Second chance: Convergence
Hearing the buzzing of his cell phone a man began to shift under his covers, feeling the bodies that were beside him last night now gone, he let out a small groan while pushing himself up. The man just waking up is Alex Brooke a 38 year old Caucasian human male, with dark blue eyes, black hair that has started to gray at his temples along with his beard, swinging his legs over the edge Alex stood to his full height of 6’ 3” his body was relatively in shape a healthy mix of muscle and fat. Sighing He always had trouble waking up in the morning that’s why he set the alarm but somepony must’ve changed the time, letting out a loud yawn he scratched his chin while thinking ‘Need to trim this up Rarity would throw a fit.’
Making his way downstairs he heard a commotion coming from the kitchen smiling to himself he thought ‘Must be trying to get the terrors ready.’ Rounding a corner he saw both Rarity and Fluttershy rushing to get their kids to eat, out the door and clean the kitchen. Smiling Alex looked at the two kids giving his wives a handful he decided to walk up behind them crossing his arms he said “Autumn, Ivory we gotta get you to school so eat and meet me at the truck !”
Clamping up the two girls quickly ate their food and raced into the garage to get into the trucks seats. Looking over at his wives he gave them a knowing wink before going to pour himself some coffee, feeling a pair of arms wrap around him Alex looked down to see two yellow arms sighing he said “You girls know you can wake me up at anytime right ?”
“Yes we do Alex but we all decided to let you sleep in you got in late last night.” Fluttershy answered unwrapping her arms Alex turned and looked at her, she was dressed and ready for work wearing a yellow scrub top and pants. Fluttershy was one of Alex’s wives of 8 years she was 31 year old pegasus today she had her pink mane pulled up into a simple bun, she stood about 5’ 10” Just a below Alex’s jaw. Chuckling at her he leaned down and giving her a kiss, letting out a delightful hum she pulled away saying “I’ve got to get to work, we’ll continue this another time.” she practically purred the last part.
Shuddering Alex watched her walk out the door before taking flight to work, hearing a giggle he looked back to see Rarity a white unicorn mare with a purple mane pulled into a ponytail, she was 31 years old like Fluttershy but stood at 5’ 2”. Hiding her mouth she tried to hide the smile she had, raising an eyebrow Alex asked “What’s so funny ?”
“Oh nothing, just thinking about how we used to be when we all started to date.”
“Oh yeah i felt like I needed to walk on eggshells around her.....now she’s very forward.” Alex said sipping his coffee as he recalled the night autumn was conceived, looking back at Rarity he noticed she was wearing ‘plain’ work clothes nodding his head he asked “You need a lift to Applejacks ?”
“Yes if you don’t mind,” Rarity answered walking over to get some coffee she looked up at Alex asking “So how do you feel ?”
“Well the twins are do any day and AJ refuses to leave the orchard because she wants to birth them there......so to say I’m a nervous wreck is a really big understatement.” Alex let out a growl thinking about the argument he had with AJ last week, placing an hand on his arm Rarity whispered “Honey I know you want her to be at the hospital, I also see both sides of the argument mind you, but I think it’s the right thing to allow her to give birth there it is her family home after all.”
“I know I know it’s just after what the doctor-“ Alex began only to have the ivory mare place a finger to his lips silencing him, taking a breath Rarity said “Yes I know you worried considering one of the twins is human, especially after what happened with Fluttershy and autumn.”
“Yeah we’ll I’ve got an apology meal for her and the saloons set up to be free of me for the next couple of weeks, so after we drop off the kids how about I join you.” Alex said making his way to the garage followed by Rarity.
After making sure the girls were buckled up and ready for school his mind began to wonder, Alex had appeared in Equestria 12 years ago after a traffic accident when a tire blew sending him off a bridge. During his time in Equestria he met three mares Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack they started dating two years into his appearance, after another three years of dating he proposed on the anniversary of their first meeting, and half a year later they were married.
Than on the anniversary of their wedding the four of them found out that both Rarity and Fluttershy were pregnant, to say they were shocked would be like saying standing in front of a stampede of elephants was safe. The four of them soon learned that not only could gender be a gamble but also the species, as revealed during a ultrasound that Fluttershy was having a human child with wings. The birth process was also a bit more difficult than usual none of the staff could come up with what problems would appear in the future with a pony carrying a human child since this hasn’t happened in the past. One doctor said that the child would need more nutrients due to the fact that the average pony only stands about 5’ 0” to 5’ 3”, during the explanation the same doctor told Alex that the average foal is only about 5 to 5.5 lbs when born, she also speculated that they may need to perform surgery to remove the child during birth but she couldn’t be sure till the due date. Luckily that wasn’t the case as Fluttershy and Rarity each delivered their daughters safely to the world, when the weights were taken Autumn’s birth weight was 7 lbs while her sister Ivory (a unicorn pony) was only 5.6 lbs.
Being drawn out of his thoughts Alex looked back at his daughters and watched as both of his girls whispered and giggled with each other seemingly excited by their future little siblings. Autumn was human in almost every bit of the word, what showed her equestrian roots were her butter yellow wings and pink hair. Her sister on the other hand is a white unicorn filly with a black mane and tail, Both fillies had there fathers blue eyes.
Looking at them he saw that Rarity had dressed them identically again making it seem like the two were twins. After a few minutes of driving the family finally reached the school house, stepping out of the truck with Rarity Alex helped get Autumn out of the truck and handed her stuff to her. Walking her to the other side he hugged both his daughters and whispered ‘love you’ to them before letting them run off to meet their friends in class Alex thought ‘Today’s a good day.’
(Apple family orchard)
Making there way up to the door Alex kept shifting a box between his hands while thinking of different apologies he could say to Applejack. Reaching the door of the house Alex gave it a small knock, looking down at rarity she simply smiled at him, hearing the door open James looked to see Big Mac in front of him. Big Mac defiantly had the farmers build after years of hard work but when the pony pony reached your chin it was difficult to take them seriously , glaring at Alex he was about to say something before his sister yelled “Mac let ‘im in we ain’t gonna fight !”
Looking behind him Mac stepped to the side allowing Alex in, making his way in Alex saw AJ propped up on the couch eleven moths and three days pregnant and ready to burst looking up at him. Alex could see a little anger in them he quickly held up the box of delicious pastries while saying “AJ I came to apologize for being a idiot.”
“Well dependin’ on whether those are yer home made treats I may be in a fergivin’ mood.” AJ said looking at the box she took it out of his grasp opening it up she saw all her favorite morning breakfast goodies nestled together, looking at her husband he shrugged while saying “I didn’t know what you’d want more so I made a little of everything.”
“Well I’m glad sugar, now what else do you have to say ?”
“I shouldn’t have said all the dumb sh-“ feeling a sharp slap to the back of his skull Alex fixed his language and continued “Anyway I shouldn’t have said all that horrible and hugely stupid stuff but I’m just scared and worried about you and our kids.” finishing up he placed a hand on her stomach placing her hand on top of his Applejack said “ah understand where yer coming from after Fluttershy ah can see why you’d be nervous, but ah’ve asked both Dr. Stable and Nurse Redheart to come and help.”
“Ok......well the bars all sorted so I won’t leave your side unless you tell me to.”
“Sugar ah want you and the whole herd here for me like when we were there for Rares and Shy.” AJ said bringing Alex In for a kiss. After the small moment Alex felt one of the twins kick his hand, looking down he let out a small chuckle before leaning down a placing a kiss on his wife’s stomach he whispered “Don’t worry daddy’s got enough love for every pony.”
“They seem to only get rowdy when yer around.” AJ said before picking up one of the bakes goods and eating it, smiling up at her Alex stood up and said “Yes and after there born I’ll do anything and everything to help you.”
“Just like you did with Autumn and Ivory.”
“Exactly, so do you and Big Mac need me to do anything ?” Alex said looking around the house trying to find something he could help out with when Mac spoke up “Not today Alex.........Just stay with AJ today.”
Giving the stallion a bemused look Alex was about to say something when he noticed Sugar Belle standing next to him, holding tightly to his arm an innocent smile adorning her face. Cocking his eyebrow Alex thought ‘when did she get here ?’ after which he looked to Rarity who winked at him before saying “What I think he means is that you can help US by helping AJ with whatever she needs today.”
“Ahhhh alright,” Alex said catching what Rarity was trying to get through to him, looking back to AJ he asked “So what can I do to make you more comfortable today AJ ?”
“Hehe first just sit with me and we can go over some names fer the twins.” AJ answered while putting a spot next to her, quickly taking it the two began to go over names. As she, Big Mac, and Sugar belle left to go do what ever work that needed to be done, looking behind her Rarity felt a smile creep onto her face she called back “You two better let me see those names when we get back.”
“Don’t worry hun we’ll definitely show you once here back.” AJ said before blowing a kiss to her, watching the white mare take her leave AJ looked to her husband who was busy writing names down.
(2:20 pm Carrot Tops Seed and Feed)
Walking out of the supply shop Rarity and Big Mac had to make a quick run but not felt something was off, pulling out her phone she was about to call when Alex’s name popped up hitting accept Rarity placed it to her ear. Hearing some screaming in the background she understood what was going on and said “I’m on my way !”
Looking back at Big Mac he gave her a single nod while saying “ Ah’ll call Fluttershy go.”
Quickly activating her magic she teleported back to the house, appearing on the front porch she heard the screaming rushing inside she quickly made her way upstairs.
(Many agonizing hours later)
Holding the two newest members of their family Rarity, Fluttershy and AJ looked down at them, the first was a human male who had his fathers looks, but a small head of bright orange hair and the pale freckles across his nose showed who his mother was, the latter was a earth filly with a pale yellow coat and her mane/tail color was a dark brown. Holding both children close to her AJ and the others were whispering their love to them, watching from the doorway Alex couldn’t help but smile at them.
Luckily with the help of Dr. Stable and Nurse Redheart the delivery the birth went smoothly, but Dr.Stable did have something she wanted to say to him and AJ before leaving. Hearing a soft cough Alex looked back to see Dr. Stable she was a 45 year old human female, she suddenly appeared here like Alex and many others, she had dark brown skin her hair was still pulled into a tight bun smiling at her Alex said “Hey doc you ready to tell us what’s up ?”
“Indeed, it’s nothing bad just quick dietary advice.”
“Alright let’s head on in.” Alex said motioning for them to head on in, walking up to the new mother and Rarity the doctor cleared her throat, catching Aj’s attention she quickly handed her son to Alex who’d moved beside her. Smiling at her patients Dr.Stable folded her arms against her chest before saying “So good news is both the children are healthier than healthy along with the mother, but before leaving I wanted to let AJ know and along with anypony who wishes to breast feed the children that they will need to increase their intake of nutrients.”
“Of course Doctor we remember having to do that with Autumn........will we need to do that with both the twins or just Uh.”
“Sour Apple is his name while the fillies is Apple Fritter, Rares.” Applejack spoke suddenly looking to her son then back to her daughter, smiling at the names Rarity continued “Or is just for Sour Apple ?”
“For safety concerns I would say for both,” Dr. Stable said looking both children over before continuing “Sour is 7.2 pounds while Apple Fritter is 5.8 pounds, it is better safe than sorry, I can leave a list of foods to eat that would help with milk production unless you have the list from last time ?”
“We would actually like the new list if you don’t mind ?” Fluttershy said while holding Apple fritters hand a smile coming to her face as the filly tightened her grip.
“Of course Miss Shy I’ll leave a couple of list’s on the coffee table for you along with my contact information if you need anymore help.” Dr.Stable said as she exited the room leaving the new family alone to bond. Holding his son Alex couldn’t quit smiling, in his arms was the newest addition to his family whispering softly he said “Tomorrow we’ll introduce you and your sister to everyone.”
(Ponyville Park)
Jogging through the park at night always helped with clearing Rainbows head of worrisome thoughts, it took a awhile but Fluttershy managed to contact her and let her know that everything went great and tomorrow Alex and the herd would introduce every pony to the newest additions. Stopping by a water fountain Rainbow leaned over to get a quick sip of water when it suddenly started to drift toward the sky, staring at the rising liquid Rainbow felt the hairs on her neck starting to rise.
Spreading her wings the prismatic mare catapulted into the air climbing as fast as she could, looking back down she saw a bright blue ball of energy starting to form she realized that a transference was about to happen........but the ball was massive at least eight times larger than the normal ones. It took only sixty seconds for the energy to fully form and explode outward leaving the newest addition or additions to Equestria below covered in a cloud of smoke, gliding down she went to assess the damage to the newest humans and the park. Back on the ground Rainbow made her way over, as she got closer a few voices were speaking in the cloud making their way toward her sighing she tried thinking of a good way to handle this when she lost her train of thought as the cloud dissolved and revealed the newest transfers to Equestria.
Second chance: Convergence
(10:25 a.m.)
Slowly waking up Applejack smelled freshly made pancakes trying to sit up a voice stopped her “Hey hey no getting up, remember Dr. Stable said THREE days rest and you’ve got another forty-eight-hour's to go.”
Looking to the door she saw Alex holding a tray of pancakes and eggs, sighing she leaned back against the headboard a smirk on her face. Walking over Alex placed the tray across her lap as soon as it was settled he got up and turned to the crib by the bed checking on the twins, smiling down at them he looked over to Applejack she whispered “I’m a little surprised they let us sleep through tha night.”
“Me too, kinda.”
“Kinda ?”
“Yeah my transference app went off at midnight,” Alex said with a sigh as he walked to the other side of the bed nodding her head Applejack said “Yeah it’s always sad when one of yah humans comes here, but hopefully they’ll adapt.”
“Yeah, it’s never easy the first couple of days.”
“But you and the local support group will help them get adjusted.” Applejack replied looking over the breakfast she popped a strawberry in her mouth then continued “So did you get any calls from Bar Hopper ?”
“No so I’m guessing that the bar is still standing.”
“Well that’s good, does she know yer opening another bar out in Appaloosa ?”
“Not yet I want to see how she does here before telling her about it.”
“So if everything goes well ?”
“She’ll be the proud boss of Brooke’s Appaloosa Saloon.”
“Pfft still can’t believe you call yer place Brooke’s Ponyville Saloon.” Applejack giggled Alex leaned back while rolling his eyes and said “Hey imma try and build a franchise so my name, a town name or street name, and then saloon seemed like a good idea.”
“Yeah we’ll yer making good money or else we couldn’t afford to have four foals.” Applejack said her gaze lookin over to the crib that held Sour Apple and Apple Fritter. Looking behind him Alex couldn’t help but chuckle standing up he said “Well I’m only a small part Rarity has three shops open and her business is booming, Fluttershy's practice is growing she’s looking for another vet to help out, and your farm has been turning a profit for the last eight years.”
“Yeah, we’ll let’s move off the topic of money, when Is everyone coming by ?”
“Well, the rest of the herd is showing up around eleven-thirty while everyone else should be coming around noon.”
“That’s good, so are Ivory and Autumn excited to meet their baby siblings for the first time ?”
“From what Rarity said over the phone they are very excited.” Alex chuckled remembering the conversation last night and the refusal to have him come over to help, shrugging his shoulders he continued saying “I believe Shy and Rarity are giving them a lecture about how they need to be calm around them.”
“Pfft, there yer kids if anythin they’ll be crazier than a jackrabbit hyped up on caffeine.”
“No doubt now eat the breakfast I have a feeling those two are gonna be waking up soon.” Alex whispered back while pointing a thumb at the twins rolling her eyes Applejack started to dig into the food when her phone buzzed receiving a text from Twilight looking it over she said “Ok well Twi just texted me sayin she has a small favor to ask of us when she gets here at noon.”
“Ok is this gonna be before or after the baby introduction party and what’s it for?” Alex asked cocking an eyebrow at the mare who quickly texted her friend back, quickly receiving the next text she said “After and it has somethin tah do with tha transfers she said she’d explain once she got here.”
“This can’t be good”
“Ah have tah agree with yah on that.”
“So is it just me or all of us?” Alex asked looking over Applejack who’d finished the last of the food, shrugging her shoulders she said “ Ah believe it’s gonna be all of us but she never specified.”
“Ok well let’s get these two dressed and ready for the party.” Alex said a smile coming to his face he made his way over to the dresser and pulled out two outfits Rarity had teleported over for the twins to wear during their introduction to everypony sighing Alex said "Well those are some really good looking outfits she sent over for the twins to wear."
"Can't argue with that." Applejack said eyeing the outfits she took a large bite out of her food humming in delight she looked to her husband and said "Ah'm glad yah stayed the night ah've missed haven you in bed with me."
"Me too AJ on both accounts," Alex said a smile gracing his face as he watched his wife enjoy her breakfast hearing the twins start to fuss he sighed and muttered ", and so it begins."
(After the introduction party)
Watching as his daughters carefully played with their new siblings with Fluttershy Alex turned back to Twilight and the others with a serious expression on his face he asked “Ok so what was it we needed to talk about ?”
Motioning for the group to follow her outside Twilight said “Let’s step away from the children before we continue.” nodding in agreement everyone attending stepped out onto the front porch where Twilight took a breath and said “So as you have guessed we had a transfer happen last night and Rainbow was there to meet the newest residents of equis.”
“Yeah Rainbow mentioned that,” Alex looked over at the prismatic mare who simply looked away from he refusing to make eye contact sighing he asked “But why did you need me for a favor ?”
“Alex do you know what the largest transference in history was ?”
“Well of course Gloria told me about it day one it was the Marcus family.” Alex answered about fifty years ago a family of ten taking a road trip across America in there sedan was transferred to Equestria to far they were the largest transferred group the family, the second being a group of six that were camping in the Australian outback, they made national news for almost two whole years in both America and Equestria Alex had done a report for class on their mysterious disappearance when he was in highschool. Scratching his head Alex took a breath and asked “So this new group is larger than the Marcus family ?”
“Yes.......it was a sixth grade field trip with twenty kids and six adults.” Twilight said everyone stared their mouths gaping at her except Rainbow twenty six humans transferred into Equestria in one day. Rubbing his eyes Alex couldn’t imagine the headlines of his old home, but he could imagine that some of them were having trouble coping with the sudden change and finding themselves in a strange land filled with walking talking ponies leaning against the wall he asked “So what’s the favor you need Twi ?”
“At the moment the group is staying at Soft Pillow inn and Mr. Richards is waving off the fees,” Taking a breath she met Alex’s eyes and continued “I was hoping we could use your restaurant to meet tomorrow evening, Tyler and Ellie won’t be free till then to meet and I think we’ll need every member of the support group for this.”
“Agreed,” Alex muttered while rubbing his face, reaching into his pocket he pulled out his phone and said “I’ll call Bar Hopper and let her know what’s goin on and to have ask a few staff members if they would stay after hours to help.”
“Thank you Alex.” Twilight said a smile gracing her lips, smiling back Alex gave a her a nod. Stepping away from the group he called Bar Hopper and informed her of the plan, it didn’t take long but Alex got the volunteers he needed. Looking back toward the group Alex thought ‘Tomorrow is gonna be rough.’
(Ten minutes before the meeting)
Looking around the eating area Alex and a few employees had moved the tables back and five chairs were placed in front of them. Hearing a bell ring Alex looked up to see the support group councilors making their way in leading them was an elderly woman named Sandra Druberry she is one of the oldest councilors of the support group she’d been teleported to Equestria sixty three years ago, next was Stable Condition she’d been teleported here when she was just a child and raised by ponies. After her was Tyler a young man who’d been teleported eight years ago he had become a local teacher while his twin sister Ellie who’d been teleported along with him had become a journalist. Walking up to him Sandra smiled at him and said "So i heard you have a couple new additions to the family ?"
"Yes they were born yesterday a boy and filly."
"That's very good." smiling Sandra turned and watched a few of the staff members greet the other members sighing she said "So how bad do you think its gonna be ?"
"Well its a group of twenty middle schoolers along with six adults," Alex began guiding Sandra to her chair while placing her usual order of food he continued ", from what I can guess is there stressed out of their minds so hopefully speaking to us will help them calm down and show that living here isn't so bad."
"Well we'll have too do our best." Sandra said smiling up at Alex who just shrugged his shoulders as he made his way behind the bar grabbing a couple of drinks he threw together a couple of drinks handing one over to Sandra he held the other up and said "To our best."
Clinking the drinks together they took a small sip noticing the others making the way over setting them down Alex leaned back and asked "So what can I get you ?"
Once the drinks had been passed out to everyone present they began discussing what each had been up to for the last couple days. As time flew and the group finished the food and drinks given to them they soon heard a bell ring turning they saw Twilight with a small smile on her face after a moment children began filing in looking around with worried eyes, quite a few were puffy and red from a long day of crying. Following soon behind them were the adults each of them looking slightly surprised at the five adults sitting at the bar, looking them over Alex gave them a curt nod before turning to Twilight who'd made her way to the front of the group. Clearing her throat Twilight put on her best smile and said "Ok so I know you all are worried about what has happened to you and how you've ended up here."
"Course we are worried !" one of the adults spoke a woman close to Alex's age she had pale blonde hair and piercing bright green eyes that were glaring at her, standing up she continued "We were on a simple museum trip when we suddenly appeared in the middle of a park !"
"Ms. Harris I understand you're upset and worried but I promise Equestria is more than welcoming to all those transferred here," Twilight explained motioning to the support group she continued "I've asked for some volunteers who help in a local support group for those recently transferred."
"They have all been here for a number of years and each of them have been transferred at different times in there life."
"What does that have to do with ANYTHING !" she yelled slamming a hand on the table standing up Sandra cleared her throat catching the attention of everyone present speaking clearly she said "Hello my name is Sandra Druberry, I am 88 years old and have lived here for sixty three years. Like many of you I was terrified when the transference happened to me i went from a small town trying to find a job as a teacher to a large city filled with ponies," walking over to Twilight she placed a hand on her shoulder and continued her voice firm and authoritative "The Equestrians helped me create a life here, they taught me I became a teacher and helped mold the minds of young foals and children for forty years. They will help you also if you allow us, BUT that is only if you allow them to help you."
Shocked by the sudden accusation the woman sat back down and became very quiet even some of the kids were shocked by her sudden reluctance. Smiling again Sandra took a seat and let Twilight continue after a moment the restaurant staff went to the groups and began taking orders from the people, after the orders were taken both Tyler and Ellie stepped up and introduced themselves they then went over what they did for a living and how the Equestrians helped them. Alex looked over the group watching the group he saw that many were enjoying the food and were participating by asking questions, once the twins finished Stable walked up and introduced herself as she said her name many of the humans looked between each other.
Chuckling she told them the story how she appeared here as a three year old and was picked up off the side of the road by a nice pony couple who eventually adopted her. They raised her as one of there own it actually took here fifteen years before she realized she wasn't an actually pony, this raised a lot of questions that many of the children and some adults asked her. It took nearly forty minutes before the group quieted down enough to allow Alex's turn as he walked up Alex noted that the room was so quiet the crickets outside could be heard. Standing before the group Alex raised a hand and introduced himself "It's nice to meet you all my name is Alex Brooke and I was transported here twelve years ago while I was driving home and....”
As Alex explained his arrival and how he’d been living in Equestria for the past twelve years. He failed to notice a pair of eyes widening in shock while a hand was placed over her mouth she finally placed why this man looked so familiar to her.