Author's Note

the picture you'll see is my attempt to draw Twilight, with the shaggy hair style that Zack often leaves his hair in, and the blue jacket.

Chapter 4: The State of Zack's Two Lives. [Edited]

Today marks the third day of Zack’s stay in the country of Equestria, and at the moment the mare was soaking in the more smaller bath tub in one of the many guest rooms of Twilight’s castle, while being scrubbed down by her magical construct. And while the mare laid in the tub and being scrubbed down, Zack was thinking back on the events that took place yesterday.

The day before was certainly an interesting one, if not incredibly frustrating for the alicorn, what with one of the princesses of the ponies basically lying to her fellow princess and student about who, and what Zack really is while also divulging the key fact in which the alicorn would like to go back home. All the while trying to have her take part in a social experiment that she concocted and her student just blindly went along with, all of which didn’t exactly make Zack all that happy. It also didn’t help that one of Twilight’s friends was not only constantly getting on Zack’s nerves with almost everything she attempts to do, but was also being a little obnoxious in trying really hard to make her and the alicorn the ‘best of the best friends ever’. Not to mention that Twilight and the other six mares were not only encouraging the raving pink pony to continue on her overly aggressive advance, but also trying to make their own attempts to become her friends as well. Despite Zack repeatedly telling them that they don’t need to be friends, the six ponies were still insistent of becoming friends with the human turned pony.

Although despite how the day went so far there were a few upsides, one of which was actually with the white unicorn named Rarity, who happens to be a clothing designer. Zack’s own general curiosity immediately came to the forefront of the alicorns mind, asking various questions from why ponies need clothes, how does she design clothes for equines, and many more. As for Rarity she was all too happy to explain how her craft works, and why indeed ponies would need clothes, and even decided to make Zack something to show her skills. And for free of charge, which did make Zack a little skeptical of the unicorn intentions, but she was informed by Twilight that Rarity enjoyed making gifts for those she considered friends.

In the end Zack didn’t complain too much, after all if the mare wanted to make something for Zack free of charge of her own volition, she wasn’t going to stop her.

“Even though it wasn’t necessary I’ll admit it was nice of Rarity to make me that coat, especially if she was willing to waste materials in making something out of her own stock, without getting anything to re-cope the money for said materials.” Zack says as she closes her eyes while her construct pours water over her head, washing away the built up soap.

With her mane and overall body washed and cleaned, the construct vanished as the alicorn steps out of the bath tub, and levitated a towel to dry herself off, yet as she does so Zack’s mane and tail remained in there slightly shaggy state. Entering back into the guest room she was given for the duration of her stay in Twilight’s castle, the mare’s eyes landed on the blue coat that was hanging on a chair by the rooms sole desk, which an almost perfect copy of her favorite jacket that her uncle gave her on her eighteenth birthday. It still surprised Zack that Rarity was able to make the coat after the alicorn gave only a brief verbal description of the jacket, though the only major difference between this jacket and the original one was the two holes in the back so her wings could slip through. Encasing the jacket in her lavender aura the alicorn slips the jacket on, shuffling around in it to get more comfortable, before leaving the room to head to the kitchen of the castle to make breakfast.

As Zack walks through the empty halls of the castle she started to wonder about something, specifically if Twilight really was a princess of this nation of talking magical ponies? From her interactions with her look alike for the rest of the day prior, nothing about the other alicorn says she’s actually a figure of political power. From the lack of staff to maintain the castle, from zero guards to provide security, and how Twilight didn’t seem to be bogged down or tied up in political affairs or matters of the state. From her own personal observation, Zack didn’t really seem to view Twilight Sparkle to appear as a real princess, but as instead more like a governess, or maybe just a token member of nobility in name only. Turning her thoughts away from the questionable position of her look alike, Zack started thinking about the rest of Twilight’s friends which aside from Rarity, wasn’t exactly a good prospect aside from one.

Instantly Zack knew she wasn’t going to mesh well with the cyan pegasus named Rainbow Dash, as that mare had her ego shoved so far up her ass, that the alicorn could’ve sworn she smelled crap in her breath. This pegasus pretty much did nothing but try to impress the alicorn in every way she could think of, from doing aerial tricks, to bragging about how she’s part of a flight team, who was basically a pony version of the Blue Angels. Or go on and on how she is the fastest flyer in all of Equestria, and that no other pony can beat her. Zack basically had to tune the pegasus out whenever she heard her talk, because if there is one type of people that the mare just cannot stand, no matter what they or others say, she cannot stand people that just brag or love to stroke their egos like a hooker stroking a dick for money.

But unlike the brag standing Rainbow Dash, the other pegasus of the group who was named Fluttershy wasn’t too much of a hassle. The only thing that Zack was slightly annoyed about the mare was how quiet she was, which often caused Zack to ask her repeatedly to speak up so she could hear het talk. There was also the fact that Fluttershy was so jumpy whenever Zack either talked to her, or even so much as glance at her, cause the mare to ‘eep’ in fright or make a sudden jerked motion that just made Zack feel weird around the mare. But at least Fluttershy was polite and wasn’t as gun hoe about being friends as some of the other, as well as not invade her personal space.

Then there was the one that Zack knew she was going to have difficulties being around. Pinkie Pie was still a mess to even try and talk to, or even just watch throughout any point yesterday, as the mare just seems to be some kind of Lovecraftian Loony Toons character that just seems unable to act like a normal person. The mare was in a constant state of movement, from trotting, to bouncing around, or even just randomly popping up everywhere that Zack felt a constant whiplash just trying to keep track of the mare. Then there was the fact that Pinkie constantly screech at the top of her lungs when she felt the need to talk, or worst talk so fast that everything she said became basically a blurred out stream of white noise. And finally the mare just kept on invading Zack’s personal space from needlessly excessively trying to hug the alicorn, lean on her, standing within inches of her, or practically shoving her face into Zack’s when she talks to her specifically. Honestly for Zack just thinking about the mare just made her feel exhausted.

“I don’t think I can stand being around that pony longer than five minutes, without having her jump out of nowhere, and scare the shit out of me.” Zack mumbled to herself as she finally made it to the kitchen, and began searching for ingredients to make breakfast. After gathering some eggs, potatoes, and some vegetables, as well as a cutting board and a frying pan, Zack began to make breakfast. While she was cooking the alicorns thoughts drifted back to Twilight’s friends.

The one that really makes Zack feel more concern with her own safety, was the other unicorn named Starlight. From what Twilight eluded as she introduced her friends, while giving small little details about each of them, Starlight was apparently an adversary to the group. An adversary that apparently went back in time to erase the bonds of friendships that Twilight, and her friends have, all because she was lonely. To her mind, Zack thinks this unicorn sounded mentally unstable and perhaps a little unhinged, especially if the mare thought it was a good idea to time travel to the past to change some point in time to erase ‘friendship’ and ‘cutie marks’ from the world, all because a friend of hers was sent off to a school in Canterlot for gifted unicorns in the magical arts, who she did not try to even stay in contact with, or even visit. What really made Zack feel uncomfortable was that Twilight and the others just, accepted Starlight into their inner circle after she imprisoned them, basically tried to brainwash them by feeding them her ‘old’ philosophies, and going as far as to change their past for a ridiculously easy fixable solution, and just treat it all as if nothing has happened.

There was also the fact Starlight didn’t face even the smallest bit of a trial, or anything about her behavior and overall conduct of TRYING TO CHANGE THE FREAKING PAST and MESSING WITH THE FABRIC OF TIME, or the lives of Twilight and the others. It all just made Zack feel incredibly un-safe being around a mare like that who was forgiven with no hesitation.

Shaking her concerning thoughts of the possibly still unhinged mare away, the alicorn began to add diced veggies and potatoes to her scrambled eggs mixture as she started to think about the last member of Twilight’s circle of friends. Which out of the group of ponies the one named Applejack seemed to be the most stable, and non-eccentric of the group, and the most normal. Which made Zack feel more comfortable being around. Aside from being the more approachable one of the group, Applejack definitely seemed to noticed that the alicorn was greatly missing her home, and when she asked about it and Zack told her, the farm pony said she knows how Zack feels as she went through a phase in her younger years, where she was detached from her real family. Even though it was of her own volition, she still knows what it’s like not being with her family. The only down side with her interaction with the farm pony, was when she was brought to the farm where Applejack lived, and saw her interact with her family.

Ceasing the stirring of her egg mixture, Zack just stared off into space as she wondered just how her family was doing. An image of Applejack’s younger sister then came to the alicorns mind, before it was replaced with the image of a tiny little girl, waving her hands, and smiling at her.

“…Latina” Zack whispered as she continued to just stare off into space, before she noticed that her food started to give off a slight burnt smell. “I hope I get to see you again very soon.”

“Whose Latina?” Zack jumped as she heard the voice of Spike, and turning to see the young dragon in the doorway of the kitchen.

“Spike you nearly scared the crud out of me.” Zack said as one of the magical hands she created was placed over her chest.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you like that.” Spike said to the alicorn as he entered the kitchen. “So who is Latina?” the little dragon asked again, as Zack goes back to finishing up her mixed veggie scrambled eggs.

“Latina is my little sister.” Zack simply said as she plates her food, before walking around the little dragon and began making her way to the main dining room, which was mapped out in her head by the mapping spell she learned two days ago. As the alicorn trots off Spike follows after her after getting a quick bowl of gems.

“Do you have any plans for today Zack?” Spike asked the alicorn before popping a ruby into his mouth, and began munching away at it. Before the pair entered the room Zack stopped and gave a small sigh.

“Look Spike, you seem like a good kid, and I don’t want to lose my temper for repeating myself, but I’m not looking for new friends.” the mare said before using her magic hands to open the doors.

“I know, and we don’t have to be friends, I just want to spend time with somepony new.” Spike said as the pair sat down at the table. “Don’t get me wrong. I like Twilight and the rest of my friends, but sometimes they can wear down on me sometimes.”

Zack didn’t verbally reply to the young dragons confession, instead, she just gave a small smile and a nod. The two ate their breakfast in relative peace, only occasionally disturbing the quite atmosphere with Spike asking a minor question or two, and the mare answering them and unlike his caretaker Spike wasn’t really interested in the world where Zack came from, instead he was asking questions centered around the alicorn herself. Like if she enjoyed comics, and if she did what was her favorite, or what her favorite foods were, and Zack answered all of them without actually being annoyed. Unlike whenever Twilight kept on trying to pester her about her world, her species, which only gotten worst after Zack conjured up her construct of her old body, which just made the other alicorn even more irritable with her constant stream of questions. But unlike the other alicorn, Spike was just a kid, so the mare couldn’t exactly get upset at him.

“Hey Zack, can I ask you something?” the mare just nodded as she was chewing one of the last bits of her eggs. “Why do you create those claws whenever you interact with things?”

“You mean this hand?” the mare asked as she waved the magical appendage, to which Spike nodded to. “Well firstly, this is called a hand, not a claw. And the reason I use it is because it’s more convenient for me.”

“Convenient? How?” Spike questioned.

“Because my original form had hands.” Zack simply replied.

“What does your original form looked like?” the alicorn then conjured up her magical construct, fully in color, and had it wave at the little dragon. Who looked really shocked at the sight of Zack’s true form.

“That’s what you really look like?!” Spike asked in relatively excitable loud voice.

“That’s right.” the alicorn said before dismissing her construct.

After showing the dragon her real form the alicorn then left the room, as she was done eating. As she was making her way back to the kitchen the mare started thinking on how to spend her day. Since this world has little in the ways of modern technology used for passing time, there wasn’t much for her to loose herself till something else came up. Also the alicorn didn’t feel like sitting around doing nothing, as she waits for word of her return to her world. Once she had cleaned and washed her plate, as well as the pan she used to cook with, the alicorn then started making her way to the front door of the castle.

“Good morning Zack.” Twilight said as the alicorn walks past the library.

“Hey.” Was all Zack said as she continues to walk towards the main lobby of the castle. Twilight exited the library, and trotted after her twin.

“What are you up to today?” Twilight asked as she caught up to Zack.

“Not sure.” Zack simply said. “I’d figure I just wander around town, and find something to do.”

“Well if you don’t anything planned, I could join you to keep you company, or even help find something we can do together.” Before the pair even reached the steps of the main lobby, Zack stopped in her place, causing Twilight to stop as the other alicorn turned to look at her with a questioning look. The action and look made Twilight look back with a quirked brow of slight confusion. “What is it Zack?”

“…are you sure you’re a real princess?” the question caught Twilight off guard and sputtered out her response.

“What do you mean if I’m a real princess?” Twilight asked in a clearly confused voice as she quirked a brow.

“It’s exactly what I asked, are you really a princess?” Zack repeated, before turning to look at Twilight fully, and continuing. “From what I’ve seen you don’t seem to be hampered by any kind of official royal duties, or be tied up in some kind of political matters. Also you don’t have any actual servants, or any form of a castle staff, or even guards.”

“How does not having guards or castle staff have to do with me being a princess?” Twilight countered, sounding a little insulted that Zack is questioning her title.

“I mean you don’t seem to have no form of protection, in case an incident or enemy attack. As for the not having a staff I doubt you spend all your free time cleaning this massive castle by yourself, also you don’t really seem to have this, aura or attitude of being a royal.” Zack said as she turned to look at the lobby briefly when the two alicorns came upon it. “On a different note, who does maintain your castle? Who cleans it and keeps it spotless?”

“…S-Spike does.” Was all Twilight could say, while Zack just looked baffled.

“You mean to tell me you have a twelve year old dragon, a kid, clean this ENTIRE castle all by HIMSELF! With no help whatsoever?” Zack said in utter disbelief, which Twilight could only nod to.

“I honestly don’t know how to even comment on this, that’s like, abuse of child labor or something.” Zack then shook her head as she decided to change subjects.

“Going back to my state of you not being a real princess. Aside from no guards or staff, you also seem to have a lot of free time on your hooves. The only thing I’ve seen you work on was what looked like documents in the library, before you guys came and tried to make friends with me. But after yesterday’s little tour, you’ve shown that this town has a mayor that could do that paperwork of bills for the town, and other things that involved said town.”

“Well…y-yeah that is, true. But I…ah…” Twilight stuttered as she seemed to try and come up with some kind of reply to Zack’s statement.

“Aside from all that you still seem to have a lot of free time to do what a normal person would do.” Zack then gave a more curious look, like she’s trying to figure something out. “Another thing I like to know is why are you called the Princess of Friendship? It sounds like something a little girl would call themselves in a game, or a fairy tale.”

“I’m called the princess of friendship because when I ascended to alicorn status, it was because I helped my friends by fulfilling a deed that’s worthy of a princess. And that I knew what friendship really meant.” Zack just gave Twilight an odd look like she just watched her look alike sprout a second head.

“…alright then, I won’t even try to figure out what you mean by that. But in any case, what do you ACTUALLY do as a princess?” Twilight took a moment to actually think over her response.

“Well, I do get called in to perform some kind of royal duties, from meeting with delegates, or handling some political affairs.”

“So you do have actual political authority.” Zack stated, to which Twilight nodded, before correcting herself.

“Actually, my political authority is actually the lowest of all the princesses, since I’ve only been a princess for about a year or so.”

“…and the other three princesses haven’t been teaching you how to be one, or anything?” Twilight shook her head.

“No, I’m basically learning on how to become a princess on my own.” Twilight said as she visibly wilted which did make Zack feel a small twinge in her chest. She didn’t mean to make Twilight feel insecure about her standing, but after taking in everything she just asked and stated to the princess, she realized that she was being a little demeaning if not just overly rude in general.

“Look Twilight, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel insecure about your stance on being royalty.” Zack said gently as she tried to comfort the mare, which seemed to work as Twilight had lighten up but still showed some sign of being down.

“Thanks Zack, and I know you didn’t mean to hurt me. But you did bring up a few things that I might want to look into, and see if princess Celestia or her sister can help me with.” Twilight said more as to herself than Zack specifically.

The violet alicorn then said she would be returning to the library to write up a letter, while apologizing to her look alike that she won’t be joining her in her little venture through the town. As Twilight left Zack alone, the lone mare made her way out the front door and began making her way to the town.

“Yo Zack!” a raspy voice called out, causing the mare to look up, and inwardly groan as the alicorn saw Rainbow Dash flying down towards her. “What are you up to today?”

“Nothing really.” Zack simply said to the mare before continuing her walk to the town.

“Well if you want we could hang out. I can even show you Cloudsdale, I bet you’ve never seen a flying city before.” Rainbow said confidently, seemingly trying to impress the mare as she flew beside the alicorn.

“Actually I have, and it’s called Laputa.”

“Wait?! You have flying cities where you come from?” Rainbow squawked in surprise.

“Yup.” Zack simply said as the pair made it to the town.

“Well, what’s it like?!” Rainbow asked, genuinely curious about another world’s own flying city.

“If I wouldn’t tell Twilight about my world, and anything specific to it, I’m not going to tell you anything.” Zack stated as she continued to trot to the town, with Rainbow hovering beside her now sporting a pouting face.

“Sheesh your still that same grump from yesterday.”

“I’m not a grump Rainbow Dash.” Zack as she looked up to the pegasus. “A grump is someone who is sulking, or are in a grumbling manner…like you.” Rainbow snorted at the alicorns accusation. “Just because I don’t want to talk about my world, doesn’t mean I’m a grump. I just don’t think you ponies need to know of my world.” the pegasus just snorted as her tail flicked.

“Fine.” Rainbow said before flying off in a huff.

As the pegasus flew off Zack shook her head before going back to figure out how to spend her time for the day. But as she strolls through the town, every now and then she’ll pass by ponies and their families, and seeing their happy faces stare at her and waved their hellos and good days, just made the mare give a half-hearted smile back. But deep down the sights were just making her feel, even more alone, and worried how her family is doing back home.

‘Maybe I should’ve stayed in the castle…’

~~Earth~~

Standing on the side of the road staring up at her friend’s apartment, Amber looked at the now tarp and wooden plank covered hole on the side of the building, while other construction equipment were laid outside with a van that has the landlord talking to a few workers for the repairs. Turning away from the partially destroyed building, the brown haired girl walked down the street as she makes her way towards Zack’s family home. The girl still can’t believe that after two days of searching, the police haven’t found anything regarding Zack’s whereabouts, or what even caused the explosion that destroyed the apartment. From what she heard either by passing, from the cops directly, or by the news, no one knows what exactly caused the destruction! There was no residue from any sort of bomb that the police could identify, and there was no other signs that there were anyone else in the room, so assault was ruled out.

After fifteen minutes of walking from her friend’s apartment building, Amber eventually reached Zack’s family home where saw a police car parked in the parking lot. Approaching the door cautiously and entering quietly, Amber could see the rest of her friends as well as Zack’s uncle and aunt, while the two cops sitting on a pair chairs. As the girl joins the group and looked into the living room she could see the two police officers talking to Zack’s parent’s, and by the worried and tense looks on their faces the conversation didn’t seem to be going well at all.

“—and that is what our forensic analysis team concluded.” The tall African American cop said to Zack’s parents as he clasped his hands.

“So your saying my son was just, vaporized?!” the older Caucasian man half-shouted, causing the cop and his partner to shake their heads as they attempted to calm Zack’s father down.

“No sir! What our analysis suggest from the blast, and force it must’ve yield, you’re son must’ve been flung out of the building.” The other cop, a Caucasian woman, said as she tried to keep the atmosphere of the room calm.

“Then where is our son!” Zack’s mother nearly screeched, causing everyone in the room, aside from the police, to flinch at the sudden raise in volume.

“We don’t know miss Woodburn. But we have officers looking around the city, and checking any hospitals or clinics that may have helped him. If they have found your son.” The female officer said to try and calm the couple down enough before her partner continued.

“We’ll still keep searching for your son, and keep you updated on anything that we may discover, however…” The cop said as he leaned forward.

“I’d advise you to prepare yourselves, in the case we can’t find your son at the end of the week. Because if we can’t, he will be filed as deceased.”

The family, as well as Amber and the rest of her friends were silent, except Zack’s father as he was quietly growling in frustration. Hands clenching till his knuckles were white. The cops said a few more words of trying to stay positive, and hope that they’re son is alive before they excused themselves and left the house. While the officers left, Zack’s aunt and uncle joined the couple on the couch, trying to comfort them as everyone took in what the cops said and suggested. But Zack’s dad burst from the couch and started to make his way towards the kitchen, followed by Zack’s uncle, while the sound of quite sobbing was coming from Zack’s mother and aunt.

“Miss Samantha, how are you holding up?” Jessica asked the woman as she, and the others approached the couch. The blonde haired woman just shook her head slowly, a few tears starting to swell up in her eyes.

“I still can’t believe that the cops haven’t found anything in Zack’s apparent that could’ve blown it up.” Richard said as he scratches his head, trying to wrap his head around everything that he just heard.

“I don’t know man.” Kyle said as he flopped onto one of the armchairs. “I just wanna know if Zack is alright. I mean whatever caused that explosion, must’ve really banged him up.”

Kyle was then elbowed by Amber who then pointed over to Zack’s mom, who was now crying openly, while Zack’s aunt held her. Kyle sunk into the chair and quietly said ‘Sorry’. Everyone then heard the sound of footsteps moving around from the upper floor, before they heard something coming down the stairs. Tilting her head out of the living room Amber saw a little five year old girl with light brown hair was standing there, holding a stuffed bear and looking very frightened.

“Latina.” Amber said as she walked over to the little girl, who just looked up to her.

“D-did the police f-find my brother?!” the little girl asked with a quivering voice, one of her little hands gripping her shirt while looking up at Amber with a hopeful look in her eyes.

“…n-not yet sweetie, but they’ll find him soon! I promise!”

Amber tried to give the little girl hope as she kneels down, but it would seem it was doing very little to help Latina. Amber then took the girl in her arms to try and comfort her, and was hugged back as the little girl started crying into her shoulder. A groan of frustration was then heard from the living room, before Amber saw Richard made his way out of the living room, and walked towards the door.

“Rich, where are you going?” Kyle asked, getting everyone’s attention.

“I’m going out to see if I can find my friend. The more eyes that are on the look the better our chances to find him!”

With that, Richard opened the door and left. But he was soon followed by Kyle & Jessica, agreeing with their friends words and said they were also going out to help search. As for Amber she decided to stay behind, and try to help comfort Latina, Miss. Samantha, and probably Zack’s dad. Hopefully, her friends can find something that can lead them in the right direction of where Zack is. As they were all going on about their actions, a very gleeful individual was enjoying everything that was going on, as they happily munched away at theater food while sitting in a very comfy looking recliner chair. Watching everything transpire on a big theater screen as a delightful chortle echoed throughout the empty room.