Author's Note
A crossover between MLP and my own original stories. Inspired by Horror JRPGs a la Shadow Hearts and Parasite Eve with my own contemporary spin. Earthbound might've played a smaller role, too. Still have to play that one. As far as setting goes, the first few chapters are set in '97. Starting with chapter four, we'll be transitioning to '01.
Birthday Girl (Part 1)
Maria, Brandon, and Emily waited patiently in front of the motel. It was a cold October evening in the city of Silver Falls, Massachusetts. Emily's birthday was just around the corner: the next day, in fact. Her parents, Robert and Chelsea, and her grandparents, Lisa and George, gathered around her in a display of affection while the Drake siblings stood by.
"Sorry we took so long," a familiar voice called out, "We had a few things to finish up before we got here."
Everyone turned to face the sound. A purple Alicorn approached the party. Five other mares and a purple dragon followed close behind. Emily immediately ran up to her, squeezing her in a tight embrace.
"It's good to see you, too, kiddo." Twilight said with a smile.
"Hey, Twi." Maria spoke.
Twilight released Emily from her grasp. She gazed up at Maria with a fond expression.
"How are you holding up?" the Alicorn asked.
"Good as can be expected."
"Everything seems to be back to normal."
"Define normal."
"You know what I mean."
Robert strolled over to Twilight. He shook her hoof with a gentle grip.
"Thanks for helping us out back there," he said, "God knows what would've happened without you to steady our nerves."
"Of course," Twilight replied, "It's the least we can do."
"Guess we should head inside." Maria advised.
The party acquired their room keys for the evening. While Emily's family settled in, Twilight went to speak with Maria and Brandon. Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Spike tagged along. Twilight knocked on the siblings' door. Maria opened it from the other side.
"Hey." the adolescent greeted.
"Can we come in?" Twilight requested.
"Sure."
Twilight and the others stepped inside. Maria closed the door behind them.
"I'm glad to see they're all right," the Alicorn said, "Truth be told, I thought they'd be more shaken up. It's not every day you're almost devoured by rabid animals. Fluttershy would know better than anyone."
Brandon gazed in Fluttershy's direction.
"Sorry you couldn't help them."
"It's okay," Fluttershy assured, "We learned a long time ago things work differently here."
"Speaking of which, how'd you guys get here anyway, and why did you show up in Emily's cottage?"
"We were asked by Celestia and Luna to investigate," Twilight explained, "They told us to use any means necessary to keep her family safe."
"So are you like their guards or somethin'?"
"In a sense, I suppose you could call us guardians. We protect Equestria from those who seek to dominate or destroy it."
"Sounds pretty rough."
"It's exhausting for sure, but compared to the burdens you carry, it doesn't even register."
"It's strange knowing there's another world out there where life is thriving."
"Trust me, it was just as surprising to us."
Maria placed a small plastic bottle on the desk between her and Brandon's beds. It was a yellow medical container. The label revealed the contents inside to be sertraline, a drug prescribed for depressive disorders. Twilight stared uncomfortably at the pills. She shuddered without so much as a breath...
"I'll be tapering off soon," Maria informed her, "You're not the only one nervous about me taking them..."
"Keep your head up," Rainbow encouraged, "You just killed a group of feral pack animals without so much as a scratch. That should show you your training's paying off."
"That's nothing to be proud of," Maria reminded, "I'd hoped I'd never have to fight."
"I know, but think about where Emily'd be if we hadn't shown up."
"I know..."
Maria fell onto her bed, stretching her arms over her head.
"We should get to bed soon, too," Twilight suggested, "Tomorrow's a big day."
"Night." Brandon said.
Twilight nodded.
Around five o' clock the next morning, Maria took a dose of sertraline and woke Brandon up. She prepared her costume, sporting black nail polish, lipstick, and a set of plastic fangs. She fastened a silver chain to the belt of her jeans. The siblings gathered the rest of the party, culminating in their arrival at Emily's room.
"Hey." Robert said jovially.
"Sorry for waking you guys up so early." Maria apologized.
"No worries. We're early risers."
"I wanted to give her her present."
Maria held up a stuffed pony doll: a white Pegasus she designed, herself.
"It's been almost a year since I gave her Harmonic. Figured it was time to finish what I started."
"She looks just like us." Twilight noted.
"You were the inspiration."
Maria placed the toy next to Emily. She stroked the child's hair, nudging her into consciousness.
"Morning, Em."
"Maria...?"
"Happy birthday."
Emily smiled at her friend. Maria supposed it was fortunate children bounced back from trauma quicker than adults. The teen rose to her feet.
"Is it okay if we take her to get something to drink?"
"Don't party too hard." Robert joked. This elicited a giggle from most of the room. Chelsea playfully swatted her husband's arm. Even Maria smiled, albeit weakly.
Outside, Maria and Brandon bought everyone sodas from the vending machine.
"So, Em, how old are you now?" Rainbow inquired.
"Nine." Emily responded nonchalantly.
"That close to bein' grown up already, huh?"
"I guess."
"We were gonna make her a cake and spend the day at her place, but my buddy Eric called me up and asked if we wanted to go to a party," Maria revealed, "He told us we could bring everybody along."
"You said he was a bit older?" Twilight questioned.
"He's twenty-five."
"What's he like?"
"He's pretty tall. Wears a lot of black."
"Pretty much like you, then."
"More or less."
"What are we gonna do after we check out?" Rainbow asked.
"Probably pick up some snacks and cruise around town until sundown. Zane's place is only about twenty minutes away."
"Zane?" Twilight interjected.
"The guy hosting the party."
"Ah."
"Don't worry about the cake," Pinkie said, "I've got you covered. I made it just before we left."
"Thanks," Maria replied, "I appreciate it."
"Don't mention it."
Everyone finished their drinks and returned to their respective rooms. It would be a few more hours before the stores opened.
