Twilight stared at the portal that usually lead to the world her friends from the high school existed in, blinking slightly. It was a completely different color, as was the magic at the peak of the arch. An experiment she and Starlight had been trying lately. Twilight’s new home had allowed them access to gems containing different elements, besides those of the Elements of Harmony. Sitting in the crystal chamber at the peak of the arch was a reddish orange crystal. On the other end of the portal, beings that looked like her friends from the high school were walking back and forth, going about their day.

One huge difference were the couples that passed the portal frequently. Some of them had wings, some had tails, some had animalian ears, and some had none of the above. Several in outfits that looked to exude a type of authority had all three. “What do you think Princess?” Twilight asked and Celestia stared at it for a moment before nodding.

“I believe this would be an opportunity to further expand your group of friends Twilight. But, for the purpose of safety, I would take at least one of your friends through with you.” The princess said and her student nodded. The entire purpose behind this trip was exploratory. Ten years ago, Luna and Celestia had been visited by a seer from the Zebras. Equestria was doomed to die. Its core would soon fail, causing the planet itself to implode on itself, forming a massive singularity where the planet had once stood.

It had been through a joint consul between Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Twilight and representatives of other nations across Equestria that this exploratory mission had begun. The hopeful plan was that the two ponies who went through the portal would find the inhabitants of the world they entered receptive to allowing them to venture to their world. At which point, the portal would be moved from Twilight’s Castle to something that, formerly, only Pegasi messengers and the Royalty knew of. The Bi-Frost.

Every world Celestia had seen had some mention of a Bi-Frost, though not one like theirs. The Equestrian Bi-Frost was a means of rapid transportation for the flying members of Equestria. At every ring of the Bi-Frost, save for those under water, there was a catching station, where Ponies would be alerted to travelers. They would then set up a gigantic net to catch the travelers, who were moving much faster than the speed of light, becoming little more than blurs of color. This particular journey would be Twilight’s first.

“I’ll go with you Twi. You’ll need some back up, and, suffice it to say, you’re not as fast as I am.” Rainbow said and Twilight smiled and nodded.

“Very well. If you get trapped in that world, we will send rescuers from our new friends. They may not blend in well, but they have assured us that nothing will stop them from rescuing you.” Celestia said, looking over at the new soldiers lining the walls around the portal. They were wolves. Massive wolves. All of them were at least as tall as Celestia and her sister, and they were built like Big Macintosh, but the one standing next to Celestia seemed to be the leader. Like the rest of them, he wore a cloak, but he also had armor on his shoulders, legs, and across his back hidden under his cloak.

“I’d feel better if one of us went with you instead… but I suppose Princess Celestia knows best.” The wolf standing beside her said. “We would stick out like a sore paw. Not to mention if our weaponry isn’t common in that world, it’s more likely we’ll be in danger from that worlds guards.” Twilight nodded and she and Rainbow moved towards the portal.

“One more thing. If you get in trouble, seek out yourselves for help. Normally we would say otherwise, but in this situation, we highly recommend it.” Luna said and Twilight nodded. Rainbow shrugged and the two of them touched the portal, instantly disappearing through it.

As soon as they stepped out of the portal, Twilight and Rainbow both looked at themselves in the mirror. “Is this what you looked like when you when through the mirror the first time?” Rainbow asked, examining herself. Her skin was the same color as her coat, but she ported a long dragon like tail and powerful dragon like wings. Two horns sprouted from her head above her ears and her physique seemed slightly larger. Twilight looked at herself in the mirror and reached up, touching the pointed ears atop her head. Her tail flipped behind her and she blinked. Three tails? Odd... Otherwise, she looked the same as she had at Canterlot High.

“Almost... but I didn’t have a tail or ears. I certainly didn’t have three tails.”

“And I guess I’m a dragon?” Rainbow asked and the two looked at each other. Their clothes were... generic. Skirts, shoes, shirt and jacket.

“Of course you’re a dragon. What did you expe... wait... you’re not Rainbow.” A voice said beside them and they turned to see Applejack. Rather than pony features, or dragon features, she seemed to balance on a long, slender tail. That tail descended from beneath her skirt, a bag thrown over her shoulder. “Who are you?” She asked, her tail moving slowly, deliberately, as if trying to constrict the two of them.

“I am Rainbow. See.” Rainbow said, spreading her arms wide.

“Nu-uh. Rainbow Dash doesn’t wear skirts.” Applejack said and her tail lashed out quickly, twining around the two imposters. “And Twilight sure ain’t no three tail.”

“W...wait... I can... explain...” Twilight gasped, her chest straining as Applejack’s tail squeezed them.

“Start talkin’ then.”

“We... came for... help... through the... mirror...”

“Through th’ mirror? Sure, like Ah’m gonna b’leive that.”

“Hold on AJ.” Another voice said and the two looked over as a centaur Pinkie Pie trotted over, another person on her back reading a book. “They’re right. See.” Pinkie said, lifting her left rear pony leg. Applejack eyed Twilight and Rainbow for a moment before ducking down.

“Really...?”

“Yup. Rolly belly means visitors from another world.”

“So... aliens.”

“Of course not darling... Pinkie dear, let me down.” The person Pinkie’s back sad and Pinkie lowered herself down just a tad as the spitting image of Rarity stepped down. “They aren’t aliens. They stepped through the mirror. Meaning they are our friends from another world.” Rarity said as she set her book down, slipping it into a bag. Twilight’s eyes went wide as six tails swayed out from behind her. “If you’re going to impersonate our world’s Rainbow Dash, perhaps you should do a little research on her first.” Rarity said and Rainbow groaned. The other girls all smiled a little.

“Typical Dashie.” Pinkie said and Applejack nodded, setting the two of them down.

“So wait... you know...?”

“I know everything magical that happens at this school. I am not a teacher, however. It is merely who I am.”

“Six tailed demon foxes can sense magic.” Pinkie said and Rarity nodded.

“Ah thought you said you didn’t like us girls ridin’ your back Pinkie.” Applejack said and Pinkie looked at her.

“You squeeze, Rainbow’s butt hurts, and Fluttershy... well... but Rarity’s always nice.”

“I do not squeeze.”

“Be that as it may... I do believe we should take you to our leaders.” Rarity said and Pinkie lowered down again to allow her to remount. “Applejack, no constricting.” She said as Pinkie stood up and turned around. Falling into step behind them, Twilight and Rainbow followed the three into the building.

“What were you about to say about Fluttershy?” Twilight asked and Pinkie looked over at her then up at Rarity.

“Fluttershy is a dragon, much like Rainbow Dash. However... she embraced her dragonic nature some time ago. She stopped coming to school, always hoards gold when she finds it, and rarely answers her phone anymore.” Rarity said and Rainbow looked up at her. “Rainbow hasn’t been at school for the last few days as well, come to think of it.”

“You don’t think Fluttershy got tired of her and ate her do you?” Applejack asked and Rarity shook her head.

“No. Despite her... wild nature... Rainbow is still her dearest friend. She would never do anything to harm Rainbow Dash.” Rarity said as the doors swung open. Twilight and Rainbow followed them in, several students giving Twilight, specifically, a very wide berth.

“They act like they’re scared of me...” Twilight said and Rarity looked over at her.

“As they should. You are a rather intimidating individual.”

“Twilight? Intimidating?” Rainbow asked before throwing back her head and laughing. The students around them all froze in their tracks, sharing looks.

“You’ll see when we get there.” Rarity said as they all walked, or slithered in Applejack’s case, to one of the class rooms. “Welcome to the Elements Club.” She said, Applejack slithering into the room. Rarity and Fluttershy walked in first, holding the door as Pinkie ducked through.

“Well?” Twilight froze hearing that voice and peered around Pinkie’s shoulders. Sitting at the desk, fingers twined with each other, nine tails whipping behind her, was Twilight.

“We found ‘em.” Pinkie said as Rainbow stepped down. Twilight followed suit as her doppelganger stood up.

“I see. Applejack, didn’t I give explicit orders to dispose of clones?” Twilight snapped and Applejack flinched.

“She... she ain’t a clone... though... Twi...” Applejack said as the nine tailed Twilight strode over and grabbed Twilight’s hair, yanking her roughly around and shoving her in Applejack’s face.

“This looks like a clone to me.” Twilight snapped.

“Hey, let her go.”

“Be quite.” Twilight snapped again and Rainbow froze. This was definitely not Twilight. “I ordered you, both you and Pinkie Pie, to dispose of clones if you found them. Now, one of you get rid of this one, or I will.”

“She’s not a clone.” Pinkie said and Twilight turned her glare on the centaur mare. “See.” Pinkie said as she lifted her leg again. Twilight sighed and looked. “Rolly belly. They aren’t clones.”

“So I see. Then what do you want?” Nine-tailed Twilight asked, releasing Twilight’s hair and letting her drop to the floor.

“Our world is dying... and we need a new home...” Twilight whimpered and her counterpart looked down at her.

“This is not it.” She said as she walked back to the desk. "However... I have learned to trust Pinkie Pie’s Pinkie Sense. If you are not a clone, and are indeed from another world, this cannot be your new home. Our resources are depleted enough with the war.”

“War...?” Twilight asked and her counterpart nodded.

“We are at war with the humans. Though they refuse to call it that. They merely say it is a minor disagreement.” Twilight said as she stood and walked over to a closet, throwing the doors open and revealing a map. “They have already infiltrated Crystal Prep Academy. We captured the spy they sent us. Applejack, has she been disposed of yet?”

“Not yet, Twi. We were just about to do that yesterday when school ended.”

“I see. If you two truly are here to help, you may assist todays’ executioner with disposing of the spy. Applejack, it was you today, was it not?” Applejack nodded then her eyes widened and she scratched her head.

“Darn it, that was t’day? Sorry Twi... Applebloom needs some help with a project at school. Ah’m gonna have to pass it off t’ someone else.”

“Pinkie Pie then.”

“Okie Dokie Lokie. How should I do it?” Pinkie asked and Twilight waved her off.

“Use your imagination. Just make sure she’s disposed of.”

“Okie Dokie. Come on.” She said as she scooped Rainbow and Twilight up, walking out of the club room and down the hall.

“Wait a minute... are we really going to execute someone?” Twilight asked and Pinkie nodded.

“Yuppie Duppie. Crystal Prep teaches humans how to fight monsters like us. Gotta make sure they can’t go back and tell their friends how to get into our school, right?” Pinkie said as she stepped onto an elevator and pushed a button her with tail. As the elevator opened, two regular ponies stepped out. Twilight couldn’t help but breath in relief, until she did a double take. They had pony hind quarters but human torsos. Before the elevator door closed, Pinkie grabbed it and held it open. “Bulk, Biff, Twilight sent me down to deal with the spy. I’m showing the newbies here how it’s done.” She said and the two centaurs tossed her a thumbs up before she released the door.

“You... have a method?”

“We all do. Twilight usually turns them into cheese and crackers for Rarity.” Pinkie said and Twilight blinked. “Applejack tends to constrict and squeeze. Fluttershy’s been exempt from executions ever since she vomited on Twilight because she got brain on her dress.”

“But... Fluttershy’s a dragon... isn’t she?”

“She usually just torches them. No brains or guts to splatter anywhere.”

“And Rainbow?”

“Rainbow does whatever she feels like.” Pinkie said, her face suddenly annoyed and angry.

“Um...?”

“Here we are.” Pinkie said as she pushed open the door. Kneeling inside, her arms chained to the walls, head down...

“Sunset Shimmer?” Twilight asked and the girl looked up at them. One eye was closed, a slash running from the rim of her hair to her chin. Her lips were splitting badly because of how dry they were. Her body was covered in bruises, cuts and bites. “Have you been torturing her?” Twilight asked as Pinkie let her down. Twilight immediately went to Sunset’s side, only for the girl to shy away from her, trying hard to get away, the chains rattling in their hoops.

“Well, yeah. We had to get information out of her. Not that she gave us any.” Pinkie said and Twilight looked over at Rainbow.

“This isn’t right... in the other world like ours, everyone is human and we’re all friends with Sunset...”

“Well, maybe in that world. In this one, she’s a monster hunter, just like those others at Crystal Prep.”

“N... m... no...” Sunset muttered, her throat too dry to actually talk.

“Liar.” Pinkie said as she walked over to Sunset, standing tall over the two girls. “All humans hunt monsters. You make a game out of it. Treating us like pigs or lambs for the slaughter. How’s it feel to be on the receiving end for once?”

“Pinkie please stop?” Twilight asked and Pinkie looked at her. “She’s terrified, can’t you see that?”

“It’s a ploy. She’s playing you for a fool. If you actually were our worlds Twilight, you wouldn’t have hesitated to tear out her heart.”

“But I’m not!” Twilight shouted and Pinkie flinched, her ears going flat as Twilight’s voice echoed around the chamber. “I’m not your worlds Twilight. I’m not going to kill her just because she’s human.”

“She’s a spy. She... she snuck into our school to spy on us for Crystal Prep.” Pinkie said and Twilight glared up at her.

“Did you guys even bother to check her bag before putting her in here?” Twilight asked, looking at Sunset’s bag in the corner, along with the shredded remains of her clothes.

“Well, no... but...” Rainbow zipped over to the bag and looked through it, eventually coming up with a letter that she brought over to Twilight. Twilight took the letter and opened it.

“To the Desk of Principal Celestia, Head Demoness of Canterlot High

“Sunset Shimmer has asked to be transferred into your school to strengthen relations between humans and monsters. She does so of her own free will and volition. Enclosed within is her transcripts from Crystal Prep Academy. Please see that she is treated fairly and justly as a new student of Canterlot High.

“Dean Cadance.”

“She... she isn’t a spy...?” Pinkie asked and Twilight shoved the letter into Pinkie’s face. “But... I was sure... I thought... oh no...” Pinkie muttered as she pushed a button beside the elevator. Twilight and Rainbow watched the elevator go up before turning back to Sunset.

“We need to get her some water and bandages.” Twilight said and Pinkie pointed towards a door at the back of the room. Rainbow dashed over to it, pushed it open and returned shortly with a canteen of water and enough bandages to mummify Sunset. While Twilight set to work bandaging Sunset’s injuries, Rainbow held the canteen to her lips and let her drink. Minutes later, the elevator dinged its return, Twilight and Applejack stepping out of the elevator.

“What’s the meaning of this Pinkie? I ordered you to execute the spy.” Twilight snapped and Pinkie held the letter out to her. Twilight snatched it and read over it, her face growing ever more upset as she went. “Oh no...”

“What’s up sug?” Applejack asked and Twilight looked at Sunset.

“She’s a transfer student...” Twilight said and Applejack’s eyes went wide. “Quick, she needs healing before Principal Celestia gets a call from Crystal Prep.”

“We don’t know healin’ magic Twi.” Applejack said and Twilight’s eyes narrowed as she grabbed Pinkie and spun her around, hiking her tail up.

“Centaurs have natural wells of healing magic in their wombs. Shove her in.”

“Wait... what?” Twilight asked as Applejack proceeded to lift Sunset while her counterpart held Pinkie’s tail aloft. “Can’t we...” she stopped as the lamia shoved the human into Pinkie’s vagina with enough force she was sucked completely inside Pinkie Pie, the centaur’s vagina giving off what sounded like a belch as her stomach bulged. “talk about this...”

“No. There’s no time to talk about this. If she dies, this school will be shut down. Safer to say the excitable Centaur sat on her and Sunset got stuck than to openly admit we were going to execute her just because she’s a human.”

“While Ah’m usually the one spoutin’ the truth, and how bein’ honest is always the best bet, this is the safer option.” Applejack said and Twilight slapped her forehead. “You sure yer alright with this Pinkie?”

“Yeah. I’ve had bigger shoved up there before.”

“So now what? We just... leave her in there?”

“Should be about two days before we can let her out with the beating she got.” Pinkie said and Twilight groaned.

“Something tells me this isn’t the best place to make our new home.” Rainbow said and Twilight nodded.

“I agree. While I’m glad no one is going to lose their life, especially Sunset, I think we need to look elsewhere.” Twilight said and her counterpart looked at them.

“New home? What are you talking about?”

“Our Equestria is... falling apart. A Zebrican Seer came to Celestia and Luna and predicted that the core of our planet is dying. That was ten years ago. We just recently started seeing signs of it. Volcanos erupting, entire oceans evaporating. We’re searching for a new home before our planet dies.” Twilight said and the others all looked at each other.

“I hate to be the barer of bad news, but I think you’re right. This world is definitely not the one for you. Having a double of everyone already in it would be a poor idea.” Nine-Tailed Twi said and Twilight nodded.

“I thought so. The mirror portal should be open now, so we can go back and report our findings.” Twilight said and they all nodded and followed her out to the front lawn. “Alright. Thank you for... not executing Sunset.”

“Thank you for informing us. We’ll keep a closer watch on the portal from here out, in case something else comes through that isn’t friendly.”

“If it does, we’ll deal with it.” Rainbow said, her tail coiling around in front of her like a seat. Rainbow smiled at her snake tailed counterpart before stepping through the portal. Twilight smiled at all of them before following her friend through. The last thing she heard was a timid voice.

“Sorry I missed school today... Pinkie... are you pregnant?” Twilight couldn’t help but smile as she stepped out of the mirror.

“What did you find?” Celestia asked and Rainbow and Twilight looked at each other.

“That world is a bust.” They said together and Celestia sighed, scratching a number off of a list. A burst of Twilight’s magic marked it as “Monster World”.

Author's Note

I hope ya'll like it... if you notice any mistakes... point them out to me in quotes and explain. I wrote this over the course of two days while working on getting a job that's gonna have me up all night. Enjoy it, tell me what you think, and I'll get the next chapter up soon-ish.