Anderson knocked on the door of the small apartment, waiting patiently in front of it. He was informed that this was the place that the two ponies had gotten, and in his opinion, it was absolutely perfect. Small, so they weren't treated luxuriously, and it was a common looking apartment as well. There were plenty of reasons on why it was perfect, and one of those reasons happened to be that Anderson didn't want them to feel like they were any different than the common citizen.

Legally, they were the same as their next-door neighbors.

A couple of seconds later, the door opened. He was met with the tired looking eyes of Starlight. It was obvious that their couple of days of whatever they had experienced had certainly hit them hard over the course of the past couple hours. Having a comfortable carpet might just be the best damn thing they've slept on recently.

"How have you been, Starlight?" Anderson asked her, waiting for a response. It seemed like it took a second or two for the question to process in Starlight's head, but once it finally did register she gave him a little smile. That certainly was a good sign.

"Everything's been going okay. We're really glad that you gave us a place to stay- despite only knowing you from... well, today. Luna has been in love with the err... carpet. I-I can't lie though, it's definitely soft enough to doze off on."

Ah, so Anderson's thoughts were right.

"I'm glad that you think so. I haven't come to inform you of anything strenuous, so you both can continue lying on the lovely carpet some more and get your rest." Anderson said with a chuckle. "However, I did want to discuss some things with you both."

"W-Well of course! Come in- welcome to our uh... new, homely abode?"

"Right." Anderson said, passing by her until he was inside the apartment. Starlight closed the door with her magic, staring up at him, waiting for him to say something. Anderson had noticed the Alicorn Princess currently laying on the floor staring back up at him

"Ah- Anderson. Thank you for such a lovely home as this- I must say, this flooring is quite comfortable."

Must be a horse thing.

"Well, I've come to inform you both of two things. Firstly, your friends. I've heard that your friends have been found to be decently healthy, except that Rex seems to be... sustained in some sort of coma. However, your friend Twilight seems to be recovering nicely. I have reports saying that she even talked in her sleep."

Both ponies seemed to be happy about this news, but stayed silent.

"Secondly, your jobs. Starlight, the opening will have to wait a little longer than I had anticipated, so you'll be stationed at a food place. It's a simple job, that being dishwashing. It'll get you involved in the community, and it'll be income. That's what you need more than anything else."

He could tell that she wasn't exactly... overjoyed from such information, but she definitely seemed to understand his reasoning. Beggars couldn't exactly be choosers, especially on the Rim. Working for a wage was certainly one of the more 'first world problems' on the Rim.

"And you," Anderson turned to Luna. "I've found something for you. It's something involving our military, and given your confidence I think it'll prove to be a test. You'll be joining me when I review the new combatants for our military. You'll be seeing firsthand how we operate, and just how strong we are here at the capitol. It'll be a tough job, and probably more boring than you might think."

Starlight sighed. Luna was getting the more interesting job while she was getting the dirty dish-washing job. The job that no one wanted to do. Even if Luna was doing nothing more than paperwork that'd be a much more interesting job than cleaning off other people's plates!

"I'm sorry Starlight that there isn't anything open for you that is interesting, but once the chemical department is open, you'll be the first pick. It'll be well worth the wait, I promise you. It's one of the more higher paying jobs in the capitol, actually."

That seemed to boost her mood a little.

"I'm sorry I don't have any more comforting news, but as you can imagine, things are going to be quite slow in integrating you both into our little society here. It'll take the people a lot longer to accept you both than it took me. But, I can assure you, no matter what happens, you will be safe here, and we won't throw you to the wolves. Or, Tarbo, for this instance."

Starlight nodded. "Thank you, Anderson. It's been quite the journey recently, and I'm just glad that we have somewhere to relax for a little bit. You would not imagine the things we've had to go through just to get here. You're actually the first person, other than those tribals we met, that actually extended an olive branch."

Anderson nodded, staring off just inches from Starlight's face. "This planet almost feels like it's existence is impossible. Doesn't it? The pain, the torture, the terrible things that happen here. It never gives you time to breathe, never time to simply sit down and have some time to yourself. Impossible odds become possible, and tragic events become common." He gave a loud sigh, shaking his head. "I'm glad you've found us, because I don't think you'd find many places like this one."

Luna chimed into the conversation. "You sound as if you're an outsider."

"I am." Anderson answered, looking down at Luna. "I worked on a trade-ship years ago, before settling down onto this planet. It seemed nice enough, and a worthy place to set up shop, but I didn't expect my trade-ship to just up and leave me afterwards. I guess they thought it'd be an easy way to get rid of me, and they were right. Interplanetary trade agreements was my specialty, but I guess they thought I just wasn't cutting it anymore."

He shrugged. "Considering what most experience on this planet, I consider myself one of the few lucky ones."

Starlight nodded. "I can see that. Our friend, Rex, happens to not be from here either."

"Oh?"

"Mhm. Except, instead of being dropped off here, he didn't really have a choice. Something about his ship going kaboom and, him being forced into an escape pod. He landed here, and as far as he could tell, he was the only survivor."

Anderson shook his head. It seemed that even coming close to the planet was cause for something bad to happen. "That's terrible. I hope things have been okay for him since his arrival here. Has it?"

Starlight's head bobbed between nodding and shaking. "Somewhat. He had a small tiny home, with enough supplies for himself. A loner, for sure, not used to company. Though, the graveyard he kept nearby his home showed that it wasn't always peaceful. Twilight sure has some stories about that, since she's experienced a few with him. She... isn't the same."

"No one ever is once they're here long enough. It's guaranteed to do that to you eventually. You either become stronger from it, remembering who you once were, or you simply stoop down to it's level. If anything, this planet does prove that morals aren't universal. If anything, morals are simply nothing but a rulebook. An option."

Luna nodded her head. "That has been proven many times in my own kingdom. Morals are only there for public display."

"And when nobody hears a tree fall in a dense forest, it never happened." Anderson said with a sigh. "If I had the option, I'd blow this whole floating rock into bits. Spare everyone on it, and spare anyone from ever encountering it. It's an anomaly, something so dangerous that it shouldn't exist. If I had my hands on a planet-killer, I'd certainly use it."

"Planet-killer?" Starlight asked.

"A gigantic device. It's sometimes as big as a planet, bigger, or perhaps even a fifth of its size. They come in all different types, from those that shoot a laser through the core, exploding the planet from within, or one that simply sends hundreds of nuclear weapons, letting them detonate on the surface. Such things are banned in the IPU, or Interplanetary Union, but that doesn't matter. They don't extend this far out, and they would hardly care about a place like this."

Starlight could feel something along her spine crawl, sending her fur to stand up straight. The thought that these other creatures had a weapon capable of destroying entire planets, and the way he talked about it so casually made it seem as if this was common knowledge. Or, perhaps even common occurrence. To be desensitized to such a disaster. "Why would there even be a need for a weapon like that?"

Anderson shrugged. "I used to think there never was a need for weapons like that. Until-" He gestured to the door. "-I got onto this planet."

Luna shrugged from her place on the floor. "Such weapons of mass destruction haven't been made in my world, but there is magic like it." That perked up Starlights ears, causing her to look at Luna. "Spells that are capable of wiping out entire cities in an inferno. Such spells are lost to time, as those who had discovered it made sure they would be sealed. I still happen to know them, however."

'Huh,' Starlight thought. Leave it to the Princess' to be able to still remember such forbidden spells.

Suddenly, her fur stood up farther than it did before. "Luna... If you know it, does that mean that..."

"Celestia knows it as well." Luna confirmed with a nod.

Anderson shook his head. "You needn't worry. Our defenses are capable of taking down almost anything. In fact, it's been called overkill many times before. The only way for someone to really hurt us, is if they infiltrate insi-... inside..." Anderson's speech slowed, before he shook his head. "Well, I think I figured out another security measure to be put into effect immediately. Luna, would you care to come with?"

Starlight looked concerned by this. "S-So soon?"

"Well, of course. It'd be better to integrate her into the position as soon as possible, don't you think?"

"Y-Yeah, but what if she... she wants to rest?" Starlight said, looking over at Luna. Inside, she was hoping Luna would decline, or atleast find any reason to get out of it. Truth be told, Starlight didn't want to be alone. It would be the first time she would be alone since getting here, and being alone in such a weird predicament might make her go crazy.

Or, give her time to think of her dire situation.

"I think that'd be perfect. I'll follow your lead." Luna said, standing from her spot on the floor, making her way over to Anderson.

"You needn't worry Starlight. It won't be long. I will have Jake escort her back here once it is all done. I will see you later." Anderson said with a nod to her, Luna doing the same. With that, the both of them exited the small apartment, leaving Starlight alone once the door shut with a soft click.

Starlight flopped onto the comfortable carpet once more, staring up at the ceiling. What was she to do? Being alone was the last thing she wanted, and definitely the worst thing possible in a situation like this. She was left to think about Twilight, her being so tired and hurt from her spell, and that nasty cut on her face. Or Rex, literally hanging between life and death from the effects of Luciferium.

What about herself? What she encountered?

What those men did to her?

She shuddered, shaking her head. It was best not to think of that, of all things. As the counselor, and basically therapist, for Twilight's school, she would've usually taken the route to try to cope with her emotions. Yet, as it stood right now, she couldn't. She remembered something Rex had told her long ago, before everything went down.

"Sometimes, you don't have the luxury of sitting back and thinking. Sometimes, you just gotta... do."

He was right.

"Of course he was right- he's lived here longer than I have. Life isn't as simple as it used to be, Starlight. Sometimes you just gotta' do." Starlight told herself, staring at the door. Yet, what could she do? What was there for her to do? Was it really okay for her to do anything right now?

She was in unknown territory, with unknown people with unknown motives.

"If Rex could do it, so can I."

"A purple horse, huh? Who would've thought we'd be doing shit like this. Anderson says the both of them are important, but never told us why."

"He never does."

"But look at her! She looks so fucking adorable. How can something on the Rim look that cute?"

"I don't fucking know man- but just cuz it's cute doesn't mean it ain't deadly."

"True."

The two doctors kept talking to one another, sitting just outside of the room that Twilight was currently asleep in. The room was all white, except for the occasional blue tile. The door to her room was open, which allowed both doctors to peer over at her. They had to fend off quite a few 'visitors' trying to get a peek at her, but everything had eventually calmed down. It seemed that once they got her into the hospital, word got around of her.

And two others. Which, they hadn't met yet.

One doctor, with the name tag 'Blakely' was sitting on a bench. He had a black buzz-cut, something quite odd for a doctor to usually have. The doctor sitting next to him had the name tag 'Jeff.' Jeff had shaggy blonde hair with glasses on, his face much slimmer than Blakely's. However, he was also a lot skinnier than Blakely.

"Remember what she was saying earlier? Somethin' about a hayburger." Blakely said, sipping a cup of coffee that he currently held in his hands.

"Well, she is a horse. I'm sure a 'hayburger' is the most delicious damn thing to her. Hell, if I was a horse I'm sure i'd eat it too. B-But what does it even look like? Like, is it bread with just hay inbetween? Is the hay cooked or something?"

Blakely shrugged after taking another sip. "Hell if I know."

Twilight shifted in her sleep lightly, her head turning from the right side to the left. Jeff looked like he was about to explode. "That is so fucking adorable. Just look- look at her-"

Twilight's eye's shot wide open.

She sat up immediately from her sitting position, her eyesight blurry from opening her eyes so suddenly. With a groan from the stinging pain, she lifted her hoof up and wiped her eyes with it, trying to get a better look at things. She saw white all around her, and what seemed to be a bed that she was currently laying on.

And a figure, fastly approaching her.

"STAY BACK!" She yelled, charging as much energy as she could into her horn. Sadly, she had no magic in her reserves, so there was nothing being charged. Blakely, the man who had approached her put his hands up, slowly backing off.

"H-Hey-" Jeff said, outstretching one of his hands. "W-We ain't gonna' hurt you. W-We're Doctors. Your friends brought you in-"

"How do I know that's not a lie, huh?!" Twilight yelled. "How do I know you aren't working for him, hm?! Why don't I just blast you both to tartarus!"

"P-Please don't do that Ma'am!" Blakely yelped. They didn't know she didn't have any magic left, so they believed that she very well could blow them into pieces if she very well desired. "W-We got your hu-human friend in the next room! W-We swear- you can go see!"

Twilight narrowed her eyes at them, forcing the covers off of her body. She definitely felt weak, and once her hooves hit the floor she knew she was going to have trouble walking. That didn't stop her from trying though. She kept her horn aimed at the two Doctors, forcing them to back out of the room and guide her to the room next door to hers.

"Open the door!" Twilight yelled, forcing Jeff to shakily grab the door handle and twist it open, pushing the door open and stepping aside for her. "Now back off!" She said, gesturing away from the door. They certainly got the message, and ran down the hallway as fast as they could, leaving her at the entrance of this room.

She entered the small room, exactly colored and shaped as the one she found herself in. Once she was inside, she closed the door, bringing her eyes up to see-

Rex was laid in the bed, covered by the medical beds covers. A couple wires ran from him to a machine, which monitored his heart rate. It was at 42 bpm, meaning it was lower than the average human's heart rate. His face was neutral, his eyes closed and his body slumped, almost lifeless.

Twilight slowly made her way towards him, struggling to do so. Each step on her hoof was painful, and once she got next to the bed she rested her to front hooves on it. She stared up at Rex, studying him intently. He was definitely out, but he was still alive, as his heart monitor suggested.

Her throat began to tighten with pain. She felt sorry for him.

Being stuck in a loop between life and death until they find another Luciferium pill for him. Constantly dangling from that tiny thread of life. That thought scared her, and she wasn't even the one dealing with it. She let her right hoof fall onto his limp arm, slowly tracing it down to his hand.

She could feel that a spell was placed onto him. Definitely placed onto him from Luna or Starlight while she was out, and was likely suspending him from dying. She shook her head, staring down at his body before noticing something against the wall, facing towards her.

A mirror.

She stared at it, seeing the jagged scar run diagonal across her entire face. It wasn't necessarily an ugly scar, but it would be hard to pass such a scar off as 'an accident' back home. How would her friends react when they saw it? How would they feel? Would they even care?

"Of course they would care..." She said to herself. This world had really gotten to her after all, huh?

And, home. Home wasn't something she had thought about in a long, long time. Atleast she hadn't forgotten that little part about herself. She was still fighting for something. For her, and Starlight, to both return home. And, now Luna, since she was now involved.

She didn't know about Rex, though.

He was so close to death, and no such pills existed in Equestria. The likeliness of him surviving this is...

"Almost zero..." She said, with her throat tightening up even further. A tear ran down her eye as she now stared up at Rex's almost peaceful looking face. She was quickly brought away from her staring contest with Rex however, when she heard a couple of footsteps stop at the door, before the door swung open.

"Ah, Twilight. I'm glad you're awake.

Furniture shopping probably wasn't the best idea to start with, but Starlight didn't know what else to do.

Walking the streets of the capitol was as awkward as it gets- being stared at from every direction, with everyone talking about you. It wasn't that she wasn't okay with that, in fact she was used to being looked that way in Equestria all the time since she used to be an evil villain. Still, what made it the worst was that she didn't know what they were thinking.

What their motives might be for an innocent looking Pony in the middle of a capitol, where she was one of the few of her kind.

She was now inside a store, which was conveniently named 'Furniture Store.' When she had got inside, she noticed that it was pretty empty, and that the person running the shop was currently talking to someone else. It was better that way- best make herself known when she was ready to pay.

"Oh..."

Paying.

How was she going to pay for anything when she didn't have money for it? Perhaps she could just browse and see if she could smooth-talk the cashier into something. That seemed like the most logical thing to do in this situation. She promised that she would come back eventually and pay whatever she 'bought' back if her plan did work.

It was just for the time being, that's all!

She gazed at all the different furniture items. From bed frames, to mattresses, to couches and even T.V's. Except, she didn't really know what that was. She shook her head when she saw the T.V's get even bigger, and bigger, and eventually becoming so big they had to be mounted on a wall.

"I don't get it... why would you buy a big black box? That big, too?"

Things in this place were really weird. But, that was to be expected. She knew what she needed to get. Firstly, a bed frame. That'd be nice, to not have the mattress simply laying on the floor. Perhaps she would be able to get another mattress sometime later for herself. She didn't mind being next to Luna, but she could only imagine what it might be like sharing a bed with someone literally twice as big as you.

The thought sort of scared her, for some reason.

She also needed a couch. Something for the living room, that was for sure. All of the couches in the store all seemed to be pointed at the big black box, which caused her to question what the hell the thing was even more. Something to stare at while they conversed? She could see her reflection in it, but that'd be a waste of money for a mirror that hardly reflected.

She spotted a brown couch, being moderately big enough to allow both her and Luna on it at the same time. That was the one she wanted, and with a bedframe outlined with some sort of blue metal, she pretty much was all set to go. All she needed now were some decoration items.

She picked a circular clock that would be able to hang on the wall. A globe, obviously not of the Rimworld, but oddly had similar names to some cities in Equestria. "Manhattan? Really?" She said with a chuckle, shaking her head. She also spotted a circular dining table. They could fit that somewhere in the living room, she was sure.

"Okay... Everything's picked out, now I just need to-"

Starlight's eyes met with that of the Cashier, who was staring directly at her with her mouth open.

"Well there goes remaining silent..." Starlight mumbled to herself, slowly walking up to the cashier. "H-Hi, I was wondering if y-you uh... were selling that couch and that bedframe? A-And some other items."

Sweet Celestia, this was awkward!

"I-uuhhhhhhhh..." The cashier looked over at what she pointed at, her voice trailing off as she was obviously not thinking straight. The cashier had curly dark-brown hair that laid just above her shoulders, and her voice was very squeaky and soft. Obviously the shy type. "Y-Yeah.. We can get you those."

"Great! I-uh, don't have anything to pay with but, Anderson said I could come and get some furnishings..?"

That sounded like a question, but the Cashier thankfully bought it.

"O-Oh y-yeah! I-If Anderson said so, we'll get it to you. W-What other things did you want?"

Starlight showed her the globe and the clock that she wanted, along with some other things that the Cashier had pointed out for her, like a lamp and some chairs for the dining table. Before long, the Cashier already booked everything. "A-Alright, it'll take a little while f-for the movers to get there. They're on a j-job right now, but I'll notify them w-when they get back."

"Oh, really? I don't have to do it myself?"

She shook her head. "N-No, t-that'd be too much for one p-person to handle."

Starlight nodded her head. "Yeah, you're right. Well, I gave you the apartment number, right?" Starlight asked, double checking that she didn't forget anything. When she Cashier nodded, she nodded back to the Cashier. "Alright, I guess I'll wait at home then. Thank you so much!"

"T-Thank y-you for shopping- uh- here..."

Before the Cashier could even get that last word out, Starlight had already vanished from the store.

Author's Note

Feelin' sick today. Dunno' why honestly.