The Pathway to Home

“You're going to do what now???” Brimstone, and Dr. Helena had gathered in her office. Rachel was now asleep, her emotions wore her out.

And Brimstone was not liking what he just heard.

“Professor Brimstone, I'm sorry but it's the law. We have to alert the father of the girl’s whereabouts so he can get her. She's a minor.”

“She's in danger if you send her out.” Brimstone growled. “Her father is responsible for her abuse, you're going to be sending her back to the lion’s den!”

“It's. The. Law.” the Leader of the Trials emphasized. “I don't like this either, believe me, I don't but we have no choice. The man can sue us for holding her “captive” and we will get shut down. We'll hand her over, pay whatever compensation needed to keep this quiet and move on. No charges were filed on the father or otherwise I'd be calling social services.”

“I can't believe what I'm hearing. That child cannot return to that vile creature. This is an outrage!”

Brimstone slams Rachel's medical file and opens it. “Look! Broken bones, organs nearly pulverized, burns from both flame and electricity, these are works of a sadistic inquisitor. I can recognize the methods used on the poor girl. Judging by these alone and how she suffered, she should have died from all that abuse! Just about everything but rape has done to her.” He displayed the photos and reports to the human.

“I'm not risking the shut down of the Trials because of this.”

“She will die if she doesn't join it.”

“That's out of the question.” The Doctor spoke harshly. “The Trials are important because we are trying to see if Equestria and Earth can coexist. It's way too dangerous for a child to slip in at this time. She only has three more years until she turns 18. Where she can legally leave her father.”

“Something tells me that's highly unlikely.” Brimstone glared at her. Wanting to go after the bastard more and more with each second.

“Professor, as heartfelt as this is that you care so much, there's nothing you can do. By all means, you are a guest in a world not yours.”

“There has to be some way. Rachel is on Death's doorstep. If we hand her over to her father, Death will claim her. No one else seemed to be fighting and advocating for her. She has no one to help her.”

“This isn't some halfway house for displaced runaways.”

Brimstone gritted her teeth. Can't believe that Humans would turn away a child screaming for help. Though tales of abuse do happen in Equestria, it's rather peaceful. If somepony said they were being abused, actions were taken seriously and stopped.

From his point of view, Humans don't.

Unless…. An idea came to Brimstone's mind. Might be a way to keep Rachel in the program.

“I have a fifteen year old daughter as well.”

“Brimstone, I think you need to-”

“Let me finish, Doctor.” Brimstone snapped before recomposing himself. “Apologies.” He digs out his wallet and pulls out the photos of his daughter. Just of her posing on the steps of their townhouse.

He then shifts the stack of photos in the file before pulling out a picture of Rachel’s face and putting them side to side. “I have a fifteen year old daughter back home, Rachel is fifteen. My daughter was born on Hearth's Warming, that girl was born on Christmas.”

“I fail to see your point.” Dr. Helena said, watching the aggravating stallion trying his case.

“Well look. Yes it's clear at first glance that they are of different species, but look at the details of the photos. You're a woman of science, yes?”

Dr. Helena gave the pony a look, sighed and looked down at the two girls.

At first glance, she didn't see what Brimstone was seeing.

However, the longer she stared at the two side by side, her eyes grew. Now looking closely, envisioning the battered bruises on the pegasus’s face, seeing the facial structure, the eyes.

Despite one being human and the other a winged horse, the two were nearly identical.

“What is this?” She asked Brimstone as she studied the two photos.

“Rachel is my daughter's variant. I know what my own child looks like, I can tell by just looking at the human girl.” Brimstone admits. “Give me some time and will hand you concrete proof of the matter. Rachel deserves a life away from here, she's willing to do whatever it takes. Everyone she ever cared for and loved is gone and I believe that. Just like how I believe Rachel and Lilysky, my daughter, are the same being.”

“If that's true, wouldn't you and her father be variants as well?” she asked.

Brimstone's fists squeezed tightly. “I know I'm nothing like the bastard. Let me run some tests. As a woman of Quantum Physics, one of your theories is that there are alternate versions of ourselves and alternate realities. Allow Rachel to go to Equestria and I will work on this theory. I'll be responsible for her crossing and I will give you more definitive proof that multi variants exist.”

“But you’re a History Professor. Hardly a pony of science.”

Brimstone stared down at the woman. “One of the quirks of my cutie mark, my special talent, is the need for extracting the truth. I can spot lies and know how to find truths. I became a history professor because it's all about recounting the truths of Equestrian history. I'm sure I can use that quirk in this profession to dig for the truth about variants. It's all about observing the small, finer details, like how an artist can spot any discrepancies in their work.

“Do not call up her father, let Rachel stay on the trials and I will make you a successful woman.”

The doctor leans back in her chair. “Brimstone, if you're correct about this, this will get you a solid foot, er, hoof in this community.”

“All I care is getting Rachel to Equestria.” he straightened up. “You had me interrogate the child, now I know what I know, I can't turn her away. What do you say?”

The doctor looks at him before looking down at the photos. Seeing the two teens. One filled with happiness and bliss while the other filled with pain and terror.

Staring at the battered girl the longest.

“If this project of yours blows up in our faces…”

“I will take full responsibility for the fallout and you can deport me. Just don't let this bastard get his hands on her.” Brimstone swore.

The human thinks about it. “Okay, I won't call him or alert the authorities yet. Give me a couple of days to work something out. If it works, you'll start your research on this matter.”

“I'll start in the morning.”

“For now, she stays on this side of the facility until something can be done. No interacting with the other candidates until at least the next phase of the Trials. You are in charge of her. Do not make me regret this, Brimstone.”

Relieved, he gathers the documents. “Thank you, Doctor, you won't regret it.”

With a wave of her hand, Brimstone leaves the room.

On his way to his room, he stopped by Rachel's room. Glancing through the window of the door to see her asleep.

But judging by her body language, she wasn't having a blissful sleep. Clinging to that small bear like her life depended on it.

“So how did that go?”

Brimstone turned and was greeted by his two selected colleagues. The other nine ponies that were selected went to three other facilities across the world. The female unicorn by the name of Dr. Velvet Skies, a medical doctor and female pegasus, his actual colleague and friend from the college, Professor Gala Knight, archeologist.

He looks to Velvet who spoke. “As well as expected.” He then silently glanced at the Humans nearby before focusing on the mares. “I don't trust humans the slightest.”

“Some do give me the creeps.” Velvet admits.

“What about the kid? how's she?” Gala asks, crossing her arms.

“Resting, and in need of our help.” Brimstone said. “I manage to buy the child time but I don't know how long she has here. I do believe Helena will try but with how the human system failed Rachel time and time again, she needs a secure way to Equestria, she's not to stay on this side.”

He said that as Velvet glances inside Rachel's room. Her yellow horn glowed pink, her magic seeping inside of the room, engulfing the bear. The bear grew to a large size.

In sleep, Rachel curled up to it for comfort, feeling something large and soft around her.

“How do you suppose she go? Humans have their rules.” Gala said.

“We may need a..divine intervention to ensure her transport…and I know just which princess to go to.” Brimstone said.

The only princess that can transverse through the realm of dreams.