A Second Chance

"You're sure this is a good idea?" Josh asked, as he waited at the train station along with Twilight. "I mean, sending me off to the Crystal Empire doesn't seem like a recipe for success. Sending me on my own seems doubly worse."

"You'll be fine, it's only 2 weeks." Twilight said, as she handed Josh a large bag. "Besides, you're going off to train with Shining. Like we agreed on."

Josh looked at his sword, he did want to keep it but was it worth doing Twilight's little safety precaution. "I don't think this is really necessary, it's not like I'll hurt anyone."

Twilight looked at him, "Remember what happened when you forgot it on the stairs?" She asked.

Josh remembered, more specifically remembering waking up to Spike tripping and falling down the stairs. Funny yes, but only until he got a 10 minute lecture from Twilight. "It was one time, and besides it hasn't happened again."

The train finally arrived, and ponies began entering the train-cars. Twilight looked at Josh, "It's now or never, you learn how to use a sword properly and safely, or you sell it."

Josh looked at the train and back to Twilight, "Fine, I'll see you in 2 weeks Twilight."

Twilight smiled at this, "Good choice, and don't forget to write! Oh and don't be nervous, I'm sure you'll have a blast!" Twilight encouraged her human friend, as he stepped onto the train. After giving the conductor his ticket, he found a seat and relaxed. Well, relaxed as best he could with ponies giving him looks. He was still pretty unknown, despite him knowing a princess.

As the train left the station, we watched Ponyville grow further and further away. Then turned his attention towards his bag, reaching inside he dug for a book he hoped Twilight packed for him. Reaching around until he felt what he could only guess was a book, he pulled it out.

"Power Ponies: Issue 1, This must be one of Spikes comic books he always talks about. Guess he lent me one." Josh thought to himself, as he began reading. He wasn't much into comic books, but it provided some entertainment for the ride.

He read the comic and watched as the landscape rushed by, looking at the beautiful open field, passing rivers and small towns. He found it peaceful to just watch the world go by, no problems, just a gorgeous view.

"Hey mister, what are you?" A young sounding voice asked, causing Josh to look towards the source.

"Pardon?" He asked, as he now looked at a young dark-blue colt with dark blue hair.

"What are you? I've never seen anything like you before." The colt asked again.

"I'm a human?" Josh replied, confused as to why this mattered.

"You look funny!" The colt said before laughing.

Josh was confused by this, was he just insulted? Just then however an older looking mare would approach from behind the colt. "Nightlight, leave that.....Person alone." The mare said, trying her best to not insult Josh by not knowing him.

"It's alright, I understand I'm an unusual site." Josh said, as he went back to reading. He didn't know why but something about this bothered him, he didn't know what about it or why it did. But he just went back to reading.

Josh watched as the train came to a stop, and looked at the unique crystal like houses. He was surprised at how quick the ride felt, guess the view and the small nap he took was enough to distract him from how long it was. As he stood up to exit, a purple Pegasus with blue guard armor entered the train.

"Would one Joshua Hill please step forward." He said, in a low but demanding voice.

"Right here." Josh said, as he approached the guard.

The guard looked up at the Human, "Please follow me." He would say, as he turned.

Josh would follow the guard, a guide was better finding his way through trial and error. Exiting the train car he was surprised to see that a squad of around 10 guards were waiting for him, along with Prince Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Josh immediately bowed, "Shining Armor, Princess Cadenza, it is an honor to have been invited here."

"Indeed, welcome to the Crystal Empire." Princess Cadenza said, as she and Shining approached.

"We hope the trip wasn't rough." Shining Armor said, "Twilight filled us in on everything, I would be glad to help you with your swordsmanship."

Josh let out a light chuckle, "Thanks but I'm mostly here to learn proper safety when storing the thing, not planning on becoming an elite swordsmen."

"Oh common, it'll be fun!" Shining insisted, "Besides, you're here for the full two weeks. Twilight has insisted on that."

Josh sighed, "Yeah, I thought she would have. Alright, I guess it couldn't hurt."

"Great, now follow us." Shining turned around, "We will show you where you're staying."

Josh Followed the Royal couple as he was flanked by guards and media who were eating it up, an unknown creature that can talk and was with the Prince and Princess. If he knew one thing it's that people would love that, regardless he followed through the streets. Making his way to the massive crystal-castle, he was quickly whisked inside out of the public.

"Sorry about all the attention, but even if you were a pony there would have been crowds of ponies flocking to see who the royal couple was making a personal visit too." Cadance said, looking back at Josh as they walked through the castle.

"It's fine, I'm used to getting attention for just existing." Josh said, as he continued to look at the castle walls. He wondered to himself if every building was made of a crystal like material. As they made their way through the castle, they reached and stopped in front of a set of doors.

"This is where you'll be staying." Shining armor said, opening the door. The room was big, and looked like it belonged in a castle. The bed alone was big by this world's standards and it seemed to have it's own bathroom.

"I think this is the wrong room." Josh said, getting a laugh from both Shining and Cadence.

"Why would you think that?" Cadanced asked.

"Well, I'm not a noble or a prince or anything really. I'm just a regular guy." Josh responded.

"Perhaps, but you are a guest and you shall be comfortable." Cadence said, smiling at the human who stood only a few centimeters shorter than her.

Josh was silent for a second before speaking, "Thanks, guess I'll get myself settled." He said, before walking into the room and dropping his bag. Feeling the weight leave his back was relieving and he couldn't help but stretch a bit. "Boy, was that bag heavy." Josh said, as he turned back to Shining and Cadence.

"Well, I'm guessing you want a day to yourself too adjust to the new surroundings." Shining asked Josh.

"I mean, a tour of the city would help. Plus I think this place seems awesome." Josh said, as he once again looked at the walls. "I mean, a city made of crystals. I've never seen anything like it!" Josh placed his hand on the walls and it was indeed crystal.

"Well, I'm sure we can arrange something." Cadence said with a smile, "But right now, you should just tour the castle. Me and Shining have our hands full running the Empire, but once we take care of today's matters then we can take a little tour."

"By myself?" Josh questioned.

"Of course, Twilight trusts you so I'm sure you won't get in any trouble." Cadence replied, "Unless you can't behave?"

"No it's just...." Josh felt himself blush.

"Oh relax, the castle staff will help if you need it." Cadance and Shining turned around. "We will see you in a bit, farewell for now."

As Shining and Cadence walked away, Josh decided why not tour the castle. He walked the halls and admired the portraits and the look of the castle. He had never been in one on Earth but this must be hundreds of times more beautiful than anything he could find in Europe or Asia. He definitely wouldn't have found an entire building made of crystal on Earth, let alone an entire city. As he walked he noticed some of the staff giving him a mix of nervous and curious stares, certainly the sight of a commoner wondering the castle like they owned the place was one thing. The commoner being a human, well that was something even more out of the ordinary. However, as he walked he felt something. He didn't know what it was but it was like something he had felt before, at first he ignored it but soon he found himself trying to find it's source. It wasn't a sound or a smell, he didn't know what it was but it had a source that he was trying to find.

After some time he had located it to a set of doors, it was in a rather quiet and empty part of the castle. Opening the door he looked around, it was a storage room. Entering he felt whatever it was but he couldn't tell what it was, searching the room he noticed something covered by a sheet. Pulling it off revealed a mirror, but the feeling didn't change.

"Damn it, it's like an itch I can't scratch." Josh said, as he looked into the mirror. He put the sheet back onto it, and felt the feeling reside. "What the hell was that? Do I have the flu or something?" Josh thought to himself as he made his way back to his room.

As he entered the room he plopped onto the bed he stared aimlessly at the ceiling, he had to wait for Cadance and Shining to finish up whatever business they had to attend to. Using his still undeveloped magic skills to pull his bag over to him, opening it up he searched through it and found a book on the history of the Crystal Empire. He thanked Twilight for packing him something about history and began reading, getting lost in the pages he barely noticed when someone knocked on his door. "One moment please!" Josh shouted out as he closed the book, walking to the door. Opening it he found an orange Pegasus with blue eyes waiting for him.

"Hello! You must be Joshua Hill." The Pegasus said, offering a hoof. "I'm Flash Sentry, I have been assigned to guard you while you stay in the empire."

Josh shook his hoof, "Nice to meet you Flash. My name is, well Josh."

"Princess Cadence has summoned you, please follow me!" Flash said as he turned around. Josh followed him through the castle, soon they arrived at a throne room and entered to Princess Cadance and Shining Armor waiting for them.

"Thank you Flash." Cadence said as Flash bowed, "Have you enjoyed your tour of the castle?" She asked now looking at Josh.

"It was fine, you'd be surprised at how much fun you can have just looking at different walls." Josh replied with a chuckle.

"Well, we've finished all we need to for today. How about we take that tour?" Cadence asked Josh.

"Sure, is Flash going to be showing me?" Josh questioned, getting a laugh from Cadance and Shining.

"No, we are. As in Me, you and Shining." Cadence replied, "We thought it would be best if we came with you, just in case any decided to bother you."

Josh smiled at this, and laughed at the fact he somehow got himself in favor with a princess. "Alright, I can't wait to see all the cool buildings and sights the Crystal Empire has to offer!"

With that, Josh left to explore the city with the royal couple. Guard followed closely behind them but they gave them space and freedom to check everything out. Josh couldn't help but look in awe at every single building and statue they passed. Shining and Cadence laughed at how excited he got with every new building or park they passed by. After a long day, Josh was exhausted and retired for the night.

"Well, guessing you had a blast today huh?" Shining asked an exhausted Josh, who yawned.

"Yeah, it was great. Thanks for showing me everything." Josh would yawn again as he opened the door to his room.

"Glad to hear it, now please get some rest. I would hate for you to be exhausted in the morning." Cadence said.

"Alright, I'll see you guys in the morning." Josh said, as he closed the door and plopped onto his bed. He wrapped himself up in the fuzzy blankets, and it didn't take long for him to close his eyes and rest.

Josh woke up in a familiar environment, an empty space that looked like the night sky. The waves of blue and the stars still amazed him, he also got excited because he knew what this meant. Turning around it didn't take long for him to spot Luna, sitting at a table sipping on some tea. As if on cue, she turned to him and greeted him with a friendly smile. "Greetings young Hill, it seems we once more meet in the dream scape."

Josh made his way over to Luna and took a set across from her, "Luna, how have you been?" He asked, starting the conversation off friendly.

"Good, but I am afraid I am not here to have a simple friendly chat." Luna spoke, as she sipped her tea once more.

"Oh?" Josh raised an eyebrow, "Then what brings you here?"

"Well, as you know my job involves guiding the ponies of Equestria in their dreams when needed." She spoke, looking at Josh. "And it seems that you are in need of my guidance."

Josh scoffed at this, "Guidance? With what? I'm feeling perfectly fine, and I'm on a sweet vacation to learn more abo-" Josh was cut off by Luna.

"Young Hill, I can do more than you think. I can look into your mind, and when I do I can see you are hiding your true feelings." Luna spoke, causing a shift in the mood.

"What do I need to hide? I love it here! Great people, great food, great friends." Josh wrote off Luna's worries.

"Yet you are still sad deep down, you still long to return to Earth." Luna replied, causing Josh to grow a somber look.

Josh looked down for a second before laughing, "Earth, that place sucked."

"Yet your family and friends of old still call it home while you stay here?" Luna said, causing Josh to go silent as she continued. "Though you hide it, you are still deeply saddened by the fact you may never see your loved ones again. Torn at the notion of waking again to them not being there, of you not being able to see your friends." Luna took another sip of her tea, "And what of the grievances you have of your actions here? I can tell how you regret your mindless attack against Trixie Lulamoon, and how you have taken such anger out of those who try and help."

Josh didn't look at Luna, just at the table in a sad silence. She was right, he was still hurting over a lot of things even if he didn't show it. Luna continued, "Yet you choose to hide it, hide it all and I fail to understand why. You know that Twilight and her friends care for you, yet you act like you cannot speak to them."

Josh then stood up, "You done? Because I think I wanna wake up now..."

"Now is not the time for unneeded anger, now is the time for healing." Luna stood up and walked over to Josh, she wasn't much taller then the human but still stood a good few above him. "If you allow me too, I can help you. Twilight and everypony else who cares for you may help, but you must allow us too." She offered a hoof to Josh.

Josh let out a sigh, "Thanks Luna, sorry I'm a bit of a-"

"Bravo, bravo! Encore!" Josh was interrupted, as he looked to see another human. He was wearing a blue tunic that stretched from his shoulders to just above the knees, along with black pants and black boots. His eyes were an emerald green and he had blond hair, his face looked as if he was seventeen. "You two are so beautiful together! Two tragic stories of love and loss, banished from their home to a foreign land! I would shed a tear, if it wasn't so funny!" He would begin laughing as if he genuinely thought it was funny.

Josh quickly moved back, "Who the hell are you?" he asked.

"It's me, William." The boy said, as he teleported behind Josh. "Though I agree with what you said, that name is garbage." He said, as he pushed Josh to the ground. As Josh went to get up he felt something push his face back into the ground, "So how about you call me....Malum." Malum then quickly moved out of the way of an oncoming blast from Luna.

"William, how has thou regained thy body?" Luna asked, as Malum smiled.

"Because everyday I grow stronger, and the time for my return is soon." Malum reached a hand to the downed Joshua, "Which is why I am here to ask you to join me."

Josh stood up and slapped his hand away, "Yeah right, I wouldn't join you if it meant getting back to Earth."

"But you would, and it could.." Malum quickly replied, his smile turned to one of sinister intent. "In the castle you find yourself in, there is a mirror which would bring you straight to the human world."

Josh was taken aback by this, "Impossible, Twilight would have told me if she found out."

"Oh she not only knows about it, she has been through it." Malum spoke, laughing as Josh's face turned to one of sadness.

"Lies! She would have told me!" Josh replied, now angry.

"Would she? I mean Luna and everyone else seems fine not talking about it." Malum laughed more as Josh turned to Luna.

"He's lying....Right?" He asked, getting no response from Luna.

"See? It's like I said, you can't trust a daft pony." Malum's laughing turned into a full on howl as Josh vanished from the dream realm. "Uh oh Luna, better go find him."

Just then Luna snapped awake, quickly making her way to a window she flew off as fast as she could. Towards the Crystal Empire. Meanwhile, Josh had also woken up and was rushing down the halls of the castle he was in. He knew what mirror Malum was talking about, retracing his steps best he could remember he found himself once more in the storage-room like area.

"I knew something felt off in here. Hang on everyone, I'm coming home!" Josh said to himself, as he took the sheet off the mirror. "Right, now last time I just had to touch it. So maybe I can just walk through." He said as he reached his hand out to touch the mirror. As his hand came closer to the mirror, streaks of electricity flowed between his hand and the mirror. "I don't think that's supposed to happen!" Josh said, as the mirror glowed. He pulled his hand away and-

BOOM

The sound of an explosion rippled throughout the castle, waking every being inside it and anyone within the area. The response was quick and Shining armor flanked by 4 guards entered the room where the sound and a powerful magic shock wave was detected.

"Who goes there!" Shining shouted as he looked around the messed up room, the mirror was undamaged but everything else was knocked over or broken. Just then, he noticed a hand sticking out from a pile of debris. "Joshua?" Shining yelled out as he raced over and pulled Josh out of the pile. His shirt had holes torn into it. His right hand looked like it had burned and he was out cold.

"Shining? What's going on?" Cadence asked, as she entered the room.

"There must have been some kind of accident, go get a doctor. Hurry!" Shining said, as he picked up Josh with the help of a now on scene Flash Sentry.

Josh slowly opened his eyes, the bright sunlight blinding him as he woke. "What the hell happened last night?" He questioned as things began coming into focus and he found himself in the guest room bed laying in front of a doctor, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance, Twilight Sparkle and her other friends.

"Good, he's awake." The doctor said, closing a medical bag. "I'll be on my way, feel free to call if he needs help again." They finished and walked out of the room.

"Thank Celestia." Twilight said, before looking at Josh. "What happened? You've been out for a whole day."

Josh put a hand to his head, what happened? He began thinking, remembering his dream from last night and the strange mirror. "Twilight....We need to talk."

"Oh? What is it?" Twilight asked.

Josh looked around the room, he thought this was something he shouldn't have to share with everyone. "Can we make it a bit more....private?"

Twilight was taken back by this at first, but soon smiled. "Oh I'm sure it's fine if everypony else stays here."

"Twilight no.....I really think this should be something for just me and you." Josh quickly replied.

Twilight laughed, before walking up beside Josh. "Oh don't be silly, I'm sure it's fine."

Josh sighed, his face turned sour. "Alright fine." Josh spoke angrily, "Why the hell have you hid the fact there is a way back to Earth?"

This caused everyone, Twilight especially to reel back in shock. "Wha-what are you talking about?" She asked.

"You know what I'm talking about, that mirror portal thing in this castle! I know it leads to Earth and you've been through it!" Josh yelled, causing everyone to move back. "How long have you been hiding this from me? How long have you known?"

Everyone looked at Twilight, who was blushing. "Well I-I...You see I..." She tried to speak but couldn't, Josh was right about how she didn't tell him about it. "Josh, I know you're upset but let me explain. I wa-"

She was cut off by an enraged Josh, "Explain what? How you wanted me here so you could "Study" me? That's why I'm here right? I'm nothing more than another creature for you to observe and document, admit it this whole time you've just been using me for some twisted experiment!" Josh had tears running down his face.

Everyone was in silence, then Fluttershy trotted over to Josh and placed a hoof on him. He quickly leaned over into Fluttershy and hugged her, as she placed a wing around him. "Shhhh, it's okay." She said, trying to calm him.

"Twilight....A word." Applejack said, as Twilight turned around. She and her friends minus Fluttershy and the royal couple. As they exited and shut the door, Applejack turned to Twilight. "What the hay was that? You told us ya told him about the mirror!"

"I meant too! Honestly! But with what happened at the Summer Sun Celebration it slipped my mind!" Twilight quickly replied.

"Well how could you forget?" Rainbow Dash asked, she and everypony else were clearly upset. Twilight for her part, was upset at herself. But regained her composure, and tried to explain herself.

"Look, everypony please listen. The reason I didn't tell him is because while that was the human world, I don't think it was Earth." Twilight said, causing everypony to change from anger to confusion.

"Whatever do you mean darling?" Rarity asked.

"Well, while I was in the human world. I did a lot of research, mostly relating to the history of that world and I couldn't find half the things Josh has talked about." Twilight replied, trying her best to not confuse her friends. "I couldn't find any record of Canada, but I could find cars and phones. It was the human world but not Earth."

"Question!" Pinkie pie said, raising a hoof.

"Yes?" Twilight asked, a confused tone in her voice.

"WHAT!?" Pinkie Pie shouted out.

"Look I know it doesn't make sense, and I was honestly going to tell him about it!" Twilight said, trying her best to reassure her friends.

"Well..." Applejack spoke, "We ain't the ones you should be apologizing too, are we?" She said, looking at Twilight.

Twilight looked at Applejack then at the door behind her, she realized that the person who deserved an apology was back in that room. She trotted past her friends and slowly opened the door, Fluttershy was still next to Josh. She had handed him a box of tissues and he was wiping away tears, his eyes red. Fluttershy looked at Twilight, who nodded at her and Fluttershy quickly trotted out of the room soon followed by Shining and Cadence.

"Joshua....Please let me explain." Twilight said, as she walked next to him. Josh just stayed quiet, like a fussy child who was angry at a parent for not giving them something. "I know your upset, but believe me that world wasn't the Earth."

Josh looked at Twilight, his face of sadness and confusion. "What do you mean? How could it be a world of humans but not be Earth?" He asked, his voice still choking up from sadness.

"I don't understand it either, but unlike Earth the world I went too had no Canada. It was still called Equestria." Twilight said, letting out a sigh. "I really did mean to tell you about it, but with the Summer Sun Celebration I couldn't. I know you're upset with me, if you want I can help you travel to the world."

Josh was silent, he looked down at his hand. It was shaking but he didn't know if it was out of anger or something else, he then closed it and looked at Twilight. "It's not about it not being Earth, it's about the fact you lied to me." Josh told her, "To be honest, I'm not 100% sure I would want to go back. I've been here for how long? My family probably thinks I'm dead, I couldn't bare putting them through the pain and turmoil of me coming back after all this time. But the thing that upsets me is that I feel lied too. You told me that there was no way for me to get back home, yet this mirror leads to some kind of human world and you didn't tell me about it....That is what upsets me."

Twilight took it all in, she herself shed a tear. "I know, and I am deeply sorry for that. Can you forgive me?" She asked, reaching out a hoof.

Josh looked at her hoof before reaching out, he didn't shake it however but pushed it gently away. "I'm sorry Twilight....But not right now.."

"....I see..." Twilight stood up, and sadly walked away from Josh. As she exited the room, her friends looked at her. They didn't speak, they just watched as she somberly walked further and further away from the room. She just lost someone she cared deeply for.