A New Life

As the recruiter for the Equestrian world expedition team looks over my test he raises his head and beams at me. “Well this is perfect. You’re an ideal candidate for the expedition.” A few years ago mankind discovered a rift between are dimension and another, after going through the rift they found that it led to Equestria, the land in which the series My Little Pony takes place. After the discovery of the rift the show's main creator came forward and admitted that most of the show was based on stories he was told in that land, but after he left he could never find his way back.

Since the rift was found the government restricted access to Equestria and said no one was allowed inside the new world. Due to the immense popularity the show had and still does, they couldn't take any risks on obsessed fans screwing with the world and hurting relations with the ponies and other races of Equestria. Recently the government has been sending out these “recruiters” with tests. The test determines how fit you are to travel to Equestria, it tells them if you know nothing and are too ignorant to go, it tells them if you are obsessed and a danger, or someone with basic knowledge who can safely commute to Equestria and live there for an extended period of time.

As for why the government is trying to recruit people instead of just sending their own people to establish diplomacy. Even though the world isn’t as lovey dovey and kid friendly as the shows would suggest, they value friendship and trust as one of their core principles. Because of this, the royals suggested the government send normal people with Equestrian knowledge since they saw sending actual troops and diplomats as signs of aggression and manipulation. The reason the government has listened to them instead of just badging in and taking the place is because they’re scared of having to combat magic. Otherwise they probably wouldn’t even treat the ponies of Equestria as people.

Unfortunately, according to this recruiter I just landed myself in the position of being perfect to go to Equestria. Another fun fact, if you are found to be fit to travel to Equestria you have no choice but to go, it’s like being drafted, if you refuse to go then you’re committing treason and can be executed.. “Are you saying that I have to move to Equestria?” I ask the recruiter, still a little in disbelief.

“Yep.” The recruiter responds, clearly not noticing that I wanted no part of this mess. “As you may or may not know, the government has been putting together a group of fifteen individuals with enough knowledge of Equestria to leave and live there, while also not being too obsessed with the new world that they pose a threat. And you, my lucky friend, just made the fifteenth and final spot, meaning tomorrow morning you and the other fourteen members will embark on the first extended Equestrian living expedition.”

“You mean I have to just, up and leave all my stuff and my home by tomorrow morning?” I ask, surprised the government would make something like this mandatory.

“Not quite.” the guy responds, putting me a little more at ease, but not without some well deserved skepticism. “While you’re gone the government will cover all your bills and watch over your home until you come back.”

“And just how long will I have to live in Equestria?” I ask, now realizing I don’t actually know the specifics of the “mission”.

“There will be a briefing on the specifics of the Expedition before you go through the rift tomorrow.” The recruiter explains. “Here.” The guy reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small business card with the American government seal next to the royal Equestrian seal. I flip the card over expecting to see a phone number, but instead there is an address written on the back.

“What is this?” I ask, holding up the card.

“That my friend,” the man starts, being extra dramatic to emphasize whatever he’s about to say. “Is one of only fifteen cards with the location of the rift containment building written on it. Each member of the Equestrian expedition team gets one. In the card is a special micro chip that allows you to get past the front gate and into the building where the rift is, and the other members of your team who have been living there since they were recruited.”

“What time did you say I had to be there?” I ask, slipping the business card into my pocket and slightly closing the door.

“Around six am.” the recruiter replies, pulling out a folded page from his coat. “Introductions to the rest of the team will start at seven, mission briefing at eight and you’ll set out for Equestria by ten o'clock.”

“You just found me, how do you already have everything planned?” I question, confused.

“The government’s been planning this for a long time,” he responds. “They’ve had all this planned down to the letter for months, for the second we found the fifteenth member. All I have to do is call and let them know and they’ll be ready by tomorrow morning.“

“Fine.” I say, before closing the door most of the way. “Can I start packing now?”

“Oh, right.'' the recruiter says, like he just remembered something. “In case you weren’t aware, no forine objects are allowed in Equestria. The only things you can bring are clothes and bags to carry them in.”

“That’s alright.” I assure him. I suspected something like this anyway. “I hadn't really planned on bringing anything.”

“Well, I’ll get out of here so you can start packing.” the guy says, stepping away from the door and walking back down the sidewalk and pulling out his phone. I shut the door the rest of the way before walking back over to the living room and flopping down on the couch. I grab one of the pillows and press it into my face, groaning loudly into it. After a few moments I let the pillow go and head up the stairs to pack. It’s only about four pm so I still have some time before dinner. I think tomorrow’s going to be a long day, so I think I should get to bed by eight tonight. Which means dinner between five and six thirty is fine.