They Might Be Aliens

Honey Drift’s eyes fluttered open. She forgot when and where she was. The pony sat up, feeling startled.

She looked around the loft to see a few colorful, pony-shaped mounds blanketed under the hay. Slowly, she began to recall yesterday’s string of unexpected and unusual events that had brought her here.

After a quick assessment of her surroundings, she noticed that Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight Sparkle were not among the slumbering ponies in the hay. I bet that means there’s breakfast. Honey Drift stood and stretched out her hooves as far as she could, enjoying the momentary pull of her muscles.

Once she felt properly limber, she tried to tiptoe out of the loft without waking or stepping on her sleeping friends. But she hesitated when she saw Rarity sleeping near the entryway. It wasn’t the sight of the unicorn’s head resting on Applejack’s thigh that gave her pause—it was the fact that she had never seen Rarity asleep without curlers in her mane. Honey Drift found it curious but moved on in search of breakfast.

In the daylight, the barn looked unfamiliar. Some of the details seemed oversimplified, reduced to a sterile, minimalist style. It reminded her of Manehattan home decor from her own time in the future. As she approached the common area, she realized that nothing about this barn looked lived-in. Just like Manehattan.

There was no furniture except for a modern table in the middle of the room. A single plant sat atop it. Breakfast at last. Honey Drift trotted over—but the moment her mouth touched the plant, she recoiled in horror.

A plastic salad plant? When did the Mane Six turn into such pranksters?

“No. No more deviations.”

Honey’s ears perked forward, and all her attention snapped to the tack room, where Twilight Sparkle had just stepped out. A flustered Fluttershy followed closely behind.

“B-B-But…”

“You have your orders.”

Twilight suddenly stopped in her tracks, her gaze locking onto the stranger in the common area.

“Good morning, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Good morning, Fluttershy.”

Twilight’s admonishing tone instantly shifted to something more playful. “You know you can just call me ‘Twilight.’ We’re usually not that formal at home.”

Honey Drift groaned. “I know, I know.” She had heard Twilight say this so many times. “You forget that you were a pretty big deal to me the first time we met!”

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow, looking at the stranger questioningly.

“I mean, you all were a big deal to me,” Honey added quietly, her gaze softening as she looked at the pegasus.

Twilight noticed Fluttershy’s blush and frowned slightly. “Right. We need to talk.” Her playful tone was gone.

“Maybe after breakfast?”

“I… I um… I could h-h-help with b-breakfast.”

Honey Drift’s eyes lit up. Whenever Fluttershy spoke about breakfast, it usually meant a trip to Café Hay. She fondly recalled the cafe’s giant mushroom tables, delicious pastries, and all the sunny mornings they had spent there together.

“I would love that!”

“Not until we’ve had a moment to talk.” Twilight’s smile was strained.

“Sure, but I’m starving. Is Pinkie still keeping a snack drawer in the tack room?”

Fluttershy and Twilight exchanged glances.

“Actually, I think there’s a snack drawer out here,” Twilight said abruptly, looking at Fluttershy as she emphasized the words.

“Oh… oh, yes.” Fluttershy stammered and sprang into action, diligently searching the barn for the elusive snack drawer.

It quickly became apparent to Honey Drift that Fluttershy had no idea what a snack drawer was. She watched the pegasus check under the table and the plastic plant.

“Yeah, you’re right, Twilight. We need to talk.”

“Ooooh! What do we need to talk about?”

Pinkie Pie bounced into the common area.

Rarity and Applejack entered a moment later. Honey Drift blinked, as if waking from a dream. Rarity’s mane was perfectly curled.

“Why aren’t you doing any farm chores today, Applejack? You’re not exactly the kind of pony that sleeps in.”

Applejack replied in her finely tuned twang, “I finished them already, sugarcube.”

Honey Drift frowned. That was unlikely—she had just seen Applejack sleeping in the hayloft barely an hour ago.

Her gaze flickered around the barn. “And where is Rainbow Dash?”

“My, someone certainly woke up with a lot of questions today,” Rarity said airily as she walked over to stand beside Twilight. Applejack followed closely behind.

“Well, I have some questions of my own,” Twilight interjected. “Take a seat.”

The four ponies obediently sat on the ground, crossing their legs as they settled in. Honey Drift remained standing, facing Twilight.

Twilight glanced at the others, and for the first time, Honey Drift noticed the silent communication happening between them. This went on for several minutes.

She cleared her throat. “Uh, Twilight? Still waiting.”

Twilight’s eyes met hers.

“How do you know us?”

Honey Drift scoffed. Not this game again. She turned and began walking toward the barn door. “Let’s go get breakfast”

Twilight rushed ahead, blocking her path. Honey Drift clenched her jaw, irritation creeping in.

“How do you know us?” Twilight repeated. “And why do you keep acting like you’ve been here before?”

“I have been here before, Twilight.”

The ponies exchanged another round of silent looks before Twilight spoke again.

“I don’t think so. We would have come across you in our studies.”

“‘Studies’?”

“Memories,” Twilight stammered, quickly correcting herself.

Honey Drift frowned. “Are you trying to say you don’t remember me?”

Twilight hesitated, then sighed. “I’m sorry. We have no idea who you are. We looked through all our research.”

“‘Research’?”

“Scrapbooks!” Pinkie Pie’s smile twitched uncomfortably.

Honey Drift sat down, thinking. By her count, it had been 25 years—in their time—since the Mane Six had last seen her. But for her, it had been over 150 years. She still remembered them.

So why had they forgotten her?

For a moment, she wondered if they were playing this game because they were hurt that she hadn’t visited.

She sighed. “Ponies, I’m sorry I didn’t stay in touch. I know it’s been a while since I’ve been to Ponyville, and I know I’m probably harder to recognize since I’m older.” Her expression softened. “But you can all drop the act now.”

Applejack’s ears flicked. “Hold on, partner. Who said anything about an act?”

“I don’t see an act here,” Pinkie added, her left eye twitching.

Rarity laughed nervously.

Honey rolled her eyes. “The whole ‘not knowing me’ act.”

A collective “ohhhhh” escaped the ponies—until it was abruptly cut off.

The tack room door slammed open.

Rainbow Dash stood in the doorway, wincing, as if she were about to deliver bad news.

All eyes turned to her.

Twilight walked toward the tack room, speaking in hushed whispers with Rainbow Dash. After a few moments, she glanced over her shoulder and gestured for Applejack and Rarity to join them. The two ponies stood quickly and walked toward the door.

The whispered exchange between them ended. Without another word, they stepped into the tack room single file.

The door shut behind them.

Click.

A heavy lock slid into place.

Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy looked at each other, then back at Honey Drift.

Honey Drift looked at the two expectantly.

“So…breakfast?”