Project Uma Kyōkai

Three scientists stood outside the room you were standing in. Through the glass, you could see the frame of the portal sitting idle, an unassuming structure wrapped in wires and humming faintly. You took a deep breath, the gas mask on your face adjusting to the minor pressure change. The air tasted sterile, almost metallic.

Dr. Kugelblitz’s voice crackled through the radio, his thick German accent filling the silence. “Ze machine vill be turning on soon. I recommend you prepare yourself. Ze process is loud.”

You stood still, hands by your side, watching the portal frame as the scientists busied themselves with last-minute checks. The hum grew louder, turning into a deep, mechanical whir. A small breeze stirred in the room, tugging at the edges of your uniform. The frame began to crackle with energy, faint arcs of purple light sparking across its surface. Then, within the frame, a swirling mass of violet energy burst into existence, twisting and churning like a storm contained within a window.

“We wish you ze best of luck, Agent [REDACTED],” Kugelblitz said one last time.

You didn’t respond. Without hesitation, you stepped forward and into the portal.

It felt like falling. A disorienting rush of motion overtook you, and for a moment, you couldn’t tell up from down. Then, just as abruptly, you landed on soft grass. Warm sunlight bathed your face, and the air smelled sweet and fresh. You pushed yourself up slowly, your limbs still tingling from the transition.

Turning back, you watched as the portal—now flickering and unstable—dissipated into nothingness. There was no going back now. You reached for your backpack, retrieving the file you’d been given. The bold letters on the cover read “Equestria.” You still didn’t understand why they’d named it that, but the word lingered in your mind.

Opening the file, you glanced at the blurry photographs taken by probes. They revealed a world teeming with life, though details were scarce. Sighing, you slid the file back into your pack and scanned your surroundings. In the distance, a small town nestled among rolling hills caught your eye.

“Hm, intelligent life?” you muttered. “This could be interesting.”

Adjusting your sidearm, you began to walk toward the town. The weight of the pistol on your hip was a reassuring constant in an otherwise alien landscape. As you approached, you found yourself drawn to the pastel colors and strange architecture. The buildings looked like something out of a children’s storybook, and the closer you got, the more surreal it became.

Hiding behind a bush at the edge of the town, you froze. Horses. They were everywhere, but they weren’t like any horses you’d seen before. Their colors ranged from bright pink to deep blue, and some of them had horns or wings. What’s more, they were talking. Conversing like people.

Nobody had warned you about this.

“Hello?” a soft voice said from behind you.

You whipped around, startled. Standing a few feet away was a timid yellow horse with wings. Her wide eyes fixed on you, filled with equal parts curiosity and fear. Before you could react, she let out a small yelp.

“Eep!” she cried and bolted, disappearing into the trees.

“That’s not good,” you muttered. Standing, you brushed yourself off and began to follow her. Whatever these creatures were, you needed to know more about them. You touched your sidearm, feeling the cold steel beneath your fingers. Whether you calmed her or silenced her depended entirely on how these ‘horses’ dealt with humans.

You couldn’t help but scoff as you walked. “‘Equestria,’” you said to yourself. “Like horses. Real clever.”