A Brief Window of Opportunity

Author's note:

These endings aren't cloppy, they're just meant to wrap up the story in a few different ways. This is the most satisfying ending in my opinion, as the other two are more of reckless, heartless attempts at humor.

WHORP.

Moving back to my own world was quite unpleasant. I felt myself twisting and turning in wholly unnatural ways, and the sensation was not unlike moving through a river of sand. My eyes stung a bit, and I couldn't breathe. I sure am glad I was asleep for that the first time.

BOOM.

I fell from a couple feet in the air onto my own bed. As I recovered my breath, I rubbed my eyes. Aww man, that sucked.

Then I reached my arms out to either side of me. Nothing but disheveled bedsheets and my own clothing, discarded during the trip over. The bed was empty. I was all alone. I was more alone than I'd ever been. That moment with Twilight had ended so abruptly, and I wanted nothing more than to hold on to someone... onto Twilight especially. But anyone warm and soft would do.

"Ugh... What am I doing with my life?"

It was still night out, so I tried to drift back to sleep. I couldn't. My bed was too cold and lonely. That guy who tried to stay in Equestria... I was beginning to think that maybe he wasn't so dumb; he really was on to something. Stricken with insomnia, I moved to the window, through which the subtle light of the Moon shined.

It really was a beautiful, full, Moon out. It's curious how I had taken to appreciating the Moon more ever since I became a brony. That big old chunk of rock and dust never seemed all that interesting before, but now? It's the avatar of Luna. A little bit of pony that's broken through into reality. I suppose I'll have to change my way of thinking about that, now; they're just as real as I am. For the last two hours, it would have been more rational to say that I was like a fictional character breaking into their reality.

Will I ever be able to see them again? I mean, sure, they'll be on the TV, or I could look them up on the net, but... It wouldn't be the same. I don't even know if I can clop properly anymore, having had the real thing.

Something is sitting on the windowsill, glinting in the moonlight. A little token of pink gemstone, in the shape of a six-sided star. My heart melts as I turn it over in my hands. A little something to remember her by... Something to let me know it wasn't just a dream.

She'll bring me back one day. I know she will. Though... maybe it wouldn't hurt to find someone warm and soft to snuggle up against while I wait. I'd always convinced myself I didn't need that, but... I think I do.

With that thought, I climbed back into bed. In the morning, I'd go out and look for someone. I can't just settle for anyone, but at least I could know I was looking. I would need to be well rested... I needed to sleep.

So I did.

End.