It took a moment before Dan caught on to the gesture and ran up to the door to mimic him. “Good, now repeat after me AND follow my hoof movements.” He slid his hoof up to the near top of the door while saying. “Door of Normalcy.” then took a deep dive as he slid it back to the center right, right next to the door knob, then spoke another verse “I bind you.” when Dan mimicked and spoke the words, the door rumbled a bit. It freaked him out at first and he nearly took his hand off the door to ask about it, however, Aegis was already on the next verse and gesture. He slid his hoof to the opposite side of the door horizontally and spoke, “To the door, I’ve marked.” Dan nearly stumbled over his words to keep up. When he did that was when Aegis took another dive to bottom center “in a world of existence.” he then slid his hand up back to the dead center of the door. “Beyond you.”

When Dan finished that verse the door stopped shaking and around its edges and corners, a brief flash of light lashed out from it as if someone turned on the light in the storage room the door was originally intended to stand in front of.

“And that’s the spell.” Aegis stated before floating back into Dan’s body

“Really?” Dan asked “Huh… I actually casted a spell… so this what being a wizard feels like.”

“I wouldn’t use such a term on yourself just on the account you learned A spell, nor do you have the ability to be one. Now hurry up and get this over with before you get caught by that Twilight girl or her pet dragon.”

“O-oh, right.” He stood before the now enchanted door suddenly feeling a little tense. He took a breath, exhaled to calm his nerves of finally going home, took the door knob in his hand, turned it, and pushed.

The sight at first glance astounded him, it was his apartment, his home. Never before did he miss that crappy one bedroom, one bathroom hole in the wall. He would smile if the next thing he saw didn’t catch his eye. His MP5 pointed straight at his face in the hands of well, himself, as his doppelgänger said “Don’t move.” rather menacingly.

“Oh yeah… Forgot about that.” Dan said as he raised his hands.

Author's Note

Hey, Guys, this I the best I can do, editing wise. Here's hoping I fixed all if not most of it. We've finally wrapped up with getting reacquainted to the girls so now. With that out of the way, I can finally work on the action stuff. Well, once Dan takes a moment to talk to himself. I swear I just want to go straight to it so badly right now, but I just need a little more patience lol. So close.

Anyway sorry I forgot to hit publish when I finished posting this. so you guys got to look at an empty chapter for awhile I guess lol. My bad, it was early in the morning and I fell asleep on the keyboard when I was in Author's notes lol my bad.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter and look forward to future ones. and let me know if I missed anything. I know I'm not perfect which is why say this.