The Magic of Strings

One thing before you guys read this. I want you to know that when I mention humans not caring about there planet, and such. It is not some kind liberal bull shit, or anything. It is just the way Lyra feels when she's in city. I just wanted to make that clear. Also I was going to wait for my editor to check for any errors, but I get impatient. So you guys catch anything please let me know. I'm terrible at self editing. Enjoy. :D

Lyra's trip through the portal was instantaneous. There was no strange shock, or twisting sensations of her body. The only tough part was it throwing her out from other side of a brick wall onto the ground head sliding. Stumbling a bit as she got up. She tried to take in her surroundings, but everything was blurry.

After a moment of pain and all her senses returning, she started to cough from the dense, toxic air. It burned the insides of her lungs. Lyra fell against a wall, holding hoof on her chest as she tried to regulate her breathing. How does anything live like this? I'm practically suffocating. There was also an acrid smell that loomed in the air making her feel queasy.Her coughing began to mellow out, and she was soon able to breathe normally with still a slight sting in her lungs. It's not so bad. At least, I'm getting used to it. That smell though, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that. The unicorn then got up with her faced scrunched awkwardly, and looked around as she trotted down the paved road.

She was in a long, dark alleyway with trashcans all along the brick walls. There were some vents that were releasing steam from bellow the ground. That must be why I can't breath normally here. The lyre player stopped held her breath as she passed them. The walls had random graffiti painted all along it with words written sloppily, and posters of bands that were playing in some underground theater.

From the way things were looking so far, Earth was looking like a pretty disgusting place, and Lyra was beginning to have her doubts. I don't know... Everything about this place seems wrong to me. Do these human's even care about their home? She frowned at the thought erased it from her mind. It doesn't matter. So long as I can be with Eric, I don't care what they do.

As she got closer to the end, Lyra noticed the vast amount people going about their day, and loud bleeping sounds echoing down the alleyway. The excitement she was feeling was making her insides churn her legs shake. She began to creep slowly against the wall while edging her way around the trash-cans. I know none of these humans have ever seen some thing like me before, so I am not sure how they will react my presence. I probably shouldn't show myself, until I see Eric.

Luckily, at the end of the alleyway, was a big dark green canister for her to hide. With her back up against it, she turned her head peeked out from the edge, and what she saw made her jaw drop.

The bleeping sounds were coming from masses of metal vehicles of all different colors and shapes. Those are the strangest looking things I have ever seen. Then she looked up at some of the buildings, and they all had big moving pictures of certain products they were showing off. What in Celestia's name is a Coke?

She then got a good look at the humans. They were going about their day talking into strange devices, socializing with one another, and wearing the weirdest clothing she had ever seen. Lyra giggled at how ridiculous they looked. I don't think I would ever wear some thing that says “Got Swag” on it, and what is “I Heart NY”? It just sounds like a bunch of nonsense.

Lyra was completely distracted by the sights, and sounds of the city that she barely noticed a man that looked (she believed) exactly like Eric walk passed the green canister. Th-that's him. I can't believe it. It's actually him! She waited until there was a small opening in the crowd, and swiftly galloped through the crowd after him.

One young girl walking with her mother, spotted Lyra, and yelled out, “Look! There's a unicorn!”

Everyone that heard the yell, laughed at the young girl's naivety. They were all caught up in spontaneous imagination of the girl. That none of them even notice Lyra slip pass them to the end of the street corner where the so called Eric was waiting to cross the road.

This is my only chance. The unicorn thought, and sped up.

As soon as he was ready to cross, she jumped on him and the force made him fall to the ground with her on his back.

The man was in shock too afraid to move. I think I was just tackled by a dog. If I don't move maybe its owner will grab him.

As the weight of the animal was off him, a sweet girls voice said.“I-I'm sorry, Eric. I was too excited, and lost control. I didn't mean to hurt you.”

Now the man was really confused. He rolled over onto his back, and, what he saw, his mind could not comprehend. A freaking unicorn!

It leaned it's head in and looked at him with concern. “Are you all right?”

The look horror in the man's eyes made Lyra gulp and in a sad voice she said, “You aren't Eric, are you?”

He got up quickly and ran as fast as could across the road onto the next street, and disappeared into another crowd.

Lyra collapsed on the street corner, tears rolling down her eyes as she laid on the ground. I could have sworn that was him. This whole idea was destined fail from the beginning. I-I should have known that no one could love me, not even in another world.

In the midst of self pity, a crowd people, who saw the whole thing, were forming a circle around her. They all had some digital device out either recording a video, taking pictures, or calling some one they knew about this strange phenomenon in front of them.

Then loud sirens came from down the street. A couple of cop cars, news vans, and an animal control vehicle pulled up beside the mass amount of people. The cops came out, and backed up everyone out of the vicinity of the unicorn. The news crews was recording everything they saw, and interviewed any person that said they had witnessed the strange occurrence. All while three animal control personal walked over to the creature.

“What the hell is this thing?” one of them asked. “It's like someone took a small horse dumped into green paint.”

“I-I don't know. I've never seen anything like it in my life” Another man said while looking over the crying pony. “What do we do with it?”

Then a bulky man, who seemed to be their boss, shrugged. “I guess we should take it to the zoo, and they'll decide what to do this thing.”

The other two men nodded in agreement, one lifted Lyra carefully, and carried her to the back of their vehicle.

The distressed mare was too up set to even care as she hung limp in the man's arms. I don't care what happens to me anymore. All my dreams, and hopes of love eroding away like a wave lapping against a rock. Lyra closed her tear filled eyes, trying to picture the picture the purple mare. Oh, Twilight. I am such a fool. You were my one true friend, and I gave it up for an idiotic dream. I-I'm so sorry.

Animal control placed her in a cage, set in the back of their, and drove away after all three of them were inside.

* * *

It had been five days since Lyra had left for the human world, and the purple unicorn had shut herself in doors ever since. She refused any visitors, and ate her meals alone in silence. Lyra had meant a lot to her, and it made Twilight into an emotional wreck to see her go.

Spike had seen Twilight in this state several times. She only got like this when one of her last marefriends left her. They left This had gone for far too long for Spike's comfort, so he wrote a letter to Princess Celestia.

She was sitting at her massive hall dining table with her sister, and others from the royal court when Spike's letter appeared, and let out deep sigh after she had read it. The princess stood up and said, “I apologize to all of you, but it appears my student is in dire-straits. Do enjoy yourselves for the time being.” She bowed down to them, and they returned the gesture as she went out the front entrance's giant doors.

The white alicorn flew to Ponyville, and landed in front of the village's library. She knocked on the front door several times, and heard a yell from inside, “Please, go away! I'm feeling ill.”

“Twilight Sparkle, this is your mentor, Princess Celestia! I know you're not sick. Now open up this instant.”

The unicorn, inside the library, jolted straight up from her bed with her eyes round as saucers with tears still forming at the edges. Spike! What did I tell that little...

A more aggressive knock interrupted her thoughts. “Twilight! This is not a joke!”

After wiping off her face and smoothing out the fur, Twilight teleported instantly to the front door, opened it, and smiled at her teacher sheepishly as she peeked from the edge. “Ummm, Hi princess. What, uh, brings you here?”

“I think you know exactly brings me here my dear student. Spike sent me a letter saying that you have avoided any attempts of leaving the library, and eating sparsely. What is troubling you?” The alicorn's tone was gentle, but firm. She cared for her student deeply, but this kind of behavior is unacceptable.

Averting any eye contact with her teacher, Twilight said, “I-I can't tell yo-you” Tears fell from her muzzle.

“I am not only your teacher, Twilight, but I'm also your friend. Would you please let me in?”

Twilight obliged her, and slowly opened the door. The princess trotted inside, and turned around to face Twilight as she closed the door still not looking at her teacher.

“Now will you tell me?” Celestia asked

The unicorn quickly wrapped her teacher into a hug, and frantically cried. “I have done some thing horrible. She was so determined to go. I-I couldn't help but tell her how to get there. I thought I would be happy to see her...” A gold shoe hoof was pressed up against her mouth.

“Slow down my student. Your not making any sense.” Her eyes had a kind and gentle look on them.

Sighed deeply, and her voice calmed as she the told story. Celestia listened intently with the same kind look until Twilight told her about Lyra going to the human world. Her expression darkened , but she let Twilight finish.

Twilight started feeling a pain in her stomach as Celestia walked away from her, and started pacing. She must be really mad. Her silence is starting to worry me.

After the alicorn had paced across the library several times, she stopped, glared at Twilight, and talked with a growl. “Why did you do this Twilight? You know very well that it is forbidden to share dark magic with anypony.”

“I loved her. I just wanted to see her happy.” Twilight said solemly. “All she wanted was to be with Eric. She loves him.

Celestia frowned. “I understand that, but... there is a much more important reason why we made it a taboo to perform such magic.“

Raising an eyebrow, the purple mare asked, “Why? She never planned on coming back, so I didn't see any harm in it.”

“It was for own your own protection.”

Twilight gave a confused look. “I'm not sure that I follow. I have read about humans before, and they don't have a single passage saying they were dangerous.”

Her teacher shook her head. “It is true that a lot of them aren't, but there is a part of Equestrian History about them that you will not find in any book.”

“Wh-what?” Twilight stammered.

The Princess ighed, trotted up to Twilight, and put a hoof on her shoulders. “Sit down, and I will explain.”

She did as she was told. Then Celestia began.

* * *

“Earth and Equestria used to be part of one big world. The beings of that time lived together in harmony, just like we do now. We all agreed to split up the land equally, so that no race could be more dominant than the other. Until, a certain group of humans decided that their land wasn't sufficient enough for there needs. They started a long dragged out war that seemed like it would never end. Their ideals even infected the hearts many ponies turning against each other. The humans used this to their advantage, and could control a lot of the unicorn's magic. It was a very sickening part of our history Twilight. That is why you'll never find this in any book.

My mother, Solaria, was the queen of the ponies at the time, and when she saw the heart's ponies being corrupted. She sacrificed herself to separate our world from the humans. Not only that, but without her magic on the earth their planet is slowly dieing, while ours remains intact. Before her soul, and body disappeared, she left me with a stone that would give the unicorn temporary magic use, and zebras a ritual that only they could perform. She considered them the wisest of all races in Equestria.

There were very few sympathetic humans back in that time, and I am not positive that any of it has changed since then. Lyra's search for love there is not going to well. They haven't never seen the likes of us before, and when they do discover her. There is no telling what they will do.”

* * *

Twilight broke down into tears again, and Celestia wrapped a wing around her. “I am sorry Twilight, but that's way things are. I am sorry that I never told you this before.”

“I just can't believe that I sent my best friend to her own demise.” The students hooves in her face soaking up her tears. There must be some thing I can do. I just can't let it end like this. She removed her hooves and looked up at Celestia. “Is there any way I can save her?”

Celestia stared at Twilight. She must really care for Lyra if she is willing to go to such great lengths. “The ritual opens a portal world that stays open for only a week, and once it closes. It can not be opened for ten years.

The student eyes widen. “Sh-she left fives days ago. I still have time!” She excitedly got up, and hugged Celestia. “I apologize, but I must go save my friend.” Letting go and galloping out the library door, Twilight was blocked by Celestia's swift sped.

“One sec, my student” Celestia horn light up and she levitated her crown on top of Twilight. “The stone on that crown will grant you temporary magic use on earth. I have faith that you and Lyra will come back safely, but this is just a precaution.”

Twilight nodded, and warmly accept the gift as it shrunk some so it could fit her head. “Thank you princess. You have been more than generous to me.”

The alicorn stepped aside, and let Twilight gallop as fast as she could to the Everfree Forest. Once she reached outer edges of the woods, she light her horn as bright as could. Her heart was beating faster than ever had before, and her joints were screaming at her. Though no matter how much she ached, she pushed her way through the woods until she reached Zecora's.

She ran up to the door, and knocked loudly several times while yelling, “Zecora!” repeatedly. The door never opened. Where is she? I don’t want to break in, but I am running out time. Twilight slowly turned the handle with her horn light, and slowly entered the tree house, and instantly noticed the white beam of light coming from the ground. That must be the portal. Making the observation, she walked up beside, and stared at with confusion. I guess I'll just walk on it. With one hoof inside the portal, the beam grabbed her in, and, as said when Lyra disappeared, poof, she was gone.

* * *

Inside a cage in the middle of the New York zoo, was a unicorn sleeping on the ground curled up in a ball. Her appearance in the city caused a wave of excitement across the city. The zoo had gotten more visitors in a week than in one year. Children of all ages were ecstatic to see her talk, but, to their disappointment, she refused say anything or move from her spot. The caretakers say that the pony was also refusing to eat since she arrived, and scarcely drank any water. In her condition, they say, she could possibly die if she didn't eat anything soon.