Chapters Shades of Other Realities
Chapter I. Nothing Else Matters
My whole life is just a bad dream. Just a dream that dragged on. A dream that never ends, a dream that has become a reality. And you want to run away from it, you want to escape, but you do not know how to do it. You're trying to find a way out, a cherished door back to another world, like Stephen king in his "Dark Tower". A world where you won't be so hurt. A world where you'll be like everyone else. You will have problems, like everyone else, but problems that you will overcome. Problems that will only make you stronger. It will not be a nightmare, it will be a real, bubbling life. A life that, strange as it may sound, is worth living for. It is necessary to do all the things that we usually do every day and not ask, at the same time, so pressing on the consciousness of the question: "Why do you need all this?".
Indeed, for what? What's the point? And whether there is it at all, this mysterious meaning that everyone is trying to find throughout life. Someone finds it, and someone does not find it. But, in fact, those who supposedly find meaning, do not actually find it, but stop searching.
After all, perhaps that was the point. The fact that he is not at all and you just need to let go and live? To live without asking such useless questions, like the proverbial for what all this is necessary? It is very likely that this is the case, although the true answer is probably not known by anyone.
My whole life is just a bad dream, an endless dream. How I long to Wake up and find that the reality is quite different, not so cold and gloomy. That it is a lot more bright colors and less strange questions. Fewer stupid questions, and the answer is universal, no matter how the question is posed.
As social critic Gershon Legman put it: "Make love, not war." Make love, not war. Is it possible to use this phrase as the universal answer to all stupid and strange questions? If that were so, then perhaps reality would indeed be much better, much more pleasant, at least for perception.
It would be as simple as writing on a piece of paper or typing in a text editor.
But the world is a complex thing, and there is no single answer. Everyone finds for himself the answer that appeals to him more than others and keeps only him.
I wander through the gray streets, passing hundreds and thousands of people I will never see again. A hard heart, thoughts in my head a lot, they are all different, but depressed, as black clouds hang over the other and capture the championship. Dark thoughts that make you think about them, no matter where you are and no matter what time of day. Morning, day, twilight, deep dark night.
Depression chases me at any time of the day, it does not need rest or sleep. But I need sleep, so she doesn't have much trouble catching up with me every time. I'm afraid she'll catch me one day and never let me go.
I walk into my room, the only place I go with joy. And maybe a movie theater, but I only go to it a couple of times a month, and home, it's always home.
On the bed pillows dakimakura with your favorite characters from the anime. I had to spend most of my salary on her, but I never regretted it. I'm just a graduate, still, in fact, a child. School takes a lot of time, and therefore have to be limited to not the highest paid part-time job. But I'm not complaining. I live with my parents, both of whom, fortunately, work and earn good money, so I don't need anything.
Above the bed hangs a poster with characters from the animated series "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic". Every time I look at him, I smile. Good thing it's hanging here. Without him it would be even sadder, and so he warms the soul just by his appearance. A flash of bright colors in the midst of the oppressive and monotonous grayness of this reality. How he stands out here.
The guitar I play is against the wall. Sometimes, playing the guitar allows you to forget about the problems and drive away all the negative thoughts. At least for a while to get rid of these oppressive black clouds in my head. Fortunately, I can. It is a pity that they do not go away forever and return every time. Such they stubborn and harmful.
Just recently learned 'I See Fire' by Edd Sheeran. The song evokes sadness, but sadness is warm, nostalgic and pleasant. Not heavy and oppressive. Tears of memories of better times, when grayness wasn't so gray. When there were more sincere positive emotions. When there was more joy, more friends and more feelings. When the dark clouds overhead caused not anxiety and sadness, but a sense of expectation of a clear blue sky after a thunderstorm.
The bright past, the time when tears rolled from his eyes after received in school deuce or broken knee at football. After a fight with a friend or scolding from parents for coming home too late and all dirty. Not from a sense of depressive hopelessness.
On the desktop near the computer window. I turn on the computer, turn off the lights in the room. Dark outside, evening, after all. Clouds today, the whole day was decorated with a large part of the sky. I love a thunderstorm in early may, as Tyutchev wrote.
On the desktop, I am greeted by a frame from the cartoon 'Equestria Girls: Forgotten Friendship'. A photograph taken by the heroes at the end, when the spell of the Memory Stone fell. The characters smile at me from the screen, I smile back at them. Why this particular shot? Many people put on the Wallpaper pictures of friends, children, second half. I put a picture of the cartoon on the same principle. It may be strange, I admit, but it's nice.
I think to kill an evening watching a good movie. Today, my choice fell on guy Ritchie's crime Comedy "Rock 'n' roll." Judging by the reviews, a good film.
I've seen all of Richie's movies, I should appreciate this one.
I watched about half the movie. It was already quite late, parents peacefully slept. I decided to go get some chips. I paused the movie, took off his headphones, and headed straight for the kitchen.
I liked the film. A great crime Comedy in the spirit of Richie's early work. Much better than what the Brit has been filming lately. After all, the author's film is a real joy for any filmmaker, and I was a filmmaker with experience. From the age of twelve, almost six years.
Yes, this is one of the ways to escape from the painful reality. Like music, or full immersion, which I've been working hard on for the last couple of years. And if you manage to combine study and music – doubly wonderful. At such moments, the clouds above me almost dissolve. I'm writing the abstract, the speakers roaring guitar, you're not bad thoughts, my whole being occupied by another. Also with a good movie. Not for nothing did I write, in the beginning, that the cinema is the only place besides my room where I can feel really good.
Yes, the film I watched was good. Stylish, and this is probably its main plus.
I rummaged in the closet and, to my disappointment, found no bag of my favorite snacks. Yes, I have often been told that eating chips is harmful, especially eating them often, as I have done recently, but I can not restrain myself. There's too little joy in life anyway, so why limit yourself to anything, right? Or am I wrong? Yes, another interesting question, which in this world few people will give a definite answer. People will estimate all the pros and cons, add up, identify to which of the values, however, the result will be closer. And everyone will have their own result. Including me. I just enjoy what can deliver it to me. That's why depression hasn't killed me yet. Although, feel, in the last time she all closer to its black goal.
If death is what she is trying to do, then she is not trying in vain. So the work yields the fruits. It's wonderful when work isn't in vain, isn't it? Even if it is such a labor.
I went back to my little room to continue looking at the painting. Early for school tomorrow? Well, I don't think I care at the moment. No sleep? I don't care, to be honest, it's been a while since I got a good night's sleep. I don't remember what it was like. Is it even pleasant? Probably, Yes.
Could it be the dream? More healthy sleep means less depression and sadness. Sleep is the cure. I don't know if that's true or not. You can look at it from the point of view that in a dream you do not feel anything, especially when you sleep without any dreams, you fall into emptiness, as if you dissolve from this world. And, accordingly, the more you sleep, the less time you have for reflection and self-flagellation.
Yes, and this logic is the place to be. I haven't had another one lately. Had she ever been?
Just as I was about to continue watching, I felt the monitor begin to shake slightly. Earthquake? Really. We're all going to die, aren't we?
The monitor did shake on the table, and so did my supplies: the pencil case, the eyeglass case, the capodaster bouncing on the wooden surface like a bean on a hot frying pan.
The guitar also swayed. I rushed to her and laid her on the bed, so that the instrument would not fall and break, which is quite possible. Parents are asleep? Did the shaking wake them? Surprisingly. Don't they feel anything? Sleep that soundly? Or was I hallucinating? Yeah, with my lifestyle, maybe not. Although, something me in this is hard to believe. Kind of like the reason I have not damaged yet. Or was it a dream? A dream within a dream, different levels of the subconscious, like in Christopher Nolan's film "Inception."
No, my life, although it was very strange, but not fantastic. There was no place for that. Why else would I complain so much about the dullness of life? An earthquake, then. I hope so, and then go crazy once you really really don't want to.
I jumped back to my Desk, but didn't turn on the Desk lamp.
Suddenly, from the side of the door poured a strange greenish light. I turned to her and froze in astonishment. The cracks between the door and the wall, between the door and the floor, between the door and the ceiling – from them came a green light that grew brighter by the second. I would have screamed, but I was so shocked by what was happening that I could not even open my mouth.
Had I gone mad? Or is something supernatural happening before my eyes? Either way, it was incredible. Was it really happening, or was it just in my brain? Well, I'll find out soon enough. Yes, I'll find out what and how.
I remembered king's Dark Tower again. I felt like Eddie Dean. Eddie Dean was a twenty-year-old drug addict, to whom from another world, through the door on the beach, came the main character, the shooter Roland. Dean's whole world had turned upside down. Is my brain preparing to do the same somersault? Or it's much simpler: I Wake up.
Remember when I wrote that my life was a bad dream? Maybe now this dream will end and I will finally see the real world in which I live, and not this tasteless fake?
Whatever it was, my door swung open, slamming hard against the wall. And as she still with hinges not flew off? However, instead of the dark corridor of my apartment, I saw something absolutely incredible: white-green light, and nothing else. Not my apartment, not the darkness of the night. My whole room lit up with this strange light. I stared at it all, unable to move.
So many thoughts raced through my mind, but none of them I could not catch on properly. So that, all thought merged in any monotonous mass of, I was not in forces nor about than concrete to think. Apparently, the mind is deprived in this way. Or die. Or Wake up. Yeah, it's freaking weird.
I stared at that light for about half a minute, and then its center went dark. A silhouette appeared, a human figure. Arms, legs, head, torso. What's it? Aliens? Come to kidnap me?
I was suddenly very scared. And fear held me down, literally glued me to my chair. As soon as the door opened, my room stopped shaking, but I did not notice it immediately. I had no time for that at the moment.
The figure stood for five seconds, then took a step forward, then the second, and so the stranger entered my room.
Although the figure was dark against the background of what was behind her, I could see her. What was that behind his back? And then I realized that... Portal. Yeah yeah, like in movies and cartoons. Like Gravity Falls or Rick and Morty. Portal.
I saw who it was. Or rather, the one who came. For it was a girl. Girl with long tail (there is in view hairstyle, horse tail, not the tail, about which you could think), hair its were dark the blue, with dark violet and pink strands fall. She wore a white lab coat, like a doctor or a Professor, wide glasses, and, most surprisingly, the color of her skin. The girl was purple. It's crazy!
I couldn't help but recognize her. I have reviewed these cartoons so many times, I have so many pictures, arts with these characters. A picture on the desktop of my computer. I couldn't help but recognize her the second she stepped forward. The fear vanished instantly.
But how? As such, in principle, is possible. Did I end up in Pixels? What's going on?
Tears welled up in her eyes. I looked at her, and I looked at her, and I didn't understand how it happened. I was in complete shock.
Finally, she broke the silence.
"We're here for you," said Twilight Sparkle of the Equestria Girls. "Come with us."
The girl held out her hand. She spoke English. Fortunately, I knew the language perfectly, for I had studied it diligently since the age of eleven.
I got up and walked over to Twilight. At that moment I thought of nothing but her. She said, «We're here for you. Come with us.» Us? It turns out that Twilight is not one?
I held out my hand without thinking. She took my hand in hers, squeezed it, and pulled me with her into the portal. I followed her into this portal. Wherever he was, whatever was waiting for me there, I went. Follow her. Let him lead me wherever he pleases, I am ready for anything. Beside her. The main thing, next to Twilight Sparkle. Everything else, as James Hatfield sings, is irrelevant.
"I'll go with you..." I whispered, hot tears rolling down my cheeks. Tears of joy. Tears of real happiness. "Anywhere..."
That's how we entered into the portal. Into a mysterious portal that suddenly appeared in my room in the middle of the night. Everything was gone. Just a long white corridor. Just her.
I entered without fear and without doubt. And I left. He went down this long corridor. No matter where, she was there for me. Twilight Sparkle is around – nothing else matters.
Nothing else matters, as James Hatfield sings.
Shades of Other Realities
Chapter II. On the Other Side of Fantasy
Sometimes I had really good dreams. But that was before, when I must have been a child.
I wanted a Bicycle, but my parents were in no hurry to give it to me. And in the dream I was already cut on it, friends would look at me and also wanted. But they didn't have it. I was the only one with a bike. I rolled on, on and on, the wind in my face. He ruffled his hair. I was accelerating, going faster and faster every second, nothing could stop me. Here it is – the real ecstasy. Wild excitement seized me in my sleep, I did not want to Wake up. Never. However, in a dream you do not always realize that you are dreaming, and very often your dream seems to be a reality.
Your world becomes an endless road – you go on it, you do not want to stop. You want only to rush forward, towards a fresh wind, nothing in forces to keep you. And if something or someone tries, you'd like to see it. Watch the futile efforts. Here if only you and what you want. Something you could only dream of. A dream is like a beautiful fairy tale. A fairy tale that, as you think, still managed to find a way to come true.
But then you Wake up. In a dark and unremarkable room. You Wake up and in the agonizing fraction of a second you realize that everything you've seen is just a dream. A dream that had nothing to do with reality. Bicycle, road, wind and boundless joy-all this is not really there. It's not true. It's a beautiful, sweet lie that you believed for a second. I believed that something so incredible could somehow be part of real life and not your imagination.
A wave of sadness and regret washes over you. It is particularly strong in the first minute after you Wake up. Further becomes far as easier. You go back to bed, fall asleep, and the next morning, waking up completely, you can not even remember what is so fabulous and magical you saw in a dream and because of what was so sad.
The funny thing is, it happens all the time in our lives.
It's been a while since I've had such dreams. In recent times, it seems when I was sixteen years old. Yes, that was sixteen. Autumn, month of September, high school. The girl I was secretly in love with. Who hasn't been in love at sixteen?
I dreamed that I had finally confessed my feelings to her. I was able to Express all the things that have been lying on my heart for the last year. You know what that girl said to me? The trite thing is, she likes me, too.
And now we are together, we are a couple. All this happens instantly, in a matter of seconds, but in the world of dreams time goes differently than in the world of reality. Almost like 'Interstellar', only the opposite. So, those seconds seem like long hours and moments of intimacy with the one about whom you have long dreamed, stretch many times, as well as pleasure.
I, for some reason, remembered this dream. Probably because this dream was much brighter than all the other dreams about bicycles and other children's joys. And, perhaps, because I had a dream not so long ago, for I was sixteen not long ago. The memories are etched into my memory, and time has not had time to at least partially erase them. There simply wasn't enough time.
Then why am I talking about my childhood? I guess I'm just sure it was. It couldn't be any other way. I used to be like everyone else. It used to be wonderful, wonderful. Even at sixteen.
No, those sixteen are the best I've ever had. So many new feelings, emotions, sensations. All new, all life, full of wonderful moments, ahead. It was not so much time, relatively little, and everything was the opposite. Human life, strange and sometimes inexplicable. Full of questions and riddles.
Yeah, my sixteen is the best I've ever had. Maybe it's not, but that's what I remember.
We went through the tunnel. It seems to have taken seconds in time. A few seconds, no more. A fantastic door, Twilight Sparkle in wide-rimmed glasses and a white Professor's or doctor's gown, holding out her hand. She said then, "We are here for you. Come with us.» And I followed her. Behind them. I went without hesitation, rejecting all doubts about the correctness of what I was doing. Went, for knew, that so and need to. I knew it was the right thing to do in my life. I couldn't regret it. I knew all this, I was sure, as I had never been so sure of anything before.
Twilight and I walked down the interspatial corridor, hand in hand. The way she came out of it into my room. Later, I'll compare it to an episode from the two season of Gravity Falls, when Stanford Pines, the twin brother of Stanley, the owner of the Wonder Cabin, emerged from the portal.
Once out of the portal, I found myself in a fairly spacious room, which looked like, in General, a typical scientific laboratory. Twilight and I left at the same time. I turned around. The entrance to the portal had an oval shape and was somewhat flattened on the sides. However, this, as I think, is not the most important. A green-and-white mass of energy, that was what the tunnel entrance was. Here, however, he did not look as he did from my side. I compared it to the portals in Rick and Morty. Now, he looked like a cartoon, really cartoon. And not just him. Everything looked cartoon, drawn. It was like being in a cartoon. And apparently it did.
I looked down at my hands and was startled. They were pale blue now, as I think my whole body was. The body itself has also undergone a significant metamorphosis. It looked as if it had been painted. Like the characters from "Friendship is Magic" and "Equestria Girls."
Another world, another reality, another dimension, different from mine. From the one I've lived in all my life. Other universe. Surely, it is beyond the one in which there is our planet Earth. So many questions, no answers yet, but this is for now. I have many questions to ask. Twilight is very smart, she will explain everything to me and tell me everything.
I pushed my thoughts away to focus specifically on what was in front of me. Yes, it was a laboratory. I saw what looked like a control panel. We stood on a small springboard, which towered literally half a meter above the floor. Twilight Sparkle and I went down it.
I was amazed. The tears had dried on my cheeks, I was no longer crying, I was rejoicing. I felt a sense of real elation. Like a child dreaming of a Bicycle finally gets it from his parents as a gift for his birthday, like a teenager confessing his love and being rewarded for it in return. Yes, like all of the above, but only a hundred times stronger. Something incomprehensible, something amazing. Something so beautiful that I have no words to describe.
When I was on the floor, I saw someone coming toward us. Other girl. Not in white robes like Twilight Sparkle. I recognized each one at once. There were six of them. My favorite cartoons character are Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Sunset Shimmer. Characters from the "Equestria Girls".
I couldn't say a word when I saw them. To say I was shocked is to say absolutely nothing. It was such a shock. Some fifteen minutes ago I was sitting at my Desk watching a movie, not even suspecting what would happen in a quarter of an hour.
I was speechless at the sight of the girls. What could I say? And do we need any words here? Imagine that you have not seen your close friend for a long time. A year, say. Or even more. Here you are standing at the airport, waiting for him and finally see. There he stands, with the bag as you remember it. Your best friend in the world. Can you imagine the joy with which you would have met him, rushed to meet him, opening his arms? Now, I experienced about the same thing. Only multiplied many times. It's hard to imagine what I've been through. But I felt it. Felt every part of the body this sweet moment. It seems to have lasted a very long time. But those moments are supposed to last, right?
The heat was all over me, all over me. The heat of feeling, the great, colossal joy, mingled with the feeling of disbelief. No, how can you believe something like that? I must be dreaming or going crazy. Or gone. Yeah, I guess it is, I'm already crazy, I am...
Fluttershy took the first step toward me. I'd bet on anyone but her. But it was her, Flutty. She came to me as I stood there, trying to decide if I believed what was happening or not. She came and hugged him. I shivered. Heat. Warm embrace. Warm and gentle, like a soft blanket in winter. You know, when you get up in the morning for school or work, you look out the window, there's a real Blizzard raging. You have somewhere to go, it's cold, wet, and then warm and dry.
And then you realize that today is a day off and you do not need to go anywhere. A delightful feeling. You go back to bed. It's soft. It's warm. You wrap yourself up to your neck in the bed, turn to one side. You close your eyes and fall asleep. Incredible pleasure. You can at the same time squeeze a pillow or a plush toy in your arms. I squeeze the pillow. I hug her tightly and imagine that this is one of my favorite heroines. The dakimakura I was not always the case. It used to be just a long soft pillow. I couldn't sleep without her.
From the time I was fourteen, when I started doing it. Since I was fourteen, I haven't slept without my favorite pillow. Without sweet fantasies, without the wonderful air of dreams. Many years.
Fluttershy's Arms. Something incredible. It was as if she were making it clear that what was happening to me here was not a hallucination. All this is true. This touch to be not real. Too nice. Too gentle and warm. Too sweet. Words are not enough to continue this list. Delightfully.
She gave me a hug. Now I knew it was real. I hugged her back.
"Everything's gonna be okay," Fluttershy said. "We are here."
They spoke English. As and I. I already wrote, that perfectly speak language. I worked with carriers from different countries: South Africa, USA, UK, New Zealand, even with a carrier from India, although for a couple of years I did not understand exactly what he was trying to convey to me.
"It's okay," She repeated in English.
As if she knew how I felt. I knew exactly what I needed to say to calm me down. Like she knew everything about me.
It might be that.
With that, she walked away from me, leaving me to the other girls. Each of them.
Rarity first. As always, she looked wonderful. Insanely good, insanely beautiful. How could it have been any different with her? Fashion is a way to start showing what's in your heart.
Always true to herself. And that's fine.
"Are you... honey," - she said.
Me? Honey? Why would she think that? I knew them all very well, just fine. Cartoons, books, comics, arts. I absorbed everything in myself, it created a feeling of something incredible. It was my personal drug. The drug, the struggle with which initially devoid of any sense and make a fool of yourself, trying to resist-a trifling matter, in fact. If it's a drug, it's at least the best in the world. In my world, to be exact. There's something much better here in this universe.
They seemed to know a lot about me, too. But how? Was it not only I who had watched them all these years, but they who had watched me? So we've been in touch for a long time, but I didn't suspected it.
Rainbow Dash. Always cool. Awesome as I wanna be, right? As the slogan of life.
Applejack. My dear farmer. The hat is with her, as an integral part of it. Like captain Jack Sparrow's compass, like Silent Bob's cap.
Pinkie Pie. My pink beauty.
Twilight Sparkle. My sweet nerd.
Sunset Shimmer. Last.
"We've been waiting for you," she said.
Waiting for? Were they waiting for me? Someone has to explain everything to me. But answers are not the most important thing. The main thing is that finally convinced that this is reality. A beautiful, enchanting reality. Better than any dream. Any number of times better.
The portal behind us disappeared. I was surrounded by my favorite heroines. How do they know so much about me? How was the portal built and why did my body change and become cartoon too? This, among other things, travel between dimensions! Fantastic, but true.
I wanted to ask them so many questions. But for the moment I was enjoying myself. I enjoyed what he could not imagine. I've imagined this scene countless times, but when it actually happened, I realized that no fantasy can compare to it. Madness and love. I was feverish, feverish. So many feelings, so many emotions! It's ecstasy. The most real ecstasy. Bewitching magic. They are with me, they are near. I don't need anything else.
Nothing.
Shades of Other Realities
Chapter III. Beyond the Mysterious Beyond
A marker board as well as several colored markers were prepared in advance. There were four of them: black, blue, green, and red. Twilight Sparkle picked up the blue. She knew, of course, that I would ask questions. All answers were are prepared, it remained only explain, Ah and me, respectively, listen.
If there were such teachers in schools or universities, I would not miss a single class. Although, I must admit, in high school I always came to lessons, no matter what state I was in, even when I was sick. It didn't matter if I liked it or not. It was a habit that got me up to school every morning, made me do all the things that every student usually does.
School, however, has never been for me something bad, something negative. I used to talk about how much I hated her, but in fact, I treated her with warmth. Indeed, school was for me a place in which I could escape from the serious problems that life faced me. Yes, I had no real friends for a long time, but I loved my classmates. Love, perhaps, and now. A lot of people hate their class, but I wasn't. Perhaps never. I didn't need them to be my friends. The main thing – that they were. Parting will be very difficult.
Twilight drew a circle with a marker on the blackboard. An ordinary, unremarkable circle.
"Imagine this is your universe."
I nodded. Well, here is the most blue figure is my universe. The one I was supposedly born into, and definitely lived in for almost eighteen years.
The girl made a second circle. But this time she used a green marker.
"There's another universe. The one beyond yours. You understand?"
"Of course."
I knew astrophysics pretty well. At a younger age, I was actively interested in it, but in recent years, the vector of my interests has somewhat changed direction. Good or bad? I think that's definitely not bad.
To hear me say it, I a Marty Sue, not a normal teenager. Musician, quite is a clever, well-read, still and geek in addition. What is missing is success in sport to complete the picture. For example, the best player of the school football team. And that, I not times similar represented. Here I run with the ball on the left flank, for I am right-handed, remove one defender, immediately the second. I shift to the center, make some cool feint a' la Neymar, hit the ball and hammer it into the goal.
The commentator is beside himself with delight, the stands roar with joy. I'm running with the ball in my hand, running to celebrate with my teammates. My ball is decisive. Victorious. I bring success to my team.
In my fantasies, I often imagine a group of cheerleaders standing outside the field and ready to celebrate. However, this could only be if I studied somewhere in the United States of America and played American football.
"This is our universe. The one in which we exist and in which you have fallen. It's called the multiverse . The universe may be bounded by invisible boundaries, but not space itself. Matter is, if you follow the logic, can not be finite. So there are an infinite number of such universes."
Sparkle adjusted her glasses.
"Well, that's all speculation. I mean, about countless different universes."
I listened carefully. The other girls were here with me.
"Well, we managed to create a passage. The tunnel, if you will, is not so important as its name. A portal between two different universes. Wormhole, wormhole. A breach in the continuum. One end of the tunnel is here, in this lab, in our universe. Well, the second is in your world. Thus, we were able to connect our dimensions and create a corridor through which you can pass. A portal, if you will. Like in science fiction novels or movies."
Portal. That word sounded so special to me.
"Both the entrance to the corridor between universes were formed at the same time. From the point of view of astrophysics, one end could not be formed. Otherwise it would lead nowhere. And the point of existence of the portal is to lead somewhere. Right?"
I nodded. Twilight Sparkle, Sci-Twi, as she was known, smiled. She obviously enjoyed telling him all about it.
Smiled such a warm, sweet smile. Her eyes were large and intelligent, peering through thick glasses.
"When the portal finally appeared, we all decided I should follow you."
Twilight with the same green marker connected two circles, symbolizing two universes, a straight line. The straight line that marked the wormhole, the corridor.
"It was a little scary at first. What if something goes wrong? Anything can be. We have only encountered passages of a magical nature, but not of a scientific nature. That's why everything was so uncertain at first."
"But we knew we could do it," Sunset Shimmer said. Her red-and-yellow hair looked even prettier now than in the cartoon. Delicious strands that I wanted to admire and admire, they were so beautiful. The feelings I had for her. They're wonderful. In that I had them, I was very lucky in my life. Lucky as few people in the world.
We knew what would happen. They believed it would work. Whatever you call it, they must have had good reason to come to my reality for me. Here's what else to find out.
"I think you understand."
I nodded in response. Yes, the explanation regarding the displacement between the measurement was complete. As much as it was possible under the circumstances.
Yes, astrophysics is definitely very entertaining. Such a gigantic space for reflection. For hypotheses, for theories. It was good that I, on the whole, had an idea of what it was about.
An interesting thought occurred to me. If Twilight Sparkle and her friends were able to build a portal to another universe, then maybe someone on my planet, on Earth, could do it? And he did. But governments are carefully trying to hide it from everyone. Indeed, humanity is not yet fully prepared for such a truth. People are much more comfortable living in a shell. Inside the shell there is an already established order, already established rules and everything goes on as usual, without global changes or discoveries. Comfort zone, that's what this shell is called.
I can't say I didn't live in my shell. Opposite.
However, I am not fond of conspiracy, so about this almost did not think. In the story of Stephen King, 'Fog', the military and scientists broke, so to speak, a window into another world, where a huge number of different terrible monsters came from.
"I think there are other questions you'd like to ask. Yes?"
"Yes, of course."
In fact, I wanted to ask her a lot, but I clearly identified for myself two main, two main questions. The rest is not as important as this. All he had to do was decide which question to ask first.
"Why did my body change so much when I got here?" I asked.
"I've been doing research on the subject," Twilight told me. In these clothes she looked like a young mad genius. "That's what I understand. The structure of particles in each of the universes is different. They take completely different forms, based on the elementary laws of this or that world. Atoms in one universe can form a certain structure according to the simplest laws of physics in force in it, but in another universe a completely different structure. The particle structures in each universe are different. That is why your body structure could not be preserved in this dimension. That's why your body changed and became like ours."
Any object you tried to transfer from your world to ours would change here.
Now this part is no longer a white spot on my inner map.
I was reminded of the TV series 'Stranger Things', which just talked about moving to another world. The series was our world and a parallel world – the so-called underside.
So, in this series, there was a rather curious attempt to explain why people can not get into another world.
Let's imagine a rope on which tightrope walkers go to circuses. A tightrope walker can only walk on one side. He can't walk head down, because he's bound to fall. But the insect can move around the rope – for him there is no risk of falling down. The insect sees what is not available to the rope-Walker-man, it sees what man is not able to see. In my opinion, quite an interesting explanation.
Twilight Sparkle picked up a marker of a different color, red. She marked another circle on the Board.
"Now imagine it's Equestria. The one with the ponies."
Do they know I know about this? I know about Equestria and the pony world.
"When we get to Equestria, we change shape. We also become ponies. And vice versa. When ponies move here to our world, they become human. As I said, the particle structures in different universes are different. Equestria is as much a parallel universe to us as your world. As both worlds, ours and the world in which Equestria exists - for your world."
As Twilight spoke, Sunset Shimmer smiled enigmatically. She knew it. Knows about traveling between worlds. I caught her smile out of the corner of my eye. After all, she is insanely beautiful. There's no denying it.
Sci-Twi making your once again changed the marker. There was black in her hand now. She drew them several identical circles around the three main ones.
"This is the rest of the many universes. Their number may be infinite, for, as I have said, matter itself must be infinite."
Yes, she said that, too.
Well, now I've figured out why I changed so much when I came through the portal here. But there was one more important question.
"I want to know one more thing."
"What is it?"
"How do you know me? How did you know about me?"
There was silence. I was probably expecting an instant response, like past questions. I turned around. The girls looked at me. I looked at them. And waited.
"By magic," Rarity said at last. "We got a signal. And they found out that the signal was coming from you."
"You've been thinking a lot about us," Applejack said. "You often spoke to us in his mind. We knew what you were thinking."
She adjusted her hat on her head and fell silent.
"We knew what you were thinking in your darkest moments," Sunset Shimmer said. "When you were sick, you came to us. You wanted to be with us because you loved us. Loved with all my heart. We could see and hear it all. Everything that was in your heart. Everything that bothered you. Your feeling. Desires and emotions."
It was obvious how difficult it was for them. Talk about it. My eyes were wet again. Her eyes filled with tears. Turns out they knew all about me when I thought I was meeting with them is impossible in principle?
That's why they wanted their plan to work. That's why I was greeted so warmly when I first came here.
"What we learned about you. It touched us so much. We wanted you with us. By all means."
"I..." she fought back tears. "Thanks, girls. I... I love you."
Sunset shimmer stood up and approached me.
I stood up, too. I thought she was going to say something else, but instead she held me close, resting her head on my shoulder.
"And us... we love you too."
Now the other girls came. They hugged me, as did Sunset. Everything inside of me trembled. Feelings, no, rather, a whole storm of feelings, feelings extremely pleasant and very warm. A whole ocean of positive emotions. It was as if I was standing on a beach and the ocean was crashing down on me. I plunged into it head first. I couldn't hold back the tears. There was no need to restrain them. Give vent to their feelings. Long I not gave.
Tears gushed from his eyes in two streams. They were tears of happiness, sweet tears. Feeling like everything I ever wanted was mine. Indeed, this meeting is what I most wanted in my life.
I lived nearly eighteen years. I've lived a lot, I've seen a lot. I know a lot, too. How many desires, dreams that changed with age. There were so many of them, so much I wanted. From simple children's desires to sublime dreams to achieve something in life. But no desire of mine has ever been stronger than this. The desire to meet with their favorite heroines, to be with them. Feeling their touch, touch yourself. Hug, hug, kiss. Feel something so close and native near with a. Desire, stronger which simply not can be. There's no way.
I remembered a song from a cartoon I loved to review when I was a kid. I'd like to see it now. The cartoon is called 'The Land before Time'. To be precise, one of the parts, not the original. Seven, if I'm not mistaken. It's called 'Stone of Cold Fire'. There was a truly magnificent song.
Beyond the Mysterious Beyond out past the smallest light that's twinkling...
When I watched it as a child, I did not expect to hear such a strong and so heartfelt composition.
There, beyond the mysterious distance. Something amazing, something beautiful. Things you can't even imagine. A myriad of stars scattered across the vast cosmos. So many mysteries, so many mysterious and insanely interesting.
I was like Littlefoot with a thousand shining stars in his eyes. But, unlike the cartoon character, I was able to open the veil of the mysterious and, at least one eye, but look beyond the mysterious distance.
You can not even have an inkling of what is going on...
I felt warm. I was with them, I could touch them, I could hug them. I could feel their touch. The ground was ready to go under my feet, and I was ready to take off. I could have fainted, but I didn't. A wave washed over me.
Sunset pulled back a little, as did the other girls.
"We know you," Sunset said. "We know what you really are. We know what you wanted. We couldn't leave you there alone in your world."
"Thank you," I said simply. "Thanks for everything. For everything you gave me. Without you, I couldn't have lived my life. Without you, I wouldn't be here anymore. Thank you for everything. I love you all."
I smiled. Tears stopped running from eyes.
"We're your friends now," Rainbow Dash said.
Friends. What a warm word. What a soulful word.
"Friends..." I repeated.
Yesterday I was living my normal life. But now everything has changed. My life will never be the same again. It will be completely different. Here in this world. Here with my friends.
Friends...
Beyond the Mysterious Beyond...
Shades of Other Realities
Sometimes I felt feverish. Sometimes they beat me the chills. But not because of illness. No, not for that reason. I get sick very rarely, especially in recent years. I feel like I have a cold when I'm overwhelmed. The brightest and most positive. I can hardly think, I lie down and Wake up, I have an incessant chill, but I am full of strength and full of desire. Desires to live, desires to create. Desires to feel, desires to enjoy these feelings. Desires to experience pleasant sensations from what they are.
Outwardly it does look like a disease, but it is not. It is something beautiful and something quivering. What makes you alive. What makes you live in this world, what makes you a part of it. When these feelings come - they carry what makes you often soar in the clouds, silly smile and sitting in the bus, dreamy look out the window. Listening, at the same time, to music that becomes the anthem of these feelings.
With each new wave of fever comes new music, new songs. But there are those that sound constantly, being the leitmotif of all these feelings, as musicians would probably put it.
I'm a bit of a musician myself, so I know what I'm talking about. Melodies that you want to whistle, words that you want to hum. And so always.
A part of me continued, actively continued, to deny the reality of everything that was happening around me. This part will always be, the only question is to what extent it will manifest itself.
This is really impossible to accept one hundred percent. It's all too irrational. But in contrast, you can put such an argument as feelings and emotions. They are just the most that neither is real. And caused by something real. There can be no such lie. At least I couldn't believe it. Or should I say I didn't want to believe? Not wanted to and could not.
There was a part of me that told me stubbornly that outside the nearest door, everything around me would disappear, dissipate like a morning haze with the first rays of the sun rising over the Eastern horizon. But another part repeated that there could be no such illusion. Such a plausible dream, too. Well, it remains to personally verify all this. There, behind the nearest door. What should I expect? Waking from a dream or another world?
"Where are we?" I asked the obvious question. "Is this some kind of laboratory?"
Twilight smiled back.
"No, not really. It's an old building on the edge of town. There used to be a small art gallery here. And lately it's been empty."
"We've come to the conclusion that this is the perfect place to build a portal," Sunset added. "No one usually comes here, not even tramps and young men. Too inconspicuous a place."
"How long have you been like this? Built."
Twilight adjusted her glasses again.
"Year. Understand. You mean last may?"
Sparkle narrowed her eyes.
"What month do you think it is?" she asked.
"May."
"And the year?"
I looked at the girl.
"2018."
"In your world may 2018?"
"Yeah. And you have it, it turns out, is not so?"
To my right, Sunset shook her head.
"Now we have the end of August 2017."
That's it. So the course of time in parallel universes is different? Well, something like that was probably to be expected. A parallel world, in a word.
Another thought occurred to me. How old am I in this world then? As much as in my world or not?
"If you still have 2017, then I'm almost a year younger here?"
"What year were you born?" Applejack asked.
"I was born in January 2001. I'm seventeen years old in my world."
"If you were born in 2001, you're sixteen in this world," Twilight Sparkle said.
Sixteen. So many feelings aroused in me this figure. I wrote that my sixteen was the best thing that had ever happened to me. So many wonderful memories.
So many new feelings, so many amazing emotions. I wanted to experience it all again. Again for the first time, the most tremulous and the most exciting.
I remembered the first of September in the eleventh grade. I'm coming home after the lineup. In headphones plays group Fall Out Boy. I can't remember exactly what track it was. But definitely one of those that I often listen back to. Wonderful weather, the sun shines brightly, not hot. Clear blue sky overhead, it is not clear what else is needed for happiness. I think I need too much.
The holidays are over, which makes me very sad. There is no desire to return to school. There is no desire to enjoy a wonderful day, I just see no reason to enjoy what I see every day. It is all there and it has always been. And I didn't think it was going anywhere.
There will come a rainy day will be pouring torrential rain, booming thunder. Squalls of wind will sway the trees, the sun will be lost among the impenetrable black clouds. But then the rain would stop. The clouds will disperse and the sun will Shine again in a clear blue sky. And maybe we can even see a beautiful rainbow. No, we'll see her for sure. The circle of life, just like in the Lion King. In order to truly begin to appreciate, you must first lose.
A typical day when you do not want to be sad or happy. Just to go home and lock myself in my room and throw myself on the bed and put a pillow over my head and imagine for a few minutes that everything is not true, that everything is just an illusion. That everything is really the way I want it. No, it's not sadness. This is just one of my unfulfilled desires. I'm used to them. I mean, the fact that most of my desires are things that can't be. Not in this universe.
I stumble into my room, shutting myself off from the world. I have long been going to review "Equestria Girls", all from the very first part. And it seems to be the perfect moment for that.
I watched a cartoon. It is no less interesting to review it than to watch it for the first time. I remember there was something else. A glass of ice cream, I think. Very tasty ice cream. I haven't had ice cream in a while. Well, that time, the first of September, I think it was the last.
The sweet taste of ice cream and my emotions after watching. Although the ice cream was cold, it was incredibly warm. Warm and so comfortable at home. It was as if I had been away for a long time, and now I was back. It feels incredible. I was smiling-for the first time all day, it was a genuine smile. I remembered school, remembered my classmates. I remembered my sincere reluctance to go to the ruler.
At that moment I clearly felt as if something was changing inside me. Changing, and no doubt changing for the better.
The bright sun in the clear blue sky ceases to be something ordinary. Something that there is no point in rejoicing, because it was, is, and probably will be for a very long time.
As with the school. It had ceased to be an oppressive grayness. I realized there wasn't much time before graduation. I realized that this was my last year at school, next to my classmates, to whom I had become so accustomed over the years.
I never hated school. But at some point tired of it. Now the fatigue was gone. If it's always going to be a clear day, no matter how I feel about it, it's not. It will end. These times, these years, which, in fact, were the best in life and the memories of them are the brightest and most positive.
I realized all this thanks to the cartoon. Thanks to the cartoon, I was able to genuinely enjoy life. For the first time in what must have been a very long time.
Sixteen. I was sixteen. Many memories. Much emotion. Sixteen. Just a figure, but how much is connected with it. This is truly something special.
"We have to go," Twilight Sparkle said after a moment.
"How long has it been?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Rarity pulled out her phone and looked.
"Girls, it's almost four in the morning."
"Four in the morning?" I asked.
"Opening a portal to another dimension is better when no one can see it." Sunset said.
I felt myself blush as I looked at her. That is why I hastily turned away in the opposite direction. There Rarity was manipulating her smartphone. It was a good thing she was busy, or I would have blushed even more if I had met her eyes.
"Anyway, we're at Applejack's farm now," Pinkie Pie said. "That's what our parents think."
After Pinkie's remark about parents, I wondered how old girls should be then. It was difficult to focus on cartoons, because time here flows a little differently than in my world. I had to find out.
"Which class will you go to?"
"Eleven," Twilight said.
"Graduation?" I blurted out.
"What?" the girl looked at me blankly. "No, why do you think so?"
And then I remembered that the eleven-year education system in schools is not everywhere. In many European countries, the United States, Canada, twelve years study at school. So they still had two years of school to go, not one.
"In my office... I mean, in my country, students study for eleven years. You have not?"
Twilight shook her head.
"Ok," I said.
After that, we headed for the door-the exit from the room that was once an art gallery. Here me, on the idea of, waited the most exciting moment. What would I see outside the door? Will there be a darkness in which the girls will disappear, and when I enter, I will disappear, waking up in my bed in my world. A cold sweat would break out on my forehead, and my breathing would be very heavy. Sadness will roll over me. An overwhelming, uncompromising sadness. A crushing emptiness within. I know that feeling, believe me. Only this time the blow would be fatal.
Or something else is waiting for me. Something quite different from what I have just described.
Sunset Shimmer led the way to the door. Got the key. She put it in the keyhole and turned it. The door was open. Twilight switched off the dashboard. She was standing beside Sunset now.
"What awaits me there?" suddenly asked I. All girls are you staring at on me.
"You'll see," Twilight Sparkle said.
I'm ready. My heart was pounding in my chest. All or nothing. Here it is, the point of no return. After this moment, my life will change. I was excited about. More than ever. Remember the excitement when you come to class without completing the task, and the teacher or teacher passes by. You pray that it will pass by and not stop at you. Although no, not the most appropriate example.
Remember the first performance in public? Fear shackles the whole body, it becomes difficult to breathe, and thoughts are confused in the head. Now I must have felt something similar. What would I see beyond that door? What is waiting for me.
The door opened and Sunset stepped aside so I could get out first. I took a few steps toward the door. He paused for a moment. Then, taking a deep breath, I took a decisive step forward.
A cool wind blew over me. No, I wasn't cold. He caressed her skin, the hair on her head fluttered. I took a deep breath of the pure morning air. It was quiet, the blood pounding in my temples, and I thought I could even hear it. Again the tears came to my eyes. They were wet. I squeezed my eyes shut. And when he opened his eyes, the picture was still there. She was real. This is not a dream. I'm awake.
Before me, in the morning haze, lay the still sleeping city. Not the city I lived in. No, it was a small town, as is often shown in American films or TV series. Like some Derry in a Stephen King novel.
To my right the sky was beginning to lighten, and I gathered that this was where the East lay. It's a lovely summer morning, it's going to be light soon.
I was really in another world. I really was in a different universe. Everything was not the same as in my universe. Everything is so bright, so juicy, as if painted. Like the inhabitants of this world. Like me. I looked down at my hands. On their pale-gays their fingertips. It wasn't my body. Or rather, not the one I was born into. But it was me. I, and the most that neither is I. As strange as it may sound. I'm real. I am what I should be. I just realized that. Although known for a long time.
Everything around me seemed so beautiful, so beautiful. So alive. I felt different. I seemed to feel better. Here it is, what I dreamed of. I'm here now. I can smell those smells and enjoy the view.
I stood there for about a minute. Just looked, just breathed. I looked at the town and it seemed to me something native, something close. Something special.
One of the girls took my hand. Rarity.
"Now you're make sure it's real?" she asked.
"Yes," I said quietly.
And it was true.
The other girls stood beside me.
"What's next?"
"You should probably get some sleep first," Twilight said. "Yeah. We've been up all night."
It was almost morning. Although, when the portal opened, it was midnight. In my world. So it should be a few hours before morning. But here it is almost morning and the sun will begin to rise above the horizon very soon.
"Where to now?" I asked.
"To our farm," Applejack said.
"And then what?"
To tell the truth, I wasn't too interested in what would happen next.
"We'll discuss what happens after we sleep," Twilight said.
Fluttershy yawned. Pinkie Pie, too, I think. Even such an active girl like her tend to get tired and want to sleep. Amazing thing.
"Well, then, let's go to the Apple' farm," said Sunset Shimmer.
She handed the key to Rarity, who locked the door to the science lab.
"Would your family mind?" I asked Applejack. "I mean, they know sunset shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy. But here I am – a complete stranger, and even a guy."
"They're not home. They'll be back tomorrow afternoon. Well, this afternoon."
"I see," I said.
Rarity handed the key to Twilight Sparkle.
The first rays of the sun foreshadowed the beginning of a new day. A day that should be the most extraordinary day of my life. First day in the new world. The first day together with their favorite heroines.
"Shall we go then?" Sunset asked.
"The farm isn't that far from here," Applejack said.
I just nodded.
We headed toward the Apple's farm, which was near the town. As the town itself is not very large, the farm can be reached on foot.
The morning summer wind blew in my face. I smiled, the pleasant coolness caressing me. I was absolutely happy in that moment and didn't want to think about anything that had to do with my world. School, home, city. I left everything behind, out there in another universe.
I left behind. And ahead of me was waiting for a new world. I went to meet him, and he smiled at me. A new life was beginning right now.
Shades of Other Realities
It really didn't take long. It was four-thirty in the morning. Everyone was very tired after a sleepless night spent trying, successfully trying, to extract me from another world.
Extract. Just like Stephen king in His Dark Tower series. He called it extraction, too. The Parallels between the books and what had so unexpectedly happened to me could not but arise. They not should have.
To be honest, I somewhat underestimated the scale of the city.
It was smaller than the one I lived in, but it wasn't too small either. It was not far from the former gallery to the Apple farm.
In the morning it is quite cool, despite the summer season. The ground had cooled overnight. Cool, but far from cold. I was in simple house clothes and began to feel uncomfortable, although for the first time after the passage of the interspatial tunnel I was not up to clothes. Now that I was more or less recovered from my shock and able to reason, I noticed what I was wearing. And then I felt a little ashamed. However girls, apparently, my external kind of not too worried.
Yes, the clothes, like my body, had changed, but it was still the same outfit that I wouldn't show up on the street in. Except the store around the corner. And then, probably not.
It always seemed to me that everyone who passed me was looking at me for some reason, studying me. It was I who tried to ignore them, but I aroused their lively interest.
Naturally, it was not so. I was an ordinary teenager, millions of them, unremarkable and not stand out from the crowd. I merged with it, became a part of it, was a part in an intricate design. Though I wanted to think it wasn't. The reflections that covered my head there must leave me here. And I'll do anything for it. In this world, I want to think about something else.
As we approached the Apple farm, the sun began to rise. The Apple farm is a wide area enclosed by a low fence. And inside the plot was a two-story house painted bright red, a vegetable garden, a barn, a warehouse and, behind the house, against a background of wonderful hills covered with lush greenery, the main treasure – an Apple orchard. Dozens, if not more, of green trees bearing apples. Remarkable view. They can be admired and admired, I'm sure, such a spectacle will never get bored. Somewhere in my heart I envied Applejack – living in such a wonderful place must be a real pleasure. These are not concrete boxes overlooking other concrete boxes. This is real nature. The Apple family is very lucky with this wonderful piece of land.
Something inside me quivered with delight as we entered. After all, if up until now, I just realized that he was in another world, but now I was on familiar locations. Feelings are quite different. I again doubted the reality of what was happening around me, but only for a split second.
No, it's all true. Crystal clear reality.
"Well, Marco," I said excitedly. "Here you are on Muni."
I took a few steps toward the house. Beautiful, though not the newest, of course, the building with a nice weathervane in the form of an Apple pierced by an arrow on the roof. Looking up, I immediately thought of Cupid and his arrows piercing human hearts. I think he got into my heart. And the hit was very accurate. I fell in love with this place.
I'm sure the longer I'm here, the warmer I'll feel.
"It's beautiful," I said aloud. "It's wonderful here."
"Welcome to the farm of the Apple family." Applejack smiled kindly.
At that moment, my fatigue lifted as a hand. I didn't even think about staying up all night. All I thought about was how lucky I was. So unexpected, so unpredictable, but everything I could have dreamed of found me.
I guess I deserved it. I deserved what I got here. And what I have yet to receive. Being in this world was a great reward for me.
"She's beautiful," I said again.
"Yes, with a farm we are lucky." Applejack nodded and took off his hat.
"Well, it's beautiful," Twilight agreed. "Let's go inside. "We need to rest."
As we entered the spacious and well-kept room, I was immediately overwhelmed by a wave of fatigue and drowsiness. Here, in the house, it was very beautiful and cozy. There was a warm home atmosphere. Photos on the walls, a beautiful clock in the form of an Apple. It was exactly 4:30.
"Very cozy."
"Thank you," Applejack put a hand on my shoulder. "We're trying. I, Apple Bloom, and our Granny Smith. Even my brother helps sometimes."
There was no need to ask who it was. Applejack herself seemed to know that no explanation was needed.
I scanned the lower floor, the kitchen and living room. All very nice and cozy furnished.
"Where did you say your family went?" I asked.
"To visit Golden Delicious, a relative of ours." I said I wanted to invite my friends over for a sleepover and I wasn't going.
"They agreed?"
"Granny grumbled at first, but then she told me not to go."
So everything was calculated in advance. Everything was prepared for my extraction from my world. But here is one thing in detail it looked me excessively successful.
"How is it that your family left the day your portal started?"
"Actually, I persuaded them to go today. Yesterday, that is. The day we planned to bring you here."
"Understand."
I paused, gathering my thoughts.
"Thank you," I managed to say. Applejack smiled and patted me on the shoulder.
I turned to the girls.
"Thank you. For everything you've done for me."
"No,thank you," Sunset Shimmer said.
"Me? But for what?"
"For the feelings you gave us. You came into our lives so suddenly. When we didn't expect anything like this. At first we thought you were strange. But then we realized. We realized you weren't weird at all. No. You love. Love truly and love with all your heart. You never betrayed your feelings for us."
"We appreciate that," Rainbow Dash added.
"And we want to thank you in return," Rarity said.
Here we go again. Those tears again. Again I can't help myself. That shot to the heart again. Again an exact hit.
"Girls... I love you."
I said it again. He said it again, as he had said so often before. Only before I spoke, but no one heard me and could not answer. That's what I thought, at least.
I often repeated, I often whispered it, looking at the very photo that I set on my desktop as Wallpaper. He repeated it, sometimes looking out of the window, when the twilight fell on the world and hid many of its flaws from the eyes.
Repeated, sighing. Tremulously whispered. No one else could hear it. No one else should have heard. It was personal. It was ours. Ours and ours alone.
"We love you, too, you know that," Rarity said softly, laying her hand on my cheek. "And always will love."
"Stay here with us," Twilight added.
"Yeah... I'll stay with you."
I had nothing more to say. All that was needed had already been said. Remained only gentle and warm feelings. A sense of love, a sense of harmony, peace and comfort. Gentle embrace. We clung to each other again. As real and very close friends. And I was in the center and I felt all the tenderness coming from these lovely girls.
With no girl in my world would I be so happy as here with them. No girl would have given me as much love and tenderness as Sunset Shimmer, as Rarity. Like Twilight Sparkle, like Rainbow Dash. Like every one of them. No matter how much time has passed, no matter how many times I have not had time to grow, to change, but it would always remain an immutable truth. The most important truth, against which there is not a single argument.
Wish everyone in my world find its love, but my-she here is, here. Next to me. She hugs me tenderly. And I gently cling to her. And I'm happy. Really happy.
I guess I'm really overworked. Because the eyes began to stick together. A strong desire to sleep. Yes, we all need sleep. I've spent so much emotional energy in the last couple of hours that my body needs to rest. And he shouldn't have resisted. On a new day I will come out full of energy. Into the new world of which I am to be a part.
So what happens then? Twilight promised we'd talk about it, but after a good night's sleep. So, come what may. I am ready to fall into the arms of sleep, to go to the realm of Morpheus.
"And you," I began.
"It would be strange if we went to sleep at Applejack's and came back at five in the morning," Pinkie Pie laughed wearily. The girl's energy charge was almost spent. And it seemed that it would last for a month or more.
We went to the second floor of the house, where the Applejack and Applebloom rooms were located.
In Applejack's room, sleeping bags were already spread out. It was big, much bigger than my cubicle inside the concrete box. No, I loved my room, of course, but I couldn't compare it. And comparison was strongly not in favor of my homes.
In General, typical post-Soviet buildings never differed in spaciousness. In the house in which I lived, all the rooms were narrow squares in which you can not really turn around. But we were used to it, so the square didn't bother us much.
I knew my room was small. But didn't think much of it. Now that I was in Applejack's room, I realized it was even smaller than I'd thought.
"My room," Applejack said. She took off her hat and threw it on the bed, and sat down after it.
The room was decorated so nice and cozy so and the whole house. A large bed in the corner of the bass guitar and amplifiers for guitar. There were three photographs on the shelves. One shows Applejack with his younger sister. On the second - Applejack with their girlfriends on the beach. And another one of Applejack at some concert with a guy holding a guitar in his hands. I didn't ask who it was yet.
On the wall was a poster of a musician holding an acoustic guitar. According to the inscription on the poster I realized who it was. Without that, I probably wouldn't have guessed.
Take me home, country roads, I sang, looking at the poster.
Applejack stared at me.
"You know that song?"
"Of course," I approached the poster. "He's a country music legend – John Denver."
"It's a great song," Applejack said.
"Yeah."
To the place I belong, Applejack suddenly sang.
West Virginia, mountain mama, I said.
Take me home, country roads.
I surprised myself. I didn't usually sing when I was at risk of being overheard. I've always found my own voice unbearably awful. It got to the point that even in class I was afraid to read aloud or tell anything.
But now I was not afraid, not shy. I just let myself go. Though sang only two lines.
"The sleepover at Applejack's is open!" Rainbow Dash said, plopping down on her sleeping bag.
"Only the night has passed," Rarity said, looking out the window. There the sun was already rising above the horizon.
Not the essence," Rainbow stretched. "I still can't believe we did it."
"Turned out," Twilight yawned. "Everything turned out wonderful."
I was a little surprised, but everyone seemed to fit in the room.
From the window there was a beautiful view of the green hills and the Apple orchard below them. There were many Apple trees. So much I, living in the city, never saw in my life. And where could I have seen? In the yard of another concrete box?
I imagined Applejack sitting by the window, enjoying the view, playing a beautiful tune on his guitar.
For the first time the question arose, if I stayed here, where would I live? How and with whom. But the questions to ask yet does not make sense: Twilight Sparkle promised to discuss it later.
I yawned too, looking out the window. August, morning. Favorite girls nearby. I plopped down in my seat against the wall, feeling very sleepy. What I've been through lately has been a real shock. It's really hard to digest, but I did it. Perhaps because in my fantasies I had already outlined everything and was internally ready. But, in any case, the shock and the shock will definitely have an impact. My English teacher, a native speaker from the United States, spoke about the so-called cultural shock faced by everyone who leaves for another country. I did not even go to another country, but to a whole other reality.
Applejack set her alarm for ten o'clock in the morning. So we had five hours to sleep.
I wanted to ask the girls about school, but then I remembered that August was summer vacation. The issue was dropped by itself.
"Good night," Sunset Shimmer said. "Good morning, actually."
"Sleepover at Applejack's! Hold on..." Pinkie asked. "If it's night, what do you call it?"
The girls laughed, then lay down without changing. Only Twilight sparkle took off the robe of the mad scientist now looked like a normal girl-nerd in every school. Without a mad plan to enslave humanity. And without glasses, it was gone.
I closed my eyes. All that I had experienced passed before my mind's eye. First my typical day, then my usual evening. And the most atypical continuation of this evening.
An earthquake, a portal that opened right into my room. Twilight Sparkle, who came for me. Go through the portal. My arrival in this world. Meet with the characters that I love. Twilight's Explanation. Feelings, closeness, warmth. How I first saw the Apple farm live. My feelings when I entered the house. Just the beginning, and already so much just remarkable. So what's next for me?
I used to sleep with my dakimakura in my arms. But now didn't even notice her absence.
Suddenly I remembered what song of the band Fall Out Boy was listening to when I returned on the first of September 2017 from school in my world. It was a track called Champion.
And I'm back with a madness I'm a champion of the people who don't believe in champions I got nothing but dreams inside I got nothing but dreams
I listened to this song very often. I have so many memories of her. And not just with this song, but a bunch of others. Recently, music has become an integral part of me. And without music I could not imagine long evenings in the company of thoughts and reflections.
I was going into a dream world. Left tired, but satisfied and happy.
My last thought before I fell asleep was that I hadn't seen Guy Ritchie's movie.
Shades of Other Realities
I had a dream. A school bus full of students drove into the woods for some reason. I've never been on a school bus in my life, but I've seen enough movies and TV shows. In my country, there are quite a few buses in such good condition. Many are old, battered by time, others are not so old, but still quite worn out. The bus I was dreaming of was new and, accordingly, in very good condition. Like it was his first flight.
I think it was yellow, but I'm not quite sure. In General, in a dream, there is little you can be sure of until the end. Everything was dark and indistinct, but I was sure that the bus was in perfect condition. I don't know why, but I remember this particular detail more than any other.
I was sitting inside, no one was sitting next to me. The bus was Packed with students. They were my classmates. I only once went somewhere with my classmates on the bus. End of tenth grade, April. We were taken to the Botanical garden for a tour. It was warm and Sunny. In a word, the weather is wonderful. I was in love with my classmate at the time. Her name was Alice. Fortunately, we didn't succeed. Why fortunately? I guess someone like me couldn't be a good guy for someone like her. I didn't even know how to talk to her. I didn't know how to say Hello. No, of course I knew what words to say when greeting. I didn't know how to pronounce them, with what intonation. How to approach it better. That's probably why I never spoke to her. It's for the best. I don't regret it at all now.
So, I dreamed of a trip with classmates on the bus. But a very strange trip. Into the forest.
Why the woods? And, it seems, in the thicket. It's dark and damp. And anyway, at the mere sight of the glass window I want to chill and turn away to not watch.
But this is a dream, and there are all sorts of things in a dream. Anything can happen. But, most interestingly, in a dream, we believe in the reality of what is happening. Any fantastic images seem real to us and exist in our daily life. Or at least have the right to exist.
The bus was stuck between the trees. Not only, it was raining from the sky. The strange phantasmagoria of my dream was gaining momentum. It seems as if everything that happens comes from the pen of some writer who decided to write a mystical horror with teenagers in the woods. Almost like in the movie "Cabin in the woods." A banal story like this, but preparing to present a surprise. When you don't expect it at all.
The bus stopped in the middle of a dark forest, it was raining, but that's not all. Some strange shadows peeked out from behind the trees. Strange phantoms, which, in theory, was supposed to cause fear. I didn't see the reaction of my classmates to this. Most likely, it simply did not exist, because my dream and their actions are not provided for in it. They are there as scenery around me, but not as actors.
I wasn't scared. There were more and more shadows, but I was not afraid. On the contrary, I was filled with curiosity. Wanting to know what's going on. Who are they and what do they want from us? What they want from me.
I got off the bus for the sole purpose of finding out, finding out why they were here. And, perhaps, why am I here. Questions that require answers.
I passed silent people, their faces hidden from me by shadows, so that there was no way to see them. But I didn't have to. I felt. And these feelings were far more reliable than vision, which can sometimes deceive. Yes, and it happens, I knew it.
It seems cool outside. It should be, at least, but I'm not sure.
Strange shadows surrounded our bus from all sides, you could say, took it in a ring. They were still just peeking out from behind the trunks, but they didn't come out. I was very curious. I wanted to know the truth, to get it from them. But what will they say? And can they even speak?
I was getting closer to them, the shadows, but they, on the contrary, were moving away from me with every step I took. It was very strange. Like some kind of optical illusion. They disappeared and reappeared, but they were already far from the bus. Yes, they were certainly not to be feared. They are unlikely to cause any harm. Rather, they were afraid of me.
Finally, realizing that I couldn't catch up with them and ask them my strange questions, I turned around and headed back to the bus.
I went inside, but it was empty. There's no one left on this bus. I all alone. They all disappeared, leaving me here all alone. I probably shouldn't have gotten off the bus. Then, you see, no one would have disappeared. But I can't go back in time. Even in his dream, it was impossible.
I all alone.
The alarm clock was ringing, bursting. I didn't want to get up, I didn't want to crawl out of bed and go somewhere. In General, I did not miss school, but now it seemed to me that today is Sunday, you do not need to go anywhere, and the alarm clock is ringing by mistake and in vain to try to raise me.
What do we say to school? Not today.
Finally, the alarm stopped screaming. I didn't even open my eyes until it rang.
It's Sunday, you can sleep. Sunday, you don't need to go to school.
I curled up and went back to sleep. This time my sleep was very short.
In fact, I slept for another half hour, and then I realized that something was keeping me awake. Light. Bright sunlight, this room was too bright. I turned around for about five minutes, and then I realized that it would be better for me to get out of bed. Yes, there will be more time to do business. And I have a lot of these things to do. Whichever way you look at it, there are some advantages.
I opened my eyes and got out of bed. But then I saw that something was wrong. This is not my room. I was somewhere else. What am I doing here? How did I get here?
I jerked out of bed and found that I was not even on the bed, but in a sleeping bag. Besides, I slept in my clothes. It was only when I got to my feet that I remembered what had happened that night.
Scenes flashed through my head like a movie on a scroll. Everything, from beginning to end. From the moment I put the movie 'Rock and roll' on pause to go to the kitchen, to the moment when I went to sleep in the Applejack room. I thought again that it would be nice to watch that movie.
In fact, there was something else to think about.
There were clothes on a chair near the window. They were ordinary jeans, the kind all teenagers wear, and an ordinary red t-shirt with a picture of a bitten white apple. The image reminded me of the Apple logo. I smiled, noting the resemblance.
And in General, the mood was wonderful. I went to the window, stretched, and looked out. The sun was already high enough over the hills to illuminate the Applejack family's beautiful apple orchard. I replayed the events of the previous night over and over again.
The wonderful view was pleasing to the eye. But not just outside. Inside, a local John Denver was looking at me from a poster, along with an Applejack bass guitar. And there are framed photos on the table.
I took the one with Applejack and her friends on the beach. The photo showed everyone: Pinkie, Fluttershy, Sunset, Rarity, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash. Where the blue waves lapped the shore behind them. The camera caught a Seagull flying in the background.
Either someone was photographing them, or it was a camera mounted on a drone. Twilight is well versed in these matters.
I held the photo closer to my face and resisted the urge to kiss it. I think my cheeks were flushed at that moment, and probably as red as boiled crayfish. It was a good thing that no one could see me at that moment.
If earlier I felt like a person who was tired of life and was on the threshold of 'cutting along, not across', as Lena taught, now I, for the first time in several long months, felt like a full-strength sixteen-seventeen-year-old teenager. The feeling is actually great.
I stood at the open window, enjoying the fresh air and admiring the framed photo for about five minutes, I didn't know for sure. I didn't bring my phone. It stayed on my bed and charged up after a hard day of games and social media during lessons.
Then I decided it was time to go down. There were clothes on the chair. I suppose Applejack could have worn it, but I knew it was reserved for me. It's true that it's not comme Il faut to wear old house clothes.
I pulled off my clothes, pants, and blue t-shirt, and put on the clothes I'd left behind. I pulled on jeans that were just right for me, and a t-shirt with a white apple on it. I wonder if Apple has absolutely everything with an image of an apple or not?
After changing, I moved away from the window and looked at the Denver poster.
"How do I look?" I spread my hands, looking at the musician. "Almost heaven, West Virginia. Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River. "
If I had a mirror, I would have looked at it. Even though it wasn't there, I was convinced that I looked pretty good. Just like a cowboy. A hat and a good pair of revolvers. And then you can ride a fast horse.
One day I will write a Western novel about a brave man on a gray Mustang, riding in the setting sun. And if this book is ever filmed, a beautiful country-style solo will play in the background.
"Life is old there, older than the trees. Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze, " I sang, and went to the first floor. I left my clothes in the same place where the new one was waiting for me.
The smell of fried eggs wafted from the kitchen. I smelled this delicious scent on the stairs. Everyone seems to have had breakfast, and I'm the only one left. Well, of course, they went up on the alarm clock, and lay for another thirty minutes, probably.
I remembered exactly where their kitchen was located, plus the smell of a good Breakfast led me like Ariadne's thread. At this point I woke up in the appetite.
In the kitchen, I found sunset shimmer standing at the stove, and at the table were Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, and Fluttershy.
"Good morning," Rarity said when she saw me.
"Good..." I paused for a moment. I was suddenly very uncomfortable. How do I deal with them? How to talk? Like we're good friends or something? Stupid doubts, but I wouldn't be myself without them.
"How did you rest?" Twilight was writing something down in her thick notebook. The girl is a scientist, after all, a future Nobel prize winner, if there is something like this in this world. At that moment, she raised her head and looked at me with a smile.
"Not bad."
I sat down in the empty seat that had been prepared for me, for there was a clean plate and fork.
Sunset Shimmer turned to me.
"Hi, Sunset."
I also said hi to Fluttershy.
"What do you prefer for breakfast?" Sunset asked, a little playfully. "Scrambled eggs or a slice of apple pie."
I liked pies, and generally considered myself a sweet tooth, but I didn't want to start the day with pies right away.
"Scrambled eggs."
"And if you'd chosen a pie, you'd still be eating scrambled eggs, because I fried them just for you," Sunset said, lifting the pan to the table and dumping its delicious contents onto her plate. At that moment, to be honest, I was madly embarrassed. So much work for me? I had to do something in response.
I looked at Sunset Shimmer and smiled awkwardly.
"What's the matter?" she looked at me knowingly.
"You know, I like it... it's awkward. First the clothes, now the food. And all that. For me. What can I do for you?"
"We have a lot of time ahead of us. There's something you can do for us."
"Your wishes are my law, my lady," I blurted out suddenly, and hurriedly buried my face in my plate. I probably shouldn't have said that.
"Noted, sir. Now eat. Bon appetit."
I enjoyed the scrambled eggs. It was very tasty and there was a lot of it. Soon Sunset set down a mug of tea.
I enjoyed eating Sunset Shimmer's Breakfast. And I didn't forget to drink it. Soon my plate was empty and my stomach was full.
"Very good," I said when I had finished my Breakfast. "I'll wash the dishes."
"Don't worry, I'll do it myself."
"Leave it to me. It's going to be awkward for me."
"Okay, I did."
I took my plate and mug to the sink and washed them. The surface of the dishes glistened like new. I tried. I usually didn't like to wash dishes, even though I had to, you know. But for the sake of Sunset and all the girls, I was happy to do it.
When I finished washing, I went back to my seat and looked at Twilight Sparkle. She understood at once.
"I suppose you want to discuss the next course of action, don't you?" the girl's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Yes, I think it's time."
"Let's move to the living room for that." And we need to call the others. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie in the yard.
"Oh, I'll go get them."
"I'm with you," I said, and we walked out of the house into the yard.
"It suits you very well, by the way," Rarity said, alluding to my appearance.
If the recognized fashion designer of all Equestria recognized this, then I really looked good. I was very pleased to hear such words from Rarity. I would have done a great deal for just her smile.
As I stepped out into the courtyard, I felt the warm summer air touch me. The courtyard was pleasing to the eye only by its appearance. I didn't like the village, and I hadn't visited my grandparents since I was twelve, when they finally stopped sending me there by force. When I was thirteen, I made it clear to my parents that I wasn't going to leave town for the holidays. My parents agreed with me. It's great when your parents agree with you. It's a pity that when you're a teenager, it doesn't always happen. More often there are disputes and even conflicts. And, because I was very self-contained and taciturn, it was even worse. I couldn't just say what I thought. I kept it to myself. And always.
I didn't like the village, but I would have liked to spend time on the Apple farm. It was just wonderful here. This is not a dilapidated post-Soviet village. Fifty kilometers from the city - and already it feels as if he was right in the Middle ages. Many, I think, will be familiar with this feeling.
Here, again, it was wonderful. Right eye rejoiced. The city nearby did not spoil the view, but, on the contrary, decorated it. I'll probably live in this town.
Pinkie stood in the middle of the yard, throwing the ball up and hitting it with her closed fists, like a real volleyball player. In Equestria, her pony version plays backball, a sport with a ball and basket. I wonder what the local Pinkie Pie likes to play? Probably, at all. Energy has to be put somewhere, and she has plenty of it.
"Hello, Pinkie!" I exclaimed.
The pink-haired girl turned, covered her eyes with her hand, and shouted:
"Good morning! How did you sleep? How are you doing? Are you all right?"
"Yes, Pinkie."
"Hey."
Pinkie Pie jumped up to us with Fluttershy, holding the ball under her arm. First she hugged Flutty, then she ran to me.
"Okay, Pinkie... Stop it, or you'll choke me," I said, laughing.
Pinkie let me go.
"Where are Rainbow and Applejack?" Fluttershy asked.
"Sort of like a chicken coop," Pinkie said cheerfully. "They drive chickens there. They're drive chickens," she repeated with a funny intonation.
"All right, thank you," I said.
"Why?"
"We need to discuss the next course of action," I practically quoted Twilight.
"Nicely."
"Yeah. In the meantime, we'll go get Applejack and Rainbow Dash."
That's what Fluttershy and I did.
At first, just as I was approaching the Apple farm, I didn't notice the chicken coop. Like a stable with stalls. But it was all there. The Applejack family, after all, is engaged in farming. And without chickens could not do. Homemade eggs are the most delicious and juicy. That's why sunset's scrambled eggs were so great. But not just because of the eggs. Also because Sunset is a real magician.
There was no need to look into the chicken coop; Rainbow and Applejack were standing by it, looking pleased. In the hands of a girl holding two egg-tray. Apparently, the fruits of their morning labor.
"Good morning," Rainbow Dash said first.
"Hi."
Applejack meant jeans and a t-shirt.
"Yeah. Thanks. By the way, whose is it?"
"It's Big Mac's old clothes. He wore it when he was your age. I immediately thought it would suit you. You have the same body Constitution as him. I mean, with a Big Mac your age."
I myself began to like these clothes more and more. I felt very comfortable in it. Moreover, this clothing was given to me by one of my favorite heroines, it was even pleasant to wear it.
"What, are we going to discuss what to do with you next?" Rainbow Dash winked at me.
Fluttershy nodded.
"Yes, something like that," I said. I mean, the living room.
The farmer girl turned to the barn.
"We'll take the eggs to the kitchen and be there."
"Okay."
The farmer girl and the sportswoman carried the eggs to the kitchen. They chatted on the way. It's probably good to have a good friend. Someone you can talk to heart-to-heart, someone who will listen to you and understand. I always dreamed of such a friend.
"Come on," I heard Fluttershy say softly.
"Go."
We entered the living room, where Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity were already sitting. They took their seats on the sofa. I sat down near Sunset and Twilight. Applejack and Rainbow Dash soon arrived. They were all together now.
"Well," Twilight said. "We can start."
Shades of Other Realities
Chapter VII. Breaking Good
A beautiful red apple clock hung on the wall of the living room. Very convenient thing, you always know how much time, whether you need to hurry or not. It is a pity that now many people prefer not to use a wall clock.
The clock in the living room of the Apple farm said a little after eleven. It's late in the morning, as I usually call it.
"Before you got here, we thought it through," Twilight Sparkle said.
I listened carefully to the girl, as did everyone else in the room. They probably knew what she was going to say, but I could only guess.
"You were born in two thousand and one, right?"
I nodded. I think I was talking about it. Yes, last night. Or rather, this morning.
"So you're only sixteen in this world."
"Yeah. What are you trying to say?"
"Do you already have a passport?"
"Certainly. Got it last summer."
I think I was beginning to guess where Twilight Sparkle was going. If I were a three-time traveler from a parallel universe, I would need a document if I was going to stay here. I want to stay.
However, the traveler is loudly said. It was more like a guy who had been dragged out of his world and taken to another world while he was having a hard time figuring out what was going on.
Twilight was clearly alluding to the document.
"So you need a new one."
"Of course."
"And you're just the right age to get a passport."
It turns out, I'm coming. You can't argue with that, it was just perfect for me.
Well, this can only be happy.
"Pinkie Pie has a friend. Her name is French Fries... No, Le Big Mac... What's her name, Pinkie?
"Mad Chicken!" rosy-hair blurted out, as if waiting for a question to be asked.
Twilight adjusted her glasses again.
"Well, French Che... I mean, Mad Chicken can help us with forgery.
"You want to fake my passport?" I said it a little louder than I had intended, and in a somewhat surprised tone.
"No, you will get your passport legally. You will become a full-fledged citizen of our society."
"That's good to hear."
"Your birth certificate will have to be forged."
Logical. You can't get a passport without this document.
I remember when I got my passport for the first time, I mean, on my own planet, my father and I had to go to the passport office and back for a few days, and then wait a whole month. A lot of documents, receipts, receipts. It's all bureaucracy. Just like in the old cartoon 'Twelve feats of Asterix'. When Astrix and Obelix needed to get an A38 pass. As a child, you are amused by the seemingly funny running around of characters, their going crazy from the constant bureaucracy of officials, but as you get older, you begin to realize how much this is a caustic satire on modern society.
A bureaucracy that's worse than a cave of monsters or a Legion of dead soldiers in a field.
"Yes," I said. "but in addition to the birth certificate, you also need your parents' passports. How do we get them?"
"Parents or guardian," Twilight said.
"A guardian? But I'm not an orphan, I don't live in an orphanage. I have parents."
"And now to the next question."
"So, interesting."
I looked around at everyone present. Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Sunset Shimmer, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack. It's nice to know that everyone is together and that I am with them. Next to them.
"You've already thought about where you're going to live, haven't you?"
"Certainly."
I don't think it's in a special facility for aliens from another world. I don't want scientists poking at me and asking me where I hid the flying saucer I came here on. And I, in turn, will answer them that there is no flying saucer and I was brought here through a portal between dimensions by one of my favorite cartoon characters, whom I love very much and about whom I watched cartoons and read books. This is exactly like the truth.
"We found a solution."
"We think you'll like it," said Sunset Shimmer.
"Definitely," Rainbow added, and whistled.
Twilight folded her hands and continued.
"You'll be an exchange student."
"That's great," I said.
"We understand that you lived in a country that doesn't speak our language."
"Yeah. Your native language is English. We speak a different language in our country."
"So you can pass for a student from another country. So I came here to study for an exchange."
"Understand."
My classmate in the tenth grade left for exchange to study in the United States. So I'm very familiar with this. He submitted the documents himself, but did not pass the selection process at the time. I wasn't particularly upset at the time. This prospect seemed more like something fabulous and unrealistic than a real chance to go abroad.
I wonder if I had actually flown to the States a couple of years ago, would the girls have found me there? It is quite possible that things would have been very different and my signals, so to speak, did not reach them.
"We'll introduce you as an exchange student," Twilight repeated. "I came here from another country to study. And you will live in a family that accepted you."
"What kind of family is this?" now's the time to worry. Right now, in the presence of seven girls from Equestria, my fate was being decided.
"You will live with my family," Sparkle said after a brief but painful pause.
To say that I was surprised is to multiply all my feelings at that moment by one-tenth. No, not even one-hundredth. I was, so to speak, very surprised by what I heard. Live in the Twilight family? Not only did I get into this world, but I was also so lucky with it? It seems that all the benefits of the universe poured out on me from a giant cosmic cornucopia. And I didn't do anything about it myself. Or, after all, is this the result of the last years of my life, which I spent in a world of dreams and fantasies? I practically refused to communicate with the opposite sex. After all, my favorite characters are the only ones I really loved. I couldn't love anyone as much as I love each of these lovely girls.
Yes, there was Alice in my life, but it's more of a hobby. Every teenager has something that he takes for true love for life because of his stupidity and, due to age, inexperience. So I had something similar. I didn't lock myself out of the world. I wasn't a Hickey, I went to school like everyone else, went to the movies, walked. Although, sitting in the classroom, I felt like I wanted to disappear here and be somewhere else. But it is very difficult to hold back, one way or another.
You can still demand something like this from an adult and formed person, and then not always, but not from a teenager. When you're a teenager, feelings prevail over common sense. It is the heart that controls you, not the mind. No matter how much you want to be different from others, to be, as they say, not like everyone else, but the heart always plays the same role. It is feeling, not reason, that drives you to rash and stupid actions. So how do I differ from other boys and girls my age? The same stupidity, the same recklessness that is common to all teenagers.
"It... it real?" I blurted out at last, coming out of a reverie that might have taken me with it for a long time. "I mean, is it really possible? What will it look like? Hello, I am a student from abroad, I came for an exchange and now I will live here with you?"
To be honest, the prospect of living in a Sci-Twi family was hard to believe. Everything works out perfectly for me.
In response to my questions and reasonable comments, Twilight laughed kindly.
"Things are settled with my parents." I arranged it so that they supposedly agreed to exchange students. But this is actually a fiction. Right now, they are waiting for a student from another country, who should arrive any day.
"So if I show up at your parents' house, I'll be accepted as an exchange student right away?"
"Yeah."
"But it's not just that. You need some kind of document, right?"
Twilight glanced at her watch, checking the time. The green Apple looked down from the wall and also seemed to be listening to our conversation. He probably cares about the fate of a guy from another world. He also wonders what will happen to him next.
I pictured Applejack and his family spending winter evenings here in this room, drinking tea and talking. Probably playing board games. And the clock looks at them from above, looking steadily, because this is their mission - to show people the time and watch their actions.
"That's what we're going to do today."
"We'll take a picture and make an exchange student card," Rarity said.
"And your friend will do all this? What's her name, Fries Chicken."
"Mad Chicken," Pinkie corrected.
I guess their names are too strange for me. In their world, most names mean something. Me have to get used to it.
It's one thing to name your favorite characters. It's different when everyone around you has it. Well, that's all right. You can get used to everything. And getting used to it won't be the hardest thing, I'm sure.
"Delicious," I joked.
Pinkie licked her lips.
Every minute I felt more relaxed in the company of the girls. Every minute I merged more and more into their team, became a part of it, one of them. A friend to them. And they are my friends. It remained only to settle matters and go to conquer a new world.
"Yes," Twilight continued. "Mad Chicken will help us. So, today we will take pictures. We'll make you an exchange student card, make you a fake birth certificate. After that, we will buy you a suitcase and things to make you look like a person who came from abroad."
I smiled sweetly.
"When it's done, you and I will come to my house and introduce you to my family. And you will live with us."
"Okay," I nodded. "What's next?"
"Since you're an exchange student, you came here to study."
"Where will I study?"
"At our Canterlot School. Since you are sixteen years old, you will go with us to the eleventh grade."
"I'll be accepted, won't I?"
"You can be sure," said Twilight Sparkle.
"Still as will be," winked at me Sunset Shimmer.
The girl crossed her legs and looked at me. We met Sunset Shimmer's eyes. She seemed older than the others. No, not that it's older. More like an adult. As if she had seen and experienced more than all the others combined.
However, it was true. She's not from here either. Not from this dimension. And when I came here, I changed, as I changed, in turn. This brought me closer to her. Sunset and I are alike. Each of us had a reason to leave our own world for the other. Motives that justify our actions. Perhaps in the eyes of others, what we do seems very strange, but we know that we are doing everything correctly. We do what our hearts, eager for sincere feelings, suggest.
"They will, of course," Rainbow Dash added. "A student like you will be welcome here."
"I'm very glad to hear that."
The whole situation, to be honest, reminded me of the TV series 'Breaking Bad'. Well, where a school teacher, after learning that he had lung cancer, turned into a drug dealer.
Twilight ran a hand over her right cheek. I noticed the gesture. I don't know why, but it caught my attention.
"Now let us repeat all that has just been said. But now in chronological order. First, we make you a student card and a birth certificate. You come home to my parents, settle in, and live with me. Then you go to Canterlot School. Then we go and make you a passport. Oh, Yes, your parents won't be needed. My parents will act as guardians. This is allowed by law."
Applejack put her index finger and thumb together, making the appropriate gesture. This was encouraging.
In General, it turns out that the girls have already thought everything through. In fact, I was not enough to carry out all this. And here I am, sitting on a comfortable sofa in the Applejack living room, listening intently to the accompaniment of an Apple wall clock.
Inside, butterflies fluttered, no matter how banal it sounded. I imagined a life together with Twilight sparkle. Study at the Canterlot School. I've often imagined this before. I fantasized in class at my own school. How I would behave, how I would talk to other students.
Sometimes I transferred his fantasies to paper. It turned out so-so, but over time I honed my skills, read a lot and, in the end, it became something more or less suitable for reading without the risk of loss of vision.
"We've explained most of it," Twilight said, as if to sum it up. "Except one."
It seemed to me that we had really explained everything that was needed. But there was something else.
"Name. Your name. Will you leave your present or invent a new one?"
I thought about it. I don't think my real name will fit this world. But on the other hand, I came from abroad, didn't I? This is, in fact, true.
However, I wondered what my name would be here. Of course, you should not invent a speaking first and last name. Otherwise, I'm not likely to pass for a foreigner. Especially since I have almost no accent, I speak English fluently.
I thought with my chin in my hand. Finally, I said:
"What about it? Joshua."
That's the name of one of my favorite players. Jozua Kimmich is a defender for my favorite club Bayern Munich. I decided to name myself after him.
"That's a strange name," Pinkie Pie said.
"No stranger than Mad Fries."
"Mad Chicken, stupid," Pinkie corrected again.
"Well, I can't even remember," smiled the human from now on call Jozua.
What was happening was more and more like a TV series.
Twilight nodded in agreement. Like the other girls.
"What about the surname? Or don't you have them?"
"Do you have any?" I asked.
"Some have it and some don't," said Sci-Twi.
"Then let Walker be mine."
I like that name. I decided to take it for myself.
"It's not a very foreign name," Sunset said.
"I will say that this is a very popular surname among us."
"By the way, where exactly are you going to be?" Sunset asked.
I thought about it. And how does the geography of this world work? Is it similar to our earth? Is there, for example, Europe?
"Do you have Europe here?"
"Yes," Twilight said.
"In that case, I'll be from Eastern Europe."
"All right, so be it."
I think we've allowed that, too. I am Jozua Walker, an exchange student from Eastern Europe. Sixteen years old, single, no trial. I lead a healthy lifestyle of a typical geek who went all over his head.
"So, your name is Jozua Walker," said Twilight loudly.
All were in agreement with this. It's my choice.
"That means we've discussed it," Applejack said.
"Yes," Twilight Sparkle stood up from her place. "Now let's get down to business. Let's start by buying you the things you came here with. And then we'll go to.."
Mad Chicken!" Pinkie exclaimed.
Then she corrected her voice and added:
"Just in case you forgot her name again."
The girls laughed, and I couldn't help it either. Everything was great, everything worked out perfectly for us and for me in particular. So why not give vent to sincere emotions and laugh? It's been a long time since I felt so light inside and so confident that it would be good. I have regained the optimism I once lost. I got rid of the clutches in my chest. It was like being released. And I became himself. Became real.
"Thank you for everything you've done," I said again to the girls. I was ready to tell them that every day.
We stood in a circle. All in total.
"You're my best friends," I said. "Once I saw you for the first time. You won my heart once. One day you became a part of me. An integral, most important part. I loved you once. Once and for all."
"Oh, how nice of you," Rarity took a deep breath.
"We saw you for the first time once," Sunset Shimmer said. "And we realized that we would do everything to make you our best friend, too."
Then our feelings got the better of us. Again. I felt warmth, care, and love. Something I haven't had for so long. And I was absolutely happy. The main thing in my life is these wonderful girls. And we will always be together. Always.
Forever & Always.
Yes, it will be like this. I'm sure.
Shades of Other Realities
It was time to put the plan into action. Twilight and the rest of the girls had almost everything planned out. Nothing seemed too simple, but it was doable. The main thing is to maintain the legend for the first time. What's next? Then, I'm sure, everything will clear up on its own. It only takes time. And I think there will be enough time. Moreover, it is unlikely that we will have to solve any global problems in the next year and a half. I mean, of course, entering a higher education institution. I still have two whole years of school, because all twelve years are here, not eleven. So I could feel like a carefree young man again. I never even dreamed of it before.
My thoughts were about how soon I could get used to this world. Will it be difficult at first, will everything seem too strange for me, or nothing like that? Perhaps I am already used to all this, even in my own world, and the adaptation will be quick. To me, the second option seemed much closer to the truth. Especially when there are such good friends around. People so close to me. You can think about this for a very long time. There is always time for reflection. Perhaps one day I will write a book about a man who has fallen into another world. Or make a movie about it. I'll probably be thirty or more. I will be a grown man, and I will have my own family. I will remember my teenage and youth years with warmth in my heart. With a sense of deep nostalgia, but not sad, but joyful and happy.
One day that day will come. And I believe it. I can't help but believe it.
At first, we planned to buy me a suitcase and clothes. I could have flaunted my old Big Mac clothes as much as I wanted and not have said a word against it, but it still felt awkward. Moreover, I needed different clothes. Walking around in the same clothes is not the most attractive prospect, as far as I'm concerned. My mother would have killed me for that.
"I know a great sports store," Rainbow Dash said cheerfully as we left the Apple' house. "You can find a good bag or suitcase there."
"And we can pick up your clothes at my boutique," Rarity added happily.
The fact that pony Rarity from Equestria has its own boutique, not even one, is not surprising. She's a grown-up pony, after all. But a local Rarity who hasn't finished high school yet?
"How old are you?" I asked the girl.
"Sixteen."
"And you have your own clothing boutique?"
"Well, technically, it's not mine. It belongs to my father. But I'm the one who runs it. So you can call it my boutique."
Rarity smiled at me.
Why didn't I think of it? I was even a little ashamed.
"Clearly."
Another smile. Rarity gave me a warm look that confused me a little. No one in my world has ever looked at me like that. At least, I didn't notice. If I did, I'd be surprised. This is a very unusual situation.
"It must be pretty cool to run an entire fashion boutique," I said, smiling back at her.
For a moment, I thought Rarity looked confused. I wonder if I'm the one who embarrassed her. Okay, she's mine, but I'm hers?
"We'll find the best for you."
"I didn't doubt it for a second."
And yet, for a moment, the girl was confused. I was sure of it. But after a moment, Rarity's handsome face lost all trace of embarrassment. I guess if I'd asked her, she wouldn't have admitted it.
"Where do we start?" Pinkie Pie asked cheerfully.
"It would be logical to start with the suitcase," Twilight said.
"It is logical," said Pinky.
Start with a sports store. Who is who, but rainbow dash should understand such things. An athlete, after all.
***
I knew I would be here again, at the Apple farm. But now we need to go to the city. There I will continue my journey.
The curiosity of everyone who finds himself in a new environment did not pass me by. For girls, this world was home, but for me it was a completely new reality.
I have seen a lot and know a lot about this place, but all my knowledge, in fact, is insignificant compared to what I have not yet seen and what I do not know. I will discover something new for myself every day. And my first discoveries so far have brought only pleasant emotions. What will the next ones be? I'll try everything.
"How are we going to get to the store?" I asked.
"It's a small town," Rainbow Dash said. "Moreover, the farm is located near the city limits."
The city buildings were clearly visible from here. The farm was indeed close to the city limits.
"How do you usually get to school?" I asked Applejack.
"On foot, sometimes by bicycle, when you need to hurry."
If I had arrived at my school on a Bicycle, our security guard would have decided to use his unquestionable authority among students and send me back. It would be very useful to him.
"It must be nice to ride a bike in the morning."
Applejack nodded my head in response.
I took another look at the Apple farm, looked around, and enjoyed the view. Now, after all this, you can start your journey to the city. The life of an exchange student begins right here and right now.
***
We left the farm and walked toward the city along the highway, which turned off near the farm and went away into the fields. Somewhere there were hills, forests, and beyond them mountains. The road was rolled to the East, our route lay to the North-West.
It wasn't a long walk. No more than fifteen minutes, I thought. I couldn't check the time, since I didn't have my watch or cell phone with me.
Mobile phone. That's what we didn't think of. I need it. I left mine at home. So we need a new one. I didn't say it out loud yet. First, let's deal with more pressing issues. If I may say so.
Cars passed us. Some entered the city, others left it. The sidewalk was very convenient, and it was convenient both to walk and ride a Bicycle. It was a wonderful picture.
The countryside has been changing in the city. As I entered the city, I realized that canterlot (as it was called) was not as small as I had thought. No, it was a fairly decent city with a sizeable population. But my city, of course, was much larger. But unless the size is always a plus? King's Landing, for example, is home to about a million people.
We passed residential buildings. Somewhere nearby there was a School in Canterlot. Soon I will see her with my own eyes. I can enter the courtyard, I'll be inside. This will be a very exciting moment. I'm looking forward to it. Will I remember my old school with warmth and nostalgia? Or it will be a page of my life that I will gladly turn over and forget.
Looks like the first option. I will remember with warmth, remember teachers, classmates, among whom I did not have a single real friend, but who were close to me. Will they remember me? If so, how will I remain in their memories? This question would be relevant even if I didn't get here. After all, graduation was only a month and a half away. Would they want to see me again? They have never felt as alone as I do. Who am I to them anyway? A strange, shy and self-contained classmate who even left the group chat?
A person who preferred to listen to music without paying attention to anyone or read a book during recess to communicate with his classmates. I'd like to talk to one of them. But I couldn't make up my mind. That's the way I am. I wasn't born that way, but I became that way. And my Hobbies are reflections of my inner world and my state.
Cars raced along the roadway, and the street was crowded. At this hour, it's almost noon. Each person is a separate universe with its own internal laws of physics, which can work very differently in other universes. Each of them was going somewhere, each had a specific goal. There must have been someone like me among them.
Houses with a fence, lawn and garage. I've seen them in movies. Well, I guess whatever I see in this city, I can say I've seen something similar in the movies. We'll have to find out where they have a movie theater here.
While we were walking, the idea occurred to me to find out about the date. I knew the year and month, but not the day.
"What's the date today?" I asked the question.
"August nineteenth," said Sunset Shimmer.
I tried to remember what day of the week it was, but I couldn't remember it right away, so I had to ask that, too.
"Day of the week?"
"Sunday."
Sunday, the nineteenth. Now I was trying to figure out what day of the week the new school year would start on.
Saturday. The first of September is Saturday. The first of September, two thousand and seventeen, changed my life in my world. Oddly enough, I come back to this.
I looked around curiously, studying the city of Canterlot. The residential buildings on our right and left were replaced by cafes, hairdressers, various shops and boutiques. Signs designed to attract potential customers. Carts with hot dogs and sweet popcorn. Wide streets where cars raced, lights that illuminated the city at night. Nothing out of the ordinary, it seemed, but there was something magical about this place. Something magical and fascinating.
The sun shone brightly in a clear blue sky. From its position, it was clear that we were in the Northern hemisphere, in a temperate climate zone, most likely.
Life seethed and swirled around them. It was the first time I'd noticed it in a long time. I smiled at the passers-by. I felt like I was part of this world, and it was beautiful. I walked along the sidewalk, my best friends walking beside me. There are so many different places I want to visit.
Invite your friends to the movies. Go to the planetarium with Twilight. Go shopping with Rarity. Help animals in a shelter with Fluttershy. Go with rainbow dash to the stadium, to the candy store with Pinky. Help Applejack on the farm.
What about Sunset Shimmer? I imagined her and me walking in the Park in the evening. It's cool and there aren't many people around. The wind rustles in the trees. We sit down on a bench and look up. And there are myriads of stars. Thousands of flickering points - distant and unknown worlds. They join in fancy patterns, dance in an amazing cosmic dance. Their light is reflected in our eyes. In her eyes reflected the whole galaxy. In insanely beautiful green eyes. I see this light. I see her charming smile.
Yes, that's what I want.
As we walked down the street, I tried to catch as much of it as I could. Business buildings were located closer to the city center.
We passed a music store window where I saw a beautiful blue electric guitar. Buying an electric guitar has been my dream ever since I picked up a guitar. I winked at the instrument, as if to let it know that one day I would take it for myself. I wonder if the guitar will wait for me. In any case, I will meet with her.
Soon we reached the sports store. It was called "All for sport". Yes, the one who came up with the name, clearly not the most imaginative. However, the name is not the most important thing, right?
We went inside. It was a typical sporting goods store, such as every city has. Everything for sports, it's true. Sportswear, various accessories. Barbells, balls for various sports. Rackets and shuttlecocks, even swords. In General, everything that your athletic soul only wants. If you wish, you will find anything. By the way, this could be a good slogan. You will need to contact the owner and share the idea with them. Maybe he'll appreciate it.
Wide product departments, each with several people. Several kids, who looked to be about ten years old, were examining one of the soccer balls for what might have been a purchase. Or maybe they just stared. How many of us didn't stop by the store just to gawp? I'm sure everyone has done it at least once. Especially when you are a child or a teenager and you do not have much money.
We entered the department of bags and backpacks. There were also suitcases of various sizes.
"What do suitcases do in a sports store?" I asked Dash.
"Like what? When an athlete goes somewhere to compete, where does he put his things?"
"Probably in a bag or suitcase."
"You don't know anything about sports?"
"I have been interested in football for several years. I'm good at it."
"You play?"
"Playing? No, just looking and..."
"You're not playing yet," Rainbow interrupted. "When you get into Canterlot School, you'll play right away."
The girl winked, and I made a mock gesture with my hands.
"I'll put you on the gate and..."
"Dashie, are you scaring the newbies again?" a man's voice came from behind us.
I turned around. A young man of about sixteen or seventeen was standing in front of us. He was quite tall, about ten centimeters taller than me. And I, by the way, grew to a meter eighty.
"Hi," Rainbow Dash said.
"Hello, Rainbow. Hi, girls."
Then the guy looked at me.
"So you're newbie?"
"Yes," I said uncertainly. I always felt insecure in the company of strangers. Especially when they came to me. For a while now.
The young man held out his hand.
"My name is Long Shot."
"And my..." I shook his hand.
"Strange name. You don't sound like you're from around here."
"He's an exchange student. From Eastern Europe," Twilight Sparkle answered for me.
"Even so," he said, letting go of her hand. "Nice to meet you. And I'm, you know, like, the best athlete in school."
"Best sandwich eater since gym," Rainbow Dash said with a grin.
"And this, too," the guy laughed. "But, you know, I'll beat you in basketball."
"I'll play soccer with you."
"Well. I'll meet you at school. Unless, of course, you write to me first."
"Fuck you," Dash said, nudging the boy's shoulder.
"All right, I'll go. Don't bored."
With that, Long Shot left the Department and headed for the exit.
Rainbow Dash looked after him and said:
"I'll beat you at basketball, too!"
Applejack, standing next to her, grinned.
"The last time he did it, I think he did it to you."
"That was a long time ago."
"That was three months ago."
"Since then, I have improved my skill. I can't wait to meet him."
Her friends laughed, and Rainbow Dash rubbed her hands together.
Yes, interesting guy.
After a few more jokes from Applejack and rainbow dash, we went back to buying a suitcase. I suddenly realized that I had no money, so there was nothing to buy. As well as clothes, basically. I told the girls about it. Even if I had taken the purse with me, my money could not have been used here.
"Nothing," said Sunset Shimmer. "We have money. We prepared them in advance."
Well, I should be ashamed of myself again. No, I have to do something special for them.
"I'm so uncomfortable."
"Come on, it's all right."
Sunset smiled encouragingly. Well, I'll think about how to surprise the girls.
Ten minutes later, I selected a suitcase. Medium size and blue color. I thought it was pretty good. However, I felt rather strange with him. Probably because I've never used a suitcase before.
The seller took fifteen bits, which is the local currency. It seems that the price is quite acceptable. But I couldn't judge that, of course.
After buying a suitcase, we went to Rarity's boutique. It didn't take long to get there. He was nearby.
The boutique was called 'Carousel'. Even though I knew it. It was quite spacious inside. Cozy and a lot of clothes. Including men's.
"Welcome to the Carousel boutique!" Rarity announced cheerfully as we entered. A few customers glanced in our direction, but then lost interest when they saw only a crowd of teenagers. Although one of them was actually the Manager of the store.
I looked around. It was a well-lit room where a variety of clothing was sold. There were fitting rooms, working staff who carefully made sure that customers were satisfied. And, for the most part, the Carousel boutique did not leave visitors disappointed. Although, of course, there were all sorts of people.
Everything here was arranged in the style of Rarity. The interior design of the room was pleasing to the eye.
"Started." Rarity's eyes narrowed in satisfaction.
The shopping took about half an hour. Rarity always showed me different clothes: trousers, jeans, trousers, t-shirts, shirts. I chose, and she advised me what should be more suitable for me.
In the end, I chose jeans, pants, a shirt, and a t-shirt. I also picked up a great leather jacket a La biker and sneakers.
"On the house," Rarity said.
"Thank you very much."
"You're welcome."
Suddenly, I hugged Rarity. And in front of everyone. It was an impulse. Unexpectedly for everyone, for me, for her, for the other girls.
"Thank you," I said again.
"Always... please," the girl said languidly, and also hugged me.
I let her out of my arms.
A large white clock hung on the wall of the boutique. They reported that it was one o'clock in the afternoon.
"Guys, know what, I already want to have lunch," Twilight Sparkle said.
No one seemed to mind going out for lunch right now. We left Rarity's boutique and went to a small cafeteria nearby. The day was Sunny, the weather clear, and the mood was excellent. We had fun walking and talking. I left my suitcase in Carousel.
I felt good. As good as I've ever been in my life. And even up to my complex, so to speak, of the period. I was just happy to be here, in the company of my favorite girls, and go to the cafeteria. Walk through the bright and wide streets of this wonderful town. There was an incredible lightness in my heart. It was as if I had just gotten rid of all my inner negativity.
Of course, there are many difficulties ahead of me. But there was no need to think about it right now. Now I just wanted to enjoy life. And I was good at it.
But how could it be otherwise with them, these girls from Equestria?
Shades of Other Realities
Chapter IX. «Greensleeves»
A pleasant memory of childhood. I think when I was a kid, I used to buy sandwiches at a store near my house. They were cheap, delicious, filling, and cold as hell, but I didn't care too much. I liked to buy them after school, go home and chew them. Another piece of a long-lost childhood.
A wave of pleasant nostalgia washed over me as I tried a ham and cheese sandwich in a cafeteria called Greensleeves. This, by the way, is the name of an old English tune that I even learned on the guitar, but I don't think I ever learned it completely.
A nice place with cozy green sofas and a very tasty menu. I ordered a small sandwich, for I was not particularly hungry. However, it does not hurt to eat, there is a whole day ahead and another important task. We have already sorted out the purchase of things, a sporting goods store, as well as an amazing boutique under Rarity's command, provided everything you need. And for this, thank them very much.
"Actually, I was going to go and play PlayStation," Rainbow Dash said as I chewed, savoring every bite of the most ordinary sandwich. "But I'll put it off for later. If you insist."
The girl brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. A strand of rainbow-colored hair. It is necessary to be born with it. An indecent thought occurred to me, which I immediately dismissed as I looked away from Dash, who was sipping a milkshake from a chocolate-brown plastic cup. She didn't seem to notice how intently I was looking at her. She was busy looking at the menu on the stand, and then her speech. It's good. What would she think if she caught such a strange look? She would have asked what was wrong. What could I say to her? I'm very concerned about the color of your hair, and not just on your head. That would have been an honest answer, although she might not have reacted the way I wanted her to. Maybe she would have laughed, maybe not.
In any case, this did not happen and I could safely enjoy the remains of a hot, please note, sandwich. And sipping coffee from time to time.
In general, I rarely drink coffee. But the one here, according to Sci-Twi, was simply amazing. So I decided to check how it really is. It turned out to be really delicious, as the girl said.
"Guys, it's only a little over an hour," sunset shimmer said, and turned to Pinky. - How long will the documentation take?
Documentation, of course. Well, in a word. I wouldn't use that. They might get it wrong.
"I'm not sure," Pinkie pie said. "I have to call Mad and find out."
"Well, find out.
Pinkie pie put down the spoon she was using to eat her delicious cheesecake and took out her mobile phone. I found my friend Mad chicken in my contacts.
The phone rang. Pinky put the phone to her ear and waited for an answer. A few seconds later, a voice spoke.
"Hi, Mad, it's me, Pinkie pie... No, not garden guy. Pinkie Pie!
Mad chicken said something. Probably apologized for the mistake.
"Nothing, nothing. I only remember your name the fifth time.
Mad laughed, and so did Pinkie. It was almost impossible to make out what she was saying. So I didn't even try.
I really wanted to see this Mad girl Pinky knew. If she can pull this off and does it, then she's cool. I've already sort of met someone here.
"No, it's not about going to the cemetery... No, I'm not interested in Tarot cards. Although... Pinkie put the phone down. "Do you guys need Tarot cards?"
They all shook their heads.
"What about a book on esotericism?"
"No, Pinky, no," Applejack said.
"Aha."
Pinkie Pie went back to the phone.
"No, no one here is your esoterica not interested. Anyway, Mad, I'm here on business."
Mad Chicken muttered something.
"How long will it take to create fake documents?"
The friend said something, and then Pinkie turned back to her friends and me.
"Anyone interested in a sham marriage?"
Rainbow Dash giggled, drawing the attention of other Diners at the Greensleeves cafeteria. Applejack stifled a chuckle, and Fluttershy grinned and immediately blushed.
"Pinkie, come on," Twilight Sparkle said. "Get to the point."
Pinkie went back to talking to Mad.
While the pink-haired woman explained to her friend what we, or rather me, needed, I finished my coffee and looked at the shop window.
A wide, light-filled street. Dozens of passers-by scurry back and forth every minute, vehicles in different directions. This city is full of life. Like mine, I guess, but I didn't pay much attention to it before. I wasn't up to it before. I was busy with my own reflections, which did not allow me to simply look at the world around me with a smile. But now everything will be different.
Yes, it will be different now. I've had enough of these nagging reflections. Enough suffering in an empty place and searching for something inside yourself. I'm going to be myself. A happy sixteen-year-old, not a self-contained escapist. I'm on the right track. On your stairway to heaven.
"We need to make an exchange student card from another country... Yeah, we also need a birth certificate. Can you do that?"
The answer to the question seems to be Yes.
"Thank you very much, honey. How long will it take?"
I had to wait about a minute for an answer.
"Thank You, Mad... All right, Mad, we'll look in on you soon. Wait for us."
With that, Pinkie Pie hung up. Now we wanted to know what she had found out from a friend with the funny name Mad Chicken.
"How long will it take?" Sunset Shimmer asked.
"Mad said she had a lot of work to do, a lot of orders, so if we get there before five o'clock tonight, we'll get what we want by noon tomorrow."
Wow, that was fast. To be honest, I expected to hear something in the region of one month. Or a couple of weeks, at least. But it turned out to be much better than I expected. Fortune favours me, as Elrond of Rivendell would say.
"We have until five o'clock this evening to call on her."
"Let's go right now," Rarity said.
"Yes," said Rainbow.
"Right now?" Pinkie Pie's eyes widened. "No, no, I'll finish my cheesecake and finish my coffee first!"
The customers glanced at Pinkie, who actually said the last sentence louder than necessary.
People looking at us probably think that a group of young people is planning a bank robbery.
I was reminded of the opening scene from Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. All we needed to complete the picture was a conversation. Yes, talk about something.
"Guys," I said, and everyone turned to look at me. "Give... let's talk. Tell me about yourself."
"Only if you tell me about yourself," Rainbow Dash said with a smile.
"Well of course. You know, I'm just here with you, but I want to get to know you better. And, of course, I want you to get to know me better."
I really wanted to talk. I really wanted to know more about them. No, I certainly knew a lot from cartoons and books, but I wanted to hear from their own lips. To hear what I knew and what I didn't know yet. And at the same time, tell them more about yourself. What do they know about my past? Nothing, practically. They know what happened to me recently, but not what led to it. They don't really know me, even though they love what they've learned and seen. And I want my best friends to know me.
"All right," Twilight said, a smile on her lips. "We are not in a hurry here, in principle."
"Then... who will start?"
The girls stared at me. They want me to tell them about myself first. But I had another plan.
"Let me tell you about myself at the end."
My offer was accepted quite easily.
Rainbow dash corrected her voice and settled back on the cushioned sofa, saying,
"Then I want to be the first."
No one seemed to mind. There was really no need to hurry; our time was up until five o'clock, as mad chicken Pinkie Pie kindly informed us.
"Hi, everyone, my name is Rainbow Dash and I'm an athlete, a guitar player, and just a great girl. Guys, it's like I'm at an alcoholics anonymous meeting."
I tried not to laugh, but I could tell I was ready to laugh.
"Come on," Dash said to me, and leaned back on the couch. "Here all yours."
I was panting with suppressed laughter.
"All... yours..."
I don't know why this joke got me so hooked. Probably because that's what my idea looked like from the beginning, and Dashi just voiced my idea. I thought of that, too.
"Well, I'm going on. I was born on July 20, 2001, I am sixteen years old, I go to Canterlot School, the best school in the world, thank Celestia!
Rainbow held out her hand, which reminded me of an Austrian artist's gesture. If their world didn't have the same history as mine, they shouldn't even know what it meant.
"But if seriously, I have been interested in sports and music since childhood. Especially football. You know, I didn't do it somewhere in the sports sections. I played myself and played well. I always wanted to do something... cool. I always wanted to surprise people with something. I played soccer and other games."
"Once on TV, when I was eleven years old, I saw a concert by the rock band Skillet. That's when my passion for music and rock music in particular awoke. I wanted to be like them, also perform on stage and be a star. I've seen how much joy music brings to people. How much joy it brought to me. I also wanted to give people joy with my music."
"My parents gave me a guitar. First, the usual acoustics. I studied independently at first, and then my parents found me a teacher, with whom I studied for about six months. When I played more or less well, my parents gave me electro. I've been playing electric guitar ever since.
Dash fell silent. I think that's all she wanted to say.
"Great," I said, looking at Rainbow. She nodded at me.
"Then I'll be next," Applejack said.
We prepared to listen.
"I was born on my family's farm. My parents were Pear Butter and Bright Mac. But they were killed in a car accident shortly after my little sister, Applebloom, was born."
Applejack's voice never wavered. Apparently, she had long since come to terms with the loss of her parents.
"I was six years old when Applebloom was born. My older brother, Macintosh, is ten. We were actually left in the hands of our Granny Smith. She took care of us and raised us.
Applejack paused for a moment to catch your breath.
"I've spent most of my life working hard on the farm, making sure it thrives. After all, the farm is, first of all, a memory of parents."
"I went to Cantelot's School and met my future best friends there.
The girl put her hand on the shoulder of rainbow dash, who was sitting next to her.
I really liked the short story Applejack. Especially the last part of it. About how she met her future best friends.
People were coming in and out of the cafeteria. They were always carrying trays back and forth. They talked and laughed. I felt very comfortable in such an environment.
"May I?" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "Like Applejack, I was born on a farm. On A Stone Farm. Not in the sense that it's all made of stone, it's called that. The Stone Farm."
Pinkie took one last sip and drained her cocktail glass.
"When I was about five, my family moved to Canterlot. We've been living here ever since. My parents often had a rather difficult financial situation. There were four of us, me and my sisters. My parents were often sad. So I did everything I could to cheer them up. I always wanted to make them feel good, to cheer them up. So I started to get interested in baking, and when I became older, I started organizing holidays for acquaintances."
"Gradually, my desire to cheer up my parents, and not only them, but also my sisters, turned into a desire to cheer up the people around me. Make them happy, give them a holiday."
I stared at Pinkie Pie. I certainly didn't expect such a deep and adult story from her. Probably, it is impossible to evaluate a person, even by his actions. After all, he may try to appear to be something other than what he really is. Can try to hide themselves behind a mask and not show themselves present. And the real pinkie pie was not what It seemed at first glance.
"Now let me do it," Rarity said. "Everyone seemed to like my idea of a little story about myself. My mother and I went to Manehatten once when we were kids. We were walking along the street, and we were met by Lyceum students from the local Lyceum. They were all in identical uniforms, red and completely tasteless jackets. And only one girl dressed in a beautiful skirt, not like the other students' uniforms. For this, the teacher severely scolded the young girl. Then I was indignant, but I couldn't do anything. You can't drive everyone under a single template! Each of us is individual and unique in its own way, everyone has the right to choose what to wear."
"I decided that I will create beautiful clothes so that they can emphasize the individual qualities of people and just make everyone better. I wanted to bring more bright colors to everyone's life."
I listened carefully. Nicely said. Her words can make you think about many things. I could feel how much was in that girl's head. So many beautiful and wonderful thoughts.
"Flutty, you're next," Rarity said.
"Good. I have been very fond of animals since I was a child. They are so cute and so defenseless. One day I was walking down the street and saw some bad boys making fun of a poor old cat who was barely breathing. I chased the boys away, took the cat and took it to an animal shelter. Soon I returned there and was surprised to find that the cat was alive and well. I thought he was going to die soon. Care and care even from an old decrepit cat made a cheerful and beautiful creature. Then I realized that no matter what each of us is, we all need a little bit of goodness. In a little bit of care, love and support. All, without exception."
I felt a little sad at what Fluttershy had said. Yes, she was absolutely right. It is a pity that many do not understand this and do not want to understand it. Sorry.
The only other storytellers left were Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer.
"As for me," Twilight began. "I wasn't born here. She didn't live here for a long time. My family moved to Canterlot just a year ago and it happened after the Friendship Games. At my old school, Crystal Academy, I had no friends, except, of course, spike, my faithful dog. Before, I didn't value friendship, I thought that studying was more important than anything else. I've been doing great ever since I first set foot in school. I grew up with everyone, moving from one class to another. We grew up, my classmates became friends, spent a lot of time together, had fun. I've been busy studying all this time. Study and only study. That was until I was fifteen. There were Friendship Games between my school and Canterlot's. It was the first time I took part in them."
"I met some cool girls here at this school. Their names are Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity. They were the ones who showed me what true friendship is. I transferred to Canterlot High, and my family bought a house here. That was almost a year ago."
Even though I knew it, it was priceless to hear it from Twilight's own mouth. I listened carefully to every word the girl said.
Now it was Sunset Shimmer's turn. And she pushed her plate a little away from her and began to tell the story.
"And I-" the girl smiled. "I'm not from here at all. Not from this world." She looked in my direction.
Yes, just like me.
"I was born in Equestria. Became a pupil of Princess Celestia. I was a diligent student, but the Princess always noticed that I had problems with... friendship, oddly enough. I didn't know how to make friends, I just didn't know how to do it right. The Princess tried to help me, but I did... I just ran away. I didn't know what they wanted me to do, I didn't know what I had to do to make her happy. In the end, I could not stand it and decided to take a desperate step - run. I learned that the castle of Canterlot holds a magic mirror through which you can travel to another dimension. And left through it. And then I was here, in this world.
"I was so stupid. I thought that only power over other people would give me what I wanted. But I was wrong. I was wrong until then, until they came Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria. She came here for the crown I stole from her. It was only thanks to Princess Twilight that I finally realized what true friendship is. And these girls became my friends.
Sunset finished her story. Now, apparently, it's my turn. The girls stared at me, waiting for me to start.
"My name is Joshua Walker," I smiled. "I'm an exchange student from Eastern Europe, but I'm actually from another dimension, and I got here through a portal between universes just last night. No, not even tonight."
I paused for a moment.
"In General, I have been self-contained since I was a child. I used to have friends, as a child, but then... As it happened, I didn't have any. At some point, I was all alone. I was a teenager yearning for something more than what I had. I was interested in many things: movies, books, animation, music, football, and more. All this has always helped me fill my inner loneliness."
I didn't know what else to add.
"I've been waiting for this moment. I waited for what I was dreaming to come true. I was hoping for. I believed. And when Twilight came for me and held out her hand, I knew I had to go. I realized that this is the best moment of my life. I realized that this is what I was waiting for.
I took a deep breath and fell silent.
The girls looked at me, then Twilight Sparkle took my hand and said:
"We knew you were coming with us."
"I couldn't help going. I couldn't... Friends."
"Yes... We are your friends now."
I saw the smiles on each of the girls' faces. Smiles that made my heart flutter and fill with warmth. It was a good idea.
***
It was almost two o'clock when we finished. There was another important thing we had to do. And we were going to do it.
Cars drove, people hurried about their business. The city of Canterlot was bustling with life. He was full of it and filled me with life. I took a deep breath and looked at the Greensleeves cafeteria sign. This place is sure to be one of my favorite places in the whole city. But in order to understand this, you need to see the entire city. And I'll have plenty of time to do it. All the best is ahead.
