The Pathway to Home

Being on the run was nothing new for Rachel, it's different when it has a purpose. Migrating to a whole new world, a new reality, not really on her bucket list but here she was.

It's been a couple of weeks since her initial escape. Though she hasn't seen her father, she was on high alert. Sleeping in abandoned buildings, sewers and hole in the wall bug infested motels, keeping as much of a low profile as possible.

Some of the bruising had started to disappear and the swelling had gone down, but Rachel was still walking around in pain. Her back and sides were the most bothersome.

Inside of the motel she was staying, Rachel was in front of the cracked mirror in the bathroom. Trying to doctor up some of the cuts on her back. What she could reach that is.

Some of the cuts hadn't fully healed and she recognized signs of infection. Skin felt quite clammy as her antibodies were attacking the infection.

“Hope that bastard ends up a damn vegetable.” Rachel grumbles as she tries in vain to reach one of the infected areas.

Tomorrow was orientation for the Trials, the last thing she wanted was to get sick and unable to go.

Her father took everything from her, she wasn't going to let him win this time.

After doing what she could, she slips her shirt and bra back on, wincing at the movement. She exits the bathroom and goes to her backpack, opens it up and pulls out a small baggie of pills.

Rachel knew it was risky going up to a drug dealer and getting these pills from them but at this time, she couldn't get meds from the pharmacy. Can't risk it, she's too noticeable.

No id, no birth certificate, social security card, Rachel left those things. Having to spend six thousand dollars and some change to some forty year old man living in his mother's basement to print her the forged documents she needed. 17 fucking hours in that creep’s place.

Being on the run, you have no choice but to use what's around her, and that means buying pain drugs from some guy at a back alleyway.

The guy did seem sympathetic towards the battered girl, and gave her extra pills from his stash.

She takes a couple of pills from the bag, pops them in her mouth and washes it down with some soda.

Hopefully the pills could help fight the infection off.

She then turns her head to the keychain bear that was staring at her.

“It won't be long until I can stop taking these, it's fine.” She tells the bear.

The bear looks at her silently.

Rachel knows it can't talk back, it's a cheap, convenient store toy for young children.

But until she actually has someone to talk to, this was her version of Wilson the Volleyball. Hasn't fully stopped to grieve for her dead friend, she couldn't at the moment.

Rachel then puts the pills back up and pulls out what she did manage to buy from the store. A bunch of cheap makeup products she bought from the dollar store.

She couldn't show up to the facility looking like this. As much as Rachel didn't know anything about makeup, she was going to try and cover some of the bruises, especially on her face.

Maybe with her being taller than the average woman, her physical appearance and makeup might make her look like she's older. The Trials are only accepting ages 18 years or older. Her being just three years shy.

She read the packages of each product she bought. Reading the labels and seeing what they do. Never tried painting her face before.

She then sets the stuff aside, grabs the bear and lays down on the creaky bed. “We'll get through this. One way or another, I'm leaving this godforsaken world. There's no question about it.”

She reached her other hand under the pillow, pulling out a hunting knife she did go ahead and bought for extra protection. Her eyes reflected off the blade. Be damned if Rachel wasn't going to be caught in her sleep again. If the man finds her, he'll get this blade in his neck.

She slides the knife back under the pillow, keeping one hand gripping the handle while holding the bear for comfort. “Got a big day tomorrow.”

The day finally arrived. After planning and running, it was time to go. Dressing herself in a two tone red and black tank top, with a solid black long sleeve shirt underneath, bracelets and bangles on her wrist, her attempt to apply on the makeup, a beanie to cover her ears because Rachel knew she was a terrible liar and the ears were a dead giveaway.

The address she looked up was on the outskirts of New York in a large facility somewhere surrounded by trees. A large college-like classroom filled to the brim of applicants. Filling up the four hundred seats and others hanging around the side of the room. Enthusiasts, adventurers, scientists, young adults to old.

The chance of traveling to another world and being one of the first Humans. Chance to be among the citizens to learn and coexist.

Rachel had just made it in before they announced the application maxed out. Read and filled out a six page document, general standard stuff in a waiting room with the other adults.

When it came to them wanting her brief life summary, Rachel made up a story about how she was eighteen years old, a freshman college student at NYU. Making up lies on paper, just whatever she thought of that will impress those to let her in the program.

She even used a false name. Her mother's actual and maiden name.

Only one thing she wrote down was the truth and it was her allergies. Writing that she is allergic to garlic and certain chemicals in strong perfumes. Didn't bring an epi-pen because the bastard never believed she was allergic and never got her the items when she was allergic.

Rachel filled more pages out before getting to the last page.

In big bold red letters on top.

Warning

Equestria does possess dangerous creatures that we still have not fully processed. In a land such as this, anyone who finds themselves in dangerous clutches that we cannot control, the Program is NOT liable for any wrongful deaths and cannot be sued in the court of law.

No you can't sue Equestria if you or your loved one may get in an accident.

Please sign in at the bottom to let us know you understood and waive your rights.

“Dangerous creatures??” Rachel read.

This was a new frontier for most, any adventure would have perils if come across.

Rachel would still rather face them than the man responsible for her conception and sign the name she used.

As she signed, she started to feel dizzy. Gritting her teeth as the meds were starting to wear off.

Whatever that drug dealer gave her wasn't strong enough. She knew she can't stop, she can't let her pain keep her here.

Rachel shot up from her seat, took her packet and gave it to the receptionist. She was then escorted into the classroom. Taking the first seat she saw and it was near the exit, first desk at the door.

Her body shook from the infection and she felt like she was sweating.

Just let me get through the first stage. She thought as she and everyone else waited. Not wanting the makeup she wore to give away the truth, though it's perfectly clear that she had no idea how to use makeup well.

As Rachel waited, she still couldn't believe she made it this far. Mind began playing tricks, visioning her father bursting in these doors and dragging her out. Legs and feet jittered underneath the desk anxiously.

She just hoped her pale attempt to look older was good enough.

Fifteen minutes later, doors from another entry below the classroom opened and a single woman doctor came in.

“Sorry for the late start everyone,” The brown haired woman with glasses wore a purple blouse, black skirt with a white lab coat and black heels came waltzing in. “Traffic for our new guests was brutal, but we’re all here now.”

There was clamoring going around with the other applicants before things quiet down.

“Now, for those who don’t know, my name is Doctor Helena Jurgen, I specialized in Quantum Physics and was on the research team that had discovered the portal to Equestria. For the next six weeks, my team and I will comb through each and one of you. Not only for your physical strengths and mental capacity to cross over to a new world.” The Doctor explained, gazing at every one of them in the room.

“For the first two weeks, all of you will be educated about this new world. What better way of educating you than some of the natives of this land. Bring them in.”

Everyone sat up in their seats as they watched these creatures walking into the room. No sound was made, only the sounds of their hooves going against the tile wood floors. It was the first time besides a handful would see these three different ponies show up.

A normal looking pony, a pegasus and a unicorn, all tall, all walking on two hind legs, normal looking torsos and arms but with horse-like heads and tails. All pastel and colorful unlike anything they have seen.

No fucking way, are these guys wearing furry costumes?? Rachel though and probably a lot of people thought when they saw the Equestrians for the first time.

There was no way, right?

The earth pony, the red stallion with the slick back short silver mane and tail, had an eyepatch covering one eye while the other eye, as black as coal, stepped forward and spoke. “Good morning everyone, My name is Professor Brimstone.” He talked.

Unless the costume was brilliantly done well to actually mimic real features - which was unlikely - this anthro pony just talk english!

When he spoke however, something about it made Rachel’s heart stop. She whipped her head around the room to make sure she wasn’t hearing who she thought it was. Something about his voice was so familiar that it was making her sweat bullets even more.

As the other two gave their names, Professor Brimstone was looking around the room, seeing a collection of awed faces, and a lot of confusion and disbelief. When his eyes landed on the teen however, she had none of those faces.

She was scared and nervous and couldn't kept her eyes off of him. The girl wasn’t looking at the more fancier ponies, the unicorn and pegasus, she was looking at him specifically.

And something about her seemed….familiar to him too.

Without saying a word, she and Brimstone stared right at each other.

“Now, the three of us will be separating you into three groups. One group will be learning one thing while the others work on another. Each day, we will rotate you in our care to ensure each of you will learn about the Ponies in Equestria. Learning about our culture and ways so there will not be any ignorants running their smart mouths and angering our residents.” Professor Brimstone said, trying to explain to the humans.

“Each and every one of you will learn whatever you’ve been taught, you will be quizzed and tested on. Those with failing scores will automatically be out of the program.” The pegasus said.

“Brimstone, care to pick first?” The female unicorn asked her.

The corner of his lips lifted a little. “Dr. Velvet Skies, thank you very much.” The Professor nodded to her.

Then the stallion turned his single gaze over up at the teen. “You there. Far right near the exit.”

Rachel stiffened when he pointed her out.

“What’s your name?” he asked her.

Rachel gulps, coughing into her hands before standing up. “Darline… Darline Burk.” she spoke. Her ears burned red from her lying, her beanie obstructed the view

“You are with me, Miss. Burk.” Professor Brimstone said in a serious tone.

Rachel instantly became afraid.