Graff's Inter-Dimensional Adventures

After I identified the correct river, it took a while to walk back upstream to where I'd washed up. Fluttershy quickly found some animals that had seen what happened, and with their help, we were able to locate the portal. On my side, it may have been in a tree, but over here, it was an exposed rock face.

"Well," I began, "I suppose this is it..."

"Yep," Starlight nodded, "Once we've come through and seen where the portal is in your world, we'll go our separate ways."

Fluttershy let out an excited giggle. "I've never actually been to the other world! Now I'll know how you feel! Except, you know, in reverse."

I looked at her, letting out a happy smirk. The way she acted – getting excited over little things, her kind heart, and her soft-spoken nature – was just so cute. If only she weren't a pony...

I shook my head to clear those thoughts. I moved in front of the portal and took a deep breath, before–

Starlight blocked me with a hoof. "Just a tip: try and breathe normally while going through. Holding your breath only amplifies the migraines."

I nodded, releasing the puff of air. She retracted her hoof, and with a moment of hesitation, I stepped through.

I stumbled out of the portal on all fours, disoriented from the travel (though thankfully, not nearly as badly as the first time). Looking down at myself, I was relieved to find my body was human once more. Not only that, but I was back in my jogging outfit, and my phone was, thankfully, lying on the ground next to the tree. "Thank goodness nobody stole it..."

Hoisting myself onto my unsteady legs, I looked around the park. The first signs of dawn were just starting to peek over the horizon, and only now did I realize just how tired I was.

The portal shimmered behind me, and two more bodies plopped out. I turned and gaped.

Starlight and Fluttershy were here, and they were humans.

Starlight's attire was rather surprising. Her mint-streaked purple hair was spilling out of a starry magenta beanie, her mint-green shirt was covered by an opened black vest, she had a watch with her Cutie Mark on it, her grey jeans were ripped in several places, and her boots were gray with hot-pink Velcro straps. Overall, it wasn't bad; a solid 7/10.

But Fluttershy...

I barely kept my jaw from dropping at the angel that was right in front of me. Her shy yet kind demeanor had carried over flawlessly, her long pink hair falling over her face despite the presence of a butterfly-shaped barrette. Her white tank top was simple, but it contrasted greatly with her grass-green skirt. A translucent pink ribbon hemmed the skirt, and her green knee-high boots went well with her pink socks.

Fluttershy blinked, lifting herself off the ground with her fists (kinda like hooves, I noted). She looked around, taking in everything around her. When her teal eyes landed on me, she gasped. "Graff? Is that you?"

I nodded absent-mindedly, still entranced by her beauty.

She looked to herself, experimenting with her new appendages (wiggling her fingers, curling her toes, etc.). "Wow... I've heard descriptions of humans, but this... This is so weird..."

Starlight came to and immediately stood up, adjusting far quicker than I expected. I blinked at this, then remembered that she had her own portal, meaning she's probably been here before.

"You doing alright, Fluttershy?" Starlight asked her friend, grabbing her by the hand and helping her stand.

Fluttershy's balance wobbled, but she soon got the hang of standing. "Yeah, I'm fine. So, this is 'Earth'?"

When I nodded in affirmation, Starlight giggled to herself. "Y'know, It's kinda funny that you call this place 'Earth'; back in Equestria, 'earth' means 'dirt'."

I eyed her confusedly. "But it means that here, too."

Starlight blinked. Then she frowned. "Well, then, why would you name your planet after it?!"

"Because it's made of dirt...?" I retorted, even unsure of it myself.

She went to counter, but found nothing. "Okay, I'll give you that."

Fluttershy, meanwhile, was looking around. "It's a lot greener than you made it sound!"

I rubbed my neck nervously. "Well, this is –"

But Starlight covered my mouth with a hand while Fluttershy was distracted looking at a tree. "Shh, let her have this..."

I nodded.

Eventually, Fluttershy calmed down, and Starlight asked, "So, where is this place in relation to Canterlot High? Sunset will want to see this portal."

I used my phone to look at a map of the place, zooming out until both here and Canterlot High were in view. She examined the map, then gave a thumbs-up. "Alright, I've got it memorized; I'll draw it later. Thank you."

I smiled in appreciation, turning off the phone.

Then my expression turned forlorn. "So, I guess this is goodbye, then?"

Starlight and Fluttershy dropped back to their hands and knees. "I'm afraid so," Starlight affirmed solemnly. "This portal will be closing in a little bit. Please try and continue your life as normal, and don't mention this to anyone who doesn't already know; I don't want any-creature to think you're crazy, okay?"

I nodded sadly. "I'm guessing that means that I'm not allowed to come back..."

Starlight looked to Fluttershy for a second, before a devilish smile graced her face. "I suppose that, when the portal opens again in 30 moons, we wouldn't mind if you dropped by for a visit."

My face brightened. "Really!?"

Fluttershy smiled her sweet smile. "I'd love to get to know you better."

My heart fluttered at this, and I practically leapt for joy. "I can't wait!"

The two girls smiled. Then they turned towards the tree and, with one last parting wave, went back through the portal.

I sat there, keeping an eye on the portal until it eventually closed with a shimmering 'pop'! I reached out my hand, and it met solid bark.

Sighing, I got up and started back towards my apartment.