Sci-Twi’s Shrinking Accident

Twilight, or Sci-Twi, as her new friends nicknamed her, was down in her basement. This wasn’t abnormal, as she used to always spend her Saturdays cooped up in the dimly lit room with nothing but her research and experiments to keep her busy. Luckily, she’d become more well-rounded since a certain fateful incident at Canterlot High, introducing her to many fabulous friends who worked diligently to pull her out of the basement and into the light. However, that didn’t mean the introvert stopped going into the basement altogether. She still needed breaks from social activity. However, this time was a peculiar blend of the two.

As Twilight typed at the computer, she checked her phone as, one by one, her friends all sent texts confirming they were on their way. All except Pinkie, who was delayed, but that wasn’t a big deal. Fluttershy was also busy all day, which was more disappointing, but the purple girl just had to make a mental note to tell everything to her yellow friend later. Finally, Twilight turned to her latest invention, the machine that looked like she’d stolen it from the 60s with all the electric tubes, the tesla coil, and all the blinking lights. She then grinned as her more modern computer read green across the board. “Yes, everything’s working,” she said with bubbling excitement.

There came a knock from the basement door as it opened.

“Twilight, darling. Are you down here?” Rarity asked as she poked her head of purple hair through the door crack.

“Pssh. Of course, she’s here,” scoffed Rainbow as she casually pushed Rarity aside and started marching down the stairs. “It’s Saturday. What, did you think we’d catch her in her room with a date?” she asked with a snorting chuckle.

Rarity huffed as she followed after Rainbow. She hated to enter without proper warning, but the damage had been done. “It’s only proper for a lady to ask.”

“Sorry, Twi,” Sunset said as she followed the bickering pair. “You didn’t answer the doorbell, so we let ourselves in.”

“‘N’ don’t worry,” Apple Jack added, tipping her Stetson. “Pinkie ain’t here yet, so no one’s gonna try raidin’ yer drawers.”

Twilight finally turned from her experiment to face her friends. “Yet, being the keyword there.”

“Honestly, I don’t know what’s gotten into that girl lately,” Rarity remarked.

“I keep telling ya. She’s hunting for dirty magazines,” Rainbow cut in. “She did the same with me. I only got her to stop by buying one just for her to find.”

“Ugh, so vulgar.”

“Yeah, sure. Like you don’t flick the bean, like the rest of us,” Rainbow teased.

“A lady does not ‘flick the bean’ like some common ruffian.”

“Yeah, Rainbow. Be reasonable,” Sunset cut in, trying to be the voice of reason. “Rarity’s a sophisticated girl who draws a hot bath with rose petals.”

“Yes, that’s precisely—Hey!” Rarity snapped.

“Who even keeps dirty magazines like that, anyway?” AJ asked. “Everyone uses the internet for that stuff these days.”

“On an unrelated note, is Fluttershy coming?” Sunset asked. “And what about Spike?”

“Oh, Spike’s getting dewormed at the vet, so he’ll be back tomorrow,” Twilight answered. “Fluttershy didn’t specify what she was doing, only that it would take all day. Anyway, what do you guys think?” She spun on her swivel chair and dramatically gestured at the sparking machine. “Pretty cool, huh?”

A thread of electricity climbed between the coils, only to discharge with a loud zap at reaching the top, startling everyone.

“Uh, Twilight,” Sunset nervously began. “That looks super dangerous.”

“You don’t even know what it is,” Twilight argued.

“Hmm, I’d say it has a more retro look,” appraised Rarity. “The design is sleek, compact, but radiates with an almost nostalgic energy. However, it also looks dangerous.”

Twilight deflated. “Come on, guys. It’s fine. I’ve been studying Equestrian magic, and I’m on the verge of a major breakthrough. If my calculations are correct, I will soon unlock the secrets of teleportation!”

“Tele-what-now?” AJ asked.

“Teleportation,” Sunset clarified. “Unicorns call it winking. It’s where we channel our magic to disappear from one spot and appear in another without physically traversing the distance.”

“Neat, but that kinda just sounds like an excuse not to walk anywhere,” assessed Rainbow. “You’ve already got little noodle legs as it is, so you don’t need an excuse to exercise less.”

“This isn’t about daily exercise,” Twilight insisted. “This is about revolutionizing transportation. Think about it. With teleportation, cars, boats, and even plains will be rendered obsolete. People can just teleport from one spot to another. Better yet, we can send goods to the other side of the planet in less time than it takes to finish this sentence,” she excitedly gushed, a little annoyed that her friends weren’t seeing the big picture.

AJ skeptically hummed. “Sounds like yer plannin’ ta put all the truck drivers out ‘f business.”

Twilight’s smile flattened. “Okay, so, maybe innovation of this scale will disrupt the status quo a little.”

“Twilight,” Rarity hummed. “I’m not much of a Scifi watcher, but even I know all the things that can go wrong with this stuff. How are you going to keep people from fusing with flies? Follow-up question on Fluttershy’s behalf: is there a way to safely fuse with something soft and cute, like a kitty?”

“The answer to both questions is testing,” Twilight assured, happy for her audience’s engagement. “I’m starting with sending small, inanimate objects over short distances. Then, I’ll slowly work my way up to bigger and longer things, and eventually graduate to something organic, like a slab of meat.” Twilight then asked Rainbow, “What’s so funny?”

The rainbow-headed girl slapped a hand over her snickering mouth. “Th-that you don’t know m-makes it even funnier-er.”

“Honestly, Twilight,” Rarity chided. “I hate to say it, but Rainbow is right. We need to get you out more so you can learn how to avoid such vulgar phrasing.”

“At least, Pinkie ain’t here,” AJ noted. “She’d probably give ya a crash course in dirty jokes, like it ‘r not.”

Zeroing in on the part she understood, Twilight checked her phone. “Yes, she said she was running late, but she didn’t say why.”

“I’d also like to add that winking is a high-tier spell,” Sunset informed. “You have to practice for months for a test that most ponies don’t pass until their third try.”

“Come on, Sunset,” Twilight whined. “With your instruction, I’ve already had so many successes. Remember how I boiled that egg?”

“It turned to ash.”

“I meant the fifth time.”

“Or how about when you brought that dress to life,” reminded a scowling Rainbow.

Rarity swooned. “It put itself on Rainbow and forced her to dance the tango. Oh, it was lovely.”

“Eh, it was kinda cute,” AJ added to Rainbow’s annoyance.

“The point is that I’ve had more successes than failures, and I’m ready to move onto the next step. Look.” Twilight gestured at a pair of cylindrical glass containers with metal casings. “I’ve already teleported a penny point two meters away with no apparent damage.” She then held up the coin for emphasis.

Sunset stepped forward to examine it. “Uh, okay. That’s actually part of the practice procedure. So, good job,” she praised. “Well, it looks like you’re following safety protocols, so I guess it’s fine.”

“Is that what you wanted to show us? An already-teleported penny?” Rainbow asked. “Lame.”

“Not at all,” Twilight assured. “I actually hoped I could get your help. See, so far, I’ve been using ambient magic in the air as a power source, but that’s not too efficient. So I was hoping that you guys could lend me some of your magic.”

“Twilight,” Sunset began to chide.

“I just need a smidge,” Twilight insisted. “Like, as much as you’d use to levitate a penny over a meter. My machines work off of an evolving algorithm, so it’s designed to adapt as it’s exposed to new variables. Once the algorithm gets a taste of what real magic can do, it’ll be able to learn to achieve the same result with the limited ambient magic. Trust me; it makes sense.”

All eyes turned to Sunset, who answered, “It kinda does, actually. Whoa, so you put this together all on your own?”

“Sort of. This beauty is the result of years of trial and error, not to mention advice from my favorite study buddy,” Twilight added while averting her gaze and blushing.

Sunset’s cheeks also tinted red. After so long away from Equestria, it had been wonderful to talk magic with someone who actually got it. Plus, Twilight was pretty fun to hang out with. Sunset brushed some hair from her face as she said, “Well, so long as it’s just a smidge.”

“Ya sure, sugar cube?” AJ inquired.

“It’ll be fine,” Sunset assured. “I have the most experience using magic, so I can turn it off if anything goes wrong.”

“Yes, my thoughts, exactly,” Twilight confirmed. She then turned to the others and added, “You guys are here to witness my greatness. Afterward, we can go out for shopping and milkshakes.”

“You see, darling, that is what we call burying the lead,” Rarity instructed. “Next time, mention that part first.”

With that, Twilight made the last-minute adjustments to her machine, ensuring everything was in place for the experiment. “Alright, we’re good,” she said while typing away. “Now, pull ze switch!” She threw her arm up in a dramatic flourish while the others chuckled at their dorky friend’s antics.

Sunset smiled as she closed her eyes and focused. It took a lot more effort to channel magic in her human form. However, like Twilight, lots of trial and error had left her pretty proud of her proficiency. Measuring what she thought was less than the minimum necessary for the intended feat, she extended her hand and channeled the magic into the machine. The engine began whirring with newfound life as the lights lit up.

“Yes, it’s working,” Twilight said, her pulse racing as all the charts read green. “Just, maybe, another half-watt should do.”

Sunset nodded and again gave slightly less than the minimum. The last thing she wanted was to overcharge things and fry Twilight’s life’s work. The cylinders began glowing with the same green hue as Sunset’s eyes. All appeared well. Then, an alarm sounded.

“Oh, no! Wh-what’s…” Twilight trailed off as error messages popped up and blanketed her screen. “Sunset, stop!”

“I… can’t!” Sunset screamed, trying to cut off the magic. “S-something’s, ugh, pulling… me… Gah! Does anyone have a tennis ball?”

“What good would that do?” demanded Rarity.

“Screw it! Jus’ pull ‘er!” AJ wrapped her bulky arms around Sunset’s middle with no regard for the girl’s modesty. The freakishly strong farm girl pulled with all her might, but the former bully wouldn’t budge.

Not needing to be told, Rarity and Rainbow also threw themselves at their friend. Unfortunately, all three focused so hard on the physical strain that they didn’t notice the girl’s glow was intensifying. Nor did they notice the faintly warm tingle building in their chests.

“Agh! Now what?” Twilight screamed. “Even more power’s going into the… wait.” She turned to see her four friends now sporting glowing ears and tails. As an explanation finally clicked in her head, she only had time for two final words. “Oh, crap!”

Then there was a bright flash that engulfed the whole basement.