Author's Note

"EMAPTHY: SHOULDERS TO LEAN ON! A LIFE VEST TO MAKE TREADING WATER POSSIBLE! EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US IN THE SAME MESS, SINKING TOGETHER IN THE SAME QUICKSAND!"

Lifeline

Maria scouted the vast landscape. The field was empty with no trace of life. She felt the mist of evening's drizzle descend over them, sensing her friend was near...

"She's here."

"How can you tell?"

"Just a gut feeling."

"Guess it'd be bad faith to ignore our instincts now."

Brandon extracted his axe from the car, joining his sister's side.

"Lead the way."

The younger Drake drew a serrated knife from her coat pocket. The blade was composed of black carbon and stainless steel. Razor-sharp teeth lined the body, making it ideal for close-quarters combat. The pair inched forward, keeping their eyes peeled for signs of an ambush.

Not long before the siblings arrived, Twilight awoke to darkened vision. As her sight cleared, she recalled the events that transpired earlier in the day.

"I remember I went through the portal, and..."

The realization hit her like a freight train. Robert and Chelsea...She was in their bed. She sat up, alerting them to her presence.

"Good to see you're still with us." Robert teased.

Twilight stretched her neck. A quick pop relieved the tension.

"I think you've figured out already it'll take more than sleep deprivation to do me in."

"Want some cocoa? It gets pretty chilly at night."

"Please."

Twilight plopped next to Emily and Chelsea. Two burning questions seared the back of her mind.

"What time is it?"

"It's a little after six," Chelsea informed her, "Maria should be here soon."

"That's the second thing I was going to ask. Can you tell me more about her?"

"What do you want to know?"

"What kind of person is she?"

"To tell you the truth, this will be our first time meeting her in person."

"You mean you've never met her before!?"

"We started talking online a year ago. We mainly bought this computer for work. While we were learning how to use it, we stumbled across her messenger profile. Her entire persona was built around what I can only describe as artistic melancholy."

"Melancholy?"

"She presented herself as an emotionally distraught individual. That's why we were so taken aback by how sweet she was when we spoke."

"I think I get it. You're saying there's a dichotomy between her public and private life, right?"

"Precisely."

"She does sound like quite a character. I'm interested in meeting her myself, now."

"We consider her part of the family despite the fact we've never met. Strange how that works, isn't it?"

"Not really. Pinkie Pie feels that way about everyone she meets."

"I'm assuming she's a friend of yours from home?"

"You're pretty perceptive. We've been friends for almost ten years. As things stand, we haven't formed a strong relationship with Earth yet, meaning we don't have the same technology. Our species lives in tightly-packed communities where everyone knows each other personally."

"It's still like that in cities and small towns. As I'm sure you've noticed, we're pretty much cut off from the rest of civilization. We moved here for a quiet, simple life."

"I understand. What's strange to me is, during my last visits, I took on human form to blend in with the population. I can't figure out why it's different this time."

"I wish we could be of more help."

"It's fine. I prefer this form, anyway. I don't have access to spells as a human."

"Robert said it before, but we're grateful you did. We couldn't live with ourselves if something happened to this little one."

"Pinkie and Cheese have a son of their own. I know the feeling. I would've evacuated you to safety. Unfortunately, only magical beings can enter the portal."

"That may be a blessing in disguise."

"Maybe..."

"Thanks for helping me." Emily stated graciously. The surge of power from Twilight's dream returned. It was more overwhelming than the pony princess could have ever imagined.

"This strength...What is this...!?"