I pressed my hooves to the Earth keyboard. I caught up on the words of the day and moved on to my email. Oh.

Oh.

I drew my hooves back. "Oh... damn it..."

Twinkle was watching me. "Something wrong?"

"Several things... Our old home is lost."

"I though it already was." She inclined her head. "Did something happen?"

"It's still there." I put the keyboard down, or meant to. It fell the last few inches, and I lacked the will to pick it up. "You're kinda useless..."

I flopped to the bed. "On the positive, I can write off the other world entirely now."

Twinkle landed on my prone form. "What happened? Please tell me."

"It's lost. The house, lost. I didn't keep on top of it, balancing work, this life, and that... I messed up. It's... my fault."

Twinkle pawed gently at me. "You're a world away! Most ponies would have given up on it a long time ago..."

"I tried, and failed." I grunted softly, then sighed. "Oh well... Oh dang well..."

Twinkle nudged at me with a hoof. "You sound sad, but you don't. I'm not sure which you are right now... Please tell me."

I smiled at that. "Thank you for caring." I grabbed her and hugged. "I'm sad. I spent a lot of time trying to do that, for people I felt deserved it. I messed up, that makes me sad..."

I let out a soft sigh, barely holding Twinkle. "And now it's over... I'll close up shop, I guess." I rolled upright. "It's the right thing to do."

Twinkle slid to the bed, watching me. "What do you have left to do?"

"Stop my games so people aren't changed for them." I willed the keyboard up to rest in front of me. "Close my patreons. Send my emails off to my niece so she can take the money and do whatever she wants... Finish it all, and finally admit I'm dead."

"You're not dead." She flared her wings at that last word. "I can see you quite alive."

"Not there. There, I am dead. I was just being a friendly ghost." I got to doing what I said, closing up shop on my former life. "I'll miss it, but that was a messed up world."

I methodically closed accounts and subscriptions associated with my old existence on that other Earth left behind unexpectedly. Despite the magical wonder surrounding us here, melancholy still haunted my motions surrendering those lingering threads finally.

Twinkle fidgeted anxiously clearly wanting to interject comfort but respecting the bitter solemnity of this goodbye. "Does...does everycreature there think you died somehow?" she finally ventured hesitantly into the brooding silence. "Seems so sudden losing contact..."

I simply nodded, throat tightening fighting back pointless tears over funerals held ages past beyond reach. Maybe they'd even held empty memorials after my inexplicable disappearance.

With a decisive tap I sent one last email to my uncomprehending kin - business concluded on one side.

I turned slowly from the instrument of old sorrows and met Twinkle's compassionate gaze. Wordlessly she wrapped me in a fierce hug joined soon by Spike and Twilight drawn somehow to wound's raw ache as if by kindred resonance sounding struggles of their own.

Things were quiet, though part of me wondered if Twilight or Spike had any idea what was going on. "I'll be locked up in here a lot less often."

Twilight drew back. "I'm happy to hear that, but you seem... What happened?" She looked to Twinkle, who looked to me.

I chuckled at the silent exchange. "My old life finally ended... It had to, we were just waiting for it. It's over. That's it..." I floated the keyboard against twilight. "I won't need this."

Twilight pushed it back. "Hold onto it, just in case." She shrugged. "Besides, what will I do with a keyboard connected to your world? Now... Know this--"

Spike cut in suddenly, "We care about you. If you wanna talk, just let any of us know. We're a family."

"Yeah!" Twinkle pumped an arm with a nod. "Um, not a blood family, but just as good..."

I managed a shaky smile as three ponies clustered around me. simply sat, letting tears fall unashamed by sorrow or strangeness. I didn't cry that often, but they came then. I felt somehow consoled that they did come then.

I took a soft breath and hopped to the ground, shaking out. "Now! Twilight." I turned to her. "What happened to Gallus? Is he alright?"

"Hm? Oh!" She clapped her hooves firmly together. "Yes. His feathers are recovering at a remarkable rate. I have a theory... It is in the nature of phoenixes to burn up and regrow. I think he may already have entered that cycle. He burned, but he's recovering swiftly, possibly better than he started. He is a phoenix."

Spike blinked at that. "Wow, kinda cool really. Almost as cool as a dragon." He buffed his chest with a great claw. "Almost. Now, I'm going to get back to dinner before something burns." He squeezed out the door of my room and was lost to sight a moment later.

Twinkle leaned against me. "I volunteer to stay."

"You have more emotional maturity." Twilight slipped to her hooves. "I am not ready for this." She walked out without another word.

Twinkle rocked with amazement in her eyes. "Huh, I... I beat her at something!"

I reached to pat her gently. "I knew you would." We shared a little nuzzle, both smiling. "What do you want to do while Spike gets dinner together?"

Twinkle visibly swelled under my gentle praise and nuzzle, little wings finally flaring with pride. "Ha, well helping friends through bumps seems my special talent lately!" Her grin softened introspectively. "But honestly still figuring myself out mostly..."

She abruptly hopped up clapping hooves excitedly banishing gloom. "Oh I know - let's peek what the phoenix is up to before eats! They're all mythical rebirth and metamorphosis right?"

Twinkle looped playfully around me eyes aglow. "Maybe Gallus has wisdom helping certain conflicted ponies explore transformations too? We can ask subtle-like!" She winked hugely.

I laughed, heart lifting as her enthusiasm swept sorrows away. "Alright let's catch our combustive classmate while the roasting's optimal!" Spirits rose trotting alongside Twinkle bubbling over with restored cheer towards wherever adventure led next.

We hurried out nearly bowling over anxious Spike. "Woah hot plates coming through!" He hoisted startling stacks of platters purposefully past. "Unless you're suddenly disinterested in cheesy crispy potato perfection?" One skeptical reptilian brow quirked sharply awaiting our decision.

Twinkle started drooling audibly. Priorities promptly shifted smelling such aromatic ambrosia near hoof! "Sure, phoenixes are cool but hey, hatchlings eat free yeah?" She shrugged haplessly towards the burdened dragon. "C'mon, lets grab seats before the horde hits!" And we galloped off leaving explorations for later.

Only after dinner was safely stored in our bellies did we try emerging anew. We cut across the town into the school. It was a strange place at night, so quiet and still. Under Luna's...

"Is there a Luna?"

Twinkle perked at my question. "I haven't seen one?"

But she was just as much a stranger of that world as I was. "We should ask. I'm curious now."

That put aside, we went to the nurse's office, where one light still flickered. That light was just over Gallus' bed. He had his feathers back, though none of them were quite long enough, leaving him looking oddly cut. He sat up as we came in. "Oh, hey. Here to make fun of me?"

I smiled at that. "Even if that is a new look, no. Why would I? It's a mark of honor. You're a damn phoenix now."

"Damn right!" Gallus flashed a big smile, his worried gone in a flash. "You figure out what happened yet?"

"One theory." I raised a hoof. "You were reborn, phoenix style. So, how're you adjusting to rebirth redux there hotshot?"

Gallus ruffled emerging quill shafts absently clearly relishing new status not fretting setbacks. "Ha, it's wild! Burning up then shedding is funky but feels kinda cleansing getting that fresh start y'know?"

Noticing our blank stares he cackled waving it off. "Eh, probably not yet - it's my new normal!" Sobering slightly he tilted his head inquisitively my way. "So hey, figure out what triggers the whole ignite and rise from ashes deal? Wanna grab that switch soon as able!"

"We don't know for sure, but my guess is the fire nature you were looking into, you fell in, much like I did." I waved over my scales. "It hit me like a sack of bricks too, and I showed up looking odd the next day, so I'm with you."

Gallus just looked more excited though. "So I just gotta turn up the heat inside past safety levels and blammo!?" He started smoldering faintly around the edges just envisioning new experiments. "Hoo boy, we're gonna have fun figuring out my limits!"

Noticing smoke trails from smouldering sheets I cleared my throat hastily. "Er, maybe outside though so we don't torch the infirmary?"

Gallus glanced down and quickly snapped upright cackling agreement readily enough. "Right, right."

He fired a fingergun at me. "Still, thanks. We both get that extra credit, and I get to show off the moment I get out of here. That's, what, a triple win."

Twinkle blinked. "You only listed two things."

"Three: I get to use fire magic." He snapped his fingers, fire dancing at his fingertips. "All wins! Now... Real talk, but I'm going to have to go, and... I don't want to do it alone."

I hummed at that. "Go where?"

"Home." He crossed his arms. "I have to tell them what happened. I have to show them what happened. I'd be a real jerk of a griffon, even more than usual, if I didn't... Um... Long part short, come with me?" He waved at me. "Please?"

Surprise flickered through our circle at Gallus' unexpected invitation back towards a homeland barely referenced since classes started. For all his standoffish bluster, uncertainty clouded fierce eyes measuring reactions to an uncharacteristic request.

Twinkle broke the awkward pause first, wings buzzing earnestly. "Of course we'll come if you want Gallus! Cutie Mark Crusader Griffon Escorts, at your service!" She blinked. "...well once we make some badges anyway."

Her automatic cheer rallied spirits from stunned silence. Chuckling I bumped her shoulder gratefully for breaking tension sympathetically. "What this goof said - just say the word when discharge day dawns buddy."

Noticing lingering hesitancy I added gently: "I get not feeling ready facing folks changed unexplainably." Flickering motes manifested emphasizing my altered state. "Having some pals in your corner makes a difference if things get hairy."

Gallus shuffled talons but finally nodded brusque thanks clearly relieved by our ready agreement. "Yeah, just gotta show off these fiery tricks then duck quick before cousins start drama or Uncle gets lectury." He mimed tossing spectator griffons casually. "In and out before boiling over, ya get me?"

I nodded a bit stiffly. "You got it... You protected me when I needed it. I'll do my best to return the favor. Now... Do you want us to stay, or get out of here?"

He looked uncertain a moment. "We'll get plenty of time to get sick of each other on the trip. For now, go home. Don't worry Professor Twilight or anything. I'll let you know when I'm ready to head out."

Twinkle saluted sharply. "You got it! Um, just checking, but you're okay with both of us?"

Gallus shrugged. "I wasn't gonna ask you, but you invited yourself. If you really want to see Griffonstone, welcome aboard."

"Woo!" Twinkle did a little twirl in the air before landing on my back. "I'll be there! A fine time for some practice. Oh, you know air magic, don't you? You could help me."

Gallus smirked at that. "Fair trade. Get outta here." He waved us out of the room. There were things that wouldn't happen that night.

Author's Note

Our protagonist died. Oops.

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