When Worlds Collide

Twilight looks at the array of numbers coming from the mechanical computers tick-tocking their merry way as they process the data being sent to them by several analog computers. The ‘computers’ themselves are connected to a copper-bronze ring containing a swirling mass of black and blue colored aura in the center of a large domed atrium.

She chews on her licorice stick as she holds several sheets of parchment paper in her magic and hooves. Her smile grows ever larger as her eyes bounce from number array to number array. What she sees proves what she and her team have been receiving for the past few weeks.

Hearing the groan of the printer running out of paper, Twilight drops her notes and lets out an irritated huff. “I need more parchment!”

A white-furred unicorn stallion rushes over and drops a new stack of paper in the overbearing monstrosity and turns it back on with a crank of its lever. It sputters and sputs before returning to its monotonous task.

Twilight stares at the printer. She dreamt of a time where complex calculations would be done with more elegant machinery. Clean and straightforward, and not so bulky. But alas, she had to grow up in the middle of the industrial revolution.

Swallowing her licorice, she sticks another in her mouth as she stares at the glowing mass of magical energy before her and smiles. “Not for long…”

Several months ago, it had appeared near Hoofington’s coastline. Testimonies form eyewitnesses told that the mass just stayed in one spot for several minutes before fading away. Closer investigation of the site showed that it left burn marks that were cold to the touch.

After receiving the reports, Celestia and Luna, the co-rulers of Equestria, called upon the citizens of the nation. Their mandate was simple. Citizens must report any more sightings of the phenomenon to local officials.

Twilight swallows her licorice and bites down on another…

Five more sightings popped up all over Equestria. Even one appeared in the Griffin Empire. But the eighth sighting turned out to be the most of value. It had remained stationary for twelve days. It was enough time to study it with all the available equipment and magic they could throw at it. Finding a way to contain it, Celestia called upon her brightest engineers to construct a pylon. And they did so with minutes to spare before the vortex started to vanish once again…

Twilight swallows her licorice and goes to grab another one. “What?” She looks down and sees that the box of her delicious treat is empty. “Darn it!” Letting out another huff, she looks up at her friends and watches them staring up at the vortex as they talk among themselves.

“Twilight?”

She jumps in her chair and strains her neck back to look up at her teacher and ruler, Princess Celestia staring down at her. “Yes, Princess?”

Celestia smiles at her student. “Just wanted your opinion on the data we gathered last week.”

Twilight turns around in her seat. “Of course!” She smiles like a little school girl. “I just want to thank you again for letting my friends and I be apart of this momentous occasion! I just can’t thank you enough…!” She looks down at her lips and sees her mentor’s hoof resting on them.

“Oh, Twilight, you don’t have to thank me.” Celestia smiles. “Besides, if I didn’t, you’d drive me bananas.”

Twilight blushes. “I don’t know if I would go that far…” She sees the look Celestia’s giving and blushes even more. “Uh, I guess you’re right…”

Celestia shakes her head. “Now, to go over that data.” She manifests a notebook and opens it. “If my notes are correct, the data pulled last week stated that this vortex…” She stares at the mass of black and blue. “Is a portal… to another planet?”

Twilight shakes her head. “Yes… From what we could gather from the mana crystals, we sent through, we believe that it is indeed another planet and not some teleportation location on our own.”

“Are they still transmitting?’ Celestia asks as she looks over at six bulky machines hooked up to several mana crystals on the far side of the atrium. Their soft purple glow, adding a calm ambiance.

“Yes and no… Only five are still active; the other one stopped.” Twilight grabs a sheet of paper. “The last amount of data it was transmitting stated that it was near saltwater.”

Celestia sighs. “Ocean.” She looks back at her notes. “Seems like this portal’s other end is near a coastline.” She looks at a stack of reports about the weather. “Looks like it’s a coastline with a lot of wind and cool days. “So far, the average has been six-five to seventy-five degrees.”

“I think we will need to pack a little warm.” Twilight hums.

Celestia looks at her student with a raised brow. “Pack? Twilight, we’re not going to go through this portal.”

“WHAT!” Twilight shouts, drawing the attention of everyone in the atrium.

Celestia rubs her brow. “Twilight!” Twilight cowers a bit. “I’m not saying no. I’m saying we need to make sure it's safe for us to do so.”

Twilight frowns. “How long will that be?”

Celestia smiles. “After I hold a grand meeting with the senators of the ten territories of Equestria. Our allies. And other government red tape.” She laughs. “It's not as simple as let's just go.” Twilight posture sulks as the realization of her mentor’s words begin to sink in. “Don’t you fret young Twilight. We’ll go exploring soon.” Seeing her friends at the lounging area, Celestia places a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Why don’t you hang out with your friends for the rest of the day.”

Twilight looks up an nods. “I will…”

“Is everything alright, sister?” Luna asks as she watches Twilight near her friends.

“Everything is alright dear sister.” Celestia hums. “Just my student being herself.”

Luna smirks. “She is the most eager of ponies.” She pats her sister on the back. “You made the right choice enrolling her into your school for gifted unicorns.”

Celestia smiles as she sees Twilight conversing with her friends. “I did, didn’t I…”

……

“We’re not going!” Rainbow Dash groans.

Twilight sighs. “Yeah, not yet…” She picks up her cup of tea. “Celestia is worried about the unknowns.”

Pinkie’s curly mane deflates a little. “Aw… I had so much stuff planned!”

Applejack stares at the pink earth pony. “You think it’s the time to be planning parties and such?”

Pinkie glares at her fellow orange earth pony. “Parties should be planned for any and every occasion!”

Rarity rolls her eyes. “Pinkie, Applejack, no need to argue the merits of parties and such…” She stares at the vortex and its soft glowing colors. “But I have to agree with Pinkie, this does call for a celebration… But I think it should be after we step hoof through… this thing.”

Twilight stares at the vortex with childlike eyes at what type of world lays beyond its borders.

“What do you think we’ll find?” Fluttershy asks.

Twilight looks at the timid Pegasus and smiles. “Something beyond our wildest dreams.”