Caught Red Hooved

He opened his eyes and found himself back in his hospital room, Fluttershy curled up at his feet asleep. "Aww, so cute." He took a moment to adore the sight of the pegasus pony at his feet, this sight reminded him of his step daughter Sally. Red didn't want to disturb her, he whispered in her direction. "Hey Fluttershy." She turned around and stretched her wings, yawned, and went back to sleep. "Hey Fluttershy." She groaned, yawned again, and opened her eyes. "Morning."

"Oh my goodness I'm so sorry, you just make me feel so safe." She whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Hey it's okay honey." Red said as he wiped the tears away.

"Thank you so Much Red." She flew up and gave him a big hug.

"Ow bruised ribs remember."

"Sorry."

"Oh come here." He responded with an even bigger one. "Now could you help me up.

"Sure." she said grabbing the arm that wasn't dislocated and pulled him up.

"Thanks Fluttershy." He walked over to a wall.

"What are you doing?"

"Old field medic trick." He slammed his arm against the wall, He screamed in pain.

"Are you okay?" Twilight's voice asked through the door.

"Yeah just fixing my shoulder it really hurts.

"I can get Nurse Redheart."

"No i'm okay Twilight." Red replied putting on his long trenchcoat. "Do they know you're here?"

"No I snuck in after they fell asleep."

"Well they're awake now, you better go."

"Okay Red." Her pitite wings carried her out the window and gracefully to the ground.

Red sat down on his bed holding his arm. He reached into his pocket and took out a picture. "I'm sorry Sally, Suzie." He sighed and his eyes filled with tears. "I was so stupid, none of this would've happened if I hadn't.." A knock fell upon his door. "Come in." He sniffled and wiped his tears away. The door began to glow a pale yellow, and opened slowly. Celestia led the six ponies from before plus a new face, A dark blue pony taller than the other six with a light blue mane, and the cresent moon on her thigh. "Who do we have here?"

"Luna Princess of the night." She spoke softly but still with authority

"Nice to meet you Princess."

"As you."

"Have you been crying?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah I have." Red replied.

"What's wrong Sugarcube?" Applejack asked concerned.

"Yes, Darling what is it?" Rarity's voice was one of genuine concern.

"I may never see my family again. Us being here, Etheres taking Canterlot, Everything's my fault."

"What do you mean Red?" Twilight was puzzled.

"The explosion I caused it, but I still don't know how we ended up here. Or what MR particles have to do with any of this."

"What are MR particles?" Rainbow asked.

"A relatively new source of energy that Etheres found them completely by accident but they proved to be invaluable, but when asked how he found them his answer shocked the world. He believed that he had stumbled across an alternate dimension, that intertwined with our own. But alternate dimensions were thought to only exist in science fiction. This was met with scepticism, but he took that as a challenge. He proved that the Mind Realm really did exist."

"Wait you have access to the Mind Realm too?" Twilight asked shocked.

"What?" Red raised his head.

"My mentor Starswirl the Bearded used the Mind Realm to create the Elements of Harmony." Celestia answered.

"So you have MR particles here, and access to the Mind Realm. The explosion must've sent us through the Mind Realm, and then into Equestria." A huge explosion sounded in the distance. "What the hell was that?"

"It came from Canterlot." Celestia shouted.

The nine of them ran outside,their eyes widened and their jaws dropped Canterlot was gone. What stood in its place was an enormous crater in the mountain. "My god." Another tear fell down his cheek. A sharp pain went through his chest. Screaming in agony he fell to his knees. "What's going on." He tore at his shirt ripping it to shreds, a silver gel dripped from a hole in his chest. "What the hell is this?" Despite the intense pain he opened his briefcase. "Need compound list." Red put the gel on the scanner. Seconds later a piece of paper with one word printed out. "No that's impossible. If what Tobias said was true I can't be alive."

"Why what is it Red?" Fluttershy asked.

"Mercury, I should've been dead weeks ago, unless." Red took a syringe from the case and stuck it in his arm, and drew blood. "DNA Compound scan." A few seconds passed and a picture apeared on screen. "Oh my god."

"What is it Red?" Fluttershy was extremely concerned.

"My blood has been infected with MR particles.

"Is that bad?" Pinkie was confused.

"I don't know, they may have saved my life MR particles are new to us and so they're not researched fully."

"I don't know about MR particles, but I do know about the Mind Realm I have a few books on the subject in my library." Twilight said helping Red back to his feet.

Grasping at his chest he struggled to say. "Thanks twilight, please take me there. I need to learn everything about this place." He winced in pain.

"Don't hurt yourself Sugarcube you're the only one who knows anythin' 'bout this Etheres fella." Applejack said in her southern drawl.

"Thanks for your concern girls, but I think its misplaced you should be more concerned about the citizens of Canterlot or what was Canterlot." Reds eyes filled with tears, he than heard a clink beside him. He turned and found a hunting knife sticking from the ground beside him.

"Do not worry my friend." A familiar voice sounded from a tree. "They are safe, but sadly not you." Tobias jumped out of the tree.

"You saved them all in one night?" Celestia was amazed.

"Yes Princess after I lost the signal yesterday I began work to convince the citizens to follow me. Strangely the castle is unharmed It lies at the foot of the mountain I hope you don't mind Princess but I had to put them inside for the time being."

"Quite alright Tobias." Celestia responded.

"We will be at the library for a few days, feel free to stay as well." Twilight offered.

"Thank you Miss Sparkle I do need to rest for a while." Tobias took hold of Reds arm and draped him over his back. "Lead the way Miss Sparkle." Tobias followed the six leaving the Princesses to return to Canterlot castle. "Goodbye Princess Celestia goodbye Princess Luna, good luck." The Princesses waved goodbye to their two new friends and flew off to return to the castle.